Dear Friends, The Communicant A place to belong!, A place to become! St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, The Rev. Ken Howard, Rector. Liturgical Course Changes for Lent The season of Lent is a time for course corrections. As the prayer book says, Lent is a penitential season a time for repentance which literally means to turn around or change course. As you may know, the Worship Committee has been working on some liturgical course changes for the 9:00am and 5:00pm services. Changes were designed to meet the needs we identified from you in various listening meetings and which we hope you like. The changes started on a trial basis on the first Sunday in Lent and are continuing for five weeks. So let me run down the adjustments we are trying out in each service and how they will work.. 9:00am Service: an adult-friendly sermon at the end of this service. What you told us: While you generally liked the more interactive, kid friendly nature of the (:00am service, you wanted a few things just for you including a meatier, adult friendly sermon. St. Nick s Chicks Clarifies Mission The February 11 th meeting of the St. Nick s women s group, the Chicks of St. Nick s, was both well attended and spirited! Their recent survey results showed that women most valued making friends, but were also interested in a sense of mission, prayer, cultural and social outings. It began with prayers for attendees and for all other people. Joyce Mason, co-leader of the group, reviewed the results of the survey that had been circulated previously. The analysis of the 23 responses received is as follows: 1 March 2012 Volume 2 Issue 3 What we re trying: We are moving the sermon to the end of the service and releasing the kids to Sunday school (and separate snack time) before the sermon starts. That way it can go a little longer and a lot deeper, keeping the interest of the adults without losing the interest of the kids. The adults will be able to have a brief discussion of the sermon before being released to their own fellowship and formation time. How it will work: At 9:45am the kids depart for their own separate fellowship and snack time in the conference room, and from there to Sunday school in the classroom at 10:00am. Meanwhile, the adults stay in their seats for a roughly 10 minute sermon, accompanied by a brief, facilitated discussion, with adult fellowship following no later than 10:15am. 11:00am Service: Seasonal changes only. What you told us: You like the service as it currently is. (continued on page 5) The #1 reason given for attending or not attending the Chicks meetings was scheduling. The timing of after 9:00am on Saturday morning and on Wednesday evening at 7:00pm were almost equal in popularity. A number of mission statements were discussed but Ruth Willbanks Chicks-A place to flock and a place to hatch proved the most popular. A number of possible group activities were also discussed: (continued overleaf) Inside this issue: News Brief 1 Editorial 2 Save The Dates! 3 WEDYD? 4 Food for thought 5 Calendar 6 The Children s 7 Page Our Christian Community 8
The Communicant March 2012 Darnestown Day: A Celebration of Community. Our purpose in launching the first Darnestown Day in 2010, was to build a greater sense of community among the residents of the Darnestown area by providing a time and a place for people to come together for fun and fellowship. We do not consider it a fundraiser for St. Nicholas Church (as the money we take from tickets, concession and drawings roughly cover our costs). Rather, we consider it community building. Darnestown Day is akin to a small town fair. Inside the building, craftspeople and other vendors offer their wares for sale. Outside, tents and tables are set up around the grounds. Schools have small crafts to make or games that the children can play. Area merchants advertise their services and products. Local bands, dance troops and other performers provide entertainment. Local restaurants offer various delicious foods. Moon bounces, dunking tanks and games take up most of the remaining space. Area students can earn their Student Service Learning hours by helping with games and parking. Last year we held a popular silent auction and raffles. Our goal has been for Darnestown Day to grow into something that is more than just a St. Nicholas sponsored event: a celebration by, for and of the people of the Darnestown community. That s why this year we will be inviting all the other houses of worship in the Darnestown area to take part. All of the various denominations and faiths present in Darnestown share a calling to serve the community around them, a calling we hope they will seek to fulfill by joining with us in planning and carrying out Darnestown Day. If you have any questions please contact the Rector, Ken Howard at rector@saintnicks.com, or the Darnestown Day Chair, Elizabeth Monaco, at emonaco@starpower.net or 301-926-6155. St. Nick s Chicks Clarifies Mission (continued from page 1) Sending cards to those on the prayer list. Publicizing and supporting Darnestown Day Having a Theology Scavenger Hunt in May Meeting for dinner, socializing and discussing plans for the summer Decisions made: Chicks A place to flock and a place to hatch was adopted as the group s mission statement. In order to include the greatest number of women, the 11 attendees at the meeting decided to meet at 10:00am on the 2 nd Saturday of every month, and at 7:00pm every 4 th Wednesday of the month. It was agreed that sending cards to persons on the prayer list would be done at each meeting. During the lead up to Darnestown Day, the Chicks will get word out about the event through their various contacts. A dinner date has been put in the calendar for June 8 th at That s Amore. The Chicks will meet for socializing, dinner and to discuss plans for the summer! Lots of ideas are hatching! Contributed by Joyce Mason 2
