October Kids' Night Out Hosts Needed

We tentatively have a Kids' Night Out on the calendar for Friday, Oct. 2 but we need families to host it. Anyone interested? If so, please let me know and we'll get a team assembled. It is lots of fun and easier than you can imagine!

2nd Annual Water Games

4-6pm, Sunday, July 26

Join us on the back patio for water games for the kids!

Here's what you need to bring:

Your kids
swim suits and towels
water toys
cold beverages for yourself and your kids
a snack to share
lawn chairs

I'll try to spray the area down for bugs before hand, but you might want to
bring some bug spray, just in case.

We'll have the water games set up for the kids to run and play in.

Volunteer Needed for July 26 Children's Program

We need an adult volunteer to oversee the summer craft program on July 26. The program runs from 9:45 a.m – 11:15 a.m. Megan Stipicevic will have already planned the crafts. You will have two great teenage helpers. We just need one adult to oversee things. If you are willing to help, please contact the Rev. Ann Martens

Sunday School Teachers Needed!

We need Sunday School teachers for next year for the following classes: 1^st grade, 2^nd grade, 3^rd/4^th grade and 5^th/6^th grade. You’ll be part of a team of teachers who rotate duties. This gives you a Sunday off on occasion and you also do not lead the class every week. Come join the fun and “happening” place to be on Sunday mornings! If you’d like to help, please speak to either Margaret Core or the Rev. Ann Martens.

Kids' Night Out

Summer Time Fun!

5-8pm, Friday, June 26
$10 a child or $20 for a family
Sign-up by Sunday, June 21
You can sign-up in the narthex or call or email Rev. Mary through the church office.

As always, friends, relatives, and neighbors are welcome

Hospitality Crew Members Needed

Our Hospitality Crew is looking for some new members. This is the group who prepare coffee hour on Sunday mornings. It is a very easy ministry and a fun one the whole family can enjoy. For more information, please email the Rev. Mary Demmler at the church office and she will put you in touch with the coordinator.

Parish Picnic

Parish Picnic Sunday, June 21

June 21 is a big day for us all! It's Father's Day, our Feast Day, our Parish Picnic, and the day we celebrate Craig and Meta's triumphal return!

Festivities begin immediately following the 11am service. Fried chicken and drinks will be provided so please bring a side or dessert to share. Also, we recommend you bring chairs for your family. We will have some tents up in the back to provide some shade.

After lunch there will be the ever-popular parent-child water balloon toss.

During the services, the Dominican Republic Mission Team will be holding a car wash in the parking lot, so be sure to bring a dirty car!

And, as always, be sure to wear your seersucker!

Big Wheel Rally

Big Wheel Rally Sunday, June 14

Bring your bikes!
Bring your trikes!
Bring anything with wheels!

Spaghetti dinner is served at 5pm.
Rally to follow.
(Concurrent with the Facilities Planning Team's presentation)

There will be two courses: One for children 6 and under and another for children 7 and up.

Don't forget to bring a helmet and please feel free to invite friends!

Fall Festival Planning

This fall (I know, we're starting early) we will be hosting a Fall Festival, which will take the place of the Bazaar and Opportunities Fair of years past. The goal is both fundraising and educating people about the various ministries we have here at St. Peter's. Each group in the church has been asked to host a different booth.

I would like for our Families with Young Children group to host a children's thrift sale with clothing and toys. We have so many kids in our church of varying ages that I'm sure we would have plenty of donations and interest.

What I'm looking for is three or four people who would be willing to organize it. Is this something you might be interested in? If so, let me know! Send me a message, email, or call me.

Also, the vestry is looking for a co-host to work on the whole festival with Kathi A.. I think this fair is going to a fun event for the whole parish, but won't be as successful without talented people running it. Again, if you think this might be the job for you (yes!) then let me know and I'll put you in touch with Kathi.

Thanks!

Mary+

Transitions Training led by our Stephen Ministers

Have you been thinking about a new career? Is the current economic environment necessitating your consideration of a change? Do you have a friend or a family member in one of these situations? Well, then.....join us for an informal and informative gathering on Sunday, May 31, from 4 to 6 pm on the patio. Members of our congregation will share their own transitions, and offer tips on how to do it. Opportunities to network with those in various businesses will also be available. Nibbles and beverages, too. Child care will be available. Questions, contact Kathi Argiropoulos.

Is that all there is?

For each of us a time comes when we look back and wonder whether we should have done things differently, whether perhaps we should make a change somehow. Often, that feeling will lead to a near numbness or sadness and it can't be shaken.

If this question enters your mind more and more frequently, consider the support that could be realized from the caring, listening presence of a Stephen Minister. If you, or someone you care about, could benefit from such a caring relationship, contact one of our Stephen Leaders, Kathi Argiropoulos or Jayne Shontell, to learn more about it.

Pledging and Purpose

Why should I pledge?

Over the past several months we have heard from our stewardship chair about our "Stewardship Campaign", alternately called "Every Member Canvass". As the topic of pledging has come up on Sundays, a few of you have asked me questions about pledging and why you and your family should pledge for the 2009 church year. Some of you have wondered why a pledge is so important versus simply giving to the church on a regular basis.

The purpose of pledging is two-fold. First, the practical. The church bases its budget on the pledges it receives. Therefore, the church needs to know how much you and your family intend to give in the coming year so it can plan its budget accordingly. The vestry and finance committee have been working diligently on balancing our budget, quite a task given the fact that we are facing a substantial deficit. You can help alleviate some of this strain by filling out a pledge card and dropping it in the offertory plate.

Second, the theological. As Christians we pledge to the church because we recognize that everything we have is given us by the grace of God. While we work hard in our daily lives, we would have nothing were it not for the love of God. Therefore, we pledge to God the first fruits of our labor. By pledging, you commit to return some of God's gifts in the coming year - you make it a priority. If you do not pledge but simply intend to give, there is no commitment, no promise, no priority. Therefore, the first gift we offer to God in return is the acknowledgment that all we have is by his grace and it is our intention and pledge to return some of those gifts.

It should also be said that no pledge is too small. You might think, "Well, we can only afford to give the church $200 in the coming year. Compared to what other people give, I'm sure it isn't that important and doesn't make that much of a difference." First, the point is not to make a difference. The point is to return some of your life and labor to the Lord. Second, it helps the church leadership to know every pledge, every amount intended for the budget.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions and helps clarify the purpose and importance of pledging to the church.

Now On Facebook!

St. Peter's FYC is now a Facebook group! If you are on Facebook, friend Rev. Mary and she will set you up with the group.