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ST.THOMAS’N

EWSLETTER

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ometimes hearing encouragement from other than your rector is helpful and

uplifting. The beautiful letters that follow arrived shortly after Charlie Stoehrmann’s funeral. They demonstrate the love and caring that have been such a strong hallmark of the St. Thomas family.

Peace in Christ, Father Bruce

Thank you again for your care to our family during the difficult time of the passing of our father. We appreciate the visits you made to Dad over the past several months and especially the last visit to him in the hospital. Thank you for the memorial service honoring Dad; it was as he wished.

Please convey the message below to your loving congregation. You have our permission to publish it in the Cross Ties, if you wish. We feel very strongly that we need to thank all the special friends at St. Thomas’ for their years of care and friendship to our parents. Their loving arms embraced our parents throughout their years in Sanford.

With our thanks, Bonnie and Ken and families

To the congregation of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church:

On behalf of the family of Charlie and Pat Stoehrmann, we would like to thank you for the many years of love, friendship and care for our parents.

After our Mom passed away over 10 years ago, Dad remained living independently until the last 6 months when his health began failing. Several times we asked our Dad if he would move to be closer to us, but he wanted to remain in Sanford. Because of the faithful community of believers at St. Thomas’ we felt confident and comfortable with his decision. This congregation showed him great support and compassion through his remaining earthly journey. We are grateful for your friendship to our parents throughout the 30 years that they have attended St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church. You exemplify the love of Jesus as you care for those in your church and community.

God bless you, Richard and Bonnie Berry

Ken and Joanne Stoehrmann

Charlie’s Love

United & Empowered

by the Love of

Our Lord Jesus Christ

Volume 2, Issue 4

Page 2 V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

"Whistle Stop" for NC Bishop Candidates

T HE CR OSS TI ES

Those attending the event at Penick Village in Southern Pines on 2/14 were: Fr. Bruce, John Kirkman, James Jessup, and Ray Hyer (delegates) and Katie Hyer. The Special Electing Convention is March 4, 2017 at which time our delegates will vote for the new bishop. Please let your representative know how you feel.

March 6, 2017

ESTHER: A CELEBRATION

OF COURAGE

Betty Sherrod presenting

WOC Meeting starts at 11:00 a.m.

Lunch will be served.

T HE CR OSS TI ES Page 3 V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

Birthdays and Anniversaries in March

1 Stefanie Ubungen

2 Edith Boys

Mary Lee Dutton

Alice Anne Ford

3 Anne Monti

8 Victoria Naegele

10 Kay Heflin

20 Elizabeth Schrull

24 Ellie White

28 Neal Heflin

Louise Spofford

Special Electing Convention

March 4, 2017

Phillips Chapel, The Canterbury School

Greensboro, NC

The Special Convention to Elect the XII Bishop Diocesan of North Carolina will take place on March 4 in Phillips Chapel at The Canterbury School. You can find all available information on the special Convention at any time on the diocesan website: http://episdionc.org/Diocese/governance-convention.html

Here is the link to the Nominees:

http://bishopsearch.dionc.org/

These sites have a lot of information concerning

the process and how this will unfold. Remember this is important to our church in what the focus is for our community.

Another link of interest:

Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple has a video and letter concerning Lent and its focus on the Diocese website:

http://www.dionc.org/

I’ve included these links in the Cross Ties so folks can take time to look and think how what we say, think and do is not only impacting the here and now, but also our children's and grand-children's future.

Take a look!

Blessings and prayers,

Victoria

Page 4 T HE CR OSS TI ES V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

Men’s Group Meeting—February 13, 2017

The meeting was opened with prayer. Eight people were present. Minutes from the January meeting were read and approved.

Old Business:

A report was given on the nursery refurbishment.

The group discussed the Pancake Supper on February 28. Helpers are to show up at 3:00 p.m. There will be charge of $5 per person and $7 max per family.

New Business:

A report was given about the Men’s Group representation at the Ministry Fair on Sunday.

Future projects were discussed. A request for more input from each member was made.

The list of future projects includes:

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – February 28

Clean up prior to Palm Sunday – March 25 (rain date is April 1)

Durham Bulls ballgame

Clean sanctuary

Gates around A/C units need to be repaired

Garbage can enclosure

Gutter helmet outside kitchen window

Planting of some shrubs

Dates for most of these projects are TBA.

Knives have been sharpened complements of

David Patterson’s son, Ben. Stewart Monti read

a poem he had written. The meeting was

adjourned.

