Saint John’s

The Episcopal Church

in Pine Meadow, CT

Lent 2019 Issue

 From the Rector
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Early this morning, I received a text message from my
son. He had been asked to read a poem in his
Speech and Debate class and the teacher remarked
that he sounded like a priest. I was proud and de-
lighted – James, not so much.
I wonder if this Lent we might make an intentional
effort to reflect on how our words sound to others.
Our voices are the result of biology, however our
tone, attitude, volume, and word choices are our own.
How our words land on other people is something that
we might not understand or appreciate. There is no
real way to know, unless we are curious and open to
hearing feedback from others. How hard would it be
for us to hear how we sound to each other? It might
be comforting and it may well be a challenge that we
might not expect.
So often in our busy lives finding “what will I give up
or what will I do for Lent” is a difficult question. The
call to give up sweet, or soda, or Facebook may im-
prove our lives. The giving up and the taking on are
important markers in our journey into deeper relation-
ship with God and each other.
Words matter. What do your contributions to our
shared conversation add to our community life? Are
you sharing the ideas, thoughts and things that are
important to you? Are you hearing the passions,
pains, and joys of those around you?
It is my hope that in a world in which we are increas-
ingly bombarded with messages, we listen first to
those we love, those who depend on us for encour-
agement and support, and to those who speak the
truth that we need to hear.
May this Lent for you be a time of deep listening,
speaking the truth in love, and coming into deeper
relationship with God and each other.
Know that you are in my prayers,
The Rev. Sandra L. Cosman
St. John’s Monthly Donations Schedule
March – St. John’s Little Free Pantry Supplies
April – Hygiene, Snacks and Coffee Items – Dis-
tributed to The Gathering Place, Torrington, CT.
Presiding Bishop's Lenten Message
Keeping a holy Lent: prayer, fasting, almsgiving
The Church gradually took on the discipline of Lent in solidarity with those
preparing for baptism at the Easter Vigil. That preparation work has traditionally
been summarized as prayer and study, fasting, and almsgiving. Today we
might remember the origins of Lent, take in our traditional understandings, and
use these 40 days plus Sundays to prepare to renew our own baptismal vows.
This ancient understanding of prayer, study, fasting, and almsgiving shapes the
lives we lead. Each of us is baptized into a life of relationship with God (pray-
er), relationship with self on behalf of others (fasting), and relationship with all
the rest of creation (almsgiving). Lent brings a regular opportunity to tune up
our Christian life and relationships.
What happens when you take your car in for a tune-up? Most of us no longer
do that work ourselves, because the computers in our vehicles are usually
beyond our reach. They are not, however, beyond the ken of those with appro-
priate skill, training, and tools. The spiritual life of a Christian can also benefit
from the assistance of technicians (trained practitioners) -- priests, spiritual
directors, confessors, a Cursillo reunion, or 12-step group. The opportunity to
review the functioning of spark plugs, change the oil, test the cylinder com-
pression, and rotate, fill, and maybe even replace the tires keeps our cars run-
ning.
The same kind of attention to one's spiritual life can yield better gas mileage
(focused energy for effective living) and effective transportation (how do I get
from where I start to my destination?). Reviewing the rules of the road can
make the trip much more pleasant for us and others (the early followers of
Jesus actually called their practice "the road" or "the way"). We human vehicles
need an effective connection to the source of life, guidance and directions
(prayer and study), regular maintenance (fasting), and effective ways to con-
nect with the world (almsgiving).
This Lent could be an opportunity to learn new ways of praying, or what the
apostles teach, or what Jesus says about money. It could also be a time to
take on a new prayer discipline -- maybe practicing seeing the image of God in
every person on the street, or being grateful for the hidden blessings of the
parts of creation that challenge us (gray days, viruses, mosquitoes -- I'm still
working on mosquitoes!). We might practice compassion for the coworker who
drives us crazy (and perhaps seek help in learning more effective ways to re-
late).
The ancient tradition of fasting is about self-discipline in what we eat and
drink, and in today's world it is also about judicious consumption of the world's
goods -- not just what we buy at the mall, but how we use water, how we leave
the air around us, how we deal with "garbage," and the size of our carbon foot-
print. It is a recognition that how we use the blessings of creation has a vast
relationship to how our neighbors can also enjoy those blessings.
Giving alms means caring for those in need. The word comes from the same
root as eleison, as in Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy), and it really means
compassion. How do we approach and respond to the people around us and
far away who are "crying in the wilderness"? The work of Lent is about cultivat-
ing a compassionate heart that will shape all our encounters in the coming year
and years. Sunday schools often take on a specific alms aim during Lent, like
filling a penny jar for Heifer Project, or serving lunch at a homeless feeding
center. Almsgiving has traditionally meant acting compassionately with one's
treasure, but it is just as appropriate to think about how we use our time and
talent mercifully.
Let me invite you to join in tuning up your spiritual life. Take an hour to make
an inventory -- what mechanics know as a squawk list. Which spark isn't as hot
as it might be? Which tire is going flat? What kind of oil are you going to add
this time? And what are you going to do with the old, dirty stuff? That's what the
altar is for, in a spirit of repentance and return, and it's not unlike recycling the
old so it can be used for good. A blessed trip this year!
 An Invitation to a Holy Lent:
Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and
resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fast-
ing. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It
was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the
whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our
Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. I invite
you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repent-
ance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.

