Dear Friends,

I am afraid I am going to give this shorter shrift than it deserves.  'Tis the season of racing the clock to feel calm and bright by Christmas Eve.

We had a perfectly lovely meeting at Judy's house on Saturday, with 26 souls gathered to celebrate Advent and Christmas with The Rev. Ellen Neufeld of the Diocese of Albany.  It was Aare Ilves who met Ellen at the Albany convention and planted the seed that flowered into a warm relationship on Sat.  In her opening comments to us she let us know that she was delighted to be invited and that others in the diocese are as willing as she to come and serve.  We hope she will come again.  As a teacher/preacher/encourager, she is a treasure.

She began by noting that in our northern woods winter it grows dark around quarter to five.  She dwelled on the Christmas story, with the rough rank shepherds being the first to see the star that December night, and elaborated on the biblical theme of darkness not being able to overcome the light --the light of Christmas, the light of God.  The shepherds, even before the kings and maji, were invited to follow the heavenly light, to Come and See, then Go and Tell.  Our task is to Come and See, light the torch, and Run and Tell.  What we can do is to be a light ourselves and to let it shine in the darkness.  People in the dark who meet people who have the light of God within are attracted to the light and want that specialness you have.  She told the lesson much better than this.  For the communion service she used Rite One, Eucharistic Prayer B.  (Next time we will be using Rite Two with prayer B.)

Kathy Carpenter was a good sport; she used an unfamiliar keyboard yet managed to lead us in lots of hymns and Christmas carols.

Dwight MacPherson did his usual elegant job of preparing the table and assisting the priest.

Everyone outdid themselves in bringing festive goodies for the fellowship hour.  (The men in this group make exceptional contributions.)  It's understood, of course, that we could all be happy with simple fare like cheese and crackers.   No one should feel under pressure to cook or bake.  We are just happy to be sharing together.  It was nice to have Tina Kurrelmeyer of Shelburne join us for the day.  And I forgot to mention that John and Barbara Lazja came for the first time to a Timothy meeting in November.  New faces become old friends mighty quickly here!

During the meeting time we voted to contribute $100 to the Bishops' Appeal (which we indicated should be restricted for the work of mission) Fund of the Diocese of Albany, which has been supportive to the fellowship from the start .  Ann gave a treasurer's report which I will update now:

Offerings July thru November 2006:$1,825.00

        Plus December 16 offering:      555.00

Total$2,380.00

Expenses :

Supply priests and CCLI license $   896.10

10% tithe to ACN, ARDF and NEC      239.00

Bishops' Appeal Diocese of Albany      100.00

Total$ 1,235.10

Net $1,144.90

Aare presented an interesting map of New England which he constructed, with the different parishes, missions and fellowship groups worshiping in the historic Anglican tradition shown with colored pins.  There were more pockets of Anglicanism in New England than we were aware of, illustrating Ellen's point earlier that we are not alone. Her other point is that it is rewarding to reach out to others who feel alone. Her diocese and the Irish diocese of Dromore partnered with a Southern Sudan diocese and produced a wellspring of good works and no one felt alone anymore.

(the map is in the December photos, These are the meanings of the colors on the map:

 

    RED:  Major churches / ministry centers / cathedrals

    WHITE & YELLOW:  Network churches (whether in or out of TEC)

    BLUE AND GREEN:  Continuing Anglican churches (ACA, REC, AMiA)

Reports were given on what the two Timothy bible study groups are doing.  There were 9 and 12 people involved in each of last week's study groups.  Timothy East is studying James and Timothy Champlain Valley is studying 1 Timothy using John Stott's study guide as a tool.  Both small groups appear to be functioning well, exciting the mind and spirit.  Prayer is an important part of both groups.

Suggestions for priests to invite, in addition to those who have served, were offered up:  Peter Moore, John Guest, Jack Potter, George Hobson, Michael McKinnon......Creative planning is an activity each person may take part in, by the way.  Ann can coordinate, but the ideas come from you.

*****

Next meeting:  Saturday, January 6 at 10:30 am at Diane and Terry's home in Quechee, VT with The Rt. Rev. Andrew Fairfield celebrating, assisted by The Rev. Marnie Keator.

Next:  Saturday, February 3 at 10:30 am at Washington Winn's home in Shelburne, VT with The Rev. Alex Cameron celebrating.

Next:  tbd   (let's see what the ACN - NEC work groups are planning)

Merry Christmas everyone!