Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church Clarkesville, Georgia MMUSTARD SEED Grace-Calvary Church is open to all people for communion with God and each other in Christ. Within and beyond this historic Church we strive to do God’s work: nurturing our spirits, reaching out to those in need, valuing and caring for the diversity of God’s creation.
CONTENTS It Takes a Parish In Our Community Just a Taste Pictures Children’s Workshop Cycles Mark Your Calendars Youth Movie Night Committees and Happenings Monthly Calendar	Greetings From the Rector The Reverend Dena S. Bearl † Beloved of Grace-Calvary, In September we had six cottage meetings in the homes of members. We gathered around some wonderful food and conversation and then heard about one or two ministry areas each evening – Christian Education and Youth, Building & Grounds and Vestry, Worship, Lay Pastoral Care, Parish Life, and Evangelism and Outreach. Thanks to all who hosted and attended these gatherings! We heard interesting details such as: for an average Sunday morning service about 25 people are involved in the preparation and particular duties that make a worship service possible! - or – the number of children and youth attending our Sunday morning classes in September was an average of 30 each Sunday! – or – Lay Pastoral Care has sent 177 cards so far this year to let people know we are praying for them and that we care about them!
While there were many more interesting reports at the cottage meetings, all having to do with the time and talents that are being given at Grace-Calvary, we also addressed the core reason for anything to happen in our church. The Catechism in our prayer book reminds us clearly and succinctly of our mission – to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. It’s so easy to get immersed in the goals, activities, and the organizational structure that we can forget that every action should be tied securely to this plumb line. Whether it is something as “non-religious” as Foyer dinner groups or folding bulletins or paying the monthly bills, or as “religious” as setting the altar or singing in the choir, we do it as Church with the intention that in the collective of our various means of serving, persons may be drawn to desire and receive the union that God has been seeking since we were created. What is the Christian hope? – to live with confidence in newness and fullness of life, and to await the coming of Christ in glory, and the completion of God’s purpose for the world. What a worthy hope we have as we practice the Christian way together and for all who are served through our ministries! I love the thought that through our daily activities at Grace-Calvary our members or the underprivileged we assist will grow in confidence in newness and fullness of life. Restoration to God to live in confidence in newness and fullness of life – that is what we seek to offer through our time and talents combined with the money we pledge. May God’s Holy Spirit inspire us and equip us to this holy call to be the Church, the presence of Christ to the world! In Christ’s love,

SUNDAY LECTIONS for October 2006

10-1-06	Psalm 19:7-14, Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29, James 4:7-13-5:6, Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48
10-8-06	Psalm 8 or 128, Genesis 2:18-24, Hebrews 2:1-8-18, Mark 10:2-9
10-15-06	Psalm 90:1-8,12, Amos 5:6-7,10-15, Hebrews 3:1-6, Mark 10:17--31
10-22-06	Psalm 91:9-16, Isaiah 53:4-12, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:35-45
10-29-06	Psalm 13, Isaiah 59:1-4, 9-19, Hebrews 5:12-6:1,9-12, Mark 10:46-52

Prayers of the People

Baker, Tricia stepmother of B. Aycock	Bostrom, Ruth friend of Judith Creech	Bledsoe, Roy friend of John Andrews
Burnett, Robert son-in-law of Tony & Florence Woronowski	Clarke, Leo father in law or Mary Clarke	Coleman, Sandra friend of Joanna Tinius
Eclarinal, Cesar brother of Dellie Wenn	Groenveld, Mary friend of Mary Clarke	Gunnin, Michelle daughter of Hunters
Hall, Katherine daughter of Dorothy Perry	Hammond, Don	Hodgens, Grace
Jacobs, Fran	Jenkins, Tiffany daughter in law of Kathleen McDuffie	King, Gordon uncle of Cynthia Johnston
Loudermilk, Bill friend of Mary Clarke	McCann, Frank	Newton, Mel friend of David Todd
Parish Mary Lou friend of Martha Hunter	Peterson, Erik friend of Smessaert’s	Peterson, Carl & Donna friends of Smessaert’s
Ritchie, Orrin friend of David Todd	Scott, Frank friend of Jean Chance	Singer, Jere
Smessaert, Sharon	Spangler, Russ friend of Carlton Adams	Tait, Jim friend of John Andrews
Tinius, Joanna	Tolbert, Jerry Brandy Aycock’s uncle	Toussaint, Daniel nephew of Carmen & Michael Thompson
Walsh, Bill friend of Smessaert’s	Walsh, Sandy friend of Smessaert’s	Welniak, Jerry friend of Sandy Robson

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK – If you have questions or suggestions regarding the Mustard Seed please contact us at! 706-754-2451 or email chancegc@alltel.net

Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church

P.O. Box 490

Corner of Wilson & Green

Clarkesville, Georgia 30523

(706) 754-2451

(706) 754-5621 (fax)

www.grace-calvary.org

gcalvary@alltel.net

Bishop – The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander

Rector – The Rev. Dena S. Bearl

Assistant Priest – The Rev. Don Harrison

Parish Administrator – Mrs. Jean Chance

Organist – Mr. Anthony Woronowski

Choir Director – Dr. Edwin Calloway

Vestry

Sr. Warden – Mr. Ray Rowell ‘07

Jr. Warden – Mr. Ray Bass ‘08

Mr. Carlton Adams ‘07

Mr. David Greene ‘07

Mr. Jimie Yearwood ‘08

Ms. Pat Statler ‘08

Mrs. Susan Smith ‘09

Mr. Clair Langmaid ‘09

Ms. Kathy O’Keefe ‘09

IT TAKES A PARISH TO RAISE A CHILD

Much has been made of the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child”. It seems that the American Indians and African tribes have known this reality for hundreds of years, yet we have trouble incorporating this idea into our modern urban and suburban culture. If it takes a village to raise a child, it is also true that it takes a parish to make a Christian. The Jewish scriptures tell us that God’s purpose in history is to create community. The Old Testament is all about God calling the Hebrew tribes into a community called Israel. Subsequently, God is known and experienced in the life of the community. If Israel is the hero of the Old Testament, than the hero of the New Testament is Jesus and His body, the Church, the community of faith. Christianity is not about individual faith. Rather, it is about the community of faith.

We all know that it is better for a child to be raised in a family than to be without family. That is why we baptize children. We place them in the faith community so that they may be loved and nurtured by those who believe. The corporate life of the community forms the child in such a way that the child comes to believe that he or she is a “child of God.” Along the way we educate the child about its community so that the details of that corporate life are understood. Hopefully that formation and education will eventually lead the child into adulthood so that he or she can assume adult responsibilities and personally confirm the promises that were made on his or her behalf at baptism.

Our Rite 13 youth are leaving childhood and entering adolescence. That can be a perilous journey. They will need love, guidance, and structure along the way. It will take the support and guidance of the entire parish if they are to complete their pilgrimage to adulthood. In the spring we will celebrate their journey in a unique worship experience known as the Rite 13 Ceremony. In that ceremony Grace-Calvary parish will declare to the whole world that it takes a parish to make a Christian.

IN OUR COMMUNITY

Ingles Tools for Schools program has started again. Using your Ingles card, a portion of our purchases goes to help the school of our choice with buying supplies. Please register now at the customer service counter at Ingles and specify on of the schools we support through out Outreach Committee:

Every little bit helps.

Thanks.

Outreach Committee

· Resurrection Preschool

· Habersham Christian Learning Center

· The Little School

· North Habersham Christian Preschool

COMMITTEES AND HAPPENINGS

STEWARDSHIP AND ENDOWMENT

The Stewardship Committee and the Endowment Fund have learned that the Pension Protection Act of 2006 signed into law on August 17, allows IRA owners (both traditional and Roth) to make tax free distributions to charities from their IRA’s up to $100,000 a year even though the owner has not reached age 65. Previously, any such distribution would have been subject to a 10% penalty tax for early withdrawal. The provision is applicable through December 31, 2007, so it applies to the 2006 and 2007 income tax years. Since the distributions are not taxable, there is no tax deduction available for such distributions. These charitable distributions will not reduce the amount of charitable deductions that may be made during the applicable tax years from the taxpayer’s other resources.

The provision enables younger IRA owners who have built up substantial assets in their plans to make charitable contributions from their IRA’s without incurring the early withdrawal penalty. These distributions are considered Qualified Charitable Distributions and are subject to regulations which have not yet been adopted by the Secretary of the Treasury. Persons who want to make such a contribution for 2006 will likely have until April 2007, or later, if they have filing extensions. As this is a recent change in the tax law, anyone considering using it to make a contribution to Grace-Calvary or to the Endowment Fund should obtain advise from his or her personal tax or investment counselor.

---

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is a valuable ministry that brings the joy and hope of Christmas to children around the world. Participants pack a shoebox with necessities and toys for children who are in desperate situations and would be unable to receive the message of God’s love otherwise. Last year, Grace-Calvary brought joy and hope to 48 children! Let’s get in the spirit and beat our record this year! Please look for more information about this amazing and life-changing experience in the coming weeks outside the church doors before and after services. If you would like further information, feel free to contact Chrissy Garrison at (706) 614-0170.

---

Women’s Retreat

Thirteen years ago, the Rev. Sue Duffield started a women’s retreat that has come to be known as Sisters in Christ. It is held at St. Mary’s Conference Center, Sewanee, Tennessee. It now includes women from Episcopal churches as well as other denominations.

When: January 19-21, 2007

Where: St. Mary’s Conference Center, Sewanee, Tennessee

Cost: $130 double or $145 single

Deposit: $25 non-refundable deposit ASAP to:

Gilda Morris

230 Brighton Road

Atlanta, GA 30309

This year the focus will be Discerning Your Spiritual Gifts. There will be Sabbath Time to stop and be still, to listen, pray and share as the question ‘What does God want of me?’ is put forth. Discovery of spiritual gifts combines the exciting self-discovery of our potential with the opportunity to use that gift. The difference between Spiritual Gifts and human talent will be explored. The Book of Common Prayer and the Bible (especially Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4) will be used. A registration form and complete agenda are available at our parish office.

Zelda Ferguson participates each year and offers massage therapy. She says it is always a weekend of shared love, fun, and ah-hahs.

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

(from Episcopal Relief and Development)

At the start of the new millennium, leaders from 191 nations, including the United States, agreed on a plan to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015. Together, they created the eight Millennium Development Goals:

1) Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

2) Achieve universal primary education

3) Promote gender equality and empower women

4) Reduce child mortality

5) Improve maternal health

6) Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

7) Ensure environmental stability

8) Develop a global partnership for development

A steadily increasing number of Episcopal dioceses and congregations have embraced the goals and the “0.7 percent solution” as they have pledged 0.7 percent of their net disposable budgeted income to international development programs committed to make the goals by 2015. Episcopal Relief and Development is making a difference. To learn more about MDG’s go to www.erd.org.

---

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Episcopal Church Women

ECW would like to invite you to join us on October 5^th for lunch in the Vineyards at the Persimmon Creek Winery. We are taking reservations and seating is limited… Please contact Terri Todd at 706-947-1417 for more information. Cost is $25.00 per person and includes their wines paired with your meal. You can visit the winery at their website at www.persimmoncreekwine.com.

---

Habitat for Humanity

A Habitat for Humanity Workday is scheduled on October 7. We have some volunteers for labor, but we need more! We will be working on one of two houses in Cornelia. Anyone interested can contact me at 706-754-8540, or 706-499-8060. Thanks.

John Cantwell

---

The Little School Fall Festival is Friday, October 13^th from 5:00 – 8:00pm. Live music, games, prizes, cake auction, pony rides, moon walk, white elephant sale, pumpkin walk and face painting. Fun for all! Barbecue plate dinners will be sold for $7.00. For takeout orders call 706-754-8894

---

50^th Wedding Anniversary

On Sunday, October 15^th, at the 11:00 AM service, Sharon and Chuck Smessaert will celebrate 50 years of marriage by renewing their wedding vows. A reception will be held at Saint Julian Hall from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. All family and friends are invited to celebrate this special time in Chuck and Sharon’s life. Please RSVP before October 8^th so that plans can be made. 754-6539

---

Stewardship – the responsible use of all that God has given us (which is everything we have!)

Please watch your mail for our Stewardship letter and pledge cards. Our Ingathering Sunday will be

November 5.

Movie Night a Resounding Success

Bill and I certainly enjoyed orchestrating this event for our parish family. With the help of many, we were able bridge generations with the film “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain.” It was a crowd pleaser and every decade was represented on this special evening. We also had a good many visitors in attendance at this inaugural event. Right before we dimmed the lights, we counted over 80 folks. I don’t think that this included our children as they were stretched out in front of the seated crowd on bean bags and blankets so that they could be “up close”. I think like we were closer to 100 for our official count.

We’d like to issue a special thanks to Carol Kokesh for her help with spreading the message through our wonderful e-mail distribution list. We would also like to thank John Kollock for sharing his stories of the time he spent in 1950 working on this film. He let us know what it really like in the “good old days” when the roads were dirt and the folks around here moved at a slower pace. It was a nostalgic film with lots of local landmarks visible. I’m still awaiting the laser pointer so that John can point himself out the next time we screen this!

Linda Hill Jordan invited Dottie Jackson and Jerry Vandiver to join us for this special showing. They played siblings in the film. Mrs. Jackson shared her personal collection of movie memorabilia and it was on display for all of us to enjoy. Mr. Vandiver brought the John Kollock original painting of the scene where he falls into the water. This painting was the cover of North Georgia Journal in 2001. Thank you Linda for your enthusiasm and for knowing just who to call to enrich our movie going experience!

We’d also like to thank the J2A parents and teachers who were present to set-up and clean-up. I know that there were many others who lent a hand before, during and after to ensure the success of this event. Our J2A members were out in force to serve candy, drinks and popcorn so as to fully invest in the process that benefits their program. Sam Whited provided leadership in this area by managing the popcorn maker. Finally, thanks to all of you who donated money to help fund our J2A activities going forward. We are thrilled to report that we raised $505.00!

As we started the make-shift projector (hint, hint Vestry Members) and the lights went dim, I was struck once again by the awesome responsibility we have to shepherd our youngest generation. We set up our “theatre” in the round with the screen at one end. If you recall the baptismal vows that we make on behalf of our babies, you might also be reminded of the promises we make as a congregation to encircle the least of those among us. On this night, we had the least of those among us surrounded by the very adults who promised to keep them sheltered from the storms of life by providing them with a bedrock of faith on which to stand.

Dena spoke from the pulpit this week about just this type of experience as Jesus brought a child into the circle of disciples. "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Mark 9:35-37

Thanks to all of you for embracing our young people so warmly. Stay tuned for additional Movie Nights. We hope to schedule them quarterly! We welcome your suggestions and recommendations.

Respectfully submitted,

E. Lane Gresham

9/24/06

Cause for Celebration!

All the receipts are in, all the accounting is completed, and the ECW Board is thrilled to announce proceeds from the August Just a Taste were $4,637.57! This money will be used to support projects which are in keeping with our Purpose Statement: Nurture and enrich the spiritual development of all ages within the Grace-Calvary Family.

Examples of gifts during the past year have been:

1. Acolyte Trip to National Cathedral;

2. Women’s Retreat at Kanuga;

3. Prayer Books for those received and confirmed; and most recently,

4. seed money for the new Spiritual Formation Resource Center.

JUST A TASTE - Saturday, August 12, 2006

Children’s Workshop Cycles

would like to thank the following people for volunteering

their time for our first cycle, “What is the Bible”?

Lisa Guzzetta, Art Workship, making “Books of the Bible” crosses;

Kathleen Johnson and her Young Adult Sunday School class, Archeological Dig,

to answer the question: Where did the Bible come from?

Sue Rowell, Baking with the Bible: learning to find different Bible

chapters and verses while baking cupcakes.

We appreciate your willingness to help with our children. They enjoyed all of it!

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

October 8, 2:00 pm

The blessing of the Animals will take place on the lawn in front of St. Julian

Hall on October 8 at 2:00 pm. The Humane Society will be here to make a

Presentation. We will present donations of dog and cat food to them at that

time. Dog and cat food donations are being collected in the Children’s Sunday School room.

Please bring your donation between now and then.

October 2006