There was no Scribe published for January 2008
| May, 2008 Vol 8 #4 |
is St. Thomas' monthly newsletter. It is published on or before first
Sunday of the month
and contains information and articles of interest to the parishioners and
friends of St. Thomas of the Valley.
For information on "due dates" and input requirements please click
here.
Below is the text of the current Scribe without any graphics.
THE MESSAGE
Casting Stones
We’re all familiar with the story in John 8 of Jesus confronting the self-righteous elders who were about to stone a woman whom they were sure had sinned, and of Jesus saying to them "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
We humans like a good, story--the more lurid, the better. For some reason we’d rather hear and believe bad things about a person than good things, and then we take what we hear or what we think we’ve seen, as the truth without really knowing the whole story. Because of this, we frequently find ourselves condemning or disparaging other people even though we don’t have all the facts.
Unfortunately, that condemning and disparaging usually turns into ugly and vicious gossip and rumors. In the end, irreparable harm can be done to a person or that person’s integrity, even though the truth may be much different than what we believe. We start casting stones without having the authority to do so, and a stone once thrown is impossible to take back just as a reputation once ruined is almost impossible to restore.
Every one of us have acted in a way or said something big or small during our lives that we later regretted. All of us have been in situations that could be misinterpreted by another person (and probably were) who didn’t know what was really going on.
None of us is perfect, and none of us knows what another person is actually going through or their desperation in their trials. Rather than throwing stones at others, we should be praying for them, and not listening to or spreading rumors and gossip, no matter who or what the source. Remember that as you judge others, so will you be judged, and keep in mind that someone who loudly castigates another frequently has an ulterior agenda or something to hide themselves.
Even if the stories turn out to be true, we are still commanded to show the love of Christ, which doesn’t mean we accept what has happened as okay, but rather that as Christ did we still love the person. In addition, don't forget that numerous places in scripture caution us not to have anything to do with rumors or gossip.
Keep in mind that after the chastised elders had left the scene, leaving the woman with no one to condemn her, Jesus told the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again" and that is how we, as the representatives of Christ to the world, should act.
In Christ’s love,
John
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VESTRY NEWS
Senior Warden’s Corner
A few weeks ago Dave and I had the opportunity to visit High Valley Ranch in northern California for a week dedicated to self-development. This conference was sponsored by a regional seminar company and had no religious affiliation.
The week was filled with many challenges, physical as well as mental. Some days were spent outside; others were spent inside doing classroom activities. Morning walks were meant to be both silent and meditative. Some activities were designed to be individual in nature; others were team-based and supported; and some were done with a "buddy" with whom you matched yourself that week.
The culmination of all the work was experienced the day we did "high ropes" activities. Now, most of you are unaware that I have a "moderate" fear of heights. I say moderate because if I am inside a tall building, I am not so bothered by it. But if I am standing unconstrained, I start feeling dizzy and my apprehension goes through the roof. You probably know where this is headed, since I just mentioned high ropes a minute ago!
We actually had three different high ropes activities that day. The first one was done with my buddy, so I muddled through it. When we arrived at the next venue, I saw a tall pole – approximately 50 feet high. I immediately told the coordinator that I was opting out of climbing that pole. But as I stood there and watched, I felt a slight tap on my shoulder. I looked around and no one was there. (Yea, right!) "Footprints" came to mind. I then knew that if I climbed that pole I was definitely going to have company. So I went back to the coordinator and told her I’d like to try it. She smiled and sagely said, "Go as far as you can, and when you think you can’t go anymore, take one more step." Up I went! Up and Up. I actually made it to the top of the pole! And it was quite a view from up there!
But that was not all. The final activity called for each person to lean forward over a cliff with arms spread, while hooked to a safety harness attached to a huge rock behind you. This was a little over the top for me (pardon the pun!). There was only one thing I could do, once they attached the harness. I clasped my hands together bent my head, closed my eyes, and I prayed. With God’s hand on my shoulder, I didn’t go all the way to the edge, but I was darn close!
Thinking back on these experiences, I was indeed proud that I overcame at least a fair amount of the fear I possessed about heights. But more importantly, it came home to me, yet once more, that there is NOTHING we achieve without God in our corner. Indeed,... "when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you!"
Rita
Treasurer’s Report:
Month
End
Month End
Feb. 29,
2008
In
Out
Mar. 31, 2008
Money Market $25,691.58 $408.68 $0.00 $ 26,100.26
Checking Account $17,838.01 $11,462.65 ($ 11,150.58) $18,150.08
Edward Jones CD $21,547.77 $144.74 $0.00 $21,692.85
Total Assets $65,077.36 $ 65,942.85
Membership Committee
To fund this project we have applied to the Diocese for a grant from the New Growth Initiative funds, and we are awaiting word from the Diocesan Council on approval of our request. The available funds are quite limited and we have indications that only 80% of our request would be funded. That leaves us with a shortfall for printing expenses of about (plus/minus) $500.00.
As the Bishop’s Committee (Vestry) is working with a deficit budget this year, it is appropriate to seek additional support from the parish at large. We are seeking your support directly by contribution earmarked for the Visitor’s brochure and Newcomer’s booklet. Please make your contribution directly to St. Thomas of the Valley – Visitor/Newcomer fund. And, thank you for your support.
George Howard,
Membership Committee
ST. THOMAS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Try it! You'll Like It
Both of these services originated from the early "Daily Offices" or "Divine Offices" that were a series of seven periods of daily worship traditionally required to be observed by clergy and monastics. The original offices consisted of Prime - upon arising; Mattins - at sunrise; Lauds - after breakfast (the public morning service); Terce - at the 3rd hour (9am); Sext - at before retiring at days end. In most modern practices these offices have been reduced to the three services of Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer (sometimes called Evensong), and Compline.
Take a midweek spiritual break and come out and join us. You'll be glad you did.
UTO
The mission of the United Thank Offering is to expand the circle of the thankful people. To achieve this mission we encourage daily prayers, offerings, and an awareness of the abundance of God's blessing. Every penny of your thank offering goes to support grants for ministries at home and overseas. St. Thomas' U.T.O. will be held on May 11. Your participation will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Janet Shreve
ST. Thomas Library
ECW Library Work Group (Barbara Evans, Anne Howard, Georgia Phelps, Barbara Warren)
ECW
"A Sweet Treat" for Mother's Day
"A Sweet Treat" will be presented on Sunday afternoon, May 11 at 3 P.M., in the Parish Hall of St. Thomas of the Valley Episcopal Church in Clarkdale. This musical treat will be a collection of old familiar and much-loved show tunes and popular ballads. It will include inspirational, sentimental, patriotic, and traditional favorites. Sweeter yet, there is no cost: no tickets, no collection.
Performers for this special program are vocalists who are well-known in the Verde Valley: Joy Simons, Mary Johnson, Susan Mitchell, Joel Eide, and Jake Baker. Accompanists include Diane Eide and Mary Clabaugh.
Following the program, the Episcopal Church Women will provide refreshments. This lovely afternoon is a gift to the community and is open to one and all.
Laughs and Lunch With Friends
Joy Henderson
Doing the Can-Can
Please bring your bagged ALUMINUM cans and drop them off at the outside corner of the parish hall and we'll take it from there.
Please remember, ALUMINUM cans only.
ACOLYTES
My plea for additional acolyte help has been ignored by most people. Come on guys, would one Sunday every month or two hurt you to serve your church. It doesn't cost anything but an hour of your time, and it is not hard work. (Even a caveman could do it!) You are at church anyway so just change your seat for one week. Truly, I am not as mean as some people would have you think. I will gladly work with you on scheduling your days.
You are making our young people feel that being an acolyte is an inferior job that an adult would not consider doing. When in fact it is one of the most important positions in our church. Go to any Episcopal Church in the world and you will find adult acolytes. Many of you men have said to me " I was an acolyte when I was a kid " so what's wrong with being an acolyte again? Not many times you can go back in life to something that was so meaningful to you as a kid.
If I do not hear from more of you, welllllll..... we won't go there just yet. Please give it a try and if you are uncomfortable, I promise not to make you serve anymore, but try it--you might like it.
Martha
STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH
A Prayer For Those Who Are Suffering
From www.explorefaith.org
Submitted by Anne Howard
INSPIRATIONAL NOTES
Be On Your Guard
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church
in Houston, Texas.
Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet."
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change."
The driver, with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday."
When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, "Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter."
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians and will put us to the test!
Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself " Christian."
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words ; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not PROTECT you.... Stay FAITHFUL and Be GRATEFUL!
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS
May 4 Dinah & Jim Gemmill
May 11 Joy Henderson, Shirley Smith
May 18 Stacy & Reed Kramer
May 25 Pat & Winn Hjalmarson
VERSE OF THE MONTH
Some Things To Remember
Remember, Christian Soul, That thou hast this day, and every day of thy life:
God to glorify; Jesus to imitate; A soul to save; A body to mortify; Sins to repent of;
Virtues to acquire; Hell to avoid; Heaven to gain; Eternity to prepare for; Time to profit by;
Neighbors to edify; The world to despise; Devils to combat; Passions to subdue; Death, perhaps, to suffer;
Judgment to undergo.
From the St. Augustine's Prayer Book via Susan Mitchell
If you have a favorite verse of scripture and
would like to share it with your parish family, please either leave it in the
Scribe mailbox or E-mail it to Susan Schaefer at 
Article Submission Guidelines
We encourage and welcome not only information about activities
at St. Thomas but also inspirational material. Items for the
need to be submitted as early as possible, but no later than the date
shown below or they most likely will not get published in that issue.
| For issue of | Articles due by | For issue of | Articles due by | |
| January | Not Published | July | Not Published | |
| February | January 25 | August | July 27 | |
| March | February 25 | September | August 24 | |
| April | March 24 | October | September 28 | |
| May | April 27 | November | October 26 | |
| June | May 25 | December | November 23 |
Articles and news may be submitted via hard copy by leaving them in
mailbox in the narthex or via email message or attached computer file, emailed to the editor, Susan
Schaefer at
or left on a diskette in the
mailbox.
Please put your name and phone number on all items submitted so
that you can be contacted if there are any questions.
Any of the following file
formats are acceptable: MS Word, Lotus WordPro, Word Perfect, plain ASCII
text (".TXT" format) are preferred. If you have something else you
can probably save your work in one of these formats.
If you only have MS WORKS
please note that files from MS Works usually do not
import well so if you use MS Works save them to "text", MS Word, or or
"RTF" format. Please
do not use "fancy fonts or formatting as we only have to strip them out.
The same goes for
printed submission copies. Printed submissions should be typed or NEATLY hand
written on plain white
paper without fancy formatting.
Submissions via email (just put the text of your article
in the body of the message) are the easiest to work with.
If you wish to submit pictures or artwork they can be submitted
as hard copy which can be scanned and returned to you (the preferred method of
submission) or in "gif" or
"jpg" file format. Submitting hard copy artwork allows us to
"tweak" the picture for best reproduction. However, if you plan on submitting hard copy artwork
or pictures please allow additional time for them to be scanned. If you
have any questions regarding formats acceptable, or need any help with your
submission call or email John Schaefer by clicking here.
|
Remember that |
Updated 2008-05-02