Keynotes
The
Newsletter of St. Peter’s Church in
MARCH 2010
A Note from the
Rector
Lent presents us with an opportunity each year to get our spiritual houses in order and we are missing out if we don’t make at least some attempt to do so. Sometimes remarkable things can come out of it. For example, seven or so years ago several of us started meeting for Bible study on Friday morning as a Lenten discipline. It worked so well we couldn’t bear to end it and it now goes 52 weeks a year.
We at St. Peter’s have a wonderful opportunity each Lent to take some time out of our day and reflect on our relationship with God. It’s called the St. Peter’s Lenten Devotional. Each day of Lent there are readings from the daily lectionary. And our fellow parishioners have written commentaries and reflections on those readings. All we have to do is take 10 minutes early or late in the day and look at the readings and the reflection and, as my New Testament professor used to say, dwell on these things.
It may not seem like much, but it can be a richly rewarding way of deepening our faith as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter. Learning and being inspired by and within our community of believers is the very essence of Christian living. And it is great way to keep a holy Lent.
Peace,
Refugee Immigration Ministry
At the
last meeting we learned that the Cluster is in dire need of money. For
this reason, we really need to focus on the upcoming auction - March 20th, 5:30
to 9:00 pm at the
Items are needed for the auction. Perhaps our parish could donate a themed basket. Other items such as a weekend at a vacation home, tax services, lawyer services, handmade jewelry or knitted items, art work, photography, antiques, anything at all are also needed.
Dinner will be served. Tickets are $15.
Our
parish would like to support this cause by filling a table or two, anyone
interested in attending this event should see
.
Next Keynotes Deadline is March 8, 2010
Stewardship
Nourishing St.
Peter’s Financial Health
For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
Luke 6:38
Time, talent and treasure
are the three ways we can display
our gratitude.
As Christians, each of us is called to be a good steward of the gifts that God has entrusted to our care. Part of our call, our vocation, involves putting those gifts to work to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can do that through our stewardship and planned gifts to our parish.
While stewardship does indeed involve giving away money, it is more than philanthropy. Just as Christians are called to worship in community, participate in Eucharist, serve the poor and needy in the wider world, and share the Gospel with others, they are called to be good stewards, to thank God by giving back a portion of what God has given to us.
End-of-Year
Statements
In January 2010 all parishioners who have contributed to St.
Peter’s Church during the 2009 calendar year will receive and End-of-the-Year
Statement.
Simplify
your life—Use EFT for contributions!
With Electronic Funds Transfer
an amount you choose is automatically deducted from your checking account
either monthly or semi-monthly (you decide). No more checks, envelopes, or
postage! For information, contact St. Peter’s office: Phone 978-922-3438 or
Email: info@stpetersbeverly.org.
Planned Giving to St. Peter’s may save you taxes!
You can help St. Peter’s build its endowment fund AND you
may save on income taxes. For information, contact St. Peter’s office:
Phone 978-922-3438 or Email: info@stpetersbeverly.org
MAUNDY
THURSDAY APRIL 1st
Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday” is the Thursday of Passion Week (April 1st), one day before Good Friday. Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known to Christians as the Last Supper.
Plans are in the works to commemorate Maundy Thursday this year with a Seder.
A
Seder is the ritual meal served on the first night of Passover, commemorating the flight of the Jews from
The
meal includes unleavened bread and bitter herbs, the bread symbolizing the
haste with which the Israelites left
If you would like to help with the planning and/or implementation of this event, please speak with Ann Weeks or Connie Woodbury.
Telling our stories
Contrary to popular opinion, evangelism is not standing on a soapbox shouting “Repent. The end is near.” In point of fact, it is celebrating who we are and what we believe. One of the most effective evangelism tools we have is simply to tell our stories – why we are Christians, why we worship at St. Peter’s and why it matters to us.
These conversations are usually one-on-one with friends. They can come about in any number of ways. Our stories are as rich and varied as all of us. But often many of us are little rusty about telling our story because we haven’t really thought about it.
So I am issuing an invitation to all of us to join me one Wednesday a month in the Demack Room to talk about our journeys and what led us to St. Peter’s. I will give us some background about ways of thinking about our own stories and some guidelines (no one needs blow-by-blow descriptions of every last thing you’ve ever done). I am happy to tell my story. All I ask is that you think about telling your own story – in the safety of our group before taking it outside.
Please join me on Wednesday, February 24, at 7:15 p.m. in the Demack Room.
Manny Faria
Adult forum
The Rector presents a five-part series of adult forums on the Book of Common Prayer beginning on the first Sunday of Lent and running through 5 Lent. Come learn about the centerpiece of Episcopal worship. Our tour through the book will include the Daily Offices and Daily Prayers, the liturgies for special occasions, the Holy Eucharist, the five lesser sacraments, the ordination services, the Psalter, the prayers, lectionary and calendars, catechism and the historic documents of the church. Join us following the 10 o’clock service.
Healing prayers
Healing prayers and the laying on of hands for healing have a history in the church that dates back to Christ and the apostles. Beginning with the first Sunday of Lent, healing prayers will be offered during the Holy Eucharist once a month during the communion. People who desire the laying on of hands may come forward to the prayer desk on the Gospel side of the church after receiving communion. A priest and layperson will lay hands on them and pray with them. They will ask what you seek prayers for (you can seek prayers for healing for yourself or for someone else). They will then pray with you. Then you may return to your pew. This format is subject to change as we try it, so please bear with us. We’ll be interested in feedback too. Our ultimate goal is to offer this opportunity for prayer in the context of the service while not delaying the overall flow of the service.
Green church renovations
Budget
|
Item |
Budget |
Spent |
Accrued |
Remainder |
|
Lighting |
$2,476 |
$325 |
$3,000 |
(849) |
|
Heating |
18,124 |
16,225 |
3,300 |
(1,401) |
|
Hot water |
2,000 |
0 |
2,000 |
0 |
|
Contingencies |
2,400 |
|
|
2,400 |
|
Total |
$25,000 |
$16,550 |
$8,300 |
150 |
Lighting is a guess. I have not yet received a bill from National Grid.
Status
|
Item |
Done |
To Do |
|
Lighting |
About 70% of fixtures and
bulbs replaced |
Final 30% (hopefully this
week) Fix light in church office Replace sacristy Exit sign
wiring Ushers table light |
|
Heating |
Controls and thermostats
replaced Timers programmed |
Gateway and mac mini to be
installed and programmed (Mike and Godfrey) |
|
Hot water |
Not yet started. More complicated that it seemed. Interfaces with “Green Kitchen” |
|
Green Kitchen
We have been debating in various for whether we should use:
· polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups and plates
· recyclable cardboard cups and plates
· china mugs and plates.
The debate has revolved around our responsibilities to the environment, and health risks. Unfortunately there is no clear answer. We should consider energy consumption, health risks trash disposal, and safety. The major users are (in descending usage)
1. Friday and Sunday night suppers
2. Fellowship
3. Bible study, vestry, and other small meetings
4. Potlucks.
It is possible that different events may need different solutions.
Energy consumption
I have done some research but it is inconclusive. The website Hocking ILEA report displays a report by a Canadian professor that appears to be sound analysis but I believe was sponsored by Dart Container (a manufacturer of polystyrene cups). The critical assumptions are that it takes 0.20 MJ[1] per cup to create, deliver and dispose of a polystyrene cup, (I assume this includes he petroleum feed stock) and that it takes 0.18 MJ to wash a mug in an efficient commercial washer. I can’t check the first but I have done two reasonableness checks on the second, assuming our dishwasher holds 25 cups or mugs.
- If there are three water cycles (1 wash, 2 rinse) and they use almost boiling water, each cycle uses 4.5 quarts of water (just over a gallon). This seems reasonable.
- A domestic dishwasher cannot use more that 2.4 kilowatt hours. 25 cups @ .18 MJ = 1.4 Kwh. Again this comparison seems reasonable.
I conclude that mugs (using John Newman’s white elephant reclaims) are close to energy neutral vs polystyrene. Cardboard cups require 0.55 MJ to manufacture, almost 3 time polystyrene.
Health
Risk
Carrie got the following information from the green lady at
I don’t want to alarm you, but there is also the very real public health concern—there are many chemicals involved with the plastics and Styrofoam, especially when these items are heated in microwaves and even simply by hot beverages and foods. I’ve read the following about Styrofoam, which is the Dow company brand name of polystyrene:
“If you drink beverages from polystyrene cups four times a day for three years, you may have consumed about one foam cup's worth of styrene along with your beverages. Studies suggest that styrene mimics estrogen in the body and can therefore disrupt normal hormone functions, possibly contributing to thyroid problems, menstrual irregularities, and other hormone-related problems, as well as breast cancer and prostate cancer.”
Also, long-term exposure to small quantities of polystyrene can affect platelets, the lymphatic system, and has neurotoxic effects in the brain and spinal column. Here is some information from the same Web site about the latest study of styrene in human tissues:
“
Cost
Marsha tells me that polystyrene cups cost $18.80/ 1000 8 oz cups. I estimate we use about 7,000 per year giving a total annual cost of $130 Cardboard cups cost more (and use more energy, but do not have the health risk). Bagasse (made from sugar cane pulp, a byproduct of sugar production) seems slightly more expensive than compostable cups from www.biodegradablestore.com which are $76.51/1000. They would increase our annual cost to $535, an increase of $405.
Trash Disposal
All of our trash is incinerated. There is some evidence incinerating
polystyrene produces dioxin. Styrofoam
cups are not recyclable. Cardboard cups
are compostable. I do not know when
Safety
The Friday and Sunday night supper committees have expressed a concern that stainless cutlery might be used as a weapon (plastic cutlery is not nearly so usable), and that there would be some breakage if we used china. They also feel that they give enough setting up, preparing and serving food, and cleaning up without also having to run the dishwasher.
Conclusion
There is no right answer. We should consider a few things:
- Determine if we can realistically compost 7,000 cups per year.
- Consider converting to regular cardboard if we can’t compost and compostable cardboard if we can.
- Keep an eye on Bagasse. If we can find a commercial source that is usable it might be attractive.
- Encourage regular parishioners to bring a mug to church, or get one from John after the next fair, and use it. This would require some reorganization of the kitchen storage.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Godfrey Perrott
HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday, March 28 Palm Sunday
Service 8 a.m. & 10 a.m.
Wednesday, March 31 Tenebrae 7:30 p.m
Thursday, April 1 Maundy Thursday Liturgy 7:30 p.m
Friday, April 2 Way of the Cross 12:00 noon
Friday, April 2 Good Friday Liturgy 7:30
p.m.
Saturday, April 3 Great Vigil of Easter 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 Easter Services 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
REMINDER about Lenten Quiet Day
Choosing Hope
I just wanted to remind you all that I will be offering a
Lenten Quiet Day on Saturday, March 20,
from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. entitled “Choosing Hope.”
Coffee and tea and light snacks will be available from 8:30 on, and I will begin the meditations promptly at 9:00.
Just a little blurb about what a Quiet Day is: A Quiet Day is a form of spiritual practice that serves as a way to center oneself and get some reflection time and space in the midst of very busy lives. Quiet Days gives us Sabbath time, a time to rest, a time of deep listening, and a time to allow intentional time and space for God to enter in.
I will offer two short meditations, one at 9:00 am and one close to 11:00 am. In between, we will be silent and you will be free to read, meditate, knit, journal, draw, go for a walk – or do whatever works for you to allow time to listen to God. We will re-gather at 12:30 to close out and to share insights to the extent anyone wants to – no forced sharing – honest!!
I have TWO signup sheets up: one outside the kitchen on the BIG bulletin board and one in the parish hall. I figure that way I will catch everyone who is interested.
Any questions: if you have any questions about the Quiet Day, please call me at 978-922-5692 or email me at lisgordon@comcast.net. Looking forward to seeing you.
Lis Gordon
St.
Peter’s Readers
The next meeting for St. Peter’s Readers will be on Monday,
March 1st, at 7:00 p.m. in the Demack Room. Please join us as we
discuss Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent. For
those of you who haven’t read it, this is a historical fiction based on
Biblical characters. The story focuses on Dinah, Jacob’s only daughter. Many of
us are reading it for the second time, having enjoyed the tale so much the
first time.
When we meet again on April 5th, we will discuss
Run by Ann Patchett. Many of you will
remember her previous work, Bel Canto, which
we read a few years ago.
As always, this is a “drop in” group. There is no need to
join. You can always count on stimulating conversation and yummy snacks! If you
have any questions, please contact Andrea Schuster at 978-927-7228 or CasHarBev@comcast.net. We’d
love for you to join us!
Are you having trouble finding things on the website?
Those Scheduled to Serve can be found at: http://www.stpetersbeverly.org/episcopal_worship.php.
Keynotes can be found at: http://www.stpetersbeverly.org/episcopal_about.php
Keynotes calendar can be found at: http://www.stpetersbeverly.org/episcopal_about.php
The Atrium Schedule can be found at: http://www.stpetersbeverly.org/episcopal_youth.php#Anchor-Catechesis-33869
If you have something you would like to see on the website, please feel free to contact Trish in the parish office 978-922-3438 or trish@stpetersbeverly.org, and she will work with Alex to see how we can make it happen.
SPRING FORWARD
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead on March 14th
Catechesis
of the Good Shepherd 2010
Please mark your
calendars with the upcoming schedule for Atrium classes:
February
21 – End of vacation week. No Atrium
Programs
February
28 – Lent II. Atrium programs meet at
9:15 a.m.
March
7 - FAMILY SUNDAY Atrium meets first
9:15 a.m.
March
14, 21, 28 (Palm Sunday) Atrium Programs meet at 9:15
April
1 – MAUNDY THURSDAY Potluck and Service 6 p.m.
April
2 – GOOD FRIDAY Atrium 3 children participate in 11-mile Good Friday pledge
walk.
April
4 – EASTER/FAMILY SUNDAY. No Atrium
classes. Children’s Choir sings during
10:30 a.m. service.
April
11 – Atrium program meets at 9:15 a.m.
April
18 – Atrium spring vacation
April
25 – Atrium programs meet at 9:15 a.m.
May 2 – FAMILY SUNDAY. Atrium programs
meet beforehand at 9:15 a.m.
Property
Meeting
1/28/2010
Attendees: Thelma Ryan, Don Ryan, Andrea Schuster, Thad Outerbridge, Manny Faria, Bill Davy, Cheryl Robinson
Julie Brown-Garthwaite will be starting plants from seed in a designated hallway in the undercroft. She’ll be setting up grow lights and starting trays.
Bill Davy and Clark Hall are discussing setting up an instructional floor seminar to attract volunteers to help with Huiginn Hall floor maintenance.
Thelma Ryan will be heading up Kitchen Committee, sub committee of Property, to be responsible for kitchen upkeep and organization. Also, the gas company needs to be contacted for stove calibration.
The committee reviewed the vendor and contact list to make sure it was up to date.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Robinson
THANKSGIVINGS &
MEMORIALS FUND MEETING
January 17, 2010
Present: The Reverend
Manny Faria, Andrea Schuster, Connie Woodbury, Godfrey Perrott, Robin Talbot,
and
Manny reported that Nancy Lian has agreed to donate funds to
pay for a new credence table in the chancel to be constructed from wood taken
from the old pulpit which was removed as part of the recent chancel design
project. The gift will be in memory of
The committee agreed to consider recruiting two parishioners to serve on T& M’s Scholarship Committee to replace former committee members who are no longer active. An April Keynotes article is planned to remind parishioners of the Scholarship’s existence and the new application deadline of June 30th.
Respectfully Submitted,
Clerk of the Vestry
Addendum: following the meeting, Leasa Lutes and Lauren Barthold were approached and agreed to serve on T & M Scholarship Committee. Many thanks to them.
Lord, Hear Our Prayers
Parish prayers: Michael Trudel,
Monique Farrar, Ken
Christian, those serving in
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, WE
HAVE BEEN ASKED TO GIVE THANKSGIVING FOR THE LIVES OF THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE:
March 7
March 14 Isabel M. and John G.
Yeaton
March 21
March 28 Charles Summit, Jr.; Ethel
Buckley, John Buckley, Sr., Leo Buckley, James E. Buckley; Leona Blanchard,
Arthur Riddell; Mildred MacIntyre; Caroline J. and John Sanidas; Helen D.
Arsenault; Helen D. and James L. Crandell; Donald Mac Comisky; Ada and James
Lester; Lydia and James Peachey; Constance and Frank Lester; Robert R. Nelson;
Adam D. Nevells.
Mystery Item
Can you identify this item?
What is its significance to St. Peter’s?
The answer will be revealed at the
10 a.m. service on March 7.
Answer to last
month’s question: The Mystery Item is the corner stone of the original Parish
Hall on
EVANGELISM MEETING 01/26/10
Present: Thelma Ryan, Andrea Schuster, Martin Lian, Manny Faria, Dave Farrar.
The meeting began with a review of our previous meeting. Next we discussed the Bishop’s visit and questions we might have for him, such as the need for a Relational Evangelist to help us connect with students from the three local colleges.
A new comers dinner is being planned for Lent with the date to be announced. This is an event connecting new and potential members with current members of St. Peter’s. The date of the cancelled Storytelling evening was set for February 24th. This is considered an important evangelism tool and we encourage as many people as possible to attend. The Committee is considering more of these and similar activities in the future.
