October 3, 2024 Edition

Little by little, one goes far.

All Saints’ of 2024 is a far cry from the church I came to in the early 1980’s.

Others may remember worshipping at St. James in Kannapolis and the former All Saints’ location in downtown Concord. I can’t imagine the vision and effort needed to plant the seed for a new building here on Lake Concord Road. Click to read more.

This past Sunday, we reflected with gratitude on how we worship in community here at All Saints’. Thank you to those who have completed this week’s gratitude survey, sharing what worship means to you. If you have not yet participated, the survey can be found here. And be sure to join in the discussion about our reflection prompt on the All Saints’ Facebook page and on Realm. We are thankful for YOU and for joining us on this journey of gratitude!

Hurricane Relief and Matching of Donations | Large portions of Western NC and adjacent areas continue to be devastated by flooding from Hurricane Helene. All Saints' wants to assist with the recovery through Episcopal Relief and Development.

This Sunday we are dedicating our "loose plate" offering to their Hurricane Relief Fund.

In addition, if you are giving through Realm, use the drop-down selection for Hurricane Relief or make that designation in the memo line on your check made payable to All Saints' Episcopal Church.

Due to information shifting from those on the ground and their specific needs, some details have changed. Funds will be sent to Episcopal Relief and Development designated for those impacted by the disaster in Western NC, wherever they are located or wherever they have been displaced to. Donations up to $6,000 in total will be matched by current outreach funds.

Pet Food Drive THIS Sunday to support rescued animals, and those needing assistance in feeding their animal companions. Please bring pet food with you to Blessing of the Pets. The collected food will be given to animal shelters to help defray some of their costs and also to the Splashpaw Foundation, which provides pet care assistance to shut-ins and others that may not have the resources to care for their pets. If you have questions about the event, please contact Rhonda Kovar.

A Candidate Meeting & a Special Offer | The Women of Central United Methodist Church in downtown Concord will hold a candidate meet and greet of women candidates running for local office. The event will be THIS Saturday, October 5, from 10 AM until noon in the Coltrane Room. Both men and women welcome to attend.

It is illegal in North Carolina to offer anyone something based on whether they cast a ballot. However, if you come to Martin Ericson with your plan for voting – absentee by mail, early voting, or Election Day, he will give you either a car magnet or a sticker that you proudly display after you have voted. Supplies are limited so act soon! If you have any questions about how to vote (but not who to vote for), please see Martin Ericson.

Food Drive through October 8 | The Girl Scout Troop that has started meeting at All Saints' is conducting a food drive for CCM through October 8. We've been invited to participate! If you'd like to donate food items for the drive, simply leave them in the food bin in the Welcome Center.

With natural disasters hitting the Southeast this past week, the need for blood is more critical than ever. All Saint’s will host another American Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, October 9 from 2:30 until 7:00 PM. Last drive we barely made our goal of 30 units. So far only 35 of 48 appointments have been taken.

If you can "contribute" to this essential need, please go to redcrossblood.org and type “allsaints” in the Find a Drive box. From the results pick the drive in Concord, unless you have time to drive to Virginia or Arizona (though I am sure they would welcome you). Contact Martin Ericson, if you have any questions.

Save the Date! CROP Hunger Walk on October 13 | Come join your friends and neighbors as they march against hunger in the annual CROP Hunger Walk. This year, the walk will start at Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church, 101 Vance Street, Kannapolis, at 2:00 PM Sunday October 13. It’s a wonderful walk though Kannapolis. Your donations will fight hunger in Cabarrus County and internationally. Bring your family, bring your dog, invite your friends. Any questions, contact Don Foskey.

You are invited to join the study of "John: The Gospel of Light and Life" starting Sunday, October 13 through November 17, during the 10 AM Adult Christian Formation hour. The Gospel of John is the most deeply spiritual of the four gospels. This writing is filled with rich images and profound truths, but John notes that his aim in writing the gospel is that readers will not only believe in Jesus Christ, but that they “may have life in his name.” 

Let's experience a season of spiritual growth and life-changing renewal during a six-week study of Adam Hamilton’s John: The Gospel of Light and Life. We’ll follow the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus through the Gospel of John and understand the context of some of the best-known verses in the New Testament. Chuck Collier will lead the discussion following a short video at the start of each session. Please purchase the book, which is available on Amazon for $15.52. Contact Chuck Collier, if you have any questions.

All Saints’ is taking over the recently-renovated Gem Theatre in Kannapolis on Saturday, October 26 at 9:30 AM as a fundraiser to benefit the Concord/Kannapolis PFLAG chapter! The theatre will be ours for the morning, so let’s fill up the seats with all the saints and your friends! In celebration of this slightly spooky season and La Día del Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), we saints will be screening the Disney/PIXAR movie "Coco" on the big screen! This will be a family event that will be appropriate for all ages (this movie is rated PG). "Coco" is filled with moving music and the tenderness of family relationships. You are invited to come in your favorite costumes, too, if you like! Concessions will be available but are not included in the cost of your ticket.

In September, our Adult Christian Formation was enriched greatly by Rev. Sally Johnston's presentations on the threat of Christian Nationalism to the Church and to our democracy. If you were unable to attend (or want to watch again), here are the links:

Understanding Christian Nationalism Session #1 (Helpful resources)

Understanding Christian Nationalism Session #2

We offer congratulations and praise for the birth of Violet Rose Campechano Stead, daughter of Jonathan Stead, granddaughter of Barbara Horne-Stead and Kenneth Stead, born on September 13, 2024. We rejoice with the family and pray God's blessing over them all.

A Case for Love to be released Oct. 1 on streaming platforms! A Case for Love, a feature-length documentary inspired by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s message of love, will be released Oct. 1 on all cable, satellite, and digital platforms where films can be rented or purchased. Learn more about the film.

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 Fannie, Thomasina, Dana, Kathy, Crystal, Donda, and Janet.