Rector s Remarks. It s Only a Few Weeks Away

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1 Volume 29, Issue 13 April, 2017 We are a Christian community of loving, caring members, who reach out to welcome others through social action, ministry, and inspirational, sacramental worship. Rector s Remarks It s Only a Few Weeks Away During our Lenten services these past weeks, I ve noted that a few of us slip in omitting the Alleluias in our responses. And it reminded me of how anxious we can be to move forward to our Easter celebrations, which are only a few weeks away. And with its approach, I have been thinking about how we ll quickly move from remembering Christ s glorious procession into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to his time of trial, suffering and death during Holy Week. What a powerful time for us as Christians: an emotional rollercoaster when we go from singing Christ s praises in the procession of Palms, to calling out for him to be crucified during the liturgy of the Passion -- from sitting around the table as he washes the feet of his disciples, to his death upon the cross. And then, like Spring bursting forth with new hope after a cold and dark Winter, we are renewed in the gift of the Resurrection, as once again we burst out with the joyous cries of Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia! All of us join Christians around the world to joyously gather on Easter because Christ s death has gained a life grip on us: a grip in which we base our conviction that God has made an irrevocable decision on our Salvation; and that nothing past or present, not even death itself can interfere with His covenant of love. So it is with great joy that I join with you, and all other Christians worldwide, in celebration of the new life given us through the Resurrection; and it is with renewed resolve that I emerge from this year s Lenten journey to Go In Peace To Love And Serve Our Lord. Thanks Be To God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Peace and Happy Easter Father Dave +

2 A Voice from the Deacon s Bench I have been reading and contemplating meditations from Richard Rohr and the CAC this Lenten season. In one of the first meditations was an adaption of a piece from his book, The Divine Dancer. He says, God is much more a dynamic verb that a static noun. God is a constant flow. God is not the dancer but the constant flow. I decided, while following his meditations, to become more aware of God s constant flow of love within myself. Like the old hymn says, Less of me and more of thee. So my prayers and meditations have been-- move over ego, pride, sin, lack of confidence and a sense of not flowing with God s dance. This has been a hard and critical lesson for me to pray and meditate on, since my consciousness has been going around and around with national and home owners association politics. In other words, it has unfortunately become difficult for me to love my neighbor. I am not comfortable at all with this realization, this disconnect from God, this sin. Therefore, a readjustment, a critical look at myself, is ongoing through this Lenten season. Lent often isn t easy if we take it seriously. We walk with Jesus through his journey to the cross, and also our own journey, longing for the glory in the Easter morning. My comfort is that we are not alone while we pick through our awareness of our sins, but already and steadfast in the flow of God, learning to dance and becoming transformed in the flow of His love. What follows is a part of a prayer from the meditations: God for us, we call you Father. God alongside us, we call you Jesus. God within us, we call the Holy Spirit. You are the eternal mystery that enables, enfolds and enlivens all things Even us and even me. God s Blessings, Deacon Jean God is not the dancer, but the constant flow. ECW: Learning & Serving Twenty-one (21) attended our March 8 meeting at St. James. Donations were approved to the Dominican Republic Scholarship Program ($300), Brunswick Family Assistance ($300), Episcopal Relief & Development ($250) and Street Reach ($300). The Nominating Committee presented a slate of officers for ; Vice President Barbara Freeman; Secretary Vera Redin; Corresponding Secretary Edith Edwards and Treasurer Ruth Ann Grothe. The position of President is vacant. This slate of officers was approved. Following the business meeting: Robin Salmon, VP of Art History and Historical Collections presented Brookgreen Gardens: A Destination for Art. In Christ s Love, Bonnie Dolph dolph@atmc.net Foyer Groups We are planning a dolphin cruise in May so keep a lookout for this event. Everyone from St. James is invited to join us. We are working on the date and cost. This information will be announced in a couple weeks. Barbara Bartell

