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At their September 15 meeting, your Vestry voted to proceed with the Narthex Expansion Project and its associated 3-year Capital Campaign. Financial commitments from our recent Pledge Drive, combined with limited spending from our parish savings, are expected to cover the projected cost of the project.

Your parish leadership would like to say "Thank You" to everyone who showed confidence in our future by supporting this Pledge Drive. If you haven't pledged yet, please do. Additional pledges will reduce the drain on our savings account. More information about the project and its finances will be made available as we go forward.

39 Pledges received to-date totaling $220,160

Diocesan Grant pending for $15,000

Workday last Saturday a success

THANKS TO ALL OUR HELPERS!!

Sincere thanks to Janet Woodward, Janeece Buckner, Rich and Gabe Conn, Beth Henson, Jan Pahlas, Jayden Morris, Bob and Brenda Holbrook, and David Lynch for their help last Saturday on our annual fall work day. Many needed projects were completed!

About our new provisional Bishop

FROM FATHER DAVID

The Standing Committee of The Diocese of West Missouri recently announced their selection of a candidate for Bishop Provisional of West Missouri. The formal selection of the candidate will be the subject of the first resolution to be presented and voted upon at this year’s diocesan annual convention, which is scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021.

The full text of the Standing Committee’s announcement follows:

An Announcement from the Standing Committee of The Diocese of West Missouri August 3, 2021, ~ Feast of George Freeman Bragg, Jr

… the Spirit has led us to nominate

the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce …

Following the announcement of the resignation of the Rt. Rev. Martin S. Field, Bishop of West Missouri, the Presiding Bishop’s office presented to the Standing Committee wonderful and well-qualified candidates to serve as Bishop Provisional in our diocese. After several conversations, prayer, and a period of mutual discernment, the Committee believes that the Spirit has led us to nominate the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce, who is currently serving as Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of Los Angeles.

We believe that Bishop Bruce best represents the needs expressed at our diocesan convention last year when it was agreed that the Diocese of West Missouri needs a bishop provisional who will have the skill, stamina, and ability to help the leadership of the diocese, both lay, and clergy, take a good and honest look at where we have come from and where we are as the Episcopal Church in West Missouri. We identified the importance of being open to calling a woman and/or a member of a minority. Strengths in the areas of facilitation of healing, trust-building, and growth; conversations about the viability of the diocese; and ‘systems work’ were noted to be important. Pastoral care, warmth, and accessibility were also named as desirable characteristics of the bishop provisional.

Resolution #1 at this year’s diocesan convention will be put forward to approve (or not) Bishop Bruce as our Bishop Provisional (see Title III, Canon 13). If the resolution is adopted, then Bishop Bruce will serve full time, in residence in the diocese, for a period of two to three years, beginning in December 2021.

For more information, contact the Rev. Jonathan E. Frazier, President of the Standing Committee, at StandingCmte@gmail.com.

The Standing Committee is the Bishop’s counterpart and advisory body providing a check and balance on the Bishop’s authority and also giving the Bishop the benefit of its council. The Standing Committee becomes the Ecclesiastical Authority in the absence or incapacitation of the Bishop. It also has final approval of applications for candidacy and ordinations, consents to episcopal elections, and property sales of diocesan or parochial properties.

Fr. David+

Bradley Hook

HUSBAND OF KATI (GILLIGAN) HOOK

Bradley A. “Brad” Hook, 35, passed into eternal life and God's loving hands on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at his home in Independence following a valiant fight against colorectal cancer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 25 at St. John LaLande Catholic Church in Blue Springs at 10:30 am, preceded by a visitation with the family beginning at 8:30 am.

Memories of Brad and words of comfort for his family may be shared at www.meyersfuneralchapel.com.

Click here to read obituary

May Brad's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed Rest in Peace and may light perpetual shine upon them.

Upcoming important events

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

9/18 Saturday: 10:00 AM Daughters of the King

9/21 Tuesday: 1:00 PM Book Club

10/1 Friday: 7:00 PM Movie Night

10/2 Saturday: Blessing of the Animals

Bible Study on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm

STUDYING THE BOOK OF GENESIS

Please join us every Wednesday afternoon for Bible Study from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Our focus is the book of Genesis and includes a program guide called “Engaging God’s Word”. All are welcome to attend any and all sessions..

In-person worship

SAFETY #1

Welcome back to in-person worship. Safety prevails with considerations for wearing masks, using hand sanitizer and washing hands. We encourage everyone get a vaccination and ask you take appropriate precautions if you are not.

With the rise of the Delta Variant we request everyone wear a mask.

Attendance pages are on the table in the narthex. Please check-off your names on the attendance spreadsheet since we are still following pandemic guidelines. it is important we have accurate documentation should an exposure be identified.

Communion will be served in the traditional manner with bread from the priest and wine from the chalice for those who desire to do so. The “hour-glass” packet of bread and wine will still be readily available for any one still not ready for the common cup. To indicate how you would like to receive communion please use your hands in the following manner:

• Palms up to receive bread as in the traditional manner

• Palms down to receive “gluten free” bread

• With your fingers chose the “hour glass” with bread and wine

• Cross your chest with your arms to receive a blessing only

Receiving communion of ONE kind (bread or wine) represents FULL communion in the Episcopal tradition. Intinction (dipping the wafer in the chalice) is NOT preferred as it raises concerns for cross-contamination.

NEW Spirit Diocese News