From the Vicar..........

 Changes at St. Paul's

 We have had our late Sunday contemporary service for a year and a half. Ever since the hurricane, our attendance at the service has been low. So, we are going to suspend the late service for a while, and attempt to revamp it for later release. Our new Diocesan Bishop, Andy Doyle, said at a recent meeting that he is willing to try different things and fail, if necessary in order to learn. I don't consider our contemporary service a failure, since it has been a blessing for those who have attended, and also since it has been a way of introducing a number of new members to our St. Paul's family.

Our new 9 AM Sunday School time has been a real positive experience in the life of the parish. It has been very heartening to see so many adults attending, and to continue our children's Sunday School as well. This is the best response I have ever had to adult Christian education in my 28 years of ordained ministry. After New Year's, we will commence our study of the Gospel of Luke with the Kerygma curriculum.

Also, we will begin serving monthly dinners in our parish hall. These will be fundraisers for various groups in and out of the church. Our first one, in January, will benefit the Woodville High School Band Boosters organization. Profits from the dinner January 22, will go to help fund the band's trip to Florida later in 2009. Tickets are $8 apiece and can be purchased ahead of time in the Parish office. The meal will be served on January 22 from 5 to 7 PM. Families can call ahead and pick up a take home meal for the whole family, too.

 The menu for the January 22 dinner includes roast chicken, dressing, potatoes and gravy, vegetable and dessert. If you have an organization you want to benefit from one of our dinners, please see Joe Robinson or call the church office at 283-3710. Fr. Stephen Secaur St. Paul's Episcopal Church string.
 

Fr. Stephen Secaur

Priest-in-charge, St. Paul's Episcopal church