From the Rector's desk:
GOD'S PLUMB LINE
The dictionary describes a "plumb line" or "plumb-bob" as an instrument used by masons and carpenters from ancient times to be assured that a construction is absolutely upright. In effect, the plumb line becomes the measure by which all the rest of the construction is to be measured.
In this Sunday's reading from the prophet Amos (7:7 ff), the Lord God shows Amos a plumb line, and the Lord God says, "See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel." The plumb line for the Covenant people is the Lord God, as the plumb line is an essential measure of "truth" for a builder. It is a powerful prophetic image meant to be a sign of the eternal presence of God in covenant with the people of faith.
As Christians, we experience this image in the enfleshed life of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus may profitably be thought of as a kind of "plumb line" for the choices which we make in our lives. The popularity of "What Would Jesus Do" wristbands risks turning an important form of moral reflection into cliché. In a deep sense, I believe we are called to measure our choices again and again by the choices which Jesus made in living his earthly life. Do we choose compassion when we could more easily keep our distance? Do we choose justice when we could settle for inaction? Do we value the humanity of our neighbor as much as value our own, seeing in every human being the spark of God's spirit at work?
When we measure ourselves by such a plumb line, we are sure to fall far short of its perfection. Thankfully, our God chooses to offer us mercy and care in our journey, so that we may rise again when we have fallen, and carry on once more.
~ ~ Stephen
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Worship
Adult Bible Study
Adult Bible Study meets each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Bidwell Room. On July 19, the Rector will lead a conversation on John 6:1-21.
 Prayer Group
The Prayer Group meets in the
Bidwell Room on Thursday afternoons at 4:00 pm and lasts about one hour.
We read aloud the Order for Evening Prayer, Compline, or a Service for
Worship in the Evening, and have 10-15 minutes of quiet reflection.
Anyone who would like to join us is welcome. Call the Office for more
information.
Prayers for and from the
Community
Your
clergy pray for members of the parish community, and all whose lives fall
particularly on our hearts, each day and - in particular - at our noonday
gatherings during the week. Please let either of us know if we can include
you in our confidential prayers.
Stephen (sovoysey@stpetersweston.org) and Hall (hkirkham@stpetersweston.org), 781 891 3200.
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Ministries (Church School, Youth Programs, Outreach, Adult Education, Altar Guild, Flower Guild, Ushers, Welcome Team, Vestry, Pastoral Care, Hospitality, Stewardship, Communications)
Adult Education
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EFM) offered at Trinity Concord this fall!
Below is an opportunity that many of us at St Peter's have participated in and have found very rewarding. Are you interested in a spiritual journey? Study of Scripture? Read on!
Education for Ministry (http://www.sewanee.edu/EFM/index.htm) is a 4-year series of directed readings and weekly seminars sponsored by the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. It covers a variety of topics by which participants expand their knowledge of scripture, church history, tradition, and their own spirituality. Participants commit to a one year at a time.
The course is specifically designed for the lay student of religion and spirituality, and through guided reading, reflection, and group interaction, leads participants through a rich spiritual development and understanding of personal beliefs and potential for lay ministry. Each year has a topical concentration, but all share in and discuss learnings and reflections with each other during weekly meetings. The concentrations are as follows:
Year 1: Old Testament
Year 2: New Testament
Year 3: Church history up through the Reformation
Year 4: Church history to today
In addition, participants share in directed Theological Reflections and Common Lessons that are designed to help develop individual and collective spiritual growth and ministry in life.
In the first two years students would read the Old and New Testaments, plus additional course readings supplied by Sewanee Theological Seminary to guide you through the readings. In the last two years, the primary reading is the material from Sewanee, with other references provided for discretionary reading.
The guidance of the mentor and from other participants are as much a part of the process as the readings and reflections themselves. Meetings are a place to openly share faith, questions, insights, concerns, growth, grief, happiness, awe in God and God's ways, and much more.
There is an established EFM group at Trinity Church, Concord that is taking in new members for the Fall of 2009! If you want more information or want to sign up, please contact Karyn Barry (781-894-3664). Operationally, the group meets Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 at Trinity Concord, and the readings take between 2 and 4 hours of additional time each week. There is a small fee to join and purchase the reading material.
For more information, contact Hall Kirkham.
Outreach
B-SAFE Program, St. Martins/St Augustine, July 20-24
This will be our third year of serving as a partner church in the "Bishop's Summer Academic Fun Enrichment Program". This is a larger effort of the Episcopal Diocese to serve over 450 children at 6 sites in the Boston area in a five week summer day camp. The B-SAFE program provides academic enrichment, sports, field trips, good food, community, and a safe place for kids, plus it is one of the largest providers of jobs for older teens, who are trained as counselors for the day camps.
Partner churches provide a week of food (lunch and snack) at one site plus organize and fund a Friday field trip. St. Mart/St Aug will provide a summer home for 65 elementary school students, as well as jobs for 10 counselors. Monday - Thursday we deliver and serve lunch, and Friday we will sponsor a field trip to Lands Sake, the Weston pool, and cook out for the kids.
PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING US A HAND! IT ONLY TAKES A FEW HOURS TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD! You can help in many ways: shop, prepare a lunch or snack (evening or AM), or help deliver the food.
And, if you cannot help that week, we need 2 to 3 volunteers to pick up a week's breakfasts on Thursday, July 30, at the Dedham Costco (10:00 AM) and deliver it to St. Stephen's and St. Aug/St. Martins.
And, if you can't participate, but want to support the program, $$ donations are much appreciated!
Contact
Ron Corley
(rbcorley@bu.edu; 617 512-9610) or Rosanne
Iacono (Rosieni@aol.com) for more information.
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Parish Life
Join us for coffee hour after the 10am service!
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Who Does What At St. Peter's Church
320 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA 02493 | www.stpetersweston.org | 781-891-3200
(Click on any name that is underlined to send an email.)
Rector: Stephen Voysey (891-3200)
Assistant Rector: Hall Kirkham (891-3200)
Parish Secretary: Mercer Riis, (891-3200)
Acolytes: Stephen Voysey (891-3200)
Church School: Sarah Ardila; Teresa Swanson; Beth Graham (891-3200)
Choirs: Adult Choir:Andrew Shenton, (891-3200); Junior Choir: Kristen Dirmeier
Coffee Hour: Lynn Maruskin (899- 6290)
Communications: Communications Team
Finance Chris Phaneuf (891-3200)
Flowers: Carolyn Ellis (899-5880)
Keys Newsletter: John Marchiony, Meg Pierce & Keith Ward
Lay Liturgical Ministries: Bill Symonds
Men's Group: John Bulbrook, John Marchiony Rob Rodgers
Music: Andrew Shenton, (891-3200)
Newcomers: Michelle King, Suzie Reeves
Outreach: Ron Corley; Rosanne Iacono (891-3236)
Lay Pastoral Care: Flora Booth (899 -2006) and Mary Pughe (894-5961)
Property: Carolyn Ellis (899-5880)
Stewardship: Marty Rodgers
Ushers:Ushers: Ed Vydra (894-7131)
Web Site: John Bulbrook
Youth: Hall Kirkham
Members of the Vestry:
Janice Corley (891-3236), Senior Warden; Marshall Bartlett, Junior Warden; Chris Phaneuf, Treasurer; Richard Batchelder, Clerk; Members: Carolyn Ellis, John Jacobs, Tom Keery, Ann Lombard, Marty Rodgers, Anne Ruggles, Keith Ward
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