From: Subject: May 2007 Newsletter Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 14:19:16 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://stthomas-vernon.dioceseofnewark.org/newsletter/May07.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3350 May 2007 Newsletter
  May = 2007=20 Newsletter

Home

Welcome

A = Glimpse

= Newsletter

Annual=20 Report

Direct= ions

From=20 the Vicar
Search=20 Committee Update
Worship=20 in the Chapel
Prayer=20 List
Executive=20 Committee
St.=20 Thomas' Vicarage
Calendar=20 of Events
Sussex=20 County Interfaith Hospitality Network
Heartsaver=20 AED Certification
Summer=20 Programs at St. Thomas

From the Vicar:

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday was Pentecost Day, the celebration = of the=20 birth of the Church in the giving of the Holy Spirit to the first=20 followers of Jesus. When the Spirit came their differences were = overcome,=20 fear turned to courage, and they launched out to spread the Gospel = to the=20 farthest corners of the earth. For those of us who live by this = good news,=20 this is something to celebrate. By the gift of the Holy Spirit a = new=20 community was born, and wherever people receive this gift by = faith, the=20 church is born anew.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the = Corinthians=97a=20 difficult, contentious congregation=97reminds them that their life = together=20 depends upon the variety of gifts that God has given. Paul says = that the=20 Church needs the diverse abilities of each member of the = congregation, and=20 that this variety of gifts is to be used for the common good. In = the=20 Apostle=92s way of seeing it, difference is good, and the Body of = Christ=20 depends upon diversity. =93Now there are varieties of gifts, but = the same=20 Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and = there=20 are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them = all in=20 every one.=94 (I. Cor. 12: 4-6)

So, we have received this great gift=97the = Church born out=20 of the gift of the Holy Spirit=97and these gifts that come to each = one of us=20 out of our genes and our unique history. We live by grace, by what = has=20 been given to us, and we are called to use our particular talents, = sympathies, and resources of personality, energy, and enthusiasm = for the=20 good of the whole.

When we have a keen sense of grace=97that it all = comes as a=20 gift from God=97then we find a new motive and new possibilities = for living=20 together. Territorialism, defensiveness, and a competitive spirit = fall=20 away: It all comes from God, and it is all for the good of God=92s = people.

We have seen this recently, as people have come = together=20 to make a home for our new vicar. Filled with a new enthusiasm, = members of=20 the congregation have exercised their gifts freely, have given of=20 themselves with imaginative generosity=97and we have all been = uplifted and=20 encouraged.

A hymn by The Rev. Al Carmines, =93Many Gifts, = One Spirit,=94=20 goes like this: =93God of many colors, God of many signs, you have = made us=20 different, blessing many kinds. As the old ways disappear, let = your love=20 cast out our fear. Many gifts, one Spirit, one love known in many = ways. In=20 our difference is blessing, from diversity we praise one Giver, = one Lord,=20 one Spirit, one Word known in many ways, hallowing our days. For = the=20 Giver, for the gifts, praise, praise, praise!=94

This is the Church at its best. People receiving = their=20 lives as gifts of God, being themselves, and using their many = gifts for=20 the good of all and to the glory of God. Where that happens, the = Church=20 has a happy birthday indeed!

Charles Rice, Interim Vicar




From the Search Committee

We have finished our Self-study Phase and have = moved into=20 our Search Phase of this process. We have received names of = prospects from=20 the national computer and from members of our church. If you know = of a=20 priest who you think (or your friends think) would be a good match = for us,=20 please submit the names quickly to any member of the committee. We = will=20 send each prospect our Profile and other pertinent information. = Candidates=20 will send their applications for consideration to us up until June = 15th.=20 We expect to receive about a 30 % return from the approximately 90 = inquiries that we are sending.

After receiving these applications, we will = start the=20 interview process. In the end we hope to submit 3 to 5 names to = the=20 Executive Committee for them to process. Throughout this time we = cannot=20 discuss any of the candidates individually outside of the = committee so=20 please do not ask any specific questions.

We want to thank everyone working on the = vicarage as this=20 is an important piece of our compensation package.

Please keep St. Thomas=92 in your = prayers.


Your Search Committee: Kathy Moore (co-chair), = Pam=20 Schulien (co-chair), Terry Taylor, Carol Poplaski, Paulette Beer, = Lois=20 Mayer, Michael Clouse, Michael Wiedbrauk, Randy Hammons, Bill=20 Shapiro


Top=20 of Page


Worship in the Chapel

This parish enjoys a rich history, a story of = faithful=20 people worshipping and serving God in this place for nearly 200 = years. Our=20 old church, now being lovingly restored by volunteers from the=20 congregation, embodies that history. Once more on summer Sunday = mornings=20 we will gather for the early Eucharist, to remember and be = thankful. From=20 May 27th through September 2nd, come to celebrate the Holy = Eucharist at 8=20 AM. (Those who have trouble with the steps should enter by the = sacristy=20 door.)


