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The following is the December 2006 edition of the St. Andrew's Tidings publication. You may download a copy to your computer by clicking on this pdf icon.
TIDINGS
VOL.
CL XlI • December 2006
PARSON'S PARAGRAPH
Among my favorite Christmas cards was one which a bishop once sent that contained these timeless words of joy:
"This is the day our Savior was born: what a joy for us, my beloved! This is no season for sadness, this, the birthday of Life - Nobody is an outsider to this happiness. The same cause for joy is common to all, for as our Lord found nobody free from guilt when he came to bring an end to death and to sin, so he came with redemption for all. Let the saint rejoice, for he hastens to his crown; let the sinner be filled with joy, for pardon is offered him; let the Gentile be emboldened, for he is called to life.
O Christian, be aware of your nobility - it is God's own nature that you share: do not then, by an ignoble life, fall back into your former baseness. Think of the Head, think of the Body of which you are a member. Recall that you have been rescued from the power of darkness, and have been transferred to the light of God, the kingdom of God." ( From a Sermon by Leo the Great, 5th century.)
Let us live into the words as we celebrate our Savior's birth.
Merry Christmas,
Charles+ [BACK TO TOP]
ANNUAL MEETING
Reports, Vestry Elections & Pledge Sunday
Sunday, December 3 was the Sunday day of the New Year in the church calendar. Advent will also be our time for significant resolve: Advent will also be our time for significant resolve: on that day, Pledge Sunday, we honored a personal commitment with the return of Pledge Cards. We gave thanks for the election of four new members of the Vestry for three year terms: Elizabeth Robbins, Steve Sawin, Derek Stallings, and Jay Tutwiler. May this new year be a time of personal commitment as each member of St Andrew's shows his or her talents as a member of the body of Christ. SPECIAL EVENTS IN DECEMBER
December 10 Worship at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM; Virginia Choral Society 4 PM;
Evening Praise in the Chapel 5 PM.
December 17 Worship at 8 & 11 AM; Christmas Pageant at 9:30AM with Reception December 24 Advent IV 8 AM Holy Eucharist; 11 AM Lessons and Carols; Christmas Eve Services at 5 & 11 PM; Youth Group Christmas Party and Caroling at Britthaven and Spring Arbor
December 25 Christmas Day Worship at 10 AM in the Chapel
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG's)
While poverty has no borders, it is certain that the Body of Christ understands that the abundance of God's resources is most evident when Christians are engaged in partnerships that encourage healthy development of all God's children. A global partnership for development is now more feasible than ever before. In Christ there is no east or west, in Him no north or south.
St. Andrew's is joining with brothers and sisters around the globe in making poverty history. Of course, poverty will always be with us relatively speaking. But there is no need for people to be unable to find potable water and grow nourishing crops when the world clearly has the means and ability to provide in abundance. What fills our landfills here could build a nation in other lands. The Millennium Development Goals are meant to help us see our capacity to make a difference in the world. For example, we have the capacity to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health; to educate; to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; to contribute to environmental stability of rivers, streams and pastures; to encourage men and women to value that the equality of our worth is not settled so much by what we get but by the fact that God loves us and corporately provides the abundance of His love through each man, woman and child.
The MDG's we share will make a difference. Putting a face and name to these goals is the first objective. In this, we are blessed to have a relationship with people in one of the poorest and, yet, spiritually alive areas of the world - Africa. The MGD Committee of our diocese is working with Bishop Baji of the Anglican Diocese of Tanga in Tanzania to develop such a global partnership for development.
What can you do at this time? What can one person do? Each of us can pray daily for the safety and integrity of the Church at work as it promotes the Good News of Jesus Christ in Africa and in East Carolina. We are also putting together a mission strategy called: 'Ploughshares Ministry.' The purpose being to connect people of like-kind vocations with one another: teachers to teachers, builders to builders, clergy to clergy, mothers to mothers, students to students, carpenter to carpenters, etc. We will aim to learn from one another the challenges and gifts that are ours and to work together for the commonwealth of all as members of the Body of Christ. In time, there will be mission trips with exchanges of youth and adults from both dioceses.
What can one person do at this time? If each of us could commit .7% of our income (that's just $70 out of every $10,000); if each church could commit .7% of its budget; if each diocese, etc. There is no telling what abundance we would have for this good purpose! Contact the rector or our MDG Committee members, Linda White or Celina McGee (from St. Andrew's Outreach Committee) for more details.
COMMUNITY SUPPERS ARE SUPERB!
With the month of November behind us, we have four more months of Community Suppers (through the end of March). The Thanksgiving Dinner was a great success with the best Turkey dinner ever (thank you George and Brenda Pitonyak and their faithful crew of cooks, servers and bottle washers!). The upcoming suppers are to be held on December 18 and January 1 st ! Contact Lynda Calkins to assist at 252-455-0384.
THE WOMEN OF ST. ANDREW'S
The Women of St. Andrew's have been in stitches! They are progressing well on the long project of needlepoint kneelers for the altar rail and on the shorter-term making of Prayer Shawls for those who are infirm, sick, or celebrating a birth, etc. With the delivery of every Prayer Shawl, there is knowledge that we have prayed for others and their witness has been that of great joy and comfort. The Women meet every Monday and Tuesday respectively for these ministries. If you would like more information, please call Karen Sawin at 599-1830.
THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW
The Brotherhood was pleased to install new directors at the celebration of our patron saint day of Andrew on Tuesday, November 28 (transferred from November 30). At that event, Derek Stallings was installed as the Director of the St. Andrew's Brotherhood Chapter, Dale Petty as Vice-Director and Bill Deichler as Secretary/Treasurer. New members were also inducted: Chris McGee, Dave Morris, and Johnnie Robbins. The Brotherhood meets every Tuesday morning from 7-8 AM with Breakfast and Bible study and prayer in St. Andrew's Hall.
DATA BASE HELP
As many of you have probably heard, our data-base system was severely damaged by lightening. Some of the information for 2005 and 2006 is missing. To insure that you receive your 2006 statement & other correspondence from the church at your correct address, could you please list your details on this form so we may verify your information on the system. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Please complete the info requested on this form for each family.
Head of Household Information
Last Name: _________________ Marital Status_____________________
First Name: _________________ Date of Birth:_____________________
Middle Name: _______________ Wedding Anniversary Date:__________
Goes by Name: ______________ Baptism: ______ Confirmation: ______
Spouse Additional Family Member
Last Name: _________________ Last Name: ______________________
First Name: _________________ First Name: ______________________
Middle Name: _______________ Middle Name: ____________________
Goes by Name: ______________ Goes by Name: ___________________
Date of Birth:________________ Date of Birth:_____________________
Baptism: ____Confirmation: ____ Baptism: ______ Confirmation: ______
Additional Family Member Additional Family Member
Last Name: _________________ Last Name: ______________________
First Name: _________________ First Name: ______________________
Middle Name: _______________ Middle Name: ____________________
Goes by Name: ______________ Goes by Name: ___________________
Date of Birth:________________ Date of Birth:_____________________
Baptism: ____Confirmation: ____ Baptism: ______ Confirmation: ______
Contact Information
Home Phone: _________ Work Phone: ___________ Cell Phone: __________
Additional Numbers Work Phone: ___________ Cell Phone: __________
E-mail: __________________________________________________________
E-mail:___________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________ Mailing Address: __________________
__________________________ ________________________________
__________________________ ________________________________
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