We are expanding sources of information about people moving
into
Several members of our Committee are going to the March 7th Diocesan Learning Event: Claiming Discipleship. You can register online by going to the diomass.org site or to enews@diomass.org. We are still hoping to find a few more members so if you have an interest in evangelism let us know at the church office or through any members of the Committee. We are always open to new ideas.
Our next meeting will be March 16th at Sam and Joes in Danversport. If you have never been there you are missing out on an area institution.
Those Scheduled to Serve this Month
March 7
Ushers: Craig Schuster and Dave Stephenson and 2 Youth
Lectors: 8:00 Jim Norris
10:00 Alise Burgess and Lily Cabot
LEMS: 8:00 Don Ryan
10:00 Larry Taylor and Dave Farrar
LEV: Godfrey Perrott
Acolytes: Bill Creesy, Lauren Schuster and Nate Abell
Greeter: Michael Bent
Altar Guild: Dena Lisle and Nancy Lian
Closer: Craig Schuster
March 14
Ushers:
Lectors: 8:00 Joan Nelson
10:00 Ann Perrott and Godfrey Perrott
LEMS: 8:00 Joan Nelson
10:00 Larry Taylor and Emily Schultz
LEV: Norma Knight
Acolytes: Carolyn Hall, Justin O’Connor and Susie Faria
Greeter: Connie Woodbury
Altar Guild: Suzanne Conlon and Andrea Schultz
Closer:
Bruce Walker
March 21
Ushers: Rob Talbot and Steve Dwyer
Lectors:
8:00
10:00 Ruth Farrar and Derick Willson
LEMS:
8:00
10:00 Dave Farrar and Connie Woodbury
LEV: Dave Farrar
Acolytes: Gabe Fernandez, Dana Matheson and Emily Schultz
Greeter:
Altar Guild: Joan Nelson and Lil Taylor
Closer: Larry Taylor
March 28
Ushers:
Lectors: 8:00 Peg Bochynski
10:00
LEMS: 8:00 Peg Bochynski
10:00 John Newman and Leasa Lutes
LEV: Peg Bochynski and Ann Perrott
Acolytes: Bill Creesy, Teddy Libelo and Alexandra Kelliher
Greeter: Cheryl Robinson
Altar Guild: Robin Talbot and Catherine Summit
Closer: Bill Creesy
If you cannot honor your assignment, please find a
replacement and let the office know as soon as possible. A directory of phone numbers can be found in
the vesting room.
SAINT PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
VESTRY MEETING
January 12, 2010
Present: Rev.
Manuel Faria, Andrea Schuster, Cheryl Robinson, David Farrar, Rob Talbot,
Connie Woodbury, Mike Bent,
Absent: Godfrey Perrott and Rev. Amy Jobes
The
meeting began at 7:05 p.m. with Andrea leading Vestry members in prayer. Vestry members discussed Luke 7:1-10
describing Jesus’ conversation with a Roman Centurion whose slave is close to
death: “ ‘But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed.’ …When Jesus
heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he
said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ ”
Clerk’s Report
The minutes of the December
8, 2009, Vestry meeting were accepted as amended.
Manny
summarized the
2010 Budget Report
Vestry members voted to
accept the budget for 2010 as presented by the Finance Committee. “The exciting news,” Manny noted, “is that
the 2010 budget projects a deficit of only $5,174.” The 2010 budget will be presented to the
parish at the Annual Meeting on February 7th.
Bishop’s Visit
Bishop Tom Shaw will visit St. Peter’s on January 31st
to celebrate Manny’s tenth anniversary as our Rector and to bless the new altar
and other liturgical changes in the chancel.
After the 10:00 service, parishioners will gather with the Bishop for
brunch and a question and answer session.
Following that, vestry members will meet separately with the Bishop to
discuss issues such as stewardship, evangelism, parish growth and youth
programs.
Vestry Retreat/Mutual Ministry Review
The Vestry will meet for its annual retreat on March
9, 2010, at Adelynrood Retreat and
Shrove Tuesday Potluck
Shrove Tuesday, February 16, will soon be upon
us. A potluck supper is planned for that
evening from 6 to 8 and will have a Mardi Gras theme, Andrea reported.
Christmas Report
“I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled and
delighted I was this year,” Manny exclaimed.
“You could not find a seat,” he continued. “The place was jammed! There were people sitting in the
aisles!” Approximately 212 people
attended the 4:00 Christmas Eve service, Manny reported, while another 65 chose
to come to the late 10:00 service.
