September 2007

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you. Here we all are, not quite sure that we are ready to begin again after such a good summer. It went by quickly. If you have been away, you will be pleasantly surprised by the changes to the sanctuary. The pews were taken out and a new hardwood floor installed. And last week the new carpeting was installed. Pew cushions will be delivered next week. The look is sheer elegance and many thanks to Janet Blesso for picking the color of the carpet, to Kathy Brewster and Al Westerlund for coordinating everything, to Jeff Dirk for staining the new bureau in the narthex, and to Jean Mansfield for making it all possible. We are truly blessed at St. Anne's with so many people who extend themselves in so many ways.

The Welcome Back Brunch will be on September 9 at 8:45 AM in between the services as usual. If you are new to the church, please plan to come. It is a time for all members to gather informally over brunch (which is hosted by the vestry) and to visit, catch up and (if you have not already done) to register children for church school, which will begin on Sept. 16. In addition there will be picture board of the camping experiences of three of our campers who went off to the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center this summer. If you would like to bring photos of your vacation, please do that as well. Mostly this time signals a return to the fall schedule and a more structured rhythm of church life.

Many of the newcomers have received an invitation to take the 'Welcome to the Episcopal Church' course. If you have not received an invitation and would like to be included, please let us know. The first meeting will be on Sept. 15 at 10:30 AM. In addition a yearlong course will be offered on the Book of Genesis, which begins on Sept. 25 at 10:00 AM and again at 7:30 PM.

There will be a Youth Group orientation for youth and their parents on Sunday, Sept. 16 following the 10:00 AM service. If you have any questions about the Youth Group, you can contact Carol Batten or Jose Torres.

Plans are beginning for the Holiday Fair, which will be held on Dec. 8 and will be coordinated by Brenda and Mark Komarinski this year. If you have any ideas or would like to help in any way, please contact them. Edna Rideout will be coordinating the Gift Party Books once again.

There will be a Pet Blessing and a special service in honor of St. Francis once again on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1:00 PM.

As always, we need as many people as are called to serve in the various ministries of the church. We are in need of lay Eucharistic ministers and lectors at the 8:00 AM service. Perhaps you are a ten-o'clocker who would not mind serving at this service every once in a while? And as always, there is a need for more people to help host coffee hour, sing in the choir, teach Sunday School, be an usher, acolyte - you name it and we need you. Please let me know if any of these ministries are right for you and I will connect you to the directors.

The Thrift Shop is open again with wonderful donations being received daily. Thank you for supporting this vital ministry of the church.

I look forward to seeing you all back in church and all the wonderful activity that goes with it.

Blessings,

Peggy