New Beach church reports on success
To the editor:
What a terrific month October was for St. Raphael’s by the Sea. On Oct. 24, we had our first Sunday morning worship which happened to be the historic Feast Day of the
Archangel Raphael. We had a great turn out as folks in our new neighborhood walked over to ‘check us out’. Most of them returned this last Sunday with more first time visitors. Word is spreading and it is bringing positive results.
Live music for our worship services began on Sunday morning’s All Hallow’s Eve service! With the gift of a keyboard from a local church, our organist from the old church, Jean Matthew, filled the auditorium with heavenly organ music. Jean has graciously offered to play for free until St. Raphael’s by the Sea can afford to pay her. What a wonder gift from our dear friend! Thank you so much! Hopefully that time will come sooner rather than later.
A special thanks goes to the Zacks for the wonderful potluck luncheon held at their beautiful home after our first Sunday worship service. The ham provided by the Zachs was delicious along with the tasty dishes folks brought with them. For those who weren’t able to join us, we hope you can make it next time. There was more than enough for all. Also, new friends were made and old friends got caught up with each other’s news.
Our service was decked out in liturgical splendor with beautiful new vestments, and a new altar frontal made especially for us by Becky Stout, one of our charter members. Some of you may know her better as Sue Egony’s niece. This past Sunday, Becky gave us a lovely pulpit cover to go with the gorgeous green and gold liturgical set. You can see these on our web site or Facebook site. (Yes, St. Raphael’s by the Sea is also on Facebook!)
This past Sunday, Sue Egony gave the parish a lovely antique altar cross. We also were given fifteen new 1979 Books of Common Prayer from an anonymous giver. With all these new gifts, our worship services are like Christmas! As I pointed out on Sunday, this is one of the joys of starting a new church – the receiving of gifts!
This past Saturday, Nov. 6, St. Raphael’s by the Sea Anglican Church was officially welcomed into the Gulf Atlantic Diocese at the Diocesan Synod. Roxie Smith is our lay delegate and Betty Goodacre is our alternate. In the Anglican Church of North America, parishes are allowed one delegate per 100 members – up to a total of six delegates. We will be processing in with a beautiful banner, complements of A.J. Bassett and Roxie Smith. A big thanks to these two great ladies for their generous gift.
The procession of the new parishes with their parishioners took place at the end of the Synod. A special power-point presentation was done by Jim Marcrum for our parish at that time. Thank you Jim! It wouldn’t be happening without your computer technology skills.
We also have a special fund raiser happening in March of 2011. Paul Todd will be giving two concerts for us here at the Beach Movie Theatre on Saturday, March 5. There will be a matinee at 4 p.m. followed by an evening concert at 7. Tickets are $20 per person. You will want to purchase them early, as Paul is a local favorite, who has sung nationally and has worked with acclaimed musical artists including Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Phil Driscol. Be sure and mark your calendars for this one.
As you can see the Lord is pouring out His blessings on us. So hurry on down! You don’t want to miss out!
Blessings!
Pastor Alice+
St. Raphael’s by the Sea