February 2003

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. This is the eve of Groundhog Day and I am wondering what the rest of the winter has in store for us. The Farmer's Almanac (I am told) predicts a storm similar to the blizzard of '78 in mid-February. It is also true that Groundhog Day is a secular reference to Candelmas, a time to bless and give thanks for the many ways that Jesus is the light of the world in our midst. A better thought!!!!!!!

The Annual Meeting was a huge success, from all those who took the time to come and participate, to the wonderful brunch that the Youth of the parish prepared, to the thoughtful reports that were submitted. Thank you one and all for making the day so much fun. The youth who entertained us are very talented and we thank them very much for sharing their gifts with us.

As the year gets off to a busy start, the vestry will pause the first weekend of the month and reflect on where we are as a parish family. They will start to think about ways in which we can improve communication, the welcoming of newcomers, education and all those things that make us proud to be Episcopalians. As is our custom, they will preach the sermon following the retreat on February 9. Please come and hear what they have to say and even ask them any questions you might have.

If you are interested in being Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church by the laying of hands by the Bishop, please let me know so I can make arrangements with Bishop Cederholm. He will be with us on October 3. Those who are Received are from the Roman Catholic tradition; all others are Confirmed.

We will be hosting the first of the Lenten Lunches again this year on March 5. The St. Elizabeth's Guild will be preparing the luncheon. I will be sharing the service with Sr. Mary Coffey, who is the chaplain at the Life Care Center. A listing of other dates with clergy is listed in the Upcoming Events link on this website. The services will be held at the Congregational Church on Andover Road. The luncheon begins at 11:50 AM with the service beginning at 12:30 PM.

Another thank you to Sandy Giroux who has organized and planned for us to have another Pampered Chef party on February 15 at 2:00 PM. Please plan to come and enjoy the good cooking of Jen Kidwell - and bring a friend. All proceeds will benefit St. Anne's.

Unfortunately I will miss the party because I will be on vacaion from February 15-23. In my absence the Rev'd Jim Knudsen will supply on Sundays. You may remember Rev'd Knudsen as one of the interim rectors who was here in 1996 before I came. If there is an emergency, please call the church. One of the wardens will be covering and will get back to you.

If you have an interest in producing the newsletter or maintaining the web site, would you please call me. Thank you.

We all listen to the new events with perked ears these days fearful of war with Iraq. If you have a loved one in the armed services would you please give me their names. I would like to put them on the prayer list during this time.

Did you know that Marion Clark has made a beautiful quilt for us? The proceeds of the opportunities will be put in the Altar Improvement Fund. You may purchase tickets from her or from Pat Simpson at any time. Tickets are $5. The drawing will be on Easter Sunday. If you are wondering how the Altar Improvement Fund is doing: To date there is $9,700 in the fund to replace the $10,500 that was borrowed from the Land sale proceeds. Thank you everyone who contributed.

Be well dear friends.

Faithfully,

Peggy

May 2003

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. As the program year winds down, there is much to be thankful for. Thank you for being good mentors of our 4th, 5th and 6th graders; thank you Ron for taking so many weekend courses to provide stability and training of teachers in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Thank you Altar Guild, Acolytes, Marion and Choir, and all liturgical ministers for your dedication and hard work Sunday after Sunday. Thank you Gardening Angels for sprucing up the grounds. Thank you St. Elizabeth Guild for hosting the Ash Wednesday ecumenical Lenten Lunch and various receptions. Thank you Anneacreons for the purchase of the television for the Nichols Room and Harvey Hopkins for the stand. Thank you Al and Harvey for maintaining our buildings so well and for helping the Explorer's Preschool to feel comfortable. Thank you Thrift Shop workers who probably sort through more donations than the Salvation Army at times. They deserve our utmost respect! Thank you M.O.M.'s group for beginning a new ministry at St. Anne's. Thank you Vestry members for your faithful and prayerful consideration of our temporal needs. Thank you Holiday Fair workers and the good ladies of the Easter Star who organized the Gift Party Books and dinner. Thank you Jeff Dirk for painting the church and to Tom Blesso and crew for the major renovation to the sanctuary. Thank you to Louise Hunt and Jean Mansfield for making the stained glass window project so successful. The difficulty in mentioning a list is that someone may not be on a specific list. Please know that each one of you is special and that the gift of you is what matters.

