Each year on Pentecost we invite folks who have been exploring our community to consider becoming members. This year our Pentecost & Spring Festival worship will take place on Sunday, May 19 at 10 a.m. We think about membership as three P’s: regular presence in our community worship; participation in the life and ministries of the parish; and pledging to support this parish and our outreach efforts with an annual or ongoing financial gift. You do not need to be baptized or a confirmed Episcopalian to join as members of this parish. If you are interested in baptism or confirmation, please be in touch with one of the clergy. If you consider yourself a newcomer or a newly returned member, please join us for this special liturgy when invited to come forward. Questions? Speak to Rev. Heather Blais.
All services are in-person and live streamed to Facebook.
Palm Sunday—March 24 at 10:00 a.m. This service recalls Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem through music and Holy Eucharist. Please note this liturgy is different from traditional Palm Sunday liturgies, in that the Passion Gospel is not read until Good Friday. Holy Monday—March 25 at 7:00 p.m. This contemplative service of worship in the Taize tradition includes sung and chanted prayer, brief readings, and silence for meditation. Holy Tuesday—March 26 at 7:00 p.m. A healing service where the community is invited to gather together to offer healing, hope, and thanksgiving. Holy Wednesday—March 27 at 7:00 p.m. Tenebrae comes to us out of the Monastic tradition of the Daily Office for Holy Week from the Middle Ages. It is a liturgy of sung Lessons and Psalms, with the gradual extinguishing of candles, that invites us into the mystery of the Triduum. Maundy Thursday—March 28 at 7:00 p.m. This service features music, the ceremony of the foot washing, anointing oil, a celebration of the institution of the Eucharist, and the stripping of the altar. Good Friday—March 29 at 7:00 p.m. This service commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, and includes a reading of the Passion gospel, music, and solemn prayers. Easter Vigil—March 30 at 7:00 p.m. This service is the primary celebration of Easter, beginning in darkness. The worship features the kindling of new fire, lighting the Paschal candle, the Exsultet, music, readings from the Hebrew Scriptures, the renewal of our baptismal vows, and the Eucharist. Easter Sunday—March 31 at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of Christ’s resurrection with music and Holy Eucharist, followed by an Easter egg hunt on the lawn. On March 17, a representative from Green Energy Consumers Alliance, another from Fairfield KIA of Keene, NH and a local EV driver will share information on EVs from their various perspectives and experiences.
This Sunday, Feb 18 at 12pm: John Ward and his wife Claire Chang have owned and operated Greenfield Solar, previously known as Solar Store of Greenfield, since 2008. They have installed over 500 residential and commercial PV systems, including: ground, roof-mounted, and tracker installations. In addition they offer battery back-up storage systems. They work with customers on design, financing, installation and maintenance.
Ash Wednesday Worship
February 14 We will begin our observance of a holy Lent You are invited to wear your ashes, to claim repentance, grace and deep relationship with God for the challenges of your daily life. Join us for any of the following worship opportunities: Ash Wednesday Worship at 9 a.m. The Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist in All Saints Chapel. Ashes to Go from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. "Ashes to Go", a new approach to a centuries-old Christian tradition, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m near the corner of Church and Federal Streets in front of the church. Ash Wednesday Worship at 7 p.m. The Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist in the Church. The service will also be live-streamed. In Person Gatherings Tuesdays at 5 p.m. - Overcoming Racism: Stations of the Cross Join Rev. Heather in the church on Tuesdays at 5pm during Lent to walk the stations of the cross. This Lent we are reflecting on our corporate brokenness and it is our hope that this walk will inspire prayer and reflection. Our church is also open daily for folks to take an intentional meditative walk on their own. The Stations of the Cross liturgy booklet is near the baptismal font in the front. Wednesdays at 9 a.m. - Holy Eucharist & Coffee Hour Worship offered in All Saints Chapel; led by the Rev. Jimmy Pickett. Followed by a coffee hour. Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. - Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer by Rowan Williams Please join us for Wednesday Morning Eucharist in All Saints Chapel at 9 a.m. followed by coffee and discussion based on this simple yet profound book by the former Archbishop of Canterbury. Formal conversation on the book will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the church office. If you are interested in reading along, please purchase a copy at this link (or contact Rev. Jimmy Pickett at JPickett@vts.edu if you need help getting a copy). Reading each chapter is not a requirement, you can join in the discussion if you haven't read the book, but it is an excellent resource to have on your bookshelf. If you are not able to attend, but would like to join in this conversation, Rev. Jimmy will also be reading this book with the people of St. John's in Athol at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and you are welcome to make the journey out on Route 2. Soup and bread will be provided for the weary traveler. Wednesdays at 2 p.m. - Walking the Way of Lent: An Invitation to the Community Labyrinth During the Season of Lent, we follow Jesus through the desert and we follow the earliest Christians on their journey of formation for Baptism on Easter. Rev. Jimmy will be walking the labyrinth every Wednesday of Lent at 2pm, please feel free to join him at that time if you would like to walk and pray. There will also be paper labyrinths available for you to take home to meditate in your free time. February 22 & March 14 at 6 p.m. - Dinner Church: A Celebration of Holy Eucharist around the Dinner Table The model of Dinner Church follows the liturgical flow of the Eucharist yet it is nestled in the midst of a simple relaxed meal of soup and bread. Come as you are, come and be fed by the Holy One we follow on our Lenten journey, and enjoy an evening of fellowship. Two dates will be offered; Thursday February 22nd and Thursday March 14th at 6 p.m. in the Whiteman Room. Please reach out to Rev. Jimmy Pickett (JPickett@vts.edu) if you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help prepare the meal. February 25 at 10am - Grace in Haiti Saints James and Andrew has again taken on a Lenten discipline that looks beyond our diocese and our country. We are honored to collaborate with Grace Church, Amherst and St. James Church, Indian Head, Maryland in supporting an elementary school in Haiti. We are aiming to raise $2,100 this year, which is enough to support the educational expenses of 7 children at about $300 a student. For details, see the recent newsletter article and visit the website graceinhaiti.org. In addition, Please plan to join us after the 10:00 service on Sunday Feb. 25 to hear directly from members of Grace Church Amherst, which has been involved in this life-giving ministry for over 15 years. Zoom Gatherings Sundays at 4 p.m. - Now What? Gather, reflect and discuss how we incorporate Sunday morning’s Gospel lesson into our Lenten journey. Each session is facilitated by a rector from a Franklin - Hampshire Episcopal church. Contact Rev. Heather Blais for Zoom link at heather.blais@gmail.com. Mondays at 6:30 p.m. - Bible Study Emmaus Companions reflects on scripture. For Zoom link - Charlie Houghton (charlie.houghton@gmail.com). Wednesdays at 6:15 a.m. - Morning Prayer Morning Prayer is offered on Facebook Live. For Zoom link - Audley Robinson (audleyp1@gmail.com). Fridays @ 6:30 p.m. - Reflection: Emmaus Companions reflects on Christian writings. For Zoom link - Charlie Houghton (charlie.houghton@gmail.com). Praying & Growing at Home Gratitude Texts from United Thank Offering: Sign up to receive one text a day as part of United Thank Offering’s 40-day Lenten gratitude challenge prompting participants to notice small things in daily life that often go unnoticed. Daily Email Meditations on Creation from Creation Care Leadership Circle: Sign up to receive inspirational daily meditations emails during Lent. Please join us as we contemplate the gift of the natural world and our calling to reconcile humanity with the rest of God’s creation. Daily Email Meditations from Episcopal Relief & Development Sign up to receive daily meditation emails from Miguel Escobar with Episcopal Relief & Development on living an authentic life as followers of Christ. Daily Scripture Readings & Reflections: Sign up with Forward Day by Day to receive daily lectionary readings and prayer online or as a podcast. Lent Madness: Inspired by college basketball tournaments, Lent Madness pits 32 saints against each other in a bracket, as each saint seeks to win the coveted Golden Halo. Throughout Lent, fans vote for their favorite saints. Sign up here. Resources for children and families: Find a list of resources on our website. Contact Rev. Jimmy Pickett to learn about upcoming gatherings for families with young children at JPickett@vts.edu. |