December 16, 2014
DEAR FRIENDS,
In a few days, our community will gather to celebrate the
birth of Christ. In some ways this is a culmination of those
days of waiting and hope that form Advent. But what
happens on Christmas after the gifts are opened and the
visitors have headed home? Is Christmas over? Well,
certainly by the tone of the after-Christmas sales and the
stoppage of Christmas tunes one could make a strong
argument that, yes, indeed, Christmas is over.
I would offer a counter to that. The child is visited and we
have again participated in our Great Myth that became fact
(C. S. Lewis). So what is next? This has been a question
for people of faith since we have been celebrating these
life events of Jesus. St. Augustine of Hippo, a Church
Father from the 5th century, wrote this as he reflected two
weeks after Christmas;
Only a few days ago we celebrated the Lord’s
birthday. Today we are celebrating with equal
solemnity, as is proper, his Epiphany, in which
he began to manifest himself to the Gentiles.
On the one day the Jewish shepherds saw him
when he was born; on this day (Jan. 6) the magi
coming from the east adored him…Let us,
therefore, with joy of the spirit hold dear these
two days, the nativity and the Manifestation of
our Lord. The Jewish shepherds were led by an
angel bringing the news; the Gentile magi by a
star showing the way.
Advent
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Please join us for our Christmas worship services.
Wednesday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve
3:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
11:00 p.m.
Pageant “The Angels, the Shepherds,
and the Family from Nazareth,” by
Bob Franke, and Holy Eucharist
Holy Eucharist
Holy Eucharist
Thursday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day
10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, carols and organ
Sunday, Dec. 28
8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist
Lessons and Carols
Sunday, January 4
8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist
Epiphany cantata, by Bob Franke,
“Star in the West,” and Eucharist
So in essence, our task begins anew. We who waited in
hope for the recounting of this birth now must do our part
to carry the story forward. As you have heard me say
quoting St Augustine, Christmas was the manifestation of
the Christ to the Jewish people, Epiphany was the
manifestation of the Christ to the Gentile world. It is
fitting, I think, to ponder what sort of manifestation of
God’s love might we experience today and how might we
participate in making Christ manifest for others. Like John
the Baptist who gave witness to the light, it is our task in
this era to embrace that light and find ways to manifest it
for others.
This work of participating in the incarnation of the Divine
is highlighted as we celebrate the first incarnation. But it
didn’t end with a birth two thousand years ago. It didn’t
(cont. on page two)
Inside this issue:
Holy Family
Alexander Gassel
Music Notes—2
Children’s Ministries—3
Stewardship Update—4
Cloister Gallery—4
Bible Study—4
Book Group—6
Serve at MBT—6
Poetry Night—6
Pastoral Care—6
Chimes Schedule—7
Annual Meeting—7
Nominations Form—7
Proxy Form—7
Dear Friends (cont.)
On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, there will be a 10:00 a.m.
Eucharist service with carols and organ, if the organist
is awake, followed the next Sunday, Dec. 28, by a
10:00 a.m. traditional service of Lessons and Carols.
Our season will be again be poignantly and upliftingly
rounded out by Bob Franke’s beloved Epiphany
Cantata “Star in the West,” in a service of Eucharist, on
Jan. 4 at 10:00 a.m. If anyone would like to join with
the choir in singing this classic favorite, you’re
welcome to join us at 9:00 a.m. for rehearsal on that
Sunday.
-Janet Fitch Parker
end with a death thirty years later. That was the beginning
And for each generation that follows, it is our task to
continue the process of showing forth the life and light of
Christ in all that we are. The Christmas star may fade
away for another year but its essence hides in each of us.
Let us dare to shine forth that light. Happy Christmas,
Epiphany, and beyond!
See you in church,
Clyde+
MUSIC OVER THE
CHRISTMAS SEASON
CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERTORY
ANTHEM
The children of our parish, under the direction of Amy
LeClair, will present their pageant, Bob Franke’s lovely
Christmas Cantata, “The Angels, the Shepherds, and the
Family of Nazareth,” at 3:00 p.m. on Dec. 24. We are
delighted to welcome Bob back for this now-traditional
opportunity for our children to usher in the joyful
Christmas season for us. The pageant will take place in
the context of the service of Eucharist and traditional
carols.
“Negriya que quele” (“Little Negro girl, what do you
want?”) is a Christmas villancico composed by
Sebastián Durón (1660-1716) for black Mexican
slaves. The villancico was a common poetic and
musical form of the Iberian Peninsula and Latin
America popular from the late 15th to 18th centuries. It
was derived from medieval dance forms, sung in the
vernacular, and frequently featured stylized
representations of rustic themes. Latin American
villancicos were known for incorporating dialects and
rhythms from the diverse ethnic cultures of its
population. In New Spain (present-day Mexico), many
very different types of music co-existed. African
rhythms were brought there by slaves. Pieces in Creole
Spanish gave rise to new melodies, to which the
Europeans and their clergy brought Baroque harmony,
and thus a whole new repertoire began. The text is an
imitation of the Creole dialect of the African slaves in
Mexico, evoking Carnival costumes, the Wise Men,
and a joyous exuberance.
-Amy LeClair
At 5:30 and 11:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, there is
exciting and lovely music planned. Under Amy LeClair’s
inspiring direction, our choir is presenting two pieces,
both by Spanish composers, one by Renaissance era
Tomas Luis de Victoria, and the other by Baroque
composer Sebastián Durón a century later. The two pieces
could not be more different. Victoria’s classic and lovely
“O Magnum Mysterium” conveys reverent awe about the
birth of Jesus, and Durón’s “Negriya que quele” is in
lively folk music style with text not to be found in any
classic collection of Christmas carols. Please read Amy’s
accompanying article about this novel work.
One of the talented Viol Consort members that we had
here at Easter, Carol Lewis, will be back, along with her
husband, Chris Henriksen, both acclaimed nationally and
internationally for their early string music playing. We
are honored and delighted to have them both here with us.
They will accompany the Durón piece with bass viola da
gamba and baroque guitar, will join us for some of the
lovely Christmas carols we’ll be singing, and also offer
Christmas music for the prelude with treble viola da
gamba and lute. Do come at least 10 minutes early to hear
this lovely music by these magnificent musicians.
TOY SALE THANK YOU
On behalf of the entire parish, Santa extraordinaire Jim
Santoro would like to thank all those who worked (and
laughed) so hard to make last week’s toy sale such a
success! Over $500 was raised for St. Andrew’s and its
programs; but more importantly, many were able to
buy holiday gifts at very affordable prices. Special
thanks go to Mimi Liming and the crew from Embark
who did yeomen’s work to get ready for the sale.
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Shauna Le Blanc, Dir. of Christian Formation
Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsals
Tuesday, December 23, at 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, December 24, at 1:00 p.m.
Fun, Faith, and Family Home Blessing Epiphany Event
Sunday, January 4, during Fellowship Hour
Please join your church family as we prepare for Epiphany and prepare to bless our homes in the coming new year. We
will make a home blessing kit, similar to the one we made two years ago. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be
to this house!” (Luke 10:5) “Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue
forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed
forever.” (2 Samuel 7:29) “And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace
return to you.” (Matthew 10:13)
From The Desk of Shauna Le Blanc
According to medieval legends, the three Wise Men were named Melchior, Balthazar, and Gaspar. Each of them came
from a different culture: Melchior was Asian, Balthazar was Persian, and Gaspar was Ethiopian, thus representing the
three races known to the old world. These three priest-kings and wise men brought royal gifts to the divine infant: gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. Melchior brought a golden cup, which, according to legend, was preserved by the Blessed
Virgin Mary and was the same cup used in the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Balthazar brought a gold box of
frankincense. Gaspar brought a curiously chased flask of myrrh, a royal embalming oil. The gift of gold symbolizes the
kingship of Christ, which represents our own true royal selfhood and our giving of love and service as directed and
commanded by that self. The gift of frankincense symbolizes the Godhead of Christ and our own gifts of honor and
reverence to our indwelling divinity. The gift of myrrh is a prophecy of the death and burial of the earthly body of
Christ, which represents our understanding and empathy for the suffering of humanity.
The word Epiphany comes from the Greek meaning “to appear” or “to be shown forth.”
According to Roman Catholic tradition, Epiphany signifies the first appearance of Christ
to the gentiles in the story of the visit of the three Wise Men to the divine infant Jesus. As
the three Wise Men represent all the known peoples of the world, this signifies an
appearance to the entire world, not just a few who call themselves Christians. The Christ
appears in many names and many guises throughout the world. In the Gospel of John,
Jesus proclaims: “Other sheep have I that are not of this flock.” Similarly, there are
legends of Christ appearing in the Americas and in Northern Europe in their respective
cultures and religious symbols. The showing forth of Christ to the Gentiles is not about
converting everyone to one religion. So great is the gentle humility and compassion of
Christ and Sophia that they put on whatever appearance and culture is necessary to be
recognized by anyone who sincerely calls out for spiritual assistance.
Epiphany means “to show forth,” “to make an appearance.” We show forth our divine light by living our own spiritual
path as we are divinely guided from within, without recriminations or regrets. We are guided to the place of the divine
birth, the place of the awakening of our true and royal selfhood, the Christ within. We offer as gifts all that we have in
aiding the divine work of redemption that has been set before us. Here at St. Andrew’s we have many opportunities to
walk our spiritual path as well as help others along theirs. With this new year let us all consider how we can get more
involved in our church family and help others as well as ourselves. If you are not sure of the direction to take your
spiritual path, please see Clyde or Shauna and we will give you lots of path ideas and you can follow the one that is right
for you. Through thoughtful communication and reflection we will all “make our appearance” and offer our gifts of
divine work to the glory of His name. I look forward to the conversations that will come!
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STEWARDSHIP SNAPSHOT—
IT LOOKS LIKE GOOD NEWS!
CLOISTER GALLERY NEWS
Group Art Show through Jan. 8
Dave Early
Steve Eckman
Mary Taddie
Pete McDade
The Stewardship appeal this year looked at the projected
financial results for this year—a significant deficit—and
asked each of us to consider if it was possible to increase
our pledge by $25 per month to reduce, or hopefully,
close, the budget gap for 2015.
The Cloister Gallery currently is featuring an exhibition
of artwork by local artists Dave Earley, Steve Eckman,
Mary Taddie, and Pete McDade. The show will run
through January 8.
At this point, I’m delighted to report the results to date:
• 84 pledges have been received, totaling
$194,000;
• 8 new pledges are included;
• 56 of the 84 pledges are increased, and 33 of
those 56 were increased by $25 per month or
more—new pledges are included in these;
• These results are leading toward a significant
increase in our pledge support for 2015.
Dave Earley’s work features various paint mediums,
including acrylics, oil, and pastels, and sculpture and
mosaics. Parishioner Steve Eckman enjoys taking
photographs of sailboats, lighthouses, humorous signs,
and other objects that strike his fancy. Mary Taddie has
focused on watercolors and then became interested in
classical art forms, such as ancient mosaics. Mary has
transitioned her work from the ancient mosaic form to a
unique, contemporary form of wall art using a ring saw
to shape ceramic tile, marble, and stone. Pete McDade
has been taking photos since around 1970. His work
focuses on images from the natural world. He is a
member of the Zen Center.
We worked this past weekend (Sunday the 14th) to try to
round up the majority of the rest of the pledge responses,
with an e-mail appeal to those who pledged in 2014 but
whose response hasn’t yet been received, and a small
follow-up calling effort to reach out to those whose cards
did not arrive by Sunday.
The vestry met Monday the 15th, with an agenda that
included work to develop the 2015 budget, so we intend
to present as confident a forecast of pledge income as
possible to support their considerations.
DAYTIME BIBLE STUDY
Tuesday morning Bible study, 9:15 a.m.
All are welcome.
The response to this appeal is probably the most uplifting
Stewardship response I’ve seen, and I’m personally
drawing tremendous optimism from the comments I’m
hearing and the trend of support. Our church is growing
full as we approach the Christmas celebration, and the
people who are filling it are expressing joy and
commitment and participation.
-John Howard, Stewardship Chair
WEDNESDAY NOON EUCHARIST
All are invited to the Wednesday noon Eucharists in the
choir section of the sanctuary. Make this service part of
your Advent discipline. Come as you are!
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A LOOK BACK
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house . . . Though those are decidedly secular words, they really do
fill me with the spirit of anticipation that is the most important part of Advent. But even though I am preparing, like you,
the way of the Lord, I hope you’ll forgive me if I take a few moments to look back on the fantastic year we have had at
St. Andrew’s!
There have been so many highlights, from the Good Friday presentation of Bob Franke’s “Meditations on the Passion”
to our wonderful successes (alongside our partner ECCO) with social justice issues. The Rummage Sales have been
incredible in every sense, bringing people together from inside and outside the parish proper, serving the underserved,
and through the funds raised, furthering St. Andrew’s mission and ministries. Our Cooperative Nursery School continues
to thrive. We watched as one of our other partners, the Marblehead Zen Center, which we have nurtured lovingly and
carefully, stretched its wings to leave our nest. We have, for the first time in many years, a small group of earnest young
people beginning their journey towards confirmation. And finally, there is a growing chorus of young voices, infants and
toddlers, adding even more joy and life to our Sunday worship.
How does this happen? Of course, in part it happens because we have been blessed with a talented and enthusiastic
priest. And it happens because we have a talented and committed vestry. Your outgoing senior warden is amazing. It
would be impossible for you to know just how hard Peg Howard has worked for this parish, but I assure you, that none
of our success would have happened without her efforts. Peg makes sure every voice is heard, and considers carefully the
impact of the hard choices that the vestry makes. Your vestry, too, labors quietly, looking for things that could work
better, or identifying things that we need to be doing. They are a tremendous group of people, who are full of
imagination and optimism. The vestry works hard, and laughs a lot. (Perhaps that is the secret to their success.)
But there are so many others who partner in making St. Andrew’s such a welcoming place. For example, Bonnie
Howard, your tireless treasurer, has completely transformed that function within St. Andrew’s. And John Howard went
to extraordinary lengths to schedule his recent heart surgery IN BETWEEN stewardship mailings! If that is not
dedication and commitment, then I don’t know what is.
The list of people and committees who deserve our thanks is endless: Janet Cook and the Altar Guild; Janet Fitch Parker
and the choir; Church School Director Shauna Le Blanc; our sexton, Stephen Ruoff; Sheila “green thumb” Benger; Jane
Hunt—who has never, in my memory, said “no” to any committee or task at the church; Alexandra Pineros Shields, and
her work with the various outreach organizations; Cynthia Hibberd and Hannah Diozzi, who seem like surrogate mothers
for the entire parish. I could go on and on . . . but I’d end up publishing the parish directory right here!
So I’ve tried to look back over the year a bit. But I’ll close by looking forward! I am full of anticipation—first, for
Christmas, and all the hope and love it brings. But I’m also full of excitement for St Andrew’s. I know that the energy
and love that filled our parish in 2014 will fill it again in 2015 and we will experience wonderful things together. So
please, on behalf of Peg, your senior warden, and your wonderful vestry, please let me wish you the merriest of
Christmases and the happiest of New Years! I look forward to seeing you in church this month—and next month, and the
month after that!
-Greg Mancusi-Ungaro, Junior Warden
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NONFICTION BOOK GROUP
PASTORAL CARE
Date: Sunday, January 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Place: Bonnie & Don Howard’s house
Book: How We Got to Now: Six Innovations
that Made the Modern World,
by Stephen Johnson
If you know of someone who needs a ride,
please contact Peter Phillips at [email protected] or
781-631-0201.
If you know of someone who needs a meal, please
contact Jan Rand at [email protected]
or 781-639-2614.
“How We Got to Now offers a fascinating glimpse at
how a handful of basic inventions—such as
measurement of time, reliable methods of sanitation, the
benefits of competent refrigeration, glassmaking, and
the faithful reproduction of sound—have evolved in
surprising ways.”
-Shelf Awareness
For a pastoral visit, please contact the rector, Clyde
Elledge, directly at [email protected] or at
his cell phone (see below).
In case of pastoral emergency, please call
Clyde’s cell phone, 781-576-0329.
“What makes this book such a mind-expanding read is
Johnson’s ability to appreciate human advancement as a
vast network of influence rather that a simple chain of
one invention leading to another, and result is nothing
less than a celebration of the human mind.”
- The Daily Beast
LOTIONS AND POTIONS
MY BROTHER’S TABLE
Please save your hotel-sized toiletries and drop them in
the basket in the Guild Room. Diana Isbrandtsen will
make festive holiday baskets of these items and take
them to local shelters. Thank you.
Come be part of a team to help serve dinner the first
Tuesday of every month at My Brother’s Table, Lynn.
January 6 is the next date.
CHIMES SCHEDULE
For more information, or to volunteer, contact
Tim Parker at 781-631-5335.
The Chimes is published monthly.
(Please e-mail articles to [email protected].)
As of October 31, My Brother’s Table had served
119,922 meals for the year. It is sadly evident that the
need is not decreasing.
Deadline: Noon on Friday
January 9
February 13
Articles submitted after the deadline
may have to be placed in the next issue.
POETRY NIGHT
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
The next Poetry Night is Saturday, January 24, the
fourth Saturday of the month, in the Guild Room at 7:00
p.m. We will not meet in December because of the
holidays. Come in January and celebrate the new year in
verse.
