April  2007  

 

  WhatÕs happeninÕ in April?...

 

  1 - Palm Sunday Eucharist, 8:00 &

       10:00 a.m.

  3 – Executive Committee, 7:00 p.m.

  4 – Purpose Driven Life discussion,

       7:00 p.m.     

  5 – Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist

        7:00 p.m.

  6 – Good Friday Service, 7:00 p.m.

        The Cross Walk & ecumenical

        Service, Mother of Sorrows,

        begins 2:00 p.m.

  8 – Easter Eucharists, 8 & 10:00 am

 11 – Vestry meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 12 – Mary Margaret Guild, 11:00 a.m.

 18 – St. Elizabeth Guild, 12:00 noon

 24 – Evening Guild, 7:00 p.m.

 28 – Jan Green poetry readings,

        10:30 a.m.

 29 – Dr. Kalil & Joella Jones Concert

 

      WhoÕs cookinÕ breakfast ?...

 

1     Roger Smith Group

         8  Grotto Group

14  Nelson/Clayman Group

21 Youth Group

28  Girl Scouts

 

          Calendar notes:

          ~ a movable feast ~

 

Ever wonder why the date of Easter changes from year to year? There is a logic to it, and it goes back to ancient times.

Unlike Christmas, which always falls on a certain date (December 25), Easter by its very nature always falls on a Sunday. And, because the events of JesusÕ death and resurrection occurred in the context of the Jewish Passover festival (remember, Jesus and the disciples were Jewish), the date is chosen in conjunction with the lunar calendar, because the Jewish calendar is lunar. So, Easter Sunday is always the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21 – the vernal equinox. Thus, Easter can fall anywhere in between March 22 and April 25.

This year, Easter is April 8. In 2008, it will be one of the earliest ever – March 23. In 2011, it will be the latest it has ever been in several hundred years: April 24.

 

        A Thought to PonderÉ

 

A minister wrote to a wealthy influ-

ential business executive requesting

a contribution to a worthy charity. A

curt refusal ended by, ÒAs far as I can

see, this Christian business is just one

continuous give, give, give.Ó

The minister thought it over and then

 

replied: ÒI wish to thank you for the

best definition of the Christian life that

I have yet heard.Ó

 

                 

      

 

    Special Service Times:

 

Palm Sunday, April 1st will have Distri-

bution of Palms & the Reading of the

Passion at both services.

At 10:00 we will gather in the Parish Hall and process outside, if weather permits.

Maundy Thursday, April 5th at 7:00 p.m.

at St. PeterÕs will be the Institution of the

LordÕs Supper.

Good Friday, April 6th at 2:00 p.m. will be the Cross Walk and Ecumenical Worship at Mother of Sorrows Church – or – 7:00 p.m. will be a Prayer Book Service at St. PeterÕs.

        

                       

 

Easter Day, Sunday, April 8th will be the Celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord,

At 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.

 

 

 

     ThatÕs good adviceÉ

 

Start and end each day with prayer. ItÕs amazing what a difference it can make if you ask God each morning to walk with you through the day, and thank God before going to bed for the blessing you have received during the day.

    ~ Lifted from ÒThe Spirit of Christ ChurchÓ, Christ Church Geneva ~

 

WhatÕs for breakfast?...PrayerÉ

 

Through the RectorÕs Discretionary Fund, St. PeterÕs has purchased one table for The Ashtabula County Concerts of Prayer, Prayer Breakfast to be held on May 4th at 7:00 a.m. at the Mt. Carmel Community Center.

We have also donated tickets for the use of Ashtabula students. That means there are 8 tickets available to members and friends of St. PeterÕs. If you would like to go, please see Mother Barbara or sign up on the bulletin board across from the church office.

The speaker this year will be Dr. Don Schoendorfer, the founder of the Free Wheelchair Mission.

Of course, donations to the RectorÕs Discretionary Fund are always welcome, but reimbursement for the Prayer Breakfast tickets is not required or expected. We would like to see ÒourÓ table filled with people glad for the opportunity to be there. We would be thrilled if more tickets were needed.

 

We give thanks for abilities sharedÉ

 

            ~ Music ~

Many thanks to Brian Lago for providing an evening of Praise and Worship, accompanied by Greg Heath from St. Anne in the Fields Anglican Church, Madison. The music was great, and the praise was heartfelt. Thank you for the opportunity to sing some favorites and learn some new music. It was a blessing!

 

Thank you to Linda Henry and the Liturgical Dance Team from Geneva United Methodist Church, who joined us on Sunday, March 18 and presented True North, sung by Twila Paris. They were awesome! (Just like all the other times.) We hope they will come back again soon.

 

Thank you to Chuck, Jean, and Jennifer Brockway for the beautiful music binders we have in church now for the praise music.

Not only have they funded the majority of the project, they have put each of the binders together.

Say thank you to the Brockways when you see them, and sing with all of your heart to the glory of God. That will certainly show your appreciation!

 

                  ~ Food ~

Thank you to Irv & Harriet Goodman and Zelda Altman, dear friends of the parish, for the Seder Meal on March 29th. We know it was a lot of work. We want you to know how much we appreciate the opportunity to pray with you, learn from you and celebrate GodÕs faithfulness. We ask His blessing on your own celebration of Passover.

Thanks to everyone who helped.

 

Once again the Corned Beef and Cabbage was delicious! Thank you Diane Podgorny and Company for the annual Òfeeding of the leprechauns.Ó

 

       ~ Éand other thanks ~

 

From Christ Episcopal Church:

ÒMother Barbara,

On behalf of the Christ Church family, I thank you for your pastoral service to the Patterson family over the last few weeks. Your visits to Linda and her family meant a lot to them and were greatly appreciated.

Enclosed is a token of our gratitude for your assistance.

Again, thank you for all your support.

Faithfully,

Mary Cozad, Sr. WardenÓ

 

We want to thank EVERYONE who helped with the Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner. The help was terrific and we really appreciate it.

There is a thank-you card posted on the bulletin board across from the church office.

 ~ Diane and Bob ~

 

Thank you to all who contributed to the Blanket Fund for Church World Services.

A total of $207.00 was mailed to them.

Thanks again.

   ~ Ernestine Bush ~

 

Many thanks to all the folks from my St. PeterÕs family who prayed for me and took the time to send me the cute, pretty, funny Òget wellÓ cards following my surgery. They have really brightened the days. See you very soon.

Love,

MaryLou Fowler

 

        

 

Easter Flower requests deadline is set for March 28th but must be in no later than Sunday, April 1st. Flower envelopes were sent with the Easter message letter from Mother Barbara and there will be envelopes at the back of the church. If you donÕt have an envelope, just send your list to the office and it will be included for Easter.

 

Vestry Briefs from 2/18/07É

 

It is noted that the following people were elected as officers for the 2007 Vestry year:

Senior Warden – George E. Ducro III

Junior Warden -  Brian Van Allen

Treasurer – David Huyck

 

From the Sr. WardenÕs Report: 

Thanks to Bob Hazeltine for taking on the opening of the household of God, the 1st Sunday of each month. Mother Barbara is on a mission to contact each household of the parish & include special concerns when praying for them.

 

From the Jr. WardenÕs Report: painting, plastering and flooring completed downstairs & paid for by Foundation grants. Brian & Don Clayman were both on the scene with the local fire department one evening to answer an alarm system call. A pipe had burst in an upstairs bath and run down into the basement – setting off the alarm. Brian & Don mopped up the water, and Don replaced the pipe the next day.

 

                    

 

                In the SpringÉ

 

OneÕs fancy turns to thoughts ofÉ.

pretty flowers, of course!

Beginning Sunday, April 1st, and lasting until the 31st, Karen Flack will once again be offering the sale of flower bulbs on Sundays to enhance our Spring gardens.

There will be brochures available and a place to sign up for the bulbs you would like to purchase.

Extra brochures will be available, also, to take to neighbors, friends and relatives to help them with ideas for making their garden plot the most beautiful in the neighborhood.

After the 31st the bulbs will be ordered with an expected turn around of about two weeks.

DonÕt miss this opportunity or youÕll be sorry when you see everyone elseÕs lovely blossoms.

 

                

 

                WantedÉ

 

SHARE-A-HOME – Furniture Needed!

 

We need to furnish a bedroom for 2 residents, with 2 twin beds, 2 dressers and 2 mirrors.

