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The Grapevine, December 2015 Joy and Inspiration A Message From Rev. Dr. Wilberforce Mundia Dear People of God: I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Welcome to Advent. The word Advent means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In Christian theology, it is often associated with discourses of the coming or second coming of Christ. The interesting thing is that, for most of us, all our lives here on earth have an Advent feel to them. We are waiting for the second coming of Christ. Thus, it is important to think of what you should be doing during this waiting time. Waiting is difficult business. It is particularly difficult for a culture that believes in instant gratification. The way Jesus talked about Advent Times is interesting. Notice that he uses what we may consider to be negative images to teach positive messages. One of these images is the one of a thief coming in the night. If the owner of the home knew what time the thief would come, s/he would be ready and waiting for the thief and thus, apparently, either arrest or frighten the thief away (Mt. 24:42-44). The fact is that you never know when a thief will come. But what this leads to is the following important message: we should be ready all the time. This seems like heavy work. Being ready all the time? Yes. Being ready all the time. This means that you should have a set of things you do daily that keep you in line with the will of God. Second, do those things diligently and faithfully. Third, do not worry about when Christ is coming again. Worrying about this is a waste of time. Jesus illustrates this beautifully by telling the story of the Master who was going on a long journey. He called his servants and gave them chores. In particular, he “tells the one at the door to keep watch.” And, Jesus continues, “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back— whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” (Mk. 13:33-36). In some of the other variations of this parable, the implication is given A monthly newsletter of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church 204 W. Salisbury St., Pittsboro NC 27312 Phone: 919-542-5679 E-mail: [email protected] Church Office Hours Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Wilberforce O. Mundia, Rector [email protected] Office Hours: Wed., Fri. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m., Sat 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Ms. Karen Ladd Lay Pastoral Leader 919-542-4341 [email protected] Office Hours: Tues. 9 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Sarah June Card Deacon Dora Owens Parish Administrator Skip London Senior Warden Herb Reed, Jr. Warden Laura Williams Bookkeeper Robin Rodes Grapevine Editor [email protected]

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The Grapevine, December 2015

Joy and Inspiration A Message From Rev. Dr. Wilberforce Mundia

Dear People of God: I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Welcome to Advent. The word Advent means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In Christian theology, it is often associated with discourses of the coming or second coming of Christ. The interesting thing is that, for most of us, all our lives here on earth have an Advent feel to them. We are waiting for the second coming of Christ. Thus, it is important to think of what you should be doing during this waiting time. Waiting is difficult business. It is particularly difficult for a culture that believes in instant gratification. The way Jesus talked about Advent Times is interesting. Notice that he uses what we may consider to be negative images to teach positive messages. One of these images is the one of a thief coming in the night. If the owner of the home knew what time the thief would come, s/he would be ready and waiting for the thief and thus, apparently, either arrest or frighten the thief away (Mt. 24:42-44). The fact is that you never know when a thief will come. But what this leads to is the following important message: we should be ready all the time. This seems like heavy work. Being ready all the time? Yes. Being ready all the time. This means that you should have a set of things you do daily that keep you in line with the will of God. Second, do those things diligently and faithfully. Third, do not worry about when Christ is coming again. Worrying about this is a waste of time. Jesus illustrates this beautifully by telling the story of the Master who was going on a long journey. He called his servants and gave them chores. In particular, he “tells the one at the door to keep watch.” And, Jesus continues, “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” (Mk. 13:33-36). In some of the other variations of this parable, the implication is given

A monthly newsletter of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church

204 W. Salisbury St., Pittsboro NC 27312

Phone: 919-542-5679 E-mail:

[email protected]

Church Office Hours Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The Rev. Dr. Wilberforce O. Mundia, Rector

[email protected] Office Hours:

Wed., Fri. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m., Sat 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Ms. Karen Ladd

Lay Pastoral Leader 919-542-4341

[email protected] Office Hours:

Tues. 9 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Sarah June Card Deacon

Dora Owens

Parish Administrator

Skip London Senior Warden

Herb Reed, Jr. Warden

Laura Williams

Bookkeeper

Robin Rodes Grapevine Editor

[email protected]

