COMMUNITY CENTER OF FINCA 6 SUMMER UPDATE

I am so thankful to be able to share about what’s been going on here in Finca 6 and for specific prayer requests. Community Center of Finca 6 just finished another school year, and for those who are not familiar with CCF6 - it is a center in the community of Finca 6, Azua, Dominican Republic, that provides a preschool program, lunch, and after school tutoring. 

Although we are located in the Dominican Republic, there are many Haitians who live in this neighborhood that have come to the Dominican fleeing the violence and extreme poverty in Haiti. We have seven Haitian people from the community who work at the school, and the problem is that they are not legal Dominican residents. The Dominican authorities can and have deported them and their families multiple times. This has not been a problem until recently. Now we have been praying about hiring more Dominican people to work at the school (in addition to the current Haitian staff) to provide more stability. Having Dominicans teaching at the school will also help to expand our reach to bring in more Dominican children to come grow academically, play and learn about Jesus. It started out with a lot more Dominican students, but over the years since all of the staff is Haitian and they mainly speak Creole, the number of Spanish-speaking Dominican children has dwindled. 

God has always brought the right people at the right time and I trust that he will continue to do so. Along with praying about the right people working here, we would appreciate your prayers for guidance about other programs and projects that God would like us to start that will serve this community. Thank you all so much for everything and supporting and praying for us over the years - I appreciate it more than you know! If you would like to receive email updates every couple of months, feel free to email me at gyllamatosflores@gmail.com and I will include you! 

Love,

Gylla

Gylla and Keiter Matos Flores are missionaries living in Finca 6 with baby Alexander. Beloved members of the St. Michael's family, Keiter is a builder, welder, electrician and plumber from Azua, Dominican Republic and Gylla a Kindergarten teacher from Orlando. 

“Discover the Joy of Sacred Music:

Your Heart, Our Choir, One Voice”

ALL CHOIRS IN SUMMER MODE:

• Summer Choir Sundays are Jun 15 thru Aug 25
• Those in town and attending the 10:15 robe up and lead the singing from the choir pews

• REHEARSALS RESUME ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27

MUSIC DEPARTMENT:

THIS WEEK:

SUMMER CHOIR (thru Aug 24)

• 9:30 – Rehearsal in choir room with…
• 10:15 – SERVICE

Wednesday Rehearsals

• Resume on Wednesday, August 27

NEED MORE INFO? 

Contact Andrew (email: andrew@stmichaelschurch.com / office: 407-843-8448 x.246 / cell: 407-619-0967) ALSO to join the “Choir Training Program” session either in person OR AT HOME!

This is the “FOOD FROM BAGS TO BINS – AND DELIVER TO SCHOOLS!” week. 

• We took 206 lbs to the schools!
• THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED THIS MONTH!

PLEASE NOTE: in regards to this ministry, for those not presently attending church, and maybe watching online, if you’d like to participate when we are not actively in the week of “bag filling and collecting”, it is possible to arrange for AMAZON and/or PUBLIX to deliver food to the church.

Fr. Rick’s Sabbatical

“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”

Dear St. Michael’s Family,

Thank you for your kind, generous, and gracious expressions of love, encouragement, and support as Katrena and I prepare to enter our extended Sabbath after Easter Sunday. Clergy in the Episcopal Church are encouraged to take a sabbatical every five to seven years. As I enter my 20th year as a priest, this is my first “official sabbatical”, and I am privileged to take some time for renewal, and it will be good for my soul, the soul of my marriage and family, and the soul of my ministry.



HERE ARE OUR PLANS:

RESTORATION: Katrena and I will spend several weeks in the Italian countryside. Our intentions are to avoid the major tourist areas and spend time visiting small villages and simply relaxing and being together. The place we’ve chosen to stay in is a former monastery that has been converted into apartments and is somewhat secluded which will allow for quiet walks, reflection, prayer, and solitude-- along with good wine and delicious Italian food!

RENEWAL: A week after we return home, I leave by myself for the rolling hills of Kentucky for an intensive workshop tailored for behavioral health professionals and clergy. I will spend eight days in a remote and rustic setting with seven other people and a team of assisting professionals who will lead the group into deep soul work. The spiritual and emotional work will be intense, but I know it will bring me even closer and more deeply connected to God and my true self.

RECONNECTING: In the remaining time, we intend a few overdue family visits in North Carolina, and perhaps West Virginia…. (And I MAY even wash my car and clean my garage.)

Freddy Clayton, our Senior Warden, will oversee leading Vestry meetings. Ashleigh will continue to assist in the daily administrative operations. Fr. Greg will lead the liturgical and pastoral life of the parish. Joan will work with Freddy, Ashleigh, and Fr. Greg in the business and financial life of St. Michael’s.

Again, thank you for your love, prayers, and support. I also want to thank our dedicated staff and vestry for their leadership in my absence. God is doing something amazing and beautiful in the life of St. Michael’s and I cannot wait to return in July with fresh perspectives and renewed energy for ministry and what God has in store for us!

In Christ’s love,

ST. MICHAEL'S PRAYER LIST

Those who have commended themselves to our prayers:

Ashley T., Beth, Benny W., Brad, Carolyn, Charlotte, Cheryl M., Chris P., Claire B., Chris M., Colton, Cynthia L., Darell, Emily, Gladys, George T., Helen, Joanne O., Jeffrey, Jimmie, Karen C., Karen E., Karen H., Karen M., Karline, Linda A., Linda T., Lisa L., Matt P., Mary, Mary C., Mary Lu, Pam S., Patty B., Pauline, Peggy H., Peyton, Phil, Rebecca, Ronnie, Tim, Tripp, Virginia C., Wayne, Will.

Long-Term Prayer List:

Alexa C., Alyssa R., Andrew, Angie, Arielle, Austin S., Betsy C., Brigid, Brittney R., Cannon, Caryl, Chris P., Connor R., Cynthia L., David B., Deirdre E., Dick B., Elijah, Erika, Emma, Felicia, Gary B., Graham, Gylla, Henry R., Jacob B., Jan, Jason, Joyce B., Joe H., Justin, Kathy G., Kristel, Kris R., Kyle, Linda, Lavelle B., Lola, Macauly D., Marci A., Margie S., Marion S., Meredith and Family, Martin, Oliver, Paul, Robert, Ryan, Sarah, Shaun B., Samantha, Sony, Sonia, Steve, Susie D., The Allen Family, Tim, Tracy, William.

Those serving in the armed forces and in harm’s way:

Aaron D., Bradley H., Carolyn H., Chad S., Christopher E., Hank H., Hope H., Jonah H., Kenneth K., Ben V., Nick R., Will M., Stuart R.

Birthdays:

26: Kenneth James, Abby Hatcher, 27: Tiffany Stieger, Parker Cook, Mark DiDea, John Motzel, William Motzel, 28: Dori Madison, Caroline Kennedy, 29: Catherine Gay, Henry Gay, David Beatty, Billy Bennett, 30: LeighAnn Blackmore, Darvin Boothe, 1: Kaley Yates, Kristi Gafford, Chris Boothe, Emerson Jeffries, 2: Mark Johnson, 3: Stephen Olivier, Connell Clark

Anniversaries:

27: Bob and Lisa Lacey, 29: Collin and Amelia McLeod, 30: Len and Marilyn Williams

Reminder: To place someone on the prayer list, please contact the Administrative Team at info@stmichaelschurch.com

CLERGY AND MINISTERIAL STAFF

The Rev. Rick Luoni, Rector

The Rev. Greg Favazza, Assisting Priest

Andrew J. Walker, Director of Music

Ella Eagen, Assistant Director of Music

Mike Robertson, Director of Outreach

Tiffany Stieger, Director of Children’s Ministry

Melanie Olivier, Director of Preschool

Mark T. Cole, Director of Youth Ministries

VESTRY

Senior Warden: Freddy Clayton

Junior Warden: Christian Leger

Louis Gafford

Eric James

Jordan Cook Evans

Danielle Belen

Courtney Hazouri

Brian Rush

Ashley Bennett

Eleanor Ackermann

Basia Andraka-Christou

Matt Vanture