Maggie's Cross

The Feast of Pentecost

2010-05-19T23:38:00.010-04:00

No RSVP Needed

St. Margaret's Emmaus,
9 a.m. Sunday morning
May 23rd...

Crash Your Local Episcopal Church: Pentecost

--Here's an invitation you can accept on FB!!

The Holy Spirit is not a magical force we can conjure. We can’t keep it concentrated in a building. We can’t possibly limit its access to those who come to church or to those who are baptized. The Holy Spirit is already out there, wherever you go, everywhere in the world. Any time we say, “Come, Holy Spirit,” it’s ironic, because we’re beckoning Someone who cannot be beckoned, and who is always with us.

But if we didn’t beckon, would we notice? How often does a fish say, “Hey, I’m swimming in water!”? How often does a flame shout, “Aaaah! I’m on fire!”? How often do we stop whatever we’re doing, take a long, deep breath, and appreciate what it means to be alive?

If we did that all the time, people might well think we’d been drinking, even at nine in the morning. When people live life joyfully, wallowing in the Holy Spirit, amazing things start to happen. People reach out to others to give them what they need. The simplest actions can take on deep meaning and can break down barriers of language and social standing. The result is Resurrection on both a small and large scale.

Come join the movement this Sunday. Bring a friend, or four, or four thousand! Raise the roof! In the immortal words of gospel pop star Kirk Franklin, “We're havin' us a Holy Ghost party up in he-ah!”

Repeating:
Celebrating the
Feast of the Gift of the Holy Spirit
with Holy Eucharist and Holy Baptism
at St. Margaret's, 150 Elm Street-
corner of Keystone and Elm-
9 a.m. Sunday morning,
May 23, 2010

See Acts 2: 13-15
But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem,* Let this be known to you, and listen to what I say, Indeed, these are not drunk,** as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning."

* Editors' additions: 'and all who reside in the Lehigh Valley and beyond'
**Editors' gloss: Filled with wonder, love and praise, we will be tipsy with joy as we baptize Thomas Malcolm and enjoy a brunch following worship which will be lovingly preprepared by his family.

P.S. Wear Red--
the liturgical color of the day!!!

To All the Members and Friends of St. Margaret's Church

2010-05-07T23:34:00.001-04:00

To: The Members of St. Margaret’s Church
150 Elm Street, Emmaus PA 18049
From: The Rev. Canon Lexa H. Shallcross
431 Elm Street, Emmaus PA 18049

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the third chapter of Ecclesiastes, we read that “For everything there is a season, and a time...”. So into that mix of birth and death, planting and harvesting, breaking down and building up, I am announcing my retirement date of July 1, 2010. As I will be taking some accrued vacation time before that date during June, my last Sunday with all of you at St. Margaret’s Church will be June 6, 2010. The decision to retire at this time is based on personal, family and financial considerations.

I first came to Emmaus as St. Margaret’s new Rector in June of 1989. During that 21 years, we have shared many faith building experiences. I will always carry the memories of pageants and floods, building in Honduras and at home (new offices and a conference room), settling the Gaye Family from Liberia and welcoming new individuals and families to St. Margaret’s. It was my privilege to work with outstanding individuals like Margot Bradbury, Art Schelling, Gil Peterson, Ken Schaffner, Sally West and Joe Cardinale who served faithfully as Senior Wardens with me. I trust that Tim Merrill, our current Senior Warden, and the Vestry will help both all of you and me in this time of transition.

Through countless acts of pastoral care- marriages, burials, baptisms- and the faithful celebration of Holy Eucharist each Sunday, I have grown close to all of you. I do know that this transition will be difficult. So the immediate future will be a both time for weeping and mourning; as well as for laughing and dancing. My prayer is that the future holds new growth and vitality for St. Margaret’s Church.

Finally, let me say I am grateful for the opportunities for professional and personal development that the faith community of St. Margaret’s Church has provided me over the years.
You all took a chance on a newly ordained, not well experienced priest. and formed me. While I look forward to the opportunities retirement will bring me, I will also carry the people and mission of St. Margaret’s in my prayers.

Faithfully,
The Rev. Canon Lexa H. Shallcross

Easter Worship

2010-04-04T12:06:00.003-04:00

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
The Lord is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!

Full house at St. Margaret's this morning.
Spirited worship.
Full menu for the Parish Easter Breakfast.
Children hunted for Easter Eggs in the Churchyard.

And the Rector told the first Easter joke. This is our tradition. It reminds us
that in the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God had the last laugh on Satan.

A clergy couple found themselves in line at the Pearly Gates. Looking ahead they could see that St. Peter was diligently making entries on a long scroll of parchment with a quill pen. The line moved very slowly but finally it was their turn.

St. Peter looked up and stood up.
“I’m so glad to see you both. You can help me get things moving a bit. I need some flexible people...like Episcopal clergy. You see, the heavenly computer is down. I have to do everything by hand but if you just agree to return to earth for a day or two when you come back there will be no qualifying questions, I’ll just wave my hand and the gates will open and the trumpets will sound and you’ll be home. You can go back to earth as anything you want. How does that sound?”

The couple looked at each other and nodded yes.

St. Peter said, “Ladies first. How do you want to return to earth?”

“I’ve always wanted to fly like an eagle,” she said.

“Done,” said St. Peter with a wave of his hand.
She was gone.
He didn’t even ask her if she wanted to be a bald eagle or a golden eagle.
Silly me, I think it would make a difference.

“And now you,” said St. Peter turning his attention to the man.
The man looked at the ground and shuffled his feet and cleared his throat.
“Whatever I chose and whatever I do down there won’t make a difference when the time is up, will it?”

“No. No. The heavenly computer is down. We can’t pull you up or even track you down. No worries.”

“Okay, then, this is a little unusual, I know, but I’ve always wanted to be a stud.”
“Done,” said St. Peter and with a wave of his hand the man was gone.
He didn’t even ask if the man wanted to be a surfer dude or a ski bum.
Silly me, I think it would make a difference.

Well, it took six days to fix the heavenly computer.
Then everyone rested on the seventh day.

Day Eight, St. Peter got to work and cleared up the back log.
No more parchment and no more quill pen.

Jesus stopped by to see how things were going and told St. Peter not to forget the clergy couple back on earth.

“I’m on it, Boss,” said St. Peter, “I already set some angels down to track them. The woman wanted to be an eagle. Right now she catching thermals over the Kittanitty Ridge near Hawk Mountain.”

“And the man?”

“He wanted to be a stud.”

There was a twinkle in Jesus’ eye as he asked, “where is he now?”

St. Peter replied, “He’s on a snow tire in North Dakota.”

Heads Up!!

2010-03-12T22:29:00.001-05:00

Don't forget
to reset your clocks!

Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 14th.

Set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.

A sure sign of spring...!

See you in Church!
At 9 a.m. DST.....

I promised to post these quotes. . .

2010-01-24T23:51:00.004-05:00

The following motivational quotes all fit under the slogan:
"Just do it."

-Not what is achieved that is important but what is set in motion.
H.D. Wells

-Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
Henry Ford

-Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
Albert Einstein

-Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "why not?"
R. Kennedy

And just in case you've lost the citation from this morning:

HYMN #333

Now the silence
Now the peace
Now the empty hands uplifted

Now the kneeling
Now the plea
Now the Father’s arms in welcome

Now the hearing
Now the power
Now the vessel brimmed for pouring

Now the Body
Now the Blood
Now the joyful celebration

Now the wedding
Now the songs
Now the heart forgiven leaping

Now the Spirit’s visitation
Now the Son’s epiphany
Now the Father’s blessing

Now Now Now

AMEN.

AFTERMATH....

2010-01-16T23:11:00.002-05:00

From: <newsline@episcopalchurch.org>

Date: January 14, 2010 6:44:50 PM EST

To: readers of "Maggie's Cross"

Subject: For our brothers and sisters in Haiti

Dear Friends,

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Haiti

is the largest and fastest-growing diocese in The Episcopal Church.

- There are over 83,000 Episcopalians in

Haiti

- There are over 110 Episcopal Churches in

Haiti

, and over 200 Episcopal schools

The Episcopal Church in

Haiti

has lost a cathedral, convent, Holy Trinity Complex, College St. Pierre, and a Jubilee Center. The Bishop has no place to live. Thankfully, the four missionaries are all accounted for - Mallory Holding, Jude Harmon, Oge Beauvoir and his wife Serette.

How can you help?
Check the

Haiti

page on Episcopal Relief & Development website http://www.er-d.org/

Donate and encourage others to donate to Episcopal Relief & Development by calling 800-334-7626 ext 5129. https://www.er-d.org/donate-select.php

Episcopal Relief & Development has a four star rating on Charity Navigator and meets all 20 standards of the Better Business Bureau.

Please do not encourage anyone to travel to Haiti.

Priority must be given to first responders and a few relief agencies so as not to over-burden the already compromised infrastructure.

Thank you for all that you do for our Church.

Peace,

Malaika Kamunanwire,

Senior Director, Marketing and Communications

Episcopal Relief & Development

Thirty Aftershocks Later....

2010-01-14T06:39:00.002-05:00

NewsLine: Wednesday, January 13, 2010

PB on Haiti…Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following concerning the January 12 earthquake in Haiti:

The people of Haiti have suffered a devastating earthquake, and it is already clear that many have died and many more are injured. Even under “normal” circumstances, Haiti struggles to care for her 9 million people. The nation is the poorest in the western hemisphere, and this latest disaster will set back many recent efforts at development. I urge your prayers for those who have died, been injured, and are searching for loved ones – and I urge your concrete and immediate prayers in the form of contributions to Episcopal Relief & Development, who are already working with the Diocese of Haiti to send aid where it is most needed.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

Presiding Bishop

The Episcopal Church

For news about the Episcopal Church in Haiti go to The Rev. Lauren Stanley's blog

http://web.me.com/merelaurens/GoIntoTheWorld/Go_Into_The_World/Go_Into_The_World.html

The home pages for the Episcopal Relief Fund is

http://www.er-d.org/

Prayers tonight. . .

2010-01-12T23:04:00.003-05:00

We add the people of Haiti to our prayers this night.

They experienced the horrors of an earthquake today. It occurred approximately 10 miles from Port-au-Prince early this afternoon. Strong shaking with was recorded in Port-au-Prince. It was also felt in Cuba, Jamaica, Venezuela and the bordering country of the Domincan Republic.

The US Geological Survey recorded at least six aftershocks in the two hours after the main earthquake. All measured over 4.5.

According to a member of the US Geological Survey, based on the strength and location of the quake, about three million people would have been affected. Additionally, since the quake occurred under land rather than water, structures and people on the surface were directly exposed to the tremors, particularly since the fault was quite shallow.

According to news reports, the last time an earthquake of this magnitude hit Haiti was in 1751.

According to a journalist on Haitian television, the buildings of the National Palace, the finance ministry, ministry of public works, the ministry of communication and culture, the Palace of Justice, the Superior Normal School, the Parliament, and the cathedral of Port-au-Prince have collapsed. Additionally, a hospital was reported to have collapsed. Communications are disrupted, with a Haitian diplomat saying, "Communication is absolutely impossible ... I've been trying to call my ministry and I cannot get through.

Members of St. Margaret's Church may remember The Rev. Laura Stanley who worshiped with us regularly several years ago. She was recently in Haiti, serving in local parishes and writing her thesis for doctors degree in ministry. Like many family and friends of the residents of Haiti, she waits tonight for more news.

+ O merciful Father, you have taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve the children of this world; Look with pity on the sorrow of your servants in Haiti for who our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, comfort them with a sense of your presence and goodness, grant them your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

You are invited. . .

2009-12-30T09:51:00.004-05:00

Sunday, January 3, 2010
8 a.m. The Celebration of Holy Eucharist
10:15 a.m. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Photo by The Rev. Elizabeth Diely

Wishing you all a "scandal filled" Christmas!

2009-12-30T09:31:00.005-05:00

Frederick Buechner writes in his book The Faces of Jesus: A Life Story

"In trying to say too much, piety always runs the risk of saying too little or saying it wrong, and the great pitfall of Christian art, especially when it tries to portray the birth of Christ, is sentimentalism. The stable becomes a painted backdrop, the floor a carpeted stage, the manger a prop lined with artificial straw. Neither the holiness nor the humanness of the moment is rendered so much as the schmaltz, and the Incarnation becomes merely a Christmas card with all the scandal taken out of it instead of what St. Paul called a "stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles," instead of the proclamation that the Creator of the ends of the earth came among us in diapers." pp. 20-21

Photo by The Rev. Elizabeth Diely

Christmas Worship Schedule

2009-12-23T07:15:00.004-05:00

Everyone is invited!
All are welcome in this place!

Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24th

5 p.m. Holy Eucharist and the Church School Pageant
"The Angel of Rehoboth"

11 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Christmas Morning
Friday, December 25th

9 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Sunday, December 27th
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist

Sunday, January 3, 2010
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:15 a.m. Lessons and Carols

Photos by Jim and Sarah Panariso

Greening the Church for Christmas

2009-12-22T08:23:00.007-05:00

St. Margaret’s Altar Guild and Friends “Greened” the Church for Christmas On Sunday morning, December 21st after worship. There had been a snow storm. Fourteen of us were able to stay to help.

I was asked to help decorating the “Peterson” Christmas Tree.
This was so much fun and hilarious now that I am sitting at home. We had to string those lights on that tree 3 times. I asked if they knew if the lights were working and nobody knew. So Dan said well we better plug them in. Then we couldn't find the end. So I unstrung the lights and found that the end had been plugged into itself. So we unplugged it and restrung them. Then Dan was trying to find the male end to plug into the wall. But, all he had was a female end, and he said you can't plug a female end into the wall. So he said we had to undo the tree and then redo the lights. So we had to redo the lights and plug the star into the female end so we could plug the tree in. It's funny now.
When Dan put one of the bows under the star where his wife told him, but then went to help with something else. He asked, “W here is she? She has to approve my work.” We told him it looked great. The bow stayed put.

While we were trimming the tree, pointsetta plants, green sways and wreathes were put out by the Altar Guild. My Daughter Abigail found the drums left out for the Christmas Eve Church School Pageant. She couldn’t wait to bang on those drums. Caleb was so wonderful with her. Playing with her and teaching her. She loved watching him.

Everyone was hard at work. The the star was being hung up. It was raised and lowered quite a bit, but sure looks wonderful now. It made us all nervous each time Scott stood on the narrow back edge of a pew to reach to the heights. So Kathy and Jenn staged a demo of the proper way to use a stepladder! Abigail ran down the center aisle trying to catch the moving star as it was being hung. The final stage seemed to go better with the oversight of the women! But, everyone did a fantastic job.

Christmas Music was played by Alice. She sang and played Jingle Bells, and wonderful bells and chimes on the organ. Jenn practiced the solo she will sing on Christmas Eve. It was truly wonderful. Canon Lexa put out the Nativity figures with white lights. We were almost done, when my Husband Jim took this picture to prove I do know how to use a vacuum cleaner. {Not funny, Jim. ;-)}

We worked and laughed so much. It was great. All done, everyone sat in the pews to admire the beauty of the church while listening to beautiful music being sung and played. It was Kathy's turn to reherse her solo piece for Christmas Eve.

What a GREAT day and wonderful fun time we had.

Thank you so much for letting us help y'all "Green The Church". We had so much fun. There was alot of laughter going on. I commented on all the photos and put them in chronological order. We laughed so much. Marian, Dan and Mickie- his wife , Jennifer with Caleb, Scott, Kathy, Alice, Canon Lexa, Ken and Sue, and the four of us. It was so much fun. My cheeks hurt from all the smiling. WE had a blast helping, and it went up so fast, and the church really looks great.
Thank you,
Jim, Sarah, Abigail, and the Infant James (who ate and slept most of the time)

Note from Canon Lexa: Sarah sent along a dozen pictures she and Jim took on Sunday. The choice of these two to add to her notes was mine. We will try to put the others in other notes or in an album on our website.

Sunday December 6th - Holy Baptism

2009-11-24T08:45:00.004-05:00

St. Margaret's Day

2009-11-17T12:02:00.008-05:00

St. Margaret's Day

in Emmaus

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

[Photos by The Rev. Elizabeth Diely]

The tables were set with care.
People sported tams, tartans and kilts.
We processed around the Church ...

Following the banner, the drummer and the piper

into Church for worship. Dan Charney, our guest leader,

exhorted and invited us to consecrate ourselves again

to the fellowship of St. Margaret's Church and to

our loving God known to us in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Fully 1/3 of the estimate of giving cards received

on Consecration Sunday showed an increase!

And the Haggis,

Chieftain of the Pudding Race, disappeared!!

St. Margaret's Day

2009-11-14T01:45:00.003-05:00

Join us for Worship and Lunch on Sunday, November 15 when we celebrate St. Margaret’s Day

Saturday, I pick up the haggis which will be part of our Celebration Lunch on St. Margaret’s Day. It is being made for us by Janet James of Bethlehem.

Her recipe is chopped lamb, steel cut oats, spices and some liver. It is a milder version of the Haggis served in Scotland. Haggis is traditionally served with “neeps” and “tatties” which is mashed turnip and mashed potato.

She makes 30 to 40 pounds of Haggis around January 25 when it is featured at celebrations of the poet Robert Burns’ birthday. Burns wrote a poem called “Address to the Haggis” which is often recited at events. The poem begins:

"Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!"

Those involved in the presentation of the haggis: poet, piper, cook, and chieftain of the clan get a dram of single malt scotch whiskey as the haggis is dished out for the guests.

So, what is “haggis”?
According to one poll, 33% of American visitors to Scotland believe haggis to be an animal.

Haggis is a dish containing sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours. It belongs to the sausage family. As the 2001 English edition of the Larousse Gastronomique puts it, "Although its description is not immediately appealing, haggis has an excellent nutty texture and delicious savoury flavour".

Most modern commercial haggis is prepared in a casing rather than an actual stomach. There are also meat-free recipes for vegetarians. It is widely available in supermarkets in Scotland and sometimes it is sold in tins.

Haggis may be served in Scottish fast-food establishments deep fried in batter. Together with chips, this comprises a "haggis supper". A "haggis burger" is a patty of fried haggis served on a bun, and a "haggis bhaji" is another deep fried variant, available in some Indian restaurants in Glasgow. Higher class restaurants sometimes serve "Chicken Balmoral" or "Flying Scotsman", which is chicken breast stuffed with haggis and sometimes also wrapped in bacon. Haggis can also be used as a substitute for minced beef in various recipes. In some Scottish butchers, haggis is combined with Lorne sausage into a product colloquially known as "Braveheart" sausage.

Now for some real trivia:

Haggis is used in a sport called haggis hurling, which involves throwing a haggis as far as possible. The present Guinness World Record for Haggis Hurling has been held by Alan Pettigrew for over 25 years. He threw a 1.5 lb Haggis 180 feet, 10 inches on the island of Inchmurrin, Loch Lomond, in August 1984.

And more locally:
On October 8, 2008, competitive eater Eric "Steakbellie" Livingston set a world record by consuming 3 pounds of haggis in 8 minutes on WMMR radio in Philadelphia.

Jesus is the Answer

2009-09-15T22:24:00.003-04:00

Sewanee, TN

Last night, five of us met to talk about Martha Grace Reese's book Unbinding the Gospel and to check in with each other about the prayer practices we'd been invited to try in week six of the personal prayer journal in the back of the book.

In the last chapter, "Getting Started", Reese told the story of riding with a friend after a long day during which they had been grilled by their law school professors who threw trick questions at them. They stopped for a traffic light and noted that the car in front of them sported a bumper sticker which read "Jesus is the Answer". Reese's friend muttered, "So what was the question?"

Throughout 2000 years of Church history, Reese wrote that Christians have said, "Jesus saves us." This led her to continue with some emphasis by stating "The question is, 'From what does Jesus save us?'"

We noted her first three answers . . .
1. sin
2. death
3. demonic social conditions

And then added several of our own . . .
Jesus saves us from. . .

4. living swallow lives
5. loneliness
6. addictions
7. being self-centered
8. giving up
9. being lost in fear
10. being our own worst selves
11. needing other people's approval
12. having to have all the answers

So how about you?
What can you add?

Unbinding the Gospel by Martha Grace Reese

2009-09-15T21:28:00.004-04:00

This summer, five of us have been reading Martha Grace Reese' s book Unbinding the Gospel. Tonight we held our last by the book meeting. We will get together and check in with each other next month because we have found excitement in sharing our faith journeys and prayer experiences. We recommend the book - please, be sure to get the second edition as the heart of the book is the personal prayer journal in the back. This is a hands on book. It is more than reading. More than talking together. It is trying and striving. It is seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Speak to Canon Shallcross if you'd like to form a small group and want one of us to help start. We're only six weeks and a few steps ahead of you but are willing to share what we've learned.

The book is easy to read and full of remarkable passages like these:

"Prayer is the way to stay in love with God." p. 46

"Prayer isn't some sweet, nice, safe, naive little activity to do in your flowery hat. It is crash helmet action for people who flip kayaks in raging spring rivers. " p. 53

"Faith has to be real. Faith has to go as deeply into the holy mystery of life with God as we can stand. We are invited into give-it-all-away, bet-the-farm, choreographed-by-the-Spirit, life-walking-by-Christ's-side in minute-by-minute miraculous glory." p. 1106

"A Bishop's Locker Room Pep Talk:
'All right! Get out there and try stuff!" p. 117

"...safety lies in God, not in our habits." p. 122

"God is the North Star, the fixed point by which we can navigate while the church sails, while the world swirls and buffets us." p. 124

"Christ is the calmer of waves, the master of the storm. God holds the untamable chaos of our lives in God's hands and can calm it. Don't stop. Keep going. Step up communication with your team members. Step up communication with God." p. 125

"God is always in the new place." p. 125

"The point of evangelism is sharing the life with God you know. A tragedy opens up a much deeper life with God. Whatever we learn, we can share with others later.... God is alive and working throughout our most painful time. If we allow ourselves to feel the hardest feelings, ask the painful questions, God will be able to reveal Godself to us in more powerful ways than before. p. 132

We commend this book to you all.

Peace be with you all.

General Convention Wrap-up

2009-07-29T15:07:00.003-04:00

Here's a six minute video from YouTube that gives a very brief summary of the Episcopal Church in Convention. Cut and paste this address in your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6fjYB42txc

You can travel in cyberspace to the National Church site, to the Episcopal Cafe or Nick Knisley's blog: Entangled States to explore our common life in Christ. See links offered on this blog.

Like a Mighty Wind. . . .

2009-06-03T07:42:00.005-04:00

In Church School on Pentecost Sunday,
kites were made, carried in procession and flown!

Eagle Court of Honor - Wednesday, May 27, 2009

2009-06-01T17:26:00.004-04:00

Last Wednesday night, I attended the Scout ceremony that conferred upon Chris Hersh the rank of Eagle Scout. Chris completed his Eagle Scout project here at St. Margaret's last December by painting several rooms off our Parish Hall - the Nursery, Conference Room and the Kiosk area near the elevette. He stripped and repainted a large wooden book case which he then anchored into the wall so that it would not tip.

It was a good event. Many of the Hersh Family's neighbors and friends from Mediator Church were there. The Rev. Maria Tjeltvelt gave the Invocation and spoke about Chris. The Mayor presented a proclamation. Other dignitaries included Craig Neely, Emmaus Borough Manager and Jacob Brown, Legistlative Assistant to Representative Reichley.

Here's two fun things I learned. First, Dan Reinert, who was baptized at St. Margaret's, will be Troop 70's next Eagle Scout. He lives and did his Eagle Scout project in Alburtis.

Second, Shane Victorino is an Eagle Scout and was recently honored at the Eagle Scout Hall of Fame which is in Philadelphia.

Less than one percent of boys who enter scouting will go on to become an Eagle Scout...
"Congratulations, Chris."

Photo by Joanne R.

Family Fun - Fund raiser

2009-05-29T09:19:00.006-04:00

Don't miss this pirate themed fun family event.
Saturday, May 30th at St. Margaret's Church,
Keystone and Elm in Emmaus. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fund raiser to help
"Jackson Make
Brain Tumors Walk the Plank".
Auction. Food. Face painting.
And more.

I Think That I Shall Never See. . .

2009-04-01T08:56:00.003-04:00

Usually big number and statistics go over my head.
But yesterday, I began to get it.

I went to the Emmaus Community Park to view first hand the damage from Sunday afternoon's wild winds. At least 6 tall pines and oaks had been toppled. They lay on their sides with their roots exposed. I wanted to right them. It was sad.

Other people were there. Teens climbing along the trunks. And families who put their children in the holes left by the exposed roots. Elementary school children stood up to their chests in the ground at the foot of the grounded trees.

The Arts Pavilion, the snack bar, the rest rooms and the three pavilions were undamaged.
I shook my head trying to picture this spot in the park with out the tall trees shading the ground.
<>
I left. Came home. Went online and a collection of "green facts" was waiting for me in my email.
Here's one that captured my attention.

Americans use 50 million tons of paper annually -- consuming more than 850 million trees.

And I began to get it.

I think that I shall never see
a poem lovely as a tree...

You can google "Toppled Trees in Emmaus, PA" and tab on images to see some of what I saw.
There is a video featuring Craig Neely, Borough Manager.

Triple Play

2009-03-14T11:06:00.003-04:00

We are in for a rare treat this Sunday, March 15th.

Jan and Jim McGinnis, from Covenant Players, will be with us all morning long.
In a triple play, they will be performing the Lenten themed liturgical play "Attacks and Temptations" at both 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. worship. In between, they will visit our One Room Church School at 9 a.m. to talk about the ministry of drama.

The Church School hopes to present an Easter pageant on Sunday, April 19th. We are hoping to get some acting tips and brainstorm a story line.

An offering will be taken to help pay for their travel and lodging.

Covenant Players was established over 40 years ago. Teams of players have traveled the globe to teach and perform in churches, schools, hospitals and for the military. For more information log on to http://www.covenantplayers.org

Don't Miss This Winter Break....

2009-01-12T13:56:00.004-05:00

3rd Annual WOSM Winter Retreat

The Women of St. Margaret's are holding their third annual
winter retreat at Kalmbach Memorial Park on Saturday, Jan.
24, 2009. The guest presentor is The Rev. Anne Kitch, author
of several books on spritual formation for adults and
children. She will be speaking on:

"Praying with the Desert Mothers:
Finding Wisdom in the Wilderness of our Lives."

This retreat is designed for women who hunger and thirst for
rest for the body, solace for the soul, and relief from
frenetic activity. The Desert Mothers were holy women of
the 4th Centruy who went into the wilderness to give
themselves completely to prayer. Meditating on the words of
these "ammas", we will be invited to discover how their
wisdom can enliven our spiritual practices today.

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Beverages,
snacks and a light lunch are provided. There is no charge
but reservations are necessary. Phone the Parish Office at
610 967 1450.

Women of faith from other denominations or neighboring
Episcopal parishes are welcome. There is room for another 12.
Save the date and your spot today!

The grounds at Kalmbach are great for walking. We suggest
that you bring cameras, journals or sketch books. The snow
date is the following Saturday--Jan. 30.

Photo was taken by Sue Schaffner at Kalmbach
during previous WOSM Winter Retreat.

2008-11-19T22:25:00.001-05:00

Earlier tonight, around 4:30 p.m., I walked the Labyrinth. Bundled in a winter jacket, with the collar up around my ears, I set out. There was no "spiritual" intent in my mind. I really just wanted some fresh air.

After a few circuits, I began saying the "Jesus Prayer" in step with my breath and my pace. I breathed in "Jesus, Son of God" and breathed out "Have mercy on me, a sinner." Then the pattern stretched to breathing in "Jesus"; breathing out "Son of God"; breathing in "Have mercy on me"; breathing out "a sinner".

Just as I reached the center, I remember being thankful for my woolen gloves. It was 32 degrees F. Fortunately, there was no wind. So there was no wind chill factor to increase the chill to something unpleasant.

I sat for awhile on the center stump. I looked at St. Margaret’s building. A wintery sky with some white clouds were framed in the rings of the Celtic Cross on top of the Church. Around me were the dark skeletons of trees that recently lost all their leaves.

I told myself it was too early to pine for Spring; after all, it is not really even winter yet.
We are in the last weeks of autumn.
(Yes, there is an editorial bias in which seasons get capitalized.)

As I sat, I scanned to my right and to my left. I did not look behind me.
I offered some intercessions.

When I was ready, I stood up and walked out. It felt like the Labyrinth popped me out. Intellectually, I know it’s the same distance in and out. But, my experience is that going in often seems slower or longer or more deliberate.

So, I walked "The Emmaus Walk" and then walked up to Keystone Avenue where my car was parked. And I wondered what the result or benefit was for having done it.
A short drive home. I parked the car. Walked in my home and realized...
There was a hymn moving through my mind...

"What does the Lord require for praise and offering?
What sacrifice desire, or tribute bid you bring?
Do justly; love mercy; walk humbly with your God."
Hymn 605 based on Micah 6:8.

A gift. A boon. My earlier question was certainly answered.

Peace be with you.

P.S. Photo by Pam H.; taken during our Centennial Homecoming Celebration.

Centennial Homecoming - October 5, 2008

2008-10-08T09:34:00.002-04:00

Photo by Pam Hunter

Fun News! Two from Emmaus take titles. . .

2008-10-04T23:10:00.004-04:00

Kim Geist won a gold medal at the USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships out in Carson, California. If you remember, Kim had a terrible accident just a year ago when she was run over by a tractor trailor truck while out on a training run. All of you who prayed for her recovery - it's time to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. She is one of the best female riders in the world.

And lets not forget Mary Costello who recently took a Junior Women's biking title.

Andy W. says that St. Margaret's does female bikers well. Both of these young women worship at St. Margaret's. Kim's Mother has been on the teaching staff of St. Margaret's Nursery School since it opened over 25 years ago. And Mary's Mom? Evelyn says, "Just don't ask me to cook!"

A Rocky Sunday - Getting Ready for October 5th

2008-09-24T09:37:00.006-04:00

Thirty people, in less than one hour, and all the rocks were laid out along the markings to complete our outdoor labyrinth. It will be formally dedicated on Centennial Homecoming Sunday, October by The Rev. Elizabeth Haynes at 1:30 p.m. It will be known as "The Emmaus Walk" at St. Margaret's Church. This is a meditative garden area open to the public. Labyrinths are ancient spiritual tools. They were first built on the grounds of cathedrals in the Middle Ages when travel for Pilgrims was unsafe. Labyrinths are not to be confused with mazes that are designed to trick and fool and lead astray. When you faithfully follow the path of a labyrinth, it will take you safety to the center and back out again. Many people have found that walking to the center is a good time to either shed cares or to carry a question. Often labyrinth walkers linger quietly in the center. As they leave the center, they may find that they are carrying a boon or picking up good energy.

Let us know about your experience after you walk!

New Hope Sunday

2008-09-20T19:21:00.005-04:00

Sunday, September 22

New Hope Sunday

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Hallelujah! Less than one year from the formal kick-off date of the New Hope Campaign we have raised pledges of over $3,730,000. This surpasses our original goal of $3,6000,000. You have show faith, hope and charity helping us to lift up our needy brothers and sister here and in Kajo Keji. As a Diocese I believe we have matured in our mutual faith. We have grown as we have left our personal agendas behind and met at Christ's side, following, His agenda. This is loving others as ourselves.

As you read this, we are receiving grant application from local parishes to support new outreach initiatives. In Kajo Kei, we have completed one third of the college. This month we are breaking ground to build the first New Hope primary school in Romogi. This fall, Trip Tepagnier, Chair of the World Mission Committee, and I will be meeting with the representatives of Grameen Microfinance Bank in Washington, DC and the Five Talents Microfinance organization in Virginia to begin to develop our microfinance project.

Our fund raising work is not yet completed. Due to changes beyond our control, we need to raise another $400,000 in pledges. This is due to three factors:

1.Our original estimates of the costs of building the schools were roughly 200% lower than the actual costs

2. The government of the New Sudan has doubled the minimum number of classrooms per school.

3. Due to the building boom in the New Sudan, concrete and other construction materials have experienced hyper-inflation, some commodities have tripled in price.

Without these additional funds two schools will not be built and supported, taking the promise of a better future from over 500 children per year. The literacy rate in Southern Sudan is estimated to be 15 to 20%. In ten years time our New Hope primary schools alone can double the literacy rate. You can insure that a child learns to read, read the gospels. We can start a virtuous cycle of success. This week, I increased my pledge to New Hope. I ask you to join me.

Charlie Barebo

New Hope Chair

Blogging for MDGs

2008-09-17T23:09:00.004-04:00

Sept. 25th: Pray. Fast. Witness.

Two prayers form a specific foundation for this movement.

The first is the EGR Prayer ... written for the movement by one of its founders, the Rt. Rev. Jeffery Rowthorn.

The EGR Prayer

+ Most loving God, as your desire for mercy for the poor is unrelenting, may we be unrelenting in our pursuit of mercy for all; as your compassion for the suffering of the poor knows no limit, may our hearts overflow with compassion for all; as you long for justice for the poor, may we strive for justice for all. Open our eyes to the structures of oppression from which we benefit, and give us courage to accept our responsibility, wisdom to chart a sound course amid complexity, and perseverance to continue our work until it is finished. Breathe your life-giving Spirit afresh into your Church to free us from apathy and indifference; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The second is the Counting Prayer -- a worldwide interfaith movement to pray for the will to end extreme poverty. Please go to www.countingprayers.org and learn how to add you and your congregation to those praying daily and weekly for the will to make poverty history.

The Counting Prayer

"The world now has the means to end extreme poverty;

we pray we will have the will."

Outdoor Labyrinth- SPECIAL REQUEST

2008-08-28T23:03:00.003-04:00

SPECIAL REQUEST: You are asked to bring a rock or large stone to place in our new Labyrinth which will be dedicated on Centennial Homecoming Sunday, October 5. We would like as many people as possible to be a tangible part of creating this spiritual pathway -- "The Emmaus Walk".

Early birds: please bring your contribution to the parking lot and place it under the blue tarp before October 5th. We will accept stones right up until the dedication that afternoon.

Team Petrohoy

2008-08-27T15:40:00.004-04:00

Last Wednesday, I spent several hours with Mike and Pat Petrohoy at their home. The first thing I noted was the new ramp which Pat and Jessica are sealing to protect it from the weather. Mike’s sister and brother-in-law were visiting from Florida and we were joined by Mike’s Son David, who came on his Harley. We sat on their back deck surrounded by Pat’s tomatoes and flowers. We talked, enjoyed some cupcakes brought over by a neighbor and then shared Holy Communion.
One year ago, Mike was diagnosed with ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. His spirits are good. He says he knows God is with him. His desire is to fight this disease by helping to find a treatment or cure. ALS is a life-changing, life shortening disease.
Every 90 minutes a person in this county is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. So don’t waste another moment.
Act for Mike and Pat and Jessica. Continue to keep them in your prayers.
Consider making a pledge for Team Petrohoy. Can you join them as they walk on October 11, 2008? The Petrohoys have formed a team to be part of the "Walk to Defeat ALS" at Lehigh Valley College, Saucon Valley, PA.
Read Jessica’s heart warming appeal . . .

