Feb. 16, 2024

Photo credit: Flora Quammie

Worship Schedule

Sundays at 10 a.m.

(with Morning Prayer once a month)

In person and live-streamed on YouTube

Church School

Godly Play Sunday School 10 a.m.

Teen Text Sunday School twice a month

Lenten Study Group

During Lent after Coffee Hour

Lent – A Time for Reflection

Sitting with our Questions

During our Ash Wednesday service, I wondered aloud about rituals. Why did those of us who came out on a very cold Valentine’s Day evening choose to do so?

Why accept the invitation to have the unavoidable reality of our mortal nature visibly etched on our foreheads and offer prayers acknowledging where we are missing the mark?

Because . . . 

naming our greatest fears is hard. Asking questions that don’t have ready answers annoys our impatient hearts. And yet, gathering with others in a safe space where our deepest and very real questions can be named, and knowing we are not alone, is the gift of new life.

We didn’t necessarily walk away with answers – that was not the point. We did allow different questions to fill our hearts, as the ashes gave us a visible tracing of the crosses on our foreheads, where we were Marked as Christ’s Own at our baptisms.

No matter what, we belong to God. So, we name our fears, our uncertainties, our very human doubts, and ask “in what ways is Jesus consecrating this life we have been given, for whatever time we are given to live it?”

Sitting with our real-life questions is hard. We are a people who want answers! And yet, until we acknowledge those things over which we have no real control (other people as well as our mortal bodies), and pay attention to what we can change (our own actions and reactions to the life we have been given), we will miss the joys in life that we were created to have.

The lyrics to an old folk music song are playing in my head – perhaps you know it?

Refrain

Without clouds, the rain can't wash the land

Without rain, the grass won't hide the sand

Without grass, the flower's bloom won't grow

Without pain, the joy in life won't show.

Verses

1.   Never saw a sunrise that didn't follow night;

hardly saw it shining 'til a shadow blocked it's light;

never took a journey and not leave some place behind,

not feel some anguish before some peace of mind.

2. I'm not afraid of pain or threats it seems to give,

though it only tears at life, with little left to live.

Still it won't conquer me if I can learn to bend;

For when its course is run, renewed, I'll rise again.

3. There's one who knew our pain. there's one who felt our loss.

And yet he knew a love that went beyond the cost.

He dared to lose it all, to trust the Father's care,

And God restored His life and conquered death's despair.

What causes you pain right now?

If it’s something out of your control, pray for peace to let it go back into God’s hands.

If it’s something within you, pray for strength to make a change.

Above all, name your very real questions, and then just listen. Trust in God’s love for you.

Lenten Blessings,

Rev. Lisa

After a weather-related false start a week earlier, we had our Annual Meeting upstairs in the Parish Hall after our service on Feb. 4.

As you can see from the contemplative faces pictured below the conversation was thorough and thought provoking. We had the usual Annual Meeting discussion items - the budget, stewardship of our building and finances, and vestry and officer nominations. (That info is below.)

But a three-question questionnaire on tables throughout the venue will set the scene for important discussions and development in the year ahead.

The questions were designed to help us all think about the things we like and do well. And who else in the congregation may have the same passions. The point being to facilitate thought about which ministries are important to each of us and how they might serve our mission as a parish and "the church."

We'll be seeing more about that in the days ahead.

Finances

On the business end, the vestry presented a budget that anticipated a deficit of $60,000 when it was drawn up. But, with more pledges coming in, the anticipated shortfall became more like $40,000.

(You are reminded that last year's budget deficit was pegged at almost $36,000 but came in a bit under $25,000. But we can't really draw any inferences from that as far as how the 2024 will flesh out).

Treasurer Sharlene Zagozewski did bring up the prospect of possibly losing rental income (and a great ministry) provided by Chef Jay, who uses our kitchen to prepare meals for the New Milford Senior Center. Since then we have heard that will indeed happen.

Rev, Lisa reminded us that the primary source of income for churches is through pledges. Paul Manfredi reminded folks to check with their employers to see if they match charitable contributions made by employees.

Vestry and Officers

Margo Terwilliger and Paul Manfredi were voted to one-year terms as Senior Warden and Junior Warden respectively. Also voted again to one-year terms were Sharlene Zagozewski as Treasurer and Jim Rains as Clerk.

Jim Polito and Flora Quammie were elected to three-year terms on Vestry. Nikki Young will serve the final two years of a Vestry post vacated by Margo as she moves to the Senior Warden post. Similarly, Alicia Bonner was elected to serve the final year of Paul's Vestry term, as he takes over as Junior Warden.

Jim, Flora, Nikki and Alicia will be joining returning Vestry members Sandra Violette,  Aimee Altemus and  Naomi Fisher to make up the 2024 St. John's Vestry.

Flora Quammie and Stephanie Warren were elected Diocesan Convention Delegates, with Paul Manfredi as an alternate.

We thank them all for taking on these vital roles as we also thank outgoing Vestry members Katie Maxwell and Tanya Deppen for their time and dedication to St. John's parish.

Starts This Sunday!!

Lenten Study Group Explores Our Baptismal Promises

For our Lenten study this year we will be taking a close look at our baptismal promises - with the aid of the book 'Will You? A Lenten Study of Baptismal Promises'

The book is published by Forward Movement, the Episcopal organization which publishes 'Forward Day by Day' and encourages daily prayer and study.

We will meet every Sunday during Lent except for Feb. 25, when Bishop Laura will be visiting. The sessions will run from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

There is a suggested donation of $8 to be made directly to St. John's to cover the cost of materials, but please don't let finances prevent you from attending.

If you would like to join us, or have questions, please contact Naomi Fisher, Emily Harvey or Herb St. Jean.

The program is not limited to St. John's parishioners, so please bring a friend if you'd like.

To read more about the program click here.

To read more about Forward Movement click here.

Bishop Ahrens to Visit Feb. 25

Bishop Laura Ahrens will be joining us for worship at St. John's on Sunday, Feb. 25, and we're hoping to make it a memorable day.

In her note reminding us about the visit, Bishop Laura said, "I am eager to spend time with you so that we might discern together how it is God is calling us deeper in relationship and shared ministry."

By "discern", please know that Bishop Laura is interested in hearing our questions. She is working with small churches throughout the diocese (particularly those with part-time clergy, or no clergy at all) and enjoys sharing common concerns as well as best practices.

She will celebrate and preach at the 10:00 a.m. service, gather with us for conversation during Coffee Hour for about 20 minutes, and then meet with our vestry. Please help us make this a true celebration of our life together.

In what ways might YOU help US share "who we are now"?

NOTE: Our Godly Play children will meet in their Sunday School class and then join us at The PEACE, as usual. Our 'tweens and teens already are being encouraged to take a role in the service (prelude music, singing, reading, acolyting). Bishop Laura will offer a brief "Children's/Youth Homily" at the end of the service, hoping to engage all young at heart in a conversation.

This is an important and very celebratory time in our life together. Please mark your calendars and plan on joining the fun.

A Couple More Things to Share

A new look for some antique silver pieces.

These silver pieces have been on display in a case in the back of the Christus Rex Chapel (the little chapel to the left of the altar as you face the altar) for some time now.

The pieces date back to the early 1900s and Margo Terwilliger, this time wearing her Altar Guild hat, thought the silver could use a little sprucing up.

Above is the 'after' photo - after the cleaning and polishing.

Thanks Margo for some great work restoring these items!

The other item we want to share is something that should have been shared a few Connects issues ago, but your esteemed newsletter editor forgot he had it (cue the Prevagen commercial).

It's a note from parishioner Ivan Butera, in her role as Director of New Milford Social Services, thanking all of us for the part we play in helping feed our hungry New Milford neighbors (as she also did at our Annual Meeting).

So, whether you are a food collection volunteer, or donor, thanks for your help. It does make a difference.

As St. John’s prepares for the 150-year anniversary of our current church building in 2031 and the 300-year anniversary of our parish in 2042, Parish Archivist Jim Polito and his fellow historians will be publishing articles about our history in St. John’s Connects. Below is the latest offering from Junior Warden Paul Manfredi.

If you know of any interesting stories, or want to join these history buffs, feel free to reach out to Jim here (or at church). 

What's in a Name?

Prior to the Revolutionary War, the Church of England in Connecticut was supported by The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG), the missionary society arm of the Church of England under the auspices of the Diocese of London. All Church of England ministers had to travel to London to be consecrated.

The Town of New Milford was first established in 1707. In 1716, New Milford’s 'established Church' or ‘Congregationalists’ asked Daniel Boardman to be their minister. He was 'ordained' as the Pastor of the Church of Christ in New Milford. The town collected taxes from the townspeople to cover his expenses. 

Members of The Church of England - 12 founding fathers and their families - also paid the taxes but worshiped separately, in private homes. At a town meeting in 1720 it was agreed “to abstain from collecting a tax from the members of the Church of England, toward supporting a Church of Christ minister in the Town.” 

