Summer

The Annunciator

Volume 6

November 2008

Issue 8

The Annunciator is published monthly by Church of the Annunciation.
ANNUNCIATOR EDITOR: Deadline for the Next Annunciator will be November 17th
Info to Terry Hussey at rahtah@verizon.net or 792-7183
Please try to be on time!

The Vestry

Senior Warden - Chris Collins - 778-5345	Junior Warden - Dick Hussey - 792-7183
Clerk of the Vestry - Terry Hussey - 792-7183	Andy Duncan - 778-4564
Treasurer - Jack Lewis - 761-0209	Joan Oster - 795-6546
Ed Upshaw - 778-0448	Bill Wait - 722-3805

Groups & Organizations
Altar Guild - Joan Oster
ECW - Terry Hussey
DOK- Jeanne Akers
Ushers - Bill Weeks
Lay Euchartic Visitors - Joan Oster
Episcopal Relief & Development Coordinator - Ruth Curry
Membership/Vistors- Mary Buonagura
Shawl Ministry- Jean Zelko
Moses' Basket Ministry- Barbara Vedder
Events- Regina Percy
Newsletter- Terry Hussey
Website- M J Smith
Below.....

November Calendar	November Lessons	Deacon's Corner
November Servers	Music's Corner	Harry's November Letter
Wardens' Report	ECW	Bishop Schori
Holly Berry Bazaar	November Birthdays & Anniversaries	“Suds and Spuds”
Needs Are Increasing	Preparing for Thanksgiving	Shawl Ministry
Beyond the Walls…Three Weeks in Brazil In the Eye of the Storm-Swept to the Center by God: A Book Review

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Wardens' Reports

Senior Warden’s Report
Capital Fund Drive
No change from the September report. The Fund Drive has reached 60% of its desired 3-year pledge goal of $300,000. The proceeds of this Fund will be used two ways: (1) To address serious brick and mortar problems that we are currently facing or will be facing in the very near future. 2) To replenish as much as possible of the $235,000 that we have had to borrow from our Investment account over the last four years to keep Annunciation doors open.
Investment Fund
As of October 14th, due to the drastic monthly drop in the overall market, the fund’s market value dropped to a value of $605,953, a drop of $131,160 from the September 12th value. This is $118,436 less than the value ($724,389) we started with in 2004. Included in this total decrease was our necessary withdrawal of $235,000 over a 4-year period to balance our budgets. It is for this reason that your Vestry is asking you to strongly support the Fund Drive. A representative from WOOD ASSET MANAGEMENT will be making his annual report to the Vestry at our November meeting.
Annunciation Botanical and Weed Pulling Society
The November meeting will be the 4th, Election Day, at 7 AM. Since Daylight Saving will have stopped on the 2nd, it will not be necessary to garden by flashlight.
Movie Night
Our experimental night at the movies on September 20th was a hit. We are looking into ways to use the overhead speakers in Lowe Hall to improve the quality and amount of sound for the next Movie Night.
Resignations
It was with deep regret that your Vestry accepted the resignations of Jan Pettus and Mary Buonagura at our October Vestry meeting. They have provided good council during their tenure and they will be missed.

Chris Collins
778-5345

Junior Warden’s Report
This month we have been dealing with a roof leak in the area of the bathrooms on the corridor. The repair has been completed, and now we are re-habing the bathroom ceiling and floor, which were damaged by the leaking water.
The two bathrooms in Lowe Hall have been painted. We successfully passed a safety inspection conducted by the diocesan insurance office. He was especially impressed with the emergency preparedness book which Mary Buonagura created for us. It is quickly becoming a model for the diocese. Thank you, Mary, for an extremely helpful and complete resource book.
We are still working on correcting the leak in the pond in the Memorial Garden. We have one estimate, and are now seeking another. Over the years we have made a number of fixes, but none have permanently solved the problem. This time we want to do it right. If anyone would like to make a memorial donation for this project it would be much appreciated.
Thanks to the Botanical and Weed Pulling Society who continue to work on the first Tuesday morning of each month. They would be happy to have you join them. See Chris Collins for details.
Our special thanks to our sexton Cecil Warf who continues to serve us with energy, enthusiasm, and a great deal of skill—and always with a smile.

Dick Hussey
792-7183

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Is your pledge up to date?
Our pledge income has fallen behind I recent months. We would really appreciate it if you can catch up and try to keep it current, as church expenses go on—and on and on. Thanks.

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Some of the Vestry Members who made Suds & Spuds a informative good time.

Remember E=MC

E = ENERGY ( Every member of Annunciation)
M = MASS (We, the church)
C = SPEED OF LIGHT (Timely response of the church)
Oct. 26th – Loyalty Sunday (one service at 9:00)
Return Pledge cards to church. Brunch following the service in Lowe Hall
Nov – Dec – Follow-up and finalize the 2009 budget
Jan 2009 – (TBD) Annual Parish Meeting.

Deacon’s Corner
Sending Us Out into the World
By Deacon Joyce Maranville

My turn has come to write this Deacon’s column for the Annunciator. Up to now Deacon Irvin has taken that responsibility, and I wrote the column for the Episcopal Church Women, but now the new President, Terry Hussey, will be doing that, and Irv says it’s my turn.
I am going to jump right to the end of the service and look at the Dismissal by the deacon.
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist has been completed, the blessing has been given by Fr Harry, the recessional hymn has been sung. All is quiet, and the Deacon then gives the dismissal. Several forms of dismissal are given in the prayer book. “Let us go forth in the name of Christ.” “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” “Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit” of simply “Let us bless the Lord.” So, what are we being told?
As Christians (followers of Christ) we have come into the building to join together as one in praising the Lord God, our Creator, through Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Now it is time to leave. Very often the deacons here at Annunciation use words to try to get the message across saying something like “let us go forth into the world to do the work Christ has given us to do.”
What are we being told to do? Note that we are not being asked, - we are being told! We are being told to go out from the building and serve the Lord. This applies to everyone – we are to SERVE the Lord. How do we do that? As Episcopalians we are not asked to go out into the world and spread the gospel by standing on the corner and spewing forth passages of scripture, or counting the number of souls we have saved! We are not asked to live the hermit’s life. We are told to love our neighbor, to feed the hungry, to visit the sick, to comfort the bereaved. Just look around you and you will find many places where you may serve. It may be something as simple as getting the cup of coffee for the elderly person who is having trouble getting his or her own.
I truly believe that it is in the small things we do for others that we will find love, joy and comfort.

Dates to Mark in November
November 1
Save that date! The annual parish Oktoberfest Party will be on Saturday November 1. The Committee will announce their plans in coming weeks, but for now just be sure to save that date on your calendar.
November 22 Holly Berry Bazaar
Special Services in November
Nov. 3: 10 AM All Souls Day Requiem for the Departed
Nov. 27: 10AM Thanskgiving Day Holy Eucharist
Shawl Ministry Group to Meet November 13
The Shawl Ministry group will meet for the first time this season on November 13 following the 9:30 Eucharist for coffee, fellowship, and a chance to talk about our various projects. Come for the service or plan to arrive about 10:15. The group especially welcomes new members who want to knit or crochet a shawl to give a sick or grieving person, as a way of sending the loving arms of the parish. We also want to thank those who have been knitting faithfully at home through the spring and summer. Come and get re-energized---or come to learn more about a wonderful ministry. Any questions—see Jean Zelko.

