April 2015
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4
You are invited to
St. John’s Sunday
April 19 • 10:30 a.m. service featuring the
St. John’s Children’s Choir ; ; ;
and afterwards at a reception in the Heavenly Rest Food Pantry to welcome parents and students and give thanks for their generous support.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
(Please check our website for the latest news and updates.)
Maundy Thursday, April 2: 7:00pm Service of Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar.
Mother Susanna will be our preacher and our service will conclude by candlelight in the Chapel of Repose. Anyone who wishes to remain all night in watchful vigil is invited to stay. Security is provided.
Good Friday, April 3: 8:00am and Noon services. Reverend Amanda Watson will preach at the early service when the reserved sacrament will be consumed. Father Luke preaches at the noon service and Dr. Wes will provide special music. All are invited to observe the Stations of the Cross in the Nave following the service.
Holy Saturday, April 4: 9:00am - Liturgy for Holy Saturday in All Saints Chapel.
10:00am - Holy Saturday Children’s Events begin with an Easter Egg hunt for all ages on the east lawn of the church, followed by a great story time inside the church. The morning concludes at 11am with a special visit to the tomb. 7:00pm - Holy Saturday Easter Vigil and Striking of the New Fire. This service begins in the Columbarium at Heavenly Rest and moves into the Nave as the Light of Christ brightens the darkness around us. Dr. Doug Thomas will be our preacher and each member of the Confirmation Class will be recognized and honored at this service.
Easter Sunday, April 5: Special service times will be 9:00am and 11:00am. Brass musicians will accompany our Easter music program. Father Luke will be our preacher. Easter Brunch, 10-11:00am, will be served between services in the Parish Hall. A special gift awaits each child within the gates of the Columbarium. Join us as we participate in the overwhelming joy of Easter resurrection! OUR MISSION As a community of faith centered in God through liturgy and Christian Practice, the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest exists to: CARE for members of all ages and stages of life; SHARE God’s inclusive and healing love with all people;.CREATE opportunities to grow in Christ; SERVE the church, the community, and the world.
HEAVENLY REST SERVICES Sundays 8:00 a.m. Rite I with Holy Eucharist in the nave
9:15-10:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Rite II with Holy Eucharist in the nave 1:00 p.m. Morning Prayer in Swahili
Weekdays
8:00 a.m. Morning Prayer in the chapel
Wednesdays
5:30 p.m. Healing Service, Holy Eucharist in the chapel Service liturgy is from the Book of Common Prayer.
Care. Share. Create. Serve. • April 2015
Josh Black Is Our New Parish Administrator
ParishFellowship
Heavenly Rest parishioner Josh Black accepted the position of church administrator to replace our dear friend Peter Kent. He comes to us from the oilfield where he performed duties of engineer, environmental health & safety representative and company man, but still considers himself a hard-working roughneck. His past experience in construction, horticulture and irrigation should bring new insight and careful oversight to our growing church. We welcome Josh, his wonderful wife Jeannette and his young son Spencer into the fold of our caring staff.
Rev. Dr. Robert Pace is new Rector-Elect
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The Reverend Jo Roberts Craig from St. Andrews in Amarillo has announced plans to retire in May, 2016. She served the parish since January 2002, and has been the Rector since July 2011. After careful and prayerful consideration, the St. Andrews vestry unanimously voted to call the Rev. Dr. Robert Pace as Rector-Elect. He will continue to serve as Assoc. Rector until Rev. Roberts’ retirement, working with Jo to make a seamless transition for the parishioners.
Farewell Reception for the Peter Kent Family
Happy Birthday
AprilCelebrations
April 23 April 1 April 3 April 7 April 16 Jill Bishop Eliana Pigott Brody Chung Thomas Madrid Gretchen Herman Casey Voce April Ewing Callie Hampton Chris Rockett April 4 Melissa Strain Sydney Underwood April 24 April 8 April 17 Wancele Pritchett April 2 Austin Partin Joe Crowder April 6 Keith Boyd April 19 April 25 Sandra Sherman April 9 Richard Hart Ross Strain Sheila Petroski Melinda Morrison April 27 April 10 April 20 Benjamin Diamond Tommy Bartlett April 6 Kathy Diamond Viola Jepson Sarah & Dickson Ferguson April 12 Rader Ferrell Allan Landwer Heather Manion Kuleigh Morrison April 10 Whit Strain Buddy Napier April 13 Susan & Bob Bartlett April 28 April 21 Melinda McCarty April 12 Sarah Ferguson Robert Bridges Kim Phelan Holly Frizzell Linda & Art Goolsbee Benje Morrison April 15 Sally Orsini April 25 April 22 Ann Hollandsworth April 29 Ann & Ken Hollandsworth Deanne Thomas Tanner Morrison Kaitlyn Morotini Rita Turkett April 30 Blessings are given at both morning services: Camie Garvey Birthday Blessings, April 12 • Anniversary Blessings, April 19 • Children’s Blessing: April 26
Happy Anniversary
http://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org
On the East Lawn for the Blessing of the Palms on Palm Sunday Heavenly Rest Chamber Music Concert Series
Heavenly Rest in the Holy Land
Ceasarea Amphitheater Ruins
2nd Annual Tri-Collegiate Scholarship & Honors Recital Thursday, May 7, 7pm
Temple Mount Jerusalem
Sea of Galilee
The first Tri-Collegiate Honors Recital was a tremendous success. The music students who auditioned and performed were of the highest caliber. We were able to offer modest scholarship to the judges’ top three performers. Looking ahead to this year’s event we hope to offer an even larger scholarship to reflect the outstanding applicants we received. Tri-Collegiate Scholarship Fund: Please consider a contribution to this year’s Tri-Collegiate Scholarship & Honors Recital. These students are very deserving and there is nothing like this available to them in Abilene. Your contribution may be made in memory/thanksgiving of a family member, loved one, or other deserving honoree. If you have any questions regarding the Tri-Collegiate Scholarship & Honors Recital, contact us any time: wgomer@heavenlyrestabilene.org or srockett@heavenlyrestabilene.org.
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Care. Share. Create. Serve. • April 2015
ParishStewardship Latest News from ECW
The Outreach Committee gave a gift of $6700 to build homes in Haiti this year.
Over the past several years working with Food for the Poor, Pete Renick has helped raise about $500,000 for the Chantal community in Southwestern Haiti. This money has been used to start 70 families on the path to self-sufficiency with sturdy houses, crops, education and a new community center. Members of our church family and our Outreach Committee have funded a significant part of this project. Another pilgrimage to Chantal in Haiti will be made on May 4-7 and members of our church family are invited to join. The cost will be about $1,500. It is a difficult trip over bad roads with long days, but the spiritual rewards are rich. If you have an interest in going you may contact Pete at 572-5233 or Leann Chong at 954-427-2222, ext 6216. Many thanks to the Heavenly Rest Outreach Committee and parishioners for both your financial and spiritual support.
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ECW hosted the second Reward Party at Bowie Elementary on March 6. Fourth graders could participate if they reached a certain level of academic performance, behavior and attendance. Those who achieved this goal were rewarded with hot chocolate, donuts and a movie. ECW volunteers provided refreshments and encouraged the students to keep up the great work! The word has gotten out about the fun time for the students– there was a 20% increase in student participation from the January Reward Party. This increase resulted even though the teachers raised the goals that students had to obtain. FROM THE TEACHERS: “Today we It was so great to hear from the students: finished the first round of STAAR testing. I speak on behalf of my entire fourth grade team “I get to go to the party this time!” “ I can hardly wait for the party to start!” when I tell you just how much we appreci“You guys are awesome.” ate the STAAR testing bags that you all put “Thank you for doing this for us!” together for our 4th graders. Not only were the kids thrilled to have them, but you took a What a joy to see their precious faces brightenhuge burden off of some already very stressed ing and showing appreciation for such a simteachers. The students were also excited about ple thing. We all left feeling like the students blessed us! the snacks that were provided. We are truly We have two more Reward Parties for this blessed to have you as supporters of Bowie. year. They are April 24th and May 26th. If you Please relay our gratitude to all of those involved. Our kiddos are already looking for- would like to help in any way, please contact ward & working hard towards the next reward Suzie Ramsey (692-7492) or Gay Ann Walts party. Thank you again!” (829-2754). We would love to have you be part of this wonderful, fun community outreach!
SJES Track Attack Upgrade St. John’s would like to send a colossal and heartfelt “Thank You” to Steve Strain and J.H. Strain & Sons for the construction of our new track. The existing track had become an eyesore and a hazard for the students. With the leadership of the St. John’s Board of Trustees, and the generosity of Mr. Strain, we have a track that students will enjoy safely for years to come. St. John’s recently held a St. Patrick’s Day “Leprechaun Laps” event…a wonderful day of activities for students, faculty and parents, all focused on fitness and fun. This event not only served as the official ribbon cutting for the track, but also raised funds to help us maintain and further develop the new track of which we are so enormously proud. St. John’s continues to thrive with the dedication and generosity of our partners and supporters within the Heavenly Rest congregation and we remain tremendously grateful!
http://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org
The Refugee Committee– Welcoming Our Brothers in Christ The Outreach Committee established this group last September with a mission to minister to the needs of African refugees in Abilene, many of whom are at Heavenly Rest as fellow Christians and share a continuity of faith in the Episcopal tradition. Our goal is to provide resources that help stabilize the refugees and bring them closer to selfsufficiency. Currently, we offer pastoral and financial support. The committee is dedicated to: Congolese women recently treated the committee • Providing a spiritual home to these refugees as they to an authentic Congolese meal - above and at resettle their families in Abilene right they are cooking ugli or fufu. • Working with organizations who assist refugees • Welcoming the positive contributions of these refugees to our church life The Refugee Committee is thrilled to report that in the last few weeks we have been blessed with many donations from our congregation, Hendrick Hospital and Global Samaritan. This allowed us to provide furniture, clothing, food, cookware and silverware for 8 families! We thank you for your generosity. There are many other ways to support the mission of this committee: •Are you a Garage Sale/Estate Sale shopper? We need people to take our list of needs to sales to buy items for these families– purchases will be reimbursed with designated funds. •Do you have a truck? Another HUGE need is people with trucks to help move furniture on Thursdays - usually in the morning to be delivered before 2pm. We pick up mainly from Global Samaritan in the Old Coca-Cola Building located at N.1st and Sayles. •Would You Like to Meet People from Different Cultures without having to travel? If you can help and wish to volunteer, please contact the office and they will pass the message on to Amanda Watson, Sue Ivey, Kim Snyder, Suzie Ramsey or Ann Hubbard Hollandsworth.
Together We (can) DID Pack the Pantry
Over 1,000 cans were given at the United Supermarket on Buffalo Gap Road.
The pantry shelves are so full, an additional storage room is now being used…wow! Packing the pantry by Easter was definitely a group achievement. People came together to help make this happen– Church members as well as so many from outside of Heavenly Rest. Members our of congregation dutifully brought in donations at each service, as well as many donating their time and talents to help behind the scenes. The students at St. John’s came together and surpassed their goal, generously donating over 1,800 goods…wow again! The team at United Supermarket on Buffalo Gap Road was another large part of our success by volunteering to help collect over 1,000 cans for our pantry! In addition, the middle school and high school youth groups took an active roll (on foot!) and collected donation sacks in the neighborhoods. We are very grateful to all that helped. Together we DID pack the pantry. We truly can do great things together. St. John’s students went beyond their goal and collected over 1800 items for the Pantry.
Refugee Needs List Most Needed Items Cookware: Pots, Pans, Skillets
(2 families have 6-8 members and need large sizes)
Utility/Serving Spoons Kitchen Knives Bakeware: cookie sheets, muffin tins, pie plates, etc. Tableware: forks, spoons, dinner plates, glassware
New only, Please
Pillows for beds Shower curtain/hangers Deodorant, Bars of Soap, Shampoo, Lotion
Used, In Good Shape Mattress sets/bed frames Bedding, Bath Mats Towels & Wash Cloths
Furniture
All Furniture is Needed! (Call the office to arrange placement and delivery)
Specific Requests: Dining Sets for 6 or more (one family will eventually have 11 family members!)
