Pics From the Gulf Coast...

We have recieved word from our Missioners! Here are some pics that they have sent along....

And apparently, Sally has found a
new passion for...
you guessed it...
Jelly Beans!

Not quite sure how that one came about, but I'm sure we'll get an update.


Our Missioners return home tomorrow, continue to pray for the people they are serving, and for their safe return!
---David

This year's Mountain TOP logo

designed by our very own Alex Fortney.

You are such a talented bunch of Youth Folks.

You bring glory to God (you make Him smile) every time you use the gifts He has given you! And you make me smile, too. thanks.

Light the candle once more...

Our prayers are called for once more. Andrea's Nannie (Great Grandma) died this evening.

so let us pray.

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: deal graciously with Andrea, her mom and her Grandma in their grief. Surround them with their love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss but have confidence in your goodness and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. BCP 494

Father of all, we pray to you for, Minnie and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May her soul through the mercy of God rest in peace. BCP 498

AMEN.

Holy Communion

So I just got back from Cindy's ... and our spring break fun for those not engaged in beaches etc.

AsI drove away this song resumed playing. In light of our Wed night lenten series on the Eucharist, aka The Royal Table and the lyrics that sung out from the cd player I realized: we had Communion tonight: Communion of the "Royal" kind.

We gathered at Cindy's in His name; We offered ourselves to each other and hence to God; We created many "tables" to gather around: basket ball hoops; deck chairs; a tv; a scrabble board. In His body and in His blood, we ate, we drank, we were fed, we were strengthened and then we went back out into the world. We are His body. And we are fed in all ways when we gather together whether we eat burgers, hot dogs or cookies. And tonight we recreated what we do every Sunday morning: we gather; we offer; we tell stories; we receive; we give thanks; and we go back out into the world.

We are his body. We are covered (sheltered) by His blood. Tonight we had Communion.

And at least I for one was fed and strengthened: heart, soul, mind and body!

Taste and see that God is good. Psalm 34.

Thanks be to God.

still praying for a miracle....

If you didn't hear, we didn't elect a Bishop yet .... the job continues at least until May 6th. Keep praying for that miracle. But Cindy and I did go see Natalie and Sean in Grease ... Grease is the word indeed!!!!!!

Meet Hawley...

Who is this St. Francis looking man? One of the most prayerful, holy, wise and incredible men I know. Clearly one of my (Sally's) hero's. What does he do? Roughly what I do just at St. Thomas Episcopal Church outside of Cincinnati, OH (his job description covers a bit more than mine). And how long has he been doing it? Since before even I was in high school.... You should meet Hawley because I hold him responsible for much of who I am as a Christian :) Do you know that many of the ways he taught me to pray, I now teach you.
And as we ate lunch in their youth room what did I find on the table but the above piece of paper ... it sums up who Hawley is. it sums up who he taught me to be. it sums up everything really. we think lots of things matter in the church (in fact we argue about many of those things) but really only this matters:
Do you love Jesus? :)

Could we pray for one more miracle this week...

and elect a Bishop tomorrow (Saturday)???

You can follow the election after 11am on the site: www.tnbishopsearch.org

Pray for us.

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously onyour Church, and so guide the minds of those who shallchoose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive afaithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip usfor our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

-The Book of Common Prayer.

Most powerful Holy Spirit comes down upon us and subdue us. From Heaven where the ordinary is made glorious, and Glory seems but ordinary, bathe us with the brilliance of your light like dew.

-The Northumbria Community

Another miracle ....

this miralce perhaps more in line with the fishes and the loaves ... by the way our Famine money keeps multiplying.

It keeps coming in - $11,400 so far ... that's almost twice what you raised last year. Well done and thank you just don't seem big enough words any more.

And thanks to Andrea I learned that World Vision has government grants that double everything raised through the Famine so that means our $11,400 ends up $22,800!!!! That is 62 children fed and cared for for an entire year ... That is making poverty history.

I am speechless. (I know, it doesn't happen a lot). - Sally

Miracles ...

Let it never be said that miracles don't happen ... my brother managed to fix my IPOD. Thank you . Thank you. Thank you God.

worship: where our lives intersect with the work of the angels.

How do we practice the presence of God?

so here's the question on the table:

"Brother Lawrence's (this really cool 13c. monk who wrote these letters that revolved around practicing the presence of God:living in such a way that we carry on our daily tasks all the while remembering God) heartfelt goal was to think of nothing but God."

Is this a monk thing, or a thought for everyone to follow? As to the latter, how can you fall in love, but still think of God every single waking moment of your life?


I thought it was a great question asked by BeH and worthy of some conversation ...

Making Poverty History: $10,000+

Famine Pictures are up ... click the link to the left ...

well done good and faithful servants.

Mardi Gras Feast Photos Uploaded Now.

Click the "flickr" button on the left.

And who was the Queen of Mardi Gras? Janie's first Mardi Gras! 

Mask Making Party anyone? 

The Almighty's Wings

"under the shadow of the almighty's wings". I have never seen Sally use an away message until that one. After we had the conversation about the Talis (prayer shawl) Jill climbed into bed and said, "I feel like I am in God's arms when I pull the covers over me." And you are. Rest easy, in God's loving arms. ---David

Fat Tuesday

Hey Everyone...
Just wanted to say thanks for all the hard work last night! Otey Hall never looked more festive. So to the decorators, balloon-blowers, mask-makers, pancake flippers, cleaning crew and everyone else...Merci beaucoup!

Cindy T.