The Big Red Door
OF THE “NORTHERN KINGDOM” OF CHENANGO COUNTY
The Monthly Newsletter of St. Andrew’s, St. Matthew’s, and Emmanuel Episcopal Churches — February, 2018
In this Issue
The Rector’s Desk ................1
Pancakes!!! ...........................2
Nave Gazing........................ 2
Lenten Reflection .................3
Outside Chenango ................3
Serving Schedules
for February. ........................4
News Around the
Kingdom .......................... 5-9
Sunday School News .......... 5
Food and Fellowship ............7
Food Pantries .......................7
Pastoral Needs and Prayer
Requests .........................9
February’s Birthdays/
Anniversaries .......................9
Our “Creed” .......................10
February Worship
Schedule .............................10
St. Andrew’s,
St. Matthew’s,
and Emmanuel faith-
fully serve God’s
Kingdom in the
Diocese of Central
New York
So, What Is This Lent Thing?
Ask any good liturgical soul (like an Epis-
copalian) what Lent is all about, and
you’ll get dozens of answers. “It’s about
giving up something because Christ gave
up his life for us.” “It’s about being sorry
for your sins in a special way.” “It’s
about 40 days of denial, just like Jesus
denied himself in the wilderness.” “It’s
about priests wearing purple.”
All of that has a kernel to truth. Lent can
be all of those things. But that’s really not
why it started. Lent began for Early
Christians as a way for us to walk with
each other and not with Christ. Sorta.
When Christianity was first catching on,
when it was often dangerous to be a
Christian, becoming one took a lot longer
than today — about three years. New
converts would enter what was called the
Catechumenate. This was a process of
training, of learning, and of being ob-
served by other Christians to become wor-
thy of being baptized and of joining the
Body of Christ.
During this time, catechumens would be
allowed to come to the part of the service
that included the reading of the Word of
God, singing, and preaching. After that
point, they would be invited to leave and
go elsewhere for more instruction, while
the congregation went off for the com-
munion liturgy.
But eventually, enough time would pass
so that the person was finally approaching
baptism. Baptism was only done during
the Easter Vigil, and the forty days before
that were very special because the mem-
bers of the congregation would spend
those days walking closely with the cate-
chumens. They would answer remaining
questions. They would ask the catechu-
mens to be really sure they wanted this
thing to happen. They would help them
discern their gifts for the church. They
would encourage them, pray for them, and
love them.
But most importantly they would help cat-
echumens discern their relationship with
God and with others and help them under-
stand where they have fallen away from
those relationships. They would then help
them seek and find ways back to good re-
lationships.
Over time, being a Christian was not as
dangerous, and people were being baptized
at a much earlier age. Fewer adults were
baptized because most people were bap-
tized as infants. But the idea of those forty
days as a run-up to Easter still held sway
in the church. So, gradually, the idea
changed from Lent being a walk with oth-
ers as a group, to a personal and private
walk with Jesus. It focused more on indi-
vidual sin than it did on relational aliena-
tion. More on denial than on return. More
on the imitation of Christ’s Passion than
on his reconciliation.
You know what? That’s perfectly OK. I
think we need to spend time focusing on
all those things. We are broken people,
and Lent affords us with the opportunity to
ask forgiveness. But what if, this year, we
chose someone and walked this Forty Days
together? What if, this year, we had a
companion to talk to, to confess to, to sup-
port, and to learn from? What if we re-
turned to those early days, trusting and
open, exposing ourselves to the love of
others. Vulnerable and loving and Chris-
tian. If you did this, how would it change
you?
Peace, Steve+
Page 2 The Big Red Door

PANCAKE SUPPER. . . AND MORE — S. NEW BERLIN

Join your brothers and sisters of St. Matthew’s, St. Andrew’s, and Emmanuel as
we gather at St. Andrew’s for a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.
This will begin at 6:00 p.m. on February 13th.

For those of you who can’t make the Ecumenical Ash Wednesday service at 7:00
p.m. on February 14th (see page 6 for more info), there will be an Imposition
of Ashes and Eucharist immediately following the pancake supper (we’re
shooting for 7:00 p.m.).

So come join us!!!

NAVE GAZING—SHROVE TUESDAY

So, what is Shrove Tuesday, and why do we eat pancakes ? The name “Shrove Tuesday” derives from the
old Middle English word 'Shrive' meaning to absolve someone for sins. Shrovetide (the week before Lent)
was a time when folks went to confession before Lent began. As time went by, most people (like we do to-
day), put that off until the very end. This became known as Shriven Tuesday and then Shrove Tuesday.

As the Middle Ages slowly passed

into the shadows, Ash Wednesday
began to become the day on which
we started to focus on our sins.
Shrove Tuesday, then, became the
last day to indulge in the richness of
God's abundance.

Food items such as meats, fats, eggs,

milk, and fish were regarded as re-
stricted during Lent. To keep such
food from being wasted, many fami-
lies would have big feasts on Shrove
Tuesday in order to consume those
items that would inevitably become
spoiled during the next forty days.
The English tradition of eating pan- The Pancake Bakery, Peter Aertszen, circa 1508
cakes on Shrove Tuesday came about
as a way to use as much milk, fats, and eggs as possible before Lent began. In France, the consumption of
all fats and fatty foods on this day coined the name "Fat Tuesday" or Mardi Gras.. This custom of making
pancakes still continues today in the United Kingdom and here in The United States.

While we don't have to worry so much about spoilage and we don't limit our diet as strictly, we still do carry
forward many hints of our ancestors' observance. We often sacrifice something that we love to eat for Lent
beginning on Ash Wednesday. How many times do we hear someone say, “Oh, I gave up coffee for Lent,”
or “I don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent”? These are all connections to our rich theological past.

So, I invite you to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, whether with pancakes (and sausage!), or maybe that tub of ice
cream sitting in the freezer. Then, on Ash Wednesday, join your brothers and sisters in Christ as we walk
with him to the cross. . . and beyond.

—Steve+
The Big Red Door Page 3

LENTEN REFLECTION

Staying Green in a Season of Purple

By Cheryl TenWolde

I have an ear-worm that simply will not go away – the words of a hymn sung
back in the Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols are still replaying over and over
in my head: “The Tree of Life my soul has seen, laden with fruit and always green. The trees of
nature fruitless be, compared with Christ the apple tree.” (Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree, from a
collection of Joshua Smith, New Hampshire 1784)

Viewing my favorite apple tree from the kitchen window now I see no fruit
and nothing green. The dry, gnarly form silhouetted against the winter sky seems
more dead than alive. It reminds me of the wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days pre-
paring for his mission after his baptism. So, for us, the season of Lent is meant to
prepare us for Easter. We can use this time to yield some spiritual fruit.

Lenten 3 R’s may help: 1. Repent. Reset our GPS and turn in another direction. Change our minds
and the direction of our thoughts. The practices of fasting and self-denial are ways we can honor our Lord.
“The happiness I long have sought and pleasure dearly I have bought; I missed of all, but now I see, it’s found in Christ, the
apple tree.” 2. Reflect on the words of scripture, spiritual book, art, or nature. “His beauty doth all things excel,
by faith I know but ne’er can tell the glory which I now can see in Jesus Christ the apple tree.” 3. Refresh our spiritual
lives by adding some new devotions or habits. It is said that a habit takes 21 days to form. In Lent, we have
40 days plus Sundays to grow in following the Way of Jesus. “I’m weary with my former toil. Here I will sit and rest
awhile. Under the shadow I will be of Jesus Christ the apple tree.”

The ear-worm drew me to my bookcase to reread Donnel O’Flynn’s Holy Cross, Life-Giving Tree as
the beginning of my Lenten meditations. I look forward to hearing your ideas! Stay green!

OUTSIDE CHENANGO

Calving Day!
Mark your calendars EARLY for April 28th to join your friends from the Hamilton and
Earlville area, as the help Kriemhild Dairy celebrate it’s Second Annual Calving Day. The
time has not been set yet, but it’s a blast with activities, sales, and food. And if you get there
at the right time, you can see Fr. Brooks from St. Thomas’, Hamilton, bless a cow or two!
More to follow.

Friday Night Lights!

And speaking of St. Thomas’, you don’t want to miss the open
mic at Friday Night Lights (the last Friday of the month—well,
except for Good Friday). Held at the St. Thomas parish hall, the
first of these events was a huge hit, with a dozen performers and
over 50 attendees. Proceeds go to local charities and the desserts
and coffees are out of this world. If you have a hankering to per-
form, show up and get your name on the list.
Page 4 The Big Red Door

SERVING SCHEDULES FOR DECEMBER

St. Andrew’s
Hospital-
Usher Lector Chalice Acolyte Altar Guild
ity

2/4/2018
Terry Lynne Maria Colleen
Jill Bennet Joan Axtell
Thomsen Walton Ackerman Ackerman
11:00 AM

2/11/2018
Heather Ralph Charlie Joanne
Tom Slentz Joan Axtell
Anderson Malloch Ackerman Slentz
11:00 AM

2/18/2018 Morning Prayer

Dick Rae
Joan Axtell Joan Axtell
Gestwick Lennon
11:00 AM

2/25/2018 Joint Service

Joint Service St.
9:30 AM Matthew’s

St. Matthew’s

Usher Chalice/ Officiant Altar Duty Coffee hour

Harmon
2/4/2018 TenWolde Teresa Clarke Cheryl TenWolde Pat Lindau

Cheryl TenWolde
2/11/2018 Peter North Pat Lindau Fr. Steve Helen North

2/18/2018 Paul Lindau Bonnie Friedel Fr. Steve Cheryl TenWolde

2/25/2018 Harmon TenWolde Teresa Clarke Fr. Steve Cheryl TenWolde All

Emmanuel
Date Ushers Lector Eucharistic Acolyte(s) Chalice Altar Guild
Minister
Cindy
Feb 4 Jim & Sharon Russell Russell Ketch Matthew Sally Miers Thompson
Everard Ketch Giglio

Feb 11 Bill & Amy Tony Giglio Worship Sally Miers

Morning Spittler Leader
Prayer Kisten Giglio

Feb 18 Barb & Gary Gary Russell Ketch Matthew Bernie Dye Nancy Dye
Tompkins Tompkins Giglio

Feb 25 JOINT SERVICE AT ST. MATTHEW’S 9:30 a.m.

The Big Red Door Page 5

NEWS AROUND THE KINGDOM

Serving in some capacity during a Sunday service can be an
immensely rewarding thing. And it’s easy to be trained. Please
consider giving of your time and talent. Pray about it, and if you feel called to be
a lector (reader), server, usher, morning prayer leader, or any one of the several
folks who make worship possible, then act now! Contact Fr. Steve at father-
stevecny@gmail.com. He will set up a training time for you and work you into the
schedule.

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

Stamping Workshop—St. Andrew’s

Beat the winter blues! On Feb. 10th from 10 a.m. to noon (or a little after) St.
Andrew’s will host a stamping workshop — Journeys with Stamping. Taught by
Andrea Blackwell, this class will cost ONLY $10 to cover project materials.

RSVP: heather anderson at dhanderson@frontiernet.net or call 847-6362 to re-

serve your spot today!!

A door prize will be drawn for those attending.

KID’S SUNDAY SCHOOL — LENT IN A BAG

There will be a focus on four symbols for our children who come to the Sunday classes during Lent this year, on Feb.
18th, Mar. 4th, Mar. 11th and Mar. 18th at Emmanuel Episcopal Each child will be given a large bag to hold the four
symbols for them to take them home as a package just before Palm Sun-
day. This is called “Lent in a bag.” The first symbol is sand, to represent
the wilderness where Jesus went to pray and be close to God. I pray that the
glue will keep most of the sand in the box, but each package will also con-
tain a sealed plastic bag of loose sand to be added at home, with parents’
permission.

The second symbol is a rock, actually a small stone, too big to swallow. We
will talk about how Jesus faced the temptation of tasty bread when he was
hungry, because the power of God could transform a rock into bread. We
will have some fresh bread to snack on as we consider the hardness of the
rock and the softness of the bread, while talking about people with ‘hard
hearts’ or ‘soft hearts’.

Next the children will have a wooden human figure to decorate as they wish,
with cloth and ribbons, or twine. This is the human form of God in Jesus
and we will talk about how we try to be like Jesus in the things we do, like
praying, smiling, hugging, helping and loving.

The final symbol is a candle and to be safe we will use flameless tea candles. These represent Jesus being the Light of
the World. So when your child brings home their Lent-in-a-bag, please take the time to pull out all the symbols and
ask them about the meaning as you set up the wilderness box where it can be seen until Easter Sunday.
Page 6 The Big Red Door

NEWS CONT.

Chit, Chat, and Chew — New Berlin

This community meal is free and open to ALL. Located at the St. Andrew’s Episco-
pal Church Parish Hall in New Berlin, this meal is held Saturday, February 17th
(sponsored by St. Theresa’s Catholic Church) and March 17th (sponsored by the
First United Methodist Church) from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Please come and be
part of this.

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service

This Ash Wednesday, Emmanuel Episcopal Church will host several
churches in the Norwich area as we hold a joint Ash Wednesday litur-
gy. Come and participate with us as we begin our joint journey with
Christ through the season of Lent. Fr. Steve will celebrate and
church leaders from the area will preach, distribute ashes, and general-
ly work together to further God’s kingdom. This service will be
held Wednesday Evening on February 14, at 7:00 p.m.

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

Healing Eucharist Begins at Emmanuel

One of the seven sacraments of the church is Unction, or healing, for those who are sick, dis-
tressed, or facing difficult choices in their lives. Beginning February 21, 2018, we will be holding
a healing Eucharist every Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. This service will be brief (about 30
minutes) and will include prayers for healing and anointing for those who desire it, as well as a
Eucharist from Enriching Our Worship. Come and join us.

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
Lenten Book Study in Serburne

The Church of the Epiphany in Sherburne will be holding Lenten Explorers Group, on Tues-
day evenings at 6:45 p.m. They will be reading and discussing The Book of Joy, featuring
the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. If anyone is interested, please contact
Elizabeth Gillett at (315) 825-5714. (You are responsible for purchasing your own book.)
The Big Red Door Page 7

FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP

• Soul Kitchen (Emmanuel, Norwich) — On the second Thursday of the month from
September through May. This community-wide meal is open to anyone who wants a good, hot dinner. There is
one seating only, with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in getting involved with Soul Kitchen
please contact Gary Brookins at pbrookins@roadrunner.com

• Pot Luck Thursdays— Come join your friends at St. Matthew’s for their monthly pot luck supper.
Pot lucks are held on the fourth Thursday of the month. And the food is always good...so is the company.

FOOD PANTRIES
Our Food Pantry Outreach Hours
Emmanuel, Norwich: M-W-F, 10:00 a.m.—Noon; M & W, 3:30 p.m.– 5:00 p.m.
St. Andrew’s (at First United Methodist), New Berlin: M, 3:00 p.m.– 5:00 p.m.
St. Matthew’s (at First Baptist), South New Berlin: M, 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m., W, 2:00 p.m.
—5:00 p.m.

NEWS CONT.
The Bishop is coming! The Bishop is coming!
Mark Your Calendars!

Bishop DeDe will be coming to visit on June 24th at our Joint

Service at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. If anyone from St. An-
drew’s, St. Matthew’s, or Emmanuel is interested in being con-
firmed, now is the time to get in touch with Fr. Steve (only a
bishop can confirm someone. Also, this is a great time to make
arrangements for baptisms.

Lenten Study Series on the Screwtape Letters in Afton and Greene

Join Father Dave Hanselman at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Afton and Zion Episcopal
Church in Greene for a Lenten study series. The class at St. Ann’s will be held each
Wednesday of Lent and each Thursday of Lent at Zion All sessions will be from 5:30 p.m.
until 7:00 p.m.

We are all invited to join!

For more information contact Fr. Dave Hanselman at dhanselm@gmail.com

Page 8 The Big Red Door

NEWS CONT.

Prayer Book 101 — A Romp Through the

Prayer Book
Come join Fr. Steve after Easter as he explores the cherished litur-
gies, prayers, and documents that make up our common faith in our
Book of Common Prayer. Part history class, part theology class, al-
ways fun. You’ll learn something you didn’t know every time you
attend.

Classes begin April 11th and continue until sometime in May

(depending on how fast we move) and will be held at Emmanuel
Episcopal Church at 7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. each Wednesday. There is
no cost and no materials (other than a prayer book, and we’ve got
those).

Stations of the Cross, St. Andrew’s and Emmanuel for Lent

Come join your friends at St. Andrew’s every Wednesday during
Lent at 7:00 p.m. to walk the Stations of the Cross. And join
your friends at Emmanuel every Friday during Lent Lent at 5:00
p.m. as they also walk the Stations of the Cross. This is a wonder-
ful way to enter into contemplative prayer.

Safe Church Training in Bainbridge

Periodically, everyone who works with children or adults needs to
complete a workshop to teach us the boundaries we (and those in
our care) should expect out of ourselves and others.

If you are involved in parish groups, you might want to check to

see if you need to attend Safe Church Training (call Fr. Steve at
607.334.8801).

If you want to attend this training in the near future, there will be
a seminar held at St. Peter’s, Bainbridge, on February 18th, at 2:00
p.m., under the direction of the Rev. Rebecca Drebert. Please
contact St. Peters at 607.967.3441 for more information.
The Big Red Door Page 9

Lenten Series at Broad Street Methodist, Norwich

Called to Community: What does it meant to be the Church? What should the Church be doing with our call to justice
and love? What does it mean to be the Body of Christ? What is the Church becoming?

Join Rev. Rachel Ann Morse, pastor at Broad Street United Methodist Church, in wrestling with these questions in a se-
ries of 60-minute discussions. We'll watch short films with smart folks like Walter Brueggemann, Brian Zahn, Rachel
Held Evans, NT Wright, Richard Rohr, Hannah Terry and Malcom Guite. Together we'll share and explore our thoughts
and deepen our understanding of what it means to be the church today.

Wednesdays, February 21, 28, March 7,14, 21, 28 (If you can’t make every discussion, that’s okay!) Please join
us at noon in the lounge at Broad Street UMC. For more information contact Rachel Morse
at pastor.rachel.morse@gmail.com

PASTORAL NEEDS & PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for these people as you say your daily prayers: Immediate Needs: Florence
Hand, Mariba Chmielewski, Frank Giglio, Sharon Fox, Nancy Nolan Gibbon, Mila Lent,
Rebecca Bliss, Betsy Somers, Jean McDowell, Logan Lewis, Elaine Sharki, Miley Parker,
Sharon D, Joyce Lawrence, Mary Alice Whitney, Laura Chapin, Lex Supensky, Charlie
McMullen, John MacRabie, Marcia, Kay Nearing, Janice Coleman, Fiare Jenkins, Ah-mig
Jenkins. Continued Prayers: Jax, Dave R, Amy, Janet Kenyon Burrell. Those in Nursing
Homes or Homebound: Mariba Chmielewski, Jim Haynes, Helen Donahe, Caroline Ma-
son.

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
1 Timothy Thompson, Marty Grownwall, Jamie 15 Michael Schlafer, Mark Anderson, Kathleen
Rifanburg, Don Anderson Brillinger
2 Judy Slentz Roos 16 Susan Gracin-Sperry, Tim Clarke, Joan Axtell
3 Angela Lidell 17 Cynthia Elliott Weis, Sean Lyons, Joe & Marci
4 Carrie Sue LaCoe; Caleb Loomis, Otto Novak
Kristoferson 21 Marcia Born
5 Richard Gestwick, James Harrington 22 Emily Murphy, Sandra Johnson, Jamie & Gregory
6 Olive Sturges, Sue Parker Maistros
7 Kristin Harris; Kathy Wells 23 Francis Carnachan, Mark Schoonover
8 Joanne Woodard; Caden Stone, Wanda Benjamin, 24 Michelle Austin Senn, Wodsey Richard Ackerman
Karen Horvick 25 Charlene Button
9 Tammy Sullivan, Donna Kristoferson 26 Starr Carroll; Jeffrey Woodard
10 Joshua Dye, Jacqueline Kreiner, Terry Swertfager 27 Deborah Cassavaugh; Carter Campbell; Thad
12 Kisten Giglio Loomis
13 Richard Thompson 28 Cassandra Slater, Jacqueline Ahern
14 Thomas Smith, Meredith Hudson
Page 10 The Big Red Door

OUR “CREED”
Whatever brought you to experience worship with us, welcome.
If you’ve come searching for a Christian community that manages to be both
joyful and reverent, welcome.
If you’re hoping to find a church that is grounded in tradition but
engaged in the present and open to the future, welcome.
If you’ve been looking for a place where your doubts and questions can be as at home as your
hopes and certainties, welcome.
If you’ve been wondering whether there’s a place for you at all in the Christian church, you are
welcome here. You really are.

February Service Schedule

Sunday 8:00 St. Matthew’s 9:30 Emmanuel 11:00 St. Andrew’s
Feb 4 (Epiphany 5) Morning Prayer Holy Eucharist Holy Eucharist

Feb 11 (Epiphany 6) Holy Eucharist Morning Prayer Holy Eucharist

Feb 18 (Lent 1) Holy Eucharist Holy Eucharist Morning Prayer

(Annual meeting
after the service)

Feb 25 (Lent 2) Joint Service

St. Matthew’s
9:30 a.m.
The Big Red Door Page 11

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EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH

37 WEST MAIN ST.
NORWICH, NY 13815

If you have news you would like to share, contact us at:

(607) 334-8801

E-mail: emmanuelchurch@frontiernet.net
web site: emmanuelnorwich.org

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