Parish News
Haiti Micah Project Update
The Haiti Micah Project (HMP) Board of Directors met on 21 June 2008 at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. Highlights of the meeting were as follows: Final preparations were made for the trip to Mirebalais during 30 June to 5 July 2008. Six people representing HMP will be making the trip, including Father Joseph Constant, who will lead the group, Ms. Laura Fraedrich, the HMP legal counsel, who will address legal issues in Haiti, and Rev. Jim May. Each person will carry a second suitcase filled with supplies for the children. A very full schedule is planned including the following:
• Have lunch and visit with the children that we are caring for. Father Constant plans to show the St. Paul’s HMP benefit concert video to the children.
• Meet with members of our sister group Les Enfants de Sion which runs the program in Mirebalais.
• Meet with the mayor of Mirebalais, who has stated that he is committed to providing land to HMP for its planned housing facility for 115 children.
• Inspect the complex that is available for rent for housing about 25 of the children. It consists of two houses and is secured by a privacy fence.
• Interface with the National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians (NOAH) Medical Mission Group, which agreed to make Mirebalais part of its mission trip to Haiti.
• Visit the hospital in Cange that was founded by Dr. Paul Farmer.
• Transport and distribute the goods that HMP shipped to Haiti last month, including eight 55-gallon barrels and nine boxes of personal hygiene and other items.
• Purchased a used SUV for use in Mirebalais. The vehicle is from the U.S., has low mileage, and is in very good operational condition. It will only be used for emergencies such as taking our children for medical treatment, as the hospital is a 45-minute walk from the feeding area, and for transporting supplies.
• We expect to complete the process to make Les Enfants de Sion an official non-profit charity in Haiti during the mission trip. This will make HMP eligible for other charity services in Haiti.
• HMP will start distributing a one-page electronic newsletter on a monthly basis to keep donors current on its activities.
• A quarterly HMP newsletter will be prepared after this next mission trip.
• An article on HMP will be included in the July 2008 edition of the Virginia Episcopalian.
• The Voice of America (VOA) has offered to interview an HMP representative for its worldwide network. Father Constant has agreed to participate in both English and Creole. Many Haitians listen to VOA broadcasts. This will provide a source of information for Haitians outside Mirebalais to become aware of HMP activities.
• The HMP board agreed to start a program for donors to adopt an individual child that is served by HMP. This will be formalized next month.
• During the previous month HMP received donations from fifty (50) individuals and churches totaling $10,000. The current balance of funds is $46,000.
Shoes For Afghan Children
Helen and Wayne Culbertson
A big THANK YOU to all of those who donated shoes for the Afghan children. Five boxes, containing 85 pairs of shoes and 74 Beanie Babies, were mailed to the distribution center where Jennifer Driscoll is stationed. They can always use more so if you have some to donate please bring them to the Parish House and we will mail them. Also, thanks for the money to help with the postage.
Our daughter, Jennifer, greatly appreciates everything people have done to make life a little better for the Afghan children. Also, we thank you for your prayers for her and we are looking forward to her returning to her family in September.
Music News
Jeannie Richardson
Bob and I are finally taking that “big trip” we have been talking about for so long! This summer we are both healthy and will be driving with the camper out to the great Pacific Northwest.
During my absence organ music will be supplied by Andy Knowlton, Tom Guthrie, and Stuart Ashton. Any special music anyone else wishes to add will be greatly appreciated by all!
Day School News
The Day School has hired a fabulous teacher and is now seeking preschoolers to fill our rooms! Please spread the word about our new preschool program that will start this fall. The program is designed for three and four year olds, and it will meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Please go to the St. Paul’s church website for more information.
Pancake Breakfast to Begin July 12th
St. Paul’s will be holding a pancake breakfast on July 12th from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. Delicious pancakes, apple sauce, sausages and breakfast beverages will be served in St. Paul’s Parish House. We are accepting donations for this wonderful community event. Donations for breakfast will benefit St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and St. Paul’s numerous outreach activities. Stay tuned for a future pancake breakfast in September, if July 12th is not convenient for you and your family. We are also looking for volunteers to assist with preparation, service and clean up. If you are interested in helping please contact Dan Roberts or sign up in the Parish Hall on the posted sign up sheet next to the kitchen.
Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed for Summer
In the summer everything seems slower and many folks are off on vacations, but we still want to keep up the hospitality of coffee hour for those who are here each Sunday. To keep it simple for summer we are recommending that volunteers do just lemonade and iced tea. You can do coffee if you wish, but it’s not expected. We have wonderful tea bags that, when mixed in cold water, make excellent cold tea in 5 minutes! We will keep a supply of ice in the freezer. If you want to provide snacks that’s OK, but until after Labor Day, not expected. Please take the time to look at the sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall and volunteer for a Sunday to ensure that we have an enjoyable after-Church experience with our fellow parishioners. Carolyne Ashton will also be calling to fill in the empty spots.
Ongoing Projects for the
Missions/Outreach Committee
In the coming weeks, we again will be distributing Heifer Project Arks. Please start looking for them in the parish house and start filling them up with your pennies. This little project goes a long way. Last year we collected enough money to fill an Ark with all the animals on the list.
FOOD BANK
King George Food Bank is extremely low. Please consider bringing in food when you come to church each week. They need non-perishables: can foods, rice, peanut butter, noodles, baby goods. There are also drop off places in our county: Social Services, Exit Realty, Post Office.
ANIMAL SHELTER
King George Animal Shelter needs old towels, blankets, dry cat and dog food, and treats. You can bring those items to the church and put them on the outreach table.
THURMAN BRISBANE SHELTER
Bring in linens: new bath towels and washcloths; used twin sized sheets, blankets and comforters
JACKSON FEILD HOME
Women and children items; toiletries, diapers, undergarments, hair accessories, family sized shampoos etc. (see list on the outreach table)
HOPE HOUSE
Same as above (see list on outreach table)
Outreach: Food for Those in Need
The King George Food Bank is in dire need of food. Please bring non-perishable food to the donation table in the Parish Hall. Each parish family is assigned one month to deliver the food: Pick a day that month and deliver the items to King George Social Services, the King George Citizen Center, or any other of a number of places in the county that are helping collecting food for the county food bank. If you would rather not participate, please let Terri Gallagher know.
July outreach box delivery: Ray and Jo Brett
August outreach box delivery: Cathy and Danny Brunson
Parish News
Senior Graduation & Youth Sunday
July 6 Lawrence Thayer Andrew Salisbury (S) Veazey Shippee —Volunteer—
Chuck Gleason Bryce Baxter (C) Frazer/Ashton (Tellers) Ramberg (WC)
July 13 Andy Knowlton MK Brannon (S) Salisbury —Volunteer— —Volunteer— Barbara Morris Chapin Baxter (C) Gleason/Henke (Tellers) Yarus (WC)
July 20 Penny Turner David Malyevac (S) Bogue —Volunteer— —Volunteer— Don Baxter Clare Shippee (C) Baxter/Regan (Tellers) Brunson (WC)
July 27 David Malyevac A Brannon (S) Frazer —Volunteer— —Volunteer— Mary Ellen Arthurs Katie Ragan (C) Malyvec/Ashton(Tellers) Brannon (WC)
Aug. 3 Chris Knowlton Stuart Shippee (S) Carole Barcalow & —Volunteer— —Volunteer—
Gayle Hock Andrew Salisbury (C) Jo Radelat Shippee (WC)
Frazer/Gleason (Tellers)
Altar Guild: Barbara Ritter & Jean Marie Edwards/Outreach Box Delivery: Brett Family
Parish News
Prayer Shawl Lesson Available
Barbara Ritter
I’ve received requests from several people about crochet lessons over the summer. I’m willing if you are.
My thoughts are that we would meet after church, for about an hour each time for several weeks. I’m willing to teach the basics including starting a project, kinds of stitches, how to read a pattern. I though we would start with something small, like 7 x 9 inch swatches that can be put together to make a blanket for Warm-up America. http://www.warmupamerica.org/home.html.
Please contact me via email blhritter@gmail.com, or phone 775-8216 if you are interested.
Website News
Bob Griswold
Recent additions to our photo collection include
• Education for Ministry, by Matthew Carroll
• Marybelle’s Party, photos by Pat and Dick Frazer
• Relay for Life, photos by Stephanie Henke and Bob Griswold
• Shrine Mont, photos by Terri Gallagher and Stephanie Henke
On the closing day of Vacation Bible School, Rev. Mike Finn-McKenzie of Trinity United Methodist leads all in a prayer, laying on of hands, and blessing for Rev. May’s upcoming trip to Haiti. Children at VBS made cards for the Haitian children and we collected $439.45 in offering for Haiti-Micah.