Dearly Beloved,
As many of you know, while we were preparing for the Fish Fry last Friday afternoon, my son Peter received his ship notice to head off to Basic Training for the Navy. He left on Wednesday about lunch time from the recruiting station in Asheville. At 1:30 a.m. today, Kathy and I received what is known as “The Call” from him: “I have arrived at Boot Camp. I will call again in 3 weeks. You will get my stuff in the mail and will get a postcard with my mailing address. I love you.” And with that, he hung up and his Navy career began. Here is a picture of us with him at the recruiting station just before he got on the shuttle bus in Asheville.
The very short notice was, of course, difficult for all of us, even though we were well aware that his shipping out would likely be a quick thing. As a father sending a son off to Boot Camp, knowing that it was going to be an extremely demanding experience for him, I struggled to come up with my best advice for him. God, being the most gracious God, helped me out. As I was preparing for our weekly book study on C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, I was led to a passage from St. James’ Epistle: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (1:2-4, RSV).” Various trials. I would say boot camp is a trial! What St. James is telling his readers is that the difficulty you face gives you the opportunity to trust God, that He will see you through. And this in turn builds steadfastness, the continued trusting in God that will allow you to rely on Him more and more until you trust Him perfectly and completely. And so my advice to Peter follows directly: trust that God will give you ability to soldier on, or “sailor on” as the case maybe, no matter how difficult matters may seem at any given moment, knowing that He will build that steadfastness in you so that you may trust Him in every circumstance, whether in Boot Camp, or for the rest of your career and life.
And so it is for all of us. It is through trials that we have the opportunity to trust God more and more, to become the people He wants us to be, perfect and complete in Him.
Fall Fish Fry
Our Friar’s Fall Fish Fry last Friday was an outstanding success. From 5 PM to 7:30 PM, we served at least 260 people, dishing out 130 pounds of fish, 80 pounds of potatoes, 35 pounds of coleslaw, and I think about a million hushpuppies! We could have served more, as we were ready for 300, but I think all the workers were glad when the very busy evening ended. Thanks to everyone who pitched in to help. It takes a lot of folks to make this event the incredible success it has evolved into. There is the prep crew that readies us for takeout service and gets all the fish breaded. The fry crew out back, frying up fish and hushpuppies like mad men. The kitchen crew that gets everything plated so that folks get what they paid for. The dessert room gang that tempts everyone with delectable goodies. And then there is the “front of the house” crew that keeps everything moving during the dine-in portion of the evening. A special thanks to our young people for their yeoman’s work getting the food to everyone in an extremely hectic evening. Everyone I had the chance to talk to during the evening were very pleased about all aspects of the evening: good food, great atmosphere, wonderful fellowship. A great time was had by all and all of you who helped out on Friday made it all possible. Thank you all very much. Here are some picture of this extravaganza!
The Klein Family
Mark, Megan, Peyton, and Jack are moving to Montana.
They will be sorely missed but we pray God’s blessings upon them in this new adventure in their lives. One unfortunate thing about this move is that Peyton and Jack will miss the scheduled Confirmations on November 5, which they have studied so hard for since Easter. I contacted Bp. Chad Jones in Atlanta and let him know about this and he said he would be happy to come up before his scheduled visit to ensure that the kids would be confirmed. We have scheduled a brief Confirmation service for Jack and Peyton for next Thursday, October 26, at 12 Noon here at All Saints. We would love for you to come out and support the kids. This brief service will last about 15-20 minutes. They will then receive their First Holy Communion on Sunday, October 29, on their last Sunday with us.
Stewardship Campaign
October is here and that means the vestry is doing its work to plan for next year. Of course, that means all of us will be asked to consider how we will support our wonderful parish in the coming year. The second letter in our annual campaign went out yesterday. You may mail the stewardship card back to the church or just drop it in the offering plate. Please respond as soon as possible. The letters will stop once you make your commitment for next year.
If you want to know a bit more about our classes here at the church, the Saints Evergreens, the upcoming Episcopal Visit, as well as a few other things, please check out your announcements below. Always remember, pray for each other every single day and pray for those for whom no one else will pray.
Blessings,
Fr. Erich
This Week in the Parish
Sunday, October 22
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
· 8:00 a.m., Holy Communion
· 9:45 a.m., Sunday School
· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion
· 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Lunch
· 12:30 p.m., Youth Confirmation Class
Tuesday, October 24
· 11:00 a.m., Book Study
Wednesday, October 25
· 6:00 p.m., Holy Communion
· 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Dinner
· 7:00 p.m., Bible Study
· 7:00 p.m., Choir Practice
Thursday, October 26
· 12:00 p.m., Special Confirmation Service
Announcements
Food Bank
· Interfaith Assistance Ministry here in Henderson County is this month’s recipient of our in-gathering of food stuffs.
Sunday Fellowship Lunch
· We always have a Sunday Fellowship Lunch following our 11 AM Holy Communion. Be sure to invite our visitors to stick around and join us so we might get to know them better.
College Care Packages
· We need some folks to sign up for December & April. Please do so now! Please help us care for Ethan and Sam. The sign-up sheet is on the Youth bulletin board in the parish hall.
The Saints Evergreens
· Our Saints Evergreens fundraiser is ongoing! We are selling Christmas Trees and Wreaths. This is a “pre-selling” campaign. We ask that all members of the church become our “salesmen” and get orders from family and friends to help make this a success. The students of Classical Scholars are also helping us with this. Selling brochures are available today. Get out there now. The ordering deadline is November 3. See Doug Hensley to get your order forms or if you have any questions.
Education Classes
· Children’s Sunday School is ongoing every Sunday at 9:45 a.m.
· Adult Sunday School is focusing on why Anglicanism is unique and distinct in Christianity. Class begins about 9:45 a.m. every week.
· Youth Confirmation Class is every Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
· Tuesday Book Study is studying C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Class starts at 11:00 a.m. Please read Letters 8-10 for this week.
· Wednesday Night Bible Study is studying St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. We have completed the second chapter. Join us Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.
Episcopal Visit
· Our Suffragan Bishop Chad Jones will be here for a visit on November 5. He will confirm many of our new members and young people. He will also receive several into our Anglican Way of Christianity. You definitely should make plans to be here on that day to support our children and new members. And if you have never met Bishop Chad, you are definitely in for a treat!
