St. Monica's Messenger Newsletter, February 2016

Saint Monica's Episcopal Church

Messenger

February 2016

From the Rector’s desk

by Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II

Lent… The final frontier… These are the voyages of the Episcopal Church, St. Monica’s.

I’ve always wanted to start a newsletter that way! As silly as it sounds, there’s actually something to the idea that this is a voyage, or a journey. We’re on it together, but ultimately it’s an individual journey isn’t it? That’s a fair metaphor for life in general, but especially for a season like Lent.

Or is it actually a fair metaphor? Individuality, or individualism, the idea that we are alone is really a lie we tell ourselves. Why? I don’t know. But how many of us are really alone? It may feel that way at times but it doesn’t take much effort to find another’s input. If we reach out, it’s the rare person that won’t find someone reaching back.

If we but reach out…

And that’s my real point. Lent may seem like an individual journey, but that’s only if we allow it to be. Most of us will take on some discipline for Lent, or maybe we’ll give something up. And we’ll have varying success in achieving those goals. But do you know who will do better at achieving their goals? It will be the ones who share their goals with other people. It will be the ones who reach out and make this journey through Lent with at least one other person.

So, I want to charge you this Lent. Do something. And do it with someone else. Take on a discipline. Give something up. Be penitential. Be prayerful. Fast. Do those things that this season is known for. And not only that, but rely on someone else. Be accountable to them.

In short, share this journey with someone.

On Wednesdays in Lent (not including Ash Wednesday) we’ll be having Soup Suppers at St. Monica’s. We’ll share this journey together. We’ll learn some things, about Lent, and about ourselves, and about each other.

Join us.

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?

Donate Cash or $25 gift cards from Walmart or Target Individually wrapped snacks and juice boxes Diapers NEW socks and underwear - all sizes for girls and boys Gently used items: Size 2 and 4 boys' winter clothes Boys/adults jackets/sweatshirts sizes 12-18; adult sizes S-XL Teen boys' pants waist 31" Long sleeved shirts size 18-24 months and children's' through size 12 for boys and girls Winter outfits or warm sleeping garments Newborn through 3 months Thanks to everyone for supporting our Charities of the Month.

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Saint Monica’s Messenger

February is He rt Health month By Nurse Sally To love your heart is a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your family and friends. Because when you take care of your heart, you will enjoy a longer, healthier life. So you can be there, in good health, for your loved ones.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 11, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am to be at St. Monica’s Heart Health Screening Program. The team from Sacred Heart Hospital will be there providing free services, including blood pressure and heart rate checks, laboratory test including Hemoglobin or Hematocrit, glucose, cholesterol and blood count. Consultation will be provided regarding your screening results and evaluation of your general health.

Nutritional and activity impacts on your health will also be discussed.

The American Heart Association provides the following information – Heart Disease, not cancer, is the Number One National Wear Red Day killer of women in America. And it is often preFriday, February 5 ventable.

Most common Stroke Warning Signs: (American Heart Association)  Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.  Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.  Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.  Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.  Sudden, severe headaches with no known cause.

Any of the above symptoms may be temporary and last only few minutes. Don’t ignore them. If symptoms appear call 911 to get medical attention immediately.

Common Heart Attack warning Signs:  Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing fullness or pain.  Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms may occur other areas of the upper body and can include

Free Heart Heath Clinic Thursday, February 11 9 to 11:30 am In the Narthex

Brought to you by your Parish Nurse and Sacred Heart Health Systems

pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Atrial fibrillation, what is it? and why it matters: AFIB is a quivering or irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart related problems, About 2.7 million Americans are living with it.

Symptoms (Some people have no symptoms others may have the following):  Rapid and irregular heartbeat  Fluttering or thumping in the chest  Dizziness  Shortness of breath and anxiety  Weakness  Faintness or confusion  Fatigue when exercising  Chest pain or pressure If you or someone you love has atrial fibrillation, learn more about it, why treatment can save lives, and how you can save lives, and lower your risks and live a healthy life. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ ++Nurse Sally

Men’s Conference 2016 The 35th Men's Conference and Retreat, “The Also life: Life Beyond the Life We Know,” will be held March 4 through 6 at Beckwith Conference Center. The presenter will be the Rev. Barbara Crafton, Priest, Author and Spiritual Director.

Barbara Cawthorne Crafton is an Episcopal priest, spiritual director, and well known author. She also leads retreats and teaches throughout the United States. The women of Christ Church recently benefited from her leadership at their fall retreat. She also has visited the Central Gulf Coast when she was the preacher for our own Walt Kindergan's ordination. Perhaps Barbara is most well known as the head of the Geranium Farm, an institute for the promotion of spiritual growth. As a priest she has served Trinity Wall Street, St. James', the American Church in Florence Italy, St. John’s-in-the-Village in Greenwich Village, and at St. Clement’s in Manhattan’s theater district. In addition to her other responsibilities she serves at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Metuchen, New Jersey, where she also makes her home with her English professor husband, Richard Quaintance.

Click here to register.

Saint Monica’s Messenger

Diocesan Convention 2016 From the Coastline, January 19, 2016

Delegates, clergy and guests will gather at St. Paul's, Daphne, AL, February 18 – 20 for the 45th annual Convention of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Included in the actions to be taken by the clergy and delegates are consideration of resolutions and the election of members to the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

The scheduled events for the convention are still being finalized. Please click on the Convention Webpage link for all conventions details, including the schedule.

The Host Convention Committee, headed by Ken McNamara and Tim Op't Holt, has blocked accommodations at four near-by hotels in Daphne and Spanish Fort; further details were provided in the Clergy and Delegates Pre-Convention packet and can be found at the link above.

Note that the special convention hotel rates are only effective until January 15.

The Friday evening Gala social event cost is included in the registration fee for the Convention, but others may attend the event at a cost of $55 per person. There will be heavy hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, a band and dancing, and fellowship. If you would like to assist with the Gala food service, we welcome and invite diocesan friends to join in as butler servers for passed food items. Those interested should contact Gala Coordinator Judi Gulledge at (251) 626-5355.

Anyone who has ever hosted a Diocesan Convention can attest to the hard work and long hours involved, and parishioners at St. Paul's, Daphne are looking forward to it.

“To plan, organize, and accomplish this is quite a challenge,” noted Ken McNamara, “but it is also a perfect opportunity to use our wonderful St. Paul's campus and Life Center and have our parishioners welcome and assist our diocesan friends.”

Note: St. Monica’s Delegates to Convention this year are Brenda Ferguson, Dodie Matlock and Viv Welch. We ask your prayers for the Convention, all delegates and clergy.

“HOPE”

Shrove Tuesday

Pancake Supper February 9 5 pm until

In the Parish Hall Donations greatly appreciated

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A letter to the congregation from your vestry Dear Ones, Over a year ago St. Monica’s embarked on a journey of faith and discovery. Financially, everyone said it would be impossible for this little church to EVER afford a full time priest. The vestry and members of St. Monica’s knew different though, and asked a simple question… “How can we afford NOT to?”

Through a miracle of timing and the action of the Holy Spirit, Father Anthony was able and willing to come to St. Monica’s. It was, of course, on a temporary basis. No one could see being able to afford a full time priest more than the 6 months of reserves that the church was projected to have. Father Anthony and his family would be here from Advent through Easter, and no more. That is how long the money would hold out.

Well, Easter of last year came and went, and there was no way that we could end this relationship with the MacWhinnies. And low and behold, miraculously, there was money available. Somehow. Some way. Through the answering of prayer, the generous giving of the congregation, and the diligent and creative work of your vestry, we’ve made the reserves last until now.

This letter is to let you know just how hard the vestry has been working. We’ve moved funds around in every way that we know how, but we’re to the end of that ability.

We need help. We need prayer. We need action.

The thrift store is shortly to get off the ground. There will be a lag, of course, before that begins to help our coffers. We’re looking for a manager to get it going, so if you know of a qualified applicant, please let us know. We’re also asking that if you are behind on pledges, please do catch up, if you can. We’re also asking that if you don’t already pledge, please pledge!

There are other ways that you as members can help.

Chiefly, invite your friends and family to church! You know, one of the major draws to St. Monica’s is us, we ourselves. We’re great to be around! We’re great to worship with! We’re great to learn and grow with! St. Monica’s people are our main asset. Recently, there was a visitor to our church who is a professor at Sewanee. She’s actually a professor of Church Development. She reported to both Father Anthony AND Bishop Russell that we are a truly welcoming church! She’s actually in a position to know what that looks like. A lot of churches say they are… but aren’t… Apparently, we’re a good example! The bishop is impressed with us and glad to hear this news.

Let’s resolve to build on our successes. Bring people in.

Bring them to your church. Show them the love we have for each other and show them Jesus! We are in a crunch financially, but we will survive. We just need your help, every one of you. Together we can do the work that God has set for us to do.

Together, we can.

Your St. Monica’s Vestry, 2016

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Saint Monica’s Messenger

Prison Ministry Cycle of Prayer

Happening is a spiritual formation weekend presented

BY teenagers FOR teenagers.

The weekend includes: talks given by teenage staff and clergy, games, music, prayer, and unique worship experiences.

ALL 10-12th graders are invited!

Spiritual Directors for the weekend include the Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick and the Rev. Mary Alice Mathison The cost is $60.

Financial Assistance is available upon request.

Please contact Jen Manning, Happening Coordinator at happening@cgcyouth.org if you have questions or would like to have your parish sign up to host a drive for materials we need for the weekend.

