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St. Peter's News
Rooted in Love, Growing through God's Grace, Reaching Out to All
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You can view our complete calendar here for all scheduled events and activities. | |
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Sunday, February 16
- Holy Eucharist/Celebrating the Feast of Absalom Jones at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.
Tuesday, February 18
- LIFT: Reading and Reflection Book Group
- Rooted Tree at 4:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
- Listening Circle II at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
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Wednesday, February 12
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Healing service and Holy Eucharist at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel.
- Lunch Club at 11 a.m. in the parish hall. see details below.
Thursday, February 13
- Welcome Team Meeting at 1 p.m. in the library.
- Choir Practice at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary.
- Rooted Tree at 4:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
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Volunteer Opportunity: Help Move Christmas Supplies this Saturday, February 15
Now that the church attic stairs have been replaced, we need some help moving Christmas supplies from the stage back into to the attic this Saturday, February 15, at 9 a.m.
Volunteers are not required to climb stairs, but will help lift and move boxes.
Please contact Dave Kipphut (kipp1152@verizon.net) for additional information.
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Girl Scout Cookies Available for Sale this Sunday, February 16 | |
Lana Fabijonas, one of our regular Come 4th Sunday readers, will be selling Girl Scout cookies for $5 a box following morning worship in the parish hall this Sunday,
February 16.
Please contact the office at speter654@gmail.com
if your Scout would like to sell cookies.
During cookie season, we allow one seller per Sunday on a first come, first served basis.
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Celebrating Black History Month | |
Explore the many ways to celebrate Black History Month during February, from Absalom Jones celebrations to social justice trainings and book recommendations from the Diocese's Anti-Racism Commission. Check the newsletter for weekly black history resources. | |
Celebrating the Feast of Absalom Jones
This Sunday, February 16
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At worship this Sunday, St. Peter's will celebrate the Feast of Absalom Jones, the first black priest in the Episcopal Church and the founder of The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia.
In the spirit of Absalom Jones and his legacy, we will take up a special collection for the Absalom Jones Fund, which helps support Episcopal Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina and Voorhees University in Denmark, South Carolina.
We invite all to support the hope- filled, life-impacting work of historically Black institutions of higher education through donations to the Absalom Jones Fund.
Use the button below to donate now or bring a donation to St. Peter's on Feb.18. Contribution envelopes will be available at the church entrances on Sunday. Make checks payable to St. Peter's with Absalom Jones donation on the memo line.
Use the button below to learn more about his life and legacy.
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Join the Diocese's Anti-Racism Commission's Weekly Book Group | |
In addition to serving as our new Accounting Warden, Ernie Dixon is treasurer of the Diocese's Anti-Racism Commission (ARC), and he also facilitates ARC's weekly book group.
The book group typically meets Wednesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The zoom link can be found here. The group is currently reading Race Rules by Fatimah Gilliam.
If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Ernie at 215-816-1252 (call or text) or via email at marzelldixon@me.com.
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ARC Stresses, 'We Need Racial Justice and Repair Now More Than Ever' in Recent Statement"
"As we enter more deeply into this church season after the Epiphany, the glorious white vestments of Jesus’ birth and Epiphany and Baptism are put away, and we enter into the day-to-day work of what is sometimes called ordinary time, a flash of green on these snowy winter weeks."
Read the full statement using the button below.
If you'd like to get involved in anti-racism work, please contact the Rev. Barb Ballenger, who is co-chair of ARC, (stpeter654rector@gmail.com).
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Next Lunch Club: Wednesday, February 19
The next Lunch Club gathering is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19 at 11 a.m. For more information and to RSVP, contact Kate Boyce at yellowkab1@gmail.com.
Lunch Club is St. Peter's monthly luncheon, where we enjoy delicious meals and fellowship. A free-will donation for the meal is greatly appreciated.
