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September 2004 

RECTOR'S MESSAGE 

Dear Friends, 

As I stood on the terrace this last Friday and watched the oncoming clouds that presaged 30 hours of storms the violence of which I have witnessed only a few times in my life, I was struck by how very small I felt. Stretching off to the West was the Shepaug River valley and the hills on the other side of the valley, and coming toward me, at a speed quite unfathomable, was a blackness that was frightening. Clearly it, not I, was in control. 

So often I sense that we want so very badly to be able to have an unshakeable sense of our ability to control the events and people which touch our lives. So often our very deepest sense of identity rests on our ability to control such things. Yet just when we have actually convinced ourselves that such may be the case, the creation reminds us that we are not. 

We see such things and, try though we might (unless we are the greatest of self-deceivers), we cannot escape the reality that we are not in control of a very great deal. 

I suppose that, given such a confrontation, we have two possible responses. We might simply give up...accepting a meaninglessness and serendipity to our lives which leaves us with little more to do than buy into a philosophy of "eat, drink, and be merry..." Or, we can, with humility and awe, recognize that the creation is in the hands of the Creator...and that, while the Creator has meaning for the creation, we may just not know entirely what that is. Such is not a call to some sort of mindless belief that "everything is going to be just fine", but, rather, an acceptance of our limitations. It is an acceptance which frees us from always having to measure up to the false demands of the world that we be in control and an entering into the mystery which is the Faith...which is Christ. 

It is an acceptance described most artfully in the lyrics to the fourth verse of hymn 667 in which William Cowper (1731-1800) writes: 

Though vine and fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear,

Though all the fields should wither, nor flocks nor herds be there;

Yet, God the same abiding, his praise shall tune my voice;

For, while in him confiding, I cannot but rejoice. 

Faithfully, 

 

The Revd Robert L. Ficks III

Rector 

 

An Invitation to Join Saint John’s Choir 

The Choir of St. John’s awaits with great pleasure the arrival of our new choirmaster, Richard Busch, whose first service will be Sunday, September 19th. As this new chapter in our history begins, we’d like to invite anyone who has thought about singing with the Choir to go ahead and give it a try. Whether you’ve joined the church just recently, or sang in a chorus many years ago and feel a bit rusty, or simply wonder if singing is a skill you might like to develop, the Choir is a wonderful place to be. 

Members of the Choir work hard, keep a brisk pace, and give substantially of their time, but we also enjoy each other’s company and have a lot of fun together. In addition to the camaraderie and achievement of any group activity, the Choir offers a unique worship experience. Saint Augustine wrote, “The person who sings, prays twice.” Singing sacred music in a choral setting also offers the chance to pray more deeply. The singer joins together in worship not only with other choristers and the congregation, but, in spirit, with composers and singers from other times and places—through music spanning the early works of William Byrd and Thomas Tallis, the romantic strains of Joseph Rheinberger, and the contemporary tones of Ned Rorem. Sacred music expresses not only feelings of joy and worship, but doubt and conflict as well—particularly through the rich tradition of the psalms, sung in four-, five-, or six-part Anglican chant at every service. 

If it has seemed daunting in the past to join a group that’s been together for so long, please be assured that is not the case. It is our deepest hope you will come and join us in this musical journey we share. Please know that, even if you decide that singing isn’t for you, we would be pleased to have you with us to “give it a try.” Our first rehearsal is at 7.30pm on Thursday, September 9^th in the Choir Room of the Parish Hall. We are most fortunate that, at the initial rehearsal, our fellow Parishioner and gifted conductor, Bruce Fifer, will be with us to get the year started. If you have questions, until Richard Busch arrives, it is probably best to give the Rector, Bob Ficks, a call (868-2527).  

Our warmest best wishes, 

The Choir of Saint John’s  

 

Layreaders, Chalice Bearers, Acolytes and Ushers ~ Please be aware that any member of the Parish who is interested in becoming involved in any of these ministries should feel free to contact the Rector and let him know of that interest. You would be most welcomed and your gifts received with gratitude. 

We have a special need this year for new Acolytes. A number of our more senior corps members have gone off to college. Any young person in fourth grade or above would be welcomed to become involved in this ministry in the life of Saint John’s. Please contact Father Ficks (868-2527) for additional details. 

Youth Group ~ Enclosed on the pink sheet is news regarding upcoming events and activities involving the Youth Group.  

Adult Forum ~ We are fortunate that the Reverend Rowan Greer has agreed again to lead the Autumn Adult Forum at Saint John’s. The Forum begins on Sundays at 9.00 AM in the Parish House Library and allows those who have attended the 8.00 AM service to be in this gathering as well as those who will be attending the 10.00 AM service. The Forum ends about five minutes of ten and coffee is available for those attending. This year’s Forum will be offered the weeks of September 19 – November 21. Father Greer’s topic this year will be “Reform and Renewal: Evangelicals and Tractarians.” Father Greer notes, “We shall examine the message, method, and impact of two attempts to revive the Church of England. The Evangelicals of the 18^th through 19^th century appealed to the 16^th century church; the Tractarians of the Oxford Movement to the 17^th century Church. Is reviving the past in the service of the present and with an eye to the future a good thing?” We cordially invite you to attend these meetings. It is not essential that you attend all of them but certainly are urged to come to as many as possible. You are assured that your time will be time very well spent. We are graced to have as fine a teacher as Father Greer in our midst. The schedule for the Forum is on the attached blue sheet. 

Loaves and Fishes is in Need ~ For many years, Saint John’s has supplied food and food servers once a month at Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen in New Milford. Over those years, a considerable number of dedicated members of the Parish have overseen this work. Most recently, David Poole and Ellen Seidman have held this post. In order for us to continue to undertake this ministry to those in need practically at our doorstep, it would be a positive thing if a few additional members of the Parish stepped forward to offer time in this ministry. The commitment seems rather manageable…one Friday afternoon a month for about two and one-half hours transporting casseroles prepared by parishioners and stored in the Parish House refrigerator to the Richmond Center on Main Street in New Milford, warming them up, and helping serve them to those who visit the Center for a daily hot meal. Obviously, if two or three volunteers step forward, this commitment becomes quite modest and might be only required of each volunteer three or four times a year. This is a worthwhile ministry of this Parish to those in need. If you are willing to explore the possibility of sharing in this effort with David and Ellen, please call the Rector (868.2527). 

Sunday School ~ This year’s Sunday School begins on Sunday the 19^th of September. During the period September 19th ~ November 21^st (the season of Pentecost) the Sunday School will be lead by Jeanne Reid, Julia Brennan and Tom O’Connor. The new format of the Sunday School is one that divides the year into three sections. Each section is lead by a different group of volunteers from the Parish. Last year was the first time this format had been used, and it seems, on all counts, to have proved quite successful. 

The first Family Sunday (that one Sunday each month when the young people of the Parish join us in the Church for the entire service) will take place on Sunday the 26^th of September.
 

Important Sunday School Meeting 

On Sunday, September 12^th following the 10am Service, a very important meeting of the Sunday School Staff will take place. We will be meeting with Sharon Pearson, the Diocesean consultant for Christian Education. Sharon will be giving all those who work with the Sunday School valuable insights and tools to use in their work.  

What is terribly important is that other members of the Parish (especially those with children in, or about to enter, the Sunday School) be aware that this meeting is taking place and try to make time to attend. As children move through the Sunday School, its very health and vitality depend on the willingness of the parents of newer members to step up to the plate and take their turn overseeing this most important aspect of the life of St. John’s Parish. Please mark your calendar and spend some time with us in the Library on that day, beginning at approximately 11:20. The Rector will supply some sandwiches and iced tea in order to stave off hypoglycemia. You may leave when you must, and it is promised that the meeting will end, at the very latest, after one hour and one half. If you have questions, please call the Rector. 

Again, we really do hope that you will make this a priority. The health of St. John’s Church School depends upon it. 

 

Hull Scholarship ~ Under the guidance of Peg Addicks and Russ Elgin, the Hull Scholarship Committee awarded a scholarship to assist with the college education of a 2004 graduate of Shepaug High School: Christopher Moore. Congratulations to this young man and our thanks to the Hull Scholarship Committee for overseeing this aspect of life at Saint John’s. 

 

Youth Group Needs 

For a number of years, Frances Chamberlain has given freely of her time in a ministry to the Youth Group as its leader. This has been a most gracious and overwhelmingly generous gift, and we are deeply indebted to Frances for giving it. It is, however, time to begin the process of relieving her of this commitment, for her last child has now moved on to college, and it is time for another generation of the Parish to step forward into this responsibility. We don’t anticipate this change being precipitous, but it is imperative that a person or, preferably, persons step forward and begin working their way into the leadership of the Youth Group in order that one year from now the transition is able to be made smoothly and effectively and to the benefit of the young men and women of this Parish. Please take some time to consider this possibility and give the Rector a call with any questions you might have in this regard. He also looks forward to hearing from some of you to the effect that you are willing to move forward into this ministry. 

 

 

SAINT JOHN’S BAZAAR 

This Year’s Bazaar will be held on Saturday, October 30th from 10AM-2PM.

The Preview Party will be Friday, October 29th from 6:30PM-8:30PM.

Please mark you calendars now to be part of this important event in the life of the Parish. 

Laura Daly and Chris Boshears will again be in charge of this year’s planning of the Bazaar. Please take a moment to review what our needs are for this year. The sign up sheet will be in back of the Church every Sunday starting in September. Thanks to all who have already agreed to help us again this year. We still need lots of help and look forward to adding new volunteers to the list. Not to be pushy, but we would like to know as soon as possible if you are willing to help out. This will allow us to organize the work in the most effective way. If you have any questions before you commit to helping, please call Laura (868-9526). 

As was the case last year, the bidding for certain silent auction items including vacation homes donated for a weekend will be reserved for the Preview Party only. Invitations for the Preview Party will be mailed out in mid-September. If you are a parishioner, you are already on the mailing list. If you would like to be included on the mailing list, please call Laura Daly (868-9526). We will inform you of the Silent Auction committee soon. 

All those who will be involved in the Bazaar are invited to Tea at the Parish House on Thursday, October 7th at 3PM. This will be an important pre-planning meeting. 

SPECIAL NEEDS 

    There are some specific needs we would like to highlight: 

    Silent Auction 

    Please consider donating valuable furnishings, decorative arts, china, silver, etc. in good condition (with a minimum value of $25). Also, we ask that you consider donating a service or use of a second home or apartment for a weekend. (If you are willing to offer a vacation home or apartment, please call Drika Purves, 203.777.3427 or 868.7237, to let her know of this willingness). This year, we ask that you help us by filling out a short form that describes your donation with a value that you suggest (the Silent Auction Committee will assign minimum bids). This will help us to keep track of donations for our records and also for your tax-deductions. One of these forms (and a return envelope) is enclosed on the yellow sheet folded in the middle of this issue of the Eagle. Additional forms will be in the back of the Church. Please fill out the form by September 15th so we can get a sense of the Silent Auction inventory as soon as possible. Donated items should be brought to the Parish House beginning October 1^st or call the Parish House to arrange for pick-up if they are too large for you to handle by yourself. If you have any questions regarding a possible donation, please call Isabel Fowlkes (868-0402) to inform her of your intentions so she can stay on top of the inventory list for this all-important aspect of the Bazaar. 

Lastly, we need volunteers to man the Silent Auction tables for both Friday’s Preview Party and Saturday.  

Please consider donating valuable furnishings, decorative arts, china, silver, etc. in good condition (with a minimum value of $25). Also, we ask that you consider donating a service or use of a second home or apartment for a weekend. Please accompany all donations with your name, description of the item and suggested value (the Silent Auction Committee will assign minimum bids). This will help us to keep track of donations for our records and also for your tax-deductions. If you have any questions regarding a possible donation, please call Laura Daly (868-9526) to inform her of your intentions so she can stay on top of the inventory list for this all-important aspect of the Bazaar. 

Last year, we had great success with donated items that were not auctioned off but priced to buy. We will be doing this again this year. So, please bear this in mind when you are thinking of donating items for the Bazaar. 

Donated items should be brought to the Parish House beginning October 8^th. Call the Parish House to arrange for pick-up if they are too large for you to handle by yourself. 

Lastly, we need volunteers to man the Silent Auction tables for both Friday’s Preview Party and Saturday.  

    Preview Party

    We need helpers to get this party going, both in the kitchen and to serve. We will also need 3-4 bartenders.

We will also need volunteers to stuff envelopes to get the invitations in the mail on time. This would need to be done mid-September.  

    Larder

Based on last year’s success, we need baked goods, soups and chutneys. Single serving items or small packages of brownies etc. were excellent impulse purchases last year.

Call Ann Hodgman (868-0583) if you will contribute goods to this booth.

We will need people to help Ann sell items at this booth on Friday and Saturday. 

    Winter Flowers

Thanks to April Crumrine who will, once again, head up this very successful booth at the Bazaar. As in the past, we need lots of containers suitable for the forcing of bulbs. We encourage those wishing to help to bring the containers to the Parish House as soon as possible. This will give us ample time to get this ever-popular booth ready in time for the Bazaar. April will also need helpers to pot up the bulbs (date and time TBD).

We will also need one person on Friday and Saturday to oversee this booth. 

    Raffle

        We need someone to oversee the selling of the tickets. Laura Daly will take care of the paperwork involved in running the raffle, but is desperate for someone to actually be in charge of getting tickets distributed and sold. Please call Laura at 868-9526 if you are interested. Also, we need volunteers to sell the tickets around town and beyond. Finally, we will need helpers to man the Raffle booth during the Bazaar both Friday and Saturday. 

        Christmas Crafts

    We really need individuals to help make holiday crafts for this booth. We need knitters and those who would like to decorate Christmas ornaments. This booth is quite successful and can become even more so with a few extra helping hands. Call Laura Daly (868-9526) if you are interested in helping.  

        Box Lunch

    We need a co-chair for this – this person would be involved in organizing the box lunch. We also need volunteers to prepare and serve lunch. 

    Cheese

    We need a co-chair for this booth. We also need someone to donate a scale in order to weigh the cheese and price in accordingly. We can also use volunteers to man the table for both Friday and Saturday.

        Set up and Clean-up Crews

    We need volunteers to help set up the Bazaar a few days before the event, clean up after the Preview Party on Friday night and close down the Bazaar on Saturday afternoon. 

We are looking forward to another grand Bazaar. We thank you all in advance for your time and effort in making the Bazaar the wonderful event that it always is. 

 

 

 

Vestry News ~ At its regularly scheduled meeting of August 15, 2004 the following received attention:

•  The minutes of the June 20, 2004 Vestry meeting were accepted as read.

•  The report of the Stewardship Committee was received. The Stewardship Committee proposed schedule for the stewardship effort for the coming year was approved as submitted.

•  The Treasurer’s Report was received as submitted.

•  Great enthusiasm was expressed for the choice of the Organist Search Committee, Mr. Richard Busch. The Vestry looks forward, eagerly, to Mr. Busch’s arrival.

•  A few modest Buildings and Grounds efforts are under way. Painting of one or two sides of each of the Parish buildings, part of our ongoing maintenance, will take place late in the Summer or early in the Autumn. Repair of the side doors to the church will take place in early Autumn too.

The next meeting of the Vestry will take place on September 19, 2004. 

 

Music Notes ~ Even as we compose this edition of The Eagle, a page is turning in the history of Saint John’s Parish. Mr. Richard Busch will be moving to Washington in approximately two weeks. He will begin his formal association with the Parish on the 13^th of September. We eagerly anticipate and await this arrival. 

While the schedule for Choral Evensong for the entire year has not been completed, you should know that the first Evensong will take place on September 26^th for the Commemoration of the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels. We hope most sincerely that you will join us. The Service begins at 5:00 pm and will include C.V. Stanford’s, Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in B-flat and Bullock’s, Give Us The Wings of Faith. A schedule of Evensong dates is attached on the green sheet of paper. 

The Saint John’s Concert Series will open its Fifteenth season on Sunday afternoon, October 17^th, at 4pm with a concert by Lionhart, a most incredibly talented men’s vocal ensemble. Lionhart is one of the premier groups in this field, and we hope very much that you will be in attendance at that performance. Subsequent performances in the Concert Series will include Thomas Brown, the most talented pianist with which one could hope to share an afternoon. Tom Brown’s concert will take place on Sunday, November 14 at 4:00pm. Later in the Winter, on Sunday, January 16 at 4:00pm, Horacio Franco will perform a solo recorder concert, and on May 8^th, also at 4:00pm, the inimitable Yale Whiffenpoofs will be performing. Enclosed with The Eagle is a Concert Series brochure which we hope you will review and from which we hope you might take time to order tickets or, even more desirably, to become a Friend, Patron, or Benefactor of this important part of the life of Washington and the surrounding communities.  

On Tuesday evening, September 21^st at 7:30 the St. John’s Chorale will begin rehearsing for its annual Christmas Candlelight Concerts to be presented on Friday evening, December 10^th at 8:00pm. and on Sunday afternoon, December 12^th at 4:00pm. The repertoire of these concerts will include, among other works, the Pergolesi, Magnificat; Byrd, O Magnum Mysterium; Brahms, Marienlieder; Poulenc, Videntes stellam; and Finzi, In Terra Pax. Those interested in joining the Chorale should contact Zemma White (868.2140) or Ann Martindale (868.9919). 

While it would be difficult to miss, please be aware that at the very beginning of The Eagle (directly following the Rector’s Letter) is a most cordial invitation to each of you to give serious consideration to exploring the possibility of joining the Choir. We hope you will take it to heart. 

 

Parish Register

Baptisms

Liam Costa Stewart ~ August 1, 2004

Katharine Natalie Dyer Benson ~ August 8, 2004 

Marriage

Eliot Billings Johnson and Stephanie Gene Goos

June 19, 2004