1

The Mainsail

St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church June, 2016

PentEcost - 2016 WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY IT WAS!!!! WELCOME, HOLY SPIRIT!!!!

2

Rector’s Corner

June! How did it get to be June already? I know, right? But it’s true: it is June and we welcome the warm

weather, fun times on the lake and “ordinary time” in the life of the church. If you travel this summer be sure to

check out the Episcopal churches wherever you go.

Recently I was talking with a sub-set of the parish and the topic of “small groups” came up. In many other

denominations people are assigned to a specific “Sunday School” group that becomes a small group that people

stick with for years. The group I was with wondered if we should do more of that, intentionally set up small

groups. My response was that the Sunday School model is one model for the life of a church congregation that

works well, but is not typically the model used by an Episcopal church.

Often in the Sunday School model, people tend to be most loyal to their particular group. If, for example,

someone has limited time on a Sunday morning they will attend Sunday school and skip church. For

Episcopalians, being present at the church service is the most important thing you can do and Sunday school,

although important, is secondary. We promise in our Baptismal Covenant that we will “continue in the apostles’

teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.” For us, that means taking part in the

Eucharist.

All that being said, I don’t mean to minimize the importance of the fellowship that participation in a small

group provides. In fact, one of the ways people are “plugged in” to the so-called Mega churches is by small

groups. That make’s sense doesn’t it? After we get out of school, other than at work, meeting new people can be

challenging. Churches help to fill that need, but to offer a wide variety of special interests small groups takes a

critical mass. Most but not all Episcopal churches do not have that critical mass. One of my seminary classmates’

first position was as an assistant rector in a very large (about 4000 members) Episcopal church in Austin Texas.

Her assignment was something like to minister to families with children from ages 8 to 13.

While we do not have that luxury, we do actually already have a plethora of small groups. To name a few,

we have the Men’s group, the Choir, the Knitting group, Cursillo, Yoga, Prayer Group, Daughters of the King,

Episco-Chicks, a new group of painters, Youth group, Adult Sunday school, EfM, VBS, ECW, all those involved

in worship; the Acolytes, Flower Guild, Altar Guild, Ushers; and well you get the idea. I’d better quit or I will

unintentionally leave someone out.

That is NOT to say that we have too many, and since some of these are less active than others, there is always

room for revamping and reinvigorating. In what area would you like to see us have a small group? Maybe you

would like to start a hiking group or empty-nesters group? We are open to ideas, all of us want St. Simon Peter

to be a place of worship AND fellowship. So bring your idea and let’s talk. We will always be a liturgical church,

one that has its main focus on worshiping our Lord – the apostles’ teaching, the breaking of the bread and prayers

- but we have plenty of room for fellowship too!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Mollie+

3

JUST COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER!!!! 2016 St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church Picnic

4

Children’s Sunday School - 11:00 until 11:30 a.m. Adult Spiritual Formation Class: “Not in God’s Name” by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

June 5 – Chapter 12 June 12 – Chapter 13 June 19 – Chapter 14 June 26 – Chapter 15

******************************************************************************

Youth Sunday – May 22, 2016

“Inspiring” is the word that best describes the beautiful sermon given by

Caitlyn Darby on Youth Sunday. St. Simon Peter is blessed to be represented

by the extratordinary youth of this parish.

Youth Sunday means that the youth are responsible for the service. Those

serving on this day were: Ushers (Braxton Darby and Shelby Little), Readers

(Erica Shaddix and Shelby Little), Oblators (Kadon Lantto and Cheyene

Bower), Crucifer (Anna Shaddix), Chalicers (Caitlyn Darby and Anna

Shaddix), Torch Bearers ( Erica Shaddix and Katie Fisher).

St. Simon Peter is made even more special because of the youth. Keep them in

your prayers as they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

FOOTHILLS DAY CAMP: It is time to collect beach towels, swimsuits and large jars of whole pickles

for Foothills. Swimsuits should be one piece for girls (sizes 6x-10/12) and trunks for boys (same sizes). The cutoff date is Sunday, June 19. Collection baskets are in the Parish Hall. Thank you in advance. This day camp is a wonderful experience for children who face too many difficult times in their young lives. At camp, they just have fun.

5

Feeding Pell City Community Garden: You know it … fresh produce at the grocery store is expensive. And even though most people understand the wisdom of eating fresh foods, many simply do not have the financial resources to go to the grocery store and buy them. There is a new project in Pell City which will help solve that problem. A community garden has been designed, built and planted on the old Avondale Mills property on the corner of 6th Avenue North and Comer Street. Several years ago St. Clair County Master Gardeners’ Association and Civitan International applied for and received a grant for a community garden. The approval process took a while (two years); however, the Master Gardeners, the Civitan, and the City of Pell City finally got the details worked out and on February 20, 2016 work began. The invitation for volunteers went out to the community. Unfortunately, there were no takers to come and work in the garden. That did not deter those who were determined to provide fresh produce to those in need. So the members of the Master Gardeners and the Civitan got busy. The garden has eight (8) active raised beds with the potential of a total of twelve (12). Johnny Smith donated the dirt for the beds and the volunteers prepared and planted them with sweet potatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, bell peppers, tomatoes, okra and jalapeno peppers. A yield of between 1,000-1,500 pounds of produce is expected. So why is this article in the Mainsail? Because two St. Simon Peter parishioners have been and continue to be very instrumental in making the project successful. Worth Barham who is a member of the Master Gardeners and Debbie Cearley who is on the Board of the Christian Love Pantry are working together to, first of all, tend and grow these plots and, secondly, to distribute the food through the Love Pantry. Would you be interested in helping out? If so, please give Worth a call at 205.338.6484.

6

Feed My Sheep:

This is a new ministry for St. Simon Peter. For a couple of years the Beans and Rice Ministry has been providing bags of beans and rice to those who needed a little extra help in the food department. Feed My Sheep is an additional step to supplement these food needs and will supplement the Beans and Rice Ministry.

Twenty (20) bags of food (canned goods, cereal, fresh produce, personal items) were distributed the first month. (Distribution is on the same day as Beans and Rice, the third Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. until Noon.) Funding for this project has been through parishioner donations, both

monetary and food donations. The generosity of the parishioners of St. Simon Peter resulted in an expenditure of approximately $200.00 instead of an expected expense of $500.00. Twenty-five bags of groceries were given out in May with a goal of thirty for June. To those with the resources to feed themselves and their families properly, one bag of groceries may not seem like much of a deal; however, for those who struggle from week to week for the basic necessities of life one bag of groceries can be the difference in hunger or eating. All donations are welcomed and appreciated. $$$$s, canned goods, paper products, personal hygiene items, fresh produce, etc., will support the feeding of our sheep. Note: If you want to bring fresh produce, please bring these items the last two or three days before distribution to avoid spoilage. Questions? Contact Cindy Hallmark at 753.8761 or Nora Martin at 338.2342.

7

To my High School Graduate,

This is a note to Garrett, my grandson. You are graduating from Pell City High School in a few days. The problem (and the joy) is that it seems only a few days since you started your life. You were in such a hurry to get into the world that you were rushed to the hospital three times. When St. Vincent’s finally let you into the world, you weighed 10 lbs. 6 oz. While rocking, you were so big that I sang, “Mr. Big Shot, Who do you think you are?” You were big then, and you still are, that’s ok. You and your sister Abby were very close. I could always find both of you by looking for heads full of red hair. I can still find you the same way. At daycare, even in the hottest weather on the playground; you loved your cowboy boots so much that you wore them every day. You were a cowboy and “everything” became a gun or a sword. And you still do, that’s ok.

One day, Abby’s cockatiel got loose and perched on the door. You closed the door and Kramer closed the last chapter in his life. After the funeral, you were still sad and later felt bad in your first grade class. Your teacher said that everyone in the class cried that day while remembering their lost pets. You were very loving and gentle with family, friends and pets. And, you still are, that’s great! You have rushed over to save me from wild animals that found their way into my house. Remember the big hawk that flew into the screened area around the pool. You found a pair of sturdy gloves, maneuvered the hawk into a corner, grabbed him firmly, and let him fly away. I think the hawk was smiling. I was so frightened when the “saber-tooth” baby squirrel came down my chimney. He hid. I just knew that he would pounce on me. But the scariest were the rodents in the attic. I could hear them running at night. You put paper sheets with extra sticky coating on the floor in the attic. Now the very scary part- silence- what happened to them? I was afraid to open the door and look. You went into the attic while I wrung my hands outside. You brought out two “big game” chipmunks. You were the brave one then. And, you still are, that’s ok! School was always good for you. You respected the teachers and enjoyed the subject matter. You especially liked to work on projects that needed creativity. You always had you own opinion when the class discussion became divided. And, you still do, that’s ok! God leads your life and nothing could be more important. As a child you played flag football in a program called Upward Bound. The coach asked different players to pray before the game. The coach told your mother that he had never heard such meaning and spirit in a prayer from a child. I am so happy when we can have discussions about current world and local problems. You apply scripture to your argument and your life. And you still do, that’s more than ok! Congratulations Garrett, You are moving to another part of your life, but I’m confident that you will keep the characteristics that make you who you are today: Handsome and strong, individual style, sympathetic and empathetic, brave and chivalrous, scholarly, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Maybe I’ve said too much. But I’m your grandmother and that’s ok! (Donette Bower) Garrett Brown, Congratulations from the entire Parish of St. Simon Peter.

8

John Carter Moreland Back to School for Mother Mollie

Mother Mollie has been accepted into the

Doctoral Program at Sewanee. The first

session is scheduled for June 6-24. She will

be at Sewanee Monday through Friday and

back in Pell City on Friday night.

Graduates from Kindergarten

Congratulations, John Carter!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Episco-Chicks:

Rumor has it that that “Episco-Chick” has flown the coup and is on the move again. Her itinerary has her scheduled for a stop at the home of: Marilyn Atkins 880 Old Highway 231 Cropwell, AL 35054

On June 8 – 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. All the other “Chicks” of St. Simon Peter are invited to join her. Bring a snack to share or a bottle of wine. You will have fun.

*****************************************************************************

Summer Church Office Hours

June, July and August

Monday – Thursday - 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

9

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

“SURF’S UP”

July 17 – 20 Ages 3 years through 5th grade

(ALL are welcome! Bring your children, bring your grandchildren, bring your neighbor’s children, bring yourself (volunteers are needed) and enjoy the fun!).

__________________________________________________________________________________________

“June Birthdays”

2 – Alex Patterson 2 – Hope Skelton 9 – Cindy Hallmark 15 – GinnySantiago

16 – Dee Parsons 17 – Katlyn Fricker 20 – Shelby Little 23 – Christine Watson

30 – Flossie Runyans

10

June Calendar

June 6 – 24 Mother Mollie at Sewanee (Monday through Friday – Home on Friday Night) June 8 Episco-Chicks (Marilyn Atkins Hosting) June 10-12 Diocesan Homecoming – Camp McDowell June 10 Bridge

June 14 June 18 Men’s Group, DOK, Beans & Rice, Feed My Sheep June 19 Deadline for towels, swim suits and pickles for Foothills Day Camp June 24 Bridge June 28 Hospital Auxiliary

Note: Regularly Scheduled Weekly Activities Are: Tuesday: Cursillo – 10:30 a.m. Wednesday: Holy Eucharist – 10:00 a.m. Needlework Guild – 11:00 a.m. - Chair Yoga – Noon Thursday: Choir Practice

On the Horizon

July 17-20 Vacation Bible School October 15 Fall Festival October 7-23 White Elephant Sale November 6 Dinner Theatre November 9 Bishop’s Visit – Bishop Kee Sloan

Did You Know? If you missed or would enjoy hearing one of Mother Mollie’s sermon again, they

are available on the St. Simon Peter website. You can access them from your PC, IPad, or smart phone. Share this information with your friends and family.

stsimonpeter.org Worship - Sermons