Trinity Times Electronic Edition 6/29/98

Trinity Episcopal Church, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Weeks of June 29th & July 6th, 1998
(Last updated 09/12/99)

[What follows is the message you would have heard if – if technology really had worked and I could have gotten this faxed to you from South Carolina in the late hours of Friday night, AND IF the storms which have devastated the area over the past few days had not had people pinned down in their basements bailing water. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. If there is anything I can do, or if you know any one who is in need due to the weather and related causes please contact the parish office right away.]

My Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,

It had been my plan all along to be with you this morning [Sunday]. In the world of current medicine bypass surgeries generally cause less trouble than a ruptured appendix would cause. The "normal routine," if it can be said that there is such a thing as a "normal routine" when one talks about opening a person’s chest, stopping his or her heart, working on it for some period of hours, and then restarting it, is that they will be awake from the anesthesia in 24 to maybe 36 hours, out of ICU in about 48 to 60 hours, and out of the hospital in 5 to 7 days. This past week has been anything but routine for my stepfather and our families.

First, I should backtrack a bit. My mother and father were married until death did them part when my father succumbed to cancer in 1983, at the age of 59. My mother remarried in 1988 – hers was the first marriage I presided over after being ordained. She married a man I have known all my life. Larry, now my stepfather, was my parents’ best friend. His friendship was steadfast through decades ... he loved my father even during his (and my) most un-loveable times. Larry was also an OB-GYN. He delivered me. My line for years has been that he has known me longer than my father did – no dads in delivery rooms back then, you know. Finally, Larry was my first "adult" friend. When I had to tell my parents things which would be very hard for them to hear, I could go and "practice" on Larry.

On Tuesday morning of this week (June 23) I was with him as they rolled him to the surgical suite in the wee hours of the morning. The surgery took longer than expected because there was bleeding at the junction of the old vessels and the new bypasses. They had to return him to the heart-lung machine, do more suturing, and restart his heart a second time. As I write this on Saturday night, some 96 hours have passed and he is still not conscious. I will not go into the details, as they really don’t matter. We all remain hopeful, but my place has been at my mother’s side and at the side of Larry’s five children as well. My sister has now joined us, and that will allow me to return to be with you soon. I will be in the office on Monday.

With all that has gone on over the past week, you can imagine the place I was in when I read again the lessons to prepare these thoughts for you. Jesus, it would seem, would not even let a man bury the dead at the time he said to him, "follow me." "Oh God, if that is the case, then how can I ever justify not being with my parish this Sunday when my stepfather, though critical, is certainly not dead?"

It seems to me to come around to this. There comes a time in each life when a person is given the opportunity, the invitation, to follow Jesus. There may even be more than one such time, but the truth is, when such an opportunity occurs we never know if there will be another chance. We never know. When the invitation comes, we are free to say "yes" and we are free to say, "no." However, the opportunity stands on it’s own. "Yes" demands everything of us. We must claim Jesus, and our relationship with Jesus as THE SINGULAR DEFINING RELATIONSHIP in our lives. Anything else, the gospel makes clear, is a "no" answer.

Does that sound harsh to you? At first look the compelling answer is that it seems very harsh. But, look. Look into the depth of the Scriptures and see what happens to those who say "Yes" to God. Abraham says yes to God, and Isaac lives – lives to join with Rebecca and be amongst the great patriarchs and matriarchs of our faith. Look at the very lesson we have heard from First Kings today – in the moment of invitation Elisha drops everything to answer Elijah’s call – he literally walks away from ox and plow and field – and in that moment of giving everything to follow God’s call he is allowed to go, feed his people, and then continue to follow Elijah, eventually succeeding him as the great prophet of Israel.

Our God is a God who asks not for a part of us, or a piece of us, or a chunk of us. Our God asks for all of us. Our God is also a God of love and mercy and compassion.

In the same instant that we give all of ourselves to God, God gives all into the relationships in our lives. When we give ourselves fully to Jesus’ invitation to follow him, Jesus gives himself fully to us, to be in the midst of every moment of our lives which call out for our presence. When we have given ourselves to Jesus, every moment which calls out for love, or healing, or mercy, or reconciliation is present. In that moment all the healing and mercy and love and reconciling power of Heaven which he commands is given to us as well.

