Easter at Hoco 2018(see pages 10 & 11)

• Get on the party bus for Grant and Anna

• Parishioner Mike Vaughan has died

• A Message from Hilary+

• Springtime: A Night Celebrating LGBTQ+ Youth

• Regions in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

• A Word from Haiti

• Recycling electronics, etc, May 5

• When the day of Pentecost had come...

• Shrine Mont Parish Retreat date set

• James River Singers Spring Concert at HoCo

• May Men at the Movies – Caddyshack

• What can we call you?

• Book Club off for the summer

• Easter Collage

• The Back Page

News of The Church of the Holy Comforterin the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

Richmond, May 2018

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Get on the party bus for Grant and AnnaBy Bruce MacAlister

We followed Grant Mansfield for over a year as he served as an intern at HoCo and discerned his calling from God. He saw it as a call to priesthood and for the last three years he has been studying at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Arlington, VA. We knew Anna Broadbent for less time. She too served as an intern one summer between her second and third year at the seminary.

Now it’s party time. Both have completed their

studies, will be granted Master of Divinity (MDiv) degrees, and be ordained at transitional Deacons on June 9. Sign up for the HoCo party bus to VTS to celebrate this milestones.

On Sundays the sign-up sheet is in the narthex (back of the church). At other times it’s in the hall of the parish house.

Parishioner Mike Vaughan has died

By Bruce MacAlister

Michael (Mike) Kent Vaughan, Sr., 75, an active Holy Comforter parishioner, died on April 20th. In addition to his regular Sunday attendance, Mike was a part of the volunteer team that did the veterans’ shelter dinner every month. When his job, and later his health, permitted, he was there to prepare the dinner and go to the shelter to serve. He was an Army veteran having served in Korea in signals intelligence. He listened for and copied Morse code sent by North Korean and “Red Chinese” radiomen passing what he copied on to the cryptological soldiers to decode and translate. He had many an interesting story about the risks in some of that work. He noted that you could recognize the “fist” or sending technique of specific radiomen and eventually figure out what units each was attached to.

Mike is survived by his son, Kent, and

grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family asks

that contributions be given for the Richmond

Veterans’ Shelter via Holy Comforter. The church

will send the collected gifts in Mike’s name to

Liberation Family Services, the organization that

runs the vet shelter on Hull Street. A celebration

of Mike’s life was held on April 28th at the

church with internment with military honors at

Greenwood Memorial Gardens.

Anna Lynn Broadbent Charles Robison Cowherd

Gail Austin GoldsmithMarlene Eudora Forrest

Emily Judin KrudysJoseph Earl Lenow

Robert Grant MansfieldDarren Franklin SteadmanJeffrey Neal StevensonSeldon Matthew WalkerMatthew Adam WelschDina Elaine Widlake

THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF VIRGINIAGod willing

The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. JohnstonBishop of Virginia

will ordain

to the Sacred Order of DeaconsSaturday, June 9 at 10:30 a.m.

The Church of the Epiphany3301 Hidden Meadow Dr.

Herndon, Va. 20171The Bishop and the

Standing Committee request the honor of your presence.

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A Message from Hilary+

Dear Friends and Companions in Ministry,

We continue in the Easter Season through the Day of Pentecost, which is on May 20th this year. I hope your Eastertide has been filled with joy and moments of seeing resurrection. We see resurrection when we see new life, when we

see hope born in the midst of something difficult, when we see nature blossoming with brilliant colors, and in many other ways. Our acclamation that “Christ is Risen” can be what guides and determines our worldview. Such a worldview does not discount or minimize pain and suffering, but such a

view does provide hope in the power of God to make all things new. Often, we are part of God’s plan for bringing joy to the world through our words and deeds.

Plan now for Pentecost! We will have one service on May 20th so that we can all worship together (Story Time will return in June). Our service will be followed by an International Meal; we invite you to bring a dish from a nation or culture that is important to you. In Children’s Chapel on Sunday, May 13th, Ellen Hall will lead the children in a project that they will share with us on Pentecost, the next Sunday. Look for children in our entrance procession on Pentecost.

