Chronicles of Canterbury
january 2015
From the Rector at the 2014 Annual Meeting
We Are Many, And We Are One
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ith the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow but patient, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. One day all will wash away. One day a new heaven and a new earth will come to be. One day the way of God will be the only way, and righteousness will be at home, and those who watch and wait in lives of holiness and godliness, these will find the salvation of a patient God, who really wants all to come to repentance. I love the second letter of Peter. I hope you will all remember these words. For when you need them they will reassure you. One day, perhaps already, you will need the saving reassurance of the patient God who is seeking you — even when you always thought you were the one seeking him. Yes, God waits for us. He designed us. He made us. He gives us brains to think. He sends prophets to teach. He lived and died in the flesh, his own will and word incarnate in Christ. And He sustains us in the Church by his spirit.
and downs. When I think of all that has passed this year in our life together. The struggles we’ve faced. All of us. We’ve had heart attacks. Cancer. Surgeries and illness and the loss of friends, and mothers, and fathers, and on and on. We’ve had children. And sent them to college. And gotten them married. And seen them be happy, and sad, and sick, and well. And when I say “we” I mean “we followers of Jesus Christ” at this church. All the lives you and I are living: how hard, and blessed, and difficult, and grateful, and lucky and unlucky we are. Brothers and sisters in Christ we are a bunch of human beings in here for sure. We are many. But we are one. We are not all the same, but we all have the same essential identity. We don’t vote the same politics, or drive to the same neighborhoods, or share opinions on all sorts of things which are important to us. But what matters most is what makes us one and that is the nature of the one for whom we are here.We are here, today and every day, to worship and adore Christ who is the will and word of God. We are the choir God has put together. To sing the song of the
See RECTOR on page 12
what’s inside
I get fuzzy-headed when I think about the passing of time: My life. My years. Moving right along. The ups
2 A Single Spark
Senior Warden’s Report from the Annual Meeting
3 Vestments 4 Jr. Warden Report 8 ECW 2015 9 ECW Chapters 10 Day School Pilots Parenting Program 11 Youth-led Ministry 12 OWLS Events 13 Archival Treasures 14 Briefly 15 Lifelong Disciple
Prepared for Service, Yet Served by the Church
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ou have to know: one of the first things you think of when you become Senior Warden is, “I’ve got to give that speech next year.” I have experienced a One thing that makes it worse, glorious part of this is to follow someone like Beth church, and I want to Grace. She is just made for pass it on to you. that…cute, funny, has a great God is in this Holy story about meeting Gwen place. His presence Nicholson on her first visit — is obvious and His holding hands — who can top purpose is being that? fulfilled. I was wondering...maybe the first person I met at St. Michael’s was Gwen Nicholson, too, except she wouldn’t have said “are you new to St. Michael’s?” No, in my case she might have said, “Little boy, do you need your diaper changed again ?” Well…it could have happened.
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You see, my first memories of St. Michael’s are a little fuzzy. This is the first church I ever attended, even as a toddler in the nursery. Maybe Gwen had that nursery duty, I don’t know. The Nicholsons and my parents were founding members. We attended services in the little red church. We watched as the “Big Church” was being built. Some things were very different then. One year ago, as Beth Grace enthralled us with her story and her experience as Senior Warden, I sat and listened, thinking about how I might serve the Church in the New Year. I promise you, I had ambitious plans or maybe I should say, “dreams.” I hoped for a year of serious spiritual growth. Sally and I had just returned from the funeral of our nephew, Thompson. We were emotionally spent, but
see WARDEN on page 6
Chronicles of Canterbury The People of St. Michael’s Church Phone: (919) 782-0731 All area codes are 919 unless otherwise noted. CLERGY
The Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones, Rector ext. 117 • jones@holymichael.org (c) 559-2004 The Rev. Holly Gloff Associate Rector ext. 127 • gloff@holymichael.org (c) 612-7228 The Rev. Christopher W. Hogin Assistant Rector ext. 105 • hogin@holymichael.org (c) 999-6269 The Rev. Meta Ellington Deacon ellington@holymichael.org (c) 210-9123 The Rev. David Crabtree Deacon (c) 614-2164 Marion B. “Chip” Chase, Verger (h) 851-9576
VESTRY Frances Penick, Senior Warden • 676-2757 David Coe , Jr. Warden • 741-3827 Chris Carson, Clerk •786-4210 Debbie Reed Treasurer • 783-8978 Marilyn Budrow • 510-5080 Anthony Carlton • 395-4229 Mike Ferguson • 624-4048 LeeAnn Graham • 782-5919 | Jenny Haase • 460-1966 Jeff Hensley • 424-7951 | Todd Kasper • 784-8112 Will Lingo • 833-1358 | Michael Painter • 821-0126 John Merritt • 783-8972 | Dale Roane791-0168 | Marilyn Stevens • 782-8670 Valerie Jackson, Recorder • 917-5164 STAFF Stella Attaway, Director of Christian Education attaway@holymichael.org • ext. 106 Ann Garey, Publications garey@holymichael.org • ext. 103 Charlotte Griffin, Director of Development griffin@holymichael.org • ext. 121 Lee Hayden, Director of Operations & Newcomer Ministry hayden@holymichael.org • ext.108 A bby Van Noppen, Director of Youth Ministry vannoppen@holymichael.org • ext. 115 Kevin Kerstetter, Director of Music kerstetter@holymichael.org • ext. 101 Susan Little, Financial Administrator little@holymichael.org • ext. 113 Jean Olson, Parish Secretary olson@holymichael.org • ext. 112 Susan Rountree, Director of Communications rountree@holymichael.org • ext.122 FACILITIES STAFF Buddy Stegall, Facility Project Leader Jesús Epigmenio, Groundskeeper Marcela de la Cruz, Housekeeper PARISH DAY SCHOOL 782-6430 Mandy Annunziata, Director annunziata@holymichael.org • ext. 110 Jennifer Elam, Asst. Director elam@holymichael.org • ext. 144
OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CANTERBURY SHOP HOURS Monday/Wednesday/Friday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays 9-9:30a.m. & 10:30 a.m.-noon
From the Assistant to the Rector
The Power of a Spark
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ire has always mesmerized me. At the age of 8, my friend and I had a ritual. Coming home from school in the wintertime, we headed to his back yard and every day built a small campfire. (Yes, two 8-year-olds lit unsupervised fires in the backyard with our parents’ permission. It was the early 80s, and a different time altogether.) In an odd sort of way, the trust given to us made us more careful. Those fire-building experiences not only taught me responsibility, but also helped me appreciate the beauty and power of the natural world. To this day I remain fascinated by fire, even to the point of lighting candles in my office. Why such a fascination with fire? Building a fire is one of the most inefficient means of heating a home. It requires lots of cleaning. Left unattended, it can be dangerous. Even starting a fire takes time, not to mention a tremendous amount of effort to keep it going. As the gas company reminds me, gas fires are, “easier, safer, and cleaner!” Maybe, but for me, such artificial containment of a natural element dims its meaning. Beyond romantic sentimentality, something deeply theological happens while sitting in front of a blazing fire on a cold winter’s night. Fire offers a portal into the divine. With a single spark, the visible scientific material world fuses with the invisible world, giving us energy, warmth and light — all created, formed and touched by God’s own hand. Whenever I sit in front of a fire staring at its glow, I am reminded of where I came from. I am reminded how fire was a foundational building block in human society — how humans harnessed its power for warmth, light and survival. How fire bonded communities together as meetings were held and stories shared. I am also reminded of fire’s destructive power. Just as fire sustained civilizations, it also obliterated them: first with torches, then later with smoldering tar balls launched from wooden catapults. Finally, through the splitting of an atom, fire became encased in a steel tomb and dropped from the air by a plane. This Epiphany, try a simple spiritual exercise. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, build a fire. If not, simply light a candle. Meditate on the flame’s glow, its light and its warmth. Use it as a means of tapping into your own inner spark given by God. Let it remind you that we all have the spark of the divine deep within. The question is, what do we do with that spark? How do we tend the fires in our own life? Do we use it to see Christ in our own life and Christ in the lives of others, or do we let the inner fires rage out of control? Do our inner flames radiate warmth, or leave a scorched destructive path in its wake? The season of Epiphany reveals Jesus’ divinity as demonstrated by the coming of the Magi, his baptism and later his first miracle — changing water into wine at the wedding at Cana. On an individual level, may it be a time when we connect with the spark given to us by God and join it with the light of Christ for the purpose of radiating that light to the rest of the world. — The Rev. Christopher Hogin
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Chronicles of Canterbury LIturgical Moment
Putting on Christ by Donning Traditional Vestments
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e’ve all heard the proverb, “Clothes make the man.” Clothes can certainly mark the man — or woman. A uniform immediately identifies the role or function of the wearer, be they soldier, athlete, baker, doctor or UPS delivery person. The Church uses clothing to mark individuals, too, but instead of uniforms, we call them vestments. Many church vestments are descended not from biblical writing or teaching, but from the formal secular dress of the Roman Empire of the early years of the church.
Deacons are vested at the Eucharist in a similar manner. They wear an alb, but their stole is worn instead over the left shoulder, with the ends falling diagonally across the front and back of the body, and fastened or tied near the right hip.
The type of vestments worn by the clergy depends entirely on the liturgy. One type is worn for the Holy Eucharist and another for non-Eucharistic services. Often referred to as “choir dress,” the latter type is used for the Daily Office, traditionally conducted in the choir. Vestments worn by the celebrant at the Eucharist include an alb, a stole and often a chasuble. The alb, from the Latin alba, meaning “white,” is a full-length white garment with narrow sleeves, the typical tunic worn by a formally dressed Roman. In the early church, the alb was the white robe in which the newly-baptized were vested. Albs are typically gathered at the waist and belted with a cord called a cincture. The stole, a long band of cloth in the liturgical color of the day, is draped around the neck so the two ends fall evenly in front and are tucked through the cincture. The Romans called this a stola, meaning “robe,” and it was worn to indicate the rank of Roman officials. The stole is unique to the clergy and identifies them as ordained. A sleeveless vestment called a chasuble may be worn by the celebrant at the Eucharist. From the Latin casula, meaning “little house,” the chasuble
was an outer garment worn by the Romans. Oval or oblong in shape, it has an opening in the center for the head, and like the stole, it is of the liturgical color of the day. At St. Michael’s, a chasuble is not always worn at the Eucharist, but reserved for special days. Our parish is fortunate to have a particularly beautiful chasuble, a generous gift of the late Bob Slaughter.
Vestments worn by the clergy at non-Eucharistic services — “choir dress” — include a cassock, surplice, and stole or tippet. The cassock is a long, close-fitting garment with narrow sleeves, usually black. Over the cassock is worn the surplice, a long white vestment reaching at least to the knees, with wide sleeves. The tippet, a large black scarf, is worn over the surplice, usually in place of the stole. While our vestments may not have their roots in biblical writing or teaching, they mark the wearer for service. Perhaps, in the words of St. Paul, the wearer, by donning them, is “putting on Christ.” — Chip Chase, Verger This marks Chip Chase’s final Liturgical Moment. We thank him for his years of devotion to this column.
The Gathering — The Many Voices of God Friday, Feb. 20 6:30 pm — Registration, opening reception & book signing 7:30 pm — Keynote address by Kelly Corrigan 9 pm, Adjourn Saturday, Feb. 21 8:30 am — Registration & coffee 9 am — Hymn sing & Keynote address by Kelly Corrigan 11 am — First breakout 12:15 pm Lunch 1-2 pm — Second breakout 2:15-3:30 pm Holy Eucharist & Healing Eucharist Guest preacher and celebrant,
Are you registered for the Gathering? Please don’t miss our premiere event for women! The Gathering — The Many Voices of God — promises to provide every attendee time to listen and to hear what God is saying. Only 15 days left to get our Early Bird Special $75 for a full two days of events. Register online now at holymichael.org/special-events
the Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina.
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Chronicles of Canterbury From the Jr. Warden — Annual Meeting Remarks
2014 Brings Us To Financially Stable Ground
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have had the honor of serving St. Michael’s as the Junior Warden for the past year. I was blessed to follow incredibly capable people like Mike Raley and Garden Freeman, and we are all lucky to have had outstanding financial leadership over the past 10 years of capital spending and a deep national recession. There are many people, much wiser than me, who have steered this congregation through tough times, and we all are here today – whether you’ve been a member for 60 years or 60 days – benefitting from their leadership.
Bo Bromhal
reflection.
If you’ve seen me in the pews the last several weeks and you thought I was texting somebody – no, I was taking notes for this speech! And unlike Greg and Bill – I’ve had a pretty quiet year, no singular event to ponder God and Heaven, and not a lot of time for
I knew when Bill Duff called me five times that December day that something important was happening, I just didn’t know how foolish he could be. I remember thinking — somebody is making a terrible mistake if they think I should be the Junior Warden. The only saving graces would be that a) I’ve long considered Bill a mentor and surely he had a clue what he was thinking and b) we should have an “easy year” with no theological or physical church emergencies. How could I have known that 30 days later, Greg would be in a hospital, and we’d all be reliant on Holly, Christopher and our incredible staff. And let’s stop there for now – what an awesome group. If our staff and clergy weren’t as good, and as dedicated to us as they are, we could have easily nosedived. But they all picked up the yoke and pulled harder, to make sure we didn’t skip a beat. I know Bill and I sure didn’t run the church for two months. It is said that the Junior Warden is the “People’s Warden” or the “Money Guy.” Now, I’ve heard some objection to the first term, so I’ll concentrate on the numbers for now. •
$1.492 million annual Budget for 2014
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$1.329 million annual Pledges for 2014
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$1.124 million pledges paid so far – we need them all paid by Dec. 31.
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$900,000 — Cost of Employment (only $10K more than 2013)
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$160,000 – Total utilities, daily upkeep, & insurance cost – to open the doors
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$65,000 – Building Maintenance - $20,000 leak & a $30,000 A/C
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$26,000 – Loose offering
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$17,000 – prior year surplus rolled into the budget
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$20,000 – my estimated surplus this year – if we all pay our pledges in full.
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We find ourselves on stable ground financially. However, we are not yet thriving. We spend only a fraction of our budget on programs, whether they be here at the church or beyond 1520 Canterbury Road. While we feel like our building is fresh and new, the reality is that our coffers are not as full as they need to be — we will have to really figure out just how to afford the next, and what should be last, $50,000 HVAC unit. We do have the Holy Michael Foundation, which is growing and now stands at $650,000 towards its required minimum threshold of $1 million. And it has to average over $ 1 million for two straight years before any of the funds can be invested in significant programs, outreach, or other non-operating needs. So please, consider giving to the foundation now, or in your life-planning, and contact Charlotte Griffin for more information. And I’ve got some new numbers for you: For next year, as of Dec. 17: • 457 pledges towards our goal of 500 • $1.404 million of the $1.5 million goal. So, you can see,with just three weeks to go, and needing desperately to establish a budget, we’ve done well so far, but we’ve still got 10 percent of the way to go. We’ve gotten: •
61 new pledges, averaging $1,600 – Thank you!
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215 increases averaging $4,000. Almost half of us have increased our pledge. Thank you!
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Average Pledge: $3,100 — Thank you!
So often, people that have never pledged before wonder “What should I pledge?” Those are your numbers, pray over it, and give what God inspires you to give. The year we joined St. Michael’s, Nancy and I pledged $200 – I didn’t know any better. If that’s all you can pledge – or too much – pledge and pay what you can, please. We find ourselves at 1,828 active members. We’re averaging 530 people at every 9:30 a.m.service, and our numbers are growing at the 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. services. We’ve had more than 70 newcomers join us – and that doesn’t count their children. We’ve had 30 new members join just from Baptism. And sadly, we’ve lost many wonderful members as well, including pillars of this church and my fellow Junior Wardens Jack Riggan and Wright Dixon. We’ve got these awesome new starts:
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Chronicles of Canterbury •
The Canterbury Shop now accepts credit cards.
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that very day, in the back right pew, I became inspired that my talents were the kids and the kitchen. Since that day, I have poured myself into those two areas here at St. Michael’s.
We now have online giving.
Fast forward to just three weeks ago. Greg delivers a captivating sermon on the talents again. And again, while a talent in ancient times was about a lot of money (maybe even pledging), the message is still the same for God.
Habitat. We built a house, and more importantly met Fanchon Harvey and her sons — and our ECW raised 50 percent more than goal.
• God has given you great gifts for you to grow those gifts.
Abby Van Noppen has taken over the EYC, and it’s growing tremendously.
• What are those gifts that He has given you to grow, to share, and to return?
• When you find those gifts, will you apply hard work to Garland Radford & glorify and thank God? Helen Moses retired St. Michael’s parishioners joined Christ Church in • Will you show your thanks, and will you return those after a decade of building a Habitat House for Fanchon Harvey in the gifts? Or will you hoard them, covet them, and try to intensive service. Our spring. new treasurer is Debbie control them. Reed, and Katie Miller When I heard this message anew, I was reminded that it has leads the children’s choir. been an honor to serve you, to work hard for St. Michael’s, to StepUP’s Career Transitions Program is held at St. give my best to make it an even better place, and to serve God Michael’s every Thursday. in His church. And I have truly found that the more I give, the more I get in return. I get more in return than I can ever give, Band of Brothers was formed, for men to care for men. and it doesn’t actually cost me anything … except Klondike bars And of course, we celebrated the Jones’ 10th anniversary. for the 6th graders.
Yes, St. Michael’s is about much more than the numbers — it’s about people, and it’s about serving.
I cannot go on without thanking my wife, Nancy, and my daughters, Mary Margaret and Kate, for their support for all three years, but especially this last year. It would have been easy for any of them to wonder why I was at church instead of with them, but they have all inspired me and supported my service here.
When I accepted the nomination to become the Junior Warden, I was truly humbled, and scared because I did not feel qualified for the position. So I knew the only thing I could do — put my head down and work hard.
I find my inspiration anew when I hear hymns like #293, “I sing a Song of the Saints of God” – those folks Who toiled and fought and lived and died, For the Lord they loved and knew/You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea. In church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea. / For the saints of God are just folk like me, And I mean to be one too.”
It is an honor to serve you, to serve those who work at St Michael’s, and to serve God. If you ever wonder about that honor, serve on the Vestry. Come serve at a funeral, celebrate a life and be amazed at the connection between yourself and those who served before you. Look out from the front doors early on a spring morning as the sun rises over the church into the bright green trees out front.
I leave you with this, from St. Paul in Acts, Chapter 20: “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace … In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. ”
When you’re locking up on a Sunday afternoon, rise to this pulpit and look out over the Nave and to the organ horns and the stained glass window, and see for a moment how inspiring that must be for Greg, Holly and Christopher. Come back late at night, and hear the choir practicing for Sunday, or Kevin on the organ and realize how beautiful even practice can sound. I could go on with the stories I’ve heard from the people of St. Michael’s, but I’ll tell one more on myself. If you’ve heard it before, please bear with me. It’s about my inspiration, and I hope it may ignite yours as well.
God bless you all, and may God continue to bless St. Michael’s! — Bo Bromhal, Junior Warden
Several years ago, we had The Parable of the Talents. And
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WARDEN continued from Page 1 being back home at St. Michael’s was rejuvenating. I was ready to serve.
was uniquely moving. Maybe some of my dreams were coming true. Things were not going as I planned, but maybe God had another plan.
My year got off to a great start. Christopher’s ordination was on the schedule for the first week. I had never seen anything quite like it. Bishops, clergy, choirs, hymns. Blessings. A young man dedicating his life to our Lord and to spreading the Gospel by humbling himself, face down, right here in the front of the nave, at the foot of the cross. It was moving and motivating. Again, I was ready to serve.
I had stopped being ready to serve. I was just hanging on, but St. Michael’s was continuing Gods work. In a way, we were thriving, resolved to be stronger than whatever stood in our way. I think we did get stronger. I wanted spiritual growth. Maybe I was seeing that. Spring brought us new challenges with StepUp and with Habitat. These were met with an enthusiasm that was unusual, even for St. Michael’s. We conquered all our obstacles and set new standards for charity and volunteerism. Not as I planned. Better. Better than ever. It seems like now, I was just watching. When summer arrived, the Duffs were met with a new challenge, right out of the blue. A gimpy hip suddenly was revealed to be a cancerous tumor. My goal to play better golf became a hope to ever play again. The challenge of a growing waistline became a quest to not waste away to nothing. I had not planned for this at all.
2014 began with the ordination of the Rev. Christopher Hogin by the Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges Copple. Five days later, our rector, Greg Jones, had a mild heart attack that resulted in open-heart surgery.
In the ensuing weeks, life went on, but in a totally different way.
The very next week, the Duff family sat in the front row, while our first grandchild Henry was baptized. It was a service filled with very personal meaning for all of us, yet we struggled because only minutes before, we had received a call saying that our Rector, Greg Jones, who checked himself into a hospital with chest pains days before, would have heart surgery. Within days, Greg had the surgery and began a long recovery. Again, I was ready to serve, but starting to feel a bit lost.
You know, I had always secretly thought, I would like to experience everything you could experience at St. Michael’s. I’d like to be an acolyte. Check, I’ve done that. I’d like to be an usher. Check. Done that. I’d like to sing in the choir, I’d like to be on the Vestry, teach. I’d like to do it all. I have somehow felt that since I was born into this church, I had a unique opportunity to do almost everything you could do here.
We were in the midst of planning our Vestry retreat. Most of you don’t know this, but Greg plans most of the retreat and, as everyone had been telling me, “don’t worry, it really comes together at the last minute.” At the last minute this time, it was cancelled. I was ready to serve, but feeling pretty shaky. We seemed to be in uncharted territory. Things were not going as I planned.
Well, I know you’ve all heard the saying, “be careful what you wish for.” There are a few things that I never wanted to do. One was to become dependent on St. Michael’s. More importantly, I never wanted to be dependent on God. All of a sudden, I was there. I am there, and guess what? St. Michael’s has been sufficient. Well, God has been sufficient through St. Michael’s.
Fortunately, some very important things were still in place at St. Michael’s. We are a church with some “depth.” When the first string goes down, the second string steps up. You have got to be ready to play. Sure enough, Holly, Christopher, David, Meta and the entire staff of St. Michael’s stepped up and managed all of our services and programs, not only well, but in a way that
This was not part of my plan for St. Michael’s or for myself, but it was God’s plan, and St. Michael’s made that quite clear to me. I was made very weak and not fit for service. All my plans were cast aside.
I have now been counseled, and comforted and ministered to by Greg Jones. I didn’t want that, but what a comfort that has been. I really just wanted to joke around with him, but things have changed. continued on the next page
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I have received counsel and prayer from Christopher and have been visited during chemotherapy. Holly Gloff has met with my family at 5 a.m. to pray before a surgery on my youngest child. I’ve seen our clergy at the time when they are needed most, at times when we needed them the most. They have met our needs well. The Vestry has been totally supportive, and I want to thank all of them, but I would especially like to mention Bo Bromhal, who has stepped up and not only assumed many duties for me in his role as Junior Warden, but he has stepped up and filled in for me as Sunday School teacher for the Confirmation classes. Beth Grace has been a constant support for me this year as past Senior Warden. I have received cards and letters and meals from St. Michael’s parishioners and from the staff. That is not in their job descriptions, but they have been fantastic in their personal attention to me. And the prayers. Man. I wonder sometimes if God needs to get on the “do not call list.” Seriously, I feel those prayers, and they sustain me.
Outgoing Senior Warden Bill Duff, left, as an acolyte in Beckwith Chapel when he was a child.
I came into this year planning to serve, but instead I have been served. I had imagined being the Wizard of Oz. Instead, I think I was cast as Dorothy.
‘W
We have something here that e have something here that is a treasure. It is is a treasure. It is different. It is different. It is welcoming, and wholesome, and welcoming, and wholesome and personal. Oh, sure we have some issues — like this personal. Oh, sure we have some issues — like this marriage issue. marriage issue. All the churches have that same issue. We will All the churches have that same make peace with that and anything else, too. Believe me, that issue. We will make peace with is important, but not important enough to do harm to what is that and anything else, too. Believe good, to what is “home.” ’ me, that is important, but not important enough to do harm to what is good, to what is “home.” One of my friends calls that It is all of you who he desires to take to sort of thing a “rib issue, not a spine issue.” I think I get that, His home, through the precious blood of do you? We can’t let a “rib issue” do us harm. We will deal with His Son. Remember that as you that with peace and love towards one another. We will still be walk out today. That is a “spine St. Michael’s. issue.” We have a “home” here at this church, and I have had more of that revealed to me. I wanted to experience something new on my bucket list, but God wanted to show me what was already here. He gave me a glimpse of home. Sometimes I think he MAY have given me a glimpse of Heaven, and it’s right here.
I am testifying to you that in this place, St. Michael’s, God will lift you up to those greater heights.
I know this talk is not supposed to be about me, but it is the only way I can easily share this with all of you.
Treasure it.
I have experienced a glorious part of this church, and I want to pass it on to you.
Enjoy that. Bill Duff
Thanks be to God! — Bill Duff
God is in this Holy place. His presence is obvious and his purpose is being fulfilled.
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Episcopal Church Women Relevant to Every Woman
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joined ECW as a direct result of Lee Hayden’s Newcomer Ministry. Lee and Sally Duff assured me seven years ago when I was a new member that I should immediately join the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Women and get involved in a chapter. The ECW is a group of women who volunteer their time inside and outside the church, coordinating ministries and outreach projects, and serving through worship, service and fellowship. Lee and Sally were so kind and had already made me feel very welcome and enthusiastic about being at St. Michael’s, so I thought, why not? I was about to become a new mom and was looking forward to getting to know others in the same stage of life. I was a little hesitant, and had never heard of ECW before, but the chapter members turned out to be warm, welcoming and fun, just like Lee and Sally. I joined St. Margaret’s chapter, one of our four chapters, and the one tailored for mothers of young children. The women of St. Margaret’s were to become my friends and my mentors in all things St. Michael’s and ECW.
