November 2013

Calvary Life

~

a look at what’s happening at

Calvary

Episcopal

It is time to give thanks in gratitude for our...

church and school

...school, scouts, singers, servers, and of course sidney ...after all, a Grateful Heart is what

Life at Calvary

is all about!

clergy corner

Getting to Know You George and Renita Myers and family

New to the Richmond area, George and Renita Myers are both settling in well with their two children Mason and Hannah. George is in sales with Economy Polymers and Chemicals, a family run Houston based company, while Renita is a secondary classroom teacher at Calvary Episcopal School and College Prep. Renita spent her high school years in Birmingham, Alabama while George grew up in Gulf Shores, Alabama as a PK, ‘preacher’s kid’. They met while attending college at University of South Alabama. They have been married 7 years and have already lived in Wyoming, Colorado and now Texas. They enjoy all outdoor activities – especially hiking and camping. Their son, Mason, loves all sports and they do spend some time at the baseball field. They recently were confirmed into the Episcopal Church here at Calvary, and their children were baptized. They enjoy the Richmond community and are excited about what the future has in store.

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“Let the word of Christ dw admonish on ell in you rich e another in a ly; teach and ll w is d om; and with hearts sing p gratitude in y salms, hymns our , and spiritua l songs to G (Colossians o d .” 3:16)

uth is hing; but the tr yt an t u o ab ts even you, to have doub D thers, perhaps not supposed o y is t an es m ri e p a lik at that s, and n told th e problem was e, in friendship Th ag ri . n ar I have often bee so m y er p m l fu that the bank, in s been a grate to be oriented y didn’t have—in I et I haven’t alway ci at h so w ’s n ay o d d nature in to ars I focuse ess it is human for too many ye u g I f. el ys m in kful for it. tly, with and being than e av e an h most importan id d I at g at wh ry Family I hav n ki va o al C lo f y o m d d ea way inst I owe ndkids, an realization that y wife, my gra e m th h it m w o , fr ay s d se we know God that to ratitude stem e. And my g Thanks be to as clergy, becau d s tu g ti in ra th g f f o o s d e ow to n attitud nundrum is h en say these ki ft co o e e w overwhelming Th . at o th to l, w epiphanyGod. Yes, I kno uld be gratefu is usually not an that they sho ever ything to it e at iz n th g is co er re e of sw needs to e. After all, som ion. Well, the an m at ti r iz al ve o re that our flock f s o re t u in of those. rows and mat ple to that po ful heart is one rt is one that g te ea actually get peo ra h g l A fu s. te u ra n g o t. Rather, a time to grow kind-of-momen ings that take th you to try it. se o th e ar l heart. I want s in life fu g te in ra th g t a es g b in e ering th row utstretched off emphasis on g o s ip d sh an d h ar e ew th st d s worship you will fin ry is placing it ns that call us to n this year and o g ic ai This year Calva p er m th ca o r e u th o ore are the logo for h each other m ore important it m w y en it n ev u Take a look at t, u m B . m d eciding and be in co at was expecte ly a matter of d connect with p to m si d more money. Th is an It s, . er w o th n service for o s than we do more, do more more for other o d n ca s u f o is each in often. The truth ide to do more ec d ill w ily m fa to do it. rt our my Calvary we can, suppo the people of en h at w th d is an r , re ye o ra s to service m t—all of it. decide? My p ender ourselve f it is importan What will you o rr ll su A . to rs , re lla o o d m worship hard earned community, to here with more s ie tr is in m y man parish and the alvary, ear People of C opal Church Calvary Episc rk vectored artwo C: 76 C: 50 M: 10 M: 5 Y: 100 Y: 60 K: 1 K: 1

Jeanette & Ken and Layla & Jr. Marshall We are the Marshalls! We love fishing, camping, hunting and just having a great time outdoors with our family and our extended family. Kenneth is a process engineer and was born and raised in Pearl River, Louisiana. Jeanette is a stay-at-home Mom, or Domestic Engineer (as she likes to put it) and was born and raised in Houston. We met in December 2006 and fell in love! A wedding and a year later we were blessed with twins! Layla and Kenneth Jr. (he likes just Jr.), are lively, fun, amazing children! They are our joy and what probably brings us the most laughter throughout every day! They are extremely caring and concerned for others, which makes us so proud of them. We have a family quote which I think they surely bring to light every day “Having a place to go - is a home. Having someone to love - is a family. Having both - is a blessing. “ ~Donna Hedges And it sure is. We are so happy to be a part of this church and have a closer relationship to God and to call Calvary a second home and family now.

Soni & Priscilla Oyekan Soni and Priscilla Oyekan reside here in Richmond, and come to Calvary from St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in LaPlace, Louisiana. Soni was born in Aba, Nigeria and Priscilla in Newport News, Virginia. After their marriage in 1970, education and Soni’s work as a chemical engineer and oil refining technologist have allowed them to reside in several locations in the US. In addition, Soni has traveled significantly with his jobs to Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Ghana, Mexico, Nigeria and South Korea. Priscilla and Soni have three daughters, one son and three grandsons. Priscilla enjoys cooking, crocheting, knitting, reading as well as walking. Earlier this year, Soni retired “sort of”, and started his consulting services company, Prafis Energy Solutions, supporting the oil refining and chemical industries. He is very much a people person and enjoys reading, Sudoku and traveling.

C: 100 M: 79 Y: 0 K: 47

Fr. Paul + .

Yours In Christ

ip Committee

e Stewardsh Fr. Paul and th

....Welcome to Calvary!

worship

service y communit

offering

It is not what you think! Not the Season you think it is! Many of us have come to think that the season of Fall should be renamed to the season of Giving, because of the emphasis on annual stewardship that is held every year at this time. Maybe it should! But, maybe not, too! Here is why. Real stewardship is not about giving in the Fall. No. It is about committing to God our gifts for an entire year. More than that it is about encouraging people to examine their own gifts from the standpoint of a grateful heart. You know what that it, don’t you? On Wednesday, October 23, the members of the Finance and Stewardship Committees launched our annual (note the word annual) stewardship campaign, Growing a Grateful Heart. This year it is the plan of the Stewardship Committee to help us all examine what we are grateful for and how we can recognize that gratitude in the way we deal with our families, our coworkers, and our God—not just in the Fall, but all year long! This unique (at least for Calvary) effort was jump-started at that special dinner with great food prepared by Roberto and Alba Vasquez, who with other kitchen helpers, prepared a delicious Mexican dinner for everyone. We are grateful for that wonderful meal. See how easy it is to be grateful for something? Yet, even more telling was the opportunity to welcome our own Chris Duncan, now known as The Reverend Christopher Duncan from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Katy. He took us on a walk down memory lane from his years here, both in church and at Calvary School, and he delivered a clear and caring message on the spirit of giving and accomplishing the work of the Kingdom through our gratitude for all the little things in our lives that cumulatively become our life together as a community in Christ.

Growing a Grateful Heart is a year round “life” process

Coming Your Way Soon.... Discovery Weekend

Join us November 15 and 16 for a weekend of fellowship and Christian discernment, led by Bill Daw, Fr. Paul, and others in the parish. Why should you participate in a Discovery weekend - or some might prefer to call it re-discovery? This is a time to discover, or re-discover, God’s love, the value of prayer and forgiveness, and the meaning of the sacraments. And celebrate this learning and sharing while making new friends and deepening your existing Christian relationships. Friday’s activities begin at 5:30 p.m., and includes dinner and some thought-provoking work sessions. Saturday’s program kicks off at 8:00 a.m. with time for coffee, and runs into the evening. You will experience an awakening and new closeness with God. Watch for further details on how to register. Child care will be provided.

Holy Communion

Early Communion is scheduled for Sunday, November 17 at the 10:30 worship service. Thirteen of our young people have been learning and preparing to receive Holy Communion. This is a very meaningful step for them in their young Christian lives. Come, support our young people in their walk with Christ!

more coming your way...soon! Adopt-A-Family

Most of us enjoy the beauty of Christmas, but sometimes it’s easy to overlook the true spirit of Christmas; God’s love, the love he has for all of us and the need to give to those less fortunate. Since 1999 our Calvary family, friends and co-workers have opened our hearts and our wallets to bring Christmas to 496 ...we families, including 1,435 children. For the past seven years, we have given over 350 Bibles to these children. Her is how it works: Working with the nurses and social workers from four area elementary schools, we get the names, sizes and wish lists for the children and their school-aged siblings. In turn, Calvary families or groups adopt families based on this information. You contact the family, shop, wrap and deliver gifts of toys, clothing and treats. Also child age appropriate Bibles are given to the families made possible by financial donations. We have collected lots of cute and cuddly Teddy Bears that we are sure will warm the hearts of many children on Christmas morning. You are welcome to take one for each child you adopt.

have

given over 350 Bibles to these

children! Sunday, December 8th and 15th, we will have the adoption information, bears and Bibles available in the Parish Hall between services and after the 10:30 service. You may also contact us to learn more about Adopt-a-Family or to give us your special request and we will help you make this special Calvary tradition a Christmas tradition for you and your family. Thank you. Frank and Mary Ellen Plut: [email protected], or 281-342-6578 (weekdays) or 713-291-4597 (evenings and weekends).

