February 22, 2007

 

A Bicentennial for Wilberforce

 

Two hundred years ago tomorrow, the British Parliament voted to abolish the slave trade in their Empire.  It would not have happened without the tireless efforts of William Wilberforce.  To use the words of yesterday’s Beloved Lenten devotional reading, Wilberforce “became aware of what was warped” in his society and proved the truth that one person’s spiritual passion and physical action can be a dramatic force for change.  His life also refutes the ever-popular notion that a politician cannot be a person of integrity and a faithful Christian devoted to the service of others in the Name of Jesus.

 

Wilberforce was born into an affluent family in Hull, Yorkshire, on August 24, 1759, and was educated at St. John’s College, Cambridge. In 1780, he was elected to the House of Commons, and he served there until 1825. He died in London, July 29, 1833, and is buried in Westminster Abbey.

 

His conversion to an evangelical Christian life occurred in 1784, several years after he entered Parliament. Fortunately, he was induced by his friends not to abandon his political activities after this inward change in his life.  Steadfastly refusing from that point on to accept high office or a peerage, he gave himself unstintingly to the promotion of overseas missions, popular education, and the reformation of public manners and morals.  He also supported parliamentary reform and Catholic emancipation.  Above all, his fame rests upon his persistent, uncompromising, and single-minded crusade for the abolition of slavery and the slave trade.  (His close ally in this work was John Newton, whose own experience with the slave trade and subsequent conversion to Christianity led him to write the hymn, Amazing Grace.)  Every year for twenty years Wilberforce brought the bill for abolition to the floor of the House of Commons. Every year, his bill was defeated because the slave trade was considered essential to the British economy.  On February 23, 1807, the bill for abolition passed, and in March the king made the bill law.  

 

Wilberforce’s eloquence as a speaker, his charm in personal address and his profound religious spirit made him a formidable power for good and his countrymen came to recognize in him a man of heroic greatness.  In addition to tomorrow’s bicentennial celebration, he is remembered each year in the Episcopal Church’s calendar of saints on July 30 (the closest available date to his day of death). 

 

J. Derek Harbin, priest

 

 

Life of the Beloved Retreat…On Saturday, March 31^st, Church of the Beloved will host a daylong retreat from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at St. Patrick Episcopal Church in Mooresville.  The Rev’d Dr. Sally Brower, Assisting Pastor of Formation at Church of the Beloved and a trained spiritual director, 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.  Members of Church of the Beloved and St. Patrick's as well as other interested persons are invited to attend.

 

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. 

 

 

Spiritual Living Book Club…The Spiritual Living Book Club is offered as an adult spiritual enrichment activity at Beloved Garden and as part of the adult formation offerings of Church of the Beloved.  It is open to the community as well as those attending the church. More than a book club, it offers a communal context in which to encounter others, God, and our true selves.  Pastor Sally will select contemporary books and authors that challenge us to look at our lives as a spiritual journey.  Her approach will be experiential, using various group process activities in addition to discussion.  Join us as we travel together on a sacred journey peopled with close companions, fellow pilgrims, and soul friends.

The first Spiritual Living Book Club selection is Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen.  The book, reviewed online by Beloved’s own Dan Hood, is available locally and on-line and should be purchased in advance. The group will gather on Monday evenings from 7-9 PM at Beloved Garden on February 26 and March 5, 12, & 26.  To register, click here.

 

Beloved Garden is located in the Terraces at Park Place shopping center on Park Road at Pineville-Matthews Road.  For directions to Beloved Garden, click here.

 

 

Cookie Baking in Lent?…Absolutely, especially when these treats can lead to a saving relationship with Jesus!  Over the years, Beloved has enthusiastically supported Rick Jordan in his work with Men’s Kairos, a ministry that shares the love, grace and forgiving mercy of Jesus Christ with those serving time in Kershaw Correctional Institution, by joining others in baking hundreds of dozens of cookies for each renewal weekend.  This year, we will also be supporting Pastor Sally Brower and Susan Jordan with cookies as they serve on the team of the Women’s Kairos weekend!

 

Cookies should be normal in size, contain no fruit or nuts and cannot have sprinkles or sugar on top.  Sally, Susan and Rick have made a significant commitment to this ministry that involves extensive training, prayer and preparation for weekends that occur twice a year.  Containers for the baked cookies will be available for pickup this Sunday (2/25).  Cookies for the Women’s weekend should be returned next Sunday, March 4.  Cookies for the Men’s weekend should be returned Sunday, March 11.

 

 

Around Beloved…Did you get your Lenten devotional booklet?  Whether you live alone, with another, or with many others, please use this enriching resource daily to connect more deeply with Jesus during this Lenten season.  Booklets are available following worship and at Beloved Garden.

 

 

 

 

Preparation of pretzels for Sunday Hospitality time during Lent, when as a community we give up sweet, warm Krispy Kreme doughnuts, is a great short-term ministry that serves the Beloved community.  Volunteers willing to brush butter and sprinkle 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 are very much appreciated.  Ideally, if we have four more volunteers, then each person would have only one Sunday (thanks to Shari Wynn who will take the first Sunday).  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 be going to a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Friday, February 23rd.  Those who have reserved their advance tickets are to meet at 6:30 at Beloved Garden (eat before you arrive).  We will return to Beloved Garden by 9:30pm. 

 

 

Beloved’s metamorphosis, the youth group for those ages 12-15, will gather for a light meal and Movie Night on Saturday, February 24 from 6:30-9pm.  Bring $3 for food and a friend. 

 

 

The Women of Beloved will meet for a meal at Encore Restaurant (Blakeney) on Wednesday evening, February 28 @ 7pm.  Come join the fun and fellowship!

 

 

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.  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.  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.

 

 

The Primates of the worldwide Anglican Communion have concluded their meeting in Tanzania.  To read more about their decisions and ongoing work, click here.

 

 

Last Sunday…Attendance: 117; Worship Offering: $6,487; 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 5 (Captain: Steve Todd; Administrator: Frank Reid; Pastor: Mary Reid; Convener: Tom Friend); Acolytes: Forrest Boylston, Hailey Boylston, Ashley Fox, Emily Scheppegrell; Altar Bread Baker: Janis Conlon; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Frank & Mary Reid; Offertory Basket Passers: Joseph Duty, Carter Ricket, Madelyn Ricket, Lauren Widener; PowerPoint: Kevin Krantz; Presenters: The Friend Family; Reader: Anna Moore

 

 

Sunday’s Scripture Readings…Romans 10:1-13 & Luke 4:1-13

 

 

In our Prayers…Spiritual protection for Sally Brower, Susan Jordan and Rick Jordan who are serving on upcoming Kairos weekends…Jack, Susan Miller’s father who has been diagnosed with 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 who had surgery on Wednesday…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… thanksgiving for Chris Morley who was recently employed…for Scott, Julie, Brian, Jack and Katie Sanniota as they grieve the loss of Julie’s mother, Jessie Powell.

 

 

Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon her.

May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

 

 

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