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Dear Friends,
The Catechism, page 845 of the Book of Common Prayer, helps
us understand
what it means to be created in the image of God:
Question: What does it mean to
be created in the
image of God?
Answer: It means that we are
free to make choices;
to love,
to create, to reason and to live in harmony
with creation.
On Ascension Day, following the Holy Eucharist, you are invited to
a workshop entitled Choices in Medical Care. It will be an opportunity
to hear from two experts, Teresa Lever, a Social Worker at Woodridge
Nursing Care facility, and David Blythe, an attorney and member of
the parish, as we discuss the importance of Advanced Directives for
Health Care in the event we are no longer able to speak for ourselves.
I don’t need to tell you the importance of these advanced directives
in light of the Shaivo case in Florida and the need some politicians
have to interfere with our decisions and wishes.
Over the years, advances in medical technology have changed the way
treatment decisions are made.
As we have become more informed about our medical care, we less likely
to
leave all the choices about our care to “the experts.” These
decisions are not based on medical facts alone and we need to be aware
of our choices and
demand that they not be taken from us. The choices modern medicine
offers
involve some important value judgements—determining whether a
particular
treatment is right and appropriate for us is just the beginning.
We plan to discuss our choices, how to make our wishes clear and how
to
complete the Advanced Directives Forms. Materials and booklets from
the
Vermont Ethics Network will be provided to those who attend. These
materials can be picked up in the Parish Office prior to the workshop
if you
wish to read them in preparation for the program.
Faithfully,
David
(top of
page)
Jean Brooks: 1920-2005
The last time Pat Carruth and I visited the Rev. Jean Brooks
was in February.
As I pulled out the tiny chalice
and paten for the Eucharist, Jean was so lost in the fog of
Alzheimer’s
that she didn’t recognize these little vessels that
had been practically worn out by her own fingers in her years
of ministry to the sick, the isolated and the imprisoned.
While we chatted, she was unable to string words together
into connected thoughts, yet as soon as we started into
the language of the service, she was immediately centered
and connected.
The presence of God was so
palpable in her attention and focus, that we were deeply moved
and nourished in the sharing of the Bread and Wine. Afterward,
Jean spoke to us about her faith in long connected thoughts.
She said that this was the best time of her life because she
felt such a certain strong connection to God and to us and
the community. She confessed that previously there had always
been some room for doubt, but now there was no doubt, just
connection.
As Jean moves now within that
greater cloud of witnesses, I thank God for that moment of
clarity that allowed her to share her faith with us.
—Beth Ann Maier
Jean Brooks Remembered
When some of us sing hymn #333 (“Now the silence, now
the peace”) we’ll invariably think of our dear
friend and deacon, Jean Brooks, who died April 9, 2005 after
a long life of service to our church community and beyond.
For a time, and at her request, our we sang the “Now” hymn
as a prelude to
the Eucharist every Sunday, sharing Jean’s responsiveness
to the immediacy of the hymn in both words and music, and
its joyful progression toward communion with God.
Jean was a diminutive and gentle person, but it didn’t
take anybody very long to see her pale blue eyes sparkJean
Brooks Remembered
When some of us sing hymn #333 (“Now the silence, now
the peace”) we’ll invariably think of our dear
friend and deacon, Jean Brooks, who died April 9, 2005 after
a long life of service to our church community and beyond.
For a time, and at her request, our we sang the “Now” hymn
as a prelude to
the Eucharist every Sunday, sharing Jean’s responsiveness
to the immediacy of the hymn in both words and music, and
its joyful progression toward communion with God.
Jean was a diminutive and gentle person, but it didn’t
take anybody very long to see her pale blue eyes spark fire
at any injustice or insensitivity in the world. Thank you
Jean, for your life, and for your example of honesty and
courage. They have helped us turn into better human beings.
—Charlotte Gibson
Letters and notes of condolence and prayers can for Jean Brooks can be mailed to the following:
Jamie Brooks
31 Frazier Rd.
Worcester, VT 05682 OR
Peter Brooks
65 Lyman Drive
Williston, vt 05495
(top of page)
Annual Rummage Sale
Our annual rummage sale is being held on Saturday, May 21. This is a major fundraiser for us. Please comb your attics, basements and back shelves for anything you are willing to part with that might sell.
New This Year
We are going to organize an eBay sale as part of this year’s
rummage sale. If you have good pieces that you feel are too
valuable to be put out as rummage, but you are willing to donate
to the sale, we will auction them on eBay. This will be particularly
appropriate for jewelry, antique clothes or toys, linen, china
or glassware. Keep in mind that we will need to be able to
package and ship the items.
Please contact Bonnie Kynoch
for further information.
(top of page)
Church School News
Well, can you believe it? We are coming to the end of the school
year and I’m sure preparations are being made for summertime
activities. But before we scatter into different directions,
it would marvelous if we could plan for our own time together.
We will be having another Youth
Service this year scheduled for Sunday, June 5.
It would be wonderful to have
all the children involved. David and I thought it would be great
if we could have fun planning the Youth Service on Saturday,
May 14, with activities for both the children and their parents.
It would culminate with a “lock in’’ for youth
entering 5th grade and up. I would deeply appreciate if you
could keep these dates free.
Also, I am planning another Vacation
Bible School in June. Please let me know if you are interested
in attending. If you have any questions or suggestions please
don’t
hesitate to call me at 223-4766.
Just these,
–Elizabeth Wilcox,
Director of Religious Education
(top of page)
Social Concerns and Local Services
The Chronicle Newsletter
