NEWSLETTER FOR NOVEMBER 23, 2008

RECTOR’S NOTE I understand from the coordinator that the Search Team is making excellent progress in the search for a permanent rector. In the meantime, the original Ministry Covenant between the Bishop, Vestry and the Rev. Ella Breckenridge signed December 3, 2006, had an option of an additional year of service at the request of the Vestry and Bishop.

The Vestry has exercised this option, as follows: • That this covenant is for an additional year, from 2 December 2008, to 1 December 2009, as the parish enters into its formal search process for a rector; • That at any time either party may, with the Bishop’s consent, give a 90-day notice to end this agreement; • That with consent of the Bishop, the Vestry, the new rector, and the Reverend Breckenridge, the interim rector, may be available as a source of advice for a mutually agreed upon period of time.

So in effect, after December 2, 2008, I will be with you for as long as an additional year as you search for a new Rector. But either of us can end the agreement with a 90-day notice, which you will do when you find your new Rector.

Curate’s Note
“Indifference”
Miriam Teichner

I was hungry and you blamed it on the communists;
I was hungry and you circled the moon;
I was hungry and you told me to wait;
I was hungry and you set up a commission;
I was hungry and you said, “so were my ancestors”;
I was hungry and you said, “We don’t hire over-35s”;
I was hungry and you told me I shouldn’t be;
I was hungry and you told me machines do that work now;
I was hungry and you had defense bills to pay;
I was hungry and you said, “the poor are always with us.”
Lord, when did we see you hungry?

God, let me be aware! . . .
Please keep me eager to do my share.
God, let me be aware!

THE ST. THADDEUS RECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE: The Search Committee has worked with the Diocesan Deployment Office (Canon Bullock), to compile a list of skills that a new rector should have here at St Thaddeus based on the Night of Discovery feedback and the 2008-2015 Plan for the Future. This St. Thaddeus Rector vacancy has been posted on the national Episcopal Church Deployment Office (CDO) website which can be accessed by all the priests in the entire nation. This process has generated the top 40 computer-matches, based on our requests. In addition, several priests have read the website and self-nominated; the diocesan CDO has discussed our vacancies with other diocese; and we have received over a dozen names from our parishioners. Thank you for your participation. The search committee is following up on all of these leads.

EYC NOTES: Last week was our very first meeting of the Jr. EYC, and it was a big success. Nine kids enjoyed an evening of Wii, basketball, icebreakers, dinner, and worship. Keep your eyes out for our next Jr. EYC function coming up in December! This morning the EYC is fixing breakfast for our congregation between the two services. We hope you enjoy and use it as an opportunity to throw your support to the EYC. Tonight the Sr. EYC will be enjoying a movie night out by watching the new film Twilight. We will meet at the church at 6:30 and will have dinner out. As always, bring a friend! Finally, the EYC be helping out with the St. Thaddeus Soup Kitchen this Saturday, November 29. Be there at 9:30-12:00 to help with this wonderful outreach.

ANNUAL MEETING: Annual Meeting Luncheon. Following the combined service on December 7th, the Men of St. Thaddeus (MOST) will provide chili, cornbread and beverages. Please bring a salad, a dessert, or another complimentary dish to share.

VESTRY CANDIDATES: Your biographies are due in the office asap. You may email them: stthad@bellsouth.net.

DOK: Daughters of the King meet today, November 23 at 2:30.

ATTENDANCE Sunday Service, November 16, 2008: 223
Wednesday 11:00 Service in Chapel: 16
Saturday, Soup Kitchen Meals served, November 15, 2008: 155
Mead Hall School enrollment: 193
EYC Attendance: 17
Jr. EYC Attencance: 9

THE DROP-IN ADULT CLASS is reading Traveling Light by Max Lucado. Come and drop-in any Sunday Morning’s at 9:15 am in the small parlor. Marianne Swearingen and Kathie Fowler will facilitate. The books are available from Kathie, 648-5981.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS: A New Look at the Old Testament 9:15 AM in Cheetham Parlor. Using maps, videos, atlases, history books and commentaries for geo-political and theological context, we are literally reading every chapter in the Bible. We have studied Genesis, the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph), the Exodus, the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, the judges, the monarchy under Saul, David and Solomon and are now approaching the fall of the two kingdoms and the Exile. All are invited to join us for this fascinating and in-depth class. Led by Frank Wise and Gibert Kennedy.

St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church
Financial Position through September, 2008

2008 2007 Budget Actual Actual
Revenue $449,749 $451,326 $431,343
Expense $460,544 $525,150 $450,284
Balance ($10,795) ($73,824) ($18,941)

WEDNESDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP began a study of Ecclesiastes on Wednesdays at 9:30 in the Small Parlor. All are welcome. Please call Barbara Verbrick, 648-1006 if you have any questions.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES:
An online version is coming soon so if you didn’t have your photo taken for the directory and want to submit one, you may contact Erica Sanders at 649-3093 or email any digital photos to sandlappers4@bellsouth.net

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: The Young Professionals group is beginning a series on the Abrahamic faiths. Over the next several weeks we will be studying Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Join us on Monday evenings at 6pm in the Cheetham Parlor for food, fellowship, and discussion. See Joseph Whitehurst for more information.

THE FIRST “ST. THADDEUS CREATES” WAS A SUCCESS. From the profits, the Bookstore has presented a $500 check to Mead Hall for the Joseph H. Harris Scholarship Fund and $500 to ACTS for the Heater Drive. Thank you to all who participated and came and purchased items. We are looking forward to a bigger and better event next year!!

BOOKSTORE: A Christmas table has been set in the bookstore. There are bargain ornaments and stocking stuffers to help with your Christmas list. Don’t forget- ADVENT CALENDARS.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY : St. Thaddeus is participating with the Aiken Realtors in the build of the 73rd house built by the Aiken Habitat for Humanity. This house is being built for Shemeco Butler, a single mother of three (2 daughters and 1 son). Shemeco is employed by Tri-Development Center of Aiken and is a student at Aiken Tech where she expects to graduate in two more semesters. The house is on Cabinet Drive in the Kennedy Kolony – take Laurens St. north to Hampton Blvd., left on Hampton to Tennessee Av., right on Tennessee to Cabinet Dr., right on Cabinet to the end of the street. Workdays are Friday and Saturday from 8:00 until after lunch. Come to the site one day and participate in the build of a Habitat House.

WEBSITE: If you have something that needs updating or posting on the website, please leave a note in the website box in the hall by Ellie’s office. Thank you.

EUCHARISTIC VISITOR: Are you interested in the ministry of visiting the shut-ins or hospital patients with Communion? If so, call the Church Office and get on the list. If we get enough responses we will ask the Diocese to send a trainer here so that we do not have to travel. Safe Church is required for this ministry.

CANS: We are still in need of cans for the delivery of flowers. If you have received flowers and still have the can, please drop it off either in the sacristy or church office.

OUTREACH SUNDAY: Today is Outreach Sunday, November 23, for the Order of St. Helena. Sister Carol Andrew is speaking at both services. Please be generous. The order of St. Helena is an Episcopal Order for women at the convent in Augusta. The next Outreach Meeting will be December 3 at 5:30 in the small parlor.

LADIES OF THE PARISH
ECW CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
NEWBERRY HALL
December 2, 2008, 11:45 a.m, $15.00
Christmas Tree donations will be for the Seminarian Book Fund. Our own Father Joseph Whitehurst was the recipient of this fund while in Seminary. This year we have four Seminarians from the Upper Diocese who will benefit from this fund. There will also be a special program. Please make your reservations by November 26th to Ceil Pendleton, 117 Dewberry Lane, Aiken, SC 29803. Checks should be made out to St. Thaddeus ECW. We look forward to seeing you at this annual Christmas get-together.

A THANKSGIVING FEAST OF AMERICAN SONG: Today at 3 pm at St. John United Methodist Church (in Augusta, Georgia) and Concerts with a Cause will present A Thanksgiving Feast of American Song. This concert is open to the public and free of charge. Nursery provided. An offering will be taken for The Golden Harvest Food Bank. The Davidson Fine Arts School Chorale, The St. John Choir, Soloists Tonya Currier, Greg Goodwin, Roberta Wilder, and Elizabeth Grant and bluegrass music by Custer’s Las Band will all be taking part in this benefit concert. Featured work: Gloria, from The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass by Carol Barnett.

PLEDGE UPDATES:

as of 11/12 there were 27 pledges totaling $64,082
as of 11/19 there were 60 pledges totaling $157,302 *these numbers are cumulative