Church of Our Saviour

The Church Of Our Saviour will be having its annual Christmas pageant on December 21, 2008.  Christian Formation will begin preparing music and assigning parts on November 9th.  Rehearsals for the pageant will begin on November 16^th in the downstairs chapel of the parish hall at 11:15am.following education classes.  The initial rehearsals will be for the older students with assigned parts.  A final rehearsal for all students will be held in the church following the 10:00am. service on December  14th.

There are casserole trays and lids at the back of the Church. If you need recipe ideas, Outreach has provided some delicious dishes for you to consider. Please return casseroles on Sunday, Nov. 9^th after the 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. service.

Our Pageant incorporates the wonderful stories of our faith and uses them as part of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Table.

St. Margaret’s Altar Guild will bring out the ribbon, bows, wreaths and poinsettias for the Greening of the Church. Parishioners are welcome and encouraged to help with this annual tradition. There are always a few refreshments on while we prepare our Church for the festive season of Christmas.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I would like to take the opportunity to talk about my experience this September at CREDO. At both services on Sunday Oct. 5^th, I gave a public thank you to the congregation. For those who were not there that day, let me also express my thanks to you. The gift you gave was to elect me as your Rector which means you also agreed to help provide for my family. Part of that provision is given to the Church Pension Fund. It was through the CPF that I was given the opportunity to spend a week with 28 other Episcopal priests in the hills of North Carolina. The purpose of the gathering was to spend the time getting an intense "reality check."

Over the week all 28 of us were asked to look specifically at our spiritual health and practices, examine our vocation as priests and where we might be led in the future, as well as confronting honestly our physical and mental health, and face the issue of being faithful stewards of our own personal finances. We met in large groups several hours over several days listening to faculty who are knowledgeable in these areas. There was some "small group" discussion and later the opportunity to talk "one-on-one" with each faculty member. By the end of the week, three specific goals were to be developed and a strategy that impacts those four areas (spirituality, vocation, health, finance) was to be determined. On the last day, we participated in a 4 hour Eucharist listening to the Word through Scripture and preaching, singing wonderful hymns, and sharing our CREDO plans. 28 priests singing in instant harmony was enough to keep the boxes of Kleenex going around the room.

Part of the plan is to seek help in accomplishing the goals we set. These may be individuals such as family and experts to groups and organizations such as the Vestry and parishioners. Over the next couple of months I will be sharing with the Vestry two of my three goals. That in turn means I will be sharing with you and the rest of the parish through the Vestry notes.

One of the most profound moments in a clergy person’s life is the humble realization that one is given the privilege to serve with a faithful community such as Church of Our Saviour. Clergy always need to be careful about their role as leaders. It’s not a healthy model for parishes to become dependent on their clergy. This makes the congregation insecure. Sometimes clergy are put on pedestals and in our own more unhealthy moments come to believe in our own self-importance to the point we take on tasks that are not ours nor should we ever consider doing. Programs such as CREDO help in a manner that enables us to remember that mission and ministry are something we do to together. There is an old adage that says the job of a priest is to ready the parish for the next priest. I believe that God has called us together for years of ministry yet to come. We have a lot of challenges in this world to face. With God’s grace may we move forward growing in our knowledge and love of Christ. When the day comes (and it will), my earnest prayer is that the next Rector will find an active healthy community full of God’s mercy, energized to share the Good News in Christ, and leading as ministers in our community.

I look forward to the days ahead and in sharing the insights I discovered at CREDO. But most importantly for now I thank God and you for the gift you bring to this parish. "Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit!"

Thanks be to God,

The Rev’d David R. Milam

COS’s annual fair is fast approaching. The "Country Fair" will take place on Saturday, November 15^th from 9-4 in the Parish Hall. A special thank-you to the Committee that has been working very hard to make this year’s fair a success. This year’s fair will feature all the things that we have come to associate with our fair including: The Cookie Table (which also includes freshly baked pies and breads), The Cheese and Preserves Table, The Candy Table, Silk Flowers and Greens, Soups for Take Out, "Grammas" Attic and of course our Gift Basket Table. We will also have a "Christmas Corner", a raffle that will include a 1^st prize, 2^nd prize and 3^rd prize, a Chinese Auction, a , and COS Pictures and T-Shirts. People looking for Fresh Greens to decorate for Christmas with will be able to order their wreaths and choose one of our many bows that will be on display. These Fresh Greens will be available for pick up Thanksgiving Weekend. Members of the Parish will be able to place their orders for Wreaths ahead of time beginning Sunday, November 2^nd after the 8 am Service in the back of the Church and after the 10 am Service during Coffee Hour. New this year, we are renting space to outside vendors for crafts and yard sale items. The downstairs of the Parish Hall and the backyard under a tent, will house our guests!

Once again the Kitchen will be a busy place. In the morning we will serve coffee, tea, hot chocolate and various breakfast pastries. Beginning at 11:30 am Lunch will be served in the Library. We will have soups, sandwiches, dessert and drinks on the menu. Outside we will be serving Hamburgers and Hot Dogs.

As always, many hands make light work so helpers are ALWAYS welcome! Sign up sheets for workers on the day of the fair are located in the back of the church and in Benshoff Hall. The day is split up as follows: 9-12:30 and 12:30-4. We need people at all the tables, so sign up wherever you are available. We are also looking for a Clean-up Crew. If your talent lies in baking or making candy there is also a sign up sheet for this in the back of the Church and the Parish Hall.

Any questions that you may have regarding the fair please contact Beth Anne or Bryan Young. SEE YOU AT THE FAIR!!

Letters have gone out with pledge cards. We hope you have thought about how you can help with the mission and ministry of Church of our Saviour.

For the past several years, you have been urged to think "theologically" and asked to consider the Scriptural commandment to give your "first fruits" by following the Biblical standard of 10% or at least give with the intent to bring your tithe to the standard God asks of us. Many of us, however, are shy of making such a commitment. Reasons stem from we are not sure of our finances over the next year to I’ll give but I’m not filling out a card because what I earn is my business. The bottom line is that many feel that the Institution of the Church is trying to tell us what to do with what we’ve earned.

Here is the question to consider. When you work on your household expenses do you start with a fictional number or do you calculate from the history of your paycheck and your spending history? We can probably both agree that the first option is irresponsible. The second choice comes from information and provides an educated base to work from.

The Finance Committee works hard to see that the Household of God meets the mission and demands that are required of a faithful community. The foundation is to work from God’s directive that family members will work to fulfill God’s request to remember that "all things come from God." The committee looks hard at the history of our spending and struggles to be sure we are being faithful to God’s mission. By not filling out a pledge card, the committee is placed in the irresponsible position of guessing at large portions of the budget to plan for our household demands.

In this day and age when finances are getting tougher to manage, we all need to be more conscience about managing our household – including the Household of God. We are all considered managers of God’s house. On Sunday, Nov. 2 at the 8 and 10 service we are asking that you bring your filled out pledge card to place in the offering plate. The pledge card along with the ministries listed is an invitation to participate in our Christian obligation to see that the mission and ministry at Church of Our Saviour continues. Without the pledge, the Finance Committee will have no choice but to consider making cuts that will have some very real implications for the parish – such as up-keep of the property, programs, heat in the cooler months, staff to handle every day operations of the office, and yes – even if a full time priest can remain. At the current rate of giving, all of these will have to be re-evaluated.

Pledging is about responding to our creator with thanks by giving back and being responsible to God for all that God has given us. We have been given a wonderful place to worship and we are surrounded by opportunities of challenging – life changing missions. Each and every parishioner is gifted by the Spirit with awe inspiring talent to be a resource of God’s grace and a voice of Christ’s mercy. Please fill out the pledge card so that we may responsibly continue to be faithful to what God has given Church of Our Saviour to do.

A motion was made by Thomas Brown, seconded by Nancy Lee, and approved unanimously by the Vestry to accept the minutes of the May 22, 1008, meeting with one correction.

