Chronicles of Canterbury
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Chronicles of Canterbury January 2017
From the Rector
Find Your Place in God's Story
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n the beginning, God had a dream. When He spoke it, the Creation arose. God spoke his dream and thus became our reality. For when God speaks, it happens. And God is still dreaming and speaking, and you and I live and move and have our being inside the true story He is telling. That’s the story I’m living in.
Just as the Bible is the story of God’s dream, this church is part of God’s dream, too. St. Michael’s is alive – not unto itself – but because God wills it.
Twenty centuries ago God spoke a word, and He became flesh. He became one of us physical, emotional, mental, talented, needful. Yes, God spoke and his Son began his journey into our human story by way of a teenage girl. Jesus took part in our story as one of us, so that everybody else in creation might come to believe and know that they aren’t nobody — that they are somebody — that God, yes, even God, is dreaming of them, and it’s a dream of love.
Jesus lived so that we can know that our reality has meaning – and that meaning is FOR us – not against us. That the ultimate meaning of the Universe loves us – and wants us – and yearns to be with us. Even, little old us. Even little old us who can’t quite believe it sometimes. Wow. That’s awesome. The Bible is of course the classic story of God’s dream, but the Biblical world has no end; and it is God’s intention that we are part of that unending world. Do you have a story to tell? Of course you do – you have a life. And a life is a story. But we are not meant to be our own story tellers. You and I – we are called to submit our life stories to the Author of Creation for some serious editing. And He can. And He will. And it’s good. See RECTOR on page 3
From the Retiring Senior Warden
what’s inside 2 Life & Life This Epiphany 7 Jr. Warden's Report 8 EYC Stepping UP 9 The Gathering 10 St. Elizabeth Seton 11 Owls 12 Briefly 13 Lifelong Disciple
Experiencing God As Senior Warden
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i, I’m Will, and I’m your senior warden.
did I figure out, OH, it’s because most men never cry.
I think I’m supposed to be up here talking to you about the state of our union.
Me, on the other hand? I do not mind crying. My kids probably can’t count how many times they’ve seen me cry. They see it weekly. In fact, if you’re ever bored in church, just look over our way to see if my kids are checking for tears. It could be a hymn, a prayer, a sermon, a children’s choir—oh, a children’s choir, that’s a killer—but rare is the Sunday that I won’t have a big, manly tear rolling down my cheek.
Instead I want to talk to you about crying. Crying is a funny thing. Kids cry. Kids cry all the time. Women cry, although when a woman cries, people act like she’s on fire, gathering around to smother the tears out. And then there’s a man crying. People generally do not know what to make of a man crying. A man cries, you just turn and walk the other way. If you see him later, you try not to talk about it. When a man cries, it becomes a meme. (Ask your kids.) I’ve always thought this was odd. What is the big deal about a man crying? Only after living for a few years
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Why am I telling you this? Because of all the amazing things that are going to happen over the next 30 minutes as I talk to you—kidding!—about the only thing I can guarantee you is that I will get choked up at some point. Some of my beloved friends, and I’m sure my family,
See WARDEN on page 4
Chronicles of Canterbury The People of St. Michael’s Church Phone: (919) 782-0731 All area codes are 919 unless otherwise noted.
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. Robert Fruehwirth Associate Rector ext. 105 • fruehwirth@holymichael.org (c) 475-0082 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 Dale Roane, Senior Warden • 791-0168 Debbie Reed Treasurer • 783-8978 Class of 2017 LeeAnn Graham • 782-5919 | Jeff Hensley • 424-7951 Todd Kasper • 784-8112 | John Merritt • 783-8792 Class of 2018 David Bull • 785-9860 | John Constance • 332-2258 Anna McLamb • 848- 9012 | Allen Marshall • 720-4236 Joe Warenda • 602-0839 Class of 2019 Tim Berry • 785-9573 | Dan Cahill • 785-1610 Valerie Jackson• 917-5164 Robin Kennedy • 571-3633 | Lee Walker • 896-8766 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 Carolyn L’Italien, Assitant to Children’s Ministres & Operations litalien@holymichael.org Jean Olson, Parish Secretary olson@holymichael.org • ext. 112 Susan Rountree, Director of Communications rountree@holymichael.org • ext.122 FACILITIES STAFF Jesús Epigmenio, Groundskeeper Marcela de la Cruz, Housekeeper PARISH DAY SCHOOL 782-6430 Mandy Annunziata, Director annunziata@holymichael.org • ext. 110 Cason Maddison, Assitant Director • ext.114
OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday, 9 am.-5 p.m. CANTERBURY SHOP HOURS Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday 9-9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.-noon
Beloved Disciples
Light and Life This Epiphany
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hen I was in high school, studying Jane Austen, my teacher taught us about the word “epiphany.” She said that in Austen’s novels, the plot typically hinged on an epiphany in the principal character, a sudden inward ‘conversion,’ a profound reckoning with truth which sent the story tumbling towards its resolution. I was not very religious when I was young, but I knew even then that epiphany had a bigger meaning in church circles. For Christians, it means a showing forth of God, a manifestation of the divine. We in the church are now in the season of Epiphany. It runs from January 6, after the twelve days of Christmas, to the start of Lent, varying in length from five to nine weeks. This is glorious. Epiphany is a season of revelation and manifestation, a shining forth of the glory of God in the humanity of Jesus, and in our humanity, too. Epiphany is a season of light — light sometimes dazzling and bold, like winter sunlight dazzling us off sheets of ice, or light languoring low and warm in a fireplace. Epiphany is a season for us to relish the light in ourselves, in God, in creation, in Jesus. Through our Epiphany liturgies Jesus is first revealed as God’s son — in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell — in the Gospel story of the Wise Men coming from the Gentile lands to honor him. They come with gold, for his kingship, incense for his divinity, and frankincense that foreshadows his death on the cross. Following this, we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, when he is revealed again as God’s beloved Son. As he is baptized, the heavens are not just divided, but rent, and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus, with a voice from heaven saying, “This is my Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased!”Another Epiphany: another showing forth of God ’s glory in Jesus. And so the Epiphany season goes on with one revelation of God in Jesus following another, ending on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday with Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain top, his “raiment white and glistening.” Epiphany is thus all about the divinity of God breaking out, breaking through and breaking into our lives through the person of Jesus. It’s about God’s manifestation to us and our bowing down before that, like the Wise Men and the first disciples, turning to Jesus with the gift of all that we are. The marvelous thing about our faith is that we are given an actual historical person, Jesus, as the epiphany of God. God’s self-revelation is not some ethereal thing, but happened in his life, his words, his death and resurrection. And following on from Jesus we have a human community, the church, that prays and reflects and ministers to each other in a way that holds that primitive revelation of God in Jesus in its midst. Our life together in the church is all so ordinary, yet it can be shot through with the divine, like when an old lantern, rusty and smudged with soot, is suddenly transfixed and lost in a lancing beam of sunlight. All of us have spiritual epiphanies too, when we are grasped by some intuition of greater meaning, or purpose, or truth for our lives, when we know that we must commit to some course of action. The Christian tradition tells us that meditating on Jesus, spending time with scripture, praying for the Spirit to open our hearts and minds, is our way into such epiphanies that, like a mustard seed, can leaven the whole of our lives. The saints and mystics of the church are people whose whole lives have been lit up, and set on fire, by such epiphanies, and thus are examples to us. They show us what our Christian life looks Continued on the next page
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Chronicles of Canterbury
Poems Bring Light to Epiphany
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like, only writ large, and where our spirituality will lead us as it grows. Soon enough Shrove Tuesday and Lent will be here, and we at St. Michael’s have a strong and rich Lenten program in the works for this year. I look forward to sharing that with you. But in the meantime, don’t miss this often overlooked, but shining season of Epiphany. The light is all around us. It heals as it lances, consumes as it feeds, dances as we dissolve in it, and the Light of God always rejoices: “This Jesus is my beloved Son! You are my beloved disciples! Among you I am well pleased, I am so very well pleased, to dwell.” — The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth
RECTOR
The world is charged with the grandeur of God It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. [G.M. Hopkins] --------------------------------------------------I sat, a solitary man, In a crowded London shop, An open book and empty cup On the marble table-top. While on the shop and street I gazed My body of a sudden blazed; And twenty minutes more or less It seemed, so great my happiness, That I was blessed and could bless. [WB Yeats] --------------------------------------------------Midwinter spring is its own season Sempiternal though sodden towards sundown, Suspended in time, between pole and tropic. When the short day is brightest, with frost and fire, The brief sun flames the ice, on pond and ditches, In windless cold that is the heart’s heat, Reflecting in a watery mirror A glare that is blindness in the early afternoon. And glow more intense than blaze of branch, or brazier, Stirs the dumb spirit: no wind, but pentecostal fire In the dark time of the year. [T.S. Eliot]
Our Faith is a light, naturally coming from our Endless Day — that is our Father, God; in this light our Mother, Christ, and our good Lord the Holy Spirit lead us in this passing life. This light is meted out prudently, faithfully remaining with us as we need it in the night. The light is the cause of our life; the night is the cause of our pain and of all our woe, on account of which woe we earn endless reward and favor from God, for we, with mercy and grace, willingly acknowledge and believe our light, walking in it wisely and mightily. And at the end of woe, suddenly our eye shall be opened and in clarity of sight our light shall be full. This light is God our Creator and the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus our Savior. Thus I saw and understood that our Faith is our light in our night; and the light is God, our Endless Day. [Julian of Norwich]
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Don’t you know that God can take your story and work it into something wonderful? Jesus Christ — the master of stories, the master of creation, the Word Himself— He can make your life into poetry and prose, yes even into Scripture – and the Gospel can be written in your flesh starting now and lasting forever. Don’t you know it? John the Baptist knew it. That’s why He preached a new start for folks. He knew that the people of God around Him were a mess – and tHey needed some re-writing from above. They needed somebody named God to take the word of God and write it on their hearts. He knew they needed a bath which would wash away sin, and symbolize new birth into a new life, a new life with a new owner, a new editor, a new Lord. John knew the Word was coming into the world, and through that Word made flesh God’s dream would be writ large not only on scrolls but on people – starting with His Only Son. I believe just as the Bible is the story of God’s dream, this church is part of God’s dream, too. St. Michael’s is alive — not unto itself — but because God wills it. Let me tell you what I love about our story of God. We are people who come together regardless of our many differences, be they political, economic, cultural or what have you. We are talented. We welcome new people, and encourage them to bring their story into our story into God’s story. Our youth and children’s ministries are huge and amazing. And so is our work with young adults and seniors. Our music
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program is the best. We are blessed by the music God inspires in us here. We’re kinda fun. Our altar guild, and flower people, and ushers and readers and acolytes — they create an atmospHere of Heavenly worship — Sunday after Sunday. Our Christian formation program is rich. People are getting formed in tHe Word. Our Vestry meets, breaks bread, prays, and works together, year in and year out, even while it changes a third of its members every year. Our Clergy and Lay Staff – we love one another and Jesus. And we work together so very well. Every. Single. One. Friends, God has a dream, and you’re in it. And this church and your place here is part of that dream.
— THe Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones
This sermon was presented at tHe Annual Meeting Sunday, Dec. 4.
Chronicles of Canterbury
WARDEN Continued from page 1
have been waiting for this day all year, secure in the knowledge that I would be reduced to a sobbing heap as I try to tell you guys how much I love you, and how much I love this place. I’ll grant you, I cry more easily than the average man--but there is something about this place, too. When I come into this building, and particularly this worship space, I feel different. It is palpable. I can feel the defenses I put up every day coming down. I feel the embrace of this congregation. I feel the embrace of God.
