Loading...Dear Friends in Christ,
Summer is here and there is much to do. In July we will be preparing for the visits of our bishop, The Right Reverend Mark Bourlakas. His first visit will be to meet with each of the vestries of the Tazewell Cluster. The vestries of Christ Church, St. Mary's and Stras Memorial will get together at St. Mary's at 6 PM on Wednesday, August 13. We will begin with dinner and discussion followed with Bishop Mark meeting with each vestry individually.
A bishop's official visit covers a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, confirmation of those who are prepared, a check of church records, and meeting with the congregation. In the past for the bishop's official visit to our three parishes in the Tazewell Cluster we've held a service at the Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park, but since this is Bishop Mark's first official visit, we will have an individual service at each parish. The first will be at St. Mary's on August 24. Christ Church will receive Bishop Mark on September 28. He will visit Stras Memorial on October 5 and the proceed to the Abingdon Convocation's Fall Meeting.
Also on August 1 and 2, the youth from the Diocese of Bradford, England will visit the Cluster. Bradford is a coal mining area, so the young people will be visiting the Exhibition Mine in Pocahontas. After touring the mine, they will then stop at the Historic Pocahontas Cemetery. To conclude their visit, the youth will visit the Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park to see how this great area was settled. We are very pleased to welcome these young people from our sister diocese. If you can help with housing, please let me know. On a somewhat sad note, this is probably Aimee Bostwick's final event before she leaves for a new post in Texas. Aimee has been a fantastic Youth Director for our Diocese. Our diocesan youth program is second to none. We are proud that they are a great example for the other dioceses. We wish Aimee the best in her future position and thank her for her hard work here. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Deb and I will be taking a couple of short trips out of the area. While we are gone, The Rev. Chad Slater from Christ Church, Bluefield, WV will provide any needs. Belinda will have his contact information.
May God continue to bless you all. Please take care of yourselves, thank God for your many blessings, and always be mindful of the needs of others.
In Christ's Love,
Father Russ
