All Saints’ Episcopal Church
July 2010
The Bell Tower
Reisterstown Parish
A Letter from Father David Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Mark 10:27 Dear All Saints’ family,
Volume 10,Number 7
Vision Statement: All Saints’ strives to be a place where people come to know Jesus Christ, are transformed to His glory, and become witnesses to God’s unchangeable word.
Inside this issue: Credo Report from Fr. David
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Stewardship Corner
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The Body
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Words from the Congregation
Get INvolved, ReachOUT
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Highlighted Events
6
Congratulations
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Calendar of Events
7
Closing
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I pray that you all are enjoying the summer and finding time for refreshment and rec‐ reation. A large group from our congregation has finished the “Experiencing God” study and I believe that the time we have spent together will prove to be life changing for each individual and for All Saints’ Church as a whole. We will offer this valuable course again in the fall and I encourage everyone to commit to attending, especially anyone who is in a leadership or ministry head position. I cannot stress enough how important it is for us to be on the same page in our thinking, prayer, and purpose as we seek to know the will of God. One of the concepts of the study revolves around what we believe about God. There is a difference between believing that God exists, and actually believing God. Jesus said, “All things are possible with God”. Do you believe that, I mean really believe it? The scriptures record miracle after miracle and they just didn’t happen way back when. Over my lifetime I have witnessed many miracles, I have seen God heal, pro‐ vide, change lives, circumstances, and do both the improbable and impossible. After all God is God. We are called to live by faith and we are reminded that sight, (what we know and see) is the opposite of faith. With this being said I am asking you to join me in praying for a miracle. For years we have been consumed with anxiety over our financial situation. I have lost many nights of sleep, spent many hours in prayer, and wasted too much energy trying to figure out how to overcome our deficit. I know you all are tired of hearing about money and our lack of it. I am asking everyone to join me in prayer for God to find a way to put our debt behind us so we can move forward without it hanging over our head. I am pray‐ ing for (you might want to sit down) $100,000 to pay off what we owe the diocese and our own capital fund. With that out of the way we will be able to keep current and move forward. How will this happen? God knows, I only ask that you join me in prayer. When the Israelites were seemingly trapped at the Red Sea, Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.” Let us stand firm together and believe, God is able to do the rest. With faith in our God, Fr. David +
The Bell Tower Volume 10,Number 7
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Credo Report 2 Last month I shared with you some of the goals I set at the CREDO Conference I attended in May. I wrote about the importance of focusing on significant min‐ istry. Do the ministries we join God in have eternal sig‐ nificance in the lives of our congregation and the peo‐ ple we serve? Today I want to address the issue of Stewardship. Before you say, “Oh No, not that again.” I am thinking more of being good stewards of all the gifts that God has given us, not just money.
grips with them. On the other hand, when I concen‐ trated on what I do well I understood that these things were gifts from God, and I am called to be a good steward of these gifts. My goal is to share some of these insights with the lead‐ ership of All Saints’ and to‐ gether identify people with strengths in the areas I lack.
This will give me the free‐ dom to work on my gifts in order to fulfill God’s call on my life and be a better priest. The same goes for our entire congregation. What do we do well? What are the gifts that God has bestowed upon us? Discov‐ ering these things together will help us become the church God intends us to be.
