From the Vicar : David Thompson OCTOBER Dear Parishioners:

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1 OCTOBER 2018 From the Vicar : Dear Parishioners: Like many of you, I was confirmed when I was twelve years old. I felt very old clutching my new prayer book with my name embossed in gold walking toward the communion rail waiting for the bishop s hands and his words to flow over my head. I remember the stained-glass windows bright with the morning sun and my head bowed waiting for this moment when I was to be confirmed and then given my first communion. My world was changing, and as I clasped my prayer book, I had no idea how much the world would change nor how it would change me. As I matured, I wanted my world to stay the same; it would not be so. Time flows forward moving all of us with it; We ebb and flow with it, and we never remain the same. The founders of Trinity Church, Our Saviour, and Grace never comprehended the world in which we live today. The could not have imagined satellites, GPS navigation, smart phones, computers or even the automobile. If they could come alive today, they would find themselves in a terrifying, confusing, and bewildering place. They, in their own day, clasped their prayer books thinking that the church they loved and knew would be exactly the same a hundred years later. It was not to be so. Just like when I was twelve years old, I wish I could stop the changes that I see all around me from the uncivil discourse taking place in politics and in society, the ever-present warring among nations, and the lack of respect for institutions. The State newspaper in August had several articles about the decline of church attendance which, without saying it, displays people s indifference to the spiritual authority of any church. We no longer mold ourselves to the doctrine and discipline of a particular denomination but rather mold our faith to our likes and dislikes. We are living in a religious Netflix marketplace where people pick the programming that suits their tastes. Many people no longer see the need to attend church services; after all they can find whatever they need on the internet-- from answers to spiritual questions to attending church services. They flip the computer on, move the mouse, and they have all the answers. The modern guru or shaman is Google! The Episcopal Church of the Ridge is not immune to all the cultural forces that affect our society. We can look around on a Sunday and see that the majority of our dedicated members are in the retiree s club including your vicar! If we are to continue to prosper in the future, we must hold on to those good things which enable us to be a thriving spiritual community of faith and let go of those things which were important in the past but are no longer today. We are blessed that we have three church communities praying together as one, and, in so doing, we have the strength and vision to face our future. As St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:12-13) I am thankful that the Holy Spirit continues to be in our midst, so we can always be untied as we face our future together. Faithfully, David Thompson

2 18th Annual Blessing of the Animals in The Episcopal Church of the Ridge will host this event, Sunday, October 7th 2018 the churchyard of Our Savior in Trenton (off Hwy 121 on Church St.) Bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier. Refreshments will be served to the congregation and their pets. The offering will be donated to our local food bank for help purchasing pet food. Please come, rain or shine, for a barking and meowing good time! Adult Sunday School Have you ever wondered about all the World s religions, how they arose, and how they are similar and dissimilar? Many of us have questions and it seems that the world religions know more about how to disagree than to agree. Consequently, the Adult Sunday Group will begin discussing for 6 weeks the book, Christianity and World Religions by Adam Hamilton. The group will look at the four major religions Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism comparing their beliefs with those of the Christian Church. Harvest Festival Receipts for August 2018 Actual Budget Difference Plate $ $ 1, $ Pledge $ 6, $ 7, $ 1, Total $ 7, $ 9, $ 1, Food Bank Ministry Thank you for continuing to support the food bank outreach ministry! In August we collected $405 and $25 to buy pet food. The collection plate donations are sent to the food banks quarterly to purchase food to distribute to their participants. We have continued distributing food (for both humans & pets) to Johnston, Saluda and Ridge Spring food banks. Bring your food donations (non perishable items, no glass please) to church each Sunday! The food banks can also distribute items such as toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, etc.) and don't forget spices! We also make a point of including pet food (dog & cat) to help people keep their pet animals, often their only source of companionship. If you would like to participate in this exciting outreach ministry but are unable to attend church, you may make a donation and mail to our church office address! (Make check out to Church of the Ridge with 'food bank' in the subject line) Mary Lou Seymour or libetymls1@gmail.com We will be participating in our final community festival of the year on October 13 th at the Harvest Festival in Ridge Spring. We will have a tent and be selling bottled water with all proceeds being used to purchase food for the Ridge Spring food bank. The festival runs from 9-4. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with your fellow church members while providing a much-needed service for the local community. To-date we have donated over $900 to the Johnston and Edgefield food programs we support! For more information, or to sign up for a shift, contact Jay Summer at or jay@pennysposies.com. Thank you so much for supporting our outreach efforts at the festivals this year. We look forward to fun and fellowship at the Ridge Spring Harvest Festival! Daughters of the King Thank you for your generosity in the Blessing Boxes! We collected $781.15, WOW!! If you did not remember to bring your box, please bring it at any time. Donations can always be taken. A class for new members of the DOK will begin soon, be on the look out for an announcement. Sunday, October 21, 2018 Young Adults and Children are invited to brunch following the morning worship service at the home of Jamie and David Long 321 Old Sage Road Edgefield, SC Page 2

