Grace camden may 2015

Grace Episcopal Church, Camden, South Carolina

A Community of Grace, Anchored in Christ, Living to Love, Growing to Serve

the May 2015

Evangel

EVENTS IN MAY 79th Annual Spring Dog Show May 2nd in Rectory Square Registration begins @ 11:00 First Class @ 12:00

Children’s Sunday May 3rd Blessing of the Kites Kindergarten Bake Sale

See Page 4 Ascension Day Celebration Thursday May 14th from 4:00-6:00 Flying of the kites and Hot Dog Supper

Club 55 Spring Pot Luck Picnic Wednesday, May 20th@ 12:00 Noon Meet in the Church parking lot at 11:30 AM to carpool to Jim and Eleanor Parrish's Lake House or call the office for directions [803-432-7621] Pre-School Graduation and Program

Youth Sunday

Tuesday May 20th @10:00 AM

May 17th 10:00 Service Celebrate the day with our Youth and Graduates!!

In Richardson Hall

May 2015

May 2 May 3 May 11-13

The Evangel

May Happenings 79th Annual Dog Show-Page 4 Children’s Sunday: Blessing of the Kites and Kindergarten Bake Sale.

House and Land Blessings scheduled during Rogation Days. If you would like James to bless your farm or home, please call the church office to schedule a visit during the daylight hours of Monday May 11-Wednesday May 13.

May 14

4-6 Ascension Day Celebration: Kite Flying, Hot Dogs & Kona Ice

May 17

Youth Sunday– Service led by our Youth & Last day of SS & Closing Party [TBD]

May 19

6:00 Vestry Meeting and discussion of the importance of a Youth Ministry. The congregation is encouraged to come-pg 5

May 20 May 20

Jun 8-11

10:00 Kindergarten Program and Graduation of 4’s-pg 6

Club 55 End of Year Picnic @ Jim and Eleanor Parrish’s lake house– Watch your mail for a card and directions, or call office or the Parrish’s

June Preview Summer Camp # 1– page 6

Jun 22-25 Vacation Bible School pg 8

Parish Survey– Starting time of Second Sunday Service The 2015 Vestry has been asked to investigate the start time of the second Sunday service. With that in mind, at the 10:00am Sunday service May 17, 2015, we will survey those in attendance to ascertain if there is a preference for starting at 10:00am or 10:30am. This information will then be taken to the Vestry for consideration in determining the most appropriate start time. If you regularly attend the second Sunday service and will be absent on May 17, or if you have any questions, please contact the church office at 803-432-7621 or David Farrow 432-8194

May 2015 Dear People of Grace,

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May, 2015 [1-Sts. Philip & James; 11-13-Rogation;14-Ascension; 24-Pentecost; 31 Trinity]

“But with whom was he [God] angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” (Heb.3:17-19) We studied these verses from the Letter to the Hebrews recently in the early-morning men’s Bible study at Grace Church. It’s intriguing to think about why God made the Children of Israel wander in the desert for 40 years. Why was it necessary for God’s chosen people to wander aimlessly in the wilderness for a couple of full generations before they were finally permitted to take possession of their Promised Land?

I think it had something to do with the three centuries or so that the descendants of Abraham had to live in bondage in Egypt. Bondage comes in many forms. There is chemical bondage in the addiction to numerous drugs. There is psychological bondage that develops from various forms of abuse. There is emotional bondage which can be the product of different types of dysfunctional relationship. And we haven’t even started talking about more wide-spread forms of bondage that occur when people insist on subjecting themselves regularly to acts and thoughts of pride, envy, lust, jealousy – the list goes on and is well documented in Scripture. And there are a lot of negative characteristics that develop when you live in any kind of bondage.

I believe the Children of Israel had developed a kind of “victim mentality” during their time as slaves of Pharaoh. This is born out in all the times the people complained bitterly during their sojourn in the desert.

If it wasn’t the lack of fresh water which God solved by turning bitter water sweet (Ex.15:23-25), the issue became the lack of plentiful food (Ex.16:2-5). Once the food problem was solved through the miracle of the manna, the Israelites started to complain about the absence of meat (Ex.16:12-13). And then, when God had them wait for a time while He talked to Moses on the mountain-top, the Children of Israel grew impatient and made the idol of the golden calf (Ex. 32). Yes, there was always something to complain about, and it was always somebody else’s fault. The Children of the Covenant were given proof of God’s love and promise of glorious freedom over and over again. Yet they couldn’t see the incredible things that God was doing in their lives, because they were so focused on their presumed suffering.

They insisted on gripping so tightly to their identity as victims, that they just couldn’t reach out to grasp their new identity of victors. Just three letters are different in those two words “victim” and “victor.” Oh, but what a universe of difference those three letters make!

In St. Paul’s mighty Letter to the Romans, he assures us of our victorious identity as Children of God (See Rom.8:3139). We are so much more than conquerors we Children of the Cross of Christ. We have been promised through our Christian witness abundant life in this world and eternal life in the next. We are assured that God holds us incredibly dear as the apple of His eye (See Ps.17:8; Zech.2:8). Yet, there are times when we too fall back into the victim mentality of our bondage in sin. It happens when we find ourselves complaining rather than giving thanks, judging rather than accepting, gossiping rather than encouraging.

This Easter season, it is my prayer that we all may come to understand just a little better the scope of our identity as Victors in the Cross. We are indeed God’s chosen people. And this season more than any other time of the year should be a time of great and thankful rejoicing. For we have truly entered our own Promised Land of Redemption. And through the empty tomb, the Lord Jesus Christ himself has brought us to our rest.

Blessed Eastertide,

James†

May 2015

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79th Annual Spring Dog Show May 2nd Grace Episcopal Church’s 79th Annual Spring Dog Show, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2015, will be held at Rectory Square in beautiful downtown Camden. Registration is only $5.00 per pet, per class and begins at 11:00 a.m. There will be hotdogs, home baked goodies and cold drinks available at the park.

Robert Arial’s Dog Show 2014 prints If you didn’t win the original dog show cartoon by our very own Robert Arial last year….don’t fret! A limited number of signed prints will be available to purchase this year for only $10.00.

This is the first print of a set, so be sure and start your collection now! You can purchase a print after our church services, in the church office or at Camden Tire Co. on Wylie Street. This would make a perfect gift for the dog lover in your life, so start your Christmas shopping early!

Competition classes include Pure-Bred Dogs, Puppies, Herding Dogs, Costumed Class, Non-Sporting Dogs, Adopted Dogs and “Heinz 57” Dogs. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE KERSHAW COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, where every dollar counts towards providing care for Kershaw County’s homeless and abandoned animals, who cannot fend for themselves.

Grace Church’s Annual Spring Dog Show is a tradition in Kershaw County, recognized as a quality production, complete with ring, ringmaster, announcer, qualified judges, ribbons, and trophies.

Please join us for this traditional event, and enjoy a day at the park with your family & pets, with all proceeds to aid in the humane treatment of orphaned animals.

Attention High School Seniors We are now accepting applications for the Grahame Butler-Nixon Scholarship. This scholarship was established

by Grahame Butler-Nixon upon his retirement as the rector of Grace Church. The scholarship is a $500 cash award given to a deserving high school senior from Kershaw County. The scholarship will be awarded in June.

Please have applications in no later than May 31st. Thank you very much for your participation and good luck!

Please email to gracecamden@bellsouth.net or mail to Grace Episcopal Church, 1315 Lyttleton St Camden, SC 29020 The application should be in the following format: A one-page typed essay addressed to Grace Episcopal Church stating: - A short biographical summary of the applicant.

- The applicant’s honors, achievements, or contributions to the community.

- The applicant’s goals upon graduation.

- How the applicant would benefit from the scholarship.

- Why they should be awarded the scholarship.

May 2015

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Please come to May 19 Vestry Meeting Given the importance of Youth Ministry in the future of Grace Church, our Vestry would like to devote the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at 6:00 PM to a discussion of this important activity in the life of our Church family. Members of the congregation are encouraged to attend this important meeting so that our Vestry can hear from you in order to form an accurate and complete idea of your goals and concerns for the youth of our Church.

Please plan to attend this gathering in Richardson Hall at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 19.

Our Heartfelt Home Repair Team recently completed this handicap ramp for a home in Cassatt. The crew included: Keith Brunson John DuBose Karen Eckford David Farrow Bill Herbert George Lane Joel Peacock Kay Sahr Mary Ann & Frank Trapp Prayer Shawl Ministry We will meet on Thursday, May14th, at 3:00 p.m. in the Bishop Davis Room.

Bring your knitting or crocheting and join us for a little while, or until 6:00 p.m..

All are welcome!

Beth Rauseo and Barbara Goodwin

EYC Congaree Kayak Trip May 16

May 2015

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News from the Preschool Grace Preschool Bake Sale…

The preschool will hold a bake sale immediately following church, Sunday, May 3rd. All proceeds from the sale will go towards new educational resources for the children. Please stop by and enjoy some yummy treats while helping the children of Grace Preschool at the same time! Looking forward to seeing you there!

