Dear Parish Family,
It was on December 16, 2006,
that I was ordained deacon at St. Matthew’s in Charleston, and the following day Gail and I started our journey with
you. It hardly seems that two years have passed!
I thank you
all for allowing me to serve you. It is not easy becoming accustomed to a new priest, especially to one who is truly
new, i.e., only just ordained. You have allowed me to feel my way, provided good support and feedback, and I am grateful
for it.
Most of all, however, you have continued to do the things
in the church that need to be done, and that is critical to the life of Ascension. We have an annual meeting coming
up in January, and I ask that you consider carefully either running yourself or asking someone else to run. It is entirely
appropriate to say to another member of the church “I think you would be a good vestry person.”
I also ask that you continue to reach out to the community. This past summer, Ascension was
responsible for bringing two wonderful musical events to Hinton. This year we will once again host the community Christmas
service. All of those are opportunities to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, and you are the ones who have to do
that work. If you had a full-time, resident priest, some of that would be taken off your shoulders, but as it is, it’s
pretty much entirely on you.
Peace and blessings to all.
Kent+
