EYC Wraps Up After a Fun-Filled Year!

Wow, what a whirlwind of awesomeness this year has been with the youth and EYC at St Michael’s Church! First off, a gigantic thank you to everyone at St Michael’s for showering us with love and support. And a humongous shoutout to Briget Pope, Tiffany Stieger, Kris Robinson, Kristi Curran, Djanira Cole, Angelica Cole, and anyone else whose name slipped through the cracks for their incredible volunteer and servant-heart work. Thanks to you, we’ve got a snazzy new Youth Room and rocking events all year long!

This year has been a rollercoaster of joy and high-fives, learning about God while growing stronger together. We’ve bonded as a community and spread good vibes through the city, supporting this fantastic church we call home.

We’ve been busy bees buzzing around events like Soul in the City, a summer mission trip within the Diocese of Central Florida. Last summer, we hit St. Luke’s Cathedral in downtown Orlando, and this year we’ll be at Tri Saints, aka St. Luke & St. Peter in St. Cloud, Florida.

Our Annual Kick-off lock-in was epic, welcoming new members and forging friendships under the sunrise, wrapping up with a communion ceremony. The New Beginnings Retreat in September helped middle schoolers connect with God in a cozy family setting. Then, we threw a reunion Halloween Party with our Cathedral pals. Before we knew it, Thanksgiving was here, leading us into a heartwarming Advent, giving back to our community. We cooked and served meals for the homeless, baked cookies for the Advent Festival, and spread cheer to the choir, shut-ins, and Lake Silver Elementary teachers. Whew! After all that fun, we closed the year with our Christmas Bash at St. Michael’s, inviting friends from St. Luke and St. Edwards to join the festivities. And that’s just the Fall!

Spring brought new adventures for EYC. January kicked off with Family and Faith Night, cheering for the Orlando Magic. In March, we dove into the Grounded event at All Saints, Winter Park, bonding and growing closer. Holy Week had us crafting Palm Crosses and joining in the Stations of the Cross. Youth Sunday was a blast, participating in the service and soaking up Victor Dickinson’s awesome sermon. We splashed into the end of the EYC year with a cool Pool Party hosted by the fabulous Briget Pope.

We're buzzing with excitement for what God has in store for us this coming year, and are thankful for all the opportunities ahead. As our ministry grows, we’re grateful to YOU, the parishioners and parents, for your unwavering support. Here’s to another year ahead of fun and faith!

Got the itch to dive in and serve with EYC? Or curious how your Youth can join the fun next year? Don't hesitate to reach out to me!

Have a blessed day,

Mark T. Cole Director of Youth Ministries

Mark@stmichaelschurch.com

“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
• 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

• Folks who can read and play a melody “one-finger” at a minimum
• Play before and after 10:15 services – Funerals too

JOINING ANY CHOIR/GROUP:

1. Show up ONE time – observe or join in! ….you had a good time?
2. Try for a month

• Still GREAT! Then stay! ….or, you’ve realized “this is not my cup of tea

MUSIC DEPARTMENT:

THIS WEEK:

Sunday, June 15 – SUMMER CHOIR BEGINS (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 coming Sunday will be the 3^rd Sunday of June – so, the “BAG-TREE” will be in the Narthex for all morning services. If you’d like to participate this month in helping provide food for children in need, please grab a bag, fill, and bring back during next week. THANK YOU

Feed My Lambs continues during the Summer: June for those attending Summer School; July going to a Food Aid Organization in need; August for returning students. Quiet this week, this week.

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., 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., Pam S., Patty B., Pauline, Peggy H., Peyton, Phil, Rebecca, Ronnie, Teddy, 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, Roger H., Ryan, Sarah, Shaun B., Samantha, Sony, Sonia, Steve, Susie D., The Allen Family, Tim, Tracy, William.

Rest in Peace: Brittany Lindquist

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:

13: Trippe Cheek, Lucy Crannick, 14: David Corso, Lillian Smith, 16: Clifford Barnhart, Jessica Smith, 17: Pat Sprague, Jack Demetree, 18: Mark Cole

Anniversaries:

13: John and Elaine Wheaton, 14: Bo and Tara Clayton, 15: Charles and Karen Egerton, 16: Rex and Jan McPherson, 17: Thomas and Lionel Smith-McGehee

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