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WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – July 12th – Fr. Thomas

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Anyone driving around Wellington and “environs” in recent months will have noticed an increase in construction work sites; road widening, underground pipe installations, tree trimming, concrete light posts replacing wooden ones, and the customary pre-hurricane season preparations.  The “sermon” here is that change may not always be as apparent, but life as we know it never remains the same.  Yet, the Good News as St. Paul wrote to the Philippians (4:13) is that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  The end of the road may not be “in sight,” but as long as we keep our eyes firmly fixed on the goal of everlasting life, we’ll be on the right track.  Because if you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere anyway.

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success. 

So, accept your path, with its twists and turns.  The adventure is in the journey, not the arriving, because God promises a safe landing, not necessarily a smooth passage.

NOTICES:

Video Viewing Options – there are four different ways to view our videos and receive our newsletters: 1) an email link within a newsletter; 2) our church website listed below; 3) our YouTube channel;  4) Facebook snippets. See the links 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 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.

2021 Offering Packets – I will be sending my file for 2021 yearly offering packets for printing. If you have any address changes, or if you NO longer use envelopes and send your contributions via MyEoffering.com, keeping costs down, please let me know so that I can remove your name from the

The Diocese of Southeast Florida – has extended the ban on Church-wide in-person services, events and meetings and other activity until further notice, until at least July 31st. Live-streaming and recording of worship will continue, but no other in-person activity is permitted. We will move into Season 2 only when we are clear that it is safe to do so.

Cyber-Security Threats – are real and can happen to any of us. Knowing that most of you did receive last week’s newsletter but not the Sunday mass video, please look in your junk/spam/trash folders, mark our emails as ‘not junk’ and re-type the church’s email address back into your contacts. Hopefully, none of you replied to the hacker’s scam to purchase gift cards or send money to an unknown party; be sure to delete that scam email out of your inbox, trash, and delete files. Make sure our original email address is the only one you have. If in doubt, call the parish office.

Flowers for the Altar – Thank you to our donor for their contributions from March through June. If you wish to designate someone to be honored August and September, or in any month, please contact the parish office. July designees are:

  • Birthdays of Michel & Theresa Guillaume, by Michel Guillaume
  • Wedding Anniversary of Michel & Theresa Guillaume, by Michel Guillaume
  • In loving Memory of Robert Gardinier, by Jan Swearingen & Henriette Gardinier
  • Wedding Anniversary of Mike & Sue Riddle, by the Riddles

Village of Wellington – the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington Mall by Nordstrom’s at 8:30-10:30 a.m. on TUESDAYS. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family. View the link to learn more information…https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=164

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through July – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!

Please Pray – For the sick: Annabella, Ed, Zoe. Jacob, Rita, Sarah, William, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Kenneth Barnett, Lauren Melton, Lucas Joseph, Joyce parker, Marc Duquesnay, Estelle Beresford, Danielle Kiminyo, Laurel Tarr, For our expectant mother: Andrea. For the faithful departed; Alicia Blodgett.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp10_RCL.html

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWRA9VxChBQd5l6rf3kF3A

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – July 5th – Fr. Thomas

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Now that we’re at the beginning of the fifth month of the pandemic, (I’m measuring the weeks from the last Sunday in which we were able to worship together in person, which was March 8th) it feels in a strange way like Lent is still upon us.  Lent is a time when we traditionally “give up” something; but for only forty days, not four months! It’s when we’re afraid of what we might have to give up that we hear Jesus words in the Gospel reading from St. Matthew for this Sunday, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

A guy fell off a cliff and, on the way, down, he grabs a branch. It’s foggy, and he has difficulty seeing. He’s hanging on for dear life. He looks up and cries, “Somebody help!  He hears God’s voice, “This is the Lord, trust Me, let go and I’ll catch you.” He thinks he’s hearing things, so he asks, “Is anybody else there?” Again, he hears God’s voice, “This is the Lord, trust Me, let go and I’ll catch you.”  The man finally decides to trust God and let go, and when he does, the fog disappears to reveal that he is only two feet off the ground.

Maybe it seems sometimes that things are worse off than they really are.  Perhaps for most of us, but sadly there are folks who are a lot worse off than we are. Those who have lost their jobs, their health, and their lives.  So, what have we given up thus far during the “lock down?”  Visiting relatives or friends, dining at our favorite restaurants, traveling to places we we’re looking forward to seeing, resources no longer at our disposal. Put your so called “disasters” in perspective and ask yourself, “In five years will this matter?” Because worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow troubles, it takes away today’s peace.  May that peace, which passes all understanding, abide in our hearts and minds this day, this month, and forevermore.  AMEN!

 

NOTICES:

Happy Blessed & Safe Independence Day Weekend

The Diocese of Southeast Florida – has extended the ban on Church-wide in-person services, events and meetings and other activity until further notice, until at least July 31st. Live-streaming and recording of worship will continue, but no other in-person activity is permitted. We will move into Season 2 only when we are clear that it is safe to do so.

Cyber-Security Threats – are real and can happen to any of us. Knowing that most of you did receive last week’s newsletter but not the Sunday mass video, please look in your junk/spam/trash folders, mark our emails as ‘not junk’ and re-type the church’s email address back into your contacts. Hopefully, none of you replied to the hacker’s scam to purchase gift cards or send money to an unknow party; be sure to delete that scam email out of your inbox, trash, and delete files. Make sure our original email address is the only one you have. If in doubt, call the parish office.

Video Viewing Options – there are four different ways to view our videos and receive our newsletters: 1) an email link within a newsletter; 2) our church website listed below; 3) our YouTube channel;  4) Facebook snippets.

 

Village of Wellington – the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington Mall by Nordstrom’s at 8:30-10:30 a.m. on TUESDAYS. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family. View the link to learn more information…https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=164

Flowers for the Altar – Thank you to our donor for their contributions from March through June. If you wish to designate someone to be honored August and September, or in any month, please contact the parish office. July designees are:

  • Birthdays of Michel & Theresa Guillaume, by Michel Guillaume
  • Wedding Anniversary of Michel & Theresa Guillaume, by Michel Guillaume
  • In loving Memory of Robert Gardinier, by Jan Swearingen & Henriette Gardinier
  • Wedding Anniversary of Mike & Sue Riddle, by the Riddles

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through July – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Please Pray – For the sick: Zoe. Jacob, Rita, Sarah, Alicia, William, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Rudy Bernard, Lynda Rozzi, Laurie Solomon. For our expectant mother: Andrea.

 

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp9_RCL.html

 

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

 

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – June 28th – Fr. Thomas

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A certain father was desperate for some peace and quiet one wet Sunday afternoon, so from his newspaper’s color supplement he tore out a picture of a map of the world.  He got a pair of scissors and cut the map into small pieces and then said to his children, “Come on now and put the world together again.”  After a bit of grumbling there were a few giggles and whispers, then a period of concentration, at the end of which the youngsters said, “There you are, we’ve done it.”  And so they had – but the picture was not a map of the world.  It was a photograph of a very happy looking family.  The children had discovered that it was on the back of the map picture.  And very fitting too; for isn’t the foundation of a united world a happy family?

Easier said than done, of course, but as Christians, our primary responsibility is not simply to “work our way into heaven,” but to bring others with us.  One more story – A group of first graders was discussing a picture of a family.  One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members.  One of the students suggested that he was adopted.  A little girl said, “I know all about adoption; I was adopted.”  “What does it mean to be adopted?” asked another child.  “It means,” said the girl, “that you grew in your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy!”

 

The Good News, in this and every age, is that God loves us, and that we as disciples of His Son, are meant to be agents of love in our broken and torn world.  When we show kindness to those who can repay us, it’s called “networking.”  When we show kindness with no thought of repayment, it’s called love.

 

NOTICES:

 

The Diocese of Southeast Florida – has extended the ban on Church-wide in-person services, events and meetings and other activity until further notice. Live-streaming and recording of worship will continue, but no other in-person activity is permitted. We will move into Season 2 only when we are clear that it is safe to do so.

 

Village of Wellington – the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington Mall by Nordstrom at 8:30-10:30 a.m. on TUESDAYS. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family. View the link to learn more information…https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=164

 

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through July – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Please Pray – For the sick: Sarah, Alicia, William, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Jacquie Murray, Cristina Anzures. For our expectant mother: Andrea. For wedding anniversaries: Doug & Joy Noe, Danny & Carol Sneade, Michel & Theresa Guillaume.

 

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp7_RCL.html

 

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

 

 

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – June 21st – Fr. Thomas

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A father and his son went on a fishing trip. When they returned home, the father was talking to a friend and at the same time the son was talking to a friend of his. The friend asked the father how the trip went, the father’s response, “Absolutely miserable, worse day of my life.  We struggled getting the boat ready to go, got to the lake and had to go and get gas, got out on the water late, and all the good fishing spots were already taken, finally found a place and the lines were all tangled together. No matter what kind of bait I was using, the fish were biting on something different. The sun was hot, and the mosquitoes were biting, and we didn’t catch a thing. The son’s friend asked how the trip went, and the son replied, “Best day of my life; didn’t catch a thing, but I got to spend the day alone with my dad.”

Last week in the sermon, I spoke about the REAL Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  I’m reminded of a story about St. Jean Vianney, the humble 19th c. Roman Catholic priest from Ars, France, who used to spend a great deal of time in the church, staring at the tabernacle above the altar (the receptacle which houses the Blessed Sacrament). Someone once entered the church and asked him, “What are you doing?”  To which the saintly priest replied, “I look at Him, and He looks at me.”  That just about says it all!  When we’re in the presence of someone we love the time is well spent. So, it is with God our heavenly Father, whether in church at mass, or in the seclusion of our own homes.  On this Father’s Day Weekend, let us give thanks for our fathers, living and departed, and pray for all parents.

 

NOTICES:

Happy Blessed Father’s Day.

Plans Change – Bishop Peter has “extended the closure of our congregations, schools, and special ministries until at least June 30th. Live-streaming and recording of worship may continue….no other in-person activity is permitted. We continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we shall move into Season II only when we are clear that it is safe to do so. This continued period of closure is the perfect opportunity for making preparations and ensuring that all is in order for the time when it becomes possible and safe to re-enter and re-gather. Read the Bishop’s Executive Summary in its entirety, found among the newsletter postings on this site.

 

Village of Wellington – the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington Mall by Nordstrom at 8:30-10:30 a.m. on TUESDAYS. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family. View the link to learn more information…https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=164

 

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through June – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Please Pray – For the sick: Diana, Sarah, Alicia, William, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Jonathan Pierre-Paul, Valerie Gordon, Marie Pierre-Paul, Kitonga Kiminyo, Leona Rozzi, Zane Hawk. For our expectant mothers: Andrea. For the faithful departed: Caswell Harish.

 

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp7_RCL.html

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – June 14th – Fr. Thomas

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Russ Blowers was a minister in Indianapolis who was also active in his local Rotary club. At club meetings each week a member would give a brief statement about his or her job. When it was Russ’ turn; he’d say, “I’m with a global enterprise. We have branches in every country in the world. We have our representatives in nearly every parliament and board room on earth. We’re into motivation and behavior alteration. We run hospitals, feeding stations, universities, publishing houses, nursing homes.  We care for our clients from birth to death.  We are into life insurance and fire insurance.  We perform spiritual heart transplants.  Our original Founder owns all the real estate on earth plus an assortment of galaxies and constellations.  He knows everything and lives everywhere.  Our product is free for the asking.  Our CEO was born in a hick town, worked as a carpenter, didn’t own a home, was misunderstood by his peers, hated by enemies, walked on water, was condemned to death without a trial, arose from the dead; and I talk with Him every day.”

Hopefully, most of us are talking with Our Lord every day, and perhaps these days, more often than usual.  Not to minimize the stress and concerns of the present time, but where would the world be without the Christian Faith in all its manifestations and ministries over the past two millennia?  Of course, our own personal salvation is important; but being agents of love in a world of darkness, has, and will continue to make all the difference.  In the words of the Russian novelist, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, “Men have forgotten God.  That’s why all this has happened.” So, even though the pessimist may see difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.  “Therefore, pray like it’s all up to God, then work like it’s all up to you.”

NOTICES:

Plans Change – Bishop Peter has “extended the closure of our congregations, schools, and special ministries until at least June 30th. Live-streaming and recording of worship may continue….no other in-person activity is permitted. We continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we shall move into Season II only when we are clear that it is safe to do so. This continued period of closure is the perfect opportunity for making preparations and ensuring that all is in order for the time when it becomes possible and safe to re-enter and re-gather.” Read the Bishop’s Executive Summary in its entirety, found among the newsletter postings on this site.

Village of Wellington – the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington Mall by Nordstrom at 8:30-10:30 a.m. on TUESDAYS. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family.

https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=164

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through June – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!

Please Pray – For the sick: Monique, Diana, Sarah, Juanita, Patti, Alicia, William, Caswell, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Jean Marshall, Shelley Baranowski, Carmen Johnson, Doug Noe, Sharon Young, Tann Philistin, Andrew Duquesnay. For those celebrating a wedding anniversary: Win & Shelley Blodgett. For our expectant mothers: Dani and Andrea.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp6_RCL.html

 

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

 

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – June 7th – Fr. Thomas

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As if the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough in our nation and world, and the official beginning of hurricane season; now we’re faced with rising tensions, anger, and violence as a result of the arrest and murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.  The racial tension that still exists in different places and in various forms hasn’t and will not go away anytime soon.  It’s easy for many of us to simply think, “Oh, we’re all alike; black, white, Hispanic, Arab, Oriental; so in the words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all just ‘get along?”  Well, we know that it’s not that simple; especially for those who have experienced racial discrimination in past, or even in present years.  When one hears the stories of racial prejudice one can sympathize and begin to comprehend the anger and suspicion which still exists among different races and groups of people.  However, we know too, that one cannot live in fear, nor live in the past either.

The message of Pentecost last week is that “We’re all in this together,” Red and Yellow, Black and White, they are precious in His sight,” as the old children’s song goes.  But not everyone “gets it.”  Why not?  Maybe we have a lot of work still to do as Christians.  Several people have asked me already in recent days if we’re living in the “End Times.”  My response, from an historical point of view, is probably not, but we’re called upon to live each day as if it were our first, last, and only day. Some Pentecostal preachers were warning us that the new millennium was the beginning of the apocalypse.  Well, here we are twenty years later, and what has changed?

So, we think we cannot change our world or ourselves; and we use that as a good excuse to simply live with the problems. Not to make light of the tragedies which afflict us throughout the years: wars, natural disasters, political upheavals, and plagues; but, we still have a lot of work to do to “colonize” our present existence before we move on to a higher one.  And, the Good News is that we’re not in this by ourselves. The problem, however, is that we’ve become too comfortable with our divisions.  We think the problems of the world are too big for us. Well, by ourselves, yes, they probably are.  No part of the body is indispensable.  We are all interrelated like a tag team.  So, I leave you with a favorite African proverb – “If you want to travel fast, walk alone, if you want to travel far, walk together.”

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it.  Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. (Thomas Merton, “Thoughts of Solitude”)

NOTICES:

Plans Change – Bishop Peter has “extended the closure of our congregations, schools, and special ministries until at least 30th of June.   Live-streaming and recording of worship may continue….no other in-person activity is permitted. We continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we shall move into Season II only when we are clear that it is safe to do so. This continued period of closure is the perfect opportunity for making preparations and ensuring that all is in order for the time when it becomes possible and safe to re-enter and re-gather. St. David’s will not be re-opening June 7th.

Village of Wellington –the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington mall by Nordstrom. The time was changed to 8:30-10:30 a.m. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family. 

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through June – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. This is a time change since we need to be at St. George’s by 10:30. Thank you for your continued support!    Joyce Parker 561-312-2719.

Please Pray – For the sick: Patti, Alicia, William, Caswell, Richard, Carole, Patti, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Riley Bresnahan, Ava Wolliston, Leila South, Sally Frenz. For those celebrating a wedding anniversary: Vince & Michelle Bianco. For our expectant mothers: Dani and Andrea. For the faithful departed: Ann Rech.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/ATrinity_RCL.html

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

 

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 31st – Fr. Thomas

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A group of surveyors were sent to a remote mountain to design a new map of the terrain. Every day they would go up and over the rugged hills and every night return to their camp. Usually every night they were joined by an old shepherd who enjoyed the companionship of their fire at night. They would swap stories and tell of their daily adventures up on the mountain.  One evening, the old shepherd insisted that he would accompany the surveyors the next day so they would not become lost.  Feeling fairly sure of themselves after so many successful trips already, they asked why he felt that he needed to go along. The shepherd quietly repeated, “I must go with you.” Still puzzled, the surveyors again described their many hikes through the mountains and their familiarity with the area.  Yet again, the shepherd insisted, “I must go with you for I know the mountains like the back of my hand.  If I don’t go, you will become lost.”  Somewhat aggravated, the surveyors replied, “We now have a map made of the area.” The shepherd quickly responded, “But there is no fog on your map.”  Despite the shepherd’s claim, the two “experts” went up the mountain early the next morning by themselves.  Soon a thick fog encircled them and led them astray. They were lost! They wandered literally all over that mountain growing increasingly exhausted.  Suddenly out of the fog, the shepherd appeared beside them and led them home, through the fog.

How many of us can relate to this story today?  We feel so sure of God’s presence when things are going our way, but when life throws us “curve balls” or we get lost in the fog, where do we look?  Well, these days, many reading this are watching our weekly video mass, or reading daily meditations, and saying their prayers.  Who is our shepherd?  Jesus Christ our Lord, who leads us beside the still waters, through the “fogs” of life; and whose loving kindness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, now and forever more. Amen.

(Even though we cannot yet receive the sacrament in person, we can make a “spiritual” communion while at home.  Here is a prayer for your use.)

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most holy sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

NOTICES:

Plans Change – Bishop Peter has “extended the closure of our congregations, schools, and special ministries until at least 30 June.   Live-streaming and recording of worship may continue….no other in-person activity is permitted. We continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we shall move into Season II only when we are clear that it is safe to do so. This continued period of closure is the perfect opportunity for making preparations and ensuring that all is in order for the time when it becomes possible and safe to re-enter and re-gather. St. David’s will not be re-opening June 7th.

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through June – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. This is a time change since we need to be at St. George’s by 10:30.  Thank you for your continued support!    Joyce Parker 561-312-2719

Please Pray – For the sick: Ann, Caswell, Richard, Carole, Patti, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Charles Sandell, Grace Hadicke, Victoria Wolliston. For those celebrating a wedding anniversary: Mark & Valerie Veckman. For our expectant mothers: Dani and Andrea.

 

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/APentDay_RCL.html

 

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

 

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 24th – Fr. Thomas

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On Being Faithful – (A return to in-person church attendance)

Dear Faithful St. David’s Parishioners,

The Diocese of Southeast Florida has issued recommendations for our return to in-person attendance at mass, during Season One, with restrictions related to keeping our parish healthy and thriving as we learn to live with the virus in our midst. The start of in-person worship will not be as we left it.  A re-opening planning committee was formed as required by the diocese, along with a list of rules including:

  • If you have any symptoms: fever, chills, aches, breathing issues, please stay at home
  • A maximum of 50 persons in attendance at any one mass
  • Attendees will be required to wear a mask – if someone does not have one, it will be provided at the door
  • In-person classes and meetings are suspended for now
  • No Nursery or Sunday school
  • No greeting line at entrance to church
  • No reception line after mass
  • Coffee hour is suspended for the time being
  • Social distancing policy includes:
    • Temperature check station at door to narthex – if temperature is over 100.4 degrees then you will be asked to go home and seek medical care
    • Prayer books and hymnals have been removed; scripture readings, common texts and hymns will be printed in the program – if you have your own copy of the Prayer Book, feel free to bring it with you
    • Seating will start with every other pew beginning with the front pews, six feet distancing, with a 360 degree circumference, except for families and couples
    • No passing the collection plate – offertory plates will be located at the rear of nave
    • No physical contact during exchange of the peace
    • Floor markers indicate proper spacing when going to receive communion
    • Single line to receive communion in one kind only in the hand (not in the mouth)
    • Music with organ and soloist only – no choir at present
    • Exit by rows beginning with the back rows first
    • We encourage our most at risk parishioners to continue a “safer at home” policy

In order to comply with the above restrictions our Planning Committee needs you to please reply to the questions below by May 25, 2020 via email saintdavidschurch@comcast.net  – Thank you.

  1. Are you planning to return to regular worship on or after June 7th?
  2. Which mass would you likely attend? 8:00am or 10:00am?  (Video masses will continue to be broadcast at present.)
  3. How many in your family will be attending?

Please Pray – For the sick: Caswell, Richard, Carole, Patti, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Laura Lee Montross, Jordyn Beresford, John Webber. For those celebrating a wedding anniversary: Rev. Steven & Erin Thomas. For our expectant mothers: Dani and Andrea. For the faithful departed: Connie Haas, Ravi Zacharias, Joseph Nasso.

Outreach – for the feeding of the needy in Riviera Beach at St. George’s church continues, Sandwiches only will be collected the next two weeks and drop off dates to St. David’s is Wednesdays May 27th between 9-10:00 a.m. Call Joyce Parker 561-312-2719.

Camp Wingmann – St. David’s Men’s Organization continues to financially support those of our youth who are interested in attending summer Christian camp in Avon Park at Camp Wingmann. Please notify Mike Riddle (email tdmr007@gmail.com) of your intent to participate either in the virtual summer camp during June or the onsite camp experience in July.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster7_RCL.html

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WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 17th – Fr. Thomas

/in /by

A man from Minnesota traveled to Key West on business. His wife was going to fly down the next morning to join him for a few days of vacation. When the man arrived he discovered the hotel had several desktop computers in the lobby for guests to use to surf the net and send emails. He sat down and sent an email to his wife. The only problem was he got one letter wrong in the email address and instead of going to his wife; the email went instead to a pastor’s wife who had recently buried her dearly departed husband. When the widow read the email, her family heard her scream and faint. The email said:

To: My loving wife.
Subject: I’ve arrived.
You’re probably surprised to hear from me, but they have computers here now. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then!
P.S. It sure is hot down here!

Well, the Good News is that God knows where we are – where we’ve been, what we’re going through right now, and where we’re going.  Even though at times we might feel like we’re “living diagonally in a parallel universe,” God doesn’t love us because we’re good – God makes us good because He loves us.

NOTICES for this week:

Vestry – meets via Go-To-Conference on Sunday, May 17 th, 11:15 a.m.

By Order of the Bishop – “The Episcopal Church has suspended all in-person services, gatherings, and meetings until June 5th.”

Sunday Scriptures – please click on the second attachment included in this email for a full view of the upcoming lessons for Sunday. Follow this link at anytime to refer to any scripture readings. https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster6_RCL.html

Rosary & Benediction – a video has been posted to our FaceBook page, scroll down on the left hand side to “video” category to locate it, otherwise, click here https://www.facebook.com/pg/SaintDavidsInThePines/videos/?ref=page_internal

View – Sunday mass – a videos posted are be found on the church’s website, Facebook via our YouTube channel. Do not forget to subscribe free so that we will in the future be able to retain our site.

Outreach – for the feeding of the needy in Riviera Beach at St. George’s church continues, Sandwiches only will be collected the next two weeks and drop off dates to St. David’s is Wednesdays May 20th, 27th between 9-10:00 a.m.

Camp Wingmann – St. David’s Men’s Organization continues to financially support those of our youth who are interested in attending summer Christian camp in Avon Park at Camp Wingmann. Please notify Mike Riddle (email tdmr007@gmail.com) of your intent to participate either in the virtual summer camp during June or the onsite camp experience in July.

Urgent Message – Please continue to pray for an end to the COVID-19 virus and its victims and thank you for your continued financial support  (check, automated bank transfers or electronic donations via www.myeoffering.com  to the life and witness our congregation in this community. For safety and security issue, please do not leave any checks in the communication mailbox attached to the parish building at the front door.

In case of a pastoral emergency, you can leave a message on our voice mail, and we will respond as quickly as possible.

Please Pray – For the sick: Caswell, Richard, Barbara, Carole, Patti, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: James Belden, Sr., Andrew Elmore, Denise Wilson, Virginia Barley, Angelica Cortez-Bennett, Debbie Gonzalez. For those celebrating a wedding anniversary: Wally & Cindy Hernandez, Joe & Debbie Piconcelli, James & Erika Belden, Irwin & Laurie Cohen. For our expectant mothers: Dani and Andrea. For the faithful departed: Connie Haas.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Physician of the body and soul, You restored sight to the blind, healed the lame and cured those with leprosy. Grant, we beseech You, the necessary knowledge and perseverance to all who are working on a vaccine to quickly end the spread of COVID-19. Have mercy on those who have died, and grant comfort to all who are affected in any way and those who are living in apprehension. Give us the grace each day to trust in You and Your loving mercy. We ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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