St. Peter's
Episcopal Church
Milford, Connecticut
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May 15, 2022
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
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This Week at St. Peter's
8:00 a.m. Holy Communion in the church.
10:00 a.m. Holy Communion with music in the church.
Due to concerns regarding the rise in Covid cases in our community, wearing masks is strongly encouraged.
10:00 a.m. Sunday School Children should go directly to their classroom in the Taft Building. They will rejoin us for Communion.
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God Cooks, We enjoy the Feast.
This week, I've had the honor of celebrating with members of our community who are moving on. On Tuesday, your clergy, Fred, and Kathleen went to lunch to celebrate the work we've done together over the past five years, telling stories, and enjoying the bittersweet joy of ending a wonderful chapter in our mutual lives together.
On Wednesday, I had the privilege of celebrating with Emily, our outgoing seminarian who has walked with us in her discernment for Holy Orders. We got tacos. They were delicious!
As I reflect on these bittersweet meals, I'm reminded of how many moments in scripture happen over meals. Visiting angels ask for some bread of Abraham and Sarah. Mana rains down from heaven, feeding God's people on the move. Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding feast. There were the meals at Mary and Martha's house, as Jesus taught, there was the last supper as he and the disciples gathered for the passover. In this season, we recall the appearances of the risen Jesus, and focus on the Glory of the promise of resurrection. I all of this, I'm reminded of a refrain developed at St. Mary's in Manchester. "God cooks, we enjoy the feast."
In all the transition and celebration of this wonderful (and hectic) season, I pray that we can find the grace to savor what God is serving, and remain connected in the body of Christ as God meets us in communion. I pray that God meets you in your spiritual hunger this week and that we continue in the journey, nourished by God's love.
Yours in Christ,
Matt+
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We continue with "Bloom where you are planted", a series led by our very own Jennifer Fournier and the Rev. Julie Kelsey.
In this season, we are exploring the spiritual practice of lectio divina, the practice of praying with the written word in the scriptures.
Join us between the services in the Rector's office to learn more!
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The Readings for
Sunday, May 15, 2022
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A Reminder from Maureen Lucas, our director of Youth Ministry.
Hello Youth Group Family!
At our last youth group session we all decided it's a great time to have youth group at Gulf Beach!
Sunday May 15, 7:00 - 8:15pm, drop off and pick up are at Gulf Beach
*If the weather is bad we will meet at this same time at church instead- I'll be sure to let everyone know if we're making that change*
We'll meet at the beach to the right of Goodies and we'll have a picnic dinner, play, hang out, and have sunset prayer. (In case you're wondering, we're not swimming at this event but feet might get wet if people choose to walk the water's edge).
Bring your own sandwich and your drink (juice, water, soda), and I'll supply the chips and cookies!
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Happy Birthday wishes to our senior warden, Rich Durazzo, Gavin Lucas, and Alyssa Blackmer.
Happy Anniversary to Mark & Ginny Krumwiede, and Beverly & Gary Johnson
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DONATIONS FOR ALTAR FLOWERS
We are preparing to resume receiving donations for Altar flowers. Donations may be made as a memorial or a thank offering at any time for a specific Sunday. There will be forms for such donations in the back of the church, which can be mailed to the church office, put in the collection plate or given to an usher. A minimum of $35 is suggested, and a preferred date may be chosen for any Sunday, beginning this week.
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Get to know the Bishop Candidates!
The Bishop's Transition Committee of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut has been hard at work. We have a slate of candidates completed their "Meet and Greet" tour of the Diocese this week. The candidates answered well over 100 questions, fielded from different virtual gatherings from the six regions of our diocese. You can view the recordings of these sessions here.
The special election of our next diocesan bishop will take place on the weekend of the 21st of May. Your clergy and convention delegates will be in attendance to cast their votes on behalf of our parish. You can share your input with us as you come to know the nominees.
Your delegates are Steve Winters, Maureen Lucas, and Deirdre Green (alternate).
Your clergy representatives are the Rev's Angela Rowley, Julie Kelsey, and Matt Lindeman.
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The Crisis in Ukraine and how to Help
The Episcopal Church in Connecticut has put together resources for prayer and action as we respond to the invasion of Ukraine, and the humanitarian crisis
it is causing.
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The new May-July 2022 issue of
Forward Day by Day has arrived!
Copies may be found in the rear of the church. For those who are unable to join us for in-person services at this time, copies may be requested by clicking here.
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An update about our finances.
At this moment in our year to date reporting, we have only received 71% of the Year-to-date pledge income we'd budgeted to operate our church.
This slowdown in our income, coupled with some increases in operating costs beyond our control, (such as property and casualty insurance increases for this year) are combining to put us into an operating deficit.
Please remember that we are a self-sustaining parish and most of our budget, save modest income from building rental, is raised by our own membership.
The good news is this: We have time to catch up.
If we catch up on our pledging, we'll be operating on budget and from a position of security as we head toward the summer months and seek to attract new candidates for our administrative and music ministries.
Please help us by keeping up with your pledge. It makes a huge difference! If you have questions about your pledge, or need to make adjustments, please reach out to Sharon Mackenzie, our Treasurer.
As always, we give thanks for the gifts God has given us at Saint Peter's, and for the generous support of our members.
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Important Dates for your Calendar.
May 21-The Episcopal Church will elect our next diocesan Bishop.
May 17, Our parish Vestry meets at 7:00 PM.
June 9, The Feast of Pentecost. Wear Red!
June 12-Parish Picnic and Celebration of Ministries.
The picnic will take place on June 12. On that day, we will thank our volunteers and outgoing staff. This day will be our last day with the Choir for the 2021-22 program year.
We will also celebrate Fred Backhaus and Kathleen Blixt as we wish them a wonderful retirement.
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Your prayers are requested this week for
Mike, Rich, Richard, Tommy, Paul, Karen D, Marty & Karen M, Mary, Katrina, Nancy, Marcy, Jeff, Grace, Helen, Violet and Paul, Jen, Carol, Milton, Frances, Charissa, Arian, Farrah, Kevin, Rea, Debby, Janice, Nora, Pam, Elaine, Dick W, Sophie, Corrine, Matt, Jim, Emma, Ronald, Rick, David, Paul, Gail and Marlene, John, Susan, Nancy, Gabriel, Dorothy, Doug and Corliss, Claire and her family, Kate, Carolyn, Martin, Richard, Bob and Connie, and Alice.
+ Pray for those who have died, and for all those who are bereaved.
+ Pray for those who are frightened, anxious, or lonely.
+ Pray for continued wisdom and discernment in our leaders in government and the church alike that we may renounce the evil powers of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God.
+ Pray for peace, especially in Ukraine.
+Pray for the unemployed and underemployed; for all who suffer from addictions; for all who suffer chronic illness, and for all caregivers;
+ Pray for support and strength for health care workers, first responders, hospice chaplains, palliative care teams, funeral directors, and all who attend to end-of-life care.
+ Pray for all communities impacted by climate change and continued severe weather events.
+ Pray for all who will be persecuted for their faith, and for all refugees seeking safety. Pray for discernment as we seek to welcome them in Milford.
+ Pray for renewal in our church, that the Holy Spirit might bless us with the endurance to run the race before us, and to do so with joy.
+ Pray for our diocese as we seek to appoint a new bishop. We pray for Bishop Transition Committee nominees Glenna Huber, Jeff Mello, Kate Moorehead, and Tanya Wallace, Whitney Altopp, the people of ECCT, and the clergy and lay delegates of convention. May they be faithful to listening and being guided by the Holy Spirit as they discern your will for the XVI Bishop Diocesan in ECCT.
+In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer this week, we pray for The Episcopal Church of Scotland and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for the special Bishop's Electing Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
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