The Messenger
S t . M a r y ’s E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h
February 2015
From the Rector: The Rev’d Thomas W. Allen
Observe what a description he hath given us here of repentance:-It is a
glad returning into the right way after the grief of being out of the way.
The Rev’d John Bramhall (1594-1663)
Joy is the serious business of Heaven. C.S. Lewis
Inside this issue:
That we may delight in your will and walk in your ways. Confession of Sin
in the Book of Common Prayer
Lenten Services
2
Lenten Lunch Bios
3
Dear People of God,
Announcements
4
Sunday School
5
Youth / Young Adult
Coordinator
6
A fellow clergyman exclaimed to me recently that “lent is on the way father!” I
thought for a moment and quickly said, “Jubilate Deo!” The Psalmist’s declares
to the people of God, “O Be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: serve the Lord with
gladness, and come before his presence with a song.”
Director of Music
7
Youth Group
8
Calendar of Events
9
Women of St. Mary’s
10
A Reading and
Palermo Family
11
If Walls Could Talk
12
Birthdays/Anniv.
13
Worship
Opportunities at
St. Mary’s
We welcome you to study
and worship with us!
Monday, 7pm, Shamrock
Coffee House, all
welcome. We are reading
the Book of Revelation.
Wednesday, 10am Holy
Communion (during Lent)
Wednesday, noon, Lenten
Luncheons (28 Feb-25
Mar)
Thursday, noon, bible
study in Parish Hall
Sunday, 8am, 1928 BCP,
9:15 Christian Education,
10:15am, Holy communion
with Choir
As I began to think about Lent and the Wednesday Noon Soup & Cornbread
Luncheons we’ll host, I prayed that perhaps this lent would be like no other. Of
course, Psalm 100 (Jubilate Deo) is said every morning during Morning Prayer
directly after the confession of sin. I began to ponder this relationship of
confessing sin and joy and the temptation to “turn God’s wrath into mere
enlightened disapproval, and you also turn His love into mere
humanitarianism.” C.S. Lewis certainly captures what can happen if we have
an incorrect theology of the state of things and how we can miss authentic love
and joy.
Many of us approach lent with fear and trembling. In addition, it is this time of
the year where on Ash Wednesday the priest smears ashes on your forehead
and says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Yet, even
after this liturgical act is executed we still proclaim together Psalm 51 in the
liturgy: “Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.”
After praying compline, I’ve been tremendously blessed by Love’s Redeeming
Work: The Anglican Quest for Holiness. It is a collection of Anglican writings
by various authors which spans from 1485-1990. It was Fr. John Bramhall’s
writing which has captured my theological ponderings since delving into this
wonderful tome. I was moved to encourage the people of St. Mary’s to have a
positive and joyful outlook toward lent. After all, it is God, our loving Father,
who is ever pursuing us with his love. His love doesn’t keep records, he is not
prying into our private lives to have a look, but rather, he loves us in order to
forgive, save, and renew. This is good news! The confessing of one’s sin is
excellent news, for God moves us from our grief to joy. Lent is not about
waddling in shame or guilt. For this would be a denial of the work of the cross
and its power. Jesus gave us this wonderful gift of confession (John 20) in
order to liberate us from the tyranny of guilt and shame. Joy is repenting. Grief
settles in from non-repentance. My prayer for all of us this Lenten season is to
find and keep JOY!
Fr. Tommy
Announcements
Page 2
Did you miss out on our commemorative Stained Glass Windows book? We still
have plenty for sale. Please see Gabriella Taylor or Amy Parker (in the church office) if
you’d like to purchase a copy. $22.00 each.
African Team Ministries is a Christian ministry working as an intermediary between
African and American churches. With help from Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian,
Lutheran, and Anglican denominations, we provide funding for orphan and refugee relief
missions and evangelism in East Africa. The support we receive is sent directly to our
partnering Bishops to provide school fees, tuition, books, and uniforms. This support
ensures that the children receive an education and a measure of stability needed to rebuild their
minds. We currently have children registered for sponsorship in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Items will be for sale on 1st Feb and 15th Feb in the Parish Hall Lobby.
St. Mary’s Letter Art is for sale in the Parish Hall lobby on
Sundays, and also through the church office. All proceeds from
this project go toward the restoration and upkeep of our Parish
Hall through the Women of St. Mary’s. $50.00 pre-orders only.
Once we have enough people signed up to purchase, we will make
a bulk frame order.
Lenten Services at St. Mary’s
Shrove Tuesday: Join us in the Great Hall for the Annual Pancake Supper and Lessons
on preparing for Lent: 17 February, 2015 5-7pm
Ash Wednesday:
6:30am (Said service with Imposition of Ashes)
Noon (Said service with Imposition of Ashes)
7pm (Imposition of Ashes with hymns)
Lenten Luncheons : Beginning Wednesday, 25 February 12-1pm: This Lenten season,
come spend an hour with fellow parishioners and friends over a simple meal of soup &
cornbread. Come explore with fellow clergy from the Diocese what Lent can teach us as we
gather in community to nourish our bodies with a simple lunch and reflect upon God's grace
and mercy. Take your lunch break, grab a co-worker or friend and come to St. Mary's.
Feb. 28th: Carl Wright
Mar. 4th: Meredith Olsen
Mar. 11th: Bishop Ihloff
Mar. 18th: Sister Theresa
Mar. 25th: Steve McCarty
See Bios on
next page!
If you're interested in helping with soup
contact Margaret Diem at 410 838-0023 or
[email protected]
Stations of the Cross (with hymns): 13 March 2015, 7:00pm
Page 3
Wednesday Lenten Soup and Cornbread Luncheons
Noon-1:00pm, St. Mary’s Great Hall
28th February: The Reverend Carl Walter Wright is Priest-in-Charge of St. Andrew’s Episcopal
Church, Pasadena, MD. A retired U.S. Air Force chaplain and native son of Baltimore, graduated
from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Peabody Conservatory of Music Prep School. He also
holds a bachelor degree from Loyola University and a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological
Seminary. In addition to serving in the Air Force, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the infantry
and served in the National Guard U.S. Army Reserve. The highlight of Carl’s life was his war zone
ministry; he did notable work in the field hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq, where, under fire, he
ministered to wounded soldiers and Iraqis, and on the Day of Pentecost 2007 he baptized a dozen soldiers
and sailors in the Persian Gulf.
4th March: The Rev. Meredith Kefauver Olsen is an Episcopal Priest serving in the Diocese of
Maryland. She received degrees from Birmingham Southern College (B. Music), Emory
University (M.Div.) and The General Theological Seminary (STM, Liturgics) and was ordained
in the Diocese of Atlanta in June 2005. She has trained as a chaplain at North General
Hospital in New York City as well as at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore.
Meredith has served parishes in the Philadelphia and Atlanta suburbs before coming to
Maryland where she has been the Associate Rector at St. John's (Glyndon), St. Mark's (Highland), and All
Hallows (Davidsonville). Currently she works as a chaplain at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
in Towson. Meredith lives in the Federal Hill section of Baltimore with her husband Derek and their two
daughters, Greta and Hannah.
11th March: The Rt. Rev. Robert Ihloff was elected the 13th Bishop of Maryland on May 20,
1995, and was consecrated on October 21, 1995, in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul,
Washington, DC. Born in New Britain, CT, on May 19, 1941, Bishop Ihloff received an A.B. with
Departmental Honors in history from Ursinus College in 1964. In 1967 he received his M.Div. from
Episcopal Theological School, and in 1972 he received an M.A. in European History from Central
Connecticut State College. He is the current rector at Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore. He is
the author of two published articles, one in The Journal of Religion & Health, the other in Word &
Spirit.
18th March: Sister Theresa: Sister is a life long Episcopalian who has long felt called to the
Carmelite way of prayer and solitude within community. Early in life she was a member in first
vows of the Episcopal Community of the Transfiguration, after which she pursued a career as a
Registered Nurse, which included directing and consulting for nonprofit agencies. She served as
Senior Warden of her parish and was on the Diocesan Commission on Ministry. For many years
she has a healing ministry and remains a member of the Order of Saint Luke. Her writings have
been included in Weavings, Sharing, and other publications. Sister is a graduate of Education for Ministry, The
Shalem Spiritual Guidance Program, and studied Pastoral Ministry at St. Thomas University. She is a member of
Spiritual Directors International. Feeling drawn to the hidden contemplative life, she surrendered her career,
going to the Sisters of the Love of God, Oxford England to test her vocation. Although her vocation to the
contemplative monastic life was confirmed, Sister felt called back to the United States, where with the help of
God and the support of many, she is bringing the monastic Carmelite life to the Episcopal Church.
