September - Episcopal Diocese of Delaware

September 2006
Volume 31, No. 8
Avon calling?
No, it's God.
IN THIS ISSUE
B
C
D-E
F
G
H
Bishop’s Letter
Well, not exactly, but are you willing to
spend 3 hours on Sunday, September 24
from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to help hang
6,000 doorknobs in the Glasgow area?
Churches from across the Diocese are
bringing people to help Good Shepherd
Church Plant get the word out that they
will begin regular Sunday worship the next
week. No heavy solicitation, just walking
through a neighborhood and hanging a
great looking invitation on doors.
Coming Events
Celebrating Summer with Christ
Sea Sunday
Seeds of Friendship
Reba Wright
New Clergy
Camp Arrowhead
Parish Life Day:
uplifting for
everyone!
Save the Date November 18!
Julie Carryer, a 16 year old parishioner from St. David’s Episcopal
Church, was invited to Parish Life
day last year by Pat Van-Catledge.
Julie helps teach at St. David’s
children’s chapel, reading and telling
stories with flannel boards and
puppets. So when Julie attended the
puppetry and story-telling workshop
at Parish Life Day, she felt it was
“awesome; I loved it so much,” she
said. “We learned how to use the
puppets and tell stories from the
puppet’s point of view. I felt really
special being with the adults. I got
to tell my story in front of the group.
Everyone clapped afterward. I felt
great!”
Julie also attended a helpful workshop on how to read scripture aloud.
She felt it was really interesting to
hear how differently the words sound
and feel, depending on how you read
them. Julie also felt she learned a lot
from all the different vendors and
churches represented. “Everyone was
so friendly and welcoming; I felt like
I got to know almost everyone. I
definitely recommend it for other
young people; it built my faith even
more.”
Parish Life Day has something for
everyone: workshops for lay and
ordained, young and old, plus a program for children. Put November 18
on your calendar and watch for our
registration materials at church or
register on line at
www.DioceseofDelaware.net. If you
are one of the first 50 registrants you
will receive a Diocesan t-shirt. As
Julie summarized, “At the end of the
day it was like a spirit lit up in me!”
Randy and Sarah Shackelford get ready to help Good Shepherd launch and you can too
by joining fellow Delaware Episcopalians telling about our new church plant in Glasgow,
on Sunday, September 24 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Meet with other volunteers at the
Glasgow High School at 1:30 p.m. to
pick up door hangers and learn what
neighborhood you are assigned. At 4:30
p.m. there will be a pizza party to thank
you for your work. Questions? Email
Jay@GoodShepherdDe.org
or call 302-547-7849.
God sightings in a St. Louis Work Camp
by Leah Rowe, Trinity Episcopal Parish
My first work camp experience was nothing short of extraordinary. I wasn't sure
what to expect because I had heard good
and bad things about
previous work camps
from senior campers,
but I don't think anything could have prepared me for what I
experienced. During
the week before our
trip, I was extremely
excited, but at the
same time a little
apprehensive.
graciously opened its doors to us.
Granted, we had to sleep on the floor
in classrooms, but at least it was free
and not too uncomfortable.
Being a fairly new
member at Trinity, I
was working on connecting with the
other teens in the
youth group. It was After sleeping on the floor of a church in Columbus, Ohio these
easy for me to feel
teens from Delaware finally arrived in St. Louis and are shown
out of the loop in
here with the homeowner on the porch they proudly built.
this tightly knit group,
so I was a little anxious about being
The next morning we were up early in
together for a whole week. When the
the hopes that we would arrive in St.
trip began, I realized that I had nothing
Louis on time at the school where we
to worry about. Though we slept for a
would be staying. We were overjoyed
majority of the time we were in the vans,
when we realized that we gained an hour
we spent our remaining time playing
and that instead of rushing and worrying,
games and, for me at least, getting to
we could actually take our time and
know the other people in my van.
enjoy the rest of our drive.
Since we were driving to St. Louis,
The first thing I remember upon our
Missouri, we had a two-day, 16-hour
arrival at the school was the excitement
drive ahead of us. At the end of our
and energy generating from everyone.
first day, we stopped in Columbus, Ohio
People seemed excited to be there for
and spent the night at a church that
Continued on Page G.
Leah Rowe holds a drill as she worked to
help a family in St. Louis. Leah and fellow
Trinity Parish teens built a porch for the
homeowner.
Bishop’s Fund
There is still time to contribute to
the 2006 Bishop’s Mission Fund. Your
contribution will help to fund new
church growth. We are called as
Christians to spread the Good News
and this fund will support that
important ministry. Bishop Wright
reports that, “the campaign to date
has been very successful, with over
150 Delawarean Episcopalians contributing. All the names of those
who have supported this important
work will be listed in the October
Communion. If you did not receive
the June mailing or would like more
information, please contact Rufus
Miller at 302-656-5441 or
RufusMiller@DioceseofDelaware.net.
A
September 2006
The Bishop’s Letter
The Bishop’s Calendar
With the coming of Labor Day all things
seem to spring back to life. Schools reopen. The pace of business and social
events quicken. Church programs and
ministries resume after a summer break
that seems briefer every year. As this new
season begins some of our long-sought
hopes are being fulfilled. Several significant ministries of the Episcopal Church
in Delaware will begin bearing new fruit.
At the end of September our new congregation, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church,
begins regular Sunday worship. Over the
last eighteen months the Reverend Jay
Angerer has been working in the rapidly
growing mission field around Glasgow
area of New Castle County. Families and
individuals are responding to the appeal of
Christ’s Gospel. The new church will meet
in the Keene Elementary School auditorium – near the intersection of Routes 40 &
896. Please keep Jay and Good Shepherd
Church in your prayers during these
exciting days.
SEPTEMBER 2006
4 Monday
6 Wednesday
6 Wednesday
10 Sunday
11 Monday
12 Tuesday
15 Friday –
24 Sunday
17 Sunday
19 Tuesday
28 Thursday
28 Thursday –
30 Saturday
Labor Day Holiday – Bishop’s Office Closed
Bishop’s Day in Georgetown
Evening Visitation, St. Andrew’s School Chapel, Middletown
Morning Visitation, St. Stephen’s Church, Harrington
Bishop & Council Meeting, Christ Church, Dover
Clergy Day, Christ Church, Dover
Church Pension Fund Trustees Planning Meeting
Sea Sunday
Standing Committee, St. Andrew’s School, Middletown
Trustees Meeting
Diaconate Retreat, Memorial House
After delivering the musical instruments
Many of you have been in touch to ask
Parker and I spent the rest of the week
about our summer trip to New Orleans.
First, I want to thank everyone who con- in New Orleans helping family friends
re-build their home. We mostly helped
tributed to support my son Parker’s Eagle
with painting the interior. With my
Scout project. He collected 52 musical
instruments and over $4,000. In mid-July height you can imagine that I was
usually assigned to do the ceiling!
Parker and I drove to New Orleans to
deliver the instruments. They will be
It was a blessing for us to be able to give
re-furbished and passed along to local
friends a hand. Serving others lies at the
high schools. The money Parker collected heart of following Jesus and growing as
Through the years, Delaware Episcopalians
will be used to purchase new band unione of his disciples. I hope that you all
have blessed our communities by founding I continue to be impressed by the fundaforms. While we were in New Orleans
enjoyed a good and safe summer season.
and supporting churches. The Gospel
mental strength of the Episcopal Church Parker was interviewed for the local
Faithfully,
touches people’s lives through day-to-day
in Delaware. Our church is built upon a television news. The next day he was
ministries of worship, study, pastoral care, strong foundation of faithfulness, generosi- on “Good Morning America!” Several
and prayer. This is how we share our love ty, and service. The light of Jesus Christ is friends in Delaware called to say that
Wayne Wright,
for Jesus. Since missionaries from England our guide. As our communities grow and they had seen him on TV.
Bishop of Delaware
founded Delaware’s first churches over 300 change, there are significant opportunities
years ago, we have been faithful to that
before us. My experience as bishop over
Bread Anyone?
commitment. Now after several years of
these last eight years leads me to be both
By Wayne McKee,
planning and patient, hard work the new
hopeful and trusting as I look toward the
Diocesan Coordinator
ministry of Good Shepherd Church will
future of our state and of our churches.
build upon that firm foundation.
In mid-August Camp Arrowhead finished In times like these, it’s difficult for many, impossible for most, not to be upset by the
You have played an important role in
its 52nd season. Over 900 campers attend- storms that seem to be gathering around us. The world-at-large seems like a very
making this happen. Thank you for the
ed camp this year. The spirit was good and unhappy and, in some areas, inhospitable place. The evening news is so bad that I pass
great gift of your support and your prayers. the weather – except for a few hot days –
it up some days and wish I had others! I have faith that the Lord will help me see
The presence and power of your prayers
cooperated. For the last three years the
this through, but there are times when this faith is really tested. The tension between
have been felt over these last years. Your
Reverend Margaret Sterchi has served as
faith and reality almost gets maxed out, and I wonder whether or not my anchor will
generous gifts to the annual Bishop’s
resident chaplain during the summer
hold. Then, I think of those who do not have Christ in their life at all. How could
Mission Fund have made a difference.
camping season. She has done this while
they be managing all of this? Much worse, what about those who have much more to
Thank you!
juggling week-to-week responsibilities at
deal with than just hearing the news….what about those who are the news?!?
The Episcopal Parish of All Saints Church
Our new deacon’s training program conHow does one get to those in the news? Some protest their predicament. Others
and St. George's Chapel
tinues to develop. Deacons are ordained
address their needs. The latter have faith that our Lord is somewhere in the midst
ministers who have a special call to
We all applaud the outstanding job that
of the fray and go in His direction. We can be preoccupied with our misgivings about
Christian service and prayer. They serve
Margaret has done. She has touched the
the problems of the world or we can seek ways to be part of the care for those who are
as an example to all of us and provide
lives of campers and supported the camp
suffering. We’ll probably never be part of the solution to the world’s stress and strain
visible leadership in these essential facets
staff. We are also grateful to The Episcopal but we sure can help abate the collateral damage if we set our mind to it.
of discipleship. Last fall the diocesan
Parish of All Saints Church and St.
There’s the rub, getting in the right frame of mind! I’ve been convalescing from surDiaconate Committee sponsored a forum
George's Chapel’s for sharing Margaret
gery the past six weeks and found part way through that I got far too preoccupied with
for congregations and individuals interest- with camp.
my day-to-day recovery. I had become a patient without much patience. Until I realed in the ministry of deacons. The turnout
Our two Episcopal schools, St. Andrew’s
ized that I really wasn’t helping my loving wife and caregiver or respecting those who
was very high. Since the beginning of the
and St. Anne’s, are about the open their
were praying for my recovery. I needed an attitude change. I needed to pay attention
year, potential candidates for this new
doors for another year. Together they will
to the many kind thoughts that were being sent in my direction. When I did, things
training program have been identified and
enroll almost 700 students. The Reverend brightened up considerably.
interviewed. Several congregations across
Donna McNiel, Episcopal campus ministhe diocese have agreed to participate in
Imagine what we can do for those who are really feeling the pain of calamity, disease,
ter at the University of Delaware, reports
the program. We are set to begin the forand hunger if we just put our mind to it and keep it there. Last year, Delawareans
that plans are well underway for the
mal training later this fall.
donated over $370,000 to ERD to help others in need. Through the first half of this
campus ministry as another college term
year, we’ve donated about 10% of that amount. Most of us have become preoccupied
Over the last year we have been conduct- begins. The campus ministry is sponsored
with many other things and probably assumed that the needs have gone away, while,
ing a broad-based mission study of our dio- jointly by St. Thomas’s Parish, Newark
in fact, they have not. By some estimates, the need for Katrina recovery is not much
cese. There have been grassroots meetings and our diocese.
less today than it was last September! ERD’s commitment to Katrina reconstruction is
Episcopal Life ISSN 1050-0057 USPS# 177-940 is published monthly by the Domestic and Foreign
a five year program, not a six-month response. If we are going to have a lasting effect
Missionary Society, Inc. 815 Second Ave, New York, NY 10017. Periodical postage paid in New
on the Gulf Coast recovery, we’ll need patience, lot’s of it.
York, NY and additional mailing offices.
and individual meetings with lay and
clergy leaders. We have consulted with
experts in the fields of congregational
statistics, church administration, and
finances. All these findings are being
reviewed and synthesized by a diocesan
committee called together for this special
task. During the coming years reports from
this study will guide our diocese as we
plan, work, and serve together.
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The Episcopal Diocese of Delaware
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Find Delaware Communion on the web @ www.DioceseofDelaware.net
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No matter what level of endeavor one chooses to serve in Christ’s army – from the
donor to volunteer – it is sustained by the faith that He is the “Holy One of God.”
We do not wish to go away. We can not go away like the disciples who could not
understand, much less accept Jesus as the “bread of life.” His bread is everlasting
life for us. All he asks is that we feed the needs of others for him.
You will hear about ongoing programs and information from your ERD Parish
Representative, parish newsletter, or Rector. Visit www.er-d.org/mdg. Donations can
be made on line, over the phone at 800-334-7626, or by using ERD envelopes available in you parish. Be sure to mention your parish name when making donations.
September 2006
Coming Events
September 2006
October 2006
Worships and Celebrations
Hold the Date
8-9 The Baritones of the U.S. Army Chorus at The Episcopal Parish of All Saints
Church and St. George's Chapel 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, 7 p.m. The
concert will feature Broadway show tunes, opera and patriotic songs. All Saints has
a personal connection with the U.S. Army Chorus through parishioner and Army
Chorus Baritone, SFC Alex Helsabeck. 302-227-7202 or AllSaintsParish-Rehoboth.org
21 Safe Church Training, St. James’ Church, Mill Creek, Wilmington.
16 Period music for the 375th anniversary of the Dutch settlement of Lewes,
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes, 7:30 p.m. John Burkhalter, Recorder and
Professor Eugene Roan, Harpsichord will be performing. Free. 302-645-0282
17 Sea Sunday, Seaman’s Center, Wilmington 3 p.m. See story and details on page F.
Spiritual Formation and Education
21 The Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Delaware Annual Meeting,
St. Peter's Church, Smyrna, 9:00 a.m. This year's meeting will honor the 30th
anniversary of the ordination of women priests. Tickets are $16.00 payable with
the registration form that has been mailed to your parish.
23 Finding Your Way Home. Homelessness in the Twenty-First Century. A retreat led
by Bill Perkins, Executive Director of Friendship House at Immanuel Highlands, 17th
Street and Riverview Avenue in Wilmington, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A simple lunch of
soup and sandwiches will be provided. A $5 free will offering to help defray expenses
is requested. Please register by Wednesday, September 20 to help plan the food. To
register, call Barb Pyle, at Immanuel Church, Highlands at 302-658-7326 ext. 10.
24 Evangelism Good Shepherd Needs Your Help –at 1:30 p.m., See story on page A.
302-227-7202 or AllSaintsParish-Rehoboth.org. Questions email
Jay@GoodShepherdDe.org or call 302-547-7849
St. Peter’s Marking
325th
Anniversary
Worships and Celebrations
1 50th Anniversary Celebration, The Reverend Simon Mein will be celebrating the 50th
anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Simon will be celebrating Eucharist at
10:00 a.m. at The Episcopal Parish of All Saints Church and St. George's Chapel, 18
Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach. This celebration will be followed by a luncheon in the
parish hall at noon. Everyone is invited. If you are able to attend, please RSVP to
Melissa Jackewicz at 302-227-7202 or at info@AllSaintsParish-Rehoboth.org.
1 The next 'U2charist' at St. Thomas's Parish, Newark, is at 5:30 p.m. Come celebrate
Eucharist with the music of U2 and learn more about the "One Episcopalian" campaign
to support the Millennium Development Goals and the Episcopal Church's commitment to Justice & Peace.
8 A concert by St. Peter’s Choir, 4 p.m. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes. The
program will include Requiem by John Rutter and other choral works 302-645-0282
or www.StPetersLewes.org.
