the The Newsletter for Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
July 2014
Simplifying During Summer
the
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Cooking and Serving at Austin Street Shelter
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4th of July Church Offices Closed no 7:00 a.m. Eucharist
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Milk and Cookies Reception to Welcome the Murrays
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Youth Late Night Games
Volume 25, No. 11 Volume 26, No. 7
In the Early Church, the Apostles traveled light, they remained focused on their mission partly because they were unfettered. They were held together because of common purpose, their daily devotional life, a bit of risk, and enormous opportunity. Once beyond the immediate drama of the Ascension and the Day of Pentecost, they began to ask, “What’s next?” The challenge of how to remain responsive became important as new converts from many different backgrounds, cultures and tongues became part of the community. Similar opportunities are before us in Dallas! What we do and how we act and what’s next are questions for us once we get beyond the immediate drama of the graduation, the baptism, the funeral, the wedding, the move, and the life transition. C. S. Lewis’ wife, Joy Davidman, put it this way: “We don’t have heightened drama all of the time. Sooner or later we are called to start living day by day with simple focus and Christian joy, to exercise expectant and generous living, seizing every opportunity to make the most of the gifts of life.” The concept of sabbath in the Judeo-Christian teaching is not merely about keeping holy a time each week for worship. Sabbath time in the Bible means a rhythm of work and rest, vocation and play, public time and solitude. Sabbath literally means “stop, cease, cut out the unnecessary.” Stop worrying about your future, stop collecting more stuff, travel lighter, invest in people, let go of a cont. on page 19
New Vicar – The Rev. Bill Murray – Starts to Work The Rev. Bill Murray, the new Vicar, is starting his ministry at Saint Michael and All Angels this month. In announcing his call, the Rector, Bob Dannals, said, “Bill is a skilled preacher, teacher, and writer, and an experienced pastor and leader. As Vicar he will give vision and execution to the full range of formation ministries from birth to our senior adults. He will take a full role in the pastoral, preaching, liturgical, sacramental, and teaching life of the parish, and will provide special focus to the growth and vitality of our children, youth, and families. He will also assume leadership roles in shaping our future growth, including interfacing with engagement, welcoming, and new member ministries.” The Murrays – Bill, his wife, Jessie, and their two sons, Moses (Mose) and Abraham (Abe) – completed their move to Dallas during June. Bill, then, spend most of the month at Sewanee – The University of the South working on his Doctor of Ministry program. The Vicar will preach his first sermon at Saint Michael on Sunday, July 13, followed by a “Milk and Cookies” welcome reception in the Garden Cloister at 11:00.