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June 2007 |
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LIFE TOGETHER |
GOOD NEWS |
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The liturgical season of Pentecost is upon us. Pentecost is about fulfillment and mission. It is about proclaiming the good news in languages that each person can understand. Since ancient times people were divided into tribes or nations, and they spoke in a variety of languages, but with the gift of God's Spirit they have become united. In the Jewish tradition, Pentecost is known as the Feast of Weeks, because it occurs seven weeks, or fifty days after Passover. Originally, it was a celebration of the wheat harvest. As they prepared for the Feast of Pentecost, the Jews would keep an all-night vigil during which they read the themes of harvest and covenant from the Scriptures. The readings were interspersed with the singing of psalms and spiritual hymns. Some prophecies were also read, including the Prophecy of Joel, which said, "I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit." (Joel 2:28-29) Jesus' disciples heard these prophetic words with eager expectation. They must have sensed their imminent fulfillment, because when they returned from the temple and gathered in the Upper Room for morning prayers, suddenly, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit descended upon them. "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability." (Acts 2:1-4) |
The gift of the Holy Spirit marked the fulfillment or completion of the redemptive work of Christ. A new day had arrived, and from that time forward the Spirit of God would abide in the world, in the Church, and in each one of us. The Day of Pentecost is a constant reminder of our own baptism. "For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and we were all made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Cor. 12:13) During this season, which continues for 26 weeks until the First Sunday in Advent, let us focus our energies on our spiritual growth in the life of Christian witness and service. There is much to do as we minister to the needs of all our people and reach out to those in our surrounding communities. There is much satisfaction to be gained through service to others; our worship of thanksgiving and praise to God is a reflection and an offering of all that we do. May this season be one of fulfillment of Christs redemptive work throughout our St. Marks parish community, and may we share this good news with all who come and visit. May they come and explore with us, and may we all come and grow together in the life of Gods Spirit. The Rev. David A. Ames |
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PASTORAL CARE: We are looking forward to our now Annual Senior Luncheon. We have about 40 people signed up to attend. We continue to serve our sick and shut-ins and ask you to pray for all of them as they continue in our prayers. We especially ask your prayers for Russell and Shirley Grant. Russell is in Surgical Intensive Care at Rhode Island Hospital. We also ask your prayers for Doris Kirby who is out of the Hospital and at Hattie Ide Chaffee Nursing Home. Barbara Gaboury is still at Epoch Health Center. We will miss all of them at our Luncheon but rejoice in the number of those who will be attending. It is a great time for our seniors and others to get together with one another to "catch up" on news. Thank you to all who help with this event, especially those who lovingly contribute food, transportation, and monetary donations. Thank you also to our faithful Youth Group for all their help with the Luncheon. Jeanne Mason Committee Chair |
JUNIOR WARDEN REPORT: As some of you may know at the May Breakfast the Smoke Alarm was activated and the Fire Department did not show up. After a fifteen minute wait, they finally called 911 to find out that the signal did not go through. After spending all that money to update the system, we found out it was not working. It is no fault of the companys that have worked on the updated system. Last week we thought it was the communicator board in the master alarm box, but now that they found a remade board, it is still not working. FSSG is the company that is working on solving the problem and we are praying that will happen soon. The Master Alarm Box is at least 30 years old and we hope we do not have to replace it right now as it will cost at least $7000. We are working diligently to get it working again and, in fact, as I am writing this, they are working on it. Rod is busy working on replacing our old furnaces with new and more energy efficient ones. We also need to look into removing our underground oil storage tank and replacing it with one that will be in the basement. Stay tune for updates next month! Jeanne Mason Junior Warden |
JUNE & JULY OUTREACH: The local Food Bank is looking for kid friendly foods. It is summer time when some kids are left to fend for themselves. Help them by making sure there is something to eat in their cupboards. Items like; mac & cheese, cereal, snack bars, peanut butter, jelly, and juice boxes etc. Baskets are located in the Narthex to collect food donations. Thank you to all who help fill the baskets, our local food bank, and all the hungry tummies. Debi Cook |
