ST. SEBASTIAN’S BY-THE-SEA
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
SAINTS ALIVE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
September, 2009
A Message from the Rector
The fall is a great time for new beginnings and a time to spend with God in worship.
I hope everyone has had a great summer and is ready to return to being together as family at St. Sebastian’s, because being together is really important. While on vacation I have had some time to reflect on life. I thought about my grandmother who was born on a ship coming from England and traveled by wagon train to reach her home in Pennsylvania. She never drove a car and never flew in a plane, but she was always amazed by life. When I would visit her, we would take the bus and go to town to shop. We would walk all around the city to get groceries and necessities for the house, and stop at her favorite restaurant for lunch. There was nothing amazing about the day except I learned a very important lesson from those trips. It is the time we spend together that matters most, not the tasks we may accomplish. I do not remember what we bought or even what stores we went into, but I do remember being along and feeling important. I have come to realize that it is the quality time we spend together that brings the greatest rewards.
I remember my time with my grandmother, my kids remember the trips we took across country in the car together, and my grandkids remember being on the beach picking up shells, catching sand crabs, and playing in the ocean. It was just being there together that mattered not so much what we were doing. I think it is the same with our relationship with God; what we both remember is being together and the time we share. Ever since the Lenten series when we consciously began looking for God sightings, I was reminded that I never feel alone or far from God’s presence. No matter where I travel, I see His work and feel Him close. I am always looking for God sightings or rather feeling God’s presence.
What is really important is remembering the time we spend with God and the joy it brings. It is that joy that gets us through the tough times and reminds us that we are always important, always valuable, and always in His presence. I am looking forward to spending quality time with both you and God this season.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Ralph
Greetings from Ms. Pat
As I write this article I am sitting at a camp ground in North Carolina enjoying the glorious weather and listening to the wonderful sound of the river as it flows past in front of our camp site. I am been enjoying being with our grandchildren, Andrew and Susannah, as our daughter, Shannon is preparing for the new school year. Shannon teaches reading to children with dyslexia and other reading challenges and is very passionate about what she is doing. And at the ages of ten and eight, Andrew and Susannah are very passionate about life as only children of that age can be. It is exciting to experience their perspective of life. I think that is one of the things that I like most about youth ministry. The kids really enjoy life and it is fun to be with them.
It is hard to believe that school started in Brevard County on August 10th! The beginning of the school year offers an opportunity to make this the best year yet. Just as the Lord offers us the very same opportunity each and every day as we accept the grace that He gives us.
The youth group members have been busy this summer with their various endeavors.
- We are thankful that Deanna Dickman returned safety from her People to People trip to Japan.
Sarah Mays had a major role in the Pied Piper at the Henegar Center - Carrie Mays, who volunteers regularly at the Brevard Zoo, was a camp counselor there.
- Zoe Dickman played in the orchestra and Deanna Dickman helped with the props for the production of Guys and Dolls held at Satellite Beach High School in July.
- Brandon Smodell has participated in some bowling tournaments over the summer and has placed first, second and fourth in numerous divisions in his age group and older age groups.
- Scott Yandell made the Dean’s list at BCC for his second semester.
As they begin the school year, here is how they will be involved.
- Kudos goes to Adam Kral who has been chosen as one of the Drum Majors of Melbourne High School Band. Adam we are so proud of you!
- Zoe Dickman will be performing with the Eau Gallie Band again this year. Both bands have been working hard on their programs and I can’t wait to see them in action.
- Alyssa Yandell will be playing clarinet in the West Shore band,
- Carrie Mays will be playing her Viola in the Melbourne High School Orchestra,
- Marissa Fabian will be playing her cello at Eau Gallie High School,
- Deanna Dickman will enjoy using her talents as part of the percussion section at school
- Nicholas Belsten continues to improve his skills on the piano and saxophone.
- Alyssa and Lyndsay Yandell will continue to cheer at West Shore and congratulations to Alyssa
who has been chosen captain of the squad!
- Shawn Mindel performed in Donkey Tales and will perform in Evita. Watch for the schedule.
Alex Pennybacker, Nicholas Belsten and Stanley Williams will be busy on the football field this fall.- Jordan Janks and Stanley Williams enjoyed being ushers on Youth Sunday so much that they are now serving on a regular basis.
- Zoe Dickman and Lyndsay now have their learner’s permits – so watch out!
It is wonderful to see so many of our members using and developing the gifts that God has given them.
The members of the youth group did a great job with the props for the Vacation Bible School Play, Donkey Tales in June. Marissa Fabian’s donkeys were absolutely amazing! Alison and Andy Mindel and I really enjoyed working with them and seeing their creativity develop. Ms. Barbara has already begun preparations for our Christmas Play and it will be exciting to see what ideas they come up with this time.
Thank you to Kurt and Sharon Belsten who opened up their home to us for a Pool Party and Scavenger Hunt this summer. Their neighbors were great and very tolerant of us running around their neighborhood. And thank you to Rob and Kim Dickman for hosting an end of summer Pool Party where we had a chance to visit with Amy, Josh, and MacKenzie Smith as they were home from Saudi Arabia for a visit. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to adjust to life there. Josh and MacKenzie will be starting a new school this month.Welcome to he Morgan family, Scott, Nancy, William and Adeline, who recently moved to the area. We are glad that you are a part of our St. Sebastian’s family and we look forward to getting to know you better.
We will look forward to participating in the visit from the Anchor House Boys - September 11-13, the Parish Rummage Sale, the Pumpkin Patch Mid-October-Halloween, and the Christmas Play.
We will have an organizational meeting on Sunday, September 13 from 12:30 -2:30 p.m. Please bring your fall activity schedules and watch the bulletin for upcoming meeting dates and times. Mizpah …..Ms. Pat
Junior Warden Update
This summer has finally been a summer when our congregation has finally been able to enjoy the fruits of all our labors. Starting with the Dinner Theater put on by the Vacation Bible School and continuing with the Crab Dinner and Cook Out Wednesdays I have been personally gratified to see some many of us enjoying the facilities and fellowship. These outreach programs have not only been enjoyed by us however but have brought many people from our community into our Church to enjoy our hospitality as well. I have received many positive comments from my neighbors (non parishioners) about how nice everyone was and how nice our facilities were.
Progress still continues although at a reduced pace due to my traveling this summer and the fact that we have accomplished so much already. The Vestry was presented with several options to replace the front doors of the Church. These mahogany wood doors are original to the church and have withstood 45 years of storms, sun, weather and use. They are at the point now where they contain much rotten wood and really do not operate properly. I am afraid another significant hurricane would do them in and create a lot of damage upon their failure. We are limited as to what we can do in the front door area due to the way the openings are constructed. For this reason, standard size doors will not fit. Additionally, we need to be able to open the doors wide enough for funerals so reducing the opening to accommodate a standard size door was also not an option. This meant that we had to have doors custom built and after some discussion by the Vestry it was decided to duplicate the existing doors in Honduran Mahogany at a millwork just like the doors we have now. The new doors will have upgraded hardware and we will re-use the small stained glass insets that are in the old doors. Additionally, the new doors will have the exterior painted in a marine grade paint to match and the inside will be varnished. The above option while not the least expensive was deemed to be the best as after all it IS the entrance to our sanctuary. If we can get another 45 years out of these new doors it will be money well spent. If anyone has any questions concerning these new doors please see me.
An anonymous donor has gifted us with a Veteran Memorial. This project will include landscaping, benches, flagpole, and memorial stone. The Veterans Memorial is to be dedicated to ALL veterans. As the Flag must be lit at night we will place this Memorial Garden near the front office door where we already have a dusk to dawn light. Look for this project to continue through September/October.We serviced/repaired our lawn tractor one more time this summer; it truly is on its last legs as the front wheel literally fell off during mowing. We will need to replace this piece of equipment some day soon. I am also still looking for a 10' x 10' outdoor shed if anyone has a lead please let me know.
Respectfully Submitted…..Kurt Belsten, Junior Warden
Taize' Service
St. Francis Center for Restoration presents a Taize Service the second Monday of each month at 7:15 PM. This month the service will be held on September 14. Please join us for this contemplative and moving service.A "Note" from our Music Director
I must admit I am facing this fall and winter season with a bit of "fear and trembling". Fortunately, my faith in the Holy Spirit and the Saint Sebastian family keeps me from losing too much sleep! The truth is, for the first time in my twenty-plus years at St. Sebastian's I am deeply concerned with the dwindling number of choir members. It has been my privilege to be a part of your music ministry along with the most dedicated choir I have ever known. Unfortunately, we have recently lost several members. While we hope and pray that Mizzy Holt and Lyndell Schwalbe may be able to return to us soon; with the passing of Harold Weaver; we are currently experiencing a great need for additional members.
We need your voices and are open to suggestions on what we can do to bring you into our group. We rehearse Wed. nights (7:30-9:000) and Sunday mornings at 9:45. We welcome new members and especially extend an invitation to young people.
We know there are good singers in the congregation, and I'm sure we can find a choir robe to fit you. Thank you…..Jim Burley
Children's Christmas Play
Following the success of the VBS dinner theater, the Children’s Christmas Play will probably follow the same format this year and be presented with a dinner. In “The Best Christmas Present Ever!”, join news anchor Rod Stark as he covers a small story with a big message. The greatest birthday bash ever! But the kids are having a hard time getting people to RSVP by all the modern means of communication – email, face book, twitter, etc. They are shocked when it is suggested they use the personal touch!
Play practice will be held every Wednesday beginning at 4:30 pm until 5:30-5:45. The first practice will be held on September 9. If you would like to help out in any way, please contact Barbara Butler at 676-0944 or call church at 723-3015.
Vacation Bible School and Dinner Theater
Our first VBS dinner theater was quite a success!! The meal, cooked by Bill Landriau and Doreen Yandell, was delicious, the desserts were plentiful and of course, the kids were remarkable as they presented Donkey Tales in the “Smodell Hall Dinner Theater”. We had 30 children who participated in the play under the direction of Barbara Butler along with Amanda Azar, Beverly Berard, Jenny Gornto, Gina Hollywood, Cyd Lewis, Marshall Reeves, Lisa Venanzi. Shirley Lindstrom headed up the snacks and Judy Divine again did a wonderful job with crafts and props. The youth group under the direction of Alison Mindel and Pat Evans once again used their creative juices for a marvelous set. Thanks to Marissa Fabian, Jordan Janks, Mia McElroy, Shawn Mindel, Kayla Mindel, Stanley Williams, Sophia Williams, Alyssa Yandell, Lyndsay Yandell & Scott Yandell. Ann Janks and Donna Smodell filled in and performed office work during the week as well. It was a group effort and it definitely paid off. We look forward to next year!Blue Crab Dinner
Our Blue Crab Dinner in July was also a great success! After cooking what seemed like a mountain of crabs, the diners ate until they couldn’t eat any more. We had plenty of crabs left that people bought that night or the next day to bring home and eat some more! It was messy and delicious and we thank Dave Azar for getting the crabs and cooking the creatures along with making his wonderful Cole slaw. We had a “share the wealth” raffle, sold beer and wine and had lots of fun. This will probably become an annual event since everyone had a great time. Even though we were holding this dinner more for fun, we even came out ahead by about $400.00. What a deal.Dinner Group
We want to thank Bonnie Jost for coordinating the first six months of our small home dinner group. It has been a wonderful success. Ann Janks has agreed to take over for the next six months and is looking for guests and hosts. Hello! I will be scheduling our dinner groups for the next few months starting in September. In an effort to include some who are not able to come on the third Friday, September and October dinners will be on the fourth Friday. I'm hoping this won't be a problem for any of our present members. Sept 25th I need hosts!! Please let me know if you will be coming and if you would like to host.
We have some of the younger families who would like to participate. We will start a new group to accommodate families with school age children. The evenings will be limited to 3-4 families; it will give the kids an opportunity to get to know each other as well as the parents.
If you would like to be included in either of these groups please let me know, HOSTING IS NOT MANDATORY so don't let that stop you. We have some remarkable people in our group who are willing to share there life experiences with the rest of us. Come and join us for a truly enjoyable evening.
If you would like more information, please write or call Ann Janks at 726-9204 Potluck Wednesdays
Potluck Wednesdays will start on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 PM. Bring a potluck dish to share and come and have good food, fellowship and a program. Pumpkins Coming! !
The pumpkins are coming on Sunday, October 11 at 6:00 PM. We need quite a bit of muscle to be able to unload the truck and put all the pumpkins on the pallets. Please come out to join us and bring your gloves, a wheelbarrow if you have one and your muscles!! Please see the sign up sheet in Smodell Hall so we can know who to expect. We also need people to work shifts at the pumpkin patch. The hours will be 10:00 – 7:00 PM. The sign up sheets are in Smodell Hall so check your schedules and come on down. It really is wonderful to see the kids and adults picking out just the right pumpkin.
If you would be interested in being a storyteller to the schoolchildren who come to visit, please let us know. We usually get between 300 – 400 kids a year from the local schools and daycares having a field trip at our pumpkin patch.
Monthly Outreach - September is Anchor House
We have had great success in our programs so far this year. We collected tools for Habitat for Humanity, a carload of school supplies for the Brevard Schools Foundation which were given out to the children at the Brevard Zoo (see article on bulletin board in Smodell Hall) and snacks for the Williams Child Hospice House which were most appreciated. September’s outreach is for Anchor House and we have already collected quite a bit of drinks, snacks, and offers of sandwiches, cookies, breakfast foods and items for the potluck dinner. We are looking forward to having the boys here September 11 – September 13. See Marshall Reeves if you wish to donate any items.
Look in future bulletins and newsletters for the October monthly project. November we will be collecting food and items for Thanksgiving dinners and the Sharing Center. December we will be collecting new toys for Toys for Tots as well as Eleanor Redding’s Stocking Project for the migrant workers children.
Cub Scout Corner
St. Sebastian’s is chartered by the Boy Scouts of America to host Cub Scout Pack 391. Being a Chartered Organization, we use Scouting as part of our program of community outreach. Most Cub Scout meetings are held in the old parish hall except for the Pack Meeting (gathering of all dens), which is the evening of the third Tuesday of each month, and which is held in Smodell Hall. Pack 391 needs only one closet (in the rear of the old parish hall), and we ask that others not place their materials in it. Please contact Pack 391's Chartered Organization Representative, George Maul (412-4040), if needed. It's going to be an awesome scouting year!
Olivewood from Bethlehem
Olive wood carvings are the major source or income for these families, and since tourism has been severely impacted by the events taking place in the Middle East, this community is seeking to sell their carvings in the United States. We invite you to visit their display tables and view some of the finest handcrafts available from the Holy Land. This organization strives to bring these fine carvings at the lowest price, with 85% of all proceeds going directly to the Bethlehem Christian Families. The remaining 15% pays for shipping and communication costs.
You can view these beautiful items On-Line @ http://www.bethlehem-art.com/
Upcoming Events
Please mark your calendars for the following upcoming events:
- October 4 – Olivewood from Bethlehem
- October 8 – Flu Shots form 9 - 11
- October 11 – 31 – Pumpkin Patch
- November 1 – African Ministries Jewelry and Carvings
- November 13 – Annual Lobster Dinner
- November 30 – Lifeline Screening
- December 4 – Children’s Christmas Play
Standing Notes
Sunday Services: HE Rite 1 - 8:00AM. HE Rite II with music & nursery- 10:30am.
Sunday School: 9:00 AM for adults, 10:00 for kids
Healing: is available at both services.
Newsletter Submissions: Please submit articles by the 15th of the month IN WRITING.
Coffee Sign Up List: for coffee hosts for the 10:30 service is in the Parish Hall
Hospital/Illness: please let us know if you are in the hospital, will be going to the hospital or if you are ill at home & would like a visit. Contact Deacon George, Father Ralph or the office.
Prayer List: If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, please see the list in Smodell Hall or fill out a “memo for the office” found in the pews. The name will be listed for 4 weeks & then removed unless noted otherwise.
Candles & Flowers: If you wish to dedicate the altar flowers or candles to someone, please sign the sheets in the Narthex. The cost is $30.00 for flowers and $20.00 for candle.
Weight Watchers: meets here every Tuesday at 9:00 AM. For more information, you may call 1-800-651-6000.
Alcoholics Anonymous: meets here the following times: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 PM, and Friday mornings at 8:00 AM.
Contacting the Church
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 – 12:30 PM.
Phone number - (321) 723-3015, Fax - (321) 723-0009
Father Ralph - fr.ralph@saintsebastian.org
Miss Pat – singtome_99@yahoo.com
Doreen – doreen@saintsebastian.org
In case of emergency, you may call:
Father Ralph ….... 773-7053 (home), 508-9514 (cell)
Deacon George..... 723-0069 (home), 890-6712 (cell)
Pat Evans………….773-7053 (home), 508-9005 (cell)
Doreen Yandell..….722-9065 (home), 427-8788 (cell)
