40 Days for Life Vigil

A reflection on the Tallahassee 40 Days for Life Prayer Vigil

40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer and fasting, community outreach, and a peaceful all-day vigil in front of abortion businesses. Founded in 2007, it reaches 1000 sites in 63 countries and has saved many lives. It is a peaceful and educational presence. Those who are called to stand witness during this 24-hour-a-day presence send a powerful message to the community about the tragic reality of abortion. It also serves as a call to repentance for those who work at the abortion center and those who patronize the facility.  The vigils are held twice a year, in the Fall and during Lent.

It is important to note that 40 Days for Life is primarily about Prayer, Fasting, and Community Outreach. It's not a form of protest as many people think whenever they see signs held up along a roadway. The signs are meant to let our fellow Tallahasseeans know what we are doing and to share our message. It's amazing to me that so many people who drive by Planned Parenthood each day don't even know it's there, much less what real horror takes place within its walls. The need to pray and fast for the change of heart in our community and in our world is essential. 

Tallahassee has maintained a 40 Days for Life vigil for many years, previously praying in front of North Florida Women’s Services. Since the opening of the Planned Pregnancy facility on West Tennessee St., we have held the vigil on the public right of way in front of that facility. During the 40 days, individuals and groups come for an hour or more at a time to pray. We are very happy to speak with anyone about our purpose and beliefs but always with love and always in peace. Each week we hold at least one prayer service at the site and usually, groups come at other times for periods of prayer.

During the vigil, which ended 30 October, we had a faithful group that came each week in the evening on Thursday and a supporter who provided guitar music to enrich the service. On Thursday, 21 October, St. Peter’s came in force to the prayer service. Fr. Bill Krizner conducted the service, and a large group was there to witness to all the people driving by on W. Tennessee St. as well as to the employees of the facility, which stays open on Thursdays until 7:00pm. It was a warm and spiritual time, with thoughtful, meaningful prayers offered for the precious lives ended inside the Planned Parenthood facility.

The next campaign will begin on Ash Wednesday, 2 March 2022. The website is 40daysforlife.com and I urge everyone to sign up so you will receive notices and can become familiar with a very special, very important mission.

 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” –Matthew 17:19-21

Connections Sunday

The following article appeared in the 24 October edition of The Keys

What is Connections Sunday? Really, it's every Sunday, but today especially, as we delve deeper into a Parish Rule of Life, it's an opportunity to re-engage with the various ministries of St. Peter's both within our walls and beyond these walls in the world. Each of us is encouraged to seriously consider what it means to be living into the Parish Rule of Life. On the two previous Sundays, we heard about two of the four components of a Parish Rule of Life: Worship & Prayer and Discipleship. Today’s sermon covers the third component, Community, and next Sunday we will hear a sermon on the fourth component, Missions.

So today... today is Connections Sunday!

Connections Sunday is especially focused on helping us all live into the Community and Missions components, which can be described simply as:

'Building up the Church'

&

'Sharing in God’s mission to the world'

Community ministries are centered on a commitment to sharing in the common priesthood (service) of St. Peter’s for the purpose of building up Christ’s body in this place. Each of the ministries within this realm has a display set up in the North Transept.

Missions ministries are centered on the commitment to sharing in the common priesthood (service) of St. Peter’s for the purpose of sharing in the mission to which God has called us in the world. Each of the ministries within this realm has a display set up in the South Transept.

Please walk through the displays with the purpose of discerning where and how God may be calling you to new service of Him in the life of our parish. If you are already involved in a Community ministry, consider looking for a place of service in a Missions ministry. If you are already involved in a Missions ministry, consider looking for a place of service in a Community ministry.

Each ministry has a way through which you may indicate your interest. This is not a sign-up or commitment form, rather a means of providing further information to aid in your discernment! If you leave your name, someone from that ministry will contact you to help discern your involvement. Please walk through the transepts and see where God might be calling you to serve!

Thank you for the many ways in which you are already serving! Please continue to serve as you are called, even as you seek to further your commitment to Christ's body in this place and God's mission in the world.

St. Peter's Hosts First Christians Against Trafficking Summit

St. Peter’s Cathedral hosted the first annual Christians Against Trafficking Summit Friday, 15 October & Saturday, 16 October. Over 300 individuals representing 31 different area churches of various denominations attended the Summit. The Summit welcomed Gwen Adams as keynote speaker. Photos from the weekend and the recorded keynote sessions may be viewed below.

