December, Saint Alban s. Herald. St. Alban s Mission: Christ-Centered, Radically Embracing People and Creation

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1 A M O N T H L Y N EWS L E T T E R F O R T H E M E M B E R S A N D F R I E N D S O F S A I N T A L B A N S PA R I S H, S A L I S B U R Y, M A R Y L A N D December, 2018 Saint Alban s Herald St. Alban s Mission: Christ-Centered, Radically Embracing People and Creation

2 Saint Alban s Herald, December, Saint Alban s Herald is published monthly in electronic and print styles by St. Alban s Episcopal Church, 302 St.Alban's Drive Salisbury, MD The Very Rev. Dr. Frieda L. Malcolm is Rector. Phone the parish office at , or e mail the parish office at stalbanssalisbury@gmail.com. The church Website is Submit ar cles and other informa on electronically to the parish office. Deadline is the 3rd Sunday of the month. St. Alban's: Christ-centered, radically embracing people and creation This is our identity as a parish, which we articulated with these words last year. We endeavor to follow Christ in welcoming all sorts and conditions of [humanity]. We offer baptism and eucharist to all, and the pastoral offices of reconciliation, ministry to the sick, and Christian burial to those who ask. We do not discriminate with regard to gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation or identity, or mental capacity. With regard to marriage, our policy is to meet all couples desiring a Christian wedding. The legal requirements, both civil and church, must be met. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender. However, the clergy may decline to officiate for other reasons. Christmas Schedule SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23: Greening of the Church after the 10:30 a.m. service with a Pizza Party MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, Christmas Eve : 4:30 p.m. Eucharist Service 10:30 p.m. Eucharist Service TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, Christmas Day: 10:30 a.m. Eucharist Service OFFICE CLOSED SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2018, First Sunday after Christmas: 9:30 a.m.lessons & Carols De-Greening of the Church after the 9:30 a.m. service There are two services each Sunday, Rite I at 8:00 a.m. and Rite II at 10:30 a.m. Both are Eucharist services. ALL ARE WELCOME! TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2019: OFFICE CLOSED

3 3 Saint Alban s Herald, December, 2018 Frieda s Place Advent Is Not Lent! Although some writings about Advent call it 'Little Lent,' the season of Advent is less about sin and repentance and more about joyful anticipation of a new creation. This year at St. Alban's, the hangings will reflect that difference with blue rather than purple. The Advent Sunday readings this year, as we begin Year C of our three-year cycle of lectionary readings, speak of the hope of the restoration of Israel (Old Testament) and the gratitude and joy of Paul (New Testament) for the love of Jesus, the faith of the church community, and the anticipation of a fully restored relationship with God. The Gospel lessons name the brokenness of the world, and yet also proclaim the promise of everything made right in the end. We are not asked to pretend life is easy. We are not asked to ignore the plight of the suffering or to discount our own. We are not asked to deny that much about our world seems to be falling apart, or too violent, or cruel. We are asked to believe that there is a better time and a better way coming. We are asked to believe that Jesus Christ has already begun setting the world right side up. Whether you make it to church every Sunday, are faithful in reading and reflecting on the Daily Office lessons or another devotional, light an Advent wreath and say prayers, or not, take a few moments to notice the beauty and the good around you, to dream of and anticipate a better world, and then to give thanks and rejoice. During the brief (12-day) Christmas season, join us in celebrating the first coming of Christ as we also continue to anticipate Christ's second coming. Have a joyful and blessed Advent and Christmas, full of gratitude, joy, peace, and hope!

4 Saint Alban s Herald, December, Christina Jarmolinski Artists & Makers Studios, Rockville, MD. is proud to host INSPIRED BY FRIDA December 2018 This exhibit, curated by Judith HeartSong, will offer artists in the metro area an opportunity to create a variety of works inspired by the Artist Frida Kahlo. 2D artworks, 3D artworks, sculpture, jewelry, clothing, and more will all be considered for the exhibit and holiday market. Artists whose work has been selected for exhibit and the market will be shown at both locations the exhibits in the Small Square Gallery at Parklawn, and in our Wilkins Avenue Merge Gallery for the duration of this exhibit. The Holiday Market will take place on December 7th, 6-9pm for the First Friday Opening, and on Saturday December 22nd for the closing reception and Holiday Market, 10-4pm. The Holiday Market will be hosted at A&M1 in the A Hallway, and at A&M2 in the center of the Merge Gallery. Our own Christina Jarmolinski has had three of her paintings of Frida Kahlo accepted in this juried "Inspired by Frida Exhibition" in Rockville, Maryland. All three are 48 x 36 inches. Christina says she worked most of the summer on Frida for this show. While submitting her art in August, she didn t know if she would be juried into the show. She is very honored and grateful for this opportunity to show three of her Frida paintings. (This is very unusual. Normally if one is accepted you can be happy) The jurying was long. There were hundreds, if not thousands of entries competing. So, wow! Three at one show. She is very happy. Having been an artist her whole life after studying art, teaching, running and owning galleries, she knows firsthand that competition is hard. Frida Kahlo, , has inspired me for the last 20+ years. Her struggles with her health, polio at a young age, then after a horrific accident as a young student, confined to wheel chairs and corsets, defines her love and compassion to art. I admire her adamant character. Many times she gave me the incentive to never give up. I followed her message. Her art shows vibrant colors of Mexico, which I also use in my palette

5 5 Saint Alban s Herald, December, 2018 Annual Meeting Results The forty-eight annual meeting of St. Alban's Parish was on Sunday November 18, Here are the newly elected Vestry members: Vic Evans Kim O Grady Arlene White The 2019 Alternate Delegates to the Diocesan Convention are Megan Pomeroy and Dee Rinehart. Shelly Madsen presented the 2019 preliminary budget of $221, At the time of the meeting our projected income was $147, with several pledges outstanding. If you would like to give electronically through WeShare, here is the link to sign up: Stalbanssalisbury.churchgiving.com Thank you to Arlene White, Sr. Warden, Kim O Grady, and Maarten Pereboom as they complete their Vestry terms. Officers for 2019 will be elected at the December Vestry meeting. Current Vestry: Arlene White, Senior Warden Brian Raygor, Junior Warden Troy Channell Howard Doak Virginia Jeffrey Kim O'Grady Maarten Pereboom Chris Sabas Jenny Buchanan Treasurer: Deb Rossi Registrar: Judy Gracey Recording Secretary: Jeremy Cox Delegates to Diocesan Convention 2019: Arlene White, Vernon Rivers FREE SERVICE: HELP WITH BRINGING PATIENT HOME FROM HOSPITAL

6 Saint Alban s Herald, December, Soup for the Soul December 19/Potluck By Donna Parks A tradition of soups, desserts and camaraderie started many years ago here at St. Alban's. Every one of all ages is invited, encouraged, needed, and very welcome to enjoy an hour of soothing soups and warm fellowship in the parish hall. As always, there is no charge to eat, visit and relax with us for an hour. Bring a friend or two, Brett a neighbor, a family member, or co-worker so we can continue to implement our mission: St. Alban s is Christ-Centered: Radically Embracing People and Creation. To help accommodate those needing a break or those who have busy work schedules (and need to get back to work!), the Mark start of the luncheon will be at 12 noon. We appreciate volunteers and welcome anyone to join one of our teams, The Dippers" and "The Spooners. As we say, "many hands make light work" and "the more, the merrier"! Mark your calendars and join us at 12 noon: December 19, 2018 (potluck!)

7 7 Saint Alban s Herald, December, 2018 Senior Warden s Letter Arlene White The Living Compass guide for Advent this year is entitled Practicing Generosity with all your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind. This seems like a relatively easy assignment given the time of year but what I am more aware of, here at St. Alban s, is that the above is a mindset all year long. The love that comes down at Christmas in the form of the Christ Child is shared on a regular basis here. It can be seen by the welcoming smile, hug or handshake on a Sunday morning. It can be seen in the overflowing bins that hold food donations to WiHi and Joseph House. It can be seen in the back room which holds items that will delight the kids from Camp Agape or Salisbury Middle School this Christmas. It can be seen anytime that you stop by the office and see not only Mary and Frieda hard at work and willing to help you, but others who also drop in for any number of reasons. It can be seen in the kitchen on the first Wednesday of the month as our members prepare lunch for Joseph House. It can be seen in the delicious dinners that are delivered when someone is ill or needs some TLC. You can hear it when the choir makes a joyful noise unto the Lord. If you haven t ever used a Living Compass study guide, either individually or in a group, I would recommend that you try it this year. But I would also recommend that you take a moment to see all the love that God has given to each of us and that we so freely share with others in our church, in our community, in our diocese and in the world. For unto us, a Child is born! Unto us a Son is given! Merry Christmas!

8 Saint Alban s Herald, December, Endowment Committee Update Geoff Smoot For those who missed the annual meeting s report on the Endowment funds I would like to let you know what the committee s mission is for the church. We are commissioned to monitor the funds available in the endowment from parishioners and held for us by the Diocese for uses as needed in the church. One may endow property improvements such as we see with this past year s addition of the furniture in the Columbarium and the sheltered walkway at our entrance. These gifts were made to the endowment fund and used accordingly as specified by the donors after vestry approval upon notification by the committee. Our committee acts on bequests to ensure they are used in the appropriate manner. Money that is endowed with no earmark are placed in our fund held by the diocese. Property is used as specified after vestry approval. As opposed to the annual pledge drive, we exist for those who wish to contribute funds(money) for use by the church as needed. When/if funds are used, the parishioner who made the endowment may be acknowledged if they have requested such. We are not involved in active solicitations of funds like the pledge committee but rather are here to urge parishioners to consider donating to the church for the long range with either property or funds, from ones will for example. We are a Now and Later committee as opposed to a Now committee! If anyone wishes to talk about an endowment any of us can be contacted or you may me, Geoff Smoot, at gbsmoot@comcast.net. No minimum amount is too small to donate, and it will help future generations continue the strength and vitality of our Church outreach and mission of being Christ-Centered: Radically Embracing People and Creation. Camp Wright Camp Wright registration is now open for Summer For more information call or go to campwright.com.

9 9 Saint Alban s Herald, December, 2018 Auction Images Be Our Guest!

10 Saint Alban s Herald, December, End of Year Giving/Thank You! We are very grateful for your generous support of the ministry and mission of St. Alban's. If you would like to complete your pledge, or make a year's-end gift, and have it documented for your 2018 taxes, please make it by December 31. If you will be making a donation of appreciated securities, please contact Debbie Rossi or Frieda for the information and to designate the applicable use for these assets (such as operating, endowment, or organ fund). Salisbury Middle Christmas Shop Katherine West Cleaning out your closets before the holidays? Salisbury Middle School needs like new or gently used items for its annual Holiday Shop. Students buy gifts for their families using "Eagle Bucks" - token dollars earned for good behavior and academics. Ideas for items include Christmas decorations, home decor, men's ties, wallets, etc., children's toys, household items, scarves, purses, but please, no clothes and no electronic items. We can always use bubble wrap, wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags, and gift cards. I can pick up your items at church, or I am happy to come to your home to pick up items. Also, in past years, several members of St. Alban s kindly have volunteered to wrap gifts for students. If you are interested in gift wrapping this year, the Holiday Shop will be on Tuesday, December 18 and Wednesday, December 19 from 10:20 am - 1: 15 pm at Salisbury Middle. You don't have to come for the entire time. Please contact me for more information if you'd like to wrap or kwest@wcboe.org

11 11 Saint Alban s Herald, December, 2018 Frieda Earns Environment Award The Wicomico Environmental Trust (WET) advocates, provides programs, and works for policies that preserve and protect nature in our county and the Chesapeake Bay region. WET works with other nonprofits, government, businesses, and individuals to keep our water, Wicomico River and watershed, forests, and farmland beautiful and healthy for future generations to enjoy. The Wicomico Environmental Trust mission is to conserve and protect nature in our county and the Chesapeake Bay region, and to keep our water, forests and farmland beautiful and healthy for future generations to enjoy. Frieda was honored by an award from The Wicomico Environmental Trust, at their dinner in November. She received the John Groutt award for Environmental Stewardship. Congratulations, Frieda! Contemplatives Diane Mitchell and her group, meeting for Living in Divine Presence.

12 Saint Alban s Herald 302 Saint Alban s Drive Salisbury, MD 21804