of St.

Johns in Pine Meadow

St. Johns 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 August 2013

Godly Play for All Ages & All Abilities

Our Church school will be beginning the Godly Play curriculum this fall. In recent newsletters you have seen items that we will need to purchase to use in the curriculum. Many of these have been donated by parishioners and we will acknowledge them all in Sept. but we still have a number of items needed, some will be purchased in their entirety and some are being made or assembled by the Childrens Ministry committee. We still need your help! If you are able to craft an item for us or are able to donate any amount of funds to complete the curriculums storytelling pieces or if you may be interested in becoming a storyteller or the door keeper (training is available and we are hoping to begin with enough adults to rotate once every six weeks) please contact the Office or Linda Snyder (llsnyders4@charter.net) or 860-4852545. Surveys indicate that an increasing number of churches are now using Godly Play with their children. Many education models teach biblical facts as if they will magically make people believe in God. This misses what is most exciting about religious education: God in the midst of the words playing hide and seek with us. God invites us into and pursues us in the midst of scripture. The Godly Play method created an Episcopal Priest, Jerome Berryman, in the Montessori method following his study with Sophia Cavalletti helps children learn how to listen well, to hear what God is saying to them and then to make an authentic and creative response. Godly Play follows the circle of the Church Year. The lessons and room design exemplify how the child (or any age) experiences the Christian language. This connection between architecture, language, and community is generally present in Christian churches, but in a Godly Play classroom it is much clearer. When the classroom and the lessons are internalized, children have available to them a working model of the language system to think with and to use in discussions with others about what is most important in life and death. Godly Play is also used throughout the world in a variety of languages and denominations. Godly Play Germany has recently released a 20-minute video (in English; participants speaking German with subtitles) that gives an excellent image about how Godly Play is practiced in Germany. The film mirrors the basic values of this concept of spiritual mentoring. It shows sequences of Godly Play with (1) Kindergarten, (2) elementary age children; (3) special needs young people, (4) youth and (5) adults. It gives voice to children, youth and adults as well as to story-tellers, trainers and supporters. You can see various genres of stories, the four time-phases of the concept and very different room-circumstances in (1) kindergartens, (2) churches, (3) schools, (4) trainings and (5) material making. To view this video paste the address below to your browser:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py6vzIs_NcM or go to youtube and search Godly Play Germany.

Linda Snyder Godly Play today is used with all ages, children through adults, including those with special needs and (Excerpts by Sharon Ely Pearson, Christian Formation Alzheimers disease. It is the language of the people Specialist, Church Publishing (from her blog Building Faith, July 1, 2013) of God.

Bits&Pieces

HOW WERE DOING SO FAR

JUNE 2013 RESULTS
Operating Income Operating Expenses $ 15,203 $ 13,922

Prayer Requests Requests are handled confidentially through the office or by speaking to the Rector. You may fill out a prayer request form or contact the office. If you would like to be a part of the prayer circle, please speak to the Rector. Church Office Hours Office hours are 8:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

YEAR TO DATE
Operating Income Operating Expenses $ 73,586 $ 90,417

During the summer, when you may be away for several Sundays, those of you who do online banking could arrange for pledge payments to be sent to the church. Sue Bremer, Treasurer

New Hartford Day - Sunday, September 15th. If you are willing to help, contact Judy Jones at 860738-8775 or nunijones@yahoo.com. We will need baked goods and people to help with Amber Alert. September TOLF Fundraiser Meeting - August 4th immediately following the service. The fundraiser on September 29th will take place at the home of Ellen & David Childs - SAVE THE DATE

Shopping Cards
An Easy Way to Help

Now Available for Immediate Purchase $100 Stop & Shop Cards
When you buy shopping/gift cards through St. Johns, you are making a contribution that does not cost you financially. It may take a little planning. Orders are taken the 1st and 3rd Sundays, and cards are delivered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Order forms are available in the narthex and parish hall and can be placed in the lockbox at any time. Next IngatheringAugust 4th The July offering was $36.00. We collect all month, so feel free to bring in at any time and bless it on the first Sunday of the month. The total for the year to date is $417.63. Bring coins anytime. We will keep them safe. Breakdown of Year to Date Collections January: February: March: April: May: June: $ 58.62 $ 61.32 $ 63.07 $ 62.00 $100.91 $ 35.71

PARISH REGISTER
(Broadly Defined)
Let the office know about happenings in your own life and in the lives of other parishioners, especially hospitalizations, so the rector can contact those in need of comfort. Marriage Mary Elizabeth Proom & Patrick Lyons

DONT FORGET POCKET CHANGE FOR THE CAUSE!

August Worship Assistance

August 4 AcolytesTeddy Bremer, Kevin Case ReaderGuy Hayes Greeters Rose & Bob Osborne August 11 AcolytesColleen Doyle, Jill Smith ReaderDonna Colavecchio Greeters Nancy & Joe Russo August 18 AcolytesCarol Wilson, Donna Colavecchio ReaderWes Todd Greeters Pam & Michael Tooke August 25 AcolytesCaroline Bremer, Stan Moraski ReaderNancy Gibson GreetersBobbie Krohner & Larry Espinet Greeters set up for coffee hour during the summer. Special thanks to Ron & Joan Caine, Tami Millard, Tom Chappell, Bruce Wearne, Rick & Jill Smith,for cleaning the church. Special thanks to Mac Wilson for taking care of the lawn maintenance and for helping with Austin Mareks Eagle Scout project. Thanks to Norma Pappalardo, and all the volunteers on making our garden look so beautiful. Thanks to everyone who helps with the mission and ministry of St. Johns.

Coffee Hour August

9:00 a.m. Service

Gill Memorial Garden Summer Schedule

Week Beginning August 5 Ruth Grobe Week Beginning August 12 (Let the office know if you can help) Week Beginning August 19 (Let the office know if you can help) Week Beginning August 26 Jill Healey Thanks to all the garden workers. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of volunteers.

During the summer months, our 9:00 a.m. Greeters will be responsible for coffee hour. It can be kept simple. The important thing is to offer hospitality to all - visitor or member, adult or child. Coffee supplies other than cream are available in the kitchen. Help setting up the pots is available.

NEWS FROM DEACON DENISE

PETERS RETREAT
Thanks to those who help. Next Meal on August 24th
We take dinner to an HIV/AIDS residence in Hartford on the 4th Saturday of every month. If you would like to learn more about participating in this important outreach ministry, please contact the Rector at salin@reddoors.com. Special thanks to Stan Moraski for helping with the July meal. The Alibozeks will be coordinating the meal for August. If anyone would like to help out, please contact the office.

Open Door Soup Kitchen - At least five volunteers are needed for the 3rd Saturday of every month to participate by cooking, serving, answering phones, and/or stocking canned foods, etc. There are sign-up sheets posted downstairs through October 2013. Please sign up as often as you are able! Knitting & Crafts GroupWe are expanding our knitting group to include small crafts as well. We meet after the 10 am service on the first Sunday of the month. Denise is able to show the basic knitting stitch that is needed to make a simple scarf or prayer shawl. If anyone has a craft they would like to share, bring it in and join us. Diane Hayes has offered to teach her skill of crochet beading. Come join us!!

ST. JOHNS NIGHT @ FLATBREADS

Rhythms of Grace

MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW!!!

P. O. Box 27 Pine Meadow, CT 06061 Phone: 860 379-3062 www.reddoors.com

Rhythms of Grace, a monthly worship service on the first Sunday at 1 p.m. was designed to meet the needs of families with children on the Autism Spectrum and with other special needs. Those who help feel it is a rewarding experience to work with children and families who need the attention and who are new to St. Johns. Contact Linda Snyder at llsnyders4@charter.net for information. Rhythms of Grace will resume this Fall.

Address Correction

The Episcopal Church Were Here For You

Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday 7:30 pm

news from

church school

Confirmation Class Coming This Fall

The class will once again use Confirm Not Conform, although in an updated version with less homework. As in past years there will be approximately 15 class sessions, mostly on Sunday after church, an outreach project, an overnight at Camp Washington, and visits to worship services in other traditions. Students are expected to attend one of three services at St. Johns weekly. Freshmen and above are eligible. While the material focuses on youth, adults have benefited and are welcome. Confirmation will be May 18, 2014. See the rector for more information.

CHURCH SCHOOL BEGINS Sunday Sept. 8th @ 10 AM

Our Church School kick off and registration date is Sunday, Sept. 8th. Join us to reconnect with your friends and teachers. Details to follow. Please call Linda Snyder (738-9029) with any questions.

August 2013
St. Johns Church - Calendar of Events
Anniversaries in Italics

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed
1

Thu
2

Fri
8:30 PM AA

Sat
3

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist

7 7:30 PM Holy Eucharist 8:00 PM AA

8:30 PM AA

10
Donna & Stephen Brehm

11

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist

12

13

14 7:30 PM Holy Eucharist 8:00 PM AA

15

16

8:30 PM AA Frances & Roger Frigon

17

Open Door
Jeanne & Ron Dufour

18

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist

19

20

21 7:30 PM Holy Eucharist 8:00 PM AA

22

23

8:30 PM AA

24
Peters Retreat

25

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist

26

27

28 7:30 PM Holy Eucharist 8:00 PM AA

29
Julie & John Gargiulo

30

8:30 PM AA

31
Cassandra & Merlin Messenger

August Birthdays
2-Aug 3-Aug 4-Aug 4-Aug 5-Aug 6-Aug Christine Nelson Peggy Hitchcock Audrey Coates Thomas Martocchio Betty Castonguay Sylvia Lovley

8-Aug 9-Aug 9-Aug 10-Aug 12-Aug 14-Aug 14-Aug 17-Aug

Jeanne Cararini Mel Johnson Christine Martocchio Ann Atwood Rebecca Halladay Andy Riberdy David Henri Tom Chappell

17-Aug 22-Aug 23-Aug 23-Aug 24-Aug 26-Aug 28-Aug 29-Aug

Michael Healey John Dee Joanne Ritchie Bruce Wearne Julie Gargiulo Winnie Pratt Nancy Butler Sanna Messenger

30-Aug Jeff Linton 31-Aug Devin Warren

These are some of the sets we need to tell the Bible stories with Godly Play. Clockwise from upper left: Creation, David, the Ark & the Temple, and Noahs Ark. In the center is Jesus and World Communion.

On June 29 Betsy Proom married Patrick Lyons. The couple is shown here with Carol Proom, Betsys mom and a former member of St. Johns.