|
Your business tag line here. |
|
New Comers Guide |
|
Newcomer's GuideStaffOffice Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday Ladd K. Harris, Priest in Charge Joan Clark, Linda Liebert-Hall and Mike Hall, Deacons Mary Reed, Receptionist/Secretary Jo Hagen, Director of Music and Choir Director Bill Kinley, Organist David Blain, Guitarist Br. David Maasch, Sexton
Officers of the Mission
Senior Warden, Peter Cass......................................................... 746-2767 Junior Warden, George Krueger.................................................. 489-8994 Treasurer, Allen Harlow.............................................................. 746-0608 Clerk of the Vestry, Mary Reed.................................................... 422-6263 cell
WELCOME
Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church is a Mission in the Diocese of Central Florida. The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe is Diocesan Bishop, assisted by The Rt. Rev. John L. Said.
As Episcopalians we are “liturgical,” meaning our worship is centered in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Our liturgical music is centered in the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal 1982, although we draw from other music expressions.
MISSION STATEMENT
To be a beacon of faith known for engaging all persons in the love and truth of Jesus Christ.
VISION STATEMENT
It is our vision that Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church will become a church that seeks people with rich and meaningful experiences in life, and helps them help others, both inside and outside our church, to actively engage in the love and truth of JESUS CHRIST.
HISTORY
Following a survey done on the Ridge area in the north central section of Citrus County in 1993, a group of thirty people began meeting at the Amsouth Bank in Beverly Hills, Florida on Sunday evenings for Evening Prayer and fellowship. These services were led by Fr. Joe Goss of the Church of the Advent in Ocala and Deacon Gene Reuman of Holy Faith in Dunnellon.
On March 6, 1994, Bishop John Howe appointed Fr. Charles Hotchkiss as part-time vicar. He celebrated the first Sunday morning Eucharist on March 13, 1994. That same evening the name “Shepherd of the Hills” was unanimously selected and given to Bishop Howe for approval. In the fall of 1994, Deacon Humbert Thomas joined Shepherd of the Hills and assisted Fr. Hotchkiss during the fall and winter months. The Charter was signed by forty-seven people on December 5, 1994, and on January 28, 1995, at the Diocesan Convention, Shepherd of the Hills Mission was officially welcomed in the Diocese of Central Florida.
In the summer of 1995, Shepherd of the Hills purchased a four-office building at its present location. The two unoccupied offices were converted into a sanctuary, meeting, room, and office. It was consecrated and dedicated on December 17, 1995 by Bishop Howe. When the two other offices were vacated, the entire building was in use for church activities, including nursery and church school.
In July 1996, Deacon Joan Clark was assigned to Shepherd of the Hills. Shortly, thereafter, Fr. Hotchkiss became ill and resigned. Fr. Gilbert Watt was our supply priest until July 1, 1997 when Deacon Blake Rambo became Deacon-in-Charge until his ordination December 14, 1997 when he became Vicar.
Additional adjacent property was purchased in 1998 in anticipation of a future church building.
Fr. Rambo resigned in August 1999. Deacon Joan Clark led us through the interim period while our Search Committee sought a new vicar. Deacon Frank Gough III took office as Deacon-in-Charge on August 1, 2000 and became Vicar upon his ordination to the priesthood in December of 2002.
The new church building began construction in September of 2001 and was consecrated on April 21, 2002 by Bishop Hugo Pina-Lozez, Assisting Bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida
October of 2004 the mission suffered a breakup, as the Vicar and roughly a fourth of the congregation left the Episcopal Church to form a local congregation of the Anglican Mission in America due to recent General Convention actions.
The Wardens and Vestry, with the consent of the Bishop, subsequently called The Rev. Ladd K. Harris to serve part time as Priest in Charge. In addition to Deacon Joan, we have Deacons Linda-Liebert Hall and Mike Hall.
Shepherd of the Hills continues to grow and be filled with an enthusiastic spirit for doing the Lord’s ministry. Thanks be to God!
