LOOKING TO THE FUTURE—WHAT’S COMING UP FROM TEC COUNCIL

There’s a Time for TEC... Many of you have celebrated First Friday, and perhaps you wonder what to do on Last Friday.  On January 26, February 23, and March 30, 2007, you will have the opportunity to celebrate Last Friday in “There’s a Time for TEC.”  So please join us as we feature a three part series for our TEC community that combines fun, fellowship, speakers, prayer, and much more.  This is a chance for us to come together, celebrate, and build our community so mark your calendars.  Soon we will be providing more information regarding the event’s location and each evening’s focus.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep an a time to laugh, a time to mourn a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to men, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
 but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
 -John 12:24

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2006 SPIRIT OF TEC AWARD RECIPIENT
BY DELORES SCHWEITZER, TEC 14

During my tenure on TEC’s Advisory Council, there were duties that were a challenge, ones that were a chore, others that were a pleasure…and then there were the ones that were an absolute joy. Looking for the words to sum up an incredible, Christ-centered person was just such a joy bestowed on me for a couple of years by the TAC, and one I share with you today.

For those of you that missed the announcement at TEC 30 of the 2006 Spirit of TEC award, please be sure to congratulate him and thank him when you get the chance. It was my pleasure to find words to honor this remarkable man…

The Atlanta TEC Community would like to recognize Mark Foster with a 2006 Spirit of TEC Award   because: Sometimes a name says it all…

DOCTOR – A builder of the community of Christ, seeking to heal broken relationships and serving as a  peacekeeper and ambassador of good will for TEC.  

MADD - Crazy about his faith and willing to go the extra miles and miles and miles to sow the seeds of TEC, Spirit and Truth and the Catholic Church in the world.

DOGG - Loyal, hard-working & trustworthy, whether as musician, wheatie, table resource, or softball coach for TEC.

FUNK - Defined as “jazz of an earthy style derived from early blues,” which is the heart of the Paschal Mystery.  In trading his pain, sorrows and personal comfort to say “Yes” to TEC, we have discovered the down-to-earth, yet celestial music that is Mark, and in him, we truly encounter Christ.  

For his loyalty, dedication, and jubilant example of discipleship, Atlanta TEC is pleased to present Mark “Dr. Maddogg Funk” Foster with this 2006 Spirit of TEC Award.

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A REFLECTION BY MAYA WOODALL

As I try to male meaning of the tragic death of a coworker and friend, Bayne Smith, I’d like to share my insight as I celebrate his life:

1. Don’t rush things.  Slow down.  Bayne did so much for his school, church, and family, yet he never seemed in a hurry.

2.  Listen and be present in all things.  Bayne had a way of making people young and old feel appreciated.  I left my conversations with him feeling better about myself.  He made me feel important.

3.   Cherish each moment.  Look around you.  Turn off the cell phone.  Smell the flowers.  Whether walking or driving or riding, take the route that brings you the closest to God knowing this could be your last ride.  Ride the open road.

4.  Make time to play in all things.  Singing songs, being Santa Claus, playing with students, dressing up in strange costumes, and announcing football games.  Although very professional, Bayne played and had fun.

5.  Do what you love.  Bayne left a career in a law field to teach special education; he loved his job, his school, and his kids.  We should all love what we do.

6.  Be a friend.  Bayne is considered a friend to each person he met.  Try to do that.

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TEC 29-PARTICIPANT’S PERSPECTIVE BY BRIDGET BURKE

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With You In Spirit By Rachel Powers Dworacyk

My husband, Joe (Fort Bragg TEC #10), and I are now living in Hawaii with out two girls, Hailee (3) and Anna (18 months).  Joe is still in the military and we are blessed that he is not deployed now.  Since we met on TEC and got married in 1999, we have lived in Germany (where we worked with TEC for teens and troops), Kansas, and the last two years in Hawaii.  We will be in Hawaii for almost three more years.  We miss you all and wish many blessings for each of you.  You are in our prayers always!!

Rachel Powers Dworazyk,
Atlanta TEC #10

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10TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

The Office of Young Adult Ministry turned 10 this year!!  YAM celebrated with a dinner, dance and awards presentation at St. Ann’s in Marietta.  Archbishop Gregory was on hand to honor all of the award recipients, many of whom were TECers: Joe Cruz, Mike Judge, Ann LaBar, Matt Moytka, Tara Scavelli, Larry Schauer, Rudy Schlosser, & Dave Sloan.  Lest not we forget the MAN IN BLACK award winner– our very own FR LINUS DeSANTIS and the ARCHBISHOP’S AWARD presented to JANICE GIVENS (founder of YAM).  Congratulations to all the nominees and recipients for their hard work and dedication to Young Adult Ministry!

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
Philip Quinn

Outreach
Mike Judge & Larry Schauer

Fides et Ratio
Dave Sloan & Ann LaBar

Living Stones
Beth Daly & Wayne Pickell

Man in Black
Fr Linus DeSantis

JP2 Evangelization
Rudy Schlosser & Lisa Fiamingo

St. Maximilian Kolbe Award
Ben Vigil & Joe Cruz

YAM Parish Leader
Matt Motyka & Tara Scavelli

Archbishop’s Award
Janice Givens

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Paschal Circles “Seeking, Sharing, and Supporting”

Begin a Paschal Circle with your TEC Friends, and see how Christ invites you to share in His Paschal Mystery.

Dying:
This week, how did I die to self and open myself to an encounter with Christ (Mass, Scripture, Sacraments, spiritual direction, wheat, service project)?

Rising:
How have I risen with Christ by deepening my Christ consciousness?

Going Forth:
Where is Christ asking me to share His Paschal Mystery this week (personal life, family life, works/school life, other)?

If your life us such that you cannot participate in a Paschal Circle, spend some time reflecting on where you are on your personal journey.

If you would like more information on beginning a Paschal Circle in your area of town and want to know more about it, please contact a member of the Atlanta TEC Council, se we can support you and provide you with more resources.

Paschal Circles are a way for individuals to share what is important to us, keeping the focus on Christ, and growing in awareness of how God is working in our lives.  Ideally, Paschal Circle groups gather on a weekly basis as a source of support and accountability for each other, sharing our lives, and growing in Christian faith and community.

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Council Update by Paul Moore

The TEC Advisory Council (TAC) has been bust in recent months not only with our usual business, but in welcoming new members and saying “so long” to old friends.  Most of our recent business has been focused on matters related to our TEC retreats.  We have assembled and worked with the leadership team for TEC #30 at the beginning of December.  It’s hard to believe that we just finished our 30^th retreat, and we were excited that Larry Schauer graciously agreed to direct.  We have also been busy developing written manuals for future TEC retreat leaders.  The intent of these manuals is to assemble the collective wisdom of directors of past TEC retreats and provide a resource for future leaders.  In recent months we have also welcomed Jaime Diaz and Mark Foster to our council.  Please help us thank them for agreeing to serve the community when you see them.  Finally, we have sadly had to say farewell to Delores Schweitzer as she moved to Charleston in August and to Jason Price as his term is over this month.  Their contributions to TEC and to the TAC are countless and words cannot convey how much the will be missed.  However, they will continue to be a part of their TEC family.

Paul Moore, Vice Chair
TEC Advisory Council

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The Arched Eyebrow
Featuring What "Arches" The Brow?
By Father Linus DeSantis, OFM Conv.

Have you ever sat at a meeting with a group and experienced the intermittent sound of cell phones ring?  Now, raise the brow!  A recipient takes the call, and in the first few moments all realize it is not an emergency.  The recipient now begins to smile and proceeds to get that "far away" look as the conversation continues.  The brow reaches a new height when the recipient gets up, leaves the group laughing and chatting to fully engage the caller.  The final insult occurs when the recipient returns to the table smiling and shares that the neighbor just purchased a puppy!!!!  You may consider this an extreme example; however, further thought gives a nod to the experience.  What is wrong with this picture is the inconsiderate dismissive act of leaving "a table of responsibility."  The individual was to be present to the people and matter at hand.  The "Arched Brow" gives a non-verbal signal that something is amiss.  It calls for a momentary examination and reflection on the present moment.  The question to ask oneself is "Am I in the present moment?"  Am I present to the person, task or experience of the moment?  When we absent ourselves from the now, we deprive the present and ourselves from the benefit to give and receive.  May you never be the cause of the Arched Brow!!!!

Watch for the arch.  Let me know what causes it, and you may be material for the next installment.