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MAY 2006
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Vol.
10 No. 4
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Special Events For May
*Event details inside or call the office for more information Worship Schedule From the Rector Does Anglicanism Have A Future? Once every three years the Episcopal Church in the USA (ECUSA) holds its General Convention, the national church's equivalent of a Diocesan Convention or Annual Parish Meeting. Bishops and clergy and lay deputies from each diocese will meet this year in Columbus, Ohio, June 13-21. In addition to taking care of routine matters dealing with budget, program, liturgy, canon law, and resolutions, this Convention will tackle difficult issues which threaten to undo the delicate balance of fellowship among the world's 73 million Anglicans. Simply put, these issues surround the ordination of gay and lesbian Episcopalians and the blessing of same-sex unions. Some fear that, come July, the Anglican Communion as we know it will cease to exist. The Anglican Communion is not ancient. Only since 1867 has the Archbishop of Canterbury invited all Anglican bishops to meet together once every ten years at his official residence, Lambeth Palace, in London. The purpose of these meetings is "mutual consultation". While decisions made at these meetings carry great weight, they have no legislative authority over the member provinces, of which ECUSA is one. What these meetings have done, however, is create a world-wide fellowship of Anglican Christians acquainted with and in full communion with one another. Its glory has been in embracing and holding together Anglicans of all stripes, colors, and cultures. Until fairly recently, the Communion's center of gravity has been in the industrialized nations of the Northern Hemisphere, but now the majority of Anglicans are living in the developing nations of the Southern Hemisphere, and the balance has tipped. Anglicans in Africa, South/Central America, and Asia are increasingly bringing their gifts and priorities to the table in Lambeth, immeasurably enriching the whole. At the same time, some of those gifts and priorities are at variance with those of the post-modern North. Nowhere is this variance more pronounced than in matters of human sexuality. It is almost certainly true that gay men, as we now understand that term, have been serving as clergy in the Church for almost two thousand years. (Women, presumably many lesbians among them, have only been serving as ordained persons for thirty years.) What's changed is that more and more of these clergy are coming out of the closet. Many Anglicans in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand, are tolerant or supportive of such a development, and several out gays and lesbians have been ordained over the last few years. Perhaps the most famous of these is Gene Robinson, the bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. Robinson's election as bishop had to be approved by the last General Convention because it occurred shortly before Convention met in 2003, not because he is gay. While there was vehement opposition, the majority of deputies and bishops approved his election and he was made the first openly gay, partnered, bishop in the history of the Church. Many Episcopalians saw this as a positive sign of God's unfolding revelation of inclusive love, others saw it as the work of the devil, and still others seemed to care little either way. Millions of Anglicans throughout the world, however, have voiced grave concern about remaining in fellowship with a province like ECUSA which is reevaluating long-held attitudes about homosexuality. The General Convention in Columbus next month will be called on to make decisions which may further alienate these disaffected Anglicans in the Episcopal Church and in other provinces. Convention will accept or reject (or delay action on) requests by the majority of Anglican bishops to cease and desist in ordaining non-celibate gay and lesbian bishops, and not to move forward developing sacramental rites of union for same-sex couples. Whichever way this Convention goes, there will be significant fallout. If ECUSA continues on its current course of inclusion, many American congregations and a few dioceses may remove themselves from the Episcopal Church, and some Anglican provinces may declare us out of communion with themselves. If ECUSA reverses its course, or even puts it on hold, many Episcopalians will find themselves in a Church that appears intolerant and unwelcoming of many of its active members, clergy and lay. It comes down to the value of Anglican unity versus the value of Anglican diversity. A dilemma, indeed. I place great value on Anglican unity. I rejoice in belonging to the same church as millions of people who are unlike me; it connects me profoundly to a Body of Christ which looks more like the whole world than like a developed, post-modern society. The Anglican Communion is one of the world's great global associations! Each Sunday at Holy Communion we pray for the Archbishop of Canterbury and for Anglican provinces around the world. There is hardly a place on earth where I couldn't join others for Eucharist in the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer. And I value simply being in communion with as many other humans as possible, assuming that God values connection more than estrangement. Were ECUSA to be put outside the Communion, I would be deeply grieved. But I also place great value on Anglican diversity and inclusion. Queen Elizabeth I set the tone almost five hundred years ago in her "settlement" which made the Church of England as diverse and inclusive as the times permitted. ECUSA has built on her work in bringing gay and lesbian Anglicans to the table, celebrating their ministries, and making use of their gifts. Not only has our church availed itself of their gifts, our church has also made a stunning witness to the radically embracing love of God in Christ. Throughout the gospels, Jesus stands with the outcast, marginalized, and, oppressed, and I value a church which emulates him. An Episcopal Church closed to Gene Robinson and a host of other men and women, lay and ordained, is a church impoverished and pharisaical, hardly a church at all, a church in which I could not easily rest. I am not a deputy to General Convention, so I will not have to make such a choice this June between unity and inclusion. My prayer is that our bishop and deputation, along with those representing the other 108 dioceses of ECUSA, will seek first the full inclusion of gay and lesbian Episcopalians in the life of the church; and, second, strive to preserve the traditionally diverse entity we know as the Anglican Communion. Keep in your prayers those whose burden it will be to make such decisions: Bishop Wayne Smith; the Revs. Jack Fleming, Tamsen Whistler, Ron Clingenpeel, Lydia Speller and Melanie Barbarito; and Mike Clark, Bob Daniels, Margie Bowman, Jeannette Huey, and Kathryn Dyer. Holding them and all of you in my heart, I am yours In Christ's Love,
Senior Warden's Message During the last vestry meeting the subject of the parish web site came up once again and, typical of vestry nights, the subject leaked over into an informal chat after the meeting was over. Matt Chapman has agreed to bring the web site up to speed and has been holding back to find a way to see just what our parishioners would like to see on it. This mental struggle has gone on for several weeks now. Meanwhile Matt has cleared up some technical issues concerning the editor's password and software requirements. The long and short of the discussion is that Matt will move ahead to update material that is now old, put in a suggestion box on the site to take our ideas for new data as well as thoughts about items that folks think are not useful, and put information on the site that seems to be helpful at this time. This seems to be a fast and more direct approach than putting together a paper survey and polling the parish before moving ahead. The idea that Butch thinks is HOT is one of posting photographs sent in by the membership at large. I have long wanted a scrap book of activity pictures available for visitors to be able to thumb through on their first visit, one that quickly tells of all the serious, fun and service projects we undertake and accomplish around here. The problem has been getting somebody with a camera to take a lead in the project But now, suddenly, comes an idea that doesn't require a parish photographer What it takes is a community of people having fun with cameras. Anyone with a digital camera can take a picture of any event they participate in and sent it to Matt Chapman electronically and he will be able to post it on the web site. (If you don't have such a camera Walgreen's can digitize your regular film shots). It's amateur night on the internet! Take your camera to your next meeting or event and take a picture. Yes, this means you. Do it yourself. It's allowed I think it is a great way to have some fun for yourself and contribute to a lively web site. Send the results to cubfan@matthewchapman.net. Community Ministries Black Rep Discussions Continue Sunday, April 10 we had about a dozen participants who brought delicious dishes (as always at Holy Communion) for a potluck, and then we had a stirring discussion of the latest production, "When It Hits Home." This play was unsettling and haunting, but spoke frankly of the realities of HIV in a family that struggled with hopes, aspirations, disappointment, and tragedy. The discussions seem to get better with each production and we are looking forward to the next production, Tony Award nominee "King Hedley II" which will be at the Black Rep from April 19 through May 14. You can get tickets for individual performances. Call 534-3810 for more information. If you would like to attend but need transportation, call Jan at 314-614-1952. The discussion group potluck will follow on Sunday, May 14, at 6:30. Two Buck Potluck Season Finale May 7 This season's final two-buck potlucks on social
justice issues will Save May 31, 2006 For Dr. Kevin McCauley Speaking
On Co-Dependency Attendees at the 2005 Education Day overwhelmingly requested this subject and we are happy to comply with Dr. McCauley, Medical Director for Sober Living by the Sea, Newport, California. The seminar is scheduled for the morning of May 31 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Mydie Sant may be contacted for more information at mydie@sbcglobal.net or 314-994-0340. See flyer. Meal-A-Month The Food Pantry at Trinity Episcopal serves approximately 300 people living in the 63108, 63112, 63113, and 63115 Zip codes each month. Food is distributed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons between 1:30 and 3:00pm. Holy Communion has been increasing contributions to the pantry through our monthly brown bag campaign. Please make the shopping list attached to brown bags found in the Narthex part of your monthly grocery shopping routine and place your purchases in the baskets provided. Thanks for doing your share! Community Ministries Committee is Seeking New Members It's that time of year again when committee memberships are rotating and we are looking for individuals who are interested in furthering the cause of social justice and who want to live Christ's example of working with the least of his brothers and sisters. If you have some time and ideas to devote to our work, we would love to have you join us. Please talk to Jan Moog or Doug Black about becoming a committee member. Junior Youth Group News Our last 9:15 class meeting will be Sunday, May 21st. In the meantime, the big news is the lunch and summer planning meeting at Karen's house right after church on Sunday, May 7th. The Senior High Youth Group is also invited to participate in that planning meeting with us. Both Karen Sterbenz and Donna Robey are hosting that meeting. We will be talking about participating in S.L.I.C.E., the in-town mission trip run by Faith Beyond Walls. We plan to attend the week of June 12th, Monday through Friday, so check your summer plans soon. We will also be talking about attending The Importance of Being Earnest, an Oscar Wilde classic comedy play at Fontbonne in July. Beyond that, the sky is the limit on summer planning. Donna and Karen both hope to see a good turnout at the planning meeting and an active summer youth program to follow. Thanks to the congregation for all of the support we have received this year. Adult Education The final Adult Ed class will be held on Sunday, May 7: "From Hymn to Song." We will explore the story behind selected hymns, examine their texts as poetry, and get a feel for their tunes. Our rector will lead us in songs, energetically and with rhythm, freed from the "churchiness" that can dull them. Sunday, May 14 will be Evaluation Day for this year's entire program. Sunday School Year Ends May 7 and May 14 will be the final Sundays that parishioners can visit and observe our Sunday school classes. We will be needing assistants and teachers beginning in September and you might find that this is a ministry that suits you. Please come to the lower level between 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. and see what is happening in the three lovely new classrooms. We welcome you to explore the possibility of helping with this important ministry. Come and see the variety of activities taking place. The third through sixth graders meet in the room next to The Rev. Myers' office. The first and second graders are in the room next to that. Across the hall three-year-olds through kindergarten-age are always having fun. For more information please call Hilarie Hunt at 569-0611. We were sad to see our Church School Coordinator, Ashlea Clark leave, but we are thrilled to welcome Kimberley Vuitel as the new coordinator. Youth Group News Alison Bayly, Susie Burton and Madeleine Docherty joined members of St. Michael's and St. George's and St. Martin's Episcopal Churches to do a service project at the Kingdom House in downtown St. Louis. They sorted a ton (literally) of clothes. The annual Pancake Supper sponsored by the Youth Group was a success. A profit of $283.07 was made and the plan is to use this money to fund a service project this summer. Alison Bayly, Susie Burton, Tonya Currey, Madeleine Docherty and Larissa Gribat were working at the supper. Rebekah and Alex Byrne and Jean Peters purchased the food and supplies. And thanks to the following, Neil and Ian Dockerty, Danielle Coley, Karen Sterbenz, Derek Coley, Rocky Sterbenz, Helen Burton and, as always, Jerome Harris. Summer Sunday School Karen Sterbenz and I will be working with a committee to plan a summer Sunday school offering. The time frame will be from 9:15 to 10:15 on five Sunday mornings. There will be two components: one for children and one for adults. The one for children will use Bible stories about earth, wind, fire and water. Children will be told the story and then respond by choosing different related activities. Adults will be asked to assist a committee member each week. The ages of the children participating will be in the same range as the winter Sunday school. The adult component will consist of discussion centered around topics of interest to the group. The idea of having an adult program is to gather together parents who are dealing with children of today's culture, no matter the age of the youth. Each Sunday will be a "stand alone" session. The dates will be July 15 through August 13. Please speak to one of us about ideas for adult topics, resources, to volunteer etc. Guild News Bev White, our recording secretary, is running for Missouri State Representative in the 92nd District. She will be resigning from the secretary position to devote more time to the campaign. The 92nd district is in West County, where we do have some parishioners. Good Luck, Bev! We continue to make sandwiches for the Gateway Homeless Services; our number to date is over 29,000. Our Lenten offering of $100 will be given to a The Haven of Grace, an organization on the near north side that cares for homeless pregnant girls and young women. After the birth of the baby, the family is kept at The Haven for six months while the mothers are trained in child care, homemaking and how to make a living for themselves and their children. Several members from the Guild will be baby-sitting while members of The Haven have a rare night out. Our work on organizing the Hospitality Room continues. We will be obtaining an ice machine soon. During Lent we read and discussed Thomas Berry's book The Dream of the Earth. We will continue to study ecology and how it relates to our Christian faith. Our meetings will be held the first and third Wednesdays of the month at noon with sandwich-making on the first and a regular luncheon ($5 donation) provided on the third along with a regular Guild business meeting. The Women's Movie Group Women's Movie Group starts again on May 10 with Proof. This will be the first in the "Trust" series. Elegantly adapted from David Auburn's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Proof works on so many levels that it shines like a perfected equation. Gwyneth Paltrow previously played her role onstage, and returns here as Catherine, the troubled 27-year-old daughter of Robert, a once-brilliant mathematician (Anthony Hopkins). Catherine fears she may have inherited her father's unstable condition, and her sister Claire (Hope Davis) arrives from New York with smothering concern and a selfish but well-meaning agenda, while Robert's student and assistant Hal (Jake Gyllenhaal) hopes to find lasting proof of Robert's enduring genius in the piles of notebooks. Pot-luck dinner starts at 6:30. Movie starts at 7:00. Upcoming movies are Walk the Line and Good Night and Good Luck. The Book Club The Book Club will meet May 14 to discuss Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt at a location that will be decided and printed in an upcoming bulletin. The book for June is Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code. The July book is A Portrait in Sepia by Isabella Allende and August is The Life of Florence Nightingale, by Gillian Gill. Ladies Day Out The May Ladies' Day Out will be a visit to Bellefontaine/Calvary Cemeteries. Bellefontaine Cemetery (established 1849) and the Roman Catholic Calvary Cemetery (established 1857) in St. Louis, Missouri are adjacent burial grounds. Notable Bellefontaine burials are artist Thomas Hart Benton, educator Susan Blow, explorer William Clark, poet Sara Teasdale, James Eads, a number of the famous Busch and Lemp families of brewers and many prominent local and state politicians and soldiers of the American Civil War. Notable Calvary burials are author Kate Chopin, co-founder of St. Louis August Chouteau, Civil War general William Sherman, playwright Tennessee Williams, former slave Dred Scott and many other notables. The date for the outing is May 24. Although this program is called "Ladies' Day Out" men of the congregation often participate in those events that interest them. We hope any men who would like to join us will do so. 2005-2006 Breakfast Program Report St. Lizzie's Breakfast Program has completed another successful Church year and is about to shut down for the Summer break. May 14 will be the last breakfast served between the 8:00 service and the 10:30 service until next Fall. Meanwhile I will be attempting to organize our cooking crew for the 2006-2007 season. I hope that most of our chefs will continue to cook four Sunday mornings a year and to find volunteers to fill the spots of those who are retiring. If you have enjoyed the program and would like to be a part of it, please let me know - at 314-993-0272 or jpvacho@aol.com. Meanwhile you may very well find me tapping you on the shoulder or calling you one day. It has proven to be a very welcome ministry, mixing congregants from both services, who otherwise only meet on our joint service Sundays, and it also provides refreshment for those of either service who attend the Christian education program. Way To