Chronicles of Canterbury
the
Chronicles of Canterbury june 2016
From the Rector
‘Downstairs’ Ministry: The Most Important Thing We Do
I
have been a member of the Episcopal Church since I was 8 years old at St. Columba’s in Washington, D.C. I was active there, in weekly worship, Sunday School, choir and youth group. We were regulars. I wandered the halls and knew every nook and cranny of the place. In college, I attended the Chapel of the Cross, but was not terribly active. After college I was the youth leader and taught Sunday School to every adolescent from 7th grade through high school in one big group — or shall I say small — the church had few teens. When I was a missionary in Honduras, I led daily chapel services at a school for some 340 kids at an Episcopal school, and I taught high school English and religion to every grade! When I was in seminary I was the youth leader at a church in Connecticut and in my first church as a priest in Richmond, I also led the youth group. So, suffice it to say, I’ve done a few things with and for the young people of the church. But in all my years, I have never seen such a bountiful harvest of delightful young Christians being raised
up year after year like we see here at St. Michael’s. There is just something about St. Michael’s that forms young people into the full stature of Christ. And I know that while I am no longer a Sunday School teacher and youth leader – I am blown away by the people who are. Along with Stella, Abby and Carolyn on the staff, I continue to marvel at the people who volunteer by the dozens to work in our children’s ministries. In Sunday School, All Angels and Beckwith Chapels, in youth group, and in the various children’s and youth choirs – we are blessed by the untold heroes who volunteer to serve in Christ. The average Sunday attendance for the 3rd grade and below is 125 children, and it takes close to 100 volunteers to run the program each year. There are many opportunities to serve the children of St. Michael’s. From helping with snacks, putting flowers on the altars, directing people to classrooms, leading classes, helping with our chapels, serving
See RECTOR on page 3
ECW Garden Party Raises $47K for Holy Michael Foundation
O
n Friday, May 6, the ECW hosted a gathering of 180 people in the Parish Hall 2 The Faith to enjoy a vibrant evening of fellowship and 4 Sr. Scholarship Winners lots of bidding. All of the proceeds will support the Holy Michael Foundation. With Greg Jones as the 5 Men’s Retreat auctioneer, parishioners and friends bid on live auction 7 ECW Event, cont. items such as an “unforgettable” dinner with Greg 8 Education for Ministry and Melanie Jones; a fabulous off-season getaway to Figure 8; and reserved Sunday parking for the year. 10 Senior of the Year what’s inside
11 Lifelong Disciple
Throughout the evening, people had an opportunity to bid on over 25 silent auction items including: UNC and Duke basketball tickets; artwork by both Liles W. Dunningan and Jimmy Black; a WRAL behind-thescenes tour, and much more. All of the $47,000 raised that evening takes a great step closer to achieving the foundations’s goal of $1 million and expanding our parish’s programs and outreach efforts.
Despite the rain, the setting proved inviting and beautiful. The flowers were beautiful — picked from the rose garden of Molly Painter and arranged by by Liz Driscoll, Anna Reed and Katherine Poole. Tables sported Hen House linens in linden green and persimmon. The menu, catered by parishioner Jonni Jones, was delicious. Bacon-wrapped apricots, pimento cheese on endive boats, cheese & crackers, Country Club Casserole, fruit salad, chocolate mousse cups, assorted cheesecakes and cookies left attendees well sated for the auction. The live auction prompted a bidding war between Karen Wagoner and Bonnie Woodruff who both wanted to win the dinner for 12 with Greg and Melanie Jones. See ECW on page 7
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