of St.

Johns in Pine Meadow

St. Johns mission is to nurture all people in their spiritual growth, in their Christian education, and in their relationship with God. The Rev. Salin Low, Rector December 2011

What we learned from the storm

There are some events which are experienced by so many people that they bring us together with stories about where we were, how we were affected, and how we felt at the time. Often these are tragic events, like September 11, 2011. Fortunately the recent storm was not that sort of tragedy, at least not around here. And people outside of Connecticut didnt have the same experience that we had around here. But for those of us who went through the storm and its aftermath of power outages, it will be a time which continues to be remembered, maybe even as much as the snowstorm of 78, when Ella Grasso shut down the state. I wasnt here during that storm, but Ive heard the stories. And thats one thing we learned from the stormcommon stories draw us together. I love the group of people who usually attend the 8:00 a.m. service on Sunday. Before the service they are generally subdued in discussions, if they speak at all, which allows me to gather my thoughts. On the Sunday following the storm, however, they were sharing lively stories of generators that worked or failed, how long they were without power, where they went to escape the cold. And all before the service began!! Ive realized in the days since that a good conversation starter is, How long were you without power? That isnt a question that will get a lot of response for long, but it is an example of the value of seeking common experiences to establish and strengthen relationships with others. Its an effort that is part of seeing the Christ in one another. Another thing I learned from the storm is how easy it is to fall into habits of separation. Most landline phones were out as a result of the storm. Cell phones are a good option for reaching people if we have your cell phone number. No general listing for those numbers makes them more isolated. Please let the office (office@reddoors.com or 860-379-3062) know your cell phone number, so we have an additional way of making sure you are all right at such times. (And if the news advises us to stay off the roads because of downed trees or power lines, we wont have church.) This is a chance to think about ways we can support one another in difficult times general or individual. Deacon Denise is working to develop a list of people who would help provide meals to people who are ill or who have a family member in the hospital, etc. Im interested in identifying individuals who would check in with others in their neighborhood at times of need something I think of as a circle of concern. Please let me know, at the church or at my home, at any time of the day, if there is someone in the hospital or who needs pastoral attention. The storm has passed. I pray that what we learned will help us to care about and for each other more as Christ would have us do. Blessings and Peace,

Bits&Pieces

HOW WERE DOING SO FAR

OCTOBER 2011 RESULTS
Operating Income Operating Expenses $ 15,529 $ 22,018 $ 153,096* $186,716 for oper-

Prayer Requests Requests are handled confidentially through the Rector. Prayers will continue for a month unless other time periods are specified. You may fill out a prayer request form or call the rector at 693-1851. Give the office a giftcomplete your 2011pledge before Christmas. The office will be closed between Christmas and New Years. To receive credit for donations made during 2011, checks mailed to the office must be received by Wednesday, 12/21/11 in order to be deposited with the December 25 offering. Christmas Flower Envelopes Enclosed Donations can be given in celebration of a person or event, not just for memorials. Please return your envelope to the office no later than December 15. First Tuesday Communion ServiceDecember 6 at 11:00 a.m.A chance to attend a Eucharist during the day. Soup will be provided for those who can stay for lunch. Additions appreciated.

Year To Date
Operating Income Operating Expenses ating expenses. Please keep your pledges current. Sue Bremer, Treasurer

*Includes $25,000 withdrawn from investments

AnnualAppealResults

108 pledge cards were distributed. 78 Pledge cards returned 44 Pledges increased 11 Pledges decreased 21 Pledges unchanged 2 New pledges $164,778 $225,000

Total amount pledged to date: Pledge Goal for 2011

If you have not returned your pledge card, please do so as soon as possible. Thank you.

If you would like to make a gift to the church of appreciated stock, please call the office for instructions.

The Altar Guild will meet on Saturday, December 17 at 9 AM to polish the silver and brass for the Christmas services. Please make every effort to attend. Please call Donna at 860-379-4643 with questions. Prayer Shawls Received on December 4We will present any completed prayer shawls on that day at either service. Bring completed shawls to Denise by that day, so we can give thanks for your work and pray for those who will be comforted by the shawls they receive. Did you get your pocket cross? Any parishioners who did NOT receive a "Cross in My Pocket" during the stewardship campaign, please let us know. The crosses and special prayer are available thanks to the leadership of Winnie Pratt and her dedicated staff of Joan Rock and Barbara Freigant as an expression joy in our Christian ministry.

An Easy Way to Help Cards Available Every Week Until December 11 Double Gifts to the Church
It only takes a little planning to use these cards for gifts or for your Christmas shopping. Orders will be taken every Sunday from November 6 until December 11 and delivered the next week. Order sheets are available in the narthex and can be placed in the lockbox at any time. The percentage that goes to the church will be matched by a special gift during November and December. making it even more worth your time to help St. Johns in this way.

Youth Group News December 11, 2011 Middle School Hosts Caroling Rehearsal, Cookie Bake, and Lunch
The Middle School Youth Group is organizing a carol sing on December 11, 2011. After the 10 a.m. service there will be practicing of carols by any and all who would like to participate. Then we will enjoy lunch and make a few cookies. We will sing carols and deliver cookies to Valerie Manor in Torrington, beginning at 2:00. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the joy of the season with others in our community and beyond. Carolers of all ages are encouraged to join us!!

Letter Writing for Peace & Justice

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4
During coffee hour following both the 8am & 10am services , Gary Pontelandolfo will set up a "Write for Rights" table. Amnesty International, a nonprofit organization that works worldwide to defend human rights and uphold human dignity, asks that people write letters in support of selected individuals or groups from around the world whose rights are being compromised. Parishioners will have the opportunity learn about various cases and look at sample letters. You may write letters then, or take information to write later. For more information contact Gary at 860-379-3708 or gazza8@me.com.

PARISH REGISTER
The register is broadly defined, because there are events in the lives of parishioners and their families which are not recorded in St. Johns register. It is good, however, for us to hear about these events in each others lives. Let the office know about happenings in your own life and in the lives of other parishioners, especially hospitalizations. Deaths Sylvia Morrill Todd

Special thanks to Bruce Wearne for clearing limbs and debris from our parking areas following the October snow storm. Thanks to the church school children and their parents for coffee hour on November 20th. Many thanks to The Freigants and everyone who helped with the breakfast on November 6th Thanks to all who helped with Peters Retreat this year. We dont take meals at Thanksgiving or Christmas but will resume our monthly meals on January 28. Thank you to the following parishioners who have returned their 2012 pledge cards: Leah & Larry Alibozek, Debi & David Althen, Ann & Robert Atwood, Eileen & Dick Bartram, Sue & Brad Bremer, Peggy & John Budny, Nancy Butler, Anne & Bud Buttrick, Jr., Joan & Ron Caine, Elaine & Andy Cambo, Lenore & Kevin Case, Betty & Henry Castonguay, Tom Chappell, Ellen & David Childs, Donna & Gary Colavecchio, Jeanne & Ron Dufour, Barbara Douglass, Kristie & Larry Espinet, Candy & Jack Flaherty, Barbara & Peter Freigant, Fran & Roger Frigon, Julie & John Gargiulo, Nancy Gibson, Sue & Blake Hall, Joyce & Paul Halladay, Lorraine Hart, Diane & Guy Hayes, Jill & Michael Healey, Barbara & David Henri, Barbara Hinman, Jessica & Peter Hinman, Peggy & Ralph Hitchcock, Mary & Darrell Hoag, Ginny Hoffmann, Frank Hohmeister, Susie & Gray Horn, Tracy & Scott Hoskins, Susan & Brian Jones, Judy Jones, Jan & Joe Kenney, Bobbie & Ken Krohner, Helen Kurau, Nancy & Jeff Linton, Sylvia Lovley, Salin & Bill Low, Mae & Iggy Makarevich, Howard Martin, Lucie & Louis Martocchio, Cheryl & Rick Maust, Sanna & Mert Messenger, Skip & Frank Misiorski, Lois Moraski, Suzi & Stan Moraski, Luke & Christine Nelson, Rose & Bob Osborne, Norma Pappalardo, Barbara & P aul Patch, Halyna Petronchak, Sue & Don Phillips, Gary Pontelandolfo, Winnie & Leon Pratt, Maureen & Phil Prelli, Kathy & Andy Riberdy, Joanne Ritchie, Joan Rock, Caren & Gordon Ross, Nancy & Joseph Russo, Jill Rock Smith, Doris Bryant & Del Springer, Maggie & Peter Stull, Western Todd, Meg & Joe Toro, Debbie & Wally Truss, Krista & Mark Warren, Laura & Bruce Wearne, Cynthia & Bill Welch, Carol & Mac Wilson, Neal Yates.

