The Lantern of Saint Christopher

Transcription

1 The Lantern of Saint Christopher Lighting the Way for Christ Volume CXLXVII Ruth s Reveries Thanksgiving is over and Advent is here. Black Friday is behind us. Cyber Monday is nearly over. Christmas is right around the corner. I just finished watching two complete episodes of The Great Christmas Light Fight. The winner of the most extravagant, outrageous decorations for Christmas lights will get a trophy, their home is on TV, and they have recognition. Those who participate decorate bigger and better every year. A bazillion lights synchronized to music. Days and weeks and months of work and preparation, planning, orchestrating, engineering. Cranes and ladders and hammers and more and more and more At one time I would have felt WOW!!!! How magical! My, how things change over time. Of course, the families that participate in these contests love what they do. They are passionate about it. They find their creative juices satisfied as well as challenged. They come together with family, friends, and neighbors. Bonding through precision in a twinkle of an eye or light.. bringing Christmas cheer to the masses. What if we, as Christian folk, prepared for Christmas with the same passion and excitement as The Great Christmas Light Fight? What if we held The Great Advent Jesus Event? What would happen to us, and to the world, if we packed as much passion and punch into preparing for the birth of the Savior the same way these folks do? What if we lit up the world during Advent the way these contestants do? The judges can t imagine what homes look like until the switch is flipped. Could we imagine what life might be like if we did the same with Advent? 1

2 When it all comes down to the final judging, how will we have brought light to the world? How will we have brought others to the knowledge and love of God? How will we have lived by example to others during Advent? What switches in our lives have to be flipped in order for us to see the light? Advent Blessings to one and all! And the Survey Says. Responses to Homework Questions from October/November Well the answers were tallied and I figure I have gotten as many responses to these questions as I ever will. I want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all those of you who responded. For those of you who did not, I am sorry for the lost opportunity and your input. It is important to the life of this community overall. I pray the life of this community is important to you. [Numbers behind responses indicate that more than one person responded in kind.] October 23 Homework Question: Why do you go to church? Refocus on faith in community of believers x 6 Desire children to have a place to learn about faith and its development x 2 Reminders of lessons to live by x 2 Refuge and solace x 2 Connection x 2 Fellowship x 5 Peace x 2 Reasons are fluid and vary from week to week Challenge beliefs/ strengthen beliefs x 2 Expand my heart and scope of the who church is Share hopes and challenges of individuals around me Give and receive comfort/support x 4 Healing Safe place without judgment To touch and be touched by God x 2 Traditional music/choir x 2 Guilt Worship x 4 Feels empty on Sunday am if not in church Give thanks/gratitude x 3 Receive Communion/significance x 3 Ask forgiveness x 2 Serve others x 2 2

3 Homilies that inspire, challenge or give clarity x 3 Quiet time of private reflection x 2 Meet beautiful people Giving brings joy Sabbath rest day Natural from tradition and behavior of childhood Seeing Friends Learning how to serve/help others x 4 Receiving strength Finding balance Intellectual discourse Positive Message Feel good about self Part of something bigger than self Habit (As of 11/29/16 we had 17 responses.) Homework Question October 30- Why should the church continue to exist? Do this in remembrance of me Worship Communion Outreach Mutual support X 2 Education of children in the faith To continue the beautiful Episcopal liturgy Serve the needs of the church community locally and globally Because its members want it to continue Support others finding the Lord Celebration and praise of God Spiritual home- on this rock I will build my church To be God's messengers and workers to do His work of love Continuing the church as part of the wider Anglican Communion Important that we continue to remain a viable part of bringing God's message to this area We need it; we have made it our church We would have to go to either another Episcopal church or no church at all If we went to another Episcopal church our efforts and energy would be diverted to their ministries and not ours Causes we invest in would be lost and Fairborn s' needs would get worse We can help Fairborn and commit to it. By doing so, we could grow. We love our church The world needs the church and its good works Contributes to our spiritual understanding It brings beauty in it literature, art, and music God has promised it- it is everlasting It contributes to world peace As of 11/29/16 we had 8 responses. 3

4 Homework question for November 6- Why Does God want a Church in the world? To spread his word x 3 God made us and wants us to be in communion with him To learn about God's kingdom To pass the knowledge on to future generations God does not intend for us to perish, however we must choose salvation through his Son To provide stability to nations To provide community to Christians - not a solitary religion To provide Christian services to the poor, homeless, etc. Peter would not have been made the foundation of the church if a church was not intended How do we know what God is thinking? God wants us to have a physical space where we can express our faith, confess our sins, and share communion with others. Give us guidance x 2 Safe haven for those in need Offer hope to the lost Church provides strength through unity to withstand forces of evil Billy Graham said you can't learn to play golf without going to the golf course! We need the church in the world to be Christians. Finding a place to connect and move beyond ourselves and find our path to God. Concern that often the church separates us and divides us into groups that feel they know what God wants for everyone. Opportunity to combine with other churches, to grow beyond our walls and find an expansive church As of 11/29/16 we had 10 responses Homework Question November 13- How does our congregation make disciples? How good are we at doing this? We do so by example. We are good at this but there is always room for improvement. Sunday School Outreach All in all, we are not very good at this. After all, we are the "chosen frozen." As of 11/29/16 we had 2 responses (Rector s note: Well. One was hopeful and the other one was honest. This is rather telling. We need to sit with this a bit more, don t ya think?!) 4

5 WARDENS WORDS Judy Brainard - Junior Warden Our Stewardship campaign is nearly completed and I give thanks for the generosity of our parishioners as well as their promptness in pledging for It s not too late, however, to pledge if you have not done so. Forms are still in the narthex. As for results, when the Wardens and Ruth+ formulated the budget for next year, I expected the total to be $113,220. I am happy to report that the total so far is $116,890. We had 40 pledges; 19 increased their pledge and 17 stayed the same. There were no decreases. In addition there were four new pledges and parents pledged on behalf of two of our youth. Before the first of the year, I will have the envelope assignments done and they will be available for your use before the New Year begins. The first envelope in the booklet is labeled, initial offering. This offering is used to defray the cost of the envelopes and is always appreciated. If you would like to have Sunday School envelopes for your children, let me know. Our Pledge Sunday this year had exceptionally good food as well as a saxophonist and a maze constructed by our youth. It was a wonderful Sunday. Thanks to all who contributed. WORSHIP MINISTRY Toni Olgeaty Ohhhh Christmas already. Christmas is a time of joy for everyone. Celebration of the birth of the Christ Child is so beautiful, so special. The church is all decorated (called Greening of the Church), we have our youth pageants, and my favorite the trimming of our Jesse Tree. The most amazing part of St. Christopher s celebration is our Christmas Eve Service. Ruth+ has made Christmas a joyful celebration for us all. We sing his praise, and feel his presence, and remember what Christmas is all about. Join us on Christmas for a spectacular service, and be with your family on Christmas Day. You will be home Christmas Eve, just in time to put the little ones to bed, There will be no Sunday Service on the 25 th, to allow for celebrating Christmas with your loved ones all day long. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL! 5

6 HEALING MINISTRY Toni Olgeaty Every Tuesday, at noon, we have about a 45 minute Celtic Healing Service. Some very special people are there every Tuesday, praying for you and yours. Why don t you join us and see for yourself that JESUS HEARS OUR PRAYERS, AND HE ANSWERS THEM! If you cannot come to this service, come to the back of the church during Communion on Sunday mornings. There will be someone at the Healing Station to pray over you, and whomever you wish to offer your prayers. It matters not if you are praying because you are struggling over money matters, health issues, depression, or worries over future issues, or even more important prayers of gratitude. Prayer is the answer. Your prayers are the answer. There are so many issues today. Cancer, Diabetes, and heart disease have become an epidemic in this country. There has to be a reason why, there has to be a solution. We all need to pray for cures. Alcoholism, drug addiction, hunger, homelessness, financial problems, etc., etc. We all have to come together and help each other survive all of today s problems, and prayer ranks right up there, along with donations of time and money. Join us in prayer every Tuesday at noon in the church proper. Have a wonderful Christmas, and be ever aware of those less fortunate. ECW Episcopal Church Women Judy Brainard Elsewhere in this Lantern you will find an article about the Christmas party to be held Sunday, December 11 at 5. Be sure to make plans to join us as we usher in the holiday season with a special visit from Santa, a good chili supper, and some other surprises. Thanks to Carole Smith and Amy Kopp for arranging this fun evening. Also in December we will have our traditional New Year s Eve party. It begins at 9 in the Fellowship Hall. We will have hats and noisemakers and liquid libation at midnight. We ask that you bring a snack to share and any cards, dominos or other games you might want to play. There will be church the next morning, but since our party is mostly cleaned up by 12:15, you will still be bright and bushy tailed for church the next morning. Thanks go to Deb Snavely for arranging our visit to the Dayton Foodbank in October. The nine people in attendance set (at least to our thinking) a record preparing two pallets to be distributed to seniors in record time. Where are the Guinness book people when you need them? We also had quite possibly the youngest participant since Aubrey Kopp ably assisted her mother in preparing the boxes. In November, Darlene Walbroehl arranged a visit to Christ Church s Waffle Shop. We had waffles and sausage and bought some white elephant items as well. We couldn t pass up the baked goods. We were then given a tour of City Heart, a non-profit activity housed in the basement of Christ Church. The Director told of the many wonderful things they do to help the needy of Dayton, including social services, box lunches and even such mundane things as bus tokens. It is a true labor of love. 6

7 ECW Family Christmas Party Special Guest: Santa Claus 5:00 Sunday, December 11 Chili Potluck Sign up to bring crockpot of your favorite chili or bring chili toppings or sides or desserts Our Outreach Project Birthday Party for Jesus in a Bag!!! Each family please bring a cake mix and frosting. We will assemble bags, adding candles, sprinkles, party hats, etc. Each family will take a bag and give it to a friend or neighbor, and invite them to church on Christmas Eve or another Sunday, sending our mission out into the community. FELLOWSHIP Mary Donnellan Beautiful music! Beautiful church! Wonderful spiritual experience! Join your friends for Carols and Lights at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springfield, December 18. Previous years concerts have been amazing. We will leave the church at promptly 3:45 for the 4:30 concert. We will not eat at the bad experience place where we ate last year. After the concert, we will go to O Charley s on Bechtle. If you have a better idea, let me know. As of this writing, there is room for one more person in my car. We will have to carpool, and the number of drivers will depend upon the number who go. Please let me know if you are going so we can have some idea of how many drivers we will need. Please remember to sign up for coffee hour. If you ask your friends to help you, it is very little trouble. Everyone loves coffee hour, but we must have people to host. There was no Fellowship report last month because we have had to cancel some fellowship activities. Our one greatest needs is volunteers. We simply cannot have the fellowship activities we have had in the past if we don t have helpers. We are having a Fellowship committee meeting on December 20 at l0:00 in Christopher s Corner. If you would like to be part of the committee, please come to the meeting. If you cannot be part of the committee but will help with activities, please let Mary Donnellan know. We need to continue our wonderful activities, but that is impossible with the number of volunteers we now have. Mary Donnellan 7

8 December 28 December 30 December Birthdays 15 Carol Sharp 16 Lauren Faller 17 Rick Roach 21 Carolyn Nelson 23 Rick Incorvati 27 Colin Turner 29 Robin Jones 29 Toni Olgeaty December Anniversaries Debbie and Dan Snavely Michael and Chasity Haberecht We would like to include everyone in the celebration of Birthdays and Anniversaries. If we have missed your special days, please send your family s dates for birthdays and anniversaries to the office. St. Christopher s Prayer List For illness, healing: Carol, Toni, Kathryne, Daphne, Florence, David, Ed, and Mary, Martha, Sandy, Amanda, Steve, Bill, Blaze, Dee, Ron, and Emily, 8

