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April 12, 2024

It's time again for our annual spring cleanup at St. Paul's in the Valley, which will be held on Saturday, April 13, at 10:00 a.m. Bring your work gloves and help us spruce up this beautiful place in anticipation of placing flags for Memorial Day and in preparation for the summer season. Light refreshments will be served, and we look forward to seeing you there!!

Please join us for a celebration of Harvey Miller's 90th birthday on April 13th! There will be a 3:00 p.m. performance of Mr. Miller's original compositions in the sanctuary followed by a reception in Miller Hall, our large upstairs meeting room. We would love to see you there!

• Sunday at 8:00 a.m. – From Palm Sunday through the summer, we will enjoy sharing the same Holy Eucharist, Rite II liturgy in our Sunday morning 8:00 a.m. spoken service as the 10:30 a.m. service.
• Adult Forum at 9:15 a.m. – On Sunday, April 14, 2024, Elizabeth with present an introduction and discussion about membership in the Episcopal Church, and how Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation all fit into this framework. Come with your questions and your curiosity about where and how you fit in! Adult Forum meets in the YAC, our large downstairs meeting room.
• Coffee & Conversation at 9:15 a.m. – On Sunday, April 14, 2024, St. Philippian Dr. Christy Bauman’s topic is “Womb Theology.” Christy is excited to share a synopsis of her book “Theology of the Womb.” She is going to share about her research on God’s role as mother and feminine. Because we know women are created in the Imago Dei, we will also talk about the spiritual well-being of women through the Life/Death/Life cycle. Coffee & Conversation meets in Miller Hall, our large upstairs meeting room. The presentation begins at 9:15 a.m.
• Godly Play at 9:15 a.m. – Children ages 4 through 5th grade will be engaged in Godly Play. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play. Godly Play meets in the education wing downstairs.
• Children’s Church at 10:30 a.m. – On Sunday, April 7, we will have Children’s Church during the Liturgy of the Word in the 10:30 a.m. service. Children in K - 5th grade may be dropped off in the Sunday School room across from the Godly Play room (the youth classroom) before parents/grandparents go to church. Children will be brought to the church during the Peace and should join their family for communion.
• Sunday at 10:30 a.m. – Join us for Holy Eucharist, Rite II (with music) at our 10:30 a.m. service.
• Coffee Hour after the 10:30 a.m. service – All are invited and always welcome to join us in Miller Hall (our upstairs fellowship hall) after the 10:30 a.m. service for juice or coffee and fellowship. This is a great chance to mingle, meet new people, or just relax with friends.

Our next Belonging Sunday is April 21st. This is a time when we recognize those who have chosen to worship at St. Philip’s. You can belong without being a formal member-you have chosen us and we have chosen you! If you’re unsure what this is all about or have questions, stop by the Newcomer’s table at coffee hour this Sunday, April 14, 2024, and we will be happy to answer any questions!

In Adult Forum on Sunday, April 14, 2024, Elizabeth will present an introduction and discussion about membership in the Episcopal Church, and how Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation all fit into this framework. Come with your questions and your curiosity about where and how you fit in! Adult Forum meets in the YAC, our large downstairs meeting room.

At the Reception for Belonging Sunday on April 21, 2024, we will have a Q & A session about membership at St. Philip’s.

Thank you for your fine donations, and for shopping with us. This allows the ECW to fund many grants to our local nonprofits.

The Diocese of Western North Carolina is excited to offer the following Building Beloved Community workshops to fulfill the Dismantling Racism requirements for vestry members, lay leaders, and staff.

• Building Beloved Community Workshop (April 27-28, Zoom and Black Mountain, NC) – Dismantling Racism training.
• Sacred Ground Circles (10 weeks beginning May 7, 2024 on Zoom) - Sacred Ground is a sensitive, prayerful resource that creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism. It invites participants to walk back through history in order to peel away the layers that brought us to today, reflecting on family histories and stories, as well as important narratives that shape the collective American story. It holds as a guiding star the vision of beloved community – where all people are honored and protected and nurtured as beloved children of God, where we weep at one another’s pain and seek one another’s flourishing.

We are so grateful to Abe and Pam Pallas for once again offering to host a Seder Dinner for our parish family and friends. The opportunity to experience this traditional feast is a great gift, whether it be in someone's home or in a group setting. Unfortunately, it seems best not to move forward with holding a Seder here at St. Philip's this year. For those of you who registered, our treasurer Bob Wesneski will be returning your payment by check.

Be a part of something big! Book a donation appointment at our Red Cross Blood Drive at St. Philip’s on April 29, 2024, in Miller Hall!

Your family is invited to join the families from Good Shepherd for a family retreat. The retreat will be May 3rd-5th at Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville. Our theme this year is "Rooted in Love." We will spend time looking at what it means to be surrounded by God's love and how we can share that love with others in our everyday lives. The cost of the retreat is $150 per family with scholarships available. For scholarship information, please contact Ken, Elizabeth, or Abby Glass. Click here to sign up (or use the code in the flyer). We hope you and your family are able to join the other families from Good Shepherd and St. Philip's in this weekend of fun, fellowship, and worship. Please let Abby know if you have any questions about the retreat or with the registration. We’re looking forward to this weekend together! 

On May 5, St. Philip's is pleased to host and participate in the second of a series of four sessions arranged by the Brevard Jewish Community. Dr. Geoffrey Levin from Emory University will speak on “Strangers in the Land of Egypt or Subjects of King David: Dilemmas of 20th Century American Jews" at 3:30 p.m. in Miller Hall.

Prior to the public event, a small group from both St. Philip's and from the Brevard Jewish Community (30 from each group) will gather at 2:00 p.m. to share a discussion on the current Israeli challenges and issues. If you desire to be one of the 30, please sign up in Realm or contact the parish office (office@stphilipsbrevardnc.org). The cut-off of 30 will be firmed adhered to, so sign up early!

We are excited to announce the leader of our retreat will be the Rev. Canon Augusta A. Anderson, Canon to the Ordinary and Chief of Staff for the Diocese of Western North Carolina. Canon Augusta will guide and inspire our time together with playfulness and prayer while deepening our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

The needs at Sharing House are real all year long. As you do your shopping, think about picking up an item or two and putting in the red wagon in the parish hall foyer. We'll make sure it gets to Sharing House for immediate distribution.

• Canned Chicken
• Cereal
• Peanut butter
• Spaghetti Pasta
• Spaghetti sauce
• Dessert mixes
• Packets of oatmeal or grits
• Broth
• Baby wipes
• Household cleanser

This week's guest contributor is Vestry member Jen Silva.

Rhythm

It started as a normal travel day, working my way through the security line at the Asheville airport on my third of six consecutive business trips. Fayetteville, DC, St. Louis, Syracuse, Tampa, Denver. This has become the recent rhythm of my life: re-packing the suitcase, re-checking my mental list, preparing everyone for my departure, and ensuring my teams have support during my absence. There is anticipation, sadness, excitement, joy, and stress associated with travel in this stage of my life. The doing and undoing, the putting together and taking apart. The gaining and the missing out. Oh, the sacred rhythms of life.   

As I board the plane and head to my usual aisle seat, I quickly glance down at the boarding pass on my phone and realize that I am to be seated in a window seat at the very back, in the last row. I had been so occupied with getting everything done that I did not check my seats to ensure that I was in my comfort zone, my usual place. For a moment, a glimmer of frustration rose up at my inability to manage it all and I was acutely aware, again that day, of my imperfection. And then I sat down, slid over to the window and looked at the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains—the ones who have held me through nearly five decades of life in some profound way or another. As the plane took off and I was able to focus in, with no distractions or complications, I was reminded of the grace and of our ever-present Holy God and another changing season. 

Spring. The season of renewal and rebirth. Resurrection and life re-defined. It follows the season of Winter, where the seeds are planted, darkness covers and life is prepared for rest. In spring, life transitions to action with an abounding sparkle and joy fills the air, land and sea. Scripture reminds us that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV). For me, this means slowing down long enough to recognize the season that I am in and to allow for the reflection and appreciation to come. For the season of spring, we may be defining, refining and growing. We may be preparing or developing. Whatever you are being called to or from, reflect on the rhythm of the seasons of your life and ask for guidance from Elohim, our Creator, Abba Father, Great Spirit, Loving Jesus. May this holy peace and love be with you this week and guide your hearts and minds. 

Jen Silva, Vestry, Class of 2026

Thank you for investing your treasure in the work and mission of St. Philip’s. Your gift supports our invitation: “All are Welcome” is at the core of who we are. Our parishioner and clergy relationships, email communications, and online presence invite, welcome, and connect new people into our community. Visit https://www.stphilipsbrevardnc.org/donate to explore donating. To make a gift now use Realm or text STP to 73256.

The Season of Easter begins with the first Alleluia of Easter and ends 50 days later on the Day of Pentecost. During this season, the liturgical color is white and the liturgies are uplifting and joyful. From the ashes of Ash Wednesday, God has brought us into the fullness of life and joy!

CSW Director Rob Field will lead a two-day pilgrimage in Western North Carolina May 2-3 to explore the frescos of renowned artist Ben Long. We will tour multiple sites with Long’s frescoes, including Chapel of the Prodigal in Montreat, Sloop Chapel in Crossnor, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in West Jefferson,, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Glendale Springs, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro. We will also visit the Haywood Street Congregation in Asheville to see a new fresco painted by a student of Long’s. We will travel as a group and spend the night of May 2nd at the Holiday Inn Express in West Jefferson. For more information, click here.

Join us each week at our services of Holy Eucharist!

• Sundays, 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II (spoken)
• Sundays, 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist, Rite II (with music)
• Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist Rite II (College Walk Senior Living Community Chapel)
• Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing (Chapel)

Barbara Boerner (2024)

Craig Gralley (2024)

Mike Wallace (2024-Junior Warden)

Jo Buescher (2025)

Jann Mellman (2025)

David Yeager (2025-Senior Warden)

Peggy Bridges (2026)

Gordon Murray (2026)

Jen Silva (2026)

Pat Dunham (Clerk)

The Rev. Elizabeth Roles, Rector

Abby Glass, Children, Youth, and Family Minister

Dr. Brittnee Siemon, Director of Music Ministry

Edna Hensley, Facilities Manager

Angela Patane, Maintenance Supervisor

William Begg, Co-Treasurer, Receipts

Bob Wesneski, Co-Treasurer, Disbursements

Jill Stewart, Parish Administrator

A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA!

Laws Concerning Food and Drink; Household Principles; Lamentations of the Father

If you are a parent (even if the kids are parents themselves) who knows what the King James version of the Old Testament sounds like, this oldie-but-goody article from 1997 will make you laugh! Click here to read Ian Frazier’s wise and witty words.