November 2011

The Rev. Lisa Mason

Rector

masonlisap@sbcglobal.net

Ashley Miles, Head of

School

amiles@saintdavidschool.net

Robert Brewer

Director of Music

stdavidsmusic@sbcglobal.net

Sarah Kates

Director of Children and

Youth Ministries

sarah.cozad@sbcglobal.net

Beth Crowley

Administrative Officer

beth.crowley@sbcglobal.net

Jerry Kirkpatrick

Parish Administrator

jerry-kirkpatrick@

sbcglobal.net

Suzan Reagor

Director of Exceptional

Adults Ministry

suzan_reagor@yahoo.com

Donna Shreve

Financial Officer

The Rev. Lisa Mason

masonlisap@sbcglobal.net

Advent: Slow down and pay attention

Advent marks a new year in the church. It is a season of new beginnings as we pre-

pare to journey to Bethlehem for the birth of our Savior. It is a time to slow down

and remember all that we have been given through the birth of Jesus Christ. But it

is hard to slow down when the world is telling us to hurry because we are running

out of time to get ready for Christmas. The readings from the gospels advise us to

be ready, prepare our hearts and our lives to be transformed, reconciled, and made

new. Do we have ears to listen, eyes to see, hearts to love? Or are we moving

through life too quickly to even remember what Advent and Christmas are all

about?

How do we begin to slow down? For me, it is important to spend some time in an

Examination of Conscience. This is a spiritual exercise that looks closely at your

life and your relationship with God.

What brings you closest to God? Where are the places in which you can feel the

presence of God? What times during the day do you think about God? When do

you say your prayers?

What separates you from God? Think about different choices you can make in or-

der to turn back to God or grow closer to God.

During the season of Advent spend time doing the things that bring you closer to

God. Slow down, breathe, pay attention to the present moment, be with the people

God has put in your life and most of all, be present to God’s presence.

In Gratitude

Thank you God… for giving me the honor and privilege of working with 162 precious children and 28 talented staff

members. Thank you for allowing me the joy of sharing your love for them each day at chapel!

Thank you St. David’s parish… for your un-ending and constant support of your main mission, St. David’s Episcopal

School. Hardly a day goes by that some member of the St. David’s parish doesn’t go out of their way to share, give,

loan, or donate something that benefits our students and staff.

Thank you St. David’s Church staff…for the countless small and large things you do that ensure the success, safety, and

well-being of our school children and families. Answering the phones for numerous calls (so good to have a human on

the line!), listening and embracing the sounds of little ones going to and fro through the halls around McAllister Hall,

sharing news and offerings of the many wonderful things going on in the church, and much, much more!

Thank you Lisa, Sarah, and Jennifer Arnold… for helping lead chapel. Teaching our little ones the important lessons

from the Bible and the good news of God’s love are the best gifts we can give.

Thank you St. David’s Vestry members… for the interest and dedication you share regarding our school. You know that

through the children of St. David’s School that our future will be a good one!

Thank you community of St. David’s… for the unique, loving, and special church school you have created and continue

to nurture.

Ashley Miles amiles@saintdavidschool.net

ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL 1300 WILTSHIRE AVENUE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209, 824-2481

It’s time to get your tamales ordered for Thanksgiving!

We’re proud of our delicious “home-made” tamales,

and we know you’ll enjoy them, too!

THANKSGIVING TAMALES must be ordered by November 14th and picked up on

November 17th between 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

GOBBLE—GOBBLE TAMALES

______ Dozen of OLD FASHIONED TAMALES $ _________

$9.00 per dozen

______ Dozen of JALAPENO TAMALES $ _________

$9.00 per dozen

______ Dozen of BEAN TAMALES $ _________

$9.00 per dozen

______ TOTAL DOZEN $ _________

Please return this order form, along with your check made out to

St. David’s Episcopal School. Tamales must be picked up by November 17th.

NAME: ____________________________PHONE: _________________

H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G A N D T H A N K Y O U !

HAPPY DAYS AT

ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL

CHURCH!

Let’s kick off November with the Parish Picnic after church on Sunday, November 6th. SNOW-

CONES, MOONJUMP, BINGO, BURGERS & MORE! Not only is it All Saints Sunday but we

are also celebrating Stewardship and all that we are called to give to one another and the greater

body of Christ.

Starting Wednesday, November 2nd, Sharon Heusinger is teaching the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace

Course. It will run from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at St. David’s. There will be a potluck dinner every

week. Call the office to sign up. All you need for this class is the book/materials and the more we

have register the less the materials cost to order.

On the first Friday and Saturday of November, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is

hosting an event for Junior High and Senior High youth called Equipped. Arri-

val time is Friday 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s for fun, fellowship, inflatables, worship and preparation

for our service day on Saturday. All day Saturday will be a service day. Youth from all over San

Antonio will serve a number of organizations including Mission Road, Children’s Bereavement

Center and God’s house. You can help by donating snacks. Snacks can be dropped off at my office or be brought with

your youth when they arrive on Friday. This event is an opportunity for our youth to connect with other youth groups in

San Antonio and participate in something bigger than themselves. It’s $30. Register online at

stlukes-sa.net

Happening is a Diocesan Youth retreat for sophomores-seniors. The next one is November

18th-20th at St. Phillip’s in Uvalde, TX. Sign your youth up online at dwtx.org under special

events. Email me with questions.

The Youth are making their famous Cocoa to sell in the Christmas Mar-

ket this year! You may pre-order cocoa for Christmas gifts. We are col-

lecting supplies already! Please help by donating:

Sarah Kates

Director of Children & Youth Ministries sarah.cozad@sbcglobal.net

Original Coffeemate powder

Red hots

Sugar

Any size jar

Chocolate Nesquick

Dry Milk powder

St. David’s Youth Lock In

Morning Side Ministries (The Meadows) invited the Rev.

Helen Appleberg, the founding director of Community of

Hope, to speak on October 3rd. Judith Riddle and Joan

Forrest from St. David’s attended as well as others from

the San Antonio, Kerrville and Uvalde areas.

It is predicted that by year 2050, elderly people will out

number the young, so the need for pastoral care is very im-

portant and will be much in demand.

The Rev. Applebeg made a video for mmLearn.org that

afternoon on pastoral care for the elderly, its need and the

demand for it. Videos through mmLearn.org will be avail-

able online and can be shared with groups who would be

interested.

Joan Forrest

Caregiving

Information

Online

2011 Annual Reports

If you lead a ministry (Altar

Guild, Ushers, LEM, etc.), it’s

time to start working on your

annual report for the 2011 An-

nual Parish Meeting.

If possible, I would appreciate getting your report by

Monday, December 12. If you feel that you need to wait

until the end of the year to submit your report, please

send in as soon as possible.

You may email your report to

beth-crowley@sbcglobal.net, or drop it by the office.

Beth Crowley

Administrative

Officer

11/1 All Saints Service @ 7:00 p.m.

11/6 Parish Picnic after the 10:30 a.m.

service @ St. David’s

11/16 Institution Service for the

Rev. Lisa Mason @ St. David’s

@ 7:00 p.m. Transportation

available. Contact the church of-

fice at 824-2481.

11/23 Church Office Closed at noon

11/24 Thanksgiving Day Service @

10:00 a.m.

11/24, 25 Church Office Closed

Rector’s Reading Corner:

Still Alice, by Lisa Genova

A poignant and eloquent journey through the diagnosis

of early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. A psychology

professor at Harvard begins experiencing unusual

memory lapses on the cusp of her 50th birthday. This sto-

ry is the journey of her family and Alice as this disease

progresses. A difficult but important read for all.

Made for Goodness: and why this makes all the dif-

ference by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu

This work beckons us to remember and embrace that the

God we believe in created us to be inherently good.

When we fail to live in the image of this goodness, God

is there waiting for us to repent and return to God. This

book will lift your hearts and fill your soul with hope.