Dearly Beloved,
As you know things have been rather busy around here now that we are well into fall. Two weeks ago, we had our annual fall fish fry and well over 260 people were served in 2 hours. Exhausting! And yet very satisfying and a whole lot of fun! And the next day we had our annual Blessing of the Animals. You can see some pictures below of all of this. Now on to some things you need to know.
Annual Craft Market
Our annual Craft Market, sponsored by the Women’s Ministry here at the church, is being held tomorrow, October 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We have many vendors signed up and our parish hall is already full of tables. There will also be a handful outside for your shopping pleasure. This is not just a craft fair like what is held at your local flea market. This is something that many of your fellow parishioners and friends participate in by providing baked goods for an old-fashioned church bake sale, fresh cut flowers, an actual loom in action, the monster Basket Raffle, and, of course, the best BBQ on the planet provided by our smoker extraordinaire Jeff Wyatt. Please do come on out to support your fellow parishioners, especially the Ladies of All Saints, and all the vendors who help make this such a success every year. And I will do my best impression of Monte Hall when the basket drawing happens about 2:00 p.m.!
2022 Stewardship Campaign
It is that time of year again when the vestry is doing its work to plan for next year. Of course, that means it is also time to consider how we will support our wonderful parish in the coming year. As is our custom, I set a scripture verse and theme for the campaign and your vestry members reach out to you in letters they have written after reflecting on that verse and theme. This year’s theme is Bearing Fruit in Christ and is based on the Scripture found in John 15:5, “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” The first letter in our 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.
Since we have quite a few new folks here, I wanted to let you know that we here at All Saints do something that no other church in our diocese does. In our stewardship drive we also ask for a commitment to Outreach beyond the usual Operating Fund campaign. Scripture tells us that we bring our tithes and offerings before God (Malachi 3). The tithe, which is our bounden duty, comes first (and so is listed first on the commitment card) and that is what is the primary focus of the stewardship campaign. Beyond that, we ask that you consider committing extra resources to outreach in our community, nation, and world. These resources are the “offering” part of which Scripture speaks. These are meant to be “over and above” what is our duty to provide. They spring from a heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God, recognizing that we, as His people, can always do more. I write about this to provide you with an explanation of why we have 2 entry lines on our commitment cards. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call or just ask when you see me at church.
All Saints Cookbook
Thanks to all who have submitted your recipes! However, we are not there yet, and we need side dish recipes. We have more than enough main dishes and desserts, so dust off your favorite side dish recipes and get them submitted. Submission forms are available at church with easy to follow instructions. You can also go online and enter your recipes directly. The log-in information is:
- Click on Log In under Get Started on the right side of the page
- User Name or Group Log In: AllSaintMillsRiver
- Password: dishes946
- Choose “submit a recipe”.
Click right here to get started on-line.
Your participation will ensure the success of the book so thanks in advance for your participation! See Amy Miller or Dss. Cynthia if you have any questions and please submit as many recipes as you like.
Festival of Saints, Children and Youth
Friday, November 5, we will gather for food and games at 5:45 p.m.—8:00 p.m. Not just for kids! To make our patronal festival special for the children and youth, we need adults to come out and volunteer. Either come dressed as your favorite saint or wear red in honor of All Saints Day. Please let Dss. Cynthia know if you can make it that Friday night.
Episcopal Visit
On November 7 we will be honored to host our new Diocesan Bishop Chandler Jones here at All Saints Church. We will celebrate our patronal Feast Day of All Saints. Bishop Chad will preach at both services that day and he will celebrate the Holy Communion at our principal service at 11:00 a.m. He will also take the Adult Sunday School to express his vision and plans for our diocese and national church. A parish wide reception/dinner will follow directly after the 11 a.m. Communion in his honor and also for those who will be confirmed and received that day.
Food Bank Offerings
Please do not forget to bring in non-perishable food items for those less fortunate than us. Interfaith Assistance Ministry here in Henderson County is the recipient of this month’s in-gathering.
Well, you should be all caught up with the most important news right now. Please continue in your prayers for one another and this family in Christ and always pray for those for whom no one else will pray this day.
Blessings,
Fr. Erich
Fish Fry & Blessing of Animals Pictures
This Week in the Parish
Saturday, October 16
· 9:00 a.m., Craft Market
Sunday, October 17, Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
· 8:30 a.m., Holy Communion
· 9:45 a.m., Sunday School (all ages)
· 11:00 a.m., Holy Communion
Monday, October 18, St. Luke, Evangelist
· 12:00 p.m., Holy Communion
Tuesday, October 19
· 11:00 a.m., Bible Study
Wednesday, October 20
· 6:00 p.m., Holy Communion
· 6:30 p.m., Choir Practice
· 6:30 p.m., Dinner (Bring your own)
· 7:00 p.m., Bible Study
