Volume XI, Issue 1 January 2018

...a community of disciples passing on God’s love to all.

Reaching Beyond These Walls Family Promise JFS RISE Program

Entertainment in 2018 Jazz in January—Adult Night Out Quarter Auction—Fun For All Spirituals in Lent

Outreach & Volunteer

Opportunities

Baby Knitting/Crocheting Hospitality Hour Hosts

2018 Flower Dedications

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T he image of a person on a city street in tattered clothes, unkempt hair, and in

need of a shower is often what we imagine in our “mind’s eye” whenever we talk about homelessness. What may be surprising, or maybe even mildly shocking, is that entire families can be homeless. Imagine, if you will, parents desperate to find a place where they and their children can stay, together. Visualize your own family in search of safe lodging because you have no place to go. What would you do? Where would you go? Most shelters are dedicated to serving either a male or a female population. Moreover, only specific women’s shelters will accommodate children. Still, dads will have to go elsewhere. Finding a way to keep an entire family together is no easy task. How would you keep your family together? Thankfully, there are programs in New Castle County that offer hope and relief to local families displaced by economics or immigrants who are fleeing to the United States because of dangerous conditions in their home country.

F or families arriving in the United States seeking refuge, Jewish Family Services

sponsors Project RISE. This program works directly with federal agencies and local congregations and citizens to provide housing, transportation, as well as familiarization with American culture and customs. RISE is seeking all manner of citizen support: affordable housing options, culturally sensitive meals for families in their first weeks in our country, help with transportation, language/translation support, and, whenever possible, leads to

employment opportunities. Refugee families do not arrive every week or month. So, as 2018 progresses, members of Saint David’s will be given ‘heads up’ information on arriving families and specific opportunities that will pertain to their needs. Project RISE will provide instructions and training for those of us who feel moved to volunteer.

M eanwhile, Family Promise of Northern New Castle County is

asking Saint David’s members for our ongoing support in their mission to keep families together until longer term housing becomes available. This innovative and desperately needed service operates with the support of numerous religious organizations. Sponsoring congregations have traditionally housed homeless families at the church for a week at a time (four different weeks in a year). In fact, several nearby congregations have been participants for years. Sadly, St. David’s was unable to be a direct sponsor because of the space/scheduling needs of our Day School. Fortunately, all that is changing. Family Promise is opening a permanent location that frees congregations from the

and

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need to provide space. Now, volunteers need only provide meals, fellowship, limited transportation, etc. Another piece of good news is that St. David’s will be able to partner with other churches, organizations, and individuals to share in the joys of service.

T he Rev. Kathy Ierien, Pastor at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, will be

with us on Sunday, January 14th to help us understand more about Family Promise – what it is, how it works, and, most importantly, how it will help us to fulfill our congregation’s mission to share God’s love with everyone. Pastor Kathy is quite familiar with our congregation. Her daughters attended our Day School and our two congregations have had several shared worship and youth experiences through the years. Pastor Kathy’s congregation already participates in Family Promise.

Who We Are The Jewish community understands what it means to leave one’s home and settle in a foreign land. JFS has a long and meaningful history of aiding refugees and immigrants from around the world make a successful transition to self-sufficiency in the United States.

We Offer Direct Assistance With: • Integration

• Employment

• Health

• Social Services

Who We Are Mission: Family Promise of Northern New Castle County is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization that prevents and ends homelessness for families by engaging faith-based congregations, volunteers and donors.

Vision: Every family has a home, a livelihood and the resources for lasting independence.

Did you know? • In the United States, one out of five children

lives in poverty.

• Families with children make up 40% of people experiencing homelessness.

• There are over 2,600 homeless children in Delaware; 45% of our state’s homeless population.

• 12% of Delawarean families live in poverty; 25% of families in Wilmington live in poverty.

• In the Christina School District alone, over 800 children experience homelessness every school year.

Interfaith Hospitality Network: • Families are hosted by local congregations,

3-4 times per year for a week at a time.

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Jazz in January

featuring the Jazz Sanctuary! Wednesday, January 10th from 7-9 pm

The Jazz Sanctuary is a performing group that performs at community events, houses of worship, and for music education in schools throughout the region. You may

have heard them already at various diocesan events.

Come have coffee, hot cider, some snacks...play some cards.

A free-will donation will be accepted, but not expected. BYOB, have fun, hang out

& enjoy your Saint David’s friends.

To find out more about The Jazz Sanctuary, check them out at

www.thejazzsanctuary.com

Spirituals In Concert: A Look at Faith Through the Eyes of

African-American Spiritual Song Wednesday, March 10, 2018 at 7 pm

St. David’s Episcopal Church Gus Mercante counter tenor

Steven Weatherman piano

A free-will offering will be accepted.

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How does a Quarter Auction Work? Upon arriving you will receive/purchase a numbered paddle. Auction items

will be displayed with a bid price of 1, 2, 3 or 4 quarters. As the items are presented, if you want to bid, you place the bid amount in the basket provided and

hold your paddle in the air. If the auctioneer picks your paddle number from the buck-et of numbered balls, YOU WIN the item, walking away

with an AMAZING product for no more than $1!

2 for $7, will be $7 each at the door. Contact Justin or Gus to buy paddles. justinbartels@hotmail.com or gusmercante@gmail.com

3rd Annual Quarter Auction Save the Date

Saturday, February 3, 2018 Starts at 2 pm

Doors open at 1 pm In the Great Hall

2018 Sunday Flower Dedications Sign-Up is Live

People give flowers for many reasons: in honor of friends, children, and spouses, and in memory of a loved one who has passed away. The cost of giving flowers in 2018 is $50. Simply sign-up for any date listed on the Sign-Up Genius link found on the parish webpage, and leave your check in a timely manner in the parish office or designate it clearly on an envelope in the Offering. And again, you may always sign-up for anything by calling the Parish Office (302-475-4688).

New Reimbursement Forms in 2018 In 2018, there will be a new, redesigned reimbursement form. This form will be dramatically different in appearance and clarity. Please, see Jackie Somers, the Administrative Assistant, for new forms in the new year. Remember, discard old versions at the stroke of midnight on December 31,

Electronic Giving in 2018

If you changed the amount of your pledge going into 2018, stop by the table in the Narthex and grab a new VANCO form. Adjust the amount of your pledge and sign the form giving the parish your permission to make the switch. If you are not changing the amount of your pledge, there is no need to fill out a new form.

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The Outreach Committee will again collect nursery items for Children and Families First to benefit first time mothers and their babies. Our collection will not begin until April 22, but if you would like to knit or

crochet a hat, booties, sweater, or blanket now is the time to start your project. Hold on to your items until the collection begins.

Baby Knitting/Crocheting Heads-Up for 2018

Foster Child and Senior Christmas Gift Program Thank You Thank you for supporting this program with your generous gifts. Your donation made Christmas extra special for a foster child or a senior. A big thank you to those who helped wrap all those gifts. If you drove by St. David's that Wednesday evening you couldn't help but notice all the busy elves in the narthex wrapping, chatting, enjoying Christmas music, pizza, cookies and holiday cheer. Again, thank you for your generosity.

Words of Gratitude From SCW December 5th, 2017

Dear People of St. David’s,

The Seaman’s Center of Wilmington has started giving out the ditty boxes, and I thought you might like to know that the first 22 of the boxes prepared by St. David’s will go on board the Chiquita Express at lunch time today. They are a mixed crew of Filipinos and Russian officers and arrive at the Port every other week. As I packed them into bags to transport I couldn’t help

but think how pretty all of the boxes looked and how nice it would be to give them to our returning friends.

Thank you for your continued support of our mission. Best regards, Joan Lyon Executive Director

Upcoming Outreach Project in February/March:

Stuff A Backpack With TLC February 18, 2018—March 11, 2018 St. David’s gathers backpacks filled with all manner of necessities for kids who are taken (sometimes at a moment’s notice) into Foster Care for the safety of the child. These backpacks offer some material comfort in what can be a very confusing and frightening situation. -Amy Meyers Outreach Chair

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‘Only’ Is Enough

God is not looking for the best qualifications,

best ability, best charisma, best

prospects type of people — not that he

would turn down these sorts automatically,

because it’s also true that some of the most gifted people in our

society have also been some of God’s best

servants. But that is a coincidence and not a

requirement. I think that is because God knows that the vast majority of men and women

fall into the “I am only” category.

But only is enough with God’s help, and it

would amaze you what God can make of them.

Alastair Symington

2018 “SNEAK PEEK” CALENDAR January 4 ‘Laugh & Learn’ Bible Study and Choir resume

7 9 O’Clock Hour resumes

10 Jazz in January: Games, Music—7-9 pm

16 Wisdom Seekers resume

19 PTPA Movie Night in Great Hall—7 pm

February 3 Quarter Auction in Great Hall—1 pm

11 Patronal Feast of Saint David

13 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper—5:30 pm

14 Ash Wednesday Liturgy—7 pm

March 10 Spirituals in Lent—7 pm

12-18 Day School Book Fair in Great Hall

25 Holy Week—No Committee Meetings

25 Palm/Passion Sunday (8 & 10:15 am) Last Day of Sunday School

29 Maundy Thursday Service—7 pm

30 Walk To Easter for Children—9 am

30 Good Friday Service—7 pm

31 The Great Vigil of Easter—8 pm with Reception to follow

April 1 Easter Day (8 & 10:15 am services) with Easter Egg Hunt to follow

18 Bishop Brown Day School Visitation—9 am

29 Annual Meeting

May 6 Rogation Sunday

20 Pentecost Sunday

27 Trinity Sunday—Memorial Day Weekend

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“Women’s Spirits” The Women’s Spirituality Group (now “Women’s Spirits”) will meet on Saturday,

January 13th. The topic will be “Hinduism and Christianity, led by Peggy Louie. All are invited and encouraged to join our Women’s Spirits conversation, 2nd Saturday of the month in the Memorial Room at 10 am.

Wisdom Seekers: New Books in the New Year Always moving forward, the Wisdom Seekers, who meet on Tuesdays from 10 – 11:30 am in the Memorial Room, have decided on their next books. While all three are in the "The Church in the World" genre they offer us different voices and perspectives as we seek to strengthen our theology, life and service in the world in these challenging times. Starting us off on January 16, 2018 after the holidays will be:

Barbara Brown Taylor's An Altar in the World. Carlene Deschaine graciously volunteered to be our discussion leader. In this stunning book, Barbara Brown Taylor shows how she learned to encounter God beyond the walls of any church. From simple practice such as walking, working, and getting lost to deep meditations on topics like prayer and pronouncing blessings,

Taylor reveals concrete ways to discover the sacred in the small things we do and see. Next Father Jim von Dreele will lead us in Stephan Bauman's Break Open the Sky: Saving Our Faith from a Culture of Fear.

After Easter, we will read the C.S. Lewis classic Mere Christianity. The leader will be Tom Deschaine. The book brings together the legendary radio broadcasts during WWII. In his broadcasts he set forth to simply explain and defend the common beliefs of Christians throughout the ages. Lewis is considered one of the leading writers and thinkers of our age.

If you’d like to order a book or join the Wisdom Seekers, an enlightening and fun group, contact Nancy Walsh (610-361-2090) walshd6@comcast.net.

*This group does not meet on snow days or if it is icy.

Thursday Night Bible Study Resumes in January The Thursday Night ‘Laugh & Learn’ Bible Study resumes on January 4th at 6:30 pm in the Great Hall. Come see why this group has been growing. Led by Pat Van-Catledge.

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Christmas Pageant Thank You A hearty THANK YOU to all those who helped make

this last year’s Christmas Pageant so successful. The chil-dren retold the story of God come down to us, the parents offered Support, food, and photography, and the leadership offered guidance and talent. A special thanks goes out to all who helped clothe, feed, and herd the ‘sheep.’

Thank you, as well, to all those who help throughout the entire year who help ‘tell the story’...the story of the Grace and Love of God, told through the person of Jesus Christ. We are blessed with children, we are blessed to care and nurture them. Again, many thanks.

Epiphany: The Season of Light Epiphany, from the Greek word epiphaneia, means an appearance or manifestation. Christians celebrate this festival each year on January 6, the 12th day after Christmas. Epiphany ends on Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins.

Epiphany marks the coming of the Magi, or wise men, to worship the baby Jesus. Because the Magi were Gentiles, Epiphany symbolizes the first recognition of Christ by non-Jews. It’s a reminder that Christ came as the light — and Savior — of the whole world.

The traditional color for Epiphany is green, indicating life, growth, hope and eternity. Symbols for the season include a light, candle or star; a crown or three crowns; three gifts; and a globe. In the modern church, Epiphany has become a time to focus on reaching out and “showing” Jesus as the Savior of all people. It’s also a reminder to engage in Christian community and to heal divisions among God’s children.

Chalking the Door: One Way to Ask God’s Blessing and Celebrate the Epiphany

On the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6th, the Church commemorates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles as the Holy One of God. This is traditionally the day when we commemorate the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. Some people observe a tradition of gathering family and friends at the entrances to homes or apartments and ask God’s blessing on their dwellings and on all who live or visit there.

Using chalk, (hence, “Chalking the Door”), people are invited to inscribe the lintel of the home (the horizontal frame above the door) with an inscription.

For more information and instructions, check out the pamphlet currently located in the tract rack.

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Milestones & Transitions features updates about that which is happening in your lives: graduations, retirements, changing jobs, moving/change of address, birth of a child/adoption, going off to college...all those major things that the community would want to know about and lift up in prayer for God’s blessing. If you have an item please contact the Parish Office at 302-475-4688 or email at stdavidschurchoffice@verizon.net .

• Hank & Sheila Dowdy will move to Kendal Retirement Village on January 18. Their new address will be: 34 Kendal Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Same phone numbers.

• Jamie Fleetwood will move to Kendal Retirement Village on January 4th. Her new address will be: 98 Kendal Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Same cell phone number.

New Altar Guild Leadership Jane Bordzol & Deva Scheel have agreed to be the new co-heads of the Altar Guild. They will work with the Rector to plan for Holy Eucharists, along with the needs of the many special liturgies experienced throughout the year. We give thanks for them and welcome their leadership and faithfulness in the years to come. Congratulation and God’s Blessings!

And many thanks… to Amy Harra who has completing her term. She continues to lovingly serve as a Sacristan on the Altar Guild.

Signing-Up Options Sign-Up Genius is the most convenient, quickest way to sign up for any event from the comfort of your Dentist’s chair or Grocery check-out lane on your handheld device. But if you wish, you may always call the Parish Office (302-475-4688) and talk to Jackie Somers! If she’s not there, simply leave her a message about which event you’d like to sign-up and what you’d like to bring or do.

Inclement Weather

Saint David’s rarely cancels Sunday services. Please, let common sense be your guide when deciding on whether or not to come to worship. In case of inclement weather, please check the website or call the church for information about cancellations, Option #3. Again...let com-mon sense be your guide when deciding to come to worship or not.

Address, Email, & Life Changes

Please, let the parish office know if you have any address, email, or life changes. We’d love to share your updates and good news with the community in the monthly newsletter, Glad Tidings!

Special Needs Parking

People with Special Mobility Needs may always park in the front circle driveway where there are blue painted curbs. People may unload under the portico, but no one may park there. It is a hazard and against local fire codes.

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Vestry Highlights for January 2018 Glad Tidings

At its December 11th meeting, the Vestry . . .

• Approved a deficit operating budget for 2018 using funds from our reserve account. While the annual pledge campaign includes several new pledges and many increases, the overall number of pledges were lower than needed, and revenues are projected to be lower than expenses. Many thanks to all who pledged and to Karen Olmstead, Treasurer and Donna Moran, Bookkeeper for their hard work.

• Learned details of the February 3, 2018 Third Annual Quarter Auction. Spread the word!!

• Tycos Construction will proceed with the mold remediation and repairs to the library, to include measures to prevent water ingression in the future. Work will begin as soon as possible.

Respectfully submitted, Janet Leishman, Clerk of the Vestry

The Renewal of Stewardship

“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

~1 Peter 4:10

Even in the dead of winter signs of new birth can be found. The twelve-day celebration of Jesus’ birth helps to renew our life in the Spirit. The winter solstice signals the coming of lengthening days and the spring to come. Calendar pages turn with the hope of a new year and a resolution or two. This is a good time to look forward and commit ourselves to a fresh beginning of sharing our time, talent, or treasure for God’s glory and the benefit of others.

Caring For Our World In the Bleak Midwinter

"The natural world is the larger sacred community to which we belong. To be alienated from this community is to become

destitute in all that makes us human. To damage this community is to diminish our own existence."

~ Thomas Berry

Deep in the heart of winter we often feel disconnected from the larger world of nature as we yearn for the thaw and opportunities of Spring. May this time renew our longing for and appreciation for the earth and all its beauty and renew our resolve to enjoy and protect it.

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On the January calendar: 1 New Year’s Day – School Closed 2 Preschool and Extended Care Resumes Normal Hours 3 Staff Meeting, 6:30 4 Chapel, 9:05 9 PTPA Meeting, Room 1, 7:00 pm 10 Chapel, 9:05 January Jazz, 7-9, Great Hall 11 Registration Opens for 2018-2019 School Year 15 Board Meeting, 7 pm 16 NKAD Meeting, 6:30 – 9, Great Hall 18 Chapel, 9:05 19 “Movies at the Beach, Featuring “Moana, 6 pm 22–24 Child Find Testing for 4’s 24 Chapel, 9:05

January Birthdays Happy January birthdays to Jackie Berchtold, Shari McAllister, and Lindsey Mulvena!

Fondly, Janet Leishman Director

New Staff Member Welcome Welcome to our newest staff member, Priscilla Cathcart. Priscilla will be working in all the classrooms, from the 2’s to Extended Care. Priscilla has a degree in Graphic Design from The University of The Arts in Philadelphia. When her daughter was much younger, Priscilla enrolled her in Camp Dragonfly here at St. David’s Day School. We are glad that she is back!

“Movies at the Beach”

Friday, January 19 at 6 pm

Day School Important Dates

February 26 & 27 Wizard of Oz performance February 28 Dining for Dollars at Concord Mall Chick-Fil-A, 4 – 8 pm March 1 & 2 Music School of Delaware Teachers visit March 12 – 18 Scholastic Book Fair, daily in the Great Hall March 22 & 23 Parent-Teacher Conferences, Preschool Closed, EC Open April 18 Bishop Brown visits Day School Chapel, 9:00 April 19 Dining for Dollars at Grotto Pizza April 25 Shopping Night at St. David’s Great Hall, 7 – 10 pm May TBD End of Year Picnic

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January Open Houses

Wednesday, January 17 & Thursday, January 25 9:30 – 11:30 am

Invite your friends and neighbors, co-workers and family members who may be looking for

a preschool for next year – to come to see us!

Registration begins on Thursday, January 11th for our current families! Then we will begin calling

the families on our waiting list!

2018-2019 Tuition Rates are posted on our website www.stdavidsdayschoolde.org

Classes are offered for children ages 2, 3, and 4. Preschool (9-12) or Full-day (7:30-5:45).

Call today 302-475-3747 or email stdavidskidsde@outlook.com for more information.

Thank you for spreading the word about our fabulous Day School, and your friends will thank you too!

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Glad Tidings! is published monthly by

St. David’s Episcopal Parish 2320 Grubb Road / Wilmington, DE 19810 302.475.4688 / www.stdavidsde.org

The Reverend Brad Hinton, Rector Steven Weatherman, Publications Editor

Articles to Glad Tidings! may be submitted via email to stdavidschurchoffice@verizon.net. The deadline is the 15th of the each month.

The Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.

I Am Your Church Office!

I am open

Monday thru Thursday 9 am - 12 pm

302-475-4688 Please call or email me:

When you want to add someone to the prayer list.

When you or a member of your family is in the hospital.

When you want to sign-up for an event.

When a new baby arrives in your family.

When you lose a loved one.

When your home or business phone changes.

When your email address changes.

When you are planning to move - locally or out of town.

When your class or group needs meeting space on the calendar.

I am here for you.

Young Jesus at bath time.

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Please call the Church Office to put someone on the Prayer List or to remove a name from the list. Each person on the list remains there for one month unless the

office is notified that an additional month is desired. The name is read during Intercessory Prayers in worship the first week of the listing. We remember

these people in our prayers and in our hearts.

Stewart Taub Karin Fang Sam Bell Carol Clark Merritt Tilley Renee Tilley Kay Bennett Bill Waid Hugh Bryan Marcia Wight Alex Walsh Bob Ransom Sheila Coffin Charlie Courtney Daniel Taylor

Carissa Krawchuk Carron Ingham James Benfield John Van-Catledge Kathy Meehan Colleen McGill Bobby Robinson Olivia Kirby Thomas Scott Harra Meghan Harra Karen Bayless Merlino Adeline Mae Deitcher Chris Brinker Joan Murphy Betty Hemric

John Yovino Maryanne O’Connor Barbara Mount Madeline Deveney Lee Manns Sandra Brett Van Sickle Jessica Sandy Kowchak Milt Misogianes Sue Taber Larry Castelli Sally Hudson

Deceased Vaughn Thurston Max Bell Patience Albrie Brown

2 Hank Dowdy 3 Sarah Siegel 8 Christopher Hanna Anna Winslow 10 Drew Wilson 11 Chris Logullo 12 Gavin Cassidy 13 Sara Snowden 14 Caneel Blasucci 15 Andrea Kane 18 Glenda Ruggiero Graham Wright Louisabella Yovino 22 Chris Frick Kathrine Hanna

23 Leila Mulveny 24 Matthew LeGrow 25 Laurie Milone 26 Anne Harra Nathan Hoernemann Callie Manion 28 Deva Scheel 29 Christopher Olmstead Marty Verderame 30 Licinia Kaliher Liz Wehle

1 Betty & George DiPirro

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NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID WILMINGTON DE PERMIT NO. 641

Saint David’s Episcopal Parish 2320 Grubb Road Wilmington, DE 19810 Address Service Requested

May God make your year a happy one!

Not by shielding you from all sorrow and pain, But by strengthening you to bear it as it comes;

Not by making your path easy, But by making you sturdy to travel any path;

Not by taking hardships from you, But by taking fear from your heart;

Not by granting you unbroken sunshine, But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;

Not by making your life always pleasant, But by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help.

God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.