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May 2010
Dear Friend:
It’s been just a month since I last wrote, but I’ve logged over 30,000 miles and had the joy of visiting six of our churches. I won’t normally give you this sort of rundown on Meg’s and my travels in this newsletter, but I thought you might like a glimpse into our comings and goings.
I was privileged to travel to Singapore with Archbishop Duncan in late April for the Global South's 4th "South to South Encounter." The recognition accorded the Anglican Church in North America by 21  Anglican Provinces was most significant—that recognition coming both in the formal communique and through Archbishop Duncan’s celebrating of the Eucharist during the conference.
I arrived home from Singapore just in time to go directly from the airport to the big event in the capital campaign of our parish in Virginia (phew!). After preaching the next day and then one day in the office, Meg and I headed off to visit All Saints' Church in Charlotte, NC for a joyous weeknight confirmation and celebration of that parish’s transfer from the Diocese of Ghana, West Africa. Then it was on to St.  Andrew's, Mount Pleasant, SC, also newly affiliated with our Diocese, for a number of events, including their Wednesday night service and a Vestry dinner. From there we went to Resurrection, West Chicago, IL for the weekend, including a parish retreat and, on Sunday morning, both confirmation and ordinations (the Rev. Chuck Ellenbaum to the priesthood and the Rev. Tom Reeves to the diaconate).
We flew home on Sunday night in order to be present for the closing on our parish’s big construction loan (signing countless documents) and a Vestry meeting. Then we headed to Texas and enjoyed a couple of relaxing days at a spectacular ranch before going on to a great weekend at Christ Church, Midland (again, lots of events including digging into  barbecue with the clergy and their wives, a men’s breakfast, a parish teaching event, time with the confirmands, a Vestry dinner and three Sunday morning services). We had a restful day off, then on to Holy Spirit, Mobile, AL, for the installation as Rector of the Rev. Chris Goers. We crossed Mobile Bay and visited Church of the Apostles in Daphne, AL for a midweek teaching event with an extended time of prayer ministry, and then confirmation on Ascension Day. After a cancelled flight and a long drive in a rental car drive through a Texas thunderstorm, we made it to Plano, TX for an ordination at Christ Church on behalf of the Anglican Mission in America. We got home on Saturday night, in time for the Sunday morning offering of capital campaign pledges in our home parish. 
We’re heading off soon on a week’s vacation, using our frequent flier miles to take our two sons and their wives to our namesake island of Guernsey in the English Channel. (If you haven’t read the New York Times bestselling novel about the island and its occupation by the Nazi’s during World War II, we’re sure you’d love it. It has the memorable title, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.) We’re renting a cottage and are looking forward simply to dialing down and enjoying our family on this quiet and charming isle.
Thanks for your love and prayers!
In Him,
+John
Prayer Requests:
For safe travel (no flight cancellations due to volcanic ash!) and restful time on Guernsey.
For my transition as I step down as Rector of All Saints’ (last Sunday on June 13) and serve the Diocese full-time.
For my successor as Rector, the Rev. Dan Morgan, as he and his family prepare to move to Virginia from Darien, CT.
For visits in June to Good Shepherd, San Angelo, TX; Christ the King, Albuquerque, NM; and Holy Spirit, Ashburn, VA.
For my sermon on June 10 at the installation of the Rt. Rev. Bill Murdoch as first Bishop of the Anglican Diocese in New England.
Upcoming Events
Anglican Church in North America Provincial Executive Committee, Council, and College of Bishops, Amesbury, MA, June 7-June 11, 2010
New Wine USA, St. Andrew's, Mt. Pleasant, SC, June 24-27, 2010
The Diocese of the Holy Spirit
5290 Saratoga Lane
Woodbridge, VA 22193
703.670.0093
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