Saint Monica's Episcopal Church
Messenger
July 2015
From the Rector’s desk by The Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II
Greetings! At the writing of this article, the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church has just concluded. This triennial meeting of delegates from our diocese as well as every other diocese in the Episcopal Church has concluded its work on our behalf and behest, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The chief issue before them was the election of a new Presiding Bishop of our Church. From a slate of four excellent and well qualified candidates our new Presiding Bishop is Bishop Michael Curry from North Carolina! I am so excited by what this historic election means for our church, or more specifically, what *I* think this means. The Right Reverend Curry, soon to be The Most Reverend Curry, is the first black presiding bishop that our church has ever elected. In this time of division, both racial and otherwise, that we as a body, guided by the Holy Spirit, have elected an African-American to our highest office in a body that is vastly majority white is hugely promising, indeed! On top of that, Bishop Curry has shown himself, time and time again, to be a unifying and dynamic preacher and leader. At a rally in Utah decrying gun violence, Bishop Curry was quoted as saying “Black live matter because ALL lives matter! People in blue uniform’s lives matter because ALL lives matter!” In a news conference at the General Convention Bishop Curry said, “We are part of the Jesus movement, and nothing can stop the movement of God’s love in this world.” I am excited for what this means for our church because I think it means that the National Church has turned a corner, just like our church here in Cantonment has. We have come back around to the idea that evangelism is doing the work of Jesus Christ in the world. We have come to the realization that our church grows when we grow in Christ,
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
when we do the things that Christ told us to do, loving our neighbors as ourselves. It’s a pretty simple equation, really. It is good to see positive change in our Church and I’m excited for our future. As always, keep your church in your prayers. Keep the national church in your prayers as well, and say and extra prayer for Bishop Curry. Help us to be a blessing to him as he has already been a blessing to us. Peace, Anthony+
FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Inc. is a domestic violence center serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. FavorHouse shelters and crisis lines are staffed 24 hours a day, year round. FavorHouse utilizes donations to assist residents/clients in need. Needs include: • Household linens (new or gently used towels, twin blankets, sheets, etc.) • Personal hygiene products (shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc.) • Feminine hygiene products • Diapers, wet wipes • Used cell phones • Children’s clothing • Kitchen items (pots and pans, dinnerware, etc.) • Office and school supplies • Paper Products, toilet paper , paper towels, Kleenex, napkins • New underwear women and children
A complete list of items needed is available on the table in the narthex