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Greetings!
Didn't we have a wonderful Annual Meeting! 2010 looms ahead, now full of promise and opportunity. As much as there is to tell you -- I'll attempt to keep this e-mail short, and provide lots of links to details and additional information. Take a look at our website for the latest information.
Remember, if you have any news you'd like to share, just drop me a line. Watch your e-mail for further announcements now and then. God Bless You . . . Let us remember one another in prayer this week. Don't forget -- Sunday is the-number-one-event-day EVERY SUNDAY at St. Ann's. See you in church! |
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 Annual Meeting - What a marvelous Annual Meeting Champagne Brunch we enjoyed on Jan 17th. Here is the link for the report. . . you'll find who was nominated (and elected) for parish leadership 2010. You will also read the various news about 2009 from parish groups. Of course budget, stewardship, and financial information is included as well. Thanks so very much to Joanne Gitlin and Sharon Porter and Victoria Castillo -- and everyone else -- who helped with all the Brunch/Meeting arrangements. At the Vestry meeting immediately following the Parish Annual Meeting, Sharon Porter was appointed Treasurer, Mike White was appointed Assistant Treasurer, and Susie Scott was appointed Clerk of the Vestry. Wonderful news all around.
Morning Prayer. Every Friday morning at 9:30am is Morning Prayer at St. Ann's. Everyone is invited to attend. This is a simple 20 minute prayer time, remembering each other and our world in need. Speaking of a world in need of prayer, you might want to watch the video "Where is God in the Hatian Earthquake" -- is on our St. Ann's website homepage.
Prayer Requests, Prayer Answers, and People News.
Joanell Powers reports that her broken ankle is healing and that she cannot wait to get back to church! Mary Keyse reports that she is now home and recovering from her recent knee surgery. Mike White reports that he is recovering from his recent eye surgery . . . and he is staying quiet and focused "downward" as instructed by his doctor. Jennifer Loacker is also recovering nicely from her recent rendezvous with the surgeon. Bill & Patrice Braun send their greetings from the Southland. There is a marvelous article in the Wall Street Journal about the Episcopal Church's leadership in providing aid to the earthquake victims in Haiti. Thanks to Lynn Howard-Reed and Nancy Jung for the link.
An friend requesting your prayer. Those of you who remember Bev Fletcher may appreciate knowing of Nancy Wright's report that Bev is now "in hospice" and would welcome calls from her friends at St. Ann's. Please, contact Nancy Wright for information or questions (815-943-937).
Stewardship: THANK YOU, to all who have submitted your pledge of financial support for next year! As of today, we have 49 pledges totaling $138,576.80. If you have not yet pledged and wish to do so, you may make your 2010 pledge of financial support via e-mail (or by US Mail, or by putting it in the offering plate.)
Payment Envelopes: We are using some very multi-use payment envelopes at St. Ann's this year. They are in the Communication Corridor for you to pick up (take a supply of them with you the next time your are in church) -- or send me an e-mail and I'll be happy to mail some envelopes to you. You may use these envelopes for making any contribution or payment to St. Ann's . . . pledges, special gifts, purchases . . . anything and everything. And, these envelops are suitable for the US Postal Service (or drop them in the offering plate -- or the little "black box in the Communications Corridor.) Thank you , again.
Opportunities: Here is a quick list of opportunities for immediate service at St. Ann's -- it's not an all-inclusive list . . . just some special needs and opportunities that come to my mind at this moment. (. . . some are brand new, and some are one-time-only opportunities:
1. I've got a great big banner/sign that needs to be hung in the front of the church. I have some ideas about where & how . . . but, need help. Contact me (Rev. Conley).
2. Buildings & Grounds group is working on a new list of "to do" items, which includes a full parish inventory. If you can assist this team, please contact Bill Clow or Duane Lahti.
3. The Choir is working on all their music for the Easter Season, contact Terree Emrich if you are interested in this opportunity.
4. The dynamic Lobster-Leader-Duo of Holly Emrich and Tina Hill are looking for some "trainees" - to participate in the 2010 Lobster Fest, and lead the 2011 Lobster Fest. If this you are interested in being on the team and/or learning to lead the team, please contact Holly or Tina.
5. I have an interesting file of "survey" reports that still needs to be put in electronic form . . . it's quite a bit of data entry and formatting. Someone comfortable with tables in Word would best handle this opportunity. Please, contact Rev. Pat if interested in this project. (Data entry could be done at the church, or at your home.)
6. If anyone(s) would like to learn how to revise, update, and maintain our St. Ann's website -- I'm ready and willing to teach you what I know. (Rev. Pat)
7. If anyone(s) would like to take a trip up to Milwaukee and see about purchasing new acolyte vestments from the "back room" at Gaspards -- I'm thinking you might enjoy the outing. You just need to update our list of acolytes and sizes before your outing. If you are interested, contact me and I'll tell you more. (Rev. Pat)
8. There will soon be a "painting party" - to paint the Children's Worship Space in the basement. Contact Sarah Sedlack if you are interested.
9. The 2010 Outreach project involving development of a produce garden at St. Ann's will soon be ready for "labor" -- Contact Bruce Armstrong or Randy Wakitsch if you are interested.
10. It's time to prepare the parish display related to our Lenten Outreach projects and opportunities. Anyone interested in helping with this display, contact Rev. Pat.
11. If you'd like to prepare/edit this weekly Reflection and Announcements, I'm ready to share this opportunity. (Rev. Pat)
New Year's Eve -- angels at work. Here is an important update from Dinah Hoppe:
"On New Year's Day Eve we served 14 homeless people a delicious lunch of: Baked Ham, Twice Baked Potatoes, Broccoli Cheese Casserole, Rolls, Fruit and Chocolate Walnut Brownies plus various beverages. Those parishioners who contributed are: Mary Jane & Robin Andrews, Ruth Cotton, Terry Finalyson, Joanne Gitlin, Dinah Hoppe, Nancy Jung, Pat McCullough, Roma Simons and, Nancy Wright's daughter, Patty Felker who generously supplied and prepared the main course. My house guest, Susan Davis, from Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria, VA also helped. A HUGE thank you to all of you. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by me, St Ann's and especially those you served." Our next serving date is: FEBRUARY 25Th
Quicklinks: In the interest of brevity -- you'll find many items on the St. Ann's website -- the calendar, vestry listing, January birthdays and anniversaries, and even the schedules for Sunday readers, ushers, acolytes, chalice bearers, and coffee hour hosts. For your convenience, the Quicklinks to many these items are provided in the column to the left of this article. The Quicklinks may change from time to time. . . so keep an eye on them.
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God Bless You!
The Rev. Patricia A. Conley, Rector
St. Ann's Episcopal Church
503 W. Jackson, Woodstock, IL 60098
Church: 815-338-0950 Rector's Cell: 815-355-6840
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