Entering Lent

Dear friends,

By the time you read this, we will have entered the holy, challenging, introspection-inviting season of Lent.  I pray that it will be a life-giving season for you and for all of us, a time for looking bravely at the messiness of our lives and, simultaneously, at the unending love and grace of God.

At our Ash Wednesday services, you were invited to the observance of a holy Lent.  I hope you take the Church up on that invitation.  As always, our worship during Lent is shaped by the solemnity of the season, crafted to help us undertake the penitential work to which we are called.  We omit the use of the word alleluia from all services except funerals; we remove flowers from the altar; we drape the holy table in somber purple.  We even change the shape of our liturgies themselves, placing words of confession at the very start of our worship.

And on February 18, the first Sunday of Lent, we will pray The Great Litany during the opening procession at both services.  The Great Litany is an ancient form of intercessory prayer, first used in the 5^th century.  Because of its penitential nature, it is especially appropriate in Lent.  The Litany begins by called upon the Triune God to have mercy on us; continues with petitions for protection from evil and disaster; invokes Christ’s saving work; and includes many general intercessions, including the plea for God to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanders.  You can find The Great Litany on pages 148 to 153 of The Book of Common Prayer.  I encourage you to spend some time with it prior to Sunday.

The Great Litany is not a prayer for the faint of heart, but it is a fabulous prayer for those who truly want to turn their hearts again to God.  May that be our aim in this holy season.

Blessings,

Anne+

"Reverend Lorna, who were God's mommy and daddy?"

This is one of the many great (and sometimes stumping!) questions I get from our parish children during Children’s Chapel.  Children’s Chapel is a time when our kids are able to ask questions, learn about Jesus, and find out how to live out Jesus’ command for us to love each other.

The event follows a familiar routine, where, after the Gospel is read in the church, the children are invited to follow the adult leader of the Chapel to the Day School Library. The room is set up with a small altar with candles and dressed with the color of the church season, courtesy of our Altar Guild. There, our Minister of Music, Brad Norris, leads the children in song. The leader then introduces the lesson of the day, with an engaging discussion and a fun art project. Then comes more fun: the snack!

In time for Holy Communion, the kids return to the church. They usually have the Sunday Paper in hand, which has coloring pages and other activities in it for them to use in church or at home, based on the lectionary readings of the day.

I am pleased to serve at Children’s Chapel with the other dedicated leaders: Margaret Bivins, Elizabeth Rous, and Allie Wittkamp. Our Rector, the Rev. Anne Kirchmier, sometimes leads Children’s Chapel too. 

Children’s Chapel is a fun, engaging and formative time for our children, where they connect with the Bible, learn more about the Episcopal Church, and grow to see themselves as people loved and cared for by God.

I am glad to talk more to families about Children’s Chapel and all of the other offerings we have for children here at St. Andrew’s.

“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Matthew 19:14

The Rev. Lorna H. Williams

Associate for Children and Youth

It's not Groundhog Day! It's Candlemas!

In the United States, February 2 is known as Groundhog Day, when if a certain groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania sees its shadow, then 6 more weeks of winter is predicted. This tradition comes from a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition. However, in the Church, there is a tradition which is significantly older than Groundhog Day, when February 2 is known as Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. 

During the first century, a Jewish woman remained in seclusion for 40 days after having a son. Mary emerged from her time of isolation after this time period, and to the Temple she and Joseph went, with the baby Jesus in tow. By Jewish law, a sacrifice to God is to be offered for both the mother and the first-born son. As the family came into the Temple to do so, they are met by two aged people, one after the other.

First up was Simeon, to whom the Holy Spirit had revealed that he would not die until he sees the long-awaited Messiah. The Gospel of Luke has Simeon taking the baby Jesus in his arms and singing a now well-known canticle known as the Nunc Dimittis: “Lord, you now have set your servant free, to go in peace as you have promised. For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see.  A light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” Canticle 17, Book of Common Prayer, p. 93. 

He blessed the now amazed parents, and reminded Mary that a sword will pierce her own soul, as Jesus will be a sign that will be opposed in Israel.  Then, the prophet Anna, a woman of great age and even greater in the power of prayer and fasting, praised God and spoke about Jesus as the one to redeem Israel.  After Mary and Joseph finished offering their sacrifice at the Temple, they went back home to Nazareth, where Jesus flourished in growth and in wisdom.

This year, the Feast of the Presentation falls 12 days before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. What Simeon and Anna point to is what we will be learning through the scripture readings in Lent, with Jesus experiencing temptation, pain, disappointment, misunderstanding and betrayal. And we will learn how a sword will pierce Mary’s own soul too.

The Rev. Lorna Williams

Authority

"They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."  

This week’s Gospel: Mark 1:21-2:

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum*; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

What does it mean to teach with authority, and not as the scribes?  The scribes may have been authorities on the scriptures; they had studied them and knew a lot about what had been written, knew what other scholars had said on the subject, and could offer this knowledge to other people.  But there is a vast difference between being well versed in a subject and being the source of all truth and knowledge!  When that one speaks, it is with true authority.  As Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen.” (John 3-11)  That’s first-hand knowledge! 

Leading up to today’s Gospel passage, Jesus has been tested for 40 days in the wilderness.  When he returns he is described as being filled with the power of the Spirit.  He goes to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee and calls Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew, and James and his brother, John, to follow him, which they immediately do, no questions asked. In the very next verse, we come to today’s Gospel passage as Jesus enters the synagogue and begins to teach with authority that amazes everyone, even the unclean spirit that he casts out.  His authority over and command of both the physical and spiritual realm continues to astonish as the day progresses.  As soon as they leave the synagogue Jesus and the 4 disciples go to Simon’s and Andrew’s house where Simon’s mother-in-law is sick in bed with a fever.  Jesus takes her hand and she gets up, cured of her illness, and starts serving them.  Then that same night the whole city gathers around the house (word of his authority got around quickly) and Jesus cures many who are sick and casts out many demons.  Quite a day!

Rachel Roby

* Capernaum, located on the Sea of Galilee was a focal point of much of Jesus’ ministry.  In Matthew 4:13 we read, Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum.  Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew also lived there.  Modern day excavations have revealed a synagogue from the time of Jesus. Today there is a large octagonal Church built over the ruins of what is thought to have been the house of the apostle Peter.

A message from Senior Warden John Whitley

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  --  Jeremiah 29:11

Happy New Year!  When we read this verse from Jeremiah we all should be excited for a New Year and Renewed Hope. With God’s help and your help, St Andrews will prosper and grow in 2018.  I wanted to send out another communication to keep you all updated on some of the many happenings in our parish. We are truly blessed to have so many committed staff members and volunteers. I hope you find this information helpful. 

Welcome Lorna: In my last communication, I welcomed Anne and now what better way to end this year with the arrival of a new Associate Rector. We are excited that Lorna is here and she did not waste any time making our youth programs exciting and inviting!

Outgoing Vestry Members: Many thanks to the vestry members whose terms ended in 2017:  Dick Barnwell, Mary Wood, and Dan Waddill; and a special thanks to Doug Vaughan, our Junior Warden. Doug’s role had him heavily involved with our building maintenance. Not an easy task, based on the age of our building. We thank them all for their many years of service.

New Vestry Members: Welcome Cathy Frey, Chris Robinson, Fritz Horne, and Bob Wharton. We thank them for the commitment of their time and talent. 

Vestry Actions: Some of the highlights from the Vestry’s work in recent months include:

• Establishing a Vestry organization chart so that we have a Vestry Liaison for each church ministry (A list of liaisons can be found here).
• Approving an automatic door for handicap access
• Continuing our work along with the leadership of Dan Waddill to support our Day School.  We are excited about the new initiatives the Day School is pursuing. 
• Approving an Alcohol Policy at the January 2018 Vestry meeting.
• Approving the 2018 Budget

Grateful Generosity Campaign: Many thanks to Randy and Susan Bryant for leading our stewardship campaign this year. The Bryants along with Saint Lee, Virginia Darden, Dick Barnwell, and Bill Wilds did a wonderful job of planning and implementing a very successful campaign. 

Associate Clergy:  The Episcopal Church has a practice of honoring clergy who perform unpaid volunteer work in a parish by designating them as Associate Clergy. Associate Clergy are listed in the bulletin strictly to honor their service in each respective parish. For example, a parish in Virginia Beach has a Rabbi who volunteers and is listed as an Associate Clergy. Larger parishes may have a listing of Associate Clergy that could number well over ten!  At St. Andrew’s our Associate Clergy include the Rev. Carol Chamberlain, the Rev. Travis Greenman, and the Rev. Dr. John Herbst. 

Diocesan eNews: Want to know more about our Diocese? You can register online for the Diocesan eNews at www.diosova.org. In the top right hand corner, you can enter your email address and you will receive confirmation that you are registered. 

Volunteer Opportunities: Here at St. Andrew’s, we have many opportunities for you become involved in our ministries and activities. Please reach out to me or any member of the Vestry if you would like to help. My contact information is john.whitley@cox.net (email) or 757-469-1351 (cell).

Blessings,
John Whitley
Senior Warden