3 World Day of Prayer St. James held the annual World Day of Prayer service on Fri. March 3 rd, We had an attendance of about 84 people from different churches in Brunswick Country. The service went very well. We heard many complimentary remarks from the people who stayed for the reception and later at the GSMA Lenten lunches. The offering that we sent to the World Day of Prayer was substantial. I can t thank all of you who participated in making the morning run so smoothly and brought some beauty, joy and hope to those who attended. God s Blessings Deacon Jean Miller Left: Deacon Jean, Joyce Winnie, and Nancy Dougherty are set for the service. Right: Readying the feast in the kitchen! Visitors and parishioners alike joined in a wonderful day of prayer and praise. Above: Speaker Fran Salone- Pelletier and Betty Herren. Betty is wearing a hand made dress from The Phillippines. Left: Beautiful altar decorations, coordinated by Paul Bertelsen. 3

4 Palm Sunday Our services on the weekend of April 8 th and 9 th will begin in the Courtyard (weather permitting) with the Liturgy of the Palms. After this, we ll process into the church for our Eucharist Services. The Gospel will be done as a Passion Narrative with members of the congregation saying their respective parts; and a signup sheet for narrative parts will be placed on the Bulletin Table. Altar Flowers Each week the flowers on the altar add a beautiful touch to our Worship Services. These flowers are provided solely through donations to our Flower Fund by those dedicating them in honor, memory or thanksgiving of someone. Unfortunately we have a large number of weekends where either one or both of the altar vases have not been donated, which is depleting our backup Flower funds. The cost is $35 per vase and the signup chart is located in Bliss Hall. Easter Flowers April 9 th will be the last day to sign up to donate Easter Flowers in Memory, Thanksgiving or Honor of someone. A signup sheet will be located on the Bulletin Table beginning March 18 th. Request is $10 per donation. Place checks in the Offering Plate with the notation Easter Flowers in the memo line. 4 Maundy Thursday Servant Remembrance Meal and Service We will hold a Meal of Remembrance immediately preceding our Maundy Thursday (April 13 th ) service. This meal reminds us of God s gift of reconciliation in our lives; and of our call to be our Lord s servants in the world. During this simple meal of soup, bread & fruit we focus on our Christian call to being God s servants to others. The meal will start at 6:00 p.m. and is free. Then at 7 p.m. we ll move into the church for our Maundy Thursday Eucharist service, which will include foot-washing and the stripping of the church.

5 Good Friday Stations of the Cross and Service Once again we will be hosting the Stations Cross Walk through Shallotte on Good Friday (April 14 th ) starting at noon from the Main Street side of the church. Those unable to make the walk can join us inside the church for the Stations conducted there. Following the return of the outdoor walk group (about 1PM) we will hold our Good Friday liturgy service, with Communion from the Reserved Elements, in the church. Mark Your Long-Range Calendars ECW Retreat April 5 th 6 th at Trinity Retreat Center (Pine Knoll Shores, NC) Remaining Lenten Meditation/Lunch Sessions March 29 th St. Luke s Lutheran Church April 5 th Camp United Methodist Church (NOTE: NO Public Healing Services here on these Wednesdays) Holy Week and Easter Services April 8 th /9 th (Palm Sunday). All 3 weekend Services begin with Liturgy of the Palms and procession starting in church courtyard (Bliss Hall if inclement weather). April 13 th (Maundy Thursday). Servant Remembrance Meal (soup, bread & fruit) at 6:00pm. Followed at 7pm by Maundy Thursday service with Foot-washing & Stripping of Church. The Church will then remain open until midnight for meditation and prayer. April 14 th (Good Friday). Stations of the Cross walk thru Shallotte starting at our parish at noon. We ll also conduct the Stations in our church for those not desiring to do the walk thru town. We ll then gather in church at 1:00PM for the Good Friday service. April 15 th (Holy Saturday). Set up Church for Easter. No 5:30pm service. April 16 th (Easter Sunday). The Great Vigil service at 6am (in Memorial Garden, weather permitting). Festive Easter Eucharist services at 9am and 11am (don t forget some flowers for the Flowering Cross). Services of Reception June 10 th & 11 th, as needed at each Service that weekend 5

