The Canticle
June 2010
THE CANTICLE
June 2010 St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church 14700 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73134 (405) 751‐7874 http://staugustine. episcopaloklahoma .org/
We have a new priest! The Rev. Joseph Alsay joins St. Augustine Episcopal Church on July 1.
From Tulsa to OKC: Father Joseph Alsay Editor’s note: The Bishop sent out an announcement about the calling of Fr. Joseph Alsay: Dear Friends, St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, Oklahoma City has issued a call to the Rev. Joseph Alsay to serve as their next Rector. Joseph Alsay comes to St. Augustine from Trinity, Tulsa where he has served as Assistant Rector since 2005. Fr. Alsay also presently serves
as Chaplain to Canterbury at Tulsa University. Prior to his time in Oklahoma, Fr. Joseph served congregations in Philadelphia and Chicago. Fr. Alsay received his M.Div. from The Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, IL. Fr. Alsay is married to Cecelia and they have 3 children, Corinthia, Zoe and Zipporah. Fr. Alsay will begin his ministry at St. Augustine on July 1. Please join me in congratulating Joseph in his new call. Faithfully, Bishop Ed
Editor’s note: When Father Alsay came to Trinity Episcopal Church, in Tulsa in 2006, this profile was written on him and his plans for Trinity. We are reprinting it here, but hope to update it soon with our own profile. (Connie Cronley at wrote this profile shortly after he arrived at Trinity, Tulsa.) It is traditional for Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa, Okla., to have curates, but last summer, Trinity made a bit of church history when the Rev. Joseph Alsay joined the See Fr. Alsay on page 3
The Canticle
June 2010
73rd Diocesan Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma http://www.episcopaloklahoma.org/doc/Welcome_Letter
November 5‐6, 2010 November 4 ‐ Preconvention Fellowship and Worship The Reed Center, Midwest City, Oklahoma Hosts: St. John's Episcopal Church, Oklahoma City and St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Midwest City
SPECIAL EVENT FOR MOTHER LYNN Mother Lynn has been a welcome addition to St. Augustine of Canterbury. She leaves us, in good hands, on June 30. We will miss her. Please come to a special brunch on Sunday, June 27, to commemorate her stay. Signup sheets are in the church lobby. Please be sure to attend this special day.
Birthdays
SUMMER CHRISTIAN FORMATION
8/1 Genie Stone 6/1 Lillian Tison
No Sunday School Classes for Children or Youth
6/8 Michelle Madsen 6/13 Arriane Rodriguez 5/15 Diana Lauffer 6/24 Linda Trammell 6/25 Ricky Womack CAROL SHANAHAN 6/26 Yvette Walker
Art Showing in the Paseo District. Her work will be shown the entire month of June in space #7. Check the Paseo website for the exact location. http://www.thepaseo.com Carol is a fantastic artist making it worth everyone in the church to take time out to go view her work.
6/28 Jody Welch
Anniversaries 6/3 Michelle and Alan Hasenfratz 6/20 Angelique and Ronald Chamberlain 6/20 Averil and Leonard Steedman 6/20 Jody and Richard Welch 6/30 Karen and Sam Hall Your date not here? Let us know!
Children's Chapel WILL meet each Sunday at 10:00 am
Guild of St. George JUNE: Soup and Ramen Noodles 2
The Canticle
June 2010
2006 Profile on Father Joseph Alsay (continued from page 1). Reprinted from Episcopal Life Online downtown Tulsa parish as a curate. He is African‐American and Lutheran. This momentous event is possible, said the church rector, the Rev. Stephen McKee, because the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America have a full exchange of ministers and sacraments.
started at Trinity) include developing parish hospitality and evangelism. As part of the pastoral staff, he preaches and teaches classes.
Ordained in cathedral
Alsay, (now 36), said he knew at Being a first is nothing new to the age 5 that he wanted to be a curate. When he was ordained preacher. He preached his first Aug. 6 at the Episcopal cathedral in sermon at age 13 at the Philadelphia, it was said he was the Progressive Baptist Church in Tulsa from the Genesis story of “At Oklahoma Baptist Abraham building altars.
One church in Oklahoma has an University, we Episcopal priest serving a Lutheran attended chapel every congregation, McKee said, but Trinity will be one of the few day,” Fr. Joe said, “but churches with a Lutheran minister Sundays, I bribed my on staff. That Alsay is an African‐ roommate with a pizza American serving in a predominantly white parish is even to drive me to an more unusual. He is the first black Episcopal church.” member of the clergy to serve at Trinity. Alsay didn’t come to Trinity because of his denomination or his race, McKee said. He brings exceptional gifts. He is outgoing and evangelical. He is a native Tulsan with solid roots in the black community. He brings diversity to our parish. Furthermore, he understands and appreciates the Episcopal liturgy. Alsay’s responsibilities (when he
including McKee. At 10 a.m. that same day, he was married in the cathedral to Cecelia Gray, a native of Philadelphia and a social worker. A reception was held between the services.
first Lutheran to be ordained in an Episcopal cathedral. When he served at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Tulsa while attending Phillips Theological Seminary, he was the first licensed minister of the Word and Sacraments in the Arkansas and Oklahoma Synod. His ordination in Philadelphia was celebrated at noon, attended by three bishops and other clergy,
The fledgling preacher was so short at that time that he had to stand on a stack of platforms and his voice, he said, was high‐ pitched. “My mother, with the sharp ears of a teacher, heard someone say, ‘That was more like a speech than a sermon. He didn’t have any hoop and holler.’ I have hoop now,” Alsay said, “but I didn’t then.” Although raised in the Baptist faith, he said he always had been attracted to a liturgical church. “At Oklahoma Baptist University, we attended chapel every day,” he said, “but Sundays I bribed my roommate with a pizza to drive me to an Episcopal church.” ‐‐ Reprinted from the Episcopal Life archive. 3
The Canticle
June 2010
Christian Formation LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ‐‐ JULY 25‐28 “The Greatest Stories Ever Told”
SUMMER READING LIST FROM THE DIOCESE: Here’s the beginning of a list of books that Christians ought to read regarding Children’s faith. They are available at the Diocean Office. Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self‐Reliant Children by Wendy Mogel Godparenting: Nurturing the Next Generation by Nancy Ann McLaughlin and Tracey H. Herzer The Religious Potential of the Child by Sofia Cavalletti For Youth: The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry by Kenda Creasy Dean and Ron Foster
AGES: 3 yrs. ~ 5th Grade
Wednesday, July 28
Any child 3 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times. Teen Helpers must have completed 5th Grade
Same Schedule but Everyone is Invited to Attend the Final Movie ‐ Time to be Announced
Sunday, July 25 following the 10:00 am Service will be the
"God's Greatest Story and Heros"
"RED CARPET AFFAIR BRUNCH" FOR THE ENTIRE PARISH! After brunch the children will view their first "movie" (about 20 min.) and make their 1st craft: That will need adult assistance
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL NEEDS
Light Meal 5:45 pm ‐ 6:25 pm for children, helpers (& parents if they wish to stay)
Watch for items in the Sunday Bulletins that are needed. Current Need: A Handyperson‐ ‐does not have to be "showhouse style," but someone to build a small concession stand ‐‐like a small lemonade stand. Scrap wood is fine.
Movie ~ Music ~ Crafts ~Snacks
Contact Pam Neville
8:15 pm Closing Circle
for details at 751‐1707.
Music with Peri ~ Group Photo Chef of the Day: CHAD YARBROUGH Cost: By Donation July 26 ‐ 28
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