Chairperson Directory
Senior Warden Peter Cass 746-2767 Junior Warden George Krueger 489-8994 Adult Christian Formation Natalie Warrick 795-9868 Sonna Keene 795-6261 Deacon Joan 795-7454 Deacons Mike & Linda419-4319 Alpha Deacons Mike & Linda419-4319 Lynn Graybiel 341-1417 Altar Guild Marilyn Cass 746-2767 Audit Committee Lurayn Haines 270-8152 Bible Study Lynn & Roberta Graybiel 341-1417 Deacon Joan 795-7454 Deacons Mike & Linda 419-4319 Bulletins Doris Huether 746-6400 Building Fund June Hombergen 382-2902 Calling Chain Evie Kalix 795-4151 Capital Campaign Sonna Keene………………...795-6261 Cursillo Roberta Graybiel 341-1417 Citrus County Churches Rep. Deacon Joan 795-7454 Episcopal Church Women Leah Foshay 270-3178 Father Christmas Ball Sandy Miller 527-0805 Barbara Stover 527-6521
Chairperson Directory ContinuedFinance Committee Allen Harlow...................... 746-0608 Financial Controller Pat Howard…………637-1724 Flowers Co-Chairs Peggy Seward................... 527-2686 Jo Hagen…………..746-4604 Greeters/Ushers Bert Hombergen................. 382-2909 Health and Wellness/Parish Nurse Sylvia Giffune.................... 527-2554 Hospitality Bette Patz......................... 270-3097 Lay Eucharistic Ministers Bob French........................ 873-8358 Light Shine Peter Cass........................ 746-2767 Howard Papke................... 746-6199 Membership Recorder Ruth Harlow....................... 746-0608 Memorials and Gifts Bert Hombergen................. 382-2902 Music, Choir Director Jo Hagen.......................... 746-4604 Music, Organist Bill Kinley.......................... 341-3732 Music, Guitarist David Blain........................ 344-5899 Order of St. Luke Alice Clingan..................... 746-0239 Planning Committee Peter Cass........................ 7462767 Lynn Graybiel.................... 341-1417 Prayer Shawl Ministry Lurayn Haines……..270-8152 Sexton Bro. David Maasch............. 746-0734 S.O.S. (Serving our Savior) John Bourdeaux……7464760 Shepherd’s Staff Betty Patz.......................... 270-3097 Stewardship Howard Papke................... 746-6199 Treasurer Allen Harlow...................... 746-0608
The central liturgy of corporate worship is The Holy Eucharist. Here we gather as the People of God to hear how our story and the story of God in Christ intersect. The Liturgy of the Word and the Holy Communion invite us into the Divine Drama of reconciling love for the healing of Creation.
The Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer defines the Church as the Community of the New Covenant. The Bible describes the Church as the Body of Christ of which Jesus Christ is the Head and of which all baptized persons are members. We are called the People of God, the New Israel, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, and the pillar and ground of truth. The Prayer Book describes the ministers of the Church to be lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons. The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.
We believe the two great sacraments of the Gospel given by Christ are Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. Other sacramental rites are confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, reconciliation of a penitent, and unction.
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, along with the Apocrypha, to be the Word of God, because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us through them Our statements of faith are found in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. The Apostles’ Creed is the ancient creed of Baptism used in the Church’s daily worship to recall our Baptismal Covenant. The Nicene Creed is the creed of the universal Church and is used at the Eucharist. An additional creed, the Athanasian Creed, is an ancient document proclaiming the nature of the Incarnation and of God as Trinity.
Welcome to Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church. We value each and every one of you as a Child of God. Please advise us if you need additional information and or conversation about our life. May the Peace of the Lord be always with you.
THE VESTRY, according to the Constitutions and Canons of the Episcopal Church (and except as provided by the law of the State or of the Diocese), is an elected body and shall be agents and legal representatives of the Parish or Mission in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish or Mission to its Clergy. Furthermore, the Vestry serves to empower and support the various ministries of the Parish or Mission The Vestry is comprised of the Senior and Junior Wardens and seven members, plus a Clerk of the Vestry who has seat and voice but no vote and the Treasuer who has seat and voice but no vote. The Rector or Vicar presides at Vestry meetings, and if there is none, the Senior Warden acts as the presiding officer. Vestry members are elected each year at the Annual Meeting for a rotating three-year term.
Term Exp. Ministry
Peter Cass 2010 Senior Warden/Planning, New Member George Krueger 2010 Junior Warden/Properties Natalie Warrick 2009 Worship, Christian Formation Allen Harlow 2009 Stewardship, Treasurer Sonna Keene 2011 Christian Formation Margie Johnson 2009 Fellowship Howard Papke 2009 Light Shine, Stewardship Bette Patz 2011 Hospitality (New Member) Marlene Harrison 2011 SOS, Health & Wellness Mary Reed Clerk
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Weekly Bible studies for adults on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Sunday adult class at 9:00 a.m. ECW quiet days and inspirational talks. Cursillo.
