From Our Priest

 Dearly Beloved:

I just came back from Wildwood where we had the Annual Diocesans Convention. It was just wonderful to see so many colleagues and friends who are serving in different parishes of our diocese. It was also nice to see so many of our church folks in attendance at the convention and also at the ECW annual breakfast meeting.

I want to specially thank all our members who made it down to Wildwood. I felt very proud seeing you all seated and participating in the business of the Diocese. 

February ended with a wonderful day of the Union of Black Episcopalian at St Augustine’s. Annette Buchanan and Linda Shomo were very impressed with the whole set up.  Generally, they had a very lovely time and want me to thank you for the wonderful reception. By the way I missed hearing the Sunday school kids, singing. Thank you kids! 

The week before, we had a Bus load of members from our church present at Trinity Cathedral with Episcopalians from other parts of the Diocese celebrating the annual service of Black witness. That was another lovely day. 

The Welcoming Ministry has kicked off very well with great programs. Valentine's Day Party! In an Episcopal Church?!  Father, you must be out of your mind. Well that’s what we are doing. Creative ways of reaching out to friends and family members. That was certainly an A+ score from me. I hope all Guilds will focus on only one issue for now: HOW TO REACH OUT TO OUR NEIGHBOURS in Atlantic City creatively and effectively. 

Many are still out there who do not have a church that they attend regularly. Let’s go out daily and knock on those closed doors, those new homes and those lonely homes and invite them to Christ and to church. 

This month we shall start off OSA 200 Program. The goal is clear: “Every Member Win One Soul A Month”. If 60 people start winning one soul a month, we should have 120 people after 1st month, 180 in 2nd month, and 240 in 3rd Month..... With this doubling church attendance in three months is possible. I am convinced that we can do it. We can have an Average Sunday Attendance of 200 by December, 2008.

Let’s go for it!

Watch out for more details on these soon.

With Love, 

Your Priest

Father Augustine 

"Soulwinning must become a passion before it becomes a program."