WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – June 2nd – Fr. Thomas

I’ve only been “kicked out” of a church once in my life. Some twenty plus years ago I was attending an ecumenical conference in Rome. After the conclusion of the conference, I traveled up to Assisi, the home of St. Francis. It was a Sunday morning and I went to mass at the basilica dedicated to their famous saint. Although I’m not fluent in Italian, I was familiar with the first part of the mass and the scripture readings, but when it came time for the sermon, I didn’t understand what the preacher was saying. So, to make good use of the time, I pulled out my binoculars and meditated on the gorgeous frescoes by Giotto, which adorn the upper walls of the cathedral. I studied Renaissance art in college and was thoroughly impressed by the collection of images that had recently been restored to their former quality.

My “meditative” moment came to an abrupt end, however, when the lead usher came up the aisle, tapped me on the shoulder, and escorted me out of the church, thinking that I was simply some random tourist only there to venerate the paintings and not participate in the communal worship. Coincidentally, I returned to Assisi some years later with Erin and my in-laws, and visited the basilica, and wouldn’t you know it, that same usher was at the main entrance! Not wishing to relive the previous experience, I quickly and quietly found an alternate entrance!

My thirty-two plus years among you at St. David’s has been a rich blessing to me, but now is the time for me to leave this wonderful church. Please know that all of you will forever be in my, and Erin’s thoughts and prayers. I trust the search committee and Vestry will find a suitable and competent Rector in good time. And remember, it’s not all about the Rector and staff – it’s about our relationship with God – our life, witness and devotion to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, through the intercession of His blessed mother Mary. Amen.

Weekly Offering for Week Ending 5/27/2023. Total $3,819.00. Average Weekly Budget $4,646.00. The difference ($827).

Sandwiches for St. George’s. Please bring your sandwiches to St. David’s west side parking lot on Wednesday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Coffee Hour is scheduled immediately after the 8:00 a.m. service. Coffee hour is in honor of Fr. Thomas and Erin.

No Hospitality Hour scheduled for this Sunday.

Father Thomas’ Retirement Brunch Celebration will be held this Sunday, June 4th immediately after the 10:00 a.m. service at The Wanderers Club located at 1900 Aero Club Drive, Wellington from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free valet parking.

Driving directions:

Head South toward St. Davids Way

Turn left onto St. Davids Way

Turn right onto Wellington Trace

Go straight for 1.5 miles

Turn right onto Greenview Shores Blvd.

Continue straight for 2.4 miles until you come to a Flashing Red light

Turn left onto Club Drive

Turn left into parking lot

St. David’s Summer Soiree. St. David’s Summer Soirée Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, June 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Temple Beth Torah located at 900 Big Blue Trace, Wellington. Tickets are now on sale after service. The cost is $75.00 per person in advance and $80.00 at the door. Join us for an evening of dinner and dancing. It’s a great weekend for celebrating your Fathers too!

Bible Study. Sunday 9 a.m. in the school building. The study is open to anyone who is interested. Please feel free to join us.

The Women’s Bible Study is now in recess until the first Sunday after Labor Day, September 10th.

There is no Sunday school today. Sunday school will resume on June 11th.

Forward Day by Day brochures are now available in the narthex. Donation $3.00.

Sunday’s Worship – We are open for live worship on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. We also “live-stream” our 10 a.m. service.

Video Viewing Options for Sunday’s mass. There are three different ways to view our videos: 1) our church website; 2) our Facebook page; and 3) our YouTube channel. See the links listed below.

Opportunities for Giving – there are several options that safely and efficiently expedite your generous donations: electronic bank transfers or automatic bank transfers via personal accounts or credit/debit cards; personal checks delivered by USPS; and our favorite through joining our giving family online through our website or at https://www.myEoffering.com with our secure vendor Church Envelope Budget Company, who provides you with yearly offering envelopes. Please do NOT leave any envelopes with checks/cash unattended at church mailboxes.

PLEASE PRAY. For the sick: Adrian, Alice, Annette, Barbara, Beth, Carol, Carolyn, Chester, David, Dee, Diana, Dolores, Donna, Dorothy, Doris, Doug, Dudley, Ezra, Gina, Grace, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jeanne, Jill, Joaquin, Jory, Kenzie, Manuel, Michael, Miguel, Parker, Patricia, Predrag, Rachel, Robin, Ron, Rosie, Scott, Sharon, Shelly, Steve, Sue, Susan, Theresa, Tracy, Vernetta, Violet, William, Woody. For the departed: Pearl Saunders. For birthday celebrations: Grace Hadicke, Victoria Wolliston, Riley Bresnahan, Ava Wolliston. For our expectant mothers: Taylor and Bethany.

Our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/SaintDavidsinthePinesWellingtonFL