Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is count down time for Synod and a number of you have made no plans to attend.  This year’s Synod is certainly drivable for so many being located about the geographical center.  Synods are not optional unless special permission is requested for hardship.  We have much to do and decisions to make and we need everyone both clergy and laity to be a part of the work of God’s Kingdom through our Diocese.  Our Synods are also a time of spiritual refreshment as we worship together, share experiences and spend time in fellowship with each other.  Let’s not let each other and ourselves down by not making the effort to assemble together.  The Deanery of the Deep South under the leadership of the Very Rev. Gene Mallard are working very hard to make this time together profitable and spiritually uplifting.  If you have a hardship please let me know by e-mail or phone call.

I want to thank St. Michael’s Church, Charlotte, N.C., its rector and area dean, Fr. Richard Bakley and Deaconess Tina Jenkins for the tremendous effort they put into making the Anglican Life Adventure Camp such a success each year.  There are a number of our young people who attend this camp each year and return again and again.  This is one of the unique opportunities our young people have to meet Anglican youth from other parts of the church and diocese. Thank you to the parents and the parishes who make arrangements to transport their and other children to camp. This can be a huge sacrifice of time and finance, but I do believe it is well worth it.  Each year at the DEUS Synod we look forward to hearing the report about camp and seeing the pictures.

I want to thank those who have generously donated to the India Missionary Trip.  Please pray that those of us who visit there will be a blessing to them and encourage them in the work they do for God’s Kingdom.  One important thing I have learned while visiting the Christians there, is that they want to know that you love Jesus and I always tell those who travel with me, tell them what Jesus means to you and they will listen.  How refreshing!  Pray for the success of the journey.

I am looking forward to seeing each of you in the DEUS at the Synod next month.  Pray also for Bishop Larry Shaver who will attend and speak at the DEUS Synod and then return to his Diocese for a Clergy Conference on Saturday, July 25.