August 2018
From the Rector’s Desk “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 It’s August and we are in the full heat of summer. It’s tempting to retreat into the cool of the air-conditioning at home and never come out, isn’t it? We weren’t made for this heat! Or were we? You know, life is often like the weather is right now. It gets tough and we want to retreat. We want to get back to a comfortable place and just stay there. We want to fall back to our old familiar patterns. In fact, sometimes we can’t help ourselves. But, when we do that, we never grow. We never get past those old failings. I don’t believe we were made to live like that. We were made to move. We were created to improve. We are mobile creatures both in body and spirit. Our task is to notice when we fall into those old habits, and then work on them. Those old habits never helped us in the past, why not change them now? Some of us have eating problems. Some of us, drinking. Some of us can’t say no to other people. Some of us have anger issues. Some of us need more exercise. And, I guess, some of us are perfect just the way we are (not me!). These are all a part of our everyday lives, but we don’t have to live to serve these problems. We can make decisions and take actions now to head those issues off at the pass. It starts with not making excuses for our problems. It starts with not placing blame. It starts with taking responsibility. It starts with moving on from the past. Today is a new day. Move on. Change. Yes, it’s nice to be cool and comfortable, isn’t it? But, we were made for the heat. We were made for the changes that get us closer to the being and the plan that God has in store for us. All we have to do is get moving. When my kids ask
Our Staff & Vestry Rev, Anthony MacWhinnie, II, Rector Vestry: Beth Woods - Senior Warden, Jim Warner Junior Warden Dora Giles—Treasurer Susan Early & Margaree Mills-Fitchett Kelly Fitzgerald—Clerk Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
me how we’ll ever get through with whatever monumental task has them worried, I tell them “the same way you eat an elephant…” “One bite at a time…” Anthony+
Burnin’ down the debt We are more than one-quarter of the way through our Burn-a-Debt campaign and the committee is pleased to report that we came very close to our target for the month of July raising $4,394. What an amazing commitment you all have made toward our goal. The committee was overwhelmed by so many of you who came forward to use your time and talent to think of unique and exciting fundraising ideas. Currently we are selling tickets to raffle the beautiful Episcopal Shield art work by Dodie Matlock. This would make a lovely faith statement in your home or office or if you’re the lucky winner, you may consider donating it back to St. Monica’s or to the Diocesan Office. The Sisterhood of Quilters have donated a lovely queen size quilt which will be raffled in a few weeks. We will follow these up with some wonderful wooden art pieces hand-made and donated by Ray Farrel which would make great gifts for almost any occasion. Please consider asking your friends and co-workers to buy tickets for the raffles. There are no restrictions on who can win any of the items. Keep up the good work and we will continue posting updates whenever they are available.
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Safety tips for those Dog Days of Summer By Nurse Sally Putters Late July and early August are what’s known as the “Dog Days of Summer” and we are have entered the last half 2018. Beach activities are waning and school will soon begin the fall season. This has certainly been a short, hot summer. Bill, Patty and I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers for our daughter Pam who suffered a serious accident several weeks ago when she was hit by a city bus in Milwaukee. She was walking with the walk light in a crosswalk when the bus made a wrong turn hitting her and throwing her under the bus. She sustained a broken right leg, broken pelvis, a crushed right shoulder and multiple fractures of her right arm, hand and wrist and received a concussion. She spent weeks in the hospital/rehab but is home now and confined to a wheel chair. Crush nerves caused her to lose the use of her right arm. She is determined to be walking by the end of the month and is beginning to get some usage of the right hand. We feel she was truly blessed. Our summer passes rapidly and Pam’s accident brings to mind safety for the hot and humid weather. This year, a record number of children have died from heat stroke in hot cars. It isn’t about irresponsible people intentionally leaving children in cars; the vast majority of cases occur when a child is mistakenly left or gets into a vehicle unattended and becomes trapped. It doesn’t need to be a hot day; when the temperature outside is as low as 60 degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach 110 degrees. If a child’s body temperature reaches 107 degrees, the child will die. Parents and other caregivers must also understand when and how quickly heatstroke can happen. Information on how to prevent this tragedy and save children’s lives is available for parents and caretakers on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website . SKIN CARE— The sun has been brutal this year, so be aware of sunburn. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. Protect the skin you’re in by ensuring you are using sun screen as directed. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 before you go outside, even on slightly cloudy or cool days. Don’t forget to put a thick layer on all parts of exposed skin. For more information, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/ basic_info/sun-safety.htm. INSECT BITES—The damp, hot summer can lead to many problems, especially bugs. Bugs (including mosquitoes, ticks, and some flies) can spread diseases (including Zika, dengue, and Lyme disease), many of which cannot be prevented or treated with a vaccine or medicine. Reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites. Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitos are most active. Cover exposed skin by wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks. Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain at least 20% DEET applied to the skin and di-
rectly to clothing. Common repellants are DEET, and Pircaridin . Repellants can be applied to exposed skin. Avoid areas where there is woods, sand and water. Take precaution against disease by washing with soap and water. God Bless, Nurse Sally
In-house Charities of the month This month we are focusing our Charity of the Month efforts on St. Monica’s Beans and Rice Ministry and Emergency Food Pantry. With the start of school some families in our community will be struggling to make ends with the expense of back to school supplies and clothing Fortunately in times like these, St. Monica’s Emergency Food Pantry and Beans and Rice Ministry can be a blessing to those families. The Emergency Food Pantry is available to anyone with a need. Sometimes it is a homeless person who stops by the church for help. Other times it can be a family whose sole bread winner is temporarily out of work. On the last Saturday of every month, we give away 60 pounds of beans and 90 pounds of rice to families in need. Quite often, these families consist of grandparents raising grandchildren without financial assistance. Sometimes they are single parents raising multiple children. And sometimes they are families just like yours who need a little help to get through a rough patch. Whatever the case may be, they are all grateful and bless those who serve them with smiles, handshakes, hugs and stories that warm their hearts. In order for us to help others by keeping these ministries going, we need your assistance. Monetary donations to the Beans and Rice Ministry allows us to buy in bulk which enables us to help more families. Donations of canned meat, canned vegetables, peanut butter and other non-perishable foods are always needed for the Food Pantry. In addition, if you would like to help with the Beans and Rice Ministry, we gather together in the Parish Hall after church on the third Sunday of every month to package the beans and rice. With multiple people helping, it only takes about 30 minutes to package the 30 units needed each month. Volunteers are also needed to distribute Beans and Rice from 9 until 1100 am on the last Saturday following the monthly fellowship breakfast. Any assistance you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Trey MacWhinnie, Gabe Hernandez Amy Hart Valarie Smith & Carol Farrel Jeff Woods & Jim Warner
Carol Farrel Trey MacWhinnie, Gabe Hernandez Amy Hart Connie Chamberlin & Chuck Barnett Jeff Woods & Chuck Barnett Ann Philen Dora Giles & Margie Fitchett To the glory of God Valerie Smith
Fred Woods
Trey MacWhinnie, Amy Hart
John Velaski & Carol Farrel
Bill Ramsey & Jim Warner
Carol Farrel
Beth Woods & Audrey Westbrook
To the glory of God
Beth Woods
John Velaski
Lector Epistle Reading
Acolytes
Altar
Ushers
Nursery
Coffee Hour
Flowers
Arrangers
Eucharistic Visitor
Ray Farrel
Jim Morningstar
To the glory of God
Susan Early & Julie Hart
Beth Woods
Beth Woods
August 26
John Velaski
Beth Woods
Carol Farrel
Valerie Smith
To the glory of God
TBA
POTLUCK Nancy Collins & Beth Woods
To the glory of God
Carol Farrel
Jim Morningstar & Ron Giles
Jim Morningstar & Ron Giles Carol Farrel
John Velaski & Carol Farrel
Trey MacWhinnie, Gabe Hernandez Amy Hart
Beth Woods
Trey MacWhinnie
Kathy Vail
Ray Farrel
September 2
John Velaski
Trey MacWhinnie, Gabe Hernandez Amy Hart
Ray Farrel
Bill Hart
Carol Farrel
John Velaski
* If you are unable to meet your obligation, please call a replacement, or swap with someone.
Carol Farrel
Fred Woods
Ray Farrel
Trey MacWhinnie
Psalm
Chuck Barnett
Bill Hart
Bill Hart
Ray Farrel
Lector 1st Lesson
Ron Philen
August 19
John Velaski
August 12
Eucharistic Minister
August 5
Service Schedule for August 2018
August Prayer Requests
Military and First Responders Prayer List
Barbara Anagnostis Ruth Bates Sandra Bruce Tyler Calaya Michael Christian Tammy Edwards Tracie Ferguson Elmer Fitchett Debbie Fulgham Jeff Glassey TuWanda Harwood Twyla Hinton Debbie Hughes Helen Johnson Bobby K.
Adam Blankenship Brian Condon Field Cross Aaron Gaff Adrian Gaff Benjamin Gaff Justin Hanson
Bob Matlock Mary McDonald Pam Nellum John Nicholls IV Chris Palma Rachel Palma Ashton Resmondo Maggie Rose Rodak Rusty Sellers Toni Simmons and baby Texann Stephens Nancy Stewart Cortland T. Sybil Williams
Birthdays in August
7, Ron Philen; 8, Amber Ferguson; Jennifer Johnson; 12, Danise Beadle; 20, Melanie Velaski; 23, Connie Chamberlin; 27, John Velaski; 30, Valerie Smith
Anniversaries in August 7, Frank & Wimberly Murphy
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church 699 South Highway 95-A Cantonment, Florida 32533 We’re on the web at Www.st-monicas.org
Phone: 850-937-0001 E-mail: Office@st-monicas.org All are welcome!
James Klinginsmith William Knapp Andrew Kuntz Cody Melancon Johnny Nichols Paul Royer Chase Scott
Prison Ministry Cycle of Prayer Please make your prayers for the inmates, staff, victims of crime everywhere, and their families at each of these institutions rather than for the institutions themselves. Aug. 5, 2018 Clarke County Jail, Grove Hill, Alabama Aug. 12, 2018 Pike County Jail, Troy, Alabama Aug. 19, 2018 Conecuh County Jail, Evergreen, Alabama Aug. 26, 2018 Baldwin County Jail, Bay Minette, Alabama