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Rector’s Ramblings for November 2009

Posted on October 26, 2009 by holytoxford

The Rev. Karen Burnard; search category "Rector's Ramblings" for other columns

From the November 2009 Triad:

This year November is framed by two significant church celebrations, All Saints on November 1st, and I Advent on Sunday, November 29.  Our Diocesan bishop, The Rt. Rev. Thomas Breidenthal, and his wife, Margaret, will be with us to celebrate All Saints on November 1st. One of our newest members, twelve-year-old James Stokes, will be baptized that day at 10:30. Names of all the saints you have given us will be lifted up in prayer as we remember all those who have gone before, those present, and those who will follow after us. Please join us for the Adult Forum that day with Bishop Breidenthal (9:15 a.m.) and for the reception following the 10:30 service.

Just three days after our secular celebration of Thanksgiving, the season of Advent begins on Sunday, November 29. After months of our liturgical green, the altar will be adorned with blue. Out comes the Advent wreath in the chancel and the seasonal wreaths on our red doors, beckoning all to come inside. Hopefully our worship, and our lives, will slow down as we wait and watch, prepare for and anticipate the birth of the Holy Child. “O come, O come Emmanuel” we sing. “O come, thou Wisdom from on high … O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind ….” So many of our hopes and dreams are expressed in this Advent text, sung by all the saints for centuries. How glorious it is to know that we are related to the Holy Child, and to all the saints, past, present and future, known and unknown.

I eagerly await our celebration on November 1st with all of you, and our shared entry into a renewed season of hope, peace, joy, and love.

Thanks be to God,

Karen Burnard
htrector(AT)woh.rr.com

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November Triad is here

Posted on October 26, 2009 by holytoxford

Thanks to editor Mary Fahnestock-Thomas, the November 2009 Triad is now available (as a PDF file).

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20th Sunday after Pentecost, October 18, 2009

Posted on October 16, 2009 by holytoxford

[you may download this Sunday's worship bulletin in Word format here]

TODAY

Sunday Eucharist Rite I, 8am, Chapel of St. Bede
Adult Forum, 9:15 am, Undercroft: “Stories of Freedom Summer 1964″
Sunday Eucharist Rite II with music, 10:30 am, Nave
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, 10:30 am, Atrium
Sunday School, 10:30 am, Old Rectory Classroom
AA, 7:00 pm, Old Rectory

WEEK OF October 18-24, 2009
Bible Study, Tuesday 10:00 a.m., Old Rectory
Prayer Group, Tuesday 11:00 am, Old Rectory
AA, Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Lower Level
Choir rehearsal, Thursday 7:30-8:30 pm, Lower Level
Rector’s day off, Friday

CONGRATULATIONS to
Al and Ruth Lindsey, proud grandparents of Amelia Lindsey Hunter, born October 14th.  Amelia is the daughter of Kent and Elizabeth Hunter.

CONGRATULATIONS to

our Miami students for raising $200+ for the CROP WALK on October 3rd. Special thanks to Jessica Toglia who walked the talk.

Did you know you can buy the following from the Talent Sale? …

  • Bulgarian coffee cake
  • Pot roast with veggies
  • Pumpkin cake
  • and more!

Check out your Talent Sale Catalogue!

Stewardship of the gift of Holy Trinity – In the Sunday School room of the Old Rectory is a poster about stewardship:  “In the church, we use the word stewardship to talk about how we care for God’s gifts.”  As we individually try to be good stewards of God’s gifts, let us also remember how our efforts are multiplied through the collected good stewardship of treasure, time, and talent represented in the offerings of the bread and wine for our Eucharistic Thanksgiving.

UTO Fall Ingathering is today! Forget your envelope?  There is another one in your bulletin. Put it in the offering plate, or drop it off this week or mail in a check.  Where does the money go?  It is deposited into an interest-bearing account from which only grant money, no expenses, is deducted. From that account, grants are made to projects that have been carefully assessed.   In 2008 grants totaled $2,401,907; however, $7,923,979 in applications were reviewed.  There is still much unmet need.  There’s no doubt today’s donations will be matched with a deserving project!

PRAYER CIRCLE this week:  Becky Lukens; Rosamond Mandell; Gary and Eula Martin; Lila Mason; Warren and Bonnie Mason; Hayden and Cynthia May; George and Barbara McCabe; Kathy McCabe and Stephanie; Bill and Barbara McKinstry; Hilda McLaughlin; Mike and Cathy McVey, Sam and Nora.

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News for October, 2009

Posted on October 10, 2009 by holytoxford

Here is the October Triad PDF.

After our worship at 10:30 on October 25 we will gather for the first of our two annual meetings. Updated directories will be distributed as well as the following forms filled out for all of our ministries/programs. If you are a chairperson, coordinator, or point person of any ministry/program at Holy Trinity, please fill out this form in DOC format and return it to the office by Sunday October 18th. All chairpersons/coordinators/point persons will be recognized and given the opportunity to briefly introduce your respective arenas in the life of Holy Trinity. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite new people into your endeavors. Our ingathering for the 2010 Every Member Canvas will also take place. Plan to be with us as we also break bread together at lunch, which will be provided.

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Watch this space!

Posted on September 23, 2009 by holytoxford

Because of some changes in the Holy Trinity office staff, we have been unable to post the weekly calendar of events in a timely fashion. We hope to have that situation taken care of soon.

Thanks for your patience.

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Rector’s Ramblings for September, 2009

Posted on August 29, 2009 by holytoxford

The Rev. Karen Burnard; search category "Rector's Ramblings" for other columns

From the September 2009 Triad:

Bob and I spent some Sabbath time on vacation down south. We communed with God through people, dolphins, alligators, sunsets, oak trees, hanging moss, palmetto palms, sand, birds of all kinds, water. We walked where the Wesleys and Oglethorpe and Bilali walked, on Saint Simon’s and Sapelo Islands. We met a “7th generation swamper” who showed us carnivorous plants and affectionately called the swamp his “office.” Bob even discovered that one of his own ancestors may have lived at Fort Frederica in the 18th century; we’ll have to check that out.

We thank you all at Holy Trinity for vacation. Vacation is a gift. The water is so peaceful, healing, awesome: its sound and color and movement. Fortunately I can say that because we weren’t there during a hurricane! Every time we celebrate a baptism I think of the ocean or a lake or a river, wishing I could have been present for the baptisms John did in the Jordan, including Jesus.

Soon – October 11 – we will bless the water for baptism of Will Taylor, hopefully with his brother Sam’s help. We will bless the water of baptism as we give thanks for all our children and God’s creation, especially water which makes up about 2/3 of our bodies and about 2/3 of our planet … and which sustains our life.

Thanks be to God!
Karen

LOOKING AHEAD
–Sunday, October 4, 10:30 a.m. – Worship, Picnic, Blessing of the Beasts at Dogwood Park.
–Sunday, October 19, Fall Program and Annual Meeting.

Bishop Breidenthal Back
All Saints Sunday, November 1, Bishop Breidenthal will be with us at Holy Trinity. This is a great opportunity to renew your faith, or be baptized or confirmed (you or your children/grandchildren). Please see me if you would like more information about this. All questions are heartily welcome!

Karen Burnard
htrector(AT)woh.rr.com

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Rector’s Ramblings for August, 2009

Posted on August 29, 2009 by holytoxford

The Rev. Karen Burnard; search category "Rector's Ramblings" for other columns

From the August 2009 Triad:

Spurn religion?
Or change culture?

Recently I saw the headline and read the article “Religion plays role in teen depression.” In the article it was suggested that there are conflicts between religious customs and mainstream culture which may contribute to teen depression.

One custom from several religious traditions, including ours, is the act of generosity. Sharing a meal, giving alms to those less fortunate than ourselves, serving as a Benefit Bank Counselor or Oxford Choice Food Pantry volunteer, even taking vacation days to do missionary work, are all examples. Obviously when we engage in these generous acts, we have made the choice to give, to share, to think of people beyond ourselves. If this depresses our youth or anyone else, does that suggest we should throw out religion?

I think not.

So many times people claim to be “spiritual but not religious.” These same people tell me how they can engage in acts of generosity without having to be associated with some religion. I agree. And I know this world’s religions, including ours, have had a checkered history in terms of being generous, compassionate and just.

But what of our culture?

Isn’t it possible that those teens whose depression may have been influenced by their conflict between religion and culture simply have eyes to see and ears to hear?

They understand that sometimes their religion is calling them to the higher ground, the “road less taken.” They feel how difficult that can be, especially at their age and in this culture.

How many of us, at any age, feel tension between our religious convictions and the culture in which we also live and move and have our being? That tension certainly didn’t stop when I left teenagehood. Yet step by step, year by year, our strength and courage grow as we refuse both to throw out religion and to leave the culture. (You won’t hear me recommend home schooling, one way to exit the culture.)

Finally, perhaps the real issue is how to help teens when they experience tension and conflict (which they will), and to teach them the concept of “both and.” Religion and culture are not mutually exclusive, though not always compatible. When they are incompatible, we may have to make a choice. And the best customs of religion contribute to the overall vitality and health of the culture.

Thanks be to God.

Karen

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New Dohn family newsletter

Posted on August 27, 2009 by holytoxford

Drs. Michael and Anita Dohn, medical missionaries in the Dominican Republic, are now sharing their news on their web site rather than sending hard copies. To stay tuned with their lives and their mission please check out:

http://dohnfamily.org

This will also save money for the Dohns and their clinic in the Dominican Republic.

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Community Dinner

Posted on August 26, 2009 by holytoxford

Dear Holy T,

Don’t forget that our Community Dinner is tonight (8/26/09).

Thanks, Karen Burnard

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11th Sunday after Pentecost, August 16, 2009

Posted on August 13, 2009 by holytoxford

[note: Some of this information was erroneously presented in last week’s entry. As far as the editor knows, it is correct for this week]

TODAY

Sunday Eucharist, 8am Rite I, Chapel of St. Bede
Sunday Eucharist, 10am Rite II, Nave
Nursery, 9:45 a.m., Undercroft
AA, 7:00 p.m., Old Rectory.

WEEK OF AUGUST 16-22, 2009
Prayer Group, Tuesday 11:00 a.m., Undercroft
Bible Study, Tuesday noon
Finance Committee, Tuesday 7:00 pm, Old Rectory
AA, Tuesday 7:00 p.m., Undercroft
Rector’s day off, Friday
Office closed, Friday; have bulletin items in by Wednesday.

Thanks to everyone for turning off cell phones during the service.

Next Sunday, August 23, the 10:00 a.m. Eucharist will return to 10:30 a.m.

St. Bede Pamphlets – Relative to Cleve Callison’s discussion in Adult Forum and his homily several weeks ago, there are now pamphlets in the narthex and foyer that can be picked up.

Kroger cards are again available. If you need one or want more information about how they work please see or phone Linda Church (523-4356) or Judy Shaw (523-3493). Proceeds from these cards support the Holy Trinity food outreach projects of the Community Dinner, Serve City dinner and the Community Food Pantry. Cards are available from Linda, Judy, or in the church office.

Prayer Circle this week: Bob and LaVerne Pruden; Jim and Barbara Reid; Wendy Richardson; Bill and Joyce Rouse; Erin Schilling; Karl and Karen Schilling; Ted and Harriet Schmitt; Tom and Angie Schultz, Katie, Luke; Jordan and Rachel Secrest, Adrian; Walter Secrest and Lillie Hill; Judy Shaw.

Prayer Circle next week: Dick and Ginger Smith; Jack and Sally Southard; Mike and Lynn Stahr, Cindy, Nina, Morgan, Michael; Susan Stiles; Jane Strippel; Chris and Elizabeth Taylor, Sam, Will; Nicole Thesz, Mathias; Robin and Mary Fahnestock-Thomas, Robin, Molly; Charles Gill and Ann Titus.

Coming Events

Habitat for Humanity -Just for the sheer joy of it, I encourage you to drive by the Habitat house at 106 Main Street in College Corner. What was a mere slab three months ago is now an enclosed house with roof and shingles, siding, a front porch and framework for the interior walls. We hope to have it finished in September so the Fisher family can take possession and move in. Many thanks to those of you who have contributed time, talent, and money to support this project. And remember, you’re always welcome to show up on Saturday morning and assist in the construction—or volunteer for all sorts of behind-the-scenes tasks. For information, contact Mary Melvin, 523 8752.

Holy Trinity Pantry: As always, your generosity has helped enormously as we keep the pantry stocked for the community dinners. We are in special need of laundry detergent, baby products including wipes, shampoo, body wash, and diapers in sizes 2, 3, and 4, and cleaning supplies such as Pine Glo. No time to shop? Give us some cash or a check and we’ll do it for you. – Geoff and Judith

Holy Trinity Recycles:Containers for recycling: (1) Plastic bags; (2) batteries; (3) #1 clear plastic containers (look for the triangle with 1 on the bottom and on any detached lids); (4) fluorescent (not incandescent) bulbs are now located in the Bishop’s Foyer. Please remember that all recyclables that Rumpke takes (paper, cardboard, #1 and #2 plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars) can be placed in the recycling bins in the kitchen and Old Rectory.

The Rector will be on vacation from August 1 to August 16, returning to her office on August 17.

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