Saint Monica's Episcopal Church
Messenger
November 2017
From the Rector’s desk by Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II
It’s stewardship time at St. Monica’s. On the 5th of November we’ll be returning pledge cards to be blessed on the altar. Pledge cards are extremely useful for the vestry to be able to budget for the coming year. I’m sure you’ve heard that finances are strained at St. Monica’s. It’s very true. We incurred significant debt with the closure of Monica’s Attic, unfortunately. We’ve been juggling ever since then. Recently, we used funds procured by selling our tractor and some equipment to pay off a good chunk of it. We’re in a better place financially than we were, but we still have a long way to go. The vestry is considering selling a portion of our property that we haven’t used in the 17 years we’ve been on this land to make up the rest of our debt. As that progresses we’ll keep you informed. I want to talk a little about tithing. As you are probably aware, the biblical tithe is 10%, or your first fruits. I tithe back to the church out of my salary and the MacWhinnies try every year to increase just a little bit. What you do and how you make that decision is up to you! St. Monica’s is grateful for your tithe, no matter the size. Monetary contributions don’t make us a church. You and Jesus do. Time and talent are other ways to give to the church. If you look around for a second, there’s a ton of things that could be done at the church. One of the beautiful things about St. Monica’s is all those sets of eyes and hands. You all know things. And you all have different abilities. And you all have unique ways of seeing things! I hear and see this all the time. It’s one of the things that makes it such a joy to be your rector. Take for example, Viv. The other day she texted to let me know that some free materials were coming to the church. Maybe we could use them. Maybe we couldn’t. Either way, she saw something and did something. And it turns out to be a neat little evangelism tool that you will see lying around the church. They are called “engagers”. They’re these little folded pamphlets that are all about the
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
journey to Christmas. They are probably intended for some of that “door-knocking” sort of evangelism, and if you wanted to do that, that’s fine. But, maybe just taking a few and having them around will remind you that “out there” is where we do our best Jesus work. One of our ultimate goals is to bring those that are “out there”, “in here.” Maybe it’s a stranger at a gas station… Or maybe it’s that stubborn uncle at the house... Who knows? It’s a conversation starter and an awareness raiser. And thanks to Viv employing her time and talent, we’ve got a new resource. So, please take some time to prayerfully consider your pledge to the church for this year. Keep us in your prayers as we navigate these waters. And consider your time and talent and how they can be employed here at the church. Together, we make up the church. No hands, no feet, but ours. God bless you! Anthony+
Page 2
Saint Monica’s Messenger
Tips for a healthy holiday season
Please join us for a musical event!
By Nurse Sally
FINDING OUR WAY HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Sunday, December 10 at 3:30 pm
Featuring Adult, Youth and Children’s Choirs to celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus.
Congratulations and thank you for the great turnout for our flu shot clinic last month. We set a record for St. Monica’s with a total of 22 shots given, 12 were parishioners and 10 were from the community. We are entering the busy holiday season that is chocked full of fun! We tend to eat all kinds of foods loaded with calories and ingredients that are not healthy. First there is Halloween with loads of candy and sweet treats. Eating these treats is a bad habit we adults have developed over the years and are now passing on to our off springs. Halloween treats are usually high in calories. Later this month we will celebrate Thanksgiving with its traditional food and associated calories. But we have the opportunity to trim down those calories if we make a conscious effort. Thanksgiving dinners generally consist of Turkey or ham, vegetables and fruits. To reduce calories, we should really cut back on pies, cookies and cakes and focus on the healthy proteins, low-calorie grains, vegetables and fruit. Thanksgiving is wonderful occasion to get together with family and friends. It is also time to be thankful for our lives and the lives of those we love. Observed every November, American Diabetes Month is an important element in the American Diabetes Association's efforts to focus our nation's attention on the disease and the tens of millions of people affected by it. This provides a perfect opportunity to focus on our dietary habits. Today, more than 30 million children and adults have diabetes. Every 21 seconds, another individual is diagnosed making diabetes one of the fastest growing diseases in America. Not only is it one of our nation’s greatest public health challenges, but almost 84 million adults have prediabetes, a number likely to lead to diabetes if not addressed. (American Diabetes Association) The scary fact is that diabetes is quickly turning into a public health crisis. One out of eleven Americans diagnosed with over 1.5 million new cases every year. For these people this disease affects them every day of their lives. I share this information with you at this time because I know first-hand how diabetes can change one’s life. Many of you know my daughter Patty. Patty’s twin sister has Type 1 Diabetes. Patty has no indications of the disease. God Bless, Nurse Sally
ECW goes to the movies In late September, a few of the Episcopal Church Women enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship at the movies. They went to see the movie All Saints, based on the inspiring true story about All Saints Episcopal Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. The movie is about newly-ordained Rev. Michael Spurlock, played by John Corbett, the tiny Tennessee Episcopal church he was ordered to close and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. Together, they risked everything to plant seeds they hoped would save the future for them all. All Saints' Episcopal Church is not your average Episcopal Church. The congregation is mostly Karen, Burmese (Myanmar) refugees, who came to the US to escape persecution. They were Anglican in Burma. Spoiler Alert, the doors of All Saints Episcopal Church, Smyrna Tennessee are still open.
Saint Monica’s Messenger
Page 3
A time to remember Veterans/Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day, is observed each year on November 11 to commemorate the end of World War I on that date in 1918 and to remember those who served in the armed forces, particularly those who died in the line of duty. In the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the Allied nations and Germany declared an armistice—a temporary cessation of hostilities. Commemorated as Armistice Day the next year, Nov. 11 became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. After World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to U.S. veterans of all wars. Most times, Veterans' Day passes in our churches with little or no mention. Historically and traditionally, Veterans' Day has been more a civic than a sacred observance. As with New Year’s Day, Mother's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and others, Veterans' Day is not a part of the liturgical calendar. The "crimson poppies" often seen pinned to lapels recall the red poppies that bloomed all across the worst World War I battlefields in Flanders and grew in abundance over the graves of fallen soldiers, made so famous in the 1915 poem "In Flanders Field" by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. From St. Monica’s to all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, Thank You for your service and may God bless you. O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rehearsal for God is With Us 3 Important dates to remember! Sunday, Nov. 26— 2-1 pm (after Potluck) Sunday, Dec. 3—11:30-12:30 pm (after church) Saturday, Dec. 9 - Dress Rehearsal 4:30 - 6:30 pm Children, ages 2-11 will be learning their music during church.
Youth, ages 12 & up will begin practices after church in November. Youth, 6th grade & up are invited to come upstairs at 9:30 each Sunday morning to rehearse their music and the finale song with the adult choir.
Charity of the month For our Charity of the Month for November we are asking for donations to provide a Thanksgiving meal for a family with children who attend Jim Allen Elementary School. This family was recommended to us as needing our help by the guidance counselors at the school. We need non-perishable food and food-preparation items such as you might need to prepare a holiday meal. If you would like to contribute food or money, we will be collecting through Sunday, November 19. Please give monetary donations to Ann Philen or Dora Giles. Checks should be noted “November Charity.”
Saint Monica’s Messenger
Page 4
Remember your blessings this Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in Nov. The first national Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in 1789. Under President Abraham Lincoln, Thanksgiving Day came to be celebrated annually on the last Thursday of November. Today’s Thanksgiving feast has its origins in an English Reformation tradition carried on by the pilgrims who arrived at Plymouth in 1620. In an affront to the Catholic liturgical calendar, Puritans celebrated days of fasting and days of feasting—notably the day of feasting at the end of the fall harvest—in gratitude for God’s provision. In an age where food consumption is often far removed from fields where it is produced, a growing number of evangelicals have reinterpreted the holiday as a time not only to thank God for abundance, but to examine where abundance comes from and the ethics of food, hunger, and environment. Aside from the pre-dinner prayer, it's not an overtly religious celebration in most of the United States. According
ECW INDOOR
GARAGE SALE
Saturday, December 2, 2017 8 am – 1 pm
PREVIEW SALE—DEC. 1, 4-6 PM $5 AT THE DOOR Items for the garage sale can be dropped off at Thee House beginning 11/19 or after Potluck on 11/26. Volunteers are needed to work 11/26-12/2. For questions, contact Margaree Mills-Fitchett or Susan Early.
to The Episcopal Church web site, Thanksgiving Day is a major holy day and a national day in the Prayer Book calendar of the church year (pp. 16-17, 33). The Proposed Prayer Book of 1786 included "A Form of Prayer and Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the Fruits of the Earth, and all the other Blessings of his merciful Providence." The first American Prayer Book (1789) replaced the four national days of the 1662 English book with propers for Thanksgiving Day. The collect for Thanksgiving Day gives thanks to God the Father for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. It asks that we may be faithful stewards of God's great bounty, providing for our own necessities and the relief of all who are in need (BCP, p. 246). The Litany of Thanksgiving may be used on Thanksgiving Day in place of the prayers of the people at the Eucharist, or at any time after the collects at Morning or Evening Prayer, or separately. Thanking God for our blessings is a spiritual discipline that should not be limited to a single day. Giving thanks is much like prayer and is essential to spiritual growth. Take time to remember and thank God for what he has done for you.
Jim Morningstar
Valerie Smith
Ann Philen Nancy Argabrite & Rita Nicholls To the glory of God Beth Woods
Beth Woods
Audrey Westbrook & Rowena Chaapel
To the glory of God
Jim Morningstar
Ray Farrel
Nursery
Coffee Hour
Flowers
Arrangers
Eucharistic Visitor
POTLUCK
Susan Early & Kathy Vail
Ray Farrel
Beth Woods
Carol Farrel
Carol Farrel
Trey MacWhinnie, Katherine Chaapel & Rachel Ludwig Valerie Smith & Carol Farrel Jeff Woods & Chuck Barnett
John Velaski
Trey MacWhinnie, Katherine Chaapel & Rachel Ludwig Connie Chamberlin & Chuck Barnett Bill Ramsey & Jim Warner
Bill Hart
* If you are unable to meet your obligation, please call a replacement, or swap with someone.
Ushers
Altar
John Velaski
To the glory of God
To the glory of God
Trey MacWhinnie, Katherine Chaapel & Rachel Ludwig John Velaski & Carol Farrel Jim Morningstar & Ron Giles
Trey MacWhinnie, Katherine Chaapel & Rachel Ludwig John Velaski & Tom Chaapel Ray Farrel & Jim Warner
Acolytes
Beth Woods
Ray Farrel
John Velaski
Beth Woods
To the glory of God
TBA
Ann Philen
Trey MacWhinnie, Katherine Chaapel & Rachel Ludwig John Velaski & Tom Chaapel Ray Farrel & Jim Warner
Ray Farrel
John Velaski
Lector Epistle reading
Fred Woods
Connie Chamberlin
Trey MacWhinnie
John Velaski
Carol Farrel
Ron Philen
December 3
Chuck Barnett
Psalm
Tom Chaapel
Kathy Vail
John Velaski
Carol Farrel
Connie Chamberlin
November 26
Lector 1st Lesson
Ray Farrel
November 19
John Velaski
November 12
Eucharistic Minister
November 5
Service Schedule for November 2017
November Prayer Requests
Military and First Responders Prayer List
Paula Anderson Ruth Bates Bill Cross Tierra Demby Elmer Fitchett Paul Giles Ron Giles Bob Matlock Gina McCrory Frank Murphy Maggie Rose Rodak Mickey Sams & Family
Adam Blankenship Field Cross Aaron Gaff Adrian Gaff Benjamin Gaff
Rusty Sellers Texann Stephens Betty Whiten Beth Woods Tracie Velaski
Anniversaries in November None Recorded
If your birthday or anniversary is not listed or not listed correctly, please let the office or Viv Welch know.
Birthdays in November
13, Shelby Kizer; 14, Fred Woods; 17, Ann Philen, Viv Welch; 24, Anthony MacWhinnie
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 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. Nov. 5, 2017—Monroe County Jail, Monroeville, Alabama Nov. 12, 2017—Mobile County Metro Jail, Mobile, Alabama Nov. 19, 2017—Washington County Jail Chatom, Alabama Nov. 26, 2017—Wilcox County Detention Center, Camden, Alabama