St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church Tidings APRIL 2010 Out of the Tomb and into New Life As with life at birth, once Resurrection has been given, it is impossible to return to “before.” Christians are a strongly forward-facing people. There is no record of Christ returning to the Tomb after the Resurrection and Ascension. He was done with that; so it must be with us who follow him as Lord. Easter is the longest “season” of the Church Year (Ordinary Time is not, techni- cally, a season; it is just “time”). We spend more time contemplating the Resur- rection of Christ than anything else, especially if one includes each and every Sunday in that calculation. This should tell us something. We are a people focused on New Life. The past is essential only in so much as it delivers the message of the Gospel. Any romanticism, any sentimentality that keeps us looking backwards to a “golden age,” whether that be in the Church, our parish, or our own lives, is not faithful to the Mind of Christ. Our calling is to be in continuity with the “Faith once delivered to the saints,” the Gospel that is always true, always challenging, always life- giving. That will often mean taking honest stock of our own community today. Last fall’s all-parish ministry survey raised up several important goals for our congregation. First of all, we identified that ministry with and for young people needs to be re-invigorated. While we have a number of very good offerings and a highly dedicated group of leaders in this area, we have a rapidly-aging congrega- tion with relatively few young persons. This must change. Using ideas brought out in the Annual Meeting discussion group, the Vestry is developing a means of response to this goal, so that we can attract and retain young persons (and their families). We believe we have a valid and positive form of Christianity to offer. It is time to renew our commitment to young persons and those who minister to them in our parish. (Continued)
Transcript
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
TidingsAPRIL 2010
Out of the Tomb and into New Life
As with life at birth, once Resurrection has been given, it is impossible to return to “before.” Christians are a strongly forward-facing people. There is no record of Christ returning to the Tomb after the Resurrection and Ascension. He was done with that; so it must be with us who follow him as Lord.
Easter is the longest “season” of the Church Year (Ordinary Time is not, techni-cally, a season; it is just “time”). We spend more time contemplating the Resur-rection of Christ than anything else, especially if one includes each and every Sunday in that calculation. This should tell us something.
We are a people focused on New Life. The past is essential only in so much as it delivers the message of the Gospel. Any romanticism, any sentimentality that keeps us looking backwards to a “golden age,” whether that be in the Church, our parish, or our own lives, is not faithful to the Mind of Christ. Our calling is to be in continuity with the “Faith once delivered to the saints,” the Gospel that is always true, always challenging, always life-giving. That will often mean taking honest stock of our own community today.
Last fall’s all-parish ministry survey raised up several important goals for our congregation. First of all, we identified that ministry with and for young people needs to be re-invigorated. While we have a number of very good offerings and a highly dedicated group of leaders in this area, we have a rapidly-aging congrega-tion with relatively few young persons. This must change. Using ideas brought out in the Annual Meeting discussion group, the Vestry is developing a means of response to this goal, so that we can attract and retain young persons (and their families). We believe we have a valid and positive form of Christianity to offer. It is time to renew our commitment to young persons and those who minister to them in our parish. (Continued)
This is, in effect, an example of Resurrection power. We sometimes look back to previous eras at St. Timothy’s and lament that we don’t have as many children or young families. While it is true that our era presents special challenges to devel-oping these segments of a population, the truth is that previous eras had their own challenges, and that they met those challenges with plans and hard work in ministry. So must we. Rather than staying at the tomb, wailing, we must journey with Christ as his “witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) — meaning that we have to look beyond ourselves for the re-newal we seek.
Another goal the parish identified last fall was ministry to Willamette University students. This is a matter with some personal significance to me, as it was while being a student there in the 1980’s that I became an Episcopalian at St. Timo-thy’s. We have had a fairly steady stream of fruitful relations with W.U. students from the ‘80’s until recently. It has been the source of both new members and vigorous new ministries (lay and ordained) in the wider Church. Yet, we have allowed this vital part of our parish’s life to lag in recent years. It is time to renew this ministry, and a steering committee for this purpose is being developed this winter and spring. This group will discern how we can speak to today’s college students in ways authentic to our faith tradition, while being open to their needs and concerns. It is exciting, hopeful work.
Our diocese is about to have its next bishop consecrated. It is a season of re-newal in our common life. In Eastertide we think deeply about what it means to be a Resurrection people, not a people of the tomb. It takes very real effort to leave the familiar, the accustomed. When we do so as true disciples, though, we find that Jesus “has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead” of us on the journey of faith (Matthew 28:7). It is in that spirit, and with that knowl-edge that we set out from the present – built solidly on the faithfulness of the past – into the future God has in store for us. Pray that this might be so.
In the Light of Christ’s Resurrection,
Brandon+
(Continued)
Holy Water Now Available
Parishioners may take holy water from the church by using the source provided in the chapel cupboard. Plastic travel containers are available, free of charge. If you are unfamiliar with the use of holy water in your home, here are some suggestions.You may wish to purchase a stoup (a small bowl that hangs near an entrance) to hold holy water. Fill the stoup with holy water (a natural sponge in the stoup helps keep “growies” down) and bless yourself by dipping your right hand in the stoup and making the sign of the cross as you leave your home. When doing this, ask God to bless you, keeping you safe and attentive, and that you may be a blessing to others. Alternatively, you may keep holy water in a special container by the place where you say your daily devotions. When you begin your prayers, make the sign of the cross with holy water, recalling your baptism and as reminder that in Christ we are protected from the power of evil. On major feasts, you may wish to take an evergreen branch or other branch of greenery and sprinkle holy water in your home while offering a Psalm, a prayer, or a favorite hymn.No less a reformer than Martin Luther strongly advocated the use of holy water as a powerful tool to remind Christians of their identity, their birth-right, and their protection in God against all forms of evil. Consider using this ancient and biblical custom as one more tool to bring faith into every aspect of your daily life.
Oregon Medal for Military Service
The Guild of Sts. Anna & Simeon, with the assistance of Richard Bat-chelor, one of our members, is interested facilitating the receipt of Oregon Medals for our elderly veterans. These medals are given out by Veterans of Oregon. This is a non-profit organization where veterans and friends of veter-ans from every era come together to help each other. If you are interested, please look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex, or call Paula Hartwig at (503) 364-0526.
From the Parish Life Commission Coordinator: Agape Feast
I sit here on this Refreshment Sunday and realize it is just three short weeks before Easter. This is a time of great preparation, an opportunity for all to offer stewardship of time and talent. I encourage all to reflect on the many gifts and talents you have been given by God and seek ways to use them in celebration of this most Holy of times. Be ready and willing to offer you time and talents as the sign-up lists begin to appear. Amy Divelbiss is once again offering her time to help the children dye eggs on Saturday morning. We will be needing flowers from your gardens and volunteers to arrange them after the egg dying for the tables we will share our Agape Feast at later that night. Once again the tables will be set, there will be silverware and plates available. We will need potluck dishes and persons to purchase and prepare (not necessary to do both) meat- lamb, ham and turkey. We will need a clean-up crew and Johanna has of-fered to lead the dancing. Paper plates must be involved. Be generous with your time, many hands will enable everyone to be a part of this amazing celebration. Remember no offer is too small and those of us on the steering committee welcome your presence. —Sandy Noble
Women and girls of the parish are invited to a baby shower for Carissa Henderson on Sunday, April 18 at 3 PM. Come and have tea and offer your support to this young family as they approach the birth of their first child.PS It’s a boy!
Holy WeekMarch 28 - April 4Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday Blessing of Palms & Holy Eucharist, 8:00 AM
Church School, 9:00 AM (child care) Choir Rehearsal, 9:00 AM
10 am LiturgyWork Party11 Egg Dyeing7:30 Choir9 pm VigilAgape Feast
6 pm Choir
10 am HE
10 am HE
8 am HE 9 am CS 10 am HE Baby Shower
8 am HE 9 am CS 10 am HE Adult Study
10 am HE
10 am HE
April Birthdays 4 Will Wood Celeste Riggs
11 Elizabeth Purdy
12 Kim Garner
13 David Tatman
18 Bill Bollman Skip Padrick
21 Jeff Swartwout
23 Holden Gaupo
30 Jean Louthan
8 am HE 9 am Kit Project 10 am HE Thesis Pres.
Vestry 7
Crafts 10Court Child Care 9:30Catechume- nate 7Living in the Kingdom 7
Crafts 10Catech 7LTK 7
Crafts 10
Catech 7LTK 7
Crafts 10Catech 7LTK 7
Consecration of Bishop, 2 pmin Eugene
Court Child Care 9:30
Court Child Care 9:30
Vestry Retreat--
Youth Plan-ning Meeting
Missions Comm.Retreat9 - 4
Newcomers Commission 7 pm
Discernment Gp 7:15
Discernment Gp 7:15
Guild of Sts Anna & Simeon 4:30
Calendar Notes for AprilMaundy Thursday, April 1: Choir Rehearsal, 6 PM
Maundy Thursday Liturgy, 7 PM Watch at Altar of Repose follows
Good Friday, April 2: Watch continues until noon Stations of the Cross, noon Choir Rehearsal, 6 PM
Good Friday Liturgy, 7 PM
Holy Saturday/Easter Eve: Holy Saturday Liturgy, 10 AM
Work Party, 10:30 AM
Children’s Egg Coloring, 11 AM
Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 PM
Great Vigil of Easter, 9:00 PM (child care) Agape Feast following
Easter Day, April 4: Holy Eucharist , 10 AM
Wednesday, April 7: Court Child Care, 9:30 AM
Saturday, April 10: Consecration of Bishop, 2 PM at the Hult Center, Eugene
Sunday, April 11: Assembling of Hygiene Kits, 9 AM (No Church School classes) Thesis Presentation by Katie Cowgill, after 10:00 Liturgy
Wednesday, April 14: Court Child Care, 9:30 AM
Saturday, April 17: Missions Commission Retreat, 9 - 4
Sunday, April 18: Church School classes begin again Baby Shower for Carissa Henderson, 3 PM
Tuesday, April 20: Vestry meeting, at Ruth Speaker’s home, 7 PM Newcomers’ Commission, 7 PM
Sunday, April 25: Adult Study, noon — bring a smorgasbord item
Tuesday, April 27: Youth Planning Meeting, at the Earls’; time TBAIf you are interested in going on the Mission Trip to Ensenada this July, please1) contact Shep Earl, and 2) apply for your passport immediately if you don’t have a valid one.
The Consecration of our Next Bishop: April 10th in EugeneMichael Hanley’s consecration as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Oregon is set for Saturday in Easter Week. A limited number of tickets are available through the Diocesan web site (www.diocese-oregon.org). The liturgy (found in the Book of Common Prayer, p. 512) consists of these parts:The Presentation, whereby the people of the Diocese declare that Fr. Michael is their choice for Bishop, that his election has been legally carried out and the con-sents of the wider Church have been received, and wherein Fr. Michael declares his faith in the sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures as “containing all things neces-sary to salvation.” We then offer a Litany.The Ministry of the Word. Readings from Scripture and a homily (byFr. Michael’s former bishop) are then offered as a time of reflection on the meaning of this occasion, the ministry of bishop, and the whole ministry of the Church.The Examination, wherein the Church’s teaching about the office of bishop is shared before all, and the candidate for bishop is questioned about his acceptance of the duties of this office. This culminates in the bishop-elect leading the whole assembly in the Nicene Creed, as a symbol of the bishop’s central role of ‘guardian of the faith,’ in all that means.The Consecration. A hymn calling on the Holy Spirit is sung. The Presiding Bishop and those other bishops present then lay hands on the bishop-elect while the great Prayer of Consecration is offered. This is when the grace of ordination is conferred and the new bishop is truly ordained. Symbols of office and ministry are then given as signs of the new bishop’s authority and obligations.The Eucharist. The new bishop is the chief celebrant for the Eucharist, leading his flock and those guests present and giving the final blessing. Our bishop-elect has also asked to be able to address the Diocese immediately following the liturgy.The consecration of a bishop is (hopefully!) a rare thing in the life of a diocese. While each consecration liturgy expresses something of the individual character of a diocese and the person being made bishop, the basic texts tell us much more about the essential faith of the Church and about its central workings. The symbolism and beauty of the liturgy is frequently very ancient in nature and shows continuity with the Early Church while also being expressed in contempo-rary ways. The consecration of a bishop reminds us that we are part of a much greater reality in both time and space. It is an experience to be remembered. BLF+
Vision Support GroupThe Guild of Sts. Anna & Simeon is interested in starting a support group for those parishioners suffering from vision loss. Several folks have indicated an interest in a support group. If you are interested, please look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex, or call Paula Hartwig at (503) 364-0526.
Thesis PresentationOn Sunday, April 11, after the 10:00 service, Katie Cowgill will be presenting her senior thesis, The Evidence is in the Judgment: The Trial of Bishop Edward King and The Ritualist Movement. She has been invited to present her work at the Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society) Pacific NW Regional Conference in Montana and would like to do a practice run-through.
Katie will give a ten-minute presentation of her paper, followed by a time for your questions. So come learn about the event that proved to be a landmark in the history of the Victorian Church of England.
Steward of the MonthDale CannonOver many years Dale Cannon has demonstrated his stewardship in a variety of ways. He has sung in the choir and chaired the annual pledge drive. He recently served on a Diocesan Commission on Baptism Ministry.