3 Trenton 3:00 pm Blessing of the Animals Ridge Spring Harvest Festival 7:00 PM Mission Council Ridge Spring Ridge Runner Deadline November Issue 6:30 pm DOK Edgefield Young Adults Brunch Trenton Baptism of John David Long Occurring Regularly in Edgefield Thursday 12:00 noon AA Meeting Thursday 6:00 pm Counseling Group. Nursery will be available each Sunday in Edgefield and Trenton. Infants and children can be dropped off as early as 9:30 and can be picked up following the service. This is to allow parents and grandparents the opportunity to participate fully in the worship service Gerline Counts Nota Ginn Julie Long Shirley William Jordan Cal Cassels Butler Derrick III Ted Heos Jim McNinch Beth Byrd Lovick Mims Lt. Kevin Ginn Ric Vann Jim Hawk Dick Glass Emily Moss Vince Holmes Addison Long Page 3

4 INTERCESSORY PRAYER LIST Friends and Family Art Amos Dick Beals Fran Beals Suzanne Bloom Helen Carpenter Cal Cassels Kyle Patrick Cassidy Daphne Cook June Covar Mary Grace Feltham Eva Holmes Josh Kennedy Mayrant Lojewski Carolyn Lovell Willie Mae Matheny Sarah Mills Lloyd Mosely Laura & Charles Murphy Betty Padgett Jimmy Painter Margie Prince Hadley Reahard Jan Smith Vannette Wells Jordie Yandle Military Personnel & Others Serving in Harms Way Lt Kevin Ginn USN Captain Joshua Summer Army Nickolas Gibson Deaths Bob Bowie Charlie Brown Sara Francis Moyer OCTOBER WORSHIP MINISTERS & READINGS October 7 in Trenton 20th Sunday after Pentecost ~ Proper 22 Acolyte Eliza Holmes Eucharistic Minister...Larry Vann Lector Connie Boggs Intercessor Peggy Ann Moss Altar.. Ann Day, Kelly Vann Usher..... Danny Day, Ric Vann Greeters...David Long, Jay Summer Hospitality...Cindy Vann Readings..Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Psalm 26 Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 October 14 in Ridge Spring 21st Sunday after Pentecost ~ Proper 23 Acolyte...Joannah Thelen Eucharistic Minister..Richard Bryden Lector Jerrold Watson Intercessor Kelly Vann Altar Susie Watson Usher..... Maynard Watson Greeters...Sarah Schwarz, Larry Vann Hospitality...Zelma Shore Readings...Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Psalm 22:1-15 Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31 October 21 in Edgefield 22nd Sunday after Pentecost ~ Proper 24 Acolyte....Jack Kornaus Eucharistic Minister Liz Kornaus Lector Barney Lamar Intercessor Dick Glass Altar.... Beth Byrd, Betsy Willis Usher Buzz Byrd Greeters...Dick Glass, Ray Melton Hospitality.....Ann Byrd Reading...Job 38:1-7, (34-41), Psalm 104:1-9, 25, 37b Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 Quenched I hunger and I thirst; Jesus my manna be. Ye living waters burst Out of the rock for me. Thou bruised and broken bread, My lifelong wants supply. As living souls are fed, Oh, feed me, or I die. - John S.B. Monsell October 28 in Trenton 23rd Sunday after Pentecost ~ Proper 25 Baptism of John David Long Acolyte......Hollis Holmes Eucharistic Minister.... Ray Melton Lector Jerry Stallworth Intercessor......Larry Vann Altar.. Leisa Long, Penny Summer Usher Tom Long, Jay Summer Greeters...Kathie Stallworth, Joannah Thelen Hospitality..Leisa Long, Lynn Melton, Penny Summer Reading....Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22) Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52 Preparation for Prayer. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1. ESV). We praise you this day, and always! Dear Jesus, when we are troubled, how reassuring to know you sympathize with us because you lived among us. Thank you for your boundless grace in our times of need. Page 4

5 Dear Reverend Thompson, It is with deep gratitude that on behalf of Douglas Elementary, I express our appreciation for your generous gift of $200. We are do blessed to have your support and wish your congregation well! Thank you, Carolyn Campbell Thank you, thank you! Again and again!! Johnston Elementary School Page 5

6 Test Your Knowledge Post Office Box 206 Trenton, South Carolina MISSION COUNCIL MEMBERS Dick Glass David Long Ray Melton Sarah Schwarz , Kathie Stallworth Jay Summer Joannah Holmes Thelen Larry Vann Ric Vann VICAR... David Thompson, SENIOR WARDEN... Sarah Schwarz, , JUNIOR WARDEN...Jay Summer, TREASURER... Jerrold Watson, ASS T. TREASURER... Dick Glass, CLERK TO MC...Leisa Long PUBLICIST...Emily Bull, CHURCH OFFICE PHONE WEBSITE THE MISSION STATEMENT To be a welcoming Christian community of worship, learning and outreach empowered by the grace of God. Post Office Box 206 Trenton, South Carolina 29847