From the Rector

December is a month for looking back and looking beyond.

     In reflecting back on our life together at the Advent, there are two events of incredible significance that occurred in October: the Raise the Tent - Raise the Faith Sunday Revival on October 2 and the sudden and unexpected death of our beloved Assistant Rector for Pastoral Care - Parish Missioner, Waller Caldwell III. 

     On a brisk Sunday morning, more than 700 worshipers gathered under a tent on Montgomery Commons to sing and listen to familiar and beautiful hymns, pray with faithfulness, hear a beloved and gifted preacher give a wonderful sermon and come forward to the altar to receive the sacrament of strength, reconciliation and everlasting life in the Holy Eucharist. Most of us then went to the Parish and Community Life Center and shared a delicious meal lovingly prepared by staff and volunteers.

    What followed were several meetings that allowed us to reflect on that wonderful morning and gave me an opportunity to express my hope for what might happen as a result of our coming together in the name of Jesus Christ. These were important meetings and I thank Megan and Russ Rudolph and Carole and Mac Davis for convincing me that we could put all of these together in a timely manner. I am also grateful for the several Vestry members and their families for opening their homes as hosts.

     Part of the conversation of the Revival Follow-up discussions also included reflections on the tragic loss of our brother and priest, Waller, on October 7. Those of us (and there are many) who were personally touched by Waller's ministry will never forget his special gift of caring and attentive prayerful presence. I personally felt as though we as a clergy staff were just starting to get to a place of stability and strength in serving as a great team for ministry at the Advent.

     October was indeed a very full month. Here is an excerpt from my sermon preached on October 30 (you can listen to this and other sermons at churchofadvent.org - Audio Sermons): "Five Sundays, three weddings, three funerals, two visits by our bishop (and two other bishops to boot), births, surgeries, a wonderful first Wednesday service project to help Mobile Meals, a mission trip to Alabama, a flu clinic, a great Open House at the Advent Shoppe, Boy Scout camping and hiking, Diocesan 

Convention, an excellent sermon by one of our senior high students, Keegan Duesterhaus, the ordination of our Assistant Rector for Outreach and Mission, Hal Carter, followed the next night by a great Oyster Roast, where we once again gathered under a tent to share great food and fellowship and to raise some funds that will go for outreach. These are just a few of the things we have been up to during the last 30 days." 

     Of course, November was a very busy month as well. I hope you were able to get to the ECW Bazaar, one of the Advent Shoppe Open House events, visited the beautiful art by

parishioners on display in Satterlee Hall and the Montgomery 

Library, enjoyed a delicious chicken dinner prepared by Troop 1, attended a great Stewardship Sunday, and/or participated in the Mobile Food Pantry outreach project on November 29. 

     The Episcopal Church of the Advent is a life-giving expression of grace, service, hope and love. This is what we have been and this is what we continue to strive to be as we move forward into another church year, which began with First Advent on November 27. December is really a month filled more by the season of Advent than it is by Christmas (3 1/2 weeks versus 1 week). It always seems that Advent is rushed through so that we can get to Christmas. Of course the marketplace would have us believe that Christmas began three weeks before Thanksgiving so that we can rush out to the stores (or to our computers) to buy, buy, buy.

     I hope that we might be more intentional about living into the season of Advent. This is the season our beloved church was named after. Advent means coming, and it harkens to the hope-filled expectation of the second coming of Jesus Christ, when he will return to judge, restore and claim all of creation. It is a season in which we are also filled with the joyful anticipation of celebrating, again, the coming of Jesus Christ into the world as a babe in a manger.

     I invite you to live into the depth and meaning of Advent so we will be able to live even more fully into the joy of Christmas. 

     I invite you also to reflect deeply on our life together as 

members of the body of Christ. We are moving toward the 

beginning of another year in the fiscal life of our parish as well. I can hardly tell you how impressed and pleased I was with the 

outpouring of participation and generosity in our Stewardship 

Sunday services and Christian Formation program on 11/20. There were over 450 people who came to worship on this day. We received 131 pledges for a total of $586k. This was just one Sunday and more than double what we received at this point last year. Wow! 

    Our hope and need is to provide the church with three full-time priests. The need was made evident in part by the

wonderful ministry Waller, Hal and I were engaged in as a team over the summer and into the early fall. We need a full-time Assistant Rector for Pastoral Care. In order for this be a reality, we need everyone's help to insure that our budget needs for staff and programs, building and maintenance, outreach and worship are all met. These things  help make the Advent a strong and vibrant church where the love of God reaches each and every person in the pews, and goes far beyond our church grounds into the world. 

     Last year we pledged as a parish slightly more than $1.2 million. In order for us to realize the mission we are called to carryout, we need slightly more than $1.4 million in pledges. I hope that you will consider giving generously and cheerfully to this great church for the sake of gratitude to God for all that you have been given. We can be and do so much in the name of Christ when we strive to tithe. 

     I suppose this lengthy From the Rector article makes up for the two previous Parish Papers that did not include one! God bless you and thank you. Ned+

Prayers of the People (as of November 28, 2011) 

 For those in our parish who are in need of God's healing and our spiritual support: Carlos Moseley, Rosie Cunningham, Angel White, Ginger Watson, Virginia Moses, Gay Peden, Helen France, Ginny Miller, Mary Hipp McCutchen, Linda McGee, Betty Taylor, Phebe Crosland, Tom Hindman, Margaret Hindman, Tess Hearn, Meredith Boyce, Mac Dunbar, Cynthia Moseley, Roy and Linda Ellis, George Mitchell, Jervey Dupre, Jr., Richard Lowry, David Fort, Elizabeth Simons, Mel Myers, Laurie Scybert, Iwalani Foster, Max Hollis,Steve Johnson, Karen Licciardello and Lisa Vaughn

And for these persons: Fredric Wetzel, Nora Smith, James Wiley, Drew Williams, Chase Comer, Robin, Kathy Willard, Katie Norton, Frances Carpenter, Nancy, Tom Wyatt III, Linda Johnson, Sharon Lowry, Dupie Cates Cochran, Stephanie, The Holmes family, John Lamiman, Joyce Cauble, Colleen Keith, Rebecca Harrison, Gail Speed, Reece, Louise, Charlie Boland, Terrie Ball, Janet Barrett, Evin Evans, Maude Carr, Fletcher and Ruth Thompson, Rhondy Huff, Bonnie Hina, Laurie Egeland, Clarke Smart, Peggy Green, Robert Worthy, Jerry Burke, Maria King, Barbara Humphries, Jane Adkins, Marjie Whitney, Todd Marshall, Philip Foster, Steve, Juliet Eaves, Jake Hegr and Karen Harpe, Ann & Dan O'Connell, Andrew, Joan Pink, Shirley Cobb, Susan Acker, Vicki Hanstedt-Parker, Peggy Graham and Will Richardson

For these persons serving in the armed forces of our country:Michael McCraw, Tripp Lynn, John Watters, Ed Y. Hall, Jr., Sam Brown, Robert Gautier, Grant R. Blackwell, Daniella Roberson, Stafford Smith, Michael Hall, Jennifer and Christopher Guyne, Chad Sims, Thomas E. Grubb, Ashley McGaha, Derrick Gossett, Wade Hampton McIntyre IV, Patrick Myers, Thomas Adam Nolen, Wayne Pennington, Robert E. Flandry III, John Wranek and Rion Cartin

In Thanksgiving:    

For these expectant mothers:Mary Stewart Loring, Sandra Battocchio, Brandy Gutierrez, Katie Barber, Katie Culler Jordan, Martha Bomar, and Jennifer Reynolds

For these newborns:Caleb James Nolen, son of Adam and Lee Nolen and grandson of Billy and Lynn Cribb and great grandson of Renee McCredie, born on October 28; Tess Conrad, daughter of Betsy and Steven Conrad and granddaughter of Josie and Chuck Stokes, born on November 4

For those who have died: James Earl Day and

Caroline Parham Rhodes 

Birthdays in December (Ages 1 - 11) 

Claire Coleman (12/2)

Merrill Loring (12/8)

Hannah Babb (12/10)

Eric Andrews (12/13)

Matthew Pickeral (12/17)

Lowry White (12/20)

Hudson Harvey (12/21)

Gates Myers (12/27)

James Fulmer (12/29)

Evans Taylor (12/29)

Mae Taylor (12/29)

Caroline White (12/30)

Jack Warren (12/31)

