lifeline volume 9 issue 07 august 2016 the church of the ...€¦ · mayonnaise jar and proceeded...
TRANSCRIPT
A Message f rom Our Rector , Fr . Kevin M. Cross
The Church of the Holy Trini ty An Episcopal Church
Augus t 2016
VOLUME 9 ISSUE 07
LONG DAYS OF SUMMER
I recently came across the following true story that I want
to share with you. It is called THE MAYONNAISE JAR...AND
COFFEE By Laura Bankston
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the
mayonnaise jar...and the coffee...
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had
some items in front of him. When the class began,
wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty
mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He
then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed
that it was.
So the professor then picked
up a box of pebbles and
poured them into the jar. He
shook the jar lightly. The
pebbles rolled into the open
areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students
again if the jar was full. They
agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a
box of sand and poured it into
the jar. Of course, the sand
filled up everything else. He
asked once more if the jar was full. The students
responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from
under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar,
effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The
students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I
want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The
golf balls are the important things — your God, your family,
your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite
passions — things that if everything else was lost and only
they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are
the other things that matter like your job, your house, and
your car. The sand is everything else — the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there
is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes
for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small
stuff, you will never have room for the things that are
important to you. Pay attention to the things that are
critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take
time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to
dinner. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to
clean the house and fix the disposal." Take care of the golf
balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand
and inquired what the coffee
represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you
asked. It just goes to show you that no
matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups
of coffee with a friend."
Copyright 2004, Abundant Learning
Publications. All rights reserved.
During these long days of summer let us
remember that even our Savior Jesus
created the time to enjoy life with his friends. He took
Sabbath time to rest, pray, and refresh himself. Many of
Jesus’ teachings about what is important in life occurred
around the dinner table. Let us all take time this summer
to enjoy life, count our blessings and share friendship and
love with family, friends and those who are the friends we
have not yet met. God’s desire is that all of his children find
love and enjoy life.
- Father Kevin
Lifeline
Page 2 LIFELINE
CHEERS
and
APPRECIATION
The Talbot County Garden Club
for their generous grant to rebuild our bell tower and
for their dedication to caring for God’s good earth.
To Mike and Barbara Sheridan for their gift to fund
the restoration of the Parish Hall door windows. Not
only has their generosity greatly improved the
appearance of the hall entryway but this restoration
also will improve our energy efficiency.
To the Altar Guild for their dedication to caring for
our sanctuary and support of our special services.
Cora Bruner for putting together a marvelous concert
with Thomas Beard and Friends and for enhancing
our summer worship services with inspirational
music.
Rich Wagner, Bob Kelly and Simon Arnstein for
shepherding along the installation of our new A/V
system. This new capability will not only enhance
our educational capabilities but also expands our
pastoral reach.
Rich Wagner for overseeing the painting of the parish
hall and church door and the caulking and painting
of the parish hall windows. You have us looking
good!
The Daughters of the King for offering healing prayer
at our monthly healing services.
Joe Fischer, Ray Munsch & David Urbani for their
time and diligent efforts conducting our 2016 Audit.
With gratitude and appreciation ----
- Fr. Kevin
SENIOR WARDEN’S LETTER
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. It’s hot,
humid and hazy; it must be Oxford. We love it: TAYC’s
sailing camp dinghies flitting around on the River; kids
splashing in pools everywhere; Jenny’s Kamp Kids biking,
boarding, strolling and chatting every place you look. It’s
a great time to live in our village.
And a great time to be part of the Holy Trinity community.
Many thanks to Kevin and Barbara, the Vestry and all the
committee members and volunteers, who make this
place and our church so very special.
Despite the lazy, hazy, crazy days, the life and activities at
Holy Trinity continue uninterrupted. Unlike other
communities that slow down in the summer, many of our
Parishioners arrive in the spring and depart in the fall.
So, while the year-round Parishioners may take a break,
the “snow birds” keep our faith community vibrant. Stay
faithful; stay involved.
Recently, our Vestry recognized that the three-year term
limits result in turnover of one-third of our Vestry every
year. In the process, “institutional memory” occasionally
is lost. Consequently, the Vestry has proposed an
amendment to the Bylaws, to be decided at the next
Annual Meeting, to create the non-voting position of
“Vestry emeritus,” which will allow for a former Vestry
member to serve annually to provide that “institutional
memory.”
And who better to choose at this time than “Big Al”
Smith? We are eternally grateful to Al for all he has done
for Holy Trinity in the past and now his willingness to
attend Vestry meetings and provide us with the benefit of
his historical perspective. Please thank Al for his
continued support and service to our Parish.
So…enjoy these lazy, hazy, crazy days, but continue your
attendance at services and remain involved in mission
and support of our community, without interruption. All
the best for summer 2016.
- Gordon Fronk
STEWARDSHIP QUOTE
The parable of the rich fool is clear: life's abundance does not consist in possessions. Those who "store up
treasures for themselves" (v. 21) become victims of anxiety, always wondering if they have enough.
Real security is found — and the true richness of life experienced — not in guarding what we have but in giving what
we can.
"Abundance" is not a private possession but a shared experience.
Page 3 LIFELINE
Mission & Outreach
IT’S TIME TO LISTEN
The last time Holy Trinity held Appreciative Listening
sessions was in 2012 and Father Kevin and the Vestry
have decided it’s time to do it again.
Our question this time around is “what are your three
wishes for this parish?”.
To participate, please sign up on the sheet in the parish
house and Brooke Myers will get in touch to schedule a
session at a mutually convenient time. Carole Abruzzese
will also be conducting sessions.
We’re eager to hear from you and hope for broad
participation from the parish so please sign up! Thanks.
- Brooke Myers & Carole Abruzzese
TREASURER’S REPORT
Below is a summary of the financial results for the first
six months of 2016. Operating Income exceeded budg-
eted income by $795--a favorable variance. Operating
Expense was under budget by $8,383-a favorable vari-
ance. About half of this variance was due to savings in
fuel costs. The remainder is due to the timing of ex-
penses and may be reversed in future months. The Op-
erating Surplus showed a favorable variance of $9,147.
We have not yet had any expenses for capital projects;
these will be occurring in the next several months. I
expect that the net surplus, after subtracting capital
projects not funded by other gifts, will result in a nega-
tive net surplus for the year.
- Marshall Blume
Operating Account Actual Budget Variance
YTD Financial
Summary
June 2016
Income 158,820 158,025 795 Favorable
Expense 139,012 147,394 -8,333 Unfavorable
Operating Surplus 19,808 10,631 9,178 Favorable
Unfunded Capital Projects 0
Net Surplus 19,808
NEW MEMBER RECEPTION
We are joyful for all the new parishioners who are
attending Holy Trinity. You may ask “What does it take
to become a member?” The answer is simple: “a desire
to join our community, attend
worship services and/or our
many service and educational
activities.” If you are amongst
this group, and have not filled
out a yellow member card,
please do so. These cards help
us identify your communication
interests and preference and
can be found at the back of the
church and also on the reception
desk in the parish hall. Or, you
may call the parish office at 410-
226-5134.
On September 18th at 3 pm we
will host a new member reception and want to be sure
we don’t miss inviting anyone. Even if you attended Holy
Trinity long ago and recently rejoined us, we would love
to have you attend our reception so we can properly
welcome you back.
BUDGET PLANNING
& STEWARDSHIP
Your Finance committee will prepare a preliminary 2017
budget in August. If your committee has any budget re-
quests, please submit that information to Marshall
Blume or Fr. Kevin by Friday, August 12. Our Steward-
ship campaign will begin shortly after the preliminary
budget is determined. It is our desire that you have the
budget projection information in hand to assist with
making your 2017 pledge decisions. With a grateful
heart we thank you for your commitment and generosity.
LIFELINE Page 4
THE LORDS’ PRAYER from the
NEW ZEALAND
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
In my recent sermon on the Lord’s Prayer from the Gospel
of Luke, I mentioned the inspiring alternate version of it
printed in the Anglican Church of New Zealand Book of
Common Prayer. The translator(s) of this version
attempted to capture the tradition and spirit of the native
peoples of that part of the world in these words. I have
found this prayer to help me hear our version of the
Lord’s Prayer with new ears. I hope you find that so as
well. It is a beautiful prayer.
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God,
in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name
echoes through the universe!
The way of your justice
be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will
be done by created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today,
feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another,
us.
In times of temptation and test,
strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure,
spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil,
free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now for ever. Amen ,
MUSIC IN AUGUST
August 7—9:30 am Service
Chamber Music with Lisa Fatica & Carey Miller
Holy Trinity Choir
August 14—8:00 am & 10:30 am
David Hasek, Guest Organist
August 21—8:00 am Service
Holy Trinity Choir
10:30 am Service
Melissa Slacum, Soprano
August 28—8:00 am & 10:30 am
David Hasek, Guest Organist
You are Invited!
To sing with the Holy Trinity Choir
Sunday, September 4th
8:45 am Rehearsal
9:30 am Service
Easy music!
Come as you are!! NO Robes!
FELLOWSHIP
The Fellowship Committee would like to thank Sally Fronk,
Martha Britt, Gary Marquardt, Sara Wangsness, Brooke
Myers, and Deirdre Lang for hosting coffee hours in
June. We are in need of hosts for August so please
consider hosting. The sign up sheet is in the Parish Hall.
Please contact Kathy Becker (410-476-3502) for
information about how you can help.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Women’s Bible Study will resume on Monday, September
19 at 9:30 am in the Parish House. We will resume our
study of “Evangelism” with Lesson 5 of the 12-part series.
If you would like to join the group, please contact Mary
Ann Hensinger, 410-463-0405 by August 20 so that a
study guide can be ordered for you.
Page 5 LIFELINE
SPIRITUAL GROWTH & FELLOWSHIP
HOLY TRINITY MILESTONES
Marriages
Katherine JoAnn Begor and Jonathan Philip Williams
Passed On
Elaine Mulholland
Maria Margaret Gannon Nimmo
Francesca Stencil
Cyrus Porter Smith
THE ONES
The Episcopal
Churches in
Talbot County
have begun to
work together
to share
resources and
events. A new social group has formed for single,
divorced, widowed or married Talbot Cluster parishioners
and their friends, who find themselves on their own for
social engagements. "TheOnes", meet the last
Wednesday of the month, for varied two-hour social
activities in Talbot County.
You may view photos of all ONES events, located on their
Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/
TheOnesTalbotCounty/. For more information,
transportation requests, or to be placed on TheOnes
email list, contact Lori Ramsey at Christ Church St.
Michaels via email at [email protected] or call 410-
745-9076.
HELP WANTED: ECW is looking for someone to be Publicity Chair for the Christmas Bazaar. This is
an opportunity to help from home with a phone or computer. Please consider helping to make our
Christmas Bazaar successful again this year. If interested contact Sara Wangsness 410-226-5017
or [email protected] or Sally Fronk 410-226-1044 or [email protected].
THOMAS BEARD & FRIENDS
Holy Trinity hosted a marvelous concert on July 23.
Music Director Cora Bruner put together an engaging and
fun program of classical, traditional spiritual, and show
tunes. We welcomed back our good friend, opera singer
Thomas Beard and added in the talents of pianist,
Martha Britt, clarinetist Lisa Fatica, powerhouse soprano
Gail Aveson and the wonderful keyboard talents of Cora.
A packed house delighted in the diverse musical
selections and absolutely top flight talent.
Our next schedule concert will be held at 7 pm on
October 28 with the talented organist, Tedde Gibson.
Tedde is one of today’s most innovative, improvisational
organists and recording artists. He will present an
eclectic concert of jazz, gospel, silent movie and
traditional Church music on our fantastic Visser Roland
tracker pipe organ. Put this one in your calendar now!
LIFELINE Page 6
Mission & Fellowship
HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR AIDS
CHURCH RENOVATION
The Talbot County Garden Club held another successful
House and Garden Tour on May 14th 2016. The spring
rains parted until the end of the day making it a beautiful
day to stroll through the gardens; so this year’s event
broke all records for attendance, with the highest count at
a single home of 1,300 visitors. The Maryland House and
Garden Pilgrimage, sponsored in Talbot County by the
Talbot County Garden Club, has the mission to support
historic preservation in the area. Proceeds from this
year’s event were distributed in support of the renovation
of the
Church
of the
Holy
Trinity
bell
tower in
Oxford
MD. On
June 28,
2016,
the club was pleased to present a check for $12,000 to
Rev. Kevin M. Cross, the Rector of Holy Trinity for that
renovation. It was a proud day for all involved in the tour!
About the Talbot County Garden Club
The Talbot County Garden Club was established in 1917 to
enrich the natural beauty of the environment by sharing
knowledge of gardening, fostering the art of flower
arranging, maintaining civic projects, supporting projects
that benefit Talbot County and encouraging the
conservation of natural resources. Noteworthy projects
include maintaining the grounds of the Talbot Historical
Society, Talbot Courthouse, Talbot Library, the fountain
and childrens’ gardens at Idlewild Park and numerous
other gardens and activities. There are currently a total of
101 active, associate and honorary members. The Talbot Spy,
Photo: Rita Osgood (left) and Meg van den Berg (right),
Talbot County Garden Club Co-chairs of the 2016 House
and Garden Tour, along with Rev. Kevin Cross, Rector
Church of the Holy Trinity Oxford MD – Presenting the
proceeds from the tour. (photo by Marsie Hawkinson)
OCTOBER CONCERT
TEDDE GIBSON October 28, 2016
7:00 pm
This concert is a unique opportunity to see one of the
most innovative, improvisational organists and
recording artists, Tedde Gibson playing an eclectic
concert of jazz, gospel , silent movie and traditional
Church music on our fantastic Vissler Roland Tracker
pipe organ.
This is a free concert, however, a collection will be taken
for local charities of The Church of the Holy Trinity, plus
a prize for most promising musician 2016 at Easton
High School. Seating is limited so be there early!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Resumes this fall
Details coming soon.
If you have any questions, please call
Barbara Cross.
LIFELINE Page 7
PO Box 387 Oxford, MD 21654-0387 410.226.5134
MISSION
The Church of The Holy Trinity, an Episcopal Parish in Oxford, Maryland: a caring Christian community dedicated to growing in God’s love through worship, study, service and fellowship.
Who We Are
We are a small parish with a big heart comprised of committed people willingly sharing their talents to help those in need. We are all seekers on a spiritual journey; encouraging of others also on the journey, and non-judgmental of where one might be on that journey.
The Church of the Holy Trinity Lifeline
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