‘It is in giving that we receive.’
They inspired me with their leadership, but also left big shoes for me to fill. It was with a good bit of trepidation that I accepted Katherine Poole’s request that I be the President-Elect, but she assured me I would be fine. I worried I hadn’t been at St. Michael’s long enough, am not “churchy” enough, faithful enough, have never attended a Bible study, just not ready. But I said yes anyway, and of course, it was easy to be President-Elect, with a whole year to prepare for (and ignore) the upcoming presidency. I would use my year to get comfortable speaking to and leading a large group. That hasn’t happened yet, but here I am anyway, and it’s my turn to lead. A theme for the year is one of the first things a new ECW President is tasked with choosing at the start of her term. I knew right away that it would be somehow tied to Backpack Buddies, an organization that provides backpacks of food to local elementary school children at the end of each school week, children who might otherwise go hungry all weekend. It’s a program that feeds a need within and without. “It is in giving that we receive,” is our theme for 2015. I have given of my time and resources to ECW projects the past few years and have been astounded by God’s love in the form of my church family. I am honored to serve as ECW President, to give back to St. Michael’s and to all that these ECW women have given to me in friendship, fellowship, and faith. I am proud to be a member of St. Michael’s ECW and hope you will join me in our ECW, whether you are new to St. Michael’s or have been here your whole life. — Catherine George, ECW President, 2015
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Above, outgoing ECW President Molly Woodruff standing, passes the ECW cross to incoming president Catherine George. The cross has been used by every ECW president since the late 1960s.
Chronicles of Canterbury
ECW C h a p t e r s — W h a t ’ s
the
St. Madeleine Women with imited time because of work or mom duties may find St. Madeleine’s, which meets bi-monthly on the second Monday, noon -1p.m. is the right chapter for them. St. Madeleine meets at North Hills Club, which caters lunch for $6.50 and guarantees that our meeting will end on time for those that have to get back to the office or pick up a child. (Membership at North Hills Club is not required. All are welcome.)
Right Fit
for
You?
communication is done via email and online sign-ups. Contacts: Co-chairs: Caroline Manoogian 919.609.4366 and Brantley Springett 919.610.1184, stmargaretschapter@ gmail.com. St. Mary
St. Mary’s chapter members are mostly the more mature ladies of the parish. We enjoy the fun and fellowship with other ladies who are in the prime of life. We have been involved in numerous projects St. Madeleine Barat lived from1779-1865 which include organizing the Angel Tree and was passionate about educating at Christmas and supporting numerous poor children, founding schools and outreach projects such as Meals on Wheels teaching in them. In the spirit of St. and the Farmworker Ministry. St. Mary’s usually Madeleine, one of our main projects meets the first Monday of the month at is Book Harvest, a non-profit program that collects new and 10 a.m. in the Adult Ed Room. Meetings gently used books and distributes them to children in need who are informal and open to anyone. Meetings would not otherwise have books of their own. This program recently feature guest speakers and activities, like our has been adopted parish-wide, but St. Madeleine’s still coordinates annual December trip to Quail Ridge Books collection and acts as liaison with the program. We contribute over to hear about the many offerings for the 1,500 books to Book Harvest each year. Contact: Chair Kay Leager, Christmas season. kayleager@gmail.com, 919-227-6354 For those who do not have email, we have St. Elizabeth a phone tree to communicate the chapter news. Contact: Nanci Atkeson (919) 553St. Elizabeth’s chapter enjoys a diverse membership from mothers 2719, natkeson@aol.com. of young children to women who are currently employed and those who are retired. We meet nine times a year on the fourth Monday of the month from 7-9 p.m. in members’ homes. We enjoy a variety of speakers, read and discuss books and participate in potluck meals and a Christmas brunch. Our outreach and mission activities are wide-ranging and include supporting Note-In-The-Pocket, the Community Music Program, meals for Cheshire House, accessories for Dress For Success, baskets for parish auctions, making rolls for Gifts of Grace, baking cookies for the OWLS Christmas luncheon and the birthday card ministry for parish seniors. In past years we have created Valentine boxes for parish college students, Easter baskets, Angel tree family Christmas gifts and boxes for troops in Afghanistan. Our meetings are casual; communication is via e-mail and online sign-ups. Contact: Co-chairs Malinda Taylor 919 6305163 or Eileen Sakey 919 881-7919, stliz@holymichael.org St. Margaret St. Margaret’s ECW chapter members are generally mothers of young children, but also include anyone interested in socializing and fellowship. This chapter’s outreach projects involve children and families, supporting organizations such as Thompson Child and Family Focus and the Diaper Train at Saint Saviour’s Center. We help with baptism Sundays and craft banners for the newly baptized members of St. Michael’s. St Margaret’s meets on Mondays from 9:15-10 a.m. in the Convocation Room five to seven times per year. Child care is provided and meetings are casual and social. Most 9
St. Mary’s ECW chapter sells soups and wassail at Gifts of Grace each year. Other chapters sell yeast rolls and pimento cheese at the annual event. And each year, the ECW organizes a fundraiser for an important organization in the area. 2015 will be the year of Backpack Buddies.
Chronicles of Canterbury
Day School director Mandy Annuziata, far right, is training to offer parent seminars as part of the Triple P Postive Parenting Program. The program gives parents skills they need to raise confident, healthy children and strengthen family relationships. Wake Co. is among 33 counties in North Carolina offering Triple P, which is used in more than 20 countries. St. Michael’s Day School is one of four preschools piloting the program.
Day School Pilots Positive Parenting Program This month, St. Michael’s will begin piloting a program called Triple P. Triple P stands for the “Positive Parenting Program,” and it’s being brought to our area through a grant from the John Rex Foundation. Our Parish Day School is one of four preschools in the area serving as pilot sites.
toilet training, sharing, hurting others, preparing your child for a new baby, going shopping, separation problems, cleaning up, interrupting, balancing work and family, mealtime problems . . . the list goes on! If you’d like to set up an appointment to discuss a specific area where you’re experiencing a challenge, please give me a call in the Parish Day School office at (919) 782-6430.
