July & August 2008

VESTRY NEWS

Vestry meetings are normally held at 7:00 PM on the third Sunday of the month. These meetings are open and all parish members are invited. Furthermore, if a member has an issue for the Vestry they should approach a Vestry member to get it on the agenda. Also, complete Minutes from Vestry meetings are posted in Parish Hall.

MINISTRY AREA NEWS

EDUCATION SUMMER SOUL FOOD

“Singing Our Belief”
This summer, in our intergenerational gatherings, we will spend some time singing hymns and examining what they express about our understanding of God and the Church. Using hymns from both the Hymnal and from more recent sources we will look at what we are singing we believe Sunday after Sunday.

We begin at 6 PM with burgers and hot dogs, and whatever you bring to complete the feast. Following supper we will gather to discuss and sings songs that we already know and learn some new ones. The evening will close with a Eucharist around the altar in the church. For those who are interested in singing…

PLEASE don’t stay away if you’re not interested…there will be an opportunity to sing in an informal “pick-up” choir the following Sunday using some of the hymns we sing and learn about on Wednesday. All are welcome whether you want to sing or listen. Signup sheets for each week will be posted on the signup board in the hallway.

Please sign up for each session you attend so we can adequately prepare for supper. If can’t bring something to add to the feast, come anyway. We always have plenty of food! Questions? See Robin.

Wednesday, July 9 “God the Father”
Wednesday, July 16 “God the Son”
Wednesday, July 23 “God the Holy Spirit”
Wednesday, July 30 “The Church”

There will also be a chance to sign up to help set up, cook and clean.

PROPERTY

Volunteers!
We have lots of small projects that need to be done. If anyone could commit to doing one of them, it would be greatly appreciated. I will post the list on the property board. The carpets in the narthex, Kathleen’s office and the steps to the basement were cleaned on May 16th. Painting on the Roher Street railing continues. Hopefully we will be done by the time you read this. Thanks go to Steve and Janet Gilman, Dennis, Scott and Jean Cunningham, Alan and Henrietta Kiel and Jeanne Bernosky. Conversation was lively. The choir room flooded a few times. A hole was found in the plastic drain pipe that was squirting water directly at the door.

Thanks go to Alan and Henrietta Kiel, Mary and Ken Longman, and Kathleen Breuer for mopping up the water, Stan Klotzbach for cleaning up the leaves and Dennis Cunningham for finding and fixing the leak. We are getting bids for fixing the chapel roof leak. That should be done by the summer. When the leak is fixed, Steve Gilman is talking about painting the chapel walls to repair the damaged paint. We also have to deal with the carpet. The concrete work has been delayed by rain. It was due to start June 9th.
Jean Scherfcunningham

WORSHIP

What is the ministry of a deacon?
The ministry of a deacon is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need; and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.

Book of Common Prayer, Page 856
The word deacon derives from a Greek word meaning servant. The ministry of a deacon is best described as servant of bishops, priests and those in need. In the Episcopal Church, preparation for ordination to the priesthood requires first serving as a deacon in the church for a determined period of time. You may hear the term “transitional” deacon and “vocational” deacon.

A transitional deacon is one who will eventually transition into the priesthood. A vocational deacon is one whose role, as servant of bishop, particularly focuses on outreach and service to those in need. In the Eucharist, deacons have particular functions that serve the priest, the people and the Lord. In the first part of the service called the ‘Liturgy of the Word’, a deacon proclaims the good news by reading the gospel at the appropriate time. Deacons are sometimes invited to preach and to lead the prayers of the people. They are to generally responsible to oversee worship.

In the second part of the service called the ‘Liturgy of the Sacrament’, the deacon prepares the table and the gifts for the Eucharistic meal. The deacon stands to the side as the presider offers prayers. At the time of Holy Communion, a deacon may distribute either the bread or the wine. When the meal has ended, the deacon cleans the vessels. In other words, the deacon prepares, serves and cleans up the Eucharistic feast. Finally, the deacon offers the dismissal to send all into the world to love and serve the Lord.
The Rev. Deacon Mary McCullough

Let’s Sing!
Do you ever sing in the shower? Or perhaps sing along with the radio on the way to work? Maybe you’ve had an occasional urge to sing in the choir, but didn’t feel that you had the time or the voice to do so? Well, now is your chance - with no strings attached! On Sunday, August 3rd, everyone is invited to sing an anthem with the choir at the 10:00 service. The anthem I have chosen is very singable and has beautiful lyrics. We will have a rehearsal after the 10:00 service on July 27th, and again at 9:30 on August 3rd. It’s that simple. There is a sign-up sheet on the board outside of Robin’s office.

