Saint Monica's Episcopal Church
Messenger
August 2015
From the Rector’s desk— It’s a new day! by The Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II
It’s a new day in the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. We have a new bishop! The Right Reverend James Russell Kendrick, or “Russell” as he prefers to be called, was consecrated bishop last Saturday in the Mobile civic center. Among the twelve bishops seated on the dais were the Right Reverends Duval, second bishop of this diocese, Duncan, third bishop of this diocese, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts-Schori, and the Presiding Bishop-elect, Michael Curry. The preacher for this service was the Right Reverend McKee “Kee” Sloan, bishop of the diocese of Alabama. There were a lot of Right Reverends at this event! It was spectacular! It’s an exciting time to be an Episcopalian at St. Monica’s, in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, AND in America on the national scene. Change is in the air and all
Bishop Phillip Duncan, 3rd Bishop, passes on the Bishop’s Crozier to Bishop Russell Kendrick the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast during the consecration on July 25 as Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori, left, oversees. Photo courtesy of Good Shepard Church, Mobile.
Our Staff & Vestry The Rev, Anthony MacWhinnie, II, Rector Vestry: Chuck Barnett - Senior Warden Dan Ferguson- Junior Warden/Co-Treasurer Linda Aligood —Treasurer Susan Early, Frank Murphy, Ann Philen & John Velaski Viv Welch—Clerk of the Vestry Brenda Ferguson—Church Secretary Twinette McDonald - Music Director Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
of it seems very positive. I, for one can’t wait to see what’s in store for us. We’ve already begun to grow here at St. Monica’s. What will happen on the bigger scene? It seems like the Holy Spirit is on the move in our Church. Praise be to God! As we embrace the new and look to the future, it’s good to remember the past and honor the good work done there. Nothing happens in a vacuum. No great beginning happens without a great ending. In other words, I believe that we are in a place of eager change and the ability to reach out and strive for the work of the Kingdom of God because Bishop Philip Duncan was the right man, the right bishop, the right priest, and the right shepherd of this diocese for the last 14 years. He shepherded us through some very tumultuous times on the national level and on the diocesan level and he has helped me personally many times both professionally and personally. I thank him for that. I thank the diocese that elected and consecrated him to be its bishop. And I thank God that he was, and is, my bishop. God bless you and keep you Bishop Duncan. As always these days, please keep in your prayers the future of this church. We’re still actively working toward starting the St. Monica’s Thrift Store. There will be a fundraising indoor sale to raise money for the thrift store on September 12. Please save items for this and for the store. Every little bit counts! God bless you all, Anthony+
St. Monica’s Beans & Rice and Emergency Food Pantry
On the last Saturday of every month St. Monica’s gives away dried pinto beans and rice to anyone who stops by. Other weeks of the month people come by the church hungry and in need of help. We are able to assist them with your generous donations of non-perishable food items and monetary donations.
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Saint Monica’s Messenger
A guide to healthy summertime Eating Summer is the season to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden or market. These foods are considered some of the healthiest foods that we can eat. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourages individuals to eat a healthful diet, one that focuses on foods and beverages that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight, promote health and prevent chronic disease. A new program called 5-2-1-0 Let’s Go Escambia is a collaboration between the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County and the Partnership for a Healthy Community.
5 or more fruits and vegetables every day. It encourages us to consume five servings of vegetables and fruit every day. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides vitamins, which are important for supporting growth and development, and optimal immune function in children. Choose fresh, frozen or canned. Eat fruit instead of drinking fruit juice. 2 hours or less recreational screen time Two hours or less of screen time every day especially for children. Too much screen time playing computer games and handheld devices can put you at risk for obesity which is associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and some types of Cancer. 1 hour or more of physical activity Children and their families are encouraged to participate in regular physical activity. Being physically active helps manage weight and reduces the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. To eliminate boredom and monotony, it is important to incorporate a variety of indoor and outdoor activities such as hula hooping, relay games, and tennis. 0 sugary drinks, more water and low-fat milk Zero sugary drinks; more water is the best choice to avoid dehydration. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Drinking soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages puts children at risk for overweight and obesity, dental cavities and inadequate
By Nurse Sally
milk intake. Drink zero sugary beverages. It is recommended that children and their families choose healthy alternatives such as water and low-fat milk instead of sweetened drinks such as sodas, fruit punch and energy drinks. For more information, visit www.5210wfl.com Enjoy your summer, stay healthy. Nurse Sally
Clearing the Air by Jeremiah Sierra June 15, 2015 Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices
A few days ago I had received a somewhat awkward phone call. I volunteer with an organization that advocates for policies and practices to curb climate change, and a colleague from the subcommittee I serve on sent an email out about a new initiative we were about to launch. Except that someone else on a different committee had already begun work on this initiative. So she called me. “Tell me if this sounds petty, but I think it’s just better to clear the air,” she said. In reality, it was a small mistake, but an oversight nonetheless. She’d been working hard and our email completely ignored, and in her view, undermined her work. I can’t say that I enjoyed the phone call, but I appreciated it. She could have sent me an email, but striking the right tone of that kind of message in an email is nearly impossible. Or she could have said nothing, which might have been worse. There are times when we should just let things go, of course. Sometimes the things that bother us are just about our own hang-ups. But there are other times when it’s important to clear the air. Yes, sometimes our grievances are small, but it’s better to acknowledge them and be honest with ourselves than pretend that we can just ignore our hurt feelings or anger. Of course, this only works if we have some perspective. The person who called me knew it was a small thing in the grand scheme of climate change, but she also knew that it bothered her. So we talked it through. Now we can move forward, I hope, and work jointly and with respect for all the hard work everyone is doing. Creating a culture where people are not holding grudges without getting involved in petty grievances is not easy. Leadership can help model this by having these difficult conversations with each other and other members of the congregation when necessary. They can encourage parishioners and staff to be careful with how they use their email correspondence or checking in regularly about problems big and small. In the church, we all basically have the same goal: to love and serve the world. Our common goal doesn’t mean we won’t sometimes hurt each other or feel angry and frustrated. But our community rests on a foundation of love and respect for each other. If we keep this in mind, then it’s a little easier to clear the air.
