Father Allan`s Reflections…

Holy Cross Monthly Newsletter
April
2015
Father Allan’s Reflections…
“Christ has no body now, but ours. No hands but ours,
no feet but ours. Ours are the eyes through which
Christ’s compassion looks into the world. Ours are the
feet by which he walks to do good. Ours are the hands
with which Christ blesses the world.”
St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Within days of receiving this month’s edition of the parish Newsletter, we will
gather to observe Holy Week and then celebrate with great joy and fanfare the
“Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ” – a day more commonly known as Easter Sunday.
Theologically, Easter is the most important celebration of the Christian faith. If Christ is not risen – and by
that I mean not bodily and wholly resurrected - then our faith is in vain. Without a risen Christ, our ministries
in this community and throughout the world as people of resurrection and hope become just another nice
way to live. Without a risen Christ there is no assurance of our redemption.
In emphasizing the supreme importance of this greatest of feast days, the Church embraced not a forty
day season like Advent or Lent, but rather, a fifty day season that seeks to open our eyes and hearts to
comprehend all that Easter morning ushered into the world. This season, “Eastertide,” is an opportunity
to grasp what redemption truly means, how redemption offers hope, how redemption continues to change
and reshape God’s people. It is an affirmation that Easter is more than a one-day event: it is a whole new
way of life.
St. Teresa of Avila, one of the better known Christian mystics of the medieval era, had a marvelous sense
of how the miracle of Easter continues to transform every generation of Christians. Teresa asserted that
the continuing proof of the bodily resurrection of our Lord is not found in an empty tomb somewhere near
Jerusalem, but rather, in and through us. We are the proof of the resurrection because we have become
Christ’s body on earth, Christ’s hands, Christ’s feet, and Christ’s eyes. We are people of resurrection, of
redemption, of reconciliation and hope called to daily ministry and service as Christ’s bodily presence in
this world.
And so, as we begin this season of Eastertide, I invite you to join with me in meditating upon Teresa’s
words and asking God to grant us the grace to show forth in our lives what we profess by our faith, to
be Christ’s eyes, hands, and feet wherever we go.
A blessed Eastertide to all …
Yours in service to the Gospel
Allan +
 Holy Cross Episcopal Church
1
Charlotte Frost
2
Alyssa Ehrhardt
2
Tom McDonough
3
Sean Gulley-Ryan
3
Laura Lavarnway
4
Tom McAuliffe
4
Nancy Odom
4
John Sims
8
Annie Binning
8
Gary Swartz
10
Judy Lincks
11
Pat Olsen
16
Andy Furr
17
Lisa Cooper
17
Andrea McDonough
April 9
17
John Pendergast
17
Mary Watson
18
Mary Jane Dewees
18
Mike Lavornway
18
Oliva Tester
19
Ann Iles
23
Ashley Galleher
23
Sis Kinney
23
James Hedrick
24
Leona Hadaway-Parks
26
Doris Boulton
27
Jim Jordan
27
Bob Kinney
28
Kathy Canady
28
Patsy Townsend
Belinda and Tim Forsyth
April 13
Ann and Bud Gerber
April 13
Floyd and Patsy Townsend
April 18
Chuck and Kathy Canady
April 26
Terry and Zeke Jordan
April 27
Serge and Jill Storelli
April 29
Babette and Tom McAuliffe
Prayer List
Please hold these people in your healing prayers this week:
Robin, Jim, Muriel, John, Jeff, Christy, Scott, Kara, Judy, Katie, Curtis, Dixie, Jerri, Sarah, Abbie,
Don, Diane, Wyatt, Florette, Kay, Robert, Roy, Lynda, Peggy, April, Lindsey, Dan, Leon, Valerie,
Steve, Tom & Anna, Katherine L., Mary Jane, Greg, Jinx, Barbara, Stuart, Lynne, Janie, Eric, Ginna,
Charlie, Dean, John, Matt, Carl, Beatrice, Janet, Sonny S., injured & disabled military personnel,
veterans, all civilians harmed in armed conflicts, Catherine, Pam, Charlie, Sibyl, Abbey, Suzie,
Lisa T., Gail, Aletta, Mary B., Julie, Kenny, Maci, Fay, Jill, Don, Bobbie, Jim, Jett, Kathy, Michelle,
Roman, Jimmy, Mary Ann, Steve, Claire
 Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Page 2
Holy Week Schedule of Worship Services
Holy Communion and Foot Washing
The Latin word, “Mandatum” (commandment) is the source of the Maundy Thursday name. We hear St. John’s
account of the last supper and engage in Jesus’ new commandment to love one another by washing one another’s
feet as led by Priest and Vestry members. (Please wear hose and shoes that are easily removed.)
