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The Alpha & OmegaThe People of Episcopal Church of St. John the Divine’s

Newsletter

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Why do we need to wait four long weeks before

we can celebrate Christmas? After all, time is

valuable and we don’t like to wait. However,

Advent is a reminder for us that waiting and

anticipation is not necessarily bad or wasteful,

rather it may be quite meaningful and

even transformative. The four weeks

of Advent are designed to help

us prepare ourselves, to make

us the most of Christmas.

In the course of the four

Sundays of Advent the

Church leads us on the

pilgrimage to the humble

manger in Bethlehem. The

four Sundays of Advent

serve as four landmarks on

our path, the stations that

remind us what the journey is

about: the eternal mystery of the

Son of God being born as a helpless baby

in order to make this world a better place. And

the first station on the journey, the first Sunday

of Advent, is a reminder that Jesus, who came as

a humble helpless baby is also the Judge and King

whose birth from Mary was only the beginning,

but not the end of his ministry. The first Sunday

of Advent is also marks the beginning of a new

church year, another year of hopes and

missionary work of the church.

Advent is the time of our preparation and

anticipation, a reminder that although we like to

make time or kill time, or waste time, for that

matter, the time of Advent is set and we cannot

kill it or speed it up (although we can miss it

altogether!), but we can use it to get ready for

the coming of the King, the coming of Christ. The

time of Advent is also a time for works of charity,

which is a part of our preparation for the visit of

the King. So, as we go through this

joyous season of Advent and

celebrate the anticipation of the

Coming of Christ who is the

King, the Judge, and the baby,

let us be watchful that we

would not get lost in the

midst of the parties and

shopping and miss the

coming of the King. Let us

spend a few extra

moments a day in

meditating, being mindful of

our lives, of Christ’s presence

in and through our lives, of our

Christian responsibilities and of our

loved ones.

The birth of Jesus - God’s greatest gift to

mankind - is celebrated at Christmas. Each year

we turn our hearts and minds to the birth of

Jesus, and put aside the stress and demands of

both the holidays and current events so we focus

on the true meaning of Christmas.

This year, the first Sunday of Advent is December

1. During this special season, we will have adult

education class during coffee hour. Have a blessed

Advent!

Fall/Winter 2013/2014/2013

Advent: Prepare to Meet the King!by the Rev. Alexei Khamin

Dear family of St John’s,

Fall is upon us, and that is the traditional time to

begin talking about stewardship. Stewardship

consists of three elements: Time, Talent, and

Treasure. Most often, stewardship programs

concentrate on building the Treasure aspect, but

the three elements act like the three legs of a

stool and must be in balance in order for the

stool to be sturdy and stand strong. Although

pledging, the concept of proportional giving, and

being intentional in your financial commitment to

the congregation are important, and the dollars

pledged provide the basis for planning next year’s

budget, we believe that our congregation is

already very thoughtful about giving and doesn’t

need to be reminded. We only ask that those

who are giving regularly, but not pledging,

consider offering some amount as a pledge to

help us in our planning.

Instead, this year’s focus will be on the other two

aspects of stewardship.

The time and talent of its members is the life

blood of every church. It is important to

remember that a church is its members

assembled. The building is only a place for the

church to assemble. We all know the old saying

that there is strength in numbers. And, we’ve all

felt the difference in energy of a crowd compared

to that of few people gathered together. This

same phenomenon is true in the case of our

church. When pews are full, there is a synergy

that creates a level of energy which is greater

than that of the number of people present. It is in

this kind of atmosphere that people are

stimulated, ideas are born, and things begin to

happen that spawn vitality and growth.

For many years now, changing conditions of our

lives have conspired to drive our church

attendance, and involvement, to a much lower

priority than it was for our parents and

grandparents, for whom their church was a key

part of their identity. The result has been a steady

drop in the size of worshipping congregations in

all main line churches, and with that drop in size

has come a loss of energy and vitality. One of the

results of this situation is that an ever smaller

group of people are left shouldering the

responsibility for leadership and operations,

leading to burnout and frustration. Another is

that potential new members come to visit, the

atmosphere is less exciting and attractive than

that of a full church. When visitors aren’t excited

by what they experience, they don’t come back.

Over the last few years, we have hosted many

visiting families who said they loved the

welcoming atmosphere and hospitality, and yet

they failed to stay with us. Without a flow of new

members, bringing new ideas and new energy, we

will not thrive into the future.

