Please take a moment to read the names on the Prayer List.

So many need our prayers.

Worship Assistants & Altar Guild Schedules

Please Click Below

The goal of the Constant Contact Email is to keep everyone updated with all things St. Peter's. The new website is under construction and much of what is in this email will be organized in an easy to navigate website.

Until the new website is ready, we are keeping the newest information toward the beginning of this email along with links for the service bulletin, announcements, worship assistant schedule and what's on the calendar.

The new website will keep everyone front and center in real time of the work we are all doing as well as a resource for prayers, stories, support and a giving portal.

Recent Happenings at a Glance

Our Website Company, Membership Vision, has reviewed our preliminary website menu and has advised us to provide the pictures and content that corresponds to the website menu. If anyone is interested in assisting in this process, please email Susan susanblauvelt@aol.com

__________________________________

Click on the link below for the latest on for information on

Wednesday's Lunch Bunch!

This Wednesday, our dear Rafael, Jane, and Randy Morillo will share with us their anguished hearts for the realities today their families and friends, children of God in their beloved Venezuela. The Christian heart must hold closely the suffering of God’s people everywhere. We cannot hold the suffering of another close unless we allow ourselves to look at it. Come Wednesday, about 11:30. Let us listen to Rafael and learn, that our hearts might embrace and support our brothers and sisters in Venezuela.

The Mission Committee and Gen met for most of the day on Saturday, April 20th to begin the process of a Mutual Ministry Review. Our discussion was broad-based, realistic, and encouraging. In the next few weeks, we will share what we have discussed and how to implement the good work God calls us to do together.

Our Deacon, CarolSue Cummings hopes to return to New Jersey by May 6th. CarolSue's shoulder is not 100% and she needs our continued prayers. Please share in Debbie MacArthur's heartfelt prayer:

 Heavenly Father: We pray for our sister, Deacon CarolSue. We pray for comfort and encouragement as she deals with this ongoing shoulder issue. Please give the doctors wisdom and help them to figure out a good solution. Please grant she and Don safety as they travel back to New Jersey and we pray we would be able to share in worship with them and encourage them soon. We ask this in Jesus Name - Amen

Do you have a task too small to warrant hiring a handyman; yet you feel is too large to tackle

on your own?

Perhaps you have a couch that needs to be moved so you can do some spring cleaning?

Maybe a light bulb that needs changing but is too high for you to reach?

A step or fence post that needs re-nailing? A tree that needs trimming?

St. Peter’s helpers may be able to lend a hand!

No job is too small, but some may be too large for us. To find out, call the parish administrator, Chris, at 609-494-2398 and tell her what you need. A helper will get in touch with you, and we’ll do our best to get the job done.

We’ve already done one job. Marie Stone needed a picnic table moved from one of her garages to another. Marie & Bruce Allen did the moving. Don’t be shy! We’re here. We are a community and we’re here for each other.       

Five to stand for election as 28th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Click on the links below for further information.

Let Us Keep our Troops Close in Daily Prayer

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

From the Book of Common Prayer

The military confirmed Thursday, February 8th, 2024, that all five Marines were killed outside San Diego when their helicopter went down during stormy weather, and efforts were underway to recover their remains. 

God of compassion, we lift up the souls of soldiers who have fallen in the line of duty. Grant them eternal rest and perpetual light. May their families and loved ones find solace in the knowledge that their sacrifice was not in vain, and that they are forever held in our hearts. Guide us towards a world where peace prevails, and where the need for such sacrifice is no more. Amen.

O God, author and giver of peace, in whose image and likeness each of us has been created with a human dignity worthy of respect on earth and destined for eternal glory,

Listen to the cry that rises from every corner of this fragile earth

from our human family torn by violent conflict: Give peace in our time, O good and gracious God, that peace which, as your son Jesus Christ told us and as we have experienced in these days, is a peace which the world cannot give.

To world leaders grant the wisdom to see beyond the boundaries of race, religion, and nation to that common humanity that makes us all your children and brothers and sisters to one another.

To those who have taken up arms in anger or revenge or even in the cause of justice grant the grace of conversion to the path of peaceful dialogue and constructive collaboration.

