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ARTICLES:
"The Trinity of Our Lives" Provides Focus for Stewardship for 2006 We say "Stewardship is everything we do after we say 'I believe,'" and so we mean it is a 24/7, 365 days a year process. In October, however, we take a fresh look at what stewardship really means in our lives here at All Saints. Stewardship means, most obviously, giving of our time, talent and money to keep this blessed community alive. We ask you to promise to give a certain amount of your time, talent and money to All Saints over the course of 2006. Through giving our time and talent, we sustain and enhance the ministries of the church. Through our regular payment of financial pledges, we support the clergy and staff who lead and support us, and pay for the utilities and other annual operating expenses that enable us to witness to God's kingdom on the corner of Beacon and Dean, and extend that witness to the wider world through our diocesan pledge and other forms of outreach. Stewardship is all about our response to God. The blessed community that is All Saints Parish addresses three aspects of our relationship with God -- they represent our own Trinity, the "Trinity of Our Lives":
This Trinity is the focus of our look at stewardship this year. During worship each in October, we explored and celebrated these three aspects of our lives at All Saints, reflecting on their relation to stewardship.
The "Trinity of Our Lives" brochure celebrates our community of faith at All Saints and asks for your pledge of time, talent and financial support to continue this community through the coming year. Please tear off the pledge cards in the brochure, fill them out, and either mail them to the church or bring them to the altar at the Eucharist on Gift Sunday, weekend, October 29-30. Making a pledge offers an opportunity for us to practice obedience to God and generosity in using what God has given us. Why Should I Pledge? "Give as God has blessed you!" All faith communities ask people to give in one away or another. In our tradition, we believe that the pledge is a faith commitment - a tangible way to translate our beliefs into action. In making a pledge, we make a promise; the congregation and those we serve beyond our selves count on that promise. Thus pledge income determines how the Vestry plans and implements the annual parish operating budget. What Is A Faithful Pledge? From biblical times to the present day, the tithe (10% of your income) is a standard of giving that has had special significance for Godís people. The move toward tithing can come as a transforming experience in the way you think about money. We encourage giving intentionally the proportion of our income to Godís work that represents a meaningful commitment, one that entails a personal risk and reflects our faith that God provides for all our needs. This year we are asking members to consider making at least a 1% increase in their annual giving. What If I Can Only Pledge A Small Amount? Every pledge counts! The challenge is not how much we give but what the gift means to us. This is the message of the story of the widowís mite in the Gospel of Mark. We are to be faithful stewards of whatever God has provided. A Way to Calculate Your Current Level of Giving
In 2006, please increase your level of giving by an additional 1% of your annual income. - Marianne Evett Pilgrimage 2005 UPDATE FIRST - You're Invited to LUNCH! Our Journey to Adulthood group of (now) Ninth and Tenth grade young people went on their spiritual pilgrimage to Colorado and Taos, New Mexico in August. On Sunday, November 13, (at 11:45 am) over lunch, we would like to share with you their experiences in stories and photographs. Everyone in the parish is invited -- especially those folks who supported us with your donations to purchase "shares" in the trip. We'll cook a delicious lunch for you. This is our thank you for your prayers and financial support. ALSO - Check out our BANNER. While on our trip, Zoe, Will, Russell, Nora, Laura, Kotaro, Hannah, and Geena handcrafted a beautiful banner to be used in the church this year. Watch for its first use on Sunday, October 16 which is Children's Sabbath. You'll see many of the sights and experiences from our trip to the Southwest pictured. Many Many Thanks !! It's been about two months since Church School & Schola got started for this academic year. I want to thank everyone who has helped as we've made it "back-to-church-school" once again. To the parents who gently guide your children and young people "downstairs," I value your faithfulness. To all teachers and leaders/mentors of our Church School programs, I really appreciate you! To Keith Glavash and the Church School Committee who are always eager to do "whatever" is necessary -- especially the fabulous Picnic on September 25, I am grateful to minister with you. And to the whole parish for being so welcoming as new families find and make All Saints their parish home -- many many thanks! For Parents As the holiday season approaches ... Here are four suggestions for nurturing the formation of faith, values, and character in children and young adults that may be especially helpful at this time These are taken from theYouth and Family Institute. For more information, go to www.youthandfamilyinstitute.org. Caring conversations - As parents listen and respond to the daily concerns of children they make it easier to have meaningful conversations regarding the love of God. As children and young people are respectful and caring with their language, they show and express God's love. Household devotions - We all need to know (to learn) the Christian message and biblical story as our own in order to pass it on. Taking time at home - no matter how brief - with study, reflection, and prayer helps shape this in all of us. Rituals & Traditions - It's important to have routines and celebrations as ways for your household to identify themselves within their faith and beliefs. These can include hanging Christmas ornaments, special meals, church-going. Service - Engagement in the world around us and opportunities to experience hands-on ways to make a difference are critical. And, wherever or whatever type of service you choose, its influence is best when participating with other family members or intergenerational groups. ~ Stefani Schatz, Director of Religious Education A Note from Our New Seminarian First off, I would like to say thank you for welcoming me so warmly during my first few weeks as your new seminarian intern. I have deeply appreciated the warm embrace from this community as I begin my ministry here with you all. All Saints Parish has much to offer me in my own discernment and formation for ordained ministry, and my hope for my time here with you is that I can offer something back to your community as well. A bit about me. I grew up in a big family in San Francisco, CA where I attended St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church...on the Sundays that didn't conflict with my football watching schedule. After finishing high school locally, I attend Princeton University where I earned an AB in English and a certificate in Theater. I spent much time in college working on theater productions and directed Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" as my senior thesis. I was also very involved with the Episcopal Church at Princeton University, a campus chaplaincy that has been thriving for over 50 years. Following college, I worked for the McCarter Theater Company of Princeton as a directing assistant, and spent a month working on the Broadway production of "Anna in the Tropics," while pursuing discernment activities on the weekends. I did a part time internship at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, NJ teaching youth confirmation class, before heading up to Cambridge to begin seminary at Episcopal Divinity School. I am currently in my second year of a three year M.Div degree program, and a postulant in the Diocese of New Jersey. I'm a loyal San Francisco Giants fan from my youth, but have found I can still root for the Red Sox (since the Giants never make the playoffs!). I'm excited to be jumping into parish life again here at All Saints. I am working specifically with the 20 and 30 somethings group, Beacon Street Fellowship, and the Explorations and Journeys groups. I also plan to be a part of several parish committees, participate regularly in liturgies, and bring communion to home bound members of the parish. If you are interested in any of the activities I am working with, I hope you will be in touch with me. Otherwise, please do introduce yourself to me after church on Sundays. Peace and blessings, - Chris Wendell, cwendell@eds.edu
From the Rector | Liturgy | Good News & Opportunities
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