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“Christ Has Overcome”

The world over, nations and institutions, families and individuals have been reacting in various ways to the threat of the Coronavirus. The response of others is always a question of subjective interpretation, but I imagine that most of us feel like some have impulsively overreacted—even to the point of violating civil liberties—while some have shown too much indifference. Yes, one can argue that we are all not just dealing with the virus itself, but the manner in which COVID-19 has been rationalized, politicized, and sensationalized. What is certain is that the social upheaval it has caused is going to affect our health, economy, and our very existential sense of security and relationship for a long time. Some of it is objective, some of it is a construct; but, it’s all our new reality, even if a lot of it is only perception. Pastorally, I don’t want to tell anyone the “right” way to react to all of this. To a considerable extent, the “right” way depends everyone’s age, health, family situation—not to mention the regional proliferation of the virus, which seems to vary widely. Whoever and wherever you are, my advice echoes that of many experts and laymen alike: practice good hygiene, engage socially and professionally with commonsense, and prepare for what the future may hold prudently. Most importantly, don’t allow these present circumstances control you, mentally and emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. We’ve seen a lot of reckless behavior on both ends of the spectrum, and I do not recommend either isolation and hoarding or blatant disregard. However small the percentage of our population, people are getting sick and dying, and that shouldn’t be a reason for either terror or trifling. Walk circumspectly, but not fearfully. From a purely human perspective, remember the four cardinal virtues and apply them in how you treat yourself and others: wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice. And as your rector, I remind you to live this way as a Christian, out of charity for your neighbor, as yourself. Speaking of which, as Christians, how should we look to God during this time? Without getting too preachy, I want to reiterate a message that I sent in an email a couple of weeks ago—Christ has overcome. I based this theme on two verses from Jesus’ “Last Supper Discourse” in St. John 14-16. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” As Holy Week and Easter approaches, we all know what this means. As our atoning Sacrifice and Redeemer, Jesus offered Himself on the Cross, died and descended into hell, and rose again triumphantly from the tomb. He defeated the world that persecuted

From the Rector’s Study

Saint Luke Anglican Church, a parish of the Anglican Catholic Church 3081 Wheeler Road, Augusta, GA 30909 - 706.736.7479

Regular Service Times

Sunday:

Sung Mass at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday:

Morning Prayer at 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday:

Evening Prayer at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday:

Said Mass at 11:30 a.m.

April 2020 Volume 3, Issue 4

Inside this issue:

From the Rector’s Study 1

Altar/Flower Guild 2

Parish Special Accounts 2

Saint of the Month 3

Birthdays/Anniversaries 4

Coffee Hour 4

Spiritual Refection 4

Prayer List 4

Around the Parish 5,6 Bequillo Baptism Parish Workday Lenten Fish Fry Easter Lilies Coffee Hour Rotation Guest Organist Diocese of South Synod Did You Know? 6

Easter Lily Order Form 7

Parish Recipes 8,9

St. Anne’s Ladies Guild 9

Vestry Minutes 10

A Thought for April

Patience is

a bitter tree

with sweet fruit.

(continued on p.2)

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Altar/Flower Guild

Parish Special Accounts

(continued from p.1 “The Rector’s Study”)

Him, death and the grave that tried to hold Him, sin and the Devil that battled against Him. Christ is victorious over all, in time and eternity, and He has merited for us grace that He gives us efficaciously in Word and Sacrament to share in that victory. This means, that no matter what happens, because Christ has overcome, we will also overcome: over a virus; over politics; over social upheaval. Come what may, we don’t have to be afraid about being defeated—even by fear itself—for we will win with Jesus. Of course, I cannot guarantee that not one of us at St. Luke will become ill. As Our Lord Himself said “ye shall have tribulation.” But, for us as Christians, the sure hope we have of the soul’s salvation and the eventual resurrection of the body is greater than any sickness we may suffer now. Well or unwell, by faith, we can always remain in Christ. As St. Paul once wrote to the Romans: “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” This is why I support Archbishop Haverland’s desire that we keep our churches open and, as much as possible, continue celebrating the liturgy and administering the sacraments. Streamed services are fine for what they are, but our souls, more than ever, need to remain close to Jesus in worship, prayer, and devout participation in grace. That is what is most important and, as your priest, I will do my best to make sure you partake during this most sacred time of the year, whether you are able to attend at St. Luke or not. Yes, we must be careful. But, most careful that we do not prioritize the saving of this life; or, as Jesus said, we shall lose it. Yet, if we lose this life for His sake, we shall save it. The Church has had to endure troubles before. Persecution. War. Pestilence. None of this is anything new. Coronavirus and its consequences is just the latest, and it is our era’s test of faithfulness. Again, I will say that no one should feel compelled to do anything; but, St. Luke is here, like a spouse to support you all in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer. I pray, however you are able to participate, that everyone enjoys these blessed seasons of Passiontide and Eastertide, together overcoming with Christ and coming more alive—by Him, with Him, and in Him. Amen.

