the newsletter of St. Alban’s Anglican Parish The March, 2017 the newsletter of St. Alban’s...
Transcript of the newsletter of St. Alban’s Anglican Parish The March, 2017 the newsletter of St. Alban’s...
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The the newsletter of St. Alban’s Anglican Parish March, 2017
VOLUME Three, ISSUE 11
Inside this issue:
With this peniten al season comes the inevitable ques on, “In what way should I keep Lent?” This is a ques on which, as regards details, each one of us likely would answer differently.
The Church plainly directs us to use abs nence; but the precise measure and manner of it she leaves with generous and trus ul confidence to
the good sense of each of us.
The idea of abs nence is associated in our minds chiefly with care and self‐denial in the use of food; but it would be a mistake to limit it to this. For we may need also to curtail our amuse‐ments, if we find that they take up too
much of our me and thoughts, or unfit us for our work. It may be our duty to diminish our expenses in regard to any par cular indul‐gence so as to guard against extrava‐gance. We may want to accustom our‐selves to more ac vity in God's worship, or in works of prac cal use‐fulness on behalf of others.
The end aimed at in fas ng is that the flesh, that is, the evil within us, may be subdued to the spirit. Thus, we may have greater com‐mand over our‐selves, so as the more readily to resist tempta on. If
we thus hold under control our thoughts, our inclina‐ ons, our tem‐pers, our words, we shall be spared may a bi er regret, and perhaps much sorrow.
It is not necessary, nor would it be right, that grow‐ing young people (or any other persons) should diminish their strength and energy by taking too li le food, even if they desired to do so. However, they can and should de‐ny themselves merely pleasant food and take that which is plainer, remem‐bering that while no one has any need or right to injure his health all are called to refrain from indulging their appe te. As an ancient writer has said, we must some mes deny ourselves with regard to things lawful, if we would control ourselves always with regard to things unlawful
In such ma ers it is well to consider, first, the end aimed at, and then the best means of a aining to it. If our aim is to subdue the evil of our own hearts, and to become more and more our own masters, so as to be ready to meet tempta on whenever it may arise, we at once start with the fact that from the Apostles downwards those who have been most successful in doing this have used self‐denial as a means of a aining to self‐control. Isn’t it reasonable to be‐lieve that what they found so useful we cannot afford to neglect?
Only let all be done quietly and with the utmost simplicity; remembering al‐so that the wishes of parents and friends must be treated with the utmost respect, for with God to obey is be er
VOLUME seven ISSUE 3
Keeping Lent Examination of Con‐science
Treasurer’s Report Mite Box Lent Events Our Church Family Calendar About Us
1,2 3,4,5 5 5 6 7 8 9
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than sacrifice.
Further, in the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ alms‐giving is connected with fas ng. If we spend less upon ourselves, we should spend more for His sake upon the poor, whom He calls His brethren. Let the law of kind‐ness be in all things our guide, and then not even self‐discipline will be altogether irksome to us.
But, it will be said, it IS irksome. Self‐denial of any kind is not pleasant, it is neither childish nor manly. It is quite true that self‐denial is not always pleasant; but that which is good is usually a ained by doing and en‐during things which in themselves we do not always feel to be the most agreeable. Neither learning, nor success in business, nor goodness and self‐mastery, are gained by merely wishing for them. One doesn’t receive some‐thing for nothing.
A young person who desires to serve God, to do al‐ways that which is right, and to love his fellows gener‐ously and joyously, will not be melancholy, sen mental, dull, or slow. If he a empts to do all things for the glory
of God, he will on that account do all as well as he can‐his me at recrea on as well as his daily prayers. Such a one will become more earnest and thorough in doing everything which it is good and right for him to do. His religion will make him a hear er friend, a more genial com‐panion.
Why should he not be happy? Has he not reason for happiness? There will indeed be this dif‐ference, that he will be his own master, so that his passions will not carry him away; nor will his mirth become excessive, and therefore foolish and unmanly.
Naturally we all wish to be happy, but happiness is the fruit of goodness alone; and if it should cost some
effort, perhaps some tears, to a ain more nearly to goodness of heart and life, we shall be well recom‐pensed in the happiness that must follow.
Our sorrows and our joys are seldom far apart. Sor‐row is the needful prepara on for joy, so that there is li le real joy where there has not been sorrow. The deeper the sorrow, the truer the joy. Lent is suc‐ceeded by Easter; this life by the rest and blessedness of the life to come. Let me, then, offer these objects to be aimed at, and these rules to be observed, in this season of Lent.
Some Considerations for Keeping Lent 1. Try to find out what there may be in you that is wrong
and sinful, what your faults and failings are, hat is your‐
bese ng sin? Ask God to guide you by His Holy Spirit in making this inquiry.
2. When you know what your faults are confess them to God. It is a chief part of your business in this life, by God's grace, to overcome them and cast them out. Set yourself, therefore, resolutely to accomplish this.
3. Try to find out in what you may be deficient; as, for example, in kindness to others, pa ence, and courage. When you know what it is that you lack, it is an‐other chief part of your work in this life to gain it by prayer and earnest en‐deavor.
4. Try to find out what tempta on you are most exposed to, that you may be especially on your guard against it.
5. Deny yourself by taking plainer food, and by refraining from merely nice things, that you may gain control over your appe te and incli‐na ons, and be strong enough to follow always what is right rather than what you desire.
6. If you spend a li le less on indulgences, give a li le more to the poor for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake.
7. Try whether you can manage to join a li le o ener in the public worship of Christ's Holy Church.
8. Look upon Lent as a me of prepara on for the Holy Communion at Easter, and all through Lent look forward to that great privilege
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9. Remember that all must be done in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that you are rec‐ommended to a end to these things for His glory, and also for your own profit, your own peace, and your own happiness, both here and herea er.
There is another point on which I should say a few words. When we are anxious about ourselves, or when we want to do anything well, we all of us naturally ask the advice of someone who we think can help us, because he has given a en on to that which makes us anxious, or has had experience in that which we wish to do. The more important the ma er is, the more desirous are we not to lean to our own under‐standing, but to take counsel with someone else.
Young people o en dri into sinful ways and habits to a great extent through want of a word of warning or guidance. This might have helped them to keep themselves from the evil; but this warning is never given. Why? Because no one who could give it knows that it is needed.
Some mes, of course, the mischief to be guarded against is plain to others; but very o en this is not the case. “Two,” Solomon says, “are be er than one; because they have a good reward for their la‐bor. For if one falls, the one will li up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
It might, therefore, be advantageous to you, if you took some priest or friend whom you can trust into your confidence, and allowed yourself to be in‐fluenced by their advice. You probably shrink from speaking about your feelings and your hopes. If so it is well. In truth, some people talk of such ma ers too freely. But if you wish to avoid making mistakes which may be serious, and if you wish to go the best way to work, you will probably overcome any re‐serve or midity you may feel and seek advice, and not be above allowing yourself to be guided by it.
If your conscience is uneasy (and we are all more likely to err on the side of soothing it too readily than of allowing it to reprove us too much), the Church invites you, as you are looking forward to the Holy Communion, to open your grief to some discreet and learned minister of God’s Word. To those who do so,
the Church offers “the benefit of absolu on.” Less than this she could not do, if she would be faithful to her Lord's commission, and more than this she need not do. It is not necessary to do this in order to ob‐tain forgiveness; but, while most people are sa sfied with the more ancient form of absolu on in the ser‐vice for the Holy Communion itself, restless con‐sciences have by this means found peace.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
One of the great Anglican spiritual
disciplines that has, sadly, fallen
into disuse is the “examina on of
conscience”. The daily examina‐
on of conscience, par cularly
during Lent, helps call to mind our
sins and failings during a period of
quiet reflec on. It is an essen al before approaching the priest
in Confession.
It’s important for a good examina on of conscience to be thor‐
ough. This will help you learn about things that you may not be
aware of. It’s also a chance to develop your conscience. To
make an examina on:
Set aside some quiet me for reflec on.
Do not undertake an examina on when you are over red and/
or at the very end of the day.
Start by praying to the Holy Ghost, asking for help in making a
good examina on to prepare for Confession.
Read through the items on this list and honestly reflect on your
behavior for each item.
If necessary, take this list or some brief notes (keep them pri‐
vate!) to Confession to help you remember things.
A good examina on of conscience tradi onally follows the out‐
line of the Ten Commandments or makes use of the outline of
the deadly sins from your catechism.
Pride.
1. Am I generally, or have I at any me allowed myself to be,
proud of anything that I have, or of anything that I am, or of
anything that I can do?
2. Or have I tried with manly humility to remember thankfully
that God has given me all that I have, and placed me in the
posi on I occupy, and that to Him I owe such abili es as I
possess?
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3. Have I despised any who are inferi‐
or in worldly possessions or social
posi on, or in strength or ability, to
myself?
4. Have I been rude, contemptuous, or
overbearing in my behavior to‐
wards such?
5. Has pride hindered me in my wor‐
ship of God, leading me to think
that I am sufficient for myself and
do not need Him, or by making me unwilling to humble my‐
self before Him, by kneeling down in church, etc.?
6. 6. Have I taken God's name in vain, or been guilty of swear‐
ing, or of using any profane or irreverent language?
Purity.
1. Have I at any me defiled
my mind by allowing any
unclean thoughts to have
place within it, or my lips
by the use of any impure
words or conversa on, or
my body by any indecent
ac on of any kind?
2. Have I indulged my appe te for food or drink, or any mere
indulgence, beyond what is necessary and useful?
Anger.
1. Have I quarreled with any one and
not a empted to bring about a rec‐
oncilia on?
2. Am I generally apt to take offence,
hasty in speech, and easily made
angry?
3. Am I accustomed to nurse my anger,
and to remember in a revengeful
spirit any wrong that has been done
to me?
4. Am I ill‐tempered, cross, unkind, hard to please, and ready
to condemn another?
5. Am I harsh, domineering, vindic ve, and slow to forgive?
6. Have I hurt anybody either by taun ng or scorn‐ful words,
or by blows, violence, or unkindness in any form?
7. Have I been spiteful or uncharitable in feeling, in word, or in
deed?
8. Do I feel compassion for others when they are sick, or in
need, in trouble, or in pain?
9. Do I endeavor to do to all as I would that they should do to
me?
10. Have I ever taken pleasure in giving pain to any living thing?
Honesty and Truth.
1. Have I been true and just in all
my words, and in all my deal‐
ings?
2. Have I kept my hands from
picking and stealing, and my
tongue from lying and slander‐
ing?
3. Have I been guilty of any fraud or unfairness and if I have,
have I made repara on for anything I may have gained in
this way?
4. Have I tried to keep out of debt, and if I have not been able
to do this have I carefully and honestly paid my debts?
5. Have I been guilty of gambling in any form?
6. Do I put aside a por on of my pocket money for the relief of
the poor, and the work of the Church?
Covetousness.
1. Have I been discontented and
allowed myself to reject God's
Providence? have I coveted the
worldly posi on, the wealth,
the talents, the strength, the
prosperity, which God has
granted to another but not to
me?
2. Have I always tried to trust in Him, and to soak in all things
His guidance and blessing?
Envy.
1. Have I been jealous of others who are
more successful than myself?
2. Have I slandered any one by saying of
him that which is not true, or by misrep‐
resen ng him, or by exaggera ng any‐
thing that I have heard of him?
3. Have I imputed bad mo ves to another,
or put a bad construc on on anything
he has done?
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Sloth.
1. Have I indulged myself in sleep and
idleness more than is needful and
right?
2. Have I spent Sunday or a part of it in
lying in bed, or in mere listless idle‐
ness?
3. Have I done my work idly, carelessly,
and there‐fore badly, because I
would not take the trouble to do it
well?
4. Have I o en said my prayers sleepily and irre‐verently be‐
cause I would not rouse myself to go to bed, or to get up, in
good me?
Obedience
1. Do I regard my father and mother
with affec‐ onate reverence, and is
it my aim to comfort and gra fy
them in all things?
2. Am I agreeable and forbearing with
my brothers, gentle and courteous
with my sisters, and unselfish and
generous towards all?
3. Am I respec ul and obedient to
those who direct me in my work,
and do I endeavor to give them sa sfac on and pleasure?
4. Am I self‐willed, obs nate, or willful?
Treasurer’s Report
February 2017
The Vestry is most thankful for faithful thing – On balance –
February results year to date indicate income below budget and
expenses over budget .with nega ve net results of $2,167. All
are encouraged to give generously and to adhere to stated
pledge schedule.
Unrestricted Opera ng income year to date lagged budget es ‐
mates by $1,853, mostly due to shor alls in General offerings.
Pre‐Lenten Retreat opera ons ne ed $700 with certain expens‐
es s ll unrecorded.
Expenses exceeded budget by over $300 principally due to u li‐
es, The restricted maintenance account incurred no charges
beyond the $4,364 applied in 2016. .
Parishioners are encouraged to par cipate in a Stock dona on
program or “Memorial” or “In Honor of” Pew Naming in support
of the Building Fund. One such Pew Plate reserva on was re‐
ceived in January. Contact the Treasurer for details.
As of end February cash‐on‐hand was $22,410, of which $6,753
is restricted (Includes Maintenance Reserve of $5,214). The
mortgage balance is $67,893.
MITE BOXES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX.
The term mite box (also alms box or poor box) refers to a box
that is used to save coins for charitable purposes. They are given
out to church congrega ons during the Lenten season. The mite
boxes are collected by the church, and the dona ons are given
to the poor. Mite boxes are popular with children because they
can fill them with small change, teaching them the principle of
giving to the
poor. The Mite
box giving pro‐
motes the spirit
of contribu ng
based on the
intent to help
others and not
on the monetary
amount.
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Pre-Lenten Retreat
The Diocese of the Mid‐Atlantic States (DMAS) held its
2017 Pre‐Lenten Retreat on Saturday, February 25,2017
at St. Alban's. About 80 people attended.
The theme of the retreat was: Becoming One with Christ
through the Eucharist. The retreat leaders were the Ven.
Jeffrey Johnson., leading Section One “The Foundations”,
Bishop Lerow, Sec. Two , “The Liturgy”, Fr. Crowder, Sec.
Three “Christ Dwelling in You”, Fr. McHenry, Sec. Four,
“Communion of the Saints” This retreat was a follow‐on
to the Pre‐Advent retreat of the Remnant Rosary. It was
preceded by a clergy retreat, on the 24th.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper was held Tuesday, February 28th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. About 45 diners came to the Parish Hall where the meals was prepared and served by Ed Darby and John Bugg. Seven guests from the Henrico Pops Chorus came for supper and stayed to rehearse in the parish hall following the meal.
Wednesday Bible Study The Blair Plunkett Memorial
Bible Class meets in the library on
Wednesday mornings at 10:30
a.m. We will be covering Titus and I and II Timothy to
complete our study of the shorter epistles of St. Paul
and the epistles general. Please bring a Bible and any
note taking materials you wish.
A New Lenten Study begins the First Sunday In Lent at
9:30 a.m. in the library .
Lenten Soup and Devotional Readings, are planned for
Fridays at 6:30 pm in the parish hall during Lent . Please
sign up a week in advance. We need at least 5 people to
support a meal. Please check the parish website or the
Facebook page to see whether we have sufficient sub‐
scriptions for the dinner.
Stations of the Cross will be observed at Noon on Fridays
during Lent.
Thin Within group meets 2nd and 4th Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the Library
Thin Within is a non‐diet, Biblical ap‐
proach to better health. A group has been started here in
the parish for those interested in mutual support for fit‐
ness.
The group uses the Thin Within program, a free, Bible
based course which spans 12 weeks. An on‐line version is
available starting on February 6th at this website http://
www.thinwithin.org/thin‐within‐classes/
The book and workbook are available from Amazon, and
the plan is to use those resources and others over the
coming weeks. If you are interested, please contact the
rector for more information.
Those already enrolled be advised the group meets 2nd
and 4th Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the Library.
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A beau ful spring me photo of Hermitage Road with the purple plums in full bloom, looking north from of St. Alban’s .
Dr. Strippy is suffering with heart disease and in spite of several innova ve treatments, his progress is slow. He writes, “I am in and out of atrial fibrilla on and my heart failure is accelera ng. I get all sorts of exo c treatments, mostly electric shocks. They tell me it's largely old age, that my heart is just giving out. But I just keep trying to keep on going. And don't let anyone tell you prayer doesn't help. It really does.” If you would like to send him a card or an email , see his address below. He loves funny email forwards.
Dr. Robert Strippy 1715 Bellevue Ave. Apt. B708 Richmond 23227 Phone: 205‐9104 Email: robertstrip‐[email protected]
John Whi ield con nues to recu‐perate from knee surgery. His address for Get‐Well cards is: JOHN WHITFIELD, 2616 Hanover Ave. Richmond, VA 23220 (804) 355‐6795
Eunice Green happily celebrated the engagement of her son Stephen Lewis to Jessica Hall in an engage‐ment party Sunday February 26th. The wedding will be held on Saturday October 27th., 2018.
Best wishes to the happy couple!
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
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March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
Morning Prayer
8am
3
Morning Prayer
8am
Stations of the
Cross , noon
4
Morning Prayer
8am
5 LENT I
MP at 8:30 Adult Ed at 9:30
Mass 11:00
Evensong 6 pm
6
Morning Prayer
8am
7
Morning Prayer
8am
8
10:45 am Bible Study Noon‐Holy Eu‐charist and Heal‐ing Service
9
Morning Prayer
8am
10
Morning Prayer
8am
Stations of the
Cross , noon
11
Morning Prayer
8am
12 LENT II
Eucharist at 8:30
Adult Ed at 9:30
Mass 11:00
Evensong 6 pm
13
Morning Prayer
8am
14
Morning Prayer
8am
15
10:45 am Bible Study Noon‐Holy Eu‐charist and Heal‐ing Service
16
Morning Prayer
8am
17
Morning Prayer
8am
Stations of the
Cross , noon
18
Morning Prayer
8am
19 LENT III
MP at 8:30 Adult Ed at 9:30
Mass 11:00
Evensong 6 pm
20
Morning Prayer
8am
21
Morning Prayer
8am
22
10:45 am Bible Study Noon‐Holy Eu‐charist and Heal‐ing Service
23
Morning Prayer
8am
24
Morning Prayer
8am
Stations of the
Cross , noon
25
Morning Prayer
8am
26 LENT IV
Eucharist at 8:30
Adult Ed at 9:30
Mass 11:00
Evensong 6 pm
27
Morning Prayer
8am
28
Morning Prayer
8am
29
10:45 am Bible Study Noon‐Holy Eu‐charist and Heal‐ing Service
30
Morning Prayer
8am
31
Morning Prayer
8am
Stations of the
Cross , noon
March Birthdays: Jean Bugg 11
June Alleyne 13
Eunice Green 13
Rosemary Smith 20
Jo Ninnis 25
Marsha Harris 31
Hospitality Assignments
These groups are assigned coffee hour duty.
Mar. 5‐ Altar Guild/Ladies
Mar. 12‐ Ushers/Lay readers
Mar. 19‐ Parish/Vestry
Mar. 26‐ Men's Club/Choir
Imposition of Ashes, noon and 6:30 p.m.
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4006 Hermitage Road
Richmond, Virginia 23227
Phone: 804‐262‐6100
Fax: 804‐262‐6171
E‐mail: [email protected]
WEBSITE: .http://www.stalbansACC.org
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St. Alban’s Anglican Parish
Worship Schedule Sundays
Sunday 8:30am ‐ 9:30am Holy Eucharist (1st and 3rd, 5th)‐Morning Prayer (2nd and 4th)
Sunday 9:30am ‐ 10:30pm Adult Study and Sunday School
Sunday 11:00 am‐12 Noon Holy Eucharist (music)
Sunday 6:00pm ‐ 7:00pm Choral Evensong
Wednesdays
Wednesday 12:00 Noon‐12:45 Holy Eucharist and Healing Service
Daily
Monday‐Saturday 8:00am‐8:25am Matins (Chanted Morning Prayer)
Holy Days
Please watch our calendar of events or "Like" us on Facebook for updates on Holy Day
services.
St. Alban's is a traditional Anglican parish lo-
cated Richmond, Virginia. St. Alban's is committed to Christianity as a way of life. Faithfulness to the ancient faith, reverence in worship, love for God and each other and holiness in life are the hallmarks of the parish. If you are seeking a church home, we invite you to become a part of our grow-ing parish family! We will embrace you, pray for you, and encourage you as we strive together to attain the kingdom of heaven.
Like us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/StAlbansACC
Web Address: StAlbansACC.org or StAlbansRichmond.org
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March, 2017