Tiding Easter 2012

Easter 2012

St. John’s Episcopal Church Beverly Farms

vol. VI iv

Revisiting Places We’ve Already Been

B ack in 1986, my father’s 56th birthday coincided with the weekend of my

ordination to the priesthood. As an eldest son seeking to needle his dad, I asked the local baker to produce a white rectangular birthday sheet cake with a black border which read: “Speed Limit 55.” Back then, dad’s 56 years seemed perilously near the edge of decrepitude. When I found a photo in a drawer recently of dad’s birthday cake, I was stunned to realize how 26 years later, I am now far nearer to that “speed limit.” Today I have a much more benign take on the meaning of five and a half decades of life. Move the clock; turn the calendar page and the world looks different. Each year Holy Week and Easter return to us like found photos of a bygone era. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the Temple, the anointing at Bethany and his betrayal represent what is arguably the best documented week in ancient history. His Last Supper, Agony in the Garden, Jesus’ arrest, trial, torture and crucifixion document two days filled

with the echoes of deep truth and false testimony. Finally, the news of the Empty Tomb and the encounters with the Risen Christ are the fulcrum that moves human history for us. Christians have walked the path of Holy Week innumerable times. We have compiled reams of diaries and letters which describe people just like us standing at the Mount of Olives with palm branches, weeping in the Garden of Gethsemane, and lighting a new fire in the empty tomb. The pilgrim Egeria wrote in the 4th century describing in great detail how each moment of Holy Week was recalled. Since the Middle Ages, Franciscans and various other groups have kept the sites open to travelers. Modern pilgrims swarm the Old City offering songs and prayers in every language under heaven. The first week in April 2012, we will once again enter Holy Week at St. John’s. Following a year which has witnessed an Arab Spring and the Occupy Movement, we will ask how “a hundred men and women turned the whole world upside down.” As our nation once again engages in the democratic process of

A Letter from the Rector

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St. John’s Episcopal Church 2

electing a president, we will ask how the religious and political leaders of Jesus’ day were so deeply threatened by a carpenter rabbi from Galilee. We will hear again Christ’s commandment to love one another and watch with awe and devotion through the last hours of Jesus’ life. Come friends, let’s open the drawer and take out our pictures. It is time to re‐visit the places we have been before. Let us be alert to what has changed within us and around us. And let us watch for what the Gospel has to show us afresh in 2012. Move the clock; turn the calendar page; and the world looks different. Once again, all is being made new.

Welcome new Vestry Members

Pamela Morss, Junior Warden, is a lifelong Episcopalian whose parents were active in their Wilmington Delaware parish, and whose godfather was an Episcopal Priest. When dating her now husband (and former Senior Warden) Everett (Michael) Morss in 1982, Pam invited him to St. John’s and they were married here by former Interim Rector,

Charles Fisher. Pam has served on the Vestry twice during Jim Purdy’s and Tad Meyer’s pastorates. She loves raising money for Outreach Ministries and has fond memories of the St. John’s Fair and Book Sale. She looks forward to working with the 2012‐13 Vestry, and continuing to spread the wonderful story of St. John’s throughout the community. Pam and Michael developed a decorative arts company called The Essex Collection, through which they traveled and manufactured products internationally. They enjoy spending time with their 6 children and 14 grandchildren. Pam also volunteers at The Cape Ann Food Pantry, works on SeArts projects and writes grants for Susan Wadia‐El, author of ʺBusting Breast Cancer,ʺ a book on cancer prevention. Pam and Michael live in Manchester. Louise Huntoon came into the parish community newly married to a St. John’s parishioner in the 1970’s. Her three daughters attended St. John’s Church School and were confirmed here. Louise made a special connection with Tad Meyer and Ann Stevenson, and responded to Tad’s invitation to attend Inquirers’ Classes. Louise was received into The Episcopal Church in June of 2007. She says she has always felt at home here, appreciating the warmth and love of the St. John’s community. You may see Louise on Sunday mornings reading scripture at the 10 a.m. services or serving on the Altar Guild. In her life “B.C.” (before children), Louise was a

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women’s shoes buyer for Filene’s. Today, she is an active member of Friends of Beverly Hospital, where she volunteers in the Special Care Nursery and the Connecting Young Moms Program for mothers at risk. Louise lives in Wenham. Joe Malek began attending St. John’s in 2003 while dating his wife, Connie, who was living in her family house here in Beverly Farms. They were married in St. John’s Church in April 2004. You will see Joe regularly at our 10 a.m. Sunday service in the roles of Verger and Chalice Bearer. Joe’s service at the altar dates back to his days as an Altar Boy in the Roman Catholic Church, and he has served on the Vestry at his former parish. Joe is a professional nuclear engineer who designed and built nuclear power plants throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s. After completing his MBA Joe became an engineering consultant to Goldman Sachs specializing in private activity bond financing of major corporate construction projects, including nuclear power plants. In his free time Joe enjoys both his extensive model Lionel Train collection and working on a sport car that he has disassembled and rebuilt. Joe has two married children and three grandchildren. He and Connie like to travel and enjoy the home they built on the site of her family home here in Beverly Farms. Kathy McDiarmid and her family were drawn to St. John’s through the baptisms of her son and daughter in the 1980’s, having been married by an Episcopal

Priest. She says she and her family have always found St. Johnʹs very welcoming and inclusive. Kathy has enjoyed the parish‐life of St. Johnʹs in many ways over the years: assisting with church school and fundraisers, belonging to the former Womenʹs Spirituality Group, and being part of the most recent capital campaign. Answering former Assistant Rector George Stevens’ call for lectors has brought a deeper connection for Kathy with the church, the Scripture, and her life as a parishioner, and she looks forward to serving on the Vestry. She has been a registered nurse all of her adult life, and has spent the last 10 years working on the business side of healthcare. Kathy and her husband, Robert, look forward to celebrating 35 years of marriage this May. They live in Manchester and have two grown children and a wonderful daughter‐in‐law. Eve Seamans has attended St. Johnʹs for as long as she can remember. She was confirmed at St. Johnʹs as a teenager, and she and her husband John Trafton were married here in 2010. Eve tells of her fond memory of a Confirmation Class sleepover in the church: “We slept in between the pews and it was one of the best nightʹs sleep that I ever had.” Eve earned her Master of Divinity degree and works part time as a Hospice chaplain in Haverhill. She also works one day a week at the Beverly Library. She and John live in Salem.


Palm Sunday ‐ April 1

8:00 a.m. The Liturgy of the Palms, Reading of the Passion Holy Eucharist Service at the Chantry Altar in the Church

10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of the Palms, Reading of the Passion Holy Eucharist Service Begins in Loring Hall with Procession to Main Altar

Monday in Holy Week ‐ April 2

9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite Two Service at the Chantry Altar in the Church

5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Service in the Meditation Chapel

Tuesday in Holy Week ‐ April 3



Wednesday in Holy Week ‐ April 4



Holy Week Services 2012

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Maundy Thursday ‐ April 5



6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite Two Service at the Main Altar in the Church

8:00 p.m. The Night Watch begins in the Meditation Chapel Good Friday ‐ April 6

Night Watch continues in Meditation Chapel Noon Community Good Friday Service Sacred Heart Church, Manchester

5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer Service in Meditation Chapel

6:00 p.m. Solemn Liturgy, Reading of the Passion, Reception of Holy Communion Service at the Main Altar

Holy Saturday ‐ April 7

7:30 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter, Baptism, and First Easter Communion Service at the Main Altar in the Church

Easter Day / Feast of the Resurrection ‐ April 8

5:45 a.m. Community Sunrise Service Singing Beach

7:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite One Service at the Chantry Altar in the Church

9:00 a.m. Festive Holy Eucharist, Rite Two with Choir and String Quartet Service at the Main Altar in the Church

