Our Staff & Vestry

Vestry: Chuck Barnett - Senior Warden, Dan Ferguson- Junior Warden,

Ann Philen, Bill Ramsey, Melanie Velaski, Beth Woods, Linda Aligood, Tom Chaapel, Frank Murphy

Carol Farrel - Treasurer Viv Welch—Clerk of the Vestry

Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva - Music Director Sally Putters - Parish Nurse

Saint Monica's Episcopal ChurchSaint Monica's Episcopal Church

MessengerMessenger July 2014July 2014

Something I love (and sometimes hate) about living in a city is the variety of people I encounter: businessmen and women, hipsters, undergrads, homeless people and tourists and everyone in between. Many people I simply pass by on the street, but occasionally someone will do something annoying: they’ll talk too loudly or bump into me because they aren’t paying attention or say something rude for no apparent reason. Even if you don’t live in a large city, you may travel and have to deal with grumpy fellow passengers (or maybe you are the grumpy passenger), or you encounter strangers through Facebook and the blogs that you read. Modern life now puts us frequently in contact with peo-ple we know nothing about, and I think the distance be-tween us, both literal and figurative, can make it difficult to have empathy for each other. It takes work to have com-passion on the fellow commuter who is cutting in line at eight in the morning or the acquaintance who is posting disagreeable diatribes on Facebook. These people have histories we do not know and may be facing problems we cannot imagine. But we should try. Love requires a bit of imagination. It requires imagining another person’s life in the kindest possible light. (David Foster Wallace covers this territory pretty well in his grad-uation speech, This is Water.) I’m thinking about this after a wedding celebration my wife and I attended this past weekend. We didn’t know anyone very well so we had to strike up conversations with strangers, with varying levels of success. Some people were friendly. Others seemed to have no desire to talk to us. Or, I thought, maybe they were shy. Maybe I shouldn’t judge them. I used to be the person at the party who was difficult to talk to, not because I didn’t want to talk, but because I was very shy. We are often thrown into makeshift communities, whether it be at a wedding or on a crowded train or at church. We do not hand-pick these communities, but we

In His or Her Shoes by Jeremiah Sierra from Episcopal Church Vital Practices on June 16, 2014

still must love others as best we can. The only way to navi-gate these situations without descending into cheap judg-ment is to imagine the lives of those around us in the kind-est way we can—the grumpy passenger may have stayed up late with a sick child, the angry parishioner may have a long history of suffering we know nothing about, the un-friendly person at the party may just be shy. Maybe not, of course, and we shouldn’t let others take advantage of us, but we will all do better to give each other the benefit of the doubt, and then treat them as we would want to be treated.

During the month of July, we will be collecting school supplies for Jim Allen School.

A complete list will be available in the narthex.

Page 2 Saint Monica ’s Messenger

Last month, St. Monica’s Episcopal Church Women launched a new fundraising ministry called Faith Matters. The women are currently selling Christian themed items on the first and third Saturdays at The Market at St. Mon-ica’s. Items include hand-held Caring Crosses, handmade wire wrapped horseshoe nail cross necklaces, leather strap bracelets and key rings. Prices range from $1 to $8. The name Faith Matters was chosen because all items for sale have Christian faith as the primary theme and be-cause as Christians, our faith matters! “Every item sold is spreading the gospel of Christ,” said Viv Welch. “The people who purchase our jewelry leave wearing a piece of scripture or a symbol of Christ.” We can glorify God with the simplest everyday acts. Even while putting on a piece of Christian themed jewelry, we are reminded of the gospel promise. By wearing Chris-tian jewelry, we are boldly proclaiming that promise to everyone we meet. God calls us to be his hands and feet, to share in the body of Christ, and to glorify him in all we do. Wearing and giving Faith Matters is a practical and significant way to plant seeds of faith and hope. The women plan to one day sell only hand-made gifts, but for now they are keeping their inventory broad and inexpensive to appeal to both teens and adults. All pro-ceeds from the sale of these items benefit the many in-reach and outreach ministries supported by the ECW.

