Dear St Stephen's friends',
We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown to us in our time in Westboro. Last Sunday was especially memorable and will stay in our minds for a long time. Thank-you so much for entering into the spirit of the Celtic Communion and for being so positive and encouraging. Having Liz's fathers photographs on the altar linked to his death there in World War 2 with Gretchen and Sylvia's home-made bread on the communion table Sylvia had been given from Canada added such spiritual depth. The way that Henry and the choir willingly learnedt new music was very special. Never in my ministry have I blessed a Triathlon before a morning service!! I was just pleased to weave round the cyclists to get there on time !! Then the Pot luck supper was absolutely delicious. We loved the ambience and the musical entertainment from the choir and the special New England delicacies such as the clam chowder. The gifts we received were so personal and totally unexpected. Thank-you for your generosity towards us. We will be praying for you today as we worship at the Episcopal church in Manhattan.
The Stevenette family
Church Office Support Needed
Nancy will be taking a week of vacation from Monday, September 6th through Friday, September 10th. Our faithful Bob Lewis takes care of the office on Tuesdays. We would greatly appreciate a few volunteers to answer phones, sort mail, and keep the office open from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 8th, Thursday, September 9th, and Friday, September 10th. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Diocesan Worship Leader's Training Conference
The Christian Formation Missioners are sponsoring a training event to equip lay leaders to lead worship services to be held at the Genesis Conference Center in Westfield beginning Friday evening at 7:00 PM on October 1, and concluding on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM on October 2. The content will include becoming familiar with the Daily Offices and practice in leading worship, along with some experience in creating sacred space. The Leaders will be The Rev. Meredyth Ward and The Rev. Canon Michael DeVine. Registration forms including overnight and commuter costs will be mailed out to parishes in August.
Two Service Format Returning October 3rd
We will be returning to a two service format start Sunday, October 3rd. The 8:00 AM service will be Rite Two Holy Eucharist without music. The 9:30 AM service will be Rite Two Holy Eucharist with music.
Church School Starts October 3
Church School will officially start on October 3rd. Registration forms are available on the table in the narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Butt. She still needs volunteers for teachers and monitors. You help will be greatly appreciated.
Wanted: DVD Player
We would like to establish a DVD station for the downstairs similar to the one in Fay Hall. We already have a TV donated. If anyone has a DVD player that they can donate, please contact Don Shapleigh or Nancy Harris.
Eucharistic Visitor Training Workshop
There will be a Eucharistic Visitor Training Workshop for laity on Saturday, November 13th at St. Stephen's in Pittsfield from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. This workshop will be led by Deacon Audrey Cronin and Deacon Donna Kingman . Please bring a bag lunch and a beverage. Anyone wanting to attend this workshop should contact Deacon Donna Kingman through the church office.
Please note: The requirements to be a Licensed Eucharistic Visitor are:
1) You must pass a CORI check
2) You must attend a Safe Church Training for Volunteers
3) You must attend the Eucharistic Visitor Training Workshop
You can attend the Eucharistic Visitor Training Workshop without having attended the safe Church Training or having the CORI check done but cannot be licensed until all 3 have been completed and the application form sent to the Diocese.
Ministry Opportunities
Have you been looking around for a new ministry in which to serve? Now would be a great time to try serving as a reader or an acolyte. You will get personal training and encouragement. I know you can read and what better way than to share the word of God on a Sunday? Being an acolyte is another way to serve. What greater honor than to assist at the Lord’s Table! If you are at all interested in doing either, please call the office and let Nancy know or call Bev Boyer
The Altar Guild is in need of a few good people!!!
Altar Guild finds itself short some worker bees due to some of our more experienced members moving on to other things. This leaves some holes in each team…holes that need to be filled. If anyone is interested in this valuable ministry please contact me, either through the church office. This ministry involves one weekend a month…Saturday morning for an hour or so to do cleaning and prepare for the Sunday services, then on Sunday to clean up from the services. There are plenty of experienced workers who will be happy to help you learn the ropes. Please give this some consideration so that we may start the fall season with full teams. Thanks so much. Diane Barrette, Altar Guild Directress
Search Committee Welcomes Your Questions, Feedback, and Ideas
The Search Committee (Basil Brigandi, Melanie Daniels, Brian Swartz, Michele Mongeon, Gale McKenzie, Marq Davis, Janette Sabin-Gavini, and Faith Howarth) will meet with parishioners after the Sunday service starting July 11. Members will be at tables in Fay Hall for one-on-one conversations. They will be glad to talk with you about any questions you may have regarding the process of selecting a priest. They are looking forward to hearing your feedback and ideas!!
Education for Ministry (EFM) Program Starting in September
If you have an interest in learning about the EFM program, please contact Faith Howarth. We will be starting classes in late September.
Stewardship Conference
It's not too early to begin thinking about your congregation's stewardship formation activities in 2011. An ecumenical stewardship conference will be held in Marlboro, MA on March 18-19, 2011 that will feature plenary speaker Mike Slaughter, author of "Money Matters: Financial Freedom for All God's Children" and "Change the World: Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus." There will be workshops as well as plenaries. If you are interested, please contact Bob Jarvis through the church office.
A Reconciliation Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
A Reconciliation Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is set for January 1-12, 2011. This pilgrimage is being offered to all members and friends of the Diocese. It will be led by the Very Rev. James Munroe, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield, and the Rev. Len Cowan, Rector of the Church of the Nativity in Northboro. The pilgrimage has two purposes. First, it will be an exploration into the land where Jesus walked. We will visit all the places that framed his earthly life and ministry, from a cave in Bethlehem to an empty tomb in Jerusalem. We will be in Bethlehem on Christmas Day, as it is celebrated by many Orthodox churches. Second, the pilgrimage will be an exploration into the conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians today, with an emphasis on special individuals and groups that are working toward reconciliation and peace. We will meet living examples of Psalm 85:10 - "Righteousness and peace will kiss each other." Dean Munroe and Fr. Cowan have led this pilgrimage before, and they are excited to be able to offer it again. For further information and to register, please call Dean Munroe (413-736-2742) or email him at dean.javanet@rcn.com or call Fr. Cowan (508 393 3146) or email him at info@churchofthenativity.org.
Westborough Food Pantry
Thanks to all of you who continue to support the Westborough Food Pantry. Their needs have continued to increase. Each week the number of families asking for help sets a new record. They are now serving over twice the numbers that they did a year ago. In addition to the usual basic food items they need crackers, cookies, and cake mixes. They also need personal care items such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. If you have questions about what is needed, please see Don Shapleigh.
Church Space Rental and Events Scheduling
Just a reminder that both rentals and church events should be cleared with Fred Philcox so that time and space is available to all groups, and that the parish facilities are not overbooked. Please talk with Fred BEFORE you put any event on the calendar in the office. Thank you for your understanding.
The Peace and Justice Committee now has adopted one U.S. soldier in Iraq and one in Afghanistan
Mission and Outreach plus Melanie Daniels and the Youth group are also participating in this project. Notes, letters, and cards are well appreciated. Stephanie distributes packages addressed to any airman (please specify man or woman). Please note that all cards to any APO including Iraq are 44 cents. If you would like to send well wishes, please contact the Church Office for the proper addresses.