In 1743, the town agreed to allow a building for the “Church of England in New Milford” for worship. Our first church building was completed in 1745, at the intersection of Bridge St. and East Main St., off the southeast end of the Village Green. 

As membership increased we needed more space. So, In 1765, we purchased our second building site as “Church of England in New Milford”. In 1765, construction was completed and used by 72 families and 50 communicants. The Second Church edifice was but a few feet almost due north of the First Church building; just about where the military tank now rests on the Green, a bit south of the Band Stand. 

In 1793, Right Reverend Bishop Samuel Seabury came to New Milford, consecrated the church building and declared it would be known thereafter as “Saint John’s Episcopal Church in New Milford”. 

In 1797, when we sold some property, we were called the “First Episcopal Church Society of New Milford”. 

But, not to long afterward, we again needed more space. So, in 1835, when we called ourselves the “First Episcopal Society AKA St. John’s Church in New Milford”, we purchased the property for our third church. The building and parish, again named St. John’s and currently housing the Village Center For the Arts, was consecrated in 1837, and sold in 1883.

In 1880, we accepted the 26 Main Street parcel to build our fourth and current church building. The land was a gift from Cornelia Boardmann and given to the “First Episcopal Society of New Milford.” Construction was completed in 1881. In 1885, on yet another deed, we were cited as “St. John’s Parish, an Ecclesiastical Corporation.”

In 1957, when we purchased land from Housatonic Valley Insurance to expand our parish hall we were called “St. John’s Parish, of the Town of New Milford, an ecclesiastical society with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.”

Nowadays, we call ourselves St. John’s Episcopal Church (on the Green) in New Milford. 

Over the years our parish has had many names. Some rolled off the tongue a little easier than others. No matter how or what we call ourselves or where we sit, I call St. John’s home.

-By Paul Manfredi

Next Food Collection - Feb. 21

First, let it be said, our most recent food collection on Feb. 7 was a huge success. Bill Kamp's pickup truck was quite full by the end of the morning.

So, we thank you for your generosity!

Our next St. John's Food Drop-off will be Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The food collected will be delivered to Our Daily Bread Food Bank.

We're in front of the church to collect your donations of non-perishable foods and personal-care items on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Please remember that you can always bring in food on Sunday mornings and place your offerings in the donation basket next to the last pew.

Youth Group Indoor Winter Fun Day - Feb 25

The St. John's Youth Group's Indoor Winter Fun gathering is set for Feb. 25 in the Parish Hall at 4 p.m., after the bishop's visit. The day will feature games, a Hot Chocolate Bar and an Ice Cream Sundae Bar.

Men's Night Out - Feb. 27

The next monthly Men's Night Out will be Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. We're still working on a venue. We'll let you know.

If you'd like to join us please see Bill Kamp, or email him here.

Women's Night Out - March 11

The next Women's Night Out will be Monday, March 11, at 6 p.m at the Iron Rail on Railroad St. You can see their menu here.

Please note the new date for the March outing. It's a Monday, and it's the second Monday of the month. (Typically we go out on the first Tuesday of the month, but never let it be said we don't like to think out of the box.)

If you'd like to join us, please email Mary Vallo or Sue Denino. Or, let them know when you see them in church

Nia and Josh in NMHS's 'The Little Mermaid'

New Milford High School is presenting 'The Little Mermaid' on stage for two weekends in March and two of our own - Josh Violette and Nia Young - will be performing.

Josh will be playing 'Flounder' and Nia is part of the ensemble cast.

Check out the details, and reserve your tickets below.

Prayers for The Ill, Homebound or In Need

Parishioners: Katie, Carolyn, Peter, Arthur, Anna, Jean, Joy, Joan, Josie, Helen and Sonok 

For family and friends: Bishop Curry. Mark, Kathy, Linda, Carrie, Dennis, Douglas, Kevin, Billy, Rich, Holly, Matt, Artie and Dorothy

For those who have died: especially those who have died at the hand of gun violence or war

For the people of Ukraine. For the lives lost and the lives upended in the war there.

The next issue of St. John's Connects will be published on March 1

If you have something to share in the next newsletter, please send the info to Ron Vallo by Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Upcoming Birthdays

Joy Burns (2/22); Krista Weed (2/22); Margot Larsen (2/24); Tanya Deppen (2/25); Kendra Bell (3/2); Ivana Violette (3/2); Karen Bain (3/3); Vivian Ballwig (3/3); Paul Manfredi (3/6); Grayson Kamp (3/10)



Congrats to all who are celebrating! Enjoy your big day!