Our own Eve Rizzo has published her latest novel and will be at Quail Ridge Books and Music (3542 Wade Avenue in Raleigh) for a “Meet the Author” night and book signing on Friday, September 11th at 7:30 PM. It will be good to hear Eve speak about her latest novel, “Clarrie Hancock”, and to have an opportunity to visit with her.

From August 2nd-8th, nineteen members from St. Timothy’s attended the 50th Saint Michael’s Conference in Hartford, CT. Hosted by the Holy Family Retreat Center, parishioners ages 14-21 traveled from all across the country for a week of faith and friendship. For seven days, one hundred “Michaelites” not only befriended other attendees but also strengthened their faith in God. They built upon their beliefs by attending two church sevices, three theology classes and one discussion group per day. They also had the opportunity to make a confession to one of the many priests on the staff at the conference.

The classes and services are not the only things St. Michael’s has to offer. Every night, a different evening activity takes place. From the square dance, to the talent show, to the staff surprise night, St. Mike’s is full of fun for everyone. The bonds between the “Michaelites” becomes tighter as the week goes on and stays strong throughout the year. St. Mike’s is truly a special place where all of the conferees are given an amazing opportunity for a great experience. Everyone who attended the conference this summer is thankful for the generosity of those who helped fund the trip. Your donations are greatly appreciated, and we hope to continue our pilgrimage to Saint Michael’s Conference for many years to come.

NOTE: This event has been rescheduled and will be held on Saturday, September 19th at 7:30 PM.

Everyone is invited to a good old fashioned hymn sing followed by lots of ice cream and other desserts on Saturday evening, September 19th at 7:30 PM. We are looking for many to come and raise their voices with their favorite hymns. We also would like anyone who plays an instrument to bring it along and join in the festivities. After we sing all of our favorite hymns, we will enjoy some ice cream in the parlor and hear all about our choir and what the choir’s plans are for the fall. Come and invite everyone you know to join us on the 19th.

It is St. Timothy’s turn to hold a food drive for North Raleigh Ministries during the month of September. North Raleigh Ministries provides food and financial assistance to families and individuals in need. The ministry also provides Christian encouragement and referrals to Raleigh agencies that may be able to meet clients’ needs. We will collect food for the food pantry in barrels located in the narthex on the four Sundays of September.

Current food pantry needs include spaghetti sauce and noodles, canned meat, Hamburger Helper, peanut butter, flour, rice, canned pasta, instant potatoes, canned vegetables, breakfast items, jelly, sugar, vegetable soup, baking items, paper towels and toilet paper. All non-perishable items are welcome.

Please keep this ministry in mind. You may drop off your food donations in the collection barrels on September 6, 13, 20 and 27, or any day during the week that the Church is open. I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. – Matthew 25:35

The Altar Guild members, and anyone interested in joining the Altar Guild, will meet on Saturday, August 29th at 9:30 AM in the parlor. We will review the latest Altar Guild Manual and monthly schedule and try to answer any questions about serving on the Altar Guild.

We welcome Susan to the staff and very much look forward to having her direct our Church School, nursery and techers this year. She will be assisted by Betsy James who will work with Susan on Sundays. Susan has been working with the Church School on Craft Sundays and now will take over the duties on Sundays and will be in the Church School Office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please give her the prayers and support she needs to run a vibrant and organized program where our children of all ages can learn who God the Father is, how He has saved us through sending His Son, and how he sustains us in His Holy Spirit. This is no small task, and it is in the very capable hands of Susan and Betsy.

All those who are teaching or volunteering in our Church School are asked to attend this first teachers’ meeting of the school year on Sunday, August 30th at 9:30 AM in the parlor. We want to get the Church School year off to a great start, and there’s lots of important information, curriculum and assignments to be distributed. Please be there. If you cannot attend, please contact Susan Patton.

We have concluded the study of The Letter of James, and we thank Mary D’Rozario for her willingness to lead that portion of our study of the Bible. We will now make a change and study the book Making Choices, Practical Wisdom for Everyday Moral Decisions by Peter Kreeft beginning on Wednesday, August 19th from 7 to 8 PM. The author, a philosophy professor at Boston College, gives a good background on ethics and morality in a style that is easy to understand and helps use make decisions based on the Truth (with the big “T” of Christianity). The book is divided into five sections, and we will spend one week on each section. Please come and let’s form some ways to find black and white answers in the gray areas of some of our biggest moral issues such as sex, abortion and truth-telling. We need to find ways for all of us to “love the sinner and hate the sin”. We have ten copies of the book available. If you want to read the first section before Wednesday evening, please see Father James for a copy.

The Church from Our Lord. Down through the ages, prayers and adoration of St. Mary have been a source of help and strength in the life of the Church and have resulted in deepened love and devotion to Jesus for millions of faithful Christians. Who better to invoke than the one who was closest to Jesus through His birth, life, death and Resurrection than Mary? She is quite rightly honored by the Church as one who will intercede for us before the throne of Christ. Devotion given to Our Lady goes straight to Our Lord.

Lesser Feasts and Fasts describes devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary as follows:

What we can believe (about St. Mary) is that one who stood in so intimate a relationship with the incarnate Son of God on earth must, of all the human race, have the place of highest honor in the eternal life of God. A paraphrase of an ancient Greek hymn expresses this belief in very familiar words: “O higher that the cherubim, more glorious than the seraphim, lead their praises, alleluia.”

Thank you! In July 2009, your generosity helped feed 186 families and provided financial assistance to help pay bills from Progress Energy, PSNC and landlords.

Please Save the Date – Saturday, September 12, 2009 – North Hills 5K Run for North Raleigh Ministries. Sign up now to run or volunteer.

Food Pantry Needs: Paper products, paper towels, toilet tissue, napkins, kleenex, paper bags for lunches, paper plates and paper cups.

School supplies will be distributed August 31st through September 3rd. Backpacks, paper, pens, notebooks, etc. are needed for all ages. Thank you for “Helping Neighbors now” with this need.

We need volunteers to assist with direct client services, a part time Thrift Shoppe manager, nurses to help with the CHAPS program, and teachers/instructors for client services in various programs. Call 785-9911 for more information.

Keep North Raleigh Ministries in your prayers as we continue to grow and help many more families through these difficult economic times.