Saint Monica's Episcopal Church
Messenger
May 2016
From the Rector’s desk by Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II
The bishop is coming! The bishop is coming! THE BISHOP IS COMING! FYI, I wrote the above sentences while imagining that scene in Bambi when the hunters are in the forest. Ack! Truthfully, the bishop’s visit CAN cause some trepidation, what with all the preparation we have to do, but honestly, it shouldn’t. The bishop’s visit should be like a homecoming, every time. I get excited about the bishop coming to visit for multiple reasons. First, I just like the guy. He’s genuinely a nice person, someone that I want to hang around with. I hope you get some “bishop time” when he’s here. You may find him to your liking as well. And you should know that I’ve had multiple good reports from parishioners who’ve had dealing with him or heard him preach. I imagine I’ll get more of those after this visit. Second, this is his first “official” visitation to St. Monica’s, which means I get to see how he does things. New is good. We get to be shaken up a little, moved out of our ruts. Just because things were done a certain way in the past, that doesn’t mean they have to be that way now. We human beings do that all the time. We assume the way we do things NOW is the only way to do them. It’s just lazy thinking, really. The bishop’s visit, especially a new bishop can encourage us down new and fruitful paths. Third, the bishop’s visitation is a reminder that we are a bigger church than we often imagine. The Episcopal Church is bigger than just our walls, than just our property, than just our church. We’re a global church! And the bishop is a reminder of that. We are a diocese and we are led by a bishop. Sixty three churches, almost 20,000 people
Our Staff & Vestry Rev, Anthony MacWhinnie, II, Rector Vestry: Chuck Barnett - Senior Warden Dan Ferguson- Junior Warden/Co-Treasurer Linda Aligood —Treasurer Beth Woods, Susan Early, Ann Philen & John Velaski Brenda Ferguson—Church Secretary Twinette McDonald - Music Director Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
call this particular bishop “their pastor.” His presence reminds me that Apalachicola is our church, that Coden is our church, that Wewahitchka is our church, that all those little places from South Alabama and Northwest Florida are our church. They are our parishioners too. We are bigger than we often remember, which means we have much more power in the world that we often give ourselves credit. And the bishop’s presence amongst us is a reminder of that wider authority and influence. And finally, I love having the bishop here because I’m proud of you! St. Monica’s is a great place. It deserves to be shared with all our friends and neighbors. And we’re going places! Our many ministries are prideworthy, and our latest project, the thrift store, is going to be amazing! I love this congregation and I want our bishop to see that and you. So, make sure you are here on May 4th at 6:00 pm. It’ll be a homecoming and an introduction to our new family member at the same time. Peace, Anthony+