All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island, SC
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THE DEACON’S REFLECTIONS
Epiphany
What do we celebrate on January 6th? The Feast of the Epiphany. An epiphany is “a revelatory manifestation of a divine being”[1] and on January 6th we remember the visit of the magi to Jesus in Bethlehem, which was the first manifestation of the child to the Gentiles. The magi symbolize the fact that the Messiah came to reveal divine truth not only to his fellow Jews, but also to the rest of us.
Many more people through the centuries have experienced an epiphany, which they have described as an astonishing contact with a Loving Presence, Jesus, or God. This experience is usually very brief, but so compelling that it shapes the rest of their lives.
Many more people through the centuries have experienced an epiphany, which they have described as an astonishing contact with a Loving Presence, Jesus, or God. This experience is usually very brief, but so compelling that it shapes the rest of their lives.
Many more people through the centuries have experienced an epiphany, which they have described as an astonishing contact with a Loving Presence, Jesus, or God. This experience is usually very brief, but so compelling that it shapes the rest of their lives.
Doris Grumbach had such an experience two years after the end of World War II. She described it this way: “… I sat on the shallow steps of a small house we owned in a village, Millwood, in Putnam County, a little north of New York City. My husband had taken our two, very young children in our wondrous new Ford to the market in Chappaqua, a nearby town. I was alone, for me a rare condition. I do not remember thinking about anything in particular in that hour except perhaps how pleasant, in my noisy life, how agreeable, the silence was.
What happened was this: sitting there, almost squatting on those wooden steps, listening to the quiet, I was filled with a unique feeling of peace, an impression so intense that it seemed to expand into ineffable joy, a huge delight. (Even then I realized the hyperbole of these words but I could not escape them.) It went on, second after second, so pervasive that it seemed to fill my entire body. I relaxed into it, luxuriated in it. Then, with no warning, and surely without preparation or expectation, I knew what it was: for the seconds it lasted I felt, with a certainty I cannot account for, a sense of the presence of God.
You cannot know how extraordinary this was unless you understand that I was a young woman without a history of belief, without a formal religion or any faith at all. My philosophical bent was Marxist; I subscribed to the “opium of the people” theory. I had never read the account of Julian of Norwich’s “shewings”; I had never heard of Simone Weil and her experience in Assisi. For me to have been visited by what Monica Furlong in Travelling In has described, in even great hyperbole, as ‘a spiritual radiance, a marvelous bliss, a noble freedom, an ecstatic sweetness… an overflowing abundance of immense delight’ was incomprehensible. But more astonishing to me, at that moment, was that I identified, without a moment’s doubt, Whose presence it was I was experiencing. I cannot account for this certainty; I only know I was sure.
Then, after those long seconds, I felt an ebbing, a leaking out from me, a sense of increasing loss of the mysterious Substance around me, above me. The resultant feeling of emptiness was enormous, and strange to me. All my life (twenty-seven years) I had been filled with ideas, memories, fears, thoughts about everything I had experienced: memorized sentences from books, scraps of music I loved, visions of pictures I cherished. The space that was my mind was never without bits and pieces of content. This emptiness was inexplicable to me.
Until those inexpressible moments, I had taken no notice of God. I had given His existence no attention, except to harbor a thoughtless conviction that God could not, reasonably, exist. When the sense of His presence had passed, my reason returned in the form of questions I asked myself until my family returned. But I went on for a long time mulling over the questions: How did I know who It was? Why did I so unhesitatingly give It the name of God? What did I need to do to get Him back?... It never happened again, at least not with the same force, with never the same astonishing sense of epiphany…”[2]
The question “What did I need to do to get Him back?” occupied Doris Grumbach for the next fifty years. Indeed, it became the center of her life. She began studying the Bible and the spiritual disciplines, and practiced them. Her life grew into a transforming search.
What might the experience of Doris Grumbach, and so many others like her, mean for us?
To me at least it’s one more reassurance that our God is not a great bean counter in the sky whose primary activity is keeping a close eye on us so He can pass harsh judgment on everything we do. Such an image trivializes God and grossly misrepresents His nature.
Second, it suggests that when the time comes for us to leave this life there is something glorious beyond description waiting for us. One hundred years ago, scientists did not recognize the existence of galaxies. Now they know that “the stars” we see out there are actually billions of galaxies, each with billions of stars in it; we now know that the physical world is vastly greater and more magnificent than our ancestors ever suspected. The experiences of the mystics tell us that the spiritual dimension of existence is vastly more powerful and glorious (“for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory…”) than my simple brain can even imagine.
The epiphanies of the mystics help us to understand how it is that love is our destiny. Like the magi, we are on a greater journey than we know.
[1]Excerpted from American Heritage Talking Dictionary.
[2] Doris Grumbach. The Presence of Absence. Beacon Press. (Boston: 1998), pp. 3-6.
Sandy
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A WORD FROM THE SENIOR WARDEN
The downturn in the economy has made it necessary for many families to adjust how they spend their money. All Saints will have to make similar changes due to a shortfall in 2008 pledge receipts and the expectation that 2009 pledges may fall $60,000 below our budgeted expenses.
The Vestry continues to be committed to a balanced budget even in 2009…we will only spend money that has been pledged or received. In a recent retreat, the Vestry prioritized the 2009 budget items to help in making adjustments if pledges fell short of estimated expenses while aligning our spending with the mission and vision of All Saints. While not all pledges have been received and the 2009 budget is not yet finalized, we anticipate the need to economize most everywhere and church programs will need to be more modest in 2009. We will have used up our cash cushions to make up for the shortfall in 2008 pledge receipts and will need to carefully operate within the budget in 2009. If you have not yet returned your pledge card, it is critical that we hear from you soon.
We also realized that we have much to celebrate. All Saints is growing (24 new pledging units in 2009) and we have become financially stronger largely due to Cornerstone and paying down our debit. We are fully staffed, have an excellent music program, and are actively involved in local and foreign missions. So we celebrate our growing stewardship demonstrated in our giving and active participation in the life and ministry of All Saints even during these challenging economic times.
--Fred Hill
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January’s Wednesday Night at All Saints
On January 7, 2009, the Adult Education Program will feature retired Georgia Southern professor John Parcels. Prof. Parcels was here in the fall of 2004 and 2005. His subject, "Common Ground, And How "The Faith Club" Found It" is about the three Abrahamic Faiths - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The evening begins with Holy Eucharist at 5:15, supper at 5:45, and the program beginning at 6:30. He will also introduce the book study on "The Faith Club" which will meet at 5:00 p.m. on the rest of the Wednesdays in January. There are copies of ‘The Faith Club’ book in the library for anyone interested in reading the book before the Wednesday night series begins on January 14. Book cost is $10.00.
Dinner and A Movie
This popular Small Group program, hosted by our rector Rick Lindsey at his home, will be on Monday January 12 at 5:30 pm. Up for viewing will be Away From Her. A sign up sheet is posted on the parish hall bulletin board and seating is limited, so sign up now!
Episcopal Church Women
ECW will have their January dinner meeting on Tuesday the 13th, beginning with social time at 5:45 pm in Gordon Mann Hall. Guest speaker will be Pat Collett and her topic will be ‘Opportunities of Nature in the Low Country.’ A sign up sheet will be posted to the parish hall bulletin board. All women of the church are members of ECW and are cordially invited to attend! A big ‘THANK YOU’ to all who made the ECW Christmas Tea a success!
COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVE
First Presbyterian Church Announces the Lowcountry Premier of the Award-Winning Movie: “Million Calorie March to be shown January 14, 2009 @6:30 PM @ First Presbyterian Church. Then get energized with a Beach Walk, on January 17, 10 am at Coligny Beach, led by Gary Marino and Dr. Howard Rankin—the “Shrink and the Shrunk”;This will be followed by eight Wellness Seminars January 20th-March 10th, six at First Presbyterian Church and the last two at Providence Presbyterian Church. The first is on January 20 at 6:30 pm. . All Saints Episcopal Church along with First African Baptist Church, Providence Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Regional Health Care, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Eat Smart, Move More SC-Lowcountry & the Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health are Sponsors for this Community Health Initiative. Brochures explaining the program are available in our Mail Room. Any questions? You may contact Rosalie VanDam @342-9722 or the Health Ministries at 681-3696..
ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
| January 7 | 5:15 pm |
Wednesday Night at All Saints Holy Eucharist @ 5:15, Dinner @ 5:45 (only $7.00/person, Program @ 6:30) |
| January 11 | 9:00 am |
Adult Education in the Library Faith and Hard Time: Where is God In All This? Facilitated by James Moore |
| January 12 | 5:30 pm | Dinner And A Movie at the Rector’s Home |
| January 14, 21, 28 | 5:00 pm | The Faith Club book review in the Library |
| January 18 | 9:00 am |
Adult Education in the Library Neighborhood Outreach Connection presented by Sandy Gran |
| January 25 | 9:00 am |
Adult Education in the Library Can You Believe Anything You Want and Still Be An Episcopalian? Presented by Mark Brinkmann |
2009 MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. Celebration
Thursday, January 15, 2009
7:00 PM- Community Worship Service at Queen
Chapel AME Church on Beach City Rd.
Speakers- The Rev. Ben Williams, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
The Rev. Neil Yongue- St. Andrew-by-the-Sea Methodist Church
Music- Hilton Head Island High School Choral Group directed by Larry Mercer
Reception to follow in the parish hall.
This year we hope to be able to push back the side partitions and fill the
entire sanctuary. This is a wonderfully inspiring service and truly gives
participants a sense of Dr. King's Beloved Community. Come and join your
community neighbors.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
8:00 AM- 9:00 AM- Free breakfast for community volunteers at All Saints.
Food prepared by local clergy and MLK Committee members.
Choose indoor or outdoor work projects. Each project has a
leader. Volunteers of all ages welcome and needed.
9:00 AM-12:00 noon- Work projects. Bring work gloves, rakes, clippers, paint
brushes along with friends20and family.
Monday, January 19, 2009
10:00-11:00 AM- MLK Memorial March
March begins and ends outside the VPAC at Hilton Head Island
High School on Wilborn Rd.
11:00 AM-12:00 noon- Program
Keynote Speaker--Dr. Walter Edgar, renowned professor of
history at USC. Author of definitive History of South Carolina
and noted expert on Gullah history.
Children's choirs from St. James Baptist Church an The
Children's Center.
Presentation of the MLK Community Service Award.
12:00 noon-1:00 pm-Free cook-out in the high school cafeteria provided by
The Hilton Head Hospitality Association
This year is an extremely important celebration of the life and
contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King planned many of his civil
rights activities at Penn Center near Beaufort, SC. Today's National MLK
Celebration comes the day before the inauguration of Barak Obama as
President of the United States.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Afternoon- Second Annual MLK, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament at Palmetto Dunes
Entry fee- $75.00 cove rs greens fees for 18 holes, cart,
prizes, and food. There will be an attempt to assemble foursomes
that will promote new friendships.
Putting Contest planned - $5.00 entry fee.
Contact Jenifer Gajdalo with any questions--681-3881 or
jengajdalo@aol.com
The Juliets
We will meet at the Original Pancake House across from Moss Creek on Monday January 19 at 9:30 am. We laugh a lot and share what is happening in our lives. For more information, please contact Lillian Hill at 338-6490 or Janet Haysom at 705-2514. Please join us!
All Saints Preschool’s 12th Annual ‘Pasta Dinner and Silent Auction’
This annual event will be held on Friday January 23, beginning at 6 pm in the Family Center of St. Francis Catholic Church on Beach City Road. Dinner served from 6:30-7:30 pm and includes Pasta with Meatballs & Sauce, Salad, Bread, Dessert and Beverage. 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. Tickets are $25 each and are available from Ms. Nan at the Preschool. You can also reserve tables for 8 or more! Give her at call at 681-8671 for more information.
Election of All Saints Foundation Board Members
The All Saints Endowment has become inactive. The Vestry has unanimously approved reforming the endowment as the All Saints Foundation to “establish, maintain, and grow an endowment fund, which is to be used to support All Saints Episcopal Church, its facilities, religious works, missions and outreach programs.”
The next step in this process is to elect five parishioners as the Foundation Board of Trustees. The Vestry and the Rector have nominated the following parishioners to be elected at the February 8, 2009 Annual Meeting:
Michael
Jordan 3 yr. term
Jim Moore 3 yr. term
Chad Minifie 2 yr. term
David Russert 2 yr. term
Paul Kopelcheck 1 yr. term
The regular term of a trustee will be three years. However, in this initial year, the terms of the trustees are intentionally staggered to allow for an orderly rotation of board members. Trustees may serve successive terms if re-nominated by the Rector and elected by the congregations.
In addition to the regular trustees, the Rector and the Treasurer of All Saints will be ex officio advisory members of the Foundation’s Board.
The officers of the Foundation (chair, vice-chair, secretary) will be elected by the Board of Trustees. Officers will be elected for one-year terms.
The initial Board of Trustees will finalize the bylaws of the Foundation along with other required documents, and present them to the Vestry for approval and execution.
If you have questions about the Foundation or these nominations, please contact the Senior Warden or the Rector.
LOOKING AHEAD TO FEBRUARY…
Chamber Music Hilton Head, February 2, 7:30 pm in the sanctuary.
Wednesday Night at All Saints, February 4, with Morey Lent! Eucharist at 5:15, Dinner at 5:45, and program 6:30-7:30.
Annual Parish Meeting (NOTE: DATE CHANGE) will take place on Sunday February 8 immediately following a special 9 am service (only one service that day). Brunch will be served then followed by elections of new vestry and endowment board members.
SUNDAY, FEB. 8: CHORAL EVENSONG (THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION)
By the time you read this article, we will have moved from Advent through Christmas into a season of the Church called Epiphany. If you ask many church people about this season even across denominations, most will know very little about it, saying, ‘it is a time when we get to sing WE THREE KINGS’ or some will say it is that long season in the church before Lent. They would be right on both accounts, but that still is not enough information.
When I need to remind myself of something, I always start with a definition. If you look up the meaning of Epiphany in the English Random House (unabridged) dictionary this is what you will find:
Epiphany – 1. A Christian festival, observed on Jan. 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles, (in the persons of the magi). 2. An intuitive insight into a reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
These definitions as far as we in the church are concerned are all correct and can be experienced throughout the season in our Liturgy through the lessons, music, drama, and movement. During Epiphany, we intend to celebrate one of the minor festivals that is usually overlooked because of practical considerations.
The presentation of Jesus in the temple by his parents is, in its origins, a festival of the Lord, although it also is the occasion of the purification of the Virgin Mary in accordance with the Law. This day is called in the Eastern churches “The Meeting” (of Christ with Simeon, or God with humanity). It was observed in Jerusalem at the end of the 4th century and was introduced into Constantinople by Justinian in 542. Traditionally, this was often called Candlemas, the day when the candles for the year were blessed (“a light to lighten the Gentiles”. Simeon sings of Christ in the Gospel; the Old Testament reading also speaks of light). It is time for a candlelight service, and since the gospel tells of Simeon and Anna, the day is a logical time to show concern for the aged. In the Reformation, Luther led the way as early as 1523 by pronouncement that only such days (minor festivals and days) should be retained if they were based upon a Gospel fact. The Lutheran and Anglican churches practically agreed in the reform of the church year, so this included the Presentation of Christ, also known as the Purification of the Virgin Mary.
If you were not able to attend our last evensong service, all you need to do is ask someone who attended what you missed: a choir of 40 or more voices singing once again the many jewels of the heritage of our faith. I would ask you to mark Sunday, February 8th on your calendar for a service not to be missed!
GARDEN TOUR NEWS
The Garden Tour board cast its votes to choose five of the twenty
two local charity applicants for Garden Tour proceeds. The results
were close and every charity received a significant number of votes.
The five very worthy recipients are:
All Saints Preschool Scholarship Fund
Alzheimer’s Respite and Resource
CODA (Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse)
Deep Well Project
Heroes on Horseback
A record number of artists have entered the poster art contest. The
entry artwork will be on display and on sale at the Hilton Head
Library starting January 6, 2009 and ending February 7, 2009. A
portion of every artwork sold will go to the Garden Tour. The annual
artist’s reception will take place at the Hilton Head Library
January 27, 2009 5-7 PM. All are invited to celebrate the Garden
Tour artists and be there as the poster contest winner is announced.
The winning art piece will be raffled off during the course of the
Garden tour ticket sale period and the raffle winner will be drawn
at the Premier Party. Please don’t miss these exciting events. See
you there.
Elizabeth Loda
Garden tour Chair 2009
Coffee Hour Hosts & Host
Hosts and Host are needed for the coming months. The sign up poster is on the kitchen door bulletin board. Call Joyce Brady at 689-5988 for more information.
Do You Enjoy Multi-Tasking?
If so, Friends with Wheels could use your talents. Many of our neighbors have no way to get to their medical appointments. You can help by driving or by scheduling drivers. Could you be available to drive one morning or afternoon a week? How about setting aside one morning a month to answer phone requests for rides? It’s rewarding and is a great way to reach out to help someone. Please contact George Collett at 689-3651 or Margaret Collins at 757-2932.
All Saints Lay Care Givers
Are you going through a crisis or rough times? A Lay Care Giver may be able to help! They are members of our parish who are trained to help during these times. They visit, give support, listen, and pray with you. Everything is confidential and free. If you would like to be visited or know someone who would benefit from such a visit, please contact Fr. Rick Lindsey at 681-8333 or Mary Anne Gebler at 645-4111.