Page 5 T HE CR OSS TI ES V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

There are many in the parish that are caring for not only children but elderly and those that are ill. Here is a reading that I found that may help to put some of the emotions we deal with on a daily basis in better perspective.

Rain scatter plum petals; Weeping stains the earth, One can only take shelter

And wait for clearing.

The greatest sorrow of life is witnessing. Experiencing our own suffering is not as difficult as watching others held in fate’s mighty grip. Bearing our own problems is easier because we are always aware that we can exercise other options— up to the final one. However, it hurts the most when we can

do nothing for others. The greatest sorrow is to see those we love suffer helplessly.

And in praying, we let go:

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Sorrow— 365 Tao Meditations

For those we Love— The Book of Common Prayer pg. 831

They washed the walls And floors and toys

Fixed furniture and things Put chalkboards, Proverbs on the walls

That good child rearing brings

And shared God’s Love With smiles and laughs

Through friendship passed around As they redid the nursery

For Church the Churchmen found

Stewart T. Monti

Caretaker’s Corner

To come from cross the country,

At Vestry’s needed call,

And serve the congregation

With love brought for them all

Then formally made Rector

At Bishop’s charge he knew

That much he had to offer

That much he had to do

Oh, come Father Heyvaert, join us

St. Thomas’ needs help to grow

With love from Christ and members

So much you can bestow.

Stewart T. Monti

Celebration of a New Ministry

Page 6 T HE CR OSS TI ES V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

Fr. Bruce reported on numbers in the Annual Parochial Report due March 1 to the diocese. We currently have 87 confirmed adults in good standing and 5 youth. Our average Sunday attendance is 64. He noted that we have had 10 new folks begin attending since December.

Fr. Bruce welcomed the new vestry members: Cornelia Olive, Bill Bradford and Jeremy Linney. The Vestry approved Cindy Julich as the rector’s choice for Senior Warden and James Jessup was elected Junior Warden. Katie Hyer will stay on as Clerk to the Vestry.

Twenty-six folks have signed up for the Lenten Study.

James reported that our bylaws have been returned, officially approved and signed by Bishop Hodges-Copple! Thanks to James for all the hours he put into getting this done.

The Ministry Fair was a great success! Many folks signed up to begin new ministries.

The ceiling in the Gilman Room has been safely secured for now; the Junior Warden is waiting on an estimate for final repairs.

A Vestry Retreat has been planned for Saturday, April 29 at the home of Fr. Bruce and Deb Heyvaert.

Security issues were raised and the Junior Warden will begin to look at solutions to protect our staff and property. Parishioners are asked to alert the office by phone or email if they plan to visit.

Respectfully,

Katie Hyer, Vestry Clerk

Vestry Highlights for February

The service bulletin can be downloaded from our website: http://stthomassanford.dionc.org/Communications/weekly-bulletin.html

Page 7 T HE CR OSS TI ES V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

WOC Meeting– February 6, 2017

Women of the Church met on Monday, February 6, with 18 present, including the rector, Father Bruce Heyvaert. President Cornelia Olive welcomed all in attendance.

The devotion was introduced by Frances Floyd and read by Deb Heyvaert. The Bible passage, Leviticus 12:6-7, outlined Mosaic law that required a visit to the Temple for the ritual purification of a new mother.

The program of the day commemorated the Feast of Candlemas. This holiday (February 2) occurs 40 days after Christmas and remembers three occasions according to Christian belief: the presentation of the child Jesus; Jesus’ first entry into the temple; and the celebration of the Virgin Mary’s purification.

Mary's visit to the Temple, including encounters with Anna and Simeon, was reenacted by Alice Anne Ford with a descriptive narration read by the rector.

The name Candlemas describes the traditional blessing and distribution of candles on that day. Beeswax candles donated by Jo Ann Bowman were blessed by the rector and handed out to attendees.

January minutes were read and approved. The treasurer reported the WOC account. Areas of discussion included:

1. Father Bruce Heyvaert shared information about a scholarship offered by the Episcopal Churchwomen (ECW).

2. President Olive reminded members of the upcoming Ministry Fair, scheduled for Sunday, February 12, during coffee Hour.

3. A motion was made by Jane Escher and seconded by Mary Lee Dutton to establish a committee that would examine and recommend expenditures when requests are received for WOC monies. This was approved by unanimous voice vote. President Olive appointed Kelly Burke, Darlynda Patterson, and Barbara Yuskevich to serve on the committee.

4. Mary Lee Dutton reported locating a knife sharpener that can be used in honing church kitchen knives.

5. Choice of a WOC fundraiser was addressed.

6. Need for notifying the nursery when children should be brought for communion was discussed. Barbara Yuskevich will contact a person to facilitate a solution to this problem.

7. WOC officers, Cornelia Olive - President, Jo Ann Bowman - Secretary and Program Chair; and Pat Caviness - Treasurer, agreed to serve during the 2017-2018 year. Their election was approved by unanimous vote.

After prayer by the rector, a lunch of chicken crepes (traditional Candlemas fare), toasted bread sticks, cranberry salad and coffee was served by Frances Floyd.

Page 8 T HE CR OSS TI ES V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

Ministry Fair on Sunday, February 12

We had a very good turn out for the Ministry Fair. Represented were:

Altar Guild

Library

Christian Formation Augustine Literacy

Coffee hour/Hospitality Prayer Guild

Buildings & Grounds Pastoral Care

Acolytes

Communications Women of the Church

Men's Club Foyer Groups

A big thanks to all that attended and the leaders of the committees. Remember that you still can sign-up. We are always looking for help.

Page 9 T HE CR OSS TI ES V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4 Page 10

T HE CR OSS TI ES

Ministry Fair continues

T HE CR OSS TI ES

For those who are ill:

Barbara; Joan; Tim Baldwin; Jeep Barrett; Jack Beyer; Jim and Nina Bonti; Chad Brewer; Emily Briell; Joseph Bumgarner; Pat Clark; Jane Escher; Alice Anne Ford; Neal Gruenfeld; Karen Huey; Pat Kirkman; Mary Klancher; Anne Layne; Don Lewis; Cherie Martin; Mary Louise Matthews; Kathie McBride; Norma Naegele; Gracie Olive; Sarah Palmer; Rebecca Pascoe; Mary and Richard Quinn; John and Roberta Rogerson; Betty Sherrod; Mary Solis and family; Julia Starn; David Strait; Joann Thaxton; Riley Voss; Judy Watson.

For Strength and Guidance:

Ryan; Thomas; Kelly Baldwin; the Bunch family; Claudia Cox; Cindy Julich; Dick Klancher; Anne L.; the families of Don Lewis and Regina Lewis Branch; Tyler Martin; Vicki Russell; Ceri Saunders; Jean Anne Snyder-Barrett; Bud Starn; Eugenia Thompson; Travis Tyner; the Vestry; Bob Watson and family; Colin Watson; Craig Watson; Deborah Watson.

For those serving and our armed forces deployed and at home.

Praises: For the continuing growth of St. Thomas’

Page 11 V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

Our Prayer List

We wish to acknowledge the

memorial gifts that were given this

month for the following people

who have passed.

Charles John Stoehrmann

Seth Cox

Betty Rosser

Edward White

Wayne Boys

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant

Betty Rosser

Where sorrow and pain are no more,

Neither sighing, but life everlasting.

Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon her.

V OLU ME 2, ISSU E 4

“Cross Ties”

is published monthly by

St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church

312 N. Steele St., Sanford, NC

Office: (919) 774-8644

Fax: (919) 776-5883

Email: stthomasnc@icloud.com

Website: http://stthomassanford.dionc.org

Office Hours

Beth Wood, Admin. Asst.

M & F, 9AM- 12PM

Tu, W, & Th, 9AM – 1PM

Rector

The Rev. Bruce Heyvaert

We extend a warm welcome from our church

community. We at St. Thomas’ believe that:

Whatever your religious background

Whatever your history

However you have come to be drawn to the Lord

You are welcome to walk your journey of life with us

at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.

The Parish Staff

Director of Music Dr. Jo Ann Bowman

Organist

June Burbage

Nursery Care Katie Yuskevich

Lay Leaders

Andy White, Treasurer

Women of the Church

Cornelia Olive

Outreach Committee Chair

Pat Kirkman

Altar Guild Director

Anne Monti

Cross Ties Editor V. Naegele

stthomassanford@gmail.com

The Parish Vestry

Serving through 2017

James Jessup, Jr. Warden

Cindy Julich, Sr. Warden

Katie Hyer, Clerk

Serving through 2018

Wendy Seymore

Elizabeth Zeph

Bob Carlson

Serving through 2019

Bill Bradford

Jeremy Linney

Cornelia Olive

@ St. Thomas

Prayer for Quiet Confidence:

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From The Book of Common Prayer, pg. 828