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Summer Reflections
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From the Rector Dear Friends, Thanks to all of you who supported me and our family with your
prayers and encouragement at the time of my mother's death in
Missoula, Montana. That certainly contributed to the funeral being
a powerful experience and to the extended family gathering being so
fruitful. After much reflection, I did decide to preach the homily
at the service, and I have reprinted a portion of it here to give
you a flavor of my mother's life and of the funeral
liturgy. ...Perhaps no one can be more grateful for the gift
of another person than one to whom she has quite literally given
the gift of life, her beholden child. While I certainly have found
myself experiencing deep grief at my mother's death, especially
in that hospital room at St. Patrick's where she painfully
struggled with yielding the last ounces of breath within her, the
predominant response in me since then has been one of
gratitude. I am grateful for the unique personhood of Agnes Mary
Cope Williams. No one has been or will be created in the image of
God in just the same way. I am grateful for her long life. Living
to the age of eighty-nine, she was given to us as support and
stability and affection for much longer than we had a right to
expect. I am grateful for her adventurousness. She not only
set up household for my father and our family in many different
locations in many different states until we finally settled
permanently in Missoula in 1957; she later traveled extensively
throughout the world to all the continents except Antarctica, first
with Dad and then on her own. At the age of 57, after 32 happy
years of marriage, she courageously faced the challenges of
widowhood, vigorously living yet another 32 years. Among other
adjustments, she learned and got rather good at golf, bowling, and
cross-country skiing. After her stroke five years ago, she made an
amazing comeback and managed quite well with the support of
assisted living. Even though in her final years her adventurousness
grew dormant, she claimed, along with one of her sisters, to have
been in the early 1930s the first young women in their hometown,
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, ever to wear pants downtown! An early
blow for women's liberation... I am grateful for Mom's devotion to baking! Not
only throughout our childhood, but even during our college years
and for many subsequent Christmases, she kept us children and later
her grandchildren well supplied with generous amounts of her
nurturing, affection-filled, great-tasting cookies. Her care
packages were always dependable and always welcomed! Most of all I am grateful for her nurturing in us,
her children, the gift of faith. Faith in God was the highest value
for her and through her personal example and faithful participation
in the Church, she imparted that spark to us. The collect used
toward the beginning of our service certainly applies to her, Lord
"look kindly upon a mother, Agnes, who sought to bind her
children to you." ... All of us who gather around this altar this morning have
come to give thanks to God... Most of all we are all grateful for
the gift of renewed life that God constantly gives us. No
matter what the losses and the pains and the separations we are
suffering, God's generous grace is larger. "The favors of
the Lord are not exhausted," we heard in the first reading
from Lamentations. "His mercies are not spent. They are
renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness." "Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Paul wrote in our
second reading to those suffering in Rome and to all of us.
Nothing, he proclaimed unequivocally "will be able to separate
us from the love of God." That is true for us and for Agnes,
even in death. Nothing separates us from God. Jesus promised in our
Gospel reading, "I am indeed going to prepare a place for you,
and then come back to take you with me, that where I am you also
may be." Today we gather to declare our faith in that promise
and to give thanks to our bountiful God, who blessed us with Agnes
Mary Williams... - Stephen Vestry Actions - June 17, 2004 At its June meeting, the vestry:
Summer - A Time of Planning Gretchen S. Jordan, Christian Education
Director Summer often provides us with 3 much needed R's:
rest, relaxation and regrouping. The schedules that many families
tend to keep during the regular school year ease some from the last
day of one school year until the beginning of the next school year.
Likewise, some of the committees and groups within the parish slow
their pace for much needed rest, relaxation and regrouping. But for
others, summer is the primary time for planning and envisioning.
The Adult Education Committee, in particular, has continued to meet
regularly to develop educational opportunities for the fall. The
Children and Family Ministry Committee, while on break for the most
of the summer, put together a calendar and schedule of programming
in May which called into place subcommittees to execute the plans.
