The Church Bell
Vol. 7, No. 4
Mid-Summer Updates 2023
July 23: Commemoration of Lee Glenn
On Sunday, July 23rd, St. Agnes' will offer a special commemoration of Mr. Robert Lee Glenn, III during the 11:00 service.

Members of the Glenn family will then host a meal and a time of fellowship in the church parish hall.

We are forever grateful for Lee's friendship over the years.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Obituary:

Robert Lee Glenn III, age 92 of Winchester, passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 19, 1930, to the late Robert Lee and Rosa Celestine (Greene) Glenn II. Robert was a 1957 graduate of the University of the South, where he earned the title of Little All American Football and had served as the president of the Sewanee Alumni Association. He served his country in the United States Marines in combat during the Korean Conflict. Until his retirement, Robert had been employed as a manager in the Insurance Industry. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing handball. Robert was a member of St. Agnes Episcopal Church in Cowan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sarah Ellen Mazeika; and son-in-law, John Kastrinos. Robert is survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years, Nancy Glenn; children, Susan Kastrinos, Nancy (Frank) Molali, and Robert (Karen) Glenn IV; and six grandchildren. A Private service for the family is planned for a later date in Birmingham, Alabama. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com.
Our beloved Fr. Wise
On Tuesday morning, July 11th, we received the news that The Rev'd Gene Wise passed into glory after several months of declining health.

We are forever grateful to Fr. Wise for his dynamic ministry at St. Agnes' and for his friendship to the congregation.

Fr. Wise came to St. Agnes' as a supply priest from 2009 through 2017. Shortly after leaving the supply role at St. Agnes, Gene and Janelee relocated to Florida to be closer to their immediate family. We have remained in contact since that time and covered Fr. Wise in our prayers during his time of declining health.

We are always sad to lose someone so dear to our extended family, and we also rejoice in his presence our Lord and Savior. May he rest in peace and rise in glory!
Obituary:


The Reverend Eugene F Wise, Jr. (Gene) died on July 11, 2023 after a long illness at his home in Lithia, FL. He was born on October 2, 1937 in Orlando, FL. Gene is survived by his wife of 62 years, Janelee; their daughter, Kelle Schnabel and her husband, Richard, of Valrico, FL, and two granddaughters, Rachel Schnabel of Valrico, FL, and Rebecca McClintic and her husband, John, of Tempe, AR.

Gene served as the Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Murfreesboro, TN from November 1991 until February 2007. He became Rector Emeritus upon his retirement. Gene served in the United States Marine Corps and later graduated from Florida State University with a BS in Business. He spent 20 years in the insurance industry. He graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1984 and served churches in Lake Worth and West Palm Beach, FL before accepting a call to St. Paul's. During retirement he also served as Priest at St. Agnes, Cowan, TN.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 116 N Academy St., Murfreesboro, TN on Saturday, July 29th at 1:00 pm. A reception in the Parish Hall will follow the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Memorial Fund or Suncoast Hospice of Hillsborough, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.
July 29th Service at St. Paul's
July 30th Commemoration at St. Agnes'
A group of St. Agnes' parishioners are planning to attend the memorial service at St. Paul's on Saturday the 29th. Anyone who would like to share a ride should reach out to Jarod as soon as possible. Simply reply to this email or leave a voicemail at (931) 636-6313.

The service at St. Paul's will be video streamed as well.

For those who are unable to attend, we will offer a special commemoration during the 11:00 am Sunday service at St. Agnes' on July 30th.
Happy Trails to Fr. John!
On July 2nd our church family gave a Fr. John Ng'oma a farewell prayer for safe travel and a fruitful ministry.

Later that week, John arrived back home in Malawi to reconnect with family and return to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament in his home diocese.

We are still in contact with John and still sharing in the bonds of fellowship in spite of the thousands of miles between us now.

Through the remainder of the summer season we are sharing in the ministry with Fr. Julius Chunga. With God's help Julius was able to extend his summer stay in Sewanee and help St. Agnes' cover our need for Word and Sacrament.

Fr. Sam Ponniah will return to St. Agnes' September 2023 and continue to provide a supply ministry here until the middle of 2024.
August 4th Back to School Bash
Various churches and organizations in Cowan will participate in a Back to School Bash on Friday, August 4th. We encourage everyone to take a look at the school supply list and bring one or more items to support the cause. Simply bring everything to St. Agnes' and we will take them from there.
"Top Shelf" Food Drive
We need to replenish our inventory for ourTop Shelf Food Drive at St. Agnes'.

Here are some suggested items we are collecting and distributing during the Summer months:
  • canned meats (ham, potted meat, chicken, Vienna sausage, SPAM, etc.)
  • canned soups
  • canned vegetables
  • gelatin and pudding mixes
  • macaroni and cheese
  • peanut butter
  • crackers

Besides bringing items to the Top Shelf, please let us know of individuals in need and help us get these items to them.
Get Ahead on Recent Sermons
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:
Mid-to-Late Summer Birthdays
July 21 - Nancy Glenn
July 27 - Alice Black

August 7 - Liam Dervin
August 9 - Rose Pearson
August 29 - Duncan Weddington
August 31 - Pat Underwood

September 2 - Ben Money
September 2 - Sara Money
September 11 - Joanne Wilkerson
September 21 - Mary Pearson-Smith
September 22 - Linda Overton
September 22 - Mickey Scott

***

"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."
Updates from our extended family
John Armstrong, who has been in our prayers since a serious car accident in the late Spring, is recovering well and will hopefully return to full-time work in August.

Wynona Gibson reached out and reported that she had two recent hospital stays. Our continuing prayers are always appreciated.

Bill Keller is getting situated in his new home! Bless the Lord! And he also reported that several of his recent medical tests show marked improvement in several areas. Although he is not in remission, he has some good indicators. For this good news we are truly grateful!

Jarod and Fr. John Ng'oma visited Linda Milligan at her home for prayer and Holy Communion. Linda is preparing for a surgery and hoping for a timely recovery.

Laura Pearson McDonald is home recovering from a recent surgery. She's hoping that this procedure will improve her health both short and long term.

Jarod and Fr. John also visited Pat Underwood in her home for prayer and Holy Communion. Pat is doing fair overall and appreciates our continuing fellowship during her health struggle.

Bruce and Mary Smith sadly reported the passing of Bruce's father, Ron Smith, on June 30th. Members of the congregation sent a card to Bruce and Mary and to Bruce's mother, Linda. Please continue to hold the Smith family in prayer as they grieve Ron's passing.
We Uphold in Prayer
Laura Pearson McDonald, Tony Newmann, John Armstrong, Pam Peck, Bobbie Boswell, Leanna Morris, Kathy Owens, Tim Money, Shane O'Dear, Cash Bissey, Heather Martin, Nancy Glenn, Steve and Rose Pearson, Harold Black Jr., Scott James, Wynona Gibson, Marty Judd, Iris Ellidge, Mary McDonald, Roy Tankersley, Bill Keller, and Linda Milligan.

We pray continually for Christians around the world in grave danger.

We pray for those in our armed services, especially Cody Murphy and Anthony Russell.

We bless and commemorate Fr. Gene Wise, Lee Glenn, Jo Ed Williams, Ron Smith, Jim Yokely, and Tina Payne who recently passed into glory.

***

"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."
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
The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt..................Bishop of Tennessee

The Rev'd Sam Ponniah.....................................Visiting Priest

L. Jarod Pearson.................................................Lay Reader