The Rev. Lois J. Schembs Interim Rector The Annunciator April 2000

DAILY BLESSINGS.....

We've been lucky this year with the weather, and I haven't regretted not using the snow shovel much. Yet I still find myself yearning for a real "spring" to take hold. the warm breezes and familiar sights and sounds of spring always help to lift my spirits after the grays of the winter months. I find that more daylight, more sun and more chirping from the birds outside my windows helps to bring me out of my serious thoughts, and restores a sense of good humor and delight with the little joys of life which surround us each day.

So often, it's so easy for us to take ourselves and our daily routines so seriously, that we also risk losing sight of the joy and excitement that life with Jesus can offer to us. I have a small wall hanging that has a delightful picture of a kitten basking in the sun, in the cracks of field rocks, while field flowers bloom and dance in the wind around the rock. The words on the bottom of the picture always strike me as so simple, yet so important for us to bear in mind and heart: "Set aside some dreaming time."

It's really sad how often we forget to dream dreams, or to dare to picture ourselves as we'd really like to be ore feel. And yet Jesus was a dreamer, and encourages us to be dreamers as well...dreamers of a world in which there is peace, happiness, respect, and dignity for everyone...dreamers of a world where knowing the touch of God's love and forgiveness is the rule rather than the exception. This is the world which the risen Christ promises to each one of us - a promise that we can experience in small ways now, and some day in the fullest measure possible.

On Easter, Jesus shows us that dreams can indeed become a reality, and calls each one of us to take our part in helping God's dream to become a reality for others who may not yet know the promise. We are very much a part of the creative forces that God has given life to at Easter. Together, as we continue to dream the dream, and to participate in the dance of the resurrected life, we too will experience the freshness of leaving the dark tombs of our winter days, and entering the "light" as the Easter people who dance the dance of Life for all to see and learn for themselves. Listen! Do you hear the music? It's playing for you!!

Easter blessings,

The Rev. Lois J. Schembs Interim Rector

BITS AND PIECES.....

SPRING IS ON THE WAY and so is the ECW fund raising Rummage Sale, to be held on Thursday, May 4th (instead of March 31st as had earlier been announced), from 8:30 AM - 1 PM. We are therefore asking for your donations of clothing, jewelry, bric-a-brac, household items, etc. Please keep us in mind when your spring cleaning is underway. Your generosity has always helped make this one of our most successful events. Thank you in advance for your continued support. See Laura Munson or Kay Benning for information or if you would be able to help with the set-up on Wednesday, May 3rd and/or with the sale/clean-up on Thursday, May 4th Remember, many hands make light work!

Welcome to Our Service
THE NAMETAG BOARD is quite noticeable to our visitors and new members, but so also is the fact that many of you leave the tags on the board instead of wearing them. Please, help our newer members to feel welcome and at home among us - wear your tags and try to meet the new people during coffee hour. We were all new once, and know how nice it is to feel welcomed. So now is your chance to return the favor that was once extended to you!

THERE IS A MYTH STILL FLOATING AROUND THAT CLERGY HAVE CRYSTAL BALLS - IT'S NOT REALLY TRUE!!! Please help the clergy out, and don't assume we know what's going on with you at all times. This is especially true during a crisis, or when people enter hospitals for surgery. Take a moment and let Lois (and your future rector as well) know if you or a family member is planning to go to the hospital for surgery and whether it is something that you would like a visit before if possible. If you or a family member is involved with a crisis situation (injuries, serious illness, death), it would also help to let the clergy know. It's really awkward to be the last one to find out, especially when everyone comes up to you to see what's happened and you don't even have a clue that something's wrong. And just as important - please think to let the clergy know just as soon as possible if you or a family member has been discharged from the hospital or nursing/rehab. center. It's a waste of time and travel to go to these places, only to find out at the front desk that you've left and gone home. So...since we don't have crystal balls, you have to communicate with us. The best thing for Lois, during the Interim period, is to leave word both at the church and on her home phone (908-232-8551).

ADULT EDUCATION DURING LENT CONTINUES -
PLEASE JOIN US WHEN YOU CAN!

SUNDAY MORNINGS (APRIL 2nd and 16th)

We will continue using the second part of the video "Jesus of Nazareth", to follow Jesus' ministry from miracles through Christ's raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. In this section of the series, we are reminded that the Light of Christ's love continues to be revealed to more and more people throughout the course of this ministry, and that by following these examples and teachings, we also can live as Christ's disciples by the power of the Holy Spirit.

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS (APRIL 5th and 12th)

Using the last of the Holy Week segments of Zeffirelli's highly acclaimed video portrayal of the life of Jesus, on April 5th we will follow Jesus through the resurrection and his appearances to his disciples. In so doing, we will hear and see again the living challenge of the Gospel to rely upon our Lord Jesus Christ in our everyday experiences as one who has been there and knows what we are going through.

On April 12th, we will view the video titled "The Passion". This is a word-for-word script of the Passion narratives from the Gospel of Luke, using full dramatic action and filmed on location in the Holy Land.

