Winter at Grandfather Mountain...

Dear Friends,

I have been on a study trip for the past week nestled in the high country mountains of North Carolina. It has been a rich time with much accomplished in terms of my dissertation.   I have set a personal goal, this work will come to an end in 2012.  Your prayers, support and encouragement is ever appreciated.  This has also been a week of prayer and reflection, time spent with the Lord thinking and listening.  I recently posted this to a listserve I am on...

I feel we have walked a path described in 2 Peter 1:5-11  "Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you."

There is bright future for Incarnation, Canterbury and the Diocese of Central Florida. The numbers, financially and in attendance have been down the last year at both of the ministries where I serve.  However we are growing and bearing fruit in tangible ways and I believe we are right where we are suppose to be doing the things God would have us do.  We will soon master plan for Canterbury and Incarnation, there is a vision becoming clearer day by day and I am eager to see it come to fruition. 

As we walk and labor in this "vineyard" where the Lord has placed us, may we find encouragement and strength in the process.  This life is a progression of and if we journey in the things of God, His ways and His Kingdom then we will prosper for all eternity.  

May God grant us grace in the journey and may He find us faithful in each moment...   

in the mission,

Father Jon+   

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A Hymn a Week  

God Will Take Care of You

Epiphany Pastor's Class 2012... 

"Fan into flame the gift God has given you..." (2 Timothy 1:6). As we enter the season of Epiphany, we will we exploring spiritual gifts and calling in the Pastor's Class.   Each of us have been given gifts and talents that are to be exercised for the fullness of our life and worship together in the Body of Christ. Join us in the living room of the main Folwell building as we gather by the "fireplace" between services at 10:00 am.