anchor january · dixon, lyn mckinley, barbara clawson, martha salcido, david garcia, gloria ambler...

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Once again, I wish to thank all those who made Christmas services so special this year: Robyn Pelking and Rachel Degenhart, and the praise band for the pag-eant; Rick Garven, the choir and El Paso Brass for the later services; the clergy for serving at all the services, especially Ron Thomson for Christmas Day; the flower guild and altar guild for their constant attention; the lectors, lay readers and acolytes for their help; our child care workers and maintenance staff for all their faithful work; finally, our office staff: Irene, Ericka, Eddie, Bren-da, Karen and Marilyn.

I trust that you will receive this Anchor before the first, so just to remind you, we will not have a Saturday evening service on the December 31st, and have services at the usual times on Sunday, January 1st.

Remember that the season of Christmas lasts for twelve days, until Epiphany on January 6th. We will celebrate the Feast of Epiphany on Sunday, January 8th. The Epiphany commemorates the “showing forth” of the Christ Child to the nations, by the Magi coming to visit him when he was an infant. Its significance is in the fact that Jesus is the Savior to all those who trust in Him, from every nation, tribe and tongue. As the apostle Paul writes, “12For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV)

Newcomers Meeting LuncheonOn Saturday, January 14, we will be having a Newcom-er’s Meeting from noon to 2 p.m. We will start with lunch at noon, and then continue the meeting. This is an opportunity to learn more about the Church of St. Clement. Please RSVP to Ericka, our receptionist, at [email protected] or 533-4915 if you would like to attend. Childcare will be provided.

Stewardship WeekendSaturday January 28th and Sunday, January 29th will be Stewardship Weekend, when we ask you to make a financial commitment to the work of God through the Church of St. Clement for year. We will present our pledges to the Lord and ask His blessing upon them at all three services.

Annual MeetingThe annual congregational meeting of the Church of St. Clement will be held on Sunday, February 5th. Yes, I know, it’s Super Bowl Sunday. We’ve done it before and it really doesn’t seem to make any difference since it’s at 10 a.m. between the services. Unless, of course, you are one of those people who start watching the “pre-pre-pre-game” coverage from the moment you wake up.

The annual congregational meeting is when we pass the budget for the year, and elect new vestry members for a three-year term. Breakfast will be served, and all are welcome, whether you are a voting member or not.

Important End of Year UpdateI spoke with Karen Miller, our financial secretary and as of December 20th, she believes that we still need at least $110,000 to finish the year in the black. Last year we had a sizable deficit, so I am hoping that God will touch people’s hearts to give generously in the next week and a half. Thank you for your faithfulness.

You may give by check, or online with a credit or debit card, or by ACH withdrawal from your bank account. All gifts that are postmarked or received through Dec. 31st, are deductible in 2016 for IRS purposes. Thank you!

In our Lord Jesus Christ,

The Rev. William C. Cobb, D. Min.

januaryTHE ANCHOR OF THE

JANUARY 2017- THE ANCHOR-PAGE 2

CHILDRENS MINISTRYHAPPY NEW YEAR! It is our want to start the New Year with fresh hopes and perspectives. I would like to suggest a true perspec-tive for you to consider this year. Peter and John were two very visible disciples of Jesus. Peter was often heard declaring his love for Jesus. His resolve to be committed to Jesus (even if the other disciples didn’t) was admirable. Many of us identify with Peter. Our love for Jesus is undeniable and if we are honest, if we were asked about why we feel closeness to Jesus, we might, like Peter, point to our love and devotion to Him as the reason. To determine if you fall in the Peter category, listen to yourself when you pray for healing for someone. Do you list how devoted this sick person is and how much they serve God as the reason why God “should consider healing them?” If you do, you are putting the emphasis, as Peter did, on your devotion to God as the reason why He would be devoted to you. Contrast this with John who never mentions his own love for Jesus but called himself “the disciple that Jesus loved.” Recently I was praying for a lady in our congregation when I heard Papa God say to me, “She identifies herself as Peter, as “one that loves me.” I want her to call herself as John called himself, as “the one that Jesus loves.” I believe this is a word for all of us, not just the lady I was praying for. Galatians 4:19 says that Christ is to be “formed in us.” That means that we are to think, believe, and in all ways “have the mind of Christ” (I Cor 2:16). Jesus didn’t even start his ministry till his identity as “the BELOVED son of God” was fully established in his heart and mind (see Matthew 3.) If Jesus needed to have his identity established and validated, how much more do we? We, who as children had encounters that we interpreted in a negative self light. So, how do you know if your identity needs to be reformed? Here are a couple of thoughts. Start listening to yourself. Do you speak disparagingly about yourself if you “mess up?” Do you list, like Peter, reasons why you should or should not be validated? If you do, you are thinking less of yourself than Papa God thinks of you and this is your year for an upgrade!!!! All you have to do is repent each time you have a thought like that. Repentence means “change the way I think! So, first say, “I break agreement with the lie ____ (this is where you insert the lie). Second, ask God what He thinks of you and then listen. Speak this truth over yourself. (If you can’t hear Him speak, ask Holy Spirit to speak to you. Read the Psalms till a verse jumps off the page to you.) Then, start speaking that truth over yourself till it becomes more true than the lie you believed last year.

May your New Year be HAPPY and full and may you by the end of this year, consider yourself as

“the one that Jesus LOVES.”

ST. CLEMENT PARISH SCHOOLDuring these first few months of my tenure as Head of School, I have found St. Clement’s to be the premier independent school in El Paso. This incredible school community is the gem of schooling and education for El Paso and West Texas! St. Clement’s already has a stellar reputation with an overall program that is challenging while nurturing, inviting and invigorating, comprehensive, focused and inspiring. Love and deep relationships abound amongst the best teachers and coaches available. Quality educational experiences characterize a St. Clement’s education, not just the mind, but every aspect of the growing persons we call students. It is the hope of the Board of Trustees and your Head of School that we embrace all that is sacred at St. Clement’s and build on it in an ongoing growth mindset of continuous improvement. There is still work to do to continue to hold the enviable position of the top PS-8th grade

school in El Paso. Such an educational experience for our students is priceless. There is an old saying that “if you have to stop to count the cost, then you’ve failed to understand the value.” Of course we have much to do, and each of us – students, faculty, and parents – and yes, members of St. Clement’s Church, too - must do our part. Let us continue to aim high and may we never lose sight of our Mission – Within a nurturing Christian environment, St. Clement’s Parish School promotes each child’s academic, spiritual, moral, artistic, physical and intellectual growth. It is truly a gift of God.

Rick BettsHead of School

The Church of St. Clement is blessed with many ministries that continue to bear fruit for the kingdom, thank you for allowing us to serve the local community and beyond! Here are a few updates from the St. Clement Ministries:

Proverbs 22:6 New King James Version (NKJV)Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Greetings from the library, fellow parishioners! We hope you all had a wonderful Christ-mas, and are still enjoying the season. This is a perfect time to come pick out a good book for the winter evenings. We have excellent devotionals, novels, biographies, and nonfiction on a wide variety of topics. We have hundreds of excellent resources waiting for you, including new books, study kits, and movies added every week by your volun-teers. We encourage you to get a cup of coffee or tea, come in and browse, and sit for as long as you like in our very comfortable leather recliners. You will often see one of our volunteers working, and they will help you find what you are looking for, but the library is ALWAYS open, and is self-service. Some of the books we have added recently are: for Adults:The Magnolia Story, by Chip and Joanna Gaines; Christian Social Witness, by Harold Lewis; Run With the Horses, by Eugene Peterson. For Youth: John Stott, the Humble Lead-er; The Losers’ Club; Amy Carmichael: Can Brown Eyes be made Blue? We have added many new books for children and toddlers to our excellent collection. Children love to come in to the library, and we will gladly stop what we are doing and read them a story! Treat yourself to our oasis, and take a book or two home to enjoy at your leisure.


THE ENGLISH SPEAKING CENTER CELEBRATES

CHRISTMAS

On December 7 the English Speaking Center cel-ebrated Christmas by having a program which included students reading scripture in English and Spanish and singing Christmas carols in English. Deacon Ken Hanna provided a homily in English

with some Spanish translation so that beginning students could understand. The Reverends Bill Cobb and Rick Milliorn also were part of the program.

The more than seventy students that we serve have formed a special community at the Church of St. Clement. Many of our students attend our devotionals on Monday mornings in the main sanctuary. The Reverends Milliorn and Hanna provide spiritual lessons and support.

Our faithful teachers this year are Phillip Youngblood, Ninfa Dixon, Lyn McKinley, Barbara Clawson, Martha Salcido, David Garcia, Gloria Ambler and Jan Macatee. Our Border Fellow this year is Abby Laymon. She helps in doing administration duties as well as co teaching with Martha Salcido and substituting when someone is absent. We will return on January 9, 2017 to resume our classes.

Thank you for your support for our program.Eddie Endlich, Director

REY de PAZ This year has been a wonderful year of celebration and especially this season. We have a few things at Rey de Paz that we would like to share with our St. Clement family so that we can mutually celebrate God’s goodness together. This year, John and Nimfa Dixon brought a cultural celebration to us where we celebrat-ed a posada. We had Christmas songs, Champurado (warm cornmeal spiced drink); and kids dressed up as Mary, Joseph, angels, animals, etc that reenacted the

story of Jesus’ birth. We had a great time celebrating as a church family and cast a bit of vision for next year reaching into the community and hosting a larger posada. We also celebrated the fifteenth birthday of one of our teens that has been raised in the church. The family hosted a large party at a hall and a handful of our members were able to meet some of the extended family and be a witness to them as we all celebrated this new phase in Daphne’s life. Daphne wanted to be presented before the church and make a public declaration of her faith and commitment to Christ. We are joyful to be a part of her life and be able to encourage her faith as she grows. Christmas morning we will also celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Vicente and Irma Lopez. They are pillars of our congregation and are looking to renew their vows. We are blessed to have them and are always encouraged by their faith and example of marriage. Join us in celebrating these three things this season. Thank you for your prayers; please continue to pray as we seek to touch more lives, marriages and youth like these. Rey de Paz, Deacon Ken Hanna

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Onnemi international Ministry staff and the families of Kilómetro 33 would love to thank you for the generous support in gifts this year! Thanks to the St. Clements family, Youth for Christ and Portage Commu-nity Chapel we were able to give gifts to almost 200 kids and their parents. God is good! Blessings to you and your family.

THANK YOU!


YOUTH GROUPHello St. Clement’s! Happy New Year! Wow, are we excited to see what the Lord has planned for this new season in life. Our team cannot wait to see, specifically, what the Lord has planned for our students. At the end of December, we went to a conference called OneThing, in Kansas City. God is always faithful when we attend this con-ference and we believe that there is something for every single person who attends. The fruits that can come from OneThing are always my personal favorite to see. I’ve been attending On-eThing since I was 16 years old as a student myself and seeing how God has worked throughout the year was my favorite thing to reflect on.

Some highlights for this upcoming year in terms of events! In February are receiving an incredible opportunity to lead a Faith Alive conference in Albuquerque. These conferences are incred-ible, because it allows our students to step into some authority and be responsible for things they normally wouldn’t be. They are expected to share a testimony of something God has done in their life as well as help lead activities and small groups. These trips are less about the leaders organizing

things and more about the students stepping out and us doing behind the scenes work. Secondly, we have our annual Spring Break Outreach, during spring break. This is a week-long event in which students listen to awesome teachings, worship with other students from El Paso and all across America, and learn what it means to serve with a Godly heart. Every day we do an outreach to different places, some of them include doing crafts with VBS kids, learning about foreign religions and how to pray for them, working at a farm or volunteering at a homeless shelter. Each year, our students get to engage in their faith in a new way and take it to a different level. It always amazes me how powerfully God can work through this week.

This year, 2017, is going to be incredible. God is going to move and our students are going to encounter him in such powerful ways. Please do join us in prayer to make that a reality!

Blessings, Kristina ShinnIntern and Youth Ministry Administrator

It’s a brand new year. We hope you had a joyous Christmas and a very happy new year. Ciudad Nueva is looking forward to many things this coming year.Some things include: • A legal clinic - offering help with immigration questions and

paperwork• A Food co-op - connecting our neighbors to each other

and resources for food• Catalyst Classes: finding a job and applying to college• Community Connectors: training women to connect other

women to resources in our community• Summer Camp!• Another great semester of youth programsIf 2017 has you searching for new ways to share your time and talents we hope you will consider getting involved at Ciudad Nueva. We are looking for people to mentor elementary school kids, teach middle school students classes, drive vans and more! Check us out at www.ciudadnueva.org or email at [email protected].

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to our Christmas store. We were able to bless over 35 families which includes over 150 kids. Moms and Dads left with arms full, smiles on their faces and a weight lifted off their shoulders! We also thank you for your very generous end of year donations. They were a tre-

mendous blessing to Ciudad Nueva and are ability to continue t o do many things within our community.

LENDING A HELPING HANDIn this season of giving, would you please prayerfully consider

serving at any capacity in the newly developed Immigrant Housing Ministry?

Immigrants from a variety of countries are in need of basic essentials. All around our neighborhood of downtown El Paso, temporary housing facilities are being set up by the non-profits and churches to get them new clothes, underwear and diapers, a fresh shower, a hot meal and a place to sleep until they can get their travel arrangements set.

It is inspiring to see many Christians responding to Jesus’ axiom, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

The vestry has given approval to Joseph Gainor and others who wish to directly help these people to get on their way, by giving them meals and a place to sleep for a night or two, and helping them to call or email friends or relatives. If you are interested in helping this new ministry please contact Rev. King Travis ([email protected])


VESTRY NOMINATIONSNominations are being accepted for the 2017 VestryEvery fall we seek candidates for nomination to the Vestry, whose members are elected at our Annual Congregational Meeting in February. Nominations to replace four retiring Vestry members are sought for three year terms beginning February 2017 The vestry has adopted the following requirements for serving on the vestry. A person must be: 1. At least eighteen years of age 2. A voting member of the church3. A comitted Christian, who maintains disciplines of Bible Study and Prayer4. Believing the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and the Creeds of the Church to be authoritative in defining biblical Christian faith. 5. Regular in worship and active in the life of the congregation6. A giver of record for at least a year who is committed to tithing or working toward a tithe7. Able to attend to as many as two meetings a month, vestry retreats, etc. The vestry nominating process is meant to be a process of mutual spiritual discernment. Therefore we should seek to choose vestry members that we know to be prayerful, knowledgeable of scripture, who have a personal relationship with Christ, and a desire to serve him through serving this parish. Nominees will be asked to answer questions approved by the vestry. If you are nominating someone other than yourself, please obtain that person’s permission prior to submitting his or her name.

SAVETHE DATE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING FEBRUARY 5TH 2017

It is a great blessing to get to play music for God every week but the greater blessing is to work and worship with these fine volunteers who are my family at church. If you get a chance, thank them for their faithful giving of their time and their musical gifts to the Body of Christ at St. Clements! We are truly blessed!

MEET THE WORSHIP TEAM(and their nicknames): Ericka Garcia binder and bulletin Nazi and recompiler of the dozen or so songs every week for the worship team. First smiling face you see if new. Blessing!Carolyn Cannoy spark plug of personality and joy. Puts her entire self into whatever she does. Loves her family. Sings to the glory of God!Alex Lopez grateful guitarist for God. Shares his struggles to help others. A re-ally remarkable rock riff repertoire. Knows his need of God.Marc Cattapan advocate for our Wounded Warriors. Gives voice to God’s praises and to our wounded vets. Cycles for vets and sings for God.Norma Price travel planner and singer of God’s praises. Gracious hostess and gracious of heart! Generous worshipper and straight talker.David Guerin creative and musical soul. Spiritual force in a servant heart. Willing to serve where needed and to step in at AV or in band.AJ Ulrich serves God & country in humility and with honor. A loving husband, we thank you for sharing your drumming and friendship with us.Tori Garcia heart for teaching children and a love for God. Strong voice in worship

and in her students lives. Kings Kid now as an adult!Ray Adauto voice of the Miners & Chihua-huas and lifts up his voice of praise to God. Corvette driver and El Paso commu-nity watcher as well!Dr. Courtney Brown wonderful doctor and worshipful pianist, always pointing to our Lord, lover of creation and hiker of it! Healer & prayer!Michaela O Kotowski ex-praise band student, multi-instrumentalist singer and young believer. Drumming is as steady as her faith in Jesus.Steve Filley proud Navy man, a heart as big as his family is. Faithfully offers up his singing of God’s praises. Fellow youth group alumni.Marianne DiPasquale manager of Ciudad Nueva and family. Graceful voice and heart she shares with other ministries. Patient, smiling soul.Sarah Quintana faithful singer of God’s praises. Trustworthy friend and worker for the Lord outside of church. Gracious, loving & generous.Carlos Licon faithful man at the sound-board. Brother, father and husband. Flexible fixer in any situation the sound or A/V finds itself in.

Sid Steadman drum-mer and planter. Driver of many miles. Loves the Lord and his family. His heart is even stronger than his body is!Robyn Pelking multi-instrumentalist, teacher, VBS & Christmas Pageant go to, Patriots fan, fine young Christian lady & baker extraordinaire!Robert Manning, Sound and A/V Magician, takes what we have and makes it better. Treats whoever needs him as important and valued. A real pro!Mary Gaddy’s heart for people is as big as for worship. Servant musician that sings and plays from deep love of Jesus. Amazing cook, too!Scott Pelking taught me Dust in the Wind in the Sacristy in 5th grade. Continues to teach me how to be a father, friend and man. BASS HERO!Kelly King, proud Mom of Baby Colton and saint for marrying Travis. Sweet spirit to serve and voice to sing praise.Keisha Branch, Border Fellow and serves our neighborhood kids with joy. Lover of worshipping God and praising Him!John Joseph Garcia former student and now husband and worship musician. Multiinstrumentalist and sports fanatic


Daughters of the Holy Cross will meet on Saturday, January 14.

Morning Prayer begins at 9:00 a.m. in McKee Chapel, program and business meeting will begin at 9:30 in the Mayfield Room.

All St. Clement women are welcome.


JANUARY 2017Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

18:30 am- Traditional10:45-Rey de PazSpanishService10:30 MS YouthGroup10:45 am- Contem-porary w/ Nursery & Children12:15 pm Youth Lunch

2

OFFICES CLOSED

3

11:00- Prayer & Fasting12- Invisible Church 12- Al Anon6:00- Praise Band

4

1:30- GriefShare6:30- Youth Group

512-Praise band12- Bill’s Bible Study

6:00 YOUNGISH ADULTS7-Choir Practice

69:00 Border Fellows

7

5:00- Worship Service


9ESC

11:30 Missionary Luncheon Meeting

109:00-Staff Meeting11:00- Prayer & Fasting12- Al Anon5:30 Vestry Prayer 6:00- Praise Band Stephen Ministry

11ESC9:00 Women Bible Study- Entrusted1:30- GriefShare6:30- Youth Group

12ESC

12-Praise Band

6:00 YOUNGISH ADULTS

13

Youngish Adults Winter Retreat

149 Daughters of the Holy Cross

12 pm Newcomer’s Luncheon5:00- Worship Service in Pictures for Photo DIrectory

158:30 am- TraditionalPictures for Photo DIrectory10:45-Rey de PazSpanishService10:30 MS YouthGroup10:45 am- Contem-porary w/ Nursery & Children12:15 pm Youth Lunc

1610:30 Clems and Clementines

5:30 Ladie’s Bible Study

ANCHOR DEADLINE

179:00-Staff Meeting11:00- Prayer & Fasting12- Al Anon12- Finance Com-mittee Meeting6:00- Praise Band

189:00 Women Bible Study 1:30- GriefShare6:30- Youth Group

197:30-Choir

12- Bill’s Bible Study

6:00 YOUNGISH ADULTS

20 21

5:00- Worship Service


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Mission Board Meeting


249:00-Staff Meeting11:00- Prayer & Fasting12- Al Anon5:30- Vestry Busi-ness Meeting6:00- Praise Band

259:00 Women Bible Study1:30- GriefShare6:30- Youth Group

26 27 28


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319:00-Staff Meeting11:00- Prayer & Fasting12- Al Anon12- Finance Com-mittee Meeting6:00- Praise Band

PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAIDEL PASO, TEXAS

Mission Statement: The community of Saint Clement honors God by communion with Christ through inspired worship, transforming relationships, gift-based ministries, the generous use of resources and missionary outreach.

If you have a change of address or no longer want to receive The Anchor, please let us know.

810 N. CampbellEl Paso, Texas 79902-5203P:915-533-4915 -F:915-533-1958Website: www.stclements.comEmail: [email protected]

The Anchor of St. Clement (USPS 0116-610) is published monthly by The Church of St. Clement, 810 N. Campbell, El Paso, Texas 79902-5203. Periodicals Postage is paid in

El Paso, Texas. Postmaster: Send address change to: Church of St.Clement, 810 N. Campbell, El Paso, Texas 79902-5203

CHURCH STAFFThe Rev’d. William C. Cobb, D. Min., RectorThe Rev. Rick Milliorn, Associate & Contemporary Music DirectorThe Rev. Travis W. King, AssociateThe Rev.Ken Hanna, Rey de Paz, Spanish Congregation LeaderRick Garven, Organist and Adult Choir DirectorRachel Degenhart, Children’s Ministry DirectorRebecca Guerin, Children’s Ministry AssistantEddie Endlich, English Speaking Center Director and Parish AdministratorLupe Mendoza, Director of Preschool/DaycareKaren Miller, Financial SecretaryMarilyn Jay, BookkeeperAnne Walker, LibrarianEricka Garcia, ReceptionistIrene Taylor, Assistant to the RectorBrenda Luna Bravo, CommunicationsJesus Ortiz Torres, Maintenance Supervisor

VESTRYGeorge Wayne, Sr. Warden - Rob Hoover , Jr. Warden - Courtney Brown -Greg Carameros - Leslie Jones David Kaufmann - Lyn McKinley - Anthony Safi John Skidmore - Stuart Sliva - Ken Morrow - Riley Stephen - Lin Banks, Treasurer - [email protected] A. Endlich, Clerk –[email protected]

ASSOCIATED CLERGYThe Rev. Ron Thomson, Rector Emeritus The Rev. Don Morrill, Deacon The Rev. Steven Tighe, La Frontera The Rev. John H. Dixon Jr.

anchor january · dixon, lyn mckinley, barbara clawson, martha salcido, david garcia, gloria ambler...

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