Saint Monica's Episcopal Church
Messenger
January 2014
Full Faith, Empty Churches by Robert Hendrickson on December 6, 2013 from ECF Vital Posts The other day, I heard an old saying for the first time – “Full faith means an empty church.” The implication of the aphorism is that a church that is preaching the fullness of the Gospel will quickly find itself without a congregation. The demands and charge of the fullness of the Christian faith are simply too much for many of us to bear for long. Yet, I am beginning to think that the phrase might be heard differently. Can living the full faith of the Church lead us to buildings that are empty not because the faithful are frightened by the Gospel but because they are enlivened by it and finding their fulfillment serving those most in need in our communities around us? The challenge for the Church amidst the changes taking place all around us is not for us to attract more believers to our buildings but to welcome those all around us deeper into Christ-shaped living. This won’t happen through the force of our pulpits or the power of our teaching alone but through the simplicity of lived Christian faith. Our congregants are our chief missionaries and evangelists – they are equipped for lives of purpose that draw others to see something of Christ. Full faith doesn’t mean that our buildings are absent of faithful men and women but that our buildings are the way station for the faithful to draw strength and hope from being in Christ’s Presence so that they can go out refreshed and renewed for the work of Christian living. It has been this way since the very beginning. St Peter on one level appeared to be everything that faithful Christian should not be. And yet, before it was all over, Peter became the rock upon which the Church would be founded and a powerful evangelist and missionary for Christ. His life is a testimony to what God can do with a life offered to his service. At some point, over the course of his ministry, Jesus goes from saying “get thee behind me” to “Feed my Lambs.” Jesus knew Peter and knew what and who he was called to be.
Our Staff & Vestry Vestry: Chuck Barnett - Senior Warden, Dan Ferguson- Junior Warden, Ann Philen, Bill Ramsey, Melanie Velaski, Beth Woods, Linda Aligood, Tom Chaapel, Frank Murphy Carol Farrel - Treasurer Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva - Music Director Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
Convicted by the teaching and preaching of John the Baptist, Peter’s brother Andrew tells Peter of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Peter’s journey is one of faith, endurance, mistakes, mis-steps, tragedies, martyrdom, and reward. He takes a journey from beholding to becoming. From beholding the Lamb of God to becoming the Body of Christ. Jesus knew that life with him, despite Peter’s failings, would transform Peter and make him strong enough to bear the Church. And he knows this of us too. The new occupant of the throne of Peter seems to understand this call to go out if the reports of his leaving the Vatican at 1am to go out and to be with the poor and the hungry are true. The Swiss Guard are, of course, upset that the pope is taking such risks and yet there is the heart of the Gospel calling us to risk so that others may see and know. In the Church, we are called to behold and become – to know the living Body and to make it known. In so many ways, despite our belief and our unbelief, we are being welcomed into the new life of the Risen Christ. This Body itself is not outwardly visible – it needs outward signs to be known to the world. It is our willingness to show forth in our lives what we proclaim with our lips that shows what it means to be the Church. In a time when fewer and fewer people will read Scripture growing up or receive the Sacraments as part of their everyday life – it is that much more vital that we offer some way for them to see and know something of the simple kindness and love of Christ. Are we saved by being kind? No. Are we saved if we aren’t kind? Possibly. Will we help others to see the love of God if we aren’t kind? Probably not. Probably not because being of the Body – truly knit to Christ – means allowing ourselves to be more fully drawn into a life of self-offering. A life marked by a lack of faith, hope, or charity is probably not one that is fully of the Body. This may be at the heart of sainthood and of sanctification – we grow in relationship with God and as we do so our outward lives are transformed to ever more resemble the inward grace we are blessed with. We are being called to a missionary life – to one that gives of itself outside the doors of our churches. The paradox is that as we see our lives ever more deeply formed by the missional imperative to go out we will find our Continued on page 2
Page 2
Saint Monica’s Messenger
Continued from page 1 churches even more full as the next generation of believers is called to come and see. The Church’s challenge is to move from an attractional model of ministry that is based on creating programming and a more impressive show to an incarnational one rooted in the lived Christian experience of every believer living into their identity as the Body. This starts at the Altar. We receive the Body so that we might grow into its likeness. Yet the Mass is not a moment outside of time but is time most fully experienced. In the Presence of the Holy we know our true self revealed and exposed so that we might truly be present. It is not simply Transubstantiation that is being effected but a substantial transformation of ourselves, our hopes, our intentions, and our purpose. Yet after offering, blessing, breaking, and sharing comes a sending forth with strength and courage. We are given a measure of Christ’s own self to offer it to others. We behold and we become. The action of the Eucharist is ongoing and manifold. Even as we are sent out it is not because the liturgy is over but because it has just really just begun in us. We are being called to welcome others to gather, to hear how God’s Word is changing us, to know brokenness, to share blessing, to be one in holiness, to be and share peace. Often, the liturgy is referred to as the “work of the people” from its Greek root. Yet this means far more than that it is the responsibility of all to take part in the liturgical life of the parish. It means that it is our employment, our vocation, and our call. It is as essential to our identity. It is the work of the people in that it is the very infrastructure of our life – undergirding who we are and what we do. “Full faith, empty church” – it takes on a different meaning when we realize that the Church is never empty. It is always full of the Presence and potency of Christ. At some points our buildings have fewer or more people in them yet this is not the only measure of health. The real question is what are our people up to when they are not in the building? Are they living the liturgy in such a way that the Church is not confined by walls but magnified by the vision of Christ? Our buildings are among our greatest assets. They are a home for the hope-filled and hopeless alike. Yet their greatest strength lies in their ability to feed us to go out – to be forgiven and restored for life and beyond so that others may see and know the Living Christ. Are we, by our becoming, welcoming others to behold? Is our full faith the testimony of a Church that goes out from its buildings with courage and hope? This post first appeared December 4, 2013 on Robert Hendrickson's blog, The Sub-Dean's Stall. It is reposted with permission.
Time to say goodbye to 2013 by Nurse Sally It is time to say goodbye to 2013. For some this is a great thing and to others they are not ready. We look forward to what is ahead with great anticipation and look back with some sad feelings. A friend sent me a copy of the following as we lost a mutual friend. This was published in a local publication and I want to share it as it may be something you may practice. I recently lost a friend who suffered over 12 months before God called her home. Many days as we chatted on the phone, I'd say “Susan, I wish there was something I could do to ease your pain.” She would say, “Just pray for me, pray Debbie.” I knew she was so ill, and I truly did not see any way this could turn around. She needed a transplant and a match, something that would be almost impossible. But, I was reminded that nothing is impossible with God. I told her either way she was going to “shine.” Over the past year, I prayed for her, for God to heal her body. It took me several times chatting with her to know that there was nothing I could do for my friend that could ever compare with prayer. When we find ourselves saying “All I can do is pray for you,” we are truly saying the best thing we can do for you is pray for you. For God holds our every moment in his hands. So the next time you tell someone that the only thing you can do for them is to pray for them, know that you are doing the best thing ever, for them. THE POWER OF PRAYER. God Bless Nurse Sally
Welcome to the Vestry: Fr. John Phillips commissioned new vestry members Tom Chaapel and Linda Alligood and reaffirmed current vestry members Chuck Barnett, Beth Woods and Ann Philen. New Vestry member Frank Murphy was not present.
Saint Monica’s Messenger
Poverty in America Awareness Month More than 46 million Americans live in Poverty in the USA. Americans families were having a difficult time making ends meet before the recession. With continuing unemployment and increasing costs of living, more and more families have to choose between necessities like health care, child care, and even food. January is National Poverty in America Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness of poverty in America and in our own community. The Episcopal Church encourages us to help eradicate poverty by learning more about its causes and practical solutions, and by participating in and supporting antipoverty programs. Saint Monica’s has long been active in helping to ease hunger as a supporter of Manna Food Pantries by asking for your weekly donations of non-perishable food items. This month we will launch our new Beans and Rice Ministry to address hunger right here in our neighborhood. One of the ways the Episcopal Church addresses domestic poverty is through its Jubilee network, which consists of over 600 Jubilee Ministry Centers. These centers empower the poor and oppressed in their communities by providing direct services, such as food, shelter, and healthcare, and also by advocating for human rights. More than 30 years ago at the Episcopal General Convention meeting in New Orleans, Resolution A080 established Jubilee Ministry as “a ministry of joint discipleship in Christ with poor and oppressed people, wherever they are found, to meet basic human needs and to build a just society,” concluding that this “is at the heart of the mission of the church.” Since then, the General Convention has reaffirmed its commitment to Jubilee Ministry eight times, including at this past convention in Indianapolis in July. Resolution D094, adopted this year, resolves that Jubilee Ministry “be affirmed as a vital expression of the type of relational ministry that is being called forth from local congregations of the church today as they seek to reconcile all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” To learn more about Poverty in America and Jubilee Ministries, visit http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/ domestic-poverty-ministries. If you would like more information about the Beans and Rice Ministry or would like to help in any way, please contact Connie Chamberlin at clchamberlinb@aol.com, 587-5022 (home), or 261-7007 (cell).
