C R O S S I N G S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 S T J O H N O F T H E C R O S S --E P I S C O P A L C H U R C H Mass on the Grass, August 19, 2012 Bonneyville Mill Park Mass on the Grass August 19, 2012 Bonneyville Mill Park 574.848.7114 office@stjohncec.org www.stjohncec.org
Dear Friends in Christ, Well I hope you had a great summer. I have to say I enjoyed my staycation. I did manage to attend my first National Convention. It was in Indianapolis where I caught up with my Monday friend. Rev. Twyla and I met in Seminary and we have kept our friendship going ever since. She is the woman who has made many of my stoles. We call on Mondays to catch up on the week past. We often laugh when we ask the question: if we didn t talk on Monday would we know its Monday? She traveled from Colorado to be at Convention. I hadn t actually seen her face to face since her ordination in 2005. As we sat in the great hall for lunch we barely talked we didn t need to. Instead we just sat and looked at each other so grateful to be in each other s company. I think what it must have been like for the first disciples of Christ the men and women who sat at the teachers feet, listened and soaked up all that He said. They were in His presence and they were present. It seems to be something we miss in today s fast paced high tech world the art of being present. We snap instant photos and download them on Facebook the moment something or nothing happens and live our lives out in the virtual world. We rarely just experience the moment and allow ourselves to just be. I remember a couple at my very first parish who invited me to their house to just be. Not to do but to be. It was great to sit on their deck and enjoy the beauty of the nature around us. This summer I took the opportunity to just be. I had lots of company this summer but with each guest we took plenty of time to just be. Each got to experience something that I have come to learn about living here. Each took time to unwind and experience the prayer The shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed We took at least one day to be content to rise in the morning, and begin the day hearing the birds sing, seeing the mist rise up from the lake as sun breaks through. To be content not to have a plan for the day for the day IS the plan. To watch the turtles as they frolic on the top of the water or sun themselves on a plank set there just for them. To float on rafts and let the turtles watch us as we them. To be the only one on the water on the kayaks and paddle in silence. To slow down if only for the day. It was good spiritual time. It is a time that actually has a name: OTIUM SANCTUM Holy Leisure What a thought! Holy Leisure. How often, especially at home I feel guilty of committing leisure. As if it were an act of laziness. But somehow this summer the leisure time seemed spiritual. Otium Sanctum Holy Leisure feeling as if this precious time were a divine appointment to relax in God s presence with the beauty of His creation. Otium Sanctum as if being given divine permission to be leisurely with His Blessing! Richard Foster defines Otium Sanctum in this way: It refers to a sense of balance in life. An ability to be at peace through the activities of the day, an ability to rest and take time to enjoy beauty, an ability to be at peace with ourselves. The real art of Holy Leisure comes not during the vacation time but during the vocation time. To be at peace through the activities of the day at work and at home. It is something we practice. And so as the summer days come to a close and the program year begins I pray that we continue to find time to be present to one another and with our Lord. I pray that your days become infused with Holy Leisure; That you find spiritual balance of caring for mind, body, and soul. May Christ be at the center of your leisure and His peace flows through the busyness of your day. Be blessed with Otium Sanctum. With my deepest gratitude for all that you do I am Yours in Christ, Carol+
ART EXHIBIT at MoonTree Studios to feature the work of Rev. Carol Rev. Carol was recently encouraged to submit her carvings and woodturnings for consideration for an art exhibit; and they were accepted! So now she is an Artist in Residence at the MoonTree Studios and Gallery in Donaldson, Indiana. For those of you who do not know where Donaldson is it is near Plymouth Indiana. It is on the campus of Ancilla College, Lindenwood Retreat Center and is operated by the order of Poor Handmaidens of Jesus Christ. Our Diocese holds many functions at Lindenwood. The Exhibit The Spirit of the Wood: Artful Prayer and Prayerful Art will open on Saturday, September 29 with an opening reception from 1 to 3 pm. There is a signup sheet on the board beside the glass case. From my house in Elkhart it will take a little over an hour to drive there. Let s support our priest s gift of woodworking by being with her that day. MoonTree Studios has a very interesting website: moontreestudios.org. Their Mission Statement: MoonTree Community, a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ challenges people to experience mindfulness as they fearlessly explore the interconnectedness of art, nature and the Spirit within. Sharon Pedler IT'S TIME TO RENEW OUR TRAINING Canon Silla will be leading a training event for Safeguarding God's Children on Saturday, October 6th at 10 am at St. Michael & All Angels in South Bend. It will include lunch and will run until 1:30 pm. This event is for all persons (paid or volunteer) that may work with children. Please register with Jon Adamson, Diocesan Administrator for this training. 574-233-6489 or info@ednin.org LAY MINISTER SCHEDULE Date 1 st Reader 2 nd Reader Prayers 1 st Chalice 2 nd Chalice Welcomers 9/2 Cindy Keck Sue West M.A.Bean Bob Hatley Cindy Keck Walters/Miller 9/9 Joe Bean Ross Miller Jan Riley Bob Dixon Deb Walters The Beans 9/16 S. Streeter Bob Hatley Cindy Keck S. Streeter Bob Hatley Pratt/Barnaby 9/23 Ross Miller Cindy Keck Sue West Cindy Keck Bob Dixon Thompson/Walters 9/30 M. Reverman Julie Streeter Terry Scott S. Streeter Deb Walters Walters/Miller 10/7 S. Streeter Joanna Dixon Joe Bean Bob Evans Cindy Keck The Evans 10/14 Larry Smith Jan Riley Gigi Smith Deb Walters Bob Dixon Bob Dixons 10/21 S. Streeter Ross Miller Bob Hatley S. Streeter Bob Hatley Pratt/Thompson 10/28 Bryan Dixon Joanna Dixon Julie Streeter Bob Dixon Cindy Keck Bryan Dixons 11/4 S. Streeter Deb Walters Sue West S. Streeter Deb Walters Miller/Barnaby
