May Newsletter

1. St. Thomas Times
St. Thomas Episcopal Church | 124 East Main Street Abingdon, VA 24210 | 276.628.3606 | saintthomas@bvu.net
Thoughts for April: The Death of Death
This Easter Season, the icon known as the Anastasis or Resurrection has taken on
a new life for me. The image at the right shows Mary Jane Miller’s version which
is displayed behind the piano in our nave. The image is a spiritual depiction of the
moment just before the resurrection and is also known as the “Descent into
Hades.” The phrase refers to the Jewish concept of Sheol, or place of the dead,
and in one sense, simply means that Jesus really died as well as that he
“descended” from the heavenly realm to the full depth of human experience
(Phil. 2:7).
The biblical concept behind this image comes from 1 Peter 3:19-20a which reads,
“After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spir-
its—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the
days of Noah while the ark was being built.” However, Jesus does not descend as
a captive or as one punished, but as the one victorious over death and offers sal-
vation to all through the cross which he is shown holding.
Three distinct groups of figures are shown as well. The two most prominent fig-
ures are Adam and Eve. Some depictions of this scene show Jesus literally drag-
ging Adam and Eve by the hand out of the abyss. There is some disagreement as
to the identity of the other groups. The two figures behind Adam, on the left, are thought to be King David and King
Solomon. The figure on the left with hand extended likely represents John the Baptist who “pointed the way” for Jesus
both in life and in death. I attribute the person in the upper left as Isaiah, although some interpret this to be Moses. Isai-
ah, along with John the Baptist, point the way to Jesus.
Early interpretations of the group behind Eve on the right to other Old Testament figures, notably Moses, who is holding
what appears to be a tablet, and Elijah to his right. The three figures behind them are perhaps the three young men res-
cued from in the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel by a mysterious messenger or angel. Other interpreters of this icon
associate the “non-haloed” figures on the right as contemporaries of Jesus, like the apostles, or even folks like you and
me as the resurrection is an event that is not bound by time!
Recently, I am particularly draw to the lower section, below Jesus’ feet. The two doors represent the gates of hell or
Sheol which have been destroyed in Jesus’ resurrection. Below them are depicted the implements of death and darkness.
Some similar icons even portray a figure or skeleton representing Satan or death bound in chains in this area. Also de-
picted are the implements of death in the form of axes, chains, keys, and bones. These represent the many implements of
death and hell to me–greed, corruption, fear, power, all weapons or armaments, violence, murder, hatred, self-loathing
or deprecation, anger, unworthiness, and blindness to the goodness of others. Jesus tramples all of these in the resurrec-
tion, and humanity should let go of these implements of hell. What would you place in that pit? What do you let go of or
emphasize that Jesus has trampled and destroyed this Easter? These tools of death are no longer needed in light of the
resurrection, Lord in your power and mercy, help us to set them aside forever!
Keep the faith!
Fr. Boyd+
May 2022

3. FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN EDUCATION FOR
MINISTRY (EfM)
Are you interested in a unique four-year certified learning
program in theological education based in a small-group set-
ting? Then you may want to consider EfM. EfM is not a bi-
ble study, it is a program that helps you encounter the depth
of Christian tradition through conversation and life experi-
ences. What you discover about yourself and others through
EfM will be determined through your experiences as you
study, worship, and engage in theological reflection. You
will learn the disciplines of biblical exegesis and interpreta-
tion, systematic theology, church history, ethics, liturgics,
and ascetical theology.
Each week you will have assignments to read, study, and
reflect upon. In addition, at any given time you may have
presentations or theological reflections that you present to
the group. If you are interested in this type program, please
contact Kathy Evans at 865-705-8829. The class is limited
so please call today!
Our own Ed Morgan plays fiddle
in a local Celtic band called
Hominy and Haggis. Go Ed!
HIGHLIGHT:

4. The Word of the Lord
by Rhonda Kindig
We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.
(Hebrews 12:1-2) You heard Rev Boyd allude to this image in
his Easter Sunday sermon, as he felt the very presence of Fr
Conrad sitting in his familiar pew! It is one of my favorite im-
ages from the Bible. For most of us, it calls up specific per-
sonal experience.
My very own cloud began with the witness of my paternal
grandmother, who, when she first met me, when I was 3
mos. of age, was not content with the idea that I had not yet been baptized. So, she called
the family pastor to come to their home immediately to make sure I got baptized before
she even began to prepare the evening meal. One of my personal treasures is the small
leather-bound “Luther’s Small Catechism” that was used by my father and by his father be-
fore him during their confirmation classes. A book containing the same words to be memo-
rized by me and by my daughter to follow, in our confirmation classes. An expanding cloud
extending back and forward!
My cloud of witnesses grew with every Sunday School teacher, every church camp
counselor, every youth director, and every pastor of every church I attended. My family
moved regularly, because my dad was transferred every three years, so that’s six states and
ten schools before I was 18. That’s a cumulous cloud of witnesses across a geographical ex-
panse!
Each Bible Study I attend recalls for me the parade of witnesses’ stories in those well-
turned pages, not to mention the personal witness called forth by my beloved fellow Bible
Study participants. Bible Study in the clouds!
Every time we sing carols or hymns or liturgies in church services, I imagine the cloud
of witnesses past and present, near and far, joining their voices in this heavenly choir across
time and space. It’s such a powerful vision that I can barely get through “Jesus Christ Is Ris-
en Today”! A singing cloud!
Whenever we take part in ecumenical activities, such as the Lenten worship opportu-
nities in Abingdon, and we all say the Lord’s Prayer together, I marvel that these words are
said by heart amidst all these neighbors, known and un-
known, and have been prayed so for centuries! A vocal
cloud!
My cloud of witnesses has grown exponentially, and I
include in that cloud every author and theologian and schol-
ar whose books I have read. And in our internet age, we can
even find witnesses in the “cloud”! Every day is a cloudy day! How can we NOT give thanks
in joy for our clouds of witnesses! Who are your clouds? Thanks be to God!

5. Easter Sunday at Saint Thomas

6. The Big Funeral at St Thomas
by Rick Morgan
In September of 1864, it is reported that St Thomas church was the site
of the largest funeral ever held in Abingdon, Virginia. It happened be-
cause of the battle field death of confederate General John Hunt Morgan.
According to an article in a Bulletin published by the Historical Society of
Washington County Virginia. Morgan raided Union facilities in this re-
gion but lived at Acklin, the home of Judge John Campbell just east of
Abingdon where Main St crosses over the railroad tracks. That’s why
there is a plaque to Morgan on the bridge over the train track next to
Acklin.
“Morgan’s body arrived at Acklin after dark on Monday, September 5,
1864, fully dressed in his uniform in a walnut casket draped in black. It
was placed in the parlor at Acklin; and hundreds of people came to view
the remains and offer condolences to Mattie(his wife) and other family
members. The next day at 4 o’clock in the afternoon his funeral was con-
ducted at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church on Main Street, Abingdon,
VA. It was the largest and most impressive funeral ever held in Abingdon
and directed by Confederate General George B. Crittenden. The funeral
procession stretched for more than two miles. Unarmed guards rode on
either side of the hearse, followed by a long train of Morgan’s men on
horseback two by two.”
Why was the funeral service held at St Thomas? We do not know if Mor-
gan was an Episcopalian, but more likely, Morgan may have visited St
Thomas on occasion when he visited Acklin, as Judge John Campbell was
an early member of St Thomas. Today each Sunday we are reminded of
John Campbell as his wife Mrs J.A. Campbell or Mary Branch Campbell
was honored by her niece Mary Branch Trigg Constantine through the
dedication of the Processional Cross. While it was dedicated in 1921, this
cross survived the 1924 fire when Rev Boyd entered the burning church
and rescued the Processional Cross. After 100 years our cross is still used
today on Sundays.

7. Support for Ukraine
This past month, St. Thomas sent
almost $7,000 to UNICEF and to
Action by Churches Together (ACT)
Alliance. Let us continue to pray for
all souls effected by the conflict in
Ukraine, and keep supporting and
uplifting others in whatever ways we
can.
Our own Margaret Gregg, a talented
visual artist, has crafted this multi-
media piece that is currently hanging
in the Parish Hall. Hopefully, this
piece might inspire some thoughts
on how we each extend compassion
in our every day lives.