The Holy Eucharist follows and concludes with a solemn procession of consecrated bread and wine to the
Garden of Gethsemane (Skiles’ Altar) where it will remain through Good Friday. All are encouraged to
participate in a silent prayer vigil observed in commemoration of our Lord’s time at Gethsemane through
midnight. (If you have not already done so, please sign up on the notice posted in Skiles Hall and plan to remain prayerfully and
silently in the presence of Christ after the service)
Following the procession to Gethsemane, the Sanctuary is stripped of all ornamentation. Every item that
witnesses to the life of Christ and his Church is removed so that the building is empty, stark and lifeless. The
altar is washed with vinegar and water (i.e., gall) as the kneeling congregation prays aloud Psalm 22. This is a
very moving, dramatic, and spiritually enriching service.
We gather at this hour to walk the Stations of the Cross in commemoration of our Lord’s walk to Golgotha and
execution. A deeply devotional service whereby we behold and contemplate the wonder of our salvation wrought
at so great a price.
The Good Friday liturgy focuses on our Lord’s death and yet, it is not a funeral service. This evening’s ceremonial
is stark, direct, and powerful. Its meaning unmistakable! We enter in silence and any music on this occasion is
minimal. There is a marked simplicity to our liturgy that proclaims the Passion and Crucifixion story from John’s
Gospel. A series of short ancient prayers for the whole world are offered followed by biddings to silent prayer.
The service reaches its climax when the cross is unveiled and the reserved Sacrament from the Maundy Thursday
service is brought to the Altar. Our Communion together is also stark and simple consisting of the breaking of
the bread and receiving it and the wine in silence. After a concluding prayer, all depart in silence.
A simple service of Morning Prayer with appropriate prayers and canticles is offered in the Chancel.
Bring a favorite bell and prepare to ring in, and proclaim, the resurrection of our Lord! Glorious music,
bells, and joyful shouts of “Alleluia Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed” resound as God’s people gather to offer
the Holy Eucharist with royal pomp and splendor in celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. A
breakfast in Skiles’ Hall follows the 8:30 am service and an Easter egg hunt for the children follows thereafter at
approximately 10:15 am. (In the event of inclement weather, the egg hunt will be held in Skiles’ Hall.)
 Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Page 3
Help!
One of the blessings of worship in The Episcopal Church tradition is that upon arrival for services
there is a marked and reverent silence in the church building. Such enables attendees to take time
for quiet reflection and prayer, to let go of all that is troubling our minds, and prepare ourselves to
encounter God in Christ present in Word and Sacrament.
To that end, it is our tradition to encourage maintaining a modicum of silence upon entering the
church on Sunday mornings (both Holy Cross and St. John’s). While we are always glad to see one
another – and our presence together each week is truly a celebration - we do ask that conversation be spoken
in hushed voices or deferred until after the service.
We also recognize that life sometimes “happens” in ways that results in our being late for services.
(We’ve all been in that situation at some point in our lives.) While being a most welcoming congregation, we
do ask that unless you’re scooting into one of the back pews, late arrivals be aware of the worship
needs of others and wait to be seated until after the prayers and/or after scripture readings. The least
distracting time to move to a seat is when the congregation is singing or praying the Psalm or when
standing for hymns.
Your understanding and assistance will help enrich our worship time together.
Yours,
Allan +
Annual Holy Cross Egg Hunt
Easter Morning
April 5
10:15 am (after breakfast)
We need donations of nut-free candy and prizes
for all the empty eggs we already have and/or “pre-stuffed” eggs
If you would like to donate eggs to the Egg Hunt
please leave them in the “EGG BOX” downstairs in the youth room
(we‘ll be happy to stuff them for you too! )
THANK YOU!
E a s te r B r un ch
Easter Sunday Brunch will be served in Skiles Hall during the time between the two
church services. Sign-up sheets are in Skiles Hall for volunteers to bring food and for set
up and clean up. Please come and join us in celebrating a glorious Easter!
 Holy Cross Episcopal Church
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General Convention 2015
Every three years, General Convention, a gathering of elected deputies, lay and ordained and all sitting bishops
meet together in prayer, worship, and for discussion to shape the focus of missional work for the Episcopal Church
for the upcoming triennium. This year GC2015 will be held in July in Salt Lake City.
