THE ANNUNCIATION. VOLUME XXXI No. 12 December Saint Mary s Church 337 Charlotte Street Asheville, North Carolina

Transcription

1 THE ANNUNCIATION VOLUME XXXI No. 12 December 2015 Saint Mary s Church 337 Charlotte Street Asheville, North Carolina

2 THE ANNUNCIATION - December St. Mary s Episcopal Church, Asheville, NC FROM THE RECTOR Father Brent Norris Christmas has not been just Christmas in a long time. At one time Christmas was a purely religious observance of the birth of Christ. It was kept simply with church and family gatherings. Then commercialism caught hold of it and found an opportunity to make a buck and soon gift giving and Santa Clause, Rudolph and Black Friday had wedged into the mix. We have to be honest that for most people in the world in which we live Christmas is not a purely religious observance. And for better or worse the true Christian observance of Christmas has been dragged along for the ride. Every so often theologians around the world start chattering about how Christmas has been lost to commercialism. Some make the case for changing the date of the observance of the birth of Christ to the last Sunday in December and let the world have December 25 th for their non-religious commerce fueled use. I like the idea. It would give the church four full weeks of Advent, which would let the Church really experience the fullness of that season without it being simply a lead up to Christmas. It would make a clear distinction between the Christian celebration of the Word made flesh and the romantic nostalgia associated with Christmases past. It would put the celebration of the Incarnation of God always on a Sunday, which makes good theological sense. It would also put the feast of the Holy Name (the Eighth Day of Christmas) also on a Sunday. Maybe someday that will happen. One can hope. But it will not happen this year, which means that the Christian meaning and reason for Christmas will once again be fighting for space in our calendars and wallets with the Christmas of Hollywood, Hallmark and Wall Street. Please don t hear me say that I think that the things associated with the secular observance of the season are bad. I like Rudolph and Miracle on 34 th Street and children setting out cookies and milk for Santa. But I think those things need to take a clear secondary position to Nativity scenes and Advent Wreaths. I think we need to let Christmas be Christmas as it was. And I think we will be the better for it if we do. To do this we must make intentional choices about resisting the cultural push to spend and do more than is reasonable. We must make sure that our homes reflect the birth of Our Savior as much as they reflect snowmen, sleigh rides and silver bells. Jesus came among us in modest simplicity. We do well to honor his birth in the same manner. Christmas will come, but not before the 25 th of December. Then, there will be cause to celebrate and feast. ADVENT SERVICES The annual ecumenical Advent services continue on Wednesday evenings: December 2 December 9 December 16 St. Paul s Methodist St. Mark s Lutheran St. Mary s The evening begins with a Soup/Sandwich Supper at 6:00 pm and the worship following at 7:00 pm.

3 Alternative Market 2015 This holiday season, give a gift that makes a difference St. Mary s will be hosting its annual Alternative Market during the Sundays of Advent, (December 6, December 13, and December 20). You may purchase items at the back of the church following the 11:00 am Mass or place your order form and check in the offering plate during the 8:00 am service. Here s How it Will Work. Give a donation in honor of someone this Christmas in place of a tangible gift! Obtain an order form from the back of the church during Advent. Choose one of the charities and indicate the donation you would like to make in someone s honor. Complete the order form and attach your payment. (Checks made out to St. Mary s.) Take home a card and envelope to give to your loved one, explaining the gift you gave in their honor. Contact Father Norris with any questions. ASHEVILLE CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA AND EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY Join the Asheville Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Everytown for Gun Safety in demonstrating our shared commitment to reduce gun violence. On Saturday, December 12, at 10:30 am, families, survivors, faith leaders, and elected officials will meet at Pack Square Park, 121 College Street. Don t forget to wear orange; the color that symbolizes to hunters: we are human, don t shoot. For more information contact: NC@momschapterleaders.org or Virginia McKnight FLOWER CHART The new flower chart for 2016 will soon be posted in the church porch. Sign up early to reserve the dates for which you want to provide altar and shrine flowers in The price is $ Reminder: If you signed up for flowers in 2015 and have not sent your payment of $30.00 in, please do so as soon as possible. CHRISTMAS SERVICE SCHEDULE AT ST. MARY S THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 - The Eve of the Nativity 4:00 pm Children Mass with Pageant 8:00 pm Festive Mass FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 - Christmas Day The Christmas Wreaths on the front doors of the church are given by Gaylen Saunders to the Glory of God and in loving memory of her husband John Saunders

4 DECEMBER PRAYER CYCLE Daily Prayers for: Diocese, Anglican Communion, Religious Communities St. Andrews, Bessemer City Diocese of West Tennessee Sisters of the Community of St. Mary, Sewanee St. Francis, Rutherfordton Diocese of West Texas All Saints Sisters of the Poor, Catonsville, MD St. Peter-by-the-Lake, Denver Dioceses of West Virginia & Southern Virginia Sisters of the Community of the Holy Spirit, New York Church of the Advocate, Asheville Diocese of Western Izon (Nigeria) Sisters of the Community of St. Francis, San Francisco St. Luke s & Our Saviour, Lincolnton Diocese of Western Kansas Sisters of the Community of St. John the Baptist, NJ St. Gabriel s, Rutherfordton Diocese of Western Louisiana Sisters of the Community of St. Mary, Greenwich, NY Redeemer, Shelby Diocese of Western Michigan Sisters of the Transfiguration, San Pedro, DR All Saints & St. Mark s, Gastonia Diocese of Western New York Sisters of St. Mary, West Province, Mukwonago, WI Deerfield & St. Giles, Asheville Diocese of Western Tanganyika (Tanzania) Sisters of the Church, Oakville, Ontario Thompson Home, Charlotte Diocese of Wiawso (Ghana, West Africa) Sisters of the Transfiguration, Cincinnati, OH Holy Communion, Glendale Springs Diocese of Willochra (Australia) Brothers of the Holy Cross, West Park, NY Christ, Sparta Diocese of Winchester (Canterbury, England) Sisters/Brothers of Julian of Norwich, Waukesha, WI Holy Cross, Valle Crucis Diocese of Windward Islands (West Indies) Sisters of St. Anne, Bethany Convent, Arlington, MA The Savior, Newland Diocese of Worchester (Canterbury, England) Sisters of St. Anne, Ascension Convent, Chicago, IL Trinity, Spruce Pine Diocese of Wusasa (Nigeria) Sisters of the Society of St. Margaret, Boston 16 St. Thomas, Burnsville Diocese of Wyoming Sisters of the Order of St. Helena, Augusta, GA 17 St. Luke s, Boone Diocese of Yambio (Sudan) The Community of Taize 18 St. Mary s, Blowing Rock Diocese of Yangon (Myanmar) Brothers of St. Gregory s Abbey, Three Rivers, MI 19 Calvary, Fletcher Diocese of Yei (Sudan) Brothers of the Servants of Christ Priory, Phoenix, AZ 20 St. Joseph s, Christ School Diocese of Yewa (Nigeria) Sisterhood of the Holy Nativity, Ripon, WI 21 Good Shepherd & Holy Cross, Tryon Diocese of Yirol (Sudan) Sisters of Charity, Little Britain, Ontario 22 St. James & La Capilla De Santa Maria, Hendersonville Diocese of Yokohama (Japan) Sisters of St. John the Divine, Toronto 23 St. Philip s, Brevard Diocese of Uola (Nigeria) Brothers of the Society of St. Francis, Mt. Sinai, NY 24 Transfiguration, Bat Cave Diocese of York (England) Brothers of St. John the Evangelist, Cambridge, MA 25 St. Paul s, Edneyville Diocese of Ysabel (Melanesia) Sisters of the Society of St. Margaret, Port-au-Prince 26 Transfiguration, Saluda Diocese of Yukon (Canada) Priests of the Society of St. Paul, Palm Desert, CA 27 Holy Family, Mills River Dioceses of Zaki-Biam (Nigeria) Sisters of Teachers of the Children of God, Tucson, AZ 28 St. John-in-the-Wilderness, Flat Rock Diocese of Zanzibar (Tanzania) New Vocations 29 Valle Crucis Conference Center Diocese of Zaria (Nigeria) Associates of Religious Orders 30 Kanuga Conference Center Diocese of Zonkwa (Nigeria) Religious Communities in the Anglican Communion 31 National Episcopal Church Diocese of Zululand (Southern Africa) Oblates of Religious Orders

5 MINISTRIES SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER Server 8:00 am December 6 December 13 December 20 December 24 December 27 D. Moltke-Hansen J. Kilbourne N. Brunner XXX G. Presley Reader(s) C. Untz M. Turowski D. Moltke-Hansen 4:00 pm D. Walsh Andrew Blankinship 8:00 pm S. Sesko Altar Party 11:00 am Counters L. Farr T. Crenshaw Andrea Blankinship C. Untz J. Mercier C. Longoria XXX R. Watson T. Naomi Ushers 11:00 am B. Perry G. Presley B. Perry G. Presley M. Stanley B. Stanley XXX M. Stanley B. Stanley Coffee Hour P. Wooten W. Donehower Strimples XXX PASTYME AT SOLEMN EVENSONG ON JANUARY 5 Observances of the Epiphany this year will include: Solemn Evensong and Te Deum on Tuesday, January 5, at 7:00 pm., and Low Mass on Wednesday, January 6, at 12:05 pm. The Solemn Evensong of Twelfth Night will be sung by Pastyme, Asheville s premier a cappella singers. They will sing the canticles to tunes by Henry Purcell. The officiant will be the Rev d Stephen Weissman, who will also be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood then. A reception will follow in the parish hall. NOTICE +++ The deadline to submit articles for the January 2016 newsletter will be December FROM THE REGISTER ATTENDANCE REPORT 8:00 am 11:00 am Total November November November November November

6 C H R I S T M A S F L O W E R S The accompanying check/cash in the amount of $25.00 is for Christmastide decorations in St. Mary s Church given to the Glory of Our Incarnate Lord in loving memory of: in thanksgiving for: Name: Please return by Sunday, December 20

7 St. Mary s Church DECEMBER 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Nicholas Ferrar John of 5 Damascus 7:00 pm Dancers/MH 6:00 pm Supper & Service/St. Paul s 7:30 pm Choir 6:15 Convivio/KH 7:30 pm Mass at Craggy Prison (Rite I) (Fr. Woggon) Al-Anon/MH 12-3:00 pm Meeting/EH 6 ADVENT II 8:00 am Mass Blue 9:45 am Atrium 9:45 am Forum 11:00 am High Mass 12:30 pm Handbells 7 Nicholas (transferred) Rector s Day off (Fr. Austin) 8 Ambrose (transferred) 1:00 pm Staff 6:30 pm ECW/KH 9 12:30 pm Clergy Lunch 6:00 pm Supper & Service/St. Mark s 7:30 pm Choir 10 7:30 pm Mass at Craggy Prison 11 + Thomas Merton (transferred) (Rite I) (Fr. Weissman) 12 Al-Anon/MH 6:30 pm Magic Show/EH 7:00 pm Dancers/MH 13 ADVENT III: Rose Sunday 8:00 am Mass Rose 9:45 am Atrium 9:45 am Forum 11:00 am High Mass 12:30 pm Handbells 12:45 pm Vestry/KH 14 Lucy (transferred) Rector s Day off (Fr. Austin) 15 John Horden 7:00 pm Dancers/MH 16 6:00 pm Supper & Service/St. Mary s 7:00 pm Grove Park Board/KH 7:30 pm Choir 17 6:15 Convivio/KH 7:30 pm Mass at Craggy Prison 18 + Lillian Trasher (Rite I) (Fr. Weissman) 19 Confessions Al-Anon/MH 20 ADVENT IV 8:00 am Mass Blue 9:45 am Atrium 9:45 am Forum 11:00 am High Mass 12:30 pm Handbells 12:30 pm Decorating the Church 27 CHRISTMAS I 8:00 am Mass 11:00 am Lessons & Carols and Mass 21 ST. THOMAS Rector s Day off (Fr. Austin) 28 Holy Innocents Rector s Day off (Fr. Austin) 22 Henry Budd 7:00 pm Dancers/MH 29 Thomas Becket 23 7:30 pm Choir EVE OF THE NATIVITY Parish Office closed 4:00 pm Gold Children s Mass with Pageant 8:00 pm Festive Mass Parish Office closed 7:30 pm Mass at Craggy Prison 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Parish Office closed (Rite I) (Fr. Weissman) 26 Al-Anon/MH MH: Mercer Hall EH: Emmaus Hall KH: Ketchum House

8 St. Mary s Church 337 Charlotte Street, Asheville, North Carolina Phone: Fax: mail@stmarysasheville.org Website: saintmarys.diocesewnc.org CLERGY The Rt. Rev d G. Porter Taylor Bishop of Western North Carolina The Rev d Brent Norris Rector The Rev d Michael Ashmore -- Deacon The Rev d William Austin Priest Associate & Prison Missioner The Rev d O. C. Edwards Priest Associate The Rev d Stephen Weissman Priest Associate The Rev d Harry Woggon Priest Associate VESTRY AND OFFICERS Tom Naomi Senior Warden Roger Watson Junior Warden Harold Cole Treasurer Stephen Sesko Clerk of the Vestry Larry Farr - Class of 16 Jodie Mercier Carolyn Untz Christine Longoria - Class of 17 Tom Naomi Roger Watson Andrea Blankinship Class of 18 Trisha Crenshaw STAFF Mary Alice Nard - Parish Administrator Virginia McKnight Organist/Music Director Genelda Woggon - Catechist Harvey Johnson Sexton Mica Waters - Charlotte Street Kids