All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island, SC

PelicaNews
PelicaNews items are excerpted from the All Saints monthly magazine, The Pelican's Bill.

In this month's issue (click on any title):

THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS from the Rector

“A Stewardship Minute – Inspiring a Deeper Understanding of True Giving”

At worship services we hear about being good stewards.  We are reminded that everything we have ultimately came because of God. God created us: body, mind, and spirit.  Our talents, creativity, and achievements are all God-given. We have possessions because God has given us the ability to obtain them. Not to be overlooked is the time God gives us to live on earth, which is a theme in this month’s Stewardship. Our time is a sacred trust from God as long as we live. St. Paul makes that point in his letter to the Ephesians: “Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people, but as wise, making the most of the time…” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Christian stewards are those who make the most of the time that they have. In short, we are called to spend our time responsibly, using our talents to serve the Lord in whatever way we can.

Some years ago a brilliant Englishman named Malcolm Muggeridge, who for years used his mental and spiritual powers wastefully, wrote a book called Chronicles of a Wasted Life in which he told of his foolish living. A wasted life! How sad. Fortunately, in his later years he became a dedicated Christian and went to India where he detailed the wonderful service of Mother Teresa in a book called Something Beautiful for God. That, of course, was Mother Teresa’s goal: to be something beautiful for God.

What if we were such steadfast servants of God that we used our time profitably in service to God whatever our occupation happened to be?

Imagine what a world that would be!

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage to make our lives beautiful for you. Amen.

[re-printed from Parish Publishing LLC]

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STEWARDSHIP AND MISSION 

The first Anglican Church (and Cathedral) is nearing completion in Morondava, Madagascar; to be named All Saints, in honor of our parish effort in making possible the construction of the parish cathedral.  Bishop McGregor informs the rector that a cyclone hit the area at Christmas, and additional funds are required to replace damaged windows, doors and floors.  To date, members of All Saints have given $18,641 earmarked dollars for this first church in the newly created diocese.  We are sharing in the exciting evangelism of a new diocese in the Anglican Communion.  Your generous and faithful contributions over the last several months has brought to visible life the church in this part of God’s kingdom.

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NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS from the Deacon

In last month’s Pelican’s Bill you can find the words of John Winthrop, leader of the English expedition on its way to found Boston: “We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities,” he said, “for the supply of others’ necessities.”  This was necessary for the expedition’s survival.

I often have the feeling after Christmas that the “superfluities” have definitely gotten the upper hand, and I need to make a few New Year’s resolutions to get my life back on track. The description of one woman’s effort to free herself from some of her self-indulgences can be found in a little book called Give It Up! My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less by Mary Carlomagno.

Every month for one year, this young Manhattanite gave up something which she felt had assumed too large a role in her life.  Most of her habits were not bad in themselves, but she felt that all of them had an excessive hold on her. And each of them could certainly be thought of as a “superfluity.” As I read this book, I wondered if I could to an extent “abridge myself of superfluities for the supply of others’ necessities.” There might be other benefits as well.

• In January the author gave up alcohol.

• In February, shopping for stylish clothes.

• In March, elevators.

• In April, reading “The New York Times” thoroughly each day.

• In May, her cell phone.

• In June, dining out.

• In July, television.

• In August, taxis.

• In September, coffee.

• In October, cursing.

• In November, chocolate.

• In December, multi-tasking (which we today define as trying to do several things at the same time).

I wondered as I read the book, “What superfluities or habits am I particularly attached to? What would it be like to give one of them up for an entire month? What might be learned from such an exercise?” So I have made my list of things to give up for one month this year:

• In January, alcohol.

• In February, allowing half of my study that I share with my husband to overflow with papers.

• In March, allowing my closet (and my house) to overflow with things I no longer use, and which someone else might be able to use. 

• In April, suggesting that my husband and I dine out every time I don’t feel like cooking (which is pretty often).

• In May, making judgments about people.

• In June, allowing food to go bad in my refrigerator. In July, television.

• In August, sugar.

• In September, caffeine.

• In October, making friendly suggestions to my husband (that is, telling him what to do).

