Saint John’s

The Episcopal Church

in Pine Meadow, CT

KIDS & HEROES AT ST. JOHN’S

VETERANS DAY

December 2018 & January 2019 Issue

 From the Rector
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Happy Advent! In these days leading up to Christ-
mas, it can be difficult to stay in an Advent state of
mind. With Christmas breaking out all around us
and the pressures of preparation for the holiday
whirling around us, it is easy to be swept into the
vortex of Christmas Carols, gift wrap, and hanging
stockings. One of the ways that we can counter this
pressure is to push back – back to the story of Je-
sus Christ’s life and ministry in the world – the
whole story and not just the pretty story of the sta-
ble and manger. All the way back to those days that
were not so dazzling and not nearly as joy-filled.
When we dare to consider together Jesus’ birth and
his death and resurrection we come closer to a true
understanding of what is so wonderful about
Christmas. God became truly human joined in God’s
great divinity and in becoming human, God invites
us into the mystery of God. We are part of the sto-
ry. The story of God coming into the world lives in
our very bones. The Christmas Story is a wonderful
pericope complete with a fragile baby, a pure and
loving mother, a watchful father, and an ensemble
cast of angels, shepherds, magi, and animals. The
story does not stop there. We are part of the story
too. Jesus came into the world to meet the wise
men, to recruit and will the disciples, to heal the
sick, to teach a new way of being in the world, and
to save everyone, including you and me.
We are part of the Christmas Story and the sooner
we realize our part in this grand drama to sooner
we see the blessings to be found in keeping faithful
to the Advent and Christmas stories. May this Ad-
vent and Christmas be for you and those you love
and time to join God in sharing the Love that comes
into the world.
On behalf of the staff, wardens, vestry, and parish-
ioners of St. John’s, we wish you an Advent filled to
overflowing with the loving gifts of God. Blessings
at Advent!
The Rev. Sandra L. Cosman
An Advent Bidding Prayer
Beloved in Christ, in this season of Advent, let it
be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to
hear again the message of the Angels, and in
heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to
see the Babe lying in a manger. Let us read and
mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving pur-
poses of God from the first days of our disobedi-
ence unto the glorious Redemption brought us by
his holy Child; and let us look forward to the
yearly remembrance of his birth with hymns and
songs of praise. But first, let us pray for the
needs of the whole world; for peace and goodwill
over all the earth; for the mission and unity of
the Church for which he died, and especially in
this country and within this city. And because this
of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this
time remember in his name the poor and the
helpless; the hungry and the oppressed; the sick
and those who mourn; the lonely and the un-
loved; the aged and the little children; and all
those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love
him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of
love. Lastly, let us remember before God his pure
and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with
us, but upon another shore and in a greater light,
that multitude which no one can number, whose
hope was in the Word made flesh, and whom, in
this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one. The
Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give
us the joys of everlasting life; and unto the fel-
lowship of the citizens above may the King of An-
gels bring us all. Amen.
St. John’s Monthly Donations Schedule
December – Jesse Tree
January – St. John’s Little Free Pantry
February – Socks and Underwear –
Distributed to The Open Door Soup Kitchen,
Winsted, CT.
 Children’s Ministry
Newsletter
During the Advent season our
Godly Play lessons revolve around
the story of the birth of Jesus.
Each week we will hear about
two different aspects culminating
in the complete story on Advent 3,
Advent 4, 12/23, we will hear the
story again using the story called
“The Glorious Im’ Possible” with
famous icons and paintings of the
Christmas story and the twelve
days after (the Christmas season).
On Christmas Eve at our family
service our children will again help
Mother Sandra tell the story of
Christ birth and fill our crèche.
There is no Godly Play during
school break but we will begin
again with our Epiphany Pageant
on Jan. 6th. The sign up for the
pageant is hanging in the parish
hall so make sure your children
sign up for the parts they would
like. Narrators and main leads are
required to be at our rehearsal on
Sat. Jan. 5th from 9:30 - 11:30. All
other parts are encouraged to be
with us on Sat. but are not re-
quired to be there to participate.
We will be gathering on Sun., 1/6
around 9:30AM to dress and take
pictures.
You can also sign up by emailing
me at llsnyders4@charter.net
Our class of Godly Play will contin-
ue on Sunday, Jan. 13th as we
begin to hear and discuss many of
the Parables of Jesus during the
Epiphany season.
Red Door Youth meets once a
month on Thursday evening and is
open to anyone acolyte age and
above. We will be meeting:
December 20th, January 24th,
February 28th, March 28th, April
25th, and May 23rd from 4:30pm
to 6pm.
Linda Snyder
Christian Formation Specialist
Dates to Note
HOLIDAY SCRIP GIFT CARDS – Up-
dated Scrip order forms are avail-
able and more information is
available in the parish hall. For the
second set of orders, please order
by December 9th and the cards
will be in by December 16th.
Thanks to a generous donor, our
profits will be doubled on these
dates.
Christmas Flower Envelopes – If
you wish to donate towards the
Christmas Flowers in memory of a
loved one or in thanksgiving for
someone, please send donations
to the office by December 20th.
Volunteers Needed – Valley Thrift
Shop is in need of volunteers as
little as 3 hours. Please see Diane
Hayes if interested.
St. John’s Holiday Service Times:
December 16th – Holy Eucharist
Rite II @ 8am, Lessons & Carols
with Eucharist @10:00am
December 23rd – Advent 4 –
9:00am Unified Eucharist+
December 24th – Christmas Eve -
5pm & 9pm
December 25th – Christmas Day -
9:00am
December 30th – Christmas Les-
sons & Carols – 9:00am+
January 5th – Pageant Rehearsal
January 6th – Epiphany Pageant
& Eucharist at 10am
January 27th – Annual Meeting –
9:00am Unified Service+
+++Please note the times of the
unified services.
North Congregational Church -
Holiday Dinner – December 9th
from 5:00pm-7:00pm. See flyer in
narthex.
Vestry Meeting – Our vestry next
meets on Thursday, December
20th. Please hold us in your pray-
ers.
Coffee Drinkers and Morning
Snack Lovers Needed - If morning
noshes are part of your way of
being in the world, please consid-
er signing up to host coffee hour!
Jesse Tree: Jesse Tree– All items
our due December 9th. We will
sort the gifts after church. Please
join us. If you are able to help with
the delivering the gifts to Torring-
ton on Monday, December 10
please contact Beth Coates
(b.coates@charter.net or 860-806-
2728) if you have questions.
The Altar Guild will meet on Sun-
day, December 16th following the
10:00am service to polish the silver
and brass for Christmas.
Annual Reports – All Annual Re-
ports for our Annual meeting in
January (27) will be due in the
office by email or hard copy, no
later than January 14th.
Camp Washington Teen Youth
Retreat – January 11-13. Register
now at campwashington.org or
call 860.567.9623.
Happening #3 – A Ministry of ECCT
for teens and by teens – March 8-
10th.
Save The Date – 7th Annual Spring
Training & Gathering – Saturday,
April 27, 2019 -9am-4pm, Lincoln
Middle School, 164 Centennial
Avenue, Meriden,CT.
Celebration for 50th Wedding An-
niversaries – Sunday, May 19; 3:00
PM – 5:30 PM, Christ Church Ca-
thedral will host a Golden Wed-
ding Anniversary Celebration for
couples married for fifty years (or
more). Liturgy will include renewal
of marriage vows and presenta-
tion of commemorative certifi-
cates to all couples. A reception
will follow. Bishops Douglas and
Ahrens will be present to cele-
brate with all the couples at this
joyful service. Please contact the
office if you are interested.
Confirmation, Reception, and Re-
affirmation of Baptismal Vows
Classes – will begin after Christ-
mas. Please see Mother Cosman
if you are interested to discuss
dates and times.
 FATHER BRUCE TORREY VETERANS DAY – RINGING OF THE BELL
FOOD FOR THE POOR

THE PATCH FAMILY

RINGING THE BELL
VETERAN’S DAY

MINIATURE PRAYERS SHAWLS

BY DIANE HAYES

NEW HARTFORD AMBULANCE EXPLORERS

SPAGHETTI DINNER
 Open Door
Soup
Kitchen
Join our team
for December
15th at St.
James in Thank you to Cynthia Welch and the members of the
Winsted. Altar Guild who care for God’s Altar each week. Thank
9:00am– you to Colin Coates and James-Paul Cosman
1:00pm
Forbes, our Garden Scholars for their care of the Gill
Memorial Garden. Thank you to our Fall Clean Up vol-
COFFEE HOUR FOLLOWING SUNDAY unteers, Colin Coates, James-Paul Cosman
SERVICES – Forbes and Jamie Hall. Thank you to Halyna
A sign up sheet is posted in the parish hall. All parish- Petronchak for coordinating our participation in the
ioners who attend the 10AM service are requested to Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. Thanks to Ron
host at least once this fall/winter. Coffee supplies other Caine, Tom Chappell, Bruce Wearne, Bob Os-
than cream are available in the kitchen. borne, Jeff Linton, Nancy Butler and Rick Smith
for cleaning the church. Thank you to our Soup
PARISH REGISTER – Contact Information, Kitchen Crew for their hard work. Thank you to Bet-
Birthdays & Anniversaries Needed Please email ty Castonguay and Ginny Hoffmann for picking up
Michelle, our Parish Administrator at the Parish Office at and delivering the Fresh Market donations to the
Open Door Soup Kitchen. Thank you to Chris and
office@RedDoors.com with updates of your email and
Jamie Snyder for agreeing to direct our Epiphany
phone contact information. Also, we love to honor folks Pageant and to Beth Coates for coordinating our Jes-
on their birthdays and anniversaries. Please let us know sie Tree Christmas Outreach in our community and
the month and day, so that we can celebrate with you! Sue Bremer for her leadership of our Scrip Christmas
Gift Card Program. Thank you to Linda Snyder for
St. John’s Community coordinating our updated Godly Play schedule and
shares our prayer requests supporting our Godly Play leaders. Thank you to Kev-
in Case and Diane Hayes for all their hard work for
via our weekly email. the St. John’s Stewardship Campaign. Thank you to
Please contact Anne Hall Ginny Hoffmann, Betty Castonguay, Winnie
at annechall@att.net or the Pratt, Howie Martin, Nancy Butler, Diane Hayes,
Parish Office to be added Nancy Gibson. Joanne Ritchie, Mary Fiorillo and
to the list. Stephanie Zimbalist, our office volunteers.

PASTORAL Thanks to everyone who participates in the mission

VISITS AND HOME and ministry of St. John’s.

COMMUNIONS CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE TO ADD YOUR THANKS TO

THE NEXT EDITION OF THE PORTAL.
Please email the office at of-
fice@RedDoors.com if you -
also contact Mother Cosman if
you enter the hospital.
FROM THE TREASURER
Al-Anon Meetings – Are you bothered by some- Year to Date (October ) 2018 2017
one’s drinking? Al-Anon can help. Please join us on Operating Revenues: $158,859 $153,634
Friday mornings at St. John’s Parish Hall at 10:00am. Operating Expenses: $170,748 $158,242
Difference: $-11,889 $ -4,607
As we approach the end of the year, your fulfillment of your
pledge obligation is critical to having a balanced budget.
HEALING EUCHARIST – Thursday Your generous donations are appreciated. Thank you. Diane
evenings at 6:30pm. Please join us! 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:
February January 30
Ph: 860-379-3062 Anne Hall annechall81@yahoo.com
Treasurer:
March February 27
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 April March 27
Priest in Charge 860-227-6991
Seminarian Intern: Darryl Burke May April 24
Rector:
The Rev. Sandra Lee Cosman, M.Div. Members: June/July May 29
E-Mail: Sandra.Cosman@gmail.com Kevin Case (2019) kcase@cantonschools.org
Ryan Patch (2020) patcher4680@gmail.com August July 24
Secretary: Virginia Hoffmann(2020) 3mccabe8@gmail.com
Michelle Piekos Jeff Linton(2020) lintonj@charter.net Sept/October September 4
E-Mail: Office@RedDoors.com (2021)
Christopher Olson(2021) cjolson7@yahoo.com
November October 23
Music Director:
Halyna Petronchak ECCT Delegates:
E-mail: Halyna191@gmail.com Robert Osborne rkosborne_98@yahoo.com December/January November 27
Anne Hall annechall81@yahoo.com
Christian Education Specialist:
Linda L. Snyder Mission & Outreach Ministries:
Email: llsnyders4@charter.net Laura & Bruce Wearne moseyworks@gmail.com
Deadline for
Web sites: Altar Guild: the February
St. John’s: www RedDoors.com Cynthia Welch welchcbma@sbcglobal.net Portal is noon, January 30th
facebook.com/stjohnspinemeadow/ Word limit is 250.
ECCT: EpiscopalCT.org Intercessory Prayer List Requests: Send information to
Anne Hall annechall81@yahoo.com office@RedDoors.com