The Archangel December 2016

the The Newsletter for Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

December 2016

Anxiously Anticipating Christmas: The Renewal Of Hope!

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December is upon us, and with it comes all the joys and stress of the holiday season. As Episcopalians, Advent we live in this beautiful Retreat season of Advent, anxiously anticipating the joy of Celebration of Christmas. With all the Shelly Vescovo’s parties, shopping, eating, Ministry and more over these next Lessons and few weeks, we might simply Carols ride the wave to its final conclusion. Or perhaps we will find ourselves in little Saint Michael moments when we wonder what it’s all about.

Presents Concert Christmas is certainly nothing new to us. I love the trappings of the season. I love that moment Advent of surprise when I drive past a shopping center Service of that has been decked out in little white lights and Remembrance smile to myself like a little kid. I confess that I’ve and Light always been the person who wants to decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. When I was in Nativity seminary, my classmates would roll their eyes at my Pageant post-Thanksgiving decorations and remind me that Celebration Advent comes before Christmas. Yes, I know that, of Emily Given’s but I couldn’t help it. I’m a sucker for the Christmas season and wish we could have more of that joyful Ministry feeling all year long.

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Christmas Eve Services: 11, 1, 3, 5, and 10:30

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Christmas Day Service: 10

Volume 28 No. 12

December is meant to be filled with joy, filled with hope, but for some, it’s far from a sugar-rush of wonderful. For many, maybe most, Christmas brings up a complex set of emotions. Those deep feelings can be confusing or disappointing, or worse. On top of the complexity of the season, our world seems as uncertain and divided as ever. Those realities are held in stark contrast to the twinkling lights of the season, leading many to wonder how to find hope when the world seems so dark. continued on page 19

Advent and Christmas as Saint Michael Advent and Christmas is a special time at Saint Michael and All Angels. The wonder of season fills the entire month of December. It’s a season to be shared with family and friends, and a season to look inside oneself and, again, renew the hope and promises that bind us all closer together. In the following pages, you will find opportunities for worship, for giving, for learning, for being entertained, for being inspired. Join us every time you can! continued on page 2

Join Us for

Advent and Christmas at Saint Michael

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Advent at Saint Michael Advent Meditation Booklets Available

Lessons and Carols Celebrated Sunday, December 4 at 11:00

Daily devotions written by parishioners, staff, and clergy are in the Advent Meditation booklet, which is available at several locations in the church and online at www. saintmichael.org.

Advent Retreat with Paula D’Arcy Being Guided By A Star Saturday, December 3 - Theater 9:00 – 12:00 Tickets: $10 At the heart of our common journey is a mystery above our human comprehension. But it is this mystery we are called to embody, and this star we follow still.

Paula D’Arcy is a writer, retreat leader, and conference speaker who travels widely in the United States, Canada and abroad. She is President of the Red Bird Foundation which supports the growth and spiritual development of those in need and furthers a ministry to prisoners and those in third world or disadvantaged cultures.

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Modeled after the Advent service of King’s College, Cambridge, this beautiful liturgy features the singing of carols by choir and congregation, interwoven with the reading of prophesies. Scripture and music work together in the service to represent Christ’s leading the world from darkness to light. The choir will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra and organ in music spanning six centuries.

Celebrations of Christmas

Celebrat ions Christmas of

SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 11:00 a.m. – Joy Mass – Church Christmas liturgy with music appropriate for young children

1:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist – Rite I – Church Christmas liturgy with traditional hymns and carols 3:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist – Rite II – Church (incense) Christmas liturgy with orchestra, organ and choir

Celebrat ions Christmas

Christmas Offerings to Go to Outreach Ministries Seeking Peace and Justice

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All of the offerings given at Saint Michael’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services will go directly to three beneficiaries seeking peace and justice in the world and our local community. The Mission Outreach Grants SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS Committee’s choices were inspired by the passage fro Gospel EPISCOPAL CHURCH of Matthew:

EVEweary SERVICES Come to me, CHRISTMAS all you that are and are carrying heavy 11:00give a.m.you – Joyrest. Take Mass – Saint Chapelyou, and burdens, and I will myMichael yoke upon Christmas liturgy with music appropriate for young children learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you 1:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist – Rite I – Church will find rest for your souls. For my yoke easy,traditional and myhymns burden Christmas liturgyiswith and carols is light. - Matthew 11:28-30 3:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist – Rite II – Church (incense) Christmas liturgy with orchestra, organ and choir

Offerings willMass go to: 3:00 p.m. – Discovery – Saint Michael Chapel Christmas liturgy with the Discovery Mass Band

3:00 p.m. – Discovery Mass – Saint Michael Chapel Christmas liturgy with the Discovery Mass Band *3:00 p.m. – Celebration – Parish Hall Contemporary service with Christmas liturgy *5:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist – Rite II – Church (incense) Christmas liturgy with orchestra, organ and choir.

5:00 p.m. – Discovery Mass – Saint Michael Chapel Christmas liturgy with the Discovery Mass Band 5:00 p.m. – Celebration – Parish Hall Contemporary service with Christmas liturgy 10:30 p.m. – Holy Eucharist – Rite I – Church (incense) Festal Eucharist with Orchestra, organ and choir.

