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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