Despite some snowy Sundays, attendance has generally been positive with
some new faces in the congregation. “I’m
very, very pleased about the Christmas services,” Manny concluded. “They were good financially, too.”
MagnificatBoston Evensong
Manny reminded Vestry members that MagnificatBoston
will be at St. Peter’s on January 24 at 4 p.m. for Evensong. The choir will host a reception after the
service and Deborah Walker is helping to publicize the event.
Treasurer’s Report
Brandishing the Treasurer’s spreadsheet in Godfrey’s
absence, Manny summarized the Treasurer’s Report. Pledge income for 2009 exceeded the amount
budgeted. Furfey Fund income came in
close to the amount predicted and Huiginn Fund income was above budget for
2009. Expenses were lower than expected
and the projected $31,000 2009 deficit is now down to $19,000. “We had an amazingly successful year,” Manny
concluded. Vestry members voted to
accept the Treasurer’s Report.
New
Business
Vestry members would like
to acknowledge parishioner
Parishioner Sue Casey has
volunteered to repair and launder the robes used by the acolytes and LEMs,
Connie reported. The Outreach Committee
and Deacon Barbara Stowe are working with WIC to create a mother’s support group
which will meet at St. Peter’s. Connie
and Barbara will prepare a grant proposal for additional funding to provide
toys and furniture for the spiritually based group.
Okay, you know who you
are…please, please return St. Peter’s dish towels to St. Peter’s kitchen. “They never come back,” Thelma
complained. “If you have ‘em, bring ‘em
back!”
January is a busy month at
St. Peter’s. Evangelism, T&M,
Outreach, Property will all meet during the month, followed by a Worship
Committee meeting early in February.
There will be a Blue Jean Saturday in preparation for the Bishop’s
visit. February will see the beginning
of a new group that will meet to tell “our stories.” Sharing part of your spiritual autobiography
with a group of friends can help you become a better evangelist, Manny
explained, noting that he’ll probably tell his story first so folks will feel
comfortable.
Manny closed the meeting at 8:35 p.m. with Compline.
Respectfully
submitted,
Cameron
McLean Wicker
Clerk
of the Vestry
Next Vestry Meeting: March 9, 2010
“St. Peter’s Feeds God’s
People: All Are Welcome at Our
Table”
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
MEETING
JAN 14, 2010
Present: Andrea Schuster (Senior Warden), Cheryl Robinson, Trish Shatford, John Newman, and Connie Woodbury.
Absent:
Marsha Collins,
Old business:
Committee up-dates:
SNS – Marsha submitted an up-date by e-mail. Teams are working well. A third person for bread pick up is needed. SNS raised $4588 last year, spent $3195 but will be re-stocking soon.
Thanksgiving Dinner was a success; St. John's/Beverly Farms continues to help out in a big way. Goals for 2010: provide home delivery of Thanksgiving meal to home bound elders, connect with River House to prevent duplication of services.
R.I.M. - Carrie submitted an up-date by e-mail. The North Shore Cluster continues so support two women in Amesbury. The Somali and Iraqi families have become established and no longer require support. There will be a Cluster fund raiser auction on March 20th, items are needed for the auction. Carrie asks for our support in attending this event.
Blessings Room – continues to be used by SNS and FNS guests, more warm clothing items are needed.
UTO –
Thanksgiving
Community Dinner – see above Homecoming –
Heifer
Project – John reported that the Advent Heifer project was successful but would
like to see year round activities developed. Quarter Tube will become part of
Family Sunday
Services beginning in February. Discussed organizing a “Heifer Ho-down” with Atrium children and/or SPY.
Ministries Open House – will be scheduling two Open Houses again in 2010 in conjunction with an “event”; St. Patrick's Day and October Fest.
New business -
Disbursement
of the Outreach $2000 – in light of the recent disaster in
Mother's Support Group – Barbara Stowe and Connie are working with WIC to establish a weekly, spiritually based support group for young mother's in our area. They will be pursuing a diocesan grant to fund this venture.
Maundy Thursday Seder – Connie will speak to Ann Weeks about organizing an instructional Seder for the congregation to participate in in place of the regular Maundy Thursday Potluck
Supper.
Common Cathedral – Connie will speak to Carolyn Libelo about having the SPY group volunteer for a day at Common Cathedral.
Outreach Chairperson – Connie asked for a volunteer to take on the running of Outreach.
Repectfully submitted by,
Connie Woodbury
Outreach