Deacon Mike +++++++++ Deacon Suzanne

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Mike's
Dear Friends,
My favorite subject—EfM. EfM means education for ministry. It is an educational program offered through the Episcopal Church and further it is written, produced and directed by the Episcopal Theological Seminary at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. It is for those individuals who want a more thorough understanding of the Holy Scriptures, the History of the Church, the Sacraments, or how we came to believe as we do.
Perhaps more importantly EfM teaches you how to think and how to reflect on your life in a way like no other. We call it theological reflection or thinking theologically. Asking the question—what is happening here and what can I learn from it or how do I best handle it in a Christian way. Or how can I understand this event in the light of who I am with the Grace of a loving God.
St. Paul’s, Altus, has offered EfM many times over the years and will again this fall. We will begin our sessions between the 2nd and 9th of September, depending on the arrival of books and materials. Students who were enrolled at the end of last June will only need to drop off their check to complete their re-enrollment. Any new people interested in taking the course need to see me after the Sunday worship service or feel free to call me at home at 482-6658. You are also invited to join us on movie night on August 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the church. You will be glad and truly blessed when you check us out!
One other thing I wish to touch on is our church itself. We have many positive things upon which to continue building our church membership. We need positive ideas and leadership and willing workers to accomplish these ideas and goals. All of you are the keys to our continual success in growth and mission, ministry, and membership. Some ideas have come forth in recent months but we need lots more. We need energy and commitment of everyone to accomplish the goal of membership of at least 99 by the first of the year. Friends, that’s a do-able goal if we will all get out and contact our friends, neighbors, and co-workers with the goal of bringing them to church on a given Sunday.
I must tell you of church here in the southwest region that was the size of ours and was also without a resident priest. The membership and leadership prayed that if God would give them the courage to contact their friends and neighbors and invite them to church, they would promise to do what was necessary to keep that person coming.
During this period I was invited to conduct their Sunday service as supply Clergy. Before the service started every member of the parish welcomed Linda and I individually and after the service they all repeated their welcome. We soon realized that although Clergy and Spouse, we were being double welcomed by every single person present that morning. It was how they went from 22 to 99 members and they have never forgotten what they learned.
Let’s think about that and when we are fortunate enough to receive a visitor or two in the future let’s really—really welcome them to our wonderful church.

In Christ’s Holy Name,

Deacon Mike

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Suzanne's

Here is something I read that is sure to bring a smile and chuckle to everyone as we continue to bake in our Oklahoma summer.
YOU MIGHT BE AN EPISCOPALIAN.....
...if when you watch Star Wars and they say "May the force be with you", you automatically reply "And also with you".
...if you have totally memorized Rite I, Rite II and the first three episodes of the Vicar of
Dibley
...if while watching the move "The Madness of King George" you're able to recite with the King, when he undergoes "surgery", the Collect for Purity"
...if words like "vouchsafe:, "oblation", "supplications", "succor", "bewail", "wherefore", "dost", "meet", and "very" (in its archaic sense) are familiar to you even if you don't have a clue what they mean.
...if you can pronounce "innumerable benefits procured to us by the same."
...if hearing people pray in the language of "jesuswejus" makes you want to scream.
...if someone says, "Let us pray" and you automatically hit your knees.
...if you catch yourself genuflecting or bowing as you enter a row of seats in a theater.
...if the word "Sewanee" puts a lump in your throat
if your choir director suggests discussing something over a beer after choir rehearsal.
...if you see a fellow church member, rector, or neighbor in the local liquor store and go over to greet them.
...if you can rattle off such tongue twisters like: "...who made there by his one oblation of himself once offered a full and perfect sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the world" and "Wherefore, 0 Lord and Heavenly Father, we thy people do celebrate and make here, with these gifts which we offer unto thee, the memorial they Son hath commanded us to make..." without missing a beat.
...if when visiting a Catholic Church, you are the only Ah-men amongst a sea of Ai-mens ...if your covered dish for the potluck dinner is escargot in puff shells.
...if you ever find yourself saying, "Oh, but we've never done it that way before."
...if you know that a sursum corda is not a surgical procedure.
...if you don't think Agnus Dei is a woman.
...if you know the difference between a surplice and a cotta...and the appropriate use of each.
...if you know that the nave is not a playing card.
...if you know that the Senior Warden and the Junior Warden are not positions in the local prison.
...if your friend said "I'm truly sorry..." and you replied, "and you humbly repent?"
And finally...
...if you reach a point when you're not sure about anything theologically but you still feel completely at home at the altar rail and somehow know you are meeting God there, even though you can't begin to understand how.

Grace and peace,

Deacon Suzanne

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