More significantly, we have the third-largest average Sunday attendance, with more than 600 people per Sunday, and our trendline will continue to move up. For comparison, fewer than half of the parishes in the diocese average even 100 people per Sunday, so it’s testament to how fortunate we are to live in such a thriving place, and how blessed we are to have taken advantage of it.
So when I feel tears rolling down my face, what it really means to me is that I am experiencing God, and it makes me feel good. Why do I bring this up? Because I think many of you feel the same way I do. You may not experience it in exactly the same way I do, but you do experience something transformative when you come to St. Michael’s. I know because I have heard many of you talk about it, and I have seen you act on it. We are new enough to St. Michael’s that I can still remember our first Sundays, and one of the first things I tried out was Susan Rountree’s Writing in Response to Scripture class. I didn’t know anything about the “in response to scripture” part, but I was at least confident that I knew how to write.
St. Michael's has the third largest average daily attendance in the Diocese of NC.
What impressed me immediately was how honest and real people were in either writing or talking about their faith. I was not expecting people to be so forthcoming, not only about their good feelings, but also their doubts and their failings. That’s also when we experienced the singular welcome of St. Michael’s. Jean White ran the newcomer program then, and now Lee Hayden has taken this already great program and made it even better, and I’m honored to be part of it from the other side. I also quickly experienced another aspect of the St. Michael’s culture, which I guess I could just sum up as “get in the boat and start rowing.” Oh, you’re a competent writer and editor? You should join the communications committee. Oh, and why not help us redesign our website?
Doing It Right So what are we doing right? Well, first of all we have outstanding clergy. From top to bottom, our clergy is top notch, and we have only added to that in the past year with the addition of Robert. We were all sorry to see Christopher go, and one of the main things Greg and I did in the early months of the year was to discuss candidates to fill the vacancy. But as we met Robert and got to see him work, he was the obvious choice, and I have to say he has turned out even better than we expected. Holly remains unsurpassed in pastoral care, and with David and Meta, I can’t imagine having better deacons. Greg? He’s all right.
I guess I assumed there would be some kind of transition period. Nope, once you’re here, you’re part of the family, so jump in. Look at the people we have running for vestry this year. People who remember the origins of this church, and people who just got here.
We also do music exceptionally well. Kevin is an amazingly gifted organist and choirmaster, and our choirs are without peer. From the adult choir to the smallest children’s choir, again, we encounter God through what we see and hear on Sunday. A few weeks ago when one of our children’s choirs was singing, with I think about 30 children in it, it occurred to me that we had more people in our choirs that day than many parishes have in their Sunday services. It’s something we shouldn’t take for granted.
All of this is what has helped us thrive. We hear about the growing number of unchurched people, and we see failed and failing churches around us, and then we come here on Sunday and think, “what is everybody else doing wrong?”
And speaking of children, our children’s ministries remain top notch. Anyone who has ever been to either All Angels or Beckwith chapel knows how special those services are, and with Stella and Carolyn and all the many volunteers
Michael enumerated for you how our budget has grown in the last 10 years, and you can also see it in the diocesan statistics. (That’s the kind of thing you get into when you’re Senior Warden.) In the most recent reporting, we have the sixthlargest budget of the more than 100 parishes in this diocese.
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who make things run every week, it’s no wonder this is a major reason a lot of families find their way here.
times are good. The state of the union that we call St. Michael’s is strong.
We also can’t forget about the Parish Day School, which not only is a model in terms of being a financially self-sustaining ministry, but also serves as another way of introducing people to the magic of St. Michael’s.
When Mike Ferguson left the Vestry last year, he compared it to leaving summer camp, and I can’t say I disagree with him. I dare say that is not a feeling shared by everyone who moves out of leadership at other churches. We are blessed to have a thriving church with plenty of people who are both qualified and willing to serve. The slates of people who run for Vestry each year are beyond impressive, and I’m still not sure how I got elected.
And then there are the programs for middle school and high school youth. Abby is doing transformative work there, and our EYC program is reflecting the growth we have seen in other parts of the parish. I have seen Abby work since her time with the Y Guides program, But elected I was, and now so I’m not surprised at what here I am, in the same pulpit she is doing for us, but it’s still Our Stop Hunger Now event gives every age the opportunity to serve. where our great previous senior awesome to watch. She combines wardens like Frances Penick unadulterated enthusiasm with camouflaged organization about and Beth Grace have delivered similar addresses, and where as well as anyone I’ve ever seen. Bishop Curry has preached, for goodness sake.
Outreach & Mission
We are all standing on the shoulders of giants, and myself in particular. The most challenging part of this job is not anything I have done this year, but THIS. Since Greg first broached the subject of my being Senior Warden, I have thought about this day. My fear wasn’t that I would cry — that was a given — but in the challenge of being given a blank slate to try to describe why I love St. Michael’s, and knowing that I would not be able to do it.
We’ve also made strides toward improving in areas that needed more focus. Outreach is a hot topic at any church, and ours is no exception. One of the most common questions anyone in church leadership is asked is, “How much are we spending on outreach?” It’s difficult to answer because our outreach is not contained to a budget line item, but it’s fair to say that our outreach efforts had not been as focused or organized as they could be. We have made major progress in turning that around, first of all by hiring Robert, who has brought his strong organization skills to this responsibility. And just as important, Mary Currin has taken on the volunteer role as director of outreach and mission, bringing better coordination to the feeding, housing and working that is so important to so many of us here.
What I’ve come to realize, though, is that no one can really do it. Your senior wardens — at least up to now — have done a great job, but we can’t touch on it all. At best, we give you a view of St. Michael’s through our lens, and a taste of what a pleasure it is to spend so much time here, to see how hard everyone works, and to see how much good work is done here.
Another significant area of improvement I have seen is in our men’s ministry, thanks largely to the work of Tim Berry. Men have many more opportunities for fellowship now, including the monthly Band of Brothers lunch.
One of the unique things about Mary Currin is our new volunteer Vestry service at St. Michael’s director of Outreach & Mission is acting as VPOD, or vestry person of the day. That means you come in early on Sunday and get the church ready, help with all the services, lock and unlock doors, and just generally make sure the day proceeds as it should. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that not every Episcopal church does this. In fact, very few churches of any kind, and certainly not of our size, do this.
One of the best things about being senior warden, I have found, is feeling obligated to attend as many parish events as possible. One of those has been these lunches, where I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of the men who served in leadership positions long before me. It has been enlightening to get to know them better, and to hear about the challenges they faced and came through. We owe an unbelievable debt of gratitude to all of those who have served before us and have brought St. Michael’s to this place. Times have been hard here in the past, and right now,
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WARDEN Continued from page 5
Again, to me that speaks to the central ethos of St. Michael’s. We do the work. That applies to both physical labor as well as spiritual labor. I’ve taken a lot of notes this year as I have traveled down the warden’s path, and on a recent Sunday I just typed two words into my phone: unequivocal Christianity. We are straightforward in what we believe, and we don’t try to dress it up, nor do we try to hide it. In the immortal words of Bill Duff, we keep the main thing, the main thing. I think that is thanks to all of you here today, and especially to this man right here. He is the leader of the church, the Vestry is just the board that advises him. We are blessed to have a rector with genuine spiritual direction, a vision for the church, and the ability to carry it out. You can see it in so many things, not the least of which is our amazing staff. From top to bottom, they do amazing work, and many is the evening when I’ve come by for some reason, only to find them still here working on the business of the church.
I don’t know if becoming that big is our destiny, but I do know that as a parish there is nothing we can’t do now. My challenge to all of us is to set out some of those goals for ourselves, prioritize them, and go do them. Meanwhile, I’ll be sitting in the back watching. Just kidding. But, my time on the Vestry is done, so I look forward to seeing how the next class performs. I have tried to name check as many people as possible today, but I know I didn’t name even a fraction of those who have been important to my spiritual journey. First of all, I didn’t name any of my family members, but that’s only because I knew if I did, I would, well, you know. But Kristen Lingo is the most important person in my life. And Joe and Kate are pretty good too.
And I named just a few of the Vestry members I served with. I at least have to give a special call to Michael, whom I was proud to serve next to. I realize we have In essence, the main job of the Our Youth Ministry is growing under the helm of Abby Van Noppen and the obvious connection of both Senior Warden is to be the rector’s a team of youth and volunteer leaders. being tall, but I think we also share right-hand man. And friends, let an ability to see both the beauty me tell you, that has been a true pleasure. and absurdity in everything, and I personally think that’s a great approach to life. As I came into this year, I thought it was a very real possibility that by this time we would be looking at Greg as one of the finalists for bishop of the diocese. It didn’t work out that way, which is their loss and our gain.
So now I think it’s incumbent upon us to take stock of all the great things I’ve talked about and challenge ourselves to do more. Michael talked about the strides we have made financially. We’re no longer at the point where we live a hand to mouth existence. And in a few years, we will have a foundation that will allow us to do even more.
What’s Next?
I’ve been lucky enough to go to Vestry meetings for six years, including the three years I served as recorder before getting elected, so I’m not going to know what to do with myself on the third Tuesday of each month once 2017 starts. The strength of any St. Michael’s group, and in the church at large, is in our fellowship, and nowhere is that more evident than in our Vestry. It has been nothing but a pleasure for me, this year and every year.
So thank you, and as Bishop Curry would say, God So now is the time to ask ourselves what that should be. Greg has talked often bless you, and keep the faith. in Vestry meetings about planting a church or establishing a satellite campus, — Will Lingo, Senior Warden and I think that’s a great idea. Drive around this county and it’s impossible to miss how large it is and how it’s growing all over the place. Or maybe we have the next great idea in youth ministry. Maybe we have the next great idea in outreach, or in music, or in education. I don’t know the answer. I’m just saying it’s time for us to ask the question. What is next for us? St. Michael’s had a difficult adolescence, and while we were finding ourselves, nearby churches that are roughly the same age grew much larger than us.
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These remarks were presented at the Annual Meeting Sunday, Dec. 4.
St. Michael’s Is a Light to the World You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:14-16 What Greg said about St. Michael’s being a light to the world rings true. We are truly a light. It is a special place that has changed me and impacted me in so many ways.
Chronicles of Canterbury
chapels. If you ever want to reconnect with God and your faith, and experience that beautiful feeling of what’s really important in life, go sit in one of those children’s chapels. Wrapped in this amazing gift of this church, of strength through vulnerability, how do we share this gift with more people? We’ve grown a lot in the past decade. St. Michael’s has three unmatched gifts: our music, our children’s ministry and our adult education program.
I’m here to give you a report on our finances. We began as a mission Our finances church in 1950, and I are strong. Over believe 66 years later we the last decade, are called to expand our we’ve seen a 30 mission and outreach. percent increase This is where our in the number Annual Fund campaign of pledging can help. households, with Our Annual Fund 42 new pledges campaign theme is this year alone. Grace, Gratitude, The average pledge is $3,000 Our Beckwith Choir is among five choirs supported by our annual operationg budget. It is directed by Generosity. We are very thankful for the Melissa Raley. – a 50 percent parishioners who have increase over the pledged their financial support to St. Michael’s for past decade. 2017. However, to date, we have not received pledges In 2010, we added the new transept, and in 2011, we installed our sufficient to fund our expenses level with our 2016 magnificent Nichols & Simpson organ. We have no debt. All of this was budget. If we cannot do that, we cannot fund the achieved in a period of decline in church attendance globally. growth in outreach and mission we believe God calls us to do. Yes, our finances are strong. But that’s not why St. Michael’s is strong. It’s because “Go forth with God,” is our mission that we are thriving. We So I ask you to please give prayerful consideration to start with God and work through him in all that we do. pledging this year. There is no better place than St. Michael’s. It has impacted me in so many ways – it Each Vestry meeting starts with devotion and prayer. Every one of these has helped me grow in my faith, in my marriage and devotions is grounded in our brokenness, struggles, joys and journeys with my family. I ask you to consider a gift so we can in faith. That vulnerability and truth is only possible through a genuine expand St. Michael’s reach into our community and confidence in God’s Grace and love and acceptance for each of us. God is beyond. dreaming about us individually and as a church. He has great plans for us. Let us pray. I’ve experienced God’s light in the Writing in Response to Scripture class. If you haven’t attended a class, I encourage you to do so. You will Dear Lord, we give you thanks for the gift of St. see the same strength through vulnerability in that class. You will get Michael’s. We are thankful for the many ways you’ve to know your brothers and sisters in Christ. Participating in that class worked through each of us to touch each other, and to grow changed me and my faith. in our faith through you. And, Lord, I ask you to inspire each of us and guide us in how we can give back, and I see it in the music programs. Our choir is amazing. You can feel God’s offer our gifts and talents through you to help grow the presence through their voices, and see God’s gifts in their talents. footprint and your reach in our community and beyond. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. And I’ve seen it in our children’s programs. I remember during the financial downturn when it seemed like it was getting worse. When I would take the time to pull myself out of that, I would come and visit when Julia and Louise were in the Parish Day School’s children’s
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Michael Painter, Junior Warden
Chronicles of Canterbury
St. Michael's EYC Is Stepping Up
“The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of yourself you will never get back.” — Author unknown A big focus in EYC throughout each year is giving back to our community: locally, state-wide and globally. Whether that's through helping pack meals for Stop Hunger Now, building decks, reshingling roofs and painting houses with our high school summer mission trip, helping collect food for Inter-faith Food Shuttle with our annual canned food scavenger hunt or volunteering with Vacation Bible School, our list of opportunities for service, outreach and mission has no limits. I've always been a firm believer in helping the community where you live. Giving your time to help someone is such a powerful thing. It really does make some of the biggest impacts. I wanted to add to our current service opportunities and focus on one specific group or organization within the city of Raleigh, a group that could count on St. Michael's EYC Alumni visit over their Christmas Break and help fill 50 stockings for kids at StepUp Ministry. From left to St. Michael's EYC each year to'give our time and talents. This last right: Parker Davidson, Elizabeth Attaway, Hayes Atkinson, summer, EYC had the opportunity to provide a summer meal service Jessica Dohme at StepUp Ministry thanks to Suzanne Templeton, the volunteer and events coordinator for StepUp. She happened to introduce me to the EYC Partnership With StepUp Ministry Children's Program Director Colisha Stanford, and that night the rest • Book Drive — Beginner reader books was history. • Christmas Stockings for 50 kids grades K-12 •Valentine's Day decorations and supplies for I can proudly say that we have a new and exciting partnership with StepUp Ministry. Each year St. Michael's EYC will be providing the 5-and-under classroom outreach and service for StepUp Ministry's youth and families. The start • Cleaning Supplies Package for 50 families of our projects are listed below, but we're very open to what their needs • Toiletries package for 50 families are as they change. I couldn't be more happy about this new partnership • Summer Meal Service for 150 people and the amazing opportunities it will bring for all involved. —Abby Van Noppen, Director of Youth Ministry
ECW: Fellowship, Prayer and Outreach Happy 2017! I am honored and humbled to begin this new year serving as your ECW president. The Episcopal Church Women are at the heart of so much that happens here in our faith community. From outreach efforts that serve the Helen Wright Center, Cheshire House, Meals on Wheels and Backpack Buddies, to our four individual ECW chapters that gather regularly throughout the year, the women of St. Michael’s stay active and busy!
Which Chapter is for You? St. Elizabeth Women of all ages who prefer to meet at night. Chairs: Katharine Davies, katharinedavies@ bellsouth.net & Jessica Schindler, jescanick@ gmail.com
Fellowship, prayer and outreach – these are the themes that I see running through all that we do. With God’s help, the ECW enriches the lives of our members while working to make a difference in our church, the community and beyond. Women’s ministry has long been a tradition at St. Michael’s and all the women of our church are members of the ECW. But if you have not yet taken part in all that the ECW offers, I invite you to join us. Prayerfully consider how you can serve God through fellowship, prayer and outreach with other women here at St. Michael’s. I look forward to a wonderful year together! -Catherine Rideout, ECW President
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St. Madeleine Women of all ages who prefer a lunchtime meeting. Chairs: Ashleigh Black, ashleigh.e.black@gmail.com & Catherine George, catherinedunngeorge@icloud.com St. Margaret Mothers with young children who meet during choir practice.Chair: Courtney Phillips, courtneybphillips@gmail.com St. Mary Empty nesters and older women who meet on the first Monday of the month at church. Chairs: Linda Berry, lindabberry@gmail.com, & Lindsay Hornthal, allenandlindsay@gmail.cocom.
