Notes from the Parish Office - Cyber Monday Edition

The Annual Thanksgiving Dinner took place this past week (of course).  Many thanks to everyone and especially Katrina Noble, Karen Roehm (Katrina's sister) Leslie Duaime of course Lisa Sharpe. It was so heartening to arrive at the kitchen and finding Lisa at the helm.  A good time was had by all. Opportunity for giving came, as all the leftovers were packed up and taken to Casa Maria early Friday morning by Ila.  Any pies or cakes left over were used to coffee hour on Sunday. Nothing went to waste. We all have so much to be grateful for! Hence: "Thanksgiving."

For those of you who know Patty Benedict, she has moved back to Arizona. Patty is living with her son and family in Marana.  She says she might be brave enough to drive to St. Michael's for a service. Ann Ireland was seen this weekend attending Mass at Tuller School. The Rev. Joel Ireland was presiding. No wheelchair, no walker and NO cane. It was heard that she may be shopping for a new car. It just goes to show...that we are not in charge! Amen!

On a note of sadness ~ Bob Howe passed away this morning. Bob has been a fixture here at St. Michael's since 1963. It is impossible to list all Bob has done for St. Michael's, but we as a parish are grateful for his service and dedication to St. Michael's. May the soul of Bob W. Howe, and all the souls, through the mercy  of God, rest in peace. Amen!

The funeral for Bob will take place, Saturday, December 19th at 1:00 PM. A reception will follow.

+++++ please take note: The Angel Tree is in the back of church decorated with names of children whose parent (s) are incarcerated. The tags give the child's name, age and gift suggestions.

The shoe boxes for the Rotary "Shoebox Campaign" are in the back of church. Inside are directions for gifts. These shoe boxes are take to Nogales, Sonora Mexico. Gifts are for infants to age 12.



Lastly: St. Michael's International Holiday Bazaar will take place this Saturday 3 PM ~ 7 PM and Sunday 9 AM ~ 3 PM. Enjoy music, good friends and shopping for unusual holiday gifts while helping over 25 non-profit organizations!

Peace, slow down and stay happy!

Nancy

Thank you from Rev. Angela Emerson (Vermont relief)

From: Angela Emerson [aemerson@dioceseofvermont.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 9:58 AM
Subject: Irene flood relief

John,
I just wanted to write and say thank you so much for all the generosity coming from St. Michael’s. I received the check from the Church, a check form social concerns, and gifts cards from ECW and from individuals. People here are just in awe of the outpouring of support! Please give my love to all and a hearty prayer of thanksgiving for all you are doing for us.

Angela

The Rev. E. Angela Emerson
Minister of Stewardship Development
Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
747 Hartford Ave. Suite 1
White River Junction, VT 05001



Hi Ila,

thanks for the note. I did send Fr Smith an email acknowleding all that we have received from the church, individuals, and Social Concerns. Thank you so much.

Fortunately, the local community is so generous with food donations that we are not having to spend so much money on food although we have spent some. Our primary ministry has been to deliver brown bag lunches to each door for everyone on the household. Beginning next week, we are deliveirng hot food three times a week.

People have been desperate for clothes especially for underwear - again the communitiy has been very generous but the need is great - so some money has gone in that direction as well.

As winter approaches - we have another three weeks before cold weather settles in - we are beginning a drive for small electric heaters, wool blankets and electric blankets. A significant amount of the money will be spent on these kind of warminig items. Many people have chosen to convert barns or garages that were on higher ground into living space but obviously there is no furnace. Others are making their second floors into living quarters but again no furnace. So our intermediate goal is to do what ever we need to do to keep people warm.

Rebuilding immediately is not really an option. The rain just won't stop so the houses cannot dry out sufficinelty even with the many box fans and electrical cords that we have supplied.

There have been a few people that we have helped with medications as well.

Episcopal Relief and Development will be in town next week to meet and talk wiith us about how to organize for the transition from "crisis" response to long term recovery efforts. We are looking to them for advice on how to priority our use of the funds that have come to us from you and from others around the country. We could use it to help a few people in a big way but we are so far using to help lots of people in small but critically necessary ways.

The range of needs that pepole have is endless and varies much from family to family and from small business to small business. Our drivers meet people daily and try to respond to gifts of flashlights and batteries, to sleepwear, baby formula, and a hot cup of coffee.

This is probably more information than you wanted but I hope it gives you some idea of how your generosity is helping people in need.

Today I was approached by a woman who wants to go to every church who has helped out and personally say thank you. We are going to invite her to our convention in November and videotape her presentation and put it on our website for all to enjoy.

Ila, I can't thank all of you enough. Please share this with everyone you can.

Angela