Harvest Fair is an annual event at Saint John’s that gathers and welcomes folks from all over the city of Charlestown, and the Greater Boston area for a day of thankfulness and celebration that includes a wonderful Turkey Dinner! From 10am until 2pm, the festivities include something for everyone. Bring friends, family, and neighbors and come for all or part of the, day. We will be glad and you will be glad, that you joined us!
Saint John’s Episcopal Church 27 Devens Street Charlestown, MA 02129
Our Scriptures speak often of thankfulness and gratitude as a way of life. In order to promote that “Way,” this post from our newsletter is devoted to thanks and gratitude to one another. Also, check out our “House of Gratitude” board in the Parish Hall, and add a “brick” to the house.
From Maureen Lavely: It was chilly, but not a drop of rain so we were able to bring all the “stuff” outside for easy shopping by the folks that stopped by. There are always a few “fun” things; it is great to watch the kids play with all the wonderful items on the kids’ table; much of which came from Kristen’s brood!
Then there were the faithful ladies that come every year and spend a great amount of time shopping and enjoying being with us. They remembered the rainy year that they were about the only customers and that they spent HOURS going over and over all the items and having a wonderful time. I’m sure they will be back.
Then there were the two men off Spinelli’s truck (they deliver the meals on wheels across the street) and were so thrilled with the glasses they discovered that their wives sent them back for more, and added dishes to the shopping list. They wanted to know our next sale and we told them all about the Fair and I’m sure they will be there.
It was especially fun to help Abelard Newell furnish his new apartment! Good luck Abelard. We’re all excited for you and wish you the best.
Thanks to all the helpers; some brought stuff, some received it on Friday night, some brought tables, chairs, and all the items outside for display, some sold for as long as their schedules allowed and even bought some treasures for themselves, and some showed up at 1pm to help break down the remaining items and finally some drove to Chelsea where the leftovers were very welcome.
The majority of Garden Group and all of the ECW are women, so we certainly appreciate all the muscle of William Moody, Steve Finch, Jonathan McCormick and Paul Newell. They are faithful friends and supporters of this effort and we are grateful. And to our wonderful St. John’s members and friends, we loved your contributions and they will be put to good use!
Despite the competition of the major sidewalk sale at the Training Field, our total collected was $294, so each organization gets $147 for their projects!
We cherish our beloved St. John’s Episcopal Church, and to that end, we strive to raise awareness through development and outreach that will equip all of us at St. John’s, as we endeavor to serve all our many communities both, young and old, near and far. In this, the 21st Century, that now consists of the inclusive use of social media and our willingness to become a bit more “Social Media Savvy.” But, do not fear, for we are with you! During upcoming #Coffee Hours, we will partner young social media guru users with older social media novice users, for more #Joy for the #Journey Together!
We invite you to join us on Social Media, which now includes Facebook, #Twitter, and Instagram. For everything in one easy location, and for, “All the News That’s Fit to Print,” concerning St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlestown, Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Diocese, the Episcopal Church in New England, and The Episcopal Church throughout the World. We encourage you to help St. John’s invite everyone in all our many communities to events such as #Harvest Fair and #Lessons & Carols, and to #Sunday Morning Worship, and #Coffee Hour.
Please leave a message, if you have any questions or comments. Meanwhile, enjoy #Uplifting, #Inspiring, and even at times, #Concerning, or #Mobilizing St. John’s social media posts that will engage you, from National Episcopal Church Women, Episcopal Cafe, Sojourners, El Camino Project, Episcopal Intercultural Network, The Episcopal Church, Reverend Michael Curry, Liturgical Musings, Forward Movement, Episcopal Youth, and much, much, more!
As I prepare for our move to Maine, I wanted to share with those of you who could not be at our Coffee Hour conversation some thoughts about what I will be doing once we arrive there.
First and foremost, I will be helping us to get settled. While arrangements have not been finalized, it looks as if we will be moving in early April to a new home in Portland (Thomas begins his work on May 1). Those of you who have moved households in the past know how challenging, and exciting that can be. When plans come to fruition, I will let you know of our new address and contact information.
I very much want to be present with Thomas as he begins his ministry as the tenth bishop of Maine. He will make his first visitation to a parish – St. Mark’s in Waterville – on June 23, the day after his consecration. We have both already experienced warm welcomes and an eagerness to get to know us as we get established there.
As for my own ministry, I want to be open to working again in a parish. That may take the form initially of supply preaching, perhaps interim work, or a more lasting relationship with one parish. If I do work for an Episcopal church within the diocese, I would have another bishop from an adjacent diocese who would be assigned to have oversight over me.
I also want to be open to ministries beyond a local parish, and am eager to see what possibilities might emerge for me. In my prayer, life, I have been made aware of the need to simply “be open” to what it is that God is doing in my life in this new chapter of it.
I also shared last Sunday a little bit about the Diocese of Maine. It is comprised of 60 parishes and 18 summer chapels. The bishop is required to make a visitation to each parish at least once every two years. The diocese was originally part of the Diocese of Massachusetts, but became independent in 1820, when Maine became a state separate from Massachusetts.
The diocesan cathedral, St. Luke’s, is located in downtown Portland, and the diocesan offices are adjacent to the cathedral in Loring House. St. Luke’s was the first cathedral in the American church to have been designed and built as a cathedral.
The consecration of every bishop in Maine except the first has been held at the cathedral, and Thomas’ service of consecration will be held there as well. Though the cathedral is large, because of anticipated numbers, tickets will be required. I will keep you informed if any tickets do become available. The service will also be live streamed, and many parishes in Maine will be planning gatherings in their local churches to watch the service together.
I hope this answers at least a few of your questions. I know I will have many more myself, to be answered in the living out of our lives in the months ahead. I do know that we will be going to Maine with the prayers of many surrounding us, and for that I am grateful.
Faithfully,
Tom
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