January/February 2005

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. A vestry meeting has just ended: a budget was approved and four people said good-bye as their terms have now ended. There is a lot of positive energy and excitement in seeing the growth of the parish both in size and in spirit.

You will hear about all these things at the annual meeting on January 23. There will be ONE service that day at 9:30 AM. A potluck brunch will follow. (A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board.) The meeting will begin at about 11:30 AM with a slide presentation from Same Cote reflecting her mission trip to Honduras. For those of you who are new, Sam was a member of the Youth Leadership Academy this past year. This is a small group of high school leaders that benefit from the direction of our diocesan bishop, the Tr. Rev'd M. Thomas Shaw SSJE.

The Lenten season begins early this year - February 9. More information is to be found further on. A Bible study format has not been chosen yet; we are still working on Alpha, and The Purpose Driven Life.

The BeFrienders are getting ready to make visits to those who are new to the church or somewhat new. If you are wondering why you are being visited because you've been coming a while please know that we are honoring your presence and are finally making a format visit.

As I reflect on where we have been in 2004 as a parish, I am humbled by the gifts of ministry you share and the level of friendship and love you feel for one another. The Christmas services were wonderful. Many thanks to the St. Elizabeth Guild for organizing the Silver Tea; to Al & Margaret Westerlund and members of the vestry who prepared the Swedish meatball dinner; to Lisa Kinser for her incredible gift of working with our children to once again create a moving pageant; to the choir and special musicians, Richard Hyatt on flute and Dick Lapadula on trumpet; to the acolytes and altar guild. This truly was fine celebration of our Lord and Savior.

As we look forward in this year, may God continue to bless our work and our relationships. Please don't hesitate to call or visit me. I enjoy hearing about your dreams and visions for St. Anne's.

Faithfully,

Peggy