Dearly Beloved,Its been a few weeks since I last sent you an email. We have had an incredibly busy time here at All Saints Church so its time to get you all caught up, as well as letting you know what is coming up in the near future. Blessing of the AnimalsOur annual blessing of the animals, in honor of St. Francis, was held in the courtyard on September 28. In addition to our usual furry friends, we had the joy of blessing a kaleidoscope of monarch butterflies as well as earthworms and other creatures of the ground. The monarchs were released for their flight to their wintering grounds in Mexico. You can see all pictures, with some videos, by clicking here to go our website. Here is a picture of Goober, a particularly reverent participant! Fish FryOur annual fall fish fry was an absolutely outstanding success on October 4. It was by far the largest turnout we have ever seen. The kitchen crew lost track after serving 275 meals! Crazy, busy night! My thanks go out everyone one who helped pull off this event: the youth group serving crew and their “front of the house” supervisors, the kitchen crew, the dessert mongers, and my fry guys out back. And, of course, thanks to all of you who sold or passed out tickets and came out to feast that night. While this event is a lot of work, it really is so much fun. I can’t wait until Lent so we can do it again! Kitchen UpdateThe kitchen updating is nearly complete. Unfortunately there have been issues with getting the countertops to be able to finish the work. It seems the manufacturer has been shipping damaged product to us. Our contractor is trying to do his best to get our new counters properly installed before the Craft Market. Picnic PavilionAll the materials for the new picnic shelter arrived this week. The metal brackets which will hold the structure up were installed on the concrete slab this past on Monday and the building crew is scheduled to be here in the morning (Friday) to erect the structure. The roof will be installed by Monday evening. News of NoteIt is always a pleasure to be able to report on some of the milestones in the life of your younger members. As most of you know, Andrew Blankinship has always had the dream of flying. I am happy to report that after many hours of flight training, he finally made his first solo flight on September 24. And much to the relief of his parents, Fr. Paul and Andrew, he returned to earth safely! The picture of Andrew in the header is one of an evidently happy young man. Congratulations Andrew! News of Note #2As you all remember, my son Peter left for Navy Boot Camp two years ago this week. I am proud to say that this past Saturday morning, at 1:30 a.m., he passed his final Oral Examination Board. He is now a qualified Electronics Technician, Nuclear Power. That is US Navy speak for a nuclear reactor operator on a Navy ship or boat. Congratulations to him on all his hard work. Bravo Zulu, Petty Officer! (You can ask me what that means.) Kathy and I are heading down to Charleston today for his graduation ceremony, which is tomorrow morning, October 11. Adult Sunday SchoolLast month, our adult Sunday school class started studying the Articles of Religion of our Anglican Way of Christianity. The classes have been challenging as we attempt to “do theology” in a way that is unique to Anglicanism. This coming Sunday we will look at Article III, Of the going down of Christ into Hell. This should be absolutely fascinating! Annual Craft MarketOctober always seems to be our busiest month here at the church and this year is certainly no exception. The annual Craft Market is next Saturday, October 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please read the special Craft Market announcement below. Steve Miller’s OrdinationAlso next Saturday, October 19, Steve Miller, who interned here the first half of this year, will be ordained a Deacon in Christ’s Holy Church at St. Matthew’s Church up in Weaverville. The ordination will start at 11:00 a.m. We know this conflicts with our Craft Market but I encourage all of you who can do so, please come out to support Steve, Jen and their whole family for this most important day in Steve’s life and the life of the Church. Let Deaconess Cynthia know if you will attend so we can give the folks at St. Matthew’s a “heads up” on how many to expect for the event. Time to PrayThe Kairos Prison Ministry Team, led by our own Thomas Baldwin, will be at Mountain View Correctional Facility up in Spruce Pine October 17-20. All of us can participate in this very important ministry by keeping a prayer vigil. Pick a time each day to pray for the prisoners and also the team members. Sign yourself up on the sheets on the bulletin board for the times you have committed to pray. This is not only encouraging for the team members but also for the prisoners who see a physical prayer chain of all those praying for them. This may seem like small thing but it is a very powerful witness. Won’t you please commit yourself to this work of the Gospel? Episcopal VisitationBe sure to be in church on Sunday, October 20, for a visit from our diocesan bishop, the Most Rev. Walter Grundorf. He will be confirming and receiving new members that day. That’s is about all I can cram into one email, so look below to see what else is in store for us in the future. Blessings,Fr. Erich
This Week in the Parish
Sunday, October 13, Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity· 8:30 a.m., Holy Communion· 9:45 a.m., All Sunday School Classes return· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion· 12:15 p.m., Fellowship Lunch returnsMonday, October 14· 6:30 p.m., Vestry MeetingTuesday, October 15· 11:00 a.m., Book StudyWednesday, October 16· 6:00 p.m., Holy Communion· 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Dinner· 7:00 p.m., Bible Study· 7:00 p.m., Choir Practice
Craft Market
Saturday, October 19, 20199:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.·Bakers needed: Our Old Fashioned Bake Sale is a big part of this annual fundraiser. Please consider donating a few of your baked goods for our “Saints Sweets & Bakery” shop. All bakers, please see Julie Morton.·Volunteers: We can still use volunteers, please see Kathy Z, Dss. Cynthia, or Sally if you can help out that day. Volunteers, please wear your red All Saints Shirts.·Posters: We have posters available in 2 sizes. Please pick one up and place at your local grocer, restaurant, anywhere that allows advertising.·Sharing is Caring: Our Craft Market 2019 ad is now on our All Saints Facebook page. If you have a Facebook account please click the “share” option and help us advertise the LASSES biggest fundraiser of the year to your family and friends on Facebook.·Come Shop: Parishioners, please grab a friend or two and bring them to our Craft Market.·Big Basket Raffle: Tickets are $4.00 ea. or (3) tickets for $10.00. You do not need to be present to win. The drawing will be broadcast live on our parish Facebook page at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 19.
Looking Ahead
Friday, October 18, St. Luke, Evangelist· 12:00 p.m., Holy CommunionSaturday, October 19· 9:00 a.m., Annual Craft Market until 3:00 p.m.· 11:00 a.m., Steve Miller’s Ordination as Deacon, St. Matthew’s Church, WeavervilleSunday, October 20, Bishop Grundorf’s Episcopal Visitation· 8:30 a.m., Holy Communion· 9:45 a.m., Sunday School· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion with Confirmations & Receptions· 12:15 p.m., ReceptionFriday, November 1, All Saints Day· 12:00 p.m., Holy Communion· 6:00 p.m., Kids and Youth Festival of SaintsSaturday, November 2· 11:00 a.m., Johnson/Chamberlain WeddingSunday, November 24· 12:15 p.m., Annual Parish Meeting & Parish Thanksgiving Dinner
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