December 18th
Holy Eucharist 8 AM Lessons & Carols & Eucharist10 AM

Christmas Worship

Sunday December 25th

Holy Eucharist 10 AM

Christmas Eve
5 PM & 10 PM
Family service at 5:00 PM. Children help tell nativity story Caroling & Anthems begin at 9:45 PM

Sunday January 1st

Morning Prayer & Hymns 10:00 AM

P. O. Box 27 Pine Meadow, CT 06061 Phone: 860 379-3062 www.reddoors.com

Address Correction

The Episcopal Church Were Here For You

Sunday Worship 8 & 10 a.m.
Wednesday 7:30 pm

News From

Church School

Jesse Tree
Has Arrived !!! Return Gifts by December 11
Take a tag and purchase a gift for a needy child. This is an annual outreach project at St. Johns. We will provide a stocking, a gift, and an item of clothing for 25 children. Cash donations will be accepted to provide a holiday meal for each family (approximately 12 families). Anyone interested in helping with sorting and delivery of the gifts may call the office at 379-3062 or contact Beth Coates at 379-2488 or b.coates@prodigy.net. Please put wrapped gifts and food for these meals on the back pews inside the church.

January 10Epiphany Pageant. Were doing it differently this year. Young children will be part of the Three Kings tableau. Older youth and adults will help place Christs birth in the whole stream of Gods work among us. Lunch and a cake will follow the 10 a.m. service. Details to follow. Welcome to Linda Snyder. Linda, formerly the diocesan Christian Education guru, is now consulting with our teachers about our church school curriculum and activities. We are so excited to have our ideas to inspire us. See a picture of Linda and her family on the picture page.

In the spirit of doing new things, the church school made and served Scripture Cake on Nov. 20. They looked up bible passages which mentioned ingredients for the cake. They may not have learned many verses, but these pictures show how teachers helped students, kids helped adults, older kids helped each other and little kids. Good lessons, for sure.

Linda Snyder, shown here with daughter Liz, husband Robert, and son Chris, has begun to consult with our church school teachers and the rector on ways to strengthen the church school curriculum and to introduce new activities which involve children and adults. We are lucky to share her gifts.

Check out www.reddoors.com for updated pix and information about parish activities.

OK. It looks almost the same as it has for several years. This year, though, the 5th & 6th graders prepared the tags. And the childrens talks from All Saints to Advent 4 will help us to understand the significance of the biblical Jesse Tree. Take a tag. Learn the story. Prepare for Christ.

December 2011
St. Johns Church Calendar of Events
Anniversaries in Italics

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed
1

Thu
2

Fri
3

Sat

Holy Eucharist 8:00 & 10:00 AM Youth Sunday

Holy Eucharist & Lunch 11 AM

Holy Eucharist 7:30 PM

10

11

Holy Eucharist 8:00 & 10:00 AM Jesse Tree Gifts Caroling Party

12

Vestry 7:00 PM

13

14

Holy Eucharist 7:30 PM

15

16

17

Altar Guild Polishing 9:00 AM

18

Holy Eucharist 8:00 & 10:00 AM

19

20

21

(Lessons & Carols at 10)

Holy Eucharist 7:30 PM

22

23

24

Christmas Eve Services at 5 & 10 PM

25

Holy Eucharist 10:00 AM

26

Office closed

27

Office closed

28

No. Service

29

Sue & Brad Bremer

30

Barbara & David Henri Kathy & Steve Jakubowski

31

December Birthdays 1-Dec Larry Espinet 7-Dec Halyna Petronchak 7-Dec Frank Misiorski

11-Dec 17-Dec 17-Dec 17-Dec 18-Dec

Zachary Marek Alan Welch Reid Gargiulo Louis Martocchio Tracy Hoskins

21-Dec 22-Dec 25-Dec 26-Dec 26-Dec

Jill Ragle Drew Warren Gayle Moraski Max O'Neill Mimi Madden

28-Dec 29-Dec 30-Dec 31-Dec

Danny Hoskins Ralph Hitchcock Robert Atwood Meg Toro