Welcome to St. Raphael's
Who We Are
Healing
Our mission statement mentions healing as our #1 priority. Our services provide an opportunity to gather together and worship. We offer the following during our normal Sunday Service:
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Prayer and Worship: All of our services include an element of healing beginning with prayer and worship.
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Scripture Reading: In addition to prayer, our services offer scripture readings and a short message from the worship leader.
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Anointing with Oil: The priest will annoint with oil if requested. This is an ancient practice that is mentioned at least 20 times in the Bible when it was used by Jesus and the apostles to heal the sick.
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Laying on of Hands: After the service, individuals can meet with lay ministers to receive the laying on of hands. This practice involves prayer team members placing hands on a person while praying for healing. It is believed to transmit spiritual energy and blessings.
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Individual Prayer: Our church offers an opportunity for personal, one-on-one prayer with trained prayer ministers or pastors. Attendees can share their specific needs or concerns and receive prayer tailored to their situation.
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Confession and Forgiveness: Our services include time for the congregation to participate in a general confession of their sins and seek forgiveness as part of the healing process. The act of repentance and forgiveness is seen as essential for spiritual healing.
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Prayer for Specific Needs: All of our services contain Prayers of the People where the congregation prays for the community, the nation, and the world. This is also an opportunity to add the names of people who need prayers which are read aloud during the service. A period of silence is held where people can speak the names of anyone they want the congregation to pray for.
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Communion: Most of our services offer Eucharist (Holy Communion), where participants partake in the symbolic body and blood of Christ as a means of spiritual nourishment and healing.
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Hope
St. Raphael's offers hope in different ways including
Spiritual Guidance: In the past we have offered spiritual teachings, counseling, and support to help people find hope through their faith. We provide pastoral care and inspiration for those facing challenges.
Community Support: We are a small, but dedicated congregation that serves as a source of emotional and social support. We provide a sense of belonging and connection, which can be especially comforting during difficult times.
Prayer and Meditation: Once our repairs are completed, we will provide a space for prayer and meditation, allowing individuals to seek solace and find hope through spiritual practices. Many find strength and encouragement in their personal relationship with a higher power.
Worship Services: Regular worship services and gatherings allow people to come together and experience a sense of hope and renewal. The music, rituals, and communal aspects of worship can uplift spirits and provide a sense of purpose.
Charitable Work: St. Raphael's also participates in charitable ctivities, such as food drives, and volunteering in the community. These acts of service can bring hope to those in need and offer a practical means of support.
Counseling and Support Groups: Although we do not have anyone on staff at this time for counseling, we can offer counseling service options in the community. We plan to offer more opportunities for residents to continue telling their stories and healing from the hurricane after this event.
Encouragement and Inspiration: Through sermons and motivational messages, we strive to inspire individuals to have faith, persevere in the face of adversity, and maintain hope for a better future.
Celebration of Milestones: We celebrate significant life events, such as weddings, baptisms, and confirmations. These ceremonies are a source of hope and joy, marking important transitions in one's spiritual journey.
Inclusivity and Acceptance: St. Raphael's promotes an atmosphere of inclusivity and acceptance, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. This inclusivity can instill hope in those who may have felt marginalized or isolated elsewhere.
Hope in Eternal Life: A fundamental aspect of our faith is the belief in eternal life through Christ. This belief provides hope in the face of mortality and the promise of a life beyond this world.
Overall, we aim to be a place of hope, faith, and love, providing individuals with the spiritual and emotional support they need to navigate life's challenges and uncertainties.
Hospitality
For over 70 years, St. Raphael's has been known for its hospitality. When we are worshipping in our own church, we always have a hospitality hour offering food and drinks to our congregration in the parish hall. We have work parties where we come together to improve our campus. Our shrimp dinners, which will return, often brought in over 300 people to share great food and a time to break bread together.
For many years St. Raphael's participated in the shrimp festival selling shrimp rolls and Blessing the Shrimp Fleet.
Our Future
Ian Damages
Although all of our buildings are structurally sound, we had seven feet of water in the buildings. We lost everything including our altar, our pews, our prayer books, our vestments, our kitchen equipment, and more.
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At this time, we have had all buildings remediated for mold and cleared to the studs. We have new roofs on all buildings and are awaiting permits to begin reconstructing the parish hall. That will be the first building to open. We will have our services there on Sundays and will use the hall for community events (including the shrimp dinners).
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We have lost all of our records and have no working phone at this time. Our priest has resigned and we are using supply priests until our Bishop sends us a new leader. Hopefully this will be soon.
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In spite of our setbacks, we have continued to worship each Sunday, first in our garden and now at Diamondhead.
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