About the Summit

Human trafficking, also known as modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological. Sadly, the victims are often children. Although there is no defining characteristic that all human trafficking victims share, traffickers frequently prey on individuals who are poor, vulnerable, living in an unsafe or unstable situation, or are in search of a better life. Trafficking victims are deceived by false promises of love, a good job, or a stable life and are lured or forced into situations where they are made to work under deplorable conditions with little or no pay. These horrors are happening frequently within the Big Bend Region. With Tallahassee and surrounding towns and cities being located off of I-10, traffickers live and operate within our own neighborhoods. Law enforcement, State Attorney Jack Campbell and his team, and local non-profits have done an exceptional job in working to pursue these crimes. However, each has indicated a desperate need to better engage the community at large in joining this fight. As we know, God calls His Church to stand strong against the evils of this world. The Christians Against Trafficking Summit was designed to bring our community together to learn more about the horrors of trafficking in our own community and to explore how we can best join in the work to eradicate trafficking together.

Ugandan Priests Receive Motorcycles from St. Peter's

Through the generosity of several individuals and families of St. Peter’s Cathedral, eight more motorcycles have been donated for use by priests in Uganda in order to help them better reach people during this trying time. Seven of those motorcycles have been delivered to priests and the 8th will be purchased in the near future. Bishop Nason Baluku enthusiastically shared the update below along with photos of the 7 priests receiving their motorcycles. At a cost of $1,400 apiece, our congregation has been able to donate 9 of the total of 13 motorcycles initially dreamed of and we’re prayerful we’ll be able to donate more in the future. It has been wonderful to see God working through this ministry. For more information about this ministry, please contact Frances Merritt at internationalcorecaptain@gmail.com

“Kindly accept our humble and sincere appreciation and may you convey our appreciation to everyone that has contributed to this excellent Ministry. I am hopeful that by putting to use the received motorcycles, South Rwenzori Diocese will not remain the same.”

-Bishop Nason Baluku

GLORY BE TO GOD! SEVEN PRIESTS RECEIVE SEVEN MOTORCYCLES FOR MISSION WORK IN THE SOUTH RWENZORI DIOCESE. WE APPRECIATE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT ST. PETER’S CATHEDRAL IN TALLAHASSEE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE EXCELLENCE OF JESUS’ MINISTRY.

Blessing of the Animals

St. Peter’s held a ‘Blessing of the Animals’ in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, on Sunday, 3 October. The feast day of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals is 4 October.

Why do we bless animals on or around the feast day of St. Francis?

St. Francis of Assisi was born into a wealthy Italian family in the 12th century. Upon his dramatic conversion to true Christianity, he renounced all of his worldly possessions and lived very simply. When Francis spoke, everyone listened, including the animals. He told the animals that Jesus loved them too. A story is told of a wolf who lived outside the town of Gubbio. The wolf came into the town each evening, frightening the inhabitants and eating their sheep. Francis went to speak to “Brother Wolf” and found that the wolf was hungry. Francis pleaded with the townsfolk to feed the wolf, who then became so tame that the children rode on his back. Early legends speak of birds and beasts being charmed by Francis’ gentle ways and entering into loving companionship with him. Francis also brought us the Christmas creche. In Gubbio, he built a small outdoor stable and asked townsfolk to portray the Holy Family, the shepherds, and the angels. Then he added the cow, donkey, sheep, and other animals. When asked why he had done so, Francis replied, “Surely the animals praised the new Messiah just as the shepherds and angels did.” And so, in honor of this blessed saint of the church, we gather today with our animals to give thanks for what they do for us and what they mean to us.

Collect for the feast of St. Francis

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

A Testimony On Tithing

The following was written by a member of St. Peter’s Cathedral. They wish to remain anonymous, but their testimony is powerful and should be an encouragement to all of us!


"For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."
–Matthew 6:21

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with wine."
–Proverbs 3:9-10

Both of these verses resonate with me and continue to be truths in my life; where I place my treasure my heart is and as I continue to tithe, the Lord repays much greater than I could ever imagine. As I pledge to St. Peter’s, I am reminded that all my possessions are His. When times are financially tough, prioritizing my pledge above all else stretches my faith to remind me He has a plan for me, and I am His – two great truths and encouragements.

 My situation is unique, but I consider that I have two ‘home’ churches–St. Peter’s and a local Anglican church where I live. Both churches shape who I am. Both churches impact my life regularly; they encourage and strengthen what it means to live out my faith every day. Therefore, I am called to tithe and give back to both churches and of course, this looks a bit different at each church. While I prefer to physically place my tithe in the offering plate on Sunday morning at church, this isn’t always feasible for me at St. Peter’s. Despite some of my technological deficiencies, I take advantage of our online giving option to ensure I don’t ‘forget.’ Clay Tullos continually offers kind support in ensuring accuracy by helping me set up my recurring tithe online. With each email receipt confirming my tithe, I take a chance to offer a prayer of gratitude and to remember what it means to be a good steward of the gifts I am given.

 During this Stewardship Season, I encourage you to pray, reflect, and not only to ask but LISTEN. Listen to how God has gifted you. Listen to what our Savior has called us to do with our gifts. Listen to how you can give back to God what is doing through St. Peter’s. To Him be all the glory and all the honor!

October Is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

During the month of October, St. Peter’s will be focusing on the Missions & Evangelism Core to end Human Trafficking. There are many ways you can join in the fight! To start, mark your calendars to attend the Christians Against Trafficking Summit on Friday, 15 October & Saturday, 16 October to learn ways we can bring an end to this horrific crime happening right here in the Tallahassee community. Register online at ChristiansAgainstTrafficking.com

 Another way to join in the work is to support one of our ministry partners, AngelWingz, by picking up a few items from the needs list below and dropping them off in the basket in the Cathedral Narthex throughout the month of October.

 You can also volunteer your time at AngelWingz to help support the women and children who have experienced abuse and human trafficking. Whether it’s cooking dinner at the home (or bringing dinner and eating there), spending time playing or reading books with the kids, or even helping with resumé writing and job placement skills, there are endless ways you can be involved!

Please contact Julie Dombroski, Human Trafficking Core Captain at: juliedombroski@comcast.net for more information.

AngelWingz Needs List:

Sinus and cold medications
Scrubber kitchen sponges
Dishwasher detergent
Lysol spray
Bleach
Coffee & dry creamer (any flavor)
Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner
Honey
Clean Shower Cleaner
Toothpaste
Socks and footies
Fleece throws
Publix/Walmart gift cards

Liquid hand soap
Paper towels
Liquid shower soap
Feminine products
Deodorant
Styrofoam cups
Hand sanitizer
Styrofoam to go containers
Brita water filters
Kleenex
Pain Medications
Essential oils (Lavender)
Stuffed animals

St. Peter's Hosts First Newcomer's Dinner in 19 Months

Last Thursday, 9 September, St. Peter’s hosted its first Newcomer’s Dinner in over a year and a half! The dinner is a way for any folks who have started worshiping with us recently to get to know St. Peter’s, our clergy, our staff, and other newcomers! It was a joy to return to this important ministry in the life of our Cathedral and to have over forty people in attendance.

We hope to host our next Newcomer’s Dinner in early 2022–if you missed this one and you’ve joined St. Peter’s in the last year and a half, lookout for more information in the months to come!

A Reflection On Kairos Prison Ministry Weekend

The following is a reflection written by our very own Curate, Fr. Wesley Owens.

Friends, please pray for the men of Wakulla Correctional Institution. This past week, some Christian brothers and I spent four days with a group of 42 inmates, sharing the love of Jesus and preaching the Good News of his redemption. The hunger for God in the room was palpable. Some of these men had never encountered God before; others knew their Bibles better than most seasoned churchgoers. The love, joy, and camaraderie that they witnessed had a disarming effect that was nothing short of miraculous. Many had not received a letter, let alone a visitor, in years. Here are a few lessons that I have learned through this experience.

 Those who are most aware of their mistakes are most receptive to God’s grace. I went expecting to find “hardened criminals.” What I found instead were fathers, husbands, and sons united by a shared sense of remorse and a deep desire to reconcile with their families. If anyone is “hard” it is those on the outside who attend churches week after week – yet remain completely indifferent to Christ and blind to the urgency of the Gospel. If you are not sure what I mean, read Luke 18:9-14.

 Prisoners are human beings made in God’s image, not animals – and they deserve to be treated with dignity. Wardens and correctional officers do the best with what they have, but state prisons are underfunded and understaffed. This leads to miserable conditions on the inside: overcrowding, poor diet, no air conditioning in the hot Florida summer, etc. Stabbings, prison rape, and the black-market drug trade are ever-present dangers to personal safety. With all the trauma that prisoners experience coupled with the limited number of reentry programs, it is no wonder that so many go on to re-offend.

 A little humility goes a long way. It is easy to look down on others if we have never grappled with the fragility of human life or understood the weight of our own sin. We need to realize that most serious offenders were shaped in detrimental ways by the sins of others. Many came from broken families. Many were abused sexually and physically as children. Many lived in neighborhoods ridden with substance abuse. Many had no example of manhood to follow beyond what their small corner of society gave them. As human beings, we are responsible for our choices, and so we are never merely passive victims of our social circumstances. But, this does not change the fact that we are shaped in profound ways by our environments, both for good and for ill. Recognizing this fact can be both alarming and deeply humbling. What are the blessings in your life that you take for granted? To quote one of the inmates, “we need gratitude in our attitude.”

 God is a God of justice, and there are consequences for sin if we reject him. But, he is also a God of mercy, and “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). He delights in giving us more than we deserve, and he expects us to demonstrate this same merciful love in our dealings with our human brothers and sisters. Jesus died for criminals – yes, even thieves, murderers, and sex offenders. I think back to Jesus’ conversation with the two thieves on crosses next to him:

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:39-43).

 There is no sin so great that our merciful God will not forgive – if we repent and cling by faith to his mercy. And there is no persistent unrepentance so small that our just God will overlook it, if it endures until death. Remember this! On the day of judgment, there will be many repentant prisoners entering joyfully into the Kingdom of God, and there will be many so-called “good people” in our society who will be cast into the outer darkness. James 2:10 reminds us that “whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” I am in grave danger if I allow myself to excuse or minimize my own wrongdoing through trite comparisons to others. The mentality of “At least I’m not as bad as him!” is self-deceptive. It is certainly no way to live. There is only one man to whom we should be comparing ourselves, and his name is Jesus Christ – a man who never sinned, yet endured prison, trial, and crucifixion for the sake of those who had.

 Friends, this is the Good News of the Gospel – that you and I are far worse than we understand, yet more loved than we could possibly imagine. Jesus willingly mounted the cross and died for YOU! He rose again, defeating death and the grave so that you might have new life in him. And we are called to follow him! In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus said to his disciples: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

 A PRAYER FOR PRISONERS: “O God, you forgive when we deserve punishment, and in your wrath you remember mercy: We humbly ask you, of your goodness, to comfort all prisoners. Give them a right understanding of themselves, and of your promises, that trusting wholly in your mercy, they may not place their confidence anywhere but in you. Relieve the distressed; deliver the innocent; bring the guilty to repentance; and as you alone bring light out of darkness, and good out of evil, grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit they may be set free from the chains of sin, and brought to newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -BCP 2019, p. 664

 

Final Make Art Monday A Success!

On Monday, 30 August, twenty-two women participated in the final Make Art Monday of 2021!

Suzanne Conner lead the participants in Intuitive Floral Painting — a fun way to paint florals… colorful paint dropped onto yupo paper imagined into flowers, stems, and leaves.

About Suzanne Conner, in her own words:

“Born and raised in Florida, I love to depict scenes from our beautiful beaches, marshes, and the piney woods of our state. I am drawn to nature and am continually inspired to seek out the smallest of details for my paintings. I started painting in 2012 while I was going through grief therapy after some tragedies in my family. I have never looked back and will continue to go forward with the healing that painting and drawing gives me.

I also enjoy painting women and children as part of that healing process. I started out by painting memories of growing up in Blountstown, Florida. Catching tadpoles, boating on the river, catching fireflies in jars, these are the sweetest things that I enjoyed and have painted in the past years. It is a wonderful way to find yourself and to remember how much you have to be thankful for.”

We look forward to our next series of Make Art Mondays! Many thanks to Vanessa Zein-Eldin for coordinating this series through the St. Peter’s Artisans!

St. Peter's and Wings for Change Blesses Ugandans in Need

Uganda Is enduring extreme hardship because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Access to food is limited due to stringent lockdown. Upon seeing WINGS FOR CHANGE postings, several St. Peter’s parishioners generously donated funds, and nearly three hundred families were provided grains and beans in the Jinja and Sebei Dioceses. The situation was so dire that people were taking the stems and pieces of bananas, which grow abundantly, and boiling them to make a broth. There were no grains for bread and no beans for protein. Bishop Paul Masaba of Sebei Diocese, and Paul Tenywa in Jinja send heartfelt expressions of gratitude for your donations that helped the neediest in their area.

Isaiah 58:10 tells us that if we feed the hungry, our light will shine in the darkness. May our Cathedral always be that beacon of light!  You shined the light of hope and nourishment to others. Thank You Father God for compassionate hearts! 

Thank you, St. Peter’s Cathedral, from many in Uganda!

Chorister Camp 2021

Last week, 40 children and youth participated in St. Peter’s K-12 Chorister Camp! Each day began by helping to lead Morning Prayer, followed by activities covering team building, choir rehearsal, snack, score reading, choral blend, and the basics of Anglican worship.

On Wednesday, two inflatable water slides were set up as a fun activity in the middle of the week!

Chorister Camp’s purpose was to prepare the choristers for a year of leading Evensong by getting a head start on learning music, getting to know each other, working on their choral sound, and ultimately learning what it is that we do functionally in a Service of Evensong that makes it so unique.

The week concluded in a Service of Evensong led by the choristers and attended by parents, grandparents, friends, and other family.

This fall, the choristers will be leading Evensong at St. Peter’s Cathedral once a month on the following dates:
September 19 – Middle & High School Choristers
October 17 – All Choristers
November 21 – Middle & High School Choristers
December 19 – All Choristers

Choristers rehearse on Wednesdays beginning September 8. If your child is interested in joining choristers, contact Debbie Garven!

July 'Make Art Monday' A Festive Hit!

The second Make Art Monday of 2021 has come and gone! On Monday, 26 July, Christie Grant lead seven other women in creating festive garlands using fabric, ribbon, and a variety of embellishments to adorn a mantle, window, or mirror! Check out some of the results in the photos below!

The last Make Art Monday of the summer is Monday, 30 August from 6pm-8:30pm and the cost is $30. Suzanne Conner will lead Intuitive Floral Painting — a fun way to paint florals… colorful paint dropped onto yupo paper will be imagined into flowers, stems, and leaves. No experience necessary and all materials are included. Sign up today!

Photos provided by Vanessa Zein-Eldin.

The Ordination of Fr. Wesley Owens

On Saturday, 24 July 2021, The Rev. Wesley Paul Owens was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests by The Right Reverend Neil G. Lebhar of The Gulf Atlantic Diocese on behalf of The Right Reverend John A. M. Guernsey of The Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic, at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Tallahassee, Florida. The Rev. Dr. Michael Petty, Canon for Adult Formation and Co-Director of The Charles Simeon Institute, delivered the sermon.

Fr. Wesley currently serves as Curate for St. Peter’s Cathedral through the Charles Simeon Institute and will continue in this role through the summer of next year. He celebrated the Eucharist for the first time on Sunday, 25 July at the 9:00am service.

Please join us in congratulating the newly ordained–Fr. Wesley Owens!

Special thanks to Meredith Russell for photographing Fr. Wesley’s Ordination Service.

Family Bible School 2021!

Family Bible School 2021 was a blast! Over thirty families participated in our first ever evening Family Bible School. Families were split into three tribes and rotated through games, arts & crafts, and a living history exhibit where they encountered Noah, Moses, and John the Baptist!

Additionally, families who participated in FBS collected more than 1200 bottled waters to donate to Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO)!

Summer Fellow, Caleb Garven, is Preaching This Sunday!

CSI Fellows-2.jpg

Caleb Garven, one of our Charles Simeon Institute Summer Fellows will be preaching at the morning services this Sunday, July 25.

Caleb Garven was born in Tennessee and raised outside of Philadelphia. He spent his formative years in Tallahassee, from middle school through college where he studied psychology and philosophy at FSU and was an active member of the Marching Chiefs. Caleb is currently studying for a Master of Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He comes from a family of very talented musicians though he is pursuing pastoral ministry rather than music ministry. He is blessed to have a wonderful fiancée, Dallas, who supports all his endeavors.

Learn more about the Charles Simeon Institute at CharlesSimeonInstitute.com.

Summer Fellow, Collin Flake is Preaching This Sunday!

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Collin Flake, one of our Charles Simeon Institute Summer Fellows will be preaching at the 9am and 11:15am services this Sunday, July 18th!

Collin grew up in Concord, GA—a small town of a few hundred people. He attended Wheaton College, where he studied philosophy and Bible/Theology with a certificate in Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR). Collin is a third year seminarian at Duke Divinity School. Upon graduation, he hopes to work at the intersection of the Church, faith-based non-profit work, and residential Christian community. He enjoys hiking, board games, and reading good books.