St. Michael s Newsletter

Transcription

1 January 2014 St. Michael s Newsletter Inside this issue: Page 2 Lessons & Carols, Jan. 5 Organ Recital with Barbara Bruns, Jan. 19 Annual Meeting, Jan. 26 Annual Reports Due, Jan. 13; Nominations Page 3 Christmas Pageant December Outreach Help Us on Sundays Souper Bowl of Caring Page 4 Stewards of the Month: Starr & Bob Campbell Thrift Shop Needs Page 5 Thomas S. W. Mott plus Supply Priests Page 6 St. Catherine s Guild & Parish Aid Winter Reading January Calendar Happy January Birthday to Benjamin G. Clark Theo G. Bachelder Tucker D. Atkinson Clive Connolly From the Rector Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. - Isaiah 60:1 Certain passages of scripture have a way circling back and speaking anew at different times and in different places. As this verse from Isaiah came to me not least because it is included in the first lesson for the Feast of the Epiphany, the season the church now enters I thought it would be good to see if I had used it before in a newsletter. The answer is yes. Five years ago, in January 2009, I began my newsletter with this same quote. At that time I wrote about the development of St. Michael s five-year strategic plan. I made note then that the words strategic planning do not engender the same inspiration or reception of God s glory as do Isaiah s eloquent words. All the same, the work of individuals and committees over these past years have brought for the light of mission and ministry at St. Michael s. That five-year plan was initiated to bring the parish to its 300th Anniversary year. We are now here. There is much to celebrate: our successful capital campaign to enhance our building which enhances our mission Special January Worship Services Second Sunday after Christmas, Jan. 5 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I 10:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II 5:00 pm Lessons & Carols for Christmas and ministry; our years of proclaiming the gospel, of entering into relationships, building community and serving others; and our historic building, to name a few. Isaiah s words resonate as much now as they did five years ago, and as they did thousands of years ago. In the context of its time, Isaiah speaks of a new era to dawn on Jerusalem and the nation after a period of exile and return. We may not have been in exile per se, but we are invited to return again and again. There is a lifting ( arise! ), and an affirmation ( shine ) that God is with us, both as individuals and as a people. Epiphany is a season of such growth, understanding and revelation. The word itself means manifestation. It is an invitation for the manifestation of Christ in our hearts and in our lives. This is an ever evolving process. It is aided by our fellowship, service, study, worship and prayer. All of these are part of our ongoing mission and vision, and lead us into this celebration year and the parish s fourth century. Welcome 2014! And in this season of Epiphany, welcome the light of Christ. Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 26 9:30 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II One service only followed by Annual Meeting & Lunch - Fr. Andrew

2 St. Michael s Newsletter January 2014 Page Two From the Music Director My special thanks to all the wonderful singers (and the parents who support the Youth Choir) for their glorious music this past Christmastide. It is a joy to listen to the beautiful choral music, and the congregational singing as well! Thank you for an offering well made. Lessons and Carols January 5 at 5 pm Come celebrate the 11th day of Christmas at St. Michael's Church in Marblehead. The St. Michael's Choir will sing Lessons and Carols at 5 pm on Sunday January 5th, featuring traditional carols and choral works by Richard Dirksen, John Rutter, Herbert Sumsion and Boris Ord, as well as organ music by Daquin and Karg-Elert. A free-will offering is received. A light reception follows the service, and all are welcome. Organ Recital - Barbara Bruns January 19 at 5 pm Once again, our favorite recitalist and St. Michael's own, Barbara Bruns will play in our 2014 / 300th Anniversary Organ Recital Series. Her program will include the Sonata III of Mendelssohn, Carson Cooman (Cambridge composer) Sinfonia, Dieu parmi nous (God among us) by Messaien and the Prelude and Fugue in E minor by Bach. Suggested donation is $10 and benefits the Recital Series Fund. As always, a light reception follows the service, and all are welcome. - Douglas Major, Music Director Annual Meeting Annual Meeting January 26, 2012 after the 9:30 a.m. Worship Service There will be only one service on January 26 at 9:30 a.m. St. Michael s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 26, There will be one Holy Eucharist at 9:30 a.m. an opportunity for the entire community to worship together followed by the annual meeting. This is a time to hear highlights of the past year, vote for officers and new Vestry