Spirit of the Eagle – January 2012
‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ is a beloved Anglican Christmas Carol, the lyrics for which are based on a poem by the great Anglo-Catholic poet, Christina Rosetti. While it is a Christmas Carol, many of the lyrics describe the dead of winter very appropriately and always remind me more of January than December. Such as, ‘In the bleak midwinter, frosty winds made moan, water like stone, snow on snow.’ Winter can be a grim reminder of the world without life and light. Yet this carol concludes with the hopeful reminder that in this grim tableau we know that if we give Jesus our hearts He will supply all the life and light we need.
Yours-In-Christ,
Fr. Bryan Newman
Healing Service for January
Our monthly Healing Service will be conducted on, Sunday, January 8th, after Mass. It is inspired by St. James words, in his New Testament Epistle, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. Pray for one another, that you may be healed.” If you wish to be Anointed and offer your prayers for any that are suffering or are ill please join me after Mass on the 8th for this rewarding and reassuring service.
Ordo Kalendars for 2012
The Ordo Kalendars for 2012 are ordered, but they have yet to arrive. Once here the cost will be $10. The supply is limited (12) so it will be first come, first serve.
January Vestry Meeting
Our Vestry Meeting for January will be Tuesday, January 10th, at 6:30 PM. I especially want to invite our new members to join us before they begin their official tenure so they can see how the Vestry operates these days. If you are a member of the Vestry please make plans to be present. If you are a parishioner with particular business you would like discussed please approach any member of the Vestry or Fr. Newman and let us know that you will be attending.
The Flight of the Eagle
In Fr. Stork’s original newsletter ‘the Spirit of the Eagle’ he had a section called the ‘Flight of the Eagle’ where he related his activities for the past month. In honor of that tradition you can see below the activities of your clergy. I’m going from poor memory so forgive me if I have some of the dates wrong:
12/18 -Visited Louise Becker, Helen Foster, and Ethel Fahlbush. I prayed with them and gave them Holy Communion.
Parish Prayer List
There are many, either by illness, infirmity, or adversity, both within and without our parish that are in need of our prayers. Some ask for prayers and others are suggested by loved ones but all are in need of petitions and intercessions for restoration of good health and peace of mind. Please pray for the following: Ethel Fahlbush, Louise Becker, Helen Foster, Louise Seldon, Kevin and Donna Davis, Kathy Wieland, Trudy Bauer, Helen Lenz, Eileen Hanson, Kay and Kevin Matthews and Katie Craft , Juanita Marvin, Wilma Herklotz, Robert Hooks, Susan and Carrie Moore, Abigail and Natalie Evans, Amy Petrie Shaw, Mike Lenz, Shirley Tucker, Patricia Tidwell, Fr. James Ryerson and Dom Benedict Thomas.
Bible Study Class
Back in September we began a new course of study on the book of Genesis. This book is the key that opens the mystery of our Christian faith. We are still early in our study of this perhaps most important book in the Bible, so you haven’t missed much. So please join me FOR this thought-provoking look into our origins. Our knowledge of God and what He wants for each one of us, primarily comes from Sacred Scripture. We gather together every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. to study God’s Word. Please join us as we learn God’s plan for all of us.
Parish Hall Memorial Windows
The Vestry is now in the process of taking bids for new windows in our Parish Hall, as after 20+ years they have begun to show extreme signs of rotting from water damage and the shifting of glass panes. In addition to replacing these windows, we are looking into pricing stained glass overlays which can be purchased by family members as memorials to honor loved ones who have passed on. If you think this is something you would be interested in, please contact a Vestry member. We would like to thank to Lori and Rich Seyberth for volunteering to meet with representatives of window companies and for doing research on the feasibility of such a project. More information about memorial window pricing will follow in the next edition of the Spirit of the Eagle.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is responsible for making the sanctuary ready for all services. Its members maintain the church’s liturgical requirements for services by preparing the altar, laundering linens, preserving the sacred vessels, and arranging the floral displays that beautify the church. If you would be interested in serving on the Altar Guild, or if would like to give flowers for a Mass in memory of a loved one, please contact Joyce Murray.
End of the Month Club
The End of the Month Club is a chance for parishioners and friends to meet at a local restaurant to share a meal and fellowship. All are welcome. The only requirement is that you like to eat out and want to socialize with and get to know your fellow parishioners better. Most times, we meet for lunch on the last Thursday of the month. A few times a year we meet for dinner, so people who can’t make the luncheons have a chance to share in this fellowship. Our January gathering will be a lunch held Thursday, January 26 at 1 p.m. at the Texas Road House in Cold Spring. Call Fr. Al and Kathy Houghham at (859) 331-2951 to make your reservation. If you want to come, but need a ride, please call them. Usually, we can make arrangements so all who want to attend can come.
Lincoln Elementary Backpack Program
Due to many recent financial burdens incurred on our parishioners such as Fr. Neuroth’s retirement gift, our Clergy Christmas appeal, and our Thanksgiving and Christmas outreach efforts for eight families in Dayton, the Vestry has unanimously decided to authorize a one-time payment of $540 to participate in the Lincoln Elementary School Backpack Program. Our order was placed through Gordon Food Service and picked up by Mike Lenz, who will deliver items every Thursday to LES. At just $90/month we will be providing 20 at-risk children with a can of soup, a juice box and an oatmeal cookie each Friday for the next 6 months. However, if you would be interested in donating money to offset this cost to SJC, please place an envelope in the collection basket marked “LES Backpack Program”.
- Fruit Punch
- Oatmeal Cookie
- Soup
- Ramen Noodle
- P.B./Cheese Cracker
- Pudding
- Apple Sauce
- Piece of fruit
- Cereal
For the next 24 weekends, the above items will be discreetly placed in the backpacks of 20 students at LES. Thanks to Dayton-Bellevue Christian Church, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church and the Dayton Eagles Ladies Auxiliary for partnering with us.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me… Matthew 25:35
Anglican Church Women
Happy New Year! It’s that time again and yearly dues are due. You may give your $5 yearly dues to either me, Liz Robbins, Kim Marshall or Brenda Strong. Our next meeting will be held on January 8, 2012. Remember every woman in the parish is a part of the ACW, even if you don’t participate in the meetings. At this meeting we will be discussing our needs for the Spaghetti Dinner to be held in April, and our Coffee Hour hostesses for the year.
Our Coffee Hours will be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month. There will be no theme; just bring something to share with the parish. If you have any ideas for us to work on, please come to the meeting and share those ideas. We are a small group dedicated to hospitality and fellowship, but just think what we could accomplish with your help. We hope to see you at our meeting on the 8th of January!
God bless,
Judy Hulsey
Interfaith Hospitality Network NEWS
The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Northern Kentucky averages 20 calls each day from families who have lost their homes and have nowhere to go. Far too many families are living in their cars, desperately seeking help. IHN is the only agency that keeps the entire family together during their crisis of homelessness. The families are provided with intense case management services, transportation, food, shelter, and assistance in finding employment and permanent housing. Currently, the shelter and transitional housing programs are full, but the waiting list is still the largest in the 19-year history. 53 families are on the waiting list. A total of 211 individuals, and of this number, 143 are children. If you would like to give a donation, please send to Interfaith Hospitality Network of Northern Kentucky P O Box 72136 Newport, Ky. 41072-2136 or you may visit www.nkyihn.org to learn more. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Heb.13:2)
A New Year with the Lord
© By M.S.Lowndes
A new year is about to unfold with new opportunities to explore
Doors will open for new experiences; new adventures with the Lord
Remember not the former things; the things of this past year
The Lord will do new things in us; much more than we are aware
For He will make a way for us as we put our trust in Him
And He will guide our every step by His presence we have within
What God has placed within our hearts we find we’ll be able to do
If we look for the opportunities, we’ll see the door to go through
We mustn’t let anything hold us back, but rise up and take our place
And be all that God wants us to be, with a fresh touch of His grace
WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN WHEN WE PRAY?
I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, ‘This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received. I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.
Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section. The angel then said to me, “This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them.” I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.
Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. “This is the Acknowledgment Section”, my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed. “How is it that there is no work going on here? I asked.” “So sad,” the angel sighed. “After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments.” “How does one acknowledge God’s blessings?” I asked. “Simple,” the angel answered. Just say, “Thank you, Lord.”
“What blessings should they acknowledge?” I asked. “If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy, and if you have your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.”
“If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day.” “If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation… You are ahead of 700 million people in the world.” “If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world.” “If your parents are still alive and still married…. you are very rare.” “If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you’re unique to all those in doubt and despair.”
“Ok,” I said. “What now? How can I start?” The Angel said, “If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.” Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you care to, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.
