August 2003
Dear All Saints' Family,
There is an expression in baseball for this time
of the year called the 'dog days' of summer. As the baseball season grinds
on in the summer heat, teams struggle to keep their spirits high and their
focus on the race for the pennant. I am not saying that we have 'dog days'
around here, but things do tend to slow down, and we too need to keep our
focus. Before we know it, vacations will be over, the children will return
to school. and we will begin our fall programs.
Janet and I will take a short vacation visiting
Norman and Marie in Maine and then coming home via places we have never
been. We hope to visit New Hampshire and Vermont for a few days and then
return in time for me to plug away at my doctoral thesis. You will be left
in good hands with Dan and Gina sharing the duties on Sundays. So far this
summer, I have not accomplished as much as I wanted to on the thesis, but
I am confident it will come together.
The vestry has decided to get an earlier jump on
our stewardship campaign this year. It seems that each year we begin our
budget process so late that we scramble to make our plans. I ask that all
ministry heads begin to pray about next year's programs early so that we
can adequately plan. I am also excited about two new programs on tap for
the fall and winter. The men's group is exploring starting a chapter of
the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at All Saints'. The Brotherhood was
chartered by Theodore Roosevelt at the turn of the century and is one of
the few religious organizations to be chartered by Congress. It is an
Episcopal program for men focusing on study, evangelism and service. You
will be hearing more in the months to come.
We also are in full gear to offer the ALPHA course
either in the fall or just after the new year. Alpha is a program for
Christians to strengthen their faith and for those who have never heard
the gospel to be introduced to Jesus. Linda Lawson and Dan Tuton are
heading up this endeavor, and they are working hard this summer to make it
happen. We are also in the planning stages for exciting adult education
offerings for the fall. I have been pleased at the response we had last
year, and many have told me they can't wait to begin again.
I pray that you continue to have a restful and
fruitful summer. Always remember that there is never a vacation from
worshipping our Lord and growing in his grace and love.
God bless you all,
Fr. David
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