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MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR

This week in our Episcopal 101 class, we talked about the concept of “both/and.” It’s a hallmark of the Episcopal Church, this ability to hold two truths together: faith and works, tradition and innovation, mystery and reason. As we discussed it, I couldn’t help but think about Advent.

Advent is a both/and season: a time to slow down and reflect, but also a time to prepare and act. We are called to decrease distractions and quiet our hearts to “prepare the way” for Christ. And yet, Advent is also filled with activity—opportunities to serve, to celebrate, and to connect with one another in community.

This weekend at All Saints, we’re living into that both/and. Tonight, the Rectory Open House from 6pm to 8pm invites us to slow down and enjoy one another’s company in a warm and festive setting. Come as you are—whether for a few minutes or the full evening—and experience the joy of fellowship.

Tomorrow, we shift gears with our Fall Campus Clean-Up, a chance to care for our sacred space as we prepare for the Christmas Market and Wreaths Across America next weekend. Tending to our church grounds is holy work—it’s an act of love for the space that helps us worship, serve, and gather.

Then, on Sunday afternoon, the youth will gather for a Cookie and Gingerbread House Decorating Party at the rectory from 3pm to 5pm. It’s bound to be a blast! Laughter, creativity, holiday joy--what could be better?!

In all of this, Advent calls us to embrace the both/and: the quiet reflection that prepares our hearts and the joyful action that builds community and love. I encourage you to enter this weekend with an Advent mindset—whether you’re decorating cookies, raking leaves, or simply pausing to soak in the season, let it all be part of your preparation for Christ’s coming.



I look forward to seeing you this weekend as we prepare the way together!

Andrew +

Calling All Potential Vestry Members!

It is that time of year again when we are looking for parishioners willing and excited to sit for election to the vestry at our Annual Meeting. If you are interested in being on vestry OR have questions about being on vestry, please contact either me or a member of the Vestry Nominating Committee: Malane Silver, Ken McKenzie, or Hope Sayles.

To be eligible to sit for election to vestry, you much:

• attend worship regularly
• be at least 16 y/o
• commit to a 3 year term
• make a financial pledge

A MOMENT TO PRAY, TO PAUSE, REFLECT, ASK AND YIELD

In the beautiful setting of our sanctuary, we can PAUSE from the worries of the past week and the pressures we may face in the coming weeks. While using this time to REFLECT on God’s grace and mercy, we can recall God’s promises to “never fail nor forsake” us. Remember, Jesus encourages us to PRAY by saying, “If in my name you ASK me for anything, I will do it. Also, this dedicated time will give us courage to YIELD to the will of God.

Episcopal 101

Episcopal 101 has started!!! In person class will be from 9:15am - 10:15am in the upper parish hall every Sunday in December.

If you are unable to join the class on Sunday, every Wednesday evening at 7pm will be the "make up" classes, and those are all online via Zoom. To join, simply click this LINK.

Looking forward to seeing you!

December Outreach Breakfast

Join fellow parishioners for the last 2024 Outreach breakfast on Sunday, December 22th, after the early service.

Why?

---It's the most yummy and delicious breakfast around!

---It's ALL YOU CAN EAT!

---It's Fun and Fellowship!

---And most importantly, it's SUPPORT FOR OUR OUTREACH MISSIONS!

For our late service attendees and our newcomers, please join us! We'd love to get to know you at the breakfast table!

Christmas Baskets

Hopefully our Parish family had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Now it is time for our thoughts to turn to holiday Christmas dinners, Family and our many Blessings -- and to those less fortunate. We can share our blessings by providing families in Calvert County with Christmas Dinners they would otherwise not enjoy. Please consider joining other All Saints’ parishioners in our Holiday Basket ministry. The cost for each basket this year is $50.00. You can write a check with a notation in the memo section and put it in the offering plate, or use Easy Tithe and select “Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets”. We will be collecting gifts for Holiday food baskets through December 24^th. Thank you for sharing your blessings!

ECW Updates

Christmas Market, Christmas MARKET, CHRISTMAS MARKET!

While elves are finishing up any last minute details for next week's 19th Annual Christmas Market, we are taking a little time out for our monthly "fun and fellowship" breakfast at Dream Weaver's tomorrow at 9 AM. Ladies, take a break from the holiday rush to get things done and come to enjoy breakfast with parish family friends. We hope you will join us!

Our regularly scheduled business meeting will be held at Dream Weavers Cafe on Dec. 21th at 9 AM. Please RSVP to Mary Ann Munn HERE by Dec. 16th, so she can reserve enough tables in the back room of the restaurant. Over a delicious breakfast, we will talk about the Christmas Market event - what worked, what can be improved and suggestions for the future. Your feedback is important, so please plan to attend.

ALL women of the parish are welcome to join us in our mission to serve the parish and community. While we do have meetings monthly (3rd Saturday of the month at 9AM in the parish hall), we recognize that not everyone can attend. If you would like to find an ECW mission that meets your passion or if you would like to help out with various events, please contact our President, Jill Dowell by phone or text at (443) 610-5294.

Foster children of Calvert County

At All Saints Parish, we deeply value the spirit of community support and the importance of inclusivity and compassion, especially for those in need. As you may know, we've hosted the children's Christmas party for the past two years and are happy to host again this year.

This holiday season, we invite you to join us in making a difference in the lives of the children by contributing to their Amazon wish list. By participating, you can help ensure that these children experience the joy and warmth of Christmas. It's simple to get involved, and together, we can create a sense of belonging and shared purpose as we bring smiles to their faces.

Foster children's WISHLIST

All Saints Fall Campus Cleanup, Fun and Fellowship

When: This Saturday from 10 AM - 1 PM

Where: All Saints Church Campus

Join the All Saints community for a fun-filled morning of service, fellowship, and preparation for the upcoming Christmas Market and Wreaths Across America events.

What to Bring

• Gloves
• Rakes
• Tarps
• Leaf blowers
• Yourself and your family!

What's Provided

• Free light lunch courtesy of the Episcopal Church Women
• Refreshments throughout the day
• Fun and community fellowship

Sign-up HERE. For more information, contact Glenn Iona or David Lippe.

Christmas Fun at the Rectory

Calling all young people!!! Calling all young people!!!!! Come to the Rectory on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 3:00 PM to have lots of fun. We will be decorating

gingerbread houses, sleds, and cookies for you to take home. Come and use all kinds of sweets to show your decorating creativity. We will have lots of candy

for you to use and we will have hot chocolate for you to sip. Yum! See you on December 8th .

Our annual Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at noon on Saturday, December 14. This is a very moving ceremony and we hope that members of our parish who are not already volunteering with the Christmas Market at this hour will come out and participate!

Anyone wishing to have a private moment to lay the wreath on the grave of your own family member in our cemetery should report to the event organizers by

11:30 am to lay the wreath before the ceremony begins. A moment of silence will be held across the campus, including the All Saints Christmas Market, to honor all veterans buried at All Saints. All other wreaths will be laid following the ceremony by event guests and volunteers.



FYI - Since the Christmas Market is the same day, you might want to come a little early to snag a parking spot.

CHRISTMAS MARKET NEWS

December 14th is right around the corner!

Are you as excited as we are? Is your calendar marked for a day of holiday spirit, holiday shopping and lots of fun? Are you ready to shop 'til you drop? Nine more days until the 2024 Annual All Saints Christmas Market. Have you visited the signup.com site to include some volunteer fun at the market? As always, we need lots of VOLUNTEERS to help us make this community event a SUCCESS! The ECW is looking forward to seeing all of our parish family members December 14th from 10 AM to 4 PM.

URGENT REQUEST! Be a part of our volunteer team and help us make this year's Christmas Market the most successful yet!

As we regularly mention, it takes many helping hands to pull off successful fundraising events. We still have 49 slots to fill within the next week. Each of those positions is important to the overall success of this year's event. As we have done in the past, we are using signup.com to line up our volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please SIGN UP HERE.

If you need help signing up, please call text or phone Cammie Weaver at 240-882-0481.

Please take some time to look at the different tasks; and if you are able and available, please select one or two slots. Add your name today to a great team of volunteers! If you have any questions, please email allsaints1692christmasmarket@gmail.com.

Christmas Greenery Needed

We will have a Christmas Swag station again this year, and we are asking for donations of bittersweet, holly, pine cones and other pine trimmings (not Douglas Fir) - whatever you think will look good on a swag. Please wait until just before Christmas Market to cut and bring your swag cuttings to the Parish Hall on December 11th or 12th.

Glühwein and Hot Cocoa

Of course, we will have our Glühwein and hot cocoa booth again this year. If you haven't tasted our delicious Glühwein, be sure to try some this year. (Here's a little hint: don't wait until later in the day to get a mug of Glühwein because we might just run out!) Let's all hope and pray for a good weather day, with maybe even a little snow, bringing lots of visitors to the Glühwein and hot cocoa station in front of the parish hall!

Knitters and crafters. Thank you in advance for the amazing items you have made to be sold at the Christmas Market.

The craft table will (hopefully) be set up on Thursday, December 12 from 1-3 in the downstairs parish hall during the usual weekly crafting/knitting group. Please make sure that any items that you have made for the ECW to sell are dropped off on or before December 12th.

Please label items with a recommended price - just pin on a piece of paper with the recommended price, or tape it on. We will have tags available to use for the final pricing.

You may pick up unsold items after the event closes on Saturday at 4pm, or the next morning when Sunday sales end at 10:15. Otherwise, we will keep remaining items to sell at our future markets.

CALLING ALL BAKERS!

The ECW bake sale is always a super successful part of the Christmas Market. Everyone knows that All Saints' folks are great bakers. Think about every parish gathering - all those scrumptious desserts! So many choices that it's always difficult to choose.

We are looking for ALL the bakers in the All Saints community to bring delicious goodies for us to sell at the 19th Annual Christmas Market. Our goal, as always, is to SELL OUT! 

Bakers:  Please bring items in om Friday, Dec 13th or from 8:00 and 9:30 AM on CHRISTMAS MARKET MORNING.

Let buyers know what is inside - a simple title, or short description is very helpful.

Please price, put in clear baggies/containers so people can see how wonderful the item looks. There will be stickers available for pricing on Saturday morning,

You may pick up unsold items when the event closes on Saturday at 4, or when Sunday sales end at 10:15.

PS - Rumor has it that "church crack" will be available. Come early if you want to buy some, because it often sells out fast.

Free Publicity

HELP US WITH PUBLICITY!

There are many, many craft fairs and holiday shopping events scheduled in Southern Maryland between now and Christmas. You can help us increase visiblity to our Christmas Market by inviting family, friends and coworkers. Feel free to print copies of this flyer and hand them out at activities you may participate in between now in the market or take a flyer to work and post it. Another idea would be to send the flyer to all on your distribution list with a personal invitation! The more people who know about our Christmas Market, the more who will attend! As a parish, let's do everything we can to help make this a super successful event!

Silent Auction Items Wanted for Christmas Market!

The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) is gearing up for their annual Christmas Market Silent Auction, a key fundraiser. We're counting on your generosity!

Donate Unwanted Items

Consider downsizing and donating gently used items waiting for a new home.

Ask Local Businesses

Reach out to local business owners; they may donate items!

Donation Procedure:

• Email photos, descriptions, and fair market values to:
• Mary Klausner (Klaus-acct@comcast.net)
• All Saints' Christmas Market (allsaints1692christmasmarket@gmail.com)
• Arrange pickup or drop-off by December 9th.

Preview Donated Items

Visit the All Saints Christmas Market Facebook page starting Thanksgiving Day!

Your Contribution Matters!

Donate gently used or new items (min. $20 value) today and help make our Silent Auction a success! Silent auction items donated need to be ready for display, as in clean and free of dust/dirt etc. Your donation will help fund essential ECW projects.

Thank you for your generosity!

50/50 Raffle Tickets - On Sale Now!

Did you know that the ECW is "giving away" cash at the Christmas Market? As we always do, we will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets at the Christmas Market. The winner will get 50% of the raffle ticket proceeds! We are hoping to exceed last year's winning total, so be sure to purchase your raffle tickets at the Christmas Market! 

Good Luck! You could win BIG!

Share the Joy of Holiday Greens and Flowers!

Join our beloved tradition and make our church shine this Christmas!

Three Ways to Participate:

• Poinsettia Dedications: Honor/remember loved ones with a poinsettia ($30 suggested donation). Provide names and dedication type by Dec 20th.
• Easy Tithe: General Giving Fund, note "Flower Fund"
• Check: Offering plate with notation or mail a check to the church (100 Lower Marlboro Rd, Sunderland, MD 20689)
• Flyers available at church or below
• Friends of Christmas: Support "greening the church" costs with a generous donation. Contact Patti At Lee.
• Join the "Greening of the Church": Help decorate on Mon., Dec 23rd, 10 am - noon. Enjoy mulled cider and fellowship!

Your Support Continues a Cherished Tradition

Thank you for your time, funds and generosity!

Christmas IS Coming!

Come and enjoy the ancient and joyful custom of “greening the church” – a time when all are invited to help hang the greens, illuminate the trees, and place the poinsettias. It’s a lovely time and we invite you to come this year on Monday, December 23rd at 10:00 am.

See photos below from lthe past to see how much fun it is to "Green the Church"! If you have any questions, please call Patti At Lee at 202-669-5594.

The crafting/needlework group will be meeting in person next week, Thursday, December 12th from 1 - 3 pm upstairs in the parish hall lounge.

If you would just like to join us to chat, we would be happy to have you, no crafting required. All are welcome. If you have a friend who would like to come, please let them know. We hope to see you there. If you would like to learn to knit or crochet, we can help with that as well.

If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Overstrom at cynthiaoverstrom@gmail.com or 410-286-8060.

The December wine tasting this Sunday the 8th at 4:00.

Joyce Terry will be hosting this tasting and her theme will be Christmas Markets of Europe (sort of). It will still be a wine tasting but with a few twists. Ugly, beautiful or sparkly sweaters are encouraged, but not required. There will be a prize, or maybe two, or more. Wines will be from various European countries. Bring your best European dish to share and let's have some wine and fun.

As usual we will be sharing in the cost of the wines, we will be voting for our favorite wines with cash donations to a charity we select, and please bring a dish to share with others.

It would be better if everyone can park on the road at the top of the driveway. When you see it you will understand why. The shoulder on either side of the road is fine. When people come down the driveway they may come in through the garage or the front door. Both will be open.  

The Terry's address is:

6526 Wilson Road

Friendship, MD 20758

240-476-5906

Please RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing John Overstrom at   joverstrom01@gmail.com 

We are still looking for the 2025 Calvert Arts Festival leads for the admin, program, newsletter, silent auction, social media, and artisan teams. The existing leads want to share their knowledge before coordination (and meetings!) begins this January. If interested, please click this link or contact Pat Lineberry.  

News from the Northern Calvert Little Free Pantry

Winter's back, and so is our bad luck - all our toiletries, socks, hats, and gloves are gone! Silver lining: now's the perfect excuse to replenish and ensure nobody's cold or hungry! Oh, and those first aid supplies and feminine hygiene products? They're always on the most-wanted list.!!!!

Exciting Opportunity: Regional Communications Coordinator

The Southern Maryland Regional Council is seeking a Regional Communications Coordinator to serve as the hub of communication among the eight Episcopal parishes in our region. This part-time position is supported by a grant and is essential to fostering collaboration, sharing resources, and enhancing ministry across our churches.

Key responsibilities include maintaining a regional calendar of events, sharing information about ministries and opportunities, and helping to coordinate regional initiatives like youth events, outreach projects, and joint worship services.

We’re looking for someone with strong organizational and communication skills, a passion for community building, and familiarity with the Episcopal Church.

For more information about the position and how to apply, contact The Rev. Andrew Rutledge at allsaints1692rector@gmail.com

Applications are to be filled out and sent to Father Andrew no later than Thursday, December 19th.

HERE'S WHAT'S GOING ON WITH OUR EPISCOPAL FRIENDS IN SOMD

Festival Of Carols And Messiah Sing

St. James' Parish in Lothian will be having their Festival of Carols and Messiah Sing on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 4:00pm. Justin Caithaml will be directing and will bring his wonderful musicians from the University of Maryland to complete our ensemble. Come, enjoy the music and sing along with our neighbors at St. James' Parish.

And from Malane Silver, a Christmas concert that she is participating in!

Advent Walks at Christ Church

Deacon Beth will be facilitating our Regional Advent Walks and Joe will be keeper of the BonFire. Mark your calendars for Tuesdays, Dec 3rd, 10th, and 17th, at 4 p.m. at the back porch of the Parish Hall. Enjoy a brief Advent reflection, a walk on Christ Church’s trails, and fellowship by the fire. Bundle up and bring a flashlight or headlamp - twilight comes early in December. Don’t want to walk the trail? Come and warm up by the fire (near the One-Room Schoolhouse) and join the reflection time. Let’s get on the trail together as we prepare for Christmas!  Deacon Beth asks for continued prayers for guidance.

The Men's Breakfast is always the first Saturday of every month at 9:00 am at Traders Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach. Jim Thrift, our convener, will be in attendance setting up the room before 9:00. The breakfasts are for all Christian men for fellowship and fun. We discuss most everything except religion. Plan to attend and bring a friend as all are welcome, especially newcomers. If you attend you'll have fun, if you don't, we'll talk about you.

Donate online through EasyTithe

Don't forget you can make donations online for your pledge, our various outreach missions and special projects. You can make individual donations or recurring donations. It's easy-peasy! Instructions can be found in the 7/26/24 newsletter found link:

https://conta.cc/3WzfKxy

The lessons for the Second Sunday of Advent are available online.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearC_RCL/Advent/CAdv2_RCL.html

Sunday 8 AM:

For those not attending in person, the 8 AM liturgy is live streamed on our Facebook page. You may tune in at 8 AM by clicking on this link:  

https://www.facebook.com/allsaints1692  

The bulletin may be found just below. [ Please note : unlike our 10:30 AM service on Zoom, the 8 AM service is not interactive. You will be able to view the liturgy and the sermon, but will not be able to see or speak with the other viewers.] 

Link to our 8 AM  bulletin >>> Bulletin

Sunday 10:30 AM:

To join the 10:30 AM service by pc, laptop or smart device , click on this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/715310766  

If you are asked for a password, enter 014954

(You can join directly through the Zoom app by entering the Meeting ID: 715 310 766 and then the Password: 014954)

To join by cell phone (audio only)

Call in number: 1-301-715-8592 When asked for the access code, enter: 715310766# When asked for the password, enter: 014954#

To join by landline:

Dial: 1 301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 715 310 766 Password: 014954

Link to our 10:30 AM  >>>> Bulletin

There are a few *question marks* in this month's Worship Leader Schedule. If you would like to fill one of the unassigned slots, please contact Deb Watson at dewatson94@comcast.net. Thanks in advance for helping to fill the schedule!

December Birthdays

2 - Bryan Dowell

4 - Bud Miller

6 - Bridget Westlund

16- Alison Schatz

16 - Maggie Dougherty

19 - Aryanah Jones

20- Joy Sadler

20 - Xavier Dailey

24 - Sam Schatz

25 - Gloria Fleshman

27 - Betty MacDonald

31 - Paul Deal

A very happy anniversary to David & Cammie Weaver on the 6th,

Joseph & Betsy vanAuker on the 20th,

Josh & Meghan Westlund on the 27th

PRAYER LIST

Please remember each and every one on their healing journey.

Info and flyers to be posted in the weekly newsletters need to be received via email by Wednesday at 8 a.m. Please send information to allsaints1692@allsaints1692.org & 

allsaints1692connections@gmail.com

This allows time for editing and clarification when needed.

Before submitting a request for publication, please review these guidelines for newsletter/publicity Guidelines