A Holy Lent. Evolution Sunday is February 14

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1 2 The Canterbury Cross St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church, Morgantown, WV February 2010 A Holy Lent Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God s holy Word. BCP p. 265 These words from the Ash Wednesday liturgy seem almost quaint in their somber tone and in the behaviors to which we as Christians are called during the season of Lent. This exhortation, however, captures the heart of what Lent should be: a time to consciously and intentionally turn back to God and seek a closer relationship with God. As was the case last year, our worship services will reflect the contemplative nature of the season, as we open our worship with the Penitential Order, say or sing the Trisagion together, and spend time in silence. These liturgical changes, along with the purple vestments, the absence of flowers at the altar, and the removal of Alleluia from our hymns and prayers are all reminders that the season of Lent is different from the rest of the year. The Lenten season is a gift, not a punishment. Each one of us is given the chance to use this period of Lent to do our own discernment about our relationship with God, our strengths, and the places in which we need to grow. What is God calling each of us to do? How can we best use our gifts, our abilities, and our resources to build up the community that is the Body of Christ on Earth? Rather than finding something to give up, I encourage you to find a spiritual discipline to take on. (My own discipline will be to be more intentional in my theological reading -- something I am not always wont to do, but something that is essential for deepening my understanding of faith and of God.) Perhaps your discipline will be more intentional times of prayer, participation in the parish Lenten program, or spending more time being attentive to family members. In taking on a Lenten discipline, the question to consider is: What will help us ensure that we as individuals and as a parish will emerge from the season of Lent into the light of the Resurrection transformed into a nearer likeness of the God we worship and love? I wish each of you a holy Lent. May this season be a time of contemplation, transformation, and new life for us all. Mother Julie+ Evolution Sunday is February 14 This year, we will participate in Evolution Weekend, a nationwide movement to address the relationship between science and faith. As the founder of the movement notes on the website, One important goal is to elevate the quality of the discussion on this critical topic -- to move beyond sound bites. A second critical goal is to demonstrate that religious people from many faiths and locations understand that evolution is sound science and poses no problems for their faith. Finally, Evolution Weekend makes it clear that those claiming that people must choose between religion and science are creating a false dichotomy. Dr. Jeannie Sperry has graciously agreed to be our preacher on the 14 th. Dr. Sperry, a member of the Vestry of St. Thomas à Becket, is Associate Professor and Director of Behavioral Science Education in the Department of Family Medicine at WVU School of Medicine. She is also a woman of deep faith whose relationship with God and participation in the life of this parish inform her both her personal and professional life. I am very grateful for her willingness to assist us in exploring the intersection of science and faith. Join the Episcopal Church Men for the Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper! DATE: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 TIME: 5:30-7:00 p.m. Mother Julie+ MENU: Buckwheat and buttermilk pancakes, bacon, maple syrup, applesauce, juice, and coffee. COST: Adults $5.00 Children and senior citizens $4.00 Proceeds benefit the ECM Peterkin Scholarship Fund.

2 Page 2 Annual Parish Meeting Results by Linda Yost, Parish Administrator Last Sunday, January 31, we held our annual meeting for St. Thomas à Becket. The turn-out was wonderful and much was accomplished. Our thanks go to Marty French and her assistants who provided a wonderful lasagna meal to sustain us as we met. The meeting kicked off with the choir report done in Anglican Chant. The election of four new Vestry members (see below) followed. Deanery/ Convention Representatives were also chosen. The budget was handed out and discussed by Senior Warden Russ Dean. Written reports from each ministry area were also provided, and ministry leaders had the opportunity to present other information. The new vesty members are: Ryan Claycomb, Marguerite Danna, Jim Hackett, and Patti Kisner. Many thanks to those who are leaving the Vestry at this time: John Beall, Marian Conner, Jon Hartmann, and Ray Kesler. Their service to St. Thomas has been valuable and important to our growth. We can not thank them enough. Our Deanery Delegates/Convention Representatives are: John Pearson, Hap Rudolph, and Liz Smailes. Stephanie Hartmann, Becky Hoyt will serve as alternates. Outreach Sets Goals for 2010 by Vicki Iber, Outreach Chair The Canterbury Cross Congratulations to Our Newest Ministry Leaders: Jeff Fedan Stewardship Committtee Becky Hoyt - Ushers Vicki Iber - Outreach Committee Cheryl Prichard - Fellowship Committee We met for the first time in 2010 and immediately have set some goals for the year. We are looking into a weekend at Peterkin that will involve both fellowship and manual labor and also we plan on working with HEP in Southern West Virginia. We are also corresponding with Bartlett House to see what the immediate needs are what we can do to help. Our current project is collecting money for Haiti. We gathered money from the congregation over a three week period and at the end we had accumulated $ thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our people. The Salvation Army continues to need people to work at the soup kitchen. Please see Carolyn Zinn if you would like to help. We look forward to Empty Bowls on March 13; please see Cheryl Pritchard or Margot Racin for further information. by Aurie Acciavatti, Coordinator Congratulations to our newly elected Vestry members! Top (left to right): Ryan Claycomb, Marguerite Danna, and Jim Hackett. (Left): Patti Kisner The continuing Vestry members and officers are Russ Dean (Senior Warden), Bob Acciavatti (Junior Warden), Beth Royall (Secretary), Craig Walker (Treasurer), Kathy Fedan, Nancy Mosser, Jason Robbins, Jeannie Sperry, and David Sullivan. The dates of all Vestry meetings are posted in The Canterbury Cross calendar and in our weekly Parish Post. Meetings are open to members of the parish and all are welcome to attend. Following approval by Vestry, the minutes are posted on the bulletin board outside the Parish Hall. Copies can also be acquired through the Church Office. Souper Bowl Sunday will be February 7. Cans of soup collected that day will be donated to Scott s Run Settlement House and all the money collected from the congregation and will be sent directly to the Community Kitchen. Also the second group of St. Thomas parishioners has visited and watched first hand the in action! This is a wonderful opportunity to see the children and experience what they do each Sunday. Above left: Hugh Kierig works with the children while visiting. Above right: Barbara Eller and Lynn Harper also enjoy working with the children.

3 The Canterbury Cross Page 3 Blankets for Haiti! Pictures by Aurie Acciavatti Many of our parishioners got together this week and put together blankets for the people of Haiti. These blankets will go to Morgantown's chapter of Project Linus, which supplies blankets to people in disaster areas. Becket Arts! Please be sure to mark the following date in your calendars for Becket Arts! March 7 th 3:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door: Adults: $8.00 Seniors: $6.00 Students: Free * Season Tickets are only $60.00! Morgantown's chapter of Project Linus has promised 800 blankets for Haiti! Others parishioners who worked on blankets this week include: Alice Frost and Marty French (right); Margot Racin (below) and Cheryl Prichard (below, right). Some of those who worked on the blankets are: Becky Hoyt and Carolyn Nelson (top right); Joyce Smyth and Brenda Shafer (top left); Mother Julie (above); and Kathy Fedan (left). This was a very fun and rewarding experience for all who helped! Empty Bowls Monongalia: March 13, 2010 by Cheryl Prichard Empty Bowls is a national fund-raising effort, with our own group here in Monongalia County working hard to combat hunger. The money raised from the March 13 th event will stay in Monongalia County to support local hunger and feeding programs. For a minimum donation of $15 you will receive a numbered ticket which will entitle you to choose a hand crafted ceramic soup bowl with soup, bread and cookies. The event will be held at the Peace Hall of St. Mary s Catholic Church in Star City. Parking is available at the building. You may purchase tickets to attend the early sitting from 10; 30-12:00 or the second sitting from 12:30-2:00. Children 10 and under eat free but will not receive a bowl. Margot Racin, Cheryl Prichard and Corey Farris serve on the Empty Bowls Board and you may contact any one of these folks to purchase tickets or you may call or for more ticket information.

4 Our Worship Schedule Sunday 8:00 a.m. (Rite I, spoken) 10:30 a.m. (Rite II, with music) Nursery care and with children s worship are offered during the 10:30 a.m. service. Tuesday - Saturday Morning Prayer, 8:30 a.m. (except in the Rector s absence) Wednesday Holy Eucharist, 12:00 noon (Chapel) Please contact us at St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church 75 Old Cheat Road Morgantown, WV (emergencies: ) stabchurch@gmail.com St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church 75 Old Cheat Road Morgantown, WV 26508

5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Fresh Start Clergy 10:00 a.m. Teachers Meeting 7:00 p.m. 7 Special Events Meeting Souper Bowl of Caring Girl Scouts Mtg. 5:30 p.m Outreach Meeting ETS Mtg. 2:30 5:30 p.m Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner :00 p.m. 17 Ash Wednesday 7:00 a.m. Noon 7:00 p.m. 18 Retirees Luncheon 11:30 a.m. at Alï Baba s :00 a.m. Outreach Meeting Vestry Meeting [following 10:30 service] Ash Wednesday Service Reminder Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes will take place at 7:00 a.m, Noon, and 7:00 p.m.