the The Newsletter for Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
March 2017
The Year Ahead
the
4
Lenten Retreat with Brother James Koester
5
Saint Michael Presents The Vocal Majority
15
Vestry Meeting
19
Blood Drive
25
Jubilee Mother and Daughter Tea
Neighborhood Nights
We are in an extraordinary period in the great story of Christianity. In the last few decades, our world has reached a tipping point away from the social anchor of religious identity. Gone are the days when social expectations compelled most people into church communities. Gone are the days when religious groups commanded respect and authority just by their very existence. Instead, we have entered a new reality where those who are truly active in church communities are the exception, not the rule. That presents a challenge that has never before confronted Christian Americans, and one that will take special attention. In the coming years, we will be challenged to put that faithfulness and vision into practice, telling the story of Jesus in new ways and inviting countless un-churched and re-churched neighbors to join us on the way. We cannot do this on our own, but together, and with Christ, all things are possible. What has been the most inspiring part of the journey for me is the amazing and boundless energy I have seen from literally hundreds of Saint Michaelites who are ready to jump into new and renewed ministries! At our Annual Parish Meeting, I discussed the work that has been done and the work that continues to be done by your leadership. I learned years ago that I can never repeat myself enough, so a summarized look at the year ahead here in the Archangel is a good idea. Over the past few months, the Saint Michael leadership has taken on some new initiatives
Volume 29 No. 3
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Drive Launched to Refresh, Renew, Revive Worship Spaces At the Annual Meeting the Rector announced a bold new plan to significantly enhance the church’s primary worship spaces. He said several parishioners have agreed to underwrite the repair of the Creation Window in the church and challenged the parish to donate the remaining funds needed to complete the “Refresh, Renew, Revive” program. The Rev. Girata said the program includes, in addition to the Creation Window, new pew cushions and kneelers, enhanced sound and video capabilities, and side pews for acolytes and chalice bearers in the church. In Parish Hall the program calls for reorienting the room to create a worship center along the west wall with draping, a stage and lighting, installing video screens, and enhancing the sound capabilities for our modern worship services. He pointed out that the improvements also will make the Parish Hall a better venue for other church meetings and gatherings. The goal is to raise $300,000 in addition to the funds already pledged to repair the Creation window. Donations to fund the rest of the program can be made online at www.saintmichael.org/refresh, or by contacting Caroline Marak at cmarak@saintmichael. org. Watch the Rector describe the Refresh, Renew, Revive program online at www.saintmichael. org/refresh The Parish Hall refresh will create enhanced worship space using technology, lighting and drapes