Page 3
The Parish Christmas Party on December 18 was so much fun with more than 40 members attending. We especially enjoyed all the antics with the Christmas photo props. Here Texann Stephens and Connie Chamberlin pose with the Santa props.
Mother-Daughter Retreat Every Woman a Daughter; Every Person a Child of God Join The Rev. Cindy Howard and her daughter Liz Kirby for the first diocesan Mother/Daughter Retreat at Beckwith Camp and Retreat Center, February 7 - 9, 2014. The retreat leader is The Reverend Amy Dafler Meaux. She will guide us as we explore together as women Baptism, the Baptismal Covenant and practical applications in our everyday lives. Rev. Dafler Meaux received her Masters of Divinity from The Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. She has served three Episcopal Churches: Trinity Episcopal Church, New Orleans, Louisiana; Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Dallas, Texas; and now, Trinity Episcopal Church, Danville, KY. As the Associate for Children, Youth, and Families at Saint Michael and All Angels, Amy worked with over 600 families as they walked their journeys of faith together. As a priest, Amy is passionate about the ways the Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms our daily lives giving us strength and courage to become the people God calls us to be. She is married with three children. She’s an avid knitter and reader, and is slowly learning to quilt. The weekend will include workshops, worship, music and small group activities. There will be time for fun on the challenge course, opportunity for yoga, and creative arts. We will sing by the campfire and save some time for reflection on “the porch.” Don't miss this opportunity to share time with wonderful women from across the Central Gulf Coast. You do not have to bring your mother or daughter to attend. Girls should be 12 and older. The cost for the retreat is $160 per adult for the weekend double occupancy in motel rooms - 21 years and under; $110 sharing double occupancy. The rate for dorms is $82 per person (bring your own linens and towels). To register, go to the event page. For more information or to volunteer to serve on the music team, call Eleanor at 251-928-7844 or email Eleanor@BeckwithAL.com.
Page 4
Saint Monica’s Messenger
New Year’s Day/Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ From The Episcopal Church New Year’s Day may be the world’s most celebrated public holiday, observed in different ways in different cultures at the stroke of midnight. Each year on January 1, the Episcopal Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ Our Lord (sometimes called Feast of the Holy Name), the eighth day of the Christmas season. The feast commemorates the eighth day after Jesus’ birth, when in Jewish tradition, infant boys are circumcised and named. He was “called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb” (Lk 2:21). Under the Law of Moses, all male infants were to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth (Lv 12:3). It was also customary at this time for family and friends to witness the naming of the child. The designation of the feast in honor of Jesus' Holy Name is new to the 1979 BCP. It was traditionally celebrated as the Feast of the Circumcision. Celebration of the Holy Name reflects the significance of the Holy Name of Jesus, and the emphasis of the Gospel of Luke on the naming of Jesus rather than his circumcision. Liturgical celebration of Jesus’ circumcision began in the Gallican Church. The Council of Tours (567) called for Jan. 1 to be observed as a fast day to counter pagan celebrations of the beginning of the new year. This day was also traditionally associated with devotion to the Virgin Mary. Celebration of the Feast of the Name of Jesus dates from the end of the middle ages. In the fifteenth century, the Franciscans Bernardino of Siena (1380-1444) and Giovanni Capistrano (1386-1456) encouraged devotion to the name of Jesus. This celebration was officially granted to the Franciscans in 1530 for observance on Jan. 14. In 1721 Innocent XIII called for the whole Roman Catholic Church to observe the feast on the Second Sunday after Epiphany. This feast was intro-
duced into England in 1489 and celebrated on Aug. 7. It was included as a black letter day in the Elizabethan Calendar of the church year in 1561. The name “Jesus” is from the Hebrew Joshua, or Yehoshuah, “Yahweh is salvation” or “Yahweh will save.” Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus is particularly derived from Phil 2:9-11, which states that God highly exalted Jesus ‘and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” This scriptural devotion is paraphrased by the hymn “At the name of Jesus” (Hymn 435) in The Hymnal 1982. Other hymns that express devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus include “To the name of our salvation” (Hymns 248-249) and “Jesus! Name of wondrous love!” (Hymn 252). Remember that the name of Jesus is a sign of our salvation. On this day, pray that our Eternal Father plant in every heart the love of the Savior of the world. Pray for peace around the world in the New Year, guided by God’s love. A Collect for January 1: Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Flashback! When the scheduled acolyte fell ill with a bug while serving on Christmas Eve, former acolyte Aaron Gaff stepped in from the pews to finish the service. Aaron served as acolyte at St. Monica’s during his teen years. From the grin on his face, Aaron seemed to have enjoyed his stroll down memory lane, as did the rest of us. Thanks Aaron!
