ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
January 2009
CYPRESS MILL, TEXAS
WORSHIP SERVICES : WEDNESDAY 11 a.m.
SUNDAY 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
The Rev. Tommy Bye, Vicar Liz Manning, Bishop’s Warden
Most of this January newsletter is devoted to the remembrance of Jeannie Swope, who passed from this life into the newness of life with Christ on December 11th. Because it’s impossible to write about Jeannie without telling the story of her dear husband, Gordon Swope, who was the vicar at St. Luke’s for many years, Mae Hernlund has compiled information on both of them, and a short history of the building of Swope Parish Hall for this missive to you all. Gordon and Jeannie were a devoted team and the church was their second “home.” The following is written by Mae, including a thought on Epiphany.
Virginia Deutz Swope
1925 - 2008
Our beloved Virginia (Jeannie) Deutz Swope departed this life December 11, 2008. A memorial service was held December 15, 2008 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Cypress Mill, led by the Rt. Rev. Robert Hibbs, assisted by the Rev. Tommy Bye. St. James Episcopal Church Choir, La Grange, led the music. Interment was at Mission Park North, San Antonio.
Jeannie was the widow of long-time vicar of St. Luke’s, the Rev. John Gordon Swope, Jr. Following the service, a reception was held in Swope Parish Hall, attended by many friends from throughout the state.
Jeannie was a faithful member of the Bible study at St. Luke’s from its beginning in the late 1980’s. She led the group study of Isaiah in 2005-2006. She was also a lay reader and a devoted member of the Altar Guild. Her gifts of wit and friendship will be missed greatly.
Jeannie is survived by her sister, Florence Alice Deutz Marshall; her daughters Helen Hayes and husband Bob; Dottie Moon and husband Chuck; grandsons John Hayes and Randy Moon and wife Celeste. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son, John Gordon Swope III.
GORDON AND JEANNIE
St. Luke’s was so blessed to have the Rev. John Gordon, Jr. as our first full-time vicar, and to have his wife, Jeannie, as a member of our church family. Gordon and Jeannie had retired, building a home at Hye, and were enjoying the Hill Country. St. Luke’s had depended on seminarians, dedicated lay readers, and the volunteer services of the Rev. Wilson Roland. Gordon and Wilson knew each other, as they had graduated from ThomasJeffersonHigh School in San Antonio. Wilson persuaded Gordon to come out of retirement and come to St. Luke’s.
Gordon and Jeannie came in 1982. For the first time we had Holy Communion each Sunday. We had an increase in membership. We had someone to direct laypersons, acolytes, and the Bishop’s Committee, as well as the congregation.
Gordon taught us the responsibility of attending the yearly Diocesan Council. He wanted as many as possible to attend council and experience the governing of the Church. Alternates for one year would be delegates for the following year. He said the delegates represented St. Luke’s, and their expenses should be paid by the church so that no one would be hindered or unable to go. Once members had attended Council, many wanted to return as visitors. One year, five of our women visitors shared one room at St. Anthony. It did have five beds and two baths.
Under Gordon’s direction, we started the Assistance Fund: money set aside to be spent outside our church for emergencies, etc. We started with one percent of the plate offering for the year. We increased it by one percent each year until ten percent was finally reached.
Since Gordon was retired, we could pay his mileage expenses and little else. He said we should create a Clergy Reserve Fund for the time we would need a full-clergy expense. We set aside a monthly amount for this fund in a C.D.
When Gordon came we had no water well, no bathroom. We used the facilities of the store and post office across the road. Altar supplies were kept in a cabinet where the organ is now. When the bishop visited, we had dinner on the picnic tables under our live oak. Gordon said we had to have an activity building if we wanted to grow. So…..we started to raise money. We had an auction with members donating articles: handcrafts, knitted items, hand woven shawls, preserves and jellies, carpentry, cypress carvings, and order for a tailored shirt, and many other items. We raised several thousand dollars fromthis auction. Residents of Austin who ranched on weekends made generous donations. We finally could start building.
First came the water well. After drilling a number of days with no water, the driller was discouraged, but his father said to drill one more day. Water! It came on that day at 1111 feet.
Then the building started with Gordon as contractor and Lee Paul, a communicate as assistant. Each was an engineer. First they laid the plumbing, including plumbing for a second bathroom to be added later. The slab was poured and the carpentry began. These two men worked every Tuesday and Thursday. On Wednesdays and Fridays, several women would come to sweep sawdust, shavings, bent nails and all the clutter carpenters leave.
The Keiths had given limestone from their ranch for the outside walls, and a mason was hired to build the stone walls.
A neighbor, Bobby Wilson, built the kitchen cabinets and other carpentry. Mike Kelley and Charlie Lechow did the tape and floating for the ceiling and the texture afterwards. Many hands worked to finish: sanded, stained and sealed cabinets, painted, stained the cement floor and worked under Gordon’s supervision. Furnishings were ordered and the kitchen supplied. When all was completed, we named it “Swope Parish Hall,” despite Gordon’s protest. The Bishop came, the building was dedicated and we had a celebration October 2, 1988.
