January 2014...2014/01/12 · This aphorism has been associated with 1 Corinthians 10:13 “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing

When Comfort Cuts Deep

You’ve heard it. You may have said it. It is always said with the best of intentions,

trying to provide comfort. It seems to express a strong faith and trust in God. There is even a

clever variation of it attributed to Mother Theresa (which I have been unable to verify). I’m

talking about the phrase, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” So what’s wrong

with that statement? Well, apart from the fact that it is a misquote of the Bible, it is awful

theology. It begins with an unacceptable premise and ends with a terrible implication.

This aphorism has been associated with 1 Corinthians 10:13 “God is faithful, and he will

not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out

so that you may be able to endure it.” This verse comes immediately after Paul’s several

admonitions to the people of Corinth to resist sin. Many translations use the words “tempted”

and “tempting” rather than “tested” and “testing”. The verse speaks of God’s faithfulness and

the fact that in the face of temptation we always have a choice, a way out. It is a gross

misquotation to render this verse as, “God will never give you more than you can handle.”

The premise behind it is that God is carefully doling out our troubles based on God’s

knowledge of what we can handle. As if God were looking down on us from a cloud somewhere

saying to his angels, “You know, I think Jeff can handle one more thing today. Go ahead and

give him a flat tire.” God doesn’t cause the problems in our lives. That is a denial of the

freedom of creation. The freedom of creation consists of both conscious, human free will, and a

kind of freedom of nature itself. Things happen in our lives that are the result of human Sin—

our own sins and the sins of others. Moral actions have consequences. And the universe works

according to a certain set of principles which we call the laws of physics. If God suspended them

at will, it would be cruel. Physical actions have consequences too.

So the premise behind this attempt to comfort someone going through a difficult time is

faulty, how about its implications? Sometimes people do get more than they can handle. What

about people who lose their fight with cancer, or with dementia? What about people who

succumb to depressions worst ravages? What about people whose lives are destroyed by a storm

or an earthquake? Did God mess up and accidentally give them more than they could handle?

Or is the fault in the person? Yes, that’s it. It must be a lack of faith, or some flaw of character.

Because the alternative is unthinkable. Right? God can’t mess up, so it must be the person’s

(Continued on page 6)

January 2014

JANUARY 2014 LAY MINISTERS SCHEDULE

Lector Chalice Bearer Acolytes Ushers Altar Guild Nursery

January 5

Morning Prayer

DiRusso/Magin Teams

8:00 Calib Garland

Ray Crafton

Officiant:

Tricia Smelter

Lester Kidd

10:30 Beverly McNeill

Kristi Gross

Officiant:

Margaret Haight

Hannah Lovell Clifford

Hunter Clifford

Ethan Goldberg

Ron Magin

Bob Massey

Erin Senters

January 12 Wieland Team

8:00 Dana Houck Edd Houck Joe Ilk

10:30 Sian Packard Steve Clifford

Linda Rooney

Aaron DiFilippo

Jack DiFilippo

Jenna Phillips

Cecil Jarman

Missie Jarman

Molly Watts

January 19 Williams Team

8:00 Shirley Pozzato Lydia Pozzato Calib Garland

10:30 Anne Williams Joe Junod

Mark Walker

Aaron Packard

David Packard

Colby Clifford

Tim Zafrano

Bill Palmer

McKenzie Goldberg

January 26 DiRusso/Magin Teams

8:00 Thom Smelter Tricia Smelter Jack Cheeseman

10:30 Roy Smith Penny Knepp

Stephanie Smith

Chris Cronin

Megan LeBlanc

Matthew LeBlanc

Tim Watts

Hank Mausolf

Amanda Watts

You are responsible for finding your own replacement in the event that you cannot serve when scheduled.

Please notify parish office of replacement.

The Chronicler

January 2014 Edition

Welcome Visitors!

Christ Church welcomes two new members: Donna Carni-Nuzum and Virginia Insley. Donna

transferred from Christ Episcopal Church in Fairmont, West Virginia and Virginia transferred from

Trinity Epscopal, St. Mary’s Maryland.

Appreciation

Special thanks to Harry and Michelle Ruth who donated a two-octave set of hand chimes to Christ

Church in memory of their grandson River Ciccocioppo. River was himself a music lover and a

musician. We thank Harry and Michelle for their generous gift which is a fitting memorial and a

beautiful addition to our music ministry.

In Memory of River

Choir Director

Kristine Clifford

[email protected]

Organist

Hannah Massey

Secretary

Ruth Feltner

[email protected]

Newsletter Coordinator

Mary Kovach

[email protected]

Christ Episcopal Church 8951 Courthouse Road

Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553

Phone (540) 582-5033

www.christchurchspotsy.com

Rector

The Very Reverend Jeffrey A.

Packard

[email protected]

Director of Christian Education

Jenny LeBlanc

[email protected]

Vestry

Senior Warden Ray Crafton

Jr. Warden/Sexton Bill Butler

Treasurer Mary Williams

Asst. Treasurer Linda Smith

Register Virginia Insley

Ruth Brancolini

Steve Clifford

James Kenkel

Jeri Phillips

Roy Smith

Roger Williams

Betsy Warne

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.christchurchspotsy.com/



HAPPY

BIRTHDAY!

01/01 James Kenkel 01/18 Mark Walker

01/03 Justin Phillips 01/20 Jack DiFilippo

01/03 Roger Williams 01/22 Stephen Roop

01/04 Marlyne Cain 01/22 Mark DiFilippo

01/07 Drew DiFilippo 01/25 Liz DiRusso

01/13 Samantha Bomgardner 01/25 Margaret Little

01/13 Joan Gere 01/26 Henry Howe

01/13 Marshall Bell 01/26 Delaney Senters

01/14 Thom Smelter 01/28 Denise Regeimbal

01/16 John Phillips 01/28 Ruth Packard

01/16 Kimberly Smelter 01/30 Doreen Smith

The Prayer List

We have restarted the prayer list for 2013. If we have removed a name which you

would like to remain on the list, just let us know. This is our annual practice to

maintain an up to date prayer list. During the year, please remember to notify us

when we can remove a name from or if you have name you would like add, please

use the communication cards in the pew or notify Ruth, in our office, by phone

(540) 582-5033 or e-mail: [email protected].

Epiphany Bonfire, January 10

On the Feast of Epiphany we remember the visit of the magi, who came to welcome the new

king at his birth. When they arrived in Jerusalem and inquired of Herod, the King of the Jews,

where his new son was, he was understandably confused. Matthew tells us how Herod deceived

the wise men, and plotted to kill the young pretender to his throne. God had other plans. As we

celebrate Epiphany, we remember the bright star that led the wise men from the East to the true

king in Bethlehem. To celebrate that guiding star we will once again have an Epiphany bonfire,

on Friday, January 10 at 6:00 PM. Bring your Christmas tree and your natural wreaths and

greens to burn. As we gather around the warmth of the fire, we will enjoy warm drinks and

snacks, sing songs, and enjoy fellowship with one another.

Parishioner’s Corner

Greetings,

Fr Jeff has asked me to share a little something about myself and the diaconate ministries I had in

New York.

I came to Fredericksburg in June after accepting a job transfer from Saratoga, New York

National Historical Park to Fredericksburg National Military Park to manage their four

bookstores. I must say it was a whirlwind for me – just 3 ½ weeks to move, find a place to live,

and start my new position. But with the Lord’s help, I got through it.

My two children, Will, age 34, and Deb, 32, were very supportive of my move. Will flew from

his home in Fairbanks, Alaska to drive the U-Haul truck to Virginia and Deb helped me pack my

car with George, my black Labrador. George was a trooper in the move. He was delegated a

small space in the back seat of my packed car using a suitcase as a pillow. He never complained.

The move brought me from the American Revolution to the Civil War. My mother was from

Georgia so I heard many stories growing up of family members who lived and fought in the Civil

War.

I was ordained as a vocational deacon in 1995. Through the past 18 years, I have had many

different diaconal ministries both within the diocese and at the church I attended.

The ministry involved visiting and bringing communion to people in the hospital, in nursing

homes, home visits, and visiting those that were dying and their families. This is such a blessed

time to be with people.

At St. Luke’s, the church I attended, I helped out in any way I could. When I left St. Luke’s, I

was involved in helping to facilitate Bible studies and prayer groups, including an intercessory

prayer group that I started. I was involved in the healing ministries at St. Luke’s and a member of

the healing team at the healing center in the diocese. I did church supply, taught confirmation,

trained LEM’s, chalice bearers, acolytes, and readers.

In the community, I was the food pantry coordinator and treasurer of the Church Council.

I would like to thank Christ Church for the warm welcome I have received. When I moved from

New York I did not know anyone nor the area. It was so nice to find a church family that made

one feel welcomed. I felt the kindness and the love of Jesus right here at Christ Church.

I am looking forward to getting to know each of you.

Many blessings for a peaceful and joyful Christmas.

Deacon Margaret

(Continued from Page 1, Rector’s Message)

fault. You see, we may be trying to give comfort, but what we really do is tell people that if they

can’t handle it, there is something wrong with them. Not very comforting if you ask me.

God never promised not to give us more than we could handle. He promised us that no

matter what happens to us, God will not abandon us. Even if the worst possible thing happens,

God will be with us to the end, and beyond. At Christmas we celebrate Jesus as Immanuel,

meaning ‘God with us’. The incarnation of God as a human being shows us how far God is

willing to go to be with us. Jesus came into the world and suffered the worst we could give him.

He got more than he could handle. But God redeemed him, and through him redeemed us. That

is the power of God, not to ensure that we avoid suffering, not to ensure that we don’t suffer

more than we can handle, but to ensure that we are not alone in our suffering and that our

suffering is not beyond redemption. It is not that God will never give us more than we can

handle, but rather that there is nothing that God can’t handle, and even when we are weak and

failing, perhaps especially when we are weak and failing, God will never leave us to face our

troubles alone.

“O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord, Immanuel.” Philips Brooks

******************************************************************************

Episcopal Church 101

Here it comes again! “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Episcopal Church, But

Were Afraid to Ask”. During the Christian Education time, 9:15 to 10:15, on Sunday, January

26, we will meet in the church. This session, which has become a favorite in recent years, will

feature the rector addressing questions on everything from architecture to vestments, from

symbolism to theology, from ecclesiastical titles to any question you want to try and stump him

with.

Annual Parish Meeting, January 19

Our annual parish meeting will take place in the Great Hall following the 10:30 service on

January 19. During the meeting we will elect three people to serve three-year terms on the

vestry, our parish’s governing board. Please consider whether you are called to the ministry of

serving on the vestry, and speak to Fr. Packard or a current member of the vestry if you have any

questions. Nomination forms are available at the Communication Center. Following the

meeting, we will have a pot luck lunch and enjoy fellowship.

Vestry Candidates

Is God calling you to serve on the vestry? Our governing board meets once a month, with an

annual day-long retreat for planning, and occasional extra meetings when needed. In order to

run you must be an adult (16 years or older), confirmed, and active in working, praying, and

giving for the spread of the kingdom of God. If you have questions you can speak to one of the

current members. Candidate forms are available at the Communication Center. These include a

detailed description of expectations for vestry members.

March 5

It’s true, we just got through Christmas, but Lent is just around the corner. Ash Wednesday is on

March 5 this year. We will have two worship services to mark the beginning of Lent, at noon

and 7:30 PM. Both services will include the imposition of ashes as a reminder of our mortality

and our need for repentance. Bring your palms from last year’s Palm Sunday service to the ECM

Shrove Tuesday Pancake and Chili Dinner. They will be burned to make the ashes for

Wednesday.

A Service of Comfort and Joy

Sunday, December 22nd

, marked the first “Blue Christmas” service at Christ Church. This

reflective service was intended for those who have experienced loss or finding it difficult to

incorporate the spirit of the season into their lives. Lights were dimmed, candles lit and tributary

ornaments hung in memory of loved ones or as expressions of hope. Gentle music lent a peaceful

element to the evening. Father Jeff’s sermon was filled with compassion and encouragement.

Martha Clark’s golden retriever, Jessie, who is trained as a therapy dog, was on hand to offer a

special kind of comfort. Like the Celtic Evensong services, the Christ Church “Blue Christmas”

service offered yet another unique way to worship, and brought solace to many.

“Save the Date” for These Upcoming March Events

March 4: Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake/Mardi Gras Chili Supper, 6-7:30 PM;

March 5: Ash Wednesday w/HE I service (more details on services in this newsletter);

March 14 through April 11: Lenten Family Friday Pizza Night;

March 30: The Right Reverend Shannon S. Johnston visit to Christ Church.

Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont

Save the date – May 2-4, 2014!! We will once again head up the mountain to

Shrine Mont for our annual parish retreat. Shrine Mont is our diocesan retreat and

conference center, the home of our diocesan summer camps for children and youth, and

the home of The Diocese of Virginia’s Cathedral. It is a place like no other, a place

where you are surrounded by God’s beauty.

The Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration is an open-air cathedral consecrated

in 1925. Each of its stones was pulled by horse or rolled by local people from the

mountain that embraces it. The baptismal font was originally a dugout stone used by

Indians to grind corn. The Shrine is the site of regular weekly worship and where we will

worship on Sunday morning during our retreat.

“Shrine Mont is a place where people are more important than things, where

prayer and reflection, rest and recreation are more important than appointments and tasks.

It’s a place where people give thanks to God for his creation—from the beauty of the

streams, flowers and wildlife which are at home here, to the people who come to this

place to celebrate being part of the family of God.”

I encourage you to visit Shrine Mont’s website, www.shrinemont.com, to see

pictures and learn more about this wonderful place in our own diocesan backyard. And I

hope that you will talk with your friends that have joined us on retreat so they can talk

you into coming.

http://www.shrinemont.com/

Children’s and Youth Group Christmas Parties and Pageant Practice We had a great time at both our Children’s party and our Youth Group party on

December 21. The day was filled with pageant practice, games, crafts, and yummy

food! We had 21 kids, ages ranging from 3 to 15, and several adult volunteers in

attendance. Our Christmas Family Feud game was so much fun, thanks to everyone

who participated in our survey! A big thank you to everyone who helped with the

party or pageant practice especially Kris Clifford and Jill Bates, who is our amazing

pageant director!

BBQ Chicken Dinner Hosted by ECM

For those of our church family who attended the ECM BBQ chicken dinner (prepared

by our very own, Chef Ron Magin) in November, you all know what a special evening

it was of delicious food and good fellowship. Well, here’s your chance to experience

another fine evening! This time it will be on Friday, January 31st from 6-7:30 PM.

See the enclosed flyer and then sign up at the Communication Center so we may plan

for food purchasing. We look forward to seeing more of you. Bring your friends and

neighbors to experience good food and fine people.

Christ Church Thrift Shop

Our Thrift Shop continues to do a brisk business as the weather turns cold. Don’t

forget, we accept credit cards on purchases of $5 or more. Credit cards are used for

about one-third of our sales. Also, keep in mind that warm clothes and winter coats

are very popular this time of year. We have lots of furniture in stock and look forward

to you coming in to see what we have to offer and tell your friends about us. Your

donations and your volunteer labor are responsible for the success of this effort.

Please keep them both up. We thank all those who responded to the call for more

volunteers, but we can still use more help. Every three-hour shift you work translates

into real money for the church to enable ministry in Christ’s name. For more

information or to volunteer, please contact Cheryl Moynahan at 582-5508 or

972-1891.

Altar Guild ~ Looking for New Members

The Altar Guild is looking for new members!!! Being a member of this ministry is very

rewarding and so easy!! It involves just an hour or so of your time once a month and you will be

a part of a very special group. Please give it serious thought and contact Linda Wieland or any

guild member if you are interested.

Episcopal Church Women

The ladies made their usual December venture to the Wilburn Gardens Nursing Home to spread

a little holiday cheer with singing and passing out their home-made Christmas card ornaments.

Since Jenny LeBlanc’s involvement in ECW, our ornaments have become “little works of art”.

She is very creative, as are some of our newer members. The residents really enjoy receiving

these. With Joan Gurniak’s talent on the piano and Lydia Pozzato leading the songs, we and the

residents had a delightful afternoon together. Our elves, Meredith Lake and Jenny, passed out

sheet music and candy canes and the residents happily joined in the singing. With the addition of

our only male voice, Bill Butler, our singing apparently has improved as we had our largest

turnout of residents ever this year.

With the busy holidays over, ECW slows down to a couple regular meetings with our Saint

programs before we gear-up for our annual Spring plant and bake sale in April.

As always we invite you to bring a bag lunch and join us for our next meeting on Tuesday,

January 21 at 11:30 in the Great Hall.

CHRISTMAS BASKETS

We are grateful to Cliff and Penny Knepp and Bill Butler for all the work they did to organize

the Christmas basket feeding program this year. Also, we send heartfelt thanks to the many

people who donated money and worked so hard to pack and distribute food to over 140 families

of our neighbors in need.

Fellowship Commission

We want and need you to share yourself and your time hosting Fellowship on Sundays.

Fellowship hour is a very important ministry as it gives us time to socialize once a week as a

church family. Talk to Bill Butler about hosting and then sign up at the Communication Center.

Even once a month will help.

DON’T FORGET

*Sunday morning worship schedule and Children’s Church and Sunday school: Two

services 8:00 and 10:30, with Christian Education for all ages from 9:15 to 10:15.

Episcopal Church Women meet every third Tuesday of the month at 11:30 AM in Great Hall.

Episcopal Church Men meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM in the Great Hall

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew meets the second and fourth Saturday of each month in All

Saints Hall.

The Vestry meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in room 8, All Saints Hall.

Sunday bulletin announcements due by: noon Wednesday, call 582-5033.

Chronicler deadline for the February Chronicler is January 17 .

Please send submissions (preferably as a Word Document) to Mary Kovach, Chronicler

Editor; [email protected] or call (540) 972-5405.


B-B-Q Chicken Dinner

Hosted by the Episcopal Church Men

Friday January 31

6:00 – 7:30pm

The Great Hall in All Saints Hall

$8/person or $35/family

Menu

BBQ Chicken

Mashed potatoes

Green Beans

Drink

Dessert

For food purchasing and planning,

a sign up sheet is posted in the Communication Center.

Please sign-up by Sunday, January 26.

Come for a great evening of dinner and fellowship!

We look forward to seeing you there!

318:30am Morning Prayer

10:30am Quilters, ASH #8


6:00pm Circle of Parents, ASH Downstairs



7:00pm Boy Scouts, ASH

278:00am HE Rite 1

9:15am Christian Education, ASH

10:30am Children's Chapel, Choir Rm

10:30am HE Rite II

11:45am Fellowship

12:30pm Annual Parish Picnic/Pot Luck

26

8:00am Brotherhood of St. Andrew Mtg/Breakfast, GH






11:30am ECW Meeting, GH



208:00am HE Rite 1


10:30am HE Rite II


12:00pm Annual Meeting/Great Hall

19






10:00am Food Pantry

6:00pm Sunlight Garden Club, ASH #6,7

6:30pm ECM Meeting, GH



138:00am HE Rite 1



10:30am HE Rite II

11:45am Fellowship

11:45am Youth GoupMtg

12

8:00am Brotherhood of St. Andrew Mtg/Breakfast, GH

116:00pm Epiphany Bonfire, Church Grounds



7:00pm Vestry Meeting; ASH #8






68:00am HE Rite 1



10:30am Lessons & Carols

11:45am Fellowship

5

48:00pm AA Mtg


12:00pm RAAI, ASH #5/6

21

SaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday

Christ Church January 2014

Documents

January 2014...2014/01/12 · This aphorism has been associated with 1 Corinthians 10:13 “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing