Volume X, Issue 11 December 2018

...a community of disciples passing on God’s love to all.

Christmas Info Christmas Pageant Rehearsals

Guest Musicians on Christmas Eve Holiday Service Times

Advent 2018 Devo materials

Outreach & Volunteer

Opportunities

Outreach Wrapping Party

Hanging of the Greens & Decorating the Chrismon Tree

Renovation News Confirmation Pics

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The Gospel of Luke tells us that the shepherds who were ‘keeping watch o’er their flocks by night’ were visited by an angel of the Lord who told them that they would see a baby wrapped in bands of cloth, lying in a manger. The angel said that this baby would be a ‘sign’. As amazing as babies are, the shepherds must have wondered what exactly the sign meant. Today we know that the sign they beheld was a message of God’s amazing love for the world.

Advent is a season of longing and of looking for signs of God’s continuing love for and ongoing presence in the world. It is also a time of listening for the voice of God’s messengers who still bring “good news of great joy” to a world in need. May you have eyes to see and ears to hear. A blessed Advent and Christmas to you. BAH+

This will be

a Sign

for you

~Luke 2:12

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Advent Devotional Materials Devotional Materials will be available in late November (Advent begins on December 2). Here are some of the available materials:

Circle of Light (Children's Booklet) Learn the bright and joyous message of the Advent wreath this season with a Stick-With-Me sticker book all about shining and sharing the Light of Christ. As colorful stickers are added to each page, we learn how the wreath helps to tell the story of Jesus, whose birth is at the center of all our Advent expectation. Christmas Promises (Families) Gather the family to celebrate the many promises of Jesus with this collection of devotions and activities for the days of Advent. Thoughtful and beautiful, these devotions speak of the promise of Jesus’ birth, his promises to continually bless, and his promised return once again. Each daily message includes a simple craft or activity that families can enjoy together.

I Witness Living Inside the Stories of Advent & Christmas (Adult)

Many of us have heard the story of Jesus' birth, but have we lived inside it? Episcopal priest Kate Moorehead invites us to enter the story of salvation with our hearts and minds wide open, ex-periencing the miracle of Jesus through the eyes of witnesses: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and others. Also available on the Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and at the iTunes store. The Stillness We Seek Daily Meditations for Advent (Adult)

Cathy H. George invites us to come in from all that goes on outside this Advent, to simply be in the present time--keenly aware of ourselves as we wait with God. Guided by the Psalms, she travels back to her past, reflecting on the moments and memories that have shaped her faith and offering spiritual support for all who seek stillness. Also available on Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and iTunes.

Forward Day by Day (Adults) This classic daily guide has been a staple of devotional practice for decades. Each day includes a focus scripture, reflection, and prayer suggestions. Look for edition in Narthex that covers October, November, and December.

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Outreach Wrapping Party Save the Date Mark your calendars and plan to join us in the Narthex at 5 pm on Wednesday, December 12 when we wrap the gifts. You may want to bring your scissors to cut the wrapping paper. We’ll be serving pizza and cook-ies and holiday cheer so come join the fun and get into the holiday spirit.

Questions? More Info? Contact Amy Myers at 302-547-5573 or amymyers@hotmail.com

Christmas Flower Donations/Dedications Monetary donations for Christmas flowers and greens may be placed in the envelopes found in the hallways and dropped in the offering plate. Personal dedications may be made in thanksgiving for loved ones still with us or in memory of those who have crossed over to that brighter shore.

The deadline for these donations and dedications is Sunday, December 16th. Envelopes must be received that morning for dedications to be printed in the bulletin.

Christmas Cheer Between Christmas Eve Services! Following the 5 pm Christmas Eve Service, Saint David’s hosts a reception… a chance to spend some time with our church community and share holiday joy. Many thanks to Andrea Kane who spearheads what has become an an-nual event. If you would like to bring a savory or a sweet treat to share, just sign-up on Sign-Up Genius. The link is active and ready for your ’click.’ You don’t want someone else to sign-up to bring your famous Double Chocolate Frankincense Bars! If you have questions, please email Andrea at 3kane3@comcast.net. You may also sign-up by calling the Parish Office.

Hanging of the Greens and Decorating the Chrismon Tree The Hanging of the Greens will be Sunday, December 23rd (otherwise known as the 4th Sunday of Advent) immediately following the 10:15 service.

