The Church Bell
Vol. 5, No. 7
August/September 2021
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August 14th Work Day at the Church |
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In preparation for the busy fall season and Bishop John's upcoming visit, we will hold a work-day on Saturday morning, August 14th, at 9:30 a.m.
Please note that this will be a general cleaning inside the building. Most of the heavy work we would normally do (e.g trim shrubbery, clean-out cabinets, etc.) is already completed and out of the way.
With some helping hands we should be finished in about two hours.
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August 14th - Music and worship with Joey |
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Our church family is invited to an afternoon time of music and worship with Joey Smith.
Joey Smith is a local singer and guitarist and also a graduate of the Mosaic program that St. Agnes' sponsors.
The event will take place on Saturday, August 14th, 3:00 p.m. in the Firefly Gallery at the Franklin House hotel in Cowan.
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August 22nd - Visit from Bishop John |
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This fall St. Agnes' will welcome The Rev'd John Ng'oma from the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi.
Fr. John will join us in worship and participate in the ministry of the congregation during his time of study at The University of the South.
We look forward to getting a personal introduction from John. Until then, here are some details he provided to help us get better acquainted:
- The seventh born in a family of eight children
- Married to Angela and father of two children, Mayamiko and Madalitso
- Accepted God's call to the ministry of the gospel in 2006
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Ordained into the diaconate on 16th November 2008 and was assigned to serve for one year at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
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He was ordained as a priest on 22nd November 2009 and posted to Lunzu Anglican Parish where he served for five years.
- His second Parish as a Priest was at Chikwawa Anglican Parish in Chikwawa District which is located in a flood prone area of the Shire Valley.
- Studied Business Administration at the University of West Florida in Pensacola Currently assigned to Christ the King Anglican Church in Blantyre where he serves as Priest-In-Charge
- Also the Chaplain for Prisons in the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi
- Involved in charity works to provide food, clothing, and clean water.
We look forward to John's arrival and pray that he has a safe travel to Sewanee!
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September 12 - Martyrs of Memphis Sunday |
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As Tennesseans and as Episcopalians we take time in September to look back at the brave example of Constance and Her Companions: The Martyrs at Memphis.
The Yellow Fever Outbreak of 1878 put the entire city of Memphis under horrific duress with as many as 200 people dying each day.
Some 15,000 residents fled the city to avoid exposure while the city's government ceased to operate. The Tennessee General Assembly, in fact, pulled the city's charter.
A group of Episcopal nuns, the Community of St. Mary, based out of St. Mary's Cathedral in downtown Memphis, devoted themselves to caring for the sick and dying during the outbreak. In doing so, four of the nuns and two priests died after exposure to the very disease they were trying to protect others from. (Only two of the nuns survived.)
On September 9, 1878, Sister Constance, Superior of the Order, was the first to succumb to complications from Yellow Fever. For that reason, the Episcopal Church dedicates September 9th as The Feast of Constance and Her Companions: The Martyrs of Memphis.
This year, St. Agnes' will celebrate Constance and Her Companions on Sunday, September 12th. The Rev'd Dr. Linda Hutton will lead the service at the usual 11:00 a.m. Between now and then, we will coordinate an outreach project for the month of September that honors their legacy.
Indeed we are deeply concerned for the world we live in today in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, at the same time, we are deeply inspired by the faith and devotion of Constance and Her Companions who represented the church even to the point of losing their own lives. May we always treasure their beautiful legacy!
To read more about Constance and Her Companions, take a look at our dedicated page on the St. Agnes' Church website:
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September 17, 18 & 19 Fall Heritage Festival |
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St. Agnes' is a proud sponsor of the Fall Heritage Festival in downtown Cowan.
Come and celebrate the life, history, arts, and culture of the Cumberland foothills!
The festival brings music, arts, crafts, demonstrations, food and music into a weekend event for all ages.
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Please note that Tennessee Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic on the weekend of the Fall Heritage Festival.
Not to worry, there are several ways to get to St. Agnes' on Sunday, September 19th.
From Cumberland Street (the main street through town) you can turn onto Cherry, Hodges, or Poplar to reach East England where the church is located.
From Water Tank Road, simply turn onto Marquette Rd and cross the railroad on the backside of Tennessee Avenue.
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Get Ahead on Recent Sermons |
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Take full advantage of our online presence, especially if you are unable to attend services in person.
Here are some of our recent Video Sermons:
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Each and every Sunday we post the day's sermon on our Facebook page and on our YouTube channel. These posts are followed by an e-mail with video links to everyone in the congregation who was unable to attend on that particular day.
You can show your support by liking and commenting whenever you see a video sermon on YouTube and/or on Facebook. The more likes and comments we receive the more our posts will be visible to the general public.
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August/September/October Birthdays |
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August 7 - Liam Dervin
August 9 - Rose Pearson
August 29 - Duncan Weddington
August 31 - Pat Underwood
September 2 - Benjamin Money
September 2 - Sara Money
September 11 - Jo Ann Wilkerson
September 21 - Mary Pearson-Smith
September 22 - Linda Overton
October 2 - Gene Wise
October 10 - Charles Chiutulas
October 15 - Linda Hutton
October 25 - Laura Pearson-McDonald
October 29 - Cade Archer
October 30 - LaNea Cheek
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"Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand, comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and their hearts may thy peace, which passeth understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
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Updates from our church family |
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Lance Campbell was released from the hospital following a job-related injury. and is recovering at home.
We have certainly enjoyed seeing Lee and Nancy Glenn back in church! Nancy has recovered well from her fall in the early summer.
Bill Keller received an encouraging report from his recent doctor visit. Coincidentally, he was already feeling better! Bill appreciates our continuing prayers. He will soon get a referral to treat the lymph nodes and will let us know what the plan will be going forward.
Wes Nevels made a quick visit to Cowan in mid-July and visited with several members of our extended church family. He is now on a one-year overseas deployment. He will send us his address in the next month or so and we will look forward to sending him cards and care packages during his time away. Wes appreciates our prayers and friendship and looks forward to being back home in 2022.
Kathy Owens has moved back to Cowan and will remain here on a long-term basis. We are so glad to see her on Sunday's and have her as an active part of our church family again. Kathy grew up at St. Agnes' and her ancestors were founding members. Kathy's grandfather, Mr. Johnny Finchum, served as Senior Warden for over 20 years.
Steve Pearson is getting a short-term radiation treatment in addition to chemotherapy. Fortunately, he is getting good reports from his physicians and hopes to be in remission soon.
Patsy Rigsby was released from skilled care in late July and is now back at home. She appreciates our prayers this entire year.
Jo Ann Wilkerson is undergoing tests to determine if she may need cancer treatment and/or surgery. She appreciates our prayers at this difficult time.
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Dave Myers, Sharon Butler, Jo Ann WIlkerson, Harold Black Jr., Scott James, Rachel Schnabel, Joyce Adams, Joy Boswell Owens, Bob Turpin, Wynona Gibson, Brad Roberts, Steve Pearson, Dick and Mary Ann Austin, Marty Judd, Iris Ellidge, Mary McDonald, Roy Tankersley, Royana Stewart, Bill Keller, Linda Milligan, and Karen McCallie.
We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger and for those in our armed services, especially Wes Nevels.
We bless and commemorate Linda Kiningham, Mary Alice Sawyer, and Carlos Nichols who recently passed into glory.
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"O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayer, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sicknesses may be turned into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
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As all of us are aware, COVID-19 numbers are rising again throughout the nation. The members of Mission Council will monitor and discuss the situation and keep our church family informed on new and ever-changing health advisories.
At the present time (August 12, 2021), we want to remind everyone of actions we can take to ensure safety and to reduce risk from exposure:
- The use of masks is recommended, and frequent handwashing is extremely helpful;
- Hand sanitizer is available in the Nave and hand wipes are available in the parish hall;
- If you have any current or recent symptoms of illness, including fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, etc., please refrain from attending services in person;
- When attending coffee hour in the parish hall, please use the provided utensils to reduce surface contact.
We will post additional details and instructions as soon as they are available.
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Sunday Service ....................................11:00 a.m.
Sunday School .....................................10:00 a.m.
Location/Address: 105 England Street E., PO Box 356, Cowan, TN 37318
Telephone: (931) 636-6313
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The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt..................Bishop of Tennessee
The Rev'd Dr. Linda Hutton.................................Supply Priest
L. Jarod Pearson.................................................Lay Reader
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