The Small Church with the Big Heart!

August 31, 2017, Vol. 131

Weekly Calendar
Upcoming Events
Friday, September 1
Contemplative Prayer: 9:00a

Sunday, September 3
Choir Practice: 8:30a (NOTE time change)
Holy Eucharist rite II: 10:00a

Monday, September 4
Labor Day
Office will be closed

Wednesday, September 
HE and Healing Service:  12:00p

Friday, September 8
Contemplative Prayer, 9:00a
Sunday, Sept. 10
Stewardship Kick Off - 
Rib lunch after service

Tuesday, September 12
Executive Committee meeting, 9:00a
Men's Group at noon

Wednesday, September 13
BBQ & Blues Meeting, 5:00p

Tuesday, Sept. 19
Vestry Meeting, 9:00a

Wednesday, September 20
DOK Meeting, 11:00a

Saturday, Oct. 21
Barbecue and Blues


Please Pray for and give to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Below is an article by the Rev. David Knight who is the current Rector at St. Simon's on the Sound in Fort Walton Beach.  During Hurricane Katrina he was the Rector at St. Patrick's in Long Beach Mississippi which was completely washed away during that horrific storm.  He has first hand knowledge on the best way to help those in Houston.  Please read and do what you can to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. 

God's Peace,
Mark+



Remembering Katrina and How to Help After Harvey
by the Rev. David Knight, St. Simon's on the Sound, Fort Walton Beach

August 29th always brings with it painful memories and a feeling deep in my soul that is hard to describe. Although 12 years have passed since Hurricane Katrina the memories are still fresh and especially poignant with the devastation in Texas and Louisiana from Harvey.

St. Patrick's in Long Beach, Mississippi where I was the rector was completely washed away by the storm, but the church remained. As you know, the church is the people, the body of Christ and while we were slam dunked with the breath knocked out of us, we were lifted up by the outpouring of support we received, especially from the faith community, including many of you!

I wanted to offer a few suggestions regarding ways to help after such disasters. Some of these were learned, literally, the hard way. I offer them in love and thanksgiving for all who open up their hearts in any way to those in need.

First of all it is imperative we listen to the folks on the ground as to what they need the most. At this stage they are simply trying to keep people alive and as frustrating and helpless as that may feel to us, until they ask for volunteers to show up we serve them better by waiting. One of the most difficult things we had to deal with was having volunteers show up with big hearts and great intentions, but with no way to sustain themselves and looking for us to provide them food and shelter. The people of Texas and Louisiana will need help and they will need it for a long time, longer than we might even imagine at this point. This is a marathon for sure. They will let us know when they want us and how we can best help and what we need to bring.

Their first responders will become exhausted and thankfully there is a huge network of fire, police, EMT and health care workers who stand ready to give them a hand. We lost every police car and fire engine in Pass Christian, but soon after the storm we were loaned replacements, along with people to man them for a time. There may be a way to financially support those efforts.

Please don't send clothes. Managing the mountains (and they were actual mountains) of donated clothes was a huge burden, and as kindhearted as people were much of what was sent was unusable. From a church perspective, I cannot tell you how many sets of old choir robes and even very heavy, wool chasubles I was sent! They may ask for specific items, but the best way to help with food and clothing right now is by sending money. And especially as local businesses are able to reopen, spending money in the community will be an enormous help to them.

Episcopal Relief and Development was an amazing partner for us. I trust them completely. They supported our establishment of Camp Coast Care as a place for volunteers to come and be fed and sheltered as they worked in the community. Once such places are established in Texas and West Texas, I am sure many of you will be able to join in the recovery effort. I believe Katrina was the first domestic disaster ERD (as you know, formerly the Bishop's Fund for World Relief) was involved in. They have increased their capability and staffing for domestic disasters greatly since then and are ready to help.  Make a donation to help those effected by Hurricane Harvey by clicking here.

Donations to the Diocese of West Texas and Diocese of Texas directly can help tremendously as well. They will know exactly what kind of support the clergy and lay leadership need and how best to manage it. Let us not forget the absolute destruction of the coastal areas in the Diocese of West Texas, a different kind of disaster than the horrific flooding in the Houston area. Their needs will be somewhat different and I hope they continue to receive much attention.

It goes without saying we all need to be praying. I have no doubt that soon they will experience what we did after Katrina, the incredible generosity of thousands of people who will share their gifts of time, money, talent, and love. God bless you all.

David Knight+

BBQ & BLUES - Update

 Reminder - The next meeting is September 13, at 5:00p in Hovde Hall.  All are welcome!

We are not seeing very good results from our requests for merchant donations.  Please, if you have not done so, follow up with your merchants and get those donations in!

The success of the event depends on YOU! 

The date for BBQ & Blues is set for October 21, so let's get going!  Lots to do!!
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Please keep in your prayers:
Our Congregation:   Jerry Fuller, Janet Gilmore, Carol & John Waller, Charlotte Befay, Jeanne and Charley Keenan, Hank Mudgett, Margaret Scott, Elaine Christansen  
Our friends:  Dan Olsen, Nancy Dickerson, Bryan Rider, Rylee Hale, Jackie and Malcolm Tuthill, Bruce Teare, Daniel Rosson,, Kimberly Morton, Eleanor, David Dylewicz, Abbie Norman, and the Cubbages.
Birthdays and Anniversaries


September Birthdays:
Carol Lewis (09-12), Joni McDonald (09-12), Audrey Fuller (09-20), Paul Kreamer (09-20), Miles Doolitttle (09-23), Warren Josephson (09-24), Buzz Lohmiller (09-30)


September Anniversaries
Kathy & Billy Cunningham (09-04), Martha & Paul Kreamer (09-17)


If you have a birthday and/or anniversary that you would like us to recognize, please get the information to the office.  Just call 251-961-2505.
Ministry Schedule 

Sept. 3 Sept. 10
Greeter & Usher:   
Pamela & Paul LaBrosse
Paul Condit
Eucharistic Minister
David Long
John Linquist
Lector: 
Evelyn Long
Billy Cunningham
Prayers of the People:
Donna Ellis
Kathy Cunningham
Oblationer:
Sharon Paine
Amy Ewald




Please note:  If you are unable to make your scheduled day, please find a substitute.
A bit of humor from Rachael

 
An inexperienced preacher was to hold a graveside burial service at a pauper's cemetery for an indigent man with no family or friends. Not knowing where the cemetery was, he made several wrong turns and got lost. When he eventually arrived an hour late, the hearse was nowhere in sight, the backhoe was next to the open hole, and the workmen were sitting under a tree eating lunch.
      The diligent young pastor went to the open grave and found the vault lid already in place. Feeling guilty because of his tardiness, he preached an impassioned and lengthy service, sending the deceased to the great beyond in style.
      As he returned to his car, he overheard one of the workman say to the other, "I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years and I ain't never seen anything like that."



The Mission Statement of the Episcopal Church of the Advent is to provide opportunities for worship, fellowship, joy, spiritual growth and community service, all for the love of God.

Vestry, Church Staff and Diocese

Vestry
Jean Ray - Sr. Warden
Kenny Lomers - Jr. Warden
Kathy Cunningham - Vestry Clerk
Don Lewis
Gloria Sims
Sandy Dorsett

 
Church Staff and Treasurer
Charles Tucker, Minister of Music
Cheryl Josephson, Treasurer
The Rev. Mark W. McDonald - Vicar

Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
The Rt. Rev. J. Russell Kendrick

Episcopal Church of the Advent | 12099 County Road 99, Lillian AL 36549  | 251-961-2505 | [email protected] | www.AdventLillian.org
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