Quote of the Day
UPCOMING: Lenten Programs, Easter
Bluegrass Community Foundation, March 19
Tuesday’s Lenten program speaker (March 19) is from the Bluegrass Community Foundation. Please try to attend. Click on https://www.bgcf.org/ for more information.
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This Sunday, March 24, is Lent 3, Year C. The lector is Hope and the altar guild is Darlene. See the vestment and altar colors, and readings, by clicking HERE and selecting the date.
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Recently, church member Darlene rolled out the first of her monthly birthday and anniversary parties that she will be throwing for anyone who has a birthday or anniversary in a given month. The next party is... TBA. Don’t be shy about revealing when your birthday or anniversary is. Thanks Darlene!
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Clean-up day is April 6 at 10 a.m. All help appreciated.
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The next Vestry meeting is April 28.
Lenten Speakers, Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
During Lent (March 12 to April 9), which is the season of repentance, giving and renewal, we will have a speaker program every Tuesday at 7 p.m. The programs will be in the church’s meeting hall behind the main building. Extra parking is along the railroad tracks in the rear.
Lenten Program Speakers:
- March 19: Jane Higgins, Director of Regional Initiatives, Blue Grass Community Foundation, (859) 721-2349, jhiggins@bgcf.org. Jane will discuss the BGCF and its role as a responsible fiduciary (trustee) for money entrusted to it for charitable donations to be used according to a donor’s designated intentions. See the website by clicking HERE.
- March 26: Melissa Crump, an Elder Law attorney who practices in Paris. Melissa will talk about wills, living wills, POAs, nursing home planning and trusts to qualify the settlor (you) for a Medicaid-paid (free) nursing home. Melissa can be reached at melissa@crumpspurlock.com.
- April 2: Amy Cox, (859) 234-6462, from Bluegrass Care Navigators (formerly Hospice) and other members of her team (Palliative Care Physician Kim Bell; Grief Counselor Mary McKenzie; and Regional Counseling Officer Mike Brown). Amy will represent BGCN and educate attendees about what BGCN does, hospital admissions, discharges, do-not-resuscitate orders and other medical issues related to aging and dying. Our own Dr. Amy Mashburn will be present.
- April 9: The Reverend Father Paul Wanter, our Priest-in-Charge, hpwant@gmail.com. Fr. Paul will discuss funerals, planning for them and the benefits of planning ahead, the liturgical options, the history of funerals and their relevance and impact to our society, humanity and theology
Holy Week, Easter, April 14-21
Maundy Thursday is April 18, with a service at 6:30 p.m. Good Friday is April 19, with two services — noon and 6:30 p.m. Holy Saturday is April 20, with a service at 7:30 p.m. Easter Day is April 21, with church service at 11 a.m. For the calendar and readings, click HERE. Special music is planned for Easter Sunday by Chris Mashburn, Julie Lucky and Will Lucky. They will be performing with a trombone and two trumpets.
In the News: METHODIST VOTE, LAMBETH EXCLUSION, WAY OF LOVE
Episcopalians, Methodists Continue Full-Communion Proposal After UMC Anti-LGBTQ Vote
The United Methodist Church’s recent decision to reinforce its opposition to same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy has not sidetracked pending consideration of a full-communion agreement between The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church. Rather, the controversial decision has put dialogue between the two churches in a kind of prayerful pause while both denominations discern the vote’s impact and the Methodist church awaits a denominational ruling on the constitutionality of some parts of the decision. Read the full story by clicking HERE. In the photo The Rev. Bill Mudge (right) comforts fellow delegate Jeffrey “J.J” Warren of the Upper New York Conference after Warren spoke in favor of full inclusion for LGBTQ persons in the United Methodist Church during the 2019 United Methodist General Conference on Feb. 25, 2019, in St. Louis.
American Bishops Object to Archbishop’s Decision to Exclude Same-Sex Spouses to Lambeth
The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops said March 15 that it is “aggrieved and distressed” by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s decision to exclude the same-sex spouses of bishops invited to the 2020 Lambeth Conference.
The bishops said they “are concerned by the use of exclusion as a means of building communion.”
The majority of the house plans to go to Lambeth. The bishops said they want to continue to build relationships across the communion, “further the conversation around the various cultural expressions of marriage” and “reflect our understandings of marriage, as well as our commitment to the dignity of all human beings, including the human rights of LGBTQ+ persons.”
The statement passed on a voice vote. At least one bishop, Dan Martins of Springfield, could be heard voting no. Read the full story by clicking HERE. Photo: Archbishop Welby.
The Way of Love’s Scope Expands Beyond the Episcopal Church at House of Bishops meeting
Two bishops from other churches, the Church of England and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, helped The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops expand its view of the Way of Love on March 13, 2019. During their four-day meeting, the bishops centered each day’s work on a theme about the Way of Love, including Engaging the Way of Love, Resourcing for the Way of Love and Integrating the Way of Love. The March 13 theme was Deep in the Way of Love. African Methodist Episcopal Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the denomination’s first woman bishop, and Church of England Bishop Ric Thorpe, a church planter who is now the bishop of Islington, both spoke to the House of Bishops. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry set up the meeting’s theme on March 12, saying the Way of Love is a return to Christianity’s roots. “We didn’t make anything new,” he said. “We went back to the treasure chest.” Read the full story by clicking HERE. In the photo is Barbara Harris, the first woman bishop in the Christian church, honored for her years of service.
What does “Episcopal” mean?
The Episcopal Church is “Protestant, yet Catholic.” Episcopal means “of bishops.” The Episcopal Church traces its bishops (its ministers and clergy) and its origins back to the Apostles (the early followers of Jesus) via holy orders, which are a direct line of succession back to the time of Jesus.
Our Partners and Affiliates
HANDY LINKS
Day Care
We have leased space to Community Action Council to provide a daycare. Contact Melissa at (859) 233-4600 x 1208, or see their website by clicking HERE.
News and Views
Our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, infused interest in the Episcopal Church at the Royal Wedding. See the story HERE. See Bishop Curry's sermon HERE. See the “Saturday Night Live” spoof of Curry by clicking HERE.
Our Hymnal
Our hymnal is online, too. The 1982 version can be found by clicking HERE. It's a beautifully organized site.
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