What Do You Do All Week?

As I write this, the Annual Meeting is past and Lent is on the horizon. We have completed our fifth year of ministry together. At odd moments, I find myself pondering all that we have shared. I am reminded first of the blessings: the weddings and baptisms and confirmations, especially. Not the funerals, except that Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn.” He didn’t mean we’d like it. He meant that grief is one of the seasons of life when God hovers close by, eager to bless us, whether we recognize him or not. I have often been invited to minister to the dying and their families, and always it is a holy time of great privilege. For those who wonder what I do between Sundays, there’s part of the answer. When that kind of invitation comes, it takes first importance.

Then, there is cycle of preaching and teaching, which takes hours of preparation, study and prayer each week. I preach without notes, yes, but not without preparation (and trepidation, too!). And there is the usual round of week in, week out pastoral care. I go to the hospital once a week, or more, if I know someone is there. I visit shut-ins with Communion as often as I am up to the long treks through nursing homes, but not often enough to satisfy me. Although I sometimes have meetings that take me away, I try to be in the office most weekday mornings (Monday – Thursday) so that you can stop by or call or send an email. This is one way to be available to you when there is not a crisis. I look forward to conversations that support you in your journey with Christ and your service to him. I am more than happy to accommodate work schedules and meet you in the evening. Ask me.

When the chairs in my office are empty and the phones are quiet, I have the chance to deal with correspondence and my responsibilities for moving us forward and keeping us connected. Bulletins need to be reviewed and newsletter covers composed, and you would be surprised how many other people and organizations have to-do lists for us! A few are legitimate; some are opportunities.

Many evenings are taken up with parish leadership. In addition, I try to be present as needed to all the groups in the parish. Holding on to one evening a week where I don’t go back out again after dinner keeps me sane and in touch with my family. Otherwise, I can occasionally arrange to pick the kids up after school. Now that both the children are in school, that’s the time we have together. Saturdays must often include time for Mama to work on or fret about the sermon. (Too often, she’s a grouch anyway.) I admit that my family pays much of the price for God calling an introvert to the pulpit. Yet, they are also the ones who make the earth spin on its axis and the sun rise and set – for me. I wonder if they know how thankful I am? Fridays are for balance and rest and prayer and ordinary necessities like shopping and errands and balancing the checkbook.

God willing, God helping, I continue. This year, I’d like to resurrect that old tradition of pastoral visitation, as Roger Smith, the outgoing Senior Warden, suggested one day. He said he is even willing to come along. So how about coffee or tea sometime? I’d like to know what keeps you busy between Sundays, where your journey of faith has taken you, how the strengths of this congregation have encouraged you, and your hopes and intentions for the future.

MBJ +

       

           

              

What’s Happenin’ in February?...

 1 – Chestnut After School Program

      Dinner, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

 7 – Executive Committee, 6:00 pm

      Prayer & Praise, 7:00 pm

 8 – Mary Margaret Guild, 11:00 am

11 – Loose offering to RDF

       Cake & Dessert Auction

       Deadline for Epistle news for

       March (note different week)

12 – Renovation Committee, 6:00 pm

14 - Vestry meeting, 7:00 pm

19 – Office closed, Presidents’ Day

20 – Shrove Tuesday Dinner

21 – Ash Wednesday Services,

       12:15 & 7:00 pm

27 – Evening Guild, 7:00 pm

  Who’s Cookin’ Breakfast ?...

  4 – Roger Smith Group

11 – Grotto Group

18 – Nelson/Clayman Group

25 – Youth Group

Calendar notes, Season of Lent…

Lent is 40 days from Ash Wednesday until Easter, not counting Sundays. In 2007, that’s from February 21 through April 7. The Sundays are not included because each Sunday is, in its own way, a celebration of the resurrection. Thus, officially, the Sundays are counted as Sundays “in” Lent rather than “of” Lent (as opposed to other seasons, when we say “the 3^rd Sunday of Easter” or “the 2^nd Sunday of Advent”).

The name of the season comes from the old English word lengten meaning Spring. Similar to the modern word lengthen, it simply meant that the days were getting longer. This reminds us that sometimes faith symbols and seasons of the church year can have associations with the natural world.

    The symbolism of 40 days parallels the time that the Gospels tell us Jesus spent in the wilderness. Traditionally it was a time for people to prepare for baptism at Easter, and later became a general season of self-reflection and repentance for all Christians.

                   

      Lenten Study Program?...

There is talk in the Deanery of a cooperative Lenten Study program which would involve a Sunday morning component at St. Peter’s and Wednesday evening gatherings at Cedar Hills, including dinner.

Please let Mother Barbara know if you

are interested.

              A Table Grace…

   (can be sung to the tune of

   “Jesus Loves Me.”)

God, we thank you for the day.

Bless the things we do and say.

For this meal, this food we share,

keep us in your loving care. Amen.

  ~ from Editor’s Clip Sheets ~ 

            

Notes from the Annual Meeting:

With approximately 45 people in attendance, the Annual Meeting was held in the Parish House Auditorium.

Elected by acclimation to three-year terms were Bill Balog, Karen Flack, Diane Podgorny and Martha Shippy.

They replace Steve Box, Chuck Brockway, MaryLou Fowler & Roger Smith who have completed their terms.

The 2006 Financial Reports indicated that we finished 2006 in the black. However, the Vestry did borrow $4,632.88 against the line of credit. The proposed budget, presented by Roger Smith, revealed that, using the projected income, including pledges received at the Consecration Sunday, the Vestry predicts a shortfall of just over $19,000.

The Vestry has cut everywhere that cuts could be made to try to come within expected income. Several ideas were discussed for raising funds to make up this deficit. More about those later. Mother Barbara reminded us, however, that our primary mission is in worshiping and serving Christ. Balancing the budget through our own efforts is of secondary concern. If we are seeking God’s heart, we can trust that he will continue to provide resources for ministry. Eric Johnson spoke passionately in favor of taking evangelism seriously. Janet Green reminded us how Jim Weidig urged everyone strongly at the last parish meeting to tithe. A motion to adopt the budget as offered and, if necessary, use the Line of Credit obtained last month carried, 35/5.

Mother Barbara thanked everyone who had served in the ministries of the parish in the past year, and reminded everyone that her office door was open to anyone who needed her. Several people spoke of how much they appreciated her pastoral care in times of crisis and her warm welcome of those new to our parish, particularly those with special needs.

In 2007, the Vestry will meet on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is February 14. The Wardens will be elected and the Treasurer and Clerk will be appointed at that time.

          Reminder of the day…

God always gives His best to those who leave the choice to him.

                 

Many thanks to the bell-ringers of St. Peter’s: the Johnson family (Eric, Mother Barbara, Evelyn & Andrew); Carol Wardell, Eleanor Andrews and Janet Green.

They rang the bell for the Salvation Army’s recent Kettle Drive.

Thanks to so many who took time from their busy schedules to write messages on cards for service persons in Iraq.

And, thank you to the volunteers who helped with the Children’s Christmas Party on December 17^th; that includes those who gave gift boxes or money, or cooked or helped at the party.

  ~ Karen Flack ~

I want to thank all of the Women’s Guild, and everyone, for their prayers, the luncheon and support; what you did for me in my time of loss.

I never realized how many friends I have at St. Peter Church.

Thank you and God bless you all.

 ~ Ellen Szymanski ~  

An old Jewish folk saying…

One should not stand at the foot of a sick person’s bed, because that place is reserved for the guardian angel!

                

  Elizabeth Eaton Elected Bishop…

 ~ excerpts from a press release ~

“Voting members attending a special  assembly on December 2,2006 elected the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton to a six-year term as bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Pr. Eaton, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, Ashtabula, Ohio, was elected on the fifth ballot for bishop, 281-230 over the Rev. David P. Anderson, co-pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Medina, Ohio.

…There were 41 names on the nominating ballot for bishop. The Rev. Lowell Almen, Secretary of the ELCA, chaired the election.

…. The new bishop will be installed February 3, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio. ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson will preside over the installation.”

  Best wishes and congratulations from their friends at St. Peter’s go with Liz and Conrad to wherever their path may lead.

