The Episcopal Church of the Advocate

Notes for the Season of Epiphany

Posted on January 11, 2021January 11, 2021 by Lisa

About the Season

Star Quilt by Barbara Rowan, for the Church of the Advocate

An Epiphany with a capital E is a divine manifestation — an event through which God reveals God’s self to the world. The Season of Epiphany begins with the arrival of the sages from afar to visit and pay homage to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem — the event through which God makes known that Jesus is the Light for the world, not just for a chosen few.
The Season continues with stories of how God was, and is, made known, again and again, in Jesus the man, Jesus the Christ. Throughout the Season, we celebrate the Light that Jesus has brought into the world. We strive to be more mindful of the world around us. and to realize our call to carry the Light of Christ and to make it known — in our homes, in our places of work and leisure, in our towns and counties, and beyond.

At the Advocate this season, we will be reflecting on the divisions in our nation and what it means to love our neighbor and to work for transformative justice. We will be learning more about our neighbors of the Rogers Road Community, and we will be returning to our work against racism.

Some dates to note:

Friday, January 15: Help distribute food to the Rogers Road neighborhood from the Rogers Road Community Center. If you can be there Friday morning between 8 am and noon, contact our curate, Alice Graham Grant Advocatecurate@gmail.com.

The Journey to Racial Equity:
Join others across the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina on “The Journey to Racial Equity: A Three-Part Series” consisting of two webinars and a 21-day challenge. The schedule for the first round:
Part 1: Jan. 11, “An Evening with Debby Irving,” 7p.m. (webinar)
Part 2: Jan. 17 – Feb. 6, 21-Day Habit Building Challenge
Part 3: Feb. 9, “An Evening with the Rev. Dr. William Barber, II,” 7p.m. (webinar)

Register for the webinars (you will need to register for each; the link for the Part Two 21-day challenge will be sent to those who register):
Part 1: “An Evening with Debby Irving,” Jan. 11 at 7p.m.
Part 3: “An Evening with the Rev. Dr. William Barber, II,” Feb. 9 at 7p.m.
For more information see here.

Thursday, January 21 — InterFaith Council Commons (virtual) Grand Opening!

Epiphany Pondside Eucharist

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Lisa

Epiphany – Pondside at 4PM

People’s Prelude
Bell
Welcome
A period of silence is kept. During this time we prepare ourselves in heart and in mind to worship God together.
Bell

Opening Acclamation

Presider Blessed are you, Holy and Living One.

People Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the shadows. Shine in your Church gathered today.

Song of Praise Third Song of Isaiah (Said)

People:
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.

Reader
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land;
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise,
and his glory will appear upon you.

Reader
Nations will stream to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open;
by day or night they will never be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord,
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Reader
Violence will no more be heard in your land,
ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation, and all your portals, Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day;
by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.

The Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.

People: Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.

Collect of the Day

Presider            The Lord be with you.
People              And also with you.
Presider            Let us pray.

The presider prays the Collect of the day, and in response, the people say: Amen.

THE LESSONS

Reading

At the end of the 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 (from the St. Helena’s Psalter)

The Gospel (the people are invited to stand as they are able)

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. In the silence following each bidding, the people are invited to share their prayers, either silently or aloud. At the end of each intercession, the leader says:

Leader We pray to the Lord…
People Lord, 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

The Presider will then add a concluding collect.

The 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]

Priest 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 Please exchange signs of Christ’s Peace with one another.

The Offertory
Presider Ascribe to God the honor due to God.
Bring the offerings of your lives and come into God’s courts.

The Great Thanksgiving [Rite II, Prayer B from the Book of Common Prayer]

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 It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the workd, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name.

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

Presider ?? We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling ?of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.??

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”??

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for [all] for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”??

Therefore, according to his command, O Father,??

Presider and People??

We remember his death,?
We proclaim his resurrection,?
We await his coming in glory;

Presider continues??

