The Holy Apostles Messenger
Summer 2021
- Rector's Notes
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Re-Opening Phase 2!
- Worship Schedule
- Outreach
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Fundraising
- Fall Kick-Off Weekend
- Parish Announcements
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TASK BACK TO SCHOOL
SUPPLIES DRIVE
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Rector's Notes
Rest & Recreation
"View life from the hammock this summer"
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Dear beloved in Christ,
I do not know about you but I am exhausted. The changes, challenges, constant adaptation, zoom meetings, and energy spent in thinking and creating opportunities to be the community of faith in the past year and a half have been exhausting. I find myself saying all the time, “Why am I always so tired?”. Not taking vacation time last year has made the adventure of the COVID world even more exhausting. Lyn and are looking forward to our time away, especially meeting our first grandson for the first time in person. We are grateful to the vestry for allowing us to use part of last year’s vacation time, providing us with a few extra days away.
In thinking on this I was drawn to The Rule of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, specifically, Chapter 45 of the Rule which is on “Rest and Recreation”. Here I found some words for us to think about during this summer before we enter another “new normal”:
In the culture in which we live the pressures to be busy all the time are intense, and it is a true ascetic endeavor to resist them in obedience to God. The Church itself is in constant danger of adapting to a culture of hyperactivity and stress.
We have a particular call to resist this conformity and bear witness before the world to the graciousness and wisdom of Sabbath… Our life is demanding and we must recognize how much power goes out of us in ministry.
By taking rest we show that we accept our creaturely need for replenishment and restoration as Jesus did.
The same part of the Rule reminds us,
When we regularly cease from our labor and enjoy rest as a holy gift we can grow in trust that our worth in God’s sight lies simply in our being, clothed with Christ.
As we enter the summer we are called to rest, to be apart and to reflect. We are not called to dwell on all the things we should do, all the things that need to be done, the plans to be made and the preparations to make things happen. Time will come for us to focus on that. Instead this summer let us take to recover from the busyness.
Let us put things aside, take a long nap, and view life from the hammock. Let us feel the breeze and the warmth of the sun. As we do this we are reminded that “rest is a holy gift” that allows us to feel God in the breeze, the warmth of the sun and the rocking of the hammock. Then we can remember that God loves us not for what we do or accomplish, but because we are his, bearing His breath and clothed in Christ.
May your summer rest be a true Sabbath that will empower us for the next adventures.
Yours in Christ,
Canon Art+
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PUBLIC WORSHIP
SUMMER 2021
Re-Opening Phase 2
Effective JUNE 12/13
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW- MUST READ!!
Please click the button below to review/print/download(pdf)
This information is also posted at the entrance and kitchen doors.
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Summer
Worship Schedule
The Powells will be away for five weeks this summer beginning June 28th. During July and August we will not have music at the 9:30 AM service due to vacations and to give our cantors a break.
No Wednesday services will be held in July. They will resume on August 11th.
SUMMER SERVICES
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JULY
3 Saturday 5:00PM – Holy Communion(HC)/Mass
4 Sunday 8:00AM – No Service
9:30AM – Morning Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
10 Saturday 5:00PM – Holy Communion/Mass
11 Sunday 8:00AM – Morning Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
9:30AM – Morning Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
17 Saturday 5:00PM – Evening Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
18 Sunday 8:00AM – Morning Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
9:30AM – Morning Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
24 Saturday 5:00PM – Evening Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
25 Sunday 8:00AM – Morning Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
9:30AM – Morning Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
31 Saturday 5:00PM – Holy Communion/Mass*
AUGUST
1 Sunday 8:00AM – Morning Prayer/HC from Reserved Sacrament
9:30AM – Morning Prayer/ HC from Reserved Sacrament*
*waiting on supply to indicate which service he will be celebrating and preaching
REMAINDER OF THE SUMMER
Saturday 5:00PM – Holy Communion/Mass
Sunday 8:00AM – Holy Communion/Mass
9:30AM – Holy Communion/Mass
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Outreach at Holy Apostles |
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FOOD PANTRY: We continue to gather food for distribution through the Allentown Food Pantry. Donations can be left in the kitchen.
Thanks to Kim Midgett for delivering the items to the food pantry every week!
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GIFT CARDS FUNDRAISER
(and current retailers list)
ORDER Gift Cards for:
~~ Grads, Anniversaries, Baby Showers, Baptisms, Birthdays, etc.
~~ DONATE to HELPING HANDS FUND AND WOMANSPACE
DEADLINE TO ORDER GIFT CARDS:
Sunday, June 28, 2021
Sunday, July 26, 2021
Sunday, August 30, 2021
Sunday, September 27, 2021
Contact:
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GLEANINGS UPDATE
Summer 2021
The first Tuesday in June is the 6th anniversary of our weekly meal collaboration with the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. Despite all of the changes of the past year we are still serving around 100 delicious meals weekly.
Even as the mask and gathering guidance in the state changes, our operations will look much the same this summer. We will continue to distribute pre-packaged meals in the parking lot with a limited number of volunteers. Those volunteers need to sign up in advance with Deacon Trisha and are required to wear masks while volunteering.
We could still use individually packaged desserts, please keep those coming! Please also continue to hold our Gleanings community members in prayer.
From Deacon Trisha
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BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE
We are partnering with TASK to collect back‐to‐school supplies for local children Grades K‐12. The Back-To-School in-gathering of school supplies will start on the first Sunday in July. Donations will be accepted from July 4th through Sunday, August 15th. We decided to start earlier to encourage more participation this year. This flyer shows the list of items needed. Donations will be given to Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK).
