Special Events on Sunday Mornings in May and June

Sunday, May 24: Peter's nephew Chris and brother Ben will be at St. Mary's for Memorial Day weekend - all three Chases will participate in the 10am service!

Sunday, May 31: Peter's last Sunday at St. Mary's.

Sunday, June 7: Formal commissioning of the Search Committee for the new rector at the 10AM service, followed by a special parish meeting on the search. Special guest Reverend Cynthia Hubbard, Diocesan Officer for Rector Transition

Sunday, June 14: St. Mary's Annual Picnic following the 10am service.

Events Celebrating Peter's Ministry/Retirement (Expanded)

The following letter was sent to the entire parish this week with additional information on the events celebrating Peter's ministry and retirement:

Letter_to_Parish_2009-Apr-29.pdf

You can also read the letter by clicking here.


-----------------------------

April 29, 2009

Dear Members of St. Mary’s,

As you know, Peter’s last Sunday with us will be Pentecost Sunday, May 31. The symbolism behind his departure on the Sunday of Pentecost gives Peter great comfort, hope for the future, a new beginning, and the positive promise of change. We would like to make this entire day a celebration of how much he has meant to all of us. It is an honor for me (Lucille) to organize this special day for him.

Special Events Honoring Peter and Abbie
Peter has asked that parish festivities happen as close to May 31st as possible. Therefore, we are planning to have the main celebration of his ministry on that same day. As a reminder, there will be only one church service that Sunday at 10AM, and there will be no church school.

1) First we will have a separate event for the children and youth of all ages on the evening of Sunday May 17th. This will be a pizza and ice cream party with Peter, following the performance of the Junior Choir at Babson Night, hosted at the home of Mark and Sarah Williamson (165 Orchard Avenue, Weston). Starting time is approximately 7:30pm. This is for all children and youth of the church, not just those in Junior Choir, although all are welcome to attend Babson Night as well. If you plan on attending, please RSVP directly to either Sarah (781-237-0021) or Lucille (781-237-7040).

2) Following Peter’s last service on Sunday, May 31 we will have a reception for Peter and Abbie at St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Pentecost Sunday at St. Mary’s is usually celebrated with an assortment of birthday cakes for each month of the year, commemorating the birth of the church. This year, adding to that, we will have a lovely champagne brunch during the coffee hour, followed by the sharing of the cakes! Peggy Scott has graciously agreed to coordinate this event. Please RSVP on the sign-up sheet on church bulletin board.

3) There will also be a reception on the evening of Sunday May 31, from 5PM to 8PM. This will be hosted at the home of Lucille Rossignol and Paul LaViolette, 73 Woodlawn Avenue, Wellesley Hills. This will be an informal, drop-in cocktail reception to which all are adults in the parish are welcome. The Choir will perform briefly around 7:30PM. Please RSVP on the sign-up sheet on church bulletin board.


A Gift for Peter and Abbie
It is a tradition in the Episcopal Church to provide a monetary gift, called a “purse”, to the retiring rector. This purse is funded by a free will offering by the members of the parish.

We realize this is not the best of times to be asking for donations. We are living through the worst economic environment in living memory. Several parish members have lost jobs, and most who haven’t have seen the values of their assets plunge.

However we are very fortunate that through the very generous gifts of several parish members that most of the costs of the events for Peter’s retirement have already been covered, so that these events can be attended by all parish members. Because of this, any additional donations that are made will go directly to the retirement gift for Peter and Abbie.

If you wish to contribute, write a check to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, clearly labeled “Celebration Fund” in the memo line. Send it to the church at 258 Concord Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462. Please don’t put it in the collection basket - we don’t want to inadvertently put the funds in an incorrect account. All funds will be forwarded to a special account for this purpose.

We know that given the times some of you will not be able to contribute. Please know that we understand completely; it is not our intention to create an additional burden upon you, and that everyone is welcome to participate in all the events regardless and partake in this celebration of Peter’s ministry. And this effort, of course, should in no way interfere with your annual pledge to St. Mary's. Please know that any and all contributions are so deeply appreciated.


How Else Can People Help?
RSVP as soon as you can - Do let us know if you will attend any or all of the events. Sign-up sheets for the May 31 events will be posted Sunday, May 3rd, on the church bulletin board.

Volunteers - We will need people to sign up to make cakes, as well as to set-up and tear down at the church on the day of the event.

Photo Boards- We would like to set up two or more photo boards, during the brunch, of shots taken during Peter’s ministry. If you have any old photos you’d like to display, write your name on the back and send them to me at Lucille Rossignol, 73 Woodlawn Avenue, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481. I would also greatly appreciate having a volunteer to assemble this project once the photos are collected.

DVD - We are making a DVD for Peter and Abbie, with video of the church as well as individual messages from parish members. If you wish to record a message, Jesse Maddox, our videographer, will be available each Sunday at church in May (except the 31st) during the coffee hour to film.

Any questions, please contact Lucille Rossignol at 781-237-7040 or lavross@aol.com.

Yours in Christ,

Lucille Rossignol Paul Pyzowski

-----------------------------

(Old) Pictures of Peter

As part of Peter's retirement celebration, we would like to set up two or more photo boards of photos taken during Peter’s ministry. If you have any old photos you’d like to display, write your name on the back and send them to Lucille Rossignol, 73 Woodlawn Ave., Wellesley Hills, MA 02481. Lucille would also greatly appreciate having a volunteer to assemble the photoboards once the photos are collected.

As an example, here is Peter Chase in the Newton Tab - from 1998!



You can download the complete article (both pages) here:
Newton_Tab_1998.pdf

Events Celebrating Peter's Ministry/Retirement

For All St. Mary’s Children, A Night With Peter - Pizza and Ice Cream Social
Sunday, May 17th, 7:30--9pm, following Babson Night
At the home of Sarah and Mark Williamson
165 Orchard Avenue, Weston
RSVP to either Sarah Williamson or Lucille Rossignol

Pentecost Sunday Brunch
Sunday, May 31st, following 10AM Service
A delicious brunch, hosted by our very best, Peggy Scott, and featuring our traditional array of cakes for each month of the year, celebrating both the birth of the church and the ministry of Peter and Abbie.
RSVP on sign-up sheet on church bulletin board to be posted on May 3

Evening Cocktail Reception (Open House)
Sunday, May 31st, 5-8 pm
At the home of Lucille Rossignol and Paul LaViolette
73 Woodlawn Ave., Wellesley Hills
A very informal, drop-in cocktail reception. All are welcomed.
Choir will perform briefly around 7:30pm.
RSVP on sign-up sheet on church bulletin board to be posted on May 3

--------------------

How You Can Help
- RVSP - Let us know if you wish to attend any or all of the events. Sign-up sheets will be posted Sunday, May 3rd, on the church bulletin board.

- Volunteers - We need people to sign up to make cakes, set-up and tear down, and for food preparation.

- DVD - We are making a DVD for Peter and Abbie. If you wish to record a message, Jesse Maddox, our videographer, will be available each Sunday at church in May (except the 31st) during the coffee hour to film.

- Make a Donation - The costs for all of these events are almost all covered. However we are also asking for donations for a monetary gift ("purse") for Peter and Abbie. If you wish to contribute, write a check to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, clearly labeled “Celebration Fund” in the memo line. Send it to the church at 258 Concord Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462. All funds will be forwarded to Norm Budge, our church accountant, who has set up a special account for this.

Contact Lucille Rossignol with any questions - 781-237-7040.

St. Mary's Update for Sunday, April 26

Peter Chase preparing hamburgers for friends and parish members on Marathon Monday. (St. Mary's is at the corner of mile 16.)

Reminder - the Church office will be closed the week of April 20. It will reopen on Monday, April 27.

Sunday, April 26
8:00am & 10:00am Holy Eucharist - Peter Chase
9:00am Sunday School for grades 4- 5
and middle school
9:45am Childcare
10:00am K - 3 Attend church first;
leave at 2nd hymn w/ teachers
11:00am Coffee Hour
Monday, April 27
8:00pm AA (6:30 newcomers)
Tuesday, April 28
7:30pm Vestry Meeting
Thursday, April 30
6:30pm Junior Choir
7:30pm Adult Choir
Sunday, May 3
8:00am & 10:00am HE - Peter Chase
9:00am Sunday School for grades 4- 5
and middle school
9:45am Childcare
10:00am K - 3 Attend church first;
leave at 2nd hymn w/ teachers
11:00am Coffee Hour

UTO INGATHERING - Sunday, April 26

Sunday, April 26, 2009 is our UNITED THANK OFFERING Ingathering here at St. Mary's. This ministry provides grants to fight poverty, disease, distribute religious related materials and assist in monies to build/renovate projects through out the world. Please find enclosed the BLUE-UTO envelopes in your bulletin for the ingathering next week. Please make checks payable to St. Mary's - UTO and place in offering plate. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Photos: Easter Sunday (4)

Photos: Easter Sunday (3)

Reminder: Search Committee Consideration Deadline on April 26

As a reminder, if you have an interest in being considered for the Search Committee, you need to express your interest by Sunday, April 26. Information was mailed to all parish members on April 1; you can also click here to read the instructions on how to put a name into consideration.


The Vestry expects that the Search Committee will have between eight to twelve members that represent a cross-section of the membership of St. Mary’s, including members young and old, recent joiners and old-timers, male and female, families and singles. Two members will likely come from the Vestry; although the Wardens cannot serve as voting members, they will be ex-officio members and can attend meetings as needed. The Diocesan guidelines for “Desired Characteristics of Search Committee Members” include “Team player; Person of prayer; Member in good standing (attends church regularly, giver of record, gives of time and talent); Willing to work for the good of the church and not partisanship; No hidden agendas; Can maintain confidentiality.”

We are asking for both volunteers and nominations for people to serve on the search committee. A box for names will be placed in the entrance to the church sometime after the service on Sunday April 5. If you wish to volunteer, or nominate someone else, please put the name of the person on a piece of paper, along with your reasons why you/the nominee would be a good member of the search committee, and place the paper in the box. We will collect names through the end of the day of Sunday, April 26.

If you are considering volunteering or nominating for the Search Committee, please keep in mind that there will be a serious time commitment - as many as one or more meetings per week once a final pool of candidates is identified - as well as obligations of strict confidentiality. Search Committee volunteers will also be expected to attend kick-off meetings for the search scheduled for Sunday, June 7 and the weekend of June 12 and 13.

Everybody whose name is entered into the box will be given strong and serious consideration by the Vestry. However, given the importance of having a balanced, representative cross-section of the congregation, volunteers and nominees may or may not be appointed to the Search Committee. The Vestry may also decide to ask someone to serve who did not volunteer or was not otherwise nominated.

All names entered in consideration will be reviewed and discussed by the entire Vestry at the Vestry meeting on Tuesday, April 28. Based on this discussion, a nominating committee consisting of the two Wardens and Search Committee Chair (and advised by Peter) will prayerfully prepare a proposed slate of candidates. This slate of candidates will be brought before the full Vestry for discussion and final approval at the Vestry meeting on Tuesday, May 19. The candidates, and those who volunteered but are not on the slate, will be informed shortly after, and an announcement to the parish made during the week of May 24.

The Search Process will formally begin with a parish-wide meeting following a special service on Sunday, June 7, that all are invited to attend.

Photos: Easter Sunday (2)

St. Mary's Update for Sunday, April 19

Please note the Church office will be closed the week of April 20. It will reopen on Monday, April 27.

Sunday, April 19
8:00am Holy Eucharist - Peter Chase
10:00am Morning Prayer - Peter Chase
No Church School
9:45am Childcare
11:00am Coffee Hour
Monday, April 20
Patriot’s Day - office closed
8:00pm AA (6:30pm newcomers)
Wednesday, April 22
6:30pm Sharing a New Song
Thursday, April 23
No Choirs
Sunday, April 26
8:00am & 10:00am Holy Eucharist
Preacher & Celebrant: Peter Chase
Church School as usual
11:00am Coffee Hour
UTO Ingathering

Photos: Easter Sunday (1)

[Thank you to Fyj Wheeler for capturing memories of a beautiful Easter Sunday. - Editor]

The Good News - from 1992!

Here is the front page of the Good News from July 1, 2992 - welcoming Peter and his family as the new rector of St. Mary's!



Over the coming month, we would like to highlight articles, photos, and other memorabilia from the last seventeen years in honor of Peter's retirement. If you have any, please let Denise at the office know. (If they are not in electronic form, you can drop them off and we will take it from there.)

Easter Message from Bishop Barahona

Bishop Martin Barahona, Bishop of El Salvador and Primate of Central America, has sent an Easter message that can be viewed at the Cristosal website here.

Good News: April 6, 2009

The "Easter Edition" Good News of April 6, 2009, is now available for download:

Good_News_2009_April_06.pdf

St. Mary's Update for Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009

Sunday, April 12
No 8 a.m. Service
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Preacher & Celebrant: The Reverend Peter Chase
Eucharist Ministers: The Reverend Gwen Buehrens
The Reverend John Buehrens

Special Music for Easter, April 12 - 10:00 a.m.
On Easter Sunday, April 12 at the 10:00 a.m. service, the Adult & Junior Choirs will sing festive Easter music accompanied by Ken Laing, trumpet. The service will begin with a joint anthem by Adult and Junior Choirs, “Hallelujah Round of Praise” by Mozart. Easter selections from Handel’s Messiah will be sung by the Adult Choir and soloists. Prelude and postlude music will include the well-known Easter hymns “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” and “Thine is the Glory,” arranged for trumpet and organ. Please join us for this joyous service on Easter morning.

Easter Egg Hunt Following the 10:00 a.m Service
Immediately following the 10:00 a.m. Easter service, there will be a short Easter Egg Hunt for children K - 6. Meet under the big tree on the front lawn. In the event of rain, Easter "goodie-bags" will be distributed in the vestibule at the close of service.

Calendar For the week
Monday, April 13
office closed
8:00 p.m. AA (6:30pm AA Newcomers)
Tuesday, April 14
office closed
Wednesday, April 15
office reopens
3:00 p.m. Margaret Coffin Prayer Group in Chapter Room
6:30 p.m. Sharing A New Song in Parish Hall
Sunday, April 19
No Church School
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist - The Reverend Peter Chase
9:45 a.m. Childcare
10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer -The Reverend Peter Chase

Photos: Palm Sunday

Holy Week Services

The Crucifixion, by Jacek Andrzej Rossakiewicz (b.1956), in the collection of Musée d’Art Contemporain de Dunkerque, France

HOLY WEEK marks the events of Christ’s life beginning with his joyous triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and ending with the somberness of crucifixion and death. It is a week in which we as the Church dramatize the events which led up to and include the suffering and death of Jesus on the Cross. The theme of Holy Week is one of passion, of ultimate love and caring.

TENEBRAE, WEDNESDAY, April 8 - 7:30 p.m
Tenebrae comes from the Latin word for "darkness" or "shadows" and has for centuries been applied to the service of evening prayer observed during the last three days of Holy Week. The most conspicuous feature of the service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and other lights in the church, until only a single candle, considered as a symbol of our Lord, remains lit. Before each candle is extinguished there are readings from the Psalms and Biblical lessons. The service concludes with prayers and silence.

