I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word (BCP Page 265).

Perhaps you are like me around this time of year as I decide what to give up for Lent. I am old enough now that the things I wanted to give up for Lent as a child, such as eating my vegetables, taking a bath or doing homework, no longer intoxicate me as they once did. How do we decide what would be an inconvenience to do without for 5 weeks without inadvertently picking something that would cause anxiety or hardship?

I wonder if I might make a small suggestion. The Sunday readings in our lectionary this year are particularly rich. What I will be doing, and I invite you to do this as well, is to take a few minutes everyday to read aloud the Epistle lesson and the Gospel lesson for the coming Sunday, reflect on each reading for two minutes and then closing by praying the Collect of the Day. If we can do this without bringing a snack, we can satisfy four of the six requirements listed above. I’m kidding with that last sentence (or am I?) – but this simple discipline will reap good benefits.

To make it even easier, I have put together a booklet with the readings and collects which will be in the narthex of the church. In addition, I will be available in the library on Wednesday evenings from 6:15 until 6:45 p.m. for any questions you may have concerning the readings, or to pray with you for whatever reason you bring.

With prayers for a blessed and holy Lent.

Who should take advantage of this?
None must – All may – Some should

Pancake Supper
The annual Pancake Supper, sponsored jointly by the Men’s Club and York Place, will be on February 24 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the York Place dining hall. Volunteers are needed to help cook, serve and clean up. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board in the parish hall or you may e-mail the church office at sherryramsey@goodshep.net if you would like to help and/or if you are planning to attend.

You are invited to attend the York Place Chapel service at 4:00 p.m. or Compline at 7:00 p.m. in the York Place Chapel. Questions? Call Andy Whitehead 684-0273.

These are truly hard times but with faith in our Lord, prayer and hope we will get through these difficult times.

Cheney Baltz – President
Heather Lamp – Vice President
Beth Hanson – Secretary
Debbie Shiflet – Treasurer

At our recent Vestry retreat John Ness was elected Senior Warden, David Sims was elected Junior Warden and Cynthia Edson was elected Clerk of the Vestry. Randy Neff was elected as Treasurer of the Parish.   Randy is considered an ex-officio member of the Vestry with seat and voice.
We also made assignments (either as chair or Vestry Liason) to the standing committees of the Parish:

Building & Grounds: Libby Bradford

Christian Formation: Carolyn Amer

ECW/Men’s Club/Parish Life: Sue Nance

Finance: Church Henry

Hospitality and Concierge: Andy Lowry

Lake Wylie: John Ness

Missions and Outreach: Kaye McMaster

Stewardship: Libby Bradford and Cynthia Edson

Worship: Davis Sims

We hope to have all the committees in place prior to the February Vestry Meeting.
The Vestry also appointed the following as our Diocesan Convention/Convocation Delegates:

Henry McMaster

John Ness

Rick and Phillips Norment
Please keep our delegation, Vestry and its various committees in your prayers.

The youth of the parish will again serve soup to raise money for Souper Bowl Sunday.  A free will offering will be taken with the proceeds going to PATH.  We will report the total dollars raised as part of the national Souper Bowl fund raising effort. 

Please note the soup luncheon will be served after the service on Sunday, January 25, (one week prior to the Souper Bowl weekend due to the diocesan ski trip on February 1).  Please wear your favorite team colors and join us for hot and delicious vegetable and chicken noodle soup after the 10:30 service and Vestry installation.

Advent, Christmas and Epiphany—indeed, the Gospel of Christ—make all time God’s time (God’s Kairos)—and God’s time—our time—is always a time of hope.

In crisis and in hope, it is a time for prayer. It is a time to lift our hearts and minds God-ward, with the assurance that God is not somewhere “out there” or “up there”, but present in our time and place. God who “lived and died as one of us” is in our midst, experiencing as one of us the crises, but the source of sure and certain hope.

Accordingly, I am designating Sunday, January 18, 2009, as a Diocesan Day of Prayer for “Peace, Nation, World”. The occasion strikes me as particularly appropriate as we commemorate the life and witness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Absalom Jones, the first black Episcopal priest in the United States; the inauguration of a new President, Vice President, Governors, Members of Congress and Legislators—and inaugurate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

I appeal to all within the diocese—individuals, persons in religious orders, and groups with a special devotion to the ministry of prayer, such as the Daughters of the King and the Daughters of the Holy Cross, to offer prayers for “peace, nation, world” to our Creator, Savior and Sustainer on this day, and in the days to come. Faithfully yours in our Lord, and with prayers for a holy Epiphany season for us all,

+Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr.

USC VII

Our DCF, Doug Clark, will lead our children in worship during Children’s Chapel beginning February 15.  More information will follow on this blog and in our monthly newsletter.