I don't have any pictures yet to share with you - but the service of institution and the celebration of new ministry on Thursday evening, June 11, was wonderful! Our Bishop Gayle Harris did such a good job of preaching and celebrating and being at ease with all of us - didn't you love the way she thanked the choir? And she just seemed to be having such a good time here at St. Barnabas - it was a joy to see and experience. The church was beautiful thanks to all the wonderful flowers - peonies behind the altar; thanks to the altar guild and the ECW; and Randolph's outstanding arrangement in the baptismal font - that is so beautiful. I will get a picture soon.
Many thanks to all of you who helped with the service - and special thanks to the assistant rector, Kate, who handled so many of the details and was a delightful master of ceremonies. It was so nice to leave it all to her - and as always she did a remarkable job. And thanks to Paul who worked overtime this week to get our campus ready for people to see - and it all looked so beautiful. Many out of town guests remarked on the beauty and thanks go to Paul and the volunteers who weeded and mulched and planted - amazing work.
Will and I are now breathing easier as we begin to slowly fit into our roles here remembering that we are in this ministry together - to dream and discern and pray what the vision will be and what God is leading us to - I just know after that wonderful start the journey will be filled with blessings and much grace.
In thanks to all of you and in Christ, I am looking forward to our life together,
Patti
