200 Route 23, Wantage, NJ 07461

(973) 875-0919

 

The Vicar’s Voice: Summer always reminds me of Sabbath time. Sabbath time is not the same as vacation time, but it seems easier to take Sabbath time in the summer. Maybe that is because days are longer and sometimes our schedules lighten in some way. It is a good time to begin or renew the practice of Sabbath time so that practice continues into the dark of winter. Sabbath time is time set aside for rest, reflection, prayer, and quiet. For some it includes reading; for others, music; for others, art; for others, nature. Maybe some people will use all of these. It is time to refresh the Spirit within with the gift of the Spirit in the world. It is light earlier, so Sabbath time is easier in the morning. It is light later, so Sabbath time can be an evening walk. Sabbath time is time to bring the power of peace and mystery and gratitude back into our lives. Let us all take regular Sabbath time this summer. We will then be able to worship together, play together, serve together with more cooperative and joyful hearts. Sabbath time is a gift you give to yourselves and to those around you. Sabbath time is also a commandment, but how you take that time is up to you.—a day a week, an hour a day, 15 minutes twice a day, 5 minutes every time you hear a bell ring—however.   God calls you into Sabbath time. Please say “Yes.”   

                                                                                      --------Blessings,    Fain

 

 

 

 

We are grateful for Lisa Checkur, Angela Muller and Jacki McKenna for teaching this year. We are also going to restructure the church school.  If you would like to be a part of planning the church school, please let Fain or Jacki know.  Thank you for this important ministry.

 

Children at Church:  Children are welcome at Good Shepherd this summer and always.  For children ten and under there will be a guided learning time before the peace in the parish hall.  We need volunteers from the congregation to sign up to take one day this summer, or more if they want.  A lesson plan will be provided and whatever materials you might need.  Youth and/or adults may sign up to lead the children.  The sign up sheet is available now in the front hall, or call the church office and pick a Sunday.

Summer Singing: If you have some favorite hymns that you would like to sing this summer, please write their names or numbers on the form in the Narthex and place then in the holder on the office door. We will work them into our services.  We may have one service of hymn singing, instead of a sermon.  Hopefully, we will also have a front porch sing along once or twice this summer.  The times for these will be announced.  We will also have several services that involve new but easy to sing hymns that will appeal to all ages. 

Wednesday Healing Service:  will resume again the Fall.

 

Summer Worship Service: Summer Worship hours will begin July 5^th. The July and August Worship will be at 9 a.m. only through Labor Day Weekend.

REFLECTION ON FAITH:  During July and August, we will offer a brief group reflection for those interested on the beliefs outlined in the catechism.  This will be a short time together when we can talk about, question, and celebrate the beliefs we hold in common (or not).  This will be a good time for people building their faith and for those steeped in faith, for our faith is ever changing, growing.  This will not be doctrine pumped into you; it will be open discussion.  We offer this shortly after coffee hour that follows the service.  It will be held whenever two or three want to stay and reflect.  Hopefully, more will.  There is no need to commit ahead of time. Come when you can.

 

CONFIRMATION:  This year we have 10 youth and adults who will be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church on Sunday, June 7th.  Amanda Autore, Meghan Barr, Brian Dely,  Katie Light, Justin Ramsammy, Angie Turro, Chrissie Losee and Sarah Losee are our youth and Pat Dillon and Tom Schneider are the adults.  We welcome them all and will celebrate with the ones who can be with us on the 7th of June at the Cathedral in Newark or on the 14th of June following the 10:00 service.  Please keep them in your prayers and encourage them in the continued living out of their commitment to Christ.

 

Members of the Church Life Committee had an enthusiastic first planning meeting involving a hot tub!  We discussed Pastoral Care, the Shepherd Groups, fund-raisers, a Church Picnic and Games during IHN in July, and many other ideas. 

Please continue to sign up to host Coffee Hour, it is a perfect time to visit and talk to everyone.   See Jacki McKenna or Debbie Lennon for written instructions if you would like a "Guide" to assist you.  Thank you for everyone's service.

We will be planning a Bunco Game afternoon, see Debbie if you would like to help with this fun activity.  All ages can play, the only skill needed is to roll dice.  It is not gambling, just a lot of laughing and cheering.

If you would like to join or assist this committee in any way, please speak to any member, we would love to welcome you!  Members are Deacon Liz, Carole LaValle, Arlene Matthews, Marian Baker, JoAnn Boyle, and Debbie Lennon.

BEA'S KITCHEN:  Summertime is a time those who cannot volunteer during the winter can offer to help or lead a Saturday.  If you would like to take a day, please contact the church office.  If you want to volunteer, let the office know so that whoever is in charge can be contacted and rely on your help.  We will not have BEA'S while we are hosting IHN.

We will also be closed for ATTIC TREASURES.  Closed dates are June 6th, July 4th and 11th.   

 

PANTRY--The Pantry will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer. This is our "focus" time.  We could use a helper for these days throughout the summer.  There is a signup sheet at the church. Take one morning or become a regular.  Thank you.

 

IHN-Hotel Good Shepherd runs from June 28^th to July 12^th . Please sign up where you can help. The set up begins on June 27^th. Many strong hands are needed to setup the room walls.

 

The Tyler’s have purchased 15 air mattresses for our guests at $20.00 each. If you would like to donate towards the mattresses please note it on your check. Thank you to all who have donated already.

 

 

Congratulations to Brian Dely who is the Senior Patrol Leader for Boy Scout Troop 153.  Recently he was inducted into the Order of the Arrow.  OA was founded to be the honor society of scouting, offering membership to those who exemplify the scout oath and law in their everyday lives and are seen as positive leaders by their peers.   The Order of the Arrow has dedicated its self to 3 principles: Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service.  This brings Brian one step closer on his Trail to Eagle.

 

Congratulations to Jake Checkur who is graduating from High Point High School in Wantage, NJ.

 

Congratulations to Susan MacDonald who graduated from Marywood University in Scranton Pa., earning a Master of Science degree majoring in Speech/Language Pathology.

 

Congratulations to Emily MacDonald who graduated from Framingham State College in Massachusetts, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in Education.

 

If you have not yet met this year's newcomers, try to meet them over the summer!

 

Over the summer, see if you can get to know these people better:

 

Welcome Back to:

Laura Barreto and family

Tony & AnnMarie Guarino

 

Welcome to:

Toni Heavener

The Harts

Debbie Wikander

Bonnie Matthews

Caroline Palush

Joe Szczesny Jr

Christy Gavel and Leah Nistok

John & Loretta Miller

Andy & Pat - our summer visitors

 

 ABC'S OF SUMMER CHURCH

A. Volunteer to do one or two summer Sunday church school with younger children

B. Let the office know if you are willing to acolyte, read, or greet or (once or twice) and Susie will put you on the schedule.

C. See what you can do to help while we house the homeless.

D. Take a coffee hour during the summer—iced tea and cookies

E. Use the Forward Day by Day and pray each morning, and pray for the church.

F. Send a card to someone you know who is sick.

G. Volunteer to come with Fain or Liz to a nursing home.

H. Stay after church and help Grace MacDonald change the letters on the message board.

I. If you make more money this summer than you expected, give a   percentage to help the church.

J. Invite a friend from church to come over and visit.

K. Help lead games for little ones at the July 5^th picnic, or play wiffle ball with everyone.

L. Pick up trash in front of the church, as you come in on a Sunday.Wash up, then, before service.

M. Bring something to share for the picnic on July 5^th.

N. Read a Psalm every day this summer. Or learn one you don't know

    (ie. Psalm 1, 23, 100, 121, 150 or pick your own)

O. Invite a friend to church.

P. Sign up to work at the Pantry.

Q. Volunteer one Saturday this summer at Bea's.

R. Offer someone a ride to church.                                                                    

S. Get together with someone else and write a “prayers of the people ”for us to use on a Sunday. Give us a week's notice.

 T. Be a thankful people. Say at least one thank you a day. Write at least one thank you a week.

U. Bless someone else with the gift of a smile or hug, especially someone who needs this (in your own home or beyond).

V. Help with the planning for our Good Shepherd Sunday in Sept.

(call the Vicar if you want to help)

W. Visit one of our newcomers or give them a call.

X. Use your talent to sing a solo or play a solo for the church once this summer.

Y. Donate to the pantry—weekly or monthly.

Z. Refuse to participate in negative conversations.

These are all things Christians do, so do your best to do some of them and you will continue to grow as Christians and as Episcopalians.

 

Financial Summary

                                                                                             Receipts                        $ 9,827                         $ 62,760                                      

 

 

 

Phase one of the Vicarage yard cleanup and planting was a success. All of the money donated for the replacement of plants and mulch was used. If you would like to make a donation for the completion of this project, please make sure you note on your check that it is for the Vicarage plants. Also, if you have access to a rotor tiller and would like to help out, please speak to Jeff Allan, Clara Wilson, or Grace MacDonald. Thank you to all who participated and especially to Gary Wilson. Without his help and expertise, we would not have accomplished as much as we did.

A second furnace, which heats the Sacristy area, had to be replaced.

Summer Office Hours: The summer office hours begin next week. Susie will be in the office Tuesdays thruThursdays 9-12 and Fain will be in the office on Wednesday thru Friday mornings (flexible hours).