The Bell Ringer. Wendell Kimbrough. St. Mary s Episcopal Church. Two Great Events on Sunday, April 17:

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1 St. Mary s Episcopal Church April, 2016 The Bell Ringer Online at Wendell Kimbrough Two Great Events on Sunday, April 17: 10am Liturgy: Wendell will lead us in congregational singing, including an original setting of that morning s Psalm. 4pm Hymn Sing at the Mother Earth Brewing Tap Room NEW PSALMS & HYMNS Wendell Kimbrough will be visiting St. Mary s on Sunday, April 17. He is currently an Artist in Residence at Church of the Apostles in Fairhope, AL where he composes original settings of each week s Psalms that the congregation sings together in liturgy. The Book of Psalms was written to be sung by God s people, and Wendell s music is crafted for that purpose. We hope that the worship experience that morning and hymn-sing will be a blessing to you and those you may bring along! Learn more about Wendell at

2 The Episcopal Church α In the Anglican Communion A global community of 80 million Anglicans in 38 member provinces/churches. α In the United States A community of 1.9 million members in 118 dioceses in the Americas and abroad. Established in Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry Episcopal Church Center nd Avenue New York, N.Y α In the Diocese of East Carolina A community of more than 15,000 communicants in 68 churches. Founded in Bishop The Rt. Rev. Robert S. Skirving Diocesan Office, 705 Doctors Dr. P.O. Box 1336, Kinston, NC Tel: Fax: Website: α St. Mary s Episcopal Church A church of 392 baptized members whose mission is to worship and serve God joyfully, to nurture each other in faith and wholeness, to minister to others, and to manifest the good news of Christ. 800 Rountree Street Kinston, NC Tel: Fax: Website: Rector The Rev d A. Michael Singer Assistant The Rev d Thomas P.H. Warren Director of Music Mr. Nick Voermans Parish Administrator Mrs. LaTonya Smith Parish Secretary Mrs. Linda Johnson Director of Children s Ministries Mrs. Shelly L. Yarbrough Sr. Warden Mr. P.C. Barwick, Jr. Jr. Warden Mr. J. Mark Herring News at St. Mary s Blood Drives at St. Mary's are: Monday, April 25; 2-6pm Thursday, June 30; 2-6pm Walk ins are welcome but reservations made by phone at or online at will be honored. As always, a great prize will CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Court Mitchell, III for winning the raffle at our last Blood Drive. Court was one of many generous people on February 23 who donated their time and blood to help those in need of blood transfusions. The Red Cross reports that one unit of blood can save up to 3 lives what better way to spend an hour of your day?! The next be raffled away to all who come in to donate. We are also seeking volunteers to help welcome and show hospitality to donors. Please contact the parish office if you can help! Packing shoes for Soles4Souls 2 Thank you to the more than 50 volunteers to stayed following the 10:00 a.m. service to pack shoes on Palm Sunday, March 20th. During the season of Lent we collected 649 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls. Soles4Souls is a Nashville, TN-based charity, founded in 2006, that collects new and u s e d s h o e s a n d r e d i s t r i b u t e s t h e m through direct donations to people in need. Since they began, Soles4Souls has distributed over 22 million pairs of shoes to people in over 127 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal, Haiti, Japan and the United States. Thank you to Rachel Singer for organizing this event.

3 From the Rector - Father Michael Singer 3 A shining example During the season of Lent I read the book, Mother Teresa, Come Be My Light. The book is the private writings of the Saint of Calcutta. I must admit, I knew the book existed for years but it wasn t until after I saw the 2014 movie, The Letters that I had an overwhelming desire to read her letters. Mother Teresa ( ) suffered a sense of abandonment by God, a "darkness" that began just after her order, the Missionaries of Charity, was launched in India in This book assembles pieces of her private correspondence, her personal essays, and her public addresses with the author's own interpretation of her writings. Mother Teresa's letters over the years were written to trusted clergy and share a personal inner spiritual agony of her struggle to continue in this ministry. A woman of profound courage and simplicity is constantly asking for guidance. Her letters document her great sorrow and miseries of the poor, the "least of all God's creatures" living in unimaginable "holes." She required her sisters, who received nurses' training, to beg for supplies and money in order to better identify with the poor. Mother Teresa labored alongside other members of the order, in an often dangerous environment, and she knew that hard work on the streets depended on strong backs supported by regular meals and adequate sleep. Although surrounded by her congregation and so many of the poor of Calcutta, Mother Teresa often agonized alone. I believe she saw her struggle as a way of entering into the mystery of the Cross of Christ. This column is in no way intended to be a book review. The joy I received from reading her letters, during the period of Lent, was to come to a better understanding of her struggles. One who has been looked on by the world and declared a Saint is also one who experienced long periods of doubt, of being abandoned by God. Mother Teresa made repeated requests for her letters to be destroyed before her death. Those who received letters failed to honor her request. I believe her letters are so important to all people. Many of us have experienced the jubilance of being empowered to serve God and to minister to others. We may also have felt a sense of abandonment, of being in a dark hole alone. Mother Teresa s life was exceptional and extraordinary in many ways. But God calls us all to venture out in faith, in our own way. As we move from the season of Lent to Easter, may the life Mother Teresa give us courage as we enter into the mystery of the Cross of Christ. St. Cecilia s Choir news St. Cecilia s Choir takes a break for the summer. The children last sang on Palm Sunday. Our thanks to the small but mighty children who sang in the choir and to the parents who brought them to rehearsals each week. A special thank you to director, Teresa Singer and to helpers Betty DeVeau and Susan Fox. Enjoy the summer vacation... we ll see everybody in the fall. Fall rehearsals return on Wednesday, September 14th. It s only 24 weeks away. St. Cecilia s Choir is for any child 3 years of age through the First Grade. The children sing, hear Bible stories and pray. New cross for Holy Week A special thank you to Randy Holton for the new cross he constructed to be used in the church during Holy Week. When not kept in the church, the cross will be in St. Francis Garden.