6 Vestry Corner Your vestry met on Tuesday, March 14 th, and, after opening prayer, approved the February Meeting Minutes and Financial Report. Then 8 items of Old Business were discussed, as follows: Review of Lawncare Agreement. Wayne Campbell spoke with our Lawncare service; and they will do a general cleanup in the winter and spring for $105 each and then cut twice a month for $35 per cut. A written agreement reflecting this will be pursued. a Endowment Fund Disbursement. Fr. Dave noted that the $2500 disbursement approved at our Feb. meeting has been requested, which will be applied to the 2017 Operating Budget. b. Endowment Fund Campaign. Don Irvin contacted our Raymond James representative; setting up a parish Q&A session for May 4 th. Also, a brochure and campaign letter will go out in April. c. Volunteer Levels Worship, Outreach, Programs. Fr. Dave recently received the last of the input from various ministries; and is putting together a data sheet for the next meeting. d. March Stewardship Article development. Don Irvin will provide the April article. e. Newcomers Orientation. Anne Neely is lining up presenters for upcoming Service of Reception Weekends; starting with the one in June. f. World Day of Prayer. Deacon Jean noted that the Service went very well and was well publicized. About 84 people attended and $680 was raised for the WDP organization. g. Coat Closet results. Deacon Jean reported that the Closet closed effective 28 February; giving out 520 winter coats, and sending out 120 light coats to other Outreach organizations. Then 3 items of New Business were reviewed, those being: a. Continued Landscaping Efforts. Bill Grothe noted a cleanup day will be held March 25 th (Weather backup day is April 29 th ). And Anne Neely added that a Dogwood tree donated by the DOK will be planted on March 15 th. b. Front Door & Door Ramp repairs. Bill Grothe noted that these doors need to be replaced and he will be getting quotes before the next meeting. Also, he ll be repairing the front door ramp. c. Bliss Hall brick painting. Fr. Dave noted the need to repaint this brick; and had 3 quotes ranging from $5,000 to $1100. A motion was approved authorizing $1400 of the Building (Painting) Fund to do this job; and Father Dave will contact the painter to schedule it. Dawn Kellerman then inquired about the possibility of painting the Women s restroom. She will get a group of women together to decide on a color. And Father Dave noted that the next parish dinner will be May 6 th using a Cinco de Mayo theme; and that a group will be going out March 18 th to do an Outreach rebuilding project on a home in Leland as part of a WARM project. The Vestry then adjourned following a closing prayer, to reconvene on April 11 th at 5:30PM. Vestry meetings minutes are posted in Bliss Hall; and these meetings are open to all. 6 Christian Education Programs Our Bible Café continues meeting on Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Parish Library; exploring the lessons for that particular Sunday. Also, our Wednesday (4:30 pm) continues a break to allow people to attend the Greater Shallotte Ministerial Association s Wednesday Noon Lenten Meditation with Lunch series, which runs through April 5 th. On these Wednesdays, we will not have our Public Healing service here. Then, after Easter, our Wednesday 4:30 p.m. program will restart on May 3 rd. We hope you ll join us for these opportunities to further explore the questions of our faith. Peace - Father Dave +

7 The Fisherman April 2017 Mary and Martha Chapter At our Daughters of the King meeting this month we discussed the Sevenfold Gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude (Courage), Knowledge, Piety, and the Fear of the Lord. Wisdom: It is the capacity to love spiritual things more than material ones; it also means the want to understand God. Understanding: In understanding, we comprehend how we need to live as followers of Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live. Counsel (right judgment): With the gift of counsel/right judgment, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose to do what is right. Fortitude (courage): With the gift of fortitude/courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risks as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or physical harm. Knowledge: With the gift of knowledge, we understand the meaning of God. Wisdom gives the desire to know the things of God. The gift of knowledge is more than an accumulation of facts, it also helps us to choose the right path through life; Piety (reverence): With the gift of piety/reverence, we have a deep sense of respect for God and the Church. A person with reverence recognizes our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. Fear of the Lord (wonder and awe): With the gift of fear of the Lord/wonder and awe, we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. For His Sake, Luvette Hickey The program is called Support the Girls --- homeless and financially challenged women and girls in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties are in need of bras and feminine hygiene products. New and/or gently used bras (washed), new (sealed) packages of tampons and maxi pads, and new (packaged) underwear of all sizes are needed. All types and sizes of bras are needed (daily, underwire, sport, training, maternity, nursing, lacy, and mastectomy). St. James the Fisherman will be collecting these items March 1 through Lent. So please look in your dresser drawers for any new- or gently-used bras you no longer wear and donate them to this worthwhile ministry. Other hygiene products would be appreciated also. The collected items will be sorted by volunteers from the Support the Girls Southeastern North Carolina Chapter and distributed to seven different shelters/programs between Brunswick County and New Hanover County. If you have any questions, please contact Ruth Ann Campbell-Grothe at or at no1nanie@atmc.net. Many, many thanks to Carolyn and Clint Felton for their many years of faithful service as support coordinators for our parish dinners. They recently decided that it was time to pass the mantle for this ministry on to others; and I am pleased to note that Gary and Barbara Freeman were quick to step forward to take on this parish ministry task for which we also offer them our thanks. 7

