Resurrection Episcopal Church, Rockdale We Gather Together

Transcription

1 Resurrection Episcopal Church, Rockdale We Gather Together January-February, 2017 JANUARY AND FEBRUARY EPIPHANY SEASON, THE SEASON OF MISSION This year, the months of January and February coincide almost totally with Epiphany season, which begins with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, when we remember Christ s being manifested to the Gentiles (the Wise Men), showing that God s love and Christ s Good News (Gospel) weren t just for a particular group, but for all people everywhere and in all times. This will be observed by some of us as five members of Resurrection are confirmed at the Cathedral. We bring Epiphany season to a close with the approach of the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday is March 1 this year). For the eight Sundays we have in Epiphany season this year, we concentrate on stories of mission and Christian community. The Gospel lessons are primarily about the calling of the first disciples, and how people reacted to Jesus asking them to change their lives in stark and startling ways. The second lessons (sometimes known at the Epistles) are primarily from the First Letter to the Corinthians, and are the apostle Paul s attempt to help a congregation pull itself together to do the work God has given it to do. Paralleling the Bible readings is the life of our congregation here at Resurrection, Rockdale [Funny how that seems to happen a lot!]. We set three major tasks for ourselves for this year: 1. Make the adjustments in how we live our lives as Resurrection Church reflecting the decision to center fewer resources (and fewer responsibilities) in and on the Priest, and invite the whole parish to step up in ministry and service. This we have worked on this past fall, and it has gone well so far! 2. The next part of our life together is discerning, embracing, and starting to carry out the particular mission of our parish. What is it that God is calling Resurrection, Rockdale, to do and to be as we build ourselves into the new parish we have begun? How do the strong traditions and histories of our predecessor congregations give us wisdom for this new era, new parish, new tasks? We ll be talking and reflecting on this a lot during Epiphany season (and the seasons which follow). Your prayers, your input, your actions will be essential as we discern the way forward that God wants [It d be a lot easier if we were just figuring out what we want!]. 3. Sort of working with the two tasks above is the development (through trial and error) of the new traditions of our parish. As we ve reminded ourselves often, it s sort of like the process two people go through after they marry. Every task has at least two answers to How we ve always done it. Sometimes the best choice for the new situation is the way one person s family did it [I call the heritage of our predecessor congregations the wisdom from the two sides of the family ]. Sometimes

2 the wiser tradition comes from the other side of the family. Often the new situation requires a totally new solution to a question. We just tried out a plan for decorating the Church for Christmas season that was not what either side of the family had done in the past (Although it was informed by the pasts of both predecessor congregations). This was something new, and we are presently looking at it to see if it s something we want to do again, or if changes are needed so it fits our life as our new parish together. And so, in our church calendar, in our Sunday Scripture readings, and in the life of our parish, we enter the Season of Mission. Please pray for the process of discerning our mission and life as the parish of Resurrection, Rockdale. It is through asking for the help of God (and then listening for God s response) that we will be able to conform our desires and thoughts and actions with God s will. Lucky the next season we enter after Epiphany Season is Lent, a season when our life together centers on precisely that. Happy New Year to all! May we welcome in this year the new which God sends us, and hold fast to the continuing Grace God has granted us in the past. And, as the prayer puts it, To have the wisdom to know the difference. Fr. Wand 2017 Calendar 1 The Holy Name of Lord Jesus Christ 9 am Rite I Service Altar Guild: Nancy Webber and Sandy Bryne Lay Reader: Rick Dunlap Chalicer Helen Dunlap Ushers: Charlie Simpson and Joe Bardoff 2 OFFICE and PRE-SCHOOL are Closed 3 Pre-school and Office Are Opened 4 5 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING 5 PM 6 CONFIRMATION Cathedral in Philadelphia 7 ECW Meeting 10 AM Undercroft Lenni Lifeline/AA Meeting 7:00 PM

3 8 First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ 8am Rite I Service Altar Guild: Nancy Webber and Sandy Bryne Lay Reader: Janet Russello Chalicer: Janet Russello am Rite II Service Lectors: 1 st Lesson: Ellen Stone 2 nd Lesson: Michelle Saunders Intercessor: Jude Winters Chalicer: Phyllis Russell 12 VESTRY Meeting 7 PM Lenni Lifeline AA Meeting 7 PM 15 The Second Sunday after the Epiphany 8 am Rite I Service Altar Guild: Nancy Webber Lay Reader: Diane Mundell Chalicer Diane Mundell 10am Rite II Service Lectors: 1 st Lesson: Debbie Ney 2 nd Lesson: Rosemary Bezuidenhout Intercessor: Jude Winters Chalicer: Pieter Bezuidenhout

4 STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Meeting 6 PM and American Legion AUX 7 pm Lenni Lifeline/AA Meeting 7 PM 22 The Third Sunday after the Epiphany 8 AM Rite I Service Altar Guild: Helen Dunlap Reader: Rick Dunlap Chalicer: Helen Dunlap Ushers: Charlie Simpson & Joe Bardroff 10 AM Rite II Service Lectors: 1 st Lesson: Amy George 2 nd Lesson: Pieter Bezuidenhout Intercessor: David George Chalicer: Rosemary Bezuidenhout PROPERTY COMMITTEE Meeting 6 PM Lenni Lifeline/AA Meeting 7 PM 29 The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany 8 AM Rite I Service Altar Guild: Helen Dunlap Reader: Helen Dunlap Chalicer: Helen Dunlap Ushers: Charlie Simpson & Joe Bardroff

5 AM Rite II Service Lectors: 1 st Lesson: Michelle Saunders 2 nd Lesson: Ellen Stone Intercessor: Joan Riccardi Chalicer: Karen Warren 1 2 FINANCE COMMITTEE Meeting 5 PM 3 4 ECW MEETING 10 AM Lenni Lifeline/ AA Meeting 7 PM 5 The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany and in celebration of Angela Oppelt s 20 th birthday by the Oppelt Family. 8am Rite I Service Altar Guild: Lay Reader: Janet Russello Chalicer: Janet Russello 10am Rite II Service Lectors: 1 st Lesson: Rose Schwitters 2 nd Lesson: Amy George Intercessor: David George Chalicer: Phyllis Russell

6 VESTRY MEETING 7 PM The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany 8am Rite I Service Altar Guild: Lay Reader: Rick Dunlap Chalicer: Helen Dunlap 10am Rite II Service Lectors: 1 st Lesson: Rosemary Bezuidenhout 2 nd Lesson: Karen Warren Intercessor: Jude Winters Chalicer: Pieter Bezuidenhout STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE Meeting 6 PM and American Legion AUX 7 pm Lenni Lifeline/AA Meeting 7 PM 19 The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany and in loving memory of Linda Eva Boyer by the Saunders and Camp families 8am Rite I Service Altar Guild: Lay Reader: Janet Russello Chalicer: Janet Russello

7 10am Rite II Service Lectors: 1 st Lesson: Pieter Bezuidenhout 2 nd Lesson: Ellen Stone Intercessor: Rose Schwitters Chalicer: Rosemary Bezuidenhout Lenni Lifeline/AA Meeting 7 PM 26 The Last Sunday after the Epiphany 8am Rite I Service Altar Guild: Lay Reader: Jude Winters Chalicer: Jude Winters am Rite II Service Lectors: 1 st Lesson: Debbie Ney 2 nd Lesson: Phyllis Russell Intercessor: Joan Riccardi Chalicer: Phyllis Russell

8 1 ASH WEDNESDAY 12:00 Rite I Service Altar Guild: Nancy Webber Lay Reader: Phyllis Russell Chalicer: Phyllis Russell 7 PM Rite II Service Altar Guild: Karen Warren and Helen Dunlap Lectors: 1 st Lesson: Rick Dunlap 2 nd Lesson: Rick Dunlap Intercessor: Helen Dunlap Chalicer: Karen Warren During January and February -prayers are requested for this congregation, especially those in any need or trouble Kathren Beebe, Debra Bell, Maria Castaldo, Ellie Evans, Will Evans, Dolores Gray, Vita Green, Ardythe Hope, Isobel Jones, Pastor Daniel Nicewonger, KurtRappold, Jr. (in Florida), Lisa Rich, Bridget Ross, Russello Family, Jeffrey Simpson, Brad Speakman, Ken Steitz, Sue St. John White, John Stone, Savanah Taylor, Becky Thomas, Dale Tibbitts, Aileen Traynor, Russell Turner, Carol Watson, Hazel and Henry Will, and Mike Wilson. BEAT THE BUG How to prevent the flu: ANNOUNCEMENTS Who should get the vaccine? Everyone 6 months of age and older. Cover your cough with a tissue Wash your hands frequently If you feel sick and have a fever, STAY HOME Get the flu shot.

9 PROPERTY COMMITTEE: We are in DESPERATE need for help on the property committee. No experience necessary! We will start meeting on the 4 th Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM in the undercroft. Please contact Phyllis Russell (610) or Helen Dunlap (610) Our first meeting will be on Thursday January 26, 2017 and Thursday, February 23, 2017 INCLEMENT WEATHER: It is getting that time of the year when the weather is totally unpredictable. Please call the office to check if there will be services if it is snowy or icy. Be on the safe side call first before venturing out. Resurrection Church: Remember if Penn Delco School District is closed so is the OFFICE. ALTAR FLOWERS: As of JANUARY 1, 2017 the price of the altar flowers will be $35.00 due the increase by the florist. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthax for the New Year. Any questions, please contact: Karen Warren. OFFICE STAFFING Needed: The Church office needs to be staffed while Fr. Wand has appointments Thursday afternoons and Tuesday and Thursday early evenings. If you can assist with this occasional ministry, please contact Fr. Wand or one of the Wardens (Ernestine Franz or Helen Dunlap) OUTREACH: Thank you to all who made someone happy and helped them enjoy the holidays by sponsoring an Angel at Fair Acres and The Penn Delco School District : Leigh Oppelt (610) We received this note:

10 Dear Leigh and the Resurrection Episcopal Church Congregation, Thank you so much for the clothing and toys that you provided to Pennell Elementary. 8 children/5 families from our school community are going to have a wonderful Christmas because of your generosity. Happy Holidays! Sincerely, Janet Kruger (School Counselor) & Eileen Martin (School Principal) COFFEE HOUR: If you are interested in helping to provide snacks, and clean-up after the 10:00AM service, please sign up in the undercroft. If there is a Sunday when no one has signed up there will be no coffee hour after the 10:00AM service. CHALICERS and READERS If you are interested in becoming a Chalicer and Reader please speak with Ernestine Franz or Helen Dunlap. CHOIR CHOIR PRACTICE at 9:00AM Sunday. If you are interested in joining us, please see Debbie Ney FINANCE COMMITTEE Please be aware of the new starting time for the FINANCE MEETINGS 5 PM There will be a Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, January 5 and February 2, 2017 at 5 pm in the office.

11 CONFIRMATION CLASS Any adults interested in pursuing Confirmation or being received into this Church, please contact Father Wand. The Confirmation Class of Resurrection Church was confirmed at the Cathedral on January 6, Congratulations to the following: Lindsay Grace Allison, Kylie Renee Benditt, Marissa Cervantez, Craig Richard Kline, Kyle Jordan Kline, and Julia Mei Oppelt. VESTRY The Vestry meets on the 2 nd Thursday of the month, January 12 and February 9 at 7 PM in the undercroft. Vestry meetings are always open to everyone. ECW ECW meets the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM (January 7 and February 4) For more information contact Karen Warren STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE There will be a Stewardship meeting on Thursday, January 19 and February 16, 2017 at 6 PM in the office. ASH WEDNESDAY: March 1, 2017 Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Church's observation of Lent, that time of preparation and reflection leading up to Easter. It is customary to burn the palms from the previous Palm Sunday and use the resulting ashes to mark a cross on our foreheads. In the Old Testament, covering oneself with ashes was a sign of repentance and mourning. Ashes also came to symbolize our mortality, reminding humankind, "You are dust and to dust you shall return." (Gen. 3:19). There will be two services: Noon and 7:00 PM

12 Resurrection Pre-School 9 AM until 12 noon 3 and 4 year olds We offer 5 day classes for our 4 year olds 3 day classes (M/W/F) for our 3 year olds. Reasonable Rates Children need to be toilet trained for enrollment. Please call the office for more information and pricing. DAWN VISCUSI Pre-School Administrator HOAGIE SALE Our WaWa hoagie coupon sale continues! We are selling coupons at $3.50 each for a WaWa shorie hoagie, of which we keep a small profit from each sale. The coupons can be used at all WaWa s and have NO expiration date. If you are interested, please fill out the order form below and return it with payment to the church office. Thank you for your support! NAME: Phone: # of hoagie Coupons: X $3.50 each Total Enclosed: Resurrection Episcopal Church, Rockdale 2131 Mount Road, Aston, PA The Rev. Thomas Wand, Priest in Charge Resurrctionpriest@verizon.net PHONE: resurrectionrockdaleoffice1@verizon.net Website:

13 Vestry: Resurrection Episcopal Church, Rockdale Helen Dunlap Rector s Warden Ernestine Franz Rosemary Bezuidenhout People s Warden Treasurer Marsha Litwin Secretary Barbara Krisack Phyllis Russell Charlie Simpson Fr. Thomas Wand Priest in Charge