The Messenger, November 2007

Our Vision

In case you missed it from the pulpit or during announcement time, we are in the open season of stewardship.  So, I will say it again.  We, at All Saint’s are asking you to look at the pledge cards and pray diligently about the card.  If you can give one more dollar a month, it will mean a great deal to the ability of this church to move on.

I am not sure how long I will be at All Saint’s, but it looks as if I will be here for a “season.”  The process to appoint a time certain rector has taken much longer than was originally anticipated.  After the vestry and I consulted with the Bishop’s office it was agreed that I will be on contract at All Saint’s until a time certain rector is named or a search process begins.   This will allow me to receive a salary and benefits.

And with that, I am asking you to look at pledging, or to increasing the pledge you are giving now.  We are not asking you to give if you cannot give.  We are asking that of people who could look at giving something or a little more.  That is all.  God does not want for us to take away from our needs in order to support others.

As of last year, we had 81 pledge cards.  Last year was a time of real hardship for All Saints.  It was a time of transition and division.  There are some folks who have left the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA) have started a new Anglican Church, St. Andrew’s in Garysburg, NC.  There are also a few people who left All Saint’s and joined other churches.

Now, we have a vision and we are stronger than ever before.  Our vision is not one of brokenness and pain, but that of God’s indescribable and glorious joy.  We have a vision of God’s good will, of God’s generosity, and of God’s unfailing love.  When we catch a glimpse of God’s vision, it is not of human distrust and anger, but of faith in the promises of God and the conviction of faith unseen that leads to God’s wonderful plans for us.

In God’s great mercy, we are also given the presence of the Holy Spirit.  With this vision, we have the pledge of the Advocate, the Parakletos, the one who is always with us during our trials and temptations in life.  We have the friendship of Jesus Christ who leads and guides us into the realm of all truth.  Also, we have the real presence of Jesus Christ in the communion of his Body and Blood, consecrated by that same Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

So, as we begin our every member canvass campaign, we as a church appeal to you about tithing and pledging for the good of our church.

The Episcopal Church as a whole is like belonging to a wonderful extended church family.  We have a vision.  Our vision as people of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ is to participate in God’s mission; by following in the way of the cross, proclaiming the Gospel to all people, and embracing the grace and love of Christ to the world.  This is an exciting time in this holy spirit filled diocese of Episcopalians as we not only realize our vision, but fulfill it.

Thanks be to God!

   Warm greetings to all members and friends of All Saints’!

We were blessed last weekend with a well-needed rain that ushered in fall not by the calendar but by the cooler temperatures.  Also, it was the weekend in which our EYC canoe trip was well attended and reported as being a great success!  I want to thank Henry Long for all his efforts in getting our senior and junior EYC members safely down the river and back home.  I have had a great deal of positive input about this trip and we plan to schedule another one for next year.  It is possible we might change the location to the Nottoway River in Virginia.  If you have any suggestions or input as to this location or others or thoughts about a spring canoe trip please communicate them to Margie, Henry Long, or myself.

I am pleased with the positive response I’ve been getting in feedback from parishioners about all things happening lately at All Saints’ church.  We have seen several new faces at both the 8 am and 11 am services.  We welcome these new families to our church community.

The exterior painting of the church has been completed and I hope you feel, as I do, that the painters have done a superb job sprucing up the building.  I would like to thank Tony Short for all the hard work he has done as Junior Warden in helping to keep our building and grounds in good shape.

In the past week I have received information, by way of an Internet article written by Craig Welbaum, that the Welbaums and the Andersons have decided to become part of a new Anglican Mission Church currently organizing in Charlotte, NC.  We wish them well on their new venture.

I want to thank everyone who continues to support our in-house food bank.  This is an important mission of All Saints’ church and has helped many people in our community.  Your continued support is appreciated and if you need to know specific things that are needed please contact Vickie, our parish administrator.

In closing, and for those of you who may have missed the recent announcement, Margie has agreed to stay with All Saints’ for a season.  Her appointment has to be approved by the Bishop and I know we are all behind her and continue to thank her for her leadership, her guidance, and her pastoral care.

