Rector's Corner
Beloved in Christ at St. Philip’s,
Greetings on this All Souls’ Day! I hope you had a meaningful Renewal of Baptismal Vows with us on All Saints’ Day, either in-person or live-streamed. It has been good seeing some of you in-person (we are currently averaging 33% of our pre-COVID attendance numbers). If you are one of those who continue to worship with us online and you are regularly eating inside at a restaurant or spending time over at a friend’s house, it may be time to consider joining us in-person. We have adopted guidelines that are known to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 for your safety and are continuing steadfastly with our efforts. Although our worship experience is somewhat different, we have been able now to gather together for twenty-three weeks (almost half a year)—we have been fortunate to say the least! I’m still aware of some Episcopalians who are unable to safely gather for Holy Eucharist indoors!
A brief word regarding pastoral care: guidelines now allow for me to make home visits. Outdoor visits are preferred, indoor visits are limited to ten minutes, and mask wearing and distancing are key to allowing this. Please do let me know if you would like a visit from me in the days ahead, I would be happy to see you!
Now, as we enter into the month of November, we make a turn to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming celebration of our Messiah’s birth. Advent offers us a space to reflect on beginnings, really beginning again as we do each new liturgical year with Advent. Our focus turns toward preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. As Episcopalians we have the privilege of taking time to get ready for the mystery of God coming to us in the flesh. What does it mean for you that God comes to us in the flesh in Jesus Christ in 2020, a year that many would rather forget? What does it mean that our Messiah breaks into humanity that has become bitterly divided over politics as we wait for votes to be counted and a winner to be named? What does it mean to carve out time in our lives, especially lives filled with anxiety and uncertainty during a pandemic, to reflect on why Jesus came to us? Advent is a time of expectant waiting. What do we wait for? What should we wait for?
Things may be unsettled, times may be different, but Jesus still comes to us in the flesh—this is the hope Advent brings us each year, this is the hope Advent brings us in this much needed year!
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Fr. Justin Briggle
There will be no DOK meeting in November. The next meeting will tentatively be on Sunday, December 6th, with details to be
Announced.
The SMG Meeting will be Monday, November 16th,
at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
The next ECW Meeting will be Tuesday,
November 10th, at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
November Birthdays
5 Vincent Salaz
6 Debbie Tisdale
7 Jon Brown
13 Sharon Gouras
13 Charlie Nichols
16 Don Derby
17 Marian Raney
20 Ann Maffitt
22 Terry Thorn
23 Francis Williams
November Anniversaries
11 Kirsten & Mike Knippers
17 Curt & Vicki Winkler
21 Cad & Francis Williams
23 Phillip & Deborah Morton
24 Charles & Mary Nichols
Ushers - November 2020
Curt Winkler.
Ushers - December 2020
To be decided.
September 2020 Year-to-Date
Beginning Balance $71,168.46 $97,586.72
Total Income $18,136.25 $161,573.61
Total Expenses $18,573.55 $188,429.17
Ending Balance $70,731.16 $70,731.16
Now that we are meeting again for in person worship, please consider contributing for Altar Flowers on a
Sunday morning in Thanksgiving for an anniversary, birthday, or other blessing or in memory of someone.
To give please call Nancy Waggoner at 903-727-2030
or the Church Office at 903-729-4214.
Altar Guild:
Oct 31 – Nov 6--------Team 1 Nancy Waggoner, Sherry Snow
Linens: Joann Evans
Nov 7 – Nov 13--------Team 2 Becky Myers, Cathy Summers, Julie Law
Linens: Kirsten Knippers
Nov 14 – Nov 20------Team 3 Alex Nemer, Vicki Mayberry-Winkler
Linens: Vicki Mayberry-Winkler
Nov 21 – Nov 27 ------Team 4 Sara Minton, Kathy Stites, Hilda Garcia-Castillo
Linens: Jeanette George
Nov 28 – Dec 4--------Team 1 Nancy Waggoner, Sherry Snow
Linens: Joann Evans
Lay Minister Schedule:
November 2020 Reader/Server
Sunday 11/1 10:30 Phillip Morton
Sunday 11/8 10:30 Sparky Kolstad
Sunday 11/15 10:30 Barbara Kolstad
Sunday 11/22 10:30 Pat Redding
Sunday 11/29 10:30 Scott Nicholson
Father Justin doing Drive-Thru Pet Blessings last month.
Plenty of room to join us safely.
Getting ready for Zoom Bible Study.
The Altar at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church by Marcus Briggle.
Junior Warden Report:
September 2020
1. Altar thermostat not working.
a. Palestine Heating and Air replaced coil (12 year old coil had several holes).
b. Fire alarm tripped, Palestine Fire Department alerted and responded, alarm reset (alarm system works well).
2. Narthax Bell Tower leaking again.
a. Haws Roofing technicians removed old caulk on roof and replaced (rechecked Narthax after big rain, no leaks.)
3. Library overhead fluorescent lighting fixtures not functioning properly.
a. Buddy’s electricians removed ballast and retrofitted fixtures with LED tubes (brighter, less expensive to operate).
4. Floor drain in hallway containing water heaters overflowing.
a. Brought wet/dry shop vac to remove water (removed water several times).
b. Attempted to unclog drain manually without success.
c. Contacted Cooper plumbing.
d. Gary Cooper unplugged line and drained water heater (problem solved).
5. Weather stripping on Narthax East doors (main) not sealing well.
a. Weather stripping is fuzzy. Used hair comb to fluff stripping so it will engage opposite door to seal properly. Easy fix.
6. Two CFL bulbs not working in Narthax light.
a. Replaced all bulbs with LED bulbs.
b. Will replace all CFL bulbs in building with LED as they fail.
October 2020
Nothing significant to report.
Phillip O. Morton, RN
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
Junior Warden
2021 Chili Fiesta Update
The Fiesta Committee has decided to postpone its annual Chili Fiesta due to COVID health concerns. The Vestry is in agreement with the decision of the Episcopal Church Women [Fiesta Committee] Board to pause preparation for Chili Fiesta 2021 out of concern for the community health and the health care workers of the community. For additional information contact Linda Brown, 2021 Fiesta Chair.
Rector: Fr. Justin Briggle jbriggle@stphilipspalestine.com Cell: (512) 799-9365
Parish Assistant: Ginger Brown Treasurer: Melissa F. Cox
Sexton: Martín Rodríguez Organist/Choirmaster: Joshua Lang
Vestry Members
2020
Joan Strominger
Gary Thomas
Terry Thorn, Sr. Warden
Jamie Ward
2021
Bill Fraser
Phillip Morton, Jr. Warden
Tucker Royall
Bob Snow
2022
Barbara Kolstad
Pat Redding
Mike Tisdale
Nancy Waggoner
Normal Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.
Closed Federal and Occasional Church Holidays
Phone: (903) 729-4214 Fax: (903) 729-8691
YouTube: bit.ly/stphilipsyt
Facebook: www.fb.com/stphilipspalestine
Email: office@stphilipspalestine.com Website: www.stphilipspalestine.com
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