God, the Devil, and Divorce: A Transformative Journey out of Emotional and Spiritual Divorce
"If you divorce, Satan wins!" declares Linda's latest counselor.
Wrestling with the prospect of leaving her husband of twenty-five years, Linda is caught between the conservative Christian view of divorce and what she believes God is telling her. Linda's story chronicles her journey of recovery and her ever-deepening faith in God.
I was drawn in by this positive and life-affirming story about a woman who finds herself and her strength as her marriage deteriorates. She fights for her marriage, her husband, and herself, battling unseen enemies. This is an engaging book about the struggle of knowing when to fight, and when to give up and make a new life for oneself.
—Susy Flory, New York Times bestselling author or co-author of over a dozen memoirs,
Linda's personal testimony of faith and integrity, despite going through divorce twice, will give hope to devout Christian women and men who've have despaired of finding a good mate. Anyone who has been deceived by a charming selfish spouse who presents themselves as godly but are chronically abusive, unfaithful, indifferent, or addicted will find comfort in Linda's journey. Her journal entries reveal God's hand of care and protection in her life, helping her see what was happening, helping her escape destructive situations, giving her clarity as she second-guessed her decisions, helping her establish boundaries, and eventually guiding her to a loving husband who truly loves the Lord and has good character. She explains the biblical basis behind her decisions, and encourages others not to give up on finding a loving partner.
—Gretchen Baskerville, author,The Life-Saving Divorce
In this compelling, readable, and highly relatable memoir, Linda M. Kurth takes us deep inside what could be so many American homes and reveals the pain, joy, and discovery of motherhood, womanhood, and sexuality. Looking at Christianity from both the inside and outside, Kurth writes honestly about how her faith supported her as well as the challenges she faced when the choices she made conflicted with some of her fellow Christian’s mores.
William Kenower, author of Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write with Confidence
A memoir [that] recounts a difficult marriage and a woman’s subsequent empowerment through faith… Kurth delves deep into the emotional state of her household, creating an admirable portrait of how toxic atmospheres have real mental and physical consequences… Intriguing is the author’s post-divorce evolution on the Christian dating scene. Surrounded by other “beautiful, intelligent women of God” affected by bad marriages, Kurth embraced a range of conservative and liberal schools of Christian thought that will surely speak to readers also questioning what they really want. While a distressing marriage takes center stage, this account offers refreshing takes on starting over.


Whilst Durham School has a strong Anglican tradition, we welcome pupils of all religions and beliefs and value the contribution their experiences and insights bring to the school.
Our beautiful chapel is both literally and figuratively at the heart of the school. The building sits at the top of the school site commanding a magnificent view of Durham Cathedral, and is where the entire school meets together four times a week. If you ask former pupils what they most miss about Durham School, the answer is frequently ‘Chapel’.
The Chapel was built in the 1920s as a memorial to the 98 Old Dunelmians who died in the First World War. During the Second World War a further 79 Old Dunelmians were killed, and the names from both wars are inscribed on the pillars inside the Chapel.
What Happens In Chapel?
Our main chapel service is on Friday afternoons and rounds off the school week. On three other days there is a morning service. One Friday service in each half-term is Holy Communion and at least one other is planned and led by pupils. The annual Service of Remembrance, held on the Friday before Remembrance Sunday, is a particularly poignant occasion as we remember the dead and pray for peace.
Each term we hold a service in the Cathedral, and we also go there for our annual Christmas Service of Lessons and Carols. Parents and friends are welcome at these Cathedral services, in which pupils are encouraged to play an active role.


Psalm 46. Deus noster refugium
GOD is our hope and strength : a very present help in trouble.
2. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved : and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
3. Though the waters thereof rage and swell : and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.
4. The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God : the holy place of the tabernacle of the most Highest.
5. God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed : God shall help her, and that right early.
6. The heathen make much ado, and the kingdoms are moved : but God hath shewed his voice, and the earth shall melt away.
7. The Lord of hosts is with us : the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8. O come hither, and behold the works of the Lord : what destruction he hath brought upon the earth.
9. He maketh wars to cease in all the world : he breaketh the bow, and knappeth the spear in sunder, and burneth the chariots in the fire.
10. Be still then, and know that I am God : I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth.
11. The Lord of hosts is with us : the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 47. Omnes gentes, plaudite
O CLAP your hand together, all ye people : O sing unto God with the voice of melody.
2. For the Lord is high, and to be feared : he is the great King upon all the earth.
3. He shall subdue the people under us : and the nations under our feet.
4. He shall choose out an heritage for us : even the worship of Jacob, whom he loved.
5. God is gone up with a merry noise : and the Lord with the sound of the trump.
6. O sing praises, sing praises unto our God : O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
7. For God is the King of all the earth : sing ye praises with understanding.
8. God reigneth over the heathen : God sitteth upon his holy seat.
9. The princes of the people are joined unto the people of the God of Abraham: for God, which is very high exalted, doth defend the earth, as it were with a shield.


Welcome to St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, Florida!
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church is dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the one, Holy and catholic and apostolic church.
The church shall seek to fulfill its mission by:
- Embracing the Spiritual Life of the Orthodox Church through regular prayer, worship and frequent participation in the sacraments.
- Supporting the Church through stewardship of time and talent and sacrificial giving.
- Providing a welcoming, caring, loving environment.
- Having its members exemplify Orthodox Christian character and morals.
- Supporting ministries that facilitate the overall mission of the Church.
- Exemplifying commitment to community service and charitable outreach.
- Creating an environment which encourages members to grow in their faith.
May God Bless you and give you strength!
Sunday Orthros 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Divine Liturgy 10 a.m.
Monday, March 23
-Great Compline @ 5:30 p.m.
-Bible Study @ 6:30 p.m. in Admin Building
-Orthodoxy 101 Part 3 @ 6:30 p.m. in church
Tuesday, March 24
-Women’s Bible Study @ 9:30 a.m.
-Bible Study East Tampa @ 6:30 p.m.
-Bible Study South Tampa @ 6:30 p.m.
-Basketball @ 8 p.m.
-Parish Council Meeting @ 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25
-Men’s Bible Study @ 7:30 a.m.
-Orthros & Divine Liturgy for Annunciation @ 8:45 a.m.
-Canon of St. Andrew of Crete @ 6 p.m.
-Choir Practice @ 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 26
-Young Adult Bible Study @ 6:30 p.m.
-Adult Greek School @ 6 p.m.
Friday, March 27
-Akathist Hymn @ 6:30 p.m.
-Divine Liturgy @ 8:15 p.m.


This dissertation examines four bestselling Christian novels published in the United States between 1850 and 1900: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852) by Harriet Beecher Stowe, The Gates Ajar (1868) by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Ben-Hur (1880) by Lew Wallace, and In His Steps (1896) by Charles Sheldon. These four books reached millions of readers in a time when many Christians refused to read novels at all, helping to launch what is today a $4B Christian merchandise industry. More importantly, amid what Nathan Hatch has called the “democratization of American Christianity,” popular Christian novels offered a measure of cultural unity, despite splintering churches and increasing skepticism.
To explain these novels’ literary popularity and religious impact, I approach them as what I call “surrogate Scriptures.” Just as surrogates are both representatives and substitutes, in a sense these novels can both replace the Bible and point readers back to it. All four novels confirm the Bible’s centrality and authority in Christian theology and practice, but they also showcase changing attitudes toward reading, understanding, interpreting, and applying Biblical content. The four novelists I study here stake out very different positions on these issues, but they all contribute to a vibrant and fascinating Christian literary culture.
Each of my four chapters evaluates one or more of three related theological concepts: revelation, hermeneutics, and exegesis. Chapter 1, on Uncle Tom’s Cabin, examines the role of Bible reading in Augustine St. Clare’s conversion. I show how Stowe transforms the “take and read” scene from St. Augustine’s Confessions to link Bible reading to social action. In Chapter 2 I evaluate intertextuality in The Gates Ajar, in light of the novel’s diary-like structure. I track several of Phelps’ allusions and quotations, and show how she uses a range of artistic and theological resources to offer her readers both comfort and creativity. Next, in Chapter 3 I analyze the Magi’s origin stories in Ben-Hur, in light of doctrines of Christian supersessionism. These narratives, I argue, promote the idea that the Magi’s respective cultures and religions must inevitably give way to Christianity. Finally, Chapter 4 examines the role of writing and ethics in In His Steps. I contend that even though the characters ask “what would Jesus do?” to inform all their ethical decisions, they actively avoid studying or even reading any texts, especially the Bible.
Overall, my study contributes to the existing scholarly literature by enriching and complicating our understanding of Christian bestsellers, and of 19th-century attitudes toward reading and applying the Bible. These four novels, though only representing a small portion of 19th-century Christian fiction, demonstrate diverse and sophisticated ideas about reading, faith, and imagination. Christian readers, writers, and publishers approached cultural engagement cautiously, especially with art forms that could distract or even mislead believers. Evaluating their strategies in terms of Biblical authority, not just doctrine or content, gives us a flexible and sophisticated framework for understanding a range of Christian fiction, both historical and contemporary.


