St Thomas Times Page

July/Aug, 2014

St. Thomas Times St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 124 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210 www.stthomasabingdon.dioswva.org (276) 628-3606

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Plans for Festival Luncheons Under Way 1

Family Movie Party Set for August 10 1

Thoughts for August 2

Tower Repairs Completed 3

Wednesday Bible Study Examines Jewish Traditions 3

“Summertime Jesus” Joins Parishioners 4

Boys’ Home Outreach a Success 5

St Thomas Helps Grace House Volunteers Help Others 6

Burt Bassham Bid a Fond Farewell 7

Episcopalians Celebrate Ordination Anniversary 7

Kids Page 8

Convocation Canoe Trips Available This Summer 9

For Your Information . . . 9

Back-to-School Family Movie Party Set for August 10

Kids of all ages are invited to gather in the Parish Hall to watch the

brilliant animated film, Totoro, by the legendary director and animator

Hayao Miyazaki (Howl's Moving Castle). This touching story follows

two young girls as they befriend the magical Totoro creatures. The

king of the Totoros, O Totoro, leads them on an adventure and also

teaches them about the realities of life. Join us at 3:00 for fellowship

and popcorn to kick off the school year!

Plans for the Virginia Highlands

Festival Luncheons Under Way

Just a reminder that the sign-up sheets have

been posted on the parish hall bulletin board for

volunteers to help with the Aug 6 and Aug 9

Highlands Festival Luncheons at St Thomas.

Festival luncheons, a long-standing tradition in

our parish, are a major “mission” for St Thomas,

and an eagerly awaited aspect of the Virginia

Highlands Festival for many in Abingdon. For a

Please see Festival Luncheons on Page 4

St Thomas Times Page 2

Thoughts for August:

From The Rev. Hilary Streever, Priest-in-Charge

Turn to God for Reconciliation; Pray to God for Peace

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:

everything old has passed away; see, everything

has become new! All this is from God, who rec-

onciled us to himself through Christ, and has giv-

en us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Corinthi-

ans 5:17-18)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Recently, the Church celebrated and remembered

the life and ministry of the first apostle, Mary

Magdalene, her holy day in the calendar being

July 22. One of the readings from her day includ-

ed the passage from 2 Corinthians above.

This is a beautiful passage of scripture that often

rings like a clear bell in my heart; perhaps it does

for you too. Jesus healed Mary Magdalene, we are

told in Luke 8:1-2, by driving out seven demons

from her. Mary Magdalene subsequently became

one of Christ’s most devoted disciples, following

him all over Galilee and into Jerusalem, where she

wept at the foot of his cross and at the opening

to the empty tomb. It was to Mary Magdalene that

Christ, resurrected, first appeared, and thus she

is considered the first apostle, sent to spread the

Good News.

Already in saints like Mary Magdalene, we see

Christ beginning the work of the Kingdom --

making all things new, including each of us. But

to be made new, our hearts must be turned to-

wards God, in Christ. The Greek word for repent-

ance is metanoia, which literally means, to turn.

In turning towards God, we become reconciled

with God.

But it doesn’t stop there: spiritual work has an

incarnate manifestation in this world. Being rec-

onciled with God, we become part of God’s vi-

sion and are given a charge: to be bearers of

God’s mission for reconciliation. To allow God’s

vision of reconciliation to be manifest in us and

among us.

There is much work to be done in the fields, Je-

sus tells us. Indeed, there is much reconciliation

to be done: many relationships torn in our fami-

lies, communities and churches, not to mention

many fights, battles and wars in our world. There

is no shortage of the need for healing and rec-

onciliation.

Before we can be instruments of true reconcilia-

tion, we must seek reconciliation ourselves, both

with God and each other. I encourage you this

month to search your heart in your prayers. How

do you need to be reconciled to God? To some-

one else? What do you need to humbly repent

for, or ask forgiveness for?

Ask God to speak to you in your heart and guide

you towards healing and reconciliation. Let us

flood God with prayers for peace: Let us flood

God with prayers for peace: peace in our fami-

lies, parishes, and communities, our nation, and

the world. As Mary Magdalene first realized, in

Christ’s death and resurrection lies our hope of

death to old ways and resurrection to newness of

life in Christ.

Grace and peace to you in Christ,

Hilary+

St Thomas Times Page 3

Tower Repairs Completed

With paint buckets over the front door

sconces, plywood over windows, and tar-

paulins draped over the front steps, St

Thomas’ tower repairs provided a bizarre

welcome to passers-by and worshipers in

mid-July.

Jack Barrow, Junior Warden, has been in-

volved with the repair work since it began

in the Spring of 2013. As Junior Warden,

Jack oversees the property and its repair.

“The outside tower work is completed,” Jack submitted, “however there is some work to be done

inside the tower that involves carpentry [to complete repair of] leaks that have been fixed by the

outside masonry work.” Jack added that “the most concern was the fact that when the masons got

to the top of the tower [they] realized that the stones were very loose and had to be taken down

and reset with fresh mortar.” The work on the tower cost approximately $28,000. The vestry voted

on July 19 to pay this bill in full out of the surplus monies we had in the General Fund

What is the next big facilities project for the church? “Hopefully not soon” Jack emphasized “but at

some time in the future will be the repair/replacement of the slate roof.”

By Rhonda Kindig

The Wednesday morning Bible Study class con-

tinues to grow, and we would love to have you

join us for coffee and conversation from 10:15

am to 11:15

am weekly.

Be g inn in g

in August,

we will cov-

er a short

study “In

R e m e m -

brance of

Me” that

e x p l o r e s

the Jewish

roots of the Eucharist. You will find this a fas-

cinating look at Jewish traditions, including the

Passover meal, manna in the wilderness, and

the mysterious Bread of the Presence. We will

also examine the Last Supper of Jesus very

closely, to find point-by-point matches for the

Passover seder…and figure out why some as-

pects are missing! Rhonda Kindig and Rev Hil-

ary Streever will lead this class.

At the conclusion of “In Remembrance of Me”,

the WBS will launch into an in-depth study of

the book of Genesis. This would be an ideal

time to begin our class, as we consider all our

foundational stories, chapter by chapter. “In

the Beginning” will also be led by Rhonda and

Rev Hilary.

Wednesday Bible Study Begins Examination of Jewish Traditions

St Thomas Times Page 4

reasonable cost of $8 for an adult/$5 for a

child, there is an amazing salad bar, a selection

of quiches (recipes from the legendary St

Thomas “Keeping the Feast” cookbook), a bev-

erage, and a choice of dessert from a myriad of

options. The proceeds support a variety of

outreach programs locally.

Sign-up sheets have been posted on the parish

hall bulletin board for volunteers to help in a

number of ways. A project this massive relies

upon every St Thomas family member to par-

ticipate in some way—from taking posters to

the community, to setting up, to collecting

money at the doors, to providing the variety of

foods needed, to serving, to cleaning up. And,

two important jobs have lost their volun-

Festival Luncheons from Page 1

teers: Joyce Bassham was a “quiche-wrangler”

of renown, and Burt Bassham could always be

relied upon to collect money at the door.

Zazzy’s will take paid orders for quiche, and

have them ready for both Wednesday and Sat-

urday luncheons.

In conjunction with the Festival Luncheons,

guided tours will be held at 10:00 of the 21

icons found in the sanctuary.

“Summertime Jesus” Joins Parishioners in Everyday and Special Hours

If you have not yet checked out the bulletin board in the parish hall of our “Summertime Jesus” ad-

ventures, do so! What fun to see what everyone is up to this summer, and to recognize that Jesus

is right there with us. It is not too late to pick up a figure to color

and have tag along with you this summer—even if it is just to

your own backyard, we’d love to see you. Email your digital

photos to the church: saintthomas@bvu.net

St Thomas Times Page 5

Boys’ Home Outreach a Success

NOTE: Below are excerpts from an open letter, written by

Beth Smith, after returning from Boys’ Home. Pictures

are courtesy of Gail and Buzz Butler.

Saturday, the 28th of June was one of my favorite days for

a long time! I went with Hillary, Rebecca Kelly, Buzz, and

Gail Butler to Covington to visit Boys Home. Throughout

my childhood, I made trips to Boys Home with Girl Scouts

and church youth groups. I didn’t remember much about

the campus layout or even the beautiful mountains sur-

rounding the home. As an adult I have felt drawn to

make small contributions when I get flyers in the mail. My

good friend Jim Smith serves on the board and has kept

me up on the workings and on his workings with individ-

ual boys, the staff, the

new attempts at reju-

venation of diocesan

involvement with Boys

Home, one of our most

successful missions.

It wasn’t until I made

the trip on Saturday

that I felt in my heart

how special this place

is. I wasn’t ready for

such impact as a girl scout or an M.Y.F. member. But

seeing each of our St. Thomas crew enter into work de-

tails (raking, planting, cooking, and hauling water), and

seeing how willing and excited the boys were to assist us,

and how happy they were to have us visit, boosted my

ability to feel what it is to do the work God has for us all

to do. What a special time we had!

