The Chimes - June 2013

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "The Chimes - June 2013"

Christina Norman
5 years ago
Views:

Ohana means family, Lilo says. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.

1 The Chimes - June 2013 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4 For what it's worth, here's my two cents... Upcoming Events: June 1 - Strawberry Festival & Yard Sale June 3 - The St. Elizabeth Guild June 4 - Fair Acres June 10 - Whine & Cheese June 15 - The Park Bench June 16 - Bishop s Visitation There is a wonderful quote about family from Disney s Lilo and Stitch I like. Ohana means family, Lilo says. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. At the start of this summer season, I would like for us a community to reflect on our greatest treasure we have a members of Calvary: that sense of belonging purpose we experienced within community. It is in our shared life together that we know and experience God. Within a family everyone has a voice, everyone has a place, all are wanted. Love and affection; the sense of belonging a person experiences within community compels all, out of love for all, to leave no one behind or forgotten. How do we as a congregation practice community? The answer is found among us. People must feel wanted and welcomed before they belong. Programs, resources, and clergy do not keep the curious and jaded coming back to Calvary. The warmth and affection of a community where God is made real is, as Jesus says, seed sown on good soil. As pastor, I must always remember that our congregation exists for those who are not yet members. As members of a welcoming community, strangers become friends and friends become family. In family, we find home. Out of gratitude for finding home, this congregation gives of itself. Love for each other and commitment of support become central tenets of accountability to the community. Through our stewardship, we give (our time, talent, and treasure) to the mission of God at Calvary because we, ourselves, have found God within the Calvary community. We give out of our love for Calvary. We give because we know that we re apart of the mission continued on p.2 June Calendar Feasts & Fasts 1 Justin, Martyr 3 The Martyrs of Uganda 4 John XXIII 5 Boniface, Archbishop, Martyr, Missionary 6 Ini Kopuria 7 The Pioneers of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil 8 Roland Allen 10 Ephrem of Edessa, Deacon 11 St. Barnabas, Apostle 12 Enmegahbowh, Priest and Missionary 13 Gilbert Keith Chesterton, writer 14 Basil the Great, Bishop 15 Evelyn Underhill 16 Joseph Butler, Bishop 18 Bernard Mizeki 22 Alban, Martyr 24 The Nativity of St. John the Baptist 25 James Weldon Johnson, Poet 26 Isabel Florence Johnson, Ecumenist 27 Cornelius Hill, Priest 28 Ireneous, Bishop 29 St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles

2 THE CHIMES - JUNE 2013 Page 2 For what it's worth, here's my two cents... (cont.) of Jesus. We give because everything we have is a gift of God. Providing care to the hurting and suffering; being there for people without condition endears us to strive for unity at all costs. Through non-anxious and non-judgmental presence, we rush into the world s pain. When our faith in Christ is enacted on behalf of others, it celebrates our bonds of connectedness that hold us together, especially in times of illness and tragedy. When unity flowers into a tangible reality, the sense of meaning and purpose reenergizes us each time we gather in Jesus name. Within unity, we are free and safe to explore new ways of worship, practice hospitality, and serve all people. Within unity, all work for together for the good for the sake of all -- because God loves all. However, when members of a community feel isolated and ignored, discord and conflict arise. Anxiety and fear are contagious, easily spread, and difficult to heal. Growth is painful. Facilitating change within is never easy. For the sake of our church home, we rely on our desire for unity by focusing on what binds us together than what separates us in times of conflict. We are, in the end, all seeking the same goal: to keep Calvary healthy and to make sure it is doing God s work. Anxiety and fear are not immune to clergy, especially within myself. As I strive to focus on the mission of Calvary, I reflect continually on how to deal with conflict appropriately. Imperfect and flawed, I have hurt others in trying to manage conflict; something I truly regret. With the help of professionals, I am in constant process of being mindful of my own internal struggles and need for affirmation. Being self-aware of my own perceptions of reality enables me to hear others better and see clearly what the problem really is. In the freedom we know through Jesus Christ, let s entrust God to do the hard work of changing hearts and minds of others. Let s begin to shed the stoic sense of private faith that longs to cry out to others but stays silent. Let s begin to drop shame or sense of failure that our faith isn t strong enough to go it alone. Our faith is anything but private and we cannot go it alone. Our faith is founded upon the foundation that God, through Jesus, is always with us and will never leave us. Baptism is the sign that you and I are sealed, together, forever, as Christ s own. We are one community of millions of other communities seeking, through love and prayer, family. In family, we find home. Ohana: you who have been members of Calvary for a lifetime. Ohana: you who have found this church home recently. Ohana: to the anxious, the fearful, lonesome and isolated of Calvary. Ohana means family, Lilo says. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.

Page 3 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4 Upcoming Events in June The St. Elizabeth Guild - Monday, June 3-7:00 PM The St. Elizabeth Guild will be meeting on Monday, June 3 at 7:00 PM.

Please join us for great fellowship and fun as we apply our talents and time to serve the Lord and work for our church.

If you can, bring a snack to share, it would be greatly appreciated. For more information call Judi at 610-306-3119. The group meets regularly on the second Monday of each month.

Whine & Cheese will then resume in September A Park Bench - Saturday, June 15-2:00 PM Bruce Warren has written and will be directing A Park Bench at Calvary on Saturday, June 15.

A freewill offering will be collected for the benefit of Calvary. Bishop s Visit - June 16-10:00 AM The Rt. Rev. Edward Lee will be visiting Calvary on Sunday, June 16 for the 10 AM service.

3 Page 3 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4 Upcoming Events in June The St. Elizabeth Guild - Monday, June 3-7:00 PM The St. Elizabeth Guild will be meeting on Monday, June 3 at 7:00 PM. This will be the last meeting of the Guild until the fall. All women of the church are members of the Guild and are encouraged to take part in this important ministry. Please join us for great fellowship and fun as we apply our talents and time to serve the Lord and work for our church. Whine and Cheese - Monday, June 8-7:00 PM The monthly meeting of the women s support group will be gathering at Judi Wale s house on Monday, June 8 from 7-9 PM. All are welcome. If you can, bring a snack to share, it would be greatly appreciated. For more information call Judi at The group meets regularly on the second Monday of each month. This June meeting will be the last for the summer. Whine & Cheese will then resume in September A Park Bench - Saturday, June 15-2:00 PM Bruce Warren has written and will be directing A Park Bench at Calvary on Saturday, June 15. The play will be featuring many familiar faces and voices. Please join us for a great afternoon. There will be refreshments served following the performance. A freewill offering will be collected for the benefit of Calvary. Bishop s Visit - June 16-10:00 AM The Rt. Rev. Edward Lee will be visiting Calvary on Sunday, June 16 for the 10 AM service. The Rite of Baptism will be celebrated. Adults interested in reception into the Episcopal Church (former Orthodox and Roman Catholics) or confirmation (everyone else) which is done through the laying on of hands by a bishop, please see Fr. Chuck ASAP. There will be a reception following the service. Sunday Night Worship Service - Beginning June 23 Sunday evening worship begins June 23 at 5PM. This quiet and contemplative service of Holy Eucharist is a wonderful way to begin your week after a long weekend at the beach or you've decided to sleep in that morning. Interested in helping out? See Fr. Chuck.

THE CHIMES - JUNE 2013 Page 4 Noteworthy Items Shrubbery for the Children s Cemetery The Children s Cemetery, located along the Pennell Rd.

Please place you donation in an envelope and place it in the offering plate. Label your envelope shrubbery. You can also give your donation to any vestry member.

One of the best places for Calvary to shine and welcome new members and to renew and restore friendships is at its coffee hour.

4 THE CHIMES - JUNE 2013 Page 4 Noteworthy Items Shrubbery for the Children s Cemetery The Children s Cemetery, located along the Pennell Rd. driveway, is in need of some beautification. Donations are now being taken to purchase shrubbery. Please place you donation in an envelope and place it in the offering plate. Label your envelope shrubbery. You can also give your donation to any vestry member. Summer Nursery Help Needed! Providing a nursery program is an important part of our Sunday worship experience. Your help is needed to continue this wonderful activity. We must have two people for each Sunday to provide this service - two adults or one teenager + one adult. Please sign up in the undercroft. Summer Bible Study - Interested??? Would you be interested in a summer Bible Study for those who work? This would take place in the evening. (Day and time to be decided.) If you are interested, please signup in the undercroft or see Fr. Chuck. Coffee Hour - Help Needed! One of the best things about Calvary is its hospitable and welcoming atmosphere. One of the best places for Calvary to shine and welcome new members and to renew and restore friendships is at its coffee hour. Please help with providing treats for this important ministry. Coffee hour goes on all year long. Please signup to help! Sunday School Teachers Needed! Calvary s Youth Education is one of the most important ministries of the church. Calvary will be needing help in the fall when the Sunday School resumes. Your help is greatly needed - and will be greatly appreciated. Rewards - Priceless. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jill at

5 Page 5 Recent Happenings VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4

6 THE CHIMES - JUNE 2013 Page 6 News from the Episcopal Church & Diocese The Presiding Bishop - Pentecost - Westover Episcopal Church Sunday, May 19, Katherine Jefferts Schori - Charles City, VA I met a remarkable woman in Atlanta this week. We were gathered at an ecumenical conference on peace-making on the Korean peninsula, where a state of war continues, because a final peace agreement has never been signed. As we stood around before the day s events began, I asked where she was from and she began to tell me her story. She is married to a Methodist pastor in California, and she told me of a dream she had in the middle of the night several years ago. She said God told her to go to North Korea. She shared this with her husband, who told her she couldn t. He said it wasn t legal for her to travel there with a green card which I don t believe is accurate. God didn t let go of her, however, and she kept sharing her dream with others. She did eventually join a tour group from Los Angeles that took her to Pyongyang. She visited with other Christians, heard their stories, and came home and began to urge her friends to do what they could to help make peace in Korea. She went a second time not too long ago, and this time her husband helped raise the money to send her. She told me that peace means crying together. When we do that, there is hope for something better. To read more: Diocesan News Update from the Diocesan Transition Team Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: After Bishop Bennison announced his retirement last Fall, Diocesan leaders acknowledged the need for a process of preparation before we would be ready to call a Bishop Diocesan. Part of getting ourselves ready was our decision to call a Bishop Provisional, the Rt. Rev. Clifton Daniel 3 rd, to help lead us through this important time of transition and new beginnings. As discussed in previous communications, a Diocesan Transition Team was appointed by the Standing Committee to work closely with Bishop Daniel in shepherding the diocese through this process of healing and renewal. The Transition Team is not a Search Committee, and it will have no responsibilities or authority regarding the search for a Bishop Diocesan. A Search Committee will be selected at an appropriate time in the future. The Diocesan Transition Team has selected consultants from outside the Diocese to help us. We are working with the team of Ki ThoughtBridge ( based in Indianapolis, to put together a process to help us prepare to move forward. We are now in a process of assessment and preparation, involving interviews with Transition Team members and we will be meeting together with the bishop for feedback and planning out next steps. We will be reporting back to the Diocese early in June about the plan. To read more:

Joan Charlotte Clarence Corinne Dale David David Dawn Dee Debbie Debra Debra Diane Donna Dorothy Dorothy Edythe Ellie Fran Francis Frank Gale Glen Hank James Jane Jen Jess John John David Johnny

7 Page 7 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4 Prayer List - Please remember in your prayers... The Vestry Father Chuck & his Family Father Brunner & Joan Father Bob & Mary Gail Brunner & her Family Addie Andy The Anton Family Ashley Becky Bill Brian Bryan Cecelia Celeste Charles Charles & Joan Charlotte Clarence Corinne Dale David David Dawn Dee Debbie Debra Debra Diane Donna Dorothy Dorothy Edythe Ellie Fran Francis Frank Gale Glen Hank James Jane Jen Jess John John David Johnny Katelyn Kelly Ken Linda Marge The Mazanec Family Meghan Nicholas Patty Sandra Sharie Shirley Stephanie Robert Rodney Ron Rosemary Russ Ruth Sam Vince Loaves & Fishes If you want someone to be added or removed from the Prayer List, please notify the church office. June - Birthdays & Anniversaries BIRTHDAYS 03 Edward Hess, Sr. 04 Emell Kamara 04 Emella Kamara 06 The Rev. Robert Granfeldt 09 Joseph Bardroff 10 Ellen Stone 12 Louis Essaf 16 Juan Schwenger 23 Stephen Graham 25 Bryan Spencer ANNIVERSARIES 13 Stella Thompson 17 Frank Murphy 20 The Rev. Charles & Diane Messer 22 Bruce & Karen Warren 23 Roland & Karen Houpt 23 Gary & Roxie Koerner 27 John Hansell 27 BJ & Lisa Thomas 28 George Ormsby What? Your birthday and/or anniversary is not listed? If you would like yours to be included in future Chimes, please or call Ellie Evans ejaneevans@comcast.net or

8 Calvary Episcopal Church CHIMES June 2013 Calvary Episcopal Church P.O. Box 452 Glen Riddle, PA Chimes June 2013 Eleanor J. Evans, Editor

Resurrection Episcopal Church, Rockdale We Gather Together

Resurrection Episcopal Church, Rockdale We Gather Together November, 2016 Some Thoughts at the Anniversary of the Admission of Resurrection, Rockdale, as a Parish by the Diocesan Convention: History and