the spirit oct 08

7/28/2019 The Spirit Oct 08

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In This Issue

From Our Vicar 1

From theBishops Warden 3

Financial Update 5

News fromThe Bridge 6

New Prayer ShawlMinistry 8

Around theCommunity 9

Clergy, Staff,Mission 11

6676 UTSA Blvd San Antonio , TX 78249 October 2008

From Our Vicar

Season of the

Christian Year

Pentecost

May 11 Nov. 29

Dare to Look

In 1971, I studied withProfessor Jenkins. He was

an archaeologist who lookedlike Indiana Jones beforeIndiana Jones was IndianaJones. Professor Jenkins ran a

summer field school out of Alliance College inWestern Pennsylvania. Each summer, tenstudents would get to work for ten weeks on asite that eventually was dated to 4000 BCE.What made this school so significant was notwhat we found, but how we learned how to seewith new eyes.

When we finally arrived at the site, we got out of

the cars and gathered at the edge of the field.The professor knelt down and looked across thefield. Do you see anything out there? he asked.

Aside from a few piles of dirt covered by plastic,we all answered that it looked like just anotherfield.

The lesson began.

He told us that from this point on we had tolook for what was out of place, what didntbelong, what didnt fit in. Our eyes had to learn

how to see things differently learn to see whatno one else would notice look for thesubtleties, the details, as well as the generalities.

Continued on next page.


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www.holyspirit-episcopal.com

Page 2 The Spirit

Then he showed us how the site was visible just by seeing the difference inelevation from the land around it. We couldnt see it, but after we brokeout the sextons, levels, stakes and string, and then mapped and griddedout the entire site, it was clear the there was a difference of about 12inches from the center of the site compared with the surrounding field.

We excavated grid-by-grid all summer, learning to see the most subtle ofcolor changes in the soil. We learned to screen shovels full of dirt to pickout the smallest of artifacts. Professor Jenkins taught us to distinguishbetween projectile points and chips of flint that naturally occurred frombreaking rock. We learned how to recognize bits of food from refusethrown in the fire pits scattered about the site. Ultimately, we learned how

to piece together the puzzle from adding up all the clues from each grid toform a picture of what the seasonal village might have looked like.

The skills learned that summer have helped me all my life seeing whatothers skip over, what others dont recognize as important, and whatothers think isnt valuable. It has taken me most of my life to integrate itall, and I am still working on it, but what I learned that summer serves menow. I can see in situations the potential for success. I recognize in whatappears to be a tragedy the good that God can do through our GoodFridays. I can see a future in what people have written off as lost.

What makes this possible is faith in our God who doesnt lead his peopleto dead ends. He doesnt lead his followers into the desert to leave them

there. As we stand on the edge of whatever field weve ended up on weneed to know that going into it we will find blessing that what we didntexpect, beauty that others missed, hope that others overlooked if we dareto look with the new eyes of faith that Jesus gives us if we but ask.

Faithfully,

Continued from page one.


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Page 3 The Spirit


From the Bishops Warden

Learn i t. Love it. Live it.

Have you ever heard that quote, "Learn it, love it,live it?" I'm curious, does it matter in what order

those words appear? Google those words and you willfind several permutations including, "Learn it, live it, loveit," "Live it, love it, learn it," and "Live it, learn it, loveit." Though I think God's version probably starts with"Love it," it makes sense that we need to learn aboutthings before we can love or live them.

On that subject, do you and your family attend Sunday school, or go to any

of the Bible studies at Holy Spirit? The reason I ask is that earlier this fallour church received a request from the diocese to select one of our minis-tries to be featured at the 2009 Diocesan Council meeting along with otherchurches' identified ministries. As of this writing, I'm not sure which minis-try will be selected. We have so many worthy of recognition. Yet, I knowone Holy Spirit ministry that continues at a high level year after year andhas blessed me several times: John Perkins adult Sunday school class.There, as in our other fine Christian Education offerings, you can reallylearn it.

Currently, John is leading his class through Pauls letter to the Romans. Inone recent class, we learned how faith in the Gospel message is a criticalpart of righteousness. Sometimes I fall into a trap by thinking I am being

righteous or Christian because of the things I do. Yet we are remindedmany times in the New Testament that our works are not the motivationfor God's greatest gift. In fact, as Father Reese pointed out at a Baptismservice last month, we cant do or undo our way out of Gods redemptivelove, once we have become marked as Christs own forever.

This concept is astounding to me. For someone who likes to earn my wayin life, it seems unreal that God loves me for just believing in Him, no mat-ter what I do. Knowing this makes me want to proclaim the Good News toanyone within earshot, but especially to those who need it most. But how?By being spiritually prepared through worship, study, and prayer, we arebetter attuned to what actions God is leading us to take. In this way,our personal responses to everyday needs become our stewardship of

God's gifts.

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Page 4 The Spirit

Now the questions become: What gifts has God raised up in you? Howwill he work through you?

Are you able toprovide work,funding, or prayer(or a combinationof these) for theWoman at theWel l House?T h e n d othat when youhear the call.

Are you able to lead children in a delightful hour of discovery aboutGod's love? Do it.

Can you respond to Holy Spirit's need for a little greater pledge incomein 2009? We need it.

Can you make a joyful noise with the choir? You will be blessed as will

so many others.A community of faith responding with God's help is a powerful force inaddressing the many needs of our community. And, incredibly, we havealready received the greatest reward: Jesus Christ the righteous. God's loveincarnate.

Live that!Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Gene DowdyBishop's Warden

Continued from page two.

Woman at the Well House


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Page 5 The Spirit


Financial Update

In Aug. 2008, Holy Spirit had an Operating Profit of $3,314.For the year through Aug. 2008, Holy Spirit has an Operating

Deficit of $9,809. This is $6,677 worse than budget. Operatingexpenses are $4,403 better than budget. Income is about equal tolast year but $11,081 lower than budget.

Our total cash position at the end of August was $11,314. Thisrepresents a Special Funds Balance of $27,449 offset by a cumula-

tive Operating Deficit of $16,621.

You should have recently received your pledge card for 2009.Please prayerfully consider your pledge and please stay current onyour 2008 pledge.

Ken Olson, Treasurer

Year to Date2008

b/(w)

Budget

Total Income $145,584 ($11,081)

Total Expense $155,394 $4,403

OperatingProfit/(Loss)

($9,809) ($6,677)


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Page 6 The Spirit

News from The Bridge

The Bridge is the Holy SpiritYouth Group. Traditionally,

youth group is for all Middle Schooland High School students (grades 6-12).We also welcome anyone who isCollege Age to participate in ourmeetings or events.

Joining Katy Reiner as youth leaders this year are Karen Callihanand Marsha Thorp.

Karen, a single mother of four, has been at Holy Spirit for aboutone-and-a-half years. She is a Sunday School teacher for thirdthrough fifth grade students, a greeter, and part of the Altar Guild.Karen has previous youth leader experience at St. Andrews Episco-pal Church in San Antonio; and with two high school students, shefeels called back to this ministry.

Marsha has been at Holy Spirit almost four years and has lived inSan Antonio for six years. Marsha has been part of the choir at HolySpirit for the last three years. She was a youth leader at St. Cath-erine of Siena Episcopal Church in Missouri City, Tex. for just overthree years before moving to San Antonio. After taking time to set-tle in at Holy Spirit, she now feels called back to youth ministry.

Our passion is to help youth of all ages to develop a personal rela-tionship with Jesus Christ.

The Bridge meets weekly on Wednesday nights from 7:30-8:30 p.m.in the Library/Childrens Chapel. Beginning Oct. 12, we will offer aSunday Night meeting from 5-6:30 p.m. for students with schedul-ing conflicts during the week. Youth will then be able to attendWednesday, Sunday or both depending on their schedule. In addi-

tion to our two weekly meetings, we will also schedule a larger eventonce a month. Members are encouraged to invite friends to attendany of our meetings or events.


