Chronicles of Canterbury
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Chronicles of Canterbury november 2016
From the Rector
Heaven: It's Living in the Kingdom of God
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ovember has several major feast days in the Christian calendar. Most people think of Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) and the beginning of Advent (Nov. 27). But I think What’s heaven? It’s the about the Feast of All Saints Kingdom of God. What (Nov. 1), All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2) are saints? They’re the and the Feast of Christ the King folks who’ve chosen to (Nov. 20): those great feasts of live in the Kingdom of the Church when we are invited God. Now and forever. to pray and think about the saints of God and the heaven upon which we are called to rest our hopes. Do you know where heaven is? Scripture says it is where God and all who love him live. It’s an amazing place. Not a wispy cloud world, but a world like the world, yet perfected, without pain or suffering or death. And God wants us there. God wants us in the kingdom. So he came for us. He came down from his cosmic
throne of being and took the form of one of us. The creator became a creature, the Good Shepherd became the Lamb, the priest became the sacrifice, and he did it all so we would be in the kingdom. The king has come to build a kingdom come, restored on this side of mortality, as it is in heaven. Yes, the Lamb of God who sits on the throne of heaven came down here. Because we need him. We need him to make us clean. We need a new life. We need help. The Bible has two pictures of heaven that I admire. One is in Revelation, with its mystic vision of the kingdom beyond the mortal coil. The second is the Beatitudes, where Jesus talks about people who are blessed. About what it means to live blessed lives. About what it would look like if we tried to be holy people. Jesus says that people who follow him bear certain
See RECTOR on page 7
Annual Fund 2017
what’s inside
At St. Michael's, We Are All Mr. Carsons
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ecently, I read an article about stewardship written by David Hull, consultant and 4 Vestry Candidates Southeast coordinator for the Center for Healthy Churches. He quoted 6 Duruflé Requiem 1 Peter 4:10 which instructs 7 OWLS us to be “good stewards of the 8 The Way & The Truth manifold grace of God.” In this passage and others, Hull 10 For All the Saints noted “stewards” was translated 11 The Gathering from oikonomos, which was a house manager. A position 12 Briefly often filled by a servant, to 13 Lifelong Disciple be house manager was a great honor. To put it in 14 Oyster Roast contemporary terms, Hull said an oikonomos would be akin to Downton Abbey’s Mr. Carson. 2 God Surprises
What a great image! Whether you loved Mr. Carson or considered him a curmudgeon, he fiercely
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protected the house and nurtured its inhabitants for which he was caretaker. He welcomed the responsibility accompanying his position and felt great allegiance to the house and its owners, the Crawleys. His was a year-long, sometimes 24-hour-a day, job. Not seasonal. Currently, we are in the midst St. Michael’s Annual Fund campaign — our stewardship campaign. Often, we are reminded that stewardship is a yearlong mindset, not just a season. How much more of an impact could we have on St. Michael’s ministries if we channeled Mr. Carson, giving more of ourselves, both financially and volunteering to St. Michael’s? If that were the case, we would be fiercely allegiant to St. Michael’s and its works. We’d be grateful to See WHOLE LIFE page 6
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 Will Lingo, Senior Warden • 833-1358 Michael Painter, Jr. Warden • 821-0126 Jenny Haase, Clerk • 460-1966 Debbie Reed Treasurer • 783-8978 Class of 2016 Marilyn Budrow • 510-5080 Anthony Carlton • 395-4229 Class of 2017 LeeAnn Graham • 782-5919 | Jeff Hensley • 424-7951 Todd Kasper • 784-8112 | John Merritt • 783-8792 Dale Roane • 791-0168 Class of 2018 David Bull • 785-9860 | John Constance • 332-2258 Anna McLamb • 848- 9012 | Allen Marshall • 720-4236 Joe Warenda • 602-0839 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 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
From the Associate Rector
God Surprises on Spiritual Journey
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number of parishioners have asked me how my recent trip to England went. I have been almost too enthusiastic when reporting about this trip; it was one of the best I’ve ever taken.