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.?We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

In the fullness of time, ?put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with [_______ and] all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.??

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever.

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.

~~Try the LEVAS version?~~ ~~(A. Malotte~~ ~~ornt~~)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

Jesus welcomes all; therefore all are welcome to receive God’s grace through the Holy Sacrament. In this Covid time, we receive the bread only. A gluten-free bread is available for those who need it.The Bread is given to the communicants with these words
The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in everlasting life. [Amen.]
or The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]

Prayer after Communion

Presider Let us pray.

All Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

The Blessing

Presider May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light of the world; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be

among you and remain with you always.

All Amen.

Sending Forth [Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music report to the 74^th General Convention]

Our worship is ended. Our service in the world now begins. Go forth now in

the Name of Christ. Go into your own neighborhoods. Go to unknown lands and places. Go

where God’s name is well known and where it has yet to be known. Go to those who

welcome you and to those who reject you. Go forth into the world and share the Good News of God’s love. Go in peace. Go in love. Go in joy. Alleluia! Alleluia!

People Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Christmas 2020 at the Advocate

Posted on December 23, 2020January 11, 2021 by Lisa

Join us on live Zoom on Christmas Eve at 5 PM.

Here’s the link to the Advocate Christmas Eve on Zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89489989437?pwd=YlNUdGxzNWd6NFFJQlZuVnVJWTFtdz09

Meeting ID: 894 8998 9437
Passcode: Christmas
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,89489989437# US (Washington D.C)
+13126266799,,89489989437# US (Chicago)

You are invited to have a candle close at hand for the sinigng of Silent Night.
Note that there will also be Compline at 8:30 PM Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and all of the 12 Days of Christmas. 15 minutes of simple fellowship and traditional prayers and readings. Here’s the link for the Compline Zoom each night. Note that this is a new link and we will no longer have the link on the website.
Our regular Sunday schedule will continue on the Sundays of Christmas, December 27 and January 3.

Advent Pondside Eucharist 2020

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Lisa

ADVENT

People’s Prelude
Welcome
A period of silence is kept.
Opening Acclamation

Presider                       Blessed are you, Holy and Living One.
People                         You come to your people and set them free.

Presider                       Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One
People                         Have mercy upon us.
Presider                       Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One
People                         Have mercy upon us.
Presider                       Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One
People                         Have mercy upon us.

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

The presider prays the Collect of the day, and in response, the people say: Amen.

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 Song of Mary    Magnificat      Luke 1:46-55      In unison
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
    for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
    the Almighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
    in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
    he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
    and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
    for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
    to Abraham and his children for ever.

Second Reading

Sequence Hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel (one verse sung softly)

O Come O Come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in Lowly exile here
Until the Son of god appear.
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee O Israel.

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.

A Homily

The Prayers of the People
A Leader reads the following introduction:
Leader Let us now offer our prayers and thanksgivings 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.
In the silence following each bidding, the people are invited to share their prayers, either silently or aloud. At the end of each intercession,
the leader says:
We pray to the Lord…
and the people reply
Lord, here 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.

The Presider adds a concluding collect:
Hasten, O God, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

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:
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. Amen.

Absolution      [A New Zealand Prayer Book]
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.

The Offertory
Presider Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his name, bring the offerings of your lives and come into God’s courts.

The Great Thanksgiving          [Rite II, Prayer B from the Book of Common Prayer]
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           It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the workd, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name.

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

Presider We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for [all] for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

Presider and People
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;

Presider continuesAn
d we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with [_______ and] all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever.
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
Jesus welcomes all; therefore all are welcome to receive God’s grace through the Holy Sacrament. In this Covid time, we receive the bread only. A gluten-free bread is available for those who need it.

The Bread is given to the communicants with these words
The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in everlasting life. [Amen.]
or The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]

Prayer after Communion
Presider Let us pray.
All Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

The Going Forth
Announcements
The Blessing
Presider May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the shadows from before your path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Presider or Deacon
Go in Peace, to love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God!

Advent at the Advocate

Posted on November 25, 2020December 23, 2020 by Lisa

Sunday, November 29 the season of Advent begins!

Here’s the link for the Google folder with all the resources we are offering for use in your home this season. These include:

1) The summary pdf, including suggestions about Advent candles and wreaths.
2) Three options downloaded from SALT Project.
– Advent Weekly Placemats (for those who like to color)
– Advent with Maya Angelou
– Advent 2020: Naming Jesus

We will continue to hold our principal worship together on Zoom at 10 AM, links to be sent for kids Christian ed, worship and screeside chat each Saturday.

The Screenside Chat in Advent will focus on Embodied Prayer — in the liturgy and in life.

We will also hold a simple outdoor Eucharist by the Advocate Pond each Sunday at 4 PM.
Per Diocesan guidelines, you will need to:
– Let us know ahead of time if you plan to attend by writing to vicar@theAdvocateChurch.org. (this can be at the last minute).
– Bring your own chair if possible (if not possible, let me know and we will provide)
– Bring a copy of the service guide, available here, on your gadget or printed. (if not possible, let me know and we will provide).
– Wear a mask throughout the liturgy, removing it only to receive the sacrament. We will only receive in one kind, the bread.
– Keep a distance of six or more feet from those not of your own household.

Holiday Giving: A note about our holiday giving will be added here soon. Please check back!

2020 Pledge Letter

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Lisa

October 26, 2020Dear People of the Advocate,
It seems to go without saying that 2020 has been a year like no other. The seasonal social rhythms that usually greet the marching of time have all but ceased for much of this year. The summer was not met with the big last day of school and kids finally home for 3 glorious months of freedom. There was no rushing in droves to pools and beaches or the intended summer travel plans to new or exotic locations or backyard parties and BBQ’s with groups of friends. The fall did not see kids returning all day to their respective schools or with fall sports and activities kicking into high gear, at least not in their typical in-person fashion for most. And through both seasons some have experienced the undermining of their financial and familial rhythms through the loss of income, small businesses, and in the most tragic circumstances, illness and loss of life.
However, as always, God remains, and is ever-present in the natural seasonal rhythms that remain strong. Spring still bloomed forth with flowers, budding trees, rushing rivers and the planting of gardens. Summer brought its usual heat and humidity and an abundance of ripening fruits and vegetables in those gardens we planted. And, as we head into fall, we are starting to feel the nip in the air, colder nights and shorter days. The rhythm of nature marches on, pandemic or not.
The ECOTA has kept its rhythms as well, from Lent, Easter and Pentecost to our weekly liturgies, screen side chats and house dinners. We’ve even managed to add new rhythms to meet the needs of our congregation in these times with nightly compline and weekly virtual villages. And here, now at the end of October, we find ourselves as a church, at the beginning of our yearly fall giving campaign. Our Vestry recognizes that because of the destabilization of our social, financial and political lives this year, this typical church rhythm may feel challenging for many.
However, we want to emphasize, despite the myriad of ways this year feels so fundamentally different, how you approach considering your pledge should be the same as any other year. Your pledge is a statement of your intention based on the current information you have on your financial situation. It is not a binding contract. Just as if you had an unexpected financial windfall and wanted to increase your pledge to the church it would be welcomed, if you experience unexpected financial hardship in 2021 and need to reduce your pledge it will be understood and met with love and support. This has always been the case before COVID-19 and will remain so on into the future.
With that understanding, our goal for 2021is to first and foremost hold a steady course through these unprecedented times on all levels, including financial. And, so far in 2020, we have been meeting our budgetary goals each month thanks to the ongoing generosity of all of the members and friends of The Advocate. In order to continue practicing responsible stewardship we need to look to at least meet the same operating budget we set for 2020 of $238,000, as those needs have not changed. However, we would not be the Episcopal Church of the Advocate if we did not remain aspirational, even in times of uncertainty. Although some costs have dipped because the lack of in-person fellowship this past year, some have been added such as:
·       Tech Steward to create our virtual choirs and assist during services·       Part-time Curate to meet additional pastoral, administrative and community engagement needs
·       Potential additional costs if we move to simultaneous in-person/online worship
·       Additional charitable requests due to the economic hardships many churches and organizations are facing

