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The Rev. George Yandell, Rector

Christmastide during the covid pandemic will sure be different, won’t it? Not seeing loved ones, not being in the Church for Christmas Eve and Day services. I’m feeling a strong dose of nostalgia this Advent, maybe you are too. That word literally derives from the Greek- nos’tos for “home”- al’gia for “sickness”, or longing for home.

Reminiscences about Christmas Day 1969 have been rattling around in my head the last few days. I was 16. I had been driving for almost a year. The days leading up to Christmas had been cold and windy, threatening snow. Christmas Eve after the late afternoon service at Church of the Ascension, my father, mother, brother and I rode home with the radio on. Dad listened to the news- snow was predicted overnight. Sure enough, when my brother and I woke before dawn, snow covered everything. When my parents fmally woke up and we went to unwrap all the presents, my father asked me, “George, do you still intend to go to Church this morning and serve as acolyte?” I told him I did. He asked which route I intended to take- I told him I had thought it through- that to avoid the biggest hills, I would meander through our neighborhood and take the back way to our parish, about 5 miles away. (We lived in West Hills, Knoxville – aptly named.) He agreed with my plan, much to my amazement. (You can Google “Knoxville Tennessee Snow Christmas 1969” and see pics.)

At 8:15 I drove the big Buick Electra down our steep drive in low gear. Then I slowly made it through all the (mostly) level backroads, my tracks the only ones visible. I arrived at the Church early. Someone had plowed the steep drive up to the nave, a relief to me. I parked around the back and walked the path to the sacristy, only one pair of prints visible before me. When I stepped up to the sacristy door and walked in, Mr. Garner (the rector) turned to me, a startled look on his face. “George, what are you doing here?” I replied, “I’m on to serve as your acolyte. I knew that if no one else showed up, you couldn’t have Communion alone.” He laughed and said, “Let’s check things out in the nave for the big crowd that’s coming.”

I carried the big brass cross into the sanctuary, Mr. Gamer following me. No one else was there. We went through the entire service, except for the sermon. Mr. Garner said after the gospel, “George you heard my sermon at the afternoon service yesterday, so I won’t repeat it now. I just want to thank you for coming to serve with me today. It’s making Christmas happen for me.” As it was for me.

I prepared the altar for communion. Mr. Gamer gestured for me to come and stand near him.

After he served me the bread and wine, I cleared the vessels to the credence table and went back to my spot on the gospel side of the sanctuary. After the post-communion prayer, I led us out with the cross. He said the “choir” prayer in the sacristy, thanked me again, and I wished him a good Christmas. He said, “You’ve made it for me.” I replied the same.

My drive home was beautiful-the snow was reflecting the sun so brightly it almost blinded me. As I turned up onto our steep driveway, the rear tires lost traction for a split second, the only time they’d slipped. As I parked the car in the garage, my mother stuck her head out and said, “I’m so relieved you’re home safely.” I was too. G. Yandell

The Rev. George Yandell, Rector

Advent and Christmastide fill me with music. One of my favorite hymns for these seasons is Hymn 67, “Comfort Ye My People.” Another is “In the Bleak Mid-winter” Hymn 112. (Palmer Temple also claims it as a favorite.) Another is Hymn 60- “Creator of the Stars of Night.”

In addition are all the season’s CD’s and vinyl albums I just stacked in the stereo bookcase Saturday afternoon. I intend to hear them all multiple times over the coming weeks. (There are lots of others I no longer listen to, or did once, and retired- a sampling of those are at the bottom.) I’ll happily receive suggestions about your favorites.

George Winston – “December”- classic piano solos Tony Bennett – “Snowfall: The Christmas Album” Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Perry Como’s Christmas albums on vinyl and CD’s.

Fred Waring’s “12 Songs of Christmas” and the Philadelphia Orchestra’s “The Glorious Sounds of Christmas” with Gene Ormandy conducting, both on vinyl

Nat King Cole – “The Christmas Song”- Susan’s favorite

Paul Horn’s “The Peace Album” and James Galway’s “Christmas Carol”- Two brilliant flutists with excellent accompanying musicians.

Windham Hill – almost all the Winter Solstice albums, along with the Celtic Christmas albums

Paul Winter – “Celtic Solstice”

Tommy Emmanuel – “All I Want for Christmas” (Australian guitar wizard- picks with all five fingers on both hands) Traditional songs with great side players.

The Chieftains – “Bells of Dublin” with Elvis Costello, Marianne Faithful, Nancy Griffith, Jackson Browne, Rickie Lee Jones and Burgess Meredith (!)

Tingstad and Rumble – “Star of Wonder” Jon Anderson (of Yes fame} “Three Ships” on vinyl

Rick Wakeman (also of Yes fame) – “Christmas Portraits” and “Christmas Variations” – two new fmds on of solo piano that Susan and I both like

Vince Guaraldi Trio- “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on vinyl

Two marginal albums: Harry Connick – “When My Heart Finds Christmas” (great band but no improvement on Bennett, Crosby, Sinatra or Como)

Sting’s “On a Winter’s Night- Traditional Songs from the British Isles” (if you like bleak winter music, this covers the bases).

And the stinkers – why did I buy these? Moody Blues – “Christmas”

Brian Wilson – “What I Really Want for Christmas” George Yandel!

The Rev. George Yandell, Rector

Power Grid

On the morning of July 22, 2003, the massive violent windstorm later known locally as “Hurricane Elvis” swooped unexpectedly across the Mississippi River, causing wide-ranging destruction throughout Memphis and Shelby County. At its peak intensity, the storm — a “derecho” in strict weather lingo — yielded winds of 108 miles per hour, close to the 111 mph threshold for a Category 3 hurricane.

Straight line winds raged across Memphis and the mid-south. When the storm passed, everything was turned upside down. Huge old oak trees uprooted. Houses de-roofed. Streets impassable. Over 300,000 homes, 70% of Shelby County, were left without power in the wake of the storm. Two individuals were left dead as a direct result of the storm, with several more deaths due to fires caused by unattended candles or generator accidents.

The days after the storm, the daytime temperatures stayed somewhat mild for Memphis-highs in the mid-80’s, clear skies, mostly. The roads got sort of clear, if you could dodge the debris and mountains of trees stacked everywhere. Power was off everywhere (except downtown, where all the lines were underground). I served Calvary Church downtown- it had power. The ice maker worked well. I brought big bags of ice home each evening to keep food in the fridge from spoiling.

The power grid became a topic of conversation everywhere. “When will our power be restored? Why can’t MLGW get us to the top of their list?” (MLGW = Memphis Light Gas and Water.)

9 days after the storm, I was getting ready to go to work when I heard the sound we’d all been waiting for- large trucks with power company logos coming down our street. When a line of them parked, I jogged up to the lead truck and met the team as they got out. They were from Kentucky. I praised the team (and God, silently), and asked the foreman, “What dictates where you restore the power? How do you know where to start?” He looked at me with a quizzical smile. He said, “You have to start at the center of the grid where the power station is, then work your way out. You’re not very close to the center of the grid.” I immediately learned how little I knew about power grids.

I started thinking about the grid as a metaphor for relating to God. The further away from the source, the more cut off I am from power. Connecting is the main thing. “Keeping the main thing the main thing” works in industry and theology. (Thanks to Jim Barksdale and Fedex for that mantra.)

In this covid pandemic, many of us are cut-off from our contacts with our friends. We can’t visit family members unless we quarantine prior to the visits. We can’t gather in social settings without making sure we’re not too close. And we can’t do Church as we have in the past. We miss singing God’s praise in company with our fellow parishioners. The past few weeks have offered a respite for some of us- the outdoor services have allowed us to receive communion and be in communion with one another, albeit at safe distances.

The power grid is still open to us. For many of us, viewing the Sunday services online isn’t as satisfying as worshipping in person, but it does keep us connected. Calling our fellow worshippers connects us. Praying the daily office online or in solitude keeps the main thing the main thing. That’s my prayer for the coming days- that we let God’s power connect us from a distance until we can worship and serve the resurrected Jesus together. G. Yandell

The Rev. George Yandell, Rector

November 18, 2020

The first time I took the Myers/Briggs temperament sorter was in 1976 just before seminary. The results said I was an ENTP (extraverted/intuitive/ thinking/ borderline perceptive/judging type). When I met again with the psychiatrist after graduating seminary in May 1979, I took it again (as required by the diocese of Tennessee- I guess to see if seminary had infected me with some aberrations). I scored as an ENFJ.

