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ARTICLES:
Surround the Spirit at All Saints Parish
What we have learned as a parish is that we need to come together, that we need to share our journeys, and that we need to be devoted in our acts of prayer and praise. Giving to Surround The Spirit addresses capital expenses that are essential to maintaining the inspiring beauty of the building and the long-term programmatic vitality of the parish, most especially outreach. At this point we can count over $600,000 in funds committed, and expect that over $700,000 will be received as time transforms choices to cash. We can also recount the glory of stories of God's transforming presence in the lives of those whose testimonies we heard during Eastertide. And we know that never again will the people of All Saints understand conversations involving money as anything except the challenge of faith in action. Perhaps most importantly, we have learned in fact the necessity of prayerfully examining the enduring things of our lives as one of the disciplines with which we are gifted by God. What will be done with the funds? The first 10% goes to missions and ministries beyond the parish. The remaining 90% is divided equally between (1) enhancing the endowment to provide for in-parish programs (such as Celtic Eucharist, Schola, CSA and others, all of which have begun or ascended in the past decade) and (2) major building projects such as painting the Sanctuary, finishing the Undercroft and continuing timely, cost effective major repairs. So as the certificate says... The blessings and thanks of All Saints Parish Laura Vennard
Press Conference On the 3rd Anniversary of Yang Jianli's Detention Christina Fu: His burning passion has been to, one day, hear the bells of freedom ringing throughout his beloved homeland of China. He believes that since we are all creatures of God and share a common humanity, we should treat one another as brothers and sisters, irrespective of social class, religion, ethnicity or race, and not be denied our basic universal rights and freedom. For the past 13 years, my husband has devoted his time and energies to helping make this dream a reality for the people of China, and through peaceful means alone -- through education, negotiation and diplomacy. He has traveled to more than 20 countries and 30 states to meet with government officials, human rights groups, university students and with his Holiness the Dalai Lama -- advocating for democracy and peace. Yet now he sits, languishing in prison, three years later, having already more than paid the price for that one illegality. Having suffered a minor stroke in July of 2004, he is still not well. We are hopeful that our petition to have him released on a medical parole will soon be granted. I am grateful that China is honoring her laws by having allowed our son, Aaron, and me to visit Jianli in prison this past January. It was our first visit since he was seized on April 26, 2002 at Kunming airport on his way back home to America. Our visit meant the world to Aaron and to me. Although it broke his heart to see his father imprisoned, Aaron was very excited that he got to see his Dad. Upon our return he kept saying, "I want to go back to China to see Daddy, again. I want to go -- NOW!"-- and would then burst into tears. I am thankful also to the Chinese government for opening up, if only in a limited way, the lines of written communication between Jianli and our family. It has brought us happiness beyond words. We recently received (via relatives in China) his first letter dated January 18 of this year following our visit with him in Beijing. The letter was addressed to Aaron. Note: Copies of this letter are available at All Saints. Christina has requested that we "share its contents with you, so you may come to know my husband better." According to the State Department, Chinese president Hu Jintao will visit the U.S. sometime in the fall, and we want to push again for Jianli's release before he comes. Senators Jon Kyl and Barbara Mikulski have initiated an effort with a new letter to President Hu. We hope to get as many Senators' signatures on the letter as possible. You may pick up copies of the new letter at the back of the church to be faxed (fax numbers provided) to Kennedy and Kerry with a note urging them to contact Kyl and Mikulski to support/sign this new letter. Please see Susan Cleaver if you would like a copy of the letter sent to you electronically.
Prayer for Yang JianliBy the Reverend Leslie Sterling Let us take a moment to quiet ourselves and feel the presence and the nearness of God and so we pray for Jianli tonight we ask a blessing on all those working so diligently for his release and we give thanks with great enthusiasm and in joyful anticipation in the name of all that is holy, and good and true
CHURCH SCHOOL NEWSPILGRIMS 2005 Fundraising We still need your help. CELL PHONE RECYCLING: Clean out your Drawers and do something GOOD for the environment! Your ìoldî cell phones ñ any variety, any style, any age -- can provide us with cash for them! BRING them to the Church and drop off in the box provided at any point during the summer! Successful All Parish Retreat Those are just a few of the remarks from participants -- you can ask others yourself! A survey was handed out over breakfast on Sunday morning and the results were overwhelmingly positive: Of the almost 40 respondents out of the 60 attendees, here's what we found: Everyone (100%) would return and attend again!! Activities that people (young & old) loved included: Canoe/kayak and time on the lake (#1), social time and conversation with others, walking, reading, the "ropes" course and Night Hike, relaxing, the meditation session, art projects, and the s'mores around the bonfire. Although the date didn't work for all in the parish, from attendees we received about 90% support for this weekend next year. So, plan ahead and mark your calendars now for the 2nd Annual All Parish Retreat, Memorial Day Weekend 2006. It worked out great to share the Camp with St. James, Cambridge, and I hope we'll be able to work with them again. Many, many thanks to the planning team: Kathleen Theisen (registrations), Sharon Siwiec & Laura Vennard (activities), Susan Wheeler (snacks), and Leslie Sterling (liturgy). I am grateful for their ministry! - Stefani Schatz, Dir. of Religious Ed. From the Rector | Liturgy | Good News & Opportunities
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On Pentecost 2005 the people of God known as All Saints Parish/Brookline experienced being Surrounded by The Spirit in word and deed. Certificates conveying the blessings and thanks of the parish were offered at the altar, a harvest of the intentions of over 60 households, making a clear choice about the enduring as well as the everyday things of life. The giving is in many forms. Some choose a one-time payment. Others gave precious things, to be placed at Sotheby's for auction. Still others signed up for a specified payment annually over three years. Yet others gave a portion of contingent fees and bonuses associated with their daily work. Some others continued an All Saints tradition by formally naming the parish in their wills. Some were unable to commit a fixed or any sum of money, but reaffirmed their pledge of a life of gratitude to a loving God.