Jubilee Kick-Off
St. George’s Day Celebration
Vestry Elected at Annual Meeting
Logo Revealed, Bells Peal
April 29, 2007, marked the launch date of St. George’s Diamond Jubilee Year. Both the eight and ten o’clock eucharists combined the Solemnity of St. George (martyr and patron of our parish) together with the 75th anniversary of the consecration of the church into one grand celebration.
In his homily the rector explained that the original manuscript of the sermon preached at the actual consecration service had been discovered by the preacher’s son, who gave the document to St. George’s to be deposited in the parish archives. Fr. Duffey quoted from that April 4, 1932, sermon and noted how the “glorious history” that the preacher hoped would some day be St. George’s had come to pass. (See below for Father Duffey’s sermon in full.)
At ten o’clock, instead of the usual announcements period, the festive service was marked by the annual parish meeting during which the Jubilee class of the vestry was elected. The meeting, chaired by the rector, followed the Exchange of the Peace.
In a unanimous voice vote the congregation elected Ray Beckey, Catherine Mallam-Joslin, and Keith Pryor to second terms, and Lynne Urian to a first term. Retiring vestry member David Farnsworth was honored for his nine-plus years of excellent service. (St. George’s annual meeting has become famous for the fact that it lasts only ten minutes.)
Prior to the day’s liturgies ushers distributed the 2007 Annual Parish Report. Copies of the report are available at the tract rack and on the round table in Jerusalem Hall.
Jubilee Logo and Banner Unveiled
The next part of the celebration followed when four Youth Group members lined up at the foot of the choir steps, each displaying a separate segment of the Diamond Jubilee logo. Each segment represented one of the Jubilee theme’s four “C”s: Christ—Our Salvation; Children—Our Legacy; Commitment—Our Presence; and Celebration—Our Joy. Then like the card section at a football game, the youth shifted positions and voilá! there was the complete logo in the shape of a very large diamond.
Pete Ricci, designer of the logo, completed the youth’s display by lowering a massive veil from the east wall left of the high altar to reveal a giant version of the logo, which will hang there throughout the Jubilee year. (See below for an explanation of the logo.)
Tower Bell System Demonstrated
To cap this special portion of the service, Rector’s Warden Rad Delaney pressed a button on a hand-held remote control causing St. George’s tower bells to ring out over the neighborhood. The peal the bells rang is one of several programmed into the carillon’s new computerized system —the result of our recently completed “17 Bells” campaign.
In this fund raising effort parishioners contributed $8,500 to acquire the sophisticated control system.
The system programs peals and hymns to ring St. George’s seventeen cast-bronze tower bells automatically at specified times. The system also allows the bells to be sounded by command from a remote control or a panel at the base of the tower. The bells also can be rung manually from a small keyboard next to the organ console, as in the past, and now also from the midi keyboard that programs music into the computer. In 1932 the bells were rung from a traditional carillon clavier on the third level of the tower. The clavier still exists and may be viewed by those equal to the climb.
Breakfast & Spring Brunch Enjoyed
The offertory followed with a festive anthem sung by the choir, and after communion both eucharists concluded with birthday meals.
Breakfast followed the eight o’clock liturgy and the Jubilee Spring Brunch followed the ten. Hosts Donna DiPaulo and Bryn Smythe served the abundance of gourmet food donated by parishioners. The menus included a juice bar and a made-to-order pancake station. For both meals Donna and Bryn provided spectacular birthday cakes from local bakeries. As pater familias, the rector cut the cakes to the ceremonial singing of “Happy Birthday” and the parishioners—especially the younger ones—then consumed them without ceremony.
At the end of the morning parishioners agreed the Jubilee year was off to a glorious start.
Why “C”s for Diamond Jubilee?
Our Diamond Jubilee theme at St. George’s plays off the four qualities that identify a fine diamond: clarity, color, cut and carat. The four “C”s that define St. George’s Diamond Jubilee are Christ, Children, Commitment and Celebration.
Sermon at 75th Anniversary
AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM
Easter IV (Year C), April 29, 2007, being the Solemnity of St. George, Martyr and Patron of our Parish, and the Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Church
On a glorious April morning in the year 1932 occurred the solemn consecration of this church by the Bishop of Pennsylvania, the clergy of the diocese, a congregation of hundreds of faithful men and women—and, people discovered later, one pickpocket.
At that grand service the sermon was preached by the Rev. Louis Pitt, then rector of our neighboring Saint Mary’s Church, Ardmore. In a stroke of good fortune his son, Louis Pitt, Jr., (also a priest), found the manuscript of the first sermon ever preached here among his father’s papers, and he sent it to me. From the vantage point of 75 years later, I am amazed at our first preacher’s ability to see into the future and to predict how the church that was being consecrated that day and the Christian community that was being founded would grow and flourish, how it would receive the benefit of many blessings and would in turn be a blessing to hundreds of others.
I want to read you a portion of the sermon Fr. Pitt preached on the day of our church’s consecration.
“Most important for us to think about [today] is that in this consecration service, Saint George’s Church has been given to Christ, presented to him that by his help it may prove a power for good, a true House of God, built for his glory and in memory of a [generous benefactor’s] mother and father, for the benefit of souls. . . .
“I am sure it is the hope of us all that St. George’s may have from this day the radiance of success. And after years…of a worthy sacramental ministry—in addition to the halo of hope which surrounds it at this hour—it may have the glory of a good history.
“…[I]t is [even] now a living and extraordinarily beautiful fact…well nigh perfect in its architectural design and construction…thereby [from the outset] minister[ing] to our souls.
“It is a prayer in stone. … From morning till evening its uplifted tower outlined against the sky will publish the gospel—that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.
“[Yes,] There are indeed sermons in stones. …The open doors, the rich symboled windows, the outstretched arms of the cross, speak to the eye, as the bells and the organ will speak to the ear—the call to prayer.
“These walls will become hallowed, not so much because they are built in good taste, but because within them the blessed sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood will be celebrated. Here communicants will gather on every Lord’s Day. Sermons...will be delivered from this pulpit upon the loftiest conceivable theme—the relation of the human soul with God. Every week children will be gathered here and instructed in God’s Word. Offerings of the people will be received and sent out to assist in maintaining Christ’s work in places far and near.
“You start here with beauty, in the physical plant. Added to it, you will have the beauty of the liturgy—this branch of the catholic Church. Then, if there can be an outward manifestation of the Spirit, a pastoral ministry...in genuine service to the needs of the community...[then] the success of St. George’s as a unit of the Diocese of Pennsylvania is assured.”
And so that first preacher’s vision has become reality. Because of God’s goodness, we do, 75 years later, have the “glory of a good history.” The faithful celebration of the eucharist week by week has indeed hallowed these walls and sanctified and strengthened the hearts of those who gather to receive Jesus’ most precious Body and Blood. Inspiring liturgies of power and beauty are indeed the standard worship experience at Saint George’s. Sermons urging the conversion of souls and the sanctification of lives have been and continue to be preached. Hundreds of children have gathered here, including—God be praised—many today, to be instructed in God’s word and the living of the Christian faith.
Offerings of the people are received and sent out to support the spread of the kingdom in places far and near, even as recently as last Sunday when, in the course of just two services, the people of this parish contributed over $3,000 to help a struggling, heroic sister parish in New Orleans.
And, finally, the outward manifestation of the Spirit prayed for on that first day, a pastoral ministry offered “in genuine service to the needs of the community,” has come to pass. The Children’s Ark has provided excellent care for hundreds upon hundreds of the infants and children of the working parents of this community. Yes, because God has blessed us richly, our first preacher’s dream has come to pass, and St. George’s has taken its place among the premier parishes of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and these walls have indeed been hallowed.
We are taking a much deserved year to celebrate the glories and blessings and achievements of our common life. And then at the end of the year, we will move on, we hope, to greater heights. Even in the midst of our celebration, it is not too early to be thinking what those new accomplishments might be. In today’s gospel Jesus challenges us to take up the cross, to give up all for the sake of him. That is what, he says, his true followers do. That is what George, the blessed martyr to whom we are dedicated, did heroically.
So, the question to ponder in the midst of our celebration is “How might we do that in the days to come?” As you look at the annual reports we have been given today, you will see that we are called to ever greater generosity in the support of the work of this parish. We need to learn the central place of stewardship in the gospel. It is so much more than the fall pledge drive.
And when we think about our outreach ministries, in addition to sending financial aid to places in need of relief, we might consider going there ourselves to participate in the work. Teams of St. Georgians in New Orleans might be a ministry for us in the near future.
Also, supporting and sustaining the rich liturgical life of the parish is critical to our corporate being. There are always needs to be met in the parish’s lay ministries; certainly committed singers, altar guild members and flower arrangers are first among them. All these are areas in our corporate life we need to ponder as we celebrate who God has raised us up to be.
So, my beloved, let us celebrate that a dream laid out for us on the day of the consecration of our church 75 years ago is coming to pass. Let us rejoice that God has blessed his Saint Georgians. And let us use the joy and thankfulness we feel to help us see who we might be, as in the years to come we find new ways to slay the dragons of darkness and offer the light of Christ to all we meet, encouraging them to join us on our quest for the new Jerusalem.
Jubilee Happenings
Zoo Trip Opens Jubilee Kick-Off Weekend
The first celebratory event of our Diamond Jubilee Year was a day with the animals at the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown on Saturday, April 28. A group of St. Georgians enjoyed the fabulous weather, fellowship, contact with nature, and a picnic lunch together.
Wine in the Jubilee Rack
C’est le Vin, C’est la Vie is a special Diamond Jubilee edition of Keith Pryor’s popular wine courses. The basic plan for the May 12th event was a progressive tasting of six beautiful wines from various regions of France, with foods matching each. The format was that small groups progress from one station to another —the rectory garden, Jerusalem Hall, and the refectory—each stop representing a region of France.
Keith selected six wines that would best represent the outstanding vintners of France, considering only wines of superb quality and elegance.
Chefs du plat Valerie Santangelo, Pleasants Tinkler, and Bryn Thompson offered their talents to create distinctive dishes to accompany each wine presentation. Heather Cooper planned the set design and production. Donna DiPaulo took care of promotion and logistics. Approximately 70 people had registered for the event.
Coming Up
Strut our stuff in4th of July Parade
Picture a float with a giant fire-breathing dragon and St. George’s youth in unique T-shirts waving to the crowds gathered along West Chester Pike for the big Fourth of July Parade. Balloons and other festive ornaments would bedeck the float.
That’s a vision the Diamond Jubilee Commission has as one of the plans to emphasize St. George’s presence in the surrounding community. The commission would love to see all of St. George’s youth in the parade and a large turnout of parishioners to cheer them on.
We Celebrate Ascension Day, May 17
A Major Holy Day
St. George’s parishioners will gather for a sung eucharist on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. This day is one of the seven principal feasts of the Christian year, ranking with Easter and Christmas in importance.
After forty days of appearances, the Risen Lord speaks to the Apostles about the coming of the Holy Spirit and the Church’s mission, and is then taken up in a cloud. Like disciples, we will receive power to be Christ’s witnesses when the Holy Spirit comes.
Taizé Eucharist May 20 at 7:00 p.m.
The Taizé liturgy has become the favorite of some members of the congregation. Taizé liturgies are celebrated once a month beginning in September and ending in May.
Our last Taizé for the season is scheduled for Sunday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. There will be a summer break, then the monthly Taizé series will resume in September.
The service is supported and led by a corps of dedicated musicians under the leadership of Michael Fox (mandolin). Others include Debbie Newnham (flute and clarinet),
Sarah Farnsworth (recorder), Donna DiPaulo (guitar), and Lynne Urian (guitar). The cantors are led by Janet Saffer and include Christina Webster and Eileen Kammerer.
Joanne Haley and Harry Urian serve faithfully as ushers and greeters. June Jaquith is the chalice bearer.
Anniversary Mugs
Enjoy your coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soup, chili, or whatever else fits, in a St. George’s 75th Anniversary mug. They are on sale now at $10 each. The proceeds will help to support our church’s mission in the community and the world.
To get your own mug, please see Pleasants Tinkler after church.
Visiting choirs to sing for Corpus Christi
Confraternity sponsors special worship
The Bryn Mawr Girls Choir and the Haverford School Notables will fill our church with glorious anthems on the Feast of Corpus Christi, Thursday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m. St. George’s members of the Confraternity of the Blessèd Sacrament, for whom Corpus Christi is a holy day of obligation, invite the whole parish and surrounding community to join them for a special Solemn Mass and Benediction in thanksgiving for the gift of the eucharist. The Girls Choir and the Notables will sing Mozart’s Missa Brevis in D.
The Bryn Mawr Girls Choir is resident at the Church of the Redeemer and is directed by Daniel Moriarty, accomplished organist and choral director who was at one time organist and choir director at St. George’s.
The Notables is the premiere vocal ensemble of The Haverford School, performing an average of 100 concerts each year. Their past engagements have included the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and Longwood Gardens.
The Notables’ director, Michael Stairs, is organist for the Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. He recently performed in a series of concerts inaugurating the new grand organ at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. He is also a member of the unique Organ Quartet.
Boucheron Monstrance to be presented at Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 10
A finely decorated antique monstrance recently purchased by Associates of St. George’s local ward of the Confraternity of the Blessèd Sacrament will be used in the Benediction portion of the liturgy on June 7, and it will be formally presented to the parish on Sunday, June 10, as part of the celebration of the parish’s Diamond Jubilee.
The gold plated monstrance was formerly used by a Carmelite monastery in southern France. Engraved on its base is the inscription A Jesus Hostie (Hail Jesus [Holy] Victim) and the names of Commandant and Madame Emile Boucheron, with the date February 15, 1932 (coincidentally, the year of our church’s consecration). The agent of the sale believed the Boucherons’ daughter to have been a member of the Carmelite community. The date may mark her entrance into the novitiate or her life profession.
If so, the monstrance was no doubt a gift to the monastery in thanksgiving for the occasion, and now, in a new home, it is given once again in thanksgiving—this time for St. George’s Diamond Jubilee.
The monstrance is decorated with a diamond-surrounded amethyst and sapphire. Notably for us here at Saint George’s, a small, exquisitely carved gold dragon curls itself into a delicate circle on the base of the vessel, making it singularly appropriate for a church whose patron’s fame rests partly on his victory over a dragon.
That the evil represented by the dragon has been conquered by the power of Christ exercised through grace given to St. George is symbolized by the fact that this dragon bears in its mouth a pearl. The presence of this symbol on a monstrance is most unusual and was what originally attracted ward members to the purchase.
In addition, Ray Beckey, an Associate of the Confraternity, donated the tabor to be used with the vessel. A tabor is a platform upon which a monstrance is displayed. Ours is
gold plated and decorated with jewels and enamels in a style similar to our monstrance.
In the rite of Benediction of the Blessèd Sacrament, a consecrated host, visible in the monstrance’s viewing chamber, is used to bless the congregation.
The Confraternity’s Role
Those walking through the church at various times during the week will find an Associate of the Confraternity at prayer before the eucharist reserved in the tabernacle on the altar of St. George’s Chapel.
At least one member every day continues the Prayers of the People from the Sunday eucharist, making intercession on behalf of St. George’s parishioners for the many local and worldwide concerns that come to our attention.
Prayer requests may be written in the red notebook next to the tract rack at the choir entrance to the church.
Confraternity associates, in the next few weeks, will be inviting other parishioners to join them. New associates will be inducted on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 10.
Christian Education
Confirmation
Communion
Confirmation at Pentecost
Bishop Joslin visits
The Rt. Rev. David Joslin, father of parishioner Paul Joslin, will be our episcopal visitor on the Day of Pentecost, May 27. It is especially fitting that Bishop Joslin will be confirming and receiving new members into this branch of Christ’s holy catholic church on the day that celebrates the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christians and Christian communities.
Sunday School students prepared
The middle school class, taught by Catherine Mallam-Joslin, has studied in depth the Life of Christ as part of their preparation for confirmation on the Feast of Pentecost. In addition to weekly Sunday classes they have attended the Lenten Wednesday series and Saturday morning classes with Father Bill where they have studied doctrine, sacramental theology, and church history and customs. Catherine says, “Their preparation has been demanding, and they have been dedicated catechumens.”
“I have been with the majority of these students since they were in fourth grade,” Catherine says, “and it has been my privilege to watch them truly grow in grace as they’ve grown in years.”
Eight of them will be confirmed on the Day of Pentecost: Billy Denham, Alexa Fusselbaugh, Sarah Joslin, Aileen LaBrake, Alexandra Magnani, Christopher Magnani,
John Mann, and Tyler Walsh.
The Youth Confirmation Class will visit the historical Bishop White house in Philadelphia on May 19. Bishop White was the first bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania and later Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. A leading Philadelphian and noted patriot, White is credited with being the primary force behind the founding of the American branch of Anglicanism.
Primary Class prepares for Communion
Kirsten Bushick and Paul Joslin teach children in grades one through three and have done an exceptional job of rewarding attendance and supplementing the Episcopal Church Curriculum with games and web-based resources. Currently, they are preparing their class for their first or solemn communion on the Sunday following the Feast of Corpus Christi.
“First Communion” celebrates reception of the eucharist by children who, as a matter of family choice, have not been receiving until a particular stage of development has been reached. For children who have been receiving, the “Solemn Communion” event is the opportunity to renew their thanks for the continuing presence in their lives of Christ’s Body and Blood under the forms of bread and wine.
Intermediate and Pre-school Classes
In grades four and five, Steve and Valerie Santangelo have enthusiastic students who are rewarded at the end of each lesson for remembering key concepts in their graded curriculum.
Sarah Farnsworth, Gigi Walsh, and April Chester share teaching responsibilities for children in pre-school through kindergarten. They are especially creative with crafts and activities that bring the lessons to life for little children.
Adult Catechumens ready
Since the beginning of Lent, the Adult Catechumens Class has met regularly with Fr. Bill Duffey as catechist on Sunday at 9:15 a.m., as well as in the Lenten Wednesday evening series. Their study has included sacramental theology, church history, doctrine, and worship customs. Use of the Book of Common Prayer and many other materials relating to the Episcopal Church in general and St. George’s Church in particular have reinforced the learning of these ten very committed adult catechumens.
Adults to be confirmed, received, or otherwise renew their baptismal vows include Andrew Fusselbaugh, Namah Kamara, Jill Kerrigan, Joseph Kerrigan, Kathryn Rinda, Sean Rinda, Gretchen Magnani, Chris Magnani, Doug Weinstein, and Jaime Weinstein.
Youth News
Under the leadership of Catherine Mallam-Joslin, David Farnsworth, and Youth Ministry Intern Mark Russum, the Youth of St. George’s served as our lay ministers on Youth Sunday, April 22nd. The Youth and congregation of St. George’s welcomed visiting preacher, Fr. Jerry Kramer, rector of the Church of the Annunciation in New Orleans.
Members of the Youth Group served as lectors, ushers, acolytes, chalice bearers, and intercessor. Mallory Zakeosian was the cantor and soloist for the service. The Youth selected the Maasai Creed for use on that Sunday in honor of Father Kramer’s former missionary work among the Maasai tribes in the Diocese of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (Thanks to Bryn Thompson for her research on this Creed.)
Our youth presented Father Kramer with a check for $500 for the youth group of Annunciation parish in New Orleans. The money had been collected on Souper Bowl Sunday in February of this year.
The Youth Group has been meeting every other week since February, usually on Friday evenings. The get-togethers have included dinner, discussion, games, and planning for
special events such as Youth Sunday. They end each evening with Compline in the church.
The Group is comprised of youth in grades six through twelve. The next Youth get-together will be on Friday, June 8th, at 6:30 p.m., when a Youth Barbecue is planned. All Saint George’s youth are invited!
Outreach
Outreach Projects drew great response
by Mary Geisz, for the Outreach Committee
During Lent, parishioners helped to make things a little bit nicer for two very different groups who lead hard lives.
Children in Foster Care: Parishioners donated backpacks suitable for three-to-five year olds, along with pajamas, toothbrushes and toothpaste, stuffed animals, and books, which the Outreach Committee used to fill the backpacks.
Nineteen filled backpacks were given to the Children’s Aid Society, an agency that provides specialized, professional, family-focused social services, including foster care to abused, neglected, and delinquent children and youth in Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks, and Berks counties.
Children’s Aid will give the backpacks to children entering foster care so they can make the move with some things of their own. We hope the backpacks will provide some comfort during a difficult time.
Seamen on Shore: Parishioners also donated used videotapes to entertain the seamen served by the Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia. The Institute serves the needs of seafarers in the ports along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The donated videotapes filled five large boxes and were much appreciated by the Institute.
Thanks to all who participated in these projects.
Our Visitor from New Orleans
Fr. Jerry Kramer and a sustaining faith
On April 22, Fr. Jerry Kramer put us in personal touch with the continuing recovery work in New Orleans. The rector of the Free Church of the Annunciation in the Broadmoor section of that city was our preacher.
The Youth presented him with a check for the proceeds of their fund drive, parishioner Pleasants Tinkler, member of the National Altar Guild, presented him with the complete set of hand-embroidered altar linens she made to replace those Annunciation lost in the Katrina disaster, and the congregation contributed over $3,000 at the two eucharists that morning.
In his sermon, Father Kramer spoke of a sustaining faith that is the basis of the continuing recovery mission conducted by his parishioners in New Orleans. Listening to Father Kramer’s sermon, many in the congregation were struck to the core by the clarity and simplicity of a genuine encounter with God’s sustaining strength.
Ark News
Vestry takes action to stop Ark flooding
The Children’s Ark, unlike Noah’s Ark, does not float. Situated on the ground level of St. George’s parish house, the Ark has been plagued by frequent seeping of water following heavy rain. This occurs mainly along a section of wall on the Darby Road side of the building. Several stopgap attempts at waterproofing have not solved the problem.
The solution is to dig a trough inside that section of the wall, line the trough with stones and install a series of perforated tubes which will collect water and drain it to a sump pump in one corner.
Hal’s Pals are cruising again
On Sunday, February 24, 2008 we set sail out of Ft. Lauderdale on the beautiful Emerald Princess, the newest ship in the Princess Line. Our ten-day cruise will include the exotic ports of Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica, St. Thomas and Princess Cay. This will be our fourth cruise with Hal Lawrence and his gang.
Lounge on a deck chair with a margarita in hand breathing the fresh sea air, or bask on a white beach under the palm trees gazing at the blue Caribbean.
Tempted? Check out the GPI bulletin board for more information and rates. As an extra bonus, if ten cabins are booked by St. George’s members and friends, a contribution will be made to the church.
Holy Week to Easter Day at St. George’s
Holy Week Liturgies led to triumphant Easter
Good attendance at this year’s Holy Week liturgies indicates the important place those services play in the spiritual lives of our parishioners.
On Palm Sunday, April 1, a large congregation welcomed back our former Vicar for Youth Brian Smith, now the Rev. Brian Smith, deacon. Brian assisted in the eucharist, reading the Gospel at the Blessing of the Palms, taking the part of the narrator in the dramatic reading of the Passion Gospel, and the administration of Holy Communion.
The Solemn liturgies of the Triduum—Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday—were celebrated with the usual skill of our acolytes and choir.
On Good Friday we used a new cross for Exposition and Veneration. This cross, made by Brian Chester in memory of his grandmother, is actually a reliquary containing an authentic fragment of the True Cross.
Father Duffey has given the relic to St. George’s in thanksgiving for the privilege of his ten years of ministry among the people of the parish and in honor of the church’s Diamond Jubilee.
The relic was authenticated by the Archbishop of Paris in 1867, and sealed under his authority in a small, silver viewing capsule (called a theca). The authenticating document is kept in St. George’s safe, but a copy of it is on display in the vesting sacristy next to the cross itself, which remains veiled in red when not used.
The True Cross is considered the most important relic of Christianity. According to tradition it was discovered by St. Helena on the site of the crucifixion, where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre stands today. Records indicate that the Cross has been venerated by the faithful since the fourth century, especially on Good Friday. Crusaders and Pilgrims from the Holy Land, wishing to share their experience with Christians in their own communities, brought small splinters or fragments of the Cross to their home churches and monasteries throughout Europe and England. Our fragment came from a monastery in southern France.
Our Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 7, included the moving baptism of Namah Kamara, an adult from Liberia, and baby Addison Weinstein. The festive passover banquet of roast lamb with all the trimmings was enjoyed by the hundred or so people attending the Vigil.
For Easter Day, our children gathered in the midst of the crowded ten o’clock eucharist to observe their beloved “Alleluia,” which they had buried at the beginning of Lent, now wonderfully risen from its tomb. They noted how the “Alleluia” taught them about the resurrection of Jesus. After the liturgy, a chilly day did not prevent the hardier among them from enjoying the now annual Easter Egg Hunt led by the Easter Bunny.
Thanks to Holy Week and Easter Volunteers
A fabulous group of volunteers contributed their time and talents during Holy Week and Easter. Altar Guild members led by Emily Jones worked throughout the week preparing for the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Great Vigil, and Easter Sunday services. Members include Sally Hale, June Jaquith, Cecily Littleton, Lynne Urian, Gigi Walsh, and Lorraine Wickersham.
Palms and flowers for Holy Week and Easter were expertly and beautifully arranged by Wilson DeWald, Sue Grant, Sally Hale, Susan LaBrake, Ruth Legnini, and Janet Wismer.
At the Great Vigil David Farns-worth prepared the Passover Feast, receiving help from his family—Sarah, William, and Robbie. Other parishioners, including Jack Fleming and Jeffrey Jaquith, assisted David with the Feast.
George and Debbie Newnham led the group of Easter Bunny helpers that included their sons Alan and Tommy Newnham, on Easter Sunday following the 10:00 a.m. service.
Chicken Barbecue
The DeLightful, the DeLicious, the DeLectable DeBlois Barbecue!
Saturday, June 16
Serving from 11 am to 4 pm (or until sold out)
An entire half chicken slow-cooked in a secret marinade,
Potato Salad, Roll, and Cold Soda
Cost: only $8
Eat at our picnic tables or take it TO GO!
Rain or Shine!
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