S h e p h e r d o f t h e H i l l s E p i s c o p al C h u r c h ( 352) 52 7 - 00 52 F ax ( 35 2) 7 46 - 6 33 6

e - m ai l : o f f i c e . s o t h e c @ t am p ab ay . r r . c o m

The

Shepherds Staff
March 2016

Volume 41 Issue 26

Upcoming Events

From the Rector

Mar. 5 Church Cleanup

Mar. 18 Quiet Day

Give Praise and Thanks to

Our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. From This All
Things Flow

Mar. 19 St. Pats Dinner

Mar. 20 Palm Sunday
Mar. 24 Maundy Thurs.
Mar. 25 Good Friday
Mar. 27 Easter Day

By The Rev. George Conger,

SOTH Rector

Mission Statement
Our mission is to be a
beacon of faith
known for engaging
all persons in the
love and truth
of Jesus Christ

Inside this issue:

Poets Corner .... 2
Ministry Notices 5
Birthdays/Anniv. .... 7
Monthly Calendar 9
Jan. Financials ... 10
Treasurers Report .. 11

Shepherd of the Hills is an extraordinary place. From the

first Sunday we came, Susan and I knew this church was
different from the others we had served over the past 20
years. Weve asked ourselves what makes this place
different. Ive suggested that it may be because this is the
highest church weve ever served 130 feet above sea
level. Susan believes it to be the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of
believers. I think she is right.
Last month I attended a clergy education program led by a man named
Ed Stetzer. He offered some hard truths to us, challenging Episcopal clergy
to break free from the maintenance mindset. As I listened to Stetzer, I
looked at our church and asked myself if we were meeting the goals he
outlined. Were we merely lucky? Or are we doing things right?
Citing researcher Thom Rainer, Stetzer reported that nine out of ten
churches in North America are declining, or they are growing slower than
the community in which they are located. We are not speaking of Episcopal
Churches, but all churches. Those churches which are growing appear to be
those who combine an outward focus with an inward charism of faith.
Stetzers talk in Orlando was directed to an Episcopal audience most
rectors are reporting flat attendance figures or slight declines. His talk was
about how to become a healthy church. God didnt design churches to be
healthy by only looking to ourselves and meeting our own needs. If we
arent preparing people to engage in Gods mission to the world, we are
preparing them to fail in that mission, Stetzer said.
The first step was to properly define success. The goal of a healthy
church is seeing the power of Christ transform lives. That includes men and
women who are without Christ, dead in their trespasses and sins, hearing
the good news of the gospel, and becoming followers of Christ by the grace
of God, he said.
Continued on Page 2

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

P A GE 2

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

From the Rector: Give Praise and Thanks

Poets Corner

Marching On
Brutal winter is nearly over
Lent is promising an early Easter
Our Lords three years of ministry
Climaxing in a single final supper
Then arrest and horrible crucifixion
Which ending becoming a new beginning.
Christs sacrifice purchased for us
Eternal life beyond earthly sojourns
A heavenly spring after personal winters
Of illness, pain, loss and regrets
Reunion with loved ones gone before
And blooming joy, everlasting happiness.
Joan Bonnell Clark

The

Shepherds

Staff

To submit an article, send an e-mail to

Karen Kennedy-Hall, Editor, to
karen.kennedyhall@gmail.com.
Articles are due the 25th of each month.

Continued from Page 1

The central command of the Great Commission

was to make disciples, he said. The teaching and,
therefore, the function, the mission of the church, must
be disciple-making, Stetzer argued, noting that too
many churches simply exist because they existed last
year. Survival is not success. Sustaining a church for
the sake of the church was life support.
If your church hasnt had a single community
outreach project in a year, you are in decline. If you
dont have positive, gospel conversations with people
in your community regularly, you are in decline. If
your people dont view sports teams, civic
organizations, and public schools as places of ministry,
you are in decline, he said.
Stetzer zeroed in on his audience, saying
leadership was a vital function of church life. From
my experience as a pastor and working with many
pastors, I've noted that most are unaware of their
leadership gifts, their strengths, and their weaknesses.
So we remain unsure as to why things aren't happening
the way they should.
You can say, My church isnt reaching people. It
isnt evangelistic. But then I would ask you, Are you
personally evangelistic? If you aren't showing and
sharing the love of Christ to your neighbor, then your
church will, most likely, not do that either. Theyll
resemble you. People will follow your lead. You
cannot lead what you do not live, he told the clergy.
Stetzers talk then turned the focus onto the
congregation. If your church disappeared from its
community, would the people in the community miss
it? Your church should be essential to the
community. For this to happen your church must move
outside the building; it must be outward focused, he
said, adding: What you celebrate, you become.
The message Stetzer left us with was: Service
opens doors for proclamation of the gospel.
Jesus said we are a light in darkness, and we should let
our light so shine among people that they see our good
works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven
(Matthew 5:16). Our churches shouldn't have an
outward focus simply so we can do good works for
people, but rather to glorify God.
How is Shepherd of the Hills doing? Attendance is
one snapshot of our health. From 2014 to 2015 our
attendance on Sundays grew by 12 per cent. This trend
is continuing. During the four Sundays of February our
average adjusted Sunday
Continued on Page 16
attendance in 2015 was 163. In

