WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – January 20th – Fr. Thomas
Eboo Patel, the distinguished author and commentator, in his book, Sacred Ground tells the story about visiting Berea College in south central Kentucky. Prior to a scheduled speech in the college chapel, he was asked by a college official if he wanted the cross removed from its prominent place in the church. The question was an attempt to be sensitive to Patel’s deep Muslim faith. Patel’s response was somewhat surprising. Rather than consent to the cross’ removal, he replied: “I don’t want them to cover the cross. I don’t want them to hide their faith; I want them to tell the story of how that cross inspired them to build an interracial college in pre-Civil War Kentucky. I want them to tell the world: “This is what it means to be Christian.” I want them to share how the cross moves them to admit Buddhists from Sir Lanka and Hindus from India, and have them in classes and volunteer activities with Christians from Appalachia.” (Speaking personally, I attended youth camp in my teens at our diocesan retreat center in the Appalachian hills nearby, where it was so “backwater” that even Episcopalians were handling snakes!)
The Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began on January 18th, The Feast of the Confession of St. Peter, (who was the first to acknowledge Christ as the Lord,) and concludes on the 25th, The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. And, as you know, last Monday was the national observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. who dedicated his life to teaching us about harmony among all people. Speaking personally, after over thirty years of observing and evaluating ecumenical dialogue, if we are not true to our own faith tradition, or if we ask our ecumenical partners or ourselves, to be something less than we are, we do each party a great disservice. In past generations, there would have been much to divide us, but in the past fifty years or so, we’ve come to much agreement on various, but not all, issues regarding our worship and theology. Now we have no excuse in ignoring the simple truth that we have much more in common than that which divides us. Nonetheless, we labor on because the world is too strong for a divided Christianity.
NOTICES:
Facebook Page. Please join our St. David’s social media community by scanning the QR code below. This will take you to our Facebook page where you can begin to follow us if you have not done so in the past.”
Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the ECW. Next Sunday will be hosted by Maria Scher.
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 22nd at 11:15 a.m. in the parish hall. Five new Vestry members will be elected, financial information for this past year will be presented and reports from various ministries will be presented.
St. David’s Family Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, February 19th after the 10:00 a.m. service. Please join us for what we hope to be the start of our annual church picnic for all parishioners and the community. There will be food, a bounce house, balloon animals, face painting and other games. We are looking for volunteers to help make this event a success. For more information, please contact Matt Hogan at 865-406-5978.
Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We are looking for volunteer Sunday school teachers, anyone interested can contact Erin Thomas to learn more details, or contact the church office.
Women’s Bible Study weekly meeting resumes on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.
Forward Day by Day brochures for next quarter are now available in the narthex. Donation $3.00.
Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist 8:30 a.m.
Sunday’s Worship: We are open for live worship on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. We also “live-stream” our 10 a.m. service.
Video Viewing Options for Sunday’s mass. There are three different ways to view our videos: 1) our church website; 2) our Facebook page; and 3) our YouTube channel. See the links listed below.
Opportunities for Giving – there are several options that safely and efficiently expedite your generous donations: electronic bank transfers or automatic bank transfers via personal accounts or credit/debit cards; personal checks delivered by USPS; and our favorite through joining our giving family online through our website or at myEoffering.com with our secure vendor Church Envelope Budget Company, who provides you with yearly offering envelopes. Please do NOT leave any envelopes with checks/cash unattended at church mailboxes.
PLEASE PRAY. For the sick: Alice, Amanda, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, David, Diana, Donna, Doris, Doug, Ed, Elston, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Harold, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For the departed: Craig Barnes. For birthday celebrations: Carly LaBorde, Dennis Amiel, Diana Firestone, Tanya Low, Millicent Thompson. For anniversary celebration: Tom and Joyce Parker. For our expectant mothers: Rebecca and Alexandra.
Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL
