The Banner is Going Digital in 2013

The Banner, the Newsletter of St. Alban’s Church is an important part of how we keep folks informed about what is going on at our church. Along with this blog, The Banner with its monthly calendar and Rota of ministry assignments is our communication link with one another.

Mailing costs and ever changing postal regulations, along with printing costs and assembly time restrict the number of people who can receive the newsletter. We want everyone to know what we are up too! The paper format also makes The Banner less “earth friendly” or “green.”

So, beginning in January, The Banner will begin a new digital distribution. Don’t worry – we will still mail a paper copy to those who wish to receive one. We think most people will enjoy receiving The Banner, Calendar and Rota via e-mail. All can all be accessed anytime here on the blog too! Photos and graphics can be in color with no additional cost or effort. 

Please help us by letting us know if you want to receive a paper copy and we will be glad to keep it coming! (Those without email will get a hard copy automatically)  Please help increase our email list by updating your email and adding family members and friends. With email, it costs us nothing to send it. We will also email to every church in the diocese. Let us know what you think.

The Bishop's Message

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The secular Christmas season begins after Thanksgiving. At least, what is called Black Friday used to inaugurate secular Christmas. This year stores opened their doors to bargain hunters on the evening of Thanksgiving itself. To be honest, management stocked their shelves with Christmas fare as soon as Halloween passed. (The secular calendar does not recognize All Saints’ Day.)

This year has been especially disorienting for those of us who follow the Church Year. In most years, secular Christmas competes with Advent. This year lights and decorations in private homes anticipated even Advent, since Thanksgiving preceded Christ the King instead of First Advent.

The disconnect between the secular calendar and the Church’s calendar can be jarring. It seems also to invite the Crabby Appleton in some of us to emerge. Some among us take offense at, others condescend to, and yet still others even heap contempt upon these secular practices. If evangelism works by attraction, some of us fall flat on our faces at this time of year. Crabby Appleton is unattractive at all times, but especially when so many people are obviously seeking some source of joy and relief in their lives.

Book Studies at St. Alban's

The Sunday Adult Education Class will be reading Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Rob Bell. The class meets most every Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room. Our Love Wins class begins on December 16. All adults and visitors are welcome!

The Wednesday Night Men’s Study Group is reading Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith, also by Rob Bell. The Men’s Study Group meets on Wednesday night following the 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Unction at 6:15 p.m. in the Conference Room (and occasionally in McLean Hall) . The Velvet Elvis study began on November 28. All the men of St. Alban’s and guests are welcome!

Contact Father Whit for more information on either class…

Will's Graduation

Will Phelps is about to graduate from U.L.M., and it's time to celebrate!

U.L.M.'s Commencement is Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., in the Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

But whether you attend the ceremony or not, please join Will and Bette Jo for a...

Champagne Lunch

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

December 8, 2012

79 Quail Ridge Drive

Please stop by to toast the graduate!

Moon Over St. Alban's

Above is a photo taken by Fr. Whit of the Moon rising over St. Alban's early on the evening of November 26, 2012. The night turned out to be stormy...

The Bishop's Message

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Happy Thanksgiving!

Many will be gathering with family and friends this week for fellowship and feasting. The Owensby table, like many others, will be laden with traditional dishes, some of which have been shared by generations of our family.

Seeing and tasting that familiar fare reminds us of times we have spent together, reinforces our identity as a family, and reassures us that we have a special place at this table. Despite the comfort of familiarity, more and more people are trying new recipes during the holidays.

These new recipes do not always work out. Sometimes they clash with the rest of the dishes assembled for the feast or they just taste awful. If the host or hostess makes the mistake of replacing a beloved favorite with the new eats, diners can be put off by their frustrated expectations and the shock of the new.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and pray for all those who are traveling.