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that, when the master left, many of these workers did not embark on the tasks set. Instead, some of them may have sat by the window looking to see if and when the master was coming. Their view was that they would really not kill themselves doing the work the master had given them to do. Rather, they would just keep watch and, when they saw him coming, they would act as if they had been working all along. There is a great bumper sticker that captures this sad attitude to faith. It reads, “Jesus is coming. Look Busy.” In these Advent passages, there is an interesting hint of watching or guarding something precious. One major candidate for these precious items is the soul. While waiting, what you are guarding is the soul. Let Christ find it intact at the Day of His Coming. Two simple things we can do in Advent are these: First, get an Advent Devotional program and go through it during these days of waiting. Second, find some way of reaching the community and serving in one way or another as an Advent discipline. Be in the spirit of giving. And all along, do not worry when Christ will come. For, if you are walking with Christ and working for Christ, then you do not have time to worry about when that day will be. The good people at The High Calling have some good suggestions of “Seven Creative Ways to Give Back This Christmas.” There are many possibilities. If you are interested, contact me or Karen Ladd. We will be happy to suggest some. The condition of the world often

makes some of us say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” The world is in such a mess that we long for God to intervene. In God’s good time, God will do a wonderful thing. And when we all see it, we will say, “This is the Lord’s doing. And it is wonderful in our eyes.” This Advent season, may you walk with Christ in joy and confidence. May the Lord do a wonderful thing in your life this Advent. Yours in Christ, Wilberforce Mundia+ Rector

Postcard From the Pews A Message From Karen Ladd, Lay Pastoral Leader

(Editor's Note: This letter was penned on November 22.) Holy cannoli! I can’t believe I just wrote “December”! The more time we have behind us, the faster time seems to move. As you read this, we will have celebrated the day set aside in the U.S. for Thanksgiving. But as the pastor from Mt. Sinai AME Church preached this morning (November 22) at our joint service with Pittsboro Presbyterian and Mt. Sinai, every day should be a day of thanksgiving, as we praise God for His presence in our lives, in good times and difficult times. If you were not at the service today, you really missed something special. The combined choirs made a joyful noise to the Lord and led the congregation in wonderful praise. The combined congregations really were an example of how it’s the people of God coming together from different denominations that create a statement of what the Jesus Movement is all about. We are all one in the Lord. If you did not have a chance to be there today, there is some talk about another joint service at Pentecost. It seems appropriate to blend our voices on the day the Spirit came into the lives of so many people! One of the many blessings that we received at today’s joint service was that Pastor Troy from Pittsboro Presbyterian announced at the offering that all loose plate offerings would go to the Community Lunch! We collected $300 in loose plate offerings, plus another $200 from the Pittsboro Presbyterian Outreach Committee! I was really blown away by this generosity! Thank you, to all who gave so generously. Speaking of Community Lunch (when do I not, right?), there are still tickets available for our December 12 fundraiser dinner, “A Taste of Cuba”. Chef Geoff is planning a delicious Afro-Caribbean meal that will be complemented by the band Muningu from the Republic of the Congo. Tickets are $50. Proceeds will help sustain our outreach to the community.

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A team from Community Lunch (me, Meredith Leight and Geoff Seelen) were recently chosen by RAFI to be a part of the RAFI Come to the Table Fellowship. This fellowship is comprised of groups throughout NC who are working in food justice programs. Our first retreat was this past weekend at Camp Chestnut, a retreat center in Efland, N.C. The purpose of the fellowship is to learn from one another, support one another and give thanks to our Lord who gives us the means and the strength to do the work. We at Community Lunch are honored to be part of this incredible group of disciples! One more thing about Community Lunch. Mike Mannshardt is working with Communities in Schools to make our community garden even better. On Saturday, Nov. 21, he worked with youths in creating a more delicious soil in which the spring plantings will thrive. Yes, soil is delicious! Ask a plant that gets to grow in yummy nutrients! It thrives. So it is with our faith. When we realize that all our spiritual nutrients come from the Lord, the growth is abundant. We are blessed. As we enter into Advent, let us get ready for the coming of our Savior into our hearts by removing the “stones and detritus” of sin and self-righteousness and prepare our hearts’ gardens for the Ground of all Being. I pray that you have a rich and meaningful Advent. Peace, k.l.

