Here is some news from Fr. Rob in Hinche, Haiti!  These are exerpts from his report on Jan 30.  This morning he was on his way to celebrate Eucharist with Fr. Walin deCamps.  Please keep him and George Lockwood in your prayers as they complete their trip and return to the U.S. in the next few days.  Please also continue to pray for our sister parish in St. Andres and our ministry with the school.

 
Fr. Walin DeCamps

Jan 30, 2012:

Hi everybody! 

We are here.  For only one day, it's been a full one.  I felt a lot fresher than I expected after two nights in a row of definitely not enough sleep.  Both George and I are feeling well.  We had uneventful flights, and were greeted by Walin at the airport.  We drove around Port-au-Prince primarily so that George could see the earthquake damage for the first time, including the destroyed Cathedral.  Indeed, as I had been told, it's not quite as bad as it all was in Oct. 2010 when I was here last, but it's still fairly bleak.  Lots of rubble has been removed, and there definitely are less people living in tents.  (However, the tent cities are definitely a lot more shabby.)

We got to the school in the afternoon, and there has been a lot of improvement to the grounds, both the school and rectory. 

Highlight of the day was playing ball with Fedde (3 years old) and Kenoa (5 years old) in the play yard of the school as the sun was going down.

Now I have been called downstairs to partake in Prestige beer and peanuts outside in this cool, pleasant evening.  DEET is on!  And fried chicken is on the way.

Peace and love to you all,
+Rob

PS: the picture is of the bells at Trinity Cathedral.

The Annual Meeting this past Sunday was a success!  Thank you to all those who attended.  Fr. Rob gave a fantastic presentation on the accomplishments of the church this past year (new roof on the sanctuary, wonderful new landscaping around the Learning Center, among many others!) and highlighted some key areas to focus on as we move forward this year. 

The Vestry Class of 2011 was thanked for their service: Betty Kasson, our Sr. Warden, and Joe Heston, our acting Sr. Warden; Dick Merrill; Ollie White and Karen Ward.  The newly elected Vestry members will be Dave Lambert; Nancy Green; Sue Masters; Bill Solms; Debbie Howitt and George Lockwood!  Congratulations also to our new Sr. Warden, Mystery Chastain!

The recipient of the "Scalloped Potato" Award for excellent service behind-the-scenes goes to Chase Melich, and the "Broken Hammer" Award for their tireless work around the church grounds goes jointly to Liz Rondelle and Pam Gallaway! 

The new Photo Directory was distributed, and if you still need a copy there will be more available on the Welcome Table this Sunday.

Finally, here is a video clip from Leslie Choplin, our new Youth Minister, who will be moving out from Georgia in April! 

Meet Leslie Choplin!

1. You may leave your loved ones in a quandary since they have no explicit instructions about how to settle your estate. Hand written notes in lieu of a will are a poor substitute for the real thing.
2. Disagreements among heirs can poison family relationships as all end up unhappy with how assets were ultimately distributed.
3. The way your estate is finally settled may be quite different from what you actually wanted.
4. Estate taxes may have to be paid.

When the time actually comes that you need a will, it is too late to write one! So, don't procrastinate. If you don't have a will, get started on one now.

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

1 Timothy 6:7-8

You have until Sunday, Feb 5 to get your best photos of the local area in to Tisza for the contest!  You may e-mail them to her at stdunstanschurch@gmail.com or bring them by the Parish Office.  The photos will be blown up and displayed in the Parish Hall for voting next Fri, Feb 10 through Feb 26.  (Details for voting will follow in next week's eNewsletter.)  The winning photos to be selected for enlargement and framing in the Guild Room of the Parish Hall!  So get your final photos in for the contest!

The following items where found around the church parking lot this past Sunday - please come to the Parish Office or call Tisza at 624-6646 to retrieve:

- Brown-framed reading glasses

- Child's "Burt's Bees" purse

There are many other items in the "Lost & Found" box in the Parish Office so please stop by and take a peek.  Those keys, glasses and remote control you wrote off long ago as MIA may still be reclaimed!

BIRTHDAYS

Feb 10   Tammy Hawkins

Feb 11    Kim Murray 

Feb 12    Sue Masters

Feb 22    Courtney Shevelson

Feb 23    Dick Merrill

UPCOMING EVENTS

8:45 am Staff Meeting

10:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I

11:00 am Prayer Shawl Ministry

4:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

5:15 pm  Handbell Rehearsal

5:30 pm "EfM" Class