St. Thomas the Apostle Newsletter

eNews

October 15, 2010

Greetings!

St. Thomas the Apostle is an Episcopal Parish in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. We are called by God to be a holy place where love is found, where all are named and where hearts are freed to change the world.

NOTE: Thank you for your patience. This eNews may take a few more moments to load because of the many photos from Sunday School celebration.

Rector's Corner

From Fr. Ian Elliott Davies

Brother and Sisters in Christ,.

On Sunday 24^th October we will be welcoming the Right Reverend Bishop Mary Glasspool, Suffragan Bishop of Los Angeles, to our Parish, to preach and celebrate both the 8am Low Mass and the 10.30am High Mass as well as lead a 9am Adult Education hour on the history of the Book of Common Prayer. I hope as many Parishioners and friends as possible will be able to join us for this historic, important and joyful occasion.

People often ask me exactly "what" a Suffragan Bishop is. I have heard all kinds of answers; some stranger than others and even some suggesting that "Suffragan" is related to 'suffering!' However, the origins of the term Suffragan Bishop are a wonderfully Anglican/Episcopal title and dates all the way back to the thirteenth century. As early as 1240 there were Suffragan Bishops (or Bishops Suffragan as they are usually referred to collectively) in the Church in England. They were appointed by an Archbishop acting in his role as 'Metropolitan' to assist him in his work throughout his 'Metropolitan area'- they were subsequently summoned by their Archbishops to assist at Synods (meetings of the Church's leadership) and to give his 'suffrage' or vote. The "Suffragan Bishops Act" of 1534 names twenty-six Suffragans including Thetford, Ipswich, Colchester, Dover and Guildford. Under Bloody Mary the Suffragans were suppressed but were later restored under Queen Elizabeth I in the Act of Supremacy of 1558. In The Episcopal Church Suffragan Bishops are elected by Diocesan Conventions to assist the Diocesan Bishop in his or her work throughout the Diocese in which they are called to serve. Suffragan Bishops can also be understood to act as "Area Bishops," or "Auxiliary/Assistant Bishops."

We look forward very much to welcoming Bishop Glasspool on what I trust will be the first of many such joyous occasions.

I send my love & prayers as always,

Fr Ian Elliott Davies

Stewarding the Mysteries of God

Every Member Canvass program continues

O God, who hast been pleased to call us to be Ambassadors for thee, make us now of one heart and mind to pray and work and give for the up-building and strengthening of thy Church at home and abroad. Bless our Every Member Canvass, and stir up the wills of all our people to do according to their ability as good stewards in thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Luke the Evangelist

Feast Day celebrated October 18

Luke was a physician (Col 4:14), a companion of Paul on some of his missionary journeys (Acts 16:10ff; 20:5ff; 27-28). Material found in his Gospel and not elsewhere includes much of the account of Our Lord's birth and infancy and boyhood, some of the most moving parables, such as that of the Good Samaritan and that of the Prodigal Son, and three of the sayings of Christ on the Cross: "Father, forgive them," "Thou shalt be with me in Paradise," and "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."

In Luke's account of the Gospel, we find an emphasis on the human love of Christ, on His compassion for sinners and for suffering and unhappy persons, for outcasts such as the Samaritans, tax collectors, lepers, shepherds (not a respected profession), and for the poor. The role of women in Christ's ministry is more emphasized in Luke than in the other Gospel writings.

In the book of Acts, we find the early Christian community poised from the start to carry out its commission, confident and aware of Divine guidance. We see how the early Christians at first preached only to Jews, then to Samaritans (a borderline case), then to outright Gentiles like Cornelius, and finally explicitly recognized that Gentiles and Jews are called on equal terms to the service and fellowship of Christ.

Luke is commonly thought to be the only non-Jewish New Testament writer. His writings place the life of Christ and the development of the early Church in the larger context of the Roman Empire and society. On the other hand, his writings are focused on Jerusalem and on the Temple. His Gospel begins and ends in the Temple, and chapters nine through nineteen portray Jesus as journeying from Galilee to Jerusalem. Similarly, the Book of Acts describes the Church in Jerusalem (and worshipping in the Temple) and then describes the missionary journeys of Paul as excursions from and returns to Jerusalem.

Written by James Kieffer www.missionstclare.com

Pot Luck for Sunday School

Photos from October 10 Pot Luck

Many thanks to all who participated with the Pot Luck to support the children of St. Thomas and the Sunday School progam!

Seminarian Update

Shireen Baker started Seminary in August

Editors Note: Shireen Baker and Steve DeMuth are Postulants for Holy Orders under the aegis of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. As Shirren and Steve remain members of the Parish during their time at Seminary and are integral parts of the Parish family until (and after) their ordination, we've asked them to periodically update the Parish on their experience. St. Thomas the Apostle established a Seminary Scholarship Fund to support our Seminarians and all funds collected are equally distributed. Should you wish to support the Fund please make your cheque payable to St. Thomas and note "Seminarian Fund" in the MEMO. Donations are also accepted via Paypal. This is Shireen's update. (Last week we heard from Steve.)

I have been at Virginia Theological Seminary since the beginning of August, and I am still amazed at how much I have done in such a short amount of time. Life at VTS is busy, but also amazingly interesting. Aside for a few married couples who live right around the corner from the Seminary, everyone lives on campus, including the faculty. Every day there is Morning Prayer, Noon day Eucharist, and Evening Prayer. My typical day begins with getting up at 7am going to breakfast and then Morning Prayer. After Morning Prayer I usually join other students and faculty in the Welcome Center for coffee and socializing before heading off to classes at 9am. Between classes and chapel I have been able to fit in some work as well. I am a gym attendant for the small gym we have on campus, and I work as an assistant in the Dean's office. In addition to my academic work, I have joined the Rosary Society and a photography group. I am also the class representative for the Environmental Stewardship Committee.

Classes here are fantastic. I am taking Greek, Church History, and Introduction to the Theology and Practice of Ministry. But in a couple of weeks the first fall quarter will be over, and I will go from having 3 to 5 classes. In addition to my regular class schedule, I take part in a weekly seminar with Keith Ward; a guest lecturer from Britain.

The VTS student body is surprisingly diverse. Students here range from being very Anglo-Catholic (and I am talking about people more Anglo-Catholic than me) to being snake-belly low Protestant. There are also a number of students from all over the world. Living in such a close community with so many different people can be difficult, especially for an introvert like me, but I am getting used to it. Occasionally arguments get a little heated, but on the whole everyone is respectful, and I am so excited to be in a place where these conversations can take place.

Virginia Theological Seminary was founded in 1823. The campus is beautiful with red brick buildings and lots of trees and open green spaces. It is relatively easy to get into D.C. from the school and the subway drops you right off on the National Mall, right in the middle of all the museums. So far I have only had time to visit the Natural History Museum, but I hope to make museum trips a regular part of my time here.

I truly love it here, but I do miss St. Thomas. Thank you all for your support and prayers. I feel truly blessed to come from such a wonderful parish.

Love

Shireen Baker

In This Issue

Rector's Corner

Stewarding the Mysteries of God

Luke the Evangelist

Pot Luck for Sunday School

Seminarian Update

Feast of Translation

Evensong & Benediction with LASchola

Bishop Visit

Just Action: Bullying

Outreach meeting 10/31

8:00am & 10:30am
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies

Homily

8:00am & 10:30am
Fr. Ian Elliott Davies

Deacon 10:30am
The Rev. Walter S. Johnson

Organist-in-Residence 10:30am
John West

PRELUDE

Meditation

Alexandre Guilmant

POSTLUDE

March

Alexandre Guilmant

Alexandre Guilmant [1837-1911] was one of the giant of French organ music as well as a giant of the organ as an instrument.He was a rigorous teacher, an extremely active performer and a prolific composer.

He came from a family of organists and organ builders. His writing employ the timelessness of great melody first, then the full resources of the organ. Guilmant's music has a rhythm to it that is undeniable and gives all his compositions the forward momentum needed, whether quiet or robust in sound.

Readings: