From the Rector

Dear Friends,

Among the great treasures of our Christian heritage are the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week. That week before Easter, dedicated to the passion of Christ, allows us to enter through the drama of liturgy into the various events surrounding Jesus' suffering and death. Each event has its own day, although together they form an organic whole. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church asserts that these liturgies began to develop in the fourth century "when pilgrimages became easily possible and Christians could indulge a natural desire to re-enact the last scenes of the life of Christ in liturgical drama." As people relived these awe-inspiring scriptural events, liturgies began to be developed which could be used in other places besides Jerusalem. Here is a brief look at these individual jewels which form the climax of the liturgical year.

Palm Sunday - This distinctive ceremony is perhaps the best known of the Holy Week liturgies, not only because it falls on a Sunday, but because of the power of its tension-filled story. It begins with a blessing of the palm fronds, segments of the branches with which people hailed Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. That blessing, preceded by the appropriate Gospel reading, takes place at a distance from the altar, even in some places apart from the church, to allow for a festive procession. The traditional hymn sung during that procession, "All glory, laud, and honor," utilizes words written in the eighth century by Theodolph, Bishop of Orleans, and the well-known tune from the sixteenth century. The joy of praising Jesus as King, however, is quickly shattered by the reading, or solemn chanting, of the Passion Gospel, in which Jesus is betrayed, condemned, and crucified. This jarring reflects the mood of the original events as well as the fickleness and sinfulness of human beings, as "Hosanna" turns to "Crucify him." The vestments for this striking service are deep red, the color of blood.

Maundy Thursday - This commemoration of the Last Supper takes its name from the Latin phrase of the former opening sentence of this service: mandatum novum, "a new commandment" which Jesus gave us, to love one another. After the scripture readings and sermon, the first event focused on from the Last Supper is Jesus' washing of his disciples' feet. Only John's Gospel recounts this powerful gesture of love and servanthood, which is made real in the liturgy by those who choose to, washing the feet of another. During this moving liturgical action, the choir chants various anthems, including the traditional Ubi caritas, "where love is (there is God)." In the second part of the service, Jesus' institution of the Eucharist is remembered, as during the Passover meal (according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus as host of the ceremonial meal, took, blessed, broke, and gave the unleavened bread to his disciples. Instead of "This is the bread of affliction which your fathers did eat in the desert," he said, "This is my body, broken for you." And similarly with the ceremonial cup of wine, of which all drank. Vestments are white in joy and thanksgiving for this great gift, which through the ages has united Christians with God and with one another. Again, however, the mood shifts dramatically at the end of the service, anticipating Jesus' imminent betrayal and death. No blessing or dismissal is used, and everything is stripped off the altar and lectern and laid bare for Good Friday.

Good Friday - On this solemn day, marked "by special acts of discipline and self-denial", according to the Prayer Book, no Eucharist is celebrated. A three-hour service is customary in many places, from noon to three, to mark the hours Jesus hung on the cross. In this parish, the first hour is Morning Prayer, including a sermon. The second hour, an aesthetic, reflective period, includes brief scripture readings followed by silence and choral responses by the choir. The third hour consists of the Prayer Book service, which is to begin in silence. After an Old Testament and an Epistle reading, John's account of Jesus' passion is read, featuring readers in different roles and congregational participation, followed by a sermon. A series of Solemn Collects prays for the Church, for unbelievers, and for the world, and then a replica of the wooden cross is "brought into the church and placed in the sight of the people." After the singing of the traditional Pange lingua, "Sing, my tongue, (the glorious battle)," and a final collect, the congregation kneels in silence for the solemn tolling of the bell thirty-three times, one for each year of Jesus' earthly life. People depart in silence.

The Great Vigil of Easter - This ancient service forms the pinnacle of the liturgical year. Celebrated in the dark of Easter Eve, it consists of four parts. In the Service of Light, a fire is kindled at the door, from which the Paschal Candle is lit and then solemnly processed to the front of the dark church to the solemn chant of "The light of Christ." As this light is spread to each person in the congregation holding a candle, a beautiful ancient canticle, the Exsultet, is chanted. The Service of Lessons is composed of significant scripture readings, which articulate salvation history, e.g., creation, the flood, deliverance through the Red Sea. Each lesson is followed by an appropriate hymn and a collect. Candidates for Baptism (usually adults and older children) are then led to the font by candlelight to be baptized, and all renew their Baptismal Covenant. Then all the lights come on, the first joyful "Alleluia" of Easter is proclaimed, and the Holy Eucharist is celebrated!

Easter Day - The exuberant celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead continues, not only on this Sunday, but throughout the Great Fifty Days. On the feast itself, the white and gold vestments, the beautiful flowers, and the joyful music all proclaim the good news of Easter. In this parish, the 9:00 a.m. service begins with the children bringing flowers to adorn the Good Friday cross, transforming it from a symbol of death into one of new life. After the services, this cross is placed near Franklin Street as a witness to those who pass by.

As we continue our journey through Lent, I invite you to look forward to its culmination in the great gift of Holy Week. Participate in as much of it as you can. Invite your family and friends to accompany you. You will find your faith deepened, your soul inspired, and your sense of new life made much stronger than ever before.

- Stephen

Vestry Actions - January 27, 2005

At its January meeting, the vestry:

• Learned that only $17,698 needed to be transferred from Undesignated Bequests and Gifts to the operating budget in 2004, much less than what had been budgeted

• Learned that the 2005 budget has been slightly amended to address some minor adjustments in salary and pension

• Received an update on the budget and learned that there are 528 pledges for a total of $1,072,024, which is only $43,000 short of what was budgeted [by 2/14/05 the total had increased to 539 pledges and $1,102,984]

• Received a summary of the Windsor Report, drafted by the Rev. Dr. Leon Spencer, Dean of the School of Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina

• Approved the recommendations of the Social Ministry Committee for distribution from the Discretionary Outreach line item of $1000 to Episcopal Relief and Development - Tsunami Relief and of $500 to Central American Task Force on Central America (CIRCA) - Annual Holy Week Pilgrimage for Peace and Justice

• Learned that the rector has appointed a Stained Glass Window Committee to develop a plan and make recommendations for the possibility of additional stained glass windows in the church

• Received the report of the subcommittee recommended by the Fresh Look Committee to chronicle procedures and policies of campus ministry

• Discussed possible amendment of the by-laws of the parish governing vestry elections in order to clarify some passages and make it possible to extend the nominating period under certain circumstances

• Learned that the chapel bell needs a new clapper and that this work should be completed within a year to avoid further damage to the bell

• Learned that the Buildings and Grounds Committee is working with the Altar Guild to study possible improvements to the chapel sacristy

• Approved the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to amend Personnel Policy 7.5 to grant a birthday holiday to staff members, the actual date to be approved by the rector.

Stained Glass Window Committee

Since inquiries have been made from time to time by parishioners and others about the possibility of donating further stained glass in the church, the rector has appointed an ad hoc committee to formulate a plan for stained glass in the church to recommend to the vestry. The committee consists of Jonathan Whitney, chair, Peter DeSaix, Terry Eason, Richard Pfaff, Sidna Rizzo, and Vivian Varner. The following is the charge to the committee.

The plan should address the following questions:

• How much more stained glass would be desirable to have?

• Which windows should that include?

• In what order should they be completed?

• What would be appropriate iconography?

• What artists/studios could do the quality of work required?

• How much would a given window cost?

• What is necessary for the ongoing preservation of our stained glass?

The committee should draw on the resources it needs to complete its work, including other similar worship spaces, professional advice, consulting with staff and interested parishioners, etc. The presupposition should be that money will eventually (but over time) become available to complete the desired number of windows. The plan should be submitted by the June 2005 vestry meeting.

Sandra's Sermon

Emma Lo

The following piece was written in response to the sermon preached by Sandra Swan, President of Episcopal Relief and Development, during the Eucharist at diocesan convention held January 20 - 22, 2005 in the Research Triangle Park. Emma is a sixth grader and member of the Junior Choir at the Chapel of the Cross.

"Before, none of us knew how to spell tsunami," Sandra Swan had stated at the beginning of her sermon on Friday night. Sandra, leader of Episcopal Relief and Development or ERD came to the Sheraton Hotel in the Research Triangle to state her unique and very powerful opinion on the tsunami. "This is the first time I have ever had my feelings ping-ponged back and forth from sadness and grief to happiness and joy. I am very sad for all who have been injured and those who died. But I am happy because help is on the way."

