God's work in our garden . . . with help from the gardening crew

Our vegetables are growing like weeds. (Ok … not technically. If only they did!) The sugar snap peas have just started wrapping their tendrils around the lower rung of twine, and we’ve got spinach and a lettuce mix, too.

The daffodils, azalea bushes and other beauties are blooming, and our fig sapling is thriving.

In a few days the potatoes will go in. After April 15 -- the date after which no more frosts are expected -- we’ll begin planting tomato, eggplant and pepper. We’ll also put in warmth-loving flowers like gladioli and zinnia.

We now have a composter, so all kitchen scraps will help to enrich St. Joseph's garden.

We also have a new bench, donated by Joel and have some exciting plans for the future development of this once neglected area of our grounds.

--- Jamie

Saturday fellowship

7:45 AM on Saturday saw the Rev. Joe Hensley, Associate Rector at St. Luke's, and a longtime friend of St. Joseph's, bring his youth catechesis class to Matins. Joe's idea was to give this great bunch of young people added experience of helping in the community as part of their weekend retreat.

What a success this turned out to be. After Gail explained where everything was kept, she left it to them to prepare breakfast.

After Morning Prayer it didn't take long for duties to be mutually allocated and agreed (with no adult interference). Cooking eggs, cheese and toast seemed to be enjoyed by those involved and we soon sat down to a hearty breakfast.

After breakfast, and the inevitable clearing up, we checked out the church who uses our upper room - St. Basil the Great Romanian Orthodox Church. Mick explained that was one way that St. Joseph's shared it's resources with the community at large and how a wonderful family spirit was being created between the two churches, despite the differing traditions.

Joe took some time to point out and explain those differences, especially the use of Icons. We all took time to study the many on display and to meditate on their meanings.

Joe, enjoying a well-earned mug of coffee, whilst Gail enjoys a rare "easy" morning. We thoroughly enjoyed their company.

Let it rain . . . please

Junior Warden Gary Pellom pictured yesterday installing our rain barrels. With the drought still continuing and the prospect of a dry summer, these are an important addition to our gardening efforts.

Much preparatory work has been done and a small band of willing members are enthusiastically working on making this project successful.

We've "plowed the fields and scattered," and now we will wait patiently for it to "be fed and watered, by God's almighty hand."

In the meantime, the Gardening Crew appreciate Gary's hard work, as do we all at St. Joe's.

---- Mick ----

Spring planting

Our 70 tulip bulbs have gone through a "winter" in the refrigerator (we bought them a tad late!) and have awoken to prepare for what we hope will be a vivid show of scarlet and yellow this spring.

Soon the gardening team will plant them along with some iris bulbs -- but first we’ve got some work to do. On Saturday morning we’ll spread around a truck load of soil and compost. Monty will till it into our long neglected (hard-as-brick) soil. If you’re interested in some sunshine and fellowship, please join us! And we could definitely use extra wheelbarrows and shovels.

In the fall we built four raised beds and planted azaleas, pansies, a date tree, crocuses and other greenery. This year we hope to landscape other parts of the back yard and grow sunflowers, zinnias, aster, butterfly weed, anise-hyssop, wildflowers and more. Many of these we’ve chosen to attract birds (including hummingbirds) and butterflies, as well as beneficial insects like ladybugs that will snack on the tiny pests around our flowers and vegetables.

We’ll keep adding to the grounds little by little. Our back yard soon will become a peaceful, pretty place where folks can meet for lunch or sit quietly. If you're interest in landscaping or caring for the plants, please e-mail Jamie.L.Kennedy@gmail.com.

With God's grace, and some hard work,our yard will be a peaceful enhancement to our community.

------ Jamie

Greetings from Karen

15 February 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write to you with joy as your new Vicar! I know the journey has been long for you all; I look forward to working alongside you in ministry at St. Joseph’s.

To that end I want you to know that I will not come in and start changing things. I will spend some months getting to know you individually and as a congregation. I hope to get to know each of you: your gifts and talents, your history at St. Joseph’s and what you hope for the future at St. Joseph’s. And together we will move forward into the future.

I have begun by reading the story of the first 100 years of history of St. Joseph’s. It is clear that the people of St. Joseph’s are rooted in prayer, study and service to the community. I look forward to continuing that journey with you in our own day and time, seeing how we will be witnesses to God’s Kingdom.

You will be getting to know me over the coming days and months, but please know that I am available to you. I may do some things a little differently; if you wonder why I do a particular thing, please ask. I also will be asking many questions to learn about St. Joseph’s!

I will be taking Mondays as my Sabbath day – my own day for rest and renewal. However, if it’s a Monday and you have a pastoral emergency, please call! Since my position is half-time, I will generally be working Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. During my first months at St. Joseph’s I will be trying to meet with as many folks as possible, so I may be out of the office. If you would like to meet, please email or call me on my cell phone. I look forward to getting to know you.

I look forward to celebrating the Eucharist with you this Sunday, February 20^th.

Blessings,

Karen+

Our new vicar

The vestry of Saint Joseph's is delighted to announce the appointment of the Rev. Karen C. Barfield as Vicar with effect from February 15th.

Karen, who needs no introduction to Saint Joseph's, celebrates her first Sunday Eucharist as vicar on February 20th.

Karen is married to Ray Barfield and has two children: Micah (15) and Alexandra (11). Karen has been ordained seven years and has served in a variety of settings: urban and suburban; Cathedral staff, campus ministry, and congregations of all sizes; as interim rector, associate rector and interim chaplain. Her greatest joys in ministry involve liturgy, prayer, pastoral care and issues of justice. She was born and raised in Memphis, TN where she served as priest until moving to Chapel Hill, NC two years ago with her family.

