THE CANTERBURY TALES

JANUARY 2019

A MESSAGE FROM FATHER SCOTT

Dear Friends,

As I write this, it is three days until my installation as your next Rector. Looking back over the

past six months, I am amazed and grateful for all that has already taken place here at this

parish. I sense the Spirit working in and among us in many ways. Let me share with you just a

few of the highlights of our first six months together:

We have added 11 new households to the parish. In terms of church membership, a

“household” could mean an individual, couple or family. Some of our new members

had been attending for a while before they decided to “make it official” and declare

themselves a member of St. Thomas. Others came to visit on a Sunday and just kept on

returning until they knew that they had found a church home. Regardless of the ways

folks have come here and decided to join, it’s a blessing for our parish to welcome these

newer members!

It is now regular for us to have Sunday morning attendance in the 90’s and lower 100’s.

This is wonderful and brings such a wonderful energy to our common life as members of

the Body of Christ.

Many ministry teams have been reinvigorated and are engaging in mission: Outreach,

Finance, Youth Ministry, Child and Adult formation, Choir & Music, Altar Guild, Buildings

& Grounds, Vestry, Field Education, Parish Life & Hospitality, Stewardship and more are

all welcoming new members and doing great ministry here at this parish!

In the area of our financial life, we had a very successful Fall Financial Stewardship

Appeal. We have gained 8 new pledges over last year an additional $28,400.00

projected over last year. We have also begun a Capital Improvement Fund to help with

care of our buildings and grounds and we are looking at our current policies and

practices related to Memorial Funds.

Our new Administrative Assistant, Chris, and our new Director of Music, Joe, are

bringing life, vitality, organization, and vibrancy to the life of our parish prayer, worship

and organization.

I continue to sense a real hunger here for learning, spiritual growth and community. I

am so grateful for this and will do all I can to help us all to grow in our spiritual lives.

This parish has one of the finest vestries and best Deacons I’ve ever worked with – you

are all blessed by them and so am I!

So in a few days, the bishop will “install” me (makes me think of myself as some sort of church

appliance!). His ministry with us on that day will be a blessing and a reminder that we are part

of something larger than ourselves – and that we are accountable for this parish and its

ministry. I will make solemn promises to you during this service, and you will make a

commitment to me. Together, we’ll seek to love and serve Christ, and to do all we can to live

our faith in Him.

Thank you for calling me. It is an honor to serve you. Let me know how I can be of support to

you as we continue to build up the Body of Christ on this corner.

Fr. Scott

DEACON’S NEWS AND NOTES

My New Year’s resolution—intentional Gratitude!

Debbie Macomber notes that: “Practicing an attitude of gratitude spills over to acts of

generosity.”

I have tried Rev. Shannon Kelly’s practice of, each night, listing three things for which I am

grateful. In some ways I have to wonder how serious I am and how intentional since, each

night it has been the weather, my health and family and friends. Of course, if the weather is

good and my health is good, I can do more, but is that the true, total intent? My wonderment

for January!

Jan 5th – Executive Council at 10:00 a.m. and Father Scott’s Installation at 3:00 p.m.

Jan 10th – Lunch with friends from All Saints, one celebrating her 85th birthday, noonish; Vestry

Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 27th – Annual Meeting after services

Jan. 28th – Worship Committee Meeting 6:30 p.m.

I am at Nicholson House: Jan 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. Come for cocoa and a tour.

Peace and prayers,

Deacon Marge

DIOCESAN BEAT

Ms. Marlene Udovich is still looking for a Financial Review Team. If you are interested, please

call or e-mail Marlene at: 414-272-3028 ext. 157 or finance@diomil.org

Executive Council is starting up again January 5th with a look at and reflection on our 2018

diocesan organization chart. (See below.) Stay tuned for updates.

JANUARY JOY~Thoughts from your Senior Warden

I write this at the end of a busy weekend since this Saturday we formally installed Fr. Scott as

our rector. The celebration was a beautiful reflection of what has happened these first six

months with Fr. Scott and what is possible in the years ahead.

Part of the service included the Bishop stating:

“Ever living God, strengthen and sustain Scott, that with patience and understanding he

may love and care for your people; and grant that together they may follow Jesus

Christ, offering to you their gifts and talents; through him who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.” (BCP pg.560)

This echoed through my head Sunday morning as Fr. Scott talked about hiding in plain sight. It

led me wonder, what is hiding here in plain sight at St. Thomas? I have seen glimpses of some

of those things hiding in plain sight in the time since Fr. Mark retired. I have had the chance to

get to know people better in this time and have seen some of their varied and wonderful gifts

and talents, but what else is hiding, right here, in plain sight?

January is historically a time for reflection and resolutions. I would like to challenge you to

reflect on your talents, what talents do you have? How can you use them for the good of all

God’s people?

I also want to encourage each of you to attend the annual meeting. I know; before you object

that it’s boring, or always the same, let me remind you that new rector means new ways of

doing things. Come to the meeting, see what it’s about – if nothing else stay for the potluck

afterwards!

Here’s to new beginnings and all the joy yet to come.

As always, I welcome you to contact me with your concerns, comments, and questions. Feel

free to talk to me before or after services, or call, text (414-254-1005) or e-mail

(Margaret.Done@gmail.com). I look forward to continuing to work with each of you.

Peace and Blessings,

Margaret

New Prayer Ministry

There will be a new way for prayers to be asked for and prayed for at St Thomas of Canterbury starting in January 2019. I am very excited as is the whole team to introduce Teleministry here in our parish. The purpose behind this ministry is to reach out to each parish member/family by phone on a monthly basis. A member of the team will call to see how each of you are doing and if there is anything special you need prayers for at that time. After the calls are made, the team member will go into the church and pray for you and your requests immediately. We are currently in the process of getting this organized and are eager to start in January. Hopefully as we go along, we will find the best times to call you and touch base at the best time for each parishioner. Prayer is so powerful and always needed. I am hoping this new ministry will be another way to meet our prayer needs here at St. Thomas and strengthen the spiritual bond within our parish family. A very blessed Christmas to all!! Faithfully in Christ, Lisa Chmielewski Vestry Liaison to Pastoral care and Evangelism

My Reflections on Service in the Vestry to St. Thomas of

Canterbury ~ by Scott Celsor

I want to thank the parishioners at St. Thomas for allowing me to serve on our vestry. It was an

honor to serve in both the education and worship committees during this time of transition,

because I believe that good days are ahead for St. Thomas. I won’t lie or sugar coat it; the work

on vestry is difficult at times. But I believe, with God’s help, we are building for a better future,

which makes the work all worthwhile. And there were moments of levity amongst all the hard

work that made it enjoyable at times. I will miss the camaraderie and teamwork with the

friends I have developed over the years. I want to thank Margaret Done, Tammy Wyman, and

Paul Stoving for their leadership as wardens during my tenure. But as I leave the vestry, I

believe that St. Thomas is in the good hands of Jesus Christ our Lord, Fr. Scott, our wardens,

and you.

Again, thank you,

Scott Celsor

ADVENT 2018

Third Sunday of Advent … Pink candles, choir collars and roses

Bridget Done lights three candles Dave Manley presents Mary in the Episcopal Church

The Youth Group prepares bags of straw to be shared with parishioners

on the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Natalie Kim lights all four candles on the Advent Wreath Natalie Kim violin: Canticle of the Turning

Tammy Wyman: Breath of Heaven Bags of blessed straw were offered to all Karen & Pete Leszcynski, “spirited” Coffee Hour hosts

for home Nativity scenes

On Saturday, December 22nd and Sunday, December 23rd, the Altar Guild and several parish members came together to decorate our church for the Christmas celebration.

Saturday saw the trees, lights and wreathes on the windows go up.

Sunday saw Poinsettias, the Nativity Scene, and white candles

All ready for Christmas!

As the church was being decorated for Christmas, another set of parishioners were working on sorting and preparing to deliver the items donated for the “Exploit No More” resource hub during the Advent season.

The white candles of the Christmas season were lit and trumpets heralded the celebration at the 4:30 PM service on Christmas Eve, December 24th. The St. Thomas of Canterbury Choir offered a Christmas Prelude under the direction of Joe Nuval, Music Director, before the service began.

Paul and Maggie Stoving

A Holiday Wish Hallelujah ~ Josh Cram, Soloist

Parishioners and visitors participated in a sing along which included God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Go Tell It On the Mountain and Good Christian Friends Rejoice. Additionally, Joe Nuval presented piano solos of He Is Born/Pat-a-pan.

Sr. Warden, Margaret Done, welcomes everyone to the Christmas Eve service. And so the Christmas Eve service begins with the entrance of angels, Mary and the singing of O Come, All Ye Faithful …

Fr. Scott blesses the Nativity scene

Deacon Marge proclaims the Gospel according to Luke. Fr. Scott’s sermon highlighted that Jesus is our healing and strength, our light in darkness, and the ultimate Joy to our world.

All children were invited up to the altar for the Offertory. After Communion, overhead lights were dimmed, candles were lit, and the wonder of Christmas was proclaimed as all sang Silent Night.

The 10:00 PM Christmas Eve service in the

darkness of night included candlelight and

incense, while the 10:00 AM Christmas

Day service was celebrated in the light of

day. The commonality was the joy felt by

all who attended both services

commemorating the birth of our Lord.

Saturday, January 5, 2019, saw the installation of Fr. Scott Leannah as the new Rector of St. Thomas of Canterbury Church. At the 3:00 PM service, Bishop Miller formerly installed Fr. Scott and reminded all that St. Thomas is part of the Diocese of Milwaukee.

Welcoming parishioners before the service

And so the service begins…

The Gospel is proclaimed The sermon is given The Installation begins

He is ours and we are his!

And so now the party begins …

Promises and

Pledges …. Fr.

Scott and

Junior Warden,

Tammy

Wyman along

with Senior

Warden,

Margaret Done

Root Beer floats for all! Commemorative Root Beer bottles

*Special thanks to Margaret Done and Erika Stoving for providing these pictures.

FATHER SCOTT’S INSTALLATION – THANK YOU

Father Scott’s installation celebration was a huge success! It was a wonderful gathering with many parishioners and guests in attendance. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who assisted in any way. I would like to mention the following: Prepping of Food on Friday: Margaret Done, Barb Labish, Lee Monk, Gail Pederson, Sharon Owen, Heather Owen, Karen Lesczynski and Joan & Mark Lamson. Set-up: Margaret Done, Sharon Owen, Heather Owen, Marge Hill, Louise Allen, John Cram and Dennis McKnight for coordinating getting tables and chairs upstairs (and all the people I didn’t see who helped do that). To all the ladies who assisted in bringing up the trays of food (it all happened so quickly and efficiently I am unable to remember them all). To Barb Labish for serving the brats and to Bridget Done and Mia Leannah for serving the yummy root beer floats! Clean-up: John Cram & Linda Cram, Barb & Tom Labish, Sharon Owen, Heather Owen, Margaret Done (and anyone who assisted with the clean-up upstairs and bringing all the table and chairs downstairs.) If I have forgotten anyone, my apologies. It takes many hands to make an event a success and we at St. Thomas are blessed that so many offered their assistance in making Father Scott’s installation a most memorable experience. My special thanks to Margaret Done (my grocery shopping buddy and all around support system) and Sharon & Heather Owen for making the beautiful centerpieces and being there from beginning to end offering their assistance. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, Tammy Wyman, Parish Life Liaison

ANNUAL MEETING

Our parish will have its Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 27, 2019, at 11:30 AM. At this meeting, we’ll look at the year 2018 in joy and gratitude. We’ll take stock of where we are today in our life, ministry and mission. We’ll examine our finances and vote to affirm the budget adopted by our vestry. We’ll choose leadership for the coming year. Please pray for an open heart and mind and a willingness to serve God by serving in the church.

ANNUAL MEETING POT LUCK LUNCHEON

We will be having a pot luck luncheon after the annual meeting. The church will be providing ham & rolls. We are asking parishioners to bring a dish to pass. You can sign-up on the sheet posted in the Gathering Space. Any questions, please contact Kris Reed or Erika Stoving who have agreed to coordinate this event. Thanks, Tammy Wyman, Parish Life Liaison

JANUARY /FEBRUARY CELEBRATIONS

BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES

Nancy Bauman January 9 Tom & Pam Kasper February 10

Virginia Harper January 10

Logan Knapton January 10

Heather Owen January 10

Deirdre Dixon January 13

Leah Klumb January 15

Brian Knapton January 17

Natalie Knapton January 23

David Mecikalski January 23

Barb Labisch January 24

Kathy Angeli February 1

Marilee Monk February 2

Paul Stoving February 4

Clem Wagner February 4

Thomas Beinlich February 9

Christine Wigand February 9

Amber McKenzie February 10

Scott Leannah February 11

Mia Leannah February 11