April Outreach: CASA's Kings Ridge

Can you help us fill King's Ridge with Love?

CASA has teamed up with our friends over at The Green Chair Project to host a household item drive for King’s Ridge! We’re collecting basic household essentials from Amazon, ranging from measuring spoons, to shower curtains, to comforters, that will help our future residents settle in to their new homes. A well-stocked home is the best, most respectful gift we can offer as these folks transition out of homelessness! To make a purchase, click on the link below. Please note: Items must be shipped to the Green Chair Project. When checking out, choose "The Green Chair Project" that will appear in the shipping address section.

About King's Ridge

King’s Ridge is CASA’s biggest, most ambitious new construction community to date. This community will have 100 1- 2- and 3- bedroom units specifically designated for individuals and families with children exiting homelessness in Wake County. We’ll have on-site medical clinics, case managers, a tenant liaison, flexible community space, and more. King’s Ridge is under construction now, and when it opens in the Fall, we’re excited to provide a safe, comfortable, and healing home to folks who are currently experiencing homelessness. Learn more here.

,

Kicks for Kids Fundraiser

,

The 2023 St. Michael's Youth Missionaries are raising money to provide shoes for the children at Holy Cross Anglican School in San Pedro, Belize. Money raised will be used to purchase shoes that will be sent down to Belize with the 2024 mission team. The 2023 Youth Missionaries are working directly with the school to purchase the size and style of shoes needed.

There are three ways to donate:

  • Use the QR Code below.

  • Use this giving link.

  • Make out a check payable to St. Michael's and add "Kicks for Kids" in the memo line.

  • Place cash or check in an envelope labeled "Kicks for Kids" in the offering plate on Sunday.

Deadline to donate is Feb 29. Thank you for your support!

Kahle van Staveren, Ellery Ferguson,

Bayliss van Staveren, Baker Ferguson,

Richard Kennedy and Connor Jordan

Small Groups Continue (Reflection Circles and Centering Prayer)

Reflection Circles

Reflection Circles are “virtual" weekly small group gatherings. Each “circle" has 8 to 11 people and is facilitated by St. Michael’s small group leaders. We read and reflect on the Gospel readings for the coming Sunday, talk about life today and pray— all in a 45-minute Zoom conference call. Folks participating have enjoyed the fellowship and look forward to sharing Scripture and life together with a small group. Several groups are ongoing

We have found:

  • Reflection Circles foster connection for parishioners who no longer live close by, but remain interested in being part of this community.

  • Folks new to St. Michael’s can plug in quickly.

  • People can easily connect from the beach or the mountains.

  • People like being efficient — a lot of connection can happen in 45 minutes, with no travel time.

  • Small groups are about community. People miss you when you aren’t there.

We are offering five group times and can add more if there is demand.
Day and Time Options for Reflection Circles:

  • Monday 9 a.m.

  • Monday 7:30 p.m.

  • Tuesday 10 a.m.

  • Tuesday 7 p.m.

  • Wednesday 10 a.m.

Let Sam Taylor know if you have questions or are interested in joining a group (908-399-5566). If you don’t see a time that works for you, please let him know what DOES work. If there is enough interest, we will form a new group.

Centering Prayer Group

St. Michael’s centering prayer group meets by Zoom Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. After a brief opening, we do centering prayer (silent) for 20 minutes. Then we read and discuss a book related to this topic. There is always time for personal sharing and everyone is welcome. Please come and try it with us. 

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Last Sunday we celebrated the graduation of Amy Cockman and Liz Smith, who completed four years in Education for Ministry— studying the scriptures, church history, and theology. For all students in EFM, these years are also marked by community, reflecting on living out our beliefs in our daily lives, and purposely seeking where God is calling us to ministry. 

Dear God who calls everyone to ministry. You give each of us the ability to serve others. We ask for the insight, discernment & courage to act when needed. We give thanks for the opportunity to serve and for our
Church community that supports us in our ministry. May your Spirit be a constant companion through
our joys and sorrows and our routine days, that we may feel your love always. Amen.

Interested in EfM?

EfM is a unique four-year program in theological education based upon small-group study and practice.

A new class at St. Michael’s will run from mid-September until the end of May. It will meet weekly on Thursday evenings from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Adult Ed. Room.  If you are interested in joining us, or for more information, please contact Philip Lambe or Chris Laco.

,

Social Justice and Racial Equity Pilgrimage to Georgia and Alabama: May 31 – June 4

,

The Rev. Mary Davila, and members of Christ Church, invite St. Michael’s parishioners to join them on a pilgrimage to Atlanta and Alabama.

Highlights include:

  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Visitor Center

  • Tuskegee Airman National Historic Site in Montgomery

  • National Memorial and Museum for Peace and Justice

  • Cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, just as many did on March 7, 1965

  • National Voting Rights Museum

  • Holy Eucharist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Plus much more!

The details including itinerary, costs*, transportation, accommodations, terms & conditions are outlined in thie brochure below.

*The final price depends upon the number of participants. Space is limited; register below For questions or additional information, contact: Mary Davila, Assistant Rector, Christ Church.

Helen Wright Center Needs Volunteers

The Helen Wright Center is an emergency shelter for women in need. St. Michael’s provides a meal for the women once a month. We have five teams and a monthly rotation, so each team only serves two or three times a year. It is a small way to make a big impact! The shelter has moved and expanded this year, which is great news for our community! As a result, we need more volunteers to serve this ministry. You do not have to be a cook—most of the food items are store bought and dropped off at church. If you are interested, please contact Dana Zeszotarski

, ,

Read the Winter 2023 Archangel

, ,

The Winter 2023 Archangel explores angels — from our patron saint Michael to Uriel, Raphael and Gabriel to the angels that touch us a little closer to home. Click on the image below to view the online version.

 
 
,

Congratulations Vestry Class of 2025

,

We’re excited to announce our new Vestry class of 2025: Phil Lambe, Jeff McLamb, Sally Norton, Mike Penick and Ruth Scott. We thank all our nominees and for all who attended our Annual Meeting.

And we thank Katherine Poole, our senior warden; Matt Marchione, junior warden; Liz Driscoll, clerk; and Melissa Raley — Class of 2022. Well done, good and faithful servants!

, ,

Read the Fall 2022 Archangel

, ,

Our Fall issue tells the story of the Duff family, who helped plant the seed that grew into St. Michael's. We celebrate the 20th anniversary of Gifts of Grace, our signature Outreach fundraising event, by looking back at its origins. And our curate, the Rev. David Nichols, shares his path from son of a preacher to becoming a priest. We take a look at Sacred Ground, a series on race founded in faith, and we say farewell to our beloved computer guru, Bob Spaziano, whose "retiring" from a decades-long lay ministry keeping all our tech needs in order.

,

No Fuss Directory 2022

,

These days, nobody wants to corral the kids, dress them up, find a slot when no one has other plans and show up for a church directory photograph you’ll never buy. But with a growing church like ours, it’s important to have a secure way to browse “who’s who” in our parish. Our last directory, created in 2017, was out of date before it was printed. So this year, we are hoping you’ll take a few seconds to browse your phone for a picture of your family that you love and send it to us. We’ll upload it to your family information in our database and make it available to all of our parishioners through our member portal. So help everyone in our parish get to know each other by sending your photo to us! Deadline: Sunday, Oct. 23.

Susan Rountree is also available to take a quick photo of you or your family on Sunday mornings. She will be available at the Parish Picnic, on Sunday, Oct. 9. Questions? Contact Susan Rountree.

,

Small Groups Continue this Fall!

,

Reflection Circles

St Michael’s Reflection Circles continue to meet. Each “circle” has 7 to 10 people and is facilitated by trained St. Michael’s small group leaders. We read and reflect on the Gospel for the coming Sunday, talk about life today, engage each other, and pray— all in a weekly 45-minute Zoom call. Five groups are operating now, and most could welcome one or two more participants. We will also add more groups as there is interest.

Day and Time Options

Mondays at 9 a.m.
Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesdays at 10 a.m
Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Wednesdays at 10 a.m

To join, click “Email Sam Taylor” below, and let him know which group interests you. Don't see a time that works for you? Please let us know what DOES work. If there is enough interest, we will form a new group

If you have additional questions, contact Sam Taylor (908-399-5566)

Centering Prayer | Tuesdays at 9 a.m.

We have 20 minutes of centering prayer followed by a book discussion. All are welcome to join. No experience is necessary.  For more information about Centering Prayer, please contact Leon Woodruff below.

,

Children's Ministry–Planning for Fall

,

It takes a village to run our vibrant Children's Ministry. There is something for everyone! Please consider volunteering one Sunday morning a month during our program year, which runs September-May.

 
St. Michael's Episcopal Church