FROM FR. JAMIE  The Way to God is Down Our language is full of directional metaphor. In politics: are you on the right or the left? In morality: is he on the straight and narrow? In rhetoric: does she beat around the bush? And, of course, in describing our moods: are you up or are you down? Up is usually good. We all enjoy a good mountaintop experience. Sitting on the raised platform and dining with the VIPs can raise our egos despite Jesus’ admonition about taking the higher seat. True enough, our Lord did find himself in high places from time to time: preaching, praying, prodding his sleepy disciples. He towers over us all at the Transfiguration, at the Sermon on the Mount, and at his first glimpse of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives when he weeps for his people below.  But these are all merely prelude and opportunity for descent. Jesus heads down the mountain to mingle with the crowds. His usual venue is not High Society but the Lower Classes. He moves the center of God’s work to the margins of society. Even as he sits as the honored guest of an upwardly mobile Pharisee his attention, everyone’s attention, is focused downward at the woman of the city at his feet. This is the trajectory of his life. He comes down from heaven: “taking the form of a slave, and being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death- even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7-8).  Parker Palmer tells us the “The way to God is down” (Let Your Life Speak, p.69). Not because it is the way of self-abasement or self-hatred but because it is the way of humility, precisely in the example of Jesus himself. Humility, he reminds us, comes from humus, the fertile earth. In our humility we reach down to the truth of how we have grown up and what directions we have chosen. He quotes Florida Scott Maxwell: “You need only claim the events of your life to make yourself yours. When you truly possess all you have been and done… you are fierce with reality” (The Measure of My Days, p. 42) On Good Friday the body of Jesus is taken down from the cross to the lowering darkness of the tomb. But this too is but a necessary and gracious prelude to a new direction for each one of us: beginning at the bottom of who we truly are. And because Jesus has come down so very far, to the very depths of what it means to be human, we are never beyond his loving, embracing, and ever elevating grasp. Blessings! Jamie+     FROM DEACON LUCY  From the deacon’s desk….  It has been five months since my accident; and I am delighted to be back with the people of St. Clement’s, serving in the liturgy, attending meetings, taking communion to those who are unable to come to the worship services and doing the things that mean so much to me. I feel as though I have come home, again! Along with my dear husband, you are one of the reasons I have done so well in my recovery, for your thoughts and prayers have been with me from the beginning and have supported me, sustained me, and loved me through all of the pain, the frustration and anguish of being confined to my home for so long. Thank you! You are bright and beautiful angels in my life! Another bright and beautiful angel in my life is my physical therapist! She is working me very hard, but that is the only way I will progress, because I can be, I guess we all can be, at times, somewhat lazy individuals. That’s why Lent comes along at such a good time. Just when we manage to get through the holidays and breathe a sigh of relief and want to just put our feet up or hang out at home in our pajamas all day, we are invited to observe a Holy Lent “by self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.” We are, again, called into a busy and disciplined life! The discipline makes all the difference, however, not only physically, as my muscles respond to the exercises which my therapist has determined will help me the most, resulting in my learning to walk without limping; but also, as we pray, fast, read and meditate, we are building a deeper relationship with our Lord, learning to walk in His ways, and not so much our own. And, as we walk the way of discipline in Lent, we are really walking the way of the Cross with Jesus. The discipline of Lent makes all the difference in experiencing the beauty of Holy Week, the most meaningful time of the whole Church year. So, if you haven’t gotten into the discipline of Lent yet, it’s not too late! Push yourself a little bit harder to do the spiritual exercises, knowing that the benefits are great!  Should not we thy sorrow share and from worldly joys abstain, fasting with unceasing prayer, strong with thee to suffer pain? So shall we have peace divine: holier gladness ours shall be; round us, too, shall angels shine, such as ministered to thee. Lenten blessings, Deacon Lucy+      EV NEWS FROM DEACON LUCY Lay Eucharistic Visitors  Our Lay Eucharistic Visitors Ministry began at Easter, 2002, with the commissioning of a team of ministers who were licensed by the bishop to take the Holy Eucharist to our members of St. Clement’s, who for reasonable causes, could not attend Sunday services. This ministry continues to this day and is a very active and well received ministry of our parish.  The Eucharistic Visitors, along with members of the clergy, visit members who are in nursing homes, hospitals, those without transportation or for some reason or another cannot leave their homes. Lay Eucharist Visitors have received special training in the administration of the Holy Eucharist consecrated at the Sunday celebration and in the use of liturgies and lectionary readings for the sick. In the fall of 2009, Deacon Lucy produced and edited a booklet to be used by the Eucharistic Visitors.  After the Prayer of Thanksgiving at either the 9:00 a.m. or the 11:00 a.m. service, the Eucharistic Visitor is sent forth to administer the sacrament to those who have requested such a ministry or to those known by the clergy to desire the sacraments. Then members of St. Clement’s are hospitalized or fall ill or in need, it is customary to let the clergy know. If a member does not wish to be visited but kept close in prayer, that request will, of course, be honored. We appreciate this group of dedicated individuals who give of their treasured time and talent to this ministry and bid them God’s richest blessing and guidance. If you feel called to this ministry, please contact Deacon Lucy. Vestry News   Vestry News  The newly elected and reconstituted vestry met for a day long retreat on Saturday, March 6 to re-orient, to discuss goals and areas of concentration for the coming year, as well as to move forward with the regular business of the parish. Several keys issues were resolved:    1. Officers were elected: Bert Harkins, as Senior Warden; Cliff Morrison as Junior Warden; Robyn Pinto as Treasurer;     and Michael Keleher as Secretary.    2. Vestry Liaison Positions were Identified: Finance, Robyn Pinto; Building and Grounds, Cliff Morrison; Worship        & Music, Jayne Heydet; Communication and Members to Ministers Initiative (“ON- BOARDing”), Keith Hunt and      Mark Waldron; Education & Youth, Michael Keleher; Stewardship, Bert Harkins; Fellowship, Robyn Pinto;Outreach       and Inreach, Bill Doran.     3. Two areas of Particular Concentration were also Identified: Physical Space to accommodate our growing parish and it programs. An intentional initiative to improve communications both within the parish and outside of the parish for at least two purposes: 1.      To provide information about the parish more effectively and broadly for program support and implementation. 2.      To encourage and facilitate participation in the ministries of the parish both among members and newcomers.  The 2010 Budget was formally finalized. Pledges, at present, are at $204, 109.00 with some more expected. The total budget, with a slight surplus, has been set at $265,009.00 representing some increases in spending in some key areas such as Outreach.  The 2011 Budget Process and Stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure was reviewed.  Other major areas of discussion included: An appreciation of the Outreach/ Friday Lenten Fish Fry, Grace Place progress, the status of Rite 13 and the J2A Programs, general safety procedures including compliance with diocesan guidelines for the welfare of our children, and general issues regarding the upkeep, improvement, and potential expansion of our physical campus and building. ALTAR GUILD   Flower Cross: St. Clement's has a wonderful tradition on Easter Sunday.  The children ( and grown up children too)  bring cut flowers to adorn the cross.  These can be from our gardens or purchased.  Please bring them to the Family service Easter Sunday morning. Easter lilies and flowers - The Altar Guild is now accepting donations for flowers for the Easter Service.  This is a gift from the heart and no gift is too small. Please make your checks payable to St. Clement's and write in the memo area "Easter flowers".  Thank you in advance for supporting this ministry. 2010 Flower chart - There are many opportunities available for this year.  Please check the flower chart by the front door in the Narthex.  The suggested donation is $30.00.  This is important:  please remember to fill out a card expressing your intent for the donation.  We use this information in the Sunday Bulletins.  After the service, the flower ministry will take the flowers to hospitals and nursing homes.  Your gift will keep on giving.  If you any questions, please see Susie Bishop or any other Altar Guild member. To all Altar Guild members:  Our next meeting is March 13Th at 9:00 AM in Davis Hall.  Breakfast will be provided.  The main topic of discussion will be Holy Week and Easter.  Please plan to attend. Thanks again for all your support. Susie Bishop    ST. FIACRE'S GARDEN GUILD Doc is doing a lovely job keeping the grounds and gardens of St. Clement’s trimmed and clean. The church will be lovely for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday thanks to his consistent efforts. There will be a need to install some bedding flowers as soon as the weather is warmer in late May early June. If you signed up for the Garden Guild on Rally Day please ask Doc what you can do to help with this project.  OUTREACH COMMITTEE NEWS   From The Outreach Committee We are currently having our Friday night Fish fry during Lent, which is looking like quite a success. Praise God!! We've served close to 150 dinners, including take-out, in just 2 Fridays. The money we raise will be delegated for Fr. Jamie's discretionary fund and used for the community outreach phone lines. Kudos to John and Adeleen Stasiowski along with Emily and Scott Mikkelsen for all their organization to get this off the ground and make it such a success! Also to all the other volunteers and wonderful St. Clements family who have served. For those of you that haven't had our fish...come on down, it's delicious!!    Blessings, Jan Owings                  M.U.S.T. Ministries                                                                             Each year, St. Clement's donates Easter Baskets to M.U.S.T. Ministries. Last year, we donated 60 baskets, so naturally this year we have a goal of 65 baskets.  These baskets may be store bought or homemade.  Generally, we add items to the purchased baskets to better meet the needs of these children.  Here is a list of items to consider adding to your baskets along with those eggs and chocolate bunnies:        Healthy Snacks - raisins, sugarless gum, rice crispy treats, dried fruit, trail mix or bars      Art Supplies - coloring books, crayons, magic markers, paint pens, sidewalk chalk      Personal items - socks, dental floss, toothbrush, toothpaste      Small toys - jump ropes, frisbee, books, or educational pocket games, cards The deadline for bringing baskets is Sunday, March 21st.  This will give M.U.S.T. plenty of time to distribute them before Easter Sunday.  If you have questions, please contact Jill Ewbank @ 770-345-2032 or mlewbank@aol.com.       Volunteers at St. Clement's   Thank you for the successful blood drive. We had 46 people attempt to donate and collected almost 5 gallons of blood! Special thanks to Larry Ellis, as always, for all his time and dedication to our blood drives. Thanks also to all who helped behind the scene - including Bill Denny, Carole Myers, Emily Mikkelson, Jane Mulvey, Dottie Leffingwell, Martha Wright, Tricia Wiley, Barbara Martin and John & Adeleen Stasiowski. What an incredible collaboration!     YOUTH NEWS  News from G.R.A.C.E. Place GRACE Place our new rotation style Sunday School program for children grades Pre-K through Fifth grade is off to a great start. This school year, the kids have enjoyed learning about the Miracles of Jesus, Advent, Epiphany, and Baptism through several unique mediums including painting with real fish, cooking, planting seeds and watching videos. They have had the benefit of learning about these important topics from many of the talented people of our parish. For the rest of the school year the program will focus on the Mystery of Easter. Making crosses, taking a walking tour of the Stations of the Cross and baking "resurrection rolls" are some of the hands on ways we will be exploring this exciting Easter rotation. We would like to welcome all children from grades Pre-K through Fifth to join GRACE Place. Please see a Christian Committee Member or our bulletin board in Davis Hall for more information.   Youth Bake Sale                                                                   The Youth Group will be sponsoring a bake sale on Sunday, March 14th, during the 9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour. There will be plenty of baked goodies to pick from so come on out an help support your local youth! During the bake sale we will be pre-selling tickets for the Spring Fling Dinner! The Spring Fling Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 17th, from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. If you purchase your tickets early, you will get the tickets for only $10.00 per person, plus $2.00 per child. What a bargain!! Plus, if you buy $5.00 or more in baked goodies you wil receive a ticket for the Spring Fling Dinner FREE! Now that is a steal of a good deal! Proceeds for this Youth Group Dinner will go to Haiti and to projects that the Youth Group has planned for the coming months. We appreciate all the support that we can get! So get your goodies and your tickets on                                                                  March 14th, during the 9:00 a.m. Coffee Hour!