Sponsor me in the walk for ALS.
Last summer my Dad, Mike Petrohoy, was diagnosed with ALS, or more commonly known as. Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I can’t quite remember my first reaction to finding out. I think I wasn’t even sure what it meant anyway. I’ve heard of Lou Gehrig’s Disease before but I had no idea what it did to the person who had it. I did some research and pretty much all of my findings said that 20% of people with ALS live five years after diagnosis, 10% with live ten years, and 5 % will live 20 years. Moe than half, however, live up to three years after diagnosis. It is a muscle degenerative disease with no cure. In all honesty I think I prepared myself for his death right then and there. His years were numbered. It was like stamping a date on his forehead. The first two or three nights after we found out I cried in bed at night. "Poppy don’t leave me yet, don’t go Poppy." I shut down some of my emotions after that. If I couldn’t feel anything, I definitely couldn’t feel sad and besides I had to be strong anyway. I had already had some ‘life experiences’ of my own to deal with and entering my first year of college, I felt like I had a lot on my plate.
In the early months of 2007, my Mom and I could see that something wasn’t quite right with Dad. We began noticing some twitching in his bicep muscles and his weight starting to drop. By summer he had lost 90 pounds in a year. He lost some strength in his left leg and one time at work at Wal-mart it actually went totally limp and numb. Dad began going to neurological doctors and having test after test to find out what was wrong. I really thought that he embellished or even made up some of his symptoms. I thought that he felt he wasn’t getting enough attention so things had to start going wrong with him in order to get it. Maybe I was just in denial? Even after we had a first opinion we needed a second and a third and more tests to confirm it couldn’t be anything else. It was clear however, that he had ALS. Now that we had the diagnosis, he seemed more at rest, knowing that he wasn’t losing his mind and there was actually a name for what was happening to his body. The next step was to alter our lives in order to adjust to the changes that were happening to him.
It is now the beginning of the summer of 2008. I finished my first year of college and I plan on working as much as possible to have money in savings. Dad recently got his motorized wheelchair, which we applied for in January. We are waiting on a ramp to get the wheelchair into the house. Currently it stays in my Mom’s Jeep while Dad isn’t using it at Wal-mart where he still works. I’ve learned to accept his condition now. Everything in life happens for a reason. That reason isn’t always apparent at first though. At our last ALS group meeting a girl showed up whose Father was recently diagnosed with ALS. When it came her turn to talk she fell immediately into tears. At that moment I realized the impact Dad’s condition had on me. After those first few nights of tears I stopped crying about it. It was so much to handle at the time that I ignored it. Looking back, I didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation. I am thankful that I am now able to talk about it with other people. Going to the ALS group meetings has helped me grow and learn.
According to the ALS website:
It is estimated that ALS is responsible for nearly two deaths per hundred thousand population annually. More people die every year of ALS than of Huntington’s disease or multiple sclerosis and it occurs two-thirds as frequently as multiple sclerosis.
Approximately 5.600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. The incidence of ALS (two per 100,000 people) is five times higher than Huntington’s disease and about equal to multiple sclerosis. It is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans may have the disease at any given times.
ALS continues to sit back burner to most diseases. Hopefully with spreading knowledge to other people, they will some day find a cure or treatment for this devastating illness. I hope I have inspired you to help the cause for ALS. Our family has decided to help by joining the "Walk to Defeat ALS." If you want to help, you can walk too! Donations are also accepted and appreciated. Please keep our family and the families affected by this disease in your prayers. Knowledge is the first step to finding a cure. Tell your friends and family about ALS.

Link here to find "Team Petrohoy’s" Page for the October 11th "Walk to Defeat ALS"http://www.alsphiladelphia.org

Community Breakfast

2008-06-02T21:04:00.002-04:00

Saturday, June 7th, our "Feed the Flock" Breakfast will feature
Belgium Waffles in addition to Egg McMargarets, Breakfast Burritos and Omlets.
Come to enjoy good food at a reasonable cost.
8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Well, I'll be "tye-dyed". . .

2008-05-21T20:09:00.004-04:00

Sunday, May 18th, we continued our year long Centennial Celebration by remembering the 1960s. We sang some traditional songs, some folk songs and some songs for peace. The Church School wore the tee shirts they had dyed two weeks earlier. It was Trinity Sunday, which is often called the Feast of the Imagination. And I could really imagine myself back in the stormy 1960s. A young couple came with their infant daughter and lots of family and friends for her Baptism. They all got to Church early and sat on one side. They were dressed up for the big day. Many of the men wore sport jackets and a some even had on ties. Across the aisle, there were the Church School youth... in their colorful tye dyed shirts. It reminded me of the tension we all felt as the world tilted and changed. Then and now, I hold fast to Jesus words, the last line of Sunday's Gospel,

Jesus said, "...remember I am with you always, to the end of the age."

WELCOME HAPPY MORNING!

2008-03-23T06:43:00.002-04:00

I am looking forward to seeing all of you later this morning as we celebrate Christ's Resurrection together.
Just wanted you to know that I had an "Easter dream" early this morning.
I posted it on "Maggie on Elm" and you can link there from here.
Look at the right hand column.

A Face that Graces our Space

2008-03-22T13:34:00.002-04:00

Margot Bradbury is a steadfast member of our fellowship and really needs no introduction.
[This is the photo my software would not let me post. Read the earlier note: How many Episcopalians does it take. . ..}

HOLY SATURDAY -- A Day of Preparation

2008-03-22T12:41:00.005-04:00

So how many Episcopalians does it take...

to prepare for the Feast of the Resurrection

of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Twenty six and one Lutheran*!

[Kathy M. is filling in for Norman S.]

+ O God, Creator of heaven and earth; Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son

was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Collect for Holy Saturday
from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 283

The first person arrived before 8 a.m.

Three parish members then read the Proper Liturgy for Holy Saturday.

Before the last remains from Good Friday's Stations of the Cross had been gathered and before the clergy finished washing the main altar, the Altar Guild came bearing Easter flowers to decorate our worship for Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, downstairs in the Parish Kitchen, the Church School children were dyeing Easter eggs.

Some where dedicated to be carried to the homes of our shut-ins, others would go home with the children, a few will be part of our traditional Easter egg hunt tomorrow morning. [Thanks, Jenn B. for your oversight of this project. Hope you feel better!]

Sally W. loaded her crew to set up for the Parish Breakfast with five strong men. Then she "Tom Swayer-ed" the young guys to help. The tables were readied in short order. Then Margot B. returned bringing her traditional pansies to be used as centerpieces. [And I don't know why these things happen. The software is not letting me add the last few pictures. So expect another post!]

Maundy Thursday at St. Margaret's

2008-03-19T22:48:00.012-04:00

Maundy Thursday

The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples and had washed their feet, said to them "Do you know what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done."

For many of us the three days before Easter- Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday - are very moving. We mark the time with special worship services that include Foot Washing, Stripping the Altar, a Vigil through Thursday night to noon on Good Friday and Stations of the Cross.

Several members of the Worship Commission which works behind the scenes to plan and prepare for these services offer these reflections:

Since I have been a member of Altar Guild I have found that one of the most moving experiences for me during Holy Week is the stripping of the altar following the Maundy Thursday service. The physical action of taking everything from the altar and sanctuary area leaves in me a deep feeling of sadness that Christ will be gone. The starkness of the altar makes me want to cry. Needless to say it is with joy that I help prepare the altar on Easter Saturday for the jubilant Easter morning services.
Kathy Leber, Head of Altar Guild

Jesus is gone ! This is the heart-wrenching realization whenever I see the altar stripping at the Maundy Thursday service. All visible signs of Jesus disappear: bread, wine, crosses, Bibles, paraments. It is an always powerful, moving, experience for me. I feel alone, empty . . . yearning for Christ’s return.
I think about how meaningless my life would be without him.
"Could you not stay awake with me one hour?" Jesus’ Gethsemane question to his disciples has pulled me up short and drawn me to St. Margaret’s Garden of Repose for the past nineteen years. It is one of my most enriching, treasured spiritual experiences.
Our garden is a special place where I pray, read scripture, sketch, jot down thoughts. Often I do absolutely nothing except absorb the peace and beauty. I highly recommend a visit. Good things await you !

For these Maundy Thursday experiences I give thanks, because it somehow helps me to more fully appreciate and celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection on Easter Day.
The Rev. Elizabeth Diely +

For many years I avoided participating in the Maundy Thursday foot washing: for the usual reasons, I suspect, mostly like Peter's protest. My perception of the rite was changed at an icon workshop on the day we were to observe Maundy Thursday with foot washing. The priest who served as our Chaplain noted its importance to him. He said, in effect, that he felt his priesthood most keenly as he emulated Jesus by washing feet, and how the act strengthened him in his ministry.
Belatedly, I realized my reluctance to participate missed the point entirely. My role was to emulate the Disciples, who, whatever their feelings were, obeyed, and submitted to their Lord's desire to serve them. The observance has become for me a reminder that we are, as followers of Christ, to live into the role of disciples as well.
Peace,
Marian Stewart, Vestry Member

Jesus said to Peter, "COULD YOU NOT WATCH WITH ME ONE HOUR?!! (Mark 14:37).
This is a haunting phrase to me, especially when I have put off bible reading and prayer.
The phrase brings to mind Maundy Thursdayservice's last hymn,
"STAY WITH ME, REMAIN HERE WITH ME, WATCH AND PRAY, WATCH AND PRAY"
Stripping of the altar then follows, bringing a feeling of somberness, awe and darkness. We watch, pray, and recall Jesus' words and his great agony.
Alice Luetzel. Organist

Good Friday

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgement and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.

Seven MORE "Deadly Sins" -- Yipes, gulp... and...

2008-03-18T18:06:00.004-04:00

Mmm...it makes you think.

The Vatican has added seven modern vices to its list of mortal sins.
So in addition to pride, envy, gluttony, greed, lust, wrath, and sloth, we now get to consider
polluting, genetic engineering, being obscenely wealthy, taking drugs, abortion, pedophilia,
and causing social injustice.

Spokesman Msgr. Gianfranco Gitotti said that the old sins focused on self
while the new ones concentrate on actions that affect (sic) others.
Girotti is head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, which is in charge of ...you guessed it...absolution.

For me, this raises questions like:
If my income is in the top ten percentile for women worldwide, am I obscenely wealthy?
If I take aspirin...
If I don't recycle...

But also, if I don't speak up...
So, while I don't like these labels...is it a sin to be pro-choice?
I am pro-life. Which is why I am also pro-choice and a pacifist. And against the death penalty.
It is a seamless garment for me.

Friends, why does this list sound off?
Have I become a conservative ranting against political correctness?
Have I become a cynic who wonders why the Roman Catholic hierarchy is now listing pedophilia as a deadly sin?

Football fans out there...can you say "piling on"?
Something is foul here.
Help me identify it.

Peace.

Holy Week and Easter

2008-03-15T12:22:00.003-04:00

+ Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race

you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature,

and to suffer death upon the cross,

giving us the example of his great humility;

Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering,

and also share in his resurrection;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Sprit, one God, for ever and ever.

AMEN.

Even Better . . .

2008-02-21T23:13:00.002-05:00

Have you seen the VW commerical... the "Sign and Drive Event"?
Drivers crash into pylons and each other (!) as they sign their names to pages on clip boards resting on their steering wheels. The youthful announcer seems puzzled until a cohort whispers in his ear. He announces a change... the "Sign then Drive Event"; everyone breathes a sigh of relief at the correction; and he adds, "Even better. . . ."

So, here's my correction.

The newsletter says that the March 1st Feed the Flock community breakfast menu will feature "pancakes".
The plan is to feature "French Toast".

And I say,
EVEN BETTER.

So mark the date.
And mark the last Saturday of March which is also a Feed the Flock breakfast.
And plan to invite a friend to join you... for French Toast!! Egg McMargarets!! Breakfast Burritos!! and more...

Peace,
Canon Lexa +

Enlighten our Worship. . . .

2008-02-19T23:16:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends,

Countless Sunday mornings, I have prayed that God "enlighten our worship and lead us all to greater depths of love and service for His name's sake".
Come to worship this Sunday to see how God has answered that prayer!!

Peace,
Canon Lexa +

The "Super Bowl" of Coffee Hours

2008-02-03T13:02:00.000-05:00

The very unofficial results are in. . .tonight it will be a rout.
The hosts of this morning's Coffee Hour at St. M's held a mini "Super Bowl" party for us all.
Cheese and nachos, pigs in the blanket and...

Two cakes decorated with team logos and colors.

The Congregation had been invited to come on down after worship and everyone was told to vote for their favorite team by eating up the other team's cake!

Well, I never. . .
The youngest among us were hopping up and down to get the last slice of the NY Giants cake eaten.
There were even rumors of a "Cake Gate" scandal as Tinsely was accused of making the NE Patriots cake slices bigger than those of the competition. Imagine that and in the Undercroft of a Church, no less.

And, when all was said and done, there it sat...
Proudly...
One half of a very patriotic cake.

Fun was had by all.
Thanks to Sally W., Tinsely F., Mack W., Mike F. and little Carter- the crawling full back. . . all the way back to his Mom.

Peace to all.

'Little Fishes"

2008-01-26T19:48:00.001-05:00

This meditation ran in the last Diocesan Life. It is posted here because tomorrow we read Matthew's account of Jesus' call of Peter and Andrew, James and John. . .

Matthew 4: 19
Jesus said to Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."

I like to fish. When I prepare for an outing, I put on my lucky hat, make sure my Swiss army knife is in one of the many pockets of my fishing vest, pick up my tackle, and set out to buy minnows, little fish.

Did you know that in the 2nd century the newly baptized were called "little fishes"?

