December 2006 Newsletter

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December 2006=20 Newsletter

Home

= Newsletter

Annual=20 Report

Direct= ions

From=20 the Vicar
Christmas=20 Eve Pageant
Episcopal=20 Church Women
Thanksgiving=20 Outreach
Holiday=20 Outreach
United=20 Thank Offering
Altar=20 Guild
A=20 Note from Mary Rose
Calendar=20 of Events
Sunday=20 School Needs
Search=20 Committee Update
Stewardship=20
Prayer=20 for Transition
Parish=20 Register

From the Vicar:

Dear Friends,

Have you read the Baptismal Covenant lately? =

Celebrant Will you continue in the = apostles'=20 teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the = prayers?=20

People I will, with God's help.

Celebrant Will you persevere in = resisting evil,=20 and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? =

People I will, with God's help.

Celebrant Will you proclaim by word and = example=20 the Good News of God in Christ?

People I will, with God's help.

Celebrant Will you seek and serve = Christ in all=20 persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

People I will, with God's help.

Celebrant Will you strive for justice = and peace=20 among all people, and respect the

dignity of every human being?

People I will, with God's help.

Notice the first question: =93Will you continue = in the=20 apostle's teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and = in the=20 prayers?=94 And the answer: =93I will, with God's help?=94 Keeping = that=20 promise=97a promise to join the community in regular = worship=97enables us to=20 keep the promises that follow: to resist evil, to proclaim the = Good News,=20 to seek and serve Christ is all persons, and to strive for justice = and=20 peace among all people. (The Book of Common Prayer, pp. 304-305) =

The first duty of a Christian is the worship of = God. The=20 One we worship is known to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and = in our=20 Trinitarian worship we acknowledge the Creator of all that is = good, true,=20 and beautiful. We bow before the mystery of the Word made flesh, = Jesus,=20 the Savior and Redeemer of the world. And we offer equal praise to = the=20 Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, our comforter and = teacher.=20 This is the first thing in our lives. From faithfulness in = adoration,=20 prayer, and offering ourselves to God everything else springs. = When we=20 become careless about attendance at worship, we pretty quickly = become=20 spiritually flabby.

People who exercise regularly will tell you that = sometimes=20 the body seems to say =93NO, NOT TODAY! To give into that = laziness, however,=20 is to start on a downhill slide. One of our bishops once told the=20 confirmation class: =93Every time you roll over in bed and decide = not to get=20 up and go to church you make it easier to do that next Sunday.=94 =

Our word for worship is liturgy, which means in = Greek =93the=20 work of the people.=94 Worship is not about feeling good or = =93getting=20 something out of it.=94 Worship is first of all work, something we = are=20 called to do=97even when we don't feel like it. If we are faithful = in that=20 duty, then we will, as it turns out, feel profoundly better and = will get=20 out of life the very best.

All those women and men sweating and grunting at = the YMCA=20 are on their way to feeling great and having more energy and zest = for=20 life. And those who continue-persist-in corporate worship, in = singing and=20 praying, in listening attentively and receiving the sacraments=20 reverently-will be more robust in faith and filled with joy.

This is why it is so important for parents to = guide their=20 children to faithful attendance at the Eucharist, Sunday by = Sunday, and=20 this guidance must be by example as well as by admonition. Is it = clear to=20 everyone in your home that the worship of God comes first?

The holy days ahead-Advent and Christmas-might = be a good=20 time to bring the whole family together on Sunday morning, to put = first=20 things first. That would make for a blessed Christmas and = deepening joy in=20 the New Year. That is what I wish for you and yours.

Charles Rice, Interim Vicar

CHRISTMAS=20 EVE CHILDREN'S PAGEANT AND SERVICE

Hi Moms & Dads and Boys and Girls:

Can you imagine it's that time again? I have = taken the=20 liberty to shake things up this year and assign roles for this = year's=20 pageant. I wanted to give the older/younger kids a chance to = prove=20 themselves. I refer to them as tweenies.

Practice Dates:

All practices will last about an hour

December 3rd (Costumes to be handed out)=20
December 10th practice with Mary Rose/music = (If Mary=20 Rose can help us out that day?)=20
December 23rd Saturday @ 1pm=20
December 24th arrive @ 3pm to get dressed and = line up=20

The Main Readers & Head Angel: The Confirmation Class

The 4 main non speaking roles and the 3 = Kings: The=20 4th and 5th Graders
Shepherds and Angels: The = Kindergarten=20 through 3rd Graders
Baby Jesus: Jalyn Sandra Day
John = the=20 Baptist: I am looking for a real baby to play this part; if = we=20 cannot fill it we will use a doll.

I don't want anyone to feel left out so if you = have=20 already made your confirmation and you would like to participate, = I would=20 love for you to help with the younger children. There's no reason = why you=20 can't be an angel or shepherd and help us out at the altar. My son = Michael=20 was a shepherd at the age of 17.

I am looking for a few good moms to help with = crowd=20 control at practices and to help hand out props the day of the = pageant.=20

Please practice the song "Silent Night".

If there are any questions/comments/suggestions = please do=20 not hesitate to contact me at my home 973-764-0015. If there = is no=20 answer please leave a message with your first and last name and = number.=20

I am looking forward to another successful = pageant.

Rita-Ann Schmick
Pageant Director

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

The ECW would like to thank all of the = people who=20 helped make our basket bingo a success. A big thank you to Dawn = Sommese=20 for wrapping all of our baskets and making them look = beautiful!=20 With the profits from the bingo we donated to North Porch, IHN, = and the=20 Sweetman family.

THANKSGIVING = OUTREACH

We are working on the Thanksgiving baskets. = There are=20 cards in the narthex; please take one and purchase what is on it = and=20 return to church no later than Nov 19 th at 12 noon. Turkeys may = be placed=20 in the freezer. If you would like to donate money, please take an = envelope=20 from the table in the narthex and place it in the offertory basket = with=20 your name on it so you may get credit for tax pur poses . Gaye = Murphy.

HOLIDAY OUTREACH

Fellow Parishioners,

The season of holiday outreach is quickly = approaching. It=20 is with joyous anticipation that this year's response from the=20 congregation will be as generous as the last. There will be = several=20 different ways to contribute to those in need from our community. = Choose=20 the manner that best suits your family's idea of compassionate = sharing.=20

There will be a Food Basket Drive = for=20 both Thanksgiving and Christmas . Look for the = index=20 cards that will provide items needed to fill food baskets. = Although we=20 never quite know the extent of the need, baskets are always = available and=20 bountiful thanks to the congregation's donations. Also, turkeys = and hams=20 are always a staple necessity for food baskets, so save those = "freebies"=20 and designate them for the church freezer.

If you would like to buy gifts for local = children, then=20 look for the Christmas Gift "Wish List" that will = once=20 again be posted on the narthex bulletin board next to the = Christmas tree=20 display. Our system will be the same as last year, so take note of = both=20 the due dates and the directions on how to use the gift labels and = plastic=20 bags provided. We will also need a few volunteers to distribute = the gifts=20 and food baskets on the dates designated on our holiday schedule. =

Finally, just in case you're one of the many too = busy to=20 shop for gifts or food donations we have an alternative just for = you.=20 Please look in the pews or on the narthex table for = Holiday=20 Outreach envelopes . You can either write a check or = stuff some=20 "holiday green" in there. Be assured that your donation will be = used=20 towards filling a need, wish, or stomach of one of the many in our = own=20 community who will be grateful for your thoughtfulness. If you = include=20 your name and/or your pledge number, your donation will be = included in=20 your yearly church financial statement.

'Tis the season to be merry and = spread merry . Consider the gifts you and your = family=20 have received and choose to share the wealth of kindness with = those not as=20 fortunate.

You may contact anyone from the holiday outreach = committee=20 for any additional information or questions:

Gaye Murphy (973) 764-4157 (Food Baskets) =
Jill=20 Dickerson (973) 948-4033 (Gift List)
Elaine Brath (973) = 764-1955 (Gift=20 Wrap)

UNITED THANK OFFERING

I hope you have been using your blue box for = your thank=20 offerings. Our contribution in May 2006 was for $349. Twenty-two = people=20 gave this sum. This was the best response that has been made since = I've=20 been parish custodian. Keep up the good work. We will be = collecting coins=20 from the blue boxes in December. I pray your offering will be a = generous=20 one. Thanks for your help. Ernestine Andersen

ALTAR GUILD

The 8 o'clock worship services in the Chapel = were most=20 successful. Thank you to those who worked to refurbish the old = church,=20 especially the restoration of the altar rail. Thank you all for = joining in=20 our Thanksgiving and Praise. Thank you to Bill and Ellen Shapiro = for=20 filling our earthly needs with refreshments. Thank you to Charles = for=20 filling our spiritual needs. It was an honor to serve both St. = Thomas '=20 Chapel and St. Thomas ' Sanctuary.

Prayerfully, Nancy Hansen for the Altar Guild =

The Altar Guild is preparing for Advent, the = beginning of=20 the Church's new year, which begins December 3. We are also = preparing for=20 whoever will be called as our new Vicar. It seems that this is = what an=20 altar guild does, it prepares. And we have much preparing to = do. =20

I used to think that an altar guild was only = responsible=20 for preparing the Eucharist. I have learned that this is true, but = it is=20 not as simple as putting the bread and wine on the altar. It is = setting=20 the Table, setting the mood of the season, caring for all things = involved=20 with the worship service from linens and vestments to flowers and = brass.=20 It is enhancing the worship without words, but with color, beauty, = and=20 tradition. It is inviting all to join in Christ's invitation to = "come and=20 eat."

While St Thomas ' Altar Guild has been setting = the Table=20 since we reopened our 1849 church building, we are learning so = much more.=20 Carol and Elsie have been to St John Baptist Convent to learn = about=20 vestment restoration. We are still anticipating a workshop/visit = from=20 members of the Diocesan AG. We have begun to prepare and care for = new=20 linens hand made in the traditional ways. We reopened the chapel = for=20 summer worship, caring for a second sacristy and altar. Gale and = Nancy did=20 some beautiful flower arrangements from their gardens, which were = then=20 added to the wonderful arrangements done by Tina for the main = church. We=20 have polished and brought new life back to many forgotten = candlesticks and=20 vases.

We look forward to the preparation and the = journey on=20 which is it taking us. It is our privilege to set the Table.

Carol Poplaski

A Note from Mary = Rose=20

I would like to first say how happy I am to be = back at=20 home at St. Thomas '. Sometimes, in leaving a place, you = find that=20 the place you are looking for is the very place you left. = This has=20 been true for me and my coming back to St. Thomas '. I = missed all of=20 you very much; I missed my Music Ministry and the Choir. The = distance will=20 just be something I'll gladly deal with.

I would like to invite all of you to think about = joining=20 our choir, especially during the Advent and Christmas = season. I know=20 many of you are very busy with family, jobs, etc. but perhaps for = the=20 Christmas season, you might consider joining the choir. We = meet on=20 Thursday nights and rehearse from 7:30 p.m. to about 8:45 = p.m. We=20 need all voices-but especially sopranos. So, please consider = yourselves invited to join by the choir members and me. If = you have=20 questions, please feel free to talk to me after church on Sundays. = =20

God's blessings, = Mary=20 Rose

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thur.	Nov. = 23	10:00 = AM	Thanksgiving, Holy = Eucharist=20
Sun.	Nov. = 26	10:00 = AM	Children's=20 Sunday
Sun.	Dec. = 3	8 & 10 = AM	Advent 1 Holy = Eucharist=20
Sun.	Dec. = 10	8 & 10 = AM	Advent 2 Holy = Eucharist=20
Sun.	Dec. = 17	8 & 10 = AM	Advent 3 Holy = Eucharist=20
Sun.	Dec. 24 =	8 & 10 = AM	Advent 4 Holy = Eucharist=20
		11:30 = AM	Greening of the=20 church
		4:00 = PM	Pageant & Holy=20 Communion
		11:00 = PM	Candlelight Holy = Eucharist=20
Sun.	Dec. = 31	8 & 10 = AM	Holy Eucharist=20

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2007

Sun.	Jan. = 14	11:30 = AM	Annual = meeting
Sat.	Jan. = 20		Diocesan=20 Convention
Sat.	Jan. = 27		Consecration of The = Rev. Mark=20 Beckwith as Bishop of Newark =

Calendar Notes

Christ the King, November 26: The Sunday School = will be=20 present for the entire service and the classes will bring their = offerings=20 of arts and crafts to the altar. The sermon will be for the = children=20 (Adults are welcome to listen in!)

The Four Sundays of Advent, December 3-24. The = altar and=20 vestments change to purple, the color of royalty. Advent-which = means=20 "coming"-is a season of expecting the birth of the King, a time of = preparation and waiting. The Altar Guild is preparing four special = banners. On the first Sunday of Advent we will hang the first = banner and=20 light the first Advent candle.

Dec. 24 and 31 No Sunday School.
Dec. 24 = 11:30 a.m.=20 The Greening of the Church and brunch with hot cider in the = Undercroft=20
January 7, The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of = Our=20 Lord
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist = (Sunday=20 School resumes)
January 14, The Second Sunday after the = Epiphany=20
Holy Eucharist, 8 and 10. Annual Meeting, 11:30, with lunch, = in the=20 Undercroft

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEEDS

Would you like to help out our Sunday School = program, but=20 don't have the time to teach? We could really use some of the = following=20 items next time you go to Walmart, the Rag Shop, or just clean out = your=20 closets:

Fat, washable markers=20
Finger paint sets=20
Red, yellow, & blue bottles of tempera = (poster)=20 paint=20
Small child's paintbrushes (width of an adult = finger)=20
9 X 12 white drawing paper=20
9 X 12 construction paper=20
Red, blue, & black fat permanernt markers =
Fabric, including felt=20
Ribbons and trims (cloth, rickrack, satin, = etc.)=20
Glitter and/or glitter glue (neater)=20
Sheets of colored tissue paper=20
Multicolored packages of pipe cleaners = (chenille stems)=20
Yarn of all colors, especially brown, black, = &=20 "blond"=20
Plastic pony beads in bright colors=20
Package of popsicle sticks - fat and/or thin=20
Sets of acrylic paints in little connected = pots=20
Any religious crafts (Old of New Testament) =

We had a fair amount of mold damage to paper, = cloth, yarn,=20 and paint, so we really need to replace these items. Please keep = this list=20 in your car next time you go shopping. Thank you very much. Emilie = Dupont=20 & Karen Lynch, Sunday School teachers =

An update from your = Search=20 Committee :

The members of the Search Committee recently met = with=20 Canon Carter Echols from the Diocesan Deployment Office. We spent = the=20 evening reviewing and fine-tuning the goals that will be set forth = when we=20 submit our request to the diocese. Once that is submitted, our = information=20 will be available on the diocesan network. The parish profile is = currently=20 undergoing its second editing and we anticipate sending it to = print=20 shortly.

We have started a website which will also help = prospective=20 candidates learn what is special about St. Thomas '.

The address is: http://stthomas-vern= on.dioceseofnewark.org/.=20

If any parishioners have pictures of church = activities, we=20 would love to include them on our site. Please contact Carol = Poplaski or=20 Pam Schulien if you have contributions or have website experience = you'd=20 like to lend.

Also remember that word-of-mouth can be a = powerful tool in=20 this process. It is possible that you have out-of-state friends or = family=20 who attend their local Episcopal church. Feel free to tell your = friends=20 far and near that St. Thomas ' in Vernon will be calling a new = vicar and=20 any interested parties can contact the Diocese of Newark.

If you have concerns or opinions, please feel = free to=20 reach out to any member of the committee: Kathy Moore, Carol = Poplaski,=20 Terry Taylor, Lois Mayer, Paulette Beer, Michael Wiedbrauk, = Michael=20 Clouse, Bill Shapiro, Randy Hammons, Pam Schulien.

We understand how important this step is in the = life our=20 church community and so we would ask that you include the work of = this=20 committee in your prayers every day.

Kathy Moore, Pam Schulien - Search co-chairs =

STEWARDSHIP

Please take this time, particularly the week = ahead, to=20 reflect, ponder, and pray as we prepare for the year ahead = committing=20 ourselves with time, talent, and treasure to Our Lord, to St. = Thomas ',=20 and to one another. We have much to be thankful for in our lives. =

Pledge cards and more information will be = forthcoming. If=20 anyone would like to share with the congregation their personal = feelings=20 on this subject, please speak to Nancy Wiedbrauk or Tom Brath. = Thank you.=20

A PRAYER FOR TRANSITION

Ever present God,
You call us = on a=20 journey to a place we do not know.
We are not where we = started.
We=20 have not reached our destination.
We are not sure where we are = or who=20 we are.
This is not a comfortable place.
Be among us, we = pray.=20
Calm our fears, save us from discouragement,
And help us = to stay=20 on course.
Open our hearts to your guidance so that our = journey to=20 this
Unknown place continues as a journey of trust. Amen

The Rev. Canon Kristi Philip

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PARISH REGISTER

Baptisms	Marriages =
Jalyn Sandra = Day	Jennifer Beer & = Chauncey=20 Stevens
Emily Ann = Morgan	Doreen Cook & = Bradley=20 Wottring
Madelyn Eva=20 Weller	Jennifer Scoughton = & Andrew=20 Judd

Burial =
Bernice Reilly =

Receptions	Moved = Away
Steve & Maggie=20 Wolthoff	Elaine Waddington=20
	Rose & Samuel = Paige Harlan=20

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