It is with joy that I write to you as the celebration of our Lord's birth draws near. Joy, because of your faithfulness to the ministry at St. Raphael's by the Sea, even in your absence. Thank you for helping to make St. Raphael's by the Sea a place of safe haven for your return.

 

We have had a fruitful year in 2013 receiving many new guests and visitors, expanding our charity outreach to include the homeless in Israel, the storm victims in the Philippines, and our great partners on the Beach, the Poor Clare Nuns of San Domiano.

 

We were not able to have our Fall Rummage Sale as has been our tradition. In spite of the cold temperatures and snow up north, we have not, yet, had enough folks return to do the work needed to put on a sale. Without this fund raiser we came up short in meeting our budget for this year.

 

While this could be very discouraging, it is my hope that you will understand how important each and every one of you is to us. When one person suffers, literally so does the whole parish. So this Christmas, I am asking you as your pastor to help us fill in the gap to meet our financial obligations that we have made for the future of St. Raphael's by the Sea. As of this writing, the 2014 budget does not include setting aside funding for a place of our own. We are also having to cut back on our financial outreach in 2014 from its current level.

 

Of course, you can help to change all of this by giving a generous Christmas gift to St. Raphael''s by the Sea before the end of 2013. For those who have already given, we thank you for your support. Thank you to all for the joy of being your pastor and sharing your spiritual journey with you.

 

Christmas Blessings!

 

Pastor Alice Marcrum+

 

Christmas Services will be held at the Beach Baptist Church

 

Christmas Eve Service                             10:00 pm

Christmas Day with Lessons & Carols     10:00 am