I write to inform you I have accepted the call to be Vicar of Christ Church, Raleigh.  As I announce this decision I am mindful of the great privilege it has been to be your Rector for almost seventeen years.

 I have been richly blessed to have received what I believe to be two real calls to ministry in my life as a priest.  Seventeen years ago when I became your Rector there was no doubt that St. Paul’s, Ivy was a gift of God.  Every single day  of my tenure as your Rector has been a true blessing that I will always cherish.  In the same way I felt the power of the Spirit pulling me to St. Paul’s, Ivy, I now feel pulled by that same Spirit to Christ Church, Raleigh.  There is no one more surprised than I am.  I neither sought or expected to receive this call.  The God whose other name is always surprise has unexpectedly called me to this new ministry.

 In Raleigh I will serve as the primary associate to my long time friend the Rev. James P. Adams. Jim was called as the Rector of Christ Church in early July.  Jim is, in my judgment, one of the finest preachers in the country.  My gifts as a pastor and administrator, that you have so richly nurtured, will be useful as together we work to renew that historic parish on Capital Square in Raleigh.

 It is hard to adequately convey how blessed I have been to have served as your Rector.  We have accomplished much together and I am more honored than I can possibly express for the work we have shared.  I have long known that our parish has outstanding lay leadership and they will serve you well in the period of transition that is ahead.

 Please know that this is the hardest decision I have ever had to make.  Saying yes to God’s call to Raleigh means acknowledging the conclusion of the work that has been my focus and joy.  I have been flooded with memories of the events and people that have graced our lives.  More than a few tears have been shed but I have come to believe that in God’s new plan an exciting new chapter for St Paul’s, Ivy will open as well. 

 There will be many opportunities to thank you in coming weeks but please know that for our family St Paul’s, Ivy will always be home.  A former parishioner who grew up in Ivy once told me that our altar was and always would be the epicenter of his life.  We echo his words.  Carol and our children join me in thanking you for the many ways you have touched our lives.  We have been richly blessed and for that we can only say, Thanks be to God.

Faithfully,

 H. Miller Hunter, Jr.

Click here to read a letter from Bob Pate, our Senior Warden, about this process.

8:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I

9:00 a.m. Registration for Children’s Christian Education.

9:30 a.m. Ministries Fair

Browse the information tables and pick up the booklet detailing many of our Outreach programs, worship guilds, committees and classes – the ministries of St. Paul’s. 

10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer followed by our annual Fall Parish Picnic

The tradition of our Rally Day Drama continues, but with a very special focus this year.  Join us as we share details of an important new ministry.

Rally Day Picnic

Last name A-P, please bring a side dish such as a salad or vegetable to share.  Last names Q-Z, please bring a dessert to share. Remember to bring serving utensils!  Deliver food to the parish hall kitchen on Sunday.  Fried chicken and beverages will be provided.

5:30 p.m. Celtic Eucharist

 The initial session is 4 weeks for $40 (or $12 per class for drop-in). A minimum of 6 people are needed to make a class. Please bring your own yoga mat and any desired props (blankets, blocks or straps are optional).  Depending on response and demand for future classes another session would be offered in mid-October. Childcare is available upon request with your registration.  (Drop-in childcare is NOT available.) Please sign up for the 4 week session in the back of the church or by contacting Audi Barlow, spivybarlow@aol.com, or calling the church office at 979-6354.

Our EfM classes at St. Paul’s, Ivy are offered on Monday nights from 7:00-9:30 p.m. and on Tuesday mornings from 9:15-11:45 a.m.  We will begin on September 13 and 14, and the each group will meet once a week through May.  Groups may range in size from 6 to 12 members, and we welcome members from other denominations.  Mentors attend training and are required to update the training every 18 months.  Cary Kast and Debbie Scott are both accredited mentors and will work together to co-mentor both groups.   The fee of $350 to the University of the South is due at enrollment, and scholarships are available.  Enrollment forms are available in the office and are due by August 11.  For more information about EfM please contact Cary Kast or Debbie Scott at spivyscott@aol.com or by calling the church office at 979-6354.

Fall topics will include: a discussion of the role of faith in healing human suffering, with presentations on medicine, stewardship, and missions (the lattermost with a focus on our own mission to Tanzania), responses to human losses in the community of faith where we will discuss stages of grief and supporting the bereaved, and finally an Advent Bible study on the Biblical presentation of healing.  Please join us!

St. Paul’s, Ivy in partnership with Region 15 began a new Habitat house in early July.  The house is part of a four resident townhouse being built on Patton Street.  It will be the last construction on Patton Street before we begin the Habitat work at Sunrise.  A two weekend blitz (July 10,11, 17,18) got the four houses off to a record start.  Our own rector, Miller Hunter, was privileged to lead worship on the construction site on both Sundays

Our next scheduled work days areSaturday, September 18 and Saturday, October 30.  We need volunteers, both skilled and unskilled.  Please contact Earl Grossman who is our volunteer coordinator or the church office to volunteer.