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Dear Beloveds in Christ,

On Tuesday evening, I participated in the Vigil for Peace in the Holy Land where over 275 people from across the Diocese of Mass. and other areas of the country joined together in prayer, song and reflection. It was a powerful and prayerful reminder of how much we need connection with each other in times where many of us are collectively holding our breath afraid of what kind of unspeakable violence will happen next in the Holy Land where Jesus was born and walked on that earth. 

 I often find comfort in music during these times and the refrain from Carrie Newcomer’s song, “Lean in Toward the Light” has been reminding me how our smallest of actions that serve or honor one another can make a difference, especially in times like these:

The shadows of this world will say

There’s no hope, why try anyway?

But every kindness large or slight

Shifts the balance towards the light.

Greeting a store clerk by name, checking in on a shut-in neighbor, or leaving a generous tip for your server are examples of small bits of light we can spread in the world.  Or donating to the Diaper Depot Drive (see below) or the Afghan Refugee Project, both ministries supported by St. Peters.

In the light of Christ,

Rev, Kate Bast

Bishops' Statement on Israel and Palestine

Please take a moment to read the following statement by Bishops Alan Gates and Carol Gallagher issued on October 13th, regarding war and violence in Israel and Palestine:

https://www.diomass.org/news/diocesan-news/bishops-statement-israel-and-palestine

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.

Mark Your Calendars!

• Wednesday, October 25th, 6PM - Women's Pot Luck
• Friday, October 27th - Saturday, October 28th - 238th Annual Diocesan Convention
• Sunday, October 29th at 10AM - All Hallows Eve Sunday with special coffee hour
• Sunday, November 5th - All Saints Day and Holy Baptism
• Sunday, November 15th - Bishop Carol Gallagher Visit
• Sunday, December 3rd, 11:30AM - Newcomers Brunch

Bishop Gallagher to Visit St. Peter's!

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol Gallagher, Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Mass., will be visiting St Peter’s on Sunday, November 12th. During her visit, Bishop Gallagher can offer the rites of Baptism, Confirmation, or Reception (for those who wish to be received from the Catholic Church into the Episcopal Church). 

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

Updates to Home Communion and Prayer

Rev. Kate Bast is available for St. Peter's parishioners' pastoral care needs during her time as the Bridge Priest with St. Peter's. She can provide prayer or talk with you about your spiritual concerns around your life transitions, illness, or other life challenges; she is a certified Spiritual Director and Chaplain and is experienced in assisting people with their spiritual needs. She can also provide home communion if you are not able to come to church or Anointing for the Sick. 

Contact Kate+ to arrange a time convenient for you via her cell: 360-379-9803 or email: revkateb@stpetersweston.org 

UPDATE - Weston-Wayland Interfaith Action Group

The WWIAG form that was to meet this Sunday, October 22 has been postponed. More information will be posted once the rescheduled date and time are announced.

October Diaper Drive

This fall, St. Peter’s Church is sponsoring a diaper drive to benefit the Diaper Depot in Waltham.  The Diaper Depot provides over 5,000 diapers per month to 120 Waltham residents who qualify for public assistance. Each eligible child receives 45-60 diapers per month. The Depot is open one Saturday a month and runs out of Christ Church, an Episcopal Church on Main Street in Waltham.

Please consider donating a box or more, particularly SIZES 4, 5, & 6 since these are the most needed.

There are three ways to donate:

1. Purchase diapers and drop off at St. Peter’s Church (320 Boston Post Road) Monday-Thursday 9:00am-2:00 pm and Fridays 9:00am-1:00pm. Please use the side door adjacent to Rt. 20 near the mailbox. Call the office number (781-891-3200) for entry and leave the diapers in the entryway. Parishioners can leave diapers in the Narthex during Sunday worship services.
2. Purchase and ship directly to the Diaper Depot's coordinator, Erin Jensen, at: 62 Cabot Street, Waltham, MA 02453
3. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, either send a check payable to Christ Church with "Diaper Depot" in the memo line or use the church's PayPal link (http://www.christchurchwaltham.org/giving/) and add "Diaper Depot" in the memo line. The church's address is: Christ Church, 750 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451

Did you know:

• Diaper need affects nearly 1 in 3 women in the US
• Diapers cost approximately $18 a week per child
• Food stamps and WIC do NOT pay for diapers
• Many parents struggling to pay rent and food cannot afford the cost of an adequate diaper supply (1:3 mothers cut back on basic essentials to afford diapers for their kids)

Many thanks for considering this request and please contact Anne Ruggles (asruggles@gmail.com) with any questions.

Donation deadline is Sunday, October 29th

Afghan Ministry Update

Brookside Tuesday is back in full swing or nearly so. We are now on a biweekly schedule and have adjusted hours from 12:00 -2:30 to accommodate preschoolers. There are a trickle of families somehow getting out of Afghanistan. They have their papers but were not able to get out in the summer of 2021 airlift. One of those families made the arduous trek of being smuggled into Pakistan, from Pakistan to Qatar, Qatar to New York and finally to Manchester two weeks ago. It took almost a year for them to get here and to see the relief on their faces when they walked into Brookside and were welcomed by ten Afghan women with little ones running around and to sit down to a lunch with traditional Afghan food was emotionally overwhelming for them and frankly, also for the volunteers. These people have been through so much and and are working hard to build a new life here. It is not easy. Tuesdays at Brookside remain an invaluable connection to one another , to the communities they left behind and the new one they are building. Thanks to St. Peter’s, Trinity Concord and grants from the Episcopal church, we are able to continue our Brookside Tuesday ministry and invite you to join us anytime.

Thank you,

Karen & Hansi

Rev. Kate Bast is available for St. Peter's parishioners' pastoral care needs during her time as the Bridge Priest with St. Peter's. She can provide prayer or talk with you about your spiritual concerns around your life transitions, illness, or other life challenges; she is a certified Spiritual Director and Chaplain and is experienced in assisting people with their spiritual needs. She can also provide home communion if you are not able to come to church or Anointing for the Sick.

Contact Kate+ to arrange a time convenient for you via her cell: 360-379-9803 or email: revkateb@stpetersweston.org 

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