Dear People of Saints James and Andrew,
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It was such a joy to be together for worship and fellowship on March 3rd for Bishop Doug’s visitation. Neither daylight savings time, a combined service, nor any amount of snow would keep us from worship that morning. The highlight of the day was surely the confirmation of Emmy Phelps and Ray Zimmer. Bishop Doug’s visitation is an important reminder that our parish is more than just Saints James and Andrew. We are part of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, which is part of the Episcopal Church in the United States, which is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion--one of the largest Christian denominations. We are the Jesus Movement!
There are many ways we engage in the wider church, but we don’t necessarily remember to share that and celebrate it in our local parish. Here are a few of the people that are involved in the wider church right now:
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Elizabeth Keitel was newly appointed by the bishop to the Board of Examining Chaplains; in this ministry she’ll be assessing General Ordination Exams, a test required of all candidates seeking ordination to the priesthood, and reviewing Learning Portfolios of candidates for ordination to the vocational diaconate.
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Fred Momaney and Princy Stotz both serve as Trustees for the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, a corporation entrusted with overseeing diocesan funds, as well as, parish endowments, such as the one SsJA keeps with the trustees.
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Andy Levchuk serves as the Church Attorney for our diocese, where he functions as the attorney representing the church in clergy discipline concerns.
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Maggie Sweeney serves as a Delegate to General Convention of the Episcopal Church (2018), where she is one of a handful of folks representing our diocese in the House of Deputies. This is the body that makes changes to church law, prayers and worship, and policy. She is actively working on the General Convention Creation Care team right now.
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Deacon Ann routinely meets with deacons throughout our diocese, as well as, throughout the New England states.
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Our Associate Rector, Molly, supports people in the process of formation for ordination both as the Chair of the diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains and as a member of the Commission on Ministry. She is also the Intake Officer for the diocese, assisting the bishop in the clergy discipline process by hearing and processing complaints of clergy misconduct and consulting on safe church issues. This spring she is taking part in a training program to develop a team of coaches available to clergy, lay leaders and parishes in the diocese.
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I currently am serving my second term on Diocesan Council, which is a bit like the Vestry for our diocese who handles work between diocesan conventions. I also serve on a Council Subcommittee called Resourcing for Mission, the Nominating Committee for diocesan convention, and the diocesan Budget and Finance Committee. Recently, I was invited by Canon Rich Simpson to engage in some ecumenical training to become certified as a clergy coach. This work will take me away from parish life for an entire week in April and again in November, and more later on as I start to use the coaching skills in whatever way our diocese needs me to use them.
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Many more people from the parish have served as delegates to diocesan convention over the years. This year Charlie Houghton, Julie Orvis, and Alan Kurkulonis will represent our parish.
While much of this work happens behind the scenes, from time to time it does take us from parish life. Yet sharing our time and energy with the wider church, is a way for us to partake and support the Body of Christ beyond our own neighborhood. It’s a way to build bonds of affection with people from all across our diocese, the wider church in America, and beyond.
If you are interested in learning more about any of these ministries, or about getting involved in a ministry of the Diocese, please do not hesitate to speak to one of the clergy.
Peace,
Rev. Heather
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The Green Team is sponsoring a 100 Mile Potluck Lunch on Sunday, March 31 in the Parish Hall from noon to 2 pm. For a 100 Mile Potluck bring a dish made with ingredients raised or grown within 100 miles of Greenfield. Reserve the date and begin planning what to prepare! More information in our next newsletter and in upcoming announcements in church. Call or text Ella Ingraham at 860-684-4420 if you have questions or would like to volunteer.
Join the event on Facebook.
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Safe Church Training for SsJA Volunteers: We are offering a training on Sunday, April 7 from 12-3 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Recommended for all volunteers; required for volunteers for the vestry and those who work in our outreach ministries, sunday school, ushering, or on the altar. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the Chapel hallway.
The class will be taught by our Faith Community Nurse, Kathryn Aubry-McAvoy. kaubrymcavoy@aol.com
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Maundy Thursday Vigil: Starting after the Maundy Thursday service on April 18 and continuing through the night until 8:00 a.m. on the morning of Good Friday, there will be a vigil held in All Saints Chapel. We are asking for two volunteers to stay for one-hour shifts through the night. This will be a self-directed time of prayer, reflection, personal connection, and contemplation. Readings and meditations will be available for personal reflection and enrichment. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board across from the Meeting Room (coming soon). Questions? Please contact Nancy Maleno at nkmaleno@gmail.com.
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Easter Happens. Then What? We have been working our way towards Easter as the culmination, and after Easter Sunday we may find ourselves asking then what? What was Jesus doing after the resurrection? What were the disciples up to? What should we be doing? Join us after church on Sunday, April 28 from 11:45-1 p.m. in the Meeting Room for a discussion. Please feel free to bring a brown bag lunch. Questions? Please speak to Ben Cluff at bhcluff@yahoo.com or Karis Post at karispost@gmail.com.
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Save the Dates
October 25-27 Parish Retreat at YMCA Silver Bay Conference & Family Retreat Center on beautiful Lake George in New York. This parish retreat is meant for all ages - the whole familly. There will be opportunities for spiritual formation, fellowship, rest and relaxation, and maybe even a talent show. SsJA will be staying in the Bayview accommodation and the cost will be $131/adult/night at double occupancy, $65/youth/night and $46/child/night. This rate includes all meals, programming and use of meeting spaces. More information coming soon. If you think you are interested in signing up, please email Rev. Heather at heather.blais@gmail.com.
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Spring Sunday School Schedule
March 24 and 31, 9:30 a.m.
April 14, 9:00 a.m. (9 a.m. Combined Service)
April 28, 9:30 a.m.
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Easter Flowers: If you would like to give flowers in thanksgiving for or in memory of a loved one please make a donation in the Easter Flower envelopes available outside the chapel, in the office, or on Sunday's with the ushers and return your envelope to the office by Sunday, April 7th. Please write ‘Easter flowers’ in the memo line. If you give online, please email the office the names the flowers are given for.
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Return to Main Sanctuary: On Sunday, April 7 we will return to the main sanctuary after spending three winter months in our Winter Sanctuary in the Parish Hall.
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Transitions
- On Sunday, March 10, 2019, Ray Zimmer and Emmy Phelps were confirmed by the Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher.
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Thank you for responding to our appeal. Because of your response, we are within reach of eliminating the deficit. We are still gratefully accepting increased pledges and special gifts.
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The Vestry has traditionally raised funds for mission. We began discussing what we may do this year. If you have ideas, please speak to a member of the vestry.
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We attended Parish Leadership Day and learned SO MUCH about ALL GOD HAS ENTRUSTED US WITH.
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
And in this Green Team tip we’re considering Reduce, a life style for the environmentally aware. Lent is a particularly good time to practice reducing our consumption and not necessarily of our favorite food indulgence. We can develop good habits such as cutting back on using one-use plastic bags, wrap or containers. We could also practice reducing our trash by recycling more carefully or reduce the amount of food we buy in styrofoam packaging with plastic wrap or reduce buying new items by reusing those we already have. Our creative minds can find little ways to adjust our behavior that will contribute to a more sustainable future.
A prayer: Creator God, we can choose to live differently! Inspire us as we make choices so that we will recognize the impact our lives have on our environment and all life around the globe. We pray to the Lord: Dear Lord, Father and Mother, help us to reclaim the future!
-Ella Ingraham for the Green Team
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Prayer List: Names are on the list for 4 weeks, then removed. Feel free to add a name again.
Joel, Ryan, Phoebe, Dan, Leo, Linda, Alan, and Angela.
Contribute to The Newsletter: by emailing the office by April 1, 2019. Published on the first and third Thursdays of the month.
Our Mission: We believe God is calling us to cultivate a community of love, joy, hope, and healing. Jesus is our model for a life of faith, compassion, hospitality, and service. We strive to be affirming and accessible, welcoming and inclusive; we seek to promote reconciliation, exercise responsible stewardship, and embrace ancient traditions for modern lives.
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