From the Pastor

The “Great Fifty Days of Easter” come to a dramatic conclusion as God breathes new life into believers, and the fire of Divine presence is bestowed on the Church at Pentecost. However, have you ever thought about what it must have been like for those faithful followers of Jesus before the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? Those early followers had been blessed to walk in Jesus’ presence, to hear him teach, to see him heal, and to observe him in prayer. Many saw his execution and burial and many more heard and saw the Risen Lord Christ as he continued his post-Resurrection presence among them for some forty days before his Ascension into heaven.

But, consider those dread ten days between the Ascension and the gift of the Holy Spirit? Jesus had told his followers to wait in Jerusalem for the “promise of the Father” [Acts 1:4] and we know that after the Ascension of Jesus, his followers returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives and “devoted themselves in prayer.” [Acts 1:14] Yet, have you ever wondered what that time was like for his followers?

When I was young, my mother told me stay seated in a chair in the Women’s department of a large downtown clothing store while she tried on a few garments. She assured me that she would not take long. So I faithfully sat and waited…..and waited….and waited. As time passed and I did not see my mother, I became increasingly concerned about her whereabouts. My mother had never lied to me, so I had no reason to disbelieve her, yet fear began to rise within me. Finally, I got up and wandered throughout the department and the dressing room to find her. She was not there and my fear mounted even more. I went back to my seat near the dressing room and tried to calm a rising panic.

I felt lost and abandoned and did not know what to do. Several times I got up to look around before retaking my seat and trying to stop the tears swimming in my terrified eyes. Time and patience are not a child’s natural strengths. My movements and feelings were simple attempts at trying to control an uncontrollable situation. It’s not that I lacked faith in my mother, but rather a lack of patience in my willingness to allow the situation to unfold as she had described. Of course, she showed up as promised with great concern over my obvious panicked and teary state.

I wonder if some of Jesus’ followers might have felt the same. Despite his firm assurance, we humans seem to have an innate desire or compulsion to try to control our environment. Oh, I’m sure a day or two passed with no qualms, but a week? Then ten days? Were they already arguing about how long they were to wait? When they should return to their homes, professions, and lives?

And how grateful they must have felt when the Holy Spirit finally came! Tears and fears washed away and a new life at hand. We know that God works for good in God’s own time. And we, the faithful successors of those early disciples, need only cultivate the faith and patience to see where and how the Holy Spirit will call us in our own time and place, especially as we struggle to adapt to the pandemic world of COVID-19.

Pastor Lin +

                           

                

    

            

                

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Builder

Making Disciples for Jesus Christ

St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church www.stthomasorange.org (540) 672-3761 email: stthomas3@verizon.net Rector: The Rev. Dr. Lin Hutton Editor: Ann Wood

Vol. XXXVIII June 2020 Issue No. 5

For All the Saints….

Saint Barnabas, the Apostle ~ June 11

“Joseph, a Levite born in Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), sold a field he owned, brought the money, and turned it over to the apostles” (Acts 4:36–37). This first reference in the New Testament to Barnabas introduces one whose missionary efforts would cause him to be called, like the Twelve, an “apostle” [or: “one who is sent”]. As a Jew of the Dispersion, Barnabas had much in common with Paul. When Paul came to Jerusalem after his conversion, the disciples were afraid to receive him. It was Barnabas who brought Paul to the apostles, and declared to them how, on the road to Damascus, Paul had seen the Lord, and had preached boldly in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:27). Later, Barnabas, having settled in Antioch, sent for Paul to join him in leading the Christian Church in that city.

Barnabas and Paul were sent by the disciples in Antioch to carry famine relief to the Church in Jerusalem. Upon their return, the Church in Antioch sent them on their first missionary journey beginning at Cyprus. At Lystra in Asia Minor, the superstitious people took them to be gods, supposing the eloquent Paul to be Mercury, the messenger of the gods, and Barnabas to be Jupiter, the chief of the gods, a testimony to the commanding presence of Barnabas. The association of Barnabas and Paul was broken, after their journey, by a disagreement about Mark, who had left the mission to return to Jerusalem. After attending the Council of Jerusalem with Barnabas, Paul made a return visit to the Churches he and Barnabas had founded in Asia Minor. Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus, where Barnabas is traditionally honored as the founder of the Church.

It seems that Barnabas continued his journeys for the Gospel, because Paul mentions him several times in his letters to the Galatians, the Corinthians, and the Colossians. Tradition has it that he was martyred at Salamis in Cyprus.

Alban, First Martyr of Britain, c. 304 [today believed to be c. 209]~ June 22

Alban is the earliest Christian in Britain who is known by name and, according to tradition, the first British martyr. He was a soldier in the Roman army stationed at Verulamium, a city about twenty miles northeast of London, now called St. Alban’s. He gave shelter to a Christian priest who was fleeing from persecution, and was converted by him. When officers came to Alban’s house, he dressed himself in the garments of the priest and gave himself up. Alban was tortured and martyred in place of the priest, on the hilltop where the Cathedral of St. Alban’s now stands. The traditional date of his martyrdom is 303 or 304, but recent studies suggest that the year was actually 209, during the persecution under the Emperor Septimius Severus.

The site of Alban’s martyrdom soon became a shrine. King Offa of Mercia established a monastery there about the year 793, and in the high Middle Ages St. Alban’s ranked as the premier Abbey in England. The great Norman abbey church, begun in 1077, now serves as the cathedral of the diocese of St. Alban’s,

established in 1877. It is the second longest church in England (Winchester Cathedral is the longest, by six feet), and it is built on higher ground than any other English cathedral. In a chapel east of the choir and high Altar, there are remains of the fourteenth century marble shrine of St. Alban.

The Venerable Bede gives this account of Alban’s trial: “When Alban was brought in, the judge happened to be standing before an altar, offering sacrifice to devils ... ‘What is your family and race?’ demanded the judge. ‘How does my family concern you?’ replied Alban; ‘If you wish to know the truth about my religion, know that I am a Christian and am ready to do a Christian’s duty.’ ‘I demand to know your name,’ insisted the judge. ‘Tell me at once.’ ‘My parents named me Alban,’ he answered, ‘and I worship and adore the living and true God, who created all things.’ ”

MORE, “101 Reasons to be an Episcopalian”—

Reason # 23: “It’s a church where you can come in without leaving your brain at the door and then have the opportunity to love all of those who managed to come in with their “wrong” ideas.” The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade, {Bishop of} The Diocese of Southeast Florida

Reason #31: “The Book of Common Prayer allows a degree of uniformity in prayer while leaving room for the diversity of cultures, languages, and liturgical styles.” The Very Rev. David G. Bollinger, Diocese of Central New York

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie Wagner, Longwood University, VALEDICTORIAN Graduating Class of 2020!

As a result of Jamie’s outstanding Academic Achievement over her collegiate career, she has also received the “Sally Barksdale Hargrett Prize for Academic Excellence.” This award is given to the graduating Senior who has the highest cumulative grade point average among those students with a full tenure at Longwood. Well Done!

Church Office in the Time of Covid

Free Masks for My Church Family

From Betsy Amos

With the latest Executive Order, Betsy Amos graciously offers the following for our Church family:

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

1 MASK PER PERSON

All cotton, machine washable

Children’s have elastic ear loops

Adults’ have elastic loops or fabric ties

Respond directly to Betsy via email: bamosquito5@gmail.com

Masks will be delivered to the church office for you to pick up.

She will NOT take special orders and will NOT accept payment.

Please consider leaving a healthy snack item for OES in the blue bucket when you pick up your mask.

Thank you, Betsy, for your generosity!! 

Garden Clean Up

THANK YOU to Elaine & Terrill Baskerville, along with daughter Beth Yowell and

granddaughter, Claire, for cleaning the Memorial Garden.   

 

 

 

Feed My Lambs—There continues to be a need to support the food insecure children in our community. Please consider donating healthy snacks for the students at OES. The principle, Sherri McGhee, will continue to distribute food in the weeks to come, largely via home visits, as long as she has snacks to give. This is good news for area children!

Snacks can be left in the blue bucket in Robertson Hall. Thank you all for your giving hearts!

The Outreach Committee

May 2020

The year has officially come to an end, and though it ended way too soon this time, we had an amazing experi-ence with each of the students that was here. We have finished our time so unconventionally but celebrated to the best of our ability with a drive-thru day on May 20, 2020. We gave our traditional gifts of a completion certificate and a Children’s Bible, to each of those who will be heading onto Kindergarten next year. The 12 rising Kindergarteners are well prepared for the next part of their educational journey.

During our drive-thru we spent time with each individual child and their family as they drove through the parking circle. We shared wishes, blessings and virtual hugs, we took photos and exchanged smiles as best we could in this extremely different time. We also gave each child a small parting gift for being a great group of preschoolers. We have many that will return to us for another year at St. Thomas in the fall. (hopefully).

It was an unfortunate way to close out our year, but since it was necessary, we have said...until we see you again… in hopes to gather at a later date for additional closure and fun.

St. Thomas Preschool News

The St. Thomas’ Preschool FALL 2020 Enrollment is Open! Anyone interested contact stthomascommpreschool@gmail.com or 540-672-2337.

Dolley Madison Quilt Guild

The Members of the Dolley Madison quilt guild made good use of their time at home. These four quilts will go to St. Peter’s in Alexandria, and from there to South Africa. Can you spot the art square you drew?

Friday, June 26 at 7:00 pm in Robertson Hall

~ cost of admission is one non-perishable food item ~

Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and jour-nalist Lloyd Vogel.

Two-time Oscar-winner Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and jour-nalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about empathy, kindness, and decency from America's most beloved neighbor. ~IMDB

Sun  Mon  Tue  Wed  Thu  Fri  Sat 

 

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5  6 

 

 

7  The First Sunday a er 

Pentecost 

 

 

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12  13 

 

 

14  The Second Sunday 

a er Pentecost 

 

FLAG DAY 

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Summer 

Sols ce—

Summer 

begins 

21  The Third Sunday a er 

Pentecost 

 

 

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26 

 

Movie night 

(tenta ve) 

Please 

watch for 

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28  The Fourth Sunday a er 

Pentecost 

 

 

29  30   

June may be the month in which we can end our 

fast from gathering for public worship and 

fellowship.  St. Thomas will follow guidelines from 

our bishop to develop an appropriate reopening 

plan which permits safe and meaningful 

Key: Chapel (C); Conference Room (CR); Holy Eucharist (HE); Rector’s Study (RS);  Robertson Hall (RH); Youth Room (YR) 

 

~Anniversaries~

Will & Kristen Brockman Desiree & Richard Floyd

Joanie & Ray Palmer Donna & Dan Robinson

Malaika & David Rogers

~Birthdays~

06/02 Griffin Floyd 06/02 Jeff Rogers 06/05 John Amos 06/05 Maddie Keating

06/06 Mary Lou Seilheimer 06/07 Caroline Keating 06/10 Daisy Floyd 06/11 Barbara Collins

06/11 Lon Holmberg 06/11 Gwen Watson 06/12 Gabrielle Nigmond

06/13 Nancy Rossbacher 06/14 Cecelia Hohman 06/14 Don Place

06/15 Sammy Higginbotham 06/15 Caroline Merrick 06/16 Cynthia Levin

06/17 Lily Robinson 06/18 Adrianna Waddy 6/20 Deacon Barfield

06/20 Samuel Barfield 06/22 Marty Gray 06/23 Elaine Baskerville

06/24 Thomas Merrick 06/28 Grayson Butterfield 06/30 Cynthia Arnold

Prayer List

We pray especially for our church’s leadership:

Michael, Presiding Bishop; Shannon, Susan & Bob, bishops for this diocese

Our country: President Donald, Vice President Mike, & Governor Ralph

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation:

For: All those working on the front lines to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and our men and women in our armed forces who are serving our nation around the world.

And Especially for: David, Ed, Ellen, Emily, Gary, Jennifer, Liz, Mark, Margaret, Nancy, Nick, Phil, and Tara

Please feel free to submit your prayer requests via phone (540-672-3761) or email (stthomas3@verizon.net) for inclusion in the morning prayer bulletin.  

Food Pantry

Special requests for June are Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, and Salt & Pepper. All food items and cash gifts are always welcome and appreciated. You can drop off donations at the Love Outreach Food Pantry each Tuesday from 9:00-10:30 and on Wednesday from 8:30-12:00. Their mailing address is: Love Outreach Food Pantry, Inc., P.O. Box 788, Orange, 22960. You may also bring any donations to the church to be delivered.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you and be

gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you and give

you peace.

Please submit entries for the July-August issue of The Builder by June 24th to

annwood304@gmail.com or to the church office.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

119 Caroline Street

Orange, VA 22960

June 2020