Additional funding to help replenish two funds would be greatly appreciated: the Parish Special Events

Fund and the Music Fund. The Special Events Fund reserves money to help pay for resources needed at

parish functions, like the Fish Fry coming up later this month. The Music Fund supports the cost of main-

taining our musical instruments at the church and paying for our visiting organists above and beyond what

we have in our annual parish budget. Thank you!

The Altar and Flower Guild reminds everyone to donate an Easter Lily in memory of a loved one or in celebration of God's blessings. The next meeting of the Altar/Flower Guild has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 4 at 11:00 am. This change should give the ladies, who come, time to help out with the Parish Workday, then shift to the guild meeting for about an hour before their lunch.

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Saint of the Month

St. George (April 23)

St. George has been one of the most popular and, thanks to his hagiography, definitely one of the Church’s most illustrated saints since the fourth century. The legendary tale about his slaying of the dragon has immortalized his memory in Western culture, and many institutions, organizations, and nations—most

notably the Eastern European country of Georgia (which bears his namesake) and England—have claimed him as their patron. The English flag still bears the “St. George Cross” (the red cross on a white background) which is also frequently associated with crusader heraldry since the 11th Century. However, despite his nearly 1700 years of fame, we really know few historical facts about the real George. So, how did he become one of the most venerated Christian saints, especially in our own Anglican tradition? Possibly the only truth we know about George, which has made him such a popular military saint, is that he was a soldier in the Praetorian Guard who served under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. George may have been to Christian parents of Greek origin from Cappadocia (modern day Turkey), but we otherwise know nothing else of his background. Diocletian was extremely hostile to Christianity and, upon hearing that one was serving among his own guard, he had George arrested and subjected him to (some accounts say) nearly seven years of imprisoned persecution! One hagiography claims that over forty thousand people converted to Christianity from his long witness, including Diocletian’s own wife, the Empress Alexandra! Eventually, after twenty different tortures failed to make him recant his faith, we are told that in A.D. 303 (the year of the Great Persecution) George was beheaded, along with Alexandra, in the Palestinian town of Lydda. George’s fame spread

quickly, and soon many Christians began visiting his burial site in Lydda to honor him as martyr. And what of his great heroism against a dragon, in which George appears in most artwork? The legend originated in 11th Century Georgia, and it reached Western Europe a century later where it was popularized in Jacobus de Voragine’s collection of hagiography, The Golden Legend around the year 1266. In this version, a historicized narration describes a Libyan city’s plight when a dragon begins terrorizing it. They try placating the dragon with sheep but, when that is not enough, the city resorts to sacrificing humans. When finally, the king’s daughter is chosen, George rushes to her rescue and slays the dragon with a lance. Her grateful father, the king, offers him treasure as a reward, but George distributes the riches to city’s poor, instead. Amazed by George’s bravery and generosity, the whole city converts to Christianity and is baptized. Evidence of veneration to St. George going back to the 4th Century persists throughout all of old Christendom, beginning with a church build by Constantine dedicated in George’s honor in Lydda. Hundreds of other churches and shrines were further built to George in the Levant, Cappadocia, and in Western Europe—most famously St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, England. His image and story are celebrated across the arts, including iconography and statuary, and in the 9th Century German collection of hymns and poems, the Georgslied. The height of veneration to St. George was in the 14th Century when he was included among the “Fourteen Holy Helpers,” whose intercession was believed to be particularly effective against diseases, such as the bubonic plague.

