Bell Tower - The Church of the Holy Innocents

The
Bell Tower
The Church of the Holy Innocents Newsletter
May 2015
Volume 11 - Number 5
Inside this Issue
1
2
From the Rector
The Ascension and...
3
Parish News ...cont.
Tabitha Guild
ECW
May Schedule of Events
Treasurer’s Report...
5
Deacon”s Bench...
7
The Rev. Donald Lowery
May Birthdays
and Anniversaries
Remember in Your Prayers
Special Dates
Unified Serving Schedule
Spotlight On...
The Church of the Holy Innocents
210 South Chestnut Street
Henderson, North Carolina 27536
Telephone: 252-492-0904
E-mail: hinnocents@centurylink.net
Church Web Site Address:
www.churchofthe holyinnocents.org
Visit us on Facebook
to mind as persons who saw the Lord in
visions that changed their own lives and
which resonate in the hearts of believers
who study them down to our present
day.
The Ascension of our Lord
troubles some believers because it
appears to show our Risen Lord
rocketing off into space. For those of us
with a modern worldview shaped by
science, that is a troubling image. I will
admit that it has bothered me in times
past. However, I have come to peace
with the story recounted by Luke in this
resurrection appearance.
From the Rector...cont.
Parish News ...
Youth Group
Healing Service
A Bit of History
Feast of Pentecost
Baccalaureate
4
6
from the Rector
The Ascension and Pentecost
The Ascension is not the end of
the Great Fifty Days of Easter, but it is
the end of a cluster of Resurrection
appearances which convince that group
of Holy Women and Men who comprise
the first apostolic witnesses that Jesus
did indeed conquer death and lives
forever. There will be other appearances
of the Risen Lord. St. Stephen, the first
martyr for Christ after the resurrection
sees the Risen Lord as he is being stoned
to death.
St. Paul, that stalwart
missionary and author of most of the
New Testament saw the Risen Lord and
converted from a persecutor of the
church into a believer. From my study
of church history, I believe that from
time to time, other saints of the church
have been granted visions of the Risen
Savior. St. Francis of Assisi and the
Blessed Dame Julian of Norwich come
It is important to note that Jesus
really is not shown flying through space.
A cloud receives him and it’s more like
his coming and going into rooms without
needing the doors. This is a property of
the resurrection body which is solid
enough to touch, but which relates to the
laws of physics in a different manner by
virtue of its transformation into what St.
Paul might call “the body of glory”
which will never die again. I think of it
this way. I want to warn you upfront
that this is what I call a “Fr. Don slightly
zany theory” which I present as my own
notion and most definitely not the
official teaching of the church. Yet, in
my own odd way, it does rather make
sense.
From the Rector cont. pg. 2
MAY 2015
So on to my pious speculation. It
is posited by some physicists that there
are other dimensions of reality, real
universes in which the energy that their
matter is comprised vibrates at a slightly
different rate - each from the other. We
cannot usually see from one of these
dimensions to another but that does not
make them any less real. Let us then
suppose that Heaven, that realm in which
“God’s will is done always” is not some
place far away, but rather is all around
us, one of those alternate dimensions but
totally in tune with God in ways that ours
are not. We do not generally see across
the veil into that other realm but on
occasion it interacts with ours. I think
that may be what is happening in the
resurrection appearances including the
Ascension.
Jesus steps from the
heavenly realm back into ours, to make
real for his disciples his victory over
death. At the appointed time, he steps
back into the heavenly dimension, veiled
by a cloud, to return at the time
appointed by his Heavenly Father. We
enter across that veil at death, to be
reunited with our loved ones, in the
presence of our Lord, never to die again.
So Jesus leaves us, yet remains
closer to us than our own breath by the
power of the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost,
we celebrate the reality that Jesus not
only lives, he has not left us comfortless
but has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us.
The Holy Spirit comforts us by
assuring us of God’s love for us in all
times, places and circumstances. The
Holy Spirit gives us divine wisdom to
sort out difficult situations. The Holy
Spirit gives us divine strength to cope
with events that seem to overwhelm us.
The Holy Spirit pleads our cause and
needs before God the Father as an
advocate or attorney for us. This is God
as Holy Spirit at work with and for God’s
people in the world.
A Bit of Parish History Comes
Home-
The Rev. Donald Lowery
Original Church
We will celebrate Pentecost ten days
later on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at our own
parish church. Come, be part of the
mystery and wonder of God’s Resurrection
Power and unconquerable Love on these
great feast days of the church. †
Parish News…
The Rev. Donald Lowery
The youth group will gather between
1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on the afternoon of
May 2nd to work with clothing for the use of
migrant workers. We will also help Isabel
move from the Hughes House to his new
apartment.
We will meet at the Hughes House at
5:00 p.m. on all the Sundays of May. †
1842-1885
Cliff Rogers and Alton Stainback
alerted me that small pictures of the
Rev. Mr. Joseph Murphy and his wife
were up on a Facebook page about local
genealogy. Mr. Murphy was rector of
Holy Innocents from 1863 to 1867. The
owner, Dennis Harris, wanted to find a
permanent home for them, free, to either
family members or others with a
connection of the to the Murphys. I
contacted him and he graciously donated
them to the church, indeed, hand
delivered them. They will go on display
in the archives cabinets in the Great
Hall. †
The Feast of Pentecost
The Rev. Donald Lowery
Sunday, May 24th is the Feast of
Pentecost. Do you read, even a little bit,
of a foreign language? We would like to
read one lesson in as many languages as
might be represented in the parish. I can
Koine Greek the dialect of ancient Greek
in which the New Testament was
originally written, and obviously,
Spanish. Any German, French or other
language floating around in the parish?
If so, let me know. †
& Communion
The Rev. Donald Lowery
th
We will celebrate the Ascension at
7:00 p.m. at Old St. John’s in
Williamsborough on Thursday, May 14,
2015.
2
May 6 will be Communion with
Healing Service, followed by a continuation
of our Church History Survey begun in
Lent. May 13th, 20th and 27th will be Holy
Communion and the final episodes of
Church History or How the Episcopal
Church Got that way. †
The Rev. Donald Lowery
Holy Innocents’ will host the
Baccalaureate for Kerr-Vance Academy
on May 29, 2015. †
MAY 2015
Schedule of Events
Church Usage
SCHEDULE
~Lower Hall~
The Tabitha Guild
Betsy Catlett, Janet White
& Margaret Williamson
Tabitha will meet in May
as usual (2nd and 4th Tuesdays at
10 a.m. in the Ladies' Parlor). Remember that we will not
be meeting during June, July and
August!! †
MONDAY
AA
Cub Scout Pack
( w/ Tommy)
AA
NA
NA
AA
NA
Betsy Seifert, President
The ECW will meet at 10 a.m.
on Tuesday, May 26. We will not meet
during the months of June, July and
August.
Please join us !
5:30 to 6:30
7:00 to 8:00
5:30 to 6:30
7:00 to 8:00
WEDNESDAY
7:00 to 8:00
5:30 to 6:30
SATURDAY
Noon
NOTICE: Our church email address is
hinnocents@centurylink.net. Whenever
your email address changes, please be
sure to send your new address to the
church so that we can update our records.
Altar flowers in their honor will
be given on Sunday, June 7, 2015 and
their names will be listed in the Sunday
bulletin. †
Wednesday– May 6
5:30 PM, Communion &
Healing Service
Sunday – May 10
8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite I
10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite II
12:30 PM, La Misa Servicio
Tuesday – May 12
10:00 AM, Tabitha Guild (Ladies Parlor)
Wednesday– May 13
3:00 PM, Nursing Home Ministry
5:30 PM, Communion/Church History
Sunday – May 17
8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite I
10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite II
12:30 PM, La Misa Servicio
Tracy Madigan
Do you have a special person
graduating from high school or college
this year?
If so, please share their
accomplishment with our Holy Innocents
family. Contact Susie in the church office
at 252-492-0904 or email hinnocents@
centurylink.net by May 20, 2015. Provide
us with their name, school and
relationship to you (child, grandchild,
niece, nephew, etc.).
8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite I
10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite II
12:30 PM, La Misa Servicio
Thursday– May 14
7:00 PM, Ascension Service
(Old St. John’s , Williamsborough)
†
Honoring Our Graduates
DAILY MORNING PRAYER
Monday —Thursday (weekly)
7:30 AM, Ladies Parlor
Sunday – May 3
TUESDAY
FRIDAY
Choir Weekly Practice Schedule
Hand Bell Choir — Wed. at 6:00 PM
Parish Choir
— Sun. at 9:30 AM
Summer
(June/July/August)
Newsletter items are due:
May26th
Thanks for your help!
MJNELSON@nc.rr.com
Printed copies of the newsletter are
located in the Bell Tower for you if you
have problems with email access and are
also available to view and print from the
church website:
www.churchoftheholyinnocents.org
Thanks for your support!
Wednesday– May 20
5:30 PM, Communion/Church History
Sunday – May 24
8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite I
10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite II
12:30 PM, La Misa Servicio
Tuesday – May 26
10:00 AM, ECW/Tabitha Guild
(Ladies Parlor)
Wednesday– May 27
3:00 PM, Nursing Home Ministry
5:30 PM, Communion/Church History
Sunday – May 31
8:00 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite I
10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist – Rite II
12:30 PM, La Misa Servicio
3
THE BELL TOWER
Treasurer’s
Report
Bob Nelson, Treasurer
4
THE BELL TOWER
The Deacon’s Bench
by the Rev. Harrel Johnson
May 2015
The Divine Shepherd
A reflection on the 23rd Psalm
A Psalm of David
-
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff — they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head
with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell
in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Psalm 23 is the most requested scripture for funerals. In some cases, it is the only scripture the family
knows. Psalm 23 seems to capture the imagination whether religious or not. It is a beautiful psalm of trust.
I find it curious that this psalm is the favorite of so many when most people approach life in a vastly different way. Instead of “not wanting” we want what we want when we want it. If we can’t get what we want, we
become frustrated. This psalm describes a contentment from God’s presence that is missing in most lives.
Instead of a life of peace in green pastures there is anxious anxiety. Even though there is comfort while walking
through the darkest valley, most people only experience despair.
Could it be that this psalm touches us because it reflects a life we desire? I believe so. However, the life it
characterizes is one that is built on faith and trust in God. We might desire the life this psalm paints, but it only
comes as we follow God through Jesus. Just as you can’t expect grapes from an apple tree, the fruit of a faithful
life is contentment, peace, and a sense that we are not alone. For many, a life like this means a total reorientation. It means we allow God to be the source of our living, rather than our own desires and agendas. We have
the choice to read about such a life, or turn our lives toward Jesus and experience it. †
5
MAY 2014
Birthdays
Kathleen Burwell.............................5/03
Nancy Whitt ....................................5/03
Harry Collins ...................................5/05
Graham Ellis ....................................5/06
Steve Flannagan ..............................5/07
Helen Flannagan ..............................5/07
Dianne Floyd ...................................5/08
Ann Ellis..........................................5/10
Barbara Hight ..................................5/10
Betsy Catlett ....................................5/18
Peggy Mason ...................................5/20
Wade Bliss ......................................5/27
Peggy Polak .....................................5/28
Ernest Houle ....................................5/29
John Dow ........................................5/30
Remember In
Your Prayers
Pray for Healing and Comfort:
.Cynthia Shaw, Helen Church Miles,
Trayce Wheless,,Barbara Collins, Staci
Barnett, Harry Collins, Hazel Peck,
Mary Ann Hill, Barbara Madigan, Melody Shearin, Carolyn Lowery, Belinda
Catlett, Mary Shearin, Meghan Bunn,
Laura Peace, Mason Allgood, Vivie
Drake, Peggy Polak, Graham Shearin,
Rorin Platt, Bill Duff, Tommy Greenway, Francis Saunders,
Lisa Adcock,
Marsha Nelson, Barbara Foster, Bobby
Moss, Al Thompson, Marshall Cooper,
Hannah Youngblood, Emory Taylor and
Jean Gaddy Scholl.
Anniversaries
Griselle & Bobby Woodard……… 5/10
Susann & Kirk Elliott ..………….. 5/11
Katherine & Scott Williamson ........5/15
Betsy & Donald Seifert ...................5/21
Jean & Rick Palamar .......................5/25
Sofia & Harrison Ford .....................5/29
Special Dates

National Day of Prayer

Mothers Day

Ascension of the Lord
Ma y 7 , 2 0 1 5
Ma y 1 0 , 2 0 1 5
Ma y 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

Armed Forces Day
Ma y1 6 , 2 0 1 5

Memorial Day
Ma y 2 5 , 2 0 1 5
Altar Flowers

Tracy Madigan
5/03

Shirley & Chick Young
5/10

Janet White
5/17

Porter Shaw
5/24

Margaret Williamson
5/31
MAY Unified Serving Schedule
~
MAY
3
10
17
24
31
COFFEE WILL BE SERVED IN THE GREAT HALL AFTER THE 10:30 AM SERVICE ~
bearers
Juliana Negron
(Book)
Lorena Negron
(Banner)
LC Olmert
(Book); Uriah
Ford (Banner)
Misty Holloway
(Book) ; Lorena
Negron (Banner)
May Beth Parish
(Book); Genie
Parish (Banner);
Jason Elliott
(Kite); AJ Holloway (Flag);
Sarah Rose Parish
(Tintinabulus)
Sarah Rose Parish
(Book)
layreader/
chalice bearer
acolytes
crucifer
Mary Beth Parish
Sarah Rose Parish
Genie Parish
Tucker Olmert
Brennan Olmert
Lehman Ford
Ethan Holloway
Jason Elliott
AJ Holloway
Misty Holloway
Lorena Negron
Juliana Negron
Ethan Holloway
Uriah Ford
Lehman Ford
(2nd Cross)
8:00am - Steve Flannagan
10:30 am - Ruth Hartness
Craig Clodfelter
Lehman Ford
8:00am - Rick Palamar
10:30 am - Nancy Whitt
Craig Clodfelter
Jason Elliott
Mary Beth Parish
8:00am - Lucy Gray
10:30am -Nick Long
8:00am - Bob Nelson
10:30am –Richard Davis
8:00am - Hut Wester
10:30am - Tom Church
ushers
Craig Clodfelter
Mike Rainey
altar
guild
vestry
greeter
Mariana Davis
Tom Church
Shirley Young
Al Stainback
Shirley Young
Porter Shaw
Anora Rainey
Craig Clodfelter
Anora Rainey
Ruth Hartness
Craig Clodfelter
Mike Rainey
Craig Clodfelter
Mike Rainey
Mike Rainey
Mike Rainey
NOTE: IF YOU ARE SCHEDULED TO LAYREAD AND HAVE A CONFLICT, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR OWN
REPLACEMENT AND NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE.
6
THE BELL TOWER
7
PHONE: 252-492-0904
E-MAIL: hinnocents@centurylink.net
THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS
210 South Chestnut Street
Henderson, NC 27536
The Church of the Holy Innocents
All are welcome to join us as
we joyfully greet each person present at our worship.
May our love and respect for one another be
steady and true as we strive to follow Christ our Lord..