The Prayer List

Beginning on Trinity Sunday at the Prayers of = the People=20 we will name those who are in immediate need or distress =96 in = the=20 hospital, ill at home, suffering some recent grief or loss. = Alongside our=20 Sunday prayers for these persons, we will provide a list in the = bulletin=20 of the names of others for whom our continuing prayers have been = asked.=20 Members of the congregation are asked to take that list home and = pray=20 daily for those in need.


Executive Committee

These ten men and women elected by the = congregation=20 oversee the week-to-week life of the parish, making important = decisions of=20 policy and administration. The committee has an especially crucial = role of=20 governance and planning in this interim period. The Executive = Committee=20 invites your comments and proposals and even your attendance at = their=20 monthly meeting if you wish to bring a particular concern.


Top=20 of Page


St. Thomas' Vicarage

In 1847 Carlos Allen, prominent Vernon physician = and one=20 of the first vestrymen of St. Thomas=92 Church, donated the land = on which=20 St. Thomas=92s chapel was erected. From 1846 through 1903, Dr. = Allen and his=20 family made their home in the lovely building adjacent to the = chapel.=20 Later, the Allen House became St. Thomas=92 Vicarage. Today it is = recognized=20 as one of Vernon=92s most well-preserved historic residences.

One hundred sixty years after the Allen = House=92s=20 construction we are respectfully and energetically readying this = beautiful=20 home to welcome our new Vicar. Creative Vicarage Committee members = have=20 procured critical goods and services at no or very little cost. = The=20 Executive Committee has provided us with a Vicarage refurbishment = budget.=20 Generous parishioners have contributed cash donations or have = purchased=20 needed items. Beginning last weekend and continuing forward on = designated=20 Saturdays congregants are coming together at the Vicarage for work = and=20 clean up days.

The repair and refurbishment =93to=96do=94 list = includes a=20 completely new bathroom on the second floor, new kitchen cabinets, = carpeting in the bedrooms and upstairs hall, sanding and = refinishing the=20 wood floors in the living and dining areas, painting throughout, = and many=20 more items both large and small. Please drop in to the Vicarage to = see=20 this work in progress and to lend your support to this real team = effort.=20 As we move forward, the Vicarage Committee may be seeking = =93sponsors=94 for=20 various purchases. We also welcome your participation on our work = crews.=20 If you have any questions or suggestions or if you would like to = be=20 helpful in any way, please seek out a committee member to discuss = your=20 interest. Join us as we continue to make history at St. = Thomas=92!

The next workday will be Saturday, June 9th starting at 9=20 AM.

All donations for the vicarage =96 or for other = needs of the=20 parish =96 should be reported to the church office in writing. = This will=20 insure credit to your record of giving and make for accountability = and=20 good order in the congregation=92s financial affairs.


Vicarage Project 2007 - Sponsorships & Opportunities

Completed or committed:

  1. Flooring - Upstairs carpet and pad and master = bath=20 linoleum supplied at below cost through Country Flooring, Rte. = 94,=20 Vernon by Rita-Ann Schmick. Purchase price from cash donor = arranged by=20 Rita-Ann. Installation of carpet also arranged by Rita-Ann.=20
  2. Master Bath =96 Fixtures donated by Master = Plumbing=20 through Rita-Ann Schmick. Installation of fixtures arranged by = Rita-Ann.=20
  3. Kitchen Cabinets =96 New cabinets donated = through the=20 efforts of Joe Sommese. Installation will be by work party from = the=20 congregation.=20
  4. Paint =96 All paint supplied below cost by = Ron DuPont=20 through Highland General Store. Paint sweat equity through = congregation=20 work party.=20
  5. Outdoor table =96 Wood outdoor table, benches = and=20 umbrella set donated by Bill and Ellen Shapiro for back yard = dining.=20
  6. Dining room deck - Construction materials = purchased by=20 congregation; design and sweat equity supplied by Bill and Neal = Shapiro,=20 Rich Poplaski, and Randy Hammons. Hardware and redwood stain = donated by=20 the Shapiros.=20
  7. Downstairs window blinds =96 New blinds to be = donated.=20 Arranged through the efforts of Rita-Ann. Installation by = congregation.=20
  8. Steam furnace and radiator assessment and = repair =96=20 Materials and labor arranged through the efforts of Rita-Ann = Schmick.=20 Refinishing to be completed by congregation work party.=20
  9. New smoke and CO detectors and fire = extinguishers=20 donated through the efforts of Nancy Hansen. Installation by=20 congregation work party.=20
  10. 5/17 & 18 Work Party Prep =96 Sweat = equity=20 electrical, spackle, trim repair, drop cloths and surface prep = donated=20 by Bill and Noel Shapiro, Rich Poplaski, and Randy Hammons.=20
  11. 5/19 Painting Work Party =96 Sweat equity to = prepare and=20 paint all ceilings and trim throughout the vicarage supplied by = 22=20 person congregation work party.=20
  12. Dennis & Kathy Golden have offered to = donate two=20 working window A/C units for the vicarage. Installation by = congregation=20 work party.=20
  13. A new external dining room entry door has = been=20 purchased with funds donated from a generous parishioner. = Installation=20 carpentry has been arranged through the congregation. =

