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Sunday Afternoon Reflections
The Rev. Patricia Conley |
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| Greetings! |
The Pie-Making was a tremendous success Saturday!
Thanks to everyone who helped. The sale of the pies is next week. Please, contact Susie Scott (224) 569-3203 if you are interested in purchasing pies, or in helping out with the sale.
Thanks so much to Susie Scott and the tremendeous team of pie-makers. :) |
| By the way . . . |
With our Newsletter editor (Jennifer Loacker) leaving our employ . . . St. Ann's may not be publishing as many terrific newsletters until a new volunteer editor surfaces. :)
Consequently, I invite anyone who would like news dissiminated throughout the parish to send your news item to me, and I'll just include it in these hope-to-be-fairly-regular Sunday Afternoon Reflections of the Rector.
And, if you are inclined to volunteer as editor of our Parish Newsletter, just let me know.
Thanks! | |
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| A Thank You party! |
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As previously reported, the sad news is that Jennifer Loacker has advised us of her resignation from her position as Parish Administrator of St. Ann's - effective at end of November. The good news is how much Jennifer is looking forward to the next phase of her life with "the boys" -- and continuing as a faithful member of our parish.
Please plan to attend our parish thank-you party for Jennifer after the 9:30am service on Sunday, Nov. 23rd. | |
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| Stewardship Pledge Campaign Update |
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To all members of St. Ann's.
We have received many pledges to date -- but, a few more may yet come in. Thanks you for mailing or delivering your pledge to the church at your earliest convenience.
Remember, too, if you have any questions about the finances of the parish, or if you want to talk with someone from the Stewardship Committee - please, give us a call or drop us a note.
Holly Williams: (847) 497-3507 Mike White: (815) 334-9554
or myself, Rev. Pat Conley: 815-355-6840 (my direct cell phone) stannsrector@comcast.net
Thanks so much. |
| Today's Sunday Afternoon Reflection -- by the Rev. Patricia Conley |
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November 16, 2008
We remembered in prayer today those who have requested prayer, those who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, and those serving in the Armed Forces - as well as the needs of the world. And, we prayed for the continued safety of George W. Bush and Barack Obama and their families.
The female voices of the choir presented a beautiful anthem this morning: "Lift thine eyes" - from Elijah, by Mendelssohn. The organ seems to be "behaving" - so, perhaps we have been spared some potentially costly repairs for a time. Some day we will have to attend to the aches and pains of the organ, we just don't know when.
Thank you to the Rev. Lynn White for reading the Gospel; to Tina Hill and Nadine Francione who were lay chalice bearers; to Jennifer Loacker and Don Blaho for being readers. I really must comment on Jennifer's tremendeous reading skills this morning. Of course she is always an excellent reader -- but you should have seen the horribly difficult names that just seemed to roll off her tongue this morning. My, but she made it look and sound so easy -- when, clearly it was not. Hooray, Jennifer!
Thank you to two Anna's for being Acolytes: Anna Blaho and Anna Zaino for serving as Acolytes. John and Jennifer Loacker were ushers, and Tina and Alan Hill were our coffee hour hosts. Thank You to everyone!
Our altar flowers were given today in thanksgiving for Alyssa Zaino's birthday. Other birthdays this week: Hannah Doyle on Nov 17th; Mary Keyse on Nov 21st; and Duane Lahti on Nov 22nd. Anniversaries coming up are: Terry & Lyle Finlayson on Nov 21st and Pat & Philip McCullough on Nov 22nd. Congratulations to all.
Many contributions to the Woodstock Food Bank were broght in today, in response to the "reverse collection" baskets were passed last Sunday. Thanks so much. Food contributions may be placed in our collection area any time.
I noticed the "Bishop's Blend" coffee sales table was fully stocked this morning. Thank you to the Green Group for this ongoing, meaningful ministry.
Both Sunday School classes were in session after the 9:30 service. The group downstairs studied about the Gospel reading story that the rest of us will hear next Sunday in Church. The class upstairs talked about how God has made each of us unique, and how challenging it is to figure out how we can be God's representatives for good in our families and at school.
I think other meetings and groups were connecting in the parish hall after church, the Green Group for one -- but, I couldn't exactly say which groups, as I had to scoot upstairs to teach a Sunday School class. The parish hall was certainly bubbly and full of energy when I went through. :)
Many, many thanks go out to Nancy Phillips, Joan Purdy, and Dinah Hoppe for the hours and hours they spent thoroughly cleaning and organizing our church kitchen this past week. We cannot thank you enough!
Thank you, again, to Bruce and Natalie Armstrong for their shared role these days as "parish photographer." If you have not yet had your family photo taken for our upcoming parish photo directory, please, be sure and contact Bruce about it. You may wish to make an appointment for your photo to be taken, or you may wish to submit a photo you already have for the directory. Just be sure and let Bruce know how to include you. BArmstrong@alumni.usc.edu.
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| Looking Ahead |
The Book Group is reading The Writing Class by Jincy Willet. They will meet at the home of Mike and Lynn White on Sunday, November 23 at 4:00 p.m. To learn more about the Book Group, contact Mike White at moewhite@ix.netcom.com.
Thanksgiving Eve - This year out Thanksgiving Holy Eucharist will be on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 26th at 7:30 pm. The service will be followed by an informal little "pie preview" -- that is, we'll have the pies IF anyone brings some along to preview. For more information, contact Bruce and Natalie Armstrong at 847-669-8257.
Thanksgiving Day - There will not be a service at St. Ann's on Thanksgiving Day.
The Angel Tree - With the coming of Advent, our annual Angel Tree will soon appear in the parish hall. Be on the lookout for your opportunity to help our greater community through this Christmas season outreach project.
No Room at the Inn - For the season of Advent, you are again invited to participate in "No Room at the Inn," -- a display of Nativity scenes in our parish hall. All are invited to bring a creche(s) to place on display - beginning on Sunday, December 7th, leaving it on display for as long as you like -- up to January 4, 2009. Last year's display was very beautiful, and this year's display promises more of the same.
Advent Evensong - St. Ann's will hold an Advent Evenson service on Sunday, December 7th at 4:30pm. Evensong is a sung Evening Prayer service. This will be a great opportunity to bring a guest along for an inspirational time of music and meditation.
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| Just so you know . . . |
Sometimes I'm asked who receives the parish Pledge information, and how is that information shared. All pledging information is carefully and confidentially handled, in accordance with the By-Laws of St. Ann's Episcopal Church, adopted by the Vestry as of January 12, 2005:
ARTICLE VIII 8.1 Pledges and Financial Contributions.
"The records of the Parish pertaining to any Parishioner's pledge or financial contributions to the Parish shall be privileged against disclosure to the Parish, the Vestry, or any person other than the Rector, Wardens, or Treasurer, except that there may be disclosure to the Vestry, in confidence, if such disclosure is authorized by the Rector or Wardens, or by majority approval of the Vestry for a reason stated in the minutes of the Vestry (without necessarily disclosing in such minutes the identity of the Parishioner)."
ARTICLE VIII 8.2 Certain Permitted Disclosures of Pledges and Status of Financial Contributions.
"Nothing herein shall prevent the Rector or Treasurer from disclosing the amount of a Parishioner's pledge, or the status of financial contributions, to persons authorized by the Rector, Wardens, Vestry or Treasurer for the purpose of conducting a canvass, soliciting said Parishioner for a pledge . . . or for related or similar purposes."
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Please, feel free to contact me at my direct cell phone number: 815-355-6840 -- or via e-mail, anytime. And, invite someone new to church this week! See you in church.
Sincerely,
The Rev. Patricia A. Conley
St. Ann's Episcopal Church
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