8 SBIC CORNER Ruth Ann Campbell-Grothe attended the South Brunswick Interchurch Council (SBIC) monthly meeting on Monday, March 6, 2017, at Shallotte Presbyterian Church at 8:45 a.m. The SBIC Food Pantry served 268 children, 482 adults, and 316 seniors for a total of 1,066 January through February Mary Pritchard informed us that the Shallotte Elks will be providing the Easter dinners. The United Way grant of $1,250 was received for the SBIC Food Pantry. We no longer qualify for FEMA grants under their guidelines. Don Evans, Fundraising Chairperson, distributed the agenda and gave further details on the March 15 th Planning Session to be held at First Baptist Church of Shallotte from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All SBIC members and pastors are encouraged to attend. Don also sent invitations out to various associations in Brunswick County, such as BFA and sponsors. Don and Priscilla Evans manned a table representing the SBIC at the Chamber of Commerce 1 st Expo on Saturday. They handed out SBIC postcards and SBIC Food Pantry postcards. They also reported that Upward Sports of the First Baptist Church of Shallotte will be collecting nonperishable food items tomorrow night to be donated to the SBIC Food Pantry. Also, the Family First Chiropractor, Dr. Mac, requested a bin that he will place in his office to collect food items for the SBIC Food Pantry. Mitch Hewett had nothing to report on technology. Dues follow-ups are being distributed to churches behind in their dues or that need a formal invoice. Follow-ups will also be made on churches not sending a representative to the SBIC meetings. Priscilla Evans, Public Relations / Communications Coordinator, has a press release in the Beacon about the Food Lion grant to the SBIC Food Pantry. There will also be one about the ladies who make stuffed animals for the pantry. The monthly newsletter will go out on Wednesday. The Executive Board decided to split the balance left in our Hurricane Matthew Fund ($1,175) between the Columbus Baptist Association and Harvest Table. The Columbus Baptist Association has about 300 college students who have volunteered to rebuild homes destroyed by the storm. The next SBIC General Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 3, 2017, at Shallotte Presbyterian Church at 8:45 a.m. Anyone is welcome to attend the monthly SBIC Meetings. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ruth Ann or Bill Grothe, your St. James Representatives, at or at no1nanie@atmc.net. Until next month 8 We will play bridge on Friday April 7 th and 21 st at 1 PM in Bliss Hall. We invite anyone to come join us, be it beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Contact me at bjkbartell@gmail.com or Barbara Bartell Apr 1 Apr 3 Apr 5 Apr 7 Apr 11 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 22 Apr 24 Apr 26 Apr 29 Jean Gillette Ted Tattersal Kenny Krawcheck Sam Farag Dan Dickerson, Dan Kubley Frank Wilson Ted & Judy Tattersal Bill Grothe, Bob & Tina Scott Edith Edwards, Michael Grasso Bob Lynott, John Spessard David Rohr, Jerry & Carolyn Block Beverly Veenker Tina Johnson Clint Felton, Jeanne & Ronald Reopel Bill & Ruth Ann Grothe Don Roberts, Jim & Annette Parsch Bob Scott

9 Stewardship Corner 100% Participation By definition, stewardship is the careful, responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. At St. James, with our membership vows, we agree that God has given us all many gifts, and we have promised to share these gifts in the form of our time, talent, and financial support. The giving of one's time and talent should be reasonably easy since we all have interests and abilities that can help the programs at St. James. Be it altar guild, ECW, DOK, lay reader, choir member, or one of the many outreach programs, we all can find a place to be a participant. Tithing is giving to God through the church, a portion of one's income to meet the financial needs for operation. Historically this has meant one tenth of your income. Times have changed, and this amount is not set in stone. We have single parent families, widows and widowers with changing incomes, and retired seniors on a fixed income. This affects everyone's thought process concerning tithing. The Vestry has made one of its goals for 2017 to strive for 100% participation in pledging. This is not just a monetary goal, but one to achieve 100% commitment for an entire team effort. If 10% tithing is good for you, great. But if not, your participation says that you are supportive to the best of your ability. Whether it's $1, $2, $5, or your own amount per week, the importance is being a part of the total support for St. James. Your pledge amount is only known and recorded by our treasurer. No one else knows your pledge. It's between you and God. So I ask you, if you have never done so, please consider a pledge of your choosing, which is between you, God, and our treasurer, and know that we are all together in the effort to support St. James the Fisherman. Don Irvin Vestry The 200 th Anniversary of The Episcopal Church in North Carolina Throughout 2017, the Dioceses of East Carolina, North Carolina and Western North Carolina will join together to celebrate their shared history, beginning with the founding of the Diocese of North Carolina in While only one diocese retains the name of the original Episcopal diocese in the Old North State, all three current dioceses shared an identity until the 20 th century. Our Diocese will celebrate this Anniversary with the following events: Friday, April 20, :00 PM History Program: Presented by The Rev. Brooks Graebner, Historiographer of the Diocese of North Carolina, and Terry Byrd Eason, prominent Liturgical Design Consultant and member of Chapel of the Cross. 6:30 PM - Evening Prayer: In the Outdoor Chapel located on Christ Church s original footprint. Followed by a light refreshment reception on the lawn. Saturday, April 21, :00 AM - Guided Walking Tour of New Bern, departing from Christ Church. 3:00 PM - Private Group Tour of Tryon Palace. Contact The Rev. Paul Canady (paulcanady@christchurchnewbern.com) for more information Sunday, April 22, Worship Opportunities in New Bern 7:30 AM - Holy Eucharist at Christ Church, Rite I, No Music 8:45 AM - Holy Eucharist at Christ Church, Rite II, Contemporary Music 11:00 AM - Holy Eucharist at St. Cyprian s (North Carolina s first African American Church) 11:00 AM - Holy Eucharist at Christ Church, Rite II, Traditional Music 9

10 St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church P. O. Box 68, 4941 Main Street Shallotte, NC The Rt. Rev. Robert Skirving - Bishop The Rev. David J. Davis, Rector The Rev. Jean Miller, Deacon Rev. Dr. Richard Warner, Jr., Rector Emeritus Paul Bertelsen, Verger Sunday: Holy Eucharist: Choral Eucharist: Saturday: Holy Eucharist: Wednesday: Public Healing Service Worship Services 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m. Noon Vestry Cai Raber Senior Warden Bill Grothe Junior Warden Jack McElroy Treasurer Jackie Wright Clerk of the Vestry Pat Neff Don Irvin Sam Farag Bill Grothe Dawn Kellerman Sally Manifold Anne Neely WORSHIP Vestry Liaison S. Manifold Coordinators Fr. Dave Davis Acolytes P. Bertelsen Altar Guild Individual Team Leaders Daughters of the King L. Hickey Eucharistic Ministers D. Kirk Eucharistic Visitors Deacon J. Miller Music M. Smicklas Newcomers/Greeters E. Bachand Nursery V. Redin Ushers B. Chase PROGRAMS Vestry Liaison D. Kellerman Christian Education Fr. Dave Davis Directory of Ministries ECW B. Dolph Coffee Hour Weekly Hosts Foyer Groups: B. Bartell, L. Hickey Quarterly Parish Dinners B. & G. Freeman Special Projects P. Bertelsen Holy Stitchers L. Hickey Bridge Group B. Bartell OUTREACH Vestry Liaison Anne Neely Angel Tree P. Davis BFA Food Pantry Fr. Dave Community In Schools Deacon J. Miller ERD Fr. Dave Inter-church Council B. & R. Grothe Lobster Sale B. Chase Neighbor to Neighbor Deacon J. Miller Second Helpings- J. Bryant UTO/CPC ECW Coordinators ADMINISTRATION Vestry Liaisons D. Irvin & P. Neff Endowments Chair: E. Miller Liaison: D. Irvin Stewardship P. Neff BUILDING & GROUNDS S. Farag Interior, W. Campbell - Exterior Fisherman Newsletter - L. Jennings Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2 St. James The Fisherman Episcopal church P. O. Box 68 Shallotte, NC