There has been a constant buzzing throughout the parish as small
groups have met to discuss such topics as stewardship, youth
ministry, faith formation, and parenting. Here is a glimpse of some
of the work being done: Adult Education on Sunday mornings will include a
three-part series on the whys and hows of engaging in Bible study,
led by the Rev. Dr. Richard Pfaff; following this series, the
clergy will facilitate a weekly lectionary-based discussion class.
A series on how faith impacts political action will be offered in
October. "Conversation with the Rector" will be offered
quarterly. A committee is working on a schedule and topics for a
continuation of the Parent Gathering Class. Youth and Families: The Youth Inquirers' Class will
begin with a dinner meeting on Sunday, August 22. Included in this
year's program is an overnight retreat September 25 - 26, in
addition to a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. during Lent. Journey
to Adulthood (J2A), a curriculum for youth ministry, is being
evaluated for use in our parish. A group of youth parents, youth
leaders, and staff met in June with the J2A leadership of St.
Philip's parish in Durham. Children and Families: In response to committee
recommendations, upper elementary children and youth will include
in their worship leadership regular lay-reading responsibilities at
the 9:00 service. A new worship education program will be offered
to children in the first and second grades once or twice a month
during the 9:00 service. A new intergenerational event has been
added to the well-received Epiphany, Earth Day, and Advent events:
a Lenten program on February 6. Church School registration will begin in August. A
registration form is included on the last page of this Cross
Roads and can also be secured in the parish office or dining
room. In order to update our rolls, we need all children two years
of age and older to register. On August 29 following the 9:00
service, there will be an intergenerational gathering and a visit
to individual classrooms to meet teachers and other students. On
Sunday, September 5, there will be no Church School, but the
following Sunday, September 12, regular Church School classes and
adult education begin. I trust that some of these items will whet your appetites! And
when you are rested, relaxed and have regrouped, join us in putting
these varied opportunities in place either through leadership or
participation! Children's Chapel - Learning the Joys of Worship Beth Carlton Have you ever wondered how parents of young children can attend
Sunday morning service, yet still have quiet during worship? This
because some of our littlest parishioners are at Children's
Chapel, learning to worship in a way that is interactive, fun, and
that prepares them to better understand and appreciate 'Big
Church' when they get just a bit older. During the school year, Children's Chapel is held during our
9 a.m. Sunday service for ages 2 - 5. This year it's continuing
during the summer season at 10 a.m., both to keep Church engaging
for these children, and because the music and lesson leaders enjoy
it so much. So what happens during this special hour each week? Parents drop
off children at the playground prior to service, and interested
children can sign up for jobs such as acolyte, crucifer, and Bible
carrier. With a bit of help from adults and older children (youth
saints), the crucifer leads the way to our lovely Chapel, with
organ music providing an ambiance for worship. (In inclement
weather, children congregate in the campus center, and the
procession stays inside the building.) Just like in 'Big Church,' the opening is followed by a
lesson, but here the congregation gathers on the floor next to a
small altar. They listen to and enjoy pictures from a Bible story
or spiritually thematic children's book read by one of five
leaders: Susan Beatty, Beth Carlton, Janine Edmundson, Mary Kent
Hill, and Lisa Walter. Music is an important part of worship, so each child at Chapel
is a member of the choir! Led by organists Greg Bell and Jean
Leuchtenberg, the children learn seasonally appropriate songs. Hand
signs that accompany many of them allow even the littlest choir
members to add joy to the moment. Once children return to their circle, there is a time for both
structured and creative prayer. They say the Lord's Prayer and
pass the peace, and then each child has an opportunity to mention
something special going on in their lives. (This is when we learn
about pets, favorite toys, birthdays, and vacations!) The leader
creates Prayers of the People based on these charming
suggestions. The Closing provides a final parallel with 'Big Church.'
Acolytes extinguish the candles, and the crucifer leads the
children back to the playground accompanied by organ music. Parents
may pick up children either from the Chapel in time for Communion
or back at the playground after the service. From drop-off to the
carefully-monitored pick-up, the safety of our children is in the
loving hands of Joy Gattis. Would you like more information? Just drop by the playground
before or after the 10 a.m. service and ask Joy for a pamphlet. Or
better yet, join us one Sunday for Children's Chapel. You might
just find that the simple Christian lessons and songs of childhood
are as uplifting and relevant as ever! What's in a Name? Molly Dempsey After months of committee discussion, the Church School
Subcommittee voted to change its name to the Children and Family
Ministry Committee. Once under the umbrella of the Parish Education
Committee (which no longer exists as such) this committee now
operates independently and has expanded its responsibilities beyond
Church School. The Christian nurture of our children extends beyond the weekly
45 minutes set aside for Church School. We wish to offer so much
more to our children than these few minutes of formal instruction.
Our Director of Christian Education, Gretchen Jordan, has
encouraged us to extend our role and consider how Christians are
formed. Christian formation does not happen in a vacuum. The entire
parish is involved in the Christian formation of our children. In
particular the immediate family of a child needs resources,
opportunities, and encouragement as it explores how best to shape
the growing Christian in its midst. To that end our subcommittee wishes to support parent education
classes, parent discussion groups, intergenerational events,
increased involvement of children in worship services and outreach
programs, alternative services for children during special
services...so many possibilities abound! We hope to address the
needs and concerns of the children within the context of both the
nuclear family and the entire parish, with regard to Christian
formation. A Little Piece of Heaven Gretchen S. Jordan, Christian Education
Director Chapel Hill is often referred to as a little piece of heaven.
But I now claim one more spot on the North Carolina map which could
just as easily be referred to as another little piece of heaven.
Tucked into the rolling hills of western North Carolina outside of
quaint Hendersonville is our very own KANUGA Conference Center.
"Episcopalians of all ages and points of view have now for
three score and more years looked to Kanuga as the steady,
dependable ministry for good within our church...have found in this
mountain village by a lake a gathering place where differences are
discussed but with lowered voices...where prayers are said, the
Bible read, deep thoughts pondered, reconciliation sought...where
the real work of the Gospel - evangelism, education, concern for
the hungry, the poor, for those endangered by ravaging disease - is
proclaimed...from which the faithful depart recalling and taking
with them to neighboring town, distant city, to African village,
English countryside the Good New of Our Lord." (From the
Kanuga Conferences 2004 program brochure) The exuberance displayed and praises spoken by some of our
parishioners (Vivian and Barney Varner, Anne and Kevin Collins,
Martha and Larry Hart and so many others) who have spent time at
Kanuga gave me some indication of what I might expect as I prepared
for my time there. But even the sparkle in little Kevin and Haleigh
Collins' eyes (4 and 10 year old children of Kevin and Anne)
could not fully prepare me for the experience. I return to the
Chapel of the Cross wanting to share with others the beauty and
power of this place and encourage more of you to reap the benefits
of a stay at Kanuga, the other piece of heaven just a bit west of
us! During the week of June 20, I participated with more than 200
people from across the United States in the Christian Formation
Conference as a part of my annual study leave. It was a
kaleidoscopic event designed to engage each person in a colorful
and lively array of workshops, worship, and fellowship. Several
parishes brought groups. One parish from Phoenix, Arizona, boasted
the largest representation with eight adults and nine children!
This is a place for all ages. There are camps for the children and
youth and inspiring presentations and workshops for the adults.
There are also rocking chairs, walking trails and a labyrinth for a
more relaxed pace. Evenings offer intergenerational learning and
play. The dining room exceeds the usual conference center bill of
fare. Our concluding dinner was a sumptuous buffet of seafood and
beef complete with linens and candles! Have I whet any appetites?
It is my hope that next summer we, too, can boast one of the
largest representations. The Christian Formation Conference and the
Spirituality Conference will again share the facility space; these
conferences will be the week of June 19, 2005. While the Kanuga
Program Committee plans a wide array of conferences, one can simply
enjoy the beauty during special guests periods. Bert and Molly
Dempsey with children, Lucy and Alice, will be spending some time
there this summer and should be ready to share more with you upon
their return. A full calendar can be found on the Kanuga Website,
www.kanuga.org. Early 2005 offers these outstanding
opportunities: January 30 - February 3, 2005 Listening for the Heartbeat of God
with Philip Newell March 7 - 11, 2005 Bowen Conference with Barbara Brown
Taylor Youth Summer Mission Trip Mark Graves, Summer Intern from Duke Divinity
School During the week of June 20-26, eleven members of our EYC, along
with the Rev. Tammy Lee, Dana Campbell, and me, joined Lutheran and
Episcopal youth groups from Washington, Texas, California, and
Minnesota at the Wind River Indian Reservation in western Wyoming.
We spent the week painting houses and doing day camps, called
"Kids' Club," for local children. The organization
under which we were organized, Youth Works, presented some
challenges of its own and provided a great forum for us to explore
our Episcopal and Anglican identities in the face of the wider
Christian landscape. We were wowed by the Rocky Mountain landscape,
and enriched by the Shoshone and Arapaho culture and individuals
with whom we interacted. We encountered experiences and living
conditions that for many of us were eye-opening. Ask us about the trip! We'd be eager and excited to tell you
about it. Here are a few of our reflections. Julia Taylor: "I think the Kids' Club program has a
huge impact on the kids. They really get attached to the
teenagers...it's wonderful to be able to create a bond between
one of us and the kids because I think they really don't have a
lot of very positive relationships in their lives. Even though it
is such a short time to spend with the kids each day, I think they
really enjoy and appreciate us being here." Kate Williams: "[One] thing that surprised me working with
the kids was how open they were and how much they accepted complete
strangers. They just told...about their lives without being
embarrassed or nervous. I think that...everyone could learn
something from this thinking. But I hate that these kids don't
have people to depend on, on a regular daily basis. You'll
never believe how much I want to stay here and help these kids just
be kids and have it so they don't have to become small
adults." TJ Lovejoy-Henkel: "We discussed all the challenges we were
forced to overcome, and how. It was really interesting to hear
about other peoples' challenges to see how they compared to
mine." Sam Hunt: "This trip has been absolutely loaded with new
and fascinating stuff. Amazing views, great weather, different
cultures, innocent kids; it has all changed my perspective on many
aspects of life. I've never really felt like I have made this
kind of difference." Marian-Kathryn Cranford: "This trip has truly changed the
way I view people, including myself. I will be challenged from now
on to look at people for more than their outward appearance and to
live life to its absolute fullest. This trip has been a
life-changing experience - truly!" Lauren Peterson: "By experiencing the other ways some of
the other groups practiced Christianity and praised God I learned a
lot about aspects of my faith that I had never considered
before...I have learned so much from this trip, both about the
Native American culture and faith. For a first mission trip, it was
an incredible experience and a true learning experience that has
made a profound impact on me." Emily Pratt: "It was a great experience and I feel like
I've grown as a person as well as had the opportunity to help
others...After a while I realized that even though some of the
people on our mission trip were different, we were all there to
serve God and others. This trip helped me to be more accepting of
people." Harrison Fahrer: "This week has been cool in so many ways;
it helped me remember who I really am and gave me completely new
things to worry about, look forward to, and experience...Like our
plane rides, the week had its rough spots and smooth sailings and
we did not realize how fast we had been moving until it was
over." John Hoffman: "It's hard to see the living conditions
that these people have to go through. It's amazing to see how
thankful most everyone is for what we are doing here: when they let
us know it is the best feeling in the world." Rachel Wilson: "...even though [some of the other youth]
were totally different from me, we were all there for the same
purpose: to touch other peoples' lives out of selflessness and
love. So what could I say about this mission? It was a bumpy ride
and an emotional journey as well as a physical one, but if I had
the choice, I would definitely do it all over
again." Elizabeth Lienesch: "On no other mission trip have I been
challenged to look inside myself and think about my religion as
much as I have this past week. This week...became a chance for me
to look within myself...The mission trip has provided me with an
important chance to serve others in Christ, to experience another
culture, and to examine my own religious beliefs."