In May, Tom McDonough, member of the Executive Council for our diocese and Pan McCaslin, former long time
deputy to General Convention, will give a several week presentation during Adult Christian Education (ACE) about
the structure of the Episcopal Church and important issues which will be discussed in Salt Lake City.
Reports of the work of committees, commissions, boards and agencies will be posted online at
http://www.generalconvention.org/home/bluebook through May. Important documents already posted include
the report from the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, the TREC (The Reimagining of the Episcopal
Church) report, and the proposed triennial Budget . As new documents are posted, mention of these will be added
to the weekly emailed announcements to the congregation.
The 6th Annual Acolyte Festival
April 24-26, 2015
St. Andrew's By the Sea, Nags Head
Come to the Outer Banks and enjoy a weekend of fun and fellowship to learn what being an Acolyte is all
about!
Holy Cross is pleased to offer scholarship assistance to any and all parish acolytes who may be interested in
attending this year’s Acolyte Festival hosted by the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina. (Our own Diocese of
Western North Carolina is coordinating group rates and transportation.)
This year’s annual event begins on Friday, April 24 and ends on Saturday, April 25 and is open to all Acolytes
(young and old at heart), Acolyte Directors, Youth Ministers, and Acolyte parents. Through workshops and
activities, participants will learn both new skills and return home with renewed
enthusiasm for their ministry as an Acolyte.
This year’s workshops look to be wonderful learning opportunities, as well as a lot of
fun. And don’t forget that the Festival always ends with a rather incredible beach party!
Interested or need more information?
Please contact Father Allan by no later than April 12. Thank you!
 Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Page 5
Sun
5
Easter
8:30 and 11:00am Holy
Eucharist at Holy Cross
Breakfast & Easter Egg
Hunt between services
Mon
6 6pm Club Scouts
12 8:30 and 11:00am
13 6pm Club Scouts )
Holy Eucharist at Holy Ann & Bud Gerber and
Cross
Floyd & Patsy Townsend’s
anniversary
9:45
19 8:30 and 11:00am
20 6pm Club Scouts
Holy Eucharist at Holy
Cross
9:45
Ann Iles’ birthday
26 8:30 and 11:00am
27 6pm Club Scouts
Holy Eucharist at Holy Doris Boulton’s birthday
Cross
9:45
Terry & Zeke Jordan’s
Doris Boulton’s anniversary
birthday Terry & Zeke
Jordan’s anniversary
Tue
7
14 7 pm Vestry
21
28 Kathy Canady and
Patsy Townsend’s
birthday
Wed
Thu
3
Fri
12PM &7pm
Good Friday
Service
Sat
4
Service
9:30 am
Holy
Saturday
April 2015
1
2 7pm
Maundy
Thursday
10 10 am ESL Class
Judy Lincks’ birthday
18 Mary Jane Dewees,
Mike Lavornway & Olivia
Tester’s birthday
Chuck & Kathy Canady’s
anniversary
11 Pat Olsen’s birthday
Charlotte Frost’s
birthday
9
Belinda & Tim
Forsyth’s anniversary
17 10 am ESL Class
Lisa Cooper, Andrea
McDonough, Mary Watson, and John Pendergast’s birthday
25
Tom McAuliffe, Nancy
Odom and John Sims’
birthday
16 Andy Furr’s birthday
24 10 am ESL Class
Leona Hadaway-Park’s
birthday
Service
10 am ESL Class
Alyssa Ehrhardt and Tom Sean Gulley-Ryan & Laura
Lavornay’s birthday
McDonough’s birthday
23 Ashley Galleher,
Sis Kinney and James
Hedrick’s birthday
8
22
30
15
Annie Binning and Gary
Swartz’s birthday
29
Babette & Tom
McAuliffe’s anniversary
Look What’s Coming Up…
Gather on Sunday, April 5
For Easter Brunch
Adult and Youth Christian Education each Sunday
(except Breakfast Sunday for adults) beginning at 9:45
ECW will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, April 2, at 11:00 in Skiles Hall. Please plan
to attend as we finalize plans for the Easter Sunday Brunch. If you can stay for lunch, please
bring a sandwich to share and enjoy the fellowship.
Please mark your calendars for the Rummage Sale week of July 13. Sale days are
7/16, 17 & 18 from 9:00 to 1:00. Our success depends on your willing hands working to set
up for the sale and working the actual sale. Please keep these dates open and plan to share
your time and talents.
