JANUARY 2018 THE VICARS PRESS

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1 THE VICARS PRESS JANUARY 2018 On January 17 th the church celebrates two saints who were very famous in their day, but who have been largely forgotten in the church in the western hemisphere: Antony of Egypt, and Pachomius. Antony was credited as being the first monk, thought in all likelihood there were some others who came before him. Antony died in 356 CE and the year after Athanasius published a biography called The Life of Antony. This dramatic description of Antony's life made this book a bestseller for hundreds of years after Antony's death, and monks in the Orthodox Church still read the book today. Antony was born in Egypt to noble and well-off Christian parents around 254 CE. His parents died when he was about 18, and he was left with the care of his sister and the family estate. One day he walked into church during the reading of the gospel, and he heard the words from Matthew 19, If you want to be perfect, go, sell all your possessions and give to the poor, and come follow me, and you will have treasure in heaven. Immediately, Antony left and did just that. He sold the family estate and all his possessions and give the money to the poor, keeping only enough money for the care of his sister. Eventually, Antony went out into the desert, living in tombs, deserted barracks, and small huts. This is when he became the first monk. The word monk comes from the root mono- meaning one or solitary, so a monk was originally a religious hermit who would spend their life alone meditating on scripture and prayer. Antony would eat only bread and raw vegetables, but the biography claims that even as he grew older he did not lose any of his strength. Athanasius also describes vivid battles between Antony and demons and the devil. Antony became more famous and his reputation spread as a wise holy man and miracle worker. As he became more popular, people came from the cities, such as Alexandria, to visit and learn from him. When some visitors began living in nearby caves, something new developed: anchoritic monasticism. It was called anchoritic because young monks would gather around a master who would be their anchor. Throughout his life, Antony travelled to the cities and retreated to the wilderness. He taught and counseled others, and spent time in seclusion. He fought demons and had holy visions. The story of his life was an instant best seller and captured people's imaginations so greatly that they moved to the desert in droves to become monks. If Antony was the first monk, Pachomius was the father of monasticism as we know it today. Pachomius was an Egyptian monk who was born around 292 CE and died in 346 CE. Until his time, monks were living in sparse dwellings like the anchorites around Antony. Pachomius was a pioneer in organizing the monks into communities that we call monasteries. As the monks began living together, Pachomius realized that if they didn't have special guidelines for life together, they would be just like any other town. Pachomius developed a rule which outlined how a monk is to live within the monastery. Most orders of monks still have rules today, many of them modeled on Pachomius' rule for his first monasteries. By the time of his death, Pachomius had developed a federation of nine monasteries surrounding the Nile River. When Martin Luther was ordained, he was an Augustinian monk, but he eventually renounced his vows. He claimed that the only vows a Christian should take are in baptism. So why is it that we remember these forefathers of monasticism? I think that we remember them because they represent stories of faithful people who followed God's call, even though it wasn't the popular thing to do at the time. We remember them because Jesus calls us to make difficult decisions when we drop everything and follow him. And we remember them, because the stories of their lives still excite our imaginations today. If you are interested in reading The Life of Antony or more about Pachomius talk to Vicar Patrick.

2 NURSES CORNER Greetings and Happy New Year, Hope that each of you will consider joining me in the Walk to Jerusalem this year. Looking for a point person in each church, contact me if interested. January is Thyroid Awareness Month The thyroid is a small gland in the base of your neck and can affect your whole body. Most people are aware of the condition called hypothyroidism, where the thyroid function is less than optimal, not producing adequate amounts of the thyroid hormones. The thyroid hormones are important, as they not only affect the thyroid but because they interact with many other hormones. They affect many parts of the body. Some areas that can be affected include, but are not limited to: metabolism, body temperature regulation, cognitive function, and digestion. However, there are other conditions of the thyroid: hyperthyroidism (the thyroid in an overactive state), Grave s disease and Hashimoto s disease (both of these are autoimmune diseases), goiter (thyroid enlargement), thyroid nodules (growths on the thyroid), and thyroid cancer. Symptoms of disorders vary and there are many symptoms. The most common are: cold hands/feet (hypothyroid), dry skin (hypothyroid); unexplained weight gain (hypothyroid), unexplained weight loss (hyperthyroid); loose bowels, diarrhea (hyperthyroid); vision issues (Grave s disease); difficulty swallowing (goiter and/or thyroid nodules) and many more. More information can be found at Thyroid conditions affect more women than men. Because there are so many symptoms, it can go undiagnosed and untreated for long periods of time. If you feel tired and have any of the symptoms mentioned, talk with your physician to see if further evaluation is needed. Wishing you blessings, Jeannie Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you. Luke 10:8-9

3 NORTH MOUNTAIN PARISH JANUARY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES Wishing all a Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary ST STEPHEN 6 Brenda Pangle 8 Ella Grace Pangle 9 Janet Smith 12 Nikki Taylor 20 Donna Polk 31 Paul Taylor ST MATTHEW 4 Pat Riffey 5 Conner Turrill 13 Jonathan Gochenour 20 Taylor Swanger ST PETER 7 Heather Williams 16 Phil Fauber 18 James Olds 19 Melissa Mumaw 20 Christopher Mumaw 24 Dee Hockman ST STEPHEN 29 Clara & Dave Barden ST MATTHEW Billy & Brandi Dysart

4 SS - St. Stephen SP - St. Peter SM - St. Matthew JANUARY 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 7 SS -INSTALLATION OF NEW COUNCIL ME- MEBERS SM - COMMUNION 14 SS- 2PM WELCA PLANNING MEETING 21 SM - COMMUNION SP - COUNCIL MEETING FOLLOWING SERVICE 1 2 SS - 10AM QUILTING 3 SS -10AM BIBLE 4:30 SS SERVING PAUL 8 9 SM - 7PM COUNCIL MEETING SS- 11:30AM KATIE S LADIES LUNCHEON SP - 7PM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 10 SS - 10AM BIBLE SS - 7PM COUNCIL 17 SS- 10AM BIBLE SS 10 AM BIBLE SS - 10AM BIBLE SUNDAY SCHEDULES St. Stephen: 9am Worship St. Peter: 9:45am Sunday School 11am Worship St. Matthew: 10am Adult Sunday School 11am Worship (Children s Sunday School)

5 FEBRUARY 2018 Newsletter Deadline February Newsletter deadline is January 19th. Please send all articles and information to Connie Baker at North Mountain Lutheran Parish