“It Is in Giving We Receive”

Thank you for helping our garden grow! We now have 90 pledges totaling more than $426,000. 

The campaign is helping us to meet the lofty goals that will not only keep up with our community commitments but help us to run at breakeven rather than having to borrow from our dwindling parish savings.

If you have not yet pledged, you can in a variety of ways: go to our website here; use a pledge card and envelope and drop it in the plate or mail it to us; or use the Realm mobile app. 

For it is in giving we receive – it’s a wonderful way to think about us! 

Jan Himmelreich, member of the Stewardship Commission 

Last Week's Special Message from the Rector

Dear friends, 

We are exactly at the midway point of our stewardship campaign, and I am delighted to say that we are much more than halfway to our goals! We are nearly 80% of the way to our goal of $500,000 pledged, and 65% of the way to our goal of 125 pledges. 

This is truly something to celebrate. Thank you to the many of you who have already pledged or are planning to do so. As we've been saying throughout the season, it really is “in giving that we receive.” My heart is full from witnessing your generous responses, hearing your positive feedback, and listening to your testimonies about how St. Peter’s gives back to you.

Your generous support makes the work of our leaders, commissions, and staff possible, as well as our common endeavor to live as God's people and disciples of Jesus. In particular, our staff, choir, music program, and outreach ministries depend on your contributions. 

Our outreach and music budgets are substantial for a parish of our size, but we steadfastly maintain them because they are core to who we are – and so, the generosity of our members needs to be, and is, core to who we are as well.

Although we are making excellent progress toward our goals, I want to underscore that every person, every additional pledge and dollar still matters. By reaching – and hopefully exceeding – our targets, we will build a firmer financial foundation for the future of St. Peter’s. We want to be able to say “yes!” to all that God calls us to do now and in the times ahead, and we need you (yes, you!) to help make that possible.

Our campaign formally concludes on Sunday, December 6th, and I ask that you please submit your pledge before then if you are able.

As I reflect on our Spirit-led response to this year’s campaign – and the bright vision for the future it casts – these words from the conclusion of Morning Prayer come to mind:

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely 

more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from 

generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus 

for ever and ever. Amen. 

(Ephesians 3:20-21)

Yours in Christ,

John

Accounting System Transition

St. Peter’s is moving to Realm Accounting, part of ACS Technologies, our longtime parish recordkeeping provider. The transition began this summer, and the data upload is nearly complete.

Operations continue as usual, but transaction posting is temporarily paused, so recent pledge payments are not yet visible in your online accounts. We expect posting to resume within a few weeks, possibly sooner.

Thank you for your patience as we consolidate our financial records.

Adult Formation

Sunday, 10:15 a.m., Bank Barn

Peaceful Practices Session 3--led by Seretha Curry 

"Conflict has the potential to help us receive the Divine in new ways. When we are most vulnerable, we are most able to see God." The Peaceful Practices curriculum is a resource produced by Mennonite Central Committee U.S. It is designed for congregations and other groups to build basic skills of healthy conflict transformation and dialogue. We will spend time reflecting on Bible stories and discussing the tools recommended by the Peaceful Practices curriculum.

Come Join the Johnversation!

We are excited to invite you to Johnversations, a series of small gatherings with John Kennedy designed to help us get to know one another, share stories, and grow together as a parish family.

Gatherings will be offered on a variety of days, times, and locations in hopes that everyone who wishes to participate will find an opportunity that fits their schedule. If the currently scheduled events are not convenient for you, please don't worry. Additional gatherings will be announced in the coming weeks. When applicable, event descriptions include information such as the presence of stairs, pets, or other accessibility considerations to help everyone choose a gathering that best meets their needs. Children are welcome at all gatherings. While some events may be especially family-friendly, child-friendly activities may not be available at every gathering.



To allow as many parishioners as possible an opportunity to participate, please sign up for only one event.

Registration is available through sign-up sheets located in the Barn and the Historic Church, or online using the SignUpGenius link below.

For gatherings hosted in parishioners' homes, detailed location information, including addresses and directions, will be provided to participants closer to the event date.

We look forward to spending time together, building connections, and welcoming Fr. John through these opportunities for conversation, fellowship, and community. So choose a gathering, pull up a chair, and join the Johnversation!

Questions? Please contact Katie Franz at franzkgp@gmail.com.

