St. Peters
EPISTLE
December 2006/January 2007
The Monthly Newsletter of St. Peter Episcopal Church in Ashtabula, Ohio
Holiday Open House
We hope you will join us.
You are welcome to bring a few friends or family members.
The Johnson Family will be at home
730 Holden Drive in Ashtabula
Sunday, December 10 from 2:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon.
Beverages and party fare will be provided abundantly.
(You may bring something if you wish, but this is not necessary. We will have plenty!)
Parking is available along Holden Drive and in the driveways across the street:
Gwen & Chuck Meister (#737) and Margaret Napoli (#727).
Use our driveway if you would normally use parking places for the disabled.
We look forward to seeing you!
Whats Happenin in December
4 – Evening Guild Christmas
Caroling, 6:00 pm
5 – Deanery Clergy, 10:00 am
Life Screenings; pre-registration
Required; 1-800-324-1851
6 – Executive Committee, 6:00 pm
Prayer & Praise, 7:00 pm
9 – Childrens Christmas Party,
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
10 – 2- cents-a-meal collection
Loose offering to RDF
Johnson Family Open House
2:00 – 4:00 pm
11 – Vestry Meeting, 7:00 pm
13 – St. Elizabeth Guild, at Gen
Howes home at noon
14 – Mary Margaret Guild, 11:00 am
17 – Deadline for Christmas Flower
Listing requests!
Hanging of the Greens, 11:15
Holiday Concert – Cleveland
Heritage Brass Quintet,7:30pm
22-Jan. 1 – Parish Secretary on Vacation
24 – 10:00 am, only one Eucharist
Service this morning
24 – Christmas Eve Eucharists
7:00 pm & 11:00 pm
25 – Christmas Day
27 – Prayer Gathering, 7:00 pm
No Breakfast or Education Classes on December 24 or 31.
Whos Cookin Breakfast?...
3- Roger Smith Group
10- Grotto Group
17- Nelson/Clayman Group
24 – NO BREAKFAST
An Advent Invitation
~ from Ann Siddall, a Spiritual
Director ~
In the Uffizi Gallery in Florence there is a wonderful painting of the Annunciation by the 13th- Century Italian artist Simone Martini. In it a gentle and serious-faced angel kneels at the feet of Mary, and Mary is backing away in fear. One of her hands has gone instinctively to the neck of her gown, as if protecting herself. The other is in the pages of an open book, keeping open the page she must have been reading when this strange visitation occurred – the page she hopes soon to return to.
These days I have more interest in the poets and artists who have sought to enhance our sense of the coming of Christ, than in trying to establish a literal interpretation of exactly how it happened. And I find myself attracted to Martinis painting. The visual image spells out for me a reaction I frequently encounter in myself and others, and that is ambivalence about the holy. We are both drawn to it and yet frightened by it. We want to be more spiritual and yet we fear the transforming fire of the holy.
And the cost for most of us is related to time. In order to receive the invitation and be open to transformation (which is, after all, what the Christian journey is about) we need to carve out a little time and resist all that gets in the way of this. Yet, like Mary, we are somewhat afraid, and we really want to get back to the familiar things we are doing.
We all know it, deep down, but the rewards for our outer work and our outer appearances are more tangible than the rewards for what occurs in the secret places of our souls. Yet it is here that, like the angel kneeling before Mary, Christ kneels at our feet with the request to be incarnate in our lives.
In the acceleration towards Christmas and the end of the year, may we make a little time to ponder the invitation, and the request, made by the One who kneels lovingly, and respectfully at our feet. For despite all our self-doubts and apprehensions, this is the greatest gift.
On the lighter side:
Four weeks before Christmas, Reverend Johnson of Christ Lutheran was leading a childrens service featuring an Advent Wreath.
He had told them what the three purple candles represented, then asked, Does anyone know what the pink one means? No one answered.
Finally little Saras hand went up. Are they expecting a girl?
Announcements
Hammer Dulcimer, anyone?
Through the generosity of Emily Schroeder, St. Peters now has custody of a hammer dulcimer.
Would you like to learn to play it?
Would you consider preparing a piece of music for worship? See Mother Barbara if you would like to borrow this instrument for a season.
Consecration Sunday
On Sunday, November 12, we received 41 Estimate of Giving Cards. The total pledged was a little over $91,000. Since then, we have received $16,000 in additional pledges. Thank you for your generosity in giving to St. Peters.
Hanging of the Greens
Why not stay after the later service on December 17 and help us decorate the church for Christmas!
Many hands make light work. It shouldnt take very long.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is a Sunday this year.
There will not be an 8:00 a.m. service on that Sunday, Dec. 24.
There will, however, be a Morning Prayer Service at 10:00 a.m.
The Christ Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Attention Chalice Bearers
Mary Kay Loose would like to offer her services as a substitute Chalice Bearer from time to time, as needed.
She may be reached at: 964-5549.
Wine Change
Did you notice that the communion wine had changed? Well, you were correct! The Altar Guild did in fact make a change in the wine. We changed from Ferrantes Rosso to Markkos Cabernet Sauvignon.
Are we going to change frequently?
No, we are just trying palatable wine that will not stain our wine cruets and, especially, our fair linens so badly – making clean-up a real chore.
I will try to be more timely in the future in notifying the congregation of these changes.
(Ann Balog, Altar Guild)
If you would like your loved ones to be remembered in the Christmas Flower List included in the Christmas Eve bulletin, please make sure the names are given to the Parish office no later than December 17th. There is a donation of $10, with checks to made out to St. Peter Episcopal Church Altar Guild. Flower envelopes will be mailed the first week of December and they will also be available at the back of the church.
The Evening Guild is planning to meet at Park Haven Home for Christmas Caroling on Monday, December 4th at 6:00 p.m. Please come join us. Refreshments & party will follow at the Tylers home at 6407 Hiram Avenue.
Celebrate the holiday season
With an evening of popular and classical musical entertainment for the whole family!
Christmas Concert
Sat. Dec. 16, 2006 at 8 P.M.
Lakeside High School
Sanborn Rd. Ashtabula
The Ashtabula Area Orchestra
In concert with
The Lake County Messiah Chorus
& Lakeside H.S. Choir
Soloists include
Ashtabulas own Jim Onion, Baritone, Misook Yun, Soprano, and William Ambert, Tenor
Conductor/Director,
Professor Michael Gelfand
Dana School of Music, Y.S.U.
Ticket Sales – at the door only:
$8 Adult; $5 Student/Senior; Under 6, free; $12 Limited Reserve Seating
Dinner with the Orchestra at 7pm
$7 Reservations by 12/14 (Italian-style meal)
440-994-2211 or 440-466-6414
PO Box 414, Ashtabula,OH
44005-0415 www.ashtabulaareaorchestra.com
For those who requested
This is the recipe for the chicken salad that was served for the Consecration Sunday luncheon.
Chicken Salad Zelda
Serves 8
4 C. diced, cooked chicken
4 C. chopped celery
1 C. slivered almonds
4 Tbs. lemon juice
2 C. Miracle Whip
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. grated onion
2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
2 C. crushed potato chips
Mix all ingredients together. Bake at 400 F. for 20 minutes.
If desired, sprinkle some of the cheddar and crushed chips on top before baking.
Thank You from
Thank you for your donation to Homesafe. We are grateful for the support.
Homesafe
Ashtabula County Lights on the Lake would like to thank you for your generous donation. We hope you will enjoy our event.
Sincerely,
The Lights on the Lake Committee
Thought for the Month
Voice your hopes not your fears.
Out of the mouths
The gift that God gave the world is sometimes lost amidst all the tinsel. Some of us need the admonition of a little girl when her parents were setting up the Christmas crche. She said, Make sure Jesus shows!
The perfect gift – Puppy Size
Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. Weve been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this, the mother told the volunteer.
What is it she keeps asking for? the volunteer asked.
Puppy size! replied the mother.
Well, we have plenty of puppies, if thats what shes looking for.
I knowwe have seen most of them, the mom said in frustration.
Just then Danielle came walking into the office.
Well, did you find one? asked her mom. No, not this time, Danielle said with sadness in her voice. Can we come back on the weekend?
The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed.
You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, theres always a supply, the volunteer said.
Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. Dont worry, Ill find one this weekend, she said.
Over the next few days both mom and dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular.
Its this weekend or were not looking any more, Dad finally said in frustration.
We dont want to hear anything more about puppy size, either! Mom added.
Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs.
Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors werent permitted.
Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, Sorry, youre not the one.
It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup.
The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. Mom, thats it! I found the right puppy! Hes the one! I know it! she screamed with joy. Its the puppy size!
But its the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks, Mom said.
No not size ---- the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed, she said. Dont you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!
The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didnt know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.
Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms, she said.
Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. Not only in the arms of a loved one, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day.
They are the sighs of God. Take time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear.
Life is not measured by the breaths we take; but, by the moments that take our breath away.
Thought for a day
People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road and the back of the church.
A Definition
~ Faithful Attendance at Worship ~
A pastor was once asked to define Faithful Attendance at Worship and this was his reply:
All that I ask is that we apply the same standards of faithfulness to our church activities that we would in other areas of our life. Consider these examples:
If your car started one out of three times, would you consider it faithful?
If your paper delivery was skipped Mondays and Thursdays, would they be missed? If you didnt show up at work three or four times a month, would your boss call you faithful?
If your water heater greets you with cold water one or two mornings a week while you are in the shower, would it be faithful? If you miss a couple of mortgage payments would your lender say, Oh well, ten out of twelve isnt bad? If you miss worship and attend meetings only often enough to show youre interested but not often enough to get involved, are you faithful?
~ from Editors Clip Sheets ~
January 2007
Whats Happenin in January?...
1- New Years Day; Office closed
Deadline for Annual meeting
Reports
2- Executive Committee, 6:00 pm
Prayer & Praise, 7:00 pm
8- Vestry Meeting, 7:00 pm
14- Loose offering to Rectors
Discretionary Fund (RFD)
21- Annual Parish Meeting, 11:15
following later service
Deadline for Epistle news
Food Pantry collection
23- Evening Guild, 7:00 pm
24- Prayer Gathering
Whos Cookin Breakfast?...
7- Roger Smith Group
14- Grotto Group
21- Nelson/Clayman Group
28- Youth Group
Take Care
Take care we often say to each other when we say good-bye. Behind the remark lies our understanding that amidst all the pressures and uncertainties of life today, there is a need for us to be careful of our own well-being.
Sometimes New Year resolutions reflect our longing for a better, stress-free healthier life. We are going to go on that diet properly this time, get into a pattern of exercise, and not work such long hours. And we set ourselves to a regime that actually increases our stress and doesnt hold up for very long!
And many of us have a sneaking suspicion that we shouldnt focus on caring for ourselves anyway. Being a good Christian is about caring for others, something that involves self-sacrifice.or is it?
Writing many centuries ago, the wise Bernard of Clairvaux said that we should try to be reservoirs, not streams. Streams have water that flows out as fast as it flows in. Reservoirs are designed to collect water and give out of their abundance.
Frequently, when leading retreats, I feel the need to reassure people that it is perfectly all right to take this time out for themselves, and that they will have more to offer once they have taken time to rest and renew. A wise colleague once deterred me from another course of study by saying it was important to be rich in the things of God, something that only happens when I give myself space for prayer, rest, and renewal.
The world does not need another community of stressed, tired people. It needs people who have tapped into springs of living water; people whose reservoirs are deep so that they can give without being depleted; people who seem to have found an inner peace and stillness and who can point others toward that.
So perhaps our new year might begin with a resolution to take care – for the sake of a world that needs citizens who have found ways to survive the madness and uncertainty and can show that Jesus Christ does offer life in all its fullness.
Take care.
~ Ann Siddall ~
Announcements
It is that time of year again when we collect information to record in the Annual Report to be presented on January 21, 2006 at the Annual Meeting. If you have been chair-person of any committee, group or project of the church, please write and send in a report to the Parish Office by January 1, 2007. Please make it as brief as possible, not more than 4 paragraphs, stating what was accomplished this year, what you see as the focus in the next 1 year or 5 years.
The Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting for 2007 will be Sunday, January 21 after the later service. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.
In the meantime, continue to pray for our congregation.
All adult communicants in good standing are eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. These are the criteria: You are present for worship except when you are prevented by good cause; you support the parish financially; you are baptized and confirmed, and those events have been recorded officially in the Parish Record Book; you are at least 16 years of age.
You are eligible to run for Vestry if you are an adult communicant in good standing, if you have not just completed an elected term, and you are not immediately related to someone who is already serving.
Please pray about whether you or someone you know is called to this ministry of leadership, and if you are led to offer your name or someone elses (with their permission, of course), speak to Mother Barbara or one of the returning Vestry members.
Returning Vestry Members – otherwise known as the Vestry Nominating Committee – are George Ducro, Pat Hazeltine, David Huyck, Eric Johnson and Brian Van Allen.
Vestry Members completing their terms with the January Parish Meeting are: Steve Box, Chuck Brockway, MaryLou Fowler and Roger Smith.
We thank them for serving and leading the congregation as members of the Vestry.
Chuck Brockway and Roger Smith were appointed by the Senior Warden and approved by the Vestry in 2004 to fill seats left vacant at the Annual Meeting; so they are both eligible to run for Vestry at this Annual Meeting, should they be willing to do so.
Taylors rules for resolutions
Ideas on Resolutions from Jim Taylor
He says, in part:
Ive quit making New Years resolutions. Some of my best intentions in the past didnt last much beyond midnight on New Years Eve, especially if they concerned chocolate.
Instead, Ive been thinking about those good intentions and developing some relevant principles.
If you ever took physics in school, youve probably heard of Newtons First Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. That may be true for mechanical objects, but it only tells half the story in social relationships.
Heres Taylors First Law of Good Intentions: For every action, expect two different consequences, one positive and one negative.
Giving to the local food bank may provide some needy person with a meal. But enough people giving may also have a negative effect, by convincing the government that they no longer have to do anything about starving people.
Taylors Second Law of Good Intentions: You will never get it right the first time. .Our good intentions get into trouble when we treat any problems as whole, without treating also its parts. At one extreme, we try to solve homelessness one transient at a time. We treat an alcoholic, but ignore his social context.
.Taylors Third Law of Good Intentions: Be flexible. Even the best of intentions, taken to an extreme, usually turn out to be wrong. (I was going to say they always did, but that would itself be an extreme!) Keep those 3 principles in mind for the New Year.
Theyll make life a lot easier.