Faithfully,

Bob
Robert J. Burke
Senior Warden

Margie’s Bookshelf

The Year of Living Biblically:
One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
By A. J. Jacobs: Simon & Schuster, October 9, 2007

This book is about a man claiming to be an agnostic who sets out to strictly adhere to the Biblical laws.  Jacobs is a journalist with Esquire Magazine and takes us on an unforgettable journey through the Bible’s rules and regulations.  The author is a gifted writer who will keep you in stitches.  He has the gift of mixing some very tough realities in Biblical times to the reality of life in the 21^st Century.  He takes us to the streets NYC, Amish Communities, a community of snake handlers, biblical creationists, and the Samaritans in Israel.  This journey affects his entire life as he grows an immense beard, wears biblically correct clothing, abstains from certain foods and struggles as he observes those who break the biblical laws.  This book is insightful as well has humorous.  Once you start reading this book, thou shalt not put it down!

After the Baby Boomers:
How Twenty and Thirty Somethings are Shaping the Future of American Religion
By Robert Wuthnow: Princeton University Press, July, 2007

Robert Wuthnow is a sociologist who did a study on the decline of young people attending churches today.  He found that many young people, single or married are more career oriented and delay having families until later.  He also found that as more young people are becoming educated, they move away and don’t return to their “roots.”  In so doing, they are reluctant to pick up in different communities.  The main issue he found that keeps our young people away from churches are the church structures themselves.  Mainline churches tend to overlook the voices of youth, while the evangelicals are reluctant to accept youth into their congregations simply because they are unwelcoming.  The cure is a refocus on church dynamics where current church leaders learn to listen to young adults, to focus on persons who are doing ministry with youth and young adults and thirdly, to increase communication with young adults and the people who work with them.  Although this book has a lot of boring data, it is a useful tool for clergy and church leaders to explore.

Bridge of Sighs
By Richard Russo; Knopf, 2007

This is a wonderful book about a man named Lucy, a nickname for Lou C. Lynch.  It is the story of a man who chose the simple life of staying in his hometown.  He has been successful in business and happy in his personal life, but change is around the corner as he prepares to go to Europe to meet his old childhood friend who opted for the fast and adventurous life.  Bridge of Sighs is a book that weaves together its characters who lead very different lives.  It is a joy to read as Lucy untangles the history and delicate dynamics of his town and life.

Episcopal Church Women

We had good food and attendance and an interesting program on Oct. 10th.  Thank you, Pat for your time and effort and the Daily Survival Kit.  Our next meeting will be Wednesday, November 7.  The board meeting starts at 10:15 am and Holy Eucharist is at 11:30 am followed by lunch and the program.  Please remember to call Margie Musgrove no later than Sunday if you have signed up for the lunch meals and are unable to attend this month.  Those of you who have signed up know who you are.  We are happy to have others attend, just let Margie M. know and settle the financial situation with Deedie.  If you have not paid Deedie your $42 for the 6 meals she will be glad to accept your money at the meeting.

The 2007-08 ECW Year Book is now available and if you have not gotten yours please check at the back of the church or with Sally Hardison.  We want everyone to have a yearbook.  I am delighted that we will have 2 Delegates at Large and possible 6 other members from All Saints’ attending the Northeast Convocation meeting in Tarboro on the 9th and 10th of November. Our new bishop, The Rt. Rev. William O. Greeg, will have communion on Friday evening and our speaker, The Rev. Jane Sigloh, sounds very interesting for Saturday morning.

Vickie tells me our printing machine will make our assembling of the packet very each and that the two of us can get it done.  The Operation Christmas Child Boxes are due at the 10th Street Church of Christ the week of November 12-19.

Please continue to save the graduate child and the bar code on the soup cans and the wrappers on other Campbell, Pace and Prego products.

UTO FALL Ingathering is Sunday, November 4 and those envelopes will be handed out at the back of the church on November 4.  Please remember the Blue Velvet Cushion in the plates.

Food Fair—Sat. Nov. 17 at 10:00 am—see back article

Advent Wreath Making is schedule for Sunday, Dec. 2 and chili and hot dogs will be provided.  Do come.  Families welcome!  More info as Advent approaches. 

I look forward to seeing you on Nov. 7 if not before.

Sisters in Christ,
Ruthie G.

Chris and Sandy Lehman wish to say a special thank you to Susan and Bill Hodge, Frances Hursey, Joanne Parrott, Patricia Barnes, Sally and Bill Peirce for all their hard work in making the baptism reception for their grandson, Isaac, possible.  Also to Margie and the congregation for sharing in the celebration afterwards.

St. Francis Guild News

The St. Francis 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 November is: June and Willie Long

· 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 Paige, Gil and McGilbra Cutchin on the birth of Matti Margaret, who was born on October 11.

................Congratulations to Caroline Thiele on her acceptance to nursing school.

&

Concerns…... Our sympathy to Frank and Pat Slone on the tragic death of their beloved daughter, Debbie.  Their address is:  3044 South NC 581, Spring Hope, NC  27882

OUTREACH

 Amber Keeter is the twelve-year-old great-niece of Chris and Sandy Lehman.  She was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, stage four, this summer.  Amber's family is struggling with the expenses involved with traveling back and forth to Chapel Hill, medical bills, and providing for a family of five.  Sometimes they make three trips during a week to Chapel Hill.  Amber is having a difficult time with the loss of her hair and she has asked for a wig.   The Keeters do not have insurance to pay for a wig.  On November 11th, All Saints' will be taking up a Love Offering to go towards purchasing a wig for Amber.

Thank you for your help.

Ski Trip — FEB. 8—10

 Good Shepherd in Rocky Mount, has invited All Saints’ to join them for a weekend of skiing.  The cost for the entire weekend (lodging, equipment and food) is $175 per person, BUT we need a head count and money by next week.  Chaperons are needed. Please contact the parish office to sign up no later than Nov. 8th.  All are invited!!!!

EYC
Mark your Calendar with the Following Dates:

· Sunday, Nov. 4 — Shoe Box Sunday

· Sunday, Nov. 11 — EYC Sugar Cake Sale at the coffee hour in the parish house.

· Sunday, Nov. 11 — Bowling with the youth.

· Saturday, Nov. 17 — ECW  Food Fair

· Sunday, Nov. 18 — Spiritual Giving Thanks

· NO EYC on Sunday, Nov. 25 _ Thanksgiving

· Sunday, Dec. 2 — Advent Wreath Making with Chili & Hot Dogs

· Friday—Sunday, Dec. 7—9, Bishops Ball

· Sunday, Dec. 9—NO EYC

· Friday, Dec. 14—Willie Wonka Chocolate Factory Musical at the Centre

· Sunday, Dec. 16—EYC Christmas Party—we will bake cookies and wrap presents

· Thursday, Dec. 20—Christmas Caroling

· Sunday, Dec. 23 and 30—NO EYC

Contact Kelly Singh at 537-7143 for more info.

Christian Education

Our Sunday School kids will be making care bags for our shut-ins at the local nursing homes.

 We hope to see everyone on Sunday Mornings at 10 am in the parish house. 

Intercessions

Let us pray for the sick.

O Christ our Lord.  Who art the Physician of salvation, grant unto the sick the aid of heavenly healing.  Look upon all faithful people who are sick, and who love to call upon thy name, and take their souls into they keeping, and vouchsafe to deliver them from all sickness and infirmity.  Amen.

O God, who knowest the necessities of all they children;  We pray thee to have in thy holy keeping those precious souls, nearest and dearest to us, who have departed this life in they faith and love.  Provide for all needs, sustain and comfort them, protect them for all ill, and grant them eternal joy in thy service.  Give them peace and rest in they presence, and bring them to that glorious perfection promised to they saints; for the sake of him who died and rose again for us, they Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
 

Julian Gardner
Ida Bowers
Kathleen Davis
Bill Davis, Sr.
Frances Gowen
Ronnie Mitchell
Jay Hardison
Elaine Whitley
Pat Harris
Betty Mooring
Cecil Buxton
Betty Pearce
Elgie & Kenneth Brantley
Carlton Wells
 

Marty Ross
Alice Langley
Carolyn Poythress
Connie Johnson
Neil Phillips
Lennis Newsome
Dorothy Barnes
Shirley Deloatch
Evette McGuire
Katherine Clark
Amber Keeter
Ellen Hursey
Sara Allen
Andy Procter

Jeannette Kroncke Howell
Austin Barnes
Clemen Duarte
Pat Yarbour
Olga Bryant
Ales Eudaley
Myra Fox
Vittoria Fiorilli
Winston Warren
Willie Matthews
Joey Ussery
Sandra Joseph
Linda Allen
Rhet Wilkinson

FOOD FAIR                  FOOD FAIR
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2007
10 AM

Prepare or partially prepare items now that can be placed in the freezer.  The week of the food fair you  can prepare items that can’t be placed in the freezer.  All kinds of food items and BBQ and hopefully lunch will be available.  Do come with items to sell and take home purchases.  Please label items that have been frozen to use by certain date or refreeze.  All Saints’ members should take BBQ orders and turn in to Vickie by Wednesday, Nov. 14 (remember to take orders from family and friends). There will be BBQ available for the public that morning also for sale.