FIND THE HIDDEN PICTURE
Find the hidden “Episcopal shield” in this
newsletter. Be the first to email the office at:
[email protected] with I
FOUND IT in the memo line, and include
a description of where you found it in the
email...and win a special prize.
March Winner: Jerry DeBerry
The Rev. Samuel Rodman
was elected XII Bishop
Diocesan of the Diocese of
North Carolina. In addition
to the address he gave at
the Convention, here are
some words to the people of the Diocese: "I am deeply honored and grateful
Living as Revolutionary People
a letter from our Rector
Easter Day is almost here. It is one of the most
glorious days of the church year, and the pews
will be filled and the energy of the celebration
after 40 days of Lent will be very palpable. Additionally, this year we will baptize 6 people at
the Easter Vigil, marking each of them with the
life giving seal of the cross and proclaiming that
they are Christ’s own forever. It will be a glorious day of celebration indeed!
Jesus started a movement, and the people of His
movement are called not only to follow Him, but
to live lives that continue this revolution and
change the world.
And when the liturgies are
over, then what? After the
incense has dissipated, and
after the crowds have left,
what will people see in us as
we go about our daily lives?
Will they see the resurrected
people of God, or will we look
like everyone else? Will they
see a people of hope or will
they see a people of despair?
Most importantly, will they see
people who follow Jesus Christ
and only Him, or will they see
people who proclaim Jesus and
yet follow after our own idols?
A mistake some western churches have made in
recent years is teaching that Jesus’ death is only
about our own personal salvation. While this is
part of the work of the cross, God’s plan is much
bigger, and we need to stop
limiting God’s plan. If the
cross is just about personal
salvation and thus exclusively about us individually getting to heaven someday
when we die, then we can go
about our business as usual
and nothing more is required
from us. But if God’s plan
is to renew heaven and earth,
to renew our lives and creation itself, to bring heaven
and earth and all of God’s
people together, and for us
to live as the image bearers
of Jesus, than perhaps more
is required of us and there is
more work for us to do!
Jesus has started a revolution. He is remaking heaven and earth, and He is
working through us for His purposes. You and I
are His people of revolution. When people see
us in our daily lives, is that what they see?
“...After the incense
has dissipated, and
after the crowds
have left, what will
people see in us as
we go about our
daily lives? “
Part of my own personal Lenten discipline has been to spend more time in
intentional reading. Recently I have gotten away
from reading, mostly due to my schedule, but
partly due to my own laziness. The book I am
currently in the middle of is written by N.T.
Wright and is entitled The Day the Revolution
Began. It is an amazing book and I commend it
to you for your reading if you are looking for a
theological resource. Wright’s premise of this
book is that Jesus has started a movement, a
revolutionary movement, and is calling people
together who would otherwise never connect
together to build heaven on earth. By His actions on the cross, Jesus has instituted a new
world and an entirely new way of being; in essence a new way of being fully human.
-Fr. Todd
[email protected]
+
and, with God’s help, I accept this call to be
your next Bishop Diocesan, in North Carolina. The prospect of
following and building
upon the leadership
and legacy of Bishop
Michael Curry is both
humbling and inspiring….”
“As we look ahead
together, our call to be the Body of Christ
at this time in North Carolina brings with it
some unique challenges: among them the
divisive political climate in our country,
tensions around racial injustice and economic inequity, and the so-called narrative
of decline in the life of the church. And yet
across the Diocese I see signs of hope,
deeper engagement with communities we
serve, new models for mission being offered
and tested, the gospel promise reminding us
that 'all things hold together in
Christ'….Prayer will continue to be at the
heart of our common life as we begin this
journey together.”
Visit http://www.episdionc.org/ for more
information on Bishop Rodman
Attention ALL LADIES of the parish:
Mark your calendars for the ECW
FALL RETREAT being planned for
September 22-24 in BLOWING ROCK.
More details to come.
Maggie’s Monthly
REMINDER:
Parish Day of Service is set for
Saturday, May 6th.
Join us for Holy Week:
Palm Sunday, 4/9: 7:45, 9:00 & 11:15 am
Maundy Thursday, 4/13: 7:00 pm
Good Friday, 4/14: 12:00 noon & 7:00 pm
Easter Vigil, 4/15: 8:00 pm*
Easter Day, 4/16: 9:00 am & *11:15 am
*with incense
A day of outreach & fellowship you won’t
want to miss. Projects will be coordinated
in various corners of our community.
Be on the look out for more details!
Fr. Lito’s Letter
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
by The Reverend Father Lito Santos+
Parish-Wide Day of Service is set for
Saturday, May 6th
Assistant to the Rector for Pastoral Care & Christian Formation
“open your eyes, alert the ears of your spirit, open your lips
and apply your heart so that in all creatures you may see,
hear, praise, love and worship, glorify and honor your God,
lest the whole world rise against you.” Bonaventure, Bonaventure:
The Soul’s Journey to God, I, 14, trans. Ewert Cousins (Paulist Press: 1978), 1,
15, 67-68.
Be alive and conscious of your surroundings is the invitation that Easter brings into our lives each year.
Walk with confidence and determination each day. You are more than the sum of what you own or
know. You are the image of God.
Our world offers a lot of distractions and temptations. We are daily bombarded by corruptness and
darkness that are shoved into our eyes and ears. The noise of the day overwhelms us and we are challenged to find our center to remain strong in the midst of all the negativity and evil around us.
We are not expected to escape this world but we are reminded to remain vigilant, conscious and aware
that our faith offers a powerful alternative so that we may live our lives in a way that people who have
no faith may see that what we have is genuinely good and beautiful making them curious and crave
for. Our call is to live a life filled with joy, confidence and contentment so that the loud and darkened
voices of our current culture would be exposed to the light from within that emanates from the powerful presence of the Risen Christ in our lives.
We need to fully live as people of the Resurrection. Our lives should truly
proclaim that Christ is risen indeed and we are alive in Him. ALLELUIA!
-
Fr. Lito+
[email protected]
From the Deacon’s Desk
by The Reverend Suzanne Lee Bruno
Assistant to the Rector for Outreach & Missions
Join your fellow parishioners for our 2nd
Day of Service! You will be able to
choose from our menu of community
service projects which will include projects at: St. Margaret’s, Galilee Ministries, Turning Point, A Shepherd’s Place,
Brookhaven, Waltonwood and several
other locations. Most projects will
begin at 9am.
Participants are invited to arrive at the
church at 8:00 am for a group prayer by
the red doors, followed by a Fellowship
Walk on the church grounds….then
head out to your day of service assigned
work site having started your day with
prayer and some exercise!
After all work sites are completed, everyone is invited back to the church for a
complimentary pizza lunch and fellowship. Look for registration to begin in
early April.
Please contact Traci Scott at:
[email protected] or Penny Feldser at:
[email protected] if
you have questions or
would like to volunteer to
be a project leader.
“…shake the dust off your feet…”
There was once a country grandfather who took his grandson to town on a donkey. He started off letting his grandson ride the
donkey as he walked alongside. Somebody passed by and said ”Look at
that selfish boy making that old man walk.”
The grandfather heard it and took the boy off. Then he rode
the donkey as his grandson walked by his side. Somebody came along and said, “Look at that man
making that little boy walk while he rides.”
Hearing that, the grandfather pulled the little boy up with him, and they both started riding
the donkey. In a few minutes another person said, “How cruel of you and the boy to place such a
heavy load on the donkey.”
By the time they got to town, the grandfather and grandson were carrying the donkey!
The point is that no matter what you do, you will never please everybody. You may as well
accept the fact that even when you do the best you can, some will find fault with you, and that’s okay.
They have a right to have their opinions, and you have a right to ignore them.”
(Author unknown)
In Matthew Chapter 10 we find Jesus sending out his disciples with a list of instructions. In verse 14, he says, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the
dust off your feet as you leave that house or town.” Good advice for us to heed too. As the above
story cleverly illustrates, we will never please everybody. We have a choice as to what we do
with others’ judgements and displeasure: do we dwell on them and let them dim our light OR
do we “shake the dust off our feet” and move forward, allowing them their perspective but
being steadfast in our belief or endeavor. Ultimately the ONE whom you and I should be concerned about pleasing is God…Jesus instructs us to “shake the dust off our feet” and continue
faithfully as his disciple.
Next week we will meet Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and hear those words of
surrender, “…Not my will, but your will be done.” Then from the Cross, “Into your hands I
commend my spirit.” Jesus has set the example for us of whom we are to please.
So, “shake the dust off your feet,” and keep your eyes on Jesus!
-Deacon Susie
[email protected]
Sincere thanks to all who
participated in any way at March
26th’s Rise Against Hunger packaging event. Special thanks to Paul
Anderson, who served as oversight
coordinator from set up through
clean up.
It was wonderful to see so many
families working together on behalf
of the hungry of this world.
Since Lent of 2011, St. Margaret’s
has now packaged 166,356 meals.
As our banner says,
“Jesus is served here.”
VESTRY This column has been requested
a view from the VESTRY
by parishioners to inform the
parish on votes taken at recent
Vestry Business meetings.
Kathy Cornell, Senior Warden & Pastoral Care oversight
Vestry Business meetings are held in the Choir
Room on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00
pm. *Business meeting minutes are kept in the
church office and are accessible to anyone interested in reading more about the motions and
votes discussed at recent meetings.
 Outreach & Missions Budget Proposal
submitted by O&M Coordinators was reviewed and approved.
 Ben Scott, Troop 24, Eagle Scout Project
proposal presentation on “little community
pantry” to be constructed and added to
StM campus in early summer. Approved
to move ahead with idea.
 Revised financial policy reviewed and revisions noted. Red lines to be submitted to
finance committee for final edit.
 Discussion on what next step should be in
getting “Hansen Hall” to become a reality.
 Reminder of Bishop’s Visit on 4/23.
Special thanks to
Karen Schaphorst and
her team of volunteers
who cooked for & served
our neighbors in need
on 3/28.
-Kathy
YOUTH Spotlight
by Elizabeth Pfeifer, Assistant to the Rector for Youth Ministries
[email protected]
EYC will meet from 5-6:30pm with dinner 6:30-7pm on April 2nd and 9th before
taking a break for Easter. We will meet on April 23rd and 30th. Hope to see you at a
meeting!
Thank you to all the youth who signed up for an EYC Lenten Service Project. We had
great turnout for these projects and I'm so thankful to all of you for carving out time in
your schedules to support our community. In March we prepared and served lunch at
the Union County Community Shelter, prepped and planted in the StM Giving Garden,
manned water stations at the Heart for Monroe Follow Your Heart 5K in Monroe (the
race raised funds for UCPS Title I schools and more) and assisted at
a mobile food bank through Second Harvest.
We now have details for the final two projects: Mon and Wed, April
10th and 12th (spring break week). We will serve at the Union County Community Shelter both days in a variety of possible jobs. We
will meet at 9am at the church, serve from 9:30am-12:30pm and then
have lunch together (provided by the church). Youth can be picked
up at 2pm. If you're in town, please come spend one of the days with
Elizabeth! To sign up, visit: https://stm.breezechms.com/form/
eyclent
70 people at the Union
County Community
Shelter were served by
our StM volunteer
team. There was plenty
of food for everyone…
even seconds!
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast 4.23.16
EYC prepped and planted in the Giving Garden, March 2017
www.saintmargarets.net
RECTOR
THE REVEREND FR. TODD R. DILL
[email protected]
ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR
FOR PASTORAL CARE & C HRISTIAN F ORMATION
THE REVEREND FR. LITO SANTOS
[email protected]
ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR
FOR O UTREACH & M ISSIONS
THE REVEREND S UZANNE LEE B RUNO
Wednesday service goers pose with Flat Maggie
APRIL Calendar
4/1
4/1
4/2
4/4
4/5
4/4
4/4
4/8
4/8
4/9
4/13
4/14
4/15
4/15
4/15
4/16
4/21
4/22
4/23
4/27-29
[email protected]
Funeral Mass for Richard Jordan, Sr, 11:00 am.
Chapel Mass, 5:30 pm
Club 4-5 meets at 12:30 in the Parish Hall
Tuesday afternoon Bible Study with Father Lito, 12:30 pm in the Parish Hall
Confirmation Class,7:00 pm
Thursday evening Bible Study with Father Todd, 7:00 pm in the Youth Room
Living Your Strengths, final class for spring session, 7:00 pm in the Choir Room
Men’s Group monthly fellowship breakfast, 8:00 am in the Parish Hall
DOK Quiet Day, 9:30 am in the Parish Hall
Palm Sunday, three service schedule: 7:45, 9:00 & 11;15
Maundy Thursday, service at 7:00 pm - followed by overnight Prayer Vigil
Good Friday, services at 12:00 noon & 7:00 pm
Baptism Rehearsal, 9:30 am in the church
Easter Egg Hunt, 10:00 am on front campus
Easter Vigil, 8:00 pm service *with incense
Easter Sunday, services at 9:00 am & *11:15 am (*with incense)
Safe Church Training, 8:30 am in the Youth Room
Helping Hands Family Outreach Project, 10:00 am in the Parish Hall
Bishop’s Visit
Troop 101 BBQ Fundraiser
SAVE THE DATE:
May Sages (Special Activities Geared to Engage Seniors) will be heading out
to the Community Culinary School of Charlotte 9315-D Monroe, NC.
Early sign up will be necessary as they only have 22 seats available for this
event. (Chef’s Learning Lab). Cut off date will be May 4th, so sign up
early. (Find sign up sheet outside church office) The cost per person is $12.00 due at the time of
the event at the Culinary School. Entrees will be ordered off the menu, and an appetizer and
a dessert will be served as well. The chefs will talk about the program.
HEALTH TIPS of the month
by Jane Knight, RN Faith Community (Parish) Nurse
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Keep Your Immune System Charged!
Get vaccinated!
Work up a sweat! Helps the body fight respiratory infection.
Get enough sleep!
Eat lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains!
Load up on Vitamin D!
Decrease alcohol intake!
Don’t smoke!
Practice a hobby!
From SCCL Healthy Share
DIRECTOR OF M USIC
M ARA DELUCA
[email protected]
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR
J OANIE CAMERON
[email protected]
ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR
FOR Y OUTH M INISTRIES
ELIZABETH PFEIFER
[email protected]
ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR
FOR P RESCHOOL M INISTRIES
DANA PLATE’
[email protected]
ASSISTANT TO THE RECTOR FOR
F INANCE & ACCOUNTING
DENISE K ILINISKI
[email protected]
2017 VESTRY
K ATHARINE CORNELL
M ASON A LEXANDER
P HIL HEJL
LINDA JENSEN
DEBBIE M ARCHAND
J ANET M ILLS
KIM O WENS
M ATTHEW S AUNDERS
TRICIA S MITH
WARREN M CD ONALD, T REASURER
Can you sit ONE HOUR?
We are looking for people to
sit in vigil with the reserved
sacrament after the Maundy
Thursday service on 4/13
through the 4/14 Good Friday
noon service begins.
See sign up poster in the
narthex. We need at
least two people per
hour, but more are
always welcome.
Love Jesus.
Love your neighbor.
Bless the world.