Rector’s Update: 4 things I don’t want you to miss

Good morning Restoration,

As September draws to a close, my heart is full of thanksgiving for all that the Lord has done in our community this month.  For example-  the return of Kids’ Small Groups; the explosion of Apex attendance and excitement; the start of Alpha; the start of the Restoration Clergy Development Program and our first participant, Chris Lugo; baptisms!!!; the start of adult small groups; and all of the conversations, prayers, and decisions that have come with these starts. As we have prayed recently in Psalm 54, “I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.”

4 Things I Don’t Want You To Miss
Over the next two weeks, there are four unusual (as in ‘outside of our normal weekly rhythm’) opportunities for you to get connected to what is happening in our church.  Perhaps one of them (or all!) might be something you choose in order to participate in the good things that grow here.

1. Parish Meeting, Sunday Oct. 3, 12:30-1, after the 11am service: 
   We do this three times a year.  It is less ‘meeting’ and more ‘celebration of what is happening in our church’.  You will hear a financial update from our treasurer on the last fiscal year, our budget plans for the coming year, and a report on the plan to refinance and pay off our mortgage.  We will also talk about the forthcoming vestry election and review our staff changes and staff openings.  It will last 30 minutes. You will be out by 1. Promise.  And we will have child care for kids 5th grade and below.    
    
2. Reconciliation+Restoration Prayer Group:  This is a new opportunity to connect to God, others, and the needs of the world.  On the first Sunday of the month, from 5-6pm, a group of people is gathering over Zoom to pray for God’s healing of our divisions and reconciliation between ethnicities.  The next gathering is this Sunday, October 3. You can join the call from the events page on our website.  
    
3. Living God’s Story at Restoration. Tuesday, October 5, 7-9pm, Fellowship Hall. If you are new to the church or interested in membership at Restoration, this is the evening for you!  We will have dinner, hot and ready, at 7pm, followed by an opportunity to tell you the story of Restoration and what’s involved in being a member.  The deadline to RSVP is Oct. 3.  Let us know you are coming, here.
    
4. The. Fall. Retreat. October 8-10 at Resto and all over town.  All of the details are, here. My letter of invitation is here. And the place to sign up is here. The whole thing is going to be a blast.  Great teaching, fun activities, bonfires, picnics, Chick Fil A… Come on!  The deadline to register is, October 5. I hope that you can join us!

Have a great week everybody!  See you this Sunday.
-David