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YOUTH GROUP: The Youth Group will continue to meet over the summer. We plan to go out for hot dogs and ice cream, miniature golf, and hopefully a small getaway one weekend. Check the notices in the bulletin on Sundays to find out when and what we are up to. Youth Group Leader Sue Rossi |
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GUEST PREACHER IS COMING: On June 3rd, the Rev. J. Daniel Burke will celebrate and preach. Our Interim Rector, David Ames and his wife Carol will be in Geneva, Switzerland as guests of our US Trade Representative to the World Trade Organization. |
DID YOU KNOW?: The first service for St. Marks was held October 20, 1880 at the residence of Miss Rebecca Humphreys on Wednesday Evening at 7:30 PM. The first worship was Evening Prayer with a sermon on St. Matthews chapter 8 verse 8. There were ten persons present, three of whom came from Riverside. The Rev. William Chapin, Rector of St. Johns Parish officiated. He knew of several confirmed persons living in the place and he thought they should be ministered unto. Beverly Colvin |
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN: The Annual E.C.W. Banquet is Saturday, June 9th at Old Grist Mill in Seekonk, MA. We have great newsBetty McVay has stepped up tto receive the gavel from Linda Lawson and will take over as the President of E.C.W. Thank you, Mrs. McVay!!!!!!!!! The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 4th at 7:00 PM, when they will have an installation of new officers. Linda Lawson |
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WHATS COMING UP AT ST. MARKS CHURCH Strategic Planning Committee: Meetings are Thursdays, June 7th & 28th at 7:00 PM. E.C.W. Banquet: Saturday, June 9th at 12 Noon at the Old Grist Mill Restaurant in Seekonk , MA Town Meeting: Sunday, June 10th after the 10:00 AM service. All parishioners are welcome. Vestry Meeting: Second Tuesday of the month, June 12th at 7:00 PM. Paw Sox Game: On Fathers Day June 17th the parish is going to McCoy Stadium at 1:05 PM. 50 tickets were sold out! Deadline for Good News: Tuesday, June 19th for the July newsletter. Colt Park: Sunday, June 24th at 10:00 AM a combined service and picnic with St. Marys, St. Matthews, & St. Marks. Join us for a fun day! Summer Time Hours: Beginning Sunday, July 1st we will have one service at 9:00 AM. Office closed: The office will be closed from July 1st until July 9th and will reopen on Tuesday, July 10th while the Parish Administrator is on vacation. The Rev. David A. Ames will be available for any pastoral needs or concerns during this time. |
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WAHOO! Vacation Bible School is Monday, July 23rd to Friday 27th 9: 00 AM to 12 Noon, and our closing program on Sunday, July 29th at the 9:00 AM service. Registration forms are on the small table near the library. Ages pre-school to 5th grade may enroll. Older teens are welcome and needed to help with the Crews. Please see Myra Duhamel if you can help. Have you make a donation by buying a prairie dog? Thank you! If not you still can, $1.00 for a small prairie dog and $2.00 for a large one. Also, a poster and sign-up sheet for snack donations is now in the library area. Please have all snacks in by Sunday, July 15th. VBS is a very important ministry and we feel it is just as important not to charge the children who come. We thank you very much for all your donations that help keep this ministry going. |
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MAY BREAKFAST: A good time and fantastic meal was had by all. We made $1,069.50 net!! Thank you to all who volunteered. Thank you for all the donations of milk, juices, etc. Thank you for donations to assist with food costs. Special thanks to Kelly Pacheco, our egg flipper extraordinaire. We could have never lived up to our claim to fame of eggs to order without her. Our youth group and children were a huge help serving and clearing tables. Thanks also to Keith Bernard for his extra efforts obtaining advertisements for our placemat. Thank you to Mike and Sue, Rod, Mary, Nancy, Norma, Debi, Kaitlin, Jillian, Laurie, Steven, Jessica and Clay, Cameron and Alex, Victoria and Thomas. And thank you to all who supported this event and came and enjoyed our wonderful May Breakfast. We hope you all had as much fun as we did! Looking forward to next year Linda Vieira |
JUNE & JULY OUTREACH: The local Food Bank is looking for kid friendly foods. It is summer time when some kids are left to fend for themselves. Help them by making sure there is something to eat in their cupboards. Items like; mac & cheese, cereal, snack bars, peanut butter, jelly, and juice boxes etc. Baskets are located in the Narthex to collect food donations. Thank you to all who help fill the baskets, our local food bank, and all the hungry tummies. Debi Cook |
PROFILE: The Profile Committee has submitted a draft of its report to the Vestry for review and editing. The Committee will meet again to review the report and receive further input from committee members. Bob Tuthill |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
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HAPPY FATHERS DAY Sunday, June 17th, take dad to the ball game.
WELCOME TO
OUR Timothy Christopher Tomlinson, who was baptized on Sunday, May 20, 2007. |
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