Saint Monica's Episcopal Church
Messenger
April 2016
From the Rector’s desk
by Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II
We are a resurrection people! Happy Easter! How many times have you heard that phrase throughout your life? “Christians are a resurrection people.” A lot, I’m sure. And it’s true, we really are a resurrection people. Our church, our culture, our understanding of our God… Our very lives depend on this core concept of resurrection. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, died and was buried, and on the third day rose again. Christ overcame death through death. He was resurrected. But what does it mean to be resurrected? Well, at the very heart of understanding resurrection is the understanding that something has to die first, to be resurrected. Yeah, that’s the hard part, isn’t it? That whole dying thing… If only we could get to the resurrection without having to die! Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Yes, it would. But it doesn’t work like that. For there to be a resurrection, there has to be a death. That’s why so often, our attempts to change ourselves, our lives, our core being, fall short. It’s because we haven’t fully died to the old life, the old way of being. We want the resurrection without the death! We want the easy way, the quick way. Death is hard work sometimes, and we have to diligently put the work in if we want to experience a resurrection to the new life on the other side. So, consider how you want to be resurrected in your life. What would be better if it were different? So, now… What is it in your life that needs to die, so that you can be resurrected in that new and glorious way? We are an Easter people. You are an Easter person. Find what needs to die, and let it. And then… Be Resurrected! Peace, Anthony+
Our Staff & Vestry Rev, Anthony MacWhinnie, II, Rector Vestry: Chuck Barnett - Senior Warden Dan Ferguson- Junior Warden/Co-Treasurer Linda Aligood —Treasurer Susan Early, Ann Philen, John Velaski & Beth Woods Viv Welch—Clerk of the Vestry Brenda Ferguson—Church Secretary Twinette McDonald - Music Director Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
How can you help? Doggie Wish list Purina Dog Chow (green bag) Purina ONE Healthy Puppy (red bag) Canned Pedigree (Adult & Puppy)/Canned Alpo (Chopped) Treats of all kinds! Purina Little Bites (yellow bag) Topical Flea Prevention Heartguard heartworm preventative Kitty Wish list KMR Kitten Weaning Formula (powdered) Purina Kitten Chow/Purina Cat Chow Canned Fancy Feast (No fishy flavors please) Carpeted Scratching Posts Corrugated Cardboard Scratching Pads Topical Flea Prevention Heartguard heartworm preventative Human Wish list Postage Stamps (URGENT!) #10 Security Left Window Envelopes Paper Towels Laundry Detergent Pine Sol Bleach 30 Gallon Garbage Bags Rubbermaid Professional Plus Mop heads Fabuloso Lowe's or Home Depot Gift Cards Clinic Wish list Paper Towels Newspaper 50 gallon trash bags used prescription bottles sheets, towels, linens laundry detergent (HE) liquid hand soap disinfectant wipes hand sanitizer Copy paper stamps AA lithium batteries