January 2010

Dear Friends,
Peace be with you. At ten o'clock yesterday there were thirteen people who came out for worship. The de-greening of the church will be next Sunday when there are more to help out. Your 2010 envelopes are in the narthex. If you are new to the church please know that it is much easier if you are able to pick them up before or after church. The initial offering envelope is designed to cover the cost of the printing of the envelopes which is about $5.00.

The Christmas services were wonderful; each very different from the other. We changed the time of the later service from 11:00 PM to 10:00 PM because so many wanted it earlier. Please let me know if it met your expectations. Should we change the time again? I am interested in your thoughts for next year.

As many of you know Ron Desmarais has been the inspiration behind the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program for almost twelve years without a break. He has taught teachers and served as the treasurer of the Diocesan Guild as well. He will be taking a well-deserved sabbatical at the end of this program year. With that said his part of the program is in need of teachers. If any of you are interested in teaching in the coming year please speak to me or to Ron.

As we make the transition we are going to try something new. Our Deacon, Gay, will be teaching a special art class for all children and youth from Kindergarten to high school. Beginning on January 17th from 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM in Bixby Hall they will explore all the ways to celebrate Epiphany: A season of light, stars, joy; using paint, paper, 'bling', glue, baking and all kinds of materials they will create things to enjoy both in church and at home. Again this special program begins on the 17th at 9:15 AM in Bixby Hall.

This year's Annual Meeting will be on January 24th following the one service at 9:30 AM It will be a brunch. The current vestry will work out the details and contact you after the meeting on the 12th. If you are responsible for a report for the Annual Meeting please submit your typed copy to Pat as soon as possible. Remember that the vestry meetings are open. If you are curious or interested in the work of the vestry please come. We meet in the Nichols Room.

One of the requirements of serving on the vestry is to attend the overnight retreat at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, NH. It is a time to pray together and to envision the ministries of St. Anne's. This year the retreat will be February 5-6th.

Over the past weekend the Sutton family (Don, Lisa, Michael and John) moved. DJ has remained here in a dorm at the University of MA at Lowell. Please contact the church for their new address. They would like very much to hear from you.

If you change your email address or get one for the first time or if you think that I don't have your email address please send me an email so I can add your name to the parish list. It is my hope that almost all of our communication can be sent via email. It is so much faster and less expensive. My email address is peggyhowell05@yahoo.com.

As this new year begins I am happy to announce a new ministry. Nancy Ferris will be developing a ministry around the Memorial Altar Flowers. Please watch for details about this.

This comes wishing you and yours the best in 2010- a new decade.

Blessings,

Peggy