Recently Bishop Hahn was one of several speakers at a Lexington Service for Christian Unity. This is one of the oldest and most widely represented and attended services in the region. Here are a copy of his remarks.

Greetings Friends, in the Name of the One who honors us by calling us His Body. Greetings in the Name of the One who promises that we will be nurtured as we share that Body with one another. Greetings from that part of the Body called Episcopalian. 

As we are blessed tonight with the presence of many parts of Christ's Body, I am reminded of food - not just because of the wonderful meal we shared - Thank You to those who prepared it - but because of the banquet of Eternal life which we all share. 

Read the rest of the bishop's remarks 

Last week we reported on acts of vandalism at St. James's Church in Prestonsburg. This dark act has been answered by more persuasive acts of light. Members of the neighboring Community College, local churches and the Episcopal community far and wide have reached out to help. The Clergy of the Diocese of Lexington have given generously (over $1500 to date).

On the Monday following the vandalism, Bishop Hahn gathered with the Congregation for conversation, a meal, and a service "Restoring Things Profaned". One of the prayers of that service asks that the space "may be purified and cleansed by your abiding grace; that this place, purged from all pollution, may be restored and sanctified, to the glory of your Name" The answer to this prayer was evident in the spirit of the good people of St. James, who see this event as a way to increase their witness, gather new volunteers for their food ministry, and reach out to community members who struggle with addiction or mental illness. 

Continue to pray and give thanks for Sister Judy Yunker and our brothers and sisters in Prestonsburg.

The first thing that comes to mind when considering what God is up to at Saint Alban's is the word, "community." This past year has been a time of building community within and outside the church. As a small mission church, we have directed our efforts toward growing closer as a supportive community, recognizing our responsibility for each other. Every Sunday we gather after the Sunday service for time of fellowship. We have coffee and snacks or monthly potlucks. Sometimes we gather at parishioners' homes or descend upon restaurants.

  I am particularly pleased that Bishop Hahn is visiting Saint Alban's during Epiphany, as it is one of my favorite seasons of the church calendar. For me, every Epiphany brings a rebirth of the newness of the incarnation. Even in the deep chill of this winter, I experience the initial budding and blossoming forth of the incarnation of Christ. My senses become keener toward the daily manifestations of Christ around me, making me more aware of those places where the divine and the human come together.

Read more.

Rosalind Harris, whose 18-year-old son, Jamil, was murdered in Lexington in 1997, and Ben Griffith of Frankfort, who lost his brother Chris to murder in 1986 in a random act of violence that also took the lives of three others, will tell the stories of their loved ones lost, and reveal healing steps in their journeys that informed each of them that the death penalty and exacting revenge perpetuates a violence done to all of society. Shekinah Lavalle, Outreach Coordinator for the Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, will speak on the current situation in Kentucky and the status of efforts in the legislature to repeal the death penalty. The forum is sponsored by Berea Friends Meeting, Union Church, and St Clare Catholic Church.

When: February 22 at 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Where: Madison County Public Library, Berea Branch, 319 Chestnut Street, Berea KY

Contact: info@bereafriends.org

Applications for United Thank Offering grants now available on the National Episcopal Church website: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/uto-grants. Each diocese may submit two grants: one for ministry within the diocese and one for ministry with a companion or overseas diocese.Criteria for selecting grants will emphasize programs that address the culture of violence by supporting the mission of peace as expressed in the Gospel. This focus was inspired by the Five Marks of Mission.

Deadline for submission to the Diocesan Office is February 10. Please notify Diane Gabbard, Diocesan UTO Coordinator, at dianegabbard@gmail.com if you plan to submit a grant request.

Contact: Diane Gabbard, dianegabbard@gmail.com, 859-581-9113

Junior High youth event for kids in grades 7-9. New Beginnings is a weekend full of fun, taking you through a discovery of: Who is God?, Who is God to You? and Who are you to God? This happens through making friends and sharing with old friends. The weekend is full of singing, skits, talks, games, worship, and conversations with each other.

Due to weather, this event has been rescheduled. See new details below.

The organist at Central Baptist Church Lexington, DeAlba has performed throughout the region over the last several years. He was previously Organist at Stanford Christian Church and is currently a student of Dr. Schuyler Robinson at the University of Kentucky. DeAlba will perform works by Bruhns, Bach and Widor. An Evensong sung by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys follows the recital.

Creative Montessori School Open House
at The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection

Visit the school, meet the teachers, and learn more about the program.

Susan Vorhis founded Creative Montessori School in l998, and continues as director and head teacher. Creative Montessori combines the best parts of a Montessori education with an added focus on fun and creativity.

On Saturday, March 8, and Sunday, March 9, the Episcopal Province IV Environmental Network and Kentuckiana Power and Light will join with GreenFaith to host Ground for Hope Bluegrass, and Ground for Hope Kentuckiana twin events devoted to training and mobilizing for multi-faith action for the earth. The event will host speakers, workshops on preaching, worship, the Bible, energy, eco-justice and facility management.  

Did you know that 52 percent of all Kentucky 4th graders are not reading at grade level? Statistics show that if a student is not reading at grade level by the end of the 4th grade, his chances of success in middle school or graduating from high school are significantly diminished. Walk or run the Race to Read 5K and help us fight illiteracy in Kentucky. Or "sleep in to read"! All funds raised will send at-risk children to Reading Camp this summer! If one race isn't enough, sign up for the Episcopal Holy Trinity Race Series: Mind, Body and Soul, which includes the Good Shepherd Cross Country Race on April 5 and St. Raphael's Race the Rector on May 10.

The 9th Annual "I Love Mountains Day" rally and march at the Kentucky State Capitol of Frankfort is February 12th. On Tuesday February 11th, at 7 pm, The Church of the Ascension will host the Kentucky Chautauqua presentation of Lilley Cornett: A Voice for the Forest. David Hurt will portray Lilley Cornett, a coal miner in Letcher County in the early 1900s who purchased about 500 acres of old growth forest and resisted all attempts to log or mine the property. The property is now Lilley Cornett Woods, the largest piece of old growth in the state of Kentucky. The event is free and open to the public.

On Wednesday the Church of the Ascension will participate in the I Love Mountains march to the capitol. Any other church groups interested in joining in the march at 12 noon are welcome to join the Church of the Ascension on Wednesday.

Denise Giardina has written five novels with a remarkable range of settings, themes, and richly drawn characters. Giardina has also published work in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Village Voice. The recipient of two Creative Writing Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Denise Giardina now lives in Charleston, West Virginia, is retired from West Virginia State University, and is an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church.

A book-signing and reception will follow the reading. The event is free and open to the community-everyone is welcome!

Valentine Cabaret on Saturday, February 15th at 6:30 pm at St. Michael's. Join us for an evening of show tunes, sass, and laughter (we even hear there may be a duet with the Rector!) There is a suggested donation of $10, with all the proceeds going to the St. Michael's Endowment Fund. Be sure to mark this date on your calendar and join us for a wonderful evening.