the The Newsletter for Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
February 2015
Hearts and Arrows
6 8 13 17
the
Women of Saint Michael Parish Party Newcomers’ Lunch with the Rector Women’s Retreat leaves
Shrove Tuesday
18
Ash Wednesday
22
Annual Parish Meeting VBS Preview Blood Drive
25
Lenten Evensong
28
Lent Retreat with Bro. Vryhof
Volume 25, No. 11 Volume 27, No. 2
Several years ago I received a basket full of Valentine’s Day cards from a Sunday School class. In addition to being grateful for the gesture, I was struck by how odd it is that we should come to symbolize the experience of love with such incomparable objects as hearts and arrows. The heart: a symbol of feelings and vulnerablity, the seat of emotions, the key to our loyalty and allegiance, our devotion and faithfulness. When someone is a hero or heroine for another, when someone takes a risk for another in a courageous act, we say that she or he “has heart.” The arrow: a symbol of swiftness, deadly stealth. An arrow is immune to emotion, insensitive to affection. An arrow is unique in its ability to sneak up on its target and kill quickly, quietly, neatly. I suppose the artist who first felt inspired to unite heart and arrow in dissonant symbolism was a married person. Marriage takes us on a journey that begins with an emotional high, a physical delight; but with time what really binds one spouse to another is simply having gone through many blessings and challenges together -- the child rushed to the emergency room, the battle with cancer, a financial crunch, a depression. In marriage, as in close friendship, the heart catches many arrows. Or, perhaps the artist was someone who wanted so much to have a partner, but none could be found; or, maybe a son or daughter whose mother or father was elderly and declining. cont. on page 19
Candidates for Vestry and Diocesan Convention Proposed Election at Annual Meeting February 22 The Vestry of Saint Michael and All Angels has accepted the recommendations of its nominating committee and submits the following parishioners as candidates for election at the church’s Annual Meeting on February 22.
Vestry Nominees: (Three year term) Eric Conner, Mark Demler, Kathy Kelley, J.C. Snead, Margaret Spellings.
Diocesan Convention Delegates: One year term: Expiring February, 2016 (Delegate) Ralph Cousins, Bill Johnson, Phil Ritter (Alternate) Chuck Stewart, Liz Oliphant, Bill McGannon. Two year term: Expiring February, 2017 (Delegate) Marla Briggle, Cliff Miercort, Van Sheets. (Alternate) Plack Carr, Robert Smith, Paul Talbot. Three year term: Expiring February, 2018 (Delegate) Robert Buchanan, Jr., Charlie Sartain, Donell Wiggins. (Alternate) James Wiley, Jim Kerr, Blake Hull. Members of the parish eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting may nominate one or more candidates for the Vestry or as a Convention Delegate by using a Nominating Petition for each person nominated. Petition forms can be found on the website, www. saintmichael.org or at the church reception desk. (Candidates backgrounds on page 8 & 9)