The living power of God is among us.  I am honored that you have chosen me to serve and worship with you as your time certain rector.  Time certain means that I will be with you for at least two years as All Saints’ moves into a new phase of growth and service.  At the end of that time, you reserve the right to call me as your permanent rector or you will have the option to call someone else.

Things are moving for us in a very positive way.  We are moving into a deeper definition of mission and ministry.  More importantly, we are moving toward a greater identity in the body of Christ within our community of faith here at All Saints’.  We are also gaining clearer picture of who we are as members of the worldwide Anglican Community.  I have seen tremendous growth as we have moved toward carrying out our mission and ministry in not only our community, but to those in our mission minded diocese.   It is wonderful to watch the transformation of All Saints’.  Words are not needed to describe it.  Things happen when transformation takes place.  People are noticing it.  The old ways have are being replaced by new ideas that are leading to a wider vision and growth.

In our second year together, let us embrace the living power of God among us.  There will be passion as well as resistance as we look at the old and new ways of our life together.  The important thing is that we will do this collectively; everyone will be a part of our change and growth.  As we prepare to enter the Easter Season, let us remember that our Christian life is about struggle.  It is the story about human struggles that are focused on one person, Jesus Christ.  His struggle is our struggle.  What happens to us, happened to Jesus and what happened to Jesus is what is intended to happen to us by the grace of God.

This has been a wonderfully eventful month with Bishop Gregg’s visit along with our confirmations of Charlotte, Renate, Kathy, Mike, and Shiloh and the baptism of baby Mattie Margaret.  We are contagious with the acceptance, tolerance and Christian love that we demonstrate to everyone.  I cannot thank everyone enough for all of your hard work and dedication to the church.

On a sadder note, we have lost three people in as many weeks.  Please continue to pray for the families of the Rev. Dr. Bill Williams, Bill Davis, Sr. and Sharon Rigenbach.  Their gifts to each of us and to this church will never be forgotten.

That is the beauty of all of you; we celebrate the good times and we endure the hard times together.   As I said last month, we are making a beautiful quilt!

Later this month we will celebrate Easter and with it the alleluias will return, our days will become longer and warmer, and we will continue to experience the living power of God within us.

Once again, I am honored and privileged to serve each of you at All Saints’.  You are truly a remarkable congregation and it is my pleasure to be a footprint in the history of this church and especially, in each of your lives.  It is all God’s living power among us.

Let us give thanks unto the Lord,

Good news!  Spring arrives on the calendar before our next Messenger!

While attending church this past weekend I noticed that the daffodils were in full bloom, other bulbs are pushing their heads out of the ground, the trees are budding, and the pansies are still looking healthy.  Signs of spring!  I would like to ask that if anyone can help us with grounds maintenance such as planting new flowers, raking winter debris, pruning bushes and trees, to please contact Ruthie Gregory or Tony Short and let them know when you would be available.  There are grounds needs for everyone and if we divide this work up according to when folks have time to help, maybe we can get winter behind us and get ready for the Easter season.

I want to thank all of you for your contributions to Margie’s Discretionary Fund and also to our in-house food bank.  These resources are invaluable to local recipients to help them get through a temporary need for minor financial assistance for food, utilities, or other living expenses.  This outreach ministry impacts those who need help the most in our home community.

We on the Vestry believe there may be a need to expand the Columbarium in the Dunn Garden.  Currently all spaces are allocated. At the present location we have enough room to add two wings to the existing Columbarium.  On each side we think we may be able provide an additional 18 spaces (36 total) without disturbing ground space or using the backside of the site.  In order to appropriately estimate the cost and need at this time I would ask anyone considering being interred at All Saints’ as an option for his or her final resting place, to please contact me.

If you have any questions about church business or other concerns about which I may be able to help, please let me know.

Faithfully,

Bob
Robert J. Burke

The Florist’s Daughter: A Memoir
By Patricia Hampl
Harcourt, 2007

 This is a wonderfully written book about an ordinary daughter.  As she sits at her mother’s death bed, she reflects and finds that her life is not so ordinary.  She was the iconoclast in the family, the hippie, the feminist, the one who was most likely to leave home and never come back.  However, her life didn’t turn out that way.  She was the one who never really left and dedicated her life caring for her parents.  At her mother’s side, she reflects on how her ordinary life never allowed her to pursue her own life.  She wonders why she never was able to break away.  As she writes this Memoir, she finds and understands a part of herself that is not so ordinary after all. 

Review by Margie Holm

The Other Boleyn Girl
By Phillipa Gregory
Simon and Schuster, 2007

 This book is full of lust, greed, betrayal and romance.  It’s just the stuff we all love to read about.  This is the story of Anne and Mary Boleyn who vied for the affection of Henry VIII.  Although the book is fiction, it has some historical significance.  We all know about Henry the VIII.  Anne was the mother of Elizabeth who would become queen of England and turn the country away Catholicism.  Anne’s reign was short but very eventful; she was married to King Henry VIII in 1533 and executed in 1536.  This book details the rivalry between two sisters as they pursue their goal of the throne and King.  It is well written and gives us a glimpse into the tumultuous times of the Tudor Dynasty.

 Review by Margie Holm

The Appeal
By John Grisham

Recommended -- John Grisham's most recent novel, The Appeal, is more serious than Playing for Pizza (September 2007) and equally as disturbing as The Innocent Man (November 2007).  In this novel, Grisham makes a good case for the appointment of judges.  The election of a Mississippi Supreme Court justice is orchestrated by big business, led by a chemical company found liable after it contaminated a small town's water supply and the dumped poisons caused widespread cancer.  The goal of the CEO is to put his man in a seat occupied by a woman who would have the swing vote on appeal.  The ultimate victims include not only the ordinary folk but, ironically, a member of the judicial system as well.  This is fascinating stuff.

 Review by Mary Wellman

On this most solemn day, we commemorate our Lord's crucifixion.

 Easter Sunday, March 23
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist
10:00 AM Flowering of the Cross
11:00 AM Holy Eucharist

THE GREATEST OF ALL CHURCH CELEBRATIONS!
It commemorates Our Lord's rising from the dead.
His triumph over the tomb.

Easter Egg Coloring
Saturday, March 21 at 10 am
Easter Egg Hunt after the 11 am
Easter Sunday Service

Sunday School children and guests are invited to an Easter Egg Coloring hosted by the EYC.  Bring your children to the parish house on Saturday morning (March 22) at 10 to color the Easter eggs. (Wear an old t-shirt).  The EYC kids will help the younger children color and decorate eggs to be used during the egg hunt the following day which will take place immediately following the 11 am Easter Sunday Service.

HOT CROSS BUNS
Good Friday at 2:00 PM

Traditionally, hot cross buns are made on Good Friday and shared with family and friends.  In olden days people believed that buns brought good fortune if they were baked on Good Friday. Today these buns, marked with a cross, remind us of the death of Jesus.  If you would like to participate, please bring 2 large bowls and your own stirring spoon and call Joanne Parrott at 537-4638 or the parish office at 537-3610 so that we can purchase the ingredients that will be needed.

After forty days of Lent, we will enter the season of Easter on March 23, 2008.  The season of Easter is also called the Great Fifty Days.  These fifty days will begin on Easter Eve and continue through the day of Pentecost.  Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21^st (which is the first day of Spring).  There is a table for finding Easter Day on page 882 of our Prayer Book.

Easter is the oldest festival of the church year; it is even older than the observance of Advent or Lent.  The season of Easter to Pentecost was once observed as one continuous festival.  Sometime in the fourth century, the season was separated into the Resurrection, the Ascension and Pentecost.  Ascension Day marks the end of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus.

Easter is an important time in our church year.  The Alleluias come back as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the cornerstone of our faith.  We also light the Paschal candle.  The light from the candles symbolizes spreading the light of Christ into the world.

The liturgical color for the season of Easter is white, which goes back to the ancient church.  When candidates emerged from the waters of baptism, they were given white robes.  White is the color that symbolizes the resurrection.  We also use this color at Christmas, funerals and weddings.

One of the symbols that the Easter Cross has is the rising sun placed on or behind it.  The rays of sunlight represent the light to the world.  Another familiar tradition is decorating the cross with lilies or other flowers.

FLOWERING OF THE CROSS
Easter Sunday, March 23 at 10:00 AM

Flowering of the Cross is a long-standing tradition at All Saints’.  This practice stems from a medieval legend in which the cross on which Christ had been tortured to death suddenly became covered with flowers upon his resurrection.  This legend underscored the idea that death was not the end of our being and that a greater life lay ahead.

Children of All Saints’ are encouraged to bring flowers from their yards to adorn the cross.  During this service we sing, tell the story of the resurrection and adorn the cross with the fresh flowers.

If you are giving an Easter Lily in honor or memory of loved ones for Easter Day, please complete the form mailed to you and return it in the self—addressed envelope provided by March 17.  Please remember to include your payment.  If you did not receive the forms or have any questions please contact Patricia Barnes at 535-2605.

A Vicar is a priest who leads a mission church.  A mission church is not a self-supporting church; it is partially supported by the diocese.  The vicar is the priest-in-charge of a mission or aided congregation.  The diocesan bishop is the rector and the priest representing the bishop is considered the vicar.

A supply priest is a clergy person who leads Sunday worship in churches when the permanent rector is away or on vacation.  A supply priest may provide some pastoral care, but does not assume any administrative or leadership responsibilities.  A supply priest usually goes to congregations once or twice to conduct worship services.

A time-certain rector is a clergy person who is selected by the diocesan bishop to serve a congregation for a specific time period.  This time period is usually two to three years.  During this time, the time-certain rector will help the vestry and congregation clarify their vision and mission goals, implement dynamics for church growth, assist with administrative and clerical duties, lead worship services and provide pastoral care.  During this time, the congregation may go through a search process, seeking a permanent rector.  The congregation has the privilege to call the time-certain rector as their permanent priest.   

March 9th is Outreach Sunday, dedicated to the Millennium Development Goals.  We will also make an announcement concerning our plans to package food for Stop Hunger Now on April 27th.  We need both volunteers of all ages and funds for supplies, so our April 13th Outreach offering will be dedicated to this project.  EYC members and children who participate will need permission from their parents, and all participants will commit to attend the food packaging event.  Children will have sponsors who make donations, while adults will make their own donations of $25 or more.  If you have questions, contact Mary Wellman or a member of the Outreach Committee.  We are very excited about this "hands-on" project and hope to make it a huge success!

The rector’s office is in need of a new coffee table and a TV/DVD.  If anyone would like to donate either or these items, please contact Margie or the parish office.

Check at home for church tablecloths (round and long).  Please return them as soon as possible.

 If you are preparing food for any of our homebound please use a non-returnable dish.  And if you have taken food on our dishes please go and retrieve them and return them to our parish house.   Thanks!