Winter 2006

Issue 192

St. Philip the Apostle
Episcopal Church Newsletter

Keeping the Faith in the Interim Time;

Thoughts, Views and Opinions
from your Interim Vicar

Dear Friends,

Following a star has always been difficult. The three wise men or "magi" left their homes in Persia knowing that a great prophecy, the birth of an important king, was about to be fulfilled. They consulted their charts and agreed that the bright shining star they saw in the sky was the sign they were looking for. They left their homes, their families, and all the things that were comfortable and familiar and started their journey in faith.

Day by day they continued onward until they came to the place in Bethlehem where the Holy Family was staying.  To honor this new king they brought precious treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  After they presented their gifts they returned to their homes by another way so that the wicked King Herod would not know where to find the infant Jesus.

Following our star here at St. Philip's is also an arduous journey.  We know that where we are going is not where we have been.  We also know that God is calling us to change and to grow both in our spirituality and in our faithfulness.  That change will not be an easy task for some of us.  Some people will feel that what they really want to do is go back to the "good old days", when things might have seemed so much clearer and more certain.

The journey to our future as a faithful witnessing community in Scotts Valley requires sacrifice and perseverance.  Are we up to the task?  Are we willing to step out following the star to where it will lead us?

As we prepare for our annual meeting this month we look to those who will be elected as our parish leaders, to guide us on our journey.  Please pray for them and for ourselves as look to find the new life and new direction to which God is calling us.

Your faithful servant in the Lord,

             The Reverend Barry Miller

Urgent: 2005 Pledges Overdue!!!

Did you get caught out like nearly everyone else ?

Both Christmas Day and New Years Day fell on a Sunday this year. This meant that the last regular Sunday of 2005 was early in December and probably way too early in the holiday season to be thinking about whether our pledges were up to date or not.  Unfortunately, too many people were surprised by this which has resulted in a serious income shortage for December: We are $5000 below budget, leading to a cash flow problem.

You will be receiving your pledge statement in the mail next week. Please consider making good your pledges for 2005 marking any checks as "pledge 2005".

Many thanks,
             Marcus Granger-Jones, Bookkeeper.

Annual General Meeting!

Please don’t miss St. Philip’s Annual General Meeting this Sun., Jan. 22.  There will be one combined service, at 10am.  Following the service will be a potluck lunch in the Parish Hall, during which we will hear reports from ministry leaders.  We will also elect the new members of the Bishop’s Committee, and our representatives to the Diocesan Convention.