All Saints' Messenger, our February newsletter

Ash Wednesday--March 1

To mark Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent, we will have three worship services, and we will distribute ashes at the Harrison Train Station.

Ashes to Go will be available at the Harrison Train Station. We will stand at the platform and make ashes available. It is also an opportunity to share some information about the great things happening at All Saints' Church. If you are interested in helping, please email Fr. JK. The times that we will be there will be based both on commuters and on volunteers.

Lenten Book Group

Our Lenten Book Group will meet on Wednesday evenings in Lent, starting March 8, at 7:30 pm, in the Rectory. We will be reading Tokens of Trust by Rowan Williams, and we will discuss chapter 1 on March 8, and one chapter each week. Please obtain a copy of the book, or talk with Fr. JK if you need assistance getting the book. Thanks to the folks who followed the link in our last Messenger and voted!

Tokens of Trust is a set of talks that Dr. Williams presented at Canterbury Cathedral to explore themes in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds. As a result, any number of "ultimate questions" come up in this book--and will be the genesis of our discussions. Questions such as:

Come, join us as we dip our toes into these theological waters. Wednesdays, March 8-April 12, 7:30 pm, in the Rectory.

Want to learn how is the Episcopal Church involved in ministry to refugees? W atch this webinar from the Episcopal Migration Ministries, recorded on February 1.

February 10: Concerts at the Saints presents John Fumasoli and the Jones Factor at 7 pm. For tickets and more information, visit the website.

Many thanks to all who came to wish Holly farewell on January 22! We had a great turnout to wish her well as she discerns what is next in her ministry. We presented her with a sketch of a piece of calligraphy (which has now arrived and is beautiful). Our collection beyond the artwork will be sent to Holly's discretionary fund once she lands at a parish, and she will be able to use that money in ministry to those in need.

We thank Holly for her good ministry among us these years, and we wish her well!

What a joyful celebration as we gathered to mark the Celebration of our New Ministry together! We heard an encouraging sermon from the Rev. Margaret Rose, the Presiding Bishop's Deputy for Ecumenical and Interfaith Collaboration, who encouraged us to pursue bravely those things we named in our parish profile as things we wanted to pursue. Bishop Allen Shin, Bishop Suffragan of New York, reflected on the journey of calling a new priest and offered us his blessing. Many thanks to all who contributed to this great night--from participants in the service to reception hosts!

From the Priest-in-Charge

I feel like things have been a whirlwind! It seems like I have hardly had a chance to sit still since Christmas. This is not how I'd choose things to be, but so it goes: Annual Meetings, farewell celebrations, and Celebrations of a New Ministry.

While I am so glad these things don't happen every day, I am so grateful to you all for all of the work you are doing to make the life of All Saints' Church so very rich. It really is a blessing to be here among you!

As I write this down, the whirlwind continues--this week, we will move into the Rectory. Moving is such a headache, but we are looking forward to living at All Saints' and being part of the neighborhood.

As I look toward Lent, I do hope for a chance to slow down a bit. We will have a busy Ash Wednesday, offering blessings and ashes at the train station. We will have a new book group, reading Rowan Williams' Tokens of Trust.

I hope you will consider taking on a new spiritual discipline: participating in the United Thank Offering. UTO calls us to reflect daily on our blessings, thank God for them, and to make a small gift of coins. Those coins go on to make big things happen--from English Lessons to community gardens to mobile science labs to so many more things that change people's lives.

On March 5, the Rev. Heather Melton will step out of the front pew to preach. She serves on the Presiding Bishop's Staff as the Staff Officer for the United Thank Offering. Before she comes, I encourage you to learn more about UTO. Please visit the UTO webpage. At the top, there are four videos. Each is fairly short. All are informative about the work that we can be a part of through the United Thank Offering.

And please know that I'm always glad to talk with you about anything. Come by the office, or drop me a line, and we'll find a good time. I'm available mostly on Mondays, Thursdays, and some Saturdays. You can make an appointment online (dropping by risks that I'm not available, but you can drop by, too). You can email me at meltonjk@allsaintsharrison.org or call my cell phone at 914-979-1882.

God bless you, and see you in church,
JK

The Messenger: February 2017