From our Rector One of the great blessings of Old Donation is our space. While we regularly find we don’t have enough, ODEC has a long tradition of sharing everything we DO have. (Donation is part of the name, right?) Generosity is one of the most highly valued virtues in our Judeo-Christian tradition. We are faithful stewards when our buildings are fully used for God’s work. It sometimes creates challenges. But thank God for challenges that push us to know what is important. For four days, (2 this week and 2 next), we have loaned Tucker Hall to our Jewish friends of Congregation Beth Chaverim for celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Day School directors and I had to play traffic cop yesterday for pickup of 110 kids. We will not program Wednesday teaching for October 9. But the parish hall was full and the sounds of singing filled the halls yesterday. I suspect God is very pleased. Capital Gifts for Building You continue to bless God’s work in wonderful and surprising ways. Since we opened up the campaign again this Summer, we have received 24 contributions or pledges or extensions of pledges. The additional gifts have ranged from $250 to over $40,000. Some have come from folks who are brand new to the parish and want to be part of this work. Some have come from folks who made large pledges in 2016, but now see they can do more. For every gift, God is glorified. For every gift, we are grateful. So far, we have added over $205,000 to the amount we have for building! There are a few people yet who were looking forward to more information. I know we have some who are still trying to figure out what they can do. If you would like a visit or a call, please let me know. We have people who can come, or I can visit if you prefer. Meanwhile, please continue to keep this effort in your prayers. We presently have a planned deficit over $400K and would love to reduce that debt prior to getting finished. Look for the enclosed pledge card! M&Ms Jeff Hood’s video introduction of our “M&M” theme for this year’s stewardship was creative and purposeful. I loved his reminder that everything we do is actually grounded in our sense of Mission and Ministry. It always works better when we have more than one… because on our own we accomplish a small amount. But when we join together we can make a tremendous impact!
This month our M&M theme will pop up in lots of little and bigger ways. Let’s have some fun (and chocolate is always fun) while thinking about how God might dream of ODEC and its potential for changing the world. Acolyte Festival This month Megan Wilson, our Acolyte Master, and I will take a group of our young acolytes and some of their parents to the Washington National Cathedral. Oct 12 for the National Acolyte Festival. Episcopal churches from all over the nation come with teams of acolytes for a giant worship service and afternoon of workshops. Classes include swinging incense thuribles and leading processions, as well as races while keeping your torch steady and lit! Just hanging out in one of the most impressive churches in our nation is worth the drive. It’s a one day event on our OLD DO bus. There are one or two seats left, so let us know if you wish to join us. THANK YOU For Wednesday night suppers, Melyssa Aldrich - who has prepared fabulous and healthy meals! Vicki Dorsett, Judy Kuhns, and Marcia Torres have been there every week organizing and cleaning up with always a few others stepping in. The Labyrinth is back in business for meditation and quiet time thanks to Vicki Dorsett, Barbette Timperlake, April Improta, and Brad Croteau. I see guests from the community using it often in late afternoons or weekends. Jonathan Halvorson, Kaitlyn Piston, and Peter Hood have helped Summer Johnson get EYC kicked off right this year with some fun, good fellowship, and thoughtful discussions. The Faithful Departed One of our parish friends, the Rev. Ron McKeon, died last week. Ron was a priest and missionary to Brazil. He was a member of ODEC for years and married to Ann Butler’s sister, Debbie. Though they were already gone to seminary when I came to the parish, Ron and Debbie were here often and kept in touch. Our parish supported Ron’s work in Brazil and a number of parishioners have done so individually as well. I have always been inspired by Ron’s personal story of overcoming throat cancer. His calling to be a preacher and teacher of the Gospel required amazing effort. His gratefulness and positive nature in the face of life’s challenges were testimony to his faith. I will miss him. I pray you will keep Debbie and their family in your prayers.