Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Archdeacon's Update






I promised to keep you informed of my whereabouts this month since you will not see me on a Sunday morning!

Early Thursday morning, I will depart Monroe for Jamestown, Virginia, where I will spend four days at the National Assembly of the Association for Episcopal Deacons. This meeting occurs every three years. The 2010 assembly in Chicago was a wonderful experience of fellowship and learning about the diaconate and what other deacons are doing.

I've never been to Jamestown! So I'm excited and thankful for this opportunity. I'm sure I'll have a lot to share and I'll do my best to post some photos here.

Oklahoma Relief


The mission trip to Oklahoma is scheduled July 8 - 17. The Diocese of Oklahoma asks that we bring no more than 15, and they would like to know in advance what skills/abilities we bring so they can make plans to use us to best advantage. These skills/abilities can range from manual labor to building trade skills to counseling/listening skills.

In addition, Mitzi and I would like to take a couple of extra people who will shop and cook for the team, and help us stay organized and tidy. (We'll be camping in a parish hall in the affected area.)

We do have a number of people signed up to go, but let me know ASAP if you're interested.

In addition, we are collecting good clothing, household items, toiletries, etc. Remember that many have lost everything. Please only give good things you would use yourself.

All donated items will be collected at Grace Church near the end of June. Susan Sparks will pick up things at St. Thomas' if we need her to, but it would be better if someone from St. Thomas' would deliver to Grace on that day. Any volunteers? (I'd do it, but I'll be out of town that day.)

The Diocese is collecting cash contributions and will issue one big check to the Bishop of Oklahoma. Another option if you want to give cash is to buy a gift card for the team to deliver.