MUTUAL MINISTRY REVIEW On May 31 st, Jeff Hawkins of the Samaritan Center led the Vestry and several others presently involved in a leadership role at the church in an exploration of the "Wows, Wonders, and Worries" of our journey as a Parish Family seeking to explore and celebrate spiritual Faith, both our own and our neighbors. Jeff s method of helping us to focus in on a few areas was interesting and eye-opening. Starting with listing our individual Wows and Worries, we started seeing the overlapping areas we all celebrate and share, as well as seeing areas of concern shared by all; some things were individual wows and concerns but just as thought provoking and an important aspect of the evening also. As we connected more and more to each other s thoughts, Jeff helped us narrow down to 3 areas to start exploring further over the next 10 months. --Effective Communications - improving all communication lines --Sustaining the Welcome and working towards deeper relationships --Leadership Training for wise, faithful, leading of the spirit It would be nice to say we have programs and plans in place to address these, but it takes more conversations than two or three evenings. I am pleased to say that some good ideas have already been suggested in communications which will be implemented to reach out to all our friends in our directory on a regular basis as a start. I ask that you look at the three ideas listed above, share your thoughts with myself or another Vestry person as we look for ways to help all of us use them as stepping stones to build our faith path together. One of Jeff Hawkins last challenges to the group was "How will we not succumb to the temptation to be distracted from these? How will we structure our life together to get the things done?" There is so much to celebrate here at St John of the Cross a culture of acceptance not criticism, people ready to try new things, that family feeling so many people tell us about and share with each other, those who participate in so many ways in our worship, and most importantly of all the deep spiritual Faith that brings us together. Share with us your ideas of how to positively impact the communications, the working towards deeper relationships, and opportunities for training or learning. A note, a phone call, an email, all ways to share ideas. I look forward to hearing from you as we also continue to keep these ideas in our thoughts as we move forward. My thanks to Terry Scott, Cindy Keck, Anne Raftree, Mary Ann Bean, Dave Streeter, Cindy Dixon, Terry Miller, Bob Hatley, and Rev. Carol Fleming for taking the time to start this exploration. It s the journey we take together that enhances our own explorations, and builds that bridge to our mutual destination. Deb Walters Sr. Warden "Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey. At other times, it is allowing another to take yours." Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 9/1 Jerry McCarthy 9/3 Judy Hatley 9/4 Larry Fulhart 9/9 Marissa Taylor 9/10 Rhonda Kaylor 9/15 Julie Weaver 9/18 Marv & Kathy Hanson 9/19 Marcia McCarthy 9/29 Matt Streib 9/23 Joe Bean 9/29 Bob & Cindy Dixon If your birthday or anniversary is not in our directory and you d like it to be, please notify the office. DIRECTORY ADDITION Michael & Cyd Sunday 16128 C.R. 108 Bristol (574) 350-6325 cdbmgrdnr@g-mail.com REMINDERS: Christian Education for Elementary age students begins Sept. 9, Toddler class on Sept. 16. Help us Celebrate the Child Sept. 9 th. We will be blessing backpacks and kicking off our Christian Education program! Service will start in the parish hall. Bring your backpack to be blessed! Please be sure to send any announcements to the church office by Wednesday 10 am. All women are invited for our annual Women s luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Elkhart Olive Garden at 11 am. Signup sheet is in the parish hall or contact Terry Scott. Choir Practice will be held on Sept. 2 and Sept. 16 to practice the psalm for singing on 9/23 or 9/30. Anyone who would like to join us is always welcome! --To the coffee hosts for August. --To the Food Pantry workers for the month of August. --For the kitchen supplies brought in. --To those who worked and cooked to make Mass on the Grass so enjoyable. --To those who prepared and served during our Strawberry Social. --To all who participated in the August Garage Sale. --To Clint Yeager for bringing his team of horses and wagon to Bonneyville Mill for wagon rides following Mass on the Grass. Also, mark your calendars for Christmas caroling at Jan Riley's Apartment complex on Sunday, December 2 at 3 pm. Bring along your friends and family as we provide special music with flute, guitar, and voices. WILLKOMMEN LEAH. Wir sind so froh, dich bei uns zu haben. Welcome Leah! We are so glad to have you with us. We look forward to getting to know you! Leah is a foreign exchange student from Germany staying with the Dixons. She attends Jimtown High School.
PHOTOS FROM THE BRISTOL COMMUNITY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL THANKS TO ALL THE SJOC VOLUNTEERS! CHRISTIAN EDUCATION We will begin our fall children s Christian education program in just a few weeks! This year we will have a class for elementary children and also one for toddlers. Elementary Class: Begins September 9th. For grades K-5. These students will sit with parents through the first hymn and Collect and then go downstairs for class, returning in time for communion. Teacher for September and October is Anne Raftree. November instructor will be announced later. The elementary children will remain in church on the 4th Sunday of each month as Rev. Carol will involve them in the service on that Sunday. Toddler Class: Begins September 16th. For children younger than kindergarten age. Parents should bring the toddlers downstairs to the classroom before the worship service begins. The children will be brought upstairs just before communion. Megan Zimmerman will be the teacher on the first Sunday of each month. Vicki Linn will teach the second Sunday of every month. Anne Raftree will combine the elementary and toddler classes on the third Sunday of each month. We hope other volunteers will step forward to teach the 4th Sunday of the month, just for one month. The will be activity packets already made up for volunteer teachers to use in the class. Let Anne or Rev. Carol know if you would sub. STRAWBERRY SOCIAL 2012 Early in the year the question was whether to have the Social or not, the majority of people wanted to see this happen so we moved forward without a chairman, or point person if you will. With a few snafu s and bobbles, we were able to be a participant in the Bristol Homecoming parade, continue the camaraderie of the Strawberry Social and remind the local community we are just down the street. Thank you to all the volunteers who washed, cleaned and sugared the fresh strawberries, our bakers who provided the homemade short cakes and biscuits and we can t forget those who set up, served and cleaned up! Many thanks to Ken Story Jr. and Sr. for their help to allow our kids to be in the Parade when the heat was too much for our horse drawn wagon to be in. Within 15 minutes the truck was decorated and in place and our children (and a few adults!) were on their way, tossing candy and blowing bubbles and waving to the community! The hope was to assist in raising funds for our acolyte program, which didn t quite come to pass, however, the smiles and fun of the kids made up for it. Some good suggestions have been made for next year as well as a few volunteers already for parade and work activities!
DATE ALTAR MINISTRY COFFEE HOSTS COUNTERS SCHEDULE 9/2 Cindy Keck/Betty Pratt Open Krueger/Barnaby 9/9 Nancy Butler Open Bean/McCarthy 9/16 Kay Streeter Beans T. Miller/C. Dixon 9/23 Sue Glaser Open Walters/R.Miller 9/30 Cindy Keck Open D. Streeter/C. Dixon Please consider signing up to host coffee hour in September or October! BRISTOL FOOD PANTRY The Pantry has run out of many items. Here are some suggestions; although a cash gift would allow them to purchase needed items. Soup, Saltine crackers, canned vegetables, spaghetti sauce, canned tomatoes, Jelly, Jell-O, pudding, spaghetti O s, cleaning items, toiletries, toilet paper, hand soap, toothpaste. VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS TEA WORKSHOPS Fundraiser for Church Community Services/Soup for Success programming Ruth Rockwell (Ben Haas mom) is the project coordinator for "Soup For Success". Several workshops are scheduled and preparations are being made for a Victorian Christmas Tea on December 1st. Church Community Services is a wonderful organization that helps so many in Elkhart County. Below is the schedule of workshops and she invites us to come and help. Sun., September 23 2-4 pm Elaine Griffen will hostess our first workshop; we will be (1.) putting together the hand creams and packing them for the baskets; (2.) working on tea favors (3.) wrapping plastic ware. This workshop is a combination with her small group so we should have lots of help. We will not only smell good but our hands will be so soft! Elaine Griffen 54916 C.R. 1, Elkhart 536-6321 ekgriffen@hotmail.com Sun., October 14 2-4 pm Workshop with Ruth Rockwell 621 Liberty Street, Elkhart 293-1383 Will continue work on various projects Sat., October 27 11-1 pm Love Bundles Tea This is a benefit tea and fundraiser to make "love bundles" for the children of Haiti; last year Sandi made 43 packaged bundles for the kids in Haiti thru Children's International Lifeline; Tea With Ruth and Friends donated a gift basket for a door prize to this worthy event. www.childrenslifeline.com Sandi Clark 58139 C.R. 35 Middlebury Call Sandi for details 825-5595 Sun., November 11-2-4 pm Workshop at Ruth's to finalize tea preparations Complete unfinished projects Sat., December 1st 1-4 pm Victorian Christmas Tea at Living Faith Fellowship, Benham Ave, Elkhart. An event you won t want to miss plan to attend and bring your friends and family to this wonderful event that supports Church Community Services and Soup for Success!
Lectionary Readings for September 2012 The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 17 September 2, 2012 Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Love poetry; a celebration of love. Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 A poem for a royal wedding. James 1:17-27 Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. We are called to follow God s rule of life. Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 The things that go in to the body do not defile. The only evil which can corrupt a person comes from within. The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 18 September 9, 2012 Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Calling the rich to be responsible and show stewardship to the poor. Psalm 125 Those who trust in the Lord will be enthroned in God. James 2:1-17 Favoritism goes against godly living; faith without works is dead. Mark 7:24-37 Jesus heals the Syrophoenecian woman s daughter and the mute man. The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 19 September 16, 2012 Proverbs 1:20-33 Lady Wisdom seeks the unwise & offers to lead them to the way of life & goodness. Psalm 19 The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. James 3:1-12 The cure for all tongue toxins is the steady practice of faith. Mark 8:27-38 Jesus of Nazareth is both a human being and God incarnate. Take up your cross and follow me. The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 20 September 23, 2012 Proverbs 31:10-31 A woman who embodies traits that are beyond charm and beauty. Psalm 1 A beatitude that promises happiness to those who heed its advice. James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Those who truly love God cannot fail to live in peace with one another. Mark 7:24-37 Another hard teaching as the community struggles to understand who Jesus is and what that means for their own lives. The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 21 September 30, 2012 Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 Esther saves her people by wisdom and providence. Psalm 124 The Lord is with us and protects us. James 5:13-20 Prayer saves us, and it is the power of forgiveness in every area of our lives. Mark 9:38-50 Jesus tells his disciples to embrace all who believe in him and to deal harshly with whatever part of themselves causes sin. The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 22 October 7, 2012 Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Job s story begins; the plight of a righteous man. Psalm 26 The prayer for vindication against false accusation Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Jesus is God and is superior to all the angelic order. Mark 10:2-16 Jesus discusses marriage and divorce. He then blesses the children.
SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SEPTEMBER 1 2 Holy Eucharist 9:30 am Food Pantry Sunday Choir practice 3 4 5 Rev. Carol office hrs by appt Volunteer hrs 6 pm Evening Prayer 6 7 8 9 Holy Eucharist 9:30 am Blessing of backpacks Christian Ed resumes 16 Holy Eucharist 9:30 am Choir practice 10 11 12 Rev. Carol office hrs by appt Volunteer hrs 10 am Bible study 6 pm Evening Prayer 17 18 19 Rev. Carol office hrs by appt Volunteer hrs 10 am Bible study 6 pm Evening Prayer 6:30 pm Vestry 13 14 15 11 am Women s Luncheon at Olive Garden 20 21 22 23 Holy Eucharist 9:30 am Victorian Tea Workshop 2-4 30 Holy Eucharist 9:30 am 24 25 26 Rev. Carol office hrs by appt No Bible study Volunteer hrs 6 pm Rite 1 Eucharist 27 12pm Friendship Luncheon CROSSINGS deadline 28 29 1-3pm Art Exhibit & Reception: The Spirit of the Wood featuring work by Rev. Carol. MoonTree Studios, Donaldson IN
FROM THE TREASURER'S DESK Month of August 2012 Actual Budget Over/ (Under) Income: Pledges 2586 2826 (240) Contributions-Non Pledge 965 673 292 Special Projects Income 73 0 73 Plate Offering 109 73 36 Transfer from Ready Assets 0 0 0 Total Income 3733 3572 161 Total Expense 8142 4913 (3229) Excess Income over/ (under) (4409) (1341) (3068) Expense 8 months ended 8/31/2012 Income: Pledges 33798 34293 (495) Contributions-Non Pledge 9706 5383 4323 Special Projects Income 738 0 738 Plate Offering 1518 584 934 Total Income 45760 40260 5500 Total Expense 45792 38286 (7506) Excess Income over /(under) Expense (32) 1974 (2006) SPECIAL NOTE: Our expenses are currently exceeding income due to emergency repairs to equipment. If you have not kept current on your pledge payments, please consider catching up now, with vacations and Sundays off being over. Our thanks to those who are current or ahead with payments. If you did not receive your half-year statement, please let me know. Bob Hatley