Week of December 18 - 25, 2016
Sunday, December 18th
8:30 amHoly Eucharist, Rite II
9:30 amChristian Formation for all ages, parish hall
Choir Practice, nave
10:30 amHoly Eucharist, Rite II
11:45 amHoly Spirit 101, rector’s office
Saturday, December 24th, The Nativity of our Lord
5:10 pmCarols
5:30 pmFestival Eucharist with Holy Spirit Choir
8:00 pmFestival Eucharist with congregational singing with organ accompaniment
Sunday, December 25th
**No services**
The church office will be closed Monday, December 26th – Monday, January 2nd
Letter from Senior Warden
I realize there has been a lot of sadness, anxiety, fear, and even feelings ofanger overMary Bea and Malcolm leaving Holy Spirit. Theyvery much felt likehome and family to so many of us here and still do. Let me be clear, as your Senior Warden, my reassuring each of you that we will be ok and that we are strong does not diminish the validity of any ofthose feelings. This experience has been hard, painful and sad. Someone said to me it felt like a spiritual crisis when Mary Bea told us she was leaving. I admit, I felt the same.
When I came to church this pastSundayI saw so many of you smiling, laughing, talking, reaching out to give hugs, and havingconversations. We are a family. We have moments that hurt, but I ask you to take a step back and look at how beautifully everything has come together. Our Priest Affiliate, Allison Carmody, has helped us tremendously and the days she wasn't available Father Steve DeGweckhas been here. M.E. Spencer has been received as verger and has done so much for us during this time. Al Delchamps will lead our morning prayeron January 1stand the followingSundayour interim will start. All of these dates are falling amazingly into place – I would call that Divine Intervention, wouldn't you?
And now we have wonderful news to share, the bishop has signed all of our paperwork and I am so very pleased to announce that Father Bill Blackerby will officially begin as interim priest with usJanuary 4th. Let's all welcome him January 8th, his firstSundayat Holy Spirit. What can be more welcoming than all of us, chili cook-off and our annual meeting? Please mark your calendars now. Father Bill will share a bio with us soon so you can all get to know him a little bit better. When the vestry met with him one thing he said really stood out to me, he wants to be a "non anxious presence" during our transition. How beautiful – it sounds like Father Bill is exactly what we need. Thanks be to God!
MandyGolightly
Weekly & Monthly Reminders
Holy Spirit 101Dec 18th 11:45 amRector’s Office
Centering PrayerJan 2nd5:30 pmNave
Choir PracticeJan 4th7:00 pmNave
Women’s CircleJan 10th6:00 pmNave
Healing EucharistJan 11th11:00 amNave
Men’s Prayer BreakfastJan 14th8:00 amParish Hall
Bunco Jan 19th 6:30 pmParish Hall
Pack for Beans & RiceJan 20th 9:00 amParish Hall
Beans & Rice Jan 21st 9:00 amNarthex
Vestry MeetingFeb 12th 11:45 amParish Hall
Save the Date
Sat, Dec 24thChristmas Eve Services, 5:30pm and 8:00pm
Sun, Jan 8thAnnual Parish Meeting & Chili Cook-off, 11:45 am
Sun, Jan 29thCahaba Valley Health Screening
Feb 17th-18th186th Diocesan Convention, Birmingham
Tues, Feb 28thShrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 6:30 pm
Wed, Mar 1stAsh Wednesday Service, 7:00 pm
Church Happenings
Christmas Flower Donations
Today is the last day to signup for Christmas flowers. A signup sheet is located in the narthex. You may honor a loved with your $30 donation and it will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
2016 Pledges
We know this is a busy hectic and time for all of our families, but please don’t forget to get your 2016 pledges in this month. If you have any questions about your pledge and how much you have contributed this year, please contact the Church Treasurer, Al Delchamps (,(205) 612-9759).
Holy Spirit 101 – TODAY at 11:45am
Come learn more about Holy Spirit with vestry member, M.E. Spencer Sunday, December18th after the 10:30 service. This is a great opportunity for visitors (but all are welcome) to gather once a month in the rector’s office with refreshments and hear about the church and our offerings.
Taste of the Spirit Cookbooks
Christmas is almost here - do you need stocking stuffers? gifts for coworkers or neighbors? We have the answer!! Get everyone on your list a Taste of the Spirit Cookbook! They will not be disappointed. Pick up them up in the parish hall or in the narthex.
Annual Parish Meeting & Chili Cook-Off, January 8th at 11:45am
Plan to attend our annual parish meeting. We will receive updates from our vestry and treasurer about the mission, ministry, and financial picture at Holy Spirit. We will also elect new vestry members for 2017(see bios on next page). No one will go away hungry as the annual chili cook-off will take place. Please bring your famous chili and a copy of your recipe for sharing. We also need volunteers to bring drinks, crackers, bread, desserts or a favorite chili side dish. Best chili will be determined by most votes counted according to money in cup so bring change and folding money to make your vote count! Perfect Potluck sign up coming soon!
Vestry Candidates
Mary Hodgetts– I am a wife, a Mom to 2 grown children, and a grandma to 18 grandkids. Originally from Boston, my husband and I moved to Alabama almost 3 years ago to be near family. I found HS within a month of our move and I fell in love with this welcoming community. My dad joined us a year later. My work life has included serving as the executive assistant to the Episcopal Bishop of Massachusetts in the early 90s. When the Bishop retired, I went to work for an AIDS hospice. Eventually I became a medical assistant, taught medical assisting in inner city schools. After I received my AS in medical assisting at Bay State College, I become the MA department head at Corinthian College.During my time here at HS, I have been privileged to serve as a LEM, Lector, and I sing in the choir. I am the current president of the Daughters of the King and I facilitate the Women's Circle. My church community is very dear to me. I wish to serve on the vestry because, although it is a time of great change for us, I see such hope for the future of our congregation. God’s love is truly expressed by the open and caring people here at HS, not just to each other, but also to the community around us. It would be an honor to work and pray with you as we continue to walk this journey together.
Buzz Palmer– Anative of Hueytown, AL. A cradle Catholic attending St. Aloysius Church until college. I am married to the Beautiful Bride of Janet B. Palmer. We have 6 kids and 6 grandkids with some extended family grandkids. I was confirmed as an Episcopalian in 2010. Janet and I have been at Holy Spirit for almost two years. While at St. Francis, I was elected to the Vestry, serving as Jr. Warden for two years and Sr. Warden for one. I have a MB Degree from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, and a minor in Marketing and Sales. Currently I work for SHV, as the Regional Industrial Filtration Resource for 90 sales people within my region. Since attending Holy Spirit, Janet and I wasted no time in getting involved and impacting others’ lives, both within and outside our worship doors. I am involved with the grounds facilities maintenance, further developed the Holy Spirit Holt Smokers as a means of monetary support for the church, outreach team member, lector, and helped start the monthly Men's Breakfast.My desire by offering my services through the vestry of Holy Spirit is to see Holy Spirit Church maintain a consistent course,as we have demonstrated under great leadership, while we search for our next great rector where that rector will be proud to say that they also served at Holy Spirit.
Erin Washam– I've been married to my husband Mike for 8 years. We have a daughter, Emma, who is 3 years old and was baptized here at Holy Spirit. I was baptized in a Catholic church, but spent the majority of my childhood attending Episcopal churches. For the past several years I have had the privilege of being a stay at home mother. My educational background is in early childhood development and education. My husband and I are both graduates of the University of Tennessee. My employment experience includes teaching preschool in Atlanta, working with at-risk youth in Knoxville, and administrative support in the children's ministry department at First Presbyterian Church, Nashville.I have been honored to serve on the vestry this past year. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Julia Jackson and others to support the Christian Education ministries here at Holy Spirit. It has been so much fun to help with VBS andSundaySchool. My family and I love Holy Spirit and have enjoyed worshiping here for a year and a half.
Michael Wilbanks– Although I am not a cradle Episcopalian, I have been a practicing one for nearly half my life.I have found more spiritual comfort in this church than elsewhere.I have served on different kinds of boards and committees; I am serving currently on the board of South City Theater.I have a specific job with them.I know how to take care of what needs to be done there.I do not know what I can specifically do for this parish or what special talents I can offer or bring to the vestry of this church (this is the first time I have ever asked for this).I know, though, that I am pretty content serving as both a LEM and lector.If, however, I can offer more service to this church, then I gladly will.I enjoy calling this church mine and want to help it grow even stronger.
Financial Update
Contributions
Thank you for your generous support of our parish. Below is a summary of the contributions received during the week ending on Sunday, December 11, 2016.
Pledged...... $1,822.00
Unpledged...... $ 375.44
Beans and Rice...... $ 53.89
Flowers...... $ 60.00
Total Contributions...... $2,311.33
Please pray for…
Bishops and Clergy:JustinWelby, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop ECUSA; Kee Sloan, Alabama Bishop; Alison Carmody, Priest Affiliate; Stan Wright, Priest Affiliate
Diocesan Prayer Cycle: Our companion dioceses of Alaska & the Virgin Islands their bishops Mark & Ambrose; Kairos Prison Ministry and Kairos Outside; St. Thomas, Birmingham; St. Thomas, Huntsville
Ministries and Programs within The Church of the Holy Spirit: Worship Team (Acolytes, Lectors, LEMs, Ushers), Mow & Clean Teams, Daughters of the King, Coffee Hour Team
For Nation and Local Community: Barack Obama, President; Donald Trump, President-Elect; Robert Bentley, Governor; Communities of Calera, Alabaster, Helena, Maylene, & Pelham
For all people everywhere, especially: those impacted by the fires in Gatlinburg.
Healing & Guidance for members, relatives and friends of Holy Spirit: Doris & Richard Smith (Victoria Knierim); Carl Raymond (Allyson Agee); Jo Cochran (Judy Dykes); Roxie & Stan Wright; Debra Dewees (Glenda Jones); Francie Gardner; Bud Montgomery (Carol Smedley); Dorothy Powell; Kim Sloan (Nancy Musgrove & Katy Brooks); Karen Marshall (Allyson Agee); Barbara Carroll (Harriet & Bill Meeks); Jaxson (Mary Hodgetts); JimMankoski (Allyson Agee); DanPoset; Joanne;Shannon Bogert & family (Amanda Wilbanks), NilaWhetsell, Roy Wolfe, Buzz Palmer, Isabelle Jackson, Hal Skalka
For those serving in the armed services:Hall Graham (Julia Jackson), Mark McKay (Gladys McKay)
For all who have died, may light perpetual shine upon them.
Upcoming Birthdays: Glenda Jones (12/18), Debra Dickey (12/20), Nicholas Matthews (12/20), Logan Power (12/20), Suzanna Rawlins (12/23), Steve Smith (12/24), Matt Farrell (12/26), Drew Golightly (12/27), Eliza Heatherly (12/28), Carey Heacock (12/30)
Upcoming Anniversaries: Jean & John Williams (12/20)
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit
Tara’s Office Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs – 9:00am to2:00pm
858 Kent Dairy Rd; PO Box 2365 Alabaster, AL 35007
205-621-3418