May 10, 2009

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

The Magic FM Weight Loss Challenge ended on Friday evening with a final weigh in at the Corning Country Club. As mentioned before, I've been on a three person team sponsored by the Corning YMCA. My teammates (Catrina Valania, Tim Gilbert) and I have been truly blessed by this experience which included a Y membership and twelve weeks of personal training with our coach Sandie Buto.

At Friday night's weigh in, our team came in second on total percentage of weight loss. The winning team from a gym in Athens, Pennsylvania had one member who simply blew the challenge away with a 12 week weight loss of 73 pounds - 23% of his beginning body weight. Individually, I was the second biggest loser with a 42 lb. weight loss and 14.5% of body weight. Our team lost a total of 98 pounds. Now to keep losing on my own. That will be an even greater challenge - but I'm up to it.

As some of you know, over the years I've written and performed a number of original songs. I wrote a little ditty for the final weigh in celebration to honor our personal trainer Sandie. It is based on a Richie Valens classic. You can view our performance of "Oh Sandie" by clicking on this Youtube link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_XVWLJb_28

I also created a short movie of our team and some of the experiences that helped us get in shape. Its short and fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohsKfEGcKpU

If you are on Facebook, I've posted some pictures on my profile page. While your there, I hope you'll become a "friend". We Facebook folks have to stick together or the "Twitterers" will take over the web. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1528636284&ref=profile

Next Sunday, May 17, St. Mary's in Bath will be hosting singer, composer and inspirational speaker Jesse Manibusan. Jesse will perform a concert at our church at 3 p.m. Tickets are free with a canned food or personal care item donation to the local food pantry. If you are in the area next weekend, be sure and call my office to reserve your tickets. (607) 776-3327. You can also order tickets by replying to this email with your request.

My column this week recycles some cute one liners from kids discussing their mothers. With it come belated Mothers Day greetings to all who were celebrated yesterday.

May God's great love embrace you and all you love during the Easter season.
Deacon Ray

Some Mother's Day Chuckles
This weekend, along with the Fifth Sunday of Easter, we also celebrate Mothers’ Day. We thank all of those of you who are mother-figures in our lives! You have been there when we’ve needed you most and we don’t always stop to tell you just what gift you are to us. We hope you feel very celebrated on this occasion!

A few year’s ago I shared these quotes from second grade students about the nature of being a mother. Mom’s like recycling.

Why did God make mothers?

“Mostly to clean up the house”

“To help us out when we’re getting born”

“She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.”

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

“God knew she likes me a lot more than other people’s moms do.”

What’s the difference between moms and dads?

“Moms work at work and work at home. Dads just work at work.”

“Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.”

“Dads are taller and stronger, but Moms are the ones with the real power ‘cause that’s who you gotta ask if you want to sleep over at a friend’s”

“Moms have magic. They make you feel better without medicine.”

Why did your mom marry your dad?

“My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world, and my mom eats a lot”

“She got too old to do anything else with him”

“My grandma says that Mom didn’t have her thinking cap on.”

What did your mom needed to know before agreeing to marry your dad?

“Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?”

What does your mom do in her spare time?

“Mothers don’t do spare time”

“To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.”

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?

“She has this weird thing about keeping my room clean. I’d get rid of that.”

“I’d make her smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.”

“I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back of herhead.”

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

“On the inside, she’s already perfect. Outside, I think some plastic surgery.”

“Diet. You know...her hair. I’d diet maybe blue.”

Mothers, I hope this has given you a smile on this your special day.

Have a good week. Serve one another well!

Deacon Ray

Lands of the Bible Cruise

On November 11, 2009, you are invited to join Deacon Ray and Pat Defendorf and pastoral leaders from throughout the Diocese on a twelve-day Cruise to the “Lands of the Bible”.

Our itinerary includes an over-night flight to Athens where we will visit the Acropolis and the biblical city of Corinth before boarding the mv Cristal, a new 471 passenger cruise ship. We’ll dock at Port Said for a visit to Cairo (the Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids at Giza) then on to the port of Ashod in Israel. For two days we’ll visit sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem returning to the ship each evening for dinner and overnight.

Our next port is Haifa where we’ll disembark to tour the Galilee with stops at the Mount of the Beatitudes, Tabgha (the site of the miracle of the loaves and fish), a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and renew our baptismal vows at the Jordan River.

After a day at sea we’ll visit the Isle of Patmos where John wrote Revelations and then to Ephesus, Turkey where St. Paul established a Christian community on his first missionary journey. After a visit to Piraeus we’ll return to Athens for our return trip home.

The price of this journey of a lifetime(including roundtrip airfare, chartered cruise ship, guided shore excursions, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner while aboard ship, study guide, entrance fees and deluxe motorcoaches), starts at $2398 plus taxes, tips and fees.

Follow this link to download our itinerary:
http://www.deaconray.com/travel.htm

This cruise is expected to sell out so early reservations are very important. For more information and a brochure, please contact me by email or phone (607-426-1100).

Serve one another well!

(Click Here For Sent To Serve Archives)

Bulletin: May 10, 2009