January 9, 2025 Edition

More than forty years ago, All Saints’ parishioners had a vision for creating a final resting place for members who had died. Together, they created our columbarium (entry to the right of the staff wing or off the walkway to the Lockhart Child Development Center). Over the years, many people have contributed wisdom and energy to tend this beautiful place for families to visit and reflect. 

Maintaining a safe environment for parishioners and visitors to the columbarium is of paramount importance. Click to read more.

In anticipation of winter weather conditions this weekend, please check Realm, social media, or the church website for any updates to Sunday services and activities. Please note that the Church Office will be closing at Noon on Friday, January 10, due to predicted winter weather.

New Small Group starting January 10 | You are invited to join an 8-week study of St. Paul's letter to the Philippians. We will meet in the church parlor on Friday mornings at 10 AM, starting January 10, 2025. Come explore Paul's joy of living in Christ! Kindly reach out to Lynda Waller or Barbara Lewis with any questions.

Inquirer's Class – It’s Okay to Ask Questions! As we walk with Christ, asking questions is a means of growing in our faith. When we seek answers, it shows that we care deeply about our beliefs and our relationship with God. Curiosity is a sign that something matters to us. You are invited to join an enriching eight-session Inquirer's Class, led by The Reverend Mary Reese, from January 12 through March 9, 2025. The class will meet each Sunday except January 26, at 10 AM in the Parlor. This class is especially encouraged for those preparing for Confirmation, but all who are eager to deepen their faith and explore their questions are welcome. We will use the book Transforming Questions by Forward Movement, available in both Kindle and paperback formats for $7.99 on Amazon. We look forward to growing in faith together. Come with your questions – they are welcome here!

After a ton of holiday fun, EYC (6th-12th grades) will resume their regular schedule! Unless of course there's a blizzard! Please check the church's social media accounts or website for any updates. EYC drop off is downstairs at 4:30 PM, pick up at 6:45 PM upstairs. Dinner will be provided by Stephen Ministries. Compline will be 6:30-6:45 PM and parents are welcome to join.

If you have a teen who has not attended EYC yet, the new year is the perfect time to give us a try! We will be discussing what we want the next six months to include and reconnecting after the holidays. Questions? Contact Tiffany Fulton, Director of Youth and Family Ministry.

Live-streaming of Worship at All Saints’ | All Saints’ is blessed to have a team that offers online multi-camera high-quality worship experiences for when you find yourself out of town or unable to attend in person. So, even if you are sick and isolating at home, you can remain part of this community by worshiping this way from home.

Live-streaming of worship can be found on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. Like or subscribe to get notifications of when All Saints’ goes live.

During this season of the year especially, masks will be available just as you enter the Welcome Center for anyone who wishes to wear one.

May we all remain safe and healthy this winter. Here’s a prayer “For Health of Body and Soul” from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 460: May God the Father bless us, God the Son heal us, God the Holy Spirit give us strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard our bodies, save our souls, and bring us safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

Registration for After Dark @ All Saints' Begins TODAY! The popular After Dark @ All Saints’ will be held February 6-18, and registration is now LIVE! The program offers our community the opportunity to get out of the house during the darkest part of the year to attend engaging 1-2 hour courses on a variety of subjects. Sessions include cooking with a chef, stained glass, auto maintenance, and more – all designed to feed your body, mind, and spirit. All proceeds from AD@AS support local organizations helping those in need in Cabarrus County. You can sign up for classes & workshops online, in-person on Sunday mornings, or by mail. Note: many sessions have limited capacity, so don’t delay in signing up!

It's Annual Report Time! All committee/ministry leaders are asked to share the work that has been accomplished in 2024. The information you provide will be used in the 2024 Annual Report, which gives the parish a detailed summary of the work of the church. The report becomes part of the history of our church for future generations. If it's helpful, you can find past Annual Reports here, then click the "Annual Report" tab. In order to prepare the annual report in time for the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 26, please send Ruth Brown your reports by Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

Special thanks to those who have already sent in their reports, including Altar Guild, Academic Learning Center, Newcomer's Ministry, Altar Flowers, Outreach, and Online Worship Ministry.

"Bearing Witness: A Journey with Holy Land Christians" begins January 9 | "Bearing Witness" is a new free video-based study program from the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ). "Bearing Witness" shares the stories of people living in Palestine and Israel and the remarkable ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem that bring hope and healing in this volatile part of the world. The five-week course will take place Mondays, 12-1:30 PM starting January 6 via Zoom. Click for details.

We offer prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Ben Merrick, who entered the Resurrection on Sunday, January 5. Ben was active in our parish, serving as a volunteer in the Welcome Center. Ben's Celebration of Life Service will be held at All Saints' on Friday, January 17 at 11 AM. Here is his obituary. Please hold Ben's family, loved ones, and friends in your prayers.

What's With The Pink Ribbons? Many of the bushes in the Columbarium have “outlived their time.” Al Benshoff has engaged a landscape architect to help with design and plant selection. Some of the existing plants will need to be removed, the soil amended and weeded, and new low growing, easy maintenance shrubbery planted. These plants have been identified with pink ribbon tape. This project will begin in January-February 2025. The bank of azaleas will need major pruning after they bloom in the spring of 2025. If you are interested in helping with this specific gardening project, please contact Jeanne McCarthy or Rebecca Bahn. Their information is in Realm.

All Saints' was selected as "2024 Church of the Year" by Christians Caring for Creation (C3), which is a nonprofit organization that seeks to encourage and enable Christians of varying traditions to care for the creation. The group cited All Saints' many creation care endeavors, saying, "All Saints' has been a model congregation for creation care ministries in multiple ways in relation to its facilities, grounds, and community engagement." Click to read the full article.

We are giving thanks to our Lord for the safe arrival of Raleigh Arabella Rogers, born to Harmony and Joshua Rogers on December 16, 2024. Raleigh is the great-granddaughter of the Rev'd Mary Reese.

We are excited to announce that Tom Lowe has been approved for ordination to the diaconate by our bishops. Tom has served twice at All Saints' as a deacon intern. His ordination is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 11 AM at St. John's Episcopal Church, Wake Forest, NC.

Prayer is the foundation of the ministry of this parish. If you would like to request prayers, please share here. If you are hospitalized, please let the church know. If you are unable to make the call yourself, ask for the chaplain on call and they will make it for you. The church phone number is 704-782-2024.

Prayers have been requested for Ed, Anne, Nancy, Bernadette, Rebecca, and Martin.