1734 2015 The Bridge St. John’s Parish Church

Johns Island, South Carolina

March 2015

Dear Saints of St. John’s,

As the season of Lent begins, let me commend to each of you the sacramental rite of Confession. If

you have something in your life, something that you have asked forgiveness for many times, and yet

you still dwell on it, or your life is controlled by it, then it may be something that you would want

to discuss with a priest -- Fr. Jamie or myself -- and then walk with us through the office of Recon-

ciliation. I have done this many times and found it very freeing. It has often for me added a new

luster and brilliance to the Easter celebration in which Lent culminates.

The rite is also called the Reconciliation of a Penitent, or Penance, or Auricular [heard] Confes-

sion, and is the rite “in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the pres-

ence of a priest, and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution” (BCP, p. 861). Let

me be clear, the priest does not have the power to forgive sins, but is simply a vehicle and a repre-

sentative of the absolution of guilt promised and performed by Christ Himself. All Christians have

been given this power to announce the forgiveness of sins found in Christ Jesus alone (Mt 16:19).

The outward and visible sign of the Reconciliation of a Penitent is the sign of the cross given, and

words spoken, by the priest at absolution (BCP, p. 448). The inward and spiritual grace is “the as-

surance of pardon and the grace of absolution” engendered by the rite. The content of the confes-

sion is not ever to be discussed again by the priest with any other person, including another priest

or even the penitent, unless the penitent first broaches the subject. “The secrecy of the confession is

morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken” (BCP, p. 446).

The Church has consistently maintained about the Rite of Confession that “all may, some should,

none must.” This rite has the amazing potential to release one of chronic and debilitating guilt, but

is currently much under-utilized in the Church. Again, I commend this to all Christian people. All

you need do is call Fr. Jamie+ or me to make an appointment during this Lenten season.

Have a Holy and Blessed Lent!

Upcoming Events

• March 5 - DOK, PLB 9am

• March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day

Celebration

• March 21 - Skeet Shoot

• March 28 - Spring Clean

Work Day

• March 29 - Palm Sunday

with Fr. Charlie Walton,

with Parish Picnic

• March 30-April 5 - Holy

Week

• April 4 - DOK, PLB 9am

• April 23-24 - Prophetic

Worship Conference with

Vivien Hibbert

• May 2 - DOK Information

Meeting

• May 3 - Bishop’s Visit and

Confirmations

THE RECTOR’S HEART Fr. Greg Snyder

IN THIS ISSUE

Angel of the Month············3

Ash Wednesday ················10

Art of Marriage ················11

Calendars ·················· 6 & 7

Church Pantry··················10

Community Pastor ···········11

Financials ···························2

Lenten Prayer Partner·······12

Meet Your Staff ·················9

Mere Anglicanism ·············9

Prayer Shawl Ministry·········5

Rector’s Heart ····················1

Saints Alive·························5

Small Groups ·····················8

Third Shift ·························2

Vestry Meeting Notes ·········4

Vestry Persons/Month ·······8

Yankee Doodle Dandy ·······4

THE BRIDGE STAFF

EDITOR / PHOTOGRAPHER

Tom Gopsill

LAYOUT / PUBLICATION

Tom Brown

John Lockwood

FEATURE WRITERS

Nancy Scales

Paulette Withington

PROOFREADERS

Nancy Brown

Sue Jenkins

A VIEW FROM THE THIRD SHIFT Deacon Brian Gill

2 The Bridge March 2015

FINANCIAL NEWS FOR JANUARY 2015

ACTUAL YTD BUDGETED YTD

REVENUES $47,379 $44,285

EXPENSES $49,082

Dear St. John’s Family,

I am writing this having entered the beginning of Lent, where we spend time discerning what to

“give up” and/or what to “take on” during this Penitential season. I have this year, for the first

time, thought more of the “taking on” than the “giving up”, and it led me back to Genesis and the

Covenant between God and Abram. As you see in the passage above, God didn’t just commit to

blessing Abram and his seed (read: all of us) but stated further that THEY (read: all of us) were

also to be a blessing.

As we move through Lent toward the inevitable Sacrifice of God’s only Son on the Cross, we are

buoyed by Easter Sunday’s exhortation “HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!” Scripture from

Genesis through Revelation points to the Resurrection as the reestablishment of the Kingdom

here on Earth. As we are charged, in the Lord’s Prayer, “…Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done

on Earth as it is in Heaven,” we take on the responsibility of fulfilling whatever role God has as-

signed us in truly bringing the Kingdom to Earth.

So starting in Genesis with the admonition to “be a blessing”, certainly followed by Paul’s discus-

sion in 1 Corinthians of God’s giving us the gifts necessary to be a blessing when we all submit (as

the Body of Christ) to the use of those blessings; and then, ultimately, as we go to St. Matthew’s

Gospel, “you are the light of the world, do not put it under a basket”. It is difficult to escape our

charge to obedience in working to create God’s Kingdom here and now.

So for Lent — yes, I’m giving something up, but that will not be my focus. My focus rather this

year is to be that blessing; to pray that I will recognize the people God puts before me on a daily

basis, and be a blessing to them.

Two quotes (one Scriptural, one not) are helping me to stay on track. The first is from C.S. Lewis:

“I believe in Christianity, as I believe the sun has risen; not only do I see it, but by it I see every-

thing else.” The second quote is from Matthew’s Gospel, one familiar to all of you: “Let your light

so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in

Heaven.”

See you on the Third Shift.

Your Servant,

Brian

“Now the Lord said to Abram ‘Go from your country…

and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and

make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.’”

Genesis 12:1-2

ANGEL OF THE MONTH — JOE BINZ

By Paulette Withington

The Bridge March 2015 3

O ur March Angel of the Month is Joseph Edward Binz, a man who is very strong in his

faith. To quote his wife Chrissy, “Joe is a won-

derful husband and father. He is very kind-

hearted, a visionary, and has a great sense of

humor. He is passionate about life, always

willing to try new experiences and eager to

push others to do the same. He considers

God to be his rock and thanks Him every day

for his blessings."

Joe was born into a strong Roman Catholic family in West

View, PA., where his parents, Dick and Mary Binz, instilled

their beliefs in him. He also was raised in Baytown, TX, and

Summerville, SC. He attended Baptist College (now Charles-

ton Southern University) on a golf scholarship and also at-

tended Francis Marion College.

Joe and his lovely wife Chrissy met at an Advertising Federa-

tion Meeting of professionals. They both were on a commit-

tee formed to plan a BBQ social. Six months later he pro-

posed. Their God-centered marriage began at Grace Episco-

pal Church in Charleston, on June 17, 1995.

Joe’s religious roots started at St. Athaniasius Parish in West

View, PA., and continued at St. Joseph's in Baytown, TX

and St. John's Catholic Church in Summerville, SC. After

his marriage he attended Grace Episcopal Church with his

wife. A few years ago Joe no longer felt spiritually challenged

and began searching for another church. He found St. John's

on the internet and was intrigued. “Our family visited the

church and was overwhelmed with a "sense of love and welcome-

ness," his wife Chrissy said. “Needless to say we never looked

back. Joe felt as if he was awakened, or reborn, after attending St.

John's (where he was confirmed by Bishop Lawrence.) He is proud

of the fact that he has read the entire Bible. He typically reads his

Bible on his iPad everyday at lunch for spiritual reinforcement. He

also re-energizes his faith through attending Sunday school and ser-

vices regularly. And if you hear music resonating from his car it’s

sure to be the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, one of his favorites.

Joe worked as a top salesman at various companies, always

exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit. In the ‘80s he formed his

own company called Carolina Wiper Supply, which supplied

refurbished textile rags to local industries in Charleston.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Hugo caused this successful busi-

ness to close in 1989. After that Joe moved to Seattle and

explored opportunities there, returning to Charleston in the

early ‘90s and working for several sign companies in sales. In

1997 he became frustrated with the inefficiencies of the

companies he worked for and decided to open his own sign

company. Joe and Chrissy opened Charleston Sign & Banner

LLC in May of 1998.

After several years of success, Joe decided to

move that business to 4200 Dorchester Rd, a

14,000 sq. ft. facility. Joe would be the first to

tell you, the Lord has blessed them with many

years of success. He has always provided just

what they need.

Joe is currently serving his first term on our

Vestry and loves to glorify his Savior. Walt

Miller can confirm that. He shared: Joe's passion

is his family, and then golf. But his greater passion

is in creating a church service that glorifies his Savior, and this

moves him more than golf. If you want to get excited about the

Lord, and brainstorm about what terrific worship looks and feels

like; talk to Joe!

Joe attends St. John's Sunday School, the 10:22 service regu-

larly, the Men's Breakfast, and has participated in the Men's

Hike. He also attends a monthly St. John's Home Group. He

has assisted St. John’s with its signage needs, donating his

time and signage over the years. He and Father Free were

instrumental in starting the Tuesday Lunchtime Bible Study,

and he also spearheaded the movement to decorate the PLB

building for the holidays two years ago. After joining St.

John's, Joe was inspired in 2010 to start the Lowcountry

Chapter of The Christian Golfers' Association. He continues

to lead this group devotedly. He is also a member of the Ex-

ecutives of Greater Charleston Associationas well as several

local and national sign associations.

Joe does not enjoy being idle and his out-of-door activities

prove it. He loves spending time with his family. When he is

not attending gymnastics meets for his daughter, Ashleigh

Anne (12), or teaching his son, Joey (15) to golf; he can be

found playing golf, or boating, fishing, or dirt bike riding.

“Joe is a quiet, humble, Godly man. That’s what strikes me

the most about him,” Bruce Saxman said. “I’m currently

serving on the Vestry with Joe, and I must say it’s an honor.

His heart is always in the right place while trying to do the

right thing. He and his family love St. John’s and are always

pitching in. Joe doesn’t like to talk a lot, but once you get

him talking you’re in for a treat. If you don’t believe me, ask

him about his trip to Brooklyn and watch him light up. Joe

truly loves the Lord, and we are truly blessed to have him in

our church family. Joe, I’m proud to call him my friend.”

We are indeed blessed to have this enthusiastic, active,

Christian man at St. John’s. Joe’s organizational skills have

aided and helped many, and his Godly spirit is sure to raise

us to even greater heights. God bless you, Joe.

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY— CATHERINE PARNELL

By Nancy Scales

In the December "Bridge," it was stated that we would be starting a new series called "Yankee Doodle Dandy." This series will feature

monthly one of the service members that is on the church's weekly prayer list which is currently being updated. If you have a service

member for whom you would like prayer, please let David Rowe in the office know.

This month as we feature members of the military for whom we pray each month, we are focusing on Captain Catherine

Parnell, 31, a member of the JAG (Judge Advocate General) corps. She is the youngest daughter of Tim Jones' law partner

and has been beloved by Tim and Karen since she was born. “She used to babysit our daughter,” Karen said. She gradu-

ated from Swarthmore and then from law school. Then, totally to everyone's surprise, she joined the Army in 2012.

Having previously been posted to Afghanistan, Catherine is currently back in the US and stationed at Fort Stewart. She

also has worked in the Irish Embassy. Karen calls her "a delightful young woman who is an accomplished writer, an avid

horsewoman, and a fantastic dancer.” Oh yes, and she also is engaged to be married — to another JAG officer.

Please keep Catherine in your prayers for her safety as she pursues her Army career.

VESTRY MEETING NOTES – FEBRUARY 2015

Submitted by Al Bagdonas

The Vestry is charged to “exercise leadership for the support of the Rector and the good of the congregation…that the Body

of Christ might be built up.” (Relational Covenant passed October 30, 2007)

Report from the Vestry Meeting of February 10, 2015:

• Deacon Brian Gill was present to describe the areas of his ministry in the parish. This was the first of a planned

series of discussions at Vestry meetings by parish staff or lay leaders to inform the Vestry about areas of ministry.

• Bonnie Anderson (Treasurer) distributed an Analysis of Revenues and Expenses for the calendar year 2014. She

also distributed the St. John’s Trust Statement of Revenues and Expenses and the Statement of Financial Position.

Both were for the period ending December 31, 2014.

• Bonnie will be meeting with Parish committee heads together with the assigned Vestry representatives to those com-

mittees over the next few months to communicate the budget allocations for 2015.

• Bonnie will be modifying the structure of the Parish 2015 Budget in order bring greater clarity to areas of ministry

and their associated expenses.

• The Vestry requested that Bonnie create a 2015 budget for the Trust.

• Several ideas from the Vestry Retreat were discussed as possible areas for Parish action in 2015.

• The Vestry reviewed the current process for gathering and storing Sunday collections.

• Exits and Renovation of the Parish Life Building worship space were discussed. The Vestry approved a motion to

request the Trust to obtain initial proposals for two possible methods of addressing the contemplated changes.

• The Trustees approved the next step of getting proposals from two contractors regarding the upgrades to the PLB

worship space.

• The Vestry discussed the current colonnade proposal, but they postponed action at this time.

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4 The Bridge March 2015

THE MERCY MUFFIN MINISTRY — dates for donations in March are the 1st and 15th.

This month's "saint" is James Theodore

Augustus Holly (born Washington, DC,

1829; died Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 1911).

Noted as the first black bishop in the

Protestant Episcopal Church, he spent

most of his career as a missionary bishop

in Haiti.

The son of freed slaves, Holly spent his

early years in Washington before moving

with his parents to Brooklyn, where his

father trained him to be a shoemaker.

In 1850 he and a brother opened a boot-

making shop. Along the way, he had met

several abolitionists, including Frederick

Douglass. He married in 1851 and left the Roman Catho-

lic Church because it refused to ordain black priests lo-

cally. He joined the Protestant Episcopal Church.

After studying theology, Holly was ordained a deacon in

Detroit in June, 1855; and a priest in January, 1856, in

New Haven, CT. He was a member or leader of several

anti-slavery organizations, and co-founded a society that

lobbied to have the General Convention adopt a policy

against slavery.

While serving at St. Luke's Church in New Haven, he

made several trips to Haiti, the world's first black republic.

Holly resigned from St. Luke's in 1861 so

that he could lead one hundred and ten

black North Americans to work in Haiti.

Almost immediately, the Haitian presi-

dent declared Holly a citizen of the coun-

try.

Due to disease and poor living condi-

tions, Holly lost his mother, wife, and two

of his children the first year. Despite the

Civil War in the US, many of the remain-

ing emigrants chose to return to America.

Holly and two sons remained, establishing

churches, schools, pastoral training pro-

grams, and rural medicine programs.

In 1874 Holly was ordained Bishop of Haiti in Grace Epis-

copal Church in New York City. Thus, he became the first

black person to become an Episcopal bishop and the sec-

ond to become a bishop in a major denomination.

Bishop Holly died in his diocese of Port-au-Prince and was

buried at St. Vincent's School for Handicapped Children.

He is remembered on the US Episcopal calendar with a

feast day March 13, the anniversary of his death.

SAINTS ALIVE!

By Nancy Scales

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY GOING STRONG

By Nancy Scales

It all started back in spring of 2013 when Barbara Davis met the Chandlers, friends of the Gopsills, from Ontario. Dur-

ing their visit, the Chandlers pulled out a prayer shawl they had made (they both knit). The prayer shawl ministry itself

was started in 1998 and is now popular worldwide. You can see more information at www.shawlministry.com. Barbara fell

in love with the idea. “It was placed on my heart that I was supposed to do this," she says.

In the fall of 2013 Barbara started her group of knitters and crocheters at St. John’s. There were originally about twenty-

five who showed an interest, which has settled down to a core group of twelve. Since its inception, this “great group”

has made seventy-two shawls (they're for men, too!) of which sixty-one have been distributed. All have been blessed by

one of the priests.

Shawls are given to a variety of people: those who are ill, shut in, elderly, or in distress are the usual recipients. The pat-

tern and the color are left up to the maker. Stars of the ministry include Polly Sosnowski (who is “an incredible knitter”

and has even made a blanket and two hand puppets for a child who was ill), Jackie Valicenti (who crochets and has

made a number of shawls), and Nancy Brown (who hadn't crocheted in years but has become very involved). Often

when a crisis has passed, a shawl will be passed on to someone else who could benefit from its warmth and the feeling of

being wrapped in the arms of Jesus.

The group meets monthly the first Saturday at 10:45 in the PLB, just after the Daughters of the King meeting (many of

the knitters are Daughters.) In that hour they meet, knit or crochet, discuss patterns, and share ideas. Can't knit or cro-

chet but think it might be fun? They'll teach you! It's a great activity to do while watching television!

The Bridge March 2015 5

Calendar

March 2015 Sunday

8:00am HE I

10:22am HE

10:30am HE I [Feb 1]

4:00pm Kids’ Club

4:00pm Combined

Youth Group

Monday

7:00am Men’s Prayer Group

6:30pm Cub Scouts

7:00pm Girls’ Night

Out Bible Study

Tuesday

7:30am Women’s

Prayer & Share

9:15am Mom’s Group

10:00am Women’s

Bible Study

Wednesday

7:00am Men’s Bible

Study

12:00pm Bible Study

at Tomato Shed

6:00pm CORE

6:00pm Bible Basics

at the Millers’

