THIS WEEK AT THE CHURCH OF SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS...

A WORD FROM FATHER JOHN…

My dear friends,

I hope this finds you and those whom you love well and otherwise in good spirits. For all of us, it is a strange time indeed. Sadly, for many, it is also a fearful and lonely time. With God’s help, be assured that we will get through this present moment, I pray even more committed, loving and responsive to others than in the past.

Please know that Jan and I love you and very much miss our in-person weekly gatherings in our beautiful church. What a glorious experience it will be to reconvene and worship together again—soon, we hope, but not yet. For the time being and welfare of all, we continue to practice safe physical distancing. Whether gathered in one place or secure in our respective homes, we are still one family, the people of God of Saint Michael and All Angels.

In that spirit, I challenge you to do three things in the days and weeks ahead:

1. Call or email one fellow parishioner/family each week. Ask them how they’re doing and how you might encourage or pray for them; perhaps even invite them to join you in a brief moment of prayer.

2. Reach out in the same way to a loved one—family member or friend. Be especially mindful of those who are alone.

3. Then, call or email me (252-725-7252; jcarlisto@stmichaelsanniston.org) and let me know how you were blessed or encouraged by these exchanges.

Staying connected and caring for one another are always important acts of ministry, now more than ever. I hope you will accept my challenge.

I also bid your prayers for the members of our parish and many others in our area who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. Their service is an inspiration to us all, and we acknowledge them with deepest gratitude and love.

Grace and peace,

John+

PRAY FOR DOCTORS, NURSES, AND OTHERS WHO MINISTER TO THE SICK:

During this time of crisis, we give you thanks, O Lord, for doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and other first responders.  Sanctify those whom you have called to minister to others in times of distress and sickness.  Protect and strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, and grant them courage and wisdom, that by their ministries the health of all persons may be promoted and restored.  In all their efforts may your creation be glorified and your holy Name be praised; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

—Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, page 460 

 PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR FACING UNCERTAINTY: 

God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty.  Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead.  Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you.  Amen.

—Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book, page 765

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health:  Comfort and relieve all who are suffering in mind, body or spirit, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 —Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, page 459

SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2020Sunday of the Passion:  Palm Sunday

Scripture Readings:

Liturgy of the PalmsMatthew 21:  1-11; Psalm 118:  1-2, 19-29

Liturgy of the WordIsaiah 50:  4-9a; Psalm 31:  9-16; Philippians 2:  5-11; Matthew 26:  14 – 27: 

66

Though we will not be worshiping in one place, we hope these readings will deepen your experience of Holy Week.

The Collect of the DayAlmighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility:  Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also

share in his resurrection;through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy

Spirit,one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

We wish the following special birthday blessings! 

 April 8 – Adele HarringtonApril 9 – Shirley Allen

April 11 – Jordan Costner, Preston Hallman, Jimmy Potter, Nathaniel Scales 

We wish the following a happy anniversary!

April 7 – Harry and Geneva Telford

Please remember the following in your daily prayers:

Members of the Parish:   Shirley Allen; Jeanette Bridges; Lizzie Buckalew; John Childs; Anne Cody; Lenn Costner, Sr.; Mike and Denise Dodd and family; Sarah Emigh; Bebe Freeman; Kathi Harrelson; Charles and Marilyn Hudson; Kay Kelly; Robert Lindley; Susan Long; Jane Lovvorn; Christopher, Reese and Connor McIntyre; Lucia Mason; Chuck Moffett; Dot Perry; and Jim and Susie Ulrey Friends and Relatives:  Michael Bridges; Danny Cantrell and family (McFarlin); Todd Chastain (Wilson); Wesley Scott Corn (Robinett); Jon Cox (Roberts); Kenneth Davenport (Cuneo); Lola Davis (Buckalew); Wayne Deese (Bain); Danny Dubberly (Williams); Barbara Franklin (McKinney); Roni Freund (Lokey); Sarah and Julian Gauld (Cuneo); Susan Grant (Moore); Melina Greenwood; Willard and Carol Hardman (Coleman); Kallie Hartley (McFarlin); Brenda Hicks (Ward); Angela and Steven Hollis (McFarlin);

Bonnie Knight (Zeimet); Ann Knowles (Pruett/Freeman); Nancy Lewis (McFarlin); Brian McFarlin; Joseph McKinney (Wigley); Linda Martin (McFarlin); Dora Mendoza-Garcia (Sheier); Hildridge Moseley (Cuneo/Ward); Gene Padgham (Smith); Turner Parker (Buckalew); Walter Pitts (Williams); Tom Smith (Andrews); Larry E. Sprinkle (Sundstrom); Trinity Stone (Marshall); Jody Vander Yacht; Sam Watson; and Latonya Whitson (Marshall)

Active Duty Military: Chance Alexander; Richard Clark; P. J. and Tyler Devane; Tai Hicks; Zach McAllister; Parker Moore; Quenton Moore; Brittney Smith; Eryn Stockdale; and Kenneth Vandervoort.

Altar Guild News 

The Altar Guild hosted a breakfast on Sunday, March 15 to welcome three new members:  Philip Haynes, Dylan Laminack, and Shanks Whaley.  The breakfast provided introductory training as well as a hearty meal.  The members will shadow other Altar Guild teams for a few months.  The mission of the Altar Guild is to support healthy liturgy at all services through the preparation and maintenance of vessels, furnishings and linens.  If you or someone you know is interested in serving, please contact any of our members:  Todd and Sandy Corona, Bryan and Florence Cuneo, Philip Haynes, Anne Kerr, Dylan Laminack, Will and Dottie Thornton, Shanks Whaley, and Sharon and Reid Wilkins.  Submitted by Florence Cuneo

Note that the Palm Sunday weekend Bake Sale has been postponed. Stay tuned for updates about this and other activities.

The April 11 Children's Easter Egg Hunt and party have been

cancelled.A special party for the children is being planned for a later time.

Giving Options:

I am the church; you are the church; we are the church together!During our time of being apart from one another, please remember that our church's expenses cannot be suspended.  Your faithfulness in responding to the financial needs of St. Michael and  All Angels is much needed and appreciated, now as always. Below are ways to give during this season of physical distancing:1.  You can drop off contributions at the outer door of the church office.  We are here Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.  If you are planning to drop off your offering, kindly call Candi in the church office (256-237-4011) before doing so.  

2.  Mail contributions to The Church of Saint Michael and All Angels, Post Office Box 1884, Anniston, Alabama 36202.  Because office hours are irregular at this time, please do not send mail to church's physical address.

3.  Give online via PayPal (link on bottom right of the front page of the church’s website; please be mindful that are small fees associated with these transactions) at www.stmichaelsanniston.org, or through online banking.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the parish.

THE CHURCH OF SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS

1000 West Eighteenth StreetAnniston, Alabama 36201

(P. O. Box 1884, Anniston, Alabama 36202)Website:  www.stmichaelsanniston.org

Office Telephone:  (256) 237-4011Office Fax:  (256) 770-4069

Parish Staff:

The Reverend John Carlisto, Priest-in-Charge  David W. Hodnett, Assistant to the PriestKenny Lewis, Organist and Choirmaster

Candi Glass, Parish SecretarySharon Ball, Housekeeper

Email us:

The Reverend John Carlisto:  jcarlisto@stmichaelsanniston.orgDavid W. Hodnett:  dhodnett@stmichaelsanniston.org

Kenny Lewis: kenorg2@yahoo.comCandi Glass:  office@stmichaelsanniston.org

Church Office Hours:

At this time, Father John, David and Candi are keeping regular hours, but mostly working from their respective homes.

David and Candi will be in the office a couple of times a week (usually Mondays and Thursdays).

Voicemail messages are being checked several times each day.

Parish Office: (256) 237-4011Father John Carlisto: (252) 725-7252

David Hodnett: (256) 225-3625

Closed Fridays

SAINT MICHAEL’S CLINIC – (256) 236-6060

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

FROM THE CLINIC:  What a strange, strange time we are living in! We began to prepare ourselves for this pandemic a little over a month ago. Three weeks ago, we sent all of our volunteers home.  Three volunteers are invaluable to us and we can’t seem to shake them, thank goodness! Dotty Conary, our long time bookkeeper, continues to attend to our books, run payroll, handle medical records, pay the bills and take care of so many other things!  She usually comes in on days we are not open. Kathy Ogden, who is a retired pharmacist, drives from Wedowee three times a week to help us during clinic. She handles all of our prescriptions, either filling them with

donated meds or calling them in to the pharmacy with the lowest cost. She also does a myriad of other things, including handling all of our donations and managing our inventory, and answering the phone all day in the absence of volunteers.  And finally, Anne Kerr, our volunteer coordinator and extraordinary human being is coming every clinic day to answer phones, assist with our Hispanic patients, process charitable applications, handle medical records requests and so many other things.  I have asked Anne and Kathy to take extra precautions and to not interact directly with patients.  We are “keeping” them in the back, out of the patient traffic. But still, they place themselves at added risk every time they come here. I honor their bravery just as all other healthcare workers at this time.

We continue to see patients because there are too many needs to ignore for the duration of this crisis.  We screen every patient before they come in the building for fever and signs and symptoms of the coronavirus.  We see only the patient in the building at the time we have a room ready for them.  No visitors are allowed in the building. We are sanitizing after every patient.  We are wearing N95 masks when we deliver direct care. We are taking every precaution.  But we know it’s a risk.  We only have a first string.  If/When we get exposed, one of our 5 member team gets sick, we will be sidelined. But until then, we answer the call to serve. Our daily patient population is down by about 50%.  But we are handling about as many over the phone and will continue to do. Lastly, we have submitted several grants to launch the St. Michael’s Covid Care Program.  We aim to launch this program by April 13 under the leadership of Dr. David Hopper, along with Teresa Price, PA, Jean Stanko, NP, MaryAnn Crow, NP, Margaret Swain, RN and myself. We hope to offer telemedicine for Covid-19 positive patients who are not hospitalized.  We are planning to provide this service to 100 patients for an average of 2 weeks and to run this program through the beginning of June.  We believe we can help 400 patients.  We will monitor their symptoms daily looking for any deterioration, assist with any medications necessary, support isolation measures and care for the household members.  We are not frontline workers handling ventilators but we believe that providing care in the community is something we can do to help ease these burden of this crisis.

If you would like to donate to the clinic at this time, I can assure you the clinic is a worthy investment.  We feel privileged to do our part and would be grateful for your support.  You can mail us a check or you are welcome to use the link on our website:  https://www.stmclinic.org/donate. Thank you!

Nanette MudiamDirector