The Turning Point
The Turning Point June, 2013 St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church PO Box 711, Ellsworth ME 04605 Phone: 667-5495
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://stdunstans.episcopalmaine.org
ANGELS The word “Angel” is from the Greek angelos meaning messenger. In the Bible angels are messengers from God to mankind, either to individuals as with Mary and the Annunciation, or to groups as in the announcement of Christ's birth to the shepherds. Christians think of the angels in the Bible, but they also appear in Jewish tradition and also Islam and Zoroastrianism. Angels are revealers of divine truths but also help mankind attain salvation or special graces. Their primary function, though, is to praise and serve God and do his will. Acting as functional extensions of the divine will angels may sometimes intervene in human affairs by punishing the unjust or rewarding the faithful. Biblical examples appear in Tobit as well as other books of the Bible. The number of angels is stated as being prodigious. Revelation speaks of “myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.” Numerous persons including Ambrose, Gregory the Great, John of Damascus, and even up to Billy Graham, have attempted to list and rank them but there is little agreement among such listings. Most generally agreed upon are archangels, angels, seraphim, and cherubim. Only two archangels are mentioned in the Old Testament, Raphael who was God’s helper and guardian of human spirits, and Uriel who was leader of the heavenly hosts, and watched over the underworld. Others are known and named, Gabriel, the ruler of Paradise and of the cherubim and seraphim, Michael, guardian of Israel, and also Rawuel, Sariel, and Remuel. Angels are often believed to be guardians over individuals and nations. Several places in the Bible imply that this is the case though it is never expressed that every individual has his appointed guardian angel (nice though that would be for us). Angels are also regarded as conducting the souls of the dead to the supraterrestrial world. Continued on next page….
Some angels are considered to have fallen from their state of grace as angels generally because of pride or an attempt to usurp the place of the Supreme Being. The best known is Lucifer who rebelled against God and was cast down to earth where we know him as Satan, and the Devil. These fallen angels provoke us to sin to keep us from attaining a right relationship with God. Some medieval scholars felt there was a hierarchy of fallen angels or arch demons, each one responsible for one of the deadly sins. There was Lucifer (pride), Mammon (avarice), Asmodeus (lechery), Satan (anger), Beelzebub (gluttony), Leviathan (envy), and Belphegor (sloth). Fallen angels were viewed as agents of famine, war, disease, earthquakes, accidental deaths, and various mental and emotional disorders. It wasn’t all that long ago that those with mental diseases were considered to be possessed by demons. Herbert Beckwith
THE PRESENT AND FUTURE Your Vestry and the Diocese have been working to find a Transitional Priest for St. Dunstan's and this process has proven to be a challenge for both. To date we have been unable to find any Priest interested in moving for a part time position and those Priests that are retired, wish to remain so. However, Vicki Wiederkher does have two more people that we should ask to visit us as supply clergy and then possibly consider. Another consideration is of possible clustering or collaboration with other Episcopal churches. This could be the better effort for all concerned. Sharing would provide full time work and pay for a Priest, while providing continuity and stability for the churches involved. Clustering is not a new way of providing clergy in Maine and there is considerable experience in Arusta County where five churches have shared one priest for more then twenty years and most recently with Brewer and Old Town sharing for the past two years. This way of providing clergy leadership appears to be the way of future for the Diocese of Maine, as more churches face both the shrinking size of congregations and a reduction in pledging. At the May 5th Vestry meeting it was decided that St. Dunstan' s would have three Eucharist Sunday’s each month. This will require an increase in the number of Chalice Bearers to help with the Eucharist service. Volunteers are asked to step forward and accept this Lay Ministry responsibility, as we move toward almost 80% of our worship being with Supply Clergy and communion. Continued on next page….
On May 11th I attended the quarterly Diocesan Council meeting and found it both spiritually moving and informative. The 2014 budget is projected to be greatly reduced from 2013, this is based upon Parochial Reports (each year every parish submits this report of finances and members). This financial projection will have an impact on the Portland staff and their duties. The Bishop also addressed searching for part time clergy and that to date none has accepted this position because of the part time pay and if their spouse has full time work, moving does not make financial sense. While we continue looking for a Transitional Priest and consider clustering, our church family remains strong. There are numerous possible paths that are starting to present themselves to us and I know we will chose the best for our church and the future. In Faith,
Dave
PARISH PICNIC Sunday, June 16 Pot Luck Parish Picnic at Ruth Saliba's. Join your fellow parishioners immediately after the 10 am service for a time of fun, fellowship and great food at Ruth's beautiful home on the water in Lamoine. Carpooling is suggested and sign up will be in the parish hall.
ST DUNSTAN’S CHURCH VESTRY MEETING SUMMARY MAY 5, 2013 The Vestry, on behalf of the parish, welcomes Jan Newett as the newest member and Bob Hessler as our new Vestry Clerk. We look forward to working with them both in those capacities. The Treasurer, Muffet Stewart reported that our finances continue to be stable and, with Vestry approval, $10,000 was sent to the Lottie Horn Fund. It will earn more income for us there than sitting in our bank account and is available if needed, in the future. Muffet reminded the Vestry, with more details provided by Harvey Kelley, that a large loan was taken from the Endowment to build the addition, some of which was repaid, but we were unable to complete the repayment. While our income is behind a smidge so far, our use of supply clergy for a longer period than originally budgeted and lower than expected winter expenses have helped our financial picture (see April figures below.) The trustees of Diocesan Funds sent an interesting informational packet which gives an overview of their investment strategy and asset management. If you would like a copy of the Trustee information, please let Muffet know. The Vestry hopes that we can decline a grant for 2014 and will make that decision once our finances are clearer. It is time for us to do what we need to do to operate without it. Junior Warden, Harvey Kelley thanked all those who came to help clean up our campus – this is essential at the end of each winter and in the fall. All parish members are welcome – the more hands helping, the easier on everyone. The elevator is unreliable and Harvey will get the elevator folks back out to see what needs tweaking as it is used regularly now. We have an audio/video intercom system for the office now so Heidi or anyone in the office can converse with visitors who are outside the office door, and direct them appropriately. We hope to have this installed shortly. The Vestry is also looking at outdoor lighting security and will be getting ideas and pricing for that as well as for a new sign out front which will also enable us to publicize activities and services here easily. Senior Warden, Dave Wells has the supply clergy schedule done through June and we are blessed to have such wonderful clergy willing to help us. The Diocese continues to work on finding a Transitional Priest In Charge, but there is no one on the horizon yet. As you know by now, we will be having three Eucharists each month starting in July, being mindful that we may need to return to every other week when we have a priest in place. Dave and Marian Wells have offered to repair the front steps of the church, going to the sidewalk which are unsightly and dangerous. The Vestry accepted their offer with enormous gratitude! Friends in Action has requested the use of the kitchen and Parish Hall for Senior Coffee House on Thursday mornings while the new Community Center is under construction. It will be nice to have them back where they started! Continued on next page….
The Vestry continues to be grateful to all our parishioners for their support and enthusiasm as we move into the transitional time before a new Priest is called. As always, please talk to any Vestry member with your concerns and ideas. We are all in this together!
St Dunstan's
Jan - Apr 13
Budget
% of Budget
Ordinary Income/Expense Income 310.00
1,800.00
17.22%
0.00
6,413.00
0.0%
Investment Income
3,721.60
17,000.00
21.89%
Outreach Income
1,140.00
4,500.00
25.33%
19,354.78
61,500.00
31.47%
24,526.38
91,213.00
26.89%
Building Expenses
3,594.62
8,252.00
43.56%
Diocese Expenses
7,213.13
22,439.00
32.15%
0.00
525.00
0.0%
564.08
3,025.00
18.65%
0.00
8,000.00
0.0%
5,974.52
13,428.00
44.49%
0.00
36,492.00
0.0%
Worship
181.70
800.00
22.71%
Total Expense
17,528.05
92,961.00
18.86%
6,998.33
-1,748.00
Building Use Grant Income
Plate and Pledge Income Total Income
Expense
Miscellaneous Expenses Office Outreach Expenses Personnel Rector/TPIC
Net Ordinary Income
ST. DUNSTAN’S SPRING CLEAN UP
CLEANING GOD’S HOUSE AND A SUN FILLED DAY OF FELLOWSHIP
June Celebrations
Birthdays 4th Charlie Delong 7th Marian Wells 9th Martha Resotka 10th Anna Chornyak & Emily Colson
Anniversaries 27th Catherine and David Ayers
11th Norman Hodgkins 17th William Plante 20th Lore Lipkvich 22nd Peg White, Lily Cooper & Callahan Carter 24th John Tremblay 27th Sarah Ayers 28th James Jr. Doe
Parish Officers & Vestry Bishop Rt. Rev Stephen Lane Deacon Rev. Joan Preble Senior Warden Dave Wells Junior Warden Harvey Kelley Treasurer Muffet Stewart Assistant Treasurer
Vestry Barbara Clark Diana Gazis Sarah Whalen Jan Newett Bob Hessler Vestry Clerk Newsletter Editor John Sheridan Newsletter Staff Everyone at St. Dunstan’s
Next Newsletter Deadline: Sunday, June 16th, 2013
Mary DeLong Send news to John Sheridan [email protected]
Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church P.O. Box 711, 134 State Street Ellsworth, Maine 04605-0711
More on Spring Clean Up
e-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://stdunstans.episcopalmaine.org
ANGELS The word “Angel” is from the Greek angelos meaning messenger. In the Bible angels are messengers from God to mankind, either to individuals as with Mary and the Annunciation, or to groups as in the announcement of Christ's birth to the shepherds. Christians think of the angels in the Bible, but they also appear in Jewish tradition and also Islam and Zoroastrianism. Angels are revealers of divine truths but also help mankind attain salvation or special graces. Their primary function, though, is to praise and serve God and do his will. Acting as functional extensions of the divine will angels may sometimes intervene in human affairs by punishing the unjust or rewarding the faithful. Biblical examples appear in Tobit as well as other books of the Bible. The number of angels is stated as being prodigious. Revelation speaks of “myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.” Numerous persons including Ambrose, Gregory the Great, John of Damascus, and even up to Billy Graham, have attempted to list and rank them but there is little agreement among such listings. Most generally agreed upon are archangels, angels, seraphim, and cherubim. Only two archangels are mentioned in the Old Testament, Raphael who was God’s helper and guardian of human spirits, and Uriel who was leader of the heavenly hosts, and watched over the underworld. Others are known and named, Gabriel, the ruler of Paradise and of the cherubim and seraphim, Michael, guardian of Israel, and also Rawuel, Sariel, and Remuel. Angels are often believed to be guardians over individuals and nations. Several places in the Bible imply that this is the case though it is never expressed that every individual has his appointed guardian angel (nice though that would be for us). Angels are also regarded as conducting the souls of the dead to the supraterrestrial world. Continued on next page….
Some angels are considered to have fallen from their state of grace as angels generally because of pride or an attempt to usurp the place of the Supreme Being. The best known is Lucifer who rebelled against God and was cast down to earth where we know him as Satan, and the Devil. These fallen angels provoke us to sin to keep us from attaining a right relationship with God. Some medieval scholars felt there was a hierarchy of fallen angels or arch demons, each one responsible for one of the deadly sins. There was Lucifer (pride), Mammon (avarice), Asmodeus (lechery), Satan (anger), Beelzebub (gluttony), Leviathan (envy), and Belphegor (sloth). Fallen angels were viewed as agents of famine, war, disease, earthquakes, accidental deaths, and various mental and emotional disorders. It wasn’t all that long ago that those with mental diseases were considered to be possessed by demons. Herbert Beckwith
THE PRESENT AND FUTURE Your Vestry and the Diocese have been working to find a Transitional Priest for St. Dunstan's and this process has proven to be a challenge for both. To date we have been unable to find any Priest interested in moving for a part time position and those Priests that are retired, wish to remain so. However, Vicki Wiederkher does have two more people that we should ask to visit us as supply clergy and then possibly consider. Another consideration is of possible clustering or collaboration with other Episcopal churches. This could be the better effort for all concerned. Sharing would provide full time work and pay for a Priest, while providing continuity and stability for the churches involved. Clustering is not a new way of providing clergy in Maine and there is considerable experience in Arusta County where five churches have shared one priest for more then twenty years and most recently with Brewer and Old Town sharing for the past two years. This way of providing clergy leadership appears to be the way of future for the Diocese of Maine, as more churches face both the shrinking size of congregations and a reduction in pledging. At the May 5th Vestry meeting it was decided that St. Dunstan' s would have three Eucharist Sunday’s each month. This will require an increase in the number of Chalice Bearers to help with the Eucharist service. Volunteers are asked to step forward and accept this Lay Ministry responsibility, as we move toward almost 80% of our worship being with Supply Clergy and communion. Continued on next page….
On May 11th I attended the quarterly Diocesan Council meeting and found it both spiritually moving and informative. The 2014 budget is projected to be greatly reduced from 2013, this is based upon Parochial Reports (each year every parish submits this report of finances and members). This financial projection will have an impact on the Portland staff and their duties. The Bishop also addressed searching for part time clergy and that to date none has accepted this position because of the part time pay and if their spouse has full time work, moving does not make financial sense. While we continue looking for a Transitional Priest and consider clustering, our church family remains strong. There are numerous possible paths that are starting to present themselves to us and I know we will chose the best for our church and the future. In Faith,
Dave
PARISH PICNIC Sunday, June 16 Pot Luck Parish Picnic at Ruth Saliba's. Join your fellow parishioners immediately after the 10 am service for a time of fun, fellowship and great food at Ruth's beautiful home on the water in Lamoine. Carpooling is suggested and sign up will be in the parish hall.
ST DUNSTAN’S CHURCH VESTRY MEETING SUMMARY MAY 5, 2013 The Vestry, on behalf of the parish, welcomes Jan Newett as the newest member and Bob Hessler as our new Vestry Clerk. We look forward to working with them both in those capacities. The Treasurer, Muffet Stewart reported that our finances continue to be stable and, with Vestry approval, $10,000 was sent to the Lottie Horn Fund. It will earn more income for us there than sitting in our bank account and is available if needed, in the future. Muffet reminded the Vestry, with more details provided by Harvey Kelley, that a large loan was taken from the Endowment to build the addition, some of which was repaid, but we were unable to complete the repayment. While our income is behind a smidge so far, our use of supply clergy for a longer period than originally budgeted and lower than expected winter expenses have helped our financial picture (see April figures below.) The trustees of Diocesan Funds sent an interesting informational packet which gives an overview of their investment strategy and asset management. If you would like a copy of the Trustee information, please let Muffet know. The Vestry hopes that we can decline a grant for 2014 and will make that decision once our finances are clearer. It is time for us to do what we need to do to operate without it. Junior Warden, Harvey Kelley thanked all those who came to help clean up our campus – this is essential at the end of each winter and in the fall. All parish members are welcome – the more hands helping, the easier on everyone. The elevator is unreliable and Harvey will get the elevator folks back out to see what needs tweaking as it is used regularly now. We have an audio/video intercom system for the office now so Heidi or anyone in the office can converse with visitors who are outside the office door, and direct them appropriately. We hope to have this installed shortly. The Vestry is also looking at outdoor lighting security and will be getting ideas and pricing for that as well as for a new sign out front which will also enable us to publicize activities and services here easily. Senior Warden, Dave Wells has the supply clergy schedule done through June and we are blessed to have such wonderful clergy willing to help us. The Diocese continues to work on finding a Transitional Priest In Charge, but there is no one on the horizon yet. As you know by now, we will be having three Eucharists each month starting in July, being mindful that we may need to return to every other week when we have a priest in place. Dave and Marian Wells have offered to repair the front steps of the church, going to the sidewalk which are unsightly and dangerous. The Vestry accepted their offer with enormous gratitude! Friends in Action has requested the use of the kitchen and Parish Hall for Senior Coffee House on Thursday mornings while the new Community Center is under construction. It will be nice to have them back where they started! Continued on next page….
The Vestry continues to be grateful to all our parishioners for their support and enthusiasm as we move into the transitional time before a new Priest is called. As always, please talk to any Vestry member with your concerns and ideas. We are all in this together!
St Dunstan's
Jan - Apr 13
Budget
% of Budget
Ordinary Income/Expense Income 310.00
1,800.00
17.22%
0.00
6,413.00
0.0%
Investment Income
3,721.60
17,000.00
21.89%
Outreach Income
1,140.00
4,500.00
25.33%
19,354.78
61,500.00
31.47%
24,526.38
91,213.00
26.89%
Building Expenses
3,594.62
8,252.00
43.56%
Diocese Expenses
7,213.13
22,439.00
32.15%
0.00
525.00
0.0%
564.08
3,025.00
18.65%
0.00
8,000.00
0.0%
5,974.52
13,428.00
44.49%
0.00
36,492.00
0.0%
Worship
181.70
800.00
22.71%
Total Expense
17,528.05
92,961.00
18.86%
6,998.33
-1,748.00
Building Use Grant Income
Plate and Pledge Income Total Income
Expense
Miscellaneous Expenses Office Outreach Expenses Personnel Rector/TPIC
Net Ordinary Income
ST. DUNSTAN’S SPRING CLEAN UP
CLEANING GOD’S HOUSE AND A SUN FILLED DAY OF FELLOWSHIP
June Celebrations
Birthdays 4th Charlie Delong 7th Marian Wells 9th Martha Resotka 10th Anna Chornyak & Emily Colson
Anniversaries 27th Catherine and David Ayers
11th Norman Hodgkins 17th William Plante 20th Lore Lipkvich 22nd Peg White, Lily Cooper & Callahan Carter 24th John Tremblay 27th Sarah Ayers 28th James Jr. Doe
Parish Officers & Vestry Bishop Rt. Rev Stephen Lane Deacon Rev. Joan Preble Senior Warden Dave Wells Junior Warden Harvey Kelley Treasurer Muffet Stewart Assistant Treasurer
Vestry Barbara Clark Diana Gazis Sarah Whalen Jan Newett Bob Hessler Vestry Clerk Newsletter Editor John Sheridan Newsletter Staff Everyone at St. Dunstan’s
Next Newsletter Deadline: Sunday, June 16th, 2013
Mary DeLong Send news to John Sheridan [email protected]
Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church P.O. Box 711, 134 State Street Ellsworth, Maine 04605-0711
More on Spring Clean Up
