St. Anne's Gate, 8/7/13

Dear Friends,

Greeting from St. Anne's Episcopal Church!

If you're experiencing an unaccountable burst of the Christmas spirit, it's because today is set aside in the lectionary for John Mason Neale, an Anglican priest best known for his translations of Advent hymns, including "O Come O Come Emmanuel." Neale also popularized "Good King Wenceslas," a carol that contains a social gospel message and a call for more partying ("bring me flesh and bring me wine!" says the Good King at one point).  Father Neale sounds like one of those awful Episcopalians you've heard so much about.  The rascal.

WORSHIP

We meet at Lackey Chapel at 10am on Sundays for Eucharist. 

Please make a note that our August 18 Eucharist will be a joint service with the Episcopal Church in Myrtle Beach. We'll be meeting at 79th avenue and HWY 17 bypass, at the CCU Myrtle Beach campus.  There will be no St. Anne's Service at Lackey Chapel in 8/18.  We'll be at 79th, celebrating with our cousins from the other side of the waterway.  That service starts at 10:30 am. No groaning about having to drive to the beach!  The Intracoastal Waterway might just like the Red Sea at your coming.

We'll resume our normal 10am Lackey Chapel services the following week, August 25.

MINISTRY

*Speaking of the Myrtle Beach congregation, I hear tell that their August 4th service (their first at 79th avenue) was a great success, with 33 participants, a wonderful sermon by Fr. Merchant, and plans for their first confirmation class.  I have in hand a note:

"Dear Friends at St. Anne's --

Thank you for being an inspiration to us at the new Episcopal Church in Myrtle Beach. Your dedication and passion to keep the Episcopal Church alive in our community surely encourages us to move forward.

Your generous support in providing pastors for our Eucharist in our first month is truly a gift.  We are honored to be able to use the processional cross you used in your first service at St. Anne's.

We look forward to having you worship with us on August 18.

Sincerely

The Leadership Team

The Episcopal Church in Myrtle Beach"

*The Diocese is sponsoring a Congregational Development workshop on Tuesday, August 20 at 2:00-4:00 p.m at The Church of the Holy Communion (218 Ashley Ave., Charleston).  We've been invited to send a delegation.  If you're interested in attending, send a note to Andrea McKellar [andreamckellar@gmail.com].

*The Rev. Lucia Lloyd of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Heathsville, VA is coming down to celebrate Eucharist with the Episcopal Church in Myrtle Beach on August 11th. Rev. Lloyd's TEC congregation lost their building for a few years when an portion of the congregation voted to leave the Episcopal Church.  Eventually, TEC prevailed in court and Lucia's congregation was able to resume worshiping in their church building. Rev. Lloyd taken a special interest in our Diocese because of that experience, and her congregation has twice sent packages of liturgical items to us. We still use altar cloths from her parish.

The mission committee is assembling a thank-you basket to be presented to the St. Stephen's congregation.  We are looking for items that represent our community, such as local foods.
There is a basket ready to fill with thank you gifts for the congregation. Amy Shea will be happy to help anyone gather an item, or be available to receive something anyone in Conway may like to drop off at her house. Anything from the area or SC would be great. Some of the local grocery stores, such as IGA and Piggly Wiggly, as well as Bodega in downtown Conway have items that anyone would appreciate. You may also bring items to Lackey Chapel this Sunday.

Amy and Kevin's address is 907 Lakeside Dr (843-742-9142).

VISION

Our proposed mission statement has been positively received thus far:

St. Anne’s Episcopal Church strives to be a joyous community that welcomes all people who seek to know Christ in their minds, hearts, and lives.

We gather together at God’s table, offering diverse gifts but of one spirit, becoming the body of Christ and gratefully receiving God’s grace. 

We go out into a broken world, guided by scripture, tradition, and reason, honoring Christ’s command to serve others, believing that through God’s presence in our community, we can advance God’s kingdom in the world.

In the coming weeks and months, we'll be talking about how to put those lofty ideals into practice. There is, if I may says so, a growing sense among us that our coming together in this place at this time was for something more important than maintaining an Episcopal outpost in Horry County.  We've seen hints of our special purpose as a congregation, and far be it for a worldly layman like yours truly to suggest that there's a Providential hand at work at St. Anne's, but each Sunday, when the "Steady Sixty" assemble, it is hard not to believe that we've been gathered. We haven't been gathered for wallow in bitterness over deeds and injunctions.  We surely haven't been gathered to exist as a competing franchise in the business of Christianity, Incorporated.  Nor have we been gathered merely to hang out on Sundays with the comfort of a beautiful liturgy and familiar old hymns.

But we've been gathered, sure enough. Let's find out why.

See you Sunday,

Dan Ennis

St. Anne's Gate, July 27, 2013

Dear Friends, 

Greetings from St. Anne's Episcopal Church!  I hope you raised a glass to St. Anne herself yesterday, because July 26th is reserved in the Anglican calendar for the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The prayer appointed in the lectionary reads:

Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

WORSHIP

We meet Sundays at 10am in Lackey Chapel, 105 University Drive, Conway, SC.  Click here for a map.

Please note that on Sunday, August 18 we will not meet at Lackey Chapel, but instead will participate in a joint worship service with the new Episcopal Church at Myrtle Beach. On that day we'll meet at Coastal Carolina University's Myrtle Beach Education Center on the Corner of Bypass 17 and 79th Avenue North Myrtle Beach.

MINISTRY

Our support for the new worship group in Myrtle Beach will likely provide more mission opportunities for our congregation. Not only are we assisting the Myrtle Beach church materially (just as churches such as St. Stephen's in Heathsville, VA assisted us when we were starting out), but it won't be long until we will have a sister congregation with whom we can collaborate on programs and outreach. If you are of a providential turn of mind, you might wonder if St. Anne's was blessed so completely upon formation (with people, resources, space, and joy) so that we might be in a position to help another parish in its early hours. It would appear, to paraphrase Mark Twain, that reports of the death of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina were greatly exaggerated.

The Summer Come-As-You are Bible Study has two more weeks left to go, but it's still not too late to join. We meet on Wednesdays at 7pm and study the readings for the following Sunday. This readings for our Wednesday, July 31 meeting are 

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Psalm 49:1-11
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21

The Bible Study meets at 4649 Westwind Dr. in Carolina Forest, Myrtle Beach. Click here for a map.

ORGANIZATION

Your Mission Committee met on July 15, 2013 and July 21, 2013.  The minutes from all Mission Committee meetings are on the website at stanneconway.org

Our recent meetings have been predominately about next steps for our parish. Our growth has been gratifying and unexpected.  We want to be ready for the challenges ahead, but we want to preserve that which has brought us together in the first place:  A simple vision of worship and community that was, in the words of an eminent theologian, "indiscriminately inclusive." Through these discussions, we able to draft a mission statement that we believe captures St. Anne's in three sentences:

St. Anne’s Episcopal Church strives to be a joyous community that welcomes all people who seek to know Christ in their minds, hearts, and lives.

We gather together at God’s table, offering diverse gifts but of one spirit, becoming the body of Christ and gratefully receiving God’s grace.

We go out into a broken world, guided by scripture, tradition, and reason, honoring Christ’s command to serve others, believing that through God’s presence in our community, we can advance God’s kingdom in the world.

What do you think?

See you Sunday,

Dan Ennis

Senior Warden

7/9/13 Update

Dear Friends,

Greetings from St. Anne's Episcopal Church! Listening to the choir's lovely anthem last week, I was reminded of Garrison Keillor's description of Episcopalians: 

"I do believe this, people: Episcopalians -- who love to sing in four-part harmony -- are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you are hungry, they'll give you tuna salad."

WORSHIP

We meet at 10am in Lackey Chapel on the campus of Coastal Carolina University.  Click here for a map.

A special worship opportunity is attached to this email.  Episcopalians from Trinity Myrtle Beach have been meeting as a worship group, and they've invited us St. Anne's folks to join them this Sunday at 4pm.  So come to St. Anne's at 10am, then go to Trinity-in-Exile at 4pm. Double the church, and there's not one among us that couldn't use the extra measure of grace, right? For directions and RSVP information see the attachment to this email.

MINISTRIES

Bible study continues at the home of Jeri Dubbs,  4946 Westwind Dr., Myrtle Beach SC (in Carolina Forest for all you locals). This is best reached via Gardner Lacy Road.  Map here. The truly lost can call Jeri for directions at 236-8136.  The truly, truly lost should click here.

This Bible study follows the lectionary, so readings can be found here (follow Track 2):

The readings for this week are:  Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Psalm 25:1-9; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37

ORGANIZATION

The Mission Committee meets on Monday, July 15.  Please send any questions/requests/complaints to this email or share your concerns with a member of the committee this Sunday. Minutes for each mission committee meeting are available on the parish website (http://stanneconway.org).

VISION

A couple of weeks ago, twenty-six bishops met in Charleston and learned about the successful reorganization of our diocese.  They wrote a letter commending our efforts, and closed with this message:

"Going forward, please know that we are of one mind in thanking God for your witness to the entire church that we indeed worship and serve a real, risen and living Lord. And, we would ask you to ever keep with you the words of the Apostle to the church in Ephesus: “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.” Eph. 3:20-21"

See you Sunday,

Dan

7/2/2013

Dear St. Anne's Friends,

I write you on July 2nd, the actual day the declaration was adopted, thanks to that sometime Episcopalian (but mostly Deist) Thomas Jefferson. 

WORSHIP

We meet on Sundays at 10am in Lackey Chapel on the campus of Coastal Carolina University.  Directions can be found here.

I am pleased to report that a group from Trinity Myrtle Beach is organizing and they've invited us to join them at their July 14 Eucharist.  They will meet at 4pm at 302 Lafayette Road in Myrtle Beach.  Fr. Wilmot Merchant will be their celebrant. RSVP to Mary Lauer 272-6688.

MINISTRY

Bible study will not meet this week, but will resume on July 10.  We are following the lectionary (track 2).  Remember, this Bible study is designed for drop-ins, so please join us even if you missed the first couple of meetings. Jeri makes excellent lemonade. Directions here.

ORGANIZATION

Last week our loose offerings were sent to Episcopal Relief and Development.

The mission committee will meet on July 15.  Please let a mission committee member know if you have any topics you'd like to see addressed. 

VISION

"I have found that some people who sense themselves as outcasts feel that the only way they can participate in the life of the church is by making other people outcast."  --Edmond Lee Browning, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, 1985-1997

See you Sunday,

Dan Ennis

6/23/13

Dear Friends,

St. Anne's continues careening down Broad Church Boulevard, a different fool for Christ at the wheel each week. Hitchhikers welcome.

Here are three items that may be of interest to you.

1.  Come As You Are Bible Study meets at 7pm Wednesdays.  Directions can be found here or by clicking "Ministry" at www.stanneconway.com.  This Bibsl Study follows the Lectionary, so the reading for this next session (Wednesday 6/16) are:

Track 1
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20Galatians 5:1, 13-25Luke 9:51-62

2.  Jane Holley Wilson had knee surgery last week.  If you can, please help with her meals by signing up using the link below:

  http://www.mealtrain.com?id=mtgttn0eb0st 

With Meal Train you sign up for a date to bring her food during the next two weeks. Jane says to please think of cooking for two and that they love salad and fresh vegetables.  If you have questions you can contact Cathy Battle at 843 421 1608.

3.  Your Mission Committee has identified a campus ministry at Coastal Carolina University as our first major outreach as a parish.  Please let a member of the committee know (or just respond to this email) if you want to be involved.  We envision a prayer service and a meal on Sunday evenings to start with.

As always, we meet at 10am on Sundays at Lackey Chapel.  Directions (and a list of service participants) are right here.

See you Sunday,

Dan Ennis

6/16/13

Dear Friends,

Episcopalians pride themselves on tradition, but if today's service is any indication, St. Anne's is refusing to honor the Episcopal tradition of skipping church during the summertime.  We had our largest congregation since Pentecost; what a nice welcome for Archdeacon Walpole. 

MINISTRY

We've finally organized our Come-As-You-Are Summer Bible Study.  We'll been meeting each Wednesday at 7pm at the home of Jeri Dubbs (4946 Westwind Dr. Myrtle Beach).  She lives in Carolina Forest and you can find a maphere. Jeri suggests coming in via Gardner Lacy Rd.

Our plan is to review the lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, with individuals taking turns leading the discussion. You can preview the lectionary readings each week here.  So this Wednesday Rebecca Lovelace will lead discussion, and the appointed readings are:

1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a

Psalm 42 and 43

Galatians 3:23-29

Luke 8:26-39

If we have a particularly large turnout we may split into two groups.

ORGANIZATION

The Mission Committee met last week and the minutes will be posted on the website (last month's minutes can be found here). Three members of your mission committee will be attending the Provincial Bishops Meeting in Charleston next week to give a presentation on our progress as a mission.

VISION

As today's celebrant pointed out, Martin Luther once defined "evangelism" as "one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread."   It's a pleasure being your fellow-beggar.

See You Sunday,

Dan Ennis

www.stanneconway.org

6/3/13

6/3/13

Friends,

Greetings from St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Conway, SC. This day in the church calendar is set aside to remember the Martyrs of Uganda.

WORSHIP

We meet every Sunday at 10am for Eucharist at Lackey Chapel, 105 University Drive.  You can find a map here.

ORGANIZATION

The Mission Committee has commenced its monthly meetings.  In our first meeting we took care of some basic organizational tasks.  In term of finances, we voted to begins supporting the Diocese with a 10% tithe of designated offerings.  For loose offerings, we agreed that going forward the first Sunday of every month would go to charities and causes as suggested by the parish (the June 2 loose offerings will be donated to Coastal Samaritan Counseling).  Fifth Sunday loose offerings will continue to go to Episcopal Relief and Development.  Other Sundays will continue to go to CAP.   

The minutes of Mission Committee meetings are available here.  

As Kevin Shea pointed out last Sunday, three members of the Mission Committee (Kevin, Dan Ennis and Rebecca Lovelace) attended a diocesan meeting in Charleston last week. Bishop vonRosenberg, Archdeacon Callie Walpole, and Chancellor Tom Tisdale made presentations. St. Anne's was invited to give a presentation to the Province VI Bishops later this month.

MINISTRY

Please respond to this email if you are interested in a Wednesday Night Summer Bible Study.  The Mission Committee is seeking a curriculum that will allow people to join in mid-discussion as they are in town, since so may people travel in the summer.  We envision meeting at 7pm (post-dinner) in a home or series of homes.  Emailing your interest will let us know if one group will do or if we need to from multiple studies.  

VISION

This occasional email update is now called St. Anne's Gate, in anticipation of the time it will become a proper newsletter.  There's a famous "St. Anne's Gate" at the Vatican (that's where pilgrims gather in hope of meeting the Pope) and a less famous "St. Anne's Gate" at Salisbury Cathedral (surely we'd rather be Anglican about it), but such gates are inspired by the story of St. Anne meeting her husband at the city gates to tell him she was with child. This was a favorite scene of medieval Christian artists.

See you some Sunday,

Dan