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.