MARCH 2009 | ADVENT THE BRANCH The Newsletter of St. Bartholomew’s Church

March 2009

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:5,8 NIV

Our Mission

We are a family of believers (kingdom community), on a journey to the fulfillment of our Top: New Vestry Members !from left" # Adam Wirdzek, Vanessa Hardy, Carmen Hall and Dorman Burtch. God-given purpose. Photos by Katherine Bomboy Our mission is: St. B’s 55th Annual Meeting: An Invitation to Be a Part of The Story 1) To bring people to know Jesus Christ; by Pam White, Director of Operations 2) To provide clear and life-changing n Sunday, February 8th, St. B’s area. Each of the 32 eating tables was discipleship training; held our 55th Annual Meeting. decorated di$erently to represent the 3) To help people discern their life’s OWe had 350 people !children ministries and missions of St. B’s. A purpose and provide and adults" in attendance who enjoyed a prize !a %10 St. B’s bookstore gift opportunities for them to fulfill delicious potluck supper made by certificate" was awarded to each that purpose in ministry and members of St. B’s. member of the “table” who could mission. The fruit of our endeavor correctly identify the most number of The gymnasium was decorated in a is that God be glorified in all the ministries as represented by the world (worship). storybook theme with lights, ivy and various tables. candles interspersed throughout the Continued on page 4

The Branch # Sept 2008 # Page 1 St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church INSIDE 4800 Belmont Park Terrace Nashville, TN 37215 Kingdom Talk # Fr. Jerry Smith&&& 3 Phone: 615.377.4750 Email: churcho'[email protected] The Warden’s Report # Andy Valentine&& 5 Staff A Missional Life # Fr. Dixon Kinser&& 6 You Doing OK? # Fr. Randy Hoover#Dempsey& 7 Clergy: The Rev. Dr. Jerry Smith, Rector Annual Meeting Photos&&&& 8#9 The Rev. Randy Hoover Dempsey, Ruminations # Marjie Smith&& & & 10 ! Assistant Rector for Pastoral Care The Rev. Dixon Kinser, Assistant Rector for The Wonder of it All # Carla Schober&& 12 ! Youth & Young Adult Formation The Rev. John Awan, Sudanese ministry 10 at 10 # Carla Schober&&&& 13 The Rev. Albino Gur Maror, Sudanese ministry The Rev. David Wilson, Pastoral Associate A Family Example&&&&& 15#16 Maggie Ward Remembered&&&& 17 Office: Pam White, Director of Operations Live Green &&&&&& 18 Jane Long, Office Manager Annie Heyward, administrative assistant Everyday Heroes # Carmen Hall&&& 21 Erin Somerville, Director of Communications Becky Hornsby, Childcare Coordinator Beyond the Numbers # Pam White&&& 21#22 From Glory to Glory&& & & & 23 Parish Ministry: Carla Schober, ! Director of Family and Children's Formation Aaron Mayo, Children’s Ministry Assistant Carmen Hall, Preschool Coordinator Meredith Flynn, Nursery Director Kristin Kinser, Elementary Coordinator Shelby Haggard, Sunday morning leader Steve Lefebvre, Assistant Director for ! Youth & College Formation

St. B’s Bookstore: Allison Hardwick, Manager

Preschool & Mother’s Day Out: Suzy Floyd, preschool director Mary Ellen Ratcliffe, preschool exec. assistant

Music: Eric Wyse, Director of Music Tom Howard, Associate Music Director Teresa Robinson, Administrative Assistant Mimi Heldman & Donna Easter at the Annual Meeting. Henry Martin, Sound Engineer Photo by Katherine Bomboy. Vestry Members Articles and photos for the Easter Branch Andy Valentine, senior warden must be submitted no later than April 10 Charlie Reasor, junior warden !Good Friday". Greg Daniel, Dick Jewell, Vanessa Hardy, Adam Wirdzek, Carmen Hall, Dorman Burtch, Denise Articles can be sent to: Kemp, Jud Laughter, Ashley MacLachlan, Paul Miller, Charlie Reasor. (Officers: Steve Thorne, interim [email protected] treasurer and Gary Mumme, vestry clerk)

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 2 Make Lent a Season of Surrender

am writing this while in the Instead, I have middle of a week#long pre# been coming to I Lenten retreat. realize just how KINGDOM TALK much I have by Fr. Jerry Smith As well as reading both Scripture and been projecting some good devotional books, I have Rector, to God my own St. Bartholomew’s been spending a lot of time reflecting human heart. on one particular prayer in the Book of Anne Lamott is Common Prayer. If Lent is to be a credited with season of self#evaluation and increased saying that we know how much we All of the above made me wonder just devotion then this prayer has been the have made God in our own image how much I really want to be wholly perfect springboard for me this week. when He hates all the same things and His, utterly dedicated to Him. Almighty and eternal God, so people we do. If I really care for those for whom God draw our hearts to you, so Lent is a season to allow God to be cares then there is no option but to guide our minds, so fill our God and allow His heart to consume make Lent a season of relinquishment imaginations, so control our our own. and surrender. On the other hand, I wills, that we may be wholly can so easily develop a theology that yours, utterly dedicated unto While away I had to own allows me to hold on to my life. Our you; and then use us, we pray, that more often that I want to culture tells me I am entitled to that, as You will, and always acknowledge, I am the master of my although in the depths of my heart I to you glory and the welfare of own mind. I read what supports what I know better. I know that I am not my your people; through our Lord already believe; I think in pretty much own, as I have been purchased by and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. the same way that I have for years; and Jesus’ free will o$ering of his life on !BCP page 832" as much as I like to think I challenge my behalf. In the recesses of my heart, my intellect it is very easy for me to I was taken back by the implication I know that all that I think is live in the same comfort zones, seldom that God wants all of us to be living for important in this life is fleeting and venturing out to new places. his glory and for the welfare of his illusionary. I know that which the people. None of us seems to be The realm of my own imagination has world o$ers is pale in comparison to immune from this. But what does it challenged me. How very gripping it what God provides. But the voices of take to be living this kind of life? can be and so deceptive! Our culture is this world are so strong! built on the capturing of our The “purifier’s fire” began to burn Lent is to be a time of quieting those imaginations and making us believe in around my toes when I went back and voices by providing space for God’s a reality that is often counterfeit. We began to seriously reflect on to break through in our lives. It allow television and other media to answer to that question: “Draw our is to be our “retreat” to see what the create an unrealistic world, airbrushed hearts to you, so guide our minds, so nature of our hearts, minds, and beautiful, which makes this actual fill our imaginations, so control our imaginations and wills are really like. If world pale and unappealing. wills, that we may be wholly yours, we dare take up the challenge of Lent Consequently, we are tempted to be utterly dedicated unto you.” we are assured of an enlightening, voyeurs rather than participants in the demanding and yet refreshing time as I found myself realizing how much I unfolding of God’s story, because the Father of all Creation stirs new life want to protect my heart rather than participation demands we face the in us this season. As Lent does fall in allowing it to be consumed by devotion truth about the false paradigms we the spring season so may this be a to God. You see, He wants that we love have been living in. what he loves and He wants us to season of spring to our souls. I have realized how much I cling to my forgive as His heart is willing to will. I like to be self#determining. God forgive. He wants that we be grieved wants me to relinquish my will to Him by what grieves Him. He wants that You may contact but this means I give up control. Being our heart become as much like His as Jerry Smith at: human, I like the power of control. Jesus’ heart was like His. [email protected]

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 3 55th Annual Meeting !continued from page 1"

