St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
Sonlight  ~  September 2008






FR. KARL'S KORNER

  The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.  The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.  The family ate together at the table.  But the elderly |grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult.  Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.  When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.  “We must do something about father” said the son.  “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.”  So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.  There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.  Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.  Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.  The four-year-old watched in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.  He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?”  Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.”  The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless.  Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.  Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.  That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.  For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.  And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

It seems that, if we are open to it, life can always teach us valuable lessons.  No matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life goes on, and it will be better tomorrow.  We can continue to learn and grow.

We can learn to tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

We can learn that, regardless of our relationship with our parents, we’ll miss them when they’re gone from our lives.

We can learn that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.”

We can learn that life sometimes gives us a second chance.

We can learn that we shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands.  We need to be able to throw something back.

We can learn that if we pursue happiness, it will elude us.  But, if we focus on our family, our friends, the needs of others, our work and doing the very best we can, happiness will find us.

We can learn that whenever we decide something with an open heart, we usually make the right decision.

We can learn that every day, we should reach out and touch someone.  People love that human touch – holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

We can learn that we still have a lot to learn.Fr. Karl






St. Alban’s Sunday School
 
*REGISTRATION - Sunday, Sesptember 7
*OPEN HOUSE - Sunday, September  14

Hello Parents,

   Summer is almost over and Sunday School is ready for another great year.  We will be starting our year on September 7th.  We will have registration, songs, fellowship and games.  Sunday School is for children 3 years to 6th grade.  September 14th will be the first day of classes.  We will start at 9:50. 
On September 21st,  after the 10 am service, we will have an “OPEN HOUSE” for the parents.  We will have some materials and manipulatives for the parents to view.  The teachers will be there to answer any questions the parents may have.   
 Kristen Bodnar, Director
Pam Rahmanian, Catechesis of the GC


St. Alban’s Flea Market

Our August Flea Market and Chicken Barbecue was a wet
adventure!  In spite of the torrential downpours, we made
$1,735, of which $550 went to the building fund.  We were also
able to make a generous donation of chicken to Opportunity House
to expand our Outreach Program. 

                             Photo: Courtesy of Connie Levering
Many thanks to our volunteers who donated, priced, sold, carted, dripped, baked, squished, packed, sloshed, counted and worked in numerous other ways throughout the day.  I hope that everyone has dried out! 

Please save items for our October Flea Market and Mum sale, which will be held on October 4th.

SUPPER CLUB

Save the Date
Friday, September 12th

Are  you interested in meeting some of the adult parishioners that you share the peace with on Sunday mornings?  This is the event for you!

A nice relaxed evening to share time, conversation and as always, good food. Sign up and check the item of your choice to bring to Supper Club:  Appetizer, Main Dish, Salad, Vegetable, or Desert.  You will find the sign up sheet on the table in the narthex.  You can call the church office too and request to have your name added.   Enjoy a glass of wine, soda or other refreshment provided by the hostess.
Come join the fun!!
Where:  Home of Liz Clark
Date:  September 12
Time:  7:00 p.m.
Look forward to seeing YOU!


STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”  And he said, “Bring them here to me.”       Matthew 14:16-18

     St. Alban’s Annual Financial Stewardship Campaign will start with a letter to be mailed the week of September 8th.  The Capital Funds Campaign will be launched November 9th.  Both of the campaigns are extremely important to assure successful financial operation in 2009 and to address the future needs of our parish.

    We remember our faithful departed longtime member Churchill Brace.   His parish activities included the Vestry, the Property Committee, the Men’s Only Breakfast Group as well as ushering and folding the bulletins every week.  Churchill was also a very active volunteer in area hospitals and other community organizations.  May his soul through the mercy of Christ rest in peace and may God comfort his family and friends. 

     On August 3rd we welcomed Fr. Bruce Baker as celebrant and preacher. His sermon on the feeding of the five thousand emphasized the need for gifts to come to the church and let God bless them and distribute them.  He pointed out the success of the diocesan New Hope Campaign and our own parish food barrel.

    We want to thank Don Reber as he continues to provide us with talented soloists and beautiful organ music.  Recently we have had Joanna Gardner and Becky Hobart as flute soloists and Robert Simonson as clarinet soloist.  We also have had Karen Kern, soprano, and John Perella, tenor, as vocal soloists. 

    On August 8th Ben Esser and Dale Pferrer hosted Supper Club.  There was wonderful food and an opportunity to meet with other people from St. Alban’s.

    The Evangelism and Renewal Commission has scheduled Tuesday, September 16th as a third day of photography for our new pictorial directory.

   Our thanks also go to:

Carol Reid and Ann Brugger for chairing the August 2nd flea market.  A chicken BBQ fundraiser organized by Sandra Reese and Peg Odom was part of the day’s activities.  The flea market was a financial success in spite of the overcast weather and early rain.  Thank you to all who were involved with sales, set-up and donating items. 

Kathy Fromuth and the members of the Evangelism and Renewal Commission who have arranged the Fall Day Away retreat.  The Rev. Canon Walter Krieger will be the leader.  His topic will be “The Cup of Life: Experience for Spiritual Growth”.  The retreat will be at Mariawald, Precious Blood Convent on
September 13th.

Austin Bragg and his father Kevin for the ongoing mowing of the lawn;  Ed Moffett for spraying the weeds in the sidewalk and curb around the property; Will Lutz for planting and weeding several flower beds and painting the fire escape stairs and Charles Dunn for edging the sidewalks.

The Prayer Group which met at the home of Helen Stevenson on August 20th to pray for our concerns. Lectio Divina, taught to St. Alban’s by Fr. Bruce, was also used for bible study with scripture reading from Day by Day.

Parish Life for coordinating the reception that will be held September 14th to thank Sue Hager for the many years she has been St. Alban’s parish secretary. Parish Life will also be coordinating a reception for Bishop Paul when he pays his annual visit September 28th.

To those who have responded to our need for additional Altar Guild members and nursery care.

YOU for participating in the Redner’s Save-a-Tape program. 

      The July financial report is posted in the narthex.  The general fund (GF) expense in July was $16,623 which exceeded our GF Income of $14,479.  This leaves a positive yearly balance of $4,913. We want to thank each of you for your support of St. Alban’s. 

Beth Ann Crippen and Charles Dunn

MEN ONLY BREAKFAST
Date:  Monday, September 8th
Gathering time:
8:30 – Morning Prayer
9:00 – Arner’s Restaurant
(State Hill Road, Wyomissing)

Regular members please let Dick Stevenson know only if you will NOT be attending.  This MOB gathering is open to all men in St. Alban’s Parish.  Consider joining them and give Dick a call so he can include you when he calls Arner’s for the reservation.  610 372-4844


ST. ALBAN’S PRAYER GROUP
Date:
Wednesday, September 17th
Gathering Time:  9:30 a.m.

Gathering Place:
Home of Anne McKinney
Regular attendees, please let Anne know only if you are NOT able to attend.  Anyone is welcome to join this prayerful group. 


MARK YOU CALENDARS!  OCTOBER STUDY PROGRAM



Mark your calendar now and plan to attend St. Alban's 5-week study program, "Feminine Roles in the Bible," beginning October 7, 2008.  This is a new and different endeavor as each week we will examine the lives of four women who assumed special roles--mothers, militants, politicians, jezebels and more.

Many volunteers will tell us the stories of these women, some well-known , others mysterious. On November 4, our special guest, Rev. Nancy Packard, rector of St. Mary's, will bring us up to date with the modern role of women today in the church.

Programs begin at 7:00 p.m. and last for about 45 minutes followed by a short Holy Eucharist service.  All are welcome-- men, women, guests.  Dates include Oct.7, Oct.14, Oct.21, Oct. 28 and November 4. 

Join us for all the programs or as many as you can.  They will be interesting and different.  




























Report from Vestry

At their annual planning session on Thursday evening, May 8, the members of your Vestry reviewed and updated last year’s goals and created a few new ones for 2008-2009.  Stay tuned for more information as the plans are developed.

The Vestry’s goals for the coming year are:

1.Continue to pursue the recommendations put forth by Professional Design & Construction for the building of a new church.
2.Act on the recommendations of the Building Finance Committee to acquire necessary capital for the building project.
3.Plan a Sunday School open house and Meet the Teachers for September 14, 2008.
4.Plan a parish picnic for June 29, 2008.
5.Involve our children in the music ministry of our parish.
6.Research a new phone system.
7.Order new St. Alban’s t-shirts and sweatshirts.
8.Set a May 2009 date for the next Vestry planning session.

The new goals and updates on their progress will be posted in the narthex for your review.  As always, your interest and participation are invited and eagerly welcomed.  If you would like to offer your assistance, please speak to Fr. Karl or a member of the vestry.  They’d be delighted to hear from you.

Barbara Brown, Chair
Vision & Goals Committee



THE KICKOFF IS COMING!
       At its May 19th (2008) meeting, the Vestry received a briefing from our Kirby-Smith Associates representative, Denny Emrick, on the results of the Capital Campaign Feasibility Study.  By the time you read this, you should have received a letter from Father Karl and the Vestry, and a copy of the feasibility study summary.

PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THESE REPORTS. 

They represent many hours’ work and study, and we do not want ANYONE in the Parish to feel even remotely in the dark about what’s happening.  This is OUR project; a majority of us have given it our blessing (although some have expressed perfectly understandable doubts and reservations).

The goal for our campaign remains ONE MILLION DOLLARS, to be raised over a three-year period.  Setting the bar this high has been an act of faith, but we’ll never know what we can do unless we try to do it.  Contingency plans are being formulated, so no one needs to fear that our efforts will be for naught.  The stark naked fact of the matter is that we need a new building, to carry on the mission and ministry of our Parish.

The kickoff date for the actual fund-raising campaign - the date on which we’ll start asking for pledges - is NOVEMBER 2, 2008.  All Saints’ Day has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

One final point, for now:  Some of us may feel this enterprise is dragging along at the speed of molasses in January, but the fact of the matter is that your Parish leaders want to make certain we’re proceeding with all due deliberation, with no one feeling left out of the decision-making processes.  So please don’t hesitate to communicate your ideas, thoughts, hopes and concerns to Father Karl, the Vestry, the Building Committee and/or the Capital Campaign Committee.
            ---Clem Page.
  For the Committee.

So, no matter how you like to “KICK”, get ready for November 2, 2008 for our CAPITAL CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF!                 (this date has been updated)

  CAPITAL FUND COMMITTEE UPDATE
(SEPTEMBER 2008)

        With the Fall fast approaching, get ready to see – and participate enthusiastically, prayerfully and
generously in – the launching of the process which will lead to one of the most exciting events in our parish history: the construction of a new worship complex on the big vacant lot just uphill from the
existing structure.

The Campaign Fund Steering Committee met on August 20th with Denny Emrick, our fund-raising consultant from Kirby-Smith Associates.  The general tenor of the meeting was to the effect that the time for talking is almost over and the time for action is almost at hand.  As a preamble to that, we ask that all parishioners and friends of the parish intensify their thought and prayer about the parts they will play in bringing our long-cherished hopes and dreams into reality.

The Steering Committee has established a calendar which will govern the occurrence of coming events.  All members of the parish should expect to receive a volley of printed materials in the mail, all of which we urge you to “read, learn, mark and inwardly digest” (Book of Common Prayer, 1662, Collects, Second Sunday in Advent).

And SAVE the date for our all-member kickoff extravaganza!!  The event will take place in the late
afternoon/early evening at the Inn at Reading on Sunday, November 9, 2008 (please note that is a CHANGED date, because of scheduling difficulties the previous week). 


There will be supervision, food and entertainment for children, so PLEASE plan to attend. 
If anyone needs help with
transportation, please talk to Father Karl or a friend in the congregation.
   That’s it for now. 
Blessings,
Clem,
Clem Page, for the Committee








Follow this link to read the current months news
The space below is a compliation of decisions, meetings, activities and happenings @ St. Alban's Episcopal Church regarding our space needs assessment to our upcoming Capital Campaign Kick-Off - NOVEMBER 9, 2008