“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12)

It is not quite summer, according to the Gregorian calendar, but the forecast for the coming weekend (the first in June) is fully worthy of August, with heat in the high 80’s and soaring humidity. Thus we begin summertime, what the church’s calendar calls “Ordinary time.”

The term is not a commentary on the quality of the Sundays, but derives from the term ordinal or “numbered.” The weeks in Ordinary time, absent any distinct liturgical focus such as Lent or Advent, are numbered, albeit with several Sundays named for a special commemoration.

Our numbers change a bit in Ordinary time - vacation time, summer camp, summer homes, all these result in a smaller worshiping contingent. But the Ordinary experience of the body of Christ here at St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel is actually rather extraordinary.

Our journey begins earlier - worship is at 10:00 from June 24th through September 2nd.

We travel to our own “summer home,” downstairs in the (air-conditioned) Social Hall, and we gather much more closely - literally- around the gospel as we worship together.

We worship in an arrangement that echoes cathedrals and churches of a millennia ago, with chairs arrayed in two “choirs,” facing each other. As we read and sing across a narrow open space, the sound blends with an immediacy and intimacy that is very different from what we experience in the sanctuary upstairs.

But the most extraordinary aspect of our worship is the ground of all our worship, whenever, wherever it takes place: where two or more gather in Christ’s name, he is there, God with us.

May this wisdom be a treasure for each of us as we continue our journey together.

Pr. Parsons

Sunday, June 3rd

Assisting Minister - David Dumais; Communion Assistant - Valmekie Basil; Lector - Nanciann Piekarski Acolytes: Stacy Locke, Peter Giddings, TBA Coffee Hour: Eileen Kelly, Ivan and Thalia Richter

Sunday, June 10th

Assisting Minister - Gene Hiigel; Communion Assistant - Suzanne Bagley; Lector -
Cindy Radtke ; Acolytes: Eliza Dumais, Juliet Medina, TBA Coffee Hour: TBA

Sunday, June 17th

Assisting Minister - Jim Vizzini; Communion Assistant - Pat Luback; Lector - Kathleen Axen; Acolytes: Nils Axen, Peter Giddings, Steven Bholanauth Coffee Hour: Father’s Day Picnic

Sunday June 24th

Assisting Minister - Brit Geiger; Communion Assistant - Edmond Rakontonjanahary; Lector - Norine Enrione Coffee Hour: TBA

If a date is inconvenient for you, please contact the office and arrangements can easily be made.
Thank you for your understanding.

June 3rd
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15

June 10th
1 Kings 17:17-24, Psalm 30, Galatians 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17

June 17th
2 Samuel 11:26–12:10, 13-15; Psalm 32, Galatians 2:15-21, Luke 7:36–8:3

June 24th
Isaiah 65:1-9, Psalm 22:19-28, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39

A HUGE thank you to all who participated in the Rummage Sale on May 18th and 19th, with extra-special thanks to Katherine Anderson for coming up with the original idea and for organizing it.The rain came early on Saturday, but the sale was still a big success.

Between the sale and the Easter card sale, the Sunday School has raised $945.07 toward our $1,000 goal to support the Hinderlie family, Lutheran missionaries in Madagascar, where many of our congregants come from.

The most exciting part about the rummage sale was how many church members participated in organizing, selling, and cleaning up. So often, church projects fall heavily on one or two people, but here at least 25 members of the church shared in the work. And I did not even have to drive our van with the left-over stuff to the Salvation Army – Dave Dumais volunteered his mini-van, and several people loaded it up and went with him to unload!

Also, there were lots of wonderful donations, for which we thank you.Just to give you an example: I bought five English bone china tea cups, similar to what they sell at Ozzie’s for $40 each; a charming blue pitcher that is now decorating my kitchen; and a red silk couture-quality evening bag with the tags still on it. Item was 10% of the retail price (or less). Wow.

I hope we do this again next year, and that all of you will donate, volunteer your time, AND come and buy.You can get some incredible bargains! Emma Vizzini

St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel recently received a generous addition to our Memorial fund. The story behind the offering is a lesson in faith and community and stewardship. Jim Vizzini and Matt Croak were talking at coffee hour; Jim said he and Emma were selling their apartment. Matt made an offer: if he brokered the sale, he and Lynda would donate 10 % of his commission to the church. Jim and Emma agreed. When the apartment sold, they decided to emulate Matt, and donated a percentage of the sale to the church. The Vizzini and Croak/Anderson families say they are thankful for the blessings in their lives, and want to give back to God, and God’s church, in response. Their offering is a wonderful example of faith in action.

You are invited to attend a performance of the Christophorus-Kantorei, the internationally-known and award-winning a cappella youth choir of Altensteig, Germany. In its debut tour of the United States and Canada, the Choir is coming to Brooklyn Heights for a free, one-night performance, Thursday, June 7, 7:30 P.M., at Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church, 125 Henry Street. The program will include works by Schütz, Lotti, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Reger and contemporary composers; as well as madrigals, German romantic music, and folk songs from all over the world.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY

The annual Assembly of the Metropolitan New York Synod took place May 17th and 18th in Huntington Station, Long Island. Eric Johnson and Suzanne Bagley served as delegates from this congregation, and Gene Hiigel attended in his capacity as MNYS Synod Council member. The Assembly approved new guidelines for the pastoral call process, and passed a potentially very important memorial to the Churchwide assembly this summer. The Assembly asked that the national church remove all language that currently prevents pastors who are in committed, same sex relationships from serving on the roster of the ELCA. It is uncertain how the national church will respond, but this is seen as a significant step forward by congregations in the Reconciling in Christ movement.

BROOKLYN PRIDE INTERFAITH SERVICE AT ST. JOHN-ST. MATTHEW-EMANUEL

On Wednesday, June 6th, at 7:30 pm our church is privileged to host an interfaith worship service as part of the Brooklyn Pride Festival 2007. Our choir has been invited to sing, other choirs will perform as well, and leaders from several faith traditions will participate in the liturgy. It promises to be a lovely expression of our Reconciling in Christ ministry of welcome. Plan to be there!

BROOKLYN PRIDE FESTIVAL TABLE

On Saturday, June 9th, from 11-5, our church will host an information table in the Brooklyn Pride Festival on Prospect Park West. Volunteers are needed to spend 2-3 hours at the table. Your presence is a powerful statement of welcome. Please help us maximize this important opportunity to reach out to our neighborhood.

FLOWER ARRANGING - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The church has received a generous gift from Daniel Kerr, a former member. In celebration of his upcoming wedding, he is donating flowers and greens for the altar each week. The flowers will be delivered to the church on Friday; we need volunteers to arrange them in the two altar vases. This could take place before worship on Sunday morning. Please contact Pr. Parsons if you would like to participate in this ministry.

Marion Mittelkauf is in Augustana Lutheran Home, recovering from illness, and would appreciate visitors and/or phone calls. Call the office 718-768-0528 for contact information.

If you wish to submit a remembrance to memorialize or honor a loved one on Fathers’ Day, (Sunday, June 17th) the cost is $5.00 per name. Please use this form and place it in the collection plate on Sunday, or you may mail it to the church office. Please make checks payable to St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel.

The deadline for forms is Monday, June 11th.

Name(s) to memorialize __ / to honor __
(Please indicate on your check.)

From:

Address:

BIRTHDAYS

1 - Fae Locke
1 - Gabrieline Rakotonjanahary
4 - Rowan Groom
6 - Suzanne Bagley
6 - Mary Sue Lindley
7- Velma Hilliard
11 - Katherine Ferreira
11- Juliette Medina
12 - Elliot Colgan
12 - Lyla McAdams
14 - Liana Fong
15 - Mallory Croak
16 -Eva Enrione
17 - Ruth Gerlitz
19 - Joe McAdams
20 - Tom Radtke
23 - Denise Kenny
25 - Kristin Mahoney

ANNIVERSARIES

15 - Karin Genis & David Dumais
16 - Pr. Richard & Carolyn Miller
27 - Harry & Jacque Colgan
28 - Pr. David Parsons & Judy Diers

If your name, or that of someone you know, is not included in the Birthdays, Anniversaries or Memorials, please contact the church office so that we may correct the omission.

Memorial gifts have been received in loving memory of

Marie Kriete, died 6/15 from Ruth Gerlitz
Ted Gerlitz, died 6/23 from Ruth Gerlitz
Florence Green, b 6/21 from Barbara & Jim Ruggiero
Dolores Robertson, d 6/26 from Barbara & Jim Ruggiero
Elizabeth Baer, b 6/28 from Margery Baer

In Remembrance of Father’s Day

Ted Gerlitz & Paul B. Smith from Ruth Gerlitz
Wilfred Marsin from Carol Obser
Frederic Baer from Margery Baer
Altar Memorial by Eleanor Reichert

Stewardship Report for May

Average attendance: 73
Offering records are incomplete at press time

It seems impossible to me that only a month has passed since the last edition of this newsletter. Then, we were in Lent, poised for Holy Week. Now, we are in the midst of Easter season, sometimes a period of slightly decreased intensity in the life of a parish and its pastor. Such has not been the case hereabouts.
On Monday, April 9th, Judy, Liv and I flew to Egypt. We saw the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, swam in the Red Sea, and visited the monuments of Luxor. Judy had a work meeting in Luxor, which necessitated the trip - Liv and I got to tag along. Liv and I rode a camel, took boat rides on the Nile, and we all viewed the ancient temples and tombs of that historic site. Upon returning on April 19th, we were saddened to learn that my father, John T. Parsons, had died the previous day. Dad had been in declining health for several years, and his passing was blessedly easy and free from pain. So, on Sunday April 22nd, after the many activities of Earth Day and Favorite Hymn Sunday (see parish news) our little family got back on a plane and flew to Traverse City Michigan, where I presided at Dad’s funeral on Tuesday April 24th. Liv has borne the travel gracefully—her father, somewhat less so.

It has been my practice the last two years to send notes to all who did so much to make the Passion Play and other Holy Week activities take place. In light of the events above, and the passing of time, I am going to attempt to use this space for that purpose, and beg your understanding, especially if I inadvertently omit your name.

For the Passion Play, thanks especially to David Dumais, and to Richard Miller, Nick Fasano, Mary Fasano, Roger Danforth, Kathleen Axen, Mary Sue Lindley, Ken Axen, Jonathan Towle and Daryl Lang.

For the Passover Remembrance Seder, Pat Luback, Frank Luback and their team.

For Easter decorations, Donald Smith, David Dumais, Richard Miller.

For Easter Breakfast, coordinator Matt Croak, and Ken Axen, Mark Hoglund, Aaron Hoglund, Andrew Giddings, Daryl Lang, Jim Vizzini, and Gene Hiigel.

For the Easter egg hunt, Youth group coordinators Bunky Giddings, Jessica Liese and Heather Petersen, members of the Youth group and Sunday School teachers.

Emma Vizzini played an active role in many of the events above. Sexton Berthe Razafindramaro is always involved, and always in need of thanks for the work she does to keep our church shining.

Finally, for the many expressions of caring that I have received regarding my Father’s passing, my deepest thanks. The church “family” has touched me profoundly, and I am reminded, once again, of the blessing it is to be called to serve together with you.

Pastor Parsons

May 6th: Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21:1-6, John 10:22-30

May 13th: Acts 16:9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21:10,22-22:5, John 14:23-29

May 20th: Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 97, Revelation 11:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26

May 27th: Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17

Sunday, May 6th
Assisting Minister - Gene Hiigel; Communion Assistant - Jeanne Somers; Lector -
Minter Krotzer; Acolytes: Aaron Hoglund, Andrew Bholanat, Stacy Locke Coffee Hour: Eric & Tammy Johnson

Sunday, May 13th
Assisting Minister - Jim Vizzini; Communion Assistant - Kathleen Axen; Lector -
Valmekie Basil; Acolytes: Izzy Hiigel, Amy Somers Enrione, Steven Bholanauth Coffee Hour: Brit
Geiger & Mary Sue Lindley

Sunday, May 20th
Assisting Minister - Brit Geiger; Communion Assistant - Jeanne Somers; Lector -
Bunky Giddings; Acolytes: Liana Fong, Mallory Croak, Nicholas Fasano Coffee Hour: TBA

Sunday May 27th
Assisting Minister - Berthe Razafindramaro; Communion Assistant - Marie Towle; Lector - Daryl Lang; Acolytes: Aaron Hoglund, Siiri Rikala, Nils Axen Coffee Hour: Pastor Parsons and Judy Diers

NEW MEMBERS AND BAPTISMS
On Easter Sunday St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel baptized two children of God - Michelle Kruszewski and Lucy Louise Mahoney - and received as new members by affirmation of baptism Linda DeLotto, Carol Hawk, Ramona Kohrs, Ewelina Kruszewski, Kristen Mahoney, Whelan Mahoney, Polina Elkind and Steven Robbins. We rejoice at these signs of growth in our community of faith.

EARTH DAY
Sunday, April 22nd saw a celebration of Earth Day by the Sunday School and during worship. A highlight was the planting of a dogwood tree in the garden. Andrew and Bunky Giddings selected the tree and dug the hole, and the children helped shovel in soil and compost. All assembled were led in prayer by Pr. Parsons, asking God to teach us how to be good stewards of the earth and all its blessings. A special offering and a bake sale organized by the Youth Group (leadership from Amy Enrione Somers) raised more than $400 to pay for the tree and to help fund an energy audit of the church property.

PHOTO DIRECTORY
We are creating a new directory AND “face book”. Daryl Lang, Mark Lennihan and Richard Termine are coordinators. The first PHOTO DAY (more will follow) for members, associate members and friends of the congregation will be Sunday, May 6th, during coffee hour. Plan to be there!

RUMMAGE SALE FOR ELCA MISSIONARIES
The Sunday School and the Green Team are co-sponsoring a Rummage Sale on Saturday May 19, from 10:00 - 2:00. The proceeds will help meet our Missionary Covenant to provide $1,000 to help support a family of ELCA missionaries in Madagascar. Donations may be dropped off on Friday evening from 6-9 pm. Volunteers are needed Friday evening, and for 3 shifts (9-11, 11-2, and 2-4) on Saturday. Help support Madagascar Missionaries and our Missionary Covenant.

BROOKLYN PRIDE INTERFAITH SERVICE AT ST. JOHN-ST. MATTHEW-EMANUEL
On Wednesday, June 6th, at 7:30 pm our church is privileged to host an interfaith worship service as part of the Brooklyn Pride Festival 2007. Our choir has been invited to sing, other choirs will perform as well, and leaders from several faith traditions will participate in the liturgy. It promises to be a lovely expression of our Reconciling in Christ ministry of welcome. Plan to be there!

BROOKLYN PRIDE FESTIVAL TABLE
On Saturday, June 9th, from 11-5, our church will host an information table in the Brooklyn Pride Festival on Prospect Park West. Volunteers are needed to spend 2-3 hours at the table. Please join us for this important opportunity to evangelize and welcome all in our community to the love of Christ.

FAVORITE HYMN SUNDAY
The hymns chosen by the congregation for favorite Hymn Sunday, April 22nd, were All Things Bright and Beautiful, What Wondrous Love Is This?, Amazing Grace, Eat This Bread, and Praise and Thanksgiving.
Marion Mittelkauf is in Augustana Lutheran Home, recovering from illness, and would appreciate visitors and/or phone calls. Call the office 718-768-0528 for contact information.

Memorials

Memorial gifts have been received in loving memory of Mother’s Day

Carolyn Marsin by Carol Obser
Lillie Baer by Margery Baer
Florence Green & Emma Louise Gegenheimer by Barbara & Jim Ruggiero
Anna Reichert, b 5/30 by Eleanor Reichert
Flowers from Eleanor Reichert

Members celebrating birthdays in March

Fred Pils 5/1
Eric Johnson 5/6
Peter Anders Giddings 5/11
Alfred Williams 5/12
Steven Bholanauth 5/13
Miranda Carolin Eliot 5/13
Lisa Rikala 5/19
Matthew Freitag 5/26
Valencia Basil 5/28

If your name, or that of someone you know, is not included in the Birthdays or
Memorials, please contact the church office so that we may correct the omission.

Stewardship report for April

Average attendance: 124
Offering records are incomplete at press time