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Sunday Afternoon Reflections
The Rev. Patricia Conley |
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| Greetings! |
Well, this Sunday Afternoon Reflection is being written on Monday. Yesterday was just too busy to sit down to the computer. And what a joyous day it was.
Eight people gathered for Eucharist at 8:00am; about 55 people at 9:30am, and 40 people at the special 4:30pm Advent Evensong. The people, prayers, and music were inspirational, indeed.
I envite you to read on, for all the details. . . but, first of all -- let me tell you about NEXT SUNDAY! |
| The Annual CHRISTMAS PAGEANT! (DEC 14th) |
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You've heard of a community Handel's Messiah sing-along. Again this year St. Ann's is presenting an open-to-the-community Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 14, 2008 during the 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist. This will be the only service held next Sunday (14th).
Once again this year the traditional-yet-not-totally-traditional retelling of the Christmas Story will be narrated by Sheba the Stable Fly.
Julia Blaho will be "Mary" the mother of Jesus for this year's pageant. And, this year, we will feature two infant "stars" -- one infant Baby Jesus, and a second infant John the Baptist. (The Palmer twins!)
Here's how the no-rehearsal pageant works: Any person (young or otherwise) who wishes to participate in the pageant is asked to arrive between 8:45 - 9:15 a.m. on Sunday morning. Participants may dress in your own costume, dress in one of our costumes, or choose to participate without a costume at all ( with clothes, of course, just not a costume.) We'll have a wide variety of costumes available - traditional and otherwise . . . in all sizes sizes -- for those so inclined.
We'll have accessories, too, if anyone needs a beard or moustache, or . . . a any number of other items and options. (Past pageants have included a moose, a bumblebee, a cat, a pumpkin and several Disney characters.) Creative additions are always invited to participate our Nativity scene.
As the service begins most participants sit in the congregation. Then, as the service unfolds and the Christmas story is narrated, the various groups of characters take their places at the manger scene.
Nobody rehearsal is required, nobody has to arrive at the church too terribly early, and we all have a wonderful time remembering and reinacting the wonderful story of the Christmas manger.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to call (815) 355-6840 - or write Rev. Pat Conley. |
| Special MUSIC Sunday December 14th |
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Our Pageant participants will present a unique rendition of "Away in a Manger" as part of our Christmas Pagent this coming Sunday. Thank you Terree Emrich for you leadership with this production.
Anna Blaho and Anna Zaino will be presenting a special Christmas duet as well. Forgive me dear Anna's for forgetting who is playing which instrument . . . but, one will play the Oboe and the other the Clarinet.
A special thank you to the young people for the special music this coming Sunday. |
| Sunday Afternoon Reflection -- Dec 7th.
by the Rev. Patricia Conley |
| We remembered in prayer today those who died at Pearl Harbor on this day in history. We prayed also for the whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for the mission and unity of the Church; for the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; for the sick and those who mourn; for the lonely and the unloved; for those who have asked for our prayers, those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, those who are traveling. Let us also continue to pray for the safety of George W. Bush and Barack Obama and their families.
The homily focused on the words of John the Baptiser in the gospel of Mark. John's words again (as always for John the Baptist) remind us to "repent and be forgiven." Repenting challenges us to introspection and honesty with God. Being forgiven is somewhat easier because as the sermon said: "We don't have to grovel in guilt -
. . . or berate ourselves with shame.
God's forgiveness is waaaaay ahead of our asking -
. . . it's not a matter of our getting it right so we can please or placate God.
God already loves us. Period.
And, in our baptism we are marked as God's own, forever.
God already sees and accepts us as full collaborators in God's mission for good on earth . .
. . . as God's agents of reconciliation,
. . . as purveyors of God's love.
. . . and as the very children of God.
Our repentance is not about getting on God's good side -
. . . our repentance is about allowing more of God's goodness to get on OUR side."
Then, just prior to Communion, the choir presented an inspiring offering of "How silent waits the listening earth."
Thank you to Jeff & Susie Scott who were chalice bears ; Gunnar Gitlin and Howard McCarthy, readers; to Anna Blaho and Anna Zaino, acolytes; to Roma Simons and Nadine Francione, ushers; and to Ruth Cotton, coffee hour host, and Howard McCarthy, worship assistant. Thank You to everyone!
Our Sunday School classes were "on" this morning -- right after the children and youth rehearsed "Away in a Manger."
And, finally -- thank you again to Bruce and Natalie Armstrong for their continued shared role as "parish photographer."
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| Our Annual Advent Choral Evensong . . . amazing . . . |
Yesterday, at 4:30 our St. Ann's choir and Randy Wakitsch lead us in what has become a most treasured annual tradition: A Choral Evensong for Advent.
The candles in the wall sconces were lit and the overhead lights dimmed, as the choir entered singing and carrying their candles in procession.
Those who attend this service tend to come back, year after year, to partake again of the nourishing peace and quiet inherent in the contemplative tone of the service. This year's Evensong proved again to be a perfect respite in this often harried and pressure-filled season.
Thank you Randy. Thank you Terree. And, thank you Choir. |
| The Angel Tree . . . |
Our annual Angel Tree project is underway -- in the parish hall. If you would like to participate in providing toys and clothing for children or gift basket items for senior adults -- please bring those items to the church no later Sunday, December 14th.
Contact Susie Scott for more information: (224) 569-3203 or Susie Scott. This is a wonderful and meaningful opportunity to help our greater community through this Christmas season outreach project. |
| The RED DOORS are back! |
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A HUGE "thank you" goes from each of us to Howard McCarthy and Don Larcombe for their work (in the freezing cold and snow) this past week - to replace the "red doors" in the front of the church building. We can't thank you both enough! | |
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| Your announcement here -- |
| I invite anyone who would like news dissiminated throughout the parish to send your news item to me, and I'll just include it in these hope-to-be-fairly-regular Sunday Afternoon Reflections of the Rector.
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| Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other Celebrations! |
| Please, if your birthday or anniversary or other special celebration is not listed below (and you would like it to be listed) -- just drop me an e-mail and I'll update our records.
Birthdays in December:
1 Carol Lahti
2 Ed Hall
2 Chita Yao
3 Nancy Wright
5 Philip McCullough
7 Jack Porter
9 Ricca Zaino
10 Lynn Long
12 David Stretch
17 Mike Emrich
19 Howard McCarthy
20 Mel Long
20 Kirk Halma
20 Holly Williams
December Anniversaries
16 Rob & Joan Purdy |
| No Room at the Inn . . . |
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For the season of Advent, you are again invited to participate in "No Room at the Inn," -- a display of Nativity scenes in our parish hall. Anyone who wishes may bring a creche(s) to place on display for the season. |
| Don't forget the Amazon.com link on St. Ann's webiste. |
I just received this note from Howard McCarthy -- a good reminder for all of us. . .
"I just went through our St. Ann's link to Amazon to order some Christmas gifts. . . . it might be beneficial to remind everyone that the link exists and that by using it we get a small "donation" from Amazon. Another "funraiser" that people may have forgotten about. - Howard"
Thanks for the reminder, Howard. |
| The Next BOOK GROUP . . . |
The Book Group will next meet on January 11, 2009, at Mary Jane and Robin Andrews. We will be reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
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| Photo Directory . . . a work in progress. |
Don't forget -- If you have not yet had your family photo taken for our upcoming parish photo directory, please, be sure and contact Bruce Armstrong about it. It's not to late to submit a photo of your own. Or, you might still be able to make an appointment for your photo to be taken. Just be sure and let Bruce know how to include you. BArmstrong@alumni.usc.edu. | |
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| Advent, Christmas and Beyond . . . |
December 14 - Sunday - Advent III 9:30am - Annual No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant
(no 8am service before, and no Sunday School classes following)
December 21 - Sunday - Advent IV 8:00am and 9:30am Eucharist
December 21 - Sunday - 10:45am Green Group, Building Committee, Coffee Sales
December 21 - Sunday - 10:45am Altar Guild to set up for Christmas Eve & Christmas
December 24 - Wednesday - Candlelight Christmas Eve Services 4:30pm and 10:30pm
(Christmas Carol sing begins at 10:00pm)
December 25 - Thursday - 10:00am Christmas Day Eucharist
December 28 - Sunday - 8:00am Morning Prayer with Communion
9:20am Holy Eucharist
January 4, 2009 Sunday - 8:00am & 9:30am Eucharist; Sunday School 10:45
January 9 - Friday - FAMILY FUN NIGHT -- Midwinter playtime. 6:00pm
January 11 - Sunday - 8:00am & 9:30am Eucharist; Sunday School 10:45
January 18 - Sunday - 9:30am Eucharist (no 8:00); No Sunday School.
9:30am Special Youth-let Children's service in Choir Room.
ANNUAL MEETING follows 9:30am service.
January 23-24 Friday Night and Saturday Morning. Adult Spiritual Life
with the Rev. Brian Hastings. 7:30-9:00pm Friday. 8:30am-Noon Saturday.
January 25 - Sunday - 8:00am & 9:30am Eucharist; Sunday School 10:45.
February 1 - Sunday 8:00am & 9:30am Eucharist
Acolytes Meet, Downstairs Sunday School Class Meets
ADULT FORUM -- Another look at our Book of Common Prayer.
February 8 - Sunday. 8:00am & 9:30am Eucharist; Sunday School at 10:45.
February 15 - Sunday. 8:00am & 9:30am Eucharist; Sunday School at 10:45.
Building Committee, Green Group, and Coffee Sales
February 22 - Sunday. 8:00am & 9:30am Eucharist. Sunday School 10:45.
United Thank Offering boxes distributed.
February 29 - Sunday. 8:00am & 9:30am Eucharist. Sunday School 10:45. |
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Please, feel free to contact me at my direct cell phone number: 815-355-6840 -- or via the Rector's e-mail, anytime. And, invite someone new to church this week! See you in church.
Sincerely,
The Rev. Patricia A. Conley
St. Ann's Episcopal Church
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