St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Ivy

Transcription

1 St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Ivy Lent 2017 Newsletter The hard work of quiet The Rev. Emily Rowell-Brown Do you have a Lenten practice? When I was younger, in observance of Lent, I would give things up: chocolate, soda, ice cream (you have to understand that in my childhood home, where no fewer than six pints of Ben and Jerry's or Haagen Daaz would be in our freezer at any given time, that was a real struggle). As I grew older, and Lent-motivated renunciations of food groups seemed to have more to do with dieting or body image than spirituality, at least among my peers, I shied away from fasting and abstaining. I took on practices like reading the Bible or a devotional book, praying more frequently, and meditating. But these past few years, I have revisited the idea of removing, of stripping away that which is not essential. One of my favorite divinity school professors spoke about Lent as a time to "spring clean," or clear clutter. The parts of the faith that add dead weight--whether the lost found piles that build up in our church closets, the frenetic, anxious energy of our nightly prayers, the selfhatred accompanying indulgence in sweets--can be shoved away to make room for new life. The pace at which life now seems to move makes this way of understanding Lent particularly compelling. Many of us feel pulled in millions of different directions, perpetually distracted, scattered, which does little for our ability to be present in the moment, ready to discern and respond to how God is calling. When we do have downtime, we often fill it with television or radio or online shopping or some other kind of noise. So this Lent, I challenge you not to do much of anything. When you cook dinner, instead of immediately turning on music, chop vegetables silently. At night, as you turn off your bedside lamp, put down the book you re reading and remain still before launching into prayer. In the car, spend part of your commute simply staring at the road, not making a phone call or somehow otherwise multitasking. Let us make space for God to come to us. God reaches out to us in silence and quiet by planting seeds in our imagination, pulling on our heartstrings, and attuning us to the world's hungers and pains and joys and beauty. If we fill up every empty space, God can hardly seep in because (Continued on page 8)

2 Church Leadership 2017 Vestry The Rev. Emily Rowell-Brown Bettie Hutcherson, Sr. Warden Jeff Sprouse, Jr. Warden Kevin Hensley Ed Strange June Tate Activities/Altar Guild Nancy Sprouse Secretary, Treasurer Michelle Sprouse Sunday School Tracy Strange Youth Directors Bettie Hutcherson Organists Paul Fisk & Boo Dulaney Bulletins, June Tate Newsletters, June Tate Cemetery, Jeff Sprouse Flowers, Bettie Hutcherson Hospitality, Bettie Hutcherson Web Site Coordinator The Rev. Emily Rowell-Brown ECW June Tate, President Bettie Hutcherson, Sec./Treas. Senior Warden s Report Bettie Hutcherson Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1st, and continues for 40 days (not including Sundays) until Saturday, April 15th. It is a solemn time to examine ourselves of our sins and turn away from them. It is a time for changing our ways to be more like Christ would have us be. Lent helps us realize that no matter how good we might think we are or how good we hope that other people think we are--the truth is that we are far from being perfect. Lent reminds us that God knows all our faults, our failures, and our sins. God knows all about us and still LOVES US. Lent is a time to reflect on the beautiful life we are given and the wonderful people God puts in our path to influence our lives. Take a few minutes each and every day during the Lenten season to BE STILL! Bettie Episcopal Christian Women Bettie Hutcherson Our holiday bazaar was very successful this year. Our thanks go out to each of you that contributed items to the sale and/or bought a Christmas wreath, baked goods and gifts from us. We were able to raise funds to help with the purchase of our new altar hangings. This year we were able to fill 10 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Again, thanks to those who purchased these much needed items and those who contributed toward the shipping of our boxes. We continue to participate in the United Thank Offering each spring and fall. Plan on making a donation during 2017 by saving your loose change. UTO boxes are available in the parish hall. Items are needed for our table sales. It you have new or gently used items, please bring them to us. Your continued support is very much appreciated as we work and play together! Bettie 2 Lent 2017

3 Building & Grounds Report Jeff Sprouse, Junior Warden Church: *Fix the leak around the Bell Tower *Trim the shrubbery around all buildings *Snow Days, will send , call ones without , announce on TV Parish Hall: *Fixed both telephones in Parish Hall *Still need picture of Rev. Kathleen Sturges to hang with other past Vicars *Fix the blinds, where there are missing pieces Mission House: *No problems at present Church Grounds: *Need Memorial or other flag to fly over Cemetery *Light fixture around flag pole needs replacing, water damage *Trim the shrubbery around all buildings *Logan will continue to take care of mowing and snow removal *Our new Church sign, for the road bank, is being made. Thanks to the EWC and their great money making projects, we are now being able to have the sign made. Many years after being approved by the Vestry. Thank you so much for allowing dreams that we all continue to work hard at to become a reality. God bless each of you!! *Trim back tree hanging over our driveway, dragging our trucks and cars, from Booth's property, *We will need to purchase five to six loads of playground mulch in the Spring, to put over the rubber mat in playground. *If you would like to purchase grave sites they are $500 each for members and $1000 for non members. Thank you for electing me as your new Junior Warren. It's a honor to be over all the buildings and grounds and serve St. John the Baptist the best way I know how. Please let me know if you see something that needs my attention. Blessings, Jeff Sprouse Lent

4 Altar Guild Nancy Sprouse March 14 Jim Hutcherson 14 Larry Gibson 19 Christina McClung 30 Eric McFarlane April 1 James Jones 5 Jim Hall 5 Jamonnie Johnson 6 Jamond Johnson 7 Paul Fisk 12 Jane Harrison 14 Aaron Crawford 16 Sonny & Nancy Sprouse 21 Emily Shaver 27 Dan Brown May 1 Amy Hutcherson 11 Larry & Sherri Gibson 13 Charles Jackson 13 Kevin Hensley 21 Ed Strange 27 Trey Thomas 31 Kelsey Kirschnick June 7 Tracy Strange-Nelson 11 Randi Lynn Thomas 16 Kathleen Sturges 18 Charleigh Rowe 20 Jim & Betty Hutcherson This has been such a high light for me this past month. There have been so many exciting things happening with the Altar Guild. Every week as I took care of the linens and hangings, I wondered when we would be able to replace some of the worn hangings and etc. I never complained. Then one Sunday after church Diane Lewis and Tracy Strange brought it up, how worn the hangings had become. They had actually been like that for about twenty five years. Thanks be to God, through our Yard Sales, Homecoming Donations and Personal Donations, we were able to order our first set of Green Hangings to make our beautiful church even more beautiful. Right behind this order we are working hard to order the White Hangings. The Green Hangings are due to arrive any day. Each complete set will cost close to $4000. Then there was a second surprise. The ECW bought the church for me to use a wonderful more powerful vacuum cleaner. God bless the ECW and all the people of St. John the Baptist. It will make my cleaning and setting up for Sunday Service so much easier. I ordered new numbers for the hymn board, old ones had worn out. *Jeff has found a company to help us with refinishing our brass. *If you would like to give flowers for Sunday services in memory or honor of your loved ones, sign -up sheet is in back of church, near the door. See Bettie Hutcherson (flower chair) for questions. The flowers last for about four weeks. *Paul, Boo and the acolytes will be given communion first, then the congregation will be ushered to front altar or what we call the side altar. When the main altar is used, please go up on your right side and also come down on your right side. If the side altar is used, please go up on your left and come down on your left. Hold on to the railings if needed. Anyone who can't make it to the altar, Rev. Emily Brown and acolyte will bring communion down to your seat. faithfully, Nancy 4 Lent 2017

5 222nd Convention of the Diocese of Virginia June Tate, Lay Delegate More than 600 people met at the Hyatt Regency in Reston January The theme was Walk In Love. Each speaker included this theme in their talks. We were encouraged to use this idea to serve others, be kind to one another and to address injustice. Emily and I met people we knew and many I didn t know. There was a general feeling of welcome that lasted throughout the Convention. Bishop Shannon gave opened the Convention with an inspiring talk, including his call to be more of a public activist and to take action on social justice issues. A change to the Bishop Visitation schedule beginning in September this year was officially announced. All three bishops have a desire to get to know the people of each church better, as well as the issues each church is facing. There will be one visit per Sunday for each Bishop, so they will have more time to spend with each church. Most congregations will receive a bishop visit every other year, with the option of presenting baptisms and confirmands when the bishop visits a nearby church in between visits. Also announced was the Convention date would be changed to November, beginning this year, instead of January. This is being done to avoid weather related cancellations, such as the snow last year will be a two convention year! The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, gave the keynote address. He focused on the need to conduct more outreach, getting outside the church itself and engaging the community, especially with young people. He has a wonderful sense of humor which he displayed during delivery of the speech. Each bishop gave very interesting talks. The videos of these speeches are available on the website of the Diocese, thediocese.net.. It is definitely worth the time to watch and listen to each. I believe the full written text of each speech is also available. Bishop Goff hosted a breakfast for all the Mission Church representatives. There was informal and warm conversation. She listened to concerns, and spoke of her upcoming sabbatical. Lent

6 (Convention Report continued from page 5) I got to meet many very nice people, hang out with Brian for a while, and to thoroughly enjoy the wonderful and talented musicians and choir during the Eucharist services. I found all the bishops to be very thoughtful, personable, and very human! They love to discuss many different items. Nothing to be afraid of with them! At the end of the convention two churches were presented as new Independent Parishes. St. Luke s, Simeon was one of them. The Rev. Ann Wilms and Rev. Brian Hutcherson, with a couple of parishioners, represented the church, and both sets of representatives received a standing ovation and applause! I attended two workshops: one on culture, discipleship and evangelism (which showed how the culture of an area or people affects discipleship and evangelism) and one a mindfulness quiet time led by a meditation teacher. There were many exhibitions that were interesting to peruse. Much of the work of the Convention was discussing and voting on Resolutions and electing the delegates to the national convention. There was discussion, but the group reached consensus quickly. The major resolutions are summarized below: 1. The Diocese had not updated maternity or family leave in 25 years. The convention voted to update the Compensation and Benefit Guidelines to reflect the current policy of the Church Pension Group on paid Maternity Leave for clergy; and to expand guidelines to Family Leave for many different needs of families. 2. Also approved was a resolution that a letter on behalf of the Diocese be sent to the elected representatives of the Commonwealth in support of legislation that requires paid maternity and paternity leave for all employees within Virginia. 3. The Convention voted to affirm the Episcopal Church s endorsement of legislative efforts to guarantee adequate health care and insurance for all people of the United States. The resolution also urges the governor and General Assembly to extend wider health care coverage in Virginia through Medicaid and other appropriate measures, especially to people of limited means. The Diocese passed a balanced budget with increased funding to grants for Episcopal College Ministries. This works toward the goal of increasing the outreach to young people. Convention was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot, and feel very privileged to have been your lay delegate! Respectfully submitted, June Tate 6 Lent 2017

7 Activities for 2017 A front and back page insert was prepared by Nancy Sprouse to cover known activities for the entire year for family planning. Please place this insert in a prominent place, such as your refrigerator or family bulletin board. Of course, as usual, all dates are subject to change for various reasons. Fun Things to Do Lent

8 (Continued from page 1) we have left no room. God is in the margins. Faithfully, Emily ***This Lent, we will have a special series focusing on silence and quiet. Studies will be held after the church service on March 5, March 26, and April 2. All are welcome to join! The Diocese of Virginia ECW is also offering a Quiet Day on March 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Richmond, Virginia, and I will take a group of those interested from St. John the Baptist.*** St. John the Baptist, Ivy Mission Statement The purpose of St. John the Baptist is to create an environment, through our acceptance of God s love in Christ, wherein we can become a faithful community, committed to sharing that same love by seeking and serving Christ in all persons. St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church P. O. Box 351 Ivy, Virginia Lent 2017