draft1-heavenly rest

The Episcopal Church of theHEAVENLY REST

2013 • ANNUAL REPORTCare. Share. Create. Serve.

The Mission of the Episcopal Church Is the Mission of Christ

• To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom• To teach, baptize and nurture new believers • To respond to human need by loving service • To seek to transform unjust structures of society • To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

We recognize with gratitude that the Five Marks ('Five Marks of Mission' as developed by the Anglican Consultative Council between 1984 and 1990) have won wide acceptance among Anglicans, and have given parishes and dioceses around the world a practical and memorable "checklist" for mission activities.

Vision Statement: Diocese of Northwest Texas

Vision Statement: Church of the Heavenly RestThe Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest is a Christian community of faith rooted in the Anglican tradition. Empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament, we seek to know the reconciling love of God and to share that love with others.

Mission Statement: Church of the Heavenly RestAs a community of faith centered in God through liturgy and Christian Practice, the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest exists to:CARE for members of all ages and stages of life.SHARE God’s inclusive and healing love with all people.CREATE opportunities to grow in Christ.

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www.heavenlyrestabilene.org

Messagefrom the Warden

Mike Denny, Senior [email protected]

Yvonne Batts, Junior [email protected]

Geanna [email protected]

Blake [email protected]

Angela [email protected]

John D. [email protected]

Rosemary Suttle [email protected]

Kim [email protected]

Courtney Vletas [email protected]

vestry- Mike Denny

Care. Share. Create. Serve. • 2013 Annual Report

SERVICES

Sundays8:00 a.m.

Worship Service, Holy Eucharist

in the nave

9:30 a.m. Sunday School

10:45 a.m.Worship Service, Holy Eucharist

in the nave

1:00 p.m.Worship ServiceMorning Prayer in

Swahili

Weekdays8:00 a.m.

Morning Prayerin the chapel

Wednesdays5:30 p.m.

Healing Service, Holy Eucharistin the chapel

Our service comes from The Book of

Common Prayer.

Table ofContents

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PARISH LIFE

Morning PrayerJunior Warden ReportNewcomer MinistriesChristian EducationYouth MinistriesBrotherhood of St. AndrewMusicCommunicationsAcolyteEucharistic MinistersHoly StrollersAltar GuildMedical Committee

WOMEN’S YEARBOOK

St. Margaret’s GuildDaughters of the KingSt. Martha’s Guild • Parish Hostesses

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Neighborhood CommitteeBreakfast on Beech StreetSoup SistersThrift HouseHands On OutreachAssociate Rector’s Report

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Stewardship Report Trust Balance Staff and Clergy Contact InformationFoundation Statement Altar Guild Statement Heavenly Rest StatementsDiscernmentHeavenly Rest by the Numbers

from the Rectorwww.heavenlyrestabilene.org

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MinutesAnnual Parish Meeting


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Nancy EstesNolan KelleyJosh StearnsAnnabel HouseCindy McCarty

Delegates to Annual Diocesan Convention

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PARISH LIFE

“Unity is necessary to the outpouring of the Spirit of God. If you have 120 volts of electricity coming into your house but you have broken wiring, you may turn on the switch, but nothing works – no lights come on, the stove doesn’t warm, the radio doesn’t turn on. Why? Because you have broken wiring. The power is ready to do its work…, but where there is broken wir-ing, there is no power. Unity is necessary among the children of God if we are going to know the flow of power…to see God do His wonders.”

- A. W. Tozer


MorningprayerMorning Prayer is said each weekday morning at 8:00 am in the chapel. Heavenly Rest remembers the ancient Christian tradition of praying three times daily by offering the first prayers of the day. Morning Prayer provides an opportunity for the community to begin their day wrapped in the peace of God. Thirty minutes at the start of the day is an excellent way to give thanks to God for the new day.

Billy Edwards, Jackie Batjer, Annabel House, Courtney Vletas, Charlotte Passel, Jeff Gooslby and Amanda Watson currently of-fer the morning prayers. If you are interested in saying Morning Prayer please contact Amanda Watson. Saying Morning Prayer will be a blessing to you as well as the community remembering “God has promised through his well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in His Name you will be in the midst of them.” The church community is invited to consider as part of their Lenten practice to attend Morning Prayer and say prayers with the Morning Prayer minister.

Go in peace each day to love and serve the Lord.

8:00 a.m.10

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Junior WardenReportThe Junior Warden’s main responsibility is for the maintenance of the Church facilities. In ad-dition, the Junior Warden serves on many of the church’s committees, including the Vestry and Finance Committee, and has a standing vote at the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Northwest Texas.Two of the main projects related to our facili-ties this year included the expansion of the Co-lumbarium and the Hands-On Outreach Cen-ter in the Lower Level of the Parish Hall. The Columbarium expanded from 81 niches to 276 niches. Hands-On Outreach moved from the Parish Hall to a newly renovated area which includes a receiving and training area, two Pastoral offices, a Deacon’s office and an ex-panded food pantry. In addition, the Lower Level of the Parish Hall now includes a children’s play area and class room, a children’s craft lab, and an office for our new Christian Education coordinator.The Church sustained significant water dam-age during the summer storms. The roof over the Nave and Bell Tower had to be replaced, and rugs had to be cleaned in the Nave and Parish office. The Parish office walls had to be painted.

The elevator lifts from time to time are requir-ing maintenance for operation. We continue to analyze the elevator lift situation.This is an exciting time of growth for the Church of the Heavenly Rest . Our wonder-ful young Priests continue to attract more and more young families to our Church. We need to help our Priests have facility space to pro-vide Spiritual needs for this growth. May we pray to find the wisdom and means to provide for the blessings that have been bestowed upon us. From time to time, Church members will men-tion areas in need of attention, repair, or im-provement to the attention of the Junior War-den. These suggestions are appreciated. As in our homes, it takes a family to stay on top of our needs. Please know that your pledges en-able us to keep the Church maintained so that those who worship with us may do so in com-fort and so that we may do the work of ministry that God has called us to do. Thank you for your generosity.

May 2014 be a blessed year for all.

- Yvonne Batts

Beginning in September 2013 Heavenly Rest put in place a plan to welcome visitors and connect new members into the life of the congregation. The plan was developed by a committee and patterened after the Newcomer Ministry developed by Mary Palmer from the Episcopal Diocese Project. A training was held at Heavenly Rest by Mary Palmer for various groups which resulted in a committee formed and a plan for Heavenly Rest. The model plan calls for three phases: Welcome, Invitation, and Connection. The “Welcome” includes weekly greeters, website communication, personal re-ferral, visitor cards, bags with welcome notes, and a follow up personalized note to the visitor. Name tags are offered by the church office to all members in an attempt to make identification easier. Clergy welcomes visitorsat the end of the service and invites all of the congregation to an informal coffee time. During the “ Invitation” visitors are invited to a two- part forum titled “Heav-enly Rest 101 ”. The rector meets with newcomers and gives a brief introduction/question & answer session about the Episcopal Church in general. Those who want to learn further and be confirmed will be invited to a confirmation class beginning in January and ending after confirmation in May. “Connection” is the final phase. It is a time of connecting newcomers with the people and ministry that matches his/her particular life phase, gifs, talents, and pas-sion. Through rally daypresentations and conversations with newcomers, pathways to discipleship and be-longing open doors of opportunity.

WELCOME

INVITE

CONNECT

Newcomer Ministrty

COMMITTEEClaire CarlsonLisa GoolsbyJackie BatjerSandra KentJulie-Anne StonerNick Shepard

- Candy Scarborough


2013

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Heavenly Rest welcomed me on staff this past Spring, and I have enjoyed every minute of being a part of it! The Chris-tian Education Committee has been such a great support sys-tem, and is always quick to offer their time, ideas and energy.

Summer Sunday School for the children was a lesson series on the Fruits of the Spirit. Each week we discussed one of the nine "fruits" and how to apply them to their sweet lives. We used games, stories, crafts and discussions as ways of learning to practice each of the Fruits of the Spirit.

Vacation Bible School was, again, a huge event, and if you ask me, a huge success. Close to 100 children attended the 3-day program, themed "Peter, Paul and Mary". Each day focused on one of these special people, and how we can learn from their stories. The Christian Education Committee, as well as several generous volunteers prepared stories, games, crafts, music, snacks and activities that were not only fun, but also meaningful. The children celebrated the end to a fabu-lous week with water slides and pizza party on the church lawn. Regular Sunday School kicked off at the end of August. The 2 and 3 year olds are taught by Terry Young, Susie Ramsey and Sarah Driskell. The Pre-Kindergarteners and Kindergar-teners are taught by Meredith Back and Rebecca Kello. The 1st through 4th graders are taught by Stephanie DeYoung and Courtney and Dawson Bryant. The middle school and high school students are meeting in the "Youth House" that was once known as the "Young Life Building" for their Sun-day School classes.

On Halloween, church families and friends gathered for "Trunk or Treat". It was a great success with at least 13 cre-atively decorated trunks for children to receive treats from. A booth was set up for children to donate a portion (or even just one piece) of their candy, and/or money to Operation Gratitude. This donated candy was included in care pack-ages sent to deployed American military members. We were able to fill and send 2 large boxes of candy, and had nearly enough donated money to cover the shipping! What generous children!

Our Advent program began in December on Wednesday nights. The children listened to stories of various versions of the Nativity, made Christmas Crafts, played games and practiced and prepared for our annual Christmas Pageant. Meredith Back, once again directed a fun and fabulous pro-gram! The children played the roles of the Holy Family, shepherds and their sheep, donkeys, Wise Men, angels and stars, and concluded the pageant with a precious rendition of "Go Tell it On the Mountain". Each Sunday of Advent 4 children were chosen to process into the service as the living Advent Wreath.

Thank you to all of the members of Heavenly Rest who sup-port Christian Education in so many ways. We are truly grateful for all of your time, donations, encouragement and prayers. We are looking forward to a wonderful 2014!


Chris t ianEducat ion2013

- Belinda Shepherd13

Youth Ministries/Curate


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St. AndrewThe Brotherhood of St. Andrew has had an interesting year. Our aging member-ship has required us to retrench our outreach to the parish.

In May we presented the Dan Abbott Scholarship to Marlee Cutbirth on Senior Sunday. We helped with various meals at church functions like the Shrove Tues-day Pancake Dinner.

We’ve been studying Joe Gibbs’ book, “Game Plan for Life” on Tuesday morn-ings as we continued to meet regularly for prayer, study and breakfast on Tues-day mornings at 6:15.

It’s not the best time for young father’s getting off to work while helping with the children. These fathers are a rising demographic in our church, and we are seeking ways to reach out to them to continue our mission to bring our brothers to Christ.

“success starts with knowing who is the head coach is (God), understsanding His playbook for life (the Bible), and believing the winning strategies outlined in the Bible will help us live successfully today.”

- Coach Joe Gibbs

Getting men off the sideline

and into the game

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MusicCare. Share. Create. Serve. • 2013 Annual Report

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Communications

CONNECTSermons, pew sheets, music, events and more

available online at www.heavenlyrestabilene.org


Luck BackJackie Batjer Yvonne Batts

Susanna Brousseau Mari Cockrell Mike DennyWes Gomer

Linda GoolsbeeAnnabel HouseLauren Kimball

Lynsi MusslemanDavid Romanik

Sarah Beth RomanikCindy Strain

Amanda Watson

CommitteeDuring 2013, the Communications Committee work together to promote important periods in our church calendar including Advent and Christ-mas 2012, Lent and Easter 2013, 4th of July Concert, Vacation Bible School, Rally Day and the discernment process associated with our capi-tal campaign.

We had success promoting various events through traditional media dur-ing the year. The Abilene Reporter News and local television stations provided coverage on special events along with routine inclusion in newspaper’s calendar announcing sermons and concerts.

The Communications Committee continued using social media outlets Facebook and Twitter, and continued the use of Constant Contact: a sub-scription email service to make weekly parish announcements.

2013 saw an improved and redesigned Lay Reader, courtesy of the Cindy Strain. Familiar content was maintained, but the revamped look of the publication brought a vitality and fresh perspective that mirrored the at-titude of the parish.

Social media, our web presence and new church staff, specifically Lynsi Musselman and Lauren Kimball, will bring valuable perspectives to the communications committee in 2014. Under Lynsi and Lauren’s assess-ment of communication options for our web presence, this committee will assume a more advisory role with heavenlyrestabilene.org as the par-ish transitions to a decentralized, content management system for main-taining our web presence. The benefit of the transition is that it permits staff, clergy and lay leaders to develop components of our overall web presence without the delays inherent with centralized web developer.

As we move forward in 2014, the Communications Committee will continue to revisit proven and familiar communication techniques and attempt to find ways to initially attract people with our virtual and me-dia presence, but, ultimately, use this presence make them curious about what takes place at our physical location.

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The Church of the Heavenly Rest cur-rently has a corps of twenty-eight faith-ful young people who have been trained to serve as Acolytes on Sundays, High Holy Days, and at other times as re-quested. Our Acolytes are committed to excellence and help ensure that our services are conducted with reverence and dignity in a manner that honors both our Anglican traditions as well as our local practice and customs. We are deeply indebted to each of one of these young people and need to express our thanks to them on a regular basis.

In addition to our Acolytes, four par-ents serve as Acolyte Captains. The Captains have received Acolyte training and serve on a rotating basis. They are scheduled to serve with their children, sit with the Acolytes in the Sanctuary dur-ing services, know the various responsi-bilities of each Acolyte and provide any needed assistance. We are truly grateful for these parents and their willingness to commit their time and energy to this service. Our current captains are Rus-sell Dickerson, Sr., Blake Fulenwider, John Hill, and Mark Puckett. Substitute Captains are Mark Phelan and Charles Scarborough.

Our Acolytes and Captains are second to none. It is truly an honor to serve as Acolyte Master and Verger for the Church of the Heavenly Rest with these dedicated young people and parents.

ACOLYTE corpswww.heavenlyrestabilene.org

JUNIOR TORCH Austin Beckham Reagan Fulenwider Ruth Hill Jane Hill Rachel KentSam Mehaffey Katherine Morris Jack Phelan Michael Scarborough SENIOR TORCHLauren Fulenwider Ashton Hankins Eliana Pigott Kate Yost SERVERAlex BeckhamRussell Dickerson, Jr.Nick Yost

SENIOR SERVERChristopher BartlettChuck GilliardJohn HensonKatlyn MooreAvery WaltonCRUCIFER/SENIOR TORCH Julia Dickerson Parker Edington Maya Millar Alix Phelan Nathaniel PigottNick ProcopiaHalle Puckett

- Nolan Kelly

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Eucharistic Ministers (also known as layreaders and lectors) read the lessons and prayers as well as serve the chalice during church services and special events. Each of these individuals is to be commended for dedicating their time and talents to the members of this Parish.

Thanks to all of the Eucharistic Ministers for their time and efforts. Thank you to our parish staff for their support especially Lynsi Musselman and Mary Renfro who deal with our schedule changes.

We have been able to add 10 new layreaders and held two trainings this year. If you are interested in serving, please let me or one of our priests know. Please contact me if you would just like more information.

Eucharistic MinistersLayreaders and

Lectors

- Terry Young

Jackie BatjerYvonne BattsMary BuzanDon BridgesLew CarterTom ChoateConnie CollierBart CoxAnn DanehowerJudy DeatonPaul FulhamPat GarrenJohn HillAnn Hollandsworth Annabel HouseRebecca KelloMark McCartyLetha MorrisPaul PotterIndia ReynoldsChris RockettSusie RockettJulie StonerJohn StoweDoug ThomasColby WalkerBill YoungKatie YoungTerry Young


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The Holy Strollers celebrated their 1 year anniversary at Heavenly Rest in 2013. Since being introduced to the congregation by Candie Scarborough, the group has gone through various changes to fit the needs of the moms here at Heavenly Rest. The mission of this group is to provide an outlet for all mothers and their children, give mothers an opportunity to meet for fellowship and fun, and serve the needs of the church where children are concerned.

Since our group has been established we have also been involved with de-veloping new nursery policies, providing help in the nursery when needed and help find and hire nursery staff when there is an opening. We have been active with summer breakfasts, VBS, Trunk or Treat, the Christmas Pageant and provided kids meals for the Lent and Advent Wednesday night activities.

We hope to continue to be a haven for all moms in and around our congre-gation and we will continue to strive to enhance our roll here at Heavenly Rest.

MEMBERSJeanette BlackKat BraithwaiteCourtney BryantCamie GarveyKate HaneyBelinda ShepherdDianne Stearns

to provide an outlet for all mothers and their children, give mothers an opportunity to meet for fellowship and fun, and serve the needs of the church where children are concerned

- Susie Rockett

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AltarGuildCHAIRSSuzie Ramsey (692-7492) Sharon Kelley (698-1513)

FUNERALS Suzie Ramsey & Sharon Kelley FLOWERS Jackie BatjerWEDDINGS Franklynn Hall & Suzie RamseyFINANCE & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Sharon Kelley/Franklynn HallCALENDAR/SUPPLIES Kathy DiamondST. JOHN’S SCHOOL Martha Ferguson ALL AROUND SUBSTITUTESFranklynn Hall 692-1510 Mary Reyes 829-9670 Cindy Strain 698-4696 LINEN & VESTMENTS COMMITTEE Week 1 Cindy McCarty 695-2097 Week 2 Week 3 Linda Taubert 670-0560 Week 4 Evelyn Bein 692-2896 Week 5 Mary Reyes 829-9670 LINEN REPAIRLinda Taubert 695-9319 SUBSTITUTES Evelyn Bein 692-2896Mary Reyes 829-9670

TEAM 1 Kathy Balch 698-4490 Kathy Diamond 572-5139 Cindy McCarty 695-2097 Suzie Ramsey 692-7492

TEAM 2Candy Scarborough 677-4237 Jackie Batjer 677-0089Claire Carlson 677-7413Amy Edington 513-4027Judy Deaton 660-9973 Patti Jones 695-0202

TEAM 3Bea Garner 672-1010Sharon Kelley 698-1513Lauren Puckett 675-0917Suzie Ramsey 692-7492 Gay Ann Walts 829-2754 Gail Kaiser 698-7117 TEAM 4 Connie Collier 721-4376Lynn Boyd 669-2487Norene Mansell 677-0742Jennifer Nichols 669-2181

$ See page XX forAltar Guild

Financial Statements


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The Parish Medical Committee was asked by the vestry to purchase an additional AED (automated external defibrillator) to be placed in the Parish Hall. With this additional AED, the Church has available lifesaving equipment at each end of the building. One in the east wall cabinet of the Narthex and one in the Parish Hall. The Parish Medical Committee will again offer training in using the AED in the near future. Please watch for a schedule of these trainings in upcoming newslet-ters. These trainings will be open to anyone wanting the training. It is our hope that many of you will participate.

First aid kits are available in various locations in the church (kitchen, Narthex, nursery, second floor hallway and Sacristy). These supplies are made available for anyone in need of basic first aid. The Parish Medical Committee will continue to monitor the supplies in these kits. Please notify a committee member if you notice that any supplies need to be replenished.

The Committee is open to any medical education needs that would benefit our par-ish members. Email these topic suggestions to Gay Ann Walts at [email protected] and the committee will work on providing the training.

We will continue to enhance our medical supplies, procedures and educational training opportunities to be able to address medical needs of our parish members while attending worship services and other church events.

Wishing you a healthy 2014!


Parish Medical Committee

COMMITTEEJon AndersonPat ArthDickson FergusonJohn GasslerRob PattonDorothy ThompsonWillys Treanor

- Gay Ann Walts23

WOMEN’S YEARBOOK

“We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another, and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together.”

- Lucy Mack Smith

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St. Margaret’s is one of the oldest guilds in our parish. We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 6:30pm for fellowship and study, usually in the Library. The first Tuesday we bring sack suppers, and say Compline. The 3rd Tuesdays we bring sack suppers (once in a while someone cooks) and Mary Crymes leads us in study. During the summer months we eat out at least once a month.

This year Mary has been leading us through The Food and Feasts of Jesus: Inside the World of First Century Fare by Doug Neel and Joel Pugh. We used recipes from the book for our Christmas party and had a pot luck first century feast. We also had Key Lime & Chocolate Caramel pie because we believe in 21st century desserts!

This year we lost two dear friends Florence Jones and Hazyl Lindley. Both of these women lived their lives to the fullest and with joy. We are all better for knowing them and they will be missed. Please join us for any or all meetings.

GuildSt. Margaret’sMEMBERSBarbara BeasleyColetta ClermontMary CrymesFroncie FooteBlanche JerigeMaureen McCormick

Betty Parsley Kathy Wolaver Terry Young

INACTIVE MEMBERSChristine CooperElsie NorwoodAnn Phipps

- Terry Young


Daughters

KINGMEMBERS

Mary CrymesPeggy Valentine

Coletta ClermontWendy VeigelVona LindseyConnie Collier

Ann DanehowerIndia Reynolds

Julie Anne StonerAmanda Watson

The Daughters of the King is an order dedicated to prayer, service and evange-lism. The meetings are the first Sunday of each month at 5:00 pm in the Bishop Mayer Room. Each meeting begins with prayer, a study and the creation of a monthly prayer list. Each member prays daily for all those on the monthly prayer list. We are currently completing the study of The Practice of Prayer by Margaret Guenther, one of the books in the Church’s Teaching Series. In March, the Daughters will begin another book from the Church’s Teaching Series.

