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From the Vicar...
Champions for Jesus
I've got a song stuck in my head. Sometimes I hate when that happpens, but right now I'm enjoying it. The song is "Champions for Jesus", our theme song for this week's Bible School. When I sing it to myself, I don't really hear it in my voice - a decidedly good thing - but in the voices of the kids shouting it out.
My favorite part of the ministry of the church is when you see collections of people move from awkward introductions to real Christian community - community of laughter, shared purpose, and love. That community was built this week. It was built with kids and adults not only from different churches, but in a real sense from different worlds. By the end of the week, it was hard to tell which kids came with which group. When recently asked by the Clarion Ledger about what we hoped Bible School would accomplish, I said that I hoped that kids would come to know that God loved them and that there were adults who loved them too. I saw kids experience that. And I learned and experienced the same thing too!
Peace,
Chuck
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Life in Ordinary Time
We've had a busy time here at St. Alexis this early summer. In just a few weeks we've had the Pentecost service and picnic, Vacation Bible School, and the Medgar Evers Commemoration Service. We also had a special service with the baptism of William Skelton with a large congregation in attendance. All of these have been joyous, very successful celebrations.
Our Pentecost service and picnic in the Laurel Street Park was energetic and well-attended and marked the beginning of what we hope will be a growing partnership with Christ the Savior Church. We heard readings in English, Sawhili, German, Dinka, Spanish and French and had great food and fellowship.
This year marked the third VBS program in partnership with St. Mark's. We had the most kids ever (over 40) and for the first time had kids from St. Alexis participating. See the "From the Vicar" column adjoining this article for more details. The Medgar Evers service was a great event, drawing over ninety worshippers and filling our church space. The music was great and the service was inspiring. But the aspect of the celebration that particularly marked it as St. Alexis's own was the fellowship. We had great (and very ample) food, and people mingled and lingered and talked. It was another step towards bringing the people of St. Alexis, St. Mark's, All Saints', and St. Christopher's closer together in friendship and in ministry.
Many thanks are due to all of you who worked so hard to make all of these events so successful. Special thanks to the wardens and mission committe members who step up to organize and do the work necessary to success.
We are now returning to a more ordinary time in our church life. This is appropriate because we're entering into what is often called ordinary time in the church calendar, the long strech of weeks that run from Pentecost to All Saints in November. There will still be plenty to celebrate. Sunday, June 28, we are baptizing Davis Hammond to which all are invited. And there will be other special events and programs on the way. But we also can celebrate a little normality - our regular cycle of services, our regular life together. Big celebrations are important, but it is in ordinary time that we live our ilfe as a community. Take a deep breath, relax, and give thanks!
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 Upcoming Events
*Sandwich Ministry on Break
We are going to take a break from the Sandwich Ministry for a while. Several of the people who have been active in this ministry will be tied up this summer. Look for a return of this program in the late summer or fall. In the meantime, we welcome your suggestions of other interactive helping ministries St. Alexis might offer.
Donuts No Creampuffs - Take League Leader to the Wire: The St. Alexis Fighting Donuts coed softball team saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end Thursday night as they dropped a close game to the league-leading Team SEEDS. SEEDS beat the Pastryfolks in two and a half-innings on the mercy rule in their first meeting early in the season. But this time the Donuts threatened to take the game with a 9-run fifth inning and a seventh inning rally, only to leave the bases loaded at the final out for a 18-13 loss. Next Thursday the Donuts play a makeup game against previously rained out Pearlie Grove. The game is at 7:50. This will be the last regular season game. The playoff schedule has not yet been announced. Come join the growing crowds rooting for the home team.
Soul Food
Soul Food will not meet this coming Wednesday night. We are going to take a break in June and July and resume in August. Check this space for announcements of other activities and have a great summer!
Next Potluck Night July 1
We will have our next Wednesday night potluck supper on the first Wednesday of July which is July 1. The theme will be "All-American Food". Look for more details next week, but go ahead and mark your calendars for this fun feast.
In the Public Eye
St. Alexis has gotten some good publicity lately. We were featured in a Clarion Ledger article on Bible School programs a couple of weeks ago and last week were the focus of a feature article aboutthe Medgar Evers service. Look for a big St. Alexis story in the Mississippi Epsicopalian coming soon. And speaking of information, be sure to check out our website (stalexisjackson.org) for recordings of sermons, regular updates, and other new features.
Welcome Aboard
We have received into formal membership at St. Alexis Toneille Staples and Jason Woodcock, each by transfer of letter from other parishes. If you're ready to commit to St. Alexis, let us now and we'll help you take that step.
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How to Join St. Alexis'
St. Alexis' is an open Christian community, welcoming all who want to join us in worship, fellowship, and acts of Christian love in the world. We respect the dignity of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, national origin, race, gender, or age and encourage all to participate fully in all areas of our common life. You may do all of those things without a formal commitment.
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Learn more about St. Alexis':
www.stalexisjackson.org
Have questions or a pastoral need? Email Chuck Culpepper at chuck@stalexisjackson.org
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