Dear St. Liz family,

 

I am writing to you on behalf of your Bishop’s Committee to provide a snapshot of the current goings-on at St. Liz. Three highlights: First, this Sunday, March 27th, is the much-anticipated parish profile workshop (WAHOO!!). I hope to see you there! Second, St. Liz is in need of volunteers. I invite you to prayerfully consider how you and your family may contribute your time and talent to serving at St. Liz as a volunteer. Third, Martha’s weekly Lenten study on the Stations of the Cross continues Tuesday, March 29th at 7:00 PM. I end this week’s newsletter with a beautiful poem by Mary Oliver that has been on my mind lately. 

 

 

Parish Profile Workshop - March 27th

On Sunday, March 27th, the Rev. Mike Besson will visit St. Liz to host a parish profile workshop for the whole congregation following morning worship.

 

After Sunday service, we will have a picnic lunch and some fellowship out in the front yard before returning to the church for the workshop. St. Liz will be covering the cost of the boxed lunches; however, if you or your family would like to help offset the costs, that would be much appreciated! The suggested cash donation is $10 per lunch. Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

During the parish profile workshop, we will discuss and explore (1) what qualities, skill sets, experience, etc. we hope to find in our new full-time vicar, and, more broadly, (2) what sorts of values, strengths, quirks, hopes, dreams, history, etc. we have as a congregation. We will break into small groups, answer specific questions related to the above two points, and then return for a large-group debrief. Everyone from the congregation is invited to join in the workshop. St. Liz youth (acolyte age and up) will be able to participate in their very own small group. Childcare will be provided in the nursery for little ones.

 

This is going to be a wonderful, restorative event for St. Liz. We as a church family will be able to decide who we are, what we stand for, and what our future will look like, together. If you have any questions about the parish profile workshop, please contact me at warden@st-liz.org.

 

Call for Volunteers

Hey you! Are you looking to become more involved at St. Liz? Would you like to meet new people, practice servant leadership, and deepen your connection to Sunday worship? If so, you might consider joining a volunteer group! 

 

St. Liz has several Sunday volunteer roles: Altar Guild beautifies the church and prepares the Holy Table before the service. Greeters welcome everyone into God’s House and make them feel at home. Lectors read aloud the Scriptures assigned for each Sunday. Intercessors lead the Prayers of the People. Ushers carry the Offering and the Elements to the Altar, and guide churchgoers through the service. Lay Eucharistic Ministers (“LEMs”) assist the priest in leading and administering the Holy Eucharist. St. Liz youth may volunteer by serving as Acolytes.

 

Each volunteer role has a written Roles & Responsibilities document that describes the qualifications, expectations and time commitment for each role. Printed copies of the Roles & Responsibilities documents are located in the vicar’s office. If you would like digital copies, please email me at warden@st-liz.org and let me know. 

 

During COVID-19, our volunteer rosters have been a bit smaller than is typical. I invite you to prayerfully consider how you and your family may contribute your time and talent to serving at St. Liz as a volunteer!

 

Lenten Study - Stations of the Cross

Martha’s weekly Lenten study on the Stations of the Cross is off to a great start! The study took a break this week, but will continue in the church on Tuesday, March 29th at 7:00 PM. All are welcome to attend. For those who wish to undertake a personal or family-based Lenten discipline, there are books available in the vicar’s office. If anyone has questions, please contact Martha at 908-705-5098.

 

Moving to “Masks Optional” During Indoor Services

St. Liz has moved to a “masks optional” practice during indoor services. Your Bishop’s Committee unanimously approved this transition after careful review of local COVID-19 transmission data and current CDC guidelines, and after prayerful discussion. 

 

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to contact me at warden@st-liz.org.

 

“Heavy” by Mary Oliver

That time

I thought I could not

go any closer to grief

without dying

 

I went closer,

and I did not die.

Surely God

had his hand in this,

 

as well as friends.

Still, I was bent,

and my laughter,

as the poet said,

 

was nowhere to be found.

Then said my friend Daniel,

(brave even among lions),

“It’s not the weight you carry

 

but how you carry it –

books, bricks, grief –

it’s all in the way

you embrace it, balance it, carry it

 

when you cannot, and would not,

put it down.”

So I went practicing.

Have you noticed?

 

Have you heard

the laughter

that comes, now and again,

out of my startled mouth?

 

How I linger

to admire, admire, admire

the things of this world

that are kind, and maybe

 

also troubled –

roses in the wind,

the sea geese on the steep waves,

a love

to which there is no reply?

 

— “Heavy” by Mary Oliver 

 

That’s all for now. See you soon! 

 

Love,

Maddie

 

Maddie Spearman

Bishop’s Warden

warden@st-liz.org