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99th Synod The 99th Synod of the Diocese of Mid-America was held at St. Thomas' Church, Little Rock, Arkansas, February 17 & 18, 2005. Bishop Grote began his annual report by saying, “June 6, 2004 marked the 20th anniversary of my consecration to the Episcopate. This report constitutes my fourteenth report as Bishop of this Diocese. Through many years, I have been grateful to God for the strength and ability to serve him in this capacity.” We too are grateful to God for our Bishop and pray that he will be granted many more years of fruitful service to the Church. We have included pictures of the following: Rev. Levi and Rev. Smith at St. Thomas' Church St. Thomas' Church, Little Rock , AR Chancel of St. Thomas Bishop Grote addressing a meeting of clergy Lunch at Synod   In his report Bishop Grote gave the following statistics regarding the Diocese of Mid-America: Parishes & Missions: 41 Baptized Membership: 2323 Communicant Members (Those over 18): 1734 Confirmations in the last year: 109 Additions to membership in the last year: 428 Losses in the last year: 120 Combined Parish income: $2,483,100.00 Bishop Grote also noted, “During the past year and continuing through the present, Bishop Sutton and I, along with Bishop Leonard Riches and Bishop James West, have been quite busy with ecumenical dialogues and discussions with various Archbishops in the Anglican Communion and Provinces and Dioceses of the same.” He went on to specifically mention the Province of the Southern Cone (South America), the Province of the West Indies, and the Province of Nigeria. The evangelical bishops and clergy of these provinces have in effect broken ties with the Episcopal Church and are looking to the Reformed Episcopal Church as the standard bearer for evangelical Anglicanism in the United States and Canada. The ministry of the REC is expanding for which we thank our Lord.   Annual Parish Meeting Our Annual Parish Meeting was held on Sunday, March 6, 2005 following morning worship. The meeting was preceded by a luncheon provided by the Vestry. A strong sense of vision for the future of the parish and a spirit of cooperation prevailed in the meeting. The past year has been a year of significant growth with fourteen new members added to the parish. It has also been a year of expanded ministry with the addition of the Rev. Craig Smith as Curate and the start up of a television ministry “Shield of Faith.” We thank the Lord for the blessings of the past and look forward to the future. The following officers were elected: Senior Warden – Edwina Greco Junior Warden – Mike Acke Vestrymen – 2003-2006 Frank Sellers Derrick Hassert Vestrymen – 2004-2007 Henry Leenstra Elaine Spencer George Yapp Vestrymen – 2005-2008 Paul Christenson Carl Spencer Nancy Toomey Representatives to General Council in 2005 Delegate – Carl Spencer Alternate - Elaine Spencer   “Shield of Faith” The television ministry of St. Andrew's Channel 62 WJYS Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. DVD's and Video tapes are available through the church office for a suggested donation of $15.00.   Missionary of The Month Greg & Helena Wright and their children Geneva & Timothy. Home Office Computer System. Arab World Ministries, Upper Darby, PA 19082.   Sophia Noelle Levi was baptized on Sunday, February 13, 2005. Her parents are Frank & Susan Levi. The godparents were Will & Beth Garrison and Pia Puckett.   Mother/Daughter Salad Supper Date: April 30, 2005 Time: 5:30 p.m. Place: Parish Hall Speaker: Susan Davinger, President of PASS pregnancy care centers.   Thank You We thank those who prepared soup, bread and salads for the Wednesday evening suppers during Lent.   Visit Our Website: www.andrewrec.org     Happy Birthday! April 5 – Beth Garrison April 10 – Danny Rago April 18 – Kim Woodard April 21 – Mark Levi April 28 – Logan Sellers   GOD'S WONDERFUL GRACE by Helen Kitchell Evans A little bird was building her nest On the limb of an old oak tree. She struggled mightily against the wind, Determined, as she could be. Carefully she placed her twigs Then gusts of wind tore at her nest. Nothing could deter this bird; She kept right on just doing her best. Perhaps the wind held a hidden blessing. Because of it she built it strong. Perhaps the Heavenly Father knew What help was right, all along. So, too, are stormy winds of life; The trials that each of us must face; All sent to help us build our strength; All a part of God's wonderful grace.