Julie Anne Stoner was admitted into the order this year. And we are excited to announce that she will be chairing a Woman’s Prayer Retreat Saturday, March 22 at Heavenly Rest. The retreat will be explore various forms of prayer and will culminate with Holy Eucharist led by The Rev. Susanna Brousseau. Everyone is invited to spend a day with us in prayer and study.

All our meetings are open and all women are welcome to come, pray and study with us. Everyone is welcome to submit names for the prayer list by com-pleting a blue card found in each pew in the nave and placing it in the alms basin or by calling any member of the DOK.

- Amanda Watson

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Parish February May 2nd Rachel Anderson 4th Robin Dennis Pat Arth Julie Denny Kathy Balch Jody DePriest 9th Carolyn Barber 11th Stephanie DeYoung Ann Barker Kathy Diamond Carolyn Barnett Sarah Driskell 16th Susan Bartlett 18th Jamie Dunn Dixie Bassett Amy Edington Jackie Batjer Barbara Edwards 23rd Yvonne Batts 25th Nancy Estes Barbara Beasley April Ewing Peggy Beckham Weezie Fitzhugh March June 2nd Evelyn Bein 1st Martha Ferguson Jill Bishop Sarah Ferguson Ariel Boggess Jane Guitar 9th Karen Boyd 8th Evelyn French Lynn Boyd Holly Frizzell Connie Boyd Dulcey Fulenwider 16th Becky Brame 15th Rolanda Fulham Mary Brassell Jan Funkey Sandy Bridges Melinda Galloway 23rd Betsy Bryant 22nd Bea Garner Courtney Bryant Pat Garren Claire Carlson Dorothy Thompson 30th Dorothy Chick 29th Mary Gerlach Ruth Ann Choate Christine Gilliard Connie Collier Judy Godfrey April July 6th Patty Collier 6th Linda Goolsbee Mary Lou Conley Kathy Hale Terri Cress Franklynn Hall 13th Susan Crowder 13th Carol Hall Becky Crowe Callie Hampton Mary Crymes Lindsay Hardaway 27th Geanna Cutbirth 20th Gretchen Henson Nancy Davenport Laura Henson Judy Deaton Molly Hill 27th Margaret Hollowell Marta Hollowell Carolyn Holmes

HostessesCare. Share. Create. Serve. • 2013 Annual Report

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August November 3rd Eleanor Hoppe 2nd Karen Renick Annabel House Mary Reyes Sue Ivey Susie Rockett10th Patti Jones 9th Candy Scarborough Gail Kaiser Linda Scarborough Sharon Kelley Debbie Sherman19th Sandra Kent 16th Kim Snyder Paula Klingler Diane Stearns Malinda Kraly Cyndi Stockstill24th Vicki Kuzma 23rd Suzanne Stowe Vicki Lessing Cindy Strain Debbie Lillick Rosemary Suttle31st Jdana Lindley Dolores Lovvorn December Norene Mansell 7th Linda Taubert Linda TaylorSeptember Deanna Thomas7th Cindy McCarty 14th Kitty Thomas Margaret McCarty Gaile Thompson Melinda McCarty Helen Tindell14th Maureen McCormick Becky McDonald January Sue McWilliams 4th Willys Treanor21st Maggy Morford Rita Turkett Kathie Millar 11th Courtney Vletas Tiffany Wagstaff28th Debra Morotini 18th Gay Ann Walts Dianne Morphew Angela Willis Robyn Morris 25th Jane Yost Terry YoungOctober 5th Jennifer Nichols Sally Orsini Susie Owen 12th Lindsay Perry Kim Phelan Anne Powers 19th Linda Priest Lauren Puckett Sharon Rathbun 26th Suzie Ramsey Joy Ramsey Shelly Reed

2014

Contact Suzie Ramsey for more information


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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

“Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love.

Charity and love are the same -- with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead.”

- Mother Teresa


“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:1-2

This parish has certainly met angels through the work of the Neighborhood Com-mittee. The committee sponsored breakfast on the lawn, hosted Back to School Hot Dog Dinner, Caroling at Christmas and walking the neighborhood. At the Hot Dog dinner we met wonderful neighbors. In fact, three high school boys attended, ate hot dogs and stayed to help us clean up. Great neighbors! Neighbors have said that they love what we have done at the park. Caroling was so wonderfully wel-comed, in fact, many joined in the singing. Currently the committee is working on the possibility of acquiring the Friendship Park. What a wonderful vehicle to be in the very center of neighborhood activity. More future events will take place. Join us, meet and welcome our neighbors!!

If you would like to be a part of the Neighborhood Committee we welcome you and your ideas. Contact Amanda Watson.

NeighborhoodCommittee

MEMBERSChris RockettTerry and Bill YoungPaul PotterCarol and Gerry CatesJohn KennedyKathi ProcopioCharles ScarboroughAngela Willis

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In May 2013, BOBS completed 17 years serving hungry folks hot breakfast and sack lunches each week day, including holidays. Heavenly Rest is pleased to be a partner in this ministry to reduce hunger in Abilene. BOBS is comprised of 5 churches - First Central Presbyterian, First Christian, First United Methodist, Heav-enly Rest, Highland Church of Christ, plus one Tuesday team from Holy Family Catholic Church. Together BOBS serves close to 1,200 breakfasts and lunches per month. Anyone regardless of age or circumstances may receive a meal. BOBS is operated by 130 + volunteers. BOBS has no paid staff, relying on one buyer who is compensated for gas and time for purchasing food.

Each Church provides two members to serve on the BOBS board which meets monthly. Heavenly Rest continues to serve with five rotating teams on Mondays. Volunteers arrive at 5:30 am and leave by 7:30am. Breakfast is served to 40 - 60 guests from 6:30am-7:15am.

To volunteer contact - Jody DePriest at [email protected] or call/text 669-3312. You only serve 2 hours every five weeks at First Christian Church-Perry Center.

Thank you again to our 35+ CHR - BOBS volunteers for 2013Thank you all of our Heavenly Rest volunteers of service on CHR - BOBS teams.

Breakfast on BeechStreet

TEAM 1Lee Hampton*

Jim SnyderMeredith Snyder

Kim SnyderRosemary SuttleWillys Treanor,Roberto Lomas

TEAM 2Scott Bishop*Claire Carlson

Bart CoxMike Denny

John HillCharles Scarborough

Steve Strain.

TEAM 3Jody Depriest*Karrie Partin

Tammy MendlApril Ewing

Paula Klingler Jane & Nic Yost

Sue IveyMark, Lauren, Halle

PuckettJim Hatchett

TEAM 4Dick Veigel* Bob Hoppe

Eleanor HoppeLinda TaubertTerri Young

Roberto LomasJohn Gassler

Marta Hollowell

TEAM 5Connie Hilliard*Robin Dennis

Lisa JonesDebbie Lillick

Tim LillickTom Watson


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UP- Rev. David F. Romanik

LOOKINGWalking east on the south side of Sixth Street, you’ll notice that someone has etched the words “LOOK UP” into one of the sidewalk’s concrete slabs. When you follow this instruc-tion, you are greeted by the arresting Gothic maj-esty of Heavenly Rest’s All Saints Tower. I’m not sure who engraved these words into the concrete, but I am very grateful to the person re-sponsible. Those words are a reminder of our collective need to aban-don our self-centered, solipsistic approach to life and turn our atten-tion to the beauty that surrounds us. Those words are a reminder to get out of our narrow, limited understanding of the world and notice all that God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Those words are a reminder that we are part of some-thing much greater than ourselves, that God has called us to “look up” and build relationships that establish God’s kingdom.

In many ways, this is what has characterized our ministry at Heavenly Rest over the past year. We have striven to “look up,” to pay attention to those we would not typi-cally notice, and incor-porate them into the life of our community. This ministry of “looking up” has taken many forms. Perhaps the most obvi-ous incarnation of this ministry is our renewed commitment to out-reach. Hands-On Out-reach moved into a new space that could more adequately serve the community. The Hands-On volunteers, led by Billy Edwards and Sue Ivey, served hundreds of people in 2013 and dis-tributed almost $45,000, thanks in large measure to your generous dona-tions of non-perishable food and funds. I am grateful to everyone who volunteered their time and talent in ser-vice to our commu-nity. Our commitment to outreach, however, has not been limited to Hands-On. After the

addition of an outreach line item to the 2013 budget, the Outreach Committee, chaired ably and compassionately by Doug Thomas, was able to provide finan-cial support to a variety of agencies in Abilene, including FaithWorks (a program that provides job training to the home-less and working poor), the Abilene Transition Center (an agency that helps youth get back on their feet), and New Be-ginnings (a program that helps formerly incarcer-ated women transition back into society). It has been my honor and privilege to provide sup-port and encouragement to these growing minis-tries, and I am confident that their work will con-tinue to bear fruit during the coming year.

Thanks to your generos-ity, the Outreach Com-mittee was also able to further assist us in our ministry of “looking up” by providing sup-port for those refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo who

The God we worship is a God who

notices


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have become part of our congregation. On the last Sunday in June, a group of refugees from the DRC arrived at our South Sixth door (appropriately, just steps away from the reminder to “Look Up”), ready to transfer membership from their diocese in Africa to our par-ish. I have been pleased and proud to see how the Heavenly Rest community has embraced our Congolese friends and incorporated them into the life of the parish. I’m particularly grateful to Kathy Diamond, who was instrumental in getting jobs for several members of the community, and to all those who do-nated furniture, house wares, and other items to help ease their transition into this country. As you know, we now have a service of Morning Prayer in Swahili every Sunday afternoon, and I am grateful to Bikole Mulanda for his liturgical leadership and preaching. I’m confident that this service is part of the reason that our friends from the Congo feel so connected to this community. Their incorporation into the life of this parish is an emblem of our call to build relationships that establish God’s king-dom.

Heavenly Rest has also devoted consid-erable time and energy to building up

its ecumenical relationships in Abilene. Over the past year, we have celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with two pulpit exchanges, one with Brook Hollow Christian Church and one with First Central Presbyterian Church. These events have been opportunities to hear fresh voices from our pulpit and foster understanding among our sisters and brothers and Christ throughout the city. I continue to meet with a group of my ecumenical colleagues every Mon-day afternoon at Mezamiz. Not only have these meetings provided forums for sermon preparation, they have been opportunities to build relationships that transcend denominational boundaries. Over the past year, Heavenly Rest has also been involved in creating ecumeni-cal worship opportunities for the Big Country using the traditions of Taize. Taize is a monastic order in France known for its contemplative worship, meditative music, and emphasis on reconciliation. Our ecumenical Taize services meet the first Sunday of ev-ery month at various churches around the region. Heavenly Rest also contin-ues to be a leader in creating dialogue across faith traditions. We continue to host the Abilene Interfaith Council for their monthly luncheons, and our own

Becca Kello has organized “Café Con-versations” for the Interfaith Council. These meetings provide people an op-portunity to discuss challenging issues with members of other faiths in a safe environment. I am grateful to Becca for her leadership in creating this opportu-nity for the Abilene community.

Finally, a commitment to “looking up” has shaped our programs for Christian Formation over the past year. During Lent in 2013, we reminded ourselves of the importance of remaining near the cross, a symbol of our faith that is sometimes misunderstood. We spent the season of penitence and renewal examining the cross from a variety of perspectives and exploring how it can shape our faith. In the Associate Rec-tor’s Study (formerly known as the Cu-rate’s Study), we have explored several authors whose works challenge us to look at the Church, the world, and our faith differently. More than fifty people participated in discussions of books by Marcus Borg, Cynthia Bourgeault, Di-ana Butler Bass, Katherine Grieb, Saint Paul, and N.T. Wright. During Advent, we spent time exploring the theme of wakefulness and its importance to our faith tradition. I am grateful to every-one who participated in these programs and to those who offered their talents as they led us through a journey of explo-ration.

As Christians, we put our trust in a God who considers the lilies, cares for the birds, and counts the hairs on our head. In other words, the God we worship is a God who notices, a God who pays atten-tion, a God who “looks up.” I am grate-ful to all who embraced our call to “look up” and care for those around us. I pray that in the coming year, we might con-tinue to reach out in love to our commu-nity, notice the beauty that surrounds us on all sides, and build relationships that establish God’s gracious kingdom.

we are a part of something much greater than ourselves


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Soup Sisters gather in the Heavenly Rest kitchen on the second Monday morning of each month throughout the school year. All women in the church are welcome to become Soup Sisters. Neither skills nor training are required! Some Soup Sisters are excellent cooks, some are not, but each takes a role in this hands-on show of love for our church family. We deliver soup to any parishioner who needs a warm bowl of soup, cornbread, and a cookie. We also cook for an Advent supper, Lenten suppers, and a summer breakfast.

If you have questions, please contact Sue McWilliams, 698-1009.


SoupSisters

MINISTRY LOCATIONKitchen of the parish hall at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly RestMINISTRY HOURS9:00 am on the second Monday of each month from September through May.VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESSelect menus, prepare soup, organize teams for preparation and delivery, deliver soup to identified individuals.

A HISTORY OF SERVICEVisit the Soup Sister’s page online to see how this ministry began in 2004 and continues to connect women through service.

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house761 Walnut StreetAbilene, TX 79601

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Because of the generous giving from members of Heavenly Rest and the commitment of our Vestry to care for those in need, the Outreach Committee was blessed to have a yearly non-allocated operating budget of $30,000 for 2013.

Since this was the first time in the past several years we had non-allocated funds available, one of our first tasks was to develop criteria for responding to requests and making disbursements. We defined our criteria in terms of 3 inter-related priorities.

Hands-OnOutreach

Need Priorities:1. Provide relief for human suffering2. Support empowerment of the disenfranchised

Program Priorities:1. Support existing programs sponsored by CHR2. Support agencies and activities in which mem-bers of Heavenly Rest are involved3. Respond to other needs as they arise

Geographic Priorities:1. Local neighborhood2. Abilene and surrounding communities3. State…National…Global needs


Our House

Medical Care MissionFaithWorks

Ben Richey Boys Ranch

New Beginnings

Episcopal Young Adult Service Corps

Discretionary FundsFood

Gas

Utilities

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COMMITTEE MEMBERSJulie Beckham

Peggy BeckhamGail Kaiser

Kathy ProcopioSue McWilliams

Suzie RamseySteve Strain

Doug Thomas, chair

EX OFFICIO MEMBERSLuke Back

Yvonne BattsSusanna Brosseau

Mike DennyDavid Romanik

Amanda Watson

Using these priorities, some of the allocations we made included:1. subsidizing our Deacon Amanda Watson with “seed money” to develop community based activities and programs;2. providing our Priests with additional monies for their discretionary funds, so that they could continue to respond to the needs of individuals and families in our community;3. allocating additional funding for our “Hands On” outreach since the demand for their ser-vices exceeded previous levels;4. providing financial assistance to several Abilene [or nearby] based human service agen-cies such as: Abilene Transition Center; Our House; Medical Care Mission; FaithWorks, Ben Richey Ranch, New Beginnings, and Resource Care Youth Program [Albany];5. assisting Carlin Van Schaik from the Episcopal Young Adult Service Corps. for her mission-ary tour in Korea;6. supporting a house building project in Haiti sponsored by Food for the Poor.

Thank you for your support in all these endeavors. We look forward to serving you, and those in need, in 2014.

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.

You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


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ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE

“When someone loves you so much that He dies for you, you can trust that any rewards He promises are going to be good.”