Supplies Needed for Back‐to‐School Drive
Back packs, Lunch Boxes, Notebooks, Pens/Pencils
Folders, Markers/Crayons, Rulers, Pocket Dictionaries
Children’s Scissors, Protractors, Composition Books, Calculators
Colored Pencils, Markers, Glue Sticks, Pocket Folders, Highlighters
*** PLUS COVID ITEMS***
Face Masks, Hand Wipes, Tissues
Hand Sanitizers
Please drop off school supplies at the church on Monday thru Thursday mornings until August 15th or bring with you if you come for worship.
Thank you for supporting TASK and children in the Trenton area.
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POOR BOX
The Poor Box total as of May 23 is $435. We are nearing our second $500 for the Allentown Food Pantry. Once the goal is reached additional donations will be put towards a new project to be announced in the autumn.
Thank you to Canon Art who continues to mention the current Outreach Ministries at the weekend services.
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WOMANSPACE
We have been gathering donations for Womanspace through the end of May.
At this time of year we try to focus our donations on items for women. As a reminder all donations must be new. The purchase of gift cards would be a safe and easy way to donate this year.
Gift Card suggestions: Acme; Shop-Rite; Target; and Walmart and can be order through our Gift Card Program.
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Fundraisers
JEWELRY SALE
Our 2nd Annual Summer Jewelry Sale
DATE: AUGUST 21st TIME: 9AM - 1 PM
The Jewelry from the Barn and select other items will be brought up the Sunday before and arrange in the nave during the week.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
Transporting items to and from the barn (Sundays: August 15 and 21)
Sorting and arranging
Day of Sale Help
Please sign up to assist with this fundraiser – a sign-up list will be available at the coffee station, or contact the church office - email preferred due to summer schedule.
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BARN SALES: Our thanks to those who assisted with the June cleanup up and barn sorting. Your generous gift of time allowed us to get the barn prepared for the resumption of Barn Sales in the Fall.
Tentative Barn Sale Dates
September 11 September 25
October 9 October 23
November 6
Help will be needed with publicity and on the day of the sales. Look for more details in the Kick off paper newsletter.
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FALL KICK-OFF WEEKEND
Mark your calendar for the Kick-off of the program year 2021-2022, whatever that might look like.
The date will be:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th
In addition to registering for the Formation Program, we are planning a Reception for the Youth who were presented for Confirmation in May.
More details will be included in the Fall Kickoff newsletter which will be in the traditional paper format for pickup/mailing.
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CHANGES IN OUR PARISH COMMUNITY |
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Death of Fr. Bockus
The Rev. Canon Ian Bockus, rector of St. James Episcopal Church, Trenton from 1970 to 1982. Fr. Bockus entered everlasting life on March 24th, 2021 at age 87 following a lengthy illness.
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Charles Fletcher
Long time parishioner and an“8 o’clock regular”, Charles Fletcher entered eternal life on June 2, 2021. Services were held on Sunday, June 6.
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MAY THEY REST IN PEACE AND RISE IN GLORY |
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FROM OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR: Something to think about (but not too long!)—there will be 2 openings in the handbell choir in September.
Please email Lyn if you are interested.
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NEW PARISH ADMINISTRATOR!
The position has be divided into two parts. Joyce will be continuing the Bookkeeper and Website Administrator portions virtually.
In June the vestry reviewed the remainder of the position and the parish finances.
A revised job description is being developed and will be available soon. The new hire will be on site for limited hours, but Canon Art will still be in the office most mornings. Some responsibilities are being shifted to the rector, some to the vestry members and some to volunteers. It is another sign of entering a different age.
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Parishioners with the necessary computer skills will be considered along with persons recommended by members of the parish. When the rector returns from vacation a wider publication of the position and interviews will take place in hopes of having the position filled for the kick off of the program year in September.
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SUMMER HOURS - PARISH OFFICE: Joyce will continue working from home during the summer. Preferred communication will be emails to church or text messages*.
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DURING THE RECTOR’S VACATION
Deacon Denise and/or Deacon Trisha will be available for emergencies and will contact a priest when needed. A supply priest will officiate at some of our services.
Please note the following telephone numbers:
Deacon Denise 1-856-424-9398 (h) 1-856-397-2367 (cell)
Deacon Trisha 1-908-875-3108 (h)
Church Office 1-609-208-0228 (limited monitoring)
Lynda Dickson (Warden) 1-609-888-1143 (h) 1-609-306-6153 (cell)
Bette Noble (Warden) 1-609-581-0686 (h)
Joyce Bostic 1-609-314-3983(text preferred)*
ALL MEMBERS! PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
Has your contact info (name, address, telephone or email address) changed?
Please send updates . You can email to [email protected] or send by regular mail to the church. Thanks!
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THANK YOU
Thanks to all who donated to the January Collection Project: WARM CLOTHING for COLD WEATHER.
Sincere appreciation for the support and participation during our Lenten Study Program in February/March and to those who attended the Trenton Spring Convocation virtually on May 22.
Special thanks to the parents, sponsors, other family members and friends who supported those who were recently confirmed and received. It was a lovely service and a very special day.
Our thanks to those who assisted with the June cleanup up and barn sorting.
A heartfelt “Thank You” from Deacon Denise to the Holy Apostles' Congregation, Wardens, and Vestry Members for recognizing the 20th anniversary of my ordination on May 9 and for the beautiful flowers I was given.
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Special THANKS!
The vestry would like to thank all those who are keeping up with their pledge commitments over COVID-19. Expenses continue at about the same rate all year, so keeping your commitment up-to-date allows us to pay our staff and vendors on time. We would also like to thank all those who used electronic giving.
We would like to encourage those who fell behind over the past months to bring your commitments up-to-date.
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