Inside: From the Senior Warden .......... p. 4 St. Peter’s Music ..................... p. 5 LYRA ....................................... p. 6 Fr. Russ .................................... p. 7-9 Dinner Groups ......................... p. 10 Calendar ................................... p. 11 August 18, 2015 Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter’s Church, Even when we expect a particular event to take place, we still find that it catches us by surprise when the expectation becomes a reality. Over the past five years, I have had the privilege to serve as your pastor, but the Spirit is guiding both St. Peter’s Church and me into a time of change – not unexpected, but still filled with surprise. I will be leaving St. Peter’s Church to become the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Aurora, IL. The exact date of departure has not yet been determined, but you will be informed as the process unfolds. Despite the new challenges ahead, I believe that the Spirit is guiding all of us. May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us. ― Teresa of Ávila Lisa and I wish you all well. We thank you for the time we have had together. Please hold us and the church in your prayers as we all undergo this transition. Peace in Christ, CROSS KEYS ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OSTERVILLE MA 02655 September 2015 Important Dates to Remember September 13 ................... LYRA Concert September 20 ........ Adult Forums Return September 26 ................... SPWA Tag Sale
Transcript
Inside:
From the Senior Warden .......... p. 4
St. Peter’s Music ..................... p. 5
LYRA ....................................... p. 6
Fr. Russ .................................... p. 7-9
Dinner Groups ......................... p. 10
Calendar ................................... p. 11
August 18, 2015
Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter’s Church,
Even when we expect a particular event to take place, we still find that it catches us by surprise when the expectation becomes a reality. Over the past five years, I have had the privilege to serve as your pastor, but the Spirit is guiding both St. Peter’s Church and me into a time of change – not unexpected, but still filled with surprise.
I will be leaving St. Peter’s Church to become the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Aurora, IL. The exact date of departure has not yet been determined, but you will be informed as the process unfolds.
Despite the new challenges ahead, I believe that the Spirit is guiding all of us.
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.
― Teresa of Ávila
Lisa and I wish you all well. We thank you for the time we have had together. Please hold us and the church in your prayers as we all undergo this transition.
Peace in Christ,
CROSS KEYS ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OSTERVILLE MA 02655
September 2015
Important Dates to Remember
September 13 ................... LYRA ConcertSeptember 20 ........ Adult Forums ReturnSeptember 26 ................... SPWA Tag Sale
Rector ........... The Rev. Denzil J. LuckritzAssociate .......... The Rev. Russell H. AllenSecretary .................. Maureen JagodowskiDirector of Music ................ Karen CrosbySexton .....................................Brian BoleySt. Peter’s Nursery School...Charlene Krig
Wayne Schmidt ............. Ghislaine LacerteSusan Soares ............................ Sue CurranGreg Winkler ...................... George JessopWill Beebe ............................. Bill Stocker
Meg Perkins, EmeritusFinance ................................ Noel SpillaneFriendship Ministry ........ Barbara SpillaneHospitality Guild .............. Marilyn WrightLay Eucharist Visitors........................ TBDNewsletter ....................... Nancy MumfordOutreach ....................................... Fr. RussPrayer Group .......................... Mary BeebeProperty ............................... Mark ThomasStewardship ....................................... TBDWomen’s Association ....... Meredith David
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church421 Wianno AvenuePO Box 437Osterville MA 02655
I wish to inform you that I will no longer be able to teach the Christian Formation Program. I have enjoyed the time over the past three years I’ve spent with the children. They have taught me so much and I am grateful for their wisdom.
I regret I was unable to find anyone willing to help regularly with the program, though I asked many. Those who tried became discouraged by numbers and eventually quit. Living in a culture that judges success by numbers and profit, I think we tend to forget that the church is called to be profoundly counter-cultural -- to value the poor, the needy, the widows, children - those society ignores as having no voice and no power. These are the ones our Lord tells us to serve.
Though the number of children has been few, it is my hope that during this time they have come to know God, have fallen in love with Him, and will continue to seek to come closer to Him all their life. Time will tell. We can only plant the seed. God gives the growth. In God’s eyes, numbers do not matter – He knows each one by name; each one has value.
We can, however, provide a nourishing place for that growth to happen -- one that is not anxious or fearful, but full of hope, joy, kindness and generosity. These little ones watch us and learn what place God holds in our hearts.
I wish you well in planning the coming year. I pray God will speak quietly to those who have a heart for the children and call them forth to serve in this ministry.
Peace,
Lisa Luckritz
Newsletter Deadline
September 15thfor the October edition of the Cross Keys
The deadline for the Cross Keys is the 15th of the month. Submissions may be emailed (MOST preferred by the editor!) to [email protected] Please note: I can only accept MS WORD documents (Not Word Perfect) by email
Where did the summer go! Knitting will resume September 17th at 1pm in the library -- Hope to see you all there, Nancy Dwarnick
Crystal Lake:
The last Crystal Lake Service will be this Sunday, August 30th.
Congratulations to
Greg and Laura Tanner on the baptism of their daughter, Brooke.
Our Sympathy to
Peter Roome and Family on the passing of Phyllis Roome.
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From the Senior Warden -
By now you have received Denzil's letter announcing that he has accepted a call to Trinity Church in Aurora, Illinois. We wish to thank him for his service here and especially for guiding us through the upheaval of the renovations to our physical plant. We wish him well in his new parish.
I have met with Bishop Alan Gates and the Canon for Congregations, The Reverend Libby Berman and together we are working on some of the "next steps". I am confident that the parishioners of St. Peter's will work together with the officers and Vestry to make the transition a smooth one. The current plan is for a "Bridge Priest" for a short term to let us all take a deep breath. Ultimately we have asked Bishop Gates, and he has agreed, that we then should have a "Priest in Charge" before conducting a search for a new rector. A Priest in Charge serves for three years with the goal of helping the parish further define the goals that emerged from the survey and also gives us time for healing those things that divide us.
This parish has always worked together for the Glory of God and it is my expectation that we will continue to do so. As your Senior Warden, I want to assure you that, to quote Dame Julian of Norwich, "All will be well, and all will be well and all manner of things will be well". We ask your prayers and patience during this process.
"With God all things are possible."
Judy
St. Peter’s Church Tag Sale -
Saturday, September 26
Please consider donating gently used household items, jewelry, books, etc., (excluding clothing or electronic devices) to the Tag Sale which will benefit St. Peter’s Women’s Association programs, the Seamen’s Institute (knitted goods), and NOAH. The Tag Sale will be held in the Parish Hall at St. Peter’s Church on Saturday, September 26. In addition to raising funds to benefit these programs, this will be an opportunity for the community to come to St. Peter’s and realize what our church has to offer.
If you wish to have items picked up from your home, please call Meredith David – 508-420-0217. Items may also be left at the church office which is open from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m, Monday - Thursday.
Also, mark your calendars for the next Women’s Association luncheon/program on Thursday, October 8, at 12 noon. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the church bulletin board in September. Our luncheon is catered—cost is $18.00. Frederica Thompsett, a professor at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge will be our speaker. All parishioners and guests are welcome to attend the Women’s Association luncheon/programs.
Meredith David,
President, St. Peter’s Women’s Association
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St. Peter’s Music Program is a vital aspect of parish life. The Adult Choir sings an eclectic repertoire from
Renaissance to classic 20th century Anglican. “New Song Sunday” is the 3rd Sunday of the month. A small instrumental ensemble, along with several vocalists, lead quality contemporary music from world music to
Taize’, including music from the Episcopal Church’s supplemental hymnals.
Music at St. Peter’s
For more information: Contact Karen Crosby
774-208-8269.
The Adult Choir rehearses
Wednesday nights: 6:00-7:30.
New members are always welcome in the Adult Choir. A warm and close-knit group, choristers do not require previous experience; however, dedication & commitment to excellence is necessary. One-on-one assistance is available.
The Adult Choir sings for the 10:00 Eucharist on Sunday mornings (with the exception of New Song Sunday). Rehearsals begin at 9:15.
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Russian musical group to perform at St. Peter's Episcopal ChurchSeptember 13, 2015
The internationally known Russian musical group, LYRA, will present a concert at St. Peter's on Sunday, September 13, 2015, at 3:00 pm. With a full concert schedule in the United States, Europe, and Russia, this will be LYRA's first concert on Cape Cod
LYRA is an a capella group of professional Russian musicians trained at the St. Petersburg Conservatoire. Drawing on the rich musical heritage of Russia, LYRA will present a program that highlight the variety of style that range from the folk song tradition to sacred music from the Russian Orthodox Church. Selections will include ancient sacred songs as well as works from the 18-20 centuries. A variety of the Russian folk song tradition will cover be comic, lyric, dancing, and love songs.
This concert is a rare opportunity for Cape residents to hear choir music in its full range and diversity of Russian sacred and secular music, which reflects creativity spawned by Russia's culture and history
There will be a reception to meet members of LYRA after the concert. Admission is free but a goodwill offering will be taken. For further information: Karen Crosby (774) 208-8269
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Spirituality - Yes. Religious - MaybeChurchgoer - No.
by The Rev. Russell H. Allen
One night several years ago, I walked into a high school where a group of volunteers was preparing a spaghetti supper to raise money for the family of a local man suffering from cancer. I was there as the chaplain of the fire and police departments, and a relative of the man, and had stopped by to lend my personal moral support and convey the family’s appreciation for their generous efforts, part of a fund-raising project that would raise some $70,000. However, when I entered the kitchen I was suddenly aware that my presence was serving another, unexpected purpose in the minds of the volunteers. A spiritual purpose. As a member of the clergy I represented to them God’s approval for what they were doing. I did nothing to claim that role – it was the product of their understanding and worldview. That experience initiated for me a new study of human spirituality and in time led me to see the role of organized religion and religious institutions very differently.
These volunteers were not churchgoers or member, and while some may have self-applied the term “religious,” they neither followed nor practiced the tenets and teachings of any organized religious institution. Nor would they have been comfortable with the term “spirituality” as that is all too commonly understood, i.e., as a pious self-denial of this world. Yet they were spiritual people, informally and with little or no connection to formal religion. Since that event, I have met many such people who are spiritual, yet neither practitioners of a religious tradition nor church members.
Statistics indicate that fewer Americans attend church now while more consider themselves religious, however they may define that. What I have found is that many who claim that status do so because of a person spirituality that they have
developed without benefit of religious tradition, denomination, congregation or clergy.
However, who are they?
Some in this group adopt and adapt religion-based beliefs, practices, and rituals without their institutional elements or commitments. They attend Christmas or Easter, Passover or Hanukkah, or other major religious services, but appear at worship at no other time other than the occasional wedding or funeral. Their actions may expand to include attendance at local ethnic saint’s festivals, religious music concerts, or cultural or social activities that have roots in religious tradition but lack any theological or liturgical meaning. They may also observe the spiritual dimension that is part of AA and other Twelve Step Programs. These spiritual examples, which may be part of the culture, family, or personal lives of those involved, are seen as adequately filling their need for greater meaning in life.
A subset of this group are persons who study and practice elements of other religions and non-religions to which they otherwise have no connection in order to improve their lives. They may engage in activities like Native American sweat lodges, practice meditation and contemplation, go on retreats, or follow the teachings of Zen Buddhism, for example. In each case, there is no intention to commit to a creed or become a member of a religious community. Rather the purpose is to draw upon whatever resources and tools work for the person seeking to improve his or her wellbeing.
Those in another group maintain a loose connection with a church or religious institution when and if it serves their personal needs while maintaining a distance from those elements that have no real significance to them. Many congregations include such people on their membership rolls despite their unwillingness to attend worship regularly, offer financial support, volunteer, or participate in programs or governance.
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A large number of persons who fall into this larger group are rooted in the teachings, beliefs, traditions, ethics, and some other elements of a religion and have selectively applied them to their own lives as foundations for their perspective and actions. They may even claim to be, for example, religious, or spiritual, or Christian, but identify with no specific tradition or denomination, creedal system, religious institution or community. They do not attend church regularly, if at all, and yet believe that they are in good stead with God. They may pray, view and read the Bible as sacred, and follow a moral code that reflects what a churchgoer would also support.
Yet they feel no need for a church or church membership, corporate worship, sacraments, clergy, or other aspects of organized religion or religious institutions to facilitate their lives or relationship with God. In their view, and for most others who interact with them, they are moral men and woman, good spouses and parents, citizens, hard workers, and fit many of the other categories that are recognized as praiseworthy by religious and civil societies. They make up the largest number of those people who are cited in most surveys as calling themselves religious but not churchgoers.
What, other than the obvious, can be said about these people? Organized religion in this country, as it is elsewhere, can be hard pressed to argue that the spirituality of these people is inadequate, or what denominations and congregations can offer that they need. For the most part these are people who are not bothered by the question of whether God exists, or what God may require of them. Rather they have considered, tested, selected or rejected the wealth of religious resources and embraced those which best fit their lives and serve their needs. As a result they are living lives of value and purpose.
---Originally written for and published as a “Matters of Faith” column in the by Cape Cod Times.
The Prayers of the People Project Needs You
Several faithful Intercessors have stepped down from their participation in this worship ministry and I am inviting you to assume a leadership role in offering the weekly petitions, intercessions, thanksgivings, and memorials of the Prayers of the People from your place in the pew. Every Sunday opportunity is offered for all the members of the congregation to add their own concerns or celebrations to those of the whole worshipping community.
The Prayers of the People Project continues using forms from the Book of Common Prayer, are in use in various local and national churches, or are especially written for St. Peter’s. No special training is needed for this leadership role. A flexible schedule distributes responsibility throughout the year, and the Prayers of the People for any given Sunday are sent out to the Intercessor well in advance of that date.
Everyone wishing to become an Intercessor is asked to contact me.
Comments and suggestions made by members of the congregation regarding this project are very valuable and I encourage anyone wishing to share their thoughts to contact me by email at [email protected], or by phone at 508-432-3483.
The Adult Forum is held every Sunday following the 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist.
The Adult Forum, the Adult Education program held every Sunday through June, holidays excepted, begins about 11:20 in the Library and concludes sometime after 12 noon, depending on the topic.
More to the point the Adult Forum is a weekly gathering of people in a space and at a time designated for open and unstructured consideration, discussion, and sharing on a variety of topics relevant to the lives of those present. It is not a formal Adult Christian Education course or Bible Study; it is not intended to prepare candidates for the Church’s sacraments. There is no curriculum, no content intended for dissemination, and no instrument of evaluation. There are no pre-established truths or expectations of doctrinal conformity. Its leader’s purpose is to facilitate the discussion in which all present are invited to participate. It is what its name implies: An Adult Forum.
The Adult Forum will return on Sunday September 20 for a new year of interesting topics and challenging discussions, including the Report of the Discernment Committee, environment, diversity, substance abuse, pastoral care, spirituality, “This I Believe” presentations, and related topics.
Detailed schedules and information on the weekly Adult Forums are available throughout the year in the eBulletin and Sunday Bulletin, and on the Church’s website.
The Rev. Russell H. Allen,Associate Clergy
Outreach Ministries
No meeting of Outreach Ministries was held in August 2015, but several programs were successfully completed. The REACH OUT FOR OUTREACH items donated for NOAH were distributed and our monthly meal was served. Cookies were baked and distributed at the Amazing Grace Camp for children whose parents are incarcerated. A Fifth Sunday Collection for the Bishop Tharp Institute was taken.
The next meeting of Outreach Ministries will be held in the Library on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
The Rev. Russell H. Allen,Associate Clergy.
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(The Saints and Sinners)
Sue and Gerry Stanney have volunteered to resurrect the Dinner Groups.
The Dinner Groups are made up of six to eight people that gather for dinner each month. The location rotates among the group’s members. The host chooses the main dish and others bring the
sides and the wine. It is a great way to get to know your fellow parishioners in a small group setting…and the food is great!
This is for all adults, young and old, men and women, singles and couples.
We are hoping to begin in October so our snowbirds (I guess that includes Sue and I now) can participate before they leave and after they come back.
If you would like to participate send an email to [email protected] or use the sign-up sheets in the church and we will follow up with you.
