vol. VI iii

S o many words we use today actually

resonate with deeper meanings found

in their past. Such is the case with two

words that shape our preparation for

Easter. During these six weeks, as we

“keep lent,” we do well to think about

what lies behind these two words.

Even before the Norman invasion

of 1066, the Keep would have been a for-

midable sign of power to any traveler in

the British Isles. Strategically placed

within the motte-and-bailey defenses of a

castle, the Keep served both as a fashion-

able residence for local nobility and a ref-

uge of last resort should the surrounding

castle fall to invaders. Items of greatest

value – both property and persons – were

stored in the Keep for protection.

The word “Lent” also has an inter-

esting history. The period of preparation

before Easter was traditionally known by

the Latin term “Quadragesima”, meaning

“Fortieth” for the forty days of fasting and

preparation observed by Jesus before he

began his ministry. Those brought up with

the 1928 BCP and its predecessors will re-

call the “-gesima” Sundays that preceded

Ash Wednesday. Most Romance lan-

guages continue this practice. By the Late

Middle Ages in England, however, prefer-

ence was given in sermons for the simpler

word Lent, derived from the German

word for length, hence the lengthening

days of spring. The church season and the

environmental season were thus joined.

As we keep the days of Lent we

might do well to think about the perimeter

around our souls and the soul of our

household. The incursions of modern life –

work, schedules, electronics, and general

“busy-ness” — often threaten the things

we value most. Relationships, silence, and

even the mundane activities of life can get

trampled by the call of the next thing on

our to-do list. We may even be too busy to

notice the lengthening of the daylight

hours until Memorial Day suddenly an-

nounces that spring is over and summer

has begun. Our keeping of Lent necessar-

ily means making choices about our ac-

tions.

This issue of Tidings offers a variety

of opportunities to rebuild our spiritual

perimeter; to push back against the en-

croachment and to protect what matters

most: our life, our love, and our calling by

God. No one is expected to do everything

Keeping Lent

2

listed in this newsletter. Such an effort would be its own kind of shackle. Instead, look

at this as a menu of possibilities, the invitations to a variety of observances.

Lenten Wednesday Nights last year were a special time of community,

learning and prayer. We will offer Soup Suppers again this year at 6:00

p.m. At 7:00, we will turn our attention to the Apostles’ Creed and ask

how what we believe impacts how we pray. Participants can read Joan

Chittister’s book In Search of Belief, though our discussion will not require

it. The evening will conclude in the Meditation Chapel with a candlelit of-

fering of Compline.

Sunday Mornings between the services, the Adult Forum will look at the

Gospel of Mark. This book, the first to tell a coherent narrative of the life of

Jesus, is both a great place for beginners and a continual renewal for those

who seek to be disciples of Jesus. We’ll approach Mark’s Gospel from a

variety of textual, psychological, and social lenses.

The Tuesday Afternoon Book Group will take up one of the newest

books by Walter Brueggemann, Journey to the Common Good. This book will

offer an exploration of the intersection between contemporary culture and

biblical insight. The group begins February 28th meeting from 3:30 to 4:45

p.m.

“Journey through Lent” Poster for Families with Children is an illus-

trated daily calendar similar to an Advent calendar that families are in-

vited to receive from Lucia Moss, our Minister for Children, Youth, and

Families. The poster is hand-lettered and can be colored with markers,

pencils or crayons, providing Lenten conversation-starters in the home.

Evensong will be offered on the First Sunday of Lent this year, February

26 at 5:00 p.m. This beautiful choral service of Lessons, Canticles, and An-

thems calls us to Christ in the beauty of holiness. This is also an opportu-

nity to invite friends and neighbors to experience our Anglican/Episcopal

heritage.

All of this will happen alongside our usual schedule of Sunday morning wor-

ship, church school, weekday evening prayer, and Thursday morning Holy Eucharist

3

in the chapel. All are welcome.

Set your mind and your calendar now for the keeping of a holy Lent. Establish

what is precious in your life and set a perimeter which will allow you to protect and

defend it. The results will shine in our life together at St. John’s.

2012 Lenten Adult Forums

Reading Mark through Different Lenses

During 2012 we will be hearing primarily from the Gospel of Mark at the Sunday ser-

vices. The first written account of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus,

Mark’s Gospel offers readers a compelling and memorable narrative. Lenten Forums

on Sundays between the services will examine Mark through the lenses of Social Sci-

ence, Contemporary Criticism, and other resources.

February 26 The Temperaments of the Four Gospels

(Using Personality Types to locate themes in the Gospels)

March 4 No Class – Annual Meeting

March 11 The Shape of the Gospel of Mark

(Comparing ancient texts and modern texting)

March 18 T.B.A. (watch this space for updates)

March 25 The Passion According to Mark

(Careful analysis of the last week of Jesus’ life)

The Forums will be held in Loring Hall Sundays, beginning at 9:00 AM.

4

Please Welcome

Lucia Moss

W e are excited to wel-

come Lucia J. Moss as

our Minister for Children,

Youth, and Families. She

brings much expertise and en-

thusiasm to St. John’s as well

as her three dogs, who will be

occasionally and singly accom-

panying her to work. If you

stop in on Tuesday, Wednes-

day, or Thursday, Lucia will be

happy to speak to you about

your dreams and hopes for St.

John’s ministry AND you may

just get to meet Gracy, Maggie, or Ella too!

