READINGS   

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REFLECTION

Something about this time of year makes us resolve to do all manner of things better. Almost all our good intentions will be history in a week or two. But there is also that other aspect of this time of year, the part that taps us on the shoulder and whispers that our lives are speeding away, faster and faster, evaporating as we speak. That there is not much time left. That soon we will be gone.

At the end of the year we remember the other years. Look at photos of people who are gone. See our young selves-they, too, are gone. We marvel at them. Was that party really sixty years ago? Was I ever that young?

Yes, comes the answer from the pictures. You were. You still are. I'm still here, inside you, your eighteen-year-old self. But remember, we are leaving soon. Good-bye, good-bye.

The only remedy for that sorrow is a life well lived now. "Love well that which thou must leave ere long," Shakespeare wrote, and he was right.

Don't let a day of the new  year pass without marking it, because it will be gone when it is over. Put into your days the things you want there-no one else will fill them for you. Anything we have can be taken from us at a moment's notice.

Some of the people in our old photographs are dead already, and one day we will be, as well, and no one knows when.

But today is ours.

From Let Us Bless the Lord, Year One: Meditations on the Daily Office, Advent through Holy Week   by Barbara Cawthorne Crafton

FAREWELL TO MO. EMILY

Please join us following the 11:00am service on Sunday, as we celebrate Mo. Emily's five years with us with a reception in her honor.

CHORAL EVENSONG - Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 4:00pm

Celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with the beauty of Choral Evensong next Sunday, January 6 at 4pm.  Music of Hannahs, Biebl, and Sowerby will mark the visitation of the Magi to the Holy Family and usher us into the Season of Light.

GRACEMUSIC PRESENTS GAIL ARCHER, organist

Sunday, January 27 at 4:00pm

GraceMusic presents international concert organist Gail Archer in the series' first solo organ recital in more than 15 years. Dr. Archer is Professor of Music at BarnardCollege, director of the Columbia-Barnard chorus, and College Organist at Vassar. Her program will be eclectic (Messiaen, Ives, Bach, more) - something for everyone's tastes. Come hear our Cassavant shake the rafters. Tickets $20; Seniors $15; $5 Students Meet the Artist reception follows each performance.

ADVENT WREATH FRAMES

If you purchased an Advent Wreath from us this year, please drop the frame off in the narthex or bring it by the office during the week so that we can recycle in the coming year. Many thanks

ANNUAL NOMINATIONS PROCESS CONTINUES 

The nominating committee is now receiving names of potential candidates for election to the following positions: three vestry persons (three-year terms), two delegates and two alternate delegates to the diocesan convention, and four persons to serve on the next nominating committee along with the retiring vestry persons. Nominating forms are available in the narthex. Name will be received until January 13, 2012, and elections take place at the annual meeting on February 10, 2013. Want to know more?   Talk to anyone on the Nominating Committee: Beth Paskowski, Chair, Tom Burns, Pat Cose, Cindy Cox, Peggy Gilbert, Jeanette Matthews, Emily Nevill, or to Mo. Alon. 

BOOK GROUP INVITES YOU TO JANUARY DISCUSSION

Our next book group selection is New York Times-bestselling author Anne Lamott's new book Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers, about three simple prayers essential to coming through tough times, difficult days and the hardships of daily life.We'll meet at church at 7:30pm on Wednesday, January 9.

New members are always welcome!

TWO DIOCESAN EVENTS TO NOTE:
Saturday, January 5 - Celebration of Bishop Sisk's Episcopacy

Saturday, February 2 - Installation of Bishop Dietsche as 16th Bishop of New York

Both events will take place at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine at 10:30am, and will be followed by receptions in Synod Hall.

Our longtime hostess, Julia Ann Colt, will be taking a leave of absence from her Sunday duties here beginning in January.  She has been a treasure in her role here, embodying the spirit of hospitality. If you, or someone you know, would like to discuss the possibility following in her footsteps, please speak with Mo. Alon, or contact the office for details on the position.

THANK YOU to those who have made their pledge for 2013:     

In order for us to finalize a budget for approval at the February 10, 2013 annual meeting,

it is vital for your pledge to be in by year-end!

MISPLACED YOUR PLEDGE PACKET?   Click here for the materials.

Your Stewardship Committee: Jim Gilbert, chair

KEEP IN TOUCH

PARTING THOUGHT