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Dear Friends-
I’ve been working on staying present in the moment. With two teenagers, an extended family to consider, job changes, and the way of the world, it’s a daily challenge to be present.
One of my favorite writer and theologian, Frederick Buechner, has something to say about this that I hope is worth sharing. I’ve returned to it over the years when I see myself unable to appreciate the day that I’m living in!
See you Sunday!
George
‘In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another just like it and there will never be another just like it again. It is the point to which all your yesterdays have been leading since the hour of your birth. It is the point from which all your tomorrows will proceed until the hour of your death. If you were aware of how precious it is, you could hardly live through it. Unless you are aware of how precious it is, you can hardly be said to be living at all. “This is the day which the Lord has made," says the 118th Psalm. "Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Or weep and be sad in it for that matter. The point is to see it for what it is because it will be gone before you know it. If you waste it, it is your life that you're wasting. If you look the other way, it may be the moment you've been waiting for always that you're missing. All other days have either disappeared into darkness and oblivion or not yet emerged from them. Today is the only day there is.’
— Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark (1988), p.105-6.
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Last week wild fires tore through Hawaii, particularly devastating the historic town of Lahaina in Maui. The loss of life and destruction are hard to incomprehensible.
If you are looking for a way to help, the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii has set up a number of funds that I commend to you.
To help with immediate needs (food, water, blankets, etc.) , the Diocese of Hawaii has set up a ‘quick response team’ that uses its community outreach van called ‘A Cup of Cold Water’.
For long term recovery, the Rt. Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick has set up a Bishop’s Pastoral Fund that will assist with pastoral support of individual and congregational needs that unfold as recovery begins.
Both of these funds can be found with secure giving links on the Diocese of Hawaii’s website at: www.episcopalhawaii.org
Loving God, our strength in times of despair, be with all those who have lost their homes to wildfire, comfort them in their distress, strengthen them for the journey ahead, and sustain them with your loving embrace, that they may find a sense of home once again. We ask this in the name of your son Jesus Christ, who heals the sick and restores the lost. Amen.
|  | The historic parish of Holy Innocents in Lahaina has been destroyed. | |
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Please join us for brunch, August 27th, right after the 9AM service. This will be a great opportunity to say thank you and goodbye to George before his last service on September 3rd.
If you would like to bring something to share (bagels, quiche, fruit, coffee cake, muffins, or something else), please
let Lynn Maruskin or Cheryl Murphy know.
Hope to see you Sunday, August 27th!
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Emily on Vacation Next Week
Emily will be out of the office from Wednesday, August 23rd through Thursday, August 31st to visit family in Maryland. If there is an emergency, you may reach George on his cell at 978-578-8084.
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A Note From the Interim Rector
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4.6-7)
Dear Friends-
Last week I shared with the vestry that I will be ending my time with you as Interim Rector on Sunday, September 3.
I have treasured the sixteen months I have served among you and feel good about what you have been able to accomplish in our time together. Our time together and new Mission Strategy has prepared you to welcome new clergy leadership.
The decision to leave St. Peter’s has not come easily. It was always my intention to stay with you until your new Priest in Charge arrived. However, if there is one thing I’ve learned over the last seventeen years of ministry, the Holy Spirit sometimes has other plans.
A few weeks ago I received a call from the Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown, the Bishop of Maine, who asked me to come alongside the Cathedral Church of St. Luke as Interim Rector. After much prayer and conversation, I have accepted the call. The decision to leave was made much easier by the confidence I have in your lay leaders and staff.
In the coming weeks you will be hearing from your wardens regarding the clergy leadership that will partner with you until your Priest in Charge is in place.
I am so thankful for the time we have shared together and I have great faith in the future of this wonderful congregation.
Blessings-
The Rev. George R. Stevens
Interim Rector
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING B-SAFE!
Back in July, St. Peter’s once again partnered with St. Elizabeth’s Church in
Sudbury to benefit students from St. Stephen’s Church in Boston. A huge thank
you to Karen Montague and Ann O’Rourke for organizing the Friday movie and
lunch in the Parish Hall. I would also like to thank the other parishioners who
made this day so special by generously donating and serving food: George
Stevens, Bobby DeRegis, Cheryl Murphy, Becky Callow, Lynn Maruskin, Camille
Batarekh, Mike Iacono, Norva Kennard, and Margaret Randle.
The following week we provided 30 bags of groceries complete with $50 Stop and
Shop gift cards for St. Stephen’s families. A special thank you to Kim and Scott
Francour and Bobby DeRegis who helped procure and load the food.
Apologies to anyone whose contributions I may have overlooked.
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Afghan Ministry Update
Back to School Drive! Summer is flying by and volunteers are helping get the kids out to playgrounds, the library, pools and even sailing. This week the kids enjoyed make your own sundaes at Camp Brookside. Anything to get them out of their stuffy, cramped apartments. You all generously helped last summer by providing backpacks, school supplies and Target gift cards which gave the Moms the opportunity to buy some new clothes to go back to school with. We have 24 K - 12 students. They’ll be using the backpacks that were provided last year so we are focusing on the school supplies ( we have list by grade) and $100 Target or WalMart gift cards. Please contact Karen if you’d like to sponsor one of the kids by providing supplies and a gift card or contribute gift cards which we’ll use to help with the shopping and providing some necessary items to all the kids like underwear!!!!!! We are also getting some help from a group of Muslim women in Needham who are doing a drive for us. Enjoy the rest of the summer.
Thank you,
Karen & Hansi
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Sign Up to be a Worship Leader/Lay Assistant | |
Home Communion and Prayer | |
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Though many of St. Peter's parishioners have returned to worshiping and receiving Holy Communion in person inside our church building, we know it is not yet safe for all of us to do so. We will continue to live-stream our services so that we may include as many as possible in our offerings of praise and thanksgiving to God.
If it is not yet safe for you to worship with us in person, and you would like to receive Holy Communion and/or a share a time of prayer at your home, please contact the Parish Office.
If you would like to schedule a time during the week for private prayer in the church, please contact the church office.
St. Peter's is committed to continuing to make our worship space safe and welcoming to all. We hope to have you back with us in person as soon as doing so is the right choice for you.
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Do You Have a Pastoral Need?
For pastoral support or emergencies or for any other church matter, please call the church office number (781-891-3200) and press 2 or email George. We encourage you to let us know if you are in the hospital or have some other need that calls for pastoral support.
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PARISH OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY 9-2
TUESDAY 9-2
WEDNESDAY 9-2
THURSDAY 9-2
FRIDAY 9-1
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