St. Monica's Messenger Newsletter, March 2016

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Saint Monica's Episcopal Church

Messenger

March 2016

From the Rector’s desk

by Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II

How is your Lent going? Are you managing to keep up with your Lenten observances? I’m doing fairly well with mine, but another church function conflicted with my ability to stick to mine this last weekend. Or I should say, the 45th Annual Convention of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is my excuse for missing a couple of days of my Lenten disciplines. Every single year something comes up that I allow to interfere with my Lenten observances, which I’m sure happens to you too. I think I’ve only perfectly observed my Lenten disciplines once in my entire life. Every other time I’ve fallen down on the job somehow. It’s what comes next that is real test, the real gauge of my commitment to follow these observances. Will I start them back up? That’s the real question, isn’t it? Will I begin again? It’s so easy to be a perfectionist with something like this. I say “easy”, but really mean tempting, typical, and usual. Being a perfectionist is actually spiritually difficult because perfectionists focus on the failure. They don’t move on and get back to the spiritual good they were accomplishing before the set back. Perfectionism is a trap that we must escape if we are to move on and carry out, not just our Lenten observances, but our daily lives. Yeah, it’s not perfect, but it’s still worth doing. It’s still good for you, and once you get past this little set back, it’ll feel like the right thing again. So, I encourage you, in the name of Jesus Christ, set yourself free from perfectionism. Pick yourself up and dust yourself off if you have fallen down, and get back to the good work you’ve started in your life. And not just with your Lenten observances, but with all those good habits you’ve started. You’ll be better and healthier for it. God bless you. 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

St. Monica’s Beans & Rice & Emergency Food Pantry How can you help? Cash donations for beans and rice to be bought in bulk Most needed items for food pantry: Canned tomatoes and other vegetables Canned meat such as tuna, chicken & Vienna Sausage Individually wrapped items such as crackers with cheese or peanut butter Pudding cups and fruit cups, raisins Cans of pork and beans or Chef Boy-R-Dee


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Saint Monica’s Messenger

Common signs of stroke By Nurse Sally

One way we are changing lives

I want to thank everyone who participated in our Heart Health Screening in February, those who assisted and those who attended. We served ten people total, five from St. Monica’s and five from the community. We made physician referrals for three with high cholesterol (over the 300 mark). We deemed that it was a successful project. To continue our Heart Health project I want to discuss common stroke warnings.

Learn these signs so you know them. The faster you can get treatment, the better are your chances of preventing severe brain damage.  Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.  Sudden confusion, trouble speaking and 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. Some risk factors include high blood pressure (140/90 mm or higher). Check your blood pressure regularly.  Cigarette smoking - get help and quit now.  High blood cholesterol (240mg/dl or higher)  Being inactive or overweight - try to get 30 minutes per day most days. Happy Easter and Good Health: God Bless, ++Nurse Sally

Join us for Holy Week Services

Beginning Palm Sunday, March 20 Through Holy Saturday, March 26

This little box hangs unobtrusively on the back wall of the nave, but the loose change and other donations you drop in the slot goes to support Wilmer Hall, a children’s home and agency of the diocese. Wilmer Hall originated in 1864 and was started by Bishop Richard H. Wilmer, the second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Wilmer saw the plight of Civil War orphans and planned a children’s home for them in Mobile, Alabama. In 2008 the Wilmer Hall Board of Trustees publicly reaffirmed its core mission of providing a long-term residential home for children who cannot live with their natural parents. In returning to this mission, Wilmer Hall has expanded its programs and services. The Residential Living Program at Wilmer Hall provides a safe home for young children who are unable to live in their natural family home. Many of these children have experienced abuse and neglect; others are victims of poverty and homelessness. The children live in homes with house parents where they can live, learn and grow both physically and spiritually. They are taught morals, values and life skills so that they can become healthy, happy and productive young adults. The children attend public and parochial schools where they can participate in extra-curricular activities. An Education Coordinator oversees the tutoring program every school day afternoon. Tutors from Spring Hill College and the University of South Alabama volunteer to assist the students with their schoolwork, strengthen specific skills, and assist with school projects. The Transitional Family Program is a residential service for young women and children. The goal is to assist these young women in developing the educational, vocational and social skills necessary for a successful transition to self sufficiency. Participants in the program are enrolled in an academic program, a vocational training program or work in regular employment. It is acceptable to combine school and work. The residents attend classes and workshops to learn and develop life skills, as well as positive parenting skills. We will share more about Wilmer Hall in next month’s issue.


Saint Monica’s Messenger

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Diocesan Convention; A view from a Delegate’s seat, finally! By Brenda Ferguson

I thought about it. A lot. Every time convention rolled around I would hear the same mantra, “you should really go and experience a convention! You don't know what it’s like till you go!” or “I love convention.” So every year I’d think, I would like to go, but it seems a bit complicated and it is a long drive and I don't know that many people who are going. Every year I had my own list of reasons but the truth is that I was scared of something unknown. It seemed like if I went I would be lost or confused about the rules or the proceedings. Call it a lack of confidence on my part, but it was also a lack of information on my part. I decided that I would write this just in case there is another less than brave soul out there thinking about going to next year’s convention. Recall in my report that I mentioned only going as a visitor, not as an official delegate. But last year I took the challenge and went as a visitor to learn the ropes and check it all out. It happened to be the excitement of the decade because we were choosing a new Bishop! I was amazed. So many Episcopalians in the same church all from our diocese. So many people, all on the same page, listening to every word spoken. Some were veterans but some were like me, “First timers”. I learned a lot. I learned that I should have gone the first time I was asked. There is nothing to compare to that many loving, likeminded people being all in the same room and all getting along or at least acting like they were and getting important church business done. Well nothing to compare to except this year. Because this year I was actually brave enough to put my hand up and say “yes I’d like to be a Delegate” and I was fortunate enough that you elected me as one. I was so proud to represent my church at such a great convention where we got to know a little about who our new fearless leader is and how he will lead us. I'm amazed at the process and how well it all works. Am I still somewhat confused? Yes I am, but I’m okay with that because now I know who to ask when I have questions and I understand my church so much better. We voted on one resolution that was mostly housekeeping work to keep us all legal with our national church. I understand that some years, unlike this one, can be tedious and controversial due to what is on the agenda. But I’m okay with that as well. I’m prepared to face that when it comes and listen and learn with my hundreds of new Episcopal acquaintances I’ve made. It’s just a convention but it’s our convention and our church is better for having it and I’m better for having said “yes, I’ll be a delegate this year!” My name is Brenda. I love Jesus. And I’m proud to be an Episcopalian!

Brenda Ferguson, Dodie Matlock and Viv Welch, your lay delegates on opening day at the 45th Convention of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

Session 1

Grades 7 & 8

June 12-17

Sailing Overnight Camp

4th Grade and up June 12-17

Session 2

Grades 4 & 5

June 19-24

Session 3

Grades 8 & 9

June 26-July 1

Sailing Day Camp

4th Grade and up June 27-30

Session 4

Special Ministries July 5-8

Session 5

Grades 5 & 6

July 10-15

Session 6

Grades 6 & 7

July 17-22

Session 7

Grades 3 & 4

July 24-28

Family Camp

1st Grade and up July 29-31

Click here for on line registration.


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Saint Monica’s Messenger

ECW Spring Day Away, April 2

Prison Ministry Cycle of Prayer

The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast Episcopal Church Women have invited the Daughters of the King to join them for the annual Spring Day Away on Saturday April 2nd. “The Art of Pilgrimage” will be presented by The Reverend Martha Harris, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Apalachicola, FL who has served two other churches in the Central Gulf Coast, St. Simon’s on the Sound in Fort Walton Beach and St. Christopher’s in Pensacola. Rev. Harris graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in History, and from Candler School of Theology, Emory University with a Master of Divinity degree. She has also had training in Spiritual Direction from the Shalem Institute and Dream Leadership Training from the Haden Institute. She has been on pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland many times with Jungian analyst Jerry Wright and John Philip Newell, Celtic theologian and writer, as well as participating in an icon pilgrimage in Greece with Teresa Harrison, iconographer and teacher. In her presentation, she will share her love of pilgrimage, Celtic spirituality and the natural world through story and photographs and will invite participants to explore ways to “make pilgrimage” without leaving home. St. Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church, Ft. Walton Beach, 28 Miracle Strip Parkway will host the event. Registration begins at 9:00 am, Lunch at 11:45 am with Closing Eucharist at 1:00 pm. A Daughter’s of the King Assembly will follow. The Registration fee is $20 payable to ECW Commission. Download the event flyer and registration here

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.

