Parish Life
All year round the parish gathers for social
events including Parish Breakfasts, the Harvest Dinner and Square Dance, a
Mardi Gras Shove Tuesday Celebration, the New Member Cook Out, Parish
Picnic, and the Saint Francis Day Blessing of the Pets. For every
temperament and time-table there is a opportunity, large or small, to join
in the life of St. Columba’s.
ENGLISH GARDEN PARTY
Save the date: June 8, 2013, 1-5pm – our 22nd Annual Garden Party!
St. Columba’s puts on its most festive hat (literally, in some cases), with
a Garden Party. Held on the first Saturday in June, it includes three seatings for a traditional English Cream Tea, as well as a Flower festival,
Morris Dancers, a Bake Sale, a Raffle, Silent Auction, Music, the “Treasure
Trove” rummage sale, and a tent crammed with Books, DVDs, and CDs. For the
youngsters there is a Children’s Tea with Entertainment, Games, a Raffle,
Fun Food, a Petting Zoo, Pony rides, and their own rummage sale – “Ye Old
Toy Shoppe.” All proceeds from the Silent Auction and from the Raffles are
donated to local charities.
Drawing visitors from all over Rhode Island, the Garden Party raises funds
for St. Columba’s. But even more important is how many parishioners join in
to make it happen. There is nothing like a couple of hours in the
Parish-Hall kitchen, helping plate cream teas, or an afternoon spent sorting
through donations for “Treasure Trove,” to help you get to know fellow St.
Columbans, and share in the fun and spirit of the event!
The Choir
Music is big at St. Columba’s. The congregation knows what to do with a good
hymn (we can really belt it out at the Sunday 10:00 a.m. service). The choir
reflects both this love of music and the leadership of Spencer Sacco, our
inimitable organist and choirmaster, performing at many services throughout
the year. It meets for practice most Thursday evenings, except in the
summer. (Rumor has it that the choir eats pretty well, too, at its picnics
and other gatherings.) To discuss joining, see Spencer Sacco after the
service.
Coffee Hour
Following both Sunday services, St. Columba’s hosts a coffee hour in
the parish hall. It’s a way for us to meet and chat with newcomers and other
parishioners. People take turns “hosting”—i.e., providing the food, which
can be anything from simple (yet ever popular) donut holes and store-bought
muffins or cookies to finger-sandwiches and home-made goodies. Hosts are
always needed, and there’s a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall: Just pick a
date that works for you.
To see more photos click
here.
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