The Archangel August 2017

the The Newsletter for Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

August 2017

10 17

Faith and Grief Lunch

Build the Future the

Prayer Ministry

Back-to-School Blessings

20

New Employee Welcome

23 27

Parent’s Confirmation Meeting

This month marks one year since my family and I moved to Dallas to become a part of this amazing community. Saint Michael has been such a gift in our lives and after year-one, I am even more passionate about our future. You have likely heard me talk about “our bright future” at Saint Michael, which we have.

But a future can’t remain bright unless we commit to building the future we hope for. In other words, we have great potential to build the kingdom of God, but potential remains unrealized until we start taking meaningful steps forward.

Fall Worship and Sunday School Schedules Begin in August It may not feel like fall, but the fall worship and Sunday School schedules begin later this month.

On August 20 we return to the full Sunday worship schedule with services at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00. (see schedule on page 2) Also on that day we will have Back-to-School Blessings at every worship service. Kids of all ages are urged to bring their backpacks, book bags, lunch kits, computers, or whatever to be blessed during the services. Mom and Dad are welcome to bring their briefcases, smartphones, etc. as well. We can all use a blessing.

The future of Christianity is changing rapidly. We are living in the final phase of that monumental shift and we can help identify how Christianity will change and thrive in the future. Saint Michael

Vestry Meeting

Beginning at 9:30 on August 20 there will be a Welcome Reception in the Garden Cloister to greet the new staff members who have joined Saint Michael during the past few months. A list with their positions is on page 3. Take the opportunity to meet our new ministry leaders and enjoy cool refreshments.

Sunday School Begins

On Sunday, August 27 Sunday School will begin for Adults, Youth, and Children at 10:00 a.m. A description of the fall classes and their location will be posted on the church website, saintmichael.org.

Volume 29 No. 8

continued on page 15

Fall Worship Schedule Sunday Worship Schedule - Beginning August 20 7:30 a.m.

Holy Communion, Rite I

Saint Michael Chapel 9:00 a.m.

Holy Communion, Rite II* Church Discovery Mass Parish Hall Joy Mass Saint Michael Chapel 11:00 a.m.

Holy Communion, Rite I Church

Celebration* (modern) Parish Hall 5:30 p.m.

Evening Prayer & Holy Communion Saint Michael Chapel *the 9:00 Rite II and 11:00 Celebration worship services are streamed at saintmichael.org/live.

Sunday Morning Children’s Chapel Begins August 27 There will be a new worship experience for young children beginning Sunday, August 27. It is Children’s Chapel, which will be included as part of the 9:00 a.m. service in the church.

Children ages 3 – 7 will join their parents at the 9:00 worship.

Following the Collect they will be led to the Bishop Moore Chapel where they will participate in a simple service of songs, prayer, scripture readings, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd presentations, and a children’s discussion time. They will rejoin their parents in the church during the Peace and participate in Holy Communion.

2

The Rev. Lisa Flores Musser, Associate for Liturgy and Worship, explained that the Children’s Chapel will provide a different experience than Joy Mass, which will continue to be offered.

“The children will learn about the liturgical seasons and colors, items on the Altar, and the meaning of the priest’s gestures during the service. They also will learn how to quiet their bodies and ‘practice’ being still. Children’s Chapel will encourage and prepare our children for greater participation and understanding in our regular worship services,” she said.

Welcome New Staff Members

A Message from the Vicar - Welcome Reception for New Staff Members On the same day that we celebrate our return to school and the beginning of a new academic year, Saint Michael will welcome new staff members that have been hired since the end of last school year. At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, August 20 come, meet, and welcome Justin Brooks, The Rev. Dr. Eric Liles Chase Monson, Jonathan Ryan, Anne Schmidt, Glenn Stroh, and The Rev. Rich Towers at a reception in the Garden Cloister.

We are excited about each of these new members of our staff and the incredible gifts that they will bring to Saint Michael. Join us as we welcome the newest members of the Saint Michael and All Angels team.

3

For Your Information Welcome Center Opens August 6 Beginning in August there will be a Welcome Center for visitors, newcomers, and guests located in the Parlor on Sundays between 8:30 and 12:30. It will be hosted by Anne Schmidt, Membership Coordinator, and people from our Welcome Ministry. The purpose is to have a centralized place where we can make intentional contact with our guests and let them know how glad we are they are here, and answer questions and give information about the church. As members of the Anne Schmidt congregation you are our frontlines in being aware of guests in our midst and welcoming them. If you meet someone new guide them to the Welcome Center so that we can get to know them better.

If you are interested in helping with Welcoming Ministry, get in touch with Anne Schmidt. Over the coming months we will be increasing our focus on being a community of invitation, welcome, and connection. We’d love for you to be a part of it. Contact: aschmidt@stmichael.org, or 214365-3500 ext 540. ..............

Oliver Butler Announces New Venture The Rev. Oliver Butler has announced that he is leaving Saint Michael and All Angels to pursue a new phase of his career in ministry. Butler and his wife, Elizabeth, are launching what they call a “For Profit, For Good” venture called Butler’s Blends, leveraging his passion for outdoor cooking.

Oliver Butler

Butler’s Blends will supply the BBQ and food grilling world with cooking woods sourced from all over the country. A portion of the profits will go to feeding “the least of these” by supporting groups directly addressing hunger issues, and by taking his smoker into the community. “For some time we have felt a call to

4

do something outside of church walls in a different context altogether,” Butler said. “Our mission is to bring everyone back to the dinner table, where good food and laughter foster life-giving relationships. And, because we care about that, it also matters to us that there are too many who don’t have a table full of food to gather around. We want to help take the table with food to them. Success for Butler’s Blends means everyone is impacted.”

“Oliver has had a significant impact during his nearly three year ministry at Saint Michael,” said Vicar Bill Murray. “He has helped build a vibrant modern worship service and strengthened our ministry to young adults. We wish him God’s speed in his new venture.” Butler’s last Sunday at Saint Michael will be August 27. There will be a “Thank You” reception in Parish Hall following the Celebration service ..............

Saint Michael and Rich Towers to Start SMU Campus Ministry The Rector, Chris Girata, announced that Saint Michael and All Angels will initiate a new campus ministry at SMU this fall and that The Rev. Rich Towers will lead the program.

“This is an important new ministry for Saint Michael,” Girata said, “and Fr. Towers will join the staff on a part-time basis to direct it. It Rich Towers will enable us to bring an Episcopal Church presence to the campus which has been dormant at SMU for several years, and infuse new vitality into Saint Michael’s ministry to young adults. I encourage parishioners – especially SMU alums,” the Rector said, “to support Rich with their ideas and participation.”

Fr. Towers notes, “Campus ministry matters! We have an exciting opportunity to engage and support SMU students as they grow and transform themselves and their world. Our goal is passionate engagement around matters of faith and an ever-deepening life in Christ.”

The Rev. Towers will continue in his role as the Lower School Chaplain at the Episcopal School of Dallas and assisting in Sunday worship services at Saint Michael.

Pilgrimage Tracing Pilgrimage Tracing St. Paul’s Missionary Ministry – A Pilgrim’s Perspective

by Carolyn Barta

One traveler described it as “the trip of a lifetime” – the opportunity to retrace the Journeys of Paul as part of a July pilgrimage led by Rector Chris Girata. On the 13day Mediterranean cruise, Saint Michaelites not only learned about the Apostle Paul, the great evangelist and church planter, but also soaked in myriad examples of early Christianity in the Greco-Roman world.

At the first “circle-up,” The Rev. Dr. Girata emphasized: “I want this to affect your life after you go home.” For that to happen, we needed to see how difficult the groundbreaking journeys were for Paul and how important they were for Christianity today. As the Rector said, “Paul gave up everything to simply tell people about Jesus.”