We learned that most peo‐ ple spend the majority of their time and energy on improving their weaknesses as opposed to working to refine their strengths. Studies have shown that this approach often leads to frustration and ineffective‐ ness. Trying to do what you aren’t gifted to do can in‐ deed be and endless cycle. I’m not saying that we should ignore our weakness, but instead of spending all our time on them we need to find others who can fill in the gaps for us. The better, more fruitful way is to concentrate on the gifts and strengths that God has given and to do these things to the best of our ability. Through some of the exercises I was con‐ fronted by my many weak‐ nesses and had to come to
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Stewardship Corner Why do I give? I give for a simple reason: God asks me to give. Jesus asks some of us to give up everything and follow Him. But not everyone is given this calling. For others, he asks to give what they can, when they are asked. The measure of what we give is up to ourselves, but Jesus offers an example in Mark 12:41‐43. "As Jesus sat facing the offering box, he watched how the crowd was dropping their money into it. Many rich people were dropping in large amounts. Then a destitute widow came and dropped in two small copper coins, worth about a cent. He called his disciples and said to them, I tell you with certainty, this destitute widow has dropped in more than everyone who is contributing to the offer‐ ing box, because all of them contributed out of their surplus, but out of her poverty she has given everything she had to live on.” I cannot say honestly I give everything I have to live on, like that widow did. I need to trust God more. Still, I believe that our pledge to All Saints’ is just the baseline of what we should give to God. Sometimes, God calls me to give to a neighbor I meet in the street. Will that neighbor use my money to glorify God? I do not know, but should I withhold help‐ ing a neighbor? You know what Jesus thinks we should do to our neighbor. Sometimes God asks me to give more for special needs. Can I tell God that I already made and even paid my pledge early? That He should know better than to ask for more this year? Do you think He understands how hard it's been for my family? Do you hear how silly my objections would sound? Pledging and giving is a lot like any other good habit. Start with an easy amount, but make sure it is done regularly. And it's pretty simple to figure out when to give, and to know in your heart how much to give. Just follow these two simple rules (Luke 10:27): "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." David Bott
What God asks is a will which will no longer be divided between Him and any creature, a will pliant in His hands, which neither desires anything nor refuses anything, which wants without reservation everything which He wants, and which never, under any pretext, wants anything which He does not want. F. Fenelon
The Bell Tower
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Talent Show, Coming this Fall
A Special Thanks Thank you to everyone who helped with this year’s All Saints’ Rummage Sale. All parts of the sale went smoothly due to the volunteers that donated items to be sold, advertising, or their time sorting, setting up, working and cleaning up.
Volume 10,Number 7
Special thanks for those that delivered our “leftovers” to other charitable organiza‐ tions. Our items went to Baltimore, Hampstead, Reisterstown, Sykesville, Westminster, and even Corbin, Kentucky. Thank you to all of our customers, this year we made $1,010.45!
Recipe for success • • • • •
Pick a talent. Pick a partner (or pair). Pick a costume. Practice a whole lot. Sign up.
DO IT NOW! JUST DO IT! SPONSORED BY: GOD’S OLDER CHILDREN. (Call or email Susan Ryder: 410‐848‐5662; sryder2008@comcast.net)
Philippians 2:14‐15 “Do everything without com‐ plaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe...”
Mary Thayer
We’re Getting Ready for the Fall Festival Facts for Auction donation WHO: Guilds, committees, teams, individuals, families, friends
WHAT: Baskets, bags, boxes, or bundles of cool stuff, household goods, art work, and everyday useful paraphernalia, gently used or brand new. Pick a theme if you like. Ask your favorite business to donate an item or gift certificate.
Keep a lookout for...
WHERE: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Groff Hall
All New All Saints’ Web Site
WHY: The Silent Auction at the Fall Festival for outreach, ministry, faith, hope, and charity.
All New Interactive Bell Tower E‐Newsletter— delivered right to your email. Become a Fan of All Saints’ on Facebook.com (search for Friends of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Reisters‐ town)
WHEN: Saturday, October 16, 2010 HOW: Contact Susan Ryder at 410‐848‐5662; sryder2008@comcast.net for more de‐ tails or if you would like to be a member of our planning committee. It’s fun to be a part of something big!
The Bell Tower is edited by Jonathan and Tirzah Stenner. The deadline for submissions will be the 15th of the prior month. Please email all submissions to allsaints_church@verizon.net and mention “The Bell Tower “ in the subject line of your email. Thanks
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Haiti Missions Trip How cool is God!?! “Towards the end of 2009, Father David and I sat down to chat. Ever since my return from the orphanage in Quito, I'd felt God's calling to take a missions trip, maybe even with All Saints’. I thought that, because of the current economy, Fr. Dave was going to discourage it, but his eyes lit up as I shared with him that in my search for another church that supported missions, I had heard a small voice in my heart asking, Why can't All Saints’ go on missions trips? God asks great questions!!“ ‐ Katie Bolgiano Want to hear more? Follow Katie Bolgiano and the rest of the Haiti Missions Team from All Saints’ on their blog, Following His Footsteps: http://allsaintsmission.blogspot.com/
Community Crisis Center “Edible Garden” Opening Ceremony
“You cannot be in true fellowship with God and out of fellowship with other believers”
The Community Crisis Center, Inc, home to the local emergency food pantry, celebrated the opening of its first ‐ever edible garden during a special Take Pride in America Garden side ceremony on Saturday, June 12 at the Han‐ nah More Complex. Earlier this year, the Community Crisis Center applied for a vegetable seed grant from the America‐the‐Beautiful Fund. The center's director, Deborah Goff, MSW, pro‐ vided the seeds to third graders at Franklin Elementary School and horticulture students at Hannah More School in an effort to encourage students to become involved in a volunteer effort for the edible garden. Goff also invited Fr. Melvin provided the blessing. local individuals, families, businesses, faith‐based and civic groups to provide seedlings, as well as to contribute time and service. Our very own Fr. Melvin and Margaret Turner were on hand to help in the opening ceremony and plant some of the seedlings. The Community Crisis Center is currently seeking volunteers to help maintain the garden this summer. Student service hours will be pro‐ vided. To learn more information about becoming involved at the Community Crisis Center, please visit www.communitycrisiscenter.org or call 410‐526‐7111.
Margaret planting in the Edible Garden.
The Bell Tower
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Tenth Annual All Saints’ Open The Tenth annual “All Saints’ Open” will be held at Oakmont Green on Saturday, Septem‐ ber 11, 2010 at 1:00 PM. I would love to see all previous Champions return for this anniver‐ sary event. It is a “Best Ball” format and handicapped so every team has a chance to win. Hamburgers and drinks will be provided after golf. The cost will be $65.00 per golfer again this year. Look for entry forms soon. We are limited to 36 golfers this year so sign up early!
Volume 10,Number 7
Contact Stan Ryder for any questions. 410‐848‐5662. “God sends no stress that golf and prayer can’t handle.”
Hebrews 10:24‐25 “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
Ways to Praise Because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense) It is Vacation Bible Camp time again and WE NEED YOU!!! We are going to spend the week of Bible Camp (July 19‐23) learning about different ways to praise God! Thanking Him, Loving Him, Clapping and Dancing for Him, and Telling and Vol unt Showing others how much Jesus loves them. eer I There are lots of ways you can help, before and during VBC. Please see Heidi Conley for more details.
nf o M e July etin 6, 7 g :00p m Gro ff H all
JULY BIRTHDAYS We are now listing all MILESTONE Wedding Anniversaries. (1,5,10,15,20,25 etc…) All Saints’ believes in and supports marriage and every milestone should be celebrated! Please notify us of your wedding date so that we can include the two of you in the appropriate Bell Tower!!
JULY ANNIVERSARY Jonathan & Tirzah Stenner will celebrate their 10th Anniversary on July 29th, 2010.
J. Buford Davis will celebrate his 88th birthday on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 (Fairhaven, Apt. #0-505, 7200 Third Avenue, Sykesville, MD 21784)
Father David Stenner will celebrate his 61st birthday on Saturday, July 10, 2010 (203 E. Chatsworth Avenue, Reisterstown, MD 21136)
Betty (Mrs. J. Buford) Davis will celebrate her 80th birthday on Saturday, July 10, 2010 (Fairhaven, Apt. 0-505, 7200 Third Ave. Sykesville, MD 21784)
William Alder will celebrate his 91st birthday on Thursday, July 29, 2010 (73 Hanover Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136)
Note from the Parish Office: If you know of anyone who will celebrate their 80th birthday or older– or who will have a milestone wedding anniversary, please call the parish office to make sure we are aware of the information. Thank you.
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July 2010
Pentecost 9 Pentecost 8 Pentecost 7 Pentecost 6
Sun
4 Independence Day 11:00a Young Adults 12:00p Youth for Truth
Mon
Tue
Wed
5 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
6 10:00a Bible Study 7:00p Vestry Planning 7:00p Prayer meeting, GH 7:00p Women/FH Prayer Room 7:00p Men’s Fellowship 8:30p A.A.
7 10:00a Craft Workshop
11 11:00a Young Adults 12:00p Youth for Truth 12:30p God’s Older Children 7:30p Alanon 8:30p A.A.
12 13 7:00p Prayer meeting, GH 10:00a Bible Study Prayer Room 7:00p Women/FH 7:30p R.O.G./GH 7:00p Men’s Fellowship 8:30p A.A.
14 10:00a Craft Workshop
18 11:00a Young Adults 12:00p Youth for Truth 7:30p Alanon 8:30p A.A.
19 Vacation Bible School 7:00p Prayer meeting, GH Prayer Room
20 Vacation Bible School 10:00a Bible Study 7:00p Women/FH 7:00p Men’s Fellowship 8:30p A.A.
21 Vacation Bible School 10:00a Craft Workshop 7:00p Youth Study
25 11:00a Young Adults 12:00p Youth for Truth
26 7:00p Prayer meeting, GH Prayer Room 7:30p Catonsville KC Board
27 10:00a Bible Study
28 10:00a Craft Workshop
7:00p Women/FH 7:00p Men’s Fellowship 8:30p A.A.
7:00p Youth Study
7:30p Alanon 8:30p A.A.
7:30p Alanon 8:30p A.A.
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2 7:30p Group Bible Study McNamara’s House
3
8 10a-3p Franklin Garden Club
9 7:30p Group Bible Study McNamara’s House
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7:00p Youth Study 7:00p Vestry Fr. David and Janet Stenner on Vacation: July 9-16
15 7:30p Catonsville Kennel Club
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17 1-3p Prayer Shawl Workshop
7:00p Youth Study
Bell Tower Submissions Due Fr. David and Janet Stenner on Vacation: July 9-16 22 Vacation Bible School
July 6 or 8: ALSoTour
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July 19‐23: Vacation Bible School
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July 23: Vacation Bible School Closing Camp‐ fire and Praise
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All Welcome, Emery Grove
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Schedule of Special Events •
23 Vacation Bible School Closing Campfire,
Coming in September! •
Sept 11: Tenth An‐ nual All Saint’s Open Coming in October!
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Oct 16: Fall Festival
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All Saints’ Episcopal Church 203 E. Chatsworth Ave. PO Box 279 Reisterstown, MD 21136-0279
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 45 Owings Mills, MD.
Phone: 410-833-0700 Fax: 410-833-2352 E-mail: allsaints_church@verizon.net
We’re on the web: www.allsaints.ang‐md.org
Best of the Blackabys During the Experiencing God study, we have heard the teachings of Henry and Richard Blackaby. Here is a short list of their best quotes:
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“When you get your life God‐oriented, you begin to see how God had an agenda you knew nothing about.” “There are no shortcuts to knowing God intimately. You have to spend time with Him.” “We don’t have quiet times so we can grow to love God. We have quiet times because we love God.” “God never gives suggestions. He gives commands.” “It is impossible for you to stay where you are and go with God at the same time.” “Do you want to experience the ever‐expanding, measureless love of God? Then whenever Christ gives you a directive, do it!”
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“There is no substitute for obedience. Worship is not a substitute for obedience. Doctrine and right belief are not a substitute for obedience. Prayer is not a substitute for obedience.”
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“Pray, “God, would You open my eyes to see what You’re doing, and when I see, help me have the courage to join You?”
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“There comes a point where you don’t need to pray anymore; you just need to obey.”