I wonder can we hear Jesus’ call "I will make you fish for people"...as if fish is not a verb? What if it is a noun! I know the Greek doesn’t support this. But stay with me.

Are we the fish, the bait, the lure? To bring others to knowledge of God’s love shown to us in the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Minnows on the end of a fishing line are set in the mainstream to draw in other fish. They have to be lively and active. Called to be fish, we are to be the bait to attract other people. Christian witness builds up the body of Christ, the Church. What kind of a fish are you?

Lets think bigger. Minnows grow into sport fish. Remember God used a large fish and it changed the very direction of Jonah’s life and ministry. Simon Peter and Andrew were casting their nets to catch fish they would sell so people could eat. As fish God uses us as both bait and nourishment.

God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. God nourishes us so that we can help nourish others. When we mend a quarrel, or visit a shut-in – we are fish. When we offer words of kindness and encouragement or teach a child – we are fish. When we give and work for the spread of God’s kingdom– we are fish.

So act fishy!

2007 Annual Report in the Mail

2008-01-26T19:45:00.000-05:00

Please let the Parish Office know if you do not receive a copy of the 2007 Annual Report.
Here's the Rector's letter. . .

Dear Friends in Christ,

By now, you’ve all heard about the switch from analog to digital television signals scheduled for February 18, 2009, when "rabbit ears" will no longer bring a picture to the screen. Many of us will have to upgrade our sets and the government is even offering $40 coupons to help. Isn’t the future both amazing and annoying? But sometimes the challenges and cost seem to outweigh the excitement and promise.

One of my sustaining verses from scripture is John 10:10b. It comes to mind when the washing machine breaks or there is too much month for my checkbook balance. It helps me put all in perspective and reminds me that Christ is my center. Some might say this is an extraordinarily optimistic view of life. To me it is resting in God and letting the Holy Spirit sustain me.

Jesus said to them ... "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

On Sunday, January 13, the Vestry had an extra meeting in order to complete an Asset Mapping exercise which asked us to consider the "half full" glass of our common life and ministry. We spent about 15 minutes writing each asset we could think of on index cards. There must have been over 100. A few were duplicates.
Then we moved around the table where those assets were laid out and put them into affinity groupings, or constellations of cards that suggested actions to us. I was amazed at how easy it was to do. There is a lot of good things happening here. Good people. With talents. And enthusiasms. One of our assets is this building. With plenty of good room to open it up to others.

Our first identified concern was to build and strengthen our fellowship. So we hope to reform the S.M.I.L.E.S. ministry. [That’s St. Margaret’s Inreach, Laughing and Eating Society]. We want to have some fun together.
We spoke about the hospitality of opening our fellowship and building to others. This led us to suggest that every time we plan or approach an event or activity or new ministry there is a priority question which needs to be asked. That question is "Who can we invite to join us?"

When we were done we had a list of four actions for the future, and this is what we saw. . .the table was still full of index cards with assets written on them. We had not exhausted the gifts and graces given to us.
We truly are living the abundant life offered by Christ.

Let us be thankful.
And move into God’s HD future by
practicing Hospitality and strengthening our own Discipleship.

Faithfully,
The Rev. Canon Lexa H. Shallcross, Rector

Spring in January

2008-01-09T00:13:00.000-05:00

Spring in January

Intellectually, I know that today's warm temperatures did not set a new record. But didn't it feel wonderful.... in that Mae West "too much of a good thing is simply marvelous" way?
Did you shed your jacket?
Open the sunroof on your car?

Tonight, the sky was clear and the stars were bright.
I offered some thanks remembering this scripture we may recite at the beginning of evening prayer:

Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night; who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth. The Lord is his name. Amos 5:8

[Book of Common Prayer, p. 115]

Wishing You a Green New Year

2007-12-31T11:32:00.000-05:00

Making those New Year’s resolutions?
While I’m sure you don’t need any suggestions:
here are a few widely agreed-upon tips that will reduce energy and save you some money.

Use compact fluorescent bulbs which will save you about $30 over their 7,500-10,000 hour life. (You should take them to a recycling center instead of tossing them in the trash, though, because they contain a minuscule amount of mercury.)

Lowering your thermostat 5 to 10 degrees at night and when no one is home can cut heating costs by 20%. Programmable thermostats can make this easier.

Insulate hot water pipes and lower your temperature on your water heater from 130 degrees to 120 degrees.

Choose Energy Star when in the market for new appliances, but be aware that hidden energy drains such as lighting, ice makers, and special settings (such as the pots-and-pans cycle on dishwashers) are not factored into energy-use figures.

Nighttime Prayers. . .

2007-12-11T23:13:00.000-05:00

Gracious God, we remember this night our brothers and sisters in the Midwest
where the ice storm has stranded travelers in airports and truck stops;
has left thousands without electricity and has taken the lives of 35 people.
May they know your presence and mercy
as emergency relief teams work
to relive and support them.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.

Springerles

2007-12-07T16:56:00.000-05:00

Here's what a plate of Springerles looks like.

The Ghosts of Christmas Cookies -Past, Present and Future

2007-12-07T11:02:00.000-05:00

My home is full of good smells... I've made some multi-grain/most oatmeal cookies with raisins. This is my personal favorite. What's yours?
The dog has finally decided that she doesn't have to follow me from one side of the kitchen to the other and is napping. I have the double chocolate pinwheel dough chilling in the refrig and I'm taking a coffee break while I look up ingredients for spritz cookies.
By now you are asking, "Why is she going on about baking cookies?" Here's the answer:

St. Margaret's Sixth Annual Cookie Sale
Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Women of St. Margaret's are holding their sixth annual Christmas cookie sale this weekend. Many bakers are in their kitchens preparing tasty and festive treats for your holiday table. Come early for the best selections! Park in the Church lot off Elm Street.
There is early drop off for convenience of bakers (no early sales! Sorry.) Friday evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Saturday morning starting at 8:30 a.m.
Jill Tillotson is the chairwoman for this event.

But as I'm baking, memories are coming to me. I remember my Mother setting up a card table so that we could cut out and decorate Rich Roll Cookies (recipe in The Joy of Cooking). As I recall it, neighborhood children would be included. AND my brother and I ate the dough. It was so good. Now recipes include a warning not to eat raw dough that includes eggs because of the possibly of sominla posioning. Makes you wonder how future generations will cringe at our current practices.

I wanted to try a couple of new recipes this year so I picked up the Better Homes and Garden 100 Best Cookies magazine while in line at the grocery check out. I've read it cover to cover. It is full of post-it notes.
Here's two things I discovered. My favorite recipes are all there except one. The German springerle (SPRING uhr lee). More about that later. And second, according to a 1796 cook book, there are some ingredients we no longer use! How do these ingredients sound? 3 pounds of flour, a tea cup of fine powdered coriander seed, 1 pound of butter and three teaspoons of pearl ash dissolved in a tea cup of milk. Yipes! And then, this advice...these cookies would be "finer, softer, and better when 6 months old." The magazine editors made a point to say that this old time recipe did NOT enjoy the approval from the Bether Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen.

The German stamped anise cookie...the Springerle. Ahhh...that's where my real memories lie. My paternal Grandmother made these early each December. Then she carefully wrapped them and let them harden. The anise flavor deepened. And we all enjoyed them as a dunking cookie. I watched my Father hide his in his bedroom wardrobe. My Brother looks forward to the ones I give him each year. Two years ago, I mailed some to my Uncle in California. Aunt Mary reported he was so touched because he hadn't had any since his Mother died and when they came East to visit, they gave me my Grandmother's springle rolling pin.
I don't use the "magic" ingredient hartshorn and it is not my family's habit to decorate the white squares after baking with edible food coloring "paint". This cookie says "Christmas" to me. I kind of ignore the history. But am including it here, now, for your enjoyment...
The name Springerle comes from an old German dialect and means "little knight" or "jumping horse." Historians trace these cookies back to the Julfest, a midwinter celebration of pagan Germanic tribes. Julfest ceremonies included the sacrificing of animals to the gods, in hope that such offerings would bring a mild winter and an early spring. Poor people who could not afford to kill any of their animals gave token sacrifices in the form of animal-shaped breads and cookies. Vestiges of these pagan practices survive in the baking of shaped-and-stamped German Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen, Spekulatius, Frankfurter Brenten, and Springerle.
I have made these cookies annually since 1968. Now, I make them with my adult Daughter. The recipe in the Joy of Cooking is adequate. I add one teaspoon anise extract. Note that "beat until light" means that you will beat the eggs with a hand mixer for almost 8 minutes. This is important. I also buy my eggs several days ahead as fresh eggs do not seem to work as well. Note the lower oven temperatue and longer baking time. Watch springerles carefully- only the bottom turns pale brown. Do not over bake.
So what are your traditions? What are you baking for the holidays?

December 2 is the First Sunday of Advent

2007-11-25T23:59:00.000-05:00

I recently watched the 1990 documentary, "God Grew Tired of Us". With poignancy and power, it follows the lives of three of the Lost Boys of the Sudan who were resettled in the USA.

One was John Bul, a tall Dinka, who was placed with three other boys in an apartment in Syracuse. He had been a leader among the Lost Boys’ as they marched and as they lived in the refugee camp in Kenya.
His story is remarkable. He worked two and three jobs so he could send money back to both Kenya where his cohort of Lost Boys were living and to Uganda after he found his mother and sisters were living in a camp there. He graduated from high school and went onto college. He became a spokesman for the "Lost Boys" in America. His hope is to return to help rebuild a New Sudan.

One segment of the film in particular was striking to me....
The first year was hard and the boys had many questions.
About electricity, potato chips, trash removal and the apparent unfriendliness of Americans.
Then came December.
The boys watched a Christmas movie on television.
John Bul asked why his sponsors had put a small tree up in the apartment and what was the meaning of the tree and of "Santa"? Was "Santa" in the Bible?
The boys were taken to a shopping mall where they saw a huge Christmas tree and Santa in person. John Bul asked how does this relate to the birth of Jesus Christ?
Then the scene cut to an ice skating rink where some of the Lost Boys tried to skate.
John Bul said, "You have so many things to help you celebrate Christmas. It is good in the camp, too. We have to prepare for the birth of Jesus in our hearts. We have to prepare spiritually. We sing and dance. It is good."
As the film cut to show some of the Lost Boys riding bikes in the snow, I gulped.
And felt both confronted and challenged.

Advent. How can I prepare spiritually so that Christ can be born anew in my heart, my home and my ministry?
I took the DVD back to Blockbuster.
The question still lives with me.

"Every Member" Sheep (c) Is Dressed and Ready. . .

2007-11-08T19:34:00.000-05:00

"Every Member" Sheep (c) has found his tam. He's ready and waiting for the big day! And he hopes you plan to be with us for our annual festival honoring our patron- St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland, on Sunday, November 18 at 10:15 a.m. At that time, we begin our year long centennial celebration. The Ven. Richard I. Cluett, former rector and friend, will be our guest preacher. Everyone is invited to enjoy the fun by wearing plaids, tartans, tams and kilts and by joining the procession of pipers and people. Our piper is James Ruhf, official Piper to the Mayor of Bethlehem. There is a parish luncheon following worship. The menu will include our traditional St. Margaret's Vegetable Beef Soup. Help us get a head count for the hospitality committee...you can RSVP here or to parishoffice@stmargaretsemmaus.org.

"Octoberfest" Talent Auction is Success

2007-11-05T21:12:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning, aided by the end of Daylight Savings Time, Carla Holdridge reported that the previous night’s Talent Auction had netted a profit of $5342. The bidding was lively and the food was great. Fun was had as funds were raised. Theresa Ernst won the raffle of a weekend at the West's cabin on Bear Lake.

Thank you to everyone!

To the Holdrides- Carla, Mike, Leigh and Tim who anchored the event.

To Barbara S. and her calling committee which worked ahead of time.
To Sara C., Membership Incubator, for individual invitations mailed to homes.
To Mark T., Scott S., Janice C., Dan C. for planning, preparing, cooking, serving the tasty German menu.
To Jill T., Meta C. and Janice C. who decorated the hall. Weren’t the centerpieces great?
To Tinsley F. and Sally W. who handed the financial table.
To Patti P. and Dan F. who staffed the Silent Auction.
To Ken S. and Mack W. who worked tirelessly to set up.
To Hannah and friends who provided child care.

To all our autioneers: Mack W., Tony V., Dave L., Matt H., Bill P. and Mike H.
AND to all their "Vannas" who were asked to wear silly bibs and pray any snapshots taken of same never see the light of day!

To everyone who spent the entire day at church like little Carter!

To everyone who helped clean up.
To everyone who donated an item, a talent or a baked good to the auction.
To everyone who invited a friend, neighbor, coworker or family member to join the festivities.
And

To everyone who bid and helped raise funds and fun for St. Margaret’s Church.

Counting our Blessings

2007-10-29T10:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, it was fun to have lots of thanksgivings included in the
Prayers of the People.
Two are worth noting here, I think.

First, for those of you who have not heard yet...
Jamison Nicole is coming home!
[See earlier posts...A Mother Requests our Prayers 8/26 and Two Pounds!! A Real Bundle of Joy 9/12]

And Margot Bradbury was awarded the Swain School Trustee's Silver Bowl for Outstanding Community Service on Wednesday, October 24, 2007. When I congratulated her, Margot was full of excitement because of all the on the spot reunions she had with people she knew. It seemed that the award took second place in her mind.

Note from the Archdeacon regarding Convention Help

2007-09-18T17:37:00.000-04:00

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We are very grateful to the Cathedral Church of the Nativity for hosting the Convention on October 12 and 13. Undertaking this complete with offering hospitality is quite a large responsibility, and volunteers are needed for a number of positions for all things to run smoothly.

Registrars, greeters, child care givers (meeting "Safeguarding" standards), parking lot attendants, and kitchen helpers are most needed.

Will you help us and our hosts by advertising this need in your parishes? Spouses of delegates who may wish to help are most welcome.

Please direct volunteers to Sally Snyder (snydersal@aol.com), Pam Bayliss (pbayliss@rcn.com), or to me. Sally and Pam may also be reached through the Cathedral Church at (610-865-0727).

Thank you very much for your attention to this. The smoothness of Convention last year, which many of you have mentioned to me, results from the hard work of many, many people.

Best regards,
Howard Stringfellow

A Small Need...Maybe You Can Fill It

2007-09-17T10:51:00.000-04:00

The Emmaus Ministerium met last week at Bethel Bible Fellowship where the local food pantry is located. It is called Groceries PLUS. That means the canned goods come with prayer, love, understanding and support. Pastor Dave mentioned that from time to time one of the clients they serve needs a can opener. Do you have a second one in your kitchen? Bring it to St. M's and we'll see that it gets to Bethel the next time we take our basket of groceries to them for distribution.

Two pounds!! A real bundle of joy.

2007-09-12T22:56:00.000-04:00

Hey, Guys- check out the blog for Jamison Nicole. She now weighs 2 pounds!
Continue holding her and her family in your prayers.
[See post from August 26th: "A Mother Requests Our Prayers".
Her blog can be found at http://jamisonnicole.blogspot.com ]

Remembering 9/11

2007-09-12T08:35:00.000-04:00

Here's one of my pictures from last night at the Phillies game.

Rayn Howard and Jimmy Rollins stand as local first responders parade the flags of 49 states. The colorquard of Navy and Marines brought in the flags of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and of the United States. It was a quiet, solemn moment. Our attention was directed to the fanavision big screen to see Ray Charles sing "God Bless America" as scenes of rocks, hills, plains and oceans filled in behind him. How did you all remember?

+God the compassionate one, whose loving care extends to all the world, we remember this day your children of many nations and many faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce flames of anger and hatred. Console those who continue to suffer and grieve, and give them comfort and hope as they look to the future. Out of what we have endured, give us the grace to examine our relationships with those who perceive us as the enemy, and show our leaders the way to use our power to serve the good of all for the healing of the nations. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord who, in reconciling love, was lifted up from the earth that he might draw all things to himself. Amen.

--Prepared by The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold, former Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church, USA, for September 11 anniversary observances.

The "Prophet with a Guitar"

2007-09-10T12:02:00.000-04:00

David M. Bailey, singer/songwriter/survivor, will perform at St. John's UCC Church this coming Sunday night- Sept. 16th at 7 p.m. Freewill offering.

Don't miss this one, folks.
I first saw him at Musicfest, Bethlehem.

On July 4, 1996, dotors told David he had a malignant brain tumor and would be dead by Chrsitmas. David left his corporate career and returned to songwriting and performing. Nine years, 12 albums, 40 states and hundreds of concerts later, David, his songs, and his passions are alive and well.

One of his seventh grade teachers showed him some basic guitar chords. He went to to study classical guitar. David soon began writing his own songs and made his first recording a year later. Strong melodies and intricate finger picking serve to deliver keen, witty and insightful lyrics about faith, hope, love and dreams. David is known as a "prophet with a guitar".

[Confession: I cribbed some to this description from St. John's News, Vol. 17, Issue 6, September 2007. Somehow I believe they will absolve me.]

Labor Day Weekend Crew

2007-09-01T22:04:00.001-04:00

Good Food and a Good Crowd.

Thanks to our Labor Day Weekend Crew for the September "Feed the Flock" Community Breakfast.

We heard that there was a "singing waiter"!!
Don't miss October- special menu and Pet Blessings in honor of St. Francis. Details to follow.

But Clouds Got In My Way

2007-08-28T07:52:00.000-04:00

"So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way."
- Both Sides Now
Joni Mitchell

My Daughter reminded me that last night there would be a total lunar eclipse. Living in L.A., she would have the better view as the full moon would be high in the dark night sky.

Here in Pennsylvania, I would only see the eclipse until the sun rose at dawn. But I forgot to count in the clouds which almost eclipsed the eclipse.

We watched it together. Quietly comparing our views on our cell phones.

I had gotten out my birding scope and took a few pictures through it with my digital camera.

I was struck by how many people were up and moving around here in the Lehigh Valley. The trash collectors stopped at my curb and took away two bags. The newspaper carrier put the Morning Call on my porch. My neighbor walked out to his garage and then left for work.

And I wondered, did they know? Did they realize that the earth’s shadow, cast by the sun, was falling over the full moon.

In all fairness, at times you could not see much as the clouds hide the moon and as the sunlight washed it out. Birders talk about a "naked eye" bird. That means you do not need binoculars or a scope to see the bird. Well, this was not a "naked eye" eclipse. You had to look.

How many times don’t we look?

The phrase "clouds got in my way" came to mind. I smiled thinking of the classic Charlie Brown strips when Lucy comes in from right field with any number of variations on the old excuse, "the sun got in my eyes."

But where did that phrase come from? It was a song. Donovan? Judy Collins?
Ahh... Joni Mitchell.
Great song. I just read the lyrics. I think copyright thingees prohibit my posting those lyrics here.
But you can Google them. The song is "Both Sides Now".

Then let me know if you really know clouds, love, life.
At all....
Not to mention the moon, sun and sky.
Or the tender love of Mother and Child.
Peace.

A Mother Requests Our Prayers

2007-08-26T21:42:00.000-04:00

Laura Conway has emailed me to say that her child Jamison Nicole has been born 3 months premature. Baby, Mom and Dad are currently at the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. Laura has asked for our prayers and looks forward to bringing Jamison to Church for her baptism. The family has a blog to give updates on Jamison's progress. http://jamisonnicole.blogspot.com

+ Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you gather the lambs in your arms and carry them in your bosom: We commend to your loving care this child Jamison Nicole. Relieve her pain, guard her from all danger, restore to her your gifts of gladness and strength, and raise her up to a life of service to you. Hear us, we pray, for your dear Name's sake. Amen.
-from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 459

We are the Ones - A Short Film by Paul Hopkins

2007-08-24T10:24:00.000-04:00

So I'm trying something new. If it doesn't work, you all will not see it here!

Click here: We Are The Ones - A Short Film by Paul Hopkins

This is a video produced by Star Thrower that the Diocesan Stewardship Commission is considering. What do you think? Would it be useful as an inspirational, motivational tool in parishes?

Post back.
Peace,
Canon Lexa

Gentle Rain is Our Reminder

2007-08-20T12:37:00.000-04:00

It's a rainy Monday here in the Lehigh Valley.

As I look out my front window, determining if I need a raincoat or an umbrella, I pause to think of all the people who have lost loved ones, homes, crops and businesses in the floods this summer. These heavy rains have fallen in our own Midwest States of Texas, Oklahoma and Minnesota. These heavy rains have fallen around the globe in Great Britian, Bangladesh, China, and North Korea (where 500 bridges were washed out).
Our rain today is gentle. May it remind us to pray for and give for the relief of others.

+Gracious God, as we give thanks for all the timely and seasonable blessings of our lives, we pray that you will bring both hope and relief to all those who have suffered from the extreme floods of this summer, we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who dwells with you and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Third Annual Peach Festival Draws Crowds

2007-08-18T21:07:00.000-04:00

By 10:30 a.m., the Kitchen Crew had sold 28 homemade peach pies and there was a short wait for Crystal, the Face Painter. The weather was almost perfect for a summer day in August. People lingered at tables enjoying peach crisp, peach cobblers and peach muffins. Some walked the Labyrinth. Children earnestly completed drawings at the "Coloring Contest" center.

Winners Announced

Ann Marie Sanderson won first in the story narrative category with her drawing entitled, "The 1st Peach Arrives". Rhys Williams, age 5, took first for most original. And Laura Rau and Ciera Bachman tied for first in best drawing of a peach. Dylana Labenberg is also recognized for a colorful butterfly. Congratulations to all the artists.
All the drawings are on display in the Parish Hall.

"Thank You, All"

A "huge thank you" to everyone for worked, baked, and donated items. Both the entertainment and advertising were underwritten and those costs did not come out of our profits. We cannot name everyone here and hope you all know that in mentioning these few, we recognize all parish members. Barbara Schlosser, Kitchen; Ken Schaffner, Parish Yard Sale Table; Frank Schlosser and Mack West, physical arrangements and Betsy Diely, Labyrinth.

The Bottom Line

We anticipate raising $1300 this year. This is $300 over 2006.

Report by Sally West and Canon Shallcross,
Event Co-chairs

2007-08-17T17:28:00.000-04:00

The Pies are ready!!

Peach Festival!

2007-08-17T13:23:00.000-04:00

St. Margaret's Third Annual Peach Festival and Church Yard Sale

Saturday, August 18th -- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come early to buy a peach pie and get the cream of the flea market bargains.

Free face painting 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Coloring contest for children.

Lots of good food. Peach goodies (with and without ice cream), hot dogs, soda.

Call 610-967-1450 for more information.

25 Years of Quality Preschool Education

2007-08-14T18:50:00.000-04:00

St. Margaret’s Nursery School in Emmaus – 25 years of quality preschool education.

For 25 years, St. Margaret’s Nursery School in Emmaus has been providing quality early childhood education to children in the Lehigh Valley. It is at the end of this 25th academic school year that St. Margaret’s Nursery School (SMNS) should be recognized as a fine institution for preschool learning and should have its accomplishments and achievements highlighted.

St. Margaret’s Nursery School is a place where children have always come first. This philosophy is consistent with the goals of the school. The goals of the school are well-reflected in the curriculum. The school is especially equipped for the young child. The child can grow emotionally, socially, physically and academically under the guidance and supervision of qualified teachers. With a room full of opportunities, the child can move freely, experiment and make discoveries – and consequently develop those skills which are most appropriate to the child’s individual needs and age. An atmosphere which reflects creativity, understanding and respect for others fosters the growth of self-discipline and confidence.

St. Margaret’s curriculum also emphasizes the fact that an important part of early childhood education is to remember that it’s not just about teaching skills, it’s making sure the children are enjoying themselves too. Having fun makes them more receptive to the process. The children are learning without even realizing it. The school joins with parents in this vital responsibility, always stressing the act of learning as a positive, fun-filled experience. To assist with this, the school provides a monthly newsletter to update parents on children’s activities, their new learning skills and upcoming events.

St. Margaret’s Nursery School offers many classes for children of different ages and with different needs. The MMO – Mother’s Morning Out program is for children age 2 years and above. This is a child’s first independent play group experience. This experience helps the child to develop a good feeling about him/herself and about school. The 3-year old class is an introduction to basic readiness skills, to developing social skills and to participating in individual and group activities. The 4-year old class meets the needs of this age child in readiness and social skills and aids in preparing the child for entering kindergarten. The Pre-Kindergarten class is designed for the child who will benefit from an additional year of preschool, is advanced for the 4-year-old program or who is affected by school district entrance dates. More independence is encouraged with increased emphasis on fine motor skills. Enrichment activities such as science, literature, Spanish, sign language and phonics are also introduced.

As many SMNS graduates can attest, the curriculum at St. Margaret’s Nursery School fully prepared them for kindergarten and beyond.

“We played games, did activities and we did experiments. We learned numbers, letters, words, colors and songs.” Amanda, Age 6, Kindergarten
“I learned how to write my name, letters and numbers.” Samantha, Age 9, 4th grade.
“I learned a lot – how to be more open. I was shy and they make you meet all new friends and be creative. We also learned the alphabet, months, and seasons and weather.” Kelly, Age 15, 10th grade
“I learned a lot – the ABCs, pledge of allegiance, God Bless America, how to make my letters.” Reilly, Age 8, 2nd grade
“I had a paper in Pre-K that I learned sign language.” Shannon, Age 9, 4th grade

In addition to the advanced curriculum offered at SMNS, there are many special activities planned for the children each month. For example, there is lunch bunch in which the children can stay for an extra 1.5 hours and have lunch and play. When Shannon (age 9) was asked what she liked most about St. Margaret’s Nursery School, she said, “I liked to do lunch bunch.” This is a fun time where the kids get a fun lunch and get to spend more time with all of the other children doing free play. Other special activities include the Halloween parade, the red-white-and-blue parade (for President’s day), pajama day, dinosaur day, train day (the school’s emblem), and of course, all of the holiday parties including a large Thanksgiving Feast. Also, there are many programs that are brought into the nursery school for the children to learn from and to enjoy. Some of these are the Burn Prevention puppet show, the therapy dogs, and the firefighters. The children even take a field trip to the Emmaus Public Library to further their interest in and to stress the importance of reading.

Two other special events that the St. Margaret’s Nursery School Board of Directors sponsor are the Parent/Welcome Picnic held at the beginning of the school year and the Spring Fling, a fun and entertaining carnival held at the end of the year. Both of these events are family oriented so older siblings love to come back for these events. When asked about St. Margaret’s and going back to visit, Reilly, Age 8, said “I went back to visit. It was fun. And I love the St. Margaret’s picnics!” These two events are a fun way for families and students to meet new friends and socialize.

For 25 years, St. Margaret’s Nursery School has been providing a positive, fun-filled educational learning experience for children in the Lehigh Valley. Run by a Board of Directors and operating on a budget based upon annual tuition and a few donations, St. Margaret’s provides a wonderful education with a well-trained, dedicated staff – a staff that includes a director, certified teachers, assistants for each classroom and Grandparent Helpers. The staff truly perform their job for the love of teaching. They are an exceptional staff who enjoy coming to work every day, seeing the children, and knowing that they are providing the kids with a great educational start. It is a place where children hug their teachers, trust them and respect them. So many SMNS graduates return to visit the teachers because of the large impact that they have had on their life. When asked about their teachers at St. Margaret’s, here are some of the things that were said:

“I liked them. They don’t yell when you do something wrong. They explain it more.” Reilly, Age 8, 2nd grade

“I really liked the teachers. They were really there for you. One day when my mom was late to pick me up, I was scared and they hugged me and cared for me. They were always there for me.” Kelly, Age 15, 10th grade

“They were really nice. I talked to them a lot.” Samantha, Age 9, 4th grade

Parents are starting children in preschool earlier and earlier. Children who start young get the basic social skills that they’ll be able to use throughout their educational careers and later in life. Preschool can start the foundation for basic skill such as listening, interacting, taking turns and washing hands. St. Margaret’s Nursery School can provide all of these skills and so much more. Because of the extraordinary staff and curriculum at St. Margaret’s, children can be expected to learn more than just your basic skills.

Currently, St. Margaret’s Nursery School is enrolling children for the 2007-2008 school year. There are openings in all classes. For more information, please call the director, Linda Reinbold at 610-965-8474.

St. Margaret’s Nursery School hopes to continue its strides in early childhood education for another 25 years. The children of the Lehigh Valley can only be so lucky.

Provoke One Another to Good Deeds

2007-07-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

Pat G. waited to talk to me. She wanted to explore a recent experience as she felt God had sustained her as she faced fears and possible oral surgery. Quietly, humbly, she began her story.

"When I was five years old, I was hit by a car. My face knocked out the headlight of the car that hit me. I lost all my baby teeth. This required extra trips to the dentist over the years and the long term result was a BIG fear of needles."

She pointed to a small scar by her mouth which I had never noticed because most times when I have been with Pat G. her face has been full of expression. Joy. Smiles. Interest in the people around her. Alertness to her Lord.

Several years ago, she needed oral surgery and had a "very bad experience."
But for the last 15 years she has gone to a dentist she really trusts and finds both competent and caring. They have a warm relationship. Then one month ago, she broke a tooth on a raw carrot. She feared another trip to an oral surgeon might be required.

"I don’t often pray for myself– but I needed help. So I began praying to God."

Indeed, those of us who know and love Pat G. have asked to be included in her prayers. We know she is a prayer warrior. Of course, this is not a description she would find comfortable. Yet, hour by hour, Pat G. is praying for someone– a family member or friend, someone in our parish or one of the residents of Cedarbrook where she volunteers.

She prayed for almost 14 days until she saw her regular dentist. Hers was not the oldest of prayers – "Help! Help!" but one of faith and confidence.

She says, "My prayer was ‘I trust you God. Can you put that same trust in my dentist? A shared trust that you will get us both through this?’"

When her dentist first looked at her x-rays, he turned to her and said she needed an oral surgeon. Then Pat G. told him about her fears and her prayers and her trust in him and in God.

He looked at the x-rays a second time. He let out a big sigh and turned back to her. He said, "If you feel that strongly about all of this, I am willing to do my best."

There is still some wonder and awe in her voice when Pat G. says, "And there was no pain. Together we did it. I listen to my favorite music by Il Divos - love songs that I know by heart. No pain. But I’ll won’t eat any more raw carrots."

Then she adds, "And now I know that my faith is strong enough to know that the Lord moves mountains."

Reported by Canon Shallcross
With Pat G.’s permission

Bearing One Another's Burdens

2007-07-11T09:50:00.001-04:00

So, I'm pondering...
When I walk the puppy, I take my cell phone, the front door key and baggies for cleaning up after Maggie Jo.
I know. I know. More than anyone wants to know.
But hear me out...
Inspired by Ken Noguci I am thinking about carrying an extra bag.

Here's the train of my thoughts which left the station during the scripture readings Sunday in Church.
Right there-- separated by just two sentences-- Paul covered all the bases in the reading from Galatians.

Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
AND
For all must carry their own loads.

Good ole St. Paul. No word left unpenned.
What's a woman to think?

With that tension in mind, I settled in to read the Sunday newspaper and the Sunday comics.
And there it was right under Hagar the Horrible....
The Kid City feature was on "Trash Mountain".
It seems that since Hillaray and his Sherpa Norgay first climbed Mount Everest in 1953,
there have been over 3,000 other ascents of the Himalayan mountain.
The Japanese climber Ken Noguchi has led five expeditions to pick up the trash left behind.
In the last few years, he and his companions have collected 19,800 pounds of tins, tents, and old food. Yipes.

I remember taking walks with my Grandparents to get penny candy or ice cream at a Mom and Pop neighborhood store about four blocks from their home. They were scrupulous about putting our wrappers and soiled napkins in our pockets to carry home. Littering was a big no-no. We would pick up the occasional bit of litter we might chance upon.

My Aunt and Uncle who live in the L.A. area take a morning walk. And as they walk and talk, they pick up litter. Lots of it.

That covers my maternal and paternal sides of the family. So I guess it's in my DNA.
And an extra bag will have to go on the canine outings.

Peace,
L. +

It's A Reminder To Be Green

2007-05-20T14:04:00.000-04:00

In the Book of Revelation, we read that the leaves of the tree of life are given for the healing of the nations. We have a tree. It was drawn on a sheet of brown paper imitating the sassafrass tree which has leaves that are hand-shaped and mitten-shaped.

People have written their commitments to “being green” on the leaves. The leaves have been taped to the tree. The tree grows as our awareness of the ways we can meet the challenge of climate change grows.

To paraphrase Joyce Kilmer....

I think that I shall never read a blog as lovely as this tree.

Here are some of the leaves:

Turn off the light when going out of the room.
Hang clothes outside.
Use cloth napkins.
I will use the t.v. guide and not channel surf looking forthe least objectional show.
Drive more efficiently.
Hang up towels into of throwing them in the wash.
Cold water wash.
I will leave the car at home when I can walk.
Take cloth bags to grocery store.
Change the light bulbs to the squiggly new kind.
Use less paper.
Save water.
Use paper bags instead of plastic bags.

Trees have hundreds of leaves.... What would you write on one?

As the leaves were handed in and taped up, each person was given a green button to wear. A small, plain bright yellow green button.

It was to remind us to be green.

And subversively, we hoped people would ask us about our buttons. There was no text, no image on the buttons.

We wanted to say, “It is a reminder to me to be green. My church gave it to me.”

At St. Margaret’s we understand that we are stewards of God’s good creation and ambassadors for Christ.

We are on a journey.

Life is an adventure.

We are following as the Holy Spirit leads.

A New Bishop

2007-05-19T12:20:00.000-04:00

The Diocese of Northwest Pennsylvania has chosen the Rev. Sean W. Rowe as their new Bishop. Our prayers go out to the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Rev. Rowe. He is a priest in that diocese and active as a Standing Committee member and in diocesan youth ministry.

Canon Shallcross expresses her deep thanks to all the people who joined in the prayers and support that she, her family and St. Margaret's experienced during this period of discernment and anticipation. "It has been a priviledge and honor to be a nominee for the eighth bishop of NW PA," she said.

What are her plans post-election?

"I will be at ‘preaching camp’ this next week in Nashville, TN. Some of the best preachers in the country will be there: preaching and teaching. When I return to Emmaus, it seems I will be sorting my books and making soup for the Saturday, June 2nd Soup and Book Sale sponsored by the Women of St. Margaret’s."

And when she looks beyond the next few weeks?

"The parish begins a year long celebration of our 100th Anniversary on St. Margaret’s Day on November 18, 2007," she notes, "So we get to raise a little H- - - - -****!"

***Heaven!!!!

P.S. Sign up to get your picture taken for our 100th Anniversary photo directory. Photographers will be at St. Margaret's on Friday, June 1st and June 2. Avoid playing phone tag--time sheets will be at Church on Sunday morning.

The Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania

Search for a new Bishop page (election results)

Mother's Day Sayings for J. R.

2007-05-13T20:02:00.000-04:00

As she left church this morning, J. R. asked that I put the Mother's Day sayings on our blog so she could read them.
So, here they are....

Proverbs tells us not to reject our mother’s teaching. And in Ecclesiasticus, we read:
...those who honor their mother obey the Lord.
Some manuscripts say:
...those who comfort their mother obey the Lord.
Honor. Comfort. Both sound good to me.

There are many sayings about Mothers.
"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."
- Jewish proverb
"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."
- Henry Ward Beecher
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." -
- Abraham Lincoln
And one of my favorites:
An ounce of Mothers is worth a pound of preachers.

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

2007-04-30T19:51:00.000-04:00

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Hands of Ministry

2007-04-26T21:58:00.000-04:00

Let the hand of God guide you
as your hands work through each day.
Follow Him through the Psalms
with this thought in mind.
When you lift up your hands in His name
you are His Hands of Ministry.

Psalm 8
4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

5 What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?

6 You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honor;

7 You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:

Psalm 18 II
21 The Lord rewarded me because of my righteous dealing; *
because my hands were clean he rewarded me;

22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord *
and have not offended against my God;

Psalm 24
3 “Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? *
and who can stand in his holy place?”

4 "Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, *
who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
nor sworn by what is a fraud.

5 They shall receive a blessing from the Lord *
and a just reward from the God of their salvation."

Psalm 26
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, *
that I may go in procession round your altar,

7 Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving *
and recounting all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 28
1 O Lord, I call to you;
my Rock, do not be deaf to my cry; *
lest, if you do not hear me,
I become like those who go down to the Pit.

2 Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, *
when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.

Psalm 31
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.

5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O Lord, O God of truth.

Psalm 47
1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; *
shout to God with a cry of joy.

2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared; *
he is the great King over all the earth.

Psalm 63
1 O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.

2 Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and your glory.

3 For your loving‑kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall give you praise.

4 So will I bless you as long as I live *
and lift up my hands in your Name.

See more Hands of Ministry

Hatha Yoga at St. Margaret's

2007-04-26T18:55:00.000-04:00

Have you been feeling tired, burned-out, and unable to relax?
Would you like to learn how to take better control of your body and mind?
Strengthen and tone your body, calm your mind and reduce stress while performing different breathing techniques and stretches of the ancient practice of Hatha Yoga.

Quiet Heart Yoga is holding classes at St. Margaret’s Church.

Tuesdays, 5 to 6:30 pm and 6:45 to 8:15 pm, 8 weeks
Starting April 24th – Late registrations accepted
Cost $88 for 8 weeks

Level 2 Class
4 Mondays in May, 5/7 to 5/28, 7 to 8:30 pm, 4 weeks
Cost $44 for 4 weeks

Wednesdays (POSSIBLY), 5 to 6:30 pm, 8 weeks
Starting May 23rd
Cost $88 for 8 weeks

Tuesdays, 8 to 9:30 pm, 8 weeks
Starting June 19th
Cost $88 for 8 weeks

Thursdays, 9:30 to 11 am, 8 weeks
Starting June 21st
Cost $88 for 8 weeks

Christi is looking to schedule some afternoon classes for kids if there's interest. Please call or e-mail if you are interested so she can get the age groups together.

For more information, contact:
Quiet Heart Yoga
Christi A. Rutkowski, R.Y.T.
Quietheartyoga@hotmail.com
484-515-8356

It isn't easy being green...or being unplugged!

2007-04-26T08:30:00.000-04:00

How are you all doing?
Our Green Team reminded me that it was National Turn Off TV Week.

So what the heck. I'd done it several years ago. And it was fine. I'll do it again.This time...it wasn't the mindless violence or the mind numbing content or the materialistic messages that all my problems could be solved if I talked to my friendly pharmacist...I was interested in reducing the carbons I produced.

But something has changed ... I now live alone. My daughter is out in LA.
So this Spring. Wow! It's hard.

I wake up and don't know what the weather is without poking my head outside. Then I wander around my back yard where the daffodils and tulips and violets are blooming. The puppy drinks out of the pond. I rake leaves out from under the lilacs. Now I know what the weather is.

I come home and the house is quiet. How can I unwind from work? I made some decaf green tea and the puppy and I go out on the front porch. My neighbors are out. The young kids are riding bikes. The older ones are gathering and making plans. Then the adults come out. Bringing out trash cans and recycling bins. We start to talk. I'm glad to learn that Shirley's health is better. And I didn't know that Joey was at Camp Lejuene. So I copy down his address.

I walk past the television and remember that the Phillies are playing. Maybe I could plug the t.v. in just for the game.No! Radio. So I adjust to eliminate the static and hear Chase Utley get five hits and the Phillies win! What fun!

Maybe this isn't so hard at all.
I ' ve lost my defaults and presets and am making choices about the use of my time at home.
I' ve heard that the base of spirituality is intentionality. Choice is good.
So I' ve been reading without background noise and going to bed before Leno's monolog...I don't believe I missed any news. Actually, I' m more up on the news in my neighborhood.

Maybe this isn't hard.Maybe it's good.

How are you all doing?

Peace,
Canon Lexa +

When We Hear His Voice

2007-04-25T21:42:00.000-04:00

Fourth Sunday of Easter

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Three Celebrations!

2007-04-22T18:26:00.000-04:00

Eucharist, Baptism and Earth Day

View more pictures of the Baptism of Twins.

View more pictures of the Earth Day Celebration.

Through Our Struggle and Confusion

2007-04-20T23:45:00.000-04:00

We extend our prayers to the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings and their families.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Although I usually follow the news closely I have had a hard time reading about this tragedy. I think it may be that I just know that I can't make any sense of it and if I learn too many of the details I will try anyway.

So I offer my prayers.

A few minutes ago I found a blog post that has a prayer that I especially want to share:

My prayer for the folks whose lives have been devastated and upended by this horrible thing is that they will let God enter their lives and touch them before ten years have passed and their hearts have been nearly destroyed. God does not cause these things, but God can take the worst thing you can imagine and turn it into a blessing you could never imagine.

This comes from Bill at A Prodigal Blog, which was the first blog that I linked to when I started Maggie's Cross. I encourage you to read the full post.

May the LORD bless us and keep us; may the LORD make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious to us; may the LORD lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace.

Amen.

MarkT

In the Breaking of Bread

2007-04-19T21:42:00.000-04:00

Third Sunday of Easter

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

No More Delay on Darfur

2007-04-19T15:01:00.000-04:00

Please pray for the people of Sudan.

New York Times (4/19/2007) Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, attaches as little value to the promises he makes to the international community as he does to the lives of the many thousands of people who are being murdered in Darfur.

Link to full article.

St. Margaret's TV Turnoff Week

2007-04-17T15:40:00.000-04:00

Together we will join various East Penn Schools and families across the nation to observe National TV Turnoff Week: April 23 - 29, 2007.

As part of this observation we will have Game Night on Friday, April 27, 2007 at 7 pm in the Parish Hall. Individuals and families bring snacks to share and your favorite games - Dominos, trivia, Clue, etc. If weather permits, we will go outdoors for kickball or bean bag toss.

What is the TV Turnoff Network?

TV-Turnoff Network, formerly TV-Free America, is a nonprofit organization that encourages children and adults to watch much less television in order to promote healthier lives and communities.

Founded in 1994, TV-Turnoff Network is dedicated to the belief that we all have the power to determine the role that television plays in our own lives. Rather than waiting for others to make "better" TV, we can turn it off and reclaim time for our families, our friends, and for ourselves.

TV-Turnoff Week is a grassroots project that works. More than 65 national organizations, including the American Medical Association, the National Education Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support or endorse TV-Turnoff Week. TV-Turnoff Week succeeds because our network of thousands works hard to organize local schools, clubs, religious congregations, and communities. Since 1995, more than 24 million people have participated in TV-Turnoff Week.

More information about turning off your TV:

TVTON
Fact Sheet

TV Turnoff - Wikipedia

Earth Day Celebration

2007-04-17T15:00:00.000-04:00

St. Margaret's will mark the anniversary of Earth Day on Sunday, April 22, 2007. Prayers, music and preaching will note the day. Parish members are encouraged to wear green and to be part of the closing ceremony on the front steps of the Church following the 10:15 am service.

The History of Earth Day

Earth Day -- April 22 -- each year marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

Among other things, 1970 in the United States brought with it the Kent State shootings, the advent of fiber optics, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," Apollo 13, the Beatles' last album, the death of Jimi Hendrix, the birth of Mariah Carey, and the meltdown of fuel rods in the Savannah River nuclear plant near Aiken, South Carolina -- an incident not acknowledged for 18 years.

It was into such a world that the
very first Earth Day was born.

- On April 22, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment.

- Now, the fight for a clean environment continues. We invite you to be a part of this history and a part of Earth Day. Discover energy you didn't even know you had. Feel it rumble through the grass roots under your feet and the technology at your fingertips. Channel it into building a clean, healthy, diverse world for generations to come.

There are many Earth Day resources available on the net. Here are a few:

The Earth Day Network

International Earth Day

EnviroLink
World Wildlife Fund

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Do you have any links to favorite sites you would like to add? Post them as a comment or sent them to the Webmaster.

Separating the Good News

2007-04-15T16:36:00.000-04:00

When I hear or read a major news story it often grabs my attention - as it is designed to do. But it seems that we seldom hear much follow up. Here is an example of the 'follow up' receiving none of the attention of the original 'story'.

The Story:

In the feature documentary The Lost Tomb of Jesus a case is made that the 2,000-year-old "Tomb of the Ten Ossuaries" belonged to the family of Jesus of Nazareth. (Discovery Channel)

The Follow-Up:

Several prominent scholars who were interviewed in a bitterly contested documentary that suggests that Jesus and his family members were buried in a nondescript ancient Jerusalem burial cave have now revised their conclusions, including the statistician who claimed that the odds were 600:1 in favor of the tomb being the family burial cave of Jesus of Nazareth, a new study on the fallout from the popular documentary shows. (The Jerusalem Post)

All this makes it more difficult for people to hear the Good News as new news. Don't believe everything you hear, especially if you hear what you don't believe.

Had you heard the story? or the follow up? Are you surprised that they are backing away from the 'facts' so quickly? Let me know what you think...

[Thanks to Skeptico blog for the follow up]

In the Paschal Mystery

2007-04-14T19:12:00.000-04:00

Jesus Christ suffered

Died

and was Resurrected in Glory!

Second Sunday of Easter

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

By His Death He Has Recalled Us To Life

2007-04-13T19:00:00.000-04:00

Saturday in Easter Week

We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

That We May Always Serve You

2007-04-12T19:31:00.000-04:00

Friday in Easter Week

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Fellowship of Christ's Body

2007-04-11T22:22:00.000-04:00

Thursday in Easter Week

Open the Eyes of Our Faith

2007-04-10T21:48:00.000-04:00

Wednesday in Easter Week

Tuesday in Easter Week

2007-04-10T08:10:00.000-04:00

This morning I logged in eagerly to Maggie's Cross.
I wanted to see what Mark T. had posted.
This series of photos and prayers for Holy Week and Easter is extraordinary.
I chuckled to think I might be addicted to Maggie's Cross.

But then, I saw the front page teaser in this morning's newspaper:
"Are You Hooked? Computers. Coffee. Sugar. Shopping.
Are any of these monopolizing more of your life that you'd like?
You just might have a soft addiction."

So I immediately reframed my response....
I am not being victimized by this blog.
Though perhaps my discipleship is being deepened.

I pray this week that as we all take the roads to and from Emmaus,
we may find our hearts burning as we encounter our Risen Christ
in the events of our days and the people we meet and greet.

Peace and Joy,
Canon Shallcross
[The Walk to Emmaus is found in Luke 24.]

By the Glorious Resurrection

2007-04-09T22:07:00.000-04:00

Tuesday in Easter Week

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

[The usual literal translation of "ICXC NIKA" is "Jesus Christ conquers". The translation is sometimes "Jesus Christ is victorious". What Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, conquered was death.]

We Who Celebrate!

2007-04-08T20:26:00.000-04:00

Monday in Easter Week

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Alleluia! The Lord is Risen!

2007-04-08T14:24:00.000-04:00

He is risen, indeed!

Alleluia!

Almighty God, who through your only‑begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life‑giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Happy Easter!

See more pictures of St. Margaret's Easter Sunday Celebration.

As We Await the Resurrection

2007-04-07T13:44:00.000-04:00

As we await the Resurrection, we celebrate the Way of the Cross.

We will glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ;
In whom is our salvation, our life and resurrection.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

"Could you not stay awake with me for even one hour?"

View more pictures of the Vigil.

The Rev. Canon Lexa Shallcross speaks at the Kiwanis Club of Emmaus annual Walter C. Stoudt Memorial Prayer Breakfast. Parishoner Dan Cardinale is seated on the right.

It's almost noon. The church is ready for the

Good Friday Proper Liturgy Service.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed Him to a tree?
Were you there when they laid Him in the Tomb?

To Christ our Lord who loves us, and washed us in His own Blood, and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever. Amen.

View more pictures from the Stations of the Cross.

St. Margaret's Church prepares for Easter Sunday.

View more pictures of the Day of Preparation.

You are invited to join us:

Loving, Growing and Sharing the Good News!

Alleluia! The Glory of the Lord's Resurrection

2007-04-07T09:55:00.000-04:00

Easter Sunday

O God, who made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord’s resurrection: Stir up in your Church that Spirit of adoption which is given to us in Baptism, that we, being renewed both in body and mind, may worship you in security and truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Rise With Him to Newness of Life

2007-04-07T09:48:00.000-04:00

Holy Saturday

O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so may we await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Death Upon the Cross

2007-04-06T02:43:00.000-04:00

Good Friday

Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

If You Have Love For One Another

2007-04-05T23:21:00.000-04:00

John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him.

And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

See more pictures from the Maundy Thursday Service:

Foot washing, Communion and the Stripping of the Altar.

The Sacrament and the Holy Mysteries

2007-04-05T00:08:00.000-04:00

Maundy Thursday

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.