May 2018
From the Rector’s Desk If April showers bring May flowers, what happens if it doesn’t rain in April? You know, the last couple of years there have been some torrential April showering, much to the detriment of the low spots on my wet property. This year, however, we seem to have experienced a reprieve. Things happen like that, don’t they? They seem to be cyclical and periodic. It’s when they get out of whack that we get out of sorts, or my yard gets soggy… We are still in the Easter season and will be for the next few weeks. May 20th is the Feast of Pentecost. We’ve been working our way through the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter season. But sometimes we forget that in chapter 2 of Acts is when the Holy Spirit descends up the Apostles. “And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Wow! How cool is that? It’s both amazing and terrifying at the same time. I often think that this would be a very scary thing for everyone involved just because it seems to look scary, tongues of flame and all that jazz. But when we pay attention, we see that these tongues of flame EMPOWERED them. It gave them the ability to speak other languages. And the Holy Spirit is credited for putting the words in their mouths as well. Those words were words of love and acceptance, binding together those who were formerly separated. They were words of comfort and belonging. They were words of healing and hope. Seasons are changing at St. Monica’s. The Spirit is afoot and moving. Good things are happening. If you were in attendance at the Beckwith Sunday whereupon the youth led the service and even preached the sermon, I’m sure
Our Staff & Vestry Rev, Anthony MacWhinnie, II, Rector Vestry: Beth Woods - Senior Warden, Jim Warner - Junior Warden Dora Giles—Treasurer Susan Early & Margaree Mills-Fitchett Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
you saw some of that firsthand yourself. We’re moving in a positive direction, I think led by the Holy Spirit. Let’s use those tongues of flame out in the world. Let people know there’s something special going on at St. Monica’s. You are their window to see in, and their personal invite to the table. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Anthony+
Sunday, May 6 Fried Chicken will be provided Please bring a covered dish or dessert. Please invite someone to join you and celebrate our church and its ministries.