Healing and Prayer Service this Sunday; Bring Your Gifts to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund/CHA; Philarice a US Citizen

Greetings!

On Sunday, we will have our quarterly healing and prayer service. Prayer intercessors and priests will pray and anoint with Oil of the Sick those in the congregation desiring it. Bring a friend and come and find Jesus’ healing power.

We will also collect your gifts for the Pastor's Discretionary Fund and the animal shelter, Citizens for Humane Action. As always, you are a generous and loving parish, and we thank you for your willingness to give in the name of Christ.

Ministry Blessings and a Sending-Off

The Sunday service on September 9th began with the blessing of ministries at St. Augustine’s. We asked God’s spirit and grace to come upon us as we serve Him and His children in the coming year. Fr. Kevin reminded our members that typically 20% of church members do the work for all. He encouraged everyone to participate actively in a ministry – supporting an existing effort or creating a new ministry.

Sunday also brought a farewell to Fr. Terry Gatwood and his wife, Deanna, and boys, as they begin a new ministry, St. Nicholas Anglican, on the west side of Columbus. The Hardins are joining them in this call. Fr. Kevin blessed them in their journey, and St. Augustine’s celebrated this new church plant with a reception after the worship service.

Following is a reflection from Fr. Terry about his three years at St. Augustine’s. We will miss our dear friends, but we will connect in various ways in the future as we serve the Lord.

I’ve just finished editing the final sermon I will preach at St. Augustine’s for the foreseeable future. For the past three years, I have been blessed to serve with some of the finest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Folks whose commitment to the Lord is strong, and who love others even the first time they meet them, and who happily give of their time, talents, and treasure to further the mission we’ve been given by God. They have raised me from a lowly seminarian in an internship year, nervous and unsure of my ability, and chose to keep me after that year was over to continue forming me. And they’ve helped me to muster up the courage to do things I never thought I could, especially Fr. Kevin Maney who, like a dad, has gotten in my butt more than a couple times to spur me ahead in love to do the work we’ve been given to do. In particular, things that forced me out of my little comfort bubble. This introvert is thankful for that and so much more.

St. Augustine’s will always be a part of me, and I will always be a part of them. They are my family, my kin, and I love them dearly. And now we move forward in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ on the opposite side of the city as the new community of St. Nicholas, the child of St. Augustine’s.

Thanks, Augustinians. For everything. I love you.

ENGAGE

As you keep our young people in your prayers, consider participating in a new ministry we are going to begin this fall. It’s called Engage and you can read a quick description about it here . Engage pairs adults with youth to read the Bible one on one, talk about it what you’ve read/what it means for you, and to pray together. This is a great chance to develop significant new relationships as you participate in an important new ministry for the life and health of our parish and to see first-hand the power of God’s word at work.

DO YOU WALK WORTHY?

“…that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;…” Colossians 1:10

Trail Life USA is a Christian outdoor adventure, character and leadership program for boys and young men and will serve as a ‘brother group’ for our new AHG Troop. We are looking for men (young and old!) who’re willing to step up and fill mentoring and leadership opportunities within our new Troop. There are multiple opportunities to be a part of this exciting new youth ministry program at St. Augustine’s!

Because this program is boy-led, and boy-focused, we need you gents to pitch in to make it a success! We are in immediate need of someone who wishes to take the role of Troop Chaplain, and serve as an assistant Troopmaster, helping Fr. Terry Gatwood, Benjamin Winkler and the rest of the board.

Please take a moment to read more about Trail Life on their website: traillifeusa.com

If you are interested in helping in any role with our Trail Life or American Heritage Girls programs, please email Wendy Winkler as she will serve as the St. Augustine’s contact for both organizations.