Looking Ahead to Advent

Mark your calendars now for these fun and meaningful ways to mark the season. More details and sign-ups will be available soon.

Advent Wreath Workshop November 29, 10:15 a.m., Bank Barn

Quiet Evening December 2, 6:00 p.m., Bank Barn

Lessons and Carols December 6, 4:00 p.m., Bank Barn

Service Project & Pizza December 9, 6:00 p.m., Historic Church

Chili & Carol Sing December 17, 5:30 p.m., Historic Church

Book Club

Monday, November 16, 7:00 p.m., Google Meet

Join us to explore a first hand conversation of Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder, by Kent Nerbern. NO meeting in December. Please contact bookclub@stpetersgv.org for the link.

Greenwood Players Concert

Sunday, November 29, 4:00 p.m., Bank Barn

The Greenwood Players will return and present a free concert of Advent and Christmas music from the Renaissance-Baroque periods for recorders, harp, and voice. Please let us know if you plan to attend by RSVPing below.

Fellowship Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to host our customary coffee and tea service and provide snacks immediately following each 9:00/10:00 and 11:15 a.m. service. You can sign up online here. If you prefer, sign up on a clipboard in the Barn or Historic Church, and your name will be added to the online signup. First-time hosts are especially welcome and orientation will be provided. For more information contact Michael Smith at michaelsmithgmail@gmail.com or (813) 943-3796.

Memorial Brick Fundraiser

Celebrate and honor loved ones while supporting our church through our Memorial Brick Fundraiser. For a donation of $100, you can purchase an engraved 4" x 8" brick personalized with up to three lines of text. Bricks may be inscribed in memory of or in honor of individuals or families. Order forms are available in the gathering space or click here to download one.

Gifting Trees Are Coming

Watch for the Gifting Trees that will appear on November 22 in the gathering spaces. The gifting trees will be “decorated” with tags with specific wishes for gifts for a child or an adult whose home is in one of the Church Housing communities, which provide more affordable homes for individuals and families whose incomes are limited.



Please take a tag and return it with the gift. Your participation as we collectively support the many good works of Church Housing is appreciated. Please contact Gail Guthridge (guthgirl60@gmail.com, 610-

331-6521) with any questions.

Volunteers Needed at the Community of St. James

St. James School is looking for volunteers to help in some science classrooms and provide adult supervision in their woodshop program. No experience necessary. If interested, please contact Gail Guthridge at guthgirl60@gmail.com. Thank you.

Needlework Ministry

Giving support and joy through needlework creations has been the goal of our ministry. You can share in this activity by giving a chemo cap, or lap blanket, or shawl to someone who has been ill or grieving. Items can be found on the shelves of the worship space coat closets. Join us on the first Saturday of the month to learn to knit or simply to help with putting all the items together. Each meeting is followed by lunch. For more information, contact knitters@stpetersgv.org.

Would you like to see the amazing St. James School in Philly? The needlework ministry will be visiting there on Friday, November 20, at noon. If you would like to join us while we distribute the school scarves and hats, please contact Brenda Grove.

Community Youth and Women's Alliance Food Pickup Volunteers Needed

Help CYWA Keep the Food Pantry Stocked!

CYWA in Coatesville is looking for volunteers to pick up food donations from local grocery

stores and deliver them to the CYWA Food Pantry.

• When: Monday–Thursday, generally 8:30 a.m.–noon
• What: Drive the CYWA van or ride along with a volunteer driver
• Requirements: Ability to lift up to 35 pounds
• Schedule: Sign up for the day(s) that work best for you

Your time can make a real difference in keeping food on the shelves for our neighbors. We’d love to have you help! If you are interested, please contact Patrick at pjmill98@yahoo.com or text (610) 291-3002.

Thanksgiving Dinners for Church Housing

Church Housing (CH) knows how to do things right and well. In early November they will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for the residents in each of their facilities. This will be a full turkey dinner, with all the sides and trimmings, along with pumpkin pie for everyone. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this? There are multiple opportunities both on weekends and weekdays at one of their Phoenixville, West Chester, and Upland locations, where you will see the communities CH has built. You may volunteer once, which is always appreciated, or you may come back for more. Invite a friend! There are signup sheets in gathering spaces, or send an email with your plans to outreach@stpetersgv.org.