Deacon Mary Ann Mello Helps New Work Begin

Hello Everyone,

Deacon Mary Ann Mello has been helping to establish Church of the Advent, which will offer its services to those whose lives are affected by Autism. 

 

Rhythms of Grace at Advent is a new worship offering by the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island.   It is a liturgical program developed by the Rev. Dr. Audrey Scanlan and Linda L. Snyder to serve the Autistic community and their families. An empty church and a diocesan desire to serve the under-served presented a great opportunity for the church to use its resources to reach out to the Autistic community and their families in our own diocese.  The program seeks to provide an alternative way to meet their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs.  While the Autistic community is the focus, the liturgy is appropriate for all people who wish to experience another expression of how we can worship God and serve God’s people.

 Advent, Coventry (formerly St. Matthias) is centrally located in Rhode Island.  The property has been vacant and unused for several years. The church’s location, ample sanctuary space, and redesign potential made it an obvious place to begin this new offering!  Currently, the sanctuary is being reconfigured to host this unique and interactive worship experience.While much work is still required, a soft start is planned for June.

 

A number of families, professionals, and clergy will  work through  the  program  to ensure it has the correct balance to best serve those who God brings together to form  this new   community.  A large-scale opening service is planned for September.  If you are interested in volunteering for a work Saturday or have any questions, feel free to email the Rev. Dennis Bucco at father.dennis@hotmail.com or the Rev. Deacon Mary Ann Mello at deaconmaryannmello@verizon.net.

To find out more about the Liturgy “Rhythms of Grace” you can check out the website at http://www.rhythms-of-grace.org. We have been greatly inspired by the support and enthusiastic encouragement by so many people in the diocese that we are glad to be able to provide you with this update. Thank you for all you interest and prayers.

 

Maryann writes on their blog,

 

"We are putting down a floor in a church nursery and this is something I have never done before. I have also never helped to start a ministry before either. All new to me. Part of putting down a floor is making sure that the old flooring underneath is level and strong, so whatever type of floor you lay on top, lays flat but also has a balanced support system underneath.

I think that is what we are doing at Rhythms of Grace at Advent, laying a firm foundation and building a support system for this ministry before we open the doors. I am finding that it does take time and patience just like laying down the floor board by board but once it is finished it will be this sweeping space where anything can happen, anything can grow, anything can be.

For me, part of the foundation of this new ministry is listening to a community that is underserved and offering a place of freedom and comfort to be able get to know and hear God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a way that includes our own unique way of communicating, in our own language.  Happy Pentecost!

Peace,

Mary Ann"

 

You can follow their progress, and let anyone you know who may have need of their services by clicking here.

 

In Memorial, Paul Pickens, Deacon

Hello everyone,
Today it is my sad duty to let you know that Paul Pickens has passed on to the next chapter of life.  His obituary is below.

"Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer: Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect well; through Jesus Christ our Lord." Bishop Knisely

Hermon, NY: Paul G. Pickens of Trout Lake Road died June 8 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He had been a resident of Lincoln, RI prior to moving to Hermon three years ago. 

Paul was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1942, son of the late Jim and Stella McCullough Pickens. Survivors include his wife, Lynne Santosuosso Pickens, daughter Rebecca Pickens and her husband David Nelson of Hermon, three grandsons: Elias, Josiah and Walden Nelson, a brother Bob and Cheryl Pickens of Mallorytown, Ontario; sister Kathryn and Harold Ribble of Whitby, Ontario; brother in law John and Janet Santosuosso of Lakeland, FL; sister in law Jane Ball of Philadelphia, PA; several nieces and nephews. 

Paul graduated from Barrington College with a Bachelors Degree in 1965 and earned his Masters of Social Work from Simmons College in 1968. He served as Executive Director of Vocational Resources and as President of Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island for 25 years. He was also a psychotherapist with Plaza Psychiatry of Woonsocket, RI. He was past treasurer of the Rhode Island AIDS Project, past president of the Association of Community Service Executives, and past president of the Rhode Island Rehabilitation Association. 

He served faithfully as a deacon at Christ Church, Lincoln, RI for 25 years. He was a recipient of the George F. Moore award, the Louis E. Baker Award, and the Bishop Higgins award. He authored The History of Christ Church Lonsdale 1833 - 1883, The History of Episcopal Charities, and Transition: Building Bridges from School to Work for Young Rhode Islanders with Disabilities. 

 He was a member of the board of the Church and Community Program of Canton serving on the Personnel Committee; he served on the Town Council of Hermon, and was a volunteer for the Sustainable Living Program. 

Paul was an avid horse lover and was well loved by all of the children and their parents to whom he gave pony rides. 

Mr. Pickens will be remembered at a Memorial Service to be held Saturday June 21 at 10:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Canton. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 17 Park St., Canton, NY 13617 or Christ Church Memorial Fund, 1643 Lonsdale Ave., Lincoln, RI 02865.

Precious in the site of the Lord is the death of His Saints.