Becca, Hillary, and I wanted to see the chapel. It has a

large open window that looks out onto the peaceful quad

and the cottages. In

front of it was the

altar. A woman had

made a gift of a

beautiful quilt ban-

ner for Boys Home.

The boys carry it at

Council and carried

it for the Bishop’s

consecration. It was

simply gorgeous

and incorporated

many of the elements of the mountains round and the

Boys Home specialties. The chaplain told us the story of

one new little boy who decided to leave Boys Home in the

middle of the night. He got as far as the chapel as it was

in the dead of winter. She said she leaves pillows and

blankets for the boys to have if they want to come there

and “hang out.” She found him asleep the next morning,

curled up warm and cozy.

I have the best godchildren in the world. It was lovely to

spend the day with Rebecca, my youngest. She loved

talking to the boys and spending time with the ones who

were about her age.

One was from Nigeria.

They played basketball

on the Boys Home

team. They were so

happy to have her to

visit with them. I also

have the very best

priest in the world!

She’s amazing! Check

her out some time by

going on one of these

little excursions she

cooks up. I’ve attended the Channels trip and this one to

Boys Home. Hilary was even game for driving into a re-

mote part of Clifton Forge to see the face of Jesus in a

rock that slid down the mountain on a mud slide years

ago and dropped into place where all who drive by or

come to the still clear spring for water can see it.

Gail’s dogs entertained the younger boys all day long.

They loved them. They were a real hit! Great day! Can’t

say enough about it! You probably think I’ve said too

much! Thanks be to God for all our blessings!

St Thomas Times Page 6

St Thomas Helps Grace House Volunteers Help Others

At Grace House, out-

side St Paul, VA, while

youth from Rich-

mond’s All Saints

Episcopal Church un-

packed in preparation

for a week of service

work to local families

in need, St Thomas

clergy and parishion-

ers prepared a hearty

spaghetti supper for the stomach, and an evening

worship service for the soul.

Grace House—in one form or another—has been

serving coalfields communities for over a century by

providing a link between local residents and young

people with a desire to help. Students come to vol-

unteer from as

close as St.

John’s Episcopal

Church in Roa-

noke and as far

away as Albion

University, in

Michigan.

Grace House offers lodging in two bunkhouses which

will sleep up to 38 people. The dining area in the

main building has a large kitchen and a commons

room for worship and group activities. There are

trails on the 11

acre campus, one

leading to an out-

door chapel in the

woods. In addition,

groups can partici-

pate in sight-

seeing and visits

to local museums,

or have guest

speakers come to

Grace House.

Anita Boyd, Director

of Grace House

sums up their work

as follows: “It says

a lot about the de-

votion and care of

these individuals

who take time out

of their lives, come

to the mountains,

and do so for the

sole purpose of helping others. We feel truly

blessed to be a part of this great mission. For those

who do not get to come in person, please pray for

the mission of Grace House and all the individuals

who come to work.”

St Thomas Times Page 7

Burt Bassham Bid a Fond Farewell

Following the untimely death of Joyce, Burt

Bassham is beginning a new page in his life by

moving closer to his family in Texas. His ab-

sence is already being felt—as is Joyce’s—by

those accustomed to his volunteer work with the

Highlands Festival luncheons.

On his final Sunday at St Thomas, he was hon-

ored with a reception following the church ser-

vice.

Episcopalians Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Women's Ordination

Saturday, July 26, 2014, leaders and ordained

women from around the Episcopal Church

gathered in Philadelphia to celebrate the ordi-

nation of the "Philadelphia Eleven," the first

eleven women ordained in the Episcopal

Church forty years ago. Go tohttp://

www.episcopalcafe . com/ lead/wome n/

watch_video_of_service_celebra.html to watch

t h e s e r v i c e , a n d t o h t t p : / /

w w w . e p i s c o p a l c a f e . c o m / l e a d /

clergy/40_years_as_priests_where_are.html to

learn more about the "Philadelphia Eleven."

In an article in the National Catholic Reporter,

Bishop Jefferts Schori said she believes women

have brought "collegial ways of exercising

ministry and collaborative leadership" that

wasn't as fully developed when the priesthood

was exclusively male. "I think women as well

have brought a sense of what it's like to live on

the margins, not to be the norm in the larger

culture, and that's a gift in that it opens our

eyes to seeing the poor and children, immi-

grants, people who do not live in the center."

From left, the Revs. Alison Cheek, Carter Hey-ward and Jeannette Piccard celebrate a eucha-ristic service at Riverside Church in New York on Oct. 27, 1974. (RNS/Chris Sheridan)

St Thomas Times Page 8

St Thomas Times Page 9

Convocation Canoe Trips

Available This Summer

The River Adventure Program of our diocese will hold a

trip on August 16 on the New River, starting at Eggleston

and ending at Ripplemead.

This 7-8 mile stretch of the New River has class-one rap-

ids and a beautiful float through the Palisades, suitable for

beginners. The trip begins at 9:30 and will finish around

4:00. For information, call Laura Harden at 540-493-

4572. There is also a flyer posted on the parish hall bul-

letin board.

New in 2014! The River Adventure Pedal and Paddle on

September 26-28 will include biking on the Virginia

Creeper Trail near Damascus, camping riverside, and ca-

noeing on the New River in Fries!

This trip includes two overnights and the cost includes

meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch, bike

rental and shuttle, boats, tents, and equipment (bring

your own sleeping bag). Join us for this joint youth and all

family event (this fall’s Mass on the Mountain).

Options for the whole event, bringing your own bike, or

splitting into sections, make this a great way to enjoy

God’s creation and meet new friends! Registration for

Convocation Canoe Trips an be found online at:

www.youth.dioswva.org or call the registrar, Laura Hard-

en, at 540-493-4572.

For Your Information . . .

Golfers, there are actually TWO opportunities very

soon to enjoy your sport while supporting local out-

reach programs. There are registration forms and

additional information in the parish hall on the table

beneath the bulletin board: Saturday, August 2, 8:00

am, Greenway Creek Golf Course, Glade Spring, VA,

there will be an 18-hole tournament (Four Man Cap-

tain’s Choice Flights). The cost is $40 per per-

son. All proceeds will go to the Washington County

Habitat for Humanity projects.

Sunday, August 10, 2:00 pm, Clear Creek Golf Club,

Bristol, VA, there will be a tournament and din-

ner. The net proceeds will go to Faith in Ac-

tion ministries.

August 17 will be the date that Bishop Mark Bourla-

kas is scheduled to visit St Thomas. We also will have

a baptism and confirmations that day, followed by

a potluck luncheon.

Sunday, September 14, our outdoor worship service

and picnic is scheduled—to be held at the 4H Center.

Adult Forum is set to resume after a summer hiatus.

Beginning on Sunday, September 21, Dick Austin will

lead Adult Forum sessions on “Jesus in Jerusalem,”

continuing through November 23. More information

will appear in the September issue of the St Thomas

Times.

Change of address:

Nancy & Jerry Bates

367 Villa View Point

Johnson City, TN 36704

Postcard Drive: St. Thomas is initiating an outreach to the local

prison ministry at the Abingdon Regional Jail. The Chaplain,

Danny Thompson, has requested blank, stamped postcards of

any variety to supply the inmates with a means of writing home.

We are designating the last Sunday of August, the 31st, as the

collection date for the post cards. The loose plate offering from

that Sunday will also go to help the prison ministry. Please bring

postcards—the more personal the better, but any will do—on the

31st, and help share Christ’s Love.

St Thomas Times Page 10

St. Thomas Episcopal Church 276-628-3606 SaintThomas@bvu.net On the Web: www.stthomasabingdon.dioswva.org

The Rev. Hilary Streever 276-451-8809 therevhilarycamblos@gmail.com

The Rev. Ellie Scofield 276-258-1640 novak-scofieldep@msha.com

Office Hours: Tuesday 9am – 3pm Wednesday 9am – 3pm

Sunday Worship: 9:30 am Children’s Chapel offered Sept-May Nursery available all year Adult Forum follows worship Sept-May

Wednesday Eucharist & Healing Service: 9:30 am

Wednesday Bible Study: 10:15 am

Marlene Buckles, St. Thomas Times editor

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

124 East Main Street

Abingdon, VA 24210

Episcopal Church Addresses

World Crises

This past month the world has seen crises emerge in

different corners. As Presiding Bishop Katharine Jef-

ferts Schori has written, please flood heaven with pray-

ers for peace. If you're interested in learning more

about how you can help, please see the following links:

Learn how Episcopal Relief and Development, various

Episcopal dioceses, and Episcopal Migration Ministries

are helping the children at our border who are fleeing

violence in Central America at http://

www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/faith_and_politics/

helping_kids_who_cross_the_bor.html

The Anglican hospital in Gaza faces depleted supplies,

and according to a report they sent July 21, many have

fled to the hospital because they feel it will be safer.

To donate, go to the American Friends of the Episcopal

Diocese in Jerusalem website at https://

secure.qgiv.com/for/?key=friendsedj.