What s Happening at Advent

Transcription

1 The Advent Chronicle A publication for the members and friends of the Episcopal Church of the Advent SW Highway 484 Dunnellon, FL (352) What s Happening at Advent Rev. Bill Barrett, Priest-in-Charge Vol. XV, Issue V May 2015 Mark your calendars Sunday, June 7 th Advent will begin its Summer Schedule. We will have only one Service on Sundays at 9:00 AM (with special summer music) until September. Please make a note of the change! Mother s Day, May 10 th at 3 PM there will be an Ice Cream Social including recognition of founding members of Advent. You won t want to miss it! Looking ahead in June, the ECW will present a Fashion Show and luncheon. Tickets available May 1 read all about it in this issue of the Chronicle! Photo below: The outdoor Sunday Mass and picnic held in April. See more pictures in this newsletter. 1

2 A message from Fr. Barrett Peace be with you! This is the last newsletter before the summer break. When I was younger and extremely zealous, it used to really bother me that the church discontinued the newsletter for the summer. It also bothered me that other ministries took a sabbatical like the choir and Sunday school. I have become more laid back with age and experience and less likely to see heresies behind every bush. However, some sloppy theology in the church still bothers me. The Christian tradition consists of two strands-orthodoxy and orthopraxy. The first refers to "right belief" and the second to "right conduct." Christian traditions differ on emphasis, but are really two confessions of equal importance l held in tension. Although my tolerance has improved, I still get concerned when we wander too far off the reservation. A recent Facebook article (from a member of the clergy!) is a case in point. He/she wrote that the liturgical calendar is out of sync with the real world, (To which I say, "amen!") and that it is a hindrance to evangelism. I would respond that there is a big difference between user friendly worship and user friendly theology! Specifically, the writer says that as we approach Christmas with presents, parties, and family reunions, the lectionary is talking about "broods of vipers" and the end of the world. The Sunday after Christmas is even worse. Nothing like talking about killing babies and stoning Stephen to kill a holiday buzz! In Lent when people are thinking about Spring and Easter, the church is singing depressing hymns and talking about suffering and death. Meanwhile the more contemporary church down the street is picking topics more relevant to people's lives and giving helpful Biblical advice on "positive faith." The music is always upbeat. There is no such thing as sin, only the need to get the "right attitude" towards living. The writer (from a liturgical tradition) has decided to give up the lectionary in Advent and Lent and delete any sad hymns. The writer declares "the church year structure needs to be rethought in lieu of the modern world." To which I have a question. Where did you go to seminary? The lectionary readings form the two divisions in the church year. Each section consists of twenty six weeks. The time from Advent to Pentecost is called "the Lord's time." The readings focus on the actions of Jesus. The second is the "church's time." The lessons focus on the teachings of Jesus. The liturgical color is green symbolizing that we are growing in faith as followers of the Risen Lord. This season is so long that it lasts from the beginning of summer almost to the end of the year. These Sundays, including the summer are the "ordinal Sundays." Unfortunately, this has led to them being referred to as "the ordinary Sundays" in the church year. It actually comes from the Latin word for "count" and refers to counted times (as in the Second Sunday after Pentecost and so forth). It is not a time to skip worship because it is "ordinary" (nothing much going on). It is a time to grow in discipleship. The Green Sundays prepare us to the seasons of Advent and Lent which challenge us and call for repentance. The church year and the appointed readings reflect the life of the Christian. I hope that we will always see this as just as relevant now as it was 2000 years ago. In Hebrews 10:24-26 we find the admonition "and let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another." See you in church this summer, the ordinal time! Peace be with you Father Barrett 2

3 Senior Warden Report (Contributed by Gordon Herrick, Senior Warden) I would like to begin my article by thanking Dori and Bill Sullivan for their work on the Advent Chronicle. They have graciously used their creative talents to compile the many articles they receive into an attractive and readable newsletter. Thank you Dori and Bill! Caroline Mioducki has agreed to accept the responsibility for the newsletter. Thank you Caroline! The church grounds underwent some damage to our trees in the recent storm. The damaged trees will be removed and others will be trimmed because of the danger they pose. The carpeting in the narthex has been replaced. Alex has made a book holder for the back of each chair. This will hold The Book of Common Prayer and a hymnal along with the new service bulletin that will be used each Sunday and replaced when we arrive at a new liturgical season. I encourage everyone to return the parish survey. Completed surveys can be mailed to the church or placed in the designated box in the narthex. I will start a new Education for Ministry class in September. We have no one graduating from EfM this year and I already have two first year students for next year. If you are interested in learning more about this class that is offered by the School of Theology at the University of the South, contact me or any current students or graduates of the program. I will start registering students in June. Lucado comments on the hedonism and secularism in our society, but points out that the apostles also faced similar tendencies in their culture; as is reflected in St. Paul's letter to Romans in Chapter 1 "They traded the glory of God, who lives forever, for the worship of idols made to look like earthly people, animals and snakes They worshipped and served what had been created instead of God who created everything. Lucado adds, "According to Romans we lose more than stained glass windows when we dismiss God. We lose our standard, our purpose and our worship. Their thinking became useless. Their foolish minds were filled with darkness. They claimed they were wise, but they became fools (Rom. 1:21-22)." Sunday, April 26, is frequently observed as Good Shepherd Sunday. Psalm 23, as the assistant editor at Forward Movement, Nancy Hopkins Greene, asserts, "This psalm is not only the best known psalm but the best known chapter in the whole Bible. And there is good cause for it to be so cherished." In it is the assurance we need throughout our lives that God is looking after us, quenching our thirst, preparing the way for us and with us even in the darkest time and at our death. We live in a world where we are constantly being told we don't have enough wealth, enough beauty, enough stuff. The psalmist says with assurance, "I shall not be in want." Can we say that too? I hope so! Musical Refrains (Contributed by Marta Bruenn, Music Director) Fr. Loring's Grace Notes "In the Grip of Grace," Max Lucado talks about Godless Living to which everyone is prone until they seek to become more spiritual. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. A song that the Choir will prepare for next year has lyrics that include, What more can be said that already is there (meaning in the 3