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History of Peace Churches
While there is lots of history from many sectors of society for nonviolent peace building, for the purposes of this site we'll stick with the Mennonite story.
Mennonites are known for their "peace position" and are often referred to as one of the "historic peace churches" (along with the Church of the Brethren and the Society of Friends). Their witness against violence and warfare is demonstrated in conscientious objection to military service and a quest for alternatives to violence.
Traditionally Mennonites have expressed their beliefs about the way of peace in the language of "nonresistance," derived from literal obedience to the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:38ff.: "resist not evil, turn the other cheek, love your enemies."
This approach reflects the fact that in the earlier part of the 20th century, many Mennonites hesitated to be identified as "pacifists." They made a point of distinguishing between their own commitment to biblical "nonresistance" and the "pacifism" of other religious and political groups whose position was considered to be based more on humanistic or philosophical views than on biblical authority.
This view remains central for many Mennonites. Other Mennonites have refocused the peace testimony during the last generation as a primary theme in the identity of the Mennonite churches. As Mennonites have responded to the events of the times, their thinkers have created a comprehensive peace theology; denominational agencies have developed extensive programs of peace education and sociopolitical and peace activism.
Mennonite church life has thus continually been challenged with opportunities to demonstrate the meaning of Mennonites' professed adherence to the way of peace.
- excerpted from GAMEO. For a more detailed history of Mennonites and peace, visit the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO).


We are excited to announce that Chandra Allen has joined the Foundation staff to fill our new Program Officer position. Chandra is a native Nashvillian. She brings a diversity of experience in both the nonprofit and commercial sectors. Chandra has served as Director of Education, Programs, and Connections at Scarritt-Bennett Center; Customer Experience Manager at The Egly Agency (Farmers Insurance); and Director of Children’s Ministry at Second Presbyterian Church. Chandra is passionate about connecting with people in an intentional way and being a collaborative partner alongside underserved communities and marginalized populations.
Chandra earned a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in German (Honors) from Davidson College.
In her free time, Chandra enjoys reading, cooking and spending time outdoors with her husband and three children.
Please join us in welcoming Chandra to the Foundation. She is looking forward to meeting you and working with you in the weeks, months and years ahead. Her email address is firstname.lastname@example.org or you may reach her by phone at 629-240-5838.
By BCI|2023-01-17T20:00:24+00:00September 15th, 2021|News|Comments Off on WEHF Welcomes Our New Program Officer


Not Just Words in the App Store
A free Bible Search application written for Little Watchman.
• search for combinations using and, or, not
• automatically searches for other forms of the search words
• search using an optional thesaurus to find verses you might not have thought of
• pray matches pray, prays, praying, prayer, prayers, prayed...
• search for a list of references
• restrict searches to certain books of the Bible
• copy search results to the clipboard for use in other apps
• view the verse in parallel in all the available versions at the same time
• four bibles supported NIV, NKJV, NASB, AMP
Making finding the verses easy to help you make the most of every opportunity


The Lord-Lieutenant’s Service of Thanksgiving was held at St Paul’s Church, Bedford on Sunday 10 October 2021 to give thanks, remember and look forward in hope as the nation emerges from the challenges of the pandemic.
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis was accompanied by her husband Professor Joe Nellis, and supported by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Colonel Chris Sharwood-Smith MBE and three of her Lord-Lieutenant Cadets.
The high sheriff of Bedfordshire Eric Masih, the speaker of Bedford Borough Council, the mayor of Luton, the chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council, the chief fire officer, the chief constable, the police & crime commissioner, town mayors from across Bedfordshire, and many other representatives of countywide organisations joined the congregation.
The service, which was held in line with current COVID-19 guidelines, was led by the Revd Canon Kevin Goss and the address and blessing was given by the Bishop of Bedford The Rt Rev Richard Atkinson OBE.
The Royal British Legion County Standard was presented during the first hymn and two of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets presented the Lieutenancy Flag and the Bedfordshire Flag.
The service was in three parts. People from all sections of the community who were involved in the pandemic were invited to share their experiences and this was an opportunity to give thanks for their contribution.
This included local GPs involved in setting up vaccination centres, a volunteer who provided meals for key workers and people in need, a Care Home Manager, military personnel, a vaccination centre volunteer and a COVID survivor. Each of them had a different story to tell, all of which were truly inspiring.
The service then had a period of remembrance when representatives of faith communities were invited to light candles whilst the choir sang, and the congregation was given time to reflect.
This led the service into the final part when the Bishop of Bedford blessed locally grown saplings representing the new hope of life.
The saplings were presented to the Bishop by Lord-Lieutenant Cadets and will be planted in three schools in Bedfordshire to celebrate HM The Queen’s Green Canopy.
Speaking after the service the Lord-Lieutenant said:
“It was a very emotional Bedfordshire Service of Thanksgiving, Remembrance and Hope at St Paul’s Church. I was really inspired and greatly moved by the stories of how so many went the extra mile to help during the pandemic.
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to collectively give thanks to these people, and hundreds more in Bedfordshire, whilst also remembering those sadly lost.
“I am looking forward to planting the saplings across Bedfordshire and delight in the thought of children playing under those trees in the years to come.”


The Least of These: A Christmas Story
"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
There are "Christmas Movies" and then there are "Movies that become a tradition to watch at Christmas." The Least of These: A Christmas Story is exactly that, a movie that will become a tradition.
The typical "feel-good" holiday season movie is usually very predictable and you know the plot is similar to the last few you just watched. This movie, however, grabs you from the start and never lets go.
Rose, played by Loretta Lynn's granddaughter, Tayla Lynn, is a single-mother, struggling every day to make ends meet, while raising her young daughter on a waitress' salary. They end each day in their "home", which is a car, not heated, not running, just a shelter from the elements. This is where they have their evening conversations. Where Rose uses her gift as an escape from reality, even if for a little while. Where mother and daughter hold hands and thank God for all their blessings. In a place where some would argue, what could they possibly be thankful for, this film takes you on a heart-felt, emotional journey through the ups and the downs.
This is one to purchase and watch over and over. While reminding us of what Christmas is truly about. It also serves as a reminder, any time of the year, that faith, forgiveness and love are among the most powerful things we have to hold onto.
Make sure to check out the trailer above and keep up with these artists as I could definitely see a follow-up here.


C A R E
CREATE A RIPPLE EFFECT
Sometimes when we least expect it, God whispers to us in such a way that we know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is what we are meant to do. This is one of those times and Cast Your Stone is not just a business, it is a grassroots, hands on movement to show the world what God's love really is all about.
We start in the community by helping people. It may be as simple as mowing a yard, repairing a car or helping with repairs to a home. You don't always know a person's situation or need. They work hard for their family, but things just don't always work out. Cast Your Stone wants to help people get through their struggles by being generous in service with God's love. We want to not only encourage those we help, but encourage and inspire others to C A R E, create a ripple effect.
Every act of service, like a stone, serves a purpose, a divine purpose, to give and to be love, kindness, grace and courage. To give back to the world, to create a ripple of generosity and hope to those that touch our souls and that we know God has placed before us.
From this day forward, we will create a ripple of all good things because He has clearly shown us that He has plans for us to follow with love and service.
Jesus said, "For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me".........."when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"
Matthew 25: 35-36, 40
#Love, #Joy, #Tenderness, #Kindness, #Encouragement, #Peace, #Mercy, #Honor,
#Compassion, #Hope, #Grace, #Strength, #Courage, #Patience, #Generosity
All these beautiful, affirming words that could be used as stepping stones….laid out one by one by one to create a pathway - a mosaics of inspirational truths - showing others what God’s love is really all about.


We are a warm and loving community with varied backgrounds, talents, and ages. We come together as a family to worship our Lord, Jesus Christ. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our mission is to nurture, educate, and strengthen one another, enabling us to minister to the needs of God’s children, whoever and wherever they may be.
WORSHIP WITH USWorship of the Living God is the heart of our experience together. Join us for worship and for fellowship and Sunday School following worship.
Fellowship: 9:45-10:15 am
Sunday School: 10:15-10:45am


Ours is a scientific age – a skeptical age – an age of questions. Men are bewildered, perplexed, and they can find no abiding peace. The world about them but reflects the chaos in their own hearts. We are living in an era of doubt. The author of this stimulating volume has watched men battling doubts, and in this book he shouts triumphantly, "God has the answer!” Author Ayer goes to the only source of stability in our scientific age – the Bible – and gives us Scripture’s reassuringly concrete answers to all man’s questions, doubts and perplexities. Speaking earnestly to both the saved and the unsaved, the author tells us not to listen to the strange voices in the world, the false words of man’s superficial wisdom, but to hear eagerly the true and faithful words that satisfy forever – the answer of God.


Thursday, March 13, 2008
Lord, You are the vine, and I am a branch. I want to abide in You and You in me, so that I will bear much fruit, for without You, I can do nothing ... If I abide in You, and Your words abide in me, I will ask what I desire, and it shall be done for me. I pray that Your desires will be my desires; that Your Word will be held close in my heart. By this Our Father is glorified, that I bear much fruit, so I will be Your disciple. Thank You for loving me and accepting me as Your child and disciple. I pray that I will always remain full of Your joy and love others as You have loved me. (Based on John 15:5-12). In Your name I pray, amen.