MAUNDY THURSDAY, April 9 - 7:30 p.m.
We get the word Maundy from the Latin "mandate" to command. This service recalls two events in the life of Jesus. First, we recall the Last Supper when Jesus broke bread with the disciples in the Upper Room and said, "Do this for the remembrance of me." In the Eucharist we have the promise of Christ’s presence with us. Secondly, we recall that Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and commanded them to follow his example of love and humble service. In the foot washing we have the model of ministry of servanthood. At the conclusion of this memorable service we have the stripping of the altar.

GOOD FRIDAY, April 10
THE WAY OF THE CROSS - 12:00 noon
The devotion known as the Way of the Cross is an adaptation to local usage of a custom widely observed by the pilgrims to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, the pilgrims offer a prayer at a series of places traditionally associated with our Lord’s passion and death. At Saint Mary’s, the children of the parish will assist us in this service which includes walking throughout the parish grounds, observing moments of Biblical reflection and contemplative prayer. The service begins and ends in the church.

GOOD FRIDAY LITURGY, April 10 - 7:30 p.m.
A solemn service beginning with a reading from the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John and followed by a service of evening prayer using the Solemn Collects which date from the third century. In these prayers is a bidding to the congregation for silent prayer concluding with a collect. The service ends with Anthems said before the Cross and the Lord’s Prayer.

Letter to Parish on Peter's Retirement and Rector Transition

The following letter was mailed to the parish this past week, with additional details on Peter's retirement and the coming rector transition:

Vestry_to_Parish_2009_Apr_01.pdf

The topics discussed in this letter include:
• An update on the Vestry’s meetings with the Bishop and Diocesan Office of Transition Ministry
• Preliminary plans for Peter’s retirement celebration and other transition activities
• The process the Vestry will follow to appoint the Search Committee to find a new rector
• Some important dates coming up in May and June

Let me note a few important items upfront. First, Peter’s final Sunday at Saint Mary’s will be Pentecost Sunday, May 31. More details will be provided closer to the date.

Second, the Wardens and Vestry will need support from the entire parish membership to insure a successful transition, including volunteers to help with a number of transition projects, as well as for the Search Committee for a new rector. More details are provided in this letter.

Third, the Vestry plans on having the Search Committee appointed by the time of Peter’s departure. If you have an interest in being considered for the Search Committee, please read this letter carefully and follow the instructions listed later in this letter. If you wish to be considered, or nominate someone else to be considered, for a position on the Search Committee, you need to express your interest by Sunday, April 26.

Calendar for the Upcoming Week - April 5

Bishop Bud Cederholm at St. Mary's on Sunday March 29

Sunday, April 5
8 & 10am Holy Eucharist - The Reverend Peter Chase
9:00am Sunday School for grades 4-5
and Middle School
9:45am Childcare
10:00am K - 3 Attend Church first;
leave at 2nd hymn w/teachers
11:00am Coffee Hour
11:15am Property Committee Meeting
1:00pm West Gallery in Parish Hall
6:00pm Diocesan Missions Meeting
Monday, April 6
8:00pm AA (6:30 newcomers)
Tuesday, April 7
9:30am Holy Eucharist
10:00am WSM Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 8
9:00am - 11:00am Chapter room in use
7:30pm Tenebrae Service
Thursday, April 9
5:30pm Junior Choir
6:30pm Adult Choir
7:30pm Maundy Thursday Service
Friday, April 10 - Good Friday
office closed
12:00pm Way of the Cross
7:30pm Good Friday Liturgy
Sunday, April 12- Easter Day
10:00am Holy Eucharist - The Reverend Peter Chase
Easter Egg Hunt after church
No 8:00am Service
No Church School

Photos: Sunday, March 22

[Thank you to Fyj Wheeler, who took these photos at St. Mary's on Sunday, March 22. Do feel free to send us web-worthy photos for sharing! - Editor]