25th March: Steve McCarty came to the ordained ministry later in life. He is a retired Maryland
State Police Sergeant with 24 years of service. He also retired from the U.S.A.F. Reserve after
serving 20 years. After retiring from the Maryland State Police; he was the Chief of Police for the
Hancock, Maryland Police Department; and then served for 5 years with the Washington County
Sheriff’s Department Patrol Division. He retired from the sheriff’s department after 5 years to
answer a call to the Priesthood. He was ordained as Deacon in 2006; and as a Priest in 2011. He
is a “Son of the House” and has his Master’s Degree from Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary,
Wisconsin. His favorite pastime (besides being a grandfather) is riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle;
hunting; target shooting; and working out in the gym. Both his wife Melanie and he are Black Belts in Tae Kwon
Do.
Announcements / Events
Page 4
The Vestry of St. Mary’s is proud to welcome it’s newest members, Joan Barnett,
Pamela Butler, Nick Kalathas and David Hayes, voted in at our Annual Meeting and
Parish Celebration on 25th January 2015. We hope you found the information at
the meeting informative and know if you have any questions you are always welcomed to attend a vestry
meeting. They are held the 2nd Tuesday of every month in the Great Hall at 7pm. We would like to thank
Krista Hayes, Ruth Mewborn, and John Sweaney for their years of service on the Vestry. We wish them luck in
whatever their next ministry role may be at St. Mary’s.
Friends in Self Help (F.I.S.H.)
Food Donations
Remember throughout the year that, as a parish, we collect food to be sent to the food
pantry at Holy Trinity in Churchville. There are collection baskets in the church, or items may be
left in the kitchen.
In your donation-giving, please remember that food pantries and shelters accept more than canned
food items. Many places have a severe lack of the following important items • personal hygiene items
(soap, deodorant, razors, dental care, feminine care items, baby toiletries) • household cleaning
items (detergent, paper products, cleansers) • spices • chocolate, or baked good kits • soup packets.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact Ryan Salamony (leave message at
410-679-1902) or Joan Barnett (410-679-6432).
Acolyte Sign Up for February and March
(before next acolyte breakfast for Easter).
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0E4FA9A929A6FB6-feburary1
Within the Walls of St. Mary’s
The completed St. Mary’s crèche was displayed through the Christmas season. The amazing
scene was created by St. Mary’s parishioners under the supervision of Mr. Don Schranz.
The scene depicts life in Bethlehem at the time of the birth of the Lord our Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you to Don and all who helped bring this gorgeous work of art to our church.
Sunday School News
Page 5
by: Nina Mullenax
Sunday school is back in full swing
in the New Year. This year’s
Christmas Pageant was “A Mary
Carol” with some of the children
portraying Mary and Joseph as
children and as adults. This year we added several parents
and their children who were the adult’s alter ego as they
visited a retirement home at Christmas
time to fulfil their annual Christmas
charity. “Mary, Rock your Baby”, a duet
by Robert Wallace and his daughter Giulianna Wallace was a highlight in this
section. This led into our pageant which brought all of the participants to the
manger where Mary brought forth her firstborn son for the entire world to
know. As the lights were dimmed and the audience held their votive candles
to set the stage for the solo “Oh Holy Night” sung by Meghan Mullenax. It
was the perfect setting to begin the Christmas season.
What’s happening in the classroom…
The first part of the Sunday school season has been a lot of fun for the 3rd grade class! We’ve studied and
had tons of fun with an interactive Bible story, activities, discussions, and a shared Advent lesson with Mrs.
Mary Jane’s 4th grade class. For the first part of Sunday school, some of the stories we studied were Moses,
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob & Esau, Joseph, and “Why Do We Celebrate Christmas?” The second part Sunday
school will focus on Jesus and his teachings. We look forward to sharing our fun Sunday activities with you!
~Miss Giulianna and the 3rd grade Sunday school class
Calendar
February
2/8 – Teachers Meeting
2/14 - Ice Cream Social/
Sock Hop
2/17 - Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Supper 5pm
2/18 - Ash Wednesday
7pm service
March
3/8 – Teachers Meeting
Be an assistant teacher
Be a substitute teacher
CONTACT
Nina Mullenax (c) 410-937-4181 or email [email protected]
Youth/Young Adult Coordinator
Page 6
Contact Information:
By: Mary Jane Shafer
[email protected]
410-670-5016
St. Mary’s Presents
6 - 8pm
February 14, 2015
St. Mary’s Great Hall
Grab your blue suede shoes,
Poodle skirt, and scarves in your hair,
Make the scene, you gotta be there!
Come on over and don’t be late
We have a Sock Hop to celebrate!
Don’t be square! Sign
-up on the Tract
Table and in the
Fellowship Lobby
(We need to know
numbers so we can
plan accordingly!)
This is a Parish-wide activity for all ages; awards for best outfit, best socks, best family attire. We will
have a Hula Hoop contest, A Dance contest and a Bubble Gum Blowing contest. We will learn the “Stroll”
and the “Twist”. 50’s and 60’s music all evening so, mark your calendars for this exciting evening.
Diocesan News: There are a number of Youth programs around the Diocese: NightWatch in NYC, and Happenings #8, to mention two. If you are
interested in either of these or want more information, see Mrs. Mary Jane. Also, on May 8 – 9 is the Diocesan Convention at Turf Valley in Ellicott
City. I am hoping that several of our Youth, grades 9 – 12, will come to me and sign-up to be a Page. A Page assists the Bishop in the smooth running of the Convention and will have a lock-in the evening of May 8th. This is a great experience to see how our Church works in the world.
FAMILY NIGHTS: The next Family Night will be, held on March 8, 2015. After enjoying a light supper together, we will break off into groups. The
children will begin a program called: What’s in the Bible; Let My People Go!, a Buck Denver video. This will be slightly different than the Christmas
video the children saw in November. There will be a video to watch together, then, they will break off into age appropriate groups for fun activities.
The Adults remain in the Great Hall for discussion. Everyone meets back in the Great Hall for a quick game. And home at 6:30 p.m. Dates for the
future Family Nights are: (we are skipping February because we have the Sock Hop), March 8, 2015 (Skip April because we have the Scavenger Hunt),
and our last Family Night for this year 2014 - 2015, is May 17, 2015.
2nd Annual Scavenger Hunt! April 11, 2015. Our winners from last year are scheduled to help with this year’s hunt. The format will be the
same as last year’s Scavenger Hunt. So, begin to makeup your teams and be ready for a lot of fun. We will begin with potluck dinner sponsored by
the hunt teams. Who will receive points for their creations. Committee members and judges needed.
Prom Night: Date to be determined, but the committee is looking at late May or Early June. Eric Taylor and Amy Parker are co-chairs and are full of
terrific ideas. This will be an adult’s only activity, (young adults age 21) and up. So, dust off your formal wear and mark your calendars, get babysitters and plan to have an awesome time. Don’t forget to have your kids take pictures of you as you head out for your grown up prom!
Parish wide Retreat: Fall of 2015, in the works and since this will be St. Mary’s first annual retreat, we are planning a day retreat; more information to follow. We will gather together in small groups. This is for the entire family and will resemble Family Nights.
The College Bound: As you plan your college search outings, you can contact me and I can get you in touch with local Episcopal Churches and campus religious support groups.
Have a wonderful 2015 and I hope to see you all at the Sock Hop, Mary Jane Shafer
♪
Notes from the Organ Bench ♫ by: Robert Stephen Wallace
Page 7
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church offers two formal music programs, through participation in the Adult Choir and the
Youth Choir. There are also recurring unique possibilities for other participation in the musical life of the church. An active musical program is very important in the life of a congregation, and in that congregation’s expression of worship.
Choral singing is a distinct ministry within a church service, but learning music to express specific moments of praise to
God also is a powerful experience for the singers’ spiritual life. As with much else in our church, we bring a sense of joy
and possibility to our music program.
Singing in the choir is first and foremost a ministry of praise. We lead the congregation in sung prayer, and help provide
the musical context for worship. And anyone can join us! Right now we have a very dedicated, small group of people, but
this experience is open to all parishioners who want to participate. There are no auditions for the choirs, although some
ability to read music could be helpful but not required. If necessary, mutual arrangements for special practice sessions
can be made.
We know time is a critical factor for many. The Adult Choir rehearses on Wednesday evening at 7:00 and sometimes
between the services. We warm up on the hymns, practice the anthem for that Sunday, and start learning those scheduled
for the coming 2 weeks. If we are singing Evensong or in a program (such as the St. Cecilia Concert), we also review that
music. We love hymns, Psalms, and taizé (prayer chants that are repetitive until they are sung in the Spirit).
The Youth Choir rehearses in the Music Room or in the church after the 10:15 a.m. service and also learns anthems that
lead to a love of music based on our Anglican traditions. This fine group of girls and boys also requires just a love of
singing. We sing Psalms and often members volunteer for solos. Children occasionally sing during church services and
sometimes in conjunction with the Adult Choir in a combined anthem or Psalm.
Another possible way of contributing to the church’s music is through instrumental music. If you play the flute, trumpet, or
another instrument and would be willing to consider playing occasionally as a soloist, in a duet with the organ and/or
choir, or as part of an ensemble, talk to the organist-choir director.
EVENSONG is a popular service in the true sense of the term popular. Especially when the psalms and lessons have
a clear and appropriate message, it appeals to people in a wonderful way, refreshing the soul and informing the
mind. It is sometimes said that Evensong came from the monks. In a sense this is true, but the offices from which our
modern services are derived were used by priests other than those in monasteries, and in a simpler form by pious
layfolk in their private devotions. The person mainly responsible for our Morning and Evening Prayer was Cranmer,
Archbishop of Canterbury in the reigns of Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Mary.
We may ask next, Where did the monks get their services? The services used in the monasteries had been altered in the course of
time, but were essentially the same as those used in monasteries 1,200 years before, and these go back to the earliest age of the
Church. The Apostles themselves had services consisting of psalms, Scripture readings and prayers, out of which was formed the first
part of the primitive Liturgy. From this all that is left of the psalm-singing is the Glory be to Thee, O God before the Gospel, unless we
say that the modern hymns represent the psalms.
But where did the Apostles get their services? They were the very services which they had attended in company with our Lord in the
synagogues at Capernaum and elsewhere. If we push still further back, we reach the time when the Jews were exiled to Babylon, far
away from their beloved temple, and learned to sing the Lord's song in a strange land, without an altar or sacrifice. Of course, the
Church gave a Christian light to the old Jewish worship, but the framework of the service was the same. The Eucharist which Christ
bade us do in remembrance of Him is the greatest possible act of worship, but Evensong must be reverenced and loved because it is a
modern form of the worship which Christ and His Apostles offered to God.
Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury in Henry VIII's reign, was a great scholar, and produced magnificent translations of the old
prayers. But something more than translating was necessary; the services had to be simplified and improved. The chief contents of
each service were: psalms and a canticle, a lesson from Scripture, the Lord's Prayer and other prayers, versicles and responses. Evensong as it left Cranmer's hands and appeared in the first English Prayer-Book published in 1549 began with the Lord's Prayer. This
had been the invariable beginning of every office, but the prayer was said softly by the priest only. Then came the opening versicles
and responses, taken almost word for word from the old services. Psalms and lessons formed the bulk of the service, as explained
above. The Magnificat came from Vespers, Nunc Dimittis from Compline, as did the Creed. The second Lord's Prayer and concluding
versicles and responses were taken straight from the old services. This was the service, distinctly shorter than at present. Three years
later the second edition of the Prayer-Book appeared, and the idea was that after a sentence from the Bible to strike the note of the
service, the people should be reminded of the purposes of public worship, and should then confess their sins and receive the assurance
of God's forgiveness of sinners. This part is really a penitential introduction to the actual service. At a later period the various prayers
after the third collect were composed and placed in their present position.
Page 8
Youth Group News
By: Shannon Sweaney
On December 20, the youth
CONTACT
group had our Christmas
Shannon and Chris Sweaney
410-804-4671
party. 10 kids were able to
[email protected]
attend. We started off with
musical chairs (they have
taught me that you are never too old for this), had
lunch, played games and had a present exchange.
