Spirit of the Eagle – June 2012
Notes from Rector Bryan K. Newman
Is there any season of the year that isn’t busy? It seems we just get past the Christmas season and then we’re in Lent, then Easter, and now Trinity and the summer. Trinity has always been my favorite season of the year, because there are few Holy Days and special occasions. The focus is instead on how we can best live our lives as Christians. There are plenty of distractions this time of year, from graduations, to vacations, and before you know it, back-to-school shopping! With all these activities that are outside the Church, it is easy to sideline our involvement in the family of God. Let us be mindful of the words of St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, and our responsibilities to each other, “therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who of the household of faith.”
+++Yours-In-Christ+++ Fr. Bryan Newman
Healing Service for June
Our monthly Healing Service will be conducted on, Sunday, June 24th, 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 24th for this rewarding and reassuring service.
Choir Room and Furnace Room Restricted to Children
Due to both child safety and mechanical concerns, children will no longer be allowed to “play” in the choir room and furnace room during coffee hours. It has recently become evident that games of “hide and seek” have resulted in various items being knocked over near the furnace and water heater, not to mention a gallon of paint that was spilled all over the floor and left without anyone being told. The last thing we need is to have a child hurt or burned as a result of playing in an area that is not supervised by adults. This rule is effective immediately.
Education Committee Meeting
On Sunday June 17th, after Holy Mass, we will have our first Education Committee meeting of the year. Our principal task will be to formulate plans for our 2nd Annual Day Camp – Vacation Bible School. Our goal will be to establish a date for the Camp, determine what the curriculum will be, and to decide how we will handle promotion. A secondary task of this meeting will be to set goals for our upcoming Sunday school year that will begin in the fall. One of the essential ways we will attract new members is by offering programs for youth, which is of primary interest to families with children. If we are to grow and spread the Gospel, we need to let families know this is a place where their children are safe, cherished, loved, and that we want to share the truths of Jesus Christ and His Church. If these subjects motivate you to come and join us, please do!
Bible Study Class
We are continuing our review of the book of Genesis, which is the key that opens the mystery of our Christian faith. So please join us 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. If you are still on the fence as to whether to participate keep in mind the words of the words of St. Jerome, “Ignorance of the Scriptures, is ignorance of Christ.”
Wedding Fee Discussions
After many inquiries recently were received from couples wanting to use our Church for their weddings, the Vestry held a discussion on this topic during our meeting on May 23. It has been suggested that in addition to the fees our priest and organist receive, we begin charging all non-members an additional $300, all of which will be forwarded to the altar guild to help them cover operational costs. Once these changes are finalized, the decision of charging someone as a non-member will be made at the discretion of Fr. Newman.
Brittany Butler’s Ice Cream Social
Asbury College has a nice incentive program that allows the home Churches of their students to rally together to raise money for that student, while matching funds raised up to $1000 to offset the cost of tuition each year. After Mass on July 15, the Butlers will be hosting an Ice Cream Social in the Parish Hall. In addition to ice cream, Brittany will have some personalized SJC items for sale, as well as a special gift she has created for anyone who attends or makes a cash donation.
Spiritual Tidbits for June from Father Tim
O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of sloth, despair, lust for power and idle talk. But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity (integrity), humility, patience and love. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see mine own faults and not to judge my brother. For blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. (Prayer of St. Ephraem, Deacon, Confessor and Doctor of the Church, 306 – 373 AD Feast Day June 18th)
St. Ephraem was not only known in his day as the Father of Hymnody, but also as Mary’s Own Singer, the Harp of the Holy Ghost, Pillar of the Church, Doctor of the World, the Eloquent Mouth, Poet of God and Prophet of the Syrians. Apparently, he was known by so many eloquent titles because of his profound and poetic eloquence in writing on holy writ.
A Charitable and Miraculous Life
Born to Christian parents, St. Ephrem served the church early in life under St. James of Nisibia, becoming head of his school. He is credited with a miracle which occurred 350 A.D. when the Nisibis were delivered from the Persians through the intercession of his prayers. It is believed that St. Ephrem was actually only a deacon – not a priest – but well known for his preaching and his introduction of the hymns into liturgical cycles. Nisibis was eventually ceded to Persians in 363 A.D. and at that time, St. Ephrem retired to a cave and continued his apostolic work.
Summer is right around the corner and we at St. John’s need to pray for guidance and keep our vision. Let’s be thankful for what has been accomplished and focus on what we would still like to complete the second half of 2012! Vision without action is a day dream; action without vision is a nightmare.
Trinity Sunday (June 3rd) brings to mind St. Athanasius and his many great writings on the Holy Trinity. In the Anglican Catholic Church we adhere to the Vincentian Canon for the original and true definition of the word “Catholic” – Quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus creditum est: “That faith which has been believed everywhere, always, by all.” St Vincent set this definition down in writing in the 5th century to fight against church heresies. I thought it relevant this month to include both the Athanasian Creed and a symbol of the Holy Trinity.
St. Athanasius the Great (298 – 373 AD)
Bishop of Alexander, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
Upon these Feasts; Christmas-Day, the Epiphany, Saint Matthias, Easter-Day, Ascension-Day, Whit-Sunday, Saint John Baptist, Saint James, Saint Bartholomew, Saint Matthew, Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Saint Andrew, and upon Trinity-Sunday, shall be sung or said at Morning Prayer, instead of the Apostles’ Creed, this Confession of our Christian Faith, commonly called The Creed of Saint Athanasius, by the Minister and people standing.
QUICUNQUE VULT.
WHOSOEVER will be saved: before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith.
2. Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled: without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.
3. And the Catholic Faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;
4. Neither confounding the Persons: nor dividing the substance.
5. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son: and another of the Holy Ghost;
6. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is all one : the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.
7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son: and such is the Holy Ghost.
8. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate : the Holy Ghost uncreate;
9. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible : the Holy Ghost incomprehensible;
10. The Father eternal, the Son eternal: and the Holy Ghost eternal.
11. And yet they are not three eternals: but one eternal
12. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreate : but one uncreate, and one incomprehensible.
13. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty: and the Holy Ghost Almighty;
14. And yet they are not three Almighties: but one Almighty.
15. So the Father is God, the Son is God : the Holy Ghost is God;
16. And yet they are not three Gods: but one God.
17. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord: and the Holy Ghost Lord;
18. And yet not three Lords: but one Lord.
19. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be both God and Lord;
20. So are we forbidden by the Catholic religion: to say, there be three Gods or three Lords.
21. The Father is made of none: neither created, nor begotten.
22. The Son is of the Father alone: not made, nor created, but begotten.
23. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and the Son: neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.
24. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons: one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts.
25. And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other: none is greater, or less than another;
26. But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together: and co-equal.
27. So that in all things, as is aforesaid: the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.
28. He therefore that will be saved: must think thus of the Trinity.
29. FURTHERMORE it is necessary to everlasting salvation: that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
30. For the right faith is, that we believe and confess: that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and man.
31. God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds: and Man of the substance of his Mother, born in the world;
32. Perfect God and perfect man: of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting;
33. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead: and inferior to the Father, as touching his manhood.
34. Who, although he be God and man: yet he is not two, but one Christ;
35. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh: but by taking of the Manhood into God;
36. One altogether : not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person.
37. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man: so God and man is one Christ;
38. Who suffered for our salvation: descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead;
39. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth at the right hand of the Father: from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
40. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies: and shall give account for their own works.
41. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting: and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.
42. THIS is the Catholic Faith: which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.
If the transforming power of religion is to be felt, its discipline must be accepted, its price paid in every department of life; and it is only when the soul is awakened to the reality and call of God, known at every point of its multiple experience, that it is willing to pay the price and accept the discipline. Worship is a primary means of this awakening. (Evelyn Underhill – Abba)
I will pray that your summer and Trinity Season be holy, transforming and full of blessings.
Father Tim
June Birthdays & Anniversaries
Elsie & Glenn Fowler – Anniversary – June 2
Fr. Bryan K. Newman – Birthday – June 4
Kathy & Fr. Hougham – Anniversary – June 5
Rachel Barnett – Birthday – June 6
Peggy & Bill Minor –Anniversary – June 8
Rick Hanson – Birthday – June 9
Kayla Bouldin – Birthday – June 21
Judy & Tom Hulsey – Anniversary – June 23
Brenda Strong – Birthday – June 24
Bill Minor – Birthday – June 25
Rich Boughner – Birthday – June 29
Anglican Church Women News
June 10th will be the last ACW meeting until September 9. Ladies, please bring a finger food snack to share during the meeting. During the September meeting, the ACW will be electing a new president to begin her duties as of January 2013. A very special thank you goes out to Judy Hulsey for guiding the ACW and spearheading all of our efforts over these last few years. Any women interested in becoming President, please put your name in the hat.
Our Father’s Day Luncheon will be held on Sunday, July 1st after Mass.
Parish Work Day
At our April 26 Vestry meeting, it was decided that we will hold our annual Parish Work Day on Saturday, June 9 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. We were originally going to focus on a couple of major painting tasks that will require many volunteers to accomplish; the Church hall and the Sacristy. If you are able to help, please contact Mike Lenz 491-1555 so he can put you on our worker list. The amount of volunteers on the list will determine which jobs we can tackle in one day.
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. Most times we meet for lunch on the last Thursday of the month. A few times a year we meet for dinner, so those who can’t make the lunches have a chance to share in this fellowship. Our next gathering will be at Knotty Pine on the Bayou on Thursday, June 28th at 6:30 pm.
Although it is a little more expensive than where we usually choose, their food is outstanding AND we will have LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, as a gentleman sings Sinatra, Glenn Campbell, Dean Martin and other soft music. He’s really good and starts at 7 pm. So, we’ll have an even better time! We REALLY DO need people to make reservations with us, at 331-2951, so we can give the Knotty Pine a proper count! Space is moderately limited, so giving a proper count will be very helpful to them in preparing for the EOM group.
Vestry Meeting
Our Vestry Meeting for May will be on Tuesday, June 26, at 6:30 PM. 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 or would like to attend yourself, please approach any member of the Vestry or Fr. Newman and let us know that you will be attending.
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.