Easter, 2009

Dear Friends,
Peace be with you. This year will mark the 118th time that people have gathered at St. Anne’s to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. People have come through thick and thin – walking, on horseback or in an automobile. They have sent sons and daughters off to war and have scraped by during the Great Depression. Some have marched during the Civil Rights movement.

They return over and over again because of the promise of new life, of hope, of resurrection made certain in Jesus Christ. We continue to gather because the empty tomb is a life-transforming event and we try to come to terms with the eternal truth of it all.
The truth – that death is not the final word; the final act of creation is Easter and like the first it is all about life. Beyond the darkest hour in all our lives there is light and the hope of new life, a new beginning.

The truth – that when we do some act – any act of evil – God responds with forgiveness and challenges us to do likewise in our relationships with others – even when we are right!

We return to St. Anne’s once again during Holy Week to enter into Jesus’ last days. We each have a role in the drama.
Please come and share yours.

This comes wishing you and yours…

A most Blessed Easter,

Peggy

Dear Friends,

A cool sunny day – yet a sad one. Our dear friend, Bob Newell, died this morning at Lowell General Hospital. He and Margaret were the first people to greet me at St. Anne’s Church thirteen years ago when I came to visit before applying for the position of rector. Many others have expressed similar sentiments. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Anne’s on Saturday, September 5th at 10:00 AM. This letter is written before other arrangements have been made so please look in the newspapers for details. We will also send parish-wide emails.

The program year 2009-2010 is already underway. The Explorers preschool has repainted the Davis Room and moved in all school equipment which has been in storage. They are expecting very good enrollment this year. If you have any questions about their program please call them at 978-663-2225. The directors are Diane Capidilupo and Deanna McGuinness.

This year St. Anne’s sent seven campers to the Barbara Harris camp in Greenfield, NH. They were Rebecca Burns, Austin Castagno, Caitlyn, Jordan and Hannah Leedberg and Dustin and Harley Thibeault. During their week of July 26th – Aug 1st they took pictures – many of which are already posted on the board near the door. We are hoping to continue sending our youth who are active in church life to camp. It is a life-changing experience. Already two of this year’s campers are looking forward to next year.

Seven other scholarships have also been awarded. Each year the interest on the Endowment Fund is used to provide moneys for outreach opportunities or scholarships. Each recipient will receive $400.00 this year.

Our acolytes have not been scheduled all summer. They are so dedicated all year long and serve in other capacities that we thought they needed a rest. We resume, however, this coming Sunday, September 6th at 9:00 AM– in between the services. If you have not ever been an acolyte and now think you might be interested please come to the meeting and speak to Sandra Giroux.

The two new bathrooms are now complete and they are lovely. Many thanks to Kathy Brewster and Kathy Jeffrey for coordinating the colors and design – and decorations.

Vivian Lapadula fell and broke her ankle in three places. Many of you have prepared meals for them. If you are able to bring a meal to them please contact Judy MacPherson. Vivian will be non-weight bearing for a few more weeks. She and Dick are so thankful for all the love extended to them by the St. Anne’s family.

Marion Clark is very much enjoying her new Bose wave radio system and the photo album. She also looks forward to going to the Merrimack Rep. Theater this fall. After some vacation time she expects to be back and working on something here. In her place is Peter Morelli who comes to us from Christ Church, Quincy. He plans to add some new music to our worship and he enjoys accompanying both vocalists and instrumentalists. Please greet him after the service or at the Welcome Back Brunch on September 13th at 9:00 AM. If you are interested in joining the choir please tell him. He will welcome you.

The vestry’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00 PM to finalize plans for the brunch. Other calendar information is included in this newsletter along with the Church School Registration form. We are hopeful that you will bring your children to the brunch and then to the first day of Church School on Sept. 20th.

Please read ahead to find out the dates of the Confirmation classes. The Confirmation itself will be Saturday, October 17th at Trinity Church, Boston. If you are interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church and you are not signed up for the class please speak to me before September 8th.

Some of the ushers have recently noticed that a few people are bringing coffee and other drinks into the sanctuary. Please don’t unless there is a medical reason why you need to stay hydrated. It’s just like home. When you eat or drink something you do it in the kitchen and not in the living room!

Finally I am wondering if you would be willing to send me an email with your name included. We are in the process of updating our files and there may be some email addresses we don’t have. Send them to peggyhowell05@yahoo.com

Thank you.

Peggy

October 26, 2009

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. For those of you who were not able to attend the All Parish Event yesterday you will see the results in church on All Saints' Day, November 1. (Please remember to turn you clocks back Saturday evening.) Many thanks to our Deacon Gay, who shared with us the fruit of her faith journey in art these past nineteen years, both in sermon and in the activity offered. With "Bling, Bling, Bling!" we had an opportunity to look at photos of loved ones passed on and to frame them elegantly. It was a holy time.

An added gift for me was learning that one of our parishioners is related to a former college friend of mine that I had lost touch with. It was a fine connection.

St. Anne's is about connecting to one another, about relationships that lift us up when we are down and are there to support this parish family and all the ministries of the church. It always amazes me that despite the downturn in the economy, the insecurity of life in general and the never-ending busyness of life - that there is still time and resources and commitment for St. Anne's. Thank you!

Enclosed is the commitment card for 2010. You will see a new design. There is now a place for you to check a box that indicates it is not a formal pledge to the church. While the budget is formulated on the amount you pledge to the church, we realize that in these uncertain times it is not possible for some to make a pledge at this time. If that is the case please check the box that says you do not wish to pledge an amount. Signing the card will legally allow the pledge treasurer to send you a report of your donations to the church.

Thank you all for supporting St. Anne's with your time, talent and treasure. Once your cards are returned to the church they will be given directly to the Pledge Treasurer. No one else will see them. Please return them as soon as possible for budget planning purposes.

 

Blessings,

Peggy

Advent-Christmas 2009

Dear Friends,

Advent Blessings! Last night we went to the Holiday Concert at our grandchildren's school. Each class sang or performed a piece from a different cultural tradition. There were no religious pieces; hence nothing Christian. The days when schools taught Christmas carols and reenacted the drama of the journey to Bethlehem are gone (at least in this school). It is not politically correct!

The Christian Church then has the distinct honor of keeping alive for all time the greatest story ever told. The birth of the Christ child is prominent in two of the Gospels. St. Anne's tells this story best in the Christmas Pageant. As in the past many children will participate. They will learn about Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi, in a faraway land.

As this story is retold each year, older members come to know many other spiritual truths. We come to an understanding of the God in our midst; of learning to see with the eyes of faith the living God in a newborn; of having the capacity to feel peace and love in the most unlikely places; of being able to hope in the midst of life's most difficult trials - that in the end all will be well no matter what life brings. This knowledge is the result of years of faith-building. It is a gift. And the wonder is that this story has the power to speak to us in new and different ways each year in the hearing of the familiar words.

We gather once again with both the privilege and the responsibility to pass this Good News on!

Christmas Blessings to you and yours!

Peggy