Saint Monica's Episcopal Church
Messenger
April 2015
From the priest’s desk by The Reverend Anthony MacWhinnie, II Happy Easter! Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the remembrance of the very thing that saved us, Christ’s sacrificial action and subsequent overcoming of death once for all of us. Easter, or in the Latin “pascha”, or earlier even than that, from the early German “austron”, means “dawn”. It’s taken from the name of a pagan goddess whose dawn festival was celebrated around this time. The word “aurora” comes from this root as well. So, light, dawn, new day, change, fresh start, rebirth, NEW BEGINNINGS… That’s what Easter has been about from the very beginning. We are celebrating a time of new birth and new beginnings, just like our ancestors did and just like our children will in the future. “Spring is in the air,” means something more than just pollen and warmer temperatures. It means a fresh start to life for all of us, starting with the most important celebration of all for us, Easter. Our theology of death and resurrection is a reminder that sometimes, for great things to happen, great sacrifices must be made. To actively improve our lives and situations we must work for that change. To save ourselves, we must die to our old selves, and then be reborn. Like the phoenix from the ashes, we spread our wings and fly out of the aftermath of the inferno. At this time of the year, I can’t help but be drawn to the earth, to plant seeds and tend them and watch them grow. But every gardener and farmer knows that it’s more than just putting a little seed in the ground. That’s the easy part. The grower must make the soil ready. They must till under the weeds and use the nutrients from them to fertilize the next generation of garden plants. To be productive and sustain that productivity, great amounts of preparation must be done and continued.
Our Staff & Vestry The Rev, Anthony MacWhinnie, II, Priest in Charge Vestry: Chuck Barnett - Senior Warden, Dan Ferguson- Junior Warden/Co-Treasurer Linda Aligood —Treasurer Susan Early, Frank Murphy, Ann Philen & John Velaski Viv Welch—Clerk of the Vestry Brenda Ferguson—Church Secretary Twinette McDonald - Music Director Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
St. Monica’s, too, is in just such a place. We are at our NEW BEGINNING. For us to continue the amazing work we’ve begun, we need everyone to pitch in. The “garden” that is St. Monica’s is poised to grow, and we’ve already begun that growth! By now, you’ve heard of the proposed thrift store, and by now you should have received a letter from the vestry letting you know that St. Monica’s needs your financial support. In the future, should we go ahead with the thrift store idea, not only will we be taking care of the church’s financial needs, but we’ll be doing what Jesus Christ called us to do… Serve the poor. “When you did it to the least of these, you did it to me also.” Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Right now, St. Monica’s is poised to take off. We just need a little help from you. At stewardship time we always here about “time, talent, and treasure”, and right now we need all three. Join in and grow with us. Peace, Anthony+
St. Monica’s Beans & Rice Ministry
Our April Charity of the Month! Monetary donations greatly appreciated. In addition, we would like to have extra food on hand in our Emergency Food Pantry for the summer months when children will not be receiving school lunches. Suggested items: Canned tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, and/or tomato paste, peanut butter & jelly, breakfast items. Thank you for your support.
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Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Easter Message 2015 “The only place we will not find him is in the tomb.” Episcopal Church News Service, March 23, 2015 It’s still dark when Mary ventures out to find the tomb. The graveyards around Jerusalem don’t have much greenery today. The earth is mostly rock and stone, and it is far from easy to make a place to secure a body. Jesus’ body was put in a cave-like space, with a stone rolled across the opening to close it up. Mary has made the journey from wherever she’s sheltered over the last day, through darkened streets, perhaps hearing cocks begin to crow and townspeople start to stir. She nears the place, but somehow it seems different than they left it – this can’t be it, can it? Who moved the stone? A trip begun in tears and grief now has added burden– confusion, anger, shock, chaos, abandonment. His very body has been stolen. She runs to tell the others. The three tear back to the tomb – no, the body is not there, though some of the burial cloths remain. Who has torn away the shroud and stolen him away? Why must the cruel torture continue, sacrilege and insult even after death? Who has done this awful thing? The men run away again, leaving her to weep at even greater loss.
Palm Sunday, March 29 Sunday School begins at 9 am Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist at 10 am Monday, March 30, Morning Prayer at 11 am Tuesday, March 31, Morning Prayer at 11 am Wednesday, April 1, Healing Eucharist at 11 am Maundy Thursday, April 2 Foot Washing and Stripping the Altar at 6 pm Good Friday, April 3 Stations of the Cross at 5:30 pm Saturday, April 4, Easter Eve Liturgy at 11 am Easter Vigil at 5:30 pm Easter Day, April 5 Sunrise Holy Eucharist at 7 am Holy Eucharist and Baptism at 10 am Easter Egg Hunt after Holy Eucharist
She peers in once more – who are these, so bold appearing? “Fear not, woman... why do you weep?” She turns away and meets another, who says the same – why do you weep, who are you looking for? This gardener has himself been planted and now springs up green and vibrant, still rising into greater life. He challenges her to go and share that rising, great news of green and life, with those who have fled. Still rising, still seeking union with Creator, making tender offering to beloved friends – briefly I am with you, I am on my way. Go and you will find me if you look. The risen one still offers life to those who will look for evidence of his gardening – hope, friendship, healing, reunion, restoration – to all who have been uprooted, cut off, to those who are parched and withered, to those who lie wasting in the desert. Why do we weep or run away when that promise abides? We can find that green one, still rising, if we will go stand with the grieving Marys of this world, if we will draw out the terrified who have retreated to their holes, if we will walk the Emmaus road with the lost and confused, if we will search out the hungry in the neighborhood called Galilee. We will find him already there before us, bringing new and verdant life. The only place we will not find him is in the tomb. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church
April 4—the church remembers The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. While the nation celebrates the memory of Dr. King’s birthday in January, The Episcopal Church also remembers him on April 4, the day he was assassinated. Dr. King’s legacy is one where people stand together to resist oppression and strive to secure equal liberty for all God’s children. Many resources, including on-demand viewing of The Episcopal Church’s Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America forum and workshops, are available for viewing online here.
Saint Monica’s Messenger
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Our future depends on you! Last year, St. Monica’s stepped out in faith. At that time, it was tough for many of us to see a positive future for our small and still shrinking church. We’d been going through what seemed like our own personal journey in the wilderness. We all could remember the vibrant days of the past, where the church was seemingly full, attitudes seemingly all positive. Then, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, we were looking on that past and not seeing that vibrancy in our present. Our future was uncertain. Then, the Holy Spirit moved at St. Monica’s. We knew we needed something, someone to make a change. We knew we needed a full-time priest. What we didn’t know was how we would afford to pay a full-time priest’s salary. All we knew was that for us to grow, and really, not just grow, but just to maintain what we had, we had to have a stable pastoral presence, someone who our church could count on, someone who would lead us and feed us at the same time. Being a small church we knew it would be hard for us to attract the sort of priest we needed here, someone young, someone caring, someone with energy, someone who could lead and feed. But, with Prayer and Faith working together, the Holy Spirit moved in a big way and made things possible for Fr. Anthony to return to us. Praise God! Things really have changed here in some amazing ways in the last few months! Every week there are more people in the pews. Every week there are more activities and ministries being planned and executed. Every week the excitement grows! It’s obvious and it is wonderful! Fr. Anthony and his family have played a big part in that, but even more, so have you. This positive trend can only continue with your support. To fully fund our budget, we need to make up a large projected shortfall. To keep a full time priest, we absolutely must make up this shortfall. Pledging allows your vestry to know what we will take in. It allows us to do the work you have charged us to do. If you have already pledged, thank you! If you have been blessed by the positive changes taking place at St. Monica’s, please consider increasing that pledge. If you have not already pledged, please use the pledge cards available in the narthex to let us know how you will be financially supporting, not just St. Monica’s future, but St. Monica’s present. The past is behind us. Let’s grow together! God bless you all! Your 2015 Vestry, Chuck Barnett, Senior Warden Dan Ferguson, Junior Warden Linda Aligood Susan Early Frank Murphy Ann Philen
By the Pond Sunday, April 5 at 7 am
