ITEMS OF INTEREST

Advent

The word Advent comes from the Latin Adventus, which means "Coming." It is the first season of the Church year. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. The color of Advent is traditionally purple, marking the preparational aspects of the season. In Advent we prepare for our Lord's coming in three ways: at Christmas; for his coming into our hearts; and for his coming again at the end of time.

Advent Wreath

A wreath with four or five candles, used in most Episcopal churches and in some homes during the season of Advent. Four candles are placed in a circle, and a fifth may be placed in the center. One candle is lit on the first Sunday in Advent, two on the second Sunday, three on the third and four on the fourth Sunday in Advent. On Christmas day, the fifth candle is lighted.

Source: The Church of the Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island and I'On Community near Charleston S.C.

Advent Colors

"Two different traditions are followed in the Episcopal Church concerning the seasonal color of Advent. Some churches adhere to the medieval Roman custom of purple vestments and altar hangings. Purple was a royal color in ancient times, and the purple in Advent may be thought of as preparing the throne room for the coming of our king., but it has often been called a penitential color because of its dark and somber tone. Alternatively, many churches follow the ancient English custom of using blue in Advent. Blue symbolizes heaven and is also associated with the Virgin Mary, so Advent may be seen as Mary's season and the season when heaven comes to earth. Candles in the Advent wreath can be either blue or purple-or even white or whatever is available.

Another Roman Catholic custom is the use of a pink or rose-colored candle on the third Sunday of Advent. This use of a lighter color symbolizes a lightening of the Advent penitence. Unless people are deep in penitence-unusual in this era-there seems little reason for it. "

Source: Christopher L. Webber. Welcome to Sunday (Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing 2003) pp. 44,45.

Clergy

The Rev. Charles Davidson

Vestry Members

Carol Anderson, Cyrus Aimey (Junior Warden), Veronica Airey-Wilson, Joyce Asiedu, Walter Benjamin (Senior Warden, Nora Brown, Terry Brown (Treasurer), Marie Brown-Harvey (Secretary),Evelyn Green, Shannon Holder, Bates Lyons, Joe Noel, Peter Marsele Terrie Thomas, Herbert Bowen (Hon)

Music

Rochelle Holder - Youth Choir

Nathaniel Baker - Music Director/Organist

Rector Emeritus

Canon Cyril Burke

Email

monicahartford@gmail.com

THE BOOK CORNER

The Gift of the Magi

By O. Henry

In a shabby New York flat, Della sobs as she counts the few coins she has saved to buy a Christmas present for her husband, Jim. a gift worthy of her devotion will require a great sacrifice: Selling her long, beautiful hair. Jim, meanwhile, has made a sacrifice for Della that is no less difficult. As they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, the discovery of what each has done fills them with despair, until they realize that the true gifts of Christmas can be found more readily in their humble apartment than in any fine store. O. Henry paints a masterly portrait of unfaltering love, a haven from the harsh world outside. The poignancy of his story is captured in P.J. Lynch's eloquent art, wherein every glance, every gesture, tells a subtle truth.

From the book's description

LITURGY OF THE WORD AND WEEKLY READINGS

Sunday, November 27, 2011: First Sunday Of Advent

First Lesson: Isaiah (64:1-9)

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18, Page 702, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (1 Corinthians 1:3-9)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (13:24-37)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Matthew 21:1-11; Tuesday Matthew 21:12-22; Wednesday 1 Corinthians 4:1-16; Thursday Matthew 21:33-46; Friday Matthew 22:1-14; Saturday Matthew 22:15-22.

Sunday, November 20, 2011: Last Day After Pentecost

First Lesson: Ezekiel (34:11-16, 20-24)

Psalm 100, Page 729, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (Ephesians 1:15-23)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (25:31-46)

Suggested Readings for the Week

Monday 1 Peter 1:1-12; Tuesday 1 Peter 1:13-25; Wednesday 1 Peter 2:1-10; Thursday John 6:26-35; Friday 1 Peter 3:13-4:6; Saturday 1 Peter 4:7-19.

Sunday, November 13, 2011: Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost

First Lesson: Judges (4:1-7)

Psalm 123, Page 780, BCP

Second Lesson: Paul's Epistle (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (25:14-30)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Revelation 20:7-15; Tuesday Revelation 21:1-8; Wednesday Revelation 21:9-21; Thursday Revelation 21:22-22:5; Friday Revelation 22:6-13; Saturday Revelation 22:14-21.

Sunday, November 6, 2011: All Saints' Day

First Lesson: (Revelation 7:9-17)

Psalm 34: 1-10, 22, Page 627, BCP

Second Lesson: John's Epistle (1 3:1-3)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew ( 5:1-12)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Revelations 18:1-8; Tuesday Revelations 18:9-20; Wednesday Revelations 18:21-24; Thursday Revelations 19:1-10; Friday Revelations 19:11-16; Saturday Revelations 20:1-16.

NEWS AND EVENTS

Welcome From The Rector

Directions To Saint Monica's

The Rector's Desk

Our Second Annual International Thanksgiving Day will be on Sunday, November 20, 2011. There will only be one service, at 9:30 a.m. Please see Marva Brito for more information. November 27, 2011 is the First Sunday of Advent. Please remember that there are no flowers on the alter or celebrating weddings during advent.

This year Christmas Day and New Year's Day will be on Sunday. We will have our usual Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve Services at 11 p.m. On Christmas and New Yea's Day we will have one service 9:30 a.m. Holy Innocents Day is Wednesday, December 28, 2011; we will have a service for children and youth at 6:30 p.m.

A Note of Thanks From Marion Hanson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, thank you for your kind expressions of concern for me during my recent illness from major knee surgery. Your cards, calls, visits are much appreciated. Thank you for being a community of faith that sustained me in which you reached out in love and your prayers for my healing and strength. I have a ways to go, progress is slow. Again my thanks. Hope to be with you all again soon when the knee can tolerate driving. God's blessings to all.

Food Pantry

We always need non-perishable food to provide healthy meals for the families who come to our food Pantry. Please bring food or money to the altar every Sunday for the pantry.

Weekly suggestions: Sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, canned green vegetables, evaporated milk, instant mashed potatoes, boxed dressing, canned and/or packaged gravies.

Turkey Distribution

On Monday, November 21, 2011, turkeys will be distributed at Saint Monica's Church at 6:30 p.m. If you know of any families who may need a turkey for Thanksgiving, please contact the Church Office so that we can determine the number of turkeys needed. We thank the Caribbean Trade Association for sponsoring this project. Saint Martin's Episcopal Mission-Outreach and Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church have been invited to participate.

Veterans Day

Saint Monica's Episcopal Church extends its appreciation for the sacrifice of all veterans and those currently serving in the military.

Vestry Projector

The vestry now has its own projector. We will continue to use our PowerPoint presentation. It is obvious that we need others to be trained and be willing to help Bates Lyons who so far has done a marvelous job. The PowerPoint presentation saves us from having to print the service and the lessons. We hope you appreciate the effort being made by the vestry as we seek to use wisely the finances you give on a weekly basis for the operation of our parish.

Rescheduling Meetings

Fr. Davidson needs our cooperation if we wish to reschedule a meeting on Monday or Wednesday between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Fr. Davidson schedules interviews and pastoral counseling either before or after Prayer Meetings on Monday. He may also schedule interviews and pastoral counseling on Wednesday. He schedules events when there is no Bible Study. As a courtesy, please call Fr. Davidson to verify if he has anything scheduled.

Activity Calendar

Weekly: 1) Mondays-Prayer meeting at 6:30 p.m.; 2) Wednesdays-Bible Study at 6:30 p.m.

Special Days (Weekly): 1) Wednesdays and Fridays-Food Pantry opens 10:00 a.m. to noon.

2) Every other Thursday-Pro's and Con's Task Force at 6:30 p.m.

Special Days (Monthly): 1) First Thursday-Stewardship Committee at 6:30 p.m.; 2) Second Thursday-Vestry Meeting 6:30 p.m.; 3) Third Tuesday-Women of Valier; 4) Third and fourth Saturday opens at 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.; 5) First Saturday-Episcopal Church Women (ECW) at 12:00 noon

PowerPoint Ministry

We are currently looking for persons interested in the ministry of presenting PowerPoint during the service (8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.). Requirements:

1. Must have a laptop computer.

2. Must have a working knowledge of PowerPoint.

3. Must have access to the internet.

4. Must be reliable.

If you are interested give you name, email address and/or phone number to the Office. A. Bates Lyons will contact you to participate in a training session.

Calendars

Once again we are selling 2012 religious calendars for $10.00 each. Please consider buying these as gifts for you family and friends. See Euna Farrell or Arlette Hurdle to purchase calendars. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Birthdays and Anniversaries in November

Happy Birthday to: Darryl Burke 1st; Cyril Burke and Patricia Nelson 3rd; Evelyn Green 4th; Carmen Brown 5th; Scott Thorton 9th; Marcus Clark 11th; Rory Elliot and Lucy Fuentes 13th; Denzil Samuda 14th; Hylton Cooke 15th; George Jordan 19th; Bates Lyons 20th; Carol Anderson 24th; Blondell Thornton 25th; Andrea Branch 26th; Austin Tagbo 27th; Verona Francis and Kenneth Lambert 29th.

Happy Anniversary to: Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Davis 1st.

In Memory For November

Carlton Airey, Gwendolyn Elison and Mary Jackson 1st; Michael Mitchell, Jr. and GErtrude Smith 6th; Milicent Benjamin and Fitz T. Hickmon 7th; Macheek Jennings 8th; Milton Rice 9th; Dorothy Wiggins 11th; Frank Davis and Solon Taylor 12th; Rosalee Bracey, and Adolphus Giffin 15th; Dorothy Cunningham 17th; Edith Duval 19th; Mitchell Walter 21st; Zulietta Burke, Elizabeth Davis, Sydney Lopez, and Elizabeth Taylor 22nd; Robert Camby 24th; London Duval and Mary Winfield 25th; Pedro Hester 26th; Louis Camby 27th; Gladys Brown and John West 29th.

Condolences

We record the death of Mildred Hunter. We extend our sincere Christian sympathy to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.