ECW launches Faith Matters

This article may sound familiar, but with our heat and humidity its message bears repeating. Summer is here and many of us will be spend-ing time outdoors. Before venturing outdoors, be sure to apply a broad spectrum sun-screen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Also consider the heat and humid-ity, especially if you are 50 or older. Our bodies are programmed to main-tain a temperature of about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If this is exceeded, our bodies try to cool themselves by bringing heat from the body core to the skin, through per-spiration. The evaporating sweat cools the body. As we age this built in cooling mechanism becomes less efficient. We sweat less and are not likely to feel thirsty, which means the risk of becoming dehydrated. Certain medications used to treat heart problems, like diuretics and beta blockers may increase the effects of heat by interfering with our cooling mechanism. Antihista-mines, used to treat allergies, can also reduce the produc-tion of sweat. All of these factors mean it is vital for you to recognize the signs that you may be too hot. Signs of heat exhaus-tion include, headaches, dehydration, weakness, dizziness, fainting, and muscle cramps. If you experience these symptoms in hot weather, seek medical advice, particular-ly if you have heart problems or high blood pressure, and take steps to cool down by going indoors (preferably to a room where there is a fan), drink plenty of water, and sponge with tepid water while you rest. The more serious heat stroke develops if the body tem-perature rises to 105 or higher, and can cause death or per-manent disability. Symptoms include rapid pulse, severe headache, dizziness, nausea and confusion, and absence of sweat. This is a medical emergency, so seek medical as-sistance quickly. To prevent these conditions, drink plenty of clear liquids (avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol as these will de-hydrate you), dress in light-colored clothing (don’t over-dress), and avoid extended sun exposure or strenuous ac-tivities in high temperatures. Exercise in the morning and evenings when it is cooler. Follow these precautions to ensure your summer is safe and enjoyable. Every challenging situation that faces us is an oppor-tunity. We can choose to handle it with grace, humor and courage, or we can choose to complain, wallow in self-pity, and lash out in anger. The nits and dragons of life give us the chance to express our uniqueness, set a good example and make God proud. (author Unknown) Don't forget on Thursday, July 10 at St. Monica's from 9 to 11:30 am, we will be doing Osteoporosis Screening in-side of the church. Get the word out to family, friends and neighbors - it is FREE

Beat the summer heat By Nurse Sally

Viv Welch and Brenda Ferguson behind the Faith Matters booth at The Market at St. Monica’s.

FREE Osteoporosis

Screening Thursday, July 10

9-11:30 am

Page 3 Saint Monica ’s Messenger

Independence Day; Share the Journey

The Fourth of July is the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Inde-pendence from Great Britain in 1776, and the celebrations have deep roots in the American tradition of political inde-pendence. While we celebrate our freedom, many in our midst and around the world are not free. We affirm that all human beings are made in the image of God, created with dignity and intrinsic value. The Episcopal Church seeks to uphold

the basic human right to seek dignified possibilities in life – “the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Launched on June 16, ‘Share the Journey’ is a campaign from Episcopal Migration Ministries to raise awareness of the refugee resettlement work done by The Episcopal Church. “Share the Journey” is a year-long campaign to highlight the stories of refugees and their resettlement in the United States through traditional and social media. “Everyone can become a companion to refugees, learn-ing about their new neighbors and joining in the journey of resettlement,” explained Deborah Stein, Director of Epis-copal Migration Ministries. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, at the beginning of 2013, there were 15.4 million refugees worldwide. This number continues to rise with the recent refugee crises in Syria, South Sudan and the Congo. Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) is an organiza-tion of The Episcopal Church that welcomes refugees to peaceful homes and hopeful futures in the US, partnering with faith groups, volunteers, community organizations, and many other local supporters to build a foundation for success for these new Americans. “Even after arriving in the US, new challenges arise as refugees seek out new connections to rebuild their lives in safety and freedom,” explained Stein. “A strong network of caring neighbors and friends is the foundation of suc-cessful resettlement, and Episcopal Migration Ministries and our network of affiliates work to cultivate these sup-portive relationships in all 30 communities where we wel-come refugees.” How can you participate? On Facebook or Twitter, post a photo of yourself hold-ing a hand-written sign that says #ShareTheJourney with @EMMRefugees. Share with Episcopal Migration Minis-tries on Facebook or tag Episcopal Migration Ministries on Twitter: @EMMRefugees. Please include the hashtag #ShareTheJourney in your post. Check out the website: www.episcopalchurch.org/emm and www.episcopalchurch.org/sharethejourney. Learn more EMM’s history and how to participate in local refugee settlement at www.episcopalmigrationministries.org

