The Church Bell Vol. 3, no. 7 August / September 2019

September 1: End-of-summer lunch after church

Bishop Lambert is planning to bring some of his famous smoked brisket to church on Sunday, September 1st. This will serve as an end-of-summer lunch and to celebrate the start of the new academic year. We ask others in the congregation to bring a favorite dish or item to share and enjoy. If you have an item in mind - or if you need a suggestion - send an e-mail to the church at saintagnescowan@gmail.com .

The Feast of Constance & Her Companions

St. Agnes' will observe the Feast of Constance and Her Companions - also known as the Martyrs of Memphis - on Sunday, September 8th during the 11:00 service. The sermon will be provided by Sister Madeleine Mary from the Community of St. Mary in Sewanee. As Tennesseans and as Episcopalians we have a powerful story to tell with a huge impact on our state history and our faith history. To help members of the congregation prepare for this meaningful time, we have a new page on the church website! Please click on the following link and learn more about a faithful group of workers who lost their lives while caring for the sick and dying: http://saintagnescowan.org/martyrsofmemphis.html 

Our speaker for Sunday, September 8th

As mentioned above, Sister Madeleine Mary from the Community of St. Mary will visit St. Agnes' on Sunday, September 8th, and provide the sermon for our 11:00 service. We always welcome a visit from members of the order at St. Mary's, but this visit is special! Most of the convent members will be at St. Mary's Cathedral in Memphis on that day, but Sister Madeleine is staying in Sewanee this year. Sister Madeleine will lead the 8:00 a.m. service at St. Mary's chapel and then make her way to Cowan for our 11:00 service. It will be a busy day for her, which makes her visit to Cowan truly remarkable! We will look forward to seeing her then!

September 9 - Soup delivery!

In remembrance of Constance and Her Companions - the young people at St. Agnes' will cook and deliver homemade soup to people in the area who are sick and/or homebound. We will meet in the parish hall on Monday, September 9th, and start our food prep at 3:30 p.m. To support the project, we ask members of the congregation to bring one or more of the following ingredients to church on Sunday, September 8th: canned chicken canned broth carrots onions celery egg noodles saltine crackers mason jars w/ lids We are also compiling a list of names and addresses to deliver to.

Fr. Martin and Funmi will visit on September 15th!

We look forward to seeing Father Martin and Funmi Odidi at St. Agnes' on September 15th! Fr. Martin will lead our 11:00 Sunday service, which will also be National Back to Church Sunday. The two will stay at The Franklin-Pearson House over the weekend so they can visit with friends in Sewanee and see other members of our extended church family. As you'll recall, Fr. Martin is serving as Priest Associate at St. George's Episcopal Church in Nashville. We treasure our friendship with the Odidi's and are grateful to see them again!

September 15th is National " Back to Church" Sunday!

St. Agnes' is one of over 13,000 churches across America that will host the Back to Church Sunday initiative. The goal of this annual event is simple: Invite a friend or neighbor to church! Every day is a good day to invite someone to worship with you in your home church. This event is motivation to do just that! Think of someone you would like to invite to church. Cover them in your daily prayers. And then, most important of all, extend the invitation!

Did you know that 82% of the un-churched population would welcome an invitation to church by a friend or colleague? Likewise, did you know that only 2% of all active church goers ever invite someone to attend? National Back to Church Sunday is a challenge we can appreciate! According to the Catechism, "the mission of the church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." The Catechism says further that: "The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God." Remember that the invitation you extend is an extension of the church's mission and part of our duty as people of faith!

September 20-22: Fall Heritage Festival

St. Agnes' is a "Circuit Rider" 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.   There will be a Cruise-in, arts & crafts, living history, kids activities, live music, and other activities.  For complete information log on to  fallheritagefestival.info .

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, the 22nd. 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.

September 28: "Lard Have Mercy" Pig Roast in Franklin, Tennessee

We are invited to a cook-out and get-together for members of small congregations in the Diocese of Tennessee. The event takes place on Saturday, September 28th, 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Resurrection in Franklin. Please let Jarod know if you want to share a ride to the event. Click here to send an e-mail. BTW, Bishop Bauerschmidt will be there!

October 12: Fall Work Day at the Church

Bishop Bauerschmidt is coming back to visit St. Agnes' on October 27th. In preparation for his visit, we will hold our usual fall work day a couple weeks in advance on October 12th . As in the past, we will to spruce-up, clean-up, polish and freshen-up inside and outside. Please mark your calendars for Saturday morning, October 12th, and be thinking about tasks and projects that we need to tackle. Here are a few tasks we have in mind: Freshen paint on doors, thresholds, railings, and post lamp Trim back trees and shrubbery Add fresh river rock in the shrubbery beds Wipe down kneelers and paneling Polish silver and brass Straighten cabinets and closets Mop parish hall floor, wipe down chairs Bring dirt fill for holes in the empty lot Again, if you have other tasks in mind, please send an e-mail to the church or let Jarod know.

