Volume XXI November, 2019 PARISH NEWSLETTER This is a monthly newsletter designed to keep parishioners up to date on Parish activities. Please send news items to Tom Wrausmann at[email protected], or the Church Office at[email protected]by the 20th of the month. Small Schedule and other email blasts will happen throughout the month in addition to our Angelus and can be sent in at any time. Happy Thanksgiving! THE EPISCOPAL PARISH OF ALTON SHINES People from all over the diocese experienced the best of the Episcopal Parish of Alton for the Synod. "I don't think it could have been better," Mother Cindy said. The mass, attended by about 130 people, was an unqualified success. "It was just tremendous to see all those priests vested, the full church and the music," said Diane Martin, who represented the Alton church along with Tom Harris and Mother Cindy.
Transcript
Volume XXI November, 2019
PARISH NEWSLETTER
This is a monthly newsletter designed to keep parishioners up to date on Parishactivities. Please send news items to Tom [email protected], or the Church [email protected] by the 20th of the month. Small Schedule and otheremail blasts will happen throughout the month in addition to our Angelus and can besent in at any time.
HappyThanksgiving!
THE EPISCOPALPARISH OF ALTON
SHINES
People from all over the diocese experienced the best of the Episcopal Parish ofAlton for the Synod. "I don't think it could have been better," Mother Cindysaid.
The mass, attended by about 130 people, was an unqualified success. "It wasjust tremendous to see all those priests vested, the full church and the music,"said Diane Martin, who represented the Alton church along with Tom Harrisand Mother Cindy.
All those Episcopalians praying and singing together is something to behold. "Ithink that is so powerful," Mother Cindy said.
The event was put together by Marti LaRusso and Charles Buxton. Andnumerous volunteers pitched in to make it happen. "I think Marti is anorganizational genius," the rector said.
At the hotel, ECW members welcomed representatives with savory or sweetpecans lovingly prepared. "Our church did a great job" Diane said. "A lot ofpeople were impressed with St. Paul's."
Many people from other churches commented on how beautiful the buildingand garden looked. Some even took photos. Leading the garden work were EricWalton, Diane and Victor Sever.
BISHOP ANNOUNCESRETIREMENT The biggest news coming out of the 142nd Dioceseof Springfield Synod was the announcement by theRt Rev. Daniel Martins that he will retire as bishopin June, 2021. The Eleventh Bishop of Springfieldwas consecrated March 19, 2011.
A search committee will have to be formed and it is a long process. "It's good hegave that much notice," Mother Cindy said.
Prior to his election, he was rector of St. Anne's Church in Warsaw, Indiana. Hewas ordained a priest in 1989. Martins has served parishes in the dioceses ofLouisiana, San Joaquin and Northern Indiana.
Bishop Martins was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but was raised in thesuburbs of Chicago. He attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Cal.,graduating in 1973 with a major in music. He went on to be awarded a masterof arts in music history by the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1975.
After a time in the business world in Oregon, he attended Nashotah HouseTheological Seminary in Wisconsin, graduating cum laude in 1989. In 2011 hisalma mater bestowed the degree of doctor of divinity, honoris causa.
Bishop Martins has been married to his wife, Brenda, since 1972. They havethree grown children, and three grandchildren.
THE DIOCESE HAS NUMEROUSPOSTULANTS
At the Synod, held here in Alton, Bishop Martins pointed out the diocese hassix people seeking to become Episcopal priests. He said this is the most for along time. Also, while many diocese have been forced to combine, he said ourdiocese is on a firm financial footing.
However, there is a priest crisis in our own Darrow Deanery in Madison and St.Clair counties. Mother Cindy is the only full-time priest in the area.
No actual business resolutions were passed during the Synod, they said.However, officers for the diocese were elected as well as various representativesincluding those to the national convention.
Throughout the meeting, delegates shared the recent progress made in anumber of areas such as the ECW of the diocese, Church Camp, the EpiscopalCursillo Ministry and the activities of the 33 churches of the diocese, amongothers. Among the key elements of Cursillo is an opportunity to grow in faithand in spirituality. Cursillo takes place at an annual weekend retreat held in thesummer. Bishop Martins encourages everyone to attend if possible.
At the Synod, each delegate was given a packet of letters from each churchoutlining their numerous activities and accomplishments. The letters showedthe differences and similarities of the churches. Included were ideas for socialactivities, fundraisers and other programs. Tom Harris said the ideas wereinteresting and many could possibly be used in our parish.
Tom spoke to a delegate from the church in Albion, which has only fivemembers. He said they showed a positive outlook. "They were projectingthemselves into the future," he said.
