The Herald November 6, 2011
From the Rector: Of Letting Go There once was a great and good king of Crete who was loved and revered by his subjects. This good king lived a long life and his kingdom enjoyed peace and prosperity, took care of its poor, was a good neighbor to other kingdoms….but alas…as ever, all things must end…and the hour of the king’s death had arrived. Just before death came, the king sent a servant to bring him a handful of earth, a memento, an artifact of his beloved Crete so that he may forever hold on to that which he treasured, that over which he had ruled and nurtured. Death came and the king, after traveling far, awoke in an unfamiliar room. He could feel the earth still in his tightly clenched hand. An old man with kind eyes was with him, and the old man spoke: “Dear king, the hour has come for you to enter the eternal paradise; it is time for your reward in heaven; but first you must let go of the earth that you hold in your hand.” The king replied: “I could never let go of my beloved Crete. It is all I have, all I am.” So the old man left… and a million years passed. After the million years, a beautiful woman appeared to the king and spoke softly to him saying, “Beloved, it is time to enter the joy of eternity, you are missed; but first you must let go of the earth that you so tightly hold in your hand. But the king could not be persuaded…the woman vanished…and another million years passed. The king beheld in his presence a small child plainly clothed and the child spoke and said, “Good king…let go of the earth that you hold…take my hand and enter the kingdom prepared from the beginning….you are needed.” The king looked at the loving, outstretched hand of the child, and at the clod of earth in his own….His aching grip relaxed and the earth fell to the floor….the child led him to the door… opened it wide…..and there before the king’s amazed eyes….bathed in golden sunlight…. was his beloved…Crete.
All Saints’ Sunday
On the Calendar: Tuesday, November 1 11:30am All Saints serves @ 15 Place No choir rehearsal Wednesday, November 2 9:15am L’Arche (Chapel) 12N Holy Eucharist (chapel) 4pm Joint rehearsal with St Michael & St Cecelia Choirs 7pm Adult Choir Thursday, November 3 12N Al-Anon 7pm AA Saturday, November 5 10:30am Rehearsal for All Saints’ Sunday procession—acolytes, banner and streamer bearers
Time change: set clocks BACK 1 hour tonight Sunday, November 6 All Saints’ Sunday NO Breakfast 9am Annual Parish Meeting 9am Sunday School, K5-8th gr. 9:35am Procession participants meet @ Govt St entrance 10am Holy Eucharist Lunch following in Stirling Hall
Several of you have asked for a copy of this story I told in my sermon this past Sunday. I heard the story first told by Allen Jones, Dean Emeritus of The General Theological Tuesday, November 8 Seminary, and former dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. I don’t know about the 3:30pm St Michael Choir origin of the story…but I think it is a story for our time. We live among neurotic selfWednesday, November 9 interest and an insidious nihilism which are characteristics of Post Modernity. We have 9:15am L’Arche (Chapel) constructed for ourselves our own graven images which are safe and require little of us… 12N Holy Eucharist (chapel) and these paltry self-images are protected by an impermeable comfort zone predicated 4pm St Cecelia Choir 6pm Rector’s Forum on fear…this is the great illusion of our time….We have consciously and unconsciously 6pm 15 Place Board Meeting set up barriers that impede us from living into our God-likeness, our true lives meant to 7pm Adult Choir honor imaginatively our God and each other and the world in which we live. The great sages of the Biblical era, say from the sixth century B.C.E. until 150 C.E., Thursday, November 10 referred to the failure to live into our God-likeness as “immaturity.” As a culture I think 12N Al-Anon 7pm AA that description is apt…It is high time that we lay aside, as Paul puts it, “childish things” (just look at the dysfunction of our government, both state and federal) and live Saturday, November 12 into the life that is forever being offered to us….a life of freedom, a life of the imagination 10:30am PFLAG that knows no barriers to peace, dignity and well-being among all people including our6-10pm BAYOU BASH!!!!!! selves….Jesus said it: to find one’s life, one must lose (loose) one’s life…..That means to offer ourselves to the mysterious possibilities of God, and letting go of our self-constructed prisons…Pray for courage, for courage such letting go will require….let us lay aside that to which we are bound… let us unclench our hands of the graven image and live.
All Saints’ Sunday is here! This Sunday is
Our prayers are offered:
our grand Feast Day! Get ready for a wonderful Sunday full of good friends, the chance to do some of the work of the church, meaningful worship and delicious food, all in one place!
for Kim Gray and family at the death of her uncle, Hugh Mauldin; for Pete Wilson and St. Paul’s Episcopal School at the death of teacher Linda Bowman; for Charlie Bailey, his family and the All Saints family at the death of his wife, Laurie Bailey. The Burial Office was read for Laurie on Monday, Oct. 31. May the souls of all the departed rest in peace.
