July 2015: The Chronicles of Canterbury

Chronicles of Canterbury

July 2015

From the Rector

Kingdom People: Friends with God & Each Other

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e sent them out two by two. Into a world broken and bent, Jesus sent them out to heal and to deliver good news. He sent them out in pairs — as friends, siblings, partners — with nothing but each other and the power of God between them. Jesus sent out the 70 disciples, and their only message whether folks wanted to hear it or not was “The Kingdom of God is near.”

What does that mean? What is that Kingdom like?

The character of life in the Kingdom was one of Jesus’ favorite topics, it’s all over the four Gospels.

The Kingdom of God is like this, and it is like that, and so forth. And the central metaphor for life in the Kingdom of God, a metaphor writ large all over the sacred pages, is the intimate relationship. The intimate relationship between friends, brothers, sisters, partners, married people: This is the great metaphor of God’s Word, written and lived.

Kingdom people, therefore, are supposed to be friends, with God and each other. Kingdom people are supposed to be brothers and sisters, the children of God. Kingdom people are supposed to be partners, with each other and Christ. And when I say Kingdom People, I’m talking about us. And when I say

what’s inside 2 Flags in Church 3 Grief & Caregiver Support 4 Shades of Ireland 6 June in Pictures 8 Volunteer for WIHN 9 It’s the Phantom!

11 Holy Michael 12 Newcomer Classes

“supposed to be,” I’m talking about the Will of God. I realize it is a bold thing to assert that something is “the Will of God,” but that’s what I’m doing. For God’s Word written and God’s Word made flesh are all about this. God says that all who call Jesus Lord and join His body in baptism and eucharist are Kingdom People. And Kingdom People love each other.

Kingdom People are one in faith, and hope, and mission. That’s the way, the truth and the life that Jesus calls his disciples to demonstrate to the world.

This is the new creation that you and I are a part of, and it is supposed to be everything.

Don’t you want to get close to God? Don’t you want to get close to God’s people? Don’t you want to make a broken world better in God’s name? God wants you to, I promise.

When you come to the altar to eat and drink of the body and blood of Christ next time, be mindful that there you are closer to God and to all of God’s people in a world that needs us to come together in Christ.

— The Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones

From Theologian Jeff Hensley

What Will You Do with Your Ordinary Time?

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he summer months bring a change of pace and a different rhythm to our common worship.

Liturgically, we are between Pentecost and Advent, a season called “Ordinary Time.” It is the longest season in the church calendar, typically spanning from late May/early June to late November/ early December, depending on the particular year. So while we have the festive seasons of Christmas and Easter, for example, and the contemplative weeks of Advent and Lent, most of our time during the liturgical year is rather “ordinary.”

When I was a child, I remember meeting a missionary who had been imprisoned for nearly a decade because of her faith. How impressive, I thought (and it was!); she was a spiritual superhero. And now as an adult, I read about the lives of the saints, many of whom were martyrs for their faith, and I wonder if I would have the faith to make such a sacrifice. My faith, my life,

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seems rather “ordinary” compared to these spiritual giants.

But Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and one of our leading Anglican theologians, reminds us in his book Christ on Trial that “the hardest thing in the world is to be where we are,” (P 18.) Perhaps I will never be asked to face imprisonment or death because of my faith. I hope not! Perhaps I don’t have sufficiently strong enough faith to face such persecution. I’m not sure. Am I any less of a saint then?

Williams rightly challenges this line of reasoning, as if our lives are only important, only witness to the love of God, if our faith has been extraordinarily tested and found victorious. The time that we have, the lives that we live with all their ups and downs, successes and failures, Williams argues, have been given to us

See ORDINARY on page 8

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 Associate 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 • 783-8792 | Dale Roane • 791-0168 | 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-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday, 9 am.-1 p.m.

From the Associate Rector

The Presence of the Flag in Worship

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alk into our nave and look to the lectern side, right behind the choir stalls.

There you will see the American flag positioned in front of the organ pipes.

In some circles, displaying the American flag inside a worship space is controversial. During my time in seminary it was theologically fashionable to oppose any kind of nationalistic symbols in a liturgical space. Several of my colleagues vowed that if they ever became rector of a church, one of their first actions would be to remove the American flag from the nave.

