A Celebrating Community of the Episcopal Church

THE PATHWAY

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Trussville, AL 35173

PERMIT NO. 52

Church of the Holy Cross 90 Parkway Drive Trussville, Alabama 35173 Office: 205/655-7668 E-mail: holycrosstrussal@centurytel.net Website: www.thechurchoftheholycross.dioala.org Interim Rector: The Rev. Canon Joe Gibbes Parish Secretary: Janet Prewett

The Cross Section

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us – John 1:14 “Condescend.” It isn’t a pleasant word in our common vocabulary. If someone says that your

tone of voice is ‘condescending,’ they are not being complimentary. If your phone rings and you see that it is someone whose demeanor you typically find ‘condescending,’ your shoulders and your jaw will tense up before answering.

There are two definitions in the dictionary for ‘condescend,’ and they both have the sense of

trajectory from high to low. The first definition is the more common, the one that makes us tense up or roll our eyes. This is the sense of “talking down to” or “looking down one’s nose.” One tries to come off as superior to another. We don’t like to be on the receiving end of such condescension – it leaves us with that empty, angering feeling of having been demeaned. In this sense of the word, the high person stays high but pushes the low person lower.

In the other sense of ‘condescend’ the direction of the word is the same. However, in this

lesser used sense the higher party willfully stoops down to the lower party. This sense means “to humble oneself,” or “to lower oneself.” Think of a king kindly offering his warm robe to a shivering peasant.

Quite different from the first sense of the word, there is joy and hope in this sort of

condescension. Rather than arrogance, there is humility; rather than disregard, there is compassion. In the first sense, the higher person isn’t regarded as deserving the status they assume. In the second sense, we want to lift the high person higher because of their willingness to come low.

This Advent, let us thank God that He has condescended to us. The King and Creator of the

Universe stepped out of the throne room of heaven and became a baby in the arms of a poor young virgin and her carpenter fiancée. He who knit Mary together in her mother’s womb placed his own life in her tender care and warm embrace. The hands that hung the stars in place clung sleepily to his mother’s pinky finger. The heart that broke for a fallen world beat steadily under baby soft skin and swaddling clothes.

He condescended, to live the life we should have lived and to die the death we deserved to die

that we might have life, and life eternal. Happy Advent!

The Rev. Canon Joe Gibbes Interim Rector

CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015

Tom Mann 2 Nance Wynn 2 Karyn Jones 2 Melissa Williamson 5 Palmer Chambliss 7 Isabella Espinoza 11 Ethan Williamson 11 William Davis 14 William Barnes 15 Jeanne Sandford 15 Tommy McLendon 16 Caroline Gibbes 16 Aiden Johnson 16 Holly Caraway 17 Nolan Amberson 17 Rebecca Raulerson 18 Evan Morse 18 Susan Caraway 19 Isaac Simmons 19 Leigh McAnally 21 Abbey McAnally 23 Brian Luttrell 29 David Meadows 29 Traci Folsom 30

Please inform the church office if your name does not appear in the month of your birthday.

A

Mid-Week Healing Eucharist Service Returns

Beginning Wednesday, December 3rd at 11:00am, our weekly Healing Services will resume with Canon Gibbes presiding. Please come join us for these mid-week services.

Jennie June Croly Study Club Christmas Coffee

Thursday, December 4th 11:00am-2:00pm

Trussville Civic Center

The club hostesses from Holy Cross are Karen Bain, Joan Brooks, Laurie Nabors, and Jeannine Sizemore.

The Bible Challenge December/January Readings

(Includes the first day of February)

Day 274 – Ezekiel 11-12, Psalm 75, I John 5 Day 275 – Ezekiel 13-14, Psalm 76, II John Day 276 – Ezekiel 15-16, Psalm 77, III John Day 277 – Ezekiel 17-18, Psalm 78:1-39, Jude Day 278 – Ezekiel 19-20, Psalm 78:40-72, Revelation 1 Day 279 – Ezekiel 21-22, Psalm 79, Revelation 2 Day 280 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud

in church Day 281 – Ezekiel 23-24, Psalm 80, Revelation 3 Day 282 – Ezekiel 25-26, Psalm 81, Revelation 4 Day 283 – Ezekiel 27-28, Psalm 82, Revelation 5 Day 284 – Ezekiel 29-30, Psalm 83, Revelation 6 Day 285 – Ezekiel 31-32, Psalm 84, Revelation 7 Day 286 – Ezekiel 33-34, Psalm 85, Revelation 8 Day 287 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud

in church Day 288 – Ezekiel 35-36, Psalm 86, Revelation 9 Day 289 – Ezekiel 37-38, Psalm 87, Revelation 10 Day 290 – Ezekiel 39-40, Psalm 88, Revelation 11 Day 291 – Ezekiel 41-42, Psalm 89:1-18, Revelation 12 Day 292 – Ezekiel 43-44, Psalm 89:19-52, Revelation 13 Day 293 – Ezekiel 45-46, Psalm 90, Revelation 14 Day 294 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud

in church Day 295 – Ezekiel 47-48, Psalm 91, Revelation 15 Day 296 – Daniel 1-2, Psalm 92, Revelation 16 Day 297 – Daniel 3-4, Psalm 93, Revelation 17 Day 298 – Daniel 5-6, Psalm 94, Revelation 18 Day 299 – Daniel 7-8, Psalm 95, Revelation 19 Day 300 – Daniel 9-10, Psalm 96, Revelation 20 Day 301 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church Day 302 – Daniel 11-12, Psalm 97, Revelation 21 Day 303 – Hosea 1-2, Psalm 98, Revelation 22 Day 304 – Hosea 3-4, Psalm 99, Matthew 1

Day 305 – Hosea 5-6, Psalm 100, Matthew 2 Day 306 – Hosea 7-8, Psalm 101, Matthew 3 Day 307 – Hosea 9-10, Psalm 102, Matthew 4 Day 308 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church Day 309 – Hosea 11-12, Psalm 103, Matthew 5 Day 310 – Hosea 13-14, Psalm 104, Matthew 6 Day 311 – Joel 1-2, Psalm 105, Matthew 7 Day 312 – Joel 3, Psalm 106, Matthew 8 Day 313 – Amos 1, Psalm 107, Matthew 9 Day 314 – Amos 2, Psalm 108, Matthew 10 Day 315 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church Day 316 – Amos 3, Psalm 109, Matthew 11 Day 317 – Amos 4, Psalm 110, Matthew 12 Day 318 – Amos 5, Psalm 111, Matthew 13 Day 319 – Amos 6, Psalm 112, Matthew 14 Day 320 – Amos 7, Psalm 113, Matthew 15 Day 321 – Amos 8, Psalm 114, Matthew 16 Day 322 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church Day 323 – Amos 9, Psalm 115, Matthew 17 Day 324 – Obadiah, Psalm 116, Matthew 18 Day 325 – Jonah 1, Psalm 117, Matthew 19 Day 326 – Jonah 2, Psalm 118, Matthew 20 Day 327 – Jonah 3, Psalm 119:1-32, Matthew 21 Day 328 – Jonah 4, Psalm 119:33-72, Matthew 22 Day 329 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church Day 330 – Micah 1, Psalm 119:73-112, Matthew 23 Day 331 – Micah 2, Psalm 119:113-144, Matthew 24 Day 332 – Micah 3, Psalm 119:145-176, Matthew 25 Day 333 – Micah 4, Psalm 120, Matthew 26 Day 334 – Micah 5, Psalm 121, Matthew 27 Day 335 – Micah 6, Psalm 122, Matthew 28 Day 336 – Enjoy hearing the Scriptures read aloud in church

LADIES’ CHRISTMAS PARTY & POTLUCK

The ECW’s Mary & Martha of Bethany Guild and the Ladies’ Night Out group, will hold their ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18th at 6:30 pm. Bring a dish for Potluck and a $10.00 wrapped gift (not a prank gift) to exchange as we play “DIRTY SANTA.” We are also asking each lady to bring a BATH TOWEL and a WASHCLOTH for TEAM. This is the time of year for sharing and we will also make a cash donation to TEAM.

Once again, we have a great opportunity to help those in our community with our annual Angel Tree Program. Please consider taking an angel (or two!) from the tree in the narthex, and then be sure to use the corresponding sign-up sheet (located in the narthex) for the accounting of all angels and their gifts.

There is also an opportunity to sponsor food items for each family's Christmas dinner. Monetary donations are always very welcome.

Wrapped and tagged gifts should be placed under the tree no later than Sunday, December 21st so that delivery may be made before Christmas. Thank you, again!

MOTHERS’ MISSION AND MINISTRY GROUP

It's a busy time of year for moms! What better way is there to enjoy each other's company and fellowship than to have dinner and prayers together? This month, we'll meet in the Genesis Room on Tuesday, December 2nd from 6:00-7:30pm. We'll discuss the Angel Tree project and continue to let the children decorate the angels.

Next month, we'll meet on Tuesday, January 6th at 6:00pm. We'll use this time to reflect on our mission and how we can continue to be relevant to the needs of the community. Looking forward to seeing you there! Remember, childcare is provided!

GREENING OF THE CHURCH Altar Guild Work Day

The Altar Guild will meet on Tuesday, December 23rd, starting at 9:00am, to prepare the church for the Christmas Eve services. We will assist the Flower Guild in the Greening of the Church at this time, also.

"Many hands make for light work," so please plan to attend.

If you would like to reserve a poinsettia in honor or memory of a family member or friend, please sign up in the Narthex. The sign-up sheet will be available until December 21st. Please make your check payable to Holy Cross, with a note on the check that it is for a poinsettia. The plants are $15.00 each.

Advent Pageant 10:30am Sunday, December 21 Christmas Eve Services 5:30pm Family Eucharist 10:30pm Midnight Mass

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel which is translated GOD WITH US.’ ” Matthew 1:22-23 What a blessing, a miracle, a gift from God that he gave to all of us. What an awesome gift he gave to us to celebrate and rejoice in each day. Thank you God for your awesome gift of life and sacrifice. As we celebrate the holiday season and gather together with our family and friends, let us also celebrate the gift of life, peace, love and understanding. Let us forgive our enemies and break bread with them at the table. Let us give to the poor or needy and heal the sick. Let us comfort those in sorrow and remember those of the past. May your heart be filled with joy and laughter, may you find child-like faith and wonder. May God bless you beyond imagination and fill you full of grace. I thank God for all the parishioners at Holy Cross. Thank you for the wonderful family that we are. God bless all of you and thank you for being my Christmas gift this past year. What a blessing you have all been to me. May you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! Deanna Booth Sr. Warden

If you would like to be confirmed, received, or reaffirm your faith during the December 14th service with Bishop Sloan, please contact Joe Gibbes (520-6603) or the parish office (655-7668).

PRAYER REQUESTS AND CONCERNS Please contact the parish office if you undergo surgery or hospitalization and would like a visit. Should you, or any of your family or friends, have a pastoral care need or concern, please inform the office by calling Janet at 655-7668. The Prayer Chain Team and Food Ministry exists to serve parishioners as they face tough times.

Mary & Martha of Bethany Guild The next business meeting of the ECW will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at 11:30 am in the Genesis Room. Please bring a sandwich and some good ideas - all ladies of the church are welcome.

Vestry Highlights Be on the lookout for your Vestry Meeting Highlights which will now be published on the Holy Cross Website holycrosstrussville.org. They will also, as always, be posted on the bulletin board.

SR. WARDEN’S CORNER

Ladies’ Night Out The January date for Ladies’ Night Out will be Thursday, January 22nd at The Palace Chinese Restaurant in the Wal-Mart Shopping Center. See you there at 6:30 pm.

Free Photos If you haven’t already received your free 8”x 10” photo from the pictorial directory photo shoots from Lifetouch, please look for yours on the table in the Genesis Room.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH AT 7:30AM Holy Cross EYC will participate in Habitat for Humanity with the Cathedral Church of the Advent. The home is located near Irondale.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH Help serve hot chocolate and doughnuts for the Trussville Christmas parade goers. Help clean up as well. The Trussville Christmas Parade begins at 3:00pm.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20TH EYC will be shopping for the Angel Tree Ministry.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21ST EYC will assist in wrapping for the Angel Tree Ministry.

Please contact Hannah Kelly (908-2001) for more details and times on events.

Coffee and Conversation

Join us each Sunday for Coffee and Fellowship following each service. Coffee will be offered in the Genesis Room after the 8:00 o’clock service and during Sunday school hour.

Following the 10:30 service, coffee and cookies (only) will be available in the Narthex. We are asking for volunteers to host these coffees and it is really quite simple. A sign-up sheet is available in the Genesis Room and instructions are at the bottom of the sign-up sheet. The cookies may be store-bought unless you are inclined to bake. The main focus of these coffees is not to see who is the better baker, but to enjoy the friendship of one another. Should you have any questions, please contact Karen Mann at 533-1211. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20

This year’s Christmas pageant will be held on the last Sunday of Advent, December 21st, during the 10:30 worship service. A Happy Birthday Jesus Party will follow the service in the Genesis Room. The first practice will be on Sunday, December 7th, during the Sunday school hour. It will continue each Sunday thereafter, until the production. There will be a dress rehearsal during the Sunday school hour immediately before the pageant. We hope all the children at Holy Cross will participate in the telling of Jesus’ birth. Questions may be directed to Deanna Booth, Anne Amick or Donna Madison.

The 5:30pm Christmas Eve family service is for all ages. Please feel welcome to bring your infants and small children to the Eucharist. There will be no nursery for either Christmas Eve service.

Bob Adams 1 Steve Edwards 2 Sean O’Donnell 2 Ken Powers 5 Alyce Daniel 6 Jon Bolle 8 Ashley Morse 8 Jim Morse 10 Lauren Winstead 11 Carrie Hernandez 12 Robin McLendon 13 Victoria Stark 13 Chuck Allen 14 Bill Fyfe 15 Patrick Turner 18 Krista Fine 19 Robbi LeBlanc 19 Rachel Morris 19 Andrey Ramp 19 Mike Rohr 20 Clayton Kizzire 22 Harper Nichols 23 Camille Turner 25 Mary Kay Franks 25 Amy Gibbes 26 Mary Virginia Mize 26 Tom Mitchell 27 Sandra Reaves 28 Gracie Bramblette 31

Please inform the church office if your name does not appear in the month of your birthday.

Congratulatio

NEW ORGAN IS DEDICATED

Holy Cross's new organ was dedicated at an evening prayer and dedication service held at the church at 4:00 pm, Sunday, November 9th, with Canon Joe Gibbes officiating. The instrument was named the Margaret Thompson Prickett Organ, and it was dedicated to the glory of God and in memory of Mrs. Prickett, who was a Holy Cross member. After she passed away at age 93 in January 2013, the church received a bequest through her will, part of which was used to purchase the organ. At the end of the service, Frederick Teardo, D.M.A., demonstrated the organ's versatility in a short recital featuring the music of J.S. Bach, M. Searle Wright and Charles-Marie Widor. Dr. Teardo is Director of Music and Organist at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham. The daughter of a church organist and a lifelong Episcopalian, Margaret Prickett was an enthusiastic supporter of church music. She played the piano in her home for many years and also had an organ for a time. Her niece, Yvonne Olive, recalls that in earlier years she and other family members gathered at the Prickett home on Saturday evenings, where Margaret led hymn practice for the next day's church service. Holy Cross’s new organ replaced an organ designed primarily as a home or studio practice instrument, which was obtained by the church about 24 years ago. The old organ had several significant problems, mostly involving the mechanics of the console and the size and location of its speakers, notes Justin Finch, Holy Cross’s Organist and Director of Music. It was concluded that replacing the organ would be preferable to pouring funds into repair efforts. The new organ better meets the needs of the church’s worship style and building. It may be expanded as parish needs grow, and it offers versatility and size attractive even for concert organists. The service also recognized donations to the Prickett Organ Fund for Mission & Ministry. These include gifts in loving memory of Don Potts, George Clayton, Barbie McLendon and Carolyn Booth; in honor of Austin & Lauren Scarborough and of the Raulerson family; and in thanksgiving for the 50 years of marriage of Charlotte & Tom Scarborough, for William, Tamea & Katie Barnes, and for the 1988 marriage of William & Tamea at Holy Cross. - Bob Peterson Above left, Margaret Prickett with great-great-nephew Kesler Rodgers in 2005. Above right, Mrs. Prickett's relatives and church personnel at the dedication, left to right: Dennis Blass, Natalie Rodgers, Clayton Woolley, Henry Woolley (infant), Ashley Woolley, Barry Woolley, Mae Margaret Woolley (infant), Trudy Thompson Woolley, Canon Joe Gibbes, Kesler Rodgers, Vicke Thompson Blass, Yvonne Thompson Olive, Justin Finch, Samuel Urmey & Dr. Frederick Teardo.

PASTORAL CARE

The Pastoral Care Teams continually welcome anyone who would like to become a part of our ministries. These ministries allow us to serve others while receiving many blessings in return. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Charlotte Scarborough at 655-4221.

Congratulations to

Matt & Rachel Morris on the birth of their son, David Simeon Morris,

born on Thanksgiving Day.