Parish Call - Lent 2020

PARISH CALL Seasons of Epiphany and Lent February/March 2020 A Source of Information and Inspiration from St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh

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Dear Beloved in Christ, What is God calling us to be and to do? This is a guiding question throughout this interim period. It asks us to dig deep and articulate the vision and guiding principles that animate our lives. At Coffee with Clergy, I asked a similar question and it is always encouraging to hear what drew an individual to come to St. Thomas’ and what keeps him or her here.

Often the draw and staying power is through mutual friendships. Sometimes it is through a life event that nudges us here. As we share such stories, we recognize our own stories of what we value in this community of faith and begin to identify the workings of the Holy Spirit in our midst.

My friend Jesse told me that “there is a reason we are called human beings and not human doings!” Yet much of our experience with church is often more about doing than being.

Asking the deeper questions that examine our life together can lead to deeper satisfaction and commitment, revealing the direction God is nudging us. How can we be the people of God? What does that look and feel like to you? What are some of the areas of our life we need to change or work on to get a little closer to that image in our mind?

The Parish Profile articulates these questions to some extent but it does not end there. We are always in a process of discernment, experimentation, and evaluation because parishes are living, breathing communities. The mystic Francis Fenelon said, “The Spirit is always blowing, but we must hoist the sail.”

We look for what the Spirit is doing and get on board.

Once the Parish Profile is approved the Bishop, we will enter the search phase in discovering who the next Rector for St. Thomas’ will be. We too will continue to reflect on the Congregational Assessment Tool results as we come to terms with our history and shape a future chapter with a new Rector.

Our new Rector will no doubt be someone with many gifts but she or he is not coming to bring the answers or be an expert in all things.

We already have a Savior.

The Rector God is calling to St.

Thomas’ will join us to discover what Jesus is already doing in our midst.

After all, Jesus did not bring

the Kingdom of God; he helped people discover the Kingdom that was already within them. know from experience, effective change occurs when it comes from within.

As we all

That’s why keeping the

questions before us are essential to a healthy transition.

Faithfully yours,

Paul +

LITURGY IN LENT - Michael Smith, Minister of Music

This promise is one we make at our baptism; it is essentially a promise to gather together in community to worship God. During the 40 days of Lent, our worship focus is narrowed as we walk the road to the cross with Jesus. At the same time, we are invited to widen our focus of what it means to follow Christ.

NARROW - we replace elaborate flowers with signs of wilderness, and we put veils over crosses and other ornaments.

WIDEN - we take the idea of giving up chocolate (or whatever) for Lent and zoom out to reflect on how our everyday choices affect our lives and those of others, especially the most vulnerable.

NARROW - our Gospel reading focuses on the final weeks of Jesus’ life as he teaches, heals, inspires, rebukes, and suffers with his friends.

WIDEN - we ask God to open our eyes and hearts to the world around us and show us where there is work to be done.

During Lent: The Great Litany - On the First Sunday in Lent, we will join with thousands of churches who pray the Great Litany in procession. This long-form prayer is one of the greatest achievements of Thomas Cranmer, the chief architect of our Book of Common Prayer. Its language is at times gentle and arrestingly stark. Written in a time of intense religious and political strife, we cannot help but claim its prayers for our own - including the memorable prayer that we might “beat down Satan under our feet.”

The choir will sit among the congregation for most of the service. This will help us sing as “one body.”

We will also sing the Prayers of the People. This was quite moving and successful when we tried it last year during Lent.

Weekday Morning Prayer will return to Cheston Chapel at 7:30AM. This service has grown in popularity

Lent

with many being blessed by it in Advent and Lent.

Early Christians observed "a season of penitence and fasting" in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (BCP, pp. 264-265). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days) has a long history.

In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting

Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265).

Source: episcopalchurch.org

Sunday Forum February 2 – Chapter 24 of Walk in Love: Finding Spiritual Practices A full and deep life of faith is something that can only be sustained through active spiritual practices. With the multitude of choices, how do you know which practice is right for you?

We will explore the intersection of spiritual practice and personality, and how adopting a regular practice can keep our spiritual lives healthy. Led by Stacy Smith.

February 9 – Chapter 9 of Walk in Love: The Daily Office and Daily Prayer Thomas Cranmer, the author of the first Book of Common Prayer, believed that daily prayer should be available to all people, not just clergy. This gift of accessible prayer to the laity is an invaluable tool for adopting prayer into our daily rhythm. Stroud Hellebusch will lead this forum on the significance of The Daily Office and Daily Prayer in our collective and personal lives.

Walk February 16 – Chapter 12 of Walk in Love: Jesus Christ Who Is the Resurrection and the Life -The Burial Office

in Love

The Burial Office defines what Episcopalians believe about death and resurrection. How does the liturgy balance hope in the resurrection with the grief we experience when we lose a loved one?

Led by Bob Heerdt

February 23 – No Forum All Parish Breakfast and Annual Meeting.

March 1 – Chapter 13 of Walk in Love: Gathered Together in Unity-The Creeds Creeds are not laws but rather rules of faith. Creeds are, as the prayer book’s Catechism says, “statements of our basic beliefs about God.” Why do we have these particular statements? The Rev. Tim Steeves will lead this forum exploring the history of and reasons for our Creeds.

Sundays

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11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

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MacColl Auditorium

March 8 – Chapter 8 of Walk in Love: Ordination Each of us is called into ministry. Join Emily Given, as she shares her journey as a longtime committed lay person who answered the call to explore ordination to the priesthood.

March 15 – Coffee and Conversation: an informal gathering for catching up and connecting with each other.

March 22 - Chapter 11 of Walk in Love- Walking in the Way of the Cross: Holy Week and Easter The liturgies of Holy Week are about remembering, not in the sense of thinking about what happened so that we don’t forget, but in the sense of remembering, re-embodying, re-entering into them so we might live through and experience them anew. The Rev. Paul Briggs and Michael Smith, will lead.

March 29- Susan von Medicus Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons Icons, or “Windows of Heaven,” have been an integral part of the worship and mystical life of Christians since apostolic times. Icons are at once mystical and yet approachable. Iconographer, Susan von Medicus, will enlighten us on the meanings and purposes of icons and how we can incorporate them in our lives.

Susan von Medicus is an artist specializing the sacred arts. She teaches studio art at Villanova University and private workshops for the Prosopon School of Iconology. Susan has led an icon workshop here at St. Thomas’, and many of her works adorn our parish.

St. Thomas' have been involved in Stephen Ministry for over 25 years.

Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one, confidential caring ministry that takes place in over 13,000 congregations.

It provides high quality, Christcentered care to people who are hurting or going through difficult times. A trained, compassionate companion offers emotional and spiritual support.

We are currently in need of additional Stephen Ministers.

Former Stephen Ministers are encourage to become involved again.

Please contact Debbie Buck (djbuckcrnp@aol.com) or The Rev. Tim Steeves (timsteeves123@gmail.com) for more information.

Souper Bowl On Sunday, February 9th from 5:00 - 7:30 PM, St. Thomas Church will host its second annual Souper Bowl! What is better than hot soup on a chilly winter night? Fifteen church members will be serving their favorite, most delicious homemade soups in a friendly competition to determine the top three soups. All those in attendance will help choose the winners by filling out a ballot and the top three chefs will win a prize! Salad, crackers, drinks and dessert will round out the menu so plan to make it your dinner.

BYOB if you like!

Proceeds benefit the St. Thomas Barn.

Tickets cost $20 for adults and kids over 12. Children under 12 eat for free.

Tickets may be obtained after the 10:00 a.m. service in MacColl Auditorium, from the church office during business hours, by calling 215-233-3970, or by emailing st.thomasbarninfo@gmail.com. We had a ball last year so invite your friends and family to join us this year!

Vestry Nominations On behalf of the entire Vestry Nominating Committee, it is my sincere pleasure to announce the 2020 candidates for election to the Vestry. This year at the February 2020 Annual Meeting, we will elect four new Vestry members and a Diocesan/Deanery Representative.

The following individuals were identified by the Nominating Committee and invited to accept the nomination by The Rev. Paul Briggs.

Each of the nominees have accepted.

Jim Pasquarella is nominated to serve as the Senior Warden for an additional one year term.

Steve Elliott is nominated to serve as the Accounting Warden. Steve has just completed serving the last year of Nat Taylor’s three year term and will now serve a full three year term.

Laura Thayer is nominated to serve as the liaison to the Outreach Commission, succeeding Barbara Kozemchak.

Debbie Buck is nominated to serve as the Junior Warden, succeeding Annamarie Hellebusch.

Michael Carr is nominated to serve as the liaison to the Hospitality Commission, succeeding Chris Russell.

In addition,

Jim Hilliard is nominated to be a

Diocesan/Deanery Representative, serving a three year term.

