newletter november 2012
DESCRIPTION
newsletter 2012TRANSCRIPT
Dear Friends,
Money is a spiritual issue.
It represents the heart. It is an
indication of where our life’s
treasure is stored.
“How much money should
I put into the offering plate?”
is a question often asked of
clergy. The answer is “As
much or as little as you like.”
Like most churches, Epis-
copal congregations exist
mainly on donations from our
members. Once a year most
parishes present a stewardship
or pledge campaign, asking
each individual or family to
make a financial promise, or
pledge, for the upcoming year.
We then total those promises
and create a new yearly budg-
et.
Like most Episcopal parish-
es, St. Paul’s spends the ma-
jority of its promised income
on salaries, building mainte-
nance, and program and out-
reach. Since the first two tend
to be fixed costs, the more
money that is promised, or
pledged, the more our church’s
ministry can be expanded and
directed into new programs
and to help the needy outside
our parish.
At St. Paul’s this last cate-
gory, the expenditures outside
the fixed costs of salaries and
building maintenance, is made
up of outreach ministries such
as Christmas and thanksgiving
help to the needy, the growing
wood ministry, yearly gifts to
THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL’S
In recognition that all that we have are gifts entrusted to us by God, it is the
purpose of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to work and pray and give for the spread of
God’s kingdom.
November 2012
This is why St. Paul’s, and the
Episcopal Church in general,
asks us to use the tithe (ten per-
cent of one’s income) as a start-
ing point. Tithing is never a re-
quirement for membership; most
parishes gratefully receive any
contribution. However, money is
a spiritual issue and most parish-
es address it by gently challeng-
ing their members to grow—-to
strive less for acquiring things
for ourselves, and doing more to
help those in need.
The bottom line is, when the
plate is passed to you, or when
you sit down to fill out a pledge
card, use your own discre-
tion. Few people know (or
care) how much money
you give. What we give is
between God and our-
selves. It is God’s approv-
al we seek. Any contribu-
tion will be appreciated (and is
tax deductible!). We need only
remember the many gracious
gifts of God to us and to those we
love, and God’s endless compas-
sionate regard for us as his chil-
dren living in a broken world,
and the words of the Lord Jesus,
how he said “It is much better to
give than to receive.” Jack
Habitat for Humanity, our neigh-
bors at Calvary Church,
A.C.E.S., local fire and rescue
stations, Virginia Voice, local
homeless shelters and refuge
centers for abused women and
children, and C.A.R.I.T.A.S.
Also adult and youth mission
trips, money for youth camps and
Shrine Mont, and emergency
help to all manner of local chari-
ties from needy individuals
(food, shelter, utility assistance,
rent, transportation, medicine) to
the Hanover Christmas Mother.
Donations also come in the
form of volunteer time, as with
the firewood ministry, many
aspects of grounds mainte-
nance, and the hard work of
individuals who prepare reg-
ularly to teach Sunday
school, prepare programs for
our congregation, and serve
faithfully on the Vestry.
Of course, the main reason for
giving to the church has less to
do with paying bills and much
more to do with cultivating gen-
erous hearts. God wants you and
me to be generous (2 Corinthians
9:7). The Lord wants us to be
known not by the kind of car we
drive, the size of the house we
live in, or the jewelry we wear,
but by our love for God and one
another. As Christ gave himself
away for us, so to are we asked
to give of ourselves away to oth-
ers. The old adage comes to
mind: “Give ‘til it hurts.” In
fact, it could be better stated:
“Give ‘til it feels good.”
Inside:
Women’s Fellowship
Retreat
Shrimp & Oyster feast
Thanksgiving service
The cookbooks are here!
From St. Paul's Women Fellowship......
WOMEN'S RETREAT UPDATE - Our Women's
Retreat that was cancelled due to weather this past
June has been rescheduled for the weekend of Jan-
uary 19th. Anne Cross has graciously opened her
home once again for a 2 night weekend! Winter-
time is a beautiful time on the creek and a perfect
time to get away. Also that weekend on Saturday,
will be the rescheduled private art class at the Bay
School for those who would like to partici-
pate. There is a $35 fee for the class with the ex-
ception of those who had previously paid for the
June class. The deadline for class registration and
payment is December 1st.
Please let Sandra know if you would like to
participate in the class, stay for one night or two or
just come for the day on Saturday and enjoy the
view from Anne's beautiful porch! There is lim-
ited space for overnight stay so please RSVP by
December 15th for that.
As always, if you have any questions,
please feel free to contact me at 559-7349 or
[email protected]. Don't forget to like our St.
Paul's Hanover - Women's Group Facebook page!
Sandra Heins
* * * * *
Our thanks to Sandra and Tommy Heins and Di-
ane Freeman who came out to spruce up the
church prior to the Bishop’s visit. What a differ-
ence a few hours of manual labor can make to the
appearance of a building and grounds. Thanks to
Anne Cross for pruning the roses as well. Thank
you all for your time and efforts.
* * * * *
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild workshop scheduled for October
will be held this winter. Stay tuned. Thank
you to Wendy Harris, Diane Freeman, Anne
Carroll King, Eve Burton and Paulette Lon-
gan who all helped out when I hurt my knee
in October! Thanks also to Diane for prepar-
ing the Ruritan supper in September and to
Reta Ann Heins for cooking in October.
Thank you to Colleen Hewitt who shared
her talent for flower arranging with us on Oct. 14.
Remember the Advent Wreath Workshop before
and after our services on Dec. 2. You can create
your own Advent Centerpiece to take home. All
supplies, including candles, are provided.
P a g e 2
Hospitality and Parish Life
Thank you to all who provided refreshments after our
worship services during the past month. My special
thanks to the Sunday classes who served refreshments
on two different Sundays. The reception for the Bishop
and Confirmands was lovely. The food provided by so
many of you was, as always, delicious (and pret-
ty). Diane Freeman, Scott and Wendy Harris, Jeanette
Wagner, Tom Lambert, Beverly Townes and many oth-
ers set up and cleaned up and saw that the food table
was never empty. Thank you!
In lieu of a "Last Friday Social" in
November we are having a Parish Oyster
Roast and Shrimp Boil on Saturday, Novem-
ber 10 at 5PM at Scott and Wendy Harris's
home. Please come! Our cook is coming all
the way from Mathews County to prepare bushels of
roasted and raw oysters for us . He will also be prepar-
ing pounds and pounds of shrimp! It will be a treat.
We will be both inside and out so dress accordingly.
We ask that you bring liquid refreshment of your
choice and if you want or need one, a chair! Please
sign up so that we know how many bushels of oysters
to order! The suggested donation at the door is $15 per
person. I hope to see you there!
Please join us for the 2nd Sunday Lunch after
the 10:30 am service on Sunday, November 11.
St. Paul's and Hillcrest Baptist will gather to-
gether to give thanks at the annual Thanksgiving Eve
service on Wednesday, November 21 at 7PM at St.
Paul's. There will be a reception afterwards. Please
sign up to bring some cookies and let me know if you
can help that night.
On Saturday, December 1 at 10AM we will
hold our annual "Gathering of the Advent Greens and
Cocoa and Cookies with Santa" at Summer Hill, the
home of Susan Newton. This is a unique opportunity
for our young people to enjoy the beautiful grounds and
house which is one of the most significant of the many
historic homes in Hanover. We use the greens to make
the Advents wreaths for the church and at the Advent
Wreath Workshop the next day (Sunday, December
2) during Christian Education and Coffee hour. Under
the direction of the Altar Guild everyone will have the
opportunity to make an Advent
Centerpiece to take home.
The Annual Ladies
Christmas Luncheon will be on
Saturday, December 15 at 12
noon in the Parish Hall. Please
mark the date. If you can help me
with set up, serving, or clean up
please let me know.
Faithfully yours,
Anne Cross, Hospitality Chairman
P a g e 3
View from the Back Pew
by Scott Harris
What do you do when you get con-
fused by scripture to the point that you aren’t even sure
what it means? That happens to me a lot. I sit in church
and I listen to the collect, the lessons and the psalm. I
hear the holy Gospel and the sermon. They all seem
related and sometimes they even make sense. Other
times, I don’t have a clue what they are trying to tell
me and it seems as if I’m listening to a language that I
have no understanding of.
Often the scripture speaks of the power of God
in dark and ominous tones. The Old Testament can be
particularly bleak with all the fire and brimstone. God
is seen in the role of exasperated parent and in shades
of black and white. In the New Testament, on the other
hand, God seems to be more patient and understanding,
the use of his power more reasonable and merciful. In
his lessons, Jesus spoke of the power of God in a tem-
pered and personal manner. He assured us that God’s
judgment could be severe but that the intent was any-
thing but malicious. Jesus himself, though clearly frus-
trated with us at times, acted more as a trusted teacher
and advisor than someone to be feared.
I’m not sure why there are such differences in
language and meaning between the Old and New Testa-
ments. Likely they were different approaches to the
same problem. We weren’t and haven’t been listening.
Sometimes on those difficult Sundays I just give up on
understanding the meaning and instead focus on the
power of communal worship. There is a positive and
obviously transformational energy that comes from
gathering together. Still, I want to better understand
the message. I want to understand what God is saying
to us.
What is the power of God and, as someone
who professes to be a member of the faithful, how am I
strengthened in my faith by that power? Jesus said “For
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and
only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not
perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the
world not to judge the world, but to save the world
through him” (John 3:16-17). Maybe the strength of
God’s power is not as confusing as it sometimes seems.
The power of God in our lives is His love for us. When
we are stymied in our understanding, when we stray
from God’s path or when we just turn to Him in desper-
ation, it might just be the strength we need; the strength
to save ourselves.
Faithfully, Scott
“It's time to start living the life you've imagined.”
-- Henry James
More youth speak out about the mission trip to
West Virginia
The mission trip this year was life changing.
You don't realize how much you take for granted
until you meet people who can't even afford the
simplest of things. Us coming to help restore
Kathy's house changed her life just as it had
changed mine. Knowing that you have changed
someone's life is one of the best feeling in the
world. I think everyone should go on mission trips
because you build a relationship with other people
in different communities as well as a relationship
with God. Emily Beaudin
THEY HAVE ARRIVED!!
The long anticipated St. Paul's Cook-
book has arrived and is ready for de-
livery. If you haven’t already picked
up your pre-ordered cookbooks be
sure to track Anne Holliday down at
church on Sunday! Remember: we have extra
copies which are on sale for $18 each. The cook-
book committee appreciates your patience as we
have endured several delays from the publisher on
this project. But boy were they worth the wait!
FISH FEED ALL MINISTRY
Many thanks for your generous financial dona-
tions this month to the 3rd - 5th Grade Sunday
School Class' Fish Feed All Ministry. During
Sunday school we made 24 additional bags of food
each containing a two day supply. We are able to
make many more each month as the need aris-
es due to your generosity. Please take a few bags
to store in your car and give to the needy you may
encounter at stop lights, shopping centers, etc.
Last week I asked one young man with two dogs,
if he would like a bag of food. When I handed it
to him, his eyes grew wide as saucers, and he
couldn't stop thanking me. He obviously had no
home and had not been able to bathe for months.
He immediately opened the food and began eating
and sharing with his dogs.
The bags and collection bin are near the double
doors in the parish hall. We will continue to col-
lect individually wrapped foods such as apple
sauce, slim jims, chicken or tuna meals, peanut or
cheese crackers, breakfast or protein bars, nuts,
etc. Thank you. Patti Drudge
If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying hard
enough. Vince Lombardi
P a g e 4 SUNDAY MINISTERS FOR NOVEMBER
Lector-8 Lector-10:30 Chalicer Greeters__
04 J. Sutor R. Evans M. Pauley C. Young, L. Reeves
11 P. Cash A. Cross H. Rice G. Price, T. Lambert
18 J. Sutor C. Heckel A. Long H. Holloway, A. Palmer
25 Pl. Cash S. Heins R. Wortham M. Lavender, A. Holliday
Crucifer Server Psalm Torches
04 S. Reeves J.J. Sadler H. Barber M. Young, K. Walker
11 S. Walker P. Lambert J. Farrell J. Farrell, C. Kent
18 W. Sadler A. Heins A. Heins C. Kent, L. Holloway
25 E. Beaudin E. Heins E. Beaudin G. Temple, R. Young
Altar Guild
Darlene Himelright, Debra Holloway, Lauren Holloway, Anne Cross
STEWARDSHIP: This is an especially joyous and uplifting time of the church year for me, the onset of reflections on the matter of Stewardship. Halfway through my 87th year of life, the realization has crossed my mind that it is a time of heightened illumi-
nation of the celebration we experienced about six months ago, the resurrection of our Lord Christ Jesus, following his incred-ibly painful suffering and death upon the cross for you and me, and all humankind, his willful giving of his life itself so that through the grace of God we would have not just the assurance, but the evidence of life eternal. What an incomparable gift!
I realize also that there has been a transformation in my reflections about stewardship through the years. In earlier times, my focus was more centered on the church budget and the annual pledging goal, the number of families who would be pledging, wanting to select a personal pledge amount which would be pushing the average up instead of pulling it lower. Of
course the proposed budget needs are important and should not be ignored, evoking a natural desire to be supportive, and I was always cognizant of the wonderful parishioners who had become personal friends and the joy of interfacing with them on Sundays (never surpassed elsewhere by the “loving neighbor as thyself” aura so evident at St. Paul’s – Hanover). But the ele-
ments of heartfelt appreciation and being “unfeignedly thankful” for that incomparable gift of Christ Jesus, for the countless blessings showered upon me daily, for the promise of Divine forgiveness for all my many sins and shortcomings, were not
placed in highest priority, as they should have been. Indeed, even the joy we sense when mingling with others in our church family is a gift from God: we would likely have never met one another but for the presence of Christ in our lives, drawing us together for corporate worship. We have been “marked as Christ’s own, forever” at Baptism; alongside beloved brothers and
sisters in Christ our knowledge that “Christ dwells in us and we in him” is renewed at the Eucharist; and Jesus has provided the essential guidance for us on the pathway to that everlasting life in our Biblical Scripture. I cannot return at stewardship time anything of comparable value or significance, nor is such expected of me, yet I can remain acutely aware that all that I
am – my total personhood, all that I have, all that I possess, all of my beloved church family, have come to me through the grace of God. Through prayer, may I be led to pledge a support for our church which clearly is sacrificial in character and
reflects my belief and conviction that Jesus is my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Hope, my Friend, my Shepherd and my Salvation. Lord God, I pray that you will continue to sculpt me until I become the very person you had in mind when you first created me. —Bart Hinkle
Remember, capture some of your thoughts around Stewardship on paper (e-mail, etc.) and send me these stories to be shared in the
monthly newsletter or weekly bulletin. Please forward to Greg Price e-mail [email protected] or 10944 Founders Place,
Mechanicsville, VA. 23116.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving; we must sail some-
times with the wind and sometimes against it—-but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Church Office Hours
Mon-Thu 9AM-1PM
Page 5
November 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3
4 Blood Drive
8:00AM Worship
9:15Am Christian
Education
10:30AM Worship
11:30AM Fellowship
5
2:00PM Prayer
6:30PM Vestry
6
6:30PM Yoga
7 8
7:00PM Women’s
Group @ Sandra
Hein’s
9 10
5:00PM Oyster roast
and shrimp boil @
the home of Scott
and Wendy Harris
11 8:00AM Worship
9:15Am Christian
Education
10:30AM Worship
11:30AM Second
Sunday Lunch
12
2:00PM Prayer
13
9:30AM SPAA
6:30PM Yoga
14
10:00AM Newsletter
deadline
2:00PM Woman’s
club
15 16 17
18 8:00AM Worship
9:15Am Christian
Education
10:30AM Worship
And Holy Baptism
11:30AM Fellowship
19
2:00PM Prayer
20
9:30AM SPAA
6:30PM Yoga
21
7:00PM
Thanksgiving
Eve Worship
With guests
from Hillcrest
Baptist Church
22
23 24
25 8:00AM Worship
9:15Am Christian
Education
10:30AM Worship
11:30AM Fellowship
26
2:00PM Prayer
7:00PM Ruritan mtg.
27
9:30AM SPAA
6:30PM Yoga
28
Noon Pastoral Care
29 30
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
ASHLAND VA
PERMIT # 5
In The Diocese of Virginia
The Right Reverend Shannon Johnston Bishop of Virginia
The Reverend Jack Sutor Rector
The Reverend Alwin Reiners, Jr. Rector Emeritus
Mrs. Colleen Hewitt Senior Warden
Mr. Charles Young Junior Warden
Mrs. Brenda Boldin Parish Secretary
Ms. Sarah Cothern Organist and Choir Director
Ms. Andrea Kent Christian Education Director
Sunday Services are at 8:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist (Rite I) and
10:30a.m. Holy Eucharist (Rite II). Christian Education for all
ages begins at 9:15AM. A nursery is available for the later ser-
vice. Further refreshments follow all services. Parish office
hours for the Administrative Assistant are Monday – Thursday
9:00AM—1:00 PM unless otherwise published.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
P. O. Box 441
Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: 804-537-5516
E-mail: [email protected]
www.stpaulshanover.org
8050 St. Paul’s Church Road
Hanover Court House
Return Service Requested
Mark your calendars now: November 3—2AM, time change FALL BACK! November 10—5PM, Oyster roast and shrimp boil at Scott and Wendy Harris’ home November 21—7PM, Thanksgiving worship December 1—10AM Gathering of the greens, Cookies and cocoa with Santa December 2—Advent Wreath workshop December 15—Ladies’ Christmas luncheon