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The Alpha & OmegaThe People of Episcopal Church of St. John the Divine’s

Newsletter

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e • 2 0 1 - 2 8 8 - 0 0 0 2

Dear Friends, Summer, the season of Pentecost, is a time of

spiritual growth. As nature celebratestransformation from the cold of winter to thesummery abundance of leaves and flowers, thechurch celebrates the sustaining power of God’sSpirit that nourishes and vivifies everythingaround and within us, including our hearts andsouls. I hope that you have had a chance to enjoythe blessings of the summer season, such asmoderate weather and a pleasant abundance ofgreen leaves and colorful flowers. Thanks toGod’s sustaining power and the tireless work ofseveral pairs of hands, our Memorial Garden is asbeautiful as ever, and everyone is invited to spendsome quiet time there in meditation and wonder.Summer is a season of growth in the fields, in thegardens, and in our lives. I believe that summerdoes provide a special opportunity for spiritualgrowth.

However, just like the transformation of nakedtrees into luscious greenery of summer happensgradually, so does our spiritual growth. Oneaspect that is common to both spiritual andphysical growth is that both seem to take place attheir own pace. Although we can promote thegrowth of our plants to some extent by toiling,fertilizing, and pruning, helping a plant to growfaster by pulling it out is not a good idea. Thesame applies to our spiritual life. We can andshould use this season to free some time forprayer, meditation, or simply quiet time on theporch. Yet, we cannot “boost” our relationshipwith God simply by increasing time in prayer bysay 50% or by doing extra devotions. Every kindof growth has its own exciting stages of visiblegrowth and its latent stages, plateaus, when onecan almost fall into despair: what’s going on?Anything? In our busy and highly structured lives,sometimes it is a challenge to slow down, to

make some extra room for God in our lives, andto let God fill that room with healing andabundant grace. But this is exactly what we arecalled to do.

Oftentimes, the growth in our gardens, families,and communities is hard to notice on a dailybasis; rather one has to look at the big picture.For instance, on June 1st, we had a picnicEucharist that brought together several parishes.And it took a lot of work of several committees,a lot of logistical planning to accomplish. Then, onJune 7th we had a wonderful annual celebrationof the Care on the Corner, with a lot of joy andkids’ laughter. If one were to measure theprogress of that great program on day to daybasis, one would not notice very much, exceptfor mundane administrative tasks. However, if youare to look at the wonderful mosaic of picturesand collages which highlight the growth of theKids on the Corner, you can see a big picture oflove and wonder and God’s grace at work oneday at a time, one smiling face at a time.

Just like with the plants or our bodies, spiritualgrowth does not happen overnight, and it doesrequire some effort. I believe that as we mark theend of our program year, it’s appropriate tocelebrate, to be thankful to God and to eachother for everything that we’ve accomplished, tocelebrate our wonderful community that has somuch to offer. It is also an appropriate time tothink about the future plans and activities of ourparish family. And, of course, it is a good time toslow down, to find extra few minutes every dayfor prayer, meditation, reading or any otheractivities that help us to stay centered and togrow in our relationship with God.

Have a wonderful summer of growth!

Peace,

Summer 2014

Summer: a Season of Spiritual Growth by the Rev. Alexei Khamin

After a June, 2013 conference at EpiscopalHouse, the Executive Committee of St John’selected to enter into discussions with ChristChurch and St. Cyprian’s in Hackensack, and St. Martin’s in Maywood, to explore ways in whichwe might work together to become a moresignificant Episcopal presence in south centralBergen County. In 2013, we worshipped togethertwice at Christ Church. During the 2014 HolyWeek, joint services were held on MaundyThursday at Christ Church with a SederEucharist, at St John’s on GoodFriday with the SolemnCollects/Descent from theCross, and Easter Eve at St. Martin’s with the Great Vigil.Each congregation celebratedEaster independently. Early in2014, we initiated a jointpastoral care ministry which,through the use of a cadre ofvolunteers from each of the fourcongregations, will carry out visitationsto the sick and shut in. They send cards andmake phone calls to stay in touch with peoplewho are unable to attend worship, and thosewho have not been in church for extendedperiods. Since January, members of St. John’s have attended several events to supportthe other congregations in the consortium,including Martin Luther King Day and BlackHistory Month celebrations conducted by St. Cyprian’s, and the St Martin’s St. Patricks DayDinner. On the 1st of June, we held our firstjoint worship and picnic at Van Saun Park inParamus. Over one hundred worshipers/picnickers attended, and a great time was had byall. In the fall, the four congregations will worktogether to expand a back pack program forschool children in need, a project which has beenan annual affair at St. Cyprian’s for some time. Wewill worship together at least four times duringthe 2014-2015 church year. The Four ChurchCommittee will continue to explore otheractivities in which we might play, work, andworship together.

