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 Assisting Rector Birthdays and Anniversaries Endowment Update News/Updates 10 Ways to get volunteers Prayers of the People ECW Retreat Calendar Sunday Lections Edited by: E. Lane Gresham Converted and Modified For Website by Joseph Szokody	Greetings From the Rector The Reverend Dena S. Bearl † Beloved of Grace-Calvary, During the last week of Lent the wooden cross at the front of the church was draped with purple, then red, then black. At the same time, the old daffodils bulbs at its base were pushing green shoots taller, their bright yellow blooms opening to full. This time of year always presents us with a juxtaposition between the old order of death and the new order of life. As we watch and pray while Jesus’ earthly ministry crashes to its end, we see and sing a new life springing up from the old.
A poem by C.S. Lewis entitled The Naked Seed describes this odd in-between place. Oh, thou that are unwearying, that does neither sleep Nor slumber, who didst take All care for Lazarus in the careless tomb, oh keep Watch for me till I wake. If thou think for me what I cannot think, if thou Desire for me what I Cannot desire, my soul’s interior Form, though now Deep buried, will not die, - No more than the insensible dropp’d seed which grows Through winter ripe for birth Because, while it forgets, the heaven remembering throws Sweet influence still on earth, Because the heaven, moved moth-like by thy beauty goes Still turning round the earth. Now, of course, since Easter morning, flowers have burst forth all around and in the church, both planted and arranged. Christ said he goes to prepare a new place for us. As Lewis writes, Christ goes to create that whole new Nature which will provide the environment or conditions for His glorified humanity, and, in Him, for ours. As this new humanity is being brought into existence it comes forth from the old field of space, time, matter, and the senses to be weeded, dug, and sown for new growth. Sometimes we are able to see the new growth like we see the burst of flowers on Easter morning. Other times we stare at the old soil of our lives and strain to see the smallest hints of new life emerging. May you be blessed with a sense of this great mystery of a new life and a new order that is yours, In the risen Christ, If you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Col. 3:1

SUNDAY LECTIONS FOR APRIL 2008

April 6	Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
April 13	Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
April 20	Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10: John 14:1-14
April 27	Acts 17:22-31; Psalm 66:7-18; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21

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. Carole McCollum

Parish Volunteers - Pat Molnar and Sandy Robson

Organist – Mr. Anthony Woronowski

Choir Director – Dr. Edwin Calloway

Vestry

Sr. Warden – Ms Kathy O’Keefe ‘09

Jr. Warden – Mr. Ephraim Davis ‘10

Mrs. Susan Smith ‘09

Mr. Clair Langmaid ‘09

Mr. John Andrews ‘10

Mr. David Lewis ‘10

Mr. John Cantwell ‘11

Mrs. Barrie Aycock ‘11

Mr. Russell Johnson ‘11

The Reverend Don Harrison†

PREACHING CAN GET YOU IN TROUBLE

I was sweating away on the elliptical machine in the gym and watching Fox news on the overhead television. They were replaying film clips of a few of Jeremiah Wright’s sermons and then interviewing various talking heads as to their effect on Obama’s candidacy. I was intrigued by the reaction of other folks working out on their respective machines. Most seemed shocked. At the end of the film segment and the talking heads had been replaced with a deodorant commercial, someone hollered out, “What do you think about that, Rev?” I replied, “How many of you have ever worshiped in a black church?” No one had.

The Black Church is a unique institution. In the days of slavery families were torn apart, men separated from the women, children watched over by the older women until they could be put to work in the manor house or in the fields, and there was always the threat of selling a family member to another owner. Sundays were a rest day and the church was the one place where the slaves could gather and be reunited. The preaching was designed to offer hope and perseverance and the music offered a future of a free heavenly city where separated ones would be reunited. No wonder the Black Church became the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement!

When I was a young priest in my first parish in Carrolton, Georgia I was invited to preach in the black Baptist Church on a Sunday evening. I recall getting into my sermon and the “Amen’s” began to echo from various parts of the congregation. There sure hadn’t been any “Amen’s” that morning in my Episcopal congregation! I found myself getting away from my manuscript and “getting with it”. I really don’t remember what I said and it really doesn’t matter, bur what I recall was the atmosphere. I do recall going home and commenting; “Now that’s church!”

As I listened to what Jeremiah Wright said I cringed, but I also realized that context makes a world of difference. The prophet Jeremiah said some pretty outlandish and offensive things to the power structure in Jerusalem, warning them of impending doom if they didn’t change their policies. King Hezekiah got so angry that he had the prophet stuffed into a cistern. I suspect a lot of viewers would have applauded if the same thing had happened to Jeremiah Wright. I don’t condone his comments, but I do know that most of us will never understand the ethos of the Black Church because we haven’t walked in those folks’ shoes.

-H.D.H. +

 

  
  
 
E-mail contact information for Parish Office:
 

Rev. Dena Bearl: denabearl@windstream.net

Fr. Don Harrison: donrev35@bellsouth.net
Carole McCullough: mccollumgc@windstream.net

Mustard Seed Submissions: mustardseednewsletter@windstream.net

The family of Thomas O. Logue acknowledges with grateful appreciation your kind expression of sympathy.

To all of Tom and my friends at Grace Calvary,

Thank you for all of your show of love at Tom’s death. I truly appreciate it all.

Judy Logue

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NEWS AND EVENTS

Sign up to play or sponsor a hole for Mikell

The fourth annual Mikell Golf Tournament tees off at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at The Woodlands golf course in Monroe. A reception follows.

What: The 4^th Annual Mikell Golf Tournament

Where: Woodlake Golf Course in Monroe, Georgia

When: Saturday, April 26, 2008.  2:00 shotgun start.  Forms will be taken on a first come first serve basis...there is limited space available.

Cost: The cost to register for the Mikell Golf Tournament is $100 per golfer…the committee is encouraging each golfer to be sponsored for this event so more money can be raised to support Camp Mikell and the pool debt.

If one raises:

$150.00, one will receive a sleeve of Mikell Golf Balls;

$200.00, one will receive a sleeve of Mikell Golf Balls and a Scoring Package;

$250.00, one will receive a sleeve of Mikell Golf Balls, a Scoring Package and either a PGA Superstore gift card or a Mikell gift card.

What is a Scoring Package:

A Scoring Package contains 5 mulligans, 5 ft. of string, ladies tee option and an arm wedge.

Hole Sponsors: If a Church, youth group, company, individual, etc., would like to sponsor a hole, it will be $100 per hole. Sponsoring a hole is a great place to advertise.

Directions: For directions to the course, go to www.eaglegreens.com and click onto Woodlake.

Even if you don't play golf, you can support Camp Mikell as a hole sponsor.  Sponsorship is $100 per hole and provides great advertising for churches, youth groups, companies or individuals - and donations for Mikell Camp and Conference Center.  A downloadable brochure and forms can be found here:  http://s3.amazonaws.com/dfc/public/documents/410/Mikell_Golf_Tournament_2008_1_.pdf. Questions may be directed to Kim Smith, Mikell tournament chair, at 404-601-5354 or ksmith@episcopalatlanta.org or you may talk with Tim Lytle at 706-754-8303 or tlytle@piedmont.edu.

The Outreach Committee hosted a group of 10 student volunteers from The University of Kansas for dinner on St Patrick's Day. The students were in town to work on a Habitat for Humanity house in lieu of a traditional spring break. It was a pleasure sharing an evening with this group of bright young people. After an evening prayer service featuring singer/composer Sheri Kling we enjoyed  fellowship and a hearty Irish meal of fine corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes prepared by Sue Rowell.

I would also like to thank Judith Creech, Harriet Beech, Margaret Parsons, Linda Hill Jordan, Pamela Rand, Pat Molnar, Ray Rowell and Miles Beech for their delicious contributions and help with dinner.

God's Blessings to All,

John Cantwell

Mark your calendars

Pentecost Picnic

May 18—Demorest Park

Dear Members of Grace Calvary:

My husband and I are members of Grace Calvary. Peter is in the choir and attends service almost every Sunday-I must admit you don't see me often - it is not because my heart is not
with God but it is because I have so many rescued animals that need  attending on a constant basis. I have spoken with Dena on several  occasions and
she knows of my passion in this area of my life. In  some ways, it is a
mission that I feel I have been set upon but it is  a road that cannot be
travelled alone. I am writing because Habersham County Animal Shelter needs help.

We are desperately in need of volunteers that can help with local  transport
and possibly fostering an animal from time to time. If there is anyone in your group that has an interest in helping the shelter please contact me and it would also be wonderful if you would pass this plea along to any other church or service organizations you are aware of that might be interested in helping the shelter and  the animals it is charged to care for.   There is much to be done  from "hands on" help to transport to community education - if you  have a heart for service and love animals please call us!  The  animals need you!

Thank you,

Molly Moncure

Southern Cross GSD Rescue

Top Ten Ways to Get a New Volunteer to Join Your Committee, Special Project, or Event.

(apologies to David Letterman)

The very best way to get a volunteer to work with you on your committee, special project, or event is to identify someone you think would be interested and personally and individually invite him or her.

Check with your committee or with other parishioners to see if anyone knows who may be asked to volunteer.

Check the Parish Administrator’s volunteer database for anyone who has expressed an interest in working on your committee, organization or event.

Ask the Vestry Person of the Day to announce your need for a volunteer (or volunteers) at the beginning of the church service.

Post your request in an attractive advertisement on the bulletin boards in the Parish House, St. Julian’s Hall, and even in the bathrooms.

Check with your Vestry Liaison to see if he/she has any information about a potential volunteer. The Vestry Liaison may also share the request in a vestry meeting to see if other vestry members have a suggestion.

Post your request in the Service Bulletin distributed each Sunday until you get the response you need.

Post your request in the Mustard Seed. Be sure to send it the Mustard Seed editor in plenty of time for it to be published—usually no later than the 15th of the month prior to publication.

Ask Carol Kokesh to send out an email request to the parishioners’ email list.

Ask the webmaster to post the request on the website at www.grace-calvary.org.

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Sunday, March 9th - Daughters of the King Induction

L-R back row: Cynthia Johnston, Becky Bruner, Judy Waskes, Rachel Kahl, Sherry Donnelly (mentor), and Dena Bearl, Rector

L-R front row: Pat Molnar, JoAnn McCann, Melissa Jones, Barbara Johnston, Joyce Hammond, and Eleanor Navolis (existing member)

D.O.K. is organized as a religious order. Each Daughter takes a lifetime vow to live by a Rule of Life consisting of a spiritual discipline of daily prayer, service, and evangelism. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, our vision as Daughters of the King is to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and become reflections of God’s love throughout the world.

Nine new women were inducted on March 9th, joining sixteen existing members.