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Bishop Schori's Reception at
St Mark's in Venice

Check out the sermon by Bishop Schori in Tampa - audio only, on front page of the Diocese website:
http://www.episcopalswfl.org/
Click on "Are You Ready"

Summary of Vestry Meeting
September 16, 2008
Pledge and plate income is falling significantly behind for 2008. 45 of 94 pledges are now behind.
We hope fervently that people will be able to catch up before the end of the year.
Fr. Harry’s sabbatical will begin June 1, 2010. We need to begin making preparations.
Stewardship Drive is ready to roll. Dinner on Oct 11, letter and pledge card mailed Oct. 13, and Loyalty Sunday with brunch October 26.
Hurricane Evacuation Handbook is in place, thanks to a great job by Mary Buonagura.
We will use Computer Renaissance for future computer issues. We will seek their help in getting virus protection and external hard drive.
Think about for October meeting
Approval of Lorraine’s job description
A parishioner has again questioned the number of Vestry members. In this small parish, do we need so many? Can we find enough candidates to fill all slots?
How can we showcase our various ministries better? Ministry fair?
Note: Complete Vestry minutes are posted on the Vestry bulletin board after they have been approved by the Vestry. October minutes will, therefore, be available after the November Vestry meeting.

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All Island Denominations Update:Needs are increasing
--All Island Denominations is an ecumenical outreach or mission project supported by the six Island churches working together to serve those in need in the community. Individual donations are also welcomed. AID assistance is limited to those who live on the Island or attend Island churches. The work of AID is performed entirely by volunteers from the Island churches.
--In the year from September 2007 to September 2008, AID helped 48 individuals or families. $11,638 was paid to landlords for rental assistance. $3818 was paid to Florida Power and Light, and $760 was paid in gas vouchers at Jessie's Island Store. A grand total for the year is $16,216.
--The Food Pantry, housed and run by Roser Church but supported by food from all Island churches, served 225 adults and 125 children with a total of 284 bags of food.
--Please keep this project in your prayers as need increases in this community. Your contributions of canned and non-perishable food for the food pantry are welcome each Sunday. Our help is appreciated.

Preparing for Thanksgiving
As is our tradition, our altar on Thanksgiving will be decorated with canned foods, which will later be donated to the local food pantry. In order to make this happen, we are asking parishioners to bring in cans and non-perishable food no later than November 13. Donations can be left in the basket in the hall near the Gulf Drive entrance. Any questions, see Jeanne Akers.

Where do you stand?
Is your pledge up to date? In a recent report, Treasurer Jack Lewis says that 45 out of a total of 94 pledges are behind. This it makes it very difficult to keep up with the church’s day to day expenses such as payroll, utilities, insurance, etc. We hope you will make every effort to bring your pledge up to date. If you are in a position to increase your donation, it would be a tremendous help. Thanks for your support.

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MUSIC’S CORNER

CHOIR’S CORNER
Well, it looks like our prayers have been answered for finding a new baritone/bass section leader. I would like to announce that for one month, already, Daniel Solorzano has been stepping in for Ethan Dudley, and is doing a fine job. Daniel was born and raised in Bradenton, FL and is a composing major at Manatee Community College in Bradenton. He plays the guitar and piano in addition to singing, and is a member of the guitar ensemble, the chamber choir and the chorus at MCC. We are happy to have him and please make him feel welcome.
On Saturday, Oct. 18th, the choir was invited to join the Christ Episcopal Church Chorale in helping celebrate the 40th Diocesan Convention’s Morning Prayer service. I was the only one available that morning and decided to join them. I was welcomed with open arms and was able to meet their new organist/choirmaster, Richard Benedum. He is a delightful fellow and we have plans to have coffee sometime and discuss a way we can get the two of our choirs together again to sing. Some of you may remember when Annunciation’s Gallery Choir sang with Christ Church’s Chorale over a year ago at the Diocesan Confirmation held at Christ Church. We sang an Alleluia written by Daniel Moe and it was smashing!
Sunday, Oct. 26th was Stewardship Sunday and my friend Karen Birch Blundell shared her beautiful talent on the oboe. Karen is a member of the Sarasota Orchestra and traveled all the way from south Sarasota to help us out. I’d like to thank Karen, our section leaders and the Gallery Choir for making our Stewardship Sunday extra special.
Speaking of stewardship, I would like to encourage anyone who enjoys singing to come and sing with us in the choir! I realize that you all have very busy schedules, but singing in choir is the perfect way to share your stewardship. I’ve posted a schedule on our choir bulletin board that lists all the Sunday’s that the choir sings. Check it against your schedules and be sure to come to the Thursday night rehearsals at 7:00 p.m. to learn your music. Even if you can only make it for a holiday, a month or even one week – I’d be happy to have you. We have plenty of robes to share, so please come!
Finally I would like to close with a few music performances in the community that some of our choir members will be performing in:
Sunday, November 9 at 3:00 p.m.
An American Songbook
Church of the Palms, Sarasota, FL
The Sarasota Pops performs Porgy and Bess, Gypsy, and Annie Get Your Gun with soloists Deborah Polkinghorn, soprano and Daniel Cartlidge, baritone. Other lively melodies from the celebrated composer, Scott Joplin and Copland’s Rodeo are just a few selections included in this program of American standards. 941-926-7677 for info.
Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m.
Fall Welcome
Anna Maria Community Chorus & Orchestra at
Crosspointe Fellowship, Anna Maria, FL
Enjoy performances of Bach’s Cantata #40, Concerto for Two Cellos by Vivaldi as well as Mass in C major by Mozart. 941-778-8585 for info.
Monday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m.
A Glorious Christmas
Gloria Musicae performs the Gloria by John Rutter coupled with some fun, familiar and exciting arrangements by Canadian Brass for chorus and the great brass players from the Sarasota Orchestra. 941-954-4223 for info.

Love and peace in music,
Carole Cornman
Choir Director

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Happenings:

Information about Family Promise AID is trying to get started on the Island: www.familypromiseofmanateecounty.org

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Anne Jones to Speak to ECW about China
By Terry Hussey, President

Parishioner Anne Jones will be the featured speaker at the November 6 meeting of the Episcopal Church Women. The group will gather at 10:15 AM, following the 9:30 Holy Eucharist.
We will be making final plans for the Holly Berry bazaar, which takes place November 22. Luncheon will be served by Gretchen Edgren, Joan Zak, and Barbara Hoffman.
Anne is the daughter of two missionaries to China. She grew up knowing a great deal about this culture that is so different from our own. She will have many interesting things to share with us.
Please sign up in Lowe Hall to attend the luncheon. The cost is $6—truly a bargain. You will get a reminder call several days before, so we can get a final count on those attending. In the past we have had problems with people signing up and not attending.
If you’ve just arrived and didn’t get your ECW booklet for the year yet, they are available at the door on Sunday mornings or from the church office during the week. The booklets give you the calendar of activities for the rest of 2008-09.

Holly Berry Bazaar
Holly Berry Bazaar is coming up very soon! November 22 is the date. We need the help of just about every member to carry off this big event. Please sign up in Lowe Hall and plan to be there to help one or more days before the fair, as well as on Saturday. All the set-up and pricing takes three full days and lots of busy hands. Don’t know how you can best help? There’s a sign up sheet for that too.

Decorating?? Setting tables??
Looking for some decorations to embellish a table in Lowe Hall? We have quite a collection of seasonal decorations in the ECW closet there. Before buying more, check with Mary Saunders on what is already available. And thanks to Mary who has purchased many of these items.
Where did the Money go?

As time for the Holly Berry bazaar draws near, some have asked, “What happens to all that money we take in?” At the October ECW meeting, Treasurer Barbara Vedder handed out an impressive report on the group’s activities last year. It’s clear that just about everything taken in goes out again—usually to a needy charitable organization. The ECW also provides the coffee hour each Sunday, pledges to the church’s annual budget, and contributed to the Capital Fund Drive.
Let’s hear it for our hard-working women!! And the men who help!!

Income
Catering/receptions-------------- $ --275
Holly Berry Bazaar------------------5,912
White Elephant Sale----------------6,182
Interest income--------------------------94
Misc----------------------------------------35
TOTAL INCOME-----------------$12,499

Expense
Coffee Hour------------- $2,740
Contributions------------- 8,290
(See detail below)
Kitchen Supplies & eqpt-- 393
Other------------------------- 959
TOTAL EXPENSE---- $12,381
Difference------------------ $181

Detail of Contributions:
Church of the Annunciation-------------------------- $2,000
COTA Capital Campaign------------------------------- 1,000
Gift for outgoing parish secretary----------------------- 250
Catholic Charities Migrant Ministry--------------------- 190
MCC Chaplaincy------------------------------------------- 500
Church Women United----------------------------------- 100
All Islands Denominations------------------------------- 200
Our Daily Bread (Soup Kitchen)--------------------- 1,400
Comm. Coalition for Homeless------------------------- 750
Episcopal Relief & Development----------------------- 700
Our Little Roses Orphanage---------------------------- 100
Agape Flights---------------------------------------------- 100
Dayspring Diocesan Conf Center---------------------- 250
Project Heart (school students)------------------------ 750
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS-------------------------- $8,290

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Believe in a Miracle Coming in February
Reservations deadline December 29
This diocesan-sponsored inspiration program has attracted more than 2000 women. Because of the large number of participants, the exact same program will be offered at Dayspring on February 6 and February 7 to accommodate all who wish to attend. The cost is $15 which includes lunch, smaller-group workshops, music, worship, and fellowship.
This year’s keynote speaker is the Very Rev. Marilyn Engstrom, Dean of St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Laramie WY and has been called “a gifted storyteller.” See the ECW bulletin board
(choir area) in Lowe Hall for more information and a registration form. Don’t miss that December 29 deadline to register.

UTO Sunday November 9
The United Thank Offering will be collected on November 9. The UTO box is a way for you to express your thankfulness for all the good things in your life: a new grandchild, a phone call from a special friend, a beautiful sunset. Funds collected are given back to parishes all over the world in the form of grants for special projects. Please make out your check to ECW and mark them UTO. Thanks for your support of this important ministry.

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PRAYER NEEDS	Adding a Name to the Prayer Chain By Jeanne Akers I am not sure if everyone knows that a number of years ago the Daughters of the King started a prayer chain at Annunciation. This chain consists of a number of prayer-dedicated people who pray daily (and sometimes more) for names given them by friends and family. These prayers are kept up for ten days. All one has to do to add a name to the prayer list is to call one of these persons or the church office. Carol Broden... 794-0797 Caroline Powers..729-3798 Jeanne Akers... 792-4533 This Chain is not to be confused with our regular prayer list at church. You may always call the office to have someone put on that list also. Our chain is mainly for immediate intervention. God's Peace and our Loving Prayers Daughters of the King at Annunciation The first meeting of the Daughters of the King for the new is season will be October 9, following the 9:30 Eucharist service.
PRAYER LIST UPDATE The Prayer List will be updated in this manner. All requests will be removed after 4 Sundays. This does not include the Military. If you have someone on the Military List, please contact us and let us know their status.
PRAYER REQUESTS If you have a request for someone to be on the Sunday Prayers of the People, be sure to specify when you call in the request. Otherwise they will just be on the Prayer List that is at the back of the Church. Thank You!

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Deacon Barbara's Address:
Her address is 16103 3rd Avenue W., S-130, Bradenton, FL 34205 and her telephone number is 748-1700, X7122. She would love to hear from everyone.

ATTENTION!!!!
Don't forget…Most of us are so fortunate we forget that others in our community are in need of basic food supplies.
Please bring non-perishable food items each Sunday to supply the food bank at Roser Chapel. Suggested food items: peanut butter, tuna fish, dinner in a box, beans, snack packs, etc. There is a basket for food near the entrance of the church. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Your Help is Needed
The Community Coalition for the Homeless/Open Door Day Resource Center is in dire need of travel size soaps, shampoos, deodorants, etc These items are used for ditty bags for the homeless when they come into the center. We also need clothing: jeans, work pants, t-shirts, socks, shoes, work boots, underwear, etc. We are not asking for new; gently loved would do. These folks have nothing…something would be a lot.
We also need backpacks.
We are still in need of bikes and bike locks.
We also need help with our Annual Stand Down.

For more information, please call Trudie Bailey 723-2098 or jimbaile@tampabay.rr.com.

Ministry Opportunity
It doesn’t take an extraordinary person to make a difference to others. It takes the ordinary person’s willingness to extend God’s loving arms that can bring joy, comfort, and hope that make a difference in another’s life. We will soon begin a Ministry of Care. A group of note writers is needed to meet twice monthly. Cards for remembering birthdays, anniversaries, welcome, farewell, get well, sympathy etc. will be prayerfully completed for members and friends of Annunciation. Please contact Lorraine in the church office or drop off a note with you name and phone number and days of the week you can or cannot meet. January, 2008 is our goal to begin the Note Writer’s Society here at the Church. Is this an opportunity for you to care?

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We Need Your HELP!!

OUR CHURCH IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS to transport certain members of our Parish to their Medical Appointments/Church Activities. These parish members do not drive and /or have special needs that would prohibit them from driving.
Procedures to be followed:
A. Provide round trip transportation to and from the appointment or activity.
B. Medical appointments would be within the local Bradenton Area.
C. the parish member would call the volunteer and make arrangements at least 3 or 4 days in advance of the date and time of their need.
D. The church will not provide funds, vehicles or insurance for this activity. this is strictly a "do it for a friend in need" volunteer activity.
Can you help? Can you volunteer for a trip or two?? Contact Bill Wait (722-3805)
Volunteer Drivers: Irv Maranville - (761-8181), Jeanne Akers - (792-4533)

MORE DRIVERS ARE WELCOME AND NEEDED!

If you are going into the hospital or know of someone from our Parish going in, please let
Father Harry know.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Pray for those with special days

11/2 Trudie Bailey
11/4 Sara DeTone
11/5 Vivian Ragsdale
11/6 Heidi Johnson
11/7 Helen Tuten
11/9 David Johnson
11/10 Frederick Kizer
11/12 Maryann Rhines
11/14 Jonah and Noah Haagenson
11/19 Stephen Murchison
11/16 Carol Broden
11/22 Julie Haagenson
11/24 Helen Moroz
11/25 Don Lind
11/30 Amy DeTone

NOVEMBER

ANNIVERSARIES

11/12 Elizabeth & M. T. “Mel” Cooper
11/25 Sue & Bill Wait
11/28 Thomas and Gaye Ganos

Has your birthday or anniversary been listed correctly in the Annunciator?? If not, send an e-mail to the parish
office giving us the correct information. Even if you’re not a year-round member, we’d like to say “Happy Birthday"
to you. Contact us at: cota@tampabay.rr.com
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New Columns Still Need Your Input

Beginning with this issue, the Annunciator will have two new columns. The first is called Chapel Chatter and will include news about our parish family: who went on a trip, who has a new grandchild, who’s home from the hospital and ready for visitors---that kind of thing. It will help us keep in touch and responsive to each other. The only way this will work is if we have enough people contributing news items, so I hope you will consider sending along the tidbits you know about.

The other new column will be called Yours and Mine. This is a place where parishioners can offer items for sale (or gift) to other parishioners. Do you have a piece of furniture that’s too good for the White Elephant Sale? Maybe you have a set of china or a car to sell. You can list them free in the newsletter, and maybe they will find a new home in the parish.
You can e-mail all contributions to Terry Hussey at rahtah@verizon.net or call her at 792-7183. Deadline for the summer issue is June 22. You may also have information on the website by sending our information to the Webmaster, Merilyn Smith.

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A Note From Our Money Counters
Teams of trained volunteers count the collection money following each Sunday service. They would appreciate it if you would use your donation envelopes each week, rather than just tossing a check in the plate. Writing your name and dollar amount on the envelope makes their job a little easier, and it also assures that you will get credit on your statement for tax purposes at the end of the year. Thank you.

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