Children's Faith Formation The parish partners with families to nurture children in faith.
At infant baptism, parents and members of the faith family affirm
their commitment to guide and support the child along the faith
journey. Through words, music, stories, worship, educational
activities, and faithful acts of service and witness, we learn and
experience the meaning and reality of living the Christian faith.
We carry out this commitment in a variety of ways: For the parent: Thanksgiving Service for a Child Scheduled with a priest as soon as is convenient after the birth
of or adoption of a child, this service is done privately or at a
Sunday service. Sessions on the Covenant of Infant
Baptism Sessions are scheduled during the calendar year for parents of
young children to join in a discussion about what it means to rear
children in the Christian faith. Covenant of Baptism Baptisms for children are offered on the Sunday after All Saints
(November 7) the Sunday after Epiphany (January 9) and Pentecost
(May 15); other dates are scheduled with the clergy. Guild of the Christ Child Services and resources are offered to families with newborns
including meal preparation, visitations, Parent and Kids Play
Group, printed booklets and pamphlets. Contact person is Kesslyn
Tench. Education Classes on Parenting Topics Throughout the year, sessions are offered during the Church
School time on topics of particular interest to parents. Refer to
Crossings or Cross Roads for specific topics. Nursery Care Every Sunday throughout the year, nursery care is provided for
infants and children up to 5 year olds. During the school year the
nursery is staffed from 8:45 to 12:15. During the summer schedule,
care is provided only for the 10:00 service. Joy Gattis supervises
a team of caring, trained persons and is supported by parent
volunteers. For the child: Church School Church School runs from late summer through mid-May for 2 year
olds through 12th graders. This year's dates are August 29,
2004 to May 15, 2005. Classes meet from 10:20 to 11:05. Class
divisions are determined at the beginning of each year. Listed
below are the curriculums being used. All curriculums are endorsed
by the Episcopal Church. 2 year olds and 3 year olds - Living the Good
News 4 year olds - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Curriculum: This
curriculum is based on the well-known Montessori method of
education using what is called the Parable Method. It allows each
child to enter into a deep relationship with God. Children are
introduced to the Bible characters, sacraments and familiar parts
of the church service and what is used there. They have opportunity
to interact and play with altars, baptismal fonts, liturgical
colors and biblical stories. The program is designed to honor the
child's autonomy in development and relationship and the
activities allow the child to work at his/her own
pace. Kindergarten - Godly Play: Similar to Catechesis, this
curriculum was developed by Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal priest,
based upon Montessori training. The goal is to teach children the
art of using the language of the Christian tradition to encounter
God and find direction for their lives. 1st - 8th Grade - Episcopal Children's
Curriculum 9th Grade - Youth Inquirers/Preparation for
Confirmation 10th-12th Grade - Topics and materials are determined by
teachers Children's Chapel A Sunday morning worship experience held in the chapel that
provides the first liturgical experience for children 2 years
through kindergarten age and includes music, stories, prayer, and
teaching familiar worship responses. Youth Saint A leadership opportunity for 3rd - 5th graders to assist with
Children's Chapel. Training is offered in early
Fall. Worship Participation Children and youth participate in leadership primarily at the
9:00 service serving as lay readers, greeters and ushers. For the
All Saints' Sunday Eucharist, children are invited to learn
about a saint and either dress as that saint or create a shield
reflecting the life of the saint. Children process in the 9:00
service. On Palm Sunday and Easter Day, children carry palms and
flowers, respectively. The flowers decorate a wire mesh cross in
the chancel area. Worship Education for 1st and 2nd
Graders Children transition from Children's Chapel to corporate
worship as they enter the 1st Grade. This course is offered during
the 9:00 service several times a month throughout the
year. Choirs The Junior Choir consists of children in the third grade and
above. They sing at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday service during the
academic year and on special occasions; rehearsals are on
Wednesdays at 3:45 p.m.; older girls and boys will rehearse at
alternate times as announced. Children in first and second grades
comprise the Training Choir and sing service music on Sunday
mornings and rehearse on Wednesday afternoons. Vacation Church School Held each summer, this one week morning program is offered for
4-year-olds through children having completed the fifth grade.
Youth play a vital role as teachers and teaching assistants. Dates
TBA. Children's Library Collection Our church library has a selection of quality children's
books and videos for you to check out. God & Family This is a six-session course designed for 4th and 5th graders
held in the afternoon during the spring. Frank McBride leads the
group. Information will be sent to all eligible students prior to
the class commencing. Bible and Prayer Book Presentations In the spring of each year, children in the 2nd grade are
presented with The Children's Illustrated Bible during
the 9:00 service. Children in the 2-year-old class receive The
Beginner's Bible. Students in the Youth Inquirers' Class
are presented The Book of Common Prayer at the beginning of
the year. For the Family: All ages gather together for learning several times during the
year. These Sundays are usually scheduled in conjunction with a
Holy Day, at the beginning of a liturgical season, or for a special
emphasis. This year's intergenerational programs include the
first Sunday of our program year, August 29; the first Sunday in
Advent, November 28, for creating Jesse Tree ornaments and Advent
wreaths; the first Sunday after the Epiphany, January 9, for
engaging in outreach ministries; a Lenten program on February 6 to
plan our journey towards Jerusalem through the season; and Earth
Day, April 24, to learn how to be better stewards of that which God
has given to us. Outreach programs planned for family participation
include the caroling to homebound members in December and a cookout
at Homestart (shelter off Homestead Road for women and children) in
the spring. Devotional Resources During the Advent and Lenten seasons, devotional guides for use
by children, youth and families are provided by the parish just
prior to the season. The parish offers the bimonthly devotional,
Forward Day by Day, available in the church office and at
other specific locations in the building. Stewardship Stewardship education is incorporated into the Church School
curriculum at all levels including the stewardship of time and
talents, monetary giving, and care of the earth. Parents are
encouraged to develop stewardship habits with their very youngest.
Programs to assist in this effort include: pledge cards for
children and youth, family outreach projects and other outreach
ministry opportunities for children, collection of non-perishable
food items and hygiene items for the area shelters (collection
baskets are located at the entrance to the educational building),
biannual collection of toys and clothing forThompson Children's
Home, and mite box collections for designated programs during
Advent and Lent. Our Advent offering will support children's
programs in Bethlehem and the Lenten offering will support the
Heifer International Project. Music - To Create Something Beautiful for God Van Quinn, Organist and Choirmaster After a relaxed summer schedule, the choirs will return to their
Fall routines later this month. All of our choirs will have room
for new choristers. If you have been thinking that you ought to use
your voice (the only instrument, after all, created by God rather
than human invention) for the praise and glory of God and the good
of His church, or if you want your child to cultivate his or her
spirituality in this way, perhaps this is the time to take some
action! Please check details of any groups which may be of special
interest to you. Junior Choir: For third graders through high school. The
first rehearsal will be held on Wednesday, August 18, in the parish
house. Activities for the choir will begin immediately after
school, will continue with a rehearsal at 3:45 and a pizza party
and parents meeting, ending by 6:30. Boys with changed voices will
meet regularly on a schedule to be determined, and will join forces
with the trebles on occasion. Senior Choir: An auditioned group that sings for the
11:15 Sunday Eucharist, occasional Evensongs, and observance of
Holy Days. Call Dr. Quinn to inquire about openings and to arrange
an audition. For returning choristers, the first rehearsal will be
on Wednesday, August 25. Parish Choir: Sings at 5:15 and other services. Open to
everyone, including young people and students. No audition is
required. Rehearsals are on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. All voice
parts are needed. First rehearsal: August 30. Compline Choir: Sings Gregorian chant and polyphony in a
late Sunday evening service of Compline. New singers are needed to
replace founding members of this choir who have moved. Please
contact Dr. Quinn to discuss this remarkable opportunity. The first
rehearsal (followed by service) is on Sunday, August 22 at 8:00
p.m. Training Choir: For first and second graders to prepare
them for the Junior Choir. Information about this group and its
start-up schedule will be mailed to all parents of first and second
graders. The Director is Linda Everhart. Please contact her
or Dr. Quinn if you have questions. "Sing to the Lord a new song!"