For the first time in many years, we have beenable to start addressing issues with the buildings.

Gutters were replaced on both the church andon the Care Center. The Care Center also hadconsiderable repairs to damaged and rottedwood in the soffits and fascia areas. The ongoingproblem of a sticking zone valve in the church’sheating system was finally resolved with thereplacement of the offending valve, and a newcirculating pump was installed. Additional work isscheduled for the coming year, including levelingof the very uneven areas of the lawn,

construction of a level area between thechurch and Care Center for grilling

and serving at picnics, ducting of thedownspouts to carry rainwateraway from the foundation, andother projects.

It has once again becomeapparent that many of ourfamilies are not currently

attending Sunday worship on aregular basis. Many are attending so

infrequently that they can barely beconsidered occasional attendees. We

need to find out if there is anything that can bedone to get them re-involved and active incongregational life. To that end, the ExecutiveCommittee will be sending out a survey withinthe next few weeks. It will consist of fourquestions, and we will give multiple means ofresponding. Once we have your feedback, we willbe able to determine if there are things that wecan do to make it easier for everyone toparticipate more fully. Your Executive Committeeis also considering how we might change ourmeeting times and format in order to makeparticipation in leadership more accessible andattractive. It is the hope of the Wardens and theExecutive Committee that every member of St.John’s is committed to our future, and that havingSt. John/s in our lives will be a high enoughpriority for everyone that we will be able to buildon our base of leaders and workers to ensureour future success.

Our next big event will be the Annual PigRoast, on August 16th. We look forward toseeing you all there.

Have a great summer,

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e 2

From the Sr. Warden

There are currently five parishioners of St. John’s that are actively helping with thisministry. If you would to like to join this ministryor if you would like more information about it,please contact me at vjpucci@yahoo.com or 201-390-1714.

If you know of someone who would benefitfrom a visit, call, or card, please contact me aswell.

Vinnie Pucci St. John’s Parish CoordinatorMutual Care Ministry

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The Mutual Care Ministry withChrist Church, Hackensack, St. Cyprian’s, Hackensack, St. Martin’s, Maywood, and St. John’s began reaching out tomembers of their parish familieson February 1st. The Writers,Callers, and Eucharistic Visitorshave been extending the community to thosewho physically can’t be present, showingcompassion to others and their needs, andinviting members back to the community. Ipersonally sent 14 cards in the month of April, sohopefully, lives are being touched.

Mutual Care Ministry

Easter Morning

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Used Clothing Sale

Saturday

November 1, 2014

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

in the Parish Hall

Drop off

Thursday, October 30, 2014

2:00pm – 4:00 pm

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

for more information

call Coby Jasionek

201-288-4038

Congratulations

Gabrielle Furman will begraduating in June fromLakeland Regional HighSchool in Wanaque. She is amember of the NationalHonor Society and is in thetop 3% of her class.Gabrielle is looking forward

to attending the University of Delaware inSeptember. She plans to major in science.

Garbrielle is the recipiant of a four yearscholarship presented by the Grand Chapter ofthe Eastern Star of New Jersey. She also has beenawarded the Gold Star, which is the highesthonor in Girl Scouting.

Gabrielle is the daughter of Diane and SteveFurman and the granddaughter of a very proudgrandmother, Claire Derco.

Food Pantry

Please continue to remember those who rely onthe local food pantry during the warm months.We tend to think of families as being “cold andhungry”, but hunger doesn’t go away during thespring and summer. The bag or two of groceriesthat families get from the pantry make a bigdifference to those who are trying to supportthemselves under difficult circumstances.

Cleaning supplies, personal care items and papergoods are most welcome along with foodproducts.

Let's reach out to those around us who truly need a helping hand.

St. John’s Summer

Pig RoastSaturday, August 16, 2014

at 5:00 pmon the Corner of

Terrace and Jefferson AvenuesDonation: Adults - $20

Children - $10Children Under 7 - Free

Music Provided by

The PicklesFor more info call:

Vinnie Pucci atvjpucci@yahoo.com

201.390.1714

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Birthdays3 Rich Giarratana5 Vicki Avila6 David Haefele7 Jeffrey WernerMichael Avila

10 Allyson Hurley11 Carol Haefele12 Alex Fonti13 Valerie Roberts16 John Opaluch18 Robert Derco

Darren SchmittBarbara Pucci

20 Gwen Kennedy21 Liza Anton-Valdez22 Joseph Manginelli24 Faith Schmitt25 Miriam Delvecchio

Sarah SchmittRt.Rev. J. Croneberger

27 Frances HagerSilvia Grasso Fodor

28 Kathryn Manginelli29 Liza Arnao30 Jessie Valdez

Baptismal Anniversaries10 Cole Mooney15 Orlando Pollard26 Joyce Doyle30 Shara DelloMonaco

Birthdays4 Eloise Wrede7 Marjorie HeimFran PolizzottiJerry Polizzotti

10 Scott Ketschke12 Bob Thomasey

Louis Castle13 Jennifer Ashline15 David Ehrich19 Lisa Staszak20 Steven & Sean 

Adamski24 Andrea Dayton25 Joyce Doyle26 Jack Ball

Danae Jasionek31 Orlando Pollard

July

Baptism Anniversaries13 Erik Soldwedel21 Alycia Prisco

Miles Singh24  Jay Studwell29 Carol Haefele

Wedding Anniversaries12 Cathie & Jay Studwell

Robert & Francine Salerno15 Louise & Tom Marrie20 Jodie & David Haefele

August

Birthdays3 Lorna O’NeillPatricia Chumbley

4 Benjamin Arnao5 Nancy Weston Bruce Rehrig

7 Gina Pollaro9 Louise MarrieChristopher Lepage

11 Maria Rehrig14 Arlene Solda

Tiffany Amariuta19 Claire Derco20 Edyie Fonti22 Joseph Manginelli23 Walter Purdy25 Ethel Ball27 Jaclyn Ashline Buffardi28 Julia Lynn Prisco30 Ricky Rios

Marge Huyler

September

Ordination Anniversaries6 Rubén Juardo

Baptismal Anniversaries12 Charles Hesse13 Max Adamski-Caston15 John James Pinto21 Thomas Telson25 Alexandra Haefele26 Liam Enström

Wedding Anniversaries8 Joseph & Kathryn Manginelli

14 Nicole Bouchard & Bill Horsman

23 John Manginelli,Alphonse Santiago,Civil Union

Newsletter deadline for the Homecoming I ssue i s

August 10 , 2014Please email your articles to

Carol Haefele atcarolh409@gmail .c om

ST. JOHN the DIVINE229 TERRACE AVENUE

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ07604

OFFICE: (201) 288 – 0002 FAX: (201) 288 – 9463

E-Mail:church@saintjohnthedivine.com

www.saintjohnthedivine.com

Picnic Fun

St. John’s Choir and Altar ParyEaster 2014

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4 Church Picnic • June 1, 2014

Church of St. John the Divine, Christ Church and

St. Cyprian, Hackensack, St. Martin, Maywood

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e 7

Care on the Corner Programs are sponsored in part by grants fromACTS/VIM of the Diocese of Newark

The Alleluia Fund of the Diocese of NewarkThe John R. and Dorothy Caples Fund, New York, NY

ESL Fall 2014 ScheduleClasses meet from 7:00 to 9:00pmRegistration and Testing, Parish Hall Wednesday September 10 and 17

Classes start on Wednesday, September 24 in the ParishHall and the Care Center and go throughWednesday, December 10. There will be noclasses on November 26 due toThanksgiving. Join us for the Finalé onDecember 10 at 8:00 pm in the Parish Hall.

Citizenship Fall 2014 ScheduleClasses meet from 7:30 to 9:30pm

Registration and Testing, Parish Hall: Wednesday September 10 and 17Classes start on Monday, October 6 in theCare Center and continue for six (6) weeksending November 10.

Communicating With Your Hands Learn to communicate with your hands in a strategic and funfashion. In this ten week course, (two hours each session)you will learn the fundamentals of sign language in SignedExact English (SEE). By the end of the course you will beamazed at the hundreds of signs that you will have beentaught. In addition, you will learn about Deaf culture andhistory that will give the signer a better perspective of howDeaf people communicate.

Each participant will receive a Sign Languageinstructional as well as additional handouts relating to signlanguage and deafness. Key to this class is to have funwhile learning another language that is unique incomparison to other oral and audio-based languages.

Fall Session 2014Mondays: September 29 – December 1 (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)

Summer 2014 Tutoring For children in grades Kindergarten – 5.

Care on the Corner Tutoring Club meets for two weeks inAugust: the 18th – 22nd and the 25th – 29th.

It provides an affordable program in a less structuredclassroom environment. It prepares students to return to aschool day routine; mindset change from lazy/ hazy days ofsummer to schooldays. Ease children’s stress of beginning

a new school year by providing assignments geared to thegrade entering as well as meeting new people. Allowingchildren to familiarize themselves with various educationaland town officials – giving them the ability to learn first-handwhat each does.

Homework Club Fall 2014 SessionThursdays from 3:30 – 5:00 pm

September 18 – December 4(no classes Nov 6 and 27)

for children in grades Kindergarten – 5. A less structuredenvironment in which children receive

educational guidanceto assure that homework assignments are

completed and more importantly understood.We aim to insure that children understand the

importance of learning and acquiring goodstudy skills. We help all students understandthat Learning is Fun and like sports you needto practice – hence the need for homework.

Students are asked to bring current LanguageArts (Reading, Spelling and Phonics) and

Math homework assignments in which help isneeded. (Classes will not be held on school

holidays.)

Kidz Fitness Beatz KidZ Fitness BeatZ Corner, is a 6 weekprogram geared toward children ages 3 -5,and is a dance fitness and dance activity-based program. KidZ Fitness BeatZ classformat encourages parental/guardianparticipation in the dance fitness program

and has a little something extra fitness-wise for theaccompanying adult participant with a little Zumba Fitness®flare, as class is taught by a Licensed Zumba/ ZumbAtomicsFitness Instructor, Lynn Weimer.

Fall Session 2014Mondays, September 22 – October 27 (4:30 pm – 5:15 pm)

NewArts KidsCare on the Corner is offering an applied arts program forchildren in Grades 2 – 6. This five week course will cover anew artist each week. Your child will learn aboutthe artist, their technique and style as well as re-create some of their most famous work. Thisclass is designed to give your child step by stepdirections in creating their own masterpiece, aswell as give them the freedom to apply what they havelearned to create something unique.

Fall Session 2014September 12, 19, 26 – October 3 (4:00 – 5:00 pm)

Englishas a

SecondLanguage

NewARTSKids

KidZFitnessBeatZ

WorkshopsCitizenship

Prep

Sophie & Friends

Kids on the Corner

Communicating withYour Hands

Zumba

HomeworkClub

SummerTutoring

Middle EasternDancing

Community Garden

®

Kids on the CornerFall Session 2014Featuring Zoom

October 10, 17, 24, November 7, 14, 21 (3:30 – 6:00 pm)Performance Friday,

November 21, 2014 at 7:30 pm

Middle Eastern DancingMiddle Eastern Dancing (aka: Belly Dancing) classes

starting on September 30, 2014. Through this AncientDance form, you will learn the basics of the dance whilestrengthening your abs, tone your muscles and learn asimple piece of choreography. The classes will be held

Tuesday nights, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm for eight (8) weeks at a fee of $45. The session will be from

September 30, 2014 – November 18, 2014.

Evening of Jazz

with Tricky Tray

Coby Jasionek will be heading up the

team of Basket Makers for the 2013

Evening of Jazz. Coby and her team have

done such a wonderful job over the past

years that we are thrilled that they agreed

to do this again. If you have any NEW

items that you are willing to donate for

the gift baskets, please call Coby at 201-

288-4038 or Carol Haefele at 973-778-5034.

We are also looking for wide ribbon and

empty baskets.

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e 8

For more information about registration, classschedule, ticket purchases, please call the Care Center office at 201-288-9460

Follow us on FB

Celebrating the end of

COTC’s Spring Session

MiddleEasternDancing

Kids onthe

Corner

ESL

St. John the Divine Sunday School had asuccessful year!

The fall and Lenten months were taught byJennifer Ashline. In the fall, the childrencompleted a month long project that wasentitled “My Church”. Each child filled up their“My Church” pages with drawings about whatis important to them about church and aboutwhat their favorite part is. This teaches themthat church is not about one thing but aboutmany things and how we work together.

This led to the winter and spring lessonswhere they learned about the differentseasons of the church, andwhy the priest wears what hewears at different times. JoeIaniro, who taught this section,called it, “what the heck isgoing on in church”. Thechildren learned about the Episcopal Flagand what the meaning is behind all the itemsthat the Bishop wears.

Watch for upcoming information about theFall 2014 Semester.

Sunday School

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e 9

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e 10

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Englishas a

SecondLanguage

NewARTSKids

KidZFitnessBeatZ

WorkshopsCitizenship

Prep

Sophie & Friends

Kids on the Corner

Communicating withYour Hands

Zumba

HomeworkClub

SummerTutoring

Middle EasternDancing

Community Garden

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e 11

Care on the

Corner Honors its

Volunteers.

June 7, 2014.

To see more

pictures go to

Care on the

Corner’s

Facebook page.

St. John the Divine229 Terrace Avenue

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604

Sunday Services at St. John’s at 10:00 throughout the summer

Looking Ahead

Summer TutoringAugust 18 –22, 2014

August 25 –29, 2014

Evening of Jazz and Tricky TrayThursday, October 16, 2014

Current Residentor

Homecoming SundaySeptember 14, 2014

10:00 am Holy EucharistSunday SchoolCoffee Hour

Reconnect after summer.