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Spreading the Word in Kentucky
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December 2, 2011
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Prayer Calendar
Dec. 4: Pray for the Episcopal Church's Diocese of Western Kansas as a part of the Anglican Communion, and in our diocese for the All Saints' Center Board.
Dec. 11: Pray for the Episcopal Church's Diocese of Western North Carolina as a part of the Anglican Communion, and for St. Andrew's Church, Glasgow, the Rev. Suzanne Barrow, vicar, in our diocese.
Dec. 18: Pray for the Episcopal Church's Diocese of Wyoming as part of the Anglican Communion, and for Church of the Advent, the Rev. Tim Mitchell, rector, in our diocese.
Dec. 25: On this Christmas Day, pray for the Anglican Church of England, and for our diocese and bishop, the Rt. Rev. Terry White.
In the Diocese
& Beyond
Dec. 3: Meeting about forming a Society of Mary ward, Calvary Church, 821 S. Fourth St., Louisville. 10 a.m. (EST).
Dec. 3: All Saints Board Meeting, All Saints Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Louisville. 10 a.m. (CST).
Dec. 7 and 8: Diocesan Clergy Retreat hosted by Four Rivers Deanery. All Saints Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road near Leitchfield on December 7 and 8. No theme. No speakers. Just a getaway.
Dec. 9-10: School of Ministry, All Saints Episcopal Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield.
Dec. 11: Bishop Visitation at St. Andrew's Church, Glasgow.
Dec. 11: Lessons & Carols, Christ Church Cathedral, 421 S. Second St., Louisville. Bishop will officiate. 5 p.m. (EST).
Dec. 18: Bishop Visitation at Church of the Advent, Louisville.
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Services at Christ Church Cathedral, 421 S. Second St., Louisville. 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (EST).
Dec, 25: Christmas Day Service at Christ Church Cathedral, 425 S. Second St., Louisville. 10 a.m. (EST).
Looking Ahead
Jan. 13-14: Godly Play Intermediate Training, Grace Church, 820 Broadway, Paducah.
Jan. 20-21: Retreat into Compassion, sponsored by the Peace and Justice Division is organizing a Retreat at All Saints Conference Center, 833 Hickory Grove Road, Leitchfield. To register, or for more information, please visit All Saints facebook page.
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It's Not
Too Early
to fill
All Saints' Wish List
Backhoe w/bucket attachment
Scissor lift Upright freezers AED with pediatric paddles Gently used or new blankets (twin) Fitted & flat twin sheets Pillowcases Gently used (or new) bath towels, hand towels & washcloths.
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PASS IT FORWARD
Know people
in your church without access to Email?
Be
Internet Friendly
Distribute copies
of E-Blast
at your church; take them to our shut-ins
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This E-newsletter is
published by the
Diocese of Kentucky Communications Office.
Send news
and photos to the editor
at
maryjane@episcopalky.org
at least two weeks before you'd like to have it published.
Diocese of Kentucky
502-584-7148
425 S. Second St.
Suite 200
Louisville, KY 40202
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Episcopal, ELCA presiding bishops on World AIDS Day
A Letter from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori with The Episcopal Church. World AIDS Day was yesterday (Thursday).
World AIDS Day is December 1, 2011. This annual commemoration is an opportunity for us to remember the 30 million lives that have been lost to the deadly pandemic over the past three decades, to rededicate our energies in support of those 34 million living with HIV and AIDS today and to work toward building a future without AIDS. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on God's call to lift up the dignity and value of each person. We are called to confront this pandemic---whose scale has no precedent in human history---through prayer, by speaking out to eliminate stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV and AIDS, by caring for those afflicted by the virus in our own communities, by advocating for strong government support of life-saving programs, and by supporting the global effort to alleviate the global systems of poverty within which HIV and AIDS is so endemic. We write together this year because the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have embarked upon a new age of full communion by sharing staff for international issues in our Washington, D.C., advocacy offices, acknowledging the common needs of our global church bodies. Read more |
| Episcopal Church Parochial Report forms now available
By The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
[December 1, 2011] Forms for the Episcopal Church Parochial Report for 2011 are now available here and here. All congregations in the Episcopal Church are canonically required to complete and submit the Parochial Report annually.
Data derived from the Parochial Report is used by the Episcopal Church Research Office, dioceses, congregations, and the House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church to track attendance, trends, membership and other critical information for the purpose of planning mission strategy.
Also available on the web are general instructions for completing the Parochial Report forms as well as line-by-line details listed in the workbooks. All forms are available in English, Spanish and French.
In December, the Office of General Convention will issue a filing packet to all congregations and dioceses with filing commencing on January 4, 2012. For more information contact Kirk Hadaway, director of research, khadaway@episcopalchurch.org .
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Diocesan staff change
Communications director called to parish ministry
Mary Jane Cherry, diocesan communications director since 2003, has accepted a call to be parish administrator and deacon at St. Andrew's Church in Louisville. She will begin her new ministry on January 1, 2012, the anniversary of her first day on diocesan staff.
She came to the diocesan staff on a part-time basis as editor of Episcopal News. As the whole communication world has changed during the past few years, so has Mary Jane's ministry. She developed the diocesan website and led us into the Digital Faith Community to enhance the flow of electronic information, while continuing to edit diocesan newspapers and magazines until budget cuts eliminated our print media. Most recently, her skills helped to place our diocesan convention material online, where it can be reached by people far beyond the few who formerly received printed copies. Mary Jane also graduated from the School of Ministry during her diocesan staff tenure and was ordained a vocational deacon in 2010. This new position at St. Andrew's combines her diaconal ministry and her gifts as communicator. |
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New Episcopal Church Faith in Action ads available
To assist in promoting year-round stewardship, a series of ads have been created by the Episcopal Church Office of Communication for use by dioceses and congregations at no cost. Based on the theme Faith In Action, a different ad is available each month, featuring an appropriate illustration and short message, plus the tagline "Give to your Episcopal Church."
"The purpose of the Faith in Action campaign is to provide the means for congregations and dioceses to offer monthly reminders about stewardship and thanksgiving, not just at stewardship time," noted Anne Rudig, Director of Communication.
The ads were designed for multiple uses, including websites, online publications and in printed newsletters and bulletins. Read more
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 When the saints went marching at St. James
The congregation of St. James Church in Shelbyville captured the sounds and spirit of an old south, Louisiana funeral last month during a rousing All Saints Day Eucharist.
What a service it was. The service began with a slow and somber processional to the Gospel hymn "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and included another Gospel staple, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," during communion. With members carrying parasols, the service ended with a rousing recessional to "When the Saints Go Marching In."
After the service of remembrance, the congregation continued its celebration of friendship and fellowship at its monthly potluck luncheon.
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Let the perpetual light shine upon them
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Janet Irwin during an interview in the bishop's parlor in 2009
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Janet Louise Cooper Irwin A memorial service for Janet Irwin, editor emeritus for the Diocese of Kentucky, will be at 4 p.m. (EST) Sunday, Dec. 4, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2233 Woodbourne Avenue in Louisville. A reception will follow in Collins Hall.
She is survived by her family (Alexander Irwin, Laurie Wen, Catherine Irwin and Stephen Driesler).
The longtime editor of Episcopal News died on Saturday, Nov. 25 at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville.
She retired as editor of the diocese's monthly newspaper in 1997 but continued to write for it and its replacement, the quarterly news magazine Episcopal Kentucky, until June 2010, when she retired from the diocesan staff a third time (She served as the newspaper's interim editor between 2002 to 2003.)
She is well known in Louisville and beyond, as a school teacher in public and private schools, including St. Francis at Goshen, and as a writer (her byline was often seen Louisville's Leo magazine) and activitist (she was a prolific writer of letters to the editor of The Courier-Journal). She was the Christian formation director at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Louisville for many years, and a writer and board member of Forward Movement Press. She was also well known as an interfaith advocate. She helped found and served as an executive director of Interfaith Paths to Peace in Louisville. Read more
The Rev. Terry R. Cobb A priest in our diocese during the 1970s, the Rev. Terry R. Cobb, 75, died Aug. 10 in Lexington, S.C.
A native of Memphis, he served in western Kentucky as the vicar of Trinity Episcopal Church in Fulton and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Hickman from 1975-1978. Before that he was an assistant priest at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville, and he later served congregations in North Carolina and South Carolina, where he retired in 2006 as rector of St. Alban's Church. Survivors include his wife, Cheryl; daughters, Kim Kirby of Arkansas, Beth Fredericksmeyer of Colorado and Jennifer Mueller of Florida; and a son, Hal Cobb of Charleston, S.C. [Information from The Living Church.]
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Observing Advent 'IRL' and online
By Dan Webster
[Episcopal News Service] I love Advent, but that was not always the case. I guess I had to grow into it. And that happened about 20 years ago when I heard a sermon at St. Columba's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC.
Parishioners were invited to take a printed card with these words: Slow down. Quiet. It's Advent. .... St. Columba's took their "Slow down. Quiet. It's Advent" ministry to a wider audience when the Rev. Jay Sidebotham and Susan Elliott put together the Advent poster still available from Morehouse Publishing. ....
But now we can also observe Advent via social media. The Advent Conspiracy on Facebook has, over the past two years, attracted more than 30,000 members. It was developed to help teach people about the person of Christ, to be a clearinghouse for resources supporting the season, and to offer charitable giving opportunities. Read the full article
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 Young adults' Advent reflections Christ Church Cathedral has published a booklet of Advent reflections that you may want to check out. The majority of the reflections were written by young adult Episcopalians, including the New Seeds interns, but reflections are also included by Bishop Terry White, Dean Mark Bourlakas and Canon Amy Coultas.
The booklet -- and other Advent resources -- may be found on the cathedral's website at http://christchurch.episcopalky.org/Christ Church Community/advent2011.html#Calendar
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 Resources for a new year! Advent, Epiphany, Blue Christmas Sharon Ely, editor for the Christian formation newsletter "Living IN-formation," offers a collection of resources for us "to take the time to pause and reflect on this season as we await the birth of Christ amongst us again." She is the Christian formation specialist for Church Publishing Inc. and Morehouse Education Resources. Explore her ideas at the following links:
Ideas for Advent and Christmas at home and church
Ideas for Epiphany 2012 Ideas for Blue Christmas This resource includes a link to the video "Blue Christmas," published by The Religion & Ethics Newsletter from PBS (December 10, 2009). |
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Weekly Compline
During Advent, Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville will offer Compline each Wednesday, beginning at 8:45 p.m. (EST). The cathedral is located at 421 S. Second St. in downtown Louisville. |
 Lessons and carols
Combined choirs to sing at cathedral A Service of Advent Lessons and Carols, sung by the Cathedral Choir and the Adult Choir of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, Louisville, beginning at 5 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, December 11.
The service will be officiated by the Rt. Rev. Terry Allen White, bishop of Kentucky, with the choirs under the direction of Canon Robert L. Bozeman and Lisa Lewis. This historic service tells the story of the fall of humanity and the promise of the Messiah as told in nine short Bible readings, interspersed with the singing of carols, hymns and anthems.
This year, the choir will sing anthems by Palestrina, Elizabeth Poston, Healey Willan, Richard Burchard, Mark Sirett, Arthur Jennings, Jonathan Dove and Franz Biebl, representing five countries and six centuries of music. The organ voluntaries will feature settings of Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland of Johann Sebastian Bach. The service is free and all are encouraged to attend.
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Worship, workshops, music
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and more
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Christmas Craft and Bake Sale Saturday
Messiah-Trinity Church, 8701 Shepherdsville Road, Louisville, will hold its annual Christmas Craft and Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST) Saturday, December 3. If you need something to fill a Christmas stocking, you will find it at the show. Baked goods, including some low cal and fat free items, will be available as well as lunch. Proceeds benefit various charities. |
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Holiday Shopping to benefit St. George's
Here's a chance this weekend to do some Christmas shopping AND, at the same time, help raise funds for St. George's Community Center, a cutting-edge, creative program in western Louisville that helps, just as they say, "launch youth into flights of self discovery."
On Sunday, December 4, from 1-5 p.m. (EST), Two Chicks and Co. in MIddletown will share a portion of its sales between one and 5 p.m. (EST) with the community center. The Kentucky-based, small-chain store partners with local charities, such as Metro United Way, Fund for the Arts, American Cancer Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Deaf Youth Ministries, and numerous school and church groups.
Everything from jewelry, purses, shoes and accessories to home decor, and much more, may be found at the MIddletown store at 12121 Shelbyville Road (next to Chedder Box Cafe). Visit their website for a preview.
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Meeting tomorrow to form a Society of Mary ward
An organizational gathering of the Society of Mary with Bishop Terry White will held tomorrow (Saturday, December 3), beginning at 10 a.m. (EST) with Holy Eucharist.
The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. (EST), followed by Angelus and lunch at noon and evening prayer at 1:15. For further information, contact Sandford MacLean at MacLean@insightbb.com. |
 Art, water and faith
are flowing together
for two great causes
Louisville's Lucent Dreams Photography, Sandie Griffin and Kim Torres along with co-curators Kelly & Andy Cook are helping to bring art, faith and the environment together by hosting a benefit group art exhibit for healthy waterways and communities Friday, December 9. The group show, part of an ongoing quarterly art exhibit, will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Louisville. Read more
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Retreat into compassion this January
"Retreat into Compassion: Reflections on Christian Life" is a title you will want take note of and act upon in January.
Borrowing the name from Henri Nouwen's book, the diocese's Division of Peace and Justice is planning a retreat that will use the book and have participants "examin[ing] how compassion is central to our Christian life." But participants will be asked to do more than talk: they will participate in creating a six-unit study series for use in adult Christian formation classes or as a Lenten study series.
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Godly Play Foundation
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Godly Play training offered in January
Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah will be offering two days of accredited intermediate training in Godly Play this January.
Godly Play is a Christian Formation approach to teaching youngsters about Christian religion in ways that will provide them with a foundation that centers them in their faith yet keep them "open to others and the future in creative ways."
Read more
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Canterbury's Advent message
'The Communion is a gift, not a problem'
By ACNS staff, November 30, 2011 [Anglican Communion News Service] Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has used his Advent letter to the Primates of the Anglican Communion and moderators of the United Churches to reiterate that the "Communion matters" to its members across the world and to the mission of God. In the letter issued Nov. 30, Williams highlighted how, over the past year, Anglican cooperation and fellowship have provided real support and encouragement to Anglicans undergoing challenges in such countries as Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
Referring to his recent visit to the Church of the Province of Central Africa, Williams said, "The experience especially of visiting a Church that felt isolated and exposed in Zimbabwe reinforced powerfully for me the need to stand together with one another. When Archbishop Thabo from Southern Africa announced to the thousands who gathered in Harare for worship that 'what touches you touches us,' he was giving voice to this. Read more |
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Winterlight 2011 
Teens to walk the walk with service project, explore faith
By Harmony Johnson, Kanuga Conference Center Communications Director
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. -- At a time when many teens are thinking about driving, high school students will be focused on walking during Winterlight Dec. 27-Jan. 1 at Kanuga Conferences.
The 36th annual conference for students in grades 9-12 will center on the theme "Walk This Way."
"The week will be a community exploration of how we can walk as Christ did and be an image for God," said Scott Jeffries of Raleigh, N.C., who is coordinating the conference with Dee Zeller of Stevensville, Md. "We will examine our lives to see who, what, when, where and how we can walk in love in order to fit that image. It will allow us to see how we used to walk, how we are currently walking and how we can change our walk to live as Christ's image and grow closer to God."
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Arkansas' St. Francis House helps homeless veterans
By Sharon Sheridan, November 11, 2011
[Episcopal News Service] Eight years ago, Vietnam veteran Garry Clemmons was a homeless addict, depressed and anxious. Today, he's sober, remarried and working for the Episcopal Church-sponsored program he credits with turning his life around: the Veterans Re-Entry Program at St. Francis House in the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas.
"I just thank God for this program," he said. "I've got a new life now." Read more
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Deadline January 15
United Thank Offering applications available for 2012
By the Episcopal Church's Office of Public Affairs
The application process for the 2011 United Thank Offering grants is now open with forms available here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/110043_117733_ENG_HTM.htm.
Known worldwide as UTO, the United Thank Offering grants are awarded for projects that address human needs and help alleviate poverty, both domestically and internationally within Anglican provinces, dioceses, and companion dioceses.
Applications are due January 15, 2012. Grants will be approved in July 2012 at Triennium at General Convention. Funds for approved grants will be available starting August 2012 for a one-year grant period. Read more
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All I Want for Christmas
By Tom Ehrich, November 30, 2011
[Religion News Service] After noticing that Lexus wants me to give a $50,000 sedan to my wife this Christmas, I joined my family in the annual "Ehrich Christmas Wish List," an online spreadsheet maintained by my youngest son.
I knew I had to list something, so I thought hard. Had to be affordable -- no Apple MacBook Air this year, no luxury sedans. Had to be reasonably enjoyable to buy and to watch me open.
A few things came to mind, such as coffee capsules for my new office espresso machine. But when I listed "shelf-stable half-and-half capsules," I knew some holiday gift fervor was missing.
I feel more engaged in the world around me than ever: Occupy Wall Street, the endless 2012 presidential campaign, the boundless greed of the 1 percent, values being shredded on campus and in corporate suites, and civil rights being violated by a suddenly emerging police state.
When campus police in riot gear deploy automatic weapons and toxic spray to oust defenseless students, and when New York City cops beat journalists to prevent coverage of their actions, it's difficult to imagine some grown-up toy that I need. Read more
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Dear Readers,
If you or your church or organization have news of interest to Episcopalians, please send us your stories and, if possible, photos for possible publication online and in the E-blast. Preferably, the articles will be sent as Word documents by email to enews@episcopalky.org.
Video Buffs, Photogs and Audiophiles: We have a media center where you may submit videos, audio files and images that you believe may be of interest to Kentucky Episcopalians and visitors to our website. Please give me a call at 502-584-7148 or send an email if you would like to learn more about the media center and ways it may be used to spotlight your congregation's people and ministries.
Have a blessed week,
Mary Jane
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Contact
Mary Jane Cherry, Communications Director
Diocese of Kentucky
502-584-7148 maryjane@episcopalky.org
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