of St.

Johns in Pine Meadow

St. Johns mission is to nurture all people in their spiritual growth, in their Christian education, and in their relationship with God. The Rev. Salin Low, Rector August 2011

Reaching Out
As you read this newsletter, I hope you are enjoying the hazy, hot summer weather with your families. While we still have an official month of summer to enjoy, if you are like me, summertime is a chance to reflect on the past academic year and to look ahead to the fall season filled with new initiatives and projects. The same is true with the Church year. Although not the beginning of the calendar year, fall can be a time of newness as students begin a brand new school year and we here, at St. Johns, look forward to beginning anew as another church school year gets underway and we approach our Mission with a renewed commitment after hopefully having had some refreshment over these past summer months. Over the last several months, your Vestry has revisited and revised the St. Johns Episcopal Church Mission Statement. The following is Our Mission as approved by the Vestry in October 2010: Our Missionto nurture all people in their spiritual growth, in their Christian education, and in their relationship with God. Our Purposeto build our Christian community through prayer, reflection and worship, which will enhance our commitment to God, to the parish, and to the world beyond our doors. Our Commitmentto honor our history, provide a legacy for our future through good stewardship, welcome all who walk through our Red Doors, & spread Gods love in the world. As the Vestry prayed about and reflected on areas we wanted to focus our efforts on, one goal became very clear. We want to do a more effective job of reaching out to others in our community, the world beyond our doors to thank them for all that they do to serve us and to invite them to enter the Red Doors of St. Johns. A community event is in the early planning stages to be held next June 2012. In what other ways can we reach out to others in our community? Have you ever been in the presence of someone who made you feel as though you were the only person in the world at that moment? There could be a room filled with a crowd of people and a whole lot of things going on, but this person never takes his or her eyes off of you, and they listen and reach out to you with the clear message that you are truly importantthat you really matter! When we do come across such a person, we tend to remember them forever, dont we? As we know by reading the many Gospel accounts, Jesus was just like that. When people were in His presence, He made them feel that they matteredthat they were importantthat they countedthat they were touched by the very hand of the love of God. Are there people who you know in our community who need for us to treat them, for the moment, as if they were the only ones alive? Sometimes, all others need from us is an ear to listen to them or a few words of advice and support. Are there people out there needing our attention? Maybe, we, like Jesus, should reach out to others to make them feel like they matter. Lets think about how we can spread Gods love in our community and the world and to welcome our neighbors through the Red Doors of our beautiful church. There will be several opportunities over the next several months to invite our friends and neighbors to join us in fun and fellowship. Our new church school year begins on Sunday, September 11th. Please invite families that you know to join us as we kick off the year with an outdoor picnic BBQ on the green. Another event is the Benefit Auction to be held at Brodie Park on Friday evening, September 30th. This will be a fun-filled evening where there will be something for everyone: jazz music, great food, delicious desserts, and unique items to bid on. The monies raised will benefit St Johns and our community outreach efforts. If you have other suggestions for community outreach activities, please share them with any member of your Vestry, as we work on welcoming more people in our church community. I look forward to seeing you soon. Remember that, in Salins absence, if you have any suggestions or concerns, feel free to contact me at 860-379-2023 or at 860-305-9493. Enjoy the rest of the summer. Blessings and Peace,

Kevin Case Senior Warden

Bits & Pieces

HOW WERE DOING SO FAR
JUNE 2011 RESULTS
Operating Income Operating Expenses $ 10,708 $ 16,606 $ 105,615* $111,041 for operPrayer Requests Requests are handled confidentially through the office during the rectors absence. Prayers will continue for a month unless other time periods are specified. You may fill out a prayer request form or call the office at 369-3062. Wednesday Evening ServiceIts the new Sunday. This provides an alternative to Sunday for those away on weekends during the summer. Please join us at 7:30 on Wednesday evenings for a quiet service offering time for reflection and prayer. Anointing for healing of mind, body and spirit is offered following communion. Church Office Hours & Vacation Summer office hours will be 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. The office will be closed the week of August 8 due to vacation schedules. In the event of a pastoral emergency or other need, contact Kevin Case, Senior Warden, at (860) 305-9493 or The Rev. David Owen (860) 693-0504. Flower ChartThere are still a few openings for altar flower donations during the coming months, including August 14 & September 4th. The cost is $50 for two containers of flowers or you may provide your own arrangements.

Year To Date
Operating Income Operating Expenses ating expenses. Please keep your pledges current this summer. Sue Bremer, Treasurer

*Includes $25,000 withdrawn from investments

Shopping Cards
An Easy Way to Help When you buy shopping/gift cards through St. Johns, you are making a contribution that does not cost you financially. It may take a little planning. Orders are taken the 1st and 3rd Sundays, and cards are delivered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Order folds are available in the narthex and can be placed in the lockbox at any time.

Worship Schedule August

Sunday at 9 am & Wednesday at 7:30 pm
(Good when youre away weekends in the summer)

Calling All Acolytes

In September we will train new acolytes and torchbearers. For the coming year young people in the 5th grade and up will be included. Adults are also encouraged to serve as crucifers or 8:00 a.m. chalice bearers. All current acolytes and torch bearers are asked to contact the office and let us know if you plan to continue serving and if you have particular scheduling needs. You may call the office at 379-3062 or email (office@reddoors.com) .

PARISH REGISTER
(Broadly Defined)
The register is broadly defined, because there are events in the lives of parishioners and their families which are not recorded in St. Johns register. Let the office know about happenings in your own life and in the lives of other parishioners, especially hospitalizations. Deaths
Carmela Pietrafesa (Mother of Suzi Moraski) Special thanks to Nancy Butler, Sue Bremer & Lucie Martocchio for organizing the childrens Summer Fun activity on the Pine Meadow green July 24th. Thanks to the hospitality committee, including Peter Freigant & Jill Smith, for the Pancake Breakfast July 3rd and the family breakfast on July 24. Many thanks to Gordon Ross and the garden committee for arranging to have the new sundial and walkways installed in the Gill Memorial Garden. Thanks to Dell Springer for procuring a piano for the choirs rehearsal room and to Darrell Hoag for helping Dell move it to the church. Special thanks to Barbara & Paul Patch for hosting the choir picnic on July 23.

August Worship Assistance

August 7 AcolytesTeddy Bremer, Stan Moraski ReaderStan Moraski Greeters Pam & Michael Tooke August 14 AcolytesRon Dufour, Jill Smith ReaderStan Moraski Greeter Sue & Blake Hall August 21 AcolytesMichael Welch, Donna Colavecchio ReaderGuy Hayes Greeter Joe & Nancy Russo August 28 AcolytesZak Phillips, Kevin Case ReaderAnne Hall Bobbie Krohner & Larry Espinet

Hospitality Committee News

Welcome Back BBQ September 11th following the 10 AM Service Salin Returns from Sabbatical Church School Begins
A family picnic & cookout will take place in our newly renovated garden. Come hungry! The next Hospitality meeting will be Saturday, Sept. 24th at 9AM in Sheffield Hall. Well discuss a newcomers luncheon among other things.

Gill Memorial Garden Summer Schedule

Week Beginning August 1 ?? Week Beginning August 8 ?? Week Beginning August 15 Beth Coates Week Beginning August 22 Jill Healey Week Beginning August 29
Ruth Grobe

(Were just selling hamburgers)

Peach Festival
Saturday, August 27 10AM3PM

Thanks to all the garden workers. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of volunteers. If you are able to help, please contact Ann Atwood at 738-1532 or abatwood@charter.net or call the office.

We like to be a presence on the green and make a few dollars to return to the community. And if you stop for peach shortcake, stop by to start off with a hamburger and a chat with friends. If you can help, contact Nancy Butler or Louie Martocchio. Well be setting up between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., and we could use your help.

Going Once, Going Twice

Auction Friday, Sept. 30, 2011 Brodie Park 6:00 PM
Join the party! Jazz, Fun, Food, Great Desserts. Contact Jill Smith (379-4920) or Sue Hall (379-1943) for more information.

Mark your calendars for a fun-filled evening which will raise money for St. John's and for community outreach. There will be something for everyone, including jazz music. If you are looking for ideas on goods or services to donate, how about?

Flowers or bulbs planted at winners home Babysitting (several evenings or a weekend) Handyman for 6-8 hours Tickets to the theater or a concert A catered brunch (donor decides # of people) Baked goodsmonthly or quarterly Wine

P. O. Box 27 Pine Meadow, CT 06061 Phone: 860 379-3062 www.reddoors.com

Address Correction

The Episcopal Church Were Here For You

Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. July & August
Wednesday 7:30 pm

News From

Church School

Church School Director Sought

As a result of Debi Althens resignation, we are looking for a Church School Director. The position will involve overseeing the church school, developing material to supplement the curriculum, helping teachers to prepare for Sunday classes, and organizing special events for children through the year. The job should take about six hours per week during the school year and three hours per week during the summer. For a full job description or to submit a resume, contact office@reddoors.com. Sue Bremer and Lucie Martocchio can also answer questions about the position. Spread the word among friends who might be interested in this opportunity.

CHURCH SCHOOL BEGINS Sunday Sept. 11th @ 10 AM

Plan to stay for our annual family picnic/cookout after church, in our newly renovated garden. There will be games and activities for kids on the Pine Meadow Green. Please call Lucie Martocchio (379-0629) or Sue Bremer (738-4238) with any questions.

August 2011
St. Johns Church - Calendar of Events
Anniversaries in Italics

Sun
1

Mon
2

Tue
Candy & Jack Flaherty

Wed
3
7:30 PM Holy Eucharist

Thu
4 5

Fri
6

Sat

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist

10

7:30 PM Holy Eucharist Donna & Stephen Brehm

11

12

13

14

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist

15

16
Fran & Roger Frigon

17

7:30 PM Holy Eucharist Jeanne & Ron Dufour

18

19

20

21

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist

22

23

24

7:30 PM Holy Eucharist

25

26

27

Peach Festival 103 Peters Retreat

28

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist Farewell Brunch

29
Julie & John Gargiulo

30

31

7:30 PM Holy Eucharist Cassandra & Merlin Messenger

August Birthdays
2-Aug 3-Aug 3-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 5-Aug Christine Nelson Peggy Hitchcock Allison Kimmerle Audrey Coates Thomas Martocchio Betty Castonguay

6-Aug 8-Aug 8-Aug 9-Aug 10-Aug 12-Aug 14-Aug 14-Aug

Sylvia Lovley Jeanne Cararini Mel Johnson Christine Martocchio Ann Atwood Rebecca Halladay Andy Riberdy David Henri

17-Aug 17-Aug 22-Aug 22-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 24-Aug 26-Aug

Tom Chappell Michael Healey Karley Padin John Dee Joanne Ritchie Bruce Wearne Julie Gargiulo Winnie Pratt

27-Aug 28-Aug 29-Aug 29-Aug 30-Aug 31-Aug

Wendy Penn Nancy Butler Sanna Messenger Alden Ringklib Jeff Linton Devin Warren

The choir had their annual picnic at the home of Barbara & Paul Patch this year.

The fountain was replaced by a sundial. A new running fox was installed on the rear garden wall.

On a hot summer day, even the grown-ups enjoy playing sponge toss. And the kids acted out the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Welcome Breakfast for David Owen.

Salin and Bill sailed to France aboard the Queen Mary 2.

Enjoying coffee in the garden.