ST. PETER’S PARISH POST
JANUARY 2010
A New Year’s Wish
Almighty God,
Grant that your people,
Illumined by your word & sacraments,
May shine with the radiance of Christ’s Glory;
That He might be known,
Worshiped and obeyed to the ends of the earth.
Amen
“Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!”
EPIPHANY
Epiphany is both a day and a season of the Church Year. The day is always January 6th but is known by a variety of names in different countries: Twelfth Night, The Feast of the Three Kings, or Old Christmas. In Latin countries, Christmas gifts are saved until Epiphany to be exchanged and opened. Parades and processions are held in the streets through the night—Twelfth Night—to celebrate the three kings.
Epiphany season is a good time to remember the special gifts—special blessings—we have received. Epiphany, like Christmas, is a magic time. It has enough warmth to carry us through the dreary months ahead until we are reborn in the Spring.
Be Sure to Visit Our Website and see the St. Peter’s Pictures. It has been an exciting time as the bell was returned to the steeple on top of the church. Many of us followed the process with our cameras!
Outreach
The Elf Tree Committeewould like to thank everyone who participated in the joy of giving. This year, we helped a family of four, right here in the village, have a happy holiday. Your gifts were once again over the top. With items of clothing, toys and food cards, the family was overwhelmed with your generosity. Thank you so much for giving from your heart. And special thanks go to Terri Harrison for not only finding the family for us, but acting as Santa and delivering the gifts on Christmas Eve.
Now that cold weather has settled in lets remember our local food bank when doing your own grocery shopping. Don’t forget the animals either…..they are hungry too.
Once again, I would like to ask you if you have old coats, jackets or snow wear to consider contributing them to Hope House, a home for abused mothers and children. I will be happy to pick up, dry clean and deliver them for you.
ST. PETER’S ADOPTS ARMY UNIT IN AFGHANISTAN
This year the Vestry has agreed to adopt an Army Unit in COP (Command Out Post) Monti in Afghanistan. These young men and women are on the boarder of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Many are without family at home. I have listed a number of items you might consider purchasing for them. I will ship these items to our grandson and he will place the boxes in the Recreation Center for all to share. The soldiers will be able to put many of the snack items in their vests or combat jackets for consumption while out on maneuvers. And the hard candies will be available for the soldiers to give to children while on patrol.
Items such as lip balm, wet wipes (unscented baby wipes), basic personal items; tooth brushes, tooth paste, deodorant and socks. Hand warmers and good books to read. Snack items; small packs of sunflower seeds, trail mix and individually wrapped hard candy for the Afghan children. A box will be placed in the back pew of St. Peters for your donations. Even though our men and women won’t know where it comes from, it will be appreciated.
I thank you again for your consideration and generosity. I realize we are asking a lot, but think of each of these outreach areas as something all of us can do. We are so fortunate. Let us share our bounty.
Joan Poland, Outreach Chairman
CANDLES & CAROLS SERVICE A SUCCESS!!
Those of you who missed the Dec. 27th cantata missed a wonderful and meaningful service. Special thanks go to the Choir members of St. Asaph’s, Choir members of St. Peter’s, Charles Linton, Desiree Symonds & Jordan Daniels (Choir members from Spotsylvania), Joyce Goforth and Michael Lenehan (Narrators), Eunice Key & Terri Harrison (Acolytes), and Alex Long (Officiant) for giving their time and talents to the December 27th "Candles & Carols" service. We truly appreciate their gifts to the service. It was wonderful!
From the Junior Warden:
Dear Friends in Christ,
As my three-year term on your Vestry, as your Junior Warden, is coming to an end, I would like to share with you what I learned about the Vestry in general and more specifically as to the duties and experiences of the “Junior Warden.”
Seldom, if ever, have I been welcomed, made to feel a part of, accepted and put to work surrounded by an air of goodwill, enthusiasm, support and love as happened to me, and Susan as well, when we became involved with our beloved St. Peter’s Church. Being elected by you to our Vestry further showed the trust and confidence which you have placed in me, culminating in my assignment as Junior Warden.
Our parish is led by its clergy and the Vestry. Currently we are without a priest, placing additional important duties and responsibilities on the Vestry. Guided by the words of St. Peter (1 Peter 4:10-11) “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.” Only this way can we achieve our mission, “To do God’s will”!
The Vestry helps to discern the vision toward which God is drawing that particular congregation, articulates and communicates the vision, holds the congregation accountable for the realization of that vision, and keeps the mission of the Church and that of our congregation clearly before our people.
Traditionally, the Senior Warden is the member of the Vestry who can convene and chair vestry meetings when the priest is absent. Often the Junior Warden has a particular responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of the church’s buildings and properties. The latter undertakings I enjoyed very much, especially the restoration of our historic bell, the belfry construction, the improvements on our church windows, the maintenance work on the floor in Fall Hall, and the post for our beautiful new St. Peter’s sign.
When the congregation does not have a priest, i.e. the situation we currently find ourselves in, the Senior and Junior Wardens function as the communication link with the diocese. They preside at vestry meetings, make provisions for Sunday worship, are responsible for the administration and maintenance of the parish properties, act as custodians of the parish registers and records, and convene vestry meetings.
One of the Vestry’s most important periodic tasks is to call a new rector or priest. Although the selection process has been delegated to a Search Committee, chaired by Elizabeth Heimbach, of which I am also a member, it is the Vestry that is ultimately responsible for calling the new priest. Our Vestry will act upon the recommendations of our Search Committee.
Much more can be said about the experiences as your Junior Warden over the last three years. Most importantly, I have experienced more meaningful worship and enhanced spirituality. Relationships with many of you, brothers and sisters in Christ, have become close and dear. I will always remember that “God has put all things under Christ’s feet and has made Him the head over all things for the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Blessings, Helmut
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF TWO NEW VESTRY MEMBERS
Cookie and Helmut’s terms as vestry members end this month. We will have a short Morning Prayer on January 24th at 11 am. This will be followed by brief reports on the progress of the church, the search committee, etc. Four candidates have been nominated for the two positions. They are Terri Harrison, Linda Beck, Robert Bryan and Johnny Davis. Others may be nominated from the floor at the meeting on the 24th. Only members of St. Peter’s may vote. Voting will be by secret ballot. Plan now to attend and support your church. This is a crucial year in our church history as we celebrate 175 years of praising God. ( I hear there may be a “Bloody Mary Party” afterwards in Fall Hall!)
HEALTH MATTERS by Eunice Key
Olive oil’s health benefits:
Olive oil is a prime component of the Mediterranean Diet and is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is – freshly pressed from the fruit. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels.
Olive oil is very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil’s protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally than prescribed drugs. Consequently, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.
While all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.
Olive oil is clearly one of the good oils, one of the healing fats. Spanish researchers suggest that including olive oil in your diet may also offer benefits in terms of colon cancer prevention.
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Types of olive oil
Generally, olive oil is extracted by pressing or crushing olives. Olive oil comes in different varieties, depending on the amount of processing involved. Varieties include:
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Extra virgin– considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives. |
VILLAGE DINNERS WED. JANUARY 6TH
Celebrate Epiphany by attending the Village Dinners this month. RSVP to Susan Linne von Berg. The menu is Chicken in white wine sauce, Basmati Rice, Sweet peas, and Chocolate Éclair Cake.
The committee consisting of Eunice, Cindy, Vivian, Betty and Cookie met this week and made the menus for the coming year. It really looks good and I know you will enjoy the home cooking.
Eunice thanks all who help. She says, “Thank you all for your extraordinary help in making the Village Dinners a success for the ECW. Really makes you think of the saying "there is no "i" in the word "team". We are a team and I am so glad to be able to work and play beside every one of you. Thanks again and may your New Year be blessed.”
FELLOWSHIP DINNER SCHEDULE IS OUT
If you are hosting a dinner in Jan., Feb. or March, please check your schedule and mark your calendars. It is the hostess’s job to contact people and set up the date and time. Then set back and have fun together!!
TOO MUCH STANDING?
It was discussed at the Dec. Vestry meeting that we stand through much more of the services than we use to…perhaps it is just that I am getting older but I really have a back ache some days. Please note that you may sit or stand and it is optional in many places. Personally I prefer to sit and bow my head during prayer. Standing or sitting, God loves us all!