You alluded me. I smelled fresh moonlight, felt your light bless me and I wonder…
Perhaps these moments are just to be between us, deep within, held close in the tapestry of my inner being, gazing at the moon.
I am offered a window to the unseen God.
My heart opens and gratitude flows, knowing the Divine is not absent, but a living light.
Shining in all beings
Patti Joy Posan – Sewanee, TN
by Jan Bolls Smith
Altar linens, hangings, or vestments beyond repairing or recycling are often stored in an out-of-the-way place and soon forgotten. Perhaps they were a memorial gift to honor a church member or used only for special services over a period of many years. Sadly, all have a life of service but must eventually be retired properly due to damage or years of wear on the fabric.
During the June 2022 annual Province IV Altar Guild Conference at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina, the meeting included the deconsecrating of linens and of other paraments that had been blessed. Those attending brought their linens and other items that needed to be disposed of reverently.
The Reverend Martha “Marty” Hedgpeth, an assistant rector of Christ Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, served as our chaplain from 2001-2003 for the Province IV Altar Guild; she wrote the prayer for the deconsecration service, which took place during one of our morning worship services. After the service and the removal of any recyclable embellishments and fabrics, the linens were burned.
For the burning of the linens, a large, new, contaminant-free and heat-resistant can was used to make what seemed to be a Holy fire. Small holes were made on the side of the large can to allow air flow into the vessel. The linens were carefully removed from the basket and gently placed into the can, and a wooden match was used to ignite the fire. Eventually all that was left were the ashes, reminding us that “From dust we came and to dust we will return.” After the ashes had cooled, the ashes were scattered on Lake Kanuga. The following years, the ashes were buried on the conference center grounds.
Martha “Marty” Hedgepeth was a member of the clergy in North Carolina for 36 years and served as an associate rector at Christ Church for 22 years. Marty retired from Christ Church in November 2018.
Jan Smith served as president, Mississippi Diocesan Altar Guild, 2001-2004 and as president, Province IV Altar Guild, 2003-2006
Prayer for the Deconsecration of Linens, Hangings, and Vestments
Almighty God, we thank you for the beauty of your creation and our responsibility to care for it. We thank you for your faithful people who have given these linens, vestments, and paraments to be used for your honor and glory. As they were consecrated in your name, they adorned your sanctuaries, reflected your beauty, and served your people. So now, Lord, in your name, we deconsecrate them and this day return them to the earth from which they came – earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. We pray in the name of the firstborn of all creation, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Reverend Martha “Marty” Hedgpeth
Province IV Altar Guild, 2001-2003
Almighty and most merciful Father, we thank you for all the blessings of this life. We thank You especially for the Episcopal Church Women. We ask you to guide us as we work to find more ways to serve our global village and the local communities. By Your grace, equip us to feed the hungry, provide clothing for those in need, and accept the differences within us.
Offer shelter to the disenfranchised and help facilitate access to basic health care for those without advocator. Give us the strength to preserve as we invite others to join in our common life for justice and peace. Help us to address the racial and class divisions in our world that we may all be treated equal as one created by You in Your image.
Guide us as we become more faithful in our spiritual journey; find godly ways to restore the absent and open our heart to the stranger. Bless us that we might move into new ways of being and doing for the sake of those who have the desire for spiritual food and thirst for the living waters. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen
by Laura Manigault
“It just made sense that people who haven’t had any funeral done for them or any memorial service are now getting one.”
The common element that continues to connect all of Cristi’s vocational callings is stewardship, especially the integral connection between mission and money. – Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands
Trying to ‘get back to normal’ is both folly and missed opportunity — in more ways than one. – National
“I like to say coincidences are when God wants to remain anonymous,”
The successful candidate is scheduled to be ordained at the cathedral on June 24, 2023.
“For the members of Wild Church that have taken this on, it’s very important to them because it’s a part of our stewardship as Christians,” she said.
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The Reverend Canon Kristin Uffelman White is the officiant during A Litany for Healing and Lament. – Monument Circle, IN
Phyllis Hall is a woman-about-town. – Mountain Brook, AL
“The community responded by donating food and money to help, and the food shelf quickly outgrew its space…” – Alexandria, MN
Recently, things have gone from bad to worse. We were stunned, heartbroken and furious at the loss of life in Uvalde, Texas. – Ventura, CA
Churches across the U.S. are tackling the big question of how to address homelessness in their communities
Eleven Episcopal women broke down barriers to ordination on July 29, 1974 – National
Church is making sure kids don’t go hungry this summer, as they launch a children’s summer food pantry. – Brick, NJ
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Distinguished Women’s awards are being presented for this 2022 Triennial. Even though the ECW did not meet in Baltimore, the National Board felt it important to proceed with the awards. Booklets containing all the Distinguished Women, Certificates, and Pins will be sent to the designated member of the diocesan ECW for presentation to the Distinguished Woman honorees in July/August.
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Camp Director Teri Valente said the camp was once Nanticoke land where they hunted and fished. The name of the camp came from the numerous arrowheads that have been found on the property. – Delaware, Cape Area
“We’re just here to feed people,” Madge Tamber, the coordinator, who founded the program with her husband Ron. – Sharon, PA
…awards an annual $2,500 scholarship to female, Episcopalian graduating high school seniors or current college students – Brunswick, GA
“The children needed to find a way to respond to what is evil. And we had to shepherd them.” – Garden City, NY
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Women (ECW) recently spearheaded a parish-wide clothing drive. – Laguna Beach, CA
When gifted organist Marilyn Keiser retires this summer from Trinity Episcopal Church, she will complete almost six decades – Bloomington, IN
Poor People’s Campaign, the ecumenical initiative advocating economic justice for poor and marginalized Americans supported by The Episcopal Church. – National
The Celebration was a callback to the 1940’s and ’50’s… classic cars and classic music, all to celebrate 75 years. – Grosse Point, MI
A “Huge Tag Sale” held May 7 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church brought in approximately $9,800 which will be allocated to help local refugee and asylum-seeker resettlement efforts. – Brattleboro, VT
Congregations and church leaders are honoring the victims of last week’s deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. – National
Julia Ayala Harris and Rachel Taber-Hamilton are among those seeking positions. – National
Rector Megan Castellan: Two hundred years is a pretty good history for an American church, but it is a double-edged sword. – Ithaca, NY
According to the Labyrinth Society, there are more than 250 labyrinths in New England. – Portland, ME
The Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop said during its May 24-26 meeting that it will forgo being present at The Episcopal Church’s now-shorter and smaller General Convention in July. – National
The Great EpisGOpal Race returns this fall, featuring a partnership between the United Thank Offering and Episcopal Migration Ministries in its third year. This popular fundraiser offers multiple ways to participate and raise funds to support special ministries and missions.
Registration is open online for the virtual race, scheduled for Sept. 3-11.
Summary
Richmond Free Press – Rev. Marlene E. Forrest to be installed as rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church – Ministry is the second career for the former special education teacher who retired after 30 years of working with students with disabilities
Episcopal News Service – House of Deputies president, church reaffirm commitment to reproductive rights as Supreme Court looks poised to overturn Roe v. Wade – Office of Government Relations affirmed the church’s commitment
Salt Lake Tribune – Utah Episcopalians choose a new bishop, the second woman to lead them – The Rev. Phyllis Spiegel is eager to “meet and converse” with Latter-day Saint authorities
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Richmond Free Press – North Side Richmond, VA
The Rev. Marlene E. Forrest will be installed as the 23rd rector of historic St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in North Side on Saturday, May 14. The ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the church, 2900 Hanes Ave. Rev. Forrest’s installation comes nearly two years after she was named priest-in-charge of the 300-member congregation, the largest Black Episcopal congregation in Virginia. She will succeed Bishop Phoebe A. Roaf, who led the church for eight years until she was installed as bishop of West Tennessee in May 2019.
Episcopal News Service – National
One of The Episcopal Church’s presiding officers and its Office of Government Relations affirmed the church’s commitment to equal access to reproductive health care on May 3, after a leaked draft of a pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling indicated the court was poised to overturn the landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade that ensured for women nationwide the right to obtain an abortion.
Salt Lake Tribune – Utah
After more than a decade under the direction of Bishop Scott Hayashi, Utah Episcopalians have chosen a new top leader — the Rev. Phyllis Spiegel — as the 12th bishop and second woman to head the state’s oldest Protestant denomination. Spiegel, born in southwestern Virginia but most recently serving in Ohio, was elected Saturday on the first ballot by a vote of clergy and lay representatives at downtown Salt Lake City’s St. Mark’s Cathedral.
LIHerald.com – North Bellmore, NY
Following an eight-month-long stretch without a leader, St. Francis Episcopal Church welcomed the Rev. Grace Flint to its ministry on April 1. The church’s previous leader, Brother Christopher McNabb, left last August to move to Washington state, where he works for the Diocese of Olympia doing resettlement work with immigrants.
Episcopal News Service – National
General Convention’s committees on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Music heard testimony May 3 on a diverse selection of resolutions, from proposals to add the late Bishop Barbara Harris to the church’s calendar of feasts to a measure “addressing antisemitic, anti-Jewish and/or supersessionist interpretations of our lectionaries.”
CNN Politics – Virginia Beach, VA
The swift rise in food prices has led Kay O’Reilly to hang out outside her local Amazon warehouse in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to see if it has any extra eggs, milk, meat or produce to spare. The visits are part of O’Reilly’s efforts at “food wrangling” to make sure the Chapel Pantry at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church has enough groceries to provide to its clients.
Summary
LI Herald Long Beach – City’s ‘unsung heroes’ honored – “It’s phenomenal,” Welker said. “We all appreciate it. It really shows respect, because a lot of the time we can get overlooked and underappreciated.”
Gaston Gazette – New rector at All Saints Episcopal likes emphasis on service to others – Orville, 62, became rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Gastonia late in 2021.
The Alpena News – Local women plan Ukrainian refugee relief fundraiser – If you’ve been wondering how to help the people of Ukraine, a group of local women have come up with some ideas: rummage sale, bake sale, silent art auction, and bazaar
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LI Herald – Long Beach, NY
On April 3, 1968, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tenn. He was assassinated the next day. On Monday, the 54th anniversary of King’s assassination, representatives of two Long Beach churches — St. James-Jerusalem Episcopal and New Life Church of Christ — visited the city’s Sanitation Department to offer the workers sandwiches, drinks, snacks, dessert and gifts, honoring King’s memory and the work he did on behalf of the Memphis workers.
Gaston Gazette – Gastonia, NC
The metaphor is not her own, but the Rev. Lynn Orville shares it as a vision of what churches are facing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. When Lewis and Clark set out to find a route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean they had assumed they would be on the water, in canoes, for the entire journey.
Alpena News – Alpena, MI
If you’ve been wondering how to help the people of Ukraine, a group of local women have come up with some ideas. A rummage sale, bake sale, silent art auction, and bazaar will be held in the ballroom at the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave. Donation drop-off will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 20 and 21, and the sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 22 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 23.
Miami Herald – Miami, FL
I’ve always wondered why many Black Americans feel a sense of kinship with the church. And while doing some reporting for our recent Miami churches story, I found my answer. It came about during my chat with Gaile Holland, a parishioner at the historic Saint Agnes Episcopal Church which is nearly as old as Miami itself (the church was established 1898, the city 1896). Many families, including Holland’s, have been attending the church for generations.
Episcopal News Service – Michigan
Episcopalians in Michigan joined other advocates of gun safety legislation for a lobby day April 13 at the Capitol in Lansing, where they met with lawmakers and held a news conference to promote the recently launched End Gun Violence Michigan campaign.
WITN News – Greenville, NC
A church is stewing up soup Wednesday to benefit those in need. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is hosting its annual Stone Soup fundraiser with 12 local restaurants serving up their best recipes. This year’s event is drive-thru style, so people can place orders, drive up to the church and pick up their meals from 4:30 p.m.- 6 p.m.
The Episcopal Church Office of Latino/Hispanic Ministries offers this intensive session for those interested in expanding their competency about Latino culture, spirituality, and ministry. The course includes 20 hours of online classroom presentation, worship services, and group dialogue. Register till May 6th.
16 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) will be awarded for full completion of the ELMC course. If you have any questions about any aspect of the course, please contact Anthony Guillén. For questions about your registration, contact Angie Cabanban. or at 212-716-6186.
Summary
Republican Journal – St. Margaret’s introduces new rector at April 3 service – The Rev. Barbara Briggs will preach for the first time as rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Belfast ME
Daily Pilot – Touched by its support, Costa Mesa woman from Ukraine offers sweet thanks to local church – I want to come and say thanks to the people of the church for supporting Ukraine even though they don’t know Ukrainians
Greenfield Recorder – Faith Matters: The anointing woman – I love this story not only for its emotional power and for its portrayal of Jesus’ humanity in the days before his death, but also because it provides a fascinating
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Republican Journal – Belfast, ME
The Rev. Barbara Briggs will preach for the first time as rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Belfast, at the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, April 3. The incoming priest will celebrate Eucharist, at which the consecrated wine will be offered in individual cups rather than a common chalice. Those attending are asked to voluntarily wear masks because of close spacing in the church. The Women of St. Margaret’s will hold a meeting open to all following the service at 11 a.m. in the adjoining parish house.
Daily Pilot – New Port Beach, CA
It was the sight of the blue and yellow banner hanging on the outside wall of St. James Episcopal Church in Newport Beach that prompted to deliver a Ukrainian cake to church the following Sunday. “When I was passing by the church and saw the flag ‘Pray For Ukraine’ outside, I asked myself, ‘Are there any Ukrainians in that church?’” said Zamaraieva. “‘Or do they know of any Ukrainians?’”
Greenfield Recorder – Greenfield, MA
The gospel text for this Sunday in many Christian denominations is John’s account of the woman who anoints Jesus. As with other texts for these days approaching Holy Week, it is somber in tone, and this story is particularly poignant. In it, a woman anoints Jesus with perfumed oil (a rather shockingly intimate gesture). Another disciple objects to the action as representing a waste of funds that could have gone to the poor, and Jesus defends the expenditure on the oil as preparation for his burial.
Coastal Point – Bethany Beach, DE
A check for $27,070 donated by members of St. Martha’s Episcopal Church in Bethany Beach will be mailed to the Episcopal Relief & Development’s Ukraine Crisis Response Fund this week, to help those affected by the invasion of Ukraine.
Greater Long Island – Long Island, NY
The Reparations Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island is championing equity in education with their latest scholars program. According to their website, Black, African-American and Caribbean-American students who are descendants of enslaved people are encouraged to apply for the “Barbara C. Harris Scholars Program.”
Greenfield Recorder – Greenfield, MA
Conway resident Mary McClintock says the group seeking donations for the “Love in a Backpack” project is getting even more ambitious as the drive enters its third year.
“I think we packed 50 backpacks last year,” recalled McClintock, community collaboration coordinator with Community Action Pioneer Valley. “We’re going for 85 this year.”
Diocese of Oregon – Bandon, OR
Hawaiian Vintage Quilt: Winnifred Folett, Sedona, AZ. Winnie is the incoming Treasurer for Province VIII ECW.
Cracker Barrel quilt: Kathy Mank, Loveland OH. Kathy is President of Province V ECW & has served on the National ECW Board
Our auction raised over $3000.
Thank you to all. See you next year! – Maryfran Crist