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Kickoff Recap On Sunday, Sept. 7, Karen, Marsha, and Ray Her-nandez (director of childrens Christian education) took 11 youth to

Enchanted Rock for our school year kickoff event. Upon arrivingat Enchanted Rock, we had a picnic lunch and Part One of a devo-tional lead by Ray on rock showing up in scripture. We reflectedon these verses while we climbed and explored Enchanted Rock.The next two hours were spent climbing, exploring, and thinkingabout the devotional.

Once back down the rock, we gathered at the picnic area for PartTwo of the devotional with discussion on the scripture verses ofrock and what thoughts we had while reflecting on the scripture

verses while climbing, then returned home.

Next Monthly Event: On Oct. 31, the youth will be running amini carnival during trick-or-treat hours at Jay Balls house. After-wards, the youth will be treated to a Halloween Party and lock-in atthe church. For more information or to RSVP for the party & lock-in, please contact Karen, Katy, or Marsha.

Diocesan Event - The next Happening weekend for grades 10 andup will be Nov. 21-23 at St. Stephens, Wimberley. Enrollment forthis event is limited. For more information or registration forms,

please contact Karen, Katy, or Marsha.

Points of Contact

Katy Reiner [email protected] 562-0649Karen Callihan [email protected] 748-0722Marsha Thorp [email protected] 837-8070


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Page 8 The Spirit

New Prayer Shawl Ministry

A Prayer Shawl Ministry has been started at Holy Spirit byDiana Thorp and Mary Packer. Shawls or lap blankets will be cro-cheted or knitted. When completed they will be blessed before theyare given away. This ministry has gained national popularity overthe past several years. A series of prayers are said for the recipientsas the items are being made and a prayer card is included with the

item when presented.There are various occasions togive prayer shawls, such as some-one in the hospital, nursinghome, a shut in, a long term ill-ness, someone going off to col-lege, an anniversary, wedding, ora new mom. The first prayershawl was blessed on Aug. 31and presented to Stacy Dowdy.

If you have the talent for needle-work (or would like to learn) andwould like to become a member,please contact Diana or Mary forfurther details. If you arentcrafty and would like to supportthis ministry, donations will beaccepted and greatly appreciatedto purchase yarn.


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Around the Community

Newcomers Class

Newcomers Class: Holy Spirit103 Ministries, Leadership andStewardship will be held Sunday,Oct. 26. Contact Linda Hadley orRose Damon to register. Space islimited.

Newcomers Luncheon Oct. 5

This month well have a Fall

Potluck luncheon. Bring whateveryou want anything goes! Asusual, this is an opportunity to meetand make new friends as well ascatch up with old friends. The NewMember Ministry team will provideham and drinks.

Blessing of the Animals

Blessing of the Animals will beheld on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 5:00p.m. All animals and their humancompanions are welcome.

Altar of Remembrance

In observance of All Saints Sundayon Nov. 2, an A ltar ofRemembrance will be constructed.

The altar is a way to share with ourchurch family memories of lovedones who have died. Please watchthe bulletin and your email forfurther details.

Hurricane Ike Relief

Churches in the Diocese of WestTexas have been asked to take anoffering for our fellow Episcopalbrothers and sisters that sufferedloss during hurricane Ike. Checkscan be made out to Diocese of West

Texas, memo line: Hurricane Ike,and mailed to the diocesan officesat Bishop Jones Center, P.O. Box

6885, San Antonio, TX 78209,Attn: World Mission.

New College MinistryCrossroads is a ministry for youngadults and college students living inSan Antonio. Services are on

Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at theBishop Jones Center, 111 Torcido.

There will be a free dinner eachweek. For more details, call 210-824-5387.


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Page 10 The Spirit

Around the Community

Continued

Mens Group

Meets at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6in the Parish Hall. Bring somethingto burn on the grill and enjoy somegood fellowship.

Episcopal Church Women

We will be meeting on the fourthMonday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m.Bring a salad item and together wellbuild our dinner.

Gods Mowers

We need more of Gods Mowers.We have one saint who mows all thegrass on our property. He wouldcertainly appreciate any help offeredto make our grounds neat andinviting. Please contact Pat McCarty,Jr. Warden, to volunteer.

Wednesday Activ itiesOur Wednesday activities include thefollowing:

11:00 a.m. Mens Bible Study

12:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist

6:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist andHealing Service, followed bydinner and spiritual study

The evening study group is currently

continuing its discussion of theNOOMA videos by Rob Bell.Youre invited to join us.

Becoming aMember ofHoly Spiri t

Membership transfersare only neces-sary for those who are currentlymembers of another Episcopal par-ish.

Others wishing to join Holy Spiritcan get a membership form from theChurch Office or at the InformationTable on Sundays.

If you are new to the EpiscopalChurch, Newcomers and Inquirers

Classes are available.

For more information, please contactGinger Campbell, Church Secretary,

Collect for Francis of Assisi

Most high, omnipotent,

good Lord: Grant unto thypeople grace to renounce

gladly the vanities of this

world; that, following the

way of blessed Francis, we

may for love of thee de-

light in thy whole creation

with perfectness of joy;

through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who liveth and reig-

neth with thee and the

Holy Spirit, one God, for

ever and ever. Amen.

From Lesser Feasts and Fasts,

2006


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The Mission of the Church of the Holy Spiri t

We exist to provide a peace-filled Community of worship, study, prayer, andretreat to equip all the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the Bodyof Christ. We will do everything in our power and through our equipping by the

Holy Spirit to live faithfully with each other and to carry out this calling. Wecount on Jesus' reconciling Love and Grace and will model our lives and the life

of our Community around His example of sacrificial living.

Page 11 The Spirit

The Spirit is the monthlynewsletter of the Church ofthe Holy Spirit, San Anto-nio, TX.

The Spirit is publishedmonthly Feb.-J une, andSept.-Nov., with combinedissues for the months of Julyand August, and Dec. and

Jan.

Send articles to

Erlinda BlevinsEditor,The Spirit6673 UTSA Blvd.San Antonio, TX 78249

Fax: 210-699-4701Email:[email protected]

Submissions will be pub-lished according to timeli-ness and relevance to themission of the church.

Newsletter deadlines are the15th of the month precedingpublication.

The Rev. Maurice (Reese) FriedmanVicar

James E. and Tawni R. GarciaMusic Ministers

Ginger CampbellChurch Secretary

Kitty HamiltonSexton

Katy ReinerYouth Minister

Ray HernandezChildrens Christian Education

Church of the Holy Spirit

Clergy and Staff:

Gene DowdyBishops Warden

Pat McCarty

J unior WardenKen Olson

Treasurer

Linda HadleyNew Members Ministry

Rose Hicks

SecretaryLarry ThorpStewardship

Bishops Committee


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EpiscopalChu

rchoftheHolySpirit

6676UTSABlv

d.

SanAntonio,T

X78249-1500

TheRev.MauriceL.Friedman,Vicar

Phone:210.699.6460

Fax:210.699.4701

Email:holyspiritchu

[email protected]

Website:www.holyspirit-episcopal.com

MySpace:http://www.myspace.com/holyspiritepiscopal

Choir/MusicaNova:

http://www.myspace.com/musicanova

Servic

eScheduleforOctober

Sunday:ChristianE

ducation:8:45a.m.(

Adults)

HolyEucharist:10:00a.m.

ChristianEducation

:After10a.m.service

(Children/Youth)

WednesdayEucha

rist:12:15p.m.

WednesdayEucharistandHealingService:6:30p.m.

EveningPrayer:M

onday6p.m.

the spirit oct 08

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