Many, many thanks for your continued demonstration of generosity. Those of us who take Mission
and Outreach calls do not find it at all unusual to have a recipient of funds comment that they are so
grateful that there are still folks like (Holy Cross) to give a hand up in times of crisis. Your generous
dedication in supporting The Fair prevents eviction for families with medical or other crises or who
have no work in bad weather, gets cars back on the road so parents can continue to get to work to
provide for their families, helps to provide for transportation to medical centers when infants or adults
have specialized medical needs and cannot afford to get to Winston or Charlotte for needed treatment—and a host of additional critical and emergency situations. You, the Holy Cross Family, do
truly amazing work in this community!
Please remember to continue sharing food as you are able. The number of local folks who are hungry
is astounding—and your participation in this ministry is a huge help. We are unlikely to ever know the
impact that the small things that we do daily or as a congregation have on the lives of others—nor the
ripple effect that we may generate. Do continue to practice giving—a smile in the grocery store, a few
canned goods on Sunday, jelly or baked goods to the Valle Country Fair, letting someone in in a line of
traffic—remembering that each is an act of love and a way of showing in our lives that which we say
and sing with our lips.
And finally…..If you have extra time and are interested in providing support to folks who are committed to overcoming poverty, the Circles initiative will welcome your energy, time, and talents. For more
information about this initiative feel free to call Trish at 297-6767 or Tina or Chatty at the Hospitality
House at 264-1237.
 Holy Cross Episcopal Church
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Notes from the Attic – Dedy Traver
In March I gave a presentation on the history of the church in Valle Crucis and set up a display of photos and
other information. Several people said they would like more time to look at the photos. Some folks don’t
realize that all of that information is kept on display in the Bishop Ives Log Cabin! If you are interested in
seeing our historical information there is a key in the Church Office for the log cabin. I thought you might be
interested in learning about this historic log cabin. These excerpts are from notes written by The Rev. Rhett Y. Winters, Jr.,
Priest-in-Charge at the Church of the Holy Cross, Valle Crucis, NC from May 1955 to December 1962.
BISHOP IVES CABIN
“In 1956 three students from St. Luke’s Sewanee completed their Town & Country field work at St. John’s Lower Watauga, Holy
Cross Valle Crucis, and St. Anthony’s Dutch Creek Falls. During that summer Tom Wade, Gus Shephard, and Harry Shipps
worked in the three missions. Gus Shephard and The Rev. Rhett Winters (priest-in-charge of Holy Cross Church) made a call on
Edith Taylor (Michael Taylor’s grandmother) and approached her and her family about the Bishop Ives Cabin which was on their
property at the time. After the Civil War what had formerly been property belonging to the church, was settled by squatters and the
Bishop Ives Cabin was passed on down to private owners from that time until 1956. The cabin was fast deteriorating. The roof was
rotted and the chimney was in bad repair. The sturdy logs were in fair condition. It was agreed that the church would pay the family
$100.00 and would be responsible for moving the building to a new location.
The following Fall work began on restoring the cabin. Arthur, Lewis and Ernest Townsend from Banner Elk (Lewis Townsend was
Floyd Townsend’s father and Ernest was Ernestine Glover’s father!) carefully numbered each log and moved them by truck to the
present site. The huge stone fireplace in the center of the building was rebuilt and the floor and the roof were restored.
In the later 50’s or early 60’s an article on the Bishop Ives cabin appeared in “The Living Church” magazine. The Rev. Winters
received a letter from one of the Church Fathers in the Order of the Holy Cross in New York expressing an interest in making an
appropriate memorial to Brother William West Skies in recognition of the first Religious who lived out his life in obedience to a
monastic rule of life (since The Reformation). He contacted all of the monastic Orders of the Church, both men and women. A
skilled cabinet maker from Santa Barbara, California made a beautiful Dutch cupboard with beautiful carvings on its doors which
opened up into a lovely altar with the appropriate memorial inscription in loving memory of Brother William West Skiles. The altar
is placed in the rear of Holy Cross Church.”
Next time you are in the church please take time to read the inscription and study the lovely art work on the Skiles Altar! After
Bishop Ives left the Valle and the Episcopal Church, Brother Skiles stayed in the Valle living and working with the mountain
people. He continued to live in the Bishop Ives Log Cabin.
Altar Guild Members Needed!
Have you ever wondered how the communion vessels always appear on the altar? How the hymn numbers are put
on the hymn board? How the flowers magically appear? Who polishes all the brass? And who decorates the church
at Christmas and Easter and prepares the sanctuary for baptisms, weddings and funerals? On Sunday mornings
everything is set for communion, flowers are in place, and the sanctuary is ready for worship! All of this could not
happen without the Altar Guild! The Altar Guild members are a “Behind the Scenes” group of men and women who
come together in teams to prepare the sanctuary for worship. Serving on the Altar Guild is a ministry and one of its
functions is to enhance the parish’s worship experience. Every member offers different gifts in serving on the Altar
Guild - some enjoying arranging flowers, others are “experts” at polishing the brass, and others enjoy caring for the
linens that are used every week. You don’t have to arrange flowers or clean the linens – there are plenty of other
duties that you can do! Members are assigned to teams and the teams normally meet together to prepare the
sanctuary. Please consider joining the Altar Guild and share your gifts and talents. There is no “membership”
requirement! We have four teams so that each team is “on duty” one weekend a month. The teams normally meet
together to set up. We have an Altar Guild Manual, written instructions as well as a national Altar Guild Manual.
We welcome men, women, and youth! In the summer we even have a husband and wife couple who serve on one
of the teams! Please prayerfully consider joining our Altar Guild. If you are interested or would like more
information please contact Dedy Traver at 828-898-5406.
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Page 8
 Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Page 10
Music Notes
Happy Spring! It seems that Easter and a warmer season are upon us; and with all the joyful music
resonating from our worship in April, our spirits are sure to soar.
The Vocal and Handbell Choirs at Holy Cross are working faithfully to make Holy Week and Easter quite
festive this year. Our Easter Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services feature both the Vocal Choir and a
special Brass Trio. We welcome Dr. Drew Leslie on Trombone, Matthew Brusseau on lead Trumpet, and
Kelsey Sykes on second Trumpet. All of the Brass players come to us from Appalachian State University’s
Hayes School of Music. Dr. Leslie is Professor of Trombone, Matthew Brusseau is a graduate student in
Conducting, and Kelsey Sykes is an undergraduate student majoring in Music Education. A most regal
and joyous Feast Day awaits us!
The Handbell Choir will contribute to our Palm Sunday worship on March 29, and then return in full force
on Sunday, April 12 as they ring in the Easter season. On this, the second Sunday in Easter, the Handbells
will play two beautiful arrangements of familiar Easter favorites: “Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain”, and
“Thine is the Glory”. The first anthem utilizes our newly added bells, as we ring notes spanning all of our
two-and-one-half octave range. The second anthem employs our newly added hand chimes, and includes
some truly creative bell and chime techniques. Mark your calendars for this special 11:00 a.m. worship
service, and be prepared to hear a new sound!
In the midst of Holy Week, the Vocal Choir sings two very solemn anthems at the Maundy Thursday and
Good Friday worship services. The first piece, for our 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday observance, is a unique
arrangement of “Panis angelicus” by Italian composer Claudio Casciolini. While the French composer,
Cesar Franck, set this text to his own elegant melody in the late 1800’s, Claudio Casciolini used tight,
chordal harmonies in the early 1700’s to bring out the austere drama of the words.
The text itself was written by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 1200’s for the Feast of Corpus Christi. The final
verse, “In this our solemn feast, let holy joys abound,” pertains explicitly to Maundy Thursday. As we
observe Christ’s new mandate, that we “love one another as I have loved you,” may the serene setting
of “Panis angelicus” bring us nearer to Jesus. Finally, on Good Friday, the Choir sings the inspirational
anthem, “Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs,” by Antonio Lotti.
The sounds of Spring—the awakening of nature, and the “Alleluias” in sacred spaces—fill us with new
life and new appreciation for our many blessings. Perhaps St. Thomas Aquinas puts it best: “At this our
solemn feast, let holy joys abound; and from the inmost breast, let songs of praise resound. Let ancient
rites depart, and all be new around; in every act, and voice, and heart.” Amen!
Faithfully,
Elaine Kallestad
 Holy Cross Episcopal Church
Page 11
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
PO Box 645
Valle Crucis, NC 28691
www.holycrossvallecrucis.net
email: [email protected]
Diocese of Western North Carolina: The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor Bishop
Clergy and Staff:
The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin, Rector
Elaine Kallestad, Choir Director/Organist
Kathy Williams, Parish Administrator
Vestry:
Tom McDonough, Senior Warden (2016), Bernie Keele (2016) Junior Warden, Mary Armstrong
(2015),
Judy Bondi (2015), Casey Tester (2015), Alicia Toomey (2015, Nina-Jo Moore (2016)
Carolyn Shepherd (2016), Chuck Canady (2017), Lee Gallien (2017), Jim Logan (2017)
Church of the Holy Cross
PO Box 645
Valle Crucis, NC 28691
April Newsletter