We celebrated our Hopeful Future yesterday, Sunday, September 7. What a party.

Maureen Carey-Back and her party crew planned a great event.

The Ashburn Volunteer Fire Department greeted us as we processed out of the church with sirens and horns blaring. I burned our first mortgage in ruins of Belmont Chapel backed up by the Choir. Parishioners opened envelopes filled with butterflies and confetti cannons fired color streamers high into the air.

Brad Rush picked up 15 bushels of Blue crab that came right out of the Chesapeake Bay. Steamed and covered with Old Bay Seasoning. That is a lot of crab. Parishioners piled high discarded claws and shells on tables scattered throughout the church yard.

Our "House Band" played throughout the afternoon. Maureen sweet-talked me into climbing into the Drunk Tank -- I mean the Dunk Tank -- as beautiful cherubic children took careful aim pitching softballs doing their best to show their appreciation and great reverence for the Rector.

Yesterday we saw the launch of our new Sunday morning worship schedule. The Task Force on Traditional Worship had recommended that we consolidate the two traditional worship services in order to create a more vibrant and alive service at 10:45 AM. Based on the turnout (and energy) on Sunday morning their recommendation seems to be right on target. It was a great worship experience.

As I sat on the bench in the dunk tank and looked out across the the church yard I saw God's children at play. Every age playing in their own way. Confetti and streamers littered the ground -- red, yellow, green and blue -- as colorful, a giant balloon arch gracing the Belmont Chapel Ruins. An inflatable jump house and obstacle course were crawling with preschoolers. Band rockin,' kids of all ages running everywhere. Tables with mounds of cracked crab held the attention of adults doing their best to look like proper Episcopalians, with faces and hands absolutely dripping with juices.

I wish I could preach a sermon as well.