Sandra explained how her organization, ERD, had sent in hundreds of blue tents to provide shelter for the survivors until houses were built. "I was so proud of those tents. They really helped. And right on the front page of the New York Times, there was a picture of our blue tents!" Soon none of those tents will be needed and again, thankfully, because of Sandra. Tons of volunteers are flying over to Southeast Asia to help build a community on what used to be a cow pasture. Each house has two bedrooms, electricity, and clean water installed.

Sandra had a special quote from one of the Psalms that she repeated throughout her sermon, "Pay attention you people from far away." We are paying attention to the tsunami survivors but who else?

That is why Sandra is also disappointed. "We are focusing so much on the tsunami. What about all the rest of the suffering people in the world?" Little by little, things are starting to clear up. Sandra told emotional stories about needy people who had received support from ERD volunteers.

One story was when an ERD volunteer named Alice flew over to Africa to help women in a remote, little village. She taught them all to make quilts making sure each stitch was perfect. Every time a woman would make a mistake, Alice would make them take it out and redo it. Once the women had made quite a few quilts, Alice sold them to an expensive hotel in London. The women were so happy! Even though it didn't make them rich, they rejoiced over having enough money to buy bread for their family. "And of course we all hope that the story would stop here ... but it doesn't," Sandra said. The good thing is the hotel in London loves the quilts. The bad thing is the hotel loves them so much it has ordered 700 more of them. So now the small group of women are struggling to recruit more and more women to help them sew.

Another story was about a reporter visiting a poor, quaint village in Alaska. He attended a church service and afterwards questioned a little girl who was barely dressed in rags. "Do you think God helps you even though you are poor, dress in rags, and can't afford to go to school?" he asked. She replied, "O yes! Well, I think that God asked someone to bring us those things and they said no."

As Sandra's powerful stories sank in, everyone started to understand her reason for complaining about the help in Southeast Asia. She emphasized that everyone needs help all the time. "Pay attention you people from far away." And not just far away, but everywhere.

Lenten Reflections for Us ... for God's Creation

Linda B. Rimer, Environmental Stewardship Committee Chair

During the Lenten season of 2004, the Environmental Stewardship Committee invited you to consider Mahatma Gandhi's invitation to "live simply so that others may simply live." We gave sobering statistics on the consumption habits of Americans, statistics made even more stark by comparisons with citizens of other countries. We related those consumption habits to the negative impacts on the natural resources of God's creation. We invited consideration of an alternative to 'giving up' something treasured or enjoyed during Lent; we asked instead for an effort to simplify life, consume fewer 'things' and use new-found time to reflect on whether the pursuit of material wealth was bringing peace, satisfaction and fulfillment.

We find ourselves again in the Lenten season with no measurable indication that our collective appetite for consuming has been diminished The ecological footprint of an average North American is double that of a European, and seven times that of the average Asian or African. (The Ecological Footprint estimates how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard.) If the rest of the Earth's population lived like we do, it would take three planets to support us all.

There is also no measurable indication that our consumption habits are bringing us satisfaction or fulfillment. Survey research shows us that the percentage of Americans calling themselves "very happy" reached its highest point in 1957.

The season of Lent, this special time set aside for soul-searching, reflection and taking stock, is a wonderful time to consider our consumption habits, and the impacts those habits have on God's creation. Hopefully the remainder of this article will provide inspiration to assist you in this process. This soul-searching will be more powerful if done outside, under a tree, or sitting by a stream or river, looking up at the sun or clouds or stars. Let Job begin your reflection:

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all humanity. Job 12: 7-10

The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects.
Thomas Berry

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.
Henry David Thoreau

Every increased possession loads us with new weariness.

John Ruskin

Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children.

Kenyan Proverb

We are the generation of choice. We still have a choice to halt the destruction, the ravaging of the Earth. We are the
generation that could stand in harm's way and be those who preserve God's creation for future generations.
The Rev. Joan Campbell,
General Secretary, National Council of
Churches of Christ

The Earth is ultimately a common heritage, the fruits of which are for the benefit of all . . . It is manifestly unjust that a privileged few should continue to accumulate excess goods, squandering available resources, while masses of
people are living in conditions of misery at the very lowest level of existence. Today, the dramatic threat of ecological breakdown is teaching us the extent to which greed and selfishness - both individual and collective - are contrary to the order of creation, an order which is characterized by mutual interdependence.

Pope John Paul II

We have multiplied. We have subdued the earth. Now it's time to focus on the Second Creation story.
The Rev. Charles W. Treadwell,
St. Peter's Episcopal Church, McKinney, TX.

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.
Rachel Carson

The effort of religious groups, based on moral conviction, rather than immediate self interest is likely to have a disproportionate effect in the political arena on behalf of the environment.
Dr. Edward O. Wilson,
Baird Professor Science, Harvard University

Man did not weave the web of life - he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. Chief Seattle, 1854

If not checked, many of our current practices put at serious risk the future that we wish for human society and the plant and animal kingdoms, and may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner that we know.

Union of Concerned Scientists, 1992

The Earth I tread on is not a dead, inert mass. It is a body, has a spirit, is organic, and fluid to the influence of its spirit, and to whatever particle of that spirit is in me. She is not dead, but sleepeth. Henry David Thoreau

Ethics are complete, profound and alive only when addressed to all living beings. Only then are we in spiritual connection with the world. Any philosophy not respecting this, not based on the indefinite totality of life, is bound to disappear. Albert Schweitzer

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality - tied to a single garment of destiny - whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Take care of the land, and it will take care of you. Take what you need from the land, but need what you take. Aboriginal law

Our world has enough for each person's need, but not for his greed.

Mahatma Gandhi

The human race is challenged more than ever before to demonstrate our mastery - not over nature but of ourselves.

Rachel Carson

When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may see it with love and respect. Perhaps such a shift of values can be achieved by reappraising things unnatural, tame and confined in terms of things natural, wild and free.

Aldo Leopold

Think not forever of yourselves, O Chiefs, nor of your own generation. Think of continuing generations of our families, think of your grandchildren and those yet unborn, whose faces are coming from beneath the ground.

Founders of the Iroquois Confederacy,
c. 1000 AD

We must be the change we wish to see in the world.

Mahatma Gandhi

... in wildness is the preservation of the world.

Henry David Thoreau

I do not see a delegation for the four-footed. I see no seat for the eagles. We forget and we consider ourselves superior. But we are, after all, a mere part of Creation. And we must consider, to understand where we are. And we stand somewhere between the mountain and the ant. Somewhere and only there, as part and parcel of the Creation.

Chief Oren Lyons

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

Genesis 1:31.

On Saturday, the Chapel of the Cross received one of two Environmental Stewardship Awards. The citation reads: The Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill is hereby recognized for its work of improving our environment, God's creation, organized by their Environmental Stewardship Committee under the direction of Linda Rimer, given by the Chartered Committee for Environmental Ministries of the Diocese of North Carolina on January 22, 2005 AD.

[signed] Thomas Dropper, Chairman

Chapel of the Cross Representation in the Diocese of North Carolina and Beyond

Diocesan Convention, January 2005

Officers and Assignments

Stephen Elkins-Williams - Diocesan Council

Tammy Lee - Chair, Bishop's Committee on Clergy Wellness

Vicky Jamieson-Drake - just rotated off the Board of Directors of the Summit

Martha Hart - Secretary, Bishop's Committee on the Diaconate, Commission on Ministry

Bill Joyner - Chair, Bishop's Committee on the Diaconate

Joseph Ferrell - Deputy to the 75th General Convention (Lay Order), Secretary to Convention, Commission on Constitution and Canons

Sydenham Alexander, Jr. - President, Standing Committee

Robert Wright - Treasurer of the Diocese (Annual Election); Board of Trustees, General
Theological Seminary (New York City)

Peter DeSaix - Trustee, the University of the South

Don Stedman - Chair, Ministry in Higher Education (Department of Christian Formation)

Robert Chase, Jr. - Ministry in Higher Education (Department of Christian Formation)

Michael McElreath - Ministry in Higher Education (Department of Christian Formation)

Lonnie London - Historic Church Committee: St. Mary's Chapel, Orange County

Bunnie Collura - Diocesan Stewardship Committee, along with Vince on Summit Board of Visitors

Bill Easterling - Chair, Board of Trustees, Penick Village

Vivian Varner - Chartered Committee on Communications

189th Diocesan Convention Duties

Joseph Ferrell - Convention Coordinator, Secretary of the Convention

Tammy Lee - Director, Legislative Aides,

Campus Ministry Students at the Chapel of the Cross:

Meredith Gillam, Lisa Bevevino, John Williams, Roy Upchurch, Eric Anderson, Mary Olive Jones

