The Albanac APRIL 2011

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

Saturday, April 16 9 AM Altar Guild Breakfast, Parish Hall

Sunday, April 17 8 & 10 AM Begin outside, weather permittingBlessing of Palms, Passion Reading

Children’s Choir rehearsal after church

Mon.-Wed., April 18- 20 7:30 PM Holy Eucharist

Maundy Thursday, April 21 6:30 PM Agape Supper 7:30 PM Holy Eucharist with Foot Washing,

Stripping of AltarAdult Choir rehearsal in Parish Hall after service

Good Friday, April 22 12-3 PM Meditations at the Cross 3:15 PM Family Observance 4 PM Children’s snack and choir rehearsal 7:30 PM Good Friday Liturgy

Holy Saturday, April 23 9 AM Vigil Prayers for Saturday morningDecorating of Church for Easter, all hands on deck

6:15 PM Choir Rehearsal

7:30 PM The Great Vigil of Easter, with Holy Baptism followed by a Champagne Reception. BRING BELLS!

Easter Sunday, April 24 8 & 10 AM Holy Eucharist, BRING BELLS! Festive Coffee Hour and Easter Egg Hunt after 10 AM service

10 AM will include childcare and both choirs 8:45 AM Adult Choir rehearsal in Parish Hall 9:15 AM Children’s Choir rehearsal in Church

MONDAY OF EASTER WEEK: PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

ST. MARK'S COPTIC CHURCH UPDATE

As we are going to print we have just received word from St. Marks' Coptic Church that their new priest for the soon to be planted Oakland congregation arrives in the US on Friday, April 1st and that they have decided to accept the initial offer that we submitted to them as part of the second phase of entering into an agreement for building use. The next step will be for our team of representatives to meet with their new priest and team to complete the next phase of the discernment process which will clarify needs for storage space, sanctuary use, building cleaning provisions, finalization of schedules, and opportunities for shared interac-tion between our two congregations. We will continue to closely follow the discernment pro-cess approved by the vestry on January 20th and then made available to the congregation.

Please continue to offer prayers for our mutual discernment.

Kathryn+

MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICESWednesdays: April 6 & 13

10:30 AM Holy Eucharist followed by discussion on the book of Ruth.

Please bring a bag lunch.

LENTEN DEVOTIONS LEADS US TO SING ALLELUIA! This year the Outreach Committee has decided to use traditional devotional folders for a Lenten offering that will be sent to the Diocese as part of the Alleluia Fund. You are invited to place a quarter in each 'pocket' but if you feel that a dollar, or a dime, is more appropriate for you please do that. This is meant to be a way to help us be mindful of keeping a holy Lent and in the process acting for Christ in the world. Folders are in the narthex in labeled envelopes. There are additional Lenten resources for all ages available in the Narthex.

Please bring filled folders and children’s boxes to church on Easter and place in the offering.

LENTEN MEALSSundays: April 3 & 10

Parishioners are invited to share a simple lunch of soup and bread following the 10 AM service.

This is an opportunity for everyone to slow down, share fellowship as a parish family and just visit with each other.

EASTER GRAB BAGfor the men at St. Paul’s Shelter, Paterson

We are asking for the following items:

One new, golf -type shirt (L or XL)Two new pairs socks

Please bring items in a gift wrapped box.

DEADLINE for GIFTS: Easter, April 24th

Sandy Weiss will collect the gifts at Church.You are invited to join us for the party when we serve dinner in Paterson at our

monthly SUPPER at ST. PAUL'S on Thursday, May 5th.

Children's Lenten ProgramSupport a Medical Mission Trip

This year the children’s Lenten collection will support a medical mission trip of which Dr. Cindy Felici is a participant. We are so excited about this opportunity for our children to have an experience of touching the lives of

children internationally through someone who they know locally!

We are encouraging everyone to help the children in this mission. The “Change for Change” bottle and the collection cans that each of them has made will be used all during Lent and then be presented at the offering on Easter Sunday.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS IIWednesday, April 13th

Last year Barbara and I offered to take folks on a day trip to Branch Brook Park in Belleville, NJ to see the cherry blossom display. There are hundreds and hundreds of beautiful flowering trees that can be viewed either by driving or walking through the park. We will leave after the 10:30 AM Eucharist and Bible Study. Come see the beautiful trees, enjoy the fellowship of the group, and share cheese and crackers under a canopy of pink blossoms! All are Welcome!

CONFIRMATION AND RECEPTION AT ST. PAUL'S

The District 10 service of Confirmation and Reception will be held on Saturday, May 14 th at St. Paul's in Paterson at 10AM. Gary Friedman, who will be Baptized at the Easter Vigil, will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and Colleen Habick will be Received into the Epis-copal Church. Colleen and Gary have been meeting with Kathryn for preparation which will continue through May. All members of the parish are invited to come to St. Paul's and join in the celebration on the 14th. We will continue the celebration on Sunday, May 15th during our regular 10AM service. CONGRATULATIONS GARY AND COLLEEN as you make this milestone step in your faith journeys!

On Sunday, March 20th, the Altar Guild made a presentation to the Church School children teaching them all about the

vestments and vessels used in our worship.

It's Our Turn!

St. Alban's to Host Community VBS

From Sunday, July 24th through Thursday July 28th, St. Al-ban's will host the community Vacation Bible School pro-

gram for the children of our surrounding communities. Kathy Miles serves on the planning board for this annual event that brings four faith communities together to offer a week of en-gaging, active, colorful and often loud fun! Last year over 60 children and 25+ staff gathered each evening (6:30-8PM) to celebrate Christian community and God's love. We anticipate lots more of the same when it all comes to St. Alban's in July. Last year about 6 adults, 6 teens, and 5 children participated in the week. Let's try to get all those numbers up this year and fling the doors open wide to share our space and our welcome in the name of Christ.

More information will be forthcoming on ways for all ages to get involved. For more informa-tion please speak with Kathy Miles.

PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE OFFERS OUR FIRST

GIRL'S NIGHT OUT

Date: Friday, May 20th

Time: 7PM - ? at the rectoryWhat: Dinner & a Movie (a chick flick!)

Everything provided for your delight and enjoyment so just come!Carpools and rides will be arranged by the committee for those who need them

Pastoral Care Committee: Lois Mahonchak, Diane Van Dyke, Diane Firkins, Barbara Harriman and Kathryn King.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

SPRING PARISH CLEAN-UP DAY

SATURDAY MAY 14th

EARLY AFTERNOON

Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for more details about timing. Our pending build-ing use arrangement with St. Mark's Coptic Church will impact our start time which we now estimate to be about 1PM. There will be projects for all ages and all levels of ability so grab your rakes, put on your old jeans, and come have fun and fellowship while caring for our church building and grounds.

Vestry liaison for Buildings and Grounds: Ron Potash JOIN US FOR SUMMER FUN!

The Summer Session at St. Alban's Pre-School is tentatively scheduled to begin Tuesday, July 5th and end on Friday, August 12th. We are anticipating a fun-filled summer consisting of free play, crafts, cooking, nature study, physical education, music/movement, and water fun.

A minimum enrollment of two weeks is required, but the weeks need not be consecutive. We will offer half days from 9 AM – 12 PM with an additional time offered from 12-1 PM. A minimum of three days is required. Selection of weeks must be made at the time of registration. There is a $30 registration fee for children not enrolled at St. Alban's school. Applications are available in the Narthex. We look forward to a fun filled summer!

CALLING ALL COOKS &ANYONE WHO EATS!

St. Alban’s Crafters are creating a cookbook. We are asking you to submit your family’s favorite recipes for inclusion. All information is on the form below. Please return completed form to box in Narthex or Miss Teresa’s office no later than April 7th!

For more information contactLouise Gilliard 201-337-6413 Phyllis Alsdorf 201-337-4232Jill Hanifan 973-835-0503 Paula Hoffman 201-337-2021

St. Alban's is launching Children's Choir Camp

Sunday, July 31 – Thursday, August 4

5:30-8:30PM each night

Grand Finale Concert Thursday at 7PM

At the February meeting of the District 10 churches, Kathryn pitched the idea of a children's choir camp based here at St. Alban's. The idea generated considerable excitement and support and plans are now underway to make it a reality. The vestry voted on March 16th to donate the use of the building and utilities to house the pro-gram. Additionally, two documents have been circulated to all District 10 churches: 1) A save the date flyer for initial publicity and 2) an information sheet outlining what the program will include and how people may become involved. Kathryn, Lou and Dagi are on board for St. Alban's. Two other music ministers have already committed as well as 25+ choristers. So now it's time for you to mark your calendars so that our children and youth can attend camp and we can all enjoy the closing concert!

We hope and anticipate that this will be the first annual choir camp! Also, we hope that some of those children who participate in the choir camp will then be interested in becoming the seed group for a new Children's Chorus of Northern New Jersey which would also be based here at St. Alban's! So, this could be the start of something that reaches out into the community, shares the joy of music AND the joy of St. Alban's Church!

We'll keep you posted! If you are interested in becoming involved please speak with Kath-ryn, Lou or Dagi.

Summer Children’s Choir CampSt. Alban’s Church

1 Church LaneOakland, NJ 201-337- 4909

July 31 to August 4, 5:30-8:30 Sun.-Thur.

Concert: Thursday, 7 PM, choir handbells & percussion

THE ALTAR OF ROSESA Mother’s Day Tribute

Purchase a rose and honor, not only mothers, but any woman who has been important in your life (living or deceased). It could be for wives, daughters, best friends as well as mothers and grandmothers.

The names of all the honored women and those who are honoring them will be included in the May 8th bulletin on Mother’s Day. Help to beautify the altar on this day with dozens of roses.

We will begin taking orders for roses on Sunday, April 17th.

Many Needs, Many Ways to Respond

We are all aware of the endless needs that are present in our surrounding area and in the larger world. Here are just a few of the ways that we have available to us through St. Al-ban's to respond to the needs of God's people both near and far.

Food Collections for Center for Food Action

The Center for Food Action has a site located in Mahwah and that is where the non-perish-able food and toiletry items we collect are taken. We keep two large baskets in the narthex where you may deposit items each Sunday. The Outreach Committee provides a shopping list to help you remember what is needed. Please speak with Paula Hoffman, vestry liaison if you have any questions.

St. Paul's Men's Shelter

For decades St. Alban's has been a strong supporter of St. Paul's Men’s Shelter run as part of the Community Development Corporation of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Paterson. Sandy and Wally Weiss, along with an army of us from St. Alban's, prepare, deliver, and serve dinner at the shelter on the first Thursday of each month to the 30-40 men who call the shelter home. Additionally, at Easter and Christmas we hold special collections of shirts, socks, hats and gloves for the men and stage a party to pass them out. Everyone looks for-ward to our visits where children, youth and adults serve side by side. Everyone is welcome to support this ministry by preparing food, giving donations to cover food costs, going along to serve (it’s really wonderful!) and encouraging those who do go. For more information you may speak with Sandy or just about anyone in the congregation!

Rector's Discretionary Fund

The Rector's Discretionary Fund is a parish checking account that is provided for the use of the clergy in meeting emergent needs confidentially that fall outside the budget. Most often this account is used to support people with grocery, gas, and utility monies. People who be-nefit from this fund are both parishioners and non-members. Requests will also occasion-ally come from other local clergy or relief agencies. Gifts from this fund are usually less than $50 and are based on need and monies available at the time. The Discretionary Fund is funded by individual donations and the loose plate offering on the third Sunday of each month. If you know of a need or have any other questions please speak with Kathryn.

Episcopal Relief and Development

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) formerly known as The Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, is the Outreach arm of the National Episcopal Church dedicated to re-sponding to needs, both short and long term, within the US and around the world. You can read more about ERD on their website at www.er-d.org. ERD is known around the world for being among the first of all agencies to be 'on the ground' with funds and personnel and among the last to leave. If you have more questions about ERD you may also speak with Kathryn.

The Alleluia Fund of the Diocese of Newark

In the 2010 Budget of the Diocese of Newark, Bishop Beckwith and the Convention estab-lished the Alleluia Fund. This is an outreach fund that gives grants ($118,000 in 2010) to agencies and churches with a connection to the diocese for work aimed at spreading the Good News of the Gospel and impacting communities for good. Each parish in the diocese is challenged to give at least $1000 to this outreach fund. In 2010 we were not able to parti-cipate but for 2011 the Outreach Committee and Vestry have designated the funds collected in the 'Lenten quarter folders' to the Alleluia Fund. We also anticipate writing a grant re-quest for the new initiative of the Children’s Choir Camp. For more information on the Alle-luia Fund you may visit www.dioceseofnewark.org, or speak with Dagi and John Murphy, our District 10 representatives or Kathryn.

Church School Children's Lenten Change Collection for Medical Missions

It has been the tradition at St. Alban's for the Church School children to have a collection of change during Lent to support an effort that has particular meaning to them. This year the Christian Education Committee and Vestry approved the collection to be designated for Medical Missions that our own Dr. Cindy Felici participates in each year. Cindy met with the children back in February to teach them about the work she and her team do and to show photos and tell stories of the children whose lives are changed forever by the medical help they are given. Each child decorated a can to collect change in during Lent. These cans and the collections of change will be brought to church and collected on Easter. There are also cans near the display board in the narthex if you find change in your pockets on a Sunday morning. The monies collected will be used to purchase school and personal items to be distributed to the children who come to the medical clinics for treatment. If you would like to make an additional offering to this collection you may place it in one of the cans in the narthex.

St. Alban's has always been and continues to be a community of love gathered around the guiding light of the love of Jesus Christ. We show forth that love in many ways by the offer-ing of our time, our treasure, and our talents.

2011 Relay For Life of Indian Hills Saturday, June 11th 5pm to Sunday, June 12th 6am

Join St. Alban’s in the fight against cancer!!The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event

that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at Indian Hills High School football field and take turns walking or running around the track. You don’t need to be a track star to be a winner in this race for life. The idea is to enjoy your time and the presence of others while raising money to fight cancer.

Relay for Life reminds us that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten and that those who face cancer will always be supported. More than anything, it makes us hopeful that one day, cancer will be eliminated for good. Highlights of the night are the Survivors Lap, the Luminaria Ceremony and the Fight Back Ceremony.

Please join St. Alban’s in this fight against cancer by joining our team, making a donation or purchasing a luminaria to honor or remember a loved one. If you are a cancer survivor, we welcome you to walk the Survivors Lap to open the Relay.

To participate or for more information, please contact Will Nedds, Paula Hoffman or Don LaCass.

• Colleen & Bob Wurster and the Youth Group for providing a delicious Pancake Supper

• To all those who have made soup for the Sunday Soup Lunches during Lent

• Don LaCass for pumping water out of the elevator pit multiple times

• Bruce Gilliard and Mike Beyda for delivering food donations to the Center for Food Action

• All the volunteers who have taught special Church School classes over the last month

• Cindy and Dave Ludwig for hosting the Vestry retreat and making a wonderful dinner and Don and Kathryn for supplying appetizers and desserts

• To the Altar Guild for all their hard work during this season of Lent

Bless you all for your kindness!

BIBLE READINGS

Sunday, April 3 Palm Sunday, April 171 Samuel 16:1-13 Isaiah 50:4-9aPsalm 23 Psalm 31:9-16Ephesians 5:8-14 Philippians 2:5-11

John 9:1-41 Matthew 26:14-27:66

Sunday, April 10 Easter, April 24 Ezekiel 37:1-14 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 130 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Romans 8:6-11 Colossians 3:1-4 John 11:1-45 John 20:1-18

Prayers of the People – AprilOur thanksgivings and intercessions:

We continue to pray for all who are affected by war, hunger and other calamities and ask for God’s grace upon those who work for peace and restoration. We pray for Susan Marie Lister who is on a fellowship in Uganda.

We give thanks for all the blessings of life. We pray for our companions in Paterson.

We pray for those who are unemployed and under-employed.

We pray for those who are ill: Stefanie, Brenden, Jill, Jan, Keith, Clarence, Andy, Dawn, Maureen, Walter, Peter, Cornelius, Janet, Ed, Mildred, Kendell, Fred

We pray for all those who have died, especially Albert Castillo, Mary Coughlin and Wade Bates. May their souls, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church1 Church Lane, Oakland, NJ 07436

201-337-4909 Fax: 201-651-9486 stalbansOFL@optimum.net www.stalbansofl.org

The Most Rev. Katharine J. Schori, Presiding Bishop The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop, Newark Diocese

The Rev. Kathryn L. King, RectorThe Rev. Barbara Harriman, DeaconDiane Firkins, Parish Administrator

Lou Fifer, Minister of Music

Don La Cass, Cindy Ludwig, Wardens Pam Helleren, Clerk Kathy Miles, Treasurer

Vestry:Trish Beck, Rick Hanifan, Paula Hoffman, Megan Kendall, Cindy Ludwig,

Lois Mahonchak, Jim McCallum, Linda Nazare, Ron Potash

St. Alban’s Pre-School Teresa Ercan, Pre-School Director

Teachers:Tina Marie Bell, Cathy Connolly, Elisa Farhi, Dawn Ferraro, Cathy Mazzola,

Christy Macagne, Rosa Mignogni, Beth Schall, Freida Scillieri

“Welcoming All To Share God’s Love”