November 2016
From the Rector’s desk by Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II
It’s been a busy summer here at St. Monica’s. It seems our little church is always doing something, moving from one project to the next. And we’ve had more than our share of funerals this year! We really have. Some really good folks, long time and active members, have gone on to that better place, where there is no sorrow, and there is no sighing. Rest in peace and may God bless their families and ours. We’re still here, though, and we’ve got work to do. We have ministry to live into. And we have a gospel to spread. The thrift store is off to a roaring start! The grand opening was just last week and no surprise, we had our best week ever at the store. The word is really getting out there about Monica’s Attic. Bishop Kendrick was really, really impressed with the store. He said it rivalled the best in the diocese! And that’s saying something. We just need to keep spreading the word. It’s already helped a lot of people and will continue to do so. Praise God. The stewardship campaign for this year has been a low key affair. Hopefully you’ve noticed the “Looking for Love?” signs out front and on Highway 29. Fred Woods did a really good job with that and pointed us towards another form of stewardship, that of inviting. Yes, pledge cards are out and we will have an ingathering and blessing of the pledges on November 20th, but there is more to it than that. Many of the members of our church would not have become members if someone hadn’t invited them! It’s a simple thing really. You know a person. You invite that person. Your friends, families, neighbors, heck even your mail carrier… Anyone! It just takes a moment of forethought. Put it into your head, “I’m going to invite someone to church this week.” It doesn’t cost you anything and hey… They might actually take you up on it! Embrace your ministry of inviting!
Our Staff & Vestry Rev, Anthony MacWhinnie, II, Rector Vestry: Chuck Barnett - Senior Warden Jim Warner- Junior Warden Beth Woods, Susan Early, Ann Philen & John Velaski Twinette McDonald - Music Director Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
As we end our liturgical year and begin another, I want to leave you with this. It’s a line from a song by the band Semisonic. The song is called “Closing Time”, and no it’s not about what you think… The line is “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” This line reminds me that for there to be positive growth and change, sometimes we have to put the past behind us. In 2 Corinthians is says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” New beginnings… The end of one year, and the beginning of another… There is promise and hope in that. In Isaiah it says “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” I perceive it. Peace, Anthony+
Ingathering & Blessing of Pledges November 20 Please pick up your pledge card in the narthex and return it by November 20