REGISTER ONLINE at www.cgcyouth.org or visit the registration page: https://goo.gl/yMiDD4

The Diocesan Commission on Prison Ministry has developed a Cycle of Prayer for prisons, prisoners, staff, and families of prisoners and staff, encouraging prayers for various institutions in the Diocese.

A copy of the complete Cycle of Prayer is available from the Diocesan office.

Please make your prayers for the inmates, staff, victims of crime, and their families at each of these institutions rather than for the institutions themselves.

Feb 7, 2016 Washington County Jail, Chipley, Florida Feb 14, 2016 Apalachee Correctional Institution, East Unit & West Unit, Sneads, Florida Feb 21, 2016 Bay Correctional Facility & Juvenile Facility, Panama City, Florida For Prisons and Correctional Institutions Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen. (BCP, page 826)

Iconographers workshop From the Coastline, January 19, 2016

Iconographer Teresa Harrison will conduct a five-day retreat on icon writing at St. Christopher's, Pensacola, April 18-22. Icons are aids to prayer and meditation, considered to be expressions of devotion rather than works of art. Icons are said to be "written," not "painted."

Each day will begin with a celebration of the Eucharist, guided by spiritual reflection, periods of silence, and group discussion. This process inspires prayerful meditation, both while creating the icon and reflecting on the finished piece. Beginners and experienced iconographers are welcomed.

Teresa Harrison is a lifelong Episcopalian who has been writing icons for twenty years. She has benefited from study with master iconographers. Teresa's patient and calm spirit as well as her contagious joy in icon writing inspires beginners as well as experienced iconographers.

The Rev. Bob Graves will join Teresa as chaplain for this retreat.

Class fee is $410.00. Class size is limited. Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day. Lunch will be provided. For more information and registration contact: Dianne Blair at (850) 377-4167 adblair52@gmail.com; Teresa Harrison at (619) 206-8116 tshart2@gmail.com, www.teresaharrison.com.

Trey MacWhinnie

Connie Chamberlin

Beth Woods

Psalm

Lector Epistle reading

Ray Farrel & Jim Morningstar Carol Farrel POTLUCK LUNCH TBA Pauline Somerville

Jim Morningstar & Chuck Barnett Ann Philen Dodie Matlock & Mike Scordato TBA Jeanine Black

Bill Ramsey & Jeff Woods Beth Woods Connie Chamberlin & Dora Giles TBA Valerie Smith

Ray Farrel & Jim Morningstar

Carol Farrel

Audrey Westbrook & Barbara Cross

TBA

Jackie Wright

Ushers

Nursery

Coffee Hour

Flowers

Arrangers

Dan Ferguson

Vestry of the Day

Beth Woods

Linda Aligood

Ray Farrel

* If you are unable to meet your obligation, please call a replacement, or swap with someone.

Chuck Barnett

John Velaski

Eucharistic Visitor Ray Farrel

Carol Farrel

Ron & Ann Philen

Bill & Sally Putters

Beth Woods

Viv Welch

Valerie Smith

Katherine Chaapel

Greeters

Trey MacWhinnie & Bailee McGuffin John Velaski & Dave Somerville

Ray Farrel

Carol Farrel

Chuck Barnett

Connie Chamberlin

February 28

Tom Chaapel & Dave Somerville

Altar

Acolytes

Katherine Chaapel

Ray Farrel

Carol Farrel

Chuck Barnett

Connie Chamberlin

February 21

Trey MacWhinnie & Bailee McGuffin Chuck Barnett & Connie Chamberlin

Pauline Somerville

Fred Woods

Mike Scordato

Lector 1st Lesson

Dave Somerville

Ron Philen

February 14

Eucharistic Minister

February 7

Service Schedule for February 2016

February Prayer Requests

Military and First Responders Prayer List

John Aligood Bill Cross Myna Caldwell Tracie Ferguson Ashton Gaff Barb Giles Goodwin Family Hogan Family Juliana Horn Wayne Horn Knapp Children Julian Lewis Myron Lewis

Connor Aligood Adam Blankenship Josh Brayman Brian Condon Daryl Coy Field Cross Mark Feely Patrick Ferguson Aaron Gaff Adrian Gaff Benjamin Gaff

Blake & Christopher Love Daniel Lynch Bob Matlock Eleanor S. Margaret Schaff Rusty Sellers Dave Somerville Rick Thompson Brennis Whaley Marcella Young Ronald Young Zoey Dickenson

Tim Heartford Mark Hill Johnny Hurd James Klinginsmith William Knapp Andrew Kuntz Cody Melancon Chase Scott Jeremy Wright

Birthdays in February…

6, Kathy Vail; 13. Mary Currie

Anniversaries in February…

16, John & Melanie Velaski

If your birthday or anniversary is not listed or not listed correctly, please call the church office.

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!