27 December, The Feast of St. Stephen
The Stoning of StephenThe third day of Christmastide celebrates St. Stephen, the patron saint of martyrs. In commemoration of this feast day, we offer a letter from Canon Andrew White about the situation of the Church in Baghdad; Canon White is vicar of St George's Church, Baghdad, the only Anglican church in Iraq and an old friend of Fr Chip Edgar, and, according to Fr Chip, a "remarkable man."
"...We are living in danger but we are inspired by little Adam. Just a boy of three years of age, he was in the Syrian Catholic Church when the massacre took place there on 31st October this year. His parents were both killed but he traipsed around after the terrorists as they shot at people, shouting at them to stop. Over and over again he called out "Enough. Enough." And then he too was killed."
Construction Begins
Learn more about our Building Project here.
Construction officially began this week on renovations for a new worship space for CotA. The land and existing building were purchased earlier this year through the careful deliberation of our Vestry and Building Committee, and the generous financial support of the CotA Parish. (the Revd) Tom Garman, bringing decades of experience in the construction business, acts as CotA's official representative to Hood during this building and renovation phase.
4th Annual Christmas Ball
The rooms at the Millstone at Adams Pond this past Sunday found themselves filled to overflowing with people of all ages who came out to celebrate the Christmas season. The dance list was filled with songs suitable for rumba, fox-trot, and waltz, but was not too formal to also include the electric slide once (or twice).
Epistle Available Online
Volume 5, Issue 2In This Issue (Just to name a few)
Counting Down by Charissa Ketcherside
Milestones by Matthew Fletcher
Ornithosomnambulist by Dave Ohlman
Advent Lessons and Carols Service This Sunday
Hear Church of the Apostles parishioners perform special music pertaining to the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus this Sunday during our Lessons and Carols Service.
4th Annual Family Christmas Ball
Every year Apostles joins together to celebrate the Christmas season; join us, this year again at the Millstone at Adams Pond, for a wonderful time of fellowship and celebration.
A Favorite Quote for the Advent/Christmas Season
"How fruitful are seeming barren places of Scripture...
"Lord, I find the genealogy of my Saviour strangely chequered with four remarkable changes in four immediate generations (Matthew 1.7-8).
1. Rehoboam begat Abijah; that is, a bad father begat a bad son.
2. Abijah begat Asa; that is, a bad father, a good son.
3. Asa begat Jehosaphat; this is, a good father, a good son.
4. Jehosaphat begat Joram; that is, a good father, a bad son.
"I see, Lord, from hence, that my father's piety cannot be entailed; that is bad news for me. But I see also that actual impiety is not always hereditary; this is good news for my son."
(Thomas Fuller, 17th century Anglican divine, in Good Thoughts in Bad Times.)
Advent is Here
Advent: (Latin ad-venio, to come to).
Advent is a period beginning with the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (30 November) and embracing four Sundays. The first Sunday may be as early as 27 November, giving Advent 28 days, or as late as 3 December, leaving the season only 21 days.
With Advent the ecclesiastical year begins. During this time the faithful are admonished
- to prepare themselves worthily to celebrate the anniversary of the Lord's coming into the world as the incarnate God of love,
- thus to make their souls fitting abodes for the Redeemer coming in Holy Communion and through grace, and
- thereby to make themselves ready for his final coming as judge, at death and at the end of the world.
Fr Edgar Enters Conversation about the Role of the Church
This week (11/29-12/1) Fr Edgar participated in the New City Commons Pastor's Forum. Organized by the New City Commons Foundation and the University of Virginia's Institute for Advanced Cultural Studies, the forum provided an opportunity to discuss James Davison Hunter's (PhD)new book, "To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World" (Oxford: 2010). "I was privileged to participate in what turned out to be a well organized and beautifully conducted conversation with one of America's leading sociologists, who is also a devout Christian. His concern that the church regain a calling to be a faithful presence in all areas of life, and that we recognize the limits of political power in affecting cultural change was a real challenge and inspiration. I am looking forward to pushing more deeply into Dr Hunter's ideas, carrying the conversation further, and exploring what it would look like to see the vision for "faithful presence" take root in our life at Apostles," Fr Edgar said.
Apostles and the AMiA
Our Rector, Chip Edgar, was in Pawleys Island last week to report to the AMiA Council of Bishops on the work he has been doing to establish liturgical standards for the Mission. He will be presenting the first draft of the Ordinal that he has worked on as a member of the ACNA prayer book committee.
"It has been a pleasure for me to work on behalf of the AMiA in developing these liturgies-which is my passion." Fr Edgar said. "Bishop Murphy has appointed me to the ANCA Prayer Book Committee. It is a joy to serve the church this way."
Moving Ahead in the Next Step
As we seek a permanent worship space, our Building Committee has faithfully wrestled through a myriad of challenges to lead and guide Apostles forward into a building of our own that will best facilitate our ministry goals:
Responding to the great commission while encouraging one another in faith and obedience.
FIND OUT MORE HERE.
Discipleship Weekend
Talks will be held at the Kings Grant Clubhouse. For childcare, contact Becci Rindahl.
Information Updates
To assist in serving the people of Apostles, we would like to have as accurate information as possible.
You can update your own information through our online directory (if you do not have a login, look for the "Need a login?" link and follow the instructions there) or, we can do it for you if you will simply fill out and submit the Information Update Form found here.
August Ed. of Currents Available
In This Issue:
This month at Church of the Apostles we had an episcopal visit from our Bishop, Terrell Glenn, who also serves as the Rector of All Saints in Pawleys Island. Read about All Saints in the Currents article All Saints Reaches Out in Love.
Plus, much more of things that are happening in theAM.
Episcopal Visit this Sunday
This Sunday we are pleased to have our Bishop, (the Rt Revd) Terrell Glenn with us. He will celebrate and preach at both services.
New Rector of Discipleship to Speak at Discipleship Weekend
Church of the Apostles dedicates several weekends out of the year to provide an opportunity for us to think more deeply about issues related to our lives as Christians. The upcoming Discipleship weekend, scheduled for September 24 - 26, will center around the themes of Discipleship and Grace. Our speakers will be our own Rector, Fr Chip Edgar, and new Associate Rector of Discipleship, Fr Hule Goddard.
In his new role, Fr Hule is committed to join and to serve what God is already currently doing in these core arenas at Apostles, and hopes to enrich and to create environments that optimize our transformation into Christ-like and Christ-imparting persons.
The DW talks will be held at the Kings Grant Clubhouse.
Hippies, Preppies and Families
This Sunday (the Revd) David Browder, Deacon and teacher of Adult Christian Education class "Christ in Culture" at Apostles, preached on the Gospel text, Luke 12.49-56.
(The Order of Service used can be found here.)
Innovation in Church Planting
Associate Rector Aaron Burt will soon be assuming full-time church planting work in the North West. The recent edition of the AMiA quarterly magazine features an article where the Burts make an appearance. Read the article here.
Sermon Notes :: Worth Noting
Two weeks ago, Fr Aaron Burt began his powerful sermon with a concise overview of the Old Testament. We think it is a great way to get the context of the Old Testament firmly in your minds. Here it is for our profit. Do you think you could memorize it?THE COMPLETE WORKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT (abridged)
God created everything, most notably people, who disbelieved and disobeyed God, separating themselves from him. Their sin and separation became so great ... (more)
Wedding Dress Project
Since 2006 Church of the Apostles has had an ongoing Sister-to-Sister relationship with Kibungo Diocese, Rwanda, and its Bishop Josias Sendegaya. In Rwanda every bride-to-be that can afford it rents her wedding dress. Bishop Sendegaya’s wife Dorothy and other women leaders have written a project plan to rent out wedding dresses. With the help of the women of Apostles, the goal of 20 wedding dresses was met and exceeded, with a few of the dresses new and never worn, plus bridesmaids’ dresses. The dresses, about 50 in number, were packed in space saver bags and shipped on their way to Rwanda.