Lucia grew up in Denver, Colorado,

moved to North Carolina for college at

Duke University, and then to Boston for

graduate school at Boston University

School of Theology, where she earned a

Master of Divinity degree. She has also re-

cently graduated from Lesley University

with a Master of Education focusing on

adolescent development and middle

school education. Lucia has tutored stu-

dents for the SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, and

ACT for the last four years and she will

continue to do so part-time while she is at

St. John’s.

Lucia has previously worked as

both a Director of Religious Education and

as a minister in the United Methodist

Church. While a Director of Religious

Education, Lucia helped institute the

Godly Play curriculum. Lucia loves Godly

Play, because of its respect for each child’s

spiritual life and its reverence for each

child’s unique response to scripture. While

Lucia grew up and served in the United

Methodist Church as a twenty-something,

she became an Episcopalian in 2006.

Lucia will oversee and be a re-

source not only for the Sunday School, but

also for the full range of children, youth,

and family ministries on Sundays and

throughout the week and liturgical year.

In addition to providing resources and en-

couragement to our many Sunday School

teachers, Lucia is particularly looking for-

ward to helping to nurture a youth pro-

gram that extends meaningfully beyond

Confirmation.

Please welcome Lucia into the

St. John’s family!

5

Reflections on Teaching Church School

A fter my husband Ed and I moved to the area almost 10 years ago, we searched

for a church and found St. John’s to be a perfect match for us. With 2 little girls at

the time, the Church School was amazing to us and drew us in. It felt only natural for

me to volunteer to help on Sundays in the church school.

With three kids now and all the crazy schedules, the church school has made it

so simple to volunteer. For the past 3 years, I have taught Kingdom in September,

October and into November. With the help of some amazing teachers, volunteers, and

helpers, I love the way the Kingdom flows. We have been lucky to keep it consistent

which is so helpful for the

children.

I look forward to the

start of each Church School

year, my time in the

Kingdom. I enjoy helping each

child those first few Sundays

say goodbye to mom and dad

for the next hour and then

guiding them until the Advent

season. It is a wonderful and

fulfilling time for me. It seems

to complete the spirituality for

me. I welcome you all to come

and visit or help out one

Sunday and see how

wonderful and fulfilling it is.

Amy Kurja

Lenten Opportunities

Lenten Soup Suppers Resume on

Wednesday Nights beginning February 29

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Soup/Salad and Bread

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Book Study: In Search of Belief

by Sister Joan Chittister, OSB

8:00 – 8:20 p.m. Candlelight Compline

Lenten Afternoon Book Group

Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:45

Journey to the Common Ground

By Walter Brueggemann

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

February 21, 6:00 p.m.

Join us the night before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent, for our annual

Pancake Supper. It’s an evening of good food and fellowship. We do need help in the

kitchen the day and evening of the event, and we need people to sign up to bring cas-

seroles and fixins. Please call the office or see the sign-up sheet if you can lend a

hand...or a spatula!

6

2012 Lenten Wednesdays

In Search of Belief

This Five Weeks of study on the Apostles Creed will be based on Joan Chittister’s 1999

book entitled In Search of Belief. It is not necessary to purchase the book; discussion will

point to the insights of Sr. Joan (a Roman Catholic Benedictine Nun) and others com-

mentaries on the earliest Christian description of belief.

Feb 29 I believe in God (Chapters 1-7)

March 7 I believe in Jesus Christ (Chapters 8-13)

March 14 He suffered, was crucified, died and was buried (Chapter 14-18)

March 21 He arose, ascended and sits at God’s right hand (Chapters 19-21)

March 28 I believe in the Holy Spirit & the Church (Chapters 22-27)

The class will follow the 6:00 p.m. Lenten Soup Supper. Choir members are encour-

aged to join for as long as they can. The evening will conclude with Candlelight Com-

pline in the Meditation Chapel. We will be on our way rejoicing at 8:20 p.m.

Ash Wednesday February 22nd

Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes

6:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m. (with choir)

Begin your Lenten Observance with your

faith community at St. John’s

7

Eucharist Visitor Training

A Eucharistic Visitor Training session will

be offered on Saturday, March 10, 9 a.m.- 4

p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul

(138 Tremont Street) in Boston (register

by March 3). Eucharistic Visitors are lay

people, licensed by the bishop and

supervised by the rector, who take

communion to those who are unable to

attend Sunday services. They bring

Scripture, the Consecrated Bread and

Wine, and our prayers, enlarging the

circle of our parish’s care.

Please call the St. John’s office if you are

interested in attending: 978-927-0229.

Save a Buck and a Tree

“For the good earth which God has given us, and for the

wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord.”

The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 384

Y ou are invited to join 244 other folks who have signed up so far to receive this

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photos are in beautiful color, and our staff and volunteers are spared printing, folding,

stapling, folding again, applying wafer seals and address labels, and carting to the Post

Office—not to mention the cost of paper, copier toner, and postage.

Our first trial run of electronic delivery last month went off without a hitch, and

the feedback was 100% positive from those folks who received the first electronic issue.

If you don’t have computer access we will continue to mail your copy of Tidings, but if

you do use a computer you could help us conserve precious resources. Just send a

message to lynda@sjcb.org with “E-Tidings” in the subject line. Thank you!

111th Annual Meeting

Sunday, March 4th

9:00 a.m. Parish-Wide

Holy Eucharist with

the Rector’s Annual

Address

10:15 a.m. Annual Meeting

with Election of Vestry,

Officers, and Delegates

Children’s Events in

Loring Hall

Non-Profit Org.

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