THE PORTAL IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC
The First Sunday in Lent - February 21, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM OUR LEADERS: Gordon Ross
Dear St. John’s Family,
My guess is that many of you, if approached about serving as Junior Warden, would lock yourself in a closet. . When I went off vestry 4 years ago, I needed a break so I withdrew somewhat from activities. Serving the church and doing what I can to help fulfill God’s mission is a calling which I have had a lot of time to reflect on during my adult life. I started serving on Vestry when my family was attending St. Edward the Confessor in Lugano, Switzerland back in the late ‘90’s. Since then my level of engagement has seen pronounced swings between total absorption and benign neglect. When Mother Cosman approached me about emerging from my closet two months ago, I took a day or two for prayerful reflection, then, I reached out, undid the latch and stepped into the light.
Serving St. John’s has been one of the most rewarding acts of devotion that I have ever been called to perform. My service has taught me to trust in God’s love and the blessings that flow to those who are willing to place themselves in his hands. I was abjectly unworthy of the help and support which was offered to me as Senior Warden when I started my term seven years ago and, yet, there it was. I return now confident that our parish family will rise to any challenge; a pandemic, financial indigestion, remote services, you name it. In the past year, it would have been easy to despair when a new challenge seemed to be crouching behind every twist and turn in the road.
The words of Roman 5:3-5 have never felt more vital:
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
I look forward to facing these tribulations together because I know we will persevere. We will, as always, arrive at hope once more because God wills it.
In peace,
Gordon Ross
Junior Warden
PRAYER SHAWLS
Calling all knitters and crochetors, we are in need of prayer shawls. Perhaps in the next 2 cold months, you can make a shawl for our shawl rack.
Thank you so much!! If you have any questions, please contact
Ginny Hoffmann
Little Free Pantry
We appreciate all food donations that people graciously donated. We cannot at this time accept clothing, boots, etc., other than food. If you have clothing, boots, etc., please feel free to contact Diane Hayes to make an appointment to bring to The ValleyThrift Shop in Winsted, CT. Thank you.
VIRTUAL CALENDAR - THIS WEEK
SUNDAY - 9am Worship on FBLive. SUNDAY - Garden Worship will resume in the Spring.
TUESDAY - 9am Staff Meeting on Zoom; Read It & Sleep will be every First Tuesday of the month, next Read It & Sleep is March 2nd. Trivia every 3rd Tuesday of the month on Zoom with Michelle Piekos, Next Trivia will be March 16th
WEDNESDAY - 8:30am - Bishops, Clergy, & Wardens on Zoom
THURSDAY - 9:30am Leadership Meeting on Zoom; 10:30am Dwelling on Zoom; 6:30pm Evening Worship on FBLive; Vestry Check-In 7:00pm
FRIDAY - 10 to 11am - Zoom Open Office Hours ALL DAY/ EVERY DAY - Little Free Pantry and Sanctuary Open EVERY DAY - 6pm The Ringing of the Steeple Bell
ONLINE LINKS
Dwelling in the Word Link
https://files.constantcontact.com/bb996b4c001/bcead65d-66fe-4f3f-921b-f1c0577ac031.pdf
Dwelling in the Word Zoom Meeting Link
If you cannot join us for Zoom online, you may join us by phone at 1(646)558-8656 and entering the meeting code 9493034183#
Thursday Evening Prayer Link
https://files.constantcontact.com/bb996b4c001/06e5b7ff-4a30-4749-bbd7-d1fa6fd06e1c.pdf
St. John's Facebook Page for FBLive Worship
The First Sunday in Lent - February 21, 2021 Bulletin Link
https://files.constantcontact.com/bb996b4c001/227aa04e-239e-4a02-b628-9bedc70305de.pdf
St. John's Facebook Page for FBLive Worship
ONLINE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER LINK
Access to the Book of Common Prayer is not limited to the church. If you do not have a copy at home, a free online resource is available at www.bcponline.org
RHYTHMS OF GRACE
March 7th AT 12:30PM
Rhythms of Grace - January 3rd at 12:30pm, all our welcome to join via Zoom. The Zoom information is as follows:
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/94881017440
Meeting ID: 948 8101 7440
Dial by your location 1 646 558 8656
DIGITAL OFFICE HOURS
Mother Cosman will be on Zoom on Friday mornings from 10am to 11am for drop-in conversations at the following Zoom link: https://episcopalct.zoom.us/j/9493034183
Please join us!
SUPPORT MEETINGS
Alcoholics Anonymous - www.ct-aa.org
Speak to a recovering alcoholic toll free, 24/7, 1-866-steps12 (1-866-783-7712)
NARTHEX LOCK BOX
For your convenience, there is now a lock box located in the Narthex for the deposit of checks, contributions, and confidential communications. The box will be checked weekly. Thank you for your continued support of St. John's!
BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY LISTS ARE BEING UPDATED
We are working to update our listing of birthdays and anniversaries for members of our parish family. Please email the important dates for you and your family to office@reddoors.com. Thanks!
AA AND ALANON UPDATE
Our regularly scheduled meetings have moved online until further notice. Please use the AA.org website for contact information. We are glad to have welcomed these groups to our parish home and look forward to welcoming them back when the stay-at-home order is lifted.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with the coronavirus or any other health concern, the St. John's community would like to pray to you. Please forward your prayer requests to our prayer list steward, Anne Hall at annechall81@yahoo.com
CONTACT MOTHER COSMAN WITH EMPLOYMENT CHANGES
The financial and employment stresses of the pandemic real for many in our community. If you are struggling with employment or financial issues, please contact Mother Cosman at Sandra.Cosman@gmail.com or (860) 227-6991
TOWER BELL RINGING OPPORTUNITIES
The New Hartford community is ringing bells nightly at 6pm to remind us that we are not alone and that we can still be together and make our presence known. If you would like to ring St. John's tower bell, please visit St. John's Facebook page, look for the bell ringing post, and add your name and the date you will toll the bell in the comments following the post. Thanks!
GILL MEMORIAL GARDEN VOLUNTEERS
The Gill Memorial Garden is a great place to get away alone during this time of isolation. If you would like to sign up to care for the garden, it is not too early! Contact Anne Hall at annechall81@yahoo.com to volunteer now or in the coming months.
ACCESSING OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR NON-FB MEMBERS
Good News for non-Facebook Users Who Wish it Attend the Service in Real Time
Live-streamed Facebook services can be watched in real time by non-Facebook users. Here is how I was able to do it on my computer. Some variations may be required on your computers or smartphones. Start on St. John’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Stjohnspinemeadow (The top and bottom of page want you to sign in or create new account — but the page content is visible). Move the cursor over to the left and look for “Videos” Click on it (i.e., “Videos”) The page will update to show a list of videos. Look for one that says “Live.” Most likely our clocks are not aligned, meaning the video may not have started yet. Therefore, my suggestion is that you periodically continue to click on “Videos” until the “Live” one shows up. When it finally shows up, double-click on it. This will start showing the live video. It seems that there is a short delay in the resulting video. I’m not sure if it eventually ‘corrects’, but, at least you are pretty much "in the moment” during the celebration. (Thanks to the folks at St. John's in Vernon for this clear explanation!)
RINGING OF THE STEEPLE BELL/COMMUNITY RINGING
Nightly @ 6pm at the church
Sign up on Facebook for message Mother Cosman
Please check your email regularly for changes and additions.
WORSHIP IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC
Until the Stay at Home Order has been lifted by the Governor and it has been deemed safe for us to gather for worship, we will worship together using Facebook Live. St. John's Facebook Page can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/stjohnspinemeadow
We gather online for worship
Sundays at 9 am and Thursday at 6:30 pm
Please join us to worship God and support each other.
READ IT AND SLEEP - BEDTIME STORIES FOR OUR KIDS
FIRST TUESDAYS @ 7PM
On First Tuesday evenings at 7 pm we will gather via Zoom for story time for our kids. Put on your pajamas, curl up with your kids for a bedtime story with Mother Cosman.
Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/91982069802
and use the Meeting ID: 919 8206 9802
STAYING IN TOUCH
The isolation, anxiety, and fear of the coronavirus pandemic strains everyone. Please know that Mother Cosman is here for us during this time apart via phone call, Zoom conference, email, or Facebook Messenger. Please do not hesitate to be in touch if you or someone you know and love needs assistance of any kind. During this time, please reach out to your friends and neighbors and offer a listening ear.
DWELLING IN THE WORD ONLINE
Our Thursday morning Dwelling in the Word Group comes together from 10:30 am to 11:30 am to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday. All are welcome to join us. There is no preparation necessary to attend the group and there is no homework. In this time of isolation, it is critically important that we reach out to each other. Join us for an Dwelling in the Word Online via Zoom or conference call:
https://zoom.us/j/93207727562
Meeting ID: 932 0772 7562
If you cannot join us online, you may join us by phone at
1(646)558-8656 and entering the meeting code 9493034183#
ST. JOHN'S PRAYER LIST
Among the most important ways we care for each other is by holding each other in prayer. Prayer concerns should be sent to Anne Hall at annechall81@yahoo.com. Watch for the Prayer List in your email and join us in praying for each other.
PASTORAL EMERGENCIES & OFFICE HOURS
St. John's Parish Office is open by appointment only until the danger is past. For routine items, please contact us at (860) 379-3062
ST. JOHN'S MAILING ADDRESS
We are checking our mail regularly. To contact St. John's or to make a pledge payment or donation by mail please use this address:
St. John's Episcopal Church PO Box 27 Pine Meadow, CT 06061
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