- David Servant, Forever Rich

$

StewardshipPledege ReportPLEDGE REPORT FOR 2013

NEW 17: $37,675.96

INCREASED 74: (by a difference of) $72,521.80

DECREASED 18: (by a difference of) $25,385.00

STAYED THE SAME 130: $279,399.04

PLEDGES 239: TOTAL: $768,377.00

AVERAGE $3,214.97

PLEDGE REPORT FOR 2014NEW 21: $56,407.95

INCREASED 73: (by a difference of) $77,309.21

DECREASED 20: (by a difference of) $28,490.00

STAYED THE SAME 92: $272,360.04

PLEDGES 206: TOTAL: $813,494.20

AVERAGE $3,949.00

STAYED THE SAME

NEW

INCREASED

DECREASED


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TRUSTbalancesheet

women’s checking account


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CLERGYDiocese of Northwest Texas The Right Reverend J. Scott Mayer, Bishop1802 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401Diocese Office (806) 763-1370 Fax (806) 472-0621

Church of the Heavenly Rest602 Meander Street(325) 677-2091

The Reverend N. Luke Back, Rector [email protected] Reverend David F. Romanik, Associate Rector [email protected] Reverend Susanna Brosseau, Curate [email protected] Reverend Amanda Watson, Deacon [email protected]

Dr. Wes Gomer, Organist and [email protected] Renfro, [email protected] Musselman, Communications [email protected] Shepherd, Christian Education [email protected] Rockett, Music [email protected] Young, Administration and Youth AssistantBarbradon Brooks, HarpistArnulfo Guerra, SextonDorothy Guerra, Housekeeper

George Scott Bishop, Chancellor [email protected] House, Treasurer annabel.house@

office administration

STAFFOFFICE VOLUNTEERSMONDAYMorning: Dorothy Chick Afternoon: Sally Orsini

TUESDAY Morning: Weezie Fitzhugh Afternoon: Mary Crymes

WEDNESDAY Morning: Sharon Kelley THURSDAY Afternoon: Karen Boyd

FRIDAY Morning: Gay Ann Walts


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STAFF


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altar guildfinancials

Altar Guild Statement of Receipts and DisbursementsDecember 31, 2013

Altar Guild Operating Account

Balance December 31, 2012 $4619.31

RECEIPTS Sunday Flowers 3076.00 Easter Flowers 2423.00 Christmas Flowers 2846.00 Gifts/Memorials/Donations/Dues 1865.00 Reimbursements 995.00 TOTAL $11205.00

DISBURSEMENTS Sunday Flowers 3946.00 Easter Flowers 2000.00 Christmas Flowers 1615.00 Special Services/Installations/ 508.65 Expenses for CHR--some to be reimbursed 1475.00 Altar Needs/Vestments 932.57 Repairs on Altar Items 231.12 TOTAL $10708.34

Balance December 31, 2013 $5115.97 Altar Guild Savings Account

Balance December 31, 2012 $672.88Interest Earned .21 Balance December 31, 2013 $673.09


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Altar Guild Statement of Receipts and DisbursementsDecember 31, 2013

Altar Guild Operating Account

Balance December 31, 2012 $4619.31

RECEIPTS Sunday Flowers 3076.00 Easter Flowers 2423.00 Christmas Flowers 2846.00 Gifts/Memorials/Donations/Dues 1865.00 Reimbursements 995.00 TOTAL $11205.00

DISBURSEMENTS Sunday Flowers 3946.00 Easter Flowers 2000.00 Christmas Flowers 1615.00 Special Services/Installations/ 508.65 Expenses for CHR--some to be reimbursed 1475.00 Altar Needs/Vestments 932.57 Repairs on Altar Items 231.12 TOTAL $10708.34

Balance December 31, 2013 $5115.97 Altar Guild Savings Account

Balance December 31, 2012 $672.88Interest Earned .21 Balance December 31, 2013 $673.09

DiscernmentCare. Share. Create. Serve. • 2013 Annual Report

FACTS• HRE has experienced significant growth in young families in the past 3 years.• The Nursery is on some Sundays has ex-perienced over 25 babies and toddlers. • The Parish Hall will not hold over 200 peo-ple for a standing reception. Attendance at the 10:45 a.m. Service, Receptions, Christ-mas Party will no longer hold the entire con-gregation if they choose to attend an event in the Parish Hall.• Closets are loaded with items that should be stored in a different place. An example would be paint, ladders in the Bell Tower. • Renovations are needed for the interior space of the Parish Hall and Parish House.• Meeting space is needed. Parking space is limited.• The configuration of the physical space between the Nave and the Parish Hall limits the interaction opportunities for hospitality.

The Discernment process was introduced at the Heavenly Rest’s Annual Meet-ing 2013 by Ralph Cousins, consultant with the Episcopal Church Foundation. Members of the Discernment Committee were introduced: Nancy Estes and Tom Choate, co-chairs of the Discernment Committee; committee members are Yvonne Batts; Mike Denny; and The Rev. Luke Back. Ralph explained how the Discernment process is an intentional listening for God’s purpose and desires for our Parish. Listed below are statistics on the sessions; priorities gathered for the Vestry to use in planning; and facts that were noted at the sessions.

Ten (10) Discernment sessions were conducted in April and May. 150 parishioners in attendance (Men 32%/68% Woman and 53% of pledge units). 10 Discernment teams comprised of 27 parishioners serving as hosts, facilita-tors and scribes. 13 Pages of data was collected.

HIGH PRIORITIES• Children & Youth• Outreach• In Reach & Fellowship• Facilities

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After this information was reported to the Vestry, they recommended a Feasibility Study be conducted by the Episcopal Church Foundation to determine if there is support for a capital campaign.

DETAILSFor more information about the

feasibility study, discernment process and capi-

tal campaign visit www.heavenlyrestabilene.org

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Numbersby theHEAVENLY REST

ACOLYTES IN SERVICE TO OUR PARISH

MEMBERS OF OUR YOUTH GROUP

MEMORIALS HELD TO HONOR LIFE

UNIQUE VISITORS TO THE WEB SITE

PEOPLE SERVED THROUGH HANDS ON MINISTRY

STUDENTS RECEIVING A CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AT ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL


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The Church of the Heavenly Rest 602 Meander

Abilene, TX 79602 (325) 677-2091


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