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Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this year’s fair a great success!

St. John’s was the scene of a fun craft for All Saints Day on November 1st. Inspired by the wealth of saintly peg dolls that can be found all over the web these days, as well as a plethora of lovely books to use as references, some of our crafty parishioners created masterpieces of paint, felt, embroidery floss, and glue, turning ordinary wooden clothespins into beautiful and unique representations of their favorite saints. They are now on display in the Parish Hall, and we hope to add more peg dolls to our “Communion of Saints” next year!

From left to right: Frederick Douglass, St. Brigid of Kildare, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Patrick, and the twin saints Benedict and Scholastica.

Tending the Vine:
“Reflections on the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church”

A letter from Bishop Rob Hirschfeld

By now, the news media have reported on the major decisions that have come out of General Convention in Salt Lake City that ended last week. Other decisions hardly drew much attention at all. As people who see the world through a sacramental lens, we are invited to examine not only what is manifested openly, but also to investigate and take note of the inward and spiritual.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of Bishop Rob’s letter.

The Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop has published a booklet with information about each of the four candidates for Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, one of whom will be elected this summer at the General Convention. The list of nominees is as follows:

• The Rt. Rev. Thomas Breidenthal
  SOUTHERN OHIO
• The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry
  NORTH CAROLINA
• The Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas
  CONNECTICUT
• The Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith
  SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Click here to read the nomination booklet and “meet” the candidates.

The Easter service at St. John’s was a joyous celebration, and nearly every pew was filled! It was wonderful to see many familiar faces and some new ones, as well. Visitors and parishioners alike were greeted by a beautiful butterfly wreath made by the children on Palm Sunday, as well as some additional glittery butterflies suspended from white poles and blowing gently in the breeze. The altar was decorated with white Easter lilies, and there were lovely window boxes filled with grape hyacinths and daffodils. Happy Eastertide, everyone!

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.

More Info

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).