It was a nice way to start the holiday week off.
Emma Jakse participates in an organization called Job’s
Daughters. Every 6 months they are installed into a new office.
On January 10, Gwen and Ethan attended Emma’s installation as
Guide. We are looking forward in supporting all of our members in
their activities in and out of church.
I’m very excited for this year’s activities. I plan the
activities that the kids are interested in. I love their ideas and no idea is too big.
God Bless,
Shannon
February 14 - Valentine's Day Sock Hop and Ice cream Social 6:00 - 8:00 pm
February 17 - Pancake Supper
February 28 - Blanket making in the hall
September 25 – Thirty One Bag & Wine and Cheese Party (Adults Only)
November 14 – Bingo
December 12 – Breakfast with Santa
St. Mary’s Calendar of Events
Page 9
February 2015
Sun
1
Mon
2
Tue
3
Wed
4
Holy Communion
12:05pm
Sunday
Shamrock
Services
Coffee Small
8am & 10:15am Group 7pm
Christian Ed 9:15
Thu
5
Choir
Bible Study:
Revelation
Parish Hall
Noon
10
11
12
Vestry 7:00pm
Holy Communion
12:05pm
Practice 7pm
Fri
Sat
6
7
13
14
African Ministries
Sale in Lobby
8 Scout
Sunday
9
Sunday
Shamrock
Services
Coffee Small
8am & 10:15am
Group 7pm
Christian Ed 9:15
Choir
Practice 7pm
Bible Study:
Revelation
Parish Hall
Noon
And Ice Cream
Social
6-8pm
Parish Hall
Sun School
Teachers
Meeting
11:30am
15
16
Presidents Day
Shrove
Tuesday
Pancake
Supper
5-7pm
Great Hall
23
24
Sunday
Shamrock
Services
Coffee Small
8am & 10:15am Group 7pm
Christian Ed 9:15
African Ministries
Sale in Lobby
22
17
Sunday
Shamrock
Services
Coffee Small
8am & 10:15am Group 7pm
Christian Ed 9:15
18
Ash
Wednesday
6:30am (Said
service with
Imposition of
Ashes)
Noon (Said service
with Imposition of
Ashes)
7pm (Imposition of
Ashes with hymns)
25
10 am Holy
Communion
Noon
Lenten
Luncheon
Rev’d Carl Wright
Choir
Practice 7pm
19 Bible
20
21
26
27
28
Study: Revelation
Noon
Women of St.
Mary’s meeting
7pm
Bible Study:
Revelation
Parish Hall
Noon
AARP Free Tax
Day @ St.
Mary’s 8:30-1
SMYG Blanket
Making 6pm
Women of St. Mary’s
Page 10
By: Ann Weaver and Dot Roller
Our Christmas Families : A Follow-up
St. Mary’s Christmas project brought joy and help to 32 people in 12 community families this
year. Each person received 2-3 gifts; in most instances, this was something family members had
expressed a desire to have. Gifts totaled 75! Did you see that giant pile of gifts?
Other gifts included 5 boxes of donated food, including a canned ham, potatoes, vegetables,
and dessert for Christmas dinner. For every family there was a bag and more of paper goods, a
jug of laundry soap, and a shopping bag of personal care items and some small items.
The Youth Group sponsored one of the families.
Ten people who needed coats received them. The fish bowl and other cash donations totaled
$1,883. Each family will receive $100; those with children will receive an additional $34 for
each child. This money is used to pay an outstanding debt and will go directly to the company;
many of the requests are to pay BGE.
As in past years, this most generous project is sponsored by the Women of St. Mary’s. Ana Jakse
and Melissa Friedman were the extremely organized super planners-coordinators, but almost
everyone in the parish and Sunday School took part. A big thanks to so many of you who
shopped to fulfill those Christmas wishes, and to the packers and drivers. To so many of you, from
those recipients, we say a heartfelt THANK YOU.
Additional Request
One of our senior family members who, as we were leaving following delivery of her
gifts, commented that she was excited with the gifts but sorry not to have a Nativity
set, as “that is what it is all about.” If you have a small set to donate, please talk to
Ann Weaver, 410-838-5097, and we will take care of delivering it.
