Campus Ministry “Razes” the Roof during Spring Break

A truck in the driveway of a Sebring, Florida home short-circuits, sending sparks to the roof. Within minutes, smoke fills the house. After a call to 911, the family escapes—safe, but soon homeless as firefighters arrive to douse the flames.

From the ashes came opportunity. “The family donated what was left of their home to Habitat for Humanity,” said Julia Warren of northern Virginia, a student at UNC-Chapel Hill and member of Episcopal Campus Ministry at The Chapel of the Cross. “Over spring break, we helped gut the inside of the house and take it back to the studs.”

A Place at the Table

The Chapel of the Cross youth invite you to a screening of “A Place at the Table,” a film on hunger and food insecurity in the U.S.  The newly-released movie will be shown on Sunday, April 28, at 7:00 pm, (tentatively) in the Chapel.   The screening follows  the food truck rodeo to benefit the IFC which will be held from 4:00-8:00 in the Holy Trinity Lutheran parking lot on Rosemary St.

 

April Vestry Actions

At its meeting on April 18, the Vestry:

• Adopted the Final Financing Plan for Phase One of the Master Plan
• Authorized the Wardens to enter into a contract with Barnhill Construction for completion of Phase One of the Master Plan for a guaranteed maximum price of not more than $6,800,000
• Authorized the Wardens to secure a loan from BB&T in an amount not to exceed $3,500,000 to be secured by a Deed of Trust in favor of the lender on the real property of the Chapel of the Cross
• Authorized the Treasurer to pay amounts due under the Construction Contract Documents
• Established creation of the Phase One Financing Oversight Committee
• Approved the recommendation of the Finance Committee for adoption of an amended 2013 Budget
• Authorized up to $7000 from the Capital Fund to replace the air-conditioning compressor
• Approved termination of a family trust in which the Chapel of the Cross was a contingency benificiary
• Learned that a ground-turning ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 5, with the construction period to begin the following day
• Approved with great enthusiasm the recommendation of the Rector to encourage repeal of North Carolina’s death penalty
• Learned that Carter Kersh has agreed to serve as chair of the Annual Campaign.

Vestry votes: demolition to begin May 6

Last night in a packed meeting room the vestry voted unanimously to enter into agreements with Barnhill Contracting and BB&T that will set in motion the Chapel of the Cross building project in early May.  As members of the Phase One Financing Committee and the incoming class of the vestry looked on, the vestry passed a series of resolutions that represented the culmination of 10 years of work towards this project. In the photo at right, senior warden Dick Taylor signs the construction contract with Barnhill Contracting following the meeting as Rector Stephen-Elkins-Williams looks on.

A Note from the Rector

Dear Friends,

I am looking forward to a three month sabbatical, beginning May 6.  Both our diocese and our parish encourage our clergy to do so every five years as a time of renewal and refreshment.

Every time I have done so, I have found it very helpful and restoring.  In the summer of 2002, for example, I not only spent time with my mother in Montana (precious time since she died two years later), but I also planned and organized a weekly preaching course I taught the next spring at Duke Divinity School.  In 2008, I spent the spring months at Emerald Isle, writing a manuscript, which I later used both in teaching here as well as in sacramental counseling.

This time I do not have a specific project in mind.  I will be spending most of May and June at Emerald Isle, not only being in tune with the rhythms of God’s “flashing sea,” but also doing some reading and writing, organizing of my papers, and getting more regular exercise.

The one occasion I know I am coming back for will be Anne Hodges-Copple’s ordination as Bishop Suffragan at Duke Chapel on June 15.  That will be a great celebration, and since our parish sponsored Anne for ordination and she was ordained a transitional deacon here in 1987, I hope some of you will be able to join me.  (She will make her first visitation to us and confirm our youth and adult candidates on May 4, 2014!)

In July, Betsy and I will be taking an exciting trip to Europe, staying first in Scotland for a week and a half, including four days in Iona, and then in Prague in the Czech Republic for another week.  We have never been to either country.  Part of the reading I will do in May and June will be in preparation for this wonderful opportunity.

In my absence, the other clergy and staff and the Vestry and wardens will carry on as usual.  It will be an exciting time with construction starting and the shape of the new building becoming clearer.  As much as I look forward to some time away, I will be very excited to be back with you starting Monday, August 6!  I will send periodic pictures and updates for the Friday email.

Thank you for the gift of this time.

Have a good summer,

Stephen

ABC Donation Drop Off Schedule at St. Thomas More Catholic Church

The ABC Sale will be begin accepting donations at the Parish Center at St. Thomas More Church on:

Tuesday, April 2,  from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 4, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

No donations after 4 p.m. on Thursday.

NO DONATIONS AT THE CHAPEL OF THE CROSS.  There will be plenty of helpers to unload your car in front of the Parish Center.

Bring us your gently used clothing, household goods, books, furniture, and garden items.  Proceeds from the Sale benefit area non-profit organizations. And it’s not too late to volunteer.   This is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, spend time with old friends, and participate in one of the oldest outreach programs here at Chapel of The Cross.  Co-Chairs Reg Carver 919-493-9499 bayview237@yahoo.com  and Mary Sullivan mlsull2nc@gmail.com welcome you the to the 2013 ABC Sale at ST. Thomas More Church.

Sale hours on Saturday, April 6, are 8AM until 1PM.

Shamrock and Roll: Naomi’s Network Hosts Festive St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

It was the “luck o’ the parish” Friday, March 15 as the women of Naomi’s Network hosted a home-cooked Irish feast for 47 parishioners and their families. Corned beef and cabbage, boiled carrots and potatoes, Irish soda bread, and Irish whiskey cake were washed down by green beer and coffee stout provided by parishioner Robert Poitras and the Carolina Brewery.

“The whole purpose is fellowship,” said Nancy Tunnessen, leader of Naomi’s Network and chef of the 33 pounds of corned beef. “And it’s great fellowship!”