Newsletter January 2, 2009

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from the Mount

Mt. Zion Episcopal Church                           Hedgesville, WV

Volume II, Issue 1                                                    January 2, 2009

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

   I announced at worship services on Sunday, December 28, that I have accepted the call as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.  My last Sunday in Berkeley Springs and Hedgesville will be February 1st.  This is a settled pastorate; that is, it is tenured and not an interim or priest-in-charge position.  This is the first such call I have had since we moved to Mercers-burg in 1997.  I am excited about the possibilities this new call offers with the many things that are already happening in that parish and the Chambersburg area.

   At the same time, I am saddened to leave the two congregations of St. Mark’s and Mt. Zion that I have come to love over these last two and a half years.  I believe that we have made good progress and growth at each church and the two have grown together—wit- ness the fact there is a joint search committee.  I am pleased with the growth in the Sunday school and adult education we have done at St. Mark’s.  I think the energy around new evangelism and outreach is also on a good footing in that parish.  I am excited about the growth in numbers and new energy at Mt. Zion to do publicity, ecumenical work, music, and other events in the community.  It is no longer just the historical church only open on Sundays.

   I hope you will trust the guiding of the Holy Spirit as you move forward in search of your next new priest and in your joint and separate ministries.  I also hope you will keep me in your prayers as I move on to my new calling.  And, let us all remember we are forever bound together in Our Lord Jesus Christ.

                Peace in His Name,

                                    Patrick+

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Communications Committee

 

   The newly formed Communications Committee consists of Micki Smith-Darnauer (chair), Joy Nathan, and Vivian Cramer.  All three have extensive marketing/publicity experience and look forward to presenting an overall communications plan for Mt. Zion in the near future.

 

   There’s always room for more members on the committee.  Many hands (minds) make easy work.  If you’re interested in participating, just tell Micki.

 

Something to Ponder

 

   As Mt. Zion moves into a new phase of its ongoing history, we are looking at ways to channel all this new energy infused into our congregational life.  Recently, a quote was sent to your editor that we might consider our mantra in the next months.

            “If you do what you’ve always done,

            You’ll get what you’ve always gotten!”

   We’ve started to examine what it is that we’ve always done that we want to keep and what it is we want to do differently so that new life might emerge. 

 

   Thanks to Rachel Hermann and Dick Nathan for sharing their thoughts on the evolving mission statement.  All input is welcome.  Keep your ideas coming. 

 

   The Mt. Zion Search Committee will attend service at St. Mark’s this Sunday to become better acquainted with their facilities and their needs.  On Wednesday, January 7th, the joint Search Committee will convene with Archdeacon Faith Perizzo to take next steps in this long process.

 

   Meanwhile, the Mt. Zion Vestry has begun searching for a semi-permanent supply priest (St. Mark’s doing likewise on their own) to serve us after Fr. Patrick’s departure.  Talent among parishioners will also be called upon. 

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January Calendar Highlights

(and be sure to visit our Web Site again for changes due to weather, etc.)

 

January 7th     7 p.m.  Hedgesville Community of Churches Film night at the Methodist Church.  Babette’s Feast, an excellent movie about sharing.  This is the first joint effort of HCC; let’s support them.

 

                        6 p.m.  Joint Search Committee meets at St. Mark’s with Archdeacon Faith Perizzo.  Mt. Zion supplies supper.

 

January 25th   10 a.m.  Joint Celebration of Fr. Patrick’s service to Mt. Zion and St. Mark’s—at St. Mark’s (no service at Mt. Zion).  Feast to follow. (This takes the place of Mt. Zion’s third Sunday fellowship.)

 

                        3 p.m.  Third Concert in Mt. Zion’s 2008-9 Series

                        Mercersburg Academy Boys Octet and Girls    Magalia will perform.  Free will offering

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from the Mount is a twice monthly publication of Mt. Zion Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 205, Hedgesville, WV 25427  Services are held each Sunday beginning at 10:45.  Priest-in-Charge, Fr. Patrick Pierce, can be reached at 304-258-2440.  Editor, Micki Smith-Darnauer, encourages contributions by e-mailing mickiknits@aol.com

Mt. Zion Episcopal Church - Old Town Hedgesville