Springtime health challenge By Nurse Sally HAPPY SPRINGTIME—isn’t it beautiful, especially the landscape. Trees and flowers are blooming and the grass is turning green. It brings to mind the summer activities ahead, yard work, picnics on the patio, visits to the beaches, sunburns, insect bites, bee stings and many more health issues. (We’ll get to those later.) Looking back at the Easter preparations and Easter celebrations when I was growing up in Nebraska, we tried to carry over the Lenten season and its discipline into spring and summer. Most Easters we had snow on the ground. I would get up in anticipation that the Easter Bunny had been there. My Dad would direct me to the door to see if his tracks were in the snow and, of course, many of the nocturnal animals had indeed been there. So, the hunt began before we had to get ready for church. A more recent memory was with our own kids when we hid eggs. Bill had to make little nest for the eggs. Needless to say we had more straw than eggs, such a mess! Now it is time to break out your summer wardrobe. And, by the way, how does it fit? Is it a little tight in places? Candy Easter eggs won’t help! I ran across some new research the other day about everyone’s favorite topic, exercise. We all know how important exercise is for good health. The research states that 15 minutes of brisk exercise per day will extend your life by three years over comparable inactive people. Those who exercised 30 minutes per day added approximately four years of life expectancy! That’s your first assignment for the spring and summer season; devote 15 minutes per day to you. Walk with a friend or neighbor or your spouse. Yeah, it is good for both men and women. May God Bless You, Nurse Sally
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Saint Monica’s Messenger
Easter Egg Hunt Easter Day—Sunday, April 5 Following the 10 am service
Losing Your Pew, Gaining ground by Richelle Thompson, for ECFVP on April 18, 2011
Churches are full-to-the-brim on Easter Sunday, with twice-a-year, Christmas-and-Easter guests and first-time visitors feeling inspired to make more of the day than egg hunts and candy-swapping. A lot of regular church attenders look at the influx with derision, considering the visitors as interlopers. But congregations should see this as a great opportunity, not only to see the action from a new pew and perspective but also to witness the joy of being a part of a church family. This Easter Sunday, practice radical hospitality. Make sure to have additional greeters (not ushers – they hand out the bulletins and collect the offering, among other duties; greeters are on hand to warmly welcome visitors, answer questions and accompany them to coffee hour – or the Easter egg hunt). The greeters also should have a method for getting the names, addresses (snail mail AND e-mail), and phone numbers of the visitors. Hopefully the bulletin takes into account the number of people who may not be as familiar with Episcopal practice. It should include page numbers and notes of instruction – and avoid jargon and acronyms. During the peace, look beyond your small circle to see who is standing alone, bewildered and handshake-less. Offer the peace with a smile and a quick, “We’re so glad you’re here today.” As the service ends, make your way to the visitors and ask if you can accompany them to coffee hour. On Monday morning (or even Sunday afternoon, if you’re so inspired), a member of the church should drop off a welcome package to the visitors. This can be a loaf of bread, a jar of jam, or a mug for coffee, as well as a few pamphlets of introduction about the local church and The Episcopal Church (tracts from Forward Movement Publications are great – and inexpensive). This follow-up is critical. Make it part of your Easter discipline. Maybe on the following Sunday (often called Low Sunday because lots of folks decide they’ve fulfilled their requisite church attendance), you’ll see a few returning faces. Sitting in a new pew is a pretty low price to pay to expand the community of believers.
ECW Spring Day Away in Dothan The Episcopal Church Women’s Diocesan Spring Day Away will be held Saturday, April 18 at Church of the Nativity, Dothan, Alabama. Our featured presenter will be The Reverend Lauren Farrington Flowers. Lauren was ordained to the priesthood in June 2013, in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, she served as the rector of St. John's-Monroeville beThe Reverend Lauren fore moving to Savannah, Geor- Farrington Flowers gia, last May. Currently she is the associate rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Skidaway Island. Though now canonically resident in the Diocese of Georgia, her calling was nurtured by the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, most especially the people of The Church of the Nativity in Dothan, Alabama. The mother of three grown children: Douglass, Grace, and Virginia Flowers, she walks daily, and often in the company of her cairn terrier Scout. This one-day retreat will explore the metaphor of singing in the dark as spiritual practice. We will make meditative use of the Nativity Labyrinth as a four-fold path: at the entrance to the Labyrinth, pondering the gift of the holy child, Jesus, son of Mary; on the path toward the center, engaging the disordering and subversive work of Mary's Song (The Magnificat); at the center, presenting to God the holy child that is your life in Christ; on the path out, moving toward the gift of your life, sent out in peace by way of Simeon's Song (The Nunc Dimittis). St. Monica’s ECW invites you to join us as we carpool to Dothan for this wonderful experience. The trip to Dothan is approximately 165 mile and is expected to take about three hours so we will be leaving from the church parking lot at 6:30 am. The cost is $20 per person and registration forms are available in the narthex or you may download one here. For more information, contact Connie Chamberlin.
Summer Camp Registration Underway Summer Camp May 31—August 2 New this year! Family Camp! Summer camp weeks are age group specific. To register for your age group, visit www.beckwithal.com
Trey MacWhinnie
Connie Chamberlin Tom Chaapel & Dave Somerville Viv Welch Ushers Ray Farrel & Jeff Woods
Trey MacWhinnie
Chuck Barnett & Connie Chamberlin
Beth Woods
Ushers
Bill Ramsey & Jim Morningstar
Acolytes
Altar
Greeters
Oblation Bearers
Ushers
* If you are unable to meet your obligation, please call a replacement, or swap with someone.
Carol
Carol Farrel
Eucharistic Visitor
John Velaski
Pauline Somerville
Jeanine Black Valerie Smith
Jackie Wright
Arrangers
Ray Farrel
Open
Open
Open
Memorials
Flowers
POT LUCK
TBA
Ray Farrel & Bill Ramsey
Brunch
Juliana Horn &
TBA
Jim Morningstar & Frank Murphy
Ushers
Ron & Ann Philen
Bill & Sally Putters Ushers
Valerie Smith & Dave Somerville
John Velaski & Dave Somerville
Dave Somerville
Coffee Hour
Darby O’brien & Pauline Somerville
TBA
Chuck Barnett
Ron Philen
Beth Woods
Lector Epistle reading
TBA
John Velaski
Connie Chamberlin
Texan Stephens
Carol Farrel
Psalm
Nursery
Dan Ferguson
Pauline Somerville
Mike Scordato
Fred Woods
Ray Farrel
Connie Chamberlin
April 26
Dave Somerville
April 19
Frank Murphy
April 12
Ray Farrel
Eucharistic Minister Lector 1st Lesson
April 5
Service Schedule for April 2015
TBA
TBA
Ray Farrel
Beth Woods
Open
Linda Aligood & Brenda Ferguson
Ushers
Beth Woods
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
May 3
April Prayer Requests
Military and First Responders Prayer List
John Aligood Avery Beadle Don Blankenship Gabriel Ferguson Mike Godwin Connie Goodwin Anna Middlebrooks Hall William Hayes Felisa Hinz Nancy Holland
Connor Aligood Adam Blankenship Brian Condon Daryl Coy Mark Feely Patrick Ferguson Aaron Gaff Benjamin Gaff
Sherry Johnston Michael LaCosta Harper Grace Majors Bob Matlock Maggie Rose Rodak Texann Stephens Bill Welch Frank & Polly Welch Brennis Whaley
Birthdays in April…
Tim Hartford Johnny Hurd James Klinginsmith William Knapp Andrew Kuntz Nicholas Matroni Chase Scott Jeremy Wright
2, Kathryn Chaapel; 4, Ella Kizer; 5, James Warner; 7, Bernice Warner; 13, Rowena Chaapel; 15, Dawn Hayes; 20, Michael Scordato; 26, Audrey Westbrook, Rusty Sellers; 29, Brian Condon, Juliana Horn
Anniversaries in April… 12, Dan & Brenda Ferguson
If your birthday or anniversary is not listed or it is not correct, please let Viv Welch know.
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church 699 South Highway 95-A Cantonment, Florida 32533
Phone: 850-937-0001 E-mail: Office@st-monicas.org We’re on the web at Www.st-monicas.org The peace of the Lord be always with you.