WEEKLY MESSAGE – May 24, 2024 – Saint David's in the Pines

WEEKLY MESSAGE – May 24^th – Bishop McGregor

This week I attended the annual diocesan clergy conference about congregational development. The primary focus is to grow a healthy congregation. One of the models they shared with us was regarding the Benedictine Life. Its premise is that there are three components of a good spiritual life. First, one must have stability in his or her life. It’s about having balance and rhythm in one’s life and community (St. David’s). Secondly, it’s also about obedience. It’s not necessarily about obeying as one understands it in the English language but rather from the Latin word (Obedir) which means to listen. One is to listen to God and listen to his people (community). The third component is the Conversion of Life. Ultimately, it’s about one’s conversion and renewal to Christ. But in order to get there, one has to make significant choices at the moment of change.

What does this mean for me and you at St. David’s in the Pines? In order for us to have a good spiritual life, it means that we need to make space for balance and rhythms in our lives and to listen to God and others while making significant choices which bring about change for each other and for the community. One recent example is that we started a healing service last Sunday (third Sunday of each month). We had approximately 40 people in attendance, more than what we anticipated. It was an amazing time: starting out with the healing litany, calling on the Holy Spirit, praying for one’s self and for others, laying hands on others, listening to God, worshiping God, anointing with oil and providing space for God. The healing team didn’t want to leave because of the God’s presence was vivid and real.

And it’s true! Why would we want to leave the Presence of the One who loves us most deeply? Thanks be to God for the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the promise that God is with us everywhere, all the time.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sandwiches for St. George’s: Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot on Wednesday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Hospitality Hour is scheduled after the 10:00 a.m. service – Hosted by the ECW. Next week will be hosted by the Daughters of the King.

St. David’s Annual Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, June 22^nd at 6:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. at the Village Walk Town Center Club, located at 2500 Village Walk Circle, Wellington. The theme is Black and White Masquerade with Music through the Decades. Silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $100 per person which includes an open bar. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, please contact Dennis Wright at 203-482-5079, Laurie Cohen at 561-262-9898, or Yvonne Elliott at the church office 561-793-1976. If you would like to make a donation or become a sponsor for this event, please clink on the attached link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lLd4uoT4z0mwo2vhgdK5fR8f4sSGXU0M/view?usp=drive_link

The men have been asked to donate a breakfast basket for the dinner dance. If you would like to donate, please contact Jim McKeown at 561-254-3873 or email at Jimckeown@comcast.net by June 9^th.

ECW will be having a tour of The Bulk Candy Store, 235 N. Jog Road on Saturday, June 1^st at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch at Hilary’s. A sign-up sheet will be on the credenza in the narthex. Limited 15 people cost is $10.00 paid to Linda McKeown by May 30^th. Open to everyone, including children.

The Book of Common Prayer. Bishop Todd will be having three (3) informational classes on the Book of Common Prayer. The first one will be on Sunday, June 2^nd at 11:30 a.m. in the church. The following classes will be on Sunday, July 28^th and Sunday, August 4^th. All are invited.

Sunday school is open and available for children starting at age 3 years old. We would love to have new teachers in our Sunday school, if you are interested in helping, please contact Katie Waters at katiewaters@hotmail.com.

Vestry Meeting is scheduled on Sunday, June 9th at 11:30 a.m. in the Sunday school classroom.

Youth Group Bible Study is scheduled on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the school classroom. Snacks will be served. Bring your Bible.

Bible Study at 9:00 a.m. is scheduled on Sunday in the Sunday school classroom.

Women’s Bible Study is on recess until Sunday, September 8th.

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist/Morning Prayers at 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 https://www.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: Audley, Bernadette, Bishop Curry, Carol, Dennis, Diana, Dorothy, Dudley, Emily, Grace, Jameson, Jim, Lloyd, Megan, Michael, Pearl, Peggy, Phyllis, Predrag, Robin, Ronald, Shelley, Shirley, Tanner, Teresa, Tom, Violet. For birthday celebrations: Jay Webber, Alice Valderrama, Nicole Thompson. For our search committee Howard Barrett, Jenifer Elmore, Janice Jacques, Kristi Lee, Sera Peat, Yvonne Wolliston, Cecil Wray.

Vestry Members: Howard Barrett – Senior Warden, Laurette Bagley, Kenneth Barnett, Jenifer Elmore, Matthew Hogan, Karlene Kiminyo, Chris LaBorde – Secretary, Linda McKeown, Irene Oknewski, Yvonne Wolliston, John Webber – Junior Warden, Dennis Wright – Treasurer.