Saint Monica’s Messenger
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November 1 at Washington National Cathedral: The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of Bishop Michael Bruce Curry as the Presiding Bishop Episcopal News Service, July 29, 2015 Special service to be live webcast! The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Bishop Michael Bruce Curry, will occur on Sunday, November 1 at noon Eastern at Washington National Cathedral. The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, was elected and confirmed as the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church at the 78th General Convention on June 27. According to the Canons of The Episcopal Church, he becomes Presiding Bishop on November 1. Bishop Curry is the first African-American to be elected Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop will be live webcast. The service will be reflective of the comprehensiveness of the Episcopal tradition and community. Bishop Curry will preach at the service. Episcopal, Anglican, ecumenical, and interreligious guests are expected to join bishops, General Convention deputies, Executive Council members, and other leaders, members and guests of The Episcopal Church for the celebration. Please note: Media: media credential applications will be available September 8. Details on media coverage and opportunities will be announced at that time. Tickets: Information on the process for general seating tickets will be announced after Labor Day.
Turtle tracks!
The MacWhinnies with the Presiding Bishop Elect, Michael B. Curry, during celebration festivities of the consecration of Bishop Kendrick. Photo courtesy of the MacWhinnies
Pledge reminder Even though there are many dog days of summer climate still ahead of us here in the Deep South, summer traveling season is nearing an end as children and their parents are preparing to head back to school. St. Monica’s has remained active throughout the summer – the Beans and Rice Ministry continued feeding people, our Thrift Store Committee met and presented their report to the vestry, the Sisterhood of Quilters, altar guild and other ministries continued their work in the church. We know many of you have taken much needed vacations and found it necessary to be away from your church family. We pray you all had a wonderful summer. This is also a time when our church expenses can be higher since air conditioning is working harder, so it can be a challenge for the church if our pledges aren't coming through. This is a gentle reminder that in the summer months the work and the financial responsibilities of the church continue. We are especially grateful for your faithfulness in sending pledges during this time when it is easy to forget.
Thrift Store Fundraising
On July 12, a turtle that had taken up residence in the Chaapel’s garage was returned to the wild at the church pond.
Saturday, September 12 8 am until 2 pm
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Saint Monica’s Messenger
Haneyville 50th Anniversary Pilgrimage From the Coastline Newsletter
The Diocese of Alabama is sponsoring the Annual Pilgrimage to Hayneville, Alabama on August 15, 2015. This year's pilgrimage commemorates the 50th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Episcopalian Seminarian Jonathon Myrick Daniels who was killed in 1965 during the summer of civil rights protests in the area. The 50th anniversary also commemorates the 13 others killed during the struggle for civil rights in Alabama. The Christ Church Parish Chapter of The Brotherhood of St. Andrew and the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will be jointly sponsoring an air conditioned, restroom equipped luxury tour bus to transport those in our diocese who are interested in making the pilgrimage on August 15th. The bus will leave from the Belmont Street Side of Christ Church Parish's Parking Lot in Pensacola, Florida, at 7:00 am and returning the same day at approximately 6:00 pm. The pilgrimage starts at 11:00 am at the Lowndes County Courthouse Square and retraces the steps of Jonathon, as he was released from the jail house to the grocery store where he was fatally shot as he took a bullet to prevent the death of Ruby Sales, another civil rights demonstrator. The march then winds its way back to the Lowndes County Courthouse, where an all-white jury found the white deputy innocent in the killing of Jonathon Myrick Daniels. After a program in the courthouse, the bus will depart for Greenville, Alabama, where the hospitality group from St. Thomas Episcopal Church will provide refresh-
ments and fellowship for an hour. Please bring your own bag lunch and, because of the August heat, plenty of water and a hat or umbrella to provide shade from the searing sun. The cost is $44 per person with a minimum of 30 people needed to make the trip. We will make several stops along the way to Hayneville, so if you are interested in riding the bus and can meet us on 29 North or one of the I-65 exits, please contact Joe McDaniel at 415-225-9066 or at mcdanieljoe43@yahoo.com. Please mail your checks to Joe McDaniel 709 Roanne Lane, Pensacola, FL 32505 and make the checks payable to "Christ Church Parish" with "Hayneville Pilgrimage" indicated on the notation line. The deadline for receipts of checks is August 1st. Thank You.
