The Epistle/September 2014

S T . P A U L ’ S E P I S C O P A L C H U R C H • M U R F R E E S B O R O • S T P A U L S M B O R O . O R G

September 2014

During the service of Holy Eucharist Rite I the priest lays his hands on the altar and prays, “and here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy,

and living sacrifice unto thee.” This prayer captures the heart of the Christian life. We are men and women who offer our whole selves to a God who offers His whole self to us in Jesus Christ. As the hymn writer Isaac Watts states, “love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

As I read through the following articles, I couldn’t help but be struck by the shared theme of self-offering. Whether it be our service to the children of the Franklin Heights community, the lay ministry of pastoral care, the ministry of acolyting, the post card ministry, or our fall stewardship program, we are men and women who offer ourselves to others and to God in the name of Jesus.

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Epistle and that you are as blessed by it as I was.

Colin+

Colin Ambrose, Associate Rector

Franklin Heights School MinistryAs many of you are aware, St. Paul’s has an ongoing outreach to disadvantaged children in our community, including our St. Paul’s Angels, Vacation Bible School for Franklin Heights kids, and our School Supplies program for children in the Franklin Heights public housing community, wherein we provide backpacks and school supplies.

This year we added an ecumenical component to our outreach by partnering with Calvary Baptist Church. This was a mutually beneficial arrangement for both churches. Calvary Baptist has its own on-going ministry for Franklin Heights children, a Tuesday Night Church program. Unfortunately,

the person who was to lead their Back-to-School efforts was laid up with a knee surgery. For us, our parish hall construction left us with no place to gather, sort, and assemble the school supplies and backpacks for the kids. Calvary loaned us some space and our own Ca’Tricia Robinson offered her leadership and organized the labor. Both churches stepped up with donations of supplies and cash.

We also ratcheted up our support for these children with a new ministry opportunity for our parish. Due to rezoning in the city schools, Franklin Heights children now attend Mitchell-Neilson Elementary School (where our own Robin Newell is the principal!). That meant, for the first time, Franklin Heights kids in grades 2-6 have required school uniforms. As this is a big, new expense for many of these families, we took on some of that burden for this first year only, by providing required uniform pieces for Franklin Heights families to purchase for a stipend amount. We also charged a small stipend amount for a backpack full of school supplies, something that our members, and Franklin Heights parents and advisors agreed was a good way to help those families feel more ownership of their children’s schooling.

All told, we supported 90 kids between the ages of 4 and 16 who purchased backpacks, uniforms, or both!

(continued)

I N S I D EStewardshipAcolytesPastoral CarePilgrimage LaunchYouth D.C. TripBuilding Update

Anglican TourMessier’s Camino Food DriveNotes from Angela Children”s MinistryPost Card Ministry


Franklin Heights (continued)

Our fundraising goal was surpassed, so additional funds will be placed in a fund under Robin Newell’s control at Mitchell-Neilson, earmarked to meet any future needs in the coming school year specifically for children who live in Franklin Heights, such as school supplies and uniforms for new families that move into the district.

St. Paul’s continued outstanding support has had a direct impact on these kids’ education and level of pride as they started the year on the same footing as their more fortunate peers, and it helped fulfill our continued ministry of service to the community. Thank you for making this ministry possible!

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something

to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.

Matthew 35:36

Stewardship: A year-long conversation As tradition teaches us, this is the time of year we leap back into the conversation about stewardship, our gifts of thankfulness to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

This year, we are going to continue the conversation well beyond the annual Stewardship Sunday, Nov. 2. We are going to give equal attention to your heartfelt gifts, past and present, of time, talent and treasure.

Despite our many distractions, it honestly boils down to just one focus – our personal, individual relationship with Jesus Christ – that matters.

And it is very personal and individual. Your relationship with Jesus Christ is not like mine, I’m sure, and mine is not like anyone else’s. And, how we, individually, carry out that relationship takes on the uniqueness of our individuality.

Here at St. Paul’s, we are like every other

gathering of believers. That gathering is very important. For me, corporate worship brings a much-needed tone and tenor to my journey. I love this St. Paul’s gathering. I want to be counted in. In fact, I firmly believe I’m “all in,” not in the quantity of hours, or talents or dollars, but more importantly, in my heart and soul. My small gifts reflect my relationship with Jesus Christ. What I give, I give joyfully and have found a wonderful peace.

Please join me in this year-long conversation titled “Generosity: Sharing, Giving, Participating.” We have so much to be thankful for. If you are sitting on the sidelines still pondering whether to be counted in, take a small step this year and become known. An hour,or a talent or a dollar does go a long way in expressing heartfelt thankfulness to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. And this gathering welcomes you.

Ed [email protected] Chairman

On Sunday, August 10 we gave thanks for the ministry of acolyting at St. Paul’s. All current acolytes who have served for over two years were recognized before the congregation and received crosses to wear when they serve. Callum Hay, Matthew Schneider, Fant Smith, Sally Smith, Andrew Telford, Maggie Tidwell, Brianna Davies and Lauren Ennamorato were recognized for serving over two years. Maggie Newell and Trevor Tidwell were recognized for serving over five years. Ally Davis was recognized for serving ten years as an acolyte at St. Paul’s.

O God, our Gracious Father: Bless the acolytes of your Church that they may so serve before your earthly altar in reverence and holiness, that they may attain,

with all your saints and angels, the joy of serving you and worshipping you before your Heavenly Altar; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Acolyte Appreciation

Have ideas for articles about life at St. Paul’s? Photos from a group event? Send them to: [email protected]


Pastoral Care: the heart of St. Paul’s Pastoral Care is the heart of the faith community. It is central to fulfilling the high call of Jesus to “love one another as

I have loved you.”

At St. Paul’s, Pastoral Care is manifested in several ways:

E u c h a r i s t i c Ministers - distribute the Eucharist at the communion rail during Sunday service.

Eucharistic Visitors - bring the Eucharistic elements (bread and wine) to those who are incapacitated at home, in hospital or extended care facility. Since the Christian community is bound together and strengthened through the common Eucharistic meal, it is important for people not able to be there to be included in the oneness of that community, which is the Body of Christ. Eucharistic Visitors deliver communion to those who are unable to attend corporate worship due to infirmity, and in doing so symbolically carry the Parish with them as a sign of the whole faith community’s love, care and support.

Food Ministry team - provides meals to members of our church family who have suffered an accident, undergone surgery or have an extended illness. This team provides meals, at the family’s request, upon the death of a loved one. One of the recent recipients of Food Ministry “morsels” said, “I know when I (had an accident), the meal I received was very special. Not only was it good and I did not have to cook it, but I felt the love cooked into it!”

Ministry of Prayer - As pastoral care is the heart of the church, prayer is its pulse. At St. Paul’s we take prayer - in all of its various forms - very seriously. • A parish prayer list is maintained and included in both worship services on Sunday.

• We intentionally pray for those who have asked for our prayers, those we know to be in need of prayer in our faith community and those in the larger community. • A prayer request card is kept in the pews of the church where everyone is invited to make their prayer requests. • We pray for the spiritual leadership in our local, state, and national government, the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church, and, on rotation, the churches in other dioceses, as well as individuals serving in the military, and the infirm. • We pray for national concerns and local, national and international crisis. • We pray for those who are known to us who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, and in thanksgiving for any other blessings.

Other areas of Pastoral Care may include: Rides to and from doctor’s appointments, especially if a member has to make multiple trips for an extended period, a quick trip to the grocery or another errand for a member who may not be driving for a period of time. Recently, a parishioner who required physical therapy three times a week said, “What a wonderful blessing to have a DRIVER! Who knew how great that was?”

When should I reach out to the church for Prayer or Pastoral Care?If you or someone you know . . .• is about to have a diagnostic procedure, surgery, or admission to hospital; • curious about the way in which you might be more involved and active in the church; • is in need of prayer or a visit for any reason; or• wishes to have communion in the hospital or rehab facilityAs you all know, we are ALL called to pastoral care, ALL the time.If you think YOU need prayer or pastoral care, you probably do. In either case, please call the church office to speak to Fr. Polk or Fr. Colin at 893-3780 or Kathleen Herzog at 497-9652.

Kathleen Herzog, Assistant to the Rector for Pastoral Care

Pilgrimage Begins September 22Our faith exploration program for adults, called Pilgrimage, will begin Monday evening, September 22, 2014. It will continue for a total of ten consecutive Monday evenings. During construction, we will meet off-campus at The Heritage Center, 225 E. College Street, just two blocks from church. We’ll begin each evening at 6:30 and end at 8:00; child care will be provided, as needed, in the church nursery.

Pilgrimage offers an environment of trust and shared ideas in small group settings. We will provide the book “Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers” as the basis for our discussions about being Christian in the Episcopal Church.

Preparation for Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church was the original intent of Pilgrimage, but many have participated, through the years, just for the experience and the opportunity to explore their faith.

Registration forms are on the bulletin board in the Nursery hallway and on the table in the Narthex. If interested, please fill one out and return it to the bulletin board or give it to a Greeter at the Welcome Table in the Narthex.

Remember, too, we need sponsors. If you have been through Pilgrimage, please consider this ministry. Sponsors should also fill out a registration form (green paper).

With questions, please contact Joyce Adkins, 631-2869, or [email protected].

Pilgrimage SponsorsIf you are planning to be a Pilgrimage Sponsor, thank you. Because we’ll be using a new book, and because we want to do some praying and planning, a gathering for Sponsors will be held at Mac and Kathleen’s house, 704 N. Church Street, on Monday evening, September 15th, starting at 6:30. Please plan to attend. Call Joyce with questions, 631-2869, or [email protected].


could tell they loved me too. It felt like the world was in slow motion and everyone was just smiling and happy, and Jesus was with us without using a guitar or having to light candles.” – Sadie Crytz

“I was struck by how spiritual I n t e r n a t i o n a l Justice Mission was, ‘I can’t believe they pray for half an hour every day!’” - Adam Inman

“At Bread for the City I was actually working to serve the

homeless instead of just reading about homeless people and donating money to them. I enjoyed packaging, sorting, and storing the fresh vegetables; this food would be used to feed various homeless people in DC a well balanced diet.” - Vinny Cantrell

“My favorite memory was when Steve and Candy from The National Coalition for the Homeless came and talk with us at the hostel. We were able to actually talk to people who had experienced homelessness before. It was a privilege getting to hear their stories, and my perspective on how and why people are homeless dramatically changed.” - Evan Willis

“We had just finished participating in that amazingly powerful demonstration and we were sitting in the back of the memorial. The weather was beautiful and we were watching the sun set on Washington DC. Sitting at the top of the Lincoln Memorial, something clicked and I really felt like I was getting the point of the trip. I think I really felt God in that space, and that is a feeling that I will cherish forever.” - Katie Lou McCusker

“My favorite memory was the talks with the senator and congressman’s staff and seeing that in this country you can walk up to your representative’s office and speak your mind and that’s what we’re

This summer our youth went to Washington DC on a ‘Justice Pilgrimage.’ Our objective was to observe and dialogue with the people who are doing God’s work in Washington DC and then discover what God is calling us to in the name of justice. We visited organizations like International Justice Mission, The National Coalition for the Homeless, Sojourners and Bread for the World and had round table discussions about poverty, hunger, human trafficking, and our climate crisis. In addition, we met with the offices of two of our lawmakers. During the trip, we learned how to effectively get our message across and the importance of bringing people into the conversation rather than being divisive and confrontational.

What I personally didn’t expect to find in our six days of walking the streets of DC, hearing people’s stories, engaging in other’s justice work, was to find the living God active and moving among us. No longer were we just learning about the way of Jesus but we were attaching ourselves to it.

But don’t take my word for it:

“I really enjoyed the mall at sunset. It was probably the first time I got the feeling in the middle of my chest that I’ve been getting a lot lately. I was happy to be sitting with a group of people whom I loved and

supposed to do! Then they take note and tell the representative what you came there for.” – Jake Arning

Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God being like a mustard seed. Did we change the hearts and minds of our Senator? Did we end homelessness? Did we stop climate change? Will our kids all grow up to be lawmakers or advocacy workers? Probably not, but I believe with all of my heart that we planted some pretty significant seeds that week. I believe the work we did was right at the center of what God is up to in the world. The fruit God will produce later on in the journey will be ripe for the picking and the world will be a little bit closer to being balanced. Thank you for your support of St. Paul’s Youth.

Shalom. Steven LefebvreDirector of Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Washington Pilgrimage 2014: Our Youth’s Response

AUGUST FOOD DRIVE (3rd Quarter)

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Have you ever wanted to eat fish and chips in an English pub? Experience a real English high tea? Watch red-coated troops marching at a royal palace? Contemplate the mysteries of Stonehenge? Attend a high choral eucharist at Canterbury Cathedral? And do all this in the company of old friends and fellow Anglicans? Well, now’s your chance.

St. Paul’s will take a group of pilgrims on a special exploration of our Anglican heritage from May 1-10, 2015. We’ll be in time for the first spring blossoms in Kent, the Garden of England, as we tour Canterbury Cathedral and drive through the beautiful countryside across England to Salisbury. On the way we’ll experience Royal Tunbridge Wells, one of the country’s poshest resorts. We’ll experience the beauties of Salisbury Cathedral and visit ancient Romsey Abbey. We’ll explore Oxford and visit the Queen’s favorite home, Windsor Palace. Then London awaits with Big Ben, the Tower and its Beefeaters, St. Paul’s and Westminster Abbey. Capping it off will be great fellowship on a cruise down the Thames.

David Rowe and Joyce Adkins, who have led the Pilgrimage Program at St. Paul’s for many years, will be the tour leaders, shepherding the flock and doing some teaching along the way. Our tour company, Worldwide Pilgrimages, will provide a tour guide, and we’ll enjoy the company of specialized guides at important sites.

Brochures and registration forms will be available very soon on the bulletin board in the nursery. The cost of the trip will be $4225 per person for double occupancy. This includes round trip airfare from Nashville to Heathrow, London. We will stay at three hotels, minimizing the amount of packing and repacking, and the fees cover most elements of travel insurance. All breakfasts and most dinners are included. Additional costs will be lunches, three dinners, and tips for the tour guide and bus driver.

St. Paul’s will host an informational meeting about this trip in a few weeks. But for now, if you have questions about it, please ask David Rowe ([email protected], 631-1088). So mark your calendars for May 1-10, 2015. This pilgrimage will be great fun and a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual exploration.

Anglican Heritage Tour of EnglandMay 1-10, 2015

Building Update

We wanted to let our church family know that the Parish Hall project is moving along and, even with the late start, is scheduled to be finished in time for Easter of next year. The chapel’s air temperature will be fixed soon with the installation of

a permanent air conditioning unit. The builders’ main focus in the next month will be building the firewall and pouring the foundation for the new building. Please pray for the workers and their safety as they do this work and continue to pray for the building committee as we shepherd the project through each of its phases.

The Building Committee

Like us!facebook.com/stpaulsmboro


The Camino to Santiago de Compostela Ron Messier

The night that I returned home from Spain, Emily asked me what I liked the very most about the trip. I had been thinking about that very question all way the home, so the answer was easy--spending two weeks of quality time with my daughter Samantha. Physically, the Camino was very challenging for me. I could not have done it without

Sam’s help. At one point on the last day of walking, I was really fatigued and dehydrated, and we were looking at the elevation profile that lay ahead of us; we were looking at a steady 3 mile long steep incline. As Sam grabbed my day pack and headed up the hill, she said “Dad, you’ve taken care of me all my life, now it’s my turn.” Touching? An understatement.

Virtually tied for first place of what I liked best was the spiritual aspect of the Camino. The very concept of a pilgrimage is a physical journey that is not only a metaphor for a spiritual journey, but actually facilitates the spiritual journey. Our goal was to arrive at the shrine of the Apostle James on the eve of the feast day of St. James. It’s more than a cliche to say “It’s more than the destination; it’s also the journey itself.” In almost every little village that we walked through was a small church or chapel, most of them hundreds of years old. Typically, I stopped in each of these, had my pilgrim passport stamped, lit two votive candles, and said a prayer for physical strength to make it to the end and other special intentions. Particularly moving was the little church with what must be a unique crucifix, Jesus with only his left hand nailed to the cross, his right hand, it is said, extended downward to assist the passing pilgrims. I truly appreciated that help. At journey’s end, the pilgrims’ high mass at the Cathedral of St. James on the feast day of St. James, receiving

communion with the king and queen of Spain and thousands of other pilgrims, was just about the most goose-bumpy experience of my life.

I loved the sheer beauty of the Galician landscape which I found to be quite varied. Sometimes we walked on paved roads, sometimes over an ancient Roman bridge, but mostly on narrow dirt paths through forests, then meadows, sometimes through vineyards, sometimes atop moun-tains overlooking incredibly beautiful valleys. What made this physical beauty even more special was the spirit of community among the pilgrims on the road, people quite literally from all over the world, all walking in the same direction, all heading for the shrine of St. James, speaking different

languages, but all wishing each other “Buen Camino!” One day, Emily’s email message reported much of the international news. My internal reaction to that news was “how wonderful it is to be away from this for a while. If only the whole world could just be on a Camino.”

I thank all of my St. Paul’s friends for your prayers and encouragement.

The Way of St. James (commonly known by its name in Spanish: El Camino de Santiago) is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain’s Galicia region, where tradition has it that the remains of St. James are buried. Many take up this route as a form of journey or retreat for their spiritual growth. The Way of St. James was one of the most important Chrsitian pilgrimages during medieval times and continues to be travelled by tens of thousands of Christians every year.


Children’s MinistryWe are pleased to announce that Cindy Guévart is St. Paul’s n e w D i r e c t o r of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. C i n d y graduated with honors from Berry College with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She did her teaching internship in New Zealand, and she followed that experience by teaching in China. Upon returning to the United States, Cindy taught Kindergarten and 1st grade in Bedford County. She completed her master’s degree in Education in 2006. Cindy went on to teach 1st grade at Discovery School before deciding to stay home with her three children. She currently teaches at Montessori Weaver School. Cindy is so excited about sharing her love of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with her St. Paul’s family and has been a catechist with us for four years. She completed her level 1 training at St. George’s in 2010. She embarked on Level 2 training with fellow catechists from St. Paul’s, which she completed in the spring. Cindy is thrilled to be in the midst of Level 3 training with people from all over the world. She is honored to work with the children of St. Paul’s and is enthusiastic about a great year in the atria. Cindy replaces Becky Potts as Director. We are grateful for all of Becky’s hard work and dedication during her tenure.

Diane Baker, Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Cindy Guévart

Notes from Angela

In the fall of 2010, when Aimee Spurlock left for New York, I took on the responsibility of conducting our choristers. At the time I was an adjunct instructor at MTSU, and the

work load of two part-time jobs plus the Nashville Chamber Singers and a family was manageable. Soon after, however, I was given the opportunity to return to full-time teaching at MTSU, which I had done for six years before Sam was born. For the last four years, I’ve tried to balance my work at school, at church, with NCS, and my family. It’s just not manageable anymore.

Although I have cherished the experience of getting to make music with these fine young musicians, I feel it’s best if I hand them over to someone young, enthusiastic, and with enough energy to make rehearsals fun and exciting. Beginning, this fall, Rachel Anderson, one of my former students at MTSU, will take over the choristers. She and I will work together to choose music for the year, develop lesson plans, and maintain the outstanding work these singers have accomplished. I’ll still help conduct or play when they sing in worship (Rachel is also an excellent pianist/organist), and from time to time I’ll even attend rehearsals.

You’ll love Rachel; she is charming, beautiful, friendly, and smart. She has a lovely voice and passion for teaching

music to children. I am thrilled that she is moving back to Middle Tennessee just when we need her! And I encourage all parents with children in grades two through eight to join us on Wednesday, September 3rd, from 5:00 to 5:45, as we begin this important ministry—not only to our children, but to our parish.

Welcome Rachel AndersonR a c h e l Ander son a t t e n d e d M i d d l e Tennessee S t a t e University where she earned a B a c h e l o r of Music in Vocal/G e n e r a l Music Education. During that time, she worked as a staff singer and children’s choir director at St. George’s Episcopal Church. She was also active in various choral ensembles in Nashville and Murfreesboro, including the Nashville Chamber Singers under the direction of Angela Tipps. Rachel moved to New Jersey in 2011 where she served as the Director of Music for Atlantic Highlands United Methodist Church. In addition, she was on staff at The Piano Workshop at Chester where she was the Kindermusik Director and offered private voice and piano instruction. Rachel is passionate and enthusiastic about the education of all children. She believes that every child should have an opportunity to experience music in a fun and nurturing environment. Rachel is looking forward to her upcoming move to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and is excited to be a part of the music ministry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Angela TippsMinister of Music

The Rev. Pamela Snare was a guest preacher on Sunday, August 10. St. Paul’s held a reception in her honor between the two services. Pamela currently serves as the Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Tennessee. Joining the diocesan staff seven years ago, Pamela works with clergy in transition and oversees the transition processes with congregations. She also develops plans for parish renewal and growth.

Rachel Anderson


116 North Academy StreetMurfreesboro, Tennessee 37130stpaulsmboro.org

The mission of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is to worship God and to bring all into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

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What is the Post Card Ministry? On the third Sunday of each month we sign postcards to members of St. Paul’s who have given their time and talents in previous years and are no longer able to come to church for various reasons. We want to let them know that we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.

Who participates in this ministry?

Everyone at St. Paul’s - Children, youth, and adults.

How do you participate? Write a short sentiment on a postcard, in the Narthex, to any and all. You don’t have to know the person.

If you have someone you would like a card sent to, please call the church office.

Post Card Ministry

Parents Group Beer Tasting

A certified cicerone (beer expert) led

the group as they sampled a wide variety of beers.

The Epistle/September 2014

Documents

Transcript of The Epistle/September 2014