News
     from
         2007

O.S.V. & St. Thomas of Canterbury welcomes new Acolytes

     On February 11, 2007 at St. Thomas of Canterbury, R.E.C., a Service of Admission to The Order of St. Vincent was conducted to welcome three new members.  The rector of St. Thomas of Canterbury is Canon James Payne.

The preceding article was submitted by Butch Key

St. Anne’s returns again to the National Acolyte Festival

     The acolytes of St. Anne were glad to be participating in the 28th Annual Acolyte Festival. After all, we are veterans of this annual event, attending for the fifth consecutive year. Our preparation began in February of 2007 with fund raisers, coordination with the travel agent and requests to visit the White House. Saturday, Oct. 6, our day began at 7 a.m. We ate breakfast and headed up to the Washington National Cathedral to reserve excellent seating for the festival.
     When the service started, it was a spectacular sight as a sea of acolytes from all over the United States processed with crosses, banners and streamers past Bishop [John] Crane. Processing from our Diocese were acolytes from St. Agnes, Miami and Holy Family, Miami Gardens. When it was our turn to process, we gathered our stuff and did what we do best – serve the Lord.
     Once each acolyte reached Bishop Crane at the altar we would bow then continue to process. However, when the torch bearers and cross bearers reached Bishop Crane, they would bow and then shift into a new position. Everyone was truly impressed. In fact, Bishop Crane’s wife was captured in our video stating, “AMAZING!” Once again, I am certain that St. Anne’s made the Dioceses of Southeast Florida proud as we processed with grace and perfect coordination.
     Still, we were not done. During the service St. Anne’s was recognized as having the youngest acolyte—three-year-old Amari Rainford. He took full advantage of the opportunity, waving to the crowd, posing with Bishop Crane and smiling the entire time.
     Our acolyte master, Mr. Maceo Brown, was also recognized as one of the longest serving acolytes in the Episcopal Church – 37 years... The acolytes returned echoing these words: 2008 Acolyte Festival – get ready

The preceding article was submitted by Marcus Neeley

O.S.V.’s St. Govan’s & St. David’s visits the National Acolyte Festival

On Saturday, October 6, 2007, members of St. Govan, an Order of Saint Vincent (O.S.V.) Chapter, and other acolytes from St. David's Episcopal Church, Lansing, Mi. made their first visit to the National Acolyte Festival at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.  It was also the acolytes’ first visit to the National Cathedral and to Washington D.C.  The chapter warden is Francis L. Jacobs.  Francis is a life member and webmaster to the O.S.V.  Francis is also St. David's Verger.  The chaplain for the weekend was St. David's Youth Minister, Deacon Andrew Downs.

The preceding article was submitted by Francis L. Jacobs

A blessing meeting new friends

     On Saturday, October 6th, 2007, I came with the acolytes of St. David’s Episcopal Church to be a part of the excitement at the National Acolyte Festival. I met many wonderful fellow vergers and acolyte “guilds” during this festival. It was a wonderful “church educational” experience for the acolytes who came with me who also met these fellow vergers and acolytes.
  Then I saw something familiar. It was the Acolyte Guild’s Banner from St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Hallandale, Florida. With God’s blessings I went over to visit this guild. There I met, for the first time in person, Maceo Brown (a life member to the Order of St. Vincent), who is their acolyte master and the wonderful acolytes (and their parents) from St. Anne’s. It was a blessing meeting Maceo and his friends. I will make it my goal to visit St. Anne’s when I visit Florida. I was blessed again being asked to be a part of their group picture. Finally, it was a blessing meeting with other members to the Order of St. Vincent.

The preceding article was submitted by Francis L. Jacobs

News from St. Stephen’s

     Sunday, October 7, was a great day for our acolytes and lay reader member. Our Chapter of St. Stephen's of the Order of St. Vincent was inducted at the altar rail and had their medallions, the symbol of their order, blessed by the rector, Fr. Douglas King, the chaplain of St. Stephen's Chapter (St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Melbourne Fl.).
  The occasion gave a lift to our members. It not only made official the establishment of our Chapter, it was a recognition before the Congregation of the faithful ministry of our members whose efforts enhance the beauty and gracefulness of our liturgy in a manner we hope is pleasing to God. Our plea remains the same as it always is. We desperately need new members of our Order to serve in the sanctuary. We bid your prayers for new ministers to join our group.

The preceding article was submitted by Dick Slay

St. Luke & St. Paul welcomes new members

On Sunday, November 4th, during the 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul in Charleston, SC, the St. Luke and St. Paul Chapter of the Order of St. Vincent (O.S.V.) received three new members into the Order.  The service of induction was conducted by the Chaplain to the Order of St. Vincent, The Very Rev. William N. McKeachie, Dean of South Carolina.  The Rt. Rev. C. FitzSimons Allison, XII Bishop of South Carolina, presided and preached at the service and took part.  The Director General, Philip G. Dixon, who is also the Chapter Warden for this chapter presented the candidates.  From left to right Bishop Allison, Dubose Kapeluck, Janet Meaburn, Philip Dixon, Malcolm Meaburn, and Dean McKeachie

The preceding article was submitted by Philip Dixon

Honors for a Life Member

 

 

     It is with pleasure that we nominate Mr. Maceo Brown for the Bishop’s Annual Lay Ministry Award for St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. Mr. Brown has provided an outstanding ministry to the parish, faithfully serving after assuming, without hesitation, a leadership role in 2003. His leadership has brought us positive change, vision and a focus on our youth.
     In 2003, Mr. Brown joined our church family. Immediately, he began service on the altar, taking command of the Acolyte Guild. His influence had an immediate impact which continues well into 2007 which brought about positive change. There were several changes to the guild. First, the number of acolytes has increased from an average of six to eighteen. Second, he co-sponsored St. Anne’s first trip to the National Acolyte Festival held annually at Washington National Cathedral and introduced our acolytes to the local acolyte festival. Both of these events have become annual traditions in our church.
     Every leader has a vision. Mr. Brown’s is to make certain that each acolyte under his command understands his/her responsibilities and the importance of serving the Lord. Faithfully, he has dedicated his time to not only training but teaching the acolytes of St. Anne’s on the order of service and proper techniques. In addition, he took time to compile a training manual for our acolytes. In this manual, you will find the acolyte Prayer, a short history of the Acolyte Ministry and a section on vesting among others. These commitments clearly demonstrate his vision of understanding and service to the Lord.
     Mr. Brown has focused on our youth. He is more than an Acolyte Master. He is one who mentors, and is a friend. Frequently, he will check with parents to see how his young protégés are doing in school and home. Annually, he hosts a celebration to honor the acolytes prior to commencement of the school year. And if you know Mr. Brown, he is a big kid himself, as he is the life of the party. Annually, he identifies and honors acolytes’ performance for leadership, most improved and the highly coveted “Acolyte of the Year” Award.
     He is truly worthy and earned this award. His Parish members warmly applause Mr. Brown and thank him for his dedication.
     On December 16th, 2007 at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Hallandale, Fla. Maceo Brown and another member of the parish was awarded the Bishop’s Annual Lay Ministry Award. The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade presented the award to Maceo at the 9:00 am service. Bishop Frade is the bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida.

The preceding article was submitted by The Acolyte Guild of St. Anne’s


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