March 8, 2007

Joey

 

Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is like a tiny mustard seed.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, it grows into a bush large enough for the birds to nest in its branches.  Much about our work assisting children and adults on their spiritual pilgrimage with Jesus seems a lot like that tiny mustard seed.  How can these labors ever make a difference in their lives?  Emails like this one, received on March 1^st by Clifford King Harbin and Catherine Atwood (who are devoted to their work each week with the Friday morning FaithQuest group at Beloved Garden), remind us that God is faithful, transforming our toil into divine grace.  Joey and his baby brother, Tommy are pictured here; Tommy was the infant Jesus in this year’s Epiphany pageant.  Their family attends a local Roman Catholic congregation.

 

 

Dear Clifford & Catherine-

 

One year ago today, March 1st, around noon Joey began vomiting. Little did I know that morning the events that would unfold for him during the course of that day.  His vomiting never stopped and eventually the trauma of repeated heaving caused a tear in his esophagus.  Thankfully he was sedated for almost two days and was not consciously aware of all the tests and tubes and needles, etc.  The doctors told us that we came very close to losing him that night. How can a mother properly express the gratitude she feels for the Lord sparing the life of her child??

 

The two of you work with Joey weekly in helping him draw closer to Jesus.  Not too long after his ordeal he asked me if Jesus loves him so much why is he the one who always gets hurt or sick.  He felt very little connection to Our Lord, he did not pray, he resisted joining us in prayer.  Through his involvement with FaithQuest he has gotten very close to Jesus.  He prays a lot now and will even want to continue praying when we have finished our family prayers.  I wanted to email you both today and thank you for helping us bring Joey closer to Jesus.  And to ask you to join us in offering a prayer of thanksgiving for him and for the doctors who helped him so much last year.  I want you both to know how much I truly appreciate all you do for the children who attend FaithQuest!!

 

Love in Christ,

Kelly

 

 

The Holy Spirit is doing amazing things at Beloved Garden.  Is God calling your household to be a part of FaithQuest?

 

J. Derek Harbin, priest

 

Words from our Presiding Bishop and Diocesan Bishop…Click here to read how Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori believes fasting is the best image to describe how our national church can build stronger bonds of unity with our seventy-seven million Anglican sisters and brothers around the world.  Click here to read Bishop Michael Curry’s latest correspondence as well.

 

 

Barbecue for Will…Will Konrad, III, grandson of ardent Beloved supporters, Fr. Wes and Helen Konrad, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and doctors at UNC-Chapel Hill are recommending a life-saving double lung transplant.  A fund-raising BBQ will be held at St. John Episcopal Church, South Park (1623 Carmel Road) on Saturday, March 24 (5:30-8pm; dine in or carry out).  Advance tickets can be purchased for $10 each.  Mail your check, payable to COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association) to Karen Price, 7327 Quail Hollow Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.  For more information, contact Karen Gorton @ 704.532.9617.

 

Around Beloved…Daylight Savings Time begins early this year.  Turn your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night.

 

Sunday Christian Formation continues this week following worship.

 

Holy Week Ministry Opportunity!  Janie Wooten and Mary Reid are coordinating the Maundy Thursday Agape Meal (April 5) and the Easter Vigil (April 7) Reception.  If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact Mary to become part of the Sacramental Reception Team for these events.  Everything from washing tablecloths to cutting apples, from clearing dishes to decorating the hospitality area for Easter is available for persons with the skill and ability.  If you want to help but don’t see a job, let them know you’re willing to help and they will find a ministry for you!

 

Beloved is accepting donations for Easter flowers.  These flowers may be given in memory of, or in thanksgiving for, a loved one or a special event.  Please either mail your donation to the Development Office or place it in a sealed envelope in the offering plate.  Please be sure to indicate who or what the donation is given in memory of or in thanksgiving for.

 

Kairos is a ministry that shares the love, grace and forgiving mercy of Jesus Christ with those men and women serving time in prison.  Pastor Sally Brower and Susan Jordan are serving on a Kairos ministry team this weekend (with 56 dozen cookies provided by Beloved!) and Rick Jordan will serve on a team in two weeks.  Cookies are tangible signs of God’s love during these weekends.  Kairos Cookies should be normal in size, contain no fruit or nuts and cannot have sprinkles or sugar on top.  Cookies for the Men’s Weekend should be returned on Sunday, March 18.  Containers are still available if you desire them.

 

Beloved will offer a Lenten retreat on Saturday, March 31^st from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at St. Patrick Episcopal Church in Mooresville.  Pastor Sally will be the retreat leader.  The theme for the retreat comes from the book Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen.  Activities will include spirited group reflections, gentle guidance for prayer time and walking their outdoor labyrinth, and closing worship with Eucharist. Come and explore the affirmation, “You are my Beloved” as it reveals the truth about all human beings.  Cost of the retreat is $25 (includes lunch and refreshments). Scholarships are available.  To register, click here.

 

We still need one more person who can assist with the preparation of pretzels for Sunday Hospitality time during Lent.  This ministry consists of brushing brush butter and sprinkling salt on a halved soft pretzel, wrap in aluminum foil and place in your warm oven at home on a Saturday night and then bring to Beloved in a cooler or a warming carrier on Sunday morning.  (Thanks to Shari Wynn, Martha Stone and Lauren Heckman who have already committed to this ministry this year!)  Click here if you can assist with the Lenten Pretzel Preparation Team.

 

Beloved’s Worker Bees, the youth group for those ages 9-12, will gather for a light meal and Movie Night on Friday, March 16 from 6:30-9pm.  Bring $3 for food and a friend.

 

Beloved’s metamorphosis, the youth group for those ages 12-15, will gather for a light meal and Movie Night on Saturday, March 17 from 6:30-9pm.  Bring $3 for food and a friend. 

 

On March 16-17, Seeing the Face of God in Each Other (the national Anti-Racism training) will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Myers Park.  For the past 9 years, our national church has been focusing attention on “intentionally dismantling racism.”  Resolutions have been passed at both the national and diocesan levels that address how “racism” and “white privilege” affect our lives.  This is the first time that this opportunity has been offered in Charlotte.  Registration is $25.  See Deacon Deb for registration forms or for more information.

 

Last Sunday…Attendance: 131; Worship Offering: $5,757; Income needed for ministry each week: $5,500 (fully funded) à $4,400 (requiring other funding sources)

 

 

Serving at God’s Altar This Sunday…Angel Army Team 2 Captain: Matt Leblanc; Administrator: this ministry position is available; Pastor: this ministry position is available; Convener: Al Krantz; Acolytes: Madelyn Ricket, Briana Robinson, Brian Sanniota, Katie Sanniota; Altar Bread Baker: Shari Wynn; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Betsy Fox & Wes Nichols; Offertory Basket Passers: Olivia Fox, Connor King, Carter Ricket, Allie Seidel; PowerPoint: Cyteria Knight; Presenters: The Scheppegrell Family; Reader: Scott Sanniota.

 

 

Sunday’s Scripture Readings…Exodus 3:1-15 & Luke 13:1-9

 

 

In our Prayers…Dabney Smith, who will be consecrated in St. Petersburg as Bishop Coadjutor of Southwest Florida on Saturday; Mary Ann, Jim Seidel’s mother who is having breast cancer surgery today; Deb Blackwood who has a yet to be diagnosed lump on her Thyroid gland; Deb Blackwood’s brother, Jay, who is being treated again for Thyroid Cancer; Todd Atwood’s brother, Kenneth and his wife, Laura as they grieve the loss of their unborn child…Spiritual protection for Sally Brower and Susan Jordan who are serving on this week’s Women’s Kairos weekend and for Rick Jordan who will serve on a Kairos weekend in two weeks…Laurel Houser as she fights a continuing chronic lung infection…Jack, Susan Miller’s father who has prostate cancer…Bertie, Bonnie Lowder’s mother and Elizabeth Wagner’s grandmother, who is in Hospice care…Janie and Samuel Wooten who are each healing from broken bones…Michelle Dezzutto’s terminally ill sister, Joan…Jeannie, dear friend of the Floyd family who has throat cancer…Mike Montagnino who is recovering from surgery…John and Bob, Lee Frickhoeffer’s father and uncle…Elizabeth, Shari Wynn‘s sister…Kevin, Deb and Dan Blackwood‘s nephew…Phyllis, Linda Mellon‘s mother who is recuperating from surgery…Mike, Dick Reif’s brother as he recovers from cancer treatment…Melissa, Donna Elyea’s cousin…Emily, Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter…Chandler, Shana Blake’s cousin, who is having relationship difficulties with her father…Michel, Catherine Atwood’s father diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease…those serving in Iraq, especially Travis, Sally Brower’s cousin; Bob, Clifford King Harbin‘s nephew; Jared, Wes and Michele Nichols’ nephew; Ron, Marilyn Doyon‘s brother-in-law...Palmer, Betsy Fox’s teenage cousin…Ed and Jean, Dick Reif's parents…Pat Kitts, friend of Beloved…Mary Ann Ingram, friend of the Scheppegrell family, who has liver cancer… Penny Crawford as she works in Memphis, TN for the next several months…the staff and students of Community House Middle School.

 

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