Join the Chrismon Guild

There will be many forthcoming announcements about Advent activities, but here is something new for all of us to enjoy – the making of “Chrismons”. The word Chrismon is made from two other words: Christ (Chris) and Monogram (mon). These were mostly symbols used by the early Christians as a symbol of faith. In days when it was too dangerous to be a Christian, followers of Jesus used secret signs and symbols to communicate with other Christians. Chrismons are used as traditional Christmas tree decorations symbolizing the many names of Jesus Christ. How many can you name? Like to learn more? We will be forming a "guild" to learn about and make beautiful Chrismons for our tree. Share in this time for learning, fellowship and focusing on what Christmas is really all about. Supplies will be available, varied skills to be applied, all are welcome.....an hour or two a week, or you can finish yours at home. We will meet at the church on Tuesday November 5 at 1:00. Bring a sandwich if you like.

Contact Ginger Jackson--281-236-3752. The Gift of Life

Our fourth and final blood drive of the year will be held on Sunday, November 10th in the Multi-Purpose Rooms of the Family Life Center from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. You can sign up in the Parish Hall between services and after the 10:30 service or register online at www.giveblood.org using sponsor number 2833.

Save the date and save a life!

Contact Frank Plut at [email protected]. It is a busy time at Calvary! Turn the page for more...

School In the News

...more more and more to come! Good Eats and Good Company equals fun for all

The last Super Club was a capacity crowd. If you missed it you missed a grand time had by all at the home of Frank and Lisa Traylor. The next event is to be held in early 2014. If you’d like to host, please get signed up soon. If you can host Supper Club, please call:

Zahra Cook at (832) 695-2397 Have you signed up for the Thanksgiving Feast?

Feeding those in need is a basic Christian responsibility. Even if you cannot help distribute the food, please sign up to contribute your share by cooking a turkey, a pie, or side dish.

October kicked off with Episcopal School Sunday on October 6. Students participated in the liturgy and the school choir provided music. The sanctuary was alive with the energy and smiling faces of our Calvary students. The Fort Bend County Fair holds a special place in the hearts of local residents, and our Calvary Episcopal School students have an additional reason to celebrate. Ms. Duval’s art students claimed 37 first place ribbons and 15 second place ribbons in this year’s competition!

Last year we fed over 900 people their “meals on wheels” dinner when their deliveries were halted for the holiday weekend. They need your help and we need your help in helping them. Please sign up in in the Parish Hall before and after worship each Sunday or call:

Molly Powell at (713)252-5685 to find out how you can help!

And, then came dogs and more dogs! Did your pet get a blessing? [maybe it should have been called the Blessing of the dogs, except for the cat and two guinea pigs ] It seems each year – at least in recent memory - the Blessing of the Pets is done in the rain! But the rain did not dampen the spirits of the owners or the pets as they came on campus Sunday, October 13, to receive their blessings. Members of the parish and the school came with a variety of animals for this annual occasion. God’s creatures one and all.

CES students also excelled in Girl’s Volleyball and now wear the title as Tournament and District Champs.

next month look for the Calvary Episcopal School 7th Annual Fall Festival For information about Calvary Episcopal School call: (281)342-3161

We pray for those we love, but see no longer

Rebekah Rose Harkins 1956-2013

Marian Evelyn Freeman 1911-2013

Richard Lane 1932-2013

For our brothers and sisters, let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the resurrection and I am Life.” (BCP)

Edith Mabel Barillas 1928-2013

Patty Lynn Robinson 1956-2013

Calvary Episcopal

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Richmond, TX

church and school

806 Thompson Road • Richmond, TX 77469

imbarcode

As a welcoming Body of Christ, we seek to empower everyone to learn, live, and teach God’s Eternal Promise Church Staff

Vestry

The Rev. Paul Wehner, Rector The Rev. Scotty Innes, Associate Pastor Carole Andrews, Financial Administrator Tina Broussard, Director of Christian Education Missy Marek, Parish Administrator Will Mason, Worship Coordinator Anne Scarborough, Newcomer Coordinator

Kathy Haley, Senior Warden Frank Plut, Junior Warden Lisa Lemkowitz, Clerk Catherine Clark Christian Iversen John Lyons

Contact us at:

Newsletter Team

(281) 342-2147 www.calvaryrichmond.org

Mike McCarn Elizabeth Olivia Ann Ondrusek Mark Servantes Betty Anne Taylor Lisa Traylor

The Members of Calvary Amber Zentis, Editor

Worship Services Sunday

8:00 AM Traditional 9:30 AM Sunday School for All Ages 10:30 AM Contemporary Tuesday Tuesday 9:30 AM Traditional Design and Layout Produced by KEPHA Resources, Inc. 800.342.3316

©2013 Calvary Episcopal Church and School — All Rights Reserved