of St.

John’s in Pine Meadow

St. John’s mission is to nurture all people in their spiritual growth, in their Christian education,
and in their relationship with God.
The Rev. Salin Low, Rector February 2011

They call it Good News!!

How many times have you complained about These are tough times for St. John’s and for
the headlines in the newspaper or the lead story on many churches in ways you can read about in the
the evening news? Don’t they ever have anything newspaper almost every week. There are times
good to report? Isn’t anything happening that is when it seems almost appropriate to throw in the
inspiring or uplifting? towel and try something else.
The theory of news organizations is that bad It’s worth remembering that the challenges
news “sells.” Stories of disasters, or even robber- facing people of faith are nothing new. Jesus and
ies and murders, are the sort to grab people’s at- his contemporaries faced the oppression, and later
tention. Who wants to hear about someone being the persecution of the Roman empire. The Phari-
nice to a neighbor? Doesn’t that happen all the sees might have been scolded by Jesus, but they
time? What’s new about it? were trying to reform the faith, too.
I believe that a lot of people want to hear But when Jesus came, his message wasn’t pri-
“nice” stories. Our lives are filled with stress just marily about the difficulties and failings of hu-
trying to do all the things we’re “supposed” to do. manity. His message was about the good things
On top of that there are all the messages of the God was doing — the blind see, the deaf hear, the
awful things that are happening in the world lame walk. And people of faith have new life.
around us — occurrences which are depressing or The crowds followed Jesus and continued to
frightening, which make us distrust everyone. follow the apostles after that first Easter. They
How refreshing it is to be reminded of the came because of Good News!! That’s what Gos-
good things which are taking place almost unno- pel means. They wanted to be a part of a group
ticed in our own neighborhood. It makes me feel that showed love of God and of neighbor.
better to hear about people lending helping hands People still want to be a part of the same sort
to those who can’t do everything by themselves. It of caring, hopeful group. What they need is some-
encourages me when someone goes the extra mile one to tell them that St. John’s is just such a
to do something good for a total stranger. group. It’s up to you to tell them.
When I hear the stories which demonstrate the Tell your world about all the good things hap-
ways that people show compassion and considera- pening at St. John’s. It’s the Good News they long
tion for one another, I’m glad to be a member of to hear.
the human race. When those kind acts take place
in my community or group, I’m proud to be a part
of that group and pleased to let others know that’s
a worthwhile organization.
 Bits & Pieces

HOW WE’RE DOING SO FAR Prayer Requests— Requests are handled confi-
dentially through the Rector. Prayers will continue
DECEMBER 2010 RESULTS for a month unless other time periods are specified.
Operating Income $ 34,992 You may fill out a prayer request form or call the
Operating Expenses $ 16,570 rector at 693-1851.
2010 Final Results Wednesday Evening Services—Please consider
Operating Income $ 229,148* the 7:30 p.m. service on Wednesdays to be can-
Operating Expenses $219,609 celled if other area activities are cancelled due to
*Includes $42,000 withdrawn from investments for operat-
inclement weather.
ing expenses. Net deficit was $ 32,461.
If you have not pledged but make multiple contributions 2010 Outreach Donations
during the year, you may request enveloped to help keep
track of your giving. Good Friday—Jerusalem $ 163
Community Food Bank Pleasant Valley $ 215
Loose plate offerings on the 3rd Sunday go to the discretion- Episcopal Relief—Haiti $ 1,910
ary fund, which is used for those in need.. Shelter Box—Haiti $ 7,000*
We need an individual to count the offering on the 2nd Sun-
 25 Needy children received Christmas Gifts
day of each month, which usually takes about 30 minutes
 $225 for Christmas Dinners & Gifts
after the service. There are detailed instructions, and training
 $370 for Pencil Boxes (Additional $ 330 from
is available. If you can do this, contact the office
discretionary fund.)
([email protected]) or Sue Bremer
Sue Bremer, Treasurer *$2400 of this $7000 donated by Regional #7
In January we sent $1,470 to help people in our com-
Annual Appeal Results munity in need.
Total amount pledged to date: $163,190
Parishioners prepared and donated meals for resi-
If you have not returned your pledge card, please do dents of Peter’s Retreat on the 4th Saturday of every
so as soon as possible. Thank you. month. We delivered to the local food banks our do-
nations of food from Food Sundays. A total of
Shopping Cards $1,619 from loose plate on the third Sunday went
An Easy Way to Help to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund to help the needy.

When you buy shopping/gift cards through St.

John’s, you are making a contribution that does not
cost you financially. It may take a little planning.
Orders are taken on the 1st and 3rd Sundays and de-
livered that following Sunday. Order forms are Buy from Amazon—Help St. John’s!
available in the narthex and can be placed in the Click the Amazon logo on our blog ( stjohnspine-
lockbox downstairs at any time. They can also be meadow.blogspot.com) or in upcoming emails, and
downloaded from our website – www.reddoors.com you will help St. John’s. We get a percentage of eve-
under Misc. Info. Profits from sale of the gift cards rything you buy, and the percentage increases with
will all go to defray the budget deficit. the number of items purchased each month.
 PETER’S RETREAT
Thanks to those who help.

Thanks to everyone who volunteered in 2010

and helped to make this such a successful ministry! Thanks to Darrell Hoag, Rose & Chris Os-
If you are a newcomer and would like to learn more borne & Louis Martocchio for snow removal .
about participating in this important outreach, please Thanks to Debi Althen and the Church School
contact Larry Alibozek, our liaison with Peter’s Re- for the wonderful Epiphany Pageant.
treat, at 379-1889. Special thanks to the following vestry members
Sign up in the narthex if you would like who have completed their terms and are leaving the
to help on the 4th Saturday of any month during vestry: John Gargiulo, Sue Hall, Nancy Linton,
2011 or email Salin: [email protected]. We still Joe Russo & Diane Hayes.
need hosts beginning in June. Thanks to Mimi
Madden & the youth group for the meal on Janu-
ary 22nd. Anne Marek & family will be in charge
VESTRY WORKSHOP SCHEDULED
for February. You are Welcome to attend!
February 27 - 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
New Vestry Members Elected All Vestry members, both current and those with
recently completed terms, are attending a workshop
At the annual meeting on January 23, the follow- led by diocesan consultant June Aziz to consider the
ing people were elected: Kevin Case, Senior War- ministry of St. Johns. What are we doing? How are
den; Sue Bremer, Treasurer,; Joan Caine, Clerk; we doing it? What could/should we be doing?
Lucie Martocchio and Jill Smith, At-Large Members
If you want to be part of this discussion, please
for 3-year terms; Stan Moraski and Winnie Pratt, At-
contact the Rector or a Vestry member, so we can
Large Members for 1-year unexpired terms. The new
make sure we have materials for you. More partici-
officers were elected for the first of three 1-year
pants will make for a stronger discussion.
terms. Rose Osborne was also elected as Junior War-
den for the second 1-year term.
Also elected were delegates to diocesan conven- Flower Chart 2011
tion in October: Diane Hayes and Jack Flaherty,
Delegates; Kevin Case and Rose Osborne, Alternates. The chart for altar flowers and greens is posted
in the narthex. There is an opening in February, as
These are your representatives in the leadership
well as on other future dates. Flowers from your gar-
of the parish. If you have a matter of concern or an
den can also be arranged and donated during the
idea to be considered, please contact a Vestry mem-
summer months.
ber or Warden, as well as the Rector.
Please sign the chart if you would like to reserve
a particular Sunday in memory of a loved one. The
suggested donation is $50 for two containers of flow-
PARISH REGISTER ers or greens. You can also split a Sunday with
someone else at a cost of $25 each.
Checks for the flowers/greens should be mailed
to the office or placed in the offering plate. Please
Deaths notify the office how you’d like your memorial do-
Robert A. Stewart, II nation to read at least one week prior to that Sunday.
(father of Julie Gargiulo) If you wish to use an a florist other than Chris-
tine’s in Winsted, please make your own arrange-
Robert Parrott ments for the order, including delivery, and let the
office know. Thank you.
 March 8 - Mardi Gras Jazz Concert
May 8 - Bishop Curry Visits—Confirmation—Building Dedication
May 24 - Watoto Concert - AIDS Orphan Choir from Uganda
(Sponsored by the Youth Group)

September 30 - Funraising Auction

P. O. Box 27
Pine Meadow, CT
06061
860 379-3062

Address Correction

The Episcopal Church

We’re Here For You
Sunday Worship
8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday
7:30 pm

13-Year Olds Honored on Feb. 6 Coffee Hour List in the Parish Hall
At St. John’s we recognize those young people
who have become teenagers in the last year. It is Please take a Sunday – The list
our way of acknowledging their changing role in for coffee hour after the 10 a.m.
the church and the church’s support of their grow- service on Sundays beginning in
ing in all phases of their lives. February is now posted. There
At the 10 am service on Feb. 6, we will have a are openings in February, as
prayer and encouragement for the teens and their well as on other future dates. We
families as they move towards adulthood. We think ask that all who attend that ser-
we know each of the teens who are 13. However, if vice, even if you don’t regularly
you think we may have overlooked your teen, let attend coffee hour, please take a turn
us know by calling the office or email to: of- in supporting the hospitality of the
[email protected]. We send a letter to each parish. Directions are posted in the
teen’s parents asking them to be part of the service. kitchen. Coffee and tea are provided
but you need to bring cream.
 February 2011
St. John’s Church—Calendar of Events
Anniversaries in Italics

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5
7:30 PM
Holy Eucharist

6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Holy Eucharist Pam & Michael 7:30 PM Beth & John Dee
8 & 10 AM Tooke Holy Eucharist
Confirmation
11:30—1:30

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Holy Eucharist 7:30 PM
8 & 10 AM Holy Eucharist
Confirmation
11:30—1:30

20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Holy Eucharist President’s Day 7:30 PM Peter’s Retreat
8 & 10 AM Holy Eucharist
Office Closed

27 28 February Birthdays 16-Feb Elaine Cambo 25-Feb Kristie Espinet

Holy Eucharist Vestry Meeting 18-Feb William Low 26-Feb Jennifer Hester
8 & 10 AM 7 PM 5-Feb Ignatius Makarevich 19-Feb Skip Misiorski 26-Feb Marie Keefe
Confirmation 8-Feb Cynthia Welch 19-Feb Leon Pratt 28-Feb Ashley Jakubowski
11:30—1:30 9-Feb Jessica Hinman 20-Feb Christian Johnson
14-Feb Billie Jo Martocchio 20-Feb Jackie Espinet
Vestry Workshop 15-Feb Russell Dougan 20-Feb Nikki Penn
8:30-1:00 16-Feb Anne Hall 23-Feb Madeline Ragle
 The annual pageant brought
forth angels and shepherds and
cake at the lunch. Thanks to all
who helped and applauded.

The Youth Group served dinner at

Peter’s Retreat in January. We
served the residents, then we
served one another. Mimi Madden
and deacon intern Denise Adessa
helped to organize the work.

We have a different perspec-

tive of the church from the
new parish office. It will be
interesting to watch the
change of seasons from this
vantage point.

Check out www.reddoors.com

for updated pix and info.