To the innocent who live in the shadow of war and terror, especially the frightened children be a shelter and strength, their haven and hope.

And to those who have already lost their lives as victims of human cruelty and chemical warfare, open wide your arms and enfold them all in the embrace of your compassion, healing, and everlasting life.

Grant this through Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord.

Mary, Mother of all and Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Peter J. Scagnelli

To stay in touch The Diocese of New Jersey sends an email reflecting on the Good News in the Garden State. If you aren't receiving these emails you can sign up through the link below. It's a great way to keep track of what is happening in the Episcopal Church.

Included in the Diocese's email, Bishop Sally shares her weekly message in the 'Bishop's Corner'. Click on the link below to read Bishop Sally's message.

St. Peter's remits a sizeable portion of its budget annually to the Diocese of New Jersey through Marks of Mission Giving (2024 total $26,306).

It is important that we become aware and engaged in the Diocese of New Jersey’s Mission and be able to share our thoughts along the way. 

Below is the website link to The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey.

Please check it out from time to time so you are in the know.

A Kaltenbach Video Production

Presentation

The History of

St. Peter's-at-the-Light

Established in 1890

In 2007, St. Peter's created a video on the history of St. Peter's. As the years were moving on, we wanted those that were such faithful stewards of St. Peter's to share what they could about St. Peter's. Those that came before us did the very things we are doing today. They shared in worship & fellowship, welcomed everyone, and took pride in their ministries of the church. Most importantly, they supported each other through life's ups and downs. Their laughter came easily. I feel their presence every time I walk through the Chapel's red door.

And I light a few candles with a smile!

If you haven't seen the video, please check it out in the link below and enjoy!

Susan

Birthdays!!

We celebrate the life of each of

our brothers & sisters!**

April

Sharon Mayhew- 1st

Alan Thomas - 2nd

Evelyn Westbrook - 6th

William Spall - 8th

Roger Stead - 8th

Mary Alan - 9th

Jacqueline Sullivan - 17th

David Deakyne - 19th

Angela Thomas - 25th

Al DiAntonio - 29th

Bob Schmidt - 30 th

Anniversaries

April

Ginny & George Guider -10th

Regina Sue & Larry Hofer - 20th

Nancy Hennessey & Peter Snieckus - 28th

Carolsue & Don Cummings - 29th

**If your birthday or anniversary is missing…. It’s because we don’t have it! Let us know and we will celebrate YOU!

~ THE POWER OF PRAYER ~

ST. PETER'S PRAYER CHAIN

&

THE PRAYER WARRIORS

Quietly behind the scenes Debbie MacArthur heads up a group of Parish Family members offering Prayers & Thanks for those 'life comes at us' moments.

~ From Debbie on how the group got started ~

 "At the beginning of 2020 , when Covid-19 was on the rise, I felt that we needed a way to connect and encourage each other and lift each other up to God in prayer. It was (and still is ) a scary time. The church I grew up in had a great prayer chain that brought me comfort many times. You could call or text anytime and know someone would pray for you. The pandemic seemed like a good time to care for people in this way. I reached out to a few people at the beginning and now are a team of 12. We started with phone calls since we all missed seeing each other and chatting together. That became a problem in emergency situations because there were often gaps between callers. We began emailing and texting each other. That worked better especially as our numbers grew and also when life got busier again."

So when the need arises that you or someone you know is in need of prayers, you have the urge to celebrate some good news or want to join in as a Prayer Warrior....

please email Debbie at njflowerfairy@msn.com

It's not every Sunday a church receives a visit from the presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. But on February 6, 2005, St. Peter's was blessed with that opportunity.

Bishop Griswold is a friend of Pat Feeney and Donna McGrath. And the Bishop and his wife, Phoebe, were visiting so Pat & Donna brought their friends to church!

It was a magical Sunday.

Bishop Griswold passed away on March 5th, 2023, in Philadelphia. Our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, provided a moving homily at Bishop Frank's service on March 18th.

Let us Pray: Dear God, we lift up Bishop Frank in prayer as we remember him with thanks for his life and the impact, he had on those around him. Please bring comfort and peace to those who mourn his loss, and may they find hope in your loving presence and the promise of eternal life. Amen.

Please click on the links below for a recap of the many good works of Bishop Griswold and the video of his burial service.

Diocesan Convention

Saturday March 9th, 2024, Recap

Vicar Gen along with delegates Susan Blauvelt, Eleanora Carr and Maribeth McGrover attended the Convention Saturday, March 9th at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton. It was Bishop French's first time of leading an Annual Convention. The Bishop is dedicated to organizing the Diocese so it is there to support the congregations and their people.

In the eight plus months that the Bishop has been serving the Diocese she has been paying very close attention to the finances and administrative operations. It has become apparent to the Bishop that the Diocese has not followed important protocols and there are significant areas that need strengthening. This has brought on necessary staff changes. Click on Bishop French's letter below for a further explanation. The Bishop also continued to address these concerns at the convention and her remarks can be viewed in the

Convention YouTube Video below.

 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner,

February 13th, 2024, 5:30 p.m

took place in the Parish House!

Donn Mann and Len Van Orden flipped pancakes. Kay Giberson provided

her delicious sausages! 

Thanks to Maribeth McGrover and Linda Hoffman who organized what was needed along with setting the tables, cleaning up and all others who pitched in too!

Don Mann received a long overdue Mug of Thanks for his many good works!

On Friday Evening,

February 9th, 2024, at 7 PM at the

Long Beach Island Foundation a supportive group of movie goers from St. Peter's Parish Family watched and enjoyed an exclusive film screening of

Don Mann's Van Gogh's eyes.

If you weren't able to attend fear not. Van Gogh's eyes is now streaming on Amazon, VUDU, Spectrum and Rotten Tomatoes.

In your search use Van Gogh's eyes.

On Sunday, February 4th, 2024, we celebrated in the Baptism of

Mae Elizabeth Duffy,

Daughter of Marjorie and Daniel Duffy!

Annual 2024 Meeting is in the books.

Business Actions

Minutes from January 22, 2023 were approved. 

2024 Operating Budget was discussed and approved. 

Bob Schmidt was nominated and elected to serve as Junior Warden for a 2-year term.

Laura Van Orden & Jackie Sullivan were nominated and elected to serve as Mission Committee Members for a 3-year term.

Deputies to 240^th Diocesan Convention on March 9, 2024

         Susan Blauvelt, Eleanora Carr, Maribeth McGrover

Delegates to The Atlantic Convocation

         Susan Blauvelt, Maribeth McGrover, Linda Pugliese

Sincere Gratitude!

Maribeth McGrover, Linda Pugliese, Jeanne Archer, and Booker Deakyne were amazing hosts for our Annual Meeting last week! As it happens with everything you do, your actions helped us deepen our Christian fellowship. We are most grateful! If we likely failed to name you as someone who helped plan, set up, serve, or clean up, kindly forgive us! God knows your name and your work, even if it seems overlooked by us, and that is so much more important!   

Vicar 'Grummy' Bishop had dual roles during Saturday, Jan. 13th, 2024, Evening Service. She baptized two beautiful young girls, Trinity & Serenity Mason & while also serving as their loving grandmother. The Mason family flies home to Australia on Jan. 14th. We wish them safe travels and are grateful that we could spend time with them

at St. Peter's-at-the-Light!

93 faithful souls filled St. Peter's Chapel at

5 PM on Christmas Eve. St. Peter's singer's

Dee Mann, Peter Snieckus, Barbara Sweeten, Laura & Kelly Van Orden accompanied by organist Barbara Wheeler sang the hymn "Peace, Peace'. Silent Night was next where all joined in. As the congregation sang along all were holding lighted candles as a sign that we commit ourselves to sharing the

light of God's love each day.

Trimming The Chapel for The Holidays!

Saturday morning, Dec. 2nd members of St. Peter's Altar Guild met with a few other interested helpers and shared in what many who have come before us have done like clockwork as the new year of the Church year begins.

Click on the link below for an overview provided by Gen on how we all can enhance our Advent experience.

A Visit with Bishop Sally French!

On Tuesday, November 21st, Maribeth McGrover, Linda Pugliese, Susan Blauvelt and Vicar Genevieve attended the Atlantic Convocation Meeting at St. Stephen's Church in Waretown.

We got a chance to listen to topics which are on the minds of clergy in the convocation. Our Bishop is working very hard, methodically, and thoughtfully

as she follows her calling. The people of the Diocese of New Jersey are very fortunate to have

Bishop Sally as our shepherd.

We also got a chance to present a thank you gift to the Bishop. In July at St. Peter's at the Light Bishop Sally made her first parochial visit as the newly ordained & consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey! Michele Contala, Don Cummings and a few others caught the day in pictures. We created a canvas with a few of the photos and included one of Bishop Sally's favorite bible passages:

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun. Do you see it?

Isiah 43:19

Bishop Sally was very appreciative of the gift.

A reflection of how touched we were by her visit!

Back in the COVID Days of online worshipping Dave Deakyne and Don Mann put together our online worship system which we continue

to utilize today.

In July we received an email from Jonathan Dolan of CSAV Systems based in Colts Neck, NJ inquiring if we would like an assessment of St. Peter's streaming capabilities.

We decided to let CSAV take a look and provide recommendations. Our reasoning is running our worship streaming often has hiccups. There are very few of us who are familiar with the system and can run it. CSAV has provided numerous references of churches in our area who are using their systems.

A Thankful Update!

Our crack technology angels, Don Mann, Dave Deakyne and Len Van Orden have been on the hunt for solutions to simplify our online worship process. Fortunately, they have been successful and in the process of

implementing same. Their committed work on this project has saved St. Peter's

significant expense with an end result of assuring that we stay consistently connected with online worshipers.

Baptisms!

We were delighted that Maclan Charles Oberg and Teagan Kinley Oberg, were welcomed into our community on August 27th by the glorious sacrament of Baptism! Let us welcome Max and Teagan, and celebrate with their parents Caitlin & Jason, and their grandparents, our friends Terry & Allan Egler!!

Check out the video and pictures below of a very active flock of God's Little Lambs. And let us not forget - at one time this was all of us!

We are also sharing a video of a faithful Parish singing along to

Christ Be Our Light!

Photography courtesy of Don Cummings

Our St. Peter’s Mission Committee voted to send $2,000 from the St. Peter’s community to the Bishop of Hawaii’s Pastoral Care Fund for direct and immediate relief to the community of Holy Innocents. This $2,000 has been sent from our Outreach Funds.

Please click on the link below on ways we can all contribute to Lahaina and other communities across Maui in so much need.



With all our hearts and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord.

Compassionate Lord, we pray for those who have been devastated

by the wildfires in Maui. We remember those who have lost their lives so suddenly. We hold in our hearts the families forever changed by grief and loss. Bring them consolation and comfort. Surround them with our prayer for strength. Bless those who have survived and heal their memories of trauma and devastation. May they have the courage to face the long road of rebuilding ahead.

We ask your blessing on all those who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their security and their hope. Bless the work of relief agencies and those providing emergency assistance. May their work be guided by the grace and strength that comes from You alone.

Help us to respond with generosity in prayer, in assistance, in aid to the best of our abilities. Keep our hearts focused on the needs of those affected, even after the crisis is over. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen 

Author Unknown

Pastoral Care Team

Our St. Peter’s community has always been marked by extraordinary love and willingness to support each other. To strengthen our community’s capacity to care for those who are homebound or ill or otherwise struggling, we are formalizing the training and service of a new Pastoral Care Ministry. This Ministry Team (which includes both our clergy - Genevieve and Deacon Carolsue – and members of the community who find themselves drawn to this work) will serve both as Two-by-Two Eucharistic Visitors and as Two-by-Two Pastoral Care Visitors.

As we are presently in the formation phase, if you would like to join us, you are welcome to gather with us in the parish house at 11:30 on Friday August 25th.

In the link below Gen is providing us with a comprehensive overview on how many of our current interactions with one another are examples of pastoral care actions. Instinctively we all know how important it is to be aware of those around us and provide support when life's struggles become more than they can navigate on their own. Collectively our Parish Family can make a difference.

2 Corinthians 9:8

God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace.

That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.

The Blessings of the Backpacks did just that!

Click below for videos of the Blessings and Prayer Service and the actual blessing accompanied by a good dose of Holy Water!

~ July 2023 ~

The month began with a visit from newly ordained Bishop Sally French on July 2nd making St. Peter's her first parish stop as she begins her ministry.

On July 10th, Gen conducted a very small memorial gathering for long-time parishioner Mary Riley. Mary's ashes were interred in the memorial garden. As a friend of Mary, Warden Susan attended the service which was very meaningful to Mary's family in attendance.

On July 12th at Wednesday's Healing Service long time summer parishioner Don Furrer let Gen know that his wife Katie (Spikes) had decided that she would no longer continue treatment for ovarian cancer.

For the time being the family, including sons James and Owen, would continue to spend time with Katie on West 4th Street in Barnegat Light. Gen spent time consoling and praying with the family as the weeks went by. Katie became weaker and the family left for Westfield on Tuesday, July 25th. After they returned home Katie passed away later in the day. The family had spoken with Gen about Katie's service and how they would like to celebrate Katie's life. Everyone felt there would be a bit more time but that was not to be. On July 31st at 10 AM Gen conducted Katie's service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Westfield. The ushers stopped counting when attendance hit 300. A few members of St. Peter's Parish Family and the Furrer/Spikes neighbors on 4th Street were present. Our prayers remain with Don, James and Owen and Katie now at peace.

Most likely if we asked Gen what she did during any given week she wouldn't be able to rattle it off very quickly. There are meetings at the Diocese, administering to St. Peter's, the School for Ministry, pastoral visits and unpredictable concerns that accompany those life comes at you moments.

Since Gen joined St. Peter's as our Vicar, she has been focused on providing our Parish with unique ways of worship, ways to strengthen and organize our working committees and worship assistant participation.

All the above are vital ministries of our Parish. What remains a most important work in progress for St. Peter's is Pastoral Care. Gen or any priest that serves St. Peter's can only do so much. In the next section of this email please review Gen's reflections on Pastoral Care.

Burgers & Blessings............

was a blessing to our community!

To spend time with young people committed to serving the community… what greater joy could we find after a “Noah’s Ark” kind of afternoon?

Our thanks to Maribeth and Linda and the entire Ministry & Outreach team, to Debbie & Tom for opening their home to us, and to the worker bees who had any part in the planning, purchasing, setting up, moving to 6th street & re-setting, cooking, grilling, serving, cleaning up, & everything that falls in between! Congratulations on a job so well done!

… and remember what happened when God met Moses in the burning bush?? (God told Moses to take off his sandals for he was standing on holy ground.) The lifeguards who came into the church barefoot seemed to have that same sense … they were standing on holy ground, just as they do when they stand on the sand, alert for anyone in need. It was an awesome sight!

So, here’s a fair warning for next year! We might all just have to take off our sandals and go barefoot for this blessing!

Check out the pictures and videos below!

 Episcopal Revival - In Baltimore, July 9th - 12th

An Episcopal revival is a dedicated series of gatherings that combine inspiring worship, compelling teaching, honest faith-sharing, intensified prayer, and some form of engagement with the mission of God – all for the sake of the spiritual renewal and transformation of people and of society.

It was our great privilege to host our newly ordained & consecrated bishop on her first parochial visit on July 2nd. The day was a glorious one as we shared in the Word of the Lord and sung along to hymns of joy!

The Bishop mobile pulled up to St. Peter's and with that Bishop Sally jumped into action helping those rehearse their parts who would be confirmed, or received and others who would reaffirm their baptismal vows.

In the links below are videos of special moments of the service.

Barbara Sweeten & Laura Van Orden performed Donis Nobis Pacem accompanied by organist Barbara Wheeler

Photos are courtesy of Don Cummings and Michele Contala

A Saturday of Ordinations!

At 10 a.m., Saturday, May 6th, 2023,

at Trinity Cathedral

Bishop Stokes ordained these persons:

Daphne Roberts, Deacon,

Rocco Sherman, Deacon,

Jane Carol Wilson, Deacon,

Kevin Thompson, Transitional Deacon,

Matthew McDermott, Transitional Deacon.

At 4 p.m. that afternoon, at All Saint's Church in Lakewood Bishop Stokes ordained Nicole Kurkowski as a priest.

As we offer our congratulations, we need to include a shout out to the Director of the School for Ministry, none other than our very own Vicar Gen Bishop.

Under Gen's tutelage the ordinands made their way to this day.

Let us keep all the Ordinands and their Director in our prayers!

This Sunday, December 4th, at our Fellowship Hour we will wish our long time Parish Family Member, Greg Albright, a fond farewell.

I first met Greg, April and Hunter when I would attend services at Holy Innocents in the late 1990's. I asked Greg to share some background information on when he and his family arrived at St. Peter's.

Here are Greg's recollections:

"We started out at Holy Innocents in 1998, I think. Hunter was baptized there. We came up to St. Peter's during the summer of 2005. I served nine years on the MC; 2012 through 2020 and was Treasurer in 2021. I did the financial part of parochial reports for five years (2017-2021). I've been an acolyte/LEM since 2016. Lastly, I was the chair of the Futures Committee (capital campaign for the church renovation) in 2015/2016."

Greg's service at St. Peter's is an example of the threads that have faithfully bonded the Parish Community together for so many years.

To stay in touch with Greg, here is his new address:

5207 Moye Road, Trent Woods NC 28562

There will be a lucky Parish in Greg's future. Greg will always have a 'ZOOM' seat at St. Peter's and an acolyte robe hanging in the closet

if a visit is in his future!

Thank you, Greg! We will sure miss you! We love you! God Bless You!!

Drums of needed goods have reached the Parishes in Haiti.

Thank you Don Mann for your continued efforts in wrapping up this project!!

We thank God for this good news while our prayers continue for the many Haitians who suffer so much during this time of unrest and upheaval.

WARDEN'S TAKEAWAY

OUR LAST TOWN HALL DISCUSSION - SUNDAY OCTOBER 17TH

For many years during discussions of faith at St. Peter's no matter how the conversation starts out it always seems to find its way back to - we need people. There are always vague ideas of how should we go about reaching out for those to join us.

Religious trends are changing. Check out the following statistics.

From Pew Reports

• 65% of American adults describe themselves as Christian. Down from 77% in 2009.
• 6% of Americans are Hindu.
• 2.4% of Americans are Jewish.
• 1% of Americans are Muslim.
• 26% of Americans are a mixture of atheists, agnostics, or nothing. Up from 17% in 2009.

So you can see the rise of people who don't believe, and the fall of Christians in particular.

• 75% of baby boomers describe themselves as Christian.
• Only 49% of millennials do.

A study by Spring Tide Research asked 13 to 25 year old Americans if religion is relevant to them. About half, 50% said it is not. 

So What is a Parish Family to Do?

I have extra copies of Top Tips on Reaching Unchurched Children. It's a short 32 page read but it's packed with thought provoking ideas.

I suggest we start reading and at our next Town Hall Meeting

we need a robust discussion.



Email me if you would like a copy.

susanblauvelt@aol.com

~ Matthew 11:28 ~

Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him.

Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.

THE LATEST ON ST. PETER'S INSTALLATION OF VIDEO EQUIPMENT

Don Mann and Dave Deakyne have been working behind the scenes to improve our ZOOM services.  The end result of the project eliminates visible wiring and provides a 'small command center' near the organ where the cameras, audio, TV and ZOOM Meeting will be monitored and controlled.

ST. PETER'S BUILDING INSPECTIONS TOOK PLACE



The Church, Parish House and Vicarage were all inspected On October 13, 2021.

Upon the review of the reports we will take action on what items need to be immediately addressed and those that will require future maintenance.

The Mission Committee's goal is to organize and simplify the care of our properties. Anyone interested in helping out as we develop the much needed systems to keep track of what is needed please contact Susan.