The next time I took it in 1983 I scored less extraverted, more intuitive, and had moved toward being more strongly a feeling type and a J (judging type- we like closure). ENFJ. The test administrator suggested that when I took it the first time, I had not yet been ordained. In 1983, the test guru said the changes reflected my having been a priest for 3 years. Don’t know about that. But I do know I developed a pretty strong urge to finish each project I initiate before I move on to the next project (or it is initiated for me). So when I took it last in the mid 2000’s, I tested less extraverted, more strongly intuitive, more feeling and more a J.

Being a “J” is not an easy trait for a priest, or at least this priest. There are many concurrent needs and programs each needing attention. Often there is no way to gain closure. (I have a deep-seated fear of getting behind.) So I try to initiate projects that have clearly defined beginnings, middles and ends.

When I was trained in the mid-1980’s as a community organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation, the deliberate processes for organizing groups for essential actions clicked for me. The steps are these:

• have one-on-one meetings with people you want to get to know- learn from them what animates them, what makes them tick, what they’re passionate about
• invite people with common interests/ passions to participate in small group meetings
• ask people of particularly strong interests and passions to help with or lead more group meetings
• in the meetings, ask, “What are the most important things we should be doing in the parish/community/region?”
• take verbatim notes in each meeting
• after a number of small group meetings, pool the results, weight each response by the number of times it’s mentioned, publish the results for everyone who participated
• develop action plans based on the most important items raised
• divide into teams to work with others of passion in the parish/community to accomplish the actions, conferring with community leaders to get them to act for the community,
• confronting them in public if necessary
• meet after all the teams have completed (or modified) their action plans and evaluate successes, failures, and contemplate future actions
• report the results to all in the parish/community.
• Start the process again when the community seems ready to move forward.

Close reading of the gospels suggests to me that Jesus was innately gifted as an organizer. (You can try this at home, comparing his actions and teachings with the steps above.) He might have learned some of it from John the Baptist, at least the confrontational parts.

Over the past 10 years at Holy Family, you can see how this process has worked for us. Small group input sessions’ responses have sculpted our successive Long Range Plans and Mutual Ministry Review (MMR) initiatives. In the new year, we might profit from engaging in small group sessions again. And from doing the MMR in the spring. We will have accomplished (or need to modify) these parts of the Long Range Plan

• Develop a plan for the whole campus
• Become better stewards of physical facilities by creating ongoing plans for regular and long-term maintenace
• Maintain a viable and up-to-date website, make it transactional, i.e. 2-way communication.
• Become aware of and strive to meet the needs of aging parishioners.
• Promote and support use of campus for retreats
• Eliminate the mortgage before refinancing is due @ 2023.

Even in the covid era, we can celebrate what we’ve accomplished by deliberate work on the components of the long range plan and adjusting/improving our ministries through the MMR.

I’d love to engage with anyone who’d like to talk about your Myers Briggs type (or how your personality guides you in work and play). G. Yandell

by Jim Reid

My fellow parishioners:

My path to becoming an Episcopalian is a little convoluted. I learned only in the past few years through genealogical research that my maternal grandparents were Episcopalians. At a young age, my mother became a Presbyterian; I wish I knew the details. My father was what I’d call generic Protestant, details unknown. I married a Catholic lady but, although I attended church with her, always felt as though I were living on the fringes. When my wife passed a couple of years ago, I went looking for a new church to attend. Holy Family was my second stop; there was no need to go further. I was home.

That brings us to stewardship. The pastor of a previous parish said, “I have to keep the lights on.” There is more to it than that, of course: Building maintenance, other utilities, insurance, salaries. And don’t forget our grounds, our campus, our outdoor cathedral (a term I am unashamedly “borrowing”). That’s our base but we can’t really call ourselves Christians if we don’t reach out to those less fortunate than we.

The need is everywhere. The list is available on our web page, but I’ll repeat it, at least in part, here: Diocese of Atlanta, Good Samaritan Health and Wellness, Pickens Community Thrift Store, CARES of Pickens County, Appalachian Children’s Emergency Shelter, Mountain Stewards, and Angels on Horseback. The preceding items are in north Georgia; we also support three missionary efforts off our shores.

I’m retired and am embarrassed to admit I do not yet properly donate my time or my treasure, but I’m working on it. As a result of COVID-19 having thrust virtual services upon us, I’ve recently become a member of the parish media team, a task I never imagined enjoying. That effort could use more volunteers; if I can do it, anyone can do it.

Bring your time. Bring your treasure. I don’t think God asks more of us than we can spare. Jim Reid

by Miller Andress

Fellow Members of the Congregation of Holy Family,

Over thirty years ago, when Jenny and I joined the congregation of Emmanuel Church in Orlando, the Rector came to visit. In the conversation I asked him, “How do you decide how much to give to the Church?”. His reply was a simple “That’s between you and God”. After some thought I took that to mean that we were to prepare ourselves for that conversation by knowing about the entities that we are considering to receive our giving.

Thus, my thoughts for you to consider in your giving to Holy Family.

When we arrived here twenty years ago, we found Holy Family and attended our first service in the trailers that are now the Conference Building. A very comfortable setting which facilitated getting to know those next to you. We were greeted with warmth and the feeling that this was where we wanted to be. Even encountered a Navy associate that I had last seen in Chu Lai, Vietnam. Although we have moved on to the new building, the congregation has continued the warmth for newcomers.

Soon after attending church, Joe Satterfield called one Tuesday and after some conversation, ordered me to meet him at the North Gate of Big Canoe at 0730 and we would travel to Jasper for the Men’s Breakfast at the Carriage House. The Wednesday breakfast has become a special time of my life with special people that talk about all sorts of subjects. Foremost is that we care about Holy Family and each other. We continue to visit each Wednesday through Zoom, which has made possible talking with John Spitznagel, one of the three elders twenty years ago, now living in Chapel Hill, NC

About that same time, I decided that another way to get to know people was to participate in the Grounds maintenance. I talked with Pete Cooke who was receptive and said he would meet me the next morning at what is now Pete’s Porch. I was given a wheelbarrow, a rake and a shovel. We then proceeded to a mountain of mulch and Pete showed me the trail where it was to go. Pete then thanked me for being there and left me. Got to know more people on other days. Pete’s organizing was a major effort of giving.

Holy Family’s significant involvement in the founding of Cares and Good Samaritan Clinic. This involvement resulted in a rewarding project for me, managing the construction of the first new building for Good Sam. Holy Family continues to have involvement through Board members, volunteers and giving.

The Holy Family clergy have been willing to accept/guide new programs. Our program of “Preparing well for the Elder Years” was encouraged and facilitated by the clergy and is well received by the congregation. Hopefully, we find a way to get restarted.

Pastoral care continues to be very special. Two clergy visits at 6:00 AM on successive days to St. Josephs in Atlanta are very special in my memory. The dedication of those who publish the current Pastoral Care emails that let us know whom we should be praying for or helping in other ways. I just received a call from Winship to report on Robert Wright. Sermons, Sunday School and Lenten Programs not only educate us but provide guidance/encouragement in our daily lives. We are blessed to have not only clergy but members of the parish who provide this.

The Pandemic has cancelled our face to face time such as Coffee after church. When do have church will have good food, provided by the Hospitality Committee, to facilitate our conversations and a good time to meet new people.

We are a volunteer congregation with a wonderful choir, grounds maintenance, altar guild, outreach, vestry and supporting committees and then all the local organizations we are involved in—Good Sam, Cares, ACES, Angels on Horseback, Boys and Girls Club and Mountain Stewards.

In summation, we are a congregation that cares about the people and the Parish and the surrounding community. We not only care but we give of Time, Talent and Treasure.

All of the above don’t happen without the clergy, administrative staff, operations and maintenance of buildings and grounds, operating supplies, donations to charitable organizations and donation to the Diocese of Atlanta. These cost money.

Hopefully I have provided a background for the Holy Family part of your discussion with God.

There are many other organizations that are part of our consideration of giving. Jenny and I have managed this by first deciding how much that we have to give for the year. We then decide what we consider our share of the budget of Holy Family and then distribute the rest to the others. Also there is the giving outside of the Annual Pledge to Holy Family and that is a judgment of our financial well being at that time.

Last, outside of our giving of Treasure, a most significant contribution to Holy Family is the giving of Time and Treasure. Holy Family would not be the wonderful congregation without giving all three – Time, Talent and Treasure.

Miller Andress

by Judy Wyndham

WHAT ARE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES?

Having one’s vision classified as “20/20” has always been a good thing. Conversely, the year 2020 is shaping up to be a nightmare! The pandemic thus far has caused numerous businesses to fail, leaving many working individuals suddenly without a job or an income. Community food pantries are having difficulty meeting the food requirements of those who are falling behind financially.

Perhaps because we are not meeting together as a congregation on a weekly basis where we hear reminders of our obligation to sustain weekly giving, we are falling behind in meeting our fmancial expectations. Our continual giving is necessary not only for paying monthly expenses of the church but also for meeting our obligations to the agencies that we support…ACES, CARES, our missionaries in Madagascar, Arrendale Women’s Prison, and others.

Faithful giving is an essential tool for living a faithful life. Sharing the blessings that God bestows on us is part of our moral responsibility as children of God.

Judy Wyndham

by Nancy Shapanka

Dear Members of the Holy Family Episcopal Church,

The last seven months have been uncertain times, but thankfully because of the generous donations to Holy Family in 2019-2020 the maintenance of the grounds, offices, and the church that we so long to re-enter has carried on. Careful planning and watchful eyes have stretched every contribution, ensuring uninterrupted support to local charities who depend on what the church has promised, to carry on the work they do so well.

As a volunteer for the non-profit Angels On Horseback(AOHB), I have witnessed our church’s contributions help curtail the lesson cost for families seeking emotional and physical healing equine therapy. This unique therapy for both children and adults outside the confines of a medical setting can be life-changing. Their success becomes my success. Their joy becomes my joy! Feel the success, feel the joy; give generously to Holy Family in 2020-21.
Blessings to all,
Nancy Shapanka

In a first-year Pastoral Care class in seminary, Professor Bill Pregnall offered us new students a metaphor for how people “do Church”. He said, “Imagine the parish is like folks being at the seashore.  Some people are content to sit among the dunes watching the waves and the people who’re closer to the water. Others move down onto the sand and spread out their beach chairs and blankets and bask in the sun.  Others go down to the water’s edge and get their feet wet as they walk along, looking for shells.  Still others wade out and feel the action of the waves.  Then there are those who run across the sand, dive into the waves and swim out past the breakers.  All of them are part of the shore “congregation”.  Each has a role to play in the life of the Church. There is no ‘right’ place to be.”

When we new students asked questions, Dr. Pregnall said, “We need to make sure that each person’s participation is honored.  If people are interested in moving closer to the action, we need to offer them incentives to do so.  If folks who’re out swimming deep get tired or into trouble, we need to bring them back to safety.  Over the course of their lives, people might choose different zones of participation.  Remember, all are near the water, all have been baptized and are part of the ministering body. Discerning with them what their ministries might be is how we nurture folks into mature faith. But there is no ‘right place’ to be.  Jesus called men and women of diverse backgrounds and experiences to be part of the fellowship. All are learning together to serve Christ in all persons, loving neighbor as self.”  G. Yandell

Summer’s Almost Gone

Been hearing the Doors’ tune in my head- Jim Morrison singing the hypnotic vocal: “Summer’s almost gone- where will we be when the summer’s gone?” (Waiting for the Sun Album,1968.) What a summer it’s been. Hunkered down, wearing masks when others shun doing so. Routines smashed, covid tests in short supply, results taking too long. Soo many deaths. So hard to comprehend.

The hummingbirds are fewer at our feeders. One ruby-throat guy is dive-bombing all the others when they get near. Beautiful creatures. The only birds that can fly backward, I’ve learned. I spied the last lightning bug a few days ago. More deer are feeding near the house. The horrific fires out west still burning untold acres. Whole towns burned to the ground. People displaced and dying.

The cool snap here is welcome after the hurricane. I feel almost guilty at the relative tranquility of our mountains.

I wonder at the students going back to class. Or those sitting at home with their laptops doing virtual learning. I remember the friends in elementary school I’d walk to and from school with. Or those in later grades I’d race on my bike home from school. The playground and gym were the loud and raucous, full of writhing, yelling kids.

I remember too during the cold war when we were given dog tags to wear each day at school. (I still have mine somewhere.) Practicing hunkering down under our desks during air raid drills. And especially the day when we had to walk home from school to practice the route our parents had assigned us. We were being timed to see how long it would take. Two of my friends and I walked through the cow pasture and stopped by the pond to throw rocks and splash around. Not the assigned route. My mother was fuming when I walked in the back door. She knew the reasons we had to practice those drills. They pretty much escaped me. But her anger didn’t.

There is a rarely visited section of the prayer book called ‘The Supplication.’ It’s attached to the end of the Great Litany. (Page 154) I’ve taken to using it during the early morning daily office. The rubrics suggest it may be used, “at the end of Morning or Evening Prayer, or as a separate devotion; especially in times of war, or of national anxiety, or of disaster.” I commend it to you. George Yandell