All are invited to help. Many hands make light work. Thank you. Come spread holiday cheer and make our halls merry for the many guests who will join us for Christmas Eve!

Opportunities for Outreach and Action Here are a few opportunities in December to add to the joy of community. We worship together, we work together/ loads are lightened and joys multiplied. Find your place.

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us. Angels, shepherds and their sheep, wise men and their gifts all come to visit the ba-by. We sing songs of praise as we watch this story unfold as told by our children.

Now, don’t you want to be a part of that? All of St. David’s children and youth are invited to be a part. Any adults who would like to provide support; whether it be costumes, crowd control, prayer, coaching sheep how to be sheep—whatever! We would love your help. (You do not have to be a parent—the best Christmas pageants are intergenerational!)

So now that you are onboard, here are the nitty-gritty details: We are going to do a very simple narrative of the Christmas story as Luke tells it. There are no speaking parts except for narrators. We will be creating a tableau, or a picture of what is happening in the story.

Christmas Pageant Rehearsals: Sunday, December 2 11:30 Story and Sign up Sunday, December 9 11:30 Music Rehearsal [and blocking???] Sunday, December 16 11:30 Run through without costumes (children will be assigned costumes after rehearsal) Sunday, December 23 at 10 am (as needed) Monday, December 24 3 pm Pizza, Full Dress Rehearsal

There is a chill in the air, and your radio and local shopping centers have been taken over by Santa and his persistent elves. We feel the pressure of the holidays approaching and look for relief from the commercialism that drives our culture. It is sometimes difficult to find heartfelt meaning in the world of superficial complexity. Don’t worry, we have the answer. We tell the story every year...the story of God come down to us. It is the story of God’s love for us. Yes, it is the Christmas pageant. And the time is has come!

We love to watch our children reenact this story on Christmas Eve because it reminds us how much we are loved. Excitement fills the air because we are about to relive a pivotal moment in our faith history. That moment when God became human in order to show us just how much God loves

Christmas Pageant Planning

Participants in the pageant should make every effort to be at all rehearsals. On Monday, December 24th, pageant participants should plan to arrive at church by 3 pm for pizza, costume check and quick run-through.

If you have questions or want to help, please contact Kathy Hanna at khanna@saintannesschool.org or 302-287-0268.

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Saving Seats For Christmas Eve

D ear Friends in Christ, the build-up to and the excitement surrounding Christmas Eve can be palpable. It is natural for every family member to want a “good seat” to SEE

their child in the Christmas Pageant. In order to give all families a more equitable chance to save choice seats, we ask that no one ‘reserve’ or ‘save’ seats in the worship space until you arrive for rehearsal at 3 pm on December 24th itself. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness in this matter.

Keep in mind that there will be an opportunity after the pageant for photo-taking of the entire group. It would also be okay to take candid, non-posed photos during the rehearsals, but no photos during the pageant itself. Thank you!

Christmas Services at Saint David’s

Day School Chapels

Wednesday, December 19th

Thursday, December 20th 9 am

Christmas Eve

Family Candlelight Service with Holy Eucharist

5 pm

Festival Candlelight Service with Holy Eucharist

Pre-service Music at 10 pm Service at 10:30 pm

Christmas Day

No Services on this day.

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Quarter Auction Save the Date In the Great Hall Saturday, February 2 Doors open at 1 pm The Auction commences at 2 pm

Blood Drive Save the Date Saturday, February 9th in the Great Hall Look for times and appointments in the near future.

Visiting Musicians for Christmas Eve Services Steve Zimmerman, woodwinds; and Linda Heckert, french horn, will join us for both Christmas Eve services this year. Special music was chosen to incorporate these instrumentalist along with the skills of the choir. These instrumentalists will enhance and augment our energetic worship at the 5:00 pm Family Service.

Later, at 10:00 pm, the Choir and Instrumentalists will present Christmas music prior to the beginning of the 10:30 pm service. As in past years, we invite members of the congregation to gather at 10:00 pm for quiet meditation while listening to the music. We hope this is a blessing to all who come to celebrate the Birth of the King of Kings.

Bags for Homeless Veterans Thank You Thank you for your generous contributions and your help assembling the bags for homeless veterans. Fifty veterans were pleased to receive the bags each filled with a hat, gloves, toiletries, snacks and other goodies. Several people have inquired about why we are no longer doing Ditty Boxes for the Seaman's Center of Wilming-ton. After many discussions, the Outreach Committee felt that the homeless veterans are in greater need of these supplies. Many thanks for all your support.

A Personal Thank You I would like to thank Everyone for all of the cards, prayers, and well wishes when I needed them most! God is Good All the Time! Thank You,

-Betty DiPirro

Valentine’s Concert for Romantics Save the Date Friday, February 15th in the Great Hall Chocolate, Roses, a little Bubbly, and the vocal stylings of Leslie Shapiro, accompanied by Steven Weatherman.

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“Women’s Spirits” Under the leadership of Carol Van Zoeren, several women

have stepped up to lead discussions on thoughtful topics for the next several months. Here is the list of topics for the next few months:

December 8 – “5 Channels of Morality” - Carol Van Zoeren

January 12 – “Spirituality and Mental Illness” – Amy Harra

February 9 - ”Holy Communion” – Carol Van Zoeren

All are invited and encouraged to join our Women’s Spirits conversation, 2nd Saturday of the month in the Memorial Room at 10 am.

Wisdom Seekers: New Book in the New Year The Wisdom Seekers will continue their journey on Tuesday, January 15, 2019. We will be reading Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Small Town Church by Winn Collier. This is a fictional book of letters. The Granby Presbyterian Church is seeking a new pastor. Pastor Jonas McAnn, seeking a congregation, connects with Granby through letters that resonate with the search committee and with the members. He continues his letters after he becomes their pastor. Spanning seven years of his ministry at Granby Presbyterian, Jonas' letters ruminate on everything from fly-fishing to the Nicene Creed. The book takes us on the journey of what it means for a pastor and a church to do the work of ministry in community—anchored by a common place and buoyed by a love of Jesus, love of neighbor, love of creation, love of

everything beautiful, good, and true in the world. Deva Scheel will be the discussion leader. The book can be purchased from Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

The Wisdom Seekers meet Tuesdays from 10:00-11:30 in the Memorial Room. All are welcomed to join the group at any time. Just purchase the book and show up!

If you’d like to order a book or join the Wisdom Seekers, an enlightening and fun group, contact Nancy Walsh (walshd6@comcast.net) or 610-361-2090.

*This group does not meet on snow days or if it is icy.

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Craft Fair Thank You THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! Dear St. David’s Family, Once again we saw this congregation come together and support our biggest fundraiser of the year! Did you help out before the big day with your donations of your time and/or treasures to the Bake Sale, Book Sale, Silent Auction or Attic Treasures? Or the night before, with the small-but-oh-so-mighty crew we had breaking down the classrooms? Or the folks chopping and prepping soup in the big kitchen? Or did you help on the big day – donating an hour or two of your time manning the many fundraising tables that we have to offer? Or, were you part of the hardworking crew that took over after the crafters vacated and put that building back together in record-setting time AGAIN this year of under two hours!! YOU ALL make a tremendous difference in how this event runs and I can’t thank you enough!

Would you like to know how much money you helped raise?? For the first time ever

we banked over $10,000 in sales on the day of the fair!! We added an additional $1k or so the following week and we still have about $2,300 in crafter registrations to add. Another very successful year that allows us to fund our many outreach efforts!

I’d also like to report that, at this year’s event, we had volunteers at two strategically placed spots near the entrances greeting folks from the community and providing each with a gift of a prayer square and information about our incredible church. I’m hopeful that perhaps this will generate a few new faces in our congrega-tion! We have so much of God’s love within us to share with our community! I often remind myself of our mission statement: “A Community of Disciples Pass-ing Along God’s Love to All”. I truly believe we were living up to that statement at our Craft Fair. With much love and appreciation, Jolene Baddick Your Craft Fair Chair

New Tabernacle Lamp Given The Britton and DeHaven families have graciously donated a new tabernacle lamp “to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Wray and Jane Britton.” This new lamp has an adjustable height to aid in lighting the candle — no more climbing on ladders every week! The lamp was dedicated on November 18th during the Bishop’s annual visitation.

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2019 Sunday Flower Dedications Sign-Up is Live People give flowers for many reasons: in honor of friends, children, and spouses, and in memory of a loved one who has passed away. The cost of giving flowers in 2018 is $50.00. Simply sign-up for any date listed on the Sign-Up Genius link found on the parish webpage, and leave your check in a timely manner in the parish office or designate it clearly on an envelope in the Offering.

When signing up, please, fill in all information. This insures the dedication will be correctly printed in the bulletin.

Signing-Up Options Sign-Up Genius is the most convenient, quickest way to sign up for any event from the comfort of your Dentist’s chair or Grocery check-out lane on your handheld device. But if you wish, you may always call the Parish Office (302-475-4688) and talk to Jackie Somers! If she’s not there, simply leave her a message about which event you’d like to sign-up and what you’d like to bring or do.

Pastoral Care Meals The St. David’s Pastoral Care Team offers meals to members of our church family during times of need. If you are going into the hospital, or have just had a baby, our team would be happy to provide some meals for you according to your situation. Please let us know how we can help you. You can contact the office or April Starkey (aprilstark426@gmail.com).

Nave and Hallway Areas Closed Dec 3-15 New Floors and Chairs on the Way Work on the floors in the worship space (aka the Nave) and lobby/hallways is slated to begin on December 3rd. This will be the first major project from the Faith Building capital campaign. If all goes well, there will be new flooring and new chairs before Christmas!

We will use the Day School entrance during renovations. Please be sure to stop into the school office and identify yourself if you visit during school hours.

We plan on worshiping in the Great Hall on Sunday, December 9th — this is about as ‘old school’ as it gets because the Great Hall was the second worship space for the parish (from approximately 1958-1970).

Those who wish to take one of the current chairs in the worship space have until December 2nd!

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Vestry Highlights December 2018

At its November meeting, the Vestry . . . • heard from Treasurer Karen Olmstead that pledges and plate are above the budgeted amounts

year-to-date, while expenses are below budget.

• heard a reminder from Karen that persons or groups needing reimbursement should submit those requests in a timely fashion.

• learned that our Family Promise has been postponed. St. David’s Church will most likely have a week in late January/early February.

• discussed the current pledge campaign – of the pledges received to date, most are holding at the same level as 2018, but the number of pledges received to date is lower than is normal.

• is still seeking a Youth Delegate (16–29 yrs.) to the Diocesan Convention in January 2019.

• discussed the need for tree work in various places around the property and agreed to obtain bids

• discussed recent uptick in guests during worship and the need we always have to welcome them

The complete and approved minutes of each Vestry meeting are posted on the bulletin board opposite the copier room.

Respectfully submitted, Janet Leishman, Clerk of the Vestry

You and Your Pledge Thank you to everyone who sent in their pledge. And thanks to those who took the pledged for the first time.

Prayer of Thanksgiving: We bless your name, O Lord,

because you have been pleased to inspire your servants to offer a portion of their lives and fortunes to the work of this your parish.

Grant that their gifts may be a blessing to them and help us to use these offerings in gratitude and in accord with your will and purposes, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Electronic Giving* in 2019 If you changed the amount of your pledge going into 2019, stop by the table in the Narthex and grab a new VANCO sheet. Adjust the amount of your pledge and sign the form giving the parish your permission to make the switch. If you are not changing the amount of your pledge, there is no need to fill out a new form.

*Electronic Giving enables every household or individual to give their church offering by using electronic funds transfer (EFT). There is no cost to you for this giving option. You won’t need to write weekly or monthly checks as the amount will be with-drawn from your checking account. It is fast, easy and safe. If you would like to participate, please fill out one of the forms in the Narthex.

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On the December calendar: 3 Staff Christmas Party 4 CPR/First Aid Class, 6:00, room 4 6 St. Nicholas Chapel, 9:20 Super Duper Sports Day 10 Super Duper Sports Day 12 Mary & Elizabeth Chapel, 9:20 13 Mary & Elizabeth Chapel, 9:20 Segal Puppets Lunchtime Show 13 Family Dining Grotto’s Pizza, Concord Pike Location, 4 – 9 pm Voucher Required** 17,18 Christmas Program Rehearsals 19,20 Christmas Chapel/Programs, 9:30 21 2’s Christmas Program, 11:00 Dismissal at Noon 24 – January 1, 2019 Christmas Vacation January 2 School Resumes

**This is the link to the voucher for our Grotto’s Family Dining Night – all proceeds benefit our children. file:///C:/Users/Janet%20Leishman/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/Z77VY7E8/St%20Davids%20Episcopal%20Day%20School%2012-13-18.pdf

Now, I know what you’re thinking: I am NOT going to copy this link letter-by-letter into my browser! We’ve got a better answer: Check out the FULL-COLOR version of St. David’s monthly newsletter. The link is in that edition. Click!

stdavidsde.org

Christmas Chapel Invite We invite you to celebrate the Christmas season with our children at one of our Christmas Chapels. Come on by on Wednesday or Thursday, December 19 or 20, at 9 and hear again the story of Christ’s birth, and then entertained with songs of the season.

Happy December Birthdays to Gina Zarrilli and Sarah Hannig, and to former Day School Board Member Kirby Thomas!!

O n behalf of the Day School Board of Directors, staff,

children and families, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Fondly, Janet Leishman Director

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The Parish and Day School Offices will be closed on Monday, December 24th and Tuesday, December 25th, and Wednesday, December 26th.

Glad Tidings! is published monthly by

St. David’s Episcopal Parish 2320 Grubb Road / Wilmington, DE 19810 302.475.4688 / www.stdavidsde.org

The Reverend Brad Hinton, Rector Steven Weatherman, Publications Editor

Articles to Glad Tidings! may be submitted via email to stdavidschurchoffice@verizon.net. The deadline is the 15th of the each month.

The Editor reserves the right to edit for content and space.

“Why would we need to experience the Comforter if our lives are already comfortable?”

—Francis Chan

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Photos from the Bishop’s Visitation Congratulations to all who were confirmed, received, or re-affirmed their baptism!

3rd Annual Quarter Auction Save the Date Saturday, February 2, 2019 in the Great Hall Starts at 2 pm—Doors open at 1 pm

How does a Quarter Auction Work? Upon arriving you will receive/purchase a numbered paddle. Auction items will be displayed with a bid price of 1, 2, 3 or 4 quarters. As the items are presented, if you want to bid, you place the bid amount in the basket provided and hold your paddle in the air. If the auctioneer picks your paddle number from the bucket of num-bered balls, YOU WIN the item, walking away with an AMAZING product for no more than $1!

2 for $7, will be $7 each at the door. Contact Justin or Gus to buy paddles.

All Proceeds benefit St. David’s Episcopal Church

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Please call the Church Office to put someone on the Prayer List or to remove a name from the list. Each person on the list remains there for one month unless the office

is notified that an additional month is desired. The name is read during Intercessory Prayers in worship the first week of the listing. We remember these people

in our prayers and in our hearts.

3 Allison Olmstead Kelsey Olmstead 5 Tom Byrne Sarah Kashner Nancy Myshko 8 Kirby Thomas 16 Carson Hanna 17 Luke Byrne 18 Liz Porter

21 Rose Mulveny Jason Roux 26 Ruth Adams 27 William Goeller, Jr. Tyler Wilson 29 Alexander Williams 31 Alexa Rhodunda Cathy Zimmerman

10 Schneider, Ann & Charles 28 Cassidy, Rob & Emily Zimmerman, Cathy & JT

Karin Fang Renee Tilley Bill Waid Hugh Bryan Marcia Wight Sheila Coffin Carissa Krawchuk Carron Ingham Olivia Kirby Thomas John Van-Catledge Joan Murphy John Yovino Hirsch & Amelia Jackie Weaver

Chuck Van-Zoeren Mitchel Samuel Pusey Kate Manion Bob Moore Marianna Hamilton-Shirley Reckert Maureen Brickley Carolyn Bell Sam Bell Jacqueline Janssen George Karney Carolyn Karney Jimmy Myers Betty DiPirro

Christine Ortiz Barbara Wallace Ron Ilona Lewis Jane & Jack Coles Patrick Sullivan Bridget Sullivan Wayne Diane Camarote Dave Faulkner Cheryl Lewis Walter Zlotnick David Pope Jefferson Hess Doreen Turner

Mike Pierce Janet Miller Catherine Carver Beth Root

Deceased Elida Cruz Gary Simpson Beth Braunz Glenn Bichlmeier Daniel J. DiFrancesco

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NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID WILMINGTON DE PERMIT NO. 641

Saint David’s Episcopal Parish 2320 Grubb Road Wilmington, DE 19810 Address Service Requested

The Rector, Staff, and Vestry wish you a rich Advent, a blessed Christmas, and a joyous New Year