Today Jesus says, "Come follow me." The next move is ours.

I love you, and will be back with you soon. Blessings and peace,

Scott+

Go to Front Page this week. Thanks!

Love, Scott+

ECW & ECM RETREATS — It is not too early to start scheduling to attend either the ECW (women’s) or ECM (men’s) fall retreats at Peterkin. You will find details about each of these events on the bulletin board in Trinity Hall! Gather a group and GO!

Bits & Pieces & Bits & Pieces & Bits & Pieces

CHURCH SCHOOL & SUMMER There will be a Nursery available under the very capable direction of Patsy Buckles. Young children (and older) are invited to attend church with their parents. Fr. Hunter will give a children’s homily each Sunday.

Book Sale Update: Trinity’s annual used Book Sale will be November 2nd through 5th! Books have already been coming in, and official "marking" is set to start June 23rd and 24th, beginning at 10 a.m. each morning, and continuing as needed. plan now to help!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY

THE CHRISTOPHER MINISTRY

The name Christopher means, "Christ-bearer." Just as the beggar who was Christ needed a ride on Christopher's shoulders to cross the river, there are people at Trinity who need a ride to get to worship or other parish events. There is a big need for a "transportation ministry" at Trinity… people to assist in bringing to Church on Sundays and/or to drive at various church events those who are unable to drive themselves. Bill Douglas, a rather new face at Trinity, has stepped forward to help lead in the development of this ministry. If you would like to be part of the valuable ministry please contact Bill (424-7438) or Fr. Hunter (422-3362)! Call soon. Call now!

COMING EVENTS
COMING Attractions
What’s up!

NO WEEKDAY SERVICES: On Wednesday, July 8th, there will be no weekday services. Please make a note of it. Services will resume on July 15th.

BOOK SALE marking: starting weekly June (Tuesday) 23^rd and June (Wednesday) 24^th at 10 a.m.

Vestry Meeting: Monday, July 27 at 7:00 PM

Parish Picnic: Sunday, August 30th at the Mildrens' Farm. Time to be announced.

Ministers for Sunday, July 5, 1998

Lectors: Charlotte Bee, Reed Belasco, Anna Zivkovich, Sue Ellen Johnson
Chalice Assistants: Charlotte Bee, Susie Fitcher, Hampden Fitcher, Sue Ellen Johnson
Ushers:
Element Bearers & Coffee Hour Hosts: David & Becky Johnson
Altar Guild: Jennifer Currey, Pat Fritch, Lucy Hill, Carma Guertin, Paul Miller, Joyce Vincent

Proper for 5th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 9)
Isaiah 66:10-16 Psalm 66:1-8 Galatians 6:(1-10) 14-18 Luke 10:1-12,16-20

Ministers for Sunday, July 12, 1998

Lectors: Sue Ellen Johnson, Jim Full, Charlotte Dauphin, Eric Lawson
Chalice Assistants: Sue Ellen Johnson, Paul Miller, LaVerne Marshall, Eric Lawson
Ushers: Element Bearers & Coffee Hour Hosts: Barbara & Jim Full
Altar Guild: Jennifer Currey, Pat Fritch, Lucy Hill, Carma Guertin, Paul Miller, Joyce Vincent

Proper for the 6th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10)
Deuteronomy 30:9-14 Psalm 25:3-9 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37

Times Schedule

Here is the publication schedule for the Trinity Times for the next two months. Please have items to the editor by noon the Sunday prior for inclusion. Thanks!

July 13
July 27
August 10 weekly Times return

Vestry Highlights * May 26, 1998

There was correspondence from the Red Cross, thanking Trinity for participating in the Blood Drive in May. There were eleven donors in all, six from Trinity. There was also a letter from Habitat For Humanity thanking Trinity for the contribution of $250.00 to sponsor a table at their annual fund-raising dinner. This is a part of Trinity’s outreach.
The Treasurer’s report (Kerry Bowen) was that expenses to date are in good condition and annual giving is being received in good time.
Chairman of Trustees, Doug Adams, reported the sale of the rectory at $82,397.80. It was reported the new handicap ramp is completed with the exception of a handrail. Bids were accepted for the automatic door opening at the top of the ramp and a low bid of $3,006. was accepted. There was discussion of having received many positive comments on the ramp and its appearance.
A new DRE was named, Connie L. Waterman. She was offered to the vestry by Fr. Hunter. He distributed sheets of her background and qualifications to the group - a former Trinity member, an experienced teacher, etc. There was discussion and the vestry moved to concur with the appointment. She will begin June 1^st.
The new Sunday schedule was discussed with the 10:00 service moving to 10:30. Church School will begin at 9:15. These times will take effect on the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 13^th.
Fr. Hunter introduced the subject of an adult book store which is now located across the street on the corner of Fifth and Juliana. He had a meeting with the mayor this morning and wants to attend the City Council meeting this evening where this subject will be discussed. The hope is that this type of business will not be zoned in certain areas beyond this date.
The Rector reported the House Church meetings are going well. He is encouraging everyone to try to attend one of the meetings if they have not been able to do so at this point. He said there have been some interesting discussions.
He announced to the vestry that a generous gift had been presented to Trinity to pay for the interior and exterior signs being discussed.
Fr. Hunter told the vestry that Habitat pays for a parking place in a public lot and Alvin Phillips, the Executive Director pays for his own. He asked the group to approve allowing one Habitat car to park in Trinity’s lot, which would save the organization $30.00/month. Approved.
He announced the Rev. Jay Pierce, from Kentucky and associated with the Food For The Poor program, will be at Trinity on June 21^st for the Sunday services.
Senior Warden: Sandy McKinley gave a year in review report of Trinity’s progress and happenings. She stated programs and organizations were going well, such as Book Sale, Christmas and Thanksgiving programs, blood drives, Lenten plans, House Church meetings, Fr. Hunter’s being at Trinity, the new ramp, the rectory sale, the Hoblitzell gifts, new faces, the stewardship drive, success-full "humming" in the church, and she feels Trinity is headed in the right direction. The Rector added that he thought Trinity had been "ready" to begin
Buildings/Grounds: Craig Curry reported he is looking into the renovation of a restroom for handicap purposes, also new heaters for the second floor offices. It was suggested coat racks be discussed for the narthex.
Carol Olson asked for volunteers for a group work camp that will be in Parkersburg for a week in July to help with maintenance or some remodeling work on local houses. They will be housed and fed at the Blennerhassett School and help is needed in the form of "trouble-shooters", to oversee carpentry work, help with providing lunches, etc.
Evangelism: Jennifer Currey suggested Trinity might consider being a part of the Welcome Wagon program for newcomers to town. There is a $30.00 charge per month. It was suggested contacting realtors, also, to have them distribute information on Trinity and its programs. Evangelism is working on signage and a possible pictorial directory. They will meet again in mid-June.
Fellowship: Bill and Cathy Mildren are offering their farm in Ohio for a parish picnic in the late summer or early fall. There was discussion on a date and time of day. Sunday August 30^th was proposed. The Rector will talk to the Christian Education committee for suggestions on a coordinator for the picnic.

The vestry will not meet in June and only in July if some business is pressing, on the 27^th. In August the date is the 24^th.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15.

Please Note: The complete minutes of this meeting will be seen on the Trinity Hall bulletin board.

IN THE DIOCESE of W.V.

A Peterkin Reminder!!! For campers of all ages, the time has come to begin thinking about summer camp at Peterkin. Listed below are the dates of the various camps and conferences offered by the diocese at Peterkin during the summer of 1998. Additional information is available at the Trinity Hall Bulletin Board.

July 5-11	Boys and Girls Camp
^{(Fr. Hunter will be on staff for B & G Camp)}
July 12-18	Intermediate Camp
July 18-20	It’s a Small World
July 20-24	Mini Camp
July 26-Aug. 1	Family Camp II
July 26-Aug. 1	Creative Arts Camp
Sept. 18-20	Episcopal Women’s Retreat
Sept. 21-24	Clergy Conference
Sept. 25-27	Episcopal Church Men

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