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bpkesslerI know many of you are praying for my family and my Mom.  I am sorry I haven't been more punctual in keeping you all posted.  What do you say, what do you report.

 

Last Weds. mom entered her Hospice journey, she is 93.  A week and a half earlier, Oct. 19th, she had a "mild stroke" which took from her any real speech.  She was assigned to voice, and other therapy options.  The following weekend the Lord told me to go over.  I called her and my brother Sunday the 26th to advise them that I would come Monday. When I arrived,  I found she had experienced a 2nd stroke.  Monday afternoon Karen and I saw Mom and she was quite disoriented (even from Sunday I'm told) and everyone was surprised.   Tuesday morning she was worse yet.  We met with her doctor who advised us she was going downward rapidly and we needed to brace ourselves for that fact.  He advised he would seek a Hospice evaluation which would give her much better comfort and care.  What a shock.

 

That afternoon she experienced another stroke and Weds. she easily qualified for Hospice.  Karen and I returned home Friday and Monday returned to Mom, Bringing Jessica who wanted to see her.  Jess flew home Tuesday and Karen and I have remained standing watch with my brother John and my niece (John's daughter).  

 

These things are totally unpredictable so we wait hour by hour, day by day.  I don't know if you can understand this but It has been a wonderful experience for us all, as well as agonizing.   I have been reading mom (and I suppose all of us present) scripture.  I know it comforts.  I remember Bp. Lilly telling me of his out of body experience when he died on the operating table and saw heaven.  He says everyone was speaking scripture.  Jesus often answered with scripture.  So I am sharpening up mom's skills.  

We are so grateful for your prayers and thankful for the family of God we so often take for granted. 

His servant and yours,

+Bp. Doug

MARCH FOR LIFE 2015
We. Are. Ready.
 
If last year's March for Life proved anything, it was that the pro-life movement can do more than just take the heat -- we can take the COLD.  (Because it was freezing.) 

Now, hopefully, it won't be quite so cold this coming year, but let's face it, D.C. in late January is always a toss up. But we don't come to enjoy the weather. 

Each year, thousands upon thousands of dedicated pro-lifers show up in our nation's capital for exactly one reason: to stand firm for the sanctity of life and the rights of the preborn.

And this year: We. Are. Ready. 

Once again, CEC For Life has teamed up with Star Parker and her wonderful staff at C.U.R.E. to give you the opportunity to attend the 2015 March for Life, at an affordable price.

We have already secured rooms at the brand-new Cambria Suites Hotel for the nights of Jan 21st & 22nd, at the rate of $139/night (plus tax). The hotel phone number is (202) 299-1188.


Helpful note: Each room (single or double) is a suite that includes a sleeper sofa.
To take advantage of this great rate, call the hotel and book under "CEC For Life." Reservations must be made no later than December 29, 2014.
 
FOR YOUTH & YOUTH LEADERS:
We have a special block available for youth and youth leaders only. These rooms are subsidized by the generous team at C.U.R.E., and include transportation to outreach events.
This block is extremely limited and must be booked through Sarah Howell. If your youth group is interested, please contact her immediately at 910.303.2601. 
2015 Schedule of Events

A detailed schedule will be posted soon for outreach events and March for Life activities, including our annual Liturgy for the Preborn.
Also, BIG NEWS: the "All Life is Sacred" Rally is back!  And set to be held in the Cambria Suites hotel Wednesday evening.
WALK FOR LIFE WEST COAST 2015
A New Tradition. A New Voice.

Live on the West Coast? Then join the 2015 Walk for Life on Saturday, January 24th, in San Francisco!
Jessica Kessler of CEC For Life West and the Go Love Life Campaign will organize activism and fellowship for the event, including the annual Spark For Life BBQ. 
For questions and details, be sure to contact Jessica at jessrkess@msn.com.

africadevelopment

CEC MISSIONS & DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS
Each Year we have committed to raise funds to support our churches and people in Africa.  We do this on All Saints Sunday, which is 2 Nov this year. 
CEC Missions & Development offering seeks to empower local leaders to provide for themselves. We have two legs of the plan. The first is to deal with the immediate needs of mercy and clean water. We designate 20% of funds from every donation to meet immediate needs and raise funds for clean water to stop the diseases stealing the children's future. 80% of funds are designated to build for the future by building income producing micro-businesses that will allow the churches in Africa to support themselves, and decide their own future.

Immediate Response- Mercy and Clean Water
Faced with emergencies such as diseases, hunger, conflict, corruption we must provide those funds and tools that allow people to make it to tomorrow, while at the same time, working to make tomorrow better. To that end we provide 20% of the funds raised to mercy missions and raise funds for clean water. (See next tabs for details)

Lasting Change- Micro Businesses Development project are about the long term change of the culture and environment. To create local income producing businesses that allow the local churches to raise funds to build churches, schools, orphanages, clinics. This allows the future of the churches to no longer be at the dependent on donors. This builds stability into the future of the church in Africa.

Recent Project includes a Hostel in Southern Sudan, Cattle Fatten in Kenya and Tanzania, Carpentry and Furniture business in Rwanda and Burundi. 

I am posting pictures of our confirmation service last month. We skyped in Fr. Black's son and family from Phoenix (who love the CEC). It is so amazing what you can do with so little. Yesterday in the daily reading (Acts) we read the wonderful story of Paul starting a relationship (life long) and a church (later very powerful one) on a river bank where women gathered (I'm sure to do their families laundry).
 
Fr. Black turns his living room (actually quite on the smaller size compared to western American ranch homes) into an amazing "Sacred space". He has been in rented places but finds he and the people are real comfortable (more like cozy) there. Eventually, God willing, he will have to move on but for now I am the first to admit, it is glorious.

Mens Retreat Flier 2014

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