To meet all of these added needs would increase our current budget by roughly 15%. This would amount to an aspirational budget of $274,000.
With these goals in mind, we ask for you to faithfully start considering your pledge amount for 2021. For those members who have been blessed with increased income this year or who have been relatively unscathed financially by the pandemic, we ask you to consider increasing your pledge by 15% to help offset expected reductions in giving from church members and friends who may have been hard-hit in these times.
Finally, we whole-heartedly want to recognize the plethora of ways members give of their time and talents each week. From online video art direction, musicians and singers to picking up IFC food donations, making of pinch pots, leading screen-side chats and the organizing of virtual villages, the ROTA and book studies, just to name a few. Our community’s talents are abundant and generosity of time and spirit priceless. These important contributions keep us from having to add lines to our budget, while remaining who we want to be as a church. We thank each of you who have contributed in these essential non-financial ways.
We are asking that all pledges for the 2021 operating budget be in by November 29, the First Sunday of Advent. You may follow this link to a Google form where you may simply and quickly make your confidential pledge. You may also e-mail your pledge to the ECOTA church office (theadvocatechurch@gmail.com) OR mail a note directly to The Advocate, 8410 Merin Road, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516.
Peace,
The Advocate VestrySara Paukovich, Senior Warden (unityacupunctureclinic@gmail.com)John Gillespie, Junior Warden (jpgillespie1969@gmail.com)Amanda Godwin (quiltyoga@gmail.com) Erin Dangler (erinrdangler@gmail.com) Donya Rose (to.donya@gmail.com)Andrew Hammond (ahammond2184@gmail.com)

Electiontide Prayers

Posted on October 25, 2020November 7, 2020 by Lisa

October 27- – November 4, Please join in The Episcopal Church’s A Season of Prayer for An Election.

Sunday, November 1
at 10 AM, we will gather online to celebrate the Feast of All Saints. Please plan to join in this principal feast of our liturgical calendar and of our hearts.
at 4 PM: The Episcopal Church invites us to join Holding on to Hope – A National Service for Healing and Wholeness, with the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, online from the National Cathedral.
at 8:30 PM. Online Compline.

Election Eve, Monday, November 2
at 6 PM, The Advocate will gather online to pray for our community and our nation and our election.
at 8:30 PM. Online Compline.

Tuesday, November 3 Election Day
at 8:30 PM. Online Compline.

Wednesday, November 4 the day after the election, but likely before the results are in, The Advocate will gather to pray some more.
at noon. Pondside Eucharist
at 8:30 PM. Online Compline.

Thursday, November 5
at noon Faith Leaders of Chapel hill Call for Peace, Unity, and Hope. McCorkle Place.
at 8:30 PM. Online Compline.

Friday, November 6
at 8:30 PM. Online Compline.

Saturday, November 7
at 10 AM, possibly still before the election results are in, we will gather at the Advocate site for a safe distanced Site Stewardship Day. We have three picnic tables to put together, some briars to clear from the dam for pondside worship expansion possibilities ahead, and some wood chips to be spread. Stay tuned for more information!
at 8:30 PM. Online Compline.

Confronting Racism

Posted on August 6, 2020October 25, 2020 by Lisa

As Christians who believe that every human being is created in the image of God and who are called to respect the dignity of every human being, we need to confront the racial inequity in our hearts and in our nation. There are lots of resources and opportunities for thinking about these things, and the list is growing daily. To help provide some focus for our conversations at the Advocate, here are some recommendations:

First, we continue to work with the local chapter of the NAACP to help get out the vote for this year’s elections. If you are able to participate in phone banking in the weeks ahead, please contact Elizabeth Young.

You can join in texting to get out the vote in North Carolina in partnership with Reclaim Our Vote and NC NAACP. The contact will be done through your computer, not your phone. When you open this google doc you will see options for text message training: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfWAMtOjgyfl3zRyeNz1RxLDr9kJprcvfySMe4WhoqenF6Hg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Second, we are hoping that half of the adults of the Advocate will participate in an REI (Racial Equity Institute) workshop, either Groundwater or Phase One. While many of the workshops ahead are already full, we are keeping an eye out for late fall. If you are interested in attending an REI workshop, check the partnership websites listed here for more information and to register.

Available REI Groundwater trainings (3 hour intro or refresher)
All are virtual. Price is $40-$45, depending on who is sponsoring.

Organizing Against Racism: October 14, November 12, December 9
Alamance Racial Equity Alliance: November 5 in the evening 6pm – 9pm.

Available REI Phase 1 sessions (2-day)
All listed below are virtual. Price is $295 for an individual, $275 per person for a group, $175 student.

Alamance Racial Equity Alliance: Sept.18-19 and October 12-13
Organizing Against Racism: Possibly Sept. 2-3 (possibly full) and October 12-13.

The REI website (https://www.racialequityinstitute.com) has most of these options listed as well as others around the country, but does not include all the options (Alamance does not have theirs listed, for example). REI also has a list of all their partnership organizations, and you may find other options for the training by clicking on their links.

If you need finical assistance, please contact the Vicar at vicar@TheAdvocateChurch.org.

Third, we are continuing a series of book and film conversations in the season ahead.
In September, we met to discuss White Fragility, Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism written by Robin DiAngelo about race relations in the United States.

Sunday, October 25, we will on Zoom at 7 PM to discuss Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson. If you would like to participate in that discussion, please contact vicar@theAdvocateChurch.org.

Let us commit to praying and working together in the seasons ahead.

The Vicarage Presents… Women of the Cloud

Posted on July 15, 2020October 29, 2020 by Lisa

Vicar of the Advocate, Lisa Fischbeck, along with producer Grace Camblos, has started a new short video program called The Vicarage. Filmed on location at the Advocate, these videos share stories and prayers of the Church.

In our first season, we focus on the Women of the Cloud, those women who are commemorated by The Episcopal Church and featured in the newly published book, “A Great Cloud of Witnesses.” It’s in part to fill the loss of the midweek Eucharist in this season of COVID, and also to share the stories about our ancestors in the faith that are usually heard only by those who can make it to the midweek Eucharist.

This week in Episode 16 we look back over Season One and explore what it means to be descendants in faith of these inspiring women. And we look forward to Season Two: The Saints Among Us!

In Episode 15 we remember Frances Perkins, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Cabinet, whose faith inspired her to work for more just labor laws and to advocate for workers’ rights throughout her life:

Previous episodes:

Vida Dutton Scudder, an American educator, author, and social gospel movement activist
Brigid, one of Ireland’s patron saints, an early Irish Christian nun, abbess, and founder of several monasteries of nuns, including that of Kildare in Ireland
Margery Kempe, an English Christian mystic, known for writing through dictation “The Book of Margery Kempe,” a work considered by some to be the first autobiography in the English language
Thecla, a saint of the early Christian church, follower of Paul the Apostle, and a martyr and missionary (watch out for the ravenous seals!)
Hildegard of Bingen, a German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, visionary, and polymath. One of the best-known composers of sacred monophony, many also consider her the founder of scientific natural history in Germany
Amelia Jenks Bloomer, an American women’s rights advocate. As the first woman to own, operate and edit a newspaper for women, she helped reform women’s clothing, popularizing the style known as… bloomers!
Constance and Her Companions, Episcopal nuns who braved the 1878 yellow fever outbreak in Memphis, TN, to care for the city’s sick and dying
Prudence Crandall, a schoolteacher and activist who ran the first school for black girls in the United States
Artemisia Bowden, an African-American educator and civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in founding St. Philip’s College in San Antonio
Florence Nightingale, a woman inspired by her faith to care for the sick, injured, and dying, and who transformed nursing into the modern field of medicine that we know today
Catherine Winkworth, a 19th century poet and advocate for women’s education who translated some of today’s best-loved hymns from German into English
Mary, Martha, and the Ordination of Women: friends of Jesus who showed us how we can love God and each other — and the first Episcopal women ordained to the priesthood
Sojourner Truth, who preached against slavery, for the women’s vote, and, ahead of her time, against capital punishment
Macrina, fourth century monastic and writer…and older sister to two very smart brothers

Subscribe to the Advocate’s YouTube Channel to get new episodes every Wednesday!

Liturgy Guide for Ordinary Time I 2020

Posted on June 11, 2020June 20, 2020 by Lisa

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GATHERING

People’s Prelude

Welcome

A period of silence is kept. During this time we prepare ourselves in heart and in mind to worship God together.

In the silence – Candles are lit.
What We Need is Here, sung five times via virtual choir video.

More silence.

Gathering Hymn – via video or led a cappella by cantor.

Opening Acclamation
Presider          In the name of the one, holy, and Living God
People            Glory to God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Penitential Order
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 oursins against God and our neighbor.

After a short silence for reflection, all pray together:

Absolution [New Zealand Book of Common Prayer]
Priest 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.

Song of Praise

Trisagian (spoken)

Presider Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One
All Have mercy on us.

Or Gloria (sung)

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Collect of the Day

Presider          The Lord be with you.
People            And also with you.
Presider          Let us pray.

The presider prays the Collect of the day, and in response, 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 (Read by a reader. All are invited to read along while muted.)

Second Reading

Sequence Hymn

Verse 1 before the reading of the Gospel. Other verses following the reading of the Gospel, unless it is a pre-recording of the entire hymn, in which case it will all be sung before the reading of the Gospel.

The Gospel

Before the reading of the Gospel

Presider The Holy Gospel of our Lord (Savior) 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.

Sequence Hymn Remaining verses are sung, if they haven’t all been sung before the reading of the Gospel.

The Sermon

Second Reading

Sequence Hymn
Verse 1 before the reading of the Gospel. Other verses following the reading of the Gospel, unless it is a pre-recording of the entire hymn, in which case it will all be sung before the reading of the Gospel.

The Gospel

Before the reading of the Gospel
Presider The Holy Gospel of our Lord (Savior) 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.

Sequence Hymn Remaining verses are sung, if they haven’t all been sung before the reading of the Gospel.

The Sermon

The Nicene Creed (spoken by all with all unmuted)

We believe in one God, The Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, Of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, The only Son of God, Eternally begotten of the Father,God from God, Light from Light, True God from true God, Begotten, not made, Of one Being with the Father.Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvationHe came down from heaven: By the power of the Holy Spirit He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, And was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again In accordance with the Scriptures; He ascended into heavenAnd is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, And his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,Who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.Who has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.We look for the resurrection of the dead,and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

The Leader reads the following introduction:

The Leader then offers each bidding. In the silence following each bidding, the people are invited to share their prayers, either silently or aloud. At the end of each intercession, 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.

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.

Collect Song: All Shall Be Well. Lead by the virtual choir.

We Go Forth

Announcements and Anniversaries

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 and those whom you love, this day and forever.
Amen

Or (from A New Zealand Prayer Book)

Good friends,
Go forth into the world in peace;
be of good courage;
Render to no one evil for evil.
Hold fast that which is good;
strengthen the fainthearted;
help the afflicted;
honor and respect the dignity of everyone;
and rejoice in the power of the Spirit
In us,
and beyond us all.
and the Blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, be with you and those whom you love, this day and forever.
Amen

Sending forth song

Presider or Deacon
Go in Peace, to love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.