*The Annual Parish Meeting begins at 9am in Stirling Hall. No breakfast will be served. Agenda: -Election of 5 regular Vestry members -Election of 1 Vestry member to fill an unexpired term -Election of 4 delegates and 1 alternate for Diocesan Convention -Deadline for turning in nominations is Wed, 11/4. Call the church office, 438-2492. -Senior High class attends the meeting. Everyone 16 and older can vote. -K5 through 8th grade will meet for Sunday School at 9:00am to work on a project for the Bayou Bash. *Holy Eucharist begins at 10am in the church. -All choirs meet in the choir room at 9:20am. -Banner and streamer people and acolytes meet at the Govt. St. entrance to the church at 9:40am. *Lunch begins after the service in Stirling Hall with barbecue from Saucy-Q, slaw, beans and desserts. We still need a few more folks to provide some sides and desserts. If you are willing to help, please call or email Jean Tucker: jwtucker@usouthal.edu or 753-1984.
Good News!!
The change back to Standard Time happens this Saturday night. Set your clocks BACK one hour when you go to bed. You’ll get extra sleep and be ready to go for the events on All Saints’ Sunday!
Finance Notes For the second straight month, All Saints Episcopal Church’s collections have lagged well behind budget, putting the church in a precarious cash position. Treasurer Clark Kelly urged parishioners Thursday to catch up. “Pledges are our promise to support the church in a specific amount, and the church in turn relies on that support to pay salaries, the light bill, and a whole lot more. The current trend is unsustainable—our members simply must step up their efforts to pay what they pledged, so that the church can keep its doors open.” Members were also urged to contact financial secretary Mary Holbrook if they had any questions about the status of their accounts.
The breakfast teams need 2 people to join so that each team has at least 4 people. This would help cover the work when someone on a team is out of town or ill, etc. If you are interested, please call the church office and leave a message (438-2492).
The Rector’s Forum meets next Wednesday, Nov 9. Potluck dinner begins at 6, followed by conversation from 6:30-7:30. In addition to being a discussion for anyone who is interested, this is the place to be for all those who might be considering joining the Episcopal Church and want to know more about it. Everyone is welcome!
Donations requested Our Food Share program is experiencing some difficulty due to a recent drop in donations. We have been spending approximately $300 each month for food, with an added $50 delivery charge. This provides enough food to create about 2-3 meals each for 72 families. We are also looking forward to the holiday season, hoping to provide turkeys and hams. To keep up this level of support to the Mobile community, we need your help. If you can help the Food Share program, please send a check made out to All Saints marked “Food Share.”
Dear All Saints Family, Thank you for supporting my Eagle Scout Project. Your donations helped me to purchase railroad ties, sod, and pine straw to landscape DeTonti Square’s Park. If you have a chance, please stop by one day to enjoy the park and have a picnic under the oak trees. Thanks again, Brewer Ayres
Bayou Bash 2011 is nearly here!!!! Buy / sell tickets! $30 each, available
Volunteer! Carol Mackey at 251-402-9448 or carolhmackey@gmail.com Pete Mackey at 251-510-6905 or psmackey@bcmlawyers.com
Find and turn in auction items! Forms are in the church office
Come Saturday, Nov. 12, 6-10pm! Bring your checkbooks
Bayou Bash Food Committee needs Volunteers The food committee needs volunteers to prep 500 pieces of sausage wrapped in bacon! Please meet in the kitchen of Stirling Hall on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 10:00. Volunteers who have slow cookers/crock-pots are also needed to pick up the prepped sausage on Friday, Nov. 11, between 1 and 5pm, and return them cooked on Saturday before Noon. If you can help, please email Burl Ratcliffe at mobileburl@yahoo.com or call him at 404-1115 .
The Bayou Bash Auction Committee is proud to present some of the fabulous live auction items available at next weekend’s Bash!!!
2, 1/2-day sails on Mobile Bay
Luxurious WindCreek Casino & Hotel extravaganza
Romantic (or not) getaway packages to the Gulf Coast
Delta tour by expert captains Clark and William Kelly
Historical tour of Old Mobile by Historian Extraordinaire Palmer Hamilton
Dinner for ten (10) by Chefs Jim & Katharine Flowers‌. theme to be revealed at the live auction
Works of art from talented Mobile artists
Hunting Camp adventure with Master Woodsman Warren Butler
Vintage pearl and onyx necklace
Architectural tour by Architectural Historian Cart Blackwell
The EYC had its annual Halloween Party on Sunday night at the Williams’ house. There were some amazing costumes on display and a good time was had by all! Here are some of the creepy, scary and cute:
This Sunday: November 6, 2011 All Saints’ Sunday The Lessons Revelation 7:9-17 1 John 3:1-3
Psalm 34:1-10, 22 Matthew 5:1-12
The Collect of the Day God of all people from every tribe and language; you call true witnesses who sing your praise, live your grace and work for peace; may we share their faith and know our need for you that we might be a blessing to the hunger of your world; through Jesus Christ, whose body we are. Amen. Those Who 10:00 Lectors: Intercessor: Chalices: Acolytes:
Serve
Diana Nichols, Joe Basenberg Martha Harris Serena Willcox, Louie Wood Boone Reeves, Darrel Williams, Kim Gray, Emily Kelley, Liam Gray, Brendan Williams, Douglas Greene, Ben Foster Banners & Streamers: Bill Evatt, Suzanne Cleveland, Valerie Case, Brewer Ayres, Emily Doyle, Sarah Frances Greene, Ricky Bradford, William Kelly, Peyton Heath, Scott Kirby, Melanie Petithory Ushers: Will English, Mark Williams, Hank Caddell, Jim Ayres Altar Guild: Suzanne Drew, Lavada Raouf, Burl Ratcliffe, Johnna Rogers, Margaret Winkler Bread Bakers: Beth Hardaway, Lillian Carsten Flower Guild: Katharine Flowers, Jean Tucker Music for Sunday Voluntary Johann Sebastian Bach Pièce d’Orgue, BWV 572 Processional Hymn 287 Sine Nomine William Mathias S-278 Gloria in excelsis Deo Richard Webster Psalm 34:1-10, 22 Sequence Hymn 253 San Rocco Offertory Edgar Bainton And I Saw a New Heaven Presentation Hymn 618 Lasst uns erfreuen William Mathias S-128 Sanctus and Benedictus Mason Martens S-152 Christ our Passover Communion Hymn 560 Beatitudes Motet Charles Villiers Stanford A Song of Wisdom Post Communion Hymn 625 Darwall’s 148th Processional Charles Marie Widor Toccata from Symphony V
Please keep in your prayers For healing: Abram Kuol Terry Godwin Ethan Fisher Kathy Davis Anne Carpenter Harriet Schofield Logan Barnhart Fran Reed Becky Bouler Neil Cumming Joy Russ Katie Hammond Roy Muth Jim Gray Jane Arnau Joanne & Dan Young Jean Dodge Jessica Montalvo-Lopez Butch Boyington Steve Hicks Gregg Pounds Evina Valera Ed Givhan Devon Booth Iris Prosch Jerry Martha Mason Richard Melton Martha Murdock LaNiece Bland Lamar Elledge Sharon Cleverdon Mike Downing Cheryl Peach Patsy Childress Laura For those who serve in the armed forces: Spencer Abbot Matt Abbot Daniel Taylor Wes Parks Jonathan Carter Scott Tanos Kyle Metcalf DeMario Snead Randy Johnson Todd Jolly Robert Carter Matt Robertson
All Saints Church 151 SOUTH ANN STREET MOBILE, AL 36604 www.allsaintsmobile.org
Clergy The Rt. Rev. Philip M. Duncan II, Bishop Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast The Rev. James B. Flowers, Jr., Rector rector@allsaintsmobile.org Office: 438.2492 Home: 436.8932 The Rev. Mary C. Robert, Assistant Rector asstrector@allsaintsmobile.org Office: 438.2492 Home: 479.7398
All Saints Church Staff Jeff Clearman, Principal Parish Musician jeff@allsaintsmobile.org Mary Holbrook, Financial Administrator mary@allsaintsmobile.org Parish Administrator office@allsaintsmobile.org Irene Raymond, Parish Sexton Gretchen Thiel and Christa Harkins, Nursery Workers Liz & Scott Kirby, Directors of Youth Ministries
All Saints 2011 Vestry Henry Callaway Valerie Case Harold Dodge Marion Elledge Rob Gray Renea Greene Woody Hannum Amy Hunter Clark Kelly, Treasurer Pete Mackey Susan Meztista Michael Morrison, Junior Warden Diana Nichols, Clerk Jean Tucker, Senior Warden Darrel Williams
All Saints Committee Chairs Acolytes: The Rev. Mary Robert Addiction & Recovery: Becky Wilson Adult Christian Education: The Rev. Jim Flowers Altar Guild: Betty Bentley, Melanie Petithory Choirs: Jeff Clearman Communications: The Rev. Mary Robert Community Ministries: Matt McDonald Constitution & By Laws: Pete Mackey Episcopal Youth (EYC): Liz & Scott Kirby Finance Committee: Clark Kelly, treasurer Flower Guild: Katharine Flowers Food Share: Mark Taylor, Burl Ratcliffe Golden Circle: Laura Rutherford, Wylly Stirling Hospitality & Events: Jean Tucker IHN/Family Promise: Henry Brewster Lay Eucharistic Visitors: Bill Evatt Lectors, Intercessors & Chalice Ministers: The Rev. Mary Robert Long-Range Planning: Curt Doyle Nursery: Elizabeth Doyle, Amy Hunter, Jim Ayres Parish Development: Clark Kelly Property: Michael Morrison Refugees: Martha Harris Ushers: Harold Dodge, Louie Wood Stewardship: Woody Hannum, All Saints Vestry Youth Christian Education: The Rev. Mary Robert
All Saints Episcopal Church 151 South Ann Street, Mobile, AL 36604 www.allsaintsmobile.org
Service Schedule Sundays
Wednesdays
8:00 am Holy Eucharist 9:00 am Breakfast 9:20 am Christian Education Classes (during school year) 10:30 am Holy Eucharist 12 Noon Holy Eucharist (Chapel)