Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. It is the end of the day. Over two-hundred-fifty people have just left the building having honored and celebrated the life of Rose King. What a testimony to her faithful life.

To everything there is a season - a difficult lesson but so true. As we quickly move through Epiphany, plans are being made for the Lenten season. It is very early this year. Ash Wednesday is February 6, and Easter is March 23. You will see by the schedule that weekly Forums on Tuesday evenings will replace the Bible study - only during Lent. These Forums are for everyone to visit with fellow parishioners of our neighboring Episcopal churches. A simple supper of soup and bread will begin at 6:30 PM. St. Anne's will host the first one on February 12. In addition to the weekly Forums, there again will be the Ecumenical Lenten Lunches, and Pete Jeffrey will lead the Stations of the Cross every Friday at 7:30 PM.

Please come to the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 27. There will be ONE service at 9:30 AM followed by a healthy brunch. Child care will be provided. It will be a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, election of a vestry as well as presentations and comments by anyone who wants to say anything. The new directories are in so they will be handed out too.

Blessings,

Peggy

Lent/Easter 2008

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. During this season of Lent we have experienced a variety of liturgies from the Decalogue and Pentitential Order to the Great Litany - each providing an opportunity to assess our lives, make some changes and move forward. We have also been enriched and challenged by Lenten Forums organized by Rev. Gay Cox and hosted by the Greater Lowell area Episcopal churches which feature a particular aspect of mission each week. The Ecumenical Lenten lunches continue to provide fellowship and a different worship experience each week.

All of this leads quickly to Holy Week - the liturgical response to Jesus' final days. We are asked to pause in our busy lives; to pray, eat and weep with Him as He prepares to die on the cross; a Godforsaken shameful death know to criminals and slaves. We are asked to bring our own fears, doubts and weaknesses to the foot of the cross - carefully and silently. Why we wonder. The answer is to be found in further questions. How many of us are ready for God's unannounced presence in our midst? Or the genuine hope of a new tomorrow, a new beginning when it seems most unlikely? The victory of Easter is about experiencing these holy mysteries in our daily lives.

So please come and enter into as much of the rhythm of Holy Week as your time allows. To you and yours...

A most Blessed Easter,

Peggy

September 2008

Peace be with you.

This comes hoping that your summer has been restful and renewing and finds you ready to engage in the life of St. Anne's again. The program year begins with the Welcome Back Brunch on September 14th hosted by the vestry. This year there will be ONE service on that day at 9:00am (Rite I with music). The brunch follows. Please bring photos of your vacations to share with friends. The six campers will be given a large collage of photos of their week at the BCH Camp. If you haven't returned your Church School registration form you will be able to fill one out then.

This summer the Presbyterian Church-USA forged a closer relationship with the Episcopal Church. Now clergy can share pulpits and tables with the blessing of the local Bishop and Session. I have always liked the depth and seriousness of the Presbyterian Church School materials. This year we will be using one of their curricula called "We Believe" for grades 4,5,6 - a survey of the Old Testament. We are happy that Lisa Kinser will be joined by Ed Giroux, Judy MacPherson, Janet Blesso, Doris Hamner and Jose Torres. It will be a wonderful class and I hope that our young people will take the time to attend.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will continue to be offered for those ages 3 - 9, by Ron Desmarais and Brenda Komarinski. This is a Montessori type learning experience with early spiritual formation around the sacraments as the goal. They would like to train parents (or other interested parishioners) how to lead a class so that the burden of every class doesn't rest on them alone.

The Tuesday Bible Study will resume on September 16th - at 10:00am and 7:30pm. The course this year is entitled "The Historical Jesus" and is taught by Prof. Bart D. Ehrman of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It will be very different from some courses you may have heard of with the same name. Classes are held in the Nichols Room.
There will also be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for the newcomers and inquirers "Welcome to the Episcopal Church" course. It will meet beginning Saturday, Sept. 27th at 10:00am. During the first meeting we will determine the meeting times going forward. This is a six week course that answers questions on history, worship, polity, mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church. It is for anyone - newcomer or old-timer.

There are also several educational opportunities offered at the Deanery Workshops at Christ Church, Andover on Saturday, October 25th. I urge you all to look at the listing included in this issue and consider attending. We have changed the calendar to make this day available because there are so many workshops that will enhance the ministries you already do.

We have not had a meeting of the fair committee yet but the date has been set for December 6th. Please put the date on your calendar and think about how you would like to help. There are no doubt things left out of this letter that should be included. In advance I apologize.

We are off and running!

Blessings,

Peggy

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. Every year I am touched that the busy season actually begins with four weeks of slowing down, keeping watch - seeing where we've been as we look forward to the hopes of new days. The season will begin this year with an Advent Quiet day led by Deacon Gay. It will be Saturday, November 29 from 10 AM to 1 PM. To insure a peaceful space for your prayers and reflections the church will be locked from 10:30-12:30.

On Sunday, November 30 - the first Sunday in Advent our liturgical ministers will be commissioned and/or licensed. This year several new people have come forward for which we give thanks. Here is a complete schedule of activities for Advent at St. Anne's. Please come and share your presence with others and be part of the tradition of reenacting the mystery of God with us now and forever. Emmanuel.

Saturday, November 29, 10 AM - 1 PM - Advent Quiet Day
Sunday, November 30, 8 AM & 10 AM - Commission and license liturgical ministers
Saturday, December 6, 10 AM - 2 PM - "The Sights, Sounds and Smells of Christmas" fair;
5 PM, a Ham and Bean supper and the Gift Part book drawing.
Sunday, December 14, After the 10 AM service - Greening of the church
Sunday, December 21, 10 AM - the Christmas Pageant under the leadership of Lisa Kinser (PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE SERVICE THIS DAY.)
Wednesday, December 24, Christmas Eve Day
1 PM - Festival Service of Holy Eucharist - a formal service tea follows
10:30 PM - A Carole Sing
11 PM - Midnight Mass - Festival Service of Holy Eucharist
Thursday, December 25, Christmas Day - There will be NO services.

Christmas Blessings to you and yours!

Peggy