Pandemic or not, November on into Advent is a time of year where our calendars tend to be full. For these ministry opportunities I give thanks. I want to highlight a few offerings and provide an update on another. I hope you will consider taking advantage of one or several of these opportunities.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service:
Join virtually with other members of the Wilmington faith community on Sunday November 22 at 4pm for a service of Thanksgiving. Despite the challenges this year has presented to many of us, there is still much in our lives to be thankful for. Please join myself and other faith leaders in our community as we give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Join the Zoom Call by following this link: Interfaith Thanksgiving Zoom Service
Journey Through East Carolina:
Beginning on Sunday November 29 members from around the diocese will begin a journey of discovery through intentional movement, learning, and prayer. Those who would like to participate are encouraged to register using this link. You may journey alone and log the distance you cover by either walking, running, biking, or some other intentional form of movement, or you may join a team. St. Paul’s has as team and if you’d like to join us simply select “St. Paul’s Wilmington” in the drop down menu when registering. Those who register will receive weekly emails with stories about the counties that make up our diocese as well as some local history. Seasonal meditations will also be provided throughout. I hope you join our team and join us on this journey.
World AIDS Day and the Names Project:
The Frank Harr Foundation and Seeds of Healing, two of St. Paul’s community partners who utilize the Ormond Center, will be hosting a week of events beginning on November 29th to raise awareness and remembrance of those who affected by HIV/AIDS. Events will include viewing of locally made quilt panels memorializing family and friends lost to HIV/AIDS, refreshments offered outside the Ormond Center on December 1 and more. Details and event registration can be found on Frank Harr’s Facebook page.
Update: BELK Charity Day Sale for Nourish NC:
Many members of St. Paul’s have participated in this sale to raise funds for Nourish NC’s Backpack program. Since 2014 St. Paul’s through these efforts has supported as many as 25 children at Snipes Academy and we will continue to do so in 2020-2021. Due to restrictions put in place to stem the spread of COVID-19 Belk has significantly altered the way they are running their Charity Day sales this fall. Due to these restrictions St. Paul’s will not be participating this fall. We hope that in May conditions will be favorable for us to participate so that we may continue to support those students through our fundraising efforts. We want to thank all of you who have worked over the years to sell tickets and those who have purchased them. We hope to be back at it in the Spring.