This September we’ve spent considerable time reflecting on the various core ministries at Saint Gabriel: worship and fellowship, congregational care and outreach, family ministry and adult formation.
It is good to pause to give thanks to the people who work behind the scenes in all these areas, and to celebrate opportunities we have to participate at whatever level we feel called to.
Maybe the Spirit has been tugging on your heart this past month to get involved in a new area, or perhaps step forward for the first time. There are ample opportunities to help, to lead, or simply to participate!
To recap, here are a few coming up this autumn –
Worship: We gained new acolytes for each Sunday service, and we have room to add additional ones. Do you sense the choir is more robust these days? We’ve added several new choir members – thank you! A new baby grand piano will soon be added to our instruments – this comes to us as a donation and will reside in the parish hall.
Outreach: Saint Gabriel is a long-time supporter of Locally Haiti, our collective effort to accompany our brothers and sisters in Petit-trou de Nippes, Haiti. On Saturday we have an art show, a food truck, Haitian music and a chance to hear about the good things happening in Haiti. Don’t forget the Jeans Drive for the Saint Francis Center and the Fall SGROW – a morning spent with Project Cure in Centennial. Sign up soon!
Adult Formation: beginning October 1, I will be teaching on the Letters of John, each week at 9:15 in the parish hall. Other course offerings are the Wednesday Bible Study at 10 am, reflecting on the Gospel of John, and the Wednesday night men’s group meeting at the home of David and Barbara Ariss. This fall, they are reading works by and about CS Lewis.
Family ministry: Lots to talk about, but we’ll be holding the annual Blessing of the Pets & Animals on Sunday at 4:30. Come on by for a special time to give thanks for our animal companions and commend them to God’s care. A little further out, on October 28, we’ll be hosting our 3rd Trunk or Treat – a safe and fun way to enjoy All Hallows Eve in the church parking lot. Godly Play continues each week at 10:15 am in the classroom downstairs. For all this and more, please see Meg Stern if you think you can help or participate in some way.
Fellowship: We’ll be saying Godspeed to Bob and Lindsay Leaman on October 8 as they move to Roebuck South Carolina. Bob and Lindsay raised their family at Saint Gabriel and have served on nearly all the boards and committees at the church. We will surely miss them, but know they are following God’s leading. Please join us for a special coffee hour following the 8 am service in the parish hall.
Stewardship: This year’s theme is “Make Some Noise” and chair, Dan McLean will inspire us to consider all that Saint Gabriel represents to us. In so doing, we will be encouraged to make our financial pledge as a step of faith and commitment to the furthering of the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us.
With gratitude –
Fr. Chris