  The Priestly Ordination of 

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! It is with my sincerest gratitude that I say those words to you all for your participation and prayers in my ordination to the priesthood. It was a most memorable evening and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

     If anyone had told me when I started this process in Everett, Washington in 2005 that I would be ordained to the priesthood in Spartanburg, SC, I probably wouldn't have believed them. But here I sit as a priest writing this letter to each of you, my Christian brothers and sisters, with whom we all were participating in prayer for one another before we ever met. I cannot help but reflect on the tens of thousands of miles that this adventure took me, from Seattle to Boston, to the Holy Lands, to Sewanee, back to Seattle, to Sewanee, and to Nashville all before I was brought here to be with you and to call Spartanburg and The Church of the Advent, my home.

     Thank you all for being a part of my life and for calling me here to be a part of your lives. I look forward to being a priest in your midst as we continue to grow together in making Christ present in our lives and the lives of all whom we meet. Peace, Hal+

Thank You from Ann Harken

     I still vividly remember the job interviews when I was hired 17 ½ years ago. Walter Brice asked me what my supporters and my critics would say about me; Bruce Schwartz asked me what a debit was; Jim Seegars asked me what I watched on TV; and Chuck Talbert asked me what Advent meant to me. I should have known then what a wonderful and diverse job this would be. In the following years I had the privilege of working with countless parishioners on wide-ranging projects for the church. If I didn't work specifically with you on a committee or project, at one time or another, I most likely spoke to you or, I hope, helped you. I will miss the parishioners.

     I also had the honor of working with the most dedicated caring staff that any church could have. During my time with this staff we had illnesses, surgeries, weddings, family funerals, babies, a layoff, people leaving for other jobs, new people joining us, and we lost 2 of our own, Gayle Gosnell and Waller Caldwell. This staff is truly a family of its own. I will miss the staff.

     During my tenure, I had the distinct honor of creating and building a job from the ground up. My blueprint was constantly the consulting report that recommended the position of Parish Administrator and enumerated the duties and responsibilities. All these years later, that report was still in the top drawer of my desk....and was when I left my office for the last time.

     As the years passed and the needs arose, we, not only implemented the recommendations in that report, we added duties and responsibilities that would help in the daily operations of the church. Thank you to the Rectors and Vestries that supported and assisted me. Thank you to the Parish that allowed me to work at a job that I loved to come to (almost) every day for all these years. It has sincerely been an honor to work at The Episcopal Church of the Advent in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

     Thank you to everyone who attended the reception graciously given for me. My family was so pleased to meet you. It was a wonderful party. Thank you to everyone (parishioners and staff) who contributed to the arrangements, delicious food and the gorgeous flowers.

     Thank you to everyone who sent me a card, or a gift, or called, or came by my office, or stopped me in passing to wish me well on this next stage of my life. Thank you to the past and current Sr. Wardens who treated me to lunch and gave me a beautiful giclée of one of Dorothy Josey's paintings of the church, autographed on the back by each one. I will treasure that always.

     Thank you to the staff for the relaxed luncheon and the gifts and the cards. It was the most perfect retirement luncheon with lots of laughter and memories. Thank you, Chris, for the top 10 things the staff will miss about me; thank you, Gail and Jessica for preparing my favorite meal, thank you to the 'guys' for setting up and cleaning up the dining room; thank you, Kathie, for the cake; and thank you Ned for allowing it and saying nice things about me.

     Thank you all; I hope to see you soon.   Ann

DINNER'S READY

Don't forget to pre-order yours today.

Thursday, December 8

Chef Amy Byers

Pork Tenderloin with Holiday Chutney

Golden Mushroom Rice,

Not Your Mama's Brussel Sprouts,

Yeast Rolls,

Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Cupcakes with

White Chocolate Peppermint Frosting

Deadline to order: December 6 at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 15

Chef Mark Mullen

Linguine with Scrumptious Three Meat Meatballs,

Caesar Salad,

Garlic Bread,

Chocolate Tiramisu

Deadline to order: December 13 at 5:00 p.m.

All meals are $8.00 each.

Pick up at the Parish and Community Life Center 5-6pm

Order reservation line:   504-3684

Questions? Call Leigh O'Shields

597-1755(H) - 596-9049(W)

First Wednesday Dinner

     Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 7and come enjoy another good meal and fellowship with your parish family. Dinner begins at 5:45 p.m. in the Parish and Community Life Center. Everyone is welcome, but we do need a head count in order to prepare enough food. Email Elizabeth Gilliam at egilliam@churchofadvent.org or call the reservation line at 504-3680. Dinner is $5 per adult, $3 per child (12 and under) or $20 as the family max.

First Wednesday Dinner (January)

     There will be no First Wednesday Dinner on January 4, 2012. Instead, we will be celebrating Twelfth Night on January 5 with dinner and King cake. Remember to call for reservations!

Serendipity and Lunch Bunch

     Serendipity and Lunch Bunch circles will have a joint luncheon in the Parish and Community Life Center on December 12 at 12:00 p.m. The cost is $10. Make a reservation by contacting Barbara Adams (583-5524) Donna Traywick (583-5524) or Barbara Brown (583-4362).

Fellowship Groups

     Baby Boomers will meet on Friday, December 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Ellen Gould at 504 Mockingbird Lane. Bring your favorite covered dish and beverage for this pot luck dinner. Let Ellen know that you are coming by emailing her at ellenefirdgould@aol.com or call her at 579-7990.

EPISCOPALS

     Wednesday, December 14, at 11:45 a.m. is the date and time for our next Episcopals meeting. Father Hal Carter is our speaker, and his topic will be "Advent at Advent: Psalm 139." Please make a reservation by calling 504-3682.

IN STITCHES

IN STITCHES will not meet again until February.

Advent Volunteers for St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic

     It is almost time for the Advent to start another year of service at St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic. We provide screeners at the Clinic the third and fourth Tuesday and the fourth Thursday in each month. We also provide food for the Clinic volunteers four times a year. If you would be interested in serving as a screener and/or provider of food, call 285-0054 or e-mail puttyrut@gmail.com.

Kanuga ~ March 16-18, 2012

Plans are being made for a weekend of fun and connecting with your parish family. For more information or if you would like to help, contact Keenan Mullen at Keenanmullen@charter.net or Nicole Brown at jnbrown4@charter.net.

The Episcopal Church of the Advent

Analysis of Revenues & Expenses

January to October 2011

                                               YTD Actual       Annual Budget

Total Pledge Contributions     $1,082,147.70        $1,345,991.09

Total Revenues                       $1,168,390.85        $1,469,350.24

Total Expenses                       $1,191,739.20        $1,468,699.26

     The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the Vestry election to be held at the annual meeting in January. We will elect a Junior Warden-elect, four Vestry members and approve the Youth representative. Please contact John Dargan 

at 582-0138 with your nominations. (Self-nominations are in order.) The other members of the committee are: John Coleman, 237-3363; Sarah Gunn, 621-6026; Mary Hope Rhodes, 497-2868; and Jay Walpole, 415-4901.

John Dargan: 582-0138 or JDargan@spcf.org 

Senior Warden-Elect 

Mark Blackman: 594-5853 or mblackman@wjpartners.com

Junior Warden

Ted Gage: 583-8448 or twgage@bellsouth.net

Pastoral Care 

Mary Hope Rhodes: 583-1305 or mhgrhodes@charter.net

Liturgy

John Coleman: 583-0660 or jncoleman@bellsouth.net

Christian Formation

Patsy Simril: 585-3375 or patsysimril@gmail.com 

Youth Representative

Thomas Johnson: 542-2044 or t_l_johnson@charter.net

Outreach

Mary Hope Rhodes: 583-1305 or mhgrhodes@charter.net

Malinda Tulloh: 585-5634 or c-m.tulloh@att.net

Mary Frances Price: 585-4538 or MFWPRICE@aol.com

Sarah Gunn: 582-3810 or swgunn@charter.net

Parish Life

Jerry Setzer: 583-3215 or psi1413@gmail.com

Bobby Hammett: 590-2655 or hammettra@gmail.com

Suzanne Dantin: 541-7519 or suzannedantin@charter.net

Parish Management

Jay Walpole: 253-0277 or jayw321@gmail.com

Rick Dent: 580-1167 or rickdent04@hotmail.com

Ashley Allen: 585-4455 or Ashley.allen@milliken.com

Stewardship

Mark Blackman: 594-5853 or mblackman@wjpartners.com