11:00 a.m. Festive Holy Eucharist, Rite Two with Choir and String Quartet Service at the Main Altar in the Church

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Family Game Night: Friday, April 27, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Whether youʹre 2 or 92, youʹre invited to come share a potluck supper and a night of joyous fun with your church family! Bring a dish and your favorite game to share. Questions? Ask Lucia, [email protected]. Confirmation Reunion Retreat: May 12, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Youth previously confirmed in the parish are invited to a Confirmation Reunion Retreat. We’ll reunite and recharge at a ropes course in the morning and share a meal back at St. John’s at noon. More details to follow. Questions? Ask Lucia, [email protected]. Godly Play Training:

Two Godly Play Trainings are still available April 21 and May 12 at All Saints Church, Belmont. Current teachers and those interested in become involved would equally benefit from attending one or both dates. Questions? Ask Lucia, [email protected].

New Parents Group:

Beginning Thursday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m., Lucia will facilitate a new parents group. The group will be a place where parents can care for body, mind, and spirit with good munchies, peer support, and spiritual reflection. Babies, parents, and soon‐to‐be parents are all invited. Be sure to share this opportunity with neighbors and friends. Babies and parents are also welcome to begin their day sharing in the Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. flowing into the group at 10:00 a.m. Questions? Ask Lucia, [email protected]. Thanks!

Lucia

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For Our Families and Young People


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Easter Lilies – Memorials and Thanksgivings

The Flower Guild invites you to make memorial donations in any amount to offset the cost of the lilies which will decorate the church this Easter. The names of those in whose memory donations are given will be printed in a special booklet that will be dis‐tributed at the Easter services. Any money raised in excess of the cost of the Easter decorations will go towards the cost of Altar flowers in church on those Sunday morn‐ings when we don’t have memorial flowers. These and the Christmas poinsettias are the Flower Guild’s most important fundraisers. We urge everyone to take part in this lovely tradition.

In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: Your Name and Phone No.:

Night Watch

There will be a sign up sheet in the office if you would like to take part in the Holy Week Night Watch which will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday. Sign up for hour increments; multiple people are welcome at any one time. If you have any questions please call the office at 978 927‐0229.

Decorating the Church

The Flower Guild, led by Toni Brennan and Gayle Jacobson, will decorate the Church for Palm Sunday on March 31 starting at 9:00 a.m. Anyone who would like to help would be most welcome. A week later on Saturday, April 7, again starting at 9:00 a.m., the Guild will be decorating the Church for our Easter Services. Toni and Gayle would appreciate any help anyone would like to give. The more the merrier! Please call the office at 978 927‐0229 to let us know if you are coming.

St. john’s episcopal church Box 5610 • Beverly Farms, MA 01915

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Permit No. 7

Beverly Farms, MA

To Reach Us at St. John’s . . . 978‐927‐0229

Voice Mail E‐Mail Mark S. Delcuze, Rector 11 [email protected] Lynda Z. Tyson, Associate Rector 13 [email protected] Priscilla Walter, Interim Minister of Music 12 [email protected] Lucia J. Moss 14 [email protected] Minister of Children, Youth, and Families Alexis Rautio, Office Administrator 15 [email protected] Rob Ginn, Parish Administrator 10 [email protected] Peter Crossan, Sexton 17 [email protected]

Mailing Address: St. John’s Episcopal Church Fax: 978‐927‐6025

P.O. Box 5610 Beverly Farms, MA 01915 Website: sjcb.org Street Address: 705 Hale Street (Rte. 127)

St. John’s Staff

The Rev. Mark S. Delcuze, M.Div. Rector

The Rev. Lynda Z. Tyson, M.Div. Associate Rector Priscilla Walter

Interim Minister of Music Lucia J. Moss, M.Div.

Minister of Children, Youth and Families Alexis Rautio

Office Administrator Rob Ginn,

Parish Administrator Peter J. Crossan

Sexton

Documents

Tiding Easter 2012