6:30pm Adult Choir

Rehearsal

Thursday

6am Men’s Group 10:00am Bible

Babes 2pm Women’s

Bible Study

Friday

Saturday

1

2 3 4

3pm Bridge Committee

5

6

7

9am Daughters of the King

8

9

10

7pm Vestry Meeting

11

6:30pm Outreach Committee

12

13

14

8am Men’s Breakfast

15

9:15am Sharon Steinmiller

16

17

6.30pm St. Patrick’s Day

Celebration

18

19

Bridge Deadline

7pm

Finance Committee

20

21

9am Skeet Shoot

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Spring Clean Workday and

Palm Cross making

29

PALM SUNDAY Dedication of Walton Hall, Parish Picnic

30

HOLY MONDAY

31

HOLY TUESDAY

6.30pm Passover Seder

Diocesan Convention

Service Schedule

BIBLE STUDIES, REUNION GROUPS, AND ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL By Nancy Scales

VESTRY PERSONS OF THE MONTH

March: Charlotte Crosland & Bruce Saxman

Monday, 7 am: Men's Prayer and Share

is an interdenominational group that

meets in the PLB for coffee and prayer.

There's no specific format, and strict

confidentiality is maintained. All are

welcome. For more info, contact Bucky

Stackhouse (559-1278).

Wednesday, 7-8 am: Men's Breakfast

and Bible Study meets in the PLB. The

group is beginning the study of Malachi.

New members welcome, contact Bill

Kitchens (795-8411).

A Cursillo Reunion Group meets on

1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays, 8-9 am

at the Town & Country Motel on Sa-

vannah Hwy. The group has breakfast;

then follows the Cursillo Reunion card.

All Cursillistas are invited. Call Tom

Gopsill (559-9811) for more info.

Thursday, 6 am: Men's Bible Study

meets in the PLB for a delicious home-

made breakfast. They are continuing

The Gospel of John study guide by N. T.

Wright, noted scholar and theologian.

They're in Chapter 5, so not too late to

join up. For more info, contact Bill

Leland (559-1168).

Second Saturday, 8 am (Mar. 14):

Men's Breakfast in the PLB. Call Tim

Jones (768-1665) for more information.

MEN’S GROUPS WOMEN’S GROUPS

Wednesday, noon: Co-ed Bible study

meets at the Tomato Shed on Main

Road. They are now using David

Jeremiah's daily devotional Quest. Call

Susie Jenkins (766-0573) for details.

Wednesday, 6 pm: Bible Basics meets

at the home of Walt and Louise Miller

and begins with a light dinner. Call

Walt (559-9560) for more information.

Thursday, 7-9: Young Adults Group

meets at the home of Fr. Jamie and

Gretchen Sosnowski in St. John's

Woods. Dinner and child-care are pro-

vided (Myron would like some com-

pany!). They are currently studying Philip-

pians. Call Fr. Jamie at 817-5667.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

CO-ED GROUPS

Monday, 7 pm: Girls' Night out Bible

Study (GNOBS) in the PLB. They con-

tinue Beth Moore's study on Thessaloni-

ans. New members welcome. The

leader is Lynn Gervais (559-2050).

Tuesday, 9:00-10:30 am: Mom's Bible

Study. They are currently enjoying Beth

Moore's A Woman's Heart. New mem-

bers are welcome, and childcare is avail-

able. Contact Libby Puckette (559-0977

or elpuck@comcast.net) to see if nursery

space is available.

Tuesday, 10 am: This group is doing

Ray Vander Laan's video series That the

World May Know. Contact Judy Edger-

ton (559-1807) for more info.

Thursday, 10 am: The Bible Babes

meet in the taupe room of the PLB.

They are just beginning Randy Frazee's

The Story and will continue looking at

the aspects of prayer. Contact Buoy

Peeples (795-1673) for more informa-

tion.

Thursday, 2-4 pm: They have begun

Beth Moore’s study on Thessalonians.

The leader is Susie Jenkins (766-0573).

First Saturday, 9 am (March 7): the

regular monthly meeting of the Daugh-

ters of the King in the PLB. Prayer

Shawl Ministry will meet at 11 am.

All begin at 9:15, after breakfast and end at

about 10:15 in time for church. All groups

meet in the Parish Life Building (PLB).

• Tom Prevost's group is finishing their

study of Isaiah.

• Stephen Haynsworth's group continues

John Stott's study of Galatians.

• Beth Snyder is leading N.T. Wright’s

study of the book of Ephesians.

• Boyd Baker will lead a discussion group

using Ray Vander Laan's video series of

the Holy.

• Walt Miller‘s class “Walking in Grace…

I believe, what now?” looks at our re-

sponse to God's gift of salvation.

8 The Bridge March 2015

The Bridge March 2015 9

MERE ANGLICANISM CONFERENCE

World-renowned New Testament scholar and author,

Bishop N.T. Wright, is pictured here with Bill Anderson

and Bill Leland from St. John’s during the reception for

Mere Anglicanism 2015.

Professor Wright was the conference’s lead-off speaker. He

preceded Justin Welby as Bishop of Durham and his study

guides are often used by St. John’s Bible study groups.

MEET YOUR STAFF

By Nancy Scales

Sunday by Sunday — and this doesn't in-

clude Wednesday night choir practice,

Holy Week, and all the other extras —

Sally Dixon sits at the organ or piano

drawing beautiful tones from the choir to

add greatly to our congregational worship.

A fifth generation organist, Sally spent the

first 15 years of her life in Iowa before her

mother moved the family to Florida dur-

ing Christmas break of her tenth grade

year. That was quite a culture and weather

shock! Sally, with a natural gift for music,

began piano lessons in 4th grade, and

from 2nd-7th grades she was in children's

choir at their Lutheran church. She had

no organ lessons but could sight read,

although her mother could not. And

since her mother had three girls to raise

alone — her parents had divorced several

years earlier — and had to keep up with

her job, Sally took over her organist's posi-

tion at the church in 8th grade. The

church paid for a year of organ lessons in

8th grade, which is all she's ever had. She

had no music education in college but

earned a two-year degree in Business.

Sally's first husband worked for ARA

Food Services and ran the civilian end of

the Navy Shipyard. They were married

from 1974-1988, when he died. When

Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston in 1989,

Sally was poised to complete her four-year

degree. However, she became seriously ill

in January and was forced to withdraw

from college for medical reasons. She

married her second husband George in

December of 1989 having met at church.

George, who had been in construction,

died in March of 2008.

Sally became familiar with St. John's as a

substitute organist, and was asked to take

over as Director of Music Fall of 1991.

She has been here ever since.

Sally has been an accountant her entire

working life. Nowadays she has three jobs:

Her day job is as accountant for the Dis-

abilities Board of Charleston County,

beginning June, 2004. However, she also

opened her own business, "The Balancing

Act," in 1983 in which she worked full

time until June 2004. She still sees several

clients a week after hours; in one case she

does the taxes for three generations of a

family. “Tax season keeps me busy,” she

says, with typical understatement. How

easy or difficult the season is depends a

lot on when Holy Week and Easter fall

that year.

There is, of course, more to Sally's reli-

gious life than playing the organ. She and

George made their Cursillo #119 in Octo-

ber of 2000; she became a Daughter of

the King in the spring of the following

year. Today she is president of the St.

Anna chapter at St. John's.

Professionally, Sally has been a Certified

Professional Secretary. Currently, she is a

licensed enrolled agent with the IRS in

her “Balancing Act” business. That means

if you get audited, she doesn't accompany

you to the audit; she goes to the audit as

your representative. For this license, she

had to pass a two-day exam and has to

take 40 hours of continuing education

each year. This proves she knows what she

is doing in personal, partnership, and

corporate tax world, as well as ethics. She

is also licensed as an Accounting Profes-

sional, one step below a CPA. This also

involved testing and maintaining 40

hours of continuing education yearly.

Despite her very busy schedule, Sally does

have a recreational life. She has crocheted

in the past and done needlepoint (she

helped stitch the kneelers at our altar) and

quilting; currently, she is learning to knit.

She enjoys reading and “messing around

with my dog” Queenie. But music is her

true love. “There's a lot of fun in music.

I'm always thinking about church and

choir.” She and choir member Linda

Hihn have season tickets to the North

Charleston Pops and the Best of Broad-

way series. She's been an organist for 48

years, “longer than I've been an adult!”

To keep her skills polished, she has at-

tended music camp at Lutherridge for

twenty years. For two years she was in-

volved in Piccolo Spoleto with the Angli-

can Celebration Choir, orchestrated by

Ann Beauchamp, a member of St. John's

Oakland at the time. She also participated

in the Celebration of Praise, a Cursillo

group of Fourth Day Singers. Finally, she

is a walker: In 1998 she walked a mara-

thon ("all 26.2 miles of it") at Disney

World for the Leukemia Society.

Sally Dixon is a busy lady! But her gift of

music allows her to share that music and

to aid in the worship of the congregation

of St. John's. Thank you, Sally and choir!

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10 The Bridge March 2015

Ash Wednesday is so named be-

cause the faithful have their fore-

heads marked with ashes in the

shape of a cross on that day. Also

known as the ‘Day of Ashes’, it

marks the beginning of the

Lenten season, the 40-day period

of fasting and abstinence leading

up to Easter.

