The Gleanings of St. John’sA P R I L 2 0 1 5

Proclaim the Good News!One of the real strengths of St. John’s parish is our connectednessto the community and our genuine desire for warm relationships.It seems that the Holy Spirit has laid out for us an open highwayto join with our community in making connections and forging relationships that will change people’s lives.

How shall we proclaim the good news? Maybe it’s not somegrand technique. Maybe we can just be ourselves and shareChrist’s love. excerpt from The Rector’s Message, p.2

Maundy ThursdayApril 2Solemn Foot Washingwill be at 6:30 pm.The Maundy ThursdayService begins at 7:00 pm

Good FridayApril 3Women from six areachurches & St. John’sshare meditations on the Stations of theCross. 7:00 pm

EasterApril 5Join us for theSunday School EasterEgg Hunt followed by Holy Eucharist.9:30 am & 10:30 am

The Gleanings has gone digital. A link to view or download thenewsletter will be emailed to every-one on our email list. When viewingit, if the print is too small, please notethe option to “zoom” (enlarge) at thetop center of the viewing windowusing the “+” or “–”. You can alsodownload it to your computer orprint it yourself if you would ratherread a hard copy. On an iPad, you cansave the PDF to your iBooks library.

A limited number of printed copieswill also be available for pick-up atthe church.

I N T H I S I S S U E

Message from the Rector

Holy Week Schedule

Youth Happenings

Adult Forum: Moses & the Prophets

Confirmation Class Forming

Remember to bring flowers on Easter Sunday morning to“flower the cross” — a favorite tradition at St. John’s.

D A T E S T O R E M E M B E R

www . s t j o h n s b e d f o r d . d i o sw v a . o r g

2

A Message from the Rector The Rev. F. Wilson Brown

Dear friends in Christ,It seems clear that after Jesus’death and resurrection his disci-ples were stunned and fright-ened. All of the gospels recountthat some of Jesus female disci-ples went on the third day andfound an empty tomb. Thegospel of Matthew offers sparse

information about Jesus’ appearances to the elevenapostles. Luke and John portray the apostles asfrightened and confused. The gospel of Mark goesso far as to say that Jesus “upbraided them for theirlack of faith and stubbornness, because they hadnot believed those who saw him after he had risen.”(Mark 16:14)

Then Jesus sends them out. In Mark it is the nextsentence: “And then he said to them, ‘Go into allthe world and proclaim the good news to the wholecreation.” The other gospels build up to it moregradually but the message is the same: “Go there-fore and make disciples of all nations, baptizingthem in the name of the Father and of the Son andof the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obeyeverything that I have commanded you. Andremember, I am with you always, to the end of theage.” (Matt. 28:19-20)

When we are stunned and frightened the risenJesus shows a new reality. Jesus is risen! He hasconquered death not only for himself but for us aswell! The separation between God and humanbeings has been removed. Our sins, our failures, ourdeath no longer hold any enduring power in ourlives …. because Jesus is risen from the dead!

Then Jesus sends us out. As we have received thelove of the risen Christ, we are called to share it.And so we promise in our baptismal vows that wewill “proclaim by word and example the GoodNews of God in Christ” and that we will “seek andserve Christ in all persons,” loving our neighbors asourselves. (BCP p. 305)

We are a people sent into the world to proclaim thelove of God revealed in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Weknow that. We are passionate about our God andabout our church. But how shall we proclaim thegood news?

Our bishop has been calling us to embrace missionalministry. This approach assumes that the HolySpirit is already at work in the community aroundus. Our task is to forge relationships and activepartnerships to participate in what the Spirit isdoing. To be missional is to be outward focused,seeking to build and deepen relationships with theworld around us.

The Bedford community is gathering around acore of concepts and strategies presented byRuby Payne and others in A Framework ForUnderstanding Poverty and Bridges Out of Poverty.Our own Cathey Burks is a trainer in the materialfor the school system and finishes a wonderfulpresentation for our Wednesday Lenten programon Wednesday, April 1st at 5:15. The Departmentof Social Services, the school system, the PoliceDepartment, and faith organizations includingBedford Christian Ministries are developing part-nerships. We are using the material as a commonground to help us better coordinate to respond tothe needs of the community.

One of the core concepts in Bridges Out of Povertymaterial is that, “No significant learning happenswithout significant relationship.” A core concept ofmissional ministry is that we seek to develop signifi-cant, authentic, mutual relationships within thecommunity around us.

One of the real strengths of St. John’s parish isour connectedness to the community and ourgenuine desire for warm relationships. It seems tome that the Holy Spirit has laid out for us anopen highway to join with our community inmaking connections and forging relationshipsthat will change people’s lives.

continued on page 4

3

Upcoming Events & Parish NewsHoly Week ServicesApril 1 Wednesday12:15 pm: Holy Eucharist

April 2 Maundy Thursday6:30 pm Solemn Foot Washing Service7:00 pm: Holy Eucharist Service,

Stripping of the AltarLeave in silence.

April 3 Good Friday12:00 pm: Ecumenical Good Friday Service

(at Washington Street Baptist Church)7:00 pm: Stations of the CrossApril 4 Holy Saturday9:30 am: Decorating the Church

April 5 Easter Sunday8:00 am: Holy Eucharist, Rite I9:30 am: Sunday School—Easter Egg Hunt 10:30 am: Festival of Holy Eucharist, Rite II,

with the Flowering of the Cross

Stations of the CrossThe Stations of the Cross are typically followed onFridays during Lent for meditations on the suffer-ings of Christ—his condemnation to death and tak-ing up the Cross: His first fall on the way toCalvary; meeting his Mother; being assisted bySimon of Cyrene, and by Veronica who wiped hisface; the second fall: meeting the women ofJerusalem; the third fall; being stripped and nailedto the Cross; his death; the removal of his bodyfrom the Cross, and his burial. Depictions of theseevents are displayed in most churches to remind usof the Passion of Jesus. The Stations originated,remotely, from the practice of Holy Land pilgrimswho visited the actual scenes of the incidents in thePassion of Christ. Representations of these scenesare known from as early as the fifth century.

Fourteen meditations comprise The Stations of theCross, part of the dramatic program on GoodFriday, April 3, 2015 at St. John’s Episcopal ChurchBedford. Beginning at 7:00 pm, we will be wrappedin the story of the final hours of Jesus on earth –from his condemnation, his taking up the cross, hismeeting his mother, to his final moments on thecross and his being laid in the tomb.

This Good Friday program is an adaptation of thebook Women of the Passion: A Journey to the Cross byKatie Sherrod. Our program was created in 2013 byPat Rieley and Renee Vest and was again used in2014. This year, Gin McCabe has included an introduction to The Stations of the Cross by AmyMerrill Willis, music by Heather Sumner, oboist,and soloist Martha Nowlin. The ecumenical serviceis for the wider faith community; women from sixarea churches will join the women of St. John’sChurch in sharing meditations on The Stations ofthe Cross.

The photographs of The Stations of the Cross beingdisplayed on the church walls are of the originalsculptures created in 1991 by the late AnnisMcCabe of Bedford County and are on loan fromthe McCabe-Towner family. You may wish to seethe original 18”x 24” sculptures at the Holy CrossCatholic Church in Lynchburg.

Confirmation Class The Bishop will be visiting St. John’s on Sunday,May 17th. A class for those interested in confirma-tion, reception or reaffirmation of faith will be start-ing soon. Please let Wilson know promptly if youare interested in joining the class.

4

Vestry Person(s) of the MonthVPOM April—Steve WandreiSteven Wandrei returned toBedford eleven years ago tojoin the firm of Radford &Wandrei where he practiceslaw with his father Bob. Steve’sparents, Bob and EllenWandrei, are long time mem-

bers of St. John’s. Steve is a graduate of VirginiaEpiscopal School in Lynchburg, VA and theCollege of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

Steve and his wife, Marta, were married at St.John’s in February 2005. In addition to serving onthe Vestry, Steve served as a delegate to AnnualCouncil for several years. When his senior partnerallows him to take a long lunch, Steve enjoys volun-teering at the Shepard’s Table with other membersof St. John’s.

Marta has her own law office in Bedford after prac-ticing in Roanoke for seven years. Her office is con-veniently located in the same building as Radford& Wandrei. The focus of Marta’s law practice isfamily law. She particularly enjoys representingchildren in the Juvenile and Domestic RelationsDistrict Courts as a guardian ad litem.

Steve and Marta met while they were both studentsat the Appalachian School of Law. Originally fromthe Republic of Panama, she is fluent in bothSpanish and English.

In their free time Steve and Marta enjoy exploringVirginia’s many historic and cultural sites. Mostrecently Marta and Steve visited the Poe Museumin Richmond, Virginia, which has exhibits aboutthe life of Edgar Allan Poe and saw a play at theAmerican Shakespeare Center in Staunton,Virginia. They have a black lab named Barkley.

VPOM April—Rob JarvisRob is a life long member of St.John’s. He served as an acolyte,member of the Altar Guild,Vestry Senior Warden, andDelegate to the DioceseCouncil. He is the President ofthe Lynchburg Convocation (a

three year sentence). Rob has a BA degree fromRoanoke College and a Masters in Fine Arts fromthe University of North Carolina in Greensboro.

He taught theater speech, history and design atBrenau College in Georgia, at Monmouth Collegein New Jersey, at Louisburg College in NorthCarolina and at Roanoke College in Virginia. Robis a former member of the Screen Actors Guild andActor’s Equity. He has worked on cruise ships, forthe circus and in a wide variety of live theatre, allinvaluable life experience for serving on the Vestry.As an actor Rob is always cast as the “crazy neigh-bor next door,” “the weird brother-in-law “ or “theeccentric uncle” roles that he enjoys playing daily.

Rector’s Message (continued from page 2)

How shall we proclaim the good news? Maybe it’snot some grand technique. Maybe we can just beourselves and share Christ’s love. Have you heard“The Servant Song”? It’s a pretty good descriptionof the relationships to which we are called:

Will you let me be your servantLet me be as Christ to you

Pray that I might have the graceTo let you be my servant too.

You can click here to listen to it on YouTube.(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wMO5KxeAI)

Your brother in Christ,—Wilson+

5

The Vestry’s monthly meeting was held onThursday, March 19, 2015. Wilson Brown called themeeting to order and opened with prayer.

Wilson had another commitment to attend to sothe meeting began by reviewing the Rector’sReport. He noted that he would like to train somenew Lay Ministers to lead worship when he is away;he asked for anyone interested to let him know. Heis also seeking confirmands for the Bishop’s visit.

Winston Burks announced that his job is being relo-cated to Vienna, VA, and while he is not planning tomove, he will have to be there during the week andhome only on the weekends. He will have to resignfrom the vestry and as senior warden in June.

Wilson noted that someone will need to takeWinston’s place on the Vestry. He asked that Vestrymembers think about who might be willing to serve.

Wilson noted that he met with several communityleaders regarding starting a mentoring programbased on the Bridges out of Povertymodel. Therewas some discussion surrounding making sure thatthere was enough community involvement and sup-port for the program.

The Vestry Retreat was reviewed briefly. Theretreat was positive and focused on making connec-tions in the wider community. Wilson noted that hewill be providing communion at WoodhavenNursing Home once a month. The MethodistChurch is working closely with Kara Sensenig onbringing the youth groups together for activities andprograms.

Treasurer's Report: Alan Pipkin reviewed the endof the year financial statements and noted that theJanuary and February financial statements year werenormal. The treasurer’s report was accepted.

Senior Warden’s Report:No report.

Junior Warden's Report: Bill Jackson reported aspring clean-up day is scheduled for SaturdayMarch 21st. He expects the new sign to arrive inApril. There was a brief discussion on installing a

screen for video presentations in the Parish Hall.Bill Jackson, Alan Pipkin and Blu Ayers will lookinto the possibilities for a screen.

New Business: • Budget Update: An additional $1000 in pledgeincome is expected. A motion is passed to restorefunding for the audit and reduce the expected sav-ings account withdrawal by $500.00.• Parochial Report: The parochial report wasreviewed and approved.• Shrove Tuesday Funds: There is $965.06 left fromthe Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday event. After a briefdiscussion, it was agreed to table the matter untilthe next meeting to allow the vestry time to decidewhat to do with it.• Delegates to Council 2016: Martha Nowlin, AlanPipkin, and John Waff agreed to serve as delegates.Jim Towner, Gin McCabe and Wendy Witt will bealternates. The slate of delegates was duly elected.• Easter Offering: After a brief discussion a motionwas passed to give the undesignated half of theEaster offering in the Outreach Committee.

Unfinished Business• The Action Items were reviewed.Committee Reports• The various Committees submitted their reports.

The meeting closed with prayer at 7:30 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,—Jenny Shutt, Recording Secretary

The Vestry Report Jenny Shutt, recording secretary

Next meeting: Wednesday, April 15, 6:00 pm

6

Christian Formation Kara Wagner Brown

Please plan on participating in our Easter Festivitieson Easter morning April 5th. We will have a specialEaster Storytime and then an Easter Egg Hunt.Bring a basket and a friend. The fun begins at 9:30.You are, also, invited to bring some flowers to helpdecorate the cross during the 10:30 worship service.We will take a bare, Lenten cross and decorate it torepresent the joy of a Risen Jesus.

Our Sunday School Classes forge on with our faith-ful few. The children and teachers have a great timeand continue to learn how to apply the Bible totheir lives. Our curriculums are vibrant and interac-tive. We have food! If you haven’t been coming toSunday School, consider joining us! We miss you.

Remember to mark your calendars for VacationBible School. It will be held Sunday, June 28ththrough Thursday, July 2nd from 6:00–8:00 pm.

—submitted by Kara Wagner Brown

Adult Forum in AprilProphets, Politics, and Power: How Moses andthe prophets put Kings in their PlaceApril 12, 19 & 26Dr. Amy Willis will be leading a three week series onhow the prophets, like Amos and Micah, pick upMoses and the Sinai Covenant and use it to criticizepolitical leadership. Special attention will be paid toMoses and “the Law of the King,” David, Solomon,and their prophets.

Amy is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies atLynchburg College and we encourage you to try toattend this series. The discussions are always livelyand entertaining as well as being informative.

C O M M I T T E E S

Fellowship Blu Ayers & Julia Baker

C O M M I T T E E S

April is a busy time and the Fellowship Committeeis happy to facilitate the social gathering time afterchurch. Thanks to all coffee team members foryour service to the parish. If any one would like tojoin a team please let us know!

April Coffee Team Schedule

April 5 Rieley

April 12 Rowe

April 19 Ayers

April 26 Baker

Shepherd's TableThe March 6th luncheon was canceled due to badweather. When schools are closed because of ice orsnow, the operation is always called off. This comingFriday, April 3, workers are needed and food will beprepared for our hungry guests. If you can spare a fewhours to help, please give me a call at (540)297-5480.

—submitted by Judy Whitehead

Community Outreach Marilyn Rowe

C O M M I T T E E S

Next Shepherd’s Table: Friday, April 3

Bedford Christian

Ministries is asking

for peanut butter &

jelly this month.

7

The Youth Group had a busy few days in mid-March. On Sunday, March 15th the group hadlunch at Main Street Methodist followed by AmyWillis discussing what the Bible says about home-less people and poverty. The kids then made no-sewblankets for homeless children. The afternoonwrapped up with tubing at Snowflex in Lynchburg,Liberty University’s all-weather ski slope.The next morning, twelve early risers from St.John’s and Main Street gathered in our Parish Hallfor breakfast before school. We are grateful for thedelicious breakfast prepared by the Main Streetleaders. Special thanks to Kara and Dave Sensenigfor organizing the event. After school on Tuesday, March 17th, the two youthgroups toured the Roanoke Rescue Mission. It wasa very interesting and eye-opening experience forthose who had not been there before.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Third Sundays with MSUMCYouth will meet at noon on third Sundays at MainStreet Methodist for prayers/devotions and lunch.Following lunch families take turns organizing anactivity. Plans include:

April 19Lynchburg Hillcats Baseball GameMeet at MSUMC at noon for their lunch fundraiserfor the backpack program. (Please bring a monetarydonation) The van will leave at 1:00 pm and theHillcats take on the Potomac Nationals at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $5 each.

May 17Picnic & Games at Hicks Family HouseOrganizer & Lunch: Hicks Family & TBA

June 21Due to REACH, Father’s Day, and VBS there will benothing planned this month (VBS: June 28 – July 2)

July 18Pizza & Putt Putt Fun Center 2 hours of laser tag, bumper cars, bumper boats, go-karts & putt-putt. $15 per person. Additional $ needed for snacks & games if wanted. Organizer: Kara Sensenig

August 16James River Kayaking/Canoe TripFloat or paddle down James River from Buchanan Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinksOrganizer: Witt/Fogleman Family

September 20SML Outing or Cinemark Movies 10 (weather determining activity)Organizer & Lunch: TBA

October 18Picnic & Hike to Sharp Top, then Bonfire & S’mores at the Sensenig’s propertyon Stoney Creek RoadOrganizer & Lunch: Sensenigs & Witt providingmeat, everyone bring a side dish

November 15AMF Bowling in LynchburgOrganizer & Lunch: TBA

December 20Christmas Service Project, Lunch and Caroling(Elks/nursing homes, elderly) Party/Bonfire at the Hicks’ HomeOrganizer & Lunch: Beth Hicks & TBA

Youth Group The Rev. F. Wilson Brown

8

Altar Guild Judy Whitehead

We are asking each of the six Altar Guild teams tosend at least one person to help with HOLY SAT-URDAY, April 4, decorating in order to assist theApril team. They will need help with the dusting,silver polishing, the placement of flowers, and anyother jobs as may be deemed necessary. Thanks inadvance for all who can come.

CARE of potted Easter plants: If you take a planthome that you gave in memory or honor of loved

ones here are some guidelines for its care. It will behappy in normal living room temperatures, but thecooler the temperature, the longer it will last. Keepit in sunlight and keep the soil moist. After theplant stops blooming, cease watering and store inthe basement or garage. Plant the bulb outsideabout 4" deep between May and October. In thisarea they generally bloom in June.

Daughters of the King Louise Pipkin, president

Prayers of ThanksgivingSpring has finally arrived and that means the snowand sleet storms are over for another year…and weare grateful!

But we also realize that the snow added muchneeded moisture to the soil for all the trees, shrubsand plants that wintered over. That almost makesthe snow shoveling worth the effort.

Easter morning arrives and with joy in our heartsand smiles on our faces we proclaim “Christ isRisen, He is Risen Indeed!”

Take notice of that joy you feel as we collectivelycelebrate Christ's Resurrection. It took the selfdenial in the 40 days of Lent and then acknowledg-ing the tragedy of Christ’s Crucifixion on GoodFriday for us to feel this contrasting glorious happi-ness on Easter Morning. It is appropriate that wefeel this contrasting joy and have a thankful heart.

Look at the other 364 days of the year. Do weawaken with a sense of joy and anticipation? Or dowe open our eyes and feel dread about what theday may bring? I personally believe that our firstthoughts each morning set the tone for our day.We have a choice to make in how we face each new day.

There are five kinds of prayers: Adoration,Confession, Thanksgiving, Intercession, andPetition. We all know what they encompass. Ask

yourselves how often you stop to give Thanks toGod for the many Blessings you receive daily...largeand small.

For me, seeing jonquils start to bloom, new budson the trees and hearing the songs of birds who arereturning to our area, are a few of the things thatmake my heart sing and give me new hope. I stopand thank God that He made a perfect world with abalance in nature for the good of us all.

When you escape a “near miss” on the highway asyou are driving, do you remember to say “thankyou God?” When your doctor calls to say “all yourtest are negative, so you are in good health,” do youoffer up a prayer of Thanksgiving? I could go onand on, but you get the point. We can and dodecide how we look at our lives day to day. We canseek out all the misery that surrounds us daily, butwe are free to look beyond that and see all the giftsGod places all around us.

Having a Thankful Heart keeps us healthy. Andpraising God helps us to remember He is in controland our ever Constant Companion on our dailyjourney. Give Him praise and thanks at all timesand in all places. You will have a happy and joyfilled heart.

For His Sake,—Helen Ann Spessard

9

Prayer ListName Prayer Concern Relation to St. John’s Carolyn Bagley arthritis pain Member of St. John's

BenMays renal and bone cancer Son of Bill Mays

Karen Bassett chemotherapy Sister of Kay Waff & Kathie Childers

Robert Ballard cancer and heart failure Friend of Revelle Hamilton

Beverly Briggs kidney issues Sister of Nancy Strachan

Glenn illness Friend of Gail Guerin

Don Deibler pancreatic cancer Father of Chandra Schmehl

Kaye Kendall Crosby stage 3 cancer Friend of Pat Rieley and Laura Rodes

Ethel Roehsel grief and recovery from stroke Friend of Mel and Martha Nowlin

Elizabeth Everidge arthritis Sister of Mary Ann Wilson

William Kendrick COPD Brother of Winston Kendrick, Jr.

Laura Hubbard cancer/surgery Friend of Chandra Schmehl

Tom Brace cancer Brother in law of Mary Siegel

Margaret Brace lupus Sister of Mary Siegel

Hunter Rock brain surgery Friend of Meredith Dooley

Sharon Bryant cancer Friend of St. John’s-Monacan Chief

Ella Justice Illness Mother of Rhetta Watkins

Connie Messier Illness Friend of the Vest Family

Karen cancer Friend of Rebecca and Bill Mays

Jim Ackley stroke Friend of St. John’s

Gary Harrison Illness Friend of Blu Ayers

RonBeach lymphoma Friend of Janet Hardison

Danny Morgan stroke Friend of Nancy Johnson

Bettie Leonard paralyzed Friend of Nancy Johnson

Karla cancer Friend of Sherri Hodnett

Cheryl Kessler broken ankle Friend of Nancy Strachan

Winston Kendrick, Jr. breathing difficulties Member of St. John’s

Ed knee replacement Father of Kara Sensenig

Scott Morrow cancer Friend of Heather Garrett

Andrew injured in car accident Friend of Heather Garrett

Randy Patterson injured in car accident Member of St. John’s

Elderly Homebound Polly Henderson Virginia Philbrick Amorette Turner Nina West Louise Robertson Doris Handy

Serving in the US Military Chris Woodward Ben Melton (Ft. Bragg) P.J. Walerko (Fort Hood, TX)

The Bedford Community For lawyers, judges and juries, and all those who work in our court system, that they may carefully seek to do justice

10

Spring Toward Allergy SeasonFlowers, trees & weeds are blooming, so it must beSpring! Along with the nice weather, (finally!),comes seasonal allergies, which affect 1 in 5Americans. Symptoms of allergies include frequentsneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, congestedsinuses, watery, itchy eyes & throat, ear congestion&/or postnasal drainage. Less common symptomsmay include headache, shortness of breath &/orwheezing. Allergens that trigger seasonal allergiesare often common, usually harmless substancessuch as grass, flower & tree pollen, mold spores, ani-mal dander, food, dust and/or insect venoms. Thereare many treatments for seasonal allergies, howeverfor the best information, consult your Health CareProvider. These are some helpful tips to allow youto spend more time outside with fewer symptoms:

Planning Ahead:1. Avoid planting known allergy-producing plantssuch as chrysanthemums, coneflower, daisies, elder-berry, juniper, privet, sunflowers & wisteria.

2. Plant more less allergy-producing choices includingazalea, begonia, bougainvillea, dahlia, gladiola, iris,pansy, petunia & zinnia.

3. Plant female trees, which produce little or no pollen.Avoid oak, maple, willow & beech; also, don’t usepine or cedar as indoor holiday items.

4. Minimize outdoor activity between 5 am & 10 a.m.,as morning is the time when pollen counts are usu-ally the highest. Keep your house & car windowsclosed; use air conditioning to minimize the pollenthat gets in your car and home.

5. Limit your outdoor exposure to short intervals on“high pollen, high mold or windy” days; check thelocal paper or online for this info.

While You Are Outdoors:1. Wear a pollen mask (found in stores &/or online;child size also available) while you are sitting outside.

2. If you are working outside, wear sunglasses, gloves,long sleeve shirts, long pants & a brimmed hat. Ifyou are mowing, trimming, tilling, etc, safety gog-gles are also advisable.

3. Avoid touching your eyes & nose until after youhave washed your hands.

4. Avoid damp places & those with stagnant water ifyou are allergic to mold spores. These are highestafter a rain shower.

5. Make sure your lawn & gardens are free of flower-ing weeds. Avoid using Bermuda, fescue, Johnson,June & perennial rye grasses.

When You Come Indoors:1. After you are finished outside, brush your shoes,remove & wash your clothes to minimize transfer ofirritants into your home.

2. Wash, shower & shampoo your body & hair; rinseyour eyeglasses to remove pollen.

3. Spray your nostrils with a saline nasal spray to washthe pollen out of your nasal mucous membranes.

4. Use an ozone-free, HEPA air cleaner, (in stores oronline), in the bedroom of anyone with allergies toprovide relief from the discomfort of allergy symp-toms & improve respiratory health.(http://www.natlallergy.com)

5. Use anti-mite casings for your bed, linens & pillowsto prevent waste from dust mites from beinginhaled while a person sleeps.

Emergency Care for Allergic Reactions Call 911 immediately if you have an allergic reac-tion that causes swelling of your lips, throat ortongue, interferes with your breathing &/or causesnausea & vomiting. If you know you have seriousallergies, such as to bee stings, ask your Health CareProvider about pre-emergency measures, such ascarrying an injectable “Epi-Pen”. The Epi-Pen ismedication for immediately injection as you call911 or go to the Emergency Room for additionaltreatment.

Adapted by Carol Rose Martin, RN, April, 2015, from:http://allergy.peds.arizona.edu/southwest/lowallrgytrees.htm& http:www.aaaa.org (American Academy of Allergy,Asthma & Immunology)

S P E C I A L R E P O R T

Health Tips Carol Rose Martin, R.N.

11

Around St. John’sWinston Kendrick, Jr., has been hospitalized muchof March—first at Bedford Memorial Hospital andpresently at Lynchburg General where he has beenin Intensive Care and now is in a “step-down room.Winston’s mother, Nancy Newman & his step-father, Al, keep the church informed. Wilson hastaken Holy Communion to him and SteveWandrei has visited as had Judy Whitehead. Cardscan be sent to his home. Please lift Winston inprayers for his comfort. His birthday was Monday,March 16th. B

The Reverend Phyllis Branham Hicks, firstMonacan Episcopal Priest, died on March 14, 2015after a long decline in her health.

Her funeral and burial was a Service of Celebrationof her remarkable life as a Monacan and a lifetimemember of The Diocese of Southwestern Virginia.The service included Monacan Tribal customs inaddition to the Burial service and the HolyEucharist.

As a former member of St. Paul's Church BearMountain and a person who was deeply touched bythe grace and kindness of Phyllis Hicks, I attendedthis celebration of Phyllis. I counted 17 priests pres-ent from this Diocese, including Fr. Wilson Brownand Deacon Kay Waff. There may have been morewho were not vested or wearing their collar.

St. Paul's is a tiny church building, but the love theyhave for Christ and their people is huge and surelyfelt as we sang: “Jesus Calls us,” “They'll Know we areChristians by Our Love” and the closing hymn,“Amazing Grace.” Judy Whitehead and I both leftthis Service feeling the joy Phyllis had shared with“her people” throughout her lifetime and herMinistry to St. Paul's Church, Bear Mountain.AMAZING GRACE, indeed. —Helen Ann Spessard B

We extend our sympathy to Marge Rucker on theloss of her brother in mid-March. B

Danny Johnson will be having surgery the end ofApril to replace his hip and later will have his kneereplaced. We will have updates from the churchoffice and on the announcement board. B

We rejoice with Mike & Pat Rieley at the birth oftheir granddaughter, Harlan Grace Richardson.Harlan was born on Saturday at 10:02. Sheweighed 8 lb 2 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. Herparents are Alison and Jason Richardson. B

On May 1, 2015, Greg Baltad will be embarking ona coast to coast bicycle ride called the “TransAmerica Bike Route.” The 4,228 mile route beginsin Astoria, Oregon and finishes in Yorktown,Virginia. Here is a list of most commonly askedquestions and his answers.

