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January 10-20, 2013

News & Notes


Dear Faithful People of Saint Peter's Church:

Thank you.

 

I want to share with you one of the many expressions of gratitude I heard from the people of Sion last Sunday.  It comes from the 93-year-old matriarch of that community.  "I haven't felt this welcome and felt my culture appreciated in the Lutheran Church since I left Puerto Rico in 1925!"  I can't imagine a more moving commentary on what it means  to be the Body of Christ at worship.  For the extraordinary reverence of all our assisting ministers; for the amazing collaboration of our musicians, choir and dancers; for the faithful witness of all who worshiped together here at 11:00 on Sunday and for the continued visionary willingness which you, the faithful People of Saint Peter's express in days like January 6, thank you! 

 

"Three wonders mark the Epiphany of our Lord"  That's how an ancient introduction to these days expresses it. Last Sunday we experienced the first of these wonders: a star leading the magi to the Christ Child.  These next two Sundays celebrate the other two.  This Sunday, Jesus is revealed as the Christ in the waters of baptism; and next Sunday Jesus' first miracle: water is made wine at the wedding feast. 

 

The Sanctuary will remain in "collegial configuration."  Liturgies on each of these Sundays will include liturgical dance.  For this Sunday, Eric Stewart has written a new piece of music and members and friends of Saint Peter's, newly organized as Dance@Saint Peter's, are  the choreographers and dancers.  Here are the details: 

 

Title of Choreography: Ruach

Choreographer/Director: Hannah Barnard

Dancers/Choreographic Collaborators: Roberto C. Lara Aranda, Hannah Barnard, Christine Jordan, Emily Petry, Gwendolyn Petry.

Composer: Eric Stewart

Musicians: Thomas Schmidt (organ), Sharon Gunderson (violin) and Eric Stenshoel (cello).

 

Synopsis: The Hebrew word Ruach is taken to mean wind, breath, mind, spirit. Ruach Elohim (the breath/spirit of God) indicates God's creative activity. In Luke's account of Jesus' baptism, we see the breath of God (Ruach Elohim) powerfully burning and cleansing, humbly praying, gently alighting, lovingly pronouncing. We also see the breath of God circulating among the three persons of the Trinity as a dance of self-giving love. The choreography attempts to capture some of these beautiful characteristics of Ruach apparent in Jesus' baptism. 

  

Epiphany is also  a time to celebrate the gifts God gives to members of Christ's Body. (Note the second readings from 1 Corinthians beginning January 20). We have many gifts among us to celebrate!

 

AND  

 

We still need USHERS, COMMUNION BREAD BAKERS, SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS and ALTAR LINEN LAUNDERERS.  Two of these, baking and laundering, can be done from home. 

Please contact me if you are able to help! 

  

Peace and Joy,

Derr

Amandus J. Derr

Senior Pastor

IN THIS ISSUE
Dear Faithful People
Where are they?
Praying Together
Newcomers
Education and Enrichment
Community and Fellowship
Dance
Art & Music
Opportunities to Serve
2012 Contribution Statements
OFFICIAL NOTICE
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WHERE ARE THEY?

Pastor Jared R. Stahler is in Atlanta, Georgia, Monday, January 14 - Thursday, January 17 for a consultation on liturgical texts hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  

 

Kathy Burt, Director of Finance and Operations, is away on vacation Saturday, January 12 - Tuesday, January 22. Inquiries in Kathy's absence should be directed to Rolando Mallari. 

 

TOGETHER WITH THE CHURCHES
AROUND THE WORLD

We give thanks for relative stability between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities on the island nation of Cyprus and pray that the recent discovery of offshore oil and natural gas reserves in the region will lead to further peace.  We pray for success in recently announced disarmament talks between Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Worker's Party and the Turkish government.  These talks are an important step towards ending the over twenty-five year old conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives in south-east Turkey.  We pray for those facing unemployment in Greece and Cyprus, where unemployment rates respectively reached 26% and 14% in recent months.

 

 

NEWCOMERS

Saint Peter's is continuously enriched by newcomers within this "communion of diverse people and communities." Three times a year a dinner is hosted in honor of newcomers. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming more deeply connected with Saint Peter's, please join the conversation at the next dinner: Monday, January 28 at 6:30 P.M. in the Plaza Room More information and registration is available at www.saintpeters.org/events or by clicking here.  

 

Newcomers who wish to join the congregation will be received into membership at all the liturgies on Sunday, February 10, Transfiguration Sunday.     