SAVE THE DATES! Please see our calendar insert and visit our Event Calendar on our website at http://www.saintnicks.com/googlecalendar.php Creating Christian Community, Thursdays, 2/2-3/29, 7:30pm to 9:00pm A program of adult confirmation (including teens 15 years and older) and new member orientation. This 8-9 session program is for anyone who wants to learn more about what it means to live in Christian community, in the context of the church generally, in the Episcopal tradition more specifically, and most specifically at St. Nicholas Church. All adults are welcome to attend. Contact: Rev. Ken Howard at rector@saintnicks.com or 240-631-2800. Join the Chicks of St. Nick s for Mall Theology Scavenger Hunt, Montgomery Mall, April 14 th We will meet outside Legal Seafoods at 11:00am and proceed with our scavenger hunt. We will then reconvene at Legal Seafoods for lunch. Please RSVP to Terri at 240-631-2800 by April 10 th as reservations need to be made. Dinner at That s Amore, June 8 th, 7:00pm RSVP to Terri at 240-631-2800 by June 3rd Our Bishop is Coming! Our Bishop is Coming! Palm Sunday, April 1 st, 10:00am. Please note that this is a combined service and the only service of the day. Our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde will preside at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, Germantown. Contact: The Rev. Ken Howard at rector@saintnicks.com or 240-631-2800 3 rd Annual Darnestown Day: A Celebration of Community Saturday May 12 th, 11:00am 3:00pm COME ONE, COME ALL! to St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 15575 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874 JOIN THE FUN & SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY! 3
The Communicant March 2012 What Exactly Do You Do? Getting to know the Staff and Community of St.Nick s This week we introduce Bob McMartin, Senior Warden on the Vestry. What do you do at St Nick's Bob? I support Rev. Ken Howard with the business of St. Nicks. We meet every week to discuss projects, potential leaders for our ministry areas, finance issues/challenges, coordination with the diocese, and personnel. I also attend the monthly Vestry, and the monthly FAHR (Finance, Admin, Human Resources) Committee meetings. When Ken is away on vacation for an extended period, I take responsibility for church decisions. Are there any key elements of the job you find fulfilling or particularly like? I really enjoy supporting Ken. I also enjoy being able to empower church members to take on responsibilities within our ministry areas. I like supporting the life of our parish community. Have you gleaned any insights or learning in your role of Senior Warden? Don't sell God short. If you re patient, you will see God working through folks and good things will happen. Sometimes we think we can figure out what is realistic and don't leave room for God's grace to help things happen. Has your work at St Nick's positively influenced your faith? Yes. I feel supported in trying to do God's work in the church more so than any other time in my life. Liturgical Course Changes for Lent (continued from page 1) 5:00pm Service: Less Talk, More Silence, Simple Contemplative Songs. What you told us: You told us you like the contemplative nature of this service and want it to be more contemplative. What we are trying: We kept the overall form of the service, but have simplified the liturgy in places, introducing more opportunities for silence and contemplation, along with some simple contemplative songs. How it will work: Just show up at the normal time, the worship leader will be your guide. Yes, we know. Change can sometimes feel awkward. It s only natural. But not to worry: we ll be there with all the directions you ll need. Think of it as an adventure; like learning to dance. A little awkward the first time, but so much fun when you learn how. So come and check it out. See you Sunday! Ken+ Calling All Children (and Parents) of St. Nick s! Dear Children (and Parents), We need your help. We need to know what you would like to see on The Children s Page puzzles, a short story, some craft ideas or a picture to color in? Or would you like to send us a drawing, poem or story for us to print? Let us know and you could win a special prize! All you (or a grown up) have to do is email cara.littlewood@gmail.com with your idea by April 15 th. We will announce the winner on the very next Children s Page! 4
The Communicant March 2012 Lent is a season of preparation leading up to Easter. It is the forty days plus six Sundays before Easter. For centuries it has been observed as a special time of self examination and penitence. Lent is a time for concentration on fundamental values and priorities, and is not a time for self punishment. Throughout Lent, the worship services of the church take on a simpler tone, appropriate to this season. Banners are removed from the church. Crosses showing the risen Christ are veiled. The word Alleluia is not used in the words of the liturgy or hymns. These practices help the worshipping community to mark this season of renewal as a special time in the church year. Observing Lent The custom is to mark the season of Lent by giving up some things and taking on others. Both can serve to mark the season as a holy time of preparation. Some examples of things people give up for Lent include sweets, meat for all or some meals, and alcohol. In most cases, giving up something for Lent can be made more meaningful by using the money or time for another purpose. Food for Thought: What is Lent? Meal time fasts on Lent days could be spent on prayer. Money saved by not eating meat could be donated to a charity dedicated to stamping out world hunger or to a food bank in your local community. Some things added during Lent are daily Bible readings, fasting of Fridays, time set aside for prayer or perhaps taking a course of study related to spirituality. Note that the season of Lent is forty days plus the six Sundays. This is because Sundays are celebrations of Jesus resurrection and are always an appropriate day to lessen the restrictions of Lent. So that if you have given up chocolate for Lent, you could indulge in a candy bar on Sunday. Lent is also an especially appropriate time for the sacrament of confession. While confession to a priest isn t required for God s forgiveness, it can be a meaningful rite of reconciliation to God. (Excerpted from Keeping a Holy Lent, King of Peace Episcopal Church, Kingsland, Georgia) Holy Week Services Sunday, April 1 st - Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday 10:00am Service, followed by fellowship with Bishop Budde at 11:00am. Please note that this will be the only service of the day. Thursday, April 5 th Maundy Thursday 6:30pm Fellowship & Foot Washing, 7:00pm Agape Feast, 8:00pm Holy Eucharist & Stripping of the Altar. Foot washing optional. Friday, April 6 th Good Friday 12:00pm Noonday Service, 7:30pm Tenebrae Service. Saturday, April 7 th The Great Vigil of Easter 7:30pm. Sunday, April 8 th Easter Sunday, Holy Eucharist 6:30am Sunrise Service 9:00am and 11:00am Festival Services 10:00am Fellowship and Easter Egg hunt (for children up to 6 th Grade) 5
CALENDAR 6
The Children s Page Can you unscramble the letters below to spell a special word or day related to Lent? If you get stuck, the answers are at the bottom of the page. 1. TLNE = ---- 1. MALP YSNAUD = ---- ------ 1. ARESTE DMNYOA = ------ ------ 1. NYDMUA TYHRUSDA = ------ -------- 1. OGDO YRIFDA = ---- ------ 1. SHA WAYDENSED = --- --------- Answers: 1. Lent, 2. Palm Sunday 3. Easter Monday 4. Maundy Thursday 5. Good Friday 6. Ash Wednesday 7
The Communicant March 2012 Our Christian Community What do I like most about St. Nick s? St. Nick s knows how to do family. I view everybody at St. Nick s as part of my family. It s very comfortable, the shoe fits. It has become the foundation of my being, what I ve been searching for all my life. St. Nick s has my back. No matter what happens, I ll have the connection to God within the form of the congregation at St. Nick s. They love me, I love them. For example, they let me sing in the choir. I do not have talent in this area but absolutely adore the music and keep on trying. In order to know the words being sung, to get the even deeper meaning enveloped in the beautiful music, to become closer to God, for me the choir is the place to be. Plus, I get to go to rehearsal during the week so the music is in my brain and heart all week, which is instrumental in keeping God s message alive in my daily life. Janet Cassard, Parishioner No matter what happens, I ll have the connection to God within the form of the congregation at St. Nick s. They love me, I love them. Responding as disciples to the grace and love of God in Christ: We are a spiritual home, a safe haven, grounded in Scripture and centered in life, where we are nurtured and challenged in our journey of faith. We welcome all people to join us in worship and prayer, and in joyful service to the community around us. We believe that the only sufficient basis for Christian community is Christ s love for us. We experience that the power of Christ s love can hold us together in the midst of great diversity. St. Nicolas Episcopal Church. THE COMMUNICANT Newsletter of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 15575 Germantown Road Germantown, MD 20874 Telephone: 240-631-2800 Fax: 240-631-0136 Email: office@saintnicks.com Newsletter deadline is generally 15 days before the end of the month. Send articles and contributions to: Rev. Ken Howard at rector@saintnicks.com The Editors at newsletter@saintnicks.com Audrey Thompson at audrey58@gmail.com Cara Poirier at cara.littlewood@gmail.com Permission is given to reprint original articles, as long as this newsletter and the authors are credited. St. Nicholas Episcopal Church 2012 8