As we wind down, plans are in motion for a busy Fall. We hope to organize another pictorial directory and host another annual All-Parish Event at the Masonic Lodge once again. We look forward to the leadership of the M.O.M.'s group in the area of a support group for young mothers as well as structuring a nursery in the overflow. We look forward to another social group and the beginning of an Alpha program too.

Indeed, as we look forward, we can say with confidence: This has been a very good year!

May God bless you with restful times this summer.

Faithfully,

Peggy

September 2003

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. The summer was way too short. You probably haven't had enough rest or
relaxation and here we are with another busy fall. Hopefully, you have missed the rhythm of activity and are looking forward to the Welcome Back Brunch on September 14. This will be a great time to reconnect and to register the children for church school. There is a new program in place for those in grades 4, 5, and 6, which will be taught solely by Lisa Kinser.

We also look forward to the All Parish Event, the Bishop's visitation, a new pictorial directory, and a new cookbook. I am very pleased that another M.O.M.'s group will begin and all new moms will be contacted. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the church.

The acolytes will meet on Sunday, September 7 following the 10 AM service. I am happy to
announce that Mrs. Karen Jedfrey will be the new acolyte director. Shawn Regis will continue as head acolyte. We look forward to a fun year working together.

The Altar Guild welcomes two new members, Lucy Ann Young and Jean Ray. We begin a new year with brunch on September 6. On the same day at lunchtime, the choir will meet to begin the Fall music program. If you would like to be a part of the choir, please call Marion Clark.

As we move through the year, we look forward to starting an Alpha program here in January.
More information will follow. This program looks at basic faith questions over a tem week period by listening to videos and then sharing thoughts in a small group setting. The evening begins with dinner. Cindy Hopkins will direct this program. Call Cindy for any questions.

The Thrift shop workers have worked tirelessly to redecorate the Thrift Shop. They need help however. If you have any time between 10 AM to 2 PM on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays, please go over and let them know. You will be enriched by the outreach that they provide.

New windows have been installed in the Nichols room as well as an air conditioner. We are hoping that with good ventilation, we will be able to use that room for more meetings.

As we move through the season of Pentecost, we are aware of the growth and struggles of the early church. We also enjoy growth and God's abundant blessings in so many ways. One of the struggles of the early concerns peoples' feelings about the election of an openly gay bishop in NH. I am enclosing some insightful remarks written in a NH newsletter that you might find helpful.

As always, I look forward to seeing you on Sundays, and hearing from you anytime.

Faithfully,

Peggy

November 2003

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. As this is being written, we await the Olan Mills photographers and the completion of another pictorial directory. Many thanks to Rita Etherington who scheduled the sittings and to Pat Simpson who will greet you at the door. Thank you to Jean Mansfield who so graciously provides us with photos of all events to be included in it. Thank you one and all for participating in the project.

The Bishop's visit was joy-filled as Bud Cederholm confirmed and received eleven new members into the church. The event followed the All Parish Event the night before. Thank you for the high energy level at both events. So many people worked tirelessly, it would not be possible to mention you all. Thank you everyone.

As we move into November, we are mindful that a budget must be drafted for the coming year. If you haven't completed you stewardship card yet please do so. (The Finance Committee hopes to have them in hand by the first of November.) We figure the budget and programs based on these cards. Thank you for supporting the life and ministry of this parish family. I have included a chart of the various accounts that we rely on so you will have a better overall picture of our finances. The health of this parish depends on your willingness to support it. Not an easy task in a soft economy.

Many people are working very hard on the Holiday Fair which will be Nov. 15. At 5 PM there will be a ham and bean supper and a party-book night after the fair. This year there are 126 opportunities to win very nice gifts.

The cookbook is just about completed. It needs a name and so there is a contest. Please submit your thoughts to the church.

There is a very dedicated group of people redecorating the Thrift Shop and the donations keep coming in. If you haven't stopped in for awhile please do - you'll be very impressed.

Once again we will have a Thanksgiving Eve service of Holy Eucharist - mindful that all that we have and all that we are comes from God and not of our own doing.

Faithfully,

Peggy