Deacon’s Corner A Message From Deacon Sarah June Card

Hello, St. Bartholomew’s: What a busy time this last month has been as we keep adding to our Outreach list and community around us. What a joy to celebrate our Thanksgiving Worship Service together with Pittsboro Presbyterian Church and Mt. Sinai AME Church. May God continue to bless us all as we strive to work and to pray together to understand His will for us and others. It is obvious that Prayer is a vital part of St. Bartholomew’s agenda. We have Pastoral Prayer groups who reach out to those who are sick, or injured, or in distress. How sweet it is to know someone cares, someone will visit, say a prayer, bring Communion, maybe even sing a song. We aren’t forgotten. God is with us through the presence of one another. Each meeting I attend – from Worship Service, or Contemplative Prayer, or Adult Sunday School, or our Seeker’s Group, Prayer Vigil, Coffee Hour and more – there’s a sweet, sweet presence in each place. Thank you, Jesus, for this group of pilgrims from not only Pittsboro but from many other places in the nation, who take time together to do the Community Lunch, teach Sunday School, reach out to one another in friendship and true loving concern. Now we are going into an even busier time. Sunday, Nov. 29, is Advent, marking a new church year. The next month is the “REASON FOR THE SEASON.” I pray God blesses you each and every one with a happy, healthy, joyous, and Holy Christmas. Your Deacon, Sarah June

Vestry Approves New Mission Statement On November 11, the Vestry voted to approve a new mission statement: "Seeking God, Serving God, Sharing God." The statement was recommended by a small committee of parishioners who were charged with writing a shorter statement for St. Bart's. The Vestry thanks Jim Hinkley, Father Lea Powell, Robin Rodes and Dorothy Ugurlu for their efforts to craft a shorter mission statement. The Vestry also thanks Kevin Noel for providing the group with examples of real church mission statements. His assistance was helpful.

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Climate Roadshow Visits, Educates at St. Bartholomew’s

On November 12, about 30 people turned out to hear a special presentation of NC WARN's Climate Roadshow in the parish hall. The Climate Roadshow is NC WARN's campaign across NC that's intended to engage more people in the effort to slow climate change. Executive Director Jim Warren, joined by other members of NC WARN, made a

presentation on updated climate science and what attendees could do about it. Representatives from Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, a company that's known for supporting environmental causes, also attended the event. The Ben & Jerry's folks arrived in a Tesla and later handed out free samples of ice cream. They invited attendees to look at the all-electric car parked outside and ask questions after the NC WARN presentation. This event was sponsored by St. Bart's Health and Environment Committee. photo credit: Robin Rodes ([email protected])

Community Garden Begins Renovation

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News From Our Committees Altar Guild After five years, Joan Mylek is stepping down as director of the Altar Guild, and Christine Clark will now be heading up this most important (but silent) ministry in our church. This is an important mission in St. Bartholomew's as the Altar Guild sets up the Altar for the Holy Eucharist for every service whether it be Sundays, funerals, weddings, or memorials. The Guild cares for the Eucharistic vessels and linens, which is a sort of a "behind the scenes" mission, but so important in our faith purpose. Since we always need more Guild members for both early and late services, I appeal to both gentlemen and ladies to join in our efforts. Communications On Wednesday, Nov. 18, the Communications Committee held its first monthly meeting with Father Wilber in attendance. We discussed a variety of issues, including bulletin board content plans and The Grapevine submission process. We also discussed how to better understand the needs of St. Bartholomew's groups and committees. Our monthly meetings promote open discussion about the communications issues facing St. Bartholomew's. We hope you'll join us at our next

` Two young men from Community in Schools of Chatham County recently provided the labor to begin renovation of St. Bart’s Community Garden. Building and installing cedar terrace walls, the crew will later level the ground and replace topsoil for two intensive cultivation tomato beds. The spring crop will provide for the Thursday Community Lunch, with excess produce destined for the CORA food pantry. photo credit: Mike Mannshardt

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Joint Worship Service Brings Community Together

On November 22, St. Bartholomew's joined Mt. Sinai AME and Pittsboro Presbyterian in a joint worship service led by the pastors of all three churches. The service took place at Pittsboro Presbyterian Church, followed by a lively coffee hour where worshipers connected and made friends. Many people said they liked worshiping with the neighboring congregations. As a result, Lay Pastoral Leader Karen Ladd says other joint worship services may be planned in the future. photo credit: Robin Rodes ([email protected])

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meeting on the third Wednesday in December. All are welcome! Robin Rodes, committee chair [email protected] Daughters of the King Thanks to the participation of the St. Bartholomew's congregation and the community, the first shipment of 70 medicine bottles was just sent to Malawi. It is comforting to the think that such a seemingly insignificant contribution can make such a difference in the lives of others. This is an ongoing project, so please continue to bring in empty medicine bottles. Plans have been discussed to expand the program to include Kenya. The Daughters of the King will meet December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the parlor at St. Bart's for their Christmas celebration. Carolyn Ashford-Works [email protected] Episcopal Church Women At the 2015 Diocesan ECW Annual Conference on November 7 at St. Augustine’s Chapel in Raleigh. St. Bartholomew's was able to send four delegates. Mary Gordon of High Point was appointed Interim President of the Diocesan ECW.

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Volunteers, Donations Needed for New Flower Guild At the November meeting, the vestry approved the establishment of a Flower Guild for St. Bartholomew's. The goal of the group is to provide fresh flowers for the altar throughout the year. Parishioners will be asked to consider contributing flowers in honor or memory of loved ones as well as special celebrations in their lives. A sign-up chart is posted in the parish hall where parishioners may sign up for dates throughout the year. A $25 contribution is suggested to the Flower Guild and will be used to purchase and arrange the flowers. Flower donations will be noted in the weekly bulletin. If you are interested in joining the Flower Guild or have questions, please contact:Cheryl Harris, Lyn Simms, or Jennifer Platt.

St. Bart’s Approaches 100 Likes on Facebook The Communications Committee is celebrating the growth of our Facebook page. The page is now approaching the "100 Likes" landmark. Thanks to everyone who has visited the page and Liked, Commented and Shared. We appreciate your participation! You are instrumental in enabling St. Bartholomew's to reach people beyond our physical walls and spread our love of God through good works and good people. This is in line with our new mission statement, "Seeking God, Serving God, Sharing God." If you haven't done so yet, please visit us on Facebook and consider clicking the Like button.

UTO Board Presents December Advent Challenge The Board of the United Thank Offering has presented a challenge to The Episcopal Church to benefit a special grant of $30,000 for Episcopal Migration Ministries. Deemed Advent: Journey from Gratitude to Hope, the United Thank Offering board is challenging Episcopalians to support refugee welcome in the United States through its 2015 Ingathering Challenge. Read the full story online at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/united-thank-offering-board-presents-december-challenge-benefit-episcopal

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In the above photo Lisa Towle, outgoing president, fits the Diocesan ECW President's cross on Mary.

Local pecans are available in five-pound bags for $10.00 each. If you would like to purchase the nuts, please contact Carolyn 'CR' Townsend [email protected] OR Cheryl Harris. You may also check with one of them after church next Sunday. photo credit: Carolyn “CR” Townsend

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Events to Remember Thurs., Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Community Lunch 12:00 p.m. in parish hall * All are welcome Saturday, Dec. 5 Chatham Habitat for Humanity workday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 Annual Church Meeting * After the 9:30 a.m. service Saturday, Dec. 12 A Taste of Cuba fundraising dinner 6:00 p.m. in parish hall * Benefits The Community Lunch Wednesday. Dec. 16 Communications Committee meeting 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall Thursday, Dec. 17 Daughters of the King 7:00 p.m. in the parlor Sunday, Dec. 20 Evangelism Team meeting 12:00 p.m. in the parlor Thursday, Dec. 24 Christmas Pageant 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service 10:30 p.m.

Vestry Nominees Named

On December 6 at St. Bartholomew's Annual Meeting, parishioners will elect three people to fill open Vestry seats. Vestry nominees (shown above) are Andy Bailey, Alistair Nevius, Mary Scholle, Lyn Sims and Sam Williamson. Current Sr. Warden Skip London (shown above at bottom right) has been appointed by Father Wilber Mundia to serve one more year under the terms of a special allowance for extending someone's service. He is not up for election. Thank you, Skip, for agreeing to extend your service to St. Bartholomew's! Read the full bios posted on the parish hall bulletin board. They are also posted online at: http://stbartspittsboro.dionc.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/3175640

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Nest Rescue Grant Approved Money in excess of the requested amount was recently granted by the Episcopal Diocese of NC to fund several needs at the Nest Rescue Center in Kenya. Nest Rescue Center/Bishop Mundia Academy is a mission of St. Bartholomew's. The $4000 grant will cover the cost of: • a well to be dug and a pump attached • material for supplying uniforms (sometimes the only clothing the students have) • more desks to accommodate all students • portable chalkboards to aid in teaching • much-needed additional pit toilets

The grant asked for approximately $3,000, yet $4,000 was granted! These monies are a blessing for improved heath conditions and learning at the center. Carolyn Ashford-Works and Mary Scholle stayed at the Nest Rescue Center/Bishop Mundia Academy with Father Wilber and his family two summers ago. It was suggested to them recently that the center would fit within the parameters of one of the diocesan Millennium Development Grants. Father Wilber wishes to thank Carolyn Ashford-Works, Mary Scholle and Alice Mundia for their tireless work on this grant proposal.

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December Birthdays 12/01 Scott Powell 12/01 Mary Scholle 12/02 Kate Rainville 12/02 Peter Scholle 12/04 Chip Walls 12/07 Bob Holden 12/09 Molly Roberts 12/10 Melissa Delbridge 12/10 Barbara Duffy 12/11 William Scholle 12/11 Joseph Wood 12/12 Melody Troncale 12/12 Sarah Weil 12/13 Consi Scott 12/16 Patricia McCarthy 12/18 Stephen Townsend 12/19 Kim Aycrigg 12/23 Katelynn Baulista 12/23 Jordan Smith 12/28 Elizabeth Cassedy 12/28 Abilene Dasher 12/28 C.R. Townsend 12/28 Irene Wells 12/29 Mary Hill 12/29 Tommy Holden 12/29 Helen Pegg 12/30 Nancy Harman 12/31 Don Krombach

Apostle’s Build Update Habitat now reaches across the County to offer home opportunities for folks in western Chatham and Siler City, as well as the neighborhoods the organization has developed in the Pittsboro community. The group continues to expand with purchases of lots across the area. These purchases ensure affordable homes for the next 8-10 years as the build out will continue. With the coming of Chatham Park, these home sites will give folks assurance that they can be successful members of the Chatham County community. We at St. Bartholomew’s have now launched our Apostle’s Build project for 2015. The new home site is on Roberts Street in Pittsboro, located in a new development behind The Pig (aka Piggly Wiggly).

• We have met the Family and have had them as our guests at the All Saints Service on Nov. 1

• We have initiated the fundraising needed to meet our financial commitment of $2,500. Currently, there is a special collection each Sunday during our services. If you wish to add to our efforts and bless us with a donation, simply send your check made out to St Bartholomew’s and mark Chatham Habitat or Apostle’s Build on the subject line.

• Our first site workday will be Saturday, Dec. 5 (from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Volunteers are needed to do work on site as well as to prepare a portable lunch that can be delivered to the site. The signup sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall, and the workday is rain or shine. There will be additional workdays in 2016.

St. Bartholomew’s is blessed with the opportunity to serve. Please help us with your donations of time, talent and treasure. Questions? Contact Dave Haman at [email protected].

Nest Rescue Center clothes, feeds, and educates 172 orphaned/destitute children of preschool-grade 8 of the western Kenya area around Esabalu. Various individuals and groups, such as our ECW, also have provided funds to Nest Rescue Center. If you would like to donate, please go to www.nestrescuecenter.org. Questions? Contact Carolyn Ashford-Works ([email protected]) or Mary Scholle ([email protected])

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This Month We Hold In Prayer

Our Members

Carolyn Ashford-Works * Debbie Badalamenti * Waybelle Baldwin * Mathew Boone * Anna Deese * June Dixon * Aleacia Fisher * Andrea Glover * Abraham Harman & Katie Mallard * Nancy & Harvey Harman * Don Krombach * Karen Krombach * Lauria * Ronnie Lynton * Kevin Noel * Judy Perretti * Jackie Sanders * Valerie Scotton * Nancy Simons * Lyn Sims * James Smith * Sonia Smith * Debra Taylor * Bonnie Vargo * Paul Volk * Libby Walls

Our Family and Friends Laura Allen * Andrew * Deacon Tally Bandy * Kelly Bayringer * Johnny Blair * Beth, Sarah & Lena Brown * Terri Buchanan * Mario Burgess * Anthony Bynum * Jack Card * Dee Cole * Bob Coyne * Bishop Michael Curry * Darien * the family of David Denson * Francesco Dionella * Elaine Elliot * Mary Fennell * Thomas Field * Michael Fitzgerald * Clifford Foltz * the family of Vanessa Gibbs * Susanne Gomolski * Andy Gorill * Doug Gregorie * Irene Gregorie * Ben & Hannah Harman * Annie & Evermore Harman * Eli Harman * Martha Henderson * Anna Holder * David Holder * Sam Holt * Phyllis Janosko * Rob Koontz * Chris Langley * Zach Lee * Ashley Lochner * Jon Lochner * Joe Lockavitch * Pat Lord * Tony Loris * Oueideng Kaye Mady • Magdalena * Richard Martin * Rose Martin * Andy McKeon * Eva Metzgar * Michael * Sabina Miller * Megan Nelson * Candice Nickerson * Kenyon Noel * Bill Owens * Bud & Mary Palmer * Gaby Raines * St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Sanford) * Billie Venable Sessoms * Lauren Sloan * Jennifer Smith * Brice Spinarski * Emily Stephenson * Suzanne * Trish Swayze * Chuck Thomas * Scott T. * Joy Townsend * James van Leeuwen * Debbie Vick * Vicki * Walls Family * Tess Ward * Leo Weil * Rick Whitt * Cheri Wichman * the Wiggs family * Lucille Wilkinson * Axl Yount Military and All in Harm's Way Lee Huddleston * Daniel Tysor * Adam Walters * Gabrielle Fitzgerald

Featured Events

Annual Church Meeting Dec. 6 at 11:00 a.m.

* Meet in the sanctuary after 9:30 a.m. service

Please join us for our annual church meeting. Learn what's happened in the past year and what is planned for 2016. Vote to fill three seats on the Vestry and enjoy a potluck lunch, too. Please bring a dish to contribute. Chicken and ham will be

provided.

NOTE: There will be one service at 9:30 a.m. followed by the meeting, election and the potluck.

A Taste of Cuba Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m.

* Presented by The Community Lunch of St. Bartholomew’s

Join us on Saturday, Dec. 12 for a delightful evening of Afro-Caribbean inspired foods prepared by renowned Community Lunch chef Geoff Seelen, formerly of

the NYC Blue Hill Restaurants, and farmer/co-owner of Piedmont Biofarm. Event tickets: $50.

Call the church office at 919-542-5679 to reserve your tickets today or buy

online. A small processing fee applies when tickets are bought online.

Photo credit: LeSumbalaberenjena / flickr.com / (unaltered) cc-by-nd 2.0

“Night Visions” Bible Study

Sundays starting on Dec. 13 at 9:20 a.m. * Meet in the parlor

"Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas" is a new

Sunday morning Bible study offered during Advent, Christmas and into mid-January.

Something’s on the horizon! The journey toward the Light begins now…

There’s not a moment to lose… We can walk together, leaning on one another to find our way in the dark. Jan Richardson – clergywoman, writer, poet, artist – will guide us in her book, Night Visions. Taking this Advent journey together

will be much better with your participation. Please join us!

The "Night Visions" Bible study will be taught by Sue Mannshardt.

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Taize Around the Manger Dec. 18 at 7:00 p.m.

* Meet in the sanctuary after 9:30 a.m. service

Taizé Prayer is a Christian form of contemplative worship that includes song, scripture and silence. It originated in the town of Taizé, France about 75 years

ago, and it has spread throughout the world. On December 18, St. Bartholomew's will host a Taizé Prayer event in our sanctuary. All are welcome!

Something is on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before!!! This is exciting news… We are about to experience a Mystery such as God has never

before shown us. Yet we can miss it altogether if we rush through the month with all our shopping and presents and parties and decorations and.. and… and…

The invitation is for us to be still long enough to experience what’s about to happen!

Taizé Around the Manger is a perfect time to enter that stillness. Come to the

sanctuary to gather around the manger. In the candlelight listen again to the story as if for the first time… pray, reflect, and sing the contemplative songs of Advent and Christmas. In our watching, in our waiting, may we live in the space where

the Mystery is born.

Image credit: Sue Mannshardt

Greening of the Church

Dec. 20 at 12:00 p.m. You are invited to join other parishioners in the annual 'Greening of the Church.' The decorating party will take place on December 20 after the 10:30 a.m. service. Soup and bread will be available as a light lunch. We will be placing garland and wreaths about the church; ladder-capable people are needed. Please join us for this festive event. It's a lot of fun!

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tsbo

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NC

27

312,

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27

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NC

27

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ited

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20

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NC

273

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Un

ited

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NC

27

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Un

ited

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273

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NC

27

312,

Un

ited

S

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10:3

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C

2731

2, U

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27

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ited

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NC

27

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Un

ited

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NC

273

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ited

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273

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27

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Un

ited

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C

2731

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NC

27

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27

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273

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Un

ited

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NC

27

312,

Un

ited

S

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C

2731

2, U

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27

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Un

ited

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27

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