 Such Singing in the Wild Branches It was spring
and I finally heard him
among the first leaves–
then I saw him clutching the limb
in an island of shade
with his red-brown feathers
all trim and neat for the new year.
First, I stood still
and thought of nothing.
Then I began to listen.
Then I was filled with gladness–
and that’s when it happened,
when I seemed to float,
to be, myself, a wing or a tree–
and I began to understand
what the bird was saying,
and the sands in the glass
stopped
for a pure white moment
while gravity sprinkled upward
like rain, rising,
and in fact
it became difficult to tell just what it was that was singing–
it was the thrush for sure, but it seemed
not a single thrush, but himself, and all his brothers,
and also the trees around them,
as well as the gliding, long-tailed clouds
in the perfect blue sky—all of them
were singing.
And, of course, so it seemed,
so was I.
Such soft and solemn and perfect music doesn’t last
For more than a few moments.
It’s one of those magical places wise people
like to talk about.
One of the things they say about it, that is true,
is that, once you’ve been there,
you’re there forever.
Listen, everyone has a chance.
Is it spring, is it morning?
Are there trees near you,
and does your own soul need comforting?
Quick, then–open the door and fly on your heavy feet; the song
may already be drifting away.
-Mary Oliver
Here we are in the month of May. We have had both welcomed sunshine and spring showers that bring new life. In the church year we continue in the Great 50 Days of Easter.
As we look towards wrapping up the program year, there is one piece in particular that we need to focus on. This is, of course, the discernment for a new rector of St. Paul’s. Both myself and the discernment committee have been working diligently to move forward with discerning our mutual ministry together. This includes writing my personal ministry statement and updating St. Paul’s church profile. These items as well as a parish wide survey will help clarify if we are a match to continue our ministry together. In the next few days, you will be asked to participate in a parish wide survey which focuses on the ministry, mission, and vision of St. Paul’s. This survey is for every family member. In other words, we want to hear from both the young, the old, and everyone in-between.
In the meanwhile, I look forward to our continued journey together in these Great 50 Days and into the new life that Springtime offers us.
In the Name of our Risen Lord,
Sarah+
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 “Eastertide Taizé in North Andover!”
What is “Taizé in North Andover,” you may ask?
“Taizé in North Andover” is an inter-denominational service that is held in St. Paul’s Church Parish Hall in North Andover. The service is no more than an hour and begin at 7:30pm and will included images of Our Lord’sresurrection.
Taizé services are rich with opportunities to worship God with silent meditation, reflection, prayer, and song in preparation for the coming of Christ. All are welcome to join us for this sacred time of devotion. Special instruments may include: cello, string bass, guitar, flute, and piano.
This is a beautiful way of celebrating the Great 50 Days of Easter! Please join us on Friday, May 12 at 7:30 at St. Paul’s Church, 390 Main Street, North Andover.
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DATES TO REMEMBER
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The next vestry meeting is on May 21. In between vestry meetings, feel free to contact any member of the vestry with any concerns. (see list at the end of this newsletter.)
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ANNUAL ECW DINNER
MONDAY, JUNE 5, AT 5:45 p.m. – ANGELICA’S RESTAURANT, MIDDLETON, MA
Reservations have been made at Angelica’s
Click on the link below to check out their early dinner specials.
As you can see from the menu they offer a Complete Dinner which includes: Soup or Juice; Garden Salad; Choice of 11 Main Entrees; Coffee and Dessert. They also serve 3 different appetizers, including popovers. The cost of the Complete Dinner including 7% tax and 20% tip would be $23.00. If you order drinks, that is separate. Since there will be only one check for the group (Angelica’s cannot do separate checks), please pay
Lili Fundeklian that night.
We must be there by 5:45pm in order to get the orders into the kitchen before 6:30pm. Car pooling from the church at 5:00pm or drive on your own.
RSVP to Lili Fundeklian by Friday, May 26th
alfund@verizon.net or 978-687-0618
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 118 South Broadway
Lawrence, MA 01843
The Cor Unum Meal Center welcomes hungry visitors for breakfast and dinner every day. To date, it has provided over 1 million free meals to thousands of men, women and children who suffer from hunger in Lawrence and the surrounding area. Additionally, it offers a warm, safe place for people to socialize.
The facility has only two employees yet typically serves about 700 meals a day. Therefore, it relies on “an army of generous volunteers” to fulfill its mission. People help by serving meals, bussing tables or cleaning in the kitchen.
Our next volunteer opportunity is scheduled for Friday, May 19th from 4-7 pm. Please click on the schedule below to sign up for any of our upcoming dates.
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An extra 300 pounds doesn’t sound healthy…
but with your help it can be!
Outreach Food Drive
May-June
2016
Food in our local shelters is in greater demand during the summer months as children who often get free meals and snacks in school, are on their annual break. As you shop for your family’s meals, please consider picking up an extra item or two from the list below each week and bring it to church with you. There is a large container in the Narthex to deposit your donation. Get the “weight update” every week during announcements!
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Baby Food, Canned Meat (tuna/chicken/ham), Pasta, Soup, Spaghetti sauce with meat
*********** Neighbors In Need:
For over 30 years Neighbors In Need has fed the poor & hungry in Lawrence without question or means testing. Their mission is to fulfill the needs of their clients with respect and dignity. All food, formula,diapers, clothing and household items are provided free of charge to those who request them. Neighbors In Need serves at-risk families and youth in Greater Lawrence by providing food, diapers, formula, clothing and other necessities.Since its founding in 1983, Neighbors In Need has been a community organization relying heavily on area schools, churches and organizations for support. Neighbors in Need is concerned about the consequences of poverty and poor nutrition on the families that they serve. Access to good, healthy, affordable food is a serious public health issue in Lawrence–the incidence of obesity, diabetes, and premature cardiovascular disease are twice the state average. These significant health disparities are rooted in long-standing economic conditions in the area. They address these challenges every day by providing healthy food to over 500 families a week at their Food Pantries.
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 Woman’s Book Group
The Women’s Book Group will not meet in May.
We are meeting again in June to discuss The Boston Girl by Anita Diamanté. This book is available in several formats and through the library consortium.
Anita Diamant’s “vivid, affectionate portrait of American womanhood” (Los Angeles Times), follows the life of one woman, Addie Baum, through a period of dramatic change. Addie is The Boston Girl, the spirited daughter of an immigrant Jewish family, born in 1900 to parents who were unprepared for America and its effect on their three daughters. Growing up in the North End of Boston, then a teeming multicultural neighborhood, Addie’s intelligence and curiosity take her to a world her parents can’t imagine-a world of short skirts, movies, celebrity culture, and new opportunities for women. Addie wants to finish high school and dreams of going to college. She wants a career and to find true love. From the one-room tenement apartment she shared with her parents and two sisters, to the library group for girls she joins at a neighborhood settlement house, to her first, disastrous love affair, to finding the love of her life, eighty-five-year-old Addie recounts her adventures with humor and compassion for the naïve girl she once was.
To be added to the book group email distribution list, please email tvw1954@yahoo.com.
See you in June.
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The first Sunday of every month is SPARE CHANGE SUNDAY.
The loose change given in the plate benefits our Church School youth’s Heifer Project ministry.
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Spare Change Sunday 
 May 7
In loving memory of Myrtle Mayer
Donor: Lillian Carlson
May 14
In loving memory of Violet T. Foss
Donor: Donald B. Foss, Susan H. Sullivan and Michael T. Foss
In loving memory of Geraldine Parah Aspinall, Roberta Van Coppenolle,
Vivian Parah and Joyce Fredette
Donor: The Veras Family & The Callahan Family
In loving memory of Dr. Benjamin E. Hollins
Donor: Jeffrey Hollins, Beverly DeSalvo & Families
May 21
In loving memory of Albert Wash
Donor: Donald B. Foss, Susan H. Sullivan and Michael T. Foss
May 28
In loving memory of Carol Cairns Sadick
Donor: The Swartz Family
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 Come see what’s happening at St. Paul’s! If you are on Facebook, like us at:
or join our group discussion page:
The latest edition of the Apostle is “pinned” to the top of both our pages, for your reference.
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