Saint Benedict Episcopal Church

Vicars Voice - Christmas Reality

So often Christmas for the world is giving and receiving gifts, tinsels and other glitzy things on an evergreen tree, but taking a quick look at the stories told during the twelve days of Christmas gives us a different look at what it means to give life to Jesus in our own lives.  Full Article

January Calendar

January Servant Ministry Schedule

January Lectionary Selections       

                         Lectionary Page*

*We are currently using RCL, so please click on RCL on the day you are looking for on the calendar.

Being the Hands of Christ in the World through the Medical Relief Fund

Did you know that St. Benedict has a special fund for families who have sick children.  So often, families that are facing a child’s illness or a chronic condition have a difficult time financially. More

Strategic Planning Group Update

Did you know that St Benedict has its very own Strategic Planning Group?  We are currently writing a strategic plan of where we want to go in the next six years.  Why six years you ask?  One member of our team, Ron Shively, suggested this. It is the model that he saw in action while working for the state. Part of this model means that a group of parishioners in two years will review and evaluate our plan and then add onto it an additional two years of planning. This will ensure that our plan will constantly be evaluated and added onto. More

Family Fellowship Meals

This time, dinner is here @ St. Benedict!  On January 13 at 5:00, all families with children are invited to come to supper here at St Benedict. A sign-up sheet is in the hallway for a potluck meal.  Fun and fellowship will be part of the evening as well as a conversation with our Vicar about Children and Youth ministries at St. Benedict. As our Strategic Planning group is putting together the plan for church over the next six years, we need the input of our families and our youth. So join us that evening for conversation about this. 

Announcements Announcements What to do with the Announcements

Ever since the dawn of the Church, there has been a controversy—the dreaded announcement time! When should we make announcements on Sunday?  As I understand it, St Benedict has tried all different kinds of things for their announcements: putting Announcements at the Peace, trying them before church actually starts and now finally, after the blessing.  More

Practicing Generosity 2008

Thanks to all who have prayed and discerned this year’s financial commitment to St Benedict. We are blessed to live with so much abundance and will continue to be good stewards of what we receive. You can expect in January’s Benedictions to see more specific information about 2008’s financial campaign. Full Article

Benedictions and Paper

Did you know that Benedictions is now online?  If you’d rather not receive a paper copy of the Benedictions, please contact Lacey in the office and she will take you off the paper mailing list. Then, check our website for the latest edition. St. Benedict has schedules, events and links to the lectionary page as well on our site. Our goal is to have everyone who can, become familiar with our website and use it as the great communication tool that it is. It has even reached out into our community. (See any new faces lately?) We would like to be able to only print copies for those who do not have access or really would rather have a paper copy.

Currently, we have copies of the Benedictions available in the hallway in our ‘rolodex’. Cutting down on our paper mailings would not only lower our paper consumption, but also cut down on our postage. What are your thoughts?

Saint Suppers

The next St. Suppers will be on Sunday, January 27th at 6:00 PM. These are pot luck suppers held in parishioner's homes for 6 to 10 people. Very casual. All adults 18 to 108 are invited. A great way to meet some of your church family. The sign up sheet is in the hallway. Plan to attend. Fun and fellowship for all. Questions - call Lucy at 438-5220 or take one of the info sheets provided.

A New Church year and a new Lectionary

The Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUSA) decided at its last general convention to adopt the Revised Common Lectionary cycle. This RCL as it is called is an ecumenical cycle of reading that puts our readings or lectionary in line with other liturgical church traditions and offers us a larger cross section of readings in its three year cycle than we have experienced. More

Eucharistic Minister/Lector Potluck Meeting on January 14 at 5:30 p.m.

We will meet once again for dinner, bible study fellowship and discussion of Lent and Easter season to come. Part of being an E.M. and Lector is attending bi-annual meetings; please do your best to join us. There will also be sign up sheets to serve for your favorite holiday services and renewal papers that must be signed for your lay licenses!

Kids Corner

Kids! Get Ready for the 1st Sunday after Epiphany with the Gospel of Matthew. Read the scripture on the next page and then find the hidden sentence with the left over letters! 

Matthew 3:3-17

Family Bowling Night on February 9th! Mark it on your calendars now and look for more details to come!

Epiphany this year falls on a Sunday! January 6th is Epiphany, the last day of Christmas. Come and greet the Magi that day. A note to all families: children will have the chance to help "play out" the Gospel that day and make the Sermon with our Vicar! Don't forget our cameras!

Do you have any pictures from St. Nichoas Day or from Fantasy Lights? Send them on in to get them included in our pubications. "I'm ready for my close up now, Mr. Demille!"

Are you a younger member of our church and looking for something just for you on Sundays?

Click here to find out more about Sunday School and Children's Chapel.

Edinburgh Fair Input by Janice Chandler, People's Warden and Vicar George Anne Boyle

On December 16, between the two services, we invited our church community to come and talk about the Edinburgh Fair. This past year, members of our Bishop’s Committee expressed concern that the Fair was generating the people power it needed to continue and wondered if it might be time for the fair to take a break.  Full Article

An Epipha What

When I think of the word Epiphany I can’t help but hear two English accents from the movie Hook say,

“ I just had an Epiphany.”

“An Epipha what?”

“Lightning just struck my brain.”

“Oh, that must’a hurt.”

It sounds silly and pretty rudimentary, but it sums up pretty well what we think an epiphany is. Most people think of epiphany as being that “ah-hah” moment for them. In fact, the word epiphany is derived from the Greek word, Epiphania, which means “to show, make know, or reveal”. Full Article

What Can I Do by Pam Crocket

What can I do for you today, Lord? You have done so much for me, what do I have to offer to you? I could be a chalice bearer, if only my hands were steady. I could be a lector, but mine is a voice that just doesn’t carry. Certainly the choir wouldn’t have me if they ever heard me sing! My arms are not able to wrestle with the coffee urns in the kitchen. What do I have that I could offer to you? More

Good News and Appeal to You

The good news is that the ministries of this congregation are growing in scope and number. Thanks be to God we have groups of people using our building every day of the week – both congregation members and people involved in our outreach into the community. Most recently we have invited a group of moms and babies to participate in an exercise program here – it’s called Baby Boot Camp. How cool is that? Full Article

Interested in Baptism, Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Vows in Confirmtion, Reception or Reaffirmation

If you are thinking about being baptized or renewing your Baptismal vows before the bishop, talk with Georgi about your interest.  You are encouraged to participate in the Sunday Growing in Christ series. This class is not only the St. Benedict's "preparation" for an adult commitment, but a good opportunity  for all to grow in faith and community support.  The class meets after the 10:00 service at 11:30 in the St. Frances room. More

Growing in Christ Schedule

Party in the Sacristy

Many years ago, while I was still in seminary and working for another parish, I was giving a tour to a friend of mine who is an actor. It was the first time he’d ever been inside a church. He marveled at the building and the art and asked me a million questions about the Christian faith. As we came to the Sacristy, that area where the clergy and all those assisting, vest and prepare for the service, my friend made an astute observation. “It’s a green room!” he said. “The best moments in the theatre always happen in the green room, he continued. “I bet this is the best place to be on Sunday mornings.” Full Artice

A BIG Thank You by Rev. Zula Johnston

This has been one blessed year at Saint Benedict’s. I am especially thankful for your support of and involvement in the Ministry of Feeding. I’ve wondered how to tell you of the successes we’ve experienced this year. Full Article

The David Alkins Educational Scholarship Fund

Scholarships are available for clergy and lay members of St. Benedict’s. Applicants must be baptized and contributors to St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church through monetary support and/or volunteer time. Full Article

What is New with the Community Dinners

Your Community Dinners are a great success. We are reaching more and more people and are providing food to hungry people through our food bank. We need folks who are willing and called to take on leadership positions for these ministries. As a congregation, we have felt called to ministries of hospitality and feeding. Here is how you can help: More

The Bishops Committee and You

Yes, it’s time for you to begin to pray about whether God may be calling you to stand for election to the Bishop’s Committee in 2008. The Bishop’s Committee is an enthusiastic, energetic group of people who act as a decision-making body for St. Benedict. Full Article

Delegation Election 

St Benedict needs to elect one man and one woman as Alternates for our Delegation. This will be part of the action at the annual meeting. The term is for 2 years as Alternate, followed by 2 years as Delegate. There are five meetings each year, three Region meetings, one pre-convention meeting in May or June and a Convention usually held in November. If interested, please see Ralph Provencal, Janice Chandler and Peggy Carmichael for more information.