Abby Brown at Mission Conference

St. Nicholas’ own Abby Brown was not in church on Sunday. Why? Because she was representing Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries at the Everyone, Everywhere Conference in Estes Park, Colorado. Abby has been a very active member of Infusion, a program of CVEM, for the last two years, which has broadened her opportunities in the Episcopal Church and the common mission we all have to serve Christ in the world. St. Nicholas is an active supporter and partner in CVEM, and Abby’s involvement is just one way that we are connected. Abby was chosen to represent CVEM to speak about her work through Infusion. We posted an earlier column about Abby that you can read by clicking here.

You can see Abby make her presentation by clicking on the link below. In the video window, scroll to the video entitled Infusion Workshop EE2011.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/ee11.htm

Way to go Abby! We are very proud of you!

Colorado Mission Conference

Abby Brown (pictured along with Olivia Cohen and two of their Beallwood students), is a member of St. Nicholas and senior at Harris County High School, along with two other teens members of Infusion, will be presenting at the “Everyone Everywhere 2011″ National Episcopal Conference October 13-16th in Estes Park, Colorado. The conference is designed for individuals, dioceses, congregations, and groups active in the global and domestic mission of the Episcopal Church. Presenting under the focus of “Justice Concerns” Abby will explain the conceptual basis for Infusion and its relevance as a model for engaging youth in social justice concerns. The three teens will be accompanied by Vicky Partin, the lay missioner for CVEM.

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FOCUS Emergency Services Training This Thursday

Tai Goes to TAP

Being 6 years old allows you to do many more cool things during the summer. First, Tai got to go to Mini-Camp at Camp Mikell. This week, he got to attend TAP (Thompson-Pound Art Program). The last two years I’ve been involved in TAP, Tai has joined me on the last day or so to get a hint of what TAP is all about. This year, Tai got to participate as a full-time “tapper.”

I’ve never been a part of anything quite like TAP, and to watch Tai go through it was really amazing. The point of TAP is to teach children that the world doesn’t have be full of violence, discord, and hatred. Instead, we can celebrate our differences and learn to respect and listen to one another. Art becomes the common denominator for all these children from different socio-economic backgrounds, religions, and cultures. Tai learned this in a number of fun ways. Read more

FOCUS Volunteer Retreat

REMEMBER, RENEW, & RECHARGE

Those who are in ministries of service and outreach know that it can be easy to forget why it’s important to help the poor and hungry in our community. With a seemingly endless stream of people in need, where is our hope to come?  All current FOCUS volunteers, and those who are interested in volunteering in the emergency service office, the food bank, or the thrift store are welcome to join us for a day of inspiration as we renew our commitments to serving even the “least of these.” Fr. Jeff, who is also this year’s FOCUS chaplain, will lead the retreat at the Hamilton Fire Station from 9:30 to 3:30, and we’ll hear meditations from other area ministers like the Rev. Martha Dye of Pine Mountain United Methodist Church and Todd Sullins from Hamilton Baptist Church. To sign up for the retreat, contact Lynda Frerichs at 706-663-2726 or lyndafrerichs@bellsouth.net by Wednesday, February 9.

For more info on FOCUS, click here.

What Does FOCUS Do?

FOCUS is our main center of outreach ministry in Harris County. St. Nicholas is extremely involved in the organization, with St. Nicholas folks volunteering in the Emergency Services office, serving on the FOCUS board, working in the Thrift Shop, and organizing the Food Bank. On the last Sunday of every month, our loose offering goes to FOCUS as well. But what are the fruits of all the labors of FOCUS? The thrift shop is FOCUS’ main source of regular income. And all that money raised goes out to help people who are hungry or in any kind of need. Here is a report from Beth Searcy, who is in charge of the Thrift Shop and a member of Hamilton Baptist Church. She sends out monthly reports reminding all the FOCUS volunteers how much good happens through our work. Read more

TRUE Stories

Did you know that on the first Sunday of every month, the loose offering goes to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund? Not many people know that, and I’m supposed to remind the congregation about that from time to time. The discretionary fund is set up to be used exactly how it sounds–at the Rector’s discretion. Usually, this fund goes to helping people who are crunched for cash, which many people are these days. I am always astounded by how God continually provides for this fund. Even though I don’t promote it as much as I probably should, I get regular donations to it often. I also deposit any money I receive for weddings, funerals, or any other gifts I receive as part of my priestly duties into my discretionary fund.

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The Dangerous Act of Worship

Tuesday Night Adult Education Returns September 7!

In his book, The Dangerous Act of Worship, Mark Labberton asserts that corporate worship shouldn’t merely point us upward toward God, but turn us outward as well, toward our neighbors.  He says worship should translate into transformed lives that care for the poor and the oppressed.  The Old Testament prophet Micah said to Israel, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  (Micah 6:8)  If worship is the humble walk, where does doing justice and loving mercy fit?  What does Sunday worship mean to you come Monday?  Let’s talk about it!  Mollie Smith will be leading this class on Tuesday nights for 6 weeks starting September 7, at 6:30 pm., to discuss the meaning of worship at St. Nicholas and beyond. You can sign up for the class by visiting www.stnicholashamilton.org/signup or by visiting the bulletin board in the hallway. Copies of the book are $12.00, but are not required to take the class.

Waging A Living

This Sunday, August 29 at 9:45am, in part 4 of our 5-part Adult Formation Class, Faith & Finances, Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries (CVEM) Missioner Vicky Partin will be facilitating and showing a brief DVD called Waging A Living. The class will be hearing the stories of people, who, like many Americans, are working full time jobs but still cannot make ends meet. Hear their struggles and reflect with the class on issues of justice as we wrestle with what God is calling us to do.

Also, the Rev. Donna Gafford will be preaching and celebrating at both services as Fr. Jeff takes our youth to Camp Mikell on retreat.

They Said It Couldn’t Be Done

“They said it couldn’t be done, Christian Valley, but I preached a 10-minute sermon!”

Those were the exuberant words of Pastor Eric Seldon, who is the minister of Christian Valley Church in Cataula, who preached at both services at St. Nicholas on Sunday. While he was talking about his sermon length, I couldn’t help but think that there was much more that happened on Sunday that “they said couldn’t be done.”

I have written before about our relationship with Christian Valley and how we are seeking to create a bond of friendship between two very different congregations. One is predominantly African-American, one is predominantly Caucasian. One worships formally and traditionally, one worships with a much more contemporary spin. One has a preacher that preaches 10 to 15 minutes long, one has a preacher that preaches 30-45 minutes long.

As Pastor Eric mentioned in his sermon, in the South, Sunday mornings are the most segregated hours of the week. Yet, we have been called to take the “road less traveled” and join together on occasion to begin a process of relationship of understanding. One might worry that we’re trying to assimilate their church or that they are trying to assimilate ours. But that’s not the intention. It’s to engage fully in mission with one another. Mission, at it’s core, means engaging in relationship with one another. Christian Valley has a gift to give St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas has a gift to give Christian Valley. Despite our cultural, ecclesial, or liturgical differences, we lift those differences up and share them with one another to learn, and grow, and love one another. Who else is doing that in Harris County?

I said in both services yesterday that the Kingdom of God was indeed present. We all recited the Nicene Creed, as varied Christians throughout history have done before as a way to unite us in common worship. I looked out and saw the beauty of diversity in the faces of God’s created people! At the 8:30 service, we had 64 attendees, most of whom were Christian Valley members who came early, and then went to worship at their own 10 o’clock service. At 11:00, we had 97 people packed into the pews! It was a sight to behold!

Deacon Terrance Blue from Christian Valley led the Inspirational Choir in two songs at the two services, Souled Out and God Is. At the 11:00 service, everyone was on their feet clapping, dancing, and singing. If you wonder what eternity might be like, it might look a bit like that.

The number of e-mails and comments about our services have been overwhelmingly positive. As one St. Nicholas member said, “I thought to myself, this is the way the world can put aside bigotry and hatred…I have always been proud to be Episcopalian, but this morning went beyond mere pride to show me the way the world could ‘live as one.’”

I am supremely thankful to Pastor Eric, Garvin Gourie, and the rest of Christian Valley who made the day possible. I am overwhelmingly proud of the people of St. Nicholas, who welcomed new friends with open arms. Pastor Eric said how warm everyone felt there with us.

So it was a step in the right direction. I have never been more sure of that. I don’t know what God has in store for St. Nicholas & Christian Valley, but if it’s anything like yesterday’s worship, then the Kingdom of God is truly at hand.

My only disappointment in the day was that we didn’t get any pictures! Our regular photographer, Lynn Hall, was in bed with the flu, bless her heart, and I forgot to get someone else to take pictures! So even though the day wasn’t captured on camera, it certainly was graphed into the hearts and minds of all who were present.

They said it couldn’t be done…

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