First thing, I just want to thank each and every one of you who has been so incredibly welcoming to me in the week or so that I have spent with you all. I am overwhelmed, really, on so many levels (all good)! I thank the Vestry, particularly, for the kind and careful guidance that they have so far provided me as I work it integrate into the culture of this, great, faith community. I look forward to spending time with you all in a more social setting this Sunday for the Vestry’s “getting to know you” time between the morning Eucharistic Celebrations. Surely, we will have many months to further our friendships as we move forward.

The Holy Spirit Parish Choir is back for the 2023-24 “season”. The first rehearsal is on Thursday, September 7 at 7:30 pm in the choir room, generally lasting until about 9:00 pm. The choir is a group of true amateurs in the literal sense – people who do something because they love it.

Did you know that there are scientifically proven health benefits to singing in a group? It is good for your cardiovascular system and helps maintain mental acuity. Most importantly, the choir is a community that looks after and supports each other, all the while making beautiful music.

Holy Spirit is a wonderful family, and we are currently in need of more volunteers for jobs big and small. Some volunteer jobs are a major commitment like being on the vestry or being a member of the rector search committee. (More announcements about that are coming soon). We have many smaller jobs to fill, and we need a diverse, committed group of people to fill them. I am going to highlight a few of these each week to let everyone know what these jobs encompass and how you can join in. Please prayerfully consider adding at least one of these to your Christian journey.

The Liturgical calendar is divided into two parts. The first half of the year we remember and celebrate the events of Jesus life on earth, from Advent to Pentecost. The second half of the year starts on Trinity Sunday and is called the long green season or Ordinary Time. The meaning of the term “ordinary” in this case is based on ordinal numbers, since we delineate the Sundays as being the first, second, third, etc. Sunday after Pentecost. However, I want us to think about the more standard definition of “ordinary.”