Silent Night sung by candlelight concludes the service. *Streamed at www.saintmichael.org/Live

CHRISTMAS DAY 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist – Rite I – Church Christmas liturgy with traditional hymns and carols.

Church childcare will be provided for children, infants to age 5, at each service on Christmas Eve, beginning with the 11:00 service through the services that begin at 5:00. Childcare will be in rooms 10 and 12, near the North Lanai entrance.

Christmas Eve Worship Services Streamed Live The 3:00 and 5:00 Christmas Eve worship services will be streamed at www.saintmichael.org/live. The 3:00 service will be the contemporary Celebration Mass, and the 5:00 service will feature the Christmas Liturgy with orchestra, choir and organ.

Promise House Promise House supports homeless, *3:00- p.m.

– Celebration – Parish Hall Contemporary service with Christmas liturgy runaway, and at-risk youth with programs that include *5:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist – Rite II – Church (incense) emergency shelter, Christmas liturgy with orchestra, organ and choir. transitional living, 5:00 p.m. – Discovery Mass – Saint Michael Chapel pregnant and parenting Christmas liturgy with the Discovery Mass Band 5:00 p.m.

– Celebration – Parishcounseling, Hall services, individual, group and family street Contemporary service with Christmas liturgy outreach, and educational intervention.

North Dallas

10:30 p.m. – Holy Eucharist – Rite I – Church (incense) Festal Eucharist with Orchestra, organ and choir.

Shared Ministries - North Dallasconcludes Shared Silent Night sung by candlelight the service.

Ministries helps lowincome people assume CHRISTMAS DAY responsibility for their 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist I – Church lives– Riteby providing Christmas liturgy with traditional hymns and carols. emergency assistance, aiding access to entitlement, health, and community programs designed to achieve long-term stability, promote wellness, and financial independence. *Streamed at www.saintmichael.org/Live

The Anglican Centre in Rome - The Anglican Centre in Rome is the permanent Anglican Communion presence in Rome, working collaboratively with all Christians for justice and peace in the world. The Centre was a leader in the establishment of a worldwide, multi-faith antislavery network, working to combat human trafficking.

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Advent and Christmas Giving Heart of Giving The Gift that Continues to Give Heart of Giving is a thoughtful way to spread the spirit of the holiday season and is a great way to recognize friends, family members, and business associates. When you make a donation, you receive Heart of Giving cards to give to people on your list. All of the proceeds benefit the Mission and Outreach Ministries of Saint Michael.

Heart of Giving donations support the following outreach ministries:

Meals on Wheels Needs Christmas Drivers Meals on Wheels, which provides food to the elderly and homebound, needs volunteer drivers to cover routes on Christmas Day. It can be a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday by bringing a meal and fellowship to people often forgotten. If you can drive a Meals on Wheels route on Christmas Day, contact Mary Bartholow at mary.bar@ sbcglobal.net.

I Believe in Angels – Volunteer to Wrap

The Good Samaritan Fund Jubilee Park and Community Center Rosebud Indian Reservation Honduras Mission Casa Esperanza, Amistad Bolivia Honduras Threads This year you can make a donation to Heart of Giving online at www.saintmichael.org/heartofgiving, or you can make donations at the Heart of Giving tables on Sundays during Advent. If you make an online donation, you will be able to pick up your Heart of Giving cards the following Sunday.

I Believe in Angels provides Christmas gifts for children and seniors living in the Jubilee Park neighborhood. Last year, Saint Michael parishioners made Christmas wishes come true for 117 families with 354 children and more than 193 seniors living in the neighborhood. Gifts should be returned to the church by Sunday, December 4. Volunteers are needed to help sort gifts on Friday, December 9 and at the family “shopping” day on Saturday, December 10. For more information please contact Maria Martin mariaomartin@sbcglobal.net or Nancy Moore Nancystahlamoore@yahoo.com.

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Advent Heal the Hurt of the Holidays at the Advent Service of Remembrance and Light December 15 For some, the holidays are a time of hurt; over the loss of a beloved, relationships turned sour, being alone.

Through prayers, music, and the lighting of candles, the Advent Liturgy of Remembrance and Light seeks to bring peace, healing, and wholeness in the midst of grief. Thursday, December 15 at 6:00 in Saint Michael Chapel. A reception hosted by the Grief Ministry will be in the Parlor following the service.

Remember a Loved One

Nativity Pageant Performance Sunday, December 18 at 11:00 The story of the birth of the Christ Child will be performed

by Saint Michael’s children and youth at 11:00, December 18 in the church. There will be plenty of sheep, shepherds, wise men and, of course, angels telling the story of Jesus’ birth through scripture and songs.

A reception following the performance will honor the children and Emily Given, Director of Children and Family Ministries, who has accepted a position as Director of Participation at an Episcopal Church in suburban Philadelphia.

The 11:00 Rite I worship service, normally held in the church, will be in the Saint Michael Chapel.

If you would like to remember a loved one this Christmas, fill out one of the Flower Memorial envelopes enclosed in the Sunday worship bulletin with the names of those you want to honor either in Memory or Thanksgiving, and return it with your check by Friday, December 16. The remembrance will be printed in the Flower Memorial booklet Christmas Eve. Envelopes are available at the South Lanai reception desk.

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A Parish Farewell to Shelly Vescovo Shelly Vescovo Director of Adult Ministry Retires Join us as we Celebrate Shelly on Sunday, December 4 at both the 9:00 and 11:00 services in the Church.

