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This Week
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DEATH OF THE REV'D HENRY STROBEL
 Please pray for the family and friends of The Rev'd Henry Strobel, former assisting priest at Palmer, who died on Saturday, November 23. A service to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Strobel will be held at Palmer on Wednesday, December 4 at 11 AM. In addition to the north and south lots, parking will be available on Main Street with a permit from the officer on duty.
We encourage those who are able to take an Uber to the church or to take the light rail to the station platform for Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo. Paid parking will also be available at Memorial Hermann and the Rice University Cambridge Garage immediately opposite the church.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May he and all the departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace, and rise in glory. Amen.
CAMPUS CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING
The Palmer Campus will be closed beginning 12 noon on Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. We wish everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
 We will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, and one of the things that Dick and I are thankful for is our Palmer family.
Palmer has opened our hearts and minds to our worship at this wonderful church and congregation of Palmers. This is our second home where we are nourished with friendships, prayers, beautiful liturgy, amazing music and song, and an outstanding clergy and staff, all contained in an historic building and beautiful campus, across the street from Rice University where we both attended and met one another.
As Stewardship Chair and Dick as Finance Chair, we are asking all Palmers to make a pledge to ensure the continuation of our many wonderful programs, the care and repair of the buildings and grounds, the support of clergy and staff, and the funds to provide a sanctuary for worship. We can only do this with contributions from our members during this pledge time. The vestry will be meeting at the end of the year to set the 2020 budget to support the church and its mission, and we hope that the pledges will cover the expenses we anticipate.
For those of you who have pledged, we thank you for your generosity in helping to provide for this special place. For those who have not yet made a pledge, please prayerfully consider your
pledge and submit it before yearend. The importance of everyone making a pledge, no matter how small, will ensure our congregation's support of Palmer's mission and community.
KIRKING OF THE TARTANS - THIS SUNDAY
 The Kirking of the Tartans is this Sunday! Each year we celebrate the history between the Anglican Church in Scotland and the Episcopal Church in the United States. Come for the bagpipes, stay for the blessing of the plaids! This year the Kirking will take place at the 11 AM service. If you would like to carry a flag in the procession, read a bit of history, or help with the cost of the band, please contact Margie Dieter
mmdieter@rice.edu)
Wear your family tartan, your favorite tartan, or adopt a plaid for the day!
ADVENT WREATH MAKING THIS SUNDAY
 Advent Wreath Making will be this Sunday, December 1 beginning at 10 AM and will take place until 1 PM in the Parish Hall. Cost is $15. (Includes candles, wreath materials, devotional resources, and greenery)
MINISTRY SCHEDULER PRO HELP SESSION IS SUNDAY
 Need help using Ministry Scheduler Pro? Come to the Library (A102) after the 11 AM service this Sunday, December 1. Whether you feel lost or just want to know more, all are welcome. Email Sarah Breckbill with any questions at
sarah.breckbill@gmail.com.
ANGEL TREE UPDATE
 Did you miss getting an angel from the Angel Tree this Advent season? Not to worry! Tags for gifts to provide a much needed item to the Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC) are now available on the tree to grab. The EAC helps provide assistance to the working poor and is in need of specific items for the holiday season such as warm blankets, toys, socks and underwear. Please stop by the tree in the breezeway before or after this Sunday's services to pick out a tag. Unwrapped gifts can be brought back to the front office by December 8. Please contact Jennifer Vaughan at jenclark99@yahoo.com for any questions. Thank you to the entire Palmer community for your generous support of the Angel Tree ministry!
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Upcoming Palmer Events
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WOMEN'S FIRST THURSDAY GAME NIGHT
 Join us Thursday, December 5 for a game night in Parish Hall starting at 6 PM. It's time to put away your Thanksgiving memories and take a breath before Christmas kicks in full force! Treat yourself to a fun evening of laughter, food, drink, and GAMES! Bring a board game or two, an appetizer to share, and get ready to jump into the fun! No program....just games. Prizes will be awarded!
For information contact Suzie Dennis at
sdennis@palmerchurch.org
or by phone
832-767-0645. Wine and beverages will be provided.
SERVE SUNDAY IS DECEMBER 8
 We encourage all Palmers to join us on Sunday, December 8 for Serve Sunday. We will worship together in a combined service at 10 AM and then head out with a team to serve our neighbors. There are ways for everyone to participate, from the youngest to the oldest Palmers.
CLICK HERE for a list of projects. For additional information contact Abigail Follmar,
abigail92@sbcglobal.net.
CALLING ALL TEENAGERS! JOIN MITZVAH DAY WITH JPB AND HCRJ THIS SERVE SUNDAY!
 Join Jerusalem Peacebuilders (JPB) on Serve Sunday (December 8) as we bring together Jewish, Christian, and Muslim teens from around Houston to visit the
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism. Teens will tour the synagogue, learn about Judaism, engage in a service project to support our troops, and dialogue about the experience. Breakfast will be provided. All youth are welcome to participate.
For more information and how to register, please visit
www.jerusalempeacebuilders.org/iyh
or contact Palmer Youth Minister, Davis Mathis at
dmathis@palmerchurch.org
.
COMMUNITY OF HOPE MEETING
 The next Palmer Community of Hope meeting will be December 9 at 5 PM at Salento in Rice Village.
Contact Gretta Boshara
at gboshara@comcast.net if you have any questions. The goal of the Community of Hope is to create and sustain Christian communities of lay pastoral care givers united in prayer, shaped by Benedictine spirituality, and equipped for and serving in pastoral care ministries. Members of COH at Palmer receive training and serve as pastoral care givers in a variety of settings.
COMMUNITY CAROL SING AND LUNCH WITH THE PALMER CHOIR
 Bring your jingle bells (a key ring will do just fine) and raise your voice in a spirited half-hour of traditional carols Wednesday, December 11 at noon in the Nave as we look forward to the coming of Christmas. Lunch will follow in the Parish Hall at 12:30 PM. Donations will be welcomed to help provide for the cost of this event.
LESSONS & CAROLS
 Please join us Sunday, December 15 at 5 PM in the Nave for Palmer's annual Advent Lessons and Carols brought to you by the Palmer Adult and Children's Choirs. Complimentary childcare will be provided. A reception will follow in Parish Hall.
LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE
 The Longest Night Service will be held Wednesday, December 18 at 6 PM in St. Bede's Chapel. This service acknowledges the physical reality of the longest night and shortest day associated with the winter solstice and the darkness some feel emotionally in the midst of preparing for Christmas. Come for a quiet time of worship and acknowledgement of our need for hope and the coming Light of Christ. Special prayers and a time of remembrance will be offered along with healing prayer, Holy Unction and the Holy Eucharist. Plan to stay a few minutes afterwards for holiday refreshments. For more information, contact The Rev'd Liz Parker at
lparker@palmerchurch.org.
2020 WOMEN'S RETREAT REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Registration for the 2020 Palmer Women's Retreat will close on December 1.
To register for the few remaining places, please go
online registration is available through this LINK.
The retreat is scheduled for Friday, January 10 through Sunday, January 12 at Camp Allen. This year, the Reverend Lisa Fischbeck and Erin Dangler will lead us in an exploration of "Praying With Our Whole Lives".
CLICK HERE for a special video message
from the Rev'd Fischbeck and Erin Dangler. The registration fee covers room, meals and program: $200 for a double room, $300 for a single room. Scholarships are available. Questions about registration and scholarships? Contact
Register now for the 2020 Palmer Men's Retreat taking place March 6-8 at Laity Lodge in Leakey, TX, t
he "uncommon retreat" for bonding, spiritual growth, and incredible music in the beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Stay posted for d
etails regarding speaker and musicians.
Help spread the word! Consider making this a family affair - fathers, sons, brothers, son-in-laws, or grandsons. Invite a co-worker or neighbor.
This would make a great Christmas gift!
THE HOLY SPOKES ARE ROLLING AGAIN
 This spring the Holy Spokes, Palmer's cycling group, will once again hit the road to participate in the BP MS150, the largest charity ride in the country. On May 2
-3
the Holy Spokes will join 13,000 other cyclists in cycling to raise money to support research and services for those living with multiple sclerosis.
To join the team or find out more information about riding, contact Melanie Fahey at
melanie.fahey@gmail.com
or Jennifer Macia at
jennmacia@gmail.com
. The Holy Spokes ride together throughout the year, both for fun and in other charity rides.
Go to the team's fundraising page to make a donation.
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Announcements
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STAR OF HOPE CHRISTMAS NEEDS
 Star of Hope Mission will be home to nearly 1,200 homeless men, women and children on Christmas Day. We can help many Star of Hope clients stay warm this winter season by donating new socks and new blankets for infants, children, teens, and adults. Also, new books for young children would be most appreciated. Please look for the Star of Hope basket in the reception area of Palmer's offices. While you are completing your shopping, think of how you can bring smiles to many people in the Houston area.
LIVING COMPASS ADVENT BOOKLETS
 Advent Booklets from Living Compass are available at the entrances to the Nave beginning this Sunday. The theme for this Advent season is Practicing Peace with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.
MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS FLOWER DEDICATIONS BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
 The Flower Guild is planning Advent, Christmas flowers, and other holiday decor. If you would like to make a donation in memory of or thanksgiving for a loved one; or to mark a special occasion,
CLICK HERE. You can also send your donations to the church or use the flower dedication envelopes in the narthex and bell tower entrances. All flower and campus décor are FUNDED SOLELY by your generous donations. And come help green the church Sunday, December 15 starting at noon and Wednesday, December 18 to install poinsettias. Your HELP will be greatly appreciated. Contact Palmer's decorating guru Dennis Kutach at
dfcbk@aol.com
or 713-249-0143
if you have any questions.
PLEASE SEND US YOUR NEWS FOR PALMER PUBLICATIONS
The deadline for all submissions to The Palmer Email Newsletter, Sunday Announcements, and website is every Friday at 5 PM. Publication requests will appear the following week.
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The Gifts of God
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OUR STORIES BLOG & PODCAST
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 "Our Stories" is the Palmer blog and the name of our new podcast where we will periodically share stories from our Parish.
Check out our new blogs recently posted:
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WEDNESDAYS
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No Taizé Healing Eucharist This Week
No Classes this Week
The last Great Wednesday dinner and classes of 2019 is December 4. We will take a break this week in observance of Thanksgiving. New classes will resume January 8, 2020. Stay tuned for an announcement about programming!
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FORMATION
OFFERINGS
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- Faith Forum - Various Speakers - The Spirituality of Reconciliation - St. Bede's Chapel
- This Is Us! Getting to Know Anglican Christianity at Palmer - A102
- Where the Wild Things Are - Parenting in an Ever-Changing World - Canterbury Room
- Bible Study: Letters to the Hebrews - The Family Room
- Wednesday Parish Bible Study - The Rev'd David Wantland, Noon, A102. Resumes Dec. 11
- Men's Bible Study - The Rev'd Neil Alan Willard, Tuesdays, 7 - 8 AM, A102 (Chancery).
- Women's Bible Study - Tuesdays, 7 - 8 AM, A101 (Palmer Library).
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YOUNG ADULTS
AT PALMER
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TACO NIGHT AND WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY - DECEMBER 13
New to Palmer and looking to get involved with fellow young professionals? Join Palmer Young Adults for our monthly dinner gatherings. Taco Night, is a low-key way to hang out with fellow young adults over some good Tex-Mex.
Join us on December 13 for tacos and a white-elephant holiday party at the home of The Rev'd David Wantland. Bring yourself and a friend! For more information email David
dwantland@palmerchurch.org.
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PALMER YOUTH
MINISTRIES (PYM)
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Join us for an evening youth bible study on the third Wednesday of the month. Grades 6-12 are welcome to come as we wrestle with the word of God and how we can apply it in our lives and the world around us. Email Davis Mathis at
dmathis@palmerchurch.org for more information.
Email Youth Coordinator Davis Mathis for more information on these upcoming events at dmathis@palmerchurch.org
or
The Rev'd David Wantland at dwantland@palmerchurch.org
www.palmerchurch.org/youth
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Contact Us
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Palmer Memorial
Episcopal Church
6221 Main Street
Houston, TX 77030-1572
713-529-6196
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