For much of the 20th cen-tury, the service of Morning Prayer was the regular Sun-day worship in many Episco-pal Churches. It was the pri-mary worship service for three Sundays out of the month, and always when a priest was unavailable to cel-ebrate the Holy Eucharist. Morning Prayer has its roots in Jewish synagogue worship and the monastic tradition. It is similar to the form adopted by many Protestant denominations as their standard for Sunday worship. The service consists of a series of Scripture read-ings and hymns of praise, accompanied by confession, si-lence and prayers. While not required, a sermon normally is offered when Morning Prayer is used as the primary ser-vice for Sunday. (Both the sermon and offering are op-tional for this service.) Morning Prayer has been a part of the cycle for daily prayer. For hundreds of years, every priest of the Church of England was expected to lead or attend public Morning and Evening Prayer services in church seven days a week with whatever resources she or he has at hand. This pat-tern of daily services (which may be led by lay people as well as clergy) remains at the core of Anglican spirituality, and in particular of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Thomas Cranmer, who developed the first Book of Common Prayer, 1549, believed it was a gift to ordinary Christians to have a form of worship for prayer at four times of the day, Morning, Noon, Evening, and bedtime (Compline). This was modeled after the monastic pattern of prayer throughout the day and night, but in a practical way for people who worked. All these services are in the Book of Common Prayer. Historically, Morning Prayer was the main Sunday morning service on most Sundays in all Anglican parishes, with Holy Communion being celebrated after Morning or Evening Prayer (typically once a month, on the first Sun-day). In the twentieth century, Holy Communion became the main Sunday morning service once or twice per month. With the revival of the Eucharist as the principal Sunday service during the second half of the twentieth century, Morning Prayer has been the principal Sunday service less frequently. Although the contemporary Church finds it difficult to make a place for daily services in its liturgical life, they are intended to form a devotional framework for ordinary Christians. Morning Prayer was much loved in the Epis-copal Church because of its beautiful canticles sung be-tween the Scripture readings and its quiet dignity of prayer and praise.

A brief history of Morning Prayer

Saint Monica ’s Messenger Page 4

July 22 – St. Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was present at two of Jesus’ most important moments – the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. The gospel describes her as courageous and brave enough to stand by Jesus in his hours of suffering, death, and beyond. She was well known as a sinner when she first saw our Lord. She was very beautiful and very proud, but after she met Jesus, she felt great sorrow for the life she had lived. When Jesus went to supper at the home of a rich man named Simon, Mary came to weep at his feet. Then with her long beautiful hair, she wiped his feet dry and anointed them with expensive perfume. Some people were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch him. Jesus could see into Mary's heart, and he said: “Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved very much.” Then he said to Mary, “Your faith has made you safe; go in peace.” From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and his Apostles. She is the only person that all four Gospels say was first to realize that Jesus had risen and to testify to that central teaching of faith. Mary Magdalene is considered a saint by the Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran church-es and her feast day is July 22. Among the women who are specifically named in the New Testament, Mary Mag-dalene’s name is one of the most frequently found. The story of Mary Magdalene shows what it means to be fully present to God and to bear witness to his life-giving acts. She is a model for all who seek a deeper rela-tionship with God.

The Philadelphia Eleven are 11 women who were “irregularly” ordained as the first female priests of The Episcopal Church on July 29, 1974 in Philadelphia’s Church of the Advocate two years before General Conven-tion authorized the ordination of women to the priesthood. Although there was no canon that specifically prohibited ordaining women to the priesthood, the canons did require a recommendation from the standing committee. Many were upset because these women did have such a recom-mendation. While others were ready for change and ven-tured into new territory for the Episcopal Church. On August 15, 1974, the House of Bishops, called an emergency meeting, denounced the ordinations and de-clared them invalid. Charges were filed against the bish-ops who ordained the women and attempts were made to prevent the women from serving their priestly ministries. But the wheel was already in motion and in September 1976, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate. On July 29, The Episcopal Church celebrates the “irregular” ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven, who broke the gender barrier to become priests. This further opened the doors of equality and inclusion to all people as full members of The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church remembers Merrill Bittner, Alla Bozarth-Campbell, Alison Cheek, Emily Hewitt, Carter Heyward, Suzanne Hiatt, Marie Moorefield, Jeanette Pic-card, Betty Schiess, Katrina Swanson, and Nancy Wittig. We remember their courage, determination and dedication to social justice.

Many thanks for your generous donations for Favor House. God Bless, St. Monica’s Sisterhood of Quilters

July 29 – The Philadelphia Eleven

Women from across the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast will gather at Beckwith the weekend of August 1-3 to experience a time of worship, fellowship, and empower-ment. At the retreat, women will spend time in sessions led by women who have participated in the retreat previ-ously, learning skills and tools for establishing a vision for their ministry in their lives and in the church. They will also be given time to enjoy each other's company and make new friends within the setting of the beautiful Beck-with Camp and Retreat Center. Please consider joining a new group of women at the August 1-3 Women of Vision Retreat. The price for the weekend includes lodging and all meals: $162 (double oc-cupancy) & $208 (single occupancy). If you have ques-tions, please contact Amanda Smith at 251-223-1099 or Andrea Shilston at 251-928-2376. Find the registration form here, and send to Beckwith by July 11. Any woman who is seeking a time of reflection and learning to understand more deeply her own talents and skills for ministry is encouraged to join us!

Women of Vision Retreat

The Philadelphia Eleven, July 29, 1974. Source unknown

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Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church

699 South Highway 95-A

Cantonment, Florida 32533

Phone: 850-937-0001

E-mail: Office@st-monicas.org

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Birthdays in July… 4, Margaree Mills-Fitchett; 5, Ron Giles; 8, Pauline Somerville; 11, Priscilla Ahearn; 12, Norma Ramsey; 24, Sally Putters; 27, Bill Ramsey

We’re on the web at Www.st-monicas.org

Danise Beadle Herman Boudreaux Rosalynda Blackburn Max & Marie Cartwright Destiny Coy Ray Farrel Ray Fink & Family Cliff & Debbie Foggatt Ron Giles Mike Godwin John Henderson Lamar Henderson

Ruth Henderson Nancy Holland Jane Hunter Lascenica Knapp Savanah & Maverick Knapp Laura Lowe Charlie Martinson Bob Matlock Bill Nix Mindy O Pat Prince Bill Putters

Leroy Robbins Tiny Robinson Barbara Roper Melton Scott Dora Seal Bob Tebbs Larry Walker Brandon Warwick Frank Welch Blieka Henderson Yerg Marcella Young

Brian Condon Daryl Coy Mark Feely Aaron Gaff Benjamin Gaff Tim Hartford Johnny Hurd James Klinginsmith William Knapp Andrew Kuntz Nicholas Matroni Jeremy Wright

July Prayer Requests Military Prayer List

Anniversaries in July… 11, Ron & Ann Philen; If your birthday or anniversary is not listed or not listed correctly, please let Viv Welch know.