What’s Happening at St. Peter’s

Trinity Wall Street’s “Trinity Institute” annual theological conference will be held Jan. 21-23, 2016, in NYC and at partner sites across the country. The title is, “Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations on Racial Justice,” and speakers include Nicolas Kristof, Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry among others. In ECCT, St. John’s in Waterbury, St. John’s in Vernon, St. Mark’s in Mystic, Trinity in Hartford, and The Commons in Meriden will each serve as a registered local site and webcast the full conference. Online registration available.  A flyer is available at the back of the church. More information on the ECCT website: www.episcopalct.org

Women’s Club – The next Women’s Club meeting will be held on Monday, January 18th at 7:00 p.m. at Mary Latour’s new home!  We always have a good time, so please join us!

Great Family Evening! Mardi Gras Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday February 9th from 5-7. We hope all our families young and old will come and join the fun! Masks, streamers, fancy hats are encouraged. On the last day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday We will have a delicious pancake & sausages supper and enjoy fellowship and activities for young and old alike.

Calling All Youth!  Judi Babin and Lynn Hassouna have begun a new series of discussions for youth to be held on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. in Father Perry’s office. Any young person in grades 7 through 12 is welcome to join them. These discussions will continue to be held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. More events are being planned including a Confirmation Class starting in January. The next meeting will be held on January 24th

Confirmation Classes to begin in January!  Father Perry will be scheduling Confirmation classes for any interested youth or adults beginning in early January. This provides a wonderful opportunity for anyone wishing to join the Episcopal Church, any youth (9th grade or older) wanting to become adult members of the congregation or anyone interested in engaging in conversation about the meaning of our Episcopal traditions or how our faith enriches our lives. Please contact the parish office or speak to Father Perry if you have questions or are interested in “signing up!”

Sewing Machine for sale – A pre-owned sewing machine with advanced capabilities regarding embroidery stitching is for sale in Phelps Hall. Anyone interested in examining it or purchasing it may see it on Sunday or call the office.  It may be purchased for a donation (the amount to be determined by the purchaser) to Father Perry’s “Rector’s Discretionary Fund.”  Any questions regarding the machine’s history may be addressed to Stephanie Wheeler.

Here’s what you can find on St. Peter’s new website

The website (www.stpetershebron.com) offers an always up to date calendar, upcoming events listed with details, news from Sue, the bulletin, the latest happenings, an updated photo gallery, and more!

  • Do you know that Fr. Perry’s sermons can now be listened to on St. Peter’s website? If you missed Father Perry’s sermon, or want to hear it again, feel free to listen from the website. Sermons may be found at:  Services > Sunday Audio Sermons
  • Church School schedule on the website – Weren’t able to attend church one Sunday? Want to cover a church school topic more at home? The website has a schedule of church school topics including bible verses and additional information. Just go to: About Us > Church School > Church School Schedule

Bishop Ahrens trip to the Holy Land Cancelled Due to the unrest in the Middle East, Bishop Laura and Dr. Lisa Hahnerman have decided to cancel their Pilgrimage to the Holy Land planned for April 2016.

Outreach

Social Security Free Information workshop at the Douglas Library, Hebron on Thursday January 21 or Monday January 25 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The workshop will cover the new rules and basics of Social Security along with advanced strategies that could increase your benefits. Seating is limited. Call the library to sign up.

Let’s Continue to Keep Connecticut’s Children Warm! Thank you all who have supported Samantha Sullivan’s efforts to collect warm clothing for children in need. Over 350 items, contributed by St. Peter’s parishioners, were donated last week to Covenant to Care for Children and immediately distributed to children in the Hartford area. The drive was so successful that Samantha will continue collecting clothes for a while longer. A box is in the narthex of the church for the collection of clothing: gently used and new coats and warm clothes sizes newborn to children’s size 12.

The Windham Region No-Freeze Hospitality Center

The weather has turned very cold! Can you imagine sleeping by the river in Willimantic?

Cold, wet, unsafe? Many of the Windham area’s homeless live in makeshift camps along the Willimantic River all year long. The Windham Region No-Freeze Hospitality center seeks to provide a warm shelter for those in the community who are homeless and over the age of 18 from November 15th through April of each year. No one is turned away. We provide food, clothing, hygiene among other services. Donations to keep the center going are always welcome. If you are able to donate items to help please drop them off at our office:

75 Bridge Street, (First unit in the plaza) Willimantic, CT 06226 (Monday through Thursday from 1-4 pm)

Items that the shelter is in need of:

  • Non-Instant Coffee, Sweetener, Non-Dairy Creamer, Hot Chocolate
  • Paper products, Toilet paper, paper towels, napkins.
  • Vinyl or plastic Pillow case covers
  • Coffee cups (small size, disposable)
  • Plastic utensils (spoons/forks)
  • Socks (white preference)
  • Men’s boxer shorts all sizes
  • Women’s briefs – all sizes
  • Razor blades
  • Shaving Cream
  • Toothbrushes
    • Deodorant
    • Women’s hygiene products (pads, tampons)
    • Plastic soap saver boxes
    • Sweatpants/shirts(med/large/Xtra/
    • XXtralrg
    • Laundry detergent (powder)
    • Floor and bathroom cleaner
    • Office supplies – Call to see the needs
    • Gift Cards to Stop & Shop, BJ’s Walmart, Staples and Home Depot of any value

A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Monday, February 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Please consider giving this gift of life. 3 people benefit from each single donation.  It takes only about an hour and is painless.  Please help those who are desperately in need of a blood transfusion.  Call for an appointment: 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or go on-line to www.redcrossblood.org . Walk-ins are always welcome.