"I've been feeling kind of depressed, Reverend Pennington. I think what I need is a spiritual Band-Aid!"

WEDNESDAY EVENING POT-LUCKS CONTINUE - APRIL 5th & 12th

***PLEASE REMEMBER You are welcome to come to any or all of the Sunday or Wednesday evening activities, whatever suits your interests or schedules!

A FAMILY STORY FOR LENT
(from The Little Grain of Wheat children's book by Gerard Pottebaum)

There once was a grain of wheat. It grew on a stalk And there once was a grape. It grew on a vine. One day a very special man came by. A crowd was following and listening to him. He took the little grain of wheat in his hand and said, "See the grain of wheat. If it does not fall to the ground and die, it will be just one little grain; nothing more. But if it dies, many good things will come from it."

Then the man let the little grain of wheat fall to the ground, and he walked away. The people followed him, stepping on the little grain and trampling it into the ground. There the little grain of wheat died. But soon, beneath the ground, roots began to grow from the little grain of wheat. A bright, new stalk began to rise to the sky, higher and higher. And then, just as the man had said, the little grain of wheat blossomed into many grains that had never Iked before.

"What a wonderful life," the new wheat exclaimed.

Then one day, the wheat heard the man again. He and his followers were standing 'round a grape vine nearby. The man took the vine in his hand. His followers moved closer to him to hear what he would say.

I am the vine," he said. "You are the branches. If you break away from me, you will dry up and wither away like a branch broken from the vine. But if you cling to me, you will be like this branch, filled with beautiful grapes."

Together they picked the beautiful grapes from the vine. From the grapes they made wine. It was their favorite drink. And then they picked the new grains of wheat. From the wheat they made bread. It was their favorite food.

The man invited his followers to eat this meal of bread and wine with him. Closely they watched and listened. The man took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to those at the table. "Take this and eat" he said."This is my body," Then he took the cup of wine. "Take this and drink," he said. "This is my blood which I will shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me." So they ate the bread that was now the man's body. They drank the wine that was his blood. They called this the Last Supper. It was the last meal they ate before the man died - just like the little grain of wheat.

And after he died, like the grain of wheat, the man rose to a new life. Ever since then, when we eat this man's Holy Bread and drink from his Sacred Cup of Wine, he shares his new life with us. We become like little grains of wheat. We become like Jesus, the man who is God's own Son. He came to share God's personal love with us. And someday we'll rise from the dead like Jesus.

Won't that be the biggest day ever!

HOLY WEEK FOOTNOTES FROM LOIS

MAUNDY THURSDAY - 'Maundy' is believed to have come from a Latin word meaning 'commandment'. On this day, at His Last Supper, Jesus said to His disciples "A new commandment I give to you - that you love one another as I have loved you.

During this Last Supper, Jesus also shared the passover ritual's bread and wine with the disciples. He told them that this bread and wine would, from that point onward be His body and blood shed for the forgiveness of the sins of the world He instructed them to continue this new meal, which we call the sacrament of Holy Eucharist, in remembrance of Jesus' promise to be with us and to give us strength to follow in His steps.

At His Last Supper, Jesus also washed the feet of His disciples and said, "You ought also to wash one another's feet." Through the ages, Christians have tried to follow the example set by Jesus. Even kings and queens used to wash the feet of some of their subjects on Maundy Thursday. Later, the custom arose of giving Maundy Money to the poor, which still takes place each year in certain locations in Britain.

Maundy Thursday was also known as "Pure" or "Clean" Thursday, for it was on this day that people bathed and cleansed themselves in preparation for Easter.

GOOD FRIDAY - The Friday before Easter is known as "Good Friday". Out English word, good comes from the word "God", and originally may have signified this day as "God's Friday". Celebrated by Christians as the day of mourning for Christ's suffering and His death upon the cross. It is also considered 'good' for humanity because it shows us that God's love for us is so great that even such undeserved suffering and humility was willingly endured by Jesus so that we could be reconciled with God.

In many cities around the world, there are processions through the streets on this day. One of the oldest of these processions is in Jerusalem. Every year pilgrims from all over the world singing and carrying heavy crosses, walk up the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This is the path which Jesus is believed to have traveled carrying His cross. Many churches celebrate their own similar procession of "The Way of the Cross" to trace Jesus' steps on Good Friday. Often, Good Friday services are held between noon and three o'clock in the afternoon. This is accepted as the time that Jesus was on the cross.

In Seville, Spain and in Mexico, Monaco, Italy, South America, and many other countries, colorful processions are held in which beautifully carved or decorated figures, representing the chief characters of the Passion Week, are mounted on platforms and carried through the streets. And to the early Christians it seemed that all of nature, the earth, and her plants and animals shared in the joy or sorrow of God's Son.

EASTER FLOWERING OF THE CROSS and CHILDREN'S EASTER EGG HUNT

ALL CHILDREN are invited to bring a cut stem flower (no large branches, please) to Church with them for the 10:00 a.m. Easter Sunday service. After the processional hymn, the children will be invited to come forward and to put their flowers in a large mesh covered Cross frame which will be placed by the altar. As the flowers are added, the bare frame "comes alive" to symbolize the new life of the Resurrection.

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 10:00 a.m SERVICE children (and the adults of the congregation) are invited to join us at the front of the church for an EASTER EGG HUNT. Children should remember to bring some kind of basket or bag with them to church, that can be used for an egg holder during the hunt. After the hunt, the participants can join everyone else inside for our Easter refreshments time.

EASTER HELP NEEDED....

We will need donations of lightly-filled, taped closed, colored plastic eggs to use for the Children' s Easter Egg Hunt. These seem to be more durable, hold up well in damp grass, don't spoil if not found until weeks later, and we don't run the risk of children eating eggs that may not have kept well. If you can help, please bring the assembled eggs to the office before Good Friday.

We will also need some volunteers to hide the Easter Eggs on Sunday morning before the 10:00 a.m. service is over. If you would like to help, please let Lois know.

FEBRUARY and MARCH, 2000
VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS

Plans for Lenten services with Pot Luck Suppers have been planned and are in progress. The Pancake supper was a huge success with approximately 75 people in attendance. Free will offerings at the Wednesday night suppers will be used to provide medicine to combact malaria in Mozambique which is one of the projects for our companion diocese of Lebombo.

Bell Atlantic telephone directory will be enhanced expanding into Ridgewood area.

Retreat being planned, details to follow.

REPORTS:

• Fund Raising - No one to chair this committee.
• Buildings & Grounds - TV/VCR now on main level. Insurance will be procured for the fuel tanks.
• Church School - Two new children on roster.
• Worship - New service procedures for Acolytes, Layreaders and Ushers were presented during the training workshop in February and are now fully under way during Sunday worship services.
• Search - Survey results have been compiled and Focus groups are currently underway.
• Prayer Chain - Has been organized and is ready to be instituted.

• We have been contacted by a family formerly associated with the congregation who wishes to donate money for setting up a Scholarship Fund and we are in the process of working out the details to get this underway.
• A new computer system has been investigated and equipment will purchased in the near future for the Parish Secretary's office.

At the last Vestry meeting, March 13, 2000, it was agreed that effective June 1, 2000, the following rental rate will be charged for the Parish Hall:

ALL OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS: Seniors, Book & Needle, Film Crews, and other groups not associated with the Church: $50.00 per hour - minimum 4 hours (set-up and clean-up renters responsibility - sexton available at additional $10 per hour)

PARISH FAMILY MEMBERS: Birthday Parties, Weddings, Showers, Christenings, Confirmations, Graduations: $25.00 per hour - minimum 4 hours (set-up and clean-up renters responsibility - sexton available at additional $10 per hour)

As part of our Outreach, there will be no charge for Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies or Daisies.

Anyone who wishes to rent the hall, should check with our Secretary.

All requests will be submitted to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for approval.

Church functions take precedence over any and all rentals.

Many parishioners have asked, and I'm sure many more have wondered what is involved in finding a new rector for our church. It's not as easy as one might think, and it should be explained to us all. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as visiting a few priests, and picking the one we like best. There is a procedure that must be followed. The process does not begin until an interim rector arrives. There must be a "grieving process" after one rector leaves, before another permanent one can follow. It is a time for the parish to look at themselves and decide what they want, not just to rely on what they are used to having.

The process begins with a self- reflection of ourselves as a parish - who we are, where we are going (in the future), our needs/wants and finally, what we want in a priest. The questionnaires and focus groups were designed to gather the information that will be compiled into a Parish Profile (a little brochure that tells our history, who we are, our goals, etc). The information is also used to fill out a computer form that goes to the National Church (in New York) that is then matched up with other potential candidates to be our rector (from across the nation, not just from the Newark diocese). All priests must fill out this form too, and a match is made between priests and churches. For example, a church will be matched with priests who possess the qualities they deem most important. Bishop Cronenberger and Paul Hunt (from the Diocese of Newark) will present a list of names of possibilities to our Search Committee. The Search Committee will then send out our Parish Profile and a letter to these candidates to see if they would be interested in what we have to offer. From those responses of interested candidates, an interviewing process (which eventually includes personal visits) begins. The number of candidates dictates the length of the process.

The collection of data has been completed, and the Parish Profile is being written. Our Parish Profile Committee (Kevin Horton, Greg Kouletsis, Jon Osborn, Jan Simpson, Patt Seitz and Kathy Sobeck) created and collected the data from the questionnaires, conducted Focus Groups, and then passed along the findings to the Search Committee.

The Search committee has been formed. The process is well underway. Our search committee members are: Ginny Baird, Kay Benning, Sue Dziemian, Chris Gwynne, Greg Kouletsis, Jon King, John Osborn, Larry Ross, and Roger Sobeck (chairman). This group is representative of our church, and includes people of all ages (20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60+), all interest groups are represented, as well as new and long time members.

-Kathy Sobeck