9 St. Christopher's Episcopal Church Fairborn, Ohio Vestry Meeting Minutes October 16, 2016 Those present: The Rev. Ruth Paulus, Mel Bigi, Judy Brainard, Amy Kopp, David Manship, Marilyn Power, Deb Snavely, Gail Stauffer, Andrea Haberecht, Robin Jones. Excused: Kathy Smith The meeting was opened with a prayer by Ruth+ at 11:30am. The Minutes of the September 18, 2016 meeting were approved. (Motion: Snavely/Brainard) Treasurer s Report: Robin Jones and Grace Mukunzi are working together to bring the financials up-to-date. The online software is cumbersome with incomplete instructions and inadequate tech support. Robin distributed reports current to September 30 th, Any Discretionary Account monies received need to be distributed to the Rector s Discretionary Account monthly. To alleviate ongoing software problems, Robin suggested that St. C s revert to using the Quicken software previously used and then upgrade to the newest version available. Another conversation about the financial software with Matt and/or Grace needs to be held and a motion to the vestry be made. Junior Warden s Report: Judy updated the vestry about plans for Stewardship Sunday. Reports: Marilyn Power - Outreach: The books being donated to FISH are a very popular item. The Fairborn Street Card is being updated and will be distributed soon. Mel Bigi: Mel spoke with Barry Kelley about the children s Christmas program. There is not a sufficient number of children to depend on to present a program. Other ideas were discussed. Amy Kopp: Matt has located air conditioning units for $240 each so two can be purchased with amount already allotted. Matt will order them. Rector s Report: A seminar for church treasurers and finance committee members is planned at Procter, Nov 5. The parish needs to be represented, but as yet no one has committed to attending. The Chamber of Commerce is accepting ads for their new directory. Due to the expense, the vestry opted not to place an ad. The Diocesan Mission Share formula has been changed, Average Sunday Attendance is no longer part of the formula. Two notes have been received thanking St. C s for hosting the recent Recasting Assets session. Other Business: Eleanor and Becky Wood will chair the Christmas gift tree ( Angel Tree ). Nominations are needed for the 2017 Vestry, two at-large members and someone willing to be Vestry Secretary. Outgoing vestry members comprise the Nominating Committee. There being no other business, a motion was made (Brainard/Manship) to adjourn the meeting. Passed. The meeting was closed with a prayer led by Mel Bigi at 12:35pm. 9

10 Respectfully submitted, Andrea Haberecht Note: the minutes printed in the Lantern are from the previous month, after they have been reviewed by Vestry. Sunday Attendance It is important that we are aware of how many people are in attendance on Sunday. So each month we show the attendance numbers. Remember, statistics indicate that to have a thriving and prosperous congregation, we need to shoot for 100 as the average Sunday attendance. Sunday Attendance July August Sept. Oct Nov 1 st Sunday nd Sunday rd Sunday th Sunday th Sunday 80 n/a n/a 68 n/a TOTAL WEATHER-RELATED CANCELLATION OF CHURCH SERVICES If we find it necessary to cancel church services due to bad weather, we will post/record the information in the following places: 1 On WDTN TV (and, although they have apparently had problems with their web site in the past, these listings 2 On all Clear Channel Radio stations in the area: WLQT, WTUE, WMMX, WXEG, WDKF, WDSJ and WONE. 3 On WHIO TV s web site ( 4 (WHIO will not always announce church closings on their TV station. Their ability to scroll messages across the bottom of the TV screen is limited so that, if they have a large number of closings, churches and smaller businesses will not be included.) 10

11 Pastor Ruth will be out of the office December In case of emergency while Ruth+ is out, please contact Deb Snavely at A Gentle Reminder: When planning church activities, please check the calendar posted in the church office to avoid scheduling conflicts. And please post upcoming activities. Events and Announcements, Opportunities Sundays at 9:15 a.m. Adult Forum: The First Christmas, by Marcus J. Borg & John Dominic Crossan. Sunday Schedule 9:15 Adult Forum, Sunday School Grade 3 and up 10:00 Eucharist, Sunday School Pre-K thru 2 nd Grade Sunday December 4 Celebration of St. Nicholas Thursday December 8 6:30 Youth Commission Meeting. Saturday December a.m. Youth making Christmas cookies to sell Sunday December 11. Sunday December 11 St. Vincent s Volunteers Sunday December 11 5:00 pm ECW Family Christmas Party. Sunday December 18 Discretionary Fund offering Sunday December 18 ECW used book sale Sunday December 18 11:30 Vestry meeting Monday December 19 Deadline for January 2017 Lantern articles and info. Tuesday December 20 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Committee Meeting in Christopher s Corner. Saturday December 24 Christmas Eve Service: Music at 7:00 p.m., Service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Holiday -- No Sunday service. Sunday January 1 Epiphany, Lessons and Carols Service Monday December 26 Fairborn Mayor s Citizen Forum, Time: 7 p.m., (Place: tba). 11

12 Monday December 25 thru Saturday December 19 - Ruth+ will be out of the office. Saturday December 31 9 p.m. ECW New Year s Eve Party! Sunday January 1 Epiphany with Lessons and Carols. Sunday January 1 NEW YEAR S DAY Holiday. Thursdays 7:00 Choir Practice Weekly Healing Service Tuesdays at noon a Healing Service with Holy Communion is held in the church proper. The service is open to anyone who wants to attend. Check sign-up sheets On the counter in Christopher s Corner there are sign-up sheets for altar flowers, sanctuary candles, fellowship, St. Vincent s, ECW activities, Prayer Chain, etc. OUTREACH Remember Box Tops for Education. Please continue with donations for FISH; they need shampoo, tooth brushes, cereal, peanut butter, deodorant, toilet paper, sugar, and other Food items. And feed your change to our bank -- 2 cents a meal. Prayer Concerns: Please call or Joyce D'Allessandris to activate the Prayer Chain. dallessa@aol.com, phone: The December Lantern will be online at stchristophersfairborn.diosohio.org. A printed copy is available upon request. We are still collecting used printer cartridges. They can be recycled at the office supply stores. There is a plastic container in Christopher's corner for you to fill!! Saturday December 10 th Youth baking and decorating Christmas cookies to sell on Sunday December 11. Sign up for Christmas Poinsettias: There is a sign-up sheet for Christmas Poinsettias in St. Christopher s Corner. Donations for the flowers will be $12 each. Please sign up "in memory of" or "in thanksgiving for". If you desire to take the plant home, indicate that on the sign-up sheet. Poinsettias will then be distributed after Epiphany. Please order and pay for the plants by Sunday December 18. We will only purchase the number of plants that have been pre-paid. 12

13 ECW Family Christmas Party 5:00 Sunday, December 11 Special Guest: Santa Claus Chili Potluck and special Outreach Project Birthday Party for Jesus in a Bag!!! See ECW article in this Lantern for more details. Join your friends for Carols and Lights at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springfield, December 18. Previous years concerts have been amazing. We will leave the church at promptly 3:45 for the 4:30 concert. ECW New Year s Eve party. It begins at 9 in the Fellowship Hall. We will have hats and noisemakers and liquid libation at midnight. We ask that you bring a snack to share and any cards, dominos or other games you might want to play. Coming in January 2017 Sunday January 1 Epiphany Celebration with Lessons and Carols Community Blood Drive Saturday, January 7, 8:30 - noon Please Note: Our recasting team is meeting at Procter January 6th and 7th. The blood drive is scheduled for January 7th However, the folks that often attend to this will be at the Recasting meeting. So we need people to volunteer for this endeavor... to bring cookies/juice/cheese and crackers, to show up at 7:15 am to let people in and to stay until close. (About 1 pm) People can work in shifts, so no one has to stay the entire time. We will really need folks to pull together on this. Sunday January 22 Annual meeting and Potluck. Please have annual reports for 2016 in to the office by Monday January 9,

