Sunday Worship Schedule, August 7, 2022.

8:30 am OUTSIDE by the Pond, traditional service using the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal 1982 Please bring a folding chair if you have one.

10:30 am INSIDE the chapel and on zoom, typical Advocate style with blended liturgy and music using the Advocate music binders

We will continue with our summer salad potlucks following the 10:30 am service outside by the well house as the weather allows. 

Masking and other items

We are seeing a surge with this new Omicron variant in North Carolina and Orange county. Please continue to wear a well-fitting mask (N95, KN95, double masked surgical masks) when inside the chapel and the Advocate house. Inside the chapel, the masks should only be removed (if you are comfortable doing so) if you are reading a lesson or prayers of the people, and briefly removed to receive communion. 

If you have COVID symptoms or have been exposed, please stay home that day and plan to return upon testing negative. 

While it is important that we gather as the Body of Christ in worship, prayer, and praise, it is also important to do so wisely and as safely. 

And always, as a reminder, if you would like Eucharist brought to your home, please be in touch and it will be brought to you within the week.

LINKS for worship

These links are always available at TheAdvocateChurch.org (click in the red banner on the website)

10:30 Hybrid Worship

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4385682876?pwd=NW9WdnJMTmh1NlhEMkdvYmxFeXM0dz09

Meeting ID: 438 568 2876

Passcode: Whitby

Ordinary Time Liturgy Guide: https://theadvocatechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Ordinary-Time-I-2022-Liturgy-Guide.pdf

August 7 Music & Psalm Guide: https://theadvocatechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Aug-7-Music-and-Psalm-Guide.pdf

Marion on Vacation

Marion will be on vacation and at a spiritual retreat beginning August 1 and returning on August 15. Nathan Kirkpatrick will be “on-call” for any pastoral emergencies. You can reach him at [email protected] or 919-724-8871. 

Additionally, if you need an announcement to go out in the weekly email, please contact Kaitlin Smith. 

Fall Formation

There is an exciting array of opportunities for formation at The Advocate beginning the week of September 11, 2022. In addition to these times, there will be on-going ways for us to gather socially (i.e. game night, bonfires, jam sessions) throughout the fall. Look for more information on that to come. 

For events inside the Advocate house, masks will be worn except when eating.

Sundays: Critical Conversations, 9:30am-10:25am in the Advocate House

Led each week by Advocate members.

A conversation about life and faith and the lens in which we see God’s world around us.

Beginning September 11, 2022

Mondays: Creativity and Prayer, 7:00pm-8:15pm for Six Sessions via Zoom

Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct. 17, Oct. 31, and Nov. 14

Led by Sallie Moore ([email protected]) Please email Sallie to sign up.

   In this group we will use Julia Cameron’s most recent book, “Seeking Wisdom, A Spiritual Path to Creative Connection”, to explore the relationship between spirituality and creativity, with an emphasis on how prayer in its various forms - petition, gratitude, and praise - enhances the creative process. What prayer practices do you have? Do these prayer practices deepen your creative practice? In what way is your creative activity a prayer in itself? These are the kinds of questions we will consider.

     Are you saying “This isn’t for me. I’m not creative”? Yes you are. We all have gifts - our jobs, hobbies, relationships, what we wear, even our chores, reflect our individual creativity. Besides we’re going to talk about prayer.

     Or, “I’ve participated in groups based on her work before. There’s too much to do”. The bar is low for this group. There are a number of practices discussed, some familiar to Artist Way readers and some new. Do what you want, try something new, share your experience…It’s not homework. 

     “Do I have to buy the book?” Totally up to you. People may want to share copies. The leader plans to share key passages in order to facilitate our conversations. The hope is that the discussion will have a life of its own! 

Tuesdays: The B-I-B-L-E!, 7:00pm-8:00pm  via Zoom

Led by Sarah Swann and Marion Sprott-Goldson

 Reading deeply and conversationally through scripture. No need to prep ahead of time. We will take a small portion each week to digest and to ask questions along the way. All you have to do is to show up!

Beginning September 12

Wednesdays: Readers’ Roundtable, 7:00pm-8:30pm, monthly on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month, at The Advocate House

Led by Hilda Bukowski

This group gathers once per month for a lively and engaging book discussion. Books are determined by those in the group.

Beginning September 21

Thursdays: Savoring God's Creation, 6:00 pm, every other week at the Advocate House

Led by Dan LaVenture

Advocates are people who eat together; it's just what we do! In this gathering, we will explore how our faith is lived out in our kitchens and dining rooms as we savor the gift of Creation through food. Our guide will be The Supper of the Lamb, a book by the witty and whimsical Fr. Robert F. Capon––an Episcopal priest!––that will certainly stir your heart. Our group will focus on both contemplative and practical questions––exploring how our relationship with food should be transformed by our understanding of God, while also beginning to imagine the ways we can continue to practice this vision together as a church community. 

Beginning September 15

Advo-Dinners, 7:00-8:30 pm, at the Advocate House

The Church of the Advocate has a long history of eating together––just like the early Church! This Fall, we will be reiterating upon the Advocate tradition of meeting in the house for a weeknight meal to share stories around the table. Folks are invited to bring a dish––or just themselves!––to share in fellowship as we practice holy listening. Each week, a member of the group will offer a prompt that everyone will be invited, though it is not mandatory, to respond to. We will close each meeting by saying Compline together before we leave.

For the sake of the members of our community, we ask that all refrain from

bringing wine or other alcoholic beverages.

Beginning September 15

Food Distribution at Rogers Road Community Center

No food distribution in July or August. Will resume in September: date TBD

Getting the gang together again!

Looking towards worship in the fall, I'm looking for folks who would like to serve as a crucifer (sometime to process the cross in worship), gospel bearer (to carry the gospel in procession and at the time of reading the gospel), and server (someone to assist in setting the altar at communion time). These are wonderful ways for folks of any and all ages to take on additional roles in the liturgy. If this is something you've done before and would like to do it again, LET'S GO! If you are still reading this and your interest is piqued, LET'S GO!

Training will be provided in late August, but if you could be in touch with Marion (to gauge interest) that would be fabulous. 

LET'S GO!

Rounding up Readers

Readers' Roundtable to begin September 21

The Readers’ Roundtable will resume meeting this fall beginning September 21. The group gathers once a month on Wednesdays for fellowship and inspiring, lively book discussions. All are welcome!

The September 21 meeting will be in person at 7:00 pm at the Advocate (masks will be worn). We will address organizational matters as well as discuss our first book. Please submit book suggestions via email to Hilda Bukowski, [email protected] by August 1. Hilda will compile the suggestions and a brief Amazon synopsis of each book, then email the list to all who are interested in participating. We will vote via email for three books, one each for September, October, and November. Finally, if you would like to take the leadership chair for the Readers’ Roundtable for awhile, please contact Marion or Hilda.

Finally, while we plan this in person, we are aware that living in uncertain times we may have to shift to zoom as life unfolds. 

Healing Prayer

Many years ago (before we were meeting in our beloved chapel) a team of two Advocates were available for healing prayer during communion. There has been a desire for this ministry to begin again, and we are looking for folks who would like to minister in this particular way. This is a chance to be with and listen deeply to each other in good times and in sorrowful times. 

If this is of interest to you (or you would like to know more information), please be in touch with Kerry Bullock-Ozkan or Marion. There will be training provided.