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The Chimes
St. Johns Episcopal Church is a loving community of faith and worship, showing the love of God to each other and the world.
a publication of St. Johns Episcopal Church, Sealy, Texas Contact us: Hwy 36 N at 6th St. Sealy, Texas Ofce Hours : M-F 9 am - 12 pm Phone: 979-885-2359 Fax: 979-885-2100 Email: stjohn_episcopal@sbcgl obal.net Website: www.stjohnssealy.com Heres The Scoop Whats happening in your fellow parishioners lives. Page 3 Birthdays and Anniversaries See who is celebrating these important events this month Page 3 Being Episcopalian Keep in your Prayers A grab bag of articles Things you wonder about, laugh about, Anglicans in the news ... Page 5 Focus on Service The Vestry Page 4 August 2011 Senior Wardens Message Brian keeps us updated on the happenings of the Vestry Page 6 Please remember these individuals in your prayers Page 4

Reminders Page 4

Changing Seasons
Living Together In Jesus Christ I want to continue discussing living together in Community; following Dietrich Bonhoeffers writings on Life Together (In Christian Community). To live in Christianity means living in community through and in Jesus Christ. Bonhoeffer believed we belong to each other only through Christ. This means Christians need each other because of Jesus Christ. Christians are those who have found grace, salvation, deliverance and justification in Jesus Christ, alone. The Christian no longer lives of himself, by his own claims or his own justification, but by Gods claims and justification. The life and death of a Christian is not determined by his own resources, but only in the Word that
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comes to him from outside, in Gods Word to him. Our righteousness comes from outside us. We are dependent on the Word of God spoken to us. We believe God has put this Word into the mouth of men so it may be communicated to other men. When one hears the Word he speaks it to other. We are to seek and find the Word in the witness of others, in the mouth of man. Christians, therefore, need other Christians who speak Gods Word to us. This is a goal of all Christian communities: That we meet one another and bring the message of salvation. God permits us to meet together in community. The fellowship is founded solely upon Jesus Christ. All we can say is that the community of Christians springs from the Biblical and Reformation message of the justification of man through grace alone. This is the basis of the

Transguration Raphael

Changing Seasons
Continued longing of Christians for one another. When we look upon our brother we should realize that he will be eternally united with us in Jesus Christ. When Jesus took on flesh he took on, out of pure grace, our being, our nature, and us. Now we are in him. Where he is, there we are also; in the incarnation, on the Cross, and in his resurrection. We belong to him because we are in him. That is why the Scriptures call us the Body of Christ. We who live together in fellowship with him will one day be with him in eternal fellowship. When we look upon our brother we should realize that he will be eternally united with us in Jesus Christ. What determines our brotherhood with each other? The brotherhood consists in what Christ has done to both of us. We have community with others and continue to have it only through Jesus Christ. The more genuine and deeper our community becomes, the more we are bonded in Christ. One who wants more than what Christ has given us does not want Christian brotherhood; rather, he is looking for some extraordinary social experience which he has not found elsewhere. He is bringing his confused and impure desires into Christian brotherhood and community. In Christian brotherhood and community everything depends upon being clear from the beginning. Christian brotherhood is not an ideal, but a divine reality. Christian brotherhood is a spiritual and not a psychic reality. Christian brotherhood and community is living together in and through Christ.

In Honor of Fr. Sam

For the past year and a half, we have been privileged to have Fr. Sam Todd as one of our supply priests. Sunday, August 7th, will be Fr. Todd's last Sunday with us. After church on August 7th we will enjoy food and fellowship with each other and with Fr. Sam and his lovely wife, Sara, with a Potluck Lunch in the Parish Hall.

to use it. The Lectors will provide directions to the congregation.

St. Johns Sealy Outreach 2011

The ongoing mission of Christian outreach is one of the most important functions of a church. We have a good history of outreach, but want to do more.

The Vestry is always discussing ways to perform our outreach mission. We have decided that the monies budgeted for outreach should follow you, the congregation, to the areas in Aug. 7, Pentecost 8, Holy Eucharist, which you are already working or would like to work. What better way The Rev. Sam Todd, Celebrant for us as a church FAMILY to support Aug. 14, Pentecost 9, Morning each other while supporting the Prayer, Bobbie Sumerlin, Officiant community in which we live? Aug. 21, Pentecost 10, Holy Eucharist, The Rev. Tom Wallace, So, we are asking for your help. Celebrant Please let us know which service Aug. 28, Pentecost 11, Morning groups you belong to and how we Prayer, The Rev. Eric LeBrocq, could help. Susie Zapalac will be Officiant heading up our efforts and can be reached at her email address; susiezapalac@yahoo.com.

August Church Schedule

Church Procedure Change

When you visit other Episcopal Churches, you may have noticed that in many of them the congregation is seated during the reading of the Psalm. The rubrics are silent on the subject, but the general feeling of Liturgists is that the congregation should be seated during the reading of the Psalm in the service of Holy Communion. BUT.... since the congregation is already standing in the service of Morning Prayer, it is better to have the congregation continue to stand for the reading of the Psalm in the service of Morning (or Noon or Evening) Prayer. Beginning Sunday, July 24, we adopted this custom and will continue

We look forward to compiling the list of groups that we can support. Please dont be shy about asking for support/ help. We want to support as many groups as we can and look forward to learning more about your work. Examples of Outreach: Little League Baseball, Little Dribblers Basketball, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, VFW, AA, Habitat for Humanity, Raising Academic Performance (RAP), Special Olympics, Relay for Life, Meals on Wheels

Rev. Eric
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Quote of the Month

"Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a life and a living process."