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Prayer List

4/4 Katy Packard 4/10 Karen Elmy 4/13 Patricia & Wallace Holden 4/17 Bishop John Ndegwa 4/26 Chip Lamb

Birthdays/Anniversaries

April 5 Hewett, Elliot, and Zmijewski April 12 Easter Sunday April 19 McRoy April 26 Martin & Zmijewski

Coffee Hour

Beverly, Skip, Susan, Sylvia, Naomi, Laura, Levine, Joey, Jeff, Julia, Lynn, Benita, Leslie, William, Bobbie Jean, Ernie, Ruth, Kristi, Charles, Preacher, Rebecca, Lamar, Wanda, Penny, Marsha, John, April, Frank+, Frances, Marie, Maria, Stephanie, Becky, Norah, Elizabeth, Emma, Angela, Benton, Michael, Shelley, Kevin, Robin, Ronnie, Roy, Mario, Grace, Olivia, Geri, Audrey, John, Jenna/Lisa & child

Perhaps at no other time in recent history have we all lived through a global crisis during which the praying of Reinhold Niebuhr’s “The Serenity Prayer” was more appropriate:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.

Most of us can do little to influence the spread of COVID-19, to rescue the sick and the dying, to control how our leaders have responded to its threat, or to prepare for the socioeconomic consequences that are surely to come. But, we can ask for the grace of a positive attitude to become obedient, trustful, and persevering. Whatever we can do, can’t do, or shouldn’t do, we can make this whole messy situation more bearable if we heed Christ’s words: “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Spiritual Reflection

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Around the Parish

Bequillo Baptism

St. Luke rejoices that Mrs. Juliet Bequillo and her daughter Abigail Rose have been born again of Water and the Spirit! On Sunday, March 22, Juliet and Abigail were baptized by Fr. Trout before the Holy Eucharist of Laetare Sunday. Both young ladies were a vision of beauty and purity in their white dresses as they received the sacrament and later came

forward for their blessing together at the communion rail. Especially proud were Mr. Oscar Bequillo (husband and father), Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Jennifer McRoy (parents of Juliet and godparents to Abigail), and Fr. Daniel and Mrs. Anita Trout (godparents to Juliet). On an intriguing note, this was the second mother/daughter baptism in the McRoy family. Jennifer and her younger daughter Skylar were also baptized together by Fr. Trout during Advent 2018. It’s a family tradition!

Announcement: Parish Workday

In the hope that we will be able to celebrate Holy Week and Easter, an all-parish workday has been scheduled for Saturday, April 4, starting at 8:30 AM. Anyone who feels healthy or comfortable enough to venture out for the morning is invited to assist with landscaping, cleaning the church interior, and decorating inside and outside for Palm Sunday. Please see Fr. Trout, George Clark or Joe McRoy if you have any questions. Thank you for giving this your consideration.

Lenten Annual Fish Fry

The Fish Fry has been rescheduled to April 24 or May 15.

Easter Lilies St. Luke will be decorating our sanctuary again this year for Easter Sunday with beautiful Easter lilies. Please see the order blank on page 7 and place your order by April 5. Further directions are on the flyer.

Joseph and Jennifer McRoy with Abigail Rose

Juliet Bequillo and sister Skylar McRoy with Abigail Rose

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St. Luke intends to observe all of the customary Holy Week services. Fr. Trout will publish a

definite schedule of services by email and Facebook the Friday before Palm Sunday (April 3).

Coffee Hour Rotation Schedule If you are interested in being added to the rotation list for refreshments at Sunday’s coffee hour, please contact Karen Elmy at 706-772-5109.

Announcement: Guest Organist for Holy Week and Easter

St. Luke welcomes back Mr. Lance Davis to play organ for our Holy Week and Easter services from Palm Sunday (April 5) through Easter Sunday (April 12). Having Lance’s music ministry with us is certain to elevate the sublimity of these most sacred liturgies of the year, so the parish is encouraged to come out in support to experience the spiritual power of our worship as much as possible.

Announcement: Diocese of the South Synod

As of the publication of this newsletter edition, the annual Synod of the ACC Diocese of the South (DOS)

remains on schedule for April 29 – May 1 at St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral in Athens, GA. Please pray that we

will be able to keep these dates; and, continue to remember in your intentions all of St. Luke’s delegates

and observers: Fr. Daniel and Mrs. Trout, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McRoy, Mrs. Barbara Zmijewski, and Mrs.

Barbara Cope.

