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The Mainsail

St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church September, 2016

ALL HANDS ON DECK

*Pumpkin Palooza/White Elephant Sale - Community Festival - Talent Show & Dinner - Bishop’s Visit*

The Fall is always a busy time at St. Simon Peter. 2016 is no exception. Many hands and much help will be needed to accomplish all that is planned. These events not only showcase the church but afford an opportunity for fellowship and sharing the love of Jesus.

Pumpkin Palooza/White Elephant Sale: This annual event is anticipated by both parishioners and the

community. It is the largest fund raiser of the year and gives a much needed boost to the budget… so shop with enthusiasm. The Pumpkin Palooza/White Elephant Sale will be from October 8 through October 23 with the Community Festival happening in the middle of the event on October 15. Donated items for the White Elephant Sale should be placed under the large painting in the parish hall. Pricing and setup will be the week prior to the beginning of the sale. PLEASE, do not ask that items be ‘saved’ for you, or ask to buy items before the sale; however, on Friday night, October 7, parishioners are invited to a pre-sale from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served (of course, as is the Episcopal way, you are asked to bring an appetizer and/or wine).

Community Festival: October 15 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – This is the first Community Festival for

St. Simon Peter. Plans are in the works for games, a blowup house for the children, a food tent, music, a bake sale, and craft booths. The event will be advertised on radio, in print and with signage. EVERYONE’S help is needed to make this day a success. Please make your plans now to be a part of this fun and important day.

Talent Show & Dinner: November 5 – Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Dinner is served at 6:00 and the

show begins shortly after – This is going to be such fun and will also be a fund raiser. There will be talent from within St. Simon Peter and from the Pell City community at large, plus there will be a great silent auction as well. You won’t want to miss this, and there will be ample opportunity to help out, too.

Bishop Kee Sloan will make his annual visit to St. Simon Peter on Wednesday, November 9 at 4:00 p.m.

Following the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation service, a reception will be held in the parish hall. Please plan to attend. This is a very special day for those confirmed and a wonderful opportunity to visit with Bishop Kee.

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Rector’s Corner

There is a true story about a church member talking with the bishop on the occasion of the bishop’s annual

visit. The conversation centered around stewardship and what was happening at the parish. Growing a bit

uncomfortable, the parishioner hastened to assure the bishop by saying, “But it’s not about the money.”

Whereupon the bishop replied, “It’s always about the money.” I understand this concept all too well. Sometimes

it is a disadvantage to be a (former) accountant.

In a recent sermon, I talked about the three responsibilities that we have, as members of the Body of Christ.

We are to take care of each other, which includes watching out for each other and accompanying and encouraging

each other on our faith journeys. In it we are to pray for and with each other and we do this best when we are in

church together on Sunday morning. Second, we are to open our hearts and arms to welcome others to join us on

this journey. We are to enlarge the Kingdom, the Body, by inviting others to join us here at St. Simon Peter and

in a shared relationship with our Lord. And third, we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus by taking care of those

in need, even though they can do nothing for us in return.

These are our assignments, but they are not chores. You know as well as I do that when we are about the

business of fulfilling the assignments - great things happen. Not only do great things happen, but we grow closer

to God and to each other. So, that is what I want us to focus on - doing those three things and doing them well.

We all benefit from the growth and spiritual awaking that come as a result. I want to, and do have faith that

everything else will fall into place.

At the same time, we need to understand that while we are not in immediate financial danger, there are

concerns. As I understand it, St. Simon Peter has a history of nearly always needing to fundraise. Lots of churches

are like that, and while it is not optimal, it is okay, as long as we are aware of the need. Right now, at the end of

summer, our cash position is lower than average and we are deep in the red for the year: meaning our operating

expenses exceed our operating income. This does not include the work that has been done to our building, those

capital funds were raised and set aside several years ago. In order to offset our operating deficit, we have two big

fundraisers coming up. With them and if people catch up their pledges, hopefully we will end the year okay. But

it is going to take all of us to accomplish that.

As much as I might worry about money, I have complete faith that God will make things work out somehow,

even if that somehow is not exactly what I would like. I know that if each one of us, continues in the commitment

to focus on doing those three assignments: take care of each other, invite and welcome the newcomer, and helps

those in need, all the rest will fall into place.

I invite you to pray with me. Let’s all be praying about how we can best carry out our three assignments

as members of the Body of Christ. As we pray, let’s also pitch in and take action to make these fundraisers wildly

successful.

The White Elephant Sale/Community Festival (October 8 to 23) and the Talent Show & Dinner

(November 5) are perfect opportunities to do just that. We will work together, pray together, have fun together

and we will invite others to join us. I am so grateful to be a part of this portion of the Body of Christ, I hope you

are too.

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

Mollie+

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Adult Spiritual Formation Class “Life’s Too Short to Pretend You’re Not Religious” by David Dark.

Sept. 4 – No Class Sept. 11 – Chapter 4 Sept. 18 – Chapter 5 Sept. 25 – Chapter 6

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Off to Ms. Vicki’s!! Episco-Chicks See you there. Date: September 14, 2016

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Where: Vicki Yaeger 880 Pine Harbor Road Pell City, Alabama 35128 338-1601 The Plan: Gather together, eat (finger foods provided by attendees), drink (also provided by attendees) and be merry – cluck, cluck!!

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Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth, “You owe me.”

Look what happens with a love like that – it lights the whole sky.

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St. Simon Peter Episcopal Appreciates First Responders

The people of Saint Simon Peter Episcopal church appreciate all that our local law enforcement officers and firemen do for us. We carry on our day-to-day schedules with the assurance that these stalwarts are on duty, ready to risk their lives for our safety. We acknowledge their strength and bravery standing up for us. In an attempt to communicate our appreciation, the people of the church wrote a thank you note to each member of the Pell City Police and Fire Departments, St. Clair Sheriffs and Riverside Police. We would like to shake each hand to express our gratitude but these personal notes tell them our feelings. A prayer for their safety and spirit was included with each note. We presented one hundred eighty-one notes.

“Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and

keeping all the men and women of our armed

forces, our police forces, and our fire

fighters, at home and abroad. Defend them in

their trials and temptations, give them

courage to face the perils which beset them; and

grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be. We pray to

you, O Lord.”

A special thanks to the ladies who worship on Wednesday mornings. Many stayed and worked late to finish the thank you notes. They love that “overtime pay”. Ladies, you check’s in the mail. Thanks to All. Donette Bower

Riverside Police

Office Staff – St. Clair County Sheriffs

Pell City Fire Pell City Police

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Why a St. Simon Peter Foundation?

Recognizing God in Jesus Christ as the giver, sustainer, and redeemer of human life, and wishing to acknowledge our gratitude for all God’s benefits to us, the Vestry established the St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church Foundation in 2011. The fund was established with a single bequest and has grown through careful investment and additional gifts. It increases the charitable giving ability of the church and makes possible special and emergency expenditures. The Foundation is governed by a committee appointed by the Vestry and charged with both growing the investment and supporting the ministries of the church and community. Gifts made to the Foundation in one’s lifetime have the potential of bearing fruit in the cause of Jesus Christ for many lifetimes over. The Foundation has supported – Camping facilities for handicapped children, food programs for the needy, low-income housing opportunities, day camp for underprivileged children, disaster relief, seed money for start-up ministries, matching gifts for outreach projects and much more. Giving for the future….Your bequest or special gift can help St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church continue its work in our community and the world, carrying God’s message forward for future generations.

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FEED MY SHEEP

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the food and monetary contributions you have made to this new ministry. An average of twenty-five (25) families per month are provided with non-perishable food. The routine items bagged for distribution are canned chicken, cans of fruit, grits, soup, fruit juice, peanut butter, pasta sauce and cornbread mix. The monetary donations are used to purchase items needed to complete the bags. Again, thank you for your kindness, concern and generosity. Cindy Hallmark

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St. Simon Peter will begin hosting a monthly “Wine & Cheese” Ultreya on the last Sunday of each month. At 6:00 p.m. we will gather in the parish hall for an hour or so, to share and pray together and work to help prepare for the upcoming Cursillo events. If you have ever made your Cursillo, please put this on your calendar! September 25 is the date for the next Ultreya.

“September Birthdays”

2 Mike Dikeman 14 Mollie Roberts

7 Erica Shaddix 15 Nora Martin

7 Mavis Vines 21 Brad Borgman

9 John Carter Moreland 23 Irene Sexton

10 Katy Sims 28 Paul Kilgroe

10 Rebecca Notar 28 Staci Shaddix

12 Laura Podbel 30 Perry Hollis

13 Liles Walker 30 Avery Hollis

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September Calendar September 5 Office Closed (Labor Day Holiday) September 14 Episco-Chicks (Vicki Yaeger hosting) September 18 White Elephant Cashier Signup Sheets on Narthex Table September 20 Hospital Auxiliary Lunch September 25 Confirmation/Inquirer’s Classes begin September 25 Cursillo - 6:00 p.m. September 26 Parish Hall closed for White Elephant Sale Set-up Note: Regularly Scheduled Weekly Activities Are: Tuesday: Cursillo – 10:30 a.m. EFM – 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: Holy Eucharist – 10:00 a.m. Needlework Guild – 11:00 a.m. Chair Yoga – Noon Thursday: Choir Practice (Yea!!! The choir is back – It’s just not the same without you.) Last Sunday of Month: Cursillo – 6:00 p.m.

On the Horizon October 2 Blesssing of the Animals October 7 White Elephant Sale - Parish Pre-Sale (6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) October 8 White Elephant Sale Begins October 10 Office Closed (Columbus Day) October 15 Community Festival October 8-23 White Elephant Sale November 5 Dinner Theatre/Talent Show November 9 Bishop’s Visit and Confirmation – Bishop Kee Sloan November 20 Parish Annual Meeting November 23-26 Office Closed (Thanksgiving)

White Elephant Sale Donations: Bring your donations to the Parish Hall. Keep in mind this sale is THE biggest fundraiser done at StSP. Its success depends on your generosity. Clean, saleable items in good repair are needed. Or, if you

have large items to donate, call Wayne Wilcox at 205.578.6168 and he will arrange for the storage building to be unlocked for you. Please volunteer to “cashier” a shift or two during the sale. Shifts are from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. until 6: p.m. Signup sheets will be on the Narthex Table beginning September 18. Thank you in advance for your help.

Sale Dates: October 8 - 23

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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

St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church “Our Mission as the Body of Christ” To know our faith…. To live in truth and love….. To serve the needs of all people.