September 21, 2006

Rescue

Once upon a time there was a lighthouse.  Like all lighthouses it had a searchlight beacon to direct ships safely around the precarious point, but this one offered something extra.  On the lighthouse grounds a group of people had sought permission to rent and gather in one of the outbuildings for the purpose of rescuing ships in distress.  The on-duty person of this group could always establish immediate radio contact with the entire rescue team in a matter of seconds, and in minutes the team would have its rescue craft out in the dark waters, bringing shipwreck victims to safety.  Once the victims were brought back to the lighthouse, they’d find a fire going, blankets, towels, and plenty of hot food and drink.  The station and its crew were totally dedicated to loving and caring for those that disaster or hardship placed in their path.

Over the years this station made scores of rescues.  After a while, however, the rescue team noticed that those staffing the lighthouse and preparing for the night’s rescues were looking a little worse for wear.  It was hard work gathering firewood, lugging blankets, preparing food and launching boats.  Some folks were surprised to discover that they started resenting the effort that it took.  Others had lives that were so frenetic that they simply longed for the opportunity to rest rather than to rescue.  Some wanted to spend more time with their fellow rescuers.  Others found it difficult to take the emotional risk necessary to befriend the storm victims.  The dedicated found it frustrating that others often seemed to stand idly by, making their burdens seem even heavier. 

The more each person in the group focused on their own discontent, the more they took their eyes off of the sea.  Finally someone suggested that they were simply trying to do too much.  They should limit their rescue operations for, after all, there was only so much reasonable people could be expected to do.  People began to be rescued only if their boats happened to be in danger when the group had scheduled rescue operations.  Rescue operations were never scheduled during inclement weather or after dark because these times proved inconvenient.  In the years that followed, people learned a lot about rescue operations but rarely experienced being a part of actual rescues.  And no one ever commented on the dramatic increase in drowning deaths that occurred in the very waters this rescue station had formerly served.

fable adapted by

J. Derek Harbin, priest

Sunday’s Parish Picnic Details…You are invited to spend Sunday afternoon, September 24^th, enjoying Beloved’s 6^th Annual parish picnic in Union County’s beautiful Cane Creek Park.  Food, fellowship, paddleboats, horseshoes, miniature golf, games and more will be available (A small fee is charged by Cane Creek for some of these activities.)  This is a great opportunity to get to know more folks at Beloved and to invite a friend, neighbor or colleague who may be looking for a church home.

Dinner will be served at 4:30pm in Shelter #2.  Beloved will provide the meat, paper goods, bread and drinks & will cover the park admission fee.  Persons are asked to bring enough of the following to feed at least ten people:  Last name A-D (salad), E-M (vegetable), N-Z (dessert).  Bring your bicycle and helmet and follow Dave Kraft on the mountain bike trails through the park.  This ride will leave at 3pm from Shelter #2. 

Directions to the park are available by clicking here.  At the gate, tell the Park Ranger that you are with the Church of the Beloved Group to be admitted free of charge.  Our thanks to Michele Nichols who is coordinating this event.

About Acolytes…Children/Teens/Adults who carry the cross, candles and gospel book each Sunday are called acolytes.  There is no minimum or maximum age to serve; must possess the ability to sit quietly while serving at the altar; to follow directions; and to carry the gospel book.  If you would like to serve as an acolyte, or if you would like to continue serving as an acolyte this year, please contact Susan Boylston by September 24^th.  New teams and schedule will be ready by early October.

Around Beloved…Beloved’s Worker Bees  (youth 9-12) and Metamorphosis (youth 12-15) will meet together as Fusion for their first event of the year at 6pm this Saturday, September 23^rd at Beloved Garden…The Beloved Beehive (Sunday Christian Formation) for adults and children continues this week following worship…Pray for Kairos as Rick Jordan and the team minister this weekend to the inmates at Kershaw Correctional Institution… Congratulations to Major Tom Friend who received on September 9^th the Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.  This week Tom is in Washington, DC as a consultant offering his expertise at the Pentagon…Ticket packets for Simon Evening of Giving are being distributed now!  Please see Catherine Atwood (last name A-H), Kris Leinenkugel (last name I-M) or Shari Wynn (last name N-Y) to pick up your packet.  Each family unit will have a packet of 10 tickets plus information about Simon Night of Giving. We’ll have additional packets of 10 for those who want more tickets to start off with.  This event is perfect for those who want to save money on their Christmas shopping while enjoying spectacular free food and the chance to win some really wonderful prizes.  All proceeds from the Simon Night of Giving ticket sales benefit the Simon Youth Foundation for At-risk children and the “divine provision” portion of Beloved’s ministry budget.   

Iran’s future…Davidson College announces that the first lecture in this year’s Dean Rusk International Studies Series, entitled “Iran Under President Ahmadinejad: A New Era of Radicalism?”, will be held in the Martha Bowles Parish Hall of St. Peter Episcopal Church, uptown on Thursday, September 28^th from Noon to 1:30pm.  The guest lecturer will be Dr. Mark Gasiorowski, Professor of Political Science and the Director of the International Studies Program at Louisiana State University and a former Visiting Fellow at the Middle East Centre, St. Anthony’s College, Oxford University.  Tickets for the lecture are $15 and include lunch catered by La-Tea-Da’s.  Reservations may be made by calling 704.332.7746 by tomorrow, 9/22. A better understanding of international affairs is important for Christians as we seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom in our calling to be salt and light in the midst of the darkness and evil we confront in the world.   

Serving at God’s Altar this Sunday…Angel Army Team 3 (Captain: Mark Leinenkugel; Administrator: Kris Leinenkugel; Pastor: Jim Skrobot; Convener: Scott Sanniota); Acolytes: Caleb Friend, Thomas Friend, Austin Yearwood, Nicole Yearwood; Reader: Janis Conlon; Presenters: The Leinenkugel Family; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Mary Reid & Bud Moore; Offertory Basket Passers: Brice Lang, Raquanza Miller, Jack Sanniota, Katie Sanniota; PowerPoint: Mitchell Harbin.

In our Prayers…The participants and team of this weekend’s Kairos…Bishop Gary Gloster who is undergoing radiation treatment for Prostate Cancer at Duke Medical Center…those who have died or have been traumatized by the escalating violence in the Middle East and around the world...those serving in Iraq, especially Bob, Clifford King Harbin‘s 18-year-old nephew; Ron, Marilyn Doyon‘s brother-in-law; and Scott, Dan Hood's brother who is preparing to return to the States...Al Krantz as he travels in Jordan…Jacqui, niece of Deb and Dan Blackwood who is fighting breast cancer...Harriett, Kathy Raynor‘s mother who has cancer...Jessie Powell and Janie Lownes...Emily, Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter...Ed and Jean, Dick Reif's parents who are in declining health in Oklahoma...Bucky, Sherrill Lowder's neighbor, who has lung cancer...Bryan McCarthy, Cyteria Knight and Penny Crawford as they seek permanent employment...the staff and students of Community House Middle School.

Upcoming Calendar…click here