Spirit of the Eagle – July 2014

Dear SJC family,
Some of you may have noticed the lace caps the choir women are wearing. They are called chapel caps and are worn as a sign of respect to God. Wearing the cap is strictly a personal choice. If you would like to purchase one, you can find them on the internet at www.adoremusbooks.com.
Thank you and God bless,
Eileen Hanson

Spiritual Tidbits for July from Father Tim
Translation of St. Swithun, B.C., 15th of July
Swithun, also spelled Swithin, was born in Wessex, England and was educated at the old monastery, Winchester, where he was ordained. He became chaplain to King Egbert of the West Saxons, who appointed him tutor of his son, Ethelwulf, and was one of the King’s counselors. Swithun was named bishop of Winchester in 852 when Ethelwulf succeeded his father as king. Swithun built several churches and was known for his humility and his aid to the poor and needy. He died on July 2, 862. A long-held superstition declares it will rain for forty days if it rains on his feast day of July 15, but the reason for and origin of this belief are unknown.

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July means we are well into summer and the long Trinity Season. There are numerous verses in the Bible about Summer. The first one that jumps out at me is Saint Luke 21: 29-36. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Summer is a busy season for all of us at Saint John’s, but let’s not forget that “the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Let’s each of us, like Saint Swithun, in all humility aid the poor and needy of saving grace this July, and invite them to church to bask in the summer light of the Son of God. Else time will pass by quickly and, like Jeremiah 8: 20, many will lament “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”
~Father Tim

God, it is said, is the Sun of righteousness (cf. Malachi 4: 2), and the rays of His supernal goodness shine down on all men alike. The soul is wax if it cleaves to God, but clay if it cleaves to matter. Which it does depends upon its own will and purpose. Clay hardens in the sun, while wax grows soft. Similarly, every soul that, despite God’s admonitions, deliberately cleaves to the material world, hardens like clay and drives itself to destruction, just as Pharaoh did (cf. Exodus 7: 13). But every soul that cleaves to God is softened like wax and, receiving the impress and stamp of divine realities, it becomes “in spirit the dwelling place of God” (Ephesians 2: 22). ~St. Maximos the Confessor, First Century on Theology

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July Spirituality Class
Please join me after Mass on the 27th of July to discuss “How to Live a Holy Life” in today’s world, and how to avoid the pitfalls of false, heretical worldly spirituality and life styles. Materials will be provided. Covering these subjects will help prepare us for August, when we will discuss how to help ourselves (and others — friends and family) prepare for Holy Dying. Please invite someone special to attend with you!

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Thanks and Apologies
Janet and I would like to thank everyone at Saint John’s who came together this past Sunday and celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in the parish hall. It was a wonderful surprise and we are blessed to have such a loving church family. I would also like to extend my apologies to all parishioners, and especially Jim Hall, for not mentioning the passing of his loving wife Toy during the Mass this past Sunday. I did not receive any notifications or calls (not that those are any excuse on my part) that she had ascended to our heavenly Father earlier that week; rest eternal grant unto Toy, and let light perpetual shine upon her. ~Father Tim

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Birds have nests in trees and can retire to them when need arises and stags have bushes and thickets where they take cover, hide, and enjoy the cool shade during the summer. So also, Philothea, our hearts should each day pick and choose some place, either on Mount Calvary or within our Lord’s wounds or in some other place near Him, as a retreat where they can retire at various times to refresh and restore themselves during their exterior occupations. There, as in a stronghold, they can defend themselves agains temptations. Blessed will be the soul that can truly say to our Lord: “You are my place of strength and my stronghold to give me safety, my roof against rain, my shade against the heat (cf. Psalm 30: 3 and Sirach 34: 19)…

..Make spiritual aspirations to God by short, ardent movements of your heart, Philothea. Marvel at His beauty, implore His help, cast yourself in spirit at the foot of the cross, adore His goodness, converse often with Him about your salvation, present your soul to Him a thousand times during the day, fix your interior eyes upon His sweet countenance, stretch out your hand to Him like a little child to his father so that He may lead you on, place Him in your bosom like a fragrant bouquet, plant Him in your heart like a flag, and make a thousand different motions of your heart to provide you with love of God and arouse in yourself a passionate and tender affection for this divine Spouse. ~ Saint Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life

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Saint Francis de Sales makes very good points above in which we can contemplate for summer. As usual we will all be busy this month with work or summer occupations. Let’s be sure to gather at Saint John’s and our homes, with each other and in small groups, as much as possible to refresh and restore ourselves. Together we will make spiritual aspirations to our Holy Father a thousand times each day we are in fellowship. All glory be to Thee O Lord, all glory be to Thee. God bless each of you and have a holy and wonderful July. ~Father Tim

July Birthdays & Anniversaries
Fr. Al Hougham – Birthday – July 7
Trudie Bauer – Birthday – July 14
Alex Longshore – Birthday – July 16
Judie Boughner – Birthday – July 21
Wilma and +William Herklotz – Anniversary – July 30
Juanita Marvin – Birthday – July 30
Mike Lenz – Birthday – July 31
**********Correction from June**********
Kathy & Fr. Al Hougham – Anniversary – June 5

Parking for SJC in Riverside’s Parking Lot
Riverside Market Place has graciously given SJC members 15 designated parking spaces
(SEE DIAGRAM BELOW)

PLEASE DO NOT PARK ANYWHERE IN THE RIVERSIDE LOT EXCEPT FOR THESE DESIGNATED SPACES ON SUNDAY. THE MANAGER HAS BEEN VERY KIND TO GIVE US THESE 15 PARKING SPACES! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK LORI OR RICH SEYBERTH.

Rector’s Reflections
Being a small Church with limited resources we cannot afford the benefit of full-time clergy. In fact very few parishes in the A.C.C. have full-time clergy and therefore many of priests have other occupations to provide income for the support of their families. This is one of the stark differences between the Roman and Anglican Catholic Churches and, in the proper context, can be viewed as a benefit as A.C.C. clergy are dealing with all the same challenges as their congregations and therefore can identify with what you are experiencing in your daily lives. Yet, as priests, our clergy are called to a vocation that places them at the service of their congregations for the milestones of their lives; birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, illness, and eventual death. While a secular occupation can be an obstacle to the availability of clergy it is one that can be navigated, given proper planning. So I encourage each member of our congregation that when these milestones of life come upon you, consult with your Rector early and often during these times to ensure that your clergy can be available at the times that we are needed. +++Fr. Bryan Newman+++

Vacation Bible School Day Camp
Pick up flyers in the vestibule to give out to families and friends!
Most of us had some contact with the Church as children that left an indelible mark on our memories that we carry with us yet today. I know as a child I had exposure to many Protestant denominations, from Nazarene, to Baptist, and Methodist, not because my parents were particularly religious or members of a certain Church, (because they were not). This exposure and fond memories came through neighbors who were members of these churches who when it came time for their Vacation Bible Schools they rounded up kids from their neighborhood and took them to Church. VBS is a great concept in that it intertwines fun with learning about God’s means of our salvation and all the great truths we can learn from the Bible. I still remember songs we learned and crafts we made at Vacation Bible Schools I attended more than 40 years ago. But what I remember most is that I learned that God loves me (as He does all of us) and that Jesus died for my sins and yours. Every child should have the opportunity to experience this and to carry memories that he or she will have for a lifetime. Our contact with the Church as children often determines how much contact we have with it in later life. Give the children in your life this same kind of experience, bring them to St. John’s Vacation Bible School Day Camp on Saturday, July 12th from 10am to 3pm, and give them memories that they will carry with them forever AND tell them to bring friends!

Sunday 9am Holy Communion Returns!
Beginning on the first Sunday in July we will be testing the return of our 9 am service. This will be a ‘low’ service, no music or any other extras, identical to what we do on Wednesday evenings. Whether the service continues after July will depend on the response from the congregation, so if you like an early start to your Sunday, join Fr. Newman at 9 am, on July the 6th, and every Sunday in July for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Choir Practice and Services
During the month of July our Choir is taking a much needed break by taking the month of July off. Of course there will still be hymns sung during our Sunday 10:30 Holy Communion service, we just won’t have the benefit of the Choir leading us in song. The Choir will return in August and as always we need more choir members and if you would like to help us make a joyful noise unto the Lord we would love to have you join the Choir!

Wednesday Night Service: Holy Communion
A week is a long time and waiting a whole week to continue an activity that is beneficial and rewarding for our spiritual lives can be disruptive to the peace of our souls. Quite often in this world where our lives move at a breakneck pace and our spirits are tested by daily adversity we find ourselves in need of a boost. A ‘spiritual refreshment’ that we attain when we come into contact with Our Lord through Holy Communion. Therefore this summer there will NOT be a hiatus for our Wednesday night Holy Communion Service. This summer there will be a Holy Communion service every Wednesday at 6pm, (except the Wednesday before July 4th as I will be on vacation). I encourage you to take the opportunity to join us to receive Our Lord’s Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist and to reflect on the lives of the Saints and obtain ‘spiritual food for your spiritual journey’ every Wednesday at 6 pm.

Vestry Meeting
Like some of our other ministries the Vestry will be taking a break from our monthly meeting in July. That is not to say that the officers of the Vestry won’t be working diligently in service to the Parish (because they will be), but we thought that this would be a welcome break from the preparations that go into our monthly meetings. So this month there will not be a Vestry meeting, but have no fear, the affairs of St. John’s are still be overseen by a dedicated group of individuals who love this Church as much as any of us. The next Vestry meeting will be on Wednesday, August 20th, at 7 pm.

The Flight of the Eagle
It was Fr. Stork, (of fond memory to many in this Parish) who shared a record of his activities with the Parish on a regular basis. It is in his honor and inspiration that we include the ‘Flight of the Eagle’ which is a record of my activities as your pastor over the month just past. Below are the visits and other events, I made in the month of June. I prayed with those I visited and gave them Holy Communion and Anointed them when needed. +++God Bless, Fr. Bryan Newman+++

6/2 visited Kathy Hougham @ St. E’s Edgewood
6/8 visited Toy Hall @ St. E’s Ft. Thomas
6/15 visited Fr. Al & Kathy Hougham @ their Home
6/22 visited Toy Hall @ St. E’s Ft. Thomas
6/29 visited Don Prigge @ Elmcroft

PLEASE PRINT THIS FLYER OFF AND GIVE TO A FAMILY WITH CHILDREN IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: