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Activities at St. Peter's

Acolytes

Altar Guild

Children's Sunday

Adult and Children's Choir

Christmas Fair

Craft Workshops

Episcopal Church Women (ECW)

Flower Arrangements

Gardens

Holy Rosary

Bible Study

Cap and Mitten Tree

Keynotes

Men's Club

Merry Hearts

Nursery

Pastoral Care

Prayer Circle

Prayer List

Project Feed

Roast Beef Suppers

Stations of the Cross

Sunday School

Vestry

Youth Group


Acolytes
Acolytes perform duties during the Mass such as carrying the candles, the cross and the incense. Acolytes meet periodically to learn their duties. The Acolyte schedule is published each month in the Keynotes. If you have an interest in serving as an Acolyte, please contact Fr. Wayne.


Altar Guild
The Altar Guild prepares the church for worship services. Composed of five teams, we rotate each weekend to set the altar, clean up after Mass, and take care of the altar linens and vessels. This is a wonderful devotional and meditational service to assist Father and the parish. We are hoping that 3-4 more people come forward to help in their special work preparing the altar.

Children's Sunday
A wonderful celebration is provided by our Children on the first Sunday of every month. Instead of attending Sunday School on those days, the children participate in the entire mass; some of the older students volunteer as lectors for the Readings, and the Youth Choir often has a special hymn to sing. Father Rollins tailors his sermons for the children - and for the youth in all of us!

Adult and Children's Choir
Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00PM. for the adult choir. Music is a great part of our Worship at St. Peter's. While the choir works very hard to perfect it's offering to God, we also have fun and enjoy getting to know one another. If you or your child likes to sing, please consider joining this committed group! You will get back far more than you put in. It's also the" best seat in the house"! If you are interested in joining the St. Peter's Choir please contact Marc Liberman, the Music Director.

Christmas Fair
Although the actual fair occurs in November, we prepare for it all year. Tables for everything from baked goods to antiques to hand crafted items are set up to tempt fair goers There is also a corn chowder luncheon that is worth working on the fair to enjoy! Many hands make light work - and many people participate to create this important fundraiser for our church. If you would like to host a table, sell raffle tickets or help set up, clean up serve lunch or assist in any way, please see Anita Chandler or Rita Ross.

Craft Workshops
Workshops take place on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00PM, though it's best to call St. Peters for confirmation on this schedule (775-1179). The purpose of the group is to create hand - made items to be sold at our Christmas Fair. In years past we have decorated stockings, candles, small pre-decorated Christmas trees, canvas bags and other items. These added a great deal to our Fair. We have a good time and learned new crafts. If you enjoy crafts of any kind please join us. We take turns teaching new crafts to each other. Even if you don't "do" crafts, but would enjoy the fellowship, you will contribute to our creations.

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Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
All women in the parish are welcome to attend ECW meetings. ECW offers activities, supports various church and community projects and helps out in many areas of the parish. ECW meets monthly. Please contact Anita Chandler for more information.

Flower Arrangements
Currently, there are six altar flower arrangers who alternate every weekend throughout the year in preparing arrangements for the altar (except during the Advent and Lenten seasons.) The flowers serve as memorials or thanksgiving for the donors. While experienced arrangers usually work solo, we are glad to provide on the job training, as well as occasional workshops, for new members.

Gardens
Our flowerbeds, perennials, annuals and shrubs enhance the beautiful stone church. From May to September we plant, weed, water, mow and trim the garden and grounds. These beautiful flowers provide color and an attractive, inviting setting for St. Peter's. Help is always appreciated in the gardens.

Holy Rosary
Those who wish to participate in the Rosary meet in the Choir stalls Monday evenings at 6:00PM Rosary is a beautiful way to meditate on the life of Christ and on his mother Mary. Rosary is a series of prayers interspersed with readings on the events that shaped our religion. We end with song. Rosary is an excellent way to begin the week. If you have never said the Rosary and are curious to know more, please talk with Father . Or, just come and join us. If you don't own Rosary beads, come anyway!

Inspirational Bible Study
This group meets Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. at select times of the year. Each "semester" we examine one book of the Bible. Most recently we have Studied Genesis and Hebrews. The purpose of this group is to incorporate the Bible into our lives, discovering how we are affected and helped by God's word. Please join us at any time during the year for a rich and rewarding experience.

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Keynotes
Published at the beginning of each month, this is the newsletter of St. Peter's Church. Father Rollins is the editor; his front-page column is always informative and inspirational. Keynotes is a place to share all kinds of information, from schedules for serving at the altar, to notices of upcoming meetings and letters from parishioners. You may find poetry, committee reports and even a cartoon or two. If you have something to contribute to Keynotes, the deadline is always published in the Program for Mass on Sundays, or contact Father Rollins.

Men's Club
Every male parishioner is ipso facto also a member of the Parish Men's Club. At our meetings we set up the tables and chairs for the Roast Beef Suppers, socialize and hold a business meeting. For the past several years we have sponsored a Parish Picnic or excursion in the summer. For more information about Men's Club activities, contact Steve Secord.

Merry Hearts
This is a group of seniors who meet monthly for lunch and fellowship. Please contact Anita Chandler for more information.

Cap and Mitten Tree
During every Advent season, a bare tree is placed in the front of the church. Throughout the Advent season, parishioners place mittens, scarves and hats on the tree. These may be for children or for adults. (One good place to find beautifully made items at a great price is at the St. Peter's Christmas Fair!). Just before Christmas, Chester Greenleaf and George Dodge deliver all the items to an agency such as the Salvation Army for distribution to those who need them. If you like to knit or crochet, think about making several items during the year while you are watching TV. You'll enjoy the handwork and someone will know you cared enough to help keep them warm.

Nursery
Babysitting during the 9:30 Sunday Mass is available at 9:15 A.M. in the Undercroft. The Nursery is available for children up to 5 years of age. Children older than 5 are welcome to join our Sunday School.

Pastoral Care
This ministry has many facets: visiting the sick and those who cannot leave their homes, delivering flowers, overseeing receptions after funerals or special services. Sometimes meals are provided for those who need help because of health or other problems. If you would like to offer your time or, if you know of someone who needs help, please tell Jeff Campbell, Father Rollins or Gail Secord.

Prayer Circle
There are times when people need special prayers. When this happens, a call goes out to someone on the Prayer Circle. That person calls the next person on the list, who then calls the next person until the circle is complete. After making the phone call to the next person on the list, each member says a prayer for the person who needs help. If possible, please do not call too early in the morning or after 9:00 P.M. IMPORTANT: Be sure Kevin Dagnese or Father Rollins knows about the person who needs the prayer. The Prayer Circle does not take the place of Father's care. The Prayer Circle is listed on a separate page in this directory.

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Prayer List
Separate from the Prayer Circle, this is a printed list of those who need to be included in our prayers. The Prayer List is published each month in the Keynotes, and can also be found on the table in the back of the church. If you wish to have someone added to the Prayer List, please tell Jeff Campbell or Father Rollins. Please include these people in you own daily prayers.

Project Feed
At the back of our church there is always a large basket (usually beside the Baptismal Font.) This is for the collection of food to be distributed to the Project Feed. If each parishioner brought one item every Sunday to place in the basket (non-perishable, please) we could feed so many people!

Refresher Course
From time to time Father Rollins may teach this course (before Lent.) This is a study of the Episcopal Church, its history, doctrines, and liturgical practice, ect. Watch Keynotes and the Sunday Mass Program for the date and time this is offered, or call the Church office for more information.



Roast Beef Suppers
Normally, suppers are held the first Saturday of every month (except July.) Settings are 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 PM. The "Suppers" are one of the most important ways to make money to support our Parish. Everyone is invited to participate in the enterprise: we need help in everything from potato peeling and the making of the gravy to baking pies to serving our paying guests. Please consider offering your help several times a year; many members work on every supper. It is a rewarding job, and lots of fun and a good time had by all. You'll also get a free meal too. If you would like to help, talk to a vestry member.

Stations of the Cross
During the Lenten Season, Stations of the Cross occurs every Friday at 6:00 PM This is a somber and moving service, following Christ as he walked to his Crucifixion. Father Rollins accompanied by the Crucifer, stands before each "Station"(found on the wall of the church) and reads the story of what is happening on that plaque. This is followed by a short, sung verse, then on to the next Station. If you are looking for a special way to prepare for Easter "this is it" and a beautiful way to learn more about the Lord. Stations of the Cross are followed by a brief service of the Blessed Sacraments. Please don't miss it. It is very moving. For more information talk to Father Rollins.

Sunday School
Children's Sunday School meets at 9:15 am Sunday at Bethany House. It is designed for children 6 and up. Nursery care is provided for the younger set. Several members, including Father Birkenhead, act as Sunday School teachers, some helping every week, some every few weeks. The teaching is based on the Godly Play and Young Children in Worship curriculum. This is a story-based program, with children hearing and "seeing" stories from the Old and New Testaments. Sometimes the children participate in pageants, such as All Saints Day, Epiphany or Christmas Eve. Sunday School is a time for the children to learn more about Christ and about how to serve him in this busy world. For more information, callTerri Gould or Lisa Tucker (781-2497).

Vestry
Vestry meets the second Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 P.M. The Vestry is the governing body of St. Peter's. The Vestry oversees finances, stewardship, activities, long range planning, and all phases of life at St. Peter's. New members of the Vestry, replacing those who have completed their terms, are elected each year at the Annual Meeting; normally the term of office is three years. Parishioners are welcome to attend the Vestry meetings. For more information about projects the Vestry is working on, please contact Kevin Dagnese.

Youth Group
St. Peter's is very interested in re-forming this wonderful ministry for our adolescent parishioners. If anyone is interested in assisting with this program, please contact Wayne F.

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