Monday, February 27, 2012

ALIVE!



It has come to our attention that some of you are not receiving ALIVE!, the diocesan newspaper. If you are not receiving ALIVE! each month, please contact the church office or drop us an email by clicking here and we will make sure that you are on the list!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Homeless

How did I get here in this terrible place?
I had a home and a family once upon a time.
Was it the job that was lost?
Or the sky-high debts we owed?
Was it the alcohol or the drugs?
Was it the feelings of worthlessness?
Perhaps, I just fell through the cracks in the system.
Maybe, I choose not to be in the system to begin with.
However it happened, here I am.
Please look at me with compassion.
Please see that I am a person with a soul just like you.
I had hopes and dreams once upon a time.
If you can see it in your heart to lend a hand,
Or just listen to my story.
Perhaps, I can gain enough courage,
To continue on my life’s path.
Maybe, I can even get back on track.
What do I look like – I am every man.
I am any man – I could even be you.

This poem was written by Dottie. You all know her. She and many others at St. Alban’s spend some time each month working at the Refuge of Hope. Folks from churches and businesses around Monroe feed the homeless and hungry at the Refuge. If you’d like to help, just check the calendar and show up. You can also talk to anyone who volunteers at the Refuge and join a team. They'll be glad to put you to work!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

St. Alban's Lenten Adult Education Class begins this weekend on Sunday, February 26, The First Sunday in Lent. We will meet between services at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room. We will be reading Lord, Teach Us to Pray, a six week program on the Lord's Prayer from Kerygma. Join us as we reflect on the prayer that Jesus taught us.

Bring your Bible!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Pancake Supper


We had a fantastic turnout for our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Our cooks were working overtime to keep up with the hungry crowd.

The kids also enjoyed burning last year’s palm crosses to make the ashes for our Ash Wednesday liturgy.

We hope to see you at the next feast – but we will have to wait until after Lent – until then, it will be more modest fare.

Ash Wednesday and Our Lenten Liturgies

Ash Wednesday is here. Our Lenten journey has begun. We had a very well attended Noon liturgy and we will have our Ash Wednesday evening liturgy at 5:30 p.m.


During Lent, St. Alban’s will celebrate Holy Eucharist: Rite One on Sundays and Wednesday Evenings. The Ash Wednesday liturgy is the last time Rite Two will be used until Easter. In Lent, our liturgies will begin with the Penitential Order and continue with the Kyrie. The service music (Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei) will be omitted. At the fraction, the Agnus Dei will be said and the prayer of humble access will be said prior to receiving communion. Silence will be observed at appropriate times during the liturgy as well. All of this is in keeping with the penitential nature of the season.

In Lent, in place of a seasonal blessing, a solemn Prayer over the People will be used. The prayers come from The Book of Occasional Services.

If you have any questions about our worship, please ask Father Whit+.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Electing the IV Bishop of Western Louisiana

Just in! More news on the election of our next Bishop has been posted on the Diocesan website...

Please click here for an Update from the Committee to Elect the IV Bishop of Western Louisiana. If you have any questions, please ask Father Whit+.




Lenten Meditations

Lenten Meditations from Episcopal Relief and Development
For our Lenten Meditation this year, we will use ERD’s Lenten Meditation Booklets, Hope Chests, Bookmarks and Prayer Cards. Please pick up your's today. They are on the table in the narthex. For more information, visit Episcopal Relief and Development at http://www.er-d.org/.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Burial Services for Mary D. Stodghill

The Burial of the Dead and Requiem Eucharist with be held to a.m. at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 3706 Bon Aire Drive in Monroe. The Rt. Rev’d D Bruce MacPherson, D.D., III Bishop of Western Louisiana will celebrate and preach. Assisting will be The Rev’d Canon Gregg Riley and The Rev’d Dr. Bette Jo Kauffman, Deacon. Visitation will precede the service at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and a reception will follow at the church. Interment will be at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Monroe.

Father Whit and his family thank you all for you prayers, love and support.

Friday, February 3, 2012