PARK IN THE FIELD!

Folks who are able are encouraged to park in the new parking lot (The Field)! This will help us clear the side of the road, and allow those who need to park closer to the chapel the ability to do so.

The Vestry are (very) prayerfully preparing for our meeting this coming Tuesday, when we will (hopefully) decide on how to proceed with the search for our next rector. We ask for your prayers and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As the Bishop reminded us "This is not your regular HR hiring situation. This is listening to God."

Thought you'd like to know some of the comments the Bishop made about our church: its recognition by the Diocese of its uniqueness which will make it very attractive to applicants; that we have a great deal of positive momentum and we're going to keep that going; that we are a strong church with people who are truly committed, so we'll stay strong in the interim.

Vestry of the Church of the Advocate:

• Liz Gilson, Senior Warden
• Ames Herbert, Junior Warden
• Elizabeth Brewington
• Paul Marvin
• Celisa Steele
• Terry Wall
• Non-voting: Nancy Usher Williams, Treasurer

Sunday Worship Schedule, April 21, 2024

8:30 am Traditional Service (Outdoors, masks optional)

9:30 am Christian Formation

10:30 am Holy Eucharist in the chapel and on Zoom (masks optional)

11:30 am Light Food and Conversation

(Full links below.)

Spring Christian Formation

• Godly Play for our youngest Advocates, starting around age 3, will be held in the Advocate House (room is down the hallway and the last door on the left). Led by Sarah Bentley Allred and Victoria Shields.
• Weaving God’s Promises (lessons based on lectionary texts) for tweens and teens will be held by the Wellhouse.

Compline each evening at 8:30pm via zoom.

What is compline? Compline is the last set prayer service for the day. It is typically prayed before bed or when settling down for the evening. You can check out the liturgy here.

Contemplative prayer meets each Wednesday at 6pm with a group in person in the chapel (wearing masks and distanced) and on zoom. (Contact Marion to get the zoom link)

It's April! Liz's birthday month! Again!

You are invited to her annual party...

When: Saturday, April 27th, starting at 5pm

What: BBQ - I'll provide hot dogs and sausages 

You can bring: An appetizer, or side dish, or dessert - or nothing if you just don't feel like it but want to come anyway - there will be gracious plenty

Bring a chair if you can - and your beverage of choice

Where: The Barber Shop - 2431 Glencoe Street, Burlington 27217 

(GPS works great - but don't be misled when you get to OLD Glencoe Road - you're nearly there, but trust that it really is Glencoe STREET that you're looking for)

Who: You and significant others, children, friends are all welcome 

Rain date: Sunday, April 28th at 5pm

No presents please - your presence is all I want! (But a cutting from your garden to plant in the shade garden, if you really must!)

Cell: (919) 619 0886

- Liz Gilson

Walk for Environmental Justice

Sunday, April 21, 2024|3:00 p.m.

University United Methodist Church

Chapel Hill, NC

In celebration of Earth Day, all faith communities are invited to participate in a shared Walk for Environmental Justice on Sunday, April 21st. We will gather in front of the University United Methodist Church (150 E. Franklin St.) at 3:00 p.m.to hear music, inspirational speakers, and receive information about how we can be better caretakers of God's creation. The Walk will be on the sidewalk in a loop on both sides of Franklin Street. Participants are encouraged to carry signs that promote environmental issues and to bring reading material to leave on tables which will be on the church lawn. Folks who want to bring a lawn chair or sit on the grass and attend the event but not do the walk are welcome. The event will go on rain or shine, dress for the weather and be prepared to observe safety measures on the walk.

No registration is required for individuals or congregations to participate.

Organizing sponsors of the Walk for Environmental Justice are University United Methodist Church, The Chapel of the Cross, Binkley Baptist Church, and Orange-Chatham Interfaith Care for Creation.

TALENT SHOW FOR MARION’S SEND-OFF

We’re planning another rousing evening of Advo-Talent on Saturday, May 18th at 6pm. Music, Dance, Poetry Readings, Stand Up Comedy, Art Sharing, Ventriloquism, Juggling, whatever you want to share — we want you to join! Interested? 

Email Erin Dangler erinRdangler@gmail.com.

Advocate Website

Do you feel called to manage the Advocate website for a season? Knowledge of WordPress would be great, but not required (it's not rocket science!). We want our website to be an up-to-date reflection of who we are and what we're doing. If this might be you, please talk with Liz Gilson or Marion. 

The RotA

Want to get more involved in church but not sure how? There are many opportunities on our RotA to help out in small ways during the service. All positions welcome more folks, but the ministries with the most need for volunteers right now are:

• Tech Team
• Gospel Bearer
• Cantor
• Crucifer
• Celebrant's Assistant
• Chalice Bearer
• Ironer

If you have any questions about what these ministries entail, feel free to ask whoever is doing it on any Sunday!

Interested in volunteering for a ministry? Contact Kaitlin Smith at kaitlin.smith24@gmail.com and she can help get you on the RotA!

Food items collected in the bell tower of the chapel are taken to IFC on the Thursday prior to 1st, 2nd, and 4th Saturdays of the month.  Food items are taken to the Rogers Road Community Center prior to 3rd Saturdays of the month.

The Inter Faith Council for Social Services publishes current needs for the Community

Market (food pantry) on their website. https://www.ifcweb.org/needs

Rogers Road suggests shelf-stable food staples such as peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti sauce and noodles, breakfast cereal, UHT milk etc.

The Trees is a 50-acre wooded property with a beautiful mid-century modern home nestled amidst the rolling hills just outside Durham, NC. Given to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church as a gift, this sacred home and land are open for community gathering, individual contemplation and rest.

Upcoming FREE Events:

• April 26: Prayers & Poetry
• May 7: Quiet Day

All are welcome! The Beloved Community will meet Sunday evenings at 4:45 p.m. Worship with Eucharist will be followed by a simple meal of soup and bread. For more information, visit the link below. Please be in prayer for this community and all who seek healing.

A Great Cloud of Witnesses: Ancient Stories, Ordinary Saints

Mark your calendars for May 4 as St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Cary hosts an exhibition of icons created by artist Kelly Latimore, whose work invites us into new ways of seeing God within others in our midst. The exhibition opens at 1 pm. and is free and open to the public; donations are encouraged. Children are welcome to attend as well. The day will include a panel discussion at 4:30 p.m. followed by a reception with Kelly and guests from the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice and the Episcopal Farmworker Ministry. Please register in advance for the forum and reception on the St. Paul's website.

Introduction to Icon Writing: A Workshop with Kelly Latimore

Join iconographer Kelly Latimore for an introductory icon-writing workshop on Saturday, May 4 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Youth Wing at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary. Watch and learn as he shares ideas about how to “see” God in our midst and represent those images as icons. This workshop is suitable for adults and for young people who are comfortable participating in adult conversations and activities. Cost for the workshop is $25 and includes icon-writing supplies. Register and pay in advance on the St. Paul’s website or by check to reserve your space; indicate “Latimore Workshop” on your payment. Scholarships are available; contact Fr. Javier at javier@stpaulscary.org.

Upcoming Racial Equity Training Opportunities

The Racial Equity Institute (REI)'s foundational Racial Equity Training workshop provides an analysis of race and racism from a systems perspective. That is, it addresses racism not only from the standpoint of individual bias but also by examining the historical roots of racism as it affects institutions—the church, education, health care, criminal justice, etc.—and what effect that has on the opportunities that white people and people of color have. Although this is a secular training, people of faith from multiple denominations are well-represented. To help defray the cost of the training, the diocese, through the Racial Justice and Reconciliation Committee (RJRC) offers funding to defray the cost of attendance

Current two-day workshop opportunities include (9 a.m.- 5 p.m. each day):

• February 1-2 - In person in Durham
• March 14-15 - In person in Durham
• April 8-9 - Virtual via Zoom
• May 6-7 - In person in Durham

To request funding, please contact Lew Myers and Cathy Rimer-Surles, RJRC Co-Chairs at rjrc@episdionc.org or 919-606-4304.

Godly Play Core Training at The Advocate

This spring Sarah Bentley Allred will offer three Godly Play training modules at The Advocate on March 9, April 13, and May 11. Godly Play Core Training is the recommended training for those leading Godly Play sessions, program administrators, parents/caregivers and clergy. Over the course of three Saturdays, participants experience all aspects of the Godly Play method and begin to become fluent in the Godly Play core stories and fundamental practices. The training will follow an action/reflection model of learning with a mixture of trainer-led presentations and participant storytelling presentations. Modules can be taken individually or as a set. They can be completed in any order over any length of time. Register here or reach out to Sarah for more information (sarahbentleyallred@gmail.com).

Introduction to Dismantling Racism

The 2024 dates and registration links are now available for "Introduction to Dismantling Racism: Reclaiming Our Baptismal Promise." Dismantling Racism is an interactive workshop offered via Zoom. It is designed to deepen spiritual commitment to dismantling racism as participants in the Jesus Movement. Through presentations, prayer, story sharing, videos and small group discussion, participants explore how the sin of racism impacts all lives.

2024 training dates:

• January 26, 5-8 p.m., and January 27, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.
• March 22, 5-8 p.m., and March 23, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.
• June 21, 5-8 p.m., and June 22, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.
• July 26, 5-8 p.m., and July 27, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.
• September 27, 5-8 p.m., and September 28, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Register.

After encouragement from Marion, our Rector, and lots of discussion with several members, we are launching a new Advocate Men’s Fellowship Gathering. We expect the format and content will evolve over time, but for now, our main goal is to set aside a time and place for comradery. We plan to meet on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month from 8-9:30am—with a simple breakfast, a short discussion centered around some relevant topic, with time to discuss opportunities for church and outreach activities. We understand that meeting on Friday mornings will cut out some members—no day will work for everyone—so we will keep working on ways to include all.

Please RSVP to Joe if you plan to come, and please let him know of any dietary restrictions. He can be contacted at jasgrouch@outlook.com.

We are excited about this.

Best to all,

Ames Herbert

Jr Warden

The Readers' Roundtable will meet on the third Wednesday of January, April, May, and June for our book discussions according to the following schedule.

   May 15      The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride

              Discussion leader, Julee Herbert

   June 19      The Night Watchman, by Louise Erdrich

              Discussion leader, Sallie Moore

Would you like an Advocate 20th Anniversary T-Shirt, now with correct spelling? You can NOW get one or both designs in a variety of colors and shirt types!

We have:

• Whitby on the Front
• Whitby on the Back
• mugs
• tote bags
• kids shirts with a blank back

Prayer for our Transition

In this season, we pray for your church, the Advocate, trusting that you have already been preparing our next rector to serve our community. Lead us by your Spirit so that we might be prepared to receive that person with love and joy. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts open to your wisdom and guidance. Replace any of our fears with confidence in the future you have prepared for us. Let this season shape us as your people for the sake of the world you love. And may you surround Marion with love, as we prepare to send her into the next chapter of her life. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

Contemplative Prayer Retreat Schedule

Virtual Retreat

May 17-19, 2024

Book: Desert Fathers and Mothers: Early Christian Wisdom Sayings, by Christine Valters Painter

Registration will open mid April.

Cost: No charge.

In-person Quiet Retreat at Trinity Center, Pine Knoll Shores, NC

August 2-4, 2024

Book: The Great Unknown: Last Poems, by Denise Levertov

https://www.trinityctr.org/

This retreat is for anyone who needs some quiet time at the end of the summer. You are invited to gather with us throughout the weekend for prayer (the Celtic Office and contemplative prayer) and for discussing the book, but all that's optional. You're welcome to make the time what you need it to be.

Registration:

The registration fee is non-refundable. The remainder of the retreat cost will be due at the time of the retreat.

Cost: The cost for this retreat is $290 per person for a single room and $250 per person for a double. Please indicate whether you want a single or a double room on the registration form. We have 10 rooms total.

Sunday Worship Schedule, April 21, 2024

8:30 am Traditional Service (Outdoors, masks optional)

9:30 am Christian Formation

10:30 am Holy Eucharist in the chapel and on Zoom (masks optional)

11:30 am Light Food and Conversation

LINKS for worship

These links are always available at TheAdvocateChurch.org

Meeting ID: 438 568 2876

Passcode: Whitby

Lessons:

• Acts 4:5-12
• 1 John 3:16-24
• John 10:11-18
• Psalm 23