January 2013 Newsletter

OUTLOOK
January 2013 Newsletter
St. Asaph’s Church is called to be a progressive Christian community
We will welcome everyone to God’s table.
We will stand with those in need and advocate for the poor, the sick, the friendless and the marginalized.
We will make children central to our life as a community
We will celebrate the presence of God with joyful, engaging and inviting worship.
succumbs to “untimely” death. How can we not ask that
question again and again?
Jacoby sees in religion a primary role of providing solace
to the grieving in the purposes of God. I believe in an
afterlife and if some find solace there, all the better, but
my belief in that there is more to come beyond this world
is never the motivation for my life here and now. I agree
with Jacoby, that our actions and the way this life is lived
seem to me to be of ultimate importance. I am, however
certain, that my human motivation to make this a better
world falls far short of what needs to be done.
Dear Friends
In the Epiphany edition of the New York Times- (no the
NYT did not really print an Epiphany edition but it was
th
the edition printed on Sunday, January 6 ) there was an
article written by Susan Jacoby entitled “The Blessings
of Atheism” which can be found here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/opinion/sunday/theblessings-of-atheism.ht
in which she states among other things that “The
absence of an afterlife lends a greater, not a lesser,
moral importance to our actions on earth.” The article is
written in part as a reflection in the aftermath of the
heinous shooting and deaths of the children in Newtown,
Ct. It is an incident in our national life that is indeed still
fresh in our hearts and minds. In the article Jacoby
addresses the even larger and age old question as to
why there is suffering in the world.
The most ancient stories of the Hebrew Scriptures
attempt to answer this question about suffering. It is
among the first questions asked by humankind as we
moved from hunters and gatherers to a people who had
the luxury of time to ask questions and tell stories to find
our answers. It is the question we still ask when one we
have loved, especially young or in the prime of their lives
The specific life of Jesus, the revelation (it is Epiphany
after all) of God’s very self in our midst, provides for us
the witness of God’s intent for us. There is never an
explanation of suffering by Jesus- Jesus, in fact shares
in our suffering and shares in our death. Certainly,
however, there are challenges by Jesus to long held
beliefs about suffering- see the conversations about who
sinned? in the Gospels. Usually, Jesus turns the
conversations about suffering and blame to an event
where there is healing and forgiveness and an invitation
to again enter more fully into life and the living of that
life. Even more, the purpose of God is made all the
clearer in that we are to love God, love our neighbors
(and even our enemies) and all as we love ourselves.
Has this invitation become so cliché that we simply no
longer are able to hear it? Have we, as preachers
surrendered this invitation to one that is merely humanist
and invites us only to love our neighbors as we love
ourselves? Or maybe it is further reduced to that we are
only to love ourselves?
Organized religions over the millennia may have been a
curse when taken literally and out of their given context.
Religion, and for me this Christian faith, has been a
blessing when seen and understood and practiced as a
means to community and conversation about the
greatest questions of this life as well as the voice that
reminds me that I am invited into something greater than
myself, that I am invited into God and the loving of that
God, neighbor and self, that I am invited into the active
participation in this life and the improving of this life for
all the living.
I am happy for Jacoby who finds greater importance for
her moral actions here and now, partly in response to
seeing and experiencing human suffering. Please, by all
means, work to alleviate all suffering and make this a
better world! For me, my faith and participation in the
body of Christ calls me into this world with more than a
moral imperative. I do not always trust my moral
compass. Just look at human history with and/or without
religion for one shortfall after another! For me, there
must be something greater than morality, something that
is holy and divine, something that points me way beyond
myself with all my shortcomings and failings and gives
me hope, not only in the world yet to come, but in the inbreaking of the reign of God here and now.
Adult Formation
The Fortnight Series by Steve Lindsay:
This is an opportunity to have dinner together, have
some interesting conversation and Eucharist. We
gather every other Wednesday at 6:15 PM and start
eating at 6:30. The Eucharist starts at 7:10 and we are
complete by 7:30. Please come and enjoy the evening.
The topics are chosen by the Episcopal Calendar of
Saints and Festivals. Here is the calendar until June,
2013.
1/16/13
Fortnight
Antony
1/30/13
Fortnight
Thomas Aquinas
2/13/13
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday
2/20/13
Wednesday 1
TBD
2/27/13
Wednesday 2
TBD
3/6/13
Wednesday 3
TBD
3/13/13
Wednesday 4
TBD
As always I am grateful for the conversation. Thank you
for engaging in my ramblings. On a personal note, the
Harte-McCormick’s thank you for your many acts of
kindness over the holidays, the treats were especially
delicious!
3/20/13
Wednesday 5
TBD
3/27/13
Tenebrae
Tenebrae
4/10/13
Fortnight
William Law
4/24/13
Fortnight
Saint Mark
Blessed Epiphany,
5/8/13
Ascension Eve
Ascension
5/22/13
Fortnight
Holy Spirit
Barry+
**
***
Parish Annual Meeting
Liturgy
Bishop Lee will visit St. Asaph’s on Sunday, January 13.
Please come and meet the Bishop and give your
blessing to Kim Bravo who will be confirmed. Loaves
and Fishes is planning a festive reception for the coffee
hour.
***
The Church of St. Asaph Annual Meeting will take place
following the 10am service on Sunday, January 27.
Please be prepared to stay for a parish lunch. A sign-up
sheet will be on the piano.
As we have done in the past, there will be a ballot box
to vote for the new vestry members. Mary Allen,
Laura Brennan, Sandra Haye-Carr, Andrea Dawkins
and Kristin Stewart will be leaving having completed
their term. In addition to the vote, reports will be given
by the accounting warden and the rector’s warden and
an annual report will be given to parishioners containing
written reports of the various committees in the church
which will also include a financial report.
Details will be in the weekly emessage. Families are
encouraged to attend.
***
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Youth Formation
Appreciating the music from the violins of Kevin HarteMcCormick and Zack Love.
By Steve Sheeran
Counting down the weeks until Christmas with Advent
Wreaths
Listening to a reading by Emma Teelucksingh
We give thanks to all our youth who participated in the
liturgy during the Christmas season.
***
Children’s Formation
Enjoying the sweetness of the voices of Kate HarteMcCormick and Maddy Ragsdale…
***
We give thanks for Joanna Patterson, our temporary
director of children’s formation, for her part in guiding the
children through Advent and Christmas. Joanna is inprocess with the Lutheran church, but we hope to have
her through Easter.
***
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Don’t know how our children sat so long while waiting to
participate in the pageant.
Stewardship
By Mary Allen
GIVING
The Church of St. Asaph is filled with
joyous and generous people. In the wake of two
campaigns, I am in the lucky position as Stewardship
Chair of knowing how very dedicated we all are to the
health of this family parish. With 76 pledging units, it is
truly remarkable that we have commitments of $215,000.
for our work in 2013 and this is in addition to pledges to
Your House Campaign of $225,000. over three years
(ending in 2014).
Our Divine theater in the round
I am moved by the fact that in this diverse community
which is so dear to our hearts, everyone is eager to give
what they can. The results prove that every pledge is
indeed valuable, whatever the amount!
***
th
Documentary for St. Asaph’s 125 Anniversary
Youth formation is making a documentary for St.
th
Asaph’s 125 anniversary celebration this May. Part of
the documentary will be a narrative of St. Asaph’s first
125 years and part will be interviews with current
parishioners. Most of the interviews will be conducted on
Sundays before the 10am service. If you are interested
in being interviewed let Steve Sheeran or Lisbet
Drivdahl know.
***
In January, my term on Vestry will end, and I'd like to
share with you a few of my personal reflections. I am
one who believes strongly in pay-as-you-go, not running
up debt. However, I have been persuaded that for the
parish (as indeed for the country), spending more than
we take in is the right policy for a few more years. The
repair of the front steps to the church is important. We
cannot tell how many people have turned away because
the barred entrance gives the impression of a failing
parish. We do know that many who manage to come in
the back door love the welcome they receive and return
again and again. Unfortunately and unavoidably, this
repair will cost a considerable amount because of a
combination of new township regulations and our status
on the Historic Registry!
That is one example of a one-time, but considerable,
expense. The Vestry repeatedly debates how best to
use the money that comes in for the Your House
Campaign, and the steps have been given top priority,
along with rebuilding the endowment, but there are other
maintenance issues that cannot be ignored (tree work,
for example). So it is a juggling act. In spite of all the
demands, we are decreasing our deficit steadily, hoping
to balance the budget in another year or two.
The Vestry does its best to spend our money
responsibly, enabling the parish to continue to thrive as
a center of worship, loving community, and generous
outreach. It is a great challenge to establish priorities,
but progress is being made. Thank you for trusting me to
serve these past three years.
Yours faithfully, Mary Allen
***
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Your House: The St. Asaph’s Campaign
ROGER ALLEN
Co-Chair, YOUR HOUSE Campaign Committee
Over the past month (Dec. 2012) things have been fairly
quiet, but it is clear that we are now approaching the end
of one phase of our YOUR HOUSE campaign--the one
in which we have asked the congregation to contribute to
the three-pronged fund-raising effort: bridge-funds to
help with current budget issues; investment funds; and
capital funds for various building projects. At this point,
that process has involved 54 contributors and a total of
$230,844 raised. In view of the additional amount raised
as part of the 2013 Stewardship Campaign which has
just ended ($215,000), the level of congregational giving
is obviously nothing less than remarkable.
We are now at the beginning of 2013, the year in which
we will be celebrating our 150th anniversary as a parish.
The Campaign Committee now plans to work closely
with the committee planning events for the year (chaired
by Steve Chawaga) so that we can take advantage of
those forthcoming events in order to make parishioners
and visitors alike aware of our aspirations for the future
as well our celebration of both present and past.
In addition, we now hope to begin a further phase in the
YOUR HOUSE campaign in which we approach outside
funding agencies in quest of financial support for the
myriad activities in which our congregation (and
buildings) are regularly involved.
***
Outreach
About a dozen St. Asaph folks joined the St. James
Choir in caroling in the St. James West Allegheny
neighborhood on the Friday before Christmas. An
Advent gift party followed. Parents chose gifts to give to
their children and the neighborhood children benefited
as well. Youth at St. James led us in Prayers of
Thanksgiving. These middle school children were very
open in their gratitude. At the end of the evening, we
were sent home with bags of cookies in thanks for our
participation and generosity.
***
School Supplies and Other Needs
Both Taggart School and at St. James are in need of
most everything in school supplies so this will be an
ongoing collection as you see convenient to donate.
Taggart School is specifically in need of some personal
items for their students—underwear, socks, deodorant,
tampons, pads.
***
Music and Arts
Roy Harker, Director
The Gallery at St. Asaph’s
2012-2013 Artists
Janet Barrett, Chair
Bala House has kindly set up a glove and mitten tree to
benefit Taggart School where our parishioner Andi Gray
teaches. Bala House is also including donations of
coats and age-appropriate books for the school. We
thank Marissa Peterson and Agnes Irwin School for
their participation in this project.
If you would like to participate, walk the hall to Bala
House and find the tree. The drive will continue through
the winter.
***
The Elysian Camerata
Cellist Deborah Davis, returns to The Elysian Camerata
in this delightful program of music by Boccherini, Kodaly
and Brahms. Our traditional wine and goodies will follow
the concert. We look forward to seeing you on:
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Sunday, January 13 at 3:00 PM
The Church of St. Asaph
27 Conshohocken State Rd. Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
$15.00 free will offering suggested
***
The new painting experiences opened her work to a
range of indescribable colors. There is a quirky
relationship between the village tiled rooftops and the
gritty ones of her Brooklyn spaces. Even in this beautiful
and historic place there are television satellite dishes
sprouting about.
***
Melissa Bollman-Jenkins — Acrylic on Canvas
Exhibit until January 13, 2013
***
Kellyann Monaghan
Les Paysages-Recent French Landscapes
Oil on Canvas
January 18, 2013 through February 17, 2013
Opening Friday, January 18, 2013, 6:00-8:00pm
In Southern France, Toulouse region, Kellyann
Monaghan had access to the beautiful landscape, old
and decaying buildings and by contrast, the modernized
forms and structures of contemporary life. She painted
primarily on site and in the open air. The small medieval
villages and ancient farms inspired many of her
paintings. In these works are depicted lush landscapes,
claustrophobic village streets and dilapidated farms.
While there, she had the opportunity to attend the artist
residency, La Muse, in Labastide Esparbairenque, a
village located in southern France. The village is near
the Medieval city, Carcasonne. There she developed a
body of work based on the village surroundings. The
small medieval village is situated on a mountainside.
The village’s atmosphere of rich history and crooked
architecture inspired numerous painterly moments. The
village provided the ideal setting for working in plein air
The dramatic and idiosyncratic architecture, in contrast
to the spring greening of the mountains, takes center
stage in these paintings. The village chapel and
nighttime golden light seems to have held particular
interest.
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St. Asaph’s Church is a progressive and inclusive
Christian community. We offer the message of
Christianity to those who sometimes find organized
religion ineffectual, irrelevant or repressive. We see our
faith as an agent of justice and peace. We are a
community that embraces search, not certainty. We
believe faith is a process not a destination.
**
Property
By Steve Sheeran
The tree work and most of the masonry work (see
photos) as well as roofing work (additional snow guards,
replaced missing slates, repaired some gutters, etc) has
been completed.
All the gutter and downspouts on the building have been
cleared of leaves and other blockages. Repairs to the
Rectory boiler, Parish House boiler and Church #4
furnace have been done.
Some electrical work will be completed during the week
of January 7 – new breaker box in the Rectory
apartment; fixtures in the office and art room will be
repaired or replaced; outside lighting will be move on to
timers, etc.
Fall Clean Up Work Day
Thanks to Fr. Barry, Mary Allen, Jeff Bacher, John
Barrett, Emily Cronin, John Chou, Wendy Flegal,
Kevin Harte-McCormick, Sandra Haye, Katherine
Kurtz, Toby Roberts, Frank, Simon and Max
Schmieder, Pam Sheeran, Steve Sheeran, and
Teresa Wallace for all their help in the fall cleanup of the
church grounds. All their hard work saved the church
about $3,600.00.
***
Church Recycling
More volunteers are needed to take the church and
rectory recyclable material home to put out for collection.
Lower Merion Township will not collect the church’s or
rectory’s recyclables because St. Asaph is classified as
commercial property. Contact Steve Sheeran for more
information.
***
Congregation
We give a warm welcome to the Miramonti family.
Leah was kind enough to write the following:
***
Volunteer Projects
Although the next scheduled work day is not until March
9 there are projects that can be done. The kitchen,
bathroom and sitting area needs to be painted, shelving
needs to be installed in the conference room’s storage
closet, the room across from the office needs to be
cleared out as does the Church’s undercroft. If you are
interested in helping with these projects contact
John Barrett or Steve Sheeran.
***
Joe, Leah, and Lucia Miramonti found St. Asaph’s this
past summer. We are Methodist but initially visited
because of the outdoor service where our then almost 2
year old could participate without being too disruptive. It
was wonderful to worship outside! We felt immediately
at home due to the warmth and friendliness of the
congregation and Pastor Barry. We learned a lot at
each service so continued to visit.
We moved to Philadelphia over a year ago from
Cincinnati where we met and lived for more than 10
years. Leah’s job in marketing with Procter & Gamble
allows people to complete broadening assignments with
different retailers. Leah is in the Philly area working
across all P&G products at Rite Aid and Joe manages a
private investment fund.. The three of us currently live in
Ardmore with our dog, Desi. We love the area and the
church and look forward to getting to know you all more
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personally. Joe has a passion for cooking, so let us
know if you’d like to come over for dinner!
Stephanie with Mark and Kate at the White Elephant.
(Wow Leah. I hope you are not overwhelmed. Our
members love to eat as well as cook.)
***
A Christmas Fair
In early December a group of parishioners and other
vendors set up the wares in the parish hall for Christmas
shoppers. We thank Janet Barrett for organizing this
event which turned the profits over to our vestry.
The Barretts had lots to offer in hand made items
***
Our Pot Luck and Greening of the Church
Zabeth and Emma had a full booth of items.
Carol Linfoot is taking a breather in the kitchen. She
organized the wonderful potluck supper before the
greening of the church. The event involved everyone—
toddlers, youth, adults. Thanks so much Carol.
Shellie and her daughter Elena make gorgeous
earrings.
8
Let the Greening Begin
Joanna Patterson is turning the key to lower the tower
light for the roping. Joanna is our present children’s
formation director. She also led the children in
decorating their tree in the parish hall.
Many hands were needed to put up the sanctuary tree.
The final flowering of the sanctuary
***
9
125th Anniversary Celebration
By Steve Chawaga
On Epiphany, we enjoyed the beautiful liturgy of Lessons
and Carols. The parish was invited to bring in their own
infant Jesus to lay in the church crèche for a final
blessing. The basket is a symbol of the food that we
continue to donate for those in need.
The 125th Anniversary Committee has been busy
planning events for our anniversary year, which kicks off
on January 13 with a visit from Bishop Lee and a concert
in the afternoon from the Elysian Camerata. Please also
mark your calendars for the weekend of May 3-5 which
will be our Festival Weekend that will include an art
opening, a spring bazaar, an outdoor dinner and a
festival Eucharist on Sunday. We had 32 entries for our
contest to pick a theme for our celebration. Our
selection -- PRAY IT FORWARD -- combines ideas of
"prayer" and "forward-looking" that were embraced by
many of the suggestions we received.
We know that many of you have photos from St. Asaph's
events you have attended. We are hoping to build up
our archives of such events and would be grateful of you
would look through your photo books, computer files,
etc. and let me or Steve Sheeran know if you have
pictures to share. Thanks -- it's going to be a great year!
***
International Dinners to Raise Money for
St. Asaph’s
The 2012-13 season needs a few good cooks!
Dinners are $35 per person and include a three-course
meal with wine. All proceeds go directly to St Asaph’s.
This is one fun way to build fellowship.
We thank everyone who helped distribute our beautiful
poinsettias, and take down the greens for another year,
especially the altar guild and flower guild who worked
throughout Advent and Christmas to make St. Asaph so
glorious.
***
10
Pictured above is Zabeth Teelucksingh with her
daughter Emma. Zabeth has been the catalyst behind
these international dinners. She was inspired by her
mother Patricia who now lives in the South of France.
Many years ago Patricia saw a need to raise money for
her small parish and came up with the idea of cooking
dinners for a fee. The difference was that although
Patricia raised a lot of money for her church, she hosted
most of the dinners herself.
Zabeth reports that the last 5 dinners raised $2,000 to
benefit St. Asaph’s. The most recent dinner given by
Roy Harker and Bob Ranando was supposed to be for
12. At the last minute Roy received 5 cancellations.
With an amazing French Cassoulet ready what do you
do? A call went out and parishioners rallied--14 showed
up for an incredible meal. According to Epicurious this
classic southwestern French dish consists of white
beans and a variety of meats, such as pork, sausages,
duck comfit, lamb, mutton and goose. The exact
combination varies by region.
Speak or contact [email protected] or call 561 843
1050.
***
Loaves and Fishes
Flower Guild/Altar Guild
We really give thanks to the Flower Guild and Altar Guild
for how beautiful the church looked during the Christmas
Season. It takes a lot of checking by the Altar Guild and
Stevie to make sure Barry has what he needs for the
liturgy.
Above are Marlene Milner and Stevie Graves
sweeping up after the take down of our greens and the
give away of our poinsettias on Epiphany
“The peace of God that passes all
understanding”
By Karen Love, Chair
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, February 12, to attend
the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and Mardi Gras..
th
Ash Wednesday is on the 13 . Karen hasn’t said what
she has in store for entertainment, but it was fun last
year.
***
Book Club
Roger Allen is a sought after translator; therefore, he is
a one-man library when it comes to finding a good read.
Our book club has chosen his latest translation, “A
Muslim Suicide,” by Bensalem Himmich.
Join us in the parish parlor for a discussion of this book
on Monday, January 14 at 7:30. If you don’t have time
to read the book, come anyway. You won’t be
disappointed with the discussion.
***
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PRAYERS
Those for whom our prayers have been asked: We pray for
Jose Emiliano Flores-Caballero, Josh Delclos, Barbara Barrett,
Laura Barrett, Rev. Charles Carter, Bob Cronin, Victor Delclos,
Jamie Dent, Bill Duffey, The Achuff Family, Everett William
Frank, Teri Jerome, Sarah Hargis, Nicholas King, Paul &
Debbie Longdin, Alice Longdin, Lucille, Marlin McCormick,
Paul, Penny Pether, Erika Phillips, Emerald Randolph, Kayte
Reeves, Patricia Saunders, Edward Samarco, Lisa Sparling,
Peggy Stineman, Peter Townley, Kathy Whalen, Doretta
Walker, and Alberta Winsey.
Those who have recently died in the parish: Allan Clayton,
(Bill Clayton).
St. Asaph’s Church is a house of prayer for all
people and a community that works to be
progressive in belief and inclusive in practice.
Sunday Schedule
8 am, Contemplative Communion
9 am, Spiritual Formation for all ages
10 am, Parish Eucharist
Holy Days as announced
Summer Schedule
9:15 am
TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL -- PLEASE HANDLE PROMPTLY
OUTLOOK
CHURCH OF SAINT ASAPH
27 Conshohocken State Rd
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
On the web at
www.saintasaphs.org
□ Check and return to church office
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Parish Staff
The Rev. Barry J. Harte, Rector
Roy Harker, Director of Music & Arts
Steve Sheeran, Youth Formation
Lynda Staton, Parish Administrator
Pastoral Care Team: Rev’d Barry Harte, MaryChris Lindsay,
leader; Janet Barrett, Associate
Parish Vestry
John Silbaugh, Accounting Warden
Linda Sterthous, Rector’s Warden
Mary Allen, John Barrett, Jeff Becher, Laura Brennan, Andrea
Dawkins, Sandra Haye-Carr, Steve Chawaga Christie
Huddleston, Smith Ragsdale, Kristen Stewart, Lori
Wernersbach,
Parish Office
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9a-3p
Phone: 610-664-0966
Fax: 610-664-3760
Diocese of Pennsylvania
The Rt. Rev’d Rodney R. Michel, Assisting Bishop
The Rt. Rev’d Allen Bartlett, Assisting Bishop
The Rt. Rev’d Ed Lee, Assisting Bishop
Contact Connie Stelzenmuller, [email protected],
newsletter editor, to submit articles or to request changes.