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August 1-31, 2004 St. John’s Episcopal
Church Special Events
Road to Morocco by Ruth Healy We gathered as a complete group at the Casablanca Airport after a pleasant flight on Air France. Our coach was there to meet us along with our guide for the Moroccan part of the trip, Taj. Before giving the trip details, let me describe the texture of our adventure. We were an interfaith group complete with an Imam, a Rabbi, two Episcopal priests and a U.C.C. Minister. Our purpose was to experience life as an interfaith group and to visit two countries where these faiths had lived together in peace for an extended period of time. I won’t go into detail of all we saw. I have pictures on my digital camera, and when I figure out how to get them on a large screen I will share them with you. In the early history of Morocco, because of its location on the North African coast of the Mediterranean, it was visited by many traders. Jews from the Diaspora had settled there, Christians spreading the Gospel came, and Muslim traders from Jerusalem came later. Somehow they gave each other space, accepting diverse ways of worship. This lasted until the 10th century when clams for territories and invaders threatened the lives of the Jews and the Christians. At this time, Morocco is almost 100% Muslim. There are many remnants of those earlier times, and we visited them in the course of our two days there. In building our personal interfaith experiences, we were assigned different roommates at each hotel, never with one of our own persuasion. The first day we filled out a 10 day “Dance Card”, giving us a partner for each day, not of our faith, (sitting on the bus, eating meals, etc.) My first two roommates were young Muslim women. The first, Fara, was of Lebanese extraction, getting an MA at Georgia State. She did not cover her head or wear Muslim dress, but she only dated Muslim men and usually was escorted on dates. The second was Najebba, a senior at Spellman. She always covered her head, wore traditional dress, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these women. They were so different but both willing to share their lives. The trip from Tangiers across the Straits of Gibraltar to Alcideras, Spain, was fabulous. The weather was hazy, and to see that Rock emerge was an exciting experience. Spain is quite different, more modern and cleaner than Morocco. We focused mainly on the Southern state of Andalusia. Again, harmony existed there until 1492 when Isabella & Ferdinand banished all Jews and Muslims from the country. The Inquisition was a very painful time! My celebrative feelings about those monarchs for sending Christopher Columbus to open the west have diminished considerably. Again we explored everything from the Alhambra to frightfully ornate Christian cathedrals, and pictures will tell the story. I am exceedingly grateful to the Bargain Shop for their financial contribution helping me to defray the cost of the journey, and to St. John’s for letting me go. It was a truly memorable journey, both inwardly, and outwardly, for me. And with my many new friends in Atlanta, I hope to work toward interfaith experiences for many others. Family Life Ministries Accountability: Below are listings of clients we were blessed to serve in May of 2004: Families: 233 Individuals: 480 Children: 184 Seniors: 67 Homeless: 56 This only accounts for those who were served food. This does not include rent, utilities, clothing, house wares, and other types of aid.
Food Pantry Keeping our pantry stocked is one of our main goals at this time. Along with prayer, this is what our clients need most. Feed the body and the soul becomes much more agreeable to have prayer and faith that God will provide all our needs. You can help by donating the following pantry items: Peanut Butter and Jelly Canned Vegetables & Fruit Boxed Dinners Rice Dried Beans Cereal Soups
Refugee Resettlement Training On August 15 after the 10:30 service, Erika Iverson of Refugee Resettlement Immigration Services will hold a one-half to one hour training session for those interested in helping us to resettle another refugee family. If you are interested in helping with this wonderful project and haven’t done so already, please call Diana Blosser at (404) 765-0452. Eagle Notes Deadline If you would like to submit an article or information to be published in the Eagle Notes, all information must be in the church office no later than: August 19 for September publication September 23 for October publication October 21 for November publication November 18 for December publication December 16 for Jan., 2005 publication Please have information on diskette or e-mail to: parishadmin@stjohnscollegepark.com. August Birthdays
We apologize if we have missed your birthday. If so, please call the church office and let us know.
Treasure’s Report We have already sent $270 to Family Life Ministries designated for the School Supply Fund and $286.65 for the United Thank offering. It is not too late to give to either of these ministries. Simply mark your contribution to “UTO” or “School Supplies—Family Life”. Thanks for your generosity! Ernie Radaker Finance Report: No Finance report is available because Ernie Radaker has been on vacation. (Thanks, Ernie for your work!)From the Rector Hootin’ & Hollerin’ As I write, we have had one round of elections and are preparing for the Republican and Democratic conventions, followed by an inevitable season of hootin’ and hollerin’ leading up to the elections in November. The country is possibly more evenly and passionately divided than any other time in our history. (During the Civil War, the South did not constitute 50% of the population; in 2000, the passions, which ran high, didn’t seem to be running as high as they are now.) The Episcopal Church is not as evenly divided about the actions of General Convention last August. The vast majority of parishes and members have either gladly embraced or grudgingly accepted the actions of General Convention and moved on. For some people, parishes, and dioceses, however, passions have run deep. We have had individuals, groups, and congregations leave the Church. Some bishops have formed “rebel” alliances, and how Anglicanism will look after the dust settles remains to be seen. In the midst of this, there has been much hootin’ and hollerin’, sometimes characterized by personal attacks, bellicose language, and people engaging in blatantly unethical behavior in the name of their moral position. (The irony seems to be lost on them.) It struck me that this might be a good time for us to review the difference between dialogue and argument. Besides being helpful in our discussions about politics and the Church, I find that these guidelines are invaluable in dealing with conflicts in our personal relationships as well. In our lives as spouses, partners, friends, parishioners, and co-workers, we all encounter conflict and differences of opinion. These guidelines can help us navigate through those differences without either losing our integrity (“rolling over”) or rupturing our relationships. Jesus said, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his life?” (Mk. 8:36). Indeed, a hard lesson for all of us (and especially for me!) is: “What does it profit us to win the argument and lose the relationship?”And, just so that you know, as I review these guidelines, I am convicted and humbled. These are so hard to follow, but they are the way to respectful relationship, not posturing for advantage. We stand not only at a crossroads in history, but at a confluence of many crossroads in history. May history be able to distinguish us from the hootin’ and hollerin’ which so characterizes this moment of history in which we stand.
New Members We welcome the following into the membership of St. Johns: Sydney Hamilton 2205 Palmour Court College Park, 30337 404-488-1396
Jason & Fernetta Terrell 958 King Road Riverdale, 30296 770-997-4449
781 Sir Charles Drive Fairburn, 30213 770-969-6350
Ann Alston 220 Devilla Court College Park, 30349 770-997-3378 How’s Your Swing? Camp Mikell Pool Fundraiser A golf tournament to help pay for the pool at Camp Mikell will be held at the Southland Golf Course, Stone Mountain, on Saturday August 28, at 3:00 pm followed by dinner and awards at 8:00 pm. The format will be Lauderdale (Pick the best shot out of your group for everyone to hit from.) The cost is $100 per player ($400 per team) This includes your golf, prizes and food. If you would like to be a sponsor, the cost is $100 which will include a listing in the program. A cookout after the tournament is planned and family and friends are invited join us for an additional $5 each. If you would like a registration form to enter this event please contact Carol at 404-761-8402. Sunday Sermons Available Sermons from previous weeks are available in the back of the church and on our website. Spread the word! Daughters of The King The DOK is proud to announce that we are beginning a new Chapter at St. John’s! What this means is that several women at our church have committed to prayer, service and evangelism. We will work through a Study Guide between August and October, and the Daughters will be commissioned in November. Our schedule for study sessions is: August 14th and 28th, September 18th and 25th, and October 9th and 30th. All meetings are at 10:00 on Saturdays in the parlor at St. John’s. Thank you, ladies, for your valuable commitment! For more information, please contact Katie Aboul-Khair at 770) 463-4499 or e-mail: AmyKhair@aol.com.Sunday School The Sunday School Committee recently visited the Barean Christian Bookstore to look at resources, games, and music for the upcoming year. Everyone is excited about working in teams with the preschool, middle, and high school groups. The team is working on a powerpoint presentation to be viewed at our next 2nd Sunday Brunch. This is a great opportunity for parents to see what’s on the horizon for their children’s Christian education. More to come! Free Kitten: The Mercures’ are searching for a home for a two week old calico kitten. They will pay for all shots and to have the kitten spayed when it is old enough. For more information please call Bill Mercure at 404-344-3138.
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Eagle Notes