4 Worship 4 Attention young people who will enter the 5th Grade next fall! As we exit Lent and move into Easter, the Adult Choir enjoys singing some of their favorite Easter anthems. St. Mary s would like to invite you to the Adult Choir to lift your voice in song. Rehearsals are typically Wednesday nights at 7 PM. We also tune up on Sunday morning at 9:15 AM, unless noted otherwise. The choir will not have rehearsal Wednesday, March 31st. Instead, we will rehearse a simple, one part anthem on Sunday, April 3rd, based on a familiar tune. We will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, April 6th, and sing an anthem based on the hymn The Strife is O er. This hymn can be found in the The Hymnal 1982 as Hymn #205. We currently are looking for young people who will enter the 5th Grade next fall, or who may be older, who wish to serve as an acolyte. If you wish to serve, please contact Linda Johnson, Parish Secretary. Acolyte training will be held in May. Upcoming Anthems and Special Music Mass on the Grass O God, make clear to us each road. O God, make safe to us each step; When we stumble, hold us; when we fall, lift us up. When we are hard-pressed with evil, deliver us: and bring us at last to Your glory. - - Ancient Celtic blessing On Sunday, May 15th, at 10:00 am, we will hold a Celtic Mass on the Grass worship service outside on the West Lawn next to the Chapel. When you come to church that morning, bring a lawn chair (we will have a few here available for your use) or bring a blanket and enjoy this refreshing worship experience in God s creation. Dress casually and relaxed, and try to wear red to live into the Pentecost Feast Day. Bring a neighbor or friend. There is room for everyone! Following the service we ll have a parish picnic. Hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks, and paper products will be provided. We ask you to please bring a (very) large dish to share!

5 Christian Formation 5 ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION We continue with The Story on Sunday mornings at 11:15 a.m. in Moseley Hall. The Story is an abridged, chronological Bible that reads like a novel. There are no verse references, and Scripture segments are seamlessly woven together with transition text into a single grand narrative. For those intimidated or overwhelmed by the unabridged Bible, The Story helps people understand God s Word more fully and engage with it more easily. We will be studying The Story for the remainder of the program year. Free copies (one per family) may be found on a table in the Narthex. If you would be willing to teach a session this spring, please speak to Father Michael. God & Family "God and Family" is the second program in the God and Country Series for Boy Scouts and is designed for children in 4th-5th grades. The goals of this program are to provide an opportunity for young people and their families to explore their faith together, to learn 6 ways of strengthening families through faith, and to learn the Ten Commandments. Fr. Tom will soon be starting a class for Scouts of any Troop or church to move toward earning this award. Please contact him if you are interested. April 3rd - The King Who Had It All - Chapter 13 April 10th - A Kingdom Torn in Two - Chapter 14 April 17th - God s Messengers - Chapter 15 April 24th - The Beginning of the End (of the Kingdom of Israel) - Chapter 16 Vacation Bible School Plans are underway and registration is OPEN for kids and volunteers! St. Mary s is hosting this year s fun adventure! Camp Trinity has several openings this summer Have you registered a child yet for a week at Camp Trinity this summer? Do you want to sponsor a child to come to camp? There are still spaces available. Camp Trinity offers young people rising 3-12 grades an opportunity to experience camping in an enjoyable and beautiful setting along Bogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Campers share in a Christian program that helps them grow spiritually and emotionally while giving them opportunities to develop new interests, skills, and friendships. The Camp Goals are: 1. To provide a Christian camping experience that is diverse, inclusive, nurturing, loving, and affirming 2. To build and live in an intentionally Christcentered community that helps each camper gain a deeper under standing of and appreciation for his/her own skills, abilities, and gifts as a child of God 3. To develop a sense of thankfulness for and stewardship of God's creation 4. To provide a quality Christian experience. Call today! (252) ext. 17. A p p l i c a t i o n s a v a i l a b l e a t

