ANOTHER LENT: ANOTHER CHANCE FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

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1 MARCH, 2006 ANOTHER LENT: ANOTHER CHANCE FOR NEW BEGINNINGS At the Ash Wednesday liturgy at the beginning of Lent, the celebrant invites the congregation to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and selfdenial; and by reading and meditating on God s Word. This theological, spiritual, and liturgical mouthful hardly sounds that attractive and might easily be difficult to understand and make real in these times. However, if I think of Lent as a season of new beginnings, it really helps me. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has spoken of Lent as a season of new beginnings, a time to begin again no matter what the previous year has held a time to be open to God s grace, forgiveness, and newness at work in one s life. I recall a friend whose marriage had ended and who was without a home. He felt the power of those words speaking to him in his sense of failure in his marriage and the possibility of a new start in his own life. He would experience the Spirit at work in his life to bring about a new beginning even as he struggled to survive the days of Lent. Maybe the best question for us to ask is, Where do I stand at the beginning of another Lent? Will I be open to the work of the Spirit in my life this Lent to set me free? Will I endeavor to give up something that has the potential to control my life in destructive or unhealthy ways? Will I take on a spiritual practice that might help me live a more centered life? Will I be open to God s Spirit s leading me to be more compassionate toward other people and to give me energy and time to making a difference in this world with all its wounds and need for healing? Will I consider what the journey of life has held over the past year and where there is need for forgiveness and a new beginning? Will I consider joining a Bible study class, taking part in the Sunday morning Adult Forum, attending a mid-week Eucharist where I can explore these themes with others in community? There are plenty of opportunities in this wonderful community of faith called St. David s. This Lent, may we be open to following where the Spirit leads and may it lead us to unimaginable new beginnings. E.S.G.

2 THE LABYRINTH: AN INTRODUCTION TO A SACRED PATH Have you always wondered about the labyrinth? Would you like to know more about it before you walk the sacred path? St. Augustine said, It is solved by walking Come and learn about the history, significance, and spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth. Spiritual seekers today find that this ancient tradition can bring quiet, focus, and illumination to life s journey. As we begin the sacred season of Lent, explore how the labyrinth can create a deeper connection to Spirit, especially during the next forty days. A portable labyrinth will be set up by the EYC in Sanders Hall, Tuesdays through Saturdays, complete with instructional material. Check it out. ADULT FORUM OFFERS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY REFLECTIONS DURING LENT On each of the Sundays in Lent, Episcopal laity from a variety of background will visit St. David s and share with us their own personal spiritual journeys and how those journeys have impacted their lives today. Please join us Sunday mornings from 9:30 a.m. 10:15 a.m. in Sanders Hall for this special series. Our guests are: Lent I, Sunday, March 5: Jane Stranch, from St. Bartholomew s, Nashville Lent II, Sunday, March 12: Ethel Fehl, from St. George s, Nashville Lent III, Sunday, March 19: Lee Thompson, from Trinity, Clarksville Lent IV, Sunday, March 26: Edwina Hefner, from Holy Trinity, Nashville Lent V, Sunday, April 2: Dr. Jamie Kyne, from Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville IN OUR PRAYERS We welcome in to the parish by Letter of Transfer John Carson Patton and Claudia Ann Rose Patton from St. Andrew s Episcopal Church, Nashville. Strengthen, O Lord, your servants with your Holy Spirit We share in sorrow for those who have died, especially Robert Murphy Reed, M.D., who died December 19, 2005, and whose ashes were scattered at Reedland Farm, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on February 18, Rest eternal, grant to him, O Lord The following persons are being prayed for in our liturgies each week: Laura McQueen, Virginia Woods, Paula Howry, James Rice, Jeffrey Hill, Peter Donets, Ben Chilton, Amos Clark, Richard, Jerri Brown, Kevin Colvert, Don & Patti Fish, Linda Behrens, Jackie Hill, Johnny Rook, Don McEwen, Jenny Robison, Scott Patterson, Gail Reeve, Charlene Payne, Charles Cook, Carl Camp, and Jessica Rice. May the Lord uphold them and fill them with grace... 2

3 ONION RINGS by Norman Gillis Shelley and Gerry Gotterer have news of a recent visit with Gerry s daughter Liz in Seattle, and with his younger daughter Rebecca who was married in San Francisco to Yonathan Baciu amidst much rejoicing and thanksgiving. Also, their older son Matthew and his wife Erin have moved from Annapolis, Maryland, to Chicago. Matt was born and lived six years in Evanston just north of the Windy City, and has finally made his way back. Matt and Erin live in the city near the lake, the El, Wrigley Field, and Lincoln Park. They love being there. During high school and college, Matt was an award-winning soccer goal keeper, and his first job for Turner Company is being part of a management team building the Chicago Fire Soccer Stadium. Makes sense, doesn t it? Younger brother Jonathan is a freshman at Georgetown in D.C. and likes the university very much. Recently he joined a fellowship of students who are researching the interaction of religious and secular to global development, and then educating others about this interaction in order to overcome ethical conflicts and to achieve the United Nations Millennium Goals of understanding and action. This effort will include the students inviting speakers and writing a practical policy paper for actual use. Maybe we should invite Jonathan to work with our diocese! Steve Cook is delivering a paper at the American Academy of Religion, Society of Biblical Literature, American Schools of Oriental Research Southeastern Regional Meeting being held March in Atlanta. His paper is entitled The Planet of the Apes: A Resource for Teaching Biblical Archaeology, and he is presenting it in a session devoted to teaching archaeology in the classroom. On Super Bowl Sunday, St. David s fed lunch to about 45 guests at the Campus for Human Development. These men and women came to the table quite hungry, but quickly filled up on fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, and Lorraine s famous cornbread, then finished with cobbler and ice cream. The crowd was a bit larger and a bit more hungry than usual, but there was plenty for all and, of course, the cooks and wait staff were excellent: Paul Hendrick, Catherine Oman, Lorraine Stewart, Joe and Frances Hendrick. St. David s will be serving lunch at the Campus again on Sunday, March 19 and again on Sunday, June 4. If you are interested in participating, know someone that would like to join us, or need three to four hours of community service for school, please leave a message for Paul Hendrick at THE NEXT CHAPTER by the Rev. Ann Walling As I indicated at the Annual Parish Meeting in January, the time has come for me to move into the next chapter of my life. The Last Sunday after the Epiphany, February 26, was the last Sunday that I was on official regular duty at St. David s. Thereafter, I will assist the Rector at his convenience and as he wishes. I will preach from time to time, and will continue to teach the Monday Morning Bible Class. Plans for leadership of Children s Christian Education are still in the works, but I leave the program in the very capable hands of some of St. David s faithful volunteers. It is impossible to put into words the love and gratitude that I have toward St. David s and all her folks. You truly are my family and I hope you always will be. Rick, Donald, Andrea, and Carol are among my best friends. I am most grateful to all of them for all of their support and friendship. I will just be a short way down I-65, and hope to continue to enjoy your loving spirit. In love and peace, Ann eeeeeeeeeee

4 SLICED AND DICED by G anne Harmon, Sr. Warden Puzzler: How is the upcoming season of Lent like the office of Senior Warden? Well, it s like this. I love Lent and look forward to it heartily, just as I look forward to the year ahead as St. David s Senior Warden. Indeed, I am thankful for both, and now is the time to start thinking about what each will mean to me this year, or, rather, what I will bring to each this year. Lent: a re-entry into a more contemplative life, a life more considered and deliberate, maybe quieter, than during other parts of the year. Lent at least opens the door of opportunity. I welcome Lent. I wish I lived a more contemplative life all year, but Lent opens a door and I go through it as readily as to my sofa at naptime! I am as in need of this going to ground as spring bulbs are before the burst of new growing, new striving. Though I may have a less contemplative season than I had planned nearly always the case at least the fabric of the season will keep me swathed in a certain whisper of quiet. Whatever I take on as a special practice of whatever I deny myself will act as a reminder! I am visualizing my role of service as St. David s Senior Warden this year in a similar light not of rest, mind you but of deliberate meditation on my life as a Christian and on my faith community. As such, being among you in this ministry is another one of those door-openers, a gift that invites me to enter more fully and mindfully into the work of God in our everyday lives. I look to you, my friends in faith, for companionship on the journey across all the fabrics at St. David s in all the seasons of Peace. MARCH ANNIVERSARIES March 2 Alison Cook and Larry Forte March 8 Dot and Grady Williams CHRISTIAN FORMATION GRADES 7-12 by Andrea Herlong, Youth Minister We are all on the path...exactly where we need to be. The labyrinth is a model of that path. The 7-12th grade EYC has been busy in Sanders Hall creating a labyrinth for all to use during the season of Lent. We invite you to experience our labyrinth as often as you like. The following is some information about labyrinths you may find interesting. A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools. A labyrinth is a metaphor for life s journey. It is a symbol that creates a sacred space and place and takes us out of our ego to That Which Is Within. Labyrinths and mazes have often been confused. When most people hear of a labyrinth they think of a maze. A labyrinth is not a maze. A maze is like a puzzle to be solved. It has twists, turns, and blind alleys. It is a left- brain task that requires logical, sequential, analytical activity to find the correct path into the maze and out. A labyrinth has only one path. It is unicursal. The way in is the way out. There are no blind alleys. The path leads you on a circuitous path to the center and out again. A labyrinth is a right-brain task. It involves intuition, creativity, and imagery. With a maze many choices must be made and an active mind is needed to solve the problem of finding the center. With a labyrinth there is only one choice to be made. The choice is to enter or not. A more passive, receptive mindset is needed. The choice is whether or not to walk a spiritual path.

5 At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey to the center of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who you are. There is no right way to walk a labyrinth. You only have to enter and follow the path. However, your walk can encompass a variety of attitudes. It may be joyous or somber. It might be thoughtful or prayerful. You may use it as a walking meditation. Some general guidelines for walking a labyrinth: 1. Focus: Pause and wait at the entrance. Become quiet and centered. Give acknowledgment through a bow, nod, or other gesture and then enter. 2. Experience: Walk purposefully. Observe the process. When you reach the center, stay there and focus several moments. Leave when it seems appropriate. Be attentive on the way out. 3. Exit: You are walking back out into the world. Take your labyrinth experiences with you. Walk slowly and purposefully. 4. Reflect: After walking the labyrinth reflect back on your experience. Use journaling, drawing, or quiet prayer to capture your experience. 5. Walk often. The season of Lent is a perfect time for prayer, contemplation, and reflection. We hope our labyrinth is an enjoyable experience for you. CHILDREN S WORSHIP HELPERS Liturgist Acolyte Oblationist 3-5 C. L. Heusinkveld B. Collier L. Jackson 3-12 J. Duke Matthew Duke Molly Duke 3-19 J. Jolie J. Kirkpatrick E. McElroy 3-26 M. Moore J. Napier C. McFalls 4-2 M. Agee J. Kirkpatrick Molly Duke March 1 March 5 March 6 March 7 March 9 March 12 March 13 March 14 March 16 March 19 March 21 March 24 March 25 March 29 March 31 MARCH BIRTHDAYS Paul Hovious, Tony Howland Andy McLauren G anne Harmon Mary Leigh Rayhab Betty Ferrelli, Rachael Howland, Stephen Jacobs James Donets Michelle Green, Joe Hendrick Nealya Ballantine, Sue Strayhorn Donald Cornelius Andrea Herlong, Lauren Heusinkveld Jaci Kitch Kathy Carlson Dodie Nemcik, Selmon Whitaker Jackson Guthrie, Parker Guthrie Diane Ruth MISSION & OUTREACH by Judy Grace Honduras: The Rev. Francisco Peña reports that he has been busy distributing school supplies, uniforms, and shoes to the scholarship children being sponsored by parishioners of St. David s and other churches. He has visited the various areas where the children live to check on their needs. Each child being sponsored received a storybook, in addition to financial aid. One of the children, Karen Juliet Gonzàlez, has had 2 surgeries to correct a problem with one leg being shorter than the other. We were able to send her some badly needed crutches (there were none to be found in San Pedro Sula) and Karen is now able to move around easily. Mission Trip to Honduras: There is interest from St. David s and parishioners from other churches in our diocese for some type of mission trip to Honduras. We are thinking about a trip of one week s duration the end of July. Our project would be to build a playground at the bilingual school of Epifanìa, which shares space with the church of the same name. If you are interested, please see Judy Grace.

6 Mexico: Photos of our project in Las Cañas, Mexico, are on the Mission and Outreach bulletin board. Our friend Yehudi Villa is reading to the children and involving the children in projects in the library that was built from Gringo Market sales. Ecuador: Construction on the new playground has begun in Ventanas, in Los Rìos, where our companion church, La Gracia de Dios, is located. We will keep you updated. Hispanic Lunch Program: We are grateful for all of the donations of beans, rice, clothing, and other items to help with the lunch program. The men are continuing to make mosaic crosses and yard art. St. Luke s Community Center: ELL Childcare Volunteers are needed to provide childcare so that parents are able to attend ELL classes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:00-8:00pm. Kids range in age from 3 9. Spanish-speaking not required! English tutors Nashville Adult Literacy needs volunteers to be English tutors for non-english speaking residents. Hours are flexible and can be set by the volunteer and student. The Literacy Council provides training and materials. Bilingual skills are not required. If you would be interested please contact Food Bank Assistant The food bank needs a volunteer to work Thursdays and substitutes to help pack emergency food boxes when the regularly scheduled volunteers are unable to serve. Weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Preschool Library Volunteer needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 5:30 p.m. to assist parents and children in checking out books and assist the Literacy Coordinator with library organization. Preschool Exercise Class Teacher needed to teach weekly or monthly exercise classes. Senior Social Center Activities Each week the seniors in the neighborhood gather for Bingo, shopping, crafts, etc. Every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Wonderful opportunity for small groups of youth or adults to help, as well as individuals. Every third Thursday volunteers gather and pack staple items for seniors in need. Then 8-10 volunteers go out and deliver the bags to seniors in the neighborhood. Wish list: Ride on toddler toys Baby care items Dress-up clothes NES gift cards MID-WEEK SERVICES DURING LENT Tuesdays Holy Eucharist (in the chapel) 7:15 a.m. Wednesdays Holy Eucharist (in the chapel) 12:00 noon, followed by simple soup luncheon in Sanders Hall Mobile Meals St. Luke s is adding a 6 th route which means that new drivers are needed each day! Regular drivers are also needed for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as well as regularly scheduled substitute drivers. Routes start around 10:00 a.m. and take about an hour. 6