I have two things that are uppermost in my mind as I write to you today. The first has to do with an emerging sense of vision that I’m seeing for our diocese and our churches. The second is related to the book of Revelation and Hispanic Heritage month.

Peak fire conditions have characterized much of Hawaii for some time, so when blazes broke out on Maui the fire swept across the land in a deadly blaze. At least 106 people have died so far. ARDF is collecting funds to support survivors, and Anglican Churches are helping survivors find shelter. They are also providing food and emergency kits.

For his Eagle Award project, Isaac Fair of All Saints’ Church in Woodbridge, VA led a team of teens (and adults) to help build new storage boxes for the church’s Food Pantry.

For the second year in a row BE Transformed, an inner city ministry in Baltimore, had the opportunity to bring children to Church of the Resurrection's "Res Camp".

Each day, over 400 people including 215 Campers and Jr. Crew Leaders swarmed our church to create a crazy and beautiful summer camp called, Twists and Turns: Following Jesus Changes the Game. Through games, activities, skits, and all sorts of fun, the message of God's faithfulness and love for us was on full display.

Volunteers at Shepherds Heart in Fairfax, VA repaired 15 bikes and were able to outfit an entire family of Afghan refugees!

His good, pleasing, and perfect will was exactly where we were on April 10! Love Baltimore's BE Transformed, a ministry in Baltimore City that is committed to serving and loving a community with the abundance of heaven, held an Easter Family Community Event.

The Rev. Robbie Pruitt’s (Holy Spirit Church in Leesburg, VA) mountain bike was stolen last fall during quarantine (when bikes were especially hard to purchase). Robbie’s response was to forgive and show empathy.

The free outdoor concert will feature Ron “The New One” Hawkins. Immanuel is providing a free Chick-fil-A dinner before the concert.

At New Creation Church in Hagerstown, MD, we delight to be the church in unexpected places. Just recently on Saturday, June 12, we had the opportunity to go into the Interstate Wine Festival, a regional event that attracts thousands of people each year. We sign up as a non-profit vendor and bring a flyer that simply asks the question, "What's the Best Wine Ever Made?"

Michelle Chase, a leader of Love Baltimore (previously Apostles in the City), wants to see Baltimore transformed by the love of Christ. Michelle had a vision of a happy home where kids in Belair-Edison, Baltimore could find a safe place after school and throughout the summer months.

Every Wednesday, New Creation partners with the people of the Presbyterian Church of Hagerstown, serving at their weekly Soup Kitchen.

There are around 150,000 people (!) who live in the Lake Gaston area — that's almost nine times the population of Emporia/Greensville County. The next closest Anglican (ACNA) congregation is in the Raleigh/Durham area. It behooves us to reach out to make new disciples around Lake Gaston and to minister to the many Anglicans who have retired to the lake from Raleigh/Durham, Hampton Roads, and Northern Virginia.

While school is virtual, Immanuel Anglican Church is continuing food distribution each week at Coles Elementary. Thanks to generous donations over 1,500 bags of weekend meals have been distributed since March.