Welcome Bishop Biggers! - Rector's Rambling for August 17, 2014

We welcome back to St. John’s our dear friend Bishop Jackson C. Biggers.  Bishop Biggers is the retired bishop of Northern Malawi in the Anglican Province of Central Africa.  Since his retirement from being the diocesan bishop, he has been active in other dioceses of Malawi, helping the other diocesan bishops, and aiding the Leonard Kamungu School of Theology and the ministry of the Sisters of St. Mary.  In thanksgiving for his recent 50th anniversary of ordination, he helped secure funding for a new building for the Mother’s Union, the equivalent is some ways to our Episcopal Church Women.

Bishop Biggers makes his primary residence in Malawi, but spends time in Pensacola, Florida as well.  He is finishing up his latest stint here in the USA and will be returning to Africa soon.

In addition to the Bishop’s visit today, we will also be having a short meeting for those interested in teaching in Sunday School this year.  Curriculum samples will be dispersed, and schedule and timing discussed.  If you think you might be able to pitch in and help teach a class when one of the regular teachers has to be absent, please let us know.  Next Sunday, after the 10:00 AM service, there will be an All Parent Sunday School meeting to introduce the updated program.  Classes begin on September 14.

Next week is also our celebration of baptism at St. John’s.  In addition to having the baptisms of several children, we have invited to Church all who have been baptized here in the past 30 years and for whom we have valid addresses.  Invitations were sent out to 100 families!  If you were baptized at St. John’s please fill out a form in today’s Chronicle and put it in the collection plate.  If you have adult children and grandchildren please give them a call and tell them you would love to see them here that particular day.   We’ve asked for RSVPs so we have an idea how many people will be attending.

Finally, thank you to all who attended the funeral liturgy of Mary Bedford yesterday, and who pitched in for the reception following.  Your prayers and presence were greatly appreciated.