THE HOLY BABBLE - St. John's Episcopal Churchstjohnfs.org/uploads/news/id21/Holy Babble 103112...

THE HOLY BABBLE

Oct. 31— Nov. 28, 2012

The Spirituality of Gratitude

We are familiar with the most powerful three words in the English language – “I love you!” Are you familiar with the two most spiritual words in the English lan-guage? -- they are “Thank you!” Gratitude is one of the most powerful forces in our spiritual life because it simultaneously receives as it gives. Gratitude acknowl-edges that another person has blessed us and we respond by blessing them in a dif-ferent but meaningful way.

We are most familiar with someone giving us a gift and we respond with our heart-felt words of gratitude. This is the model for our interaction with another per-son. We also receive blessings and from God and our response is our act of grati-tude. For instance, we express “thanks” in our act of Sunday worship. We give a portion of our week back to God by gathering for worship and expressing our thankfulness for God’s abundant blessings to us throughout our week and our life. We even call our prayer at the high altar, “The Great Thanksgiving” as we pray over the bread and wine at the Eucharist each Sunday.

Our life is likewise a response to what the Lord has blessed us with in our life. Civically, we take time with our family and friends to share a holiday called “Thanksgiving.” We will take time as a congregation to offer prayers of thanksgiv-ing at a special Holy Eucharist service on Wednesday, November 21st at noon in the church.

As a parish we will have two special events connected with this month of Grati-tude. On November 10th at 6:00 p.m. the parish will hold a rollicking “Gratitude Fish Fry” to celebrate our Stewardship Campaign ingathering. This special evening will be a festive gift back to our congregation for their faithful stewardship.

To remember those who have special needs, we will be accepting donations of the following items for the Next Step Day Room. As their shelves get depleted as the cold weather arrives, we can show our thankfulness for God’s abundance by shar-ing with those in need. We are gathering a “Gratitude treasure chest” filled with:

• Canned: Chili, spaghetti, ravioli, Vienna sausages, tuna, Spam, hearty soups, and beef jerky.

• Personal items: Men’s tube socks (10-12) and razors.

These items can be dropped in the container marked “Next Step Day Room” any time before Thanksgiving.

Let me close by saying “Thank you” for your love and care of this church! Fr. Mike

Rev. Mike Lager

221-4030

The church office 782-9912

Mark Buergler Senior Warden

452-1259

IN THIS ISSUE…

The Padre’s Perspective Kid’s Korner And more……..

ECW HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Saturday, Nov. 17

10am—3pm

PARISH FISH FRY

Nov. 10 6pm @

The Skinner Building

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Sunday Breakfast Sunday, November 4, 9:00—9:30 a.m. Breakfast in the Parish Hall.

Saint’s Alive

November Girl’s Night Out A change of pace from the Thanksgiving holiday

will find this social group getting together at the GREEN PA-PAYA, Tuesday, November 27th, at 6:15 pm. This restaurant is located at 6301 Highway 271 South in Fort Smith. Bettye Fields (479/452-2637) will need your reservations by Friday, November 23rd. Looking forward to seeing lots of you there!

SAHM’s (Stay At Home Moms)

• Nov. 1st the SAHM play date will be at Ben Geren Park. We'll meet noonish (12:15) for a picnic lunch by the playground area on the East side. • Nov. 14th the SAHM Mom’s lunch will be at noon at Shoguns Restaurant (Peking Palace on Rogers Avenue) . We’re going here again since so many missed out in September J. • Nov. 15th the SAHM play date will be at either Creekmore Park or the Monkey House on Wheeler Avenue. Weather will be the determining factor. Please know that anyone is invited to join us. We even have a “SAHMs wanna be” who joins us for the monthly lunch. If there is someone who is interested in joining SAHMs for any event, please invite them & send me their contact info (e-mail & mobile phone for texting) so I can include them on the reminders. My contact info: home phone 479-783-5331, mobile phone 479-459-5765, e-mail address [email protected] God’s Peace, Lori

No Saint’s Alive scheduled for November. Friday, December 14 @ 6:00pm Saint’s will be at the home of Mary Jane Mustard. Watch the newsletters and bulletins for more information. Start searching for your ‘dirty Santa” gifts now. There is a new sign up sheet on the bulletin board for 2013.

Bishop Visit Scheduled December 9, 2012

Bishop Larry Benfield will be visiting St. John’s on Sunday, December 9 for baptisms and/or confirma-tions. If you or a member of your family desires baptism, please speak with Fr. Mike or Jeannie McCabe for information. A one hour class prior to the Baptism is required.

Altar Guild Cleanup

Our annual Altar Guild Cleanup will be Saturday, Dec. 8th in the Parish Hall Kitchen at 9 a.m. Please make every effort to attend. For more infor-mation contact Lee Vlademar at 782-2820 or any other AG member.


mailto:[email protected]



COME CELEBRATE CURSILLO

STATEWIDE ULTREYA TO BE HELD It was with great sadness that the recent fall Cursillo had to be cancelled - the first fall Cursillo ever. We agree with the Rector of #81 that Cursillo is not dead, but perhaps only hibernating. Well, even though winter is nearing it is time to come out of hibernation and celebrate that wonderful gift of Cursillo that was given to us all by our Lord - a way of seeing Him anew and better understanding His desires for us in this world. The Rector, Toby Rowe, and team of #81 want to host a celebration and beginning renewal of Cursillo in Arkansas by holding a statewide Ultreya. This is a really important gathering for us all and YOUR presence is NEEDED! We want to come together for fellowship, praise and discussions of the future of Cursillo in Arkansas. We want you to bring your friends who didn't make the fall Cursillo or who are potential candidates for future Cursillos and to "poke" your fellow parish Cursillistas into action and attend. For Cursillo to survive and grow it takes the apostolic action of everyone - so come and join us in the fun, friendship renewal, praise and song. The Ultreya will be Saturday, November 17th at St. Stephens, Jacksonville. We will gather at 9:30 and finish between 2 and 3pm. If you play an instrument, bring it. Please RSVP to Jan Davenport so a count for food can be made. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Toby Rowe. WE SURE DO HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! CURSILLO CALENDAR (Mark your Calendar!) November 17, 2012 – Statewide Ultreya, St. Stephens, Jacksonville, 9:30am November 17, 2012 - Secretariat Meeting (brief), St. Stephens, Jacksonville, 9:30am January 17, 2012 - Central Arkansas Ultreya, St. Mark's, Little Rock, 6:30pm Contact Becky Ibison or John Cross for more information.

“A Buck A Book”

What a deal! Since July 1st we have sold 303 books on our book tables. So many have graciously donated their books for our resale for $1.00. Please continue to clean out your bookshelves and bring the books to either the Skinner Building or drop off at the book tables by the parish hall. Proceeds from these book sales go to the ECW. Many thanks for your support. Mary Jane Mustard

“Something New at St. John’s”

The Gift Shop at St. John’s has the potential of becoming a very profitable on going means of fundraising for our church. This will in no way diminish the role of our book store in our church family. Unique items of a variety from pottery, gourmet foods, hand made jewelry to stained glass seasonal selections will be available. It is our hope that our gift shop will be a source for wedding, personal and any occasion shopping. The shop will be located on “both sides of the street” for your convenience. Your suggestions are always welcome. Look for future notices of the inventory in the upcoming Sunday bulletins and monthly “Holy Babble”. Mary Jane Mustard




LOVE QUILTS

Because of the wealth of opportunities to be active at St. John’s, the Love Quilt project has been postponed until January. We will meet the last Saturday of the month through the winter months.

If anyone is interested in working on a quilt prior to that time, just give Linda Gabriel a call at 353-5100 and she will provide the materials you need. Linda Gabriel 353-5100 and Bentley Lager Love Quilt Co-Chairs

ECW BAZAAR HELP NEEDED!

HELP NEEDED! Sign up sheets are on the large bulletin board located on the left as you enter the Parish Hall. ECW BAZAAR WORK DAYS have been cancelled: If you have any questions, please contact Nita New-man 478-0156 or Irene Willbanks 918/638-3752. WANTED: Do you have an item you have “cared for,” but would be happy to contribute to the “ATTIC TREASURES” Booth at our HOLIDAY BAZAAR. We are looking for “STUFF” in good condition, that can be sold to someone who will love it as much as you have. Please leave donations in the Parish Hall (box marked Holiday Bazaar). Thanks, Bazaar Committee

ECW Fall Gathering Nov. 9–10, at St. Paul's, Fayetteville. This year, the Episcopal Church Women's annual Fall Gathering will be held in Northwest Arkansas on Friday, Nov. 9–Saturday, Nov. 10. St. Paul’s, Fayetteville, will host the event, and participants will have the opportunity for a special tour of Crystal Bridges Museum in Benton-ville. Beth Maze will be the guest speaker. For hotel and schedule information or to register, download a registration form or visit arkansasECW.org.

Firewood for SALE!

Youth selling ricks of seasoned wood for $40.00, or $55.00 delivered. Contact a youth or Jeannie (221-4032) to order.

Vestry Minutes 2012

Vestry Meeting, Tuesday, September 11, 2012: Officers of R.V. Equality Center shared the mission and goals of the non-profit organization that meets bi-weekly in Chamber’s Hall. We discussed plans for the 2013 Every Member Canvass and work is underway for the 2013 budget. Letters will be sent to families regarding how to use remainders of memorial funds. Amy Sherrill is now Interim Executive Director for the Next Step Day Room. Jeannie McCabe continues to work tirelessly with the youth of St. John’s.




NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Calvin Hopcraft Tom Montgomery 2 Lee Ann Vick 4 James Blackburn Sara Edmiston 7 Moriah Dusenbury 9 Austin Davern 10 Laura Kendall 11 Bonnie Johnson-Smets

15 A. J. Godwin Denis Whitfill 16 Jack Scott 18 Rose Ward 22 Cissy Goff Atha Johnson Bernard Johnson 23 Aaron Pryor 26 Alex Leeper Sara Rasha

NOV. ANNIVERSARIES

1 Bryan & Sara Goodwin 22 Tom & Helen Harper 25 Jim & Jean Sparks 26 Bob & Patti Gray Kenneth & Sandy Smith 28 Larry & Sandy McGowan

27 Mike DeWitt Brandy Rodgers 29 Darin Sharp 30 Louise Cox William Robinson Wyatt Robinson Laura Skulman

Contact Person for

Altar Flowers

If you would be able to provide altar flowers on a Sun-day morning this next year, please call Jane Walcott at 783-8697 or e-mail her at [email protected].

Remember Daylight Savings Time ends on

Sunday, November 4.

THANKSGIVING SERVICES

There will be a Thanksgiving service offered this year at St. John’s on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 12:00 p.m.

The Church Office will be closed

on Thursday & Friday, November 22 & 23 for the

Thanksgiving Holi-day





THANKS TO ALL FOR THE HAPPY FALL Y’ALL CHILI COOK OFF

What fun we had! Thanks so much to everyone who participated in the chili cook off and congratulations to our 3 winners: Mike Orite, Brent Ward and Clate Leonard. Most of all, thank you to Irene Willbanks for her invalu-able help behind the scense.




PARISH FISH FRY

In gratitude for a

FABULOUS STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

We will celebrate together at a

CATFISH FRY

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH AT 6:00 P.M.

Outside behind the Skinner Building

“Head Chef” Hop Hopcraft, Master Griller, is sharing his years of experience hosting fish fries.

Bring marshmallows for the bonfire and your beverage of choice.

St. John’s will provide the rest as a “Thank You” to our parish family.

Call Louise Watts, 782-9290 or St. John’s, 782-9912, for more info.

UTO INGATHERING

United Thank Offering Sunday is November 18th. You will find UTO boxes in the church and in the Parish Hall, over the next few weeks I hope you will count your many blessings by dropping coins in your UTO boxes every day.

We are so blessed to be able to give our change to such a worthy cause. Each year, the United Thank Offering awards more than one hundred grants for missions and ministry around the world. Need help counting your blessings? Below mare a few suggestions:

You can pay your bills when they are due. You love your children unconditionally. Your children love you unconditionally. You have good health. Your car starts every morning. You have a bed to sleep in every night. Your water is hot and clean to bathe in. Your pets know where their next meal is coming from. Your husband/wife loves and respects you. You have the freedom to practice your faith without fear of harsh reprisals. You were blessed with a loving mother.

I hope you will join me in placing your contribution to the United Thank Offering in the collection plate. More important, I hope you will spend the next few weeks reflecting on your many blessings.

Nancy Sparks, UTO Chair




St. John’s Directory

Updates: Caroline Ferguson 1600 S. 21st St. Fort Smith, AR 72903

CARDS for OTHERS

As the long hot summer comes to an end please remember Cards for Others. We need new unused Christmas and assorted cards. Deposit baskets are in the Skinner Building and Parish Hall reception areas. Deadline: Monday, November 5th. Bill Speer—Coordinator

Heifer Project Coordinator

Ending world hunger and poverty globally is a large challenge but it's not unrealistic. It takes each and every single one of us to do our part to be able to attain a world without poverty and hunger.

WE NEED: a volunteer to serve as HPI liaison to the Out-reach Committee that meets once or twice a year and to keep us informed on what is current and needed by HPI. A package of materials and information is waiting to assist “kicking off” this position. A group can be recruited to help generate ideas about ways to raise awareness and donations for projects we’d like to present, i.e. funds for a goat, chickens, an ark. Be the cheerleader for our collections in the Peace Pipe! Note – Next Outreach Committee meeting is Sunday, Sept. 30 – 12:00, Chambers Hall.

Millie Schrader P.O. Box 3311 Holiday Island, AR 72631

Brian D. Sanderford - Times Record

Ray Ritter and his son, Samuel, 9, look Saturday at a replica of a Winchester rifle similar to the one used by Bass Reeves. The Van Buren Library held Old West Kids Day, which included a visit from the legendary “Bass Reeves,” portrayed by T. Baridi Nkok-heli, background, along with a roping dem-onstration, crafts and music.

Borrowed from SWTR




St. John’s Episcopal Church Kid’s Korner

OCTOBER 2012 ◊ Volume 9, Issue 10 Youth Web site: http://www.stjohnfs.org/youth/index.html

Ministry Focus/Symbol: E HWY (eee high-way) E-ducation H-ome W-orship Y-outh Groups

EH-

Fall Fun … WHAT Fun!!! Adults and children gathered for Chili Cook-off and carnival games and activities. THANK YOU, Louise for co-ordinating the cook-off and YOUTH for hosting the games!!

Youth Invest Time … to help out at the Animal Shelter

Caring for ALL of God’s creatures is important to the youth of St. John’s. They will offer time once a month to help out at the local Animal Shelter on Kelly Highway. Youth walk the dogs, ready pa-pers for the cages, and help clean. Christy, the supervisor from the shelter is most grateful for the youth’s willingness as the dogs are given much needed exercise in their afternoon runs. The youth have as much fun getting to play with and run so many different kinds of dogs. It is difficult to leave them, putting them back into their cages!! Looking for a loving pet … the shelter has all kinds. Dogs, puppies, and cats. Newspapers are collected at the church to help!!


http://www.stjohnfs.org/youth/index.html



Kid’s Korner—Page 2 Volume 9, Issue 10 OCTOBER 2012

W-orship

STARFISH (6th-12th) Making a Difference, One person at a time MEETS: Sundays—12:00-2:00 (includes lunch)

CALENDAR: Nov. 4 SACK LUNCH & Salvation Army Meal 12-6:00 pm … Come for all or part Nov. 9-11 HAPPENING #28—Hot Springs Nov. 11 Discover your “TRUE COLOR” Nov. 18 Humane Society Nov. 25 Advent Wreaths/Chrismon Tree

Y-outh Groups

H-ome SAHM’s (Stay At Home Moms) Moms meet (with and without children) — Every other Thursday WITH children. Moms ONLY lunches monthly.

SEE DETAILS in article elsewhere in this newsletter

Questions? Call: Lori @783-5331

Children’s Chapel “Investing in our Children’s

FAITH Formation” Opportunities for Home

NOVEMBER LESSONS: (Leader) Nov. 4—Ruth Cares for Naomi (M. McLellan) Nov. 11—Joseph & his brothers (K. Lawson) Nov. 18—Happy Harvest (S. Lowe) Nov. 25—When Things Get Tough ( ??) NURSERY Lessons: Nov—December: Creation (cont.) Hannah Prays … Importance of prayers

ACOLYTES

Schedules posted on Website: http://www.stjohnfs.org/acolytes/

NOTE: IF unable to serve PLEASE – CALL or EMAIL:

Pettus Kincannon 651-0718 or [email protected]

OR Jeannie McCabe [email protected] / 221-4032

November Children’s Chapel

Offering

Bring for Chapel on Sunday mornings: Non-perishable foods, ♦ ADULT socks (tube socks) ♦ Men’s/Ladies gloves, knit hats, etc.

Items will be collected

During Chapel time and presented on Nov. 25

Firewood Sale … Invest in …

• Cleaning up park lands of fallen trees • Providing heat to homes while preserving

natural resources of gas and electricity generation

• Helping support YOUTH on 2013 Mission Trips —Sr. High to Dallas, Tx and

Jr. High to Arkansas Delta

$40.00/rick—customer pick up $55.00/rick—delivered in November

Contact Youth or Jeannie McCabe to order


http://www.stjohnfs.org/acolytes/





COME ONE, COME ALL TO THE

ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN'S BAZAAR NOVEMBER 17TH FROM 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

CHURCH PARISH HALL - 215 NORTH 6TH STREET

LUNCH SERVED AT 12 NOON - $5.00 PER PERSON INCLUDES CHILI, CORN BREAD, A BEVERAGE

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE

RAFFLE TICKETS FOR A FRAMED JOHN BELL PRINT AND A TWIN SIZED QUILT

TICKETS ARE ON SALE IN THE PARISH HALL $1.00 EACH OR 6 FOR $5.00

THERE WILL BE CRAFTS, BAKED GOODS, AND SOME “ATTIC TREASURES”

WHAT ARE ATTIC TREASURES?

ITEMS THAT ARE IN GOOD CONDITION (NO CLOTHING) THAT CAN BE SOLD TO SOMEONE WHO WILL LOVE IT AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE.

PLEASE LEAVE THESE DONATIONS IN A BOX MARKED HOLIDAY BAZAAR LOCATED IN THE PARISH HALL.

THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!




Vestry Members Mark Buergler, Sr. Warden 452-1259 2015 John Cross, Jr. Warden 479-459-0303 2015 Sam Baker 785-3841 2015 Debbie Chandler 646-4979 2014 Davis Duty 782-4238 2014 Calline Ellis 452-4790 2015 J.C. Gabriel 208-1980 2014 Richard Hossley 649-0884 2013 Larry McGowan 649-8673 2013 Rex Terry 484-7847 2015 Jim Walcott 783-8697 2013 Brent Ward 452-4288 2015 Randy Williamson 452-3611 2015 Jim Yates 918-721-5786 2013

St. John’s Episcopal Church 214 N. 6

th

Fort Smith, AR 72901

Non Profit Org. US Postage

Paid Fort Smith, AR

Permit No. 6

Return service requested

Holy Babble Newsletter Schedule

Article Deadline Mailing Nov. 23 Nov. 28

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY TEAM Team Leader - Mary Ann Arnold - 452-1359 Bereavement Committee Food & Receptions Neighbor to Neighbor Cards & Calls - Bettye Fields - 452-2637 Eucharistic Visitors - Susan Horton - 484-5883 Transportation—Peter Schutz—651-7131 Visitations - Charlotte Baker - 785-3841




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