To be sure, the trip, as a tour to promote the recent publication of my book on Julian of Norwich and Faith was physically grueling. There was the usual jet lag of traveling to England, but this was followed by a series of public presentations, ranging from a one-hour lecture to a two-day workshop, over the course of 10 days. I had plenty of cold suppers on hotel beds and early morning trains. Still, this was a great trip because I loved what I was talking about, and the people I spoke with were highly engaged, asking urgent and searching questions in response to my presentations. The topic of the tour was compassion — compassion, not merely as a nice virtue or as part of the good Christian life — but as the very essence of God’s own life and ours as well; the susbstance of Christian faith when lived; of Julian of Norwich’s experience of God and all authentic spirituality. Julian in particular reveals compassion to be a flower with three petals: 1) compassionate feeling into the life of God as revealed in Jesus; 2) compassionate and truthful acceptance of ourselves; and 3) compassionate attendance on and action for others. In sharing this, I felt that I was offering an understanding of my own life of faith (even if I do not always display compassion!), and it is immensely rewarding to share from the soul and to have people respond so warmly and so urgently. But in truth the real joy in the trip came out of what God did for me to get me ready for the trip. In the weeks before the trip, I was running into a series of roadblocks for finalizing my speaking notes, not the least of which was my son Sebastian’s many small illnesses and accidents, which consumed a great deal of discretionary time in August and September. I wasn’t able to prepare as thoroughly as I would have liked, something that weighed on me heavily as I was speaking at some venues that would expect a substantial talk from me, with a polished delivery. But in the middle of my anxiety about not having notes ready, and a feeling of parental exhaustion, God surprised me. Prompting me to surrender my anxious and self-centered desire to be "amazing," God gave me the grace to let go of all my striving for perfect or scintillating talks, to trust that simply speaking from myself and from what I already had in me would be enough. I arrived thus at most of my venues with rough notes hand-written on half-letter sheets of paper. Perhaps I wasn’t always as razor-sharp as I would have liked to be, Perhaps I stumbled here and there, and back-tracked. But I did speak from myself, and engaged directly with my listeners. I and my listeners felt capable of moving into unusual honesty with each other and unusual listening and care for each other. God was in the room. At the end of my tour, it was indeed wonderful to visit Norwich again, where Jane and I had (to be honest) struggled for four long years, and to see it again with the eyes of a tourist.How charming it is, this medieval city center, with a fully functioning market, an actual Norman castle and a marvelous Cathedral. It's surrounded by hundreds of historical buildings, from 14th century flint churches to Georgian bank buildings and wobbly-looking pubs askew from centuries of uneven settling. It was a joy to walk around London, one afternoon off, people-watching, church-visiting, sidewalk-snacking. Overall, what the trip taught me is that God is good.
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Chronicles of Canterbury
Robert Fruehwirth photos
Clockwise from top left: Chichester Cathedral; Robert Fruewhirth in front of St. Paul's Cathedral with his new book; Norwich Castle; and a Julian of Norwich icon. Robert spent 10 days. traveling in England, conducting workshops and talking about Julian and his book.
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God is good because God frees us up from our anxieties, and the blindness, ignorance, and hurt that keeps us stuck in ourselves. God desires to bring us to a place where we might minister to each other easily and simply from our own truth. We don’t have to be fantastic; we are already enough. And so we experience more compassion — accepting ourselves, attending on the mystery of others, and stirred by an intuition of God’s own life — as we walk about in our world. Julian of Norwich herself knew the joy of God’s goodness, of approaching life simply and plainly, and allowing for God to work easily through us,to comfort ourselves and others. Our Lord God showed that it is full great pleasure to Him that a pitiable soul would come to Him nakedly and plainly and simply. For this is the natural yearning of the soul, thanks to the touching of the Holy Spirit,
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according to the understanding that I have in this showing— “God, of Thy goodness, give me Thyself; for Thou are enough to me, and I can ask nothing that is less that can be full honor to Thee. And if I ask anything that is less, ever shall I be in want, for only in Thee have I all.” These words are lovely to the soul and most nearly touch upon the will of God and His goodness. For His goodness fills all His creatures and all His blessed works, and surpasses them without end, for He is the endlessness. And He has made us only for Himself and restored us by His blessed passion and ever keeps us in His blessed love. [Revelation. Ch. 5] — The Rev. Robert G. Fruehwirth
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Vestry Candidates Bring Experience, Youth to Slate On Sunday, Dec. 5, we will elect five new members of the Vestry, Class of 2019, during our 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist. There is only ONE service that day. All members in good standing and known to the treasurer who are 18 and older may vote for Vestry. Outgoing Vestry members are Will Lingo, Michael Painter, Jenny Haase, Marilyn Budrow and Anthony Carlton. Each candidate is profiled here. Tim Berry Tim has a long history of Vestry service, most recently at St. Michael's but at two previous churches (St. Paul's, Lynchburg, Va., and St. John's, Roanoke, Va.) before he and his wife, Linda, moved to Raleigh in 2003. But his desire to serve has not waned. Tim Berry
Most recently, his passion has been with the parish's men's ministry. Tim has helped revitalize this important ministry with new programming, such as the annual Men's Retreat, and efforts to reach men of all ages with the Brothers on Tap and the Band of Brothers monthly lunch. He wants to continue to see the Men's Ministry grow with additional programs and events. He said his most pressing concern going forward is "that we don't lose what we all love about this place, our commitment to God and love for our neighbors. We also need to continue pushing ourselves to look outside our footprint on Canterbury to spread God's word." Tim is a retired banker and consultant, and he and Linda have three grown children and five grandchildren. Julia Bethune Julia and her husband Richard represent the growing number of young adults who have discovered St. Michael's and hit the ground running and become actively involved with our young adult ministry. They joined St. Michael's more than two years ago after learning about the parish through StepUp Ministry. "After hearing about the ministry, we looked it up and saw that St. Michael's was a key supporter," she said. "We thought we would check out any
church that felt so committed to StepUp's mission and impacting the community." Julia and Richard met at Calvary Episcopal Church while living in New York, and before moving to Raleigh attended a Presbyterian church in Durham and a government-approved, non-denominational congregation in Beijing, Julia Bethune China. Julia hopes St. Michael's will remain a place for open dialogue and conversation around our faith, and an active participant in the community, as well as maintain a strong financial foundation. Her main area of interest for Vestry service would be outreach. Julia works in brand marketing for Burt's Bees. Dan Cahill Dan quickly became involved with a variety of ministries upon joining St. Michael's in 2011, working as an usher and lay reader, and serving as a mentor for new members as part of the parish's outstanding newcomer program. And it is there that Cahill finds his driving passion for the parish, with a strong desire for St. Michael's to continue Dan Cahill the trend of our growing, vibrant parish thriving and countering the nationwide decline in church attendance and involvement. If he is elected to the Vestry, Dan's focus will be on the continued internal growth of the parish, by continuing to draw and nurture new members. He also wants to see St. Michael's continue the great outreach work it does in the community. Dan is a lawyer and a partner at Poyner Spruill, where his practice focuses on commercial litigation. He and his wife Sallie have been married for 17 years, and they have three children: Kathryn, 16, and twins Reed and George, 12.
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John Connell John was on his way to the Christmas Eve service at another Raleigh church, but realized he would not get there in time, so he took a left turn onto Canterbury Road and came to St. Michael's. From that day in 2012, he and his wife Michelle John Connell knew they had found a home. "At the risk of sounding Pollyanna-ish, St. Michael's is the one institution in my life about which I feel almost completely positive," he said. "I never go there that I don't leave feeling better about the world and my place in it." John quickly became involved, serving as an usher. He is also on the board of the Episcopal Housing Ministry. "I have been a longtime supporter of programs dedicated to addressing issues of poverty and their efforts to ameliorate its effects," he said. John retired at the end of last year after serving for 30 years at the N.C. Court of Appeals, the last 24 as Clerk of Court. He is the father of three grown sons and two stepsons. Claire Dodd Claire has been a member of St. Michael's since its founding and she would like to continue to contribute to the parish's growth by serving on the Vestry. "The Holy Spirit is alive and moving in our parish," she said. "Keeping our Christcentered, Bible-based focus will continue to draw members to our Claire Dodd church family." Claire was part of one of the parish's founding families and grew up here. She moved to Richmond as an adult but returned in 1987 and has been at St. Michael's ever since.
Chronicles of Canterbury She has served the church in a variety of roles, including lay reader and member of the Newcomer, Parish Life and Adult Christian Education committees. The areas that most interest her as a potential member of the Vestry include Adult Christian Education, Newcomers and fiscal responsibility. Claire is a legal assistant with two adult children who were raised at St. Michael's. She is the sister-in-law of Sally Duff. Valerie Bauerlein Jackson Valerie has spent the last three years observing the work of the Vestry as its recording secretary, and now she is ready to become even more immersed in the Vestry's work. Valerie grew up in Church of the Servant Episcopal Church in Wilmington, and she and her husband Scott came to St. Michael's five years ago.
Valerie Jackson
Valerie has worked in the children's ministry and with the Parish Day School. In addition to children's ministries she is interested in outreach and helping to integrate new members fully into the life of the parish as part of her Vestry service. She said among her most pressing concerns for the parish: "Where to put everybody! And how to harness our growth and joy in answering the call to be Christ for the world." Valerie is a national reporter for The Wall Street Journal. She and husband Scott have 8-year-old daughter Amelia and 6-year-old son Luke. Robin Kennedy Robin was raised in the Episcopal Church, which she says built a solid foundation for her spiritual life and relationship with God. She hopes St. Michael's can build the same foundation for her family and all of its members. "As a Vestry member, I would love to see a unified vision for all of our outreach efforts that engage all ages and interests," she said. "I plan to seek continuity in the missions
that we already support, yet embrace changes that will increase our impact inside our own walls, our community and our world. " Robin served as ECW president, as well as co-chair of the Annual Fund. She has also been active in children's ministries, including the Robin Kennedy Parish Day School board. She and her husband Richard have been at St. Michael's for 12 years and have two children, Carlyle and Richard. Mary McMillan Mary has focused her service to St. Michael's on many of the parish's quiet ministries, contributing to the hard work that goes on behind the scenes that keeps the church thriving. "The areas of ministry that interest me are those in which I participate: the choir, lay readers, serving as coordinator of the Blessings Ministry, the Prayer Shawl Ministry Mary McMillan and the Needlepoint Committee for the altar kneelers," she said. She came to St. Michael's in 2005 from another parish in Raleigh and has found a spiritual home here. She said the Vestry should help those who are already here to grow in their faith as well as continuing to attract new members. "My most pressing concerns for our parish are that as we continue our faith journey, we continue to discern our calling and how best to serve God as we are able." Mary is a retired nurse and paralegal. She and her husband Robert have two grown children. Norm Wood Work and life have taken Norm to Episcopal churches all over the country, but he says the formula for a successful parish is pretty consistent. "If you have good Christian education for
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adults, but especially for children; good music — and we're about the best I've ever seen — and you're Bible-based, if you build it they will come," he said. "St. Michael's is doing a lot of things very right." Norm began attending St. Michael's in 1975, Norm Wood and has attended other churches but has always kept his membership at St. Michael's. He has worked as a stewardship chair at three other Episcopal parishes and has served on the Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship committees for the Diocese of North Carolina. If he is elected to the Vestry he'll focus on continued growth in outreach and facility maintenance. Norm is senior vice president at Veteran Waste Solutions and COO at Alliance Careers. His wife Mary has served on the Vestry and as ECW chair, and their adult daughter Laurie was raised in the church and now sings in the choir with Mary. Lee Walker A life-long parishioner, Lee is a product of our Sunday School and Youth programs. Though he left for a time after college, he returned at age 30. Lee is part of Team Walker, this year's Annual Fund chairs. He is also on the Parish Day School Committee. "I'm most interested in continued growth and formation of our youth programs," he said. "I have served for Lee Walker two years on the Day School Committee and it's an important connection to the young adult/family community. I would also be enthusiastic to build out a more robust and formalized approach to outreach programs and parish involvement. St. Michael’s needs to continue to be focused on welcoming all. It takes a diverse group of members to create a whole body, which is vital to staying relevant to the secular world. Lee is President/CFO of Walker Auto Parts. He and his wife Elizabeth have two children Anna, 4, Henry, 2.
Chronicles of Canterbury Grace, Gratitude, Generosity
Whole Life a Family Affair My name is Nathan. I am a senior at Broughton High School and a member of Team Walker. As most of you know, it is officially time to offer our pledges in order to support St. Michael’s. You can pledge through email to Charlotte Griffin or Susan Little, through the St. Michael’s website, or by the old fashioned way, mail.
I challenge the youth of our church to discuss, with their families, what pledging means, learn why it is important, and even consider pledging a little bit themselves. I also advise those who have never pledged before to do so in order to help our church. All pledges count and none are too big nor too small. Events such as Hurricane Matthew show us how quickly things can change. Imagine what St. Michael’s can achieve and how much we could help communities all around if everyone pledges this year. May grace, gratitude and generosity guide us through the rest of 2016 and into 2017.
— Nathan Walker, Team Walker The cardboard Nathan with cardboard parents Curry & Nat, and the real Nathan Walker, right.
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belong to St. Michael’s and for all the gifts God has given us, realizing that everything on earth belongs to God. He is the owner; we are the caretakers — aka Mr. Carsons. To date, 295 “Mr. Carsons” have pledged more than $1.04 to St. Michael’s 2017 Annual Fund. If you haven’t pledged yet, please spend time in prayer asking God to guide your decision on your pledge amount. St. Michael’s programs and ministries depend on us! Grace + Gratitude + Generosity — Charlotte Griffin, Director of Development
“I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” Psalm 23:6b NRSV
Choir Sings Memorial Concert Join us on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m., when the adult choirs of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, N.C., sing the Duruflé Requiem, one of the most sublime sacred choral works of the 20th century. The choir will be conducted by Kevin Kerstetter, and accompanied by organist Matthew Brown, who is the music director at First UMC. Mr. Brown played an outstanding organ concert at St. Michael’s in October, and will return, with his choir, to accompany the Duruflé Requiem. The organ accompaniment is extraordinarily demanding, and few organists master this work. Matthew has mastered it beautifully. His virtuosic playing and our Nichols & Simpson organ will deliver a feast | Duruflé Requiem • Sunday, Nov. 6 • 5 p.m. | for the ears. Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) was a French organist, composer and teacher. He was a prize-winning student at the Conservatoire de Paris. Duruflé served as assistant organist at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and later as head organist at Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, also in Paris, where he played until he was injured in a car accident in 1975. He adored the Gregorian chants of the Catholic Church, and the flowing chants of the Gregorian Requiem Mass (“Mass for the Dead”) are integrated skillfully throughout his Requiem.
Several years ago, when Kevin Kerstetter was managing the Royal School of Church Music’s Carolina Training Course at St. Mary’s School, he met Matthew Brown, who was the course organist. They began discussing an opportunity for the choirs of St. Michael’s and First United Methodist to collaborate in a musical way. The Duruflé Requiem was chosen because of its beauty and depth. Over the weekend of Hurricane Matthew, St. Michael’s choir was on retreat in Salisbury, rehearsing with Matthew’s choir in preparation for Sunday, Nov. 6.
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A Walk Through N.C. History with the Late Hugh Morton Jr. “Let no grass grow under our feet!” is the motto of the OWLS for November! On Tuesday, Nov. 1, the OWLS and YAMS will have what is now our “annual” dinner together! If you didn’t come last year, you missed a great time. We will gather at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall for a glass of wine, before heading into the Convocation Room for our catered dinner.
categorized. I am sure hearing Jack’s stories about his grandfather will greatly enhance our upcoming tour; we're sure to have a greater appreciation for his work that the casual visitor might not have. On Thursday, Nov. 10, we will meet at 9:30 a.m. at St Michael’s for our field trip to the N.C. Museum of History. Our personal tour guide will be escorting us through the exhibit entitled “Photographs by Hugh Morton: An Uncommon Retrospective.” In this tour, we will be discovering the diverse landscapes, people, sports and the culture of our state and how it has changed throughout the 20th century.
If you need a ride home, not to worry! The YAMS have offered to provide rides for those who prefer not to drive at night. Please join us again in the Convocation Room on Thursday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. to hear a fascinating lecture by Jack Morton, the son of our very own Pansy Morton, and grandson of the famous photographer Hugh Morton Sr. Jack is a also a professional photographer, and it is from this background that he will be introducing us to the fabulous photographic work of his grandfather, whose exhibit we will be seeing later in the month at the NC Museum of History. Jack will be bringing along about 80 photos from seven decades of his grandfather’s work. At his death in 2006, Hugh left over 500,000 negatives and newsreels! They are still in the process of being
The love and passion that this native North Carolinian felt for his state comes through vividly in his photographs. We will travel by van, so you won’t have to worry about parking! Lunch will follow at Taverna Agora. We will return to the church close to 2 p.m. Join us for our fun and fascinating November events. — The Rev. Holly M. Gloff
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marks, by what they do, by how they live. Now. On Earth. On this side of the Kingdom. Jesus says those who seek to be with God, who are working for God in this world, are the blessed. Jesus says these blessed people look like this: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” – people who don’t boast of personal power or private will or individual importance. “Blessed are those who mourn” — people who mourn not only the deaths of loved ones, but death in general, sin in general. They suffer with the sins of their lives, and at the sins of lives around them. Not in judgment, but compassion. “Blessed are the meek” — people who are humble in all things, seeking God, not self. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” — people who pray that they will become better people. “Blessed are the merciful” — people who don’t seek revenge or payback, who don’t bear resentments, who forgive people before they hear an apology. “Blessed are the pure in heart.” What’s a pure heart? A pure heart is a heart which has one Master, and that is the Master which made it. “Blessed are the peacemakers.” This is simple as pie: God’s children seek
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reconciliation, not strife, or division, or war. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake and in my name.” Well, if you’re comfortable in this world, you may not be comfortable (or even present) in the Kingdom of God. Blessed folks know that comfort in this world is a poor substitute for life in the Kingdom of God. What’s heaven? It’s the Kingdom of God. What are saints? They’re the folks who’ve chosen to live in the Kingdom of God. Now and forever. In this body today, and in our resurrected bodies one day. Jesus had a body like we have now, and we will have a body like he has now. It’s that simple. Heaven’s not so much where you go when you die, it’s where you go when you live in the Kingdom of the Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world. — The Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones
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The Way and the Truth of It Fall Retreat Examines the Whole Life The St. Michael's Youth Ministry had another wonderful Fall Retreat at Camp Cheerio, a YMCA camp in the heart of the North Carolina mountains. As Hurricane Matthew brought heavy wind and rains to Raleigh, we enjoyed some cooler, wet weather on the mountain with our closest friends. With 40 middle & high school youth and volunteers, this was one of the biggest groups we've taken in a few years. Of course, Camp Cheerio has all of the fun camp stuff you would expect. We enjoyed rock climbing, making hot chocolate, playing gaga, dodge ball and basketball in the gym, archery, putt putt, our campfire ceremony and smores! The food is really great at camp and the sleeping quarters are definitely above average. St. Michael's focus this year is “Whole Life,” and what a great time to dive into the questions and meaning behind those words. We had great conversations and small group discussions on what having a whole life with God really looks like. What are the 'whole life' things that we do well and what are the “whole life” things we can improve on. Before we all went to dinner on Saturday night, we had 20 minutes of quiet time to be with our own thoughts and prayers. These were just two of the readings the students could meditate on: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” - John 14:6 “Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” - Luke 11:9-10 Having intentional, structured time with God is super important. Through our group devotions, readings, prayers and quiet time we are providing opportunities for our students to explore their relationship with God, in a group setting. This is what makes our community truly special! We closed our retreat on Sunday morning with our EYC prayer circle. We gave thanks for the weekend, blessing our friends who couldn't be with us and prayed for all of those affected by Hurricane Matthew. The growth and fellowship that comes out of these weekends is always so heartwarming and special to see. This community continues to be such a special place for everyone involved. — Abby Van Noppen, Director of Youth Ministry
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Chronicles of Canterbury
A capacity crowd attended the Fall Retreat at Camp Cheerio in October. Sports cancellations from Hurricane Matthew meant more teens braving the rain to connect with one another.
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Chronicles of Canterbury For All the Saints: Merbecke, Tallis & Byrd
The Musical Saints of November
For those of us who simply cannot decide on which saint we like in November, I’ve got a “3-fer” for you. I’m rationalizing this because these three giants of the English Choral Tradition are all celebrated on November 21. That counts, doesn’t it? Music is a real joy for me; as the saying goes: “He who sings, prays twice.” While John Merbecke (1505-1585) is not widely known today, he was quite famous in his day. He composed a marvelous setting to Evensong to go with the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. I became enamored by this setting while in seminary. I collaborated with the local organist and choirmaster one year when we performed a series of Evensongs that went with each of the historical Prayer Books. I spoke for 10 minutes before each service on the historical and theological background of what we were about to hear, and then the choir sang Evensong. William Byrd Merbecke’s was the very first in the series. Little is known about his life except that he was a chorister at St. George’s Chapel Windsor, and until the time of his death, he was the chapel organist. But his setting started a centuries-long marriage of music with Evening Prayer that continues to this day. “Evensong” is arguably the most popular of all of the Church’s services, except for the Eucharist. Thomas Tallis is far better recognized by today’s listeners. There is even a group who comes from England annually to sing his music at Duke Chapel. They are the “Tallis Scholars.” Tallis was born near the beginning of the 15th century. We do know that he spent most of his adult life in service to the Crown as musician to the Chapels Royal under four monarchs. In those treacherous times, one had to be particularly savvy as to which way the theological wind blew in court!
Was the new monarch Protestant or Catholic? One wrong move and it could cost you your life. While Tallis remained a Roman Catholic his entire life, he is still regarded as the father of Anglican Church music since the time of the Reformation. His music soars and captures our souls and transports them right up to heaven! I always love it when our choir sings his music, or William Byrd’s. Speaking of William Byrd, he is our third Musical Saint for November. Byrd was the successor to Thomas Tallis, and if you like Tallis’ music, it’s a sure bet you’ll love Byrd’s. He wrote many fine motets, graduals, psalm settings, Thomas Tallis English anthems and of course, many mass settings, most of which are still sung on a regular basis today. Byrd was born in Lincolnshire in 1543, and was not only the successor to Tallis, but also a student, colleague and business partner to him. He became organist and choirmaster of Lincoln Cathedral. Like Tallis, he was a Roman Catholic, and like him, had to tread that fine line of remembering what the newest monarch approved of, and keeping his Catholism under the radar so as to keep his head.
The music of these fine Christian men touches our souls and gives us glimpses into eternity. — The Rev. Holly M. Gloff
From Our Deacon
You Are the Buttresses Holding Me Up One of the deepest emotions I have felt during this time of convalescence has been an amazing sense of humility. It is with awe that I stand back and look at what has been done for me and realize the gifts I've been given. From the surgeon who agreed to tackle my failing heart to those who stood by him, to my wonderful husband and daughter and son, to the myriads of people praying daily for me — so much so that I could physically feel the prayers surrounding me. An incredible number of people gave of themselves to prepare meals for my family, take Margaret to her appointments and do the thousands of things I didn't even know I needed. I am incredibly humbled and deeply filled with gratitude. Years ago, there was a wonderful book by Richard Scarry that I read to my children as they were growing up. It is about a cathedral being built. It told of the time when they were first building cathedrals and how they found the higher they built the less stable the main part of the church became. It was then they discovered the use of flying buttress, which kept the main building from buldging out and falling down. I have gone to that image many times during these last few weeks, thinking of the many buttresses which have been holding me up in this church; the selfless giving of time and talents and efforts; a kind word, a phone call, and the visits that lifted me and brought me towards healing — and helped me wait for it. Such
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gifts are incredible, and I can only say that I am not worthy. This Advent I am even more keenly aware that I am not worthy of the gift of the Christ child who came into this world for me. It shows forth the same gift of unconditional love that has been sent to me over these past three months. St. Michael's is truly being the love of Christ to one who is amazingly grateful and humbled by this gift. I pray that this in coming season of Advent as we all wait for his coming, we are truly grateful for this most undeserved gift. You have been Christ above me and below me, beside and behind me and before me, especially urging me on towards healing. Bless you all. I love you very much. Yours in the spirit, Meta Ellington
Chronicles of Canterbury The Gathering 2017
Breakouts Speak to Nurturing, Praying, Finding Joy Nurture and heal yourself. Learn how God is with us, even (and especially) in the midst of pain and grief. Find joy in the middle of your hectic life. Learn to pray out loud. The women of St. Michael’s can do all of this at The Gathering — Holding Moments Holy, planned for Friday & Saturday, Feb. 23 & 24, 2017. The weekend will include two keynotes by writer Heather Lende, and on Saturday, attendees will choose two breakouts The Gathering — Holding Moments Holy from among seven presented by our Friday & Saturday, February 24 & 25 amazing speakers. registration online in late November Here is the lineup of breakout speakers: Giving Grace for Mothers, with Cristin DeRonja Mothers sometimes struggle to be the present, attentive and nurturing mother that God created us to be. Why do we sometimes secretly and shamefully wish we could be anywhere other than packing lunches or running carpool? Let’s laugh together and empathize with one another about both the uplifting joys and the occasional dark valleys of raising children. We will learn how to give ourselves the grace God wants us to receive and free ourselves from parental guilt when our patience runs low.
Praying Out Loud, with Helen Moses Part of having faith includes trusting God to accept our prayers, both silent and aloud. In this breakout, we'll 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, PLLC, is a voice, speech, and communication specialist. She is a member of St. Michael’s. Healing Yoga, with Wortley Whitehead The Hebrew name for God is Yahweh, which was used because the name was too sacred to be spoken so, it was really an inhale and exhale(notice what happens when you say it). Through breath, movement, and prayer, Healing Yoga helps bring joy to life, teaching us to slow down and obtain closeness to the holy spirit within each of us, tno matter what pressures the external world puts upon us. This is for all levels. Wortley Whitehead is a Wilmington Yoga instructor.
A Raleigh native, Cristin DeRonja is Executive Director of SAFEchild 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? By allowing God to carry us and hold us, by facing and not running from our suffering, we can emerge and endure as healthy, whole beings, never to be the same. Surprisingly, we will even turn to thank God that we will never be the same. And when the dust settles and the tears dry, even if for just a moment, we can catch a glimpse of the miracle that is Jesus risen within us. And living resurrected, living risen, is joyful living. Settle Monroe writes a monthly column for Raleigh’s Walter magazine and contributes to various print and media publications. When all else fails— BREATHE, with Ayliffe Mumford In the busy-ness of our lives, can we find a spaciousness that encourages the kind of self-nurture necessary to lead a whole and holy life? In this interactive session, we will explore living a Martha life with a heart of Mary. Ayliffe Mumford is executive director of the School of Ministry in Greensboro.
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Joy in the Holes of Holy, with Adrian Wood We all have holes, mud pits, quicksand, those potholes in concrete. Yes, life is harder than we expected and so, joy seems to evades us. But joy should not depend on our circumstances. Our joy comes from the Lord, not our circumstances. “I don’t feel joy,” you may say, but perspective comes from seeing 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? That in our life spans — those tiny dashes between the dates marking our births and deaths — it’s absolutely possible to live a life overflowing? We’ll 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.
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Chronicles of Canterbury
ECW General Membership Meeting Monday, Nov. 7 6 p.m. Mary Currin, speaker
Wednesday Words & Wisdom 7 p.m. Nov. 16 Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Naht Hahn Hosts Ralph & Nina Yeager 1812 Park Dr. Newcomers welcome.
Contact: Lisa
Williamson
Volunteer for the Appalachia Service Project Long after the headlines have disappeared, the devastation remains. In the small town of Rainelle, W.Va, several people were killed, and most of the homes destroyed, in the June, 2016 flooding. Adult Missions is teaming with Appalachia Service Project (ASP) to provide assistance to flood victims as they rebuild their lives. We are planning a long weekend, Nov, 17-20, to work on houses and provide other assistance. No experience required. Cost is $40/ person for meals and lodging. Please do three things: pray for the success of the trip; consider going; make a contribution to the relief effort. Contact: Vaughn Wagoner – fixit4you@bellsouth or 919-6012880.
Men’s Ministry In November Come to our Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 7 a.m. Enjoy fellowship, breakfast, prayer time and leave well fed in many ways.
Band of Brothers lunch gathering meets each month at noon at the Sawmill Tap Room on Lead Mine Road. Join us on Nov. 14, for lunch and fellowship. And don’t forget our inaugural Oyster Roast, Friday, Nov. 4, featuring the music of Damascus Ridge. Tickets are still available for $35 See invitation on p. 14. Please pay by check. Contact: Tim Berry, tberry56@gmail.com.
UTO Sunday, Nov. 6 Don't forget to count your change in your little blue box, and bring cash or check for UTO Sunday. Your thankfulness supports the ministry and mission of the Episcopal Church.
Loaves & Fishes Enriches Children in Poverty
Loaves & Fishes Ministry offers unique opportunities to children living in poverty. The ministry has participated in Gifts of Grace event for many years. Loaves & Fishes provides out of school and after school programs for children from kindergarten through high school. Founded in 1982 as a summer enrichment program for 12 1st and 2nd grade children living in a federal housing community in downtown Raleigh, the ministry has grown to serve up to 60 children in kindergarten through high school. A grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation allowed Loaves and Fishes to expand into a year-round comprehensive intervention program for grades K-2. It was officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1984. As the children grew older, their school performance began to fail, so LAF began matching each child with an adult mentor. Today children who enter the program as kindergarteners can remain in the program through high school.
Gifts of Grace Sunday, Nov. 13 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Parish Hall A la carte breakfast Coffee, juice, muffins, pastries, fresh fruit and yogurt Most items $1
Services include: • A daily after-school program • Life enrichment activities in health, the arts, conflict resolution, etc. • Opportunities to discover and grow in areas of special interest and skill • Summer overnight or day camp • Continual family support
LAF also provides enrichment opportunities, including trips to museums or the zoo or even to visits to college campuses for high school students. Children are referred to the program by their schools. Currently, 40 kids are being served by LAF. The program operates at Milner Memorial Presbyterian Church on New Bern Avenue with the help of close to 70 volunteers. At last year’s Gift of Grace event, Loaves and Fishes received $1,850 in donations, which provided support for staff and enrichment programs, family night, as well as other important enrichments to bring the kids. Loaves and Fishes also hosts a Jobs for Life program for adults, but in 2017 will begin helping high school students with resumes, finding them available positions, help with mock interviews, and help with attire for interviews and working. Community United Church of Christ Church on Dixie Trail will be providing the mentors. - Carol Braunhardt, Gifts of Grace Committee
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Chronicles of Canterbury
november Sundays
Who’s Coming to
November 6 Silent Center: Contemplation &Yielding to God with the Rev. Robert Fruehwirth Silence and contemplation are not reserved for a few pious souls. A habit of silence is in fact a basic spiritual hygiene that allows us to hear God’s word and share in Jesus’ own obedience and love for God. It sustains active ministry and life by clearing away our anxieties and grounding us in God’s presence. Writing Your Faith Story Susan Rountree & Melanie Jones with
lifelong disciple
final class
November 13 Gifts of Grace Alternative Gift Market 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Join the whole parish for this annual event where you can donate to organizations important to our community in honor of those on your Christmas gift list. We'll also have items for sale from various in-parish groups. November 20 All that Jazz: Improvisation and Living our Faith, with Sam Laurent Sam Laurent, PhD, Campus Minister at the Episcopal Center at Duke, will draw connections between jazz improvisation and Christian life, following his research on the music of John Coltrane and Christian theology. No Sunday School Nov. 27.
Gifts of Grace? Local/Regional/ International Alliance Medical Ministry Community Music School Episcopal Campus Ministry Episcopal Farmworker Ministry FIGS Global Missions Healing Place for Women Heifer Project International Hilltop Home Interact Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Loaves and Fishes Match of NC Meals on Wheels Oak Ranch PLM Families Together SAFEchild St. Saviour’s StepUp Ministry Urban Ministries Wake Relief St. Michael’s Groups Canterbury Shop Community Missions EYC Dohme’s Own Dressing ECW Chapters
Save the Date Advent Event for Families Thursday, Dec. 1 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. In the Parish Hall Join us for a familiy-friendly dinner. Bring an unwrapped gift for a child in need. We will wrap the gifts and play games that teach about this important season of waiting.
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St. Michael’s Episcopal Church 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
Pot Pies for Sale!
EYC will be selling the following items at Gifts of Grace on November 13th! All funds raised supports the EYC Summer Mission Trip and service projects! Moravian Chicken Pie - $13 4 pack 5" individual Moravian Chicken Pot Pie - $13 Pies - $16 Baked Spaghetti with Meat Sauce - $13 4 pack 5" individual Chicken Veggie Baked Spaghetti - $13 Pot Pies - $16 Cream Cheese Brownies - $13 (buy any of the above 3 for $36) Pick up items on November 20 from 10:30-11:30am at St. Michael's!
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, Nov. 9
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