NOVEMBER, 2007

THE LOVE OF SAINTS

Talk of saints is in the air. Recent reports from the Vatican indicate that the late Pope John Paul II made more saints than any other pope before him. On Sunday, November 4, All Saints’ Sunday, we will focus on the saints who have gone before…but our focus is not so much on the list of saints who are named by papal decree. We celebrate what it means to be an everyday saint. Who are these saints? Saints are those who make it easier for us to believe in God. Saints aren’t saints because they’re good. Saints are saints because they are transparent, revealing something that is more than they are. Saints are those who really love. On All Saints’ Sunday, we will read the names of those connected to the parish who have died and for whom we have prayed this past year – those parishioners and family members whose funerals and memorial services were celebrated here. (If you have a name you would like to submit and have us remember, please email the office at stdavidschurch@bellsouth.net or call us at 352-0293.) During one such memorial service, it occurred to me that we were celebrating something even deeper than that person’s life. The deepest thing we were celebrating was the love that flowed through this person’s life. So on All Saints’, the deepest thing we celebrate is the unifying force for all of life: the value and force of love. Love is the power that is our most effective teacher. Love is the power that can change the human heart. Love is the power that can change the course of history. When a person we love and who has loved us dies, there’s a power that lives on beyond the experience of death and the grave. It is love. Love carries the spirit of a person forward into the future even after death. And love carries us forward into the future even after someone we have loved dies. So come gather with all the saints on All Saints’ Sunday to celebrate not only those everyday saints who have entered into the greater life…but the love they let flow through them to make it easier for us to believe in God and to believe in the power of love.

E.S.G.

2

IN OUR PRAYERS

We welcome by Letter of Transfer Hyram Thomas Williams, Mary Telford Roberts Williams and sons, Isaac Freeman Williams, Lucas Telford Hyram Williams, and Jackson Royal Williams from Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville. “Strengthen your servants, O Lord, with your Holy Spirit…” We give thanks for the marriage of Sarah Ann Bailey to Daniel Paul Robert on October 13. “Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder…” Remember those for whom prayers have been requested: Linda McElroy, Wirth Courtney, Donald Paine, Brad Gibson, Jackie Hill, Lee Brooks, Marsha, Kathy Carlson, Amy Hall, Selmon Whitaker, Barbara Waugh, Bill Rawlins, Ming Xi Huskey, Rusty King, Scott McLaurin, Sandi Hedgcoth, Martha Copeland, David Gray, Jeremy Tillman, Jimmy Snapp, the Ernesto Zamata family, Pat Johnson, Katie Allen, Christy McClung, Paula Howry, Jaci Kitch, Jennie Bush, Bonnie, Ruth, Will Sanders and JoAnn Soard. “Minister to them, O Lord, of your healing gifts…” We share in sorrow for those who have died, especially Donna Hageman Robert who died on October 4, and who was buried in the columbarium of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Mobile, Alabama, on October 9. “Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord…”

TREASURER’S REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

(as of September 30, 2007) Budgeted Actual Pledges MTD $22,251.36 $22,581.00 Pledges YTD $200,262.24 $196,098.87 Total Contributions MTD $23,334.69 $24,376.00 Total Contributions YTD $210,012.21 $206,575.19 Total Income MTD $24,084.69 $24,876.00 Total Income YTD $216,762.21 $227,165.67 Expenses MTD $23,291.28 $28,321.29 Expenses YTD $218,959.02 $222,442.48

THANKSGIVING EVE EUCHARIST WITH HYMNS

On Wednesday, November 21, at 6:00 p.m., we’ll have an opportunity to gather on the Eve of Thanksgiving as a Christian community to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, our communal meal of thanksgiving, before we scatter to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with family and friends.

3

ONION RINGS by Norman Gillis

Steve Cook will be attending the Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting in San Diego, California, from November 17 through the 20th. While there, he will deliver a paper and (he hopes!) interview for jobs. After being home with the kids for ten years, Laura Duke has gone back to work. She is the enrollment coordinator at Linden Corner School. It is a part-time job, and she loves the flexibility and the benefit of getting to be with her kids each day. She reports that it is a big adjustment, but going well so far! Matthew started this year in the preschool, so all three kids are there now. Mary Leigh Rayhab invites you to tap your closet creative juices, and find your hidden artistic abilities while arranging flowers to reflect God’s abundance and glory!!! The flower arrangements for St. David’s are created by devoted volunteers of the Flower Guild, working in partnership with donors who contribute money for flower memorials and thanksgivings. Guild members purchase the flowers and create the arrangements to ensure St. David’s chancel is graced with floral arrangements throughout the year, including the extensive floral decorations at Christmas, Easter, and other special occasions. Even if you have never arranged flowers, you can receive training by being paired with a veteran member. Each Sunday, the arrangements are made into smaller ones and delivered to shut-ins, those who have a new baby, are recovering from surgery or illness, have experienced the lost of a loved one, celebrating an event, or those who just need a lift. Contact Mary Leigh at 673-6650 to join the Flower Guild, to arrange, and/or deliver flowers!!! Word has it that Kevin Green is keeping busy with his college class load, building sets for the theater department at Centre College, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Danville, Kentucky. Way to go Kevin! It was great to see all the college students home for fall break. Feel free to drop in when you are in town!

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP & GODLY PLAY by Betsy McElroy

What a great October we’ve had down in the undercroft and up on the hill! We continue to have a crowd each Sunday coming together to learn and grow. We’ve learned and grown, not only with the stories we share during our Sunday mornings, but also with the nature we experienced on our hike behind the church. We all agreed that no matter what time of year it is, there will always be something to remind us of God’s gifts to us outdoors and in nature. We will begin November with the Baptism Story on All Saints’ Sunday and will continue to explore the Old Testament through the month. Traditionally at St. David’s, All Saints’ Sunday is one of our Baptism Sundays; therefore, the children get the opportunity to experience their baptism all over again through a Godly Play Story version of this amazing sacrament. Don’t be surprised if your children start wanting to baptize all the dolls (or other children) in your homes. Ask the McElroys what happened at their house last Easter! Notes for Parents: We now have parent pages regarding our stories. If you would like a description of the story your child hears on Sunday, please let us know! Thank you to all the teachers and parents who stay each week to make our program a great place to be. People are coming to see what we are all about. Make sure to introduce yourself to new folks and make them welcome.

VESTRY ELECTIONS Four new Vestry members will be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 13. To nominate someone (or yourself) to stand for election, please contact one of the members of the nominating committee: Steve Cook, G’anne Harmon, Wilma Watts, or Daryl Wilkinson.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The Prayer Shawl group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Come join the group to learn about the various projects they are planning. Call Daryl Wilkinson at 612-2187 for more information.

4

NOTES FROM THE TREASURER by Steve Cook

• In order for the church office to close out

the finances by the end of the year, please pay 2007 pledges by December 27.

• Please call the church office before

donating stock. Stock donations need to be sent to the St. David’s account; the brokerages do not notify the church as to the source of the stock. So, your donation cannot be credited to your pledge without your notifying the office.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Total number of pledges received to date: 75 Number of pledges received in 2007 not yet received for 2008: 50 Number of new pledges: 7 Number of increased pledges: 22 Number of pledges remaining the same: 38 Number of reduced pledges: 7 Average pledge: $2,518.69 Total amount pledged to date: $188,902.00

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

Nov. 1 Grace & Jerome Seward Nov. 7 Mary Jo & Dick Murphy Nov. 16 Patti & Bob Dietrick Nov. 17 Martha & Basil Elliston

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Nov. 1 Cate McMillan Nov. 3 Madison Hamilton, Steven McElroy Nov. 7 Michelle Adams Nov. 12 Meg Kirkpatrick Nov. 13 Jim McMillan, Margie Gray Nov. 14 Claudia Patton, Charlie Beasley Nov. 17 Hayley Hovious Nov. 18 Betty Little Nov. 20 Sharon Greenwood, Betsy McElroy Nov. 21 Graeme Reeve, Melissa Kitch Nov. 23 Pat Ruth Nov. 24 Bill Huggins, Lex Lechleiter Nov. 25 Marlin Sanders Nov. 26 Evan Sanders, Caroline McNair Nov. 30 Mike Adams, Alexis Blake

DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER: CONNECTIONS The Diocese of Tennessee has a new communication tool called Connections. The newsletter can be received one of three ways but you must let the diocesan office know your preference. Online Edition: Connections is posted on the diocesan website for viewing, reading, or printing! Visit www.episcopaldiocese-tn.org for the Online Edition. Past issues are archived. Email Updates: If you would like to be added to the diocesan Email Distribution List, visit the diocesan website and subscribe. A reminder will be sent to you when the latest edition of Connections is posted. Print Subscription: If you do not have Internet capabilities, or you simply prefer the print edition of Connections, call the diocesan office at 615-251-3322 to subscribe. Connections will be mailed to your home. If you previously subscribed to Cross & Crozier, please re-subscribe using one of the methods above. The new newsletter is well written and informative.

BREAKFAST AT ST. DAVID’S Lynda Christiansen has agreed to coordinate the breakfasts shared on Sunday mornings during the Christian Formation season. Please sign up for a date if you would like to provide breakfast one Sunday morning. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board across from the kitchen. Thank you, Lynda!

MISSION AND OUTREACH by Judy Grace

Uganda: St. David’s 1,000+ granola bars are one their way to Uganda, along with some yarn and fabric. It was a shock to find out how much postage has gone up. Since granola bars are nonexistent in Uganda, and the children love them, it was worth the effort and expense to collect and send them. Thanks to everyone who participated. We are still collecting yarn and granola bars and will ship them when we have a boxful.

5

News from Catherine Piwang, our contact in Uganda: Greetings from Uganda! I would like to thank you so much for the money that you sent for buying sewing machines for the women groups that I work with in Gulu. I have just returned form a trip to Gulu. I was able to buy the sewing machines and give them to two groups of women. One was the group of widows and the other was a group of child-mothers in another camp. I gave two machines to the widows group and one machine to the child mothers group. I have three machines left to give to the two other child mothers group. One group will get two machines and another group will get one. Lots of love from over here to you, Catherine Honduras: Betty Lentz, Betti Lose, and Judy Grace (along with Mickey Richaud, rector of Trinity, Clarksville) will be going to Honduras in a few weeks. Please let one of them know if you have any “market needs,” such as kahlua, vanilla, Christmas items. We will be making a few purchases for the Bazaar, but if you have a particular need, let us know. If you would like to donate crayons, children’s shoes, or children’s summer clothes, please do so before November 11. We will also take letters of encouragement to any child you may be sponsoring. The children treasure those letters! Hispanic Lunch Program: The number of clients at the Wednesday Lunch and Eucharist is growing now that the weather is changing. We especially need dried beans (black, red, or pinto), jars of hot salsa, and Doritos chips (plain). Note: Because we are no longer involved in Las Cañas, Mexico (St. David’s built a library at the school and stocked it with books), the money dedicated to that project has been placed in our general mission fund. The Vestry voted $1,500 to be spent immediately, and the Mission and Outreach Committee will be making that decision. (The Mission and Outreach Committee consists of Judy Grace and Betty Lentz--Vestry liaisons, Michelle Green, Frances Hendrick, Mary Hinton, Betti Lose, Bob Napier, Carolyn Schmidt, and Taylor Swift.)

St. Luke’s: We will be collecting new toys next month for the Toy Store at St. Luke’s. Start shopping for bargains!

ROOM IN THE INN by Emily Jones

The Room in the Inn ministry is beginning again at St. David’s. We will be serving the homeless population of Nashville the second Saturday of the next five months starting in November: November 10, December 8, January 12, February 9, and March 8. FOOD - To make sure that Room in the Inn runs smoothly, we are asking that parishioners make a concerted effort to sign-up to bring food and drinks. Even if you have brought the same thing for many years, the sign-up sheet acts as a guide for last minute preparations. If for some reason you are unable to sign-up or forgot to sign-up, still feel free to bring food to St. Luke’s. In addition, we need parishioners to enjoy our meal with these guests and engage them in conversation and loving-kindness. Please sign up in Sanders Hall. SPENDING THE NIGHT - In addition to serving a meal, we need help with men spending the night. Your one night of sacrifice ensures that 11 men have a warm, dry place to sleep. Contact Thunder Jones or Tony Howland with questions. Please sign up in Sanders Hall. DONATIONS – The men that are served through Room in the Inn have many needs and other donation. Please be sure that there is enough of a single item to be distributed to all the 11 men. It’s going to be a great time of ministry for the next five months. We look forward to seeing familiar faces as well as new faces as we reach out to serve the homeless population of Nashville. We may only serving 11 men but each of them is a treasured creation of God. Help us honor God by tending to God’s own.

6

GARRISON KEILLOR ON EPISCOPALIANS

We make fun of Episcopalians for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed, and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you were to ask an audience in Des Moines, a relatively Episcopalian-less place, to sing along on the chorus of Michael Row the Boat Ashore, they will look daggers at you. But if you do this among Episcopalians, they'd smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! And down the road! Many Episcopalians are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony, a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person's ribcage. It's natural for Episcopalians to sing in harmony. We are too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you're singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling moment. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other. I do believe this, people: Episcopalians who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you're hungry, they'll give you tuna salad! Episcopalians believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud. Episcopalians like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas. Episcopalians believe their rectors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don't notify them that they are there. Episcopalians usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins. Episcopalians believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate. Episcopalians feel that applauding for their children's choirs will not make the kids too proud and conceited. Episcopalians think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace. Episcopalians drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament. Episcopalians feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall. Episcopalians are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.

Episcopalians still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and Episcopalians believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.

You know you are Episcopalian when: It's 100 degrees, with 90 percent humidity,

and you still have coffee after the service. You hear something really funny during the

sermon and you smile as loudly as you can. Donuts are a line item in the church budget,

just like coffee. When you watch a Star Wars movie and they

say, “May the Force be with you,” and you respond, “and also with you.”

And lastly, it takes 10 minutes to say good-bye.

HOORAH!!

A REAL OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1

SANDERS HALL 1 o'clock to 4 o'clock

sponsored by the

Mission and Outreach Committee We hope our West Meade neighbors will enjoy it, too, so invite neighbors and friends from far and wide, throughout the land!! All proceeds will go into the Mission & Outreach coffers.

The EYC will be hosting a book/video/CD sale at the same time to finance a welcome sign for

the church drive. What is your best baked and/or frozen dish for the holidays (hors d'oeuvres, casseroles, pies, cakes, soups, well...you get the gist!)? Bring your offering on Saturday morning, December 1, before noon, carefully packaged with contents and any instructions, and your name and phone number. In the unlikely event that the object is not sold, we will be taking the remainder to the Campus for Human Development, OR you can retrieve it. What else to bring, you ask? Any handcrafted item: sewn, painted, carved, tiled, and plenty of 'em! Bring your Christmas gift list, too, your five best friends, and have at it!! Look for continuing news about this amazing event!!

7

November 2007 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 9:30 am EFM 10:00 am Music Playhouse

2

3

4 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 8:45 am Breakfast 9:15 am Children’s Worship 9:30 am Adult Choir 9:30 am CF classes 10:30 am Choral Eucharist 4:45 pm Children’s Choir

5 9:30 am Music Playhouse 10:30 am Bible Study

6 7:00 pm Healing Service 7:30 pm DOK

7 11:30 am Hispanic Lunch Program 5:30 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry 7:15 pm Adult Choir

8 9:30 am EFM 10:00 am Music Playhouse

9

10

11 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 8:45 am Breakfast 9:15 am Children’s Worship 9:30 am Adult Choir 9:30 am CF classes 10:30 am Confirmation & Choral Eucharist 4:45 pm Children’s Choir

12 9:30 am Music Playhouse 10:30 am Bible Study

13 6:30 pm Vestry Dinner 7:00 pm Vestry Meeting

14 11:30 am Hispanic Lunch Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir

15 9:30 am EFM 10:00 am Music Playhouse

16

17

18 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 8:45 am Breakfast 9:15 am Children’s Worship 9:30 am Adult Choir 9:30 am CF classes 10:30 am Choral Eucharist 4:45 pm Children’s Choir

19 9:30 am Music Playhouse 10:30 am Bible Study

20

21 11:30 am Hispanic Lunch Program 6:00 pm Thanksgiving Eve Service

22 Thanksgiving Day

23

24

25 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 8:45 am Breakfast 9:15 am Children’s Worship 9:30 am Adult Choir 9:30 am CF classes 10:30 am Choral Eucharist

26 10:30 am Bible Study

27

28 11:30 am Hispanic Lunch Program 7:15 pm Adult Choir

29 9:30 am EFM

30

8

NOVEMBER 2007 – LAY MINISTRY SCHEDULE

November 4 The Sunday

after All Saints’ Day

November 11 Pentecost XXIV

November 18 Pentecost XXV

November 25 Last Sunday after

Pentecost

December 2 Advent I

ACOLYTES - 10:30 a.m. Crucifer R. HOWLAND L. RAYHAB M. GREEN H. FOX tba Torchbearer T. SWIFT M. MOORE R. GREEN L. LECHLEITER Torchbearer D. RAINEY J. DUKE J. JOLIE T. SWIFT USHERS - 10:30 a.m. J.

MAIBERGER D. MURPHY D. DUKE B. NAPIER J. BROWN

N. HOWRY B. VAN CLEAVE H. FOX K. NAPIER T. HOWLAND

FLOWER GUILD M. L. RAYHAB J. ERWIN C. HINTON R. HUBER M. BROWN (Saturday) S. SPECTOR D. ROGERS M. HINTON E. ROBERT K. DOUGAN ALTAR GUILD M. L. RAYHAB D. ROGERS C. HINTON D. RAYHAB M. L. RAYHAB (Saturday) S. MOORE M. L. PIERCE J. LEATHERS M. ADAMS S. MOORE L. McLEVAIN H. SULLIVAN M. HINTON L. GUSTAVE L. McLEVAIN BREAKFAST CHEFS tba C. AVERY LEATHERS tba tba COUNTERS - 10:30 a.m. W. WATTS J. LENTZ S. COOK D. WILKINSON W. WATTS D. AXFORD B. LENTZ S. JORDAN A. PILCHER D. AXFORD LECTORS 8:00 a.m. J. FERRELLI M. L. PIERCE J. HAMILTON J. FERRELLI C. FARRAR 10:30 a.m. T. JONES B. BOWEN L. HOVIOUS S. HOWELL J. BROWN L.E.M.’S - 10:30 a.m. J. RAYHAB

S. COOK* S. GISH S. JORDAN*

S. GRAY A. PILCHER*

D. ROGERS J. HAMILTON*

K. LECHLEITER V. BALLANCE*

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP B. McELROY K. NAPIER J. SANDERS C. KIRKPATRICK M. L. RAYHAB L. AGEE,

C. JOHNSON, M. AGEE

C. BEASLEY, MATTHEW DUKE, MOLLY DUKE

W. SANDERS, B. CAMPBELL, H. RAYHAB

L. NAPIER, J. KIRKPATRICK, A. BLAKE

tba

GODLY PLAY 1 C. & L. KIRKPATRICK

K. NAPIER, JOHNNY ERWIN

L. CHILTON, H. GASPARD

C. & L. KIRKPATRICK

K. NAPIER, JOHNNY ERWIN

GODLY PLAY 2 B. McELROY, C. AVERY

M. J. HOWLAND, JULIE ERWIN

J. SANDERS, W. McFALLS

M. & K. AGEE M. J. HOWLAND, JULIE ERWIN

GODLY PLAY 3 M. & K. AGEE M. L. RAYHAB, S. SPECTOR

B. McELROY, C. AVERY

CHURCH WORKS M. L. RAYHAB, S. SPECTOR