THE PIEDMONT EPISTLE
PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS BY WORD AND DEED
NOVEMBER 2014
BOX 305 MADISON, VIRGINIA 22727
WEBSITE: WWW.PIEDMONTEPISCOPALCHURCHVA.ORG
“Always remember to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some
have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:1)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
With the coming of the holiday season, many of us look forward to visiting family and
friends, of attending holiday parties, and having people over for dinner. With all this hosting and
being hosted, it is perhaps natural that we reflect on the nature of hospitality. For many of us, when
we think of hospitality we think of welcoming friends and family over to our
houses for a meal or a longer stay. Maybe we use our best china with
coordinating silver and elegant wineglasses. Or maybe you go simple with just
paper plates for a relaxed backyard barbecue. Certainly this is hospitality. But
there is much more to hospitality than this.
To the people of the ancient Middle East who lived literally in a desert,
hospitality was a matter not just of socialization, but of survival. Like ships on
the high seas who never ignore the needs of another ship because there is no
telling when they themselves will need help, the people of the desert opened
their tents and begged strangers to come in, glad for the company but also
aware that someday they too might find themselves caught out in the high sun
Hospitality is with no water.
In Scripture, hospitality reflects a larger reality than human survival. In
a way of
the stories of God’s people, we see that hospitality mysteriously links us to
meeting and God and to one another. Abraham and Sarah open their tent to passing
strangers, who turn out to be angels bearing God’s promise of a son in their
receiving
old age. Abraham’s nephew Lot shows greater commitment to the guest than
holy
to his own family, and in gratitude his guest, another angel, saves him from the
presence.
judgment of Sodom. Then there’s innkeeper who makes space in their stable
for Joseph, Mary, and the unborn Christ-child, because their sleeping quarters are already filled
with guests. And, we can’t forget the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who share conversation
and then a dinner with a stranger who turns out to be Jesus. In each of these instances, hospitality
is seen as a way of meeting and receiving holy presence.
For the first followers of Christ, hospitality was understood to be a clear implication of the
Gospel, an expression of the whole Christian life. St. Peter directs believers to “offer hospitality to
one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve
others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:9-10) Indeed, the
remarkable explosion of Christianity in the first century was due not only to the proclamation of the
gospel, but to the extraordinary quality of Christian hospitality. It evidently so impressed one
Roman emperor that he commanded his provincial governors to begin practicing hospitality like the
Christians, if they wanted their empire to grow and remain civil.
Practicing
Centuries later, the practice of hospitality was central to monastic
hospitality
orders. When we think of monks and nuns, the picture we often have is of
a cloistered garden, secreted away from the cares (and taint) of the world.
means looking
But in truth, the monastery was anything but removed from the outside
for Christ in
world. It was rather to be a place of comfort and of solace and of safety for
each visitor.
outsiders. When in the 5th century St. Benedict of Nursia, the founder of
the Benedictine monastic order, drafted his Rule in which he laid out the framework for the order,
he charged his monks to show hospitality to everyone who showed up at the monastery’s door.
The monastery was to be a place where anyone would be welcomed, where rich and poor alike
could come and find seats side by side. Joan Chittister, a contemporary Benedictine nun,
describes the vision of Benedictine hospitality: “Everyone receives a warm answer—on the phone,
at the door, in the office. Sarcasm has no room here. One-upmanship has no room here. Classism
has no room here.” The dignity of everyone, rich or poor, is honored.
The key to the Benedictine practice of hospitality is the recognition of Christ in each visitor.
Benedict instructed the monks to “receive guests as if they are Christ, for he himself will say: ‘I was
a stranger and you welcomed me.’ (Matt 25:35)” The poor and pilgrims are, moreover, to receive a
special welcome because in them Christ is especially received. In this, Benedict sets forth for his
monks not just instructions for hosting guests to the monastery, but an ethic:
Hospitality is
to live a life of love and service, reaching out to others because they see
not just
Christ in everyone.
That is what I admire about the Benedictine spirituality of
something we
hospitality—it reminds us that hospitality is not just something we do in our
do in our
homes, but something we can practice wherever we are. It teaches us what
homes, but
it means to show hospitality to the stranger we meet at the soup kitchen, the
something we
person we sit next to on an airplane, the solicitor who shows up on our
can practice
doorstep, even our families—we are to show hospitality by receiving them
wherever we
as favored guests, making room for them in our lives, honoring Christ in
them, discovering the gift that they are from God.
are.
In our world it is far easier to let the Holiday Inn and the city Rescue
Mission carry the burden of caring for strangers and absorbing the flow of life teeming outside our
offices, our churches, and our neighborhoods. Too often we in 21 st century North America lead
“oyster” lives, enclosed in our comfortable little shells. We take into our lives only the friends we’ve
made on the job, or the neighbors we know, or strangers that someone else
can vouch for, but not the unknown other or the social outcast or the
Hospitality
demands that we politically unacceptable foreigner.
Hospitality requires being vulnerable, opening our lives to others,
open our lives to
willing to be interrupted and inconvenienced, allowing ourselves to “sit a spell”
others as well,
with someone and get to know them. Hospitality means taking people into the
making room in
space that is our lives and our minds and our hearts and our work and our
our lives for
efforts, and making a place for them there. This demands extra effort, to be
sure, and extra time and extra care that stretches beyond and above the
others.
order of the day. It’s little wonder then that we are not so quick to show
hospitality—hospitality costs! It costs time, security, resources, energy, even money.
Yet, we must also acknowledge that not practicing hospitality also costs. For when we are
too distracted or preoccupied to show hospitality, we miss the opportunity, Benedict would say, to
receive God. We miss the gift that God has given us in the other person. We miss the opportunity
to stretch our own vision, to come out of ourselves, to grow and become more than ourselves,
more fully ourselves. We miss the opportunity to share in the graced way of life given us by Christ.
However, when we open our doors, literally or figuratively, to the stranger, we open ourselves up to
God’s transforming grace and share with others the love of Christ in a concrete way.
Hospitality is an incredible gift that we give one another, something we can give only
because we ourselves have been given that gift by God. It is just because we are accepted by
Christ that we can accept others. It is just because Christ has made a place for us in God’s
Kingdom (John 14:2) that we can make a place for others in our homes and lives. And it is by
making room in our lives for others that we find Christ has come to be among us.
As you travel this season or host others at your home, I invite you to reflect on the Christian
practice of hospitality and to consider where God is active in our hosting and being hosted, where
God is inviting us to welcome others, where we are being called to be a channel of God’s grace. I
encourage you also to find ways to show hospitality, to allow God to widen your home and your
hearts to the stranger, so as to honor Christ in all people. For your never know, in welcoming
strangers, you may find yourself entertaining angels in disguise!
In Christ,
Fr. Terry
For the Beauty of the Earth
A Christian Ecological Vision
Resumes Nov 9!-- Over the course of six sessions, participants will
consider the philosophical and the practical, as they look at the
biblical, historical, theological warrants for creation care and dialogue
about how we as a church and as individuals might live out this
calling. Discussion will inevitably be political (having to do with
serving the common good), but are not intended to be partisan.
Please join us to share your thoughts and views and to learn from
each other how we can be more faithfully witness to Christ in the
world. Sundays, 9:30-10:25, in the Parish House sunroom.
November 9—And They Saw That It Was Good to Eat: Consumption or Communion?
November 16—The Grapevine and the Olive Tree: Tending Your Own Gardens
November 23—Wise Men from the East: Ecological Lessons from Eastern Orthodoxy
Thanksgiving Day Service
November 27--Piedmont is invited to join with fellow Christians in Madison for an ecumenical
Thanksgiving Day service at Hebron Lutheran Church. The service starts
at 10 a.m., and is preceded by the “Turkey Trot,” the annual run to raise
money for Loaves and Fishes, a ministry out of Hebron that provides
needy school age children with food for the weekend, when the schoolprovided free lunch is not available. For more information about the
Turkey Trot, please contact Pr. Patti Covington at Hebron Lutheran
Church (948-4381).
All Saints Sunday
November 2
The custom of commemorating all of the saints of the church on a single day goes back at least to
the third century. All Saints celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who make up
the body of Christ. We remember all who have died in the faith and now serve God around the
heavenly throne. As usual, we will remember those saints who have been a part of our
congregation and who have died during the past church year. In addition, there will be a time
during the service for the names of all loved ones who have died to be spoken during the prayers
of intercession.
Bishop’s Visit
Next month, on Sunday, December 7, we will be hosting a visit from the Rt. Rev.
