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Our Mission:

We embody Christ's presence

by reaching out to receive

with open hands

and to share with open heart

the Word of God, the Bread of Life.

September 2015

Growing together in Christ transforms lives.

Spiritual Formation is an intentional Christian practice

that has as its goal the development of spiritual maturity that leads to Christ likeness. Some common Christian spiritual practices are: worship, scripture study, prayer, simplicity, solitude, silence, confession, sacrificial giving, fasting, etc. Make Sunday morning part of your Spiritual Formation – be intentional about getting you and/or your family to the Christian Formation hour at 9:15 and worship at 8:00 or 10:30. Formation opportunities on Sunday morning include: Ages 3-K – Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level I 1st – 3rd grade – Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II 4th-6th grade – Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level III 7th-8th grade – The Gospel According to Disney (upstairs) 9th-12th grade – The Gospel According to John (in the Triangle Room, #340) Adults – The Episcopal Way – in the Blue Room from 9:25-10:10am

Contents

Bulletin board news 2

EYC Carnival 3

Lunch & a Movie 3

EYC News 4

From the Rector’s desk 5

Journey Group 7

Music News 8

Prison Retreat 9

September Calendar 10

Sept. Master Schedule 11

Worship Service Schedule 12

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OUTREACH HIGHLIGHTS

1. Back2SchoolBash- This year’s drive was a

smashing success as twenty-eight individual

parishioners donated a total of $1,535. This enabled

the Dream Center to provide all of the school

supplies for thirty students. This was more double

last year’s total. See the picture above of Lauren

Crim presenting the check to Terri Willis, Director of

the Dream Center.

2. Blood Drive- The next drive at St. Timothy’s will be

Sunday, September, 20. Mark the date. You may

make an appointment online. Remember, each

donations saves three lives. Our last drive on May 25

produced 25 units. We hope to match or improve on

that number in September.

3. The Food Basket- YTD August 2, 1,428 lbs. of food

items have been donated by St. Timothy’s.

~Adrian Zabala

Average Sunday Attendance in 2015

January-June 148

July 125

January-July 145

By Carol Bohley

Bob and I started singing with the Joiful Noyse

this past month because we missed worshipping

with song. Neither of us have been crazy about

the contemporary music over the years, but

have come to enjoy the intricacies of melodies,

and the simple message of the words.

How wonderful it is to be able to worship with

formal hymns that echo the rich history of music

in the Episcopal church, and at the same time to

open our hearts and minds to the more

contemporary rhythms, instruments and

vernacular prayers found in contemporary

offerings.

Climb up the stairs to the loft on Wednesday

evenings at 6:30 and sing with Joiful Noyse.

Learn the music so you can worship fully on

Sunday mornings. Then come to the Music

Room for Choir rehearsal and raise your voices

in traditional song.

Pray twice, pray often, pray with song!

September events Sept 7 7:00 PM Senior Choir Rehearsals begin Sept 13 Christian Formation Classes begin 9:15 – 10:15 AM Children and Youth 9:25 – 10:10 AM Adults 5:00 – 7:00 PM EYC Kickoff Carnival Sept 20 8:00 AM - 12:00 Noon Blood Drive

Sticks and Stones, a monthly newsletter for members and friends of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church 200 Oyster Creek Drive Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (979) 297-6003 www.stimothy.org The Rev. Andrew D. Parker, Rector e-mail: aparker@stimothy.org The Rev. Elizabeth W. Parker, Associate Rector e-mail: lparker@stimothy.org

Newsletter deadline is the fourth Friday of the preceding month. Editor & Publisher: Judy Armstrong e-mail: jarmstrong@stimothy.org

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Sunday, September 13, 2015

October Sky

Lunch and a Movie on September 13 will feature "October Sky" starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper and Laura Dern. This 1999 film, based on his memoir Rocket Boys, tells the true story of Homer Hickam, Jr. The drama is set in the late 1950's in the small West Virginia town of Coalwood. Following the Soviet launch of the satellite named Sputnik, Homer, a mediocre high school student, is inspired to build a rocket. With the help and support of a teacher, three friends, and the Coalwood community, Homer turns his dreams into reality in this story of hope, determination, and triumph. "October Sky" is rated PG and is 108 minutes in length. Tony and Gigi Janeshek will lead the discussion. Lunch will be served in the Youth Hall at 11:45 a.m. followed by the movie at 12:15 p.m. Childcare is available. Please sign up at the M&M table to insure sufficient food.

If you love West Virginia, science, and/or inspiring stories, you'll love this movie!

COME ONE COME ALL…

ALL IN GRADES 5-12 To the…………………………

EYC CARNIVAL KICK-OFF EVENT SEPT. 13

5-8PM ST. TIM’S YOUTH HALL

Questions? Contact Stephanie Townes

or Chris Weis

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EYC NEWS The Episcopal Church has recently adopted Three Practices (#3PracticesTEC) based on Luke 10:1-9. These three practices are:

1. Follow Jesus together 2. Into the neighborhood 3. Travel lightly.

As the new Youth Minister, I have been reflecting on how St. Timothy’s youth might also follow these three practices. This summer, the EYC attempted to do these three things with Faith in Action, having EYC at Allstar Pizza, holding a Bible study for Summer@Church at Whataburger, and attending the CUSE mission trip in Houston. Many of the Summer@Church activities, such as Timothy’s Table and helping the Army of Retired Men, sought to be true to these ideals. I hope to continue this trend for the youth by continuing Timothy’s Table, planning a joint retreat with Holy Comforter, delivering Thanksgiving Baskets, and participating again in Faith in Action, among the regular youth activities where we as the Episcopal Youth simply follow Jesus together.

But how can we follow Jesus when we do not know who he is? In the gospel reading for September 13th, Jesus asks Peter the question “but who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29). This simple, direct question from Jesus gets at the heart of following Jesus. If the answer to the question is that Jesus is simply a teacher of wisdom or a prophet, then how one follows Jesus looks different than if the answer to the question is like Peter’s answer: “You are the Messiah.” This summer, I took a class on the Doctrine of Christ that looked directly at this question. So who do you say that Jesus is? Is he the Messiah? Savior? King of Kings? The Bread of Life? A prophet? The Prince of Peace? The Word? The Light of the World? Mystery? The Good Shepherd? God? Throughout the next few months, the EYC will be trying to follow the three practices laid out in Luke 10 along with the rest of the Episcopal Church, but we will also be learning more about just who this “Jesus guy” is that we are called to follow together. I invite you on this journey with us to follow Jesus and discover just who you say that he is.

Stephanie Townes, Youth Minister

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Christian Formation:

What is it and where can I get some? by the Rev. Andrew Parker

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My favorite definition of Christian Formation is simply “the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others.”1 Naturally, Christ is our touchstone in Christian Formation. And the process is not primarily about burnishing our image for our own delight or vanity, but about being transformed for the sake of others.

St. Paul encouraged his protégé Timothy to commit to what he called the divine training that is known by faith. Paul certainly understood that the aim of such a program is not to make oneself smarter or more serene. Rather, the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. (I Timothy 1.4-5) Ultimately, that’s what we’re about in Christian Formation—the cultivation of love; along with a pure heart, a clear conscience and genuine faith. 2. We begin this process at St. Timothy’s at the tender age of three in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This Montesorri approach assumes that God and the young child already have a relationship, alongside which the catechist comes to assist. The catechist’s presentations from scripture and liturgy “call forth” responses from the child, rather than “pour in” information. The atrium and the materials create a space of meaningful work for the child’s response and continuing conversation with God. I am so grateful and happy that this Fall, due to some very hard work on the part of Dena Cline and Liz Parker, St. Timothy’s is opening a new Level III atrium so that we may extend Catechesis through the 6th grade. This third level explores God’s history of salvation as a plan of communion, linking all people together through God’s love. The children will have the opportunity to respond to the “unfolding generosity of God” and to recognize the responsibilities that come with being a “collaborator with God.” Please take a look and see how the Conference Room has been transformed into our new Level III Catechesis Atrium. (It will continue to serve as a meeting room as well.) Another exciting development for St. Timothy’s this Fall is our new youth minister, Stephanie Townes, and the formation programs she’s putting into place with the help of our tireless (though sometimes tired!) Chair for Youth, Chris Weis, and the youth ministry team. The Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) on Sunday evenings will attempt to put into action the Three Practices of the Episcopal Church. Do you remember them? They are (1) follow Jesus together (2) into the neighborhood (3) travel lightly. Their curriculum will parallel the Sunday lectionary paying close attention to the identity of Jesus. The junior high Bible Study on Wednesday afternoons “Echo the Story” will traverse the long arc of the Bible through creative explorations of its key stories. (Please take a look at Stephanie’s article in this newsletter to learn more.)

1 M. Robert Mulholland Jr., Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation.

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Adult Formation this Fall will begin by jumping into the first volume in the Episcopal Church’s brand new series called Church’s Teachings for a Changing World. This first book The Episcopal Way by Eric Law and Stephanie Spellers explores “the seismic shifts in American life and the opportunities and challenges each presents. The authors call for a return to Episcopal basics and insist that faithfully engaging a changing world might be the most truly Anglican practice of all.” I’m in the middle of reading the book now and am finding that back-cover blurb is right on-the-mark. Of course, we’ll also begin a new round of Inquiry this Fall for newcomers who wish to learn more about the Episcopal expression of the Christian Faith. These little descriptions are not, by any means, all that’s starting up in Christian Formation at St. Timothy’s this month. This is just what I happen to know the most about! Our worship services this Fall will continue to take place at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. But we are fine-tuning our Christian Formation schedule slightly: the children will meet from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., as before, but the adults are to meet from 9:25 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. This will allow parents time to drop off and to pick up their children.

3. Ruth Haley Barton has written:

Your desire for more of God than you have right now, your longing for love, your need for deeper levels of spiritual transformation than you have experienced so far is the truest thing about you. You might think that your woundedness or your sinfulness is the truest thing about you or that your giftedness or your personality type or your job title or your identity as husband or wife, mother or father, somehow defines you. But, in reality, it is your desire for God and your capacity to reach for more of God than you have right now that is the deepest essence of who you are.

So, dearest ones, let me just exhort you all that an excellent way to reach for God and to become more deeply who you are (the image of Christ) is to jump into Christian Formation with both feet. Come on in. Get wet. The water’s fine!

Andy+

A prayer for uncertain times An hour before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, pastor and author Stan Purdum was reading Psalm 66, which includes the words, “We went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a spacious place” (v. 12, NRSV). After watching the destruction, Purdum composed a prayer that remains relevant today, as terrorism and threats often make peace seem more “specious” than “spacious”: O God of heaven and earth, who’s bigger than nations and factions, be with us as we live through times of terror, despair and danger. Be the strength of people who’ve been touched personally by disaster. Come with healing to those who are injured. Be the eternal rest of those who’ve died. Be the energy, compassion and fortitude of those who must pick through the wreckage. Grant our leaders courage and a double portion of your wisdom. The day of universal brotherhood seems farther off than ever, O God, but help us not despair of trying to accomplish it. Strengthen our faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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What is a Journey Group?

A Journey Group is a 12 session small group that builds real

relationships in a context of intentional discipleship that leads to real

growth. When we tell our stories we begin to see how God has been

working in our lives and where God might be leading us. This fall

we’re offering both an all women’s group and a mixed group of men

and women. This is not easy work to do. It requires courage and

perseverance. As a former special ops. soldier told me, “Flying

dangerous missions was easy – I just turned off my emotions and did what needed to be done. This work

is hard. It requires the courage to know and feel things I’d rather keep buried.”

There’s a sign-up sheet on the M&M table. Once we have a roster we’ll call a

meeting to decide on our calendar. Tentatively we’ll begin and end with a

Friday night and Saturday morning session and meet on Thursday nights

in-between. If you have questions, please contact Liz Parker

lparker@stimothy.org or 979-297-6003.

Job description for a Christian

As a follower of Jesus, you’ll share his love and gospel with everyone. Kindness and humility are vital as

you speak about your hope in him. To battle evil, you’ll receive a complete set of armor as described in

Ephesians 6:11-17. Use it to defend against attacks by a prowling lion or the temptation to place self

above others.

Preferred qualifications: • complete surrender to God

• a desire to follow his commandments

• a servant heart

• courage to face fiery furnaces or shipwrecks

Everyone’s welcome, and training and support are provided. Though you can expect persecution and

adversity, the rewards are life-changing — and eternal!

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Hello all! This September 6th the music ministry will resume combining contemporary and traditional styles of music in our 10:30 service. Joiful Noyse has done a fine job of faithfully bringing us music during the month of August and their load will be reduced as the Senior Choir joins in to share the responsibility. We in the Joiful Noyse have enjoyed hosting Nathan Richardson, Carolyn Young and Anna Lehnhoff who were gracious enough to sing with us as they were in town from college for summer

break and/or visiting their parents. I'm happy that the Hannah and Reina have joined us in Joiful Noyse and we would delight in welcoming more youth. Senior Choir also invites youth to join us and we will beginning our rehearsals September 2nd. For Sunday the 6th the Senior Choir will sing, for the anthem, the John Rutter (1945 - present) setting of the 16th century prayer from the Sarum Primer "God be in my head." Sunday the 13th the Senior Choir and the Joiful Noyse will combine forces to sing another John Rutter creation, his arrangement of Lord of the Dance. This is a wonderful arrangement in which each verse is set with a different accompaniment to vividly reflect the meaning of the text. September 20th the Senior Choir will sing a beautiful anthem by Thomas Mudd, "Let thy merciful ears O Lord". Thomas Mudd was born around 1560. Handchimes have already begun rehearsals and we are working on an arrangement I wrote of "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus". This year we welcome our new ringers, Hannah Poore and Amelia Poore-Bone. Children's Choir will resume rehearsals on September 9th. I'm delighted to announce that Lowrie Smith will be taking over the reins as children's choir director with assistance from her mother Karen. All of the children know Lowrie from her time working in our daycare and they love her. She is a fine musician and very experienced with working with children. Thank you to all our fine musicians who provided special music for the month of August: Chris Cermak, Anna Lehnhoff, Andrea Hutchison, Simone and Jana Marshall, Susan Plowman and Karen Hadley and Lowrie Smith. We are indeed blessed to have such a proliferation of talent in our parish. Rehearsal time for our ensembles are as follows:

Handchimes, Sundays after the 10:30 service; Children's Choir, Wednesdays at 4:15; Joiful Noyse, Wednesdays at 6:30; Senior Choir, Wednesdays at 7:00.

We welcome everyone and would be delighted to have you join us. Thank you, Paul Butt

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Brotherhood Retreat at the Wayne Scott Unit: Our Tenth Anniversary

On August 7th & 8th, the 10th annual Brotherhood of St. Andrew Retreat was held at the Wayne Scott Unit in Angleton. The retreat serves not only as an inspirational weekend to all that attend, but it also is a recruiting tool to attract offenders to our weekly Sunday bible studies conducted both in the Trusty Camp and main unit. We were very lucky this year that the retreat went off as planned as the unit was on “lockdown”. All visits are typically stopped as offenders and their quarters are searched thoroughly. Although it limited our attendance to 100, we were grateful for being able to have the event at all. Many thanks to Major Marshall and Volunteer Chaplain Bobby Cox who helped coordinated with us due to the absence of a full-time chaplain and a special shout out to the Warden for allowing the retreat to take place during lockdown.

The theme this year was “Forgiveness: Freeing One’s Self”. Each speaker was asked to address one of the sub-topics of “What is Forgiveness?”, “Forgiving Those We Love”, “Forgiving Those We Do Not Yet Love”, “Forgiving Ourselves” (an important one given the audience), “Forgiving God (For the Pain In Our Lives)”, and Becoming A Forgiving Person”. The speakers this year included: Pastor Sylvester Ballard of the Care Chapel Mission, Sheri Robinson, Dickson de la Haye (formerly a member of our Brotherhood), Pastor Robert Dohle of St. Paul’s Freeport, Bishop Rayford High, Jerry Higgins, and Dennis Davenport. The participants were broken up into “family groups” with at least one outside volunteer to discuss the message delivered by each speaker. This year’s volunteer slate included St. Timothy’s Brotherhood members Jim Cutshall, Ron Weeks, Chris Wilson, Craig Brisbon, Chuck Pugh, and Don Kaus.

- Ron Weeks

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St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church

200 Oyster Creek Drive Lake Jackson, TX 77566

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Service Schedule

Sundays

8:00 AM - Holy Eucharist, Rite I 9:00 AM - Fellowship 10:30 AM - Holy Eucharist, Rite II

Wednesdays

8:30 AM – Army of Retired Men (ARM) 4:15 PM – Children’s Choir 5:15 PM – Centering Prayer (Guild Room) 6:00 PM – Gentle Yoga (Blue Room) 6:30 PM – Joiful Noyse Rehearsal 7:00 PM – Senior Choir Rehearsal

(See additional Sept. activities on Page 2)

Christian Formation begins Sept. 13th 9:15-10:15 AM – Children and Youth

9:25-10:10 AM – Adults