          Opportunities…

        School of Prayer

First Covenant Church is offering The School of Prayer, an 8-hour experiential seminar on developing a deeper personal practice of prayer. Topics include “The Person & Prayer,” “Church Leaders & Prayer,” and “The Church and Prayer.”

There is no charge, but registration is requested so adequate materials and food for the shared meals and break times can be ordered.

The dates, Feb. 16-18 and the proposed schedule are posted on the bulletin board opposite the office along with forms for registration.

    Chili Dinner Carry-out

And you get a choice! There will be a chili dinner carry-out at the Plymouth Fire Hall on February 2 from 4:00 pm –

8:00 pm at 1001 Plymouth Rd., Ashtabula.  There will be 3-Alarm Hot or mild chili, cornbread and dessert – all for only $5.00 per meal.

For more information call Pam Bean at

992-0128.

      Shrove Tuesday Pancakes

Mark your calendars for the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Cost of dinner is by donation. Join us for an evening of fun and fellowship. Your hosts for the evening will be the Youth Group.

  The Famous Cake & Dessert Auction

On Sunday, February 11, in celebration of Valentine’s day, we will be have the St. Peter’s Sweethearts Cake and Dessert Auction. We will be auctioning cakes and desserts provided by members of our congregation, with a competitive twist. With our already delicious cakes, we are including prizes to make people want to win our cakes at auction. For example, we are making a cake called the “14 Karat Kake.” This is a carrot cake that will include some sort of 14 Karat Gold Jewelry item. We are asking the members of our congregation to participate in this fund raiser by making your favorite cake or dessert item to be auctioned off.

Debra Nelson & Julie Clayman are providing several baskets to be raffled off that day. There will be one prize basket that will be awarded to the participant or group whose cake or dessert commands the highest bid at auction. So, if the Vestry or Youth Group want to sponsor a cake, Great!!!

If you cannot bake, a gift card and cake from Wal-Mart is sure to appeal.

Please, please, please be involved. It will be a great time and Debbie & Julie will even throw in lunch and door-prizes for those attending. All proceeds will go directly to our church.

Remember, the success of this event will depend on the amount of people attending the auction. Please invite friends & family & let our not-so-regular attendees know if you see them.

Any questions? Contact Julie Clayman at 224-1973, or Debra Neson at 964-9571.

        Recycling Anyone?

There is a box in the back of the church for your empty computer ink cartridges. If you don’t already recycle them, please deposit them there. Individual envelopes are available if you’d rather take one home for your convenience. This is an on-going service project by Martha Hazeltine’s 4-H club, “Stitch-n-Chatter.”

If you’d like a cardboard collection carton for you place of business, just ask her for one. Thanks!

              

And Freddie has answered the call…

If you look in the St. Peter’s website at

http://stpetersashtabula.org, you will find a letter from his Program Director along with a great picture of Freddie that was included with the letter.

In it we are thanked for sharing Freddie with MVS (Mennonite Voluntary Service, and reminded that support (both prayer & substance) are very important to their volunteers.

We are very proud of Freddie and miss him here. So, it would be nice to let him know.

Directions for how to do this are in the letter posted on the website.

       God’s Riches…

  ~ a poem, by L. Christe in Parish

        Publishing ~

Look about you, worried friends

And have our troubles cease!

It’s all there for eyes that see

And hearts that can increase.

God gives an endless beauty

Each season brings its own.

Don’t just look, but really see

What treasures God has sown.

The ruby skies of sunset,

The golden break of day;

The diamonds of the raindrops

As they wash the dust away.

There are pearls of snow laid at our feet,

And opal hues of Fall.

The amethyst of dusk is ours,

And sapphire skies for all.

The topaz earth before us lay,

As does the emerald sod.

Enjoy these earthly treasures, friends,

Because they come from God.

Does God enforce full payment

For the riches that he shares?

God only asks your faith in him

To help you with your cares.

God’s promises are good today;

God knew the world would be!

Give to God the tithes he asks

And he’ll provide – you’ll see.

          A Perfect Ending?...

        ~ Gilda Radner ~

I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve

learned, the hard way, that some poems

don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have

a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is

about not knowing, having to change,

taking the moment and making the best

of it, without knowing what’s going to

happen next.