St. Paul’s Epistle


THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

August 2022, VOLUME 49

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FROM THE RECTOR

I was listening to a news report this morning talking about the impact COVID-19 has had on how we do business. Specifically, it was talking about changes businesses have made in order to attract or retain employees. Flexibility, it said, is of greater importance today than ever before. Whether it is a shorter workweek or working from home, people are re-evaluating how they spend their time. For many, they want to spend less time at work and more time with family. That’s a good thing. Earning more so we can buy more is far important than investing in our relationships. 


Time is a limited resource and we need to spend it wisely. The notion that “time is money” suggests we waste time when not doing that which generates income. This leads to a belief that we need be productive for our lives to mean something. Time is a limited resource and for years I, too, believed I needed to work long hours if I wanted to take vacations. I had to earn my vacations. 


I was wrong. Balance is the key. How do we balance work, play, business and family? Like many of you, a portion of my income is invested for my retirement, a portion is given to the church, and a portion goes towards doing what I enjoy. My father told me his grandfather advised him to give away 10%, save 10% and live on the rest. My father tithed to the church, which means he gave 10% to the church. When I once asked him if that was 10% of his gross income or take-home pay, he laughed and then told me he gave more than that. He gave to the church and he gave to numerous charities. He also spent a great deal of his money on his six sons. We all received a college education and we all turned to him for help from time to time. He spent his money where his heart led him. 


In my great-grandfather’s time (and the early days of my father’s life), credit was limited. Living “on the rest” was not a choice. When it came to money, the only choice he could make was how much he gave away and how much he saved. Today, we live in a time when credit cards have replaced cash for so many purchases that many people live beyond their means until they are working to pay their debts. They use credit cards in place of savings accounts for unexpected expenses. As a result, many people today must work to pay debt rather than live life. 


How we manage our time is just as important as how we manage our money. If we were to create a formula for spending our time like our money, how much time would we allot for time with family? For time given to others? For self-care (sleep, exercise, recreation, etc.)? For church and spiritual formation? To achieve balance in our lives, we must consider both our time and “talents.” (In the scriptures a talent refers to a measure of money). 


In the news story I heard, the people were in a position where they could re-evaluate how much they needed to work. Not everyone is so lucky. Whether it is because of bad choices, life circumstances, or low income, people often cannot afford to reduce their income. Still, we all can be more intentional with how we spend our time and our money. Achieving balance begins with making a conscious effort to find it for ourselves. It begins by deciding what we value most. Then, we need to examine our use of time and money to determine if we are investing in what is importance to us or just getting by. 


Being a Christian requires us to be intentional in how we live our lives. The fall is a time when our lives tend to settle down some. Whether it is because Lyon College students return to Batesville, our kids return to school, or vacation season is over – it is a good time to re-evaluate and become more intentional.


Blessings,

Jim+


MEMBER PROFILE: DORLA GUENZEL

By Jo Cargill-Krug


Dorla Guenzel (Gin’ zel), we pray for her every Sunday, but I realized some of our newer parishioners may not know who she is, possibly thinking she is living out her senior years in a retirement or nursing facility.


Let me tell you, that’s not her!


I visited with her in her home on Chamblee Circle recently and was treated to a tour of her lovely home which is filled with her trinkets and treasures. Each room is filled with photos, antiques from her early life and items made by family members of long ago.


Dorla and I reminisced for an hour and a half about old times in Batesville.


She began her education at Cooter Neck School near Fordyce which only offered grades 1-6. Wanting to advance her education further, her parents arranged for her to move to Batesville at age 11 to live with her sister, Ophelia Potter and her husband Larry. She finished high school here at age 16.


She worked at the telephone office after graduation as did many young women during the war years. Soon she met her future husband, Kenton Guenzel, where he often played pool at Rogers Pool Room over by the railroad tracks. (According to Dorla, Kenton and Bill Robertson, just returning from the war, were the two best looking men in town!)


In 1949, they decided to marry as did their best friends, J.T. and Jean Story. Different church, same wedding date. The Guenzels pledged their vows in St. Paul’s first, proceeded to drag Main to become the old married couple, then someone transported the wedding flowers up to Methodist Church for the Story wedding. Each couple “stood up” for the other for the exchanging of vows. After the two ceremonies, the couples went on a joint honeymoon to Hot Springs where they shared adjoining rooms. The four toasted their marriages, visited and laughed until their attention was drawn to the next room when they overheard its occupants describing a murder they had just committed. Things quietened down right away for the honeymooners. (No details were ever learned about the murder.)


The young couple built a three-room house on a lot given to them by the groom’s father at 14th and Byers. They added on rooms as they had their sons, Hans Kenton (Kinky) in 1951 and Larry Jack in 1953. Dorla and Kenton lived in that house until his death in 1990. They had been married 41 years.


Dorla was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s where she was an active member, especially active in the ECW. She recalled when the women raised money for the church by having church bazaars and later sponsoring annual Harvest Dinners. She laughed when she recalled when she and Betty Buchanan arrived at the church at 5 a.m. to make the dressing in a washtub. It was a lot of work but so much fun too.


Dorla Guenzel is surrounded by good friends and neighbors who are always willing to help her out with anything she needs and Kinky and his wife Mary who live in Higden check on her often. She has a grandson, Kenny and three great-grandsons, Kayden 20, Carson 18, and Kenton, 13 who reside in Cabot. Kayden will be a sophomore at the U of A this fall, Carson will be a freshman at ASU and Kenton is an eighth grader in Cabot.


HISTORY PIECE OF THE MONTH

- FROM NELSON BARNETT

More On Early History – from Worthy of Much Praise by Britton/Ferguson


Last month we learned about two of the long-term organists for St. Paul’s. Following is an additional, details of the building of the church, the windows, the bell, the first organist, and the first organ:


Robert B. Trezevant, a medical doctor, was installed as deacon in charge of St. Paul’s on May 1, 1874. He was ordained priest and instituted as rector in February of the following year, and under his guidance the finishing touches were put on the sanctuary of our church. All the windows were of stained glass and were placed as memorials. The only window that remains today is the St. Paul Window over the altar.


St. Paul’s did not have its own bell until 1878, first rung on Christmas Day of that year. Made of bronze, the bell weighed 941 pounds and was made in Seneca Falls, New York. John W. Glenn, a Batesville merchant, ordered the bell from St. Louis, and it was bought up White River from Newport, free of charge, by Capt. Woodbury on the steamboat “White Water.” After more than a century, this bell still calls the faithful to worship.


It is not known exactly when St. Paul’s acquired an organ. According to tradition, the daughters of Allen D. Ransey lent their family organ to be used for services in the early days.


The little instrument had to be carted back and forth each week. With the help of an old negro, the girls managed to bring it to the church; although this must have been quite an exertion for decorous young ladies of that day. One daughter (believed to have been Maria) acted as organist. After services the organ returned to the Ramsey home which was near the river, on the former site of the shoe factory.

 

OTHER NEWS:


CHURCHMEN’S CLUB MEETING

The Churchmen’s Club will meet on Thursday, August 25th at 6pm at Scott McSpadden’s home at his outdoor kitchen.


CAMP MITCHELL

Father Jim served as priest for the Junior High session of camp at Camp Mitchell July 17 through 22 with Cathy serving as camp nurse. Suzanne Magouyrk and Molly, and Katie McDonald were on staff also all week on behalf of St. Paul’s. Also pitching in to help part time were Pam Baxter and Katherine, Jon and Martha Healey and Fred and Jo Krug.


PUB THEOLOGY

We were disappointed at having to postpone the Shrimp Dinner due to covid numbers climbing in our area. We are still hoping before the end of summer to hear that it has been rescheduled.


On a brighter note, Pub Theology was held July 26th at Las Playitas Restaurant was well attended and enjoyed by all. We were seated in a private dining room which facilitated visiting with each other.


Watch for details of the August meeting of this event. All are warmly invited.


WATER CARNIVAL PARADE

The 77th Annual White River Water Carnival will be held in Batesville on Saturday, August 6th. One of the events will be the traditional parade down Main Street beginning at 10 a.m.


Since St Paul’s is on the parade route it has been suggested that we erect a tent on the front lawn and hand out free water during the event. We will have informational brochures about St. Paul’s to give those interested.


This idea comes from the Care Team who handed out 13 cases of water at the July 4th event at the park.

Mike Mundy is spearheading the project and he needs volunteers to man the tent for the parade. Contact Mike to volunteer or for more information.


CARE TEAM

The care team has decided to meet on the last Sunday evening of the month for a meal and to discuss ways to reach out to our members and beyond into the community. All are invited to participate in this project or make suggestions for their consideration.


CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

October 25th Family Violence Prevention will sponsor a Candlelight Vigil on the front lawn of St. Paul’s. A very moving service and program are planned with candles to be lighted for victims of domestic violence in our county.


The service will begin at 6:00 p.m. Members of St. Paul’s are urged to come out in support of Family Violence Prevention.

  

2022 Flower Chart: Please take note of the following dates available for altar flowers the year: Aug 28, Sept 25, Oct 2, & Nov 20. Contact Jo Cargill by phone or text at 870-613-6981, or her at jo33car@gmail.com, to reserve your dates or ask about procedures. Flowers may be ordered from the florist, purchased retail or home-grown but arrangements are left to the donor.


If you’d like to reserve a date permanently, we can make note of that.


Note: Flowers don’t necessarily have to be ordered from a florist but supplied by the donor. After the 10:30 service the flowers are yours to take home or give to someone. The green vase liners can be taken out but, if possible, returned to the sacristy for reuse.


BACK TO SCHOOL!

We wish everyone a great upcoming year! Please send us information and First Day of School photos (young & old) for our next Epistle by 8/29.


EUCHARISTIC MINISTER SCHEDULE

SUNDAY

8:00 SERVICE

10:30 SERVICE

August 7

Dave Allen

Steve Massey

August 14

Ardis Gillespie

Danell Hetrick

August 21

Cameron Gillespie

Gary Perkey

August 28

Mike Schmidt

Roger Christiansen

SUNDAY

USHER SCHEDULE

TECH SUPPORT

August 7

Gery Perkey & Tim Dunlap

David Taverner

August 14

Mike & Rhonda Mundy

Jon Healey

August 21

Pam Baxter & Paul Hance

Steve Massey

August 28

Brenda & Nikki Bittle 

David Taverner

Altar Guild: Pam Baxter & Hayes Olson


COMMUNITY MEAL TEAMS


 3rd: Team Kipfer

10th: Team Olson

17th: Team Stalker

24th: Team Mundy/Bittle

31st: Strawberry Mennonites

CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES


BirthdaysJulie Dozier (8/2), Nikki Bittle (8/4), Mickey Powell (8/5), Bill Olson (8/10), Scott McSpadden (8/12), Troy Mason (8/13), Ardis Gillespie (8/13), Donald Coleman (8/17), Jon Healey (8/19), Susie Bumpers (8/20), Lora Sullins (8/20), Machelle Christiansen (8/22), Katie Cruse (8/23), Arnold Kipfer (8/27), Alexander Tenace (8/28), Karee Dore (8/31), and Jim Longenbach (8/31).


Anniversaries: Martha & Jon Healey (8/4), Tammy & Arnold Kipfer (8/11), Kinky & Mary Guenzel (8/25), David & Melissa Taverner (8/27), Phil & Susie Farris (8/28), Arch & Kay Jones (8/28), and Tim & Julie Dozier (8/30).


If you have a birthday or anniversary you would like added to our list, please contact the office at stpaulsbatesville@gmail.com

EPISTLE STAFF

Jo Cargill-Krug, Editor

Fr. Jim McDonald, Publisher

Nelson Barnett, St. Paul's Historian

Katie Janke, Layout & Design