Fr. Greg's Pastoral Letter for the Harbinger: February 2017

Transcription

1 FEBRUARY 2017 HARBINGER NEWSLETTER Volume 4 Issue 2 Fr. Greg's Pastoral Letter for the Harbinger: February 2017 Greetings, Emmanuel! (Part of the following is also one of my Facebook posts!) About 5 ½ years ago, at our Episcopal Clergy retreat on Mackinac Island, they had an afternoon spiritual activity that really meant a lot to me: We made Tibetan Prayer Flags. Here is an explanation taken from Wikipedia that sounds pretty accurate to my basic understanding of these prayer flags: "Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags arethought to bring benefit to all. In This Issue Fr. Greg's Pastoral Letter Beyond Our Walls News Book Group - February 28 Days of Prayer for Emmanuel Pastoral Care Cell News Altar Guild News Time for a Change? Chili Cook-Off/CDI News "New" Cell Group Forming February Coffee Hour Schedule and Birthdays/Anniversaries Ministries Schedule for February EEC Web Calendar By hanging flags in high places the Lung ta will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags, which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and sanctified by the mantras. The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. This act symbolizes a welcoming of life's changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle.

2 Because the symbols and mantras on prayer flags are sacred, they should be treated with respect. They should not be placed on the ground or used on clothing. Old prayer flags should be burned." We will be creating our own prayer flags during both the 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services on Sunday, February 26. We have persons in our community who have generously offered to help supply materials for this event. When these flags are are finished, you will have the opportunity to have them hung in the church for us to help consecrate our entryway for the season of lent. Likewise, if you prefer, you can take them home with you. Once lent is over, we will either display them outside or let you take them home, and the prayers on them will be offered to the world. Lent is a special time for us to consider our place in the world. To contemplate our relationship with God, and to figure out how we can deepen it. I believe that we can greatly benefit in this season by following spiritual disciplines that are known to us, or by developing new ones that freshen this season. This is one such way. As we continue through these Sundays of Epiphany, let us challenge ourselves anew to be a revelation of Christ's love to the world. In these last days, he finds his most able hands in ours. Grace and Peace, Fr. Greg Fr. Greg's Announcements for the Harbinger LAST TUESDAY Adult Christian Formation Series: at 5:30 pm in the Lottie Peterson Room. Fr. Greg will be leading this, and we will alternate themes: January 31 we will talk about MEMBERSHIP: What does it mean to be a part of the Episcopal/Anglican Church? Each month we will ask different questions, talk about history and issues, and I will share what wisdom that I have with you. February 28 we will talk about DISCIPLESHIP: What does it mean to really turn your life over to Jesus? We will talk about authors and people who have done so, and think about how we are doing on that, and perhaps challenge each other to deepen our individual lives as disciples. If you have just started coming to Emmanuel, or have been here for years and years, all are welcome to each meeting. (In the winter, if school is cancelled for

3 Petoskey Public, so is the class for that night!) Membership nights will also be March 28 and May 30. A second discipleship night will be April 25...and we'll move forward from there. Hope to see you there! Confirmation Classes: Are being set-up for this lent and Easter Season, for the ceremony to take place in the summer. Please let Fr. Greg know if you are interested in attending. These classes will prepare you, not only for: Confirmation - an adult affirmation of your faith; but also for Re-affirmation: you have previously been confirmed but feel that you have advanced your faith and would like to publicly proclaim that; and for Reception into the Episcopal Church: you have been brought up in another tradition and are ready to claim the Episcopal Church as your own. For all of these, the classes are the same. For youth to be eligible for Confirmation, they must have completed one year of our TLC Program (Training Leaders for Christ, offered each summer) Ash Wednesday Services: Wednesday, March 1, :00 noon Nativity Episcopal Church - Boyne City: Imposition of Ashes and HolyEucharist Rite 2 3:45 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church - Petoskey: Youth Centered Service of Ashes and Holy Eucharist 7:00 p.m. Emmanuel Episcopal Church - Petoskey: Cross of Christ Lutheran Church will join us for the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist Rite 2 Will we have a Special Evening Lenten Program this year? If so, I need some help in its planning and execution. In 2016 we had wonderful evenings of movies with Lenten themes, and that would be a wonderful thing to continue. Would you like to suggest movies and help make this happen? Do you have some other idea of how to do this? Julie Eckhardt is leading an Adult Spiritual Formation Class on Wednesdays this lent, and you are welcome to join that, but I am looking for something to do on Tuesdays. Ideas? Somebody throw me a bone! And look to this space next month to see what this activity is! It will begin on Tuesday, March 7 at a time to be determined! See Fr. Greg to get involved.

4 BEYOND OUR WALLS FEBRUARY NEWS Northmen Den Update Come and See and meet these resilient and grateful young Northmen Den students. Just stay for 15 minutes or stay for the 2 hours that the Den is open each Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet one of our Northmen Den students: We have been asking all the students what they want to be when they grow up. One young boy told me he wanted to be a Marine. I asked him, "Why a Marine?" He replied, "My Father is a Marine." I said, "That's quite an achievement." He looked at me and explained, "I have never met my Dad for he left my Mom when he heard she was pregnant with me." A young innocent and vulnerable boy just wanting to know his father, thus, he's going to become a Marine to be "near" him. By the way, he's the young man who makes the mashed potatoes and "green beans" for his younger two brothers he loves and cares for so much. He's trying to be a father for his brothers who are 6 and 4 at the age of 12. Come and See and you will believe in our Northmen Den Ministry even more than you do now. The Volunteer Sign-up sheet is on the Bulletin Board in the Lobby. We need 4 people each week - to stock shelves, do inventory, get to know the students while they are shopping for their weekend food and encourage them to believe in themselves, care for each other and share Christ's love for them. Thank you for the donated food! The socks, the warm fleece jackets plus the pineapple, fruit cocktail, fantastic soups, toothpaste, spaghetti, notebooks, pencils and other great foods flew off the shelves last week. And, thank you for the $1,800 donations to help us buy quality fresh apples, oranges, carrots, grapes, bagels, toiletries and clothing!

5 Rose Tamraz bought Valentine Hearts full of chocolates for the students. Sara Mosher & Traci Long and her family are writing personal notes each week to be placed in the Snack Bags that the students pick up on each Monday. Kelli Hagan & Leah Cell are working on a Monthly Birthday Cake for all the students to share. A few weeks ago, Susie Spence brought homemade chocolate chip cookies for the kids and they were eaten with great delight (and the volunteers enjoyed them too). So far, our Northmen Den volunteers have been Shirley Burns, Andy & Susie Spence, Sandy Selden, Katie McGinnis, Jan Smith, Father Greg, Joy McBride, Frank & Dottie Hawthorne, Lorelei Scott, Amy Janssen and Kathy Petersen. As Andy left the Northmen Den he told the other Volunteers, "I am going to be waking up tonight thinking and praying for these dear children." We need a Volunteer(s) to pick up the food from Manna each Thursday around 1:30-2 p.m. to be delivered to the Middle School. Joy, Frank, Dottie or Kathy will meet you at the School to take all the food to the Northmen Den Pantry. Some of the food order will need to be taken to the Church for the Snack Bag production after the 10:00 Service during Coffee Hour too. Bless everyone who has helped this Ministry come alive. It's incredible what is happening - it's a miracle created by Emmanuel Parish who have Christ in their heart and are taking His Words to Action! Call Kathy at or kathy@kathypetersen.com or talk to Joy McBride, Shirley Burns, Dottie Hawthorne with questions or wanting to volunteer in some way or other.

6 Emmanuel Book Group February Meeting William Kent Krueger's Ordinary Grace centers around Frank Dunn, son of a Methodist minister who is taking a retrospective look back 40 years to the fateful summer of He and his brother Jake experienced events that summer that define the men they have become in the late 1990's. Krueger who generally pens mystery novels wrote Ordinary Grace as a stand alone novel that has won countless awards and is praised by many readers. We will be meeting Monday February 14th at 7pm in the Lottie Petersen room at Emmanuel and our host will be Dottie Hawthorn. For more information, please contact Nancy Turner at taketurns1106@charter.net 28 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR EMMANUEL AN EXPERIMENT FOR FEBRUARY 2017 What might God do if every individual and family in this parish prayed once a day for Emmanuel Episcopal

7 Church? Jesus said multiple times that if we have just a little bit of faith, our prayers can do great things. Let's put our faith to work with a daily prayer for our church during the month of February. Set a brief time for prayer at roughly the same time each day. Your best time might be in the morning, just before bed, or with your family before meal time. You might start with one of the prayers below or just speak to God from your heart. Pray for individuals from our parish, if anyone comes to mind. Or pray for a friend who might find what they are seeking at our church. Let's pray every day for one (short) month and see what happens. We are leaving the outcome to God, trusting that God's goodness will be stronger in our midst because of our commitment to pray for our church community. At the end of the month, take a moment to reflect on this experience and what you noticed. Share this with someone else and help us all grow our faith in this way. For the Parish "Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of on e heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." (BCP 817) For the Mission of the Church "Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ; Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen." (BCP 816)

8 PASTORAL CARE CELL Outreach has gained momentum. The Pastoral Care Team was honored to host the Longest Night Service at Emmanuel in on December 21 to offer hope and comfort to those within our local community that may have experienced loss or any type of grievement during the holiday season. We were blessed to have the First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey share in the presentation. It was wonderful to have the service interdenominationally hosted and where the Pastoral Team was given the honor of sharing of the Scripture readings of comfort. We were also available to meet after the service with those who attended. It was a way to share Emmanuel's commitment of caring not only for our parish but to also offer help and hope to those who maybe searching for a new home to worship. We are all inspired to be able to share cross denominational love to everyone needing to feel the comfort of the Lord's gift of caring. It also is for a home where they can feel able to worship. Team members have also been calling members of the Parish to just "check in" on a monthly basis to let everyone know we are available for not only urgent problems, but also to be there for everyday issues. Sometimes just a warm voice can make a difference and we hope our monthly calls will be a comfort to you all. We have loved hearing about your day to day happenings and getting to know you all better. Surprisingly for me, and others on the Pastoral Care Team, it opens our hearts and strengthens our commitment to be a greater part of Emmanuel. I hope you enjoy hearing from us as much as we love taking to you! If you would be interested in joining the Pastoral Care Team please contact Leah in the office or Sharyn Olliffe at

9 ALTAR GUILD NEWS A HUGE THANK YOU TO KAREL HOWSE FOR THE 15 YEARS SHE GAVE AS OUR ALTAR GUILD DIRECTOR. SHE IS NOW PASSING ON THE TORCH TO CHRISTINA CARTWRIGHT. HERE'S A GREAT BIG WELCOME AND THANK YOU TO OUR NEW ALTAR GUILD DIRECTOR - CHRISTINA CARTWRIGHT. MUSIC DEPARTMENT FEBRUARY NEWS Greetings and blessings to all. The music department is buzzing with excitement. The adult choir will be singing an anthem every Sunday through Easter. I have picked out some very nice anthems for Palm Sunday and Easter. I am in the process of securing a brass quartet to accompany our hymns on Easter Sunday. On March 19th at the 10 a.m. service Chantelle You will be singing, "O Devine Redeemer" by Charles Gounod. This is a very powerful song written for soprano about God and His relation to us as the Devine Redeemer. I will be accompanying her on the organ. Lent will be a somber time with the service music changing. The Gloria will be replaced with the "Kyrie." The Sanctus and Agnus Dei will be more somber to reflect the season. On Easter Sunday, the Gloria will change to one that is very lively, bright and joyful. On Thursday, January 19th, I went to Toledo to play a

10 concert of music from the 1920's on the museums huge, historic pipe organ in their concert hall. The youth choir will be rehearsing to sing an anthem once a month through Easter. And they will be joining the adult choir on Easter. I am still open for teaching private lessons on piano, organ and voice. And we can always use more happy voices in our adult and youth choirs through Easter. The youth rehearse on Wednesday at 4 to 4:30 p.m. The adults rehearse on Thursday at 7 to 9 p.m. Wishing you a blessed time. TIME FOR A CHANGE? Recently, someone had stated that the name for our monthly newsletter, "The Harbinger", was getting a little old and tired. They brought up the idea of getting suggestions from Emmanuel members for a "new and exciting" name. Below you will find some of the suggestions I have received so far: Seeds Come and See Blessings The Bell Rope Awake Holy Spaces Parish Door Rejoice! Faith in Action Leaps Offerings Gatherings

11 Emmanuel Express Emmanuel Messenger Emmanuel Update Emmanuel Good News Emmanuel Connection Emmanuel Outreach It is hoped that we can get a new name in place no later than March 20th. Please vote for the name you prefer or make a new suggestion. Majority will rule and the new name shall be revealed with the April Newsletter. Thank you for your participation in this endeavor. The Great Groundhog Day Chili Cook-Off, February 5 Our Annual Great Groundhog Day Chili Cook-Off invites aspiring chili chefs to bring a kettle of chili and perhaps be voted the Chief Chili Chef of Research and test and adjust your favorite recipe, bring a kettle or crockpot to church on Sunday February 5, and after the 10:00 service, we will enjoy chili and vote for our favorites. The chili is free, but voting is by ticket, $1 per ticket/vote, and you can buy and cast as many votes as you wish, with proceeds to Manna Food Project. Want to cook? Want to help with set-up and clean-up? Contact the Church Office at , ext 110, or to office@eecpetoskey.org.

12 Congregational Development Institute Our diocese, in partnership with other dioceses, holds the Congregational Development Institute to help churches develop ministries. It offers conceptual models and engages in case studies, using large-group presentation and small-group discussion for support and coaching. The Institute meets at the McMullen Conference Center at Higgins Lake, outside Roscommon (convenient travel time for us); sessions begin Friday morning, include an overnight stay, and finish late Saturday afternoon. The diocese pays for lodging and meals and program expenses; Emmanuel Church pays the $60 fee for study materials. The next round of Institute dates will be March 24-25, May 5-6, September 29-30, and November We have two members Emmanuel interested, and there is room for more. If you would like to be a part, contact Father Greg. A new "Cell Group" is being formed at Emmanuel. It is called: The Scroungers. We have no meetings. We have no list of members. And we have no requirements for membership. Here is the genesis of the group. Yesterday I had my "every four month" dental cleaning. Also yesterday I had my annual exam from the actual dentist, plus bite wing x-rays of my mouth. Cost of the visit, $ At the end I was given the "dental goodie bag". For the first time in many years I took it because I was out of toothpaste and I knew there would be a little one in the bag. But I had enough of my favorite brand of toothpaste so I did not use the freebee. What will I do with the "dental goodie bag"?

13 Northman Den at the Middle School. Do these kids have toothbrushes, paste and floss? Maybe some, but certainly not all. Are they sharing a toothbrush? Perhaps. When you go to the dentist, do you take the goodie bag? And use it?! Tell the dentist or hygienist why you would like a few extra bags. I suspect they get them from manufactures to help market the product, and the dentist probably has little or no costs involved. Close up the bag and bring it to the church. Find the Scrounger's Barrel and drop it in. Then the Northmen Den folks will accumulate the various items and make them available, as needed, for the kids. OK, that is Scrounge One. Scrounge Two... when you travel, what do you do with the amenities you find in the hotel/motel room? You know, the wrapped soap, little bottles of shampoo, conditioners and body lotion that you do not use? Carry with you two gallon size zip lock plastic bags. Put all of the soap products in one of the bags. And the other bag... did you use all of the tea bags and instant coffee packs, sugar and creamers? If not, put those in the other zip lock bag. When you get back to Emmanuel, find the Scrounger's Barrel, close your bag securely, and drop it in the Scrounger's Barrel. What else can you scrounge that would be beneficial to the Northmen Den customers? Think out of the box, but don't raid the buffet table at a restaurant for the crackers, etc. That is not fair to the restaurant! Do you buy something that is "Buy One, Get One Free"? It that something they can use? Can you afford to pay the full price for one and give the other to the kids? I bet you can! Cordially, First Scrounger January 2nd, 2017

14 SCHEDULES FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY COFFEE HOUR: February 5: The Chili Cook-Off February 12: TBD February 19: TBD February 26: TBD FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 2/01 - John Blatt 2/02 - Dan Armstrong 2/02 - Julie Eckhardt 2/06 - Mary Kreid 2/07 - Kathy Audia 2/07 - David Farley 2/10 - Brian Riordan 2/10 - George Tippett 2/12 - Ashley Price 2/14 - Ellie Jones 2/14 - Anne Marie Varga 2/15 - Grace Tollas 2/18 - Rebecca Hall 2/18 - David Penniman 2/20 - Dee Moline 2/21 - Josephine Cabana 2/21 - Lorelei Scott 2/24 - Mary Driggs 2/24 - Phyllis Epps 2/27 - Ron Rinker FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES: 12TH: Richard & Cricket Kelbaugh 14TH: Randy & Denise Evans 20TH: Ashley Price & Wendy Thatcher

15 FEBRUARY 2017 FEB. 5 FEB. 12 FEB. 19 FEB. 26 LEM: Tom Hord, Frank Hawthorne LEM: Maryln Graham, Julie Eckhardt LEM: Julie Eckhardt, Tom Hord LEM: Frank Hawthorne, Tom Hord POP: Maryln Graham POP: Tim Tippett POP: Tim Tippett POP: Maryln Graham Acolytes: TBD Acolytes: Josephine Cabana, Avery Sears Acolytes: Suzy Carpenter, Katie Farley Acolytes: Caroline Farley, Joe Farley, Thomas Farley Lector: Bill Heil Lector: Mary Wieter-Hord Lector: Mary Kreid Lector: Nina Wagar Church Opener: Lynn Duse Church Opener: Jeremy Rakoniewski Church Opener: Bruce Koch Church Opener: Rod Hammond Ushers & Greeters: Bill & Ginny King VaLaura Nibbelink Ushers & Greeters: Bruce & Connie Booth Ushers & Greeters: Joan Neubrecht Nancy Turner Ushers & Greeters: Ashley Price, Wendy Price Coffee Hour: The Chili Cook-Off Coffee Hour: TBD Coffee Hour: TBD Coffee Hour: TBD VPOW: TBD VPOW: TBD VPOW: TBD VPOW: TBD Plate Coordinator: Maryln Graham Plate Coordinator: Sandy Selden Plate Coordinator: Bob Howse Plate Coordinator: Maryln Graham Altar Guild: Christina Cartwright, Maryln Graham Altar Guild: Maryln Graham Altar Guild: Karel Howse Altar Guild: Christina Cartwright Emmanuel Episcopal Church Calendar FEBRUARY 2017 Click here to visit our website. We think differently. We act differently. We worship together. We welcome all.

16 Emmanuel Episcopal Church 1020 East Mitchell Street Petoskey, MI Phone: Fax: STAFF OF EMMANUEL: Rector: The Rev. Gregory Brown Ext. 111 (ofc) (cell) Music Director: Brian Bogdanowitz Ext. 114 Altar Guild Director: Christina Cartwright Office Manager: Leah Cell Ext. 110 (ofc) (cell) VESTRY OF EMMANUEL: Sandy Selden,Sr. Warden (c) Frank Hawthorne, Jr. Warden (c) Rod Hammond (c) Sierra Hilt Karel Howse (c) Bruce Koch (h) Gretchen LaMarche (c) Ashley Price (c) Joyce Riordan (c) CONTACT LIST FOR CELL GROUP & PROGRAM LEADERS Beyond Our Walls / Outreach Cell Kathy Petersen kapetersen70@gmail.com Finance Cell Chair & Treasurer: Todd Petersen (h) tmpetersen51@gmail.com Asst. Treasurer: Franz Neubrecht (c) franz@franzrx.com Git R Dun Cell Kent Cartwright (h) kentc@chartermi.net Memorial Cell Margo Todd margotodd@sbcglobal.net Pastoral Care Cell Sharyn Olliffe olliffe@charter.net Stewardship Cell Stephen Selden selden.steve@gmail.com Facilities Management Cell Gardens: WOW Cell Wendy Price jonana53@gmail.com Coffee Hour: Dottie Hawthorne dothaw1@gmail.com Kitchen: Nancy Nicholson grannynanny37@hotmail.com Book Club : Nancy Turner taketurns@charter.net Welcome Cell Joan Neubrecht franz@franzrx.com Liturgy & Worship Cell Maryln Graham marcusbarcus1317@sbcglobal.net The Rev. Greg Brown, Rector revgreg@eecpetoskey.org Christina Cartwright, Altar Guild kentc@chartermich.net Tom Hord, Acolyte Scheduler tom.hord@yahoo.com Connie Booth, Chief Usher javajo54@hotmail.com Maryln Graham, LEM Coordinator marcusbarcus@sbcglobal.net Mary Kreid, Lector Scheduler Youth Spiritual Formation Cell Leader: Ashley Price aspvallarta@aol.com Safeguarding: Office Manager office@eecpetoskey.org Nursery contact: Ashley Price aspvallarta@aol.com Worship Center: Christine Carpenter ccarpenter@racc2000.com

17 Sunday School Grades 2-5:Carrie Farley Middle School Youth Ashley Price Senior High Youth: DJ Jones Dan Armstrong Diocesan Summer Camp: Cathy Brown Training Leaders for Christ: Greg Brown Thursday Guild Ernie Mainland Adult Spiritual Formation Education for Ministry Program Kathy Petersen "We Care" Progam Gene Dixon Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan Communicator: Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 1020 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey, MI SafeUnsubscribe {recipient's } Forward this Update Profile About our service provider Sent by in collaboration with Try it free today