The Monthly Newsletter of St. John's Episcopal Church302 Green Street • Fayetteville, NC 28301 • 910.483.7405 • www.stjohnsnc.org

April 2014

Easter WingsGeorge Herbert

Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,Though foolishly he lost the same,

Decaying more and more,Till he became

Most poore:With thee

O let me riseAs larks, harmoniously,

And sing this day thy victories:Then shall the fall further the flight in me.My tender age in sorrow did beginne

And still with sicknesses and shame.Thou didst so punish sinne,

That I becameMost thinne.With thee

Let me combine,And feel thy victorie:

For, if I imp my wing on thine,Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

In Rememberance of thePassion of ChristPalm Sunday marks the beginning ofHoly Week and commemorates bothJesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalemand the Passion. Rites that observe thisday have been passed down throughgenerations of Christians. In fact, the

Triduum: High Point of Church YearMaundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil — theTriduum recalls the august days of Jesus' passion andresurrection. In observance of the Triduum, Christianscelebrate the saving work God has accomplished inChrist and contemplate the deepest lessons. With eyesfixed upon the cross and ears employed by the words ofthe gospel, the mysteries of Jesus' final hours are with usagain: his passion, his cruel suffering, and hisresurrection. Nowhere else does God's love appear sovividly. In Christ's love, we find the roots of our church,our sacraments, our understanding of the human story,and our hope for eternal life.

Easter Day is the annual feast of theResurrection. Faith in Jesus'resurrection on the Sunday or third dayfollowing his crucifixion is at the heartof Christian belief. Easter sets the ex-perience of springtime next to theancient stories of deliverance and theproclamation of the risen Christ.

8 & 10:30 a.m. Apr 13

7p Apr 17, 12 & 7p Apr 18, 8p Apr 19

Celebrate the Resurrection8 & 10:30 a.m. Apr 20

page 5

blitz dayand morevolunteerpage 4

foldingof thepalmsApril 9page 2

See Palm Sunday, page 4

See Easter, page 4

ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH302 Green St • Fayetteville, NC 28301

Founded in 1817 in Fayetteville, NCand today a worshipping community ofmore than 700 parishioners.

2 THE EPISTLE

SUBMISSIONS AND DEADLINESWe rely on our parishioners fornewsletter content. If you have news orevents relevant to parish life, pleasecontact the appropriate Vestryrepresentative or the parish office. Thesubmission deadline for the Mayedition of The Epistle is April 15.

CLERGY, STAFF, & OFFICERSRector The Rev. Robert M. AlvesSr. Warden John HolmesJr. Warden Drew YoungClerk of Vestry Lenora ChandlerTreasurer Dohn Broadwell JrChoirmaster Patrick M. O'BriantAdministrator Brant BrockCommunications Anthony RamosBookkeeper Sue StricklandPreschool Director Donnie WinstonParish Cook Bob JenkinsSexton Donnell SimmonsSexton Lonnie PipkinSexton James Henderson

THE VESTRYJeff Baker • John Holmes • Judy Klinck •Patsy Politowicz • Glenn Chandler •Ricky Evans • Jean Moore • Drew Young• Dick Kells • Deborah Greene • ChristelHaworth • Robin Kelly

THE EPISTLEMonthly Newsletter

UPCOMING PROGRAMSApril 2014

It goes by several names: Holy Communion, the Eucharist (whichliterally means "thanksgiving"), mass. But whatever it’s called, this is thefamily meal for Christians and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. Assuch, all persons who have been baptized, and are therefore part of theextended family that is the Church, are welcome to receive the breadand wine, and be in communion with God and each other.1

Join Fr. Alves after the parish dinner and examine the liturgy of theEucharist in the tradition of the Episcopal Church.

Exploring the Holy Eucharist6:45 p.m. Apr 2

1Reprinted from the Episcopal Church's website.

Lenten Speaker Series Pt. 510:30 a.m. Apr 7Open to all parishioners and guests, join us for the final installment ofthe Lenten Speaker Series, a serial discussion about the discernmentprocess for the VIII Bishop of East Carolina. Fr. Alves will show anddiscuss the short film "Celebrate What's Right with the World."Communion and luncheon will follow the discussion.

The Folding of the Palms2 p.m. Apr 9Help us fold palms into crosses in Hauser Hall. The crosses are blessedon Palm Sunday and remind us of Christ’s triumphant entry intoJerusalem, his sacrifice, and his resurrection. Folding palms is an ancientChristian tradition. If it’s new to you, we’d be happy to teach you howto fold them.

RECTOR'S CORNER

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In my sermon on the first Sunday in Lent I cited the poem by William Blaketitled Eternity. The poem speaks of the way our human tendency to control ourlives and the world around us often destroys relationships and joy. The Lentenjourney is marked by our desire to let go of our illusion of control and place ourtrust more fully in God. Blake’s words from the turn of the 18th century seemuniversal:

He who binds to himself a JoyDoth the wingèd life destroy;But he who kisses the Joy as it fliesLives in Eternity's sunrise.As I reflect on these words, I am reminded on the saying, “If you love

something, let it go. If it returns, it is yours forever. If not, it never was.” Duringour Lenten journey, we can substitute many things for the word “joy.” We canalso remember that God has let us go in the fervent hope that we will return.

There is a tradition that holds that Blake wrote Eternity after an encounterwith a butterfly: a symbol long associated with Easter and the Resurrection. Theimage of the caterpillar becoming a butterfly points to Eternal life springing fromthe cross.

The 17th Century poet George Herbert literally shapes his poem "EasterWings" in the form of two butterflies as he speaks of the human journey from sinto salvation made manifest in our faith relationship with Jesus Christ.

In Lent, we strive to “imp our wing” on Christ that we may know, and graftunto ourselves, the eternal joy of the resurrection. In falconry it has been thepractice to “imp” or attach additional feathers or wings to those of a falcon inorder to help the falcon soar higher. Thus when we imp our wings on Christ wegain wings that enable us to soar to eternity.

Each year we have the opportunity to “imp our wings” on Christ throughour participation in the Triduum; the three-day service that spans MaundyThursday through the Great Vigil of Easter. On Maundy Thursday we rememberthe way that Christ grafted together a community of disciples that would expandthrough the centuries to become the communion of saints nourished by the bodyand blood of Christ. On Good Friday we focus on the depths of human sufferingembodied in the crucifixion that assure us that the love of God for us knows nolimits. Finally, we graft our lives to Christ as we hear anew the unfoldingsalvation story of scripture which culminates in the unbridled joy of Easter. Thusthe Holy Spirit lifts our wings of faith that we might kiss the joy and live inEternity’s sunrise.

The Shape ofEaster Wings

The Rev. Robert Alves

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"When we imp our wingson Christ, we gain wingsthat enable us to soar toeternity."

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With two Easter services, at 8 and 10:30 a.m., St. John's invitesyou to celebrate the principal festival in the church year. Afterthe 10:30 a.m. service, have coffee with us. The children willgather outside for an Easter egg hunt!

observance in Jerusalem around 381-384. As the people walkeddown the Mount of Olives and into the city, they wavedbranches of palm or olive trees, sang psalms, and shouted theantiphon, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

By the twelfth century, the custom of blessing the palmswith a procession was widely accepted, though cermonies coulddiffer greatly.

St. John's, too, will participate in the tradition of this specialrite. We hope you will all join us in the Palm Sunday processionon April 13 and hear the Passion narrative. The 10:30 a.m.service will begin behind the Kyle House with the Liturgy of thePalms and then go into the church in procession.

Easter, continued from front page

Palm Sunday, continued from front page

Blitz Day: Stop Hunger Now9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Apr 5Operation Inasmuch is organizing a citywide,meal-packing event for Stop Hunger Now, aNorth Carolina-based nonprofit that providesfood in disaster situations and to internationaldevelopment programs such as schools, medicalclinics, and nurseries.

St. John's is sending a team of 16+ to pack4000 meals for the event. You may also make adonation to help us meet our $1000commitment. For more information on how youcan volunteer, contact Judy Klinck atjbklinck@aol.com.

VOLUNTEER

Salvation Army Love Lunch11:30 a.m. Apr 21Join our Love Lunch team this month and helpour local Salvation Army (220 East Russell St.)provide hot meals to over 100 homelesscitizens.

Vacation Bible School9 a.m. to noon Jun 23-26We are looking for VOLUNTEERS to help usmake this wonderful week a success for thechildren. There are a multitude of opportunitiesto volunteer with VBS that will fit yourschedule and talents. Sign up on the bulletinboards or contact Claire Hedgecoe if you arewilling to be a part of this ministry:chedgecoe@gmail.com.

Walkabout Q&AMay 2We need volunteer support for the bishopnominees' visit to the Upper Cape FearDeanery. Help will be needed to set upinterview venues and guide visitors around ourparish. Contact Dick Kells if you can help:rkells@earthlink.net.

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WARDEN'S NOTES

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I think you will agree that one of thehighlights of the year is Senior Sundaywhen we honor our graduating seniorsand hear from them about theirexperiences growing up at St. John’sand their plans for the future. This yearwe honor graduating seniors Mary KateMorgan, James MacRae III, andElizabeth Chandler.

Immediately following our Senior Sunday service,please join us in Hauser Hall for a delicious lunch and aParish Planning meeting. At this meeting we will beginto formulate plans in each of our programs for thecoming year. We need your input so your Vestry candiscern what programs and offerings you would like tosee and to identify leadership and volunteeropportunities in these areas. This is your opportunity tohelp us shape a vision for our future as we move ahead.

On Monday, May 5, the Right Reverend BishopMichael Curry of the Diocese of North Carolinawill join us for Evening Prayer, followed by abook signing event sponsored by The Gift Shop.Bishop Curry’s latest book, Crazy Christians, wasa bestseller at the Diocesan Convention. We aredelighted to have Bishop Curry be with us at St.John’s. If you have ever had the pleasure ofhearing Bishop Curry preach, I know you willbe in attendance. If you haven’t, then you owe itto yourself to come meet one of the mostdynamic leaders in the Episcopal Church today.Thanks to Melene Hatcher for setting this up!

I encourage you to participate to the fullest extent possible in the fullplate of offerings we have planned for you this spring. It is an excitingtime to be at St. John’s and in The Diocese of East Carolina. See you there!

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From Shrove Tuesday right through Holy Week we have hada number of excellent offerings, programs and events for ourparishioners in addition to our traditional worship services. Ihope you have the time to attend of some of these. After Easterwe continue this momentum as we close out our program yearand begin to plan for next year. In the week following Easter wewill have an Episcopal “spring renewal” of sorts as we plan forthe future of both St. John’s and our Diocese. Please put theseevents on your calendar and plan to attend as many as you can.

Open to all members of the diocese, the nominees for the VIII Bishop ofEast Carolina will visit the deaneries of the diocese April 28 throughMay 2 and will hold five Q-and-A forums. St. John's will host the finalwalk-about and Q-and-A at 7 p.m. May 2.

For more information about this process, don't miss Melene Hatcher,chairwoman of the walk-about subcommittee, present on the topic at thefinal installment of the Lenten Speaker Series April 7. For a complete listof walk-abouts and candidate profiles, visiteastcarolinabishopsearch.com.

May 2-8

AnEpiscopalSpringRenewal

may 2

may 4

may 4

may 5

The last concert of the SalonSeries features Baroque musicfor two trumpets, strings andharpsichord. The concert startsat 7:30 p.m. Tickets are availableat the door or atfayettevillesymphony.org.

may 8

byJOHN HOLMES

CALENDAR ROUNDUP

April

1 Polly Alves 2 Ruby Strouse • Betty Rosenbaum •Mary Ann coffield 3 Jewel Prichard • David Nimocks III• Sarah Stewart 4 Emily Schaefer • Harrison Player 5Sharon Koonce • Marie Sutherland • Jennison Shields 7Lynne Nimocks • Janet Uffinger • Walker Worth III 10Allison Privette 11 Charles Haigh Jr • HannahMendelsohn • Savannah Elliot • Lewis Player IV 12Marcia MacKethan • Liam Creasey 13 John Holmes16 Patti Hutaff 18 Chris Efrid • Coker Holmes •Campbell Cantelou 19 Judy Brown • Murtis Worth 21Brendon McGann • Caroline Mendelsohn 22 ChuckHunger • Parker Lindsay 23 Steven Moore 25Hayden Privette 26 Bright Dickson 27 Ellen Jordan28 David Guzman 29 Fred Hasty • Marcia Gamet •Cole Reyes

anniversaries

birthdays

3 Janet & Don Uffinger Sr 4 Elizabeth & TommyWooten Jr • Mary Flagg & Jim Haugh • Sunday & MacMcHenry 6 Jean & John Hermann 8 Betsy & StuartDixon • Su & Tommy Vick • Margaret & George ThomasIV 14 Lydia & Rorie Short 16 Sarah & FrankMoorman • Susan & George Bender 22 Laura & RayYarborough 25 Molly & Charles Haigh Jr • Gail &Bruce Daws 28 Claire & Harry Shaw 30 Carolyn &John Dawson III

celebrations

Connect with us on Facebook! facebook.com/saintjohnsncfE Download The Epistle! stjohnsnc.org/epistle

Youth, youth leaders, and Chef Bob in action during theJ2A‐hosted Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner on March 4.

Granddad cuts up a stack for grandson before it's backto the railroad. It's a convenient business arrangementfor all young engine drivers.

April1 2

See Wednesday servicesEucharist Forum 6:45p

3 4 5Stop Hunger Now 9a

6See Sunday services"God's Not Dead" 4p

7Lenten Speaker 10:30a

8Finance mtg 5:30p

9See Wednesday servicesPalm Crosses 2pSnowy Owls 6p

10 11YAC Conference

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13YAC ConferenceSee Sunday servicesPALM SUNDAY

14 15 16See Wednesday services

17MAUNDY THURSDAYService 7p

18GOOD FRIDAYStations 12p (St. Josephs)Service 7p

19EASTER VIGILService 8p

20See Sunday ServicesEASTER DAYEgg Hunt 12p

21Office ClosedLove Lunch 11:30a

22Vestry meeting 6:30p

23See Wednesday services

24 25 26

27See Sunday Services.

28 29 30See Wednesday services

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I8:15 a.m. Parish Family Breakfast9:15 a.m. Christian Formation

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II10:30 a.m. Children's Chapel

5:00 p.m. Children's Choir5:15 p.m. Worship5:15 p.m. Handbells practice5:30 p.m. Bible Adventures6:00 p.m. Parish Dinner

ProgramCalendarSundayServices WednesdayServices

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY