All Saints News: VBS, Playground, Principal Announcement

on May 14, 2022

Dearly Beloved,

In last week’s email to you, I laid out the reasons and vision for the parochial school we will establish here at All Saints Church. I indicated then that I would let you know this week who would be appointed as the principal to shepherd us through the process for opening the school in the Fall of 2023. I am very pleased to announce that Alice Owen has agreed to take this position and we signed a contract this past Wednesday. She will begin work on June 15.

Alice is a life-long educator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Glasgow University and worked as an elementary teacher for 13 years in Scotland. When she first moved to the United States, she worked for a short time as a pre-school teacher. She then taught all ages at Elaida Homes for 7 years and, as most of you know, she has been an English teacher at Asheville High School for 9 years. She holds North Carolina certifications in both elementary and secondary education.

Alice and her husband Paul were married in 1999 and have been members of All Saints since 2005. In her life as a Christian of the Anglican Way, she brings the needed perspective of being both an educator and an Anglican to see the vision and purpose of a parochial school in an Anglican parish. I look forward to partnering with her as we move forward raising and educating our children and the children of our community from the heart of the Church.

Vestry Vignettes
The vestry, at its meeting this past Monday, approved receiving estimates on a reconfiguration of Simcox Hall, our classroom wing, so that we might have appropriate sized rooms for Kindergarten and First Grade. I have already reached out to contractors to meet with me regarding moving walls, electrical lines, and HVAC duct work. At its June meeting, the vestry will review these estimates with the intention of beginning this work in July.

Also, the vestry received the resignation of Dave Brauner from the vestry and the position of Treasurer. Dave cited personal and family medical issues that impinge upon his being able to properly focus on the responsibilities necessary to be a member of the vestry. The vestry and I would like to thank Dave very much for his service to this parish. He brought unique gifts to his duties that all of us have appreciated in his being able to guide us through understanding financial matters in a concise way. He leaves us in a very sound financial position. Thank you, Dave!

With Dave’s resignation, it was necessary to appoint a new Treasurer to oversee our parish financial matters. Glen Blackburn agreed to take the position and he was elected unanimously by the vestry.

The Blessing of the Playground
Our new playground is finished! As you know, during Lent, the men of the parish undertook fencing the area around our new playground equipment (see the pictures below). A big hearty thank you to all who came out and worked and also to all who made donations to make a new playground possible. Please join us this coming Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m., out at the playground, as we gather to dedicate and bless the new playground and praise God for this new addition to our church.

Vacation Bible School—Registration & Volunteers
Our VBS for this year is nearly full so now is the time to get registered. Please direct family, friends, and neighbors with young children to this website, allsaintsmillsriver.org, so that they may register online. The VBS registration page is under the “Youth Ministry” tab on the website. You can also click here to go directly to the page.

We also need more volunteers to assure the children have a fabulous week. Please contact Deaconess Cynthia to see what you can do! Also, we ask that all volunteers attend a VBS meeting on Sunday, May 22, following the 11:00 a.m. Holy Communion, during the fellowship luncheon.

Lenten Appeal
I am very happy to report that All Saints has sent $10,239.15 to support our Philippine and Haitian churches as a result of the annual Lenten Appeal of our national church, the Anglican Province of America. One of the hallmarks of this parish has always been raising funds for outreach both in our community and also the wider Church. Thank you all very much for your generosity and thanks be to Almighty God for allowing us to impact for the Gospel in this way!

That is most of the important news for this week. Don’t forget all of our ongoing classes such as Sunday School and the Bible Studies. I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow in church!

Blessings,
Fr. Erich