We believe that each of these candidates possesses unique spiritual gifts and an unwavering commitment to the St. Thomas’ community. We hope that you will support these nominees as presented.

Respectfully Submitted, Laura Thayer Vestry Nominating Committee Co-Chair

Family: Son: Thomas A Buck, Jr. Grandmother of two (Nicole and Braden) Soon to be a great-grandmother in May 2020!

St. Thomas Ministry Involvement: New Member's Commission Chair (4 years) Stephen Ministry Chair (3 years) Pastoral Care Committee (4 years) Lay Eucharistic Visitor Confirmation Mentor

Debbie Buck

Usher/Greeter Gateways Dinner Coordinator Flower Delivery Team

Prior Ministries: Sunday School Teacher (10 years) Hospitality Committee Co-Chair (4+ years) Parent Acolyte Coordinator Parent Confirmation Coordinator ECS Mentor and Volunteer

What would you like to accomplish as a member of the Vestry?

Increase church membership; assist in transition of new clergy; facilitate communication with laity and clergy; make St. Thomas' a safe place of worship.

Education: CRNP (Nurse Pracitioner Rutgers University) BSN/MSN Gwynedd Mercy College

Employment: Nurse Practitioner - Geriatric/Psychiatric Care Assessment, Vista Medical

Hobbies: Reading, Travel, Movie Addict

What would you like to accomplish as a member of the Vestry?

Facilitate the transition of the new Rector; facilitate the transition of the Faith Community into the new direction of the parish in the years to come; assist in the development of new ministerial team; be a part in the coordination of the Family Table community into the full participation of the

Michael Carr

parish; focus on prayer and spirituality.

Education: Three Masters degrees; ABD doctorate

Employment: Former Clinical Psychologist; Director of Special Services; High School Principal; Superintendent of Schools.

Family:

Now retired while being a part-time professor at Rowan.

Husband of Elisa Marshall three children; five grandchildren; two stepsons, christened at St. Thomas' Church (Vinny and Andy)

St. Thomas Ministry Involvement: Chalice Bearer; Outreach Commission; Hospitality Commission; presenter at Rector’s Forum; Greeter; Arts & Worship Commission; Director of parish Security Task Force; Men of St. Thomas; Barn volunteer during the week; “Saute King” at the Grill during Second Saturday Sales; Chair of the Discernment Committee of The Rev. Tommy Thompson

At previous churches:

Eucharistic Minister; Lector;

(Liturgical) Master of Ceremonies; preached at a number of churches; parish councils; diocesan committees; Director of Religious Education; Director of Parish Youth Center; Choir; Schola; Chief Cantor in Seminary; Leader of Song; Papal Choirister; Consulting Psychologist for the Diocese of Wilmington Nine years in Catholic Seminary.

Awards: Numerous awards; published author; testified before a Senate Committee in Washington; lectured at Oxford University in England.

Steve Elliott What would you like to accomplish as a member of the Vestry?

Help define and drive the Vestry’s mission, vision, and goals. Increase overall accountability (from CAT survey). Support and embrace our need

Family: Spouse: Sarah Adult Children: Will and Jeffrey

Ministry Participation at St. Thomas': Finance, Stewardship, and Membership Commissions St. Thomas’ Choir Vestry (1 year)

for change while recognizing the value of continuity.

Education: Drexel University, B.S. Business Administration – Systems & Operations Management

Employment: Chief Information Officer – Radius Global Solutions

Awards: Multiple industry and Scouting awards

Hobbies: Boy Scout Leader and Eagle Scout Coach, music enjoyment, home automation, and DIY

What would you like to accomplish as a member of the vestry?

We recognize this transition time is a gift, and we are using it to prepare for our shared ministry with our next Rector. Our Vestry is improving our parish's governance and financial stewardship practices so that St. Thomas' is best positioned to support its members in lay ministry, caring for our neighbors, and welcoming neighbors to join our multi-generational communion.

Jim Pasquarella Family: Spouse: Carrie Children: Thomas (10), Emily (8), Will (2)

 Ministry Participation at St. Thomas': Warden/Vestry Landscape Welcome Commission Family Table Preschool Board Whitemarsh Learning

Education: Denison University

Employment: Commercial real estate investments

Hobbies: Ski/board, boat, Netflix aficionado

Family: Spouse: David Thayer Child: Seamus (15)

St. Thomas Ministry Involvement: Chair, Nominating Commission (2020) Member, Nominating Committee (2019-Present) Confirmation Class Leader & Mentor (2018-2019) Member , Outreach Commission (2018) Member, Outreach Commission (2017-Present) Member, STC Nursery School Board (2006-2009) Occasional Barn Volunteer

Laura Thayer

Education: B.A Villanova University

What would you like to accomplish as a member of the Vestry?