Go, Joe! Our own Joe Adams won a closely contested election to continue as University City's mayor. It goes to show you that everybody's vote counts! Joe won by the wide margin of 130 votes. His win disproves the notion that "nice guys finish last!" Archive Committee The Archive committee plans to keep all minutes of committee meetings. Please put a copy of your minutes in the Archive mailbox. Some old newsletters are missing. If you have any before 2003 please allow us to copy them and return to you. Committee members Lorraine Carlson, Lucy Krieg, Jean Davis and Sondra Ellis will meet every Tuesday to sort archives. If you have any old pictures or other items please allow the committee to copy. Buy Bishops Blend!!! Drink Coffee!! Buy Bishops Blend!!!! Paul Bange and Helpers Beautify Our Grounds Thanks and kudos to Paul Bange and those who helped him on Saturday, April 15 to mulch plant and beautify the Church's whole front yard. Those who came over to the church to help were Sondra Ellis, Julie Farrar, Butch Sterbenz, and Jean Davis. It was a labor of love that everyone will enjoy all summer. Junior high Youth Group: End of Year Calendar, Revised April 30: Booklet - Parents May 7: Make a gift for mom, Jr. - Sr. Youth Group at Karen Sterbenz's for summer planning May 14: Pentecost - Trinity lesson May 21: Last Class - Remembering the Year May 28: Memorial Day Weekend June 4: Pentecost, Single Service Sunday, 9:30 United Thank Offering Sunday UTO Sunday at Holy Communion will be May 21, 2006. The mission of the United Thank Offering is to expand the circle of thankful people. To achieve this mission we encourage daily prayers, offerings, and awareness of the abundance of God's blessings. What is the United Thank Offering? It is a practice in our life in Christ that begins with daily prayers and gifts of thanksgiving. These gifts of thanksgiving - coins and bills in the UTO envelope - from individuals are combined with others at the parish and diocesan celebrations and finally within all of The Episcopal Church. Each year the gifts total nearly $3 million and are given away in the form of grants. These grants continue to support and strengthen the mission and ministry of the Church throughout the world. If you would like a box to collect money, or an envelope, they are available in the Narthex. Please fill these and bring them on May 21, make checks payable to Holy Communion for UTO. Charity Golf Tournament at Ruth Park June 24 University City's Ruth Park Golf Course on Groby Road is celebrating its 75 birthday with a Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 24 beginning at noon with a five-person scramble. This historic course, designed by Robert Foulis of St. Andrews, Scotland, first opened as the University City Golf Club. It was later renamed after University City's Mayor Ruth. The 60-acre, nine-hole course serves over 30,000 players a year. Ron Akin has been the park's pro and manager for the past 16 years. The tournament supports Akin's Junior Golf Academy Program which trains approximately 200 young people from seven to 17 years of age in groups of not more than eight students to one instructor. In four sessions of one and one-half hours they learn full swing, short game, chipping, pitching and putting and the rules and etiquette of golf. In the process they also learn confidence, honesty, sportsmanship, conflict resolution and critical thinking skills that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. On completion of the program, each youth receives a PGA Card and a Certificate of Completion. Akin gives golf clubs to any academy students who don't have them and takes video tapes of the students as they learn so that they can reinforce their practice by watching themselves at home. The students come from student programs in schools in Clayton, University City and nearby areas, in addition to the children of Ruth Park regulars. The $125 single player charge includes lunch, 18 holes, golf and cart, dinner, beverages, prizes and a goody bag. Program Chairman Stephen A. Baden of Royal Banks of Missouri says, "This is the best bargain in tournaments anywhere. You can have fun and give back to the community. You also have an opportunity to showcase your products if you choose to sponsor the tournament at one of various levels." The event is organized under the University City Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, making donations and entry fee tax deductible. For information on joining this historic tournament as player and/or sponsor, please contact Judy Prange at 314-721-7401 or Ron Akin at 314-727-4800. University City is celebrating a birthday, 100
years! Parish Registrar Mary Allen's new address is: Buy Bishops Blend!!! Drink Coffee!! Buy Bishops Blend!!!! Staff Vestry Parish Mission: E-mail: churchoffice@holycommunion.net Published eleven times a year. The editor of this issue is Jane Vacho, June editor is Jane Popham, epopham@msn.com. Please have articles to her by May 16. Or put articles in the Communiqué mail box by the offices. | |||