The thought was that having a cross and an American flag in the same space communicates conflicting messages, by elevating country over God. Additionally, the flag becomes a symbol of sacrifice connected with past wars, which effectively honors all future wars. Such a belief contradicts Christ’s nonviolent response in the face of violence, as he gave himself up as a sacrifice on the cross. In the abstract sense this has an edgy, profound ring to it, but such a theology has a limited perspective, and misses some broader theological points that affirm God’s work in this world.

The presence of the flag in our worship space does not elevate country over God, nor does it distract attention from the cross. It’s no accident that the American flag is nowhere near the altar, but resides in the chancel along the pathway to the altar. This placement is important for it shows that we do not worship the flag, or revere it above the cross.

During our worship service, we progress forward down the aisle moving toward the altar for communion. As we do so, we pass the flag on our left, but our focus remains upward to the cross. By retaining the flag, we in essence follow Jesus’ advice in Luke’s Gospel, where he said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render unto God what is God’s.”

Integrating the flag in a worship service remains profoundly important on a multitude of levels beyond politics and nationalism. Yes, the flag is a form of gratitude for the men and women who served in our armed forces, so that all of us here in this nation can think, speak and most importantly, worship freely. But that does not mean we as a nation condone violence. If anything, it reminds us that we live in a broken world. We live in a world that needs healing from division that often results in violence. When we walk past the American flag, we are reminded that we are resident aliens in a foreign land.

The flag reminds us that this earth is not our final home or resting place. Instead, our life remains a work in progress, a temporary way station as we progress along the journey aimed at participating in God’s work to bring forth thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. In this context, the flag becomes a marker staked on the ground, as fellow Christian travelers continue the journey between two vastly different worlds.

The flag keeps us grounded. It reminds us to maintain our focus upward, toward the cross.

It reminds us of a world yet to come, a renewed world embodied by the cross where our brokenness, our pain, and our division will one day be healed, mended and made whole.

— The Rev. Christopher Hogin

CANTERBURY SHOP HOURS Monday/Wednesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sundays 9:30-10 a.m. & 11 a.m.-noon

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Chronicles of Canterbury From the Associate Rector

Caregiver and Grief Support Groups Begin at St. Michael’s

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ow many of you are taking care of an elderly parent, a spouse who is ill, or a good friend who needs your constant care? Taking care of someone you love can be draining and at times frustrating. We often wonder if anyone cares. Is there someone who can walk that difficult walk with us? Is there someone who can listen and have some idea what we are going through, who can relate to our life, someone who “gets” what it is to be a caregiver?

No two people walk the same path. When my husband was ill, my struggles involved juggling work with caregiving. Your walk may be quite different, but we still share many of the same issues. Perhaps you have conquered an issue someone else struggles with. You can be a blessing to them. Maybe they’ve figured out respite concerns and can help and support you. If we work together, we can figure out how to live our lives with the best support available.

Grief Group

Have you lost a spouse, friend, child for whom you are still grieving? You don’t have to do it alone.

Winston Churchill is often quoted as saying, “When you are going through Hell, keep walking.” This is true for walking through grief. If you keep walking, you’ll come out the other side, transformed and knowing that your broken heart can be healed. Let us help you! This fall, we will once again offer a grief support group.

The Grief Support Group will meet on Mondays for approximately 10 weeks, from Sept. 14-Nov. 23.

Caregiver Group

St. Michael’s wants to be that kind of support for those in our parish who are in the midst of caregiving. We are combining forces with Christ Church to offer a new Caregivers Support Group. We will meet the first Wednesday of each month from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. in the St. Michael’s Parlor. Our first meeting will be Aug. 5.

We will invite speakers to offer suggestions on various aspects of caregiving for those we love. This will be an on-going group, so you are invited to come often, or come when you can. There is no attendance requirement.

The Rev. Meg Buerkel-Hunn, Christ Church associate rector, will co-lead this group with me. If you have questions, please call or email me at gloff@ holymichael.org.

The group will meet at my home, 1217 Weldon Place (3/4 of a mile from St. Michael’s) from 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. We will share stories about those we have lost, show photographs, share grief and experience hope and healing of our hearts. Space is limited to 10 participants. If you have experienced a loss, please join us — there is no time limit on grief, so don’t feel this is only open to those who have recently lost someone.

We will dispel misconceptions about grief, understand the uniqueness of each person’s grief, explore our feelings of loss, and even recognize that we are not crazy! We will encourage each other to be gentle with ourselves, nurture ourselves and reach out for help. We will even appreciate the transformation that takes place in each of us as we journey through the wilderness that is grief.

— The Rev. Holly M. Gloff

Save Those Labels! Thompson Needs Soup Labels & More Looking for an easy way to contribute at St. Michael’s? The ECW has been supporting the Thompson Child and Family Focus Center in Charlotte for years! One way we assist is by collecting common food labels, such as Campbell’s soups, Pepperidge Farms Goldfish, and V-8 juice. Thanks in large part to the leadership of Lynda Atkins, the ECW wants to ensure your support of Thompson continues.

“Since I’ve been a member at St. Michael’s, 30 years or so, this has been an ongoing project of the ECW,” Lynda says. “According to Thompson, just last year churches and other groups helped collect 20,000 points. They used these to buy a digital camera for their nursing staff to photograph incoming clients and to buy DVD players, vegetable greenhouses, chalk, art supplies, dictionaries, education games (Oregon Trail), books, musical instruments, markers and toys.”

Thompson’s work focuses on the well-being of children and their families.

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Founded in 1886 as an orphanage, Thompson is a non-profit organization operating three distinct campuses, each providing comprehensive education, treatment, and care for children (birth to 18 years) in need.

Whether you knew about Thompson before or this is your first time hearing of the organization, we hope you’ll add your labels to the bunch! Visit the outreach bin located in the Parish Hall to see a list of participating products, and add your labels. Please take care to include the entire barcode and product brand name.

To learn more about their mission, visit www. thompsoncff.org or contact Lynda Atkins at lyndaatkins@nc.rr.com or 919-467-8000.

Chronicles of Canterbury

Ireland Trip Promises To Show the Shades of Ireland For those of you who have traveled with St. Michael’s to such countries as Scotland, France, Israel, Italy and Turkey, we have another treat in store for you!

From April 1423, 2016, we will travel to Ireland and Northern Ireland, on the Shades of Ireland Tour with Collette Travel. We will visit Dublin, Waterford, Killarney and Limerick and explore the medieval Visit Blarney Castle on a two-week tour of Ireland. Photo source: atmosphere of Wikipedia Kilkenny. There will be some free time in Dublin to explore the city on your own, as well.

Highlights also include Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Donegal Town, Lough Eske Castle, Derry, Giant’s Causeway,

Glens of Antrim and Belfast.

Rates before October are Double Occupancy: $3,909, Single $4,459 and Triple, $3,879.

The Giant’s Causeway, which is made up of large basalt pillars formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, goes under the sea and comes up the other side in Scotland.

This tour is for those who can easily walk on uneven ground. Very few places will be handicapped accessible. But if you are reasonably fit and full of the spirit of adventure, you’ll be guaranteed a fine time!

Brochures for this exciting venture are available in the lobby, or by asking Holly.

A special travel presentation will be held by the tour company Collette, on Sunday, Aug, 23 at 11:30 a.m. in the Adult Ed Room.

— The Rev. Holly M. Gloff

For more information, visit https://gateway. gocollette.com/link/684910#.VYrWiOk5Atw

Canterbury Shop: Raising Funds for Outreach for Two Decades Do you know what organization at St. Michael’s raises money for mission and outreach nearly every single day and has for more than two decades? The Canterbury Shop! In its history, the Canterbury Shop has provided more than $75,000 in this endeavor. Proceeds from the sales in the shop go to the Mission Grants Committee which, through a grants process, supports many organizations in the community including Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen, Green Chair Project, Episcopal Farm Workers Ministry, and Holy Cross School in Belize.

So when you need to buy gifts (at great prices) for any and all occasions, please think of the Canterbury Shop! In addition to Bibles, hymnals, prayer books and crosses, you’ll find books, beautiful Carl Ealy cards and other greeting cards, candles, lotions, gift items, tabletop and kitchen accessories, linens, Caspari paper products, jewelry and accessories for women, picture frames, baby and children’s gifts and The Canterbury Shop has contributed more than $75,000 to community outreach efforts in toys, a large selection of Scout bags, gifts for men, more than two decades. It’s ongoing mission supports those efforts with every purchase. The seasonal items and so much more! The shop accepts Shop is the only place in our convocation where you can purchase The Book of Common cash, checks and credit cards. We are happy to Prayer. Shop three days a week for gifts and specialty items for the whole family. provide free gift-wrapping, too!

If you are interested in joining the Canterbury Shop team as a volunteer, contact Mary Currin at Canterbury@ holymichael.org. Working in the shop is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship.

Summer Hours Mondays & Wednesdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sundays 9:30 a.m.- 10 am. & 11 a.m. - noon 4

Chronicles of Canterbury EYC Mission

Helping Others Forms a Family This year’s high school mission trip to Scotland, Pa., was nothing short of an amazing time for our youth. This group has always felt like family to me and this trip showed exactly that. Each one of them opened their hearts to the mission, to the experience, and to each other.

One of my goals this last year was to recruit the upper classmen to be leaders in St. Michael’s youth ministry. Student-led leadership is a very important aspect for the success and family atmosphere in this ministry. During the mission trip Hayes Atkinson, a rising Senior in EYC, naturally took on this leadership role and explains his experiences below.

“The 2015 Reach Mission trip to Scotland, Pa., was a trip that I, and the rest of St. Michael’s youth will never forget. I was very excited that for my second year in a row I was able to travel to another new town and help represent St. Michael’s at Reach Workcamps. Going on Reach gives you a very strong emotional experience that has different meanings for everyone who attends.

Youth Missioners visited Scotland, Pa., in late June. Pictured, back row to front: Trent Ryden, Hayes Atkinson, Bradley Dalton, Taylor Thompson, Parker Davidson, Luciano Conte, Harris Wheless, Jay Moses, Dawn Conte (chaperone), Reeves Raley (chaperone), Chris McHenry (chaperone), Simon Copeland, Cory Ayers, Jessica Dohme, James King, Joe Lingo, Josh Dohme, Paige Madtes (chaperone), Annabelle Atkinson, MacKenzie Smith (volunteer), Emily Boyette (volunteer), Abby Van Noppen (Youth Director). Not pictured: Izzy Severa

“Throughout the week we all grow very close with our assigned work crews by spending hours each day working together to finish our projects on time and make it back before dinner was served and the showers got cold. My crew this year was made up of people from all over the country, coming from Pittsburgh, Charlotte, and even as far as Detroit. Despite the fact that my crew and I had never met before Reach, we worked closely and efficiently together, even completing twice the workload we were expected to do on the first day. We not only worked hard, but had a great time doing it! My relationship with my existing friends from St. Michael’s also improved, and I became closer to many of the other students who went on the trip.

We built our relationships by playing basketball, ultimate Frisbee and lots of conversation in our free time.

“The best friends I have, I have met through the St. Michael’s youth group. It was a great experience getting to spend the week with them.

My best times and life experiences have been with the youth group on mission trips. Even when new people have joined our youth group and traveled to Reach, by the end of the week we were all very close and no longer strangers. Hayes Atkinson We all had the same goals - to help others, make friends and have fun and fellowship. One of my favorite aspects of Reach was being a part of the St. Michael’s youth group family, meeting new people and helping to make a difference in other people’s lives through hard work and fellowship. I can’t wait to get

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on the road next year to the Reach Workcamps with my St. Michaels family!”

Hayes’s words echo my thoughts exactly. As we move towards our EYC kick-off in September, I invite every middle and high school youth at St. Michael’s to share in our community and these experiences. We want YOU to be a part of our EYC family!

—Abby Van Noppen

Thank you to everyone in the parish who supported our EYC mission efforts, through contributions, fundraisers and prayer.

for all rising 6-8 graders Wednesday-Thursday in Raleigh Friday-Sunday, Epiphany Mission Center, Washington, DC. $150 per person For details, visit holymichael.org, or contact Abby Van Noppen, vannoppen@holymichael.org.

Chronicles of Canterbury

VBS 2015

More than three dozen kids enjoyed time under the sea at VBS in June. In story and song, they swam through their week, that ended with Kona Ice!

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Chronicles of Canterbury

Close to 200 weathered temps of nearly 100 for the second annual block party. Water games and snow cones were popular choices, as was enjoying the activities from the safety of shade.

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Chronicles of Canterbury

ORDINARY

WIHN @ ST. MICHAEL’S

continued from page 1

July 12th – 26th, 2015 Volunteer Opportunities Find the signup link at holymichael.org, or call Matt Terribile at 919-785-0628

Volunteers for each week: Week meal leader* – Purchase and replenish foods for breakfast and lunch, clean out excess food as needed, coordinate evening meal leaders Week activity coordinator* – Coordinate activity leaders across the full week to insure a variety of activities Week driver coordinator* – Coordinate drivers for week. Make sure van stays fueled. Coordinate transportation or van issues with WIHN. Volunteers for each day: Overnight Hosts – Stay at Church overnight (approximately 7:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends). Answer questions.

Play movie (if available) in adult ed room. Set out breakfast in morning.

Prefer one man and 1woman per night. Cots provided.

Evening Meal Leader* – Coordinate purchasing, preparing, and serving supper and cleaning up afterward. Meal is served at 6:30 p.m. each evening.

Meal Tea.m.* – Assist the meal leader in purchasing, preparing, and serving supper and cleaning up afterward. Meal is served at 6:30 pm. each evening.

Evening Host – Serve as focal point at the Church from 5 p.m. until the overnight host arrives at 8 p.m..

Activity Leader* – Coordinate fun activities for children and fa.m.ilies after dinner (approximately 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). Excellent opportunity for children to help.

Van Driver* – Drive families between St Michael’s and the WIHN Day Center in the morning (leave St. Michael’s at 6:45 a.m.) and / or evening (pick up at WIHN Day Center at 5:30 p.m.) using WIHN van.

Volunteers for planning, set-up, and take down: Planning – Help recruit and train volunteers. Help organize and purchase supplies to set-up rooms. Make up signs. Pack up supplies at the end of the two weeks for storage. Contact Matt Terribile, mterribile@att.net Set up – Set up rooms after the 10 a.m. service on Sunday 7/12.

Break down – Breakdown and clean up rooms on Sunday 7/26 between 8 and 9:30 a.m..

Laundry* – Wash and fold linens the week of 7/26 to prepare them for storage. *We welcome any receipts submitted for reimbursements. Submit receipts to Susan Little within two weeks of incurring the expenses. Mark the receipts as ‘“WIHN.” Information on how to submit receipts is on

her door.

by God as a witness to God’s love for the world in Christ.

So how can our lives, as ordinary as they often are, express that love? And, moreover, how can this time, our time, as filled with its seemingly intractable problems of war, violence, racism, prejudice, etc., be God’s gift to us? How can this time be God’s gift to us if our ordinary lives seem so insignificant, so unsatisfying in light of the problems of our time?

“I have to face, and face down, my boredom, my expectation that the world will always give me satisfying roles to play,” Williams argues. “To put it more positively, I have to make an art of ordinary living,” (P. 108, emphasis mine.) Williams suggests that we work out our Christian faith in those ordinary, everyday tasks as common as learning to listen better (especially to those who disagree with us!), learning to speak the truth more clearly, and learning to trust each other more.

“Truthful living involves being at home with ourselves, not complacently but patiently, recognizing that what we are today, at this moment, is sufficiently loved and valued by God to be the material with which he will work, and that the longed-for transformation will not come by refusing the love and value that is simply there in the present moment,” (P. 86.)

We must live in the world as we find it. That doesn’t mean that we don’t work to change it—far from it! Again Williams counsels against complacency.

Rather this ordinary time is time that God has made possible for us to live in and transform through the often undramatic yet extraordinary art of ordinary, faithful living. And this process of transformation begins with us recognizing that our ordinary lives are extraordinarily valuable to and loved by God. How can we use this season of ordinary time— from now to Advent—to be witnesses to God’s extraordinary love for the world, a world that includes us? Who can we be and what can we do patiently but persistently to bring God’s kingdom to “come on earth as it is in heaven”?

— Jeff Hensley

Blood Drive Aug. 2 Join us on Sunday, Aug. 2, and plan to save a life, or many, as we host our semi-annual blood drive, from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Visit www. redcrossblood.org , or download the free Red Cross blood donor app!

Sponsor code is SMEC. Call Jean Olson at 782-0731 to sign up, or watch for registration information on holymichael.org and in Canterbury Tales.

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Chronicles of Canterbury

John Constance To Lead “Strong To Serve” Campaign Active newcomer John Constance will lead the 2016 Annual Fund campaign, “Strong To Serve,” this fall. John and his wife, Hayden, joined St. Michael’s three years ago, after retiring to Raleigh from the Washington, DC area. The grandson of a Methodist minister, John joined the Episcopal Church after his marriage to Hayden, a cradle Episcopalian. The couple joined St. John’s in Ellicott City, Md., and remained active there for 27 years. During the next 10 years, St. John’s grew to become the largest parish in the Diocese of Maryland.

Anyone who knows John knows he is a joiner. At St. John’s, he was Senior Warden, served on the Annual Fund Committee, taught Sunday School, co-chaired a vision committee for church renovation and expansion and served John Constance as a chalist, among many other things.

After a 35-year career with the National Archives and five years with Legal Services Corporation, the Constances moved to Raleigh in 2011.

Since arriving in Raleigh, John has been a volunteer interview instructor in the jobs program of StepUp Ministries and a pro bono management consultant with Executive Service Corps of the Triangle.

As soon as the Constances joined our parish, John jumped in to lay ministry. He is a chalist, attends the Men’s Bible Study, serves on the Men’s Retreat, Stewardship and Communications committees.

Most notably, he says, he is the Parish Day School’s newest Santa Claus.

John’s most important job, though, is father and grandfather. Daughter Megan LeFaivre, former Raleigh and Thomasville elementary school teacher and reading specialist, now lives in Jamestown, N.C. ,with daughter, Harper Rose and husband Drew. Daughter Brittany Constance, graduate of College of William and Mary and UVA Law, lives in Charlottesville, Va., and is preparing to take the bar exam. She will join the firm of Weil, Gotshal, and Manges in Washington, DC, this fall.

Look to hear more from John in our September Chronicles of Canterbury.

RSCM Evensong Sunday, July 19 St. Michael’s will have the privilege of hosting the closing Choral Evensong of the Royal School of Church Music in America’s Carolina Course on Sunday, July 19, at 4 p.m. The choir’s 70 singers (including 40 girls) will sing under the outstanding direction of Simon Lole, who is an internationally-known conductor, composer, arranger, musical director, and organist. Mr. Lole began his musical career as a chorister at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. He served as director of music at Sheffield and Salisbury Cathedrals, and taught at Jesus College, Cambridge. He works regularly for the BBC, and has traveled the world as a choral specialist and workshop leader. The organist will be Zachary Fritsch-Hemenway, organist and choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. Mr. FritschHemenway leads an impressive choral training Simon Lole, organist program and is a fine organist.

This is the Carolina Course’s 20th Anniversary, and in celebration of that, a new anthem has been commissioned from Simon Lole, who was the Course’s first music director 20 years ago. This new anthem, “The Wisdom of God,” will receive its world premiere performance at St. Michael’s during the service. The service will also include music by Richard Shephard, John Sanders, and Charles Wood. The Rev. Ann Bonner-Stewart, chaplain of St. Mary’s School, will be the preacher.

Choral Evensong is one of the Episcopal/Anglican Church’s great liturgical treasures. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to worship with us, surrounded by sublime and stirring music.

— Kevin Kerstetter, Director of Church Music

It’s the Phantom!

Don’t miss the most fun pipe organ and film performance you’ll ever experience! On Friday, Nov. 6 (just six days after Halloween), organist Dorothy Papadakos will be at St. Michael’s to improvise a thrilling musical accompaniment to the 1929 silent film “The Phantom of the Opera,” starring Lon Chaney. Dorothy will put our organ’s 3,385 pipes through their paces, and you’ll hear amazing sounds that will delight and entertain.

Dorothy Papadakos, organist Formerly organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, and now residing in Wilmington, N.C., Dorothy is known internationally for her extraordinary organ improvisation. She is a member of the seven-time Grammy Award winning Paul Winter Consort. The Blu-ray film will be projected on a 12’ screen, and the organist will be visible to the audience as she brings the film to life with her magical playing.

Tickets are available online at HolyMichaelMusic.org. Tickets for adults (18 years of age and above) are $15, and student tickets (up to 17 years of age) are $10. Do you have a large family? Contact Kevin Kerstetter directly for a discounted family price. Join us for this evening of exciting, action-packed music and film!

— Kevin Kerstetter

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YAMS Explore Journeys of Faith This summer the St. Michael’s young adult ministry (YAMs) will gather for Journeys of Faith July 23 and Aug. 20 from 7 p.m. -9 p.m.

After a catered meal, a presenter will share a faith journey of someone in history (both famous or not-so-famous), whose journey had an impact on others, followed by small group reflection. Beyond content, Journeys of Faith is designed to provide young adults with a chance to get to know one another on a deeper level. If you are post-college, come and enjoy a meal, listen to a story and connect with other fellow travelers of faith.

Contact the Rev. Christopher Hogin at hogin@holymichael. org for reservations.

Raleigh Police Appreciation Month Mark Your Calendar Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network July 12-26

The Raleigh Police answer the call to protect and serve us 365 days a year. Let’s show our appreciation again in August with snack foods, bottles of water and personal notes that will fill Thank You Bags.

Your generous contributions of granola and fruit bars, Nabs, Slim Jims, regular-size candy bars and snack-size bags of chips, peanuts and cookies, and 8-ounce bottles of water, will be needed to fill the bags. In addition to these items, donations are very much appreciated to purchase any items needed.

Cards for the many special personal notes that are included in each bag will be available in the Reception Area.

Save the Date!

Phantom of the Opera Organ Concert Nov. 6

St. Michael’s parishioners pack Thank You Bags on Sunday, Aug. 30, from 8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Volunteers are needed to deliver the bags to police district offices on Sunday, Aug. 30 or Monday, Aug. 31.

Contact: Beverly Parker, beveparker1963@gmail.com

Acolyte Training Sessions Begin Aug. 23 Acolyte training sessions will be held on Sunday, Aug. 23 and Sunday, Aug. 30. These sessions are for any new acolytes and for current acolytes entering the 6th, 8th and 10th grades to be trained in their new duties.

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Torchbearers (4th - 5th grades) will meet at 2 p.m.

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Sr. Torchbearers (6th – 7th grades) will meet at 3 p.m.

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Jr. Crucifers (8th – 9th grades) will meet at 4 p.m.

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Sr. Crucifers (10th – 12th grades) will meet at 5 p.m.

Only one session is required. Each session will be held in the church and should last approximately an hour. Questions? Contact Chip Chase (chip_chase@hotmail.com).

Support Urban Ministries in July St. Michael’s will hand out grocery bags in July to support the Urban Ministries Food Pantry. Your job will be to fill the bag with suggested non-perishable items and return it to church during the month.

Urban Ministries of Wake County provides food and nutrition, promotes health and wellness, and offers a path home to our Wake County neighbors who are homeless or living in poverty.

In Wake County nearly 100,000 people live in poverty, and food insecurity is at its all-time high. North Carolina has one of the highest percentages of households with children under the age of 18 who have food insecurity —one in four households (26.7 percent) •

17 percent of households have some sort of food insecurity;

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5.5 percent have very high food insecurity

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37.64 percent of Wake County’s 157,000 students are on the free/reduced lunch program (up 4 percent from last year.)

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61 percent of households served by food pantries have been forced to choose between paying for food or paying for housing

The Urban Ministries Crisis and Food Pantry helps address hunger and food insecurity for families, children and seniors by providing a week’s worth of groceries, feeding up to 50 families every day.

There are many ways you can help, including cash donations to support our mission and food donations to supply our food pantry. Please visit www.urbanmin.org to learn more, to donate, or to see our revised Healthy Food Donations list. Together, we can change lives in Wake County by going beyond simply feeding to provide nutrition, beyond just healthcare to encourage healthy lives, and beyond shelter to offer a direction home.

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Chronicles of Canterbury

how to give to the holy michael foundation Last month, I noted briefly a few ways to give to the Holy Michael Foundation. Below, you will find more details about those methods and others. Your gift will help us reach our $1 million goal, a goal necessary to meet before we can begin disbursing funds to fulfill our mission of feeding, housing and working.

Fortunately, giving to the Holy Michael Foundation is not complicated.

I’m sure you’ve heard of people who have left their entire estate to a pet.

Can you imagine the estate attorney’s reaction as the client expressed those wishes and the attorney considered the complications that might arise from naming Fluffy as a beneficiary? Now imagine your attorney’s face as you express the simple wish — simply accomplished — to include your church’s foundation in your will.

“HOW DO I GIVE TO THE HOLY MICHAEL FOUNDATION?” Here’s how.

1.) Name Holy Michael Foundation as one of the beneficiaries in your will in any of the following forms: •

Specific dollar amount

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Percentage of your estate

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Stock(s)

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Real estate

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Other personal property

How? – First and foremost, if you do not have a will, please make an appointment with an attorney today. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having a legal record of your wishes. At your appointment, ask your attorney to include the Holy Michael Foundation in the will by whatever method meets your needs. If you have a will currently, ask your attorney to add a codicil bequeathing a portion of your estate to Holy Michael Foundation.

2.) Name Holy Michael Foundation as a beneficiary in your retirement plan assets.

How? Call your plan advisor or broker and complete a new beneficiary designation form.

3.) Name Holy Michael Foundation as a beneficiary in your life insurance policy.

How? Call your agent or your insurance company to communicate your wishes. Usually it’s a simple as completing a new beneficiary form.

4.) Make a direct gift TODAY. How? Write a check made payable to the Holy Michael Foundation in any amount you wish. Transfer stock to the Holy Michael Foundation.

Donate real estate or other tangible personal property to the Holy Michael Foundation. A gift can be cleverly crafted. One parishioner donated cemetery plots to the Holy Michael Foundation that were subsequently sold and those proceeds were added to the Holy Michael Foundation.

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“WHY SHOULD I MAKE A GIFT NOW WHEN I CAN’T SEE THE BENEFITS TODAY?” As you invest in your 401K or pension, you do not realize its benefit now. However, you will realize the benefits of your investment when you retire. You are planning for the long term. That is what the Holy Michael Foundation does. It provides support to St. Michael’s and its ministries for the long term - St. Michael’s lifetime.

“I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE” Each one of us can make a difference. All gifts make a difference. Let me say that again. All gifts make a difference. While we cannot all be like Bob Slaughter with the resources to seed an endowment, we can all be like Bob and water and fertilize the seed to help it grow to its full potential.

Please contact Charlotte Griffin, Director of Development, if you have questions regarding the Holy Michael Foundation or if you’d like more information on how to contribute.

(919-782-0731, ext. 121, griffin@ holymichael.org) Information

Holy Michael Foundation

Holy Michael Foundation 1520 Canterbury Road Raleigh, NC 27608 EIN 20-3161207

Please consult your financial or legal advisor for complete guidance, benefits and implications of charitable giving.

CANTERBURY CIRCLE DINNER

On June 4, the Holy Michael Foundation held its annual dinner to recognize the Canterbury Circle, created to honor those who have made a gift to the Holy Michael Foundation or have included it in their planned giving. Many donors and Board members enjoyed a dinner and brief presentation by Board President Will Rideout. Thanks again to all Holy Michael Foundation donors!

— Charlotte Griffin Director of Development

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church 1520 Canterbury Rd. Raleigh NC 27608-1106 Phone: 919-782-0731 Fax: 919-782-5085 www.holymichael.org

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID Raleigh, NC PERMIT NO. 696

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

SAVE THE DATE! Drawing Near: The Women’s Bible Study Presents: Lisa Harper Friday & Saturday, Jan. 8-9, 2016

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, August 5 NO JULY NEWSLETTER

Fall Series of Newcomer Classes Those seeking membership in our parish are required to attend a series of classes.

“Introduction to St. Michael’s,” for all who are new to St. Michael’s: Greg Jones, will discuss our parish history, our identity as a Christian community called to serve God in the world, God’s covenant with us and St. Michael’s many ministries.

• Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Sept. 16, 23, 30 & Oct. 1 “Outline of the Faith,” for all who are new to the Episcopal Church and seek membership or a deeper knowledge of our denomination, and for parents who wish to have their child baptized. (This class was previously called “Episcopal Beliefs & Practices.”)

Greg Jones will lead an exploration of our liturgy, our beliefs and practices, engagement of the Scriptures, our physical objects and our roots in the ancient church.

• Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Oct. 14, 21 & 28 and Nov. 4 *Child care is available with advance reservations. Contact: Lee Hayden, hayden@ holymichael.org.