Happy New Year! I pray that this month will mark a wonderful year of successful ministry here at St. Paul’s. It is hard to believe that this month marks the halfway point in my first year with the parish. January will also mark a significant point in my personal ministry, as I will be ordained to the priesthood on Sunday the 15th. I extend a warm invitation to everyone to attend and share in this unique ceremony of the Church.
January is also the time of those famous resolutions. I was never a big fan of resolutions, just as I was never one to give up something for Lent (I now prefer to take on some practice of devotion or education during Lent). All the same, here we are at that famous occasion where many pledge to improve their lives in the next year; quitting a particular vice, improving one’s health, or perhaps adding a bit more organization to one’s life. So I thought I might share a few resolutions I hope to achieve with your help in the coming year.
The first is fairly easy. I hope to get to know you better in the coming year. This first six months has been a test to match names and faces that still challenges me, but I hope I will get to know the personality of this church and the people who make it such a great place to be.
I hope to grow our parish youth groups. A goal for this year is to reach attendance at meetings of 20 or more youth at each meeting.
I hope to begin involving a greater number of adult members of the congregation as leaders of youth group activities. Developing long-term youth leadership will be key to assuring that St. Paul’s youth will continue to have a consistent and regular program in the future.
I hope to involve other groups and denominations within the North Kingstown and surrounding communities in providing positive and enriching experiences to our youth. We are already working with other area parishes to join efforts in better serving youth.
These are just a few resolutions I would like to share with you. Cutting back on my chocolate intake in the new year did not seem as important. I hope you will join me in participating in serving St. Paul’s youth this year. Or perhaps you might think of your own individual resolution you might make that would serve the St. Paul’s community.
God’s Peace,
Alan Gates