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"The Faith Alive Weekend was everything I had hoped it would be. A very positive Weekend and a defining moment in the life of this congregation."
The Rev. Nordon W. Winger
St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church
Rocklin, California

Diocese of Northern California

"The Faith Alive Weekend exceeded my expectations and the expectations of our parish leadership. We had good attendance, which held up throughout the Weekend. The leadership of those who came to visit and give their witness was outstanding."
The Rev. Raymond E. Cole, Jr.
St. George Episcopal Church
San Antonio, Texas

Diocese of West Texas

"Our Faith Alive Weekend was a tremendous gift of the Holy Spirit to our parish community. In so many ways our faith did come more alive. Both as individuals and as a community the Holy Spirit energized us. I was awestruck at the participation. Our building was bursting at the seams as more than 250 of us came together for dinner on Friday night. We were like a dry sponge soaking in the joy of our life in Christ and overflowing. I sensed a deep hunger to know Jesus and grow in his love. Our response was an offering of our lives through renewal of our baptismal vows at the Saturday and Sunday worship services. Many people came forward to the altar rail in an act of personal dedication to receive prayer, the laying on of hands and anointing with oil."
The Rev. James R. Wheeler
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Woodbury, Connecticut

Diocese of Connecticut

"This was our fifth Faith Alive Weekend at St. Mark's. As I have been the rector here for 35 years, I participated in all of them. That we have continued to have Weekends over the years is an indication of our commitment to the Faith Alive process. Again it has proven to be an effective tool of renewal in our congregation. Many people were touched by Christ in a wonderful way and I don't know of anyone whose faith wasn't deepened and challenged by the ministry of the Weekend."
The Rev. Canon G. Kerry Robb
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Diocese of Southeast Florida

"The Weekend was very powerful and our people bonded with the team and were truly touched by them. There was much sharing in the small groups, great participation in large group sessions. It all culminated on Sunday morning at our Mass, with almost everyone coming forward for prayer and recommitment."
The Rev. Martin Wendell
Trinity Episcopal Church
Watervliet, New York

Diocese of Albany

"We were tremendously blessed by Faith Alive and we value this ministry highly. This was 'just what the doctor ordered' to bring unity and renewal of Spirit to St. Paul's."
The Rev. Julian T. "Tripp" Jeffords, III
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Conway, South Carolina

Diocese of South Carolina

" Faith Alive has brought forth leadership in our congregation since the early 70's. We have had a Faith Alive Weekend every ten years and the effect has been progressive blessing with the calling forth of disciples and leaders. These teams of witnesses for Christ Jesus and their experiences of God are positively contagious."
The Rev. Ian D. Montgomery
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Menasha, Wisconsin

Diocese of Fond du Lac

"It was with some trepidation that we invited Tom Riley to do a Faith Alive Weekend in our parish. Our concerns that we would be inviting a lot of people to come into our parish to stir up scandal were unfounded. Instead we received a highly focused group of people and a very professional retreat for three days which has rejuvenated our parish. After the group left, a new sense of intimacy and joy has spread through the parish. The ECW, which had died, has been revitalized. The youth group has new life. The Foyer groups have been reformed. A new discussion group on spiritual life has been formed and best of all many who were on the periphery of the parish are now joining those in the center. I write to encourage any parish that feels that it needs a shot in the arm and a renewal to consider Faith Alive. It certainly touched and changed many people's lives in my parish."

The Rev. Rona Harding

Church of the Ascension

Lexington Park, Maryland

Diocese of Washington

"What a magnificent weekend we've just had here at St. Timothy's in Alexandria, LA. Simply put, the general consensus is that it simply couldn't have gone any better! Alan Prater, our Coordinator, and all the witnesses were really super. They worked hard, were sensitive to our needs, had tons of energy, and blended well with our people. After just a day or so it seemed like many were old friends! Clearly the Spirit of God moved mightily here this weekend and I simply wanted you to know how grateful I am. I will be happy to offer my personal testimonial to my colleagues here in this diocese."
The Rev. James E. Flowers, Jr.
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
Alexandria, Louisiana

Diocese of Western Louisiana

"An excellent Weekend. A highlight was the way the entire Faith Alive Weekend holds together, each piece builds on the whole; it is an act of love for God and his people."
The Rev. Kenneth S. Campbell
Church of the Epiphany
Wilbraham, Massachusetts

Diocese of Western Massachusetts

"Faith Alive was a true 'jump start' for our happy but somewhat spiritually complacent parish. It enabled us to talk about faith openly and to allow the Spirit to come in. The witnessing was very easy to listen to and very well done. The music was exceptional and the youth program had our kids begging for more!"
The Rev. Mann S. (Chip) Valentine
Calvary Episcopal Church
Ashland, Kentucky

Diocese of Lexington

"The team was inspiring and witnessed of their love in our Lord Jesus. The congregation was appreciative of all of the programs. The witnesses were very good, not too long, passionate about their faith and alive in the Spirit. The Weekend was very helpful in our plans to engage folks in small group prayer and fellowship ministries."
The Rev. Joseph R. Rees
All Saints' Episcopal Church
Vista, California

Diocese of San Diego

"There were lots of positive and exciting responses from members of the congregation right from the beginning of the Weekend. The witnesses were most powerful and left everyone in tears of joy and heart-searching. The witnessing stories became somehow everyone's spiritual story and journey. Many hearts were deeply convicted and surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because of the witnesses of these people."
The Rt. Rev. Benoni Y. Ogwal-Abwang
St. Simon the Cyrenian Episcopal Church
New Rochelle, New York

Diocese of New York

"A very powerful weekend! I'm finding people trusting my judgment and leadership more as they had never had anything like this in the past and were very cautious. That ended before Friday night was over! The witnessing was very appropriate for St. Philip's - honest and from the heart. We thought we had one teen - nine came and one never had even been in a church. She's now a believer waiting eagerly to be baptized Easter Eve."
The Rev. Robert M. Maxwell
St. Philip's Episcopal Church
Belen, New Mexico

Diocese of the Rio Grande

"Faith Alive was a wonderful, Spirit-filled experience for our parish family. The worship, the sharing and the fellowship were outstanding for all age groups. The Weekend was a great boost for our congregation as we move into a season of building new facilities to expand our mission and ministry. Our Faith Alive team was simply outstanding."
The Rev. John E. Miller, III
St. John's Episcopal Church
Melbourne, Florida

Diocese of Central Florida

"We were surprised and delighted by Friday attendance, and indeed by all the attendance throughout the Weekend. The witnessing was first class! All was tasteful and socially appropriate. An excellent Weekend."
The Rev. C. Bradley Wilson
Fox Chapel Episcopal Church
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Diocese of Pittsburgh

"Our Faith Alive Weekend exceeded our expectations and all those who attended were greatly blessed. Hap Maguire did a wonderful job leading an outstanding team of witnesses. I was truly amazed at how the Spirit of God orchestrated the Weekend to meet the needs of our parish. Hap and all the witnesses were very sensitive in leading the congregation to a place where they could hear and receive the blessings God Almighty intended to pour out on our parish family. Thank you for your wonderful ministry to the Episcopal Church."
The Rev. Samuel Clarke
St. Joseph of Arimathea Episcopal Church
Hendersonville, Tennessee

Diocese of Tennessee

"A wonderful Weekend that will seem for years to come as a milestone in the life of the parish and a launching pad for new ministry and spiritual growth."
The Rev. Frank Baltz
St. Jude's Episcopal Church
Marietta, Georgia

Diocese of Atlanta

"The Weekend exceeded our expectations! God's presence was palpable during the whole Weekend and so many good things were happening. Although some in our congregation were apprehensive about the experience, there was an openness to the experience and the Holy Spirit that was truly heartening and renewing. Thank God! And Praise God!"
The Rev. Andrew J. Sherman
Prince of Peace Episcopal Church
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Diocese of Central Pennsylvania

"The Weekend was a tremendous success. The witnesses were inspired by the Holy Spirit. They touched the participants as a group with great power and individually with often dramatic impact. The music was truly heavenly. Many of the laity have become aware of their part in Christ's ministry. The activity level in the parish has obviously increased. What a joy to see so many Christ centered activities occurring. It is wonderful to watch God's Spirit received and at work at Good Shepherd. Thank you Faith Alive. Thank you God!"
The Rev. Robert G. McBride
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
Terrell, Texas

Diocese of Dallas