Therefore, as part of your Stewardship decision

this year, we ask that you consider the

importance of having St. John’s in your future, and

how you might become more involved in the life

of the congregation. Can you commit to

increasing your attendance? A look at our

membership rolls indicates that we should see

from eighty to one hundred people in church on

a Sunday morning if everyone attended. We have

an average attendance in the thirties. Can we

improve that number, which is a significant

measure of our congregation’s health, according

to the Diocese and National Church? For several

years, the same small group of people have bourn

the weight of leadership, and are getting worn

out. Might you be willing to share your talents

and abilities in leadership by standing for

Executive Committee or volunteering for sub-

committees? Do you have any suggestions for

new activities or programs, and would you be

willing to work with us to bring them to fruition?

The fact that St John’s has been here for us for

almost one hundred and twenty years does not

mean it will just always be here. We all need to

be here for St John’s, and to share our time and

talent, as well as our treasure. A healthy checking

account without a vital growing congregation

won’t guarantee our future. Only

our combined efforts can do that.

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From the Wardens

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The first meeting of The Friendly Neighbors took

place at St. John's in 1939, and since that time this

group has been as assisting Hasbrouck Heights

residents who are in need of financial aid.

Representatives from five of our local churches

make up the membership, and most referrals

come from churches and our municipal offices.

The main campaign for funds is traditionally held

between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day,

although gifts are welcomed at any time .

Memorial gifts will be acknowledged to the

appropriate persons.

Financial aid is given at Thanksgiving, Christmas

and Easter as well as at times of special

needs.This help is given in complete confidence.

Members volunteer their services, so all money

received is used to help our neighbors.

Louise Marrie and Ethel Ball are St. John's

representatives and can answer any questions

you may have. Checks can be made to The

Friendly Neighbors and can be put into the

collection plate or mailed to Treasurer Pat Boer

at 307 Roosevelt Ave.

You can make a difference here in Hasbrouck

Heights by contributing to this work. Our less

fortunate neighbors will be most grateful for

your help.

Nico Karan Singh wasbaptized on October 13, hisfirst birthday, by FatherAlexei Khamin. Nico is theson of Pier and Nick Singhand has a brother, Miles. Michael Singh and DenEdgarRoe are Nico’s Godfathersand his Godmothers are Marish Velazquez and SherryLynn Peichocki.

Many friends and relatives joined with thecongregation in welcoming Nico into theHousehold of God.

May God bless Nico, his family and friends.

Friendly Neighbors

Newsletter deadline for the Winter/Spring Issue isJanuary 10, 2014

Please email your articles to Carol Haefele atcarolh409@gmail .com

ST. JOHN the DIVINE229 TERRACE AVENUE

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ 07604OFFICE: (201) 288 – 0002

FAX: (201) 288 – 9463 E-Mail: church@saintjohnthedivine.com

www.saintjohnthedivine.com

The Mutual Care Ministries of Saints Cyprian,

John, Martin & Christ Church is ready to extend

the community to those who physically can’t be

in church, to show compassion to others and

their needs, and to invite members back to the

community. The group is having a special

“Initiation” Service on December 8th at 10 AM at Christ Church to introduce the Writers,

Callers, and Eucharistic Visitors to the parish

communities. The program is set to begin on

January 1st, 2014. If you would to like to join

this ministry or if you would like more

information about it, please contact St. John’s

Parish Coordinator, Vinnie Pucci, atvjpucci@yahoo.com or 201-390-1714.

The Mutual Care Ministries

Advent: HistoricalBackground

by the Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander

Derived from the Latin adventus, ‘coming’, the

term designates the period in Western rites

beginning on the fourth Sunday before 25

December and continuing until the first

celebration of Christmas. In Eastern rites,

preparatory rites for Christmas exist, but nothing

that is historically or ritually parallel to Advent in

the West.

Advent was the last season of the liturgical

year to develop and its origins remain obscure.

Fifth-and sixth –century evidence shows a variety

of penitential observances in Gaul and Spain

lasting as many as six weeks. Some have sought

the origin of Advent in the practice of Epiphany

baptism by noting parallels to the shape of Lent.

Others have called attention to sixth-century

synodical documents and Episcopal decrees that

enjoin the faithful to penitence from the feast of

Marin of Tours (11 November) to the feast of

Epiphany (6 January). Still others have taken note

of the fast of the tenth month (December) of

pagan Rome and suggest that Advent may have

begun as a response of the church to the

continuing memory of the pagan winter fast.

Each hypothesis is of continuing interest, but all

contain serious flaws that make it impossible to

claim with confidence a credible explanation of

the origin of Advent.

Roman lectionary lists of the seventh century

continued to preserve Christmas as the beginning

of the liturgical year, the readings for Advent

being found at the end of the lists. This has led

some to speculate that Rome itself resisted the

emergence of Advent and that it was the church

in Gaul and Spain that was largely responsible for

the season’s penitential quality. This stands in

contrast to the more purely Roman preparation

for Christmas that was less penitential and more

focused on the joyful anticipation of Christ’s

coming.

In current practice, churches that follow a

liturgical year understand it to begin on the first

Sunday of Advent. The year concludes on the last

Sunday after Pentecost, often designated as the

feast of Christ the King. The readings for the

first two Sundays of Advent usually continue

themes related to the eternal resign of Christ

and the promise of his second advent. The

readings of the third and fourth Sundays more

clearly anticipate the coming celebration of

Christmas.

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e 4

The Hasbrouck Heights Food Pantry has many

empty shelves. The number of donations has

decreased and the number of needy families has

increased. The needs are many - soups, canned

fruit, condiments, cookies, coffee, tea, canned

meat and fish, tomato sauce and puddings. Paper

goods - toilet paper, napkins, paper handkerchiefs,

and paper towels are always appreciated.

Personal items such as toothbrushes, deodorant,

shampoo and bath soap are also among the most

needed items. Cleaning supplies are always in

short supply, with dish detergent and laundry

detergent always being the most wanted.

Consider making the Hasbrouck Heights Food

Pantry a part of your Christmas giving.

You can leave your contributions in the basket

near the entrance to the church or write a check

to St. John the Divine and put Food Pantry in the

memo. All monetary gifts are given at 100%.

There are no administrative fees.

Your kindness will be very much appreciated.

St. John’s Christmas Project

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e 5

St. John’sChristmas Candles & FlowersThose who wish to contribute toward the

Christmas candles or flowers as a gift of

thanksgiving or as a memorial, please complete

the form below and include it with your

donation. Checks may be made payable to

St. John the Divine. Forms must be given to

Claire Derco or mailed to arrive by

Sunday, December 15th to

St. John the Divine

229 Terrace Avenue

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY:

Given by:

In Memory of:

In Thanksgiving for:

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Sunday, December 22 at 5:00 pm

The Greening of The Churches

Everyone is welcome!

Tuesday, December 24

5:00pm Family Celebration

10:30pm Candlelight Festival

Celebration at St. John’s

Wednesday, December 25

10:30am Christmas Day Celebration

Sunday, December 29

10:00am Lessons & Carols

Homecoming September 15, 2013

and Happy Anniversary

Tom and Louise Marrie

S t . J o h n t h e D i v i n e 6

Birthdays4 Eileen Pinto7 Fitzroy Lyne

13 Ryan Adamski15 Coby Jasionek16 Zachary Zivkovic17 Rob Hyers26 Gianna Joely

Robinson28 Marion L.

ChumbleyMary-Ellen Gallo

31 Erin Grace Morales

Birthdays5 John Purdy7 Joe Solda, Jr.8 Krista Kalnins

Zivkovic9 Cheryl Schmitt

10 Eva Marie Schmitt Sin13 Bernadette Choflet16 Fidel Javier Morales17 Ann MacVicar

Robert Grasso18 Paul Fels19 Steven Salerno 20 Lisa Prisco LeRoy

Brian LeRoyEvan Ryan Choflet

21 Marie Anton-Botengan27 Pam Finch28 Frank Fonti

Diane Furman

Baptismal Anniversaries7 Rubén Jurado9 Henry Haas

13 Matthew Reis17 Kenny Hesse, Jr.27 Kristin Haefele-Enström

Wedding Anniversaries18 Carl & Carol Haefele

26 Kristin & Johan Enström

Confirmation Anniversaries13 Pat Thomasey

Wedding Anniversaries15 Carolyn & Michael

Thomasey

21 Lisa & Ted Staszak

January

February

Birthdays1 Patrick Hurley4 Cathy Sneyers5 Craig Jasionek II6 Bill Cuevas7 Lorna Cuevas

Scott Salerno8 Keith Schmitt

12 Bill Takacs13 Robert Marrie15 Bethany Schmitt18 Deirdre Cuevas

Rob Weston19 Pat Thomasey21 Bernadine Lyne

Anthony Wohlheter24 Mark Wright

Kitty Schmitt27 Kathleen Lepage

Linda KuhlesJeffrey S. Huyler

28 Anne Joseph31 Dorothy Kalnins

Baptismal Anniversaries13 Sam Rios

WeddingAnniversaries23 Shauna & Fidel Morales

ConfirmationAnniversaries9 Silvia Grasso Fodor

14 C. William Haefele IV16 Joyce Grasso Doyle22 Robert Grasso

March

Many thanks to everyone whohelped make the Evening of Jazzwith Tricky Tray a great success.

You Are InvitedWednesday, December 11, 2013

ESL Finalé8:00 pm

St. John’s Parish HallAll Are Welcome

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For more information about registration, class

schedule, ticket purchases, please call the

Care Center office at 201-288-9460 Follow us on FB

®

Spring 2014 ScheduleRegistration and Testing, Parish Hall:

Wednesdays February 19 and 26Classes meet from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Classes start on Wednesday, March 12in the Parish Hall and the Care Center and go

through Wednesday, May 21. There will be no

classes on March 5 and April 16 due to

Holidays. Join us for the Finalé on May 15 at

8:00 pm in the Parish Hall.

Citizenship Fall 2014Schedule

Classes meet from 7:30 to 9:30 pm

Registration and Testing, Parish Hall:

Wednesdays February 19 and 26Classes start on Monday, March 3 in the

Care Center and continue for six (6) weeks

ending April 7.

❥ Care on the Corner has offered 25 semesters

at 12 weeks each of English as a SecondLanguage (ESL) serving over 1,308

individuals from 97 countries

❥ Care on the Corner has offered 12 sessions

at 6 weeks each of US CitizenshipPreparation Classes serving 91 individuals

from 28 countries

❥ Care on the Corner has offered 28

productions of Kids on the Corner, a cultural

arts program for 2nd to 5th graders, serving

over 360 children from 18 communities

❥ Care on the Corner has successfully

completed its 3rd session of the Summer

Tutoring, the 3rd session of the Homework

Club and the 3rd session of NewARTS Kids

(an applied arts program for children in grades

1 – 5).

Care on the Corner Programs

are sponsored in part by grants from

ACts/Vim of the Diocese of Newark

the Alleluia Fund of the Diocese of Newark

the John R. and Dorothy Caples Fund, New York, NY

the Giants Foundation, E. Rutherford, NJ

Kids on the CornerPerforming Arts

2014 Spring SeasonTales from

Under the Giving Tree

April 4, 11, 25 – May 2, 9, 16, 2014 (3:30-6:00 pm)

Performance Friday, May 16, 2014 at 7:30 pm

Homework ClubThursdays from 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Winter session starts January 23 – April 3 for

children in grades 1 – 6.

Students are asked to bring current Language

Arts (Reading, Spelling and Phonics) and Math

homework assignments in which help is needed.

The group meets at the Care Center, 333

Franklin Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights. There is a

$25 registration fee. Scholarships are available.

(No classe on February 20)

Kidz Fitness Beatz KidZ Fitness BeatZ Corner, is a 6 week program

geared toward children ages 6-9, and

is a dance fitness and dance activity-

based program. The class is taught by

a Licensed Zumba/ZumbAtomics

Fitness Instructor, Lynn Weimer.

Spring Session 2014Feb. 24 – March 31 (4:30 - 5:15 pm)

Middle Eastern Dancing Learn the basics of this ancient dance form. Get

into shape and have fun with your friends.

Strengthen your abs, tone your muscles and

elongage your spine. The class will be taught by

Elly Marco. Elly pursues her passion for dance,

She teaches at senior centers and adult schools.

She performs a variety of dance styles, including

folk dance, jazz, ballet, tap as well as Middle

Eastern Dance. She is the director of the Haslo

Dance Troupe. She has performed at Alice Tully

Hall at Lincoln Center.Spring Session 2014

Tuesdays, Jan. 21 – Feb 25 (7:30 - 8:30 pm)

St. John the Divine

229 Terrace Avenue

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604

Current Resident

or

Sunday Services at St. John’s at 10:00 amSunday School at 10:00 am

Coffee Hour immediately following the 10:00 am service

Mutual Ministries CommissioningSunday, December 8, 2013

Christ Church, Hackensack • 10:00 am

Greening of the ChurchDecember 22, 2013

Christmas Eve ServicesDecember 24, 2013

5:00 pm and 10:30 pm

Christmas Day ServiceDecember 25, 2013

10:00 am

Middle Eastern Dancing StartsJanuary 21, 2014

Homework Club StartsJanuary 23, 2014

Diocesan ConventionJanuary 24 and 25, 2014

ESL Testing and RegistrationFebruary 19 and 26, 2014

Citizenship Prep Testing and RegistrationFebruary 19 and 26, 2014

KidZ Fitness for Grades 1 –4 startsFebruary 24, 2014

Citizenship Prep StartsMarch 3, 2014

ESL StartsMarch 12, 2014