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Trivia Night: Saturday, February 22
Enjoy a night of teamwork and educated guessing on multiple categories from music to sports. Pick a theme and dress the part! Sign your team up to win amazing prizes. Bring your own snacks and drinks. Mark your calendars and make sure to secure your team's table at this event.
The costs are $20 per person or $150 per table. Proceeds will go toward growing our church ministries.
**Alcohol limited to Beer and Wine**
If you have any questions, please email the event organizer, Tim Voit at tvoit@thomastonmills.com.
Use the button below to register your team.
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Upcoming Sunday Adult Forums | |
The What's and How's of Advance Care Planning this Sunday, Februray 16
In addition to being one of our kitchen coordinators, Deborah Way MD served as the Director of Palliative Care at the Philadelphia VA until her retirement in 2023.
She will discuss Advance Care Planning, and provide basic tools for participants to use in their own planning this Sunday, February 16 at 11:30 am in the Parish Hall.
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Health Care Check-In on Sunday February 23 | |
The pastoral care team is offering a health-check forum on February 23, following morning service.
Have your blood pressure screened and and medications assessed by certified health professionals.
This forum will include:
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Free Blood Pressure Screenings: Bring your home cuff and compare it with our manual cuff to ensure accuracy.
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Brown Bag Medication Check: Bring all your medications, including over-the-counter and supplements, so we can review them with you for safety and effectiveness.
Why it's important:
Ensure accurate blood pressure readings and check for potential medication interactions
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The Episcopal Church Joins Religious Freedom Lawsuit | |
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Bob Smith's Diaconal Ordination: Saturday, February 22 at 10 a.m.
The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez, XVI Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, will ordain Bob Smith to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at 10 a.m. at St. John's Church at Diocesan Center. The service will be followed by a reception.
Bob, who interned with us last year, has been assigned to St. Peter's as deacon starting March 2. Read Rev. Barb's Rector's Note to learn more about diaconal ministry and Bob's role at St. Peter's.
In additional to Bob, five other individuals will be ordained Feb. 22, including:
Elizabeth T. Brickle
Renee L. Coleman
Kyle S. Evans
James G. Massey
Evelyn E. Partridge
Use the button below to read Bob's bio.
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Diocese Interviewing Veterans after Easter
The diocese would like to recognize all who have served in the military (combat experience not required).
The diocese will capture interviews of veterans discussing their time in the military and how faith played a role in their lives for this year's Veteran's Day. Some of the interviews will be featured in a video.
Those who would like to participate will be sent the date and location via email. Interviews will begin after Easter.
Please contact, The Rev. Canon Toneh Smyth at Tsmyth@diopa.org for additional information.
Use the button below to complete the participation form.
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2025 Lenten Resources
The Episcopal Church has provided a number of resources to help enrich your spiritual growth this Lenten season. These resources include Holy Week explanation videos, reading materials and book clubs, and many more ways that journey you though lent into Easter.
Stay tuned for Planning a Holy Lent at St. Peter's.
Use the button below to download the Episcopal Church's Lenten Resources.
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A Glimpse at the Past Weekend | |
Another Successful Blood Drive | |
Saturday's Blood Drive was a success, collecting 54 pints of blood.
Special thanks to parishioner Kate Boyce for arranging this annual event. Thanks also to those who donated "thank you" pints and the Red Cross employees, who were full of enthusiasm.
The community showed up to support the annual blood drive, from high school students to Jefferson medical students, many sporting their Eagles green!
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St. Peter's Peep's Annual Retreat | |
The Peeps had a peaceful and engaging annual retreat on Saturday, Feb. 8. The Rev. Mary McCullough led the day at Cranaleith Spiritual Center, which included prayer practices, conversation and art making.
For more information about the St. Peter's Peeps Group, which is open to all who identify as female, contact Debbie DeKalb at sojourner_44@yahoo.com.
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The Eagles flew to victory during Superbowl LIX on Sunday! | A picture of donors cheering for the Eagles during the February 8 blood drive. | |
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner and Talent Show
Tuesday, March 4
Prepare for Lent during our annual pancake dinner and talent show on Tuesday, March 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Make Lenten resolutions, eat pancakes, and enjoy parishioner performances.
