This Sunday’s Worship: Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
This Sunday, Rev. Dr. Carol Spangenberg continues to fill-in during Fr. David Pike’s medical leave. Please join us for either 8 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist as we conclude the final weeks of the Epiphany Season. Sunday School begins at 10:20 a.m.
St. David’s holds annual meeting on Jan. 19
More than 50 Members of St. David’s Episcopal Church met after the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, Jan. 19, for the congregation’s annual meeting.
During the two-hour session, ordained and lay ministers provided reports about their programs. The 2020 budget was also reviewed and approved.
This year, the congregation filled five open positions for vestry. Bill Paff, John Runcie, Becky Mason, Roger Fowler and Ron Leix were unanimously approved to serve.
In addition to the annual meeting, the congregation approved Sheridan Leinbach, Bill Paff and Roger Fowler as delegates to the annual Diocese of Western Michigan’s convention.
Once positions were filed, St. David’s treasurer Steve Leiby discussed the state of the congregation’s finances.
“We are doing OK financially,” Leiby said.
This year, the church anticipates to receive more than $182,000 in pledge offerings.
After his report, church members gave a round of applause to Leiby for the hard work and effort to organize the church’s finances over the past several years.
Craig Leinbach will serve as vestry treasurer with the assistance of Erik LeRoy.
Copies of the annual report can be picked up at the church.
Bottomless pancake supper on ‘Shrove Tuesday’
Pancake lovers can rejoice because St. David’s is holding its annual pre-Lenten Pancake Supper at the end of February.
Happening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, families and individuals can take part in a bottomless pancake buffet, with various syrups and toppings to complement the flap jacks.
The cost is $6 per person, or $20 for a family of four.
“Our pancake supper closely follows the English tradition,” said Fr. David Pike, rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church. “Commonly known as ‘Shrove Tuesday’ in the United Kingdom, we try to be as authentic as possible to our brothers and sisters in the Anglican communion.”
According to Wikipedia, many English towns hold traditional Shrove Tuesday football (soccer) games. Other traditions include pancake races.
The word “shrove” comes from the practice of being “shriven,” meaning “confessing your sins.” The Shriving Bell was rung on Shrove Tuesday to call people into church to confess their sins.
To prepare for Lent, all temptations — typically luxury food products like eggs, milk, cheese and meat — were removed from the home in a period of three Sundays before Ash Wednesday. This was known as Shrovetide and provided an opportunity for indulgence right before the stricter Lenten season.
The easiest way to dispose of luxury food was to make pancakes or a fritter.
That’s how “Shrove Tuesday” was born.
PROPOSED: “The pancake supper is also a great way to introduce new people to our church,” Fr. David said. “Please bring a neighbor or your friends.”
In the Christian tradition, the 40 days before Easter Sunday are known as Lent. Christians mark the time that Jesus spent fasting in the desert — 40 days — by fasting and praying.
Ash Wednesday — on Feb. 26 this year — marks the first day of Lent.
Diocese to hold online compline throughout Lent
In the midst of a culture of fear and division, we are about to enter into Lent: a season of reflection and waiting – a taking stock of how our relationship with God impacts the love we share with others. Our message, our evangelism, is strengthened when we take seriously our duties to the study of scripture and life of prayer.
As we enter into Lent, you are invited to take on the practice of praying Compline, both individually and with the wider community, using Facebook Live.
Starting Ash Wednesday, and concluding Good Friday, our diocesan Facebook pages (Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan) will host an online Compline Service each Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m. Each service will be facilitated by a leader from either diocese using readings and meditations from the Way of Love lenten calendar. To join, simply visit either page and join the service. Share your prayers and “amens!” using the comments of the video.
Bishop Hougland will kick off our online gatherings at 8 p.m. on Ash Wednesday.
And please pray on your own throughout the week, using Compline or whatever service or meditation brings you comfort. I encourage you to use the Way of Love lenten calendar to track your readings and reflections along the way.
Katie Forsyth
Canon for Evangelism & Networking
The Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern & Western Michigan.
The Healing Corner