Cursillo: Cursillo comes from the Spanish and means “a short course in Christian living.” The purpose of the Cursillo movement is to convert Christians to a deeper relationship with God and to help them understand their individual callings to be Christian leaders. Cursillo is a three-day weekend conducted by a team of lay persons and clergy who give talks, lead discussion groups, and songs. Prayer and Praise play a vital role as well as fellowship. We have an active Cursillo group. Many meet regularly to support and encourage one another in their spiritual growth and apostolic endeavors. There are monthly gatherings in our Deanery called Ultreya to bring together Cursilliastas of other parishes and also to support those who wish to attend Cursillo. Anyone interested to know more about Cursillo can pick up a pamphlet from the rack in the narthex or speak to Fr. Ladd or Roberta and Lynn Graybiel.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN (ECW) assists and enables the women of the Church to carry out their mission and ministry; encourages proactive advocacy for educational initiative, and provides for women to come together at the Triennial Meeting for worship, study, and action. All women at Shepherd of the Hills are members. Our local ECW offers spiritual growth and nourishment, fellowship, education, and leadership training. It is noteworthy that the men of the mission are very supportive of the ECW. Leah Foshay is the current president.
FATHER CHRISTMAS BALL is a semi-formal dinner dance presented to Citrus Country by Shepherd of the Hills and co-sponsored by the Citrus County Chronicle. The ball is held on the first Friday in December and has become a major social event in Citrus County. Each year the Father Christmas Ball Committee chooses a special person in the community, whose identity is revealed at the Ball, to be Father Christmas. All proceeds from the ball go towards Serving 0ur Savior Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills.
FLOWERS can be donated on a given Sunday as a memorial to a loved one or in thanksgiving for either a birthday, a birth, or anniversary. A flower sign up sheet is located in the narthex of the church. More than one person can sign up for a Sunday. Each floral arrangement is $15.00, totaling $30.00 per Sunday. Envelopes marked “Flowers” are in the narthex for your contribution, which can be placed in the offering plate or taken to the church office. During the Lenten season there are no flowers, rather simple arrangements of greens, sticks, etc. At Christmas and Easter special flowers adorn the sanctuary. Shepherd of the Hills is very fortunate to have Peggy Seward arrange the flowers, with the assistance of Jo Hagen.
GREETERS AND USHERS welcome persons at the back of the church for worship. Worshippers are greeted with a warm smile, a handshake, and given the worship bulletin. In addition, our greeters/ushers take up the offering, assist persons at communion, and straighten the sanctuary following services. At Shepherd of the Hills we like to think of all our members as ex officio Greeters
ALTAR GUILD is comprised of dedicated persons under the directress, Marilyn Cass. There are four teams which rotate on a regular basis. The guild prepares the altar for the three weekend services, the Wednesday morning Healing service, special services during the liturgical year, to include funerals and weddings.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS MINISTRYCommissioned in April 2001, this ministry is led by Parish Nurse, Sylvia Giffune, under the direction of the Parish Health and Wellness Team.
Services offered include: Health screening including blood pressure screening on the fourth weekend of each month after each service. Education – monthly newsletter articles, quarterly seminars on pertinent subjects and other programs as requested. Assistance with referrals – helping parishioners identify and obtain the services they need. Listening and health counseling on an individual basis. Training volunteers – preparing and coordinating the group of parishioners who provide auxiliary services. Home and hospital visits – determining needs and facilitating planning.
We have a freezer in the “hospitality room” for providing prepared food in emergencies for those who live alone or when the homemaker/cook is ill. Foods donated should be labeled with contents, date of preparation/freezing and any special notation such as “no salted added.” Items should be placed in the upright freezer (not the refrigerator/freezer). Please be sure to add your item to the list hanging on the wall beside the freezer. We also maintain a lending closet of home health needs such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, bath stools, commodes, etc. for short-term loan. To contact Sylvia to arrange for any of these services, you may leave a message for her at the church office at 352/527-0052 or call her at home at 352/527-2554 or on her cell phone at 352/212-5365. If you can volunteer to help in any way, we would welcome your involvement.
Members of the Health and Wellness Team: Sylvia Giffune – Certified Parish Nurse Ruth Harlow – Secretary Peggy Seward – LPN Betty Harnig/Leah Foshay – Team Members Edna Luther – Get Well Cards Marlene Harrison – Vestry Liaison
HOSPITALITY is a new ministry geared primarily to welcome, visit, orient and incorporate newcomers into the life of the church. In addition, the ministry educates the whole congregation in their role of hospitality to fulfill the ministry's goal to "serve Christ in our daily lives – at work, at home, in the community, in leisure activities, as well as within the Church."
LIGHT SHINE is an outreach ministry to Citrus County. Its mission is to sponsor a series of cultural, humanities, and musical events. The Florida Humanities Council has designated SOTH a "Partner" in its Florida humanities programs and awarded SOTH a $9,000 grant for three years at $3,000 per year. We also have the Citrus County Chronicle as a co-sponsor that helps with publicity for the Light Shine Events. Howard Papke and Peter Cass are co-chairmen.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS are persons who either read the Lessons and Prayers of the People and or serve as Acolytes, Lay Eucharistic Ministers and/or Lay Eucharistic Visitors. LEM’s are persons licensed to administer the chalice and bread at the Eucharist. LEV’s are persons licensed to visit persons who cannot attend the Sunday Eucharist, bringing them the sacrament. Bob French serves as coordinator.
MEMORIAL FUND was established during the annual meeting of January 2002. A Board of Trustees was elected whose duty is to administer the gifts and donations to the Fund in accordance with the By-Laws and to acknowledge these donations to the donor and enter their names in the Book of Remembrance or the Book of Thanksgiving. There are two types of gifts: 1) A gift of Memory of a Loved One. 2) A gift of Thanksgiving. These gifts are usually monetary, including stocks, bonds, etc., but can also be a physical gift. Physical gifts may be for direct use by the church or church staff, e.g. vestments, computer, garden tool, etc. The acceptance of physical gifts is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. Any gift may be designated by the donor as “restricted.” This means that the gift has to be used for a particular purpose, e.g. the purchase of prayer books. Envelopes for gifts can be found on the table in the back of the church. Completed cards may be placed in the offering plate, given to the church office, or handed to a trustee.
The following people are on the Board of Trustees:
Bert Hombergen, Chairman Alice Clingan, Secretary Sylvia Myer, Treasurer Bob Sewall Pat Walker
MUSIC MINISTRY seeks to minister to our diverse congregation. The choir sings at the 10:00 a.m. service, which is a traditional style of worship, along with other special services as requested by the Priest in Charge. Choir Director, Jo Hagen, has a BA from Florida Southern College, Lakeland with a Major in Vocal Music and a Minor in Foreign Languages. Organist, Bill Kinley, is a GE retiree who started playing organ at an early age. The Saturday liturgy draws more from praise style musical resources. Whether traditional or contemporary, everyone is invited to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”
SERVING OUR SAVIOR (SOS) is a ministry to serve Jesus, our Lord and Savior, through the poor and those who are caught in temporary hardship. SOS seeks to respect the dignity of those they serve and to bear witness to the love of Christ in our relationships with those most in need. SOS’s mission is to give help without regard to race, color, creed, or origin. Services are to provide food, food certificates for families with small children, financial aid if needed, and resource information. Funding comes from the mission’s operating budget, donations from the Poor Box located in the rear of the church, special gifts, and proceeds from the annual Father Christmas Ball. The second Sunday of each month the loose offering at all services is designated for SOS. Truly this ministry is living out the Gospel in bearing witness to the Good News of God in Christ.
THE SHEPHERD’S STAFF is the monthly newsletter that comes to us the first part of the month. Each issue is a blend of news – what’s happening and when, reports of organizations and committees; schedules of liturgical ministers, greeters, and altar guild; articles by the Senior and Junior Wardens, Priest in Charge and Deacons. Bette Patz serves as Editor.
HE ORDER OF ST. LUKE (OSL)
The International Order of St. Luke the Physician is made up of clergy, health professionals, and lay people throughout the world who feel called to make Jesus’ Ministry of Healing a regular part of their vocation.
In 1996, Shepherd of the Hills, along with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church formed the Citrus County Chapter of OSL. Presently, the County Chapter is inactive until further notice
Shepherd of the Hills OSL members decided in 1998 to form our own OSL Ministry. We maintain a prayer list for each of whom we pray daily, participate in the weekly Wednesday morning Healing Eucharist, and meet once a month to share with and support one another in our ministry. Each member also observes a Daily Rule of the Order which includes prayer, study, and service.
To request prayer for yourself or someone else, either fill out a Prayer Request Form in the narthex, leave a message at the church office, or call or e-mail an OSL member, especially when the need is urgent.
If you are interested in finding out more about OSL membership, please speak to an OSL member or plan to attend one of our meetings which are held on the second Wednesday of each month following the 10:00 a.m. Healing Eucharist. Contact Person: Alice Clingan, 746-0239, alcal3921@embarqmail.com OSL additional members: Deacon Joan Clark, Sylvia Giffune, Natalie Warrick, and Cheveta Wilson.
|