• In November, failing to spend an hour each day out of doors appreciating God’s creation.

• In December, postponing essential tasks because I’d rather spend time on interesting new projects.

As Christians, we have to be wary of being too deeply attached to the things of this world – even some of our own not-so-great habits.  Jesus made it clear:  “…any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33).  

Give up everything I have? Well, I could start with the small stuff…

Sandy

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ECW MEETING IN JANUARY

“Meet the Brinkmanns” – January 8

Come and spend an evening with Mark and Kendall and enjoy becoming better acquainted with them as they share stories of their life, family, and faith.

The cost of the dinner is $6.00, and the evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. Those wishing to attend may sign up on the parish hall bulletin board or by calling the church office.

Dottie McIlraith

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KNITTING INTO THE MYSTERY

The informational meeting on our new Prayer Shawl Ministry scheduled for Sunday the 13^th has been postponed until February 3 and the first group get-together has also been postponed until Shea Szachara returns from an out-of-town family emergency.  Thank you for understanding and we’ll see you on the 3^rd of February!

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TREASURER’S REPORT

Our operating fund surprised me with a deficit of $21,920 in November.  Year to date the operating deficit is now at $55,959.  Pledge receipts were lower than normal and will not catch up completely in December.  November expenses were higher than budgeted, reflecting bills budgeted in other months.  Year to date expenses are mostly under budget.

December will show increased receipts, and in past years has resulted in a healthy surplus.  However, there will likely be a year-end deficit of $20,000 to $30,000.  Receipts are likely to be under budget causing the deficit, with expenses expected to be near budget.  Comparing our current results to 2006, our giving receipts are slightly trailing last year’s figures.  Expenses are significantly higher than last year as a result of goals of The Cornerstone Campaign.

Cornerstone Campaign receipts, however, have been strong.  Through November, Cornerstone giving was at $476,656.  It is likely that we will pass the halfway point of our Cornerstone goal of $1.1 million.  At the end of November our mortgage had been reduced to $335,405 – about half of what it was at the beginning of the year.  By the end of December, it will likely be under $250,000.

Although not yet complete, pledging for 2008 has been somewhat disappointing so far.  As this is written, we have received 164 pledges representing about $409,000.  Last year’s numbers were 211 pledges for $503,000.  If we expect to continue the Cornerstone initiatives, then annual pledging needs to increase. 

If you have not yet pledged for 2008, please complete and return a pledge card to help us meet our financial commitments.

Additionally, if you are planning to make a stock gift, please be sure to notify the church office (Marilyn Adams, Wil Hamp, or Mark Szen) of the number of shares, the name of the stock, and how you wish All Saints to apply the proceeds.

Mark Szen

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ADULT EDUCATION FOR JANUARY

A five-week Sunday morning class/forum will be led by our new associate priest, Mark Brinkmann, beginning Sunday, January 6 at 9:00 a.m.

Two new adult education opportunities will also begin in January.  Sign-up sheets for both groups are located in Gordon Mann Hall. 

Pat Amer will be leading a discussion group on the “Five Commandments of Jesus” on non First  Wednesday program nights in the church library beginning on January 9 at 5:00 p.m.  (Please be sure to include your email address on the sign-up sheet.)

Father Rick will hold another ‘Dinner and a Movie’ Monday January 21 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at his home in Hilton Head Plantation.  A sign up sheet is posted on the parish hall bulletin board.

Sherman and Carol Barker will be leading “Christianity and Culture” on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. beginning on January 29 (note change of date!) and continuing through February 26.  The course seeks to help us live as Christians in a political and economic world in which Christians have become a decided minority.  Each lesson will be self-contained, so it is not necessary to have taken earlier parts of the course.

January’s “First Wednesday” Program will actually be held on January 23. The program, titled “What to Think About Before You ‘Check In’ With St. Peter,” will be led by Michael L.M. Jordan, member of All Saints and local estate planning attorney.  He will discuss a potpourri of topics that should be considered by everyone getting up there in years.  The program will be structured with an informal presentation designed to leave plenty of time for Q & A.  The evening will begin with a service at 5:15, a meal at 5:45, and then the program at 6:30.  Those wishing to have dinner should please sign up in Gordon Mann Hall.

