108 west farriss avenue • high point, north carolina … 2013.pdf108 west farriss avenue • high...
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Where faith embraces reason and tradition
108 West Farriss Avenue • High Point, North Carolina 27262 • 336-886-4756 • www.stmarysepisc.org
2013 December
In this issue: Christian Formation…….……........2 Christian Formation…….……........3 From the Assistant to the Rector...4 Youth News………..…..……….....5 Parish Advent Festival Christmas Pageant Bishop’s Ball Parents’ Night Out Parish News………..…..……….....6 Annual Congregational Meeting Memorial Poinsettias Uptowne Holiday Stroll Advent Revels BackPack Beginnings Collection Parish News…………………….....7 Christmas Tree Sale Chrismon Volunteers Needed ECW Luncheon Faith @ Home Website Holiday Schedule Advent Lunches Prepare the Way Parish News..…………….…….....8 EfM Recruitment Parish News....……………………9 ECW Convention Highlights Parish News...……..……...……...10-11 Vestry Bios Music News…………...….…........12 Tony Griffey Singing at St. Mary’s Parish Christmas Caroling Music Academy News Music News…………...…….........13 Bach Advent Cantata 104 Music News…………...…….........14 Bach Advent Cantata continued Choir School News Prayers/Milestones…...…….........15 Clergy/Staff……………..………..16
Volume 5, issue 11
Nothing created by our human hands lasts forever, no matter how beautiful or sturdy it may be. Disasters of all sorts can occur, leaving nothing but rubble behind. And if it’s not catastrophe that strikes, the ever creeping rot of old age will sink in.
In the process of all things being made new, which began with Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection, institutions and even the physical reality around us, comes and goes. Buildings crumble and the groups they housed, no matter how firmly fixed they thought they were, disintegrate, only to be reformed into something new for God’s purposes. Human institutions and creations carry in them the weaknesses of having been made by imperfect beings. They are des-tined to be transformed if not completely crumble.
The role of St. Mary’s will change with our changing context. More and more, we’ll be serving as a regional resource center. Even more than we are today, we will become a mission base-camp, going out in twos and threes to be the Church in the world, where the needs are. We won’t be going out to simply invite people back in here, where we’re comfortable, where we’re on our turf. We’ll go out to stay out. To meet people where they are, not where we want them to be.
To become this new kind of community we need resources, one of which is your financial support. If you have not yet pledged to the mission and ministry budget of St. Mary’s for next year, please do so. This is a pivotal moment in shaping the future trajectory of St. Mary’s. How will you do your part?
Watch the video about church finances and make your secure pledge at www.stmarysepisc.org.
Pax et bonum,
David+
2 December 2013 The Herald
Parish News
CChristian Formation MONDAY Men’s Bible Study Facilitator: Monty Dixon Location: Common Room A Bible study for men on Mondays at 7:00a.m. and will last an hour. All men are invited to attend.
Mother’s of Young Children Bible Study Facilitator: Rev. Palmer Location: Common Room Beginning September 9th, Every Monday morning at 9:30a.m. and will last until 10:45. Childcare is provided. We will study Women of the Old Testament, starting with Eve. If you would like to join us or have questions, please email the Rev. Sara Palmer at [email protected] or call 886.4756. No prior knowledge of the Bi-ble is expected!
WEDNESDAY Youth (Grades 6-12) Bible Study Facilitator: Fr. Umphlett Location: Carter Brothers Every Wednesday at 7:00am. This is an opportunity for fellowship and engagement with the scripture lead by the Rector.
Women’s Bible Study Facilitator: Mary Darby Location: Common Room A Bible study for women on Wednesdays at 9:30 am in the Common Room. All women are invited to attend.
SUNDAY Infants & Toddlers (Ages 0-4ish) - During our 9am service in the Community Life Center children are in-vited to sit and play quietly during the service with our Director of Children and Youth Ministries, Sarah Bentley. Our nursery, which is located in room 113 on the lower level of the Education Building is open to chil-dren up through age four during Christian Formation Hour (10:00-10:45am) and throughout the 11am service.
Children (Age 4ish-5th grade) - During our 9am service in the Community Life Center children are invited to sit and play quietly during the service with our Director of Children and Youth Ministries, Sarah Bentley. Dur-ing Christian Formation Hour (10:00-10:45am) children are invited to participate in Godly Play. Godly Play is a Montessori based curriculum that focuses on teaching children bible stories through hand on experiences.
In addition, children are invited to Children’s Chapel during the 11am service. Children’s Chapel is an oppor-tunity for youngsters to hear the Liturgy of the Word in words they can understand, practice different types of prayer, and learn about the liturgical seasons. We rejoin the congregation during the peace.
Youth (Grades 6-12) - Youth are encouraged to participate in every aspect of community life here at St. Mary’s! Youth serve weekly as acolytes, chalice bearers, and lay readers. During the Christian Formation Hour Youth may choose to attend available offerings.
The Herald December 2013 3
Parish News
CChristian Formation SUNDAY—continued
The Forum Dates: Sundays at 10:00am Facilitator: Rev. Palmer & Fr. Umphlett Location: Parish Hall We will explore the Old Testament from several different angles. Employing art, music, history, scholarly criticism, devotional exercises, case studies, and story-telling, we will delve more deeply into the scriptures held in common among three Abrahamic faiths. Additional resources, background materials, and suggested readings are available on the Faith at Home section of the church website (the link is found on our home page or under the Formation heading). www.stmarysepisc.org
Sacred Space, Sacred Practice Dates: Sundays at 10:00am Facilitator: Sarah Bentley and Leaders Location: Rm. 217, Ed Bldg Bringing Spiritual Disciplines into Action - Sacred Space, Sacred Practice is a yearlong class designed by Sarah Bentley to help individuals explore a variety of spiritual disciplines. We will experience everything from in-cense to yoga and sacred eating. The class will focus on a different theme each month including: sounds, sights, movement, and taste. At the end of the class participants will create their own rule of life and share what spiritual practices bring them closest to God.
SUNDAY EVENINGS Youth (Grades 6-12) - This year youth will meet in the Little House from 5:00-6:30pm for EYC (Episcopal Youth Community). We will have dinner together at 6:00pm. Friends are always welcome!
4 December 2013 The Herald
From the Assistant to the Rector
On Monday, November 4th, I was invited to speak at the International Club at Immaculate Heart of Mary Ro-man Catholic Church. Nancy Skee, one of the main organizers of the International Club, had read the High Point Enterprise article which I spoke about the goals and vision of the Interfaith Affairs Committee. Nancy wanted to see how our two organizations could work together to benefit the immigrant community in our High Point. I invited four other members of the Interfaith Affairs Committee to come with me: Barbara Collins from B’Nai Israel synagogue, Chuck and Cynthia Hall from the Baha’i faith, and Narayan Khadka from the Triad Nepalese community. Several dozen nationalities are represented at the International Club, which has been in existence for ten years. I was delighted at the end of our talk when Rita Leonard, a Palestinian Christian, responded to my invitation to work with the Interfaith Affairs Committee. She worships at IHM, and was the driving force behind establishing the International Club.
On Saturday, November 16th, Barbara Jones and I thoroughly enjoyed attending Hifest, the multicultural festi-val organized by the High Point Human Relations Department. Al Heggins, the Director, did a wonderful job of emceeing the event. Our own Saint Marian, Malia Grimes performed several beautiful Polynesian dances with her group; our Sudanese congregation was invited to share their culture also. There were several Latino dances, songs by Point Academy of African American children, singing by a group of developmentally disabled citizens of ARC, a wonderful blues band etc. Several members of the Interfaith Affairs Committee provided food which was enjoyed by all! A lady from Eritrea brought the most delicious bread she had made. She is the first Eritrean I have met. The lady was interested in joining our committee; she is active in welcoming new refugees who have come to the USA through World Relief.
Next April, I have invited Dr. Charles Hogan and our own Saint Mary’s Choir School to perform. Y’all missed a treat! Hope you can come with your children next April 2014!
God bless you, Sara +
Al Heggins, Director of High Point Human Relations Department, is emcee for Hifest.
She introduces a Mexican dance group.
New friends from the Ba’hai faith who joined us for Hifest and brought
delicious food.
The Latino Family Center had a booth, as did Reading Connections. St Mary’s is
involved with ministry to Latinos and hosts Reading Connections.
Mexican dance troupe from Asheboro performs. Gorgeous
costumes and dances.
The Herald December 2013 5
Youth News
BBishop’s Ball: Diocesan Youth Event Bishops' Ball 2013, "At the Crossroads" is coming up on December 13-15! The Crossroads is the place where all of life comes together: church, home, school, politics, music, sports, career, values, rela-tionships, etc. To be at the crossroads is basically the definition of being a teenager. Even though we are all a part of God’s family, marked by baptism as Christ’s own, faith does not make us immune to life’s chal-lenges. But it should open us and guide us through the crossroads. Join us at Bishops’ Ball for music, small groups, formal dinner/dance and most importantly to enjoy time with Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop Anne Hodges-Copple. Bishops’ Ball is open to all middle and high school youth and will be held at Camp Walter Johnson, in Denton, NC.
CChristmas Pageant Please join us for the annual pageant at 3:00pm on December 24th. This year the service and Pag-eant will take place in the Great Hall of the Commu-nity Life Center. Participants from Prepare the Way are hard at work practicing musical selections and writing the script! We would love for all children and youth to be involved. Please sign up on the board in the narthex or through the link in the E-News. Mandatory dress rehearsal will be December 22nd in the Great Hall with lunch from 12:30-1:00pm followed by practice starting at 1:00pm in the Great Hall. Please contact Kerie Beth Scott with questions at [email protected].
PParents’ Night Out Fundraiser Need to do some last minute Christmas shopping? Haven't had a date night in months? On December 20th from 5:30-8:30pm, Sarah Bentley & Charles Ho-gan will host a parents' night out for children and youth. The cost is $20 for the first child and $15 for each additional child. Dinner is included! Proceeds will help fund the Youth Choir School trip to Canter-bury this summer. Please contact Sarah Bentley [email protected] or Charles Hogan [email protected] for more information.
PParish Advent Festival
Join us during Christian Formation Hour (10:00-10:45) on December 1st in the Parish Hall for Advent activities for all ages. We will have supplies for Ad-vent wreaths, sweet treats and more! Please bring greens to share.
6 December 2013 The Herald
Parish News
AAdvent Revels Please mark your calendars for the Advent Revels party on Sunday, December 15th, from 5:00 to 7:00p.m. at the home of Robert and Kim Gay, 2821 Swan Lake Drive, High Point. Please bring an appe-tizer to share at this all-adult gathering. Beverages provided by the Parish Connections Committee. We hope you can join us for this time of fun and fellow-ship.
MMemorial Poinsettias If you would like to order a poinsettia in memory or in honor of a loved one, order forms are available in the Nar-thex and the reception office. Orders are due by noon on December 9th.
All poinsettias will be in the church on Sunday, De-cember 15. Make checks payable to St. Mary’s with a notation that it is for poinsettias. If you have any questions, please call Denise Reagan at 454-1292.
UUptowne Holiday Stroll Uptowne High Point's fourth annual Holiday Stroll returns Saturday, December 7. Events from 10am-4pm will be centered around St. Mary's and along N. Main Street from State to Ray Avenues. St. Mary's will again be the site to board Horse Drawn Car-riages for a ride through Brantley Circle, performance by St. Mary's Youth Choir, and some fundraising sales.
Community Clinic's Puttin' on the Grits breakfast will be served from 8:30am-11am in the Community Life Center. Additional activities, community per-formances, holiday sales, and open houses will be fea-tured at historic properties and elsewhere through Uptowne. Check www.uptownehighpoint.org for an updated schedule of events!
AAnnual Congregational Meeting The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, December 9. The meeting will begin promptly at 10:00a.m. Those whose names are to be placed in nomination by the Nominating Committee for a three-year term on the Vestry are: Kirsten Bertschi, Andy Brehm, Sally Bulla, Phil Johnston, Re-becca McAtee, Ken Rogers, Mike Smith, and Mark Williamson. Please review their biographies that are included in this edition of the Herald.
Nominations for the Vestry can be made from the floor during the meeting, provided that prior consent has been received from the person being nominated. Those retiring from the Vestry at the end of the year are: Jim Armstrong, Mary Darby, Johnny Slate, and Tim Yates.
BBackPack Beginnings Collection St. Clare’s Chapter of ECW will collect items for BackPack Beginnings during the Advent Sea-son! BackPack Beginnings is dedicated to providing food and comfort items to elementary aged children who are you need in Guilford County! Each Sunday in Advent will be dedicated to an item in need by this organization. Starting on December 1st, please bring 2 gallon sized storage bags (like Ziploc) to do-nate. Please make sure to bring 2 gallon, and not the 1 gallon size! The large 2 gallon size stores the food for the whole weekend. Questions or more information contact Lori Baird at [email protected].
We will continue this drive on December 8th, please bring individual boxes of cereal. On December 22nd, please bring Chef Boyardee microwavable pop-top meals. Lastly, on December 23rd, please bring new/gently used stuffed animals. Remember the first week in Advent (December 1st), bring 2 gallon sized stor-age bags. Thanks for your help!!!
The Herald December 2013 7
CChrismon Volunteers Needed Mark your calendars for this year’s annual raising and decorating of the Chrismon tree, and decorating the church windows and vestibule. The ‘tree raisers’ will gather at 6:00pm on Friday, December 13th, and anyone interested in decorating the windows can come either then or on Saturday. Tree decorators and church decorators can arrive starting 9:00am on Sat-urday, December 14th. The more hands the faster it will go, but it generally lasts until around 11am – 12pm. You may stay for all or a part of the time. If you know for sure you are coming, please email or call me to let me know, so I can have an idea where we might need more help. Thank you for your dedication to this wonderful ministry. ~Heather Chenevert 769.3939 or [email protected]
AAdvent Lunches Beginning on Wednesday, December 4, the Wednesday celebration of Holy Eucharist will be fol-lowed by a Simple Soup Luncheon in the Great Hall (through December 18th). Thank you, Mary Darby!
EECW Luncheon ECW Christmas Luncheon & General Meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 2nd at 12:00 noon in the Great Hall.
Parish News
BBrotherhood of St. Andrew Christmas Tree Sale
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew's Annual Christmas Tree Sale will open Saturday, December 7, 2013. in the parking lot behind the Education Building.
As usual, this event is one weekend only. If you can-not be there to choose a tree, the Brotherhood will be happy to do so for you and deliver it to your home.
Lot Hours: Saturday, 12/7--8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, 12/8---9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For your convenience, order forms are available in the Narthex and the Church Reception Office. All pro-ceeds help fund our Youth Programs at St. Mary's!
HHoliday Schedule The church offices will close at 12 noon on Tuesday, December 24th and will be closed Wednesday, De-cember 25th, Thursday, December 26th, and Friday, December 27th.
Did you know a section of our website has resources for learning, engaging, sharing, and singing the faith at home? We also have schedules for Godly Play, The Forum, EYC and more! Check us out. A link can be found on the right hand side of our home page or un-der the Formation tab!
FFaith @ Home Website
PPrepare the Way Prepare the Way has so far been a wonderful experi-ence! We engage 50-60 participants each week from each quadrant of life-- infants & toddlers, chil-dren, youth, and adults-- in lively and thoughtful dis-cuss ion, and f ait h-deepening activities. Our suppers have been lovingly c at e r e d b y Rac h e l
Brubaker, Gail Slate, and Audrey Yowell and have been delightful gatherings that end each evening.
The remaining schedule includes Dec. 8 (caroling), and Dec. 15. There is still time for your involvement! Contact Sarah Bentley or Fr. David Umphlett for more information.
8 December 2013 The Herald
Parish News
EEfM Recruitment Calling All St. Marians: EfM Needs You!!
EfM (Education for Ministry) is an educational program designed by the faculty of the School of Theology at The University of the South at Sewanee to help us fulfill our confirmation vows to be ministers of God’s word to the world. Participants enroll for nine months of weekly study.
EfM puts our L.E.S.S. program into action:
LEARN the faith with the study of scripture
Year One – Old Testament Year Two – New Testament
Year Three – Church History Year Four – Christian Theology
ENGAGE the faith with theological reflections theological reflections are exercises we do as a group to help us see ourselves and our world with God as the center rather than just on the periphery
SHARE the faith as we become stronger in our knowledge of scripture and more keenly aware of God’s presence we become more emboldened to share our faith with everyone we meet
SING the faith our joy of God’s word leads some of us to use music as part of the worship that concludes every EfM session
Come be a part of this stimulating program that is now in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Bahamas, and over 80 dioceses in the United States. We need a minimum of six participants to begin our next year in January. You will join five of us who have been with the program for several years and are in years one, two, three, and four of the program.
Enrollment involves a $350.00 fee that covers the cost of all materials.
Please contact David Stewart at [email protected] or Rebecca McAtee at [email protected] to sign up.
The Herald December 2013 9
Parish News
EECW Convention Highlights A Glimpse into the 2013 ECW Convention
Mary Gordon and I attended the 2013 Diocese of North Carolina's ECW Convention in Huntersville this past weekend (November 8-9.) Our host parish was St. Mark's Episcopal Church, a lovely and historic church set on 12 pastoral acres in Huntersville. This year's theme was "A Cloud of Witnesses."
And witness we did at the 131st Annual Meeting! From our heartfelt welcome in the early afternoon, it was apparent that genuine hospitality and joy were to be the focus of our time together. Here assembled a group (80-90 strong) of Episcopal Churchwomen which embodied the philosophy of L.E.S.S. From each other, we Learned many wondrous stories of faith (past and present) as we Engaged in prayers and scripture. At sun-set in this beautiful little brick church set atop a grassy knoll, we celebrated our Lord Christ as we Shared the Holy Eucharist. And yes, indeed, sons and daughters, we Sang with loud and melodious voices our praises to God!
To naysayers it would seem counter-intuitive to say that "L.E.S.S. is more." Yet to those of us who were fortu-nate to be in this "Cloud of Witnesses," we knew the axiom to be truthful.
The Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of NC, gave the keynote address. Bishop Anne, as she prefers to be addressed, shared with us that a woman as Bishop defines a new place to serve at God's table: cheering us on; praying us through; and holding us accountable. She believes that we empower others to share in the body of Christ and that we are to be sisters who prioritize, not politicize. In Bishop Anne's own words, "Will we be faithful, courageous - and a little subversive" on behalf of those groups and individuals on the margins of life? Will we be more hospitable? Yes, I believe we will… ~ Kathi Jacobs
Malia Grimes performs Polynesian dance with Three Graces Entertainment.
10 December 2013 The Herald
Parish News - Vestry Nominees 2014-2017
Kirsten Bertschi: Kirsten is a cradle Episcopalian, having grown up at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh. She has been a member of St. Mary's since 2000. Since that time, she has been involved in worship and ministry in various capacities: VBS co-chair and volun-teer, chair of Parish Connections committee, member of Greeters committee, Sunday school teacher, chair of the 30s/40s group, and served as a member of the youth director search com-mittee. Currently, she is the co-chair of the Family Ministry committee, and is a member of the Daughters of the King, St. Clare's ECW group, and the 20s/30s/40s group. She also cur-
rently serves as a lay reader. One of Kirsten's favorite experiences with St. Mary's was attending the parish retreat at Kanuga in 2012 and 2013. Kirsten works from home as an account manager for a company that em-ploys physicians across the country. She has been married to Tony Bertschi for 17 years. Together they have three children: Landon, 14, Harrison, 11, and Emma, 2.
Andy Brehm - Andy is a fifth generation Episcopalian. He was baptized at St. Paul’s Epis-copal Church in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia and confirmed at The Church of Ascension in Hickory, NC. He started attending St. Mary’s in 1985 as a freshman in college and officially joined, along with his new bride Angie in 1998. Angie and he are truly blessed to have two beautiful daughters, Berkely and Alexandra. Andy has served on the Stewardship Commit-tee and is a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He also proudly serves as an usher and most recently has become a lector. The Church is the keystone and foundation upon which his life is centered. He is truly honored to be nominated for Vestry and hopes he can make a difference.
Sally Bulla - Sally grew up at St. Mary’s. She is a graduate of UNC-CH with a Baccalaure-ate of Science in Nursing, a Masters of Nursing from Emory University and a PhD in Nurs-ing from George Mason University. Sally served 20 years in the US Navy, Nurse Corps with assignments in the Southeastern US and Europe. On retirement from the Navy and living in northern Virginia she worked at the American Nurses Credentialing Center and she was an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University. She currently works at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center as a researcher for the Department of Nursing. Since her return to High Point and St. Mary’s in 2008, Sally is a member of the Altar Guild and
Flower Guild. She arranges for the flowers to be given for the Altar each Sunday and serves as an Intercessor. Sally is also a Stephen Minister which has been a truly wonderful calling.
Phil Johnston - Phil Johnston was an acolyte at an early age in service to communicants at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte. He served on the Vestry at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Marion, N.C. He is proud to have relatives in the Episcopal clergy. His wife, Dottie, has enjoyed faithfully serving our choir for 33 years. Phil was CEO of two public companies over 17 years and practiced law for 6 years with Nexsen Pruet, PLLC, a top 100 corporate firm, and Johnston Tobin, LLC. Tennis, writing and grand parenting four dainty tadpoles continue to be enjoyable pastimes.
The Herald December 2013 11
Parish News - Vestry Nominees 2014-2017 Rebecca McAtee - Rebecca has been a member of St. Mary’s since 1986. She and her hus-band, Mac, live in Oak Ridge, and have two sons, Sam and Robert, as well as two grandchil-dren, Bailey and Carter. Rebecca retired in May 2012 from Guilford County Schools, where she worked both at the classroom level as a second grade teacher, and at the district level as a Literacy Specialist. She is currently employed part-time with Guilford County Schools as a Curriculum Facilitator at Summerfield Elementary School. In her life at St. Mary’s, Rebecca
has been a member of the adult choir since 1986. She is also a member of the team of musicians responsible for coordinating the music for the Informal Worship Service each Sunday. More recently, she has become in-volved with the Education for Ministry (EFM) program at St. Mary’s, and is currently serving as a Co-Mentor for the group. She is a member of the St. Anne’s Chapter of ECW, and has previously served a term on the Ves-try.
Ken Rogers - Most of you know Ken as the sound guy from the 9am informal service. He sits in the booth providing sound for the band and operates the projectors. He also provides this service to St. Mary’s Music Academy and to outside groups and organizations that use our Community Life Center. He serves on the Matthew 25:40 committee and participates with our EYC (Youth) group, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, and serves as a Chalice Bearer. Ken organizes the 20/30/40’s monthly gatherings, emails and Facebook page. He is also a member of the Newcomers Committee. When not in church, he spends time building com-
munity within communities. He is working with Ignite High Point to engage more residents in our city. Re-cently, he was invited to join the High Point Cycle Classic event committee, assisting with the logistics of the event. Serving on vestry would be an honor for him. He will continue our outreach and work to guide our parish as we continue to grow and look for new exciting ways of meeting the needs in our community.
Mike Smith - As a member of St. Mary’s since 1979, Mike has served in various capacities and committees including: associate Vestry member, Vestry member, Asst. Treasurer, Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, Planned Giving Chairman, Stewardship Chairman, Fi-nance Committee, and Insurance Committee. Mike also served on the Diocese Planned Giving Committee and was a Delegate to Diocesan Convention. Mike’s service and activi-ties within St. Mary’s were curtailed following the loss of his son, Charlie B., in 2004. He is currently self-employed and is the owner of Sterling Financial, Inc. If selected as a Vestry member, Mike said it will be an honor to serve St. Mary’s again. Mark Williamson - Mark has been a communicant at St. Mary's since moving to High Point in 2010. In his former Parish, Mark served on the Vestry, headed the stewardship campaign, and served as Parish Treasurer for five years, which included oversight of a $ 7.5 Million capital campaign. Mark was an active volunteer at Camp Coast Care, the relief organization established by the Diocese of Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, starting with the clean up as well as working on the construction of a number of homes after the storm. Mark is Presi-dent and CEO of High Point Bank and is involved in numerous community activities, in-
cluding serving on the Board of Family Service of the Piedmont. He and his wife Betty are the parents of two sons, Matt who lives in Chicago, and Ben, who with his wife Lauren, reside in New Orleans.
12 December 2013 The Herald
Music News
MMusic Academy News Two of our string students were selected for the All-County Honors Orchestra - Grace Davis, Viola, and Emory Howell who will be the assistant concertmaster. Congratulations to these two outstanding students!
Two recitals will be presented Sunday, December 8, at 2:00 pm and at 3:30 pm in the Great Hall of the Community Life Center. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Emory Howell, advanced violin student, will present selections for the violin for the Emerywood Garden Club on December 10th at the Emerywood Country Club.
We are excited to announce that the Academy will host a concert series in 2014. Please save these dates and plan to attend. February 23,2014 at 3:00pm Yulia Roubtsova and Margarita Vargas-Machuca (members of Academy fac-ulty) Piano and Viola Recital March 15, 2014 at 3:00pm Mike Connors will present a program of Irish music for the Harp - perfect for St. Patrick's Day!
April 13, 2014 at 3:00pm Samee Griffin and Aaron Mood - Guest Artists from Greensboro performing piano duets
May 18, 2014 at 3:00pm Yong Im and Ted Federle will perform a program of piano and vocal music
PParish Christmas Caroling Carol with us on December 8th! We will meet in the Community Life Center at 5pm and carol around the neighborhood. We will come back to the CLC for dinner by 6pm! All welcome, dress warmly!
TTony Griffey Singing at St. Mary’s I am so excited to announce that we have a date on which Four time Grammy award winner Anthony Griffey will be singing!!! It will be December 15th at the 11am service.
If you have never heard Anthony (Tony) Griffey's beautiful tenor voice, you will be in for a treat.
We are honored to have him sing at St Mary's, as he has sung all over the world!!
Anthony is coming to sing as the result of a challenge he put forth for St Mary's to collect 2500 cans for Open Door Ministries !! It's a Win-Win for ALL!
~ Stephanie Ross
The Herald December 2013 13
Music News
On Advent Sunday morning, December 1 at the 11:00am service, St. Mary’s Choir, Soloists, and Orchestra will present one of Bach’s most beloved cantatas, Sleepers, Wake! (Wachet auf!). The choir has sung this great work several times since its debut performance in 1982. This year’s presentation will feature the sopranos Megan Callahan and MacKenzie Ellis, tenor James Smidt, and bass Eric Wilson.
The cantata was first performed November 25, 1731 under Bach’s direction at the St. Thomas Church in Leip-zig where he had been organist and music director since 1723. It is in seven sections, of which the first, mid-dle, and final movements are based on the text and melody of a celebrated 1597 hymn by Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608). Nicolai’s hymn became famous rapidly and was regularly referred to as the King of Chorales. It is found in The Hymnal 1982 in two versions: at No. 61 with Bach’s harmonization (taken from Cantata 140), and at No. 62 in Nicolai’s original and much freer rhythm. Nicolai also published in the same year another hymn that became nearly as well known: How bright appears the Morning Star, also found in The Hymnal 1982 (at Nos. 496/497) and also became the basis of a cantata by Bach, Cantata No. 1.
The poet for the remaining four movements was not identified , but is almost certainly Christian Friedrich Henrici (1700-1764) a close friend of Bach’s in Leipzig and the librettist for the Passions and many other canta-tas. Henrici wrote his Pietist influenced lyrics under the pseudonym of Picander.
The opening movement, with Nicolai’s tune and stanza 1 text, is one of Bach’s most glorious chorale fantasias with the chorale melody sounding in the highest voices in long notes. It urges us to ast, to prepare ourselves and to go forth to meet the Bridegroom. This is followed by a Recitative for Tenor, based on the Song of Solo-mon and the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, proclaiming the Bridegroom hurrying from on high and urging the Daughters of Zion to wake up and bestir themselves.
The third movement is the first of two soprano/bass duets representing a dialogue between the Soul and Jesus. Bach adds a virtuoso highly embellished violin part above the singers and underlying steady rhythm of the continuo (the lower instruments and organ). We are fortunate to have Fabrice Dharamraj as Concertmaster for our orchestra who will play this inspired part. The Soul implores “When will you come, my salvation?” answered by Christ’s reassuring “I open the hall to the heavenly banquet.”
The fourth movement is the center of this chiastic structure. [This type of form refers to the Greek letter chi (X), signifying the name of Christ, and groups pairs of movements around a central axis.] It presents the 2nd stanza of Nicolai’s hymn, sung by the choir tenors with all the violins in unison playing their famous melody. This was the only movement of the cantata published in Bach’s lifetime. In 1746 Bach prepared six organ cho-rales based on cantata movements and published by Schubler. Wachet auf headed the collection. Nicolai’s text is filled with joyful anticipation: “Hosanna! We follow all to the joyful hall and share in the Lord’s supper.”
The fifth movement (balancing the second) is Picander’s recitative for bass paraphrasing two portions of the Song of Songs. Here Christ pledges his trot, “I will set you as a seal upon my heart,” and reassures the soul, “Forget now...the anguish, the pain, which you had to suffer.”
BBach Advent Cantata 140
Continued on page 14...
The Herald December 2013 14
Music News
BBach Advent Cantata 140...continued The sixth movement is a love duet with Picander’s words, “Love shall separate nothing!” Actually the duet is a trio with the solo oboe playing a rapturous obbligato. Again it is our good fortune to have John Hammarback with us to perform this wonderful part.
The cantata closes with Nicolai’s final stanza and all of the instruments and voices united in “Gloria—we re-joice forever in dulci jubilo.” This four part chorale provided the music for Hymn 61.
The fact that Christian Henricci was not a poet anywhere near the musical level of J.S. Bach is self-evident. And to many 21st century ears Picander’s poetry, especially when taken by itself, may seem excessively pictur-esque and personal. Hoever, when joined with Bach’s profoundly sublime music, Luther’s saying that “music instills life into the text” is emphatically verified.
One of the principal privileges of being a church musician in a church that respects genuinely great music is that we get not only to hear Bach’s spirit reviving music, but also to spend countless hours both in solitary practice and study and in group rehearsals in which we move ever closer to experiencing what was and is at the core of Bach’s heart and mind. We hope to share that with you on Advent Sunday.
CChoir School on Fox 8 Tune into Fox8 on Thanksgiving morn-ing! During the 9:00 hour of The Morning Show, our St. Mary’s Choir School singers will sing two pieces live, on-air! We are excited about the opportunity to show-case our young talent in the community.
UUpcoming Choir School Events Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, 9:00 a.m. : Fox8 Morning Show
Advent I, Dec. 1, 11:00 a.m. : Bach’s Cantata 140, with St. Mary’s Choir and orchestra
Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:45 p.m. : ADK Teachers’ Sorority program at High Point Women’s Club
Saturday, Dec. 7, 11:00 a.m. : Program for the Up-towne Holiday Stroll
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2:30 p.m. : Program for the Penny-byrn Community
Friday, Dec. 20, 5:30 p.m. : Parents’ Night Out fund-raiser for Canterbury trip
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 3:00 p.m. : Christmas Eve service with Pageant
CChoir School at Canterbury Cathedral When the Choir School visits England in July, we will participate in many wonderful experiences. Not only will we sing with choirs from around the world, our dozen will have the honor of chanting the psalm at the Festival Choral Evensong service which con-cludes our Canterbury stay! The Worchester Chil-dren’s Choir from Massachusetts will have the honor of singing the Responses, our two choirs being the only ones from the festival processing to the great Quire with the clergy! The anticipation builds! Stay tuned for more exciting news about our progress and efforts. ~ Charles Hogan
15 December 2013 The Herald
December Birthdays
Joyce Jones Jonathan Plummer
Ben Marsh John Phillips
Horace Coltrane Liz Kellam
Larry Shelton Jane Herndon
Jimmy Shingleton Stanley Bogest
Olin Neil Emmons Jim
Steve Christopher Prattt
Eunetta Morris
Gib White Margaret Armfield Don Archibald, Sr. Dakota Bergman Diana Eric Britt Joe Kenn Beth Martinez Jerry Duncan Canon Beth Ely David Earl Catherine Milliken Jeff Mann Kay Dalton Debbie Fary
“O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, now and forever. Amen”
To notify the church of illness, hospitalization, birth, death, or prayer request, contact Shannon in the church office: 886-4756 x21 or [email protected].
03 Mac McDonald Sandy Finch 04 Malia Grimes 05 Earl Congdon 6 Todd Brewbaker David Nowell 9 Randy May Larry King Katherine Dixon 10 Brenda Jones 12 John Haworth, Jr. 13 Paul Shinn 14 Helen Congdon 15 Angie Brehm 16 Sam Stalder
18 Catherine Jones 19 Mary Alyce Watkins 20 Jim Boggs Josh Lyon 21 Ray Montgomery 22 Sara Miller 23 Elizabeth Meyn 24 Martha Barrier 25 Sandra Vernon 28 James Phipps 29 Chip Duckett Ken Rogers 31 Donna Amos Ken Huggins
Prayers Milestones
108 W. Farriss Avenue High Point, NC 27262
Tel: 336-886-4756 Fax: 336-886-6150
We’re on the Web:
www.stmarysepisc.org
ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID
Permit No. 39 High Point, NC
The Rev.’d David Umphlett Rector
The Rev’d Sara Palmer Assistant to the Rector
The Rev’d Nathan Finnin Priest Associate
Sarah Bentley Director of Children’s & Youth Ministry
Shannon Carter Parish Administrator
Katrina Parnell Financial Secretary
Dr. Harold G. Andrews Organist & Choirmaster
Artie Ross - Sexton
Dr. Charles Hogan Director of Children’s & Youth Choirs
Margaret McDonald Music Academy Director
Vestry Elizabeth Finch, Sr. Warden
Johnny Slate, Jr. Warden Jim Armstrong, Jon Baird, Frosty Culp,
Mary Darby, Fritz Falkson, Kim Gay, Kathi Jacobs, Michael McNamara,
Kerie Beth Scott, Tim Yates Diana McHenry, clerk
Sandy Finch, Treasurer
Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina The Rt. Rev’d Michael B. Curry, Bishop
The Rt. Rev’d William O. Gregg Assistant Bishop
The Rt. Rev’d Alfred C. Marble, Assisting Bishop
The Rev’d Anne Hodges-Copple Bishop Suffragan-Elect
Services at St. Mary’s
Sundays 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
9:00 a.m. - Informal Worship 11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
Wednesdays
12:00 noon – Holy Eucharist
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Friday
8:30 a.m. - 12:30p.m. 1:30p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Financial Secretary Monday & Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Address Service Requested
The deadline for the next Herald is December 18.
Please e-mail your submissions to: [email protected]
We Pray for the Health and Wellness of:
D
ecember 2013
SUN
DA
Y M
ON
DA
Y TU
ESDA
Y W
EDN
ESDA
Y TH
URSD
AY
FRIDA
Y SA
TUR
DA
Y
1 First Sunday of Advent 8:00am
Holy Eucharist
9:00am Inform
al Worship
10:00am Advent Festival
11:00am H
oly Eucharist & Bach
Cantata 2-4:00pm
Sudanese Worship
5:00pm Parish Gam
e Night
2 M
en’s Bible Study 7:00am
M
other’s Bible Study 9:30am
ECW
Meeting 12 noon
Daughters of the King
7:00pm
3 ESL Classes
6:00pm -8:30pm
4 Youth Bible Study 7:00am
Wom
en’s Bible Study 9:30am
H
oly Eucharist – 12 noon Advent Lunch 12:30pm
Boys Choir 6:15pm
Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm
5
ESL Party 6:00pm
Girls Choir 6:00pm
6
7
Puttin’ on the Grits
8:00am
MA Class 10:00am
U
ptowne H
oliday Stroll
8 Second Sunday of Advent 8:00am
Holy Eucharist
9:00am Inform
al Worship
10:00am Annual M
eeting 11:00am
Holy Eucharist &
Baptism
2:00pm M
A Recital 2-4:00pm
Sudanese Worship
5:00pm Parish Caroling
9 M
en’s Bible Study 7:00am
M
other’s Bible Study 9:30am
Staff M
eeting 11:00am
10
11 Youth Bible Study 7:00am
Wom
en’s Bible Study 9:30am
H
oly Eucharist – 12 noon Advent Lunch 12:30pm
Boys Choir 6:15pm
Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm
12
Girls Choir 6:00pm
20s/30s/40s G
roup 6:00pm
13
Ficquette/Poston W
edding Rehearsal 4:00pm
Chrism
on Tree 6:00pm
14
Chrisom Tree
9:00am
Ficquette/Poston Reception 1:00pm
15 Third Sunday of Advent 8:00am
Holy Eucharist
9:00am Inform
al Worship
10:00am Christian Form
ation 11:00am
Holy Eucharist
2-4:00pm Sudanese W
orship 5:00pm
Prepare the Way Series
5:00pm Advent Revels Party
16 Men’s Bible Study
7:00am
Mother’s Bible Study
9:30am
Vestry Meeting
6:00pm
17
18 H
erald Deadline
Youth Bible Study 7:00am
Wom
en’s Bible Study 9:30am
H
oly Eucharist – 12 noon Advent Lunch 12:30pm
Boys Choir 6:15pm
Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm
19 Mobile M
eals 9:30am
Open D
oor H
omeless D
inner 5:00pm
Girls Choir 6:00pm
Stephen M
inisters 6:30pm
20
Parents Night O
ut Fundraiser
5:30pm – 8:30pm
21
22 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00am
Holy Eucharist
9:00am Inform
al Worship
10:00am Christian Form
ation 11:00am
Holy Eucharist
1:00pm Pageant D
ress Rehearsal 2-4:00pm
Sudanese Worship
23
Men’s Bible Study
7:00am
Staff Meeting and Christ-
mas Party 11:00am
24 Church Offices Closed
at Noon
Christmas Pageant
3:00pm
Choral Prelude 10:30pm
Holy Eucharist 11:00pm
25
Church Offices Closed
Christmas Service
10:00am
26 Church O
ffices Closed
27 Church O
ffices Closed
28
29 First Sunday of Christmas
8:00am H
oly Eucharist 9:00am
Informal W
orship 10:00am
Christian Formation
11:00am H
oly Eucharist & Christm
as Lessons and Carols 2-4:00pm
Sudanese Worship
30
Men’s Bible Study
7:00am
31
SUN
DAY W
ORSH
IP
D
ecember 2—
Decem
ber 29
Lectors: Revon Johnson: 886-2176 Chalicers: Rick M
anning: 510-9820 Ushers: Tim
Yates: 889-6872
G
reeters: Beth Tuttle: 885-8232 A
colytes: Herb G
oins: 887-3508/John Wall: 454-4947 Intercessors: D
orothy Darr 887-5130
SUN
DA
Y LECTO
RS
CHA
LICERS IN
TERCESSO
RS U
SHER
S G
REETER
S A
COLYTES
CO
FFEE CON
NECTIO
N
1 First Sunday of Advent 8:00am
Holy Eucharist
9:00am Inform
al Worship
11:00am H
oly Eucharist &
Bach Cantata
Ginny Teachout
N/A
TBA TBA TBA
Jay Marsh
Robert Slate John W
all W
hite Watkins
Sonny White
Ollie W
all John W
all
Eric Grubb
Carter Gay M
ichaela Chenevert N
atalie Kerkado Peyton Kunder Trevor G
ay
Family M
inistry
8 Second Sunday of Advent 8:00am
Holy Eucharist
9:00am Inform
al Worship
11:00am H
oly Eucharist
Joyce Manning
Mary D
arby
TBA TBA TBA
D
udley Moore
Robert Slate John W
all W
hite Watkins
Sonny White
Ana G
onzalez Beth Tuttle
Arnold Ficquette Eliza Fisher Annabelle Fisher Braxton Lyon Josh Lyon Lindsey M
ull
Table Fellowship
15 Third Sunday of Advent 8:00am
Holy Eucharist
9:00am Inform
al Worship
11:00am H
oly Eucharist
Monty D
ixon D
aniel Rodriguez
TBA TBA TBA
Rebecca M
cAtee
D
oug Witcher
Tim Yates
Jim Arm
strong Jon Baird
Barbara Ew
ing Jason Ew
ing
John Burnside Ben W
hite M
ax Biesecker Calvin Biesecker Edw
ard Lindner Landon Bertschi
Environmental Stew
ard-ship
22 Fourth Sunday of Ad-vent 8:00am
Holy Eucharist
9:00am Inform
al Worship
11:00am H
oly Eucharist
Jon Baird Laura Sim
cox
TBA TBA TBA
N
icole Slate
D
oug Witcher
Tim Yates
Jim Arm
strong Jon Baird
D
illard Spring D
rew Spring
Emory H
owell
John Drake Karcher
Michaela Chenevert
Andrew H
ill Elsa Rose Karcher Eliza Fisher
Matthew
25:40
29 First Sunday of Christmas
8:00am H
oly Eucharist 9:00am
Informal W
orship 11:00am
Holy Eucharist &
Christm
as Lessons and Car-ols
Caroline Cottam
Various
TBD
Jam
es Boggs Andrew
Brehm
Steve Brooks D
ick Cottam
Cathy Kuhn Bob Kuhn
Hugh Bennett
Peyton Kunder Em
ily Archibald Kate Bachm
ann N
ick Archibald Elisabeth bachm
ann
Wedding Com
mittee