Christ and St. Luke's Church, Norfolk, VA July 1986

During July of of that year the Rev. Jim Samuel, rector of Christ and St. Luke's Church, Norfolk, VA entered treatment for alcoholism. The Rt. Rev. C. Charles Vache, Bishop of Southern Virginia asked if I would take the services that month and in addition offer opportunities for the congregation to learn about addictive disease and how they could support their rector upon his return.

We had parish forums each Sunday that month. Several members of the parish subsequently sought recovery for themselves. Father Samuel did return to serve the congregation for several more years.

On August 1 of that summer the congregation oversaw the installation of its first air conditioning system for the church proper. I lost 8 pounds during July, all of it between 8 and 12 on Sunday morning.