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Dear Beloveds in Christ,

On Ash Wednesday, the invitation was made to the church community to the observance of a holy Lent with practices and prayers that bring us closer into God’s loving, healing and reconciling presence. To engage in spiritual practices is not a means to seek perfection; it’s a way to become more intentional and aware of both what separates us from the love of God and what brings us closer. 

For families this Lent, St. Peter’s is providing Lenten bags with practices for all ages. I will also be offering a Sunday Adult/youth Lenten Bible Study for the Gospel of Mark. Please see the details below. 

I hope you will consider taking part in these valuable opportunities as we walk as a faith community with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem and to the Passion of his death and glory of the resurrection. In these times of anxiety, doubt and national division, prayers and practices as a community can help bring peace and comfort and change for those who wish to draw closer to Love. 

The peace and light of Christ be with you,

Kate+

Did you know you can give to St. Peter's securely through our online giving site? Make your pledge, give one-time or designate a special gift to one of our ministries.

A Prayer for Priest-In-Charge Discernment

May the search for clergy be guided by wisdom, discernment, and divine inspiration. May those involved in the process find strength and clarity in their decisions, seeking leaders who embody compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to the spiritual well-being of the community. May their efforts be blessed with success in discovering individuals dedicated to serving with humility and love.

Mark Your Calendars!

• Sunday, Feb. 18th at 9AM: Lenten Bible Study Gospel of Mark begins

• Tuesday, February 27th at 5:30PM - Rescheduled Pancake Dinner
• Wednesday, February 28th at 6PM - Women's Pot Luck
• Sunday, March 17th at 10AM - Bishop Gallagher Visitation
• Sunday, March 24th - Palm Sunday
• Thursday, March 28th - Maundy Thursday
• Friday, March 29th - Good Friday
• Sunday, March 31st - Easter Sunday & Easter Egg Hunt

Annual Report 2023

Please click HERE to download a copy of the Annual Report 2023.

Paper copies are also available in the church office.

Bible Study for Lent: The Gospel of Mark

Sundays 9-9:45 AM in the Bidwell Room 

Join us for this meaningful and informative five-week class with reflection and discussion for your Lenten practice. Kate+ will be using material from scholar, Amy Jill Levine’s book, The Gospel of Mark to help us study the texts from historical, cultural and spiritual perspectives. We will meet in the Bidwell room for our first class on Feb. 18th and then on Feb. 25th, March 3rd, 10th (no class on the 17th) and the 24th. Please let Kate+ know if you plan to attend - 5 or more people are needed for the class. revkateb@stpetersweston.org

Lenten Activities for Families!

For this season of reflection and renewal of our faith, we have prepared take-home bags in the from of the church (or you can pick up in the office during office hours) filled with engaging devotional practices for child/youth of all ages

• Pray-Fast-Give pocket envelope to assemble with suggested category slips and a coloring page
• Mite boxes to decorate and fill for our WATCH charity
• Pretzel recipe and legend for this Lenten fasting food
• Prayer cards in a baggie filled with 40 mini pretzels to enjoy daily or share with/give to a Lenten prayer pal

Easter Egg Hunt is Approaching!

It is time to think of the Easter egg hunt on March 31st! Empty eggs will be left at the back of the chapel and main church entrance. Feel free to take what you might be able to fill with candy. Either sign up for how many eggs you are able to fill or email: cherlmurphy@aol.com.

Please return the filled eggs by March 17th!

We also need people to help hide the eggs on Easter morning / about 150 in the garden and 350 in the field. This event is for 5th grade and younger. 

Bishop Gallagher to Visit St. Peter's on March 17th!

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol Gallagher, Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Mass., will be visiting St. Peter’s on Sunday, March 17th. During her visit, Bishop Gallagher can offer the rites of Baptism, Confirmation, Reception (for those who wish to be received from the Catholic Church into the Episcopal Church), or Reaffirmation of Faith.

There will be a catered lunch after the service with Bishop Gallagher present to visit with parishioners and visitors.

Please contact Kate+ for further information and for scheduling formation for any of these rites.  

To read Bishop Gallagher's full bio, click HERE

Important Note!!! There will only be ONE service at 10AM 

for Sunday, March 17th

Calling All Sunday Readers and Ushers!

We would love to extend an invitation to the community for more readers and ushers during the Sunday 8AM and 10AM services. All are welcome! Training is available.

Sign up here to help out for the Lenten Season!

If you wish to schedule a meeting to learn more about the role of reader and usher, or to receive training, please contact Kate+ at revkateb@stpetersweston.org

In every newsletter, you may find the sign-ups for Sunday lectors, litanists, and ushers under "Worship Information" below. Sign-ups are open for the Epiphany season. Readings may be found above through the link to the bulletin. You may also request the readings from Emily at office@stpetersweston.org

Updates to Prayers of the People

If you would like to include a family member or loved one on the prayer list, please contact Emily at office@stpetersweston.org

or call the office at 781-891-3200

2024 Bishops' Annual Appeal

"We are reminded throughout Scripture that God has formed an everlasting covenant with us. This covenant is an invitation to enter into relationship with God and to act together in harmony with one another and all the earth. As we launch the 2024 Bishops’ Annual Appeal, we invite you to join us in deepening covenants we have formed as the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

Our diocesan mission strategy is a covenant to become ever more faithful and generous disciples of Jesus. With your support, the Bishops’ Annual Appeal promotes this goal through lifelong Christian formation, youth and young adult ministries, racial justice and creation care initiatives, as well as multicultural and immigration outreach.

The appeal newsletter and donation envelope are available at the front of the church or by contacting the office during office hours."

For more information please visit the below link to the Diocesan website:

https://www.diomass.org/bishops-appeal

Afghan Ministry Update

The weather has upended many of our social plans with the Afghan community. A men’s bowling outing and women’s Valentine’s Day party both had to be rescheduled due to storms. Hopefully the weather will cooperate going forward. The community continues to grow, with several new families arriving. We understand they are among the last of the evacuees to leave refugee camps in Qatar. Slowly, families and men are receiving permanent resident cards (green cards). These are awarded via the Special Immigration Visa for soldiers who fought with the US Military for more than 1 year and their families. Not everyone qualifies under this program. One man fought with the US Marines in Helmand province, but his paperwork stated that he was with the Marines for 364 days, one day short. Others fought under a CIA program, and it is taking longer to get documentation from their US commanding officers. The good news, is that several men are now eligible for a US Government family reunification program, meaning that their wives and children can join them here! We are all praying that they can come soon, as the situation in Afghanistan is not good, especially for families of those who worked with the US Military. 

It is fun to see the Afghan community come together. Several big parties were held to celebrate weddings of family members here and in Afghanistan, and to remember the father of one of the evacuees who passed away. The men and women celebrate at separate parties. The women danced a lot, and the men ate a lot of food. Connections are growing and those who arrived earlier are helping the new arrivals settle in. Most of the families and men are connected with one or more American volunteers who help where needed – dealing with landlords, taxes, learning English and interfacing with school counselors and teacher conferences. One volunteer secured funding for washing machines for several households. Many of us enjoy holding new babies and playing with the kids. 

Thank you for making the men’s coat drive a big success! 25 greatly needed men’s coats were donated, and a Weston family donated 12 new children’s coats. 

As always you are welcome to join us any time. No commitment or experience required. 

Karen and Hansi

Do You Have a Pastoral Need?

For pastoral support or emergencies or for any other church matter, please call the Rev. Kate Bast at 360-379-9803. We encourage you to let her know if you are in the hospital or have some other need that calls for pastoral support.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church | 320 Boston Post Road | Weston, MA 02493

www.stpetersweston.org