Opportunities for Growth Mary Agnes Rawlings, Johnson Intern Program Director
I read an article while attending Servant Leadership this past
year that I will always remember. Dannaan Perry in her Essene
Book of Days says, "Most of the time, I spend my life
hanging on for dear life to my trapeze-bar-of-the moment. It
carries me along at a certain steady rate of swing and I have the
feeling that I am in control of my life. I know most of the right
questions and even some of the right answers. But once in a while,
as I am merrily (or not-so-merrily) swinging along, I look out
ahead of me into the distance and what do I see? I see another
trapeze bar swinging towards me. It's empty, and I know in that
place in me that knows, that this "new trapeze bar" has
my name on it. It is my next step, my growth, my aliveness coming
to get me. In my heart-of-hearts I know that for me to grow, I must
release my grip on the present, well-known bar to move to the new
one." The article seemed most relevant on May 28th when I
attended the vestry meeting and heard the final decision to close
the Johnson Intern Program. It seemed for a fleeting moment that
for all practical purposes God had other intentions for me in the
near future. I was once again facing that next
trapeze-bar-of-the-moment. In the days that followed I learned that
several generous donors had come forward to ensure the financial
stability of the Johnson Intern Program and I was faced with
another trapeze-bar-of-the-moment. This bar had the name of
"how to find four suitable young adult candidates to come to
the Johnson Intern Program at this late date". In addition,
several days later I received an e-mail notification that a
reduction in the number of all volunteer candidates across all
denominational lines and geographic regions occurred this year in
the regular recruitment process. For me this life trapeze bar journey is about faith, charity,
and hope in a nutshell. Faith has to do with my relationship with
God. Can I trust that God will, in all the complexities of my life,
determine what is needed to help me grow? Charity has to do with my
relationship with others and will I allow others to help me with
whatever task that is required; and finally hope, the belief that I
have the resources to get the job done. I often hear myself saying
to my own children, "God does not ask us to be successful, but
only faithful." Several days after the realization hit that I
needed to have at least three candidates by August 1 to continue
this fall I received a message from my daily "God Calling
Journal" "All I ask is that you do your daily tasks, you
must leave the results up to Me". One of the reasons I
continue to reread this 1986 version of the book is that its daily
message seems to meet me exactly dead center in my life. So each
and every day since I received that message I have made sure that I
have enough hope to continue searching to find those candidates for
next year. When August 1st comes, I will be prepared to face yet
another life trapeze bar; I can only know what it will look like
when I get there. In the meantime I spend prayer time in faithful
preparation. I think that is why some folks call it a "day at
a time" commitment. Stewardship of Our Oceans and Coastline Linda B. Rimer, Environmental Stewardship Committee
Chair North Carolina is richly blessed with natural wonders, from the
grandeur of our mountains in the west to the magnificence of our
oceans and coastline in the east. With August here, vacations are
on the minds of many people. Many North Carolinians fall into two
camps - the mountain types and the ocean types. While there is much
to be said about our stewardship challenges for both mountains and
oceans, this article focuses on our oceans and coast, taking
advantage of three reports that have all been published within the
last twelve months. These reports include The State of
American's Oceans by the Pew Ocean Commission, the draft report
of the US Commission on Ocean Policy, and the 2003 State of the
Coast Report by the North Carolina Coastal Federation (websites at
the end of this article). You may or may not be surprised to learn that all three reports
share similar findings and make similar recommendations. All three
reports agree that we collectively, whether we are government
officials, citizens, or businesses, are falling far short of being
good stewards of our ocean and coastal resources. From the Pew
report we learn that the oceans are our largest public domain,
spanning nearly 4.5 million square miles, an area 23% larger than
the nation's land area. The Coastal Federation reminds us that
North Carolina has 301 miles of coastline and 3375 miles of
shoreline. Again from Pew, we read that the biological riches of
the oceans surpass those of our national forests and wilderness
areas. "The genetic, species, habitat, and ecosystem diversity
of the oceans is believed to exceed that of any other Earth system
... yet, incredibly, we are squandering this
bounty." All three reports identify the greatest pollution threat to
coastal marine life today as the runoff of excess nitrogen from
fertilized farm fields, animal feedlots, and urban areas. A recent
study by the National Academy of Sciences (2002) estimates that the
oil running off our streets and driveways and ultimately flowing
into our oceans, is equal to an Exxon Valdez oil spill - 10.9
million gallons - every eight months. Airborne nitrogen from
industrial smokestacks, automobile exhaust and ammonia rising from
huge manure lagoons represents additional 'non-point'
sources of pollution that are deposited in our estuaries marshes
and oceans from the atmosphere. Other threats to our oceans and
coast include over-fishing, invasive species (e.g. zebra mussels,)
aquaculture, coastal development, habitat alteration and climate
change. We have much to learn and much to do if we are to become better
stewards of our coastal resources. Although our September Cross
Roads article will explore steps that you can begin to take
toward that goal, there is one time-sensitive action which you may
consider taking today. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources will be receiving comments on draft Coastal Habitat
Protection Plans between July 13-August 4, 2004. Meeting locations,
dates and times are posted at
http://www.ncdmf.net/habitat/chpp29.html. The actual plans are
down-loadable from this site as well. Whether you are a coastal property owner or a beach tourist, or
even if you never go east of I-95, all of us who live in Chapel
Hill also live in the Neuse river basin; we all live upstream of
that great ocean. God created the oceans and declared them good. The
'goodness' of our Atlantic Ocean and coastal lands is
greatly threatened. The daily choices we make can have a positive
impact on these wonderful resources.
http://oceancommission.gov/documents/prelimreport/welcome.html http://www.nccoast.org/SOC2003/soc03.htm Church School Registration 2004-2005 NEW FORM needed this year in order to update the
rolls ___________________________ Last Name Please underline the name by which your child is
called! CHILD #1 _________________ ______________
___________________ First Name Baptismal Date DOB School
Grade CHILD #2 _________________ ______________
___________________ First Name Baptismal Date DOB School
Grade CHILD #3 _________________ ______________
___________________ First Name Baptismal Date DOB School
Grade ______________________________ ___________________
____________ Address City Zip Parent(s) or Guardian(s) Names
____________________________________________________________________ Home Phone _______________ Work phone(s)
____________________ Email Address
____________________________________________________________________________ (WHERE ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT CHURCH PROGRAMS CAN BE
SENT) Does the student participate in the Training
Choir?_____ Jr. Choir? ______ Are there any behavioral or developmental issues that
teachers need to know? ___Yes ___No If yes, we will send you a
"Special Needs" Form. List any allergies or other medical
problems_____________________________ Parents' skills are needed to make the program
work.Please check at least one of the following ways in which you
can help. ____ Classroom Volunteer as needed ____ Substitute teaching ____ Leading or organizing classroom
music ____ Assisting with intergenerational or mission
events/programs ____ Making, repairing, cleaning
costumes ____ Assisting with Parent Gathering Class or other
fellowship/education events Other ways I can
help:__________________________________________________ Please remember to sign up to bring snacks for the
classroom. There will be a sign-up sheet outside each
room. |