I’d like to help/facilitate a smooth and transparent transition in hiring our new Rector. I would love to see us grow even more as Christians, providing the congregation with even more opportunities to explore our faith ... and paying particular attention to attracting new members, while also closing the gap between the Preschool, Family Table, and the rest of the parish community.

Employment: Volunteer and Housewife (2018-Present) Speciality Lines Insurance, Philadelphia Insurance Companies/Tokio Marine (2003-2018), ProfessionalResident/Faculty Coordinator at University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery (1999-2003)

Awards: Mostly athletic, from a very long time ago

Hobbies: Spending time with family and two crazy dogs (!), travel, reading, fishing, tennis, golf, platform tennis, nutrition, one-on-one basketball in the driveway - and now, most often, lose!

What would you like to accomplish as a member of the Vestry Diocesan Representative?

Hear the challenges and concerns of the St. Thomas’ parish and bring them to the deanery and diocese.

Distill needs and opportunities in the diocese and deanery and relay them to the Vestry.

Jim Hilliard Family: Spouse: Christy Hilliard Children: Peter Hilliard (16) and Liam Hilliard (12)

St. Thomas Ministry Involvement: Parish Choir Assist with Youth Ministry Regular Adult Forum Participant

Education: BA, Houghton College; MBA, Ph.D. University of Connecticut

Employment: Associate Professor Fox School of Business, Temple University

Awards: Numerous recognitions as a leader in the Scouting community

Hobbies: outdoors, camping, hiking, biking; reading; homebrewing

GETTING STARTED WITH MORNING OR EVENING PRAYER

- MIchael Smith, Minister of Music

Many faith traditions have practices of daily prayer. Our own Episcopal/Anglican history involves elegantly simple orders for Morning and Evening Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer. If you’ve never explored them before, grab a prayer book (ask a staff member for one), and get started!

Rite I (traditional language): Morning Prayer (page 37) Evening Prayer (page 61) Rite II (modern language): Morning Prayer (page 75) Evening Prayer (page 115)

If you’re a bit confused by flipping around and locating the readings, psalms, etc., the best way to dive in is to just start. Some people use an app or a podcast to get the hang of it. Any of the staff or members of the Adult Spiritual Formation commission would be happy to help you as well!

Forward Movement Day by Day App: available on the App Store

A Podcast for Morning Prayer: www.morningoffice.podbean.com

A student in the first class of St. Thomas’ Nursery School now has three grandchildren in the preschool!

- Shari Petrakis, Preschool Director

In the past several years we have had students here where one of their parents attended St Thomas’ Nursery School when they were a child. Now we have a unique family here at St. Thomas’ Preschool.

Tim Greenwood was part of the first class of St. Thomas’ Nursery School (now St Thomas’ Preschool) in 1951. He now has three grandchildren at St. Thomas’ Preschool; Field Salmon (in our Blue Pre-K), William Salmon (in our Purple Owls) and Jamie Greenwood (in our Grey Elephants)!

Born at Chestnut Hill Hospital, Tim remained friends with several of his nursery school classmates - one in particular is Cliff Cutler, who went on to become the most recent Rector of St. Paul’s Church in Chestnut Hill.

After nursery school Tim went on to Chestnut Hill Academy, where he graduated in 1968. He returned to the area after college to work and has remained in the Chestnut Hill area to raise his family.

Now his three grandchildren Field, William and Jamie are again carrying on the Greenwood tradition at St. Thomas and feel very much at home.

The 2020 St. Thomas’s Women’s Retreat was another meaningful and refreshing experience for the 29 day and weekend attendees at Pendle Hill in Wallingford, PA. The theme of the retreat; Finding Your Pathway to God: Taste and See God’s Love Around and Within YOU provided us with a framework to further explore and develop our unique spiritual pathways.

The Rev. MaryJo Melberger, former Associate Rector of St. Thomas' led us with a varied agenda of information, reflection, meditation and silence, connecting us in community and shared experience. The welcoming living room with a huge stone fireplace provided us with a cozy space for fellowship, deepening our connections and supporting each other in our spiritual growth.

We were excited to welcome several women who were first time attendees! We enjoyed delicious food, excellent hospitality, yoga and an introduction to SoulCollage by Pam Jameson.

The annual retreat is a lovely opportunity for us to come away from our busy and demanding lives and allow time to be present and available to taste and see God’s love in our lives. We are grateful to the women who joined us for the

Women's Retreat

weekend and look forward to welcoming more women of St. Thomas to join us in future retreats!

- Judy Neely, Retreat Planning Team

Cemetery Accident Update - Ginny Benner, Cemetery Historian

On Sunday, November 24th, around 11:30 PM, an auto accident occurred on St. Thomas' property causing substantial damage to approximately 14 headstones on the northwest corner of the property. Apparently a motorist was traveling east on Route 73 at an illegally high speed. Â This motorist went through the traffic light at Bethlehem Pike, went airborne and landed in the cemetery near the chained off driveway, mowing down a number of headstones. Some were damaged and some were destroyed.

At this point, quotes for repairs or replacement have been secured and we working with our insurance carrier to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, it appears the drive did not have insurance. Our goal is to repair or replace what we can. We notified all families whose loved ones' graves were involved in the accident. Once we get through the process of repairs, we hope to hold a memorial rededication with the living relatives in that area of the cemetery to show respect for those buried.

The Parish Profile is complete!

No one expected it would take this long. We are so grateful to all of you for your participation, your patience, and your trust in us.

We began with the results from the

Renewal Works survey about our spiritual vitality. The focus groups,

attended by a total of 100 parishioners, provided deep insight into the direction we want to follow. This understanding was backed up by the data provided by 221 parishioners who responded to the

Congregational Assessment Tool from Holy Cow! Consulting; and was underscored by what we learned from the Vestry retreat, the Commission chairs meeting; the descriptions of our ministry areas, and all of our informal conversations.

We have gathered valuable information.

Our love for this church and our commitment to ministry is clear.

Equally clear are specific areas identified as needing improvement.

This information will guide the Search Committee as they seek our next Rector.

And, this information will guide the Vestry in future planning.

The Profile, along with a video created under the leadership of John Kepner, will be on our website as soon as Bishop Gutierrez has had the opportunity to review it. We are eager for you to see it.

- Ginger Goodrich, chair; Liz Butler-Rodgers, Marggy Ells, Carl Jameson, John Kepner, David Thayer

Children & Youth Ministry Paws Patrol Animal Shelter was one of several recipients of the "Reverse Advent Calendar" items collected by St. Thomas' members.

Thanks to all who participated!

Thank You to the Congregations of the Interfaith Hospitality Network - submitted by Kathleen Schneer, from an article included in the Interfaith newsletter

You provide rooms for families in our emergency shelter to sleep. Food to eat. Transportation. And support...of all kinds. Volunteers from our partner congregations go above and beyond to help families feel safe and comfortable during their stay with us and we could not be more grateful.

A November volunteer shared his unique experience:

Last Sunday night, I agreed to stay overnight [at the church as a chaperone] and to drive [families back to Hope Gardens] Monday morning. One of the residents, a young woman named J, was 9 months pregnant and four days past her due date! I was worried that she'd have the baby that night while I was there. She assured me that (even though this was her first) the baby would not come before the morning.

Thankfully, she was right, and, relieved, I drove her over to Hope Gardens at around 6:30AM. On the way, I asked J how she was getting to the hospital when the time came. She calmly said, "I'll call a Lyft or take a bus." That didn't seem like a good plan to me, so I gave her my cell number.

Sure enough, Wednesday morning at 5:22AM I got a text that read: "Good morning. I'll take that ride ASAP, if possible. Let me know." I drove her to the hospital, and later that day she gave birth to a baby boy (7 lb, 4 oz, 20 inches). She was so calm! Meanwhile, I'm running red lights and then pacing around like an expectant father, boiling water and passing out cigars! Mother and child are doing fine.

A ride to the hospital is not hard to give; it's one of a hundred ways that we can reach out to help others.

You all have similar stories; I know about some of them. I am proud to serve with you all.

ONLINE: stthomaswhitemarsh.org/giving/annualgiving/annual-pledge-form/

EMAIL: egiven@sthomaswhitemarsh.org

BY PHONE: 215.233.3970 ext.126

TEXT: 214.929.7772

For questions or additional assistance, please contact Emily Given. Thank you!

St. Thomas' Church 7020 Camp Hill Road Ft. Washington, PA 19034

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