Six women from St. Monica’s traveled to the Festival of Nativities at St. Paul’s Daphne on December 15. Here Brennis Whaley and Brenda Ferguson read about Nativity scenes from around the world. Also on the trip were Connie Chamberlin, Phyllis Condon, Texann Stephens and Viv Welch.
Saint Monica’s Messenger
Page 5
Epiphany & Baptismal Covenant Epiphany falls on January 6 and celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. We also commemorate the visitation of the Magi to the Baby Jesus and our own baptismal covenant by remembering Jesus’ baptism by St. John the Baptist. In the Episcopal Church, we are baptized in the water and lovingly adopted by God into God’s family – the Church. In instituting the sacrament of Baptism, Jesus took a familiar, understandable custom and gave it a new meaning. Baptism was to be the way we would be initiated into discipleship with him. He could have chosen some other way; he chose Baptism. The outward and visible parts of baptism are water and the action of the convert being baptized. The inward and spiritual grace of baptism is God’s promised action in forgiving our sins and accepting us as his children, as members of Christ’s body, and as inheritors of God’s kingdom. At Epiphany and others times throughout the year, it is beneficial to remind ourselves of our baptismal covenant with God and celebrate that we have been given God’s own life to share and nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ. The Baptismal Covenant Do you believe in God the Father? Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers? Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Diocesan Convention 2014 February 20-22
HAPPY CAMPERS! Our beautiful Ebie Boykin (third from the left) is joined by her friends (left to right) Tayler Mills, Abi Manoso and their counselor Jane in their cabin at Camp Beckwith’s Winter Woods on December 27. All three girls are looking forward to returning for Summer Camp 2014 and visiting St. Monica’s again soon!
Father/Son Retreat The Diocesan Father/Son Retreat has been rescheduled for March 7 through 9, 2014 at Beckwith Camp and Retreat Center. Hosted by The Rev. Peter Wong, The Rev. Keith Talbert and his son John Talbert, this retreat will include fun on the challenge course, water activities, croquet, badminton, music, worship, and a low country boil. Children should be age 12 and older. More information will be forthcoming in a timely manner, but interested parties should mark their calendars and hold the date
Remembering Dr. King January 20 commemorates the birth of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his work in nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement. Many faith and secular organizations celebrate the life of Dr. King by observing a day of service to others. What are you doing for civil rights? Is there an event in the community where you can volunteer? Are there organizations you can become involved in that work toward equal rights or ending discrimination in our country? Resources and information are available at the Episcopal Church’s web site http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/resources. Perhaps schedule a family viewing and discussion of the State of Racism in America webcast sponsored by the Episcopal Church and available on demand at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/state-racism.
Page 6
Saint Monica’s Messenger
Magnolia Chamber Orchestra at St. James' Fairhope The Magnolia Chamber Orchestra, dedicated to the vision of bringing music to the Gulf Coast community through intimate chamber music concerts, will be performing at St. James’ Fairhope at 4 pm on Sunday, January 19 with Artistic Director, tomÀs Fajardo. The MCO’s philosophy is to serve as a social tool that aims to inspire youth, evoking creativity in them and igniting a genuine interest for the arts through community outreach. MCO is artist-in-residence at the St.Peter's by-theSea Episcopal Church in Gulfport, Mississippi. Conductor and founder tomÀs Fajardo is a violist with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and has conducted orchestras in Boston, Houston and Washington DC. The program will feature Bach Brandenburg Concerto # 4, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach's Sinfonia, and a Handel Concerto with Helen VanAbbema Rodgers, St. James' organist.
Making a difference in our community! Beans & Rice Ministry Beginning Saturday January 25, 2014 following BoBS Come, be a part of this exciting new ministry!