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Maureen Smith, by Pam White Malcolm Director of Operations White, Jackson The theme of the evening was “Be a White, Beth Ramsay, Brea Part of the Story” ( the St. B’s Story. Cox, Ann Denson, Fr. Jerry urged people to partner with Katherine Bomboy, Erin him in ministry through giving of their Somerville, Annie time, talents and treasurers. The Heyward, Jane Long, analogy of a millipede was provided as Allison Hardwick, Henry the legs of the millipede were Martin, Manaen Hall and compared to the members of our the 3rd and 4th grade church family. When all the legs of the Sunday millipede are working together and School class. moving forward the millipede is able to accomplish much. Just as when all the members of St. B’s !not just a few" are using their time, talents and treasures collectively, we are able to do great things for the Kingdom of God. A narrative budget was given by Fr. Jerry and Pam White, Director of Operations. The total 2009 operating budget is %1,401,186 with the breakdown as follows: 34) Discipleship !adult, youth and children", 30) Mission and Outreach, 20) Worship, 16) Ministries !pastoral care and fellowship". Four new vestry members were elected to replace the outgoing members !Sarah Bell Earley, Mavis Harrop, Tom Howard and Harry Xanthopolous". As done during the past two years, the election was conducted through the drawing of “lots”. The four new vestry members chosen were Dorman Burtch, Adam Wirdzeck, Vanessa Hardy, and Carmen Hall. Many thanks to all those who volunteered their time and talents in making our annual meeting such a success! Thank you to Donna Easter, Dick Jewell, Mimi Heldman, Sarah Earley, Clara Earley, Jamie Myatt, Photos by Katherine Bomboy

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 4 The Vestry and Lent A call to prayer from the new Senior Warden

THE WARDEN’S REPORT physical plant. We are called and elected to make material decisions that by Andy Valentine may have dramatic spiritual Senior Warden of the Vestry repercussions. What if we vote to not fund a ministry that God is calling the parish to do? What if we put the he Lord be with you” # the to that still small voice of God that churches resources into projects that salutation of Christians calls us to a true knowledge of the prayerful consideration would lead us “T from almost the beginning “Lord with us”. to avoid. Many voices, not all of them of the Church. Sometimes The vestry is not immune to this spiritually motivated, make an we forget that in English pressure. We are called and elected to argument for their particular “need” b! is also present tense. We are not be stewards of the church’s material and these arguments can be very wishing or hoping, but stating that the goods, its finances, grounds and persuasive. Lord is with us NOW. Entering the Lenten season, we are well served to Pray especially for the vestry as the church enters the Lenten season. Pray stop our busy lives long enough to The worship of dwell for these weeks on the that we, the vestry members, will put marvelous fact that Christ abides in us. Mammon is simply the aside the pressure of life experienced by every single person on the vestry The census of religious adherents rank belief that material and turn to that part of ourselves that the major religions but never mention things of this world can acknowledges the Lord is indeed with the religion most people on this planet us. Pray that we give up any pride in give their allegiance to, the worship of protect us, insulate us our knowledge and ability. Pray that we Mammon. The worship of Mammon is from the ugliness that turn this knowledge and ability over to simply the belief that material things the service of and guidance by the of this world can protect us, insulate us exists in the world or can Holy Spirit that In Him, With Him from the ugliness that exists in the and through Him we can wisely do the world or can indeed give us comfort. indeed give work to which we have been called. We become so busy that we forget to us comfort. meditate and pray without ceasing and become deaf

New Vestry O'cers elected in February by Pam White, Director of Operations New Vestry Officers & Members: through April as acting treasurer upon t February’s vestry meeting, Len !current treasurer" and Jane Senior Warden: Andy Valentine Andy Valentine was elected Harrison’s move to Ohio mid Junior Warden: Charlie Reasor A senior warden and Charlie February. Reasor, junior warden. Gary Clerk: Gary Mumme Vestry meetings are open to St. B’s Mumme will be replacing Interim Treasurer: Steve Thorne members and are held the second Whit Smyth as vestry clerk, and a new Monday of each month at 6:30pm in New Vestry Members: Adam treasurer is yet to be determined. In the parish hall. Wirdzek, Vanessa Hardy, Carmen the interim, Steve Thorne will serve Hall, Dorman Burtch

The Branch # March 2009 # Page 5 “I Do that Everyday!” Learning to Feast Well This Lent

A MISSIONAL LIFE by Fr. Dixon Kinser Assistant Rector for Youth & Young Adult Formation

im Ga'gan is one of my to indulge and binge. As favorite stand#up comedians. Ga'gan says, we do that every J His jokes are that perfect mix of day. Unfortunately this robs us truth and silliness that get me of our ability to actually take every time. On his last record he has a pleasure in the things we are bit where he examines all of our consuming. We diminish our holidays and makes humorous capacity for enjoyment through commentary on how Americans constant engorgement such that traditionally celebrate them. Here’s feasting seems not only odd, but what he has to say about Thanksgiving: out of place. But it shouldn’t be. Not for Christians. “Then there’s Thanksgiving. The tradition there is that we over eat. I’m This is why Sundays in Lent are thinking that’s not much of a tradition, marked as feast days. Not only I do that everyday!” is Sunday the day we gather to celebrate the feast of the world’s Comedian Jim Ga'gan Ga'gan’s commentary on American redemption !the Eucharist", but it what to do with pleasure, as much as gluttony is always spot#on but I think is also the day we take up what we’ve he also gives Christians a good we learn how to do without it? been abstaining from and practice challenge in their practice of Lenten enjoying it rightly. We test the waters Consider this if you have chosen to disciplines. We need to be as good as at of our souls to see how we are learning give something up for Lent. Make sure feasting as we are at fasting. God#blessed enjoyment every time we you work on feasting as hard as you Each Lenten season Christians all over feast. This is why feasting and fasting work on fasting. Celebration is a part the world engage the season by taking should always go hand in hand. Like of the kingdom of God that comes on a unique spiritual discipline. Often work and Sabbath, we cannot know through su$ering, so we should work this discipline involves abstaining from one without the other. to keep them together. Then feasting will not seem absurd, like Ga'gan’s a particular luxury food item or leisure This is hard for Christians living in the take on Thanksgiving, but like the activity. Common choices include United States to intuit. Our consumer chocolate, co$ee, and video games. most natural culmination of a fast well culture predisposes us to crash#diet accomplished. The point is to practice su$ering and forms of ascetic spirituality as we try embrace it as a transformative to compensate for the fact that we Christian discipline. This is an indulge all the time. This is where, extremely helpful custom. However, oddly enough, Jim Ga'gan becomes a choosing the right thing in our culture helpful spiritual teacher. Perhaps the can be a little tricky. very things we over do everyday are I believe this is because in order to fast exactly the right things to give up for well, one must also be able to feast Lent because we can practice enjoying well, and that is something we do not them properly every Sunday. What if know how to do. Sure, we know how our orientation this Lent is to learn

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 6 Trusting Jesus During Lent

say to this? We the world in His human body. The are to say, “Yes.” Church is not our idea. The Church is YOU DOING OK? The Church is God’s idea. We recognize that Jesus is by Fr. Randy Hoover-Dempsey composed of the Lord of the Church, not us. We human beings, believe that Jesus guides and therefore, the accomplishes His purposes through Church is sinful the work of the Church. ove the Lord your God with a" your in what it believes and what it does. heart and with a" your soul and This doctrine of the Church takes a lot L#ith a" your mind and with a" In fact, the Church loses nothing by of pressure o$ of us. Our job is not to your strength. Love your neighbor as confessing its sinful state. Jesus came guide and correct the Church of Jesus yourself. to “call sinners.” The Church is the Christ. That is the work of Jesus and of refuge of sinners. The Church only the Holy Spirit. But, you ask, what Why do you hear this talked about so loses when it falsely believes that it is a about the error#prone national church? much at St. B’s? Isn’t the message The Episcopal Church is not our Lord about love sort of vague and mushy? and Savior. Our hope is not in The Do we talk about love as a way of We preach of the need Episcopal Church, nor the Baptist avoiding the more controversial issues Church, nor the Church of Christ, nor of the day? for compassion and love the “you#fill#in#the blank” church. Our Our message about the need to love is because we have a very hope is in Jesus Christ. based in three key ideas that are We preach of the need for compassion foundational to Christianity: Sin; the high doctrine of Jesus and love because we have a very high Church; and the work of Jesus Christ. Christ. We find our doctrine of Jesus Christ. We find our These three ideas are also Lenten salvation in Him and in Him alone. themes, so my hope is that you will be salvation in Him and in This does not mean that what we do is stimulated to reflect on these ideas Him alone. not important. Daily and weekly we during Lent. call people to receive Jesus Christ as First of all, there is the doctrine of sin. Savior and as Lord. As Savior He has Sin is our willful disobedience to God. place of purity. Why has Saint died for our sins on the cross. As Sin results in a broken relationship Bartholomew’s not left The Episcopal Savior He cleanses us from our sins, so that we do not have to remain captive between us and God and broken Church, whose faults many people* to past and present error. As Lord he relationships between us and others. especially Episcopalians*are ready to guides us and corrects us. That is the We believe that sin is universal* point out? We haven’t left because we present in each human being and in all take sin seriously. Wherever we go our work of Jesus Christ. social relationships*and that sin sins will find us out. And wherever we Part of our sinfulness is that we want infects everything we do. go, the sins of our brothers and sisters to do the work that belongs to Jesus. The practical consequence of sin is will have preceded us. We want to sit in judgment on the Church and guide the Church in the that, as Paul frequently warns, we do Which brings us to our doctrine of the not do what we ought to do, even if we Church. Many of us have been way in which we think it should go. In want very badly to do good. A major wounded in the Church and the the same way, we want to sit in judgment of one another. If Christ has theme of church discussion these days Church has made many blunders. So, received us in our sinful state, if Christ is that part of the Church is being why put up with it? We put up with the is transforming our lives through ungodly. Some argue that the Church is Church because it is the Body of ungodly because it strays from Christ. The Church is Jesus in the scripture and community, can we not scripture; others argue that the Church world today. The Church is doing the trust Him to do the same with the Church and with others? is ungodly because it denies the human things that Jesus did when He walked dignity of all people. What are we to Continued on page 11

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Photos by Katherine Bomboy

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Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 9 Co$ee Shop Talk

RUMINATIONS As well as dropping The gaze returned by my African# by Marjie Smith the concept that American server told me instantly that Canada is a$ected I had made some sort of ga$e. [email protected] by cold fronts from “Wheat,” she asked, shortly. “Uh, Texas and that the yeah,” I said, not exactly sure what ou never really know what you North Pole comes “wheat” meant, since all bread was are going to write about until under Canada’s sovereign land# pretty much wheat, unless you were Y your fingers hit . I had holdings, she noted some of the ordering “rye.” di$erences in terminology. The one intended to write about a deer trapped On another occasion, His Collarship that especially caught her fancy was in a fence wire that was rescued by His was enjoying, or perhaps spilling, brown !bread" toast. She wrote: Collarship on his way to church. He co$ee at a Tim Horton’s in Ohio. He waded through hip#deep snow to free “Brown toast ( the first time I heard went to the counter and asked the it with a set of wire cutters. But I’ll let Aaron order his toast brown, I thought server if she had a serviette. She looked you keep wondering why a priest would he was either being racist or at him, quizzically, and he caught be equipped with wire cutters instead sarcastically telling the server he himself, explaining, as I rarely do, that of holy hardware. wanted his toast toasted. Turns out it's he meant napkin and that serviette was For, currently, I am thinking about a common Canadian way to order a Canadian word. wheat toast.” co$ee shops. “Well, honey,” she said, “You’re in This, in turn, was sparked by an America now.” And she handed him a napkinette. Of course, as a mother interesting list of 25 random thoughts In the way that my mind I received from our daughter#in#law, raised by my children who loved to Meredith, whom many of you know, drifts and flaps, like a mimic new sayings, I regularly chirped in a lousy Ohio accent when His love and miss. I think we both enjoy plastic bag in a the irony of living in each other’s Collarship was acting too Canadian countries, married to men in service to windstorm, I thought even for me, “Honey, you’re in the body of Christ !the latter is not America, now.” about other co$ee shop the irony". In the way that my mind drifts and The random#thoughts exercise is experiences over the flaps, like a plastic bag in a windstorm, making the rounds on Facebook, an years, and how they I thought about other co$ee shop Internet social#networking site. The experiences over the years, and how idea is that you write 25 reflect on all they reflect on all of us as humans random thoughts, tag of us as interacting. folks you know, and 25 random thoughts There was a favorite little Tim encourage them to do humans Horton’s co$ee shop in North Bay the same thing. Most interacting. where His Collarship and I liked to people write about their rendezvous in the middle or at the end own lives and habits of a day filled with the busyness of two and I’m truly enjoying demanding careers and teenage what pours forth. But children. We would order at the drive Meredith was much more creative. That took me to some early U.S.# through, our tastes as opposite as our residency experiences, which almost She wrote 25 random facts about personalities, and park at the always seemed to occur in co$ee Canada, a humorous and informative waterfront where we would talk, sip shops. In the first case, I was ordering and watch the wonder of people at play list of tidbits that tells me she is doing a sandwich in Chicago. The server her homework much faster than I did. and God’s wonderful water#meets# asked what kind of bread and I earth displays. responded, automatically, “Brown.” Continued on next page

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 10 Ruminations !continued from page 10"

The experience was that much warmer have been di$erent if His Collarship continued forward towards the brick one day when the co$ee cups had been in professional attire and wall. They tried to hail him, but he produced at the window had scrawled were equally certain that the premier paid no heed and his car crashed into across the lids, rather than R and D would not appreciate how regular folks the wall. The two men exchanged !for regular and decaf", “His” and were being treated in his backyard. We glances and in that look agreed that “Hers.” made sure he found out. some handicaps are self#inflicted. At that same co$ee shop, His As I come to think of it, that co$ee At that same entrance, also with a Collarship, who was dressed in day#o$ shop served as a benchmark for companion, His Collarship found a scrubs, parked his motorbike, which thoughts and relationships in the 11 %20 bill tucked in between the he owned at the time, and went in to years that we lived in North Bay, for I pavement and the sidewalk. He picked get a co$ee. A young ‘suit’ approached immediately think of two more it up, walked into the shop and popped him and asked him if he could please anecdotes that spill forth from that it into the charity box at the counter. I move his bike as the premier !read humble but busy place. think that story, more than anything, governor" of the province was coming speaks to me of the integrity of the In one instance, His Collarship was with his entourage and needed the man who has been my companion for joining someone for co$ee when they parking spot. Well, the premier was 36 years. Most of us would have been saw an able#bodied man in a hurry from the city, knew us professionally tempted to buy co$ee for ourselves park in the handicap spot next to the and was Anglican to boot. We were and our companion with it. door and run to the entrance. As he pretty sure that the treatment would did so, his car, which was still in gear

Trusting Jesus !continued from page 7" 2nd Annual Jambalaya & Jazz Fest At a recent clergy retreat our Bishop, John Bauerschmidt, said that part of Sunday, April 19 our work as Christians today is to live Time:!12:00pm - 3:00pm in the midst of contradiction. Jesus did not make life more simple for the Food:"Cajun cuisine for lunch as well as people of faith of His day. He kid friendly food troubled the waters. Jesus did not behave as they thought He should Activities:"Bounce house and behave. He brought the people of parade for the kids. faith in His day to a place of contradiction in which they had to radically put their trust in Him. It is Music:"Great the same with us. jazz music May we wrestle with the throughout the day contradictions that Jesus brings us Cost: $6 per person age 10 during Lent. May we love the Lord and up, $4 per child ($24 with all our hearts and love our maximum per family). neighbors as ourselves. May we radically put our trust in Him.

