The Church Bell
Vol. 2, no. 7
July / August 2018
September 16th is National Back to Church Sunday!
St. Agnes' is one of over 10,000 churches across America that will host the National Back to Church Sunday initiative.

The goal of this annual event is simple: Invite a friend or neighbor to church!

All of us are equally concerned about the declining role of church attendance in today's society.

People fall away from church for various reasons; however, most people welcome and appreciate a personal invitation to attend church with a friend or neighbor.

Back to Church Sunday provides this opportunity along with some important challenges.

First, we are challenged to look for ways to improve the "curb appeal" of our church facility.

Second, we are challenged to learn proper and effective ways to welcome and involve visitors and newcomers.

Third, we are challenged to see how a simple invitation to church is an extension of our mission and ministry and part of true discipleship.

We will spend the next few Sundays talking about these and other topics.

In the meantime, please share via e-mail your thoughts and suggestions. Most important of all, please cover this initiative in your prayers.
St George's Episcopal Church in Nashville has services on the web!
If you can't make it to church on Sunday, check out the website for St. George's in Nashville.

St. George's offers a live video feed on Sunday mornings that you can watch in real time.

Or, you can watch a previously recorded service any time you want, day or night.


From Bishop Lambert
Jesus asks nothing without giving us the strength to perform it. ... And if we answer the call to discipleship, where will it lead us? To answer this question we shall have to go to him, for only he knows the journey's end. But we do know that it will be a road of boundless mercy. Discipleship means joy.  

—Dietrich Bonhoeffer
All Joy in Believing

Dietrich Bonhoeffer hits the nail on the head.

We should all strive to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ but all to often we wane in our efforts because it may be too hard, or require a sacrifice that we are not willing to make. It’s so easy to talk ourselves out of being a disciple, the excuses are boundless.
 
As Bonhoeffer points out we should not be fearful of living the life of a disciple of Jesus because Jesus will give us the strength to fulfill our mission. We need only to go to him, and there with outstretched arms, receive us with love and mercy. He has promised to be with us......until the end of time.
 
As the summer days grow warmer and we look forward to the refreshing air of fall, let us also look forward to being a faithful disciple knowing with all certainty that Jesus is walking with us. He is before us to guide us, behind us to encourage us, and by our side to strengthen us in our journey.
 
May you experience the “boundless mercy” of our Lord Jesus Christ and be filled with “all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit”.

God bless you, one and all.

Bishop Paul
Update from the Caccese's
Nicholas Caccese was ordained into the Sacred Order of Deacons on June 2nd at Bruton Parish in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Nick, Jessica, Julia and Hannah moved into their new home in Naples, Florida this week and are still unpacking and getting situated.

Jessica mentioned that the parishioners at their new church have welcomed them with everything from cookies to furniture.

On August 1st Nick will then join the staff of Trinity-by-the-Cove. He is planning to be ordained into the priesthood sometime in December.

They send their love to all of us.
Update from the Odidi's
Fr. Martin and Funmi made their big move from Sewanee to Nashville on July 3rd.

They love their new home, which is an apartment on Whites Bridge Road only two blocks behind St. Thomas Hospital.

Fr. Martin joined the staff at St. George's Episcopal Church. He has spent his entire first week getting oriented and introduced.

The Odidi's send their love to everybody and also send an invitation to visit them soon.
Update from the Ender's
The Rev'd Sinclair Ender was ordained on July 19th into the Sacred Order of Priests at Trinity Cathedral, Davenport, Iowa.

He was ordained by the Bishop of Iowa assisted by the Bishop to the the Armed Services and Federal Ministries.

Fr. Ender is now a curate at Trinity Cathedral of the Quad Cities in Davenport, Iowa.

We look forward to hearing from Sinclair, Emily, Helen, and Danielle!
School is starting soon!
We join in prayer, celebration, and great anticipation for the new school year!

The area public schools will reopen in early August, and Sewanee will be back in session in late August.

We encourage you to support local school supply collections. Our neighbors at Cowan Cumberland Presbyterian Church, for example, are holding an enormous school supply outreach. The local Dollar General stores have one as well.
A Prayer for Schools and Colleges:

O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reminder: we are part of the Communion Partners
More than once the General Convention of the Episcopal Church has caused a great deal of worry for us at St. Agnes' and for other traditional churches like us.

This year's General Convention was no exception. If you listened to the mainstream media you likely heard only one side of the controversial decisions made at the triennial gathering.

In spite of what may have been said in the news media and in social media, the Book of Common Prayer has not been replaced by an alternative liturgy. There was no official vote to cease using traditional references to God. And there is no mandate whatsoever for clergy or congregations to host or participate in the blessing of same-sex unions.

Now is a good time to remember that St. Agnes' is a sponsoring member of the Communion Partners, a fellowship of clergy, laity and congregations in the Episcopal Church committed to the faith once delivered. Bishop Bauerschmidt and Bishop Lambert are members as well.

The Communion Partners provided a voice for orthodoxy at the General Convention as they have done in the past. Beyond the General Convention, the Communion Partners provide a place for traditional Episcopalians to stand in these challenging times.

It helps us to know that we are not alone. There are Episcopalians in various dioceses throughout the nation who share our convictions on the authority of scripture and the sacred teachings of the church throughout the ages.

If you want to read more about the Communion Partners, please visit their website at www.communionpartners.org .

We will soon have a Communion Partners chapter in the Diocese of Tennessee that individuals can join and be part of. Details are forthcoming...
Late Summer Birthdays
 July 21 - Nancy Glenn
July 21 - Sally Lambert
July 27 - Alice Black

August 9 - Rose Pearson
August 29 - Duncan Weddington
August 31 - Pat Underwood

September 2 - Benjamin Money
September 2 - Sara Money
September 21 - Mary Pearson-Smith

"O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on thy servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
We Remember in Prayer
Jacqueline Boyanton, Joe Money, Tom Tucker, Baby Elijah Green, Melissa Krosnick, John Kastrinos, Royana Stewart, Kurfees Boswell, Erma Little, Wynona Gibson, Tammy and Victoria Keese, Larry Woodall, Sue Hill, Celeste Simmons, Carter and Judy Smith, Fran Perry, Joe Ed Williams, Lamar Davis, Jimmy Moss, Bill Keller, Howard Gene Eslick, Alexis Mauldin, Benny and Betty Haney, Linda Milligan, Karen McCallie, and Subamma (our sponsored child).

We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger and for those in our armed services.

***

"O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayer, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sicknesses may be turned into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Updates from our church family
Alexis Mauldin is staying active on Facebook and keeping all of her friends up-to-date on her health situation. She is under hospice care and making plans for the months ahead. In spite of all the difficulty, she is grateful to be in Texas with her family. Please keep her in your prayers.

Royana Stewart is living at The Waters of Winchester and doing much better. She is going through a daily physical therapy program. Best of all, she just became a great-grandmother! We pray that she will get to see her new great-granddaughter very soon!

Howard Gene Eslick is also at The Waters of Winchester and doing well. He enjoys visitors!

Betty Haney got good reports on her last round of tests. She is still wearing a port, but hopeful that it can be removed sometime this fall.

Melissa Krosnick is recovering from surgery to her hands. It was a painful surgery and recovery, but she is getting better.

We are always glad to see Bill Keller when he can make it to church. He has good days and not-so-good days, but is staying in touch and appreciating our prayers.

We are proud of Winona Gipson and the progress she has made since her surgery.

Sunday Service ....................................11:00 a.m.
Sunday School .....................................10:00 a.m.

Location/Address: 105 England Street E., PO Box 356, Cowan, TN 37318
Telephone: (931) 636-6313
The Rt. Rev'd Paul Lambert...............................Pastor and Celebrant

The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt................Bishop

The Jean Mweningoma.....................................Visiting Priest

L. Jarod Pearson................................................Lay Reader