Ash Wednesday Services Wednesday, March 6th at Noon and 7:30 p.m. the Ash Wednesday liturgy with
the Imposition of Ashes and the start of the Lenten season.
Lent Madness Complete your bracket & learn more about Saints of the Church. Sign up online at
LentMadness.org or see Ryan Patch for details.
Praying in Color for Lent Daily intercessory prayers for Lent that get the creative juices flowing.
Dwelling in the Word Thursdays in Lent at 10:30 a.m. the Gospel reading for the following Sunday is
broken open and explored by a community of believers. Please join us!
Thursday Evening Healing Eucharist 6:30pm weekly.
Dwelling at Night! Select Thursdays in Lent – March 21st, April 4th and April 11th, at 7:00 p.m. the Gos-
pel reading for the following Sunday is broken open and explored by those not able to join us on Thursday
mornings. Please join us!

The Way of Love in Lent 40 daily acts of love to help us travel the Way of Love during Lent. Pick up
your copy in the rear of the church and join us in this simple act of devotion.
Seder Experience with Rabbi Berman Join us on April 15th for an exploration of the Seder, a Jewish rit-
ual service & ceremonial dinner for Passover. Please sign up in advance.
Being Christian Four sessions on Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, and Prayer, for Lenten study or in preparation
for Baptism, Confirmation, or Reception in the Episcopal Church. Four Sunday afternoons starting at noon
for one hour.
The Way of the Cross A devotion to the Passion of Christ which recalls a series of events at the end of Je-
sus' life from his condemnation to his burial. The Stations and Stations of the Cross supporting materials are
in the connector.
Holy Week Services Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday & Holy Saturday Services.

Red Door Youth – Lent Madness
Little Free Pantry – Laura &
Bruce stocking the new shelves
Ice Skating Rink is Ready!!
Covenant to Care for Children
Dates to Note
Joining Jesus - St. John’s will gather
with other parishes from across ECCT
to learn firsthand about the five “Spir-
itual Practices for a New Missional
Age” and the four-module/12-month
process for parishes to dive into these
five practices more deeply. We are
looking for three additional parishion-
ers who are interested in attending
this session facilitated by Tim Hodapp,
Canon for Mission Collaboration.
Carpooling will be available. Date:
Wednesday, March 13th, Time: 6:30-
8:30 PM, Location: The Commons in
Meriden. If you are interested in at-
tending, please see Diane Hayes,
860-379-7612.
Red Door Youth - Mark your calen-
dars - March 28th, April 25th, and
May 23rd from 4:30pm to 6pm. Middle
School students and up are invited.
Vestry Meeting – Our vestry next
meets on Thursday, March 28th.
Please hold us in your prayers.
ECCT SPRING TRAINING - Saturday,
April 27, 2019 -- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Berlin
High School - Join other Episcopalians
from across Connecticut for a day of
fellowship, learning, prayer, and fun.
All are welcome – from people in the
pews and vestry members to parish
leaders and staff. More than 30 work-
shops are offered this year.
Confirmation, Reception, and Re-
affirmation of Baptismal Vows Classes
– will begin after the Christmas.
Please see Mother Cosman if you are
interested to discuss dates and times.
Safe Church Training – St. John’s will
be hosting a Safe Church Training
Class on May 4th from 9am-4pm.
Registrants need to arrive at 8:30am.
Lunch and refreshments will be pro-
vided. Please see Sandra or Michelle
with any questions. Please register at:
https://safechurchtrainingbasicfullda
y542019pinemeadow.eventbrite.com
Bishop’s Visitation – The Rt. Rev. Ian
Douglas, Bishop Diocesan, will be with
us on Sunday, June 23, 2019. During
this time the bishop will meet with the
vestry and parish leaders and lead
worship, including Confirmation, Re-
ception, and Reaffirmation.
Celebration for 50th Wedding Anniver-
saries – Sunday, May 19; 3:00 PM –
5:30 PM, Christ Church Cathedral will
host a Golden Wedding Anniversary
Celebration for couples married for
fifty years (or more). Liturgy will in-
clude renewal of marriage vows and
commemorative certificates for all
couples. A reception will follow. Bish-
ops Douglas and Ahrens will preside
at this joyful service. Please contact
the office if you are interested.
ST. JOHN’S LITTLE FREE PANTRY -Cooler
temperatures have arrived! While we
continue to stock our inside Pantry
with many food items, here are just a
few suggestions for stocking our out-
side LFP during the cooler months:
Hand Warmers, Chap Stick, Kleenex,
Gloves, Hot Cocoa, Toothbrushes,
Playing Cards (new or used), Cough
Drops, Coloring Books, Vitamin C
Drops, Hygiene Products.
Coffee Drinkers and Morning Snack
Lovers Needed - If morning noshes
are part of your way of being in the
world, please consider signing up to
host coffee hour!
2019 Altar Flowers – The 2019 Calen-
dar is up in the narthex for Altar flow-
ers sign up. Suggested donation is
$60. Also, if you would like to have the
Sanctuary Candle burn in someone’s
memory, please contact the office.
WINTER IN PINE MEADOW
 SAINT JOHN’S – The Episcopal Church in Pine Meadow
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Palm Sunday – April 14th
8am - Holy Eucharist, Rite I with the Blessing of the Palms
and Passion Narrative from the Gospel of Luke
10am - Holy Eucharist
with Choral Passion and Blessing of the Palms
Holy Monday – April 15th
7:30pm Seder Experience with Rabbi Donna Berman
Maundy Thursday – April 18th
6:00pm Seder Experience with Rabbi Donna Berman
7:30pm - Holy Eucharist with the Stripping of the Altar
9pm Maundy Thursday Overnight Vigil begins
and continues through the night until the Liturgy for Good Friday
Good Friday – April 19th
Noon –The Liturgy of Good Friday
7:30pm - Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday
with the Reading of the Passion Gospel
and the Solemn Collects and Anthems
Holy Saturday – The Great Vigil of Easter – April 20th
10:00am – The Liturgy for Holy Saturday
Details about an evening ECCT Region Great Vigil of Easter Service may follow.

Easter Day – The Feast of the Resurrection – April 21st

8am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Music
10:00am - Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Music & Choir
NO CHURCH SCHOOL EASTER DAY

51 CHURCH STREET IN PINE MEADOW, CT | REDDOORS.COM | (860) 379-3062

 Open Door
Soup
Kitchen
Join our team for
March 16th at St. Thank you to Cynthia Welch and the members of the
James in Winsted. Altar Guild for prepping for Ash Wednesday services
9:00am–1:00pm and caring for our Lenten greens.
Thanks to Ron Caine, Tom Chappell, Bruce
COFFEE HOUR FOLLOWING SUNDAY Wearne, Bob Osborne, Jeff Linton, Nancy Butler
and Rick Smith for cleaning the church.
SERVICES –
Thank you to our Soup Kitchen Crew for their hard
A sign up sheet is posted in the parish hall. All parish-
work.
ioners who attend the 10AM service are requested to
Thank you to Halyna Petronchak & The Choir for
host at least once this fall/winter. Coffee supplies other all their hard work preparing the music for Gospel
than cream are available in the kitchen. Sunday.
Thank you to Anne Hall for providing the weekly
PARISH REGISTER – Contact Information, Prayer List.
Birthdays & Anniversaries Needed Please email Thanks to Pat Sepples for taking care of our snow
Michelle, our Parish Administrator at the Parish Office at removal and sanding of the walks.
office@RedDoors.com with updates of your email and Thanks to Diane Hayes and her crew for hosting
phone contact information. Also, we love to honor folks another spectacular Jazz Concert and Ice Cream Social.
Thank you to Linda Snyder for Pretzel Sunday and
on their birthdays and anniversaries. Please let us know
Guy Hayes for making the dough.
the month and day, so that we can celebrate with you! Thank you to Ginny Hoffmann, Betty Castonguay,
Winnie Pratt, Howie Martin, Nancy Butler, Nancy
St. John’s Community Gibson, Joanne Ritchie and Mary Fiorillo, our of-
shares our prayer requests fice volunteers.
via our weekly email.
Please contact Anne Hall Thanks to everyone who participates in the mission
and ministry of St. John’s.
at annechall@att.net or the
Parish Office to be added CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE TO ADD YOUR THANKS TO
THE NEXT EDITION OF THE PORTAL.
to the list.
PASTORAL
VISITS AND HOME
COMMUNIONS
Please email the office at of-
fice@RedDoors.com if you -
also contact Mother Cosman if
you enter the hospital.
Al-Anon Meetings – Are you bothered by some-
one’s drinking? Al-Anon can help. Please join us on TREASURER’S NOTE:
Friday mornings at St. John’s Parish Hall at 10:00am. Parish Finances YTD as of March 3, 2019
2019 Pledges $177,455 2019 Budget: $208,809
Pledges Received: $ 23,605 YTD Actuals:*
Pledge Goal: $ 27,621 Operating Revenue: $39,963
Difference: $ -4,016 Operating Expense: $18,061
HEALING EUCHARIST – Thursday Difference: $21,902
evenings at 6:30pm. Please join us! *includes all prepaid pledges
Thanks to everyone for their generous giving. If you have not
pledged for 2019, it is not too late. Pledge sheets are in the
narthex. Thank you. Diane Hayes, Treasurer
 Saint. John’s
The Episcopal Church in Pine Meadow
51 Church Street – P.O. Box 27
Pine Meadow, Connecticut 06061
RedDoors.com

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my
prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. Phil. 1

CONTACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW 2019 PORTAL DEADLINES

Saint John’s Saint John’s 2018 Vestry Publication Deadline:
The Episcopal Church in Pine Meadow Sr. Warden: Month Noon, Friday
51 Church Street – P.O. Box 27 Stanley Moraski Stanleymoraskijr@comcast.com
Pine Meadow, CT 06061 Jr. Warden:
April March 27
Ph: 860-379-3062 Anne Hall annechall81@yahoo.com
Treasurer:
May April 24
Office Hours: Diane Hayes hayesd@snet.net
Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Clerk of the Vestry:
After Hours Emergency Only: Beth Coates b.coates@charter.net June/July May 29
Priest in Charge 860-227-6991
Seminarian Intern: Darryl Burke - darrylburke August July 24
Rector: @yahoo.com
The Rev. Sandra Lee Cosman, M.Div. Sept/October September 4
E-Mail: Sandra.Cosman@gmail.com Members:
Ryan Patch (2020) patcher4680@gmail.com November October 23
Secretary: Virginia Hoffmann(2020) 3mccabe8@gmail.com
Michelle Piekos Jeff Linton(2021) lintonj@charter.net December/January November 27
E-Mail: Office@RedDoors.com Christopher Olson(2021) cjolson7@yahoo.com
Mary Fiorillo (2022) marefio45@gmail.com
Music Director: Susie Horn (2022) susanhustonhorn@sbcglobal.net
Halyna Petronchak
E-mail: Halyna191@gmail.com ECCT Delegates:
Robert Osborne rkosborne_98@yahoo.com
Christian Education Specialist: Anne Hall annechall81@yahoo.com
Linda L. Snyder
Email: llsnyders4@charter.net Mission & Outreach Ministries:
Laura & Bruce Wearne moseyworks@gmail.com Deadline for
Web sites: the April
St. John’s: www RedDoors.com Altar Guild: Portal is noon, March 27th
facebook.com/stjohnspinemeadow/ Cynthia Welch welchcbma@sbcglobal.net Word limit is 250.
ECCT: EpiscopalCT.org Send information to
Intercessory Prayer List Requests: office@RedDoors.com
Anne Hall annechall81@yahoo.com