A Conversation with Bishop Jake

Be on the look for this new series from Bishop Jake. I will post these each time they become available.

The Day of Pentecost

Sunday, May 19, is The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday. It is the day that we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. St. Aban's will celebrate Pentecost with Holy Eucharist at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Join us also for Adult Education Class or Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. Be sure to wear red to show your Pentecost Spirit!

The collect for the day sums it up nicely...

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Note: Photo is of a frontal at Wells Cathedral. Their website is here.

Mother's Day

This Sunday, May 12, 2013 is Mother's Day. May we all give thanks for our mothers with this prayer... Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

ULM Graduation

The University of Louisiana at Monroe held its commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m. Somewhere in this crowd are St. Alban's Stephanie and Andrew! Congratulations!

Our Archdeacon, Bette Jo Kauffman was the event's announcer. 

Pilgrimage to Iona

[Episcopal News Service] The ancient Celts described Iona as a “thin place,” where the veil between heaven and earth is lifted, and where one might glimpse the divine.

 For centuries pilgrims have traveled to this small island off the West coast of Scotland, leaving behind their chaotic lives to rest, reflect and walk in the footsteps of St. Columba, the Irish missionary who founded a monastery on Iona in 563 AD. 

 Columba was forced into exile allegedly following a dispute concerning the ownership of a psalter he’d copied in his home county of Donegal. His subsequent missionary work is credited with the spread of Christianity throughout the British Isles. 

 May 2013 marks the 1,450th anniversary of Columba’s arrival on Iona. His feast day is celebrated on June 9 throughout the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

The full ENS article is here.

Ascension Day Holy Eucharist

St. Alban’s will celebrate Holy Eucharist on Ascension Day at 6:00 p.m., Thursday May 9, 2013. The folks from St. Thomas’ will join us. 

Ascension Day marks the end of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances and comes forty days after Easter. Hope to see you there...

A Taste of Hardtner - May 24-26, 2013

The evening of May 24 will officially kick off our first ever Taste of Hardtner. Help us start the summer off right by joining the party. 

There are several options for family, parish, and individual involvement. Weekend packages are available in limited quantities that include lodging for 2 nights, 3 meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. The cost is $60 per person for lodging in cabins, and $90 per person for lodging in the Holy Day Inn. Contact Mandy in the office at 318.765.3794 or at office@camphardtner.org to make reservations. You may also purchase just the meals you wish to eat. Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday is $7 per plate and lunch and supper on Saturday are each $10 per plate. Please let us know if you will be attending so we may prepare for everyone's lodging and meal needs.

Our Taste of Hardtner will begin with a 6:30 a.m. trail run along our newly marked trails. The overall winner will be awarded a free weekend at Hardtner to participate in any of our retreats or conferences during 2013. As part of the Taste of Hardtner event, we are also looking for teams of 4 members each to compete in the Jambalaya Cook-off. Each team must provide everything they need for the competition. After the judging, everyone will then enjoy jambalaya as the main dish for lunch.

While the jambalaya is cooking the 2013 Permanent Staff will have many activity areas open all around camp. Our guests are free to roam to and from any activities they wish to experience. We will have fun jumps, hikes, arts and crafts, music, games, canoeing, swimming, and plenty of time to relax and enjoy fellowship. Following lunch we will begin the Parish Field Games. Each church parish or mission is invited to assemble teams of 6 individuals to compete in the afternoon field games. We will finish up the afternoon with some live music! If you or anyone you know would like some stage time to share your musical talents, let us know in the office.

Following our evening meal together at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, we will offer a child-appropriate movie with supervision in Hargrove House while the adults can gather in MacPherson Hall.