July2013star
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2013 July-August Issue The Rev. Lisa Mason, Rector [email protected] Ashley Miles, Head of School [email protected] Sarah Kates, Director of Children and Youth Ministries [email protected] Bob Brewer Director of Music Ministries [email protected] Alli Day Family Ministry Intern John Brooke [email protected] Jacki Bucci [email protected] www.saintdavids.net THE BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF PARISH LIFE AT St. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND SCHOOL WINDOWS TO THE WORLD The beauty of God’s creation pours into our sanctuary from all sides, and we can behold the world in which we are called to serve God and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. As peo- ple stop to gaze at all of the work going on in our sanctuary, I hear words of excite- ment, joy, hope, won- der, relief and crea- tivity. There is a tan- gible longing to be a bigger part of the life of this church and there is anticipation. Change is hard, but if we are being formed into a fuller image of Christ, then we are always changing. But as we are changing, God willing, growing both individually and communally, we re- main grounded in the Gospel of the good news of Christ. This means that all that we do, all that we say, and all that we are is a reϐlection of the love, mercy and grace of God. The church is a people, not a building. Our building is where we gather to say our prayers, break bread, mourn the deaths of our loved ones, and baptize new members into the Body of Christ. It is a physical place that reϐlects beauty, hope, healing, and the light of salvation. All who gather here will encounter God and God will be gloriϐied. Come by and see the work God is doing in this faith community. Be a part of this journey! Worship with us in the parish hall in the midst of this transfor- mation. We intentional- ly have not sought funds for the sanctuary renovation because most of the work is be- ing paid for by a large gift we received from the estate of a parish- ioner. However, if you feel moved to give a gift in memory or honor of a loved one, all sorts of giving opportunities are available. Pew donations, funds toward our new or- gan, and other such contributions are very continues on next page In This Issue Letter from our Rector Long Distance Relationships The Thin Line Flash Prayer Summer Scrapbook “Skinflint” Stewardship Sing Unto the Lord
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St. David's Episcopal Church, San Antonio, July 2013 Star Newletter
Transcript of July2013star
2013 July-August Issue
The Rev. Lisa Mason, Rector [email protected] Ashley Miles, Head of School [email protected] Sarah Kates, Director of Children and Youth Ministries [email protected] Bob Brewer Director of Music Ministries [email protected]
Alli Day Family Ministry Intern
John Brooke [email protected]
Jacki Bucci [email protected]
www.saintdavids.net
THE BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF PARISH LIFE AT St. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND SCHOOL
WINDOWSTOTHEWORLDThebeautyofGod’screationpoursintooursanctuaryfromallsides,andwecanbeholdtheworldinwhichwearecalledtoserveGodandproclaimthegoodnewsofJesusChrist.Aspeo-plestoptogazeatalloftheworkgoingoninoursanctuary,Ihearwordsofexcite-ment,joy,hope,won-der,reliefandcrea-tivity.Thereisatan-giblelongingtobeabiggerpartofthelifeofthischurchandthereisanticipation.Changeishard,butifwearebeingformedintoafullerimageofChrist,thenwearealwayschanging.Butaswearechanging,Godwilling,growingbothindividuallyandcommunally,were-maingroundedintheGospelofthegoodnewsofChrist.Thismeansthatallthatwedo,allthatwesay,andallthatweareisare lectionofthelove,mercyandgraceofGod.Thechurchisapeople,notabuilding.
Ourbuildingiswherewegathertosayourprayers,breakbread,mournthedeathsofourlovedones,andbaptizenewmembersintotheBodyofChrist.Itisaphysicalplace
thatre lectsbeauty,hope,healing,andthelightofsalvation.AllwhogatherherewillencounterGodandGodwillbeglori ied.ComebyandseetheworkGodisdoinginthisfaithcommunity.Beapartofthisjourney!Worshipwithusintheparishhallinthemidstofthistransfor-mation.Weintentional-lyhavenotsoughtfundsforthesanctuaryrenovationbecausemostoftheworkisbe-ingpaidforbyalargegiftwereceivedfromtheestateofaparish-
ioner.However,ifyoufeelmovedtogiveagiftinmemoryorhonorofalovedone,allsortsofgivingopportunitiesareavailable.Pewdonations,fundstowardournewor-gan,andothersuchcontributionsareverycontinuesonnextpage
In This Issue Letter from our Rector Long Distance Relationships The Thin Line Flash Prayer
Summer Scrapbook “Skinflint” Stewardship
Sing Unto the Lord
WINDOWS,cont.fromcover
welcomeandgratefullyaccepted.WeareblessedbythosewhohavelaidthefoundationandparticipatedinthelifeofSt.David’sthusfar,andwewantyou,thewholecongregation,tobereadyandonboardtomoveforwardintothefutureaswepreparetoworshipintherenovatedsanctuary.MaywecontinuetobecomethechurchGodiscallingustobe.Wehavemuchtobethankfulforandmuchministryyettoexplore.Theseareexcitingandhope- illedtimes,andwewanteachofyoutobeapartofthelifeofthiscommunity.Peace,Lisa+ TheRev.LisaMason
Rector
LONGDISTANCERELATIONSHIPSRe lectionsonmyAfricanmissiontripbyAlliDay
Iwasbeyondblessedwith theopportunity to join agroup from thedioceseona twoweekmission trip inUganda, Africa. As someone who has participated inboth internationaland localmissionandvolunteerex-periences,Iwasextremelyeagertogetinthe ieldandwork in order to produce tangible results. This trip,however,was about somuchmore. We didn’t travel half-wayacrosstheworldtobuildanything physical, but ratherto build the kingdom of God.Whileoneof thegoals of ourtripwas to investigate possi-bilities for future partner-ships and projects, our pres-ence and lovewere themostimportant things we couldbring. We spent much timevisiting with people withwhompastgroupshavehadrelationships.Upon arriving inGoli, the site of the diocesan spon-sored Women’s Center, we were greeted by womendancing and singing, praising God for our arrival.
Though few of the team had been there before, theywere rejoicing that their fellow friends in Christ hadarrived. This was a theme throughout the trip as wetraveledtoHoima.Everywherewewentweweregreet-edwithdancingandthanks. Itwasextremelyhard forme to feelworthy of the thanks all the groups had to
give. I felt that there was somuchmorewecoulddotohelpeachministry,somuchtobuild.Sometimes I think it’s hardfor us who are accustomed tothe Western mind-set of con-stant improvement and devel-opment to recognize the mostimportantthings.ThejoythatIencountered in Uganda waslike nothing I had experiencedbefore.Inallsituationstheonlygoal was to glorify the Lord.This was reiterated every-
where we went, including theschools, orphanage, training centers andby theminis-terswemet.continuesonnextpage
Alli Day is greeted by grateful children in Africa.
Aviewofthesanctuaryafterthepewswereremoved.Formorepicturesofthesanctuaryrenovationgotowww.saintdavids.net.
THETHINLINEThelinebetweenheavenandearththispastmonthwasverythin.Surroundedby150+littlevoicessing-ingpraisestoourGodatVacationBibleSchool,Iwonderedifthisiswhatheavenislike.Iwitnessedteenhelpersshowingcompassionandgivingtheiralltomakethisweekasuccess.Isawcountlessvolun-teerswalkinchurchaskinghowtheycouldhelp.IwasintroducedagaintotheheartofJesusaschildrenplayed,sanganddiscoveredmoreabouttheirfaith.WithLisa,wewatchedMcAllisterHallbetransformedintoaplaceofworshipnotonlyduringSundayservicesbutforVacationBibleSchoolandthenfortwofuneralsinthesameweek.Iwitnessedthefaithofayoungwomanstandstrongassheenduredtheillnessanddeathofherfather.Allthesethingsremindmehowpreciouslifeis.Iamgratefulformylife,formyvocation,formycommunityandmyrelationships.WecanwasteprecioustimeworryingaboutearthlythingsorbuildingwallsandtearingoneanotherapartaboutlawsandpoliticsasthePhariseesdid.Weneedtospendourtimecaringforoneanother,singingpraisestogether,liftingeachotherupandreachingouttothosewhoneedus.Onlybydoingthisareweabletoglimpseabitofheaven;onlybydoingthesethingsdoweseethatthelinebetweenheavenandearthissoverythin!
Sarah Kates Director of Family Ministries
FLASHPRAYERbyJackiBucci
Doyoufeellikeitisdif iculttocommitthetimetojoina regular prayer group? Some of us organized a “FlashPrayer” group. We send out text messages and emailssayingthatwearegatheringatacertaintimeandplace.Anyandallarewelcome,butthereisnoguiltifyoucan’tmake it. It isworkingwell for us in our busy lives. It isalsoagiftofonepeacefulhourofprayertimeinourday.WehavebeenblessedtobeabletomeetintheBishopJonesCenterandtheyouthloftatSt.David’s.Noneofushastoberesponsibleforhostingthemeetingplace,soittakesthestressoffeveryone.Tryitandseewhathappens.Theremaybeagatheringoftwoor twenty. Remember,where two are gathered youhave just as powerful an experience as with a [email protected]
Forwheretwoorthreearegatheredinmyname,thereamIamongthem.
Matthew18:20
Rev. Lisa served as music teacher for pre‐schoolers at VBS
Giving Statements will be available beginning Sunday,
August 25.
