S T P AUL ’ S E PISCOPAL C HURCH † A PRIL 2012 E ASTERTIDE R EFLECTION T HE E PISTLE I NSIDE THIS ISSUE : P UMPKIN P ATCH; P RESCHOOL NEWS 2 OUTREACH COMMIT- TEE; VACATION B IBLE S CHOOL 3 SABRA S ANCTUARY 4 DEACON’ S B ENCH 5 S T. P AUL ’ S ON THE ROAD; B OOK GROUP 6 MONTHLY CALENDAR; DID YOU KNOW…? 7 One of my favorite poets is the 17th century English poet and Anglican priest, George Herbert (1593-1633). A deeply spiritual, humble pastor, Herbert’s poetry and prose convey in gently moving ways the mysteries of our faith as well as the truth that every- thing in our life, great or small, may be windows into the worship of God. On Easter morning at St. Paul’s this year, I happened to capture a photograph of the flowered cross in Hammonds Clos...with St. Paul’s painted wooden butterfly seeming to “perch” on one of the cross’s arms. The picture immediately brought to my mind one of George Herbert’s most familiar poems: Easter Wings by George Herbert Lord, who created man in wealth and store, Though foolishly he lost the same, Decaying more and more, Till he became Most poore: With thee O let me rise As larks, harmoniously, And sing this day thy victories; Then shall the fall further the flight in me. My tender age in sorrow did beginne And still with sicknesses and shame. Thou didst so punish sinne, That I became Most thinne. With thee Let me combine, And feel thy victorie: For if I imp my wing on thine, Affliction shall advance the flight in me. May we, like George Herbert, seek to keep our eyes and hearts open to see and know the Risen Lord in our midst! Betsy+ Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleulia!
Transcript
ST PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH † APRIL 2012
EASTERTIDE REFLECTION
THE EPISTLE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
PUMPKIN PATCH; PRESCHOOL NEWS
2
OUTREACH COMMIT-TEE; VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
3
SABRA SANCTUARY 4
DEACON’S BENCH 5
ST. PAUL’S ON THE ROAD; BOOK GROUP
6
MONTHLY CALENDAR; DID YOU KNOW…?
7
One of my favorite poets is the 17th century English poet and Anglican priest, George Herbert (1593-1633). A deeply spiritual, humble pastor, Herbert’s poetry and prose convey in gently moving ways the mysteries of our faith as well as the truth that every-thing in our life, great or small, may be windows into the worship of God.
On Easter morning at St. Paul’s this year, I happened to capture a photograph of the flowered cross in Hammonds Clos...with St. Paul’s painted wooden butterfly seeming to “perch” on one of the cross’s arms. The picture immediately brought to my mind one of George Herbert’s most familiar poems:
Easter Wings by George Herbert
Lord, who created man in wealth and store,
Though foolishly he lost the same,
Decaying more and more,
Till he became
Most poore:
With thee
O let me rise
As larks, harmoniously,
And sing this day thy victories;
Then shall the fall further the flight in me.
My tender age in sorrow did beginne
And still with sicknesses and shame.
Thou didst so punish sinne,
That I became
Most thinne.
With thee
Let me combine,
And feel thy victorie:
For if I imp my wing on thine,
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.
May we, like George Herbert, seek to keep our eyes and hearts open to see and know the Risen Lord in our midst!
Betsy+
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed,
Alleulia!
PAGE 2 THE EPISTLE
What an exciting time of year as we enjoy the awakening of all Spring’s glory! Exciting as well is the coming of Easter and the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During our Little Friends Chapel service recently, Ms. Barbara shared the Resurrection Eggs. The story of Easter is told as each child opens an egg to see what is inside. The small objects include a donkey, three coins, a cup, praying hands, a leather strip, a crown of thorns, nails, a die, a spear, linen/gauze, and a stone. One egg is empty, representing the empty tomb. Praise the Lord! The Church courtyard was also alive with the excitement of pastel clad children scrambling to fill their Easter baskets with candy filled eggs! Thanks also to everyone for the support of our Annual Fish Fry that was held Thursday April 12th. Great food, great kids, great cause!
We thank you for the continued support of our school!
Gina Fuller
Pumpkin Patch as Ministry?
You bet! It is only April, and would you believe it is time to put the Pumpkin Patch back on our radar screen?! This is a good and fun ministry that we have done in recent years that brings many people in our community – especially children – together for a fun, educational, and affirming experience. This is one important way we can let the larger Selma community know that St. Paul’s loves and cares about them and that is ministry!
In order for this program to work, it needs volun-teers. Specifically we need a member of our con-gregation to be present in the Clos during open hours and meet guests and sell pumpkins.
We do have a person who is willing to organize and head up Pumpkin Patch IF enough people are willing to help out.
Shifts are from 12:00– 3:00pm and 3:00-6:00pm. The Pumpkin Patch is open for about the last four weeks in October. Would you be willing to cover one or more shifts? Think about it and let us know. Let’s keep this ministry going!
DBP+
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ANNOUNCING OUR PARISH OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Mr. Don King The Jonathan Daniels Pilgrimage & Meals-on-Wheels
Mrs. Leslie King Sawyerville Day Camp
Mrs. Jill Mange El Hogar
Mr. Mike Sexton Christian Outreach Alliance
Ms. Nancy Travis SABRA & The Food Bank
The Rev. Deacon Joanie Hammonds Episcopal Relief & Development, Clean Up Selma, Prayer Shawl Ministry
If you have a passion for outreach and would like to join us please contact:
• Excessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrong.
• Shows extremes in behavior (extremely compliant or extremely demanding; extremely passive or extremely aggressive).
• Doesn’t seem to be attached to the parent or caregiver.
• Acts either inappropriately adult (taking care of other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, thumb-sucking, tantrums.
• Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts.
• Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt.
• Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home.
• Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days. Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropri-ate for the weather.
• Hygiene is consistently bad (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor). Untreated illnesses and physical injuries. Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior.
The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the United States. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to pre‐vent sexual violence.
This April, the 2012 Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign centers on promoting healthy sexuality to prevent sexual violence.
During the month of April some of the needs of SABRA Sanctuary are: paper plates, 1 ply toilet paper, paper towels, washing detergent, dryer sheets, tall kitchen garbage bags, tin foil, sandwich and large plastic bags.
Thank you for your support of SABRA in our effort to help victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Nancy Travis
FROM THE DEACON’S BENCH
I am a “foodie”! I have been blessed to travel the world and to celebrate many holidays in other traditions. Today I real‐ized that I had only celebrated Easter here in The United States. Remembering, that Easter lasts 50 wonderful days my mind turned to food. There is no better way to celebrate our “RISEN LORD” than with good food, friends, and family. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did researching it! BE JOYFUL DURING THIS WONDERFUL SEASON!
Easter Feasts from Around the World France: Lamb is traditionally cooked for Easter in France. 'Gigot D'agneau' (leg of lamb) is prepared in many Christian house‐hold in France, especially for the ceremonious occasion. Among the traditional recipes of France, lamb stew is very popular. The typical French recipe is prepared by making use of spring vegetables. Germany: Easter in Germany is commenced by the organization of a mass prayer in churches, on Saturday evening, which con‐tinues until the dawn of Sunday. On Easter Sunday, families gather for the holy Easter lunch, which is served with colored eggs and a lamb‐shaped cake, among delicacies of fish and bonfires are lite from old Christmas trees. Greece: After the Saturday evening when the church rituals are over, the priest blesses the food carried by people to the church, which are served on Easter Sunday. After the late‐night resurrection service of the Greek Orthodox Church, resurrection soup 'mageritsa' is served to the congregation. On Easter Sunday, spit‐roast lamb is the centerpiece of the table. In the early morning, the spits will be turning in the courtyards and as the lamb, "kokoretsi" is slowly cooked, and the aroma of the roasting lamb whets the appetite of the hungry souls. Christopsomon, a round, flat loaf marked with a cross and decorated with red Easter eggs, is another Greek Easter delicacy. Brazil: Brazil celebrates the festival in autumn, because of its geographical location - majority of the parts of the country are located in the Southern Hemisphere, where spring season is from September to November. There are huge parades and a special Easter delicacy prepared by mixing crushed nuts (preferably peanuts) and other ingredients including sugar to form a paste, is given to the visitors. Mouthwatering dishes are served. Traditionally, the recipes typical to the country are prepared on Easter. These include 'clipfish', chocolate Easter eggs and the lip smack-ing Easter ring cake.
Italy: The most important dish is Agnellino, roasted baby lamb. Eggs feature prominently in the day's dishes, in both soups such as Brodetto Pasquale, a broth-based Easter soup thickened with eggs, and various kinds of breads, both sweet and savory. Pannetone and Colomba (dove shaped) breads are also given as gifts. Hollow chocolate eggs that usually contain something surprising inside are also presented to near and dear ones.
Sweden: The traditional Easter brunch consists of different varieties of pickled herring, cured salmon and Jansson's Temptation (potato, onion and pickled sprats baked in cream). The table is often laid like a traditional smörgåsbord. Spiced schnapps is also a feature of the Easter table. At dinner, people eat roast lamb with potatoes au gratin and asparagus or some other suitable side dish. Russia: Easter egg decoration is an important part Easter traditions in Russia. The predominant color for egg dyeing in Russia is red. The red dye is chosen because it symbolizes the blood of Christ. Furthermore, people crack the eggs open using nails, in order to remind themselves again of the death of Christ. Another integral aspect of Easter celebrations in Russia is the family Easter dinner which is a community affair at the Church itself. The Easter dinner is a sumptuous feast, in which the entire congregation celebrates together. Russian people traditionally bake Easter cakes, known as "kulich," and make curd paskha and bring it to church along with them and asked the priest to bless it before they share it to-gether in the community celebrations.
(I WISH I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT I HAD TO STOP SOMEWHERE! The first dish I’m making is lamb stew!)
Joanie
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PAGE 6 THE EPISTLE
April Books ‘N Brown Bags The book selection for April is Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Fran-ciscan priest Richard Rohr, Come join us in the Bishop’s Room at noon on April 30th for a lively discussion of this excellent book! All are welcome!
St. Paul’s on the Road Philip Moss—Mt Vernon Baptist Church, Curry, AL
Van and Marion Carter – St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Bon Secour, AL
Kenworth and Joanna Nichols – St. Francis Episcopal Church, Stamford, CT
Glenn and James Foster – Trinity Episcopal Church, Pass Christian, MS
Sonia Martin – Westwood Baptist Church, Selma, AL
Lynn and Joe Williams – Cathedral Church of the Advent, Birmingham, AL
Anne Galt Pilcher – The Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul, Charleston, SC, and Christ Church, Pensacola, FL
Janet and John Calame—St. John’s Episcopal Church, Decatur, AL
Easter Day Glory!
Easter Day was once again glorious! Stunning springtime weather without a cloud in the sky; beautiful church grounds; lovingly adorned nave with Easter lilies and festal Easter altar hangings; exquisite choral and organ music; pews filled with St. Paul’s folks, friends, fami-lies, and guests; AND our Diocesan Bishop—The Rt. Rev. Kee Sloan—presiding over it all. God had to be pleased!
Confirmed on Easter Day were: Stephen Posey, Susan Keith, Dayton Reeves, and Hunter Lunceford. We rejoice with these per-sons as they renewed their baptismal promises and received the gift of the Holy Spirit as the Bishop laid his hands upon and prayed over each one. Congratulations, Stephen, Susan, Dayton, and Hunter!
The day’s celebration continued after the ser-vice as an overflow crowd made its way to Parker Hall and the Lower Hall for the “traditional” St. Paul’s Easter Day Luncheon.
Many, many thanks to all who worked so hard to make this Holy Week and Easter Day so spe-cial and memorable. Choir and musicians, Altar Guild, Flower Guild, Ushers, Altar Party, all who helped with preparing the beautiful luncheon coordinated by Doris Truax!!) - thank you, thank you!
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APRIL 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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• 8th Easter Day Holy Eucharist 7:30 & 10:30am (Bishop Visitation and Confirmation) Easter Luncheon following
• 11th Holy Eucharist 7am Breakfast follows Little Friends’ Chapel 9:30am Cedar Hill 10:30am
• 12th Little Friends Fish Fry
• 15th 2 Easter Holy Eucharist 7:30 & 10:30am Breakfast 8:15am Sunday School for all ages 9:10am EYC 5-7pm
• 29th 4 Easter ( Stewardship of Creation) Holy Eucharist 7:30 & 10:30am Breakfast 8:15am 9:10am Sunday School for all ages EYC 5-7pm
• 30th Books ‘n Brown Bags 12noon
SAVE THE DATES! May 13th—Mother’s Day and Youth Sunday
May 15th—Little Friends Preschool Graduation—6pm
May 20th—Last Sunday School till the Fall May 27th—The Day of Pentecost (Sunday service schedule changes to 8 and 10 am)
June 25-28—VBS “Come to the Manger” 9am-12noon
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
**Note: Choir rehearses Wednesdays at 6pm!**
Did you know….that the name of the great tall candle burning by our baptismal font during all services during the Great Fifty Days of Easter is the Paschal Candle. The Paschal Candle represents the Light of Christ that has come into the world. Its name comes from the lamb originally eaten by Jews on Passover—called the “paschal lamb.” The lambs were taken to the Temple in Jerusalem, sacrificed, and then taken by the people to their homes to be eaten during the night. As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ has become
for us the fulfillment of the Jewish Passover. Jesus is the Paschal Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. In addi-tion to the Great Fifty Days of Easter, the Paschal Candle also burns at every baptism and at every funeral.
“Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
