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What are we pledging? | Fr Steve Rice
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It occurred to me this week that one of the deficits we have in the Episcopal Church is the lack formal reception for new members. There is nothing to say that we at St Timothy’s couldn’t create something, and perhaps we should, but there is nothing in the Prayer Book that enables us to receive members and proclaim what this means. In a conversation with a vestry member this week, it was observed that it is not always easy to explain why a person should join this or any parish, especially when anyone can participate fully in our liturgical life, formation, and works of mercy without having to join. The Church Universal - the Catholic Church - is localized in the parish. To be a part of Christ’s Body and to receive the grace that flows from her sacraments and ordered life is to be organically joined with the local parish. It is antithetical to the Gospel to be a freelance Christian. We are rooted and discover our growth through place and people. Life may cause us to move from place to place, but we are to graft ourselves in the local vine of Christ’s Body. Joining is to make a statement, it’s a public statement about a personal decision. Joining is to say I am in you and you are in me.
Giving makes a similar statement. Pledging is how we typically make this statement in 2016. Pledges are new, barely 100 year old, if that. Once upon a time, the Church was funded through taxes and then pew rents, now we support our ministries through the free and sacrificial gifts of the people. We do not tax and we can cannot charge for the pews, we trust in the converted and generous heart. The pledge helps the leadership reasonably plan for the future and it helps the individual hold themselves accountable to their responsibility as Christians in supporting the work of the Church. What are we pledging today? We are pledging our faith in the Lord Jesus that what we promise will be used for his glory. We are pledging our own sacrifice, to trust in Our Lord that he will provide for us as we give of what we have. We are pledging our support for the expansive work of St Timothy’s.
I am very grateful for all who support the work of this parish - those who pledge and those who do not pledge but consistently and sacrificially give for the work of the Church. I have never seen a parish stretch a dollar as far as St Timothy’s. The lion’s share of the credit goes to our staff: Christin, Katie, Robert, Raymond, Chris, Katie H., and John. We have 50% more people in worship on Sunday morning than 9 years ago and we have worked to inculcate an outlook, rhythm of life, and authentic ways of following Jesus that transform lives. The list is too long to include all, but we don’t have to look far to understand what I’m talking about: music, children, homelss shelter, Abraham Project, worship, formation for all ages, and on and on. Yet, adjusted for inflation, our giving is down and our personnel expenses are only up 7% - and that includes the skyrocketing cost of benefits. In short, we are doing far more with far less. The work ethic, entreprenuial spirit, and deep love of God and each other from staff and laity are responsible. But this is not sustainable nor healthy. Even now, we are operating at a high level with two fewer full-time employees than two years ago.
But these sample reasons, as good as they are, for faithful stewardship are not the most important ones. The most important reason is that we give as an act of faith. We give so we trust that God will provide. We give to seperate ourselves from the temptation of materialism, a temptation that promises an end but never delivers. We give to bend our hearts toward generosity. We give because it’s right. We give because we have received.
As your rector, my family and I commit to do the same. We pledge 10% of our income to the glory of God and the work of St Timothy’s. We, too, have a mortgage, children with braces, college on the horizon, and anxieties about retirement. But as a powerful act of protest against these negative worries - we give. We thrust ourselves upon the provision of God, trusting in his fidelity.
Let’s do something extraordinary. Let’s live extraordinary.
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The Sacrament of
Holy Baptism
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This Sunday we are pleased to welcome
Beckett Davis
through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Beckett is
presented for baptism by Reed and Lindsey Davis, Madeline Anne Lurio and Russell K. Williams, Jr.
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Join us Sunday at 3:30pm for Evensong & Benediction sung by St Timothy’s Parish Choir, Schola, and Choristers. The music will include the Canticles in G minor by Henry Purcell (1659-1695), Preces & Responses by Richard Ayleward (1626-1669), and the anthem “A New Song” by James MacMillan (b. 1959). Purcell’s Canticles have a dance-like quality that exemplifies the joy of Christ as expressed by the words of Mary in the Magnificat and Simeon in the Nunc Dimittis. Ayleward’s Preces & Responses makes use of colorful harmonic progressions to highlight the spirit of the various prayers and responses.
The Baroque style of both Purcell and Ayleward contrasts sharply with the anthem “A New Song” by contemporary Scottish composer James MacMillan. MacMillan uses modal harmonies, vocal ornamentation, and an atmospheric organ accompaniment to create this “new song.” Check St Tim’s Facebook page for links to recordings of these pieces; being familiar with the music will make your worship even more meaningful. As always, thank you for your continued support of and prayers for the musicians of St Timothy’s.
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Remembrance Day is the Sunday following Armistice Day in Commonwealth Nations. Armistice Day, later known as Veterans Day is November 11. While it is primarily associated with the United Kingdom, the wearing of poppies on Veterans Day and Remembrance Sunday actually originated with an American, Moina Michael, and the American Legion.
Our plan was to have poppies available this weekend, but unfortunately our poppies were back-ordered. We will make every effort to have poppies next year and do our part to reinvigorate this powerful, and very American, tradition.
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Sunday's Music | Christin Barnhardt
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We will begin
Sunday
morning's mass with the hymn "Christ, whose glory fills the skies," one of Charles Wesley's many hymn texts. From Psalter Hymnal Handbook:
"Titled 'Morning Hymn' by Wesley, it is unusual in that it does not contain the customary reference to the previous night's rest or to the work and dangers of the day ahead. The text begins by placing the focus entirely on Christ, the 'light of the world,' the sun of Righteousness who rises with healing in his wings; he is the 'Dayspring' and 'Daystar.' Thus the 'light of Christ' is to fill our lives and lead us forward 'to the perfect day.'"
As we celebrate the sacrament of holy baptism at
9am
, we will sing "I want to walk as a child of the Light." A favorite at St Timothy's, this hymn is Kathleen Thomerson's (b.1934) best-known hymn text, which is set to her hymn tune Houston.
Hymns:
Christ, whose glory fills the skies, No. 7
Help, us, O Lord, to learn, No. 628
I want to walk as a child of the Light, No. 490 (
9am
only)
If thou but trust in God to guide thee, No. 635
All my hope on God is founded, No. 665
The choir will sing two very different anthems this Sunday: "
I Will Arise,"
a lively American tune from "Southern Harmony" (1835), was
arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw. The original tune name "Restoration" was renamed "Arise" when it was set to Joseph Hart's text "Come, ye sinners," whose refrain "I will arise" refers to the prodigal son. This Sunday's anthem combines text from Hart's hymn and the familiar hymn "Come, thou fount of every blessing. In contrast to this rhythmic anthem, the choir will also sing James Biery's (b.1956) setting of "O sacrum convi
vium." The text is from the Liber Usualis, which contains the complete Latin settings of Gregorian Chant for every Mass of the year, and the music contains harmonic structure based on continuous pedal-point that combines with intricate text layering to evoke mood of sacred mystery. The final "alleluia" section builds to an exuberant climax, then fades away.
Hope to see you
Sunday
morning for mass and
Sunday
afternoon for Evensong & Benediction: Purecll Canticles, Ayleward Responses,
"A New Song"
by James Macmillan.
See you Sunday,
Christin
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Children's Formation | Katie Bryant
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Children's Formation
This Sunday and every
Sunday, PreK children (ages 3 and potty-trained to age 5) gather downstairs during the
9ammass for a time of songs, stories, wonder, and play. Parents can drop children off as early as
8:45am in room C-4. Children join their families in mass at the passing of the Peace.
All children (PreK through 5th grade) can follow the wooden processional cross at the end of the
9am mass. We will lead the children downstairs and help them find their class. Here is the list of
10:15am formation classes for the fall:
PreK Formation--Room C-2
K-2nd grade Catechesis of the Good Shepherd--Room C-4
3rd-5th grade Advanced Godly Play--Room C-5
Middle School & High School Youth Formation--Drake Hall youth rooms
Adult Small Groups--at various locations around the church campus
All classes end just before the
11am mass. Parents, please pick up your children from their classes in the downstairs hallway. See you
Sunday!
OUTREACH UPDATES!
St.Tim's Overflow Homeless Shelter opens in less than 3 weeks! On
December 1st, we will open our doors each night so that homeless women in Winston-Salem can have a warm and safe place to stay the night. Volunteer sign-ups are live at
https://citywithdwellings.org/shelters/st-timothys St.Tim's shares the load with partner organizations who cover Mondays, Thursdays, and
Friday nights. Please sign up to volunteer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for the time being as our partner groups sign up volunteers on their given nights.
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Youth Formation | Katie Harper
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Youth Formation Sunday mornings is based on the lectionary readings.
There are two separate classes for Middle and High School Students in Drake Hall on
Sunday
mornings - and yes, the doughnut tradition carries on! Middle School will be in the youth room, High School in the classroom. Our continuing mission is to create a safe space for students to find what it means to be followers of Christ.
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Our Lady of Walsingham Lamp
is given to the glory of God
and in honor of the Altar Guild
for the month of November
by Fr Steve Rice
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St Timothy Shrine Lamp
is given to the glory of God and in memory of Fred Richards and in honor or Anne Richards
for the month of November
by Kenny and Beth Morphis
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Altar Flowers in Church and Chapel
The flowers for the altar are given to the Glory of Almighty God;
in honor of grandchildren John Weston, Julian Weston, Sadie Weston, Sam Stopyra, Bailey Weston, Mary Weston, Max Stopyra, & Joel Stopyra
by Claudette Weston;
and in memory of Mark E. Petroni
and in honor of Kevin, Ron, Christopher & Karen Petroni and the Petroni granddaughters & great-granddaughter by Ron Petroni & Christine Richards.
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Sanctuary Lamp
is given to the glory of God
and in honor of Fr. Steve Rice
for the month of November
by The Reverend Mia C. McDowell
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