First I must offer my thanks to all of you for your warm reception. It certainly has been established early that the parish and the local community are hospitable. Jessica, Parker and I have been delighted by the warmth of everyone in helping us to settle into our new life here in Wickford. We feel truly blessed to be able to become a part of your community.

In these first months it has been a pleasure to join you in worship and preach at different occasions in the months of June, July and August. As a newly ordained deacon of the Church, I am confident that the Spirit has led us correctly to St. Paul’s. This letter, it seems, is a good opportunity to explain that I will remain a deacon for the term of six months, at which point I will be ordained a priest by Bishop Wolf here at St. Paul’s. Until that time I will be assisting Father Phil and other Priests in leading worship as a deacon.

I am excited to announce the kick-off of a new year of youth activities here. By the time of this Communicant’s publication, planning meetings will have been conducted and we will soon be beginning our school year with an emphasis on regular weekly middle school and high school youth groups. I will be there every week, so hopefully we will grow a thriving group of teens. The emphasis will be on fellowship, fun and faith. I can’t wait to meet more of St. Paul’s youth as the school year begins. Please keep checking the church calendar and website for more youth announcements. I hope to have exciting activities and grand dreams for these youth groups. If you have children that are particularly interested in youth group activities, please contact me at St. Paul’s office or email agates@stpaulswickford.org.

Faithfully,      Alan Gates