Article by Bishop David Epps
A few weeks ago, I was visiting with family in northeastern Tennessee. Out to dinner with my brother and his wife, we were joined by their seven year old granddaughter, Annie. Annie is smart (“I’ve never made anything less than an “A” in school.”), pretty, affectionate, and a chatterbox. At one point, I asked, “Annie, what do you want to be when you grow up?” Without hesitation, the second grader replied, “I either want to be a veterinarian, work at Pal’s (a local fast food establishment), or teach people to dance.” I suggested that she could do all three: “Annie, you could be a veterinarian, eat lunch at Pal’s, and teach the dogs in your clinic to dance!” She seemed pleased at the suggestion.
What does a small church offer that the larger churches may not? How about the opportunity to be part of a family in which, as the song from the television show, “Cheers,” says, “everybody knows your name?” Fellowship and sharing has, from the beginning, been a signature of St. Matthew’s Church in Hogansville, GA. Begun as a true mission as Father Ron and Nancy Clemmer moved to the community to see what God would do, the church now has almost 50 people who are ministered to by the church, either on Sundays or at other times during the week. It is not uncommon to find the congregation sharing a meal following the services or at special times throughout the year.
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Katherine Isabella Elena Holloway visits with her paternal grandparents, Bishop John and Elaine Holloway prior to the Thanksgiving holodays in Thomaston, GA. Katherine was born September 30 in Rhode Island to Jared and Ruthanne Sanchez Holloway. The child is the first for Jared and Ruthanne Holloway and the first grandchild for Bishop John and Elaine.
Rev'd Trey Lyon
On Saturday evening at our weekly Eucharist, Christ the Redeemer welcomed Rev. Trey and Jennifer Lyon, and their son, Gabe from Town View Baptist Church in Kennesaw. Trey and Jenn were in Pleven, Bulgaria in September, participating in a mission trip to Bulgarian orphanages. Christ the Redeemer sponsored one of the orphanage visits. During the presentation, Jenn shared about the country of Bulgaria and the state-run orphanages that are operated there. The country is having a difficult time establishing themselves economically, given world conditions and the fall of communism in the 1980’s. Their orphanages are run by the various local governments and are in varying stages of disrepair and all seem to exhibit a lack of staff and funding.
The Lyons work with Paul and Judy Ridgway, who are Americans in full-time missionary service to Bulgaria. They have been there for many years and have good relationships with the authorities in each group home. Jenn also told of the visit to Pleven, and the congregation saw pictures of the precious children in that facility. The facility houses children ages 4 to 7, and they all enjoyed the party that was supplied by Christ the Redeemer’s donations.
With Father Michael Birdsong serving as the new Vicar of St. Michael and All Angels Church and Deacon David Hoffman leading the music ministry, both youth and adults are enthusiastically serving as singers and musicians at the Thomaston, Georgia congregation. Always a worshipping church, St. Michael’s is, according to Father Birdsong, experiencing a fresh awareness of God’s presence and experience. Youth, with the help of the more experienced believers, are helping to lead the way into the future.
Left to right: Jonathan Allen, Kerry Wells, Tommy Stubbs, Timothy Stubbs, Robert Corvette, Doug Anderson, Jimmy Curtis
Saturday, November 14, the men of St. Andrew’s Church in Covington gathered at The Rev’d Deacon Kerry Well’s home for a little food and football. Organized by Men’s Leader, Tommy Stubbs, the men gathered to grill out hamburgers and hot dogs and then to watch one (or more) of the day’s college football games on Deacon Kerry’s highly praised High Definition T.V. Everyone pitched in to bring side dishes, drinks, and desserts. A great time was had by all.