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學校願景 (School Vision)
本校以信德熱誠為辦學宗旨，本著基督及會祖聖若翰喇沙的仁愛精神，推行人文和基督教育，以 「 行健自強 」為訓，建立真誠、開放、積極的校園文化，勗勉學生在學習及工作上追求卓越，培育學生忠誠、廉潔的德行，並推動學生發展德、智、體、群、美五育及開拓個人潛能，服務社會，建立和平與正義的世界。
Based on our Christian belief and the LaSallian Spirit "Faith and Zeal" rendered to us by our forefather St. John Baptist De La Salle, our vision is to provide a human and Christian education. With the motto “Labore et Virtute”, we intend to cultivate on our campus an ambience of sincerity, openness and enthusiasm; instill in students a sense of loyalty and integrity; and most of all, promote the development of students' potential, while fostering the five virtues: ethics, intellect, physique, social skills and aesthetics. We want our students to be able to excel in their pursuit of work and studies, serve the community and create a world of peace and justice.


Christians in Seychelles joined the wrest of the world to celebrate Easter on Sunday. (Joe Laurence – File photo)
As Christians in Seychelles join others in the world to celebrate Easter, the Roman Catholic and Anglican church leaders in the island nation are bringing a message of renewal and of not being afraid of anything.
Bishop Alain Harel of the Roman Catholic Diocese said, “Happy Easter, as we allow ourselves to be renewed by the death and resurrection of Jesus.”
Harel said that the health of a tree depends to a large extent on its roots and in the same way “the good health of each of our lives, but also of our families, the Church and society, depends on our roots.”
“The 40 days of Lent were a privileged time to put down our roots in Jesus and, through him, in the life of the Trinity. By immersing our roots in this source of living water of God’s love, we renew ourselves profoundly as individuals, families, the Church and society,” he added.
Harel said there must be renewal “in the way we live together: by taking care of our family so that it becomes an oasis of peace; by participating in the life of our parish so that it is welcoming, close to those who suffer and expresses, with joy, its faith in the Risen Jesus; by behaving as responsible citizens in our canton and on our roads, in our work and in our social life.”
“By putting down our roots in Jesus, we are invited to follow him and to cross over into the breach that Jesus opened by his death and Resurrection: a breach in the barriers of indifference and sometimes even hatred that we erect between ourselves; a breach in our individualism that isolates us and leads us to develop a mentality of ‘let’s make the most of it and after us comes the flood!,” said the Bishop.
He concluded by saying, “Following in Jesus’ footsteps, let us pass from death to life, renewing the way we live our human vocation, in keeping with our deepest nature: that of sons and daughters of God in Jesus. Happy Easter.”
Anglican Bishop James Wong said that Easter is here and it means for believers is that “we serve a risen Saviour. The grave could not hold Christ; He defeated death. He paid the price for our sins with his own blood. And the consequences for us are huge. Or if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
Wong said “Because Christ resurrected and lives, we will to live, both in this life and in the life to come. The message of Easter also tells us: You need not be afraid of anything -not life with all its insecurities, its conflicts, its uncertainties; you should not be afraid of even death itself. You do not need to fear anything – no fear.”
The Bishop added that “when your spirit is filled with the unshakable strength of God in the name of Jesus Christ, you get faith so deeply planted within you that when crises hit you, as they sometimes do suddenly, you automatically can face life courageously and not be dismayed and not be afraid.”
He ended his message by saying “As you reflect on the message of Easter, remember: Easter is here. Be transformed. Be resurrected. Be not afraid! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!”


A ship's bell hangs alongside three rather more ancient bells in the bell tower of a beautiful Lincolnshire church, St John the Baptist, Belleau.
It came from a full-rigged sailing ship "Bacchus" which was wrecked not far away, on the east coast of England. She was carrying a cargo of timber, sprang a leak and was grounded.
|Image from shipnostalgia.com and State Library of Queensland|
Bacchus, launched in 1867 from Liverpool, was wrecked in November 1902. The image above shows the wreck which was taken to Hull. In 1903 she was sold to be broken up - £1150.
Her bell was bought at auction, I believe, then gifted to a small tin chapel in a village churchyard.
When the tin chapel was no longer fit for purpose the bell was moved to a beautiful church less than half a mile away and there it hangs today.
This church was rebuilt in 1862, of chalk, the exterior is faced with greenstone from a few miles away.
This old crusader watches over the place. More of him another time.
Linking today with Inspired Sunday


Sunday, July 20, 2014
Posted by nuthinbutgospel at 4:35 PM
The Bishop's Choir - Trenton, NJ
The visionary of the music ministry of Grace Cathedral Fellowship Ministries, Inc., Trenton, New Jersey was birthed by the Minister of Music, Jeanne Wilcox-Rawls, the Bishop's daughter. The Mass Choir and the Gospel Chorus came together to form "The Bishop's Choir" in honor of our pastor and founder, Bishop Jerome S. Wilcox. The name of this choir was derived by First Lady, Mae E. Wilcox, who suggested the choir be called "The Bishop's Choir", as they would minister primarily on pastoral Sundays.
The main focus of this church choir is to minister in song to lost soul as the Church's motto so poignantly states..."Christ our message...Souls our mission." Undoubtedly, "The Bishop's Choir" is one of the most "anointed" and "prolific" church choirs in the greater Trenton and Surrounding areas, whose songs are not only lyrical, soul stirring, energetic and diverse but life changing and evangelistic.
1. Pain To Praise*
2. Lord I Love You*
3. Lord I Love You (Reprise)
4. All I Can Give You Is Praise*
5. Praise The Name of Jesus
6. The Great I Am featuring Lorraine Stancil*
7. Stand Fast
8. Be Steadfast
9. When You Praise
10. He Will Answer Prayer*
11. Hand of the Lord


Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc. invites you to view a sampling of our upcoming tours below. If you are interested in or registered for a tour not listed, please call us at (808) 949-4144.
Connoisseur's Cruise with Chef Alan Wong
New Zealand Explorer - Australia to New Zealand
February 17 - March 3, 2018
14 days on-board Crystal Symphony
Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc. proudly presents the sixth in our series of Connoisseur's Cruises with Chef Alan Wong: New Zealand Explorer Australia - New Zealand. This amazing, culinary-inspired cruise offers discerning travelers a luxurious and delicious travel experience, which also includes the Wong Way U – an interactive and creative cooking experience. To further enhance the 14-day cruise, an optional 3-night pre-cruise culinary adventure in Sydney, Australia at the Four Seasons is available for those with a cosmopolitan panache and an appetite for great food.
Please visit the tour website at www.seawindtours.com/chefalanwong for tour information!
2018 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Bishop Larry Silva and the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary
October 07 - 18, 2018
This greatly anticipated tour has been carefully designed and planned to provide participants with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The highly-customized itinerary includes Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem and is highlighted by private masses at the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy, the Church of the Annunciation, the Church of St. Catherine, and several others. Among the many special activities planned, are a visit to the Church of the Nativity – the birthplace of Jesus, an afternoon cruise on the Sea of Galilee and a midday float in the Dead Sea. The tour is highlighted by an early morning walk, accompanied by Bishop Silva and the Sacred Hearts Fathers, along the Via Dolorosa with its nine Stations of the Cross, to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Experience the Holy Land, alongside Bishop Silva and the Sacred Hearts Fathers, with daily masses and guided tours of ancient monuments and sacred shrines. Enriched with history, culture and religion, this pilgrimage promises to be a celebration of faith and fellowship and an incredibly unique travel experience guaranteed to re-awaken your spirituality.
We invite you to explore our website, where you will find everything you need to know about the tour, itinerary, pricing, package options, travel insurance, registration and payment & cancellation policies. Please visit our website at www.seawindtours.com/holyland
Pilgrimage to Kalaupapa
with Bishop Larry Silva
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Sunday, October 28, 2018
This pilgrimage includes round-trip charter air transportation from Honolulu, ground transportation in Kalaupapa, a special Mass celebrated at St. Philomena Church, a guided tour of Kalaupapa and Kalawao narrated by a Kalaupapa Historian, a picnic-style lunch and Commemorative pilgrimage guide.
Guided tour sights to include: St. Damien’s Gravesite, St. Marianne’s Gravesite, Papaloa Cemetery, the Pier, St. Elizabeth’s Convent & Chapel, the foot of the Kalaupapa Trail, St. Francis Church, Visitors’ Quarters, Bayview Home, Kalaupapa Bookstore and Waihanau Valley
The tour operates from approximately 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The cost for the tour is $399.00 per person.
Early registration is recommended as space is limited. For more details, please call Ed Lane with Seawind Tours & Travel, Inc. at (808) 949-4144.
Please note: Travelers must be 16 years or older.


The Mission of Stayton Christian School is:
To inspire students to love God and learning, build
excellent academic and spiritual foundations, and equip
students for lifelong achievement and Christian calling.
Welcome to Stayton Christian School's Home Page!
We are located in Stayton, Oregon, a few miles southeast of Salem. We are housed in the Stayton Christian Church facilities located at 189 East Washington Street in Stayton.
Use the navigation buttons to the left for more detailed information about our school as well as the latest news and activities.
Thank you for visiting our website. We hope to hear from you soon.


All analogies are imperfect. But they can help point to truths that are not always clear. This is an attempt to that end - what Jesus did for me.
I am one who is grievously in debt. I come from a family of debtors. I am a chronic debtor, in a word, a debtor by nature. And the debt that I have accumulated has been acquired foolishly and irresponsibly. I owe immense sums of money and my debt continues to grow. Payment is long overdue. The Law Court, in fact, has already judged me in violation of its Law because of my debt. And the Court has issued a verdict that demands my punishment, entailing life imprisonment or until such time as all the debt, interest, and penalties have been paid in full - something I would never be able to do in a million lifetimes. Despite that reality, I have continued to irresponsibly and habitually add to my large debt. And deep inside I know there is no way of evading the judgment of the Law Court. Hopelessly, I can only wish that someone would take my place before the Law and save me from my punishment and pay off my debt. But that seems only a dream.
Yet Someone, a Person completely just and debt-free before the Law, has indeed stepped forward. Unbeknownst to me, long before I was born, this Person had arranged with the Law Court to be my Surety for all the debt and penalties I would accumulate - past, present, future. Even more, He had also contracted to make me a joint-heir to His family fortune, to be put into force upon taking my place. Without my involvement, the Law Court had ruled and accepted Him as my Surety and as a result all judgments upon me were to be accounted legally in His name. My Surety's benevolence towards me had preceded my predicament.
The Law Court thus imputed all my debt and punishment to Him. All my guilt was now His. He, not me, now legally owed the debt even though He was not by nature a debtor and had never incurred any debt and certainly not mine. He now legally owed what I owed. He, not me, was now liable before the Law for penalties that He had not incurred. In effect, the Law Court considered Him to be the debtor, even though I am the one who went into debt. And the Law Court assigned the judgment of imprisonment to be on His head, not mine. And in prison He would remain until every last penny was paid off.
The day of judgment comes. He is declared a guilty debtor. He is stripped of his freedom, put in chains and thrown into prison. And there He sits under my condemnation. But then from the bounty of His immense storehouse of wealth, He pays off my debt in full, including all penalties. In addition, according to the Court ruling, He executes the legal agreement making me a joint heir to all His wealth. Now wealthy in the eyes of the Law, the Court can never again judge me to be a debtor.
At the moment of my sentencing, the Law Court's official Emissary then brought me the good news that a Surety had set me free from my sentence and that I was absolved of all wrong doing! Believing against disbelief... yet something about the Emissary's message causes me to in fact believe. I joyously accept what has been done for me and go free. I am no longer liable to the Law Court because of the completed transaction enacted between the Court and my Surety. As in a dream - but it’s not a dream - Another has willingly been judged in my place. And because He legally took my place, the Law Court accounts me debt free. All my debt (past, present, and future) is blotted out and taken away. This, my Surety, freely did for me.
And, since this Person, standing in my place, has paid all my debts and penalties, the Law Court then no longer has any legal basis to continue his incarceration! Prison cannot hold Him. He has no debt in His Name. My debt is paid. The Law is satisfied. The justice of the Law requires that He be released. He served my sentence. He went to prison and paid my debt in full. He satisfied every judgment and demand of the Law Court. As to His own person, my Surety was not a debtor and never had been. Even though for a time the Law Court legally considered Him a debtor it no longer does. Once my debt was paid, He was vindicated to be what He had always been - without debt and just before the Law. And based on His substitution-sentence-serving, I am now declared just and without debt in the eyes of the Law Court. The Court is satisfied regarding all its demands for the Law to be upheld. It therefore no longer has any legal interest in me or my Surety. His perfect satisfaction of the Law is accounted [imputed] to me. Justice demanded by the Law and Mercy shown towards me have fully met in my gracious Surety.
I am no longer under the Law’s judgment. Rather, as pertaining to my debt and punishment I am now under the favor [grace] of the One who executed the office of Surety for me. And, little did I know until I was given the good news of my freedom from the Law’s condemnation, that the Surety who took my place was actually the One to whom all my debts were owed. And not only that, but He was also the very Judge who was presiding over my case. He paid for me that which I owed to His Court. He bore the sentence that His Court had passed on me. It is this One who took my debt and gave me his wealth. Sweet exchange, indeed.
"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace" (Rom 6:14). All my debt (sin) has been remitted - paid by Another. Debt no longer can put me under the judgment of the Law. The Law is no longer hanging over my head because of my sin. All my debt - past, present, future - has been paid. How? - by the riches of His grace. I am no longer under Law but under Grace. Sin/Debt cannot reign over me ever again even though at times I do still sin/incur debt. Yet all those debts have been reckoned by the Law Court to be paid. Amazing grace. So now I consider myself a debtor not to the Law, but only to grace and to the Surety who forever stands between me and the Law's penalty.
“For the death that he died, he died unto sin [my debt] once: but the life that he lives, he lives unto God. Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin [my debt is as far from me as life is from death because the Law is satisfied with Christ's penalty payment], but alive unto God in Christ Jesus” [if you are dead to sin, you are alive to God] (Romans 6:10-11).
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life [by grace and favor] in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin [debt] and of death [punishment for debt]. For what the law could not do [it only demands, it doesn’t fulfill], in that it was weak through the flesh [my propensity to accrue debt], God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh [appearing as a debtor, though not one] and for sin [for my debt payment], condemned sin in the flesh [punished Jesus for my debt]]: that the ordinance of the law [its just sentence for debt and its demand for debt-freeness] might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh [i.e. my efforts to remove my own debt and earn freedom], but after the Spirit [Who creates in me the the eyes of faith to trust in the Surety given for me, for it is the Spirit who brings us the good news of Christ’s death on our behalf]” (Romans 8:1-4).
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." (Romans 5:1-11)


With 2022 coming to a close, we want to take this opportunity to express our warmest greetings and our best wishes.
We sincerely appreciate your support and trust you have placed in us and wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas season filled with memories and love.
We look forward working with you in the new year and years to come.
Wishing you and your families all the best in the year of 2023.
May you have a great Christmas and an amazing year-end! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!


Built in 1867-68 by the First Methodist Episcopal Church. The building was used for worship until the merger in 1919 with the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church South. The property was deeded by the church to the City of Louisiana in 1921. It was Louisiana City Hall until 1999. In 2002 the church building was an Art Center and community gathering place. At that time the original chandelier was still hanging from the dome metal ceiling and the building boasted a 30’s kitchen in the upstairs living quarters. Today the building holds the Belong Church of Louisiana.


Rev. Ron Brown, pastor of Watson Tabernacle Primitive Baptist Church, will give the keynote speech at Campbell’s Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Martin Luther King Day, at 6 p.m., Jan. 15.
The speech will be a part of a day of activities commemorating the life of the late King, a nationally prominent Civil Rights leader.
This is the 25th annual observance of the celebration of King’s life.
Campbell’s Chapel Church is at 311 Mill St., Pulaski.
A Unity March will start at 10:45 a.m. at the Courthouse Gazebo and continue at the Greater Richland Creek Central Building, 1095 Bledsoe Rd.
There will be refreshment, entertainment and speakers.
For more information, call 931-347-7755 or 931-309-1161.


Doksany Castle is closed, it neighbors to the monastery.
The Premonstratensian Monastery was founded by Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia and his wife Gertruda as the second female monastery in our countries.
Abbey founded shortly before 1144 last until 1782.
After 1782, the abbey was converted into a mansion and farm buildings. The Romanesque Church of the Virgin Mary's Birth, the masonry of the basilica and the crypt was preserved. The church was rebuilt in the early Baroque; the prelature, convent and the gate was built at the end of the 18th century.
On the North of the monastery stands Church of St. Peter and Paul from the first half of the 13th century, rebuilt in Baroque.
Doksany Monastery owns the Royal Canon of Premonstratensians in Strahov.
Doksany Castle is owned by the Czech state
and is in care of the National Heritage Institute.


This message is based on 1 John 1:1- 2:2.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Released by surprise at Roman Noon this Saturday, the following is the Vatican’s official English translation of a motu proprio letter of Benedict XVI on the Catholic identity and ecclesial oversight of the church’s charitable efforts.
Initially published in Latin by the Holy See, the text is entitled Intima Ecclesiae natura – in English, “The Church’s Deepest Nature,” with a subhead “De Caritate Ministranda”; that is, “On the Service of Charity”
The Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her three-fold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God (kerygma-martyria), celebrating the sacraments (leitourgia) and exercising the ministry of charity (diakonia). These duties presuppose each other and are inseparable” (Deus Caritas Est, 25). […]
It is important, however, to keep in mind that “practical activity will always be insufficient, unless it visibly expresses a love for man, a love nourished by an encounter with Christ” (ibid., 34). In carrying out their charitable activity, therefore, the various Catholic organizations should not limit themselves merely to collecting and distributing funds, but should show special concern for individuals in need and exercise a valuable educational function within the Christian community, helping people to appreciate the importance of sharing, respect and love in the spirit of the Gospel of Christ. The Church’s charitable activity at all levels must avoid the risk of becoming just another form of organized social assistance (cf. ibid., 31). […]
Nevertheless, to the extent that such activities are promoted by the Hierarchy itself, or are explicitly supported by the authority of the Church’s Pastors, there is a need to ensure that they are managed in conformity with the demands of the Church’s teaching and the intentions of the faithful, and that they likewise respect the legitimate norms laid down by civil authorities. In view of these requirements, it became necessary to establish in the Church’s law certain essential norms inspired by the general criteria of canonical discipline, which would make explicit in this sector of activity the legal responsibilities assumed by the various subjects involved, specifying in particular the position of authority and coordination belonging to the diocesan Bishop. At the same time, the norms in question need to be broad enough to embrace the significant diversity of the institutions of Catholic inspiration which are engaged as such in this sector, whether those originating from the Hierarchy or those born of the direct initiative of the faithful, received and encouraged by the local Pastors. While it was necessary to lay down norms in this regard, there was also a need to consider the requirements of justice and the responsibility of Bishops before the faithful, with respect for the legitimate autonomy of each institution. […]
§ 1. The faithful have the right to join in associations and to establish agencies to carry out specific charitable services, especially on behalf of the poor and suffering. To the extent that these are linked to the charitable service of the Church’s Pastors and/or intend to use for this purpose contributions made by the faithful, they must submit their own Statutes for the approval of the competent ecclesiastical authority and comply with the following norms. […]
§ 3. In addition to observing the canonical legislation, the collective charitable initiatives to which this Motu Proprio refers are required to follow Catholic principles in their activity and they may not accept commitments which could in any way affect the observance of those principles.[…]
§ 2. A charitable agency may use the name “Catholic” only with the written consent of the competent authority, as laid down by canon 300 CIC.[…]
§ 1. The agencies referred to in Article 1 § 1 are required to select their personnel from among persons who share, or at least respect, the Catholic identity of these works.
§ 2. To ensure an evangelical witness in the service of charity, the diocesan Bishop is to take care that those who work in the Church’s charitable apostolate, along with due professional competence, give an example of Christian life and witness to a formation of heart which testifies to a faith working through charity. To this end, he is also to provide for their theological and pastoral formation, through specific curricula agreed upon by the officers of various agencies and through suitable aids to the spiritual life.
§ 3. It is the duty of the diocesan Bishop and the respective parish priests to see that in this area the faithful are not led into error or misunderstanding; hence they are to prevent publicity being given through parish or diocesan structures to initiatives which, while presenting themselves as charitable, propose choices or methods at odds with the Church’s teaching. […]
§ 3. In particular, the diocesan Bishop is to ensure that charitable agencies dependent upon him do not receive financial support from groups or institutions that pursue ends contrary to Church’s teaching. Similarly, lest scandal be given to the faithful, the diocesan Bishop is to ensure that these charitable agencies do not accept contributions for initiatives whose ends, or the means used to pursue them, are not in conformity with the Church’s teaching. […]
The diocesan Bishop is obliged, if necessary, to make known to the faithful the fact that the activity of a particular charitable agency is no longer being carried out in conformity with the Church’s teaching, and then to prohibit that agency from using the name “Catholic” and to take the necessary measures should personal responsibilities emerge. […]
I order that everything I have laid down in this Apostolic Letter issued Motu Proprio be fully observed, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, even if worthy of particular mention, and I decree that it be promulgated by publication in the daily newspaper L’Osservatore Romano and enter into force on 10 December 2012.
Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 11 November, in the year 2012, the eighth of my Pontificate.
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI


The superstitious will be having a field day. A fire broke out in Paris’s St Sulpice Church four weeks ago, another one broke out last Saturday (the eve of Palm Sunday) in New York's Cathedral of St John the Divine, and yesterday saw Notre Dame in Paris go up in flames. All this is happening in the church’s season of Lent when Christians remember Christ’s period in the wilderness with a sustained period of prayer and reflection. So what does all this ecclesiastical burning tell us? That churches are an abomination in the sight of the Lord, that Christians are misguided in their beliefs, that God is reminding the world of the existence and value of churches, or merely that today’s workmen are prone to carelessness with their oxy-acetylene torches?
News of each fire reached me, not through my addiction to 24-hour news services from trusted organisations, but via my subscription to an organists’ group on Facebook. I’m not one to check Facebook very often (once a day is excessive for me), but a sustained period of “pings” on my phone woke me up at night as each organist-member wanted to get in with his or her expression of sorrow and regret. It amuses me that the first question raised in the case of each fire has not been “were there any casualties?”, but “has the organ suffered any damage?”. That’s not to say me and my fellow organists are heartless; merely that for us, the organ is a living, breathing animate object. Like other - ostensibly “normal” - people who post endless pictures of cats, dogs and babies along with grotesquely mawkish comments for their friends to share, we do the same with pipe organs. I’d like to think our comments are more elevated, but in truth, they’re not. We love our pipe organs, just as others, inexplicably, love their cats, dogs and babies.
And among all organists, there can be very, very few who do not love the sound of the wonderful instrument in Notre Dame, which has now been utterly destroyed and lost to us forever. It was the organ at which Louis Vierne died while giving an organ recital, and on which Pierre Cochereau effectively re-defined the art of improvisation. Hearing it live pouring out its soul in the vast, dark recesses of Notre Dame was an experience I could and will never forget, and to realise I will never experience it again is very much akin to losing a dear friend.
But as with all deaths, the legacy of memories ensures that death does not mean an end, but a beginning of new kind of relationship in which only the best aspects survive. Since Notre Dame was such a magnificent instrument, it was frequently recorded, and between church fires, I was privileged to be sent for review what must be now the last ever recording of the instrument; Olivier Latry’s “Bach to the Future” on La Dolce Vita (LDV69). That review is slated to appear in June’s copy of Gramophone magazine, so I will not reprint it here. Suffice to say, that it was heading towards one of my all-time favourite organ recordings before the emotional fillip afforded by yesterday’s fire. It won’t be leaving my CD player now for a good few weeks – unless, of course, the CD player itself overheats and the inevitable ensues. Luckily CD players are replaceable, as are organ CDs, which means that the irreplaceable lost in the Paris inferno, can live on long after the ashes have been swept up and the rebuilding completed.
In the spirit of love and bonding which follows such a catastrophe, I offer up some pictures which other people than I will enjoy, as well as one for my organist friends with whom I share a deep sorrow and a recommendation that, if they have not already got it, Olivier Latry’s spectacular all-Bach recital from Notre Dame – “Bach to the Future” – is just released on the La Dolce Vita label and needs to be snapped up with all haste.


A critical need in the Western Church is a biblical understanding and implementation of Ephesians 4:11-16 through of the use key word ‘equipping’. It seems that many, including us pastors, do not fully understand what is meant by ‘equipping’, and why it is different from preaching and teaching.
Although preaching and teaching are essential elements in equipping, they cannot stand alone. Preaching and teaching are static. Equipping is active; it is not possible to equip without active involvement in ministry. As my friend, Dr. Tom Julien said, “Though the terms ‘equipping’ and ‘involvement’ are not synonyms, they are inseparable. Involvement creates a thirst for learning, and enables one to discover their spiritual gifts. Sitting in a class or taking a spiritual gift inventory both have merit, but do not necessarily equip for ministry.”
Ephesians 4:11-16, with all its implications is the key for the growth and unity of the church, for the development of each member to his full potential; for developing the church’s “joints and ligaments” as leaders through leadership teams. In fact, I contend this is exactly what the Apostle understood and meant to convey. Working in teams, whether two-by-two as Jesus sent the early disciples, or in larger teams of 4 or 5, ‘equipping’ happens through the experience of working together; of trying different things, of using different energies that lead us to better understanding of our own spiritual giftedness; of learning how to work alongside those who don’t always agree with us and finding ways to accomplish the task in unity. One Church. One Body. Strengthened through joints and ligaments firmly attached and functioning well!
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”(Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV)
Is your church body strong?


As a Church of England voluntary controlled school, the act of Collective Worship forms an important part of each day. The worship is of a Christian nature, but great care is taken to ensure that children of other faiths feel included and comfortable. It is led by a Headteacher, one of the teachers, the vicar or a visitor.
The daily act of worship is an important part of the life of the school, helping children and staff to feel part of an inclusive community whatever the individual’s creed, colour or culture.
Our Aims of Collective Worship
- To nurture the school’s sense of community including pupils, staff, governors, parents and the local church and village communities.
- To develop shared morals and values.
- To encourage spiritual, social and moral development.
- To provide opportunities for the school to be part of the local community including the church.
- To celebrate the Festivals of Christianity and other world religions.
- To celebrate and remember the lives of special people.
- To develop empathy with the needs of others.
- To encourage respect and care for the world.
- To celebrate difference and diversity.
- To celebrate gifts, talents and achievements.
- To give time for reflection.
- To encourage feelings of awe, wonder and thankfulness.
- To experience a variety of forms of worship.
These will be developed through music, literature, art, silence and an awareness of the natural world.
The act of worship is an integral part of the whole curriculum.
Collective Worship and R.E. are planned separately though the themes sometimes overlap, particularly at major Christian Festivals.
We’re not a religious family! What will my child get from Collective Worship?
Collective Worship is set up so that all children and adults, of any faith or none, are invited to find out what Christians believe about God, the world and themselves. Children are given time to reflect and wonder about the big questions of life. Staff and pupils alike value this time of quiet and stillness as a way to bring the community together.
Parents do have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from collective worship. Such a request should be made in writing to the Headteacher. The pupil concerned would then be supervised elsewhere in school during assembly times.


With deepest sympathy, the Brothers of Theta Alpha Chapter regret to share that our Chapter Brother, Warren G. Lee Jr., who served as the 38th Grand Basileus of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, entered Omega Chapter, Monday, July 18, 2022.
Bro. Lee remained an active, financial member of Theta Alpha Chapter including participating during our recent chapter retreat on July 9, 2022.
Bro. Lee was elected the Fraternity’s International President during the 74th Grand Conclave in Little Rock, Arkansas in July 2006. He served two terms as our Fraternity’s elected leader. Prior to being elected Grand Basileus, Dr. Lee labored as the First Vice Grand Basileus and had also previously served as the Grand Keeper of Finance.
As Grand Basileus, Bro. Lee emphasized leadership through the mantra, “Making A Difference In The Lives Of Black People”. During Dr. Lee’s tenure, Omega men across the world mentored young men, organized, and executed countless social action programs, and donated millions to worthy causes.
Brother Lee was initiated into the Fraternity through the Eta Theta Chapter in 1971 at the University of Texas in Austin. As an undergraduate, Brother Lee served as the 23rd Second Vice Grand Basileus. Brother Lee was married to the former Loraine Green. His son, Warren Lee, III as well as his grandson Kristopher Gulley are also members of the Fraternity.
Brother Lee had worked as a financial management consultant in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area, serving as the principal in the firm Warren Lee & Associates. The firm specialized in working with small to medium-sized companies and organizations in areas of organizational design, profit planning, and taxation administrative logistics.
He also specialized in working with churches and other religious organizations in ministry and administrative development. Lee served as a member of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the Irving, Texas branch of the N.A.A.C.P, Metro Crest Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas Community College District Accounting Advisory Committee.
Lee was a decades-long member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church where he served as chair of the Ministry’s Leaders Roundtable. He also worked as chairman of the Trustee Board, a Sunday School teacher, and as Evangelical Choir president.
The Brothers of Theta Alpha Chapter offers our condolences to the family and our Brothers during this time. We are all deeply hurt by this loss; yet, find comfort in the collective Brotherhood and Friendship of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.


John Mills is the Senior Clinic Consultant with Empowering Community Healthcare Outreach and an ordained elder at First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Airy, NC. He began his partnership with Pablo & Jan and the Presbyterians of Southern Mexico in 1998. He is one of the founding members of the Hebron USA Board of Directors and has served continuously since its inception. John brings valuable experience to the HUSA Board as both an expert in faith-based charitable medical clinic development and a former missionary in residence with Pablo & Jan in Ocosingo, Chiapas from 2006-2008.
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Greater Adams Street
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DR. David C. Rourk, Emeritus
Executive Secretary David C. Rourk was one of seven children born in Bolivia, North Carolina to David and Louroxie Rourk. Both of his parents passed away and he and his brother were destined for orphanage. However, he was adopted at the age of seven by Mother Hattie Rutledge and was raised in Lake Alfred, Florida.
He received his Godly training early in the COGBF under the leadership of Elder Nathaniel Scippio, his mother, and many other men and women of God. In 1953, he accepted Christ under the leadership of Elder E. J. Lewis and was further matured in the Lord under Elder Eugene Kemp and Elder D. L. Smith.
He met and married the love of his life, Lady Ruth Coley on June 6, 1958 and four children were born to that union. Though the Lord called her home, the memories of her beautiful soul will last a lifetime.
Ruling Elder Rourk has served in many capacities within the COGBF including the president of the National Youth Council, deacon, adult Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent and chairman of his district’s Finance Board. In 1972, he was called into the ministry and was later ordained.
He was appointed pastor of the Greater Adams Street COGBF Rochester, NY in 1974. In 1979, he was appointed district elder of the Northwestern New York District. In 1991, he was appointed to the National Executive Board where he serves as the executive secretary. He has served as pastor for several churches on the NWNY District such as Prayer House, Syracuse, Sodus Center and Geneva COGBF. We appreciate his leadership and continue to celebrate his decades of faithful service.
The Late Mother Ruth Rourk
If anyone were to describe this beautiful Woman of God, the Proverbs 31 Woman would be most fitting. Mother Ruth Rourk was a woman who loved God, her husband, her family, her church family, and those who she met along the way who became attached to her. The biblical meaning of her name Ruth means “companion, friend, vision of beauty”. She certainly lived up to the name.
As the First Lady of Greater Adams St Church of God By Faith for 43 years, Mother Rourk played a pivotal role. She held many positions and birthed many ministries over the years. Mother Rourk loved to cook, she loved to sing, she had a sense of humor, but most of all she loved people. She was known most for being the “Card Lady”. She had a card for every occasion and it was nothing for her to have a little something in the card. People from all over the United States had the pleasure of receiving cards and words of inspiration from this woman who was called ‘friend” by many. Unbeknowst to many, she also supported many ministries and causes around the world.
Proverbs 31:26 says “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue”. Mother Rourk was a true vessel of the Lord and he would use her mightily whenever she spoke. Her heart desire was to instruct all to love the Lord and serve him with your whole heart and soul. Her favorite saying was “guard your heart”.
After a valiant fight with ALS, Mother Rourk earned her crown and her angel wings on September 7, 2017. She not only left a hole in the hearts of many, but her legacy continues in her son, her 3 daughters and her grandchildren. Mother Rourk is truly missed and her last words to the church will always ring in the memories off all- she blew a kiss and said “I love you all”. And she did.
Words from our Mother...
"Wanting to be ready for Christ's return will make a difference in the way we live."
- Mother Ruth Rourk
Meet The Rourk's


This web site exists to support the Catholic Identity Curriculum Integration by sharing information, resources, tools and strategies that Catholic educators can use to develop rigorous standards-based, Gospel values-based curriculum for their dioceses and schools. This is a dynamic site and will continue to grow as new information and resources become available. Throughout the CICI-Online site two points of focus constantly interact: elements of Catholic identity and rigorous academic standards. The entire CICI initiative from its first moments to the present rests on the reality that Catholic schools use appropriate national and state standards as a foundation for good educational practices. Going beyond those standards to educate the whole child is our responsibility. Catholic schools cherish each child by giving each child the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to transform the world in the light of Gospel values.


People living with HIV exist in our churches - we have an obligation to include & support them – they are members of our church family.
This is not only about reaching out to people living with HIV. It is also about recognising that HIV exists in the body of Christ – the church. There are insights, gifts and learning that people living with HIV can share with us if we invite them to do so.
Our starting place is to listen to the experiences of people living with HIV who may want and need our help and understanding – especially when they come to us for this or are already members of our community. By using this resource you have already begun to listen and reflect prayerfully upon what you and your church community can do. We hope that you will find this resource helps you to grow in faith yourself, and enable you to extend God’s love and compassion to those sisters and brothers who are living with HIV.
This series of short films aims to support your Christian response to HIV and those affected by it.
They are also available to download for free here
Animation series published by Body and Soul Charity
What is HIV?
How is HIV transmitted?
How HIV treatment works


Join our morning tour of the St. Peter’s Basilica and visit the Dome, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Popes’ tombs. During this tour you will discover the history of the Basilica and the extraordinary technique used to build it. You will learn in depth the history and behind-the-scenes facts about this extraordinary building.
We will climb the Dome with the elevator to the highest point reachable. Afterwards, you can climb the stairs (not compulsory) that will bring you to the very top of the Dome from where you will be stunned by the marvelous view of the whole Vatican state and you will be able to admire the whole City of Rome.
After this mesmerizing experience, your guide will lead you through the Basilica and will give you all the important notions of the biggest church in the world. You will also have the chance to visit the underground section with Popes’ Tombs.
You will also discover that besides having created its masterpiece inside the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo was also an architect and a sculptor and you will be able to admire La Pietà, one of his most famous sculptures, inside St. Peter’s Basilica together with the architectonic finest achievement, la Cupola (the Dome).
This tour will give you the chance to learn in depth about this architectural masterpiece by Bernini; St. Peter’s Square.
Coffee bar "Polesi"
St. Peter’s Square
The square is home to pilgrims and art lovers that gather here from all over the World. It is surrounded on both sides by 284 columns in 4 rows. The semi-circular colonnades symbolize the arms of the church metaphorically embracing the world, according to its architect Bernini. 140 Statues of saints decorate the top of the colonnades.
St. Peter’s Basilica
The original Basilica from the 4th century has always been the spiritual centre of Christianity. The aim of Emperor Constantine, who commissioned the Basilica was to preserve the tomb of the founding father of the Church, St. Peter’s, that is laying underneath the Basilica. From the end of the 15th century many architects and artists were commissioned in order to go beyond the magnificence of the original building. After 120 years, during which Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Maderno and della Porta have been working on this project, the Basilica was completed.
St. Peter’s Dome – Cupola
This is the tallest dome in the World with its height of 136m and wideness of 42m. The original project was made and partially realized by Michelangelo, and finished by his fellow students after his death. It is possible to climb to the very top of the Basilica, mainly with an elevator and a couple of hundreds of stairs to the highest point. The effort required to get to the upper level is remarkable, but it will give you an astonishing view of the city of Rome and of the whole Vatican.
St. Peter’s Baldachin
Bernini’s Altar or St. Peter’s Baldachin is a magnificent artistic creation of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The Baldachin had been constructed directly under the St. Peter’s Dome and exactly above St. Peter’s tomb that lays underneath. This is the largest bronze construction of the Baroque period.


Sunday Service & Chidren's Church
Nursery available with closed circuit television of the entire Sunday Service.
Wednesday Bible Study
As a church we will focus on The Four P’s.
Prayer, Purity, Passion and Power.
PRAYER for everything, all the time, without ceasing!
PURITY in our hearts, our lives and our ministries!
PASSION for God, His Son and His Spirit, His Word, our people and the lost; the Fruit of The Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; righteousness, holiness, The Great Commandment/The Great Commission!
POWER through God in all and everything that we do, every time because it does matter, and it does make a difference to God (And hopefully us)!


Chaplain - Justice
Job no: 495284
Work type: Casual Employee
Location: Sydney East
• Casual opportunity
• Based in Long Bay Correctional Centre, Matraville
• Well suited to a compassionate individual keen to minister to men in prison
• Theological qualifications & sound interpersonal skills essential
As a Christian organisation, with a heritage of service spanning 160 years, we serve those who are vulnerable or marginalised and older people, by providing a range of accommodation, care and community services.
To find out more please visit: www.anglicare.org.au
About the role:
Anglicare is seeking to employ a casual Chaplain to work at Long Bay Correctional Complex in Matraville and learn from highly experienced Correctional Service Chaplains. This rewarding position provides an opportunity to offer emotional and pastoral support to prison inmates of all backgrounds and beliefs as well as prison staff and the family and friends of prison inmates.
This position will suit a compassionate and resilient individual who has significant pastoral experience and suited to working in a correctional centre environment. You must be a highly motivated and caring person with experience and a demonstrated competence in pastoral ministry (ideally in a Justice context), or be keen to develop an ability to minister to men in prison.
The successful applicant will be able to communicate the Christian message clearly through conversations, bible study and chapel services. You will need to have the ability to work with Correctional Services Chaplains of other denominations and faiths. It is expected that you will seek to build supportive relationships with local churches and Christian ministry organisations. You will be part of the Anglicare Justice Chaplaincy team and responsible to the Justice Chaplaincy and Partnerships Manager. You must be able to pass all Corrective services security checks and meet the requirements to be licensed by the Archbishop for ministry in the Diocese of Sydney.
Skills, knowledge and experience needed:
• Completed theological studies (Degree or Diploma course)
• Eligible to hold a licence issued by the Anglican Archbishop of the Sydney Diocese
• Ability to clearly communicate and teach the Bible
• Completed CPE or APC course (required to be completed in the first 12 months of employment if not yet completed)
• Proven experience in ministry and pastoral care
• Strong communication and relationship building skills
This is a fantastic opportunity to make a genuine pastoral difference in the lives of others. If you have a genuine desire to minister to others in an empathetic and non-judgemental manner and possess sound interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate the Christian message clearly, this opportunity could be for you!
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are encouraged to apply.
Anglicare - Jesus Christ honoured, lives enriched and communities strengthened.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications may be reviewed prior to the closing date; and as such the closing date is subject to change without notice.
Advertised: AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: AUS Eastern Daylight Time


75-year-old Cisne resident, JD (Jerry Dan) Williamson died on June 12, 2018, at Clay County Hospital in Flora, Illinois. JD had been an operator for Trunkline Gas Company retiring in 1998. He was a big gun advocate being a member of the NRA and the Illinois Rifle Association. He would help with the conceal carry classes through church and various schools. He was a member of the Blue Point Free Will Baptist Church in Cisne, IL.
JD is survived by his wife, Judy of Cisne; one daughter, Trish (Rod) Balding of Marshall, IL; one son, Marty (Heather Latta) Williamson of Effingham, IL; one sister, Pat (Wayne) Sanders of Florida and one grandchild, Rachel Williamson.
Funeral services for JD Williamson will be on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at 11am at Blue Point Free Will Baptist Church in Cisne, IL. Burial will follow at the Cisne Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9am until time of the service Saturday at the church.
Memorials may be made to the Blue Point Free Will Baptist Church and will be accepted at the church or at the funeral home.
Arrangements under the direction of Hosselton Funeral Home, Cisne, IL.


Dear Family seeking adoption through St. Joseph Adoption Ministry:
St. Joseph Adoption Ministry is a Child Placement Agency, licensed and incorporated in the State of Kansas, for the purpose of helping couples who are actively seeking to enhance their family through adoption.
We are a ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph and we view our mission as a sacred calling and a beneficial service to those whom we are privileged to help. Our familiarity with adoption procedures can ease your anxiety as you go through the process. We also work with other professionals and referral sources in the adoption field and together we will strive to help you through the process towards a successful adoption. While we, or no one in the adoption world can promise you a child, since it is the birthparents who ultimately make that decision, nonetheless, we make every effort to help you realize your dreams of becoming parents.
Click here: StJosephapp2019 to view and print the following information:
Child Abuse and Neglect Registry Release of Information form (for Kansas couples)
Corporal Punishment Pledge
Service Fee Schedule
We invite you to contact us by telephone at 913-299-5222 (toll free 1-800-752-1737) or email email@example.com with any questions you may have. We wish you God’s blessings on your journey towards adoption and we will be happy to be of service.
Sister Dolora May, CSJ, MHA, Executive Director
Sherry Clayton, LSCSW


ShareMeCards is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in existence to help Christians everywhere easily and effectively share the good news about Jesus—through the use of everyday gift cards. The process flow is simple: Christians purchase gift cards at ShareMeCards.com and then give them away. Gift card recipients register their cards at ShareMeCards.com and have the option to hear the gospel through dynamic multimedia.
Design efforts were focused on website usability and the overall user experience. Despite complex, interwoven functionality, including robust ecommerce, social interaction, card tracking, and multimedia, “the interface provides users with a light and easy experience.”


1. 我要頌揚 / 宇宙歡唱
2. 願祢崇高 / 美哉主耶穌
3. 我的力量 我的山寨
7. 祂是獨一真神 / 真光
8. 歌頌復活主 / 歡樂主作王
9. 祢的名何其美 / 投靠者的讚美
14. 聖哉 聖哉 聖哉 / 擁戴我主為王
15. 我的眼睛已經看見 / 興起興起為耶穌
The Very Best Of Hillsong Live (CD)
Hillsong Music has sold over 11 million albums to date and has earned 30 Gold and Platinum awards around the world. Based in Sydney, Australia, Hillsong is one of the world’s fastest-growing ministries, with a 25,000-plus strong congregation in Australia, as well as the largest evangelical church in London, and churches in Capetown, Kiev and Stockholm.
This definitive collection brings together the top songs from Hillsong worship titles from the past few years. From the classic “Shout To The Lord” to the current #1 song in churches, “Mighty To Save” this is a must have collection for every Hillsong fan. It’s also a perfect choice for a customer looking for a Praise & Worship album packed with church tested, great worship songs.
Nothing is Impossible (CD+DVD)
Nothing Is Impossible is the long awaited studio album release from Australian praise and worship band Planetshakers.
This album, the first to come out of the studio in over 5 years, encapsulates the passion and energy that they produce live as well as highlighting the cutting edge values of producer Joth Hunt, and featuring the world class rhythm section of Mike Webber (drums) and Mark Peric (bass). The vocal sounds are as diverse as they are genuine and the title track, ‘Nothing Is Impossible’, features the dynamic vocals of Grammy Award winning artist, Israel Houghton.
This album will take you on a journey from the raw energy of "Bring It On" to the deeply moving words of "No One Like You", and the powerful declaration of "You Are God".
This album includes a bonus DVD featuring 9 songs as well as loads of bonus content!
Gateway Worship: God Be Praised (CD)
Recorded live, God Be Praised emanates passionate worship from Gateway Church in Southlake (Dallas), Texas. Led by Thomas Miller and the Gateway Worship team, energetic praise gives way to intimate worship as the church comes together in one voice to glorify the name of Jesus and give thanks for all He’s done.


Family and Children's
At FUMC, there is a desire to support ministries for families and children. From activities such as mission trips, children's choir, local service projects, fellowship lock-ins and movie nights, college care package deliveries, nursing home visitations, and parent's day outings, there has always been and will continue to be a special place for young people at FUMC.
Families have a special place at FUMC. From having gatherings on Sunday nights and fellowship and ministry projects throughout the year, FUMC believes in ministering to and with Christian families.
Children at FUMC are not only seen as the future of the church, but also an important current part as well. As a part of our Wednesday activities, children have an interactive learning time called Bible Zone. Bible stories and lessons come to life through hands-on learning and activities. In addition, children have opportunities to serve in worship through being an acolyte, as well as through special children-led worship services.


- About Us
Allene Fletcher LanouMay 6, 1920 ~ April 24, 2017 (age 96)
Allene Fletcher Lanou
Allene Sophie Fletcher Lanou died on April 24, 2017 in the comfort of her family at the VNA McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. She was born in Johnson, Vermont on May 6, 1920 to Anne Scharle Fletcher and Willard Allen Fletcher. She married Joseph Richard Lanou on September 12, 1946 in Burlington. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband and her siblings; Lewis Fletcher, Scharle Nies-Fletcher, Willard Fletcher and her son, Joseph Richard Lanou Jr. She is survived by her daughters Marilyn Anne Lanou Hindes (Churchill) and Michele Marie Lanou Waters (Jonathan) and her grandchildren Jeffrey Gordon Hindes (Kristen), Joseph Andrew Hindes, John Benjamin Yousey-Hindes (Kimberly) and Emilie Catherwood Waters Harris (James). She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Emma James Hindes, Lucy Churchill Hindes, Aya Richard Yousey-Hindes and Rye Lewis Yousey-Hindes, and extended family across the United States and in Luxembourg. Allene's life was an accumulation of fascinating chapters. She requested, "Those who know me know my stories—there is no need to retell them here". Her funeral mass will be celebrated at the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel on the Saint Michael's College campus in Colchester at 9:30 on Thursday, May 18, 2017.


Dear Dr. Bonvallet,
We are writing to send a personal thanks for the help you brought to Ed during the recent surgery on his back. I admit, I was pretty devastated the day you showed us the MRI. My husband and I have been married for almost 40 years, and the idea that he might be permanently disabled in any way was devastating.
But I understood that we had to do something to abate the excruciating pain he had been in for years and I trusted his judgment that you were the man to help with that.
He was right.
As we explained to you going into the surgery, we are people of faith. We believe what Psalm 24 says … The earth is Yahweh’s, and the fullness thereof… We know that our God uses whatever means He chooses to get to His people, and He used you to reach down His grace and mercy and healing to Ed.
We thank you and bless you, Sir.
Every day, my husband gives thanks for being out of pain. Other than the actual surgical site, he feels better than he has in years.
Thank you for the years of study and sacrifice to become an expert in your field. You are our Rockstar!
We own a farm just north of Panama City where we raise cows and hay and chickens and grandchildren. The day we pulled out to travel to Columbus – carrying a bit of worry and concern a new calf was unexpectedly born on our farm. Her name is Bonvallet.
All the best from our family to you. May our God bless you for what you did for us.
Ed and Sandy Hathaway


CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE:
Screencraft was tasked to produce a brand DVD for the Catholic Education Office, to engage the viewer in the journey of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese - from its early beginnings in the region, what is happening now and give insight into the rich potential of Catholic Education. The DVD included chapters covering; History, Our role, Our schools, Early Learning Centres, Teaching and learning, as well as Religious education and Faith formation. Through beautiful footage and interviews, we show how Catholic Education has a lot of positive things on offer. The Catholic Education Office of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn covers both the ACT and NSW, a total of 88,000 square kilometres, extending from Pambula on the south coast, to Crookwell in the North, through to the western point of Lake Cargelligo.


Dr. Sarfati is an internationally known scientist, chess master, logician and Christian apologist who will be speaking as a guest of our Lecture Series at the Heritage Christian School in Canton on the evening of Friday, October 7th at 7 pm.
In preparation for the lecture we have set up a few radio interviews on local radio stations and a commercial.
A radio interview with Dr. Sarfati was aired on Tuesday, October 4th during Glen Mertz’s 10:30-11:30 morning show called Living the Word with Glen Mertz on WHKW 1220 AM “The Word.”
Click here to listen to the podcast!
To learn more about the upcoming lecture please click here.


Discovering Postulancy 2017
November 17, 2016
As we are rapidly approaching the New Year, we are also rapidly approaching the annual Discovering Postulancy event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Taking place this year from January 1-5, 2017, this unique event gives candidates and inquirers the chance to experience Postulancy first-hand, to get a taste of what Capuchin formation is really like. Postulancy is the first formal stage of formation for Capuchin Franciscans, and for the Province of St. Joseph, this program takes place at St. Conrad Friary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Friars-in-formation spend roughly nine months taking classes in-house, learning about a variety of topics, including the history of the Franciscan movement and the Capuchin Order, Church history, and the life of St. Francis. Friars-in-formation also participate in ministry daily, learning what it means to work among the community as a Capuchin. For more information on the states of initial formation, please take a look at our “Becoming a Capuchin” page.
During this event, candidates and inquirers are invited to attend classes with the Postulants, in order to experience what kind of topics the Postulants are covering. They will also attend ministry with the various Postulants, in order to see what Capuchin ministry looks like at this stage of formation. Candidates and inquirers also are invited to participate in the life of the St. Conrad community. In short, visitors are invited to shadow the Postulants, to learn more about what their lives are like. They are free to ask questions, or simply to observe, all the while discerning if this is the appropriate “next step” in their discernment journey. Discovering Postulancy concludes with a visit to our Capuchin-adminstered Seminary High School, St. Lawrence Seminary, in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin.
If you are interested in attending this important and immersive discernment event, please contact Br. Steve Kropp, the Vocation Director for the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph. You can contact him by phone at (313) 378-3802, by email at email@example.com, or, if you haven’t already, fill out our Initial Inquiry Form. We hope to see you there!


Our Maronite Jewelry is a custom design exclusive to Cappiello Jewelers. Each piece is custom made to symbolize faith and hope.
Herco offers 14KT & 18KT gold jewelry in white, yellow, and pink. Additionally, we carry items in platinum, palladium, silver, and stainless steel.
The Maronite Cross is also referred to as an Antiochene Cross. Antioch, an ancient city in present day Turkey, was converted to Christianity through the ministry of the apostle Paul and fellow missionary Barnabas.
Saint Peter was the first bishop and the Church extended its territory, becoming one of the original patriarchates. These were the first people to be called ‘Christians’ and the Church of Antioch can justifiably claim to be Pretty Old.
A few hundred years passed and by 518, dogmatic squabbling split the Church into two groups: the Chalcedonians and the monophysitic anti-Chalcedonians. A century later, the Chalcedonians divided into the Syriacs, the Maronites and the Melkites each of which had its own Patriarch. By the 7th century, the Assyrians and the Armenians also had their own Patriarch, and by the 12th century the Latin Patriarch was established.


**Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my coffee drinking habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me supplied in caffeine. It’s a win for everyone, really.**
Psalm 5:3 says “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” It is a beautiful feeling to spend the early morning with the Lord talking to Him and laying all your requests before Him. The most beautiful thing of all is to know that He is listening and He hears us. Daily prayer is monumental in our relationship with Christ and it is something we shouldn’t take for granted.
1 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” As Christians, we need to read the Bible each day and study it; we should be searching the Scriptures every single day and listening to what God says to us. As 1 Timothy 3:16-17 says, the Bible will teach, correct and train us into the women we desire to be. The number one way we can truly hear from God is through His Word. I find that when I start my day in the Word, He equips me for whatever challenges I may face that day, and as a Homeschool Mama of 4 kids aged 10 and under, I have my fair share of challenges each day lol. But it isn’t just about being prepared for any challenge you face, it’s about filling your mind and heart with the promises of God, first thing in the morning. I like to use the SOAP BIble Study method. Fill out the form below and get your free Bible Study Journal Pages.
Reading a Daily Devotional is a great way to get into the Word if you are short on time or as a ‘side meal’ to your in-depth Bible Studies. I am currently reading Sarah Young’s 365 Devotional called Jesus Calling. The description is “This #1 bestselling 365-day devotional is written as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to you-words of encouragement, comfort, and reassurance of His unending love.” It is just beautiful and a great way to start your day with Jesus. We also use the Jesus Calling Kids Version in our home.
Another great way to start your day with Jesus is by listening to Christian music. I have always loved music and one of my favourite pastimes is cleaning my house while having music blasting. I love to put on worship music (loud haha) and sing praises to the Lord. Sometimes, when you don’t know what to say to the Lord, singing to Him is the best answer. We were made to praise and worship the Lord and starting your day with singing to Him can really set a great tone for your day. One of my favourite playlists at the moment is the one below.
Bible Journaling is one of my favourite ways to spend my quiet time with the Lord. I really like how I can get creative while I study the Bible and hear what God has to say to me. It is quite amazing how The Lord has a way of showing me things during colouring in, highlighting and Scripture Writing and I believe we need to embrace Bible Journaling more. Lil at Hey Creative Sister has some great articles on Bible Journaling here.
There are various Journaling Bibles available. I have the NIV Journal The Word Bible for Women (pictured below) and I did a giveaway early this year on my other blog with the NIV Beautiful Word Bible and Bible Journaling Kit, which the recipient loved! Here are my favourites on Amazon.
Similar to Bible Journaling, Scripture isa great way to start your day with Jesus. I find it so comforting to sit down with a coffee, in the peace and quiet while my whole family is asleep, writing out various Scriptures. I like to use a Scripture Writing Journal – printable ones that I have created and blank journals that I have purchased. A few years back, I created a Proverbs Scripture Writing Journal – I used my creativity of various fonts and wrote out verses that spoke to me from each Chapter of Proverbs.
There are various forms of Journaling that I use to help me in my Spiritual Growth. Journaling is a great way to spend time with Jesus because you can completely transparent and honest in your writing. Prayer Journal, Devotional Journal, Morning Journal, Evening Journal, Reflection Journal and Healing Journal are just a few examples of Journaling that you can do.
How about you? What is your favourite way to spend time with Jesus in the morning and what else would you add to the list? Leave a comment below and if you enjoyed this article please share it with others.