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Birthdays, Anniversaries and Hospitality List

Birthdays 8/1! 8/6! 8/15! ! 8/13! ! 8/16! 8/17! 8/20! 8/26! 8/27! 8/29! Elise Ford Rob Hall Jean Cargill Laura Farnsworth Phil Huffman Smith Scarborough Susan Love Lianne Jelson Kathleen Kelly Elaine Ritter Joe Ritter Eric Youngblood

Mary Emerson reports - Ryan Stephan McCubbin made his appearance July 1 at 5:11 p.m. He weighed 7 pounds and 4 ounces, and his length was 20.5 inches (and, of course, he is a beautiful baby!!). Wyn, Steve and baby are doing great. I am so very glad to be a GRANDMA! Just call me Meremere. Will attended Boy Scout camp at BTRS in the Davis Mountains. He visited the McDonald Observatory and earned his swimming badge. The Owen family recently spent 10 days on vacation. The trip included visits to Salt Lake City, Jackson, WY, Yellowstone Park, and Boise, ID. They enjoyed a snow ball ght on July 4th and avoided the bear attack that occurred in Yellowstone!

Nolan was in football camp last week with two former Texans defensive lineman and is getting ready to start the football season next week. He has been drafted to the Senior Varsity team- The Cowboys. Dad was very happy to get this news as he is an avid Cowboys fan and even has the shower curtain to prove it. Nolans favorite position is running back. His Alaska football team nicknamed him the Jack Rabbit. He does look like a jack rabbit on the eld and Mom is praying his quick hips and dancing feet keeps him safe. Please pray with her! Taylor is considering all her activity options and is looking at gymnastics and hip hop dance. Taylor started hip hop dance in Alaska last year and performed on stage as a dancing teddy bear. Taylor loves to cook, swim in her new pool and loves her two dogs, Isabella and Elsie very much. She likes the goat Wallee most times, but not so much his horns. From the Treybigs - We enjoy our new family at St. Johns and are grateful for the warm welcome we have received by everyone. We are so happy we found you!
Left: Taylor & Nolan in Alaska

Anniversaries 8/14! 8/15! 8/16! Rob & Gail Robertson John & Susan Love Jum & Sugie Sartwelle Brian, John, Ansley, Caroline and Lavinia

Hospitality 8/7! Rob & Margaret Hall

Below: Wallee

Taylor and Nolan are still adjusting to the Texas summer heat and having fun visiting our Texas relatives farms. 8/14! Bonnie & Jim Carr Although we dont have any cows, the 8/21! Judy Johnson & Sue Lemaster newest family member is our pygmy goat named Wallee. Nolan and Taylor 8/28! Dottie Gass & Marian Farnsworth are looking forward to starting 4H this fall.

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Reminders
Remember to post your outreach ministry reports on the new bulletin board in the Parish Hall!

FOCUS

ON

S E RV I C E

Inquirers Class
Sunday, July 31, after the fellowship time, we will begin another "Inquirer's Class". This should be an exciting class for potential members and long term Episcopalians alike. You are invited to attend this two hour session each week which will cover church customs, history, liturgical practices, beliefs and documents, theology and how St. John's got to Sealy for 1545 England. Your presence and comments will add greatly to the course content. We will use DVD's (professional movies), pamphlets, books and some lecture as well as show and tell and questions/ answers. We will cover customaries such as why we have a wooden, and not stone, altar; what happened to St. John's epistle lectern; "why the devil" we use two chalices and don't ring the bells during Holy Eucharist. Oh, yes, why have "holy water" at the entrance to the nave. Your presence will also be important to potential new members. As they say on the radio talk show "Car Talk", it will be time to "Stump the Chumps". Lunch will be served.
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V E S T RY Originally the word referred to the room where the priest would put on his vestments, at which time local laity would meet with him to discuss the affairs of the parish. Over time the name of the room came to signify the group of men who governed a parish because it was where they met. While the vestry meeting location has changed, the name has remained the same. The vestry of an Episcopal church has three primary responsibilities. The first two are managerial: to take care of parish finances and the parish buildings. The third is to choose individuals to fill various positions of leadership and representation: the choice of a rector, the choice of delegates to the diocesan convention, and the selection of others as the diocesan canons may stipulate. The vestry also serves as an advisory council to the rector who by church law is the parishs chief liturgical and pastoral officer. The Vestry consists of lay members of the church eleted by the congregation at the Annual meeting in January. The current members of the St. Johns Vestry are:
Brian Owen, Sr Warden Suzie Zapalac, Jr. Warden Kathleen Kelly Mary Emerson Bonnie Onks Bonnie Carr Billy Woody

As Episcopalians, we are followers of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Episcopal Church has members in the United States, as well as in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Haiti, Honduras, Micronesia, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands. We strive to love our neighbors as ourselves and respect the dignity of every person. The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and traces its heritage to the beginnings of Christianity. Our liturgy retains ancient structure and traditions, and is celebrated in many languages. We welcome men and women, married or celibate, to be ordained as bishops, priests, and deacons. We believe in amendment of life, the forgiveness of sin, and life everlasting. Lay people exercise a vital role in the governance and ministry of our Church. Holy Communion may be received by all baptized Christians, not only members of the Episcopal Church. We uphold the Bible and worship with the Book of Common Prayer. We affirm that committed relationships are lifelong and monogamous. Episcopalians also recognize that there is grace after divorce and do not deny the sacraments to those who have been divorced. We affirm that issues such as birth control are matters of personal informed conscience. We celebrate our unity in Christ while honoring our differences, always putting the work of love before uniformity of opinion. All are welcome to find a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.

Keep in Your Prayers

The military and their families Peter and Susan Conaty Victims of tornadoes and floods The areas who are suffering from drought, may they receive much needed rain. Ford Pamily
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Being Episcopalian
Episcopal code words and rituals explained:
AMEN:The only part of a prayer that everyone knows. BULLETIN:Your receipt for attending church. CHOIR:A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the Parish to lip-sync. HOLY WATER:A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY. HYMN:A song of praise usually sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation's range. INCENSE:Holy Smoke! JONAH:The original 'Jaws' story. JUSTICE:When kids have kids of their own. MAGI:The most famous trio to attend a baby shower. MANGER:Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph wasn't covered by an HMO. (The Bible's way of showing us that holiday travel has always been rough.) PEW:A medieval torture device still found in Episcopal churches. PROCESSION:The ceremonial formation at the beginning of the service consisting of acolytes, the celebrant, and late parishioners looking for seats. RELICS:People who have been

going to Mass for so long, they actually know when to sit, kneel, and stand. TEN COMMANDMENTS:The most important Top Ten listnotgiven by David Letterman... USHERS:The only people in the parish who don't know the seating capacity of a pew.
O Eternal God, bless all school, colleges, and universities [and especially ______], that they may be lively centers for sound learning new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may nd you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, pg. 824)

Community News
Trinity Lutheran Church will host a Drive-Thru for Others campaign during the summer. A drive to collect school supplies for Selman Elementary Schools students will be held on Friday, August 5th. Kleenex, hand sanitizer, folders with pockets, scissors, pencil Redbook Double Pea and Feta Salad boxes, 24 count crayons, spiral notebooks... The collection area will be Annie Smith set-up at the corner of Highway 36 and 4th Street from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 1 lb. sugar snap peas, stems & strings removed 1 lb. frozen green peas cup thinly sliced red onion MEALS ON WHEELS cup mint leaves, slivered VOLUNTEER NEEDED 2 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt to taste Each Tuesday a team of two volunteers freshly ground pepper to drives a Meals on Wheels route. Meals taste are picked up at the HOA office on 2nd cup mild feta cheese, crumbles Street and delivered to homes in Sealy, cup toasted pine nuts (optional) San Felipe and Frydek. The route takes about an hour to an hour and a half. We Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted are in great need of at least one, and water to a boil; add sugar snap peas and ideally two, persons to help in this green peas. When water returns to a boil, important outreach ministry. Thank you cook 1 - 2 minutes, until sugar snas are for considering this. crisp-tender. Drain in a colander; refresh Present Meals on Wheels volunteers from under cold running water. Drain peas well (blot with a paper towel). Please peas in a St. John's are Susie Zapalac, Bobbie large serving bowl with remaining Sumerlin, Bonnie Carr, Marian Farnsworth, Kathleen Kelly, Brian Owen, ingredients except feta and pine nuts; toss until coated. Gently stir in feta and pine LaJuan Farrell, and Cody Edwards. nuts, if using.

Recipe of the Month

We had the pleasure of sampling this earlier this year! Delicious!!

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The Senior Wardens Message

Welcome to August! Summer is almost over and the start of the school year is just around the corner. We have endured a par;cularly hot, dry summer and I, for one, am looking forward to some fall weather! We are working this month to ini;ate some new outreach ministries for St. Johns - Sealy. We look forward to learning more about your work and how we can work together. Doing outreach and helping others is always a rewarding experience. Outreach does require ;me and eort as well as nancial support. Gala;ans 6:9 urges Chris;ans to not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. James 2:17 reads Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Every liVle act is important and there is always a place that we can help others. It is easy to say I dont have ;me for that or They dont really need me or I will get involved later. I would encourage everyone to nd a group to help and see what experiences come from it. Ill bet it will be a posi;ve experience! In closing, I would like to share a few lines from a hymn ;tled Brighten the Corner Where You Are. Do not wait for some great deed of goodness you may do; Do not wait to shed your light afar. To thy many du7es ever near you now be true; Brighten the corner where you are! Remember to invite a friend, co-worker or someone in need to church. God Bless! Brian Owen, Sr. Warden
The Chimes August 2011

St. Johns Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1477 Sealy, TX 77474