What is Cursillo? Cursillo (“Cur see yo”) is a three-day weekend that introduces people to simple methods for nurturing and growing their relationships with Christ. It provides an experience of living in a Christian community centered in worship, prayer, study of scripture, and interaction with other Christians. Its mission is to build up our parish churches by encouraging and empowering its members to prepare for doing the work of the church- the spreading of the Gospel. Why go? The cost is covered by generous donations from the members of the Cursillo family. It is relaxing. It is fun. It is a rare opportunity to spend three days of undistracted attention to what God has to say to us. All your needs will be take care of. The food is delicious. If you ask people who have been, most will tell you that it was a very positive and valuable experience. Many will tell you that it was a starting point for important changes in their relationships with Christ
Where is it located? Camp Beckwith 10400 Beckwith Lane, Fairhope, AL 36532 Rooms have a private bath and 2 beds. What do I need for the weekend? Casual clothes No alcohol Personal care items An attitude of adventure Your favorite pillow if you are particular about those things What’s expected of participants? To be open and willing to respond to what you experience, to share your feelings with others, and allow them to share theirs with you. To make a genuine effort to discover where you are and where or how you can grow in your Christian life. To feel secure in the knowledge that you are accepted where you are and as you are, and to know that a specific response is not expected of you. The next Cursillo is September 10—13. If you are interested, please let a vestry member know.
Ron Philen Trey MacWhinnie Balee McGuffin Tom Chaapel & Dave Somerville
Viv Welch Ushers Ray Farrel & Jeff Woods
Beth Woods
Kathryn Chappel
Chuck Barnett & Connie Chamberlin
Beth Woods
Ushers
Bill Ramsey & Jim Morningstar
Need volunteers
Lector Epistle reading
Altar
Greeters
Oblation Bearers
Ushers
Nursery
Beth Woods
Pauline Somerville
Carol Farrel
Arrangers
Eucharistic Visitor
John Velaski
Jackie Wright
Open
Carol Farrel
Valerie Smith
Open
Beth Woods & Twila Hinton
* If you are unable to meet your obligation, please call a replacement, or swap with someone.
Ray Farrel
Open
Open
Flowers
Connie Chamberlin & Dora Giles
Audrey Westbrook & Barbara Cross
TBA
Need Volunteers
Ray Farrel & Bill Ramsey
Jim Morningstar & Frank Murphy Need volunteers
Ushers
Ray Farrel
Jeanine Black
Open
POTLUCK
Need volunteers
Bill Ramsey & Jim Morningstar
Ushers
Beth Woods
Ron & Ann Philen
Bill & Sally Putters Ushers
Dave Somerville
Kathryn Chappel
Valerie Smith & Dave Somerville
Trey MacWhinnie Balee McGuffin
Carol Farrel
Carol Farrel
Fred Woods
Frank Murphy
August 30
John Velaski & Dave Somerville
Kathryn Chappel
Need volunteers
Coffee Hour
Acolytes
John Velaski
Connie Chamberlin
Texan Stephens
Carol Farrel
Psalm Ray Farrel
Chuck Barnett
Pauline Somerville
Mike Scordato
Fred Woods
Chuck Barnett
Connie Chamberlin
August 23
Dave Somerville
August 16
Frank Murphy
August 9
Dave Somerville
Eucharistic Minister Lector 1st Lesson
August 2
Service Schedule for August 2015
August Prayer Requests
Military and First Responders Prayer List
John Aligood Don Blankenship Butch Brazel Bill Cross Connie Godwin Mike Godwin Nancy Holland Kendra Hughes Kedra Macon Shawna Martinson
Connor Aligood Adrian Blachuta Adam Blankenship Brian Condon Daryl Coy Field Cross Mark Feely Patrick Ferguson Aaron Gaff
Bob Matlock Paul Palmer Dee Dee Slettahaugh Frank & Polly Welch Brennis Whaley
Birthdays in August…
Benjamin Gaff Tim Hartford Johnny Hurd James Klinginsmith William Knapp Andrew Kuntz Nicholas Matroni Chase Scott Jeremy Wright
7, Ron Philen; 8, Jennifer Johnson; 10, Elizabeth MacWhinnie; 11, Tom Chaapel; 12, Danise Beadle, Jeanine Black; 20, Melaine Velaski; 23, Connie Chamberlin; 24, Linda Aligood; 27, John Velaski; 30, Valerie Smith
Anniversaries in August… 7, Frank & Wimberley Murphy
If your birthday or anniversary is not listed or it is not correct, please let Viv Welch know.
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church 699 South Highway 95-A Cantonment, Florida 32533
Phone: 850-937-0001 E-mail: Office@st-monicas.org We’re on the web at Www.st-monicas.org The peace of the Lord be always with you.