December 2019 E P I S C O P A L C H U R C H
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epistle January 2020
the
Advent and Light
Tis the season of Light and Life in Beaufort. As I took our golden retriever for his evening constitutional, I saw them coming on by land and by sea as people’s lives unfolded in that sacramental way of ordinary time...making dinner, putting the children to bed, folding laun- dry, battening down the hatch, literally. Popping up in the darkness one flash at a time, these bursts came illumining the otherwise opaque tableau. Wrapped around a porch, outlining win- dows and doors, adorning trees and bushes, hung port and starboard and entwined all along the mast, there they were creating an ever-changing landscape against the backdrop of one more night. But it just isn’t any night....it is the first night of the new Christian year. It was as if they were speaking to darkness visible and saying “awake oh sleeper Arise, and Christ shall give you life.” This, my friends, is Advent Light and it creates life and portrays it unlike any other.
• Advent Light and Life challenges us not only to look for the light of Christ but to be Christ’s light in the darkness which erupts around us and within us. Choose this new day who you will serve and how you will let your light shine.
• Advent Light and Life pushes us into a new landscape of the holy within and without by asking us to keep time differ- ently. We are asked to pay attention not only to Chronos but to Kairos. That means making time to listen to the “still small voice of God” not just to “Siri” and her many friends or “Amazon” and his siblings.
• Advent Light and Life all but shouts as the Baptist did in the wilderness “Prepare the Way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God”. It’s a time to ask whose voice is loudest in your life and why? It’s a time to ask if you are willing to put God first above all else?
• Advent Light and Life begins with the end in mind. Scripture declares that Christ is “coming like a thief in the night” and “at a day or an hour of which we know not.” We only know we are called to be ready whenever and wherever that may be. Live each day as if it were your last. I have buried enough people to know that our time is in God’s hands. Cram it full of the glory of God and behave in a way that would make God proud of who you are and whose you are.
We are doing our best to contribute to the Light in Beaufort. We have a Moravian star and two fir trees on the front porch. I am lobbying for a subtle strand of white to add to the cedar and boxwood garland that hangs from the rails. There is a humorous touch visible from the attic window that adds a splash of color and a not so subtle joy to the mix. But when all is said and done, what I want more than anything else during this sacred season is for each of us to know without a doubt the true Light by which we live. The Light that shines in the darkness, the Light that is the Word made flesh, dwelling among us and in us. Keep the Faith and let the Faith keep you,
Tammy Lee +
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1 Reverend Tammy Vestry Highlights
The vestry, meeting in monthly session Thursday, Nov.
2 Vestry Highlights 21, 2019, praised the work of the ECW for its successful
bazaar on Nov. 9. The Rev. Tammy Lee gave special 3 ECW & Bazaar Update thanks and kind word for the co-chairs, Sylvia Wheatly and Laura Snyder, noting many parishioners spent hours and hours preparing for the annual event. More than $22,000 was raised for 4 Community Outreach ECW’s outreach programs. Among those attending was Sandy Skirving, Bishop Rob Skirving’s wife. 5 Grace Notes The Rev. Lee also reported that more than $41,000 has been raised for the Justin Sands family who lost their home and livelihoods when Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas. The funds have come from both parishioners and the wider 6 Christmas Events community who wanted to help one family. She said this outreach will be part of
the parochial report, explaining what St. Paul’s does that is unique. The Ocracoke ministry will be part of it, too. The Ocracoke project continues, and the needs will 7 Christmas Special be publicized. The vestry agreed to ask for more information about the new Services & Visitors “Adopt an Ocracoke Family” to see what commitment is expected.
Carl Ragsdale, finance commission chair, reported that income for the year as of Oct. 31 was $369,975, and expenses totaled $402,779. He and David Claw- 8 Advent at St. Paul’s son, who are overseeing the stewardship drive, were commended for their work.
As of Nov. 20, pledges totaling about $455,000 had been received from 130 pledg-
ing units. The Rev. Lee said she is writing personal letters to each person who 9 Bazaar Pictures & pledged. Birthdays David DuBussion, worship commission chair, said the committee working on new guidelines for ushers had completed them, and a training session for team 10 Crosswinds captains would be held. He added that more ushers were needed and hoped the time and talent information gathered as part of the stewardship drive would gener- ate more participation. 11 December Sunday The vestry will meet again at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, in the administra- Servant Schedule tion building.
St. Paul’s Office Hours
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 2020 Vestry Nominations
St. Paul’s will hold its annual meeting on January 5, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. Monday - Thursday: There are seven (7) parish members who have agreed to put their names up for 8:00 am - 4:00 pm nomination to the vestry. The nominees are: David Clawson, Ilse Englehardt,
Jeanette Holland, Michelle Laughridge, Diane Meelheim, Amanda Schoden, and Friday: 8:00 am - 12 noon Sam Williams. The biographies of all nominees are in the November, 2019, issue of The Epistle.
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2019 Harvest Bazaar Report
Gratitude has been my heartfelt feeling throughout the planning, communicating, and running errands to get the items needed by the 2019 Bazaar Committee members. This feeling was maintained by a daily witness of the committee members’ attitude of service as each room sprung to life under the skillful hands of St. Paul’s ECW who have a clear under- standing of their gifts and talents. Many thanks to all who contributed money, food, and items that fit the theme of each room. The old English proverb by John Heywood, “Many Hands Make Light Work” was prove true by all the different hands performing the bazaar task assigned to them, or simply volunteered to lend a helping hand. Volunteer Worker Bees along with a crew of men were essential to this year’s suc- cess. 2019 Bazaar Co-Chair, Laura Synder, was eager to learn, energetic, and service with a smile everyday as this year’s Ba- zaar began to unfold. She was my angel of mercy by carrying the heavy load of managing the week prior to Bazaar and in con- stant motion on Bazaar Day assisting me and all committee chairs. According to Mary Duane, the 2019 Bazaar is another record breaking event with a net income of $23,000. This profit will be used to fund the various local charities ECW supports. Mary Duane plans to present the purchase totals for each room at the business luncheon being held at Jim and Peggy Stallworth’s home on Friday, November 22, 2019. With much excitement, I am proud to announce that the 2020 ECW Harvest Bazaar will be lead by Laura Snyder (919 -417-3233) and Cindy Cash (252-230-0719). They will be busy organizing their committee chairs which most have already committed to next year’s event. Please contact these ladies if you are interested in participating in the 2020 Bazaar. I can truth- fully say you will reap rewards beyond your imagination simply working side by side with your Christian sisters at St. Paul’s. Thank you for encouraging me during my service tenure as Bazaar Chair for 2017 and 2019. It has fed me spiritually and assured me that I have found a loving church family at St. Paul’s. Ephesians 4:16 offered me the explanation to my wonderful experience by saying:
“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Much love and appreciation from your sister in Christ,
Sylvia Wheatly ECW Annual Meeting
The ECW will have their annual general member- ship meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall. All women of the church are members. There will be a brief business meeting followed by a simple soup and dessert meal provided by the board. Look for a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in January.
ECW Lenten Retreat
Saturday, March 7, 2020
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Grace Notes — December, 2019 By Linda Laughton, Music Director ([email protected])
As we begin a new church year on the first Sunday in Advent, it is a good time to look back and assess what has taken place in our music ministry over the past year. When I compare where we were and what we were doing a year ago to where we are and what we are doing now, I am amazed. Many steps have been taken over this past year to develop a music program that is primed for growth into the future. Sometimes we take giant steps (leaps), sometimes we take baby steps, and it is with tremendous gratitude that we have the faith and the ability to take these steps. The story of the St. Paul’s handbells is a great example of this. Last year at this time, we received funding to refur- bish the partial 2-octave handbell set that had been donated to the church. Now we are ready to step forward to purchase the missing handbells so our children and grandchildren will have a complete 2-octave set to ring. We have accumulated donations to purchase five bells ($2,500 total; $500 each), but we still need funds for two bells and, since our bells come from England, we have large value-added taxes and shipping charges to add into the total purchase amount. Will you con- sider giving a gift in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one so that we may complete our 2-octave set? Please make your checks payable to St. Paul’s with “Handbells IMO or IHO” on the memo line. Thank you! Bless! Bless! ~~ Linda
Ten year old Paul McCartney (top row, center) in a Boy’s Handbells Choir at the Anglican Cathedral.
Victoria Evans, Ine Noe, Ashley Henry, and Sandra Howarth
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December Community Outreach Hospice of Carteret County
Hospice of Carteret County is a not-for-profit organization. Hospice is dedicated to ensuring a safe environment of respect, compassion and dignity to patients facing a ter- minal illness. Hospice of Carteret County provides Teaching, assistance and support to care givers, Nursing services, Registered Nurse on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Medical social worker and chaplain for support and counseling, Physical, occupational and speech therapy services, Dietary counseling, Volunteers, Pain and symptom management, Medical equipment and supplies and Grief education and counseling. Hospice of Carteret County offers care for those suffering from cancer, Alzheimer’s, end-stage heart diseases, end-stage respiratory diseases and other life limiting illnesses. Hospice of Carteret County is the only not-for-profit hospice agency in Carteret County. Contact Barbara Bryan, parish liaison, at [email protected] for any questions about this organization. To make a monetary donation to the Hospice of Carteret County, please do so through “Online Giving” on our website (www.stpaulsbeaufort.org). Alternatively, you may donate with a check payable to St. Paul’s Church with “Outreach” in the Memo line. You may use an outreach envelope (found in the back of the church) and simply place the envelope in the offering plate during the service. Checks may also be mailed to the church.
January Community Outreach Hope Mission
Hot cooked lunches are prepared daily, except Sundays, at Hope Mission’s 1410 Bridges St. in Morehead City, averaging 90 people daily. It operates a thrift shop at 1502 Bridges Street and shelters for homeless men and women. It also provides emergency funding to those in need. The non-profit opened its doors in 1990 as a ministry of Faith and Victory Church to help meet the needs of the hungry. If you have any questions about this organization, please contact Sarah Jo Safrit, parish liaison, at [email protected]. To make a monetary donation to the Hope Mission, please do so through “Online Giving” on our website (www.stpaulsbeaufort.org). Alternatively, you may donate with a check payable to St. Paul’s Church with “Outreach” in the Memo line. You may use an outreach envelope (found in the back of the church) and simply place the envelope in the offer- ing plate during the service. Checks may also be mailed to the church.
Year-End Giving
If you have not completed your year-end contributions and want them to count as a tax deduction in 2018, they must be received or postmarked with a date no later than De- cember 31, 2019. Checks mailed with a postmark after December 31, 2019, brought to the church office, or placed in the offering plate after December 31st, will be considered a con- tribution for 2020, no matter the date on the check. Someone will be checking the mail box throughout the time we are closed for the holidays. We must abide by IRS rules in order to retain our tax exempt status. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding! As 2018 draws to a close many parishioners make year end charitable contributions in order to get deductions in this calendar year. How would you like to make a charitable contribution and reduce your tax liability at the same time?? Impossible? Complicated? No and no. If you are 70 and ½ and have an IRA or 401(k), just direct your fund’s custodian to make a contribution directly to the charities of your choice. This is much more efficient from a tax standpoint than receiving the money yourself, having to include it in your taxable income, and then making your contribution.
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The Children’s Christmas Eve Pageant is Coming!
Does your child want to be part of telling the story of Christmas? Sharing joy, hope, and peace? The 2019 Christmas Eve Pageant Committee will be collecting the names of the youth who will be available and willing to participate in the roles of this year’s pageant during the normal Sunday School time December 1st. This cast call also goes out to any visiting children, but their names will need to be submitted prior to the roles and costumes assignments on December 8th. Rehearsals will be held in the church on December 15th and December 22nd between 9:30 - 10:30 am. The Pageant will be held at the 4pm Christmas Eve service. All cast members need to report in their costumes to the God Pod classroom between 3:30 - 3:45 pm on December 24. Please call Sylvia Wheatly at 252-422-5756 for any questions.
Letters to Saint Nicholas Poinsettias Sale
Children are invited to write a let- Each year St. Paul’s ter to “Saint Nicholas” in anticipation of Altar Guild decorates the his arrival at St. Paul’s on December 8th at church with poinsettias, the 10:45 service. This is an opportunity given by parishioners in for your child to express gratitude and memory of or in thanksgiv- thanksgiving for gifts already given and to ing for friends and loved express care and concern on behalf of ones. The suggested dona- someone they know and love. It’s also an tion is $20.00. Please com- opportunity to share the story of the real plete the enclosed form and place it with your do- St. Nicholas and his love for the poor. A nation in the offering plate or hand in to the office “mailbox” will be available in the parish no later than Wednesday, December 18th. hall through December 24th for the chil- dren’s letters.
Hanging of the Greens for Christmas
Decorating the church for the Christmas season will be held on Saturday, December 11th. We will hang wreaths, garland, and put out the poinsettias. All are welcome to help. Plans now are to meet at the church at 1:00 pm; please watch the bulletin in case there is a change in the time.
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Christmas Season at St. Paul’s
Sunday, December 8th
10:45 AM St Nicholas Visits St Paul’s
Sunday, December 15th
10:45 AM Christmas Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 22nd
4:00 PM Brierwood Ensemble Candlelight Concert Refreshments following the concert
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th
4:00 PM Christmas Family Service — Holy Eucharist This special service welcomes families with children. It will feature the children’s Christmas drama and music by the children of St. Paul’s
10:00 PM Festal Celebration of the Holy Eucharist With Choir and Trumpet Fanfare This service welcomes us into Christmas morning
No services on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th
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Advent at St Paul’s
Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, or translated loosely, “Praying Shapes Believing”
When I first heard a liturgy professor in seminary say this, it was as one parish- ioner says a moment when “the veil lifted and she could see God.” As a Christian wor- shipping in the Anglican way, I knew that how we prayed on Sunday shaped our souls and informed our understanding of God. When we say at the beginning of a collect “Almighty God” or “Most Merciful God” at the beginning of the Confession, we are saying who God is. When we pray the Collect for Purity “Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open, all desires are known, and from whom no secrets are hid...” we are making a statement about that God and what that God can do. When those prayers are repeated week in and week out, this reinforces our understanding. One of the strengths of the tradition is that it is not subjective. These same prayers or versions of them have been prayed more or less in the same ways using the same words for hundreds of years. Less than ten revisions of the Prayer Book since the formation of Anglicanism. Some folks think that is a huge mistake. “Bring on the change. Let it reflect the world around us.” Others say, “Thanks Be to God and don’t mess with my book. Why mess with perfection!” The Prayer Book and Hymnal provide us with multiple ways of worshipping and expressing sacramental action (those outward and spiritual signs of an inward and spiritual grace which are a sure and certain means of God’s presence.) There are two Rites within each sacrament, multiple options for prayers expressing them including making our requests known to God through The Prayers of the People, of breaking bread together in the Eucharist, and of lifting up our voices in song both through hymnody and the service music. There are other authorized hymnals which we rarely use preferring to explore the vast richness within our hymnal in the pew. Each liturgical season brings with it the richness of tradition and the possibility always of the in-breaking of the Holy into our daily lives. When we hear the familiar words of our favored forms of the Prayers of the People or of our Eucharistic Prayers we feel connected to one another and to our God. We feel known because we know the prayers by heart and pray them that way. They become as TS Eliot wrote “the still point of the turning world”. What is also true is the call to experience our tradition in its fullest expression as each of these ways of praying shape our believing. Rite I and Rite II, Prayers A, B , C & D, all seven forms of the Prayers of the People, hundreds and hundreds of hymns. There is richness in these two books in our pews that we have been given the privilege to explore and to learn. These books teach us more about God in liturgy which takes all of us...the work of the people, its definition. Each liturgical season pushes us into new territory as we are always be- ing shaped and remade into the image and likeness of God. That God willing is a never ending process on this side of heaven. During the season of Advent you will see the liturgical colors change to Purple and an Advent candle will be lit each week culminating in the lighting of the Christ Candle on Christmas. The choir will process in silently prior to the service in silent preparation for Worship which they help lead. Music will feature hymns and Service Music for Advent focused on the Incarnation and the Coming of Christ. We move from saying/singing the Gloria to the Trisagion, “Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us”. The Eucharistic prayers will change to reflect the penitential nature of the season as will the prayers of the people. The Blessing at the end of the service will be a seasonal one. These are not major changes but part of the standard rubrics and rituals of the changing season. My prayer is that we all have an opportunity for the veil to be lifted, if only for a moment as we prepare for the coming of the Christ at his Incarnation.
Keep the Faith and let the Faith keep you,
Tammy Lee +
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Harvest Bazaar, November 9, 2019 (for more Bazaar pictures, please go to our Facebook page)
December 2019 Birthdays January 2020 Birthdays
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Winning Life
One Bible passage we looked at during Crosswinds in November was Mark 8:34-38. In this passage Jesus, says we must do three things to be his disciple. He says we must deny ourselves, take up our cross (commit our lives), and follow Him. Why would we do this? Why would we follow Jesus? It might be dangerous, it might be unpleasant. When we follow Jesus, we have life! If you give your life away, you find life. If you live for your own pleasures, you will never be satisfied. If you live for getting more stuff, that life will steal all of your strength and never fill your soul. If you live for yourself, you always wind up empty and lots of times evil. At the end of the Gospel reading on November 17, after describing some pretty terrible events we may endure following Him, Jesus says in verse 19 NIV, “Stand firm, and you will win life!” (I added the exclamation)
A preacher I know said,
“When you give your life to God, your heart beats with the heartbeat of the maker of the universe and you have a joy that you can never have any other way.”
Please send your middle and high school kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews and neighbors to Sunday School at 9:30 and to youth group on Sunday Evenings. In Sunday school, we have been studying the Gospel readings. We meet for Crosswinds, our youth group, at least two Sundays a month from 5:30 - 7:15. Please see the schedule below.
Important Dates: SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 in the Youth Room
Sunday Dec. 8 Crosswinds Afternoon Gathering Monday Dec. 9 7:29 Young Life Club for High School Youth Sunday Dec. 15 5:30 - 7:15 Crosswinds Progressive Dinner Wed. Jan. 1 7:29 Meet in Atlantic Beach for the Penguin Plunge Sunday Jan. 5 5:30 - 7:15 Crosswinds Gathering & Dinner Sunday Jan. 12 5:30 - 7:15 Crosswinds Gathering & Dinner Sunday Jan. 26 5:30 - 7:15 Crosswinds Gathering & Dinner Monday Jan. 27 7:29 Young Life Trivia Night for High School Youth Sunday Feb. 2 7:30 AM Super Bowl Sub Making
Please put these events on your calendar: Happening for High Schoolers • March 6-8, 2020 New Beginnings for Middle Schoolers • March 27-29, 2020 Glory Ridge Mission Trip for High Schoolers • July 26 - Aug 1, 2020
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Sunday Servants for December 2019 Altar Guild – Helen O’Neal, Ginny Costlow, Paula King, Dale Wooten Acolytes Other Servants Dec 1 8:00 Diane Meelheim EM: Len Gilstrap, Jack Gilstrap Intercessor: Jack Gilstrap Greeter: Margaret & Sandy Brock
Ushers: Dick deButts, David Clawson, Tom Higgins, Phil Morris
Coffee: Melissa Ehlers
10:45 C-Micah Evans EM: Sarah Jo Safrit, ______T-Lily Sherman Intercessor: Sarah Jo Safrit T-McKinley Schoden Lectors: Walter Phillips, Shelvey Lloyd C-Victoria Evans Greeter: Barbara & Lewis Bryan Ushers: Chris Schoden, Bill Mosier, Joe Ustach, Mark Laughton Children’s Chapel Leader: Julie Young Coffee: St. Paul’s Choir Dec 8 8:00 Gabbie Lee EM: Marianna Hollinshed, Jeanette Holland Intercessor: Jeanette Holland Greeter: Eva Higgins Ushers: Jack Sweeney, Megan Ziglar, Will Ziglar, Jack Gilstrap