members, and look at goals for the year ahead. Vestry members provide a light lunch of sandwiches and dessert after the meeting. Nominating Committee Report At the December Vestry meeting, the Nominating Committee presented its proposed candidates for the Vestry elections at the annual meeting: Our current officers and delegates will be seeking re-election: Frances Nilsson and Steve Clay, Wardens; Sue Cool, Clerk; James Dearborn, Treasurer; Karl Renney, Assistant Treasurer; and Jan Barnett and Denise Shea, Delegates to the Diocesan Convention. Our Vestry candidates, are Ellie Doyle, Rory Gaunt and Jenny Oliveira for 3-year positions, and Sarah Bates again filling out a 1-year term, as did Rory in Bios will be posted soon outside the Parish Office. Additional nominations are always. Speak to one of the wardens or Father Andrew if you have a nomination. Members of the Nominating Committee included Wardens Frances Nilsson and Steve Clay, the Rev. Andrew Stoessel, and Vestry members with expiring terms: Jenny Armini, Sarah Bates, and Rory Gaunt. We thank our outgoing Vestry member Jenny Armini completing her 3-year terms on the Vestry, and Lynn Bragdon who has stepped down with one year left in her term. Their participation will be missed on Tuesday evenings. Annual Reports Due January 13th Committee/Commission Chairs Please turn in your annual report for 2013 to Jane Maihos by Monday, January 13, The early date facilitates combining, copying and collation and advance distribution the Sunday before the annual meeting. The annual meeting will be held on Sunday, January 26th, Also, please send reports electronically, preferably single-spaced in Times New Roman 11-point font. We plan to combine reports into one document to save paper and enable automatic pagination. - Frances Nilsson, Senior Warden

3 St. Michael s Newsletter January 2014 Page Three Church School from Kelley Howells What a busy season we have had in Church School! The Godly Play Group has been learning about Advent and the Christmas story. The Weaving God s Promises group has been learning about the promises of Isaiah, the Christmas Story, and John the Baptist. The Pageant Both groups came together to work on our wonderful Christmas Pageant! Children met for three rehearsals and also worked to memorize and practice their parts at home. They even made time to rehearse during a very busy week after one rehearsal was canceled due to snow. The hard work of the children really paid off in a reflective yet joyous portrayal of the Christmas story right here at St. Michael s on Christmas Eve. We were also the first beneficiaries of the new church sound system! Thanks to Steve Clay who got the new microphones here and set up in time for our dress rehearsal. Children were also treated to a wonderful Pageant cast party thanks to organizers Kaki Ianchulev and Paige Hintlian. There are so many people to thank for their help on the pageant, that I could fill this newsletter if I tried to name them all! Please know that your efforts on behalf of the children of St. Michael s Parish are deeply appreciated. I must however mention Jess Petty, who was instrumental in helping me write the new Pageant script that we used this year, and Gillian Petty and Milena Connolly for all of their hard work on costumes. Thank you so much! Results of the Dec. Outreach Programs: MHD Food Pantry & Mitten Tree In December, the children and families of St. Michael s Church participated in the drive to help Marbleheaders enjoy a special holiday meal this Christmas. Groups led by Sue Cool, Chrissty Honos, and Karin McCarthy, formed teams that shopped with Market Basket Gift cards and delivered all the ingredients for a wonderful dinner for the families served by the Marblehead Food Pantry. This effort was organized by Linda Smidt, thank you Linda! Children and their families also participated in the annual St. Michael s Mitten Tree. This year about 50 gifts were donated to brighten the holidays of those less fortunate. They were delivered to the Marblehead Food Pantry and to Making Ends Meet. This effort was spearheaded by Diane Christian, thank you Diane! I would also like to take a moment to give thanks. First I d like to thank Steve Clay for his hours of work purchasing and setting up the new church school computer, it would be impossible to work efficiently without it! I d also like to thank Frances Nilsson for generously purchasing some new books to assist me in my position as Church School Director. Thank you both! Church School in January Upcoming, Church School will be using a one-room school house model until the beginning of Lent as we learn about the life of Jesus. In January, we will learn about Jesus early years, his disciples, teachings and the miracles he performed. Volunteers Needed! Now is the perfect time to join us as a Church School volunteer if you haven t before. Please consider this worthwhile opportunity to share your gifts, and be part of the children s religious education