Educators are known for planting seeds. Most often they do not get to see what they produce. Shelly Vescovo is the exception as she has seen the fruits of her labor over her 37 year career at Saint Michael. “I have taught 3 year olds who are now mothers themselves and have conversed deeply with people who are now part of the Communion of Saints,” she recalls when asked to reflect on her ministry. Th e contact with diverse people over a span of time is what Shelly says she will miss the most upon her retirement from Saint Michael. Shelly recalls that during her ministry she has seen

leaders of our parish like Stewart Thomas grow from a high school Senior on a backpacking trip to the Pecos wilderness into a parish and community leader. She states that one of the best parts of her job has been to help people discover and name their questions about God, faith, how to be and what to do.

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Join us the morning of December 4 as we celebrate Shelly at the 9:00 and 11:00 services in the Church and for a reception after both services in the Narthex.

As Shelly retires she challenges us to continue on our quest in understanding our God with the words of poet Rahner Maria Rilke: “... Try to live the questions ... The point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps, ... Someday you will ... Without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”

Ministry Changes Clergy Staff Ministry Changes Announced Rector Chris Girata has announced that The Rev. Lisa Flores Musser, who will return from maternity leave Monday, December 12, will assume leadership of the Worship and Liturgy ministry. “I want to emphasize the growth of our worship experiences, especially the expansion of our contemporary worship. Lisa is passionate about worship excellence and will bring a host of organizational and liturgical skills to the table to help us grow,” he said.

The Rector announced that The Rev. Greg Pickens will become Associate for Pastoral Care. “Greg has taken the lead in pastoral care during Lisa’s maternity leave and his presence has been a true gift. He is a very gifted pastor. His kindness and compassion is apparent when he works with individuals and families who need special care. Over these last months, I have received many messages of gratitude from Saint Michael members for his guidance during difficult times.”

Children and Family Director Resigns Dear Saint Michael Friends: It is with deep gratitude (and a measure of sadness) that I announce my resignation as Director of Children and Family Ministry. It has been a great joy and true honor to serve with you for the last seven years. We have begun a good work together and I pray for it to continue in this place. It will be immensely hard to leave such a wonderful community yet it is time for me to move in a new direction. I have accepted the call to join a suburban Philadelphia church as their Director of Participation. I am excited to branch out and have the opportunity to grow my gifts in giving and welcome ministries.

I take with me the knowledge, friendship, and love I have experienced as part of Saint Michael. I cannot thank you enough. I have truly witnessed the Kingdom of God among you and it has shaped me in beautiful and meaningful ways.

The journey isn’t over yet! We still have Advent together.

Please join me for Advent Family Night (November 30), Pajama Prayers (December 7 & 14), and the Nativity Pageant (December 18). I look forward to seeing you all as we wait for the coming of Christ this season.

Please know you will continue to be in my prayers. I have no doubt that God will bless us all in our next chapters.

Thanks, Miss Emily!

A message from the Vicar At the recent communion preparation class, my five year-old son, Abe, very carefully wrote that he was “thankful for Miss Emily’s bible stories.” For many children and families, Emily Given has been their deep connection to Saint Michael and the larger community of faith.

A published author and leader in her field, Emily has been a delight to work with and a gift to our church. I am sad to see her go but excited for this opportunity for her, McKenzie, and Abbey to be closer to family and home, and to try a whole new area of ministry. I just pray that they ask her to weigh-in on children’s ministry from time to time where she has so many God given gifts. I am honored to call her a friend and so very thankful for her guidance for my boys.

The Rev. Chris Girata and I will be working on the process of searching for a new Director of Family and Children’s Ministry in the months ahead. For now, we want to celebrate Emily’s many gifts and specifically celebrate her after the Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 18. We will have a reception after the service in the Garden Cloister so we can thank her for her 7 years of ministry. Please join me in celebrating Emily.

Blessings,

With love and gratitude,

Emily Given

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Mission Outreach Saint Michael Families Lead Dallasites to Homebuilding Project in Costa Rica During the weekend before Thanksgiving, 150 Dallas area people, led by Saint Michael parishioners travelled to San Jose, Costa Rica where they built seven homes for the homeless. The group, including children, was put together by Ginny and Conner Searcy and Kathryn and Jim Francis, and included Vicar Bill Murray and his family, Jessie, Abe and Mose; Jay, Whitney, and Will Grogan; and Youth Minister Lauren Wainwright.

Working with Homes of Hope, the Dallasites were taken to the building site where the future homes each had a foundation and a pile of lumber. Everyone had a job, including the kids, and in two days the group had built seven homes, a new record for the program. In addition to providing houses, new homeowners are given assistance in the myriad of issues of owning, maintaining, the caring for their new residence.

At the end of the weekend, the group agreed that the process was “amazing” and are making plans to do it again next year.

As seven-year old Abe Murray said, “I didn’t mind getting dirty, but I was amazed at how much everyone loved it.”

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Mission Outreach Mission and Outreach Announce New Chairs The new chairs of the Mission and Outreach Leadership team are Kelly Reddell and Ross Morgan. They have are members of the current leadership team, and have been elected to serve two year terms.

Kelly Reddell has been a member of Saint Michael since 1999 and has served on the Stewardship committee and is an acolyte.

