Glorious! 2 services led by the bishop, each w/ a slew of baptisms, teen confirmations, adult confirmations (I enjoyed preparing them), a reception, and 2 reaffirmations. 40-something candidates in all. As this is most likely my last confirmation service as a parish priest, it was pretty special!
New member today, a man with health issues that make it difficult to come into the sanctuary. So immediately after worship, 20+ people walked with me out to the parking lot to welcome him formally into the congregation.
Also, my mom watched the recording this afternoon and said my sermon was good.
St. Alban’s Beamsville. Small church, laid back friendly congregation, excellent preaching, uses prayer books.
Very close to my workplace (this farming region is my de facto second home) and hosts the Migrant Farmworkers ministry. Some people from my childhood home church, so it feels familiar
Annual meeting Sunday. The kids' choir sang the Gospel acclamation complete with percussion. The rector preached powerfully - and then graciously ordered us sandwiches for the post-annual-meeting Vestry meeting.
It was a nice and relaxed day at church. Rector gave a great sermon, we honored several members graduating from high school, and plenty of good food and fellowship at coffee hour!
I led worship at our parish retreat, which was stunning. Perfect weather. Youth reader. I preached about community in light of the love of the resurrected Christ and got a little teary because I saw that embodied this weekend. ⚓️
Power was out due to storms, and it was quite warm, but we had a baptism, "olympics" to close down the kids Sunday school year, a baptism, and senior scholarships awarded.
Skipped church this morning to take in this view instead. Sheltered at a bar on the way back down that was belting out toe tapping gospel choir music and thanked the bar tender for #TakingUsToChurch
first time back in 2 weeks (after successful cardioversion Monday--God is good) and it was my week to lector. a sermon reminding us we are loved as we are now. and today I realized there are new people who have been coming long enough for me to realize i don't know their names.
So wonderful! We just started going to an Episcopalian church this year so I’m so excited to even know what you mean by ‘5th Sunday of Easter’! Our pastor’s sermon was so good and we sang the most beautiful hymn that promoted peace and could break any idol of nationalism and I love worshiping here!
Lovely. A older gentleman in the parish where I've been doing supply since Lent (and on various occasions before) decided to give me one of two chalice-&-paten sets belonging to his late father, a priest from the Diocese of Chicago: so the Altar Guild polished it up & we used it for today's Mass.
(A little work with old Clerical Directories on the Internet Archive indicates that the father, a native Hoosier, actually had two parishes in the southern part of this diocese some ninety years ago, before his time in Chicago.)
Surprisingly packed church for Victoria Day weekend. Preached on the Revelation 21 passage and it was well received. My daughter and son-in-law and unborn baby were visiting for the long weekend, so that was a special treat. It was a good Lord's Day.
It was great were a church of the good shepherd so this is OUR!!! Day. We old ladies spent all morning in the kitchen getting ready. Cutting fruit, and receiving food. Post service the kids had a holy water water pistol fight out in the lawn. The biggest kid (our rector) won because
He had pre-filled his big blaster with Holy Water so he could soak the kids while they were filling up their water pistols. Deacon was just as mature. A good time was had by all. Them temps already up to the 90s so wet was welcome .
First verger for the 10:30 service this morning. Attendance was down a bit today due to the annual marathon route being a block away from our front door, but it was still a beautiful service. … (1/2)
Then right back this afternoon to verge our annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan service: https://vimeo.com/1085515600. There’s nothing like a pipe and drum band in the cathedral!
Very well attended! We're a small congregation, yet almost everyone was present in person, and only one regular missing via online. We shared a great deal of love and support (people are going through a host of things), and reaffirmed "Christ is Risen!"
We're a city Lutheran church, were down to about 11 regularly attending a couple years ago, now usually have between 18 and 23 present on a Sunday with at least one on Zoom; this week, 19 present and 3 on Zoom.
Another fun one! Started our Summer schedule, all-parish looking-ahead meeting with lunch, Senior recognition, Volunteer recognition, and Ducky Awards!
Honestly, the best part though? Several generations working together to clean up the kitchen afterward, enjoying each others’ company. 🥰
Choir had a great anthem. I got specific positive feedback on my sermon 🫣. Mentioned being queer in my sermon and am scheduling coffee tomorrow with a first time visitor who had only planned to come to help someone else get to church. *stellar* bishop’s committee meeting
We have a once a month congregant who lives in a very nearby adult family home. Lifelong Episcopalian and her son — from Florida — has been a stellar advocate for her spiritual care. The volunteer who has brought her once a month is moving — but the adult family home’s owner’s daughter will be now!
In the receiving line she told me she’s queer and that she’s never been to a church where a queer person was preaching. Knowing her mom and the other employees I told her she could come back on her own too. Then she signed the guest book
I also go to the adult family home twice a month because of the son’s advocacy. I thought I’d be going to visit just her — but all the staff are very Catholic and set me up a tv tray and I serve all the residents and staff who present themselves (six incl me)
I was the acolyte for our service today and things felt kind of hectic on my part—but really grateful to be back at church after having missed the past two Sundays due to travel
Small always open country church
Birds nesting in the tower singing all through the service
8 attended with one, who I was told never ever takes communion, came last to the rail when I pointed to an empty space on the kneeler.
‘Oh, alright then’ is now my favourite penitents prayer 💝
I was honestly stressed out because the internet in the church building has been out since Friday morning which made Zoom church a major challenge. But our heroic tech team managed to get a hotspot set up and at least the Zoomites could have audio and the worship slides, if not the usual video.
Two nice standard Communion services in two villages this morning.
Then this afternoon - our alternative service with a nicely full little church and the Bishop, including a wander round the churchyard following Jesus (aged c 8) as he met the Woman at the Well (aged c 8).
Got to teach the children’s class when our the teacher got stuck in race traffic and one of the kids cheered when they heard I’d be in the class. Youth group was ok. Small group so not much conversation, but they still seemed to enjoy being there.
Comments
Also, my mom watched the recording this afternoon and said my sermon was good.
Very close to my workplace (this farming region is my de facto second home) and hosts the Migrant Farmworkers ministry. Some people from my childhood home church, so it feels familiar
Honestly, I love this so much. ❤️😇🕯
Honestly, the best part though? Several generations working together to clean up the kitchen afterward, enjoying each others’ company. 🥰
You?
Birds nesting in the tower singing all through the service
8 attended with one, who I was told never ever takes communion, came last to the rail when I pointed to an empty space on the kneeler.
‘Oh, alright then’ is now my favourite penitents prayer 💝
Then this afternoon - our alternative service with a nicely full little church and the Bishop, including a wander round the churchyard following Jesus (aged c 8) as he met the Woman at the Well (aged c 8).