The Epistle 01-10-16 - Grace Episcopal Church

January 10, 2016 Phone 845 343 6101 FAX 845 343 8321 www.gracechurchmiddletown.org email gracesec@warwick.net
And a voice came from
heaven, "You are my Son,
the Beloved; with you I am
well pleased."
Sunday January 10th
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
8:00 AM
CHALICE
BETH MAISONET
2ND CHALICE
CARLA BOYER
ACOLYTE
CARLA BOYER
O.T. LECTOR
N.T. LECTOR
INTERCESSOR
BETH MAISONET
CARLA BOYER
LISA DENISCO
USHER
LISA DENISCO
USHER
GAIL LICHWICK
10:30 AM
SUBDEACON
LENORA VAUGHN
M.C.
TIM POWERS
THURIFER
“Keep inviolate an area of
light and peace within
you.”
Corazon Aquino
CRUCIFER
ACOLYTE 1
TORRY GUARDINO
MARLENE PRESLEY
ACOLYTE 2
DAVID BROKAW
O.T. LECTOR
N.T. LECTOR
INTERCESSOR
USHER
TIM POWERS
TORRY GUARDINO
JOSEPH BARRETT
JOSEPH BARRETT
USHER
EILEEN BARRETT
LEM
CLAIRE NEWQUIST
NEW WEBSITE FOR LECTIONARY READINGS
THE WEBPAGE IS IN CALENDAR FORM—JUST CLICK ON THE DATE AND YOU WILL
SEE THE READINGS FOR THAT DAY.
http://www.lectionarypage.net/CalndrsIndexes/Calendar2016.html
Our good friend, Beth, who many have been asking about is in the hospital with pneumonia.
Her mom reports that Beth can be contacted by mailing to her mother.
Beth Finger c/o Annette Finger
11 Lake St., Apt. 5K
White Plains, NY 10603
Church School News
January:
10th - Class @ 10:30 with
Communion
17th - Class @ 10:30 AM
with Communion
24th - Class @ 10:30 AM with
Communion
31st - Class @ 10:30 AM with
Communion
Click Here
Grace
Church
Calendar
Adult education resumed
this past Sunday as we continued with the second half
of the Book of Exodus.
We will meet again this Sunday in the Rector’s Office as
coffee hour winds down.
Come join us and worship
the golden calf! Okay, not really, but
come and learn what led up to the Israelites creating this idol as we continue our
exploration with Chapter 30.
If you have questions, feel free to email
Tim at tmp617@gmail.com.
Keep looking here for announcements of
when we will meet and what we are
reading. Remember that each session is
discreet and self-contained, so if you miss
one class, just come to the next!
~Tim Powers
Reminder
There will be no
Wednesday morning
Masses until an
interim Rector is in
place.
ICE CRYSTALS
By
Diana Carolyn Ice
“I will try this day to live a simple, sincere, and serene life. . . .”--Forward Day by Day
Some of us are still thinking about making some New Year’s Resolutions, or have already broken
the ones we made. That’s the way it is, they tell us. We’re going to lose weight and/or eat healthier this
year. We’re going to be more careful with how we spend our money. We’re going to improve and grow
in our spiritual lives.
What if we took “A Morning Resolve” for our New Year’s Resolutions? Well, how on earth are we
going to live a simple life in today’s world, let alone a serene one? Sincere? Maybe. Most of us try to do
that. Even when we’re cornered by situations that tempt us to wiggle out of things.
But if we take the “Morning Resolve” bit by bit, one challenging word or phrase at a time, it still
seems overwhelming. Even if we try to take one challenge per day and attempt to obey just that part one
day at a time, it’s too tough. That’s why the last paragraph, asking God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, is
the most important part of the “Resolve.”
And yet, as we faithfully read the words every day, they begin to penetrate our consciousness.
And if, when we read them, we stop and think about things that we are discontented, anxious, or discouraged about, times during the day when we might need to cultivate cheerfulness, or people with whom we
may need to be careful in conversation, it is easier to remember the words and to follow them.
And if, as we continue to try to follow the words of the “Resolve,” we find that the proper habits
of exercise, eating, and sleep shown us by the Holy Spirit lead to the weight loss and healthier foods we
desire, that faithfulness in exercising economy in expenditure and generosity in giving help us to spend
our money more wisely, or that our habits of prayer bring us to a closer, warmer, and more loving relationship with God, then our New Year’s Resolutions may have a much better chance of lasting. And we
may discover that our lives have become more simple, sincere, and serene, after all.
Dear friends,
Here are our new addresses. Please stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Father John and Tom
371 Padova Way
North Venice, FL 34275
jbwarfel7@gmail.com
thomas092147@yahoo.com
Searching for…a Search Committee
As we move along together through our transition journey, we’ve reached the point in the process
where it’s time to form an official Search Committee. The Search Committee will be charged by the Vestry to identify, evaluate, and recommend candidates to become the 20th Rector of Grace Episcopal
Church. This important ministry will complete this charge through prayer, conversations with parishioners, creation of a new parish profile, discussions with the diocese, and interviews with candidates.
In the next few days, applications will be made available to everyone who wishes to be considered to
serve on the Search Committee. Some characteristics and gifts that Search Committee members should
have include:
A personal spirituality, and life of faith and prayer that undergird discernment
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Committed to parish life through work, worship, and stewardship
Knowledge of and enthusiasm for the congregation
Open and fair mindedness
Regular computer access and ability
Available for regular meetings and ability to travel for interview visits
More detailed information will be provided with the application. So that we can ensure everyone has
access to the information, please make sure that the office has your most up to date contact information
and preferred method of communication. We want to make sure the information is accessible to all
who are interested.
