Mission Statement
Reaching the world for Jesus
Christ, beginning in Casanova.
Acts 1:8
Our Worship
Life
Sunday Worship
We have one worship service on Sunday at 9:00am which
centers on meeting the Lord in Holy Eucharist (Communion)
with music and sermon. A simple second service is
also held at 5 p.m. on the second Sunday of each
month. Additional services are scheduled for the
major feasts and celebrations such as Easter Week,
Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
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Our Education
Life
Sunday School
Sunday School for pre-school through adults meets
September through May at 10:15am in the Family Center
adjacent to the church, with a brief children's worship
service followed by classes. Our curricula are Bible
oriented. We seek to make scripture relevant to everyday
life and deepen our relationship with God and with each
other. The foundation for children's Sunday School is a
Montessori based curriculum, The Catechesis of
the Good Shepherd, especially designed for the
youngest children to introduce them to our Lord.
Adult Education
Adult education, in addition to Sunday School,
includes various teaching events led by the clergy
several times a year, on Sundays or during an evening
over several weeks. Sample offerings have included
"Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts," "Lord,
Teach Us to Pray," "Overview of The
Bible," and others.
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Our
Common Life
Fellowship
We enjoy each other's company at periodic dinners
for the church and community, a community Christmas tree
lighting and Carol Sing, as well as a Christmas Pageant.
Throughout the year "Coffeehouses" with a
variety of musical entertainment are offered in the
Parish House. The annual Roast Beef Dinner and Christmas
Bazaar are important fundraisers, and, in addition to a
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and a New Year's Eve First
Night Coffeehouse, offer still more opportunity for
Christian fellowship.
The Center
A weekly meeting of parishioners and community
friends, The Center offers a hot meal, crafts,
companionship and entertainment. Our network of care
keeps many who live alone connected to a larger Christian
family. The Center meets each Wednesday at 11:30am in the
Parish Hall for lunch. Bring a covered dish to share!
Small Groups
We are committed to establishing a variety of small
groups within the congregation which can meet each
other's needs--these might be interest groups, support
groups, service groups, or fellowship groups.
Other Ministries
Members participate in a variety of ministries in
the church and community. In the community we actively
support local ministries such as FISH, a service for
those in need. We are also a covenanting church with
Habitat for Humanity. Several of us exercise our gifts of
intercessory prayer. The women of the church have a
ministry of service and fellowship which works for and
contributes to a number of outreach projects--most
recently "Mary's Family," a program that offers
support to the caregivers and families of physically and
mentally disabled children. As an Episcopal Church our
members are involved in some of the dozens of ministries
available at Diocesan level such as camps and
conferences, Cursillo, the Ministry on Aging, church
planting, disabled persons, prison ministry, peace,
stewardship, refugees, and others.
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Our Pastoral Ministry
Healing in a Frantic World
So many people live lives of quiet
desperation--anxious, worried about money, jobs, keeping
relationships together, or picking up the pieces when
they break. Many struggle with emotional pain, grief,
chronic illness, addictions or guilt. Our chief pastoral
ministry is to bring God's power to heal body, mind and
spirit, and to convey God's love, forgiveness, and
empowerment to those who need Him. This happens in a
variety of ways:
Healing Ministry
Our Rector, the Rev. Jim Cirillo, offers the laying
on of hands and anointing for healing of body, mind, and
spirit. This is done during our worship at the time of
Communion. It is available at any other time by request
to the Pastor. It is especially appropriate for those
sick at home or hospitalized, and for those suffering
great spiritual or emotional anxiety.
Prayer
The Pastor and other members of the congregation
are always available to be with you to pray with and for
you and your loved ones. Our prayer list, published in
our bulletin, is used by many in their daily devotions.
Call the office to add names and celebrate results.
Reconciliation
The Rite of Reconciliation (Confession) is offered
by appointment with the Pastor at any time. It is the
Church's ministry of reconciling and forgiving
relationships.
Counseling
Our Pastor is not a mental health professional, but
he is experienced in short term crisis counseling and the
spiritual dimensions of life crises. He will assist in
referring people to the many resources available in our
congregation, the wider Church, and in the community.
Call for an appointment.
Spiritual Direction
This ministry helps one to learn how to pray, to
discern the presence of God in their daily lives, to draw
closer to Him through prayer and meditation, and through
the discipline of regular study, Bible reading, and
devotional practice.
Visitation
As a matter of course, the Pastor and others in the
congregation visit the hospitalized or homebound, to
bring Holy Communion, prayer, and the ministry of
healing. The Pastor is happy to visit in one's home, so
please tell him if you desire a visit.
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