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From the Senior Warden
I have struggled writing this article, not able to collect my thoughts and get a central theme. My mind has been jumping from one idea to another and I did not realize just how connected my thoughts were.
I was reading Fr. Richard Rohr’s daily meditation this Tuesday and this quote on “The Greatest Commandments” made it all come together:
As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. . . . This I command you: love one another. —John 15:9-14, 17 [2]
Love and sacrifice are the key words and my thoughts went to the church family of The Episcopal Church on Edisto and how much they love one, and especially what they do in support of another in times of need. We are blessed to have people with such big hearts, willing to sacrifice their lives for another.
Many of you know I have been battling a bad back lately, and I hate to say it, our bodies do not come with life time warranties with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts for replacement (there may be some debate on that statement). As we age, we know we will encounter an event or series of events that will be life changers for us, when we must give up our passion(s) and look for a more suitable one(s) that meet our physical abilities. With a major event, we along with our families must make the hard life decisions that will affect the rest of our lives and our families and friends lives. There usually will be sacrifice by all parties and with that a period of great sadness. Just with my back problem that may be such an event the warm loving words and support I have received from everyone at E.C.o.E. has truly warmed my heart and given me strength. I have the best support group anyone could ask for – Thank You.
We all will need the help of family and friends when we are in a time of need, please let someone know when you are going through a difficult time and let this “LOVE” help with your healing process. Contact Paul, Fred, a member of the Mission Council, in-reach committee, or myself and we will spread the word.
As I write this I realize it’s my birthday and (and also Taylor’s and Stephen’s) and I will not be with you physically for a birthday prayer, but at 10:29am I will be with you spiritually. Thank you, and for what everyone does to make E.C.o.E. the best church I have every been a member of.
Jim
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How Much Stuff Is Enough?
I can’t really explain it, but when the year begins anew, I like cleaning out, organizing and throwing out. I feel motivated to address the feeling that my possessions own me instead of the other way round. It’s the cabinets, the garage, the containers, the attic, the under bed storage, the backs of the closets, the trunk of the car and other subtle hiding places that are daring me to take them on and clean them out.
Perhaps it’s that the beginning of a new year is a kind of starting over. It may be that with limited out door activities, I see more clearly the amount of stuff that takes over the house. And, I’d like to believe that it’s a matter of stewardship and conscious control over all that I have.
So, the garage comes first, then the containers and so on. Each year I make some progress. Every year begins with good intentions and then I slide downhill from there.
Is there a theology of possessions? Well, yes. We are told about the things in our lives that control us. We are told about the lilies of the fields and that their simple existence is loved by God. We are warned about the love of things and building grand houses on sand, worshiping at jeweled temples and so on.
Have I made my case? Anyway, simple living is commendable and healthy because it makes time and space for us to consider and enjoy simplicity for its’ own sake.
A recently published book titled “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” has become quite popular. If you look around Charleston and its environs you will see that as part of the rapid expansion has been the construction of numerous storage facilities. They’re there to help us hide and store the surplus in our lives that we don’t really want to give up. It’s like living like a snail with your house on your back. It’s a burden and it slows us down.
The author of the book, Marie Kondo says that our possessions very accurately relate the history of the decisions we have made in life (pg. 177.) She relates that as the mountain of things diminishes we feel better, more in control, and actually happier. There’s much less to worry about and less to look after. Giving things away, tidying up, opens the door to new experiences and new opportunities because we have more space, mental, physical, and spiritual to enjoy them.
So, welcome to the New Year, a year of lightness, flexibility and openness. We will surely have more room for our faith, our hope and more charity too. God bless us all!
Fr. Paul
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Fifth Sunday Plate Collection Reminder
The fifth Sunday plate collection on January 29 will go to Edisto Island Youth Recreation.
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Fall Foyers
Fall foyers are off to a slow start because of Hurricane Matthew and the resulting clean up and associated hassles. So far I don’t think any group has been able to get together. Foyers are intended to be enjoyable and fun, so if there isn’t time for each “couple” to host before the end of January that is no problem. Also if it is a huge challenge to coordinate calendars for everyone it is permissible to have someone miss a get together.
Everyone who indicated interest has been assigned to a group and hopefully the leaders will be in touch soon to set up a first meeting. I am listing the groups so that everyone knows their other group members. Those names in bold are the folks assigned to get the group together for the first time and to keep the group on track.
Taylor and Nancy Skardon: Elizabeth and Greg Galadia, Jack and Lee Early, Bubba and Ellen Unger and Olivia Padgett
Ginny King and Sarah Sturm: Billy and Emily Cox, Bubba and Catherine Main, Jim and Harriet Gettys
Paul and Janet Oakley: Bubba and Mary Ann Foy, Brenda and John Nickerson, Hal and Alberta (Bert) Looney
Sophie Sanders and Billie Roop: Liz Tucker and Jimmie Waldrop, Shelagh and Dennis North-Coombs 843-869-7932; Pat and Jeff Neuman
If anyone has allergies (food/pets) or food issues please let the group leaders or hosts know in advance. Thanks and hope all the groups are able to get together soon. If you have questions or concerns please contact me ( ginnyk41@gmail.com or 843 743-8883) or Nancy Skardon ( nskardon@gmail.com or 808 782-2334. Thanks Ginny
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For January:
Henry Brunson
Betty Ruth Crews
Elouise Daise
Mr. & Mrs. Fraid
Braurer Dowd
Marion Dwight
Jim Gettys
Jim Griffith
Carla Harrison
Ann Hatch
Billy Kemp
Eric King
Allston Schwartz
John Stewart
Sarah Sturm
Richard Waid
Gordon Watson
Skip Wharton
Faithful Departed:
Sid Joseph
Cecil Bozard
Henry Sanderson
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:
January 1: Diocesan Staff of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina
January 8: St. Stephen's, North Myrtle Beach
January 15: Christ Church, Denmark
January 22: The Episcopal Worship Group in Cheraw
January 29: St. Mark's, Charleston
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January Birthdays:
January 7: Brooks Goldsmith
January 8: Jeff Neumann
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Always In Our Prayers:
Margaret Arnett
Carl Becker
Don Beitsch
Robert R Bruner IV
Michael Clayton
William Cooper
Diane Craig
Maria Demos
JR Dowd
Cathy Duffy
Marion Dwight
John Eichorn
Ted Evans
Jim Garner
Bill Goad
Georgianna Harrison
Bryant Heyward
Jim Hughes
Tommie Hughes
Hugh Kizer
Cam Lewis
Catherine Locatis
Gordon Locatis
Jane McCollum
Stephen McMillan
Elizabeth Neustadt
Michael Ohr
Jack Phillips
Cotton Richardson
Patsy Sheahan
Nat Smith
Beth Smoak
John Stover
Chrissy Terry
Marty Tucker
Elizabeth Webb
Lee Webb
Anglican Cycle of Prayer:
January 1: Kolhapur (North India)
January 8: Kuching (South East Asia)
January 15: Kyushu (Japan)
January 22: Lake Rukwa (Tanzania)
January 29: Lichfield (Canterbury, England)
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