Why start on the west coast? Winds originatefrom the northwest.How long will it take? Approximately threemonths.How many miles a day? 50 – 75 on average.Where will you stay? I plan on camping most of the time.Is Meg going? No, someone has to work to pay for this.Won’t your butt get sore? Yes!Why are you doing this? As a fundraiser for the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Anyone interested in following Greg’s ride can doso on the Peaks of Otter FRIENDs Facebook pageor send a friend request to Greg on his FB page.

The kick-off fundraiser —a pig roast bbq with livemusic—for Greg’s ride will be held on April 25th atApple Valley Community Center from noon–5:00pm. Tickets are available at the Friends’ website:https://www.friendsbrp.org/8569-2/. B

Around St. John’s (continued) Sunday, March 8, 2015 was an extra special day atSt. John’s as we celebrated Ted Green’s 75th birth-day with a special birthday cake provided by Jenny;their son, Will Green, the golf coach at PrincetonUniversity joined them for the weekend & greetedseveral people he knew from his years in Bedford.Happy Birthday once again, Ted, from all yourfriends at St. John’s. B

It has been wonderful to see Kate Brown beforeand after her Spring recess from The College ofWilliam & Mary. For the third time she spent herrecess volunteering in another country. This yearshe traveled to Honduras with Global MedicalBrigade. In a very short time she witnesses andexperiences a great deal: They visited the communi-ty of Buena Vista (as in Virginia), where theypacked the medical supplies & medicine.

On day #3, #4 and #5 the group saw over 700 peo-ple in a free clinic. They treated people of all agesfor parasites, lice, & respiratory problems. The freeclinic was in Mata-de Platana. On day #6 they visit-ed the community bank learning first hand how theloans which are given make a great difference in thelives of the people of Honduras. On day #7 she leftat 5:00 am to fly from the capital to San Salvadore,on to Dulles airport and then returned to school inWilliamsburg. B

The Girl Scouts from Troop 525 would like tothank St. John’s for welcoming them on March 8th,Girl Scout Sunday. They would also like to thankeveryone who supported the cookie sale—they soldabout 1,800 boxes this year! B

The photo above was shared by Rwandan HUGSpartner in ministry, David Matsiko of ChristHarvest Ministries in Rwanda. Students were pro-vided with uniforms, shoes, and school supplies byRwandan HUGS with funds from a donation by St. John's Outreach Committee. Of the $83,000+HUGS sent to Rwanda in 2014, $28,000+ was usedfor educational purposes such as paying teacher'ssalaries at Deo's school, providing school fees, uni-forms, shoes, school supplies, and breakfast forsome students. B

Please send your contributions to “Around St. John’s” to Chandra Schmehl at

stjohnsnewsletter@verizon.net.

NEXT DEADLINE: The deadline for the May newsletter is

Sunday, April 19th.

12

13

Sarah Busch, better known to us at St. John's as“Sally” passed away on Palm Sunday, March 29,2015. She and her husband Walt moved toBedford from Pittsburgh, PA because their son,and only child, was then rector of St. John's,Bedford. She told me they had visited Glenn, whoserved as our Rector from 1975–1981, and decid-ed it would be a splendid place to live in theirretirement. Several years ago they made a finalmove to Westminster Canterbury, Lynchburg.They continued to attend St. John’s, Bedford untilthe driving became too much. We have all missedseeing Sally and Walt at church the past few years .

Sally and Walt had grown up in the Pittsburgh areaand married young. That marriage lasted for over70 years and they were totally devoted to oneanother. He worked in the steel industry and shehad a career in retail sales in a leading departmentstore in Pittsburgh. I often told her that is why shedressed fashionably every single day.

At least one of her hobbies was collecting small fig-urines for every season and holiday. Until the end,the display of these figurines in her home and laterin her room at Westminster Canterbury broughther much joy. While helping to pack away the mul-titude of snowmen, I recognized that some weresurely antiques. Much to my amazement, Sallycould remember when and where she acquiredthese treasures. And every one of them had a story,which I found entertaining and remarkable.....con-sidering I don't always remember what I ate lastnight for supper.

After Walt's passing last September, Sally wasunderstandably sad and missed her life partner a lot.I was blessed to be her friend and weekly compan-ion as I made my Pastoral Care visits to residents atWestminster Canterbury. Her friendship and trustwas a gift to me as I'm sure it was to many of youwho knew Sally much longer than I have.

Sally and Walt’s son Glenn and daughter-in-lawKathy of Lynchburg, have two children: Matthew,their son, and his wife reside in Winston Salem,North Carolina, and Lauren, their daughter, and herhusband live in Nashville, Tennessee with their twochildren. We extend our condolences to them andtheir entire family.

A memorial service will be held Maundy Thursday,April 2nd, at 11:00 am at St. John’s.

May Sally’s soul rest in peace now that she is withOur Lord and reunited with Walt.

—Helen Ann Spessard B

In Remembrance

Walt & Sally outside St. John’s in 2009

14

April 2015C A L E N D A R

SUNDAY WEDNESDAYMONDAY TUESDAY THURSDAY FR IDAY SATURDAY

29 30 31 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Easter Sunday

8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I9:30 am Easter Egg Hunt10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II,

Flowering of the Cross11:30 am Morning Social Hour

Easter Two

9:30 am Choir Practice10:30 am Morning Prayer,

Children’s Chapel11:30 am Morning Social Hour

Easter Three

8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I9:30 am Sunday School, Choir,

Adult Forum10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II,

Children’s Chapel11:30 am Morning Social Hour

noon Youth Group

Easter Four

8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I9:30 am Sunday School, Choir,

Adult Forum10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II,

Children’s Chapel11:30 am Morning Social Hour

12:15 pm Holy Eucharist

12:15 pm Holy Eucharist

1:00 pm DOK Meeting

Shepherd’s Table

8:00 pmN.A. Meeting

8:00 pmN.A. Meeting

8:00 pmN.A. Meeting

7:00 pmAdult Choir

7:00 pmAdult Choir

BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES

B I R T H D A Y S & A N N I V E R S A R I E S

26 27 28

7:00 pmAdult Choir

12:15 pm Holy EucharistHealing Service

5:15–6:30 pmLenten Program

7:00 pmAdult Choir

Apr 1 Cheryl MillerApr 4 Kara W. BrownApr 5 Will GardnerApr 6 Jim ChurchApr 7 Carolyn BagleyApr 17 Charles Rodes

Apr 18 Lucie GarrettApr 21 Peggy JeffreysApr 22 Amy WillisApr 24 Peyton BrownApr 24 Tom MontgomeryApr 25 Daniel Eubank

Apr 27 Jenny GreenApr 27 Joyce MoormanApr 30 Mike ArbogastApr 30 Abigail Johnson

Apr 3 Mike & Brenda Arbogast

Apr 6 Ted & Jenny Green

Apr 12 Jim & ReneeVest

Apr 21 Bill & RebeccaMays

7:30 amYouth Breakfast

6:00 pmVestry Meeting

Good FridayMaundyThursday

Holy Saturday

29 30 1 2

7:00 pmStations of theCross

6:30 pmSolemn FootWashing7:00 pm Maundy ThursdayService

9:30 amDecorating theChurch for Easter

12:15 pm Holy EucharistHealing Service

Coming in May: The Bishop visits

on May 17th

The StaffThe Rev. F. Wilson Brown, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rector

. . . . . . . . . .email: wbrownstjohns@verizon.net

The Rev. Carol Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deacon

The Rev. Kay Waff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deacon

Mary Anne Eubank . . . . . . . Organist/Choir Director

Jenny Shutt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . .email: jshuttstjohns@verizon.net

Tracey Goff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sexton

Sunday Services8:00 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holy Eucharist Rite I9:30 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday School/Choir Practice

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .classes for preschool through high school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and Adult Forum

10:30 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holy Eucharist Rite II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1st Sunday, Rite I)

11:30 am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morning Social Hour

Wednesday Service12:15 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holy Eucharist Rite II

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(Healing Services 1st & 3rd Wednesdays)

How to Contac t Us : 314 North Bridge Street Bedford, VA 24523

540-586-9582email: jshuttstjohns@verizon.net

wbrownstjohns@verizon.net

w w w . s t j o h n s b e d f o r d . d i o s w v a . o r g

St. John’s Episcopal Church

The Vestry 2015Winston Burks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior WardenBill Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Junior WardenJim Towner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clerk of the VestryAlan Pipkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TreasurerPete Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asst. Treasurer

Members:Blu Ayers Carter GarrettRob Jarvis Martha NowlinDon Rowe John WaffSteve Wandrei Wendy Witt

Vestry Person of the Month for April:Rob Jarvis & Steve Wandrei

Submit Newsletter articlesto Chandra Schmehl by email at stjohnsnewsletter@verizon.net

May Deadline: Sunday, April 19, 2015