The Turning Point December, 2015

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church PO Box 711, Ellsworth ME 04605

Phone: 667-5495 e-mail: stdunstansellsworth@gmail.com Website:

www.stdunstansellsworth.com

The Imprecise Art of Vestments

As we experiment this month with Morning Prayer as the pro-anaphora to Com-

munion, I thought a primer on vestments it might be useful. The use of vest-ments and colors has evolved by custom and over centuries of practice. There is no provision in the Book of Common Prayer for either vestments or liturgical col-

ors. This lack of guidance can be very frustrating for both the newly ordained and new members of the church. So here is a very short explanation of what is worn at the altar, by whom and, sometimes, why.

Unlike the Old Testament Levitical Priesthood (see Exodus), there were no pre-

scribed vestments either for the Apostles or those who came after them. Howev-er, the Church saw the gradual development of vestments uniquely identified with the clergy and other liturgical assistants (deacons, acolytes, etc.). While

there are no Scriptural requirements for vestments there are no laws against them either. However, the lack of either a command or prohibition does not

mean that such things should be dealt with without careful thought with a view to the larger church throughout the ages.

John Pless notes, “…liturgical vestments developed out of ordinary civilian dress of the late Roman empire: an indoor tunic and an outdoor cloak. The indoor tu-nic survived as the alb, while the outdoor cloak became the chasuble, and, even-

tually, the cope.” Between the fourth and ninth centuries and only after the clothing of Roman antiquity was in regular use in the liturgy were these gar-

ments invested with specific liturgical and theological meaning. This develop-ment continued through the Middle Ages and into the Reformation era. Pless: “The question of vestments had to be faced by the Reformers. The Anabaptists

and the Reformed rejected vestments completely as detestable reminders of the papal church. For Martin Luther, vestments belonged within the realm of Chris-tian liberty.”

The research demonstrates that the historic vestments (alb, chasuble, and stole)

continued to be used in many places within the Church well into the 18th centu-ry. For the most part, these vestments were rejected by the proponents of Cal-vinism, Pietism, and Rationalism. It was under these alien influences that the

black academic gown, tippets and hoods (universities, colleges and judges) en-tered into liturgical usage.

Continued on next page

The purpose of vestments is threefold: to cover a person serving publicly in the liturgy, indicate an office and reverently and joyfully bring color and sym-bolism to the visual senses in worship. Finally, using the historic vestments gives a visual indication of our continuity with the church throughout the centuries.

Historic Vestments in Common Use

Alb – from the Latin “alba tunica” (white garment) – This is the basic garment worn by the clergy and other assistants (acolytes, crucifers, etc.) serving with liturgical duties in the Eucharist. It covers the person and is white as a re-minder of the purity of our Lord and His forgiveness that covers our sin. It provides a white background for clergy with a stole and/or chasuble over the alb. Surplice – from the Latin “superpelliceum” (over a fur garment) - Historically, it was developed as a looser fitting version of the alb so as to allow a heavy fur coat to be worn underneath it in colder climates and no heating systems. It is traditionally worn over a black cassock. It has the same sym-bolism as the alb. It may be used for non-Eucharistic services such as Morn-ing Prayer and Vespers, weddings and funerals and sometimes for lay assis-tants in the liturgy (acolytes, choirs, etc.) Cassock –was originally the street wear of clergy and academics (professors) in the Middle Ages. It was close-fitting around the arms and top and loose from the waist down to the ankles. Its color was black to indicate solemnity and humility. It was the fore-runner of the modern clergy shirt and white col-lar. Technically speaking it is not a vestment but a daily clergy uniform and, liturgically speaking, a sort of “undergarment.” The blackness of the garment indicates death and sin, while the white collar indicates the holiness of the God’s Word which is spoken. The cassock (without a clerical collar) may be worn by any lay liturgical assistant under the surplice and/or the alb. Stole – a neck-piece or scarf-like cloth (adorned with appropriate symbols) in the color of the seasons of the church year. For bishops and priests it hangs straight down in two equal lengths. For deacons it is worn diagonally across the body. For each it indicates the office of the person wearing it. It is first placed on clergy in the rite of ordination. There is some evidence that it is a remainder of Jewish prayer shawls. Tippet – from the Latin “liripipium” (For a good laugh, SEE NOTE**) - the tip-pet is particular kind of stole, sometimes called a preaching stole or preach-ing scarf. It is always black and not particularly adorned though some clergy and academics have church or college symbols applied to the bottom of the tippet. It is worn by ordained clergy for the prayer offices such as Morning Prayer and Vespers, often with an academic hood.