Join us Easter Morning Sunday, March 27

Holy Eucharist at 10 am Followed by our annual Easter Egg Hunt And Easter Brunch

Mar. 6 Calhoun Correctional Institution, Blountstown, Florida Mar. 13 Century Correctional Institution, Century, Florida Mar. 20 Graceville Correctional Facility, Graceville, Florida Mar. 27 Gulf Correctional Institution, Wewahitchka, Florida

Prison is a place

(As read by Deacon Ed Richards at the 2016 Diocesan Convention)

Prison is a place where the first prisoner you see looks like an all-American college boy . . . and you are surprised! Later you are disgusted because people on the outside still have the same prejudices about prisoners that you . . . used to have. Prison is a place where you learn that nobody needs you . . . the world goes on without you. Prison is a place where you can go for years without feeling the touch of a human hand, where you can go for months without hearing a kind word. It is a place where friendships are shallow . . . and you know it. Prison is a place where you feel sorry for yourself, then you get disgusted for feeling sorry for yourself...then you get mad and disgusted. Prison is a place where you lose respect for the law because you see it raw, naked, twisted, bent, ignored, and blown out of proportion to suit the people who enforce it. Prison is a place where you forget the sound of a baby’s cry. You forget the sound of a dog’s bark or a cat’s meow. Prison is a place where you see men you don’t admire . . . and wonder if you are like them? It’s a place where you strive to remain civilized . . . but lose ground and don’t realize it. Prison is a place where you go to bed before you are tired . . . where you pull the blankets over your head when you are not cold. It is a place where you try to escape . . . by reading, playing cards, or by . . . going mad. Prison is a place where you promise to become a better person. Some people succeed, some people fail . . . some don't care. Prison is a Place. This poem was written by an inmate . . . somewhere. This poem was given by an inmate to a prison Fellowship volunteer leading an anger management class in the hope it would give the volunteer "some" idea of what it is like for them who are seated in the class. (Shared from The Coastline, March 2)


Beth Woods

John Velaski

Trey MacWhinnie

Psalm

Lector Epistle reading

TBA Jeanine Black

Ann Philen

TBA Valerie Smith

Carol Farrel Pauline Somerville & Carol Farrel TBA Jackie Wright

Beth Woods

Rowena Chaapel & Jackie Wright

TBA

Beth Woods

Nursery

Coffee Hour

Flowers

Arrangers

Susan Early

Vestry of the Day

Ann Philen

Carol Farrel

Chuck Barnett

Ray Farrel

POTLUCK LUNCH

Beth Woods

Ray Farrel & Jim Warner

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

John Velaski

John Velaski

Eucharistic Visitor Ray Farrel

Beth Woods & Twila Hinton

Jim Morningstar & Chuck Barnett

Bill Ramsey & Ray Farrel

Jim Morningstar & Jeff Woods

Ushers

Dan Ferguson

Pauline Somerville

Viv Welch

Ron & Ann Philen

Bill & Sally Putters

Beth Woods

Viv Welch

Chuck Barnett & Connie Chamberlain

April 3

Valerie Smith

Katherine Chaapel

Greeters

Trey Mac Whinnie and Bailee McGuffin John Velaski & Dave Somerville

Ray Farrel

Carol Farrel

Chuck Barnett

Connie Chamberlin

March 27

Tom Chaapel & Dave Somerville

Altar

Acolytes

Katherine Chaapel

Tom Chappel

Ron Philen

John Velaski

Dave Somerville

March 20

Trey Mac Whinnie and Bailee McGuffin Chuck Barnett & Connie Chamberlin

Pauline Somerville

Fred Woods

Mike Scordato

Lector 1st Lesson

Ron Philen

John Velaski

March 13

Eucharistic Minister

March 6

Service Schedule for March 2016


March Prayer Requests

Military and First Responders Prayer List

Bill Cross Zoey Dickinson Ashton Gaff Benjamin Gaff Karik Garcia Ron Giles Juliana Horn Myron Lewis Bob Matlock John McBride Frank Murphy Ashton Resmondo Becky Scott

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

Rick Thompson Brennis Whaley Melanie Velaski

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

Birthdays in March…

There are no birthdays on record for March

Anniversaries in March… 30, Waymon & Deb Fulgham

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!


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