Saint Boniface News Published by Saint Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242 FEBRUARY 2015 WEEKLY SERVICES Sunday Eucharists 7:45, 9:00 & 11:15 am Tuesdays 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer (Eucharist first Wednesday) Thursdays 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Healing CHURCH at the BEACH SATURDAY, Feb. 7 - 5:00 p.m. Come as you are for informal worship and fellowship – at the beach! We meet at the yellow lifeguard tower on Siesta Key Beach at 5:00 pm. All are welcome! Every first Saturday night of the month, join friends for some simple songs, prayers, a brief homily - a new way to worship in the beauty of God's creation! Bring a chair or towel to sit on. CHRISM MASS Held each year in the diocese, this special service will take place at St. Boniface Church on Thursday, February 19 at 10 a.m. The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, Canon for Missional Vitality in the Diocese of Long Island, will preach, and the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith will bless the oil that is used for healing and baptism for the upcoming year. From the Rector, John C. N. Hall February 2015 Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. My ophthalmologist checked my eyesight a few weeks ago. I was in for my annual checkup and for new glasses. I sat in a chair looking through the refractor device focused on an eye chart 20 feet away. The doctor flipped lenses of different strengths back and forth into my view. With each new lens he asked, “Which lens is clearer? One or two? One or two?” As always, my doctor and I shared a single goal – 20/20 vision. Here at St. Boniface, when I think of the ministry we all share together, I am struck by the fact that the year 2020 is less than five years away. We have a unique opportunity for a ministry checkup of sorts – a chance to focus our future mission and vision as a parish – a moment to see clearly where God is calling us in 2020 and beyond. You have the opportunity to help clarify our future together at St. Boniface. Your input can help us make key decisions – just like flipping between lenses to see which one is the clearest – to help us understand our call from God in the days ahead. Beginning Sunday, February 15 th , you are invited to participate in the first of monthly all-parish forums to discuss our next steps. These gatherings will bring clarity to important questions before us. Questions like these: “What is our history and how does it shape our present?” “What are the realities of our current life and ministry as a parish?” “What ministries do we feel called to in the future (and what is not in our future)?” “How will we fund our way forward?” “What will we claim as our mission?” “What vision will we cast for the next chapter in our lives together?” “Will we be clear about our priorities for 2020 and beyond?” Only our congregation working together can answer these questions. Your input is vital to this process. Please plan to join in these monthly all-parish forums and help write our prescription for a healthy future in ministry and mission. Fr. John Hall ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES February 18 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 services February 18 are: 10:00 am Ash liturgy and Eucharist (with hymns) 7:00 pm Ash Liturgy and Eucharist (with choir) LENTEN RETREAT "From the Jordan to Jerusalem: A Lenten Journey of Self-Discovery and Reflection." Join us as we begin a walk to the Cross. Led by parishioner and chaplain, Bob Griffiths, we will share a day of teaching, prayer, and reflection as we begin our preparation for the Passion of our Lord and, ultimately, His Resurrection. Saturday, February 21, 9-2. Bring your lunch. Coffee and doughnuts provided. Please reserve by calling (941)349-5616, ext. 5. LENTEN MEDITATIONS Episcopal Relief & Development, the independent outreach arm of the Episcopal Church, once again provides this annual Lenten resource. Written by leaders throughout the Church, these daily reflections on Scripture and other sources of spiritual wisdom are a thoughtful guide for your Lenten journey. Visit www.episcopalrelief.org to download a copy or sign up for a daily email; or pick up your copy of the booklet in the church entry (beginning February 15).
Transcript
Saint Boniface News Published by Saint Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, FL 34242
FEBRUARY 2015
WEEKLY SERVICES
Sunday Eucharists
7:45, 9:00 & 11:15 am
Tuesdays 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer
(Eucharist first Wednesday)
Thursdays 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Healing
CHURCH at the BEACH
SATURDAY, Feb. 7 - 5:00 p.m. Come as you are for informal worship and fellowship – at the beach! We meet at the yellow lifeguard tower on Siesta Key Beach at 5:00 pm. All are welcome! Every first Saturday night of the month, join friends for some simple songs, prayers, a brief homily - a new way to worship in the beauty of God's creation! Bring a chair or towel to sit on.
CHRISM MASS
Held each year in the diocese, this special
service will take place at St. Boniface
Church on Thursday, February 19 at 10
a.m. The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers,
Canon for Missional Vitality in the Diocese
of Long Island, will preach, and the Rt.
Rev. Dabney Smith will bless the oil that is
used for healing and baptism for the
upcoming year.
From the Rector, John C. N. Hall
February 2015 Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.
My ophthalmologist checked my eyesight a few weeks ago. I was in for my annual checkup and for new glasses. I sat in a chair looking through the refractor device focused on an eye chart 20 feet away. The doctor flipped lenses of different strengths back and forth into my view. With each new lens he asked, “Which lens is clearer? One or two? One or two?”
As always, my doctor and I shared a single goal – 20/20 vision.
Here at St. Boniface, when I think of the ministry we all share together, I am struck by the fact that the year 2020 is less than five years away. We have a unique opportunity for a ministry checkup of sorts – a chance to focus our future mission and vision as a parish – a moment to see clearly where God is calling us in 2020 and beyond.
You have the opportunity to help clarify our future together at St. Boniface. Your input can help us make key decisions – just like flipping between lenses to see which one is the clearest – to help us understand our call from God in the days ahead.
Beginning Sunday, February 15th, you are invited to participate in the first of monthly all-parish forums to discuss our next steps. These gatherings will bring clarity to important questions before us. Questions like these:
“What is our history and how does it shape our present?”
“What are the realities of our current life and ministry as a parish?”
“What ministries do we feel called to in the future (and what is not in our future)?”
“How will we fund our way forward?”
“What will we claim as our mission?”
“What vision will we cast for the next chapter in our lives together?”
“Will we be clear about our priorities for 2020 and beyond?”
Only our congregation working together can answer these questions. Your input is vital to this process. Please plan to join in these monthly all-parish forums and help write our prescription for a healthy future in ministry and mission. Fr. John Hall
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES February 18
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 services February 18 are:
10:00 am Ash liturgy and Eucharist (with hymns)
7:00 pm Ash Liturgy and Eucharist (with choir)
LENTEN RETREAT "From the Jordan to Jerusalem: A Lenten Journey of Self-Discovery and Reflection." Join us as we begin a walk to the Cross. Led by parishioner and chaplain, Bob Griffiths, we will share a day of teaching, prayer, and reflection as we begin our preparation for the Passion of our Lord and, ultimately, His Resurrection. Saturday, February 21, 9-2. Bring your lunch. Coffee and doughnuts provided. Please reserve by calling (941)349-5616, ext. 5.
LENTEN MEDITATIONS Episcopal Relief &
Development, the independent outreach arm of the
Episcopal Church, once again provides this annual Lenten resource. Written by leaders throughout the
Church, these daily reflections on Scripture and
other sources of spiritual wisdom are a thoughtful
guide for your Lenten journey. Visit
www.episcopalrelief.org to download a copy or sign up for a daily email; or pick up your copy of the
booklet in the church entry (beginning February 15).
FEBRUARY at SAINT BONIFACE
Many thanks to Kat Wors, Nursery Caregiver at St. Boniface Church for 9 years! Kat has worked faithfully with our youngest members every Sunday morning, and other special occasions. We have been blessed by your service and wish you the very best!! Andi Taylor
“SUNDAYS at SIX” CONCERT
Come and enjoy the jazzy sounds of the Jerry Eckert Trio, featuring Jerry Eckert on piano, Dave Hubbell on bass, and Rich MacDonald on drums. The program will include music of Gershwin from “Porgy and Bess,” Bricusse, a medley of popular music from the stage and film, Sondheim and Rachmaninoff (an unlikely pair but nonetheless musical!), music from the great American Songbook, some old Jazz standards and a Beatles Medley. The concert is free, thanks to the generosity of the Boniface Friends of Music. February 8, 6 p.m.
YOUTH NEWS: Hungry, Hungry February!