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15 St. Christopher s Episcopal Church Fairborn, OH Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Choir 6:30-8:30 GS mtg St. Nicholas Second Sunday of Advent 9:15 am Adult Forum, 9:15 am Sunday School 10 am Eucharist, Sunday School Recasting Assets meeting during Coffee Hour, following the service Third Sunday of Advent 9:15 am Adult Forum, Sunday School 10 am Eucharist, Sunday School Youth Cookie Sale St. Vincent s Volunteers 5:00 ECW Family Christmas Party Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:15 am Adult Forum, Sunday School 10 am Eucharist, Sunday School Discretionary fund offering ECW used book sale 11:30 Vestry mtg CHRISTMAS DAY No Sunday Service 6:30-8 GS mtg Noon Healing Service 4-8 Bigi Fell Hall 6:30 Youth Comm. Meeting 7:00 Choir 10-4 YOUTH COOKIES 4-10 Fell Hall -Clay :30-8 GS mtg Noon Healing Service 6:30-8 GS Fbn SU meeting Full moon 5:00 Fell Hall GS CPR/First Aid 7:00 Choir 6:30-8:30 GS mtg Lantern Information Deadline 6:30-8 GS mtg Noon Healing Service 7:00 Choir 7 pm Christmas Eve Service Ruth+ out this week December Noon Healing Service 9 pm ECW New Year s Eve Party 6:30-8 GS mtg Fairborn Mayor s Citizen Forum no Choir New moon 6:30-8:30 GS mtg (937) N Broad St., PO Box 1026, Fairborn OH 45324

16 2016 DECEMBER SCHEDULE 2016 Second Sunday Third Sunday Fourth Christmas Eve of Advent of Advent of Advent December 4 December 11 December 18 December 24 Worship Leader Toni Olgeaty Tammy Elliott Tammy Elliott Toni Olgeaty Chalice Bearer Ed Smith Alan Haberecht Toni Olgeaty Ed Smith 1 st Reader LECTORS 2 nd Reader Sierra Lester Isaiah 11:1-10 Ann Foster Romans 15:4-13 Mary Donnellan Isaiah 35:1-10 David Manship James 5:7-10 Hayward Learn Isaiah 7:10-16 Muriel Markley Romans 1:1-7 Judy Brainard Isaiah 9:2--7 Theresa Turner Titus 2:11-14 Acolyte Cindy Feltz Iyabo Eguaroje Ed Smith James Lester Ushers Sierra Lester James Lester Ann Foster Hayward Learn Iyabo Eguaroje Gordon Hermann Eleanor and Becky Wood Healing Prayers Cindy Feltz Toni Olgeaty Joyce D Allessandris N/A Greeters Telesa Learn Gordon Hermann Mary Donnellan Bruce Hain Andrea and Alan Haberecht Joyce and Ron D Allessandris Nursery Faller Jones Kopp Stauffer Altar Guild Tellers Fellowship Kathy Smith, Sierra Lester Bob Bigi Gordon Walbroehl Markleys Judy Brainard Betty Crichton Millie Roach Ed Smith Fellowship Comm. Youth Cookie Sales Eleanor and Becky Wood Cindy Manship Gordon Hermann Mary Donnellan & Toni Olgeaty PLEASE check the schedule and note your assignment(s). If you are not able to serve, notify the person responsible for that assignment and the office ( ). Mel Bigi Andrea Haberecht Susan Brainard John Stauffer Toni Olgeaty Worship Leaders, Chalicers, Andrea Haberecht Altar Guild Lectors, Acolytes, Ushers Coffee Hour/Fellowship Judy Brainard Greeters Melody Kelley (937) Director of Music Rosalie Arnold Tellers Deb Snavely Senior Warden Amy Kopp Nursery attendants Ruth Paulus Prayer Requests CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: 10 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday open