Dear Friends,
I am on my winter retreat in the North Carolina High Country where I arrived to a foot of snow and temps in the 20's. Some may think I am crazy to come here at this time of year but to be honest it is refreshing to me and gives me just a taste of winter. After a busy couple of months of adjusting, transitioning, and working into the Incarnation and Canterbury partnership I must confess I am due for a week of retreat, dissertation writing, and "falling off the grid". I have found this to be an essential discipline and routine in the ministry. One of the principles I teach in ministry to seminarians and others when I get the chance is, "You cannot give away what you do not have". If I want people to be passionate about Jesus, engaged in the mission of the Kingdom then I must be. It begins with me and this time away is a place where my fire gets stoked and I get fueled to do the things I am called to. You might not be able to take a week like this but I commend you to time in prayer, study and devotion. It is what makes a difference in living for Christ. So pray for me as I for you.
This Sunday in my absence we welcome The Very Rev. Rick Lobs, former Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and a long time friend and supporter of Incarnation. Dean Lobs is a fantastic preacher I know you will be blessed by his ministry among us.
Also please make your reservations with Shelly regarding the Valentines Day Pancake Breakfast and the Mardi Gras Party on Tuesday evening February 16. (see the announcements in the column)
in the mission,
Father Jon
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I continue to leave this in the update requesting your prayers for the mission and ministry of Canterbury... Almighty God, bless
Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center; make it a lively center for sound
learning & in the course of this busy life, a place of spiritual renewal,
refreshment & peace. Give wisdom to the Board & Staff; to make wise
decisions, to be good stewards of all resources. Lead us we pray to strength
& stability. Inspire us by your Holy Spirit with a vision for greater
mission & effectiveness for the expansion of your Kingdom in this diocese
& beyond; that people would come to know you as Lord & Savior; grow in
their knowledge of you by the work done here. We ask this in the name of Jesus
Christ who modeled for us the need for retreat to be strengthened &
renewed. Amen.
A Few Things...
Jason and Brandi Lavoie - former members of Church of the Incarnation are hosting a Chili Cook-off Fund-raising event Saturday February 20th / 11-2 at St. Mary of the Angels to help in expenses for an adoption. This will be a fun - family gathering and I ask you to please support them in this and for more information click here for a flyer.
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