He shares his time and expertise as a co-leader of adult education. In addition to the weekly class, he leads the once monthly afternoon adult education group which discusses the same information.
Recently he provided a much appreciated service to the Parish Life Commis-sion by renovating a cupboard in the parish hall. This provides additional storage expanding quantities of event supplies.
Dale touches many people with his work within the church. —The Stewardship Commission
The Great 50 Days in Sunday Worship and Daily Life
• The Paschal candle, first lit at the Easter Vigil, burns for all services.• The liturgical color is white; a profusion of flowers and a special festal incense is used.• We open and close with the ancient praise-shout “Alleluia.”• We sing the Gloria in excelsis or the Pascha nostrum as joyful hymns of praise in honor of the Resurrection.• Confession & absolution is omitted in the Sunday liturgy.• We will return to Eucharistic Prayer A, the second Postcommunion Prayer, and a hymn at the Dismissal.• There is no fasting during Eastertide.• Special foods and recipes rich in items not consumed during Lent are often served. This is a good time to invite people to one’s home for a meal.• The 50 Days of Easter are the traditional time for having your home/apartment blessed.• Some observe the custom of greeting others during Easter Week, and beginning letters/e-mails during Easter season with the salutation “Christ is Risen!”• All-in-all, it is a 50-day period of joyful thanksgiving for the glorious resurrection of Christ. Observe it fully and savor this foretaste of the heavenly banquet!
The Sundays of Easter in April
The 2nd Sunday of Easter: “Thomas,” or “Low” Sunday. This day forms the octave day of the first week of Easter. The Gospel passage from John recounting Thomas’ doubt-turned-to-faith is read.
The 3rd Sunday of Easter: The focus is on Christ as he is revealed to his disci-ples in the days following the Resurrection. It often has Eucharistic meanings, as the collect for this Sunday speaks of Christ being known to the disciples “in the breaking of bread,” a critical part of the post-resurrection appearances.
The 4th Sunday of Easter: “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The lessons for this Sun-day deal with the imagery of Christ the Good Shepherd and our being of his flock.
Missions Update
The Missions Commission will gather for a day of retreat on Saturday, April 17th from 9-4pm. (Place and other details TBA). We plan to spend the time listening, praying and sharing about how God wants to show us fresh vision for our long-term strategy as we share Christ's love to those in need. Many of you have the same heart for missions as those of us on the Commission and we welcome your input. We'd like to invite you to join us for this retreat day. If you're interested, please contact Janet Taylor.
Adult Study
The morning and afternoon Adult Study Groups will focus on the Gospel passages of Christ's resurrection as we continue to "hear . . , read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" holy Scripture (BCP 184, Proper 28). Using the Manuscript Bible Study method and our Nine Principles of Reading Scripture with an Anglican Lens, we will read all four Gospel accounts, comparing, contrasting, and integrating their overall meaning. Come ready to study the passages, engage in discussion, and encounter the Gos-pel in lively interaction and personal significance. We are promised that "the word of God is living and powerful. . ." (Hebrews 4:12a). It provides perspective, in-sights, guidance, and truth for our lives and our community of faith at St. Timothy's. Don't miss the feast! The 8:45-9:50 Sunday morning study meets in the old narthex. The Sunday after-noon study meets at noon on April 25. —Carole Ann Crateau
Soup Kitchen
On Sunday March 7th the Catechumenate group fed 67 people at St Marks soup kitchen. Thanks to the following who either bought soup or served it: Carol Berg, Sue Bergquist, Caroline Gilbert, Merryn Grae, Liz Kirk, Kathryn Lucht, Mike McFetridge, John & Judy Sullivan, David Tatman, and Barbara Watson. — John Hanson
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Foster Parents’ Night Out As you know, the foster care system in Salem is totally overloaded with children who have been taken out of homes due to trauma and abuse/ne-glect. And that includes kids right here in our neighborhood. Holy Cross Lutheran Church sponsors a Foster Parents Night Out on the first Saturday of every month from 4-8 PM and they are looking for more volunteers to join them in this needed ministry. The pur-pose of FPNO is two-fold: 1) To provide foster parents one evening each month to have a break and enjoy some time to care for themselves while we care for their children. 2) To provide foster children the opportunity to have healthy relationships with other adults who care for them in a safe, nurturing environ-ment. The kids come together for an evening of fun in God’s house where His love is shared with them through our words and actions.
Interested in finding out more? Contact Doug Odell from Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 503-364-2477. A background check and one training session will be required. —The Missions Commission
