March 2015

St. John’s mission is to nurture all people in their spiritual growth, in their Christian education, and in their relationship with God.

of Saint John’s in Pine Meadowof Saint John’s in Pine Meadow

Dear Friends, “Worship is a gift.” At first blush this statement might seem obvious. On Sunday mornings when the snow is falling and the driveways and streets are not yet plowed, the truth of that statement is even more apparent. What is, perhaps, not so obvious is who the identity of the giver and the recipient. We offer worship to God in response to God’s many and gracious gifts to us – for our lives, for all of creation that supports and nourishes us, for community, for God’s continuing work of mission of justice, compassion, and reconciliation in our lives and in our world. God’s very presence in our lives and in our communities is a gift that empowers us to embrace and continue God’s mission in the world. God has given us more gifts than we are able to recognize. Our worship is in response to God’s generosity and is among our ways of saying thanks for the blessings we have received. When we gather for a time of prayer and meditation or come to the altar for Eucharist, we offer our thanksgivings and give thanks to God for all the blessings of this life. It is easy to forget and we sometimes need reminding that worship is not just about God and us. We gather for worship for others too. How does our worship together become a blessing for others? Here are some ideas to consider: Our worship can provide a safe space for those who are enduring difficult times and are challenged by the struggles of life.

Our worship can be a respite in these times and provide strength for the journey. Our worship can provide a place for those new in the faith to “grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord.” Our sharing of

this journey is a gift that we can give each other. Our offerings, including our favorite hymns is one way that we can share the truths of our faith with others. As we sing

these songs listen for the words that have sustained the faith of members of our community. Allow the familiarity of these words to touch your heart.

Join in the singing of our hymns as you would respond to having been given a gift – because you have! The persons who selected these hymns shared a part of who they are in suggesting these songs. Singing along is the gracious way to recog-nize these gifts.

Remember to hold the people who share in the leadership of our worship in your prayers and give them your thanks too. Public speaking is a common phobia in our culture. Public praying and public reading of scripture requires not only talents and ability, but also the support and encouragement of our community.

Be present for worship. It is easy to think that bad weather is a time to “take a vacation” and to wait for the Easter thaw. The truth is that the people who enjoy your company, rely on your support, nurture and love your family, and support and provide for our community are still here. We want to be with you and to share this time of prayer and worship with you.

What are the blessings and gifts that you have received lately? How have you been a blessing for others? What is God doing in your life and how are you being called to do new things? What gifts do you have to share? Please take a moment to consider how you will participate in the worship life of our parish. Thursday evening Eucharist with Healing Prayers at 6:30pm is an excellent way to break free from the routine of daily life and a peaceful preparation for the coming weekend. Won’t you consider joining us? As Lent and Holy Week approach, please take note of the Holy Week and Easter schedule of services included in this newslet-ter. How will you make the journey from Jerusalem to the cross to Easter morning with Saint John’s? We hope that you will be able to join us for this important time of remembrance and celebration. The Rev. Sandra L. Cosman

HOW WE’RE DOING SO FAR January 2015 Results Operating Income: $ 11,768 Operating Expenses: $ 12,850

YEAR TO DATE

Operating Income: $ 11,768 Operating Expenses: $ 12,850

Larry Espinet, Treasurer

Bits & Pieces 

Church Office Hours — Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Prayer Requests—Requests are handled confidentially through the office or by speaking to the Rev. Sandra L. Cos-man. You may fill out a prayer request form or contact the office. If you would like to be a part of the prayer circle, please call the office. Prayer is part of our concern for one another. Altar Guild - The Altar Guild is looking for 2 people to join a team in June/October and July/December. No experi-ence is necessary as on the job training is provided. If inter-ested, please contact Donna Colavecchio at (860) 379-4643. Flower Chart Posted in Narthex—Sign up for the Sunday of your choice. Cost is $60.00, or you may bring flowers from your garden in the summer. The office will contact you about memorials. Outreach/Community Mission Committee Meeting—There will be an Outreach/Community meeting on Sunday, March 15th between the 8:00 and 10:00 am services. Please join us. Training for Liturgical Duties - Training for greeters, aco-lytes, torchbearers will be coming soon. Please see Mother Cosman, if you are interested in helping to lead our worship. Lent Booklets—Living Well through Lent 2015 booklets are in the narthex. Please take a copy. Crux Magazine—A publication of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut is available in the narthex. Please take a copy to read and one to share with a member of our local communi-ty.

