Compared to His humility in becoming man,

all other humility is nothing but pride.

Come, one and all, come running.

Come and see Eternal Life in swaddling clothes!

Take him in your arms, he cannot run away;

He has come to redeem those who have lost all hope.  (Jacopone da Todi

What a year it has been for so many around the world.  Wars, tumults, hurricanes, divisions, and loss have dominated the news.  To be centered on the true meaning of Christmas, however, and the joy of Christ that is more significant than mere happiness, is to enter into the mystery of the Nativity of our Lord.  To those who have had a difficult year, we offer you the assurance of our love and His love.

Jo’s year was monumental to say the least.  In the midst of a year that included a group pilgrimage to England, with significant time at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, she turned the big “60.”  People came from virtually every place we have ever lived to celebrate with Jo.  The surprise of seeing these friends, and the unexpected appearances of her sister, Rose, and of Keith, Renée, Lynne and Ellie brought together what has been a magnificent year, including several visits with the children, nephew Tony and Megan’s wedding in Colorado, Godson Michael Shin’s wedding in California and the honor bestowed on her by the Diocese of Quincy in being named the recipient of the coveted St. Paul’s Award. 

A great deal of  her time this year in addition to continuing as the Managing Editor of the Diocesan newspaper has been spent in making the newly acquired Diocesan House: Center for Mission and Ministry, into a truly lovely and welcoming place for all who come to transact church administration and to participate in diocesan life.  She particularly wishes to thank everyone for the many cards and precious letters that were sent in October to celebrate her birthday. The culmination of the year aside from Christmas was spent in Disneyworld in early December where Renee’s theater class performed – her birthday gift from the children!

This October, Bishop and Jo will host another pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  To see a brochure you can go to: http://www.dioceseofquincy.org/tour-holy_land.html

On a sad note, two more of her dear aunts died this year: Aunt Helen, Aunt Fritz, and Jo’s cousin, Mary.

The Bishop’s year has been spent also in participating in the move “across the parking lot” from the Cathedral to the Diocesan House.  But a great deal of the time is also spent in deep prayer and in consultation with people around the world regarding the deep divisions caused in the Anglican Communion by the Episcopal Church’s ongoing leftward movement.  He met twice with the Archbishop of Canterbury in England, once with President Bush, and at various times with bishops from around the world.  He was asked to be the President of the North American Forward in Faith organization which is a conservative movement in the church.  This summer, however, was a major event in his life and in the life of Keith as father and son “returned” to the country of the Åkerman’s, namely Sweden.  Due to the generosity of a Swedish physician and the invitation of a Swedish Church Society, Bp. Keith and Keith were able to spend significant time in several provinces in Sweden including the Åkerman-Jonsson (Ackerman-Johnson) province of Skane.  The trip included an overwhelming experience of walking in a religious procession for 20 km, being interviewed by several Swedish newspapers, eating every type of Swedish food in their childhood memories, and having Bp. Keith celebrate Mass at the 14^th century Shrine of the Patron Saint of Sweden, St. Bridget, using a chalice from the 14^th century! 

The losses this year include one of our churches being destroyed by an adolescent arson, and the death of several dear priests.  The good news is that our Church in Quincy has had the roof trusses put in place and significant rebuilding is underway.

Keith and Donna have had another significant year.  Keith is now the Chief Operations Officer of Central Dallas Ministries, where formerly he had been the Practice Administrator of the Community Health Services Department.  He now oversees the overall day to day operations of the food pantry, health clinic & health promotion programs, law firm, housing development department, technology center, work assistance/training programs, transition from foster care to adulthood program, after school programs, after school meal programs and community gymnasium center (www.centraldallasministries.org). Hurricane Katrina occurred just as he took the new position, and that resulted in a great deal of time spent in ministering to the needs of the evacuees who were relocated in the Dallas area. He was in charge of recruiting and deploying the crisis counselors who ministered to the evacuees at Reunion Arena in Dallas as well as coordinating the collection of emergency supplies and medications with the Dallas County Medical Society.  Keith would agree that the time spent in Sweden was life changing, and together, he and his Dad have become more intentional in searching the family tree.

                 Donna continues to pursue additional excellence in educational endeavors such as preparing for the Professional Human Resources certification exam, while continuing  employment with Verizon.  She accomplished her Competent Toastmaster (CTM) and Competent Leader (CL) award in Toastmasters this year and is currently Toastmaster’s Assistant Area Governor of Education and Training and a mentor to several new members. 

Both Keith and Donna keep in shape by their continued involvement in  their numerous athletic related activities.  Donna rode in six bike rallies this year with the longest distance being 47 miles, participated in the Muddy Buddy Duathlon and the Turkey Trot 10k.

Their adorable Maltese, Murphy, is quite an “old man” now at age 13, but age has not deterred his devotion to Keith. 

Renée, Ethan and Ellie have had a year full of excitement.  Renée is the head of the Theatre Department at Haltom High School and her tremendous direction of the Musical “School House Rock-LIVE!” resulted in her and her students being invited to perform at Disneyworld.  Naturally Ethan, Ellie, Lynne, and “Momma Jo”