Synod participants also heard from John Meehan, who performs as CaptainBenjamin Godfrey, who built St. Paul's. Meehan, decked out in period costume,talked about the rich history of the church, which has been here duringnumerous Alton historical events including the famous Lincoln-Douglasdebate.
The church is actually part of the Benjamin Godfrey Legacy Trail, a self-guidedaudio tour of historic sites. A plaque about Godfrey and the trail graces thegarden. To take part in the tour, people can contact the Alton Visitor's Center.
The building itself is a historic treasure. "What a responsibility that is tomaintain," Tom said.
The Nicene Creed andthe Apostles’ Creed
by Chuck Drennan
I remember growing up in St. Mary’sRoman Catholic parish and attendingMass several times a week. Afterevery sermon, the congregation
recited the Apostles’ Creed. As an altar boy, I had to memorize many differentthings, but the Apostles Creed was far and away the most difficult. Fast forward a few decades, and I remember the first time April and I attendeda service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in 1996. I noticed that the Episcopalservice was very similar to the Roman Catholic masses I’d attended most of mychildhood. We recited what I thought at the time to be the Apostles’ Creed.After attending several services at St. Paul's, I remember looking in the Book ofCommon Prayer and discovering we’d actually been reciting the Nicene Creedand not the Apostles’ Creed. Over the next several services, memories about
reciting the Apostles’ Creed as a youth came back, and I then noticed someglaring differences between them. So, what’s the difference between them, and why do we have two differentcreeds that seem so similar? To start, the word “creed” comes from the Latin“credo,” which means “I believe.” Some people think that, under the influenceof the Holy Spirit, all the apostles contributed at least one article to this creed.The Apostles’ Creed is a profession of the Christian faith in the Trinity. It isused in the Sacrament of Baptism, and in Morning and Evening Prayer, whilethe Nicene Creed is used in Eucharistic services. The Nicene Creed was adopted in 325A.D. by the council of Nicaea, in modernday Turkey. It was written to clarify the key points of the Christian faith inresponse to the heretical doctrine of Arius, which denied the equality and unityof the Trinity. The Nicene Creed was thus developed to guard the faith of thebelief in the Trinity. Both the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds are still widely used today. The Apostles’Creed begins with "I believe" while the Nicene Creed begins with "we believe"Another glaring difference is the Apostles’ Creed uses the words "descended tothe dead," while the Nicene Creed does not. Even though the two creeds have minor differences, they roughly serve thesame purpose, as they are both accepted as summaries of the Christian faith.
ANIMALS BLESSEDMeanwhile, the Blessing of the Animals was held Oct. 6 in the garden at St.
Paul's. Attending were 10 dogs and 13 people. Along with the blessing byMother Cindy, each dog received a St. Francis medal. Pictures were taken of
the participants.
IN MEMORY OF GAYBRYANT
The parish plans to create a plaque abovethe church school door to honor the late
Gay Bryant, longtime church school and youth group director.
Meanwhile, starting in 2017, the church began awarding memorialscholarships to Riverbend Head Start in Gay's name. Vestry members said
Diana Enloe came up with the idea to recognize Gay's many contributions tothe lives of young people and the parish at large. The church has donated
$1,000 this year from the Book of Remembrance memorial fund to the schoolprogram. In 2017, $500 was donated to program. The church plans to make an
annual donation.
MONDAYS@7 IS LAUNCHEDThe new Mondays@7 service was so well-attended that it quickly outgrew itsworship space. Sixteen people took part Sept. 30. The service will now be heldin a corner of Heneghan Hall at St. Paul's rather than the St. Theresa Chapel.
The service includes a beautiful fountain, votive candles, prayers, readings andmusic, which are conducive to quieting our minds. Although the service isbased on the twelve-step recovery programs, it is for everyone who wants toparticipate. It also offers quiet times for meditation and reflection, and helpspeople improve their relationship with God.
After the service, refreshments are shared and there is time for discussionamong the group. Please consider coming to see what this new service has tooffer!
THOUGHTS FOR THANKSGIVING If your family comes together to share good food and happy memories, you areblessed. Unfortunately, some family gatherings are stressful because of long-
held grudges and a lack of forgiveness. But I don't want to focus on onlyThanksgiving Day itself but on being thankful every day as a basic virtue that
can brighten our lives.
Scientists have done research that shows grateful people sleep better and arehealthier, happier, less depressed, less stressed, and have more positive ways of
coping with difficulties. Benedictine David Steindl-Rast writes about thepractice of gratitude as a way of healing oneself and society. He sees gratitude
as a remedy for the exploitation, oppression, and violence that plague oursociety. Thankfulness, he says, is also the heart of prayer.
