St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church Toccoa, GA · 1 St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church Toccoa, GA News Bulletin, Winter 2014-2015 Following Jesus Christ, loving and serving in His name,

1

St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church

Toccoa, GA

News Bulletin, Winter 2014-2015

Following Jesus Christ, loving and serving in His name, and encouraging others to join in the journey.

Clergy reflection

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

We will not be consumed

Here in the north Georgia hills, in the chill wind we may begin to catch fragrances of comfort food...hot cocoa and warm cookies. In the Soup Kitchens, we bask in the smell of hot soup that warms body and soul...for a time. The cold and rainy season is upon us bringing with it the reflective season of Advent, these four weeks of “mixed emotions, of unknowing and waiting.” In church we hear in the Advent readings words about watching, waiting, warning, comfort, lavish blessing for some, pleas for God to restore us, assurance that God is patient with us, stars falling from heaven. On the first Sunday of Advent we read about a mention of very odd things to eat and drink , “O Lord God of Hosts, you have fed your people with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink.” On the fourth and final Sunday of Advent again we read about eating: “He has filled the hungry with good things.” As a way to understand scripture, using dual images of eating and reading is complex. Episcopal priest Margaret Guenther writes encouragingly, “One of the blessings of our Anglican way is our openness to ambiguity and our resistance to simplistic answers.” It is not simple, it often seems ambiguous, yet we press on! We wrestle with the complexity of Advent scripture and with the complexity of the season. Indeed, Advent offers liturgical readings about our own familiar mixed emotions, and surprisingly, with readings about our own familiar appetite for food. How do we reconcile scripture-wrestling with eating?! Remember the collect from the Book of Common Prayer that was read in church recently? This collect was cooked up by the author of the first Book of Common Prayer, and the collect is a delicious image of what we may do with Scripture writings—We may feast upon them: “Blessed Lord, who caused all Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” There are precedents in the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) about reading and eating which were familiar to Jesus. In one Old Testament story, God summoned the prophet Ezekiel to proclaim God’s precise words of lamentations and mourning and to do so with God’s authority. God’s message of woe was written on a scroll. God ordered Ezekiel to “eat what is offered to you; eat this scroll and go, speak to the house of Israel.” Ezekiel obediently opened his mouth, feasted upon the word of God, and declared, “in my mouth it [the word of God] was as sweet as honey.” Perhaps this is to agree with Ellen Davis that through Ezekiel “Israelite prophecy for the first time [made good use of] new opportunities for communication created by writing:” Yummy, delicious opportunities to read what is written in the Advent Lessons, communicated to us through the word of God. As we feast on scripture long enough our own “patterns of thought and expression can be shaped by habits of reading.” Perhaps during these chilly blustery days you will curl up on a chair nibble on a cookie enjoying the aroma of hot cocoa just beside you; the Bible open on your lap; and you will read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the mixed and varied flavors of the feast that is our Advent readings.

Gwin+ Gwin Hanahan, Priest Associate *Footnotes on following Page.

2

Upcoming Events and Announcements

ERD and Angel Trees

We have had two early arrivals for the Christmas season in the parish. Normally, we hold off on any Christmas decorations during Advent in order to focus on the preparation, reflection, and repentance at the heart of the season. But these trees are special. They help call our attention to the needs of others and how our reflection and repentance might lead us to extending God’s love to others who are less fortunate than we. The first tree you’ll see is the annual Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Parish Hall. These angels represent children in the our community whose Christmas would be bare without the extension of God’s generosity by others. If you picked up an angel this year, the gifts are due back by December 7 and should be unwrapped. Please attach the angel to the gifts in some way. The second tree is the Episcopal Relief and Development 75th Anniversary tree. ERD is the outreach and mission arm of the Episcopal Church and often is one of the first relief organizations to arrive on scene and one of the last to leave. To help celebrate their 75th anniversary, our Wednesday Village children decorated this tree to encourage us to consider giving “alternative Christmas gifts” through ERD’s Gifts for Live catalog (https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/gifts-for-life). There also will be a collection tin by the tree for you to drop your loose change or small bills into over the Advent season. This money will be sent to ERD to support their work.

Footnotes from “Clergy Reflection” on cover. 1. The Very Rev. Mary Demmler, spiritual director and retreat leader for Episcopal Women at Camp Mikell, Toccoa, GA, Sat., Nov. 15, 2014. Spoken reflections on the significance of spiritual biography. 2. Psalm 80:4-5. A portion of the Psalm appointed for the First Sunday in Advent, year B. 3. Luke 1:53a. A portion of a reading appointed for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. 4. Margaret Guenther, The Practice of Prayer (Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publications, 1998),) 5. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, The Book of Common Prayer, first edition, 1549. 6. BCP, 236. 7. Ezekial 3:1. (See also Jeremiah 1:9.) 8. Ezekiel 3:2-3. 9. Ellen Davis, Swallowing the Scroll: Textuality and the Dynamics of Discourse in Ezekiel’s Prophecy, Bible and Literature 21 (Sheffield: Almond,1989) 27. Cited in The New Interpreter’s Bible VI (Nashville: Abingdon, 1994) 1125.

Advent Discernment

The Vestry invites the members of the parish to join them in a period of discernment for the season of Advent. What are the strengths and weaknesses of our parish? What ministries do we do well together and what might be God calling us to do together? Pick up an Advent Calendar from the narthex to help guide your reflection and prayer.

Christmas Flowers

Christmas flower dedication forms are in our Sunday bulletins. To donate in memory of or thanksgiving for a loved one or significant life event, fill out the insert and return it with your donation to the church office. Deadline is Wednesday, December 17th.

Annual Bazaar Success!

On November 29, St. Matthias’ hosted another wonderful holiday bazaar! People were enjoying soup, checking out the vendors, and buying great items at the bazaar and the yard sale. And that says nothing of the popcorn and cotton candy consumed! Between all of our activities, we raised around $1000! The Vestry will decide how best to apply this income at their January retreat. A GREAT BIG “thank you” to all of our hard workers who were there on the 29th and for the many more who made and donated items to sell. And, of course, to Amanda and Mark Price for putting in so much time to coordinate the whole event.

Neighbors4Neighbors Spa Day Fundraiser

December 3rd from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Currahee Club for yoga and spa services with a minimum donation of $25. Make checks payable to N4N. Spa Lunch by Chef Anca for $9 (credit cards only) Chicken Salad, Fruit, Banana Bread Yoga Schedule by Antahsara Yoga 10-11 a.m. Senior Stretch 11:30-12:30 p.m. Yoga to enhance your golf game 1-2 p.m. Gentle Flow Yoga Spa Services by Anastasia's Spa and Salon Detoxing Foot Soak Scalp Massage Hand, Arms, and Legs Massage Contact Ann Shurley, 706-827-1700 x 1024

3

Upcoming Events and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Eve Services

This year there are a couple of changes to our regular Christmas Eve traditions. The first is the return of an older St. Matthias’ tradition. At the 5 p.m. service, in place of the regular reading of the Gospel, our children will present a Nativity Pageant. Our Kindergarten-12 grade students will tell the story of the birth of Christ according to the gospel of Luke. Every week our Village children and Youth Group members are rehearsing while learning the story. While our regulars will be rehearsing, there will be plenty of room in the pageant for “guests” so bring your little relatives who are in town for a Christmas visit and they’ll magically become sheep or angels. Also at the 5 p.m. service our Children’s Choir will provide Offertory and Communion music. They have been practicing monthly at Wednesday School and we look forward to hearing them. There is no incense or adult choir at the 5 p.m. service. The 10:30 p.m. service will be a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion. Instead of 30 minutes of music and then the Service of the Word beginning at 11 p.m., the music and readings will begin at 10:30 p.m. This service is based on a service held yearly at Kings College in Cambridge, England. The first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was in 1918, intended to bring “a more imaginative approach to worship” and was first broadcast in 1928 to millions of people around the world. Whether you join us at 5 p.m. or 10:30 p.m., we look forward celebrating the Feast of the Nativity with you and the rest of our church family!

Parish Meeting: December 7

Regularly when our Vestry gathers for a retreat, they ask the questions: What are strengths? What ministries do we do well? How do we share these with others? How is God calling us to use these in a new way? What is God calling us to do next? All of these question speak to who we are as the unified Body of Christ and how we serve the world in his name. They also lead to conversations about how we use our physical plant to the betterment of these ministries and what needs to be done to improve our space. As we move forward together, it’s time for you to join the conversation! Join us Sunday, December 7, during the First Sunday Lunch for a special Parish Meeting. This meeting will mark the beginning of a “Season of Discernment” for our church family as we consider the work Christ has called us to do well and what unknown work he might be calling us to begin. Bring your openness to hear the Spirit, along with whatever word the Spirit may have given you already about our parish family.

Seniors Christmas Dinner

Friday, December 19, the Seniors Fellowship Group will gather for their annual Christmas Party. Please speak with Bob Struble for more details.

The Greening of the Church

Every year after the last service on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, our very own Christmas Elves arrive to turn our Nave into a wonderland! This year’s set-up will include preparing for the Nativity Pageant and, so, we’ll need some strong arms and backs. Stay after the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, December 21, and lend our elves a hand. A spaghetti lunch is provided. If you have some pretty greenery in your yard, cut some and bring it that morning.

Blue Christmas Service: 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 20

This year our observance of the seasons of Advent and Christmas will include a new service. While the holiday season overwhelmingly is filled with joy and celebration, for many it is also a time of heaviness and mourning. We recall fond memories of loved ones who have passed but feel lonely without them. For others, there is too much heaviness in knowing how many people in our community and beyond go without basic necessities at this time of year. For still others, there is no real explanation for why this time of year is bittersweet. Our Blue Christmas Service will be a time of prayer and reflection to open a space to sit with the mixed emotions of this season. The service moves from heaviness to hopefulness as we light the Advent Candles together, making our prayers of intercession as we go.

Fall Activities Recognition Sunday

Did your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or Godchild participate in a sport or activity this fall? Great! We want to recognize their accomplishments. Bring your student on Sunday, December 7, so he or she may be recognized that Sunday in church at the 10:30 a.m. service.

4

Conversations on Race

During our parish retreat, those present learned more about South Africa and the philosophy of Ubuntu. Studying the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa lead to some hearty conversation about race and the history of our own country. We want that conversation to continue so our rector is starting a new series called "Conversations on Race", to be held quarterly. The Rev. Jenna Strizak, Associate Rector of Holy Trinity in Decatur, facilitated a healthy and open conversation and we look forward to having her again. Please watch the calendar for an announcement. On the heels of the events in Ferguson, these conversations are an excellent opportunity to explore all sides of

Adult Sunday School Class Winter topics

Our Sunday morning class first will study Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. From Amazon.com: Learning to Walk in the Dark provides a way to find spirituality in those times when we don’t have all the answers. Taylor has become increasingly uncomfortable with our tendency to associate all that is good with lightness and all that is evil and dangerous with darkness. Doesn’t God work in the nighttime as well? In Learning to Walk in the Dark, Taylor asks us to put aside our fears and anxieties and to explore all that God has to teach us “in the dark.” She argues that we need to move away from our “solar spirituality” and ease our way into appreciating “lunar spirituality” (since, like the moon, our experience of the light waxes and wanes). Through darkness we find courage, we understand the world in new ways, and we feel God’s presence around us, guiding us through things seen and unseen. Often, it is while we are in the dark that we grow the most. With her characteristic charm and literary wisdom, Taylor is our guide through a spirituality of the nighttime, teaching us how to find our footing in times of uncertainty and giving us strength and hope to face all of life’s challenging moments.

As we get closer to the start of Lent in February, the class will begin reading Sabbath as Resistance: Saying ‘No” to the Culture of Now by Walter Brueggemann. From Amazon.com: Discussions about the Sabbath often center around moralistic laws and arguments over whether a person should be able to play cards or purchase liquor on Sundays. In this volume, popular author Walter Brueggemann writes that the Sabbath is not simply about keeping rules but rather about becoming a whole person and restoring a whole society. Importantly, Brueggemann speaks to a 24/7 society of consumption, a society in which we live to achieve, accomplish, perform, and possess. We want more, own more, use more, eat more, and drink more. Keeping the Sabbath allows us to break this restless cycle and focus on what is truly important: God, other people, all life. Brueggemann offers a transformative vision of the wholeness God intends, giving world-weary Christians a glimpse of a more fulfilling and simpler life through Sabbath observance.

There are copies of both of these books in the Church Library.


Twelfth Night Open House at the Demmlers’

The Demmler family invites you to their house to celebrate the end of the Christmas season. Monday, January 5, is Twelfth Night (remember those twelve drummers drumming?) and every year the Demmlers open their doors to our parish family. Come any time between 4 and 7 p.m. for food, fun, and drink. At some point The Twelve Days of Christmas will be sung with hand motions! Please bring only yourselves and the last of your Christmas spirit! 261 Woodlawn Dr. Toccoa

Epiphany Service of Light

Wednesday School will be on winter break on December 24 and December 31 (Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!). It will return on Wednesday, January 7, with a special Service of Light to celebrate Epiphany (one day late). The service will begin at 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in reading one of the lessons during the service or acolyting, please contact our rector.

From the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta: "We want to draw the circle wider.

Welcome home to the Episcopal Church."

Annual Meeting and Lunch

This year’s Annual Meeting will have a special format. It will conclude our month of discernment that begins on November 30 and includes the December 7 special Parish Meeting. Bring the ideas and reflections that Advent has brought for you as we look together to the next phase of our life together.

5

Upcoming events and announcements

2015 Vestry

Congratulations to our 2015 Vestry! Class of ‘15: Robin Dake, Connie Gaines, Kim Shailer Class of ‘16: Sr. Warden Matt Skilling, Lynn Craig, Gary Donahue Class of ‘17: Dee DeFoor, Roger Duncan, Stephanie Maley At the time of printing, the Vestry had not had their retreat to determine roles and liaison positions, including Jr. Warden. Please look for announcements in early February.

First Wednesday Worship Starting in February

A regular feature of Wednesday School has been the children leading Compline after our program, before dinner. Our kids have volunteered quickly to lead, read the psalm, and read the lesson for the evening. On occasion we manage to encourage one of our adults to take a turn as leader or reader. To continue to encourage shared leadership in our worship life together, especially among our youth, beginning in February we will have First Wednesday Worship. We’ll begin at 5:30 p.m., as usual, and our communion service will be split into various parts. At the beginning of the service, participants will pick up leader booklets to lead different parts of the service. We will sing, a cappella, and leader booklets for song leaders will be available. This will be a great time for all of our members to see what it’s like to serve in different worship roles. From reading, to praying, to ushering, to acolyting, to chalice bearing, to singing, this is an excellent opportunity to see how God may be calling you to lead worship.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance

Every year our community remembers the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an entire week of activities. The week before the holiday usually includes an art show, an essay contest, and a fashion show and talent show and a musical extravaganza. The week concludes on MLK holiday with an interfaith service hosted by Trinity CME Church on W. Franklin St. Every year our rector is involved with the interfaith service and all of our members are encourage to attend. The service begins at noon, followed by a march to Town Hall where the essay contest winner reads his or her essay.

Episcopal 101 Offered in January

“Chasuble, narthex, paten, sanctus, offertory, veil, thurible”...these are a few of our favorite things! And that’s not to mention the pew aerobics with the sitting, standing and kneeling. Of course, there’s also the whole Anglican Theology, full of mystery and “middle way” talk. What is this thing we call the “Episcopal Church”? And what is it Episcopalians believe, including why they work in the world the way they do. Whether you’re new to the Episcopal Church or have been a member “forever”, Episcopal 101 can answer some of the many questions you may have, or even never thought about! Episcopal 101, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Saturdays January 10, 17, 24 For more information, speak with our rector. If you are interested in joining the church, this class will teach you more about our wider Episcopal and Anglican family.

Bible Challenge Class

Are you up for the challenge? Starting in January there will be a new weekly daytime class at St. Matthias'. For those who want to delve more deeply into scripture, our rector will guide a class through The Bible Challenge book to read the complete Bible over the course of a year. If you are interested, order the book and email our rector. The class will meet Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Kim and Sharon Shailer’s house. The first class will be January 13. From Amazon.com: Take a great journey through the Bible, a year-long reading adventure, with The Bible Challenge. Each day you will be accompanied by a meditation written by a church leader or biblical scholar. More than one hundred archbishops, bishops, deans, priests, and scholars have contributed essays. The Rev. Marek P. Zabriskie, founder of The Bible Challenge and editor of this volume, believes that our lives of faith will be enlivened and expanded by a sustained encounter with God's Word. If you never thought you could read the whole Bible, The Bible Challenge is a wonderful way to embark on a holy pilgrimage joined by others from around the world!

6

Winter Stewards Schedule

All of these ministries help us worship God together as a parish family. Please remember it is your responsibility to find a replacement on days when you are scheduled and cannot serve. If you would like to become active in one of these ministries, please contact our rector.

Gold: Sydney Craig, Lacy Dake, Cora Wright, Kara Struble, Jacob Struble

Blue: Jessica Kennedy, Emory Shepson, Tabby Shepson, Wyatt Shepson

White: Gary Donahue, Ben Oliver, Viki McDonald, Simon McDonald, Seth McDonald

Red: Luke Nicholson, Kaylee Rose, Ethan Westmoreland, Fairlight Wright

Acolyte Teams:

Key: 8 a.m. LEM: Reads the lessons and assists with Communion. Lector: Reads one of the lessons. Chalice Bearer: Assists with Communion and leads the Prayers, the Creed, and/or the Psalm. Acolyte Team: Assist with leading worship and preparing the altar for Communion. Verger: The Master of Ceremonies for the service, ensures everything/one is ready for worship and have what they need, leads our acolytes. Altar Guild: Prepares the space for worship before the service begins.

Nursery: Volunteers to care for our children 5-years and younger during the service. Ushers: Greets worshipers as they arrive, hands out bulletins, collects and presents offertory. Tellers: Count the offering after church and prepare it for deposit. Hospitality: Prepare snacks and beverages for after church. VPOD: Vestry Person of the Day, locks up the buildings after Hospitality Hour. Home Visitation: Shares Communion after the service with members who are unable to attend for health reasons. Flower Guild: Arranges flowers for First Sundays.

PLEASE NOTE: This schedule was current as of November 30 and is subject to change.

7-Dec 14-Dec 21-Dec 28-Dec

8 a.m. LEM Bill DeFoor Mike McDonald Betty Plagens Nancy Allen

10:30 a.m.

Lector 1 Stephanie Maley Fairlight Wright Ted Taylor Sarah Shepson

Lector 2 Bob Adams Forence Wright Betty Plagens Melissa Mitchell

Chalice Bearer 1 Derek Demmler Connie Gaines Dave Standard Stephanie Maley

Chalice Bearer 2 Cynthia Brown Joe Daniels Pat Standard Bill DeFoor

Acolyte Team




White: Gary Donahue, Seth McDonald, Ben Oliver, Viki McDonald, Simon McDonald

Verger Bill DeFoor Robin Dake Derek Demmler

Altar Guild Hardman-Dunlap Garland-Wisotzke Mills-Fitzsimmons-Dunlap Russell-Baldwin-Miller

Nursery Louis Bourne Derek Demmler Vicki de Martinez Derek Demmler

Ushers David Floyd and Betty Plagens Jerry and Frankie Rose

Ted Taylor and Louis Bourne Jimmy and Cynthia Brown

Tellers Betty Plagens and Nanette Donahue

Connie Wells and Bill Routt

Jerry Rose and Stephanie Maley

Dianne Jordan and Doug Russell

Hospitality First Sunday Lunch: Skilling

Betty Plagens and Paige Flores

Sherry Seal, Renea Cobb, Diane Nix

Everyone: Christmas Goodies Left Overs

VPOD Connie Gaines Charlie Kidd Betty Plagens Kim Shailer

Men's Breakfast Ken Struble Mike Maley Jerry Rose

Home Visitation Dave and Pat Standard Joe and Betty Daniels

Flower Guild Advent

7

PLEASE NOTE: This schedule was current as of November 30 and is subject to change.

4-Jan 11-Jan 18-Jan 25-Jan

8 a.m. LEM Betty Plagens Sharon Shailer Dee DeFoor Bill DeFoor

10:30 a.m.

Lector 1 Joe Daniels Bill DeFoor Cynthia Brown Robin Dake

Lector 2 Fairlight Wright Joe Daniels Connie Gaines Melissa Mitchell

Chalice Bearer 1 Ted Taylor Cynthia Brown Dee DeFoor Fairlight Wright

Chalice Bearer 2 Charlie Kidd Betty Plagens Bill DeFoor Jessica Kennedy

Acolyte Team







Nursery Diane Nix Sherry Seal Wanda Miller Dianne Jordan

Ushers Jerry and Frankie Rose Ken and Melanie Struble McDonald Family Roger Duncan and Bill Routt

Tellers Dianne Jordan and Stephanie Maley

Jeanie Phillips and David Floyd

Jerry Rose and Nanette Donahue

Betty Plagens and Doug Russell

Hospitality Jerry and Frankie Rose Annual Meeting: Vestry Betty Plagens and Charlie Kidd Matt and Rachel Skilling

VPOD Robin Dake Connie Gaines Kim Shailer Matt Skilling


Home Visitation Bill and Dee DeFoor Connie Gaines and Jonathan Wright

Flower Guild Christmas Flowers

1-Feb 8-Feb 15-Feb 22-Feb

8 a.m. LEM Mike McDonald Betty Plagens Nancy Allen Betty Plagens

10:30 a.m.

Lector 1 Derek Demmler Florence Wright Melissa Mitchel Fairlight Wright

Lector 2 Charlie Kidd Bill DeFoor Connie Gaines Betty Plagens

Chalice Bearer 1 Ted Taylor Robin Dake Betty Plagens Charlie Kidd

Chalice Bearer 2 Connie Gaines Cynthia Brown Bill DeFoor Joe Daniels

Acolyte Team







Nursery Jonathan Wright Louis Bourne Derek Demmler Vicki de Martinez

Ushers David Floyd and Betty Plagens Jerry and Frankie Rose

Ted Taylor and Louis Bourne Jimmy and Cynthia Brown

Tellers Connie Wells and Bill Routt Dianne Jordan and Nanette Donahue

Jeanie Phillips and Stephanie Maley

Connie Wells and Doug Russell

Hospitality First Sunday Lunch: Wright and Howard Bill and Dee DeFoor Rick and Jeanie Phillips Donahues and Duncans

VPOD Lynn Craig Gary Donahue Stephanie Maley


Home Visitation Dave and Pat Standard Joe and Betty Daniels

Flower Guild Jane Hemmer

8

Matthias’ Milers

Do you hike, run, walk, and/or bike? Would you like to start and don't know how? Many of our members hike, run, walk, and/or bike for wellness and still more would like to begin. We have several members who regularly train and compete in events. "Matthias' Milers" is a group and forum for the sharing of information about these activities and upcoming events. Email the church office to share with our church family information you think will help others as they work on the physical aspects of spiritual wellness. Contact Robin Dake to be added to the email list: [email protected]

Winter Community Events

December 2, 7 p.m.: Mooseltoe at Shaefer Center December 3, :N4N Fundraiser at Currahee Club December 4, 4 p.m.: Paul Anderson Tree Lighting December 5, 7 p.m.: Downtown Festival of Trees and Tree Lighting December 6, 4 p.m.: Christmas Parade Dowtown December 7, 4 p.m.: Orchestra Christmas Concert December 11, 7 p.m.: Cinnamon Grits at Shaefer Center December 13: Victorian Christmas at Traveler’s Rest December 18: Middle School Christmas Chorus December 22-January 6: Winter Break January 9, 7 p.m.: Tugalo Holler at Shaefer Center

MOM Winter Schedule

Every month our Outreach Committee collects items for different charities. The Ministries Of the Month (MOM) for this fall will be: December: Emmaus House January & February: Watch for announcements Watch the weekly email and Sunday bulletins for more details on what items are desired each month.

AA and Al-Anon Regular Meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon meet regularly at St. Matthias. Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem. Contact: 404-374-8581. Al-Anon family groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. Contact: 706-491-6464. AA Meeting Times: Mondays, 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, 10 a.m.; Thursdays, 7 p.m.; and Fridays, 8 p.m. Chapel Downstairs Al-Anon Meeting Time: Mondays, 6 p.m., Parish Hall.

Family Connection Monthly Luncheon

Every 1st Wednesday of the month during the school year, Family Connection of Stephens County holds their collaborative lunch at St. Matthias’ at noon. The purpose of these meetings is to bring about community-wide networking and collaboration between agencies, organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families in Stephens County. The only qualification required of attendees is a caring heart. Feel free to invite others to the meeting. Contact: 706-886-2880 ext 2010

Parish Hall Usage

Our Parish Hall is here to be used. If you have a meeting, group, or event for which you’d like to use our space, contact Robin Hubbard in the church office. She’ll help you reserve the space. There is no charge, we just ask that you treat the space with respect, clean up after yourselves, and leave it like you found it (or better!).


Upcoming Diocesan Youth Events

Several times a year the Diocese of Atlanta hosts great events for the youth around the diocese. Here are some of the upcoming events. To learn more or to register, visit the diocesan youth website: youth.episcopalatlanta.org.

January 2-4 DYC Retreat at Camp Mikell January 13 Youth Workers Meeting 6-8 p.m. February 6-8 New Beginnings at Camp Mikell (6-8 Grades) February 10 Youth Workers meeting 6-8 p.m. February 20-22 Happening at Camp Mikell (9-12 Grades)

Ash Wednesday Observance: February 18

This year our Ash Wednesday observance will include three services. There will be a 12:15 p.m. Healing Service with Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes. We will add a special service for our children at 6 p.m. including Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes. Finally there will be a 7 p.m. service with Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes and will include music.

9

Reflections from the 108th Annual Council of the Diocese of Atlanta, November 7-8

Robin Dake: Even though our two days at Annual Council were inside a hotel ballroom, I felt we were in sunshine the whole time. I have been to about 20 Councils, some forgettable, some nice and some outstanding and this one will be remembered for the sense of freshness I felt. Our conversations about purpose -- from personal to parish to Diocesan-wide were invigorating, a chance to look up and beyond. I am excited to see where these conversations lead to. Visiting the committee talking about General Convention only solidified the feeling of the largeness of the Episcopal Church. Other highlights for me were: - Worship with the Diocesan youth group and "camp-style" music; - An ah-ha moment during our table Bible study; - Listening to Father Isaias Rodriguez talk about his immigrant experiences, then listening to his delightful laugh; - Fun and love with our St. Matthias crew (we really are the funn-est of the bunch). The Rev. Gwin Hanahan: Bishop Wright set the pace early by challenging us to consider our Purpose...as Episco-palians in the diocese and in the parish as disciples of Christ. We explored this broad and deep assignment as the Council moved forward so that through prayer, work, and fellowship a sense of our purpose became clearer. Quietly recollecting these experiences yields further clarity and thoughts about the future of our church; it looks promising, healthy, and vigorous with strong leadership that encourages laity and clergy to be imaginative and confident in their ministry. Impressions of the purposeful inner workings of the diocese: The treasurer's reports reflect not only a healthy financial state but also the dedication of the treasurer, Mr. King, who has done this faithfully for so many years. The discussions about the resolutions regarding clergy continuing education and funding of the chaplaincy at the ATL airport were animated and informed. The Medicaid Expansion resolution was forceful and its attached joint statement (to the governor, political leaders, and indeed, "all Georgians"), courageous. In the committee on ministry, a timely resolution happily was passed regarding the Diocesan Sabbatical Program. Bishop Whitmore's address was thoughtful and humorous...a memorable line: Don't be "so focused on getting to the promised land that we forget that we can sing on the way. " Conversations around the table: Conversation about our purpose work began with concepts like inclusive welcome, invitation, accountability, free-dom to believe, and community. We wrestled with the purpose statement in lively, insightful discussion. Conversation in our Bible Study was my favorite. What a pleasure and a challenge. Fr. Isaias Rodriguez offered a unique perspective in his ministry--his life stories as an immigrant from Spain 40 years ago and his sense of humor were a delight. Remembrances of good times: The Friday evening dinner with diocesan friends and dancing the night away with Jim. Charlie Kidd: In reflecting on Council, I am most struck by the spiritual aspect that I have observed over the past two years. Under Bishop Wright, we now begin Council with Holy Eucharist. This year the Bishop himself delivered the sermons, and called-onl on the attendees to consider our "Purpose" as a Church and a Diocese. With in the first day of council we had time to discuss our purpose within small groups, made-up of both clergy and the laity. On the second day we had an open Bible study, also with in our small group where we could discuss the questions posed to us. I very much enjoyed this spiritual work with my Diocesan family, and I firmly believe that by leading with the spir-itual it makes the buisnes/numbers, policy portion of Council flow much more smoothly and reverently. Even the "hot topics" such as the expansion of medicaid were discussed with heart felt openness and intelligence with a partic-ular focus of what God was calling us to do as a Diocese. Again our Purpose. And although the large group session was rather cramped, I truly liked being in a Conference Center where Council and lodging could be combined.

Reports and Articles

10

Parish prayer list as of Publication Date of November 30

For the men and women in our armed forces at home and abroad, especially:

Tyler Crump Bryant Daniel Justin Davis

Andy Fuller Scott Fuller Devon Fuller

Chris Handar Patrick McDonald Daniel Miller

William Oliver Colby Scott Sterling Toman

Gabe Orozco

We pray for those in need of God’s healing grace:

Bill Allen Nancy Allen Gene Bevil Delores Camillio Mary Chapman Jenna Clark Gary Clark Jim Curtis Alma Deeton Dwaine Dickenson

Joshua Figge Matthew Figge Doris Finch Marge Fitzsimons Gail Flay and Family Tommy Gallo Diggy Garland Dorothy Gillcrist Mike Haynie John Hemmer

Jackie Hilley Joe Holland Roy Holland Hank Houston Hubbard Family Tia Jamieson David Keister Kathy Leger Dwain Lievsay Beth McGee

Mary Louise McRae Mills Family Tad Moran Allen Morin Irene Morin Roberta Morin Michael Myers Georgianne Rudder Don Salmon Evelyn Seal

Lee Smallwood Pat Standard Marvin Tabor Ted Taylor Christina Whisenhunt Jessie Williams Shirley Wright Amado Christe Katherine

December 7: Kinkiizi, Uganda December 14: Kitgum, Uganda December 21: Kontagora, Nigeria December 28: Kushtia, Bangladesh January 4: Lagos West and Lagos Mainland, Nigeria January 11: Langtant, Jos, Nigeria

January 18: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 25: Long Island, New York February 1: Luwero, Uganda February 8: Maiduguri, Nigeria February 15: Mandalay, Myanmar February 22: Maseno North and South, Kenya

December 7: Chattahoochee Valley Convocation, Christian Educators, Parish Staffs, Choirs, and Acolytes December 14: St. Thomas, Columbus; New Hope House, Griffin December 21: Holy Family, Jasper; Incarnation, Atlanta; Nativity, Fayetteville; Emmanuel, Athens; St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville; St. John’s, College Park; St. John’s, West Point; Altar Guilds; Flower Guilds; Ushers; Lay Readers December 28: Holy Innocents’, Atlanta; St. Thomas of Canterbury, Thomaston; Candidates for Baptism January 4: Epiphany, Atlanta; Episcopalians serving in public office January 11: Architects and artists January 18: Unity of the Church; St. Peter’s, Rome; for those who suffer for the cause Christ January 25: St. Paul’s, Atlanta; St. Paul’s Church and Village, Macon; St. Paul’s, Newnan; St. Timothy’s,

Decatur; St. Timothy’s, Calhoun; Church of the Common Ground; East Atlanta Convocation; Evangelists and catchists February 1: Society of St. Anna the Prophet; Clergy serving as chaplains in the armed forces; Women in ministry; For religious freedom around the world; For all Christians in the Armed Forces February 8: The Absalom Jones Student Center; Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry; Church Musicians; Biblical translators and commentators February 15: The Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; The University of the South; Camp Mikell; Macon Convocation; Penitents preparing for Reconciliation February 22: St. Matthias’, Toccoa; Poets and hymn-writers; Teachers and professors

In the Diocese of Atlanta Cycle of Prayer, for the following ministries:

PLEASE NOTE: This list was current as of November 30. For the most up-to-date prayer list, please check the Sunday bulletin. To add or remove a name, please email the church office.

For our Presiding Bishop, Katharine; our bishops, Rob, Don, and Keith; our rector, Mary; and our associate clergy, Dave, Gwin, Ken, and Don.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, for the Dioceses of

11

From Our Library

The following are book recommendations for the season:

From our Librarian, Bonnie Churchill: How Far To Bethlehem? by Norah Lofts This historical novel fleshes out the story of Jesus’s birth giving a lively portrait and back story to each of the main players. We see the three wise men (the first an astronomer from very far away, what is now Korea!) from the beginning of their journey and Mary and Joseph from the beginning of her pregnancy. Along the way we learn all about the shepherds and the inn keeper and their families. A few of the people who are later important in Jesus’s life, like Mary and Martha, make cameo appearances. This is my favorite Christmas book of all time and my favorite historical novel as well. I reread some or all of it every Christmas.

From our Rector, the Very Rev. Mary Demmler: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson Description from Amazon: “The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant. None of the Herdmans has ever heard the Christmas story before. Their interpretation of the tale -- the Wise Men are a bunch of dirty spies and Herod needs a good beating -- has a lot of people up in arms. But it will make this year's pageant the most unusual anyone has seen and, just possibly, the best one ever.” Santa’s Favorite Story: Santa Tells the Story of the First Christmas by Hisako Aoki Review from Amazon: “I have six small grandchildren, so I bought this book to be kept at my house for when they are here. I love that this story is told by Santa and quickly gets to the point of the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Explaining to the woodland animals that "love was the gift God gave to us on the first Christmas, and it still is."

Between Two Worlds: Daily Readings for Advent Kate Moorehead, This author was originally recommended by vestry member Lynn Craig. Description from Amazon: “Advent, the season in which we prepare for the coming of the Savior, provokes a certain ambivalence among modern believers. We know that Christ has come in the historical person of Jesus of Nazareth, and we live anticipating his return, knowing that our true home is one which he has gone ahead to prepare for us. In the meantime, we are left living between those two worlds. Moorehead uses the witness of the scriptures,

her wealth of experience in long years of ministry, and the wisdom of her own life of prayer to guide us in praying the ambiguity of living faithfully between here and now and there and then.”

