The Tower Chimes - stjamesgoshen.orgstjamesgoshen.org/wp-content/newsletter/2013/Tower... · The Tower Chimes What does it mean to be the Church? From the Rector Early on Sunday mornings

1 St. James Place, Goshen, N.Y. 10924-2013 Parish Office (845) 294-6225

Email: [email protected]

The Rev. M. Carl Lunden, Rector

July—August 2013 www.stjamesgoshen.org

Vacation Bible School “Kingdom Rock” July 15-19, 2013

The Tower Chimes

What does it mean to be the Church? From the Rector Early on Sunday mornings I spend some time before the first service sitting and praying in the

pews facing the Altar. I like to get the visual perspective of how you the congregation see things on a

Sunday morning. Yet what I am really trying to “see” is more than that. I often reflect on, “How do

the people at Saint James’ see themselves as part of the Church” and “What does the Church (the

Body of Christ) mean to them?’ This is sort of like opening Pandora's’ Box (today, the phrase "to

open Pandora's box" means to perform an action that may seem small or innocuous, but that turns out

to have severe and far-reaching consequences). Years ago I realized that people come to Church for

a number of reasons. A recently polled Protestant church came up with the following reasons for

coming to church. Here’s what they said is the dominant reason they go:

30% go to worship God

10% go to learn something new– hear a good sermon

8% go to feel better

8% go out of duty–”God wants me to”

5% go for their children

4% go to be with friends

2% go out of habit

1% go because a spouse or friend expects them to go

The remaining people go for a variety of other reasons–to serve others, to confess, to listen to music,

etc. Some admitted they don’t really know why they go to church. If you could poll different church-

es you would find this list would change. Basically, people go to Church for a lot of different rea-

sons. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does have its consequences. Of course there are also

poor reasons that people give for attending church, such as the opportunity for business and social

contacts, thinking that the building is the Church (idolatry), or only seeking the services of rites of

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St. James’ Episcopal Church

St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803

passage: Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage and Burial. So you might ask, “is there a good reason

to go to Church?” From my Anglo-Catholic/Episcopalian perspective I would say that the main

reason to be part of Church should be to be part of the Body of Christ. And I think this is manifest-

ed as a group of imperfect (broken) people gather in the love of Christ. I think God loves to see his

people gather together to bask in his love, to love him back, and to grow in relationship with him.

This is not always easy and does not come without the messiness of human relationships. Yet

when we gather together, whether it is Sunday morning or another day of the week, we are the

Church through the presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Wanting to be part of the

Church should be about wanting to be part of the community that follows Christ.

To be part of the Church means wanting to identify with Christ and the people who strive to

do the same. Jesus taught us that he had come to restore our relationship with his Father so that we

might be people of reconciliation, forgiveness and compassion. We follow his example as we live

in this world and acknowledge the life of the world to come. We are on a journey of transfor-

mation as we move in the direction of God through the ups and downs of human existence with its

fears, disappointments and sufferings. This life is not the Kingdom of God, but our hope in Christ

propels us forward towards the unseen glory that is slowly being revealed in us.

How do you see yourself as part of the Church? The building (church) that you come to on

Sundays is beautiful and we are happy to worship in it. But the real Church is the flesh and Blood

people sitting in the pews– YOU ARE THE CHURCH! Being part of the Church is not just fill-

ing out a membership form; it is realizing that you are part of it and it is part of you. It is a sense of

belonging in which the church does not exist outside of you (The Christians in the Organic Church

Movement think we should get rid of all our Church buildings because they obscure what the

Church is). Choosing to be a Christian and a member of the Body of Christ is the most important

decision you can make. Unless we are attending Church for the right reason, I think we will al-

ways be disappointed in the long run and lose the perspective of Christ and only see a group of

less than perfect human beings. When the Church is labeled as “hypocritical” or people think

“they only want our money,” it is because people have lost the reason why we gather together,

namely, to worship God with grateful hearts knowing that we were created to grow in relationship

with God giving him continual thanks and praise. The Church is a dichotomy. It is made up of

base and sinful people who are at the same time a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy na-

tion, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of dark-

ness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9 NIV). We all need to be reminded of this and to draw

ourselves back into perspective of what it means to be part of the Church and work for the King-

dom of God . We need to review our priorities and renew our commitment of Baptism so that we

may be all that God desires of us and to which each of us are called in Christ Jesus.

Happy Summer,

Father Carl+

St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES July–August 2013

If you need to talk to Father Carl he is available either at the Parish Office: 294-6225 or

the Rectory: 615-1330 Please feel free to call him any day in the week for any pastoral reason.

St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES July–August 2013

St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803

Sunday School

On June 9th we had a wonderful service featuring music and drama from the Sunday School students. Thanks to our talented and

dedicated teachers, the children had a very good year and it was a joy to teach them.

We are sadly saying goodbye to several of our teachers and we hope to encourage some of you to join us in this very important

ministry. I can promise you that we have just as much fun as the children, and we learn a lot too! Thanks to Shari Meffert, Jennifer

Stratton and Brenda Kurth for your years of service. You will be much missed! Thanks to all the great teachers and assistants who

are remaining for next year. We anticipate more music, drama, art and a strong focus on the Bible.

The first day of Sunday School will be Sunday September 8, 2013. We will have registrations forms available at VBS and the

month of August. They will also be available once Sunday School begins. We urge you to make the commitment to Christian

Eduction for your children. We look forward to seeing all you in September.

Tammy Matula and Marci Hanners

BOOK SALE

The annual GREAT AMERICAN WEEKEND BOOK SALE will take place from 9 to 2 on July 6th. Marci Hanners is the chair

for this event. Please consider donating books for the sale. We especially love children's books, interesting non fiction, softcover

fiction and vintage and collectible books. Please refrain from donating magazines, encyclopedias, Reader's Digest condensed or

anything in bad or unreadable shape. The sale has a following and we also get visitors to the GAW.

If you would like to help with the sale, please let Marci Hanners know. Call her at 845-673-5853 to volunteer or to arrange for a

book pickup. And feel free to share this information with friends and relatives who might be interested in donating books.

FIELD TRIPS

We had a great time at the Botanical Garden and Zoo on June 1st, despite the heat. The bus was comfortable and cool and the

DVD player worked! Our scholarship family enjoyed the Zoo immensely, so thanks to all of you who donated. They felt very

blessed.

I am planning one more trip this year, tentatively the first Saturday of December. It will be Fifth Avenue at Christmastime, and

will include stops at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park South and The New York Public Library. Destinations can be

the shop windows and stores, Radio City, Bryant Park and the skating rink there, Rockefeller Center, St Thomas' Episcopal

Church and much, much more. Watch for more info!

Marci Hanners

ALTAR GUILD

This is our first summer of setting up two services in our newly air conditioned church! We set up on Fridays or Saturdays, de-

pending on which group we are on, and we attend the services and clean up after on Sunday. We are a dedicated group of volun-

teers who love what we do and share with and care for each other in our work. But we do need a few more people to join us. So

please, if you feel that this ministry might be for you, speak to Father Carl, Marci Hanners or Jeanne Healy and let us talk to you

about it. The commitment is one weekend per month and the work takes about an hour and a half.

Marci Hanners and Jeanne Healy

St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES July–August 2013

St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803

Summer greeter schedule 2013:

The July/August schedule for greeters is as follows:

9 a.m.

July 7 - Debby Brown

July 14 - Donna Carbone

July 21 - Evelyn Clark

July 28 - Malcolm Diaz

August 4 - Bryan Giudice

August 11 - Barbara Killenberger

August 18 - Jerry Killenberger

August 25 - Michele Markey

September 1 - Tammy Matula

Sincerely, Jackie Kessler

Altar Flowers July & August:

July 7 Katie Lyon

July 14 Open

July 21 Matthew & Lorraine Mabee

July 28 Open

August 4 Ursula Degenhardt

August 11 Frank & Julie Zeccola

August 18 Jeanne Healy

August 25 Open

A Special Thanks to all Donors!

Xxxxx

The Tower Chimes is the official monthly

publication of St. James’

Episcopal Church.

The Rev. M. Carl Lunden

Rector

Deacon Tom Liotta

Minister of Music

Genie McMonigle Parish Secretary

VESTRY

Chris Tippin, Warden

Debbie Brown, Warden

Dona Ash

Val Bynum

Edward Connor

Steve Matula

David Meffert

Tom Nixon

Bryan Giudice

Jessica Ann Sutton

Wayne Wilson

Jerre Coleman,

Treasurer

Nicole Wiggins,

Assistant Treasurer

Kathy Martin-Brown

Clerk of the Vestry

10:30 a.m.

July 7 - Karen Golding

July 14 - Chip Hamilton

July 21 - James Heslop

July 28 - Jean Howell

August 4 - John Lent

August 11 - Kate Lyon

August 18 - Kathy Martin Brown

August 25 - Jeanne Meehan

September 1 - LaWahna Search

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY FOR

JULY with Fr. Carl

on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel

We are reading

1, 2, 3 John

We are Meeting on July 2, 9, 16, 23

(off the 30th)

ALWAYS BRING YOUR BIBLE

Come and join us anytime!

We will take a break for the Month of August and resume in September

St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803

St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES July–August 2013

THE 10th ANNUAL TOUR OF THE GARDENS OF GOSHEN

JUNE 15, 2013

Another year has passed and the Garden Tour has been completed. Thankfully

with all your help and the Lords help we had perfect weather and great fellowship doing it.

That said I would like to Thank every one of you from the Donors to the waiters. You

made this Garden Tour a success and without you it would not have been possible. As the

kids say "You Rocked"! I’m sure I have forgotten someone as this was a major task and I

would also like to say I have had a chance to know and love so many of you. You made

my life richer and more rewarding and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I

have grown very fond of the parish at St. James. Your a special group of people and you

have no idea what you all have come to mean to me. Thank you all.

A special thank you to Trina Varone who worked and worked . She did the journal and

supported and baked and steamed tablecloths she worked so hard and I thank her for it.

Julie Zeccola and Eileen Policatti and Ursula Degenhart these girls took charge of the food

and it was fabulous.

With Julie as chair no one could have done a better job

then these girls. John and Meg Strobl I can’t tell you

how fond I am of them . They worked and worked with

the advertising , the tickets, the raffle tickets and then

the flags that mark the gardens. These two are wonder-

ful thank you so much.

Barbara Killenberger and Diane Rainey did the raffle

tickets and did a beautiful job. You need four arms to do

that job. Thank you girls your great!!!!! Shirley Grout

and Claire Leonard did the beverages and they did a wonderful job.

Always faithful and dependable you two are treasures.

Lastly Ray Bally he supported and went to get raffle prizes with me . He was

a rock and I treasure him. He did the set up and clean up and then we have

Kit Wallace who faithfully gets the monitors. What a blessing she is. Thank you

to all these wonderful capable people. The waiters did a wonderful job and added that extra

special touch the women liked so much. If I have forgotten you it was not intentional. I

love you all and remember this garden tour does not happen with out many cooks

and Luann Haviland at the door to check the food in. Your all dear, dear

people and I have learned much from you.

Very fondly, Terry Makuen, Chair

St. James’ Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y., established 1803

St. James’ Church THE TOWER CHIMES July–August 2013

James Heslop 8 /3

Grace Quintero 8 /4

Fr. Carl Lunden 8 /6

Brendan Brown 8 /7

Sarah Schaumburg 8 /7

Karen Golding 8 /13

Malcolm Diaz 8 /15

Malini Chellappa 8 /15

Lillian Nicholson 8 /16

Christine Giudice 8 /16

Jennifer Stratton 8 /19

Tammy Matula 8 /21

Steve Matula 8 /22

Kyle Haviland 8 /22

Tom Schaumburg 8 /22

Linda Coleman 8 /28

Birthdays July & August

Kenneth & Carolyn Barnes 7 /1

John & Dede De Angelis 7 /12

Ray & Janet Bally 7 /12

Steve & LaWahna Search 7 /14

John & Ann Mayo 7 /18

James & Malinda Niper 7 /25

Nancy Newton 7 /28

Steve & Tammy Matula 8 /11

Robert & Marion Thorley 8 /15

James & Jeanne Healy 8 /25

Gonzalo & Lillian Quintero 8 /30

Jerre & Linda Coleman 8 /31

Wedding Anniversaries July & August

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES 2013

At Saint James’ Episcopal Church

Congratulations to our High School Graduates

May God bless and guide you!

Brendan Brown Pine Bush HS

Bethany Lunden Valley Central HS

Michaela McBride Goshen HS

Kiondra Noe Goshen HS

Katherine Scheuering Goshen HS

Robert Scheuering Goshen HS

Jonathan Search Goshen HS

Lindsey Somlai Minisink Valley HS

The Newsletter Deadline is the

15th of August. Please send articles to

[email protected]

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give

thanks in all circumstances; for this is the

will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NRSV

Ricki Leal 7 2

Deacon Don Lofman 7 4

Meg Strobl 7 5

Steve Search 7 7

Marion Thorley 7 10

Robert Thorley 7 11

Deacon Tom Liotta 7 13

James Niper 7 18

Jordan Ely 7 20

Lu-Ann Haviland 7 22

James Cassel 7 24

Roy Splieth 7 26

Adam Bynum 7 26

Kyle Lent 7 26

Gonzalo Quintero 7 29

Kenneth Barnes 7 30

A Special Thanks to

Petrina Varone

Who was the Newsletter Editor for over the past two years. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the

fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always.