In her spare time Karen enjoys reading, gardening, travelling, and designing most anything, especially houses (kitchens and baths in particular). Ray, her husband of 20 years, is a pediatric oncologist at Duke and is Associate professor of Christian Philosophy in Duke’s Divinity School. Ray enjoys writing, playing classical guitar and running. Micah wrestles for Chapel Hill High School, and Alexandra enjoys everything artistic, especially singing and playing classical guitar. The whole family loves to cook together.

Prior to ordination Karen served on staff at St. Luke’s Community Kitchen in Atlanta, GA, and she was co-founder of a prison ministry there as well. In downtown Memphis she helped develop the Hospitality Hub, a non-profit organization which assists persons who are homeless connect with the resources they need. Karen has most recently been serving as Priest Associate and Administrative Assistant at the Episcopal Church of the Advocate in Carrboro.

Mick, Verger

Catechesis 2011

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church

2011 Catechesis

The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina

J. David Belcher, Catechist

The word “catechesis” is derived from the Greek New Testament word, katecheō, which means, roughly, “to teach by word of mouth.” The process of the catechumenate – ancient in origin, its more formal structure stretching back to at least the fourth century – is made up of an entire series of such oral instructions, meant to prepare those instructed to receive the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation (or Chrismation), and Eucharist. The catechumenate is thus a time of study, deepening of faith, and intense preparation for incorporation into Christ’s body, the Church.

At St. Joseph’s, the catechumenate is such an intensive time of training and instruction for those not only preparing to be baptized (at the Great Easter Vigil), but also for those who either wish to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, or who simply wish to reaffirm the vows each of us takes at Baptism. However, all are welcome to participate in this ancient tradition, whether to learn more about and thus deepen one’s understanding of the faith or the Episcopal Church more specifically, or to join with others as one body in preparation for the reaffirmation of the vows each of us takes at Baptism. And we are all called to participate by our common prayers, remembering those who embark on this journey, lifting them up to God, and with the Holy Spirit welcoming them into the communion of saints.

Commitment and Preparation

Since Baptism is nothing short of a “new birth” (Jn. 3:3-8) and thus incorporates us into an entirely new way of life, traditionally there are certain expectations that accompany this journey each of us takes to the waters of Holy Baptism. At St. Joseph’s, the following commitments are vital to the catechetical journey:

Worship

Catechumens commit to attending communal worship in the form of the Sunday Eucharist on a weekly basis unless prohibited by illness or some other unavoidable obstacle. Baptized Christians are encouraged to receive the bread and/or cup on these occasions.

Study

Catechumens commit to preparing for and attending group sessions on various topics, including discussing the ongoing process and progress of catechesis. These meetings will take place over the course of roughly thirteen Saturdays beginning just after Epiphany and ending just after Easter Sunday, and will be led by the Catechist or other members of the congregation. Consult the schedule below to determine meeting dates. Catechumens who are unable to attend a session due to illness or another unavoidable obstacle are encouraged to notify the Catechist to receive the preparatory materials for that session.

Works of Supplication

Catechumens commit to praying the Morning and Evening Offices of the Book of Common Prayer daily. Each week, at least one of the Daily Offices should be prayed in community, preferably at St. Joseph’s, but possibly at another church, with one’s family, partner or friends, etc. In addition, catechumens are encouraged to take up the discipline of fasting, especially during the Lenten season (including Holy Week).

Works of Mercy

Catechumens commit to serving in a ministry capacity once per week. This may include attendance and service at morning breakfast fellowship, preparing, delivering, or sharing meals at the House of Hospitality, service at Urban Ministries, or another commitment to be worked out in consultation with Catechist or clergy.

Confession of Sin

Catechumens are encouraged to commit to confessing to a priest once a week during Lent using one of the forms in the Book of Common Prayer.

Schedule of Meetings and Other Important Dates

Weekly Meetings are Underlined, all other dates listed are mandatory Eucharists

Jan 6 – The Epiphany

Jan 8 – Introductory meeting

Jan 9 – First Sunday after Epiphany (Liturgy for the enrollment of catechumens)

Jan 15 – What is Catechesis? – with guest, Maria Doerfler

Jan 22 – No meeting

Jan 29 – The Holy Scriptures: The Old Testament – with guest, Joel Marcus

Feb 5 – The Holy Scriptures: The New Testament – with guest, Jodi Belcher

Feb 12 – The Nicene Creed/Apostle’s Creed/Baptismal Covenant

Feb 19 – Liturgical Calendar/Lectionary, with guest, the Rev. Nils Chittenden

Feb 26 – Works of Supplication: Prayer, Contemplation, and Fasting – with guest, Colin Miller

Mar 5 – Works of Mercy: Charity and Mission

Mar 9 – Ash Wednesday

Mar 12 –The Sacraments: Holy Baptism

Mar 13 – First Sunday of Lent (Enrollment of Candidates for Baptism)

Mar 19 – The Sacraments: Confirmation/Chrismation, Reception, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows

Mar 26 – The Episcopal Church: Protestant and/or Catholic?

April 2 – Governance in TEC, with guests, the Vestry of St. Joseph’s

April 9 –The Anglican Communion and TEC’s place therein

April 16 – No meeting

Holy Week

April 17 – Passion (or Palm) Sunday

The Great Triduum

April 21 – Maundy Thursday

April 22 – Good Friday

April 23 – Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil

April 24 – Easter Sunday

April 30 – The Sacraments: Holy Eucharist

Durham Convocation-wide Confirmation Service – TBA

Contact Information:

Dave Belcher, Catechist

j.david.belcher@gmail.com

919 237-1179