helping hands a letter from our rector - saint margaret's · eyc will meet every sunday in...
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Eastertide is just getting started! a letter from our Rector
FIND THE HIDDEN PICTURE
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Eastertide is just getting started!
What a wonderful celebration we had at Saint
Margaret’s on Easter Day! While every Sunday
during the church year is a celebration of Easter,
there is something about coming together on the
day of our Lord’s Resurrection that is always
moving. Having prepared ourselves through our
Lenten journey, it makes even sweeter the
sounds of voices that are lifted in praise as Alle-
luias ringing throughout the
nave!
What we sometimes forget is
the fact that Easter is not just a
day of the year but is an entire
season on our liturgical calen-
dar. We have just entered the
50 days of Easter, or Eastertide,
and we are just getting started
celebrating the gift of our
Lord’s Resurrection. During
this festive season you will see
some changes to our liturgy.
The Alleluias return, the liturgi-
cal color of white is used
throughout, the confession is
omitted, and we stand for the parts of the liturgy
where we would normally kneel. All this signi-
fies the celebratory nature of the season; the
celebration of new life given to us through the
saving acts of Jesus. Christ has died, Christ is
risen, Christ will come again! Because we have
died with Him, so we also live with Him! If that
isn’t something worth celebrating then I don’t
know what is!
I encourage you and your household to mark this
season of Eastertide in special ways. Just as the
early church began to commemorate the forty
REMINDER: Maggie’s Monthly
-Fr. Todd Dill+
days before Easter with devotion and a time of
penitence and confession, so also did they
“pull out all of the stops” and celebrate the
great 50 Days of Easter with acts of praise and
thanksgiving. People outside of the Christian
faith should look at us and wonder what all of
the hoopla is about. It is a time of joy, and
season of celebration, and a period of praise
and unapologetic thanks-
giving for the blessings
poured upon us by Jesus.
So let your behavior re-
flect this season of East-
ertide. Be joyous. Be
thankful. Be extravagant
in your celebration of
this great event. Let oth-
ers see and know that
something extraordinary
has happened. As I write
this to you, we still have
47 days left. Let’s not
miss a single day in
marking this great deed
that God has done.
Alleluia, Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed.
Alleluia!
“People outside
of the Christian
faith should look
at us and
wonder what all
of the hoopla
is about.”
Father Todd can be reached at:
HELPING HANDS
St. Margaret’s is excited to announce
a new Outreach & Missions pro-
gram called HELPING HANDS.
This new initiative has been coordi-
nated by Penny Feldser & Traci Scott
as a means for young kids and fami-
lies within the parish to actively par-
ticipate in Outreach projects together.
Here is an overview of the vision:
O&M "Helping Hands" for kids 3rd
grade and younger (older siblings
welcome to come and help as well)
A kid friendly project completed one
Saturday morning each month (ideas
include assemble bags for Union
County community Shelter, blankets
for the Treehouse Advocacy Center,
etc.)
Leaders to be rotated on a monthly basis so each individual leads once per year; responsible for determining project for that month, coordinating with the organization and leading the project with the families.
First Event:
Saturday, April 23 at 10:00 am
Leaders: Beth Pierce & Madison Mooneyham
Questions? Please contact:
Penny Feldser : [email protected]
“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” (John 20:15b) Words spoken by Mary to the resurrected Jesus
whom she perceived to be “the gardener.”
“Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have tak-en place there in these days?” (Luke 24:18) Words spoken by two disciples to the resurrected Jesus whom they perceived to be “a stranger” on the road to Emmaus.
“…Jesus himself stood among them…They were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing “a ghost.’” (Luke 24:36b-37)
Supposing a little child, perhaps one whom Jesus blessed during his earthly ministry, came running up beside Mary in the garden or sidled up with the two disciples on the Emmaus road or with the Ten Disciples (remember Thomas was absent at this time) in the Upper Room, what might he or she have said or done? “Jesus, you are alive! Yeah!” or giving him a hug, reached up and took his hand!
In 2004 there was a series of three hurricanes within a 6-week period in central Flori-da; I was chaplain and religious education teacher at our Parish Day School. In the midst of fear, anxiety, power outages, fallen trees, school closings, and property damage, a parent of a preschooler came to me and thanked me for what I was teaching her son: In the midst of the fear and havoc of these hurricanes, “Johnny spoke up, “Don’t worry, God is with us and will take care of us!’” Did the resurrected Jesus appear to this family in the guise of “a child”?
The innocence and openness of childhood seem to get lost with age, knowledge, experience, worldly trends, life’s clutter, and self-consciousness. Though Mary, the Emmaus disciples, and his closest Disciples had walked with Jesus during his years of earthly ministry… lis-tening to his teaching (even him saying that he must suffer and will then rise again) and witnessing the miracles he performed …they did not recognize him when they encountered him after his resurrection: they were blinded by the reason and logic of life and living as they knew it. How humbled and in awe Mary must have been when Jesus responded, “Mary!”… the two disciples when Jesus “took bread, blessed, and broke it and gave it to them.”…the Ten when Jesus said to them “look at my hands and my feet…” You and I could so easily be Mary in the garden, a disciple on the road or in the Upper Room as we scurry through our days cluttered by logic, busy schedules, cultural cynicism, or self-consciousness. Our perception is tainted by “things as we know them” and so often interferes with our recognition of “things as they are.” We are blessed with minds to reason and think, with experience and knowledge to navigate life, but let us NOT put God in a box and limit him in the expansiveness of his love, imagination, and possibilities!
Easter is all about the Risen Lord both here on earth and for eternity. Let us remember and not be “too proud” to inwardly digest the words of Jesus, “Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15)
May WE have eyes to see …
-Deacon Susie
Fr. Lito’s Letter [email protected] by Assistant Priest, The Reverend Father Lito Santos+
From the Deacon’s Desk by The Reverend Suzanne L. Bruno
Eyes to See
-Fr. Lito+
Following our exchange of peace and announcements each Sunday, we listen to the words of welcome addressed to our guests and visitors. This message tapers off to an encouraging invitation: “May you find Saint Margaret’s your home church.”
From the day I interviewed for the position of Assistant Priest, I consistently experienced hospitality, support, encouragement and love as I minister and serve. The clergy and staff have been extremely positive and supportive which encouraged me to freely do my daily activities and celebrate life in a community that proclaims broadly the words of our Lord: “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28 KJV).” I feel blessed and privileged to be a part of this prayer filled community.
A family poster (see yellow box to the right) beautifully summarizes my continued experience at Saint Margaret’s:
This is what I personally wish for all of you.
May Saint Margaret’s be your home - Wait not for others to make you feel comfortable but take the time to make others feel warm and welcome. Pay attention to the visitor and the stranger – you are their very best friend the moment you reach out to them and make them feel cozy with us.
Saint Margaret’s is your home – keep it safe and make sure you are attentive to your sur-roundings so all are secure, protected and safe. We all need to make sure that no harm nor evil will transpire and affect our members.
Saint Margaret’s is our home – it is a place where we gather to pray, grow and join one anoth-er regularly to be fed and nourished at the Table of the Lord. It is a place where we continue to find ourselves accepted, valued, treasured and loved in the name of our Triune God.
I am blessed and privileged to daily walk with you and I lift you in my prayers that our Risen Lord keep you and sustain you each and every day especially during your moments of trial. May God’s abundance be your portion today and forever more. Amen.
You are home,
here you are safe,
accepted, valued,
treasured
and most of all loved.
VESTRY This column has been requested by parishion-ers to inform the parish on votes taken at recent Vestry Business meetings. Vestry Busi-ness meetings are held in the Choir Room on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Business meeting minutes are kept in the church office and are accessible to anyone interested in reading more about the motions and votes discussed at recent meetings.
EYC will meet every Sunday in April! If you haven’t had a chance to check out EYC this school year (or if it’s been a little while since your last meeting) please join us! As long as it’s sunny we’ll be on the side field enjoying sunshine and warmer temperatures while playing games, studying our newest series: 5 Miracles of Jesus We Should All Know, and getting to know other youth in our parish. All 6th-12th graders are invited. We meet from 5-6:30 with a complimentary dinner served from 6:30-7:00pm.
Mark your calendars for our spring beach retreat to Carolina Beach Fri-Sun, May 20th-22nd. All 6th-12th graders are invited to join us for this weekend away to enjoy sunshine, fellowship, worship and pro-gram time. Registration and more info out in mid-April.
Summer Volunteer & Service Opportunities:
Vacation Bible School at St. Margaret’s, June 20-24. Teen helpers are needed to support our VBS in a variety of ways. Rising 6th-graduated 12th are welcome and encouraged to volun-teer! Email Jenny Marlier to sign up, at: [email protected].
Sun- Wed, July 24- 27: Episcopal Outreach Camp. This local, overnight outreach camp is open to current 6th-8th graders and will be held at Holy Comforter in Charlotte. Youth from area Episcopal churches will gather for a few days of service, fellowship and worship. Youth spend time doing a variety of ser-vice projects around Charlotte and the surrounding areas while also having social time in the evenings (baseball games, lake par-ty, etc.) and daily worship. Cost is $100. More info out later this spring.
Photo caption: Many thanks to Maggie Dodge, Ben & Charlie Scott, and Noah & Alex Sells for manning the water station at the Follow Your Hear 5k in downtown Monroe on Sat, March 19th. All proceeds from the race went to support 4 Title I schools in the downtown Monroe area.
March: points at a glance:
Finances are all in line to budget.
Estimate given for mulch of property before Easter for $3,350. Appropriate use of unused past funds in the lilies & poinsettia fund to cover any overages.
Sealing and lining of the parking lot needed. Sealing it prevents future issues. Reserve study shows that we are past due in this. Pricing to be researched over the initial $9,500 estimate received, and two more bids needed. To be decided at next Vestry meeting.
Nursery discussed. Elizabeth Pfeifer to be given this special project for further research.
Ministry Recruitment discussion. Question on ministry fair in fall, or ministry focus in the hall 2x per month?
Music Director update: sub organists lined up through 5/29. Search continues. Committee in place. Inter-views happening.
Building/Capital Campaign update: Three different scenarios discussed. Estimates needed on hard and soft costs. Jeff Owens to run those costs for next meeting. Timeline for kicking off capital campaign needs to be decided.
Planning for Vestry Retreat
Red vestments need to be purchased
Adult Christian Ed discussion. “Living your Strengths” class discussed. Possibility of offering in fall 2016 needs to be confirmed.
a view from the VESTRY
Jan Sims, Vestry oversight for Worship & Music
YOUTH Spotlight Elizabeth Pfeifer, Assistant to the Rector for Youth Ministries [email protected]
SIGN UP to Volunteer:
To serve in this ministry, please look for sign up tables this month in the connector hallway.
Volunteers are ALWAYS welcome and encouraged!
www.saintmargarets.net
RECTOR
THE REVEREND FR. TODD R. DILL
ASSISTANT PRIEST
THE REVEREND FR. LITO SANTOS
DEACON
THE REVEREND SUZANNE LEE BRUNO [email protected]
ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR
FOR YOUTH MINISTRIES
ELIZABETH PFEIFER [email protected]
ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR
FOR PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES
DANA PLATE’ [email protected]
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR
JOANIE CAMERON [email protected]
BOOKEEPER
DENISE KILINISKI [email protected]
2016 VESTRY
BRIAN SCOTT, SENIOR WARDEN
JEFF OWENS, JUNIOR WARDEN
MASON ALEXANDER, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION KATHY CORNELL, OUTREACH & MISSIONS
JOE LILES, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
DEBBIE MARCHAND, FELLOWSHIP & PARISH EVENTS
MATTHEW SAUNDERS, COMM. & INTEGRATION
JAN SIMS, WORSHIP & MUSIC
TRICIA SMITH, FELLOWSHIP & PARISH EVENTS
JERRY DEBERRY, TREASURER
Wednesday service goers pose with Flat Maggie
Palm Sunday 2016
StM ON LINE
REMINDER to set up your parish profile (especially add-ing children under the age of 22 to your profile) in our new church management system
if you have not done so already.
Emails were sent from “CHURCH OFFICE” in March with an invitation to set up your profile. Please take the time to log in and update your information to help keep us all better connected in our growing parish.
If you have any questions, please call the church office for assistance at 704-243-3523.
SAGES:
Special Activities Geared to Engage Seniors meets monthly. All senior adults welcome!
Next event:
Wednesday, April 13th at 12:00 noon Guest Speaker from Goodwill, will discuss the opening of the new training campus in North Charlotte. Lunch $10. Parish Hall.
May event
Tuesday, May 10th, 9:15 am
JAARS in Waxhaw 9:30-12:00, with lunch on site.
See sign up sheet outside church office for all SAGES events
Contact: Janet Hillis at [email protected]
A SPRINGTIME SHOUT-OUT to thank our Preschool staff for sharing their smiles and seasonal spirit every Monday –Thursday during the school year. Their enthusiasm and love for teaching truly makes St. Margaret’s Preschool a very special place!
4/3 Vacation Bible School on-line registration begins
4/5 Tuesday Bible Study, 12:30 pm (& each Tuesday)
4/6 Cookies for Kairos due by 12:00 noon to church office
4/6 Confirmation Class, 7:00 pm
4/7 Thursday Night Bible Study, 7:00 pm in the Youth Room (& each Thurs.day)
4/8 Bridge Club, 11:00 am -2:30 pm every Friday
4/9 DOK monthly meeting, 9:30 am
4/9 NEW! Supper Club start up gathering, 11:00 am in the Parish Hall
4/10 New session of St. Margaret’s 101 to begin in the Connector Hallway, 10:15 am
4/13 SAGES, lunch & learn, 12:00 pm in the Parish Hall
4/16 Knots of Love monthly meeting, 10:00 am in the Prayer Room
4/17 Club 4-5, 12:30 in the Parish Hall
4/22 NEW! Family Movie Night, 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall
4/23 NEW! Men’s Breakfast Gathering, 8:00 am in the Parish Hall
4/26 Union County Community Shelter Meal Prep, 11:00 in the Parish Hall
4/26 Union County Community Shelter Meal Serving, 4:00 at shelter in Monroe
4/29-30 Troop 101 Boy Scout Annual BBQ fundraiser
April Calendar
Save the dates: May 8th: Bishop Visitation May 14th: Parish Day of Service May 15th: Blessing of the Brains May 22nd: Teacher Recognition & last day of Sun-day School May 29th: SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS: Services at 8:00 & 10:00 May 29th: Pot luck lunch after 10:00 service
Our Outreach & Missions team is
looking for leaders to help
coordinate projects associated with our planned Parish Day of Service set for Saturday, May 14th.
Please contact Traci Scott or Penny Feldser for more information on how to
get plugged into this important & exciting opportunity.
[email protected] [email protected]
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT, Friday, 4/22
Come join the VBS planning crew for popcorn, friends and fun and a screen-ing of The Peanuts Movie. Friday, April 22 at 6:00 pm at St. Margaret’s.
All VBS age children and their families are welcome!!!