During February, the youth group is focusing on hunger and will participate in TWO events, with ONE cause. Over Presidents
Day weekend, we will participate again this year in the 30 Hour Famine. We will spend 30 hours together fasting while we
grow closer to God and learn about hunger in our world. The money we raise goes to support World Vision in their effort to
end hunger globally. Then two weeks later on March 1st we are participating in The Crop Walk. The Crop Walk is a 5 mile
walk that raises money locally for All Faiths Food Bank, and for Church World Service. There are a few ways you are invited to
join us: 1. Fast with us! Do your own 30 hour famine at home!
2. Walk with us! You are invited to join us at the Crop Walk! The walk is 5 miles, or whatever distance you feel most
comfortable completing.
3. Support us with your sponsorship! We participate in these activities not only so that we can raise awareness, but
also so we can support the causes with the crucial dollars it takes for these organizations to do their work. You can
drop a check in the offering basket during the month of February made out to St Boniface, noting either "30 Hour
Famine" or "Crop Walk" on the memo line. If you have no preference which organization it goes to, just write
"Hunger." To participate or for more info, contact Alex Everson, [email protected] or 941-349-5616.
AND on February 27, the youth groups of St Boniface and Church of the Redeemer are going roller skating together! Meet at
7 p.m. at Stardust Skate Center. Cost is $11 which includes admission and skates.
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 11
“The Deep Truth: Noah’s Flood” Join our Rector, John Hall,
after dinner for a presentation on the pervasive myth of a worldwide flood in many of the world's religions, and how there may be deep truth to the story of Noah and the other flood stories. For dinner, please call 941-349-5616 x5 by noon the Tuesday before for reservations, $10pp.
LOVE BOOKS? St. Boniface has a lending library filled with
books related to church teaching and studies, books of
meditations, contemporary issues, self-help and religious
novels. We even have a St. Boniface authors section. Come
visit on Sunday mornings between services and most
weekdays. Like to help? Stop by on Tuesday mornings (check
the leaflet for times, as they vary). You’re always welcome to
join the Library Team as we sort and organize. Appropriate
book donations which are timely and in good condition are
always welcome. Save the date, Sunday, February 22, for our
Annual Open House! For more info contact Dor Brown, (941-346
-0501) or the church office (941-349-5616).
Give and Take Cart, coming soon! The St. Boniface Library
needs your help! If you have any novels (paperbacks or hard
covers) that are just sitting on your shelf, we would love to add
them to our GIVE and TAKE rolling cart library ministry. These
books will be for all parishioners to read and enjoy. Please drop
off those books in the Parish Hall soon. -- The Library Team
FISH FRY FRIDAYS! Join us each Friday in February for a delicious fish dinner that includes fried Tilapia, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, dessert and a drink - and all for only $10! Meals are available for dine-in or take-out in the Boniface Community Center 5 - 8 p.m.
GRANTS FAIR The Grants Committee continues furthering community issues you identified as important: hunger, homelessness and child safety. We recently recommended grants to six local groups working in these areas: All Faiths Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Family Promise of Sarasota, Resurrection House, Children’s Guardian Fund/Guardian ad Litem and Take Stock in Children. Please join us at our Grants Fair to meet representatives from these groups and learn how you can become part of the change they’re creating. Sunday, February 8 at Coffee Hour following the 9:00am service.
BLOOD DRIVE Have a heart this month, and give the gift of
life! It’s quick, simple, and (generally) painless. You need to be
in good health, over 17 years old and weigh more than 110
pounds. To schedule your time and avoid long waits, sign up at
Coffee Hour. Child care available 9:00-11:30 for donors. Sunday,
February 22, 8:30 – 12:30, in the church parking lot. For info
contact Nancy Rafter (941-346-3972).
MUSICA SACRA presents John Stainer’s The Crucifixion
Sir John Stainer's legacy has been largely kept alive through
his great Victorian oratorio "The Crucifixion," of which "God
So Loved the World" is its centerpiece. Subtitled "A
Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer,"
Stainer's masterpiece was often compared in its importance
to Handel's Messiah. Conducted by Bob Parrish, with Neil
Page at the organ. Sunday February 22 at 6pm. Tickets $20
SPECIAL GIVING IN FEBRUARY Giving here … This month our thoughts may turn to hearts and flowers, thanks to Hallmark. But your response to this month’s special offering says “love” in a deeper way. Your gift supports our Pastoral Care Ministries – Stephen Ministry, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, Healing Mission and the Prayer Group – the ways we reach out with care and healing to those in crisis, turmoil or ill health. Your gift may be made in memory or tribute. Giving There … Half of what you share through February’s Special Giving will go to our work with Family Promise of Sarasota. This highly successful local group helps families regain self-sufficiency after a crisis has left them homeless. Last year, thanks to your fellow parishioners, we hosted 8 families, including 13 children from 8-months to 15-years old, on our church campus. Learning More … Visit familypromisesarasota.org. Or, stop by the Grants Fair to learn why over 100 fellow parishioners volunteer once a quarter during our Family Promise host week. Coffee Hour 10:15 – 11:00, Sunday, February 8.
