September Chronicles of Canterbury

Chronicles of Canterbury

the

Chronicles of Canterbury september 2016

From the Rector

A Year for Finding Wholeness with God

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he Book of Common Prayer describes God as the One in whom we “live, and move, and have our being.” I have always felt that the Church was the embodiment of this notion. The Church is not only the Body of Christ, but the context in which Christians have their membership, identity and very life. It is a place where we find ourselves as part of a divine whole, where wholeness of life is what is offered.

In my case, I have lived almost my whole life as a member of the Episcopal Church, since I was 8 years old. At St. Michael’s, I know there are many who have lived their whole lives at our parish. Some families now have had several whole generations of life in our parish.

Whether you have been a member for your whole life, or your whole family’s whole life, or even if you have

just joined and are seeking the wholeness of life — our parish is a place in which we may live, and move, and have our being in the sacred space of Christ’s love. Our parish is a microcosm of the whole Church, and is a touchstone, icon and foretaste of God’s fullness, eternity and abiding presence. It is a place where for your life you may experience, remember and yearn to return to again. The church in general, and our parish in particular, is a doorway into Christ’s kingdom where the truly whole life is lived.

It is my prayer that you will cherish this place and keep it alive by your life here with us. For whether you have lived here your whole life, or merely seek the wholeness of life now, the key is by giving your whole life to the one who gave it to you in the first place.

This is what we seek to do at St. Michael’s — to give thanks to God for the lives he has given us, and to serve and worship him in gratitude and joy all the days of our lives.

See RECTOR on page 12

Annual Fund 2017

Dwelling with God for Our Whole Lives

what’s inside 2 Show Mercy 4 Nurturing the Faith of Children 7 OWLS 8 Who We Are 9 What We Do 10 ECW 11 For All the Saints 12 Men’s Ministry 13 Welcoming Wednesdays 14 Briefly 15 Lifelong Disciple

“I

shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.” Psalm 23:6B

The Walker men feel blessed to chair the 2017 Annual Fund campaign. This year’s theme, Whole Life, seeks to help us contemplate our call to embrace all the components of our life as Christians serving Christ in the world.

Whole Life is far more than the physical, chronological lifespan we are given here on earth. We believe we are called to live whole lives rooted in the spirit of Christ Jesus, aimed at spiritual growth as members of the body of Christ.

Each one of us at St. Michael’s is an important part

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of the body of Christ. We believe we are all united as one family at St. Michael’s. Whether you have been a member for one month or 60 years, are single or married, or in your 20s or 80s, we have been called together as a family. To be the St. Michael’s family.

A Whole Life should focus on spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in our daily lives. This includes everything we touch, both physical and spiritual — our time, our talents and our treasure. Our Annual Fund logo reflects St. Michael’s Trinity window.

Grace, Gratitude and Generosity fill its arcs and center our focus on three things critical to building a whole life in Christ.

We even offer a fourth and fifth G as a challenge to our parish. If we focus on Grace, Gratitude and Generosity, and if we Give thoughtfully to the 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’Italiten, 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 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Sunday 9-9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.-noon

From the Associate Rector

Called as Good Samaritans To Offer Mercy

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esus tell us that we are to be “compassionate as our Father in heaven is compassionate.”

We are to show mercy as God shows mercy.

This past summer such commands to compassion, mercy and loving care of the stranger took on a new urgency as I witnessed what seemed like an unstoppable escalation of polarization, hostility, violence and hurt in our country and world. What as Christians is our response to the hurt and need of this frightened and angry world?

Following such thoughts, I preached at St. Michael’s on the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) shortly after the shooting of police officers in Dallas — and before the attack in Nice and then the shooting in Baton Rouge and others in Munich — I felt then and feel now, that we were being called to step in, as the Good Samaritan did, and take care of our hurt neighbors and offering mercy. In the very least, we needed to start listening to the pain of others, the suffering and anger of those unlike ourselves, even those who seem hostile to us.

In the weeks following my sermon, St. Michael’s hosted two evening gatherings for reflection and prayer to take the message further and discern our response in mercy to the hurt in our world. We started by talking about our sense of powerlessness and dismay, reflected on the mystery of God’s presence with and desire for all human beings, and concluded with an array of possible responses.

1) First, we noted how the increasing hurt of the world gave us clarity in our Christian identity and mission. We don’t have to understand suffering, or the state of the world or have an answer for it. We find our mission in following Christ into whatever situation is before us, offering His compassion there. This is our duty, but also our joy, and following Him, being His disciple, is where our sense of personal power and security come from.

2) We also felt called to action. Some felt this more in terms of practicing compassion and mercy in everyday life, in our relations at home, in the workplace. Others felt strongly a call to band together as a church and take on a specific mission in response to the cultural polarization and violence around us. This in turn focused on the need for more work on racial reconciliation — which is also a primary diocesan objective as well— as Bishop Anne Hodges-Copple recently reminded the Vestry in her annual visit to our parish. We recognized also St. Michael’s developing interfaith work with the Muslim community.

3) Such action, however, needs to be rooted in prayer and in deepening our personal conversion and grounding in Christ. Offering compassion in hostile situations is not easy.

We need a deeper grounding in God if we are to listen to others without judgment and offer care, even as they say things that might seem threatening to us. We need to become more skilled in listening, and more faithful in praying. Intercession allows us to offer the world to God, rather than taking the burden of the world onto ourselves, which only makes us inwardly ill and despondent. New daily spiritual practices are required. For some, the prayer of intercession and a contemplative holding of the world are the most powerful forms of action.

4) Many also felt a need for serious reflection on the mystery of how our God relates to the suffering and evil of the world. How does God bring healing? How can we be involved in this? What about all this evil that feels so threatening? How does Jesus’ life and death address any of this?

In the coming months, with further prayer and conversation, I will be offering a programatic response to this discussion, putting into practice its conclusions. Greg and I felt, after the class, that the discussion had provided a clear mandate and direction for my ministry as your associate rector, working in Outreach as well as Education and Christian Formation.

First, I will be teaching five classes in the fall Adult Christian Education Program centered Continued on page 12

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Chronicles of Canterbury

Reeves Raley photo

In God’s Back Yard: The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth celebrates Holy Eucharist with the children of St. Michael’s on the final day of In God’s Back Yard Vacation Bible School. More than 40 children spent the week learning Bible stories, dyeing t-shirts and singing songs celebrating all in God’s Kingdom.

The week included science experiments that surprised and art keepsakes for all ages.

Reeves Raley photo

Christina Hutchinson photo

At right, middle schoolers create a mosaic of the EYC logo as part of Missionpalooza. In the mornings they helped with VBS.

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Chronicles of Canterbury The Whole Life

Nurturing the Faith of Children

It’s

St. Michael’s teaches our youngest about living a God-filled life

Sunday morning at St. Michael’s, and as the procession begins, our youngest worshippers are saying “good morning” to God in All Angels Chapel. Under the leadership of longtime chapel leader Bob (“Mr. Bob”) Vevurka and others, children ages 2-5 share time kneeling, singing and learning in hand-hewn pews made especially for our children’s program more almost 65 years ago.

Each week, Mr. Bob and other All Angels leaders share the Word of the Day with the 2s — words like “prayer” and “God” and “praise” — to give them some sense of God and how God works in their lives. They worship using an age-appropriate liturgy that includes story time, birthday celebrations, prayer time, song, offertory and dismissal — all elements of worship their parents experience in Big Church. They learn about Adam and Eve, Moses, Jesus and Mary and other famous people of the Bible, but the stories don’t connect, as they will in later years.

It’s all part of a well-orchestrated program designed for children ages 2 to third grade, to give them a sense of who God is, what God does and how we can connect with God in our daily lives.

“Through seeing and repetition,” says Stella Attaway, director of the St. Michael’s children’s ministry program, “they experience every aspect of worship on their level.”

All Angels and Beckwith, our chapels for grades 1-3, serve as centerpieces of our children’s program. Classroom time supports what the children learn in chapel, Stella says. “The chapels run parallel to Big Church because worship is the foundation of our spiritual tradition.”

The chapels began with the founding of St. Michael’s 66 years ago, but over time, keeping children out of worship with their parents fell out of favor. “When I first came here,” says Greg Jones, “I wasn’t sure about the

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chapels, but as soon as I saw them, I didn’t know why every church wasn’t doing it this way.”

In time, the larger Church began to understand the importance of age-appropriate worship. Eight years ago, Stella says, General Seminary in New York City created a curriculum for chapels for children.

But what do children actually understand about God? Robert Keeley, Ph.D., in the 2010 book Shaped by God, Twelve Essentials for Nurturing Faith in Children, Youth and Young Adults, believes that children develop their understanding of God and faith in stages, much as they develop physical skills, like balance. Crawling leads to standing leads to walking and running, but without balance, none of the other skills can be accomplished.

Children can be nurtured in their faith, Keeley says.

Studies show that in their early lives, children mimic what parents say about faith. God, for our youngest

continued on the next page

Chronicles of Canterbury children, is understood to be parent-like. Ministry to children at this age, Keeley says, is all about care and safety.

floor to talk about the Passover meal, Stella says. “Kids at that age see the clergy as friends.”

St. Michael’s understands the importance of care and safety for children and their parents on Sunday mornings. We employ eight people to care for the children in our nursery, toddler rooms and even in the Kindergarten class.

Third graders take part in a love feast during Advent, and fourth graders last year designed their own stained glass window, which was later printed on archival paper so it could be preserved. Sixth graders learn in Confirmation class about vestments and the colors and seasons of the church year, a subject that’s touched on in All Angels Chapel. They begin to understand the faith community, and they want to serve at the altar as acolytes. “We encourage them to participate in the work of the Church,” Stella says.

“Our nursery workers develop relationships with young parents and they know the children well,” Stella says. “Our rooms are aesthetically appealing.” Fifteen years ago, the children’s program implemented a pager program, so parents can be summoned quietly from church if there is a problem.

Stella, who is certified by the Seminary of the Southwest in Christian Formation, attends two conferences a year to keep abreast of the latest trends in children’s ministry. These conferences are part networking and part spiritual renewal. “I sit at tables with priests, and you’d never know they are priests unless they tell you. They add a lot to the conversation.”

As children grow, adult Sunday School leaders in chapel and in the classroom begin to have more of an impact on the faith formation of those in their care. Keeley calls this stage the Mythic-Literal Faith stage, that starts around age 6 and lasts until around age 12. In this stage, “children learn the important stories of the old and new Testaments and begin to connect them to one another,” Keeley says.

Today’s children’s also have many different learning styles, and the combination of chapel and classroom time addresses those needs, Stella says. “Children experience the story in different ways. In chapel, we use visuals, and in the classroom, there is discussion and an activity that will tell the story differently.”

Experiential learning also plays a role. In first grade, when children are learning about the Lord’s Supper, rector Greg Jones, joins them on the

Kids in middle and high school, says Keeley, begin to see Bible stories they’ve heard since they were young children are part of the larger story of faith. The Passover meal they learned about in first grade, for example, they now connect with the story of Exodus and with the Lord’s Supper. “We can begin to have deeper conversations about faith,” says Stella, “and about their role as Christians.”

An important part of children’s ministry at St. Michael’s is the “love one another” aspect of the Christian life. Collections for Backpack Buddies, police officer thank you bags and the Urban Ministries food pantry are a regular part of Sunday morning and Vacation Bible School.

“We are intentional about the formation of each child,” Stella says, “beginning with the earliest chapels. We build around the major events of the Bible to establish relationships and create positive memories for children who spend Sundays with us.”

Are You Called To Lead?

Our children’s ministry requires close to 100 volunteers, and there are several opportunities for leaders to join the team.

(Our second and third grades may need to be combined because we lack enough leaders for separate classes.) For as few as 10 Sundays a year, you can enrich the life of a child and help them on their Christian journey. Please prayerfully consider this call, and contact Stella Attaway if you can help at attaway@ holymichael.org.

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Chronicles of Canterbury

WHOLE LIFE continued from page 1

church, we will continue to Grow our mission for Christ in our parish and in the world.

Four generations of Walkers call St. Michael’s their church home.

St. Michael’s has been our church home for most all our lives. We’ve grown up here, and continue to raise our families here. Our St. Michael’s family has shaped our spiritual lives. While the Walker men each have different views and ideas on the world, as a family we have worshipped together for many years.

We also believe it is important to support St. Michael’s through the practice of pledging. Pledging not because “our mom dragged us here,” as Greg likes to joke, but because we are dedicated to the fact that we, as one church family, are called here to be difference makers in each other’s lives and in the world.

Team Walker: Harry Jr., Dan, Harry Sr., Nat & Lee are three of four generations of Walkers who call St. Michael’s home.

graciously as the light of Christ. Imagine what St. Michael’s could do if we increased our budget by 10-15 percent. Imagine the increased outreach and new programs that could help further spread the Gospel in a needy world.

We have seen the church’s family grow, its outreach and mission work reach more in need, and its programs for youth, Christian education and senior and young adults expand. Our clergy continues to excite and inspire us to put Christ first in our daily lives.

We are all blessed to have a growing church focused on Grace, Gratitude and Generosity.

Our individual spiritual growth, and St. Michael’s aim to be an ever brighter light in the world intertwine with our church’s physical needs. Our vibrant programs, building maintenance, operating expenses, and salaries of our clergy and staff are supported by our pledges. It is inspiring to see all the new faces each year coming to worship each Sunday.

It is uplifting to see the children coming with their families to worship. It is humbling to see fellow parishioners who have been supporting St. Michael’s for many years with their generosity and perennial gifts of their time and money.

Every member of St. Michael’s has a story to tell. Every member impacts the life of our church by pledging to the Annual Fund campaign. The budget has grown over the last 10 years under Greg’s leadership and we think it can grow again in 2017. We should give in gratitude for God’s grace, given freely to us.

We should give in thanksgiving for the blessings we have.

We ask you to join us by pledging this fall. Whether it is your first pledge or you have been pledging your whole life, we all can come together in 2017 to continue to build God’s kingdom here at St. Michael’s and out in the world.

The world today seems more uncertain and scary than ever before. And more than ever, the world needs champions for Christ, abiding in God’s grace, giving thanks for the true blessings bestowed upon us, and giving

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During the coming months, we invite you to contemplate what a whole life in Christ means.

We believe our whole parish body is powerful when we stand together, and we ask your family to join our family in St. Michael’s commitment to stand up for Christ in this broken world.

Thanks be to God. —Team Walker: Harry, Dan, Nat, Lee & Harry Jr.

Thank You for Giving!

In the summer months as vacations beckon and church attendance wanes, it is not unusual for churches’ receipts to suffer a decline. As we begin our fall season, we are grateful to our parishioners who continued their pledge payments over the summer months, helping to continue to keep us on budget. Importantly, thank you for pledging last fall, many months ago, committing to fund St. Michael’s programs and operating expenses for 2016. Your generosity and commitment keeps St. Michael’s going forth with God! — Charlotte Griffin, Director of Development

Chronicles of Canterbury

New OWLS Programs Begin This Month I hope you have all now returned from your summer holidays and are ready to rejoin the OWLS as they continue to search for new adventures.

For those of you new to St Michael’s, if you are 70 or older, please join the “Older, Wiser, Loving, Sharing” group designed just for you. Each month, we take field trips to various places around our area — historic sites, theaters, museums — and our program always includes lunch.

Once a month, we also gather at St. Michael’s for a lecture.

On Thursday, Sept 15., we will meet in the lobby at the reception desk at 9:30 a.m., then travel by van to the Timberlake House in Louisburg.

Lunch will be at the Wake Forest Tea Room. There is no cost for the tour or the transportation; you pay for your lunch. Please sign up at the reception desk.

The Timberlake Historic House (c 1803) is an historic Franklin County home now used primarily as a wedding venue. In addition to the house, the site has eight outbuildings, including the slaves’ quarters, which depict life in Franklin County during the early 19th century. The house was built over several building phases, so it will be fascinating to see how all these different construction styles fit together.

The Olde EnglishTea Room & Gift Shoppe in Wake Forest is a favorite for many people because of its traditional setting for tea service,

salads, sandwiches and homemade desserts. A lunch menu will be available at the front desk for you to look over when you reserve your spot for this adventure.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, our own Robert Fruehwirth will be speaking to us at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Room. For those of you who have only heard Robert preach, you are in for a treat! Robert, a former monk and author of two books (the second having just been published this month), is a delightful, spiritual man with a tremendous sense of humor. I am quite sure that you will enjoy hearing what his life as a monk was like, and his life journey up to this point. I won’t tell you too much about him here – you’ll have to come and hear for yourself! No reservations are required. Come as you are. We always serve coffee and cookies afterwards.

Many trips and lecturers are already booked for this coming year, so we hope you will join us! We try to keep the costs to a minimum, and because of a generous grant, we are able to provide transportation to most events without charge. (If we are traveling to a location within five miles of the church, we generally carpool.) I look forward to seeing you all again, and to meeting new friends!

— The Rev. Holly M. Gloff

Examine Your Happiness in a New Learning Circle Do you know what happiness is … and what it isn’t? Do you ever wonder what you could do to be happier? Do you want to know how you can gain more positive feelings? Join Holly Gloff and Nancy Mayo for a nine-week learning circle on “The How of Happiness.” Working with Dr. Martin Seligman’s insightful book, Authentic Happiness, this learning circle will meet to explore happiness and personal traits. Some reading will be required, and a variety of helpful exercises and activities will be provide for participants to practice what works well for them. By the end of our time together, we hope you will discover a variety of ways to address life’s challenges and discover ways to enhance life satisfaction.

About three years ago, parishioner Nancy Mayo asked me if I would join a small group of therapists in a learning circle to explore some books dealing with the subject of Positive Psychology, studying what makes people happier, more fulfilled and positive. It sounded like information I could use in my ministry!

Jesus wants his followers to be happy. There is a lot of psychology in the Bible, so we’ll be looking at happiness from the point of view of both psychology and Christianity. Nancy Mayo is a licensed family therapist and a personal friend of mine, but to be clear: this is not group therapy.

I found Dr. Seligman’s text accessible and compelling. Every page has a useful gem I can put to use in my life. For example, in this book, we discover what our personal “signature strengths” are, and then begin to play to our strengths. Dr. Seligman states, “I believe that the

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highest success in living and the deepest emotional satisfaction comes from building and using your signature strengths.” This positive approach to personal growth is truly inspiring. He further states, “We need a psychology of rising to the occasion.”

Hear, hear!

Did you know that only 30 percent of how happy we are is determined by genetics? Only 10 percent of our happiness is determined by our circumstances, but a full 60 percent is based on our behavior, and we can change our behavior!

Please join us on Monday afternoons, beginning Sept.

19 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Holly’s home. Our last session will be Nov. 14. Those who join us are asked to bring a copy of Authentic Happiness to the first meeting. The circle is limited; please contact me at gloff@holymichael to sign up.

Romans 12:2 says: Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Come renew your mind to lead a more joyful life.

— The Rev. Holly M. Gloff

W H O

W E

welcoming all

raising lifelong disciples

REGISTERED VISITORS

BAPTISMS

IN 2015-16

confirmed or received

133

89 NEWCOMER

CLASS PARTICIPANTS

18 NEW BABY HOME VISITS

71 TRANSFERS

AVG. SUNDAY ATTENDANCE IN 2015-16

1,198 1,751 1,967 christmas attendance

active members

minding the message

11

44children/27adults 105 373

SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

FOR ADULT PROGRAMS

75

MORE THAN CLASSES & BIBLE STUDIES OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

100+

19,105 VISITS TO HOLYMICHAEL.ORG 44,907 PAGEVIEWS 900 SEARCH ENGINE QUERIES PER MONTH 684 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS 174 INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

96

175 AVG. SUNDAY ATTENDANCE

160

EDITIONS CHRONICLES OF EPISTLES & THIS WEEK CANTERBURY EACH YEAR EMAILS

ON THE WEB — 2015-16

AVG. SUNDAY ATTENDANCE AGES 3-3RD GRADE

GRADES 4-8

584

easter attendance

A R E

CHILDREN ATTEND OUR PARISH DAY SCHOOL

65TEENS IN EYC

100 ADULTS ATTEND OUR OWLS EVENTS FOR SENIORS

182 CHORISTERS AGES 4-84 SPEND 258 HOURS PER YEAR PREPARING 90 ANTHEMS

$5,600 FOR THE CHOIR’S SPECIAL SERVICE MUSIC

Chronicles of Canterbury

WHAT WE DO going forth with God ordinary people DAILY

$33,000 ANNUAL MISSIONS BUDGET

+ $12,200 FOR EPISCOPAL BUILD + $38,000 FOR GIFTS OF GRACE + $4,500 FOR BELIZE MISSION + $2,000 FOR YOUTH MISSION FROM CANTERBURY + $10,000 SHOP FOR GRANTS

+ $169,080 FOR DIOCESAN MISSION + $27,800 IN GRANTS AWARDED

= $296,580

FUNDING EXTRAORDINARY WORK IN THE WORLD

9,000 DIAPERS FOR DIAPER TRAIN

VISITS BY CLERGY OR LAY MINISTERS TO MEMBERS IN THE HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME

when two or three gather YAMS, VESTRY, THE GATHERING, ECW, MEN’S RETREAT, BAND OF BROTHERS, BLESSINGS & FRIENDS, INTERCESSORY PRAYER, KNITTERS, LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY, LAYWEEDERS, WORDS & WISDOM, MARTHA MINISTRY, ALTAR GUILD

13 FULL-TIME + 15 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 2 NON-STIPEND 27 PARISH DAY TEACHERS & STAFF, PLUS 1 FULL-TIME DIRECTOR

a roof over our heads $33,000 TO REPAIR FRONT STEPS $13,000 TO REPAINT FRONT DOORS &

2,011 POUNDS OF FOOD FOR URBAN MINSTRIES

PANELING $7,000 TO UPGRADE KITCHEN SERVING STATION $112K TO MAINTAIN OUR FACILITY $82K FOR HEATING, SEWER & POWER

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR 57 CHILDREN & $1,400 IN GIFT CARDS

1,320 MEALS DELIVERED FOR MEALS ON WHEELS 1,200 CANS FOR SOUPER BOWL COLLECTION FOR WAKE RELIEF 10K MEALS & $2,264 FOR STOP HUNGER NOW

23 VENDORS KEEP OUR FACILITY IN GOOD

REPAIR

51 EASTER BASKETS FOR STEPUP MINISTRY

$7.8K TO MAINTAIN ROSE GARDEN

$50K RAISED BY THE ECW FOR HOLY MICHAEL FOUNDATION 800 THANK YOU BAGS FOR POLICE

$800K+

74 VOLUNTEERS FOR FAMILY PROMISE

HOLY MICHAEL FOUNDATION

$1,654,898

840 CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOR BOOK HARVEST MORE THAN 1,147 BACKPACKS FILLED FOR OUR BACKPACK BUDDIES PROGRAM (+ GLOVES, HATS AND SCARVES) $3,500 RAISED FOR GIFTS OF GRACE BY THE ECW

ANNUAL BUDGET 525 PLEDGES FOR 2016 9

Chronicles of Canterbury

ECW: Branches of Women Supporting the St. Michael’s Tree To describe the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Women to others, I share the image of a strong oak tree extending into the sky, nourished by God’s love. I see branches of women using their gifts to serve God and support the whole life of our parish. St. Michael’s ECW serves the women of this parish, who in turn choose to serve others. Our board works throughout the year to ensure the success of our ECW budget and outreach efforts with The Helen Wright Center, Cheshire House, Meals on Wheels, Backpack Buddies, and our wonderful Spring Event. We will host a General Membership Meeting this November to gather all women of St. Michael’s for a meal and speaker. Our four unique chapters enrich the Christian life of their members through fellowship, prayer and outreach. In all we do, we hope to follow Paul’s teachings to “encourage one another and build each other up.”

As we consider our whole life at St. Michael’s, join us as we laugh, plan and pray together! We need your life’s story and gifts as we continue to connect the women of St. Michael’s.

— Clair Marshall, ECW President 2016

St. Elizabeth St. Elizabeth’s chapter enjoys a diverse membership from mothers of young children to women who are employed and those who are retired. We meet nine times a year on the fourth Monday of the month from 7-9 p.m. in members’ homes.

Clair Marshall, right, ECW President, with Louise Warenda, Guild of the Christ Child chair.

We enjoy a variety of speakers, read and discuss books and participate in potluck meals and a Christmas brunch.

Our outreach and mission activities are wide-ranging and include supporting Note-In-The-Pocket, the Community Music School, meals for Cheshire House, accessories for Dress For Success, baskets for parish auctions, making rolls for Gifts of Grace, baking cookies for the OWLS Christmas luncheon and the birthday card ministry for parish seniors. Our meetings are casual; communication is via e-mail and online sign-ups. Contact: Co-chairs are Malinda Taylor 919 630- 5163 or Eileen Sakey, 919 881-7919, stliz@holymichael.org

St. Madeleine Women with limited time because of work or mom duties may find St. Madeleine’s is the right chapter for them, meeting bi-monthly on the second Monday, from noon -1p.m. at North Hills Club. Lunch is $6.50, and guarantees that the meeting will end on time for those who have to get back to the office or pick up a child. (Membership at North Hills Club is not required. All are welcome.)

St. Madeleine Barat lived from1779-1865 and was passionate about educating poor children, founding schools and teaching in them. In the spirit of St. Madeleine, one of our main projects is Book Harvest, a non-profit program that collects new and gently used books and distributes them to children in need who would not otherwise have books of their own. St. Madeleine’s coordinates the collection for the parish. Contact: Chair Ashleigh Black 919630-7906, or ashleigh.e.black@gmail.com

St. Margaret St. Margaret’s chapter members are generally mothers of young children, but also include any women interested in socializing and fellowship. This chapter’s outreach projects involve children and families, supporting organizations such as Thompson Child and Family Focus and the Diaper Train at Saint Saviour’s Center. We help with baptism Sundays and craft banners for the newly- baptized members of St. Michael’s.

St Margaret’s meets monthly on Wednesday evenings during the Children’s Choir hour from 6-7p.m., throughout the school year. Child care is provided and meetings are casual and social. Contacts: Co-chairs: Caroline Manoogian 919-609-4366 and Brantley Springett 919-610-1184, stmargaretschapter@ gmail.com.

St. Mary St. Mary’s chapter members are primarily in the prime of life. We have been involved in numerous projects, which include organizing the Angel Tree at Christmas and supporting numerous outreach projects such as Meals on Wheels and the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry. St. Mary’s usually meets at 10 a.m. on the first Monday of the month in the Adult Ed. Room. Our meetings are informal and open to anyone. Meetings feature guest speakers and activities, like our annual December trip to Quail Ridge Books to hear about the many offerings for the Christmas season.

For those who do not have email, we have a phone tree to communicate the chapter news. Contact: Nanci

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Chronicles of Canterbury

“For all the saints, who from their labors rest” Episcopal Saint Established First School for AfricanAmerican Women

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ho are these saints, and who exactly determines what constitutes a saint? The Pope? Are we closet Roman Catholics if we honor them? All of these are queries we Anglican/Episcopalians often ask. Many Episcopalians fear being viewed as being “a bit too Roman,” and disregard anything that may confuse them with being a Roman Catholic. Such a pity, since we have a lot to learn from all faiths, Roman Catholicism included.

In fact, the Episcopal Church recognizes hundreds of saints, some of whom are recognized by Roman Catholics and others who are not.

Saints guide us in our Christian pilgrimage. So, how exactly does one define a saint? Don Armentrout in The Episcopal Dictionary of the Church defines a saint as a “holy person, a faithful Christian, one who shares life in Christ.” The term may also indicate one who has been formally canonized or recognized as a saint by church authority.” In the New Testament, Paul refers to members of the Christian communities as saints. Our hymnal includes one of my personal favorite definitions of sainthood in the hymn (#293) “I sing a song of the saints of God.” The last line of the final stanza reads, “For the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one, too.” Those words were printed on our seminary class T-shirts my graduating year. I invite you to take the time to read all of the words to this hymn.

Because the saints of the church give us such inspiring stories, I have decided to share with you a “Saint of the Month” series, which will include the histories of my favorite saints. I hope some of them will even become new friends to you.

During this series, we will showcase the people found in the Episcopal Church’s publication entitled, Holy Women, Holy Men. Some of these people are “saints” in the conventional Roman Catholic use of the term.

Many are not, though they all are recognized as saints by the Episcopal Church. Some you will be very familiar with, but most will be new to you. Most of these saints are remembered for their work in furthering the kingdom of God in extraordinary ways. They were devoted servants who have helped the church grow, and they are an inspiration to us all.

I begin this series by introducing you to Prudence Crandall, whom we celebrate on Sept. 3. Prudence, like me, spent part of her life in Connecticut. Prudence was born in Rhode Island in 1803, and was educated at a Friend’s Boarding School in that state. Her passion for teaching was awakened there as a girl, and she opened a school in Canterbury, Conn., in 1831. Her pupils were young girls born to wealthy parents, but she stirred controversy in 1833 when she admitted a young black girl, the daughter of a free African American farmer.

Not surprisingly, given the times, the white parents were outraged.

Undaunted, Prudence temporarily closed the school and reopened as the first school for African American women in the state.

Sadly, two years later after the school was established, the state legislature passed the “Black Law” bill which restricted admitting any black children

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Prudence Crandall established the first school for black women in 1833. She is recognized as the official herione of the State of Connecticut. Image: Prudence Crandall Museum, Canterbury, Conn.

to a school in Connecticut. Since Crandall had admitted children from other states, she was arrested, tried and jailed. She endured a tremendous amount of harassment and decided for the safety of her students, she would close the school in 1834.

When her husband died, she relocated to Elk Falls, Kansas. The Connecticut state legislature awarded her a pension, and more than 100 citizens of the state expressed their regret and shame over her treatment in a special petition.

She died in 1890, and is recognized as the official State Heroine of Connecticut.

I chose Prudence as my opening saint because I am so grateful for her love of children regardless of color, her bravery in the face of popular opinion of the day, her courage and her kindness. Although she is not on the “approved saint list” of the Roman Catholic Church, she is recognized as a saint in the Episcopal Church, and she richly deserves to be included in God’s list of saints! Even though by law our public schools are now integrated, sadly we still are fighting the good fight for racial and religious equality in our country.

— The Rev. Holly M. Gloff

Chronicles of Canterbury

Men’s Ministry Plans A Year of Fellowship, Fun, and Growth

The Men’s Ministry Committee has a full, exciting year of opportunities planned with something old, something new, something fried, and something brewed.

We will kick off the year at 7 a.m., Sept. 13, with the Men’s Prayer Breakfast, (aka, The Bacon Breakfast), an opportunity to eat sumptuous fare, reconnect with Men’s Prayer the guys, and listen and reflect on the word of God. Breakfast A clergy-led presentation followed by discussion is Tuesday, Sept. 13 the format. This popular ministry happens on the 7 a.m. second Tuesday of each month during the program year.

Band of Brothers Lunch Band of Brothers luncheons have continued noon, Monday, through the summer and will be a feature of our Sept. 19 new year. This is an intergenerational fellowship Sawmill Taproom dedicated to celebrating the more “experienced” members of our tribe with lunch, laughs and chatter. All men are invited to join in at the Sawmill Tap Room on Creedmoor Road on the third Monday of each month.

Kickoff is Sept. 19 at noon.

In the exciting and new category, the entire parish is invited to the First St. Michael’s Oyster and Shrimp Roast by the Men’s Ministry on Friday, Nov. 4, from 6-9 p.m. at Mills Construction, Navaho Road, Raleigh. We will have music, drawings, fun, food, beverages,and fellowship. This year, all proceeds will go to the Duff/Caps Education Scholarship for the St. Michael’s Day School. Tickets will go on sale in October. Stay tuned for price and details.

Brothers on Tap, a popular new after-work fellowship initiated last year offers “stand-up fellowship” at the brass rail of The Point in Five Points. Dates for the program year will be coming soon.

For years now, if you drop by the church conference room on a Thursday morning at 7 a.m. (including Thanksgiving and Christmas when it falls on a Thursday), you will smell coffee and sausage biscuits and hear 12 to 15 men of the church discussing the lectionary for the week. This Men’s Bible Study has been a favorite tradition for the participants. The door is always open to new members.

Finally, speaking of favorite events, The Fourth Annual Men’s Retreat will be happening at the Country Club of Whispering Pines next spring with worship, golf, sporting clays and a local tour planned.

Dates and details to follow.

So with new events and old, the Men’s Ministry Committee offers a wide variety of opportunities to get to know each other and serve the needs of the Parish and the Faith.

For details, contact Tim Berry, Men’s Ministry Committee Chair, at tberry56@gmail.com — John Constance, Men’s Ministry Committee

MERCY

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prayer, not as a private thing one does on the side of the rest of life, but as the loving and active response of our whole lives to God’s love. (See the Lifelong Disciple section.)

Whole Life is far more than the physical, chronological Spinning off from these classes, I will lifespan we are given here find ways to offer small groups for on earth. We believe we the deepening of our faith and the are called to live whole lives strengthening of our discipleship. rooted in the spirit of Christ Actual growth in faith happens best Jesus, aimed at spiritual not in 45-minute plenary lectures with growth as members of the 100 people, but in praying, reading and reflecting together on the mystery of grace body of Christ. in our lives, in response to God. We need to have a place where we can discuss what blocks grace in us, what makes us hostile rather than loving, and how to work with that. These groups will have theological depth, but will aim at the practice of our faith.

guessed. We will be looking at it from multiple perspectives in our various ministries. One aspect of course is the many stages of life from birth to death.

We will look at the Christian faith life in our various ages — with little children, youth, young adults, parents, empty nesters, seniors and end-of-life issues.

We will be looking at the ramifications spiritually of wholeness and the deepening of faith and wisdom.

We will be looking a the whole range of God’s call to us as individuals and as a body — which includes worship, study, fellowship, mission/outreach, and evangelism. We will be looking at how and why we support the ministry of God in the church through ministries, stewardship and different volunteer opportunities.

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Finally, in response to a rather stunning convergence of one-off conversations, casual remarks and the remarks of Bishop Anne to the Vestry, I will work with others to create a way for us to engage and listen to the hurt coming from a lack of racial equity and reconciliation in our local community.

— The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth

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In this issue you will see the various pieces of the whole life we are living at St. Michael’s. Join us!

— The Rev. Samuel Gregory Jones Join Greg Jones on Sunday, Sept. 11, for the Adult Education hour, when he will explore The Whole Life in more depth.

Chronicles of Canterbury

St. Michael’s Wednesdays: Busy Days for Food, Fellowship and Worship Wednesdays at St. Michael’s are busy days. From morning Day School drop-off, quick pop-ins to the Canterbury Shop, the Wednesday morning Lectionary Bible Study and later, choir practices for ages 4 to 84 — not to forget Newcomer classes — there is hardly an empty room on our campus.

But perhaps the best-kept secret about a St. Michael’s Wednesday is the hot lunch volunteers prepare for senior and all members of our parish, served after the service of Holy Eucharist at 12:15 p.m. each week.

vegetable soup, chili and chicken casseroles pop up on the menu during the year. The meal is open to everyone and no reservations are required. We even have been known to celebrate birthdays from time to time.

So come visit us on a Wednesday morning. Stop by the Canterbury Shop for a special gift or card.

Spend a quiet hour in the parlor with our clergy studying the week’s lectionary. Stay for the Eucharist — and the healing service on the first Wednesday of each month — then pull up a chair at the table with the Wednesday Lunch Bunch. You’ll catch up with old friends and make new ones and enjoy a terrific meal, too.

The Wednesday lunch bunch is no secret, really. It’s a St. Michael’s The Wednesday Lunch Bunch gathers for a hot meal and fellowship. Join institution started more than us for Bible Study, Holy Eucharist, a hot lunch and shopping, all here at St. — Charlotte Baker, Kitchen Committee Michael’s.

60 years ago. But as busy The Canterbury Shop is open from 10 schedules dominate our lives a.m.-1 p.m. each Wednesday (Mondays, Thursdays and these days, fewer people take advantage of, at $5 per person, what might Fridays, too). Lunch is at 1 p.m. and is $5. We are always just be the cheapest lunch in town. looking for anyone who likes to cook to join our kitchen team. If you’d like to join the Wednesday kitchen team, The lunch is prepared by a small group of devoted volunteers who rotate contact Jean Olson at olson@holymichael.org monthly to create what for some of our members is the only hot meal of the day. Everything from baked potato bars and shrimp gumbo, to

Gifts of Grace Outreach Fair Returns for 13th Year With busy schedules cluttering our lives, few of us have the need for more “things.” But with Christmas approaching, we still have many names on our list — people we want to honor for their presence in our lives. What’s a giver to do?

and a more independent lifestyle. Come and visit the agencies and give to make a difference in people’s lives. For each donation, you will receive a gift card to give to those you plan to honor with your donations.

Bring your list to one place this year — St. Michael’s — as our Outreach and Mission Ministry hosts the 13th annual Gifts of Grace, alternative gift market, from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 13, in the Parish Hall.

Once again this year, we will accept credit cards, cash and checks. One hundred percent of all donations will be given to the agencies our shoppers choose to support. The ECW will also participate with yeast roll sales and other items.

Those new to our parish may not be familiar with our tradition. We invite every parishioner to “shop” among the booths from 24 local, regional, national and international agencies, and consider making a donation in honor of someone on your list. This unique opportunity grew out of a St. Michael’s need to give to others. Because of financial constraints, our Outreach budget had been trimmed to almost nothing, but Outreach leaders came up with a way to support well-deserving organizations in our community without budgeted dollars. Last year, Gifts of Grace distributed $38,000 into the community and world.

St. Michael’s ECW chapters also participate. Monetary donations to these Gifts of Grace agencies help provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, women and child protection, and opportunities for recovery

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You will be treated to an a la carte breakfast, too! It will be offered between 8:30 a.m and 1 pm. Coffee, juice, muffins, bagels with cream cheese, Danish pastries, yogurt and fresh fruit salad will be available.

Most items will be priced at $1.

Remember to stop by the information table in the lobby prior to entering the Parish Hall to start your shopping.

Volunteers are always needed to help out with our Gifts of Grace event. We ask you to prayerfully consider helping for a few hours. Please contact Carol Braunhardt at (919) 469-0241 or by email at carolb77@nc.rr.com., to volunteer.

— Carol Braunhardt, Gifts of Grace Committee

briefly

Chronicles of Canterbury

Men’s Prayer Breakfast Tuesday, Sept. 13, 7 a.m.

Women’s Bible Study

Fall Study Examines the Gospel of Mark The Women’s Bible Study group led by Frances Penick will study the Gospel of Mark in an eight-week study presented The Gospel of Mark: The Jesus We’re by theologian Lisa Aching For Harper.

Tuesday evenings: 7p.m.–8:45 p.m., God’s heart is Sept. 27-Nov. 15 moved by your cries for help, your Friday mornings: shouts for joy, and 9:30 a.m.–11 a.m., your unspoken Sept. 30-Nov. 18 worries. We know Him to be a God of Child care available on Friday unparalleled power Workbook cost: $14.00 Contact: Frances Penick and authority, but 919-810-1298 or fhpenick@nc.rr.com Mark’s account of Jesus paints Him as a deeply personal and intimate God, too.

Our speaker for Drawing Near, Lisa Harper, shared with us some of these teachings from her newest Bible study, The Gospel of Mark: The Jesus We’re Aching For. We are very excited to offer more of her in-depth study through video as we follow Jesus through His days of early ministry all the way to the cross. It’s there we discover what it means to be the recipients of His excessive compassion and the reason for His allconsuming passion.

YAMs Plan Busy Fall The Young Adult Ministry at St. Michael’s is offering a series of monthly social engagements as well as a biweekly Bible Study, alternating Tuesday and Thursday nights, beginning Sept 6, at St. Michael’s, at 6 p.m. We are a group for anyone over 21 and under 40. We are mostly single, though we welcome couples.

Because of scheduling conflicts, our planned Fall Retreat at Trinity Conference Center, Pine Knoll Shores, has been moved to April 28-30.

Upcoming monthly social events include: •

September — Bar Night, Date and Place TBD

•

October — State Fair, the 18th, 19th, or 20th

•

Nov. 1 — Dinner with the OWLS

•

Dec. 11 — Christmas Party

For more details, see the YAMs Facebook page.

Contact Susan Rountree at rountree@holymichael.org to be added to the YAMs mailing list.

All Aboard the September Diaper Train!

Wednesday Words & Wisdom 7 p.m. Sept. 24 The Road to Character

by David Brooks home of the Sendalls

St. Michael’s will again be collecting diapers in September for The Diaper Train, a program of Saint Saviour’s Center. The Diaper Train continues to grow to address the needs of low-income families in Wake County. They distributed 620,000 diapers in 2015 and celebrated their fifth anniversary with the distribution of their two millionth diaper!

Volunteers distribute diapers on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Saint Saviour’s Center to referred families. The Diaper Center also gives diapers to many local partner agencies for the families in their programs including StepUp, Interact of Wake County, SAFEchild, Salvation Army, WIHN, Wake Relief, and The Healing Place.

Their clients, who are very appreciative of the diapers, include working parents struggling to make ends meet,

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refugees starting a new life in Raleigh, grandmothers with custody of their grandchildren, and families with older children still needing diapers because of disabilities.

St. Michael’s has one of the most successful community diaper drives, collecting 9,000 diapers last year! This year our goal is 10,000 diapers!

Most needed are sizes 4, 5, and 6 and baby wipes. Diapers may be dropped off during September in the Parish Hall.

Thank you for supporting this ministry.

For questions, contact Linda Rogers at lrogers518@ nc.rr.com or Frances Fontaine at francesgfontaine@ gmail.com

Chronicles of Canterbury

september Christian Formation for A Whole Life Christian Education is Christian Formation. It is education to enable us torespond to God with the whole of our lives, and so be formed into the likeness of Christ. It’s about our growth in love and faith, in compassion and truthfulness.

This coming fall the Christian Education Committee is offering a program to enable us to find more wholeness in our lives, lived in response to our world and God’s Word in Jesus and Spirit.

At the center of the fall program is a four-week series on prayer.

Associate Rector Robert Fruehwirth will share his vision of the wholeness of life that comes from a life that is itself prayer, living sensitively and responsive to God. In addition, Susan Rountree & Melanie Jones will be facilitating their writing class, bringing God’s Word and the experience of our parish together in literary creativity. We look forward to occasional classes by Jeff Hensley and Kevin Kerstetter, and, God willing, a class on jazz and the improvisation of our lives in God by Sam Laurent.

lifelong disciple

Sunday, Sept.11

A Whole Life at St. Michael’s with the Rev. Greg Jones Greg Jones will launch the years Christian Education program by introducing the parish theme of Whole Life. St. Michael’s is a place for the whole of one’s life, where our Christian journey is supported from birth and baptism and through death. At St. Michael’s we also find wholeness in our response to God’s grace, and where we encounter God in God’s holiness.

Sunday, Sept. 18

Ordinary Time: The Monastic Journey to Wholeness with the Rev. Robert Fruehwirth The Rev. Robert Fruehwirth lived in a monastery for 20 years, before leaving and starting his family. What do monks do with their time?

What is it like to keep silence most of the day? To go to chapel five times a day? To live with the same wonderful and grumpy monks and sharp-tongued nuns 24 hours a day?

Robert will share his experience of monastery life, emphasizing how the monk’s inner journey, while

Sundays, Sept. 18- Nov. 6

In Concert Matthew Michael Brown, organist Sunday, Oct. 2 4 p.m.

Writing Your Faith Story, with the St. Michael’s Writers

Matthew Brown has played

appearing extraordinary, is the human journey to wholeness at its most basic level, happening through the most ordinary of things.

God’s impact on our lives for many begins in childhood. From our first understanding of God as creator of our natural world, singing Jesus Loves Me in Sunday School, to exploring in our teens how faith will shape our most important decisions, we each have a faith story that is important to share. Join the writers of St. Michael’s as we explore our own faith stories. We’ll share them with the congregation in December.

Sunday, Sept. 25 Annual Fund Sunday with Team Walker & Charlotte Griffin Join our Annual Fund team for a look at one family who has given to St. Michael’s their whole lives.

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concerts throughout the United States and abroad, including concerts in Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London; St. Thomas Church, NYC; and the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta. A graduate of the NC School of the Arts and the Eastman School of Music, he is known for extraordinarily expressive playing. Mr. Brown is the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Salisbury, N.C. Admission is free.

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

PARISH PICNIC SEPTEMBER 25 Join us on Sunday, September 25 at 5 p.m. for our annual Parish Picnic! Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue will provide the food for our time for fellowship and parish-wide celebration.

Details will be available soon.

Sign up at the front desk.

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, September 14

The Gathering 2017

Women of St. Michael’s, mark your calendars for February 24 & 25, 2017, when we will host our 4th Gathering event for women. Next year, we will be examining our whole lives as women of faith, in our relationships, in our joy, in our nurturing of others, in our faith lives, in prayer and in our health and well being.

The Gathering: “Holding Moments Holy,” will feature Alaska writer Heather Lende as keynote speaker and breakout speakers who will examine the many facets of our lives in Christ. A life-long Episcopalian, Heather is the author of Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs, and Finding the Good. She will speak Friday evening and again Saturdary morning. We’ll also have services of Compline and Morning Prayer, and a hymn sing.

We hope you’ll join us. Watch for a profile of Heather in the next Chronicles of Canterbury. Registration information will be available in November.