Happy New Year - 2017

Have a safe and happy New Year’s Day celebration!

Join us this Sunday, January 1 as we celebrate The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ 

No 8:30 Eucharist - sleep in!

Holy Eucharist – 10:30 a.m. & La Santa Eucaristía - 11:45 a.m.

Merry Christmas!

Join us tonight (Christmas Eve 5:30 or 10:45 p.m. - with special music from our choir or tomorrow, Christmas Day, at 10:30 a.m. in English and Spanish), and we will light all the candles on the Advent wreath including the Christ Candle. Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!

Nuestra Santa Eucaristía de Navidad a las 10:30 a.m. será en inglés y español.

Join Us!

On our tree... Our Christmas Day Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. will be in English and Spanish - Nuestra Santa Eucaristía de Navidad a las 10:30 am será en inglés y español.

Bring Family and Friends!

"Coy" Theus Adams

Memorial services for Corinne “Coy” Theus Adams will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2016, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.

Coy was a member of Grace Episcopal Church where she served on the Altar Guild and later St. Alban's Episcopal Church where she served on the Altar Guild and a member of the Vestry. Father Whit will officiate.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Third Sunday of Advent

Tomorrow we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, which is also called Gaudete Sunday for rejoice or joy. We light the third candle, pink candle. The Advent wreath’s circular shape symbolizes eternity; the greenery represents life; three candles in blue, and one in pink and on Christmas the white Christ candle. Every week we focus on a theme; including: hope, faith, peace, joy and love. Candles anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ, who comes as the light that illuminates the darkness of the world.

Join us!

Our Neighbors

Today, we pray for our neighbors - literally right behind our church! 

Let's come on Sunday prepared to give an extra donation of money for our neighbors at this difficult time for them and during this season of giving! 

Please mark the memo of your check or envelope with your extra gift - "for our neighbors." We will give this to them along with a card that I will have for us all to sign as well!

Giving Tuesday

Be generous...

Thanksgiving Song

"Thanksgiving Song"
by Mary Chapin Carpenter 

Grateful for each hand we hold
Gathered round this table.
From far and near we travel home,
Blessed that we are able.

Grateful for this sheltered place
With light in every window,
Saying "welcome, welcome, share this feast
Come in away from sorrow."

Father, mother, daughter, son,
Neighbor, friend and friendless;
All together everyone in the gift of loving-kindness.

Grateful for what's understood,
And all that is forgiven;
We try so hard to be good,
To lead a life worth living.

Father, mother, daughter, son,
Neighbor, friend, and friendless;
All together everyone, let grateful days be endless.

Grateful for each hand we hold
Gathered round this table.

Help Spread the Love!

St. Alban's Advent / Christmas Project for this year is the "Spread the Love" Peanut Butter Drive.

Why Peanut Butter?

Peanut butter is fun and nutritious!  Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein and serves as a great substitution or alternative to meat products because it is much less expensive, it is filling, and it contains fiber. Finally, peanut butter is jam-packed with nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, zinc, folate, and the antioxidant vitamin E and is easy to keep and store. Peanut butter is a popular food bank item and is always in high demand!

We will collect jars of peanut butter - any size or brand - from Advent 2016 - Epiphany 2017 and all our collections will go to the Foodbank of NELA. Please be generous and help us "Spread the Love!"

Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist

Community Thanksgiving Eve Holy Eucharist – St. Alban’s (with our friends from St. Thomas') will have a Thanksgiving Eve Holy Eucharist on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. Please join us!

Veterans Day

Veterans Day

For Heroic Service, The Book of Common Prayer, page 839

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Our Prayers of the People

Beginning today and until the day of the inauguration, we will add the following to the prayers of the people in the section where we pray for the leaders of our country... 

We pray for Donald, our president-elect.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world, That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

(This wording is an example from Form III - following the inauguration, "Barack, our president" will become "Donald, our president").

Día de Todos los Santos y Santas

Día de Todos los Santos y Santas 6 noviembre 2016 

Sermón: Padre T. Whitfield Stodghill, III

¡Hoy es nuestro aniversario! Hace dos años, en el Día de Todos los Santos y Santas, celebramos nuestra primera Eucaristía. ¡Esta es nuestra tercera celebración de ese día!

Mientras nos preparábamos para ese día, recuerdo una conversación que tuve con María. Miró el folleto y dijo que tenía el nombre del día equivocado. Debe ser el Día de Todos los Santos. Cuando lo discutimos, me di cuenta de que ”Santos y Santas” era una mejor traducción de lo que proclamamos.

En el Día de Todos los Santos y Santas, recordamos que todas las personas en la iglesia son santos. Hombres y mujeres famosos y desconocidos, pueblo de Dios del pasado, presente y futuro. María y yo aprendimos ese día, que la teología de la iglesia decía algo importante. Fue un llamado para celebrar algo importante. La iglesia nos fue dada por aquellos en el pasado.

Hoy, podamos renovar nuestro compromiso de ser los santos y santas de nuestros días. Que Dios nos bendiga en nuestro trabajo. Que hoy podamos cuidar de la Iglesia para que podamos darla a las generaciones futuras.

¡Damos gracias a Dios cuando entramos en nuestro tercer año de ser la Iglesia! Amén.

All Saints' Day

For all the saints!

Our Hardtner 75th Anniversary Auction Baskets

We created these two baskets for Camp Hardtner's 75th Anniversary Silent Auction.

St. Alban's Best of Louisiana Sampler Basket - Landry Vineyard’s Muscadine Country Wine, Two Glass Bottle Coca-Colas (Monroe is the home of the Coke Museum), Two Bottle Abita Root Bear (pure Louisiana Cane Sugar), Community Coffee, Panola Gourmet Pepper Sause, Tabasco Pepper Sause, Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning, Zapp’s Spicy Cajun Crawtator Chips, Zapp’s Who Dat? Chips, Holiday Fried Pecans, Two St. Alban’s Coffee Mugs, Photo Note Cards by Archdeacon Bette Jo Kauffman, Sunshine Crafter’s Knitted Hat (given to folks worldwide), Louisiana Life Best of Louisiana Magazine, Images of American – Monroe, West Monroe Photo Book, Cotton Country Collection Cookbook – Junior Charity League of Monroe, Jimmy Choo Sunglasses in Fleur de Lis case.

Iglesia San Albán Episcopal, Cesta Misión Latino / Hispana - Rose-Orange Fleece Blanket, Black Lace Scarf, Fiesta Paper Cups, Plates and Table Cloth, Cathedral Photo by Archdeacon Bette Jo Kauffman, Handmade Hardtner Coasters, Ceramic Candy Skull and Dia de los Muertos plaque, Un Libro De Oracion Racion Para le Disipulo Prayer Booklet, tacolicious Cookbook by Sara Deseran, Ornamental Flowers

Thanks to all who donated! See you there...

More Good News from Rome

This is what happened when the Pope met the Archbishop of Canterbury in a defining moment for Christianity. 

The Presiding Bishop in Rome

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry speaks from Rome during a week when Anglicans and Roman Catholics are participating in a series of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic meeting in 1966 between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey.

Bark - 2016

Father Whit, Thomas Whitfield Stodghill III, blesses a pet at the Oct. 1 Bark in the Park. The people and pet-friendly event raise funds for the Ouachita Valley Animal Rescue League. Jeanette Robinson/The News-Star

St. Alban's will have its Blessing of the Animals on October 5, at 5:30 p.m. on the circle drive. Join us for what is always a lively liturgy!

Blessing of the Animals

St. Alban's will have its annual Blessing of the Animals on Wednesday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the circle drive in front of the church. Join us for what promises to be a noisy liturgy!

WOW!

When is the last time you scrolled to the bottom of our blog to look at the visit counter?

Hard to believe! Thanks for stopping by regularly...

Forgiveness and reconciliation... Always costly!

ULM BBQ Ad for St. Thomas' ;-)

St. Thomas' Annual BBQ

61^st Annual St. Thomas BBQ

Please join the folks at St. Thomas' on the bayou for the 61st annual St. Thomas BBQ.  The event will be held Saturday, October 1st from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The menu includes chicken, pork loin, sausage, baked beans, potato salad, and homemade desserts - the fun includes music and a cakewalk. 

The cost is $15 per ticket or 5 for $50. Students with ID will be $5. Tickets can be purchased from the church or at the BBQ. All proceeds will go to our community outreach this year. 

This is an opportunity for good food, fun and fellowship.  If you have any questions, please call and leave a message at 318-343-4089. St. Thomas Episcopal Church is located at 3706 Bon Aire Drive on beautiful Bayou DeSiard, here in Monroe.

Pizza EYC KickOff

Nuevo Horario

The Jesus Movement

Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites us to the Jesus Movement!

Joy!

Unbridled joy from our newest acolyte!

Simmons Burial

Join us as we celebrate the life and musical ministry of Dr. J.L. "Larry" Simmons at St. Alban's. The Burial liturgy begins at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2016. A reception in McLean Hall will follow for family and friends.  Until then, please pray the Simmons' family, and give thanks for Larry's life and all his gifts shared with us!

Labor Day Weekend

This Labor Day, weekend - even Monday - we will do what we we always do. Pray! Join us for Holy Eucharist at 8:30 a.m, 10:30 a.m.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend, if you're travelling,  travel safely

A reminder that the church office will be closed on Monday. 

Its That Time Again!

The Archdeacon Awarded of Excellence!

Our Archdeacon recognized for excellence! (Like we didn't know!?!) ;-)

Read all about it here.

Ways to help...

The News Star had a great article by Hope Young on how to help flood victims in south Louisiana - You can find it here.

You can also make financial donations to St. Alban's, the Diocese of Western Louisiana or Episcopal Relief and Development (E.R.D.) - mark your donations with "Louisiana flood relief." Remember that E.R.D. provided the monies that helped us during our recent floods!

And, of course, pray, pray, pray! Reach out in love to those you know in that part of the state!

Save the Date

It's That Time Again!

Back to school - back to church!

Telling the Glory of God

We at St. Alban's will be telling the glory of God tomorrow at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. - Join us!

Surf Shack V.B.S. 2016

This year's Surf Shack V.B.S. is a wrap! Thanks to Archdeacon Kauffman for all the great photos this week. More photos and videos are on our Facebook page here. Thanks to the children, helpers, adults, parents and all who made it an adventure!

More Surf Shack V.B.S.

More great photos from V.B.S. thanks to our Archdeacon, Bette Jo! A great video compilation is here on Facebook too! Come and see all the fun - 5:30 - 7:15 p.m. in McLean Hall at St. Alban's. Grace, St. Alban's St. Thomas' and St. Patrick's are together again!

Surf Shack V.B.S. is Underway!

Surf Shack V.B.S. is Underway! Our 2016 Vacation Bible School is once again and collaboration of Grace, St. Alban's, St Thomas' and St. Patrick's Episcopal Churches. Here are some photos from day one thanks to Archdeacon Kauffman.

Who Knew?

For those who understand and know what I am talking about - apparently there is collecting to be done at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Monroe, Louisiana!


We have church too!

Neighbors

Join us tomorrow as we read the parable of the good Samaritan and ask, "who is my neighbor?" Eucharist at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Mott Visitation - Calling Volunteers!

Finger foods are needed on Monday, July 11 so we can provide proper hospitality for the visitation of family and friends of Jane Mott to be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. that evening.

Our hospitality committee is asking that finger foods, sandwiches, or sweets be delivered to McLean Hall on Monday morning. There will be as sign-in sheet so that you can record your donation.

We will discuss this on Sunday too!

Thanks in advance for this and for all the ways you support one another!

A Celebration of the Life of Jane Mott

The St. Alban's community, friends, and Mott family will celebrate the life of Jane Turpin Mott next week. Jane was a long-time resident of Oak Ridge and Monroe, and a vary active member of St. Alban's. Jane died on Wednesday, the 11th of May, 2016 in Glen Rock, New Jersey.

Visitation with family will be held in the church and McLean Hall on Monday, July 11, 2016 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. The Burial liturgy with Holy Eucharist will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow in Oak Ridge.

Join us as we thank God for Jane and her life shared with us.

Primary Camp 2016

Primary Camp 2016 at Camp Hardtner is almost in the books - it is our last night! Even though priestly duties required me to miss the camp photo - my friend and star of the Lego Movie, Emmett stood in for me.

See you all at church on July 3 and we will celebrate the Eucharist and Independence Day weekend!