experience here at St. Michael s. We really need your help! During the winter we conduct religious education in a one-room schoolhouse model. It isn t hard, please give it a try if you haven t already! We will need two adults each week. The Storyteller position is the job for the person leading the lesson. The lesson is all set up for you and I will get you a copy in advance. The Activity Leader is the person who helps with a craft, which will be all set up for you also. This person also helps setting up snacks and taking care of odds and ends as they come up. Please consider volunteering and sign up on the St. Michael s Sign-Up Genius or contact Kelley at kelley@stmichaels1714.org Church School Outreach: Souper Bowl of Caring, Feb. 2 Also in January, we will begin working on our annual St. Michael s Souper Bowl of Caring. The mission of the Souper Bowl of Caring to use the energy of the Super Bowl to mobilize youth in a united national effort to care for people in their local communities who are hungry and those in need. On behalf of St. Michael s, the youth of our parish will collect canned goods and money to donate locally to the Marblehead Food Pantry. To contribute to this endeavor, just drop off unexpired non-perishables to our food pantry box at any time, or make a cash donation to our soup pot on Souper Bowl Sunday, February 2, May you have a happy and healthy new year!

4 St. Michael s Newsletter January 2014 Page Four Stewards of the Month Starr & Bob Campbell Starr Campbell is a life-long Episcopalian who grew up in a little country church with a low service. I was not comfortable with the high service, she says, so Bob and I attended St. Andrews for a while. About two years ago, she decided to give the close by St. Michael s another try and now she says, We enjoy being part of Father Andrew s flock. Starr says she is constantly awed by the choir and the beautiful music of the church. As a boy, Bob Campbell sang in St. Michael s choir, earning a nickel or quarter each Sunday to do so. However, after he left for college, it would be 35 years before he moved back to Marblehead. Starr and Bob help out with the Lobster Luncheon; she bakes for the Christmas fair, and knits shawls for the Knitting Ministry. Thrift Shop Winter Hours Tuesday Saturday, 1 4 PM Brrrr...it s cold out there. Take that extra coat you re not wearing, give it a good cleaning, and donate it to the Thrift Shop for those who need one. The Thrift Shop needs winter coats, jackets, fleeces, etc. for the winter season. Please, items should have working zippers and no missing buttons or snaps. Thrift Shop donations can be brought to the Thrift Shop at the Davenport House during open hours, or left in the green bin in the Parish Hall near the coat rack. They are busy volunteering. Bob works with SCORE, a service corps of retired executives, that helps new businesses get started and grow. He also rings the bell for the Salvation Army kettle at Crosby s during the holiday season. Starr volunteers as an ombudsman for three area nursing homes, advocating for the residents. A former chair of the town recycling committee for seven years, she remains involved. When I get involved, I find it hard to let go, she says. Before she retired, Starr was a marriage and family therapist with an agency and she also had a home office. Bob was with IBM for 31 years in human resources. During those years, they moved many times, to Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Minnesota, so when they retired they could finally choose where to live. They considered Maine, Connecticut, and Florida, but decided on Marblehead. We are living in our 12th house, says Starr. However, once retired, Bob joined a staffing company for professionals as their senior vice-president for North America and after 14 years, he retired three years ago for a second time. They have a daughter Heather who with her husband Jay lives here in town with their two daughters, Amanda 12 and Brooke 9. Their son Erik and his wife Leonora live in Connecticut with their two sons, Brandon 17 and Hunter 15. In their spare time, the Campbells like to golf and are members of The Tedesco Country Club. Starr plays bridge and belongs to a garden club. Starr mentions another member of the family, Brie, a shelter dog, who is Bob s closest companion. - Marilyn Day St. Michael s Episcopal Church Marblehead, Massachusetts Our Mission is to seek transformation in God s grace by worshipping God in prayer, song, and study; loving and serving our neighbor in and outside our parish Community; and being good stewards of God s creation. Our Vision is to be a Mission-driven Episcopal congregation that by 2014 will be widely recognized as a vibrant, open, and inviting community, known for liturgically-centered worship and music, for lifelong learning, for pastoral presence and service to communities near and far, for good stewardship of our resources, and for celebration of our legacy as an historic church.

