layreader february 2015
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HEAVENLY
RESTSERVICES
Sundays8:00 a.m.Rite I with
Holy Eucharist in the nave
9:15-10:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m.Rite II with
Holy Eucharistin the nave
1:00 p.m.Morning Prayer
in Swahili
Weekdays8:00 a.m.
Morning Prayerin the chapel
Wednesdays5:30 p.m.
Healing Service, Holy Eucharistin the chapel
Service liturgy is from the Book of Common Prayer.
MISSION As a community of faith centered in God through liturgy and Christian Practice,
the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest exists to: CARE for members of all ages and stages of life.
SHARE God’s inclusive and healing love with all people.CREATE opportunities to grow in Christ.
SERVE the church, the community, and the world.
Featured InsideAnnual Meeting news............................................2Parish Stewardship .............................................2-3Bishop Quarterman Conference Center news....4Youth In Action........................................................5Back Page ................................................................7
February 2015 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2
Heavenly Rest’s Lenten ProgramOur annual Lenten Program begins on Wednesday, February 25th, and continues every Wednesday through March 25th. Our program this year will focus on the history, practice, and significance of the Eucharist in the Christian Church. Our teachers come from faith tra-ditions across Abilene: Dr. Susan Pigott, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Hardin-Simmons; Dr. Philip LeMasters, Orthodox priest and head of the Religion Department at McMurry; Pastor Cliff Stewart from First Central Presbyterian; Bruce Lampert, chaplain at Hendrick Hospital; and the Reverend Susanna Cates, from the Church of the Heavenly Rest. We’ll begin each evening at 6 pm with a
potluck dinner, with the program running from 6:30 until 7:30.
Wednesday Evening Healing Services
During LentTo allow all of our
parishioners to enjoy the dinner and teaching programs of our Lenten Series, our Wednesday Healing Service and
Eucharist will take place at 5:15pm instead of
5:30pm on Wednesdays, February 25 - March 25.
February 17: Mardi Gras Festivities!
Please join us as we celebrate Mardi Gras on Tuesday, Feb-ruary 17! The talented men of Heavenly Rest will be cook-ing up a great Low Country Boil– shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn– and we’ll have plenty of other delicious food and beverages to suit all tastes. The party starts at 6:00pm in our Parish Hall. Please RSVP to Mother Susanna at [email protected].
Heavenly Rest’s bell tower, a landmark in Abilene, was recently restored. Read more
about this on page 6.
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Care. Share. Create. Serve. • February 2015
ParishStewardshipMcMurry University’s Annual
Sikes-Melugin Lecture Series
Monday, February 9and
Tuesday, February 10
This year’s speaker for this lecture series is the renowned theologian
Dr. Stanley Hauerwas, professor emeritus of
divinity and law at Duke University.
Monday’s lecture is “How to Write a
Theological Sentence” and Tuesday’s lecture is “How to Remember
the Poor.” Both lectures will begin at 7:30 pm in the Matthews Audi-
torium on the McMurry campus.
The Church of the Heavenly Rest will be
hosting a hospital-ity table at Tuesday
evening’s lecture. If you would like to assist with its setup, please contact
the church office.
Annual Meeting NewsSpecial thanks is given to everyone who helped with the Annual Meeting held on Sunday, January 25. The meal was delicious and it was very gratifying for all attending to look back at the past year with its challenges and accomplishments.
We are also grateful for the willingness of the many people who offered themselves to serve in leadership capacities for the coming year. Those elected to serve on the vestry at that meeting were Lauren Puckett, Sue Ivey, Geanna Cutbirth, and Rosemary Suttle. The new Vestry elected Rosemary Suttle to be Junior Warden and Kathy Diamond to be Clerk. Delegates to convention were also elected: Jackie Batjer, Martha Ferguson, Lew Carter, Josh Stearns and Steve Strain. Diocesan Convention will be held at the Overton Hotel in Lubbock, Octo-ber 15, 16 and 17, 2015.
SPECIAL UPDATE ON CAPITAL CAMPAIGN & CONSTRUCTION PROJECT:Yvonne Batts, our Senior Warden for 2014, presented an update at the Annual Meeting on the Capital Campaign and Construction. She explained that the Vestry had approved a goal of 3.5 million dollars and that the congregation had surpassed the goal, reaching 5.9 million dollars. She thanked Julie and Mike Denny for their leadership and said that Mike wanted to give special thanks for those who made the campaign successful. Yvonne also reported that the Vestry had affirmed the appointments of the Building Committee and
Mike Denny will be chair. Other chairs have been appointed to oversee specific elements of this extensive project. These chairs will form their own committees. The architectural firm of Curtis and Windham recently visited the church with conceptual drawings and will return in the coming weeks for further conversations. Construction of the Great Hall may begin as early as August and could be completed by Rally Day 2016.
Jobs Well DoneMany thanks go to Lynsi Musselman for her service to Heavenly Rest as Communications Coordinator and Newcomer Ministry Coordinator. Lynsi’s special touch was evident as she fulfilled these roles at our church. She and her family will continue to con-tribute and participate as active members, and we pray for God’s
blessing to be with her as she begins other exciting new endeavors.
Parishioners will also want to know that Peter Kent will be leaving his job as Parish Administrator at Heavenly Rest after accepting a civilian position at the Head-quarters of the United States Air Force in Europe. Peter has been an excellent administrator and a huge help during the Capital Campaign process. Peter, Sandra, Rachel and Colin will all be greatly missed. We will be giving this family a more personal goodbye at an appreciation event for which plans are still being finalized. As the Kents leave Abilene to serve our country in this way, we send them forth with our blessing.
Far right, Lynsi Musselman and little “piggy” Mae Musselman, helped the
youngest participants take part as the stable animals during the Christmas
Pageant in December.
Right, Peter Kent literally went “above and beyond” his duties when
he helped hang the greens above the altar at the greening of the Nave
before Christmas.
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http://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org
Chamber MusicConcert Series
Elizabeth Ducey Moss, soprano, with
Marc Sanders, pianoSunday, February 8
5:00pm
Elizabeth Ducey Moss is a native of Newfoundland,
Canada and serves as Assistant Professor of
Voice at McMurry University. Ducey Moss
has established a reputation as a polished
performer of the highest caliber.
An active recitalist and concert soloist, she continually seeks to
expand and diversify her repertoire by performing a variety of programs from
new music to chamber and oratorio works.
She will be performing works by Handel, Ravel,
Strauss, and Burleigh.
Admission is free and open to the public. For more
information please contact Susie Rockett at srockett@
heavenlyrestabilene.org.
ECW UpdateECW (Episcopal Church Women) began its part-nership with Bowie El-ementary on January 18 when they gathered in the Parish Hall to as-semble “Goodie Bags” for the fourth grade stu-dents to use during their required testing at Bowie this spring. The fourth grade teachers had requested that each student have available a Ziploc bag with a small bottle of water, a small package of tissues, two sharpened pencils and a note of encouragement. They needed two per stu-dent because there are two different testing sessions. ECW to the rescue! The women assembled 220 bags within a very brief time. Notes of encouragement were written and decorated with paw prints (the Bowie mascot). Job extremely well done!
ECW has also been asked to participate in reward parties for the fourth grade students. These parties are given at the end of each six weeks. Students may attend if they have met a high standard for academics, behavior and attendance. Each party will have a different theme. ECW will provide the refreshments and will be present to interact and encourage the students to continue this exemplary behavior. The first reward party was held on January 23. The stu-dents were treated with popcorn and soda. Nine volunteers from Heavenly Rest were in the classrooms and enjoyed interacting with students. This is a great way to extend our commit-ment to community outreach.
Volunteers are still needed for the future reward parties. These are scheduled for March 6, April 24 and May 26. Come enjoy the fun and fellowship at this immensely rewarding expe-rience! If you would like to contribute time or supplies, please contact Suzie Ramsey ([email protected]) or Gay Ann Walts ([email protected]).
Suzie Ramsey and Gay Ann Walts oversaw the filling of 220 goodie bags prepared on short notice last month by hardworking members of the ECW.
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Care. Share. Create. Serve. • February 2015
Happy Anniversary
Happy Birthday
If your birthday or anniversary is not listed or is incorrect,
please contact the offi ce, 677-2091.
Blessings are given at both morning services:
Birthday Blessings, February 1 Anniversary Blessings, February 8
Children’s Blessing: February 15 February 1Kathy & Bob Hale
February 1Melissa Fletcher
February 2Julia Dickerson
February 3Jeri Escobedo
February 4Nicolas Yost
February 6Jessica HartTyler Lillick
Becky McDonaldNathaniel Pigott
February 7Dickson Ferguson
Vona Lindsey
February 8Aubrey IrwinRichard Wittie
February 9Carolyn Barber
February 11Sarah HartGail Kaiser
Cecilia NevillAvery Walton
February 12Craig Urban
February 13Daniel ClementRichard Gore
February 14Kevin Bredemeyer
Charlie TaylorSarah Taylor
February 15Mary Reyes
Atticus Thompson
February 16Claire Hardaway
February 17Austin Beckham
Pat Garren
February 18Yvonne Batts
Estrella Valdez
February 19James Garner
Arthur GoolsbeeBill Young
February 20Robert Peterson
February 21Orlan Akin
February 23James Gloyna
Dorothy Thompson
February 24 Ernesteen
Barton-Roberson
February 25Christine Gilliard
February 26Elizabeth Henderson
February 27Eric Brann
Robert DennisKerry “Kat” Tighe
February 28Joshua Engard
Ann Phipps
February 29Lew Carter
February 14Margaret Ann & Michael Brandon
Mary Lou & Ed Conley
FebruaryCelebrations
Confirmation Class If you are new to the
Church and are interested in becoming a member of Heavenly Rest, we hope you will join the confi rmation class that recently began on Janu-ary 18. The class will explore fundamentals of this faith and basic
spiritual practices of this community...everything you always wanted to know about the Epis-
copal Church but were afraid to ask!
Confi rmation is sched-uled for May 17, 2015. Class meets every Sun-day morning at 9:15 am
in the Parish Hall. We’ll study Episcopal traditions in worship,
sacrament, Scripture, and everyday life. The class is taught by the clergy and laity of the church. Breakfast refreshments
will be served and child-care is available. If you
are interested or have more questions, please
contact the church offi ce or speak with a member
of the clergy.
February 11Julie & Rob Beckham
Kristi Morris & Paul Jungmeyer
A New Function for Bishop Quarterman Conference Center“Quarterman Ranch,” as it has come to be called, has been the camp and conference center for the Diocese of Northwest Texas for many years. The Diocese recently sold the facility to Faith City Mission, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, located in downtown Amarillo. Faith City Mission provides long term residential rehabilitation of one year or more. All pro-ceeds from the sale of Quarterman Ranch will be held in trust by the Diocese.
From the Executive Director of Faith City Mission: “We will ultimately move our homeless families, mommies and children, and single wom-en program out there (Quarterman Ranch). They will be housed in one of the dormitories and be eligible to graduate to the house where they will take on life skills such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, and caring for their children properly. During their time with us, each adult is under the care of a PHD in Psychology with individual therapy sessions every week. In addition, the children have access to a PHD in Childhood Psychology for assessment and therapy. The parents will then transition into a good job and transitional housing available in town. They will continue to be case managed. Can you imagine the children living out there? What peace and healing await them.” “We are also working on plans for an alumni “communion reunion” for former campers and friends. We will have to visit with the Bishop and diocese about such plans, but want the land to be available to those who have fond memories of the camp. It is a sacred place. The chapel is so very dear to us, and know it is to many. We want to see communion celebrated there once more.”
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http://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org
Glorious Companions Book Study
If you are looking for deeper insights into the
theology and belief of the Episcopal faith you are
invited to join a book study on Sunday mornings
that recently began on January 18.
We are studying “Glorious Companions:
Five Centuries of Anglican Spirituality,” by Richard H. Schmidt, which cov-
ers great Anglican figures like Thomas Cramner,
compiler of the Book of Common Prayer, and C.S. Lewis, author of the “Lion,
the Witch and the Ward-robe. Everyone is invited to join us in the library at Heavenly Rest at 9:15 am. Questions? Please contact Fr. Luke at lback@heaven-
lyrestabilene.org.
YouthInAction
Great things are planned for all the youth at Heavenly Rest starting this
month and looking forward all the way to this summer– making this an excellent time to join our groups if you haven’t been able to before!
Two things to take note of this month:• On Wednesday, February 11, EYC will be meeting at 6:30pm, but rather than meeting at the Church we will be tak-ing the fun to Brick Oven Pizza, next to Hobby Lobby on South 14th near the Winters Freeway underpass. • JEYPs member alert: we will not be meeting on Sunday, February 22. (That evening at 6pm, The Church has invited the neighborhood to a Frito pie dinner and party in Parish Hall - see the article above.)
SIGN UP NOW! Heavenly Rest Middle School Youth, grades 6-8, are invited to join other youth from around the diocese February 20-22 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Odessa. It will be a great week-end of games, fellowship, food, outreach, learning and meeting some new friends! St. John’s, St. Barnabas’ and San Miguel Arcangel churches are hosting the weekend retreat. Plans for an exciting time are in the works! Cost to attend the weekend is $60.00. Scholarships are avail-able! Contact Katie Young at [email protected] if interested.
SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 17-19, 2015 PRIMARY YOUTH EVENTFor youth currently in grades 2-5 - location to be announced later! DIOCESAN YOUTH CHURCH CAMPS THIS SUMMER:Quarterman Sr. (completed grades 7-12) – June 7 - 14 at Cathedral Ridge in ColoradoQuarterman Jr (completed grades 2-7) – June 28 - July 4 at Ceta Glen near Happy, Texas
Below, Agatha and Chris at EYC.
Left, Michael Scarborough shows his feedback during Sunday school: “Don’t be selfish. Be Selfless!”
Right, EYCers Annie and Agatha poselike flamingos in a game of balance.
Welcome the Neighbors with a Frito Pie Dinner! Sunday, February 22 at 6:00pm, Heavenly Rest will host an old fashioned neighborhood party with Frito pie, games and music. Everyone is invited to come and meet our neighbors, for it is in welcoming the stranger that we may be entertaining angels. Save this date to help the parish entertain the angels that live among and around us! For more information, and/or to help with this fun project of neighborhood outreach, call Deacon Amanda Watson at 677-2091. We will need food preparers and servers, fun & game leaders as well as music leaders. Fellowship, fun and music will warm all our hearts on a possibly cold winter night.
ParishFellowship
Care. Share. Create. Serve. • February 2015
FebruaryCalendar
5:30am B.O.B.S
8:00am Morning Prayer
6:30pm Curate’s Study
8:00am Morning Prayer
9:30-11:30amHands-onOutreach
10am Staff mtg
6:00pm Change Ringers
6:15pm - EFM
8:00am Morning Prayer
SJES Chapel
9:30-11:30am Hands-on Outreach
5:30pmHealing Service Holy Eucharist*
(5:15pm on Feb. 25)
6:15-8:00pm EYC grades 9-12
7:30pm Adult Choir
8:00am Morning Prayer
Please take time to thank your Sunday Servers. They work hard to make each service run smoothly. The server schedule can be found on the website at www.heavenlyrestabilene.org, where it will be updated with changes over the course of the month and e-mailed to the servers at the beginning of each month. If you would like a hard copy of the server schedule, please call the offi ce at 325.677-2091.
Looking for the monthly schedule for Sunday duties? Go to the website, and click on this:6
February 25Lenten Series & Potluck Dinner
6-7:30pm*
8:00am Morning Prayer
9:30amBible Study
withMother Susanna
9:30-11:30am Hands-on Outreach
7:00pm Bagpipes
Sunday Servers
For an up-to-date calendar of events, please visit the church website at heavenlyrestabilene.org.
The Bell Tower is RestoredSeveral years ago the Church building suffered lightning damage to two of the four pinnacles on the top of the bell tower. Yvonne Batts and Mike Denny worked for several months to locate a company that was able to replicate the design of the original pieces. Those pieces were re-created and recently installed. That installation in-volved scheduling large cranes when the weather was cooperating and many other variables that had to all come together. Many thanks to Yvonne and Mike for taking on this somewhat formidable task!
ParishStewardship
8:00am Rite I Holy Eucharist
9:15am Sunday School
10:15am Adult Choir*
10:30amRite II Holy Eucharist*
1:00pm Morning Prayer
in Swahili
5:00pm Change Ringers
5:15-7:00pm JEYPs grades 6-8
Childcare is available every Sunday, 7:30 a.m-Noon,
unless otherwise noted. *childcare will be available
for this event **childcare can be arranged
upon request
February 17Mardi Gras, 6pm(see front page)
February 18Ash Wednesday
services:Noon & 7pm
February 22Neighborhood
Party, 6pm(see page 5)
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY • Weekly Schedule at Heavenly Rest
Tuesday, February 3 & 17Centering Prayer (Bishop Mayer Room), 4:00pm
First & Third Tuesday of FebruarySt. Margaret’s Guild, 6:30pm
• Scheduled on Alternating Weeks
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http://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org
BackPage†
Dear Friends,“What is possible?” You were asked this question throughout 2014. Your answer has enabled immense possibilities to become anticipated blessings. “Building on our Heritage of Faith, Hope and Love” is now being fulfilled. Over $5.9 million in gifts and pledges has been offered. We are willing and able to preserve, improve and expand our facilities to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities.The “Celebrating our Heritage” dinner in August abides as one of the great memories of our parish life together. At this event, we felt the vision, courage and confidence that we could meet the
challenge of our mission in this time and place.Often people appear on our doorstep asking, ‘Is it possible for you to help?’ You made it clear that the answer must be ‘Yes.’ Outreach ministries gave, give and will give again. When hungry lips pray to God “Give us today our daily bread,” we abide as part of God’s way to answer that prayer. Generous hearts working together in Vestry, Foundation, Outreach Committee, Hands On, Thrift House, Swahili Committee, BOB’S, and numerous other ways provide much labor and nearly half a million dollars in outreach support. African refugees sought out the possibility of finding a spiritual home and a supportive community as they settled in a new homeland. You embraced and included them, making a hoped for possibility a present reality. The Swahili Committee and Fr. Romanik brought this ministry a second mile, helping with material, employment and educational needs. At St. John’s Episcopal School, we have made it possible to provide a safer, more secure campus by donating funds needed for an attractive perimeter fence and gates. The School’s enrollment is at a ten-year high of 237 students. St. John’s has reached maximum capacity and the Board of Trustees has begun a strategic planning process to study the possibility of expansion. It is impossible to thank adequately everyone that enabled our present blessings to become so
real and tangible. I am grateful for our parish staff and clergy, our dedicated lay leadership, wardens, Vestry, our faithful volunteers in so many areas of service to God, for our church and our community. May God continue to uphold and bless you! Faithfully, Luke Back +
“The Celebrating our Heritage dinner in August abides as one of the great memories of our parish life together. At this event, we felt the vision, courage and confidence that we could meet the challenge of our mission in this time and this place.”
Heavenly Rest Office Hours Monday-Thursday: 8:30a.m.-12 noon; 1-4:30p.m.
Friday: 8:30a.m. - 12 noon(325) 677-2091
[email protected]://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org
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Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage
PAIDAbilene, TX
Permit #249
VISIONThe Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest is a Christian community of faith rooted in the Anglican
tradition. Empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word
and Sacrament, we seek
to know the reconciling love of God and to share
that love with others.
Church of the Heavenly Rest602 Meander StreetAbilene, Texas 79602-1009
Telephone (325) 677-2091
Care. Share. Create. Serve.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCHThe Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts-Schori, Presiding Bishop
THE DIOCESE OF NORTHWEST TEXASThe Right Reverend J. Scott Mayer, Bishop
PARISH STAFFThe Reverend N. Luke Back, Rector
The Reverend Susanna Cates, CurateThe Reverend Amanda Watson, Deacon
Bikole Mulanda, Swahili Minister Peter Kent, Parish Administrator
Dr. Wes Gomer, Organist and Director of Music MinistriesApril Powers, Financial Manager
Katie Young, Office Assistant, Youth and Christian EducationLaura Wright, Communications Coordinator
Susetta Rockett, Music AssistantShelly Reed, Director: Junior Ringers & SingersCourtney Bryant, Christian Education Assistant
Lucy Marak, ChildcareBarbradon Brooks, Harpist
Arnulfo Guerra, SextonDorothy Guerra, Housekeeper
ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTThe Discernment and Feasibility Study was completed with the guidance of the Episco-pal Church Foundation, helping our Parish identify priorities from which the following
solutions were prepared:• To preserve and adapt the historic Parish House
by renovating the existing structure to address In-Reach and fellowship opportunities as well as children’s and youth issues by renovating the nursery and youth space
• To repurpose the upper level of the existing Par-ish Hall for our Music Ministry and provide space on the lower level of the Parish Hall for Hands-On Ministry, pre-K classrooms and children’s craft lab
• To build a Great Hall and courtyard area to address In-Reach and fellowship opportunities