July 2018
From the Rector’s Desk by Reverend Anthony MacWhinnie, II The dog days of summer are upon us and we’re in the long green season after Pentecost. Church, it seems, often enters into a really predictable routine. Sunday School has started back up. Youth Bible study is happening Monday nights at Casa MacWhinnie. We’re working our way through the Gospel of Mark again in lectionary year B… It’s all so ordinary in this ordinary time. Of course, St. Monica’s is anything but ordinary, though. We’ve embarked upon a Burn-a-debt program to help alleviate the monetary issues that we’re facing. As predicted last fall, we’re doing just right in terms of maintenance. The pledges are just right for keeping us afloat. Our issue is the debt we incurred from the closure of the thrift store. We just need to get over that hump. A couple of folk have really stepped up with a spirit-filled program of debt reduction for the next few months. You’ll see more information in your bulletins including pledge sheets. This inspiration comes as a result of another program, the Church Enrichment Venture, that is sponsored by our diocese. With prayer, study, and much discussion, Burna-debt was born. We hope you’ll respond, first with prayer, and then by doing what you can to help. It’s not often that we talk about tithing in the Episcopal Church, but it’s a part of our understanding of what Christians do. It’s a part of our identity. It’s a part of our formation. Tithing literally means to give 10 percent of something. The word is from the old English and it relates to the much older and biblical practice of tithing to the temple. Orthodox Jews still practice ma'aser kesafim which is tithing ten percent of their income to charity. Modern Jews in agricultural areas practice ma'aser rishon which is tithing ten percent of their crops. Tithing, for Christians, is based on all these ancient practices, and upon Jesus command in Mat-
thew 23 that we should tithe, and do so without neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Yes, tithing is what keeps the church going. But it’s more than that. It’s this idea of “first fruits.” We give back a portion to God in recognition that God has given us all that we have, even our selves… our souls and bodies… The proper thing to do is to show our gratitude and thanksgiving in our giving. In sermons, I have told the story of Trey when he was a youngster. Any time I’d give him cookies he’d gather them up, and then invariably he’d bring one over for me to share with him. In effect, he was tithing. Deep down, we know what the right thing is, even when we’re just toddlers. It’s proper. It’s fitting. It’s the right thing to do. It’s biblical. It’s a commandment. It’s tradition. Tithing is all these things. I tithe back to the church out of my salary. And every year the MacWhinnie’s try to increase their giving. It’s how we were raised. Money is a tough topic in church, well, really anywhere. But sometimes we’ve got to talk about it. Jesus wasn’t afraid to. It was important then and it’s important now. Consider the tithe. And God bless you. Anthony+
Our Staff & Vestry
Fellowship Event All 6-12th graders are invited to the home of Mia and Warren Jerrems (1407 Soundview Trail, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561) for this collaborative event with Pensacola area Episcopal youth groups. We will share a meal at 5pm followed by paddle boarding, worship, games and living into community through fellowship! This is a great time to bring a friend! We will gather on June 13, July 11 and July 18.
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
Page 2
Avoid those pesky ‘skeeters!
Favor House– Charity of the month
By Nurse Sally Putters It is the time of the year you spend a lot of time in your garden or sitting on the patio sipping a cool drink and then you are joined by a mosquito! Ugh! Mosquito bites can be more than just annoying and itchy. They can spread viruses that make you sick or, in rare cases, cause death. Although most kinds of mosquitos are just nuisances, some kinds of mosquitos in the United States and around the world can spread viruses that can cause disease. During the day and night mosquitos can live indoors or outdoors. They search for warm places when daily temperatures begin to drop. Some will hibernate in enclosed spaces like garages, sheds, and under (or inside homes to survive cold temperatures. Except for the southernmost states in North America, mosquito season starts in the summer and continues into fall. Examples of viruses spread by mosquitos, are Dengue, eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile Virus, Yellow fever and Zika. PREVENTION: Use insect repellent: When used as directed, Environmental Protection Agency registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Look for one of the following active ingredients: DEET, IR3535, Oil of eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-3,8-diol, PMD, or 2-Undecanone. Cover up: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants: keep mosquito outside: Use air conditioning, or window and door screens. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquito inside your home or hotel under mosquito bed net. When used as directed, insect repellents are the best way to protect yourself and family members from getting sick from mosquito bites. (from CDC website) Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers for our daughter Pam. Who was hit by bus in Milwaukee 6/8/18. She is still hospitalized in serious condition. God Bless Nurse Sally God’s Blessings! God’s blessings come in many forms and in this case, it came in the form of fungi! We discovered Chanterelle Mushrooms growing on church property. A team of volunteers quickly plucked them and sold them to area chefs and raising $150 for the church.
Favor House is a domestic violence center serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Since 1979, Favor House has provided safe shelter to thousands of domestic violence victims and their children. Thousands more have received assistance through the Favor House crisis lines, the outreach counseling centers and advocacy services. The cycle of violence is broken by intervention, edu- These beautiful quilts on cation, providing services for display in the Narthex are for victims of domestic violence sale to raise funds for Favor and sexual assault and hold- House. ing the offender accountable. Favor House shelters and crisis lines are staffed 24 hours a day, year round. Victims and their families and those who are assisting them may call (850) 434-6600 or (850) 9943560 for help at any time. Often victims and their families leave domestic violence situations with little or no preparation leaving everything behind. That’s why your charitable donations are so important. Items like umbrellas, flip, flops, hair brushes, baby wash and shampoo are currently needed. Other items needed include: Microwave popcorn Animal crackers Juice boxes Pudding cups Disposable diapers (Size 6) Kleenex Paper towels Toilet Tissue Full size shampoo and conditioner Deodorant Women’s and Children’s socks Please support Favor House with your generous donations this month. For more information on Favor House or what is needed, speak to Texann Stephens.
Ann Philen
Carol Farrel Danise Beadle & Bernice Warner
Carol Farrel Amy Heart Connie Chamberlin and Chuck Barnett Bill Ramsey & Jim Warner
Beth Woods Nancy Argabrite & Rita Nicholls To the glory of God
Beth Woods
Trey MacWhinnie. Amy Heart
John Velaski and Carol Farrel
Jim Morningstar & Ron Giles
Ann Philen
Audrey Westbrook & Rowena Chaapel
To the glory of God
Valerie Smith
John Velaski
Lector Epistle Reading
Acolytes
Altar
Ushers
Nursery
Coffee Hour
Flowers
Arrangers
Eucharistic Visitor
John Velaski
Valerie Smith
Beth Woods Ray Farrel
To the glory of God
Carol Farrel & Kathy Vail
John Velaski
Trey MacWhinnie. Amy Heart
Ray Farrel
Bill Heart
To the glory of God
Valarie Smith & Carol Farrel
Amy Heart
Fred Woods
Beth Woods
*Please remember that setup and cleanup are part of the coffee hour duties * If you are unable to meet your obligation, please call a replacement, or swap with someone.
Carol Farrel
Jim Morningstar
Ray Farrel & Jim Warner
Jeff Woods & Chuck Barnett
Ray Farrel
Trey Mac Whinnie
Carol Farrel
Psalm
Chuck Barnett
Bill Heart
Ron Philen
Kathy Vail
Ray Farrel
July 22
Lector 1st Lesson
John Velaski
July 15
Ron Philen
July 8
Eucharistic Minister
July 1
Service Schedule for July 2018
Carol Farrel
Jim Morningstar
To the glory of God
Potluck (Ann Philen & Bea Collins)
Beth Woods
Jim Morningstar & Ron Giles
John Velaski and Carol Farrel
Trey MacWhinnie. Amy Heart
Beth Woods
Trey Mac Whinnie
Kathy Vail
John Velaski
July 29
July 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 Harewood Twyla Hinton Helen Johnson Nan Johnson
Adam Blankenship Brian Condon Field Cross Aaron Gaff Adrian Gaff Benjamin Gaff
Bob Matlock Mary McDonald Frank Murphy Pam Nellum John Nicholls IV Rachel Palma Ashton Resmondo Maggie Rose Rodak Paul Royer Rusty Sellers Toni Simmons & baby Texann Stephens Sybil Williams
Birthdays in June
4, John Nicholls; Margaree Mills-Fitchett; 5, Ron Giles; 8, Robert Philen, Pauline Somerville; 11, Priscilla Wright; 12, Norma Ramsey; 24, Sally Putters, Nancy Argabrite; 27, Bill Ramsey
Anniversaries in June
5, James & Bernice Warner; 11, Ron & Ann Philen
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!
Justin Hanson James Klinginsmith William Knapp Andrew Kuntz Cody Melancon 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. Jul. 1, Ventress Correctional Facility, Clayton, Alabama Jul. 8, L.I.F.E. Tech Transitional Center, Thomasville, Alabama Jul. 15, Federal Correction Institution & Camp, Marianna, Florida Jul. 22, Federal Prison Camp, Pensacola, Florida REAP Re-entry Program, Pensacola, FL Jul. 29, Barbour County Jail 24, Clayton, Alabama