From the Rector
L. Howard Maltby+
There are times when each member of St. Alban’s needs to find their own voice and articulate what they need to say. Now is one of those times. I would not begin to presume to speak for our congregation in expressing feelings about the big change in our lives.
I will act on your behalf on Sunday, November 23, when there will be an addition to the 10:30 AM service. On that day we will include a brief liturgy for what we call “Leave taking.” This is similar to the prayers said when I took my sabbatical leave last spring. How each one communicates their own thoughts and feelings about Mother Humbert’s departure is left solely to you. This is an example of when we experience corporate or community grief. One stage of grief is denial. Another is anger. My hope is we will not take long working through those stages and progress to acceptance.
Some of you may have realized before now, that it was inevitable for Mother Humbert to leave us and grow more fully into the priest she is called to be. For most of the clergy, the fullness of priesthood is found in being the pastor of a congregation, not assisting another.
In addition to losing Mother Humbert and her treasured place in our lives, we will also be saying goodbye to Lindsley and Austin. Lindsley has become a valued part of the choir family and the close association of men in the Brotherhood of St. Alban. Both Mtr. Karen and Lindsley have participated in recent Habitat for Humanity projects. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, in that Austin has been an important part of our E.Y.C.’s work in “Mission on the Bay.” For two consecutive years, Austin joined other youth in working on Hurricane Katrina relief in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. It has been wonderful to see the mutual love, joy and respect fostered by their place in our lives along with where we have become part of their lives.
It has been an extraordinary experience for me to be part in the formation of another priest. For many years of my ministry I have been involved with the discernment of those seeking to serve God and the Church in response to a call they hear. Up to now, my involvement ended at the time they were ordained. Our connection might go on as a colleague in the same diocese, but nothing of any great substance was present.
I have been particularly blessed to experience this in two ways during my years at St. Alban’s. First, I had the joy of working with Deacon Deedie Philips – now Mother Philips-Marshall. She is rector of Christ Church in Lancaster. We can say, “We knew Deedie when . . .” Now it is time to learn the expression, “We knew Karen when . . .” I knew Karen when she was not “Deacon” or “Mother,” simply “seminarian.” That was our beginning, our common bond is having attended the same seminary, albeit a generation apart. She was a delight to be with then and so too to this very day.
In an unusual way, my last big part in Mother Humbert’s formation was suggesting she consider a certain parish in West Virginia for her first rectorship. It is a parish I know reasonably well. It is a parish I know is well – as in healthy. It is a parish that can, and will, love their rector. It is a parish for which I can almost feel good about seeing Karen and her family leave us to join. Almost.
Most of the time when I think of bittersweet, it’s chocolate. In this instance, it is saying, “Via con dios, dear Humbert family,” that is right but nonetheless difficult. Please gather around them on the 23rd of November to wish them well.
From the Assistant Rector
Karen F. Humbert+
I recall when I first arrived at St. Alban’s that on more than one Sunday, three of us clerics nearly tripped over one another at the altar in front of you. Your vestry had been asked to consider an offer with some financial support from the diocese to take on a seminarian graduate. Budget constraints weighed heavily on the minds of a skeptical vestry that was less than enthralled with the idea of adding to what was then an already thin financial picture; nevertheless the vestry met me and consented. You welcomed me into your midst on July 1st, 2006 as a newly ordained transitional deacon while saying farewell to the Rev. Deedie Philips (Marshall.)
It was an awkward time in the life of this congregation as the shift in personnel led to grief work alongside new introductions. I watched as you balanced your grief over Deedie’s departure, while at the same time graciously welcoming me. I was terrified of disappointing you and making a mistake. However, I soon discovered that St. Alban’s was a good-natured congregation with infinite patience. In fact, I made several mistakes, liturgical and otherwise, but you never flinched and continued to give me the room to grow.
In the nearly 2 ½ years that I have been with you at St. Alban’s, you have taught me how to be your teacher, leader, pastor, and friend. Quite simply, you have taught me how to be a priest. While Howard+ was away on sabbatical I began to learn from you what it is to be a rector. Several weeks ago, five visitors from another parish came to see and hear what you have given me through many rich learning opportunities.
Those five visitors who came to worship with you, were a contingent of the Search Committee at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Huntington, WV. St. John’s is a parish about the same size as St. Alban’s. The visitors from St. John’s came with eyes and ears for not only me, but for what they would encounter from you. They were like any visitors which come to worship at St. Alban’s, with the exception that I got feedback from what they experienced. What they had to say about you made me smile deep within.
The group of five that made the 6 ½ hour journey from Huntington to Lexington invited me to lunch following the 10:30 AM service before making their return trip home to West Virginia. The comments I heard over lunch were nothing short of high praise. They described how you warmly welcomed them even as strangers in your midst, you invited them to the potluck luncheon following the service, and you invited at least two of them to join the choir. By the time they sat through both Sunday morning services they were quite smitten with you. They took with them many ideas learned from you that they wanted to implement in their own community. They also wanted to invite me to come and see St. John’s in Huntington.
The work of the church is to form leaders for the world and you have done your job well. St. John’s, Huntington, issued a call to me to be their next rector. With God’s help, I will begin my new ministry with them the first Sunday of Advent. It is with mixed emotions that I leave you to go on to my next parish. I remember the admonition of a seasoned priest who once said to me, “Your first placement out of seminary will form your ministry for life, take care in where you go.” Thank you for the many ways you took great care with forming me for the rest of my life in ministry. The financial picture is still thin, and as I leave. I wonder who will be the next one fortunate enough to walk through your doors ready to be formed by you?
First Sunday Fellowship Pot-luck
The First Sunday Fellowship Pot-luck Luncheon will follow the service on Sunday November 2. Bring a dish, enough for your family and one more, and join us for good food, fellowship and fun. The ECW will be responsible for clean-up.
Annual Parish Meeting
Our Annual Parish Meeting will be Sunday, November 9. There will be one service @ 9:30 AM. Please plan to attend to elect our new Vestry members. In keeping with this year’s Stewardship Program, which has made a clear distinction between our response to God’s gifts and the parish budget, there will not be a presentation of the 2009 budget at this meeting. On Sunday, January 18, 2009 @ 9:30 AM, there will be a parish forum. At that time the budget will be presented and time set aside for you to ask questions.
Holiday Food Baskets for LICS
Rose Braddock
Once again your participation in the Thanksgiving Holiday Food Drive for LICS (Lexington Interfaith Community Services) is 100+%. The food baskets are filling up. What we put together will go directly to a family that finds itself in emergency need. Please don’t forget to bring in the item(s) for which you signed up, by November 9.
I found it was best last year to ask for monetary donations for the meat as it is very expensive for one family, and I can buy fresh or frozen meats on my way to LICS when I deliver the baskets. I will be using these funds for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Make checks payable to St. Alban's and mark the memo line of your check "LICS food baskets". If anyone would like to volunteer to assist in delivering the food baskets to LICS I would appreciate it.
St. Alban's Golf Tournament
Our Annual Golf Tournament will be held @ 12:30 PM on Sunday, November 9, at Hidden Valley Golf Club in Gaston. The cost is $30 and for more information you are asked to contact Dave Dunnagan at 951-3924 or ddunnagan@sc.rr.com.
Evening Guild of ECW
Tracie Ifkovits
The Evening Guild of the Episcopal Church Women will have it's November meeting at the Pottery Studio on Tuesday, November 11, (the second Tuesday of the month due to Election Day). We will start at 7 PM and have both glass fusion and pottery available to us.
The Studio has moved to a new location off Main Street in Lexington. I will send an email with directions prior to the meeting date. Please contact me at tracieif@windstream.net with questions.
Brotherhood of St. Alban
Our speaker for our Thursday, November 13 , 6:30 PM meeting of the Brotherhood will be Chris Reid of the Midlands Interfaith Homelessness Action Council. The entire congregation is invited to come and join us for this informative session at 7:15 PM.
Corn Maze family outing
Sunday, November 16, is a date you may want to mark on your calendar as a time for a fun family event. St. Alban's EYC is opening up to the whole congregation the chance to join in on a field trip (literally) to the Clinton Sease Farm Corn Maze or Maize Quest.
The schedule is to be at the church parking lot at 3 PM and be at the farm to begin the maze at 3:30 PM. This allows us two hours to walk the maze and be back to the church by 6 PM for the EYC to have their usual dinner. If our group is large enough, we may be able to get a discounted price on tickets. The regular ticket price is $8. We need 20 to qualify as a Group for their discount. Please indicate your desire to participate by contacting the Parish Office. Let us know your name and the number going.
Cheryl Riddick
St. Alban's Cookbooks are good for all occasions, weddings, Christmas gifts, birthdays, etc. They only cost $10 each.
For the Young at Heart . . .
Are you looking for a way to rediscover your youth? Do you feel like you need a weekend getaway to recharge your batteries? We have your answer! Be an EYC chaperone! St. Alban's is blessed with an EYC that is very active. As we search for a new Youth Minister, it is more important than ever to have adults step up and volunteer to chaperone or host youth events.
We are currently seeking volunteers to host the appetizer and main course portions of our Progressive Dinner on Friday, December 12th.
We would also like to develop a core of adults who could serve as chaperones to diocesan events. The Diocese Of Upper South Carolina requires one adult be present for every five kids, and we usually need both male and female chaperones. It's easy to qualify – simply attend a diocesan Safe Church training and then let us know when you want to serve. The Youth Events calendar is posted on the bulletin board and upcoming events are well-publicized. If you would like more information about this incredibly rewarding opportunity, please contact Barbara Jones or Craig Zion.
Happening #60
Barbara Jones
A great weekend experience for 10th - 12th graders is a "Happening" weekend. The next one is December 5-7 at Camp Gravatt. The deadline for registration is Sunday, November 16. Registration forms may be found at the Diocesan website: www.edusc.org or from your Youth Leaders.
EYC Progressive Dinner
Barbara Jones
A highlight of the year for the EYC is the annual Progressive Dinner. We are making headway on lining up hosts and cooks. What we still need is a host for dinner, with a home large enough to accommodate 15 youth (or so) – the one preparing the meal has been found, but they don't have enough space. Also needed is a host for appetizers. The date is Friday, December 12, and the appetizer course usually begins at approximately 6 PM. Please let me know if you are interested in showing holiday hospitality to a great group of young people.
Our Deepest Sympathy . . .
. . . is extended to Mary Alice Lorick and family (Luke & Kori) on the passing of her father, Peter Clemenceau Boisseau, on Friday, October 24, 2008 in Virginia.
Good Stewardship News
George Hull
Our stewardship campaign for this year was recently completed. It was a success! As of October 20, we have received seventy (70) pledges for 2009. The total amount pledged to the Operating Fund and Building Fund is $216,676. This represents an increase of approximately 5% over what was pledged to the same funds for 2008, ($207,006). Over and above the good news found in the percentage of increased giving in dollars, is the encouraging sign of nineteen (19) new pledgers. Your Stewardship Committee wishes to express thanks for everyone’s participation and commitment.
We appreciated hearing your comments too. The graphic representation of percentage giving and the idea of working towards the tithe proved to be helpful for many. The value of sharing our understanding of how God has blessed us was a beneficial emphasis.
Your Stewardship Committee envisions stewardship as an ongoing topic for the year. We don’t want to limit discussions on giving back to God that which is Gods to just the fall season. More can and should be done. There is something called “Planned Giving,” which is an important consideration for some. This form of stewardship allows for your support of God’s work to continue even after you are no longer able to put a check in the plate.
Thank you again for making this a great year for stewardship.
St. Alban’s Youth Group
@ The South Carolina State Fair,
Oct. 13, 2008
Birthdays
1 Father Howard Maltby
2 Lisa Allen
Dean Keith
3 Jill Farnum
4 Paul Lunsford
6 Jennifer Madsen
8 Benie Brunson
9 Joseph Reed
10 Martha Pinckney
11 Laura Catoe
12 Dave Dunnagan
15 Blake Amick
18 Virginia Rush
19 Emily Benasutti
21 Craig Giles
22 Dianna Barefoot
24 Judy Baker
26 Louisa Brunson
Bill Linder
27 David Jordan
29 Tom McCants
For A Birthday
Watch over your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discourage or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Anniversaries
6 Robby & Jill Farnum
15 Tryon & Janice Face
21 John & Patricia Carter
22 Ray & Lynn Benasutti
27 Rick & Jean Hiers
28 Wayne & Lori Jordan
For a Wedding Anniversary
O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Send therefore your blessing upon these your servants, that they may so love, honor and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Bill Green Needs Your Help
Mark FitzMaurice
Bill Green, a former pastor at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church needs help through donations to the National Marrow Donor Program. Bone marrow transplant is a life-changing treatment, but for many people, such as Bill, a transplant is the only hope for a cure. Bill has recently found that his siblings are not a match.
The process includes a medical questionnaire and a cheek swab (painless) for tissue matching. For more information on the National Marrow Donor Program visit the web site at www.marrow.org.
Your assistance is greatly needed in promoting the drive, volunteering with registration and collection of samples. If you need more information or would like to help, please contact Alice Markowitz at 609-1817 or alice.markowitz@btitelecom.net.
Mission Trip to Quito Ecuador 2009
Libba Rhoad
I'm coordinating a mission trip to Quito Ecuador for St. Alban's and friends next summer, June 22 – July 1, 2009. We need a minimum of 12 persons. The cost should be around $1,800.00 which includes airfare, all meals and accommodations for approximately eight days, as well as the cost of supplies. There will be volunteer opportunities for all ages and abilities, except very young children.
I have posted a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board to get an idea of those interested. I also have the required forms and a trip manual that I will be happy to provide via email (zqueen123@aol.com). An initial deposit of $100.00 per person is required and I would like to have those in by Christmas. The expense of this trip is tax deductible. The required paperwork and funds will be handled through St. Alban's for documentation purposes. So make your check out to St. Alban's (memo line – Quito Mission). A schedule will be set up to provide for payment of the balance over the next six months.
Keep your eyes open for upcoming fund raising efforts to offset the cost of our supplies.
Please let me know if you are interested. I promise if you want a God-filled week this is it!
Updates from our Missionaries
from Cameron Vivanco
passed along by Mark FitzMaurice
Emaus, the Episcopal parish in the south of Quito, dedicated their newly (partially) constructed church on Sept. 20. Many thanks to St. Paul's in Fort Mill, SC and Christ Church in Elizabeth City, NC for all they did to help make that dream a reality. Over 300 were in attendance in the church that seats 70. Roberto and I were asked to be godparents for Don Jose. What a blessing!
Gedeon, Roberto's worship band, has finished their demo CD. They are in the process of promoting it which includes concerts. It is being played on the radio and is for sale in Christian bookstores in Quito!
Our homegrown scholarship program has grown to 88 students this school year; a huge jump from the 4 students that we started with just 4 years ago! We are partnering with 3 churches (Argelia Alta, Carmen Bajo and Emaus).
Roberto continues in seminary and continues to really enjoy it (and I love it too as I get to learn vicariously).
Happening #3 is November 13-16, 2008. Please pray for Fernando Pazmino(Rector) and Rocio Martinez (Big Sister) and all the staff, especially the priests that are involved, that they may catch the vision and be strong supporters of the program.
Happening #60 in the Diocese of USC. Four of our student leaders have been invited to participate as part of the staff in SC; their visa appointments for coming to the US are on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Please pray for God's favor in those appointments so that they may indeed travel to the US December 3-15, 2008!
Cursillo #111 in DUSC, Oct 23-26. Roberto and I are scheduled to attend Cursillo in Upper South Carolina next weekend so as to be able to transplant that experience to Ecuador. Please pray that we may both enjoy and receive of God's love and joy and peace that weekend.
Also, Laura Jennings is getting married! She wrote a long note about the romantic way her boyfriend Jorge asked her to marry him. To make a long story short, they are tying the knot in Quito on June 20, 2009.
Monthly Treasures Report October
Bill Cochran
Operating Financial Statement – $3,000 was transferred out of the Miscellaneous Accounts this month. The income received for the month of September was $915.55 below budget projections. This is the fourth month in a row we have been under the projected amount of income according to the budget. The monthly expenses were $2,712 under projections. Building expenses were $4,093 over budget projections because of expenditure of $3,700 for a new air-conditioning unit in the Parish House. There was $2,200 recovered from the insurance claim filed for the damage to the A/C. On the Year-To-Date side, the income is $17,303.18 below income projections. Pledged amounts actually look good, so the deficit is due to the difference between the amounts pledged and actual giving. This Year-To-Date number is based on a combination of the old budget and the revised budget. We are up to date with all bills except for the Diocesan Assessment.
Building Account – Building fund offerings were less than was needed by $440.07. This made us under budget by $5,039.32 Year-To-Date. I had thought the deficit would be made up by this time, but it seems to be following the same lack of giving as the Operating Account. The deficit is being paid out of the Operating Fund.
Account Balances – The Operating Account at September end of month closing was $5,419.80. This is lower than desired. All our assets combined, investment plus bank accounts total $70,553.35. Of course, we have the liability of $207,734.15. The Special Accounts are under funded by approx 50%.
Notices and Reminders – We are still awaiting the end of the stewardship campaign to continue on planning the budget for next year.
Do not forget to write the check number on the outside of your envelope and please be sure to indicate where the contributions are to be credited. This will speed up the counting process.
Finally, if there is something you would like explained about the financial aspects of our church, e-mail or call me with your comments or questions and I can include them in a future article and provide you with an answer. E-Mail wcochran@sc.rr.com Phone 957-4424.
St. Alban's Episcopal Church
403 Park Road/PO Box 882, Lexington, SC 29071-0882
Parish Office: 359-2444 •Church Phone & FAX Line: 359-5890
St. Alban’s Website: http://www.stalbanschurch.net
The Rev. L. Howard Maltby, Rector, rector@stalbanschurch.net • 808-7340 (home)
The Rev. Karen F. Humbert, assistantrector@stalbanschurch.net • 358-9166 (home)
Jean Testruth, Parish Administrator, secretary@stalbanschurch.net • 609-8341 (cell)
Charles T. Owings, Director of Music, maestrocto@charter.net • 803-233-4498
Dan Lawther, Editor, The Alert, stabansalert@hotmail.com • 808-3869 (home)
Weekly/Monthly Activities
Christian Education, for all ages, Sunday, 9:30 AM
Children’s Choir Rehearsal, Sunday, following 10:30 AM service
Youth Groups, Sunday, 6 PM
Education for Ministry, Monday, 5:45 PM
Canterbury Way, Wednesday, 6 AM
Centering Prayer Group, Wednesday, 5:30 – 6:45 PM
Holy Eucharist with Healing Service, Wednesday, 7 PM
Adult Choir Rehearsal, Wednesday, 7:30 PM
Episcopal Church Women Evening Guild, 1st Tuesday, 7 PM
Oakleaf Village Healing Service, 2nd Tuesday, 10:30 AM
Vestry, 2nd Tuesday, 7 PM
Brotherhood of St. Alban, 2nd Thursday, 6:30 PM
Order of the Daughters of the King, 3rd Thursday, 6 PM
Episcopal Church Women Morning Guild, 3rd Saturday, 9:30 AM
Merry Widows Luncheon, 4th Tuesday, 1 PM
Pastoral Care Committee, 4th Thursday, 6:30 PM
Vestry
Mike Gearon, Senior Warden; Pat Ellis, Junior Warden;
Bill Cochran, Treasurer
2009: Nancee Arnold, Alfred Turner, Mike Gearon; 2010: Bill Cochram, Pat Ellis; 2011: Cheryl Banks, Rick Hiers, Adrien Voisine
