grace to you & peaces3.amazonaws.com/dfc_attachments/public/documents/3215337/de… ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Grace to you & Peace ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 12 December 2015
Sundays
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist*
9:15 AM Christian Education*
10:00 AM Coffee, Food, &
Fellowship*
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist*
Wednesdays 8:00 AM Morning Prayer
5:30 PM Celtic Eucharist*
6:00 PM Parish Supper*
6:30 PM Awaiting the Already Study*
Advent
Dec. 13, 5:00 PM Lessons & Carols*
Christmas
6:00 PM Christmas Eve Eucharist*
10:30 PM Christmas Eve Eucharist*
9:00 AM Christmas Day Eucharist*
*childcare available
Newsletter Deadline
The deadline for the January
issue of Grace to You & Peace is
December 28. Email submissions to
or drop them by the church office.
Office Hours
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Monday - Friday
Church Staff
The Rev. Anne Harris, Rector
The Rev. Morris Thompson, Curate
Kimberly Brown, Director of School
Jeremy Adcock, Organist/Choirmaster
Becky Brett, Office Administrator
Ronnie Clayton, Sexton
Altar Cross illustration by Alice Lancaster
From Reverend Anne:
Happy New Year!
While the Christian Church has adopted many secular festival
dates (choosing the date of the Winter Solstice for the Nativity of Jesus
Christ, for instance) we remain distinctly counter cultural with respect to
others. November 29th marks the First Sunday of Advent, and it is the
beginning of our liturgical year. We leave behind us the Gospel of Mark
from which we heard the bulk of the gospel readings for last year,
lectionary Year B, and turn to the Gospel of Luke in lectionary year C.
While the rest of the world is rushing around in a tizzy, getting
prepared for Christmas, we Christians have long drawn aside for a few
weeks of quiet and prayerful contemplation instead. We have a lot to
do, preparing the house for Christmas festivities, only if we choose to.
We can make ourselves crazy decorating and buying and cooking and
attending every party in the Golden Triangle; or we can choose to
simplify, draw aside, and focus on the miracle of God made flesh.
In order to help you focus on the Incarnation, our worship
services change color and texture during Advent. The music is more
contemplative. The color purple, also used during Lent, reminds us of
the royal Kingship of Jesus who ended his life on a cross. There is
sadness mixed with joyful expectation – just as there is in life itself!
We will use prayers from Enriching Our Worship 1, a book of
supplemental liturgical materials produced by the Standing Liturgical
Commission of the Episcopal Church, and adopted by General
Convention for use in any Rite II service. The language used in the
prayers I have chosen is designed to expand the ways in which we
express our faith, so that the prayers sound fresh and meaningful to our
ears and hearts.
This Advent, draw aside, and may the words of this Advent
hymn be your prayer: “Savior of the nations come! Virgin’s Son, make
here your home. Marvel now, both heaven and earth, that the Lord
chose such a birth.”
Foundations
St. paul’S EvEntS
Page 2
From Deacon Morris,
This year on November 1, Episcopalians nationwide made a bold move in
installing the Most Reverend Michael Curry as its twenty-seventh Presiding Bishop, the
bishop overseeing the entirety of the Episcopal Church. The move was not bold due to
his political views, something which I know very little about, or even his race, though he
is the first African American Presiding Bishop. The move was bold because for the first
time, at least in my life, the Episcopal Church was moved by the Spirit to choose an
evangelist to lead its Church.
All my life I have been afraid of evangelism. Nothing is more terrifying to me
than sharing my deepest convictions about God, about Jesus, about humanity, and our
imperfections. Praying extemporaneously? To me that is perhaps the worst thing about
being clergy. That’s why if there is food to be blessed and Rev. Anne is around you will
see me pointing to her! To put it all plainly, I am afraid to share the Good News. I am
afraid to be an evangelist. Thankfully, for all of you who are afraid like me, our leader,
Bishop Curry, is not afraid.
November 2, the day after his installation, Bishop Curry released a video that
began in a beautiful church in New York City and ends walking in the streets of that
grand city. He was talking about Jesus’ simple message to his followers to follow him.
How even after Jesus’ death, Christ sent a messenger to Mary that urged His followers to
continue their movement in following Him to Galilee. You see, Bishop Curry reminded
us we are a part of a movement, a movement that follows Jesus Christ wherever He leads
us.
One thing that I can say with certainty is that following Jesus does not lead you to
the church for mission, outreach, evangelism, and community. The church is only meant
to be a place of rejuvenation; our work to God is meant to happen in the streets with
God’s people who are lonely, suffering, and craving a relationship with their savior, but
are too afraid to take a risk in trusting the institution of Church that has hurt them so
many times in the past.
On Sunday, December 13, we will go into the streets of Southside Columbus. We
will announce to our town that there is something special in this community at St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church. We will tell our neighbors we are a loving community where all can
experience God and His rest and security for we have a God whose “yoke is easy, and
his burden is light.” I’m asking you to join me and our youth as we knock door to door,
hand out a little treat, and invite them to our spectacular worship of our Awesome God.
This might be hard for you, I know it will be for me. But I will follow Christ with
excitement to see the work He can do through us.
Grace and courage,
Morris
Parish Life
Our Mission
St. Paul’s is Collecting Medicine Bottles for Malawi
Medical facilities and pharmacies in Malawi often find themselves
with nothing except pieces of paper in which to wrap medicine for
their patients. This is often seen in rural hospitals and villages
where the poorest people live. They can make good use of the
prescription and other medicine bottles that we normally discard.
We are collecting bottles that you’re through with. Please remove
the labels and return the bottles to the table outside the welcome
desk.
Home for the Holidays The first Home for the Holidays silent auction was a success! We
would like to thank all of our talented parishioners who created one
of a kind nativity scenes.
We also appreciate those who bid on the nativities. The wide variety
was truly impressive, and each one found a new home. Together,
we raised $565 which will be given to Episcopal Relief and
Development to provide aid to refugees. We’d like to give a special thanks to Jennet
Lacey for organizing this wonderful outreach!
Loaves and Fishes St. Paul’s will be serving on Monday, December 14,
and Wednesday, December 16. Pie shells (graham
cracker or frozen pastry) or cans of peach, apple or
cherry pie filling are needed this month. Please have
these items at the church by Sunday, Dec. 13. If you
would like to help serve, please contact Ann Sparkman.
Southside Evangelism St. Paul’s is hitting the streets and knocking on doors
on Sunday, December 13, from 2:00-4:00. Come
join our youth as we invite our neighbors on
Southside to our advent and Christmas events. We
also need help Dec. 10 & 11 from 1-5 p.m. at the
church as we make candied pecans to give to our
neighbors. Contact Morris for more information.
Page 3
Page 4
Junior Daughters of the King
All girls, 2nd
grade and up, are encouraged to join the Jr. DOK on
Wednesday, December 9, from 4-5 p.m. in the church conference
room. Meetings take place the second Wednesday of every month.
Please contact Rose Crowe, or the church office, if you or your child
is interested.
EYC December Schedule
December 6 4:00-6:00 at St. Paul’s
December 13 2:00-4:00 Southside Evangelism & Lessons & Carols!
December 20 EYC Christmas Party at the Thompsons!
December 27 No EYC
December 27– Jan. 1 Winter Solstice @ CBG for Grades 9-12
Contact Morris for more information about upcoming EYC events.
Men’s Group Christmas Party
The St. Paul’s Men’s Group will meets at 5:30 on Wednesday,
Dec. 16, at Walt Starr’s residence. Supper will be at 6:00.
Contact the office if you’d like to be included on the Men’s
group email list.
ECW Advent Retreat
"Women Waiting," will take place Saturday,
December 5, at Plymouth Bluff. Kelly Brown will
lead this reflective time of prayer. A brunch will
be provided. All women of the church are
welcome! Please RSVP to the church office by
noon on December 2.
Upcoming Events
Late Bloomers Christmas Party
Late bloomers, our group of energized people age 60 and up, will
be meeting Tuesday, December 15, at 10:00 a.m. for a festive
Christmas Brunch. All people of the church are welcome. Please
RSVP to the office by December 14 if you plan to attend!
Page 5
Worship and Education
Wednesday Evenings in Advent
5:30 Contemplative Celtic Eucharist
6:00 Dinner
6:30-7:00 Awaiting the Already Bible Study
Each Gospel, in its own way, leads us on the Advent journey of
preparation for Christ’s coming. Awaiting the Already takes a tour
through each gospel narrative that announces Christ’s birth, paving
the way for his ministry.
Women’s Advent Bible Study
Beginning Sunday, November 29, during the Sunday School hour,
the women of the church will begin the four week Beth Moore
Bible study, Loving Well. This study focuses on our Christian
mission of love and compassion in a broken world.
Confirmation Classes
The Bishop’s visit on February 7 is quickly approaching. If you or your child is
interested in becoming a full member of the Episcopal Church through Confirmation,
contact Morris about Confirmation Classes.
Invite your friends and
neighbors to our choir’s
celebration of Advent
Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 13, 5:00 p.m.
Childcare provided & cry room available in the Chapel
Christmas Eve 6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist
10:30 p.m. Candlelight Holy Eucharist
Christmas Day 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Childcare provided & cry room available in the Chapel
Page 6
Vestry Nominations
Eric Dawson
Eric has been a part of St. Paul’s for many years alongside his wife and two children.
He has served St. Paul’s as a lay pastoral Eucharistic visitor, first reader, Eucharistic
minister, and is in his third year of EFM. Eric served as a vestry member from 2008-
2010.
Don Callaway
Don Callaway has served St. Paul’s as an usher and as a volunteer for Loaves and
Fishes. He is interested in helping with financial matters for the future of St. Paul’s
congregation. He served on the vestry during the 1980s when Rev. Charles Floyd
was rector, and again in the 1990s when Rev. Murray Bullock was rector.
Tom Whitaker
Tom has participated in the life of St. Paul’s Church as an usher, member of the Wired
Word Sunday School Class, Men’s Group, May Luncheon volunteer, Bible School
helper, Loaves and Fishes Volunteer, Fall Festival and SPES helper, Advent Suppers,
Informed Ministry review and Mutual Ministry review committee. He is anxious to
help wherever his time and talents are needed, particularly with Loaves and Fishes
and other outreach projects. He is also knowledgeable about building and grounds
maintenance needs and budget and church finance matters. He served a three-year
term on the vestry for 2012-2014.
Kenny Frye
Kenny started attending St. Paul’s in 2007 and was confirmed later that year by
Bishop Duncan Gray Jr. While attending St. Paul’s, Kenny has served on the Usher
Committee, How Firm a Foundation Building Committee, and is a member of St.
Paul’s Men’s Group. Kenny has helped prepare a variety of meals at St. Paul’s (i.e.,
Pancake Supper, Spaghetti Supper, Church Receptions, etc.) and is an inaugural
member of the Shrimp & Grits cooking team. In the spring of 2012, Kenny led the
youth in the upstairs Youth Room Renovation Project and is willing to give of his
time and talents wherever needed.
2016-2017 Jr. Warden
2016-2018 Vestry
Page 7
Vestry Nominations
Helen Pridmore
Helen has served as a high school Sunday school teacher, ECW President, as a
member of Daughters of the King, EYC Leader, Junior Warden, altar guild, and
ECW treasurer. In the upcoming years she would like to strengthen St. Paul’s
outreach and children and youth programs.
Karoyl McCain
Karoyl has worshiped and grown at St. Paul’s for the past 19 years alongside her
husband and two boys. She has served as ECW President, United Thank Offering
Coordinator, Daughters of the King President, Lenten Children’s programmer, and
the Christmas program. In the upcoming years she would like to help foster adult
involvement in St. Paul’s programs and support the financial matters of the church.
John Hardy
John has served as an usher and as a member of the Finance Committee. He is
interested in helping maintain the church financial soundness and continually
maintain and improve St. Paul’s buildings, facilities, and grounds so that our spiritual
leaders can offer the church’s ministry and outreach in a good environment. He has
previously served three terms on the vestry.
2016-2018 Vestry
Birthdays
December 1 Elizabeth Stoner
December 2 Terry Freeze
December 3 Howard Sharp
Taylor Smith
December 4 Katie Fenstermacher
December 5 Pam Rhea
December 6 Tom Velek
December 7 Shelby Phillips
December 8 Izzy Poros
December 11 Becky Scott
December 12 Carole Knie
December 13 Beth Easterling
December 15 Rachel George
Sharon Reifers
December 16 Richard Thomas
December 18 Mollie Carter
December 19 Lindsey Noto
December 20 Sid Caradine
December 22 Allen Wyckoff
Nicholas Wyckoff
December 23 Gillian Hanna
December 24 Gail Laws
December 25 John Knie
December 27 Elizabeth Easterling
December 28 Kate Roberts
December 29 Marian Hazard
December 30 Caroline Clay
Stewardship Update Thank you to all who have prayed, budgeted and sent in their pledge! To date, we
have received 97 pledges, or 91% of our expected pledges. Pledges received total
$386,000, or 92% of the $420,000 goal for our 2016 required budget. If you have yet
to send in your pledge, please do so as soon as possible so we can budget our ministry
for the upcoming year.
Annual Reports Due! All annual reports are due by Monday, December 28, in preparation
of our 2016 Annual Church Meeting.
Parish Life
Page 8
Births! It’s with great celebration we announce the
births of Ruthie Joy Hardy, daughter of
John David and Lindsey Hardy, Aiden Lee
Martel, son of Jennifer and Lee Martel,
and Evelyn Cecilia McCoy, daughter of
Miriam and Cole McCoy.
Intercessions
McCaleb family
Savannah Rose Jones
Bill Guerry
Jesse Dawson
Joy Clay
Gail Greene
John Stokes
Patricia Edwards
Sgt. David Mosteller
Anna Chromiak
Daniel
Ron Apple
T. J. Rayer
Steven Bogan
B. J. Montgomery
Marian Chancellor
Margaret Wade
Kingslea Merkel
Jim Keith
Kathy
Beth Gee
Fran Cobin
Samantha McRaney
Todd Weathers family
Walter McKay
Tommy Prince
Dianne
Barbara Yarborough
Doris Crowe
Taylor Valentine
Elizabeth Neely
Ginny
Emery Sofia Freeman
Vernon Studdard
Tony Greene
Guy Geller
Carol Lott
Beth Thomas
Don Harris
Elizabeth King
Elizabeth Stoner
Lisa Landrum
Virginia
Julie Adams
Robyn
Beth Hunt
Nancy Kennedy
Tom Davis IV
Irma Steger
Dan Waldrop
Addison
Donna Armer
Brantley Foster
Anita Webber
Kristi
Stooksberry family
Anniversaries Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit,
that they may grow in love and peace with you and with one another all the days of their
life. Amen.
December 1 Keith & Barbara Miles
December 5 Ron & Kathy Foster
December 8 John & Eulalie Davis
December 14 Frank & Sandy Imes
December 18 Powe & Sam Chesnut
December 19 David & Sarah Lee
December 27 Gary & Jackie Waldrop
December 29 Tom & Sunny Whitaker
December 31 John & Carole Knie
For the welfare of
Residents of nursing homes,
especially: Trey Atkins
For the Departed: The Rev. Gene Asbury, Luna
Cotton, Angel Violet Kotzur, Kittie Laffoon, Libby
Springer
Page 9
St. paul’S School nEwS
Diocesan News
ECW Winter Conference If the Bishop of Alabama, Kee Sloan, is ever playing at a church near you, run,
don’t walk, to hear him. He was the speaker at the recent ECW Winter Conference,
and I was totally captivated. He is a consummate story-teller. I laughed, I cried, I
wanted to shout “Hallelujah!”, and I looked forward to just thinking on what he had
shared with us. I go to the ECW conferences because I have made friends over the
years. I first went when I was president of ECW and felt I should go. I have attended
them twice a year ever since. I enjoy taking an evening and half a day off for myself.
I enjoy the solitude of The Gray Center, and I cherish friendships made from all over
the state.
I have learned just what UTO does and why it is so important. I learned what
our Church Periodical Club does (provides money for books for Mississippi
seminarians and also sends picture books to children in Africa); that we have a Global
Scholarship fund which provided 2 scholarships to students in Panama and one to
Bishop Masereka’s school in Uganda in 2015. I learned that this past year we
distributed $3800 to children’s agencies in Mississippi through Children at Risk.
Attending ECW conferences helps me to understand the reach of our church in
our state. Neither the winter nor spring gatherings are particularly well attended, and I
am impressed by the devotion that the Board has and the work it does to continue
them.
The Spring Conference will be April 8-9 with Rev. Kyle Dice Seage as the
weekend guest speaker. Kyle will be instructing us on making and praying our own
personal rosaries.
Anne Freeze
School Christmas Pageant
The Morning of December 17
from 10:00 through 10:45
in the Church
Decorating St. Paul’s for Christmas!
The Altar Guild is asking for all St. Paul’s hands on deck Wednesday, December 23,
10:00 a.m. to decorate the church for the birth of our Lord! No talent necessary. Just
bring greenery, clippers, gloves, and a Christmas spirit!
Also remember, all donations for Christmas flowers should be made to
the office by Friday December 18.