6 Youth Community News 6 Mark Your Calendars!! Sunday, Apr. 3, 11:15-noon Morning EYC meets! Wed. Apr 6, 5:30-6:15pm EYC Bible Study Groups Sunday, Apr 10, 11:15-noon Morning EYC meets! Please keep our participants & leaders of New Beginnings #51 in your prayers! Wed. Apr 13, 5:30-6:15pm EYC Bible Study Groups Sunday, Apr 17, 11:15-1pm EYC Sunday Brunch Jr. & Sr. EYC meets during Christian Formation hour to prepare brunch for the whole church to be served after classes. March was a fantastic month for the EYC! Highlights were the Sabbath Rest Field Day at Triple Creek Farms in Pink Hill, a Lock-In with St. Stephen s (Goldsboro), and Happening #67 at Trinity Center. Emma Herlong was a candidate at Happening; Wilson Archie, Will Sargeant, and I served on Team; and April Brown, Melissa Glen, John-Luke LaRoque, & Emily Summerlin served on Celebration Team. The month of April brings New Beginnings #51 and the return of our Wed. night Coffee & Bible Study. Hope to see you! In His Love, Tom+ Wed. Apr 20, 5:30-6:15pm EYC Bible Study Groups Sunday, Apr 24, 11:15-1:30pm EYC Local Mission to Common Ground! Wed. Apr 27, 5:30-6:15pm EYC Bible Study Groups Please come and bring a friend!!!! On May 7-8, the EYC will enjoy the thrills and fun at Busch Gardens and then join the congregation of Bruton Parish in Colonial Williamsburg for worship the next morning this Episcopal church has been around since 1674!! Registration forms and $140 are due to the church office no later than April3! to Glory Ridge: 92 Days!!

7 Other news 7 Softball returns With the arrival of spring, it s time to gear up for summer sports. Again this year St. Mary s will enter a team in the Kinston Parks and Recreation Commission s Summer Church Softball League. Men and women, 16 and over are encouraged to participate. If you are interested in playing, please indicate so on the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. The purpose of the team is primarily to create an atmosphere of fellowship with other parishioners of St. Mary s and area churches, and we welcome players of all skill-levels. Yes, we want you! Last year, under the direction of Coach Andrew Duppstadt, with assisting coaches Greg Turner and Kevin Zoltek, St. Mary s won the city championship in tournament play. St. Mary s team came in second during regular season play. Contact any of these men or the Parish Office if you are interested in playing. Pastoral news Congratulations to proud new grandparents, Jane and Greg Gridley! Sawyer James Gridley was born on February 22, 2016 at 8 lbs. 12 oz. to parents, Kasey and Andrew Gridley and sister, Livi Gridley. St. Mary s offers sympathy to Jo Parrott and family on the death of her mother, Ethelyn "Lynn" (Reaben) Roberts. Lynn Roberts died on February 29, A memorial service was held on March 11, 2016, in Hendersonville, NC. I ask your thanksgiving for the birth of Deacon Brant Whaley, to Erin (Barker) and Ryan Whaley on March 18, Happy grandparents are Jay and Vicki Barker. From the Parish Register Transferred out: Donna Jones to Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, Seven Springs, NC Funeral: Joshua Cade Tucker March 6, 2016 Attention graduates Spring is the time for graduations. If you are graduating from high school or an institution of higher learning this spring, we at St. Mary s want to celebrate your success! Please contact Linda Johnson, the Parish Secretary, at with your information. High schoolers, please give us the school you re graduating from and your plans following graduation. College graduates, please give us the degree you received and the field of study. Please do so by April 15th. We will acknowledge our high school graduates on Sunday, May 15th, at Mass on the Grass, at 10:00 a.m. Our Wednesday night dinners conclude on April 27th. Our thanks to all of those who have joined in the fellowship since September. It s now time to take a break until the fall. We ve enjoyed some great meals and good numbers of people who came out and for food and fellowship. A special thank you to Sandra Warren and Kelli Stroud who have the most difficult job each week. deciding what we shall eat. A thank you also to those who helped with the dishes. We couldn t have done it without you. Wednesday night dinners return this fall on September 14th.

8 8 St. Mary s Episcopal Church 800 Rountree Street Kinston, NC Cherished Members and Friend s Luncheon Senior members of St. Mary s and their friends are invited to the next luncheon to be held on Thursday, May 5,th. The luncheon gets underway at 11:30 a.m. If you ve not been before we urge you to attend. It s a great time to get together with old friends and to make a new friend or two. Those planning to attend are asked to sign up in the Narthex or contact the Parish Office. The luncheons are a ministry of St. Mary s ECW. SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP SERVICES Sundays 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II 11:15 a.m. Sunday School Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer 2016 Stephen B. Hill Isaac C. Hines Barbara A. LaRoque Kevin M. Zoltek Thank you! A special thank you to the many people who contributed so much to make the liturgies of Lent, Holy Week and Easter so meaningful: a special thank you to members of the Altar Guild, our the Adult Choir, Ushers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Acolytes. We appreciate your ministry at St. Mary s. ST. MARY S VESTRY 2017 H. Earl Harper J. Mark Herring John K. John John Sandy Shimer, Jr. Senior Warden P.C. Barwick, Jr. Junior Warden J. Mark Herring Clerk Becky Darst Treasurer D. Stuart Lindley 2018 P.C. Barwick, Jr. Clifton W. Carey Rebecca Becky C. Darst Milton D. Dee Warner, Jr.