January 2013 Newsletter

Our Annual Parish Meeting,Part Two, has been moved toSunday, January 20, 2013following the 10:30 AMservice. Please come to thisvery important meeting andvote for your vestry, delegates,alternates, and trust fundnominations. After the meeting,a pot-luck lunch will be served.

Happy Epiphany and Welcome 2013,

The Feast of the Epiphany was the Eastern celebration of the birth and baptism of Jesus. When the EasternChurch adopted the feast of Christmas to celebrate the incarnation, Epiphany continued to celebrate the Lord'sbaptism. In the Western church, Epiphany became the commemoration of the three Magi's visit to the Christchild and Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles. Another term for Epiphany is Twelfth Night, which is the 12th day of the Christmas Season and is celebrated on January 6th . The Season of Epiphany concludes on theTuesday before Ash Wednesday, known as Shrove Tuesday, and this year is on February 12th.

In the American Heritage Dictionary other definitions of Epiphany are: A revelatory manifestation of a divinebeing; A revelatory manifestation of the essence or meaning of something; A comprehension or perception ofreality by means of a sudden intuitive realization.

One of our names/characteristics for Jesus Christ is Light of the World. During our Advent Adult Sunday Study,we used Dr. Corinne Ware's book, Discover Your Spiritual Type: A Guide to Individual and CongregationalGrowth. In it, she has developed a spirituality type selector test called The Spirituality Wheel.. We are askingall members of St. Mary's to take this basic test which is created in 2 parts: Congregational Style and PersonalStyle. The basic test is included in this January Newsletter and it consists of 12 categories with 4 questions ineach. The directions are included but here is a hint in taking both styles test - take them separately, it does notmatter which you take first. Next, you can choose more than one within each category. Example: The Order ofWorship - Personally if you agree with all 4 questions mark each one; Congregationally, if you agree with onlyone, mark it. Mark those questions that speak to you about St. Mary's and about yourself. Also, because makinglines in the wheel may become hard to count at the end of your tests, I suggest placing a C or a P next to thequestion as you answer it. Example,

Category (C)Congregational Style (P) Personal Style 1. Question_____________ C2. Question____________ P 3. Question____________ C4. Question____________ P

Remember there are no right or wrong answers. These are about your own perception of how you see St. Mary's congregational style in the 12 categories, as well as how you see your own personal style. In Dr. Ware's preface, she states that the purpose of her book is to enlarge the reader's consciousness of God, ofothers who worship God and oneself. Specifically, it asks why some people worship one particular way, whileothers choose a very different way of expressing religious devotion. Why do we feel as we do about worship andour God-connection, often yearning for something we cannot describe?

The book is intended to explore the individual's spiritual journey and to assist in the spiritual growthexperiences within the spiritual life of the worshiping congregation. This is not to “change” the congregation orindividuals, but so that together, we may assist and support one another in our faith walk and discipleship.

The Vestry and I would appreciate your taking these 2 Spirituality Style Tests and returning them to the churchoffice by Friday, January 11, 2013 at 1:00pm. Then, we will compile our findings and be able to present thefindings at our Annual Meeting & Potluck on Sunday, January 20th in the parish hall immediately followingthe 10:30am service of Holy Eucharist.

Thank you in advance for your participation and support of St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church.

Peace, Rev. Barbara

The Bain and Garciafamilies would like tothank our St. Mary’s

family for the very beautiful christeningservice for Gabby on November 25. Thanks to John Marshall for the inspiringsermon; Linda Hill, Rocky Harris and St.Mary’s choir for the beautiful music;Tootsie Grantham for the beautifulpictures; Q. T. Coats, Jr. for the video, andRev. Barbara for the christening service.

Jean Money sewed the beautifulchristening gown and cape for Gabby towear. She appeared to be royalty in hergown. Thank you, Jean, for your labor oflove. Our family will always carry thememories of that day in our hearts and willshow Gabby pictures and tell her howspecial everyone at St. Mary’s made usfeel. With Love.

Birthdays and Anniversaries✰ 1st Mike Chung, 13th Mary Miller, 15th Bob Miller, Dorothy Murray, 17th Cynthia Marshall, 20th Charla Lewis,Michelle Worthy, 23rd Bettye NaborsBrooke, 28th Ashley Pike, Owen Johnson, 29th Shannon Nabors, 30th Jeb Worthy,Lyndel Moody.

Don’t forget to giveALTAR FLOWERS in2013! This is a very specialblessing to everyone whocomes to St. Mary’s. If youhave never contributed

Altar flowers, please contact Jann Dickensin the Office. The price is $20 a vase forflowers from Faye’s Florist or $25 a vasefor flowers from Inspirations. You musthave an account with either or both floristsor pre-pay for the whole year with a checkto St. Mary’s.

To: Connie Fowler in the loss ofher friend, Chuck Reifsnider.

To: Janice Byrd in the loss of her brother-in-law, Clifford Short.

And to: Shannon and Evan Nabors in the loss ofTom Mullen, father and grandfather.

[Rest Eternal grant to them, O Lord, and may LightPerpetual shine upon them.]

January 2013 Event Calendar

January 1st – Happy New Year

January 2nd – No 10am Beginning the Daily Grindwith God / No 6pm Healing & Holy Eucharist

January 6th – Feast of Epiphany & take downChristmas decorations after service; Liturgical colorchanges to Green.

January11th – The Spirituality Wheel type selectortest due in church office by l:00pm. January 14th – 6pm Vestry meeting - all 2012members

January 20th – Annual Meeting & Potluck

February 1, 2 & 3 (Friday - Sunday) 2013 VestryRetreat with the Rev. Canon Mike Ehmer

Isaiah 58 is most grateful for thesupport that St. Mary the VirginEpiscopal Church angels have given

to us in 2012. We wish you all a blessed andprosperous 2013.

Yours in Christ,

Paul and the Crew at Isaiah 58

The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin Nonprofit Org.P.O. Box 2949–1001 S. Goliad U.S. Postage PaidBig Spring, TX 79721--Voice: (432) 267-8201 Big Spring, TexasE-mail: [email protected] Permit No. 137[published monthly] Vol. XVI–Issue No. 1, 2013

Change Service Requested:

Bishop of NW Texas: The Rt. Rev. J. Scott MayerRector: The Rev. Barbara Kirk-NorrisDeacons: Janice Byrd, Connie Fowler, Dr. John Marshall Senior Warden: Patti Nabors Junior Wardens: John Moody & Q. T. Coats, Jr.

Mission: Our Mission is to reach out in Christ’s love to our community and all God’s creation through faith, worship, and service.

Vision: We see St. Mary’s as a BEACON of Christ’s love; Believers, Ecumenical, Accepting,Community, Optimistic, Nurturing.

Purpose: Our purpose is to inspire the spiritual growth of our parish community.