My dear brothers and sisters,

I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you.”

These words from the opening letter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians sum up my feelings for each of you and the joy I have in my heart as I consider the journey we are on together. Much has been accomplished during the past four months since our separation from the Episcopal Church. However, there are still many issues for us to prayerfully consider. Therefore, with the Board’s support, I am calling the people of Holy Trinity Anglican Church to a day of corporate prayer this coming Saturday, July 28. The Board and I will be on retreat from 8am-5pm to consider God’s will for the future of our church and to hear from Him about the timing of the steps that lie on the path to building a new church. The decision to call the congregation to this day of prayer came out of the Board meeting this past Monday evening. Many issues are before us as a congregation, including a possible name change, paying off the land on Miller Road, strategies for reaching out to the neighborhood around us, incorporating newcomers into the parish, insuring adequate ministry space at our current location, and building a new campus in accordance with God’s timing. These are only a few of the many issues that are before us as a congregation. As you have heard me say before, we must spend more time receiving input from the Lord than input from the world on important matters such as this. I believe that God has the answer to each of the issues that lie before us but we must spend an appropriate amount of time in prayer. Therefore, I ask each of you to commit to spend at least one hour in prayer on Saturday. That may mean five minutes each hour throughout then day, 20 minutes at three different times during the day (before each meal), or one solid hour. Below is a list of requests to guide you during this time of prayer:

• Possible name change for our congregation
• Building Campaign & Master Plan
• How to reach out to and incorporate newcomers to the parish
• Possible ministry space expansion at current location
• Ministry Programs and Outreach for the coming year

Remember the words of James: “If any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.” (James 1:5)

Thank you in advance for your prayers as we all seek the Lord’s will. May God bless each of you.

Faithfully in Jesus,

Father Lawrence Harrison