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SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, JAN. 25, ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS
Gather in the Parish Hall after the 10:00 o'clock service on Sunday, January 25, at approximately 11:30 a.m. for our Annual Meeting
and Election of Officers. Light refreshments will be served. The rector and officers will report on the events of the past year and
present the budget for 2015. Parishioners will have the opportunity to offer comments and ask questions.
We will be electing officers and vestry for the coming year. The Nominations Committee will present a slate, and nominations may
be made from the floor, though it is helpful for nominations to be submitted ahead of time. Open offices are: Senior Warden, Junior
Warden, Treasurer, Clerk, Vestry (3), Convention Delegate (2), and Youth Representative. If you would like to nominate someone,
please fill out a nomination form or contact Patricia Cox, Hannah Diozzi, or Peg Howard as soon as possible in December. Self
nominations are encouraged! If you are not able to attend the meeting, please give someone a signed proxy to vote for you. See you
at the meeting!
CURRENT ELECTED LEADERS
OFFICERS: Serve until January 2015 (one-year term)
VESTRY (three-year terms)
Senior Warden
Peg Howard
Until Jan. ’15
Junior Warden
Greg Mancusi-Ungaro
Patricia Cox
Hannah Diozzi
Steve Harrington
Treasurer
Bonnie Howard
Until Jan. ’16
Clerk
Mary MacDougall
Tom Jacobs
Janice Rand
Chris Stockwell
Until Jan. ’17
Dulany Alexander
Pat Brown
Tom Pineros Shields
CONVENTION DELEGATES (one-year term)
Until Jan. ’15
Margaret Eckman
Georgette Pied
CHURCH OF ST. ANDREW
NOMINATION FORM
PROXY STATEMENT
I,
I nominate the following person(s) to be a candidate.
Please check with the person first.
,
SR. WARDEN
(one-year term)
(please print name)
JR. WARDEN
(one-year term)
designate the following person to vote
for me by proxy at the Annual
Meeting on January 25, 2015:
TREASURER
(one-year term)
CLERK
(one-year term)
VESTRY (three 3-yr. terms)
(please print name)
Signed
Date
Youth Member
(one-year term)
CONV. DEL. (2)
(one-year term)
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Church of St. Andrew
135 Lafayette Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
Telephone: 781-631-4951
Fax: 781-639-7937
Web site: standrewsmhd.org
Email: [email protected]
C. Clyde Elledge II, Rector ..................... 781-631-4951 x113
Patrick LaFortune, Ministerial Intern ............... 781-367-0608
Janet Fitch Parker, Music Director ................... 781-631-5335
Shauna Le Blanc, Dir. of Christian Formation . 781-631-4951
Janet Cook, Director, Altar Guild ..................... 781-596-7030
Kathy Loveland, Altar Guild Treasurer ............ 781-631-7394
Pat Dunbar, Parish Administrator ............ 781-631-4951 x101
Stephen Ruoff, Sexton ...................................... 781-631-4951
Gail Power, Nursery School Director ............... 781-631-5543
Alan Daley, Historian ....................................... 781-631-3167
Laura Tufts, Cloister Gallery Coordinator........ 781-631-4679
Elizabeth Muller Reynolds, Chimes Editor ...... 781-593-6275
Peg Voss Howard, Senior Warden .................. 978-745-3608
Greg Mancusi-Ungaro, Junior Warden............. 781-639-4039
Mary MacDougall, Clerk.................................. 978-430-9335
Bonnie Howard, Treasurer ............................... 781-631-7998
Dulany Alexander, Vestry ................................ 781-405-8730
Pat Brown, Vestry ............................................ 802-282-9042
Patricia Cox, Vestry.......................................... 781-588-3039
Hannah Diozzi, Vestry ..................................... 978-741-1154
Steve Harrington, Vestry .................................. 781-581-5085
Thomas (TJ) Jacobs, Vestry ............................. 978-745-0897
Jan Rand, Vestry............................................... 781-639-2614
Thomas Pineros Shields, Vestry ....................... 617-869-7741
Chris Stockwell, Vestry .................................... 781-631-4610
Margaret Eckman, Convention Delegate .......... 781-596-9337
Georgette Pied, Convention Delegate............... 978-740-0158
Mission Statement
God calls us at St. Andrew’s to grow spiritually and
personally and to reach out to others as part of the global
family. We will strive to respond to this challenge every
day of our lives through:
•
•
•
•
•
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Worship that strengthens and inspires
Love, mutual care, nurture, and fellowship
Christian formation and teaching Christian
discipleship at all stages of life
Mission and outreach into the community
and the world
Faithful stewardship in gratitude for God’s
creation and gifts