Chronicles of Canterbury The Gathering 2017
Worship Key To Gathering Experience If you've never attended The Gathering at St. Michael's, you are invited to join the community of women in our parish and community who gather for inspiration, prayer and worship. Though previous Gatherings have included a healing Eucharist as the closing service, this year, we're providing a twist on the worship portion of our weekend. The weekend begins with an opening reception, planned by the Gathering Committee TheGathering Holding Moments Holy and served by the men of the Friday & Saturday, February 24 & 25 parish. Keynote registration online in mid-December speaker Friday, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Heather Lende Reception, Keynote & Compline will present her first talk Friday Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 1p.m. evening, and a Hymn sing, Morning Prayer, Keynote & service of sung Compline will 2 breakouts. follow to end Lunch is included. our evening. Compline, Registration: $65 before Jan. 15 found on page 127 of the Book of Common Prayer, will be sung by serveral members of the St. Michael's choir. It's an ancient service of Psalms and prayer dating from around the 6th century. It is the final service of the day. On Saturday, join us for our traditional hymn sing, followed by a service of Morning Prayer. A second keynote by Heather Lende follows, with the remainder of the day for breakout speakers and lunch. Our deacon, the Rev. Meta Ellington, will hold a short service for healing in the chapel during the lunch break. Anyone who would like to have healing prayers said for them or for a loved one is invited to attend this session. Registration is now open. Visit holymichael.org for the registration link. You may register online or by mail. Brochures were mailed to every household in mid-December. Please be sure to rank all the breakouts in order of preference, 1-7. We will try to honor your choices, but as registration continues, some sessions do fill up. We look forward to seeing you at The Gathering. If you'd like to help out, please contact Susan Rountree at rountree@holymichael.org. Here is what's in store: Giving Grace for Mothers, with Cristin DeRonja If you're a mom, learn how to give yourself the grace God wants us to receive and free yourself from parental guilt when our patience runs low.
Joyful Living in the Midst of Tragedy, with Settle Monroe How can we find true joy in the midst of and in the wake of tragedy and pain? Stettle will tell us how. Settle Monroe writes a monthly column for Raleigh’s Walter magazine. When all else fails— BREATHE, with Ayliffe Mumford Explore living a Martha life with a heart of Mary. Ayliffe Mumford is Executive Director of the School of Ministry in Greensboro. Praying Out Loud, with Helen Moses Learn how we share our faith through praying out loud (though at times that is scary). We will plant seeds that will bring those who hear us to Christ. Helen Moses, President of Command Communication and a member of St. Michael’s. Healing Yoga, with Wortley Whitehead Healing Yoga helps bring joy to life: slow down and obtain closeness to the Holy Spirit Wortley Whitehead is a Wilmington Yoga instructor. Joy in the Holes of Holy, with Adrian Wood Our joy comes from the Lord, not our circumstances. “I don’t feel joy,” you may say, but if your choose joy, you begin to see the holes that build the lovely in holy. Adrian Wood, mother of four, writes Tales of the Educated Debutante. She lives in Edenton. Your Life, Overflowing, with the Rev. Lisa Yebuah What if when Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and life more abundantly,” he meant it? Explore what it looks like to experience life in its fullness. Lisa Yebuah serves as the Pastor of Inviting Ministries at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh.
A Raleigh native, Cristin DeRonja is Executive Director of SAFEchild
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Registration is $65 beore Jan. 15. Register now at holymichael.org
Chronicles of Canterbury
Elizabeth Seton: The First American Saint While it is true that we in the Anglican tradition don’t distinguish between those who are deemed “saints” as in the Roman Catholic Church’s canonization and those of us who are “just folk like me” (see Hymn 293), Elizabeth Seton is considered by both faith traditions to be a very special lady. She is the first American to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Elizabeth was born in 1774 in New York. Her early life was more than difficult – some say “turbulent.” Her mother, who was the daughter of an Anglican priest, died when Elizabeth was only 3. Her new stepmother took the young Elizabeth on her charitable rounds, and when she and Elizabeth’s father separated, the stepmother rejected Elizabeth. The small child dealt with many bouts of depression, but what kept her going was her love for nature, poetry and playing the piano. She was an introspective child and she had a natural bent towards contemplation. As she grew older, she was also hugely devoted to the Episcopal Church. Elizabeth married William Seton at the age of 25, and when her fatherin-law died three years later, she and William were suddenly in charge of a massive family and a struggling family business, which soon failed. They lost everything. Her husband contracted tuberculosis so they moved to the warmer climate of Italy. William was quarantined in a hospital and soon died, leaving Elizabeth a young widow with five children and no resources. While in Italy, Elizabeth discovered Roman Catholicism.
Back in New York, she sought support from the church, and in 1805, she met Father Louis Dubourg, a Jesuit priest who was looking to begin a congregation of women religious (nuns), who would base their lives on the French “Daughters of Charity.” Being fluent in French, this again, seemed a good fit for Elizabeth. She took her vows and became Mother Seton. The Daughters of Charity educated girls from poor families in rural Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Sisters combined social ministry, education and religious formation in all that they did, and Mother Seton began dispatching other sisters to various orphanages in the New York and Philadelphia areas. She remained the Mother of the Sisters of Charity until Jan. 4, 1821, when she died. Her life is celebrated on this day in both the Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches. Elizabeth’s life cannot have been easy, losing a mother so young, and a husband, rejected by a stepmother and having to raise children by herself in a time with few resources. But she persevered, and by hard work and her devotion to God — especially in her deep devotion to the Eucharist, Scripture and the Virgin Mary — made a life for herself that is revered even today. Her favorite prayer was saying the 23rd Psalm. — The Rev. Holly M. Gloff
Foundation Inches Closer to $1 Million Threshold “The Holy Michael Foundation may issue grants to support the special programs, initiatives and ministries of the Church.” – Holy Michael Foundation Bylaws
expenses have decreased. The board monitors the investment’s performance to ensure steady, sustained growth, to move it closer to the $1 million threshold. The Holy Michael Foundation is to exist and benefit St. Michael’s ministries for its lifetime.
In 2016, thanks to nearly $112,000 in donations, bequests and a solid investment model, the Holy Michael Foundation saw its balance grow to more than $850,000 (as of this writing), bringing us closer to our $1 million threshold required before we can disburse grants to fund the mission and ministries of St. Michael’s. Holy Michael Foundation funds cannot be used to support St. Michael’s operating budget.
If you have not made a gift to the Holy Michael Foundation or included the Holy Michael Foundation in your will or through another planned gift, please contact me. I would be happy to discuss giving opportunities with you.
Nearly half of our 2016 donations were received from the ECW naming the Holy Michael Foundation as its recipient of the Spring Event’s funds. In addition to their $50,000 donation, the ECW’s recognition of the Holy Michael Foundation along with more than 100 parishioners contributing to the event, helped increase awareness of St. Michael’s endowment. Thank you, ECW, for all your support! In 2016, Harold Hall retired as President of our board. He had served the Holy Michael Foundation well for years, and his dedication to growing the Holy Michael Foundation was invaluable. The Vestry appointed Walter Rogers to the board, and we welcome his thoughtful expertise. The board’s investment committee met periodically throughout 2016 to monitor the holdings and invest donations as received. Our investment model is sound. It has withstood two market corrections, and our fee
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Special thanks to the Holy Michael Foundation board for their enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to growing and preserving our endowment. Please take the opportunity to convey your appreciation to them for their service. Holy Michael Foundation Board
The Rev. Greg Jones Amanda Carson Will Rideout, President Tommy Malone Pansy Morton, Vice President Garland Radford Audrey Black, Secretary Kip Meadows, Treasurer Walter Rogers Charlotte Griffin, Director of Development
Chronicles of Canterbury
Jack Budrow To Share Musical Story with OWLS The intrepid OWLS continue to wing their way to their next activity! The Christmas party, held at Holly’s in December gave everyone enough fuel to last for a little while. Weren’t the ham biscuits, crab cakes and tomatoes stuffed with goat cheese superb? And thanks to Linda Berry who made that delicious punch. Even though Holly was working with one wing in a sling, the party was a success in large part because of the cleaning and decorating help of Margaret and Gilliam Nicholson — true angels for sure, and to Ken Humphries, who kept the vacuum cleaner humming and who schlepped and hung decorations hither and yon. Like they say, it takes a village. Most heartfelt thanks go to all who helped make the party a success. So that brings us to the New Year! Our first speaker for 2017 will be our own Jack Budrow. Many of you will know Jack at least by sight, because he frequently ushers at the 9:30 a.m. service. What you may not know is that Jack is amazingly talented (and highly amusing) and is considered one of the top string bass Jack Budrow professors in the country. Each week, Jack commutes to Michigan State University (seriously!) to teach some of the most talented students in the nation. Jack has taught students who have gone on to play with the (New York) Metropolitan Opera, the Cincinnati Symphony, New York Philharmonic and the Houston Symphony. Not all who teach can play at the top rungs of their profession, and not all who can play can also teach, but Jack does both at the highest level possible, and he does it with grace, humor and integrity. He has served as Principal Bass with the Santa Fe Opera, American National Opera Co., the North Carolina Symphony, and the Houston Symphony Orchestra. He has played Principal Bass for Mahler’s Symphony #2 under Leonard Bernstein with the National Symphony Orchestra.
Not only is Jack a professor of bass at Michigan State University, but he also teaches at the famous Interlochan Center for the Arts. He taught at Indiana University (for 12 years during the summers), UNC and East Carolina University. Jack is warm, witty, highly intelligent and an engaging storyteller. We invite you to hear this insider’s look at what life is like as a world-class musician and teacher. Jack will speak on Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Room. Cookies and coffee are always a part of our lecture series. But there’s more! Back by popular demand, on Jan. 24, the OWLS visit the James B. Hunt Jr. Library at NC State University. We will meet at the church at 9:30 a.m and drive to Centennial Campus, where we tour the 221,000 square-foot modern style library. We will observe the robot driven “book bot,” an automated book delivery system that holds 2 million books in 1/9th of the space that conventional shelving would consume. Books are stored according to their size, and not according to the more conventional way, which is by subject. Visitors can order a book online while on your way to the library, and it will be ready for you when you arrive! The library houses books on engineering, textiles and other science collections. After the tour, we will have lunch on campus before returning to St. Michael’s. There is no charge for the library tour. Your only cost will be lunch. We look forward to seeing you as we explore the world of music and the newest library technology this month. — Holly Gloff
Thank You To Stewardship Calling Committee
Special thanks to the 2017 Annual Fund Chairs, Stewardship and Calling Committees who work on behalf of the Annual Fund. Theirs is truly a special ministry and very important to the life of St. Michael’s. Many of them have been dedicated to this endeavor for years. Please thank them for their efforts on behalf of our church! Chairs: Dan Walker Harry Walker Jr. Harry Walker III Nat Walker Lee Walker
Committe: Tim & Linda Berry Audrey & Jimmy Black Nancy & Bo Bromhal Marilyn & Jack Budrow Sallie & Dan Cahill Chris & Amanda Carson John Constance
Sally Duff Mike Ferguson Rick Guirlinger David Hayden Ann & Harold Hall Robin Kennedy Tommy Malone
Clair Marshall Elizabeth & John Matthews Gilliam Nicholson Kathy & Don Oschwald Sandy & Winston Page Ashley & Sterling Perkinson Katherine Poole
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Bob Price Mike & Melissa Raley Rick Rountree Dave & Diana Sendall Bettie & David Sousa Judy & Bob Spaziano Stephanie & Craig Stone
John & Lauren Stump Joe Warenda Jessica & Warren Widener Bonnie & Leon Woodruff Rosemary & Smedes York
briefly
Chronicles of Canterbury
Organ Concert Friday Jan. 20 7:30 p.m. Andrew Scanlon Organist
Wednesday Words & Wisdom 7 p.m. Jan. 11 Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel at the home of Diana and Dave Sendall Newcomers Welcome
Oyster Roast Raises Day School Registration Begins Jan. 17 St. Michael’s Parish Day School will hold $2,000 for Duff/ registration for the 2017-18 school year from Capps Scholarship Jan. 23-27. Current students, their siblings, On Nov. 4, our parishioners consumed 1,100 oysters and 50 pounds of shrimp at the first annual St. Michael’s oyster roast and shrimp boil. We love our seafood! Excellent service by parish volunteers and music by Damascus Ridge, arranged by Bruce Hunn, helped create a delightful evening. The event was attended by 150 members of St Michael’s and their guests at Mill’s Construction Company, thanks to Joe Warenda and his committee. This was the first of what the men are hoping will be an annual happening. Two thousand dollars raised from this event was donated to the Capps/Duff Scholarship Fund in memory of Bill Duff.
parishioners, and the general public may register during this time. The Day School offers half-day classes to children ages one to five 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.
The Men’s Ministry events for January are Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the church with breakfast at 7 a.m. Robert Fruehwirth will be the leader. Band of Brothers luncheon at the Saw Mill Tap Room, is on Monday, Jan.16. No reservations are needed. Brothers on Tap will gather for fellowship on Thursday, Jan. 19 at The Pointe. Please join us.
Have you seen women wearing this cross? If so, you may have admired it or wondered if it was something special. Actually the cross was officially adopted by the Order of the Daughters of the King in 1891. The cross is so special that when a member dies the cross is buried with her or is interred with her ashes.
Please save the date for the Men’s Retreat on April 21 and 22 at The Country Club of Whispering Pines. Contact: Tim Berry, tberry56@ gmail.com.
Applications will be available at the Day School office as well as online beginning Jan. 17. The deadline to return applications, along with the registration fee of $175, is Friday, Jan. 27 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. Daughters of the King
A Ministry of Prayer and Fellowship
The Daughters of the King is an order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church and churches in communion with it. Founded in 1885, the mission of the order is the “extension of Christ’s Kingdom through Prayer, Service and Evangelism.” It is NOT a secret society. At St. Michael’s the Ann Berry Chapter of Daughters of the King meets monthly for worship, prayer and fellowship. Members aid the clergy as needs arise. There is a period of discernment during which prospective members complete a course of study. Are you called to become a Daughter of the King? Stop by the reception desk to find out more on Jan. 8 during the Sunday School hour. All are welcome! Questions? Contact Beverly Freeman at bfreeman13@nc.rr.com.
Newcomer Classes Begin Wednesday, Jan. 11 If you are new to St. Michael's and are interested in membership, please plan to join us for our Newcomer series of classes in the new year. • Intro To St. Michael's — Wednesdays, Jan. 11,18 & 25, & Feb. 1 Explore our parish history, its ethos and its ministries with the
Rev. Greg Jones. Required of all new to our parish. • The Faith — Wednesdays Feb. 8, 15 & 22 If you are a new parent and plan to have your child baptized this spring, join us for classes about our denomination
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taught by clergy. Required of all parents seeking baptism for a child, and all new to the Episcopal Church seeking membership. Child care is always available. Contact Lee Hayden at hayden@ holymichael.org to register for these classes.
Chronicles of Canterbury
january Sundays
lifelong disciple
January 8 Mission is a Two-Way Street In responding to the needs of the world we not only make a real difference for others, but we ourselves are made different. We discover a deeper humanity in ourselves, a deeper meaning to life. We discover Christ looking back at us from those we sought to serve. In this class we’ll hear first hand accounts of serving Christ in others, and what God is doing at St. Michael’s to connect us with those in need, those with whom we need to be more fully ourselves. January 15 All Shall Be Well: Compassion for Ourselves, Our World and God with The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth In 2014, Robert was challenged by people attending a quiet day he was leading on Julian of Norwich’s most famous saying, “All Shall Be Well.” How could all things ever be made well? they wondered. Do we really want all things included in God’s well-making? The spectacular dialogue of that day led to Robert's book on the same topic, published in July 2016, and followed by a book tour a few months later. In this class Robert will share what led him to write the book on Julian and what he discovered about Christian Faith, suffering, and compassion through his writing of the book. January 22 Being Bodies: Paul's Body Language & Ours with The Rev. Susan Eastman PhD, Associate Professor, Duke Divinity School How does the Apostle Paul talk about the body? He is often blamed for having a negative view of the body, but in fact a closer look reveals surprising positive connections with contemporary ways of thinking about bodies and relationships.
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January 29 Knowing God: The Cradle of Thought in Romans 8 with The Rev. Susan Eastman, PhD Just as children develop the capacity to know themselves and others through their primary relationships with their parents, so in Christ we develop the capacity to know God through Spirit-mediated relationships with one another. This talk will explore this interpersonal knowledge of God in Paul's letter to the Romans.
Friday, January 20 Organ Concert: Andrew Scanlon, organist 7:30 p.m., in the nave Andrew Scanlon is a member of the keyboard faculty at East Carolina University, and also the OrganistChoirmaster of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Greenville, N.C. A graduate of Duquesne University and Yale University, Mr. Scanlon has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Admission is free.
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
Special Lenten Program Parish-Wide Journey to Jerusalem Tuesday Evenings during Lent March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4 & 11 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Prayer, Soup supper & Program Save the date! Watch Chronicles of Canterbury for details soon.
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: Monday, Jan. 15
Belize Mission 2017 Schedule Sunday, Jan. 8 Informational Meeting: after adult Sunday school Sunday, March 5 Last Day to Commit to a seat on American Airlines Group ticket Saturday, March 25, 7 p.m., Parish Hall Coffeehouse/Fundraiser Saturday, April 8: Departure Saturday April 15: Return