Gordon seldom was without a smile on his face. He was our spiritual advisor and confidant. We benefited by his wisdom and understanding…..by his teaching. Gordon and Jeannie led by example. Through them we learned more of the tradition of the church and the riches of its heritage.
When Gordon retired from St. Luke’s, he and Jeannie visited various churches in the Diocese, wanting to give our new vicar his own place. After about a year, they returned to St. Luke’s, welcomed by all, the vicar and the congregation. They were indeed such a part of us.
The Rev. John Gordon Swope, Jr. died January 18, 2000. His memorial service was held at St. Luke’s, attended by bishops and clergy of the diocese, overflowing the church and Swope Parish Hall, attesting to the life and ministry of one called by God.
Let us give thanksgiving for the lives of Gordon and Jeannie Swope.
EPIPHANY
We know the story of the twelve days of Christmas, the first day being December 25th, progressing to the twelfth day. Then comes January 6, the Epiphany. The familiar story tells of the Wise Men who came from the East, sought and found the Christ Child, bringing Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This Epiphany signifies the manifestation of Jesus, the light of the world. He came not for a few, but for many. He came not just for the shepherds, but also for the Wise Men. The Epiphany, the light of the world. We move from the season of Advent into the season of Epiphany.
BETHLEHEM
A beautiful carving of the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem sometimes goes unnoticed near the altar area in our church. Have you ever stopped to study this piece of art, carved into wood by Annie Kellersberger Schnelle, who was born and raised just across the road from the church? Mrs. Schnelle was a prominent Hill Country naturalist, artist and author. Her wood carving work has been shown in Austin museums, and one, a portrait of Admiral Nimitz, now hangs in the NimitzMuseum in Fredericksburg.
Mrs. Schnelle’s father, Julius Kellersberger, ran the mill, post office and general store in Cypress Mill for many years. Her brother, Dr. Eugene Kellersberger, was a dedicated doctor and missionary who traveled to foreign countries to minister to the those in need, including people with leprosy.
KEEPING IN PRAYER…..
Cynthia, Peggy, Lee, Lila Gene, Sandy, Harrison, Trevor, Danny, Margaret, Ethan, Eleanor, Mary Nell, Sue, Ron, Sarah Jane, Miguel, Norma, Janet, Quentin, Don, Ben, Chrissy, Carrie, Jeannie’s family
DATE TO KEEP IN MIND
1/19 Bishop’s Committee meeting at 6 p.m. in Swope Parish Hall.
GROUP MEETINGS
Two of our “interest group” meetings have already taken place this past week……the subject of our current facilities and any improvements or changes was discussed Monday, January 5th, with Don Gray leading the group. The mission/outreach group met Wednesday, January 7th, with Frana Keith leading this particular subject. A communication meeting is still being planned, with a date to be announced at church.
NURSERY CARE
We now have nursery care available for children from 9 – 11:30 a.m. every Sunday.
MORNING PRAYER
Father Bye holds Morning Prayer services each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 a.m. These are in addition to the weekly Wednesday 11 a.m. Holy Communion services.
ANNIVERSARIES
1/27 Joe and Louise Paterson
LAY READERS
8 a.m. service:
1/4 Amy Keith
1/11 David Greene
1/18 John Stephenson
1/25 Frana Keith
10:15 a.m. service:
1/4 Monique Ragsdale
1/11 Frana Keith
1/18 Paula Sumners
1/25 Lonnie Ragsdale
ACOLYTES
10:15 a.m. service:
1/4 Ian Stephenson
1/11 Christie Schroeter
1/18 Thomas Sumners
1/25 Quentin Jameson
ALTAR GUILD
1/4 Gail Moreman and Sally Smith
1/11 Paula Sumners and Sandi Burleson
1/18 Sandy Hodges and Sue Peterson
1/25 Rita Reiner and Connie Bye
Substitute: Stella Smith
GREETERS AND USHERS
10:15 a.m. service:
1/4 Ladd Smith
1/11 Pat Burleson
1/18 Don Gray
1/25 Rick Schroeter
MEN’S PRAYER GROUP
The men of the church hold a regular Wednesday morning prayer meeting at 6 a.m. in Swope Hall. Anyone who would like to join them is welcome. Please contact Mike Kelley for further information at (830) 825-3490.
In addition, a Men’s Small Group meets every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at La Feria restaurant on Hwy. 620 near Hwy. 71.
NEWSLETTER INFO
Contact Christie Schroeter with any info for the newsletter at , or (830)825-2102.
If we have missed a birthday, anniversary or any other date of importance, please let Christie know so that it will not be overlooked in the future.