Our Reach Travel Team is leaving for Red Creek, New York on Sunday, July 9. The Reach Support Team has grown to over 80 people. They have raised over $4,000.00 to support this mission project.

I have invited the Reach Support team to gather at the church early on Sunday morning (July 9) to send the Reach Travel Team off with our blessing. (They are leaving from the parish parking lot at 7:30 AM.) It would be great if the “whole parish” came out to send the team on their way.

What a blessing it would be for the Reach Travel Team to see how well they are supported by the parish. I hope we have a good turn out.

Other good news: The former rector, Stephen McWhorter, is on the Reach Travel Team. He will leave for Red Creek after worshiping with us on Sunday morning (July 9). I have asked Fr. Stephen to preach at the 8:30 and 10:30 services and he has graciously consented.

This is an extraordinary gift he is giving us.

He made it abundantly clear to me when he handed me the keys to the Rector’s office that he was retired: R-E-T-I-R-E-D, retired. I spoke to him on the phone this week. He said, “Kevin, I miss the people. But I sure don’t miss the responsibility.”

I promised Fr. Stephen that I would honor the boundaries of his retirement – but a great preacher can be asked to preach from time to time. ;-)

July 9 will be a celebration of our Reach Team. I look forward to hearing Fr. Stephen preach and seeing our parish come out to bless the young people we are sending out in mission in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord.