SOUNDINGS The Newsletter of Saint John s Episcopal Parish, Hagerstown, Maryland

Transcription

1 SOUNDINGS The Newsletter of Saint John s Episcopal Parish, Hagerstown, Maryland AUGUST 2015 Welcome to the Rev. Canon Kim Baker The vestry at its May meeting called the Rev. Canon Kim Baker to be our interim rector. Rev. Baker comes to us from the Diocese of Washington. Her work history includes being on the Washington Cathedral staff, chaplain at the Washington Episcopal School, rector at St. Peter s in Westfield, New York, and assistant, associate, and curate at St. Thomas in San Antonio, Texas. Recently, she has completed sixty hours in transitional ministry training. Her function as an interim is the same but different from being the rector. Both are in charge of spiritual and worshipful life of the parish. The rector looks at the long term in decision making and relationships while the interim is involved for the short term addressing situations that might need changing in preparation for the new rector. Rev. Baker is comfortable in a variety of liturgical settings ranging from contemporary to traditional. She feels the ultimate goal of pastoral care is to remind us of the living God who is with us and loves us no matter what. She is open and nonjudgmental in allowing people to confront profound spiritual challenges they may be experiencing. Understanding that ministry is not limited to working in a church, Rev. Baker strives to help others discover ways in their daily work that can be a true ministry. She feels she will continue to bring energy to St. John s that has already been established and will continue to welcome others and build community. Please welcome Canon Baker into our parish family. In This Issue: Music Notes pg. 2 Health Ministries pg. 4 Parish Profile pg. 5 Hats Off pg. 7 EfM Update pg. 8 Birthdays/Anniv. pg. 8

2 Music Notes Choir Opportunities Beginning in September For your planning needs, here is the schedule for choirs: Saint Francis Choir (grades 1-3) and Canterbury Choir (grades 4-12)* Schedule for Monday Rehearsals: 5:00 p.m. Saint Francis Choir rehearsal 5:30 p.m. Dinner for both Saint Francis and Canterbury Choirs 5:45 p.m. Canterbury Choir rehearsal Parish Choir (grades 9-12 and adults)* Rehearses on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. *Youth in grades 9-12 have the option of either singing in the Canterbury or Parish Choir. For more information about the choirs, please speak with Mark King x 108, mking.stjohns@myactv.net. Antiphonal Organ to be Completed In 1984 the Antiphonal Organ was given to the parish by the Fleigh Family and Foundation in memory of Robert Rouskulp Fleigh ( ), devoted vestryman, choir member, and lay reader. A set of pipes called a Trompette en Chamade (horizontal trumpets) was part of the 1984 Antiphonal Organ design, however, was never installed. After 31 years the Antiphonal Organ will be completed due to the strong desire and wishes of deceased parishioner, Florence Korb for the church to have the Trompette en Chamade. Her gift, honoring the Music Ministry of John Whitmore, a long-time Chorister and Director of the Parish Choir, along with gifts by past and present members of the Parish Choir, in thanksgiving for Mark King, on the occasion of his 20th anniversary as Minister of Music, makes the completion of the Antiphonal Organ a reality. The Vestry approved this gift at their May 2014 meeting. There have been many delays and interruptions in the long process of designing, making and installing the Trompette en Chamade, including the illness and passing of our organ curator, Craig Doyle. Honoring the original 1984 design, the Trompette en Chamade will be installed under the large stained-glass 2

3 window between the 2 sets of existing Antiphonal Organ pipes. Since the pipes are mounted horizontally instead of vertically, they will not obscure the stained-glass window. It is projected that the Trompette en Chamade could possibly be ready for installation sometime this fall. More information about this project will be shared as it is available. Mark King Participates in Church Music Conference The Association of Anglican Musicians Conference took place in Tampa, Florida in mid June. Among the components of the conference were worship experiences including Eucharist, Choral Matins, Choral Evensong and Compline, in various forms of liturgical expression (Anglo-catholic, broad church, and low church traditions.) The liturgies took place in a number of places including Saint Andrew s Episcopal Church, Tampa; Saint John s Episcopal Church, Tampa; Saint Thomas Church, Snell Island; Sykes Chapel on the campus of University of Tampa; and Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota. Each place was architecturally unique, however a common element was hard surface flooring such as wood, tile or slate, which greatly enhanced the acoustics for hearing the proclaimed Word of God, congregational singing, and choral singing. Sermons were preached by The Rev. Canon Dr. Thomas Williams (Conference Preacher), The Right Rev. Dabney Smith, and The Rev. Dr. John Hooker. Musical leadership for the liturgies were by the Saint Andrew s Choir, Saint John s Choir, and The Gulf Coast Youth Choir. Professional development sessions included a voice workshop entitled Keeping the singer s voice healthy presented by an ENT from Tampa, Contemplative Evensong based on the Sarum Rite, and Anthem reading sessions by Advent Press, Biretta Books, Cliff Hill Music, and Selah Publishing. Concerts included the Rose Choral Ensemble, organ recitals by Haig Mardirosian and Joshua Stafford; and the Palm Harbor University High School Choral Ensemble. Saint John s, Hagerstown will be the beneficiary of this continued education enrichment of attending the Anglican Musicians Conference, which will be reflected in our future worship and music offerings. 3

4 This and that from Parish Health Last week twelve persons from St. John s attended class and became certifi ed in CPR and the use of the AED. They are: Bill Alexander Kathy Fuscsick Carol Bachtell Harvey Hogamier Charles Brining Gaye Mertz Charles Chaney Jerry Sowers Helen Cook Bob Speelman Karla Davis Fred Wright We all hope that none of these skills will be needed, but they may save a life. Please remember to thank these individuals for their participation in this important program. The Parish Health council is working on some exciting programs for the fall. Please watch for more information in Soundings or on the bulletin board in Trimble Hall. You will find it on the wall to the left as you go up the stairs to St. Mary s Chapel. The first one is an exercise program. The other one is a surprise. 4

5 Parish Profile Committee St. John s 2015 The vestry at its June meeting approved the following members for the Parish Profile Committee: Jackie Alexander, Bob Speelman, Karla Davis, Mike Mummert, Stephny Lietuvnikas,, Marty Massey, Mark Cook, Gary Heichel, Frank Carden, Tammy Martinez, and Joyce Chabot. Joyce will serve as chair. This is a great group of people who represent a broad spectrum of our parish and have the good of St. John s among their foremost interests. As we know the first phase of our search for a new rector is the writing of the parish profile. This raises many questions. What is our past and present and what do we want for our future? What is God s call today? What is our mission and our ministry? What does all of this say about the clergy leadership God is calling for our new rector? During this process the committee will provide the congregation with numerous opportunities to participate through special meetings, meetings with committees, commissions, individuals, new members, and those who have been members for many years, surveys, and questionnaires. This is the time for the parish to get in touch with its own story- its gifts, challenges, history, letting go of the past and focusing on the future God is calling us to do. This report will become the basic tool to reach out and invite potential candidates for our new rector by the search committee. When the aforementioned opportunities arise, please make an effort to share your feelings in determining the criteria for St. John s future and leadership. St. John s Vision and Mission Statements Vision: We will be a vibrant and diverse community transformed by God s reconciling love. Mission: We welcome all persons to a safe place to experience and share the good news of Christ. We seek to serve Christ in all persons through service projects dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger and increasing participation in education. 5

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7 HATS OFF TO: Congratulations to Becky Hogamier on her election as President of Hagerstown, MD. Sunrise Rotary Club. This is a huge commitment to her club and we know she will do well! As always, keep me in the loop by sending information to my address: uofapsu@verizon.net. Feel free also to pull me aside to share your good news so I may share it with St. Johns. Kelly Slocum NEEDED! VAN DRIVERS! We are currently in need of church van drivers for our Sunday 10:15 services. The church van is vital to parishioners who might otherwise not be able to attend services to join us for worship and fellowship. If interested, please contact Kevin Hebb at or k.hebb@myactv.net. 7

8 Education for Ministry (EFM) Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. During the Service of Confirmation we ask God to "Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them." EfM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service. Through study, prayer, and reflection, our EfM group moves toward a new understanding of the fullness of God's kingdom. Our meetings always include, reflections on our weekly readings, discussion of current events in our own life to the world in general, worship, light snacks and lots of laughter. On special occasions we are privileged and delighted when Father Joe Rickards drops in to add to our discussion. Enrollment is now in progress for next years group. We meet on Thursday nights, 6-9 pm, September May. Although there is a cost for the lessons and materials, the Diocese offers a continuing Ed Grant that offsets some of the cost. If you would like to join us next Fall, or find out more about the program visit the website: efm.sewanee.edu. Evvie Williams, Mentor , evvie@myactv.net HAPPY BIRTHDAY David Abeles 8/01 Jon Leonard 8/01 Bill Abeles Sr. 8/02 Charles Brining 8/03 Sherrie Burkholder 8/04 Joe Tischer 8/05 Ruth Ann Ogle 8/06 Joe Rose 8/06 Jim Burdett 8/07 James Ide 8/07 Brenda Price 8/08 Tania Anderson 8/09 MacGuy Seekford 8/11 Glenda Fuller 8/12 Margaret O. Mcelroy 8/12 Charles Abeles 8/14 Roderick Cox 8/14 Chris Downs 8/14 Zach Myers 8/15 Kevin Hebb 8/16 Christopher James 8/16 Cristina Mcknight 8/16 Robert Speelman 8/18 Hayden Ritchie 8/20 Gerrie Magnum 8/21 James Sybert 8/21 Steve Adelmeyer 8/24 Krista Downs 8/24 Donald Carpenter 8/25 Doree Brinson 8/26 Matthew Burger 8/27 Breese Dickinson 8/28 Isabel Garver 8/28 Ciano Snetsinger 8/28 Jalen Mcclary 8/29 Leigh Sappenfield 8/30 Happy August Anniversaries! Mark & Mimi Dickinson 8/01 Jacob & Yvonne Ritchie 8/02 Rob & Kelly Slocum 8/02 Brian & Sherrie Burkholder 8/04 Roger & Ellen Collins 8/08 Jim & Marylou Ballard 8/12 Jim & Doree Brinson 8/12 Bob & Karla Davis 8/16 Bill & Dusty Graham 8/21 Cathy & Frank Bushey 8/29 Bill & Dolores Maletzky 8/29 8