Christmas Pageant | Dec. 24, 10 a.m.
Please note the age group designations and sign up your child to participate in the Christmas Pageant and Holy Eucharist on December 24, 10 a.m.. Children in Beckwith Choir will sing but may also sign up to participate in the Pageant (more Choir information to come from Melissa). Volunteers will be needed for each age group for the Rehearsal and Service (please sign up below only if you can volunteer for both shifts).
Rehearsal will be held on Sunday, December 22, 11:30-12:30 in the nave. All children should be picked up from Sunday School immediately following the service to be fitted for costumes before rehearsal. Please proceed downstairs to the Common Area outside Room 8 where you will be directed to fit and label your child's costume. Parents will then drop their child with volunteers in the Nave for rehearsal. There will be a Coffee Hour for adults in the Parish Hall during rehearsal from 11:30-12:30.
On December 24th, all participants should arrive promptly at 9:00am to the following rooms:
**Please note: the doors to the church will remain locked until 9:00am.
3-year-old Sunday School class - Animals/Sheep - Parish Hall
4th/5th Grade Townspeople (Assistants for little ones) - Parish Hall
Angels (4-year-old Sunday School class - 3rd grade) - Youth Room
Shepherds (4-year-old Sunday School class - 3rd Grade) - Adult Ed Room
1st Grade Main Characters (contacted separately) - Library
3rd-5th Grade Readers - Conference Room
After helping your child into costume, all adults may proceed to the Nave to be seated for the service. Children will remain in costume for the remainder of the service (a brief, chaotic interlude following the pageant will allow children to dismiss to their parents). Costumes should be returned following the service.
We cannot wait to share in the joy of Christmas with your precious children and families!
Please contact Caroline Birckhead, Director of Children's Ministry, with any questions or concerns.
cell: 919-632-0338
Annual Meeting | Dec. 7
Join us for the 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist and hear about the state of our parish in 2025. Messages from the Rector, and the Jr. and Sr. Wardens, will be presented in the midst of our regular Sunday service. We will also elect five new members to the Vestry.
Please note there will be no 8 a.m. service on that day.
2025 Gifts of Grace | Give until Dec. 7!
Gifts of Grace
Alternative Gift-Giving Market
Thank you to everyone who attended on Nov. 16!
Gifts of Grace provides an alternative Christmas gift-giving market to support those less fortunate in our community. Sixteen local agencies will participated to make a difference in people’s lives.
Your gifts will contribute to food, clothing, shelter, medical care, disaster relief, and opportunities for independence for those people served by these agencies.
Click on each agency to learn more.
Center for Volunteer Care Giving
If you could attend, do not worry!
You can use the link below to make your contributions until Dec. 7.
Example Giving Page
Can't decide? Make a contribution to Gifts of Grace—
The donation will be split equally among all the groups.
Example online giving page
Thank you! Pride for Parents Toy Store
What an amazing response for the Pride for Parents Christmas Store!
The families and staff at Loaves and Fishes Ministry send a big thank you!
We also thank the Walker Brothers for delivering the toys on Monday morning.
From Dec. 9-20, The Christmas Store requests volunteers to help under-resourced families select gifts for their kids. The "pop up" store is a fun experience for all Sign up to help below.
Parish Supper | Wednesday, November 19
Nov. 19 | 5:15 - 6:15 p.m. | Parish Hall
Menu: Chickenpot pie, salad, brownies
Adults (11 and over) $8
Children (3-10) $5
No charge for ages 2 and under
Pay at the door with cash, check or card
Contact Stella Attaway for more information.
Sign up by Monday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m.
ECW Garden Party
A wonderful time was had by all! Look for a recap soon!
Duff/Capps Scholarship
The Duff/Capps Higher Education Scholarship
High school seniors seeking higher education opportunities are encouraged to apply for The Duff/Capps Higher Education Scholarship. The scholarship was created by Claire Duff Capps as a project when she was a student at Broughton High School. The scholarship is named in honor of her late father, Bill Duff, a long-time parishioner of St. Michael’s.
Scholarship Application
Application deadline: May 31
Easter Lily Tributes
Each Easter, the St. Michael’s Altar Guild decorates the church with lilies, given by parishioners in memory of or in thanksgiving for friends and loved ones. Afterward, these beautiful plants are delivered to the sick, the home-bound and bereaved parishioners. Won’t you join us in continuing this tradition?
Each tribute is $15. Proceeds go to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund.
• Fill out the electronic form below. You will have the option to receive an invoice that you can pay by debit or credit card, or mail in a check.
• Be sure to add "given by" after each tribute. (Example: My friends and family by Jane Doe)
• If you print out a form, return it with a check made out to St. Michael's, write "Lily" on the memo line.. Leave your check in the offering plate or mail to St. Michael's, attn. Ann Garey (1520 Canterbury Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608)
• Deadline is Friday April 11.
If you need assistance, contact Ann (919-931-7183 or lilytributes@holymichael.org).
Blood Drive | Sunday, March 16
SAVE THE DATE | BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, March 16 | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Every person has the power to save a life. Donating blood only takes a little of your time, and it can mean a lifetime for patients in need. Use the QR code to sign in as a guest and when asked to supply a date, use your date of birth.
Love God, Love God’s World
Love God, Love God’s World
Nine-week program Jan. 6-March 10
Love God, Love God’s World is a film-based curriculum, ideal for Episcopalians anywhere on the journey with creation care and environmental ministry. You will learn in the company of friends about both the scripture underlying this ministry and the many opportunities to practice it. It is our hope that attendees will be inspired to pursue individual and collective action on creation care and eco-justice.
St. Michael’s will offer this nine-week program beginning Monday, January 6. It will continue every Monday through March 10. We will meet at the church from 6-7:15 p.m. Any adult who is a member of St. Michael’s is welcome to join. We are looking for members who can attend each session, so preference will be given to them. If you are interested in participating, contact one of the course facilitators below by Dec. 20.
Together in Faith: Event for Women
We have a limited number of seats available, so don’t hesitate to sign up!
Scholarships are available upon request–email Robin Kennedy.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Reception with Shauna Niequist*
7:00 - 7:15 p.m.
Welcome and Evening Prayer
7:15 - 8:15 p.m.
Keynote Address
Q&A
*Please note: Shauna Niequist's books will be available for purchase that evening, but there will not be a book signing.
Shauna Niequist
ABOUT SHAUNA
Shauna Niequist is the New York Times bestselling author of Cold Tangerines, Bittersweet, Bread & Wine, Savor, and Present Over Perfect. She grew up in Illinois and studied English and French literature at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. As an author and blogger, Shauna writes about the beautiful and broken moments of everyday life — friendship, family, faith, food, marriage, love, babies, books, celebration, heartache, and all the other things that shape us, delight us, and reveal to us the heart of God. She is married to Aaron, and they live in New York City with their sons, Henry and Mac.
Hurricane Relief Update
Western NC Relief | November 2024
The first three pictures are from the load-in activities on Saturday morning Nov. 16. We had numerous volunteers that helped load six vehicles, including 3 pickup trucks (one with a box trailer) and three SUVs! We departed for Episcopal Church of the Epiphany at 11:30 a.m. Church of the Epiphany (in Newton, NC) serves as a resource bank receiving donations that they forward on to other Episcopal Churches in the mountains that supply and goods directly to impacted people.
Twelve volunteers drove out (two per vehicle), arriving at that church at 2:30 p.m., where we were greeted by four volunteers from Church of the Epiphany and also another nearby Episcopal Church -- Church of the Ascension, located in Hickory.
These photos show the unloading process at Church of the Epiphany. Based on feedback received while there and the next day via text, the Diocese of Western NC is extremely grateful to St. Michael's for coordinating and delivering these much needed supplies and "looks forward to partnering with us" in future missions that may be needed for years to come.
In addition, St. Michael’s collected $7,590 in donations to the Helene Relief effort in WNC. Father Oscar Rozo, who serves as the Missioner for Latino Ministries at Church of the Epiphany is extremely grateful for our generous donations!
Join a Reflection Circle
We have weekly 40 to 45-minute small group gatherings. Each “circle” has 7 to 12 people, and is facilitated by St. Michael’s small group leaders. We read and reflect on the gospel readings for the upcoming Sunday, talk about life today, engage each other, and pray. Most sessions are virtual (Zoom) but all groups schedule some “in-person” meets as well. New participants are requested to attend at least 8 sessions. Participants enjoy fellowship and sharing scripture and life together in a small group.
Day and Time Options for Reflection Circles
Mondays at 9 a.m.
Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Groups plan to start around the week of Sept. 8. Contact Sam Taylor and let him know which group you are interested in. Don’t see a time that works for you? Please let us know a time that DOES work. If we have enough interest, we will form a new group.
Register children for Sunday School!
It is time to register for the 2024-25 program year!
Use the form below to sign up children birth-5th grade
Back to School Sunday
August 25 | During the 10 a.m. service
Please bring school supplies for the children of Episcopal Farmworker Ministry! Look for the red collection bin in the breezeway!
Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks to the 10 a.m. service for our annual Backpack Blessing. Following the service, we will kick off the new school year with Kona Ice and a Children’s Ministry Fair in the outdoor breezeway.
Receive a Blessed Backpack tag.
Meet Sunday School leaders.
Learn about our Chapel and Sunday School curriculums.
Register for Choir and meet Choir directors.
Learn about our Choir curriculum.
Shop for gifts at the Canterbury Shop Sidewalk Sale!
Donate school supplies for children in need.
Update from the ECW Garden Party
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Michael’s,
On behalf of the ECW, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation for the numerous ways in which this church community supported the ECW Garden Party & Auction over the past few months. Without your encouragement, participation and support, the event would not have been nearly as successful!
We are so thankful for the St. Michael's staff members who assisted behind the scenes, for all the volunteers who pitched in before, during and after the event, for the over 300 Garden Party attendees (and many more who were there in spirit) and for all the donors who made financial and/or in-kind donations to benefit CASA's King's Ridge. Thank you!!!
We are still in the process of calculating expenses and determining proceeds, but we can confidently share at this time that we have well-surpassed our goal of $20,000! We look forward to sharing the grand total raised for CASA's King's Ridge just as soon as we have that information available. In the meantime, we are continuing to connect auction item winners with respective auction item donors, so be on the lookout for email communications over the next week.
Thank you once again, St. Michael's! We are incredibly grateful.
Claire Duff
Chair, ECW Ways & Means
Elizabeth Harrell
Chair-Elect, ECW Ways & Means
Pathway to the Labyrinth
Honor a loved one with a brick paver—paving the way to our beautiful labyrinth.
Perfect for a birthday, graduation, Confirmation, Mother's Day, or Father's Day.
Acknowledgement cards are available.
$60 per brick. Mail your check to St. Michael's (1520 Canterbury Rd., 27608; Att.: Ann Garey)
You may include up the 3 lines—20 letters/spaces per line.
Email Ann Garey if you have questions (garey@holymichael.org)
Habitat House Episcopal Build
Thanks to everyone who participated at the Episcopal Build on April 13!
Kicks for Kids Fundraiser
The 2023 St. Michael's Youth Missionaries are raising money to provide shoes for the children at Holy Cross Anglican School in San Pedro, Belize. Money raised will be used to purchase shoes that will be sent down to Belize with the 2024 mission team. The 2023 Youth Missionaries are working directly with the school to purchase the size and style of shoes needed.
There are three ways to donate:
Use the QR Code below.
Use this giving link.
Make out a check payable to St. Michael's and add "Kicks for Kids" in the memo line.
Place cash or check in an envelope labeled "Kicks for Kids" in the offering plate on Sunday.
Deadline to donate is Feb 29. Thank you for your support!
Kahle van Staveren, Ellery Ferguson,
Bayliss van Staveren, Baker Ferguson,
Richard Kennedy and Connor Jordan