An entertainment center 1 man’s bicycle 1 child’s bicycle 2 plain desks with office chairs For Pastor Mulanda - working printer to print sermons and song sheets for the Choir. Always Needed: Headboards, Chests Coffee tables, Side tables Couches & Chairs Foldout Sofabeds and Recliners are great! Baby Furniture Computer Desks & Chairs
For the Children, Newborns-12 yr olds Diapers Toys, Games, Picture Books Crayons, Coloring Books Young Children’s Books Stuffed Animals & Dolls (used is fine if nice and clean) Sports Equipment Tricycles/Bicycles
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Care. Share. Create. Serve. • April 2015
YouthInAction
Youth Fundraiser
We are raising funds for our Youth Program beginning the first Sunday after Easter. You will see 144 envelopes placed on the bulletin board in front of the women’s restroom. Each envelope will have a number on it. That number represents how much money we ask to be placed in the envelope and given to the office. The money from this fundraiser will go to camp scholarships and other youth events. Please prayerfully consider what you could give to support the programs for the youth at Heavenly Rest.
The youth had a scavenger hunt last weekend in the Church’s neighborhood and collected bags of food for the food pantry. We had a great time despite the heat Sunday evening. Youth and Children Lent Program Throughout Lent, the children and youth learned about the Eucharist. On the last week we had a church serviced designed especially for them. Youth members made communion bread and wrote a prayer. The younger children wrote prayers for Prayers of the People and sang. Some of the teenagers sang beautiful songs in Swahili. Everyone took turns reading various parts, and it was wonderful. We have a great group of teenagers and children at this church. Diocesan Camps - Camp Quarterman Sr. (completed grades 7-12) Colorado, June 7-13 Camp Quarterman Jr. (completed grades 2-7) Ceta Glen, June 28-July 4
AprilCalendar Weekly Schedule at Heavenly Rest
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
8:00am Rite I Holy Eucharist
5:30am B.O.B.S
8:00am Morning Prayer
8:00am Morning Prayer
8:00am Morning Prayer
8:00am Morning Prayer
9:30-11:30am Hands-on Outreach
8:00am Morning Prayer SJES Chapel
9:15am Sunday School
10:15am Adult Choir*
10:30am Rite II Holy Eucharist* 1:00pm - Morning Prayer in Swahili 4:00pm - Junior Ringers & Singers 5:00pm Change Ringers
5:15-7:00pm JEYPs grades 6-8
6:30pm Curate’s Study
10am Staff mtg 6:00pm Change Ringers 6:15pm - EFM
9:30-11:30am Hands-on Outreach 5:30pm Healing Service Holy Eucharist* (5:15pm on April 1) 6:15-8:00pm EYC grades 9-12 6:30pm Canterbury Bells 7:30pm Adult Choir
For an up-to-date calendar of events, please visit the church website at heavenlyrestabilene.org. Sunday Server schedules are posted on the website; click this:
Please take time to thank our Sunday Servers. They work hard to make each service run smoothly. The server schedule can be found on the website at www.heavenlyrestabilene.org, where it will be updated with changes over the course of the month and e-mailed to the servers at the beginning of each month. If you would like a hard copy of the server schedule, please call the office at 325.677-2091. 6
9:30am Bible Study with Mother Susanna 9:30-11:30am Hands-on Outreach 7:00pm Bagpipes
SATURDAY
Childcare is available every Sunday, 7:30 a.m-Noon, unless otherwise noted. *childcare will be available for this event **childcare can be arranged upon request
Scheduled on Alternating Weeks
2nd & 4th Tuesday, April 14 & 28 Centering Prayer (Bishop Mayer Room), 4:00pm 1st & 3rd Tuesday, April 7 & 21 St. Margaret’s Guild, 6:30pm
http://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org
BackPage† Dear Friends, It’s time to face the cross. Crucifixion wails like a tornado siren, it blasts forth in blood and sweat, cries and groans, odor and horror, the harsh warning, “Don’t let his happen to you!” In ancient times the cross was an instrument of righteous punishment. The Romans used it to protect their power, by it the priests protected their control over the temple, the Pharisees protected their laws and the people protected their favorite violent celebrity Barabbas, a murderous hero.
Priest Monk Alexander ( Tad Frizzell) recently participated in the funeral of Lane Frizzell at Heavenly Rest.
Now, see the holy one who hangs on the cross. In Jesus, God shared and suffered, in an ISIS-like world. God in Christ, like millions of vulnerable children, lived and died under the terror of sin and death. Such evil has no national, religious, social or economic boundaries. The co-pilot that destroyed a Germanwing airplane full of human life, was an isolated instrument of ISIS-like tyranny. It is a hard fact of life that neither you nor I are immune to the cause or the effect of evil. Not all ‘spirit’ is holy. The force of sin and death is another kind of ‘spirit’. It may infect nations, religions, political parties, and businesses, it may infect congregations and organizations, it may infect families and individuals. This spirit of sin and death often hides beneath a language of righteousness and protection. Violence against people infected with evil may sometimes limit their destructiveness, but it can also spread the infection to others — especially succeeding generations. Terror is powerful because it incarnates a spirit of sin and death. It took almost four hundred years for the church to change the cross from a sign of terror into the Holy Cross of salvation and grace. Such a change involved great courage, pain and suffering, similar to what Jesus bore on the Cross. History tells us that Christianity, has occasionally fallen backward, incarnating the crucifiers instead of the crucified. If the road to heaven becomes a source of pride and superiority, we may be on the right road but heading the wrong way. Love only and always moves our souls toward God’s presence. Special thanks to the Very Reverend George Back for his helpful, heavenly Holy Week insights toward the writing of Back Page.
Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate our emancipation from the tyrannical grasp of sin and death. To
“To incarnate the risen Christ means to no longer be subject to terrorists of earth. We have been redeemed; we have been empowered for everlasting life.” incarnate the risen Christ means to no longer be subject to terrorists of earth. We have been redeemed; we have been empowered for everlasting life. Even if they kill us, God’s love and purpose will not be thwarted. Resurrection brings new creation, a larger way of being alive. St. John proclaims, “Complete love drives out fear” (John 4:18) and Easter joy overwhelms all earthly hurt, singing “Alleluia!” Faithfully,
Luke Back +
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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts-Schori, Presiding Bishop THE DIOCESE OF NORTHWEST TEXAS
VISION The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest is a Christian community of faith rooted in the Anglican tradition. Empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, we seek to know the reconciling love of God and to share that love with others.
The Right Reverend J. Scott Mayer, Bishop PARISH STAFF
During the Lenten Series programs, children and youth learned about the Holy Eucharist. Above, receiving of the sacraments at the final service with Fr. Luke. Left, Ben Houghtalen tries on the priests’ vestments.
Care. Share. Create. Serve.
The Reverend N. Luke Back, Rector The Reverend Susanna Cates, Curate The Reverend Amanda Watson, Deacon Bikole Mulanda, Swahili Minister Josh Black, Parish Administrator Dr. Wes Gomer, Organist and Director of Music Ministries April Powers, Financial Manager Katie Young, Office Assistant, Youth and Christian Education Laura Wright, Communications Coordinator Susetta Rockett, Music Assistant Shelly Reed, Director: Junior Ringers & Singers Courtney Bryant, Christian Education Assistant Barbradon Brooks, Harpist Arnulfo Guerra, Sexton Dorothy Guerra, Housekeeper
Heavenly Rest Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8:30a.m.-12 noon; 1-4:30p.m. Friday: 8:30a.m. - 12 noon (325) 677-2091 chrepis@heavenlyrestabilene.org http://www.heavenlyrestabilene.org
Return Service Requested Telephone (325) 677-2091 602 Meander Street Abilene, Texas 79602-1009
Church of the Heavenly Rest
Abilene, TX Permit #249
PAID
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage