Our Mission: January Growing together in Christ transforms lives. Taking down the Greens after King s Cake in Parish Hall

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1 - 1 - January 2016 Our Mission: Growing together in Christ transforms lives. We embody Christ's presence by reaching out to receive with open hands and to share with open heart the Word of God, the Bread of Life. In this Issue: Epiphany 2 Bulletin Board News 3 In Memoriam 4 and the Visit of the Magi to the Christ Child on Sunday, January 3 rd following the 10:30 service. There will be a King s cake and a visit from the Wise Men. From the Rector s desk 5 Children s Library in Pictures 7-10 Master Schedule 11 service schedule-back Cover Jan 3 Taking down the Greens after King s Cake in Parish Hall Jan 10 Lunch and a Movie : 42 with Adrian Zabala Jan 24 St. Timothy s Day 11:45 AM Lunch by Dana Andersen-Wyman Followed by Annual Parish Meeting and concurrent children s program LOOKING AHEAD: Feb 9 5:30 PM Shrove Tuesday Pancakes and Jazz Feb 10 12:00 Noon & 7:30 PM Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes

2 - 2 - The Feast and Season of Epiphany This manifestation (revelation) of Christ to the Gentiles is observed on January 6. Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning showing forth, appearance, manifestation, revelation. The Feast of the Epiphany proclaims the good news that Jesus revealed God to all humanity. At Christmas the church celebrates the birth of Jesus, when God entered fully into the human experience. This Sunday takes the Christmas proclamation one step further, when the divine revelation in Jesus was revealed to the world as the magi came from the east. The eve of the Feast of Epiphany (Twelfth Night) marks the end of the Christmas celebration. The Epiphany, January 6, is followed by a period of Sundays after the Epiphany the length of the Epiphany season varies in length from four to nine Sundays, depending on the date of Easter that year. The Last Sunday of Epiphany is celebrated as Transfiguration Sunday. Green symbolizes our growth in understanding of Christ among us. - From The Episcopal Educator s Handbook - The deadline for submissions for the February 2016 issue of Sticks and Stones is Midnight January 24, COMMUNION MEDITATIONS AND RETREAT For children in 2 nd and 3 rd grade. Wednesdays in February (3, 10, 17, 24) from 6:00-7:00pm And Saturday, February 27 th from 9:00am-3:00pm These meditations and retreat originated with Sofia Cavaletti and her work with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The children reflect together on Jesus words in the fifteenth chapter of John: I am the true vine and my father is the vine grower and other scriptures, in order to more fully appreciate the gift God has given us in the Eucharist. On our retreat day we enjoy God s creation, create expressions of our joy, and prepare to participate in the service the next day, February 28 th. The children will discern their readiness to participate in these meditations and retreat during their Sunday morning formation in the Level II atrium. Sticks and Stones, a monthly newsletter for members and friends of St. Timothy s Episcopal Church 200 Oyster Creek Drive Lake Jackson, TX (979) The Rev. Andrew D. Parker, Rector aparker@stimothy.org The Rev. Elizabeth W. Parker, Associate Rector lparker@stimothy.org Newsletter deadline is the third Tuesday of the preceding month. Editor & Publisher: Judy Armstrong jarmstrong@stimothy.org

3 Sunday, January Lunch at 11:45 a.m. Movie at 12:15 p.m. St. Timothy's Youth Hall In 1946 Branch Rickey, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, took a stand against Major League Baseball's infamous color line when he signed Jackie Robinson to the team. The deal put both men in the crosshairs of the public, the press and even other players. Facing blatant, aggressive racism from every side, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and let his talent on the field win over fans and his teammates--- silencing his critics and forever changing the world by changing the game of baseball. "42" stars Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford. The 2013 film is rated PG-13 (thematic elements, strong racist language) and is 128 minutes in length. Adrian Zabala will lead the discussion following the movie. Ballpark food fare will be on the menu, so please sign up at the M&M table to insure sufficient peanuts and Crackerjacks! Childcare will be available. Contact Lela Seay ( , ljseay1.9@gmail.com) for additional information. Average Sunday Attendance 2015 January-October 144 November 151 January-November 145 During this year 2016 St. Timothy s will celebrate some significant milestone anniversaries Our Church Our Pipe Organ The Hall After school Program The Parkers (Andy & Liz) 60 Years 35 Years 25 Years 15 Years

4 - 4 - from In Memoriam Lord Alfred Tennyson, Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die. Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true. Ring out the grief that saps the mind For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, The faithless coldness of the times; Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes But ring the fuller minstrel in. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.

5 - 5 - Dear ones, I ve been drawn to the ideals of monastic community since I was at least twelve years old. In fact, before entering seminary I actually tested a monastic vocation. After four months, I knew that test was a resounding negative! The pull of becoming a husband and father was too strong, among other reasons. However, I know the monk archetype still is still strong for me and I am still drawn to the many expressions of intentional Christian community which seem to be popping up more and more, aspiring to the original community in Jerusalem described in Acts 2.42: They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and at their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. As individuals and nuclear families become more insulated in our society, the experience of this kind of genuine community is longed for more and more. Two communal practices of the parish church have for many years sustained me and reminded me that, although I live as a householder, I am still part of a vital Christian community. The first is praying Daily Morning and Evening Prayer, a practice which Thomas Cranmer based upon the monastic offices of his day. The Daily Office weaves scripture, prayer, reflection and community into daily life, keeping step with the diurnal rhythms of nature. At St. Timothy s, we pray Evening Prayer together on weekdays in Lent and on Fridays through the year. (In addition, most days I pray an abbreviated version of Morning Prayer at home. Even though I m by myself, I feel the practice connects me with the ongoing worldwide voice of prayer.) The second practice is proportional giving (or tithing); that is, prayerfully and intentionally giving over a substantial portion of the riches God has blessed me with, for the work of the Body of Christ. Unlike the monastics or the first Christians in Jerusalem, I m not letting go of 100% of my wealth, but I feel that even one tenth makes a real contribution to our life together and this little leavens the whole lump. I happened upon a third communal practice only last Sunday. It wasn t even something I chose because, without asking me, Liz signed us up to be Kitchen Angels! We got to clean up the kitchen after Sunday morning fellowship and worship. Elbows deep in suds, I was reminded again how I am a vital part of a true Christian community, a family really, connected to the original apostles, in which we serve one another and bear one another s burdens. I know those who participate in Parish Work Days and the ARM experience a similar fellow-feeling.

6 - 6 - So there it is Morning and Evening Prayer, proportional giving, and Kitchen Angels, three concrete expressions of Christian community, three simple ways to express our love and connection with our sisters and brothers in Christ. You may want to try it! with love and blessings for the New Year, Andy+ St. Timothy s Children s Library Over twenty years ago Janie Stevens, the former director of religious education, began building a children s library at St. Timothy s. The collection has continued to grow through the years, thanks to donations from parishioners and the occasional purchase. You will find Bible story books, books on religious themes, books on stewardship, especially of the earth, activity books, books relating to the seasons and feasts of the church year, children s literature, coloring books, craft books the list goes on and on! Please take time to bring your child to the children s library and check out some books. Many thanks to Colinda Freihauf for bringing order and beauty back to this wonderful ministry!

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11 St. Timothy s Episcopal Church 200 Oyster Creek Drive Lake Jackson, TX RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Service Schedule Sundays 8:00 AM - Holy Eucharist, Rite I 9:00 AM Fellowship 9:15 10:15 AM Christian Formation for Children and youth 9:25 10:10 AM Adult Christian Formation & Soundings 10:30 AM - Holy Eucharist, Rite II 5:00 7:30 PM EYC Wednesdays 8:30 AM Army of Retired Men (ARM) 4:00 PM Junior High Bible Study 4:15 PM Children s Choir 5:15 PM Centering Prayer (Guild Room) 6:00 PM Good Shepherd for Grown Ups 6:00 PM Gentle Yoga (Blue Room) 6:30 PM Joiful Noyse Rehearsal 7:00 PM Senior Choir Rehearsal (See cover for more upcoming events.)