December 30, 2010
To the Saints of God; may the grace, mercy and love of our Lord Jesus Christ abide with you.
During this Christmas Season, we want to thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord and to us. We are able to be in those places where the Lord would have us to be because of your support through pray and finances. And so, we present to you some ministry opportunities that we have before us:
Happener’s Retreat in Honduras in February; teaching opportunity in Sydney, Australia at the end of February/first of March; chaplain for the Church of the Transfiguration, Vail, CO in March; teaching mission with Howard Ball to the Atlantida Deanery in Honduras in March; Kairos prison ministry in SC in May; two schools in Colorado Springs, CO some time late summer and language school in Honduras some time after our time in CO. All of these opportunities need your prayer for them to come about.
The cost of the Happener’s Retreat is $2,750.00 for 50 young adults. This price includes transportation to and from the Retreat, room and board, supplies and a t-shirt. We only need $875.00 more toward the Retreat. And then another $2,000.00 for us and our translators from Costa Rica to get to Honduras. So, we only need $2,875.00 more to make a go of this for the future leaders of the Episcopal Church in Honduras.
Abney still needs $1,400.00 for her DTS at this time and will need another $4,500.00 in April for her outreach.
We ask that you prayerfully consider how you are to respond to these requests. Some of you will be used to only pray that the finances will come forward. Some of you will be asked to pray and to give. All we ask is that you will be faithful to that which the Lord asks of you! For those of you who are to give financially, please write your check out to St. Augustine’s Mission Fund and let us know where you want you gift to go on a separate piece of paper. Send it to us at the address below.
Merry Christmas and a most Blessed New Year,
Fr. Joe & Tina
2280 Clematis Trail
Sumter, SC 29150
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Fr. Mike Flynn Conference
Being Responsive to the Holy Spirit for Life and Ministry
A Conference Led By:
The Rev. Mike Flynn
Sponsored by
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church
Wedgefield, South Carolina
May 20-23, 2010
Registration Form:
Name: ____________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________
Telephone Number for Conference Contact: __________________
What to bring
(1) Paper and pen to take notes
(2) Bible
(3) Check or cash to purchase books or Cds
Fees and Payment: Individual $15.00 and couples $25.00
Enclosed is my/our check for $15.00 ____ $25.00 ______
Please make check payable to St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church and mail it along with this registration form to:
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church
Att: John R. Spann
Post Office Box 247
Wedgefield, SC 29168
For questions, contact John Spann at (803) 494-2988 or spannj@ftc-I.net or
Father Joseph Rhodes at (803) 481-0270 or joetina71@aol.com
Schedule/Time/Place
Thursday May 20 / 6:00 PM
Opening Session @ St. Augustine’s Church
Friday May 21 / 10:00 AM
Special session (Pastors Only) @ St. Augustine’s Church
Friday May 21 / 6:00 PM
Third Session @ Alice Dr. Elementary School
Saturday May 22 / 10:00 A. M.
Fourth Session @ Alice Dr. Elementary School
Saturday May 22 / 4:00 P. M.
Fifth Session @ Alice Dr. Elementary School
Sunday May 23 / 11:30 A. M.
Closing Service @ St. Augustine’s Church
The Topics for the Sessions Include the following:
1. Demonstrating the Spirit’s Power
2. Developing a Healing Ministry Without Blowing Up Your Church
3. The Seven Steps in Developing Lay Ministers
4. Having Faith for Healing
5. Growing in the Spirit’s Power
Father Mike Flynn
Fr. Mike Flynn is an Episcopal priest who was mentored in power ministry during the early 80s’ by John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Movement. In 1985, while Mike was pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Burbank, CA, he began taking his people on the road giving to the wider church the dynamics they field-tested at St. Jude’s. Over the next decade they led 150 conferences. At the present Mike has led over 470 conferences.
Fresh Wind’s vision is to teach, model, and impart responsiveness to the Holy Spirit. While the themes and teachings are tailored to each client group, general areas of use are power ministry, physical healing, emotional healing, lay ministry development, discipleship, ministry to the poor, prayer, spiritual growth, power evangelism, and understanding and using biblical faith. For more information, see the website at www.freshwindministries.org.
Mike has written several books, among them Holy Vulnerability, Chosen Books, 1990 (2) Inner Healing, co-authored with Doug Gregg, 1993 (3) Making Disciples, 1997.
Mike received a B. A. at the university of California at Santa Barbara in 1963 and an M. Div. at University of the South,. Sewanee, TN in 1966. Mike pastured 4 churches in the Los Angeles area 1966-96, most recently St. Jude’s Burbank, 1981-1996. Married for 47 years, Mike and Sue are parents of 4 grown sons who have brought forth 4 grandchildren.
Driving Directions To St. Augustine’s:
From Columbia
Take Hwy 76/378 from Columbia Toward Sumter. After crossing the Wateree River, continue for approximately 9.8 miles to Stateburg. At the intersection of 76/378 and Hwy 261, turn right onto Hwy 261 and following the instruction to Poinsett State Park. At the entrance gate of Poinsett, turn left onto the dirt road and continue for approximately 1/2 mile. The church sits on your right.
From Florence
Take I-95 from Florence toward Savannah. Exit from I-95, at Exit 135, and proceed west toward Sumter, SC. In Sumter, Continue on 76/378 toward Shaw Air Force Base. Go past the Base entrance gate on 76/378 to the intersection of 76/378 and Hwy. 261. Turn right onto 261, and following the instructions to Poinsett State Park. The Church is located approximately 1/2 mile on your right.
From Charleston
Take I-95 North toward Florence. From I-95, exit at Manning, SC onto Hwy. 261 West. Continue on Hwy. 261 through Manning, Paxville, and Pinewood. Approximately 9 miles out of Pinewood, follow the directions to Poinsett State Park. At the entrance gate of Poinsett, turn left. The Church is approximately 1/2 mile on your right.
A Conference Led By:
The Rev. Mike Flynn
Sponsored by
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church
Wedgefield, South Carolina
May 20-23, 2010
Registration Form:
Name: ____________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________
Telephone Number for Conference Contact: __________________
What to bring
(1) Paper and pen to take notes
(2) Bible
(3) Check or cash to purchase books or Cds
Fees and Payment: Individual $15.00 and couples $25.00
Enclosed is my/our check for $15.00 ____ $25.00 ______
Please make check payable to St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church and mail it along with this registration form to:
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church
Att: John R. Spann
Post Office Box 247
Wedgefield, SC 29168
For questions, contact John Spann at (803) 494-2988 or spannj@ftc-I.net or
Father Joseph Rhodes at (803) 481-0270 or joetina71@aol.com
Schedule/Time/Place
Thursday May 20 / 6:00 PM
Opening Session @ St. Augustine’s Church
Friday May 21 / 10:00 AM
Special session (Pastors Only) @ St. Augustine’s Church
Friday May 21 / 6:00 PM
Third Session @ Alice Dr. Elementary School
Saturday May 22 / 10:00 A. M.
Fourth Session @ Alice Dr. Elementary School
Saturday May 22 / 4:00 P. M.
Fifth Session @ Alice Dr. Elementary School
Sunday May 23 / 11:30 A. M.
Closing Service @ St. Augustine’s Church
The Topics for the Sessions Include the following:
1. Demonstrating the Spirit’s Power
2. Developing a Healing Ministry Without Blowing Up Your Church
3. The Seven Steps in Developing Lay Ministers
4. Having Faith for Healing
5. Growing in the Spirit’s Power
Father Mike Flynn
Fr. Mike Flynn is an Episcopal priest who was mentored in power ministry during the early 80s’ by John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Movement. In 1985, while Mike was pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Burbank, CA, he began taking his people on the road giving to the wider church the dynamics they field-tested at St. Jude’s. Over the next decade they led 150 conferences. At the present Mike has led over 470 conferences.
Fresh Wind’s vision is to teach, model, and impart responsiveness to the Holy Spirit. While the themes and teachings are tailored to each client group, general areas of use are power ministry, physical healing, emotional healing, lay ministry development, discipleship, ministry to the poor, prayer, spiritual growth, power evangelism, and understanding and using biblical faith. For more information, see the website at www.freshwindministries.org.
Mike has written several books, among them Holy Vulnerability, Chosen Books, 1990 (2) Inner Healing, co-authored with Doug Gregg, 1993 (3) Making Disciples, 1997.
Mike received a B. A. at the university of California at Santa Barbara in 1963 and an M. Div. at University of the South,. Sewanee, TN in 1966. Mike pastured 4 churches in the Los Angeles area 1966-96, most recently St. Jude’s Burbank, 1981-1996. Married for 47 years, Mike and Sue are parents of 4 grown sons who have brought forth 4 grandchildren.
Driving Directions To St. Augustine’s:
From Columbia
Take Hwy 76/378 from Columbia Toward Sumter. After crossing the Wateree River, continue for approximately 9.8 miles to Stateburg. At the intersection of 76/378 and Hwy 261, turn right onto Hwy 261 and following the instruction to Poinsett State Park. At the entrance gate of Poinsett, turn left onto the dirt road and continue for approximately 1/2 mile. The church sits on your right.
From Florence
Take I-95 from Florence toward Savannah. Exit from I-95, at Exit 135, and proceed west toward Sumter, SC. In Sumter, Continue on 76/378 toward Shaw Air Force Base. Go past the Base entrance gate on 76/378 to the intersection of 76/378 and Hwy. 261. Turn right onto 261, and following the instructions to Poinsett State Park. The Church is located approximately 1/2 mile on your right.
From Charleston
Take I-95 North toward Florence. From I-95, exit at Manning, SC onto Hwy. 261 West. Continue on Hwy. 261 through Manning, Paxville, and Pinewood. Approximately 9 miles out of Pinewood, follow the directions to Poinsett State Park. At the entrance gate of Poinsett, turn left. The Church is approximately 1/2 mile on your right.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3.5-6)
Acknowledge Him:
So much of our ability to trust the Lord is in our ability to Acknowledge Him. I have the tendency to Acknowledge Him when I find myself in a time of need. When life is on the wide and straight, who needs to Acknowledge the Lord? Well, that's our problem, at least it is for me. As I look at the life of Jesus, I notice that He spent a lot of time with His Father in prayer. And Jesus always Acknowledged the Father in His ministry. When we Acknowledge the Lord, we are really depending on His faithfulness. Therefore, as we Acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, we develop a trust in Him who is always faithful.
Fr. Joe
So much of our ability to trust the Lord is in our ability to Acknowledge Him. I have the tendency to Acknowledge Him when I find myself in a time of need. When life is on the wide and straight, who needs to Acknowledge the Lord? Well, that's our problem, at least it is for me. As I look at the life of Jesus, I notice that He spent a lot of time with His Father in prayer. And Jesus always Acknowledged the Father in His ministry. When we Acknowledge the Lord, we are really depending on His faithfulness. Therefore, as we Acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, we develop a trust in Him who is always faithful.
Fr. Joe
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Trust
As part of our preparation for our time in La Ceiba, we are to read, meditate, and pray Proverbs 3.5-6.
That being said, here is what stood out to me when I read Proverbs 3.5-6: "Trust the Lord with all your heart"
Reflection: So, how is your TRUST factor? Who do you TRUST? Why? Have you ever sat back and asked why you TRUST certain people and others you don't? For me, I TRUST people until they break the TRUST which I have given them. Now Tina, my wife, doesn't TRUST anyone straight away. You have to earn her TRUST. Neither way is right or wrong, but what is important is that we develop a TRUST in God and with others. Part of military training is to TRUST because when you are in combat, you are dependent on others for your life. The same should be true for those of us who claim to be Christian. If you tell me that you are a Christian, then I should be able to TRUST you because you have made a statement that carries with it a set of commitments that go with it. We have given ourselves; our desires, our rights, our lives, to Him that is TRUST worthy, to Jesus. So, for us to TRUST the Lord will all our heart, seems to speak to us in a way that our entire being can depend on Jesus in all situations.
