Saint Boniface News Published by Saint Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242

FEBRUARY 2018

WEEKLY SERVICES

Sunday Eucharist

8:00 & 10:00 am

Tuesdays 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer

(Eucharist first Wednesdays)

Thursdays 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Healing

NURSERY Childcare is available for

our youngest parishioners on Sunday

mornings 8:45 – 11:45 a.m. in the

Nursery with Ms. Yu Ya, our licensed,

professional caregiver.

CHURCH SCHOOL Join us Sunday mornings at 10:00 in the Atrium! Our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program welcomes children age 3 up through 5th grade. Activity areas include stories and parables of Jesus, Baptism, Communion, prayer and the Mystery of the Kingdom of God, practical life and care of the Atrium, artwork, geography of Israel. For more information, contact Fr. Jonathan Evans, (941)349-5616 x313

SCOUT SUNDAY February 11

Join us to honor current and past scouts! We will

recognize them at the 10:00 a.m. service, please feel free

to wear your uniform,

badges and buckles.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

Join us Shrove Tuesday, February 13, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the

Community Center for this traditional gathering before Ash

Wednesday. Reservations, please, by signing up at Coffee Hour,

calling (941)349-5616 x5, or on our website (search “pancake supper”). Pay at

the door, $5.00 per person, families with young children capped at $15.00

LENTEN QUIET DAY Accompany Fr. Jonathan

Evans to DaySpring as Bishop Dabney Smith will hold a Lenten Quiet Day on Tuesday, February 20 at DaySpring Episcopal Center. The subject for this year’s quiet day is The Spirituality of Lent. The day includes four talks, worship, quiet time and lunch. The cost is $10 and will be held in the new Program Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please email merfourth@episcopalswfl.org if you plan on attending.

ABSALOM JONES SUNDAY—FEBRUARY 11 With guest preacher Adrienne Hymes

On Sunday February 11, St. Boniface Church will observe Absalom Jones Day, remembering the first African American priest in the Episcopal Church. And we will welcome The Rev. Adrienne R. Hymes as our guest preacher at both services.

Adrienne serves as the Missioner for Church Extension in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Her work exploring the potential and establishing an Episcopal congregation in Wesley Chapel, FL (north of Tampa) began in October, 2016. Today, a worshipping community is now in organization.

Hymes is a graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary. She also has more than 13 years of experience as a public relations and marketing executive in Los Angeles and in Washington, D.C. Since 2014 she has served as a hospital chaplain in the Tampa Bay area.

Adrianne is based at St. Anselm’s Episcopal Chapel on the University of South Florida’s campus where she is revitalizing the center, founded in 1960, as a vibrant spiritual resource.

YOUTH GROUP welcomes high school

students and young adults on Sunday

evenings for food, fun, fellowship and

worship! Contact Fr. Jonathan Evans for

more information, (941)349-5616 x313.

ASH WEDNESDAY

February 14 The liturgy of Ash Wednesday is

one of the most profound moments

of the year, but happily is directly

tied to the celebrations of Holy

Week and Easter. Our traditional

Ash Wednesday Liturgy and

Eucharist services are:

7:30, 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

(NO Wednesday dinner)

RACE, RACISM and the REFORMATION All are welcome on Saturday, February 3 for this Faith Focus event with Rev. Paul Roberts, president of the Johnson C. Smith Seminary in Atlanta. 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., First Presbyterian Church Sarasota.

LITURGY CHANGES for LENT 2018

Lent is the great penitential season of the Church as we join our Lord in his final journey to Jerusalem. Lent also prepares us for Holy Week and Easter. To enhance this year’s Lenten journey, our Sunday worship, beginning February 18,

will be experienced using Rite One liturgies. For some this will be new, for others it will be a reminder of former days. For all of us, it will be a change from the familiar. Each of the congregational responses and prayers will be printed in the Sunday service leaflets.

FEBRUARY at St. Boniface Church

Thanks to the energy of our 40+

ministry groups, parishioners and

newcomers can share a talent,

meet new friends and deepen their spirituality.

