Dear Friends in Christ -
When people see us loving each other - whether through little kindnesses or great good deeds - what they know is that something different is happening here. We live in world of competition - competition that's often fueled by scarcity and/or fear. But in our realm, the realm where Jesus reigns, there's always enough, so our relationships can be marked by generosity and love.
Sound kind of "Pollyanna"? It's not. Look around. No one in our church is in pain without anyone caring and praying for them. No one in our church is hungry without being fed. Unless of course, they are suffering in silence.
Sometimes, those in need feel forced into silence. They're ashamed of their situation. Or they've asked for help before and no one came to their aid. If this describes you, please ask again. Give us a chance to fulfill our call as followers of Christ - to care, to share - that YOU may know some of God's love through us.
Faithfully,
Janet+
PS - There's a reason that I didn't say "if you know someone who's suffering, speak up for them." I didn't write that because the personal connection is much more powerful. It's when we take the first step and learn to ask for help for ourselves that things can really begin to change.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A good day
Dear Friends in Christ -
It was a good day. It started right at about 9:00 a.m. - with the fixin's for meatball subs arriving in the kitchen and people working around the old Church - raking leaves on the outside, cleaning things in the sacristy on the inside.
Now I'm sitting here, a little sore and a lot sunburned (from a good long time spent raking leaves this afternoon) and very content. God has blessed us here at St. Paul's with so much. It's actually a privilege and joy to work together to take care of it. I feel sort of the same way every month when I write checks to pay the student loans that my husband and I accrued in graduate school - grateful. It's such a blessing to do the work we're called to do that it's worth it.
There were 30 or so of us who banded together today to do this good work. If you were here, THANK YOU. If you weren't, I'm sorry you missed out. Hope you'll join us next year.
Faithfully,
Janet+
It was a good day. It started right at about 9:00 a.m. - with the fixin's for meatball subs arriving in the kitchen and people working around the old Church - raking leaves on the outside, cleaning things in the sacristy on the inside.
Now I'm sitting here, a little sore and a lot sunburned (from a good long time spent raking leaves this afternoon) and very content. God has blessed us here at St. Paul's with so much. It's actually a privilege and joy to work together to take care of it. I feel sort of the same way every month when I write checks to pay the student loans that my husband and I accrued in graduate school - grateful. It's such a blessing to do the work we're called to do that it's worth it.
There were 30 or so of us who banded together today to do this good work. If you were here, THANK YOU. If you weren't, I'm sorry you missed out. Hope you'll join us next year.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Thursday, March 26, 2009
LET'S CLEAN UP!!! REWARD: GOD'S GRATITUDE and MEATBALL SUBS!!
Dear Friends in Christ -
Blog "radio silence" this week has been due to my own inner wrestling. I was feeling guilty about not blogging (I know, I could have at least blogged why I wasn't blogging!) until I heard President Obama's response to a reporter's question at the press conference on Tuesday night. When asked why it took him "so long" (2 days!) to come out with a response to the AIG bonus issue, he replied that he likes to think before he speaks. When I heard him say that, I felt a sense of relief. I don't know about you, but I want my leaders to think before they go off saying just any ol' thing.
I'll blog about some of the things that I've been thinking about later, but right now I just want to issue an invitation.
PLEASE COME and HELP
CLEAN UP
HERE at ST. PAUL'S
SATURDAY, MARCH 28th
9:00 a.m. - 1:00ish/2:00ish
If you plan to help work outside, please bring a rake. If you plan to help inside, please bring whatever cleaning supplies you like to use.
THANK YOU for helping make our buildings and grounds look spic-and-span for Confirmation and Easter!!!
Faithfully,
Janet+
PS - Did I mention that lunch will be provided?? - and that we'll be eating MEATBALL SUBS!!!
Blog "radio silence" this week has been due to my own inner wrestling. I was feeling guilty about not blogging (I know, I could have at least blogged why I wasn't blogging!) until I heard President Obama's response to a reporter's question at the press conference on Tuesday night. When asked why it took him "so long" (2 days!) to come out with a response to the AIG bonus issue, he replied that he likes to think before he speaks. When I heard him say that, I felt a sense of relief. I don't know about you, but I want my leaders to think before they go off saying just any ol' thing.
I'll blog about some of the things that I've been thinking about later, but right now I just want to issue an invitation.
PLEASE COME and HELP
CLEAN UP
HERE at ST. PAUL'S
SATURDAY, MARCH 28th
9:00 a.m. - 1:00ish/2:00ish
If you plan to help work outside, please bring a rake. If you plan to help inside, please bring whatever cleaning supplies you like to use.
THANK YOU for helping make our buildings and grounds look spic-and-span for Confirmation and Easter!!!
