January is a hard month: Christmas is over, the parties are over (but still to be paid for), tax season is upon us, New Year's resolutions are being tested by the daily realities, and the weather is at best peculiar. It is easy to retreat and to withdraw, to avoid committing to increased involvement in anything, including the church. And in a world where the news seems to persistently trumpet about dysfunction and powerlessness, withdrawing even farther looks tempting.
Psychologists will tell you that one of the tools to fight depression is to get out and do something. I'd ask you to consider that advice and how it might play out in your lives and your connection to the parish of St John's. We are coming up on our annual meeting and a review of a truly impressive year in terms of activities. As is always the case, the year's success was due to the support and enthusiasm that people brought to the parish. I would love us all to consider prayerfully how St John's can continue to be a vibrant and active wellspring of Christianity and how we, as individuals, are called to be a part of God's glory. It may be that you are called to take a new part in the parish's life. Few things would make me happier than someone coming up to me and saying, 'I would like to help with....' or 'I've got this idea for fundraising, or faith formation or..., can I try it out?'
God has given us power over our own lives; the pressures and the absurdities of the modern world do not take away from that freedom. We are called to be God's messengers and God's hands in this world; this world that has so many amazing opportunities and blessings if we look beyond the challenges. We can't change the world stage; but we can do amazing things here in our own parish. How we do that, of course, has many facets: coming to church and praying in silence, pledging, serving as a liturgical assistant, supporting outreach or fundraising efforts, singing along to a favorite hymn, saying hi at coffee hour. It is an endless list, which is how it should be for God's grace and God's love is without end; and all of us are brothers and sisters in the divine.
With faith, Anne Hall, Warden
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Reports All Annual Reports for our Annual Meeting (January 26th), will be due in the office now. Cherry Brook Eucharist - The second Tuesday of every month at 3:30pm we will join with residents of Cherry Brook to celebrate the season. Communion and fellowship will be shared. Please join us! Open Door Soup Kitchen - January 18th at St. James in Winsted. (9:00am-1:00pm)
2020 Pledge Envelopes are here - Please pick up your box in the narthex.
Quarterly Financials are available - Copies are in the narthex.
Save the Date
Camp Washington - High School aged Teen Youth Weekend, January 17-19. Register today at campwashington.org.
Annual Meeting & Unified Service - January 26th at 9am
St. John's Pastoral Response Team will meet on Tuesday, February 4th at 10am in the Rector's office.
St. John's Vestry will meet on Thursday, February 27th following the 6:30pm Healing Eucharist.
02/07 - 02/09 Happening #4: A Christian Experience:Happening provides high school-aged youth an opportunity to have a spiritually connected weekend of shared story, talks, worship and music that is led and planned by other teens. In a world that presents real challenges in finding space and tapping into faith, Happening creates community around safe, hopeful, non-judgmental and real conversation about how Christ's grace fits in. For more info. about the Happening experience, contact the Rev. George Robert, Rector at St. James, Farmington at rector.st.james@sbcglobal.net .
Darryl Burke's Ordination - Tuesday, February 18th at Trinity, Wethersfield at 7:00pm. Please join us as we congratulate Darryl on his Ordination. See Mother Cosman for more information.
04/18 ECCT'S SPRING TRAINING at Berlin High School (139 Patterson Way, Berlin). Join hundreds of other Episcopalians in CT for a day of fellowship, learning, prayer and fun. All are welcome: people in the pews to vestry members to parish leaders & staff!! Some workshop categories include: christian formation; social justice and advocacy; communications; spiritual practices; leadership; stewardship; parish operations; worship; racial healing, justice and reconciliation. Registration opens later this month: EpiscopalCT.org/Spring-Training.
Our fund-raising committee needs your HELP! Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamaus are already secured for a return date of November 15, 2020!! In order to meet our goals as a committee, we need additional volunteers. The vestry and our fellow parishioners have been very supportive of our fund-raising activities and concert series. There is a strong desire to expand our musical concert series in order to continue our goal of providing outreach to the local communities. Please contact Jeff Linton or Susie Horn if you wish to join this worthy and active group.
Winter Weather - Watch WFSB or visit WFSB.com for weather related announcements regarding cancellations. Please use your best judgement about travelling in inclement weather and be careful and safe!
Coffee Hour Volunteers - Show hospitality by setting up the coffee and bringing along a small carton of creamer and something sweet or savory to share, and straightening up the hall and kitchen before departing. Co-hosting with another person or family is encouraged.
Hospitality - Please be sure to check in on Facebook and wear your name tag! Help us to reach out to members of our community via social media and to remind us of the names of our members and friends.
Bell Ringers - Sign up to toll the tower bell for worship.
TREASURER'S NOTE:
2019 PLEDGE FULLFILLMENT - If you did not complete your 2019 pledge, you can still make that contribution during 2020.
2020 PLEDGING - It's not too late to submit a pledge sheet for 2020. Pledge sheets are available in the narthex or by contacting the parish office.
Thanks to everyone who has made a financial commitment to our St. John's community and doing God's work out in the community.
Diane Hayes, Treasurer
Participants for January 19, 2020:
Please let the office know of substitutions. Thanks.
8:00 AM Chalice - Barbara Henri 10:00 AM Chalice - Donna Colavecchio
8:00AM Lector - Ellen Childs 10:00 AM Lector - Brian Jones 10:00AM Intercessor - Larry Espinet
8:00AM Greeters - Nancy & Jeff Linton 10:00 AM Greeters - Joan Peresada & Ginny Hoffmann
Vestry Greeter - Chris Olson
Coffee Hour Hosts: Volunteer Needed
Altar Guild (Jan) - Candy Flaherty & Peg Budny
Nursery Staff - Audrey Coates
Counters - Candy Flaherty & Brian Jones
Godly Play Storyteller: Beth Coates Godly Play Doorkeeper:Peter Ficalora