Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30
Dear Beloved of All Saints,
Biblical spirituality is a path and practice rooted in the Christian wisdom tradition.
Wisdom teachers were concerned with transforming the whole person from the inside out. Jesus was a teacher in the wisdom tradition. Jesus taught not only about eternal life, but also about present life in the here and now. He taught about how to transform us from egocentricity to compassion; from fear and anger to hope; from scarcity to abundance; from dualism to unity; and from separation to connection. During this season of resurrection, I encourage you to ponder:
What is my part in the future God is wanting me to co-create in this world? What is my unique puzzle piece for God’s dream for a transformed world?
When we spend time with these questions for our inward journey, we come to recognize divine guidance for our outward journey. Then we can become awake to a life that feels as natural as breathing. As we live into our unique way of being in the world, inevitably we engage with others, and that is how the world is transformed.
In the words of Desmond Tutu, “Do your little piece of good where you are.” It is these little pieces of good put together that overwhelm the world. Following Jesus on the paths that he taught, will then ripple out from our lives to heal the world. As Matthew shared above, about Jesus’ desire for us: "Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly."
The resurrection isn't so much something that we believe in, or don't. The resurrection is something God invites us to see—in an empty tomb one Sunday morning and then, through following, by lightening our darkness—and living the Way Of Love. Alleluia!
Marya+
STEPPING STONES PRESCHOOL
I began my journey at Stepping Stones 23 years ago. First as a parent/room mother, then a lead teacher, and finally as the Director. I have absolutely loved every minute of my time at Stepping Stones, but this will be my last year at Stepping Stones Preschool. The 3 Day Class of 2020-21 will be my last graduating class. I will be moving to Western MA this summer, to begin the next chapter of my life. I will not only miss my Stepping Stones' families, but also the Tuesday ASNS knitters, BYBBL lunch crew, and many more!
Stepping Stones will be looking for a new Director, and a 5 Day Class lead teacher. Job descriptions and postings will be emailed to the class, as well as posted on the Stepping Stones' FB page, The ASNS FYI, school and church website, etc. I will be helping in the hiring process. We will be looking for candidates with ties to the Stepping Stones' community. We would like to make this a very smooth transition, and preserve the Stepping Stones' values and traditions of the past 50+ years.
No worries, Stepping Stones will keep everyone informed of what is going on. If you or someone you know is Director or Lead Teacher, certified, and would be interested in working at Stepping Stones, the job posting will be coming out sometime in the very near future.
Thanks
Brenda Karolides - Stepping Stones Preschool Director
Office Hours Update
The Parish Administrator will be on holiday April 20 and 21, returning to the office on April 22.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. We’d like to think that sexual assault doesn’t happen to people in our congregation or community, but the truth is that it happens in every community. This is why it’s so important for us to stay informed. According to RAINN, 1 out of every 6 women is a victim of attempted, or completed, rape in her lifetime. 1 in 33 men is also a victim. Sexual assault is a serious public health crisis that can affect anyone. It’s also a spiritual crisis.
Experiences of sexual assault can be difficult to talk about. The stigma against sexual assault can make victims afraid to speak up. This stigma explains why we often don’t hear about assaults. Additionally, victims are often blamed for the assault, and that can make it doubly difficult for victims to disclose. We all have a critical role to play in supporting survivors of sexual assault. Please, talk to your friends and others in our congregation about your ideas, and if you have concerns, please talk with Deb Lemieux, our advocate, who can be reached at bethelight.asns@gmail.com
Free and confidential resources include the Center for Hope & Healing, Inc. https://chhinc.org/ and the RAINN hotline at (800) 656-HOPE (4673). Additionally, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) at 800-841-8371 is 24/7, barcc.org You can also learn more about sexual violence and faith here at https://www.interfaithpartners.org/our-resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Community Garden by Mike Caitham
Youth Opportunity for DIP's Community Garden
A new, exciting, partnership with North Shore Unitarian Universalist Church has occurred this year, to invite children and youth to dig their hands into the soil and make things GROW!
This year, the youth of our Interfaith Community will have the opportunity to join in this exciting work. We will gather to learn how to garden from seed to table for the benefit of others. Our community garden effort blends faith and agriculture in asking participants to plant, pray and proclaim, with the hope of feeding those in need, while stewarding land and fostering community. All vegetables will be given to the Danvers Food Pantry to support those who are food-insecure in our community.
Registrations are due by May 15 so we can begin our planting at home, in our homemade green houses, before seedlings are planted in the community garden. Please talk it up in your communities as we emerge from the pandemic, and still stay safe with masks on! Registrations can be sent to Susan Haas via email or NSUU Church 323 Locust St. Danvers Ma 01923
Vigil for Black Lives
Please join us this Sunday, April 18, 2021, at Salem Commons for a vigil to honor those lost to police violence.
This will be a space to mourn, and a time to reflect on how we, as a community, can do better. We will use one candle to chain-light all candles in attendance. Please take these home with you - do not litter.
Speakers to be announced.
The Danvers People to People Food Pantry has reopened and needs the following items. Please consider adding a few items to your shopping cart and dropping them off at church on Thursdays between 8:30 and 1:30 pm, or on Sunday Mornings, or at the pantry itself.
KISS THE GROUND unveils a game-changer to our climate crisis: the Earth’s own soil. Here it is...we can reverse global warming. The solution is called “Regenerative Agriculture” and this film presents the research, practice, and hope we need to move forward.
Join us in viewing the 84 minute documentary through this FREE link until April 26.: https://vimeo.com/528990233Password: kiss
If you would like to watch this film and then join a Zoom discussion follow-up, led by our local Master Gardener Susan Haas, on April 17th at 8:30 pm, click here.
Assistance Items Available
If you know someone who is in need of canes, a bed rail, or a walker, please call the office. Also available are a transit chair and Rollator (not pictured).
Deanery and Diocesan News
Please join the North Shore Deanery for a virtual screening of the powerful new documentary
Directed by award winning filmmaker James Rutenbeck,
parishioner of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in the South End
Saturday, April 24th at 9:00 am
The 83-minute film will be followed by a one hour conversation with the filmmakers. Zoom link will be provided at end of film screening. FREE and open to members of all parishes in the North Shore Deanery, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Dear People of the Dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts,
With the advent of spring, our thoughts turn with renewed gratitude to the great gift of God’s creation. “For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” (Song of Solomon 2:11-12)
Our thoughts turn also to the devastation of that created order which continues to unfold around us. With the prophet we ask, “How long will the land mourn, and the grass of every field wither? For the wickedness of those who live in it the animals and the birds are swept away.” (Jeremiah 12:4)
Each year on Ash Wednesday we offer the Litany of Penitence, decrying “our self-indulgent appetites and ways, … our waste and pollution of (God’s) creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us.” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 268) In our stewardship of God’s creation, we are thus called into the fullness of gratitude, repentance, and amendment of our lives.
What follows is a Declaration of Climate Emergency by your bishops. We urge you to read it thoroughly, thoughtfully, and prayerfully, receiving it as both challenge and invitation, and responding with commitment, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher,
Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Western Massachusetts
The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates,
Bishop Diocesan, Diocese of Massachusetts
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris,
Bishop Suffragan, Diocese of Massachusetts
