March 7, 2005
Fishers of Men
Our special service yesterday, March 6th, was a tremendous success. 173 parishioners and guests attended this Ordination of Deacons and Priest, Confirmation, and Formal Acceptance of New Members. The catered luncheon in the undercroft afterward was also a resounding success.
I would like to personally thank all church members who volunteered their time and worked hard to assure that St. Gabriel's looked Her best and that both the service and the luncheon ran smoothly. Thanks also to the five men of our Parish -- Timon Barr, Edward Knox, Rafael Carbajal, Bobby Hall and Scott Lay -- who recognized in them a higher calling and dedicated themselves in service of the Lord.
Our main church site's Clergy page has been updated to reflect the many changes that have occurred. Please click HERE to read about Father Timon Barr and all of our new volunteers. Please click HERE to read about our four new Deacons.
Thanks again to each of our parishioners for working hard to assure our guests felt welcome and this blessed event went smoothly. Thanks also to Bishop Reber for inspiring us to recognize and fulfill the calling God has for each of us.
Posted by frleo at 4:41 PM
February 28, 2005
Showers of Blessings!
Its a time of great blessing for St. Gabriel's and the United Episcopal Church of North America. With gratitude to God, St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church announces that this Sunday, March 6th at 10:00 a.m. The Most Rev. Stephen C. Reber, Sr., Presiding Bishop of the United Episcopal Church of North America (UECNA) will ordain Mr. Rafael Carbajal of Rogers, Dr. Bobby Hall of Bella Vista, Mr. Edward Knox of Huntsville and Mr. Scott Lay of Rogers to the Diaconate . Rev. Mr. Timon Barr of Jasper will be ordained to the Priesthood
Bobby Hall will serve at St. Gabriel's Bella Vista Mission Church. Scott Lay will assist the entire region of UECNA's Deanery of the Ozarks.
Rafael Carbajal will serve the Hispanic community of Northwest Arkansas as well as continue his leadership with Corpus Christi in Motion, a UECNA-supported non-profit ministry committed to individuals, family and community by helping maintain and restore wellness and mutual integration into society.
Edward Knox will assist at St. Gabriel's, Springdale as well as extend his services to St. Catherine's Church, Fayetteville.
Timon Barr will assist Fr. Leo Michael at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Springdale.
A reception in St. Gabriel's undercroft will follow the service.
May I request you to pray for all of them.
Posted by frleo at 7:31 PM
Exciting Times at St. Gabriel's
This is a very busy and exciting time for St. Gabriel's and the UECNA. We returned from our trip to South India and went straight into preparations for Lent. Additionally, we've held confirmation classes and classes for four postulants to the Diaconate.
On Sunday, March 6th -- The Fourth Sunday in Lent -- Bishop Reber will be at St. Gabriel's presiding over what should be a magnificent ceremony. Beginning at 10:00 on this day, new members will be officially welcomed to the Church, confirmations will be performed, four postulants will be ordained as Deacons and our beloved Deacon Timon Barr will be ordained to the priesthood. Following this approximately two-hour ceremony, a catered luncheon will be held in the undercroft. All parishioners are invited -- indeed encouraged -- to attend.
This coming Saturday, March 5th, Deacon Sam Seamans in Mountain Home will also be ordained to the priesthood. While Fr. Leo is attending this ceremony, our parishioners will gather at St. Gabriel's for a work day in preparation for Sunday's extraordinary gathering. We must make God's house especially beautiful to celebrate these blessed events.
Our Senior Warden Ed Knox, Rafael Carbajal, Dr. Bobby Hall from Bella Vista, and Scott Lay will be ordained to the Diaconate. Our long-serving Deacon, Timon Barr, will be ordained to the priesthood. St. Gabriel's is indeed blessed to have several good men step forward to serve Christ and the Church in this way. These ordinations, along with the confirmations and formal acceptance of new members, indicates life and growth in our Parish. This is so vital in these troubled times where so many are fallen away from not just the Christian faith, but faith and belief in God in general. It is especially important for Christ's faithful to maintain and to grow the Church, and receiving strong, faithful men into the Diaconate and Priesthood is an indication that we are succeeding. May these blessed events serve as an example and inspire others to embrace a life devoted to Christ and Christian principles.
We invite all parishioners to attend Sunday's service at 10:00 a.m. We also invite everyone to join us Saturday at 10:00 a.m. to help beautify our church and organize in preparation for the Bishop's visit.
Posted by frleo at 11:06 AM
December 10, 2004
Call to the Priesthood
From the United Episcopal Church of North America's website:
THE UNITED EPISCOPAL CHURCH of NORTH AMERICA is looking for men interested in becoming an Anglican Priest in both the United States and Canada. We have a immediate need for clergy in the South and the Mid-West.
Dedicated Christian men who feel a calling to serve Christ as a traditional Anglican priest, please click HERE for more information.
Posted by frleo at 5:30 AM
December 3, 2004
Fr. David Reagan Passes Away
We regret to inform you that Rev. Canon David Reagan of Castle Rock, Colorado died of brain aneurysm last night. Fr. Reagan has been a spiritual counselor and advisor to several priests including other denominations, like AMIA and our own Deanery of the Ozarks, and has visited our deanery during the ordination of Jim McTaggart to the deaconate, Fr. John Hunter's church in Pittsburgh, Kansas and Deacon Sam Seamon's parish in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Rev. Reagan has personally helped me with discussion in Anglican Tradition, constantly being the email ambassador with his Friday Phunnies and updates on Global Church happenings. He has helped in sending resource books for the library in Philippines. As Bishop Reber put it -- quoting the words of our Lord -- "He is an Israel in whom there is no guile."
We gratefully acknowledge Fr. Reagan's services to UECNA and God's kingdom and offer our heartfelt condolences to Paula Reagan and family. Let us keep them close to our heart.
Eternal Rest grant unto Fr. Reagan O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon him. May His soul rest in peace. Amen.
Posted by frleo at 2:52 PM
September 30, 2004
Bishop's Prayer for Dn.Tim & Fr.Philip
We ask your prayers for the health and well-being of those in need, especially The Rev. Mr. Timon Barr of Saint Gabriel’s United Episcopal Church, Springdale AR. and the Reverend Philip F. Stenzel of The Church of the Epiphany, Mobile, Alabama.
O MERCIFUL, God, giver of life and health! Bless, we pray thee, thy servants Timon and Philip, and those that administer to them of thy healing gifts. Grant that they may be restored to health of body and of mind through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.+Stephen
The Most Reverend Stephen C. Reber Sr.
Presiding Bishop
http://www.united-episcopal.org
Posted by frleo at 1:54 PM
September 25, 2004
Pastoral Visit Update
It's been a hectic week since last Saturday 18th September. A caravan from St. Gabriel's was at All Saints at Pittsburg, KS when our Presiding Bishop ordained Deacon Jon Hunter to the Priesthood. Then on the 19th Bishop Reber installed me as the Rector of St. Gabriel's during Holy Eucharist. The 21st and 22nd saw the National Council Meeting gathered at St. Francis Anglican Church at Ava, MO. The Deanery meeting was held at Branson, MO on 24th September, presided by Stephen Reber.
God's Spirit has been at work, as I have personally witnessed in all these current events. We thank the Lord for all His wondrous works. See you tomorrow at St. Gabriel's.
Posted by frleo at 11:08 AM
September 19, 2004
A Hearty Welcome to our PRESIDING BISHOP
St. Gabriel's is happy to have The Most Rev.Stephen C Reber, the Presiding Bishop of United Episcopal Church of North America, here in Northwest Arkansas. Welcome, Bishop Reber! We are very glad to have you in our midsts.
May this pastoral visit be one of blessings to our parish. God bless our Bishop and his wife Judy Reber.
Posted by frleo at 9:04 AM
September 17, 2004
Ordination of Deacon Jon Hunter
Please remember that tomorrow, Saturday, September 18th, is the ordination of Deacon Jon to the priesthood. Bishop Reber will preside at the mass to be held at All Saints Anglican in Pittsburg, KS at 10:00 a.m. Please CLICK HERE for more information about St. Anglican's Parish and for directions.
For those of us from St. Gabriel's who wish to attend, we are meeting at the church tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. for car pooling. We intend to hit the road at 7:30 a.m.
Posted by frleo at 6:28 AM
September 6, 2004
Happy Birthday Bishop Reber
September 6th is the Birthday of Bishop Reber. Happy Birthday Bishop Reber!
We dedicate this day for the greater glory of God. What an incredible leader we have in the person of Bishop Stephen C. Reber, Sr., who is guiding our church faithfully to the Sacred Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition. He is a loving and caring man of God in the footsteps of our Good Shepherd. I have heard our flock call him the "People's Bishop". We are very blessed to have such a wonderful man as our Presiding Bishop, and we thank God for the gift of his birth.
Judy Reber, his loving wife, has shared her husband's passion for God's kingdom, adhering to the faith given to us from the saints. In addition to birthday wishes for Bishop Reber on September 6th, we wish both Bishop and Mrs. Reber a very Happy Anniversary on September 9th.
May God bless this great couple! I have personally conveyed our congregation's prayerful wishes to our most respected bishop and his wife.
Posted by frleo at 1:22 PM
August 28, 2004
Mountain Home In The News!!
The Agape Press (Christian News Service) published an online article on August 26th regarding our own Deacon Sam Seamans and his ministry in Mountain Home, Arkansas:
(AgapePress) - An Anglican minister who left the Episcopal Church USA over its open disregard for scripture says he has no regrets. The Arkansas pastor has formed a small but growing congregation that is now part of the United Episcopal Church of North America.
..."When I had to choose between being obedient to Christ and being in a biblically based, biblically founded and practicing church, I knew that was going to entail leaving many friends," he says. In addition, he contends it is more difficult for clergy than for the average lay person to leave the Episcopal Church -- because pastors must find "new bishops and new ministry," he says.
CLICK HERE to read the article in full, and HERE for contact information regarding this wonderful ministry for Christ.
We so truly appreciate Deacon Sam and his good work in establishing Christ's presence -- expressed faithfully through the Anglican tradition -- in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
Posted by frleo at 1:23 PM
July 12, 2004
Mountain Home Has a Deacon!!
The UECNA has a new deacon here in Northwest Arkansas. Let us all welcome The Reverend Mister Sam Seamans, who was ordained deacon through ECUSA in 2001, and has since decided to join the UECNA.
Click Here to read about Deacon Sam's transformation from a Southern Baptist preacher to a traditional Anglican Deacon.
WELCOME DEACON SAM!!
Posted by frleo at 4:48 PM
June 24, 2004
Deacon Tim's Surgery
As the congregation is aware, Deacon Timon Barr will be undergoing surgery on Friday, June 25th. Although Tim is naturally in St. Gabriel's prayers at all times, let us all especially keep him in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow during his surgery and throughout his recovery.
Posted by frleo at 6:31 PM
June 6, 2004
Farewell Deacon Jon
Sunday, June 13th will be The Reverend Mister Jon Hunter's last Sunday with us, now that Reverend Michael has taken over as Rector of St. Gabriel's. There will be a pot luck luncheon during Coffee Hour in honor of Deacon Jon.
Deacon Jon will be ordained as priest on Saturday, September 18, 2004 and will thereafter become Rector of his own church -- All Saints Anglican Church in Pittsburg, KS. St. Gabriel's congregation is invited to attend Jon's ordination at All Saints in September. News on arrangements for this exciting opportunity will be forthcoming.
During our Church's time of transformation, Deacon Jon has helped bring us together. We have all appreciated the lessons learned from him during Church School, and we will miss the hard work, the great friendship and the happy smiles of both himself and his wife Paula.
Posted by frleo at 3:04 PM
May 23, 2004
Welcome To Our New Rector!
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new Rector and his wife, Reverend Leo and Holly Michael. Please click HERE to read Reverend Michael's biography.
Get acquainted with Reverend Michael every Sunday morning, at 9:00 during Church School, 10:00 during Mass, and at Coffee Hour after service.
Reverend Michael is currently making pastoral visits to the homes of congregation members. If you haven't scheduled your visit, please do so as soon as possible.
Posted by frleo at 2:58 PM