14 The combined All Saints Parish Choir and All Saints’ Jazz Ensemble conducted by
Dr. Clarence Boyer, renowned composer and editor of the African-American hymnal,
“Lift Every Voice and Sing II”, in his original composition Mass for The Episcopal
Parish of All Saints Church and St. George's Chapel. 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at All Saints
Episcopal Parish, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach. 302-227-7202 or
AllSaintsParish-Rehoboth.org.
14 Ben Franklin and the Music of His Time at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes.
A concert by Brandywine Baroque, 7.30 p.m. Admission $15 for adults and $6 for
students. 302-645-0282 or www.StPetersLewes.org.
15 The Jazz Mass composed for the Episcopal Parish of All Saints Church and St.
George's Chapel, 10 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Parish, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth
Beach conducted by Dr. Clarence Boyer, renowned composer and editor of the
African-American hymnal, “Lift Every Voice and Sing II”.
20 Organ Recital by Dr. David Flood, Organist and Master of the Choristers of
Canterbury Cathedral,7.30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes
302-645-0282 or www.StPetersLewes.org.
21 Dr. David Flood will rehearse St. Peter’s Choir in preparation for the Sunday Choral
Eucharist and Choral Evensong 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church,
Lewes. Open to public observation. 302-645-0282 or www.StPetersLewes.org.
22 Dr. David Flood will conduct St. Peter’s Choir in Choral Eucharist with George
Bayley, organist at 10 a.m. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lewes 302-645-0282 or
www.StPetersLewes.org.
Spiritual Formation and Education
Saint Peter's kicked-off its capital campaign at the celebration of its 325th anniversary.
The chart for the capital campaign is a drawing of the church and is a reminder to all
of the commitment for the future.Pictured next to the campaign sign are (left to right)
Red Moulinier (Jr. Warden), The Reverend Jeffrey Ross (Rector), Sue Potts, (Sr.
Warden), as well as the Capital campaign consultants: Carl Graber and Sean Mitchell
from J. D. Klote Associates. St. Peter's hopes to complete the renovation of the
Rectory, replace the church roof and HVAC system, refurbish the stained glass
windows, install public bathrooms in the undercroft of the church and expand the
second floor of the parish hall. The campaign hopes to raise 1.5 million dollars,
of which over $350,000 is already pledged.
24 Washington National Cathedral bus trip offered by The Delaware Chapter of the
National Cathedral Association, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The trip includes the following: a
guided tour of the Cathedral by a docent; boxed lunch in the Rare Book Library; a
specialized tour of the Cathedral’s beautiful stained glass windows as well as an
opportunity to enjoy the serenity of the Cathedral’s grounds and time left for shopping
in the Museum Store. The cost for the trip is $50 for National Cathedral Association
members and $60 for non-members. Reservations for the bus trip may be made by
sending a check by October 10 payable to Delaware Chapter NCA to NCA Treasurer,
708 Edgehill Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. Please include your address and phone
number. The bus will depart from the Park & Ride at Kennett Pike and DuPont Road
in Wilmington. Call Betty Hoffman at 610-274-2045 or Carolyn Karney at
302-994-3659 for further information.
Special Event
7 Fall Festival, St. Albans Episcopal Church, 913 Wilson Road, Wilmington. 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Quality artists and artisans will have goods available for sale. There is no
cost, and all are welcome. 302-478-7778 or www.StAlbansDe.org.
November 2006
Phone Extensions for Diocese Staff.
The main phone number of 302-656-5441 and e-mail addresses
remain the same. The extensions changed in the Spring of 2006.
NAME
The Delaware Public Archives Historic Marker Program placed a bronze plaque at
Saint Peter's Church, Lewes, to celebrate the 325th anniversary of the giving of the
land for a burial ground and a place of public worship by the Duke of York in 1681.
It was dedicated on Sunday, June 25 on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul (transferred).
Pictured are (left to right) Mike DiPaolo of the Lewes Historical Society, Don
Matthews, St. Peter's Parish Historian, the Reverend Jeffrey Ross, Rector of Saint
Peter's, and State Archivist, Russ McCabe. Saint Peter's also commissioned an
anthem for the occasion, which was written by Christopher Putnam using the text
of "My Soul longeth for thee" by John Byrom of the 18th Century. It was performed
by the choir, conducted by George Bayley, St. Peter's music director.
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Kay Keenan
302-777-7969
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September 2006
Celebrating Summer with Christ
Vacation Bible School at St. Anne’s
St. Anne’s Students grow some
Serious Cabbage
The third grade students at St. Anne’s
took part in an exciting cabbage growing contest sponsored by the Bonnie
Seed Company. After having a lesson
in what it takes to grow a good cabbage,
the class was divided into groups of
three. Each group planned ways to help
their cabbage grow. Ideas included
adding egg shells or banana peels to the
hole at planting, creative ways to water,
as well as many others. The students
planted the seedlings just outside their
classroom amidst the school’s other
gardens and monitored them throughout the spring.
That's going to be a lot of cole slaw!
Drew Sanclemente holds her enormous
8.9 lb. cabbage grown as part of a
cabbage-growing contest the third
grade students held at St. Anne's
Episcopal School this spring and
summer.
Since cabbages are cool weather crops,
the current heat wave necessitated a
harvest. A few students came to school
in July and weighed the largest one for
the contest. It was an enormous 8.9
pounds. The students at St. Anne’s
grow a number of different vegetables
and use the produce as part of their
lunch program or as a donation to
local food banks as part of the
school’s commitment to service.
Congratulations to these future
gardeners for their efforts!
Alex's Lemonade in Smyrna
Members of St. Peter's Church in Smyrna hosted their second annual
"Alex's Lemonade Stand" on the 4th of July in Smyrna Municipal Park.
They offered lemonade for a donation to Pediatric Cancer Research.
Father Mark Sullivan reports that more than $1,800 was collected,
thanks to donations from the crowd who stopped by and a generous
check from Sam's Club. Information was made available about
St.Peter’s church services and Vacation Bible School.
Children enjoyed a real treasure hunt on Son Treasure Island during vacation bible
school at St. Anne's Church, Middletown. The theme was "tropical" and so was the
weather during August!
The message of God's love sailed into more than 30+ children's hearts as they were
guided through their island adventure by Captain Cooky (Dan Bennett), Captain's Mate
(Nancy Bennett) and their crew of over a dozen adult and youth volunteers! Each day,
a key to God's love was revealed and the children explored the message through Bible
stories, crafts, games, music and skits. God's love is: Giving, Kind, Caring, Forgiving
and Forever!
Two of our treasure hunters even wrote their own song about their adventure ‘
Surfing G-O-D’ to a Beach Boys tune!
New friendships formed, laughter and songs to remember, new artwork for the
refrigerator door and most importantly, the treasures of God's love traveled back home
from the island with our treasure hunters. We hope that you, too, find God’s treasures!
D
Working the booth are (left to right): Activity Chairperson Anne DePaul,
Sr. Warden Tom Schultz, Emily Schultz, Jane Sullivan, Kay Schultz, and
the Reverend Mark Sullivan, Rector of St. Peter’s Church, Smyrna.
At left is The "Dancing Lemon",
Tammy Devall, who distributed
lemon candies to encourage
people to visit the stand.
September 2006
Celebrating Summer with Christ
Collaborative Vacation Bible School Serves At Risk Community
by Lynne Turner, St. Thomas’s Parish
Four churches in the Newark
Community area pooled their gifts and
resources to provide Vacation Bible
School not only for their children but
also the children in the surrounding
Brookside Community. Over 70 children
attended this fun event held in the
evenings during a week in July. The
program was held at St. Andrew’s
Presbyterian Church located in the
midst of the at risk community of
Brookside. A special invitation was
extended to the children in the surrounding community. There was no cost
to the children for this Vacation Bible
School. The theme was Trading Places
and the children visited a different country each night. Members of the community from these countries were invited to
come and share a bit about their culture
and country with the children. Mexico,
Poland, Brazil, China, and Kenya were
represented. The Bible stories were
Ruth, David, Esther, the Calling of the
Fishermen, and Paul. The last evening
was a big celebration with games from
each country, a special ice cream treat
and a presentation from the children.
The week was an amazing success!
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, St.
Thomas’s Episcopal Church, Kingswood
United Methodist Church and St.
Andrew’s Presbyterian Church all joined
together to put on this exciting event.
There were also volunteers from
Community Baptist Church and Good
Shepherd Church Plant involved.
It was a truly collaborative event with
volunteers and youth helpers coming
from all four churches.
Sarah Rockhold and Josh Turner, St.
Thomas's youth, opening Vacation
Bible School with a skit.
The week was organized by Tracy
Hardy of St. Andrew’s and assisted
by Sue Wiggins of Kingswood United
Methodist. Music, crafts and each
classroom were organized and run by
people working together from different
churches. Jean Grieten from St.
Nicholas worked with Pam Strickland
from St. Andrew’s in music; Krista
Murray and Judy Grabowski from St.
Thomas’s worked with Kathy Paderson
from St. Andrew’s on crafts; Katie
Hughes from St. Nicholas taught the
first and second graders with Judy
Shackelford from the Good Shepherd
Church Plant, with Josh Turner from St.
Thomas’s assisting. Lynne Turner from
St. Thomas’s went from room to room
sharing her Godly Play style stories with
Josh Grieten from St. Nicholas helps Lynne
Turner begin the story at Vacation Bible
School.
all the children. Youth helpers from
all the churches worked together on
skits each night, and helped in the
classrooms and nursery.
After the success of this cooperative
effort, plans are being made for next
year’s Vacation Bible School. A conversation has begun on how we can
bring more collaborative events that
can help bring Christ to this at
risk community.
St. Paul's Appalachian Labor of Love
The Better Vacation
By Doug Marshall-Steele, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown
As my partner Corey and I spent a week this summer serving in
Episcopal Appalachian Ministries’ work camp in southwestern Virginia,
my mind periodically went back to a vacation we took in Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida a couple of years ago.
St. Paul's sent eight people to labor in Appalachia. Pictured from left to right: Doug
Marshall-Steele, Dan Goebel, Cindy Henk, Corey Marshall-Steele, Bill Whelen, Fred
Dean, Karen Persuhn, Chris Bennett.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Georgetown sent a group of eight workers in July
to Appalachian southwestern Virginia to work for a week rehabilitating homes
for indigent persons. The homeowners are carefully screened for true need by
Episcopal Appalachian Ministries (EAM), which sponsors the annual project.
This is the third year St. Paul's Church has sent a work team, but each year the
number of volunteers increases. The first year four workers were sent; 2005 saw six
persons going. St. Paul's people are joined by Episcopalians from Maryland, Virginia
and as far away as Colorado. St. Paul's underwrites not only the transportation costs
but also the $175 tuition for each work-camper, which covers food, housing and
some work materials. Individuals from other parishes pay their own way.
The work projects include such things as replacing roofs, re-plumbing bathrooms,
installing ramps and other handicap assistive devices, and various other substantial
refurbishments.
The aim of the project is to provide warm, dry and safe housing for people in need,
while at the same time bringing love and hope to the often-forgotten Appalachian
people. But, as participant Doug Marshall-Steele put it, "I rather think that despite
the heat and primitive conditions -- not to mention our aches, blisters, mosquito
bites and poison ivy -- we are more blessed than the homeowners. God seems very
near as we saw our materials and swing our hammers."
We had stayed with friends in their luxurious condo, which was restricted to the general public. We saw only very wealthy condo owners and
their equally wealthy guests except for the various service persons.
During my morning swims in the condo pool, I deliberately made friends
with the Haitian pool man so as to find some relief from the well-heeled
and worse, socially unconscious, swimmers who joined me in the pool.
The restaurants, clubs and other entertainments that week were, of
course, designed for the socially enfranchised and, frankly, self-absorbed.
Now here we were at work camp in an area so remote that cell phones
did not work, there was no television, and where we slept in a
bunkhouse and ate nutritious but decidedly economical meals in a dining
hall. Before our team even entered the home we were assigned to work
on, we spotted two problems not included in our assignments but requiring action. Mosquitoes were breeding freely in two trashcans collecting
rainwater and in the clogged rain gutters; and lush poison ivy was thriving as if cared for in a planter beside the walkway. Inside things were
worse. Our homeowner was physically unable to maintain her home the
way she would have liked. I shall omit details, except to say that maggots had taken over the kitchen and were threatening all comers.
The end of the week found us with vivid memories of mosquitoes, poison
ivy, maggots, dirt, heat, discomfort and electronic isolation. But here’s
the thing: Jesus was there in a way we had not sensed Him in Ft.
Lauderdale. I suspect our idea of vacation has been forever redefined.
E
September 2006
Sea Sunday
Celebrated
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words....
Delaware’s Annual Sea Sunday,
coordinated by the Seamen’s Center
of Wilmington, will be celebrated on
September 17. The observance will take
place at local religious communities and
at the Port of Wilmington. Started many
years ago in the United Kingdom, it
continues to be a major event in seamen’s
centers and churches worldwide.
With this occasion our community will
give thanks for seafarers – whose lifestyle
means long separations from homes and
families-- and the vital role they play in
international trade. Merchant mariners
spend much of their lives on the sea.
Many, unfortunately, endure deplorable
working conditions and unfair treatment.
The Reverend Norma Hanson, former
Rector of Christ Church, Delaware City,
Over 10,000 seafarers visit the ports in the and now a resident in Asheville, North
State of Delaware each year. During their Carolina, is shown here acting as master
brief stay in port, the Seamen’s Center of of ceremonies at a Sea Sunday a few
Wilmington offers a warm and friendly
years ago.
place for the seamen to relax, and the
staff and volunteers assist them with
their diverse needs.
Sea Sunday at the Seamen’s Center of Wilmington will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Activities will consist of an ecumenical service followed by refreshments, an open
house at the Seamen’s Center, and tours of the Port.
For additional information call Joan Lyons, Executive Director, at 302-575-1300.
We have been blessed at St. James’ Mill Creek to have been donated a beautiful,
original, watercolor of an old farm off Fox Den Road painted by well known local
artist Henry Progar. We will be raffling the painting on September 29, Friday at the
Basket Bingo. Tickets will go on sale immediately and will sell for $1.00 each or 6
for $5.00. Call the church office 302-994-1584 for tickets or more information.
Basket Bingo is fun!
Don't wait to get your table together and join us on Friday night, September 29 at 6
p.m. for Longaberger Basket Bingo. Only 100 tickets are available. We have planned
a fun filled evening, even if Longaberger isn't your bag I'm sure we will have something to interest everyone. Food, Raffles, Door Prizes, Friends and a lot of Fun and
yes 21 baskets to win. Tickets in advance are $20.00, at the door $25.00.
Saint James’ Church Hall, 2106 St. James Church Road, Mill Creek. 302-994-1584
Bring your friends, family and yourself and have a fun filled evening.
Youth from St. Thomas’s Parish present musical “O Jonah” at Millcroft Nursing Home
in Newark this summer. The cast included Canon Thom Jensen who played the ship’s
captain (and the whale!) Marc F. Cheban was the musical director and Gigi Murphy
directed the acting and dancing. The residents loved having a musical brought to
their own living room.
Do you have students headed off to college this fall?
If so, you can send their contact info (name, school, e-mail
address on campus) to The Reverend Donna McNiel and
she'll get them in touch with campus ministry at their
universities! Contact her by e-mail at
MotherDonna@StThomasParish.org, or by snail mail at
St. Thomas's, 276 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19711.
Here is the notice board at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Stornoway on
the Island of Lewis in the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles. The Reverend
Stanley Bennie, Rector, said that the Companion Relationship with the
Diocese of Delaware is very real and means a great deal to people in his
parish. It was made all the more so by having George and Libby Bayley
from St. Peter’s Church in Lewes (Delaware) visit. George served as
organist for a Sunday.
The people of the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles are looking forward
to the choir from St. Peter’s, Lewes, who will be sharing their music
with them next June.
F
September 2006
God Sightings in a St. Louis Work Camp. Continued from Page A.
what lay ahead. One memory from that
day is the lovely surprise we received.
When we arrived at the school, I had
been warned that the food wasn't that
great and that dinner, along with the
rest of the meals during the week, might
not be anything grand. Little did we
know that a man had opened up his
restaurant to the St. Louis Work Camp
and was feeding us a wonderful Italian
dinner.
While at the dinner, we met the
Maryland youth group. The Delaware
and Maryland youth groups weren't very
large, but at least 5 members from each
group, myself included, were together in
the same work crew. We also discovered
that the Maryland and Delaware boys
were assigned to share a sleeping room.
We all found this to be pretty amazing,
and we shared many laughs throughout
the week. On our ride home, our groups
met at a Cracker Barrel near Delaware
and Maryland for a final goodbye. And
that was just a goodbye for now because
we hope to have a reunion soon.
Another memory from the trip is the
Maryland youth group’s generosity.
Throughout the week, we were told to
look for “God sightings” and then
report them back to the red shirt (a
staff member) that dealt with devotions.
Well, the Maryland group noticed that
none of our Delaware boys had mattresses, so they bought a mattress for every
single boy as well as two Delaware girls
because one didn’t have one and the
other mattress had a leak (that would
be me). That was one God sighting
I will remember, not just because it
affected my group and me, but also
because it was a surprise.
During the day, work crews were
assigned to houses where they were
given different tasks. Many of these
tasks included painting, along with
building wheelchair ramps, stairs and
porches. My crew was assigned a porch
to rebuild. A God sighting that sticks
clearly in my mind is that when we
were cleaning up the trash underneath
the porch we found a little golden
angel. It was our guardian angel that
had been watching over us while we
built the porch making sure no one got
hurt and that the job got done. While
on the job, many people don’t take into
consideration that most of the residents
really enjoy the company and just want
someone to talk to. That, not the work
we do, sometimes means more to the
resident.
This work camp taught me a lot about
myself and what I can do, and it helped
me grow in many ways. Everyone at the
camp learned something about himself
or herself while they were there,
whether it be good or bad, and everyone grew in faith and grew as a person.
Having started out a little apprehensive, I came back from my trip feeling
accomplished and pleased and with so
many memories that I was just aching
to share. I hope that the St. Louis work
camp will not be my last.
What it comes down to is that work
camp affects everyone differently, and
what you get out of it is not always the
same as the next person. If you’re able,
I would strongly recommend going on
a work camp trip because it’s an
opportunity to learn so much about
yourself while helping others.
Note: this article originally appeared in
the Trinity newsletter and was forwarded to the Communion by Leah’s proud
parents, the Reverend Gary Rowe,
Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of
Delaware and Leslie Acker-Rowe,
Manager of the Cathedral Church
of St. John's Next to New Shop.
Mooo! Yak! and more for St. Anne’s
by the Reverend Louise Howlett, Chaplain, St. Anne’s Episcopal School and Assisting
Clergy, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
In June nine young people and four parents from St. Anne’s Episcopal School and
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Middletown traveled to rural Rutland, MA to work
and learn at a Heifer International (HI) farm and education center. Heifer
International donates animals to people living in poverty, teaching them sustainable
agricultural practices and helping them start small agri-businesses on the local level.
HI works in the United States and over 100 other countries around the world,
donating animals that most suit the environment, from honeybees and chickens
to yaks and water buffalos.
While on the farm, the St. Anne’s group did daily chores feeding pigs and chickens,
milking goats and cows, leading llamas and alpacas to pasture, and more. Each day
they also worked in organic gardens, helped with haying, and did other service
projects on the farm.
The group was very impressed with what they learned about HI’s mission and work.
“One animal can make a difference in a family’s life.” At least one student pledged
to make a difference by raising $1,000 this summer to buy a large group of animals
for HI, and by late July he was half way there.
Seeds of Friendship
by Cindy Henk, St. Paul's Church, Georgetown
One Sunday in July two loaded SUVs left St. Paul's Church, Georgetown shortly
after the early service, carrying eight workers, tools, clothing and good wishes to
Grace House on the Mountain near St. Paul, Virginia for a week-long Episcopal
Appalachian Ministries (EAM) work camp. During the nine-hour drive there was
plenty of time for reflection: Why was I participating? What limited construction
skills could I contribute? Would I re-injure my knee or my foot? Then came a
reassuring warmth: many of our parishioners were home, praying for our health
and success. Never before had I gone off on an adventure with such knowledge.
I relaxed, knowing God was with us.
Grace House is a substantial two-story cinderblock building with eating area on the
first floor and meeting area on the second. The bunk houses, one for males and one
for females, are low, wooden, painted blue and connected to each other by covered
porches: plenty of places to perch and talk, swing and sit. A large grassy area with
volleyball net completes the immediate compound, but there is infinitely more here
than meets the eye. Exuberant greetings volley across the porch areas among workers
returning for the second or third year. I am quickly introduced. We find a bite to
eat and a place to settle in.
Oh, no! There was only one empty bunk bed--on top--and two of us needed it! The
assistant director called to me. She wanted to put both of us in the new "cabin" up
the hill where we would be on air mattresses on the floor. Two other women were in
another room up there. Would it be agreeable? Two minutes later my roomie and
I spread out in the bare room, improvised a window covering and vowed not to
mention to the 20 women in the bunk house sharing one bathroom that our cabin
had its own hot water tank!
That evening we are divided into teams, given our assignment and an hour to
learn about each other. My team consisted of two men, two teenaged girls and
myself. The men had previous work camp experience and tools and know-how.