The name 'Day of Ashes' comes from Dies Cinerum in

the Roman Missal and is found in the earliest existing

copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary. The concept

originated in the 6th century, though the exact time is

not clear. Marking the head with ashes on this day is

said to have originated during the papacy of Gregory the

Great (590-604 AD)

The use of ashes in the liturgy of Ash Wednesday comes

from the Old Testament where ashes were used as signs

of humility, sorrow, and repentance for sin. Today, re-

ceiving ashes on the head is a reminder of this centuries-

old tradition that was made universal throughout the

Western church in 1091.

Originally the use of ashes in this manner was a matter

of private devotion. Later it became part of the official

rite for reconciling public penitents. In this context,

ashes on the penitent served as a motive for fellow

Christians to pray for the returning sinner and to feel

sympathy for him. Still later, the use of ashes passed

into its present rite of beginning the penitential season

of Lent on Ash Wednesday.

We have an added bonus of par-

ticipating in the Ash Wednesday

service at St. John’s. The ashes

used in the service come from the

palm crosses made the previous

year on Palm Sunday, unifying the

cycle of the Church year.

ASH WEDNESDAY

By Paulette Withington

This is a brief explanation of the way our church pantry

can best be used.

Our pantry in the PLB is kept continually stocked. After

experiencing bug infestation, we completely stripped the

pantry two years ago, cleaned it thoroughly, and commit-

ted to avoiding storing any opened food items. Once these

steps were taken, the problem ended, but to make sure

that bugs never have access to eating utensils, we also be-

gan keeping plastic utensils in sealable plastic bins – we

request that tops always be replaced tightly. Pest Control

also recommended that we cut down as much as possible

on any cardboard boxes, so we have switched to plastic

bins for sugar, creamer, coffee, etc.

The supplies in our pantry are mostly used by Sunday

breakfast, Youth events, and Bible study groups. Any other

events – church luncheons, oyster roasts, Feeding the Mul-

titude etc. – require contacting the volunteers who order

and pick up supplies. This will ensure that what is needed

will be available, without depleting items that may be

needed for normal events.

Some events have their own budget. If you have an upcom-

ing event, please check with the Parish Office to see if the

items needed would come from a budget other than the

pantry budget, and if you plan to use items already in the

pantry for your event, please let me know so that I can be

sure you have what you need. Barbara Hair does most of

our shopping, and I try not to ask her to shop more than

once every 6-8 weeks. There are some items I purchase

downtown that are not available at Costco. I can go, if

needed, twice a month.

One other request. We notice that some folks are tearing

apart the plastic sleeves that hold paper plates and bowls.

Please don’t tear them open. Use the twist tie and re-seal

them for us. Also, it helps with ordering to have items that

are pulled out for an event, to be put back where they be-

long. We often find several baskets of forks or cream and

sugars. If you can, please put these items back in the plastic

bins. You also might like to know that we do not want to

stock or use Styrofoam as it is one of those products that

will never break down, so please do not buy Styrofoam for

the PLB or store it in the kitchen. We are trying to be good

stewards with God’s earth!

I hope this solves some recent confusion over the pantry

supplies. If you have further questions, please contact me

via marshfox2000@aol.com or 729-8803.

CHURCH PANTRY

By Sherry Fox

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Jesus says in John 13:35,

“By this all people will know

that you are my disciples, if you

have love for one another.”

One of the most compelling

evangelistic tools in the world

today is hospitality. You have

heard it many times in your own

life, people saying that St. John’s

is such a warm and friendly place. When people are invited to St.

John’s, or just show up, and they are greeted and embraced then

they are likely to come back. Friendliness really does help people

come through our doors a second time. St. John’s is famous for

this and I encourage you all to do it all the more. Introduce your-

self. Invite people over for lunch or at least to the hospitality table

after services. Introduce them…by name… to another person in

the service. That will honor them (and help you remember their

name next week!).

But let’s take another look at the passage from John. Jesus is not

talking here about church or about getting people to come and

see or to follow an odd itinerant rabbi. Jesus is talking here about

discipleship. “This is how people will know that you are my disci-

ples, if you have love for one another.” “Disciples.” “Love for

one another.”

In the church business it is called the “back door”. It is the experi-

ence of many churches — people tend to visit but not stay. They

may attend for a season but seasons change. This is a symptom of

our society’s “grass is greener” non-commitment ethos.

Discipleship in this kind of environment is a big challenge. But it

is what everyone actually is craving. People are desperately search-

ing for authentic relationships that are honest and long lasting,

but our society has convinced them that it doesn’t usually happen

and if it does, it is by chance or magic. One of our challenges then

is to be a very bright light to the world, savory salt, when people

come to St. John’s to show them, “This is how we love one an-

other at St. John’s.” Now don’t get me wrong. This is not a hun-

ker-down-we-need-to-take-care-of-our-own mentality. That concept

is anti-Christian. What I am talking about is witness. We take care

of each other SO THAT the world can see that this is what Jesus’

love is like… real, honest, hard working, engaging, unrelenting,

sacrificial. When people see that in our midst they will be in awe

and leave the world to join us to find out who this Christ is who

has so transformed our lives.

Again, St. John’s does this very well already. Continue that great

tradition and mentor others into it. Invite others into your life all

the more as these days seem to become darker at every turn. Just

as we were taught by Miss Julie in Kindergarten, hold hands as we

cross this street… to the Promised Land.

FROM THE COMMUNITY PASTOR Walt Miller

On February 13th and 14th twelve couples from St. John’s partici-

pated in the Christ-centered ‘Art of Marriage’ workshop. Drew and

Melany Warfuel organized the event. The goal was for married

couples who participated to be enriched with greater love for one

another and more deeply devoted marriages.

The event took place in our Parish Life Building. Meals were pre-

pared by Dish By Design, as well as the Men’s Monthly Breakfast on

Saturday morning. Drew and Melany want to thank everyone who

participated in this wonderful event, including those who cooked

for the group or helped in any way.

Two years ago Drew and Melany attended a similar event called, “A

Weekend to Remember.” Their plans for the “Art of Marriage”

class was for it to be a shorter version of the one they attended two

years prior, and thereby become the catalyst to re-launch our Mar-

riage Builders Class.

“It was excellent,” Kay Kitchens said. “I would recommend it to

any couple regardless of how long they have been married. It is

Christ-centered-good-teaching, and you get to meet new couples

from the church. It’s worth the effort to attend, and I recommend

it highly.”

Fr. Greg led one of the most sacred and powerful moments of this

event, when he read the marriage ceremony from the Book of

Common Prayer. This recommitment of vows solidified the basic

elements of marriage in the man-woman-God commitment. “That

was a powerful ceremony,” Drew Warfuel said.

Drew reported tentative plans for a second Art of Marriage weekend

not far in the future. But whether or not such an event occurs, the

marriages represented on Valentine’s Day Weekend have been

deepened and strengthened — blessed to be a blessing!

THE ART OF MARRIAGE VALENTINE WEEKEND EVENT

By Paulette Withington

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The Bridge March 2015 11

The BridgeThe BridgeThe BridgeThe Bridge St. John’s Parish Church

Post Office Box 125 (29457)

3673 Maybank Highway

Johns Island, SC 29455

843-559-9560

Ministers of St. John’s Parish

All Baptized Persons The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, Bishop The Rev. Dr. Gregory A. Snyder, Rector

frgreg@stjohnsparish.net The Rev. Jamie Sosnowski, Curate

frjamie@stjohnsparish.net The Rev. Brian W. Gill, Deacon

bgillgroup@aol.com Melanie Poston, Parish Administrator

mposton@stjohnsparish.net David Rowe, Communications/Contemporary Music

drowe@stjohnsparish.net Walt Miller, Community Pastor

wmiller@stjohnsparish.net Rob Schluter, Family Pastor

rob@stjohnsparish.net Bonnie Anderson, Treasurer

Sally Dixon, Director of Music Walter Gordon, Sexton

Vestry Members

Al Bagdonas Philip Bryan Joe Binz

John Blitch III Charlotte Crosland

Perry Gervais Marlene Gray

Don Marchiorlete Eddie Porcher Drew Warfuel Bruce Saxma

Charles Wallace

LENTEN PRAYER PARTNER REMINDER

Please remember to pray for your Lenten Prayer Partner during this Lenten season.

Consider also periodically sending your Partner an uplifting card.

Then during Holy Week, reveal your identity with a meaningful gesture

such as a small gift, a lunch invitation or an outing of some sort.

(If you have any questions concerning the program, please contact Nancy Brown at

brownn626@gmail.com or 843-406-8710)

ST. JOHN’S PARISH APRONS

Last call! Order goes in Friday, March 6!

Contact Holly Bagdonas, hollyhbsc@comcast.net, telephone 793-1225

PALM SUNDAY DEDICATION CELEBRATION (MARCH 29)

Help is needed. Contact Holly, as per information above.