LONGDISTANCERELATION-SHIPS,continued from pg. While I am eager to get backto Uganda to begin some oftheprojectswetalkedabout,Iammost excited to return tosee my friends. As a child, Iattended Camp Capers everysummerdespite living inCol-orado.EventhoughIonlysawthese friends once a year, itwasclear that theseweremybest friends and some of mymost authentic relationships.I feel the exact same wayabout Africa. When sharedfaith and love are at the cen-ter of the relationship, noth-ing else, including the vast-ness of the Atlantic Ocean,matters.God’s love surpassesall circumstances, languagesandculture.Withoutthislove,any physical projects, sup-plies and soccer balls webringwouldbemeaningless.
SUMMER S
Sarah Kates, Sara Goebel and Lisa Mason at Camp Capers
Fun at St. David’s VBS 2013—”Kingdom Rock!”
Camp Capers High School “A” Session—The Rev. Lisa Mason‐Dean, Sarah Kates‐Tea
Volunteers at the annual T
SCRAPBOOK
acher Excep onal Adults “Final Frame” End‐of‐Year Celebra on and Awards Over 140 children a ended St. David’s VBS.
Volunteers help move worship into McAllister Hall while the sanctuary under‐goes renova ons.
Terrell Hills 4th of July parade Alli Day with a Ugandan infant on the diocesan mission trip to Africa.
Here are some of the arguments I have heard (andsometimesused)againstgiving:
“Don’t givemoney to street persons; theywill just godownthestreetandbuyliquor.Everybodyknowsthat.Besides, if they reallywanted to, theycould straightenupandgetajobandtakecareofthemselves.”
“Don’tgivemoneytotheChurch;themoretheyget,themore they spend. Besides that, they have some pro-grams I really don’t like. If they got rid of them, thenwhatIgivewouldbeplenty.”
“Whatwould otherwise bemy favorite charity wastestoo much money on administration. If more went tothosewhoreallyneedit,Iwouldgivemore.”
“Besides all that, I really need to save what I have totakecareofmyself.Giventhetimeswelivein,myage,andeverythingelse,Ican’taffordtogive.”
Mypurposeinwritingthisisnottoattacktheseargu-mentsagainstgiving.Thereisacertainvaliditytoallofthem.Beingagoodstewardcertainly requires thatwewisely use the “treasure”; those assets that have beenentrusted to us. We are admonished to avoid actionsthatwillresult inharmtoothers.Helpingadrunkstaydrunkisnotagoodoutcome.Helpingtoperpetuatebadpractices in organizations that we support doesn’tsoundlikegoodstewardshipeither.Givingawaytotheextentwherewebecome indireneeddoesn’t seem tobeagoodidea.In spite of all of this, stewardship requires that wegive and give generously.Whatdowe say to the skin-lint arguments in all of us? Well, here are a fewthoughts:Perhaps itmightbeuseful to lookatamodel that isfamiliar to all of us – the giving relationship lowing
fromGod to us. God gives us all thatwe have, hopingthatwewillwiselyuseourgifts.Fromexperience,ifnotGod’sin initewisdom,Godknowswewill“blowit”,yetGodgivestousabundantly.DoouractionsjustifyGod’sgenerosity?No!Noquestionsaboutit.Dowedeserveit?No!Noquestionaboutit.Well,isthatpartoftheanswertothequestion?Whatdoesourmodeltellus?Ifwewant tobeChristian in the senseof being likeGod’sSon,whatdoesthatsuggest?Doesitsuggestthatifwewant to emulate Jesus,wemight consider givingwiththeunfoundedhopethattherecipientwillalsobeagoodsteward?Ithinkthatisunquestionablytrue.Then how do we balance the skin lint in all of usagainst the example that God gives us? The answer tothisistheanswertothewholequestionofhowwedis-charge our responsibility as stewards. Somehow wehavetoachieveabalancebetweenwhathumanreasontellsusandtheexampleofJesusthatinformsaverydif-ferentaction.Hereiswherefaithandinspirationarecritical.Some-how (another question for another day) –we have tohave faith inprayerandthatthe inspirationthat lowswillguideus inwhatwedo.Ascrazyas itmaysound,wehavetoriskreachingoutsideofourselvesinordertoreach inside ourselves to ind the bridge between hu-manreasonandthedivine.Sincehowthisworksisbe-yondhumanunderstanding,Iwon’ttrytoexplainit.ButI doknow thatwhen I fret aboutwhat and towhom Ishouldgive,myinsidetellsmyskin lintside–“Yes,but”,andmy skin lint side ismademore comfortable. Thenthatotheramazing thinghappenswhich iswhat stew-ardship is reallyall about: I amsogreatlyenrichedbytheactofgiving.Thegreatironyofgoodstewardshipisthatthegoodstewardisthepersonmostbene itted.
“SKINFLINT”STEWARDSHIPbyJohnBrooke
TheDioceseofWestTexasandSt.David’sChurchwillhostthe2013DiocesanChoralFestival.Adultchoristers,organistsandmusicdirectorsfromalloverourdiocesewilljointogetherforsinging,sharingideas,musicalinstructionandanoppor-tunitytogrowinthemusicallifeoftheEpiscopalChurch.Ourgoalistosupportandencourageeachother,toshareourknowledge,ourdreamsandourfrustrationssothatwemightbecomemoreeffectiveministersofGod’swordandsacra-ments.TheFestivalwillbeginonOctober25withdinnerandaforumdiscussionformusiciansandclergy.ThediscussionwillbemoderatedbytheFestivalChaplain,theRev.LisaMasonandFestivalClinician,Dr.MarilynKeiser,ConductorandOrganist.Thediscussionwillfocusonmusicinthechurchandtherelationshipbetweenmusicians,clergyandtheircongregations.TheFestivalwillcontinueonSaturday,October26.ThedaywillincludemusicalrehearsalswithDr.KeiserandconcludewithashortHymnFestival/Concertat4:00p.m.thatisopentoall.St.David’snewlyrenovatedchurchandacousticswillprovideanexcellentsettingformusicandworshipthatseekstohonorGod,ourEpiscopalheritageandeachworshipingindividual.Pleasejoinusforthisexceptionalevent.BobBrewer,DirectorofMusicMinistries
SECONDANNUALDIOCESANCHORALFESTIVAL
SINGUNTOTHELORDbyTheRev.LisaMason
RecentlyIspentaweeksurroundedbyachoiroffor-ty-threegirlsage9to19whoparticipatedintheRoyalSchoolofChurchMusicGulfCoastChorusSummerCamp.MostofthegirlscamefromTexas,butsomecamefromasfarawayasArizona,PennsylvaniaandCaliforniatoworkwiththeseparticulardirectorsandorganists.WelivedinadormatRiceUniversityandatemostofourmealsinoneofthedininghallsoncampus.Attendingwereeighteenadultaltos,tenorsandbasses,fourdormproctorsandseveralchoraldirectorsandorganists.OurownBobBrewerandJoeCausby,Direc-torofMusicatSt.Mark’s,SanAntonio,andonechaplain(me)alsoparticipatedinthisamazingweek.Thegirlsspentanywherefrom6-9hoursadayprac-ticingforEvensong,MorningPrayer,whichincludedworksbyBenjaminBritten,andmovementsfromtheHaydnMassforEucharistSundaymorning.Beforeeachserviceweprayedthefollowingprayer:“BlessOLord,usthyservantswhoministerinthytemple;grantthatwhatwesingwithourlipswemaybelieveinourhearts,andwhatwebelieveinourheartsmayshowforthinourlives;throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.”Iinviteyoutore lectonthatprayerinyourownlife.Ifwetrulybelievethewordswesingandprayinworship,thenourliveswillre lectourfaith,withGod’shelp.WesangEvensongintheRiceOrganRecitalHall,PalmerMemorialEpiscopalChurch,andSt.JohntheDi-
vineEpiscopalChurch.WesangMorningPrayeratChristChurchCathedral(Episcopal),chantedComplineeverynightindifferentplacesontheRicecampus,andcelebratedEucharistatSt.Paul’sUnitedMethodistChurchSundaymorning.Aschaplain,Istayedinthedormsand“hungout”withthegirlsallweek;Iof iciat-edandchantedtheeveningprayerservices,helpedplanComplineeverynight,andpreachedfortheSundaymorningEucharist.Thiswasawonderfulopportunityandagrowingex-perienceformeasapriest.Itwasalsoformativeformetoworshipinseveralotherplacesaswegothroughoursanctuaryrenovationandtoreturnwithfresheyestoourliturgyinourworshipspace.AsaresultIrealizedthatwehadgottenawayfromobservingsilencebeforeoursecondliturgyonSundaymornings.SolastSunday,werangabellandobserved iveminutesofsilenceforprayerpriortotheservice.Silenceallowsthetimeandspacetotransitionfromourmorningroutinetoprepar-ingourheartsforworship.Manyofyoucommentedonhowmuchthesilencehelpedyouenterworshipandhowmuchmoremeaningfultheservicewasoncewehadobservedatimeforpreparationandprayer.ThetimeatRicewasablessingforme,andIlookforwardtodiscoveringotherwaysGodformedme,andthroughmethecommunity.
St.Paul’sUnitedMethodistChurch,Houston,wasthesiteofHolyEucharistfortheRoyalSchoolofChurchMusicGulfCoastChorusSummerCamp.Rev.LisagavethesermonfortheEucharistwhichcanbeheardatwww.saintdavids.netintheSermonssection.
“PrayerHelpsUsStandStrong!”VacationBibleSchoolparticipantsspent ivefun- illeddaysinJulylearningthatGod,familyand
friends,prayer,trustandtheBiblehelpsusstandstrong!
