What’s happenin’ in October?...

12^th – Make Cabbage Rolls

13^th – Cabbage Roll Pickup

14^th – Cabbage Roll Lunch prior to

Concert, 12:00 – 1:45 p.m.

Concert/fundraiser, 2:00 p.m.

15^th – So long dinner for Mother Barbara

21st - Deadline for Epistle news for

November

Mother Barbara’s last day

African Ministries Sale

25th- Foundation Meeting, 3:30 p.m.

28th - African Ministries Sale final day

Breakfast Schedule

1^st Sunday – Podgorny Group

2^nd Sunday – Grotto Group

3^rd Sunday – Clayman Group

4^th Sunday – Youth Group

Season of Creation

The Season after Pentecost (called Ordinary Time in some churches) is a long season, stretching almost half of the year from Trinity Sunday (the first Sunday after Pentecost) until the beginning of Advent (June 3 – November 25, 2007).

In recent years, partly as a way to break up this lengthy season but more to invite Christians to focus on the biblical mandate to be stewards of the world that God created, some churches observe a “Season of Creation” beginning in September.

The website www.seasonofcreation.com explains part of the rationale this way:

“In the seasons of Advent, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter we celebrate the life of Christ. In the season of Pentecost we celebrate the Holy Spirit. Now, in the season of Creation, we have an opportunity to celebrate God, the Creator.”

The recent initiative originated with Rev. Dr. Norman Habel, a Lutheran minister in Australia, although earlier attempts to observe a season of creation have been around since the middle of the 20^th century. Several denominations have embraced and endorsed this season, urging their churches to use or adapt the lectionary readings and worship resources available at the website. In a pastoral letter supporting the season, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines refers to Christians caring for creation as “the ultimate pro-life issue.” How can we care for the world that God has made?

The themes for the remainder of Pentecost Season, 2007 are:

October 4: St. Francis of Assisi Day

October 7: World Communion Sunday (USA); Cosmos Sunday (Australia)

Know Anyone in Wisconsin?...

~ Now you do ~

Our family will be gone from Ashtabula, but you will not be gone from our hearts. If you would like to keep in touch, please do, and we will do our best to respond.

Mother Barbara’s e-mail address (after 10/18/007) will be: gumtreeseed@qmail.com. Our home address is:

9748 Arrowhead Drive

Boulder Junction, WI 54512

No phone yet, though Mother Barbara’s cell phone # will still work for a while, at 440 567-2254. Most people need to dial 1-440 to make it work, but if you get a strange message please try it the other way.

(Please remember that Wisconsin is in the Central Time Zone and an hour earlier than Ohio!)

I have loved being your priest, but once I leave October 21, I will not be the Rector here. I’m still a priest and will always have a heart for you.

However, for your sake and mine, I don’t have any opinion on decisions, events, the search process, or future clergy at St. Peter’s. As far as participating in special events, we will just have to take that as it comes. I cannot do anything official here without the permission of the Rector.

Furthermore, I want to be respectful of the privilege he or she has in his/her relationship with you.

Yes, you may visit us. It takes about 12 hours to get there by car – extra for road construction, traffic jams, and coffee breaks --- so we’d like at least 24 hours notice.

Mother Barbara

Natalie Clifford Barney said it:

Time engraves our faces with all the tears we have not shed.

The nursery is now available during 10 o’clock worship for the convenience of parents of young children. If you would like to serve Christ in this ministry, and be a nursery attendant, please speak to Pam Bean. (440-992-0128)

Plymouth Fire Dept. is sponsoring a Chili Dinner Carry-Out 10/12/07.

Dinner consists of chili, cornbread and choice of brownie.

Cost is just $6.00.

Dinner will be served from 4:40 – 7:30

Come and find out what great cooks we have.

~ Pam & Pete Bean ~

Cabbage Rolls…

St. Peter’s Cabbage Rolls Sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 13^th. The price is again $1.00 per roll. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board opposite the Church Office or call Lois at 992-8100 to place your order. The pick up on Saturday is from 10 am to 12 noon, and PLEASE bring your own containers to carry them home. Orders must be place by Tuesday, October 9^th.

For those of you who have never purchased Cabbage Rolls, this year is your big chance to find out what good cooks we have here at St. Peter’s!

By the way, pick up is through the new parking lot entrance to the Parish Hall Basement Kitchen. See you that Saturday.

~ Diane Podgorny ~

If you see…

An angel with a broom or other cleaning paraphernalia whisking around the Parish House or Church, stop and say how glad you are that she’s there. Debbie White is keeping us clean in the interim between sextons.

When Seconds Count – ICE…

The ICE idea is a very simple, yet important method of contact for you or a loved one in case of emergency.

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when they went to the scenes of accidents, there always were mobile phones with patients, but they did not know which numbers to call. He, therefore, thought it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name under which to file next of kin.

The idea is to store the word “ICE” in your mobile phone address book and with it, enter the number of the person you would want to contact “In Case of Emergency.” Medical personnel could then quickly contact your next of kin by simply dialing the number programmed under “ICE.” For more than one person, simply enter ICE 1, ICE 2, etc.

Please consider the ICE program, as this helps the healthcare workers and could save your life or put a loved one’s mind at rest.

Advance Notice:

The UTO collection will be on November 4^th.

Liturgical Schedules

Included with this newsletter is the Liturgical Schedule for October 7 – 21.

Since Mother Barbara’s last Sunday is the 21^st, we haven’t scheduled services for the rest of the last quarter of 2007. When that is determined, the Liturgical Schedule for Oct., Nov. and Dec. will be mailed.

~ Chuck Brockway ~

From our Senior Warden…

The Reverend Allen James, Executive Assistant to Bishop Hollingsworth, will be at St. Peter’s on Sunday, October 28^th to conduct both the 8 and 10 o’clock services.

Kayla and her Dream:…

Every year Juvenile Diabetes takes a terrible toll on our youth. This year there is a little girl who belongs to our St. Peter Family and who is fighting hard to make this scourge go away. She knows first hand what it takes to control diabetes. Maybe you can help her.

We received this message from her:

“Hi my name is Kayla and I need help to rays money for the jdrf walk to cur

diabetes I would like to rays 2000 dollars but more wood be nice I had a lot of fun this year I am reale looking forword to seeing how much money I rays so will you help me rays money Thank you.”

The walk will no doubt be over by the time you read this, but I would imagine that funds will always be appreciated.

This is the 4^th year for Kayla B’s Team to help support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes event on Sept. 29^th. This year, again, the Team has set their goal at $2000. Won’t you consider supporting Kayla B’s Team in their effort? Any size donation will be greatly appreciated.

Please send checks made payable to ~

JDRF to Kayla’s mom & dad (Jay & Karen Bertholf) at 3434 Homewood Avenue, Ashtabula, Oh 44004.

Letters, we get letters:….

Dear St. Peter’s Church Staff:

On behalf of the Arts Center, I would like to thank you very much for your large contribution of aprons, dresses, shirts, bonnets, pants & skirts to be used by our theater department.

The Ashtabula arts Center operates on a very tight, break-even budget, and gifts of all types are gratefully put to use by our staff, performers and volunteers. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

You have received no goods or services in return for your donation.

Thank you, again. The Arts Center is indeed fortunate to count you among our very special friends.

Sincerely,

Beth Koski, Executive Director

From Dasco Paper

Dear Mother Barbara & Members:

Please allow me to take a moment to express heartfelt thanks to you and your members for all the support and love you have sent through our store to the Blue Star Mothers who in turn send all items received to our troops so far away from home!

We all seem to be so busy in our lives causing us to forget about our sons, daughters or loved ones who are fighting for all of us. We at Dasco Paper have not forgotten our soldiers or their families. We partnered with the Blue Star Mothers (3) years ago and with the support of caring people like yourselves, the troops know we have them in our hearts.

I know I speak for each and everyone of them when I say, “Thank your for not forgetting us! God Bless each of you and God Bless America!”

