Volume 6, Issue 3 | Fall 2023
LET IT BE PAVED PARADISE GIFTS OF GRACE BAND OF BROTHERS
Cover: original watercolor by Kalesia Woody; Inside cover: Blessing of the Backpacks 2023, photograph by Katherine Poole
open the door and
see all the people
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S GOING FORTH 12 PAVED PARADISE Grounds for rejoicing by The Rev. Dr. James Pahl 14 GRANT US GRACE Meet the new agencies of Gifts of Grace 2023 by Nancy Board 18 A FOCUS IN GRACE A Gifts of Grace agency takes root by Pansy Morton and Scotty Steele 20 A NEW BEGINNING Pilgrimage to the Holy Land by Beth Grace 22 BAND OF BROTHERS Fellowship by Rick Rountree 25 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT St. Michael’s: Making a Place for Others a poem by Thomas Hubert
Youth Choir shenanigans, photography by Katherine Poole
THE GOOD NEWS 4 LET IT BE Words of wisdom by The Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones 6 A STRONG FOUNDATION Raising children in Christ's Church by The Rev. David Nichols 8 BOUND BY FAITH The orthodoxy of inclusion by Seminarian Andrew Raines
2
CROSSWORD
Volume 6, Issue 3 | Fall 2023
W H O , W H AT A N D W H E R E 1520 Canterbury Road, Raleigh NC 27608 919.782.0731 | holymichael.org
CLERGY The answers to this puzzle can be found in the ARCHANGEL stories!
The Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones, Rector ext. 117 | jones@holymichael.org (c) 919.559.2004 The Rev. Holly M. Gloff, Associate Rector ext. 127 | gloff@holymichael.org (c) 919.612.7228 The Rev. David Nichols, Associate Rector ext. 105 | nichols@holymichael.org (c) 803.924.6815 Andrew Raines, Seminarian ext. 129 | raines@holymichael.org
V E S T RY Senior Warden: Robert Marshall Jr. Warden: Claren Englebreth Clerk: Sam Taylor CLASS OF 2023 Amanda Carson, Claren Englebreth, Robert Marshall, Sam Taylor, Rose Vaughn Williams CLASS OF 2024 Hayden Constance, Leslie de Haven, Sally Duff, Tommy Malone, Steve Rolander CLASS OF 2025 Phil Lambe, Jeff McLamb, Sally Norton, Mike Penick, Ruth Scott vestryonly@holymichael.org
S TA F F Stella Attaway, Coordinator of Nursery & Childcare ext. 106 | attaway@holymichael.org
ACROSS 2. St. Michael’s first rector 5. Raising children in the church builds a strong ________ 6. Founder of Community Success Initiative, a non-profit that helps formerly incarcerated individuals transition back into the community 8. A pilgrimage to this location is planned for September 2024. 9. Local non-profit agency that provides community services for mental health and substance abuse 10. Thomas Hubert’s poem is dedicated to this former staff member. 11. This taproom is the current meeting spot for the Band of Brothers. 13. Parishioner Martha Crampton’s brother and late president of FIGS DOWN 1. What FIGS can help a Wake County patient to fill 3. St. Michael’s favorite frozen treat truck 4. The Greek word for brotherly love 5. NeighborHealth is a _____-based, non-profit primary care facility. 7. The Fab Four 12. She said,“Let it be.”
Catherine Fain, Director of Development ext. 121 | fain@holymichael.org Ann Garey, Publications Editor ext. 103 | garey@holymichael.org Stefan Dabrowski, Facilities Manager ext. 108 | dabrowski@holymichael.org Kevin Kerstetter, Director of Music ext. 107 | kerstetter@holymichael.org Carolyn L’Italien, Coordinator of Children’s Ministry ext. 130 | litalien@holymichael.org Susan Little, Financial Administrator ext. 113 | little@holymichael.org Robin Kennedy, Director of Parish Care & Newcomer Ministry ext. 112 | kennedy@holymichael.org Katherine Poole, Director of Communications ext. 122 | poole@holymichael.org Brett MacDonald & Ashley Gitchell, Youth Leaders eyc@holymichael.org Jesus Epigmenio, Groundskeeper Marcela de la Cruz, Housekeeper
P A R I S H D AY S C H O O L Mandy Annunziata, Director, Parish Day School ext. 110 | annunziata@holymichael.org Courtney Alford, Assistant Director, Parish Day School ext. 114 | alford@holymichael.org
ARCHANGEL | 3
LET IT BE
by THE REVEREND SAMUEL GREGORY JONES, RECTOR
Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” —Luke 1:38
M
ary said, “Let it be.”
One of the many highlights of our family trip to Great Britain a decade ago was our stay in Liverpool. It is not only a wonderful city, where my wife lived for a year decades ago — and formed close friendships — it is the home of The Beatles. And I love The Beatles. To be sure, when I hear somebody say "Let it Be," I think of The Beatles. Paul McCartney says the song was about a dream conversation he had with his mother, Mary. 4
But it comes as no surprise that The Beatles were in my mind more than Scripture for much of my childhood. After all, I grew up in the late 20th century, when The Beatles were everywhere, and Western culture was growing farther and farther away from its Christian roots. When John Lennon infamously said, “We’re bigger than Jesus,” he wasn’t factually mistaken. His rock band had become more popular among young folks than Jesus Christ. And while The Beatles are not what they once were, broken up now since 1970 — the wider point is still true. Popular
stock (THE VIRGIN MARY ART)
culture in the West is not Christian. Look at the numbers. In modern English society, one person in ten goes to church at all. In Germany and Scandinavia, it’s one in twenty. In France and Italy, it’s one in four. Indeed, in Europe, where for dozens of centuries every country was ruled by explicitly Christian monarchs, the Church is now little more than a relic or tourist attraction. Even in the United States, fewer than half of our people worship regularly. Why is this? I think the answer is sadly simple. Beginning a couple hundred years ago, and accelerating exponentially in the 20th century, modern people around the world began to dissect every social institution. And they began to discard the ones that no longer seemed to do much good. Folks began to examine the ancient and established churches, and they saw that these entities really didn’t meet their needs anymore. Simple as that. The Church just didn’t fill people’s needs anymore. At least not nearly so well as science, medicine, industry and the popular arts. And if so, why read an ancient and confusing Bible? Why listen to frumpy old priests? Why sit through boring rituals when you can meet your own needs in the comfort of your own home — the way you like it best? One of my great fears during the Covid era when people couldn’t go to church even if they wanted to was that they’d forever change their habits. When John Lennon said The Beatles were bigger than Jesus, he hit the nail right on the head. By the end of the 20th century, The Beatles were bigger than Jesus. And when The Beatles broke up, the princes, queens and bosses of pop culture who came after them were also all bigger than Jesus. But you know what? This is okay with me, because, well, it’s nothing
new. The powers of the world have always been bigger than Jesus. They were when he was a baby, they were when he was a man, and they were when they hung him on a cross. And Christians should never forget it: The powers of the world were bigger than Jesus in his day, and even if we are true to our calling to be His Body, they will still be bigger than us. The Church cannot compete with the world, with popular culture, to meet people’s self-defined wants, and it shouldn’t even try. Because, the purpose of the Church is not primarily to meet people’s self-defined desires.
pared for a hard but stable life, never to stray far from her one-horse town. All of a sudden, in prayer, an angel of God visited her and revealed the wisdom of God. A revelation came to her that her life would be put at risk — risk of shame, gossip, slander, abandonment, and no mention at all was made that her desires would be met in any way. Yet she said to the messenger of God, “Let it be.” She didn’t bargain or negotiate. She didn’t resist. She asked a couple of good questions, and then she said, “Let it be.” She said, in three short words, “God — take me — I’m yours. Your will be done, not mine.”
