Pentecost is coming…

 

Librarian Needed!

 

A collection of Christian themed books has been donated to St. Nicholas by Marcia Ferguson Brown, mother of Linda Gustashaw.  Though she died in 2006, Marcia had visited with members of St. Nicholas at a picnic held at Callaway Gardens in the earliest years of the church.  A fervent believer in church libraries, she earmarked a portion of her collection for St. Nicholas.  After raising eight children, Marcia became Church Administrator at Grace Episcopal Church in Ocala, Florida and later became the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, in Orlando.  She was a lifelong member of Daughters of the King and was honored for her dedicated service in 2004.  During her tenure, Marcia served as President of the Diocese of Central Florida’s chapter and as their Provincial Representative to the National Council, and was later elected to the National Council of Daughters of the King.  In addition, Marcia had an active lay-ministry and was beloved by those who sought solace through her.

 

With this gracious donation, we need someone who would be willing to go through the books and organize them in a way that is easily accessible for the congregation. We have a limited number of bookshelves, as well, so we will need someone to go through the books that are here and determine which ones to keep and which ones to donate to another library.

If you have some time to commit to this project (which would only take a day’s work at most), please call Fr. Jeff.

My time at CREDO…

It’s been a while since I posted on my blog. Life has been pretty busy around the Jackson household, especially since I was gone a week. Many of you know that I was away at a conference from April 27 to May 4. This is part of my two weeks of continuing education that I get annually (I still haven’t decided what I want to do with the other week of con.ed.). While I know that it’s important to do this kind of work (Moses and Jesus spent a lot of time doing “continuing education”), it was hard to be away. Isabel was dying. Relay for Life was relaying for life. Ellisa was receiving the Beverley McEachern scholarship. Not a good time to go, and in fact, I wrestled with whether I should go or not. Thanks to wise friends, including many of you, I went. 

The conference I went to was called CREDO or “Clergy Reflection Education Discernment Opportunity”  (or something like that). It’s a program put on by the Episcopal Church Pension Fund, and is in fact, part of my benefits as a member of the Pension Fund. Participants are selected randomly through the Pension Fund database and are invited to attend. I was invited about 3 years ago, but the week of the conference was the week Bronwyn was due to be born. Ironically, my 3 best friends from seminary were also invited 3 years ago, but one was getting married, so everyone dropped out to go to the wedding (I couldn’t go because, once again, Bronwyn was due). Fortunately, all four of us where invited to this one too about a year ago (well before I heard the call to come to St. Nicholas). CREDO takes place at conference centers all over the country, and this one was at the Roslyn Conference Center in Richmond, VA.

So at the outset, I was excited just to be able to hang out with my friends. We had a weekly prayer group in seminary and also played Spades every week, so we knew it was going to be a good time to play some cards, drink a few beers, throw the frisbee a time or two, and simply reconnect. And we definitely got to do all those things. However, CREDO was much more than that. 

CREDO teaches about clergy wellness, how to be sustained to increase our abilities to serve Christ in our communities. They do this by focusing on four areas: Vocation, Spirituality, Health, Finances. There are highly trained faculty for each CREDO in each area. There are plenary sessions as well as individual consultations. There was small group time to reflect on each area. There was lots of personal time to reflect on each area. There was incredible worship. On the Sunday of the week, we got to sleep in and were provided with Starbucks coffee and the New York Times. They told us (but I don’t think it’s true *wink, wink*) that we had the opportunity to do what many people in our congregation get to do on Sunday mornings–leisurely drink coffee and read the paper. 

Finally, our week culminated in devising what’s called a CREDO plan, goals in each of the four areas that we try to implement into our lives. I was focused more on the Spiritual, Financial, and Health areas than the Vocation, because of my recent move here. But my plan includes integrating my spirituality into all areas of my life, truly seeking God in the midst of all things. Instead of setting aside time each day for God, I feel called to see God in all parts of my day. When I converse with people, I am called to converse with God. One of my other goals in this area is to meet weekly with my prayer group friends on-line in a teleconference for continued support, conversation, and connection.

On the Financial side, our first priority (which hasn’t changed) is selling the house in Savannah. We can’t do much about planning financially for our future until we do that. 

On the Health side, I need to be creative about how to include exercise into my life. Certainly, my weekly Monday morning hikes at FDR are included. But also riding my bike to work. These are also times to spend with God or my family, so they have multiple benefits. 

One highlight of my week was when they gave us a full morning to be quiet and be with God. I went for a long walk, and because I love music, I plugged in my iPod and turned on a new Celtic album I recently bought. At one point, I was walking up this beautiful hill and the music was reaching it’s crescendo. The sound of fiddles, whistles, and drums were blaring and once I reached the top of the hill, I got this wonderful sense of God’s presence. It was spectacular.

I am so appreciative to the Church Pension Fund for taking care of us. I’m appreciative to you all for being so understanding and supportive in being gone. I’m appreciative to my family who let me be gone (and whom I missed very much). I do feel more focused, more energized, and ready to move forward!

Your Week at St. Nick

Friday, May 15
Date to submit articles for June newsletter.

Saturday, May 16
8:00am Volunteer Yard Work Day at St. Nicholas—please bring your own tools and gloves.

Sunday, May 17
9:30am Children’s Sunday School/Teen Class/Adult Bible Study
10:30am Holy Eucharist– Recognition of Graduating Seniors
11:45am Youth Leaders Meeting
5:00pm Youth Group

Ushers
Tom and Sharon Cheatham
Greeter
Graham Horne
LEM & 2nd Chalice
Dixon/Moody
Altar Guild
Bradley/Townsend
Flower Guild
Nancy Callaway
Lemonade
Valerie Hogg
Acolytes
Table Abby B.
Crucifer Sam
Gospel Sam
Offer. Dalton
Torch Abbey A./Abby B.
Sunday School Teacher
Bert Tomlin

Wednesday, May 20
6:30pm Holy Eucharist
7:30pm Episcopal 101 The Bible: Stories About Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow. We will talk about how we engage Scripture as well as learn ways people have interpreted Scripture over the centuries.

Saturday, May 23
2:00pm Altar Guild Meeting Those interested in learning about the Altar Guild are encouraged to attend - please sign up by e-mailing Liz Dixon at Jcemdixon@aol.com

We’re on the web! stnicholashamilton.org

Volunteer for the Yard Sale!

Our parish Yard Sale is on May 30, and there are lots of opportunities to help out before and during the event!

Check out http://stnicholashamilton.org/signup/ to sign up!

Green Thumbs Wanted…

…or any thumbs at all!

Thanks to all who have volunteered to help with outdoor work at the church this Saturday, May 16.  We will be doing maintenance and makng improvements to the grounds, starting at 8 a.m., and stopping by 2 p.m., except for those of you who have super energy and want to go later.

Please bring your own gloves and tools.  We will be weeding, mulching, repairing the border at the playground, installing a mailbox, trimming, and making general i

mprovements.  If anyone has a heavy duty mower, a “brush mower”, and feels like tackling the undergrowth in the woods between the building and the street, that would be great.  Other tools to bring include pruning/lopping shears, hedge trimmers, string trimmers, rakes, chain saws.

Josh has not been able to mow, so if anyone has a riding mower and wants to mow part or all of the lawn, you will be a welcome sight. UPDATE: Doug Martin will be bringing one!

Bring your ideas and your energy, and we’ll make it a fun and fruitful day!

-Chris Butzon, Buildings & Grounds

From HOPE to CURE

 

When the lights went out and the 100’s of luminaries came to life, the true meaning of Relay became very apparent.
All the preparations months, weeks and days before pale into in insignificance. 

 

 

In efforts to raise money for this noble cause we did what we do best, we ate and had fun, Tasty Barbeque, wonderful cakes (mississippi mud pie stampedes) and creative face painting (meow). We will make a considerable donation to Relay.

 
A hearty thanks to all who helped with setup, cooking, face-painting and breakdown. What a TEAM we have.

Graham

Your Week at St. Nick

Sunday, May 10
Mother’s Day/Compassion International Sunday
9:30am Children’s Sunday School/Teen Class/Adult Bible Study
10:30am Holy Eucharist
11:45am Everyone is invited to our Mother’s Day Reception (cake and punch).
5:00pm Youth Group goes bowling!

