Updates On Several Fronts
Your church staff and many volunteers have
spent the summer planning activities, programs and special events to be held
during the coming months. I want to use this opportunity to report on three
of those offerings and special events.
The Fall Kick-Off for our Wednesday Night Suppers will be held
on September 16 when we welcome Robert Khayat, the recently retired
Chancellor of The University of Mississippi, as our guest. A member of St.
Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford and the Associate Dean of the Ole Miss
Law School when I was a student there many years ago, Robert will share his
theology of giving with us. This evening promises to be a “gala event”
organized by Cathy Fitzpatrick and her committee, with special food being
prepared by Jim Newman, Rick Armstrong and the Hospitality Committee. Thanks
to all for their hard work in planning and organizing this event. We expect
an overflow crowd so make plans now to join us at 5:30 that evening first on
the lawn on the west side of the Parish Hall for refreshments and then into
the Parish Hall for dinner. No reservations are required and admission for
this event is free! is $5 per person or $15 per family.
Our Wednesday Night Suppers will continue
throughout the year (taking breaks for major holidays, etc.). On September
23rd, Neil White, a long-time friend of mine, and the author of the
recently published book In the Sanctuary of Outcasts, will be our
guest. A rousing night of fun is planned for September 30th when we will
gather for Family Group Game Night (details to follow). Other guests
and programs include a wonderful night of music performed by Maura
McIntosh Fields, a Millsaps graduate and teacher in Pontotoc; and three
presentations I will make: Bible 101: A Look At Some Overlooked Biblical
Facts; General Convention ’09: More Than An Overview; and Ethics 101:
A Study of Christian Decision-Making. As always, Wednesday nights will
be a chance for our community to gather for fellowship and to share a meal.
Following an incredibly successful campaign five years ago, your vestry has
again retained Pete Rauchenstein and his firm to assist with the Second
Phase of the All Saints’ Capital Campaign. Pete will arrive September
9th to begin his work and will be on site through early December. Volunteers
are needed to assist with several tasks so please say “Yes” when contacted.
Please highlight Sunday, November 1st on your calendars. This year
All Saints’ Day, one of the seven principal feasts observed in the
Episcopal Church, falls on that day. The liturgy on that day will be very
special as we remember all the saints who have gone before us. All Saints’
Day is also one of the days specially designated for baptisms—we hope
to bring one or more children “into the fold” that day. Contact the church
office if you desire to have your child baptized on November 1st. A special
parish-wide event is also scheduled for that Sunday evening (more details to
follow). This is a day in the life of this parish that no one will want to
miss!
Shalom, Paul+