4 Scriptures). Wow, Paul and Timothy have said so much in this one verse. Amazing. I ll only add that, as usual, the Choir will be in recess for the summer, starting after the first joint service at 9:00AM on June 7 th. Why do we discontinue the Choir for the summer? Please believe me that it is not because we don t really enjoy our work for the Lord. I believe I speak for the whole Choir in saying that we feel honored and privileged to be able to lead in singing our prayers and praises to the Lord. The only problem is that a Choir is truly a joining together of many voices to become as one. In the summertime, so many of us are coming and going that it is difficult to the point of almost impossible to get a cohesive group together to sing. Many churches experience this phenomenon, even the larger ones. Nor is this confined the South as many churches find it difficult to have the consistency of choir attendance necessary to be able to put together the choir anthems. Many of us will still be here. We will be presenting solos, duets and small ensembles for the Offertory. Frequently we will just have a hymn. Please remember that if you have any requests, we are very happy to take them. There is a form in the Narthex which can be used for requests. Alternatively, please consider ing your request to me at mbruenn@earthlink.net and include Advent Music in the subject line so that it doesn t get shunted into the spam folder. If you would like, I would be happy to you back to let you know when your request will be done. Looking forward to our joint services! Have a wonderful, safe and blessed summer season! ECW News (Contributed by Gloria Wilberg) ECW has a busy time planned for the end of the season. We have been asked to help organizing and serving food for the reception and Ice Cream Social to be held on May 10 where the Charter Members of Advent will be honored. 4 Our spring fundraiser will be a Fashion Show on Saturday, June 6. Fashions will be from Belk. Tickets will go on sale about May 1 and will be $12 for the show and luncheon. Evelyn Exell is in charge of ticket sales. Food for the luncheon will be catered by Bob Evans and will consist of a wrap, soup and salad. ECW members will provide dessert. Mary Daniels and others will be in charge of assembling a basket filled with goodies to be used for a raffle. There will also be door prizes and we hope these will be donated by members who have something at home that they wish to share. Eneida Perez and Sheila Ferguson will be in charge of set-up and decorations. We will need models so if you d like to volunteer, please call Liz Herrick at The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 13, at 10:30 AM, at the church, with lunch to follow. Mary Daniels and Del Miller will be in charge of the lunch. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex if you plan to attend. TLC from Your Parish Nurse (Contributed by Sylvia Guffine, RN) Stoke Warning Signs Stroke is a medical emergency. Every second counts, because time lost is brain lost! Know these stroke warning signs and share them with others. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden, severe headache with no known cause. If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don t delay! Call or the emergency medical services (EMS) number immediately so an ambulance ideally with advanced life support can come. Also, check the time so you ll know when the first symptoms appeared. It s important to take immediate

5 action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce longterm disability for the most common type of stroke. Stay well! Prayer Shawl Ministry Update (Contributed by Pat Howard) The Prayer Shawl Ministry is looking for ladies who enjoy knitting and crocheting. At this time the number of prayer shawls available is greatly reduced. This ministry is important as the shawls received by those in need bring them comfort and blessings. We also have Prayer Squares that can be carried in your pocket. We have packets available with information on sample patterns and suggested types of yarn to use. If you have a favorite pattern of your own, you are welcome to use it. After you have completed a shawl please let us know. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry please contact Pat Howard at or Leah Foshay at We would like to thank the person who left a lovely shawl in the closet. It was blessed and given to someone. Since the end of February we have given out seven shawls as gifts from the Church of the Advent. Vestry Meeting Highlights The following are brief highlights of some of the business brought before the Vestry at the April, 2015 meeting. Complete, detailed minutes as well as copies of the various exhibits presented to the Vestry for review are available at the church office or please talk to any vestry member for details or if you have any questions. It was determined that a quorum of vestry members was present and the general housekeeping items were quickly dispatched. The minutes, financials and other documents were examined and voted on or left for further action. Counting Procedures for the Sunday contributions were reviewed and updated. Father Barrett talked about the good attendance during the Holy Week services. Deacon Marcella is developing a new telephone and membership directory. She is also working on establishing emergency contacts and information about our members that may be needed in special circumstances. Senior Warden Gordon Herrick discussed locking the church after Sunday services, the parish survey and the change in Chronicle editors. (See his report in this issue.) Junior Warden Alex Pasay discussed the book holders he s installing on our chairs (editor s note: Great job Alex!!), establishing a Building Committee and his preparations for the outdoor Sunday service and picnic. John Everlove reviewed the concrete repair job at the back of the church as well as the narthex carpeting. Bob Traudt talked about their upcoming departure for the summer and the Youth Happenings (a senior high school version of Cursillo). He also wanted to thank all who contributed to the Change for Youth donations in the narthex. Al Sickle reported on the successful Easter Basket Ministry. Youth Ministry (Contributed by Carla Traudt) Sunday School has ended for the season and will restart in October. I am available all summer by CarlaTraudt@gmail.com Camp Wingmann will be blessed to have Casey Ying attending the High School week and hopefully being accepted into the "Councilor In Training" program which will open future employment at the Camp. Please pray for her acceptance into the CIT program. Ethan Ying will be attending the Middle School week with friends he met at the last New Beginnings weekend. 5

6 Thank you everyone for your donations toward these young people being able to attend Camp Wingmann. DAUGHTERS OF THE KING NEWS (Contributed by Diane Victor) DOK discernment classes will be given during the summer months of July & August. The classes will meet on Sundays following the 9AM Service for about 45 min. If interested, there is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex to sign. We work around vacations, illnesses, etc. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Diane Victor at or at dianevictor1@hotmail.com. Our Altar Guild Needs Your Help!! There is a serious need for help preparing the altar for church contact Diane Victor if you can volunteer for this all important ministry! Pictures Worth a Thousand Words (contributed by Carla Traudt and Marcella Pasay) The following were taken at the Outdoor Mass and Picnic held the Sunday after Easter. Thank you all for making a day enjoyed by all! 6

7 Milestones Our membership birthday and anniversary lists are always being updated. If your birthday or anniversary is not on these lists or listed incorrectly, please contact the office and let us know so we may update our data base we want to include you with our blessings and best wishes on your special day. Marta Bruenn 5/1 Jack Schnabel 5/9 Otto Newhart 5/14 Alan Snow 5/14 Jeanne Dooley 5/15 Shirley Thomas 5/19 Gordon Herrick 5/21 Dee Bandalos 5/23 Kathleen Murat 5/23 Alex Pasay 5/28 Don t forget. Sunday, May 10 th at 3:00 PM It s Mother s Day Moms - bring the kids! to our Yummy Ice Cream Social at the church At this time we will also be recognizing long-time members of Advent those who have inspired, volunteered, and contributed to the spiritual life which is the rich fabric at the heart of Advent. Come, share our appreciation and our joy for these members! Anniversaries Cora Edward Salmon 5/2 Bob and Marie DelPrete 5/3 Alex and Marcella Pasay 5/23 Norman and Eveline LaPointe 5/26 Remember in your prayers Father Bernie and Madonna Flynn % Arbor Village 490 S. Old Wire Road Wildwood FL Prayers and cards are appreciated, no visitors at this time please. 7 TICKETS ON SALE NOW! ECW Fashion Show Saturday, June 6 th at Advent Church Catered Luncheon Fashions by Belks Door Prizes and a Gift Basket Raffle $12.00 per person See any ECW member for more information about getting your tickets!

8 The Episcopal Church of the Advent, Dunnellon Florida Established January, 1991 Our purpose is to Love God, Love One Another and Make Disciples Sunday Services Beginning June 7 th one Sunday Service at 9:00 AM Monday Events: Tuesday Events: Wednesday Events: Thursday Events: Boy Scout Troop 508 meets at 6:30 PM Cub Scout Pack 508 meets at 6:30 PM Morning Prayer and healing service at 9:00 AM Tuesday Bible Study at 6:00 PM Choir Practice at 3:00 PM Vestry Meetings - 2 nd Thursday of the month Special Events Sunday, May 10 th Mother s Day and the Ice Cream Social at 3:00 PM (a the church) Episcopal Church Women (ECW) regular monthly meeting is May 13 th at 10:30 (at the church) Lunch to follow. Sign up in the Narthex Memorial Day Monday May 25 th Saturday, June 6 th ECW Fashion Show and Luncheon The Advent Chronicle Episcopal Church of the Advent SW Hwy 484 Dunnellon FL