There was a discussion on Chapters 1 and 7 of the Bishop’s new book, which were Conversations about Community, and Stewardship, Budgets, and Capital Campaigns were discussed. Members expressed their views on the Stewardship Campaign that has always been traditionalism. The Bishop sees stewardship as prayer declaration not an obligation.

Fundraising Updates: A profit of $1500 was made at the May yard sale. Wayne Perkins gave an update on the Golf Tournament that will be held on August 16, 2008. Corporate

Sponsors have been provided for each hole. Martha Edwards will be making signs. Craig DiGiorgi will advertise the event on the web site. Suzanne Simmons will be handling registration. Ruth Milam is in charge of a Chinese Auction. There will be a banner announcing the event at the church.

Beth Anne and Bryan Young are in charge of the Fall Fair to be held on November 15, 2008. The Fair will provide space in Benshoff Hall, the lower level of the Parish Hall and outside with food and crafts. There will be space for vendors to rent.

Michael Stagliola, Assistant Treasurer, and Donald Atkins, Finance Committee, discussed the current budget situation and the expected shortfall for 2008. Diane DiGiorgi will be contacted to meet with the Finance Committee to do an audit of the church’s finances.

Stewardship: Stewardship needs to be discussed with the congregation looking at the bigger picture for the future; how to supplement the budget; and increase pledges. Pledge letters will be sent out the second week in October. Parishioners will be contacted personally after pledge letters are sent out. Thank you letters will be mailed. Cottage visits may be set up. A suggestion was made to have advertisements placed in the banner. Families should be contacted after weddings and baptisms.

Outreach: A suggestion was made to have a letter and questionnaire sent out to parishioners letting them know about Christian Education classes and the nursery held during the 10:00 a.m. church service.

On Saturday, August 23, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., there will be a celebration of life for Frances Kulak’s husband at the United Congregational Church in Seekonk.

The Annual Vestry Cookout will be on August 23, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Thomas Brown. Also invited will be the Liturgical Assistants, Readers and Ushers, the Director of Music and Organist, the Director of Children Christian Formation, and spouses.

The Saturday evening church services have been averaging 10 parishioners.

Fr. Dave will be on vacation from October 18 – 27, 2008.

The meeting ended at 9:15 p.m. with Compline led by David Ferchen.

Respectfully submitted,

 Jeanne Turney, Clerk

For those wishing to add names to the prayer list, please notify Natalie Atkins or contact the Church office at 508.947.1900.

Robin Holdsworth 11/02 Maygen Lowell 11/04 Emily Kelly 11/06

Shelley Alger 11/09 Frederick Eayrs Jr. 11/13 Suzanne Simmons 11/13

Jeffrey MacDonald 11/15 Robert Lynn 11/17 James Marot 11/17

David Gunning 11/18 Harold Holdsworth 11/19 Norma Woodburn 11/19

Laura Stagliola 11/28 Heather Milam 11/20

Sandra Bolster 12/02 Ann Kulian 12/02 Jeremy Young 12/03

Robert Lownds 12/05 Ian Milam 12/06 Linda Bullard 12/08

Patricia Chase 12/08 Arianna Moffat 12/08 Richard Tinkham 12/09

Robert Studley 12/11 William Trauterman 12/11 James Nelson Jr. 12/12

Rita Besegai 12/14 Martha Edwards 12/15 Robert Long 12/16

Maclean Rankin 12/16 Mary Granfield 12/18 Dylan Holdsworth 12/18

Douglas Rankin Jr. 12/19 Jacquelynne Beard 12/21 Miriam Raymond 12/21

Robert White 12/29 Stephen Johnson 12/30 Benjamin Young 12/30

Harold Atkins 12/31 Roy Compton 12/31

Once again, Church of Our Saviour’s Christmas Outreach project will be focused on the Bishop Ruocco (pronounced "Rocco") House for Teenage Girls. This is a 16 bed, residential home for teenage girls between the ages of 13 and 17. These young women are victims of poverty, neglect and abuse.