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 11 J A N U A R Y 0 9 The Cloak of Invisibility THE TWIG THE WONDER OF IT ALL Children’s Ministry at St. Bartholomew’s by Carla Schober Director of Family & Children’s Formation don’t even have children in the program but are serving you and your s a young girl I was one of those children that slipped child out of their hearts for the Lord? To me these volunteers are part of our A under the radar. I was average that is ignored or misunderstood as family, not outside babysitters. They at best, chubby, bucktoothed and simply being childcare. For parents, it’s are among the most kind, loving and pimpled. To say I was shy would be an often a safe and active children’s or gifted people I’ve ever met and they understatement. I’d be the one youth ministry that help them choose standing o$ to the side from a giggling which church to attend. But once that spend hours with your child each month. group of girls or the one who wouldn’t comfort is there, this ministry can look you in the eyes when talked to. It easily turn invisible to the parent As one of many possible Lenten wasn’t as if I wanted to be invisible, or except when a volunteer is running late disciplines, here’s one to consider. How that I wanted any special treatment. I or some type of mishap presents itself. about acting on ways to lift o$ the Invisible? If you’re a parent, ask wanted to know how to fit in, couldn’t cloak of invisibility on ministries in the figure it out on my own, and it yourself, do you remember the last church that we don’t normally think appeared no one cared. I felt like I was time you thanked your child’s teacher of? Children’s ministry is just one of covered under a cloak of invisibility. many. Find out more about the people that not only serve our children but I can now look back at those years as a blessing in disguise. Sure I felt ugly and As one of many serve you each Sunday that rarely get thanked or acknowledged. Ask lonely, but who doesn’t at times? When yourself questions about the invisible we feel emotional about something, possible Lenten servants of the church. Who puts the right or wrong, we can learn from disciplines, here’s one flowers out each Sunday or cleans the those experiences and how to reach out to others. Nowadays, if I see a to consider. How linens? Who picks up the bulletins between services that are casually left child or adult o$ to themselves it in the pews? Who cleans up the co$ee doesn’t conjure up bad memories of about acting on ways makers on a Sunday afternoon? These how I once felt, but rather I feel like jobs are not done by paid sta$, they’re the Lord reminds me that I should to lift o$ the cloak of reach out to them as I wished others done by volunteers who serve invisibly invisibility on for the Lord and you. And, if you have had reached out to me. Invisibility can children in our St. B’s children’s Sunday be a good time to set foundations. But, ministries in the school classes, get to know what you do with those foundations is their teachers. what is most important. church that we don’t

As someone who can understand the normally think of? As a family member at St. B’s, you have that right to be invisible and silently sit pluses of being invisible, it doesn’t back, worship and observe each come as any surprise that I work in Sunday without anyone getting to children’s ministry. It’s one of those know you. You may need a time of invisible ministries that can have deep as you dropped your child o$? Do you impact on someone for the rest of healing and rest. But, I encourage you know their names or what Bible story not to be invisible out of fear or hurt their life, and can a$ect an entire they taught that day? Do you realize as I once was. It kept me thinking of family from the bottom up. To those that many of these men and women myself and wondering what others without children, it’s often a ministry

Continued on page 14

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 12 10 at 10 A New Opportunity for Family Formation During Lent by Carla Schober Director of Family & Children’s Formation provided along cracks in the wall. what He has done for you or others t 10:10 am for approximately These requests will be kept during this season of Lent. At the end 10 minutes each Sunday we confidential, will be removed each of Lent, these precious stones A invite you to participate in Monday and prayed over by pastoral exclaiming God’s provision and grace several contemplative stations situated sta$ and intercessors throughout the will be spread throughout our garden around St. B’s. These week. areas as a physical reminder of God’s stations are for blessings to our St. additional worship, B’s family. prayer, or as a place Stations of of o$ering. Each 10 at 10:00 Repentance: station is available Sunday Lenten Stations Located within the for individual ;45+#12'34/#0(,#<=#:%'2"*-#0,(:#<=>==4:?<=><=4:@#/(2#4,*#%'A%"*3#"(#.4,"%5%.4"*#%'#4#'*$#B*'"*'#.,45"%5*#%'A(&A%'6# 5('"*:.&4"%A*#-"4"%('-7#C+*#.2,.(-*#(0#"+*-*#-"4"%('-#%-#"(#*'5(2,46*#%'3%A%324&-#4'3#04:%&%*-#"(#,*D&*5"#('#$(,-+%.# separate walled area reflection, however, 4'3#.,4/*,#4-#4'#(00*,%'6#"(#E(3#32,%'6#B*'"7##F&"+(26+#"+*#,*D&*5"%('-#:4'/#)*#3('*#%'3%A%324&&/@#$*#*'5(2,46*#/(2# "(#.4,"%5%.4"*#%'#"+*:#$%"+#0,%*'3-#4'3#04:%&/#:*:)*,-#$+*'#.(--%)&*7## in the gym will be we encourage you !"#"$%&'"(')*()+,-'-*'-.+'/+&01%$+#'2%"$"(3'2%$$'4.+&+' contemplative "(5"6"50%$1'107#"-',&%8+&'&+90+1-1'%(5',$%)+'-.+#'"(-*'-.+' to participate in #*&-%&')&%):1'"('-.+'1-*(+1;'-.+!"#$!%&'!()*+,)!-*..'1+&6+1'%1' stations dealing with %',$%)+'<*&'#+#7+&1'-*'107#"-',&%8+&1'+%).'!0(5%8' Praise Rock them with friends "(5"6"50%$$8'*&'%1'%'<%#"$8=''!$",1'*<',%,+&'%(5',+(1'4"$$'7+'1+-' the concept of *0-'-*'4&"-+'5*4(',&%8+&'&+90+1-1'+%).'!0(5%8'#*&("(3'%(5'' Monument or family members "('-0&('-.+',&%8+&1'4"$$'7+' Christ’s forgiveness <*$5+5'%(5'1$",,+5'"(-*'-.+' Prayer Wall !0&&*0(5"(3'-.+'3%-+5'3%&5+('%&+%'%-'-.+'<&*(-'*<'-.+' whenever possible. >)&%):1?'"('*0&'4%$$'78' ).0&).'"1'-.+'C+(-+('D&%"1+'@*):'B*(0#+(-=''E."1'%&+%' and love for us. This -.*1+'&+90+1-"(3',&%8+&='' 1+&6+1'%1'%'#*(0#+(-'<*&'"(5"6"50%$1'%(5'<%#"$"+1'-*'7&"(3' @+90+1-1'4"$$'7+':+,-' What a wonderful %'1-*(+'4"-.'%'4&"--+(',&%"1+'%(5'-.%(:'8*0'-*'-.+'C*&5'<*&' area will be set up )*(A"5+(-"%$'%(5'&+#*6+5' 4.%-'F+'.%1'5*(+'50&"(3'-."1'1+%1*('*<'C+(-=''G-''-.+'+(5'*<' +%).'B*(5%8'%(5',&%8+5' way to get to know C+(-;'-.+1+',&+)"*01'1-*(+1'+H)$%"#"(3'I*5J1',&*6"1"*('%(5' with intent for quiet *6+&'78'-.+',%1-*&%$'1-%<<' 3&%)+'4"$$'7+'1,&+%5'-.&*03.*0-'*0&'3%&5+('%&+%1'%1'%' %(5'"(-+&)+11*&1'50&"(3' each other better as ,.81")%$'&+#"(5+&'*<'I*5J1'7$+11"(31'-*'*0&'!-='KJ1'<%#"$8= and peaceful -.+'4++:= you reflect on what contemplation. the Lord is Room 112: Prayer Room Lenten Families are invited showing you. M0&"(3'C+(-'@**#'NOOP'"1' Offerings: to participate; %6%"$%7$+'%1'%',&%8+&'%(5' #+5"-%-"*('&**#=''Q*&'-.*1+'(+4' Children’s however, remind A short explanation -*'-.+',&%)-")+'*<'L.&"1-"%(' #+5"-%-"*(;'-.+&+'4"$$'7+'1%#,$+1' Formation *<'5"<<+&+(-'-+).("90+1= M0&"(3'C+(-')."$5&+('4"$$'7+'&+#"(5+5'*<'-.+' your children that we of each station is *,,*&-0("-8'-*'3"6+'1,+)"%$'*<<+&"(31'-*'*0&'!-=' KJ1'B"11"*('%(5'R0-&+%).'#"("1-&"+1=''C*)%-+5' all must respect each listed below. A more *0-1"5+'+%).'*<'-.+')."$5&+(J1'!0(5%8'1).**$' 5**&1'4"$$'7+'%')*(-%"(+&'S<*&'*<<+&"(31T'%(5'%' other’s quiet time. detailed description Stations of ,*1-+&'$"1-"(3'%$$'-.+'#"("1-&"+1'10,,*&-+5'78'!-=' KJ1=''2+'%1:'<*&',%&+(-%$'10,,*&-'"('-.+' will be available at Repentance 5*(%-"*(',&*)+11=''!"#$%&&#'("#)*#"+*# Library ! Prayer C*)%-+5'4"-."('-.+'1+,%&%-+'4%$$+5'%&+%'"(' ,*-.('-%)%&%"/#(0#"+*#12'34/#-5+((&#"*45+*,#"(# each site. -.+'38#'4"$$'7+'')*(-+#,$%-"6+'1-%-"*(1' 5(&&*5"#"+*#(00*,%'6-#%'#5&4--7##84"+*,#$*#4-9#"+4"# Room: During Lent 5+%$"(3'4"-.'-.+')*()+,-'*<'L.&"1-J1' .4,*'"-#"49*#"+*#"%:*#$%"+#"+*%,#5+%&3#"(#3,(.#"+*# (00*,%'6#%'#"+*#5('"4%'*,#4-#/(2#-%6'#"+*:#%'7'' will be Prayer Wall: <*&3"6+(+11'%(5'F"1'$*6+'<*&'01=''E."1'%&+%' 4"$$'7+'1+-'0,'4"-.'"(-+(-'<*&'90"+-'%(5' E.+&+'4"$$'%$1*'7+'%'/U!V'*<<+&"(3'7%1:+-'%-'-.+' ,+%)+<0$')*(-+#,$%-"*(='' )."$5&+(J1'<*&#%-"*('-%7$+'"<'8*0').**1+'-*' available as a prayer Similar in concept 5*(%-+')$*-."(3'"-+#1'"(1-+%5= to the Jerusalem and meditation Wailing Wall, this Water Blessings room. For those new M0&"(3'C+(-'-.+',&%)-")+'*<'7$+11"(3'4"-.'.*$8'4%-+&'4"$$'7+'%'<*)%$',*"(-'"('-.+'5*4(1-%"&1'!0(5%8' to the practice of wall will be 1).**$'%&+%'*<'-.+',%&"1.'.%$$'70"$5"(3=''G3%"(1-'-.+'4%$$1'4"$$'7+'<*(-1'A"$$+5'4"-.'1%)&%#+(-%$'.*$8' 4%-+&'-*'7+'01+5'-*'7$+11'+%).'*-.+&'"('/+101J'(%#+=''E.+'"(-+(-'"1'<*&',%&+(-1'-*'7$+11'-.+"&')."$5&+(' Christian positioned in the %(5'<*&')."$5&+('-*'&+)",&*)%-+'%1'4+$$'%1'<&"+(51=''G'#*&+'-.*&*03.'+H,$%(%-"*('%(5'1%#,$+'$"-0&3")%$' 7$+11"(31'4"$$'7+'%6%"$%7$+'"('4&"--+('<*&#'%-'-.+')."$5&+(J1'<*&#%-"*('3&++-+&1'-%7$+=''' narthex for meditation, there individual or family will be samples of use. Slips of paper di$erent techniques. and pens will be set out for individuals Praise Rock Monument: Outside, Water Blessings: The practice of or families to write down their prayer near our new patio area, will be a sign blessing with holy water will begin to requests each Sunday morning. Each that marks an area where individuals or be a focal point as families or request should then be carefully folded families may bring a stone from home. individuals head for Sunday school. or rolled and slipped into the holes On each stone should be written Positioned against the walls will be praises and thanks to the Lord for

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Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 13 Invisibility !continued from page 12"

thought rather than getting past myself please step back into our St. B’s family I pray for us all that this Lenten season to look at what other’s may want or life; there is always room for you. A brings joy of new and rekindled need. Don’t assume that if you’re new true family, a family centered around relationships, continued opening up of to St. B’s it will be hard to fit in. Step Christ’s love, not only shares the table ministry to and through us, and a out and know there are many of us with each other, but shares in each deepening sense of God’s purpose in that do want to know you better. And, others lives, in the good and the bad, our lives. for those of you who have been at St. in silence and in the blessing of serving B’s for many years but have one another. disappeared from active engagement,

Annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt Coming in April

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 11th from 9:30-10:30 for our annual St. B’s Children’s Easter Egg Hunt. Be on the lookout for additional information. However, if you are interested in helping this year, please contact Carla at [email protected].

10 at 10 !continued from page 13" fonts filled with sacramental holy children will be reminded of the teacher to collect the o$erings in class. water to be used to bless each other in opportunity to give special o$erings to Rather, we ask that parents take the Jesus’ name. This is not just for parents our St. B’s Mission and Outreach time with their child to drop the to use to bless their children. Children ministries. Located outside each of the o$ering in the container as you sign too can participate and bless their children’s Sunday school doors will be a them in. !If you prefer to o$er a gift of parents. Friends can bless each other. poster listing all the ministries that socks or underwear for the Jesu A more thorough explanation and their o$erings will help to support. ministry !RITI guests", another sample liturgical blessings will be Under the poster there will also be a collection box will be situated at the available in written form at the container where those o$erings are to children’s formation greeter’s table." children’s formation greeters table. be placed. We ask for parental support in the donation process. It will not be Lenten O"erings !children’s the responsibility of the Sunday school formation": For the Lenten season

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 14 A Family Example Room in the Inn with the 5th & 6th Grade Boys & Girls Club by Carla Schober Director of Family & Children’s Formation

n a world where families come in all shapes and sizes, it’s often I hard to describe what a healthy family should look like without coming across as judgmental. However, in the New Testament, the Lord does give us distinct pictures of how a healthy family of God should respond to each other that most certainly should be translated into our own homes and lifestyles. One recent example of being God’s family comes from the 5th & 6th Grade girls’ and boys’ clubs. Each year the girls & boys volunteer to serve our Room In the Inn !RITI" homeless guests one night. This involves a training session of how to show Christ’s love to men & women they would normally not come across during their week. With the leaders’ help the children role play di$erent homeless scenarios, plan out a meal and discuss ways to pray for their guests. Parents are then emailed a list of the menu items and volunteer which items their child will bring. In all the years I’ve worked with this age group, I have never seen such an incredible and quick response for donations. Within a day, all items on the list were spoken for and additional items were o$ered as special blessings to our guests for breakfast and take# away lunches. One of the leaders of the girls’ group, Mindy Mumme, sent out an email the morning after the RITI date thanking everyone. Mindy’s words of thanks not only give testimony to this exceptional group of children and parents, but

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Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 15 Room in the Inn !continued from page 11"

also gives a wonderful example of how a healthy family should behave. Mindy wrote, “What an incredible group of not only 5th and 6th graders we have, but parents as well. It was such a blessing to see how all of you went above and beyond to brings LOADS of food, and continue to serve throughout the entire evening. Not only did we serve our 12 hungry guests more than they could hold, but because of the way you reached out in love, their hearts and souls were fed by your dinner table conversation and the way you welcomed and reached out to them by listening and engaging them in conversation. I was blown away when I walked into the parish hall at one point during dinner and saw the kids scattered among our guests, enthusiastically sharing dinner and enthusiastically talking and laughing with our guests. What a blessing to work with your kids, and you parents. What can I say? Your support and eagerness to encourage your kids in their involvement in their church family is just phenomenal. Thanks to each of you. I'm sure that those of you who stayed to help last night were as proud as we were to see your amazing kids practicing love in action. You all surely demonstrated Paul's admonition from I Timothy to "do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share". Thank you children, parents and our club leaders, Katie Moessner and Gary and Mindy Mumme, for giving us all an example of a healthy, loving family with servants’ hearts.

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 16 Maggie Ward Remembered by Marjie Smith Jane observed that Maggie was !with excerpts from an article by Whit Smyth" honest about her faith but always found a way to stay in relationship t her own funeral, there was a with !and continue to serve" those moment when the church’s with whom she might have Upcoming Event A rector caught himself almost had disagreements. turning to ask Maggie Ward a question. Maggie, who died January 17, “I believe it was that she truly valued MOM’S TOGETHER has always been right there as the ‘universal church’ and figured we Friday, April 3rd, 9:30#11 chairwoman of St. Bartholomew’s altar should all find a way together. I will at the Rectory guild or in her various other roles, miss her ( her help, her kindness and o'cial and uno'cial, within the just her joyous presence,” she As a Mom with young children there are many times where you’d like to simply church. If she wasn’t ordering wine and said.+ wafers or cleaning up the altar after get together with other mom’s and their children for fun. Other times you may service, she was helping a bride get her Maggie, who grew up in Decatur, need a friendly voice to talk to, a dress adjusted before she walked down Alabama, in a Christ#oriented family, shoulder to cry on or an experienced told Whit Smyth, the aisle or helping set Mom’s advice. Moms Together will be who wrote a feature up a reception after a a group that will offer many options. St. B’s event. You might on Maggie and Bill find Maggie in the for The Branch, that Please plan to join us for our first official gathering. At this point, please plan to church nursery, where she cannot recall a bring your children. We are not sure if she loved to cradle the time in her life childcare will be available yet. when she didn’t babies, or you might However, if it’s not we will simply rotate have faith. Maggie find her at a diocesan Moms downstairs to supervise and give convention, as married Bill Ward each of you a chance to mingle president of the in 1972. Both upstairs. Please watch for additional diocesan Episcopal Maggie and Bill information in the E-News and Sunday Church women. have been stalwart bulletins mid-March. supporters of St. B’s If you have questions or would like to Maggie has been there in every way during for so many people in help organize, please contact Carla their time at St. B’s. Schober @ [email protected]. her family, her church community at St. Bartholomew’s and Maggie has also been a valued worker the broader diocesan and city with her field of accounting communities that people are going to throughout her life. She served in keep catching themselves half#turning many long#term managerial roles, to talk to her. As Jane Stranch, St. B’s including business manager for country step#grandchildren, Jennifer Ward, ECW president noted, Maggie was music legend Mel Tillis; manager with James Ward and Caitlyn Ward. Fireside Recording Studies and, until both a hard worker and great fun to Memorials were made to the St. her retirement recently, chief financial be around. Bartholomew's Memorials Fund and o'cer for Gett Communication. “I imagine she had a hard time saying Magdalene House. no to anyone because she loved to help Maggie is survived by her husband Bill, people and she was good at doing just sons, Smitty Carter of Olympia, WA that. As a result, she found herself in and Craig Carter; father, Cli$ord Sims leadership roles everywhere and she of Decatur, AL; brother, Wayne Sims undertook those roles with joy, of St. Augustine, FL; granddaughter, laughter and a willingness to do what it Nicole Carter of Olympia, WA; took to complete the job,” said stepchildren, Bill Ward of Hopkins, Jane. MN, Claiborne Ward and Jim Ward;

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 17 Lenten Limits

LIVE GREEN might be us where transportation becomes more freaked out by about us than about others. by Laura & Jud Laughter our walking [email protected] This reflection/rationalization game around naked. can be played with almost anything. Likewise, our Toothpaste helps me love my neighbor clothing ent has begun; a time set#aside by not repelling them. New socks help communicates a lot about us in the liturgical calendar for and may act as an invitation L us to pause for personal and for someone to approach us. communal reflection. As we discussed Dressing up a little for Upcoming Green Events in our Advent column, the American church or a special occasion tendency toward over#consumption The Diocese of Tennessee has may also be a way we makes this time of year a necessary formed a new environmental celebrate. However, there one; it’s not as if there’s a huge host in ministry "Living in Creation". may come a point where our culture telling us we should take clothing becomes more about time to think about the things we Below are some upcoming events. us and less about our consume. There’s also no one teaching neighbor. That line will be February 27-28 at Christ Church us how to reflect. What does it mean di$erent for everyone, but we Cathedral: to reflect? Can too much reflection be should each be aware of a bad thing? Dr. Luke Timothy Johnson presents where that line is. "Creation and Care of the Earth: A Allison Hardwick recently Food: Does consuming food Scriptural Approach to Environmental recommended Serve God Save the help us love our neighbor Concerns." Cost is $25 ($15 for students) Planet in which author J. Matthew more? Food does provide the and includes dinner Friday night. Sleeth proposes an interesting way to energy we need to operate in reflect on our consumption: before you society; it’s also a common buy anything, ask yourself “Will having setting for fellowship. March 28, 8:30 PM Central Time: this bring me closer to God?” That’s a However, this does not mean Earth Hour. great question, but it fails to address that all food is beneficial. the fact that we live in community The World Wildlife Fund asks individuals, Personally, we eat out too with others. Perhaps a better question businesses, governments, and often because of would be “How does this help me love organizations around the world to turn off convenience. Eating out with my neighbor more?” Answering this the lights for one hour to make a global other people is a good way to question in specific contexts becomes statement of concern about climate develop relationships, but an interesting game of reflection, but change. spending money there is always the possibility of unnecessarily because of our tending toward rationalization. Let’s own laziness is something we take a few examples and see where need to reconsider !maybe we’ll give me love my neighbor by making me we go. more likely to visit because my feet are that up for Lent". Clothing: Does consuming clothing more comfortable. New furniture Transportation: Does consuming help us love our makes my home a welcoming place in gasoline and automobiles help us love neighbor more? to which I am glad to invite others. our neighbor more? A reliable car Well, it does in expands the range we are able to travel However, there is a point at which the fact that reflection becomes rationalization for each day, allowing us to be in contact clothing with more people. However, just like each of these. A new home may allow allows us to with clothing, there is a line for each of me to o$er shelter to those who need interact with it, but am I really going to use a new others who home for that purpose? Going out with Continued on next page

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 18 Get Ready For Spring:! Be a Part of the St. B’s Gardening Group The Gardening Group will officially kick off their ministry this spring.! If you like the great outdoors, getting your hands dirty, fun and fellowship, and seeing immediate results from your labor, the Gardening Group is for you.! We will meet the second Saturday of each month, 8:00am – 12:00pm, beginning in March to help prune, weed, and plant flowers in the front and side gardens of the sanctuary. Come when you can and stay as long as you like.

The dates and activities for gardening for the next four months are as follows: Saturday, March 14, 8:00am-12:00pm (weeding and pruning – clean up the gardens for spring planting)

Saturday, April 11, 8:00am-12:00pm (time to plant flowers bring your gardening tools and some spring annuals to plant) Saturday, May 12, 8:00am-12:00pm (weeding and planting, also mulching) Saturday, June 13, 8:00am-12:00pm (TBD)

Live Green !continued from page 18"

friends is a good way to build parish family who encapsulated in just is really making us think about these community, but am I using it as an a few sentences what we were trying to issues, but hopefully bringing us back excuse to drink too much? A vacation communicate then, which becomes to the spiritual meaning in the end.” may help me recharge physically and prescient advice on how to reflect on If you want more specific instruction make me more pleasant to be around, our consumption during Lent: on how to reflect on consumption, but is the amount of time and money I “This year I just really wanted to up check out Buddy from New spend in concert with the benefits? the ante. I wanted to be more American Dream: www.newdream.org/ Lent is a call to reflection, but we must thoughtful about what and how I gave, walletbuddy.pdf. It’s a simple sleeve for be wary that our reflection does not to focus less on consuming. It's not your credit or debit card that will slip into rationalization, lest we always as easy to pull o$ though. I make you think before you buy develop a system that agree with you in that the challenge anything. Perhaps this Lent we could allows everything. lies with family and friends who don't all get into the habit of reflecting on In response to our Advent column want to adopt the same philosophy. I what we consume. about our Nothing New Christmas, we do think that this is one of the received a wonderful email from a benefits of the economic situation. It

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 19 Perfect Timing: ECW Spring Retreat March 20 #21 at St. Mary’s by Sue Pichert

he season of Lent is a time in the year when we T intentionally create some additional space in our lives to encounter God. Whether we give up something or add something during Lent, the purpose is to draw us closer to the heart of God. In keeping with this season, the ECW spring retreat provides an opportunity for women to get away from day#to#day demands on their time and energy so that space is opened up to hear and opportunity to do that, but we encounter God. Whether it’s trust the Spirit to guide that through the praise and worship process. The retreat provides times, times of fellowship with other opportunity and space and we women, hiking and enjoying nature, invite each woman to come with a or personal reflection time, space is heart open to receive all that God provided to draw closer to the heart wants to give. of God. The theme of this year’s retreat is “Living as Daughters of the The timing and King”, an invitation to consider what topic of this it means to live the vibrant adventure retreat seems God created us to live in relationship perfect and we with Him. In addition to reflections are really looking from our speaker, Debbie Smith, we forward to not will hear testimonies from three St. just hearing B’s women about their personal Debbie speak, journeys of drawing nearer to God. but also getting to know one I’ve been to other women’s retreats another better where there were goofy mixers and and taking time personal sharing times that made me out to allow God uncomfortable. Will I have to do to speak to us. If Above Left: We'll again welcome Debbie Smith as our speaker. those at this retreat? No! Although you need financial Above: This past fall’s retreat. there will be opportunities for small assistance please Photos by Katherine Bomboy. group discussion and sharing at the get in touch with retreat, no one will be called on or Sue Pichert at [email protected] retreat please go to the St. B’s asked to share. It’s up to each person or 356#0464. website: www.stbs.net. From the left to decide if and to what extent they hand menu under Ministries, click want to share or participate in small For more information on St. Mary’s on “Women” and follow the link to group discussion. Growing in Retreat Center go to our flyer, send an email to relationship with one another is an www.stmaryssewanee.org. [email protected], pick up a important aspect of our life together brochure on Sunday morning or call as a community, and the women’s For all the details, prices, directions Sue Pichert at 356#0464. retreat provides a golden and a full schedule of events at the

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 20 Everyday Heroes

by Carmen Hall of a recent experience in church. The a seminar by Dave Thomas of Daystar icture a nine year old boy in the younger children were joining the Ministries. He emphasized the room with your state of the art service around communion. An older increasing importance of non#family P work laptop. Do you let his child turned to look !and perhaps mentors in our children’s lives as they grimy fingers on it? What’s frown" upon one child making noise grow up. This is a concept that can more, do you encourage him to upon entrance. The older child’s eyes make us uncomfortable*we are not complete an important job*one met those of the Sunday School su'cient to provide all that we or our whose deadline looms in the next teacher*those eyes were beaming, children need. That means that I am hours? Sounds like the way of the fool, matching his smile to welcome the not in control, doesn’t it? This is really but, in fact, it’s the way of the pilgrim. energetic child. a picture of our spiritual condition. The day was Sunday, February 8. My Welcoming Our need for others son’s fourth grade Sunday School children in in the church reminds teacher was preparing for the annual Jesus’ name is us that we are but meeting as she is also St. B’s Director serious actors and God is the of Communications. Imagine my kingdom work. director. We can’t amazement when I watched this saint, I have fallen in make everything we Erin Somerville, let my son Manaen love with St. want happen and we “take over her computer.” She put B’s Sunday need to return to the relationship above task, slowing down School dependence we once her goal, letting him edit the teachers had###when we missionary videos for the evening’s because of welcomed him in “the presentation. Manaen !pronounced to their garden” and did not rhyme with cannon" spent the entire commitment hide. afternoon with Erin and her husband. to love the When Manaen needed a break, she children and This lent we can would gladly throw the football with give them a practice welcoming Manaen Hall him! Erin was not concerned with self# positive Him by welcoming promotion. At the end of the emotional experience. This is not children. Even warmly and presentation, the words were large on just about “warm fuzzies.” It’s a keen consistently greeting a child is a means the screen: “Edited by Manaen Hall.” understanding that following Jesus of grace. One night Manaen asked me, involves being able to embrace Him “Tell me again. Who’s that lady who And that is why we are at St B’s* from the heart, not simply recite always sits behind us in church?” That because we are pilgrims, welcoming information. For some of the teachers, lady, by the way, always has a huge Jesus. One of the February Daily they have learned these facts in ways smile for my three kids no matter what O'ce readings included Mark 9:36, 37: that are painful. Their own grown they do! Jesus took a little child and had him children had negative childhood stand among them. Taking him in his experiences in the church. Perhaps “That’s Kathy, Father Randy’s wife. She arms, he said to them, “Whoever these children were “weird” or loves you guys.” welcomes one of these little children in challenging and they were not Manaen’s reply? “I can tell.” my name welcomes me; and whoever embraced. When His followers reject welcomes me does not welcome me you, how do you move toward Jesus? Welcoming children is welcoming but the one who sent me.” Jesus. You know the passage that describes During lent, we intentionally practice the church as a body, each part !Special thanks and acknowledgement welcoming Jesus. When we welcome incomplete with the rest. While we are to Manaen’s fourth grade teachers Jon the least of these*the di'cult child## bearers of the gospel to our own family, Zadick, Matt and Corrine Wilder, Pam we are loving supernaturally, we need the other members to grow us White, and Erin Somerville. You have connecting with Jesus. One of the pre# up in Christ*and that includes our been our John the Baptist this year, school Sunday School teachers told me children. Several weeks ago, I attended making the way for the gospel."

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 21 Beyond the Numbers: Breaking the 80/20 Rule

by Pam White, Director of Operations respond to our need as a church hether relating to business, family( with each member using their a non#profit foundation or The unique opportunity we gifts, time, treasurers and talents to Wthe church, scholars will edify the body of Christ. If each speak of the importance of the Pareto have as a church family with member of St. B’s contributes Principle # the 80 / 20 rule ( where it respect to our something, in terms of their time, is proven time and time again that talents and treasures !whatever God 80) of the results !sales in a business, demographics and leads them to in regards to a weekly or volunteer needs in a non#profit, or commitment to The Lord monthly tithe" it will enable us to reach further and do more for the giving in a church" come from 20) of and each other, is to break the people. Kingdom of God than we could ever from the 80 / 20 rule and imagine. This is in line with Fr. Jerry’s St. B’s has historically lived up to the analogy of the millipede that he spoke 80/20 Rule in terms of giving and respond as God would have about during the annual meeting. volunteer involvement. However, in us respond to our need as a 2009 as we look at our demographics As we enter into the season of Lent, and the current state of the economy, church family ( with each please be in prayer on how you and we find ourselves with a unique member using their gifts, each member of your family can “Be a opportunity and challenge to break part of the Story” in 2009 and beyond. from the norm. time, treasurers and talents Thanks to each and every member of to edify the body of Christ. St. B’s for all you have done and are Our current membership is made up doing within and outside our of approximately 900 members # 37) community to spread the Gospel and age 1#19, 20) age 20#40, 25) age make His love known. 41#59 and 11) over 60. With the under out of the membership base !333 recent explosion of younger couples children and teens", that leaves 567 and families with young children adults !ages 20 attending St. B’s, we have found that and over". In those individuals and families who order to meet our Current Membership have traditionally given more !age 40+ budget, each of Age 1 - 19 making up 20) of the membership those 567 adults Age 20 -40 but giving 80) of the budget dollars" would need to Age 41 - 59 have decreased, thus now requiring the give %206 per Age 60 & over other 80) to get involved ( to be a month, or %2,471 “Bigger part of the Story” in order for annually. The us to achieve our budget and provide unique 11# the ministries and outreach activities opportunity we God has called us to. have as a church The St. B’s budget each year is built on family with faith and not on a pledge campaign. A respect to our 25# 37# faith budget provides the perfect demographics and opportunity for the vestry and sta$ to commitment to put into practice trusting God. This The Lord and year’s budget of %1,401,186 may seem each other, is to overwhelming. However, from a break from the practical standpoint, it is achievable. 80 / 20 rule and 20# Out of the 900 members, !children respond as God and adults", if we take 19 years and would have us

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 22 From Glory to Glory

The title “From Glory to Glory” comes from Paul’s revelation into God’s eternal destiny for each of his children. “And we...are being transformed into his likeness with ever#increasing glory.”

January Anniversaries Martha Freeman & 03/09 Susan Tyler & 03/27 Eldon &Julie Honeycutt+ + 03/03 Rachel Freeman & 03/10 Bethany Bakker & 03/28 David & Kathy Edwards + + 03/05 Trevor Holt & 03/10 Corrinna Bauchiero & 03/28 Jerry & Jan Minshall+ + + + 03/16 Carla Schober & 03/10 Aidan Kinser & 03/29 Malcolm & Pam White+ + + 03/23 Anna Wyse & 03/10 Paul Miller & 03/29 Nathaniel & Abigail Tylor+ + 03/24++ Claire Combs&& 03/11 Leah Daniel & 03/30 Jim Russell & Nancy Hyer+ +03/25++ Rebecca Kern & 03/11 Grace Stranch & 03/30 Matt & Bethany Smith + + + 03/26 Kristin Chapman & 03/12 Elizabeth Weber & 03/30 Matthew Miller & 03/13 Hunter Wilhoite & 03/30 Owen Myatt & 03/13 Birthdays Alexandra Thornton 03/14 Peter Woods && 03/14 Marc Byrd && 03/01 Baptisms Michael Evans & 03/15 Lisa Craig & 03/01 Quinn Kinser & 03/15 January 25, 2009 Makisha McCord 03/01 Caitlin Quinn & 03/15 Mary Winston Edwards Robert Smith&& 03/01 Zayne Spencer & 03/15 Parents, Winston and Allyson Edwards Eric Wyse && 03/01 Emily Hu$ & 03/16 + Graham Ferguson & 03/03 Karen Daniel & 03/20 February 1, 2009 Catie Granbery, & 03/03 Laura Wilhoite & 03/20 Gabriella Rose Goss Jordan House & 03/03 Joe Dinwiddie& & 03/21 Parents, Erick and Lisa Goss Kristi Hunter & 03/03 Naomi Daniel & 03/22 Jordan Insani & 03/03 Manaen Hall && 03/22 Births Jordan Johnson, 03/03 Chuck Kown & 03/22 Jordan Mortimer 03/03 Richard Dylan Combs born on 1/8/09 Paige Lundgren & 03/22 Carter Luke & 03/04 to Danny and Claire Combs Tamara Rowland & 03/22 Jason Hu$ & 03/05 Michael Castellon &03/23 Joshua Batarseh & 03/06 Mitchell David Flynn born on 1/27/09 Asher Wood & 03/23 Glenn Guidry & 03/06 to Meredith and Joe Flynn Andrew Bauchiero 03/24 Yvonne Poindexter & 03/06 Barbara Bowman & 03/24 Ethan Powell& & 03/06 Audrey Elise Louise Wirdzek born on Madelyn Grace Schroeder 03/24 Peterson Rainey & 03/06 2/16/09 to Amy and Adam Wirdzek Parker Flynn & 03/25 Jim Robinson & 03/06 Miles Headley & 03/25 Nita Andrews & 03/07 Joan Hutchinson& 03/25 Nick Barnes & 03/07 Suzanne Zadick & 03/25 Pat Bowlby & 03/07 Sarah Krogman & 03/26 Jason Ingalls & 03/07 Sean Smith & 03/26 Michelle Alcott & 03/09 Rachel Sefton & 03/27 Ava Buxton & 03/09

Please recycle. The Branch can also be read online at www.stbs.net The Branch # March 2009 # Page 23 St. Bartholomew’s Church Non Profit Organization 4800 Belmont Park Terrace U.S. Postage Paid Nashville TN 37215 Brentwood, TN. Permit No. 256

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Mark Your Calendars for Sunday, March 29: Bishop Bauerschmidt will be joining us for both services. There will be a service of confirmation at the 10:30 service that morning.

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist && 6:00 p.m Service of Lament Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. & 12:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist Maundy Thursday: 7:00 p.m. Institution of the Lord's Supper Good Friday:$ 12:00 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy ++++++++& 5:30 p.m. Stations of the cross Holy Saturday: 7:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Easter Sunday: 6 a.m. Sunrise Eucharist +++++++++ 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Celebrations of the Resurrection

The Branch # DecDecDec 2008 # Page 24