Fr. Rick’s Sabbatical

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

Dear St. Michael’s Family,

Thank you for you 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 Virgina…. (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,

Save the Date!

“Discover the Joy of Sacred Music:

Your Heart, Our Choir, One Voice”

ORGANIZED SINGING/MUSIC!

…aka CHOIRS! ….or BANDS!

PLEASE NOTE: the combination of God’s sacred Word, actively serving, “doing”, in community with others, ALL focused on achieving one goal – there is a high probability you may come face to face with the Living God!

CHOIR TRAINING PROGRAM (primarily for Choir Members – but open to ANYONE!)

• Wednesdays, 5;30-6;30 PM –vocal / reading music / Worship & Liturgy training.

ST. MICHAEL’S FAMILY CHOIR

• ALL AGES! Kids who LOVE to sing (1^st/2^nd Grade good readers thru High School), plus any singing parents, all the way up thru Retired Folks, singing together as a FAMILY!
• Wednesdays: 6:30-8:00 (Chamber Singers – a small group of Adults who enjoy more demanding material - continues thru 8:30’ish)
• Sundays: 9:15 thru end of 10:15 Service

ANGELS CHOIR

• Ages Birth thru 1^st Grade – with parents
• STARTING BACK UP AGAIN FOR THE SEASON OF LENT!! …..if well received, will continue! Wednesdays, 5:00-5:30



ST. MICHAEL’S BAND

• Keyboard/drums/bass-guitar… LOOKING FOR…
• Flute, saxophone, other solo-type instruments, lead male/female vocalist

CARILONNEURS

JOINING ANY CHOIR:

1. Show up ONE time – observe or join in! ….you had a good time?
2. Try for a month
3. Still GREAT! Then stay! ….or, you’ve realized “this is not my cup of tea”

NEED MORE INFO? 

Contact Andrew for more information, and/or to sign up!

Andrew@StMichaelsChurch.com

(407) 843-8448 ext 246 \ (407) 619-0967

MUSIC DEPARTMENT:

THIS WEEK:

Sunday, April 13 – ST. MICHAEL'S FAMILY CHOIR (this is now ALL of our singers, children, parents, adults)

• 9:15 – Rehearsal in the Choir Room / 9:40 in the church
• 10:15 – Service
• 11:45 – Optional HOLY WEEK/EASTER Rehearsal for those who would like the extra time

Wednesday, April 16

• 5:00 ANGELS CHOIR (in Youth Room)
• 5:30-6:30 Choir Training Program (open to all Choir members and Parishioners)
• 6:30 Rehearsal
• 8:00 Chamber Singers

ST. MICHAEL'S PRAYER LIST

Those who have commended themselves to our prayers:

Beth, Benny W., Brad, Carolyn, Chris P., Claire B. Cynthia L., Emy, Gladys M., George T., Jackie, Jimmie, Karen M., Karen C., Karen E., Kris R., Linda A., Linda T., Lisa L., Lola, Matt. P., Mary, Mary C., Meredith and Family, Pam S., Patty B., Peggy H., Rebecca, Ron, Teddy, Virginia C., Will

Long-Term Prayer List:

Alexa C., Alyssa R., Andrew, Angie, Arielle, Austin S., Bill C, 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, Kyle, Linda, Lavelle B., Macauly D., Marci A., Margie S., Marion S., Martin, Oliver, Paul, Robert, Roger H., Ryan, Sarah, Shaun B., 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:

10: Quentin Caruso, Blair Botts, Kelly Tramell, Truman Booth, Ryan Nofziger, 11: Bob Brightman, 12: Betsy Culpepper, Griffin Warlow, Keith Ackermann, Barrett Crannick, 14: Wade Botts, Sue Chicone, Allison Loft, 15: Barbara Jean Mundey, Spencer Evans, Jack Riggs, 16: Dan Hovarter

Anniversaries:

10: Stephen and Melanie Olivier, 16: Palmer and Shelby Yergey 

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