Summer Camp at Grace Preschool…

We are all part of God’s team!

June 8-11 Ages: 2 – 5 year olds $80.00 per child ($10.00 Sibling Discount) Hope you can join us for summer camp! Sign-up sheets are in the church office or you can contact the preschool office at 432-7658.

Scholarships The preschool is looking to increase its scholarship support for the 2015-2016 school year. Currently, there are three families that could use some assistance with their children’s monthly tuition. These children have flourished in our preschool program during this year and we hope to keep them enrolled for the coming year. If you are interested in sponsoring a scholarship please contact Melissa Clyburn at 432-7658. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!

Graduation and End of Year Program Wednesday, May 20th 10:00am Richardson Hall It’s hard to believe the school year is almost over and our four year old class will be graduating and heading off to ”big school.”

The children have been working hard on the end of year program and would love for you to join them on this day! Congratulations to our Graduates! We will miss them very much but know they will shine as they move onto bigger and brighter things!

May 2015

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Prayer Book Memorials Upon an inventory of Grace Church’s Prayer Books we found that we have 25 books that need to be replaced.

In view of this members of the congregation might like to buy one or more Prayer Books as a memorial to someone in their family or whomever they wish.

The Prayer Book that you donate would have a hand written inscription of your choice inside which could include their name or the person’s name that the book is given in memory of, along with any short message that you might want included.

The cost of each Prayer Book is $15 (shipping included). If you would like to participate in this program please contact the church office or fill out forms that will be in bulletins and Evangel.

Please print “In Memory “ or “In Honor “ of memorials below and return with your checks to the office or place in the alms basins. [$15.00 each BCP] In memory of: [please print] ______________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ In honor of: [please print]________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

Special Appearance at Supper and Song The Wednesday Evening Supper & Song on May 13 [5:30-7] will be host to Crickett Chmiel [daughter of Katie & Paul Chmiel and granddaughter of Kay Sahr] and other members of “The Dance Place”.

The group will present a short program of liturgical dance during the pizza fellowship

2015 Shining Star VBS June 22-25 from 5:30-8:00 including supper “You are the light of the world!” (Matthew 5:14a) Shining Star VBS will help all of God’s children-girls and boys, young and old-to shine with the light of God by listening, studying, taking action, forgiving, and being stars for Christ through loving ways. You will be inspired to believe and sing “This little light of mine; I’m gonna let it shine!” and to better understand what Jesus told his disciples in the overall Scripture, “You are the light of the world!” (Matthew 5:14a). Amanda Robbins-Murphy has stepped up to serve as a co-director, but she needs a partner who is familiar with past VBSs at Grace.

Thank you to the many people who have offered to help out in various ways, and we can use still more!

Now, in addition to a partner for Amanda, we need people who can commit to the week as teachers, musicians, and crafts leaders. Contact the office [432-7621], Amanda , or Kay Sahr [243-4646] if you can help.

The Rev. James W. Barnhill– Rector Parish Office (803)432-7621 Fax Number (803)432-7622 Kindergarten/Preschool (803) 432-7658 www.gracechurchcamden.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Grace Episcopal Church 1315 Lyttleton Street Camden, SC 29020

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Camden, SC Permit #43

House and Land Blessings scheduled for May 11-13 during Rogation Days The practice of blessing homes and agricultural lands during the days leading up to the Feast of the Ascension (which this year falls on May 14) has been in practice in the Christian faith since at least the 5th Century AD. Known as “Rogation Days” from the Latin verb “rogare” which meant “to

ask,” these days provided an opportunity to ask God’s blessing on the coming agricultural cycle. In former times when maps were rare, it was usual to make a formal “perambulation” of various boundaries during the week of Ascension Day. Knowledge of the limits of these boundaries needed to be handed down from one generation to the next. What became known in various parts of England as “Gang Days” (that is “Going Days”) or “the Beating of the Bounds” provided an effective way of preventing encroachment by one neighboring farm on another. But it also had a vital spiritual component, which was to pray for protection of the lands at what was the start of the growing season for many crops, and at the beginning of the bearing season for much of a farm’s livestock. In more recent times, Rogation Days have also provided an opportunity for the blessing of homes, both old and new.

If you would like Father James to bless your farm or home this year, please call the Grace Church office to schedule a visit. Blessings during the Rogation Days of 2015 will be held during the sunlight hours of Monday May 11 through Wednesday, May 13.

Be sure to Thank Jim Burns for braving the swamp once again and providing the palms for our Palm Sunday Service!!

Also kudos To Karen LaRoche for taking on the delivery of the lilies, decorating the church, watering , deadheading and removal of the lilies!!