News and Events

Receiving the Cup of Salvation As We Transition from Covidtide

Posted on by Lisa

In September 2020, Advocates gathered safely at the Advocate pond to craft small clay cups from a single 25 pound block of clay. We used this cups for our Liturgy of Longing that Advent. One Maundy Thursday, 2021, we used our Advocate cups again, this time for our Maundy Thursday Agape Meal on Zoom.

Now, as COVID restrictions begin to loosen habit for those who are vaccinated and outdoors, we will use our Advocate cups (with the Bishop’s permission) as a way for us to receive the wine of the Eucharist, “the cup of salvation.”

Here’s the plan:

  1. The congregation gathers outdoors in a large circle or double arc.
  2. Each person/household has their own cup, placed reverently on a small clean cloth provided by the Advocate, on the ground and readily accessible.
  3. Rounds of bread, (and a gluten-free alternative), a flagon of wine, and a single chalice or cup are on the altar.
  4. A flagon of water is on the nearby credence table.
  5. The Presider, masked when required and having washed/sanitized hands according to Diocesan protocol, pours some wine from the flagon into the chalice/cup on the altar and pours a bit of water into both the chalice and the flagon.
  6. The Presider consecrates the bread and wine and breaks the bread.
  7. The Presider, masked when required, walks the arc, dropping a piece of the bread in each person’s hands. If there is contact, the presider re-sanitizes.
  8. After distributing the bread, the Presider invites those who would like to receive wine to pick up their cups and reverently hold them in the cup of their hands.
  9. The Presider, or another priest or deacon, masked as required, walks the arc, pouring a small amount of wine from the flagon into each cup, saying, “The blood of Christ. the Cup of Salvation (or, … keep you in everlasting life)”
  10. After serving others, the presider drinks from the chalice or cup on the altar.
  1. After all who wish to receive have received, The Presider/Deacon/Server walks the arc with the flagon of water, pouring water into each cup.
  2. The people perform the ablutions, circling the water in the cup and either consuming the water or pouring it reverently on the ground.
  3. Each household is responsible for taking their cup home and bringing it back with them when they return for worship.
  4. The clergy will maintain a supply of extra cups for visitors and/or households that forget to bring their cup from home.

 

Hybrid Liturgy — In-person by the pond and simultaneously on Zoom!

Posted on by Lisa

Join us by the Advocate Pond or on Zoom Sundays at 10:30 AM! In the spirit of the Advocate, the goal is to have the liturgy be as inclusive and participatory as possible. There will be singing, some live, some pre-recorded. Some readings will be read by the pond, some on the Zoom. There will be a camera and a screen set up by the pond so the two parts of the congregation can interact with each other.

So we can better see one another, we’ll use a liturgy guide instead of viewing slides over Zoom. You may wish to print out the liturgy guide and music guide:

Rain Plan: If it rains, the service will only be on Zoom. If there is a chance of rain, an update will be posted Sunday morning at 8 AM.

At the pond, folks are encouraged to bring their own chairs and are invited to pack a picnic for lunch after the liturgy. Notes for the distribution of communion can be found here.

Masks are optional for those who have been vaccinated, but masks are also recommended. A section of the outdoor space can be reserved for those who wish to sit with others who are masked and/or safely distanced by pod.

Questions and concerns can be addressed to Vicar@TheAdvocateChurch.org

It’ll be good to see each other, one way or another.

Pondside Eucharist Guide with Psalter Ordinary Time 2021

Posted on by Lisa

Pondside Ordinary Time I, 2021

GATHERING

People’s Prelude
Welcome
Bell
Silence

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of all the lands from which we meet today, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge particularly the Eno, the Shakori, the Occaneechi, the Tutelo, and the Cheraw, the First Peoples of what is now The Triangle of North Carolina, whose descendants are now citizens of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation.

Silence
Bell

Opening Acclamation           
Presider          In the name of the one, holy, and Living God

People             Glory to God for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn of Praise – An Alleluia

Collect of the Day
Presider          The Lord be with you.
People            And also with you.
Presider          Let us pray.
The Presider reads the Collect, after which the people say: Amen.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

The Lessons

First Reading At the end of each reading, the lector says, “Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people,” to which the people respond, “Thanks be to God.”

The Psalm is said in unison (see below)

The Gospel

Before the reading of the Gospel

Presider          The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to…
People             Glory to you, Lord Christ.

After the reading of the Gospel

Presider      The Gospel of the Lord.
People        Praise to you, Lord Christ. 

The Homily

The Prayers of the People

The Leader reads the following introduction:
Leader            Let us now offer our prayers and thanksgiving to God. After each bidding, I invite you to share your prayers with the whole congregation, so that we may join our prayers to yours. Before we pray together, let us, in silence, ask the Spirit to bring to our consciousness those things for which we should pray.

The Leader then offers each bidding.
After a period of silent prayer following the bidding, the Leader says:

Leader                         Lord, in your mercy
People respond         Hear our prayer.

The biddings follow this order:
I bid your prayers for God’s people throughout the world and for the universal church and its leaders;
I bid your prayers for peace and justice;
I bid your prayers for our nation and our state, and for all persons in positions of authority;
I bid your prayers for the needs and concerns of our counties and our cities;
I bid your prayers for this congregation, for those who suffer and for those in any kind of trouble;
I bid your prayers for those who have died;
I bid your prayers of thanksgivings to God.

Presider: Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”    Mark 12:29-31

Confession     [from Enriching Our Worship]
Presider          Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

After a short silence for reflection, all pray together:

All                   God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will.

Absolution     [New Zealand Book of Common Prayer]
Presider          Through the cross of Christ, God have mercy on you, pardon you, and set you free.  Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace. God strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in life eternal.
All                   Amen.

The Peace
Presider          The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People            And also with you.
Presider          Let us share a sign of Christ’s peace with one another.

Peace Song      Peace Salaam Shalom

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

The Offertory Sentence

The Great Thanksgiving         [Enriching Our Worship Prayer 2]                

Presider          The Lord be with you.
People            And also with you.

Presider          Lift up your hearts.
People            We lift them to the Lord.

Presider          Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People            It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Presider          We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God, source of life abundant. From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and brought all things into being: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; and every living thing.  You made us in your image, and taught us to walk in your ways. But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away; and yet, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love. And so this day we join with Saints and Angels in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity, lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing (say):

All                   Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The presider continues:  Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God.
To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to reveal the riches of your grace, you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and bear a son,  Jesus the holy child of God. Living among us, Jesus loved us.
He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.
He yearned to draw all the world to himself yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love. Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you. At the following words concerning the bread, the presider is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing the wine to be consecrated.

On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks to you, gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation, and remembering Christ, crucified and risen, who was and is and is to come, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, a living sacrifice.
Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.
In the fullness of time bring us, with [___________ and] all your saints,
from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever.
All                   AMEN.           

The Lord’s Prayer

Presider          As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,
All
Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept, then:

Presider          Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People             Therefore, let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Presider          Behold what you are.
People             May we become what we receive.   [Adapted from St. Augustine’s Homily #58: On the Eucharist]

The Communion

Post Communion Prayer

Presider          Let us Pray
All              
O God of our ancestors,
God of our people,
before whose face the human generations pass away:
We thank you that in you we are kept safe for ever,
and that the broken fragments of our history
are gathered up in the redeeming act of your dear Son,
remembered in this holy sacrament of bread and wine.
Help us to walk daily in the Communion of Saints,
declaring our faith in the forgiveness of sins
and the resurrection of the body.
Now send us out
in the power of your Holy Spirit
to live and work for your praise and glory.                  Amen.
(from the Anglican Church of Kenya’s eucharistic liturgy published in “Our Modern Services,” 2002)

WE GO FORTH

Blessing
Presider: May the Peace of God, which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
And the Blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
be with you, with those you love, and with those you find difficult to love,
This day and forever.
Amen

Presider or Deacon   Let us go forth in the Name of Christ
People             Thanks be to God.
————–

Psalms for July 4 and July 11

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 4, Proper 9

Psalm 123

1 To you I lift up my eyes, *
to you enthroned in the heavens.

2 As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, *
and the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,

3 So our eyes look to the Holy One our God, *
until God show us mercy.

4 Have mercy upon us, O God, have mercy, *
for we have had more than enough of contempt,

5 Too much of the scorn of the indolent rich, *
and of the derision of the proud.

 

The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 11, Proper 10

Psalm 85: 8-13

8 I will listen to what you are saying, *
for you are speaking peace to your faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to you.