Use the button below to sign up if you wish to participate in the talent show, volunteer to be a pancake flipper or program helper.
Suggested donations are: $10.00/adult, $5.00/children, or $20.00/family and are collected at the door. Proceeds will benefit parish programming.
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Anthem Spotlight
The Beatitudes
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Jesus gave us the Beatitudes with His Sermon on the Mount. We find it at the beginning of Matthew 5; however, our lectionary gives us the language of Luke in 6:17-26. While there are many arrangements and compositions about the Beatitudes, our offering was written by George Whitefield Chadwick (1854-1931). You may not know his name, but he was quite a prolific American composer, creating fine music in almost every style and genre: opera, chamber music, choral works, and orchestral music, to name a few. His works reflect the style of the German composers of the Romantic Period (Schumann, Brahms, etc.), but also include many traits that are distinctly American in style.
In this version of the Beatitudes, not all were mentioned. Chadwick chose to leave out the righteous and the persecuted. He did, however, include the Peacemakers, Pure in Heart and Spirit, Merciful, Meek, and Mourners.
Since each of the Beatitudes begins with the word “blessed,” Chadwick has chosen to assign a very simple two-note theme to that word. It occurs six times throughout the piece. Melodically, it is interesting that the lines which reach the highest pitches are those associated with those who “shall inherit the earth” and those who “shall see God.” While most of the work is subdued and moderate in tempo, the final section bursts in sound and speed at the word “Rejoice.” It reiterates Chadwick’s treatment of the importance of being with God in heaven. If you listen carefully, you will surely hear these musical thoughts come to life on Sunday morning!
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Donate to the Food Pantry
This Winter
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Thank you to all who so faithfully donate to our food cupboard. Your contributions are very much appreciated.
During the cold winter months, we are in great need of soup, mac & cheese, spaghetti-Os, protein such as stew, chicken, tuna Spam, and always peanut butter and jelly.
Because of your generosity, we currently have a surplus of vegetables.
Our neighbors with food insecurities appreciate your donations.
Thank you for your support,
Audrey Kipphut and Rick DeKalb.
Learn more about this ministry here.
Use the button below to download the shopping list.
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Save the Date
Montgomery Deanery Lenten Series: Prayer Practices and Spirituality From March 10-April 7
Join us on Monday evenings during Lent for "Prayer Practices and Spirituality," a special series exploring different ways to deepen your prayer life. Each evening begins with a simple meal of soup and bread at 6:30 PM, followed by an interactive session from 7:00–8:00 PM at All Hallows, 262 Bent Road, Wyncote. Each week, a different leader will introduce and guide us through a unique prayer practice. Whether you seek to deepen your spiritual life or discover new ways to connect with God, this series provides a welcoming space for reflection and growth. Come for one evening or join us for the whole series! All are welcome. See the speaker schedule below.
March 10 – Imaginative Prayer - The Rev. Mary McCullough (retired)
March 17 –The Rev. Chris Exley (All Hallows)
March 14 – Centering Prayer – The Rev. Eric Bond (St. John’s Huntindon Valley)
March 31 – Icon Collage - The Rev. Emily Given (The Church of the Messiah Gwynedd)
April 7 – Lectio Divina - The Rev. Madeline (St. Anne’s Abington)
Charlie Zahm Concert: Saturday, May 7 at 7 p.m.
Charlie Zahm, known for his tradition Irish and Scottish Celtic music, will be performing along with Tad Marks on the fiddle at St. Peter's this spring. We might even see our own Rev. Barb join in with Charlie and Tad, who knows? As the concert gets closer, we will be asking for help with selling tickets at the door, welcoming people, setting up/cleaning up and providing refreshments. All concert proceeds will go to the church.
Learn more about Charlie Zahm here. Special thanks to Dave Kipphut for helping St. Peter's secure a spot on Charlie's busy schedule.
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