ThisWeeksNews—March 9th

Golly. Here we are, almost half-way through Lent. It's a busy time of the year.

Weekly Lenten potlucks on Sunday afternoon. About 15 of us spent two hours together yesterday. Great food. Good wine. Awesome discussion for adults while the kids did "their thing" over in the Sunday school. Adults are investigating spiritual tools and sharing stories of our life journeys. It's going well.

Meanwhile, the choir is practicing twice a week, getting ready with Palm Sunday an Easter anthems. Vacation Bible school "sets" already are being painted, and contributions are coming in to fund the rehabbing of the "rectory" kitchen. We're collecting nonperishable food items for the Stone Ridge food pantry, and we're collecting supplies for the Animal Rescue Foundation in Beacon.

Here are a few announcements from Sunday's service booklet:

If you’re not an Episcopalian yet, would you like to be?

If you were baptized in The Episcopal Church, you’re automatically an Episcopalian. If you were baptized elsewhere, but confirmed in The Episcopal Church, you’re an Episcopalian. If you were confirmed elsewhere, but received into the Episcopal Church by the laying on of hands, you’re an Episcopalian. If not, an awesome opportunity awaits.
On the last Saturday in May, Confirming and Receiving of new members will take place at our Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It’s an awesome setting for any occasion, but especially for this rite of “belonging.” Interested? Let me know. Preparation will be painless…even enjoyable.—jb+

A window of opportunity: please help!
We have a window of opportunity, right now! Resources are available right now to “gut” the 1950s rectory kitchen, put up sheetrock, and then tape, spackle, and paint the room. No charge for labor. All we need is $500 for materials. If each of us were to drop an extra week’s contribution into the plate, we’d immediately have more than enough funding for the project, and would not miss this opportunity. I hope you’ll join me in continuing as much as you’re able to make our Sunday school facilities as inviting as possible.
Remember to mark your contribution as “Rectory Kitchen” and include your name if you like. Special envelopes are available in the pew.—jb+

Want offering envelopes for 2009?
Using offering envelopes for making contributions to the church has a couple of advantages. One is that no one else in your pew will know how much you’re contributing. Another is that the treasurer will track your contributions during the year and provide documentation for IRS deductions at year-end. So even if you weren’t able to participate in our annual pledge drive, you’re still entitled to envelopes. Please speak to me if you’d like some.—Fr. Jerry

LiturgicalNote (the Sign of the Cross)
In Anglican churches, as in the early church, members of the congregation take an active part in the liturgy: responses, songs, hymns, etc., and by “Amens,” we ratify and make our own the prayers spoken by others.
The sign of the cross is made by touching the hand sequentially to the forehead (father), heart (son), left shoulder (Holy Spirit), then right shoulder (Amen). The sign of the cross may be made by individuals at any time. In public worship, the sign of the cross may be made
• At the conclusion of the Creed
At the absolution, following confession
When the celebrant blesses her- or himself during the consecration
Before receiving communion
At the final blessing

Birthdays & anniversaries
Birthdays
3/9 Jim Gephard
3/9 Benjamin Gephard
3/11 Derek Tauffner
3/14 Erin Gephard
3/22 Niki Tauffner
3/25 Diane Baker
Anniversaries
3/27 Wayne and Barbara Carroll

Calendar
Tuesday, March 10, 7:30pm Choir practice
Thursday, March 12, 6:00pm MidHud Exec Committee
Thursday, March 12, 7:30pm Choir practice XTRA
Friday, March 13, 7:00pm Integrity
Sunday, March 15, 9:15am Church school dropoff
Sunday, March 15, 9:30am Mass
Sunday, March 15, 4:00pm Lenten potluck
Tuesday, March 17, 7:00pm Vestry
Tuesday, March 17, 7:30pm Choir practice
Thursday, March 19, 11:30am "Third Thursday Thing" (mass+healing+lunch+conversation
Thursday, March 19, 7:30pm Choir practice XTRA
Saturday, March 21, 9:00am Faith is a Verb Adult Formation Workshop
Sunday, March 22, 9:15am Church school dropoff
Sunday, March 22, 9:30am Mass
Sunday, March 22, 4:00pm Lenten potluck
Tuesday, March 24, 7:30pm Choir practice
Thursday, March 26, 7:30pm Choir practice XTRA
Sunday, March 29, 9:15am Church school dropoff
Sunday, March 29, 9:30am Mass
Sunday, March 29, 4:00pm Lenten potluck
Tuesday, March 31, 7:30pm Choir practice