| May 18, 2012 "The Lord is risen indeed, Hallelujah!" Although Easter has past, we have 50 days to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Rejoice and be glad in them! March issue of A Voice in the Wilderness features a portrait of Jean Peck and a report from the Buildings and Grounds Committee on Burke Hall repairs and Belltower restoration. Fr John contributes an essay on the discipline of silence. Also in this He shewed me a little thing, the quantity of an hazel-nut, in the palm of my hand; and it was as round as a ball. I looked thereupon with eye of my understanding, and thought: What may this be? And it was answered generally thus: It is all that is made. I marvelled how it might last, for methought it might suddenly have fallen to naught for little[ness]. And I was answered in my understanding: It lasteth, and ever shall [last] for that God loveth it. And so All-thing hath the Being by the love of God. Revelations of Divine Love Julian of Norwich As these photos show, our belltower is badly in need of repair. We have received generous donations from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Trinity Wall Street, and many parishioners and friends. Recent gifts in the memory of Bea Baxter and Fred Boughton have brought the total to $47,500. View a Historical Document of our church! This parish description was prepared by our search committee, led by Lucy Eldridge. May 6, 2012 At the Annual Meeting, we elected new members of the Vestry. See the Leadership of the church for the next term. April 12, 2012 "May the peace of God, passing all understanding,l keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of Christ Jesus." Holy Week and Easter Services Maundy Thursday: 6 pm Seder Meal 7:30 pm Eucharist Good Friday: 7 pm Solemn Service Saturday: 11 am Easter Egg Hunt Easter Sunday! 8 am Said Eucharist 10 pm Eucharist with Joyful Music April 4 2012 Ecumenical Lenten Series continues Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. at Our Lady of Hope, 7 March. On 21 March Hillsdale Methodist Church will be our hosts. Experience this unusual approach to Lenten practice. Our Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori invites a focus on the Millennium Development Goals for Lent 2012. MDG call on the wealthy nations to devote a fraction of their income to improving the health, education, and governance in the less developed corners of the world. Read her Lent Message 2012. Sunday School classes have begun, with an exciting new program. Contact Wendy Langois if you would like your child enrolled. Episcopal Life March 20, 2012 Ecumenical Lenten Series continues Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. at Our Lady of Hope, 7 March. On 14March it is our turn to host the meal and service. Read Fr John's invitation and request for servers and players. January issue of Voice in the Wilderness, our church newsletter is here! See photos of the Christmas Pageant and read Walt's eulogy of Freddie Boughton. February 27, 2012 Condolences go out to Babs and Hank Croteau as well as extended family and friends on the passing of Babs’ mother Bea Baxter on January 8. Everyone is invited to an Ash Wednesday service tomorrow, marking the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist with imposition of ashes 10 am & 7:30 pm Read Fr John's Sermon of 13 November. January 28, 2012 This Sunday, 15 January, we will celebrate a single Eucharist at 9 am, followed by the Annual Meeting -- with brunch in the undercroft In the November Voice, Fr John writes of agape, or divine love. Also find reports from Wendy, our Senior Warden, Bob, our voice of liberal reason, and a sweet profile of Jane Peck, our esteemed treasurer. In the September Voice, read a profile of Mibs Zelley, as well as a report from the Building Committee on the status of Burke Hall and the belltower. As these photos show, our belltower is badly in need of repair. We have received generous donations from the Sacred Sites Program of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Trinity Wall Street, and many parishioners and friends. We have half the estimated project cost of $42,125. January 9, 2012 Christmas at St John in the Wilderness is an experience not to be missed! See poster advertising activities. Some may find Christmas this year a difficult season. They may grieve a loved one, their own health, or for whatever reason have need for comfort. Our liturgy, Blue Christmas, Tuesday, 20 December, 5:30 pm, is for them. All seeking peace and serenity are invited to this low-key service at the church. December 15, 2011 Come to a Hand Bell Concert to support our belltower restoration! Bells ring out 11 December at 3:30 pm. Bell Choir from the Congregational Church of Salisbury, CT will present a candlelight concert at the church to benefit the Bell Tower Fund. December 3, 2011 Celebrate our blessings at our annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, 22 November, 7 pm, at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Copake Falls. This Sunday, 20 November, Charley will offer a selection of Advent Calendars for sale following the 10 am service. Handbell Choir of Salisbury Congregational Church will perform Sunday 11 December at 3:30 pm. Concert will benefit the Bell Tower Fund and will be followed by a reception. November 13, 2011 All are invited to Harvest Potluck Supper & Dance! Saturday, 12 November. Dinner 5 - 7 pm, Dancing 7 - 9. Bring a dish to share and join us. See poster for details. October 22, 2011 Jazz Vespers: Saturday 8 October at 5:30 pm. We welcome the community to our church for a service of music and prayer. Kelley Love, musician and composer, will lead the ensemble. Final Bake Sale of the Summer will be held at the Reinard's KOA Campground on Saturday, 8 October. Explore Pentecost themes at our Lectionary Bible Study, Tuesdays at 7 pm and at our Contemplative Prayer/Divine Reading Group Wednesdays at 3 pm. October 6, 2011 Bike and Hike Day: Saturday 1 October at 9 am. We welcome the community to our church at the head of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Our traditional Blessing of the Bicycles is at 10:30. Gardeners in the parish plan a bulb planting party at 9 am. September 27, 2011 Next concert by Winds in the Wilderness is Wednesday, 24 August at 6 pm, featuring Sharon Powers, flute; Ellen Katz Willner, oboe; Anne Legene, viola de gamba, cello; with Mariken Palmboom, harpsichord. Read Sharon's introduction from last season. Dale Peterson has volunteered to be our new Media Relations Chief. Lucy Eldridge and Wendy Langlois will assist Dale. Please thank Dale, Lucy and Wendy! Dale and Louise have published the July issue of Voice in the Wilderness. Read Fr John on the imitation of saints and Bob Dodd on Diocesan Convention. Again this summer, we will hold Bake Sales at the Reinard's KOA Campground on holiday Saturdays, 3 September, and 8 October. August 23, 2011 Copake Falls Day is Saturday, 20 August! Many events all day and our little church is at the center. See the Schedule. St John in the Wilderness will hold our next Jazz Vespers Service on Copake Falls Day at 4:30 pm. Experience this moving blend of music and prayer. Kelly Love, composer and musician, will lead the jazz ensemble. We need a communications/media relations person to promote St John in the Wilderness events and activities in the local papers and broadcasts. Please contact Lucy Eldridge if you feel called to this ministry. August 16, 2011 We thank Rev Christina Vance for leading our worship 24 July while Fr John is in Wisconsin for Continuing Ed and vacation. Dora Van Tassel and her mother, Rebecca Briggs, will host Baby Shower/Coffee Hour on 7 August. Dora's baby is due in August. Youth Art Club for ages 5-18 will meet Saturday, June 4 at 10 am. Contact Wendy Langlois (329-0262) for more information. July 27, 2011 Our famous Country Fair and Auction to be held Saturday, 9 July promises to be the best ever! We've added a garden shop, vintage linen and jewelry, and snacks (and dropped books). Please contact Elen Freeston, 329-1401, if you have goods to donate. See the Press Release. We have photos of selected auction items! Don't forget our Pork Barbecue at 1 pm, Sunday, 10 July! We have colorful posters advertising these events July 6, 2011 As these photos show, our belltower is badly in need of repair. Our sister church (we share Richard Upjohn for architect), Trinity Wall Street, has given us $1000 toward repair. Plans are underway to find contractors. May issue of Voice in the Wilderness is available on-line. Read about Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori visit to Albany and a brief history of our graveyard. June 9, 2011 Copake Falls Day Committee will host a beef and pork barbecue on Saturday, 28 May at 6 pm at the Pavilion in Taconic State Park. See details. Rev Dr Anne Curtin was our guest preacher on 30 January. She has founded a ministry to aid victims of domestic violence. Details here. May 11, 2011 Though Easter Sunday is behind us, we have 7 weeks to celebrate the Risen Lord during the season of Easter. Dale and Louise Peterson are the new editors of the Voice in the Wilderness. Read Fr John's essay on spiritual practice in the Lent edition of the Voice. We thank Marya and Bob Dodd for their long service publishing our newsletter Winds in the Wilderness, our resident chamber music ensemble, will next perform on Sunday, 10 April at 3 in the church. We are fortunate to have Taconic State Park for adjacent neighbor. They have a new website. Jane Peck urges us to make a visit. March 3, 2011 Romantic Italian Dinner for Valentine's Day! Treat your sweetheart on Saturday, 12 February. Read all about it! Winds in the Wilderness, our resident chamber music ensemble, will play a lively selection of music for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and french horn in their 20 February program. Read Sharon Powers' invitation. Explore Epiphany themes at our Lectionary Bible Study, Tuesdays at 7 pm and at our Contemplative Prayer/Divine Reading Group Wednesdays at 3 pm. .Lucy Eldridge, our Senior Warden, has an important report on the state of our church in the latest Voice in the Wilderness. February 2, 2011 This year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 January) centers on Jerusalem. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. Our Annual Meeting took place Sunday, 16 January. Mood was upbeat as we conducted essential business, including the election of parish vestry and officers. On Sunday, 3 October, we celebrated our location at the start of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, with a Blessing of the Bicycles. See Dale Peterson's photographs of the party! January 22, 2011 Winds in the Wilderness opened the new concert season December 12 at 3 pm with a diverse selection of chamber music. Read their announcement. Their second concert is February 20. Save the date! We have a new opportunity to grow in Living the Good News! Bible study based on the lectionary (weekly readings) continues Tuesdays at 7 pm in Burke Hall. January 17, 2010 Father John wrote in his newletter that old friend Walt Zelley will celebrate both Eucharists Sunday 2 January. To subscribe to John's newsletter, write info@stjohnw.org. Contemplative Prayer/Divine Reading Group, led by John Thompson and Lucy Eldridge, resumes Wednesday, 5 January, at 3 pm in Burke Hall. Take an opportunity to be transformed. December 23, 2010 Jim Hendrick will participate in Handel's Messiah Sunday, December 19, 3 pm at Union College in Schenectady. December 14, 2010 Fr John makes an eloquent call for political civility in the October Voice in the Wilderness. In his essay, he cites Sojourners Campaign for Truth and Civility. We celebrated Harry and Betsy Garrett's 50th wedding anniversary 12 September. As Jim Hedrick says "and many more!" November 16, 2010 Thula Sizwe troupe is coming to St Johns! Experience Zulu music and dance from South Africa Saturday, 6 November at 7 pm. See announcement. Mission of Episcopal Relief and Development is "healing a hurting world". Hear Robert Radtke explain this mission on Saturday, 13 November at 2 pm at St Andrews in Albany. This talk is sponsored by Albany Via Media. St John in the Wilderness was the place to be on Copake Falls Day, Saturday 21 August! October 20, 2010 Blessing of the Bicycles, Brunch, and Fun Ride! On Sunday, 15 October, we celebrate our location at the start of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Join us for free brunch at 11 am and Fr John's Blessing of the Bicycles at 12:30. After a fun ride (or walk) through beautiful country, we meet at the church for a harvest bake sale. Info: Lucy Eldridge, 518-329-0530 Only one more bake sale is planned for 9 October at Kathy and Gary Reinard's KOA campground in Copake. Please sign up to bake for this sale. September 29, 2010 Morning rain couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of parishioners and customers of St John's annual Country Fair & Auction. We raised more than $8000 for the work of St John's. Many, many thanks to all those who worked tirelessly sorting, cleaning, and pricing items before the fair, and setting up tables and (especially) helped in cleaning up to prepare for the BBQ. We invite photos of the CF&A and Pork BBQ. September 25, 2010 Ken Fitzpatrick was laid to rest at a brief committal rite in our graveyard after the principal service Sunday 29 August. Fr John recommends we look again at the Mission Statement of Saint John in the Wilderness. He calls it a major influence in his decision to lead our congregation. August 19, 2010 Walt Zelley will be celebrating our Sunday Eucharist while Fr John is on vacation through 16 August. Walt is available for pastoral care until John's return. Archbishop of Canterbury visits the West Bank and Gaza. Read about the visit in Episcopal Life, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Parish says good bye to large oak, which threatened the church. Dave Chittick sent these photos of the tree being removed. We will incorporate something of the tree into the church. Here are photos of people saying "Goodbye, tree!" August 9, 2010 Sad News, Everyone Ken Fitzpatrick died of a heart attack Sunday afternoon on the bicycle trail. A true friend to everybody, he will be missed. He may be viewed at Peck & Peck Funeral Home, Copake Falls. Memorial service at the church, Thursday, 22 July, at 1 pm. Sympathy to his widow, Mary Ellen Baker. Florrie Dwyer was laid to rest after our 10 am service, Sunday, 18 July. Long a faithful member of St John in the Wilderness, Florrie's passing diminishes us. Her life was celebrated at a reception after the service. We all grieve the loss of two of our own. "May light perpetual shine upon them." July 1, 2010 The Church of St. John in the Wilderness is sponsoring a bake sale at Copake KOA, 2236 County Route 7 in Copake, Saturday, July 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome. Vatican has issued an invitation to Episcopalians unhappy with liberal changes to join the Church of Rome. Read the New York Times story. May 19, 2010 Easter Day may have come and gone, but we have fifty days of feasting and celebration in Easter season. Rejoice and be glad in them! William Love, our Bishop, is visiting the deaneries to report on General Convention and map future directions for the diocese. Bob Dodd reports on these matters in the September Messenger. March 25, 2010 The Messenger has a new look, a new editor, and a new name. Robert Dodd has suceeded Marya as editor and our newsletter is now A Voice in the Wilderness. See the new issue. We are grateful to Marya for her years of service! Fr John and Lucy Eldridge will facilitate a Contemplative Prayer Group on Wednesdays at 3 pm, starting February 10. We will use a meditative approach to prayer and scripture. Call 518-329-3674 for details. March 16, 2010 Winds in the Wilderness will perform the last of this series of concerts March 7 at 2 pm at our church. Hear Edith Hedrick and other renowned musicians perform works classic and original. Read the invitation and the publicity poster. February 13, 2010 David Chittick, Elen Freeston, and Jane Peck represented St John's at the Diocese of Albany Convention on June 5-6. Much business of the usual sort was conducted, without rancor, upset or surprise. Read Jane's report in The Messenger. Have you checked the St John's Photobook? Several new faces have been added. Welcome all! The 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church is now history. Reportedly the Anaheim convention was far more collegial than the explosive GC03 and the fractious GC06. Robert Dodd has a short report. November 13, 2009 Charley will offer a selection of Advent Calendars for sale at coffee hour this Sunday. Every child enjoys opening the tiny doors on the "countdown to Christmas"! This year's Country Fair & Auction and Pork Barbeque was very successful indeed! Thanks to all the volunteers whose hard work paid off and special thanks to our Co-Chairs, Susan Mollo and Lucy Eldridge. October 20, 2009 Fr John has a repaired heart! Although recovery will take a while, he is feeling stronger and looking good. John is easing back into his ecclesiastic duties and will be our celebrant at Sunday Eucharist! 2008 Lambeth Conference is over and the church still stands. Read Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's hopeful statement on the real challenges that face our larger communion. Also of interest from the conference: Indaba Conversations. September 10, 2009 Mark your calendars now! Copake Falls Day is Saturday, August 22, 2009. Mibs Zelly asks for bakers to prepare blueberry muffins for the runners on the Fun Run. Local artists will exhibit their work in Burke Hall. Our church is headquarters for more activities. See Schedule. August 7, 2009 This year's auction promises to be one of the best ever, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors! Review the partial list of items for sale and see selected photos. Come to the Country Fair Saturday, July 11, and place your bid. Items available for viewing at 9 am; bidding starts 11 am. As usual, there will be thousands of items tagged for sale at low, low prices! Fr John is out of rehab and back in the rectory. Although he is recovering nicely from the infection, operation, and complications, his heart is not working efficiently, leaving him weak in body and spirit. We all pray that he will feel better than ever as soon as his heart is repaired! The Country Fair and Auction and Barbecue is coming July 11 & 12. Donations are being accepted in Burke Hall, where the Crafters meet every Tuesday at 6 pm to prepare items. See The Messenger, May 2009 (pdf) for full details. The Messenger has also an essay by Walt Zelley on what we, as Episcopalians, are obliged to confess. Walt's been reading the back matter again! September 25th saw the gathering of hundreds at the Church of St John the Divine in NYC to support the Millennium Development Goals, which the recent Lambeth Conference and Katharine, our Presiding Bishop, endorse. World poverty could be substantially reduced with a mere fraction of the proposed Wall Street bailout, an irony. March 24, 2009 Fr John is in St. Peter's Hospital in Albany getting antibiotic therapy. Our Rector Emeritus, Barbara Mogan, filled in for him this week and will be with us on Ash Wednesday for the evening service. Please keep John and all the sick and suffering in your hearts and in your prayers. February 22, 2009 The Episcopal Church Women will sponsor a Valentine's Day Dinner on Saturday, February 14 at 5:00 and 6:15 pm. Read the details and call Susan Mollo at 329-0395. Fr. John Thompson was inducted Rector of Church of St. John in the Wilderness by Bishop William Love on Saturday, January 10th at 11 am. We invite photos of the joyful reception! January 30, 2009 Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of SJW plan several fall activities. In November, they will sponsor Operation Christmas Child to supply gifts overseas. Be sure to check their full schedule of events. January 5, 2009 Choirs from many local churches will join for a special Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 21 at 4:30 at St John in the Wilderness. Come and enjoy this heartwarming pause for peace! December 31, 2008 Selected Sermons Images of the Kingdom of Heaven Catholic Encyclopedia December 15, 2008 John is leading a group examining the life of Jesus from popular and scholarly perspectives. We meet in Burke Hall at 7 pm Mondays. (more info) November 25, 2008 John Thompson, the new preacher in town, has been tapped to preach at the Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving on Novemebr 25 at the Hillsdale United Methodist Church. John is leading a group examining the life of Jesus from popular and scholarly perspectives. We meet in Burke Hall at 7 pm Mondays. (more info) November 16, 2008 The Women Who Walk. A group of about a dozen meet at SJW at 7:15 am weekdays. Founded by Peggy Anderson and Leslie Strom, TWWW walk several miles in a little more than an hour. They invite newcomers to join them for fellowship, conversation, and aerobic exercise! October 8, 2008 We held a website development session on September 14. Ten persons practiced posting photos and events to the calendar. Handouts. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of SJW plan several fall activities. First of these is the United Thank Offering drive to take place in October. Be sure to check their full schedule of events. September 9, 2008 We plan a website development session Sunday, September 14, after Coffee Hour in the Rectory Office. Come and learn how to add your own photos and events to the website. Special Bonus to the first 8 participants: a CD full of essential software. Sunday School resumes Sunday, September 14. If you wish your child enrolled, please contact Wendy Langlois or Rebecca Briggs John Thompson celebrated his first Eucharist as rector of St John in the Wilderness on August 10. After the service, we met for a reception on the lawn (photos). Next Sunday, August 17, our little church will host the summer meeting of the Hudson Valley Deanery. This will be John's opportunity to meet his peers and local church leaders. Join us in celebration. 2008 Lambeth Conference is over and the church still stands. Read Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's hopeful statement on the real challenges that face our larger communion. Also of interest from the conference: Indaba Conversations. August 12, 2008 John Thompson, our new rector, has arrived and now awaits his stuff, somewhere on route from Alabama. He moves into the rectory this week. Sunday he joined us for worship (photos). John's first service as rector will be August 10, 2008. There will be no early service this day. Whole congregation of St John in the Wilderness will gather at 10 am to welcome him. Read Karen's Welcome Letter. See some website enhancements. Anticipating John's arrival, the rectory has undergone an extensive and pleasing face lift. Our thanks to all who worked on the renovation! If you wish to help with the final details, contact Karen Flynn. To ease John's transition to Columbia County, we invite parishioners to contribute items to a welcome basket of necessities. Your editor, an engineer, plans to offer baling wire and duct tape. The Country Fair & Auction and Barbecue took place on the weekend of July 12-13. Weather was great and a good time was had by all. Read Marilyn Kay's full report. Our thanks to the many faithful who make this one of the memorable events in the life of the parish! April 5, 2008 The Search committee continues its work to find a new rector for St. John's. The Parish Self-Study was sent to our members in late November. Fifty-one surveys were returned. The Search Committee was heartened by the positive responses regarding our activities and worship life at St. John's. Survey analysis formed part of the parish description. Last December, Barbara Morgan, our beloved rector, retired after a decade of service to our church community. We thank her from the bottom of our grateful hearts and wish her all blessings in her retirement in Massachusetts. |
