Announcements

Rector’s Forum this Morning

After both Services this morning the rector will be making a presentation on resources for Daily Prayer in our Anglican tradition.  Last week during the sermon he described this as: “a daily encounter with Scripture in an orderly fashion with prayer for the church and the world.”  Come and learn what the possibilities are!

Rector Away this Week

Michael will be attending the annual meeting of the Episcopal Urban Caucus this week in Atlanta, Georgia.  He serves on the Caucus Board of Directors in addition to being a member.

New Hymns This Morning

Working with the theme of “A Season for the Spirit,” Michael and Annie have been on the hunt for new hymn texts, particularly if they have been paired with familiar tunes.  We have three this morning!  The first is “Spirit of God, you moved over the waters,” by Carolyn Winfrey Gillete (b. 1961).  The text traces the work of the Spirit throughout the Scriptures, including today’s Gospel reading.  At the Offertory we are using a text from John Bell (b. 1962), sometime Director of the Iona Community in Scotland.  “We rejoice to be God’s chosen” celebrates the Spirit who is always leading us into new being.  The Closing Hymn is from Shirley Erena Murray (b.1931), a native of New Zealand and a prolific contemporary hymn writer.  “Startle us, God, by the signs of your Spirit” asks God to wake us up through the intervention of the Spirit.  All three of these writers are living and still producing new song for the church.

Welcome the Revs. Philip Schaefer and Dennis Wienk

The rector as invited the Rev. Philip Schaefer and the Rev. Dennis Wienk to join the Rev. Saundra Cordingley as official Pastoral Associates of the parish.  This means Two Saints is their home base, they are part of our clergy team, and will function in various pastoral capacities.  Phil and his wife Elsa have been with us for some time now, of course.  Many Sundays he is taking Services somewhere in the Diocese.  Marilyn Wienk has been a member of the parish for many years, but is now joined in the pew by newly retired Dennis. Dennis most recently was the Chaplain at the Episcopal Church Home, and before that was rector of St. Thomas’ Church, Bath, New York, where he and Michael first met.  Welcome Phil and Dennis!

Green Tip of the Week

Green tip of the Week:  Food transportation accounts for 18% of the fossil fuel burned in the US.  By eating local, we support local farmers and reduce oil consumption.  We can ask our grocer which foods are local.  By joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), we can support local farmers by paying a yearly fee for in-season produce for the entire season.  For a complete list of Farmers' Markets and CSA's in our area, see www.agmkt.state.ny.us.

Coffee Hour Sign-up

Saints, we have dates available in March and April to host Coffee Hour. If you or a group have a particular Sunday that is traditionally yours (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.), PLEASE sign up.  Your contribution of hospitality is greatly appreciated! Coffee hours can be simply beverage and cookies, or whatever you may wish to do!

Lenten Series:  Practicing Life in the Spirit

Our Lenten series this year is meant to complement the “Tending the Soul” series offered at St. Stephen’s.  Both are an opportunity to explore Christian practices to deepen spirituality (relationship with God, the world and the self), most of which have ancient roots but are being appropriated in our day in new ways.  Here’s our schedule on Saturdays during Lent from 10 am to Noon (some may wish to eat together afterward): 

·          Saturday, March 3:  Spiritual Direction or Spiritual Friendship, which can be practiced one on one or in groups. With guest Sandy Pacyga (co-mentor with the Rev. Mary Ann Brody of our EfM group).

·          Saturday, March 10:  Lectio Divina, a simple, ancient method of bible reading that, again, can be practiced alone or in groups.  Led by the rector.

·          Saturday, March 17:  Storytelling about God and the World (Testimony), an especially appropriate session for St. Patrick’s Day because Celtic Christians like Patrick were especially good at it.  Testimony has deep roots in African-American church culture also.

·          Saturday, March 24:  The Benedictine Way: 15 centuries ago, Benedict wrote a “rule,” a guide to living in spiritual community.  It fosters an approach to life that is characterized by balance and the seeking of God in the daily.  We will examine this rule and explore the potential for a Benedictine cell group.  Led by the rector.

·          Saturday, March 31:  Discernment, which is spiritual decision-making (which does not mean decision-making that is not practical or reasonable).

2012 Initiatives Work Begins

Please note the following dates for information sessions about various 2012 Initiatives that were announced at the Annual Meeting. All interested are welcome.

·          Worship Team:  Saturday, March 10, Noon—2 pm

·          Discernment of a Deacon:  Tuesday, March 13, 6:30 pm

·          Our Buildings as Assets:  Tuesday, March 27, 6:30 pm

·          Right On School Committee, Thursday April 19, 5 pm

Sunday Supper Needs

Sunday Supper at St. Stephen's needs a little help. Each guest receives a grocery bag of food staples.  Breakfast cereal is difficult to obtain from Foodlink. We can help by bringing cereal to church and placing it in the box at the back of the sanctuary. Thank you!

Lenten Offering for ERD

Our special offering for Lent is for Episcopal Relief and Development. Our offering will be designated for ongoing earthquake recovery work in Haiti.  ERD works through local churches to identify projects that are no otherwise receiving assistance.  There is a book of Lenten meditations from ERD on the Resource Table in the back of the church, as well as mite boxes to collect coins and envelopes for offering.  Please do not mail your offering to ERD so that we can mail them altogether from Two Saints.

Restored Organ at St. Paul’s to Be Featured

St. Paul’s has recently done a major restoration of their Skinner organ and two events next weekend will feature it.  On Friday, March 2, Dr. Robert Poovey, St. Paul’s Director of Music, will give a recital at 8 pm.  On Sunday, March 3, there will be an Evensong and Recital at 4 pm with Naomi Gregory on the organ.