The Wake County Public School System (through Project Enlightenment), is administering the grant in Raleigh. Developed by Dr. Matt Sanders, a professor of clinical psychology in Australia, Triple P is research-based and has been used successfully in more than 20 countries around the world. Now 33 counties in North Carolina are using Triple P, and it’s planned for many more. Triple P recognizes that parenting can be a challenging job, and its goal is to give parents the skills they need to raise confident, healthy children and to build stronger family relationships. By providing parents with a range of proven strategies they can use to address common child behaviors, Triple P empowers parents to make decisions that work best for their families. There are five levels of Triple P, ranging from general parenting tips (Level 1) and brief consultations and seminars (Level 2), to longer parent consultations (Level 3) and more intense group or individual counseling (Levels 4 or 5). I recently participated in Triple P training and I’m now certified to offer Level 2, which is called brief primary care. This is a brief 10- to 15-minute individual consultation about a common behavior problem a parent may encounter. During the consultation, I can provide parents with a tip sheet that gives specific strategies for correcting the behavior. There are 44 different tip sheets for ages birth through elementary school with topics including
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I’m excited to put my training into practice! And please don’t be embarrassed about asking for help If Triple P has created a tip sheet concerning the behavior, then you can be assured that it’s a common challenge many parents face. In February, I plan to become certified to present Level 2 seminars. This is a series of three two-hour seminars covering the following topics: The Power of Positive Parenting; Raising Confident, Competent Children; and Raising Resilient Children. I hope to offer these seminars here at St. Michael’s in the spring or fall of 2015. I’m excited to bring Triple P to St. Michael’s Parish Day School and the church community. You also may see Triple P advertised at many agencies where children and their parents are served, including Project Enlightenment, the Children’s Developmental Services Agency, Safe Child, Wake County Human Services, pediatricians’ offices, Easter Seals, Head Start, InterAct, and Learning Together. Whether you are a church member with a young child or have a child enrolled in the Parish Day School, I hope many of you will take advantage of this free service.
— Mandy Annunziata Parish Day School Director
Chronicles of Canterbury
EYC: Building a Strong Youth-Led Program To the general public, there might not be anything special about the end of Daylight Savings Time. The days naturally seem to grow shorter. We start our morning in the dark and come home from work in the dark. To the youth at St. Michael’s, the end of Daylight Savings Time is what they’ve been waiting for since the EYC Kickoff in September. “Turn off all of the lights downstairs. Check! Unlock a few rooms downstairs. Check! Grab two glow stick necklaces. Check! Disassemble six-Volt flashlight into three pieces. Check! Hide each of the three pieces in a different place downstairs, in the dark. CHECK! Find two youth, one to be the Church Troll, the other to be the Medic. DOUBLE CHECK!” “On your mark, get set, GO!” You see, “Church Troll” is a game that can only be played after Daylight Saving Time ends. The church has to be completely dark for the game to work. We have about three games that fall into this “all dark” category. Talk about tradition in the Episcopal Church, this EYC tradition within St. Michael’s youth is a pretty great thing to witness. Why am I describing a seemingly silly game? I can sum it up in one word. Ownership! I had one very important goal when starting in my role as Youth Director. It has carried me in every decision I make and is our backbone. “The Episcopal Youth Community at St. Michael’s will be a youth-led community.” Being youth-led is so important. In everything we do — from topics we discuss, our prayers and praises, the songs we sing, to our fundraisers and the games that we play — the youth will provide the input on what they want out of their program. The EYC has grown remarkably from my start last February. Yes, the numbers have increased in middle and high school youth groups, but it’s not a numbers game for me. The growth of the program shows itself in a completely different way. A noticeable, stories-of-impact, kind of way. The youth started their first leadership role at our Fall Retreat in October. Thirty middle and high school youth attended the TrickO-Retreat at Camp Cheerio over Halloween weekend. Each prayer, devotion and reading was led by a different youth, starting with the oldest senior, Trent Ryden, and moving down the ranks in age. It was by far the coolest thing to witness over the retreat. Now don’t get me wrong — the sled race we had Saturday morning in the snow was hard to beat. But seeing the youth step up and take ownership of their retreat and faith journey over the weekend was pretty powerful stuff to witness. In November, just in time for Thanksgiving, we had our 3rd Annual Canned Food Scavenger Hunt. The youth split up into teams and went “trick-or-treating” door to door for cans of food to help benefit The Interfaith Food Shuttle. The scavenger hunt is timed and each canned food item is worth points. It’s a great team event and something they look forward to doing each year. We ended up collecting so many cans
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of food, Interfaith had to bring out the “Big Box” for our donation. Another long-standing tradition with St. Michael’s youth is the High School summer mission trip with Reach WorkCamps. The location of the camp changes each year, and our greatest expense continues to be transportation. Our journey this summer will take us to Scotland, Pa. The annual wreath and garland sales help fund this great experience and mission work for our youth. If you purchased a wreath or garland, the youth would like to thank you for your support. We really appreciate it! The youth are doing amazing things, and I’m so blessed to be a part of their lives. Of course none of this would be possible without the support of my great volunteers (Chris McHenry, Alan Cox, Reeves Raley and Paige Madtes) and the parents who cook our meals, carpool kids and donate their time. Thank you! These kids are changing the world one dodgeball game at a time, one mission trip at a time, one prayer at a time, one bag of Sour Patch Kids at a time. Oh, and if you ever happen to stop by the church on a Sunday night (after Daylight Savings Time) and see all of the lights off, don’t turn them on or the Church Troll will get you! — Abby Van Noppen Director of Youth Ministry
Chronicles of Canterbury
OWLS Continue To Explore
Rector
As I write, I sit in front of a warm fire, with a tiny Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sitting in my lap. His name is Winston and he is almost 9 weeks old, but already very effective as a lap-warmer, good for keeping the OWLS flight manager warm enough to plan more exciting outings, lectures and other opportunities. The OWLS won’t be bored in the New Year! Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar:
saints of God. That’s our identity. We are God bearers. That’s who we are. We are temple bearers. Christ bearers. We are the ones who have but one faith, one Lord, and one baptism. Yes, we are many and different. We do not all agree and we never will. From one day to another we will bother one another.
Jan. 15 — The Rev. David Crabtree, who comes to your living room every evening on WRAL, has invited us to the TV station for personal tour. Our tour will be preceded by lunch at Coquette in North Hills, so your only cost for this excursion will be for your meal. We will meet in the church lobby at 11:30 a.m. and depart for a noon lunch. A bus will take us to the station. We should return by about 3 p.m. Sign up at the front desk.
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From one day to another we will change our minds. For a day or for a thousand years more we will grow faint of heart, face ups and downs, and go this way and that. But in Christ, we are one. And that unity in Christ is the most precious thing we have. It’s what he came for. To bring the Kingdom. So that all might come to repentance and be saved. That’s what church is for. It’s the place where the patience and grace of God is meant to dwell. My mind boggles when I think of my small place in the Church of God which is not just this wonderful place but the entire 2,000 years of the Church across countless nations and languages and eras of history. It boggles but occasionally grows sharp when I look back across the centuries and see that I am in the same body with you that Peter and Paul and Mark were in. That we are all one in Christ in baptism.
Jan. 29, 2 p.m. — Smedes York, former mayor of Raleigh and longtime St. Michael’s parishioner, will speak about his book, “Growing Up With Raleigh.” We hope he will have some to autograph for us. As always, refreshments follow Mr. York’s lecture, and there will be plenty of time for questions.
The Holy Spirit got me to read a letter by one of the ancients the other day. It was written by the Bishop of Syria in the year 107. Ignatius was bound in chains and traveling to Rome where he was condemned to face a pack of lions in the coliseum because of his faith in Christ whom he loved more than the world, or its rulers, or economics, or politics, or powers, or principalities.
And now for a January bonus: Artist and parishioner Michele Murphy will teach a six-week drawing class for beginners. “Exploring Drawing without Fear” begins Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m., in the Convocation Room. Each session will last 90 minutes. A supply list will be sent to you once you register. The class is free and limited to 12 participants.
He wrote seven letters, which have been preserved for 1,900 years, and what he said rings as true to me now, as it did so long ago.
My father was a professional illustrator of countless books, magazines, classroom textbooks, Sunday School curriculums and postage stamps. He was quite fond of telling his friends that he had a “kid who can’t draw a straight line — or any kind of line, for that matter!” I never tried to draw because it was a “fact” that I couldn’t. A professional had told me so!
Ignatius travelled from ancient Syria to ancient Rome to be killed by lions in the coliseum because he loved the King of Love more than the emperor of the world. And on the way he wrote letters. He said things like, “If you love good people only – you have no grace… Observe your times, but look for Him who is above the times: God, who has no times – who is invisible – but who for our sake became visible. God, who is impalpable and impassible, but for our sakes suffered in Jesus everything in every form for our sakes.”
Last year I took a class, facing my fear of drawing. Everyone in the class except me, was retired. We giggled at ourselves and our first shaky steps at learning how to hold a pencil properly, how to observe in order to be able to draw. I had a blast. Michele has had years of experience guiding fingers and pencils in a kind, non-threatening way. Please join us. And remember, drawing is largely a skill which can be taught and learned; it’s not a “talent” you either have or don’t have. We can all improve on our current “level” or ability!
In his letter to Polycarp he said things like, “Bear with people, even as Christ bears with you…Show patience with people in love… Be steadfast in prayer… Ask for more wisdom than you have… Be watchful… Bear your sufferings, like an athlete – because – no pain, no gain [my paraphrase.]”
Yes, our lives are passing, and in many ways they are going so fast. So often I know that it seems like God is far off, and going slow. But I believe that the joys and wonders of our lives together at St. Michael’s are blessed signs of the patient God who waits on us; and that the great gift we share of a life together, can and will continue to grow in meaning for us, and for the world we’re supposed to be here for. I believe this as long as we keep our focus on Christ, and on loving one another as he loves us. That’s our only true identity and our most important calling. — The Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones
— The Rev. Holly Gloff Sign up for all programs at the front desk.
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Chronicles of Canterbury
Archives Hold a Treasure Trove of Parish History Tucked into a basement corner of the Parish Day School, the St. Michael’s Archives is filled with dozens of non-descript boxes stacked to the ceiling. But hidden in them is the history of our parish, the gathering of which began almost as soon as the church was established almost 65 years ago. Old photographs and hymnals, a copy of the original Chronicles of Canterbury, even a chair from the original pre-school that once operated on our grounds. There is even the original prayer request box that was built into the wall of the church, weathered from so many years in the elements. The Archives, established by parishioner Abby Penwell, is trying to join the 21st century. With the help of Paul Elliot, who is writing a new computer program, archivists will soon be able to create a searchable online catalogue of items — everything from photographs to audio sermons, so future researchers will be able to draw from the rich history of St. Michael’s. “Our history is the foundation of who we are,” says archive volunteer Judy Winfree. “We are the keepers of who we are.”
Volunteer archivists from left, Barbara Elliott, Katie Miller, Becky King and Judy Winfree, sort through stacks of St. Michael’s history each Wednesday morning.
Katie Miller, the newest archivist on the team, has a masters in library science and information services. She felt called to join the group. “I felt like this was something I could really help out with,” she says. The Diocese has recently begun a diocesan-wide history project, in the hopes that the complete history of every parish will be available by 2017. That year, we will observe the 200th anniversary of the organizing convention of the Episcopal Church in North Carolina, held in New Bern on April 24, 1817. The primary reason for creating the diocesan office of historiographer was to help insure that the stories of our various churches are properly documented. In 2012, the parish created an updated history and interviewed founding members about their early memories of what planting a church was like. Those interviews helped form “The History of St. Michael’s” video, which is shown to newcomers twice each year. Though early records are farily complete, in recent years, archivists have found their records to be sorely incomplete. Photographs from the 60s through the mid-2000s are a particular need, as are committee reports, special events documentation, artifacts and other items. January is a time for purging. As you clean out your closets and collections, please keep St. Michael’s in mind. “Don’t throw anything away without giving us a chance to look at it,” says archivist Becky King. “We need photographs (with dates and events noted if possible), meeting minutes, newspaper articles, artifacts and more.”
Among the items held in archives is a handmade creche by The Rev. James Dunbar Beckwith, the first rector of St. Michael’s.
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The Archives can take digital files, CDs, thumb drives and traditional hard copies. Send digital files to archives@holymichael.org.
Chronicles of Canterbury
briefly
Day School Registration Begins in Feburary St. Michael’s Parish Day School will hold registration Feb. 2-6, for the 2015-16 school year. Current students, their siblings, parishioners and the general public may register during this time. The Day School offers half-day classes to children ages 1 to 5 years. Our curriculum focuses on learning through play as well as social skills development. We are pleased to offer chapel and music programs, professionally trained teachers, low teacher-student ratios, and quality interactions in a developmentally appropriate setting.
Applications will be available at the Day School office and online beginning Jan. 27. The deadline to return applications, along with the registration fee of $175, is Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. For more information or to schedule a tour of the school, please contact Mandy Annunziata, Parish Day School director, at 919-782-6430 or annunziata@holymichael. org.
Annual Fund Reaches $1.4 in Pledges
THANK YOU to the 457 households who have pledged more than $1.4 million, the highest ever pledged in our parish’s history! Thanks to you, we are 93 percent to our $1.5 million goal, and 90 percent to our 500 households goal! And thank you to Robert and Allen Marshall for serving as able Annual Fund cochairs. The Marshall Plan is working! If you haven’t pledged yet, you still have an opportunity to help fund St. Michael’s programs, ministries and operating expenses for 2015! How much should I pledge?
Fireside Theology The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe Thursday, Jan. 8
Men’s Breakfast New Format Tuesday, Dec. 9 7 a.m.
A pledge is a tangible way to demonstrate our gratitude to God for the many blessings in our lives. As such, you should pray about your pledge, and the amount appropriate for your situation. There are as many different pledge amounts as there are parishioners, but each and every pledge is important to funding our operating budget. Often, parishioners are hesitant to pledge simply because they don’t know where to begin. While tithing (giving 10 percent of your annual income) is the biblical standard, this can be difficult for many. If you haven’t pledged yet, use this chart to help guide you.
Words & Wisdom
Be A Crazy Christian Is your New Year’s Resolution to spend more time in reflection or getting to know your fellow parishioners? If so, join the Words & Wisdom book group each month. We meet on the 2nd Wed of each month between September and May. This month our Words & Widsom book club will study Crazy Christians, a collection of sermons by the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry. Join the discussion at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the home of Matt Terribile and Jan Seabock. In February we will discuss the books Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. Contact: Matt Terribile (mterribile@att.net or 919-7850628)
Mid-Season Choir Registration
Percentage Giving
We are thrilled that 100 boys, girls and teens sing in St. Michael’s five choirs for young singers! If your child is not currently part of a choir, but would like to be, January is the perfect time to register.
How can I pledge?
Children ages 4 and 5 sing with the All Angels Choir. First and second grade boys and girls sing in the Beckwith Choir. The Canterbury Girls Choir is for girls in grades 3 through 5. Boys in grade 3 through about age 13 sing in the St. Gregory Boychoir. The Youth Choir is for boys with changed voices through grade 12 and girls in grades 6 through 12.
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Bring or mail your pledge card to church.
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Contact Susan Little at little@holymichael.org.
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Pledge online at http://holymichael.org/give/annual-fund/.
Please pledge to St. Michael’s Annual Fund and help us Plan and Progress in 2015! Questions? Contact Charlotte Griffin, griffin@ holymichael.org.
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Register online at www. HolyMichaelMusic.org or contact our Choirmaster, Kevin Kerstetter, at Kerstetter@HolyMichael.org.
Chronicles of Canterbury
january January 4 Coffee hour No Sunday School January 11
lifelong disciple
Singing the Psalms of Epiphany with Kevin Kerstetter Drawing upon psalms appointed for the season of Epiphany, this presentation will explore the ways we sing psalms at St. Michael’s, especially using plainsong and Anglican chant. While the class will call for active participation by class members, no one will be required to sing a solo. In fact, no musical skills are required for this class. Just bring a willingness to try something new and have fun doing so!
Parenting: Behavior & Discipline with Dr. Bob Munt & Mary Snow Crawely During the five weeks of this year’s parenting class, we will cover the basic issues of behavior and discipline, and tailor our class to the specific questions and problems that parents bring for discussion. Our focus will remain on developing positive parenting skills, and in using encouragement rather than rewards in helping children develop self-motivation. We plan to continue discussing how children learn and acquire language skills and how this knowledge helps parents become better disciplinarians.
We encourage participation by parents of young children and older children, and would like to encourage grandparents to bring their questions and concerns as well. Bob Munt is a pediatrician, and Mary Snow Crawley is a former training consultant for Project Enlightenment, an early childhood program of the Wake County Public School System.
Writing in Response To Scripture — Lent Our writer’s group returns with a study of the Lenten scriptures. We hope to produce another meditations booklet by the time Lent begins.
January 18 Jones & Hogin Dialogue Part III Take a behind-the-office door perspective as the Rev. Gregory Jones and the Rev. Christopher Hogin drink multiple cups of coffee and discuss the theological issue of marriage, specifically the issue of same-sex marriages in our the church as related to Scripture, tradition, and reason? How do we as a parish discuss this issue openly and honestly, yet respectfully and mindfully with a Christ-centered approach?
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January 25
Parish Reflection & Discernment on Marital Unions After theological discussion, join the parish in the conversation. During this session, questions and concerns sent in by parishioners will be read and answered by both Greg and Christopher for the purpose of opening and supporting the dialogue and discernment of who we are as a parish, related to issues of marriage.
Every Sunday Contemplative Prayer In Community Fireside Theology: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe with the Rev. Christopher Hogin Thursdays, Jan. 8,15 & 22
Location: 1/8: home of Meta Ellington 1/15 & 1/22, home of Diana Sendall Join other parishioners and enjoy this classic tale through an audio production gathered around a blazing fire, complete with dinner and drinks. A group discussion follows. A nominal fee covers dinner and drinks. Participation limited to 20), Please sign up only if you can make at least two sessions. Reserve your spot by email to Jean Olson at olson@ holymichael.org.
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID Raleigh, NC PERMIT NO. 696
1520 Canterbury Rd. Raleigh NC 27608-1106 Phone: 919-782-0731 Fax: 919-782-5085 www.holymichael.org
Chronicles of Canterbury is a monthly publication of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Editor: Susan B. Rountree Phone: 919-782-0731, ext. 122 Email: rountree@holymichael.org
Questions? Story Ideas? Susan Rountree, Director of Communications rountree@holymichael.org • 919-782-0731, ext. 122 www.holymichael.org, Chronicles of Canterbury, ThisWeek@St. Michael’s & Rector’s Weekly Epistle: Susan Rountree, Editor rountree@holymichael.org Canterbury Tales/brochures/bulletins: Ann Garey, Publications Coordinator garey@holymichael.org
Deadlines: • Canterbury Tales: noon Wednesday before Sunday publication • Chronicles of Canterbury: Wednesday, January 14
Newcomer Classes Begin This Month If you are new to St. Michael’s and are interested in membership, join us on Sunday, Jan. 4, for our Newcomer orientation in the Parlor. Chat with members of our Newcomer Committee, and hear about our process of membership. • Newcomer Orientation Sunday, Jan. 4 • Introduction to St. Michael’s for all who are new to St. Michael’s — Jan. 14, 21, 28 & Feb. 4 • Episcopal Beliefs & Practices for all who are new to the Episcopal Church — Feb 11 & 25, March 4 & 11. Please contact Lee Hayden with any Newcomer related questions, at hayden@holymichael.org / 919-782-0731 ext. 108.