9 Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you, *
that your glory may dwell in our land.

10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

12 You, O God, will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.

13 Righteousness shall go before you, *
and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.

 

 

A Liturgy of Longing

Posted on by Lisa

A Liturgy of Longing

The people gather online. Each household has a small pitcher or glass of water and a clay cup. (in the case of the Advocate, the cups were made by people of the Advocate for the people of the Advocate and were all crafted from a single block of clay). If this liturgy is part of the Sunday morning worship without a Eucharist, it takes place after the Peace.

Leader: In these Covid times, we are not able to normally and joyfully gather together in person. Instead we are gathered online, through a technology that allows us to be together audio-visually at least. And that is good.

And while we wait for the day when we can be together in person again, we gather as a Community of Longing. It is in that longing that we are united to God, who longs to be with we who are God’s people. It is in that longing that we are united to Christ and to one another.

Symbols of that longing are thirst and water. For it is thirst that embodies our longing. And it is a need for water that unites us to every living creature, and to God.

Leader: It is our longing for water that unites us to the People of Israel wandering in the wilderness.

People: Give us water to drink. 

Leader: It is our longing for water that unites us to the Psalmist.
People: As the deer longs for the water-brooks, so longs my soul for you, O God.

Leader: It is our longing for water that unites us to the woman of Samaria.
People: Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty.

Leader: And Jesus replied, Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.
People: Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Leader: It is our longing for water that unites us to Jesus on the cross.
People: Jesus said, I am thirsty.

Leader: Our longing for community and Sacrament unites us one to another, throughout time and space, and brings us to our knees.
People: Your kingdom come.

Leader: The posture of God’s people from time immemorial is a posture of longing, not so much for what was, but for what will be. It is in this posture of longing that we find blessing.
People: Jesus said, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst… for they will be filled.

Leader: Even in that moment of bitter complaint in the desert, God did not abandon God’s own people. Neither does God abandon us today.
People: The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people, and … take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go… strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’

The people pour water from a pitcher or large glass into their clay cups.

Leader: We may not be together, as we once were, in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we may not be together, as we once were, in the fellowship of physical community, but we are together as a Community of Longing. And God’s promise to the longing people of God, is that God is Emmanuel, God with us.
People: Give us water to drink. Your kingdom come. Blessed are those who thirst … for they will be filled.

The people drink.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

Leader: Let us pray.
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water.
Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation.
Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise.
In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.
We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit,
and we are made one with one another and with you.
We thank you, abundant and merciful God, that you will not leave us comfortless, and when we are thirsty, you give us something to drink.

People:         Thanks be to God.
All:              Amen.

Composed by The Rev. Lisa G. Fischbeck and Alice Graham Grant

Adapted from the Baptismal Rite of the Book of Common Prayer and the essay, “Sacrament of our Longing,” by  James Koester, SSJE, of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist. (for more information about the SSJE visit ssje.org)

Easter Season 5 PM Pondside Eucharist

Posted on by Lisa

Easter Season 2021
@The Advocate Pondside

Welcome
Silence
Gathering Hymn

Opening Acclamation
Presider           Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People             The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!                

Collect of the Day
Presider           The Lord be with you.
People             And also with you.
Presider           Let us pray.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

A Reading

The Psalm (see below)

An Alleluia

The Gospel                            

A Homily

Prayers of the People

The Leader reads the following introduction:

Leader            Let us now offer our prayers and thanksgiving to God. Before we pray together, let us, in silence, ask the Spirit to bring to our consciousness those things for which we should pray.

The Leader then offers each bidding.  In the silence following each bidding, the people are invited to share their prayers, either silently or aloud. The biddings follow this order:

I bid your prayers for God’s people throughout the world and for the universal church and its leaders;
I bid your prayers for peace and justice;
I bid your prayers for our nation and our state, and for all persons in positionsof authority;
I bid your prayers for the needs and concerns of our counties and our cities;
I bid your prayers for this congregation, for those who suffer and for those in any kind of trouble;
I bid your prayers for those who have died;
I bid your prayers of thanksgivings to God.

The Presider will then add a concluding collect.

The Peace
Presider           The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People             And also with you.
Presider           Let us share a sign of Christ’s peace with one another.

The Offertory

The Great Thanksgiving

Presider          The Lord be with you
People             And also with you

Presider           Lift up your hearts
People              We lift them to God 

Presider           Let us give thanks to God
People              It is right to offer our thanks and praise.

Presider          We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God, source of life abundant. From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and brought all things into being: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; and every living thing.

You made us in your image, and taught us to walk in your ways. But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away; and yet, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love.

And so this day we join with Saints and Angels in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity, lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing (say):

All
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The Presider continues
Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God.
To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to reveal the riches of your grace, you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and bear a son, Jesus the holy child of God.

Living among us, Jesus loved us.
He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.
He yearned to draw all the world to himself yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.
Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you.

On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends.
He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said:
“Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks to you, gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation, and remembering Christ, crucified and risen, who was and is and is to come, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, a living sacrifice.

Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.

In the fullness of time bring us, with all your saints,
from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever.

All                   AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer      

Presider           As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray:
All
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

 

The Breaking of the Bread

The Priest breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept, then:

Presider          Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People             Therefore, let us keep the feast.

Presider:         Behold what you are
People:            May we become what we receive

Communion is distributed in one kind. A gluton-free option is available.

Post Communion Prayer

Presider          Let us Pray
All              
O God of our ancestors,
God of our people,
before whose face the human generations pass away:
We thank you that in you we are kept safe for ever,
and that the broken fragments of our history
are gathered up in the redeeming act of your dear Son,
remembered in this holy sacrament of bread and wine.
Help us to walk daily in the Communion of Saints,
declaring our faith in the forgiveness of sins
and the resurrection of the body.
Now send us out
in the power of your Holy Spirit
to live and work for your praise and glory.                  Amen.
(from the Anglican Church of Kenya’s eucharistic liturgy published in “Our Modern Services,” 2002)

The Blessing

The Sending Forth
Presider           Let us go forth in the Name of the Risen Christ.  Alleluia! Alleluia!
People:            Thanks be to God!   Alleluia! Alleluia!

Easter Troparian

All                   Alleluia!

 

PSALTER

Psalm 133

1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when kindred live together in unity!

2 It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,

3 Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.

4 It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.

5 For there God has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.

 

 

Psalm 4

1 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed;

have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2 “You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?”

3 Know that God does wonders for the faithful; *
when I call, God will hear me.

4 Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.

5 Offer the appointed sacrifices *
and put your trust in the Most High.

6 Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O God.

7 You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.

8 I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, God, make me dwell in safety.

 

 

 

 

Psalm 23

1 O God, you are my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.

2 You make me lie down in green pastures *
and lead me beside still waters.

3 You revive my soul *
and guide me along right pathways for the sake of your Name.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.

6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of God for ever.

 

 

Psalm 22

24 My praise is of you in the great assembly; *
I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship you.

25 The poor shall eat and be satisfied,
and those who seek you shall praise you: *
“May your heart live for ever!”

26 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to you, *
and all the families of the nations shall bow before you.

27 For yours is the royal power, O God; *
you rule over the nations.

28 To you alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship; *
all who go down to the dust fall before you.

29 My soul shall live for you; my descendants shall serve you; *
they shall be known as the Lord’s for ever.

30 They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn *
the saving deeds that you have done.

 

 

Advocate 2021 CROP Walk Options

Posted on by Lisa

 

ADVOCATE CROP WALK GROUP OPTIONS – 2021

  • In the spirit of forging a new path for this year’s Crop Walk, Jeremy Coerper will lead a mountain bike ride on the trails at Briar Chapel. All levels and enthusiasm for the sport are welcome for an 1-1.5hr trail ride! Simultaneously, Jan and the kids will lead others on a kid-friendly (ie. slow-paced) scavenger hunt, taking to the same trails but on foot. Sunday April 18 at 3pm, (rain date April 25.) Meet at the parking area on Catulla Run, just off Briar Chapel Parkway. Contact Jan by email atjancoerper@gmail.com or by phone 510-926-1638.
  • Vicar Lisa Fischbeck has planned a walk on DUKE FOREST TRAILS.  Walkers will meet on Saturday, April 24 at 4 PM at Lisa’s house, 22 Sunrise Place in Durham.  This 2.5 mile hike on well-maintained trails, mostly 10 ft. wide, has a few hills, all of them smooth.  Group size: 2-10 people.  To sign up, contact Lisa at lisa.fischbeck@gmail.com .  Phone (919)219-4437.
  • Julee and Ames Herbert have offered to lead a moderately easy hike (about 3 miles) along the Eno River on Friday, April 23.  Walkers will meet at 9:30 AM at Nancy Rhodes Creek Bridge on Rivermont Road in the Eno River State Park for a hike lasting about 2 hours along the Eastern Section of the Laurel Bluffs/PumpStation Trails.  You’ll enjoy wildflowers, spectacular Eno River views, historic ruins, and mountain laurel-covered bluffs.  Bring water and wear mud-proof shoes if it’s been rainy the day before! To sign up, contact Julee at jherbert@beldar.com or (757) 334-9373.]
  • Evans Lodge and Rachel Geissler are offering a walk that may be of special interest to bird lovers: a 3.5 mile walk 3.5 miles (1.5 hours maximum) in Little Creek Waterfowl Impoundment. It is generally flat and easy walking in the woods with minimal hills, although it can be quite muddy at times. There is one area where it is necessary to walk over a dam and jump/climb down ~3 feet from the dam back onto the trail.  Walkers will meet at Rashkis Elementary School (601 Meadowmont Ln, Chapel Hill, NC 27517) at 5:30 PM on Thursday, April 22.  (This is Earth Day!) To sign up contact evansklodge@gmail.com (email preferred), or 574-339-0253.
  • Nancy Trueblood will lead the Easiest CROP Walk ever!  Even if walking can be a challenge for you, one of the CROP Walk options offered by the Advocate this year will take you on a gentle 10-12 minute walk along a woodland trail at RambleRill Farm, an organic farm where Farmers Jane and Darin grow vegetables, and mushrooms, raise chickens and goats, and offer educational opportunities about sustainable agriculture and meeting community food needs.  This is a weekday hike – Wednesday, April 21, 2 p.m. (Rain date Thursday, April 22, 2 PM).  We’ll meet at RambleRill Farm, 913 Arthur Minnis Road,Hillsborough, NC 27278  Contact: Nancy Trueblood, trueblood.nancy@gmail.com   Phone (847) 567-1292.
  • Debbie and Joel Wuliger invite you ambitious hikers to join them for a full-day trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a CROP Walk on a portion of the Bluff Mountain Trail.  Walkers will meet on Saturday, April 17, at 10:00 am in the Advocate parking lot and caravan up to Doughton Park, NC, arriving at the Bluffs Picnic Area around 12:30 PM.  The trail includes sizable hills with lots of ups and downs, but no mountains to climb. The hike will turn around halfway at the Brinegar Cabin, returning to the Bluffs picnic area for a potluck dinner (menu to be decided in advance). The 8-mile round trip will take 3-4 hours at a moderate pace, with plenty of breaks for the mountain scenery.  After dinner, hikers will return, arriving back at the Advocate between 9 and 10 PM. You’ll need to bring a day pack with water, lunch, and trail food, dress in layers, wear sturdy hiking shoes, and bring trekking poles or hiking sticks.  (Rain date – Saturday, April 24) Contact Debbie Wuliger, debrawuliger@aol.com (919)768-3836

 

CROP Walk 2021 Information

Posted on by Lisa

Dear Advocates,

And now for something completely different!

