November 4, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ:

It has become clear to me that some downsizing around the parish is necessary. We can't do things the way we used to, given the shortage of folks willing and available. So, we'll be making some changes this month which reflect our new reality, and taking advantage of the opportunity to rethink old patterns. The most adorable change will be that Mackenzie will lead our triumphant 10 o'clock procession back to the High Altar, where we'll celebrate the Eucharist for the first time since March 2020. (Isaiah 11:6)

If you're interested in being on Team Mackenzie, let me know. We also have space for torchbearers, ushers, and the occasional thurifer!

On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP

This week's bulletin insert can be found HERE.

Sunday 11/7, All Saints

8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only. Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service.

10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist. In person and streamed at our website and on our Facebook page.

All COVID protocols including social distancing and face coverings are in place. We ask that you please comply with this requirement for the sake of families with children, who are not yet fully vaccinated. Masks are available inside the parking lot doors.

This week's bulletin is HERE, and the hymns are HERE.

Tuesday, 11/9, 7pm

Our (now) monthly Tuesday Taize' service will be held the second Tuesday of every month and streamed at our website, on Facebook, and your in-person attendance is welcome. You can sing along with us at home or in church, but masks are recommended for those attending in the sanctuary, given the greater COVID risk inherent in singing together. You can find the service outline and music HERE. (We will have printed copies for those attending in person.)

Wednesday 11/10 12:10pm

Our mid-week in-person service of Holy Eucharist. Face coverings are recommended, though not required at this service.

FROM SOCKS TO BLANKETS

Thanks to all who brought in socks and undergarments for the Jaycees' Socktoberfest. And thanks to Aaron Litten for bringing the opportunity to us!

Now, we turn our attention to our annual Blanket Drive, held each November. Our goal this year is to collect 50 new blankets, which will then be distributed to those in need through the Salvation Army. We will collect the blankets in front of the steps to the chancel, then bless them on November 28th.

ORGANISTS GALORE!

November 7th will be Mark Thewes' last Sunday as our interim organist, and we offer our deepest gratitude for his carrying us through the interim. Starting next week (11/14) David Sparkes takes over the bench on a long-term basis as our organist, and we're excited to have him joining us, and to have his talent and skill augmenting our worship.

This Sunday, Jay Spencer will start the service, David and Mark will team up to play the Choir Anthem, and then Mark will finish out the service. We sure do have a deep organist bullpen here at St. Tim's! Let's be sure to thank all three of these gifted musicians.

FLOWER GUILD

Now that we're back to using both Altars, the flower responsibilities have doubled, if not tripled. Cristin Baum has done some amazing and creative work over the past year and a half, and I know you probably agree with me--because I've heard many of you say so. However, now it is time to expand the team. Rather than return to the old system of contracting with an outside company, the new idea is to pick out flowers ourselves. If you like shopping for flowers, we'd love to have you on Team Flowers! If you're interested, speak to anyone with the last name Baum.

EVERY PERFECT GIFT

We're into the second week of our stewardship campaign. Our theme this year is Every Perfect Gift, which seems perfectly fitting.

You can make your pledge online using this LINK, or pick up a pledge card from the church office if you didn't receive one. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity to our parish.

TWO CENTS A MEAL

And speaking of generosity, folks have continued to put loose change into our 2 cents a meal box, even though banks were not accepting coins for quite some time. Now that they are, Betty Jarvis sat down, rolled all those coins, and took them to the bank. I was able to purchase ten grocery gift cards to give out to folks in need, and I am just overjoyed I tell you! Thanks for your generosity, and for Betty's hands.

OFFERING ENVELOPES

And speaking of generosity even more, our new weekly offering envelopes for the 2021-2022 church year have arrived. If you're interested in having a set of those, you can find them on the table in the parish hall. (Note: We no longer use the numbering system, so all the packets are the same.)

THANKSGIVING OUTREACH

And speaking still further of generosity, Ann Higgins writes:

"We are adopting families for Thanksgiving dinner again this year. We will appreciate all donations, but especially frozen turkeys (10-12lbs), frozen pumpkin pies, canned sweet potatoes (lg), bags of fresh fruit (apples or oranges). It was so delightful when last year Andrew brought in whole fresh pineapples for each family. That made it more festive and special. Also cash donations are so appreciated for the last minute shopping trip. The Sunday afternoon before Thanksgiving is the last day for donations, and is usually the day we do the last minute shopping and pack up the groceries. Anyone who wants to physically come and pack on November 21st is welcome. Monday and Tuesday will be the pick up days."

If you're interested in being on Team Turkey, see me or be in touch with Ann directly.

PRAYERS REQUESTED

Please continue to pray for all those affected by COVID-19, and please keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers:

✥Bob Meyer ✥Judy Wigginton  ✥Chris Lane ✥Priya Kurian ✥Mike Ziegelhofer

✥Chuck Tilley ✥Michael Flamm  ✥Liz Frank ✥Bobbie Muhlbach ✥John Muhlbach  

✥Isaac Leggett ✥Mike Requa  ✥Toni Contini ✥Brian Dorosch ✥Beth Conley

✥Bob Daane ✥Chuck Coleman ✥Patty Ann ✥Steve Deuble ✥Noble Carpenter

✥Roger Walters ✥Tim & Sharon Gerber ✥Colleen Major ✥Gail Moss ✥Linda June

✥Stephen Huba ✥Roy Schoenfeld ✥Donna Wheeler-Badgley ✥Fred Gibbs

✥Patricia Litten ✥Ron Hardin ✥Christine Hoffman ✥Regina Hoffman

And for the repose of the soul of Lois Cornell McAllister, aunt of Laurie Bomze.

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

Celebrating birthdays this week are Quinn Higgins (11/8), and Larry Hann (11/9).

No anniversaries for a couple weeks, as far as I know.

Be sure to send good wishes and thoughts to all those who celebrate this week!

BISHOP SEARCH COMMITTEE

With Bishop Hollingsworth retiring next year, the Diocese has put together a search committee to find suitable candidates to be our next Bishop. I was nominated to be on the search committee by a fellow priest, and have been appointed. I consider it a high honor, and do not take the appointment lightly. Part of being on the search committee involves discerning what qualities and characteristics the people of this Diocese seek in their new Bishop, and I hope you will give that some thought and let me know your thoughts. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us as a Diocese. 🕊🙏💒

LAST CALL FOR GERMANY

June 27-July 3, 2022, my former bandmate and I are hoping for one last trip to Germany to host our Luther500 Festival. You can find more information about the festival HERE. If we get 150 people showing interest by Luther's birthday, November 10th, we'll go; if not we won't.

If you think you might be interested, you can reserve space with no commitment and no deposit by signing up HERE. Please talk to me if you have any questions.

YES, SOUP FOR YOU!

After both services on November 14th, Sarah Emmert and Rita Haines will be offering homemade soup for sale. You can choose between minestrone or chicken noodle, for a mere $5 per quart. Proceeds will go to our Growing With God capital campaign.

PERIODIC PUZZLE

This time, I decided to give you some artwork, rather than a window or flowers. This giant painting covers one wall in my office at church. It was painted by Jimmy Abegg, who gave it to some friends of mine who play in a band called Alathea. One day I saw it in the basement of their cabin in east Tennessee, and they said they didn't have a wall big enough for it. I told them our seminary apartment in NYC had huge walls. They were on tour in New Jersey and brought the painting with them; I rented a u-haul and drove over to meet them, and the "giant naked Jesus" has been with us ever since.

The painting is actually called, "Birds admiring the risen Christ with the hounds of heaven." (Which I think is a clever nod to the poem by Francis Thompson, but can't say for sure.)

You will find the puzzle by clicking HERE. You can choose your background color, number of puzzle pieces, and even set it to display just the edge pieces. Plus, you get a very affirming crowd reaction once you have completed it!

I think that's definitely enough updating for one week!

This afternoon I am headed to the doctor for the follow-up appointment after my elbow surgery. My rehabilitation was going great until Monday night, when I helped the pollworkers unload the new voting machines at church. Nobody said democracy was easy, am I right?

Faithfully,

Fr. George