CLOSER LOOK   SPIRITUALITY & WORSHIP   REACHING OUT   PARISH LIFE   RECTOR & DEACON

Home Reaching Out Founder's Festival

Revitalizing St. Mary's

Blessing of the Animals

Founder's Festival

Lenten Arts Program

Heifer Project

St. Alban's Founder's Festival

On October 29-30, 2011, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Bovina, hosted its annual Fall Founders' Festival, featuring Dinner on the Grounds and a weekend of fun and fellowship. This year's festival will mark the 156th Anniversary of the founding of St. Alban's.

The Fall Founder’s Festival was more than a well organized, well attended event; it was Saint Alban’s community working together as the One Body of Christ. Saint Paul tells us: "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activities all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7

Truly, our gifts of the Spirit were manifested for the common good; from food preparation, to decorations, to entertainment, to serving skills, to manual labor, to hospitality, to publicity, and of course, to worship. All of our gifts came together to ensure the success of the weekend. The Fall Founder’s Festival enriched our community life and invited others to join us!

We celebrated our past, as we continue to stand firmly in the present and look to the future. The planning and staging of the Fall Founder’s Festival are ways we continue to answer Christ’s call to ministry; to evangelize the Good News, to be faithful stewards of God’s gifts and to be instruments of holy hospitality. The weather was pristine; the spirit of cooperation was overflowing and the sense of God’s presence permeated Saint Alban’s Church.

The weekend of activities featured Civil War reenactors who camped on the spacious grounds of the church. Antique, vintage and classic cars were on display. Bethra Lewis, artist from Champion Hill, displayed a Civil War Mannequin Exhibit. The mannequins depicted members of the Champion family as well as Union and Confederate soldiers.

Saturday's Lunch on the Grounds featured calzone, an Italian sandwich (turnover) filled with various cheeses and Italian meats. Saturday afternoon was filled with excitement as Union and Confederate reenactors skirmished in the woods between the church and the rectory.

Reverend Billie Abraham unveiled and dedicated a new historic marker. The custom-made marker was produced by Sewah Studios in Ohio. Performing at the unveiling was Sid Champion, Roger Alford and James Anderson, a men's trio from St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Bolton. The marker will be placed in a permanent location along the lane entering the church grounds.

The traditional All Saints' Memorial Service was held Saturday evening. This lovely event featured the lighting of the luminaries followed by a Lamp Lit Cemetery Stroll where reenactors played roles of individuals who are buried in the cemetery.

Sunday afternoon activities included: Dinner on the Grounds with Music by Bridging the Gap, Civil War Mannequin Exhibit by Bertha Lewis, ECW Market selling homemade pies, jellies and jams and other items of interest, Living History, and Youth Activities.

The Fall Founders' Festival is one of St. Alban's favorite celebrations of the year and church members look forward to greeting everyone for a weekend of relaxation and fellowship.

5930 Warriors Trail ◆ Vicksburg, MS 39180 ◆ Phone: (601) 636-6687