Greetings from the land of Springtime in Reverse,

Fortunately, we were blessed with clear weather for our Timothy reunion of 29 souls on Saturday at the Hogans in Shelburne.  It was a day of rejoicing and celebration and thoughtful contemplation.

 

We rejoiced at the baptism of Deng, nearly four months old, son of Akol and Thiei and beloved by his extended Timothy family.  See photos--they say it all.

 

We celebrated worshiping the Lord with Peter+ leading us and Dwight assisting.  It was the second anniversary of the first gathering of Timothy in April 2005.

 

The focus of Peter’s message was on Baptism and Spiritual Gifts.. For the first time we used the 1928 BCP liturgy and it was refreshing.  (Now we have three service booklets thanks to Dwight’s dedication to the task.)

 

If you wish to review the scripture Peter’s message was based on, read 1 Corinthians 1, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4:10.  The key passages respectively are:  “Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.”  “But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

 

In 1 Cor Paul is putting baptism in perspective.  The cross of Jesus is the central conviction of the Christian (not a “baptismal covenant”).  The Great Commission urges us to “go and make disciples”, and having made them, to baptize them.  The proclaiming of Jesus’ death and resurrection is central.

(1 Cor 15:1ff).

 

During the afternoon Peter did a teach-in on spiritual gifts, the first of which is the gift of faith—which is preceded by the giving of the Holy Spirit, who enables our faith in Jesus, the Son of God.  He reviewed the scriptural basis of spiritual gifts, those very things which will enable Timothy to grow in the body of Christ.  We were given a worksheet which lists those gifts. Each of us has a unique gift.  He pointed out that a gift of spirit must be submitted to the group as a whole. If your gift is submitted to God, He will empower it.  In the next few months it is out task to discern our gifts:  to seek out our own gift, to seek out one another’s gift, and to seek the Holy Spirit working in you and making the group more dynamic.

 

A Worksheet will be emailed to those who could not be here.  This is a period of discernment.  In the end we should be able to answer the question: What is our goal?  Moreover, we should be able to write our Mission Statement.

 

If we were to hold a workshop on Spiritual Gifts, Peter suggested some excellent names to help us:  Len Cowan and his wife (Dio. of Western Mass.) and Shawn Mudge and his wife (Dio. of Albany). That sounds like sound advice.

 

Fellowship time was fortified with a wonderful  meal.  Jon and Fran brought the best smoked ham ever from Oscar’s Smokehouse in NH, and there was Tina’s great macaroni and cheese, Toni’s pasta, Jill’s salad, Judy’s famous cold asparagus dip, Barbara’s casserole, Fran’s tiny muffins, Elizabeth’s classic macaroons, and more.  Finally, there was the extravagant baptismal cake baked by Flora!  See photo.

 

Nathaniel and Judy announced that they have a wedding date:  April 25th.

We are all basking in the glow of their happiness.  See photo.

 

At our business meeting Ann gave a treasurer’s report through March.  On April 14 the collection basket held a record $585.  So here is an updated report as of 4/18/07:  Revenues $4,000. Expenses $2,245. Net income $1,755.  Ann read a letter of appreciation from the Diocese of Albany for Timothy’s contribution to the Bishop’s Mission Appeal.

 

One item overlooked at the meeting was the question of a contribution to the books needed by Jacqueline and Richard Ellwood to continue their studies for ordination.  They feel called to the ministry and to help plant Anglican churches.  The finance committee made an executive decision to support them with a contribution of $100 for books.

Bill raised the question of whether people are interested in a second meeting in a month.  The mind of the group is yes, but on a different day.  Sunday Evening Prayer was one suggestion.

 

Dwight has a Bible Study course prepared which he offers to bring to Timothy.

 

Kathy has offered to lead an Alpha program for Timothy.  We ran out of time to disucuss this idea but it is on the agenda for May 5.

 

Elizabeth Price and her daughter have led a course on Spiritual Gifts and would be willing to do a one day presentation for Timothy.

 

We thanked Elizabeth Price with a round of applause for her gift to Timothy of a Yamaha keyboard.  It resonated well with our hymn singing as Kathy tried it out for the first time.  This was a blended worship service of praise songs and traditional hymns. 

 

We also thanked Jon Peffer for the gift of a dozen paperback Bibles to send to the Archbishop of Kenya.

 

Bill announced that Timothy has received a communication from The Rev. Dr. Peter A. Toon (President of the Prayer Book Society), who would like to come and meet with us.  A date in mid-September may be possible.

 

The August 11 weekend event hosted by Timothy for the ACN New England Convocation was a major topic of discussion.  Timothy must decide what the purpose and aim of the event is and whom is it intended to reach.  The ACN Calendar Work Group is meeting next on May 12.  Please send your ideas to Aare (aareilves@adelphia.net) and Diane (diane.ames@gmail.com).  Arabella and Bill are also on the Calendar Work Group.  One suggested theme:  How to become effective disciples of Christ.  Another theme: Sharing the Word with others we don’t know.  Then again it might depend on the particular gifts of the speakers we invite. Priests in the NE Convocation’s Council of Presbyters have offered to be available if their schedule is open: i.e. Mark Galloway, Jurgen Liias, Christopher Leighton, Jack Potter, Andy Fairfield and Bill Murdoch.  Aare has the complete list of names which have been suggested at previous meetings.

 

The first ACN-NEC weekend event is planned for June 22-23 in Mass.  We need someone designated to go to it to gather inspiration and ideas for ours.

 

Peter+ announced that the Diocese of Albany Convention will be June 8-10 at Camp of the Woods in Speculator, NY.  It is open to all.  There are 50 or so workshops with excellent speakers..  Peter is leading a workshop on Reading the Bible and Leading Bible Study.  More information coming.  Cost is $180 p.p. including all meals and accommodations.

 

Arabella has information on another event on Sat. June 9: The Rev. Canon George Hobson and a program on Christianity and the Arts at Jericho Congregational Church, Jericho.  I  will send the information separately.  It will be part of an exciting day of arts events at JCC, ending with a concert.

 

After the meeting a group of us went out to take a look at The Old Brick Church in Williston on the Williston Road between Exit 11 and 12 off of I-89.

It is attractive on the outside and clean and in good repair on the inside.  It is a historic building erected in 1832 and now owned by the Town.  It seats 120 in upholstered wooden pews.  There is a basement room with four tables  and a very basic kitchen.  It has bathrooms.  Old Brick is a possibility.  No charge to non-profits I am told.

 

Tina suggested The Round Church in Richmond as a possibility.  John reports that it has bathrooms but no kitchen.  We’re open to ideas.  Wesleyan Chapel in N. Ferrisburgh is attractive outside but rather plain and needyinside.  Folding chairs, no pews.

 

Enough!

 

The next Timothy meeting is Sat. May 5 at Diane and Terry’s in Quechee with The Rev. Jim Gunn celebrating.

 

Sat. June 16 we will meet at Thendara with The Rev. Christopher Leighton of St. Paul's, Darien, CT.

 

Sat. July 21 we are invited to Glenn and Ellie Martin’s in Jericho with The Rev. Michael McKinnon of Holy Trinity, Marlboro, MA and Chaplain of FIFNA-New England.

 

In August we will host our ACN convocation event August 11th .

 

And maybe we will fit in a second meeting between some of these.  Anything is possible with God leading his people.

 

Faithfully,

 

Ann

 

P.S. someone was going to email me about a possible guest supply priest she spoke with