 

 

EDUCATION AND ENRICHMENT

SUNDAY FORA at 10:00 a.m. in the Living Room  

 

January 6, 13, & 20

Pastor Bill Eschen Re-Thinking Evangelism

 


2012-2013 Wednesday Study 

This year's series is "Formation and Re-Formation:  The Holy Spirit and the People of God."

   

Participants meet in the Plaza Room from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. immediately after the 6:00 p.m. Mass for Peace in the chapel. A light supper is served and all are welcome.

 


PARISH WINTER RETREAT

Events on January 26, 2013

9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - In the LINK

Bagels and... at 9:30. 
Light lunch at noon.  
Suggested donation: $15.  Register here. 

 

  

COMMUNITY AND FELLOWSHIP

Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.

Non-fiction book group meets in the Studio to discuss American Massacre: The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 by Sally Denton. 

 


Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.

Movie viewing and Discussion of  The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington.  Hosted by Thelmas Thomas in the Plaza Room.

 


Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 1:15 p.m.

Fiction book group will meet to discuss Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward. 

 


Friday, February 8, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Carnival! celebration in the Living Room, Narthex and Sanctuary
 
DANCE
A number of members and friends of Saint Peter's Church who are dancers, choreographers and musicians are launching "Dance@SaintPeter's." A winter festival runs through February 3. This brochure, also available in the information kiosks in the Narthex, lists the new works presented in various Sunday liturgies.


Dance at Saint Peter's Jan Feb 2013

ART & MUSIC

 

MUSIC                                                   ART

  

Sunday, January 13

5:00 p.m. - Jazz Vespers

Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra

 

6:00 p.m. - Concert



Wednesday, January 16 

1:00 p.m. - Midday Jazz Midtown

Warren Chiasson, vibes

 


Thursday, January 17

1:15 p.m. - Midtown Concerts

 


Sunday, January 20

5:00 p.m. - Jazz Vespers

T. K. Blue Ensemble

 

Now showing in the Living Room Gallery

 

Church:Vignelli  

 

Showing from December 1, 2012

to January 6, 2013/ (it's still there!)


 

Now showing in the Narthex Gallery

 

 

  "Off the Coast of Me"

by artist Stephanie Fuller

Showing from November 16, 2012

to January 6, 2013 

 

 
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
THE MOMENTUM PROJECT 

The Momentum Project continues to serve all those with food security issues:  the disabled, the unemployed, the homeless, seniors, families with children, and those enduring serious illnesses.  Due to severe budget cuts, volunteers are needed for the lunch and dinner program on Tuesdays at Saint Peter's Church:

 

Mondays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for dinner.

Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for lunch.

Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for dinner.

 

If you would like to help with the catering staff and make a difference in your community, please call the Momentum Volunteer Manager, Charles Vaccaro, at 212-691-8100 extension 2104.

    


SAINT PETER'S BREAKFAST PROGRAM 

154 guests were served this past Tuesday.  

7,957 guests were served n 2012, 7,643 guests in 2011.

 

To volunteer, come to the front desk between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings. 
2012 Contribution Statements

If you made any Contributions to Saint Peter's Church in the year 2012, your official tax statement is now available online.  Just log on to ACS, click on "Giving History," and then on "PDF Tax Statement."


statements

 

While you're there, be sure to update your profile and maybe add your picture.  Paper statements will be in the U. S. Mail soon.

 

OFFICIAL NOTICE
At its regular meeting on November 27, 2012, the Parish Council has made the following recommendation for action by the special meeting of Saint Peter's Congregation on Sunday, January 27, 2013:

 

To amend Article 2, subsection 1, (e) of the Trust Indenture by deleting the underlined section:

 

Any income earned by the trust estate and not paid out as part of the Annual Disbursement shall be added to the principal balance and shall not be withdrawn except as provided in this paragraph 1. Beginning the first day of April 2009 the Committee shall annually evaluate the performance of the Trust over the previous five years. Nothwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (b) of this paragraph 1, if the market value of the Supervised Portfolio has fallen more than five percent over any such five year period, the Annual Disbursement for the next fiscal year of the Grantor shall be fixed at the amount of the net income earned by the trust estate during the most recent twelve month period ending the thirty-first day of March.

 

The amended Article 2, subsection 1, (e) would then read:

 

Any income earned by the trust estate and not paid out as part of the Annual Disbursement shall be added to the principal balance and shall not be withdrawn except as provided in this paragraph 1. Beginning the first day of April 2009 the Committee shall annually evaluate the performance of the Trust over the previous five years.