COMFORTABLE WORDS. MARCH Maundy Thursday, April 1 7:00 Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing Stripping of the Altar

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1 COMFORTABLE WORDS A Monthly Communication from Holy Comforter Church Serving the Episcopal Community of Angleton Since 1897 MARCH Sunday Worship Schedule 8:30 AM Holy Eucharist 9:30 AM Christian Education 10:30 AM Holy Eucharist Mission Statement All are welcome to grow with us through worship, prayer, fellowship, and service at Holy Comforter, a Christ-centered family Church. What s Inside Carol s Column Pg. 2 Parish Particulars Pg. 3-6 Vestry & Financials Pg. 7 HCES News Pg. 8 Calendar Pg. 9 Maundy Thursday, April 1 7:00 Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing Stripping of the Altar Good Friday, April 2 7:00 Solemn Service followed by Stations of the Cross Alleluia! Easter Sunday, April 4 9:00 Vestry Easter Breakfast 10:30 Service Only Noon Easter Egg Hunt 1

2 Mother Carol s Column It seems appropriately ironic that Maundy Thursday falls this year on April 1, April Fool s Day. What kind of fool would wash the feet of a friend who would betray him? What kind of fool would put himself at the mercy of an angry, violent mob, when escape would be simple enough? Passion and crucifixion seem like foolish ways to inaugurate a new Way of Life, the Living Way, no less. But St. Paul reminds us: For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25) What might appear to the casual observer as a foolish, wasteful tragedy was actually an earth-shattering event of cataclysmic goodness. The joke was on those who intended evil, when God intended good. The Paschal story reminds us to hold loosely the events of our own lives; what might appear at first glance to be foolish or evil, may very well be an opportunity for God s great goodness to take root and flourish in our lives. That s the mystery of Easter: life from death; light from darkness. Thanks be to God! I look forward to our observations of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and a glorious Easter Sunday! Remember to come for Easter breakfast and to bring flowers for the Cross! Blessings abound! Carol 2

3 Parish Particulars Growing in Christ Opportunities abound for Growing in Christ! Every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., Comforter Kids (ages 2-4) learn the stories of Jesus with teachers Kim Peck and Mikayla Pierce; school-agers enjoy Godly Play under the guidance of a team of teachers; and adults share in thoughtful theological discussion in Coffeehouse Theology, facilitated by Mother Carol. Won t you join us as we grow in knowledge and grace through the wisdom of scripture? Parish Meeting Sunday, April 11 9:30 a.m. Parish Hall Junior Warden Parish House Update! Remember! You can contribute online to Holy Comforter. Visit Go to the Parish Life page and click on "Online Giving". Easy! Holy Comforter's Outreach committee is providing a warm breakfast for Habitat for Humanity volunteers on Thursday, April 1. Current build is at 74 Ash Street in Angleton; volunteers are always welcome! Galveston still needs our help for Ike Recovery! We will meet at HC at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 8, and return around 5:00p.m. Bring a sack lunch & your tools! 3

4 Parish Particulars Coffee Hosts for the month of April 4 Vestry Breakfast 11 Christi Cole 18 The Northrups 25 The Picards Please contact Betty Mogford at if you would like to sign up. Dear Ones, In our continuing efforts to be good stewards of our resources, as of April 1 we will send newsletters electronically to all those who have computers access. This enables us to save postage and paper costs and enables you to read the newsletter in full color on your home computer the minute that it is completed! No waiting for the mail! Each month, you will receive an e with a newsletter attached; it will also contain a link through which you can find the newsletter on the website. There will be some hard copy versions available at church for pick-up as well. Thank you for your continued support in helping us to cut costs and be good stewards! Blessings and best wishes, M. Carol 1 Mark Eby 2 Maggie Neal 3 Tom Thomas 9 Yvonne Warner 10 Walt Kilgus 11 Lane Lostak 16 Kevin Cole 20 David Shackelford Shea Lynn Funk 25 Sally Shackelford 27 Trey Cole 28 Trent Lewis Joyce Steele 29 Michaela Bratsch Kaysie Hlavaty GREEN GREEN Tip of the month If you've been chucking your inkjet and toner cartridges in the garbage, you're not alone. More than 13 cartridges are discarded in the U.S. every second. Learn how to recycle electronics Many thanks to Bob Stawarczik and his fish fry team for 6 great fish fry dinners! We served 500+ meals and raised approximately $2,980! 4 Greg & Lori Hawkins 12 Mark & Becky Hlavaty 18 Walt & Dianne Kilgus It takes about 80% less energy to remanufacture plastic than to produce it new. And remanufactured laser cartridges use about half the amount of oil (a nonrenewable fossil fuel) needed to make brand new ones. So buy recycled cartridges to begin with. You'll save them from entering the waste stream. 4

5 Parish Particulars From the Children s Ministry.. The Comforter Kids (ages three through five) have been busy hearing stories about Palm Sunday and Easter. They will learn about baby Moses, Joshua and David during the month of April. Parents, please feel free to bring your young ones to Sunday School to hear stories from the Bible. The Godly Play children have been busy learning about the story of Jesus from His birth until His resurrection. April will be busy with more parables and the Mystery of Pentecost. I know this is a busy time of the year with all the school and sports activities. Please be sure to find time to bring your children to church!! Deborah Music Notes What glorious weather we are enjoying this Spring. The church grounds are just teeming with new life. I want to especially thank the choristers and other musicians who have led worship since I arrived last year. Their dedication is inspiring. Later this spring, I'm looking forward to exploring some new service music to hopefully enhance our worship together. In the meantime, plant those gardens and enjoy this glorious Easter season! John 5

6 Parish Particulars Holy Comforter is pleased to welcome Dr. Gail Bray, Executive Director and Chief Administrative and Academic Officer of St Luke's Episcopal Health Charities, a ministry of the Diocese of Texas. Sunday, May 2 9:30 a.m. Parish Hall Learn about the wonderful ministries your church makes possible: Project Safety Net, Preschool Programs, Breast Health Portal, Mobile Health, PATH, and many more! Prior to her current position, Dr, Bray was the founding Director of Research for the Charities. Her leadership experience draws on the multidisciplinary fields of computer science, political science, ethics, biostatistics, public policy, and public health, She is also a trained mediator, lay chaplain and cellist. Discover Malawi Malawi is a small, landlocked country located in southern sub- Saharan Africa. It shares borders with Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania, and is known as the warm heart of Africa. The second largest freshwater lake in Africa, Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa), runs nearly the length of the country. Malawi gained independence from the United Kingdom in The official languages are Chichewa and English. St. David s Episcopal Church in Austin hosts Warm Heart International, a ministry to Malawi, in conjunction with the Diocese of Texas. Check out for more information. ** At Council last February, the Diocese of Texas affirmed a Companion Covenant with the Diocese of Southern Malawi. This is the first in a series of columns, to help us get acquainted with our new friends and to Discover Malawi! 6

7 Holy Comforter Episcopal Church Vestry Synopsis... The regularly scheduled meeting of the Holy Comforter Episcopal Parish Vestry was held on February 9, 2010, with the Rev. Carol Petty presiding. Those members present were: Lori Hawkins, Barbara Thomas, Dianne Kilgus, Trey Picard, Jerry Powell and Ed White. Not present were Lola Kay Hood and James Northrup. Also present was Barbara Marin, Clerk of the Vestry. The meeting began with prayer lead by the Rev. Carol Petty. The minutes of the January meeting were presented. Dianne Kilgus made a motion to accept the minutes. Lori Hawkins seconded the motion. The motion passed. Mother Carol presented the report from HCES. The Spring Fling fundraiser will be on April 24th at the Angleton Middle School. The school is accepting donations of sponsorships and items for the silent auction. The 2010 School Board members are: Chairman, ex-officio, Rev. Carol Petty; President, Lori Logsdon; Vice President, Gabe Braun; Secretary, Deborah Northrup; Treasurer, Laurie Monical; Executive Committee: Paul Eby, Lori Logsdon, Kim Peck, Carol Petty; Sponsor Members: Paul Eby, Deborah Northrup, Kim Peck, Carol Petty, Trey Picard; Special Members: Gabe Braun, Lori Logsdon, Laurie Monical Senior Warden, Lori Hawkins reported that she, Ed White, Tom Long, and Mother Carol attended the Pre-Council Meeting on Feb. 8th. A written report was presented in the absence of the Jr. Warden. It was reported that bids have been received for bringing the Parish house up to electrical commercial code and for lawn services to the grounds. Mother Carol reported that a subcommittee has been formed for the Covenant for Parish/School Mutual Ministry. The committee members are Dianne Kilgus, Rev. Carol Petty, Lori Monical and Lori Logsdon. She reported there is a need to establish a two person committee to draw up a preliminary draft of building use policy/fees to be reviewed at the March vestry meeting. Trey Picard and Ed White agreed to serve on the committee. She reported that she and Lori Logsdon are working with Stephanie Allen on a site plan connecting all the church property. The final proposed Budget for 2010 was presented for review and discussion. Mother Carol reported that the Budget Committee put forth a motion for approval of the 2010 Budget. The motion passed. Mother Carol reminded the vestry members of the Parish Budget Meeting and requested their presence. The Financial Report was presented by Dianne Kilgus, Treasurer. Trey Picard made a motion to accept the report as presented. Lori Hawkins seconded the motion. The motion passed. With no further business, the meeting closed at 9:00 with prayer lead by Mother Carol. Barbara Marin, Clerk of the Vestry Financial Report General Fund February YTD Operating Income 8, , Operating Expense 18, , Surplus or (Deficit) (10,033.62) (18,836.68) Designated Gifts (Memorial, Disc. Fund, etc.) Income 1, , Expenditures 1, , Endowment Fund Balance as of 2/28/10 was $628, Value of mineral properties is in addition to this amount. 7

8 Holy Comforter Episcopal School Spring Fling Saturday, April 24 * 11:00-2:30 * Angleton Middle School RAFFLE & LUNCH TICKETS NOW ON SALE Great raffle prizes to win. $350 VISA Gift Card $250 Wal-Mart Gift Card $200 Academy Gift Card ipod Touch 3rd Generation $150 in Dining Gift Certificates 4 Schlitterbahn Day Passes $75 Texaco Gift Card $50 Starplex Cinema Movie Night A Special Thank You to our Sponsors: Gold pinpointsurvey.com * Cap n Jack s Peaches * Patrick Peck John & Laurie Monical * Bill & Myrtie Logsdon Silver Mother Carol * Carter Bamboo * David & Sherry McCarver Carroll Properties * Thurman & Jimmie Lou Green Bronze J.D. & Jeannie Harris * The Garza Family * Patty LeCompte David & Lori Logsdon * Don & Lola Kay Hood Debbie Thurman * Tammy Sanchez *Kevin & Violet Lemons Need not be present to win * Tickets $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 * Drawing held during event Saturday, April 24, 2009 Lunch 11:30-1:30 Holy Comforter Episcopal School Spring Fling Fundraiser Angleton Middle School $6.50 Cheeseburger chips & drink Dine in or Carry out Contact a student, teacher, board member of HCES or stop by the school office to purchase your raffle and lunch tickets today! Thank you for your continued support of our children and school. 8

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