Volume 45, Number 11 News for the Parish of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church December 2017

Fourth Commissioned Carol to Premiere at December 17 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

On Sunday, December 17, at 5:00 p.m. in the nave, St. Paul’s will present our tenth annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, with a reception following in Colhoun A. The service was inspired by the Christmas Eve service of the same name held in King’s College Chapel in Cambridge and includes carols and readings from the Bible.

The opening carol is always “Once in Royal David’s City.” At St. Paul’s, the readers of the nine lessons have traditionally included community leaders and leaders from within the parish. The carols will be sung by the St. Paul’s choirs.

This year’s festival will feature the premiere of “Calm on the Listening Ear of Night,” a Christmas anthem by Dan Locklair, with text by Edmund H. Sears. Parishioner Aurelia Gray Eller commissioned the piece in memory of her husband, John DeWalden Eller, Jr., and her first grandchild, Mark Glenn Cathey.

“My wife Paula and I have known Aurelia for many years,” said Dan. “Over lunch with Paula, Aurelia indicated that she wanted me to accept her commission for the Lessons

and Carols. That is how it came about. I know Aurelia loves the mountains, and that was at the heart of my search for the text. She loves the text, but to date has not heard the finished piece with organ and choir. What a Christmas surprise, right?”

“Dan was my first choice,” said Aurelia. “My only specific request was that the angel part be sung by a boy soprano. I just love hearing boy sopranos in the choir.”

The tradition of commissioning a carol was established at St. Paul’s in 2014 with the premiere of “Angel Song,” a Christmas anthem also composed by Dan Locklair. Parishioners John and P.J. Williams commissioned the piece to honor the music program of St. Paul’s and our Organist and Choirmaster, Dr. John E. Cummins. In 2015, parishioners Ken and Ann Zuhr commissioned “A Sound of Singing Fills the Air” by composer Malcolm Archer in honor of Ann Holabein Zuhr. In 2016, parishioner and choir member Anne Armfield commissioned “Christmas Hath a Darkness” by the Rev. William Bradley Roberts, with text by Christina Rossetti.

St. Paul’s Organist and Choirmaster John Cummins and composer Dan Locklair prepare to sing and play the anthem commissioned by parishioner Aurelia Gray Eller.

This Year’s Carols“Once in royal David’s City” (Irby) Descant Stephen CleoburyHodie Christus Natus Es Healey WillanThe Lord at first did Adam make David WillcocksThe Blessed Son of God Vaughan WilliamsResonemus Laudibus David WillcocksIn the bleak midwinter Harold DarkeGod rest you merry, gentlemen Setting David WillcocksA Hymn to the Virgin Benjamin BrittenMyn lyking Richard TerryRiu Riu Chiu 16th Century Spanish CarolThe first Nowell Setting by David WillcocksHere is the little door Herbert HowellsOf the father’s love begotten (Divinum mysterium) Descant David WillcocksCalm on the listening ears of night Dan LocklairHark,the herald angels sing Felix Mendelssohn, Descant Stephen Cleobury

The Compass Rose Societyby the Rev. D. Dixon KinserRector

When I arrived at St. Paul’s three years ago, I learned our church is a member of something called the Compass Rose Society, an organization that advances the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury. As a member church, we are invited to the annual meeting and this year, I decided to attend. The meeting, which included a business session, a dinner, a group audience and worship with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was held November 6 through 8 at Lambeth Palace in London.

The Society began in 1994 following a mission visit by Archbishop George Carey to the war-ravaged Province of the Sudan, where most of the people are Anglicans. In the midst of their devastation, they invited the Archbishop to make a pastoral visit. They wanted a Holy Eucharist for 2,000 people, but when the Archbishop started asking questions about the logistics, he discovered they didn’t have the resources for that. In that moment, he realized the people of the Sudan were not asking him to make a formal visit so much as they were looking for pastoral solidarity from the Anglican Communion. They wanted their church to stand with them in this moment of great pain and distress.

Archbishop Carey was deeply moved by the experience, and when he returned home, he felt strongly that the desperate story of the Sudanese people needed to

be told. The response from the global Anglican family, both in prayer and in financial support, was positive. Out of the challenges in the Sudan, the Compass Rose Society was formed to fund the work of the Anglican Communion Office. It continues to this day as a way for the Archbishop to advance the kinds of ministries he wants to be involved in and see developed by the Communion in the world.

The Compass Rose Society has become a kind of administrative center for the Anglican Communion. Creating the organization codified the structure needed to provide everything from ongoing aid to people all over the world, to creating schools, to providing health care. When we met with Justin Welby, he told us one of his top priorities is reconciliation. He wants to utilize the Compass Rose Society to support reconciliation in our church by helping raise the resources to enable bishops and their spouses who can’t afford to travel from Africa and Asia to attend the 2020 Lambeth Conference. Our member dues will help support that effort, which I think is a wonderful idea. We get to do something meaningful with our participation.

My personal reflection coming away from it was a much greater understanding of what Compass Rose is by hearing about the vision firsthand. I got to meet not only the Archbishop and his wife, but Anglicans from all over the world. I was energized

by the kind of ministry they want to do, but at a deeper level, for the first time I felt personally connected to the Anglican Communion. It was a really powerful experience of Anglican unity, and I found myself feeling really grateful to be part of our global Church. It was also wonderful to

represent St. Paul’s and tell them about the work we’re doing and see how encouraging and enthusiastic they were about the way we’re living out the gospel here in Winston-Salem. All in all, it was pretty amazing experience. Going forward, I am hopeful we can attend every other year.

Before dinner at Lambeth Palace, Dixon spoke with the Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as the Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny, Bishop of Oklahoma, and the Very Rev. Randolph ‘Randy’ Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral.

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Vestry Meeting HighlightsThe following are highlights of the November 15, 2017, Vestry meeting minutes.

Finance and Stewardship

Carol Davis, Treasurer, reported that year-to-date total net loss from operations, non-operations and pass-through represents $152,443 unfavorable to the annual budget, primarily due to delinquent pledge payments and expenses related to the up-fit of the 875 West Fifth Street building.

Parish Administrator Tom McDowell presented the preliminary 2018 budget with adjustments and discussions set for the December Vestry meeting. Tom also reported on various projects approved for funding by the Memorial Committee and its designated fund. The Vestry approved expenditures totaling $20,000.

Brad and Laura Ross, stewardship chairs, reported the stewardship campaign has exceeded its $2.1 million goal. A total of 528 pledgers have committed $2.104 million.

Rectors’ Reports

The Rev. D. Dixon Kinser, Rector, reported that parishioner Todd Davis is working pro bono to live-stream various services and is currently experimenting with various devices. Dixon also reported that the 875 Building Committee has approved an engineering firm to conduct an assessment of the building prior to major renovations.

TransitionsBirth

Louise Lucile EdelmanNovember 24, 2017

Daughter of Julie and Andrew Edelman, granddaughter of

Marie and Larry Givner

Baptism

Finn Porterfield Metzler November 26, 2017

Son of Sam and Martha Metzler, brother of Bud and

Bennett Metzler, grandson of Graham and Janice Bennett

New Members

Brent and Katherine Collins and

daughter Avery

Deaths

Maude Elsie DuncanNovember 3, 2017

Aunt of Elizabeth Allen

Myrtle Mae “Mutt” Davis Threadgill

November 16, 2017Grandmother of Margaret

Barnwell, great-grandmother of Phillip, James and Mary

Barnwell

Elizabeth Cloud MonroeNovember 23, 2017

A volunteer committee has been established to help Dixon search for a full-time stewardship director. The outreach position will be part-time and filled on an interim basis as needed.

Dixon reported of his travels to England to attend the annual meeting of the Compass Rose Society and meet with Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Rev. Darby O. Everhard, Associate Rector, reported that the Diocesan Convention is this weekend. She reported that the All Saints’ Day Evensong was very well received and more than 300 people attended. Darby also reported on various upcoming services for Thanksgiving and the Advent Season.

The Rev. Sara C. Ardrey-Graves, Associate Rector, reported that formation classes are going well. There will also be a night of contemplative prayer practice on December 6.

Wardens’ Reports

Sally Engram, Senior Warden, reported that the Vestry slate is nearly completed. Also, the Engrams will host the annual Vestry-clergy Christmas party at their home on December 10.

Allan Burrows, Junior Warden, reporting for the Buildings and Grounds Committee, said that early work on the Wilson garden area is underway. The Committee is reviewing campus security concerns and protocols. A task force is being formed by Dixon to conduct a security assessment and bring

back recommendations to the Vestry in December.

Allan also reported that a Campaign Planning Committee will be meeting to discuss major facility and endowment needs.

Liaison Reports

Janice Bennett reported for the Welcome Committee that there will be a December 3 event for newcomers, new members and visitors.

Liz Vaughn reported the Young Adults are planning a Christmas party.

Ted Irvin reported for the Youth Ministry that high schoolers are self-teaching on Sunday mornings. The girls’ and boys’ church basketball teams are currently playing. There will be a “living board game” this weekend and all are invited.

Emily Smith reported that the Preschool has established a fund for the Ingram Scholarship and is formalizing the process for scholarship applications.

On the first Sunday of Advent, St. Paul’s wrapped Christmas gifts for prisoners’ children and offered prayers for those incarcerated and their families and for jail and prison employees. Parishioner Temp Elliott, in an orange prison jump suit, was on hand to recruit volunteers for prison ministries. 3

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On Wednesday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel, St. Paul’s will offer a special service of Holy Eucharist, St. Thomas Day: A Service of Light and Hope.

The Christmas holidays may bring joy, but for many people, the season draws out doubt, depression and loss. The day before we celebrate the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, the doubter, is a good time to remember that we are not alone and to draw together toward the light of Christ.

All are welcome to gather for worship and a time to meditate on God’s love even while we might feel disconnected from the season’s holiday cheer.

St. Thomas Day Service Set for December 20

January Food Drive

Each January since 2009, St. Paul’s has sponsored a food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. For this year’s drive, starting January 2, parishioners are invited to donate non-perishable food to be distributed to area families in need. A shopping list will be provided. Food donations can be placed in the marked bins inside the Goodheart Entrance throughout January or brought to church services on Sunday, January 28, when we will fill the Second Harvest truck. Cash donations are also welcome.

St. Paul’s families traditionally bring gifts wrapped in white tissue paper to the Family Carol Service and Holy Eucharist at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

The gifts will be given to the residents of the Murdoch Developmental Center in Butner, a residential facility for approximately 500 children and adults, ranging from six to 90 years old, who have developmental disabilities.

A variety of gifts, all of which should be new, are appropriate, especially socks, sleepwear for

men, women, boys and girls, baseball hats, cologne and toys, games and arts and crafts supplies for all ages.

Please mark your gift “for boy,” “for girl” or “for adult.” If you are unable to attend the Family Carol Service but would like to donate a white gift, bring your gift to the church office.

White Gifts for Murdoch Center Residents