Continued on next page

Chasuble – a circular or oval shaped garment worn over the alb and stole on-

ly by the ordained priest (or bishop) who is presiding at the Eucharist. The chasuble is made in the colors of the Church Year and matches the stole and

lectern paraments [that thing that hangs off the lectern?] (from the Latin “paramentum “adornment or “parare” to prepare or equip.) It is an exclusive-ly Eucharistic garment. The chasuble has been the standard Eucharist vest-

ment of clergy since Roman times Cope – Developed from a cape and of similar origins as the chasuble,

the cope often featured a hood-like design on the back. It is most appropri-ately worn by bishops (and sometimes priests) in processions, ground-

breakings, special services of blessing, Solemn Vespers or when conducing rites outdoors in colder weather.

Cincture – from the Latin “cingulum” (girdle) - is a rope or band-like belt to hold together the folds of the alb, symbolizing readiness for service, sacerdo-

tal chastity and spiritual watchfulness. It is usually tied differently by clergy and laity.

** The word is believed to originate from the Medieval Latin term liripipium,

which is of unsure origin. Webster's Dictionary suggests it is a corruption of cleri ephippium ("clergy's tippet"), but this is uncertain. The Oxford English Dictionary, attributing the hypothesis to Gilles Ménage, calls it a "ludicrous guess". Perhaps due to its academic association, the word has the obsolete sense of "part or lesson committed to memory", as in the expressions "to

know one's liripipe" and "to teach someone his liripipe".

The variant spelling liripoop has also the obsolete meaning of "silly person" most probably because it is an inherently funny word, cf. "Nincompoop".

Mother Johanna+

Happy New Year

With the start of Advent, a new year has begun in our church calendar.

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and this year that is November

28th. This new year sees St. Dunstan's continuing to grow as a congregation

and more importantly as a church family. There are new families that have

joined us during 2015 and we have the wonderful sound of younger people

bounding up the steps to join in the Sunday service as we share in "the

Peace." Those attending our services, reaching out to the community and to

one another, are all increasing in number.

With this growth, Mother Johanna will be moving from quarter time to a half

time position on January 1st. As a congregation, we will now be celebrating

the Eucharist four times each month. The fourth Sunday Service will likely be

a combination of the Morning Prayer Service and Eucharist with a homily

from licensed lay preachers. The change from lay to clergy liturgy will proba-

bly be during our exchange of "the Peace." I say "likely" because we will be

experimenting with the fourth Sunday Service during December and then

deciding, as a congregation, which combination of the liturgy we like best.

Our traditional lay-led Morning Prayer Service will continue on any monthly

fifth Sunday. In short, more to follow.

On Sunday, January 31st we will have our traditional Church Meeting and

pot luck lunch. During this meeting, elections for new members of the Vestry,

delegates to Diocesan Convention, Wardens, Treasurer, Asst. Treasurer and

Clerk of the Vestry will be held. This year the Vestry and Church Officer

Nominating Committee will be represented by clergy, vestry and the congrega-

tion. Please ask someone if they would be willing to serve on this committee

and then forward their name (on the Nominating card found in the Church

Bulletin or at the back of the church) to Harvey or myself. The nominating

committee's work is to help guide the nominating process to fill the Vestry,

Delegate and Officer positions for the next terms. If you would like to "step

forward" and serve as a member of the Vestry, Delegate or Officer position,

please let the Nominating Committee know at your earliest convenience.

With the guidance of Mother Johanna and the energy of our congregation, our

St. Dunstan's is moving forward and strengthening as a people of God.

In Faith,

Dave

Christmas to Lent

It seems odd to be writing about the upcoming Lenten Chain Fast at this time in

the liturgical year, when we are just about to celebrate the beginning, the birth of Jesus. However the next Turning Point does not come out until after February

10th, the beginning of Lent.

The Lenten Chain Fast begins on the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, and con-tinues (excluding Sundays, which are always feast days) through the day before Easter (Easter is on March 27 this year). The fast works as a chain and is passed

from person to person. The evening before your fast day, the faster before you calls you and the fast is passed on to you. You then fast as is appropriate for your

circumstances. Some fast totally, some partially, and some, who feel that fasting for them is not wise for some reason, give up something else for that day that en-tails real sacrifice. At the end of your fast day, you then call the next person on

the chain, who of course is usually anxiously waiting for you call. It has to be real contact with the next person, usually a call. Emailing does not count. The money

that the faster would otherwise have spent on food, he or she then donates to the fast, where it is donated to a cause determined by the vestry (usually something

to do with food).

One of the strengths of the Lenten Fast is that it is a chain binding us together, and all can participate - - adults, children, those who are away in the winter,

those who are homebound, etc.

But have a MERRY CHRISTMAS first.

Saint Valentine

The name of St. Valentine and of Valentine’s day, named for him has been known for centuries. But, who is this saint of lovers? It is hard to say as it seems that

there were 3 Valentines, all saints, all martyrs, and all connected in some way with Feb. 14. One was a priest, and one was a bishop. The third Valentine suffered in Africa and virtually nothing is known of him. There was a Church of St. Valentine

near one of the gates of Rome, but which Valentine it honored is not known so far

as I can tell.

It is said that the celebrating of love and lovers on Feb. 14 began with the belief in

the middle ages that birds began to pair up together in the middle of the second

month of the year. Chaucer, for one, makes reference to this in one of his works.

One nice story about the origin of St Valentine’s Day is that when Valentine was in prison he cured the jailer’s daughter of her blindness. She fell in love with him and just before his death he slipped a parting message to her which he signed

“From your valentine.”

Reputedly Valentine notes began to be exchanged in the 14th century. Specially

made Valentine cards appeared near the end of the 18th century. Today it is said

that only Christmas cards are more often sent.

This issue’s stewardship article features our deacon, Joan Preble, who served on

the diocesan committee that interviews and guides those wishing to become

deacons sts.

Deacon Joan Preble served for seven years on the Committee

on Holy Orders (COHO), now called the Commission on

Ministry (COM). This is a diocesan committee devoted to the

screening of and support for individuals who feel a calling to

become deacons or priests. Its task is to interview potential

candidates for deacon or priest, send an appraisal of the

candidate on to the standing committee and bishop, and

then become companions to the accepted candidates during

formation (the training period before ordination).

Individuals feeling a calling to become deacon or priest first undergo a local

discernment process in their own parish. They are then recommended by their

priest and vestry to the diocese as potential candidates. After recommendation,

the Commission on Ministry, for each candidate, receives their background and

a written account of the spiritual journey that led to their feeling a call. In an

all-day meeting, the committee members, after prayer and a group discussion,

divide into teams 3 that interview each candidate on one of 8 areas (spiritual

practice, acceptance of authority, etc.) selected by the diocese. Each area

comes with a list of questions to ask, and difficult questions need to be asked

in some cases. All material discussed, of course, is considered confidential. At

the end of these interviews, the committee assembles and prays as a group in

order to discern whether to recommend the candidate to the Bishop.

The Commission on Ministry is a spiritual committee. They discern, pray,

listen, and feel that their job is to help people think through what their minis-

try is meant to be. If it occasionally takes more than 3 yearsfor the candidate to

conclude the process, there is some reason for it, such as having to work

through a relationship from the past or work through their current life situa-

tion. The committee wants only the best for each person. After approval by the

commission, the application goes through the standing committee and then on

to the Bishop.

To Joan it was an honor and privilege to be able to hear stories of the candi-

dates’ spiritual journeys. She felt empowered to be able to help people become

deacons or priests and to think with the other committee members about what

to do in the world and the church. For these reasons, she is grateful to have

had this opportunity to practice stewardship.

St. Dunstan's Holiday Food and Fine Crafts Sale

Once again, our Holiday Food and Fine Crafts Sale was a success and will

support the work of the Washington Hancock Community Agency Programs of THAW (Heating and Warming Fund) and Weekend School Backpack effort to provide nutritious weekend meals for children in need. A portion also goes

to our Rector's Discretionary Fund. As one of our craft vendors exclaimed "it was a beautiful fair". It looked good, smelled good, was well-attended and offered an array of wonderful items for sale and to eat. The seafood luncheon

was a tour de force. Many thanks to each and everyone who donated ideas, talent and treasure, created items for sale, provided baked goods and jellies,

cooked the fabulous luncheon and worked behind the scenes to decorate, set up and take down at the end. You are all amazing!

With our thanks to all, The Fair Committee:

Barbara Clark, Leslie Beyer, Mary DeLong, B.J. Fallica, Joan Preble,

Tracy Shaffer, Muffet Stewart, Marian Wells

Sounds of my Church

While I was sitting quietly in the pew on Sunday, I closed my eyes and listened. Does anyone ever do

that anymore?

These are a few of the things I heard and the people I saw…..

Mother J speaking to our organist and singing in her lovely voice

Diane K talking to Jim N about the readings

Dan D and Joe S changing over the hymn numbers on the chart

People greeting each other behind me

But most of all I enjoyed listening to the kids coming into church, some talking loudly, and one even cry-

ing….oh well we all have our moments don’t we !

All the sounds I heard were welcoming and warm…just as St D has always been to my son and me from

day one on that fateful Easter Sunday when we walked into St. D’s welcoming arms.

I remember Chris C telling me years later that he thought to himself on that Easter Sunday, that I would-

n’t be back…LOL

Some of you might know that I am making a move to the Bangor area closer to work…and that this was

my last Sunday with all of you. At least for a while…..

I have been an 8:00’er for some years now and I’ll miss my fellow early-birds and fellowship with Ralph,

George, Joan and Marion and Ray (who has since gone home to be with Jesus) who have been 8:00’ers

like me for years and new ones to follow. It was special times we shared after early service and I’ll miss

it and our camaraderie.

Now 16 years later, I am venturing out of the loving embrace of St. D’s to a new church family, I have not

found yet. That new family will have very large shoes to fill.

As I look out of that dome window above the cross on the alter, at the tree that I watched change for

each season, I realize St D’s hasn’t changed much and it has changed a great deal except for one thing

- Those welcoming arms.

I know you will continue to welcome more and more people into this church family. And I know I will

miss you all very much but I also know I will visit from time to time to hear the sounds of my church once

again.

In His love,

Lore Lipkvich

LOAVES AND FISHES FOOD PANTRY NEWS

As we pen the last article of the year, Harvey and I would

like to take the opportunity to thank you all for the support you have given to the outreach ministry that we know as the "Food Pantry". Of all the 13 supporting organizations, St. Dunstan's

is one of the best in providing the month of May staffing, pie baking for the Blue Hill Fair, front desk support, "Little Red

Wagon" donations, and fill in food delivery from our suppliers. Willingness to

help out certainly makes the job of organizing the effort a pleasure. Thanks again.

The number of families being served is once again rising as winter arrives. Our totals will be available in January but as we write

this article it looks like it will be one of the largest years in terms of numbers served to date. We have just completed and finalized the budget

for 2016. The annual food costs have increased to about $55,000 of a total budget of $80,000. This reflects an anticipated increase in numbers as well as unit costs. The costs would be significantly

increased if not for all the food drives, and donations. We are indeed fortunate for all the community support.

We want to thank you also for the response to the November fund drive. As you know this is the major drive of the year and results in

the Pantry's major income for the year. As the drive has ended the envelopes have been removed from the pews, however should you still wish to make a donation ask Harvey or Joe and they will be provided or check

the bulletin board in the undercroft. As always be sure to ask either Harvey or Joe if you have any

questions regarding the Pantry.

Joe Stockbridge and Harvey Kelley

Sunday School

St. Dunstan's is blessed with a Sunday School that is growing in spirit and

attendance. There are ten children all in one class when all are present. We

are grateful for parishioners who have volunteered to form creative teaching

teams to present lessons through stories, art, games, song and baking.

The lessons for this year are in four week cycles. The themes for the children

this fall and early winter have been to learn through lessons about Samuel,

David and Isaiah, how God calls us, to prophesy, "foretell" and "proclaim",

and the importance of a peaceful God and Messiah as shepherds of their

sheep.

Last week under the guidance of Liz and Nick Carter, the children made com-

munion bread for our service on Christmas Eve. They are also learning "Go

Tell It On The Mountain" to sing for and with us at that service.

My thanks to all who have supported and been partners to make this effort so

successful. As we enter a new series of four week cycles, You will be asked to

volunteer to join our teaching teams, which has been just as much fun for the

teachers as for the children!

Blessings, Barbara Clark

WHERE DO HYMNS COME FROM?

The Turning Point has presented several articles on the histories of hymns that we know and sing. Perhaps it might be of interest to look at other

hymn information such as who wrote a hymn or who composed the music. Sometimes this information has been included in our histories, but often space has prevented this. A quick and hasty check of the author and compos-

er indexes in the hymnal give us some interesting information.

The clear leaders among authors are Charles Wesley with 20 hymn texts

in our hymnal, and Isaac Watts, with 16 hymns to his credit. Wesley was an 18th century Anglican minister who was the leader of the church reform move-ment that ultimately led to the formation of the Methodist church. His hymns

include such favorites as “Jesus lover of my soul,” and “Hark the herald an-gels sing,” among others. The other leader in hymns, Isaac Watts, was a cler-gyman who was forced to retire because of ill health, and spent his life writ-

ing hymns. It is he who is credited with creating the modern English hymn. Two of his hymns, “O God our help in ages past” and “When I survey the won-

drous cross” are among the best known hymns in the English language. Other authors are Reginald Heber, bishop of India with 5 hymns, including several favorites like “Brightest and best of the stars of the morning” and also “Holy,

holy, holy”. Cecil Frances Alexander, the wife of an Irish Anglican bishop in Ireland, wrote well known hymns for children such as: “Once in royal David’s

city”, “All things bright and beautiful”, and others. Our hymnal also contains

6 hymn texts and 2 hymn tunes by Martin Luther.

Among composers Bach is the leader, credited with composing or ar-

ranging 20 hymn tunes. Johann Cruger and Orlando Gibbons represent the 17th century with 10 tunes each. William Monk from the 19th century has 16 arrangements and three tunes, including that for “Abide with me”. Of modern

composers we have Ralph Vaughan Williams who gave us 24 tunes and ar-rangements of English folk melodies. These include “For all the saints”, “At

the name of Jesus”, and “Come down O love divine.” Charles Winfred Douglas is represented with 6 translations, 15 service music arrangements, and 15 hymns, including the tune “St. Dunstan’s” for the hymn “He who would val-

iant be gainst all disaster”, Our hymnal also includes work by relatively young composers as well. David Hurd, born in 1950, has 7 hymn tunes in the hymnal,. while Richard Proulx, born in 1937 provides 10 tunes, and also ar-

rangements of tunes, and descants. These are just 2 of the modern compos-

ers and writers in our hymnal.

Continued on next page

Then there are the priest scholars who together had a major influence

on our last two hymnals—that of 1940 and our current 1982 hymnal. Win-fred Douglas is one priest scholar whom I’ve already mentioned. Another is

F. Bland Tucker who gave our hymnal 5 hymns, plus 6 more where he au-thored part of the hymn, and 14 more which he translated or paraphrased. There are other authors who have made significant contributions to our hym-

nal, some of whom include William Walsham How with 5 hymns, James Montgomery with 9, Catherine Winkworth also with 9 , and Bishop Christo-pher Wordsworth (the uncle of English poet William Wordsworth) with 8

hymns.

Herbert Beckwith

Priest In Charge

Rev. Johanna-Karen Johannson

Deacon

Rev. Joan Preble

Senior Warden

Dave Wells

Junior Warden

Harvey Kelley

Treasurer

Muffet Stewart

Assistant Treasurer

Mary DeLong

Newsletter Editor

Ann Blood

Send news to: Ann Blood

Email: stdunstansellsworth@gmail.com

St. Dunstans Episcopal Church

P.O. Box 711, 134 State Street

Ellsworth, ME 04605

www.stdunstansellsworth.com

The deadline for the March 15 issue is

March 1.