WEEKLY MESSAGE – November 15, 2024 – Saint David's in the Pines

WEEKLY MESSAGE – November 15^th – Bishop McGregor

How’s Your Neuroplasticity?

Wednesday and Thursday of this week, Rev. Patsy and I are at a Clergy Wellness Conference in Orlando, sponsored by the Episcopal Church Pension Group. We have learned many things assessing our Clergy well-being in six categories; Financial Resources, Physical health, Purpose of life, Emotional health, Social connectedness and Character strengths. What drives these six areas of well-being is neuroplasticity.

In a nutshell, neuroplasticity is training our brain to think, act and behave differently through growth and reorganization. Throughout our lives, our brains are trained to think a certain way. These thoughts become habits. It reminded me of what I taught the student evangelists in Madagascar.

Sow a thought, reap an action.

Sow an action, reap a habit.

Sow a habit, reap character.

Sow character, reap destiny.

As beloved children of God, we are forever training our brains to think, behave and live as Christ would. How is your neuroplasticity?

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.

Men’s Group at St. David’s. There will be an organizational meeting on Saturday, November 16^th at 9:00 a.m. in the church to form a Men’s Group at St. David’s. All men who are interested are invited to attend. Coffee and donuts will be served. Please come with your ideas.

Bunco is scheduled this Saturday, November 16^th at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Bring a dish to share – and we will have someone to watch the little ones. $10 per person, with 3 separate cash prizes.

Our last Stewardship Pledging Sunday is scheduled on Sunday. Our goal is to get 100% pledge cards returned.

St. George’s Table would like to thank St. David’s for their amazing delivery of 524 items.

Healing Service is scheduled today immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service in the church for those who would like special prayers.

Donations for Hurricane Victims. If you would like to make a donation to the Episcopal Relief & Development Fund for hurricane victims, please send your check payable to The Episcopal Relief & Development Fund at 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

First Communion will be held on Sunday, December 1^st at the 10:00 a.m. service.

1^st Annual Chili Cook Off will be held on Sunday, December 1^st immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service in the Parish Hall. If you would like to submit your chili, please see Matt Hogan or email him at mhogan73@att.net.

Stockings of the Stars Program. We will be collecting cash and checks for the stockings for Stars program gift cards on Sundays, December 1^st and 8th. For more information, please contact Joyce Parker at 561-312-2719.

New Members Course for those who want to know more about the parish and become members, we will have our last meeting on Sunday, December 8^th after the 10:00 a.m. service.

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. Nursery Care is available for children under 3 years old.

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

Youth Group Bible Study is scheduled this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the small school classroom.

Women’s Bible Study is scheduled each Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Mark Room.

Tuesdays: Holy Eucharist/Morning Prayer 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, Beverly, Bob, Carol, Carmen, Cathey, Clive, Danny, Dennis, Dudley, Elsa, Emily, Evelyn, Gavin, Glenn, Gloria, Ina, Iris, Jameson, Jim, Lloyd, Logan, Mary Ann, Megan, Michael G., Michael M., Pat, Pearl, Peggy, Phyllis, Rohan, Ronald, Shelley, Taj, Tanner, Teresa, Tom, Violet. For birthday celebrations: Yvonne Elliott, Jerry Frenz, Gloria Legister, Carol Sneade, Danielle Brown, Thomas MacVicar, Sara Webber. 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.