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An Episcopal community sharing the love of Christ since 1702.
When St. Peter's Church received its charter on June 4, 1736, it was customary to pay the trifling sum of one peppercorn per year because all contracts required remuneration of some kind in order to be legal. The charter enabled St. Peter's to buy the property we currently occupy in 1738.  The parish newsletter has long been known as The Peppercorn and we now bring that tradition into the digital world!


January 8 - The First Sunday After Epiphany

Dear Friend,


When should I call a priest?

Pastoral care is an essential part of priestly ministry, often called the "cure of souls," which provides spiritual and emotional support in our Christian journey. In the modern world, we sometimes lose sight of this part of our faith life. Here are some type of pastoral care Episcopal clergy can offer.

Pastoral Counseling - Clergy are not trained to offer therapy but are able to provide spiritual insight and help a person think through dimensions of an issue that weighs on them. Episcopal clergy can help on an issue over a couple of sessions and provide suggestions for referral if more work is desired. 

Spiritual Direction - Some clergy (and laity!) are trained to offer spiritual direction as the dominant part of their vocation. All clergy can help individuals deepen their prayer disciplines and capacity for reflecting on God's presence in their daily lives.

Sacramental Confession - We are all able to confess our sins directly to God and be assured of God's pardon and forgiveness in our repentance. There are times when we may have trouble letting go of a specific issue or knowing that we are forgiven. In those times, the Prayer Book counsels the seeking of a "discreet and understanding" priest for confession and absolution. The seal of confidentiality applies to confession and is generally absolute.

Times of Birth, Sickness and Death - The Prayer Book offers prayers for the birth or adoption of a child, which may be said in the hospital room after delivery, or at the first service in church when parents and child are present. This is a brief and joyous service!

Priestly visitation is also available in times of illness, especially hospitalization or when there is a long absence from church. Anointing for healing and communion from the reserved sacrament are frequently a part of these visits. 

The only pastoral rubric (rule) in the Prayer Book is that the parish priest be notified when a person is near death so the prayers of the Church may be offered. These are traditionally called "Last Rites" and are generally administered when death may be near. There is no hard and fast rule on timing as God is in charge. I remember giving Last Rites to a spouse on the eve of her 70th wedding anniversary as her husband powerfully commended her to God in his prayer. The next day, she was awake and eating anniversary cake with him and lived two more weeks in great spirits until her body said "It's time" and she died gently at night.

Why Pastoral Care? Pastoral Care reminds us of God's love for us, helps us to reconnect our lives to God when they feel fragmented or under assault, and underscores the sacredness of key moments in our lives.

Pastoral Care also depends on the willingness of the parishioner to ask for it! It is never wise to assume that "the priest just knows." I'm always eager to join in these pastoral moments with you. If you have a need, reach out and we will get together.

Blessings to you in this new year,
Dirk+
 
Annual Meeting & Potluck Brunch
January 29, 2017

One Service only at 9:30 am
Annual Meeting & Brunch Immediately Follows

General Announcements


Baptism on January 15!
We look forward to celebrating next at the 10:00 am service the baptism of Layla Grace Sautner, daughter of Mike and Sara Sautner, who joined St. Peter’s this past year.
 
The Women of St. Peter’s will meet on Wednesday, January 11 in Classroom A, downstairs in the Parish House. We will have the usual pot luck luncheon at noon and our business meeting to make financial decisions for this year. Please come and Happy New Year!

We welcome back Music University for music recitals on Saturday, January 14 from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm and Sunday, January 15 from 1:00 to 8:30 pm. These recitals are part of the ongoing hospitality St. Peter’s offers to many music studios in the area who rent our church for their presentations.

Annual Meeting & Potluck Brunch – January 29
Our Annual Meeting and Brunch are soon upon us! There will be on service only at 9:30 am on January 29th with the annual meeting and brunch to immediately follow. 
 
Faith-Based Refugee Resettlement Ministry – February 12
On February 12, 2017 at the 8 and 10 am services, Marian Bauman of the newly-formed Refugee Support Coalition of Freehold and Colts Neck will preach about their resettlement program.  Deacon Catherine will be hosting a table discussion with Ms. Bauman during fellowship hour following each service for those who would like to learn more about this ministry supported by many churches in Monmouth County.

Offering Envelopes are available in the back of the church. If yours is missing, please be sure to let us know!
 


Annual Reports Due for Annual Meeting
 
We are redesigning the format of our Annual Report for the Annual Meeting to make it a more interesting and useful tool for describing our life at St. Peter’s and helping newcomers and visitors more easily connect with our ministries.  If you lead or coordinate a ministry, we need to have a report by January 10.  Here’s the information we’re looking for:
  • Name of Ministry
  • Purpose of Ministry
  • Accomplishment in the Past Year (2016) and any formal reports information you normally provide.
  • Goals for the Upcoming Year (2017) - these can be "more of the same" if appropriate.
  • How to become involved in the ministry, including frequency of service or meetings
  • Two 1-2 sentence quotes from ministry participants about what the ministry means to them.  "I enjoy . . . because . .  ." kind of thing. Just ask a couple of participants, "What do you get out of this and why is it important to you?"  For outreach ministries, one of the quotes can be from a person we serve (such as a community supper guest or housing client or After School student).
  • A photo or two of the ministry, preferably in action, though a group photo is fine. A high-quality cellphone photo is perfect, just make sure it's well lit and in-focus.
Simply email the information to Robin Stewart in the office. Thank you for your leadership.
 
 Save the Date!
January 29, 2017
Annual Parish Meeting & Potluck Brunch
One Service only at 9:30 am
 

Emergency Housing & Advocacy Program
 
 
$10 Houses One Man for One Night
Can you help support the Emergency Housing & Advocacy Program? Your contribution of $10 houses one man for one night during the cold winter months. Each night volunteers welcome, transport, feed and stay with up to twelve homeless men. Print our flyer for details. Your support makes possible one of the most cost-effective and transformative ministries we offer.
 
Can You Provide a Meal for the Housing Program?
Audrey Lotti is coordinating volunteers to provide a hot-cooked meal for the men we house on Tuesday nights as part of the Emergency Housing & Advocacy Program. Many of the men are out on the street all day-in the cold and look forward to a hot cooked meal each night. Audrey  will supply drinks and desserts. If you would like to help out, email Audrey Lotti.  

Faith Formation at St. Peter's!
We welcome all ages to participate in a variety of faith formation programs at St. Peter's.  While we are no longer offering weekly church school for children grades K-6, we have lots of worship, learning, service and fellowship opportunities for all ages. Please check out our website for more details: 
 
Please see Anne Delgado or email her with any questions!
 
 


St. Peter’s Thrift Shop
Now Open 7 Days a Week!

Sunday: 
11:30 – 4:30

Monday – Saturday:
10:00 – 4:00

If you will not be in church on a specific Sunday, you can make your contribution online through our website. Simply chose "contribute" from the menu in the left column of the home page or click below.  You can even set up your contributions so they are paid automatically!
Contribute
Rota for Sunday
December 25, 2016

Scriptures for Christmas Eve

Scriptures for Christmas Day
 

Thanks to those serving at 10:00 am:

Chalice: PhyllisRyer
Acolytes: Spencer Hurley Lector:
Prayers:

Usher: Cathy Weick
Steeple Bells Ringer: High School Students
Depositors: Bruce Edmonds, Susan Jane Story

Thanks to those serving on the Altar Guild this weekend: Phyllis Ryer, Carolyn Wilson, Candy Cooper, Dot Davis, Meg Tweten, Audrey Lotti, Kim Carroll, Karen Barnes 
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St. Peter's Church · 33 Throckmorton Street · Freehold, NJ 07728 · USA

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