Lunch Bunch
Everyone is welcome to the next Lunch Bunch on Tuesday, February 3, at 12:00 noon
at DuClaw’s Restaurant, 6 Bel Air Parkway. Please sign up on the tract table or call
Toni Villard at 410-838-2340.
Valentine Boxes
The second mailing of goody boxes for our college students living away from home will be sent in
time for Valentine’s Day. Our young people especially like homemade treats, but
other sweets are very much welcome! Also, consider very small decorations or
mementos to add to the package. We will need enough items for 8 goody boxes.
Everything needs to be in the Parish House kitchen by Sunday morning, February 8.
FEBRUARY MEETING
Thursday, February 19, 7 PM. All women in the parish are
members. We need your ideas and help and welcome you to
join us!
10% Giving -- In January, the Women of
St. Mary’s will be donating 10% of the
year’s earnings to others outside the parish. This is usually given in amounts of
$100 to $200. Approximately $1,500 is
available.
A Reading and Palermo Family Donation Info
Page 11
Closing the Path to Misery from the Anglican Digest
by The Rt. Rev. Daniel H. Martins, Bishop of the Diocese of
Springfield, IL
Bad things happen to people, and anyone involved in pastoral ministry is reminded of this on a regular basis.
As I write, just within the last 48 hours, I’ve dealt with a suicide attempt, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, and the beginning of hospice care for a man with cancer. This morning I attended a regular meeting of clergy associated
with our cathedral, and the rundown on pastoral care “situations” left me depressed. There’s so much suffering,
and there’s rarely anything we can do about it. People are suffering nearby and people are suffering far
away. "In sorrow that an ancient curse should doom to death a universe..."—so begins the second stanza of the
venerable (and possibly my favorite) Advent hymn Conditor alme siderum (#60 in the Hymnal 1982).
Arguably the most well-known and best loved of our Advent hymns is Veni Emmanuel (#56, H1982), has the
advantage of being part of the canon of “carols” that are generally associated with Christmas in the popular
imagination, so it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Less well known is the fact that each verse began life as a Latin
antiphon attached to the canticle Magnificat on the seven evenings preceding Christmas Eve. Only relatively
recently have they been set to rhyme and meter in English and aggregated into a hymn.
The fifth verse, from the Latin antiphon O clavis David (O Key of David), speaks to the gloom of the human condition quite directly in its petition that “Emmanuel” come "and close the path to misery." (A more literal translation of the Latin might be along the lines of "and block the hellish way.") It is precisely what I wish for during
any encounter, pastoral or personal, with someone who is suffering. It is what I wish for whenever I open a
newspaper or click on the news page of my browser. I wish I could close the path to misery for anyone whom I
love, or care about even a little bit, or—just about everybody. (There is perhaps a select short list I would have
to work up some enthusiasm for, but that is itself a response to the misery that cause.) I wish I could close the
path to everyone's misery.
I can't, of course. And, in an effective sense—it sounds slightly heretical to say this—God "can't." For God to
simply intervene capriciously would violate the very structure of the created universe, not the least important
element of which is human free will. But God is, nonetheless, in sorrow about that ancient curse. And although it's
not part of the plan for him to intervene capriciously, he has done something much better; he has intervened
gratuitously—that is, in a manner full of grace. The trajectory of redemption set in motion by the Incarnation,
sealed in the Passion and Resurrection, and brought to fruition in the Ascension, means that the misery we encounter every day will be taken up into that gratuitous intervention and woven into a tapestry of healing and
restoration that will, before the dust settles, send that ancient curse packing. And close the path to misery.
Giving to the Palermo Children's Education Fund
Parishes and individuals are encouraged to show
their support for the Palermo children by giving to
an education fund that has been created for
them.
Please give online at:
http://www.youcaring.com/tuition-fundraiser/children-oftom-palermo/283939
Page 12
If Walls Could Talk by Mary Moses
By: Mary Moses
I am always perplexed at the postings that advise that
our cemetery host only a single famous person. In fact
there are a number of people resting in our hallowed
grounds who could be classified as significant to history.
In the next few months I will be talking about a few of
these individuals.
I know many of you have seen
this stone; it is within sight as
you enter or leave the church
through the main entrance. It is
a weathered stone and you
have to get close to read the
name and dates. The stone
first attracted my attention with
it’s proximity to the church, so
close to the altar window, I
knew this person had to be
special and I was correct. The
stone marks the resting place
of William Frederic Barnard,
Born March 16, 1845 and
died September 17, 1863 at
the age of 18. His Father was
Brevet Major General John G.
Barnard and his Mother was Jane Elizabeth Brand,
Sister of Rev. William F. Brand. Jane Barnard had died
a few years earlier and General Barnard had married
Anne Hall, Rev. Brand’s Sister in Law. Research in the
local papers only revealed a simple obituary that read
“William F. Barnard died suddenly on September 17,
1863 at Findowrey”. For those of you who are not
familiar with the name Findowrey, it was the name of
Brand’s home and the first rectory of St. Mary’s. Rev.
Brand also ran a school for boys at the home and
William (Willy) was a student at the time of his passing.
With more research I found a reference to William
Barnard in a book at the Library of Congress and last
year my Husband and I traveled there to find it. The
book is entitled The Christian Course, A Sermon
Preached at the Burial of William Frederic Barnard,
September 20, 1863, St. Mary’s Church, Harford
County Maryland by W. F. Brand, Rector. The book
explains in a section entitled In Memoriam, written by
Rev. Brand, “From circumstances which could not be
controlled, the funeral took place at the church, at the
hour for Sunday morning worship and without notice:
therefore the usual services were not altered beyond
the combining with them the order for the burial of the
dead; and what is here printed was preached. To what I
have written I desire to add
a direct testimonial to the
worth of my dear nephew.
Whatever I may have said
in general terms touching
the blessing of hope of the
Christian,
in
thankful
confidence I apply to him.
Thinking of Willy, with
increased gratitude to Him
who has wrought such
salvation for His Saint’s, I
repeat the words of the
Apostle: ‘I have fought a
good fight, I have finished
my course, I have kept the
faith; henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of
righteousness.’
Father Brand writes, “I chose myself to bury my child-the
boy who loved me as though I had been his father-because
the tears which could not be restrained were not blinding;
through them I looked forward to the last day; to the life of
the world to come; and to the glorious change which shall,
through the mighty working of Christ, come upon the bodies
of all who sleep in him. So thoroughly am I persuaded that
Willy is of that blessed number to whom it is the Father’s
good pleasure to give the kingdom, that even in the first
moments of the dreadful shock which God in His wisdom
gave to those of us who witnessed the sudden blighting of
the flower of his promise -instantly, as though by a lightning
stroke- even then I dared not pray for submission for
strength for myself, his father, and all who so dearly loved
him, until I had first thanked God for the so abundant
assurances of triumph over death and the grave…” (To be
continued)
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Page 13
February Birthdays
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Edwin Weaver
Ana Jakse
Aaron Pfarr
Thomas Hipkins
John Nichols
Donald Hale
Joe Robilotta
Morris Carlson
Erin Moses
12
13
14
Mary
McFadden
Chigoziem
Ekwonye
Aaron Schiefer
Sean Jorgenson Phillip Tolliver,
Jr.
8
9
Sally LaBarre
Martha Nichols
Dylan Heil
Eric Eckstein, Sr.
15
16
Michael Prete
10
11
Christopher
Prete
Daniel Findura
17
18
19
20
Clifford DeWitt
21
Tim Cook
Riley Young
22
23
Elizabeth
Pfeiffer
Elizabeth
Scarborough
Gail Prete
Caleb Pomilla
24
25
26
27
28
Thomas Mitchell Tammy Watters
Toni Villard
Avory Norton
Jessica Seman
Feb 29
Zachary Idzik
Happy Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Harris
Give them wisdom and devotion in the
ordering of their common life, that each
may be to the other a strength in need, a
counselor in perplexity, a comfort in
sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Tolliver
S t . M a r y’s Ep i sco p a l Chur ch
Non-Profit
Organization
1 St. Mary’s Church Road
Abingdon, MD 21009
U.S. Postage
Paid
Phone: 410-569-0180
Email: [email protected]
We Welcome You to
Worship With Us!
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
We’re on the Web!
www.stmarysharford.org
Permit #4
Bel Air, MD
(Address Service Requested)