5 St. Michael s Newsletter January 2014 Page Five Supply Priests and Thomas S. W. Mott, Rector, When Lot Jones left St. Michael s in June 1823, St. Michael s had won the battle to stay an Episcopal Church, but was still struggling financially. Various ministers in the area supplied the desk at St. Michael s including Dr. Henry William Ducachet ( ), a physician and deacon serving at St. Peter s in Salem. In an 1866 memorial of Ducachet, the Rev. Ferdinand Ewer wrote It was his custom, moreover, often to go to the neighboring and quaint old town of Marblehead, where he held service in St. Michael's Church, which had been so long vacant that the parish was almost extinct. To one who remembers the prejudice existing at that day in Massachusetts against the Church, it is an indication of Dr. Ducachet's efficiency and a proof of the wisdom of Bishop Griswold in ordaining him, that in less than a year he succeeded, even by such occasional services as he was able to render, in reviving the parish, and he was cheered at seeing, before he left Massachusetts for the South, the Rev. T. S. W. Mott called as its minister. Permit me to mention as an evidence of his zeal, that Dr. Ducachet's services at Marblehead were voluntarily entered upon and were entirely gratuitous. Indeed, by March 1825, the Vestry felt able to consider calling a minister at its annual meeting. A committee was formed to call the Revd. Mr. Leonard, probably the fully ordained Rev. George Leonard who was currently serving two parishes on opposite sides of the Connecticut River in Windsor, VT, where Lot Jones had been ordained, and Cornish, NH. The parish did not receive Leonard s refusal until 13 June The Vestry s next choice was Thomas Smith Webb Mott, who had just been ordained deacon on May 3rd, 1825 at St. Paul s in Boston. The Rev. Mott was born on July 28, 1800 in Preston, Nova Scotia, the son of John Mott of Nova Scotia and Deborah Webb, the daughter of a Massachusetts Loyalist who had moved to Nova Scotia. Thomas Mott graduated from Brown University in 1822 and then attended the Andover Theological Seminary, graduating in On June 27, 1825, the Rev. Mr. Mott reported that he would become their regular Minister for the sum of five hundred dollars per annum and that he would never leave the Parish until they were supplied with another minister. (St. Michael s Records , p. 111) With Ralph H. French Esquire and Samuel R. Trevett as wardens, dedicated Vestry members and the Rev. Mr. Mott, St. Michael s gradually improved. In April 1826, William Reed proposed that pews owned by nonparishioners be exempt from taxation until sold, but this motion was permanently postponed. In December a committee began to consider needed repairs. And at the April 1827 annual meeting, William Reed relinquished to the Parish all his Pews and interest in the Parish with all the sums that had been paid as rents. (Records, p. 116) But by then Mott s health was not good and he appears to have gone to Providence, RI, perhaps to consult Bishop Griswold. On June 4, 1827 Mott wrote that the Parish needed a priest who could perform both morning and evening services, and in his present condition, he was not up to the task. He did mention that he would put in a word with the missionary society to make as large an appropriation as possible for the ensuing year in the hope that God in his good Providence may send you some worthier minister of his grace. (Records, p. 119) The Parish accepted his resignation, and Mott sailed to Nova Scotia to visit family. In the fall of 1827 Mott preached at Christ Church, Gardiner, ME and was invited to preach for the next three months. But by November his health had again declined. Mott headed south and preached at St. James in Wilmington, NC. He then returned to Maine by August 1828 for Maine s convention where he helped draft a constitution for a State Sunday School Union. By the winter of , Mott had again returned South for his health, this time as a missionary to St. Simon s Island, GA and Lot Jones stood in for him in Gardiner. It was not until March 1830 that Mott gave up trying to live in the north. From Georgia, Mott headed to Columbia, SC to help at Trinity Church, and then served as North Carolina s missionary to Lenoir County. Mott served in churches and taught in schools across North Carolina, first in eastern NC until 1836, and then western North Carolina where eastern families were summering. From he served in Flat Rock and Hendersonville, Lincolnton and Lenoir in Caldwell County and briefly in Charlotte. While in Lenoir he also founded a boy s school called Belvoir. From Mott left NC to serve at St. Paul s Church in Columbus, MS, but returned to serve as rector of St. Peter s Church, Charlotte, NC, With the advent of the Civil War, Mott left St. Peter s to edit the Church Intelligencer, a newspaper reporting on activities and interests of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Confederate States of America. With the close of the war and the newspaper, the Rev. Thomas Mott retired to his home in eastern Catawba County where he died on 29 September He and his wife are buried in St. Luke s Episcopal Church Cemetery in Lincolnton, NC. - Frances Stith Nilsson, Historic Church Committee

6 St. Michael s Newsletter January 2014 Page Six Ministries of Fellowship & Prayer St. Catherine s Guild Annual Yankee Swap Thursday, January 16th at 6:30 pm The Guild will meet at 6:30 pm on Thursday, January 16th for our annual Yankee swap and dinner. Bring a wrapped gift a re-gifted item, a fun item, but definitely inexpensive and see which gift is swapped the most! Parish Aid Luncheon Tuesday, January 21 12:00 Noon Bring a sandwich and join this group for fellowship and dessert. Parish Aid meets on the third Tuesday of the month. All are welcome! Winter Reading I am in love with every Church and Mosque and Temple and any kind of Shrine Because I know it is there that people say the different names of the one God. -- Hafiz As your seminarian, I had the honor of preaching at St. Michael s on the first Sunday of Advent (December 1) and the first Sunday of Christmas (December 29). The scripture readings appointed for the day led me to the theme of each sermon. At the beginning of Advent, we focused on Pilgrimage. At the beginning of the season of Christmas, we focused on Poetry: Names and Images of God. The lines from the 14 th century Persian poet Hafiz bring together those two themes. The poet speaks of a journey in search of the one God. In the readings for Christmas, we heard that the different names of the one God range from Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace to the Word, Light of the World to the Holy Child born in a stable. I pointed out the name Abba! Father! a name for God which Paul uses in his letter to the Galatians, and which Jesus himself uses when he prays in the Garden of Gethsemane in the Gospel of Mark. Abba is the Aramaic word for Daddy, sometimes translated Beloved. This name makes us look at God in a new way. Each name is a fragment of the eternal, vast, unknowable whole that is God. For Hafiz, and for me, the many names of the one God come not only from the language and traditions of one s own familiar culture but also from the language and traditions of other places and other faiths. I d like to recommend two books about the many names In my father s house are many mansions, a woodcut by Irving Amen of God by authors I ve encountered in my exploration of the Boston Theological Institute as part of my studies at Episcopal Divinity School: Encountering God by Diana Eck. Diana Eck is a professor of comparative religion at Harvard Divinity School. Encountering God tells of her journey from her Methodist roots in Montana to her discovery of the many names of God in India. Professor Eck was involved in interfaith dialogue at the World Council of Churches for many years before founding and directing The Pluralism Project at Harvard. This book is both inspiring and enlightening. It is rich in ideas but not a difficult read. My Neighbor s Faith: Stories of Interreligious Encounter, Growth and Transformation. Edited by Jennifer Peace, Or Rose and Gregory Mobley. I discovered this wonderful book at a panel presented by the Pluralism Project and the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard. The editors are professors of interfaith studies at Andover Newton Theological School