Something For Everyone
Dear Friends,
There is something for everyone at Christ Church these days. Here are a few things you might like to know:
Month of Missions
October has been a month of missions! First, a team of women went to Lima two weeks ago to assist with a women’s retreat hosted by the Diocese of Peru. The word from Peru is that their presence and service there were greatly appreciated. A second team of all men is heading this week to Arequipa, Peru, where they will help with the
Kids in Peru move to temporary quarters during construction of the new orphanage.
construction of the new dormitory for the older kids at the Casa Hogar orphanage. Yes, construction has begun! This is the long-awaited orphanage for which the Roof Dog Run raised funds. Please pray for the safety of our workers and missionaries, and for opportunities to display the love of Christ. Follow the ongoing construction updates and view more pictures of the Casas Hogares by visiting their blog.
Picture Perfect Retreat
Our Middle School Fall Retreat was last weekend. The youth ministry brought back this report; reading it reminds me to give thanks for the caring adult leaders, both staff and volunteers, who are investing their time in the lives of these kids:
The backdrop for the Middle School Retreat was picture perfect with the changing leaves, rays of sunlight reflecting off the lake, nature alive and moving among the pine trees. A gentle breeze cooled the 80-degree temperature as 95 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders teemed with excitement. Our gifted speaker and illusionist, Sammy Nuckles, literally brought his bag of tricks as he creatively captured the attention of students and adults while sharing God’s word. He challenged them to step out on faith and to trust God in their lives.
On Saturday afternoon, the students faced their fears and put faith and trust into practice as they flew down the zip line, were released over the treetops by the pendulum and jumped to a trapeze while standing on top of a telephone pole three stories in the air. However, our other activities and adventures did not require such courage and effort. There were the restful, peaceful moments that knit the weekend together…like the conversation held while eating an afternoon snack, and the relationships built sitting by the evening camp fire. Those are the priceless moments that cannot be engineered or forced, but are simply God’s blessing.
A favorite memory of the weekend was the sight of students with their hands raised in the air, eyes closed and singing praises to the Lord. Once again picture perfect. (Photos below.)
Middle School Fall Retreat 2010
Fun times at fall retreat
Middle school boy reading his Bible
Christian Response to Islam
On Tuesday, November 2, we are having a guest speaker at On Point men’s Bible study. His name is Michael Craven. He is the president of the Center for Christ and Culture. He is the author of The Christian Mind: The Key to Cultural Relevance & Renewal and Uncompromised Faith: Overcoming Our Culturalized Christianity. His topic for us will be: “A Christian Response to Islam and Muslims: Sacrificing Our Rights to Stand for Christ”. Fr. Jason will be in touch with the men of church about this event.
Renew for Our Future
Over the past few weeks, I have been very busy having discussions and making plans with our staff, vestry and church leadership about what our future ministry should look like. This is one of the things I love most about my job as Rector: looking at the blessings that God has given our church and dreaming about how to leverage them! What I 
have shared, and what you will hear more about in the coming months, is a three-pronged vision to 1) concentrate on fortifying our ministry to children and youth 2) focus on Anglican church planting, and 3) come together as a church family to pay off our debt through a capital campaign called Renew for Our Future. There is nothing you need to do right now…you’ll hear all about it in January. I just wanted to let you know that exciting plans for our 25th anniversary year are brewing.
Money Talks
This weekend, I will wrap up our three-week “Money Talks” sermon series…and I want to challenge you. If you know someone who is in financial distress or who is a victim of this economic crisis and may be in need of a hopeful message, please consider directing them to this sermon series. The videos are free on our website, or you can order a CD set. Either way, the Bible has surprising, life-changing messages about money that could benefit someone in need. Don’t keep them to yourself!
‘See you this weekend,
David+
