"Christians joyfully and prayerfully building a caring and worshipping community"

Celebration of a New Ministry 

March 3, 2009 

for The Reverend Julie Anna Johnson 

On Tuesday, March 3, 2009, the Celebration of a New Ministry service was held for St. Alban's new Rector, the Reverend Julie Anna Johnson.

The Rt. Reverend Charles G. VonRosenberg, Bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee, presided over the service and was assisted by the Rev. Julie Johnson and the Rev. Ed Scott, Deacon. Many guests from the Diocese and community, along with family members and St. Alban's parishioners (past and present) were in attendance for this very joyful event.

In Rev. Catherine Rickett's sermon honoring her good friend, she said, "Julie comes to you today with these [gifts of giving, love, friendship and a compassionate and passionate heart] and many other gifts. These gifts are wrapped in obedience: obedience to God, the Church, and her bishop. She took those vows at her ordination. On that day, Julie was charged “to nourish Christ’s people from the riches of his grace, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.'"

A reception followed in Wynn Hall where photographer and parisioner, Gary Moor, presented Mother Julie with a portrait he made of her. [Standing with her is her husband, Tommy, and daughter, Anna.]

 "Flavors of St. Alban" was the theme for this wonderful event. It came about to show the diversity of the parishioners of St. Alban. We are from everywhere--North East, South East, North West, South West and the Mid-West. Tables were decorated and food flowed from each of the regions.