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The Labyrinth Walk
Thursday, June 21, 2018
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The Altar Flowers are given in memory of Pat Davis and in celebration of the new ministry of
The Rev. Greg Warren from Jan Davis and Genie Davis.
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The Rev. Greg Warren
This Sunday will be The Rev. Greg Warren's first Sunday at St. Peter's as our Deacon-in-Charge.
He will be preaching in all three services. A reception will be held in his honor in the Parish Hall after the 11:00am service.
Rev. Warren is a Transitional Deacon; this means that he is an Ordained Deacon, and will be fully Ordained into the Priesthood this Fall.
A Note from The Rev. Greg Warren
I've been thinking a lot about new beginnings this past week. This shouldn't come as a surprise, as Monday marked my first day here at St. Peter's, as well as my first day of employment as a member of the clergy. I found myself walking silently through the empty parish, opening drawers in the sacristy (sorry Altar Guild, I promise I didn't move anything), kneeling at the altar, and fingering the colorful chasubles in the vesting room. I'll admit I was tempted to pull the cord for the bell but resisted-thinking the mid-morning interruption might be off putting to our neighbors.
It's been nearly three months since Mark and I first visited Conway and met face to face with some of the members of St. Peter's. Since then, we've fielded friend invites on Facebook and participated in the ups and downs of many parishioners from afar. Even at a distance, we felt the loving embrace of this very special community. Now we couldn't be happier to be here, in this new beginning.
Monday afternoon I was invited to join the Bible Study group and found the group dissecting the Gospel of John. I sat in awe as the group discussed, reflected, and questioned that wonderful, mystical, wisdom-infused text. It called to mind another beginning, the one that opens the Gospel: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." It reminds me that, in Christ, we are always beginning and, in the same way, never ending. The timelessness of his love meets us every moment. I'd like to think that the love that is so much a part of St. Peter's is a little bit of Christ's love being reflected. Reflected back to God and being reflected to each other. Thank you for making us a part of St. Peter's loving community.
Now let's get started....
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The Parish Office Needs your Info!
Please take a moment to email John Churchwell ( [email protected]) any personal information that has been changed (mailing address, email address, phone number).
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Evening Prayer in June
During the month of of June, the Daughters of the King will be leading Evening Prayer on Wednesdays at 7:00pm.
All are welcome to join!
**All Wednesday Night, July 4, Services and classes will be cancelled for that night. **
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Brown Bag Book Study will begin a new study, we every Wednesday at noon in the church library. Please join us for the reading of our own parishioner's book! Donna will be glad to sign copies and be available as a resource for us.
This Homebrewed Christianity Guide explores how Christian theology can address our rapidly changing paradigms of human existence. Donna Bowman argues that theology can contribute to our knowledge of the human self as gained through the sciences, that a theological perspective on humanity is useful in contemporary pluralistic and global settings, and that there's theological significance to work and play. She also tackles issues of gender, sexuality, creativity, and human expression--with jokes!
"Too often the church is answering questions no one is asking. This book answers questions people are asking. It is relevant, welcoming, and enjoyable!" --Gregory H. Rickel, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
"This book is written for many audiences, young and old and in-between; scholarly and non-scholarly, Christians and Nones. If there's a study group at the local pub, they'll come if this book is the option." --Jay McDaniel, Hendrix College
Please contact Rev. Dr. Linda Brown, Deacon, with any questions.
Email:
[email protected] cell: 501.590.0631
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Independence Day Celebration
July 3, 2018, 6:00pm
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Little Rock
We are pleased to announce that the Honorable Joyce Williams Warren will be our guest homilist for our annual Independence Day celebration and picnic. This is one of our favorite traditions at St. Margaret's... we invite the whole convocation of Episcopal Churches in the area to join us as we reflect on the gift of freedom and its disciplines, pray for our nation, and enjoy a patriotic picnic with food and fun for everyone. Judge Warren, whom you can read about in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, was the first black female judge in Arkansas, and for many years has been a passionate advocate for children and families, and for strengthening our communities. Please mark your calendars and invite your friends to join us on Tuesday, July 3rd at 6:00 p.m.
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Adult Forum for Summer 2018
Sunday's
at
10am
, in the Library
Join us for The Gentle Path: Christianity, Spirituality, and the Twelve Steps.
Using Richard Rohr's book, Breathing Underwater as a guide, leader Shane Montgomery will explore the Twelve Steps as a path to deepening our walk with God and take a look at the Christian roots of this methodology and it's connection to the Gospel.
***Adult Forum will not meet this Sunday, June 24***
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Cultivating Compassion
July 12, 2018
Summer Offering from Servant Leadership School: Do you want to experience the joy of living with a loving heart? Join June Stewart on Thursday evenings, 6:00 - 8:00, in the Morgan House, beginning July 12, 2018. No books to order, no assignments. $20 fee for snacks and copies of handouts. Childcare and scholarships available upon request. Just email
[email protected]
or fill out the registration form below:
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Youth and Families Fundraiser!
During the Month of May, St. Peter's Youth and Kids will be selling greeting cards in the lobby to raise money for Youth and Family programing (such as lock-in's, bowling, camping, splash bash etc.) Cards are $1 each or 12 for $10! Lots of retro stock and Disney themes!
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Volunteers Needed for VBS!
All VBS Volunteers are invited to an info meeting,
July 1 at 10am in the Choir Room.
July 29-August 3 is our Abundant Life Garden Project VBS!
St. Peter's is hosting our first VBS here on our campus this year and we need YOU! Can you read? Garden? Make snacks? Greet visitors? Teach science experiments?
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Bible Study
Bible Study of the Book of John meets on
Monday at 12:15pm and Thursday at 7:00pm in the Library. Check poster in lobby for details. Join anytime!
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Ministry Team Training
Interested in becoming a usher, oblationer, or greeter, 30-minute training will be offered
on
July 15 at 9:30
or
10:30
in Classroom 2. (Retraining for current ministry members offered at same time.)
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Find Us Faithful in Stewardship
Unbeknownst to me at the time, my parents planted the seeds of stewardship to the church early on in my life. I can remember a sense of excitement every January when I'd receive a fresh batch of 52 envelopes from the church that had MY name and the date of each
Sunday of the year embossed on the front. The fact that MY name was right there in reddish pink ink made me feel like an adult, made me feel like I mattered to that church. For many years, I would put 2 quarters in my envelope every week, then lick the glue strip (this was before self-sealing envelopes kids), and take it to church where I would plunk it into the brass offering plate with a velvet center as it passed my way. At some point, I shifted from 2 quarters to a whole dollar bill. What a relief I felt as my envelope didn't jingle jangle when I carried it, nor did it thud when I put it in the plate.
As a 44-year-old Episcopalian, this trip down memory lane makes me smile. Not only because it reminds me of a simpler time as a kid, but also because I marvel at the fact that my parents were teaching me (without me knowing it) the importance of giving back. And not just financially, but also by being present, by participating, and by living a life which always included a spot for church and faith. My parents modeled this behavior: they were the acolyte masters for years (in fact, my Dad is still doing it at age 72), Mom spent countless hours making the church grounds look like a garden paradise in the middle of downtown buildings and sidewalks, Dad served on so many committees and Vestries that I've lost count. They embraced the idea that stewardship includes everything we do after we say, "we believe." It was a whole-life concept for them. They understood that we are the stewards of God's household, God's possessions, whether nature, children, buildings, time, talent, or money.
It's been my hope and intention that this seed of stewardship that my parents planted years ago has begun to grow and blossom during my 12 years at St. Peter's. This place and this family has blessed me in ways I'll probably never fully understand, but I know that I am honored to be able to give time, talent, and treasure to this church. My gratitude for St. Peter's knows no season so I give year-round, not to make myself feel good, but to honor God and the gifts He has provided, including this church and you, my church family.
As we begin a new chapter in St. Peter's history, I encourage all of us (yep...me too!) to think about stewardship differently than we've done as a whole in the past. Are we giving generously from the resources we have been given? How can we help St. Peter's do even more of God's work in Conway, in Arkansas, and around the world? I'm excited to be on this journey with you and honored to serve alongside you!
Cheers,
Chris Odom
Sr. Warden
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Stewardship/Offering
| Ending 6/20/18 |
Plate Offering |
$4,355.00 |
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Direct Deposit |
$3,375.00 |
| Ending 6/14/18 |
Plate offering |
$5,563.48 |
| Ending 6/7/18 |
Plate offering |
$6,300.22 |
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Direct Deposit |
$5,464.00 |
| Ending 5/31/18 |
Plate Offering |
$2,905.00 |
| Four Week Total |
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$27,962.70 |
| *these amounts include operating funds only |
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Quarterly Stewardship Statements
Your personal Stewardship Statements will be generated soon. These statements will be emailed to you on the email that has been given to the Parish Office. If you want your statement mailed to you (paper statement), please contact Mike King this week. ( [email protected])
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Tithing to St. Peter's Using Direct Draft from Bank Accounts
Did you know that you can have your tithe to St. Peter's automatically taken out of your checking our savings account? The Bank Draft Form is located in the link below. Print this form out and give it to the church office. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mike King at
Use the link below to print a withdrawal form and return it to the Parish Office.
http://stpetersconway.org/wp-content/uploads/ACH-Authorization-Form.pdf
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Dollar Bills
All $1 bills in the offering plate this Sunday will go to the Discretionary Fund.
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Parish Calendar
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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Monday
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June 21
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June 22
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June 23
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June 24
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June 25
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10:00am
EYC Workday
6:30pm
Finance Committee
(Classroom 2)
7:00pm
Evening Bible Study
(Library)
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4:00pm
Conway Locally Grown
(Parish Hall)
5:00pm
FriYay Supper Club
(Morgan House)
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7:30am
Rite I
8:50am
Library Class
9:00am
Enriching our Worship Eucharist
10:00am
Adult Forum
Choir Practice
Family Formation
11:00am
Rite II
12:00pm
Reception for The Rev. Greg Warren
(Parish Hall)
1:00pm
Vestry Meeting
(Morgan House)
7:00pm
Contemplative Quaker Fellowship
(Classroom 4)
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12:15pm
After-Noon Bible Study
(Library)
6:30pm
Narcotics Anonymous
(Morgan House)
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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June 26
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June 27
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June 28
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June 29
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June 30
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8:00am
Morgan House Reserved
1:30pm
Compassionate
Communication
(Library)
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12:00pm
Brown Bag Book Club
(Library)
1:30pm
Library Reserved
6:30pm
Narcotics Anonymous
(Morgan House)
7:00pm
Evening Prayer
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7:00pm
Evening Bible Study
(Library)
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4:00pm
Conway Locally Grown
(Parish Hall)
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Save the Date!
June 24 The Rev. Greg Warren's first Sunday at St. Peter's and Reception
June 24 Vestry Meeting, Morgan House, 1:00pm
July 2 - 9 The Rev. Greg Warren in Austin, TX for General Convention
July 3 -13 General Convention, Austin, Texas
July 3 Annual Independence Celebration and Picnic, St. Margaret's Little Rock
July 4 Parish Office Closed, Wednesday Night Service Cancelled
July 22 DOK Installation
July 30 - Aug 3 Vacation Bible School
August 12 Rally Day/Blessing of the Backpacks
September 3 Parish Office Closed
October 21 Bishop Sunday
November 4 All Saints Sunday
November 25 Christ the King Sunday
December 2 First Sunday of Advent
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This Week's Celebrations
Birthdays
Nick Toal
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June 24
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Diana Dudley
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June 27
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Marilyn Larson
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June 27
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Joe Arn
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June 28
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Kim Herrington
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June 28
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Jacqeline Hollis
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June 28
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Josh Liecht
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June 29
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Sarah Garrett-Jone
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June 30
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O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your 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 lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, page 830
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Food Pantry Schedule Change
Dear St. Peter's Family,
Beginning with the first
Saturday in June, the food pantry will be open on the 1
st and 3
rd
Saturday of each month. The hours of operation will still be
9:00 a.m. to noon on those Saturdays.
This change is due to the decrease in the number of people we are serving in the food pantry each month. The decrease in numbers could be due to the access of other pantries in our community that are open to our members, the number of members who are more financially stable due to new employment or other unknown reasons.
The first
Saturday of the month has always been the busiest, but other Saturdays have become very infrequently used by our pantry members. Some of those Saturdays, we are only serving 10 to 15 people. The food pantry is still a vital ministry that we need at St. Peter's as there are families who need our assistance. Our volunteers are very dedicated and I am extremely grateful for all that you continue to do for the pantry. I am hopeful that this change will give our volunteers an opportunity to continue serving those who need our pantry each month, but will also be a better use of your time on the days you do volunteer.
A notification will be posted on the food pantry door and copies of the notification will go in all bags for the members who visit the pantry in May so they are aware of the changes.
Peace be with you,
Christy Garrett-Jones
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This week's Food Pantry Need
2 cans tunaw/water; 2 pkgs of pasta; 2 cans pasta sauce
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This Sunday is a new beginning for St. Peter's. We start our life together with our new priest and his partner. I usually try to ground what I have to say in something from the scriptures, as you know, but I cannot think what I would do. It is not because there are no new beginnings, there are lots of them, but none of them seem to fit exactly. In the history of Israel every time God punishes his people He creates a new covenant with them. That means that they get a new set of laws to live into, and without fail the people break the laws mostly by not obeying or ignoring them; and then, they get punished again and a new covenant is established only to have the whole thing start over again. People do not do well with laws. Just think about you and the speed limits or the occasional, accidental running of a stop sign. The Ten Commandments were just the beginning, if you read Leviticus you will find a bunch of laws, and many of them made sense at one time, but now they make no sense at all. Finally, in our history with God and Jesus, we were left with two laws which were given by Jesus: Love God. Love Your Neighbor just as You Love Yourself (actually these are in Leviticus too). Now that is pretty easy to remember. BUT how many of us do? AND how many of us practice these laws? Come on! Own up! I think that we try to do this at St. Peter's, but try as we might we find ourselves wanting if we are really honest. It is hard work to love our neighbor sometimes. It is hard work to love those I know and love much less those I do not know. And the person I know and love is not the only neighbor I have. My neighbor may very well be a stranger who I am obliged to take in by giving him/her food, clothing, and treatment with love thus granting dignity. There are no happy endings in the bible. But there is the hope of treatment with dignity and having our humanity respected. -Ann Drake
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Scripture Readings for Sunday, June 24, 2017
1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16
On David's return from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand. Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" And David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite."
When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.
The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; and Saul threw the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David eluded him twice.
Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand; and David marched out and came in, leading the army. David had success in all his undertakings; for the Lord was with him. When Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David; for it was he who marched out and came in leading them.
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3 He gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
23 Some went down to the sea in ships *
and plied their trade in deep waters;
24 They beheld the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
25 Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *
which tossed high the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *
their hearts melted because of their peril.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards *
and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper *
and quieted the waves of the sea.
30 Then were they glad because of the calm, *
and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the council of the elders.
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
As we work together with Christ, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,
"At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you."
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see-- we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return-- I speak as to children-- open wide your hearts also.
Mark 4:35-41
When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
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Prayers of the People
Prayers and Petitions:
In Loving Support for:
Sam; Mouaz; Natalie.
In Continued Prayers for:
Sara Edmondson, Helen Snipan, Jacquie Seroy, Martha Denson, Fred and Lillian Petrucelli,
Rowena Malone.
Thanksgivings:
We give thanks for the people of St. Peter's and visitors with us this week.
We give thanks for: Liz Larson, Tammy Tucker, Jolyon, Katie and Olivia Larson; Josh, Hallie, Madeline, and Dillon Leicht; Jerra Linn; Betty Long.
We give thanks for the Harvest Church of the Nazarene.
We give thanks for the Temple B'Nai Israel.
We give thanks for our Monday After-noon Bible Study. .
We give thanks for The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Revd Nicholas Okoh Metropolitan & Primate of all Nigeria & Bishop of Abuja
We give thanks for TheRev. Pascuala Ventura. and St. John the Apostle, Chichicastenango (chee-chee-castin-ango).
We give thanks for the Guatemalan Companions at St. Martin in the Fields, Philadelphia.
The Departed:
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Ministry Team 4
Claire Losardo, Team Leader
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7:30am
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9:00am
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11:00am
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Lectors
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Ann Drake
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Claire Losardo
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Dave Campbell
Daniel Grayling
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Greeters
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Pam Holt
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Austin Losardo
Dalton Losardo
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Kelly Wirtz
Kenna Jeffus
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Ushers
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Sandra Hamilton
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Drew Spurgers
Kevin Phelps
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Claire Losardo
Dalton Losardo
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Eucharistic Visitors
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Tanya Buchanan
Dan Allen
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Doug Stroud
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Eucharistic Ministers
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Leigh Ann Warriner
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Alcolytes
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AM: Miles Greer
C: Harry Lance
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AM: Wylie Greer
C: Wylie Greer
T1: Miles Greer
T2: Elise McGarrity
G: Austin Lasardo
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Vestry Counters
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Genie Davis
Chris Odom
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Altar Guild
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Team 4
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