T r i n i t y E c u m e n i c a l P a r i s h a t S m i t h M o u n t a i n L a k e Ecumeni News An ecumenical parish of Episcopalians, Lutherans, and Presbyterians Volume 48, Issue 97, January 2017 Pastor Philip Bouknight Happy New Year: 2017 Brings new opportunities for each of us to consider our participation in the life and ministry of our church. I am so incredibly thankful for the many people who are in and out of our doors each week doing important work and enjoying each other s company. We are a happy church and we are a busy church! If you have been wanting to connect in a deeper way to ministries and activities in the church, please stop by and pick up one of our small group ministry booklets. There are over 60 small groups running at present. There is bound to be something for you. Winter Weather Advisories: During the winter, we will block off the side and back lots if they are impassable. Please remember that the concrete sidewalk freezes faster than the blacktop. If those parking lots are open, please walk up the blacktop to avoid injury. We give thanks that there is a team of four persons living in various areas around the lake who help us to determine when it is prudent to close. For church closings please check the homepage of our website. We will also email you and post a message on the church voice mail stating that we are closed. Local media outlets also carry church closings. Remember: during the week, if Franklin County Schools are closed, functions at the church are also canceled. Please help put safety first. Parish Council will be on retreat January 21 st. Your church leadership will review the ministries of this last year, dream about ministries that will be among us in the future and talk about ways that we can support ministry in the present. We have an incredibly gifted group of women and men who are wise in their discernment. Please pray for them regularly as they serve among you. Please begin praying for us as we begin taking the steps to hire a new Office and Technology Assistant. Mary Buchannan left to pursue full time employment and we did not wish to embark upon this pro- (Continued on page 2) Pastor Bea Miller Dear TEP family, Last Sunday Kidz Club presented the Book of Esther as a play for all to enjoy between the services. The play was beautiful, wonderful and fun. The best part was watching the kids help and encourage each other. They enjoyed and supported one another. Kidz Club is a faith family. As I extended gratitude to the adult leaders, I learned that Kidz Club began as a babysitting ministry for a young adult study and has now blossomed into a twice monthly, exciting, fun, kids Bible study. We can all look forward to their next play. See a need, fill a need seems to be the blessing of who we are: People assigned to supervise kids, through the support and encouragement of Sharon and Family Ministry, create a bible based ministry for children that is exciting, thriving, growing. An idea from a church in another state, blossoms into Living the Nativity a gift to the community and all who participated. Cooks arrive for 2 days to prepare for the Harvest Dinner and many stay after to vacuum and clean. A toilet leaks and after many trips to Capps, all is made well. The chairs in the sanctuary are kept in straight lines. Our worship space is always beautiful and everything is in place. The grounds are immaculate. The music lifts our spirits. The list goes on and on and on both inside our walls and into our community where TEP is active in ministry and service every day. C.S Lewis, in The Magician s Nephew, writes, one moment there had been nothing but darkness; next moment a thousand, thousand points of light leaped out. TEP is a thousand, thousand points of light. I am certain that in a new year together we will experience new ministry and service new light. I am excited and blessed to be on this journey with you. Happy New Year!
Pastor Philip Bouknight (cont d) cess over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. With this new year, we will begin in earnest. Pray for a person with the right skill set, but more importantly, a person who will thrive in this collaborative staff environment. A new organ will be installed in January. We look forward to hearing the beautiful music that will come from it. This gift could not have been possible without the generosity of many. Thank you for your vision and your support. A new sanctuary fire exit will be installed in January as well, giving us more flexibility for special music offerings. Thank you to all who donated to make this possible. The Episcopal annual convention will take place at Hotel Roanoke January 27-29. Pray for your delegates as they represent you in the larger Church. All of you are invited to participate in the enrichment activities and forums that will be offered. Please speak with a Vestry member if you are interested in attending breakout sessions. Aaron Garber, Director of Music Ministry Just a Reminder Trinity s first annual Messiah sing-along will take place on Friday, December 23rd at 7pm in the Sanctuary. It is my hope to have 100 singers from around the area to join us in Handel s timeless masterpiece. Choruses from the Christmas and Easter sections and the Hallelujah Chorus will be sung. Tara and Philip Bouknight will sing solos, and a small orchestra will accompany the singers. If you are interested in singing, please contact Aaron at 721-4330 or aarongarber.itc@gmail.com. We also need audience members, so plan to attend even if you are not singing. It is my hope that this will become an annual SML tradition every December 23rd. Our new organ will be installed during the month of January. I will give an organ dedication recital on Wednesday, April 19th at 7pm. This recital will probably be unlike any organ recital you will have seen or heard before and will hopefully be enjoyed by people of all ages. Mark your calendars, invite your friends and family. Stay tuned for more details closer to the date. Worship Schedule and Readings for January 2017 January 1 God s Daring Plan 8:00a.m. NO SERVICE 9:15a.m. No Classes 10:30 a.m. Episcopal Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. - Early Worship with Holy Communion 9:15 a.m. Adult Christian Formation 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship: Episcopal Lessons: Luke 5:1-11 Psalm 90:14-17 January 8 Jesus Baptism 8:00 a.m. - Early Worship with Holy Communion 9:15 a.m. Adult Christian Formation 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship: Episcopal Lessons: Luke 3:1-22 Psalm 51:6-17 January 29 Healing on the Sabbath 8:00 a.m. Early Worship with Holy Communion 9:15 a.m. Adult Christian Formation 10:30a.m. Morning Worship: Episcopal Lessons: Luke 6:1-16 Psalm 92 January 15 Sermon at Nazareth 8:00 a.m. - Early Worship with Holy Communion 9:15 a.m. Adult Christian Formation 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship: Episcopal 2:30 p.m. - Worship at SML Retirement Village Lessons: Luke 4:14-30 Psalm 146 January 22 Fish for People
Sharon Sicher, Director of Family Ministry Epiphany is coming! On Friday, January 6 at 6 pm our church family will gather for food, fellowship, worship and service as we celebrate Epiphany. As the Magi followed God s leading of the star and offered their gifts to God with us - Emmanuel - we will follow God s prompting to prepare items of comfort for children needing God with them. Help us lovingly assemble "first night bags" for children who are taken into foster care. Some items we will make together, others we need to collect and sort into bags. Together our TEP family of all ages will heed Christ s call to reach out to the forgotten. If you are unable to join us on the 6 th, you can participate by supplying any of the items listed below; our goal is 30 bags. Non fragile night lights New hair brushes of combs Small flashlights with batteries Small stuffed animals (beanie-baby size) Child through pre-teen books Small note pads or sketch books Colored pencils Our expanded Kidz Club Ministry culminated its Fall session with a kid s-eye-view drama of the book of Esther. Many families of children were on hand to celebrate with us and get to know our larger church family. God is working through this ministry in many identifiable ways Faithful attendance of 18-23 kidz at all 6 gatherings A parent who decided to go home and read Esther to see what her child was learning about! Kidz feeling welcomed by table parents A spirit- filled team that is eager to continue developing their own unique materials for use with Kidz Club even though it s more work! Kidz running up to TEP Kidz Club adults in Kroger with big hugs A parent noting, you can tell the kidz really feel like family here. Youth that look forward to ministering to children Growth and confidence in expressing and sharing one s faith on the part of adults and kidz alike Kind parishioners who provided meals or serve as table parents An observation from a meal maker They are a great bunch of kids. I can tell that the volunteers are having a positive impact. I ll be happy to do this again. Maybe YOU would like to join the fun by becoming a table parent, providing meals, or joining the leadership team in engaging children in faith forming activities our numbers may increase and we will need more help in all areas if that happens. Please consider! What do ping pong, popcorn, laughter, corn hole, bocce ball and billiards have in common? They are ways for you to enjoy the kick-off of our new Sports Fellowship Ministry! Saturday, February 25 th 1-3pm will be a time to laugh and play together surrounding mildly competitive sports either watching them or playing them your choice! We encourage people of ALL AGES to join us there will even be kid-sized activities for younger children to enjoy. The more the merrier; to equip our planning, pre-registration is requested through sign-up sheets in fellowship hall this January. The box was filled!! Thank you for helping us provide warmth to children in our community. As of December 13 th our count is 75 coats!! Your generosity is overwhelming!! Keep em coming we will keep out the big colorful box for collections until Christmas morning. Children s Church says THANK YOU.
Tami Akin, Parish Nurse Part II - If Someone is Addicted to Opioids If a loved one has a problem with drugs (addict), try to get them help. Outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation (rehab) centers are available. If the addict is over 18, and won t go into rehab unfortunately, there is not a lot one can do. In Ohio and Kentucky, they now have Casey s law where parents can have their adult child, involuntarily admitted into rehabilitation (Wethington, n.d.). Unfortunately, I was unable to verify if that law was in effect for Virginia. One way the addict can get into rehab mandatorily is if they are arrested. If arrested, they may be given an option go to jail or rehab, or there may be plea agreement for rehab by their lawyer. The only other way for mandatory rehab is with inpatient rehab and the following stipulations: "Be an eminent danger to self/others. Be so seriously mentally ill as to be substantially unable to care for. Be substantially likely to suffer serious harm due to substantial deterioration of his capacity to protect himself from harm or should provide for his basic human needs as evident by current circumstances (Treatment Advocacy Center, 2016). Virginia's laws allow for the use of court-ordered treatment in the community, known as assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) (Treatment Advocacy Center, 2016). AOT criteria include: meet the inpatient criteria, be competent to understand the stipulations of treatment, want to live in community, and, agree to abide by treatment plan, reside where ordered treatment can be delivered on outpatient basis, and can be monitored by community services board or designated providers (Treatment Advocacy Center, 2016). If the addict won t go into rehab, at least attempt to get them to a counselor that specializes in drug dependency. The addict may deny there is a problem, but one might point out signs of drug addiction to the loved one: Drug addiction symptoms are : Desire to use the drug regularly, daily several times a week, having intense urges for the drug, overtime needing more of the drug for the same affect, making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug, spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it, not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use, doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing, driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug, focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug, failing in your attempts to stop using the drug, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Signs that a family member may have a problem with drug abuse include: Problems with work, or finding/ holding a job, lack of motivation and social isolation, complaints of feeling cold, wearing hoodies, especially in the summertime, difficulty sleeping (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Changes in behavior exaggerated efforts to bar family members from entering his or her room or being secretive about where he or she goes with friends; or drastic changes in behavior and in relationships with family and friends (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Loss of interest in the in the way they look, how they dress, or grooming. Request for money, possessions of value disappearing, and stealing. Be observant for signs of withdrawal from opioids include: Physical and psychological cravings, nausea, stomach pain, cold sweat, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, anxiety, muscle tension, shaking or quivering, trouble sleeping, enlarged pupils, pain in the bones (Delta Medical Center 2016). If there is a medical emergency, call 911. It there is a drug crisis emergency, call 211,and they will get you connected with the right agency. The Crisis hot line is 800-273-8255, however it may take up to 20 minutes to get connected to someone, so 211 may be faster (per 211 Virginia operator). One last recommendation is consider going to a Narcotic Anonymous support group, to have a better understanding of what is going on, and how to be more supportive to the person who has a substance abuse problem. Drug Addiction. (2014, December 4). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/drug-addiction/basics/symptoms/con-20020970 Opiate Abuse Side Effects, Addiction Signs and Symptoms. (2016.) Delta Medical Center. Retrieved from: http:// www.deltamedcenter.com/addiction/opiates/effects-symptoms-signs Virginia: Mandatory Treatment laws in Virginia. (2016). Treatment Advocacy Center. Retrieved from: http:// www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/browse-by-state/virginia Wethington, C. (n.d.). Casey s Law A Hopeful Option Lighting the Way to Recovery. Retrieved from: http:// caseyslaw.org/index.htm. Ecumeni News Page 4
Council s Corner Seasons Greetings and a fond farewell from your outgoing Parish Council President, Tom Robbins. It s been an honor to serve in this capacity and I thank Paster Philip, my fellow Council members, and B&G Chairman Mark Watkins for their working support over the past year. The published highlights of the November 28th Council Meeting in the January 2017 issue of Ecumeni News will be my last contribution. Beginning with the December 19th Council Meeting, incoming Parish Council President Barb Abell will takeover this monthly reporting task as general information to the Trinity congregation. The November 28th Council session highlights are as follows: Committee reports, Council liaisons provided status on selected ministries: Altar Guild - Sacristy was painted and a donated small refrigerator is in use. Worship & Music - Linda Worman replaces Dave Phelps as the ministry leader. Global Partners - The Alternative Christmas Tree is up and proceeds to go to Door of Hope. Adult Ed - New classes begin January 8th. Stewards of the Earth - To extend the existing split-rail fence behind the Butterfly Garden in the Spring. Hunger/Poverty - Gleaned a massive 31,000 lbs of produce this year. Have begun sharing proceeds with Heavenly Manna in Rocky Mount. Small Groups - Focusing on acquainting new members with ministries that may be of interest to them. Ministry of Caring - Christmas postcards have gone out. Family Ministries - Have new nursery worker. January 6th is Epiphany potluck chili supper. Building & Grounds - The automatic (handicap) door access on door #5, with its in-line interior door, has been repaired and is operational. Door #5 will not work with the crash bar in the locked position; standard procedure is to have the crash bar on doors #5 & #6 in the same configuration (locked or unlocked). Bill Taylor and John Schoepf gave a brief update on the B&G phone system project. There are three systems being considered; recommendations to Council will be presented by the February meeting. Based on the contractor s estimate for a new fire exit located next to the Sacristy in the Sanctuary, the Council approved upwards of $10,000 for the construction. To date, approximately $7,300 has been raised. Aaron Garber has offered to loan the balance from his music budget, in order to proceed with the needed exit. The three congregational meetings on November 20th went well; discussions in each session focused on minor changes and approval of the benevolences. The Lutheran meeting included the approval of Trinity representatives to the Synod (9-11 June), which will vote on a new Bishop. Council approved the increase of 2017 benevolences from Trinity Treasures (TT) to 30% of net proceeds, with the intent to increase 2018 benevolences from TT to 35%. Dine for Nine will meet on Friday, January 6th after the Epiphany Event to reorganize. Groups will have an opportunity to meet and plan their events. If you wish to participate, please contact Sharon Pafford at 493-6383 or sjpafford@gmail.com. Group lists will be provided before January 6th with Epiphany information. Committees and Groups Nursery Notes Dear Parents and Grandparents of Small Children, If the children s stuff at your house is overwhelming you after the holidays, please consider donating your gently used items to the TEP Nursery collection. Our children always enjoy an unfamiliar toy here and there. If you have toys, books and such for children 4 years old and younger that are still in good shape, please drop them just inside the nursery door the next time you are at TEP. If the items don t fit our needs, we will offer them to the TEP Preschool or donate them to Trinity Treasures. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Elliott (525-4639) or Donna Keeney (297-1726). Thanks to you in advance. Ecumeni News Page 5
Committees and Groups Thank You Letters Acolyte News Our acolytes have been doing a wonderful job with their extra duties of lighting of the Advent Wreath. Thank you to Kylie DeBoy for substituting on November 27, the first Sunday in Advent. Peter Ohlerich and Maddy Cressell will be the acolytes for the 5:00 Christmas Eve service. At 9:00, as mentioned in our last newsletter article, former acolytes (now college students) will be acolyting and assisting in the candle lighting to "Silent Night". They are: Dalton Ruggieri and Katherine Harrison, assisted by Kelly Bok, Johnathan Robinson, Garrett Ruggieri and Joey Shervey. In early February we will be training new acolytes. We already have one interested. If your child is 7 years old or older, they are eligible to become an acolyte. Call or speak to Dot DeVed or Debbie Cressell, if interested in joining our team. Don't forget to attend our Epiphany celebration on January 6! See details elsewhere in this newsletter. Debbie Cressell and Dot DeVed Acolyte Coordinators Building and Grounds Happy New Year! We need your input involving Handicap Parking spaces. It was brought to our attention that TEP is drastically short of Handicap Parking Spaces. We will be adding more Handicap Spaces but the big question is, what type and how many. If you would like and use a Handicap Parking space; email me at mawatkins77@gmail.com or call the Parish Office stating I would like and use A) Designated Handicap Space or B) side accessible space. For those who may not know, side accessible has additional hash lined space for better wheel chair access. In the meantime and only if possible, use the Drop Off Area for those needing to be close to the church doors, saving Handicap Spaces for single drivers or wheel chair needs. Painting to mark new handicap spaces will require warmer weather, but it s good to start planning now. Other significant BG news, Handicap Auto Doors are now active. One of the three Fellowship Hall HVAC units was repaired with a new compressor and outside coils. We also completed about 50 inside work orders the last quarter of 2016. This does not include all the great landscaping the Mules, coordinated by Dick Hill. nor specialty BG ministries of Richard Phillips-Housekeeping, Van Merkel-Lighting, Bill Taylor- Security, Dave Leffas-Gas Engine Maintenance, Doug Pafford-Weeding and Watering, Bob Wiseman-Grass Maintenance and Woody Gregory-General Building and HVAC filters. Mark Watkins Thank you all at TEP for making Mom s day special! I m so glad that years ago the church decided to create the Bruce Cooke Memorial Garden! Sandy Wolfe Ecumeni News Page 6 (Gloria Rang s daughter) Dan and I want to send a special thank you for all your prayers and cards during a tough year. Because of your support and God's blessings we are both on the mend." Dan and Kitty Salter Dear Trinity Folks, Thank you so much for all the phone calls, cards, emails and texts you have sent me. Your out pouring of prayers and well wishes and love have been blessings for Ron and me. I have really missed seeing your smiling faces for the past two months, and hope to see you again in the next few weeks after my surgery. Blessings, Sally Roseveare To all my Friends from Church across the Pond. Thank you so much for all your Prayers and Blessings. It s so nice of you all. My family say a big Thank You and we all send our Best Wishes for a Lovely Christmas and Happy New Year. Rose Harper (Cousin of John Maresca who lives in England) Dear Friends and Fellow TEP Members: On the 23rd of October, Arnie and I were with my brother, Dr. Keith Prichard, when he died at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He had moved to Runk and Pratt last March, and we were blessed to have him with us for his last eight months of life. That time was truly a gift for us. We are so grateful for all of you who stopped by to visit him and engage him in conversation. Several ate lunch with him, and some brought him flowers. How fortunate Arnie and I are to be a part of this church! Judy Elliott would stop and visit with him as she volunteered to help those who are in need. What a blessing it is to be members of such a loving and giving congregation! Thank your for your kindness, Ginny & Arnie Brock Pete Dalton brother of Dot Crossan In Sympathy
1 8am NO SERVICE 10:30am Episcopal Holy Eucharist Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 8 8am Early Worship w/ Holy Communion 9:15am Christian Ed 10:30am Morning Service: Episcopal 15 8am Early Worship w/ Holy Communion 9:15am Christian Ed 10:30am Morning Worship Episcopal 2:30pm Worship @ SML Retirement Village 22 8am Early Worship w/ Holy Communion 9:15am Christian Ed 10:30am Morning Worship Episcopal 29 8am Early Worship w/ Holy Communion 9:15am Christian Ed 10:30am Morning Worship Episcopal 2 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED 9 10:30am SML Newcomers 1:30pm Worship & Music 7pm Stewards/Earth 16 ECUMENI NEWS DEADLINE 10am Executive Comm 12pm Staff Meeting 23 30 1:30pm Aging Gracefully with Dr. Drew 3 2pm Mary & Martha 7pm Stewardship 10 9am Chrismon Tree Removal 9:30am Holy Rollers 10am Scrappy Quilters 10:30am Global Partners 11am Preschool Ministry 17 8am Men s Breakfast 9:30am B&G 2pm Mary & Martha 24 9am Ecumeni News Crew 12pm Lake Quilt Guild 31 January 12:30pm SMAC 4 9am LCM Board 9:30am Noteables 10am SML Newcomer s Book Club Too! 3pm Men s Cancer Support 11 6pm Youth 7pm Finance 18 10am Small Group Team 6pm Wednesday Church Supper 6pm Youth/Kids Club 25 10am Waterfront BC 6pm Youth 5 10am Bible Study 10am SML Newcomer s Book Club 1pm Stephen Ministry 1pm Adult Ed 7pm Storage Space Task Force 12 10am Bible Study 19 10am Bible Study 1pm Stephen Ministry 1pm HPAG 26 10am Bible Study 6 6pm Epiphany Event 7:30pm Dine for Nine 13 20 9:30am Holy Rollers 9:30pm SMAC 27 9am Holy Rollers 7 14 21 Parish Council Retreat 2017 28 Ecumeni News Page 7
Trinity Ecumenical Parish 40 Lakemount Drive Smith Mountain Lake VA 24121 Address Service Requested Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Moneta VA 24121 Permit #60 «USPS» «Name» «Address1» «Address2» «Address3» SUNDAY ACOLYTES READERS BANNER January 1 8:00am NO SERVICE NO SERVICE NO SERVICE 10:30am Sara Bouknight Penny Larsen Anne Motley January 8 8:00am LeAnn Ohlerich Meredith Roberts Clarence Butenhoff Bill Ward 10:30am Maddy Cressell Rich Cairns Linda Worman Chuck Hitzemann January 15 8:00am Andie Alderman LeeAnne DeMonbreum 10:30am Josh Bouknight Sandra Ferguson Amy & Doug Morrison January 22 8:00am Max Torres John Layton 10:30am Maddy Cressell Wheat Wallenborn Arnie Brock Bruce Dungan January 29 8:00am Max Torres Clif Collins 10:30am Sara Bouknight Frank Lea Rhoda & John Schoepf 540-721-4330 Office 540-721-3882 FAX Church Website www.smltep.org Church Office Hours Monday-Thursday 8:30am 5pm Friday 8:30am 3pm Ecumeni News Page 8