Dear People of the Parish,

This week we have received the news that Bishop J. Neil Alexander, tenth Bishop of Atlanta, has called for the election of the next bishop of Atlanta, and announced his intention to resign once a new bishop is ordained, sometime in 2012. Bishop Alexander will join the faculty of Emory University, where he will teach liturgy and preaching, as well as provide direction to Emory's Anglican Studies program. Details of this news may be found on the diocesan web site www.episcopalatlanta.org.

Bishop Neil has been a faithful pastor and excellent leader during the ten years of his tenure. He has been a friend to St. Thomas through the years, not only as our chief pastor, but as an avid supporter of Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry and The McCann African Mission. Under his leadership St. Thomas member Vicky Partin became a staff member of the diocese and members Sandy and Martin McCann were appointed Episcopal missionaries. He will be sorely missed, and Emory is lucky to host his many gifts.

The church in our diocese is strong, and we will be in good hands through this time of discernment for our future. The standing committee of the diocese will set in motion the process of an election, a process that will engage the parishes and members of the diocese on many levels.

May this season of discernment be a time of goodness as we open our hearts and minds to God's good future.

Christ's Peace,

Fr. Doug

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look

favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred

mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry

out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world

see and know that things which were cast down are being

raised up, and things which had grown old are being made

new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection

by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus

Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity

of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP 515)

Join me in welcoming Ms. Micki Parr as our new Office Manager/Communications Coordinator. She will be St. Thomas' voice on phone, weekday face of welcome, and distributor of information. She started work on Monday, February 7. Her office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. She brings a wide knowledge of computer and communication skills.

Micki is a native of Illinois. She came to Columbus from Tucson, Arizona with her husband, a civilian employee at Ft. Benning. Prior to moving here, Micki worked for the University of Arizona as the undergraduate advisor for 500 students in the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

In addition to her work with us, Micki is the coordinator of a college ministry for local Roman Catholic students. This ministry is jointly administered by Columbus State University and St. Anne Catholic Church. Micki has a B.A. in History, and is currently working on a M.Ed. in School Guidance and Counseling.

One of the highlights of our diocesan year is the spring Ministry Fair, where hundreds of our friends gather to learn, share, and celebrate the work of our church. The always-interesting "Great Gathering" plus over 50 workshops offer something for everyone! We at St. Thomas plan to take a large delegation this year.