B.E.S.T. GREEN TIP “Ask and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find; knock and it will be opened unto you.” Matthew 7:7 On a recent cruise on Holland America Line I learned about their environmental practices to reduce waste, promote recycling, reuse and conserve. Among the innovations I found most unique is the replacement of perchloroethylene-based dry cleaning machines with “wet cleaning” machines utilizing a soy, orange and banana oil-base. Keep your eyes open to learn about any environmental practices you can use!
- Anne Moffitt
Thank you Carolyn, Barbara and Adam
St. Boniface's Vestry, Staff Development Committee, Finance Committee,
and Rector are working together to bring St. Boniface's budget into
balance. This task requires a careful examination of how the parish is
professionally staffed, and as a one-step in a larger plan of cost savings in
2015, three employee positions are coming to an end. The staff positions
held by Carolyn Walker, Barbara Roth-Donaldson, and Adam Palermo are
no longer being funded. Please give special thanks to Carolyn, Barbara,
and Adam for their work as employees of the parish, and wish them well in
the days ahead. Carolyn, with nearly 16 years as Membership Secretary at St. Boniface, wore many hats. She not only kept our member records up-to-date, but also organized the altar flower donations, helped with the deposit each week, hosted our Coffee Hours, managed reservations for dining and other
events, volunteered on the Altar Guild and much, much more. She is affectionately is known to many of us as our “Church Mom.”
Barbara, an organist here at St. Boniface for 5+ years, has been a true gem in our music ministry. Her favorite pleasure is playing piano at the Thursday Healing service. Luckily for us, Barbara has offered to continue to do so as her own ministry. We may also enjoy her presence singing in the
choir or playing at the organ on occasion.
Adam has been part of our Youth program for 2+ years as a part-time Youth Assistant with Andi then Alex, and a true favorite among the students. Adam plans to still volunteer, though, from time to time.
WALKING THE WAY Together we strive to walk as People of the Way, as early Christians were known, who are intent on caring for one another, sharing with our neighbor, enjoying fellowship in breaking of the bread, and giving to the work of the church. Your pledge and gifts undergird this work! Our thanks go to these parishioners, our most recent pledgers: Doug and Rosemary Ferdinand, Charlie and Lorraine Livingston, Ron & Jill McKinlay, Joy McIntyre, Kathie Neubauer, Audrey Pinney, Albert and Helen Martha Smith, Ann Triggle.
PARISHIONER TO RECEIVE LOCAL HONOR The Florida Center for Early Childhood will honor our own Ginger Pavloff at their annual luncheon this month. She will be named an Ambassador of the Year for her ongoing efforts raising community awareness for The Florida Center and their Healthy Families program. Through grants and our
Giving Tree, St. Boniface has enjoyed a long history of supporting this very successful community organization working with at-risk families and children.
Do You Know Someone Who Is Hurting? If you know someone—perhaps a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative—who is going through a difficult time, there’s a wonderful way you can help them receive the care and support they need. Tell them about Stephen Ministry! Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of training to provide high-quality, confidential, one-to-one, Christian care to hurting people. Stephen Ministers meet weekly with their care receivers to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. (Males are matched with males, and females are matched with females.) The caring relationship lasts for as long as the person needs care. It’s free, and it’s a powerful way you can help a hurting friend. To learn how to connect someone you know with a Stephen Minister, talk with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders: John Buszin, Mikal Frey, Allan Rogers or Andi Taylor. Our Stephen Ministers will start offering care in mid April!
THE ST. BONIFACE NEWSLETTER will now be published bi-monthly for cost savings—please submit any