Fred Hill

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VESTRY NOMINEES NAMED

All Saints’ annual meeting will be held Sunday, January 27 following the 10:15 a.m. service.  One of the agenda items will be the introduction of and voting for new members of the vestry.

We have four nominees: Sherm Barker, Marjorie Milbrandt, Bob Taylor, and Rick Weed. 

Sherman Barker:  Sherm was born a “cradle Episcopalian” In Nashua NH, where he began his career as a life-long chorister in the 4^th grade at the Church of the Good Shepherd.  When his family moved to Concord, NH, he became an acolyte and sang in the men and boys’ choir at Saint Paul’s Church.  Sherm is a graduate of St. Paul’s School in Concord, and Harvard College, where he majored in government.  After three years serving in the Navy, he earned an MA in political science from Syracuse University.

While at Syracuse, Sherm and his wife, Carol, who he married in 1966, belonged to Grace Church, which he describes as a “wonderfully radical, involved, and caring parish that, among other things, sponsored one of the original six women to be ordained to the Episcopal priesthood.”

Sherm is a retired teacher, coach, and dean from The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT.  For 36 years, Sherm and Carol were communicants of St. John’s, Salisbury, where he sang in the choir and served on the vestry as well as on various committees.  For two years there, he served as senior warden.

Sherm first worshipped at All Saints during those high school days when he was visiting his relatives, Bruce and Cynthia Cormack.  Since joining All Saints, Sherm has become a Lay Eucharistic Minister, served on the Membership Outreach Committee and the Long Range Planning Committee, and has been team-teaching, with Carol, the “Christianity and Culture” adult education course.  Sherm and Carol have three married children, five grandchildren, and one dog.

Marjorie Milbrant:  Marjorie and her husband David moved to the Island twenty years ago from the Washington, DC, area; while there, they were members of St. John’s, Chevy Chase.  Marjorie served on the vestry at St. John’s, chaired the every member canvas, chaired the Williamsburg Fair, and served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister.

Once the couple moved to the Island, they joined St. Luke’s where she served on the vestry, chaired the worship committee, and served as acolyte leader and Lay Eucharistic Minister leader.

In August 2004, Marjorie and David transferred to All Saints. Marjorie currently serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and a Columbarium gardener.  She has also served on several short-term committees including the Katrina Relief Committee.

Marjorie tells us that it is her “belief that the mission of the church in our world today is to reach beyond our four walls to minister to all and to be an inclusive body.  All Saints exemplifies this mission as is evidenced in its worship programs, education programs, and outreach projects.  I believe that we as a congregation are trying very hard to live out the words of our mission statement.  I would be honored to serve on the vestry of All Saints and would work to help All Saints grow and fulfill its vision.”

Marjorie has been a teacher at Hilton Head Elementary School for sixteen years.  She and David have three grown children: Amy, D.R., and Jane.

Robert Taylor: When Bob was approached by Bob Moore who asked, “If elected, would you be willing to serve?” Bob Taylor thought, “Yes, I’d be willing.” Then he thought again: “No, I’d be delighted.”  And then again, he thought: “and I’d be grateful for the opportunity.”

Bob served previously with the vestry of Christ Church in Columbia, MD, where he also taught Sunday School, led the stewardship committee, and chaired a search committee.  Once retirement brought him and his marvelous wife of 41 years, Shelley, to Sun City in 2002, Bob initially attended Church of the Cross.  But he then “found a home in the openness and inclusiveness of All Saints.” 

Bob is an usher and Lay Eucharistic Minister at our 8 a.m. Sunday services; while serving, he is “reminded of both our tradition and the constancy of Christ’s message.”  When attending the 9 a.m. adult education program, he “relishes the Episcopal Church’s application of reason.”  And when he is taking the Eucharist to those at the Cypress, he is “reminded of the privilege to serve.”

Bob says that “Yes, I’d be willing to serve…and grateful for the opportunity.”

Richard Weed: Rick was christened at St. James Episcopal Church by Father Loucas on Easter Sunday back in 1938.  His home church was St. Peter’s in Essex Falls, NJ, where he attended mass until 1952.

In 1953, Rick moved to McLean, VA, where he attended St. John’s Episcopal Church.  There, he sat on the board of the finance committee and also chaired the building committee.

Upon moving to Hilton Head Island in 1978, he joined St. Luke’s where he chaired the building and grounds committee for three years and was heavily involved in the construction process there.

Since joining all Saints, Rick has been involved in the building and design of our parish.

Rick tells us that he is “very proud to have been nominated for a three-year term on the All Saints Episcopal Church vestry.”

A light lunch will be served at the meeting.  A sign-up sheet for the lunch will be posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall.  We hope you will be able to attend the annual meeting and to meet and then vote for these four fine members of the All Saints family!

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GARDEN TOUR NEWS

Extra! Extra!  The show has begun!  The Garden Tour Art Exhibit is now in progress at the Hilton Head Public Library.  And while you are there enjoying the exhibit, don’t forget to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

On January 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., we will honor all the artists at a reception (also held at the Library).  This is a party you will not want to miss!  At the reception, we will announce the artist whose painting will be our poster for the 21^st Garden Tour.  Behind the scenes, even as you read this, Joyce and Don Nagel, Shirley and Jeep Pearse, and Lee Woodruff are all hard at work.

Twenty-three charitable causes applied for Garden Tour proceeds this year; it was a very difficult job on the part of our board to narrow down to many worthwhile organizations to just six recipients.  After much prayerful thought, we have selected the following:  All Saints Preschool Scholarship Fund, Bluffton Self Help, Inc., Children’s Relief Fund, Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse (CODA), Foundation for Hospice Care, and Programs for Exceptional People (PEP).

Caroline McVitty and Jan Hooper have completed locating the gorgeous gardens which will be on tour this May; one of these belongs to one of our very own members!

Last year’s tour set the bar very high. But this year’s board is fully energized, and coupled with our ever-enthusiastic All Saints membership, the 21^st All Saints Garden Tour accepts the challenge!

Stay tuned…y’all are needed!

Rosalie VanDam, Chair

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PRESCHOOL NEWS

Happy New Year!  We hope you have had a wonderful break and are ready to start back to class.

Our parents are working very hard to make this year’s Pasta Dinner and Silent Auction a great success!  This year’s event will be held on January 25 at St. Francis By-the-Sea Catholic Church.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  This will be a terrific evening to share with family and friends, and your support is a valuable part of its success.  Admission is $25.00 per person; tickets can be obtained from Ms. Nan at the preschool.  Please call 681-8671 for table reservations of eight or more.

The Preschool students will be busy studying winter (though we may have to wear our sunscreen and flip-flops while we do it!).  If we do get some actual “winter weather,” we hope our Preschool families will dress their children warmly as the children go outside every day!

Nan Thompson

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MLK WEEKEND EVENTS ANNOUNCED

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968.  At the young age of only 39, his powerful voice as a leader in the civil rights movement was silenced.  We are fortunate to live in an area of the country where the leaders of this movement met (Penn Center) and where a number of our neighbors and residents worked alongside Dr. King and participated in the struggles of voting rights, education, and equal access for Black Americans.

This year during the MLK Celebration between January 17 and January 21, we hope you will take time to be RE-minded or to learn about the ideals, dreams, and goals of Dr. King for a Beloved Community.  Hilton Head Island is a small community, and we should all be able to communicate and work together to make ours a caring and sharing home for all who live and work here.

There will be a community worship service on Thursday evening, January 17, at Queen Chapel AME Church on Beach City Road.  Tom Schmidt of the Unitarian Universalist Church and Pastor Edward Alston of Queen Chapel will be the featured speakers.

On Saturday, January 19, the Fifth Saturday-MLK Community Service Day will be held.  Between 8 and 9 a.m. a free breakfast will be served at All Saints. This meal will be prepared by local clergy and MLK committee members.  At the church, participants will be able to sign up for various community work projects (there will be a leader for each group).  Both indoor and outdoor projects will be available, so you are invited to bring work gloves, light gardening equipment, paint brushes, elbow grease, and a smile J.  Feel free to bring along a child, a grandchild, or a neighbor.  Everyone is welcome.  We will work until noon.

On Monday, January 21, the MLK Commemorative March will be held.  Lasting about an hour, the march will begin at the public high school at 10 a.m.  Marchers will be led by the fire department and protected by the police department.  The parade route will be closed to traffic.  All Saints has usually had a significant presence in the parade, but more marchers are certainly welcome!  At the conclusion of the march, there will be a program in the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the high school grounds.  This year Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech will be projected on stage before the program begins.  Everyone, young and old, should hear and see this speech so that Dr. King’s dream will never be allowed to die.

At the conclusion of the program, there will be a free community cookout in the high school cafeteria.  What a wonderful opportunity that will be to share about what has been seen, heard, and learned throughout the MLK celebration.

Questions?  Please call 681-3881.

Jenifer Gajdalo

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ST. NICHOLAS’ DAY

He is, among other credits, considered the patron saint of children.

Where are the children?  We see so few of them in church; it is almost as if the Pied Piper had come through the region and swept them all away…

That should cause us great concern.  Most of us here are in the final stages of our lives.  When we are gone, who’s going to keep this place open?  If there are no children, there can be no future.

It is also sad to think that these young people will grow up never having learned about the unconditional love of the God who created them.  They need to know about that.

Where have they gone?  Why have they gone?  When I was about 10 I had to be dragged to church kicking and screaming. Why?

One reason our children protest having to go to church is that we make life miserable for them when they are there.  You can always tell when you are making a kid’s life miserable; he will work tirelessly to make life miserable for you.

Some of us think children should be seen and not heard.  A quiet child, they suppose, is a well-behaved one.  But that is not necessarily so.  Kids get into some of their best mischief in absolutely silence.  Take, for instance, sitting in church. It is written that they are supposed to sit very quietly while they are there.

Kids can drive you crazy with their quietness.  That heavenly peace you get in church just gives their little minds more room to think up devilment.

Here’s a list of activities I have seen – not heard, mind you – that our children do in church:  they take their shoelaces out and tie them into 18 knots; they remove everything from mother’s purse and line it all up in the pew; they make a dozen little piles of eraser dust on the hymnal, line them up in front of their mouth, and then give a quiet little sneeze; they pencil in the “o’s” and the “e’s” in the pew Bible; they roll their socks up and down until the elastic gives out; they write notes like “what’s for dinner?” or “how much longer?” or “I have to go to the bathroom;” they see how many breath mints they can stuff into their mouths; and they fall asleep during the final benediction and hide mother’s shoe and watch her try to smile and get mad at the same time.

Now I know there are people who think any child who can’t sit still through a church service has a real problem.  Personally, I think that any child who can sit perfectly still and not move for more than an hour is the one with the problem.

Give a child an hour or so in church where he can’t make any noise, isn’t allowed to run around and jump up and down, and a whole world opens up to him that he might otherwise miss.  How else would he ever know that the angel in the third stained-glass window on the left only has four toes?  Or that there are 62 light bulbs in the front half of the church?

The way we treat kids in church just might give them the idea that God is an ogre.  In the 16^th century, the punishment for heresy was death.  The method most commonly used was burning. That might seem a little harsh, but I believe we need a punishment almost as severe for all of the grown-ups who give children the idea that God won’t love them unless they behave themselves…That is the most loathsome of heresies – an idea invented by Satan himself.

The Lord Jesus loves these children.  He is eager to bless them.  Pray that he will forgive us for driving them away and inventing vain excuses for their disappearance.  On this feast of their patron saint, we must pray for their return.

Amen.

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ATTACA STRING QUARTET sponsored by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra will perform at All Saints Church on Wednesday January 30 beginning at 8 p.m.  Contact the symphony’s office for ticket information.

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