Life at The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection
RECTOR’S LETTER
Dear Friends in Christ:
As we find ourselves in the middle of summer, I’d like to reflect a bit on the life and growth I am seeing at Resurrection in the life of faith. The life of a Christian is meant to be always about growth. We are reminded by St. Paul that we are ever aspiring to “grow into the full stature of Christ.” We each know ourselves to be a work in progress in that regard, as in so many others.
One of the joys of Resurrection is a lively respect for the life of the mind. We are blessed with interested and interesting people. We are curious and well-read and eagerly argumentative in the pursuit of knowledge and meaning. Our Christian Education committee, headed by Mary Geidel and Patti Petit, oversees an array of opportunities for discussion and learning, and have a wonderfully engaging program lined up for next year that will involve the whole family. Look for more details.
It is so refreshing to see that so many at Resurrection are not ones to be content with simplistic solutions or formulaic faith. We take seriously the command to ‘love God with your mind.’ Many of you have sought to become theologically educated, through the Education for Ministry Program (EfM), Sunday school, Bible study groups, and through disciplined individual reading and study. I salute all who are conscientiously working on growing their faith through education.
Another area of growth into the full stature of Christ is our devotional practice/life of prayer. Much of our strength here is found hidden in private piety although we do offer more public venues. We offer healing on fourth Sundays, offered two Taizé services during Lent, and the addition of the votive prayer candles in the nave adds such a spiritual awareness to our worship. Beginning in July, Patti Petit will begin writing our Prayers of the People. Those prayers will help us to prayerfully consider our own needs and those of others. I am always delighted to know of folks gathering for prayer or devotional reading and study of scripture. I know our liturgical prayer is profoundly uplifting to many.
I do hope many of you use the parish prayer list during the week and also avail yourselves of the resources in our Book of Common Prayer (see especially the Daily Offices and Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families near the front as well as the many prayers for various occasions and also the Psalter near the back). The more we pray the ‘better’ we get at it. I encourage you to take the next (or a first) step in consciously attending to this area of growth by simply allocating some quiet time each day/week to be intentionally focused and open to God.
The companion to prayer and contemplation is service/action. Whether it is volunteering in the community or at church, we need to make visible our faith and love by bearing the fruit of good works. Each person’s situation dictates where time can be best offered and how much one has to give. To get started, find a program where you can just show up and help (like the Thrift Store, Meals on Wheels, or the Smithgall Animal shelter). To grow, look for something more challenging that either has more responsibility or explore an area in which you’re not so comfortable (maybe hospice for example). It is often a good idea to serve in two ways: one which uses your special and unique gifts and talents, and one which ‘anyone can do but no one wants to!’ In both ways you can be imitating our Lord who always reminded his disciples, “I am among you as one who serves.”
There is one other avenue of growth I’d like to mention, and that is in generosity of material resources. Jesus taught that,”Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” So it seems logical that real sacrificial giving to the church will swell your heart toward God and help you grow into the full stature of Christ. Resurrection has many needs and so do you. We all make do with what we get/have. Sacrificial giving is a crucial part of our spiritual growth. As we enter into our annual pledge season I urge you to consider your giving in this light.
If we continue growing in all these ways, I am confident that we will grow in numbers as well. How wonderful would that be? To share the life of this parish with even more faithful and fun folks would be great. And think how they’ll help the rest of us to keep growing as well!
Peace,
Father Scott
LETTER FROM THE SENIOR WARDEN
Greetings to you!
The vestry held the monthly vestry meeting on May 8th. The following topics were discussed at the vestry meeting:
A big “Thank You” to Chuck Hampton for his work and effort to repair the organ. It’s great to have it working again! The Building and Grounds ministry gave another update on their progress toward a plan for widening our entry road. With all the county regulations this process will take some time. They also reported the cost of gas to mow the grounds has reached $100 per month!
The Preschool ministry report included a presentation to the vestry of an outline for the organizational and administrative structure under which the preschool will operate in the future. This came about after discussions with other preschools in the Diocese to determine the best approach to manage the growth of the school. In a nutshell, the preschool will continue to function as a program of Resurrection Parish and will operate under the authority of the Rector and the Vestry.
The Outreach ministry reported that a new Habitat House will be built in Bean Creek. There will be a need for volunteers. Food Pantry Bags were going out to be returned and blessed on May 11th. Several Outreach donations were to be made during May to include the Senior Center. The Worship ministry reported the need for new acolyte vestments.
The next scheduled vestry meeting will be held on June 12th, 2008 at 6:00pm. Parishioners are invited to attend.
Larry Holbrook, Senior Warden
PARISH LIFE
Coffee hour is really an important part of who we are. We are a warm group of people who like to welcome others and gather around. In order to do this, we do need volunteers to be responsible for a Sunday -- and yes, you can sign up for just one Sunday, and if others do it we will have a list into next year and that would be a wonderful thing! We also need your group to sign up to host the monthly fellowship suppers. We have had several sign up for this but we still have a few open months. Thank you in advance for your help.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Sunday school for all ages begins Sunday, September 14th. We will be using the curriculum Choices: Living and Learning in God’s World. It is a comprehensive stewardship education program for all ages. The material is built around eight themes that explore the full meaning of stewardship as a life of discipleship. Each session will include the stewardship theme, biblical foundations for the theme, activities, and opportunity for further discussion and activity. Teaching will be a team venture. Come join us!
OUTREACH
The Outreach Committee has no regular meetings until August. In the event that a particular need arises, a called meeting will take place. There is a planned White County Food Pantry Collection in August. While Outreach tends to focus on our community needs, we do thank you for the participation and donations to Amigos for Christ’s recent vitamin drive and for the well equipment needs for their mission in Nicaragua.
WORSHIP
A big thanks to the WRECs for the donation of three new Albs for our youth. We will be ordering them soon.
CURSILLO CORNER
There will be a Cursillo weekend October 2nd - 5th, 2008. Cursillo is a wonderful tool that the church has to offer us. It is an intense weekend which can change your life. You will not learn anything new -- you will just have a deeper understanding of God's intense Love for us. For more info please see Holly Walker or Fr. Scott.
COURTNEY JOHNSTON
Courtney Johnston, the new Parish Administrator, has lived in Sautee Nacoochee for 30 years. Her husband, Jim, is a building contractor with expertise in renovation of historic structures, new construction and remodeling. They have 3 children: Rachel, Alice and Hoke. She is pleased to be working with such a wonderful group of people here at Resurrection. Her great Aunt Aggie has said: “Plant Patience in the garden of your soul. The roots are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” Courtney hopes that you will afford her much patience as she ‘learns the ropes’ here at Resurrection.
A Word to Members of Resurrection - Entertaining Angels Unaware?
Could be. This has become evident in the last several weeks when newcomers have delighted us with their loyal presence and offering of special skills.
It takes all of us to create a sense of “at-homeness” for any who come through our doors. Staff, Vestry, greeters, and ushers are especially on the alert to make visitors feel comfortable. Each pew-sitter (YOU) can also be hospitable and helpful to those baffled by that array of books or knowing when to stand or kneel. Invite visitors to newcomers to Coffee Hour and introduce them to someone. In addition, wearing our nametags can really help people connect names with faces (and not only newcomers need a hand with this!). Remember to always practice radical hospitality.
Education for Ministry
Affectionately known as EfM, it is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and theology. Students meet once a week during the academic year under the guidance of Father Scott, who is a trained mentor. The program grants a certificate at the completion of the four years. A group is now being formed at Resurrection. The maximum group size is twelve, so sign up early! Contact Father Scott for more details.
Meals on 1st Sundays and Wednesdays
Please plan on joining us for breakfast and dinner. We have a parish breakfast prepared by our Cursillo group on the first Sunday of each month. The breakfast is served in the parish hall at 9:30. A pot-luck dinner is held on the 1st Wednesday of each month in the parish hall. Social hour begins at 6:30 and dinner is served at 7:00. Bring your favorite dish to share, a friend, and enjoy the fellowship.
RESURRECTION PRESCHOOL
Summer Update
On May 22nd, twenty-seven children graduated from REP. It was an exciting, fun filled evening with a packed house in attendance. The Parish Life Committee of the church prepared a marvelous reception for the friends and families of those being honored. It was delightful and much appreciated!
This year’s school year will begin on August 7th. On the 6th of August, students will attend an Open House from 8:30 am until 1 pm to “meet their teacher.” This is such a special day. Even though enrollment is up from this time last year we still have approximately 10 more slots for 4-year-olds, and 2 or 3 for 3-year-olds. This year we will have three full time four-year-old classes and one class for the three-year-olds. We have a staff of nine. This includes the teachers, assistants and after care staff. As the year progresses we will introduce the staff to you and keep you up on all of our “happenings.”
As we grow and as we work with our young children, we hope you will continue to support us and to become involved with us. You are invited anytime to visit with us, or to seek additional information about our school. We are pleased to be a part of this church and this community and we thank all of you for everything you do for us.
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
During the summer months, the Daughters will be meeting on the second Saturday of the month, at 10:00am, in the Parish Hall. Please mark this on your calendars.
The Daughters will be hosting the July Wednesday night supper.
Contact Info: phone 706-865-9680, fax 706-865-9681 Church E-Mail