Music Ministries and Friends of Music: Our Parish Choir and

Handbell Choir share joy and laughter. Our beautiful music

glorifies the spoken word during worship. Special masses and

concerts reach out to the community, as well. Working with the

Director of Music, the Concert Series Committee and Friends of

Music create and promote our free-to-the community concerts

and the Young Artist’s Showcase. Parish and Handbell Choirs -

contact James Guyer at 941-349-5616 x326 ; Friends of Music –

contact Bob Bole at 941-735-4782

Literary Ladies: We gather monthly during season to share our

thoughts on literary works, jointly chosen. Come read and discuss

with us! Contact Rita Dadzis, 941-349-4870

Episcopal Relief & Development: Working with the national

Church’s independent outreach arm connects us with the larger

Church and the world as we respond in the face of disasters or

need. Contact Nancy Rafter, 941-402-3302

Women’s Bible Study: Each winter we gather to explore the Bible

as it pertains to us today, using videos and workbooks help guide

our discussions. Contact Ruth Brown, 330-466-8619

EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT OFFERS

LENTEN MEDITATIONS AND MITE BOXES

Written by Episcopal Church leaders across

the country, ERD’s meditations for this

year will deepen your faith in the risen

Christ and strengthen your connection to

our neighbors around the world. ♦ The

writings explore how children inform our

spirituality and what we can learn from

their spiritual lives. ♦ The traditional Lenten practice

of almsgiving provides an opportunity to renew your

commitment to people in need. Place an intentional

offering, or simply your loose change, in the box each

day. We will return and bless the mite boxes on the

first Sunday after Easter, April 8, then send the

collection to ERD. ♦ Both the meditations and mite

boxes will be available in the church entry. You may

also visit www.episcopalrelief.org to download a copy

or sign up to receive it via daily email.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS!

Join us for worship at 5:30 p.m. in the Church, social time and catered dinner at 6:00 in the Community Center, (for dinner reservations, please sign up at Coffee Hour or call 941-349-5616 x5 by noon the

Tuesday before, $10pp), then programs after dinner:

February 7: “Ready & Steady” Amanda Harrison from the Pines of Sarasota will talk about their Fall Prevention Program (in the Community Center), and Fr. Jonathan Evans will be leading us through some of the work of Christian philosopher, Peter Rollins (in the Library)

February 14: No Wonderful Wednesday dinner – Join us for our Ash Wednesday services at 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

February 21 & 28: “Jews and Judaism” with Rev. Jay T. Rock. Learning about the long journey of the Jewish people brings many discoveries, including new insights into our own Christian faith and history. Christianity grew out of ancient Judaism, and the two paths have been closely linked ever since. In 4 sessions, we will explore: 1.) Diversity Among Jews and the Varieties of Judaism, 2.) Patterns of Jewish Life, 3.) The Parting of the Ways: How Christianity and Judaism Became Separate Religious Traditions, and 4.) Jewish History, Jewish Mysticism and the Trajectories of Jewish Thought. If possible, there will also be a visit to a local synagogue for those who are interested. Rev. Jay T. Rock, who served in the National Council of Churches and the Presbyterian Church (USA) in interfaith relations, holds a Ph. D. in the History of Religions with a focus on Jewish religious history.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING Take a major

step in looking after your health! Parishioner and Faith Community Nurse, Doriel Boyce, encourages you to partake in our complimentary screening on February 11 in the Library following the 10:00 service.

PASTORAL CARE

February Special Offering

Each month, above and beyond our regular giving, we have an opportunity to support one of the many ministries at Saint Boniface. Our Special Offering for February strengthens the work of our many pastoral care ministries. These groups help us to be present with fellow parishioners and friends in the community who are going through times of trouble, crisis or need. You may make your gift in memory or thanksgiving.

FISH FRY FRIDAYS in FEBRUARY Join us Fridays February 9, 16, 23 for a delicious

fish dinner that includes fried Tilapia, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw,

cornbread, dessert and a drink - and all for only $12! Meals are available for dine-in or take-out in the Boniface Community Center 5 - 8 p.m.

Journey to Generosity ...Together Last fall we set out on a journey to discover how we might unleash our potential for mission and ministry at St. Boniface in 2018. And what a journey it was! In Cottage Meetings and conversations long afterwards, the excitement grew. Finally, at last month’s Annual Meeting, the Vestry announced that we had exceeded our annual appeal goal. Pledges totaled $775,872! Our heartfelt thanks go to all who responded, making this such a successful campaign. If you’ve not yet pledged, it’s not too late! We hope you’ll prayerfully consider doing so today. Your gift furthers strengthens our worship and many ministries at St. Boniface and readies us for God’s work in the world. Pledge materials are available in the church office (941-349-5616 x318), church entry, or online (www.bonifacechurch.org/stewardship). – The St. Boniface Stewardship Committee

CANCELLATION NOTICE The February 11th concert of Cathedra, the Washington National Cathedral choral group, has been cancelled, and presently no other music events have been scheduled for February.

and MORE!

MOVIE VIEWING Tortured for Christ, the movie based on the book of the same name by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, is scheduled to be shown Monday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. at AMC 12 Theatre, Sarasota (8201 S. Tamiami Trail). Tickets are $12.50 each. The price includes a free copy of the book, which Pastor Wurmbrand wrote after his release from a Romanian prison, where he was held – often in solitary confinement – and tortured for 14 years for professing faith in Christ. For tickets or more info contact parishioner Jackie Ekgren (jekgren@mac.com or 941-312-9109, voice mail). Tickets are also available online through The Voice of the Martyrs’ website (https://www.persecution.com).

B.E.S.T. BOX Sponsored by the Boniface Eco-Stewardship Team

NAME TAGS Save your shirt, save the planet and save some time! BEST is selling magnetic (lanyard option available, too) plastic sleeves which hold your Saint Boniface name tag. No pins to puncture your clothing, no time needed each Sunday filling one out, no waste using a new one each time. Available at the Welcome Table (in the church entry) or during office hours in the church office, $2.50 for blank label or $3.50 for personalized calligraphy label.

COFFEE CUPS BEST supports the introduction of new paper coffee cups at Coffee Hour. Please dispose your emptied cups in the green-lidded recycling bins in the Parish Hall. Also help to cover the extra cost by adding a little more to the coffee/tea kitty. These cups are recyclable and better for your health!

TOUR THE FLORIDA INSTITUTE Friday, February 23 at 10 a.m. We’ll meet at the Institute and explore the unique green building, demonstrating energy-efficient and sustainable technologies, and the grounds, focusing on watershed balance, food supply, and biodiversity. Florida House Institute is located at 4454 Beneva Road and is a nonprofit organization. $15 per person includes entrance fee and lunch. Please sign up by February 18 at Coffee Hour so that we can let them know how many to expect. Contact Grace Riker at 941-924-8908.

FROM THE LIBRARY TEAM Many thanks for all the wonderful books that you have donated to the GIVE and TAKE CART. We appreciate the BIOGRAPHIES and FICTION books that fill it up. You are welcome to return books or donate new ones in the DROP OFF bin.

ROYAL SCHOOL of CHURCH MUSIC

BENEFIT CONCERT

St. Boniface Church welcomes Marilyn Keiser,

Chancellor's Professor Emerita of Music (Organ/Sacred

Music), Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University and

virtuoso concert organist on Friday, March 2, 7:00 pm.

Marilyn’s performance will benefit the creation of a

music ministry for children at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, an

affiliate member of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in

America. $20 suggested donations can be made in advance on our

website (search “Marilyn”), or purchase Sundays at coffee hour

beginning February 4. A reception with the artist to follow the concert.

PRESCHOOL NEWS It is hard to believe that I have been on staff a little over a

month, and have met so many wonderful people. I have enjoyed

the many conversations with church members and preschool

parents.

Our preschool committee has been hard at work revising the

handbook, looking at the website, surveying parents and similar

preschool programs, and creating a new mission statement that

better aligns with the church. All these pieces will help as we

update preschool promotional materials and documents, and

prepare for summer and fall enrollment. If you have any questions

about your preschool, please talk with committee members; Carol

Fox, Bev Parker, Ann Hardcastle, Jenifer Parker, Frankie

Krueger and Vince Brennan. This talented committee is

excited and very diligent in their tasks.

Wondering how you can catch some of the excitement and

share your gifts and talents? We are looking for some volunteers to

help us with garden projects in some areas near the playgrounds.

Do you like to get your hands dirty or would you like to donate

some plants to the project? We would be thankful for your

help. Please contact me to see how you can get involved. We will

also take donations of gently used children’s books (especially

Christian books) and other child related items. We will be having an

open house in mid-March for all to see our “wonderful little gem”

on Siesta Key. More information to come next month. We hope you

will help us to get the word out to your friends and neighbors.

- Susan O’Carroll, St. Boniface Preschool Director

SPECIAL SPEAKER:

The Rev. Dr. Barbara C. Crafton Come meet and hear Barbara Crafton, a renowned

author, speaker, and Episcopal priest who talks about

"The Also Life: What Happens Next?" All of us wonder

about the life that is larger than the one we know. We

often call it "the afterlife," but is that really the best term for it? Barbara

helps us take a look at our tradition in light of what we now know about

the universe. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m.,

with Eucharist service at 5:30 then “Terrific Tuesday” dinner at 6:00 pm

($10 pp, reservations required for dinner).

Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, is an Episcopal priest, spiritual director

and author of many books as well as of the celebrated "Almost Daily

eMo from the Geranium Farm," read by thousands worldwide. She was

rector of St. Clement's Church in Manhattan's Theatre District. She was

also a chaplain on the waterfront of New York, and served both

historic Trinity Church Wall Street and St. John’s-in-the-Village. She was

a chaplain at Ground Zero during the recovery effort after the attack on

the World Trade Center.

LENTEN OFFERING at the HEALING MISSION

We would like to offer a time for contemplative prayer at the Healing Mission for those that might like to add a half hour devotion to their Lenten practice. Pray with two healing ministers at a time that is convenient for you. Our hours are Tuesdays 10:00 – 12:00 p.m., Wednesdays 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., and Fridays 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. and other times by appointment. Lift up a need for yourself or others or simply rest in the peace which seems to permeate our very walls. Companions in prayer are ready to stand with you. Contact the Healing Mission by calling (941)349-5616 x335.

St. Boniface Rector’s Report Annual Meeting January 21, 2018 Adventure is defined as an exciting or remarkable experience; an undertaking involving unknown risks. When used as a verb, to adventure is to try, to proceed. To be adventurous is to cope with the new or unknown. Adventure is what happens when God acts and you follow the Spirit’s nudging. It is a wonderful descriptor of the Christian life lived out in a forward-looking community of faith.

Adventure is what we were embarking on together at the start of 2017. But my hope was not nearly as big as the many and wonderful blessings from God that we are recalling and celebrating today.

We still did not know this time last year about how it would work out for us, as priest and parish. We were yet to fully experience the awesome musical gifts of James Guyer (who today celebrates his 1st anniversary with us.) Last year at this time we did not even know the names Jonathan Evans, or SURE, (or Irma!).

Elisa Hansen was interning at another parish. We did not budget for an ordination or an installation. We had yet to hear the phrase “Journey to Generosity…Together” or cottage meetings! Or that Susan O’Carroll would join us as our Preschool Director.

A year like 2017 reminds us again that life in the Church of Jesus Christ, driven by the Holy Spirit, is always doing something new! There are countless exciting stories about this being our reality in the parish this year. I want to share some with you.

Under the direction of Fr. Jonathan Evans our ministry to children, youth and families is flourishing again. Their attendance on Sundays has grown in numbers and frequency and the youth enjoyed a ski trip to Colorado after Christmas.

And later this year James Guyer will be launching our Royal School of Church Music program for children in the area to learn and grow under his gentle and brilliant direction.

Barbara Kerr joined the parish during this year. Among Barbara’s many gifts is that she is an American Sign Language interpreter for the deaf (with the special finesse to communicate the nuanced beauty of the Episcopal liturgy).

The unplanned transition of our largest ministry enterprise, the St. Boniface Preschool, revealed the need for a permanent board as an essential liaison between the parish and school. With the vestry’s approval, I have appointed 7-members that will serve staggered terms. Six members will be from the parish, and one school parent. They are; Bev Parker, Carol Fox, Jenifer Parker, Frankie Krueger and Ann Hardcastle; and Vince Brennan as Chair.

Under this new leadership group, the vestry is committed to the school in the short term, and confident of the school’s sustainable future. I am grateful for their work.

Our vitality in all aspects of parish life is becoming more and more evident. New and long established ministries are flourishing. By all indicators we are healthy and stable. This creates the opportunity to begin dreaming about our future.

Next year, in 2019, this parish will be celebrating its 65th anniversary. This year will be exploring what it means for a faith community to be 65 and planning a meaningful celebration.

Christian discipleship is a life-long endeavor that continues throughout this life, preparing us for the life to come. We exist as a community to support each other and provide what’s needed to do just that. So I encourage you to continue to deepen your faith by regular weekly worship, prayer, and study of God’s word. I encourage you to keep living your faith by making offerings, and doing good works of mercy and justice.

Things have happened this year that some thought might have been unattainable not too long ago. But you knew better - because of your faith in God and faith in each other. It’s your faith and optimism that inspires our staff, and me, everyday.

We are filled with gratitude to God for the year’s achievements, and look forward with excitement toward the opportunities and divine plans that are unfolding. I thank God and I thank you for the privilege of serving Our Lord as rector of this exciting, faithful, and adventurous parish.

The Rev. Wayne Farrell, Rector, St. Boniface Episcopal Church

OUTREACH NEWS

RISE AGAINST HUNGER Hold the date for our third annual meal packaging event! March 17th we’ll

gather again, with the goal packaging 17,000 (or more) rice-based meals. This is actually our fourth event

with Rise Against Hunger, if you count this past fall’s wildly successful emergency hurricane relief effort.

Watch for sign-up and donation opportunities later this month. We’ll need many enthusiastic volunteers –

including 10 willing to do some heavy lifting. We’ll also need to raise $5,000 (or more) to cover the cost of

the meals at 29¢ each. To join in the fun or to learn more contact Liz Deane 941-993-9809 or Annarita Scott

941-504-1205.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY St. Boniface Church is reconnecting with Habitat for Humanity, which is in

the process of building several affordable housing units in Sarasota County. They do not require finish

carpenters--just interested folks, male and female, young (well, over 16 and old-no limit) to work half days on

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We already have a small cadre of volunteers and are looking for more

participants. Habitat will be constructing approximately 20 new affordable homes each year going forward.

This will make it possible for hard working families to live near their work here in Sarasota. The average family

unit consists of 3-4 persons, therefore they will be providing new housing for 60-80 individuals each year. If

you are interested please contact parishioner Steve Reid 206-571-6392 or stevereid4@gmail.com.

S.U.R.E.’s JUSTICE MINISTRY NETWORK begins taking shape at St. Boniface Church. Dozens of our parishioners attended small gatherings in member’s homes in January to learn about becoming more involved in S.U.R.E. (Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity). Many of those attending committed to becoming Justice Ministry Network Members. Over the next few weeks, you may be receiving a call from one of them inviting you to attend The Nehemiah Assembly on March 19, 2018. As a Covenant Congregation, St. Boniface has committed to having forty persons at the gathering of over 1,000 from S.U.R.E.’s 19 local congregations.

S.U.R.E. TAKES UP AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SARASOTA

Does Sarasota face a serious problem in providing affordable housing to local people? What is the scale of need? Many of you shared your ideas and concerns about this issue at our parish’s Sacred Conversations held last month. S.U.R.E. leaders reminded us that Sarasota has 14,800 households that are only one paycheck away from homelessness. The problems that stem from not having a stable roof overhead include neighborhood decay; erratic schooling and dropouts; family disintegration; job loss; addiction and resort to crime. The reverse -- reliable housing -- produces equally dramatic results: neighborhood improvement; family stability; improved schools; lowered crime; a magnet for new business.

Some of the deeply rooted problems that contribute to homelessness, like racism, social inequality, and good-paying jobs, are on S.U.R.E.'s agenda. S.U.R.E. believes we can begin to peel away at that onion of neediness by focusing on ways to make affordable housing available, while simultaneously contributing to economic development.

Where might we, the 19 individual congregations that are S.U.R.E. members do to help make housing affordable and available to the estimated 14,800 Sarasota households that need it? We can begin by learning about the ways housing costs affect individuals as well as communities, and in various ways let our community leaders know we are alert to the magnitude of the problem. For example, S.U.R.E. is actively working to generate enthusiasm locally for a Housing Trust Fund. The full text of this report is on the St. Boniface website (search “S.U.R.E.”).

To learn more, read Evicted, by Matthew Desmond and The Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein.

--S.U.R.E. Leadership at St. Boniface

**The full text of this report is on the St. Boniface website (search “S.U.R.E.”).