and Hebrew College. The firstperson stories are gathered into sections with titles like Encountering the Neighbor and Finding Fellow Travelers. The collection is a testimony to the Power of Stories and Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself. What better way to pass a winter evening than with a good book? Either or both books would make wonderful choices. You can dip in and out of them, choosing a chapter or a story. You might be inspired to gather for a Winter Book Discussion. The stories in My Neighbor s Faith might inspire a storytelling or writing group. We all have stories of encounters with God. We all have the long winter evenings ahead of us. - Susan Butterworth, Seminarian

7 ST. MICHAEL S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 26 Pleasant Street Marblehead, MA Phone: 781/ Fax. 781/ office@stmichaels1714.org Web: Christmas Lessons & Carols Sunday, January 5, :00 PM Organ Recital: Barbara Bruns Sunday, January 19, :00 PM Parish-Wide Annual Meeting Sunday, January 26, 2014 Parish Hall Following the 9:30 a.m. worship service. There will be only one service on January 26 at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School begins at 9:00 a.m. St. Michael s Church Officers: Frances Nilsson, Sr. Warden; Stephen Clay, Jr. Warden; Sue Cool, Clerk; James Dearborn, Treasurer; Karl Renney, Asst. Treasurer. Vestry: Melissa Amberik, Jenny Armini, Sarah Bates, Brian Carlson, Zavier Chickering, Rory Gaunt, Robert L. Howie, Jr., Karin McCarthy. Delegates for Convention: Jan Barnett, Denise Shea. Deanery Delegates: Jan Barnett, Frances Nilsson, Denise Shea Staff: The Rev. Andrew J. Stoessel, Rector; Dr. Douglas Major, Music Director; Kelley Howells, Christian Education Director; Jane Maihos, Parish Administrator; Jennifer Hill, Sexton.

8 Saint Michael s Church January 2014 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Office Hours Monday - Friday 8:30 am 12:30 pm Thrift Shop Hours Tuesday - Saturday 1:00 pm 4:00 pm 1) THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST Office Closed 2) Choir Rehearsals cancelled due to snow. St. Catherine s postponed until 1/16 3) 4) 5) 2ND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 8:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I 9:00 am 300 th Steering Committee 9:30 am Children s Chapel-downstairs 10:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II 5:00 pm Christmas Lessons & Carols 11:00 am Prayer Shawl Ministry 5:00 pm St. Michael s Team My Brothers Table, Lynn 6:00 pm Deanery Meeting at St. Stephen s, Lynn 9:30 am Holy Eucharist 10:30 am Bible Study 11:45 am Staff Meeting 8:00 pm AA Meeting 4:45 pm Youth Choir 7:30 pm Adult Choir 10:00 am 1:00 pm St. Michael s Team at Lifebridge, Salem with Ed & Michelle Baille 12) 1 ST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD 8:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I 9:00 am 300 th Committee 9:30 am Church School 10:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II 13) 11:00 am Prayer Shawl Ministry Annual Reports due electronically 11pt Times NewRoman 14) 6:00 pm Middle School Supper Club 7:30 pm Wardens Meeting 15) 9:30 am Holy Eucharist 10:30 am Bible Study 11:45 am Staff Meeting 8:00 pm AA Meeting 16) 4:45 pm Youth Choir 6:30 pm St. Catherine s Guild 7:30 pm Adult Choir 17) 18) 19) 2 ND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY 8:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I 9:00 am Historic Church Committee 9:30 am Church School 10:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II 20) Martin Luther King Day 11:00 am Prayer Shawl Ministry 21) 12:00 pm Parish Aid 7:30 pm Vestry Meeting 22) 9:30 am Holy Eucharist 10:30 am Bible Study 11:45 am Staff Meeting 8:00 pm AA Meeting 23) 4:45 pm Youth Choir 7:30 pm Adult Choir 24) 25) 5:00 pm Organ Recital, Barbara Bruns 26) 3 RD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY 9:30 am Church School 9:30 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II One Service Only 11:00 am Annual Parish Meeting with lunch to follow 27) 11:00 am Prayer Shawl Ministry 28) 6:00 pm Middle School Supper Club 29) 9:30 am Holy Eucharist 10:30 am Bible Study 8:00 pm AA Meeting 30) 7:30 pm Adult Choir 31)