New locks and keys are on the way!

We are closer to meeting one of our goals for the church facility this year. The church will soon take delivery of new locks and keys for both buildings. Under the new system, one key will fit all doors . New keys will be made for the clergymen, church-wardens, clerk, treasurer, sacristan, and verger. Keys will be also be made by request to other members of the congregation who are confirmed and in good standing according to the church register. Every key recipient will need to read and sign a Church Access Agreement. The agreement is advised by our church insurance carrier to remind us of important safety and security measures. An announcement will go out as soon as the new locks are installed and the new keys are available.

Old alms basin to enjoy retirement!

A few years ago our hard-working group of silver and brass polishers noticed that the alms basin at St. Agnes' is losing some of its luster. We had a similar problem years ago and, in 2004, sent the vessel to a company in New York for refurbishing. This year we collectively decided to purchase a new basin that will require less maintenance. On Sunday, July 21st, Alice Black presented the new basin to Bishop Lambert for blessing and dedication. It's made of beautiful polished dark maple. The old alms basin is now retired but will still "make its rounds" on high feast days, such Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday. We know very little about the old alms basin. There's no record of when it was donated to St. Agnes'. More than likely it is between 60 and 70 years old and may have been a gift from the Sloan family. As a retired vessel it will be easier to maintain and will last many more years.

Updated church directory in the works

Sally Lambert is tackling a project that's been on the "back burner" for a few years Thanks to her lead, we are updating the church directory ! As the congregation grows, we have to work harder to keep up with names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays and anniversaries. Please take a moment to look at the draft version in the parish hall and note any corrections and updates that need to be made.

Some Updates from Our Church Family

Howard Gene Eslick spent three days at Sewanee hospital due to a stomach bleed. Fortunately he recovered and returned to his long-term room at Signature Healthcare in Monteagle. Wynona Gibson appreciates our prayers for her daughter Wendi and her great-grandson Aden. Wendi is recovering well from cancer treatment related surgery. Aden is recovering successfully following a vehicle accident. Wynona had some days this month when she didn't feel well and had to miss church, but she is always eager to send flowers for the altar! Brian Judd reported that his follow-up oncology tests show good results from his cancer treatments! He is gaining strength week after week! Bill Keller shared that he is closer to remission status and will hopefully get a break from treatments by early fall. He needs our ongoing prayers and encouragement so he can meet that important goal! Rose Pearson thanks everyone for reaching out to her earlier this month; however, she decided to forgo her knee replacement surgery until a later time.

Late Summer/Early Fall Birthdays

August 29 - Duncan Weddington August 31 - Pat Underwood September 2 - Benjamin Money September 2 - Sara Money September 21 - Mary Pearson-Smith ***If we are missing any birthdays on our list, please send an e-mail to the church at saintagnescowan@gmail.com.*** "O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on thy servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Happy anniversary!

Steve and Rose Pearson - August 28, 1970

There's a new baby in the Lambert family!

Bishop Lambert and Sally have a new grandson! Paul Miller Finley was born on Monday, August 19th, at 7 pounds and 20 & 1/4 inches long. His parents and grandparents were very, very glad to see him. It took him a little longer than expected to make his arrival, but it was definitely worth the wait. Baby Paul is Matt and Megan's first child (which may partly explain grandfather Paul's huge smile!). Let us be sure to remember the Finley and Lambert family in our prayers as they make their way home. "Heavenly Father, you sent your own Son into this world. We thank you for the gift of this child, Paul, entrusted to our care. Help us remember that we are all your children, and so to love and nurture him, that he may attain to that full stature intended for him in your eternal kingdom; for the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

We Remember in Prayer

Payton Hargis, Roy Tankersley, Dennis Hutchison, Emeline Pearson, Laura, Kevin, Erma Little, Brian Judd, Julius Mauro, Sandra Langston, Jacqueline Boyanton, Royana Stewart, Bill Keller, Howard Gene Eslick, 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. *** "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

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The Rt. Rev'd John C. Bauerschmidt..................Bishop of Tennessee The Rt. Rev'd Paul Lambert................................Pastor and Celebrant The Rev'd Laban Agisa.......................................Visiting Priest The Rev'd Charles Chiutulas...............................Visiting Priest The Rev'd Jean Mweningoma.............................Visiting Priest L. Jarod Pearson..................................................Lay Reader