What do you think of when you think of Pentecost? Do you think of tongues of fire and people speaking in many languages? The Day of Pentecost was the birth of the Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and it started with so much energy. Our church is named for the Spirit, and our name can be a source of inspiration for prayer and action. How is God calling us to comfort those in need? How is God calling us to disturb the comfortable? How is the Spirit moving in our congregation? What might all this mean for us this year? May the energy of our Pentecost celebration on May 20th fill us with joy and peace and purpose, though the power of the Holy Spirit.

Wishing you Blessings of Joy and Peace and Purpose,

Hilary+

Springtime: A Night Celebrating LGBTQ+ Youth

Come celebrate your role in giving LGBTQ+ youth a place to flourish! On Saturday, May 19th 7pm in the Tuckahoe Woman’s Club, we’ll come together to applaud you and Side by Side’s amazing community of supporters.

Enjoy cocktails, light food, great music, and an extensive silent auction to benefit Side by Side. Also see our special presentation of the 2018 Catalyst Awards, given to people and organizations who elevated the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.

Go to www.sidebysideva.org/springtime for tickets at $150 each.

Source: www.sidebysideva.org

Regions in the Episcopal Diocese of VirginiaFrom the website of the diocese, regions.thediocese.net/About-Regions/

Regional Mission Statement

A Region of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is a community of congregations formed to collaborate in shared ministry within a geographic area and to enhance communication between the Diocese and congregations.

Central Richmond RegionChrist Ascension church

Grace & Holy Trinity churchHoly Comforter church

St. Andrew’s churchSt. James’s church

St. John’s church

St. Mark’s churchSt. Paul’s churchSt. Peter’s churchSt. Philip’s churchSt. Thomas’ churchSt. Stephen’s church

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A Word from HaitiBy Dawn Colapietro, Missionary

Sr. Dianne and I are staying with the Daughters of Charity (cousins to the Sisters of Charity) for Easter. Yesterday, we left at 6:30 am and got back at 2:30 pm from the Stations of the Cross processional through Port au Prince. Tens of thousands of people gathered to pray, sing, chant, and weep. It was exhausting as well as exhilarating. As I try and regroup, I thought I would see if I could put out a catch-up email since it has been so long since I have been in touch with many of you.

As most of you know, I made an unexpected trip back to the US over Christmas in order to get therapy for my back and neck. The three herniated discs in my neck are still a daily reminder that chronic pain is a challenge to live with but I only hurt from the neck up. The rest of me is doing great!

After our second security threat, the Leadership at Sisters of Charity insisted we move to a safer area. We found a house about halfway between our home and the airport. Both Sr. Dianne and I like the neighborhood and house very much. Two

weeks ago last Monday, we told a Sister from the Sisters of St. Therese that we needed to move. That Wednesday, 3 members of her community including the Mother Superior, came unexpectedly to our gate to pick us up. They took us to their old convent that is across the street from their current location. The painters were already there and we were handed the keys. Thank goodness we liked the house! We didn’t find out till later that it also came with a back house for the grounds-keeper

(owner lives in US), his wife, 5 children, and 2 goats. Let me just say that the toilette in the front yard, which I thought was being thrown out and replaced in the house we are renting, is actively being used by the family in the back. Who would have known!!?!

You should check out our latest Blog on spiritalivehaiti.blog for our Easter reflection. We are also regularly posting pictures on the Sisters of Charity of St Elizabeth Facebook. We are also on Instagram. We still don’t have a great handle on all this social media stuff yet but we are working on it. Consistency has been hard since we have had to move Allexus (our young social media intern) between the east and west coast of Haiti and back and forth to the US because of security concerns during this past year. But, I think we are making good progress. Allexus is also coming back to Haiti after we move to the new house and we are so looking forward to her return.

Last week, a “veterinarian” came to the house and gave our 3 dogs and 3 puppies a shot of depo (birth control) . We are convinced he just gave them saline. Nevertheless, we gave the puppies away in good faith knowing that we did our best to control the animal population in Haiti.

Our trusty car broke down, again. We had to have it towed to a car mechanic that was both trained in the US and recommended to us by a friend of ours. In the meantime, we are are borrowing Brother (Missionary for the Deaf and Disabled) Venes’s car who lives next door.

Sr. Mary, Dominicans of Hope, was here for two weeks. She gave us a grant for our microloan program and new sewing school. She was very pleased to meet the women who have received small loans to start their own business and several of the 56 students in the sewing school. Our days were very busy visiting other religious communities and visiting the different areas where we have our programs. Then, following supper after a long day, Sr. Mary would trounce both Dianne and me in Rummikub.

Dr. Richard Gosser (ministry friend from PA) also paid us a visit recently. He has been coming to the island for almost 30 years. Once a year, he brings his class (Windows of the World) from St.

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Vincent’s College in Pittsburgh. On this trip, one of his students was an 18 year old Haitian woman. She grew up in the wealthy part of Haiti and left the island when she was very young. She said her life was changed forever by her experience this year with Dr. Gosser. For the first time, she saw his projects and some of our programs, located in the very poor rural villages where most Haitians live, that she never even knew existed. We will post my interview with her on one of our future Blogs.

I went to a business seminar here put on by a friend of mine. It was excellent. Almost 60 young people attended. We heard lots of good things from 3 panelists who spoke on how to start and manage a small business. Though I participated, I hope to play a much more active role in the future. Before we left, we pledged some start-up funds to the group that submits the best business plan for

opening their own business. These kinds of projects are where I see the greatest hope for Haiti.

Dianne is enjoying our new ministry partnership with a Sister from Croatia. Together, we trained another group of Water Women. We now have trained over 100 women on our filter system

who, collectively, are supplying hundreds of gallons of clean water to families every day.

Last Sunday we went to the deaf community where we have a microloan program. They are the best group and we are having great success with the women from that community. We just gave a loan to someone who wanted to open her own “cinema” (showing DVDs) which included selling snacks and beverages. We thought it a great idea since they have very little recreation. After we left, we just started to laugh when we realized that we gave money to a deaf community so they could go to the movies but we never thought of asking them any questions about how that works when you can’t hear the soundtrack!

Our agronomist finally started to put in the new irrigation system on our little farm. That only took 6 months! Things move very slowly in Haiti.

We recently visited our friends at Missionaries for the Poor who care for severely disabled children who are abandoned by their families. Dianne and I made a commitment to go there twice a month for a silent retreat day. I hope we stick to that.

We went to see our friend Patty who runs an orphanage nearby. She started with six children after the earthquake. She now has close to 200 (several with special needs) with the youngest being just a few weeks old. A Canadian benefactor donated around $50,000 to build a bakery on the premises that would supply “healthy” bread for the children and also be a source of revenue for the orphanage. Just a few problems: “healthy” ingredients have to be imported which Patty cannot afford and the type of bread it makes is not Haitian, in taste or shape, so people aren’t buying it. I see this happen far too often.

Rodson is one of the boys in the orphanage across the street from us. He goes to a school run by a friend of ours who told us that Rodson was the brightest student she has ever had. As a consequence, we recently had him screened by one of the best private schools in Haiti and he passed! He is now eligible to take the entrance exam in May. The school only selects 50 new students a year out of the 700 who apply. If he should be fortunate to get in, it will change his life

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and give him a future that most children in Haiti can only dream of.

We are still waiting for Food for the Poor to build us a new school which they approved last year. We are now hoping that it will be built and ready for next September.

The goat project is going well. We have a number of new baby goats which means that these families give their first offspring to another needy family. It is our concept of “paying it forward.”

Our “band” of homeless boys now have a new house, each got a goat, and we are putting them in charge of our garden. A year ago, they were running the streets and getting into trouble. Today they have shelter, food, are in school, and getting paid to work for us. I believe our total investment with these young men has been around $500. If they continue to do well, we will consider giving them a loan to start their own business.

Our medical program has probably suffered the most this past year because of our legal problems and security concerns. Our partners are very much wanting us to restart the program but it will have to wait till after we move and have had the chance to regroup.

My Haitian “nephew” Kevin is now 18, beating me regularly in chess, and entering his second dance contest. We are still trying to get Kevin, his mother, and brother to Brazil where his father has been waiting for over 2 years for them to join him. The bureaucracy, red tape, and government graft in Haiti is still mind-boggling. Though it will break my heart to see him go, his only chance of a good university education and future is outside of Haiti.

Last year, we put in 5 houses and a well in a village that was heavily damaged during Hurricane Matthew. I am so pleased that hundreds of people are getting good water every day from the well and the new houses we built not only stayed dry but provided shelter for multiple families during the recent round of hurricanes in the Caribbean.

All and all, Dianne and I are doing well. We are shaking the dust off our sandals and leaving the challenges and tribulations of last year behind us. We are looking forward to the future and all the new possibilities that go with it. We feel recommitted to the reason we both were brought to Haiti and believe we can still make a difference in the lives of people that God puts before us. We feel blessed to be here and ask for Grace to continue to serve with joy in the midst of many challenges and obstacles in this country. Please continue to pray for us and the resilient and courageous people of Haiti as we do you.

Recycling electronics, etc, May 5Henrico County Hosting Special Collection Event

May 5 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Save the Date! Henrico County Solid Waste

Division hosting a special electronics recycling event on

Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 10 am- 1 pm , 1400 Best Plaza Drive ( E. Parham Road- 1

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block east of I-95; old Best Products location). In addition, Henrico County Police, Crime Prevention Unit has joined with Henrico County Div. of Solid Waste to provide Free ID Identity Theft document shredding. Limit of 2 boxes (10”x13”x18”) or 3 paper grocery bags.

There is a fee for the disposal of CRT items (TVS and Monitors). CRTs require special handling due to the leaded glass and mercury they contain.

• $23 fee for CRT Items < 27” diagonal width• $30 fee for CRT Items 27” or larger > 27” diagonal width

See cvwma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Shred-E-cycle_May2018-Flyer.pdf for the details.

When the day of Pentecost had come...Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these

who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,and your young men shall see visions,and your old men shall dream dreams.Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

in those days I will pour out my Spirit;and they shall prophesy.And I will show portents in the heaven aboveand signs on the earth below,blood, and fire, and smoky mist.The sun shall be turned to darknessand the moon to blood,

before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”Source: www.lectionarypage.net

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Shrine Mont Parish Retreat date setBy Chris Hall

The 2018 Holy Comforter parish retreat will be held at Shrine Mont, from 3pm Friday, October 19th, through lunch on Sunday, October 21st. Please make a note of those dates, so you can join us! We have 40 slots available again this year, with a cost per person of $170. Children 12 and under attend free, thanks to our generous sponsors!

This year’s topic will be “Made in the Image of God,” and will be presented by rector Hilary Smith. Ellen Hall will be providing a program for the children.

If you’re unfamiliar with Shrine Mont (https://shrinemont.com/), have any questions, or would like to participate in planning the retreat (hint, hint), please contact me.

James River Singers Spring Concert at HoCoBy Ron Cox

The James River Singers will present their Spring Concert, “Colors of Love”, at Holy Comforter on Sunday, May 20th at 7:00pm. The music in this concert will explore the many aspects of Love: Love between Friends, Romantic Love, Love of Country, and Sacred Love. It will examine the joys, trials and grief that Love can bring to our lives. The concert will include works by Eric Whitacre, Eriks Esenvalds, Durable, Dvorak, and others, as well as a piece originally arranged for Voces8. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors and $5 for students.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 757-814-5446.

May Men at the Movies - CaddyshackBy Steve VanVoorhees

Men at the Movies in May will feature Caddyshack. We are showing this film, another comedy, in the merry month of May as an antidote to the grim or frightening or disheartening events going on in the world around us. Some wise person once said ”Laughter is the Best Medicine.” This movie is at the other end of the spectrum from a “chick flick.” The tears that

may come will be from laughing too hard. The film has one very important connection to the classic Casablanca we watched this past winter. Both pictures were the product of several writers, and both were reworked after the rough cut was done and editing begun. At that point with this story, it became one about the country club and

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all of its denizens----the members and staff, and particularly, a gopher and a groundskeeper. We will leave it to you to decide whether you agree with the author of “Caddyshack, The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story,” Chris Nashawaty, who said, “God loves a foursome.” The foursome, in this case being, Chevy Chase,

Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Bill Murray. Caddyshack is a so-called “cult movie” with more quotes and memorable scenes than most, as well as being one that falls in the same general category as Animal House, which was made two years earlier. Time flies, but memory remains, doesn’t it?

So mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 22nd. We will gather at 6:00pm for fellowship; movie viewing and discussion begin at 6:30pm. Bring a friend, bring your dinner. Popcorn will be provided.

What can we call you?By the Very Rev. Dr. Hilary Smith, Rector

I have been asked for my entire 18 years of ordained ministry, “What do you want to be called?” In the tradition of the progressive non-hierarchical leaning segment of the Church, I always say, “Please call me ‘Hilary’.” In my church in Winchester, parents had children call me “Dr. Hilary.” A form of address is different than a title. But that is a difficult sell to some who want to call me “Rev. Hilary.” My title is the Very Rev. Dr., but the correct form of address would be “Dr. Smith,” if you want to be formal.

This is really supposed to be an article about clergy titles but I had to start with the difference between the form of address and title. Clergy titles tell us about ordination and, in some cases, the job one has. The Very in my title appeared recently with I was appoint dean of the Central Richmond Region by Bishop Shannon. Deans of regions, cathedrals, and seminaries are the Very Rev, if they are ordained. Dean Markham was dean of Virginia seminary for a time before he was ordained, and his title was Dr. Markham. When he was ordained he got both Rev. and Very all at once. I got the Rev. when I was ordained a deacon, and that did not change when I was ordained a priest. Bishop Shannon and all bishops are the Right Reverend or Rt. Rev. We wouldn’t call him Rt. Rev. Johnston as a form of address; he is Bishop Johnston or Bishop Shannon. Our presiding bishop, Michael Curry, is the Most Rev. Michael Curry, and we call him Bishop Curry. He became the Most when he was made our Presiding Bishop.

Book Club off for the summerBy Stephanie Roberts-Turner

Taking a Break: Our Book Club is beginning its summer hiatus a bit early this year. With travel and other commitments, our attendance has been reduced recently. The next few months will give everyone a chance to reflect and decide if we want to resume in the fall. Your feedback is important to us, so please let us know how you feel about continuing and if you want to remain on our mailing list. Please send your replies to me. Thank you and enjoy your summer reading!

Page 1

Title Written Salutation SpokenPresiding Bishop The Most Rev. Dear Bishop BishopBishop The Rt. Rev. Dear Bishop BishopDean The Very Rev. Dear Dean DeanArchdeacon The Venerable Dear Archdeacon ArchdeaconCanon Canon Dear Canon Canon

Priest The Rev. Dear Mr./Ms.Dear Father/Mother

Mr./Ms.Father/Mother

Deacon The Rev. Dear Mr./Ms.Dear Deacon

Mr./Ms.Deacon

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Easter Pictures by Tyler Nichols, Bruce MacAlister, and Hilary Smith

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Church of the Holy Comforter, Richmonda parish in the Diocese of Virginia under the Episcopal Church in the USA

which is part of the worldwide Anglican CommunionMonument Avenue at Staples Mill Road

web - www.hoco.org; e-mail - office@hoco.org; phone 804-355-3251; fax 804-355-0049

• Sundays, 8:45am, Adult Formation, Hayward Parlor • Sundays, 10am, Choral Eucharist• Sundays, about 10:15am, Children’s Chapel, starts in the Church, moves to Parish House Children’s Chapel• Third Sundays, 4:30pm, Story Time

Food Pantry Hours:• First and third Saturdays, 11:00am to noon • First and third Tuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30pm

Side By Side & Vet Shelter Meal Preparation• Fourth Thursdays, 4pm Side by Side, 5pm Vet Shelter

Editing of the Messenger is done by Bruce MacAlister, the layout by George Collier.The June Messenger will be available Sunday, June 3rd, 2018. The deadline for that edition is Friday,

May 25th, 2018 (but earlier submission is encouraged).

Please send your submissions to editor@hoco.orgA full color (and much more attractive) version of the Messenger is available on our web site -

www.hoco.org

Coming Events at the Church of the Holy ComforterSee the Hoco web site calendar page for detailed calendar and rota

Hoco Birthdays for the month of May:William Stewart, 3rd; Douglas Thorpe, 3rd; Nathalie Bowles, 6th;

Christopher Richardson, 8th; Barbara Davis, 10th; Rebekah Forman, 11th; Virginia Davidson, 13th; Patricia Galdun, 13th; Maria Scott, 17th;

Byron Hensley, 20th; Beverly Evans, 22nd; Alden Geipel, 23rd; Martha Kelly, 23rd; Christopher Hall, 26th; Keyan Herron, 26th