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

PAGE 3

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

Support and Good Communication are Key to

Moving Our Church Forward
to be both visible and approachable
and to get to know as many of you
as possible.
Last Sunday, I was due to serve
The English poet William
at the 8 a.m. service and, as I was
Shakespeare wrote a play called 12th
getting dressed, Father George
Night in which there is a character
appeared and gave me an envelope
called Malvolio. He is a pompous
saying, this is for you, and then he
old fool who is very highly regarded,
disappeared. I opened the note and I
but by only one person . . . himself.
was surprised and quite shocked to
Shakespeare has him say, Some are
discover that it contained an
born great, some achieve greatness
invitation to become Senior
and some have greatness thrust upon
Warden. I was so knocked sideways
them.
that I forgot to light the candles. I
MICHAEL HERMAN-SMITH
I assure you with all my heart that
realized quickly the size of the task
SOTH Senior Warden
none
of this applies to me; my intense
and the responsibility that is involved.
interest
is in the greatness of our
I thought hard and prayed. I had not sought the
Church, the Shepherd of the Hills, now and in the
position or even considered the possibility of it
future. Presently, it is a living, vibrant entity
but, I felt it was a call.
evolving and growing. It cannot standstill; it must
After a long talk with Father George, I
not standstill, because by so doing, it will decline.
accepted his nomination very conscious of the
I share the vision of Father George that is to see
confidence and trust that he was placing in me. I
our Church grow strongly in numbers, worship,
was conscious also of the fact that I would be
stature and influence. For any living thing to grow
following in the footsteps of Bette Patz, the
immediate past Senior Warden, who has done such it needs to be fed the right nutrients. In the case of
our Church those nutrients must come in large part
a marvelous job over a long tenure during the
from you by your Faith, fellowship,
course of which she had to deal with some
involvement in ministries and Church affairs and,
difficult problems. I am most grateful to her for
offering her advice and counsel whenever I might of course, by your Prayers. Then, because of its
good health, our Church will be favored by God
need it and that may be often.
and its growth will be very good.
Most importantly, I need your support. Good
Our Mission statement refers to our Church as
communication is key and I ask you to share with
a
Beacon
of Faith. How wonderful it would be if
me your likes and dislikes, your constructive
the
light
from
that Beacon were extended further
criticism and suggestions. To enable this, I intend
By Michael Herman-Smith
SOTH Senior Warden

Give Our Church

the Once-Over
Get out your buckets, mops,
dusters and paint brushes,
window cleaners and rakes
our church needs a good spring
cleaning.
Please plan on helping us get
the inside and outside of
Shepherd of the Hills spiffed up.

9 a.m.

Saturday
March 5

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 4

Holy Week Services

Palm Sunday
Regular schedule of services

Holy Week
No services on Monday and Tuesday

Wednesday, March 23 Healing

Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. in the Chapel

Maundy Thursday, March 24

Holy Eucharist 6:30 p.m.
Foot Washing, Stripping of the Altar

Good Friday, March 25

Holy Eucharist at noon

Holy Saturday, March 26

W e d n es d ay s
4 t o 5 p. m.
I n t h e C h a p el

L ed by Th e Rev. D eaco n J oa n C lar k

9 a.m. in the Chapel

Easter

T h u rs day s

Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 26

7 p. m.
I n t h e C h a p el

Holy Eucharist 5 p.m. Saturday

Easter Sunday, March 27

Easter Rite I 8 a.m.
Easter Rite II 10:30 a.m.
Easter Rite III 5 p.m. with animals

Guest Preacher

L ed by Eri n Di eri cx

assisted at St Edwards
Episcopal Church.
Born two months early, she
Shepherd of the Hills will
developed Retinopathy of
once again have the pleasure of
Prematurity resulting in the loss
welcoming The Rev. Susan
of 70 percent of her vision.
Blake, who will be the preacher
Nothing has stopped me! I have
and celebrant at our Good Friday
always felt that God had a
service at noon on March 21.
purpose for my life. So look and
Back in January, Rev. Blake
see what the Lord has done! she
was the celebrant and preacher at
said.
all our weekend services while
Rev. Blake is always
Fr. Conger was away.
accompanied by her guide dog,
She was ordained a priest by
The Rev. Susan Blake
Didi, who guides her to the altar
Diocese of Central Florida Bishop
and around the church, helping her
Greg Brewer in October 2015. A
navigate steps, sidewalks and darkness.
graduate of Nashotah Theological Seminary in
She is a great companion, said Rev Blake of
Wisconsin, she has served since 2010 as chaplain Didi. She said she is very much a church dog and is
at Waterman Village in Mount Dora and has
affectionately known as Deacon Didi.

PAGE 5

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

Ministry of the Month

Prayer Shawl Ministry

opening doors for communication,
which reinforced relationships and
invited understanding and also
This Ministrys story began in
healing. They spread the word to
Hartford, Conn., with two women
others and these to others and these
who, after they graduated from the
to others resulting in workshops
Womens Leadership Institute at
and retreats and newspaper articles
the Hartford Seminary, responded
and the publishing of many books.
to a classmates request for prayers
In 2008, our Ministry began at
for her extremely-ill husband. This
SOTH with eight women. Shawls
woman was wearing a shawl,
are
made,
blessed
by our priest or deacon, and givwhich others touched as they were praying and laten
to
those
who
are
enduring or recovering from an
er she told the others she felt that the shawl was
illness
or
surgery,
to
those experiencing loss or
holding their prayers and lending her their support.
during
the
time
of
bereavement,
to our many atWhen next they saw her, the shawl was the altar
home caregivers, and for unspecified, occasional
cloth at the husbands funeral and they realized
what a source of solace it would always be to this events. If we are able, we give shawls to church
members relatives.
family.
We have assisted in starting three additional
As these women began to prayerfully knit
ministries
in Lecanto, Fla., Lees Summit, Mo.,
shawls for family and friends, they began to realize
and
Gabriola,
British Columbia. In 2015, we were
that it was becoming a spiritual process much diftruly blessed with four new members. Our meeting
ferent from other good works they often perdates are yet to be set for 2016. Stay tuned, while
formed. Encouraged by this awareness, and the
you consider becoming part of this wonderful
gratitude they received from others, they saw the
group.
potential that giving and receiving a shawl has in
By Lurayn Haines
Prayer Shawl Ministry Leader

Ministry Notices
SOS January Report:

Less People in Need of Food

By Your SOS Ministry

In January, we served 434

families composed of 1,232
members made up of 318 children,
683, adults and 231 seniors. They
received 24,710 pounds of food or
20 pounds per person.
Things seem to be getting
better. Our numbers are down.
Lets pray that this trend continues.
We are still helping four people with their
dental needs. The county is still not running the
dental bus. We hope that Nature Coast reopening
will be a success. That will be determined in
March.
We plan to give out hams for Easter along

with items for a complete meal. Your

contributions for this outreach would
be great. I think we will sign up over
300 people for this meal.
Bless you for your prayers and
support.
.

SOS Ministry
Contribution for
March
Pasta, Pasta sauce,
Rice

PAGE 6

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 7

Directory Update
Myrna Uzmack
1843 W Shanelle Path
Lecanto FL 34461
(863) 255-3950
mloy60@yahoo.com
Allen Harlow
Cell (352)464-0953

Birthdays
3
4
5
6
8
9
13
16
20
24
26
30

Leslie Palmer
Shirley Hebestreit
Paul Thomas
Juan Carvajal, Lurayn Haines, Rick McNeece
Bert Hombergen, Agda Hart
John Husowitz, Ron Sorensen, Derrick Blake
Sylvia Myer
Kim Jones
Glen Myer
Edward Herbert
Shirley Anderson
Alice Zimmermann

Anniversaries
17 Paul & Virgilee Thomas
23 Ronnie & Marilyn Stokes

Greeters

Lectors

Saturday 5 p.m.

Saturday 5 p.m.

March 5: J. DeMerchant & Betty Harnig

March 12: S. & J. Carvajal
March 19: BA & J. Palladino

March 26: J & B Hombergen

Sunday 8 a.m.

Sunday 8 a.m.

March 6: M. Harrison & L. Mullen

March 13: N. Warrick & R. Warner
March 20: D. & R. Dunn
March 27: MA Johnson/F. Panza

Mar. 6: D. Goss
Mar. 13: C. Lent
Mar. 20: J. Fontaine
Mar. 27: N. Warrick

Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Sunday 10:30 a.m.

March 6: A. & K. Hart

March 13: S. & J. Anderson
March 20: K. & M. Black
March 27: R & A Harlow

Mar. 6: N. Warrick/L. Hopper

Mar. 13: C. Allen/M. Lube
Mar. 20: S. Heberstreit/P. James
Mar. 27: S. Pratt/S. Muntz

Holy Week

March 24: Maundy Thursday: 6:30pm:

J. & B. Hombergen
March 25: Good Friday: Service at Noon:
B. & H. Huntsberry

Servers
Saturday 5 p.m.

Visit Our Web Site

sothec.org

Mar. 5: L. Williams
Mar. 12: Carvajal
Mar. 19: J. DeMerchant
Mar. 26: L. Graybiel

Mar. 5: K. Jones
Mar. 12: D. Spence
Mar. 19: J. R. Corddry
Mar. 26: K. Jones

Sunday 8 a.m.

Holy Week
Mar. 24: Maundy Thursday 6:30 p.m.
C. Mobhair
Mar. 25: Good Friday Noon
J. Fontaine
Mar. 26: Holy Saturday, 9 a.m. Chapel
L. Graybiel

Crucifer
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Mar. 6: M. Payne
Mar. 13: H. Huntsberry
Mar. 20: M. Payne
Mar. 27: K. Eddy

Mar. 6: J. Fontaine
Mar. 13: G. Towell
Mar. 20: A. McFayden
Mar. 27: M. Herman-Smith

Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Mar. 6: J. Hombergen/K. Kennedy-Hall
Mar. 13: B. Huntsberry/B. Patz
Mar. 20: K. Eddy/K. Kennedy-Hall
Mar. 27: C. Allen/B. Patz
Holy Week
Mar. 24 Maundy Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: G.
Towell
Mar. 25 Good Friday, Noon: M. HermanSmith
Mar. 26 Holy Saturday, 5 p.m. Chapel: D.
Spence
Mar. 27 Paws & Prayers, 5 p.m.: K. Jones

NOTE: If you cannot come as

scheduled, please, call for a
replacement and notify the office at
527-0052 to be sure the master list
is corrected.

PAGE 8

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

SHEPHERDS STAFF

Volunteers Needed To
Start in April
goal.
According to the Web site, theopentable.org,
people
in poverty, who have the will to improve
The Open Table Ministry is planning to start antheir
lives,
are empowered through the intensive Taother Table in April and is looking for interested volble model that can help lift one family at a time to
unteers.
The Open Table organization is made up of vol- sustainability.
A team, usually 10 to 12 volunteers, commits to
unteers from one or more congregations who form a
one
year and usually meet once a week for six
team along with an adult or family in poverty to esmonths
and less often after that.
tablish a plan to help them move from poverty to a
If interested in becoming a volunteer, please call
productive life. The volunteers act as mentors offerJohn
Bourdeaux at (352) 422-2429 or Bette Patz at
ing guidance and practical information toward that
(352) 270-3097
By Bette Patz
Open Table Member

Special Donation will Help Feed SOS Clients Pets Too

By Paul James
SOSA Ministry

A Special Donation Envelope, enclosed in the

bulletin, will help us purchase the much-needed pet
food. Please consider making a donation. Drop it in
the collection plate, bring it by the church office, or
put it in next Sundays collection plate.
Our assistance every Thursday morning to the
Serving Our Savior Food Ministry, with volunteers

and donations, is very fulfilling. We are mindful of

the fact that many of our needy clients have pets,
which are also in need. If the clients are having trouble feeding themselves, they are also having trouble
feeding their four-legged friends. We have made an
arrangement with the Citrus County Community
Food Bank to buy Pedigree pet food at a greatly reduced price to distribute at SOS.
Your financial support of this endeavor is greatly
appreciated. God Bless You!

Episcopal

Church Women

Meditations Led by
The Rev. Deacon Joan Clark
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, March 18
Bring a bagged lunch

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

PAGE 9

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

SOTH Activities Calendar

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

7PM CURSILLO
GROUPING

Lent IV
8:00 AM HE I

9:15 AM

8:30 AM 11:00AM SOS

WORK CREW AT CHURCH

4:00PM IN CHAPEL
BIBLE STUDY
THROUGH MARCH 16

7:00 PM
BIBLE STUDY - CHAPEL

9
1:30PM
QUILTING MINISTRY
2:00PM
TAI CHI-CHAPEL

10:30 AM HE II

8:00 PM
AA MEETING

13

9:15AM BIBLE STUDY

9:15 AM

7PM CURSILLO

4:00PM IN CHAPEL
BIBLE STUDY
THROUGH MARCH 16

GROUPING

14

15

FEEDING OUR FLOCK

4:00PM
ORDER OF ST. LUKE

1:00PM
CMUG WORKSHOP

10:30 AM HE II
RECTORS
DISCRETIONARY SUN

6:00PM
LADIES GATHERING
6:30PM
WARDENS MEETING

20

9:15 AM

21

FEEDING OUR FLOCK

4:00PM IN CHAPEL
BIBLE STUDY
LAST DAY

1:00PM
CMUG

22

9:15AM BIBLE STUDY

5:30 OPEN TABLE

10:30 AM HE II
NOON

INTERNAL PROCESSING
MEETING
BLOOD PRESSURE
SCREENING

EASTER DAY

27

2:00 PM
STEWARDSHIP

6:30PM VESTRY
RECTORS OFFICE

18

1:00PM
CURSILLO REUNION

9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM
QUIET DAY - CHURCH

7:00PM CHOIR

24

30

5:30PM
STATIONS OF THE
CROSS
7:00 PM COMPUTER
CLUB

1:00PM
CURSILLO REUNION

10:30 AM HE II
7PM CURSILLO

7:00PM CHOIR

March 2016

12

25

5:00 PM
HOLY EUCHARIST II

19

8AM CURSILLO
10:30
DAUGHTERS OF THE
KING
BLOOD PRESSURE
SCREENING
4:00 6:30PM
ST. PATTYS DAY
DINNER
5:00 PM
HOLY EUCHARIST II
8AM CURSILLO

OFFICE CLOSED

26

9:00AM
HOLY SATURDAY -CHAPEL

NOON
GOOD FRIDAY

5:00PM
HE II
GREAT EASTER VIGIL
1:30PM
HEALTH & WELLNESS
5PM SERVICE
HOLY EUCHARIST II

31 APRIL

10:00 AM
8:30 AM 11:00AM SOS
HEALING EUCHARIST WORK CREW AT CHURCH
2:00PM
TAI CHI-CHAPEL

GROUPING

5:30PM
STATIONS OF THE
CROSS

OFFICE CLOSED

7:00 PM
BIBLE STUDY - CHAPEL
LAST DAY

8AM CURSILLO

9:00AM
FINANCE COMMITTEE

7:30 PM - MIDNIGHT
VIGIL - CHAPEL

29

6:00PM
LADIES GATHERING

8:00 PM
AA MEETING

OFFICE CLOSED

17

8:00 AM HE I

5:00PM
PAWS & PRAYERS

11

8:30 AM 11:00AM SOS

WORK CREW AT CHURCH

1:00PM
CMUG MAC LAB

5:00 PM
HOLY EUCHARIST II

7:00 PM COMPUTER
CLUB

6:00PM - CMUG
7:00PM CHOIR

FEEDING OUR FLOCK

9:15AM BIBLE STUDY

9 AM
SPRING CLEANUP

1:00PM
CURSILLO REUNION
1PM-5PM
CMUG I DEVICE
7:00 PM
BIBLE STUDY - CHAPEL
7:00PM CHOIR
7:00 PM
FRIENDS IN SERVICE

8AM CURSILLO

OFFICE CLOSED

10

8:30 AM 11:00AM SOS

WORK CREW AT CHURCH

23

GROUPING

28

SATURDAY

5:30PM
STATIONS OF THE
CROSS

WORKSHOP

10:00 AM
HEALING EUCHARIST 8:30 AM 11:00AM SOS
WORK CREW AT CHURCH
1:00PM
2:00PM
CMUG I DEVICE
TAI CHI-CHAPEL
1:00PM
CURSILLO REUNION
6:30PM
MAUNDY THURSDAY

7PM CURSILLO

8:00 PM
AA MEETING

9:15 AM

1:30 PM
PRAYER SHAWL
MINISTRY

7PM CURSILLO
GROUPING

1PM-5PM
CMUG I DEVICE

16

10:00 AM
HEALING EUCHARIST

2:00PM
TAI CHI-CHAPEL

8:00 PM
AA MEETING

PALM SUNDAY
8:00 AM HE I

10:00 AM
HEALING EUCHARIST
2:00PM
TAI CHI -CHAPEL
3:00PM
CMUG BOD

8
1:00PM
CMUG MAC

FRIDAY

FEEDING OUR FLOCK

9:15AM BIBLE STUDY

Lent V
8:00 AM HE I

THURSDAY

8AM CURSILLO

OFFICE CLOSED
5:00 PM
HOLY EUCHARIST II

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 10

From the Vestry

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 11

Statue Marks the Site for the Pet Memorial Garden

.By The. Rev. Mike Hall
Deacon

You may have noticed that a

new St. Francis Statue has been
placed under the tree overlooking
the hill on the Church Office side of
the building. The statue of St.
Francis is the first component in the plans for the Pet
Memorial Garden for that site.
The Memorial Garden subcommittee, a part of the
St. Francis Ministry, is planning a garden where pet
owners can memorialize their pets in a peaceful
landscaped setting on our grounds. The plans include
a Celtic Cross in the ground with landscaping, altar
for services outdoors, area to intern pet cremated
remains and an area for memorial plaques. All will be
overlooked by the St. Francis statue.
The subcommittee met with the vestry last year
and received favorable feedback. Currently $1,700
has been pledged for the cost of construction. This

Treasurers Report January 2016

By Lee Cable
SOTH Treasurer

Revenue
During January, we received total revenue of
$34,676.00 which included $30,078.00 in pledges. The
months pledge receipts are under budget by 1.6%
($482.00). This revenue included prepaid pledges received
in 2016 and two 2016 pledges paid in full. Non-Pledge
plate income increased a significant $1,252.00 over budget
allowing our total revenue to be in excess of the budget by
$855.00.

St Francis

Plaques

Ashes

represents
about half
the
estimated
cost.
Look for
more
Sign
information
to come. If
you have
any
questions, please talk with Deacon Mike, Linda
Skoglund, Sue Hovis or Terrie Toney.

Tai
Chi

2 p.m.
Wednesdays
Starting March 2
Shepherd of the Hills Chapel

Expense
Our expenses for the month were $28,114.00 against a Classes are $5 each
budget of $29,050.00. This is a January expense
Presented by Nature Coast Tai Chi for Health
difference of $935.00 less in spending than expected.
Recap
The cash flow statement reflects a general fund
balance of $9,510.00. We continued to receive
contributions to our Pay-Down-the-Debt campaign. This
months receipts for the campaign were $385.00 which
when added to our regular principal payment reduced our
mortgage to $146,548.00.
January was a good month.

Led By Certified Instructor: Bill Welch

Tai Chi offers low-impact, slow and gentle movements,

suitable for people of all ages and levels of ability. It is
based on the essential principles that include mind and
body integration, fluidity of movement, control of breathing
and mental concentration.

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 12

Health & Wellness:

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

A Guide to Digestive Health

By Marlene Harrison RN, Parish Nurse

Co-chair Health &Wellness Ministry

Your daily comfort as well as

your overall well-being may
depend on your digestive health.
Heres what you need to know
about some gastrointestinal
problems that may become more
common with age.
Heartburn: Gastro-esophageal
reflux occurs when stomach
contents back up into the
esophagus. There, stomach acid
causes the discomfort we call
heartburn. If you have reflux twice
or more, you might have gastro-esophageal reflux
disease, or GERD. Tell your doctor if you have
symptoms of GERD and have been using
antacids for more than two weeks. Long-term
untreated reflux can damage the esophageal
lining and lead to cancer.
Ulcers: Painful sores in the stomach or first
part of the small intestine are called peptic ulcers.
They occur when stomach acid eats through the
lining of these organs. A dull stomachache two to
three hours after eating is the most common
symptom. A Helicobacter pylori bacterium
(sometimes called H. pylori) causes most cases,
which can be cured with antibiotics. Nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, such as
aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause ulcers too.
Complications, such as severe bleeding, can be
serious. If you have symptoms, see your doctor.
Diverticulitis: Diverticulitis occurs when
spots in the colon that have bulged out and
formed pouches get inflamed. Some people have
no symptoms, but you may have cramping,
bloating, constipation, or rectal bleeding. Seek
treatment to relieve symptoms and prevent
infection, blockage, or tears.
Doctors typically advise against eating nuts,
seeds, popcorn, and corn to prevent
complications, but one recent large study,
reported in the Journal of the American
Association, showed no connection.
Colon polyps: These clumps of tissue in the
colon are usually not cancerous, but they can
become cancerous. These factors increase your

risk for polyps:

Being older than age 50 ~ Eating lots
of fatty foods ~ Smoking ~ Drinking
alcohol ~Not exercising ~ Being
overweight ~ Having a family member
who had polyps or colon cancer ~
Having had polyps yourself.
Many small polyps dont cause
symptoms. Talk with your doctor about
whether you should be tested for them.
GI health from the inside out
Probiotics are turning up on more store
shelves these days. Probiotics are food
products that contain live microorganisms
shown to improve digestive health by
making bowel movements more regular or combating
the effects of harmful gut bacteria. Most are considered
safe for people, but some interact with medicines. Also,
more research is needed to determine which are truly
effective. Talk with your doctor about probiotics before
trying them. Here are some tried-and-true ways to
promote digestive health.
Eat more fiber: A high fiber diet helps prevent
constipation and can help to relieve the symptoms of
diverticular disease.
Exercise regularly. Moving your body helps
move your bowels and may decrease the risk of
diverticular and polyps. It also helps you reach a healthy
weight, which may reduce reflux.
Stop smoking. Smoking can contribute to many
GI problems, including heartburn, ulcers and colon
polyps.
Check with your doctor before changing your diet or
starting an exercise program, or if you need help
quitting smoking.
Fiber Buyers Guide
Eat more whole grains, legumes, whole fruits and
vegetables to increase your fiber intake.
Tips
Check the nutrition facts label for foods fiber
content.
Choose more foods with at least 5 grams of fiber
per serving.
Add fiber to your diet gradually. It might cause
gas and bloating until your body adjusts.

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 13

Nature Coast Chapter

HEALING MISSION
Focus on Inner Healing
Saturday, March 12
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sessions on PTSD & Healing of Memories

Followed by a 2 p.m. Healing Eucharist
Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church
2540 W. Norvell Bryant Hwy., Lecanto

Conference Fee: $20 includes Lunch

RSVP by March 5 to

David Jackson (352) 344-1167 or djackso@me.com

Conference Leader

The Rev. Nigel Mumford

Retired Episcopal Priest and
International speaker, author and founder of By His Wounds Inc..,
Focusing on Christian Healing
Visit the Website byhiswoundsministry.org

The Rev. Mumford will also preach and celebrate at the 5 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 14

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

An Invitation to Join the SOTH Kitchen Ministry

By Karen Kennedy-Hall
Shepherds Staff Editor

However that means

added
responsibilities.
Take a look in the
Someone has to
kitchen and you will see
coordinate who is
two beautiful, new, state-ofbringing food, arrive
the-art stoves, thanks to a
before the service to
generous parishioner.
make the coffee, set
Yes, the old monstrosity
up the coffee bar and
is gone for good to
after each use, a team
some scrap yard in the sky.
has to use the
Now the kitchen looks
dishwasher to clean
like a real working space
cups and other
with more modern appliances. Its amazing how
different it looks. Deacon Mike Hall and Bette Patz dishes, put away extra food and wipe down all the
were showing off the stoves after they were installed. tables plus the pots, carafes and other utensils so it is
ready for the next coffee hour. Plus check on
The kitchen will get more use as we have
supplies.
implemented three coffee hours after each service.
By now youve guessed we are offering the

Ministry
Leaders
Workshop
Deacon Linda LiebertHall will hold a
Ministry Leaders
Workshop for all
leaders from 9 a.m. to
noon on Saturday,
April 9 in the Parish
Hall.
She was contracted
with the church to
review the current
administrative processes, improve upon them
where possible, and develop a parish administrator
job description for future use.
The workshop for ministry and church leaders
will focus on how the ministries can further work
together to improve communications and share
resources, in addition to a new financial process for
keeping track of each ministry treasury.
She said as part of the workshop the leaders
will discuss and come up with some ideas on how
to improve these things.

opportunity for all parishioners guys too to join

this delightful and enjoyable Kitchen Ministry. How
often do you have the occasion to meet and greet
everyone from your worship service. Its a great
way for Fellowship.
Coffee Hour members of the Kitchen Ministry
after the 10:30 a.m. service are divided into four
teams plus an extra, or fill-ins, for fifth Sundays.
Each team is responsible for all of the above for one
Sunday a month.
There will be a signup sheet at the back of Parish
Hall to become a member of this wonderful
ministry.

Special
Easter
Service
5 p.m.
March 27

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

Daughters of the King Diocese Board Meeting

In early February, the DOK Esther Chapter at
Shepherd of the Hills hosted the Diocese Board
Meeting. Nearly 80 Daughters dressed in blue and
white filled the parish hall and enjoyed breakfast and

lunch around a Valentines Day theme.

Father Conger officiated at a Eucharist service.
The Board meeting followed with board member
announcements and then chapter activity reports.

PAGE 15

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 16

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

The Sale of the Year

The annual Episcopal Church Women Rummage Sale brought in $2,400 this year. The best sellers
were jewelry, kitchen items and books. The rummage sale is the Episcopal Church Womens primary
fund raiser. Each year, it donates more than $1,400 to the SOS Food Pantry and smaller amounts to other church ministries.

Photos
by
Susan
Conger
and
David
Gray

From the Rector: Give Praise and Thanks

2016, it was 197. (If you are wondering what
adjusted means, it means subtracting out extra
services so that we are comparing like events. Our
unadjusted average Sunday attendance in 2015 was
171 and 233 in 2016 unadjusted average is what
we report to the diocese). We see this jump in Ash
Wednesday attendance 68 in 2015, 77 in 2016.
Why are we growing? Some of the causes are
clear. Parishioners are bringing friends and
neighbors to church and some coming back a
second/third/fourth time and have now joined the
church. We have the best music program in town.
We have people moving into the community but
also people moving away. People whom we reach
in the SOS program, the St Francis Ministry and

Continued from Page 2

our other outreach activities are joining us in

worship. Others come because they see our sign
and the crowds and want to check us out. Others
tell me that they like the environment it is a
friendly place. Others tell me I preach like a
Baptist, but they dont hold that against me.
Given what Stetzer said, how are we doing? Is
there a danger that we are growing the church just
to see it grow? Or is the church growing as a
response to our love for the Lord, and his command
that we love our neighbors?
I pray we never lose sight of why we worship at
Shepherd of the Hills to give praise and thanks to
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. From this all
things flow.

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

Restaurant Night
About 35 SOTH Parishioners gathered together
at Roccos Caf in Crystal River for fun, fellowship and great food.

Photos by
Marco Velazquez

PAGE 17

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 18

Ash Wednesday

Photos by Susan Conger

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

VOLUME 41 ISSUE 26

S HEPHE R D S ST A F F

PAGE 19

SHEPHERD OF TH E HILL S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

(3 5 2 ) 5 2 7 - 0 0 5 2 F A X (3 5 2 ) 7 4 6 - 6 3 3 6
E - M A I L : O F F I C E .S O T H E C @ T A M P A B A Y .R R .C O M

PO Box 1375
Lecanto, Florida, 34460-1375

We are a Parish Church of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida

It is the mission of Shepherd of the Hills Church to be a beacon of faith
known for engaging all persons in the love and truth of Jesus Christ.
Our Ministers are the People of our Congregation
The Rev. George A. M. Conger, Rector
The Rev. Ladd Harris, Retired
The Revs. Joan Clark, Mike Hall and Linda Liebert-Hall, Deacons
(Phone 352-527-0052) E-mail: office.sothec@tampabay.rr.com
Were on the Web!!
www.sothec.org

Vestry Committee
Michael Herman-Smith, Senior Warden
Dennis Hall, Junior Warden
Brenda Billingham, Karen Black, Karen Eddy,
John Materni, Leslie Palmer,
Kim Velazquez, Terrie Toney,