Faithfully,
Janet+
PS - Did I mention that lunch will be provided?? - and that we'll be eating MEATBALL SUBS!!!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Paul W. Noble
Dear Friends in Christ -
This evening, we will mourn the passing of Paul, and celebrate his life. Paul, a beloved husband and father, was the son of our own Arlene Rogers.
A wake will be held this evening from 4:00-7:30 p.m., with a brief service of prayers and reflection from 7:30-8:00 p.m.
Please keep Arlene in your prayers during this time. May Paul rest in peace and rise in glory.
Faithfully,
Janet+
OBITUARY
Paul W. Noble, age 54, beloved husband of Jennifer Strich Noble of West Winfield, N.Y., died after a long illness Sunday, March 15, 2009 in Holyoke, Mass. Born in Providence, R.I., April 1, 1954, son of Arleen Briggs Rogers of Shelton and the late Harold Noble. Paul was a retired iron worker with the Iron Workers Union Local 424, New Haven. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a great jokester. In addition to his wife Jennifer and mom, Arleen he is survived by three sons, Patrick and Sean Noble, both of West Winfield, N.Y. and Timmy Noble of Auburn, Maine; one sister, Karen Armstrong of Hampton; three brothers, Bob Noble of Bantam, Kenny Noble of Monroe and Tommy Noble of West Haven; three grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Friends may call Thursday, March 19, 2009 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mc Donald Funeral Home. Services will be held Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St. Stratford. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul's memory to the family to help with expenses.
This evening, we will mourn the passing of Paul, and celebrate his life. Paul, a beloved husband and father, was the son of our own Arlene Rogers.
A wake will be held this evening from 4:00-7:30 p.m., with a brief service of prayers and reflection from 7:30-8:00 p.m.
Please keep Arlene in your prayers during this time. May Paul rest in peace and rise in glory.
Faithfully,
Janet+
OBITUARY
Paul W. Noble, age 54, beloved husband of Jennifer Strich Noble of West Winfield, N.Y., died after a long illness Sunday, March 15, 2009 in Holyoke, Mass. Born in Providence, R.I., April 1, 1954, son of Arleen Briggs Rogers of Shelton and the late Harold Noble. Paul was a retired iron worker with the Iron Workers Union Local 424, New Haven. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a great jokester. In addition to his wife Jennifer and mom, Arleen he is survived by three sons, Patrick and Sean Noble, both of West Winfield, N.Y. and Timmy Noble of Auburn, Maine; one sister, Karen Armstrong of Hampton; three brothers, Bob Noble of Bantam, Kenny Noble of Monroe and Tommy Noble of West Haven; three grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Friends may call Thursday, March 19, 2009 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mc Donald Funeral Home. Services will be held Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St. Stratford. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Paul's memory to the family to help with expenses.
Mary Elizabeth Lang
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today we celebrate the life of Mary Lang, mother of Marybeth Banks. All are welcome to join in a liturgy of the Resurrection and Celebration of her life at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon in the Old Church. A reception will follow at the Banks' home - 2 Snowberry Lane.
I ask your prayers for Marybeth and all Mary's family and friends. May Mary rest in peace and rise in glory.
Faithfully,
Janet+
OBITUARY
Mary Elizabeth Williams Lang, age 98, of Shelton, wife of the Late Robert R. Lang for more than 40 years, died March 12, 2009 in Shelton Lakes Health Care, Shelton. She was born in Paterson, New Jersey, July 15, 1910, daughter of the late John and Lydia Mawdsley Williams, and she was a resident of Westport for 30 years, living the last 19 years in Shelton. Mrs. Lang was happily married to her late husband for 30 years. She was a past president of the Altar Guild at Christ and Holy Trinity Church, Westport for many years. She loved her home and was devoted to her family.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for all the love and care she received at Shelton Lakes.
Survivors are a son, Thomas F. Lang of Kennebunk, Maine; a daughter, Marybeth Banks of Shelton; three, grandchildren, Betsy and Ken Banks and Bob Lang. She was predeceased by two sisters, Margaret Rennard and Alice Schott. A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 19, 2009 in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Huntington St., Huntington at 1 p.m. Burial will be private. The James T. Toohey & Son Funeral Home, 92 Howe Avenue, Shelton, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Today we celebrate the life of Mary Lang, mother of Marybeth Banks. All are welcome to join in a liturgy of the Resurrection and Celebration of her life at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon in the Old Church. A reception will follow at the Banks' home - 2 Snowberry Lane.
I ask your prayers for Marybeth and all Mary's family and friends. May Mary rest in peace and rise in glory.
Faithfully,
Janet+
OBITUARY
Mary Elizabeth Williams Lang, age 98, of Shelton, wife of the Late Robert R. Lang for more than 40 years, died March 12, 2009 in Shelton Lakes Health Care, Shelton. She was born in Paterson, New Jersey, July 15, 1910, daughter of the late John and Lydia Mawdsley Williams, and she was a resident of Westport for 30 years, living the last 19 years in Shelton. Mrs. Lang was happily married to her late husband for 30 years. She was a past president of the Altar Guild at Christ and Holy Trinity Church, Westport for many years. She loved her home and was devoted to her family.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for all the love and care she received at Shelton Lakes.
Survivors are a son, Thomas F. Lang of Kennebunk, Maine; a daughter, Marybeth Banks of Shelton; three, grandchildren, Betsy and Ken Banks and Bob Lang. She was predeceased by two sisters, Margaret Rennard and Alice Schott. A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 19, 2009 in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Huntington St., Huntington at 1 p.m. Burial will be private. The James T. Toohey & Son Funeral Home, 92 Howe Avenue, Shelton, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Home again
Dear Friends in Christ -
It's good to be home. My family and I went on vacation last week, a much-needed break after a busy season of preaching (me) and teaching (Ed). We're grateful for the hospitality of the friends and family we visited - and the warm "welcome home" when we returned.
Personally, I'm really grateful for the returning welcome and the celebration of our vacation. Occasionally, I find it hard to celebrate when somebody else gets something that I don't get (a vacation in the tropics, a new car, etc.). I notice that this happens more frequently in those seasons when I'm worried about how my own family is faring - physically, financially, etc.. So in these times of anxiety, I'm particularly grateful for the largeness of the hearts of those around me, who celebrated my time off as they were home slugging it out in the trenches of school and work.
The community my family and I are a part of here in Shelton - and particularly at St. Paul's - is a very special place. I learn something new about grace and kindness from people here everyday. It's good to be home.
Faithfully,
Janet+
It's good to be home. My family and I went on vacation last week, a much-needed break after a busy season of preaching (me) and teaching (Ed). We're grateful for the hospitality of the friends and family we visited - and the warm "welcome home" when we returned.
Personally, I'm really grateful for the returning welcome and the celebration of our vacation. Occasionally, I find it hard to celebrate when somebody else gets something that I don't get (a vacation in the tropics, a new car, etc.). I notice that this happens more frequently in those seasons when I'm worried about how my own family is faring - physically, financially, etc.. So in these times of anxiety, I'm particularly grateful for the largeness of the hearts of those around me, who celebrated my time off as they were home slugging it out in the trenches of school and work.
The community my family and I are a part of here in Shelton - and particularly at St. Paul's - is a very special place. I learn something new about grace and kindness from people here everyday. It's good to be home.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Monday, March 2, 2009
First Miracle
Dear Friends in Christ -
The Gospel lesson in today's Daily Office Readings is one of my favorites - John 2:1-12, "Jesus goes to a wedding." It's the story of how Jesus gets into the miracle business.
It's pretty clear from the way the story is told that Jesus hasn't planned to do any miracles on this day. Perhaps he goes to the wedding with his mom out of duty; there's no mention of Joseph, so maybe he had to work that day and Jesus (the eldest son) is her escort. In any event, even when his mom points out that the wine is about to run out, Jesus clearly doesn't think it's his responsibility to do anything about it.
But one thing leads to another . . . he's a good Jewish son, obedient to his mother. So when she basically instructs him to help by sending servants to him to do his bidding, he steps up. And the result is a miracle.
Every day, as our lives brush up against the lives of people around us, unexpected things happen. Some of those things - kind words, helpful deeds - result in honest-to-goodness miracles. Things that are needed appearing as if out of nowhere. Someone being saved from humiliation by a friend just doing what he can.
May this be a day when you dare to lend a hand. You might just be part of a miracle.
Faithfully,
Janet+
The Gospel lesson in today's Daily Office Readings is one of my favorites - John 2:1-12, "Jesus goes to a wedding." It's the story of how Jesus gets into the miracle business.
It's pretty clear from the way the story is told that Jesus hasn't planned to do any miracles on this day. Perhaps he goes to the wedding with his mom out of duty; there's no mention of Joseph, so maybe he had to work that day and Jesus (the eldest son) is her escort. In any event, even when his mom points out that the wine is about to run out, Jesus clearly doesn't think it's his responsibility to do anything about it.
But one thing leads to another . . . he's a good Jewish son, obedient to his mother. So when she basically instructs him to help by sending servants to him to do his bidding, he steps up. And the result is a miracle.
Every day, as our lives brush up against the lives of people around us, unexpected things happen. Some of those things - kind words, helpful deeds - result in honest-to-goodness miracles. Things that are needed appearing as if out of nowhere. Someone being saved from humiliation by a friend just doing what he can.
May this be a day when you dare to lend a hand. You might just be part of a miracle.
Faithfully,
Janet+
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