She didn't bargain or negotiate. She didn't resist. She asked a couple of questions, and then she said, 'Let it be.' No, the purpose of the Church is to seek the will of God. And though He loves us very much, the will of God is not just about meeting our desires. For if our God’s only purpose is to meet our needs, as we see them, then our God is pretty small. Perhaps no bigger than our yearning, sorrow and hunger. But this is not our God, and this is not our calling. We are called to be led by the God of All. The First and the Last. We are called not to serve our own needs first, but rather to seek the will of God.
The point of the Church is not to meet people’s needs. Churches, preachers, and churchgoers who don’t understand this are becoming more and more irrelevant every day. The point of the Church is to be the Body of Christ. To be the people of God. To make room in our lives for nothing less than the Word of God to take a hold of us — to do what it wills. And the churches, preachers and churchgoers who understand this are what will always be relevant.
For when we set our face upon the face of God, seeking to do God’s will alone — Jesus visits us — and he redefines who we are, what we want and what we need. When, as Mary did, we can say to God: “Let it be,” then we will be on the path of true wisdom, and then the Son of God will be planted in our hearts. Lord, “Let it be.”
Take Mary for example. She was young. She was poor. She was preARCHANGEL | 5
by THE REVEREND DAVID NICHOLS, ASSOCIATE RECTOR
I
s there any endeavor of human existence fraught with more questions, doubts, and decisions than that of raising children? Perhaps the answer is yes, but if so, I would submit that such endeavors are few. Decisions abound, all affected by our judgment as parents and the limits of time and resources placed upon us. Schools, activities, discipline, technology, religious practice and emotional care fly constantly around our minds as flawed but loving parents, orbiting the ultimate goal of raising children who are happy and good. For a blessed few today, Christ’s Church fits in there somewhere, giving real hope to the endeavor. But what role does the Church play in the great and perilous adventure of raising children? We are fortunate that St. Michael’s is perhaps a better place to look for answers than many. It is tempting to place the Church into another category of activities, but let us resist that temptation for a moment. What are we doing when we take our children to Sunday school or the children’s chapels, drop them off at EYC, or bring them to sing in the children’s choirs? Activities, yes, but activities with some different and eternal goals in mind, I hope. In Sunday school, they learn the stories of the Bible, stories that
6
for too many Christians may not be read again for quite a long time. These stories will do them no good on tests or college applications. They will bring little to the boardroom or factory. But Biblical stories will do something much greater. In teaching our children the words of God, we are implanting in them some knowledge of the Truth. The One God is the great truth of the universe, the lover of souls, and in learning the stories of His Word in the Bible, our children are given a great gift. The God who loves King David through all his sins and failures, who raises up prophets to call back the family and people who have utterly rejected him time and again, the God who became incarnate and died for the countless, hideous sins of the world is a God they need to know. He is different from the love of the world — a world quick to forsake the worthless, quick to abandon and injure, quick to forget. In learning the Words of God, we imbue our children with a seed, a glimmer of hope, the knowledge they are loved by a strange and eternal God, utterly beyond the fickle love of the world around them. So, too, when we bring them to sing in the choir or enjoy the fellowship of other
courtesy David Nichols (NICHOLS FAMILY), stock (LETTERS)
kids at EYC, we are not only developing the skills of ensemble singing and its purported increase to neuroplasticity. We are not merely dropping them off to improve their social skills. All the better if they benefit from those improvements, but at a deeper level what we hope is that they are coming to know the living God more deeply through the beautiful art of singing our praise and in the fellowship of their sisters and brothers in Christ, gathered together for a common purpose. What is my point? It’s not that by bringing your children to church you ensure they will always be good and happy. I wish it were so simple. But, by being involved in the life of a parish in Christ’s Church, we sow the seeds of goodness and happiness, and give them a chance to begin growing in faith and virtue, which is the true path to happiness. Our children are growing up in an age of anxiety and confusion. Basic markers of human identity and ways of making sense of the world are being questioned like never before. We have not brought them into a healthy society. Yet knowledge of the living God who made the universe can be their anchor in the rough seas of life. Amid all the other important decisions we make for our children — where to go to school, what activities to support, how to respond to their desires and behaviors, how to comfort and challenge them — the decision to bring them into the life of the Church and into the life of God is critically important. That no matter what else they might come to doubt, they will know the ultimate giver of life and truth. That they might know, or at least remember having heard, that they are loved infinitely, no matter their righteousness or relationship status or economic productivity.
what we do. Do we pray? Do we read the Scripture? Do we really try to love our neighbors as ourselves? We need to be formed by the life of the Church just as much as our children, for the sake of all of us. The parenting years are a busy season of life. Yet I challenge you that prayer, worship, and study should not be what is set aside. We need them for ourselves. We need them for the raising of our children and the maintenance of our other familial relationships. If we want our children to be happy and good, we need to be constantly reminded of the One who is the source of true happiness and authentic goodness. All true blessings flow from God. And while it is important to make our way in the world — to have a good job, a safe and comfortable home, a network of friends and relations — our primary vocation is to love God. In doing so, we cannot help but love our neighbors. And this puts us on the path to authentic virtue, which along with faith and the constant pouring out of grace from God, can alone bring true happiness. So may we rededicate ourselves to the lifelong journey of discipleship that we take with the children we raise and look after. All of us need help along the way. We are fortunate in this parish to know one important place to find it.
And parents, we are not off the hook by just bringing our children to church. Because above all else, our children watch ARCHANGEL | 7
BOUND T
he big buzz among young Episcopalians across the country is about something called “Inclusive Orthodoxy.” These believers dream of a church that is “Inclusive”— in the sense that our Church ordains women and blesses same-sex couples’ relationships — and “Orthodox”— not in the sense of being a Greek or Russian church but rather a church that holds to “right (orthos-) doctrine (-doxa),” that confesses the faith of the Creeds with its whole chest.
