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August 2010 |
Baccalaureate Service Homily
On June 13 at the 9:00 Holy Eucharist, our graduating seniors were recognized. The service was conducted by the graduates and Justin Davis gave the graduation homily. Justin’s homily presented positive and poignant reflections of what St. David’s and the diocese has meant to him. The homily is shared in its entirety below as an affirmation of the vital role the parish can play in nurturing its children and youth.
Good Morning Everyone,
As I started looking back on my 18 years at St. David’s, I couldn’t help but think of all the influences that this church and this family have had on me, and what better place to start than the beginning, baptism. It is hard to remember my own, but having witnessed so many others over the years it is not hard to guess what it was like. Baptism was my first real experience with the family of St. David’s. It was when I was accepted as a true member of the church community, and without this community I don’t know where I would be today.
The next vivid memory is Cathy Love’s Sunday school class. I can remember the unmistakable smell of glue stick on the plastic table cloth and of learning the many major lessons of the Bible whether I realized it or not.
Next came my first lock in with the EYC, and of all the things that I have done with the church throughout my life this is probably the most important. EYC gave me dedicated friends who I would do anything for and who would do anything for me. It also gave me mentors like Becky Wright, Cindi Hanayik, and Rick Mason. The marshmallow fights were pretty cool too. Next came the first big retreat, Blackstone. It was the most fun I had ever had in a weekend and at that point, I knew that this was where I belonged.
Over the years, these retreats gave me a better vision of the church as a whole and gave me many opportunities, like the Episcopal Youth Event in San Antonio Texas and the ability to serve as President of the (Diocese of Southern Virginia’s) EYC board, and through all this time St. David’s has been my cornerstone, the place that I could come back to no matter what happened.
Although I have seen many changes in St. David’s through the years, like five or six new priests, a new carpet, and not to mention a new parish hall, one thing has remained constant, and that is the love and support that each member of this church has for one another. Going off to college and maturing, whatever that means, will be a new adventure, but this adventure would never have begun had it not been for St. David’s.
Justin Davis B. Davis III
Community Learning and Caring
In the Vestry Retreat of June 2010, the Vestry decided to eliminate the Commission system and in its place divide the Vestry into five Areas of Ministry support. Two Vestry persons (if possible) were assigned to each Area. Our assigned area is “Community Learning and Caring” (See the July Voice for more details).
Accordingly, we have divided “Community Learning and Caring” into three levels. The first level is the Area of Ministry Support which is our assigned responsibility. The second is the Ministries themselves. The third level is the programs assigned to each Ministry. Each Ministry will have a chair and each program will have a chair. Our role is to assist the Ministers in every way to develop the various programs. We will always be on call to meet with the Minister and the program chair person and if needed the members of the program.
All service except, St. David staff, will be for one year: June 1 to May 31 of the following year. If a chair person does not wish to continue, we will ask them to assist us in transition to a new chair person. This process of finding new Ministry Chairs for the year beginning June 1st will take place in the spring.
This structure and nomenclature does not reflect Vestry standards. It is what we have adopted as a way to fulfill what we perceive to be our responsibilities. At any time when the Vestry sets Vestry wide standards, we will be glad to change.
Accordingly we have identified four Ministries in this Area:
- Pastoral Care
- Children Formation
- Youth Formation
- Adult Formation
Sue Davis is a paid Staff Person and is in charge of Children Formation. We are in the process of finding persons to chair the other Ministries. One of the most critical Areas is Adult Formation. We need both a Ministry Chair and a Program Chair for Adult Forum.
Later articles by us will give more details about each Ministry and their Programs.
Yours in Christ
Beth Pulliam and Robert Nelson
The Church Mouse
August 29 Is Our Last Summer Combined Service
Skipping Sunday worship doesn’t have to be part of taking time off during the summer months! For many people, visiting other Episcopal churches while on vacation is a special treat…and you may have a name to recommend to the Search Committee!
When you are at home during the summer months, your attendance at Sunday worship is good for your soul’s health…and helps avoid the echoes in church caused by the empty chairs!
This summer, the last Sunday of each of the summer months has offered an opportunity for the parishioners who normally attend the 9:00 or 11:15 services to worship together at a combined 10:00 service. Although the primary reason for the combined services is to give our music director and choirs a much needed break, the combined service gives us a chance for spiritual synergy, or demonstrating that “the whole is greater than the parts.”
Our thanks to Jim Smithson for subbing so Bonnie Thomas can take a few Sundays off during the summer. Have you contributed a favorite hymn or song to be used in the service? Join us August 29. Don’t take a vacation from the 10:00 service!
Please Note: The Adult Forum will meet at 9:00, prior to the service, on August 29.
“The Jamestown Cross” Is Available to Parishioners
Are you currently receiving the diocesan newsletter “The Jamestown Cross?” All active members of St. David’s are eligible to receive the publication sent out by the Diocese of Southern Virginia.
If you do not receive “The Jamestown Cross” and wish to do so, please contact the Parish Administrator or sign the sheet in the narthex at church.
Also, if you would like to receive the weekly electronic diocesan newsletter, “The Sovia,” you can go on-line and request a free subscription from Sarah Scott Thomas, Diocesan Director of Communications at ssthomas@diosova.org.
Prayer for the Search for our New Rector
Gracious and Loving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, grant the search committee the gift of discernment through the Holy Spirit so that they may follow your will in the call of our next rector. Bless this congregation with a sense of peace and the gift of patience as we go through this time of transition. Inspire us all to work as one in finding the person who will walk with us toward a closer relationship with you, and help us gain a deeper understanding of our ministry in the world, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Outreach
We will be collecting school supplies in August for our Healing and Helping Sunday. This is an annual event to help those in our community who are experiencing financial stress. Many parents can't buy these simple items for their kids to help them get back to school. Please check out this list of needed items and bring them to church for our helping service on the third Sunday in August: (That’s Sunday, August 15)
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Glue sticks Ball point pens Highlighters Protractors Writing tablets Scissors Watercolors 3 X 5 index cards Sharpie markers Composition books Rulers Qt. Size “Ziplock” bags |
Notebook Paper
Washable Markers Pink Gum Erasers Color Pencils 2 Pocket Folders Blunt-nosed Scissors Graph Paper Index Card Boxes Crayons Pencil Pouch Pencils Tissues |
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Children and Family Ministry
August is around the corner and Robert Nelson, Beth Pulliam and I are busy planning. We are moving ahead with plans to roll out Godly Play this fall. Thank you to Cindi Hanayik for agreeing to chair this effort. There is much to be done. We have begun to prepare the story materials and will post a wish list for items we will need for this first year. Please check your closets and sewing rooms. I found some felt and other items that can be used, you may have some things too! If not we appreciate your willingness to purchase things on our wish list. We will have a couple of meetings over the next month in preparation for the start of Godly Play. These will include a parent meeting so that you will know what to expect and a child meeting so we can prepare them as well. I urge you to make the effort to attend these meetings so that you are well informed about this program. The dates will be announced. In addition, Caroline Black, our Diocesan Missioner for Christian Formation will be with us on Monday August 30 to give us an overview and some additional training for those people who were unable to attend the training in Virginia Beach. If you are interested in helping with Godly Play I encourage you to attend this meeting. Be sure to read Cindi's article in the Voice this month for additional information on the theory behind Godly Play.
Upcoming events include an end of the Summer Party on August 25. We will have music and ice cream and enjoy hearing how you spent your summer vacation!
Our Parish Picnic/Youth Sunday is scheduled for September 12.
Sue Davis
Coordinator for Children & Family Ministries
I Wonder
This fall the children of St. David’s will start a new adventure for Sunday School. They will wonder if the Good Shepherd named His sheep. They will wonder about the biggest gift. They will wonder how the animals all fit into the ark. They will wonder . . . .
With the beginning of the new curriculum comes a new set of needs. There will be a poster of needs in the narthex in August so be on the lookout. We are also looking for adults to be storytellers for the children. This new program also brings a new way of doing things in the classroom. We will be combining K-5 in one classroom for Godly Play. There will be training for those interested in participating or if you just want to find out more on August 30 (more details to follow). There will also be an orientation for children in August…stay tuned for that date. Please contact Cindi Hanayik or Sue Davis with any questions.
I wonder… (see Godly Play later in this edition)
Summer Fling
Let’s Make it A Happen(ing)!!”
On Wednesday, August 25 at 7:00 we will have a real ‘happening’ at St. David’s to help us celebrate the winding down of summer:
- Games and fun!
- Old fashioned ice-cream social and hymn-sing!
- Dancing and learning new steps!
And, in the spirit of a ‘happening,’ bring musical instruments and other things in which we can “Make a joyful noise to the Lord!!”
This is for all the parish family, friends and neighbors…both a parish and a community celebration! Want to help? Let Sue Davis know.
More details will be published in the Sunday “Good News.”
Note: We will not be having the August 11 summer fellowship event as previously scheduled in the July issue of “The Voice” so we can focus our efforts on August 25!
Godly Play
Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language - parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action - helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.
When Christian language is learned by the Godly Play approach, it is learned as a means to know God and to make meaning of our lives. This approach is quite different from the traditional model in which the teacher tells the children what they need to know. Godly Play is not about things that are that simple. It is not just about learning lessons or keeping children entertained. It is about locating each lesson in the whole system of Christian language and involving the creative process to discover the depths of meaning in them. It’s about understanding how each of the stories of God’s people connects with the child’s own experience and relationship with God. Godly Play respects the innate spirituality of children and encourages curiosity and imagination in experiencing the mystery and joy of God.
The goal of Godly Play is to show how to be open to the Holy Spirit, The Creator, and the Redeemer all at once and all the time in every place. To achieve this goal is to help children become deeply rooted as Christians and yet at the same time use this powerful language and community to be open and creative.
Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to Christian nurture.
Godly Play is based on long established, tried and tested approaches.
Godly Play encourages participants to make meaning for themselves by inviting them into stories and providing the opportunity for them to connect the stories with their personal experience.
Godly Play is a non-coercive way to encourage people to move into larger dimensions of belief and faith through wondering questions and open-ended response time.
Godly Play values process, openness and discovery.
Godly Play is a way of preparing children to join in the worship and life of their congregations as they develop a deeper understanding of stories, symbols and rites.
Although it was originally developed as a resource for children, Godly Play is now being used with a wide range of age groups in a diversity of settings.
© 2010 Godly Play Foundation — All Rights Reserved
We will be having a workday on Saturday September 11th. On that day as we
remember what was destroyed lets help to build up our community.
Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate substandard housing, they
are building several projects right here in Richmond. Anyone who is
interested in volunteering on that day will have to go to the Habitat website,
www.richmondhabitat.org
and register and then go to the September calendar
and sign up for that date. I did it and it was easy.
The website also has a lot of great information about what' going on around our area.
You don't have to be particularly skilled to participate just willing
to lend a hand. We will meet at the church in the morning of the 11th
and carpool because parking is limited and it's more fun too.
So please everyone check your calendars now and sign up for our workday.
We will also have a sign up sheet in the narthex but you still
need to register on-line. If I can do it anyone can !
Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.
Joannie Smithson.
Do You Have Gluten Allergy?
Wheat Free Bread is available during communion. This gluten free bread is baked especially for those with gluten allergies. To receive the bread hold out your hands palms down. The person ministering the bread will then know to offer wheat free bread. Turn your palms up to receive.
Update from Disbursements Treasurer
Below is a brief update regarding St David's income through June 2010. Please make every effort to keep your financial commitment to St David's current through the summer months.
Budgeted Pledge income for 2010: $255,000
Expected Pledge income through June: $127,500
Received Pledge income through June: $110, 501
Pledge deficit/surplus through June: <$16,999>
Total Budgeted income for 2010: $328,734
Expected total income through June: $164,367
Received total income through June: $153,947
Total income deficit/surplus through June: <$10,420>
If you have questions about your pledge, please contact Chuck Smith.
Congratulations Wendy Taylor Ellis
Congratulations to Wendy Taylor Ellis who successfully defended her doctoral dissertation on July 15 to earn her Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership from the College of William and Mary.
Dr. Ellis’s dissertation was entitled “Academic Resilience among High-Ability African American Adolescents Living in Rural Poverty”.
She has recently accepted a new post at Maggie Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies as its Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Saint David’s Prayer Breakfast & Workday
A special thanks to the folks who came out (6/19/10) and helped with the workday. Thanks to my wife, Margo and my friends, Ron and Anita Dale for providing the food for the hungry group of 15 eager servants. Also thanks to my daughter, Cole, who had to get up early and watch Cayton and Campbell. Like the story of the loaves and fishes, although I was not prepared for the high turnout, there was just enough food to fuel and satisfy our friends.
Below is a list of those who were able to make it on Saturday morning (besides myself).
Tucker Wright
Ron, Kay, Sierra, and Josh Gotshall
Mike McColm
Stew & Cara Wolfe
Travis Kennedy
Edy Hoyt
Ron Dale
Dan & Wendy Naret
Mark Gilbert
With this eager bunch and some good planning on Tucker’s part, our group was able to paint most of the remainder of the unfinished areas around the back of the older part of the building. It really looks great…one more coat to go. I’d like to recognize two outstanding individuals who not only helped the entire time with absolutely no complaints and with abundant joy and enthusiasm; Sierra and Josh Gotshall. From the start, they worked nonstop. Sierra helped me prepare breakfast and set the table. After breakfast, both elementary age children worked outside in the blazing hot sun painting right alongside the adults. Several of our workers commented on these amazing hard working children.
Clay Underwood
United Thank Offering
The actual amount for the spring ingathering of the UTO was $445.88. Good going, Friends! If you need a new Blue Box, they are in the foyer on the credenza. Let's all be THANKFUL people!
Preschool Registration for Fall 2010
St. David's Preschool still has openings in our 2 1/2 and 3 year old programs. For more information please call our office at 276-5726.
A Note about Health and Exercise
Did you know that almost 1/2 of all Americans suffer health problems due to inactivity?
Most experts advise 30 – 60 minutes of aerobic (heart pumping) exercise 2-3 times a week, along with strength building and stretching to maintain heart and lung health. The Holy Scriptures tell us that our body is the temple of the Lord and it our spiritual duty to take care of our body as well as our soul. Walking is one way to satisfy the need for both aerobic and bone density building. Dancing is another way, with the additional benefits of better coordination, balance and social interaction; and just plain fun.
But dance and exercise classes can be expensive, except at St. David’s where a dance-exercise class is offered for FREE!
Zumba combines all the marvelous benefits of exercise and learning new steps in a non-threatening atmosphere, with no experience or partner needed. Classes are held in our cool parish hall most Wednesdays and are open to the public. Past classes have had 10 new folks come who never came to St. David’s before – who knows when they might be led to come to worship with us based on the warm welcome they get at exercise class. The last class had a total of 4 parishioners , and 4 brand new-comers. It would be really great for more members to join us and extend hospitality as an outreach – you can even play maracas or bongo drums if you aren’t up to dancing.
Zumba classes cost upwards of $8-10 a class, this one costs a smile ! August classes : 8/4;8/11;8/18 at 7PM. Call or e-mail Candy Banks for more information.