FEBRUARY, 2007 LENT IS COMING GOD IS CALLING

FEBRUARY, 2007 LENT IS COMING GOD IS CALLING On Wednesday, February 21, another church season begins: Lent. Another opportunity comes for us to hear God s call into a deeper relationship with God and the world; another chance to grow in our faith and be transformed. At both Ash Wednesday services (12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m.), the celebrant will invite the congregation to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God s holy Word. What in the world is this all about? Well, we re invited to make space to listen to the Spirit and to our deepest selves. We re invited in new ways to observe how much we hold on to material belongings, to reflect on how strong our need is for control over our own and others lives, and to let go of the obstacles to our deeper relationship with God and the world. We re invited to discover the endless grace of God and the possibility of new beginnings. We re invited to listen to the suffering and the needs of the world and to reflect on how abundant our lives are and how much we can be changed by listening to the suffering of the world and allowing that to challenge and change our own actions and lifestyles. We re invited to live in solidarity with the suffering, and in doing so, to transform our own lives. The Lenten journey symbolizes the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness. Lent is an invitation to enter the wilderness and to go deep. Lent provides the space and the opportunity to discover the truth about ourselves and the world that sets us free. For some, the invitation is to show that we are not controlled by food or substance by giving up something: meat, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, or candy. For others, the invitation is to take time: to take up a spiritual practice for this season and offer ourselves up to God in that way. There are so many ways to do that by spending time in prayer each day; by attending an additional during the week; by deciding to take care of oneself in a new way. But perhaps the deeper challenge of Lent is to make time and space to

open ourselves to the truths that God is trying to teach us about ourselves, our identity, our calling at this point in our journey. Our own wilderness journeys should lead us to confront ourselves and to identify in solidarity and compassion with the suffering of the world. Maybe God s invitation to us this Lent is best captured in verse six of Psalm 51: You that desire truth in the inward parts: O teach me wisdom in the secret places of the heart. May this Lent be a season where we hear God calling and may God s call lead us to experience God s grace in unimaginable new beginnings and to discover endless possibilities for transformation. E.S.G. IN OUR PRAYERS We give thanks for the births of Timothy Griffith (Griff) Ross, Gabriella Grace (Gabby) Ross, and Virginia Grace (Gracie) Ross, triplets born to Martha (Grace) and Tim Ross, grandchildren of Judy and Snake Grace, on January 6, 2007; and Ruth Elizabeth (Ruthie) C debaca Gish, born to Claudia C debaca and Jonathan Gish, granddaughter of Susan and Bill Gish, on January 12, 2007. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace We share in sorrow for those who have died, especially Grace Barrick Crittenden, mother of the Rev. John Kuenneth. A Requiem was held at St. David s on Tuesday, December 26. Rest eternal, grant to her, O Lord The following persons are being prayed for in our liturgies each week: Ben Chilton, Katie Allen, Joyce Vezina, Betti Dietrich, Reese Mitchell, Doris Blalock, Johnny Rook, Jackie Hill, Wylie McDougall, Larry Johnston, Corrine Evans, Norma Hammond, Jesse Shofner, Kelly, Ruby Taylor, Paula Howry, Lindsey Riley, Jim McCormack, Griff Ross, Gabby Ross, Gracie Ross, and Frances Huggins. ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES, FEBRUARY 21 Holy with Imposition of Ashes 12:00 noon and 6:00 p.m. Both services will be held in the nave. 2

ONION RINGS by Norman Gillis Johnny and Julie Erwin planned a visit to Allen, Texas to visit their son Brett and daughter-in-law Jackie and their family and to celebrate their grandson Ethan Erwin's 1st birthday. They arrived just as the icy weather was coming into the Dallas area, and the party was cancelled. So instead of a long family weekend they spent four rainy days mostly in the car. But they were glad to have at least delivered the gifts for the birthday boy and give lots of hugs and kisses to him and his two sisters. Ruth Elizabeth C'deBaca Gish (aka Ruthie) arrived January 12 at Baptist Hospital weighing 8 lbs., 9 1/2 oz. Proud parents are Claudia and Jonathan Gish and ecstatic grandparents are Bill and Susan Gish. SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER February 20, 2007 6:30 p.m. Sanders Hall $5/ adults $3/kids Mark your calendars for the 2 nd Annual Pancake Supper on Fat Tuesday, February 20! The Bloomin Onions will be serving up flapjacks and sausage for the whole family! Please invite your friends and neighbors. Feb. 2 Feb. 3 Feb. 7 Feb. 20 Feb. 26 FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES Betti & David Lose Eleanor & Bill Van Cleave Elise & Tom McMillan Mary Leigh & Scott Rayhab Carolyn & Kelley Avery Feb. 1 Feb. 2 Feb. 4 Feb. 6 Feb. 7 Feb. 10 Feb. 12 Feb. 14 Feb. 16 Feb. 18 Feb. 22 Feb. 24 Feb. 27 Feb. 28 FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS Chester Schmidt Erik Wilkinson, Anne Erwin Bill Gish, Annette Pilcher, Bruce Rainey, Rob Johnson Kathy Tompkins, Bob Dietrick John Kuenneth Larry Ballantine Lanna Jackson Evan McElroy Kristin Napier Jane Zibelin, Vickie Ballance Norman Gillis Matthew Duke Shelley Gotterer Mary Lloyd Pearson, Phillip Dougherty A NOTE FROM THE TREASURER Please contact the church office before making a gift of stock. We can give you the correct contact information to make the donation go smoothly. Thank you. Steve Cook. MISSION AND OUTREACH by Judy Grace Honduras Update: Our good friend, the Rev. Francisco Peña, has been visiting our scholarship children and giving out school supplies and helping with transportation and tuition fees. The new school year begins in February, but the children were completely outfitted with uniforms and backpacks in September. Several of the children have moved into the upper-level schools. So far as we know, all are continuing their education this year. This is a very positive sign, as many drop out after the sixth grade. : Many thanks for all of the donations of rice, beans, soap, clothing, and other items. Our budget is a little tight right now, and donations really help to keep the program running smoothly. We have around 30 men per week. On really cold or rainy days, the numbers increase. We usually start a movie in the morning, followed by the, and then the meal. The men begin to arrive around 9:00 am for coffee and hot chocolate. 3

Uganda: At our packing party in November we packed almost 80 boxes for shipping (and a few more after that). To date, we have shipped 14 boxes. Four have arrived and were taxed $75.00. The next 10 are en route and we re waiting to see if they will be taxed, as we lowered the declared value of the boxes. With tax, cost of shipping is about $80.00 per box. Do the math, and you will see why we are shipping slowly, as funds are available. The remaining boxes are sitting in a storage space waiting to be shipped. We are working directly with ChildReach Africa. If you look at the photos on the Mission/Outreach bulletin board, you will see our contact. She is Catherine Piwang, shown holding a baby she is hoping to adopt (she has 3 children of her own). It is Catherine who founded ChildReach Africa and with whom we correspond directly via email. She often meets with the Commuter Children when they arrive at the shelters. She also travels to the camps in the north, in Gulu, to teach the women to embroider and crochet. By the way, more of the beautiful tea towels will be arriving soon. See Judy Grace if you would like to purchase some. They are embroidered by the Child Mothers, who receive $3 per towel. The remaining money pays for shipping them here and will help to ship more boxes to Uganda. Most are familiar with the film The Sound of Music based on the life of Maria von Trapp and her family. On Sunday, March 18, Elisabeth von Trapp will give a benefit concert at St. George s, and all proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the children of Uganda, to help with educational and vocational needs. I heard Elisabeth perform at General Convention and was mesmerized by her voice. Elisabeth sings sacred and secular music and will be accompanied by Eric Kory on the cello. Tickets are being offered within the diocese first, as we have a limit of 850 seating capacity at St. George s. In addition to the concert, Elisabeth will be honored at a reception afterwards, where she will sign copies of her own CD s and give 10% of the proceeds to the Uganda Project. Here is the concert information: Elisabeth von Trapp in Concert Sunday, March 18, 4:00 p.m. St. George s Episcopal Church 4715 Harding Road, Nashville To purchase tickets at $15.00 each: 1. Give a check to Judy Grace or Susan Huggins, or leave in the church office, along with the form found on the table outside the nave. Make your check payable to the Diocese of Tennessee. We will process your order and get your tickets to you. OR 2. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Diocese of Tennessee 50 Vantage Way, Suite 107 Nashville, TN 37228 Attn: CONCERT TICKETS If you have any questions, please see or call Judy Grace. NEW VESTRY MEMBERS AND OFFICERS At St. David s Annual Parish Meeting held on Sunday, January 14, the following were elected to the Vestry Class of 2009: Julie Erwin, Rahn Huber, Thunder Jones, and Steve McElroy. On Tuesday, January 16, the Vestry elected the following officers for the new year: Howard Fox, Senior Warden; Don Duke, Junior Warden; Daryl Wilkinson, Clerk; Carol Hornberger, Recording Clerk; Steve Cook, Treasurer; and Scott Rayhab, Assistant Treasurer. SOUPER SUNDAY VIII February 4, 2007 Sanders Hall Please bring prepared items by 9:15 a.m. 4

February 2007 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 SOUPER SUNDAY 11 4:45 pm Children s Choir 18 4:45 pm Children s Choir 5 12 19 6 7 5:30 pm Prayer Shawl 6:30 pm DOK 13 14 20 6:30 pm Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 21 ASH WEDNESDAY Noon Holy 6:00 pm Holy 8 15 22 9 10 6:00 pm Room in the Inn 16 17 8:30 am Vestry Retreat 7:00 pm Bridge Club 23 24 25 4:45 pm Children s Choir 26 27 28 Noon Holy 12:30 pm Lenten Lunch 5

FEBRUARY 2007 LAY MINISTRY SCHEDULE ACOLYTES - 10:30 a.m. February 4 Epiphany V February 11 Epiphany VI February 18 Last Epiphany February 25 Lent I March 4 Lent II Crucifer H. FOX K. GREEN A. MARTIN M. GREEN R. HOWLAND Torchbearer T. SWIFT L. LECHLEITER M. MOORE J. DUKE T. SWIFT Torchbearer D. RAINEY J. JOLIE L. RAYHAB R. GREEN D. RAINEY USHERS - 10:30 a.m. K. AGEE S. JORDAN J. ERWIN J. MAIBERGER J. BROWN E. SANDERS C. SCHMIDT R. LEATHERS T. HOWLAND S. HOWELL FLOWER GUILD J. ERWIN C. AVERY E. ROBERT C. HINTON H. GASPARD (Saturday) M. BROWN M. ELLISTON D. WILLIAMS D. ROGERS M. L. RAYHAB ALTAR GUILD M. ELLISTON W. WATTS L. GUSTAVE M. ADAMS M. ELLISTON (Saturday) J. LEATHERS M. HINTON D. ROGERS D. RAYHAB L. NEWSOM S. MOORE L. NEWSOM L. McLEVAIN M. L. PIERCE J. LEATHERS M. L. RAYHAB C. HINTON H. SULLIVAN M. L. RAYHAB BREAKFAST CHEFS tba DOK S. MOORE J. GREEN D. ROGERS, S. SHAW, R. SINGLEY COUNTERS - 10:30 a.m. W. WATTS J. LENTZ S. COOK D. WILKINSON W. WATTS D. AXFORD B. LENTZ S. JORDAN A. PILCHER D. AXFORD LECTORS 8:00 a.m. C. FARRAR M. L. PIERCE K. CARLSON P. LENTZ J. FERRELLI 10:30 a.m. J. HAMILTON T. JONES J. BROWN K. AGEE N. HOWRY L.E.M. S - 10:30 a.m. D. ROGERS J. RAYHAB J. SWEENEY V. BALLANCE S. GRAY S. GISH* S. GOTTERER* P. HALPERIN* G. HARMON* J. HAMILTON* GODLY PLAY 1 C. KIRKPATRICK, L. KIRKPATRICK S. SPECTOR, tba J. SANDERS, W. McFALLS L. CHILTON, tba K. NAPIER, W. McFALLS GODLY PLAY 2 & 3 M. L. RAYHAB, H. GASPARD M. AGEE, K. AGEE B. McELROY M. J. HOWLAND, C. AVERY M. AGEE, K. AGEE 6