Rector's Thoughts and Reflections

July 20, 2005

Twelve Month Parish

There was a time when the life of a parish took a three-month break for the summer. Attendance dropped considerably, activities were put on hold 'till fall, and life took on a more relaxed attitude. To some extent that is still true, yet increasingly parish life reflects that life and faith do not take a summer hiatus. In spite of a number of members who are off the island for the summer, life goes on in the parish. We are a twelve month parish.

As I write this message, our mission team is in the middle of their weeklong work and ministry in the Dominican Republic. Many volunteers for Friends with Wheels are providing rides every weekday for residents on and off the island. Stephen Ministry is actively involved in people's lives on a weekly basis. Members who find themselves in hospital or anticipating surgery are visited in a timely manner, receiving Holy Communion and prayers on behalf of this body of Christ. Members of one EFM (Education for Ministry) class, finished for the year, are replacing summer novels with something more serious, "The Way of the Heart" by Henri Nouwen. Rich Mays is anticipating the return of the choir in mid-August. He is also pointing towards a youth choir with an exciting twist that will tweak the interest of our young. The Daughters of the King is currently offering a class for those seeking membership in this organization that is called to prayer and service within the church. EFM is planning to offer a class beginning this fall, which will be a great opportunity to learn and explore the depth and breadth of the Christian faith that has been developed by faculty at Sewanee.

Youth Confirmation classes will resume in September, as several youth of our parish point towards Bishop Salmon's visitation to All Saints on November 6^th. They will be completing their formal studies that began this past winter/spring.

The Adult Education Committee has set the Fall Half Past Wednesdays in place that include the rather important topic, "The Mission of the Church", which will feature guest speakers: Professor John Parcels (Georgia Southern University); The Reverend Professor Ian Douglas (Episcopal Divinity School); The Right Reverend John Lipscomb (Diocese of Southwest Florida) and The Right Reverend William Skilton (Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina). Clergy with specific areas of expertise will lead Sunday morning adult education at 9: 15 a.m.

The Children's Sunday School Committee is hard at work this summer developing solid, creative Christian Education for all ages, beginning with preschool age children and moving through middle school. Programs are being developed for both Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Sundays will feature "Godly Play" and Living the Good News Curriculum; two additional classes will be added that are age sensitive. Half Past Wednesdays will feature the exciting and hands-on program entitled "Faith Weavers".

After a well-deserved rest from their mission activities in the Dominican Republic, Marie Lavigne and the youth group will rev up their fall program by late August (dates in forthcoming announcements).

Two dates in September are very important for members of the parish. First, on September 10^th at 11 a.m., our own Sandy Grant will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons, at the Cathedral in Charleston, by Bishop Salmon. Your prayers and presence are most welcome as Sandy honors her call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church. She hopes that Bishop Salmon will place her in ministry at All Saints, which will be very exciting for Sandy and the parish.

Also in September, the 16^th-18^th (Friday evening through Sunday noon) our parish will spend the weekend at Camp St. Christopher. The setting is spectacular and the pace of life deliberately slow and relaxing, as rooms and cabins are only a short distance from the beach facing the Atlantic Ocean. But the real surprise is the absolutely award winner meals at the camp (desserts included!). It is billed as a time to relax, find some peace, renew yourself and perhaps some friendships, and as an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of life.

Summer novels are great on vacations, but there is more to summer than meets the eye, and as is evidenced above, life and faith go on, even in the midst of summer. All Saints is an equal opportunity employer for those seeking to serve Christ in and beyond the four walls of this parish.

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Rector's Thoughts and Reflections