next mission team forming

Debra Smith (Mission Trip Coordinator) convened the first meeting of the next mission team to the Diocese of Lui (in the Episcopal Church of Sudan) on Wednesday, September 23. Marc Vanacht hosted the missioners. The team went over logistics, schedules, and the opportunities that we expect to pursue with our Lui friends in the next trip. The trip is scheduled for November 22 through December 4.

Our diocesan publication, iSeek, announced the names of the missioners:

• Mr. Sam Christy of Holy Cross, Poplar Bluff
• Ms. Deb Goldfeder of Advent, Crestwood
• the Rev. Dan Handschy of Advent, Crestwood
• the Rev. Anne Kelsey of Trinity, St. Louis
• the Rev. Susan Naylor of Emmanuel, Webster Groves
• Debbie Smith of St. Timothy’s, Creve Coeur, and Mission Team Leader
• Mrs. Evelyn Smith of Christ Church Cathedral
• Bishop George Wayne Smith
• Mr. Marc Vanacht of St. Timothy’s, Creve Coeur

All were present at the September 23 meeting and appeared quite happy:

left to right: Marc Vanacht, Anne Kelsey, Dan Handschy (rear), Evelyn Smith (front), Deb Goldfeder, Susan Naylor, Sam Christy, and Bishop Wayne Smith. Not pictured: Debbie Smith, photographer

Although Debbie Smith sought to hide behind the camera at last week's meeting, we do have this photograph of her and Bishop Smith:


As noted in iSeek, the Dioceses of Missouri, Lui, and Blackmore Vale Deanery (Diocese of Salisbury, in the Church of England) have established a tri-link partnership.

The Missourians will be joined by two people from the Blackmore Vale Deanery in England's Salisbury Diocese: Warren Ingham-Barrow (St. Gregory's Parish Church in Marnhull Dorest) and (at left, below) Anne Powell of Shillingstone.