Jesus is Lord or with preaching our traditional doctrines about sin, atonement and resurrection. The faith of our ancestors, with its dogmas and creeds — for whatever reason — just doesn’t seem to hold persuasive power for some of our fellow Episcopalians. In orthodoxy’s place, the stress often gets placed solely on the “Inclusion” half of the formula. Now, many of us, recognizing
organizing. Inclusion can become an idol that we never seem to worship well enough. Sometimes, we become pretty intolerant ourselves. Meanwhile, if we take an honest look out on our pews, we usually haven’t become a tremendously diverse community. In fact, we’re often far less so than some of our sibling churches farther to the right. To risk being too frank, I find all that a bit boring. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying our faith shouldn’t have clear ethical and political implications. I want our community to look like the vision of the Kingdom made up of every tongue, people and nation that St. John saw in Revelation. I believe in striving for social justice. I intend to structure my life in a way that is obedient to Jesus’ call to provide for the least of these. I vote, and I show up for initiatives.
I want our community to look like the vision of Now, it turns out this is actually just the official stance of the Episcopal the Kingdom made up of Church. So why the need for all this zeal for advocating for Incluevery tongue, people and sive Orthodoxy in our parishes? Well, because, despite this being our nation that St. John saw formal authoritative viewpoint, a number of our congregations in revelation. don’t seem to be abiding by it terribly well. There are churches all over the country with signs in front of them sporting “Episcopal” that don’t seem to be comfortable with wholeheartedly proclaiming the Good News that 8
the failures of our forebears, never want our Church to be on the wrong side of history again. But sometimes, because of that, we miss the forest for the trees. Church becomes about political
But the particular strategies of whatever political party dominates the imagination of the priest are of very little interest to me.
BY FAITH by ANDREW RAINES, SEMINARIAN
When Joshua asked the Lord, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” the Lord responded, “Neither” (Joshua 5:13-14). So, I don’t need the preacher to provide me with a homily that summarizes the talking points of MSNBC or Fox News that week. But I do need someone to tell me that Jesus died and rose again for me. What I need is to have my sins forgiven, and to feed on Jesus’ body and blood in the sacrament. If the Kingdom is to appear on Earth, it will be because of God’s grace pouring out among us. Not because we finally managed to put in enough work after 200,000 years of our species roaming the planet.
less, if it was a choice between my sexual orientation and Jesus, Jesus would win every time.
— recognizing the needs of the day — opened up to the Gentiles as described in Acts, in our own day she is beginning to create space for gay folks. Even as, “contrary to nature” (Romans 11:24), the wild branch of the Gentiles was grafted into Israel’s olive tree, so too we and our “contrary to nature” unions (Romans 1:26) can be fully accepted in the Church.
If the Kingdom is to appear on Earth, it will be because of God's grace pouring out among us.
So, for me, the “Orthodoxy” bit is the real non-negotiable. Jesus met me in a real and powerful way growing up in a country Baptist church in South Carolina, and he’s never left me since. I plan on sticking with him, hell or high water. That did spell difficulty when in high school I came to realize that I was attracted to other boys. I spent many a tearful night crying out to God, “Why hast thou made me thus?” (Romans 9:20). Neverthe-
And yet, I’ve come to believe that that’s not a choice I have to make. The Swiss theologian Karl Barth once declared Christian theology, “does not ask what the apostles and prophets said but what we must say on the basis of the apostles and prophets!” Anglican Robert Song concurs, saying, “We cannot assume that faithfulness consists in the bald repetition of what has been said in the past; to say the same word in a different context is to say a different word” (Covenant and Calling, xiii). Scripture says of itself, “The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (2 Corinthians 3:6). Just as the first generation of the Church
Admittedly, I first came into Anglicanism because of being enchanted by our way of worshiping the Lord “in the beauty of holiness,” (Psalm 96:9) when I stepped into Evensong one Sunday night in 11th grade. And that’s still the main thing I’m excited about! But I chose to root down in the Episcopal Church in college (after my home parish in SC joined the Anglican Church in North America the summer after I graduated high school) because it was a place where I could believe what I had always believed — that God is real and active, that in Jesus he took frail flesh and died and rose for me, that empowered by the Spirit his Church administers the means ARCHANGEL | 9
A STORY TO TELL
of grace and strains towards the are churches that don’t require most about our Church. We’re hope of glory — while also being them to choose between Jesus and a community where the Word able to be honest about (this part having someone to grow old with. of God is preached and the sacof) who I am. Because our Church If you couldn’t, with a community raments are duly administered. is such a place, I’ve been allowed of faith supporting you, vow to Where we sit for instruction, by THE REVEREND JAMES L. PAHL JR., D. MIN.,VICAR to learn how to follow Jesus faith- love someone for the rest of y’all’s kneel for prayer and stand for fully as a gay man. lives, I doubt you’d be likely to praise. Where the Book of Comprogress past the distraction of mon Prayer constitutes our rule of Today, the official position of dalliances. Most straight people life, by its pattern of Daily Office the Episcopal Church as defined and Eucharist teaching us how to by our canons is Inclusive Orpray God’s Word back to him and thodoxy. There remains room to receive his Word into ourselves. — thankfully so, in my opinion Where, “in the midst of things we — for brothers and sisters whose cannot understand, we believe and consciences bind them to the trust in the communion of saints, traditional position. Our differthe forgiveness of sins, and the ences over this issue, I believe, resurrection to life everlasting” do not sever the bonds we share (BCP 481). And all of these riches because of our common baptism. are available in full to whomever Still, our national church, believwishes to join us. I don’t know ing itself guided by the Spirit, has about you, but all that, to me, come to the view that there must sounds like good news worth be space in our communion for sharing. And I think there are a same-sex couples to enjoy the lot of folks out there who’d agree, benefits of being joined in a covwho are looking for just that sort enant that, as the Apostle Paul of mix — but who don’t know and the old Prayer Books say, (yet) that churches like ours exist. is “a remedy against sin” and which provides them with mutuI recognize that after centuries of al joy, help and comfort in prostradition, this new path is a bit perity and adversity (BCP 423). wet behind the ears. And the Church has determined that, in order for us to make that But perhaps God is doing a new space, we needn’t all cross our thing among us (Isaiah 43:19). fingers behind our backs while we recite the Creed on Sunday. In the words of Gamaliel, “If this counsel or this work be of men, it That’s exciting information for will come to naught: But if it be of someone who grew up with deGod, ye cannot overthrow it; lest vout faith like I did. But I think haply ye be found even to fight it’s also good news for our secular in my generation don’t seem to against God” (Acts 5:38). Howevneighbors. In part, the so-called be great at it either! Without the er things shake out, if we make it “gay lifestyle” exists because of Church to lead and guide you on to see Jesus in his glory, it won’t the Church’s historic failure to de- how to be a mature sexual person, be because we were faithful to our velop, beyond monasticism, a live- you’re not likely to design a set of understanding of scripture and able pattern of life for Christians ethics that tells you to discipline tradition, crossing all the right who are attracted to the same sex. your desires and channel them for theological t’s and dotting the I don’t find it so surprising that personal and communal good all right doctrinal i’s — no one manmost gay folks in our society have by yourself. Those kinds of life ages that entirely. It’ll be because a hard time constructing moral lessons are a gift — along with God is faithful to us. frameworks around their sexuality other truths of the Gospel — that when they have so few examples we in the Episcopal Church have of such around them — and when to share with our neighbors. they likely don’t know that there Like I said, this is what I love 10
Catherine George looks on as daughter Becca acolytes. |7 photograph byARCHANGEL Katherine Poole
PAV E D PA R A D I S E by THE REV. DR. JAMES L. PAHL, JR.
During July, St. Michael’s received a fresh coat of “zebra stripes” — the white lines marking spaces for our parking lot. It was mesmerizing to behold the workers' precision and speed in painting the bright, clean lines that would soon welcome our St. Michael’s family back from summer adventures. In the midst of all this, the Rev. Jamie Pahl was preparing to embark on a journey of his own — a calling to All Saints Episcopal Church, Chevy Chase, Maryland — and it got him reflecting on, of all things, parking lots.
I
am a firm believer that the Church is you and me, “the people.” In a matter of moments, our building and property could blow down in a storm or be destroyed by fire. But, you know what? St. Michael’s would still be St. Michael’s. It would still be the church we love, because we would still gather in this spot as a faith-driven family, honoring and supporting each other, and worshiping the Almighty, life-giving
12
God. There is something to the power of what we see: the people, the physical property, the spaces where we gather — spaces which contain so many cherished memories. And, let us not forget the hallowed ground upon which we walk, where our loved ones are buried. It is all holy ground. St. Michael's — its buildings and grounds — is set apart for the holy life and work always before us. And, it is blessed.
lot. It is where we enter every week, coming back in from the mission field, as we seek — at the very least — to have our batteries charged for the sake of the Gospel. Every time we make the journey here, there is a place for us.
One of the things that strikes me from personal experience, and for many of us going back decades, is the power of presence, especially when considering the lesser parts of the church property, which are also set apart as holy ground. And, as unusual as this thought may sound, I am specifically thinking about the parking lot — the way in and out of our spiritual home!
I recently viewed photos and an 8mm home movie of my younger brother’s baptism here in 1974. I was almost 3 years old as we gathered around the font with the Rev. Jim Beckwith for the ceremony. And, as is still done today, we moved out in front of the nave on the circle driveway for fellowship and conversation. Eager to release our squirming energy, my cousin Anna and I can be seen in the film racing around the circle until I fall and scrape my knee. The tears come and my Grandmother Pahl is the one to comfort me.
It may seem a little whimsical to write about asphalt, but, think about the symbolic nature of our parking
Seeing my young self and family so at home at St. Michael’s got me thinking about all the times I have
spent outside of church, and how that sense of belonging informed my life’s trajectory. Attending choir practice on Wednesdays, youth group on Sundays, playing basketball with my church friends in the back of the parking lot reinforced my love of Christian community. I also learned to drive and practice parking a car in that parking lot. In the years to come, I would meet up with friends as we got cars of our own. It is a tradition for church and neighborhood kids that continues to this day. While parallel parking certainly did not bring me closer to Jesus, being in proximity to the church — a safe, familiar place — helped calm all nerves involved. It has been said — and serves as a point of pride — that one of the nice things about St. Michael’s is the generous parking we have to offer. For isn’t that unto itself a welcoming symbol to our community, to the neighborhood, to our parish, and to visitors who discover our loving community? And on Sunday mornings and certain nights, cool evenings in the fall and special spring happenings, passersby can witness our welcoming spirit as our parking lot fills with worshipers for parish picnics, post-choir practice
fun, Kona Ice trucks, youth and young family gatherings and activities, ECW Spring events, and so much more. And, let us not forget other special events such as hosting the Monday Night Parish Retreat with Bishop Curry, the glorious Evensongs and music concerts. We are recognized wide and far for this gift ... the very welcoming nature and presence of our parking lot and property. Pulling out of the parking lot onto Canterbury Road for the final time was bittersweet to be sure. But I know I am leaving fortified — I’ve earned my stripes — and comforted as a child in his grandmother’s arms, knowing that no matter where we park ourselves, we take with us the sacred foundation that our church home provides.
Jamie grew up at St. Michael’s, Raleigh. He graduated from NC State, and after some years working in the for-profit world, he attended Virginia Theological Seminary, earning a Master in Divinity (M.Div.) and a Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.). He has served parishes in Wilmington, Oxford, and Raleigh, NC; and now he is the Rector at All Saints Church, Chevy Chase, MD/Washington, DC. Scenes from the Pahl family baptism, stills courtesy Jamie Pahl ARCHANGEL | 13
by NANCY BOARD
photography courtesy SOUTHLIGHT HEALTHCARE, NEIGHBORHEALTH CENTER AND COMMUNITY SUCCESS INITIATIVE
T
his year St. Michael’s welcomes three new agencies to Gifts of Grace: SouthLight Healthcare, NeighborHealth Center and Community Success Initiative. As a Gifts of Grace Committee member, I had the pleasure of touring each facility with other committee members and learned so much about each of these vital and worthy organizations.
“What I like about SouthLight is the way I’m treated with respect and dignity. The staff didn’t know me, but they consistently treated me like I mattered. I was anxious, but everyone I came in contact with made me feel respected and treated right.” — A SouthLight client 14
Imagine struggling with addiction and/or mental health issues and having nowhere to turn. Fortunately, there is SouthLight Healthcare, a beacon of hope to those in our community who need a safe place to heal and transition to a healthy, happy life. Located on Garner Road in Raleigh, SouthLight is one of the area's largest non-profit providers of outpatient and community services for mental health and substance abuse treatment. And, as was poignantly expressed by the client above, it is done so with loving care. St. Michael’s parishioner Adam Hartzell, Chief Executive Officer, and Jim Dempsey — son of parishioner Frances Fontaine and Director of Development for SouthLight — met our committee for a tour over the summer. In operation for
more than 50 years, SouthLight operates an Opioid Treatment Program and Adult Outpatient Services, serving more than 7,000 clients annually and offering a range of help and support that empowers them in their recovery from addiction and mental illness. "What really makes SouthLight stand out is the sense of community that our participants experience,” Hartzell says. “The counselors and peers know their journey, care about their progress, and are there to catch them when they have a bad day." SouthLight’s approach to treatment focuses on a belief in the idea of a shared humanity. Caregivers are there to provide the encouragement and tools needed to support recovery. Clients struggling with opioid addiction are seen by medical professionals who pre-
Clockwise: Mimi Keravuori, Jim Dempsey, Laurie Barnhart, Jessica Schindler, Kate Rivers, Adam Hartzell, Frances Fontaine and Nancy Board; CSI's Dennis Gaddy; NeighborHealth's Dr. Doug Briggs; Southlight's Community Support Team
GRANT US GRACE
scribe FDA-approved medications that combat opioid withdrawal. They also work with licensed counselors to receive behavioral therapy to achieve long-term recovery. The medical staff includes psychiatrists who treat and manage those clients who need medication to combat their mental illnesses, including severe psychosis. During our tour, we met a few members of SouthLight’s dedicated staff, including David Schwenk, who leads a team of providers who work with the homeless population experiencing addiction and severe mental psychosis. This team also runs an intensive program called Assertive Community Treatment (ACT). ACT is a community-based, multidisciplinary team who works with clients to secure the fundamentals of recovery including housing, employment and skills. There are about 100 clients in this program at any given time. These clients stay in the program for as long as it takes to heal.
The program lasts three months. Individual counseling is also available for those who request it. The SouthLight facility itself is quite impressive. At the Drop-In Center, clients can use a laptop, access Wi-Fi, grab a hot cup of coffee, or receive staff assistance in searching for jobs or housing. Clients are also able to participate in therapeutic activities such as art therapy. The Drop-In Center is a safe and comfortable space for clients to explore and connect with vital resources that will strengthen their recovery.
the criminal justice system and for whom treatment is a better approach than incarceration. The main goal of the program is to help adults with substance use and mental health disorders become and remain drug-free through treatment and recovery. We are proud to sponsor this agency at Gifts of Grace this year. And the support from the St. Michael’s community will make a difference. "The words that come to mind when I think of SouthLight’s mental health and addiction services are access and quality,” says Dempsey. “Many of our clients have limited experience with those before coming to SouthLight. Support from Gifts of Grace donors will ensure we’re able to provide access to high-quality behavioral healthcare for Wake County residents who need it most."
The words that come to mind when I think of SouthLight's mental health and addiction services are access and quality. “I am beyond blessed to have —Jim Dempsey
We also visited the reception area which is undergoing a major renovation to expand its square footage. In the redesigned reception area, patients not only wait to be seen, but can comfortably meet with others and share their experiences.
Vanessa DelCarmen, lead counselor with the Substance Abuse Intensive Out-Patient Program, conducts group therapy sessions for clients who have substance abuse disorders and other challenges, including mental health. Attending groups three times a week, clients learn healthy coping and life skills that build a solid foundation for their recovery.
One of the standout services offered by SouthLight is the Peer Support program, where recovered individuals use their experience to partner with individuals in early recovery to promote engagement in treatment, relapse prevention, skills development and increased community inclusion. SouthLight is also the sole provider of the Wake County Recovery Court program that offers an alternative to jail time for drug offenders. Recovery Court is a special courtroom set aside for adults involved in
found this place! They treat you so nice and really do go above and beyond! I recommend NeighborHealth 100 percent. Thank you so much for everything that you have done and it’s only been a week since I’ve been there… never leaving!” – NeighborHealth Patient This patient has good reason to feel comfortable and relaxed with the medical staff at NeighborHealth, a faith-based, non-profit primary medical care facility that serves the uninsured, underinsured and Medicaid patients in the Raleigh area. Their mission is “Serving Christ by loving our neighbors through excellent, compassionate and accessible healthcare.” Over the summer, members of the Gifts of Grace Committee met with Susan Metts, Director of Development, and Daniel Lipparelli, Chief ARCHANGEL | 15
Executive Officer to tour their new facility. Completed in August of 2022, the building encompasses 16,000 sq. feet and has 26 patient rooms which can accommodate men, women and children in need of quality health care in Wake County and beyond.“NeighborHealth provides healthcare to patients from around the world — 80 countries last year,” Metts told us. NeighborHealth offers a variety of medical services ranging from pediatrics, women’s health, dermatology, geriatric and integrated behavioral health. An entire family can get comprehensive health care all at the same location at the same time, which is crucial to those with housing or transportation challenges.
tian values, as do the providers. Providers give patients an option to pray with them during their visits, and patients are treated with love and respect. Many of NeighborHealth’s referrals come from churches, refugee organizations, homeless facilities and hospitals. Referrals also come from sex-trafficking centers, pregnancy centers and groups that support people getting out of prison. Federally qualified and certified,
the Center has access to federal funding, expanded Medicaid reimbursements, small grant funding, church funding and commercial insurance. The Center also fundraises. Last year, NeighborHealth provided $1.5 million dollars in free care. NeighborHealth is a natural fit for the mission of Gifts of Grace, and we hope the St. Michael’s community will welcome and support this important organization.
Many factors make transitioning back into society after incarceration difficult — from economic and social barriers to psychological and physical hurdles. The Community Success Initiative (CSI) was founded to confront those obstacles, as well as support the formerly incarcerated in reestablishing their lives.
The clinic is named in honor of NeighborHealth’s founder, Susanne Berger. Berger was a Registered Nurse at Duke Raleigh Hospital who was also a cancer patient. After spending time in many doctors’ offices during her illness and in her experience as a healthcare provider, Suzanne saw a need in the community to serve people who were uninsured and underinsured. Knowing a faith-based approach could provide a strong foundation, Berger and fellow nurse and friend Sue Ellen Thompson founded the non-profit agency. It took 12 years, but with a limited number of staff and an energetic Board, Suzanne was able to see her vision come to life in 2018. Though she passed away in 2021, her legacy continues to grow.
“Our sole purpose is to work with men and women entangled in the criminal justice system and for five-and-a-half years, that person was me,” explained Dennis Gaddy, founder and Executive Director, when members of the committee visited the Community Success Initiative facility this summer. Once incarcerated, Gaddy understands these challenges firsthand. Gaddy had a strong support system of family and friends, so although difficult, his transition was manageable. Not all people leaving prison have the benefit of a support system, so CSI fills this need by offering a re-entry training program that inspires people to discover their potential, set worthy goals and take positive action for their futures.
In 2023, we will serve more than 7,000 Raleigh neighbors — 50% more than just 2 years ago — with high-quality, compassionate, and accessiNeighborHealth is a Christian-based organization ble health care. integrated with faith. Gaddy, who holds a law degree Board members sign off on their commitment to Chris16
—George L Derbyshire
Chief Administrative Officer, NeighborHealth
from Campbell University, launched CSI in 2004 with a vision
to help previously incarcerated people who were tired of doing time. He started out with no money and no staff, but gradually got his message out to the community and was able to obtain support from the NC State Legislature. Since then, CSI has found support from the City of Raleigh, foundations, churches and individual donors.
emphasizes that it meets you where you are, whether out of prison for one day or for 100 days.
CSI is now located within the NC Works Career Center just off Capital Boulevard in Raleigh, which is where Gaddy runs the Resource Center Without Walls. Former inmates convene in roundtable-style gatherings with volunteer mentors — many of whom were formerly incarcerated — and a network of community partners, including potential employers, people with experience with the criminal justice and prison systems, and nonprofits. These small-group training sessions provide mentoring in general life skills, leadership, financial literacy and areas relating to transitioning back into family and community life.
At the core of CSI’s mission is Gaddy’s 15 Principles of Personal Growth and Leadership. He believes firmly that you become what you think. Tenets include: Maintaining character and integrity at all times, discovering spirituality and putting it into practice and learning to laugh and have a sense of humor. Lessons we can certainly all use.
Our sole purpose is to work with men and women As our justice system conentagled in the criminal jus- tinues to struggle to reform and rehabilitate incarcerated it is reassuring that tice system and for five-and- people, there are those in the comlike Dennis Gaddy a-half years that was me. munity to rise to the challenge. St.
Nancy Board has been a member of St. Michael's since 2017. She is active on the Gifts of Grace Committee and is Treasurer of The Canterbury Shop. She is also active in several small groups. A Raleigh resident since 1984, Nancy has four grown children across the continent.
—Dennis Gaddy Some gatherings focus on family, to help re-establish connections and strengthen relationships. In addition, CSI connects former inmates with needed therapeutic services in the community and organizes advocacy efforts in the community. Gaddy calls it a Collaborative Care Model, and he
Michael’s parishioners will have an opportunity to join its support at Gifts of Grace. “Dennis Gaddy is a modern-day Joseph, one of the most inspiring men I know,” says the Rev. William Barber.“Whenever I think of quitting, I have a note that reminds me to remember Dennis Gaddy."
NOVEMBER 12, 2023 | 8:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. parish hall Can't make it?
Beginning Nov. 12th, visit holymichael.org/giftsofgrace to make online donations to participating agencies. Online giving will run through November 28th. ARCHANGEL | 17
A FOCUS IN GRACE by PANSY MORTON and SCOTTY STEELE
In its 20-year history, St. Michael’s has welcomed more than 42 agencies to Gifts of Grace. We give gladly and generously to these organizations hoping that our contributions will make a difference. Parishioners Pansy Morton and Scotty Steele confirm one such organization has borne much fruit.
F
or the more than 100,000 of our Wake County neighbors without health insurance, filling a prescription is often sacrificed over paying for food and housing costs, a practice that risks longterm health, job loss, and housing insecurity. Filling in the Gaps (FIGS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent people from having to make such sacrifices as it seeks to improve the health of our most vulnerable neighbors. FIGS was founded over 40 years ago out of a direct health need. In 1982, the state of North Carolina
18
restricted Medicaid patients to no more than 4 prescriptions a month. The perception that government cutbacks would result in “gaps” in the filling of prescriptions for vital needs grew. Encouraged by the Right Reverend Thomas Fraser, former Bishop of North Carolina, the Reverend Lex Matthews of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina led the effort to form FIGS of Wake County to address this life-threatening gap with a $5,000 grant from the Diocese. Since its founding, more than 70,000 Wake County residents have been provided with prescription assistance with over $3 million in funding. FIGS’ original partner was Wake County Health Services. Since then, Alliance Medical Ministry, Dorcas Ministries, First Presbyterian Emergency Program, NeighborHealth Center, Oak City Cares, Centro para Familias Hispanas, UNC School of Nursing
Mobile Health Unit, Urban Ministries Open Door Clinic and Urban Ministries Walk-in Clinic have signed on as partners to become a vital part of making Wake County a better home for all of us. FIGS provides Through each of its nine partnering agencies, FIGS offers paper vouchers to uninsured individuals to be used at participating pharmacies for free prescriptions. Partnering pharmacies are located in strategic areas of the county for the convenience and accessability of FIGS’ clients. In addition to its voucher program, FIGS offers An OTC (over the counter) Health Kit for families transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. These kits contain items typically found in a household medicine cabinet: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, cough medicine,
stock (MEDICATION)
decongestant, antihistamine cream, antibiotic cream, digital thermometer, etc. The idea for the health kits came from the 2019 Gifts of Grace event when FIGS’ Executive Director Ann Cooper Thomas struck up a conversation with parishioner Sam Taylor who sits on the board of Family Promise. “We discussed ways our agencies could work together and Sam mentioned the need for overthe-counter products for families dealing with homelessness. Our health kit program was born from that conversation,” says Thomas. More than 1,000 kits have been distributed since its inception. The Urban Ministries Walk-in Clinic provides crucial services to our most vulnerable neighbors, including clients with chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. FIGS provides a portion of the funding at UM to purchase bulk prescription medications from the large pharmaceutical companies. Having access to life-changing medications allows clients with chronic illness to take control of their health. FIGS takes root FIGS has always enjoyed a high percentage of its revenue going to direct services. Presently, 95 cents out of each donated dollar supports the
to fund it and the mechanics of administering it. He told me once, ‘We'll figure it out when the time is right.’” Caring Measures is a fitting tribute to Usry, who was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder that led to aneurysms. Following a major heart surgery, the most important thing he had to do was regularly monitor his blood pressure and have annual check-ups. “He was passionate that if more indigent clients could monitor their blood pressure, they could be properly medicated and guided toward a path of wellness,”says his sister, Martha Crampton. purchase of prescriptions or medical supplies. Costs are kept low due to the hard working board of the organization and one part-time employee. In the fall of 2023, FIGS will launch its newest program, Caring Measures, in honor of its late president, Bob Usry (parishioner Martha Crampton’s brother), who served from 2019 to 2022. This program will provide blood pressure monitoring and education for uninsured Wake County residents. Usry is remembered as a quiet, dedicated servant of God. If someone needed help, he would find a way. Ann Cooper Thomas recalls, “We'd actually discussed the blood pressure monitoring program in the months before his passing as part of a grant application. We struggled with how
Pansy Morton has been a St. Michael's member since 1987. She is currently serving a third term on the FIGS Board. Pansy has served as a member of the Outreach and Gifts of Grace committees. She has also served on the Holy Michael Foundation Board, translated the quarterly newsletter for the Episcopal Farmworkers Ministry and has taught a conversational Spanish class at the church since 2010.
FIGS services, in part, exemplify a response to Jesus’s second commandment found in Matthew 22:37-39: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” We all desire housing security, job security and access to health care for our families, and most of us don’t worry about having these things. But for too many of our neighbors, it's a daily concern. In loving our neighbors, we treat them as we would treat ourselves, and FIGS helps us do just that.
Scotty Steele, a St. Michael's member since 1973, is a former board member of FIGS and was a founding organizer of Gifts of Grace in 2003.
ARCHANGEL | 19
a new beginning by BETH GRACE photography by FRANCES PENICK
20
P
ilgrimage. Noun. A journey to a sacred place.
Oh, how I would love to visit the Holy Land. … How many times have you said that to yourself? Just imagine, you think, what it would be like, what it would feel like to see the place where Jesus grew up, where he preached, where he lived out his ministry and where he died for us. Think of it: seeing where the Scriptures happened, in real life, in real time! What stops us? Well, lots of things. Life is busy. We have work to do, obligations, appointments. It’s a costly trip. It’s not easy to get there. Safety is a real concern. And the flight? Yikes!
See more than 40 historic sites, including the Sea of Galilee, the Southern Steps, and the Garden Tomb. Gather where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered a millenium ago. Visit Nazareth and walk the stone street of Old City Jerusalem. Leave your prayers in the Western Wall. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The cost is still being worked out, but the journey will be a comfortable one—daily travel in the Holy Land will be on an air-conditioned bus and the hotels are four-star. Meals are covered and tickets to major faith sites are taken care of. In fact, the tour may be allowed to go more places than the 2022 tour — COVID had closed many public sites.
Frances and Jamie have led this trip in the past. They had planned to lead a similar journey this fall, but two things happened to cancel the trip. First, the tour company organizing the visit canceled the scheduled flight to the Holy Land.
During the journey, there will be teaching, fellowship and worship. Pilgrims will celebrate the Holy Eucharist in places such as the shores of the Sea of Galilee, in a Grotto at the Shepherds’ Fields, and in Emmaus. The Jordan River offers an opportunity to renew baptismal vows or to be baptized for the first time. Take a moment on the Mount of Olives, with its panoramic view of Jerusalem, to reflect.
It’s so much easier to imagine going there, than actually going there, right?
Watch for details in the Canterbury Tales, on social media and in announcements.
But what if you did go? What if you followed that call, the one that invites you to be there, to touch, feel and see the places where Jesus lived and preached, where miracles happened, where the Christian faith that guides our lives was born? What if you said yes? What if you made a true pilgrimage of the heart to the land where our ancestors in faith risked everything to follow Christ? Consider joining parishioners from St. Michael’s and from All Saints Church in Chevy Chase, Md., next fall as they journey to the Holy Land from September 5-15, 2024 You can stay a bit longer with a three-day extension trip to Jordan. The trip — Lift High Your Praise: Drawing Near to Jesus in the Holy Land — will be led by our own Frances Penick and our former Vicar, the Rev. Dr. Jamie Pahl, who is inviting members of his new parish to come along.
A pilgrimage is not a vacation or a sightseeing tour. It’s a destination and a new beginning all at once. So … What if you did go? Then, the Holy Spirit stepped in. Frances says she began to feel – even as the flight was being rescheduled – that the trip should not go on. She wasn’t sure why she felt that way, but just a short while later, Jamie says he had a similar feeling. “We both just felt that something wasn’t working, that something wasn’t right,” Jamie says. “So we made the hard decision to cancel the trip, to trust in what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell us,” says Frances. Most of those who signed up for the trip say they plan on traveling with us next fall. But there are still spaces left. One might have your name on it.
What if this is your moment to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, to stand shoulder to shoulder with the disciples, to journey deeper into the Scriptures than you ever thought possible? The Holy Land is calling. Come, draw nearer to Jesus with us. Beth Grace has been part of the St. Michael's family since 2006, but feels like she was born to be here. She is a joyfully retired journalist and essayist who now tries to do some good in the world in her freelance writing for area non-profits and some great universities. Read more of her work at her blog emergencysmarties.com. ARCHANGEL | 21
B A N D OF B R O T H E R S
T
22
words and photography by RICK ROUNTREE
he men start strolling in even before noon, wandering into the dimly lit dining area in one of Raleigh’s older suburban pub spots. Most are dressed casually – some very casually – and there is only one “suit” in the crowd. Most of the men gathering here for lunch are older, many are retired — they’ve got that relaxed look like every day is Saturday.
From the looks of it, no one would suspect that it’s church that brings these men together, but that’s exactly what we are. Yet during this lunch hour, there’s very little mentioned about faith or church other than an occasional question about somebody who’s not been seen at our services or guessing if one of the male clergy will be in attendance today (sometimes, not always).
There’s forever-smiling Root Edmonson shaking hands with an old friend. Lee Costa looks ready for a tailgate, wearing yet one more piece of Georgia Bulldog-logo attire. Steve Rolander, always dapper in coat and tie at church, strolls in, sporting shorts and golf shirt and waves at a buddy.
This is the Band of Brothers, perhaps the least church-like gathering that appears on the St. Michael’s calendar. The group was formed nine years ago, the idea of parishioner Tim Berry, and with the impetus of the Rev. Greg Jones and our former associate rector, Christopher Hogan. Tim and Greg
had been on a long car trip together, and Tim asked why there were no men’s groups like The Gathering, a weekend women’s retreat that was planned for that same year. Tim had been attending the Men’s Prayer Breakfast, which had been meeting for years, and the Men’s Bible Study, but he wanted more interaction with the men of the church. So, Greg and Christopher brainstormed ideas, and Band of Brothers was born. As a regular attendee, it’s a little strange for me to see men I normally associate with their Sunday best walk into lunch today looking much different. It may be because when you’re at church on Sunday mornings, you don’t always get a
chance to chat or engage beyond a quick hello. At our Band of Brothers lunches, the conversations are more detailed and often go in many different directions. Don’t be fooled about the name Band of Brothers. It has nothing to do with author Steven Ambrose’s history about a World War II brotherhood of Army paratroopers or the enormously popular HBO companion series in the early 2000s. Our group’s name came from Greg Jones and seems to fit, however, because it reflects a brotherhood — perhaps more comradeship and friendly banter than a heavy dose of faith, or deep questions of resurrection, afterlife or soul searching.
On this particular Monday, there’s a lot of wisecracking as attendees walk in, eyes adjusting to the low pub light and reacquainting themselves with one another or even introducing themselves to the one or two new parishioners who often show up each month. Several order a beer before lunch, others iced tea.
venerable location in the Oak Park shopping center just off of Glenwood Avenue, it also has a loyal customer following, based on good food and music. Our Band group, which has sometimes reached nearly 30 at lunch some months, met at Sawmill Taproom at the Greystone Shopping Center on Lead Mine Road for a number of years until its unexpected closing earlier this year. With the impending closing, both Tim and I agreed that O'Malley's might be a good option, so the vibe of the men’s group wouldn’t be lost and that food and conversation would remain the top priorities.
Scripture speaks of the heart of the matter in the Greek word philadelphia or brotherly love. It's not just a city in Pennsylvania, Why the consistently good for Band of Brothers but a state of fraternal turnout month after month all year? Some say it’s an easygoing weekday connection to the care and concern. church community for those
In the beginning, Greg also came up with a charter of sorts for the Band of Brothers. It initially began as a small-group effort, where individual leaders would reach out to specific small groups of older men. It quickly evolved into a full gathering of men for lunch and has stayed that shape ever since.
In the charter Greg speaks of the need for men to reach out to other men, regardless of whether there’s a crisis or specific need. St. Michael’s has “a real need for fellowship and brotherhood among the men of the church,” he wrote, especially older men who might not have the daily contacts with peers they once had. “Scripture speaks of the heart of the matter in the Greek word philadelphia or brotherly love,” he wrote. “It’s not just a city in Pennsylvania, but a state of fraternal care and concern.”
—from the Band of Brothers charter Maybe Band of Brothers works because it’s so simple. Don’t get me wrong, there’s not an absence of church community — it’s simply hidden under laughter, mostly family-appropriate language and what’s generally going on in one another’s lives. It’s surprising to me that there wasn’t something like this happening all along at St. Michael’s. While Tim Berry and the male clergy brought it to the fore, it has resonated with a segment of our men’s population ever since. Band of Brothers averages 20 to 25 attendees who meet for lunch the second Monday of each month. They meet now at O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant, Tim’s favorite lunch place and where he is very much a regular patron when he’s in town. A
who have the time to spend an extended lunch hour.
“I wouldn’t miss one,” says Ford Worthy, who, at 99, is unarguably the most senior of the Band regulars. It’s a crucial part of his church life. “After my wife (Isabelle) died, I looked forward to going and it became an event I really enjoyed,” he said. “After going several times I realized it was a good way to see other ‘brothers’ who you only see for a moment on Sundays. I give Tim Berry full credit for coming up with it.” “It’s a good way for the men of the church to get together,” Tim says. “I’m pleased that it’s held up. I’m really proud of the men in that very first group who then met at Sawmill Taproom who’ve stuck with it through the move. I think these gatherings have proven to be pretty effective, and I’m looking forward to us getting ARCHANGEL | 23
For me personally, it’s been about forming new bonds with men I nod to from my pew but didn’t know well. Building friendships in a large church is important, but sometimes it’s a challenge you can accomplish best over a lunch. For me, it started as an offhand chat with Ford about his experience in the Navy in World War II. Perhaps it’s because he’s the same age as my late father, who
also was a WWII veteran. It evolved later into a longer discussion elsewhere and what has now grown into a real and important friendship for me. Maybe the lesson there is that it’s made St. Michael’s Episcopal Church feel just a little bit smaller and, almost coincidentally, created new personal and spiritual bonds.
Parishioner Rick Rountree is a Band of Brothers attendee and coordinator of the group. While still working, at least part time, he is practicing retirement at these lunches. Any men interested in becoming part of Band of Brothers are welcome to join in at O’Malley’s at noon on the second Monday of each month. All ages are welcome.
Excerpts from the Band of Brothers Charter (est. 2014) by Greg Jones Christopher Hogin and I are starting a new band. Not a rock band. Not even a musical group. No, this is the Band of Brothers. A men’s ministry rooted in the spirit of Christian fellowship whereby members of the Band of Brothers will check in on other men in times of need. This is not a complex vision. It's not rocket science. It's a simple opportunity to serve Christ in a way that will make a huge difference, to the men who get visited, and to the men who visit them. And as men are loathe to admit it, we need this. Sometimes we need a brother. And to be sure, our wives and children and the people who care for us on a daily basis – they need for us to have a brother too. Somebody who will check in on us from time to time. Certainly, Scripture speaks of the heart of the matter in the Greek word philadelphia or brotherly love. It’s not just a city in Pennsylvania but a state of fraternal care and concern. Paul says in Romans, “Love one another with brotherly affection.”
24
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
St. Michael's Belltower, photograph by Susan Rountree
St. Michael’s Making a Place for Others (For L.H.) Late in the journey of this life I found That I had lost my way. Or one could say Not losing it, but coming back around, Returning to this place to rest and stay.
4
For here we seek to make a place for others, Without the least regard to where they’re from— How else to act, if sisters, friends, and brothers? We say to those outside the doorway, Come.
8
Come join us on our journey to the Lamb, Come with us through your hunger, hope, and fear. It costs life’s-blood to meet the great I AM— Greater that love than all you hold most dear.
12
And when you hear a voice call out your name, You’ll know that here, at last, you’ve found your home. —Thomas Hubert
N OT E S The phrase “making a place for others” is borrowed from a presentation by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry at St. Michael’s on February 27, 2023. The modified allusion in the poem’s opening to the first lines of Dante’s Inferno means to suggest a losing that leads to a finding. The finding here is actually a re-finding, that is, discovering once again the treasure that is the Episcopal Church and in particular this one. The phrase “life’s blood” (l. 11) intends to invoke the sacrificial offering of Christ on the Cross. It is that which makes the community which constitutes the Christian church possible. It may also be taken in the sense that one must lose his/her life in order to see God, a concept expressed in numerous Biblical passages. Among them:
Gen. 32:30, Exodus 33:20, John 1:18, I John 4:12. In one respect, of course, this kind of losing is also a gaining.
from within. The importance of being known by one’s name within a community requires no explication.
Also in l. 11,“the great I AM” is taken from Exodus 3:13-14 in which Moses asks God how he should name Him to the Israelites. See also the hymn,“What Wondrous Love is This?” and its line,“To God and to the Lamb, who is the great I Am,” which was likely an influence. In l. 12, the phrase “Greater that love” is intended to refer to “the great I AM.” The latter phrase is a naming of the deity. Love is another.
Tom Hubert has been a member of St. Michael's since January of 2023. In his varied career, he taught English at colleges in the South and the Midwest and also worked in business until 2009.
Finally, l. 13, with its reference to “your name,” recalls the author’s experience in which, on one particular occasion, as he was passing by the church’s gift shop, his own name was called out
Tom dedicated this sonnet to Lee Hayden who retired from St. Michael's staff in August after fourteen years serving as our Director of Operations & Newcomer Ministry.
ARCHANGEL
NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID Raleigh, NC PERMIT NO. 696
is a publication of
1520 Canterbury Road | Raleigh, NC 27608 919.782.0731 | holymichael.org
A LOOK BACK St. Michael's first church service held September 10, 1950, photograph courtesy St. Michael's Episcopal Church Archives
Do you have an idea for a story? Are you a photographer, artist, poet or storyteller? Don't hide your light under a bushel! Drop me a line at poole@holymichael.org.
