Author: St. John's Walpole

From Judith Esmay, Canon for Lay Leadership, Episcopal Church of NH:

“All members of the congregation willing to work in the governance and ministries of the church — as well as all members of vestries, bishop’s committees, and church committees and all clergy who support the laity in their ministries – are encouraged to enroll in the diocesan program dedicated to the preparation and formation of our congregational leaders.

…all first-time Lay Leadership Institute students must enroll in the Basic Course for a broad curriculum that includes the structure and governance of The Episcopal Church, property issues both realty and fiscal, roles and relationships in congregational organization, and the potential for personal spiritual formation. Those who have attended the Basic Course may enroll in one of five all-day seminars, each of which will include in-depth, hands-on presentations and participation.”

For more information, or to register, click the button below.

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The following information was received by Susan in an email from The Episopcal Church of NH:

“The Episcopal Church of New Hampshire is delighted to announce that the Barbara C. Harris Camp (BCH) has pledged campership funds to children from New Hampshire who would like to attend summer camp. Camp at BCH – a ministry of the Diocese of MA – is a wonderful combination of traditional camp fun and creative worship lead by Episcopal chaplains for children from 4th grade through 12th grade. At $600 a week, BCH is already low-cost option compared to other camps. Campership payments are typically structured as 1/3 from BCH, 1/3 from the host church, and 1/3 from the child’s family, but if the 1/3 contribution from the family or the church is a barrier, there may be additional funding available. Most sessions at BCH are one-week long, with a two-week session in July. During the two-week session, which is July 12-25, Bishop Rob will be visiting as a guest chaplain! All sessions are open to NH children, but if children want to hang out with Bishop Rob, and get to know some other NH kids, sign up for the two-week session!

Information about summer camp programs at BCH can be found at: www.bchcenter.org/camp

To register for camp, click here.

To apply for a campership, fill out this form.

For more information (and a testimonial about how much her kids have loved BCH camp and look forward to it this year!) contact Tina Pickering at tpickering@nhepiscopal.org.”

“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her;” — Isaiah 66:10

From The Episcopal Church:
“The fourth Sunday of Lent in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. The term is derived from the opening words of the Latin Mass, “Rejoice (Laetare) Jerusalem” (Is 66:10). The church is called to joyful anticipation of the victory to be won. This joyful theme provides lightening from the penitential emphasis of Lent.”

This year “Refreshment Sunday” or “Laetare Sunday” was on March 15th. Given its close proximity to the Feast of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, here at St. John’s we celebrated Refreshment Sunday with a potluck lunch consisting of traditional Irish fare: corned beef and cabbage; potatoes; carrots; lots of soda bread; delicious green treats; and a variety of desserts. Everyone enjoyed a hearty Irish meal and each other’s company. Thanks to everyone who brought something to share and/or joined us for lunch!

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Sunday, March 29th at 10 am
Palm Sunday: Procession of the Palms and the Passion Narrative

Wednesday, April 1st at Noon
Wednesday in Holy Week: Eucharist

Thursday, April 2nd at Noon
Maundy Thursday: Eucharist and stripping the altar in preparation for Good Friday

Friday, April 3rd at Noon
Good Friday: Liturgy for Good Friday from the Book of Common Prayer, no communion

Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 5th at 10 am
The Day of Resurrection: Eucharist

Living peacefully in a communion of diverse Anglicans can be difficult. However Anglicans will always have something in common so long as they continue in common prayer. — Anglican Foundation

Here’s a wonderful video that gives a little history about the creation of the Book of Common Prayer during the Reformation Period in England (16th Century).

St John’s Episcopal Church, Walpole, NH – Pancake Night 2015 — many thanks to all who cooked, donated, cleaned up, and most of all, came out and made the evening a huge success. The palm branches are burned and the remaining ashes are cooling for use in today’s Ash Wednesday service at Noon.

Photos by Sarah Downing

Sing a New Song with John Bell: Feb 10 — Feb 12, 2015 at St. Andrew’s Church, New London, NH.

John Bell is a hymn writer, composer, author, broadcaster, Church of Scotland minister and Iona Community member. He survives without a cell phone, car, camera, or iPod.

Tues, Feb 10- Sing a new song (for everyone who enjoys singing or wants to sing)

9:30 – Noon—Releasing the voice God gave you

1:00 – 4:00—Short songs from Scotland and the world church

Weds, Feb 11—Singing when it hurts (for everyone who has been sick, hurt, bereaved, or oppressed)

9:30 – Noon —Learning the lost art of lament

1:00 – 4:00—Singing the Psalms

Thurs, Feb 12—Renewing congregational song (For leaders; clergy & music leaders)

9:30 – Noon—Tips for teaching congregations to sing

1:00 – 4:00—The promise and pitfalls of liturgical change

Cost:$15 per half-day workshop; $5 for light lunch. Reserve your place by contacting the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew, 52 Gould Road, New London, NH 03257 603.526.6344 or standrewschurch@tds.net.

The Giving Tree ministry is an annual, ecumenical ministry filled with love and grace that is driven by community need. Each year St. John’s clergy and volunteers help organize and implement this project, which helps struggling local families provide Christmas presents for their kids. The project is organized by participating Walpole clergy and staffed by both adult and youth volunteers, and fulfilled by caring members of this amazing community.

The Giving Tree community project helped 36 families and 76 kids this year. Thank you to all who donated gifts. A special thank you to Mary Schoppmeyer who maintained the database of gift requests and generated labels for the tags and helped the organization of this massive project flow properly; to Kelli Wilson, Marilyn Wilking, and Marilyn Shriver who helped with the shopping task for unchosen tags; and to WYG members Lillia, Anya, and Bennett who gave up a Sunday afternoon to shop and wrap with us! It’s a great effort! We’re looking to organize this differently next year. If this ministry is calling you, please speak to Susan about being on a joint planning team with members of First Congregational Church. We start again next September — only nine months away!