Vicarage Project Work Day May 19th, 2007

The Vicarage committee sponsored a day of work = and=20 fellowship focused on cleaning and painting ceilings and trim = throughout=20 the vicarage on Saturday, May 19, from 9 Am to about 3:30 PM. = Thanks to=20 prep work accomplished Thursday and Friday by Bill and Noelle = Shapiro,=20 Rich Poplaski and Randy Hammons and an excellent turnout of 22 = able bodied=20 parishioners on Saturday, we were able to accomplish the majority = of our=20 planned painting =96 about 95% of the ceilings and 65% of the trim = painting=20 were completed. A tremendous amount of sweat equity was invested = in=20 preparing the trim for painting. The age of the house and the = number of=20 previous paintings made a tough job of preparing some of the = surfaces, but=20 the team was up to the job and worked diligently all day in = completing the=20 two major rooms downstairs, and most of the more modern kitchen, = bath and=20 laundry room. Upstairs, the bedrooms and hallway ceilings were = completed=20 as well as some of the trim preparation.

In addition, other chores accomplished include = removal of=20 some of the kitchen cabinets, removal of downstairs shoe molding = in=20 preparation for refinishing the wood floors, repair of the stair = rail=20 support bracket, necessary caulking of doors and trim, and repair = of one=20 of the historical plank doors upstairs. Also, a small subcommittee = led by=20 Noelle Shapiro worked out quantities and colors for wall paint to = be=20 purchased for the next work session scheduled for Saturday, June 9 = at=20 9AM.

The Vicarage Committee wishes to extend a hearty = =93thanks=94=20 to those who donated time and talent. They are: Jill Dickerson, = Pete=20 Dickerson, Emilie DuPont, Ron DuPont Jr., Bob Duthaler, Bill = Fisher,=20 Maryellen Garvey, Dennis Golden, Ray Gunder, Randy Hammons, Nancy = Hansen,=20 George Marr, Bill Shapiro, Ellen Shapiro, Neal Shapiro, Noelle = Shapiro,=20 Butch Smiraldo, Joe Sommese, and Terry Taylor. Lunch was donated = by the=20 ECW and grilled and served by Gaye Murphy, Lois Mayer, and Bill = Mayer. And=20 a good time was had by all!

Ellen Shapiro has started a scrapbook of photos = for=20 Vicarage Committee activities. Take a look and see what was going = on in=20 the other rooms while you were focused on your workday chore or to = see=20 some of the fellowship that you missed if you couldn=92t make this = one. We=20 want everyone=92s smiling face in the book before long!

Planned & needed:

(Do any of these strike your interest or take = advantage=20 of your talents?)

  1. A range exhaust hood or over-range microwave = unit and=20 exhaust is needed for the kitchen.=20
  2. A new, smaller refrigerator is needed for the = kitchen=20 to fit a maximum 32=94 width space. Unit to be 30 or 31=94 wide = max.=20
  3. Decking materials to build a back porch over = the=20 crumbling back steps is needed (Materials $300-400 range)=20
  4. Permanent drainpipe for the basement sump = pump is=20 needed to replace the temporary installation. (Materials approx. = $50-75)=20
  5. New electrical cover plates for switches and = plugs.=20 (Materials approx. $50 =96 100)=20
  6. Mason or contact to repair front steps and = install=20 handrail.=20
  7. New kitchen countertop sponsor for new = cabinets.=20 Approx. 12=92 long with sink cutout.=20
  8. Dressing room closet organizer sponsor.=20
  9. New fireplace set =96 screen and tools = complementing=20 historical period of house.

Top=20 of Page


Calendar of Events

Sun. June 3
3:00 PM
Community Choral Society = Concert
Fri. June 8
5:30-7:30 PM
Argyle Fish & Chips = Dinner
Sat. June 9
9:00 AM
Work Day at the = Vicarage
Fri. July 13
6:00 PM
AED Certification=20 = course


Sussex Country Interfaith Hospitality Network (SCHIN)

September 17th - October 1st



Parish Register

Baptisms
=
Confirmations
Burials
Olivia Christine Clouse
Nicole Belli
Grace Marr
Charles Joseph Hintzen VI
Lauren Chiarchiaro
Rebecca Rae Alfaro
Cina Gabel
Paige Elizabeth Farber
Kaila Yezuita
=

Top=20 of Page


AED Certified Course

A Heartsaver AED certification course is being = offered to=20 us at St. Thomas=92 on Friday, July 13 at 6 PM. This course will = run=20 approximately 4 hours. Cost is $35.00 per person to those who took = this=20 course in June 2004 and $50.00 to those who wish to be newly = certified.=20 Also, those who are taking the course for the first time, if you = wish to=20 purchase your own facemask the cost will be an additional $10.00. = The=20 sign-up is sheet posted in the narthex.

Terry Taylor


Appalachian Trail Hikers

Hiking season is here. We need people to sign up = for a=20 week at a time to come in during the evening to check on our = hikers,=20 answer any questions they may have, and provide supplies at a = nominal=20 cost. A list of chores for hikers to perform is downstairs, as is = the=20 sign-in book and other information. If you aren=92t able to help = with the=20 hiker hostel in person, please help keep the hostel stocked. We = need these=20 items downstairs by the shower and washer/dryer area:

-Shampoo =96 big bottles are best

-Laundry detergent, fabric softener sheets, = toilet paper,=20 bar soap, bleach


Summer at = Crossroads

The Executive Committee has voted to provide = half=20 scholarships for three of our young people in grades 3 through 12 = to go to=20 our Episcopal camp this summer. This means that the cost to each = family=20 would be $180 for five days at Camp Crossroads in Port Murray, NJ. = This is=20 a great opportunity for youngsters and teenagers to learn more = about the=20 Church, to make new friends, and to broaden their horizons.

Our Bishop, Mark Beckwith, wrote recently about = his=20 family=92s experience at our camp. He said, =93 When I was in the = Diocese of=20 Newark as a priest, my wife and I =96 and our two very small = children =96=20 spent two summers as the leadership team for a week at the old = Eagle=92s=20 Nest Camp. The facilities were meager at best, but the spirit of = the staff=20 and campers was great. There was a community of safety and = welcome, a=20 desire to present the Christian faith and story =96 through song, = drama,=20 play, and more creative programs than I could count. The first = summer=20 after we moved to Massachusetts, we sent our two children to the = diocesan=20 camp as campers. Our son went for three years =96 and in our = daughter=92s=20 case, she returned for eleven seasons, the last as the Assistant = Camp=20 Director. Her faith was grounded by her camp experience. Some of = her best=20 friends are from camp. Both of our kids were presented dimensions = of the=20 faith that would never have been available to them had they not = gone to=20 camp. And it became clear to me that a week spent at Church Camp = is more=20 time than children spend in a whole year of Sunday School.=94

If you wish to apply to go to camp July 29 =96 = Aug. 3 or=20 Aug. 5 =96 10, please speak to Fr. Rice.


Child Care for Summer Services

As always, babysitting will be provided for = infants and=20 children up to age 8 during the summer 10 AM service. An adult = will be=20 asked to sign-up for childcare for approximately one Sunday per = month, and=20 a teen or preteen will be asked to volunteer with an adult. It = will be the=20 responsibility of the teen (or adult) on duty to select a Bible = story to=20 read aloud, and perhaps lead a game or art activity afterward.

Please volunteer for this ministry this summer. = It is the=20 only opportunity all year for most of the Sunday School teachers = to attend=20 the entire service. Please sign-up in the narthex if you are = willing to=20 provide childcare during the 10 o=92clock service from June 10th = through=20 September 2nd.

Emilie Dupont


Vacation Bible School

Emilie Dupont and other parents are planning a = Vacation=20 Bible School program for any local children ages 4 =96 11 = (pre-school to=20 starting grade 6). We will meet in the undercroft (downstairs) of = St.=20 Thomas=92 to listen to Bible stories, cook, do arts and crafts, = and play=20 games. We will need a total of 4 adult volunteers and 2 =93twelve = and up=94=20 volunteers every day to carry out a pre-planned lesson. To cover = the cost=20 of supplies and mid-morning snacks we will ask each child to pay = $12 or=20 $25 for a family of 3 or more. (There will be funds for children = unable to=20 pay.)

The theme of this year=92s VBS will depend on = the number and=20 ages of children planning to participate, so Emilie needs to have = this=20 information as soon as possible. Please indicate your interest, = however=20 tentative, by returning the f= orm=20 to the box in the St. Thomas=92 narthex, or by calling Emilie at=20 973-764-8434 and leaving a message. (Indicating your interest does = not=20 hold you to attending, but the program cannot run without enough = adult and=20 teen volunteers)

Top=20 of Page  =20