ITEMS OF INTEREST

Wonder Why?

This column answers interesting questions.

A visitor, who is not an Episcopalian, may see words and abbreviations in the bulletin that are not familiar. The visitor may think:

I wonder what they mean?

1. BCP: Book of Common Prayer - The primary guide to worship in the Episcopal Church. The first Anglican Book of Common Prayer was written in English in 1549 by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, drawing on material from a number of Latin books and manuals then used to conduct services.

2. Diocese: A diocese is made up of several local congregations with a bishop as its chief pastor.

3. ECW: Episcopal Church Women - Their purpose is to be religious benevolent in serving others through the Christian community, the greater community, and to the world.

4. LEM: Lay Eucharistic Minister - They provide a sacramental ministry in the context of our worship by administering the wine at Holy Communion.

5. Mission: A local Episcopal congregation that is not able to be financially self-supporting.

6. Parish: The group of people of a certain area who are organized into a local, self-supporting church.

7. Rector: The head priest of a parish.

8. UEB: Union of Black Episcopalians - These Episcopalians fight racism by encouraging the involvement of Black people in the total life of the church on every level and in every way.

9. Vicar: A priest in charge of a mission.

10. YPF: Young People's Fellowship: A ministry designed for the youth of the parish. Various activities ranging from fun to community service, lie at the heart of the group. It is open to all young people and serves as a means to foster a spiritual connection to god and to fellow youth in the parish and in the diocese.

Feeding Outreach

Members of the congregation volunteer for the Food Pantry and Outreach Community Feeding programs. On Wednesday and Fridays, food is distributed to approximately 100 community residents who are in need. In addition to the Food Pantry, hot meals are served in the Parish Hall on the 3rd and 4th Saturdays each month. Some meals are served at the church. However, the bulk of the meals are prepared at the church and delivered to two shelters, Mercy House and Interval House on the 3rd and 4th Saturdays. St Monica's Outreach Community Feeding has been in existence for approximately 20 years. Most of the food for both programs is secured from "Foodshare," a federally funded food distribution program. In order to participate in "Foodshare," members of the congregation walk in or sponsor someone for the Annual Walk Against Hunger. A percentage of funds is allocated to St. Monica's for its 'OUTREACH" programs. in 2010, St. Monica's parishioners raised approximately $8,600. Each year the goal is to raise more money the the previous year.

Clergy

The Rev. Charles Davidson

Vestry Members

Carol Anderson, Cyrus Aimey (Junior Warden), Walter Benjamin (Senior Warden), Terry Brown (Treasurer), Marie Brown-Harvey (Secretary), Nora Brown, Arlette Hurdle, Shannon Holder, Joyce Asiedu, Bates Lyons, Joe Noel, Peter Marsele, Clarence Tuning, Lloyd Wimbish, Herbert Bowen (Hon.).

Music

Rochelle Holder - Youth Choir

Nathaniel Baker - Music Director/Organist

Rector Emeritus

Canon Cyril Burke

Email

monicahartford@gmail.com