"To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything he has given us--and he has given us everything," Thomas Merton writes."Every breath we draw
is a gift of his love, every moment of existence is a grace. Gratitude, therefore,takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to
new wonder and praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knowsthat God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes a
all the difference."
When we are mired in crisis, a spirit of gratitude can help us. It can prompt usto go deeper to the foundation on which we stand.
"If the only prayer you said was thank you--that would be enough," writesMeister Eckhart.
Exerts from "A Spirit of Gratitude" by Jeremy Harrington, OFM, intheFranciscan Times.
JUDY JONES NAMED CHURCHTREASURER
Judy Jones was elected church treasurer Oct. 16 by theVestry. Judy will continue to serve as a Vestry member aswell. She has a varied business background. Judy grew upand worked on her family's farm. Though not anaccountant, she currently works part time for anaccounting firm preparing paperwork, among other duties,especially during tax season. Among other positions, sheworked on inventory in the store room of the power planton the Berm Highway. Judy also worked as a Remax realestate agent for a number of years. Although not currentlyselling, she still has her license.
CHURCH SCHOOL PLANSFEAST
Extra tasty treats are on the menu for the AnnualHarvest Feast hosted by the church school.April Drennan, church school director, said thecontents are a secret for now but parishioners andguests will want to attend the party after the serviceSunday November 24.
At the feast, the class will be collecting donations forits part of the Heifer Project, which donates anagricultural animal to a family in need. Each class chooses the type of animal.Our kids picked a cow to provide milk. A collection basket will also be placedon a table at coffee hour for a couple of months. These donations give families ahand up, increasing access to medicine, school and a sustainable livelihood.
A couple of new students attended a recent class, but April is always looking fornew students for classes that begin at 9:45 a.m. Grandchildren, friends andneighbors are welcome.
It is for ages 4 all the way to 13. They are using a book called All-In-OneSunday School designed for classes of all ages. The book is loaded with fun andeducational activities.
Tasty nuts and colorfulaprons for sale
The ladies of ECW should still have sets of savory orsweet nuts left to sell after the Chili Supper, whichwas held Halloween night. Unless initial sales are
through the roof, pecans should be available for saleat coffee hour this month.
The bags go for $6 each or two for $10. People canalso get them by contacting Irene McLaughlin at
465-5520 or the church office. The same holds true for the red "Jesus iscoming, look busy aprons." They are $20 each. The group meets the first
Wednesday of each month.
ECUMENICAL EFFORTThe Rev. Mike Logan, an evangelist, requested the use of Trinity Chapel,occasionally for a meeting of 35 people. The Vestry voted Oct. 16 to chargeLogan, of Logan Ministries, $75 a visit contingent on Mother Cindy meetingwith him in person.
BOOK CLUBJoining book club is as simple as showing up atLucianna’s on the 4th Wednesday of each monthat 9:30 A.M.! Join us, won’t you? (exception ofNovember and December, when book club will beon the 3rd Wednesday of the month because ofThanksgiving and Christmas.)
Book Club’s choice for November is Christy, byCatherine Marshall:
The train taking nineteen-year-old teacherChristy Huddleston from her home in Asheville,North Carolina, might as well be transportingher to another world. The Smoky Mountaincommunity of Cutter Gap feels suspended in
time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.
But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her— and her one-room school — as a threat to their way of life. Her faith ischallenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflictingviews about how to care for the families of the Cove.
Yearning to make a difference, will Christy’s determination and devotion beenough? -- goodreads.com
It is not too early to begin thinking about the Annual Christmas Party. It will beheld Thursday, Dec. 5 at Castelli"s on Fosterburg Road. Cocktails will be served
at 6 p.m. at the party hosted by the ECM. The cost is $20 per person.The date for the next ECM meeting still needs to be set. it was originally set for
Oct. 26, but that conflicted with the funeral of Mary Ellen Sever.
The ECM is still planning to take a trip to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis,the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis, at 4431 Lindell Blvd.
The trip is also still being scheduled. Most ECM members were not able toattend the previous trip made by the church to the cathedral. All parishioners
and guests will be welcome.
ALTAR GUILDThe Altar Guild still needs more volunteers. Those interested can call
the church office at 465-9149.
UPCOMING CALENDAR
11/3 - 8:15 a.m. Mass at Trinity Chapel9:30 a.m. Adult Education Class
9:45 Church School10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Paul's
2:00 p.m. PAWS Service
11/4 - 7:00 p.m. Mondays@7
11/5 - 9:30 a.m. Mass at Trinity Chapel10:15 a.m. Bible Study at Trinity Chapel
11/6 - 10:00 a.m. ECW meeting
11/10 - 8:15 a.m. Mass at Trinity Chapel9:30 a.m. Adult Education Class