Terry Eason - Convention Committee: Faith and Morals

Sydenham Alexander - Convention Committee: Program of the Diocese

Emilie DeLuca - Chair of Convention Exhibits

Barney Varner - Convention Treasurer

Lee Thomas - Chair, Convention Worship Committee

Wylie S. Quinn - Liturgical Music, Service Leaflet

Senior Choir at the Chapel of the Cross - Music at Convention Eucharist

Cantor- Gerald Whitington

Soloists - Roberta Marchese Van Ness and Irina Iliescu

Organist for the Offertory - Eddie Abernathy

Assisting Clergy at Eucharist - Tammy Lee, Martha Hart

Ushers at Eucharist - Laurie Gosnell, Head Usher; Henry and Linda King-Thomas; Bob Reimer; Sydenham Alexander; Bruce Ladd; Jonathan Whitney; Barney Varner

David Frazelle - Friday Noon-day Prayers

Saturday Closing Prayers: - Campus Ministry Students at the Chapel of the Cross:
Meredith Gilliam, Lisa Bevevino, Patrick Bradshaw, Jimmy Satterwhite

ABC Sale

The 43rd annual ABC (Attic, Basement, Closet) Sale is set for Saturday, April 23, 2005. The purposes of the ABC Sale are threefold:

To make serviceable goods available at a low cost, especially to those in our community who most need them

To raise money to be given away to local, regional, and global outreach ministries

To strengthen the bonds of unity and fellowship in the parish.

Our sale's success is 100% dependent on your generous donation of goods. Begin saving your used items now.

We still need lots of help from everyone. Check out the sign-up board in the parlor between services. Together we can make this year's sale the most successful ever. Everyone has a role!

Adult Education in March

Saturday, March 5 Reading with A View to Spirituality, library

Tuesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 Mary Harris Bible Study, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., library

Sunday, March 6 3^rd Session on Prayer: A Natural Experience of Living, campus center

3^rd Session on Proverbs: Those Words of Wisdom, chapel

Parent Gathering: Who's In Charge Around Here: Finding and Fostering Personal and Relational Balance, Part 1, with Betty Pristera, parlor

The demands and responsibilities of our busy lives are endless. Have you heard yourself ask "Who's in charge around here?" Are you dissatisfied with how you care for yourself and your relationships? And, despite your efforts, are others dissatisfied with you? This class will reflect on the enduring dilemmas of our stewardship of time, ourselves and our relationships.

Sunday, March 13 Parent Gathering, Part 2 with Betty Pristera, parlor

An Orientation to the Labyrinth, campus center

Conversation with the Rector, chapel

Thursday, March 17 The Book Group, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.; call the parish office for meeting place

Sunday, March 20 Parents of Teens, Room 31; No other Adult Education offerings but children and youth Church School classes will be held

Sunday, March 20 -Friday, March 25 Ecumenical Holy Week Labyrinth Walk; see following page for additional information

Sunday, March 27 Easter-No Church School

Walking the Labyrinth

Join Us and Other Sponsoring Churches

Chapel of the Cross Episcopal

Church of Reconciliation Presbyterian

Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist

University United Methodist

University Presbyterian

Holy Family Episcopal

United Church

Orange United Methodist

An Ecumenical Holy Week Opportunity

Walking the Labyrinth

Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church

1712 Willow Drive, Chapel Hill

Adult Education Orientation at the Chapel of the Cross

on Sunday, March 13 during Church School

The Labyrinth will be open

Sunday, March 20 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Youth Walk

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Public Walk

Monday, March 21 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 22 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

(4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Children's Walk with Orientation Sessions at 4:00 & 5:00)

Wednesday, March 23 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Labyrinth will close at 6:00

Thursday, March 24 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Silent Day, No Music

Friday, March 25 6:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

(12:00 - 1:00 Service around the labyrinth; the labyrinth will close at 1:30 )

Bring and wear socks for walking.

A love offering will be received.

Easter Flowers for 2005

Offerings of flowers for the altars of the church and chapel are especially

appropriate for memorials or thanksgivings at Easter. If you wish to contribute

toward Easter flowers, please complete this form and bring or mail it to the

church office by Friday, March 18.

A check in the amount you wish to contribute should be made payable to

The Chapel of the Cross, memo line, Easter flowers.

Mailing Address:

St. Hilda's Altar Guild - Easter flowers

The Chapel of the Cross

304 East Franklin Street

Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Enclosed is my check for $ ______

Please print in ink (full names, no titles):

Memorials _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

Thanksgivings _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

My name, address, and daytime contact number: _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________