Ushers
Dave and Sue Halmrast
Greeter
BoBo Morgan
LEM & 2nd Chalice
Brent/Martin
Altar Guild
Cheatham/Eidson
Flower Guild
Barbara Bradley
Lemonade
Lacy Razor
Acolytes
Table Austin
Crucifer Cody
Gospel Cody
Offer. Ivy
Torch Ivy/M&M

Sunday School Teacher
Graham Horne

Wednesday, May 13
6:30pm Holy Eucharist

Saturday, May 16
8:00am Volunteer Yard Work Day at St. Nicholas—please bring your own tools.

We’re on the web! stnicholashamilton.org

Memories of Isabel Emmerich

We are all saddened by the loss of our beloved Isabel, yet joyful for the life she lived and the person she was to all of us. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be on May 17 at 4:00pm here at St. Nicholas. Immediately following the service, we will inter Isabel and her husband Charles’ ashes into our Memory Garden in a private family service of committal. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to St. Nicholas in her memory. 

St. Nicholas member Bill Hogg offers a brief reflection of Isabel which captures her well. If anyone else has any reflections they want to publish here, please contact Fr. Jeff. 

 

Memories of Isabel Emmerich.

In 1997, I was back-sliding, no doubt about it.  I had not been to Church in Several years. Valerie had read about a new Episcopal Church trying to form in Harris County and they were temporarily meeting at the 7^th Day Adventist Church in Pine Mountain Valley. We decided to visit, or to tell the truth, Valerie decided that we would visit.  To this day, I am thankful that we did.  

It was not even a formal service, more of a directed discussion.  We met some wonderful people, but four in particular made a distinct impression on me and made me feel very welcome.  They were Beverly McEachern, Florence Pace, Darby Luce and Isabel Emmerich.  They are all gone now.  I could share stories on all of these wonderful women, but I want to write this about Isabel.

Valerie and I were very active with St. Nicholas from the very start.  We had both become L.E.M’s, both had been members of the Vestry and we pitched in and became involved on just about anything that went on there.  Four years ago, we moved to Rocky Mount, NC.  We were members of a wonderful Church there, St. Andrews, but we both missed our Church and friends from St. Nicholas.   

Two years ago, I took a leap of faith and left a good job in North Carolina to return to this area.  My first Sunday back, I really looked forward to going to Church.  The person I most wanted to sit by was Isabel.  When I talked to Valerie the night before, Isabel was the person she asked about.  I did sit by Isabel, and got a little hug (Isabel was very proper) and a hand-shake.  She asked about Valerie and wanted to know if we were back.  I brought her up to date and told her our plans to try and relocate.  She asked me if I was going to be at Church the next Sunday.  I said yes, and she said that was good because she had something for me.  The next Sunday came, and true to her word, Isabel handed me some folded papers, protected by a one gallon freezer bag.  I curiously opened the bag and to my surprise found the Church Bulletin from the day that I was baptized at St. Nicholas.  She told me she had saved it for me, because she thought I might like to have it some day.  How like Isabel!  Thoughtfulness and giving to others defined her.

A second memory is much more current.  On a Sunday in early April, Isabel was seated in the second row, directly behind the children.  During the sharing of the peace, Tai Jackson turned around, stuck his four year old hand out to Isabel and wished her peace.  It was one of those moments where I wish I had a photograph.  In fact, I can picture myself holding my hands out like a professional photographer and framing this picture.  It was beautiful and will always be in my memory.  I’m not sure that Tai fully understands the significance of sharing the peace, but I do know that he connected for that brief moment with Isabel.  I can still see that connection and the faces on both.  There was definitely love and caring going both directions.  Perhaps it was also prophetic, one of our youngest members reaching out to our oldest.  I know exactly where Isabel is now, and the Peace of the Lord will always be with her.

May “Spirit of St. Nicholas” is UP!

We’ve got a name for our newsletter! Check out the latest issue of “The Spirit of St. Nicholas” by clicking here!

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