Eagle Article for Autumn 2023 - Rector's Rambling for September 3, 2023

         With the coming of Labor Day Weekend we have the psychological start of Fall.  School gets back in session, summer vacations are in the rearview mirror, and life gets busier at home in in our jobs. 

And here at St. John’s the programming year goes into full effect with the return of the full choir, Sunday School, Daughters of the King meetings, St. Catherine’s Guild activities, and our full schedule of weekday and Sunday worship.  There are plenty of opportunities to get involved here at St. John’s for your spiritual benefit and for the good of the parish.  See inside this newsletter for more details.

As you see above, we will be once again offering the Alpha Course, with the first session beginning October 3rd and continuing for 10 Tuesday nights (except for 10/31).  It is important that if you have NOT taken the Alpha Course, you do so!  It is Christian Fundamentals for the newcomer AND a powerful refresher for those who are already a member of the church - so that we are all standing upon the same foundational teaching about Jesus Christ and His Church!

What is Alpha?  It is a space for honest conversations about life, faith, and meaning.  We begin at 6:30 with dinner, watch a short video teaching, and have an open and honest discussion on a variety of topics about the faith.

Last week on Sunday afternoon I was praying about the Alpha Course and doing some planning.  When we were then preparing for Sunday Evening Prayer, I looked up to see a priest walking in to join us.  I introduced myself and discovered that it was Fr. Nick Perryman, the Global Chief Executive Officer of the Alpha Course, and a staff member at Holy Trinity Brompton (London), the originating Church.  What a Spirit filled opportunity that was to discuss Alpha and what God is doing in His Churches that are reaching out those who do not know Jesus.  That is our Mission!  To know Christ and to Make Him Known (parish motto) - and The Alpha Course helps us to do both of those things in a wonderful way. Email me to sign up today!