If you have any questions, or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours in Christ,
Torry Guardino
Senior Warden
Claire Newquist
Junior Warden
The Sermonator!
The Youth Group had pizza and went laser
tagging at Laser One with Father John. We
had a wonderful time and it was a great experience to have with our priest. It was a
great bonding experience between the Youth
Group and Father John, "the Sermonator"!
Submitted by
Chloe and Carolanne
The Altar Guild was very touched to receive
this final message from Father John, thanking
everyone for their service. The chalk board
has been a major means of communication
between Fr. John & Altar Guild with messages
such as: "Please make holy water" or instructions to set up in a certain way for
Mass. Father John always made the members of the Altar Guild, which is a "behind the
scenes" type of work, feel very much appreciated. ~Anne Caldwell
P
lease remember to
take a look at the
Goodshop Program
(www.goodshop.com).
You just might like it.
Thanks to our webmaster, Don Boyer for making
sign up for Sunday Coffee Hour even easier! Go
online to
http://www.gracechurchmiddletown.org/
ministries/coffee-hour-signup.html
and click on the picture to sign up for an upcoming coffee hour. Really- that’s all! Sign up from
home or check to see when you signed up to do
coffee hour. Also, donations of small plates,
napkins, cups, plastic ware, coffee, etc., are
much appreciated. Help with set-up and cleanup are needed as well.
If you have any questions, please call Phyllis in
the church office or see Lenora.
Try out our new audio
mixer to listen to the 10:30
Sunday Mass live. No matter where you are you can
join us in worship.
Just click here!
S
hopRite Grocery Gift Certificates are available for sale EVERY Sunday
after each service. Grace Church receives 5% on the sale of the cards
from ShopRite, while you purchase the cards at face value! Shoprite gift
cards can make shopping for that special dinner easy. Our ongoing fundraiser of Shoprite gift cards helps you prepare your family meals while
helping Grace Church. Please keep us in mind when preparing your
shopping lists!
W
e are happy and pleased to announce that we can now accept
credit card purchases for the ShopRite gift cards. So, if you use a
rewards credit card you can now accumulate points while supporting Grace Church!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year From the Church Office!
Pledge envelopes are ready and will be out in the back of the church beginning Wednesday, December
23, 2015. If you do not see your name on envelopes, don’t worry, we have extras! You may not have
completed a pledge card which also serves as the request for envelopes. Please see Phyllis after Mass
on Sunday, December 27th or call the office during the week if you need envelopes but do not see yours.
Envelopes will remain in the back of the church until mid-January when the remaining envelopes will be
mailed out.
Here are some answers to questions that people often have about pledging and envelopes:
Do I have to use envelopes? No! The only time that you really need to use an envelope is if you are giving cash – this way the cash donation is credited to the correct pledger.
What if I miss a week, do I need to put in two separate checks or payments? Not unless it is easier for
you – donations are entered by the day they are received, not by the date on the envelope.
If I forgot my envelope do I have to wait until I have it to make my donation? No, there are now envelopes in the pews for donations- just put your name and address in the spaces provided and the donation will be credited to you.
I can’t find my new envelopes but have some left from previous years- can I just use the old ones? No,
please do not use envelopes from previous years! Occasionally envelope numbers change from year to
year and if you use old envelopes your donation may be recorded to someone else. Please discard any
old envelopes you may have!
I can’t remember if I have met my pledge this year- is there any way to find out? Yes, call the office and
request a pledge report for you which will show all donations received vs any pledges made. These reports can be emailed or mailed to you.
I don’t feel that I can make a pledge but would like to give weekly or monthly to the church. Does that
mean I can’t get envelopes? No, everyone can get envelopes – please call or email the office to request
envelopes if you need them.
If you have a question about pledging, giving, or envelopes, please contact the church office at (845) 343
-6101 or email gracesec@warwick.net
Welcome!
If you are visiting our Church today we would like to welcome you and we
are glad you’ve joined us for services, whether you are passing through or
are new to the area and seeking a church home. Regardless of your reasons for being
here today, please take a moment to fill out a pew card and/or sign our visitor log book in
the front of the church. The pew card can be handed to any usher or placed in the collection plate.
Thank-you and Welcome!
Vestry News
*The next Vestry meeting will be held in
the Boardroom on January 21st from
7:30 pm until 9:00 pm. All are invited to
N
ame that Baby needs your contributions!! Please give photos
to Kathryn Parker and answer the following questions, which can be sent
by email to kparker7@hvc.rr.com
attend!
To read the highlights of the November 19,
2015 Vestry meeting, click here.
To read the highlights of the October 15,
2015 Vestry meeting, click here.
Place of birth
Schools you attended
Work/Hobbies
Marriage/Partner
Number of children Something interesting about
you that we may not know
Contact Your Vestry
Wardens
Torry Guardino tguardino@earthlink.net
Claire Newquist cnewquist@frontiernet.net
Clerk of the Vestry
Treasurer
Eileen Bloomer ebloomer@hvc.rr.com
Janet Cusack j.cusack@usa.net
Vestry
Ade Oluwasusi omoarinjale@optonline.net
Liz Bloomer lbloomer6@yahoo.com
Eileen Barrett little.red63@gmail.com
Meg Catizone dcat@frontiernet.net
Lisa Denisco lisadenisco@gmail.com
Carla Boyer cdboyer@optonline.net
Allison McLean apsmclean@hotmail.com
Andrew Higgins ahiggins@balchem.com
Mark Strunsky markstrunsky@gmail.com
To submit suggestions, articles or notices please email Kathryn Parker kparker7@hvc.rr.com or Joe Barrett jbar1021@gmail.com