The Disciple. Change for Peace Jars

Transcription

1 The Disciple A Monthly Publication of St. Jude's Church "The purpose of St. Jude's Church is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by proclaiming through words, actions and love the Good News of God in Christ; to provide for spiritual growth and to minister, with love, to the needs of this congregation and to all people. 907 Wichman Street Walterboro, S.C The Rev. Bob H o r owitz, Rector stjudes@lowcountry.com online: (843) March 2017 Change for Peace Jars During a break at a recent conference I attended, I was introduced to Bishop Daniel Abot of the South Sudan. I was struck by his warm smile and peaceful presence. Bishop Daniel was one of the 20,000 Lost Boys of Sudan. At the height of the Sudanese civil war that claimed over 1,000,000 lives and displaced tens of thousands of others, he lost his family and walked over 1,000 miles to an Ethiopian Refugee Camp. He spent the next 15 years in refugee camps where he witnessed horrors and hardships no child should witness. During this time he says, That s when God revealed himself to me. I kept asking Why did I survive? It s God. That s why I became connected. I knew there was something there helping me. When we arrived in Ethiopia we had prayers under the trees. We sang a song, a prayer to God. It was very tough. Life was miserable. Every day I knew pain. I didn t have a choice. I just prayed to God. In the Kenyan refugee camp he dedicated his time to church and worked with youths. He married Rachel in an Episcopal church and the United Nations granted him and his family a refugee visa to Australia. He lived with his family, Rachel, and their 7 children in Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Daniel studied community services, 4 years of theology, and earned a B.A. in Human Service. As a priest in the Diocese of Brisbane, Daniel worked with Angli-care for nine years, a Christian organization that focuses on re-settling refugees. The Anglican Church was so supportive of us when we arrived. It always made us feel at home. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 as part of a peace deal to end Africa s longestrunning civil war. But the young state returned to crisis in 2013 as fighting broke out again. About 100,000 people have been killed in fighting between two ethnic groups, the Dinka and Nuer. Many innocent people, including women, children, the elderly and disabled, have been displaced. In 2014, the diocese of Duk, South Sudan was established and the people proposed Daniel to be their Bishop. Daniel resisted at first because of his family responsibilities but after consultation with his wife, Rachel, Daniel travelled 8,000 miles to return home to South Sudan in September 2014 and was consecrated as the first Bishop of Duk to bring spiritual help and peace to a war-torn country. It is a tough time for my family but when you have a family that believes in God you can sacrifice for God s sake, says Bishop Daniel of his decision to return to South Sudan. They pray for me. They know I don t abandon them. I do what God calls of me. The job for Bishop Daniel is an unpaid one. The new Diocese of Duk has no staff or infrastructure. There is no home for Bishop Daniel. Daniel sleeps in any huts and largely spends his time in the bush supporting his people. The Diocese of Duk is right at the cross roads of the conflict zone and close to 66,000 of Bishop Daniel s flock live in the displaced camps within South Sudan and in the Refugee Camps in Kenya and Uganda. People talk of peace. Leaders are negotiating to bring peace. At the grassroots, people are still struggling because there is no peace. They are not getting food, medicine, any services. Daniel describes his enormous challenge in Duk: I feel like a drop of water in the ocean, but in the name of my Lord Jesus, I feel uniquely suited for the job. I have already suffered in my life, and I always know God has a plan for me, and I know what it is like to start over again in the village. I can cry with my people and pray

2 with them in any way possible. The United Nations considers South Sudan so dangerous that it has been unwilling to send its personnel into certain areas. Seven journalists have been killed by unknown assailants in the past year. On one occasion the UN asked Bishop Daniel if he would be prepared to deliver four truckloads of supplies to war-ravaged civilians. "I said I ll take the risk. I ll take that food to the area. If I can t do it, it would be hard for anyone to do it, he says. It was frightening. These trucks were going to that dangerous border of Nuer and Dinka and at any time there could have been a clash between those groups. It was not too comfortable but I strongly believe God is my protector. On arrival in the conflict zone, Bishop Daniel, a Dinka man, and Anglican Bishop Thomas Tut, a Nuer man, jointly distributed the food in a show of Christian solidarity. We joined hands together. We were successful in that part of the country to bring people together, to share food and share prayers, Bishop Daniel says. We took that opportunity. The people had one thing in common they were starving. If we can bring peace to that part of the country, that peace might spread to the rest of South Sudan. Bishop Daniel says the peace in the border area has held since his visit. He has also visited displaced members of his diocese living in the bush in South Sudan and in refugee camps in Uganda Bishop Daniel has priests in his diocese willing to help him but they lack formal qualifications and $1,100 would cover the costs of theological training, accommodation and food for 12 months for an individual in South Sudan. He is currently working with Peace Initiative Orphanage Project, adult early education, clergy capacity development, and guesthouses to be built in Duk to accommodate guests to generate revenue for the Diocese. When I met Bishop Daniel I felt compelled to help support him in his ministry. He was very grateful when I told him we would pray for him every Sunday. I ve since been in contact with Bishop Cameron Venables in South Queensland, Australia, and he tells me that two accounts have recently been established for donations to further Bishop Daniel s ministry. One is to provide funds to train priests to help him in ministry. The other is to help provide funds for his travel, purchase supplies for people in need, etc. All donors will receive detailed account information as to what their donations went toward. My hope is that St. Jude s will begin a relationship with Bishop Daniel where we can help support this man of God as we are able and we will on occasion hear back from him about his ministry in South Sudan. One way you can help is to take one of these Change for Peace Jars and fill it with coins and pray for God s provision for him and has family. When we collect enough of them we will cash them in and send your donation to Bishop Daniel. Blessings, Bob+ Wednesday, March 1 7:00 AM, 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM. Remember on Saturday, March 11 th : Spring the clock one hour ahead, Before you fall into bed. (Daylight savings time begins Sunday, March 12 th ) 2

3 MUSIC NOTES Adult Choir will rehe a rse on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 during Lent. Sunday rehearsals will be from 9:30-10:15AM. We are preparing music for Lent and Easter. New singers are always welcome! History of Hymns: How Firm a Foundation, #636 by C. Michael Hawn The authorship of this great hymn of the faith is one of the great hymnological mysteries. When John Rippon, pastor of Carter Lane Baptist Church in London, published A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors in 1787, the attribution for this hymn appeared only as K. Hymnologist William Reynolds notes that the 1822 edition designated the author as Kn, and the 1835 edition of the collection indicated Keen. Fina lly, an 1844 edition ascribed authorship to Kirkham. Robert Keene (or Keen), a close friend of Rippon s, was the song leader at the Carter Lane Church from Mr. Reynolds believes that Keene a ssisted Rippon in preparing the compilation. But no hymn in the early editions appears to have been written by Kee ne. We know that Rippon s Selection was very popular, with 11 editions published in England and one in the U.S. (1820) before his death in How firm a foundation was sung frequently in both the North and the South before the Civil War. Mr. Re ynolds notes that it was a favorite hymn of Theodore Roosevelt, and that Andre w Jackson requested it be sung at his deathbed, and that Robert E. Lee asked it be sung at his funeral. The anonymous folk tune Foundation is an American contribution to the hymn that first appears with the text in Joseph Fund s 1832 Genuine Church Music under the tune name Protection. Hymnology scholar Harry Eskew has concluded that Protection was a new tune and not previously published. The composer remains unknown. The tune appears in other famous American 19th-century collections such as The Sacred Harp (1844). Earlier hymnals in the U.S. often used the tune Adeste Fidelis, associated indelibly with O come, all ye faithful. Originally writte n with seven four-line stanzas, five are included in The United Methodist Hymnal with only one small alteration. The first stanza identifies this as a hymn of promise s directly from Jesus. Stanzas two through five appear as direct quotations from Jesus, though many scriptural allusions come from the Old Testament. Hymnologist Albert Bailey carried out a detailed scriptural analysis of the hymn. Sta nza two quotes Isaiah 41:10 almost verbatim: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; year, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousne ss. (KJV) The final stanza draws upon several sources but is e spe c ially influenced by Deuteronomy 31: 6, 8: Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee... he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Regardless of authorship, we know that this hymn was written by a Christian who was extremely knowledgeable of the promises of God found in Scripture, who had most likely called upon those promises for strength in times of tribulation. After it arrived in the U.S., one can be sure that it was a hymn that comforted many on both sides of the Civil War. This sermon in song continues to speak just as meaningfully today. 1. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled? 2. In every condition, -- in sickness, in health, In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth, At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, -- The Lord, the Almighty, they strength e'er shall be. 3. "Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand. 4. "When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 5. "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. 6. "E'en down to old age all My people shall prove My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love; And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne. 7. "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I will not, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never, forsake!" 3

4 TO......everyone who helped with breakfast in February: Erwin & Martie Hooker, Harper Downey, Dana Cheney, Jack Jackson, Ben Harrison, David & Susan Martin, Tracy & Johnny Johnson, Joe and Ileen Grange, Thomas & Jenny Klich....Kathie & Bob Smith, Debbie & Marvin Jones, Julia Waddell, Patti & Tom Lohr who volunteered to cook a meal for the Youth Group....Ben & Susan Harrison for hosting the Good Fridays Oyster Roast....the Charles, Toni, and Marianne and their helpers for another superb Pancake Supper! PARISH FAMILIES MINISTERED TO THIS MONTH......Eve & Billy Richardson...Jimmy Skardon...Linda Hoover...Melissa Gravano We try to have an ongoing Food/Flower/Card/Soup Ministry and we feel bad when we do not know or find out late about a need in our church family. Please be certain to contact the church office and let us know of a need in our parish family whether it s a meal or a visit from the Rector. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUTH SUPPER VOLUNTEERS Those who volunteered from March 8 through April 5 to fix meals for the Youth, will not need to. The Youth Group will participate with the church in the Video Series on Wednesday nights. The DOK meets on the first Sunday of each month at 9AM in the Vestry Room in Skardon Hall. The only requirement for membership is a commitment to prayer and serving our Lord! If you are interested in learning more about DOK please join us on February 5, or contact Ann Walters, (843) , or Marianne Holmes, (843) SUNDAY BREAKFAST at ST. JUDE'S Would like to thank everyone in advance for taking time to help out with this ministry. Also remind them to pick up key for building sometime during the week before they need it. THANKS, Dana Cheney March 5th Byron and Cindy Lee Charlotte Valentine 12th Jack & Toni Jackson Peter Martin 19th Bob & Kathie Smith Madison Utsey and Kelly Houck 26th Dana Cheney Gilda Barnwell Scott Harvin MARCH BIRTHDAYS DEADLINE for submitting deposit to reserve a spot on the Holy Land Trip is Wednesday, March Melissa Gravano 14 Leland Bridges 2 Charles Brightwell 17 Thomas Klich 3 Anna Peurifoy 18 Margaret Smith 5 Becky Harrison 20 Judy Stone 5 Daniel H. Daniels 22 Caroline Liles 12 Luke Harvin 30 June Erwin 30 Bud Steadman 4

5 VESTRY RETREAT MEETING NOTES Saturday, January 7, Actual Budget Income: Open Plate 1, , Pledge 17, , Other Father Bob welcomed everyone and explained decision making at Vestry meetings and format of Vestry meetings. (See handout). All voted in favor of Bob Smith for Treasurer and Christine Stroble for Vestry Clerk for Bob Smith presented the Treasurer s report and 2017 draft budget. Bob handed out, explained and discussed the St. Jude s Account Balances as of December 31, 2016 and an Account Balance Comparison for the past three years. Bob also handed out and discussed the 2017 Stewardship Campaign Report and the 2017 Pledge Analysis. Bob Smith presented and explained a draft of information (see handout) regarding Endowments and Invested Funds. After some discussion it was agreed that Bob would provide the information to the congregation at the Annual Meeting on January 22, Information from the Memorial Garden Committee regarding the Memorial Garden will be discussed at an upcoming Vestry meeting. Father Bob thanked Bob Smith for his work as treasurer. Marvin Jones (Sr. Warden) and Jac k Jackson (Junior Warden) were unanimously approved as Wardens for Father Bob read and discussed, Start with what you got by Michael Moynagh. (See handout). Father Bob went over Vestry Commission Assignments. Father Bob and Vestry members discussed the Committee Guidelines and the roles of the committees. Vestry members discussed and agreed on the following Commission Assignments: Building and Grounds Jack Jackson Jack reported that he will conduct a grounds walkthrough like he did last year and that Ben Harrison had replaced the lights in front of the church. Memorial Marvin Jones Pastoral Care Susan Martin Outreach Marilyn Peters Youth Julia Waddell Evangelism Byron Lee Christian Education Charlotte Valentine (Youth) and Rick Hawkins (Adult) Worship - Father Bob Horowitz Finance and Stewardship Anthony Herndon Fellowship Kathie Smith and Madison Utsey Kathie reported that the next Good Friday will be held on February 17th at the home of Ben and Susan Harrison. Church Women Gilda Barnwell Wednesday Evening Program St. Jude s Church 6:00-6:30 PM Video series by best selling author John Ortberg: "Who Is This Man?" March 8 - Session 1 The Man Who Won't Go Away Baked Potato Soup (prepared by Choir) March 15 - Session 2 A Revolution of Humanity Chili (prepared by Vestry) March 22 - Session 3 The Power of Forgiveness Vegetable Soup (prepared by Women s Group) March 29 - Session 4 Why It's a Small World After All Chicken Noodle Soup (prepared by DOK) April 5 - Session 5 Three Days That Changed the World Soup & Sandwich (prepared by Altar Guild) Dinners served from 5:30-6:00 PM Suggested Donation : $3 Location: Skardon Hall, Corner of Wichman & Fishburne Invite a Friend! All are Welcome! 5

6 April 9 - Palm/Passion Sunday 8:00 am - Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist, Rite I 10:30 am - Festive Procession, Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist, Rite II April 13- Maundy Thursday 6:00 pm - Holy Eucharist Rite II Stripping of the Altar and foot washing (optional) 8:00 pm - till Friday Noon Prayer Vigil in Church April 14 - Good Friday 12:00 pm - Good Friday Liturgy 6:00 pm - Good Friday Stations of the Cross inside the church sanctuary. Fourteen monologues of people who were involved in one way or another in Jesus' journey to the Cross are read aloud. After each monologue is read a prayer is said and one candle is extinguished as the church is gradually darkened to symbolize the death of our Lord before his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday. April 16 - Easter Day 8:00 am - Holy Eucharist Rite I with festive hymns and anthems 9:00 am- Continental Breakfast 10:00 am - Festival Prelude 10:30 am - Festival Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Flowering of the Cross; Hymns of the Resurrection; Anthems include "Hallelujah" (Messiah) G. F. Handel; organ and trumpet Everyone is invited to join us on the ST. JUDE'S SPRING LOWCOUNTRY TOUR on Saturday, March 18 th from 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. We will travel by carpool and visit several historic sites including the original Bethel Presbyterian Church site, St. Bartholomew's Ruins, Edmundsbury Chapel of Ease, Catholic Hill and Salem United Methodist Church. We will also visit the Donnelly Wildlife Management Area where lunch will be provided in a beautiful outdoor setting. The Tour is free but you must reserve a spot by calling the church office or fill out the sign-up sheet in the church narthex. The cost for lunch is $3 per person or $10 max per family. This will be a fun day and a good opportunity to invite a friend to meet some of your church family. We will meet in front of the church and leave at 9:00 a.m. 226TH CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE OF SOUTH CAROLINA The 226th Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina will be held March 10-11, 2017 at St. Paul s Church, Summerville, SC. Friday, March 10, 2017 Convention Workshops: 1-4 pm, (St. Paul s Campus) Service of Holy Eucharist 4:15 pm Clergy Vesting (Skardon Hall) 5:00 pm Holy Eucharist (Doar Hall) Convention Supper 7:00 pm Convention Supper, BBQ (under the tent) Congratulations to Eve and Billy Richardson on the birth of their granddaughter, Catherine Smith Richardson, on Monday, February 20 th at 7:06pm. She weighed 6 lbs., 10ozs. She is the daughter of Smith and Ashley Richardson. Saturday, March 11, :30-8:45 am Convention Registration & Continental Breakfast (Skardon Hall) 9:00 am Call to Convention (Doar Hall) 6

7 1 Ash Wednesday - 7:00 AM, 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM. 5 First Sunday Open Plate Offering goes to Rector s Discretionary Fund. 5 DOK Meeting, 9AM 5 Taize Service, 5:30PM 8 Session 1 - The Man Who Won't Go Away, 6pm 5:30pm - Dinner is a Baked Potato Soup prepared by Choir th Diocesan Convention, St. Paul s Summerville 12 Daylights Savings Time Begins, set your clocks one hour ahead at 2 AM Saturday 13 Vestry Meeting, 5:30 PM 15 Session 2 -A Revolution of Humanity, 6pm 5:30pm - Dinner is a Chili prepared by Vestry. 15 Deadline for submitting deposit to reserve a spot on the Holy Land Trip 16 The Lunch Bunch, 12 noon, at Dogwood Hills Restaurant. All adults welcome! RSVP: Church office or stjudes@lowcountry.com 16 St. Jude's Veterans' Fellowship, 6:30PM in Skardon Hall. Please RSVP: Good Fridays, 7PM, hosted by Corey & Caroline Hendren, 114 Pecan Rd. Co-Hosts: Matt & Holly Mardell. Wear your favorite team colors & come for food & fun!!! 19 Pantry Sunday 20 Submission deadline for the monthly Disciple 22 Session 3 - The Power of Forgiveness, 6pm 5:30pm - Dinner is a Vegetable Soup prepared by Women s Group. 23 4th Thursday Female Veterans' Fe llowship, 7:30PM, in Skardon Hall 29 Session 4 - Why It's a Small World After All, 6pm 5:30pm - Dinner is a Chicken Noodle Soup prepared by DOK. ST. JUDE'S VETERANS FELLOWSHIP Thursday, March 16 6:30PM in Skardon Hall. Please RSVP: th Thursday Female Veterans Fellowship Thursday,, March 23, at 7:30PM TAIZÉ SERVICE AT ST. JUDE S 5:30PM Join a contemplative service of prayer and song at St. Jude s on Sunday evening, March 5, The casual atmosphere encourages participants to slow down with simple repetitive chants, prayers, scripture, candlelight and silence in a holy atmosphere. This service is modeled after the ecumenical Taizé Community in France. Come and bring a friend April 16 th is Easter and we need to start thinking about flowers for the altar. Our deadline for ordering is MARCH 28!! $14.95 for 6", and $28.95 for 8" double; make checks payable to The Flower Barn. If you do not order with us, please wrap your plants in white paper with white ribbon and have them at the church on Saturday, April 15 th about 10 AM, as that is the time Altar Guild will be decorating. If you are purchasing separately, please contact the church office at by the deadline in order to have the names placed in the church bulletin. THE LUNCH BUNCH Contact: Susan Martin or Marilyn Peters Who: St. Jude's Members & Friends What: Monthly outings for fellowship & enrichment Where: Local or nearby restaurants or other venues When: 1st meeting: Thursday, March 16, 12 Dogwood Hills Restaurant RSVP: Church office or stjudes@lowcountry.com 7

8 St. Jude s Church The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina St. Jude's has worship services Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. Christian Education 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Wednesdays at 12 noon Holy Eucharist 5:30 p.m. Youth Group St. Jude's Church 907 Wichman Street Walterboro, South Carolina Return Service Requested The Disciple is published monthly by St. Jude's Church 907 Wichman Street Walterboro, SC and can be found online at Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9AM-2PM The Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church The Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence, Bishop The Rev. Bob Horowitz, Rector David Martin, Organist/Choirmaster Bob Smith, Parish Treasurer Lisa Marsh, Parish Administrator Vestry Members Marvin Jones, Senior Warden/Memorial 18 Jack Jackson, Junior Warden 18 Gilda Barnwell, DCW 17 Anthony Herndon, Finance & Stewardship 17 Charlotte Valentine, Christian Education 17 Byron Lee, Evangelism 17 Kathie Smith, Fellowship 18 Julia Waddell, Youth 18 Madison Utsey, Fellowship 19 Susan Martin, Pastoral Care 19 Marilyn Peters, Outreach 19 Rick Hawkins, Christian Education 19 MARCH MADNESS - BIG THURSDAY Basketball season is peaking with "March Madness" and Coach Corey Hendren & Caroline, along with Matt & Holly Mardell, are hosting Good Fridays -on Thursday this timeat the Hendren house on 114 Pecan Rd. (Woodland Terrace) on Thursday, March 16 th at 7:00 p.m. The TV's will be going with NCAA basketball, so wear your favorite team colors & come for food & fun!!! Look for a sign-up sheet in the narthex of the church or call Lisa at the parish office for reservations. 8