The girls were eager to learn. Our basic project was to make the bathroom more
accessible for the handicapped male, the father in the family.
Next day we met our family: mom, dad, teenaged daughter and a son who was
working in a rock quarry now that he had graduated from high school. Many
relatives dropped by that morning. Some had food, some had grandkids; all
were curious to meet the crew that would be spending five days in the house.
We had been instructed before leaving Delaware and again the first night at Grace
House that the project wasn't the main part of our work camp. Yes, we should
complete it if possible, but we should take time to know our family and to see
life in their terms. Our team worked well together. We learned to be patient, to
communicate and to try new skills. We did finish the bathroom; we also built a
solid handrail for the back deck after seeing the homeowner pull himself up the
concrete steps.
Who led? Who taught? Who lived closest to Christ?
From day one, we were welcomed and encompassed by our family as if we had known
them for years. Their home was our home. We ate with them each day. We took a
tour of a school environmental project in which their children had participated. The
teenaged girls on our team were astonished at the compliance of both the wife and
daughter when Dad asked them to do something. They were somewhat aghast on
learning the strict dress code at the nearby school but they were envious of the
small class size. The drive back to Grace House always focused on the deep love
shown by family members to each other.
After two days, the father included the females in his conversations. When we
parted Friday night he gave us a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The daughter made
us promise to visit again and to keep in touch via email. The mother and I cried.
She called me her "newest best buddy" and pressed a small paper bundle into my
hand as we parted--seeds from her flower garden.
Bayley’s Music everywhere
George Bayley, choirmaster and organist at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
in Lewes, is understandably proud these days. He recently learned that
St. James Music Press has just bought two of his anthems to publish in
their next collection. In August, two of his anthems were sung during
services at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Additionally, Canon
Roy Ferguson Flatt will use his harmonization of "My Soul Shall Sing
with Joy", a paraphrase of the Magnificat set to a Scottish tune, as the
title and theme music for the diocesan festival to take place in Oban in
the diocese of Argyll and The Isles in September.
G
September 2006
From Trinity to Trinity –
Boston Church calls
Wilmington Rector
In July, the Vestry of Trinity Church,
Copley Square, Boston announced its
unanimous decision to call The
Reverend Anne B. Bonnyman to be
their 19th Rector. Anne has been the
Rector at our Trinity Episcopal Church
in Wilmington.
Anne wrote to her parishioners in
Delaware, “I am deeply grateful for the
many blessings I have received as your
Photo by Jim Graham
rector for the past eleven years. My
children have grown up in this Parish,
and I, too, have grown in my faith and vocation and understanding of the
miracle that we call “the Church.” I have learned from you and have been
stretched by the opportunities that God has put before us, calling us to lead
and serve together. I have been awed by Christ’s presence among us as we
gather for Holy Eucharist. I have known the power of the Holy Spirit as
we took risks and dreamed dreams and built houses, learned Spanish, and
expanded our ministry in the city. I give thanks for your openness to new
ideas and ministries and for your hospitality to all the people who come
through our doors at Trinity and Old Swedes. Most of all, I thank you for
your many kindnesses and your encouragement to me and to one another.”
Anne will begin in Boston at the start of the school year.
St. Nicholas calls
Masterson
The Rev. Elizabeth Masterson has been
called to serve as Deacon-in-Charge of
St. Nicholas’ Church in Newark beginning in September. Elizabeth graduated
from seminary this summer and was
ordained at St. Thomas’s Episcopal
Church in Newark in June.
Happy 100th Birthday to you, Reba, from your friends at
The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew (SsAM). Pictured from the
left to right is the Reverend Canon Casson, Reba Wright, Rachel Gaskell, and
Gracie Gaskell who is one of the youngest members at SsAM's.
Photo by Karen Johnson.
Reba, Celebrates a Century of Faith
Reba Wright celebrated her 100th birthday with some friends from The Episcopal
Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew (SsAM). A 60-plus-year parishioner of
SsAM, Mrs. Wright capped off a week of birthday celebrations that included
several birthday parties and visits from family and friends.
Among those who celebrated with Mrs. Wright were the Reverend Canon Lloyd
Casson, Rector of SsAM, Dot Dorsey, Rachel Gaskell, Karen Johnson, Cynthia
Oates, Ann Tate and Lucia Robinson. Also joining the festivities was Gracie Gaskell,
whose birthday is also celebrated in July. Gracie is among SsAM’s youngest members,
having just turned one year old, while Reba is its oldest.
Canon Casson, congratulating Mrs. Wright on her birthday, said, “Reba Wright is
a wonderful woman who has led such an interesting life. Her faith and her family
continue to be the central focus of her life.”
Among her many birthday wishes and cards, Mrs. Wright was presented with a huge
birthday card signed by the members of Saints Andrew and Matthew. The card
featured a beautiful photograph of a service at SsAM, and many of SsAM’s members.
The card was made by Bob and Pattie Richmond, long-time friends and members
of SsAM.
Reba and her husband, Joseph Wright, moved to Highfield Masonic Home of
Delaware in 2001. They enjoyed daily walks and feeding the birds and squirrels.
Mr. Wright died in 2003 at the age 96.
Great Summer at Camp Arrowhead
A Great Summer at Camp Arrowhead
Camp Arrowhead completed its
53rd summer camping season in
mid-August.
Over 900 children attended and
here are pictures of some of their
activities this summer. Look for
a story and additional pictures
in the next Communion.
H