COMING UP SUNDAY- JUNE 2

This is the second Sunday after Pentecost.  It is beginning of what the church calls Ordinary Time.  Ordinary Time continues throughout the summer and fall and concludes with the beginning of Advent in December.  This time period is also known as the Green Season since green altar hangings are used on these Sundays.
This Sunday we will use an alternative Eucharistic rite found in the book entitled, Enriching our Worship I.  The use of this rite has been approved by the Episcopal Church and by our bishop.
There are 3 alternative rites in this book.  We will use a different one each in June, July an August.  The sermon this Sunday will discuss why there are alternative rites.
Our Summer Sunday Fun-day program will begin on June 30.  There is no church school in the summer and these 6 sessions on Sunday mornings will provide a time for younger children to engage in some learning and fun.
The last day of Tuesday Tutoring for this school year will be June 4.  Students will be treated to some special refreshments that day.  Thanks to all the dedicated tutors and students who made this new program a success.  Plans  are already underway for the fall program that will resume on September 24. 
Blood drive is scheduled for Saturday, July 20.  Sign up in the parish hall if you can donate blood.

COMING UP SUNDAY- MAY 26

This is Trinity Sunday.  This feast, which always falls on the Sunday after Pentecost, celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity-the 3 persons of God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  It is one of the seven principal feasts in the Episcopal Church calendar.  In some parishes, it is customary to recite The Creed of Saint Athanasius on this day (it is found on page 864 in the Book of Common Prayer.)  This creed is a rich exposition on the doctrine of the Trinity.
As we move into summer, there are many activities that we have planned in June and July.  Refer to the tab at the top of the page to learn about events in the coming weeks.

COMING UP SUNDAY- MAY 19

This is the Feast of Pentecost.  It is the 50th day after Easter.  This feast commemorates the day that the Holy Spirit blew into Jerusalem after the resurrection and landed like tongues of fire on the disciples.  Many people wear red to church this day to symbolize the spirit.
We will celebrate 2 baptisms this day.  Following the service  the Paschal Candle will be extinguished.  It was lit on Easter morning and remained burning for the 50 days of the Easter season (it was only virtually burning when no one was in the building!) It is also the last week of church school for the season.
There is a Bishop's Committee meeting after church and the WARM meal will be prepared after church. 
Beginning next month we will explore some trial liturgies at our Sunday worship.  The bishop has given us permission to use some alternative eucharistic rites.  More details to follow.
A teenager in our parish is working on a new project called Summer Sunday Fun-day!  On six Sunday mornings, there will be special activities for children at 9am (church school does not meet in the summer.)  For the dates of these activities, go to the tab at the top of the page labelled In the Coming Weeks.

COMING UP SUNDAY- MAY 12

This is the 7th Sunday of Easter.  Church school will meet.  It is also Mother's Day.  Although this is not an official day on the Episcopal Church calendar, we will recognize mothers and have some special music.
There were 25 people at the Ascension Day service on Thursday night.  Clergy and lay people from St. Elizabeth's (Hope Valley) and Church of the Holy Spirit (Charlestown), joined us for worship and hotdogs.  View the photos on the Facebook link on the right (you don't have to be a member of Facebook to see them).
Next Sunday is the Feast of Pentecost and we will celebrate a baptism.
Some exciting things are coming up!  On June 10 there will be a parish luncheon at the Richmond Country Club at 12 noon.  All are welcome.
Beginning next month we will explore some trial liturgies at our Sunday worship.  The bishop has given us permission to use some alternative eucharistic rites.  More details to follow.
A teenager in our parish is working on a new project called Summer Sunday Fun-day!  On eight Sunday mornings, there will be special activities for children at 9am (church school does not meet in the summer.)  Stay tuned for more information.

ASCENSION DAY- MAY 9

Ascension Day is Thursday, May 9.  Join us for a service at 6pm followed by a hotdog cookout. We will release environmentally safe red balloons. Children love this service. Our friends from St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church in Hope Valley and Church of the Holy Spirit in Charlestown will worship with us.  Bring a dish to share and some lawn chairs.

COMING UP SUNDAY-MAY 5

This is the 6th Sunday of Easter.  Church school will meet.
On Thursday, May 9, we will have a service at 6pm to celebrate Ascension Day.  Following the service we will have a hotdog cookout (bring a side dish to share).  As part of our liturgy, we will release red balloons (environmentally friendly ones) that will ascend into the sky.  All are welcome!  Kids especially enjoy this service.
The Feinstein Food Challenge has ended and we collected a total of 263 food items.  These donations were given to the food pantry at Wood River Health Services an to the WARM Center in Westerly.
Baptisms will be celebrated on May 19, the Feast of Pentecost.  Contact the vicar if you are interested in being baptized.