Saint Ann’s launches Facebook Page, other communication up-dates

Communication at Saint Ann’s is taking several leaps forward in keeping the parish informed and connected and in expanding Saint Ann’s Christian presence beyond its walls.

A small committee convened by Sara Qua, under the oversight of the rector, met May 6 and looked at both internal and external communication and the media currently used. After a conversation about purpose, values, and intended audiences, the committee made recommendations for changes and additions. These include:

•  A regular bi-monthly electronic newsletter “eBlast,” that focuses on upcoming events. It will also have photos and headlines from recent events. It will be sent through a reliable online email service, Constant Contact.
• A revised print newsletter, The Messenger, published four or five times a year. It will have a new design and longer and more reflective articles.
• A Saint Ann’s Facebook page, open to everyone, that will include news updates, notice of events, photos, comments, and contributions.
• Updates to the website, www.saintannsoldlyme.org. For example, additional content pages that can be linked to eBlast articles, for those who want additional details.
• Continue to send your event notices and other contributions to Kathy Rowe in the office (office@saintannsoldlyme.org), and she will forward them as appropriate.

IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, INFORMATION WILL BE SENT TO PARISHIONERS BY email, or eBlast

There are no recommended changes at this time to the Sunday bulletin. We are looking how to include (link) sermons on the Webpage.

Schedules for the eBlast and The Messenger (print newsletter) are being worked out and initial contributors will be contacted individually by the editor. The committee continues to refine its understanding of goals and audiences as they develop a complete communication strategy. Note that the different parts of the overall strategy will be visually tied together with the new graphic design for the parish. Further changes, and possible additional media, may be considered in the future.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

• The Facebook page has already been created: https://www.facebook.com/StAnnsEpiscopalChurchOldLymeCt. You can “Like” it right away, and invite your friends to Like it as well.
• Make sure the office has your email address; the first eBlast will be sent in late May. Email notices from the office will be discontinued, unless emergency information needs to be sent out to the Parish.
• The current version of the The Messenger is now retired and the first issue of the revised publication will be published in August. Be sure the office has your current mailing address, as well.

The Communication Committee members are: Kacey Constable, Karin Hamilton, Graham Murphy, Sara Qua (chair), John Visgilio, and ex officio: Wardens and the Rector.

If you have questions or concerns contact Sara in person or by email at squa@highhopestr.org.

During Lent, Saint Ann’s church is exploring the development of the Book of Common Prayer and today our services centered on the South African version.  Embellishing the worship, our choir sang Traditional songs from South Africa.  This music has a very distinctive harmony and beat.  It is what I listened to all those years ago in Zambia.

So, the music brought back those memories from my mid-20’s.  I didn’t know I still cared so much.  The music brought back the pain of Apartheid in South Africa.  We suffered directly in newly independent Zambia.  It is a forgotten story now – but one, I guess by today’s tears, I still carry.

Zambia, the former Northern Rhodesia, became independent in the mid-60’s.  There was a rush of foreigners there to help build a new nation.  Kenneth Kaunda, our first President, was a George Washington-like figure.  I arrived to teach in the new International School, founded by American Lutheran missionaries, only one year into independence.  Zambia was rich then, due to its huge copper exports.  They couldn’t spend the money fast enough – new government ministries were built, a university, medical facilities, roads roads roads.  The national debates centered on the national dress, which industries to develop and increased educational and nutritional programs.   I remember one of KK’s campaign slogans was “a chicken in every pot”.  The national slogan for his Party was “One Man One Vote” – it was exciting as a new nation was finding itself.

At the time, Zambia declared a boycott of all relations with South Africa.  Ian Smith, the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia, had declared Unilateral Independence from Great Britain, so Zambia also severed relations with that country.  So, all the usual and traditional trading, transportation (the one rail line) and supply routes were cut.  Personal sacrifice was asked of each citizen and resident.

The alternative trade routes were by dirt road from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania or overland from the Congo.  Zambia is totally land-locked. The biggest hardship was petrol – we were rationed to 12 gallons a month.  Each car/land rover/truck had a ration book.  We had to “save up” to go to the bush, tanks were siphoned, there was a black market – and each drive you took had to count.  All food stuffs, mechanical parts, medicines, products in general – came in by truck on the Great East Road, connecting us to the port.  The papers reported horrific stories of trucks colliding, petro “bladders” catching fire and shoot-outs over petrol.  And we just plain lived “without”.

Pervasive during this sacrifice and dire inconvenience was a commitment to isolate South Africa and never recognize its political system of Apartheid.  We knew Nelson Mandela was on his prison island because his wife Winny was so vocal for his cause.  Miriam Mkaba was singing her heart out to bring focus to the injustice in her country and eventually was declared Persona non Grata.  We knew the inequality, suffering and violent oppression of the Afrikaaners to their African citizens.  And the ugliness of the Bantustans was unfathomable.  I shudder – and the music reminded me.  We boycotted everything from that country and lived the hardship for justice.  I guess it stayed with me.

It took 2 more generations for South Africa to be free of that shameful system.  I rejoice that Michele  Obama has visited Nelson Mandela – a very precious moment for both our nations.  I have thrilled with Desmond Tutu’s peace missions.  And the World Cup last year in South Africa was sheer joy.  A real victory for all of Africa, filled with their music, their identity and their pride.  Although Spain took the title, Africa took the prize.

And it seems that the transition has slowly been made without mass violence.  Yes, strikes, a high crime rate and delayed improvements for the Africans – but isn’t there a unity now that didn’t exist?  And, I believe, there must be a hope that never existed before.

My tears were for the past, for the progress and for the potential.

Rev. Mark Robinson spotted me at the coffee hour, following the services and offered me a hug.  I said “it’s Africa, it’s Africa” and he knowingly understood.  He and his family know the Continent well and agree that Africa gets in us.  The experiences are so intense. And my tears tell me that it always will be that way.

shared by Saint Ann’s Parishioner Dixie Allen

Where:  Saint Ann’s Parish, Old Lyme, Connecticut

Full-time paid position with benefits

Please inquire either by calling the office (860-434-1621) or emailing mkjr@saintannsoldlyme.org

On February 3, 2013, the parish of Saint Ann’s Church elected a new Vestry into office at their Annual Meeting.  Elected were:

Senior Warden:  Kathleen Kronholm
Junior Warden:  Alden Rockwell Murphy
Treasurer:  Bill Christopher

Katharine Berry
Kenneth Burke
Peter Burr
Eric Foster (missing)
Dick Hall (missing)
Lana Lewis
Dick Shriver

In the Griswold Room at Saint Ann’s Church
Sugggested donation:  $5 per class

with instructor Rachel Baer* of Yoga-Keeps-Me-Fit, LLC
*200hr RYT Yoga Fit Certified
www.yogakeepsmefit.com

Improved posture, icreased range of motion & strength, restores joint mobility & flexibility, stregthens joints & muscles, improves balance.

A Book discussion series using the book “A Time to Turn” by Christopher L. Webber will be offered starting February 14  and ending March 14 at 10:15. Please come join us 10:15 to 11:15 and then stay and join us for the Thursday Eucharist at 11:30.

• Wednesday Night Soup and Bread and Discussion

On Wednesday Evenings during Lent, soup and bread dinner and book discussion sessions will be offered using Mitch Albom’s book “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” from 5:30 to 7pm.  Please bring friends and sign-up on the Counter Outside the Griswold Room (COGR) if you plan to attend and let us know if you will bring soup or bread to share.

•  The Story of the Prayer Book ~

9:30 on Sundays at the  Griswold Forum in the Griswold Room from  February 17 to March 17.

We will be addressing the evolution of the Anglican/Episcopal Book of Common Prayer this Lent at Saint Ann’s.

The Rev. Joan Phelps and our Rector, The Rev. Canon Mark K. J. Robinson will take you through the 1779 Book of Common Prayer to the current proposed revisions.  In doing so, we will worship with words from the 1779 Book of Common Prayer, 1928 BCP (Morning Prayer/Holy Communion), the Authorized English Book of Common Worship, the South African Holy Communion Worship Service as well as Enriching Our Worship.

Each Sunday in Lent we will discuss each book’s Liturgy and then worship with the words at our 10:30 Service.  We look forward to your participation as we explore how God’s Words challenge us this Lent to remain true as we all walk with Jesus to the cross.

Please sign-up by contacting the office (860-434-1621 or office@saintannsoldlyme.org) so we will have prepared material for each of you.