If you have any items available we can pick them up at your home, when convenient for you.

In order to get state approval we will have to furnish the rooms in the next few weeks.

Call Tom Fowler at 440-563-3573.

 

     Our own Jan Green CreatesÉ

 

We have a unique opportunity to listen to some original poetry by our own Janet Green.

She will be present on Saturday, April 28 at 10:30 a.m. in the Guild Room of St. Peter Church to share some of her  poems orally. It promises to be entertaining.

Everyone is welcome to join us for this one-of-a-kind experience. DonÕt miss it!

 

        Words from the beautiful        childrenÉ

 

Karen Flack has gathered copies of the thank you notes from the children who joined us for dinner in February, from the Celebrate program at Chestnut School.

You saw one on the cover of the last Epistle, so you know how delightful and encouraging they are. (Apparently, Mrs. BushÕs shoes are nearly as impressive as her graciousness in waiting tables. Good we didnÕt suggest the children leave tips.)

If you are looking for something that will restore your faith in the next generations, look for the white notebook in the parish hall at coffee hour. For that matter, it will restore your soul, too.

 

          Did you remember toÉ

 

Remember that the Church office is open Monday – Friday. If you have a question or are in need of anything, please call the office at 992-8100 and we will do our best to answer your questions or provide what you need. If there is something you donÕt want Mother Barbara to forget to do, see, read, find, or pray for, write it down or call during the week.

 

     TreasurerÕs UpdateÉ

 

St. PeterÕs has been blessed these past two months. We have received bequests of approximately $24,000. The cake auction generated $1,800, and we have had an adjustment from last year of $1,000, giving us a total of unbudgeted funds of nearly $27,000.

With these funds we have been able to pay off our line of credit of approximately $4,600. Also, if our pledges and other sources of income continue at the present rate or even improve, these funds should allow us to come close to breaking even this year.

The only obligation which is not being paid, and was not included in our budget, is the Diocesan pledge.

  ~ David Huyck, Treasurer ~

 

     A fervent pleaÉ

 

A large cast iron skillet has disappeared from the Church pantry. This skillet is over 20 inches in diameter and weighs in excess of 22 pounds. The skillet is worth over $500.

If it has been borrowed we would greatly appreciate its return.

  ~ George Ducro, Sr. Warden ~

 

 

 

How to get your message inÉ

 

If you would like to see something in the Epistle, please put it in the Epistle mail box in the office, e-mail it to maryloou_tfclu@yahoo.com or fax it to 563-3592. The deadline each month is the third Sunday. For MayÕs issue that date would be April 15.

           

           

 

       Visions of New ZealandÉ

 

About thirty people were in attendance in St. PeterÕs Parish Hall on March 10th to witness a slide show presented and narrated by Elaine Swanson, assisted by Phyllis DeCato.

There were many interesting pictures of New Zealand and Ashtabula.

Following the presentation objects of interest were displayed for the pleasure of the group.

People were drawn to the wood, jewelry, clothing and art work to be seen.

Many lingered over refreshments and conversation in the hall and the Guild Room. Coffee and cookies by Karen Flack, Zelda Altman and Elaine Swanson were offered.

The occasion was arranged by Karen Flack and Eric Johnson.

 

 

               

    Prayer time each eveningÉ

 

Someone has said if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Did you know that during W.W. II there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its safety and peace.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America.

If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along.

Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.

 

         F I YÉ

 

 ~ feeding the flocks ~

 

During the summer of 2006, the summer food program for children, run by the Children Services Board, served 6,078 breakfasts and 23,795 lunches for a total of 30,282 meals served to children. Food sites were in Ashtabula, Conneaut, Geneva, Kingsville and Pierpont. St. Peter Church donated some of our old dining room tables for this purpose.

  ~ Roger Smith, Sec. Treas. of Children Services Board ~

 

                   OpportunitiesÉ

 

PeteÕs Players: A New Youth Adventure

 

This summer, St. PeterÕs Church will be embarking on a new youth adventure. PeteÕs Players, a youth community theatrical outreach program, will be a program through which the youth of our area can explore their artistic impulses while creating theatrical productions.

Involvement in theatre activities as a young person has many advantages. Among them are self-esteem, self-discipline, and a strong sense of community with fellow theatre artists. In addition to the emotional benefits, theatre also makes youth into better students.  Theatrical participation is especially helpful in communities concerned with low literacy rates among its youth since the production of theatrical events requires careful reading and comprehension skills for all people involved.

Ashtabula has an institution in place which gives young people the opportunity to explore musical theatre, childrenÕs theatre and some Shakespeare, however many families are unable to pay tuition for their children to participate. Since PeteÕs Players will not charge a fee for participation, it will open the door to many underprivileged children in the community.

In addition to the personal benefits to the youth who will participate in the program this summer, PeteÕs Players also has ministerial outreach potential. Though the summer Shakespeare production will not contain spiritual ministry, there is an opportunity to invite children and their families into our church throughout the liturgical year to perform in Nativity plays, Passion plays or other appropriate pieces.

This summer PeteÕs Players will present ShakespeareÕs ÒAs You Like ItÓ with area youth ages thirteen to twenty. Performances will be free of charge and take place in parks around the county. The audiences who attend will benefit as much as the youth, as theatre has historically been an excuse to commune with other members of society, sharing a common experience and supporting the members of the community who have come to share their talents and gifts. Performing in area parks will give the opportunity for artistic experiences to everyone, regardless of financial status or educational level. It will also draw people out of their homes to lounge in the park together for a few hours, perhaps forging new relationships with neighbors and strengthening the bonds between generations.

The director of PeteÕs Players will be Danielle M. Weiser-Cline. She has a B.F.A. in acting and a B.F.A. in technical theatre and design. She studied childrenÕs theatre and creative dramatics and directed many short plays while an undergraduate. Her senior project was a synthesis of these different theatrical disciplines. She wrote, designed, built and acted in ÒThe Prisoner,Ó her original play, in 2001. She is in the process of enlisting help from other equally talented and energetic people for this project, specifically for the building and painting of the set as well as the marketing of performances. PeteÕs Players will also be looking for transportation help when we begin performances in August.

Stay tuned for updates, announcements and pleas for help in the future!

If you have any questions, concerns or comments about this project, please contact Danielle at dweiser1@kent.edu.

 

            Samaritan House

 

There will be an open house at Samaritan House on April 29, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at 4125 Station Avenue. We look forward to seeing you there. Come and take a tour of the shelter and share some refreshments with the staff.

 ~ Steve Sargent, Director of Samaritan House ~

 

 ~ Hospice of the Western Reserve ~

From Hospice comes information about two groups being held by Hospice of the Western Reserve in Ashtabula County: Hope and Healing – a grief support group, and S.T.A.R.S. - a six-week support group for grieving children, ages 6 – 12.

The Hope and Healing Group is an on-going group and participants are encouraged to attend as often as needed, and can join at any time.

They will meet with a professional facilitator and have the opportunity to share with those experiencing the death of a loved one.

S.T.A.R.S. group provides assistance to children and their parents/guardians during a six-week program. The children will have the opportunity to creatively work on their grief while adults are receiving peer support and information about loss.

Both groups are free and open to the public.

For answers to any questions about these or any other programs offered by Hospice, contact Mary McKernan-Gryzmala, LSW at 440-997-6619.

 

   ~ Summertime & Cedar Hills ~

There are flyers on the bulletin board from Cedar Hills. Check out the opportunities! There are programs for every age group from those who will start 1st to 12th grade. There is also a week toward the end of summer when whole families or singles are welcome.

Yes, Cedar Hills still offers generous scholarships if cost is prohibitive. Apply as soon as possible. This is also a terrific use of the RectorÕs Discretionary Fund, please ask. If you want a walking commercial, see Mother Barbara.

Applications are due June 1.

Mother Barbara will be camp Chaplain July 15 (evening) thru July 20.

 

              

            

     ~ Love that Home Baking ~

Mary Kay Loose (Hooray!) has graciously offered to pull together a small platoon of folks to resurrect the pie/baked goods/brownies deliveries to newcomers and visitors to St. PeterÕs. Is there someone who would help coordinate, and cover the times Don & Mary Kay are away? Are there folks who are willing to bake?  Would you, whether or not you bake, deliver a sweet welcome sometime Sunday afternoon and tell them from the doorstep how happy we are that they came to St. PeterÕs and that we hope to see them again soon?