bishop – Saint David's in the Pines

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – July 12th – Fr. Thomas

Saint David's — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 13:25:15 +0000

Anyone driving around Wellington and “environs” in recent months will have noticed an increase in construction work sites; road widening, underground pipe installations, tree trimming, concrete light posts replacing wooden ones, and the customary pre-hurricane season preparations. The “sermon” here is that change may not always be as apparent, but life as we know it never remains the same. Yet, the Good News as St. Paul wrote to the Philippians (4:13) is that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The end of the road may not be “in sight,” but as long as we keep our eyes firmly fixed on the goal of everlasting life, we’ll be on the right track. Because if you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere anyway.

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.

So, accept your path, with its twists and turns. The adventure is in the journey, not the arriving, because God promises a safe landing, not necessarily a smooth passage.

NOTICES:

Video Viewing Options – there are four different ways to view our videos and receive our newsletters: 1) an email link within a newsletter; 2) our church website listed below; 3) our YouTube channel; 4) Facebook snippets. See the links below.

Opportunities for Giving – there are several options that safely and efficiently expedite your generous donations: electronic bank transfers or automatic bank transfers via personal accounts or credit/debit cards; personal checks delivered by USPS; and our favorite through joining our giving family online through our website or at www.myEoffering.com with our secure vendor Church Envelope Budget Company, who provides you with yearly offering envelopes. Please do NOT leave any envelopes with checks/cash unattended at church mailboxes.

2021 Offering Packets – I will be sending my file for 2021 yearly offering packets for printing. If you have any address changes, or if you NO longer use envelopes and send your contributions via MyEoffering.com, keeping costs down, please let me know so that I can remove your name from the

The Diocese of Southeast Florida – has extended the ban on Church-wide in-person services, events and meetings and other activity until further notice, until at least July 31st. Live-streaming and recording of worship will continue, but no other in-person activity is permitted. We will move into Season 2 only when we are clear that it is safe to do so.

Cyber-Security Threats – are real and can happen to any of us. Knowing that most of you did receive last week’s newsletter but not the Sunday mass video, please look in your junk/spam/trash folders, mark our emails as ‘not junk’ and re-type the church’s email address back into your contacts. Hopefully, none of you replied to the hacker’s scam to purchase gift cards or send money to an unknown party; be sure to delete that scam email out of your inbox, trash, and delete files. Make sure our original email address is the only one you have. If in doubt, call the parish office.

Flowers for the Altar – Thank you to our donor for their contributions from March through June. If you wish to designate someone to be honored August and September, or in any month, please contact the parish office. July designees are:

Birthdays of Michel & Theresa Guillaume, by Michel Guillaume
Wedding Anniversary of Michel & Theresa Guillaume, by Michel Guillaume
In loving Memory of Robert Gardinier, by Jan Swearingen & Henriette Gardinier
Wedding Anniversary of Mike & Sue Riddle, by the Riddles

Village of Wellington – the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington Mall by Nordstrom’s at 8:30-10:30 a.m. on TUESDAYS. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family. View the link to learn more information…https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=164

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through July – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!

Please Pray – For the sick: Annabella, Ed, Zoe. Jacob, Rita, Sarah, William, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Kenneth Barnett, Lauren Melton, Lucas Joseph, Joyce parker, Marc Duquesnay, Estelle Beresford, Danielle Kiminyo, Laurel Tarr, For our expectant mother: Andrea. For the faithful departed; Alicia Blodgett.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp10_RCL.html

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzWRA9VxChBQd5l6rf3kF3A

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – July 5th – Fr. Thomas

Saint David's — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:48:19 +0000

Now that we’re at the beginning of the fifth month of the pandemic, (I’m measuring the weeks from the last Sunday in which we were able to worship together in person, which was March 8th) it feels in a strange way like Lent is still upon us. Lent is a time when we traditionally “give up” something; but for only forty days, not four months! It’s when we’re afraid of what we might have to give up that we hear Jesus words in the Gospel reading from St. Matthew for this Sunday, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

A guy fell off a cliff and, on the way, down, he grabs a branch. It’s foggy, and he has difficulty seeing. He’s hanging on for dear life. He looks up and cries, “Somebody help! He hears God’s voice, “This is the Lord, trust Me, let go and I’ll catch you.” He thinks he’s hearing things, so he asks, “Is anybody else there?” Again, he hears God’s voice, “This is the Lord, trust Me, let go and I’ll catch you.” The man finally decides to trust God and let go, and when he does, the fog disappears to reveal that he is only two feet off the ground.

