Spring planting

Our 70 tulip bulbs have gone through a "winter" in the refrigerator (we bought them a tad late!) and have awoken to prepare for what we hope will be a vivid show of scarlet and yellow this spring.

Soon the gardening team will plant them along with some iris bulbs -- but first we’ve got some work to do. On Saturday morning we’ll spread around a truck load of soil and compost. Monty will till it into our long neglected (hard-as-brick) soil. If you’re interested in some sunshine and fellowship, please join us! And we could definitely use extra wheelbarrows and shovels.

In the fall we built four raised beds and planted azaleas, pansies, a date tree, crocuses and other greenery. This year we hope to landscape other parts of the back yard and grow sunflowers, zinnias, aster, butterfly weed, anise-hyssop, wildflowers and more. Many of these we’ve chosen to attract birds (including hummingbirds) and butterflies, as well as beneficial insects like ladybugs that will snack on the tiny pests around our flowers and vegetables.

We’ll keep adding to the grounds little by little. Our back yard soon will become a peaceful, pretty place where folks can meet for lunch or sit quietly. If you're interest in landscaping or caring for the plants, please e-mail Jamie.L.Kennedy@gmail.com.

With God's grace, and some hard work,our yard will be a peaceful enhancement to our community.

------ Jamie

Greetings from Karen

15 February 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write to you with joy as your new Vicar! I know the journey has been long for you all; I look forward to working alongside you in ministry at St. Joseph’s.

To that end I want you to know that I will not come in and start changing things. I will spend some months getting to know you individually and as a congregation. I hope to get to know each of you: your gifts and talents, your history at St. Joseph’s and what you hope for the future at St. Joseph’s. And together we will move forward into the future.

I have begun by reading the story of the first 100 years of history of St. Joseph’s. It is clear that the people of St. Joseph’s are rooted in prayer, study and service to the community. I look forward to continuing that journey with you in our own day and time, seeing how we will be witnesses to God’s Kingdom.

You will be getting to know me over the coming days and months, but please know that I am available to you. I may do some things a little differently; if you wonder why I do a particular thing, please ask. I also will be asking many questions to learn about St. Joseph’s!

I will be taking Mondays as my Sabbath day – my own day for rest and renewal. However, if it’s a Monday and you have a pastoral emergency, please call! Since my position is half-time, I will generally be working Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. During my first months at St. Joseph’s I will be trying to meet with as many folks as possible, so I may be out of the office. If you would like to meet, please email or call me on my cell phone. I look forward to getting to know you.

I look forward to celebrating the Eucharist with you this Sunday, February 20^th.

Blessings,

Karen+