From the Pastor

My guess is that many of you watched the royal wedding that took place a few weeks ago. Harry was handsome, Meghan was stunning, and people were happy. It was a welcome distraction, perhaps even a necessary distraction, from the many troubles plaguing us these days.

Those who tuned in expecting pageantry and glamour were not disappointed. The Church of England knows a thing or two about liturgy. What most people were not expecting was the sermon delivered by The Most Reverend Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. And I am not talking about Bishop Curry’s dynamic delivery, although as he preached, I must admit that the look on some of the British faces was priceless.

Instead of the sentimental mush many people are accustomed to hearing at weddings, Presiding Bishop Curry spoke with a palpable passion about love being an active force for good. “Imagine,” he says, “a world where love is the way.” Jesus would approve.

If love were the way, we would surely be living in a much different world. For in a world where love is the way, it would be the other way around: love would be the norm and our troubles would only be momentary

distractions. Pastor Lin +

The 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church July 5-13, Austin, TX

The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church that meets every three years. It is a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies [half clergy and half lay delegates] and the House of Bishops, composed of deputies and bishops from each diocese.

“We Are the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement! The witness of the Hebrew prophets in the Bible was a call to the people of God to return to the Lord, to return to their roots as the people of God. In the Bible, that call to return was actually an invitation to become who they truly were: the people of God.

In the first century, Jesus of Nazareth inspired a movement. It was a movement whose goal was to change the world from the nightmare it often is into something closer to God's dream and a deep, passionate desire for what the Bible calls the Kingdom of God. It was a movement composed of ordinary people of extraordinary diversity. They were Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, male and female. They were poor people and wealthy people. They were differing ethnicities and political ideologies. What bound them together? What gave them purpose? Jesus Christ!

This was a movement by people who committed and centered their lives, their fortunes, and their eternal destinies to following the teachings and living in the Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth, crucified and risen from the dead! Christ breathed through their very lives and they became the Jesus Movement, the Body of Christ, the hands, the feet, the heart of Jesus in the world in their time. And therein is our origin and our identity as baptized disciples of Jesus of Nazareth today.

The Builder

Making Disciples for Jesus Christ

St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church www.stthomasorange.org

(540) 672-3761 email: stthomas3@verizon.net

Rector: The Rev. Dr. Lin Hutton Editor: Ann Wood

Vol. XXXVI July-August 2018 Issue No. 6

The invitation to become the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement is just such an opportunity. This isn’t a new program, or a catchy new slogan, or even a new idea. Rather, this is a call to claim or reclaim the deepest origins of who we are as baptized disciples and followers of Jesus in the Anglican Episcopal way. This is an invitation to place Christ at the very center of our lives individually and together as the Episcopal Church.”

~ Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry

For All the Saints….

St. James the Apostle ~ July 25

Whenever we hear of “St. James” we generally want to clarify which “James” is meant. There are three prominent “James’” in the New Testament. James Zebedee, a fisherman like his brother John, who was among the first disciples called by Jesus and is often referred to as “James the Greater.” The second “James” is another of the twelve disciples called by Jesus and often referred to as “James the Less.” James the Less is commemorated along with Philip, another disciple, on May 1st. The third “James” is the brother of Jesus and became the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He is often referred to as “James, the Brother of our Lord,” or “James the Just,” or “St. James of Jerusalem.” He was martyred in the year 62 A.D. and is commemorated on October 23. Along with his brother John, James Zebedee was the son of a prosperous Galilean fisherman. He and his brother immediately left their boats to follow Jesus’ call to discipleship. James, along with brother John and with Peter, were among a privileged group whom Jesus chose to be witnesses to the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. James was apparently hot-headed like his brother John because Jesus referred to them both as the “Sons of Thunder” [“Boanerges”]. James asked to “share the cup of Christ” and he later became the first Apostle to die for Christ. As Luke records for us in the Acts of the Apostles: “Herod the King laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the Church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword.” [Acts 12:1-2] History records that after King Herod Agrippa I had St. James the Apostle beheaded, the body of James was taken to Compostela, Spain while the head was lovingly buried in Jerusalem. In the 11th Century, the Armenian Church built the Armenian Cathedral of St. James on the burial site, which contains the holy remains of both St. James the Apostle and James the Brother of our Lord. It remains a holy Christian pilgrimage and shrine to this day.

Jonathan Myrick Daniels, Seminarian & Witness for Civil Rights, 1965 ~

August 14

Valedictorian of his graduating class at VMI, this New Hampshire native went onto

study at Harvard before entering the Episcopal Theological Seminary in

Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1965, Jonathan Myrick Daniels was a 26-year-old

Episcopal seminarian who answered the appeal of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,

Jr. to come to Selma to help secure the voting rights of all citizens. While trying to

protect a young black girl in Hayneville, Alabama, Daniels was shot in the chest by

Tom L. Coleman, an unemployed highway worker and unpaid special deputy.