Matthew 25:35-36;40 ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Planting Seeds of Hope and Faith Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. Martin Luther As our recent Stewardship Program reminded us, planting seeds for future fruit is both an act of hope and an expression of faith. We plant in hope that the small seeds will one day produce a tree whose fruit will bless future generations. We plant in faith by entrusting those who follow us to nurture our tree, harvest the fruit properly and use it for the best purposes. Making a planned gift to St. Monica’s is a similar undertaking. A planned gift is a seed whose promised fruit will support the church well beyond your lifetime. Planned giving is often part of an overall estate plan to distribute your assets and possessions to the people and causes most dear to you. Planned gifts come in several forms. The simplest planned gift is to make a bequest to the church in your will. Other options, such as charitable gift annuities through the Episcopal Church Foundation, provide a guaranteed income for life and substantial tax savings. Planned gifts are funded from accumulated assets of your lifetime. When you make a planned gift to St. Monica’s, it typically does not impact your current income. In fact, there are several types of life-income gifts that can actually supplement your income for the rest of your life. Planned gifts are generally used to build an endowment fund, which is vitally important for the long-term health of the church. Endowment funds empower ministry beyond what is possible through annual operating funds. They provide future parishioners with the means to continue to worship, learn, and serve the community and the world as we have been blessed to do. Planned giving is a powerful opportunity to ensure your most sacred values and commitments are part of your legacy. Your planned gift represents your hope for the future mission of St. Monica’s and your faith in generations to come. If you are interested in making a planned gift to St. Monica’s, please see a member of the vestry. For the free booklet, Making a Planned Gift, please contact the Episcopal Church Foundation at 800-697-2858 or www.episcopalfoundation.org.
Margaree Mills-Fitchett POTLUCK
Carol Farrel Dodie Matlock & Jennifer Johnson
Connie Chamberlin John Velaski & Dave Somerville
Ushers Bill Ramsey & John Nichols Ann Philen Sally Putters & Sylvia Weller
Chuck Barnett & Connie Chamberlin
Ron & Ann Philen
Ushers
Jim Morningstar & Jeff Woods
Connie Chamberlin
Pauline Somerville & Jackie Wright
TBA
Pauline Somerville
Carol Farrel
Altar
Greeters
Oblation Bearers
Ushers
Nursery
Coffee Hour
Flowers
Arrangers
Eucharistic Visitor
Carol Farrel
Jackie Wright
TBA
John Velaski
Melanie Velaski
TBA
TBA
Jeff Woods & Bill Ramsey
Jim Morningstar & Frank Murphy
TBA
Valerie Smith
TBA
Connie Chamberlin & Melanie Velaski
Mandy Wright
Ushers
TBA
Ushers
Beth Woods
Chuck Barnett & Connie Chamberlin
TBA
TBA
TBA
February 2
Ushers
Viv Welch
Tom Chaapel & Dave Somerville
John Velaski
* If you are unable to meet your obligation, please call a replacement, or swap with someone.
John Velaski
Beth Woods
TBA
Bill & Sally Putters
Valerie Smith & Dave Somerville
Dave Somerville
Beth Woods
John Velaski
Brenda Ferguson
Acolytes
Ron Philen
Melanie Velaski
Jackie Wright
Connie Chamberlin
January 26
Lector 1st Reading
Dave Somerville
January 19
Frank Murphy
January 12
Eucharistic Minister, 9:30
January 5
Service Schedule for January 2014
January Prayer Requests Rosalynda Blackburn The Brown Family Max & Marie Cartwright Miles Cooper Destiny Coy Diane Duncan Ora Early Ray Farrel Tracy Ferguson Ron Giles Scott Gilliam Mildred Hamby Debbie Heath Jane Hunter
Chuck Knight Charlie Martinson Bob Matlock Dorothy Pemberton Kay Putters Ashton Resmondo Leroy Robbins Tiny Robinson Barbara Roper Philip Scafe Rusty Sellers Pauline Somerville Nichole Teague Bob Tebbs
Military Prayer List Baby Jase Velaski Faye Walker Brandon Warrick Brennis Whaley Ken Whiting Seth Whiting Marcella Young
Birthdays in January… 5, Twyla Hinton; 6, Carol Farrel, Jeff Woods, Jackie Wright; 26, Nancy Holland
Anniversaries in January… 3, Bill & Sally Putters If your birthday or anniversary is not listed or not listed correctly, please let Viv Welch know.
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 Office hours: Monday thru Thursday, 9 am - 1 pm The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Brian Condon Daryl Coy Mark Feely Benjamin Gaff Tim Gibson Tim Hartford James Klinginsmith William Knapp Andrew Kuntz Nicholas Matroni Seth Muenks Richard Pinner Florin Ryder Alex Sibbach John Townsend Jimmy Tracy Clinton Webb Darren Walker Jeremy Wright