Loading...Dear friends in Christ,
Summer is here at last! I hope you have a restful and wonderful summer. I love summer for a multitude of reasons – baseball (Orioles, fresh fruits and vegetables, and time to travel). As we enjoy the summer season, please don’t forget who created it all just for us. When you see the ocean, mountains, or any of the wonderful natural world, don’t forget to say thank you to our Creator. Also don’t forget to take care of it.
One of the things I keep preaching on is that to be a Christian is to be like Christ. It is a tough call for we are to love others even those who hurt us, forgive others for hurting us, and not being judgmental. It is really an impossible call, but God knows that. So, all he asks us to do is to strive with all our being to be like Christ. How hard do you try? Trying to do what he asks of us of course includes helping others – outreach, missionary work.
One of the best missions going on in the Abingdon Convocation is Boy’s Home. Everyone should visit the Boy’s Home campus in Covington, VA. What Donnie Wheatley and his staff do for the at-risk young men is nothing short of a miracle. On June 20, we will be joining the parishes in the Abingdon Convocation at Boy’s Home for a work day. We will gather at 10 am to begin our landscaping chores. Afterwards, we will join the boys in a cookout, fellowship and games. There will be time for a tour of the campus. I hope you make every effort to join us. You will be glad you did.
On July 12, we will travel to Grace House to prepare a meal for one of the many groups coming in to do mission work. This another great chance to see one of the wonderful mission outreaches in our area. Both of the events gives us a chance to give back to God for His many blessings by giving of ourselves to these worthy causes. Being His hands, feet, and heart is what makes us worthy to be called by Christ’s name.
Bishop Mark will make his official visit to the Cluster on August 30. We will return to the Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park for confirmations, Holy Eucharist, and a picnic. Confirmation classes will begin after church at Stras on June 7. If you are interested, please let me know.
We will get a break from preparing and serving a meal at Union Mission during the summer. A lot of groups, particularly young people, come to our Grand Area to do missionary work and part of that is serving at the Union Mission. We will begin serving again on Sept. 9. I thank all of you so much for your time and talents in doing thing wonderful outreach.
There will be times this summer that Debbie and I will not be available. We both will have surgery. By the time you read this, I probably will already have mine and hopefully recovering. Deb’s will be in June. Keep us in your prayers as we will continue to keep you in ours.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
In Christ’s Love,
Father Russ
