September 2002

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. Yes, summer is fast coming to a close- though I wonder how that can be. A lot of time has been invested in readying our space for the Explorer's Preschool, which will open on September 9. (More information in another part of this letter). Thank you to Al Westerlund, Kathy Brewster and Harvey Hopkins for constant giving of their time and talent. Thank you to Bob Paschal for mowing the fenced in area as well as around the parking lot. Thank you to the Gardening Angels for the care of the flower gardens. Thank you to the Liturgical Space Committee for meeting with G. Paul Music and the Vestry to discuss our sound/space needs. Thank you to Tom Blesso for coordinating all of that work. And thank you to Ron Desmarais who continues to do the newsletter and the web site until Lisa Murray and Bill Cherin take the reigns after their wedding in October. This list could go on and on. Please know that all of the wonderful things you do in and around St. Anne's do not go unnoticed.

The Fall program year begins September 8 with the Welcome Back Brunch and Church School registration at 8:45 in between the services. This is a great way to catch up and meet new folks. There are quite a few people who want to know more about the Episcopal Church - the tradition and how we are alike and not alike other denominations. To meet this need I will be teaching a course on Saturday mornings at 10:00am beginning September 21. It is entitled "Welcome to the Episcopal Church." Anyone is welcome to attend. I am also excited about the newly formed Young Adult group. If you are in your twenties and want to be part of a dynamic social group give Lisa Kinser a call.

Another very exciting upcoming event is the Yankee Doodle weekend. St. Anne's will host twenty-seven people from our sister town of Billericay, England for worship at 10:00am. Following the service, the St. Elizabeth Guild will host a combination brunch/tea. All this is on September 15.

Behind the scenes planning for the Holiday Fair (November 23) has begun. This year an ambitious project is underway to publish our own cookbook. You will receive separate mailing about this. You can now look forward to seeing in print the best recipes of St. Anne's cooks.
It is with a thankful heart that I am able to tell you that Mary Ellen Markey has completed a very intense course at Boston College on Parish Nursing. She has been a nurse for thirty-one years and now wishes to share some of her gifts. Her role will be to help folks understand insurance forms if they are confusing; to be a resource for programs and services we might not know about; and to provide educational courses such as CPR. Thank you Mary Ellen.
One of the most consistent ministries at St. Anne's over the years has been the Thrift Shop. A solid core of very dedicated women have kept it going through thick and thin. Now, however, they need your help. Especially needed are workers for Saturdays. If you could commit to two hours (10-12 or 12-2), it would be a great help. Please contact Margaret Westerlund.

The first acolyte meeting of the season will be on September 1 following the 10:00 service. It's not too late to join the acolyte corp. You only need to be six years old and a regular attender of worship services. If you would like to join, please speak to Rev. Peggy or Shawn Regis.

It is also true that the choir would very much like additional voices. They practice before and after the 10:00 service and not at all during the week. If you are interested, please speak to Marion clark.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you. May you be renewed in body, mind and spirit as you think about the fall and all the ministry opportunities.

Faithfully,

Peggy