PARISH NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY 2018

GREETINGS FROM FR. ISAIAS

I grew up in a family where education was highly valued, especially as a means to get out of poverty and marginalization. I had to work hard, my parents con- stantly admonished me, if I was not to be like our poor neighbors.

When I was in college, my parents instructed me not to get involved in politics and radical social trans- formation, for that would only divert me from the goal of getting out of our sorry situation. But their worst fears came to reality. I became aware of the politics of domination and the suffering of the Filipino people, and that got me involved in the struggle for social transformation. As it turned out, my quest for educa- tion, which was primarily to escape poverty and suffer- ing, brought me back into the pains of our world.

This experience was formative to my understanding of my vocation, first as a theology student, then as a priest, and now here at St. Margaret’s. My experience has shaped where I fit in socially, what I see, and what I preach and teach. When confronted with the urgent life and death concerns of the people around me, I was not content to deal only with the abstract Trinity, but preached and taught the gospel in response to the conspiracy of a different, unholy, trinity: the absence of breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As I look back at those experiences, I find it necessary for our Christian community to hear God’s call to be of service to people beyond the walls of our church.

This month marks the beginning of the season of Lent. As children of God, we are called to bridge the gap between the margins and the center, raise the consciousness, encourage new experiences, and reconstruct a world in which difference is not treated with indifference.

On Feb. 14, Ash Wednesday, we will gather as a community to begin a journey together. Ashes will be distributed during the services at noon and 7:30 p.m.

Beginning Feb. 21, we will introduce an Evening Prayer service at 6 p.m. every Wednesday during Lent followed by a silent soup dinner in the Undercroft. Emphasis will be placed on recapturing the meaning and value of silence so as to help us quiet ourselves and listen to God’s voice by reading spiritual and biblical texts as we eat our meal. This will also help us enter into the discipline of fasting during the season.

On Saturday, Feb. 24, Barbara Festa and I will be leading a Parish Quiet Day as part of our Lenten preparation. We will encounter our Lord in prayers, meditation, journal writing, whole-body prayer and music. This invitation is also being extended to our deanery (cluster of Episcopal Churches in the area). I do hope you will join us in this journey through Lent and be ready for an encounter with God as God continues to call us to be disciples.

Blessings,

Fr. Isaias Ginson

“BE SWIFT TO LOVE,
MAKE HASTE TO BE KIND ...” 

You, our St. Margaret’s family, have shown us what this means day by day. We were filled with joy when Isaias was given the opportunity to do ministry together with St. Margaret’s in May 2017. It’s a wonderful blessing that we are deeply grateful for. We thank each one of you for the warm welcome and generous kindness that we continually receive. Truly, God’s love and faithfulness is manifested in you. Our life journey has brought us here to be your new partners in ministry as we continue to reach out to the community and the world in Christ’s name.

In the spirit of love this month of February, I was invited to share a bit of our story.

“It was a fateful first day of the year 1996 when Isaias laid eyes on me and knew in his heart that I was chosen by the Lord to become his wife!” How’s that for starters?

Although Isaias and I were born on the same island, Negros, which is one of the more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines, we did not meet until the day I joined the University, which was like a second home to Isaias. He’d already been there for almost two decades upon my arrival. I had left my hometown when I was 12 to attend a boarding school in the northern island, Luzon. I pursued my studies there for the next 12 years and obtained my master’s degree, then decided to come home to Negros to be closer to family. That Christmas of 1995, while looking out to the sea on the white sand beach of Boracay, I prayed that I would meet the person that I would marry.

On a different island, Isaias also prayed for a sign and what he heard was: “the first woman

(among those that you have already met) that you see in the new year is the one!”

The curious thing was, on Jan 1, 1996, a holiday, I had to go to my office to retrieve a stack of papers to grade. As I was gathering up my things, Isaias sauntered into the room unexpectedly — and the rest is history! ©©

Much love to all! ~Christie-Marie

DATES TO REMEMBER - FEBRUARY

Feb. 4 - “Souper” Bowl Sunday
Feb. 11 - Sunday School Class, 9 a.m.
Feb. 13 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 6 - 8 p.m. Feb. 13 - Vestry Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 14 - Ash Wednesday, Noon and 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 24 - Lenten Quiet Day, 9:30 am - 2 p.m.
Feb. 21 - Lunch Bunch, 1 p.m.
Feb. 21, 28 - Evening Prayer/Soup Supper, 6 p.m.

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER
Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m.

Come feast on delicious pancakes, sweet maple syrup and savory sausage (and lots of other goodies, too) in preparation for the start of Lent. This year we will gather on Tuesday, Feb. 13, starting at 6 p.m. to share in fun and fellowship (and pancakes)! With Derek and Fal heading up the food preparations, you know it will be delicious, so please join us! Donation: $5/Adults; $3/Children 6-12; Free for Children 5 and under.

LENTEN QUIET DAY
Saturday, Feb. 24, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This month, we continue our lively study and discussion around a thought-provoking book called “A Generous Community: Being the Church in a New Missionary Age” by C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas. If you’ve ever thought about what might attract people to the church of the future, we invite you to stop by. It is a rich topic for prayer and discussion. We meet in the library after 9:30 a.m. Eucharist each Thursday.

EVANGELISM
My Responsibility or Someone Else’s?

There is a Latin phrase that reads “goodness diffuses itself.” The intrinsic nature of goodness is to spread itself around. It is like a bottle of fragrance. Once opened, its aroma spreads throughout its surroundings. A beautiful rose flower makes its mark by making everyone smile with its beauty and splendor.

Each one of us who is baptized in the Spirit is in possession of the goodness of Jesus. This goodness is not given to be stored inside oneself, but to be shared with others. If that “aroma” of the Gospel is bottled up inside ourselves, it loses its value over time; it becomes worthless. However, if that goodness is let out around us, then it’s able to spread its freshness and fragrance to everyone.

This process of “letting Jesus out” is what we call “The Great Mandate to Evangelize ... to go to the four corners of the earth and spread His holy name.” Preaching is a noble task that was extended to each and every one of us. Jesus commissioned his first disciples to preach his “Blessed Name.” They understood their mission. Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of the first Christians, eventually understood that his goal was not to persecute, but to propagate Jesus’ holy Name. Consequently, he embarked on his own tireless journey into the pagan world. The fragile Peter, who denied his master three times at the Crucifixion, traveled to the Roman Empire to announce the good tidings of salvation and was martyred. The doubting Thomas navigated East, as far as the Indian subcontinent, in order to proclaim the name of Jesus to the heathens.

And even today, holy men and women cry out loud from their graves. “You Sabina, you Tony — have you not understood the mandate of your master?” Sometimes, amidst our embrace of worldly activities, we think this “Mandate to Evangelize” is a mission for our local priest or deacon. In reality, “Me, too” belongs in the front lines of this noble mandate to spread the word.

~ Rozario

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
“Souper” Bowl of Caring” Is Feb. 4

This month’s outreach event will be “The Souper Bowl of Caring” on Feb. 4, Super Bowl Sunday. Its mission is to mobilize young people to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. Parishioners are encouraged to wear their favorite team jerseys, and the children they will also be wearing their jerseys and collecting food items and monetary donations after both services. All proceeds will be given to the St. Ignatius Food Pantry in Hicksville.

Thank you to everyone who joined in our little production of the Epiphany Pageant! Every year it turns out a bit different and takes some creative thinking to make sure the kids can play all the parts that they want to. Of course, we owe a special thank you to Barbara A. -  she puts in a lot of work before, during and after the pageant. We couldn’t do it without her – Thank you again, Barbara!

Classes begin again on Feb. 11. Debbie will be teaching Series #4, “Ten Men Healed.” The child- ren will learn about Jesus’s love and being thankful. Class dates for Series #4 are 2/11, 3/4 and 3/11.

Please have the kids come for any dates they can make. Because we review the same story for a few weeks, they can join in at any time. We look forward to seeing everyone in class!

Program Overview: Our Bible Story class will study five different stories over the course of the year. Each story will be explored for several weeks using the Sparkhouse Rotation curriculum.

~ Christine, Sunday School Coordinator 

DID YOU KNOW THAT ...
... Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is just around the corner on Tuesday, Feb. 13?

... The very next day is Ash Wednesday?
... Almost one year ago, Fr. Isaias officiated at Ash

Wednesday, and Holy Week/Easter services?

... Non-perishable items for INN are always needed and every little bit helps fill the Food Basket?

... Sunday Coffee Hour is in need of hosts to sign up for future Sundays?

... Lunch Bunch is for everyone’s enjoyment on the third Wednesday of each month? Head on over to the Undercroft at 1 p.m. with your brown-bag lunch.

... Anyone can submit additions to this list of “DID YOU KNOWS”?

VESTRY MEETING REPORT
Highlights of January 2018 Meeting

An up-to-date Parish Contact List is being emailed to parishioners. It will also be made available for the asking to those who do not use email. A list of 2018 Vestry Committees is being compiled and will be posted on the Narthex bulletin board. The search continues for a Part-time Cemetery Administrator. A listing of Diocesan Activities will be posted on the Narthex bulletin board to keep parishioners aware of activities taking place in our Diocese. A List of Parish Activities for 2018 will be posted shortly. Lastly, the Parish Profile from 2010 will be worked on in the near future to bring it up to date.

INTERCESSORY PRAYERS FOR FEBRUARY

“Put your trust in him always, O people,
pour out your hearts before him,
for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:9

Let us pray for ...

• Isaias, our priest-in-charge, and Lawrence, our bishop;

• St. Margaret’s, and all churches and clergy in our Diocese;

• Our warden, vestry, staff, lay leaders, and all parishioners, past and present;

• The health and wellbeing of Linda, June, Ron, Jeff, Christine, Lorraine K., Edith, Lorraine B., Nancy, Kathleen, Chet B., Marshall, Jim ~ and caregivers;

• All those we love and see no more, especially Virginia Chilton; Connie Parker;

• The men and women protecting us as they serve in the military, especially James, Keith, Owen, Matt, Sean, Matthew, Scott and Shelby;

• Our nation’s unity, safety and direction under President Donald J. Trump, his advisers, cabinet members, and all in government;

• World peace;

• Those whose needs are known to God alone, and for your own special intentions.

  Like the sun that gently touches the face of every flower, God touches these lives with His care.

  ~ Loretta, for the Intercessory Prayer Group

  MERCIFUL GOD ...
  A Prayer Request

  In January, like many other Haitians and anyone of African descent, I wept.

  Why? Because just as the Haitian community was planning events to remember 300,000+ souls who perished in the earthquake eight years ago, we suffered another blow. Following previous comments that all Haitians have AIDS and all Africans live in huts, the President of the United States proclaimed that we live in ****holes.

  As we mourn for our dead, we will hold our families tighter. We will remind our children of our rich history. And we pray that our friends and neighbors will stand united with us in our ongoing struggle.

  In the Lord’s name we pray, ~ Soledad 

GREETINGS FROM HAITI

Cazale Community Center Is Thriving

The Cazale Community and Cultural Center is continuing to thrive! We had our first talent show and Christmas luncheon in December. The child- ren thoroughly enjoyed singing, dancing, model-

ing and theater. We are proud to have you be part of the movement that is impacting the lives of our youths, and we are so appreciate of your continued support.

~ Soledad 

GREETINGS FROM MACHA, ZAMBIA

It is with a heart full of gratitude that I write to let you know that I arrived safely back home. Joy that fills my heart to be able to reunite with my family and friends. My sister was expecting when I left for America, and her little girl is already up and running. Her name is Chileleko (which means blessings in our language Tonga). She loves to dance along to songs she sees on TV, and happily practices singing “Happy Birthday” for entertainment. I am blessed to have her in my life. My family is doing well and happy to see me. At Christmas, we had a big feast with most of my extended family who were able to make it. Inasmuch as I am happy to be back home, there is another part of me that misses being in the U.S. with friends whom I call family now. That is the joy of knowing people all over the world. I’m so happy to see messages on social media and seeing what God is doing in the lives of the people I care about.

In the three years since I left Zambia, some things have changed. But in truth, I seem to be the one who has changed, especially when it comes to valuing time. A recent church service ran for more than two hours ... but here it is possible for the service to run for 4 hours or more! The preacher can take as long as he wants for the sermon. In Zambia, we do not worry so much about time because people value relationships as compared to time. The closest church to my home is the Brethren in Christ Church that my uncle attends. Since I still live in his house, I attend his church. I could go to another church of my choosing, but in my culture, this is one way of showing respect to my guardians. On Christmas Day we had a service, singing and praising God for the birth of Jesus Christ, and after the service each person walked away with a small bag of salt (more than two handfuls) as a reminder that we are the salt of the world. After service people went back to their homes to celebrate with their families or friends.

After adjusting to life in America, I am re-learning what it means to live without having so many options ... especially when it comes to food! I was spoiled in the U.S. because I could just call for food delivery if I didn’t want to cook, but

that’s not possible here. I have to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for family as it is expected from a girl.

When it comes to internet, I do not have access it to it whenever I want. I can buy bundles on my phone just to check emails and social media, but those go by very quickly (and the internet is often slow).

I’m excited to be starting preparations for the reading program for kids in my community and deciding on what sort of activities to include to keep them motivated. I ran into a glitch with the building I had chosen to rent, because the roof has a leak. It is the season of rains and planting here in Zambia. But as soon as the rains stop we’ll have the kids come to borrow books. The reading program will open after school from 3 to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. In the meantime, I plan to volunteer my time in the Human Resources office of the hospital in my community from 8 a.m. to 12 noon Monday through Friday. This will give me time to help kids with reading in the afternoon.

My country was recently hit with a cholera epidemic and the government put up tight measures to clean up the cities. We had 179 cholera cases and 50 deaths. Pray for families who have lost loved ones and the entire country, because some people who earn a living through selling on the streets can’t do that and now they have no source of livelihood. We have some riots from angry traders asking government to provide them with alternative selling points. It’s chaotic at the moment. But we pray this disease will go away and people will continue to maintain high levels of hygiene.

Since writing this original piece ... I have good news to share. I am now engaged to be married! I met Gomez, my husband-to-be, while we were both studying in the U.S. for our Master’s Degrees, and he surprised me with a ring soon after I arrived home. Needless to say, I am overwhelmed with happiness at this new stage in my life, where all things are possible. God bless you, my friends at St. Margaret’s, and I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

~ Nanyemba Hamahuwa

FRANCISCAN CORNER
I Hear His Voice in You

Februum, Latin for purification, is the historical root of the name for this month. Its traditional symbols include the amethyst birthstone, signifying piety and spiritual wisdom. As the last month of meteorological winter, it is also the transition to the rebirth of spring. We are quite literally told by history and timing to get ready, to prepare and to purify. With this in mind, I’ve been thinking a lot about the joy of anticipation and what it means to get ready for the miraculous. At Thanksgiving, Linda and I were on pins and needles awaiting the big “reveal” of the sex of our first grandchild. A friendly local baker received a secret notification from the obstetrician’s office, keeping the baby’s gender from everyone, including the parents. We picked up the cake and, with family and friends dialing in via video Skype, our daughter made the first cut: the icing inside was a vibrant pink. So, after weeks of wondering, with a single slice, we were celebrating the coming of “Zoey Ava.”

Wednesday, Feb. 14, opens our 40-day Lenten season of anticipation that carries us to Easter, the ultimate “Divine Reveal,” the great consummation of the promise celebrated at Christmas: new life in Christ.

In the Franciscan Rule of Life, one of the nine elements of daily practice is self-denial. Postulants usually relate to this as giving something up (like those addictive fudge brownies). Perhaps self-denial can take the form of curbing cell phone use. One postulant recently chose to give up romance novels. These are all certainly fine and fasting is a customary part of self-denial, but we are encouraged to go so much farther. Getting ready for a blessed event means jettisoning all that distracts us from the Sacred main events in our lives.

Real Februum, interior purification, is denying oneself altogether. It means putting our own thoughts and preoccupations aside and placing others in center view (listening, learning, appreciating, being fascinated by their stories and their worlds). The LI Fellowship of The Third Order of the Society of St. Francis is launching a Province-wide search for members with whom we have lost contact. As part of this, we are establishing the “Emmaus Travelers” program, identifying companions who will stay in touch with those who have been out of touch. Many are unable to participate in fellowship meetings owing to personal or family illness or great distances. Some have been out of touch for as many as five or more years.

I spoke on the phone to one brother in his 70s, home with his wife who has been ill. He is a therapist and a person with a wonderful story of continuing spiritual growth and adventure. I discovered, in this one call, that, like me, he has long wanted to see a marriage of sacramental worship and Quaker silence. Another, we just learned, was an engineer that helped NASA put a man on the moon. How is it that their stories went silent?

We are asking these folks to write for us and share their stories, and we now have well over 100 stories pledged that we will compile as a book on Amazon. So powerful is this movement among us, that we are extending it to all brothers and sisters (with emphasis on those who are ready to tell the story of how religious life has evolved as they’ve aged).

My Lenten ritual will be a time of deep listening to the stories of others; celebrating the wisdom of age spoken in the diverse voices of soon to be new friends with extraordinarily rich and diverse occupational, social and spiritual backgrounds all bound together in Saints Francis and Clare. May you, too, find Christ in others whose stories are a great blessing.

~ Brother Anton Armbruster, TSSF

LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS

Every day throughout the entire year, a Eucharistic feast is taking place somewhere in the world wherever two or three are gathered.

In January, I joined Barbara A., Lois Bisca, Kathleen, Barbara F., June and others in the diocese for a Lay Eucharistic Visitors class at the Mercer School of Theology. We were surprised to find out our teacher would be none other than Bishop Provenzano! The day also included a required course on Safe Church Training.

In our diocese, LEVs are trained to visit parishioners who are unable to attend church for various reasons including hospitalization, being in rehab or nursing homes, or being homebound. But no matter where parishioners are, they are always part of the church family. So, when circumstances dictate that we can’t gather together at the altar, we bring the Lord’s Supper to our members.

Our six new Lay Eucharistic Visitors have formed teams with Jane, Anton and Barbara H., who previously took the course, and we plan begin visitations this month. Fr. Isaias, of course, is available as needed.

As a new parishioner here, I am happy to already be part of this awesome and loving community at St. Margaret’s. I look forward to being of service as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor.

~ Rozario