Episcopal Diocese of Albany

Business Office: 68 South Swan Street - Albany, NY 12210 - (518) 465-4737
Christ the King Spiritual Life Center: 575 Burton Road - Greenwich, NY 12834 - (518) 692-9550

September 10, 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Calvary Church, Burnt Hills lead a workday at the Episcopal Counseling Service office in Albany at the end of August. They did a marvelous job with landscaping and building exterior maintenance. Thank you to all the men who participated and Craig Hayden who spearheaded the planning.

This past weekend I was in the Susquehanna Deanery for visitations. Saturday evening I was with Archdeacon Barbara Hanstine and the people of St. Paul's, Bloomville, and on Sunday morning, with Fr. Dick Knudsen and the people of Church of the Holy Spirit. It was a refreshing weekend.

Is the Confirmation Retreat sufficient preparation for receiving the sacrament of Confirmation as soon as November 2008? The short answer is 'no'.

The Confirmation Retreat is a jumping off point for the young adults who attend, particularly for the younger ones who are probably in the early stages of instruction. For older kids, it is a crystallizing experience that brings concepts together or clears questions up if they have already been involved in programming at their home church.

Confirmation programs should be 'formational'—which means that they should shape and change participants over time. This is one of the reasons a minister, teacher or sponsor from the parish must attend with their youth. This retreat is to function as a 'conversation starter' for both potential confirmands and the adults who come with them. It also allows the adults to see how the retreat staff teach and what they teach. For a more complete explanation of the retreat, please go here.

The Fall Regional Confirmation will be held at the Cathedral of All Saints on Saturday, November 1 at 11 AM. Confirmands and those to be received along with their clergy and sponsors should plan on arriving at 10AM to meet with the Bishop.

Rectors, Vicars, and Deacon Vicars are asked to submit by October 20th, via email, the full names (first, middle, last) of those to be confirmed and those to be received. This will allow the Diocesan and Cathedral staffs to prepare certificates and make the necessary arrangements for the service. The courtesy of timely and accurate submissions is greatly appreciated.

The Albany Diocese Parish Health Ministry is offering the 40 Hour Basic Prep Course for individuals interest in Parish Health Ministry. The course will be held at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center, October 1-5, 2008. For more information, please contact The Reverend Micki Thomas @ 692-2753. Scholarships are available. Registrations are due by September 15. The registration form may be downloaded here.

Christ the King Spiritual Life Center is in need of quality crosses and crucifixes for guest rooms and other rooms that currently lack them. If you have one you would like donate, it should be approximately 18 inches in height and in excellent condition. Please contact Beth Strickland at estrickland@albanydiocese.org or leave a message at (518) 692-3350, x 504.

The next Diocesan Holy Hour will take place at 10:30 am this Thursday, September 11, in St. Mary's Chapel at the Convent. Fr. Patrick Hunt will be the officiant. Lunch is available following the Holy Hour in the Trinity Dining Room of the SLC for $8.00 + tax.

Aspirants for The Order of St. Luke will have a Day of Soaking Prayer, September 20, 9 AM –3 PM at Christ Episcopal Church, Herkimer. Bring your own lunch; refreshments available. Child care is available.

We welcome the Reverend John P. Thompson as the new rector at St. John's in the Wilderness, Copake Falls. Fr. Thompson comes to us from Alabama.

We also welcome the Reverend Colin C. Belton as the new rector at Trinity Church, Plattsburgh. Fr Belton and his wife, Penny, come to us from Canada.

Your continued prayers are invited for Mtr Jackie Jones who continues to be hospitalized at Albany Med. She has bounced back from her pneumonia relapse but is still very much in need of your prayers.

It is a pleasure to report that Fr Paul Bailey, Rector, Christ Church, Herkimer, returned to the pulpit this past Sunday and has been seen working in his office as he continues his recovery. Thank you Lord Jesus! Your prayers for Fr Paul and Pat are much appreciated and your continued prayers for patience on his part during this continuing recovery are most welcome.

Faithfully in Christ Jesus,
+Bill

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