Sincerely,

Terri Weaver, Gen. Mgr./Dasco Paper

A First Class Act…

The St. Peter Concert Series has turned into a first class act, bringing world class musicians here as a part of our ministry of music. The series is easing into its third season, having opened with a fund raiser of Irish music on Sunday, September 23. Local artists John Hoyle, Tim Kalil and the Forsythe Special provided the music on that day. That is the only concert for which there is an admission charge this season. The remainder of the schedule includes Greg Fulkerson, Violinist, on Sunday, October 14 at 2:00 p.m. The following month, on the Sunday following Thanksgiving (Nov. 25), Joseph Petros will present a 2:00 p.m. concert of organ music.

The Holiday Concert with the Heritage Brass Quintet and soprano Marla Berg is scheduled for Sunday evening, Dec. 16 at 7:30. Ran Dank, a medal winner in the August 2007 Cleveland International Piano Competition, will perform at St. Peter Church on March 2, 2008 at 2:00 in the afternoon. The season will conclude on Sunday, April 27, 2008 with a performance by The Cleveland Orchestra Ensemble.

Please note that the concert on October 14 will be preceded by a cabbage roll luncheon. Tickets for that are $6 for adults & $3 for students under 12 years of age. Lunch will be available at 12 noon.

This series has been supported by the St. Peter Church Foundation, the Ashtabula Foundation, our Vestry, some Guilds and some businesses and individuals around the area. Free will offerings are gathered at each free concert. A portion of each free will offering is used to support an outreach ministry in the name of St. Peter Church. A contribution was made to the free wheel chair mission; science kits were purchased for Thurgood Marshall students; money was given to the Ashtabula Arts Center to fund scholarships for needy students; food was purchased for Share-A-Home; and funds were expended to assist with our Chestnut School initiative. The concert series helped purchase a Chamber of Commerce membership for St. Peter Church. The concert series also purchased a humidifier for our grand piano. The tuning of our piano has been paid for by the concert series: we use it! The St. Peter Fine Arts Series sponsored a concert for Lakeside High School students in the new school, as well as having one of the artists hold a master class for students. Too, a portion of those funds are used to help fund the series itself. We provide parking lot security for each concert at a cost of $100 each occasion. To date, over $14,000 has been spent to stage these concerts, which bring many people into our church.

This writing is a request for the members of this church to help this series financially. We sent funding request letters to the community members early in 2006 and had good response. Our letter early in 2007 did not meet with as much success. Please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry. If you are able to do so, please make your contribution payable to St. Peter Fine Arts and put it in the alms basin on the Sunday of your choice. Just as important – if not more so – is your attendance at these concerts. Consider joining us for each concert. Please keep this ministry in your prayers.

The Fine Arts Committee is a combination of people from the church and the community. Parishioners who have served in this ministry are Martha Shippy, Neil Meloro, Bert Carlisle, Danielle Weiser-Cline and Roger Smith. Eric Johnson has ably co-chaired the Committee as well as having served as publicity chairman. Community members who donate time, effort and funds are Zelda Altman, Janis & Terry Hall, Barbel Baginski, Irv & Harriet Goodman, Dr. Timothy Kalil, Mary Hedberg and the Rev. William Bruehl.

There is a parable…

~ Who’s job is it? ~

(A story whose moral is beneficial to all)

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Don’t blame people for a job not done that you could have done, jump in and do it. Ask if someone needs help. Communicate. Be a leader and help other people get a job done. Do something that uses your talents, or do something that gives you a break from your normal activities.

As Margaret Mead said, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

F Y I…

The Vials of Life…

Girl Scout Troop #776 (Pam Bean’s Troop) is collecting old discarded prescription bottles to be recycled into the “Vials of Life,” which is a program that puts important medical information in one place for all medical personnel to find and use in case of an emergency. Please scrape off the prescription name & your information & place in the box in the Narthex. Our troop has some of these bottles to pass out for your use with the forms to use with them. If you would like 1 or 2 to keep with your current prescriptions, please ask Pam Bean. Thanks to all who help out.

Also, the troop is looking for any girls in grades 3-12 wishing to join Girl Scouts. We meet on Saturdays from 11-noon at my house on West 57^th St. in Ashtabula. Cost for registration is $10.00/year.

Looking for volunteers & adults to join, too. If interested, please call Pam @ 992-0128.

The Rummage Sale…

The Rummage sale held on Sept. 7^th and 8^th this year was a success, thanks to all your contributions to the sale.

My thanks to Linda Doxsie for pricing all the articles, to Nettie Weidig for setting up the books and jewelry, to Diane Podgorny for having lunches both days, to Ellen Shuffle for helping me with the clothing and cleaning up afterwards, to Jim Weidig for being a cashier, and to Ernestine Bush and Connie Dixon for being all-around help; not only before but after for helping with the packing up and cleaning up. A special thanks to Lynn Rausch for giving massages and donating the proceeds to the sale. And, last but not least, to Don Clayman for setting up the tables.

The unsold books went to both the Ashtabula and Kingsville Libraries for their book sales. Some of the clothing went to Mother Of Sorrows Church for their weekly free clothing distribution and the rest went to the Salvation Army along with other unsold articles. Community Care Ambulance got the unsold small stuffed animals to be given to children to hold onto while under distress.

My thanks to everyone for their

participation; being contributors, buying

or working. Without you we could not have had the sale.

~ Carol Wardell ~

Short Memory…

A man who flew his own plane got tired of the long auto trip from the airport to his country place which was situated on a lovely lake. So he had the idea of equipping his plane with pontoons so he could land right in front of his cottage. However, on his first trip up to the country with his newly-equipped plane, he headed for a landing at the airport just as he always had done in the past. Old habits are hard to break. But as he was going in for the landing it dawned on his wife what was happening and she hollered, “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t land this thing on the runway. You don’t have any wheels, you’ve got pontoons on it?!”

Fortunately, her warning shout was in time and he pulled up from his landing pattern and swung the airplane around and headed the plane for a landing on the lake.

After the plane landed safely on the lake, he heaved a really big sigh of relief and turned to his wife and said,
“That’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever done!” Then he turned, opened the door, stepped out and fell directly into the lake.

~Illustrations Unlimited~

Ponder this thought…

A man faithful to his wife alternate weeks wouldn’t be considered a good husband. An alcoholic who was sober three days out of four wouldn’t be considered to have won sobriety. A mother who looked after her children “when she was in the mood” would not be a real mother. We all recognize that in those serious commitments there can’t be an on-again off-again attitude.

Yet many people appear to believe that voluntary, occasional, irregular church attendance is consistent with being a good Christian. Worshipping one third of the Sundays of a year is nowhere near as valuable as worshipping regularly. For worship is an act of love. We mature in our ability to love when it doesn’t come easily, but takes real effort.

~ Quotes & Comments from Editor’s

Clip Sheets ~

Horse – Sense (a story)

Author Unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This, alone, is amazing. Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is so he can follow her.

As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.

Like the owner of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse, being guided by God and those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see God.

Saying goodbyes…

Integral to life are our hellos and good-byes. We have to say goodbye to the old in order to say hello to the new. Healthy people can say their good-byes and move on; unhealthy people put it off and even work hard to deny their good-byes.

Mary Magdalene had to learn to say goodbye to the Jesus she loved in this life so she could say hello to a new dimension of his presence. She could not hold on to the Jesus of history. Only when she could say goodbye could she move on in her faith story.

At any age people say good-byes. But as we grow older, it seems we have to say a lot of good-byes. We say good-bye to a friend who moves to another city to live with a son, or goodbye to a dear friend who has died. If we are ill for a time, we say goodbye to a certain degree of independence. It is natural to experience some grief over each of these.

But we can find ways to turn these losses into gains. The “good-byes” of old age can become the “hellos” of a new life. We can learn to be centered on God’s work in our lives. We can gain perspective and a deeper in sight into the true meaning of everything. The psalmist called it “a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 RSV). So, “Goodbye and hello!”

No Wrinkles on the Soul – A Book of Readings for Older Adults by Richard L. Morgan. 1990

Good bye, Mother Barbara. You will be much missed! We carry you, Eric, Evelyn and Andrew in our hearts and prayers.