Lent/Easter 2013

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you.  As we listen to the lessons each week during Lent we are constantly reminded that the cross and the resurrection go hand in hand.  One without the other makes the greatest story ever told incomplete: even without meaning.

It is for that reason that the Church walks with Jesus the Way of Calvary beginning with the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday.  We are asked to enter into the journey with Jesus- to experience the pain and suffering and betrayal- to sit with this rejection awhile.  And then we are asked to celebrate the triumph of His risen life over death; victory over the world’s sins; forever achieved for all of us who have faith enough to believe.  Jesus offers all of us hope for a hurting world in this sacrificial act.

We are part of this history.  Jesus died and rose again for you and for me.  Please come and be a part of the retelling of it.  The Holy Week and Easter schedule can be found on the back of this page.

 

A Most Blessed Easter to you and yours,

 

Peggy

October 2013

Dear Friends,

Peace to you. With two surgeries behind me I look forward to returning to St. Anne's on October 20th. The time off gave me a chance to read. One of the books I enjoyed most was written jointly by Sr. Joan Chittister and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams: Uncommon Gratitude: Alleluia for all that is. I highly recommend it and have purchased three copies to loan out if you are interested.

There will be ONE service on October 20th at 10:00am and a luncheon will be served afterward to celebrate the homecoming. As promised I will dance down the aisle- though I do not know how to dance!!!!

Many thanks to Jonathan for all the weeks of coverage. He made it possible for me not to worry about anything on Sunday mornings. Thank you to Mark and Ed and everyone else who covered beyond the call of duty. It is what makes St. Anne's so special a place.

Here is a schedule of upcoming events:

• Monday, October 21st at 7:30pm - a Vestry meeting in the Nichols Room
• Saturday, October 26th at 10:00am- a service of Blessing of the pets in the Memorial Garden. If you would like to help with this service please email me at peggyhowell05@yahoo.com.
• Monday, October 28th at 10:00am- Bible Study
• Tuesday, October 29th at 7:30pm- Bible Study

We will need to update the prayer list so if you would like to add a name please let me know.

And please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I would love ot hear from you.

Blessings,

Peggy

Advent/Christmas 2013

Dear Friends,

Peace to you.  This comes as much is being done to make our homes ready for the holy birth.  Boxes come down from the attic or up from the basement and items - one by one - placed around. The Advent candle, the wreath, the creche - minus the manger. We all have many decorations that are used and treasured each and every year.  For sure our lives do not bear the hardships of the holy family.

Indeed we have all come a long way from  the simple life-style of first century Palestine.  A young Galilean couple packed up their belongings on the back of a mule and headed south to register their names in Bethlehem- so they could be properly taxed by Rome.  In that humble place and among the animals we hear the story once again of our Messiah being born and placed in a manger because there was no proper place to lay him.

The short life story of Jesus takes us into the very heart of God- that uncomplicated place where all people are loved, forgiven and promised a place at the heavenly table as brothers and sisters.

As you prepare for the Christmas season in heart, mind and body, come and hear the healing words once again.

A Blessed Christmas to you and yours!

Peggy