The Messenger, August 2007

MESSAGE FROM MARGIE

The hot dry days of August are upon us.  For some reason, the month of August is a time of intense prayer for me.  I am reminded of St. Benedict of Nursia, who created the rule of life that most monastic orders still use today.   In the sixth century, he strived to become focused and united with God.

It made me think about how many of us feel like we are an island unto ourselves.  Sometimes when we look around the world, our community or our church, we find it hard to connect with God.  One thing is that we were never created to be an island unto ourselves.  We become that way by our own efforts.  Our humanity is fertilized and challenged through our links with people who are very different from ourselves.  That is God’s way…  It isn’t a bargaining chip: we are stuck with it whether we like or not.  It seems that God has made it so that we can’t become fully human unless we meet the demands of life together.  It is no accident that God created a church, a community, a body of people to help us work out our salvation.  The bottom line is that we go up and down together…

St. Benedict wrote that as we focus on becoming one with God and as we are united in the love of God that we can take comfort in the fact that for all of our lives we will always be beginners.  Our opus dei  (the work of God) is to be the hands and feet of God in a scary and uncertain world.  Sometimes it seems that the tasks are so big and we feel so small that we throw our hands up in the air in defeat.

In Romans 12: 9-13, we are reminded that we are not an island, but we are called to a life of hospitality.  We are called to see and accept everyone as being sent to us by God.  This is not an easy task, but amazingly, it is a task that I see each of you doing on a daily basis.

In times of uncertainty, we need to know that we are not an island that everyone has forgotten about.  We have hope and promise as change comes our way.  It is who we are that makes us different, it is that we love and praise God, we love our neighbors, we fight evil and we respect the dignity of every human being.  Every time we live out these actions, we bind ourselves closer to our Creator who is behind them.

I continually give thanks for all of you and your opus dei.  You truly are the work of God and for that I am richly blessed.

Before the sixteenth-century Reformation in western Europe, the Christian church in a given country or region was customarily described as the church of the region, such as the Gallican Church, the Spanish Church, the English Church (Latin ecclesia anglicana), or the Church of England. After the Reformation, the English national church continued to be called the Church of England, but it repudiated the supremacy of the Pope. It retained, however, its ancient episcopal polity. By the 1534 Act of Supremacy, King Henry VIII became "Supreme Head of the Church of England," and by the 1559 Act of Supremacy, Elizabeth I became “Supreme Governor of the Church of England,” supplanting the Pope. To this day the Church of England is episcopal in polity, with the sovereign, who still bears the Elizabethan title, as its legal administrative head. The Church of England is divided into the Province of Canterbury and the Province of York. The Archbishop of York is the Primate of England and Metropolitan, and the Archbishop of Canterbury is the Primate of all England and Metropolitan. The Province of Canterbury consists of thirty-one dioceses and the Province of York consists of fourteen dioceses. The Episcopal Church derives much of its doctrine, discipline, and worship from the Church of England.

From Episcopal Life Online
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife/

Dear fellow parishioners,

I hope you all are enjoying your summer.  As usual it is speeding by and before we know it we will be back to our regular schedule of services and activities.

I wanted to take this opportunity to bring you all up-to-date on our search for a new rector.

A few weeks ago Father Michael Hunn, of our diocese, gave us the name of a candidate for rector who was already living in North Carolina.  Early in July the vestry members met with him at All Saints’.  We took him on a tour of the church and our facilities; we enjoyed a nice lunch together in the Parish House, and after lunch had some serious discussions about where we are and what our church needs are now and for the future.  The vestry came together and decided that he was a good fit for All Saints’ and offered   him the position of rector.

In the last few weeks this candidate entered into a time of prayer and discernment about his future.  We have had some further conversation and dialogue in response to questions he had about our church and the community.   Last Thursday he contacted me to say that he needed more time for discernment and that he did not want to hold our church up in locating a new rector as he could not commit to us at this time.  I thanked him for his honesty and his concerns for our church.  I told him that we would ask Father Michael Hunn to refer another candidate to us but that in the event that this gentleman changed his mind before we completed this process we would be glad to reconsider his application to All Saints’.

I know that there had been a lot of talk and conversation around the church about the new priest and I am sorry that this person did not work out for us.  Each time we go through this process we will never know for certain we have secured a new priest until that person makes a final commitment to us.  There can be a delay between our offer and their acceptance so for the future keep in mind that this is a process that has to run its course.  I do not want to give you false hope each time you hear that we get a new candidate.  I hope you will keep our vestry in your prayers and that we find a new Rector before too long.

Finally, if you have any concerns or questions about this process that we are going through for a new priest, or have any additional concerns or questions about All Saints’, please do not hesitate to call me or see me in church and ask me.

In His name,

Robert J. Burke
Senior Warden

Margie’s Bookshelf

Summer Reading

Ears to Hear
by Edward S. Little
Morehouse Publishing, 2003

Little, an Episcopal Bishop from the Diocese of Northern Indiana, takes us on a journey though the Old Testament by looking at the vocations of the Old Testament prophets and heroes.  This book shows us that clergy aren’t the only ones who are called into ministry.  This book is an excellent way to look at how lay people too, are called into service for God.  Each chapter concludes with discussion questions about recognizing and responding to our calls.

Anglican Difficulties; A New Syllabus of Errors
by Edward Norman
Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd. (2005)

Canon Edward Norman writes a scathing book attacking the Church of England.  What makes matters worse is that he is not just the average guy, he was a leading intellectual for the Anglican Church.  He blames most of the Church’s problems on the dynamics of authority, factions and progressive change.  He also doesn’t believe that women should be ordained clergy. (ouch!)  He has left the Anglican Church and is now a Roman Catholic.  I can’t say that I will miss him… 

Shaming the Devil: Essays in Truthtelling
by Alan Jacobs
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004

This is a compelling series of reflections on how hard it is to tell the truth in a society that perpetuates the hate, blame and denial syndrome.  The author visits the question raised by Pontius Pilate, “What is truth?”  This is a beautifully written book and will appeal to everyone.

Episcopal Church Women

Welcome back to the ECW.  I hope you have all had a good summer; mine has been very dry.  The executive board will have a meeting at 10:00AM on Wednesday Aug. 14th at the administrative building.  Please bring renewed materials and thoughts so that we can get a fresh corrected year book and get us off to a good start.  I will be attending a meeting in Tarboro on Wednesday, the 15^th in preparation for the annual ECW Diocesan meeting to be held in Tarboro on November 9^th and 10^th which is being hosted by our convocation. I will be more than happy to have you attend with me.  We do not need to give notice of attendance in advance, for lunch orders are taken there and the food is delivered. I have gotten back to Roanoke Rapids by 2 PM.

We are trying to get the Campbell Soup label situation straight.  Different cans have the bar code and the child graduate placed differently but that is what they want.  Please try to cut them out together, however, if it seems difficult, the whole label will work very well.  Some individuals were trying to get the section for Thompson’s Child and Family Focus and also have the item identification on the can so that the can may be donated to the basket for the hungry.  Smart thinking.  The glue is not always at the best location for removal of the bar code and child graduate so do your best. We can continue to answer questions concerning this matter.

Our first general ECW meeting will be held in September on the 12th  at which time we will issue new yearbooks. This will be the first Wednesday after the vestry meeting for the month.  We will have a meal served to those who have confirmed for lunch meals with me and have not called Margie Musgrove to cancel by the Sunday night before the meeting.  If you have not confirmed to pay for lunch and would like to do so please let me know.

Margie M. tells me that she collected $532.79 for CPC back in May.  This is very good for us, maybe even the best we have ever done.  Thanks so much!!!

I look forward to seeing you all soon.

^{Sincerely,
Ruthie G.}

ECW DIRECTORY UPDATE

 I am updating the yearly ECW Directory and need your input.  If there are any changes, corrections email addresses or cell phone numbers that I don’t have, please contact me (allsaintsrr@earthlink.net or 537-3610) so I can put it in the Directory.  There will be a meeting on Aug. 14th with the ECW Executive Board to work on this project and would appreciated your input before then.   Thanks, Vickie

St. Frances Guild News

 The St. Frances Guild is an outgrowth of Christian Social Relations which is an office in the ECW.  It is a group of parishioners who visit, send cards or take food as needed.  Peggy Barber is Chair of this group and has asked that cards be sent to the following.  The Committee for August  is: Sally Pierce, Chair, Ruthie Gregory and Joan Perkinson. 

· Ronnie Mitchell is now at the Guardian Care in Scotland Neck.  Please continue to mail your cards to PO Box 1128, Tillery, NC  27887

· SPECIAL PRAYERS for:  Pat Harris, Kathleen Davis, Ida Bowers, Amber Keeter and Betty Mooring.

· Any nursing home residents—see your ECW booklet.

If you know of someone who would like to be contacted or visited by this group, please call Peggy Barber at 537-6368 or Vickie in the parish office at 537-3610.

Joys……Congratulations to Joanne Parrott on the birth of her grandson, Franklin Brantley (Breuninger) Parrott, born June 26, 2007.

&

Concerns…Our sympathy to Sandra on the recent death of her mother, Matty Williams. 

Also, to Eve Hendricks on the loss of her brother, Clarence Ruffin, and to Lulu Copeland on the loss of her son, Emmanuel Boone.

SPECIAL NOTES OF THANKS TO ALL SAINTS’

· For being so thoughtful and thinking about me, for your visits, cards and flowers THANKS.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers.  IDA BOWERS

· My deepest appreciation of your many kindness during the loss of my mother, Matty Williams.   SANDRA

· Thank you for including me on All Saints’ prayer list.  I have finished my military service and will be attending college in the fall.  Please keep my Marine friends in your thoughts and THANKS again for your support.
Matthew Deese

· I appreciate your kindness in remembering me with a graduation gift.  The Bible is such a thoughtful gift as I venture out into the world on my own!  Anna Mahone

· Thank you so much for your generous use of the All Saints’ van for the Dioceson trip to PYE in Bay, St. Louis.  I know it was a life changing experience for our young people.  Thank you for supporting these young people as they seek to make a difference in God’s Kingdom.  Kathy Plister, Diocese of NC

· Gratefully acknowledge your recent gift of food. The Good Samaritan Ministries

· Thank you for continuing to support Thompson Child & Family Focus through your gifts of Campbell Soup Labels for Education.  Rachel Eldridge, Thompson Child &Family Focus

· Every week we have people call or walk into the parish office asking for help.  Help with their utility bills, rent, gas, food, etc… With your support we have been able to assist most of these needs.  Margie has been very generous in donating her salary from All Saints’ back into the Rector’s Discretionary Fund, which is one reason we have been able to help so many these last few months.  We now have our own small food bank here in the parish office for those who can’t get to the Good Samaritan office in Weldon.  Please continue to bring food for that ministry but feel free to contribute to our food bank as well.  Or you can purchase gift cards from local grocery stores and bring to the office for us to give to those in need of milk, eggs, bread, etc.  Also,  remember your loose offering on the first Sunday of each month goes to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund, which is down to less than $100.  It is a pure joy to watch the faces of those in need when I am able to say “YES” All Saints’ can help you.  Please continue to give me that joy by saying “YES” and give to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund.
Thanks, Vickie Irby, All Saints’ Parish Administrator

ALL SAINTS VESTRY MEETING MAY 7,2007

*Attendance:  All except The Rev. Holm
*Opening; Lighting of Christ Candle
*April Meeting  Notes Approved.
* Financial Report:  Bill P

General Fund
Gowen Fund  (Maintenance Church)
 (BB & T)
MM Fund @ RBC 3/31/07
Nick Long Fund (sabbatical)
EYC Scholarship Fund
Columbarium Fund
Memorial Fund
Roof Fund (Diocesan Common Trust)
>>> Discussion to move to local investment.
Lehman Fund (Music)
General/Worship Fund (Vestry Approval)

Pledges/April
Loose Offerings
Other Donations

FIRST 4 MONTHS WITHIN BUDGET EXPECTATIONS

* Parochial Report was read by Bob Burke & financial figures were reviewed as submitted by Cary Whitaker.  Figures submitted matched within $50ish .  Vestry approved report & authorized sending to Bishop’s office.

Parochial Report also served as a self-audit of AS’s Finances.

Vestry thanked Cary Whitacker for a job well done.

*Discussion held on the complete door lock changeover of all doors @ AS.  Tony Short is in charged of delegating assigned keys to church members who need access to church buildings.   All keys are numbered & can not be copied by locksmiths.

Tony Short reminded the Vestry that his duties as Jr. Warden have resulted in  him visiting the church and church office during the weekdays.  He has been overwhelmed with the need for local outreach in our RR community.  He wanted to make sure all Vestry members were aware of this need.

In the future, AS should discuss different methods of “Reaching Out” to the less fortunate in our community.

Vestry agreed and currently Rev. Holm has a limited discretionary fund for emergencies “HELP” situations.

Vestry  to coordinate with Outreach.

* Discussion held concerning the Bishop’s office submittal of a candidate for   AS’s  rector in the :TIME CERTAIN” Procedure.  Diocesan goal is to submit one name for Vestry investigation, vote & approval.

Committee appointed to review Time Certain Applicants:

Bob Burke, Tony Short, Bill Pearce, Mary Wellman, William Hodge  (Alternate Scott Barber)

Bishop’s goal is to have a rector at AS by September Fall Kick-Off ….  Season.

*Discussion that Father Craig is working with the Diocesan Office for placement.  Small question has arisen on the details of exit package …. Time frame has to be reviewed.

Submitted by Bill Hodge, Clerk of All Saints’ Vestry
(June Meeting Minutes not available at time of printing)