She received her law degree from SMU and is Vice President of Litigation Management for a national medical Malpractice carrier.

Kelly Reddell She and her husband, Michael, have a blended family of four sons, one daughter, and three grandchildren.

Ross Morgan

Ross Morgan and his wife, Rachel, have been members of Saint Michael since 2002 after moving to Dallas from Houston. He has been a member of the Mission and Outreach Leadership Committee for two years. He is owner of the financial planning firm RCM Advisors. Ross and his wife have two children.

Mission and Outreach Welcomes New Members to Leadership Positions In November, the Mission and Outreach Leadership Team considered six individuals to serve on either the Leadership Team or the Grants Committee. Leadership recruitment took a new direction this year by asking everyone that voiced an interest to be willing to serve in either capacity. “The new direction helps us discern where their voices might be needed the most in shaping the direction of Mission and Outreach at Saint Michael and All Angels. Instead of being faced with two different recruiting efforts, we were able to combine the recruiting effort,” said The Rev. Hunter Ruffin. “In the end, existing lay leaders were able to have conversations with each person that expressed an interest in joining the leadership of Mission and Outreach and to discern the best fit for each person.”

The new members will begin serving terms on the Leadership Team and the Grants Committee, beginning in January and August respectively. In January, Bill Bancroft, Phoebe Moore, and Paige Wilbur will begin three year terms on the Mission and Outreach Leadership Team. In August. Maria Martin, Bill Johnson, and Betsy Cullum will begin serving a three year term on the Grants Committee.

In December 2016, George Coleman, Mike Davis, and Richard Kelley will rotate off the Mission and Outreach Leadership Team. All three have served diligently and have left their own unique mark in the direction that Mission and Outreach is taking. Thanks to the strong lay leadership of Saint Michael parishioners, Mission and Outreach ministries continue to explore new ways of doing new and exciting outreach, keeping our on-going ministries vibrant and alive.

Thanks to Mike Davis and Richard Kelley Since 2014, Mike Davis and Richard Kelley have served Saint Michael and All Angels parish as the chairs of Mission and Outreach. During their tenure, the Mission and Outreach ministry has gone through several changes including the clergy leadership of the ministry. Through it all, Mike and Richard have kept the outreach ministries of the church moving forward Richard Kelley with refreshed insights and remarkable achievements.

In reflecting on serving alongside Mike and Richard, The Rev. Hunter Ruffin said, “Mike and Richard have given so much of themselves over the last several years from Mike Davis guiding the ministry through a clergy transition to looking towards the future and the next big steps for Mission and Outreach. Mike and Richard have a deep love for this parish home and for the outreach we do in our community. They represent the heart and soul of what Saint Michael and All Angels is as a parish - a community that loves others and invites others to walk the walk of discipleship.

Every person at Saint Michael needs to congratulate and thank them for their service.”

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Overview Saint Michael Sponsors New “Community Tree of Remembrance”

Sunday Adult Bible Study Class to Review Seven Deadly Sins

Saint Michael and All Angels is one of eight sponsors of the “Community Tree of Remebrance” at downtown’s ThanksGiving Square by the Faith and Grief Ministries.

On Sunday, January 8 we will begin a new series in the Adult Bible Class. The Rev. Mary Lessmann will lead a sevenweek series on The Seven Deadly Sins. If you’d like to learn some new sins or improve on the ones in which you already partake, this is the class for you! And just in time for Lent!

We will meet at 10:00 in the Coke Activities Room. Please make plans to join us!

The holiday season can bring sadness and a swirl of conflicting emotions for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones. The “Community Tree of Remembrance” is a new way to remember loved ones during the holidays.

People can visit the Faith & Grief Ministries’ “Community Tree of Remembrance” throughout December at ThanksGiving Square.

There will be a multi-faith worship service from 6:00 – 7:00 on Thursday, December 1, when the lighting of the tree will take place. Each day throughout the month, between 11:30 and 1:30, visitors to Thanks-Giving Square will be able to write the names of loved ones on ribbons, tie them to an arbor, and have moments of personal reflection. Another multi-faith service, Longest Night of the Year, will take place on December 21, from 6:00 – 7:00.

Edge Second Sunday Social (S3) Calling all 4th and 5th graders! Join us for food, fellowship, and fun on Sunday December 11 (the second Sunday) at 5:00 for S3. This month is our White Elephant Christmas Party! All gifts should be $10 or less. Registration is open at www.saintmichael.org/theedge. Don’t forget $5 for dinner!

Questions? Contact Erika Bower at ebower@saintmichael. org for more information.

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Church Offices Closed Please note that the Church Offices will be closed on Friday, December 23. The Church will be closed on Monday, December 26. There will be no 7:00 a.m. Eucharist.

Overview Enneagram Offers Second Session In our Christian walk we strive to know and love God, our neighbor and ourselves. The Enneagram is a personality assessment tool that helps us to learn more about ourselves so that we might learn more about how we are in relationship with God and with the people most important to us. In learning the Enneagram we discover characteristics and motivations of our personality – one of nine types. More than this, the Enneagram helps guide us in the spiritual work that is ours to do.

Mary Ann Webster and The Rev. Mary Lessmann will facilitate this class which will utilize the DVD curriculum of Suzanne Stabile, an internationally recognized Enneagram master and a very entertaining presenter. We will meet in the Coke Room for twelve weekly sessions beginning Wednesday, January 18 and continuing through April 5.

Classes will meet from 1:00 to 2:30pm. Registration is required. This class would be a fantastic Lenten study! If you would like to register or have questions, please contact The Rev. Mary Lessmann at mlessmann@saintmichael.org.

The Enneagram has ancient roots. The Christian Desert Fathers and Mothers defined the nine personality types as early as the third or fourth century and used the system for spiritual direction and growth. In the modern era, the Jesuits rediscovered the Enneagram and continue its use in spiritual formation.

Remember to make your pledge for 2017 11

Overview Join us for a STELLAR Parish Party!

Be an Underwriter Underwriting opportunities are available and very much appreciated at any level. Every dollar of underwriting will go first to pay for the party, and then to the Gifts Committee for outreach grants. Please go online to make a donation at www.saintmichael.org/parishparty or contact Tricia Stewart at 214-675-0586.

Work on the Party If you want to lend a helping hand to the parish party effort, let us know how much time you have and we will find you a job to fit your schedule! Please contact Parish Party Chair, Christine Paddock, at 214-298-6447 or christine.paddock@ sbcglobal.net.

Presiding Bishop Leads Evangelism Matters Conference – Church Growth Workshop Led by Rector Girata The Diocese of Dallas, the Episcopal Church, and Forward Movement sponsored a two-day Evangelism Matters conference, which was hosted last month at Church of the Transfiguration. The conference, attended by more than 400 clergy and lay leaders, focused on how to share your faith, cultivate an evangelistic church, engage millennials, reach refugees, and develop best practices for starting a church. Saint Michael Rector Chris Girata led a workshop on building and growing church membership.

The evening before the conference, Saint Michael Acolyte Master Tony Briggle and his wife, Marla, hosted a dinner party for conference participants.

Get Your Tickets Ticket Sales will start in January. Look for them at tables in the hallway on Sundays, or online at www.saintmichael.org/ parishparty.

Donate Auction Treasures We are looking for donations of wonderful auction items: trips, jewelry, artwork, dinners, decorative pieces, tickets to concerts, sporting events, lectures, the theater, and so much more. Please consider a donation for the live, silent, or big board auctions, and contact Christine Paddock at christine. paddock@sbcglobal.net. Every dollar raised from the auction goes to the Gifts Committee for outreach grants!

Calling all Parish artists!!

We are blessed with many talented artists and we would love to have your art donations for the auction. We will display your art around the church the week before the auction and then partygoers can go shopping at the Parish Party. Please share your talents with our community! Contact Sarah King at sarahfitplay@gmail.com.

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(L-R) The Rt. Rev. Andy Doyle, Bishop of Texas, The Rt. Rev. George Sumner, Bishop of Dallas, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, The Rev. Chris Girata, Rector, Saint Michael and All Angels

Saint Michael Presents Saint Michael Presents Christmas Concert “Sold Out” The Grammy Award winning vocal ensemble, Conspirare, will present its acclaimed Christmas Concert to a “sold out” Saint Michael Presents audience December 11. While the concert is free, all available tickets have been taken. The concert series began in 2013 as a community outreach program of Saint Michael’s music ministry designed to strengthen the soul of all people through fine arts.

This year’s opening concert, Conspirare Christmas, delivers world-class vocal artistry in the season’s celebration of love, connection, and renewal. Collaborating on this year’s concert is singer/songwriter Matt Alber.

Patron Acknowledgements Fortissimo Hyeon Jeong and James Diaz Maestoso Beverly W. Morrison Mrs. David M. Munson Randy and Gay Rekerdres Sforzando Mary and Jerry Andrlik Christy Bednar Gail and Jim Browne Kelly Compton Mr. and Mrs. Bert Conly Whitney, Jay, and Will Grogan Anne and Bill Johnson Bob and Mary Ann Marshall Wyatt and Carolyn Rousseau Byrd Teague Karen and Jim Wiley Crescendo Shannon Wilson Callewart Susan and Vance Campbell Nancy and Lowell Duncan Louise and Guy Griffeth Gloria and Sam Hocking Mary Louise and David Hopson Jane and Pat Jenevein Advised Fund of The Dallas Foundation Betty and Forrest Lipscomb Suzanne and Jay Lipscomb Pam and Tom Luce Sally Lutz

Barbara and Cliff Miercort Janis Kay Moncrief Bob and Katherine Penn Gigi and Jerry Poglitsch Christine and Martin Schuepbach Nancy and John Solana Darlene H. Spellings Marj Waters - Park Cities News Linda and Rob Westerburg Sherry and Robert Wilson Arkay Foundation / Carolyn and Tom Wittenbraker Anonymous Presto George Baldwin Pamela Barbera, in loving memory of Mike Barbera Anne Barclay Reed Pat and Steve Black Peggy Carr Jessica Whitt Garner Jane and Greg Greene Mr. and Mrs. Don M. Houseman Richard Kelley and Michael Davis Eugenia and Frank-Paul King Ruth and Fred Mason Sissy and Mike Massad Marillyn and Gus Seeberger Van and Brenda Sheets Rob and Betty Shiels

Patricia Snider Dan and Tina Stansbury Betty and John Taylor Mary and Matthew Waller Apreggio Bill Barker Rosamond Brown Robert and Elizabeth Buchanan Becky and Mike Casey, in memory of Brown Plummer Ruthie Garrett Nancy and Howell Harralson The Holly and Phillip Huffines Family Dr. David and Mrs. Corinne Karp Ed and Molla Ladd Elizabeth and John Lang Chandler R. Lindsley Mrs. Charlene C. Marsh Effie and Tom McCullough Mr. and Mrs. John S. McFarland, Sr. Noralyn and Greg Pickens Carol Price Ann Aston Ratelle Margaret D. Ratelle Drs. James and Patricia Richardson JoAnne and Tony Roosevelt Jennifer and Thomas K. Russell Erica and Charlie Sartain Randolph and Anne Slaughter

Jane Slover Suzanne Thomas Patty and Tig Thompson Connie S. Webb Anonymous (4) Dolce Nancy Armour Joan and Jim Barklow Mrs. Floyd G. Betts, Jr. Sharon and Ron Brown Jim and Anita Caldwell Margaret Cervin Pat and Jack Coleman Wendy Finley Mary Jo and Bart Forbes Dale and Dare Gillette Joyce and Blake Hull Patrick and Kathy Jenevein Bob and Myra Lancaster Prudence and John Mackintosh Sally and Bill Magee The McGannon Family Libby Norwood Elaine Notestine Sue and Bob Patton Leonard Shockey Robert R. and Ann B. Smith Dr. Sharon Spalding Tricia and Tom Stewart, Jr. Madalyn Teal Don Waddington Paige Wilbur Anonymous (5)

The Saint Michael Presents Committee 2016-2017 Gay and Randy Rekerdres, Co-Chairs Advisory Committee Mary and Jerry Andrlik Christy Bednar Marla and Tony Briggle

Hyeon Jeong and James Diaz Nancy and Lowell Duncan Jessica Whitt Garner Jay Lipscomb Beverly Morrison Carolyn and Wyatt Rousseau

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Pastoral Care Receiving Christ Anew – The Work of Stephen Ministry

by The Rev. Greg Pickens I had the opportunity of going to Stephen Ministry Leader Training last year where I made fast friends with several priests serving parishes in the southwest. What I heard from these new found friends was that they were attending this particular training because they had experienced lives being changed in their congregations and in their neighborhoods through the work of Stephen Ministry. They were excited about being involved.

If we are honest, there are very few of us who lead lives unmarked by pain and fear. For a few of us, we might need the guidance of a health care professional of some sort. For others, we may be struck by a life changing event and all we need is for someone to walk closely with us until we can get our bearings again. Over and over, I heard stories of help and healing from people who had moved through a separation, divorce, job loss, or just the ups and downs of everyday life.

Whatever it was that had exerted some dampening effect on them had been worked through and now they could live life again.

I had the most engaging experience this week as I attended the monthly meeting of our own Saint Michael Stephen Ministry. The guest speaker was Janice Harris Lord who spoke on “Mourning and the Distinction Between Grief and Depression.” I was amazed first at the commitment of our corps of Stephen Ministers, that they give of themselves to others and their commitment to continued learning. The second was the professional level of the evening’s training.

Mrs. Lord is an expert in her field and did an engaging job of distinguishing the ways that depression is different from grief.

I would bet that you already know of a Stephen Minister who is engaged in our parish. As I have stated, we all go through ups and downs in this life. If you know someone whom you believe may benefit from a Stephen Minister, please contact Jean Coleman or me. I can assure you, a Stephen Minister is a God-send to someone in need. Contact: The Rev. Greg Pickens, gpickens@saintmichael.org, or or Lay Leader, Jean Coleman, jwcoleman@sbcglobal.net.

Two things resonated with me from the stories these people told: confidentiality and Christ. From those who had requested a Stephen Minister, they very much valued the confidentiality. A Stephen Minister has pledged to not reveal identities – under any circumstances. This confidentiality creates a crucible for those ups and downs of life to be spoken into and heard; it creates a trust that undergirds the bond between those two people who are working towards a better tomorrow. The second element that resonated with me was hearing from the priests about how the people who had requested a Stephen Minister were reengaging their faith communities – they had come through one of life’s storms and could see Christ moving in his or her own life again.

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Pastoral Care Women’s Cancer Support Group is a long-term support system. The group meets Mondays, 1:45 in the Parlor.

Contact: Sue Patton, pattons@sbcglobal.net, or Charlie Stobaugh, charlie@stobaugh.net.

Centering Prayer Group. You are invited to join us on Tuesdays at 10:00, in the Clergy Conference Room, to engage in Centering Prayer. Come and sit with us in silence and simply wait on God who remains always with us but is often not sensed or heard because we are so noisy and so busy. Learn how to rest in God. As with everything about us, God is paying attention and the practice will transform you.

Contact: Mary Ann Webster, maryannwebster@gmail.com.

Knitting Ministry: We meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00 in the Coke Activities Room. We would love to have you with us in this ’hands on’ ministry for those who love to knit and those who want to learn to knit.

Knitters knit, pray, and tag their shawls with a prayer for the recipient. Bring your needles and join this group. For more information, contact Byrd Teague, byrd.teague@gmail.com.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets on the first and third Sunday of each month in the Coke Activities Room at 7:30-8:30 in the evening. The group is open to both men and women.

More information is available by contacting The Rev. Neal Hern, nealhearn@aol.com Caregivers Support Group meets twice monthly to provide support to those who have the responsibility of caring for a loved one. Meetings are held in the Parlor, 11:00 to 12:30 on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. Contact, Sandra Klingeman, jsklingeman@sbcglobal.net.

Faith and Grief Luncheon. Thursday, December 8, and every Second Thursday, our Faith and Grief luncheon meets in the Coke Activities Room from 12:00 to 1:00 for a box lunch, and facilitated conversation with trained table leaders. This month our speaker will be parishioner, Madalyn Teal. Please let those who have suffered a loss know of this opportunity. You are invited to bring a friend or relative to participate in the conversation. Kindly make a reservation with Katherine Bowen, kbowen@saintmichael.org. There is not a fee for the meal, but a donation is greatly appreciated.

Questions? Interested in becoming a facilitator? Contact clergy representative, Greg Pickens, gpickens@saintmichael. org.

Prayer Ministry will meet on December 15th when we will join with the Faith and Grief Ministry at the Advent Liturgy of Remembrance and Light in the Saint Michael Chapel. The service begins at 6:00. There we will honor any kind of loss and remember our deceased loved ones in a service of prayer, sacred music, and candlelight. All are invited to remain for a reception in the Parlor, following the service. Questions?

Contact, Katherine Bowen kbowen@saintmichael.org.

A Stephen Minister Can Help You Over The Rough Spots.

Do you have a burden that you cannot handle alone? Saint Michael and All Angels offers a dedicated group of men and women who have received specialized training to walk with you, confidentially, on this journey. Consider asking for a Stephen Minister. If you know someone who might benefit from having a Stephen Minister or you could use one yourself, please contact the Rev. Greg Pickens, gpickens@saintmichael. org, or lay leader, Jean Coleman, jwcoleman@sbcglobal.net.

Recovery Advocates is a group dedicated to enhancing the spiritual, physical, emotional and social well-being of communicants in the matter of substance abuse and other addictions. The Recovery Advocates have knowledge and experience in the area of addiction recovery and serve as a resource to discuss issues and concerns, and share experiences.

The Rev. Greg Pickens is the clergy contact. Contact @ gpickens@saintmichael.org All communications remain confidential.

Calling All With A Volunteer Heart!

Extended Care Cooks needs volunteers who are willing to cook only one or two times during the year for someone in need. Share your gift of cooking. If you are interested and have questions, please contact Ann Mills, Congregational Care Ministries, amills@saintmichael.org.

Good Shepherd Ministry welcomes anyone who would like to be a Good Shepherd in their neighborhood. You can be the person to provide a neighbor with that needed connection to Saint Michael. If this describes you, please contact Judy Cole, judycole2012@gmail.com.

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Saint Michael Episcopal School School Children Give more than $1,000 The children from the Saint Michael Episcopal School and their parents joined in a family Thanksgiving chapel on Wednesday, November 16. For several weeks they had been collecting nickels, dimes, and quarters for their Thanksgiving coin cards.

During the chapel the children came forward to present their offerings, which totaled more than $1,000. They also had been bringing canned food, which was delivered to the North Dallas Shared Ministries.

Saint Michael Episcopal School Schedule December 8 Pre-Kindergarten Christmas Program, 9:30 in the Church

December 16 – January 3 Christmas Vacation January 4 Classes Resume

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Youth Ministry Disciples Hit It Big at Literacy Fair The Disciples Confirmation class was a major hit at the Jubilee Park Literacy Fair November 5.

Over the fall, the class collected more than1,000 books which were distributed to Jubilee area children at the Fair. On the Friday before the event, 65 members of the class sorted the books by age group and packed sack lunches to hand out.

On Saturday two busses transported 68 Disciples, the books and 150 snack bags to Jubilee Park. There our youth helped the Jubilee kids pick out books, decorate bookmarks, and play games.

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Youth Ministry LiveWIRE Christmas Party – December 7 LiveWIRE, our youths Wednesday evening get-together, is having its Christmas Party December 7. There will be prizes for the tackiest and most creative sweaters, as well as plenty of food and fun! Middle School meets from 5:30-6:30 and High School from 7:00-8:00. Dinner and dessert will be served at 6:30.

Youth Winter Retreat Takes Root This year’s Winter Retreat will tap into the importance of being “Rooted” when facing an uncertain world when our youth meet at Camp All Saints from January 13-15. The theme this year is Rooted and the weekend will be spent in learning how to root ourselves in our faith and ministry at Saint Michael. There will be plenty of fun and community building, too.

The Winter Retreat is for all youth in the 6-12th grades.

The cost for the weekend is $115. Deadline to sign up is December 15. Register online at www.saintmichael.org/ youth

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For Your Information Hope is a learned behavior. We are children of God, born with hope inside us, but as we grow, the world teaches us to cover up that hope with pessimism, cynicism, and fear. But we don’t have to continue to live that way. The incarnation of God in the person of Jesus, the moment we celebrate at Christmas, is incredibly powerful. For me, that incarnational moment is most powerful because the truth of God in Christ points to a profound and personal truth: there is an incarnation of God inside each one of us. There is a sacred core of good in each of us. That goodness that is inside each of us is the seed of hope that can help us become the people we were created to be, and can guide us to influence our world.

We know that our call to love God and love our neighbor is powerful. That call is also something impossible to achieve, yet we are meant to try. In the past, most of us have taken a more passive role in meeting that call. We have tended to be quietly kind and respectful of people, but most of us have not turned that desire to love into an active way of life. However, I think we have come to a point in our civic life when we are being called out of our respectfully quiet lives and into a role that summons our participation in a more active way.

A few weeks ago, I gave a sermon in which I said, “We can no longer be satisfied by simply not hurting others, we are called to be actively engaged in the protection of those being hurt — that is active love, a love that is not accidental but intentional, a love that manifests itself in the world with boldness and purpose, a Christian love that will, in our faithfulness and hope, change the world.” As we approach the end of 2016 and begin to consider how we will live our lives in the New Year, I invite you to consider how you will begin to claim the love of Christ we have received and proclaim that gift of love in our lives with renewed clarity and vigor.

Together, and with God’s help, we can make the great promise of love a reality. Our witness bears the hopefulness of Christ into a world that too often forgets that hope is real. The work we do at Saint Michael is more than good. The work we do at Saint Michael, the relationships we build, and the vision we carry, brings us all closer to God’s kingdom on earth, now! As we move into a new year, I pray renewed strength and energy upon each one of us, that our passion will spread and that together, we will inspire our world.

Grant Them Eternal Rest May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Jack DeGolyer Maxson, October 21, husband of Sally Maxson Marcia Ann Newton, October 30, aunt of Diana and Geoff Newton, great-aunt of Jack, Hadley, Will and Thayer Gene Darrell Burton, October 30, brother of Marillyn Seeberger, brother-in-law of Gus Seeberger Kristin Taylor, November 4, niece of Katy Bynum Jeffrey Todd Bleakley, November 5, husband of Pilar Bleakley, father of Miles and Zoe Don Clark Fitzgerald, November 7, grandson of Linda and Ellis Skinner James Bruce Martindale III, November 6, brother of Jan Newsome, brother-in-law of Ron Newsome, uncle of Stuart Newsome, Karen and Bruce Newsome, great-uncle of Victoria and Kendall Jack Reynolds, November 10, father of Katie Riley, fatherin-law of Matt Riley, grandfather of Aiden, CJ and Gavin Lawrence Alexander Wilson, Sr., November 14, husband of Nancy Wilson, father of Julie Butterworth and John Wilson, father-in-law of Chuck Butterworth and Kelly Wilson, grandfather of Claire, Callie, Jack and Gray Joseph Benjamin Glass, November 14, father of John Glass, grandfather of Samuel Betty Jean Loomis, November 16, sister-in-law of Jo and David Loomis Aurelia Jalonick Rice, November 18, sister of Sally Ann Hudnall William Robert Shelburne, November 20, son of Judy Butts and George Shelburner, Step-son of Tom Butts and Jessie Shelburne David Bonneau Olmsted, November 21, son of Gail Olmsted Randall, brother of Robert Merryman Olmsted III, brother-in-law of Crickett Olmsted, nephew of Betty and John Taylor Maria Luciano, November 27, mother of Marco Reyes

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Archangel PERIODICAL

the

POSTAGE PAID

A monthly publication of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

DALLAS, TX

Saint Michael and All Angels

the

8011 Douglas Avenue Dallas, Texas 75225-0385

www.saintmichael.org Phone: 214-363-5471 Fax: 214-363-4388 The Archangel Newsletter (USPS 015-033) is published monthly by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church POSTMASTER: Send Address changes to The Archangel, Saint Michael and All Angels Church, P.O. Box 12385, Dallas,TX 75225-0385

Worship Schedule Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – Eucharist – BMC Wednesday 10:00 a.m. – Healing Service – BMC Saturday 8:30 a.m. – Eucharist - BMC 5:30 p.m. – Candlelight Mass – SMC Sunday 7:30 a.m. – Eucharist Rite I – SMC 9:00 a.m. – Eucharist Rite II – Church 9:00 a.m. – Discovery Mass – SMC 9:15 a.m. – Joy Mass – Theater 10:00 a.m. – Sunday School

(Children and Adult)

11:00 a.m. – Eucharist Rite I - Church 11:11 a.m. – The Celebration - Parish Hall 5:30 p.m. – Evening Prayer

Parish Clergy

Parish Vestry

The Reverend Christopher Girata, Rector The Reverend Bill Murray, Vicar The Reverend Lisa Flores Musser, Associate for Worship and Liturgy The Reverend Greg Pickens, Associate for Pastoral Care The Reverend Hunter Ruffin, Associate for Mission and Outreach The Reverend Bob Johnston, Associate for Evangelism The Reverend Oliver Butler, Associate for Young Adults The Reverend Michael Harmuth, Sunday Associate The Reverend Rich Towers, Weekend Associate The Reverend Mary Lessmann, Sunday Associate

Matt Waller, Sr. Warden

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Kay Whelan, Jr. Warden Grady Schleier, Treasurer Charlie Sartain, Chancellor Margaret Spellings, Clerk Peter Beck, Eric Conner, Mark Demler, Whitney Grogan, Beth Hise, Kathy Kelley, Rachel Morgan, Tom Rhodus, Elizabeth L. Selzer, J. C. Snead, Arnold Spencer, and Chris Wiley.

and Eucharist Rite I - SMC