Notes From the Epicenter

Restore and Refresh

Needlepoint Kneelers– After a remodel at St. John’s in Dallas, the much-adored needlepoint kneelers, made by parishioners in the 60s, no longer fit the altar rail area. The church has children,  grandchildren and at least one spouse of those who crafted the original work. Volunteers, Leah Stuekerjuergen and Jacque Hall, offered to raise money to make new kneelers that also incorporated the needlepoint. The church is hiring Rutherford’s Design to add about five inches to the cushion frame so when it hits the rail it covers the floor and no one will bang their knees. The project should take two weeks. 

Chancel Redo- St. Matthias in Athens  spruced up the chancel area by refinishing the lectern, pulpit, altar and seats, to make them all the same stain color. The church also got rid of the carpet, due to buckling and rips, and replaced it with ceramic tile thanks to a grant from the Episcopal Diocese Foundation and a memorial fund from Bob Gould, a beloved parishioner who died earlier this year. The newly refurbished church will receive a blessing from the Rt. Rev. Fraser Lawton at the 10:30 a.m. service, October 13.

Careful: Wet Paint- St. James in Dallas is getting a new roof, and paint in the sanctuary after hail damage from a storm caused a leak. Meanwhile, folks are worshipping in the Parish Hall as they await a move back into the freshly painted church for All Saints Sunday. Word is still out on the paint color name, but it’s a light mint green used to make the church’s gorgeous stained-glass windows standout.

Logo's, Pumpkins, Books and Beasts

Logo Change: Learn about ichthyic and triqueta from St. Andrew's in McKinney. The church used the Christian symbols in their new logo. "The elements of this new logo invite us to tell the story of what draws us to follow the call of our Lord, just like St. Andrew did so many centuries before," says the Rev. Andrew Van Kirk.

Tip Toe Through the Pumpkins: Buy your pumpkins at St. James in Dallas's pumpkin patch and add to the funds of the church's youth group, which helps form them as Christians. 

Dallas Fan-Favorite: Celebrated historian, humorist, author and actress, Rose-Mary Rumbley, will present "Footsteps: an anthology of travel columns from the New York Times at St. Matthew's Cathedral. Rumbley, a noted public speaker, also appeared in the movie "Paper Moon."

Blessed Bovine: St. John's in Pottsboro loves Pet Blessing day. Giving a blessing to beloved dogs and cats is a lot of fun, but the Rev. Nancy Powers said the rural church has also been open to blessing the nearby cattle and horses as well, but no one has taken her up on it.  It's not always easy getting a cow to church.