Please think about this wonderful opportunity for praising God with your hearts and your voices. Hope to see you then.
Gary Eslinger

THE LONG-TERM PRAYER LIST
has been updated for the July/September quarter. Requests not entered on the recently posted sign up sheet are not included in this month’s prayer list. Names are not automatically transferred from one quarter of the year to the next. You may contact Kathleen at the parish office to add names to this list. Forms are also available in the Narthex for prayer requests; or call the church office at 215-675-5737, or email Kathleen at: Secretary@Advent-Hatboro.org. Thank you for your help in keeping our prayer lists current.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Irene Barger
Jeanette Martin
Jack Boyd
Nancy Meehl
Joan Branston
Kate Nellett
Jean Bready
Carol Nicolais
John Care
Muriel Oberholtzer
Rosemary Chambers
Baby Paitn
Terri Cooper
Frieda Paulus
Doris & Harry Coulston
Carol Peniston
Anne Daze
Charles Phillips
Joan DeLoach
Connor Brian Platt
Doug Detweiler
Ramos Family
Beverly DiDonato
Nancy Rodemich
Scott Farrell
Steve Senderoff
Michelina Finn
Paul Shawaluk
Dean Francis
Dave Shead
Brine Frank
Margaret Simpkins
Paul George
Michael Sinclair
Mary & Ted Gilligan
Doris Sinclair
Cass Gilman
Roy Smith
Chris Giorno
Margaret Spathelf
Ryan Glenwright
Paula Terrel
Olga and Joseph Gordon
Michael & Dolores Thorne
Bill Harrison
Sandie VanDoren
Mikayla Havers
Marilyn VanKirk
Gianna Hay
Mrs. Muriel Wehmeyer
George & Faith Holmes
Eileen Wetzel
Sam Hutchison
Rosalie Wetzel
Dorothy Ilvento
Ronnie Wetzel
Jim Lamb
Cathy Witiconis
John Loomis
Doris Wonderly
Dorothy Lynch
Nancy Barton

THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Jimmy Burns, Sean Day, Christopher Jay, David Jester, Sean Kelley, Stephen Skillman, Ethan Surrusco, Rosemary & Yancey Zinkon

WEBSITE REMINDER: Sermons and Lessons are posted on a weekly basis by our web-mistress, Laurie Ulrich Fuller. You can access this information at: “Sermons & Readings” on the Home Page. Advent’s website address is: www.Advent-Hatboro.org The Herald is also posted on the website. ROTA information is posted on the website; as are reminders about ‘special’ worship services and other calendar-related events.

HERALD REMINDERS: Articles are due in the church office no later than 10th of each month. This includes information for the parish calendar. Articles submitted after the deadline may not be able to be published. Articles are due by June 10 for the July/August issue of the Herald .

SPECIAL NEWS
Ecclesiastical Trial of Bishop Bennison

From Monday, June 9, through Thursday, June 12, the trial of Bishop Bennison took place at the Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia. The charge was “Conduct Unbecoming a Clergyperson” which stems from his actions and inaction in the 1970s with regard to the sexual misconduct of his brother John while he was employed by Bishop Bennison in the parish of which he was then the rector, and subsequent efforts to mediate some healing between the victim and the bishop. After four days of testimony from a number of people, the trial adjourned.

The court of five bishops, two priests and two lay persons have thirty days to render a verdict. If you have internet access, and if you want to read reports of each day of the trial prepared by Jerry Hames, former editor of Episcopal Life, and hired by the Standing Committee to act as official spokesperson for the diocese, you may go the diocesan website at www.diopa.org.

If you do not have internet access and would like copies of these reports, please let me know and I will print them out for you. Events like the trial just ended can have a profound effect on those who have themselves been abused or who are close to someone who has been. If this is true for you, please pay attention to yourself and your feelings. I will be glad to talk with you and to refer you to someone who can help you work through what is stirred up in you. If the bishop is found guilty, he will have sixty days to appeal the verdict. If an appeal fails, he will be sentenced. If he is found not guilty, the Presiding Bishop will lift his inhibition and he will resume functioning as the bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. When the verdict is rendered we will take time on a Sunday or two to process together what was decided, and will do the same at every step until the matter is finally resolved.
RPM

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS SCHEDULE
Effective Tuesday, July 7 the parish office will be operating on the summer schedule and open as follows: Mondays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Fridays: office closed Please take full advantage of the voice mail options for the rector and the secretary. We will return your calls in a timely way. Remember – if you leave a message after 3 p.m. on Thursday, it will not be heard until the following Monday.
Kathleen Breuer, Parish Secretary

JULY BIRTHDAYS
7/2 Beth Muller
7/6 Brittany Cooper
7/8 Matthew Palmer
7/10 James Raudenbush
7/10 Jeanne Bernosky
7/10 Nicholas Mower
7/11 Kaitlyn Towler
7/11 Reiley Pastore
7/12 Sharon Kress
7/12 Holly Romanoli
7/13 Jon Lee
7/13 Avery Romanoli
7/13 Janet Weckerly
7/14 Matthew McConomy
7/16 Heidi New
7/16 Adrienne Jerdan
7/17 Mary Louise James
7/17 Donna McConomy
7/18 Connie Lee
7/20 Robert Carver
7/21 Janice Trichtinger
7/21 Drew Dippre
7/22 Kara Castanga
7/23 Susan Plybon
7/23 Judy Murphy
7/24 Jessica White
7/26 Carol Zoller
7/30 Lauren Castrantas
7/30 Nicolle Holmes
7/31 Gina Driver

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
8/1 Taylor Furness
8/1 Nicholas Krauss
8/1 Amy McCullough
8/1 Kenneth Hendley
8/2 Jennifer Palmer
8/3 Ashley Cannon
8/4 Robert Zimmerman
8/4 Stephen Gilman
8/6 Kevin Hendley
8/8 Edward Swiski, Sr.
8/9 Robert Wood
8/11 Polly Bosch
8/11 Kevin O'Keefe
8/15 Jenna Crispo
8/16 Matthew Applegate
8/18 Sydney Stoddart
8/18 Lynda Butcavage
8/19 Jama Knight
8/19 Jeanne Krauss
8/20 Muriel Wehmeyer (Mrs.)
8/21 Doris Coulston
8/23 Christine Applegate
8/24 Bryan Kathrins
8/25 George Reinoehl
8/26 Jean Scherfcunningham
8/27 Natalie Drinkwater
8/27 Deborah Stoddart
8/27 Ruth Pickering
8/28 Barbara Johnson
8/28 Patricia Wood
8/29 Maryann Cannon
8/29 John Kathrins, Sr.
8/31 Catherine Wehmeyer

If your birthday is “missing” from the monthly birthday list, please be in touch with Kathleen at the parish office: 215-675-5737 or email her at secretary@advent-hatboro.org.

OTHER STUFF TO READ
CULTIVATING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
A group of us at Ann’s Choice are reading a book called Bread of Angels. In it the other day we came to a fascinating sermon by Barbara Brown Taylor entitled “No Reward.” In it, she describes how we all feel the need to be appreciated and to be effective in getting done what we set out to do. But she goes on to point out that doing God’s work often turns out to give us neither of these wishes. Instead, it often turns out quite the opposite.

St. Theresa of Avila, while suffering from this problem, once said to God, “It’s no wonder you have so few friends in this world if this is the way you treat them.” Jeremiah laments after not succeeding at what God asked him to do, “O Lord. you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. For whenever I cry out, I must shout, ‘violence and destruction!’ For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.” – Jeremiah 20:7-8

So what kept these two going when seemingly their only reward for doing God’s work was doing God’s work? Why should we do it if it seems so unrewarding? That was the tough question our group tackled. We rather surprised ourselves with our answer. We are thankful to God for the creation He has given us. We are thankful that He wants all of us to live better and that He thinks enough of us to ask us to help. We are thankful for all those other people who can help us and for showing us who needs our help. And so, as long as we can express our gratitude, we are rewarded. When we are filled with gratitude, no one need tell us how wonderful we are, and we can live with our failure to change the world in the way God would like, thankful for the opportunity to try.

So try cultivating a constant attitude of gratitude. With a nod to Dr. Seuss and Sam-I-am, I suggest, “Try it! Try it and you’ll see! You will like it, certainly!”
Ken Longman

HIGHLIGHTS: UPCOMING EVENTS

July (no Vestry meeting this month)
6 Name Tag Sunday
7 Office Closed Summer Hours Begin Ministry Area Meetings
9, 16, 23, 30 No Wednesday Eucharist
9, 16, 23, 30 Summer Soul Food
18 YMCA Theatre Camp (Parish Hall)
August
3 Name Tag Sunday Vestry
4 Ministry Area Meetings
10 Herald articles for September issue due
13 No Eucharist
15 YMCA Theatre Camp (Parish Hall)
24 Worship Committee
September
7 Name Tag Sunday Parish Breakfast
8 Ministry Area Meetings
10 Choir Rehearsals Resume
14 Church School Registration

Be sure activities for your group/organization are included in the newsletter. Post them on the calendars in Parish Hall.

EPISCOPAL LIFE SUBSCRIPTIONS
The congregational subscription renewal for Episcopal Life is fast approaching. Please sign up on the sheet posted in the hallway outside Robin’s office if you wish to receive this publication. The rate is now $14.35. Checks should be made payable to Church of the Advent with Episcopal Life on the memo line. Checks need to be given to the parish secretary. They can be placed in her mailslot or in the top bin on her desk.

SIGN UP FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS NEED TO BE MADE BY THE END OF JULY.
New subscribers are always welcome.

Where's the ROTA?
Click here to view it on its own page.