This year’s CROP Hunger Walk will give you plenty of options to fight hunger as you walk with a friendly group led by fellow Advocates during the week of Sunday, April 18 through Sunday, April 25.

  • If walking is challenging for you, take a short saunter on the gentle woodland path at RambleRill Farmwith Nancy Trueblood.
  • If serious hiking is more your style, join Debbie and Joel Wuliger for a full-day trip to the Bluff Mountain Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
  • You can explore trails and maybe reflect on a Psalm in Duke Forest with our Vicar, Lisa Fischbeck.
  • The Eno River is one of Orange County’s greatest natural treasures and Julee and Ames Herbert. will guide a group on this scenic and important waterway.
  • Especially for bird lovers, Evans Lodge and Rachel Geissler will lead a late afternoon walk in the Little Creek Wildfowl Impoundment, near Meadowmont.
  • And the Coerpers, Jan and Jeremy, will host a walk in the Pittsboro area . Details will be available soon.

Walkers will wear masks and practice social distancing., and group size will be limited to 10 walkers.

Here’s a list of the planned Advocate walks, with dates, times and contact information for the walk leaders.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

  1. The first step is to join the Advocate team! This allows you to fundraise for our team, encourage others in your life to sponsor you and donate to the Advocate team effort.

Go to https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2021/team/advocate-episcopal-church and make your own donation in any amo­unt.  Every gift will help provide food for hungry children and families!

Then click on Join the Team to register.  That’s all you need to do online!

  1. Once you’ve made your donation and selected a walk from our list, contact the walk leader to sign up.  Please do this as early as possible since group size is limited.

 

  1. Walk with your group on the appointed day and have a wonderful time!

(If you’d rather not walk, that’s fine.  You can simply make a donation to support the team.)

Questions?  Send an email to trueblood.nancy@gmail.com Thank you!

Easter Season at the Advocate!

Posted on by Lisa

The Easter Season has begun, and there are some good things in store around The Advocate!
(be sure to check back for updates!)

First, the Sunday schedule:
         9:15 AM     Kids Christian Ed will resume on Zoom
         10 AM        Our principal liturgy with sermon and song will continue to be on Zoom. Followed by The Screenside Chat.
         5 PM (note the change in time). Pondside Eucharist! Up to 50 people may gather with Covid protocols at the Advocate Pond for a simple Holy Eucharist with a song or three. Write to Vicar@TheAdvocateChurch.org if you plan to attend.

Other notes:
The Screenside Chat in Eastertide
From Acts to Action: How have Christians come to a place of such divergence on what action to take in the Name of Christ? Sundays in Eastertide we will explore the evolution of Christian action, activism and service, from the Acts of the Apostles to the 21st century.
April 11: Jesus and the Acts of the Apostles
April 18: From Martyrdom to Constantine
April 25: The Reformation and the Word of God
May 2: Liberation Theology in the Black Church and in Central America
May 9:  White Evangelical Christianity, Abortion and Homosexuality
May 16: The Episcopal Church shift from Establishment to “Following Jesus for Real”

The Advocate takes to the trails against hunger! CROP Walk Dispersed, 2021.
This year, a team of people of the Advocate are leading a variety of local ambles and hikes as part of the dispersed CROP walk 2021 to work against hunger in our community and world. Walks will take place the week of April 18-25. Options for all ages and abilities, including a bike trek. See all the options here.
Learn how you can join the fun here.
If you want to make a donation to support the Advocate Team, click here!

The Advo-Groups Return!
Advo-Groups resume in late April! Advo-Groups are small groups of six to eight people, who meet bi-weekly for four to six meetings, to explore a common interest. Each group includes prayer and the opportunity for story-sharing, as inspired by the subject.
Sign up now to join one of these fun and transformative small groups. Registration closes Sunday, April 18.

Online Book Launch for Behold What You Are: Becoming the Body of Christ. A book by Lisa G. Fischbeck, with forward by Sam Wells. It is, in many ways, a story of the Advocate.Thursday, April 22 at 8 PM Eastern.
Here’s the Zoom link.
More information about the launch can be found here.