From our Associate Priest, the Rev. Gwin Hanahan: My Soul in Silence Waits: Meditations on Psalm 62 by Margaret Guenther It is wintertime, between Advent and Ash Wednesday, December and February The winter months are for waiting. We are like flower bulbs waiting through the friendly dark season, alive as we wait in hope; nourished by the necessary patience, “our patience grounded in hope.” For many people Psalm 62 especially speaks to this time:

For God alone, my soul in silence waits From him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold so that I shall not be greatly shaken.

Episcopal priest Margaret Guenther wrote an exploration of Psalm 62 in a reflective book, My Soul in Silence Waits: Meditations on Psalm 62. She is a storyteller, with a comfortable sense of humor. In the book, Guenther encourages the “beneficial practice of spiritual self-care” by finding “the time and space for retreat without ever leaving home.” Then she has her reader rest in the love of God, contemplating the themes of longing, silence, waiting, imagining, enemies, refuge, and listening. We whisper to God our soul-deep thoughts, and we listen for God’s reply, feel God’s comfort...like a child held in the arms of a good mother.

My well-worn copy of this book, published in 2000, is a great favorite, and it is one that I recommend here in the season of winter waiting between Advent and Ash Wednesday.

From Holidays to Holy Days: A Benedictine Walk Through Advent by Albert Holtz, O.S.B. Albert Holtz is a Benedictine monk in bustling Newark, New Jersey, where he is a teacher in his monastery’s prep school, is master of novices, and leader of retreats. The title of his book reflects what he sees on his daily walks around Newark. He is a good storyteller and observer. You’ll find copies of these books in our Church Library. The Rev. Gwin Hanahan has more excellent recommendations for books for younger readers, including books to read together and books for older children.

12

St. MatthiaS’ EpiScopal church

The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright, Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta

The Very Reverend Mary R.H. Demmler, Rector

The Rev. Dr. Dave Tonge and the Rev. Gwin Hanahan, Priest Associates

995 East Tugalo Street · Toccoa GA 30577

Office Hours: M & F 9:30 a.m.-–4:30 p.m., W 4:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m.

(706) 886-4413 · (706) 297-7981 fax Website: www.toccoachurch.com Podcast: http://podcast.toccoachurch.com

Facebook: St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church, Toccoa

Rector Contact Number: (706) 716-9347 Rector’s Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @EpiscopalToccoa

December Birthdays 4 Michael McDonald 5 Constance Wells 6 Ben Oliver 8 Annie Constantinos 11 Debbie Demmler 12 Maura Cartwright 15 Joseph Connolly 16 Beth Hemmer 18 Marvin Tabor 19 Brandon Wilson 20 Lacy Dake 20 Jonda Wisotzke 23 Lauren Geiger 24 John Hemmer 25 Jacob Struble 26 Diggy Garland 27 Pat Standard 28 Cindy Arnold 28 Zhanna Bourne Anniversaries 4 Mark & Amanda Price 15 Joe & Betty Daniels 18 Roger & Debbie Duncan 27 Lee & Patty Geiger 29 Bob & Peggy Struble 30 Ken & Melanie Struble 30 Stan & Barbara Baldwin 31 Gary & Nanette Donahue

January Birthdays 3 Norma Pointer 3 Bill Jamieson 4 Kathy Smith 6 Luke Nicholson 11 Dorothy Brown 16 Holly Free 18 Maggie Smith 20 Robin Hubbard 24 Seth Howard 25 Lynne Porter-Whitmire 25 Patty Mills 30 Fay Hardman 31 Wanda Russell Anniversaries 1 Jonathan & Fairlight Wright 16 Bob & Susie Presley

February Birthdays 2 Rev. Mary Demmler 5 Connie Gaines 5 Matthew Wright 8 Stan Baldwin 8 Tabi Shepson 10 Diane Nix 12 Bailey Demmler 15 Stephanie Steele 19 Patty Geiger 19 Rev. Dr. Don Shepson 20 Robin Dake 22 Anna Kiele Shepson 24 Hannah Demmler 28 Tyler Powers 28 CJ Dimas Anniversary 14 Diggy & Angie Garland

Birthdays and Anniversaries

"Church is simply a place to believe, belong and become." The Rt. Rev. Rob Wright, Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta

Believe. Belong. Become.

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Communion Service) without Music 9 a.m. Breakfast (no breakfast on 1st and 5th Sundays of the month) 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages: Adult Sunday School, Youth Sunday School for 6-12 Grades, Sunday Fun Time for 5th Grade and

Under 9:30 a.m. Choir 10:10 a.m. Acolytes and Chalicists report to Vesting Room to prepare for worship 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Communion Service) with Music 11:45 a.m. Hospitality Hour or First Sunday Lunch

Sunday Morning Schedule

Documents

St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church Toccoa, GA · 1 St. Matthias’ Episcopal Church Toccoa, GA News Bulletin, Winter 2014-2015 Following Jesus Christ, loving and serving in His name,