Journey in Faith Series begins July 10, 2011

SESSION 1: WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING?


Sunday, July 10, 2011 
The invitation to this Journey in Faith meets and helps us reflect on where we are, what works for us (and what does not work for us,) and where we are going spiritually.

SESSION 2: WHO IS JESUS?

Sunday, July 24, 2011
Who do you say He is? The core of the Christian faith is bound in the person of Jesus. Is Jesus the only path to God?How can we appreciate the insights of other great faiths while maintaining our own Christian integrity?

SESSION 3: THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE GIVER OF LIFE AND THE INSPIRATION OF THE CHURCH

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 — 6:30 pm
Who is The Holy Spirit and how is The Holy Spirit related to the other persons of the Trinity? What is the importance of the Spirit in understanding the faith?

SESSION 4: THE BIBLE

Sunday, August 21, 2011
The central document of the Christian faith is sometimes misused and misunderstood, yet is one of the most inspiring and enlightening statements of humankind’s attempt to find God. Where did it come from and why is it so important to Christians?

SESSION 5: PRACTICES OF FAITH: 
PUBLIC PRAYER AND 
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

Sunday, September 11, 2011
The Book of Common Prayer is one of the most beautiful examples of common piety and prayer written. We will explore its content, trace its evolution and contemplate its future.

SESSION 6: PRACTICES OF FAITH:
SYMBOLISM IN LITURGY

Sunday, October 2, 2011
Worship in the Episcopal Church is rich in symbolism that manifests both in visual images and in liturgical action. We will explain our liturgy and major symbols, and how they connect to life and experience.

SESSION 7: PRACTICES OF FAITH: THE SACRAMENTS
7 WAYS OF TOUCHING GOD
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Two major sacraments, Eucharist and Baptism, are celebrated with regularity and solemnity. What does that mean? What is all the “hocus pocus” about? What is “real presence?” How and why is it significant?

SESSION 8: PRACTICES OF FAITH:
THE POWER OF PERSONAL PRAYER 
AND HEALING

Sunday, November 6, 2011
For some, prayer is about speaking with God; for others, prayer begins in stillness. How can we broaden our understanding and practice of prayer and enrich our communion with God?

SESSION 9: PRACTICES OF FAITH:
THE MINISTRIES OF THE CHURCH

Sunday, November 20, 2011
The Church functions as a haven for the broken, a source of empowerment in the community, addresses issues of human rights and justice, and supports us in times of desperation and celebration.

SESSION 10: THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION

Sunday, January 8, 2012 
How did the Episcopal Church come to be a part of the Anglican Communion, and what is our relationship to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the 70 million Anglicans worldwide today?

SESSION 11: ANGLICAN POLITY

Sunday, January 22, 2012
The national Episcopal Church is currently at odds with Canterbury, over the consecration of both gay and lesbian bishops and female bishops. What are the politics and how does the Episcopal Church differ in its polity from the rest of the Anglican Communion?

SESSION 12: THE HISTORY OF ALL SAINTS

Sunday, February 12, 2012
We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our building this year and soon our 150th anniversary as a parish. Our history is checkered, cheeky, and often amusing. Knowing who we are helps us to understand why we do what we do and what we can be in the world in this new century.

Unless indicated, all sessions are held immediately following the coffee hour in the Parish Hall.

Vestry meeting rescheduled to July 5

Due to travel schedule conflicts, the Vestry meeting originally scheduled for June 20 has been rescheduled to July 5 at 6:30pm in the parish office. As always, visitors are most welcome.

Thoughts on Ascension

We observed Ascension, one of the more obscure feast days of the Christian church this evening. This day we mark the ascent of the risen Jesus into heaven.

Ascension marks the second time Jesus leaves his followers behind. The first time is Good Friday, followed by his total absence on Holy Saturday. This time he leaves his disciples desolate, uncertain of the future, Peter probably wondering if he was right to deny Jesus.

The second time is when Jesus leaves following his resurrection. This time he leaves his disciples hopeful, but with great responsibility. It is their task - and ours, as their spiritual descendants - to be the Body of Christ, to be the representative of Jesus on earth.

Jesus tells us: my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. But a yoke is a yoke no matter how easy, and a burden is a burden no matter how light. How are we, both as All Saints, and as individuals, meeting the task of being his people in the world?

A Collect for Memorial Day

While you enjoy the beautiful weather this holiday, take a moment to give thanks for those members of our armed forces who have given their lives and those who risk them today.

A collect for heroic service (p. 839, Book of Common Prayer):

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines.

Search Committee Starts its Work

This past Monday, the Search Committee began in its search for a new rector. The initial meeting included Canon Debra Kissinger, who helps parishes in transition, and Mary Strange, who will act as a coach to the search committee during the initial phases of the process. The committee is very excited to be starting its work, and asks for your support and prayers. The members of the committee are:

Don Bryant
Katie Day
Linda Ferreira (chair)
Brad King
Kevin Morgan
John Phillips
Helene Russell

The search process requires a great deal of trust and confidentiality. The committee is charged with bringing the vestry only one name, so the process is very deliberate as the committee discerns who will be the best fit as our next rector. Maintaining privacy for our candidates is also critical. Accordingly, while the committee is committed to keeping the parish informed about where they are in the process, at no time will the names of those being considered be discussed outside the committee.

The members of the committee have taken on a serious commitment as All Saints prepares to enter the next phase of our life together. Please keep them in your prayers.

Tweeting about the Resurrection

While Easter Vigil has been one of my favorite services of the year as long as I've been a Christian, there's always been something about it that feels like cheating. At the end of the service it's still dark, and the calendar still says it's Saturday. For all the service's mystery (beginning in darkness with the new fire, and recounting the history of human creation and salvation) and majesty (the sudden illumination of the altar, the masses of flowers, the dramatic organ fanfare and return of the Gloria), it also seems like it may be elaborate cover to get to the end of Lent a few hours early.

Last night, after the Maundy Thursday service, people signed up to keep watch in the Michael Chapel with the reserved sacrament, as a way of trying to connect to the experience of the disciples praying with Jesus in the garden before his betrayal. I signed up for the 4am slot.

I don't see 4am very often, so I was surprised that sitting in the chapel that the two sounds I noticed most were the FedEx jets flying overhead and the twittering birds. We all know that birds rouse themselves before dawn, but three hours before? I guess I knew that intellectually, but hadn't experienced it for a while.

So birds twitter in the dark, sure of the coming of the sun. And our celebration of Easter vigil is similar. We tweet in the dark, sure of the resurrection of the Lord, rejoicing while most others sleep.

The Great Vigil of Easter is this Saturday night at 9pm. The service lasts about two hours. A festive reception will follow in the back of the church. I hope you'll join us.

Please Mark Your Calendars

Wednesday Masses in Lent

8 AM and 6 PM

THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION: PALM SUNDAY

April 17, 10 AM

FORUM: SEARCH COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENT

April 17, 11:30 AM

MAUNDY THURSDAY

April 21, 6:30 PM

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

April 22, Noon

GOOD FRIDAY

April 22, 6:30 PM

LITURGY OF HOLY SATURDAY

April 23, 10 AM

GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER

April 23, 9 PM

EASTER DAY

April 24, 10 AM