April 04 2024

 

 

 

Holy Comforter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

| Newsletter |

Change & Sabbath

 

Two bits have come together to shape my message for you today.

 

The first is a wry observation a friend of mine made many years ago after Christmas. She was worn out and said, “we should only celebrate Christmas in Year C of the Common Lectionary, when we read from the Gospel of Luke that tells the story of Christ’s birth. The way we do Christmas wears us all out and just makes us glad when it is over. Maybe doing it less frequently would allow us to ponder the mystery of that night in a deeper, more meaningful way.”

 

The second comes from my work on Easter Monday. It was spring cleaning day for the chicken girls and the coop. I shoveled out about 65 cubic feet of the litter I had put down in the coop last fall. The work is rather nasty, but my Spouseman got awesome material that will make fine compost for his garden. As I shoveled, I remembered how sweet the pine shavings I use smelled when it was fresh in October. When I let the chickens back into the coop after my twice a year cleaning, they have this slightly dazzled look on their faces. Along with getting all the litter out and putting new clean litter and some lovely herb and flower petals on the top of the shavings, I dust and scrub the walls and the roosts and the nesting condo. Truly, it looks resplendent. After six months? Not so much.

 

Holy Week and the Sunday of the Resurrection were simply wonderful. The pieces all connected well with each other. I was thankful for our attendance. Bits and pieces of confetti and eggshell this morning were a reminder of the playfulness of cascarones. I also realized that along with all of the dedication, beauty, attention to detail, and love with which so many prepared for these days, many of those folks were the same ones who have done the work every year I have been here. Like the chausubles and stoles in the vesting room, they and I surely felt a little tattered when it was all over.

 

In no way is this intended as a criticism. Rather, I believe this is the way of most work in life and there is beauty even in the willingness to keep going, keep upholding traditions and practices year after year. That said, times change, and our lives get crowded with more commitments and responsibilities. I am keenly aware that after the pandemic, most of what we do takes more energy than it took in the past. We are also a different congregation in many respects. We will continue to evolve as we welcome new members to our parish and say farewell to others.

 

I’m  going to ask a relatively small and representative group this summer to help me revisit our traditions and ways of observing both Easter and Christmas. The intent is not to dismantle all that we cherish and hold dear. Rather, we will stop and ask, “what is essential? What goes to the heart of our community’s traditions and that we still have the resources necessary for the preparations to be joyful? How are we different now than we were before and what might we do differently to better reflect who we are today.” After that conversation we may decide that nothing needs to change. We may agree that our worship is as resplendent and meaningful as ever. We may also decide some tweaks and adjustments are in order. That will become clear when we have had the conversation.

 

I am not willing, like my friend, to say we should only observe our high holy days every few years. I do want to take care of the people who work so hard to ensure our worship is beautiful and uplifting. And I want anybody and everybody who comes to worship with us to walk out of the church deeply grateful for an uplifting and renewing service that was obviously prepared with such love and care, that it allowed them to draw closer to the God of love.

 

I will update you as the process of examination and reflection takes more shape. If you'd like to be a part of the conversation, see me. Rest assured that we will not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We will continue to blend the old and the new in ways that allow our worship to shine with life and grace!

 

With prayers for blessings to new life, new hope, new joy, Rosa+

 

Thank You From the Bottom of My Heart

 

Each week, Terri sends me an email with the names of folks who will be serve on Sunday.  Here is the list she sent me for Holy Week:

 

Maundy Thursday

LEM: Rick McKenzie

Reader: Jeri Tippit

POP: Michael Paul

Ushers: Nelya McKenzie, Joe Albree

VPOW: John Harrell

Stripping of Altar: altar guild members

 

Good Friday

Reader: lectionary: John Harrell

Readers: Passion: Randy Woodland, Ann Montgomery, Paul Hard, John Porter

Ushers: Joe Albree, Terry Seanor

 

Easter Sunday

LEM: Steven Speaks

Acolytes: Adair and Durham McKenzie

Thurifer: Randy Bryan

Steps LEM: Jan Pope

Reader: Julie Speaks

POP: Kathy Albree

Ushers: Nelya McKenzie, Lyn Frazer

VPOW: Kathy Albree

 

This list does not include Randy F. Dennis, John Hl. Michael, Roy and Jeri, who sang, as always, like angels. It doesn’t include the Altar Guild members who did so much, including  Leanne Libby, Dorothy  Melanie Kelley, Carol, Dabney, Jan, Zola and Jeri. Roy, Jeri, Zola, Kathy and Joy outdid themselves with the flowers. How about our Hybrid Ministries team, Michal P. and Randy W? They keep us a lively, thriving presence for those who have a hard time making it to our services. Terri and Missy gave up time off I’d hoped they could get to ensure everything having to do with cascarones, easter egg hunt and reception was beautiful and done right. Last but not least, Adair and Durham McKenzie were absolute rock stars—it was pure joy having children serving at the altar!

 

Isn’t this just the essence of blessing? Our church is indeed, blessed beyond words!

Thank You!

Tending to our hearts & spirit

SUNDAY, 10:00 AM

HOLY EUCHARIST

also streamed live on our Facebook page

✠

 Michael Paul • Randy Woodland

 

Weekday Worship  

 

MONDAY

Compline | 7:00 PM Facebook

 

WEDNESDAY

Morning Prayer | 10:30 AM Facebook

Easter Sunday

Stations of the Cross

Palm Sunday

Events, programs & updates

 the Food Pantry

Critical needs in APRIL: Ramen noodles, canned fruit, Mac & Cheese.

If you'd like to donate, please drop off your items in the bins outside the double doors of McMaster Hall or the big basket inside.

 

 the Backpack program

Canned veggies, fruit, soups, tuna, vienna sausage, granola bars, and juice boxes.

 Donations can be left in the basket outside of the office window.

 

Community Garden

Please consider donating to this summer's crop.

Thank you, Jean Murray

April

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Food Pantry 10 AM

3, 10, 17, 24 - Morning Prayer 10:30 AM Facebook live

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Compline 7:00 PM Facebook live

 Please pray for

 

Parishioners — Ann Carlton, Barbara Dailey, Rob Dailey, Fred Earle,

Dennis Endicott, Sidney Hennessey, Jason Hicks, Lamar Higgins, Scott Lollar,

Alden Monroe, Eddie Norred, John Parker, Lea Russell, Claudene Thomas,

Judith Granger Ward, Randy Woodland, Barbara Zdanis

Friends — Gay Curlin, Kathryn Dorlon, T.J. Esco, Wayne Goble, Jack Harris,

Sharon Kelley, Jon Kusa, Ethan Tapia, Hilda and Cecil (Coach) Skinner, Linda Watson

Students — Matthew Franklin, Will Franklin, Addie Hoffman, Anna Hoffman,

Sam Lee, Michael Moore, Rachel Moore, Charles Speaks, Thomas Speaks, Aiken Via

 VESTRY

 Senior Warden: Rand Neeley

Junior Warden: Randy Bryan

Treasurer: Mary Lois Monroe

Clerk: Jan Pope

Kathy Albree

Paul Hard

John Harrell

Jeri Tippit

Hannah Williams 

 

HYBRID MINISTRY

 Michael Paul, Randy Woodland

STAFF 

Rector: Rosa 

Rosa@holycomfortermgm.org 

 

 Deacon: Lee

tleewgirl85@gmail.com

 

 Choirmaster/Organist: Randy

 Randy@holycomfortermgm.org

 

Parish Life Coordinator: Terri

office@holycomfortermgm.org

 

Parish Media: Missy

hcepiscopal.media@gmail.com 

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2911 Woodley Rd, Montgomery, AL 36111, USA
334-281-1337

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