Maybe it seems sometimes that things are worse off than they really are. Perhaps for most of us, but sadly there are folks who are a lot worse off than we are. Those who have lost their jobs, their health, and their lives. So, what have we given up thus far during the “lock down?” Visiting relatives or friends, dining at our favorite restaurants, traveling to places we we’re looking forward to seeing, resources no longer at our disposal. Put your so called “disasters” in perspective and ask yourself, “In five years will this matter?” Because worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow troubles, it takes away today’s peace. May that peace, which passes all understanding, abide in our hearts and minds this day, this month, and forevermore. AMEN!

NOTICES:

Happy Blessed & Safe Independence Day Weekend

Cyber-Security Threats – are real and can happen to any of us. Knowing that most of you did receive last week’s newsletter but not the Sunday mass video, please look in your junk/spam/trash folders, mark our emails as ‘not junk’ and re-type the church’s email address back into your contacts. Hopefully, none of you replied to the hacker’s scam to purchase gift cards or send money to an unknow party; be sure to delete that scam email out of your inbox, trash, and delete files. Make sure our original email address is the only one you have. If in doubt, call the parish office.

Birthdays of Michel & Theresa Guillaume, by Michel Guillaume
Wedding Anniversary of Michel & Theresa Guillaume, by Michel Guillaume
In loving Memory of Robert Gardinier, by Jan Swearingen & Henriette Gardinier
Wedding Anniversary of Mike & Sue Riddle, by the Riddles

Please Pray – For the sick: Zoe. Jacob, Rita, Sarah, Alicia, William, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Rudy Bernard, Lynda Rozzi, Laurie Solomon. For our expectant mother: Andrea.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp9_RCL.html

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – June 28th – Fr. Thomas

Saint David's — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 12:37:17 +0000

A certain father was desperate for some peace and quiet one wet Sunday afternoon, so from his newspaper’s color supplement he tore out a picture of a map of the world. He got a pair of scissors and cut the map into small pieces and then said to his children, “Come on now and put the world together again.” After a bit of grumbling there were a few giggles and whispers, then a period of concentration, at the end of which the youngsters said, “There you are, we’ve done it.” And so they had – but the picture was not a map of the world. It was a photograph of a very happy looking family. The children had discovered that it was on the back of the map picture. And very fitting too; for isn’t the foundation of a united world a happy family?

Easier said than done, of course, but as Christians, our primary responsibility is not simply to “work our way into heaven,” but to bring others with us. One more story – A group of first graders was discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members. One of the students suggested that he was adopted. A little girl said, “I know all about adoption; I was adopted.” “What does it mean to be adopted?” asked another child. “It means,” said the girl, “that you grew in your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy!”

The Good News, in this and every age, is that God loves us, and that we as disciples of His Son, are meant to be agents of love in our broken and torn world. When we show kindness to those who can repay us, it’s called “networking.” When we show kindness with no thought of repayment, it’s called love.

NOTICES:

The Diocese of Southeast Florida – has extended the ban on Church-wide in-person services, events and meetings and other activity until further notice. Live-streaming and recording of worship will continue, but no other in-person activity is permitted. We will move into Season 2 only when we are clear that it is safe to do so.

Village of Wellington – the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington Mall by Nordstrom at 8:30-10:30 a.m. on TUESDAYS. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family. View the link to learn more information…https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=164

Please Pray – For the sick: Sarah, Alicia, William, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Jacquie Murray, Cristina Anzures. For our expectant mother: Andrea. For wedding anniversaries: Doug & Joy Noe, Danny & Carol Sneade, Michel & Theresa Guillaume.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp7_RCL.html

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – June 21st – Fr. Thomas

Saint David's — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 14:05:43 +0000

A father and his son went on a fishing trip. When they returned home, the father was talking to a friend and at the same time the son was talking to a friend of his. The friend asked the father how the trip went, the father’s response, “Absolutely miserable, worse day of my life. We struggled getting the boat ready to go, got to the lake and had to go and get gas, got out on the water late, and all the good fishing spots were already taken, finally found a place and the lines were all tangled together. No matter what kind of bait I was using, the fish were biting on something different. The sun was hot, and the mosquitoes were biting, and we didn’t catch a thing. The son’s friend asked how the trip went, and the son replied, “Best day of my life; didn’t catch a thing, but I got to spend the day alone with my dad.”

Last week in the sermon, I spoke about the REAL Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I’m reminded of a story about St. Jean Vianney, the humble 19^th c. Roman Catholic priest from Ars, France, who used to spend a great deal of time in the church, staring at the tabernacle above the altar (the receptacle which houses the Blessed Sacrament). Someone once entered the church and asked him, “What are you doing?” To which the saintly priest replied, “I look at Him, and He looks at me.” That just about says it all! When we’re in the presence of someone we love the time is well spent. So, it is with God our heavenly Father, whether in church at mass, or in the seclusion of our own homes. On this Father’s Day Weekend, let us give thanks for our fathers, living and departed, and pray for all parents.

NOTICES:

Happy Blessed Father’s Day.

Plans Change – Bishop Peter has “extended the closure of our congregations, schools, and special ministries until at least June 30th. Live-streaming and recording of worship may continue….no other in-person activity is permitted. We continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we shall move into Season II only when we are clear that it is safe to do so. This continued period of closure is the perfect opportunity for making preparations and ensuring that all is in order for the time when it becomes possible and safe to re-enter and re-gather. Read the Bishop’s Executive Summary in its entirety, found among the newsletter postings on this site.

Village of Wellington – the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington Mall by Nordstrom at 8:30-10:30 a.m. on TUESDAYS. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family. View the link to learn more information…https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=164

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through June – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. Thank you for your continued support!

Please Pray – For the sick: Diana, Sarah, Alicia, William, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Jonathan Pierre-Paul, Valerie Gordon, Marie Pierre-Paul, Kitonga Kiminyo, Leona Rozzi, Zane Hawk. For our expectant mothers: Andrea. For the faithful departed: Caswell Harish.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp7_RCL.html

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – June 14th – Fr. Thomas

Saint David's — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:32:49 +0000

Russ Blowers was a minister in Indianapolis who was also active in his local Rotary club. At club meetings each week a member would give a brief statement about his or her job. When it was Russ’ turn; he’d say, “I’m with a global enterprise. We have branches in every country in the world. We have our representatives in nearly every parliament and board room on earth. We’re into motivation and behavior alteration. We run hospitals, feeding stations, universities, publishing houses, nursing homes. We care for our clients from birth to death. We are into life insurance and fire insurance. We perform spiritual heart transplants. Our original Founder owns all the real estate on earth plus an assortment of galaxies and constellations. He knows everything and lives everywhere. Our product is free for the asking. Our CEO was born in a hick town, worked as a carpenter, didn’t own a home, was misunderstood by his peers, hated by enemies, walked on water, was condemned to death without a trial, arose from the dead; and I talk with Him every day.”

Hopefully, most of us are talking with Our Lord every day, and perhaps these days, more often than usual. Not to minimize the stress and concerns of the present time, but where would the world be without the Christian Faith in all its manifestations and ministries over the past two millennia? Of course, our own personal salvation is important; but being agents of love in a world of darkness, has, and will continue to make all the difference. In the words of the Russian novelist, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, “Men have forgotten God. That’s why all this has happened.” So, even though the pessimist may see difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. “Therefore, pray like it’s all up to God, then work like it’s all up to you.”

NOTICES:

Plans Change – Bishop Peter has “extended the closure of our congregations, schools, and special ministries until at least June 30th. Live-streaming and recording of worship may continue….no other in-person activity is permitted. We continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we shall move into Season II only when we are clear that it is safe to do so. This continued period of closure is the perfect opportunity for making preparations and ensuring that all is in order for the time when it becomes possible and safe to re-enter and re-gather.” Read the Bishop’s Executive Summary in its entirety, found among the newsletter postings on this site.

https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=164

Please Pray – For the sick: Monique, Diana, Sarah, Juanita, Patti, Alicia, William, Caswell, Richard, Carole, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Jean Marshall, Shelley Baranowski, Carmen Johnson, Doug Noe, Sharon Young, Tann Philistin, Andrew Duquesnay. For those celebrating a wedding anniversary: Win & Shelley Blodgett. For our expectant mothers: Dani and Andrea.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp6_RCL.html

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/