Did You Know ? Pre-Easter Flowers

Fr. Trout sent me an email asking if I could recall a past Easter at St. Luke. Indeed I can! The year I arrived in Augusta to teach in the public school system, Keith Cowling, a Briton who had suffered the terrors of the Great War, joined me at Langford Junior High. Keith became my best friend; and, of course, I said, “We even have your Church. You are a gift from heaven.” Christmas was not far away, and Keith donated the manger that we still use. Listen! When Easter was close, he said, “In England on Saturday afternoon we decorate the organ and its surroundings with an English Garden freshly arranged by me. It had become a tradition when the war came. I would love to turn St. Luke into one of my pleasantest memories of home. Naomi, sometimes there were more members to see my garden than to Easter morning.” Personally, I had never seen anything more beautiful! The garden did not become a tradition, but Keith became an inspiring lay reader with that beautiful English accent. At the time he died, he was a full professor of art, drama, and painting at Augusta State University. He had a requiem mass under the auspices of St. Luke Anglican Catholic Church. God Bless, dear Keith.

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Parish Recipes

Greek Easter Lamb by Fr. Daniel Trout

No one else prepares a lamb roast like the Greeks! Here is a traditional "Pascha Dinner Lamb" (an Easter Lamb Roast) from the Greeks that we have enjoyed many times. It has become a favorite!

6 lbs boneless Lamb Leg Roast 1 dozen garlic cloves, peeled 2 dozen Kalamata olives, pitted 2 lemons, grated 4 large rosemary sprigs, chopped 2 tbsp dried oregano 4 tbsp lemon juice 1/3 cup olive oil, divided salt and pepper to taste

1) Make 3 dozen incisions in the roast for the garlic cloves and the olives; insert, spreading out evenly. 2) Rub lamb roast with half of the olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper, herbs and lemon zest. 3) Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. 4) Remove from refrigerator and allow sit for one hour to come up to room temperature; with 15 minutes left, preheat oven to 375 degrees. 5) Move to lamb to roasting pan, and add a little water or broth to catch drippings and prevent burning on the bottom of the pan. 6) Brush lamb with remainder of the olive oil and roast for 1 hour; then, flip over to roast on the other wide for 1 hour more (2 hours total). 7) Remove roast from oven and let roast rest on the counter for 15 minutes. 8) Serve with pan juices (optionally flavored with Greek Tomato Sauce), crusty bread, green beans, and lemon oven potatoes.

Easter Bunny Coconut Cake by Gladys Fox

1 box yellow cake mix. (Mix according to box directions) Fluffy frosting (I make my own 7-minute frosting, but you can used the canned) Coconut Jelly beans Thin black licorice candy

Prepare the box yellow cake and bake as directed on the box but in a greased 13 x 9 pan lined with wax paper. Wax paper will make removing the cake much easier. When cake is baked and cooled, cut it in half. Place this section on a large dish or cookie sheet. With the remaining half, cut two more pieces. These pieces will be the two ears for the bunny. Place the ear pieces in place. Frost with a fluffy frosting and sprinkle with coconut. The eyes are jelly beans, and the whiskers are thin strips of black licorice. Easy to do and the little ones love it.

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St. Anne’s Ladies Guild

February Minutes

Those present were: President Jennifer McRoy, Treasurer/Secretary Rebecca Blair, Fr. Daniel Trout, Barbara Cope, Deidre Daniels, Peggy Howell, Frances Martin, Sam Nechtman, Beverly Roberts, Anita Trout, and Barbara Zmijewski. The meeting was called to order and Father Trout led the prayer. The business was Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper scheduled for February 25, 6:00-7:30 pm. Set up will be from 4:00-4:30 pm and will include wrapping eating utensils, setting up necessary cookware and all ingredients. Participants were asked to bring all necessary cookware and all ingredients on Sunday, February 23. The following is a list of those volunteering to bring needed items: 3 griddles, Frances Martin, Barb Zmijewski and Barbara Cope; pancake batter pour pitchers and spatulas are in the kitchen; plates, Wayne Buckley; bowls, Stacy and Lucy; bacon and sausage precooked, Sam Nechtman, Jennifer McRoy, Barb Zmijewski, Fr. Trout; pancake mix, Frances Martin to procure additional mix; grits, Jeff O’Betz; syrup, Peggy Howell 3 Sugar-free, Sam Nechtman 3 syrups, Sandra McKinney sugar-free syrup; milk 1 gallon, Karen Elmy; OJ 2 gallon, Karen Elmy; butter, Sandra McKinney; and applesauce, Beverly Thompson. The cooks will be Jeff O’Betz, Joe McRoy, Gary Hegner, and Leroy Walker. The servers will be Sam, Barb, Rebecca, Jennifer, and Anita. New business included discussion of the March 27, 6:30 pm, Fish Fry and the Stations of the Cross. Dues collected totaled $33 and will be submitted for deposit with Jeff. A cash receipts book was implemented for accountability. Father Trout moved to adjourn; Frances seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Directions to make the buns: 1) Bring milk to the boil, then remove from the heat and add butter, then let cool. In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar and yeast into a bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the warm milk and butter mixture, then add 1 beaten egg. Using a wooden spoon, mix well, then bring everything together with your hands until you have a sticky dough. 2) Tip on to a lightly floured surface and knead by holding the dough with one hand and stretching it with the heal of the other hand, then folding it back on itself. Repeat for 5 mins until smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size. 3) With the dough still in the bowl, lemon and orange zest of 1 orange, chopped apple, and cinnamon. Knead into the dough, making sure everything is well distributed. Leave to rise for 1 hour more. 4) Divide the dough into 12 even pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball on a lightly floured work surface. Arrange the buns on one or two baking trays lined with parchment, leaving enough space for the dough to expand. Cover, then set aside to prove for 1 hour more. 5) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Glaze each bun with egg wash, then place trays on the middle rack of the oven; bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Directions to make the glaze: 1) Stir together confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. 2) Transfer icing to a pastry bag, and make a small cut in the corner. Ice buns in a thick cross shape over the top.

FOR THE BUNS: 12 oz whole milk 3.5 tbsp butter 2 heaping cups flour 1 tsp salt 5 tbsp sugar 1 tbsp cooking oil 1 pkg fast-action or easy-blend yeast

2 eggs, beaten (divided) 1/3 cup raisins 1/3 cup currants 1 lemon, zested 1 orange, zested 1 tsp ground cinnamon 3 tbsp apricot preserves

FOR THE ICING CROSS: 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Traditional English Hot Cross Buns for

Easter Morning

by Anita Trout

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Vestry Meeting

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February Vestry Meeting

On February 9, the St. Luke Vestry met at the church; Fr. Trout and Joseph McRoy (Senior Warden) presided. In attendance were George Clark (Junior Warden), Jeff O’Betz (Treasurer), Wayne Buckley and Beverly Roberts. Karen Elmy (Secretary) was excused for health reasons; Beverly took the minutes in her place. After opening with a prayer, Father Trout welcomed new vestrymen Wayne Buckley and Beverly Roberts. There were no November or January minutes for approval. In the Treasurer’s report, Jeff O’Betz suggested a special account be made strictly for Veterans events effective immediately, and all agreed. George Clark made the motion and Wayne Buckley seconded to accept the financial reports, and the motion carried. Fr. Trout requested those going to the bank for signatures to do so by next week. In his Rector’s report, Father Trout reported on those parishioners who are ill. He reminded the Vestry of the upcoming events: Instructed Eucharist on February 16, Ash Wednesday Services on February 16 at 11:30 am and 6:30 pm, and the Lenten Retreat at the Monastery on March 7. The possibility of developing a podcast was discussed and Jeff O’Betz, George Clark and Joe McRoy will be working with Fr. Trout. Chip Lamb has agreed to help also. Fr. Trout stated his plans for the Roving Priest are to go to coffee shops and talk with people on Tuesday mornings. George will look into getting on college campuses as well. Fr. Trout and George Clark will be talking about the Millennial/University Outreach. In the Junior Warden’s report, George reported he is currently using a different method on the stained glass window; the ceiling leak has been repaired and the tiles will be replaced; the carpet in the sanctuary is clean; the tiller will be used for making a trough for drainage; and the front steps need work. In old business, Father Trout reported that the process for the Federal Tax has been completed and sent to the IRS, and Frank Guthrie was thanked for footing the cost. He stated that battery powered candles are now being used to prevent mishaps; the piano will be tuned this week; and the inventory has been finished. Jeff O’Betz stated he would like a Benevolence Committee of at least five. It was discussed that the Benevolence Committee could refer applicants to other agencies that could be of assistance. After discussion about St. Luke sponsoring a Trail Life USA Troop, George Clark made the motion and Joe McRoy seconded that St. Luke sponsor a Troop. The motion carried. In new business, Fr. Trout thanked George Clark for the sanctuary floor and requested he obtain estimates on flooring types and costs for the sanctuary by the next Vestry meeting. Fr. Trout reminded the Vestry of the pancake supper scheduled for February 25, 6:00-7:30 pm. Invitational flyers will be available to distribute. The fish fry with All Saints’ Aiken will be held March 20 or April 3. The vestry agreed on the date of April 3. The meeting was adjourned a 1:35 pm.