It is amazing indeed that I have been serving at All Saints for six weeks now. In a way, it is still like a dream, yet in many ways, I feel as if I have always been your priest. 

      My journey to you began in about 1984 when I first discerned a call to the priesthood. As when a child is first born, its features portray what they will be when it comes of age. During every liturgy we celebrate together, I recollect those first “callings.” We have all heard and loved such hymns and prayers through the years, and we will continue to sing and pray together the old and the new for many years to come, God willing.

      Thank you, everyone, for giving me such a splendid welcome with the “Celebration of a New Ministry.” June 21st was a hot day, but a spectacular one that will always be in my memory. It was a joy to see persons from the various areas of my life – my family, my friends from grammar school, (Snowden and Central!) and parishioners from Arkansas and Mississippi. I saw faces from the Cathedral, (Linda Mather from the Cathedral was perhaps the first-ever verger to serve at All Saints,) Memphis Theological Seminary, Cherry Road neighbors, Daughters of the King, persons from the musical community, and so many others.

     
      The chamber orchestra, ably organized by Sherry Crone, filled the church with Mozart and Vivaldi; and the choir was heavenly. The service music was augmented by the Rev. Dr. J. Russell Snapp, rector of St. Paul’s, Newport, AR, who sang the Litany; Jeanette McDougal, from Calvary, Osceola, who was the psalmist; Ty Legge, of St. Mary’s Cathedral, who assisted at the organ; and my daughter, Alexandra Snyder Dunbar, who graced us with eloquent harpsichord music.

      Of course, it is to the members of All Saints I am most grateful. Not everyone is aware of how much goes on “behind the scenes,” especially in the ministries of our Altar Guild, of which Shirley Bullard is chair; and of our sacristan, Buddy Morton, who helped so much with the visioning and rehearsal. Delicious catering was provided by Karen Carson; and the Vestry, Cain Carson, senior warden, was a strong support throughout. And Kevin Wilkinson, whose lovely daughter Laura served as Gospel Book bearer, remains invaluable in the planning and execution of everything here - from acolytes to zithers.       

       My heart was filled with love for everyone on such a day whose features portray what is to come. Indeed, the future is bright for us.

        Bindy+