Fall 2007 Newsletter

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Fall = 2007=20 Newsletter

Home

Welcome

A = Glimpse

= Newsletter

Annual=20 Report

Direct= ions

From=20 the Interm Vicar
From=20 the Warden
Vicarage=20 Committee
Two=20 Faithful Servants
New=20 Worship Leader
Yard=20 Sale
Search=20 Committee Update
Sussex=20 County Interfaith Hospitality Network
Executive=20 Committee
Calendar=20 of Events
Social=20 Justice Event
Summer=20 Camp
Sunday=20 School
Thank=20 You

From the Interm Vicar:

Dear Friends,

Our congregation is preparing now for the = calling of a new=20 vicar, and our prayer is that this man or woman will come in = answer to the=20 question: =93What is God calling me to do?=94 That is not an easy = question,=20 either to ask or to answer. But it is the query which shapes the = lives not=20 just of a sincere priest, but of each one of us.

Autumn, the season of nature=92s fullness, = brings to the=20 church the season of stewardship. Every day, of course, calls us = to be=20 good stewards of our time, talent, and money, but at this time of = year we=20 take a closer look at how we are doing in faithful husbanding of = what God=20 provides. This coming season of stewardship is especially = significant for=20 St. Thomas=92 Church, as we ask a person, guided by the Holy = Spirit, to come=20 here, to live among us and share our ministry.

What is God calling me to do? That is the = question,=20 not =93What does this church need in order to pay its bills?=94 = This is a=20 decision each of us faces when we put our feet on the floor in the = morning=20 and when kneeling by our beds at night we consider how we are = spending our=20 days, our gifts, our energy and intelligence. Where should we go = today?=20 Who needs us? How many hours will we give to what? How much will = we spend=20 on what? Before we get specific about those vital matters, the = question is=20 =93What is God calling me to do?=94

St. Thomas=92 Church needs faithful worshippers = who witness=20 to their faith and support their fellow Episcopalians by coming to = church=20 on Sunday. This congregation needs readers, acolytes, musicians, = Sunday=20 school teachers, ushers, committee members, cooks, gardeners, = missioners,=20 evangelists, visitors, carpenters, nursery attendants, painters, = cleaners,=20 flower-arrangers, launderers, brass polishers, chauffeurs, and = youth=20 leaders. We need hosts for hikers, homeless families, newcomers, = and=20 coffee hour. We need friendly faces, warm handshakes, and generous = givers.=20 All of these gifts to our common life will be provided as each one = asks=20 What is God calling me to do?

As I finish my work sometime this fall in this = good place=20 and move on, I am grateful for these two years with you. May God, = whom to=20 know is life eternal and whose service is perfect freedom, bless = and keep=20 you.

Charles Rice, Interim Vicar

From the Warden

At some point along the way I'm sure you have = experienced=20 an upcoming event requiring lots of preparation. Anticipation = evokes=20 various levels of anxiety and excitement. This is my perception of = the=20 current mode and mood at St. Thomas=92. The Search Committee has = been on a=20 long journey for months and as they near the completion of their = task they=20 are called to even new heights of commitment as they visit and = interview=20 potential vicars. Please keep everyone commissioned with this=20 responsibility in your prayers and upon selection, pray to be = supportive=20 and encouraging to the final choice.

In other matters:

Enthusiasm, energy, and efficiency were = generated and=20 demonstrated by the Vicarage Committee as they prepared a home for = our=20 anticipated vicar. Congratulations and thanks! A great = achievement!

At the most recent Executive Committee meeting = fellow=20 members have committed to address concerns in all areas of church=20 management. Immediate attention was given to:

The huge tree next to the chapel, with = financial help=20 from the Diocese, was removed and our safety was secured.=20
Unsecured tombstones in the cemetery will be = addressed.=20
Occupancy issues in the loft are being = resolved by=20 emptying the offices into the central area of the loft. The = emptied=20 space will become closets as originally intended. Usable floor = space=20 will be reduced, and thus bring us into compliance.=20
Approval was given to repair the floor in the = ladies=20 room in the undercroft ending a need for the unsafe use of throw = rugs=20 and eliminate us from being subject to violations.=20
Roof conditions are being scheduled for = assessment.=20

As you can see, just like home, it takes a lot = and we=20 depend totally on the time, talent, and treasure equation. Good=20 stewardship is crucial to avoid more serious, costly repairs in = the=20 future.

Our Calendar

Church life has it=92s own "back-to-school" = feel. Thanks and=20 praise to the individuals who carry out all our programs. This is = how you=20 can be involved:

If you like small, medium, or large children = and want=20 to share God=92s love for them - take turns with someone to = teach Sunday=20 School!=20
If you can sing and want to praise God via = music - join=20 the choir!=20
If you are concerned about spending money - = join up=20 with the financial people!=20
If you are concerned about gaining money - = join up with=20 stewardship people!=20
If you like the feel of money - be a counter! =
If you want to share your warmth, = friendliness, or any=20 warm fuzzies - be an usher, a greeter, or join up with = evangelism!=20
If you care about the actual physical beauty = of the=20 church and a smooth worship service - join the altar guild = people!=20
If you like to entertain, share food and = drink with=20 family, friend or stranger - take a coffee hour, a shift at IHN, = Hiker=20 Hostel, or Harvest House!

