Pair with guns cause scare at church

From North Carolina-

Greenville police surrounded a church and took two people into custody on Tuesday after an armed man with a ballistic vest showed up there thinking he was to meet a possible scammer.

The man entered a building on the campus of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 107 Louis St., after 11 a.m. and spoke to the pastor, John Porter-Acee, according to Greenville Police Department Chief Mark Holtzman.

He told Porter-Acee he had a gun and the vest, that a woman outside had a gun, and that they were waiting to meet someone, Holtzman said.

Detectives later determined that the two were the targets of scammers and "felt compelled to meet an unknown person at the church," according to an afternoon news release.

The man feared for his safety due to the circumstances, and he and his friend armed themselves as a precaution, the release said. No one was injured and the two never threatened anyone.

More here-

http://www.reflector.com/Crime-and-Rescue/2019/06/11/Police-detain-armed-man-at-church.html 

and here-

https://www.witn.com/content/news/Armed-man-wearing-ballistic-vest-detained-at-Greenville-church-511132781.html

Episcopal priest in Wilmington uses cartoons in ministry

From North Carolina-

Jay Sidebotham started out as an animator on “Schoolhouse Rock!,” the tuneful educational cartoons that aired on ABC back in the 1970s and ’80s.”

“I was old school -- pre-computer,” Sidebotham said, chuckling as he remembered the glory days of “I’m Just a Bill” and “Conjunction Junction.” “Seven million drawings for five minutes of tape. That might be why I wear these,” he added, tapping his glasses.

Sidebotham’s career took a turn when spiritual longing led him into the Episcopal priesthood. Since 2013, he’s been the associate rector -- “a very part-time associate rector,” he added -- at St. James Episcopal Church in Wilmington.

At first, he thought he was leaving artwork behind, but he soon found cartooning made a useful adjunct to his vocation.

More here-

http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20180724/episcopal-priest-in-wilmington-uses-cartoons-in-ministry

A modest bequest blossomed into an enduring tradition

From Eastern North Carolina-

When Kill Devil Hills resident Ruthie Rigor died nine years ago, she left a few thousand dollars in her will to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

The small lump of money didn’t last long, but it didn’t have to. From it an idea was born among parishioners that has blossomed into a community-wide effort to feed the hungry and foster fellowship every week of the year.

And it’s stood the test of time, thanks to the kindness and compassion of a community that cares.

Ruthie’s Community Kitchen served its first meal in October of 2009 at His Dream Center in Nags Head. More than seven years later, county residents still gather around the table every Tuesday night for a warm meal and connection.

More here-

https://outerbanksvoice.com/2017/01/29/a-small-donation-planted-the-seed-for-ruthies-kitchen/