Susan Goff, the Bishop Suffragan (“helping bishop”) of the Diocese of
Virginia. Bishop Goff is one of three bishops on the staff of the Diocese;
she serves with the Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston, our Diocesan Bishop
(“head bishop”), and the Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick, Assistant Bishop. The
bishops make annual visits to the diocesan parishes to bear greetings from
the larger church, to preach the Gospel, to celebrate God’s work among the
parishes, to hear the concerns and hopes of parishioners, and to strengthen
bonds between the parish and the greater church. Please join us in
welcoming Bp. Goff at the 10:30 service on December 7 and at the reception
to follow.
2014 Stewardship Campaign
The Piedmont Episcopal Church 2014 Stewardship Campaign is currently underway. Norris John
is this year’s chairperson. You will be receiving your stewardship letter in the mail this week.
Please pray diligently as you make your pledge of time and economic support to the church. The
due date for pledges will be later in the month and will be announced.
THANK YOU !!!
The Sunday School/Shepherd’s Way staff and students would like to thank you for your support.
The soup and hot dog lunch was a great success, raising a little over $200!
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Sunday
8:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist Rite I
Adult Forum – parish house sun room
Children’s Sunday School, Shepherd’s Way - church
Holy Eucharist Rite II with nursery
Morning Prayer – Second Sunday of the month
11:30 a.m. Fellowship Hour in the parish house
Monday
7:00 p.m. Adult study group at the McDowell’s home: Genesis
Tuesday
9:30 a.m. Meditation, Prayer & Holy Eucharist - church
7:00 p.m. Bel Canto Vocal Ensemble rehearsal - church
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Book Discussion
7:30 p.m. Young Life Campaigners – parish house
Thursday
6:00 p.m. Potluck Supper - All are welcome!!!
7:00 p.m. Bible Fellowship – parish house: Esther
7:00 p.m. Piedmont Church Choir practice – church

Nov 2
Nov 9
Nov 16
Nov 23
Nov 30
Dec 7
All Saints Sunday - 8:30 Holy Eucharist I and 10:30 Holy Eucharist II
8:30 Holy Eucharist I and 10:30 Morning Prayer II
8:30 Holy Eucharist I and 10:30 Holy Eucharist II
Christ the King/Anglican Youth Sunday - 8:30 Holy Eucharist I and
10:30 Holy Eucharist II
Advent 1 - 9:30 Holy Eucharist II
Bishop's Visit - 8:30 Holy Eucharist I and 10:30 Holy Eucharist II with
Bishop Goff
If you know of someone who is unable to get to church, but would
like to receive communion, please let Deacon Kathryn or Father
Terry know and they will arrange for a visitation.
Deacon’s Desk
Halloween always presents so many opportunities to approach Christian
Formation, especially in a secular setting. I can always point out the All
Hallow’s Eve words that are the origin of the contraction for Halloween
and then someone usually asks what does “Hallow“ mean. This week it
happened to spark a conversation with a former youth group member who
grew up without television and saw “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
for the first time. This work of Schultz really preaches on so many levels,
but this time the discussion revolved around the “if” statement and the
doubt that is inherent in Linus’ fear that the Great Pumpkin will pass him by if he does not
believe enough.
But our God is one that does not pass anyone by and invites those who seek Him into an
intentional relationship with Him. That is exactly what the children are learning in Shepherd’s
Way with the study of the Gospel and with the study of Saint Francis these last few weeks
as well as the other saints who will be introduced in their season. It is in their knowing that,
“by the Holy Spirit” we are “made one with … saints in Heaven and earth.” Like all of us in the
Body of Christ, they are learning to confirm their faith rather than conform to the world.
On November 23rd, the Anglican Communion world-wide recognizes youth in some way. At
Piedmont the children and youth, as saints in the Body of Christ that is the church present,
not the church future, will be involved on the service in a variety of ways including reading
the Scriptures and singing at the 10:30 service.
And saints are not just found in the church. Hymn 293 reminds us that we find them in our
neighborhood. As we ponder and pray about our stewardship here at Piedmont, part of that
process is to begin to consider how we can care even more for our smallest neighbors, making
sure that they always have food and know that someone cares.
And “the world is bright with joyous saints who love to Jesus’ will.” In December, those called
to take part in the mission trip to the Dominican Republic will begin to meet. I am awaiting
word from Bishop Julio’s assistant as to what the work project will be. As of our last
conversation, it most likely will be a construction project on one of their schools. The trip is
open to anyone sixteen years or older regardless of skill sets. Seeking to serve Christ in a
culture different than our own places us firmly in a place depending on God for guidance and
is a deep and meaningful way to confirm our faith by reforming, not conforming to, a world
that is in Christ’s saving embrace!
God’s Peace on this All Saints’ Day,
Kathryn
PRAYER JOYS & CONCERNS
We offer prayers of healing for friends and family:
Kimberley Yarbrough (friend of Sherry Spencer with
an auto-immune disease), Dreama Travis (fighting
cancer), , Becky Carter (Jim Robert’s sister), the
Barksdale family, Tammy Kelliher, Tiffany Jones
(automobile accident), Stuart Smith (light stroke),
Alyssa Edwards and parents Justin & Sarah, Doris
Smith (friend of the Kennedy’s), the Hitt family, Fran
Bowers, Marilyn Thompson, Colleen Fillmore (Joanie
Edwards’ cousin), Donna Whitman (friend of the
Griffiths), Jean Brashears, Lorraine Sandifer, Emily
Begovitch (Kathy Henken’s niece), Rosalie Mow
(Doug’s mother), Wanda Frederick (friends of Dorsey
Comer), Alan Best, (Briarley’s uncle), Lanee Butler
(Beverly Young’s neighbor), Stephanie Bowman
(Susan & Larry Kennedy’s neighbor), Ren LeVally
(Dink Kreis’ son), Gladys Wright (friend of Jenny
Edwards), Sue Stigler (friend of Jill Schreiner), Judy
Taylor (friend of Kathy Henken), Doris & Roland
Chapman, Stephen Griffin (Griff and Vera’s son),
Susan Muston, Chloe Hammer (Jean Kane’s sister),
Maria Rosenberg, Sharon Harris (friend of Dorsey
Comer), Heather Comer, Corey Barker, Jenna
Agnelo (Sue Brown’s niece), Carrie Gilles, Reggie
Hall (Barbara Straightiff’s brother-in-law), Augusta
Woodward, Alex Yowell, Kyler Imel, Donna Nettles,
Dreama Travis, Jacqueline Smith, Nicky Bourgeois
(Doris Lackey’s friend), Sara Parmenter, Sara
DeLaurentis (Sue Burnett’s niece), Dorothy Mudd,
Robert Ullrich, Jeff Yowell, Mary Haley, Patrick &
Sean Fohner, Ruby Minick (grandmother of a friend
of Kay John), Betty Thomas (friend of Barbara
Straightiff), Miriam Terninko (friend of the
Birkhofer’s), Ted and Rene Hinds, and Sandra Clore
(Waltine Robinson’s niece).
We offer prayers of healing and God’s loving
presence for friends living in nursing home care:
Jack and Martha Cornwell at Dogwood Center in
Orange; Barbara Kiley, and Jane Chapman.
We pray for peace and the restoration of people’s
safety and dignity in Philippines, Pakistan, Syria,
Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and the
Congo. We pray for the people of Egypt, Sudan,
Haiti, Burma and other parts of the globe where there
is extreme suffering or injustice.
We pray for missionaries Sarah & Gary Greenwood
in Peru, and for Kimberly Johnson and John Hunt as
they work in Liberia.
We pray for Patrick DaSilva, Sean Hegg serving in
Afghanistan, Nathan Kinkey in Okinawa, Clay
Puryear, Mike Butterworth deploying to Korea, and
for all service men and women.
We offer prayers of comfort and God’s peace for Jim
Koontz and his family as they mourn the death of
Alma.
We pray for our presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts
Schori; our bishops, Shannon Johnston, Susan Goff,
Ted Gulick, the churches of the Diocese of Virginia,
and for our 70 million brothers and sisters in our 30
member worldwide Anglican Communion.
We pray for the families in Barbara’s House; for the
work of Madison Emergency Services Association,
Habitat for Humanity, Madison Free Clinic, Literacy
Council of Madison County, Boy’s and Girl’s Club of
Madison, Senior Nutrition Site, Madison County
Education Foundation, Boy Scout Troop 116,
Madison Community Outreach Works, and Students
of the Integrated Peace Performance Project.
We give thanks to God for all the families in this
blessed Piedmont Church. Gracious Lord, guide,
preserve and protect your servants as they create for
your glory a holy family of love. May their love for
each other be a sign of your tender care.
We pray for our youth in college: Nick Bader, Austin
& Victoria Detchon, Josh Good, Christian Hansen,
Sam Landolt, Paul Jackson, Peter Thawngzauk,
Jacob Young, and Nathan Young.
Please pray daily as a household or individual for your
prayer partner(s) by name. During the month, please
carry your prayer into action by exchanging some
token of Christian love. Send them a card with your
picture(s), exchange a meal, sit together during church,
or visit at the fellowship hour or brunch after church.
You will find your name and the name of your prayer
partner(s) on an enclosed page of this newsletter.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look
graciously on your Church, and so guide the
minds of those who shall choose a rector for this
parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who
will care for your people and equip us for our
ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
(BCP page 818)
NOVEMBER PRAYER PARTNERS
Please pray daily as a household or individual for your prayer partner(s) by name.
You will find your name and the name of your prayer partner(s) listed below
Jack & Heidi Adams
Barbara Straightiff
Emily Amos
Carolyn Stanley
Brian & Rebecca Bader
Fiona Tustian & Andrew Tustian
Robert and Dorothy Bair
. Kathryn Thomas
Eve Bargmann & Joe Polin
Mary O. Thompson
Jeanne Bender
Ed & Ginger Webster
Jim Bernat & Debbie Ball
Kavanaugh & Beppy White
Bill & George Ann Birkhofer
Beverly Young
Sue Brown
Sharon Zarambo
Beth Burnam
Skip McDanolds
Sue Burnett
Nick & Cindy McDowell
Chris & Jessica Burnside
Brian and Margeaux Majewski
Susan Cable
James & Elizabeth Maloney
Marjorie Cave
Marty & Martha Mikula
Dorsey Comer
Terry & Lauren Miller
Jack & Martha Cornwell
Cecil Morgan
Arthur & Bethany Craig
Doug & Jacqueline Mow
Martin Croes
Susan Mowchan
David Cronk
Paul Munson
Reggie & Helle Dale
Hardie Newton
Spencer & Mary DeJarnette
Margaret Novak
Joan Edwards
Bob & Carol Nowak
Sam & Susan Good
Joe & Vickie Parker
Griff & Vera Griffin
Dotty Posey
Kim Griffith
Betty Pumphrey
Peter & Ann Griffith
Kim Pumphrey
Erin Haggerty
Beau Puryear
Brad & Lydia Hansen
Colt & Katie Puryear
Dave & Kathy Henken
Kaaren Ray
Joe Hilliard
Jim & Pat Roberts
Dona Hutchinson
Chris & Jennie Robertson
John Hurt & Kimmy Johnson
Mike & Helen Robertson
Susan Hyland
Waltine Robinson
Brad & Jaynie Jackson
Adele Baker & Bill Robinson
Paul Jackson
Briarley Rogers
Norris & Kay John
Beth Roireau
Jean Kane
Maria Rosenberg
Larry & Susan Kennedy
Doreen Russell
Jim Koontz
Molly Sanford
Dink Kreis
Roger & Jill Schreiner
Doris Lackey
Charlotte Scott
Nelson & Carolyn Lamb
Ellen Searls
Jim & Bess Landolt
Ann Skidmore
Keith & Blair Lonergan
Stuart & Lizabeth Smith
Dee Dee Lyon
Nick & Sherry Spencer
Piedmont Helper List
November 2014
2nd All Saints
Holy Communion
Lector
8:30
9th Pentecost 22
Morning Prayer
23rd Pentecost
Last
Holy
Communion
30th Advent I
Holy Communion
Dee Dee Lyon
Briarley Rogers
Jean Kane
&
Beth Roireau
Bev Young
&
Jill Schreiner
Sue Brown
&
Vickie Parker
Joanie
Edwards
Katheryn
Thomas &
Lizabeth Smith
Chalice
Katheryn
Thomas
Morning
Prayer
Bob Nowak
Norris John
Eve Bargmann
Usher
James Maloney
Roger
Schreiner
Carol Nowak
Kay John
Colt Puryear
Vestry
Person
Doug Mow
Eve
Bargmann
Bev Young
Vickie Parker
Colt Puryear
Social
Hour
Beth Roireau
Lector/
Intercessor
10:30
Hardee Newton
16th Pentecost 23
Holy Communion
Colt Puryear
&
Susan Good
Acolyte/
Crucifer
Altar
Care
Sunday School:
Vickie Parker
Carol Nowak and Vickie Parker
Breanna
Gardiner & Sue
Burnett
and Beppy
White, Jill
Schreiner, &
Bess Landolt
Sunday School: Susan Good
K to 5th: Shepherd’s Way – Kathryn Thomas 434-962-9103
Journey to Adulthood Program – Beverly Young 948-7008
November Outreach: Cornucopia Volunteer Farm, Culpeper, Virginia