The possibilities are endless! These are just a = few=20 examples. You know best about your capabilities and your time = constraints.=20 Or you may see a need no one else has even thought about. Share it = with=20 us. Some can do more, others less. It doesn=92t matter. Just one = thing adds=20 strength to the whole.

And finally, if you want to praise God, feel his = love and=20 acceptance, ask forgiveness, give thanks, gain strength, sharing = and=20 receiving with one another - see you in church!

Nancy Wiedbrauk, Warden, St. Thomas=92 Executive = Committee

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Vicarage Committe

Vicarage Committee members, with the support and = assistance of the parishioners of St. Thomas=92, continue the = intensive work=20 of refurbishing our 1846 Vicarage in order to receive our new = Vicar.

We have striven to ensure that the exterior of = this lovely=20 home retains its historic character as represented by the original = transom=20 windowed door and clanging doorbell. The interior has been = respectfully=20 upgraded and now features freshly painted walls, refinished = hardwood=20 flooring, and beautifully carpeted bedrooms. But the greatest=20 transformations are occurring in the kitchen and master bathroom = where new=20 fixtures and new surfaces renew the surroundings.

The Diocese of Newark has followed our progress = with keen=20 interest and has very generously purchased a complete set of new=20 energy-efficient windows. This very welcome and greatly = appreciated=20 gesture will enhance the appearance of the Vicarage as well as = contribute=20 to the comfort of its residents. We anticipate that the windows = will be=20 installed in approximately four weeks.

Preparation work for this component of the = project as well=20 as the need for final touch-ups and polishing throughout suggests = that we=20 will be scheduling another parish workday soon! We hope that you = will=20 continue to support and participate with us as we bring our = mission to a=20 close.

The Vicarage Project has been a blessing for St. = Thomas=92.=20 Committee members and other volunteers feel that we have been = privileged=20 to be participants. The work has given us a valuable common = purpose and=20 brought us together enthusiastically in labor and in fellowship. = Through=20 the success of the Vicarage project St. Thomas=92 has attained the = encouragement and financial support of the Diocese, honored the=20 individuals and families who lived there during its 161 years of=20 existence, and created a warm and welcoming home for our new = Vicar.

Maryellen Garvey

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Two Faithful Servants

On Sunday, September 23rd we will honor two = senior members=20 of our congregation who have been recognized by the Diocese of = Newark for=20 outstanding service. The David P. Hegg II Lifetime Achievement = Award for=20 distinguished contribution to the ministry of the church was = presented in=20 June to C. H. Coster Gerard and Johanna Kelter, who have been = faithful and=20 generous members of St. Thomas=92 Church for many years. Join us = at a=20 special reception for Jay and Coster, given by the Executive = Committee,=20 after the 10 o=92clock service on September 23rd.

A New Worship Leader

Nancy Hansen has been licensed by Bishop = Beckwith as a=20 leader of public worship and as a Eucharistic Minister. This means = that=20 Nancy will join those who devotedly read the lessons and = administer the=20 chalice at our Eucharistic celebrations. Congratulations, Nancy, = and may=20 you continue strong in the joyful service of Christ and his=20 Church.

Fall Yard Sale

Our annual yard sale will be held on Saturday, = September=20 1st. We are in need of saleable items (no clothes, please). You = may put=20 your donations in the basement of the vicarage by entering through = the=20 outside cellar door.

Manpower (& womanpower) will be needed = on:

Friday to put up canopies and tables and to = drag out=20 our wares;=20
Saturday to set-up and sell;=20
Sunday to sell and clean up.

We need someone to run a small food concession = with=20 hotdogs and drinks and/or a bake sale table, and perhaps we could = sell=20 mums again if someone would take that on. You can sign up in the = narthex=20 or call Kathy Moore at 973-764-1137.

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An Update from Your Search Committee

The Search Committee has completed 12 phone = interviews=20 with potential candidates for the position of vicar. We have = narrowed this=20 list further, down to 6 prospects. Now we are in the middle of = conducting=20 face-to-face interviews. In September we will be ready to give a = short=20 list of candidates to the Executive Committee for their final=20 choice.

Kathy Moore, Pam Schulien =96 Search = co-chairs

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SCIHN Helps Families Get BAck on Their Feet

During the first six months of 2007, the = Interfaith=20 Hospitality Network has provided shelter, meals, and support = services to=20 60 individuals, including 19 children. Fifteen congregations have = hosted=20 our homeless guests. Volunteer help for this program is VITAL and = is what=20 makes this program work. Thanks to all of you who help in so many = ways.=20 For more info contact the SCIHN office at 973-579-1180.

Once more, St. Thomas=92 will welcome homeless = families in=20 transition for two weeks beginning on Sunday, September 16th = through the=20 30th. The schedule is posted on the board. Please consider how you = may=20 make some time for an extremely worthwhile outreach program. = Taking even=20 one shift during the two weeks makes a lighter load for all of us. = If you=20 have any questions about the program or how you can help, please = contact=20 Pam Schulien at 973-209-9125 or Terry Taylor at = 973-764-8246.

Executive Committee

At our last meeting, the consensus was to place = more=20 emphasis on communication. We'll be posting minutes of our = meetings in the=20 narthex, and submitting articles to the Quest. Among other things, = at the=20 last meeting, we:

discussed the need for Charles' and Tina's = offices to=20 be moved=20
authorized the steam cleaning of carpets in = the church=20 and narthex and repairs in the ladies room downstairs=20
were informed that Sunday School teachers are = needed=20
and discussed the disposition of ashes in the = Memorial=20 Garden. If this is something of interest to you, let us know =

The Executive Committee is open to suggestions, = comments,=20 concerns. The members' names are in the bulletin. Feel free to = access any=20 one of us.

Ellen Shapiro

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Calendar of Events

Sun. Aug. 26	11:30 AM	Executive Committee = Meeting
Sat. Sept. 1		Annual Yard Sale
Sun. Sept. 2	8:00 AM	Last Summer Service in the=20 Chapel
Sun. Sept. 9	8 & 10 AM	Start-up Sunday & = Picnic
Sun. Sept. 16 - Sun Sept. = 30		SCIHN
Sun. Sept. 23	11:30 AM	Recognition of Coster Gerard & Jay=20 Kelter
Sun. Sept. 30	11:30 AM	Executive Committee = Meeting
Sat. Oct. 6	12 - 5 PM	Fundraiser Tea with the United=20 Methodists
Oct. 27 & 28		Ecumenical Blood = Drive
Sun. Nov. 4	8 & 10 AM	All Saints' = Sunday

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A Social Justice Event for High School Youth

Box City =9207 - Sleep in a box for ONE night = for those=20 who sleep in one EVERY night.

Interfaith Hospitality Network is hosting this=20 experimental event to promote awareness of homelessness in Sussex = County=20 and nationwide. Participants will replicate the actual experience = of being=20 homeless, including sleeping outside in a cardboard box. The event = will be=20 overnight on Friday, October 19 from 7 PM until 8 AM the next = morning at=20 Sussex County Fairgrounds. We are seeking youth participants and = adult=20 supervisors. For more information, contact the SCIHN office at=20 973-579-1180 or visit out website at www.scihn.org.

Summer Camp

The Executive Committee and an anonymous donor = helped to=20 send two of our girls, Ali Morales and Kaila Yezuita, to our = Diocesan camp=20 in August. They had a great time, learning about their faith and = making=20 new friends. Thanks to all who made it possible.

Kaila sent the following to St. Thomas=92:

=93Thank you members of St. Thomas=92 Church. It = was so very=20 nice of you to help pay for my =93un-camp=94 experience at Cross = Roads this=20 past week. It was fun and I made twelve friends while I was there. = I will=20 never forget it. I liked making crafts, hanging out at the pool = with my=20 friends,and especially when we went to worship together, that was = fun!=20 Thank you again.

Sincerely, Kaila"

Sunday = School

Our parish offers four classes on Sundays, in = which our=20 children learn about the Bible, the church, and how to live as = Christians.=20 We can provide such teaching only if dedicated adults volunteer to = guide=20 our children. Last year Emilie Dupont, Wendy Gabel, Karen Lynch, = Rita-Ann=20 Schmick, and Kerry Yezuita were our teachers, serving on behalf of = all of=20 us to pass along to the young the faith by which we live.

Now we are waiting for new volunteers to come = forward, to=20 join a team of Sunday School teachers. The four classes are:

Pre-k, kindergarten, and 1st grade=20
2nd and 3rd grades=20
4th and 5th grades=20
Confirmation Class (6th grade and up) =

The ideal plan would be to have a team of two = teachers for=20 each class, providing mutual support and flexibility in = scheduling. Won=92t=20 you remember (your own days in Sunday School), consider (how = important=20 this is), and pray (for wisdom and strength), and then volunteer = to teach=20 our children. Please contact Emilie Dupont at=20 973-764-8434.

THANK YOU

Special thanks to Eleanor Bortnick and the choir = for=20 continuing to provide music at the 10 AM service. After a = financial=20 review, the choir will work with the Executive Committee in the = search for=20 a new choir director.

St. Thomas=92 contribution for the May = ingathering of the=20 United Thank Offering was $220.60. This amount was given by = 15=20 contributors. I thank all of you for your support of this outreach = program.

Ernestine Andersen

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