Looking Out My Window - Rev. David Perkins

Dear All Souls Community,

Please be aware of two events of significance for All Souls. First, we celebrate our sixth anniversary on All Saints Sunday, November 1, 2009. We will observe the Sacrament of Holy Baptism that day. If you have an infant, child, or youth to be baptized, or if you desire baptism as an adult, please contact the vicar. That day we will have a number of baptisms.

The Saturday before, All Hallows Eve, we will observe an All Hallows' Eve service at 5 PM. The Rev. Sven van Baars, our diocesan intern two years ago will serve as guest preacher. Sven serves as assistant rector at St. Margaret's in Williamsburg. You are asked to bring your children prepared to go Trick or Treating in their costumes and go directly from church to enjoy gathering goodies with them. Also, you are encouraged to come in costume yourself.

We will be blessed to have Jim and Denise Bennett and their band as guest musicians for this service. You know how gifted they are and what joy they bring with them in their ministry.

Second, we will intensify our focus on our core value of healing by offering prayer during Communion from intercessors trained to pray with you for your own healing, for you in moments of distress, and for others whose names you might share who need our prayers. Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will find some suggestions about how you can participate in this ministry. We've had a prayer group focused on healing prayer for several years, and these people are available to you where more extended prayer ministry is needed.

Our intent is to offer this ministry each Sunday, but in October we will be offering healing prayers only on the first and third Sundays. Some of the intercessors have not yet been fully trained, and others not originally enlisted have expressed an interest in sharing in this ministry.

In some Episcopal churches, clergy invite people to receive healing prayer either during or after Communion. However, I am committed to the ministry of all God’s people and know that we have laity who desire to share their compassion through this ministry.

Peace,

David Perkins, Vicar


Responding to God's seeking love, we endeavor to create a vital Christian community in Central Hanover County by committing ourselves to God, serving Christ in the people of Central Hanover, sharing the story of God's love shown in Jesus Christ, and living out the meaning of that story in our worshipping, serving, and relating to one another.