Today we recall the life and
ministry of the Rev. Dr. Sam Shoemaker who lived very recently, from 1893 to
1963. He was the rector of Calvary
Episcopal Church in New York City (where I am today) which was the headquarters
of the Oxford Group which sought to be living Christianity building on the
accomplished work of Jesus Christ as set forth in the New Testament. The Oxford
Group’s aim was to bring to life and make real for each person the articles of
faith. A man by the name of Bill Wilson
would attend meetings of the Oxford Group at Calvary. Fr. Sam was instrumental in helping Bill
write the book Alcoholics Anonymous.
In 1955 Bill Wilson wrote:
It was from Sam Shoemaker, that we absorbed most of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, steps that express the heart of AA's way of life. Dr. Silkworth gave us the needed knowledge of our illness, but Sam Shoemaker had given us the concrete knowledge of what we could do about it, he passed on the spiritual keys by which we were liberated. The early AA got its ideas of self-examination, acknowledgement of character defects, restitution for harm done, and working with others straight from the Oxford Group and directly from Sam Shoemaker, their former leader in America, and from nowhere else.
Fr. Sam’s life and ministry has
impacted the lives of countless individuals the world over.
NEWS FLASH: Our own Allen Robinson is 1 of 6 candidates
to become the next Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey!
CALENDAR REMINDERS
164thDIOCESAN
COUNCIL: 8
& 9 February in Houston, Texas. The Episcopal Churches on the Island will
host the 165th Diocesan Council in 2014.
SEASIDE SENIORS AT ST. AUGSUTINE’S SUTTON HALL,
Thursday, 21 February 2013.
REMEMBER TO BRING A
FRIEND ON THE 2ND SUNDAY FOR THE CONTEMPORARY JAZZ SERVICE AND ON
THE 4TH SUNDAY FOR THE TRADITIONAL JAZZ SERVICE.
The Painted Church Tour—only 6 spots left: We will
travel to Schulenburg (about a 2 hour ride), tour 3-4 churches, have lunch and
return to St. Augustine. We will be traveling on the bus to each of the
churches so there is not a lot of walking expected, but it is recommended that
you wear comfortable shoes and dress comfortably.
Departure Date: Saturday, February 23,
2013 at 7:30 a.m.
Depart From: St. Augustine of Hippo
Episcopal Church, 1410 41st St.
Cost: $20 to cover tour and lunch
If you are
interested in going but may not have the funds, please contact Michelle Allen,
there may be some scholarships available.
The bus
will only hold 30 passengers, so it is a first come first serve basis. If we
have more sign up, Mr. Allen will add you to a waiting list. Please respond to
her by email: ms.walk.1@hotmail.com,
or call Ms. Allen at 832-244-1817 to let her know if you are interested.
MARDI GRAS AT ST. AUGUSTINE’S HOSTED BY OUR KING
& QUEEN OF MARDI
GRAS, BILL
& TAMMIE TAYLOR, in Sutton Hall on Tuesday at 6 p.m., February 12.
ASH
WEDNESDAY IS FEBRUARY 13, Ash Wednesday Liturgy with the Imposition of Ashes at 6 p.m.
LENTEN
PROGRAM: Starting at 6 p.m. with the Way of the Cross, Eucharist, light supper
and then the program with—
Feb. 20:
The Rev. Allen Robinson, Rector of St. James in Baltimore, Maryland, and a
Galveston native and a son of St. Augustine (1410 41st St.)
Feb. 27:
Br. Michael Gallagher, OSB & Fr. Peter Funk, OSB, Benedictine Monks and
Co-Founders of Holy Cross Monastery at Grace (1115 36th St.)
Mar. 6:
Ms. Kathy Culmer, Storyteller & Diocesan Mission Funding Coordinator, at Trinity
(2216 Ball Ave)
Mar. 13:
The Rev. Canon John Newton, Diocese of Texas Canon for Lifelong Christian
Formation, at St. Augustine (1410 41st St.)
Mar. 20:
The Rev. Pittman McGehee, Priest, Author & Jungian Analyst, at Grace (1115
36th St.)
Mar. 27:
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, at Trinity (2216
Ball Ave)
Please
remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Marilyn and her entire family
and Dave.
Your servant in Christ,
The Rev. Chester J.
Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo
Episcopal ChurchGalveston, Texas 77550
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