Daniels had headed south to spend his summer with the Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity. On

August 13, he was jailed with over 20 black companions in Hayneville on vague charges for joining a picket

line protesting whites-only stores in nearby Fort Deposit. Six days later, he and his companions were

unexpectedly released and left with no transportation. Aware that they were in danger, four of them walked to

Varner’s Grocery store, one of a few that would serve non-whites. A white Roman Catholic priest and two

young black protestors accompanied Jon Daniels. As sixteen-year-old Ruby Sales reached the top step of the

store entrance, Coleman appeared with a gun, cursing the black girl. As Coleman began to pull the trigger,

Jonathan pushed Ruby down to shield her. Daniels received the full blast from the 12-gauge gun and died in

the entrance to the store.

[As an addendum: Coleman’s second shot hit the fleeing Catholic priest in the back and severely wounded

him. Accused of Manslaughter, Coleman was immediately acquitted by an all-white jury. A member of one of

the most prominent families in the county, Coleman was found not guilty on the grounds of “self-defense,”

against an unarmed seminarian and fleeing priest. Coleman died in his Hayneville home in 1997.]

MORE, “101 Reasons to be an Episcopalian”—

Reason # 19: “We have full-bodied worship: bow, kneel, sit, stand, kneel, hug, walk, and

sometimes even raise your hands, cry, laugh, sing, shout, whisper, smell, taste, feel, touch,

hold, see, and behold and on and on.” The Very Rev. Marilyn J. Engstrom, Diocese of

Wyoming

Reason # 71: “Our roots in the past bear fruit in the present.” Alice Haugen, Diocese of

Iowa

Helping our Community

All Donors to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund (RDF) who suppor ted our Rise Against Hunger Campaign. In addition, last month, we assisted Mrs. B with her electric bill, which had accrued during a period when she missed work due to illness.

Please let us know...

Anytime you hear about a person or family in need, whether in our congregation or in our county,

please let Pastor Lin know so she can show how we at St. Thomas might be able to assist!

FEED MY LAMBS: For the month of July, we are continuing our collection of nutr itious, shelf-stable,

individual-sized portion food items for our little neighbors at OES. If possible, please bring your donations

during the FIRST HALF of July, so that we can deliver to OES before summer school ends.

Microwaveable items (oatmeal packets or cups, mac & cheese cups, soups, noodles, ravioli), granola bars,

cheese crackers, raisins, tuna snack-packs, beef jerky and fruit cups would be most welcome

contributions. Please, no sugary fruit drinks or nut products.

SCHOOL BACKPACKS: In July and August, we are collecting backpacks and supplies for the Orange

Office on Youth’s distribution to students of all ages and grade levels throughout the county. School supplies,

including glue sticks, highlighters, #2 pencils, crayons, magic markers, and colored pencils are greatly

appreciated.

PRESCHOOL SUPPLIES: We are also suppor ting our St. Thomas Preschool this summer with a school

supply collection drive. We will have a blue bucket in which to put donations. We’ll provide you with a wish

list, meanwhile a list of needed items is posted on the bulletin board.

Thanking you in advance for your continued and most generous suppor t of our Outreach effor ts,

Betsy & Ellen

Friday, July 27th at 7pm in Robertson Hall

~ cost of admission is one non-perishable food item ~

Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) is the first female publisher of a major

American newspaper, The Washington Post. With help from editor Ben Bradlee

(Tom Hanks), Graham races to catch up with The New York Times to expose a

massive cover-up of government secrets that spans three decades and four U.S.

presidents. Together, they must overcome their differences as they risk their

careers -- and very freedom -- to help bring long-buried truths to light. The Post

is a 2017 American historical political thriller film directed and produced by

Steven Spielberg and written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer.

~ Google Reviews

Church Etiquette*

BE ON TIME, BE QUIET, BE COURTEOUS

and

FOR PETE'S SAKE, MOVE OVER!

DON'T MAKE PEOPLE CRAWL OVER YOU

TO FIND A SEAT

TURN OFF YOUR CELLPHONE!

GOD HATES SIN (AND CELLPHONES)

WHEN THE PRELUDE BEGINS,

THAT IS YOUR CUE TO STOP TALKING

APPLIES ALSO TO ACOLYTES, USHERS & CHOIR MEMBERS

SILENCE IS A VIRTUE, YOU CAN'T HEAR GOD

(OR THE PREACHER)

WHEN YOU ARE BLABBING

DON'T MAKE US USE INCENSE!

LESS IS MORE WHEN IT COMES TO FRAGRANCE

DON’T BE A CHURCH SNOB

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO STRANGERS

AND WELCOME THEM TO ST THOMAS

DON'T STUFF YOUR NASTY USED TISSUES

IN THE HYMNAL RACKS

PAY ATTENTION,

THERE WILL BE A TEST AFTERWARD

PRAY ALWAYS, SING JOYFULLY, GIVE GENEROUSLY

LOVE UNRESERVEDLY

or else

*Compliments of Points of (Funny) Church Etiquette

Friday, August 24th at 7pm in Robertson Hall

~ cost of admission is one non-perishable food item ~

Warm, winning, and

gloriously alive,

Sean Baker’s The

Florida Project is a

deeply moving and

unforgettably poign-

ant look at child-

hood. Set on a

stretch of highway

just outside the im-

agined utopia of Dis-

ney World, The Flor-

ida Project follows

six-year-old Moonee

(Brooklynn Prince in

a stunning breakout turn) and her rebellious mother Halley (Bria Vinai, another

major discovery) over the course of a single summer. The two live week to

week at “The Magic Castle,” a budget hotel managed by Bobby (a career-best

Willem Dafoe), whose stern exterior hides a deep reservoir of kindness and

compassion. Despite her harsh surroundings, the precocious and ebullient

Moonee has no trouble making each day a celebration of life, her endless after-

noons overflowing with mischief and grand adventure as she and her ragtag

playmates—including Jancey, a new arrival to the area who quickly becomes

Moon’s best friend—fearlessly explore the utterly unique world into which

they've been thrown. Unbeknownst to Moonee, however, her delicate fantasy is

supported by the toil and sacrifice of Halley, who is forced to explore increas-

ingly dangerous possibilities in order to provide for her daughter.

~ Google Reviews

~July~

Doug & Cynthia Arnold

Brandon & Katie Barfield

Terrell & Elaine Baskerville

Chris & Ginny Dulin

Eric & Emily Hohman

Jack & Linda Miller

Tom & Jerri Pitz

~July~

7/01 Pam Crawford

7/04 Mack Cowan

7/07 Zan Thomas

7/08 Mary Queitzsch

7/09 George Colby

7/11 Chip Queitzsch Jr.

7/16 Duff Green

7/17 Daniel Ward

7/18 Sonja Scott

7/22 Tony Watson

7/25 Elizabeth Ward

7/26 Vera Barfield

7/26 Shirley Wendell

7/28 Ed Wendell

~August~

8/02 Nora Butterfield

8/04 Tom Filer Jr.

8/04 Cate Gray

8/04 Matthew Keating

8/05 Suzanne Bresee

8/05 Bobbi Jo Phillips

8/06 Malaika Rogers

8/08 Gerry Dulin

8/10 Chuck Mason

8/10 Erich Uhlmann

8/12 Charlie Biscoe

8/12 Yancey Ford

8/14 Gary Barrett

8/17 Pat Filer

8/18 Charlotte Samuels

8/19 Joseph Wagner

8/26 Scott Fox

8/26 Janine Williams

8/26 Beth Yowell

8/29 Mary Green

8/30 Lauren Crawford

~August~

Grayson & Jeremy Butterfield

Doc & Barbara Garnett

Randy & Caroline Merrick

Jeff & Sarah Rogers

Bucky & Adrianna Waddy

Tony & Anna Watson

Please submit entries for the July-August issue of

The Builder by August 22nd to

annwood304@gmail.com or to the church office.

Prayer List

We pray especially for our church’s leadership:

Michael, Presiding Bishop; Shannon, Susan & Ted,

bishops for this diocese

Our country: President Donald, Vice President

Mike, & Governor Terry

For the special needs and concerns of this

congregation:

For: Dana, Grace, Harr iet, Margaret,

Raymond, Terrell, Tom and our men and women in

our armed forces who are serving our nation around

the world.

And Especially for: Bo, Carol, Ellen, Jennifer ,

John, Judy, Linda, Lucille, Nadia, Rachel, and

Sarah; the victims of religious oppression around

the world; and especially for the victims of gun

violence in our country.

Food Pantry

Special requests for July are

jelly, and canned fruit. Special

requests for August are toilet

paper and paper towels.

Other items include canned soup, meals (stew and

chili), beans, greens, sweet potatoes, and other

veggies; rice; pasta; instant oatmeal; cream of

wheat; mayonnaise; mustard; ketchup; and honey.

All food items and cash gifts are always welcome

and appreciated. You can drop off donations at the

Love Outreach Food Pantry each Tuesday from 9:00

-10:30 and on Wednesday from 8:30-12:00. Their

mailing address is: Love Outreach Food Pantry, Inc.,

P.O. Box 788, Orange, 22960.

You may also bring any donations to the church to

be delivered.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you and

give you peace.

Numbers 6: 22-26

Enjoy the summer!

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

119 Caroline Street

Orange, VA 22960

July/August 2018