Coffee: Ken & Robyn Eiler
10:45 C-Chris Samojedny EM: Allison DuBuisson, Michelle Lasky T-Sarah Evans Intercessor: Allison DuBuisson T-Anna Sherman Lectors: Mary Duane Hale, ______C-Lily Sherman Greeter: Mark Laughton Ushers: Charles Hale, Rob MacArthur, Tom Samojedny, Jane Gordon Children’s Chapel Leader: St. Nicholas Sunday – no Children’s Chapel Coffee: ______Dec 15 8:00 ______EM: Len Gilstrap, Jack Gilstrap Intercessor: Jack Gilstrap
Greeter: Gail Williams Ushers: Lynwood Daughtry, Sandy Brock, Trish Sheppard
Coffee: ______
10:45 LESSONS & CAROLS C-Ashley Porter EM: Michelle Lasky, ______T-McKinley Schoden Greeter: Norma Gardner T-Lily Sherman Ushers: David DuBuisson, Pennylloyd Baldridge, Sam Barnes, Bill Snyder C-Victoria Evans Coffee: Barbara & Lewis Bryan No Children’s Chapel
Dec 22 8:00 Gabbie Lee EM: Jeanette Holland, Charles Phillips Intercessor: Charles Phillips Greeter: Camie Sweeney Ushers: Sam Williams, Joe Smith, Diane Meelheim Coffee: ______
10:45 C-Satchel Lasky EM: Walter Phillips, Joe Evans T-Sarah Evans Intercessor: Walter Phillips T-Anna Sherman Lectors: Diane Mantho, Robert Mantho C-Micah Evans Greeter: Lynda Phillips Ushers: Lee Phillips, Shelvey Lloyd, Jack Gardner Children’s Chapel Leader: Mary Duane Hale Coffee: Cindy & Jim Cash Dec 29 10:00 C-Victoria Evans EM: Allison DuBuisson, ______T-Lily Sherman Intercessor: Allison DuBuisson T-McKinley Schoden Lectors: ______, ______C-Micah Evans Greeter: Shelvey Lloyd Ushers: Birkett Howarth, Frank Sherman, Wade Gardner, Eddie Wheatly, Jr. Children’s Chapel Leader: no Children’s Chapel Coffee: ______
The empty lines are available opportunities to serve. Visit www.stpaulsbeaufort.org to get involved and sign up!
Non-Profit Organization Saint Paul’s U.S. Postage Paid EPISCOPAL CHURCH Beaufort, NC 28516 Permit Number 15
215 Ann Street Beaufort, NC 28516-2103 (252) 728-3324 www.stpaulsbeaufort.org
A PARISH OF THE DIOCESE OF EAST CAROLINA
ST. PAUL’S STAFF The Rt. Rev. Robert S. Skirving ST. PAUL’S VESTRY Bishop of East Carolina The Rev. Tambria Lee Senior Warden - Norma Gardner [email protected] Junior Warden - Jack Gilstrap Clerk - Sarah Jo Safrit Tammy Nash, Financial Administrator Treasurer - Charles Phillips [email protected]
Carol Smith, Parish Secretary [email protected] 2019
Linda Laughton, Music Director Anna deButts [email protected] Norma Gardner Jack Gilstrap Frank Sherman, Youth Minister Gail Williams [email protected] 2020 Stephen Hauman, Sexton [email protected] Laura Mosier Carl Ragsdale Sarah Jo Safrit As followers of Jesus Christ, we are One Bill Snyder Church within the Anglican Communion and 2021 The Episcopal Church. All are sought and embraced in worship, mission and ministry in David DuBuisson Glenn Dunn a spirit of mutual love and respect. Charles Hale Frieda Menzer ST. PAUL'S ON SUNDAY 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I • 9:30 AM Sunday School for all ages • 10:45 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Held at 10:00 AM Memorial Day Through Labor Day) A staffed nursery is available from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon