| . ... ... ... |
| CHIMES April & May 2013 |
| 667 Mount Road, Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 |
| Our Mission: To worship the Lord To serve the community To grow the church |
| Small Parish - Big Heart - Inclusive The little church you've been looking for! All are welcome! |
| Come and worship with us - all are welcome! |
| The CHIMES - April & May 2013 Calvary Episcopal Church, Rockdale For a PDF version of the Chimes, please click here. |
To contact us: Calvary Episcopal Church 667 Mount Road Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 OFFICE The Rev. Charles Messer, Rector Fr. Chuck: frbigman@gmail.com Website: mail@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org Office: calvaryoffice1@verizon.net MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 452 Glen Riddle, PA 19037 |
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Upcoming Events in April & May
How good it would be if we could learn that God is easy to live with. God remembers
knows that we are dust. God may sometimes lead us into areas of challenge, it is true,
but even this God does with a smile, the proud, tender smile of a parent who is
bursting with pleasure over an imperfect but promising son or daughter who is
coming every day to look more and more like the One whose child they are.
Some of us are religiously jumpy and self-conscious because we know that God sees
everything and is acquainted with all our ways. We need not be. God is the sum of all
patience and the essence pure love. We please God most, not by trying to make
ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into the arms of God with all our
imperfections, and believing that He understands everything and loves us still.
These words from Psalm 103 brought peace and strength when I needed it most. The
hope of renewal in brokenness has made this Easter very special to me. Most of you
know I suffered a fall after a funeral January 10, 2013: a complete tear of my left
quadricep followed by complications of pulmonary emboli and internal bleeding,
spending almost 6 weeks in the hospital. Like the writer of this Psalm things around
me seemed bleak.
As I laid in bed, all I could do was wallow in fear of the unknown. The nights where the
worst, flirting with sleep; I pleaded with God to hear me, “Help me! Quiet the noises in
my head.” As much as I tried, those voices of doubt and confusion and despair filled
my soul with dread.
The Bible teaches us that God knows, intimately, how fragile we are. The compassion
of God is liken to that of a loving parent who knows how fragile their children are.
Charles Spurgeon,19th century theologian said, “Fathers feel for their children,
especially when they are in pain, they would like to suffer in their stead, their sighs
and groans cut them to the quick: thus sensitive towards us is our heavenly Father.
He is at this moment compassionating us, for the word is in the present tense; his pity
never fails to flow, and we never cease to need it”.
God knows us; God knows what we’re made of. God has reason to know, for God made
us; God remembers that you and I are dust. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. God
considers the frailty of our bodies, the folly of our desires, how little we can do
ourselves, and expects from us, how little we can bear. However, in God’s infinite
mercy, God lays upon us the tenderness of God’s compassion.
Through a generous gift from the Bishop of Pennsylvania, my parents were able to fly
up from Florida. As a 42 year old man, I didn’t expect to be so overrun with emotion
when I saw my them in the hospital. My mother pulled my face into her chest and I
wept. I couldn’t keep myself in control any longer. She held me as I sat in a wheelchair.
Stroking my head, she kept saying over and over, “I’m here. It’s going to be OK.”
Night after night, my wife Diane, would come. After working all day and making sure
our children were taken care of, she would come and see me in the hospital. She
knew how isolated and alone I was feeling. She held my hand, wiped my tears, bathed
me, and cried with me. My wife took a leave of absence from work to care for me and
be with me in the hospital.
“We too often forget that we are dust,” Spurgeon echoes God’s compassion on our
fragility, going on to say, “ and try our minds and bodies unduly by excessive mental
and bodily exertion, we are also too little mindful of the infirmities of others, and
impose upon them burdens grievous to be borne; but our heavenly Father never
overloads us, and never fails to give us strength equal to our day, because he always
takes our frailty into account when he is apportioning to us our lot.”
I am grateful for the deluge of cards of well-wishes from our congregation. For the
meals that has sustained my children during this time, I am truly thankful. I so
appreciate the visits and phone calls. They were reminders of God’s never-failing
presence.
I am still recovering. I have a long way to go before full recovery. There are times
when I get angry with God. I want to be independent, mobile, and free from pain. I am
sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. However, God has promised to never leave or
forsake us. God is present. Illness doesn’t have the final say so in God’s economy
because of Easter. Because of Easter, death and the grave; most importantly, the fear
of death and the grave, has been swallowed up in mercy and love.
The Lord has risen! He has risen indeed!
Chuck+
knows that we are dust. God may sometimes lead us into areas of challenge, it is true,
but even this God does with a smile, the proud, tender smile of a parent who is
bursting with pleasure over an imperfect but promising son or daughter who is
coming every day to look more and more like the One whose child they are.
Some of us are religiously jumpy and self-conscious because we know that God sees
everything and is acquainted with all our ways. We need not be. God is the sum of all
patience and the essence pure love. We please God most, not by trying to make
ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into the arms of God with all our
imperfections, and believing that He understands everything and loves us still.
These words from Psalm 103 brought peace and strength when I needed it most. The
hope of renewal in brokenness has made this Easter very special to me. Most of you
know I suffered a fall after a funeral January 10, 2013: a complete tear of my left
quadricep followed by complications of pulmonary emboli and internal bleeding,
spending almost 6 weeks in the hospital. Like the writer of this Psalm things around
me seemed bleak.
As I laid in bed, all I could do was wallow in fear of the unknown. The nights where the
worst, flirting with sleep; I pleaded with God to hear me, “Help me! Quiet the noises in
my head.” As much as I tried, those voices of doubt and confusion and despair filled
my soul with dread.
The Bible teaches us that God knows, intimately, how fragile we are. The compassion
of God is liken to that of a loving parent who knows how fragile their children are.
Charles Spurgeon,19th century theologian said, “Fathers feel for their children,
especially when they are in pain, they would like to suffer in their stead, their sighs
and groans cut them to the quick: thus sensitive towards us is our heavenly Father.
He is at this moment compassionating us, for the word is in the present tense; his pity
never fails to flow, and we never cease to need it”.
God knows us; God knows what we’re made of. God has reason to know, for God made
us; God remembers that you and I are dust. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. God
considers the frailty of our bodies, the folly of our desires, how little we can do
ourselves, and expects from us, how little we can bear. However, in God’s infinite
mercy, God lays upon us the tenderness of God’s compassion.
Through a generous gift from the Bishop of Pennsylvania, my parents were able to fly
up from Florida. As a 42 year old man, I didn’t expect to be so overrun with emotion
when I saw my them in the hospital. My mother pulled my face into her chest and I
wept. I couldn’t keep myself in control any longer. She held me as I sat in a wheelchair.
Stroking my head, she kept saying over and over, “I’m here. It’s going to be OK.”
Night after night, my wife Diane, would come. After working all day and making sure
our children were taken care of, she would come and see me in the hospital. She
knew how isolated and alone I was feeling. She held my hand, wiped my tears, bathed
me, and cried with me. My wife took a leave of absence from work to care for me and
be with me in the hospital.
“We too often forget that we are dust,” Spurgeon echoes God’s compassion on our
fragility, going on to say, “ and try our minds and bodies unduly by excessive mental
and bodily exertion, we are also too little mindful of the infirmities of others, and
impose upon them burdens grievous to be borne; but our heavenly Father never
overloads us, and never fails to give us strength equal to our day, because he always
takes our frailty into account when he is apportioning to us our lot.”
I am grateful for the deluge of cards of well-wishes from our congregation. For the
meals that has sustained my children during this time, I am truly thankful. I so
appreciate the visits and phone calls. They were reminders of God’s never-failing
presence.
I am still recovering. I have a long way to go before full recovery. There are times
when I get angry with God. I want to be independent, mobile, and free from pain. I am
sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. However, God has promised to never leave or
forsake us. God is present. Illness doesn’t have the final say so in God’s economy
because of Easter. Because of Easter, death and the grave; most importantly, the fear
of death and the grave, has been swallowed up in mercy and love.
The Lord has risen! He has risen indeed!
Chuck+
For what it's worth, here's my two cents...
| As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we are made of mud. Men and women don’t live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom. But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show that they were here. God’s love, though, is ever and always, eternally present (The Message) |
Basket Bingo - Saturday, April 27 - 1:00 PM
Be sure to join us on Saturday, April 27, for Calvary’s Annual Basket
Bingo. The doors will open at noon and the games will begin at 1:00
PM. This event is hosted by The St. Elizabeth Guild and features prizes
from Longaberger Pottery & Baskets. Calvary will again have Joe B as
the caller. Joe is becoming quite famous and sought after in Delaware
County for his Bingo calling. The tickets for the Bingo are $20 in
advance and $25 at the door. See Maggie for advance ticket sales.
There will be refreshments available. Join us for an afternoon of great
fun and fellowship.
Be sure to join us on Saturday, April 27, for Calvary’s Annual Basket
Bingo. The doors will open at noon and the games will begin at 1:00
PM. This event is hosted by The St. Elizabeth Guild and features prizes
from Longaberger Pottery & Baskets. Calvary will again have Joe B as
the caller. Joe is becoming quite famous and sought after in Delaware
County for his Bingo calling. The tickets for the Bingo are $20 in
advance and $25 at the door. See Maggie for advance ticket sales.
There will be refreshments available. Join us for an afternoon of great
fun and fellowship.
Altar Guild - Saturday, May 4- 9:30 AM
The Altar Guild is meeting on Saturday, May 4th, 9:30 a.m. in the
undercroft. All ladies of Calvary are welcome to attend this
meeting and become a member of our group which serves our
Church. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Altar
Guild but are unable to attend this meeting please call Bridget
Thomas at 610-566-3723.
The Altar Guild is meeting on Saturday, May 4th, 9:30 a.m. in the
undercroft. All ladies of Calvary are welcome to attend this
meeting and become a member of our group which serves our
Church. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Altar
Guild but are unable to attend this meeting please call Bridget
Thomas at 610-566-3723.
CRC Stream Cleanup - Saturday, May 4 - 9:00 AM
Your help is needed with the CRC Stream Cleanup on May 4 from 9-11:
30 AM. (Chester-Ridley-Crum Creeks) You will have the fun of wading
in the creek and picking up trash, and it’s followed by lunch of
hoagies, veggies and dip, drinks and dessert over at pavilion 8 in
Ridley Creek State Park. In addition, you get a cool T-shirt. Please
signup in the undercroft. Contact Brenda B. or Sally B. for more
information. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Mother Earth
thanks you!
Your help is needed with the CRC Stream Cleanup on May 4 from 9-11:
30 AM. (Chester-Ridley-Crum Creeks) You will have the fun of wading
in the creek and picking up trash, and it’s followed by lunch of
hoagies, veggies and dip, drinks and dessert over at pavilion 8 in
Ridley Creek State Park. In addition, you get a cool T-shirt. Please
signup in the undercroft. Contact Brenda B. or Sally B. for more
information. Your help will be greatly appreciated. Mother Earth
thanks you!
Parish Breakfast - Sunday May 5 - between services
Calvary’s annual spring Parish Breakfast will be on Sunday, May 5
at approximately 9 AM. The breakfast this year will feature all
sorts of delicious breakfast casseroles. Come and join us for
great fellowship and outstanding food! This is your opportunity to
mingle with the “other half” - those people that you never get to
see on Sunday!
Calvary’s annual spring Parish Breakfast will be on Sunday, May 5
at approximately 9 AM. The breakfast this year will feature all
sorts of delicious breakfast casseroles. Come and join us for
great fellowship and outstanding food! This is your opportunity to
mingle with the “other half” - those people that you never get to
see on Sunday!
The St. Elizabeth Guild - Monday, May 6 - 6:00 PM
The next meeting which will be Monday, May 6 at 6:00 PM. All women of
the church are invited to the meeting. The meeting time is earlier
because this is the Guild’s Covered Dish Dinner. The Guild’s meeting
in June will be on Monday, June 3 at 7:00 PM. Your help is needed
with this important ministry. Please join us! We guarantee a great time
- great fellowship - and great food!
The next meeting which will be Monday, May 6 at 6:00 PM. All women of
the church are invited to the meeting. The meeting time is earlier
because this is the Guild’s Covered Dish Dinner. The Guild’s meeting
in June will be on Monday, June 3 at 7:00 PM. Your help is needed
with this important ministry. Please join us! We guarantee a great time
- great fellowship - and great food!
Middletown’s Community Day - Saturday, May 11 - 11 AM
Your help is also needed to help “man” the outreach table at
Middletown’s Community Day on May 11 from 11 AM until 3 PM. We
need you to help stop by the table and spend some time greeting
visitors and spreading the word about Calvary. Middletown’s
Community Day is taking place at the Penn State Brandywine Campus at
25 Yearsley Mill Rd., Media, PA. This event will be taking place rain or
shine. Please signup in the undercroft if you can help with this
important community event. See Brenda B. for more information.
Your help is also needed to help “man” the outreach table at
Middletown’s Community Day on May 11 from 11 AM until 3 PM. We
need you to help stop by the table and spend some time greeting
visitors and spreading the word about Calvary. Middletown’s
Community Day is taking place at the Penn State Brandywine Campus at
25 Yearsley Mill Rd., Media, PA. This event will be taking place rain or
shine. Please signup in the undercroft if you can help with this
important community event. See Brenda B. for more information.
Whine and Cheese - Monday, May 13 - 7:00 PM
The monthly meeting of the women’s support group will be gathering at
Judi Wale’s house on Monday, May 13 from 7-9 PM. All are welcome. If
you can, bring a snack to share . It would be greatly appreciated. For
more information call Judi at 610-306-3119. The group meets regularly
on the second Monday of each month.
The monthly meeting of the women’s support group will be gathering at
Judi Wale’s house on Monday, May 13 from 7-9 PM. All are welcome. If
you can, bring a snack to share . It would be greatly appreciated. For
more information call Judi at 610-306-3119. The group meets regularly
on the second Monday of each month.
The Diocese of Pennsylvania is again partnering with Camp Arrowhead. Online
registration is now open for the 2013 summer camping season.
Camp Arrowhead enriches young people’s relationships with one another, nature, and
God. Camp Arrowhead is run by the Diocese of Delaware and in located in Lewes, DE on
the Rehoboth Bay. There are camping experiences available for students entering
second grade up to those entering 11th grade. The camping activities include kayaking,
canoeing, swimming, crabbing, disk golf, low ropes course, climbing wall, zip line, archery,
pottery, arts & crafts, pool parties, dances, and hay rides, as well as Christian education.
The Diocese of Pennsylvania offers financial assistance to enable every young person to
have the opportunity to experience Camp Arrowhead. Be sure to check the box stating
you are from “The Diocese of PA.”
For more information about Camp Arrowhead visit their website:
www.camparrowhead.net
or contact the Office of Youth Ministry: 215.627.6434 x120 or info@diopayouth.org/ A
brochure is available on the camp’s website that explains the different camping
experiences in detail. There is a great deal of information available on their website.
The registration form is available online now. Requests for financial aid information must
be received with registration form and deposit ($100) by May 1. Completed applications
must be received by May 15.
For more information, please contact any vestry member.
| Camp Arrowhead - Registration is Now! |
Memorial Day Parade & Community Picnic -
Monday, May 27
Please save the date for the annual Memorial Day Parade and
Community Picnic. The parade starts around 11 AM. The parade will end
in Calvary’s parking lot with a short ceremony around noon with the
American Legion and color guard. The picnic will take place after the
ceremony. Watch the church bulletins, bulletin board, and website for
more information about the event. There will be a signup sheet posted
in the undercroft as soon as there is space on the bulletin board. (April
& May is a very busy time at Calvary!) Please signup! It is important to
have an idea of what types and how much food is coming.
Monday, May 27
Please save the date for the annual Memorial Day Parade and
Community Picnic. The parade starts around 11 AM. The parade will end
in Calvary’s parking lot with a short ceremony around noon with the
American Legion and color guard. The picnic will take place after the
ceremony. Watch the church bulletins, bulletin board, and website for
more information about the event. There will be a signup sheet posted
in the undercroft as soon as there is space on the bulletin board. (April
& May is a very busy time at Calvary!) Please signup! It is important to
have an idea of what types and how much food is coming.
Yard Sale & Strawberry Festival
Saturday, June 1 - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
The St. Elizabeth Guild’s annual Strawberry Festival & Yard Sale will be
taking place on Saturday, June 1 from 9 AM until 1 PM. During the
yard sale, coffee and donuts and a light lunch will be available. There
will be all types of strawberry goodies including strawberry shortcake
and ice cream.
Items for the Yard Sale may be dropped off at the church after the
Community Picnic on Memorial Day, May 27 until Friday, May 31. Large
items will be picked up on Wednesday, May 29 . Please call Jill at 610-
459-5854 by Tuesday, May 28 to schedule a pickup.
Your help would be greatly appreciated with setting up the yard sale
on Friday, May 31, at noon. Your help would also be appreciated the
day of the fair.
Saturday, June 1 - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
The St. Elizabeth Guild’s annual Strawberry Festival & Yard Sale will be
taking place on Saturday, June 1 from 9 AM until 1 PM. During the
yard sale, coffee and donuts and a light lunch will be available. There
will be all types of strawberry goodies including strawberry shortcake
and ice cream.
Items for the Yard Sale may be dropped off at the church after the
Community Picnic on Memorial Day, May 27 until Friday, May 31. Large
items will be picked up on Wednesday, May 29 . Please call Jill at 610-
459-5854 by Tuesday, May 28 to schedule a pickup.
Your help would be greatly appreciated with setting up the yard sale
on Friday, May 31, at noon. Your help would also be appreciated the
day of the fair.
Sunday School Teachers Needed !
Calvary wants to give a special thanks to its wonderful young
ladies who have helped with Sunday School for the older children.
Chelsea and Emily have already started their college careers and
Allie and Alex will be off to college in the fall. These fabulous
young ladies will be greatly missed by all, especially the Calvary
Kids. We wish them well with their college experience!
With their departure, a big hole will be left in Calvary’s Youth
Education program. Your help is greatly needed - and will be
greatly appreciated. Rewards - Priceless. If you are interested or
would like more information, please contact Jill at 610-459-5854.
Calvary wants to give a special thanks to its wonderful young
ladies who have helped with Sunday School for the older children.
Chelsea and Emily have already started their college careers and
Allie and Alex will be off to college in the fall. These fabulous
young ladies will be greatly missed by all, especially the Calvary
Kids. We wish them well with their college experience!
With their departure, a big hole will be left in Calvary’s Youth
Education program. Your help is greatly needed - and will be
greatly appreciated. Rewards - Priceless. If you are interested or
would like more information, please contact Jill at 610-459-5854.
