The Vision of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church is to be a
January 2015
community:
The Bridge
• Centered in Christ,
• Glorifying God,
LO C U ST
• Serving our neighbors.
AN D
T
H A L E
an infant that is more than an infant. The disciples
have epiphanies of Jesus — they come to see a man
that is more than a man. We might call the entire
New Testament a book of epiphanies and the
Christian religion a religion of epiphanies. We
experience our own epiphanies of Christ; we
experience epiphanies of each other. We even
experience epiphanies about ourselves. We come to
see and know more about who Jesus is, who we are,
who our neighbors are.
--- Br. Mark Brown, SSJE,
O F
(Society of Saint John the Evangelist)
The Bridge
C HU RC H— D O V ER, N H— C O RN ER
E P IS CO P A L
T H O M AS ’
ST .
he Magi have an epiphany of Jesus — they see
Image: http://www.4catholiceducators.com/graph/epiphany.gif
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THE BRIDGE
The Epiphany, a gift for the world…
The Rev. Gail Avery
“Epiphany” is from the Greek word “showing forth” or “manifestation.”
Beginning January 6th and the
season that follows, the Church celebrates the events by which Jesus was shown forth (manifested) into the world
as the Son of God by a star…
Today we use the word epiphany when something finally dawns on us. We say, ‘I just had an epiphany about
something.” It’s a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something or an event in a new or very clear
way.
For example, my husband, Kirk used the word epiphany, when he realized that he could have given someone a
really good Christmas present—a Christmas card to a friend of his who made some poor choices that has resulted
in a 25-30 year prison sentence. He said, “Gail, I just had an epiphany. A Christmas card would mean so much to
Brian. Something like that is so simple, yet would mean the world to him. Why didn’t I think about it sooner?
Why did it take receiving a card from Brian to show me something I should have realized on my own?”
Kirk wasn’t expecting Brian’s Christmas card this year. He had received a card earlier in the month from Brian
thanking Kirk for showing up to his graduation from Barber School. Kirk and Brian’s mother made a point to be
there that day, which really impressed his instructor. Mistaking Brian as Kirk’s son, his instructor remarked to
Kirk, “In all my 12 years of participating in this program, I have never seen a father attend a graduation. You are
the first!—which is very sad, since those going through this program have the lowest recidivism rate.”
A son, friend, criminal, past coworker—for Kirk, it doesn’t matter what Brian is. What mattered that day was that
Kirk was there for Brian and for his mom who is beginning to sense that her son may never leave prison—an
epiphany no dedicated mother would want to realize, no matter what transpired in the past.
It was Christmas morning when Kirk opened Brian’s card. Inside was copy of an article published in Harper’s
Magazine December 2014 issue, entitled Christmas in Prison: Greeting the holidays in an age of mass incarceration by
Kenneth E. Hartman, a portion of which I would like to share. Hartman, who is sentenced to life without the
possibility of parole, writes a moving story that chronicles 30 years of Christmases in prison.
Here is an except:
…I had asked one of the religious guys if they would be singing “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” in their
upcoming Christmas service. I’ve always loved its dark, admonitory tone, and can’t think of a carol more
suitable for a men’s prison.
THE BRIDGE
Page 3
“I don’t know, “ he tells me. “Sing some of it.”
For some reason I do, loudly and, stranger still, well.
“Would you sing that at the service?”
“Yes, I will” No one is more surprised by this response that I am.
The room where I will make my singing debut is officially designated as the Main
Sanctuary. It’s a term rich in symbolism that I’m sure is lost on the authorities: in
ancient times, sanctuaries provided asylum, which made a fugitive immune from arrest.
The room is large, about twenty feet by twenty feet, with a stage raised about six inches
off the floor down in front, like a sawed-off pulpit. The walls are bare and painted in
the same institutional off-white as every other room in this prison…On this day, however, there is a riot of
holiday colors and ornaments, much of it donated by the old Irish priest, some of it pilfered from the
occasional staff celebrations to which we are never invited, and a few pieces the products of our own
ingenuity and great long to see Christmas in our own world…
The most touching decorations, though, are the simplest: three small boxes made out of paper, about three
inches square. They sit atop the baptismal box. On one the word FAITH is written in small, childlike letters.
On another is HOPE, and on the last slightly larger letters, LOVE. These are what we’ve all crowded into
this room for, into what is the modern equivalent of the medieval narthex, the place for those deemed
unworthy to sit with the good people in the regular pews. And it is love, written with a bit more emphasis,
that we all long for most. Without love, as the Apostle Paul warned, we are but a “sounding brass or a
tinkling cymbal.”
So I sing in a room full of my fellow prisoners, decorated with our longings, to louder applause than I could
have ever expected. My performance is a success. I am not a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, but a most
imperfect vessel delivering the tidings of joy.
I was asked by the religious men to sing the same carol again this year. This is now part of my contribution
to the holiday…I’m often asked what I want for Christmas. People tend to send books and music. I get
cards, and I send cards. I hang up some decorations and try to enjoy the holiday-themed entertainment, what
there is of it. I plan for the inevitable lockdowns, so that I’ll have something useful and diverting to do for
the day. I remember the times when I was in the visiting room with Anita and my daughter Alia, without
bitterness. I try, to the best of my abilities, to have as normal an experience as possible.
What I really want, of course, I can’t have. I want to stay up late on Christmas Eve, arranging my daughter’s
presents on the same old chair for both of us to enjoy, just as my father did for me. I want to attend a family
gathering and share a meal with the people I’ve been estranged from for more than three decades. I want to
breathe the air of a free man. I want, most of all, for the atrocious mistakes of my past to vanish so that I
can wake up in a cold sweat next to my wife in our bed, thanking God that all this was a horrible nightmare
of Christmases that never happened—that the life I lead is a good and worthy one after all.
But because these are all far too much to ask for, and because I know that, I wish only for another reasonably
good performance singing that old carol. I pray that my voice doesn’t quake too loudly or waver, and that
my eyes don’t water up too obviously when I sing the words “To save us all from Satan’s power when we
were gone astray.”
Yes, an epiphany occurred on Christmas morning —that a simple card could make Christmas special for Brian.
Instead, a visit occurred that delivers enough joy that will last for years. And a Christmas story that gave us a gift.
I hope the story moved you too.
May you have an epiphany this holiday season,
Gail+
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THE BRIDGE
Now What? It’s Really Winter!
The Rev. Dr. David D. Holroyd
Interim Associate, St. Thomas', Dover
The most recent edition of the Bridge was full of good news from me and others about the joyful time
of Advent and Christmas. But that is over -- now what?
When I was growing up as a child, I can recall how much I did not like the end of the joyful holiday
season that actually began on Thanksgiving and lasted through New Years. How I dreaded going back to
school after two weeks of Christmas vacation when it was cold and dark. The feeling continued after
heading off to college; the old semester system meant that final exams were always looming when vacation
was over. There was guilt about books that I had brought home for vacation and then never opened.
The feeling even continued after Ordination and my beginning of parish ministry. Advent and Christmas
seemed to be full of anticipation and joy. And then there just seemed to be a letdown that even bordered
on depression. Whether it was just post-holiday blues, depression, or seasonal affective disorder, it was
very real and I hated it! The bleak midwinter was upon us.
It was our church year and a new understanding of the Epiphany event and season that began to
transform my attitude about the post holiday blues. I would also add that getting married late in January
of 1970 did not hurt either! Snookie and I always try to plan something fun and this extends the
anticipation and joy of our holiday season an extra month. But it still makes for a long winter.
It all began to dramatically change for me on an Epiphany Sunday in the early 1980's. I had invited the
first woman who had been ordained in Maine to come to our parish in York to preach. Her main
message was built around our need to leave the manger and go out into the world with the divine light
that the Christmas event had given us. I was struck by the contradiction of my desire to hibernate as
opposed to doing what I could do to transform the world that God had given us and make God's world a
better place. The breakthrough (which is what an Epiphany event really is) came in a simple realization -it is fun to go to the manger but there simply comes a time when I have to leave that manger.
So what really happens after December 25? Yes, it seems cold and dark and yet the days do start getting
longer. The earth gets a well deserved time to rest between the fall harvest and the spring planting. I
rejoice to be a New Englander who gets to experience all four seasons, even though the winter one always
seems to be too long!
And what does it really mean for me to leave the manger this year? My answer comes from Paul's final
exhortation and benediction to the Thessalonians when he
tells the people to "admonish the idlers, encourage the
faint hearted, help the weak, and be patient with all of
them. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in
all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
for you." It sure beats the post-holiday blues!
May your post-holiday time this year be marked with hope
and real thanksgiving for the fact that the days are now
getting longer!
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THE BRIDGE
Stewardship
You Don’t Know Your
Own Strength(s)!
Patty Laughlin
W
hen you think about Stewardship and giving of your time and
talents I think you should volunteer to help with things that you do easily. Let me explain.
The talents, skills or abilities that may be the most valuable to our parish and community are likely those you take
for granted. You don’t think or understand that they’re valuable, precisely because they are your strengths. You
do them without thinking and without effort, they are second nature to you, and you could do it in your sleep.
Does that describe something you do?
I finally admitted to myself a few years ago that I’m a good organizer and stopped waving it off. People had been
telling me, in many ways, some subtle, some not, that I’m really good at sorting through all the pieces and making
sense of things and then arranging them logically and keeping them that way.
In hindsight I should have known this decades ago. When I was in college I volunteered to be a study subject in
the sociology department. To make a long story short, I messed up their experiment because I put a set of file
cards in order faster than they had thought possible.
It’s how my brain works – the way God programmed it.
I never would have thought something I totally overlooked as a skill would be such a big part of my career success
and so valuable to my church family. I also find that when I play to my strengths I can do tasks more joyfully and
gratefully too.
I think that each of us helping one another recognize and play to our strengths is a key to building a strong,
vibrant community. I’m a good organizer but I don’t identify with scripture like Kevin, I can’t sing like Jerry or
play like Valerie. I don’t have a crafty vision like Carol or Evelyn and I don’t cook with the flair and ease of Tim
or Thomas (I’m OK as a sub, but it stresses me out). I couldn’t make the Bridge come together like Kathy does
or host an event as gracefully as Fran and Georgia. I don’t have the capacity for empathy and care that Elaine and
Marci exhibit and I don’t remember people, family details or special occasions like Nancy. It takes everyone’s
gifts and contributions to make us thrive.
Of course, our church community, caring and supportive, is also a great place to
try new things and take risks, but that’s another topic.
I’m a good organizer, so despite not knowing anything about electricity,
plumbing, carpentry, HVAC or being a handyman I’m chair of the property
committee. We have generous, talented people who focus on those things. I just
try to help them keep track of all the moving parts.
What gifts and skills did God grace you with? What are your strengths? What is
something you do that people compliment you on that you don’t think is a big
deal? Is there a way you can leverage that God given talent for the benefit St.
Thomas’ and the broader community?
Image: http://www.adamjcopeland.com/2012/11/28/young-adults-stewardship-what-gives/
Page 6
THE BRIDGE
Saints, Birthdays, Stars and Cakes…
By Judi Turner
December and January are terrific months if you are a child. We started the month of December celebrating St.
Nicholas and were given chocolates and clementines. Then we decorated a tree with Chrismon’s (Christ’s
Monograms in white/gold glittery ornaments). We shared in the doubt of St. Thomas but came out at the end
stronger believers, just like him! Some may doubt St. Nicholas (especially as they get older each year) but the
miracle and mystery of the birth of Jesus allows us to also just share in a big birthday celebration. Who wouldn’t
love Christmas and Epiphany?
There was a lot of “getting ready” time which is what advent is for. I like to remind the children (and anyone
else I encounter) that Christmas starts on Dec 25th and ends on Jan 6th with the Epiphany, hence the twelve days
of Christmas. I feel the exclamation mark to the birth is the star that the kings follow and the big party that
happens when they present their mysterious gifts.
So, young and old children should come and celebrate a big ole birthday bash on Jan 4th at 5pm. We will start
with the “Jesse Tree Treasure Hunt” in the church followed by listening to the Epiphany story complete with
the smells of frankincense and myrrh. A meal of Shepherd’s pie and burning of the greens (weather permitting).
Of course, no party is complete without a cake and ours will be shaped like a star.
CONNECTIONS - Hospitality beyond
introductions...involving ourselves in the life of each
other and our community
St. Thomas’ Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Promptly after the 9:00 Service
This serves as formal notice that the Parish of St. Thomas’ Church of Dover, New
Hampshire will be holding our annual meeting Sunday, January 25, 2015. The
meeting will be held in Erwin Hall, our parish hall, following a single Sunday
Service at 9:00 am. Vestry members and Convocation delegates will be elected,
2015 budget will be presented, and various committees reporting. All committee
reports are due no later than January 15th.
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THE BRIDGE
Property Committee
News, Updates & Opportunities
Activities
The property committee is monitoring many facilities-related efforts, projects and issues. Among them:
Hale House Roof – Work was completed November 30th!
Water Issues – We have leaky basements, which are often worse when the ground is a bit frozen. In order
to get closer to a real remedy the storage rooms in the Hale house basement will be removed this winter,
January 24th to be specific. Consider joining us.
Pricing project work – in anticipation or future grants or financial windfalls, and to help us prioritize, we’re
getting quotes and estimates for many maintenance and repair projects that have been on the TO DO list for
some time, including: Kitchen renovations, a new shed, Ervin Hall flooring, trim and gutter repairs and
painting, and replacement plexiglass window covers along Hale Street.
Heating Plant – Electric heat was installed in the sacristy and choir porch on December 17th!
For a full list of projects and efforts, both ongoing and proposed, please see the Property Committee bulletin
board in Ervin Hall
Dumpster Day
Over the next 6 months or so the property committee is going to make an effort, and encourage other ministries
to do the same, to organize our worship and fellowship spaces for efficiency and effectiveness. We’ll be
identifying and storing items we know the use for, documenting what we have, where it goes and how it’s used
and maintained. If we don’t know what an item is for we’re planning to set it aside for disposal.
After the basement, the third floor of the Hale House our next priority. If you or your parish ministry has items
stored on the third floor they need to be removed before the spring Parish Workday, Saturday May 16.
Committee Roles
As you can see from the above Property committee is very busy. Please consider joining us as a regular committee
member or identify yourself as a resource, offering your expertise or skills for
specific tasks or projects.
Opportunities
We have specific needs for a clerk, bookkeeper and are also looking for
someone(s) to help us find and apply for grants.
Do you have project ideas for the Property Committee? Let us know.
Also, let us know if you see something that needs attention in the facilities or
on the grounds. You can contact any committee member or call or e-mail the
committee chair or the Jr. Warden.
Patty Laughlin; 603-734-2804; [email protected]
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THE BRIDGE
The Fourth Street Jazz Choir
Directed by Wendell Purrington
Accompanied by Kathy Fink
and the Michael Burns Quartet
Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Suggested Donation: $12 adults, $10 seniors and students
A portion of the proceeds will go to the to the St Thomas’ Music Fund
St Thomas’ Episcopal Church
On the corner of Locust St and Hale St in Dover, NH
603-742-3155 www.stdover.org
Page 9
THE BRIDGE
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Ecumenical Service
“Respect and Responsibility: How Do We Live With Our Neighbors?”
January 18, 7:00 pm
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
22 Fox Run Rd, Newington, NH
REVELATIONS - Building Bridges through Small Groups
The Breakfast Café - Raffle Tickets for Sale
The Café team will be selling raffle tickets for the Winter Farmstand. We will continue
to sell “reused, recycled” Firestarters for $1.00. All proceeds go to the Dover Food
Bank.
The Café Team is always welcoming new volunteers to help setting up before 7:00 or
around closing time 9:30-10:30. Contact one of our team members for more
information!
Café Team: Thomas, Patty, Tim, Nancy C. Bonnie, Lisa, Peg, Deb, Robyn, Kevin, Fran and Nancy SP
ACTS - Action in Community through Service
Homeless Shower Program Continues
Dover Cooperative Ministries, of which St. Thomas’ is a part, need help in providing for our brothers and sisters
in need in the community. We put together shower packs to leave at the indoor pool next to the Children’s
Museum for the homeless to use. Items needed are: bath towels (new or gently used),
travel size shampoos, conditioner and shaving cream, disposable razors and combs. The
Dover Food Pantry also has a great need of personal care products, such as toilet paper,
diapers, soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste,
feminine pads and tampons, cleaning supplies. Many of these items can not be purchased
with food stamps and are desperately needed by the patrons of the food pantry. Milk
cards are also welcome. Please keep those who are in need in your thoughts and prayers
as well. Many thanks to all of you for your ongoing support of this important program.
5
Mon
Tue
19
MLK DAY
7p Craft Group
26
25
10:30a Annual Meeting
10:30a Breakfast Cafe
9a Holy Eucharist
7p Vestry, 7p Craft Group 10a St T Staff Mtg
7p MLK Ecumenical Svc
5p DFK
Holy Trinity, Newington
5p Kitchen Team
8:30a-10 Breakfast Café
5p DFK
27
7a AA Morning Reflection 9a-12 Office
Hours
9a-12 Office Hours
10a St T Staff Mtg
7p Craft Group
9a-12 Office Hours
20
9a-12 Office
Hours
5p DFK
9a-12 Office Hours
7a AA Morning Reflection
7p Choir
9a-12 Office Hours
7a AA Morning Reflection
28
7p Choir
9a-12 Office Hours
7a AA Morning Reflection
21
7a AA Morning Reflection
9a-12 Office Hours
7p Dover original AA
5p DFK
30
7a AA Morning Reflection
23
7a AA Morning Reflection
16
4:30p Jazz Choir
7a AA Morning Reflection
29
7p Dover original AA
5p DFK
9a-12 Office Hours
22
7p Dover original AA
5p DFK
15
7p Dover original AA
5p DFK
9a-12 Office Hours
8
9
7a AA Morning Reflection
7p Dover original AA
2
Fri
1
Thu
14
9a-12 Office Hours
10a St T Staff Mtg 7p Choir
5p DFK
9:30a Church School
8a & 10a Holy Eucharist 7a AA Morning Reflection
18
8:30a-10 Breakfast Café
9:30a Church School
Baptism
7a AA Morning Reflection
7
Wed
9a-12 Office Hours
10a St T Staff Mtg 7p Choir
5p DFK
6
9a-12 Office
Hours
13
8a Holy Eucharist
7a AA Morning Reflection 9a-12 Office
10a Holy Eucharist with 9a-12 Office Hours
Hours
11
12
7p Property Committee
8:30a-10 Breakfast Café
5p Epiphany Service
9a-12 Office Hours
9:30a Church School
8a & 10a Holy Eucharist 7a AA Morning Reflection
4
Sun
2015
3p Pork Dinner
31
24
17
7p Jazz Choir
4:30p Jazz Choir
10
3
Sat
Page 11
THE BRIDGE
Celebrating in...
Many Happy Returns to:
Diane Plante
Susan Lucius
Nancy Hunt
Monroe Rhodus
Sally Thorn
Dale Smith
Charlotte Nason
Tom Powell
Dorothie Littlefield
Joshua Mathieu
Regan Briggs
Noah Rich
Chris Wyskiel
Brian Rice
Judi Turner
Joyce Mayrand
Patty Laughlin
Deb Morton
Owen Wolterbeek
Kathleen MacLeod
Elizabeth Akridge
Katie Rice
Katie Wiggin
Peter Federico
Mary McKenney
Elaine Sylvester
Ella Montanus
Gerald Finley
Tim Moody
Shirley Turcotte
Joshua Warner
Olivia Wiggin
Benjamin Carbone
Charlotte McClain
Anniversary Blessings and
Congratulations to:
Kevin & Suzanne Gorham
Cherrie & Gary Mamigonian
We are delighted to celebrate your birthdays and anniversaries in The Bridge each month.
If you have a birthday or anniversary this month, and are not listed, please contact us so we may update our records.
Thank you!
Serving God in His Church
The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld,
Hirschfeld Bishop
The Rev. Gail Avery,
Avery Interim Rector
The Rev. David Holroyd,
Holroyd Interim Associate
The Rev. Dick Siener,
Siener Interim Consultant
The Vestry
Officers
Chris Wyskiel, Senior Warden;
Allen Laughlin, Junior Warden
Convocation and Convention Diocesan Delegates
Allan Krans, Clerk; Kevin Gorham, Treasurer
Term ending 2015
Term ending 2016
Term ending 2017
William Hunt
Valerie Smith
Margaret Miller
Alternates:
Elaine Sylvester
William Dudley
Marcela Rhodus
Joe Marquette III, Margie Ford
Tim Constantine
Margie Ford
Chris Turner
Kitty Cornwell, Nancy Hunt, Judi Turner, Rob Sylvester
Bridge article submissions are due the 15th of each month.
month Please email your article to [email protected]
St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church
5 Hale Street
Dover, NH 03820
Non– Profit Organization
US Postage Paid
Dover, NH
Permit No. 156
The Bridge
Current resident or:
Mailing label Here
Who’s Who at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church
The Rev. Gail Avery, Interim Rector (603-674-5455)
The Rev. David Holroyd, Interim Associate
The Rev. Dick Siener, Interim Consultant
603 742 3155 ~ [email protected]
Come
Worship
SUMMER SCHEDULE OF
SERVICES
Parish Office Hours:
Monday Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday Services
S unday s: 9 AM , Holy E ucharist
Wednesday : 9:00 AM Healin g Serv ice
Please call the church office for additional pastoral needs at 603-742-3155. In cases of emergency call Rev . S usan at 603-498-1315.
Jerry Costanza, Financial Bookkeeper
Kathy Fink,
Fink Director of Music
Roland Girard,
Girard Sexton
For upcoming events and ‘The Bridge’
articles, visit our website at:
www.stdover.org
Mission
Statement
The mission of St.
Thomas Episcopal
Church is to know
and worship God, to
build community,
and to serve others.
8:00 am Holy Eucharist
9:30 am Sunday School
10:00 am Holy Eucharist with music
Breakfast Café 8:30-10:00 am
——————
Please call the church office for additional
pastoral needs at 603603-742742-3155. In cases of
emergency call Rev. Gail at 603603-674674-5455