A Message from Father John Parish News

May 2021

As I sit drinking my coffee this morning, I feel I must say St. Patrick’s Vestry Mission Responsibilities something about current events in our country as a Black person and as a Black priest. When I was working at St. As we look forward to a gradual reopening of normal church Paul's Episcopal Church, in Brainerd, MN, I preached a activities, your vestry has divided responsibilities for our sermon on when Jesus said "whoever must follow me must various outreach efforts. Going forward, as you prepare to be prepared to carry his or her cross." A parishioner came to restart your programs, please work with the noted vestry me afterwards and told me that: "At the foot of the Cross all member to bring attention to needs to vestry for approval, if ground is level." My response to him was "Wow! I have to needed. Going forward, each vestry member will attempt to find a way to put that in my sermon one day." I have several reach out to the responsible parishioner on a monthly or bi- times. That line so clearly articulates that we are all equal as monthly basis. human beings and, like Bishop Breidenthal reminded me once, that we are all connected. As always, you can reach out to the Senior and Junior Wardens at any time on any subject. The verdict in the Minneapolis trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin underlined the amount of work we still have Nancy Smith, Sr. Warden: Weekly services and music to do about race in our country. A long time ago my wife led workshops on Multicultural Diversity in various high Todd Rockstroh, Jr. Warden: Campus maintenance (incl. schools and organizations in Minneapolis. Later I conducted Green House), Interfaith Board, Food Pantry workshops on anti-racism. Every time I talk about race I am reminded of a time when I was doing an internship as a lab Kellie Bogen, Treasurer and Parish Office Manager technician in a hospital. We'd usually wake up early in the morning to draw blood that would be analyzed in the lab. Kelly Dreyer, Secretary: Meeting minutes - One day, to my greatest surprise, I walked into a patient’s Communications and Fundraising: 100k Welcomes, Feast room and he told me that I should go back to the lab to ask and Fall-y, Christmas Open House my supervisor to send him a white technician. That really made me feel small that day. Kaila Cox: Breakfasts (w/ Earl Edmonds) and Applefest (TBD, 2021), Good Shepherd, Altar Guild, Flower Guild, So often, we don't treat each other level at the foot of the Usher/Greeters cross. The truth of the matter is, it is the fear of the unknown that makes people discriminate against fellow human Brad Knapp: Grass cutting, Lay Readers beings. Thankfully, God created us in His own image. Our call is to strive to be truly connected to one another as brothers Steve Belknap; Youth Group, Sunday school, Nursery and sisters created by the same God.

Before I end this writing I want to mention that many, many Shelly Kilgallon: Search Committee Liaison, Adult Ed, police officers are great and wonderful. A few of my friends Quest, Silent Saturdays, Seeker, Al Anon, Yoga are Police officers. They have helped me a lot in my ministry over the years. My prayer is that we all respect the dignity of We also have a new communications committee which each other as human beings and thank God for creating includes Danielle Weaver (online content) and Leo Cronin differences in our world. (Shamrock).

Please continue to pray for the soul of George Floyd and all Nancy Smith / Todd Rockstroh/ Fr. John who have died because of police brutality.

Father John

TO TAKE THE LOVE OF CHRIST INTO THE WORL D

May 2021

A Thank You from Altar Guild planning to downsize and began in February to look for a smaller place. We now are not exactly sure when this will I hope you have enjoyed the beautiful spring we are having. all fall into place as we had to put the project on hold and The flowers and trees have been in full bloom, and I think it handle Greg’s current medical situation. However, when it has made all of us happy to get out in the sun, see our does fall into place, we will no longer live in Ohio, most likely neighbors and enjoy the out of doors. Easter was special this South Carolina. With that said, we need a replacement year, as we could return to church, see our friends and enjoy Coordinator. I will do whatever is needed to make this a Easter service in community. Many thanks to all who smooth transition. Anyone interested can email or call me contributed to our beautiful sanctuary display. We had lots with questions. [email protected] or 513-205- of help putting everything together and keeping the plants 5338. watered so we could have three extra Sundays to enjoy the flowers. Thank you. Thank you cannot begin to express how thankful I am for everything you all have done for me over the past 7 years. I Molly Woolford on behalf of Altar Guild will miss working with all of you. God Bless you for all your support to this most important Ministry. Rector Search Committee Update Cathy The Search committee will be sending the recently completed Parish profile and survey results to the Diocese Harry and Shirley have moved! in early May. With these documents in hand, the Diocese can officially start the process to help us select our next Rector Harry and Shirley Pritchard have recently moved to for St. Patrick’s. You can access the Parish profile and survey Otterbein. Their address is 4174 Goldfinch Court, Lebanon, online here. Copies will also be mailed to parishioners upon OH 45036. They no longer have their land line telephone but request and available in hard copy form at the Church. The Shirley's cell is 513-252-1094 and Harry's is 513-444-6883. search process is moving along according to plan and we expect to have great candidates to consider in the weeks to Gardens Put on a Happy Face come. We are grateful for all the hard work the Search Committee has done to date, and for your patience as we get Sending a special shout out to Lisa Cronin. You may not closer to selecting our next Rector. know it, but she is the person who tends to the front and side gardens of our church facing Main Street and East Street. Danielle Weaver and Leo Cronin Hundreds of people drive by the intersection every day and A note and reach out from Cathy McCracken: St. Patrick's ALWAYS looks fabulous and has on a happy face. She, too is the person that planted all the beautiful tulips in I wanted to get a minute of your time and give you a heads the Main Street beds and tends the planters next to the up about the things happening in the life of the McCrackens. building. Thanks, Lisa!

First, Greg had abdominal surgery this week to remove some Celebrating Ruth Lokey cancer. The recovery is going to be lengthy (at least 2 weeks of doing virtually nothing but short walks around the Thanks to all who helped give Ruth Lokey a great send-off. house). My full attention is going to be required here. The With downsizing, she’s offered us some of her “iris” good news is he has the best surgeon in the country and collection. Many items have gone into our One Hundred based on several months of tests and scans, the surgeon Thousand Welcomes auction and a donation was made to believes it can all be removed by the surgery and he will not the church for the remainder. If anyone would like a require further treatment. We won’t know positively on that memento, please help yourself to items on a special table in until about mid- May. The bad news is the timing is going Brigid House and pick up a hug from Ruth. Happy Trails, to include St Pats IHN rotation week (May 9 to May 16). Ruth. Todd has agreed to step up to cover for me and I will have as much lined up as possible ahead of time. 2956 Hathaway Road Unit 104 Second, I am going to resign as St Pats IHNWC coordinator Richmond, Virginia 23225-1724 for 2022. I have tendered my resignation to Linda @ Email is [email protected] IHNWC. I will complete the final 2 rotations in 2021 (August 22-29 and October 31 – November 7). Greg and I are

TO TAKE THE LOVE OF CHRIST INTO THE WORL D

May 2021

Diocesan News Celebration and Remembrance

Justice and Equality in Our Times May Birthdays - Special wishes and prayers to the following celebrating birthdays in May. The following are presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s thoughts on justice and equality in our times. Take time to reflect on May 3 – Maddix Hemingway these questions, discuss with fellow parishioners, friends, May 5 – Scott Price and neighbors. Look at the long history of the Episcopal May 6 – Bill Haynes Church’s attempts to reconcile injustice and inequality via May 7 – Rachel Davis the link below. The message is to not be discouraged but do May 8 – Brian Gluntz what you can do. May 9 – Skip Scruby May 10 – Marilyn McMurray “If history ever captures the energy of love, it will be the May 12 – Marilyn Lee second time in history that we have discovered fire.” May 13 – Leona King May 15 – Shelly Kilgallon 1) What do you love? What do you value? What will you May 16 – Ben Kilgallon struggle to protect? May 18 – Nancy Smith How to raise the voice of Christ? May 18 – Stephanie Gluntz May 28 – Alexander Bowman 2) What have you lost? What keeps you up at night? What May 30 – Tom Wise has been lost in your community? What do you miss? People do not resist change, they resist loss. Cards or calls are always welcome!

3) Where does it hurt? Where have you been wounded in Prayers and wishes also to the following couples celebrating life? What makes you angry? How or where do you feel that May anniversaries. pain and anger? Where can you start? May 4 - Kathy & Greg McCracken May 4 - Dick & Molly Wolford 4) What do you dream? What do you hope for the future - for May 5 - Heidi & Graham Bale yourself, your family, your community, and your nation? May 5 - Scott & Lynn Price How can we raise our voice, St. Patrick’s voice, the May 15 - Jeff & Maureen Rosner-Camealy Diocese voice, the community voice? May 18 - Harry & Shirley Pritchard May 22 - Stuart & Joan Bale How long has the Episcopal Church addressed Racial May 26 - Steve & Nancy Smith Equality? May 27 - Brad & Dianne Knapp https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o4h6oSp6FQ3JUB May 29 - Don & Rosemary Stout mw_HAbH4BvUWmrvOe_fG7P-Mir6J0/edit?usp=sharing May 31 - Bill & Jenny Hardie

Why are we still having these same kinds of discussions? But Prayer List - Please keep the following names in your don’t be discouraged. prayers. What can you do today? Brian, Matthew, Lamar, Cindy, Lauren, Jennifer, Sylvia,

James, Joe, Ann, Gail, Debbie, Duncan, Matt, Mike, Andrew Racial justice, affordable housing, racial and social equality - they’re all interconnected. If you need to add or remove someone from the prayer list, please contact Kellie Bogen at ([email protected]).

TO TAKE THE LOVE OF CHRIST INTO THE WORL D

May 2021

Voices Fueling Conversation on Creation In 1820 there was a good supply of sailing ships for long- distance transportation, and a large number of horses to pull wagonloads of goods and people. By 1920, a century later, times had changed: ocean liners with huge engines were becoming common, and the automobile was quickly taking over from the horses. A hundred years later, in 2020, large ships across the ocean were joined by large airplanes, and thousands of semi- trucks on interstate highways.

Now we have some new problems: can the highways keep up with traffic, and where will we get fuel for the level of usage we now have? Many voices in science and industry 232 E Main St, Lebanon, OH 45036 suggest that we use electricity in place of fossil fuels. (513) 932-7691 There is much discussion and debate on this kind of change. https://st-patricks-lebanon.org/ What makes the debate more critical is the looming climate crisis and its impact on our planet. That becomes a spiritual Parish Priest: Fr. John Agbaje, Interim crisis. As Christians, we are called to care for all creation. So Senior Warden: Nancy Smith the conversation has to be bigger than just about fuel Junior Warden: Todd Rockstroh sources. Vestry Bill Lasher Steve Belknap Kaila Cox Shelly Kilgallon Brad Knapp Kelly Dreyer Kellie Bogen Sunday Worship Service Wayne Spary

10:00 a.m. Facebook Virtual Choir Director and Organist: Damian Stout Treasurer: Wayne Spary Financial Secretary: Jeff Lane Office Manager: Kellie Bogen Children’s Education: Jill Lane Good Shepherd Preschool: Mary Lasher & Jill Lane Shamrock Editor: Leo Cronin Head Teller: Nancy Smith Altar Guild: Molly Wolford Greenhouse, Inc.: Mary Lasher Brendan House: Todd Rockstroh

TO TAKE THE LOVE OF CHRIST INTO THE WORL D