ST. ANSELM OF CANTERBURY ENEWS

March 30, 2004

“In my end is my beginning.”

Mary Stuart, British Novelist

RUNDOWN

*A LETTER FROM MICHAEL
*HILLEL PRESENTS ST. ANSELM’S WITH GIFT
*EPISCOPAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION SOCIAL NIGHT MARCH 31
*ADVISORY BOARD TO MEET APRIL 25TH
*ST. ANSELM TO MEET WITH HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS
*SPRING STUDENT RETREAT SCHEDULED
*YOUR HELP NEEDED TO MAINTAIN BUILDING/OFFICES
*MIX – MUSIC IN CHRIST SEEKS YOUNG SONGWRITERS, MUSICIANS

NEWS

DEAR MEMBERS OF THE ST. ANSELM’S COMMUNITY,

This Sunday we enter the most solemn week of the Christian year. Beginning with the Liturgy of the Palms, the community will commemorate the culmination of Jesus’ ministry and his glorious entrance into Jerusalem – an event that turned quickly on charges of blasphemy and treason, ending at the cross.

Maundy Thursday at 7pm we will remember Christ’s “mandate” to serve one another as he serves us in the traditional liturgy of the washing of feet.

At 12:30pm on Good Friday, we will gather for solemn prayers and Eucharist from the reserved sacrament as we witness Jesus’ agony and death.

Finally, on Saturday evening, what is for many, the most glorious liturgy of the year – The Great Vigil of Easter will be celebrated at 8pm. A new fire will be kindled, the Paschal candle will be lit. In the dim light, we will hear the story of God’s salvation history and proclaim with joy the Easter acclamation “Christ is Risen! The Lord is risen indeed!” With those words, the church will be bathed in light. Alleluias will echo throughout Christendom and we will sing of the victory of God over death! Four month old Madison Olivia Launer will be baptized on this night and we will proclaim with her, the covenant of our baptism. The celebration Saturday evening will continue with an Easter reception after the liturgy. Easter Sunday, we will celebrate the Paschal feast at our regular worship time: 5pm. A community dinner will follow.

Please partake of this most holy journey. In the week to come, you will be surprised, disgusted, impassioned, troubled, inspired, overjoyed, fed and reborn. An experience of the living God that no video game, book or movie will ever be able to replicate.

I look forward to the journey with you.

Michael

EPISCOPAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION SOCIAL NIGHT. Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 31st, the Episcopal Student Association will hold another Social Night. The festivities will begin around 8. We will have a great discussion and then watch a movie (or two). Invite all your friends and if you haven't come before, please come if you can because it is really a lot of fun! LOCATION 800 ELM.

COMMANDMENT SERIES WITH HILLEL CONCLUDES. Members of the Jewish and Episcopal university communities met for the fourth and final evening last night, studying and discussing the commandment: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” At the conclusion of the evening, Amy Jackson, director of Hillel, presented the community of St. Anselm’s with the entire Commandment Video Series by producer/director Krzysztof Kieslowski as a gift of thanksgiving and friendship. Amy and her family will be leaving Norman in July to take a position at the University of Indiana. We will miss Amy, but rejoice in the new friendships we have made with members of the Hillel community and are pledged to nourish those relationships in the years to come. If you get a chance, please express your gratitude to Amy and the entire Hillel community for their gracious gift and their investment in our community’s life. Here’s the email: magid@coxinet.net

BINGO NEXT WEDNESDAY. St. Anselm’s will host bingo NEXT WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7TH at 2pm at Whispering Pines. Join your friends at Canterbury around 1:30pm to carpool or meet at the nursing home at 1:45. This is the principal outreach ministry of our community and we could use your help. It’s fun and it brings joy to the residents of Whispering Pines and to volunteer participants as well.

ADVISORY BOARD TO MEET. Members of the St. Anselm’s advisory board (existing and newly elected members) will hold their spring semester meeting on Sunday, April 25, immediately following the regular Sunday Eucharist. Any member of the St. Anselm community is welcome to attend this meeting. Topics for discussion will include plans for the Fall, 2004 semester, budget review, plans for expansion of the physical plant and community life matters.

ST. ANSELM MEMBERS TO INTRODUCE MINISTRY TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. In lieu of our annual Visitor's Weekend for college-bound high school students, members of the St. Anselm community will be going out to St. Crispin's on Saturday April 17th to help "de-winterize" the facility. This will be an opportunity to meet many high school Episcopalians and to introduce the ministry of this community, not only to those coming to OU, but to Episcopal ministry to higher education across the country! Participation is not limited to students. Let’s get a good group together and spread the news about St. Anselm’s!

ESA SCHEDULES “ANNUAL” SPRING RETREAT. The Episcopal Student Association will host a Spring Retreat at St.Crispin's, April 23-25. It’s our hope that this will become an annual event. We will leave on Friday afternoon the 23rd and be back around noon on Sunday the 25th. Let me know by email if you’d like to attend this retreat. There’s some planning to do and space is limited, so let me know as soon as possible. Peace, Mark

PLEASE HELP US KEEP THE HOUSE IN ORDER. With recent increases in the size of the community, our building and offices are getting used more than ever. That’s great, because it’s all here for you to use. However, if you are using one of the three computers or any of the offices, please respect the fact that this is dedicated work space for staff too. Pick up after yourself, return papers and articles where you found them and don’t leave personal articles scattered across the desks and workspace. Areas of particular concern are the President’s office, the Organist/Deacon’s office and the Chaplain’s office. If you are using glassware from the kitchen, return it to the dish rack when you leave. This sort of courtesy will make our building look and feel hospitable. Thanks, Michael.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH SEEKS SONGWRITERS, COMPOSERS. The department of Ministries with Young People will offer a new program aimed at raising up a new generation of singers, songwriters and musicians. MIX (Music in Christ) will meet in Nashville, TN July 24-31. The Episcopal Church will provide housing, meals and travel expenses. Application information can be found on the bulletin board in the dining room. Applications are due by March 31!

KITCHEN HELP NEEDED. Calling all cooks! Drop Will Hanner an email and volunteer to cook or clean up sometime during the spring semester. Will Hanner: hanner@ou.edu

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE. If you are in need of prayer or someone you know desires prayer, please let s know and we will include these special intentions during our celebration of the Sunday Eucharist. You may send your prayer requests to us by responding to this Enews.

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PALM SUNDAY (Sunday of the Passion)
5:00pm
Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist.
A Community Dinner follows.

Monday
3:30pm
Evening Prayer (with the staff)

Wednesday
5:30 pm
Holy Eucharist.

MAUNDY THURSDAY
7:00pm
Washing of feet and Holy Eucharist
Stripping of the Altar

GOOD FRIDAY
12:30pm
Solemn Prayers and Holy Eucharist from the Reserved Sacrament

HOLY SATURDAY
8pm
The Great Vigil of Easter
Rite of Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist
Easter Reception

EASTER SUNDAY
5pm
Feast of the Resurrection
Holy Eucharist
Community Dinner

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