The importance of Paul was not only that he created communities of Christians through his evangelism but he also built the structure of the church with his letters. Paul was an educated Jew, chosen by God to spread the word of Jesus after his Damascus conversion. As the Rector explained, Paul spoke several languages; he could speak, write, and unite people. But it was far from easy, as our trip reinforced.

The blue domed churches of Santorini The most Paul-intensive venues were Rome, Athens, Corinth and Malta. Ephesus, where Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians, was removed from the itinerary after a state department advisory on travel in Turkey.

Before the trip, we prepared by reading the Book of Acts and a study guide. Onboard, our extended group, including new friends from other churches, heard presentations by New Testament scholar and seminary professor, Dr. David deSilva. Even more meaningful to us was the regular shipboard gathering of the Saint Michael family for Q&A and discussion with our rector.

Holy Communion in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican In Rome, Paul spent two years under house arrest at the end of his third journey and wrote the letters to the Ephesians.

We saw from afar the Church of St. Joseph of the Carpenters, built over the jail where Peter and Paul were imprisoned. At the Coliseum, we viewed the large cross commemorating Church of St. Joseph of the Carpenters in Rome

5

St. Paul’s Missionary Ministry the persecution of Christians before Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 AD. Despite shoulder-to-shoulder tourists, we collectively experienced the extensive religious art at the Vatican, sharing the Creation frescoes of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel. A highlight was the celebration of mass by our group in St. Peter’s Square.

We dined together. We hiked in the heat together. We laughed together and we learned together.

In Athens, we saw where Paul shifted from preaching to Jews to Gentiles. The hardy souls on our trip climbed to Mars Hill where Paul preached to the learned Athenians for the first time, then on to the Acropolis, the city’s highest point. Our tour guide said Paul reportedly won only a few converts in Athens but he sowed the seeds; today Greece is 90 percent

just for ourselves.” It was a challenge that we, as pilgrims, recognized today.

We found Malta dotted with remembrances of Paul – including St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and St. Paul’s Cathedral, founded in the 12th Century in the walled city of Mdina. While traveling from Jerusalem to Rome to face trial, Paul’s boat was shipwrecked near the island. Paul survived a snakebite, holed up in a cave, healed the sick and evangelized for a few months. That cave became an early place of Christian worship and is now a shrine, St. Paul’s Grotto, over which another St. Paul’s Church was built. Paul was the first Christian on Malta, known for the Knights of Malta and the Maltese cross, and Christianity thrived there.

We also enjoyed the popular Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, featuring spectacular vistas of blue-domed churches, whitewashed structures, azure waters, and hundreds of family chapels. Donkeys and cable cars transported people to the highest Santorini villages. Our tour guide said the island is reputed to have “more wine than water, more churches than houses and more donkeys than people.” Our group seemed to

The Acropolis in Athens Christian.

Corinth offered a spiritual high as we walked where Paul walked, preached, and was arraigned in 52 AD. We celebrated the Holy Eucharist among those ruins. Paul lived in Corinth for 18 months and planted the first church there aimed at Romans, or Gentiles. Corinth was a crossroads, controlling access to two bodies of water and ancient roads. It was a political, social, and trade center and site of the Corinthian games – no doubt offering Paul the opportunity to ply his trade as a tentmaker and to preach to residents and visitors.

Raising up a church in such an affluent environment was challenging. As The Rev. Dr. Girata explained: “Corinth was a rich city. It was hard for them to embrace Christianity because it calls for sacrifices and to do for others and not 6

Holy Communion at the ruins of Corinth

A Pilgram’s Perspective prefer the wine to the donkey transport.

In his final onboard lecture, Prof. David deSilva encouraged us to think about how rigorous Paul’s ministry was and how committed he was in the face of difficulty. Referencing Psalm 116:12 (How can I repay the Lord for all his gifts to me?), DeSilva said: “In everything that you do, think how can I give back to God what he has given me.”

Brayden Girata, the 11-year-old son of Nicole and Chris Girata, allowed as how the best part of the trip was “being together with everybody.” To be sure, each of us relished that sense of togetherness and returned energized in our faith and committed to having it impact our lives, to embracing the new +1 program, as we build the community that is Saint Michael and All Angels.

For a more detailed version of our journey, read The Rev. Dr. Girata’s day-by-day blog on saintmichael.org.

The Coliseum Cross commemorating the persecution of Christians

The Saint Michael pilgrims at the steps to Mars Hill in Athens

7

Overview Invite a Friend to Learn about Saint Michael Do you have a friend or neighbor that should be a member of Saint Michael and All Angels? This summer is a great time to invite them to the next Saint Michael 101 Dinner for newcomers and visitors. This dinner is for exploring membership, meeting members of our clergy and Vestry, and hearing about our many ministries, opportunities for involvement, and the exciting future of our parish. The Saint Michael 101 Dinner will be Sunday, September 24th from 6:00-8:00 in the Coke Activities Room. Childcare will be available.

Thank You for Bingo Prizes Earlier this year, an appeal for prizes to award at the monthly Seniors Bingo Game at the Jubilee Park Community Center was included in the Sunday News and Archangel. The response was overwhelming. More than eight bags of prizes were donated. On behalf of the Bingo game organizers, Sharon Snyder, Karen Pardoe, and Jean Coleman, “Thank you so very much!” ..............

Nominations Open for Church Leadership Positions Nominations are being accepted through Friday, August 18 for positions on the Church Vestry and Diocesan Convention delegation. The election will be held at a called Parish Meeting on Sunday, October 29. Five new Vestry members will be elected as will three delegates and alternates to serve at the fall convention. They will begin their terms in January, 2018.

Nomination forms are available online at saintmichael.org or at the South Lanai Reception desk.

Stories of Sin & Redemption – Coming in September Everyone loves a good story, especially about sin and redemption; so, let’s explore some together!

This discussion class will use short fiction – one “short story” at a time – to engage spiritual and moral questions that emerge in each story. We will reflect on the characters’ actions and reactions as well as look for insight and connections to scripture and our own life stories.

Led by The Rev. Tom Blackmon the meeting will be from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in the Chapel Conference Room. The class begins September 12th. For more information contact Tom Blackmon andrewt1947@gmail.com or Julia Giles to register jgiles@ saintmichael.org ..............

8

..............

Saint Michael Episcopal School Ready for a New Year The opening of the 2017-18 school year at Saint Michael Episcopal School is nearing and enrollment has topped 200 this year. Teachers return on Wednesday, August 16 for orientation and to begin setting up their classrooms. On Monday, August 28 there will be “Meet the Teacher” from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and later that evening at 7:00 “Parents’ Night” is scheduled. The first day of school is Wednesday, August 30.

Overview Please join us for the first Women of Saint Michael Luncheon of the Season!

Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 11:30 - Parish Hall

The Importance of Female Friendships in our Lives Satellite Sisters: Lian Dolan and Julie Dolan Smith

New Jan Barboglio Creation Now in the Book Shop A new special edition Jan Barboglio creation is available in the Saint Michael Book Shop. The piece is a gorgeous St. Francis painted on wood with house-blessing beads. It comes with an easel for easy display, or can be hung on a wall. It is a must-see, must-have.

Book Shop hours:

Mon.–Thurs. 10:00 – 3:00

CLOSED on Fri. (summer only)

Sat: 9:00 – 11:00

Sun. 8:30 –12:30

Kicking off our luncheon series with humor and affection, Lian Dolan and Julie Dolan Smith of the award-winning Satellite Sisters bring their engaging style of dialogue to the topic of The Importance of Female Friendships in our Lives. Writer, producer, and broadcaster Lian is the best-selling author of Elizabeth the First Wife and Helen of Pasadena. She and Julie and their three sisters host a popular weekly podcast in which they catch up on a range of topics of the day. The Sisters’ second book, You’re the Best: A Celebration of Friendship, is their latest publication. ..............

New This Year Is The Rector’s Bible Study For Women!

The Rev. Dr. Chris Girata will lead us in the study of the Gospel of Luke, followed by the Acts of the Apostles in the Coke Activities Room on Wednesdays at 11:00 beginning on Wednesday, September 27. All are welcome!

..............

Season Tickets for Women of Saint Michael Lunches and Events Get your season tickets for the Women of Saint Michael luncheons and programs. Your subscription includes the luncheons in September, October and November plus an evening event in January and the Spring Luncheon. Go to www.saintmichael. org/wosmluncheons and pay online.

Specially designed Saint Michael neckties, bow ties and pocket squares are now available online at saintmichael.org and St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange.

9

,

Overview Sr. Warden’s Corner Imperatives, Leadership, and Stewardship Hope all are surviving the heat and making the most of your summer vacations! The summer is normally a slower time at Saint Michael, but not this year. In case you missed it, let me take a moment to update everyone on the wonderful progress being made on multiple organizational fronts.

Eric Conner, Imperatives Sr. Warden Feed the Spirit….. Find Your +1….. Build the Future…..

Hopefully by now you are aware of the new logo associated with the above imperatives. These encompass various initiatives affecting the direction of our parish in the next 18 months and beyond. The Vestry, Clergy and staff are working on the roadmaps that will define the work we do. Please read the Rector’s column this month (the 3rd in the series on our imperatives).

Staff Updates We are very excited to welcome several new staff members (or those in different roles) that will join the already excellent staff in place.

•

• • • • • • •

Jonathan Ryan - Director of Music and Organist (we are very grateful to the Search Committee for their efforts) Justin Brooks – Director of Modern Worship Music The Rev. Dr. Eric Liles – Associate for Formation Anne Schmidt – Membership Coordinator Glenn Stroh – Organist and Assistant Choirmaster Gabrielle Ott – Interim Children and Family Ministry Director/Catechesis Coordinator The Rev. Rich Towers – Associate for Student Ministries at SMU Chase Monson – Assistant Director Youth Ministry

All of these individuals will be in place by early September.

Please take a moment to welcome them to this dynamic community and offer your support and prayers for their service.

10

Leadership Positions Please note that nominations are being taken for new Vestry members and Diocesan Convention delegates and alternates.

Recall that the Vestry terms will now begin on January 1 (shifting to be more in line with the calendar and programming cycle). The deadline to submit nominations is August 18.

Stewardship 2018 Many thanks to Caroline Marak for her work on the upcoming stewardship efforts. While more details will be shared, expect this effort to tie directly into our organizational initiatives and goals. Our strategy should drive the budget, not the other way around.

We look forward to many great events this fall, and we are thankful to all who contribute to the energy and dynamism of this special place!

Former Parishioner Ordained to the Deaconate Former Saint Michael parishioner and church leader, Bob Scott, has been ordained into the Deaconate in the Diocese of Oklahoma.

Scott held several leadership positions at Saint Michael including Junior Warden, Treasurer, Master of Ceremonies, and chair of the Building and Grounds Committee, along with many other volunteer posts. He was ordained as a Transitional Deacon by The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny on June 30 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City.

Pastoral Care Friends in Christ: Finding “Lost Sheep” I can’t imagine a better Christian community than our parish. We have been and continue to be blessed beyond measure by God and by the people who call Saint Michael home. We are a large parish and our size offers a very rich environment in which to do ministry that really matters.

However, the downside to our size is that it is possible for someone to simply go missing with no one to notice.

Greg Pickens As many of you know, I have been serving this parish for almost six years and I have been wondering about the dedicated parishioners who remain members but we no longer see in our halls. In the normal course of life, it happens that we may become disabled in some way or simply have mobility issues that prevent us from coming to church. So, given this very real need in our midst, the Friends in Christ ministry is being resurrected to help find our own “lost sheep” and reestablish ties with them.

Gus Seeberger will lead the ministry and Sally Hartwig will coordinate minister activities. Both Gus and Sally have deep roots in the visitation efforts of this parish and I am very grateful for their willingness to step into this offering. The three of us believe the Friends in Christ will offer friendship Gus Seeberger and a listening ear to parishioners who are still Saint Michaelites but are no longer able to attend.

If you have an interest in joining this important outreach, please contact either Sally or Gus. If God isn’t calling you to this ministry, you can still help our efforts Sally Hartwig by holding Friends in Christ in your devotions. Your prayers mean so much to us.

August Faith and Grief Luncheon to Feature Greg Dodd Greg Dodd, a certified senior advisor with Seniors Helping Seniors will be the speaker at the August 10 Faith and Grief Luncheon. It is an opportunity for those who have lost loved ones to have a meal and conversation together. The luncheon begins at 12:00 Noon in the Coke Activities Room. Make reservations with Katherine Bowen at kbowen@saintmichael.org. ..............

Prayer Ministry to Meet with Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Canon Michael Gilton will meet with the Prayer Ministry team at its Thursday, August 17 meeting. He will discuss “Prayer Changes You.” The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. in the Coke Activities Room.

Dinner is available for $10. Make reservations at saintmichael.org/prayerteam.

Pre-marriage Counseling Offered in August The Sacrament of Marriage is one of life’s most important commitments. Saint Michael offers pre-marriage counseling to those preparing for this sacrament. There will be four sessions in August: on Sundays 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 10:00 - 11:00 in the Chapel Conference Room. Contact the Assistant for Liturgy and Worship, Dianne Boyd, at dboyd@saintmichael.org to schedule a wedding at Saint Michael.

Greg Pickens 11

Pastoral Care moderate drinking may be harder for those who come from a family with history of alcoholism. Once the line is crossed from moderate drinking to heavy alcohol consumption, the risk for social and medical issues increase drastically.

CARE Dallas, a resource for those seeking help with chemical dependence, is partnering with Saint Michael and All Angels to provide programming and education through the Pastoral Care Ministry.

•

Alcoholism…Does it Run in Families?

Have you ever questioned yourself and thought, “Am I an alcoholic?” Have you tried to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption but found that it was harder than you thought?

Do other members of your family struggle with alcoholism or drug use?

It is true that alcoholism can and does run in some families; in fact, studies show children of alcoholics are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependency. But genes are not the total predictor of whether a person will develop alcoholism.

Behaviors as well as how parents treat their children throughout childhood affect their risk for alcoholism. Studies indicate the following factors of family life which increases the risk of developing alcohol dependency: •

A parent who suffers from severe alcoholism

• An alcoholic parent who also struggles with psychological problems or depression • Both parents struggle with alcohol and/or drug dependency •

Violence and aggressive conflict within the home

Many children who were raised in an alcoholic home do not develop drinking problems. The National Institute of Alcohol lists some preventive measures you can take: •

• 12

Avoid underage drinking: Not only is it illegal, but research shows as a result of genetic and environmental factors, drinking at a young age greatly increases the risk for alcoholism later in life Drink moderately as an adult: Those with a family history of alcohol dependency should always approach drinking in moderation carefully. Maintaining

Talk to someone about your concerns: If you are concerned about your personal drinking or that of a loved one, CARE Dallas is here for you. CARE can help you better understand alcoholism and the health risks of over use. And if you need help to stop drinking, CARE can help you find an appropriate treatment facility or therapist.

For a safe, confidential place to go for help, Call CARE Dallas at 214-526-8986. ..............

Births Welcome to our newest members recently born into our parish family:

Clark Keneman Dolan Clara Kathryn Dolan July 11 Meredith and Bryce Dolan Christopher James Neuhoff July 26 Katherine and John Neuhoff

Deaths May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Edna Jo Davis, July 16, mother of Linda Jo Evans Maria Pabst, July 10, aunt of The Rev. Hiltrude Nusser-Telfer Michael Boone Macauley Barbara Elaine Howell Luckadoo, July 5, wife of John Luckadoo Nancy Pearce Jeffett, July 6, mother of Elizabeth Jeffett, grandmother of Katherine and Austin Smith Shey William Feherty, July 29, son of David Feherty step-son of Anita Feherty, brother of Rory Feherty. half-brother to Erin Feherty and step-brother to Fred and Karl Schneider.

Children and Youth Sunday Classes

Disciples Confirmation Class Registration Deadline August 15 Registration for the 6th grade Disciples Confirmation Class is underway and will close on August 15. The class will meet on Sunday mornings during the academic year, culminating with Confirmation in May of next year.

There is a parents’ meeting on Sunday, August 20 at 12:30 in the Youth Center to review the schedule and requirements for the class. The group’s first retreat will be August 26 and 27 at Camp All Saints with another next spring. In addition the Disciples will have the opportunity to work with a mentor and will participate in a community service project. Register online at www.saintmichael.org/disciples.

Sunday School Registration Opens for Children Classes Registration for fall’s Children Sunday School is underway.

There are age-appropriate classes for children from age 3 through the 5th grade. Children’s registration is at saintmichael.org/children/sundayschool.

Help Our Children The Children and Family Ministry needs volunteers for all of its Sunday School classes this fall. Consider taking one Sunday a month to help in the religious formation of our children. You can choose to teach or assist. Contact Gabrielle Ott at gott@saintmichael. org to volunteer.

Back-to-School Blessings, August 20 The new school year begins for most children in late August (Episcopal School of Dallas, August 23; Highland Park and Dallas ISD, August 28; Saint Michael Episcopal School, August 30) To get the year off to a right start, there will be a blessing of backpacks at every worship service on August 20.

Our children and youth from pre-k to elementary, middle school, and high school, are urged to bring their backpacks to be blessed for a new year of learning. Adults can bring their briefcases, laptops, tablets and Smartphones to be blessed, too. There are plenty of blessings to go around!

13

Youth Ministry Bolivia Mission Trip Gets Bumpy Start Smooth Ending The Youth Ministry mission trip to Amistad in Cochabamba, Bolivia got off to a bumpy start when the group, because of delays at DFW Airport, missed its connecting flight in Miami. The result was a two-night stay at the Trump Hotel near the airport.

Two days later, the missioners reached the Amistad Mission and the work began. After the first day Julia Gray Peters wrote, “We got to spend both the morning and afternoon at Amistad. We learned the basic customs and culture of Cochabamba as well as the origins of the Amistad community. It was interesting to learn the background of the place we will be working for the next week. After another great meal, we went back to Amistad and did arts and crafts with the kids in Casa Esperanza. I made a necklace for Abigail one of the little girls in our house.

Now, we are sitting on the patio of La Morada (our retreat center) waiting to go to dinner with a group of university and technical students.”

The kids were undeterred and made the most of it. As Emma Turner put it, “We all woke up at 10:00, met up in the lobby, and headed to the pool...Complete with pool boys, fresh towels embroidered with the Trump logo, and complimentary sunscreen and aloe vera gel, the pool scene at the Trump Hotel is no doubt one of the best.”

The mission trip returns home on August 1st. You can read the kids daily blog about their adventures online at saintmichael.org.

14

Rector’s Corner is a creative and courageous community, and the future will demand that we maintain that creativity and courage. How we all do church in the future will look very different than what it has been in the past. We have a unique opportunity to help lead the way, maintaining the beautiful parts of our identity while telling the amazing story of Christ in new and more resonant ways.

This is the third of three articles in which I will focus on the three major imperatives of your Vestry, staff, and ministry leadership. We have looked at how we will feed the spirit among us and how we will support each of us finding a +1.

In the coming months and beyond, we will also invest in building our future, one intentional step at a time.

Internally, we will be making strategic investments in the way we connect with one another in our Saint Michael community. The way we experience one another continues to change, and we want to change with it. By employing modern communication techniques and using the most effective technologies, we will facilitate more connections.

We do some excellent and fulfilling programs and ministries, but unless everyone knows about them and can prioritize their time effectively, the amount of activity here can feel overwhelming. Streamlining our communication and making more information available on demand, we will all be able to connect more deeply.

Externally, we will begin to take intentional steps, based on the parish’s previous input and planning efforts, toward reshaping our church campus to be future-focused. Most broadly, I hope that our campus will become a place where we can meet new friends and deepen relationships with old friends. Right now, our campus provides lots of small spaces, but in a growing parish, we will need more large spaces where we can spend time with one another. In addition, I hope that we will be able to reshape our campus to provide space for those outside our church community.

We know that more and more adults are unaffiliated with church communities. Yet being unaffiliated does not necessarily mean that most adults are uninterested. I believe that most adults would love to be deeply connected to a church community, they just simply haven’t made that

connection happen. We can reshape our campus, along with our ministries, to help facilitate deeper connections, but it all starts with getting people here.

One great example of ministries that focus on bringing new people onto our campus is our Farmer’s Market. This year, our market has really taken off, with some Saturday attendance exceeding 1,000 people. We can be proud of our Farmer’s Market, but even better than a good market is one that connects our neighbors to our church family. This year, perhaps for the first time, Farmer’s Market leaders have experienced guests to the market showing up the next day at church. Those guests have such a great experience at the market that they begin to believe that they could also have a great experience in our church.

In addition to programs and ministries that bring neighbors onto our campus, perhaps the single most valuable investment we make in getting new people onto our campus is through the Saint Michael Episcopal School. A church that loves and nurtures the spiritual lives of children is a church that will thrive, and continuing to invest in the growth of our school will give us an amazing opportunity to enrich the lives of children and their families. Over the next few years, SMES will have the chance to grow in number, as well as growing a deeper and more intentional connection to the church. Our investment in children will be even more inclusive of the school’s families, which is good for everyone!

As we begin a new school year, I ask you for two specific things: First, I ask for your prayers as the Saint Michael leadership continues to work hard for our future. Second, I ask for your presence. The future is definitely filled with potential, but unless we all commit to one another, which includes showing up, we will never realize our potential. Together, we can turn that potential into the promise of God’s kingdom right here in this sacred place. May God continue to bless each of us and continue to bless our shared ministry here at Saint Michael!

15

Archangel the

PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX

A monthly publication of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

Saint Michael and All Angels 8011 Douglas Avenue Dallas, Texas 75225-0385

the

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

Summer Worship Schedule

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 7:00 a.m. – Morning Prayer – BMC Tuesday, and Thursday 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. – Joy Mass – Parish Hall 10:00 a.m. – Sunday School 11:00 a.m. – Eucharist Rite I - Church 11:11 a.m. – The Celebration - Parish Hall

Parish Clergy The Reverend Dr. Christopher Girata, Rector The Reverend Dr. Bill Murray, Vicar The Reverend Lisa Flores Musser, Associate for Worship and Liturgy The Reverend Greg Pickens, Associate for Pastoral Care The Reverend Bob Johnston, Associate for Modern Worship The Reverend Rich Towers, Associate for Student Ministries The Reverend Oliver Butler, Associate for Young Adults The Reverend Mary Lessmann, Associate for Spiritual Growth The Reverend Michael Harmuth, Priest Associate for Worship The Reverend Dr. Hiltrude Nusser-Telfer, Priest Associate for Pastoral Care

Parish Vestry Eric Conner, Sr. Warden Margaret Spellings, Jr. Warden Arnold Spencer, Warden at-Large Grady Schleier, Treasurer Charlie Sartain, Chancellor Margaret Cervin, Clerk Bonner Allen, Marla Jacks Briggle, Mark Demler, Whitney Grogan, Warren Houser, Kathy Kelley, Ben Leal, Christine Paddock, Sally Schupp, Elizabeth L. Selzer, J. C. Snead, and Chris Wiley.

www.twitter.com/smaadallas to follow us

5:30 p.m. – Evening Prayer

and Eucharist Rite I - SMC

www.facebook.com/smaadallas click “Like”