Rainy Day

Rain-drenched peony on the walkway.



And dry ones on our altar.



Some of the flowers growing around the church

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Silent Auction and Old Home Day Info

Info from Marylee:

Plans are already underway for St. Stephen's participation in Pittsfield's Old Home Day on July 18th. At this event we will be holding a silent auction as an important part of our festivities. This year's theme will be "In the Good Old Summertime". So while you are hunting for yard sale treasures, if you should uncover a really wonderful treasure.....a gift that wasn't quite right for you, new sporting goods, summertime things....we would love to have them for the silent auction. Perhaps you know of a business that might donate a gift certificate....We already have a gourmet picnic basket and those beautiful handmade pottery birdbaths by Ursula Allen, AND I have even heard that Denise is trying to secure the donation of some Red Sox tickets!

If you have questions about silent auction items please email or call me. As these challenging economic times continue to impact more and more of our friends and neighbors, our fundraising efforts at St. Stephen's become more and more important.

New Cross Installation

Our new cross, constructed by George Booth and Chris Noyes and painted by Fayth Noyes, was blessed last October by Bishop Robinson.



After spending many months in the Undercroft awaiting installation, it's now on top of the church!

The bucket truck, early this morning.



In the bucket.



Securing the cross.



Finished!



Many thanks to Daniel Welch for the action photos!

Blue Jeans Sunday

Spring clean-up day, indoors



and out!



Sabra also gave a flower-arranging lesson for those who were interested.

H1N1 (Swine) Flu information

Information provided by the NH Council of Churches.

Church Activity:

For a copy of the 28 page booklet "Pandemic Influenza Planning for Parishes" (created for Episcopal parishes and the Avian Flu but applies for all houses of worship and the swine flu) go to: Pandemic Influenza Planning for Parishes.

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services:

Human cases of an influenza A (H1N1) virus infection that has a swine component have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally. An investigation and response effort surrounding the outbreak of swine flu is ongoing on the national level and here in New Hampshire. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include:

Fever (greater than 100°F)
Sore throat
Cough
Stuffy nose
Chills
Headache and body aches
Fatigue

Some of the people who have become ill with swine flu reported diarrhea and vomiting as well. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported as well.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is working very closely with all our State partners as well as with health officials in at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and officials in other states to monitor and respond to this outbreak of illness. The DHHS Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) is performing active surveillance for any potential cases. DHHS will keep the public updated with information as it becomes available because this is a constantly changing situation.

This illness is spread from person to person and there is no risk of contracting this flu virus by eating pork. There are, however, some basic precautions that everyone should be taking to prevent becoming ill or spreading illnesses, not just swine flu are:

WASH HANDS/ALCOHOL GEL
SNEEZE IN ARM
STAY HOME WHEN SICK

DHHS Swine Flu line open during business hours for questions:
Public Inquiry Line
1-888-330-6764
8:00 AM-8:00 PM

Common questions from callers:

Pets: It does not appear that Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu puts our household pets at risk.

Vaccine: There is not a vaccine for Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu, however, its in development.

For further information go to
NH Dept. of Health & Human Services
Offers variousu resources, up-to-date information, and links to other sources of information, Fact Sheet, FAQ's, etc.

Centers for Disease Control

World Health Organization.

Easter

A sunny, breezy Easter Day in Pittsfield. St. Stephen's was packed with parishioners, their family members, friends and visitors.

Rich Corning piped us in to worship.



Spring flowers decorate the altar.





Lighting the Paschal candle.



Bishop Robinson



The Bishop's sermon on the Resurrection. He reminded us not merely to be admirers of Jesus, but to be followers of the Risen Christ.



The choir sings the last of several magnificent anthems.



We enjoyed a delicious feast in the Undercroft after the service.



Our Bishop and our Rector.

A blessed Eastertide to all!

Palm Sunday

Blessing of the Palms



Procession of the Palms from the Undercroft to the church door. (Last year we had snow everywhere...this year we have a nice new walkway!)



Choir members bring up the rear.



The altar.



Supplies for next Sunday, and for Outreach distribution to local towns.