PARISH REGISTER(Broadly Defined)

Let the office know about happenings in your own life and in the lives of other parishioners, especially hospi-talizations, so Rev. Sandra L. Cosman can contact those in need of comfort.

Death Jane Bergeron

Next Ingathering—April 5th

The total year to date is $60.52. Bring coins any-time. We will keep them safe.

HOSPICE OFFERS BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM – The Hospice Program of Foothills Visiting Nurse & Home Care, Inc. will offer a six-week bereave-ment support group, “The Path Through Grief” on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6pm starting March 24th at the Agency office at 32 Union Street in Winsted. There is no charge to attend the group, but pre-registration is necessary. Please call the Agency at (860) 379-8561, for more information.

Special thanks to Ron Caine, Tom Chappell, and Bruce Wearne for cleaning the church.

Thank you to Pat Sepples for snow removal and sanding the walks.

Thanks to Bruce Wearne for repair of the pews and all the extra work he does for the church.

Thanks to Guy Hayes for making the pretzels.

Thanks to our Soup Kitchen Crew for their hard work.

Thanks to Diane Hayes and her crew for hosting another spectacular Jazz Concert and Ice Cream.

Thanks to Donna Colavecchio for prepping for Ash Wednesday services.

Thanks to Linda Snyder and volunteers for the Ash Wednesday program for children.

Thanks to everyone who helps with the mission and ministry of St. John’s.

PETER’S RETREAT

Thanks to those who help.!

Coffee Hour Hosts 10:00 a.m. Service

This is an important part of our ministry of hospital-ity—to visitors, to children, to one another. Coffee supplies other than cream are available in the kitch-en. Baked goods are terrific, whether home baked or purchased—whatever works for you. A sign up sheet is posted in the parish hall. All pa-rishioners who attend the 10 a.m. service are request-ed to host at least once this winter.

Rhythms of Grace

First Sunday of Every Month At 1:00 p.m.

Rhythms of Grace is designed to meet the needs of families with children on the Autism Spectrum and with other special needs. Those who help feel it is a rewarding experience to work with children and families who need the attention and who are new to St. John’s. Contact Linda Snyder at llsnyders4@charter.net for information.

Once again it is time to plan for this ministry. We take the fourth Saturday in all months, except No-vember and December, because of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The date of the next meal is March 28th which will be hosted by Rose & Bob Osborne. Specials thanks to Anne Radziewicz for hosting the February meal. We still have July 25 open for vol-unteers to assist. Please contact Laura Wearne with a date that you would like to volunteer for Peter’s Retreat. She can be reached at (860)307-3031. Thank you!

Altar Guild Prepares for Palm Sunday and Easter March 28th—9:00 a.m.

The Altar Guild will be polishing the silver and brass and stripping palms on Saturday, March 28th at 9:00 am. Please make every effort to attend. Please call

Easter Flowers Flower Envelopes due back by March 26th

An envelope is included with this newsletter (also available in the narthex) to donate for Easter flowers and include a memorial or thanksgiving in the Easter program. Your generosity also supports the work of the altar guild through the year. You can also call or email the office (office@reddoors.com) with names to be included in the Easter program and send a check in by mail.

Parish Directory Updates

Saint John’s Parish Directory is being updated! The directory lists names and contact information for all parishioners, save for those who prefer not to be included in the listing. Please send updates to your contact information, including name, address, email, phone, and any birthdays or anniversaries missing from our listing to Michelle at of-fice@reddoors.com. Thanks!

The Episcopal Church We’re Here For You

Sunday Holy Eucharist

8:00 a.m. & 10 a.m. Thursday Holy Eucharist With Healing Prayers 6:30

p.m.

Address Correction

P. O. Box 27

Pine Meadow, CT 06061 Phone: 860 379-3062 www.reddoors.com

SAINT JOHN’S LENTEN BOOK STUDY GROUP

Forgiving others and humbly asking for forgiveness are central disciplines for all Christian believers. Lent, a time to reflect on our Christian journey, is an appropriate time to deepen our understanding and practice of forgiveness. Us-ing Marjorie J. Thompson’s book, Forgiveness, our Lenten Book Study group is sharing and expanding our understanding of forgiveness. Among the ques-tions addressed in this study are: Is forgiveness a Christian duty under all circumstances? Or are there situa-tions when Christians do not need to forgive?  Is forgiveness a matter between individuals, or is it meaningful only in the context of communities?  Is forgiving the best route to healing for the injured?  How do we get past emotional barriers to real forgiveness? The study meets on Sunday mornings at 11:30am in the Education building

and is being facilitated by Stan Moraski and Mother Cosman.

OUTREACH MINISTRY MEETING

Sunday, March 15th between the 8 & 10am services

in Sheffield Hall Contact Laura Wearne @ mosey-

works@gmail.com for more information. Please join us!

Winsted Food Pantry

Needs Donations

Please, don't forget to bring in non-perishable food items for the hungry that live among us. Donations have been declining and the need is still great! The Open Door Soup Kitchen, located at 160 Main St., St. James Place, Winsted, CT, is in need of dona-tions. They can use everything. Donations can be brought to the church and placed in the totes in the narthex and are delivered to the kitchen. Please be generous in donating to this important ministry.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 Billie Jo & Russell Martocchio

3 8 & 10 AM Holy Eucharist

Susan & Brian Jones

4

5

6 Holy Eucharist 7:30 PM

7

8

9

10 8 & 10 AM Holy Eucharist

11

12

13 Holy Eucharist 7:30 PM

14

15

16

17 8 & 10 AM Holy Eucharist Hospitality Ctte. 11:00 a.m.

18

19 Maureen & Phil Prelli

20 Holy Eucharist 7:30 PM

21

22

23

24 8 & 10 AM Holy Eucharist

25 Vestry 7:00 PM

26

27 Holy Eucharist 7:30 PM

28

29

30

March 2015 St. John’s Church—Calendar of Events

Birthdays & Anniversaries

March Birthdays

3/3 Stephen Jakubowski 3/6 Kathy Riberdy 3/6 Emily Atwood 3/9 Lawrence Alibozek

3/12 Suzanne Moraski 3/12 Donald O'Neill 3/14 Barbara Patch 3/15 Elliot Nelson 3/16 Gordon Ross

3/19 Barbara Krohner 3/25 Evelyn Chicoski 3/26 Colleen Doyle 3/29 Kammryn D’Angelo 3/31 Allan Buttrick, Jr.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Holy Eucharist 8 & 10 AM Outreach Meet-ing between 8 & 10am services

2

3 Billie Jo & Russell Martocchio 7:00 Choir Rehearsal

4 8:00 PM AA Susan & Brian Jones

5 Holy Eucharist 6:30 pm

6 10:00 AM Al-Anon 8:30 PM AA

7

8 Holy Eucharist 8 & 10 AM

9

10 7:00 Choir Rehearsal

11 8:00 PM AA

12 Holy Eucharist 6:30 pm

13 10:00 AM Al-Anon

8:30 PM AA

14

15 Holy Eucharist 8 & 10 AM Outreach Meet-ing between 8 & 10am services

16

17 7:00 Choir Rehearsal

18 8:00 PM AA

19 Holy Eucharist 6:30 pm

20 10:00 AM Al-Anon 8:30 PM AA Maureen & Phil Prelli Kelly & Peter Ficalora

21 Open Door

22 Holy Eucharist 8 & 10 AM

23

24 7:00 Choir Rehearsal

25 8:00 PM AA

26 Holy Eucharist 6:30 pm

Vestry 7:00pm

27 10:00 AM Al-Anon

8:30 PM AA

28 Peter’s Retreat Altar Guild Polish-ing—9:00 a.m.

29 Palm Sunday Holy Eucharist 8 & 10 AM

30 31 7:00 Choir Rehearsal