We were created to be in community. Paul refers to the community of the faithful as the Body of Christ or the Church. We need each other on this journey of life on earth and as we put our TRUST in Jesus. We need to TRUST that Jesus will be faithful to us through His Church, through each other.
Lord Jesus, enable us through your Holy Spirit who dwells in us to be TRUST worthy, as you are.
Blessings to all,
Fr. Joe
That being said, here is what stood out to me when I read Proverbs 3.5-6: "Trust the Lord with all your heart"
Reflection: So, how is your TRUST factor? Who do you TRUST? Why? Have you ever sat back and asked why you TRUST certain people and others you don't? For me, I TRUST people until they break the TRUST which I have given them. Now Tina, my wife, doesn't TRUST anyone straight away. You have to earn her TRUST. Neither way is right or wrong, but what is important is that we develop a TRUST in God and with others. Part of military training is to TRUST because when you are in combat, you are dependent on others for your life. The same should be true for those of us who claim to be Christian. If you tell me that you are a Christian, then I should be able to TRUST you because you have made a statement that carries with it a set of commitments that go with it. We have given ourselves; our desires, our rights, our lives, to Him that is TRUST worthy, to Jesus. So, for us to TRUST the Lord will all our heart, seems to speak to us in a way that our entire being can depend on Jesus in all situations.
We were created to be in community. Paul refers to the community of the faithful as the Body of Christ or the Church. We need each other on this journey of life on earth and as we put our TRUST in Jesus. We need to TRUST that Jesus will be faithful to us through His Church, through each other.
Lord Jesus, enable us through your Holy Spirit who dwells in us to be TRUST worthy, as you are.
Blessings to all,
Fr. Joe
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Teaching Opportunity
I will be teaching at the Island Breeze-Sydney next week, Jan 26-28. The topics are Faith & Finances and Stewardship. Since each base is part of the University of the Nations, there are certain element and performance criteria that is attached with each topic. The element under Faith & Finances is to Reflect Christ in Relationships. The Performance Criteria where Biblical principals ofservant hood and humility are explored and applied in a personal life style. The Element for Stewardship is to Integrate the biblical principles of responsible stewardship into one's lifestyle. The Performance Criteria involves biblical principles of stewardship as they apply to all of creation: Relationships, The Environment, Personal Health, The value of work, The value of rest, Generosity, Finances, Spiritual Gifts, Hospitality, and the value of Time. These principles are to be incorporated into each person's life style.
I will have 3 hrs each day or a total of 9 hrs. What a privilege to be able to invest into the lives of these young people who will be going all over the world to proclaim the saving Grace and Love of Jesus. But remember, it's not just me. It is you as well as you remember me in your prayers, that I might teach faithfully the Word of God in a manner that is understood and as you pray for each of the students and staff that will hear the teaching. Thank you for yourfaithfulness in joining with me in this venture.
I leave for Sydney on Saturday, Jan 23rd at 7:00 PM Brisbane time or 4:00 AM Eastern USA time and arriving in Sydney at 9:30 PM or 5:30 AM EST. I will be returning to Brisbane on Saturday, Jan30th at 5:00PM Sydney time or 1:00 AM and arriving in Brisbane at 5:30 PM or 2:30 AM EST.
Be Blessed to be a Blessing,
Fr. Joe
I will have 3 hrs each day or a total of 9 hrs. What a privilege to be able to invest into the lives of these young people who will be going all over the world to proclaim the saving Grace and Love of Jesus. But remember, it's not just me. It is you as well as you remember me in your prayers, that I might teach faithfully the Word of God in a manner that is understood and as you pray for each of the students and staff that will hear the teaching. Thank you for yourfaithfulness in joining with me in this venture.
I leave for Sydney on Saturday, Jan 23rd at 7:00 PM Brisbane time or 4:00 AM Eastern USA time and arriving in Sydney at 9:30 PM or 5:30 AM EST. I will be returning to Brisbane on Saturday, Jan30th at 5:00PM Sydney time or 1:00 AM and arriving in Brisbane at 5:30 PM or 2:30 AM EST.
Be Blessed to be a Blessing,
Fr. Joe
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Prayer of Consecration....The Holy Eucharist
This comes from Tina, my beloved: "I had an interesting image or thought this morning at church during the consecration part ... the words were that on the night before he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take,eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me......I was thinking that each Sunday as we take the communion bread and wine that we are fed before our week of work... whatever our task will be that week that we have been fed His presence and he is part of us and as we remember the bread and wine that we are to remember he is with us and goes with us.. into the world and as he was obedient to death we are to be obedient to the work before us ... also His task after eating was to suffer and die; our tasks for the coming week may include suffering and dying to many things as well as death too. I was so struck by the strength that was given to Jesus by this bread and wine.... a simple sustenance but a powerful gift from the Father... He gives us a simple reminder each week as we receive but a powerful reminder of what is given to us ...his presence and strength...and those words of the Eucharist spoke to me today in such a powerful way. It makes me want to take the Eucharist daily."
For His Sake,
Tina Rhodes
For His Sake,
Tina Rhodes
Monday, January 4, 2010
Christmas 2009
January 2, 2010
As we sit to write you on this 8th day of Christmas we are filled with thanksgiving and joy for what the Lord has done for the world in sending His son, Jesus and what He has done and continues to do in our life and yours. We love writing our Christmas letter during the twelve days of Christmas because we have time to focus without all the preparations and parties we all do for Christmas. We can reflect, remember, reminisce, and pray for each of you and thank the Lord for your lives. Part of a scripture from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 comes to mind…..” There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven….” We have found 2009 to be a year of great change, a different season, a constant changing season, and we know that many of you have had great changes in your life too. We have been so blessed to be a part of these changes in your life and to sow prayer into your life. We are also blessed because you have surrounded us in prayer. Thank you for who you are and how you share His love.
Because so many of you are on our email list and check our web page where our newsletters are posted you are up to date with our daily life, so we thought we’d just give Thanks to the Lord for the most recent events that have occurred and those to occur in this season where we find ourselves.
We are thankful for:
…….the wedding of Simon and Stacey – now Mr. and Mrs. Simon Fua –that took place Dec. 19, 2009 in Brisbane , Australia.
…….the Fua family and our family being brought together .
……for Joe being able to remain in Australia to attend Daniel’s ordination on Feb.6, 2010 to the Deaconate in the Anglican church.
…… the adoption process for Daniel, Kerry, Isaiah, and Ethan as they wait for a little sister to come from Thailand to join their family.
…… the upcoming wedding of Ansley to Brooks Whiteside on May 1, 2010.
…… the up coming wedding of our niece Kate Klammer to Benny Bradberry on May 15, 2010.
…… our work in Honduras and the two teams who will be accompanying us in June/July.
……the family and friends who have supported us with prayer and finances to do the work we find before us.
……the continued health of our nieces, Jennifer and Abbie who have had cancer.
…….the life we have been given.
In closing we pray ….Almighty God to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you nothing is hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may live, move, and have our being in you. That we may each embrace the change that has come into our lives- that season of life known only to you; who is our Provider, our Security, our Comforter, our Counselor, our Helper, the Author and the Perfector of our faith. Amen.
We love you and may 2010 be a most blessed year and filled with His abundant love, joy and peace!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,
Joe, Tina, and Abney
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Fr. Joe, Tina, Bishop Allen