“The word became flesh - Holy Comforter -...

COMFORTABLE WORDSCOMFORTABLE WORDSCOMFORTABLE WORDSCOMFORTABLE WORDS

…A Monthly Communication from Holy Comforter Church…

Serving the Episcopal Community of Angleton Since 1897

DECEMBER 2009DECEMBER 2009DECEMBER 2009DECEMBER 2009www.holycomforterangleton.org

Sunday Worship

Schedule

8:30 AM Holy Eucharist

9:30 AM Christian Education

10:30 AM Holy Eucharist

Mission Statement

“All are welcome to grow

with us through worship,

prayer, fellowship, and

service at Holy Comforter, a

Christ-centered family

Church.”

What’s Inside

Carol’s Column Pg. 2

Parish Particulars Pg. 3-6

Vestry & Financials Pg. 7

HCES News Pg. 8

December Calendar Pg. 9

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““““The word became flesh The word became flesh The word became flesh The word became flesh and lived among us...and lived among us...and lived among us...and lived among us...””””

John 1:14John 1:14John 1:14John 1:14

Christmas Worship ScheduleChristmas Worship ScheduleChristmas Worship ScheduleChristmas Worship Schedule

Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Family Service & Eucharist 5:30 PMFamily Service & Eucharist 5:30 PMFamily Service & Eucharist 5:30 PMFamily Service & Eucharist 5:30 PMChildren's PageantChildren's PageantChildren's PageantChildren's PageantCandlelight Service 10:30 PMCandlelight Service 10:30 PMCandlelight Service 10:30 PMCandlelight Service 10:30 PMHoly EucharistHoly EucharistHoly EucharistHoly Eucharist

Christmas Day Christmas Day Christmas Day Christmas Day Carols and Eucharist 10:30 AMCarols and Eucharist 10:30 AMCarols and Eucharist 10:30 AMCarols and Eucharist 10:30 AM

December 27, 2009December 27, 2009December 27, 2009December 27, 2009Christmas Lessons & Carols 10:30AM Christmas Lessons & Carols 10:30AM Christmas Lessons & Carols 10:30AM Christmas Lessons & Carols 10:30AM (One service only; no 9:30 activities)(One service only; no 9:30 activities)(One service only; no 9:30 activities)(One service only; no 9:30 activities)

Invite your family and friendsInvite your family and friendsInvite your family and friendsInvite your family and friendsto join us in celebration!to join us in celebration!to join us in celebration!to join us in celebration!

Mother CarolMother CarolMother CarolMother Carol’s Columns Columns Columns Column

CarolCarolCarolCarol

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Let Earth Rejoice! Advent is here, marking both the new church year and the

season of preparation for the coming Christ child! To help our preparation, Holy

Comforter is providing booklets of Advent reflections and prayers entitled: Let Earth

Rejoice! The booklets are located on the baker’s rack in the Narthex. Setting aside

time every day in Advent to read and pray will help us to keep focused on what is

important in this season: the celebration of Christ’s birth.

Like others in our culture, we prepare expectantly for Christmas day; however Advent

invites us to a counter-cultural preparation. Instead of rush, rush, rush, and buy, buy,

buy, we are invited to slow down, to prayerfully consider the true gift of Christmas:

God’s gracious love-gift of Jesus Christ.

Advent also invites us to be especially faithful in worship. We have a number of

special things going on this season: on Sunday, November 29, we will commission

our acolytes for another year of worship ministry. On December 13, we’ll enjoy the

annual Advent Breakfast at 9:30, between services. Hopefully, the remodeling will be

completed and we will enjoy breakfast in our newly remodeled parish hall! Also on

that Sunday, we’ll receive the blessing of our drama team, Lisa Fitzpatrick and Tom

Long, breathing life into the message of scripture! On December 20, we’ll be

baptizing Hannah Muir, granddaughter of Allan and Becky Dinsmore.

Please note the schedule of Christmas services on the front page and invite your

family and friends to share this holy time with us! A note regarding the children’s

pageant on December 24th at 5:30: We want your child or grandchild to share in

our pageant! Lisa Fitzpatrick is directing the pageant this year and welcomes lots of

participation! Please contact her at 979-824-2880 or [email protected]

for more details! What a great way for your child to experience first hand the

miraculous story of Christmas!

Advent blessings to you all!

Parish ParticularsParish ParticularsParish ParticularsParish Particulars…………

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Advent Breakfast

December 13 at 9:30

in the “new & improved”

Parish Hall!

-- if the hall is not ready, we’ll

gather at 234 S. Arcola.

Sunday, January 10

Dedication & Blessing of

Kitchen & Parish Hall

Immediately following

late service

Sunday, January 17

Annual Parish Meeting

9:30 a.m.

(between services)

Sadly, we bid farewell to the Burns

family as they move to Abilene. Cherie

and Heath have played vital roles in the

ministry of Holy Comforter during their 5

years with us; their children, Emma, Eli,

Gabe, and Grant, have brought energy

and joy to us all. We are grateful for

their time with us, and we wish them

well in their new endeavors! They will

be greatly missed.

Growing in ChristGrowing in ChristGrowing in ChristGrowing in Christ

Opportunities abound for

Growing in Christ!

Every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., pre-

schoolers (ages 3-5) learn the

stories of Jesus with teachers

Kim Peck and Mikayla Pierce;

school-agers enjoy Godly Play

under the guidance of a team of

teachers; and adults share in

thoughtful theological

discussion in Coffeehouse

Theology, facilitated by Mother

Carol.

Won’t you join us as we grow in

knowledge and grace through

the wisdom of scripture?

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In Memory of....

Nancy Davis Runkel

Wayne & Kathey Brown

Charlotte Hidalgo

Doris Jackson

Frances McDuff

In Memory of....

William J. Kelly

Doris Jackson

In Memory of....

Jamie Delaney

Doris Jackson

In Memory of....

Ruth Lauzon

Doris Jackson

Gifts ReceivedGiving God

We worship

not a hidden God,

covered, clothed

in mystery, inaccessible.

We worship

God revealed ~

a child, born of humble means,

forsaking glory to be one of us,

one with us,

Emmanuel.

We worship

God reconciling,

giving life for us,

and raised to new life,

calling us by the Spirit

to give our lives away

for love.

~Roberta Porter

This Christmas, give a gift for

lasting change!

Order your Christmas gifts

from the Gifts for Life

catalogue, available on the

baker's rack in the Narthex.

Last year, Gifts for Life helped

nearly 3 million people in

extreme poverty.

Update on Wilbeck Home

As of this writing, the vestry is still

in its feasibility study. We have

just received Diocesan approval to

move forward. We will keep you

posted on our progress!

“GREENGREENGREENGREEN”Tip of the Tip of the Tip of the Tip of the

monthmonthmonthmonth


Community Food PantryCommunity Food PantryCommunity Food PantryCommunity Food PantryPlease remember the needy of our community and give

generously to those who aren’t as fortunate. Food, as well

as monetary donations, will be forwarded to the local Food

Pantry by the Church Office.

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Use Goodshop by

Goodsearch

whenever you purchase

goods online.

List Holy Comforter as

your charity of choice

and we will receive a

percentage of your

purchase price!

10 Jack & Billye Carroll

2 Doris Jackson

4 Austin Noe

15 Elosise Lostak

21 Lonnie Lostak

23 Carl Lewis

Zane Funk

28 Joey Warren

29 Teal Clem

31 John Minkert

Paul Eby

Instead of harsh chemical

sprays, get those windows

and mirrors crystal clear with

a simple solution of white

vinegar, newspaper and a

little elbow grease. You'll also

save money and the hassle of

needing to stock more

cleaning supplies.

It's simple: mix 2 tablespoons

of white vinegar with a gallon

of water, and dispense into a

used spray bottle. Squirt on,

then scrub with newspaper,

not paper towels, which cause

streaking.

Our parish hall and kitchen remains under construction until

(roughly) December 8.

All parish foot traffic will need to come through our lovely red doors.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but it will be brief and the

result will be beautiful!

We hope to be back in the Parish Hall on Sunday, December 13 for

our Advent Breakfast; we anticipate a January dedication

celebration. In the meantime, all meetings, Coffeehouse

Theology, Coffee Hour, etc. will be held at the Wilbeck home, 234

S. Arcola, immediately to the east of the church building. What a

blessing!

Please extend your thanks to Jimmie Lou Green, Doris Jackson,

David Shackelford, James & Deborah Northrup, and Barbara Marin

for making this “new” kitchen/parish hall a reality!

Under ConstructionUnder ConstructionUnder ConstructionUnder Construction


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From the Children’s Ministry Coordinator…..

Music NotesMusic NotesMusic NotesMusic Notes

It is with both a sad heart and a happy heart that I am letting you know I must resign as

Children’s Ministries Director, effective at the end of November. My husband has accepted a

new position as superintendent of Abilene ISD. We are hopeful, that by the end of December

or in early January we will be relocated to Abilene, TX.

I remember when we first came to Holy Comforter, in September of 2004. We were happy to

find a church home that was so warm and welcoming. You each took us in and loved us as

one of your own. When we found out we were expecting two more bundles of joy you rejoiced

with us. You stepped in when we needed help caring for Eli and Emma and when we needed

food after Gabe and Grant were born. You even had a wonderful baby shower for us! What a

blessing it has been to be a member at Holy Comforter.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the year I have served as Children’s Ministries Director. I am so

happy with the progress we have made. Godly Play is a WONDERFUL program that is

blessing our children more than you could imagine. It touches my heart to hear the children

talking about Godly Play. They are truly learning the stories of the Bible and understand them

in a way I never thought children could. Ask one of them about Godly Play sometimePP.I

think YOU will be blessed by what you hear! Our preschool class is coming along. We have

about four to five little ones in attendance each Sunday and they are having a wonderful time

learning about Jesus. It’s so much fun to watch them learn and grow in God’s word.

I have faith that the children’s ministry at Holy Comforter will continue to grow and thrive after I

am gone. I pray for God’s leadership and direction for this church both now and in the future.

There are even greater things to come! Thank you from my family and I for all you have done

to bless our lives.

In Christ,

CherieCherieCherieCherie

JohnJohnJohnJohn

Our wonderful choir continues each Sunday morning with special music for Advent!

We look forward to an extra special Christmas Eve “midnight” service with a

heavenly harp; invite your friends to celebrate with us. Our next rehearsal (called

“gathering”) will be Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m. to noon. Also, as always, warm

up is each Sunday at 10 a.m. Come join us as we joyfully lead worship!

Holy Comforter Episcopal Church Vestry SynopsisHoly Comforter Episcopal Church Vestry SynopsisHoly Comforter Episcopal Church Vestry SynopsisHoly Comforter Episcopal Church Vestry Synopsis…………............................................................................................

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Vestry of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church of Angleton, Texas, was held on 13

October 2009, 7:00 P.M.

Those members in attendance were: Lori Hawkins, Barbara Thomas, Lola Kay Hood, Barbara Marin, Jerry Powell,

Dianne Kilgus, James Northrup.

Absent: Chip Cole, Mike Hanson

Also present:

Jackie Warren, Clerk of the Vestry; Don Richardson; Mark Neal, Facility Committee.

The vestry toured the Wilbeck home at 234 S. Arcola. Mark Neal updated the Vestry on issues to be considered

regarding the possible purchase of the property behind the Church. Holy Comforter’s facility committee was authorized

by the Vestry to proceed with a feasibility study regarding the purchase of this property. Lori Hawkins moved that we

send the Wilbecks a Letter of Intent to purchase this property subject to a positive completion of a feasibility study.

Motion passed. Barbara Thomas moved and Lola Kay Hood seconded to ask the Endowment Board for funding for

purchase and development of the property. Motion passed.

Don Richardson, senior student at the Iona School for Ministry, has been assigned to Holy Comforter, for 6 months as a

deacon in training. We welcome Don to our Parish.

The minutes of the September Vestry Meeting were approved.

James Northrup, Junior Warden, received a bid from Fonville Landscaping on the upkeep of our grounds; additional

bids will be solicited. Lee Hall is slated for removal by David Shackelford.

Motion by Lori Hawkins to accept an additional bid by M. White construction for kitchen revisions was seconded by

Dianne Kilgus and approved.

The financial report was accepted.

The Vestry sang the doxology in closing.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M.

Faithfully submitted,

Jackie WarrenJackie WarrenJackie WarrenJackie Warren, Clerk of the Vestry

General Fund October YTD

Operating Income 18,139.36 179,508.81

Operating Expense 19,316.40 183,613.59

Surplus or (Deficit) (1,177.04) (4,104.78)

Designated Gifts (Memorial, Disc. Fund, etc.)

Income 810.00 39,270.64

Expenditures 0.00 3,696.50

Kitchen Remodel Fund 20,035.00 49,368.457

Financial Report

“3 Wishes Christmas Program” Each year we set a goal to grant 20 children in CPS custody

three wishes each. You can help make a child’s Christmas a little brighter by selecting a

name and tag from the wreath located in the church foyer and purchasing the item on the tag.

Please return the unwrapped gift to the school by December 4. You can also contribute by

making a cash or gift card donation. You may contact Mrs. Logsdon or Mrs. Lemons if you

have any questions. Thank you foryour generosity. May you have a blessed holiday.8

Holy Comforter Episcopal School News

Dear Families,Dear Families,Dear Families,Dear Families,As we enter this As we enter this As we enter this As we enter this joyous holiday joyous holiday joyous holiday joyous holiday season I want to season I want to season I want to season I want to take a moment to wish you and take a moment to wish you and take a moment to wish you and take a moment to wish you and your family a very your family a very your family a very your family a very Merry Christmas. Peace and Merry Christmas. Peace and Merry Christmas. Peace and Merry Christmas. Peace and blessings to each of you! blessings to each of you! blessings to each of you! blessings to each of you! --------Lori LogsdonLori LogsdonLori LogsdonLori Logsdon

Scenes from our

Open House

Nov. 14

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