Lent Greetings from the Senior Warden

Transcription

1 Lent Edition March 2015 Lent Greetings from the Senior Warden This Lent season started Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2015 at St. Alban s with an evening service with the Rev. Canon Terrence W. Rosheuvel as our Celebrant. We are reminded of Jesus 40 days of fasting and praying. This season of Lent provides a time in which converts to the faith are prepared for Holy Baptism. It is also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful are reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation is put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need that all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. I invite you, with the remaining days of Lent to Palm Sunday and Easter, to continue the observance of the Holy Lent, by selfexamination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God s Holy Word. Regular attendance at Church is an excellent way to continue to observe Lent! Watch ye, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. Mark 13: Mr. Joseph Tinley, Senior Warden

2 ST. ALBAN S VISION STATEMENT St. Alban s Episcopal Church aspires to be a living example of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the ways it uplifts its congregation, transforms the lives of others, and glorifies the name of God. ST. ALBAN S MISSION STATEMENT St. Alban s Episcopal Church reveres the word of God and lives in obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are committed to serving our community through Christian hospitality and nurturing outreach. We are guided by the values and principles of: Welcoming all to partake in the celebration of the Body of Christ. Structured faith development and spiritual growth through Bible study. Service and advocacy for the poor and those less fortunate in our community and beyond. Cultivating and encouraging our youth to embrace Christian values. Dear Parishioners and Friends: Message from the St. Alban s Vestry The Annual Meeting of St. Alban s was held on Sunday, January 18 in the Fellowship Hall and was presided over by Senior Warden Joseph Tinley, Jr. The following members, whose terms ended in 2015 James Simmons Jr., Junior Warden, Glenda Simmons, Financial Secretary, Robert Chambers, Easton Haughton, and Maxine Young were all elected again to the Vestry. The full list of the Vestry appears below: Joseph Tinley Jr., Senior Warden Angela Anderson, Treasurer Glenda Simmons, Financial Secretary Enid Atkins Easton Haughton Garfield Nembhard 2015 VESTRY James Simmons Jr., Junior Warden Paula Walcott-Quintin, Clerk Neme Akunne Robert Chambers Shanique McGowan Maxine Young

3 Stewardship is... Living and telling the good news Joyful and generous giving Thanksgiving for our gifts from God Giving from abundance, not scarcity Proportionate giving - seeking the tithe From our first fruits Accompanying God in seeking justice and peace Wisely using our resources Uplifting, rewarding, and cheerful Postcard from Vacation Having a great time! Ever a man of few words, Mr. Joseph Silcott sure makes up for it in fun. At left, he visits the popular statue, Christ the Redeemer, in Brazil. Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by the Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, in collaboration with the French engineer Albert Caquot. It stands at 125 ft. high with its pedestal and its arms stretch 92 ft. wide. The statue is located at the peak of the 2,300 ft. Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, overlooking the city of Rio. It was dedicated on October 12, 1931, and consecrated on October 12, Source: wikipedia.org.

4 2015 CONVENTION OF THE NEW JERSEY EPISCOPAL DIOCESE REFLECTIONS by St. Alban s Convention Delegates The three St. Alban s Delegates to this year s convention were: Joseph Silcott, Senior Acolyte; Gibson Okafor, Coordinator, Contemporary Music Ministry; and Steven Clark, Director of Music Ministry. Alternate was Joseph Tinley, Jr., Senior Warden. The theme for this year's Diocesan Convention is Reimagining Mission and Discipleship. This theme was addressed in two workshops where the future is being birthed in our lives through confession, forgiveness, being beloved, and how it can affect a whole community. The workshops also talked about renewing our lives by devotion, education and taking action about the things in our lives. -- Joseph Silcott Our convention theme, Reimagining Mission and Discipleship, fits well within the spirit of Lent. Lent is a time to imagine and reimagine ourselves and our lives in God, individually and corporately; to align ourselves more closely to God in Christ, and God s call to us. We really had a Spiritual Renewal at the Convention. Gibson Okafor

5 L-R: St. Alban s delegates to convention: Joseph Silcott, Steven Clark, Gibson Okafor, and Joseph Tinley, Jr. As a church musician it can be easy to get lost in the details of church and miss a broader perspective. This year's diocesan convention was a powerful experience of community through which love, justice, and compassion were lived out and affirmed. To use the language of our faith tradition, I believe that the Holy Spirit was present in ways that called us beyond ourselves into a deeper relationship with Christ through the living out of our baptismal covenant. Along with the warm exchanges with other Episcopalians, the enjoyment of hand-crafted goods for sale, and the stimulating conversation with future clergy, two events stood out to me as particularly poignant. The first was a vote by the convention to amend a resolution that would create a part-time position to aid the historic Black congregations of the diocese of New Jersey. Though the budget was cited as a limiting factor, the convention asserted that a part-time position was not sufficient: it needed to be full time. Proponents of the amendment pointed to a long history of issues concerning the welfare of Black Americans being treated as second rate and the majority of voting delegates agreed that this would not be another time. There had been too many for too long. Another moving part of convention was the keynote speaker's sharing of a story of a Mexican man who was a leader of a gang and had been ostracized by his Roman Catholic Church due to his romantic relationship with another man. An encounter with an Episcopal priest during which the priest told him that he was beloved by God changed his perspective and led him to go to the local police station and apologize to the police for his violent crimes. When asked by the perplexed police officers why he had done so, he replied that a priest had told him that he was a beloved child of God and if that were true, then he had to believe that they (the police) were too. The man further set about to apologize to those who he had hurt. The man was tragically killed a week later and his mother asked the Episcopal priest to officiate at the funeral. The priest and mourners held the funeral in an abandoned parking lot and integrated the Book of Common Prayer burial service with that of a Mexican gang ritual for the dead. The man's family, other gang members, and the members of the police force came to pay their respects. Through the affirmation of this man's status as a beloved child of God, the man's sense of self and orientation toward others was transformed. This led to recognition of the worth of not only himself but of others as well, which fostered reconciliation and further transformation. In our baptismal covenant we are asked if we will strive for justice and peace and honor the dignity of every human being. We answer, "I will with God's help. These are a couple ways in which I witnessed God helping us to live out our baptismal covenant as a church. Steven Clark

6 2015 Black History/Diversity Program To commemorate Black History Month and to promote diversity, the Passionate Worship Ministry sponsored the annual Black History/Diversity Program at St. Alban s Church on Sunday, March 15, The program, Legends in Our Midst, was presented as a mock TV Program that focused on the lives of four parishioners who were selected as Legends - Mrs. Kathryn Roach, Mrs. Pauline Chandler, Mr. Irvin Perrin, and Mr. James Scott. Mrs. Patricia Collins-Roach, Owner/Host of BKS1Radio served as the Guest Host. Ms. Shanique McGowan aptly narrated the program as a TV reporter. Headlining the program was Mrs. Collins-Roach who skillfully conducted interviews with the Legends. Although the Legends had diverse backgrounds, there was much commonality in their lives that included strong parental guidance, personal principles, the drive to overcome discrimination, and a desire to succeed.

7 L-R: Legends Irvin Perrin, Pauline Chandler, Kathryn Roach, and James Scott. Legend Irvin Perrin was born to Jamaican parents in Cuba where his father taught school. He was raised in Jamaica and as a child excelled in school. After teaching school and serving in the military, he came to the United States. Although he encountered many obstacles, he found stable employment and along with his wife raised seven successful children, two of whom are deceased. Legend Kathryn Roach was born in New Brunswick, NJ, where she was the first person baptized at St. Alban s Church. Her father, a Guyanese immigrant, was denied a plumbing license due to discrimination, making it difficult to support his family. Mrs. Roach encountered discrimination in school during her early life, but despite this, she completed high school and had a successful career. She later married and, along with her husband, raised four children. Additionally, she volunteered with many organizations in the church and community. Legend Pauline Chandler was born in the state of Georgia. She was raised in a religious home along with 12 siblings. Mrs. Chandler was not deterred by the pervasive discrimination she faced while growing up. After completing high school, she worked in New York City and accumulated savings which she used to attain a college education. Mrs. Chandler had one son, a gifted young man, who is now deceased. He had graduated from Morehouse College and was working on his Master s Degree at New York University at the time of his demise. Legend James Scott was born and raised in New Brunswick, NJ. Despite some encounters with discrimination in his life, he served in the U.S. Army and obtained a college education. He along with his brother-in-law became the first Black persons in New Brunswick to own a tavern and he subsequently co-owned a lounge with a group of Black entrepreneurs. Mr. Scott worked in the area of public housing, rising through the ranks to become the Executive Director of the Edison Township Housing Authority. He has a strong commitment to his family, and he and his wife are the parents of two grown daughters.

8 2015 Black History/Diversity Program (cont d) A special part of the celebration involved musical tributes to each Legend by the church musicians, Mr. Steven Clark, Organist, and Mr. Gibson Okofar, Contemporary Music Coordinator, and the Praise and Worship Group, Ms. Mealah Haughton, Ms. Nicole Osbourne and Mr. Robert Chambers. Additional program participants included Nichelle Gayle, Trenyce Hinds, Malahkyle Reid, and Malik Reid, members of the Sunday School, and Youth Group, who performed a skit and poem. Mr. Gibson Okafor ended the program with an outstanding performance of Dr. Martin Luther King s I Have a Dream speech. The Rev. Canon Terrence W. Rosheuvel, Guest Celebrant, presented gifts of appreciation to the Legends and the Guest Host.

9 After the service, a delicious multicultural luncheon was served in the Parish Hall and included African-American, Jamaican, and Guyanese cuisine. Worshippers also enjoyed the photographs and biographies of the Legends, as well as the Black History and Diversity display in the Parish Hall. Passionate Worship Ministry Co-Chairs Angela Anderson and Glenda Simmons along with members Deborah Anderson, Pauline A. Chandler, Steven Clark, Nicole Gayle, Judith Haughton, Mealah Haughton, Clara Haynes, June Joseph, and Dr. Katye Monroe were responsible for the creative and inspiring program. They wish to thank the following individuals for their assistance with and contributions for the program: Enid Atkins, Sakeyna Bailey, Robert Chambers, Michael Gayle, Sr., Michael Gayle, Jr. Nichelle Gayle, Easton Haughton, Trenyce Hinds, Daphne Jones, Shanique McGowan, Gibson Okafor, Nicole Osbourne, Malahkyle Reid, Malik Reid, Maylene Rosheuvel, Erica Sappleton, Joan Steele, Eloise Tinley, Joseph Tinley, Paula Walcott- Quintin, Candace Shepherd, and Maxine Young. L-R: Program host Patricia Collins-Roach, Pauline Chandler, Kathryn Roach, Irvin Perrin, and James Scott. CONGRATULATIONS LEGENDS!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

10

11 Feeding the Hungry! The St. Alban s Food Pantry has been serving over 120 clients every month on Wednesdays, from 7-9 p.m at the church. The Food Pantry needs both perishable and nonperishable items. Monetary gifts are also accepted. At left, volunteers help fill bags of food for local families who are served each week. Please contact Enid Atkins at to donate your time or food items. GIVE WITH A GLAD HEART! ST. ALBAN S THRIFT SHOP Great bargains are available at the Thrift Shop. The hours of operation are Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To make a donation or to volunteer, contact James Simmons, Jr., Thrift Shop Manager, at Read more in the New Brunswick Patch.

12 Music Ministry Hosts Christmas Concert St. Alban s Choir and the Passionate Worship Ministry hosted a Christmas at St. Alban s event that featured performances guest artists Keith Calmes, Julliard-trained classical guitarist, Matthew Vicari, Musician s Institute of Los Angeles-trained contemporary guitarist, members of the St. Alban s Choir Joseph Tinley, Jr., Robert Chambers, Gibson Okafor led by St. Alban s Music Director Steven Clark, and featuring an inspired performance by Mrs. Clara Haynes as Frosty the Snowman. For those who missed this entertaining program enjoyed by a full house, the Order of the Concert and many pictures are enclosed for your enjoyment.

13

14 Music Ministry Hosts Christmas Concert (cont d) Mrs. Enid Atkins of St. Alban s Radical Hospitality Ministry presided over a scrumptious dessert table set out for concert goers.

15 NOTICES!! The Altar Guild is appealing to church members for flowers. Please consider placing flowers on the Altar in celebration of your birthday, your child's birthday, in memory of a loved one, or your wedding anniversary, among other special occasions. You will be blessed!! Van Needed! The St. Alban s family is looking for a van that will allow it to expand its Food Pantry Ministry, among other activities. We re seeking a partnership with several Community Food Banks outside of our area and a large capacity van, owned by the Church, will facilitate our growth. We re praying to be blessed with the donation of such a vehicle or a contribution, in part or in whole, towards its purchase. If you are the individual to bless our ministry in this way, please contact St. Alban s Senior Warden Mr. Joseph Tinley, Jr. or Junior Warden Mr. James Simmons, Jr. at St. Alban s Birthday Club!! On most first Sundays of the month, the post-service Coffee Hour held in the Parish Hall in honor of the birthday celebrants for that particular month, is coordinated through the Birthday Club. For additional information, contact Patricia James, Birthday Club Coordinator, at

16 Tuesday, May 28: Ministry to the Yardville St. Alban s Episcopal Church Phone: Fax: office@stalbansnewbrunswick.org Website: PLEASE NOTE St. Alban s Food Pantry opens Wednesdays, 7 9 p.m. To volunteer, contact Mrs. Enid Atkins, Coordinator. St. Alban s Thrift Shop opens Wednesdays 6 8 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. 1 p.m. To volunteer, contact Mr. James Simmons Jr., Manager. Please share your comments, story ideas, and events for the The Voice of St. Alban quarterly newsletter with Editor-in-Chief Paula Walcott-Quintin, by sending an to office@stalbansnewbrunswick.org. St. Alban s Episcopal Church 148 Lee Avenue New Brunswick, NJ TO: