November 13, 2025 Edition

Dear Friends,

In Praying Our Goodbyes, Joyce Rupp observes that “the rhythm of life is: hello, goodbye, hello.” Those words have been echoing in my heart as I prepare to take my leave as your rector. They speak to a truth that runs through all of life and through our faith itself.

We see this truth most clearly in the life of Jesus. In the Incarnation, God says hello – entering our world, taking on our flesh, walking among us in love. At the Crucifixion, we witness the great goodbye – the letting go, the surrender, the painful parting that every human heart knows. And in the Resurrection, we hear once again God’s triumphant hello – a greeting of new life, new hope, and unbreakable love. Continue reading Nancy's article.

After 15 years of faithful service at All Saints', Rev. Nancy is retiring and we are saying goodbye. Here are opportunities to celebrate Rev. Nancy this week.

TONIGHT, Thursday, November 13 at 6 PM, you are invited to join us in the Concord City Council Chamber (35 W Cabarrus Avenue W Concord, NC). The Mayor will present a Proclamation from the Concord City Council recognizing Rev. Nancy Cox and her service to the community. 

On Friday, November 14 at 6:30 PM, we will spend An Evening Celebrating Rev. Nancy Cox with a special retirement dinner and program in the Parish Hall. Thank you to all who signed up! Registration is full. On Friday night, we will have a large silver bowl in the Parish Hall for those who wish to give Nancy a note. You may drop your note in the bowl at the Celebration or during the receptions following each service on Sunday.

On Sunday, November 16, Rev. Nancy will preach and celebrate at 9 AM and 11:10 AM. These will be her final services as Rector of All Saints'. In the Episcopal tradition, a “Purse” is a monetary gift made up of voluntary contributions from parish members. It is not designated for any particular purpose – it is simply a gift for Nancy to use freely as she begins her retirement. If you would like to contribute to Nancy’s purse, you may do so by cash or by check made payable to Nancy Cox. Please place your contribution in an envelope and deposit it in the basket labeled “Purse,” which will be located at the entrance to the Parish Hall for the 9 AM service and at the back of the church for the 11:10 AM service by Sunday, November 16. Please note that contributions cannot be made through REALM and, as these are personal gifts, they are not considered tax-deductible by the IRS.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As we thank God for the blessings of our life, what better to show our gratitude than by sharing with our neighbors! Many are food insecure and Thanksgiving presents special challenges to them. This year the likely suspension of SNAP (food stamp) benefits only adds to the food insecurity. You can help by donating shelf stable items to Cooperative Christian Ministry’s food bank. Click to see items in demand.

Just bring donated items with you to church by THIS Sunday, November 16. This is Rev. Nancy's last Sunday at All Saints’. Nancy has always been a vocal spokesperson for feeding those who are hungry. Show her you have been listening and give generously. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, you can give by check payable to All Saints’ with “CCM Food Bank” on the memo line OR click to donate online (select CCM Food Bank for Fund).

We are deeply grateful to all who have already returned their Estimate of Giving cards. Thank you for your faithful commitment and support. Your generosity strengthens our shared ministry and helps us plan confidently for the year ahead.

If you have not yet returned your Estimate of Giving card, you may place it in the offering plate, mail it to the church, or submit your estimate online. Additional Estimate of Giving cards and a brochure highlighting this year’s theme of Gratitude and Generosity are available at church during the week or on Sundays.

Interested in a Leadership Role at All Saints'? The Nominating Committee of the Vestry is considering individuals for election to the Vestry, the governing board of All Saints'. The Vestry is composed of the Rector plus 12 parishioners who serve a rotating 3-year term. Four individuals will be elected at the Annual Meeting on January 25, 2026. To be eligible for nomination, candidates must be a "communicant in good standing" of All Saints’. A communicant in good standing is defined as one who is:

• a baptized Christian 16 years of age or older,
• receives the sacrament of the Eucharist with regularity, and
• is known to the Treasurer (has submitted an Estimate of Giving and financially supports the congregation)

If you would like to be considered for a term on the Vestry, please contact Melissa Goodwin. (Add "Vestry Nomination" to the subject line). A list of Vestry duties and desired nominee characteristics is available upon request. This is an excellent opportunity to serve All Saints' in a far-reaching capacity!

Support PFLAG in Concord's Christmas Parade! PFLAG Concord-Kannapolis is Cabarrus county's only LGBTQIA+ support and advocacy group. All Saints' Episcopal Church has supported them in numerous ways throughout the years. This year, PFLAG will be walking in the Concord Christmas parade on Saturday, November 22 and are extending an invite to ASEC parishioners to join them. Please use this link to sign up and receive meet-up information. For any questions, feel free to contact Courtney Steinberg. 

The opportunity for All Saints' to prepare and serve meals at the Center of Hope Night Shelter in Concord is upon us! Every night from Sunday, November 30 through Saturday, December 6, All Saints' will provide a meal for ~40 guests at the shelter.

Please prayerfully consider how you, your family, small group, or ministry can help feed our hungry neighbors. See Gary Kovar (the guitar guy) with questions or to volunteer. 

It's Annual Report Time! All committee/ministry leaders are asked to provide a report of their ministry in 2025. The information you provide will be used in the 2025 Annual Report, which will give the parish a detailed summary of the work of the church. This report also 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 25, please send your reports to  Ruth Brown by Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Please reach out! If you or people you love are ill or hospitalized, it is our pleasure to support you with prayer and presence. We just need to know. So, please reach out to Rev. Nancy (her info is in Realm) or contact the church office (or call us at 704-782-2024). Alternatively, you can use the online prayer request form to let clergy and the prayer team know what you need.

We offer condolences and prayers for the family and friends of Robert Andrew Mabry, brother of Deborah Monroe, who entered the Resurrection on October 22, 2025. Here is the obituary. Please keep the family in your prayers.

The Tuesdays-at-Three Zoom discussion group will study Amy-Jill Levine’s book “A Child is Born: A Beginner’s Guide to Nativity Stories” for Advent 2025. We will begin on Tuesday, November 4, skip Tuesday the 25 (Thanksgiving week), and end on December 16, the week before Christmas. Contact Charles McKinley, Brenda Trott, or Ruth Bratton, if you are interested in reading and discussing this book this Advent Season. Please contact Chuck Collier, if you are interested but the 3 PM time slot is not convenient for you. There will be other groups participating in this Advent study.  

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.

This week from the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for: Pray for The Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria. This week from the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for: Episcopal Center at Duke University, Episcopal Campus Ministry – Raleigh,

Greensboro Colleges and Universities/St. Mary’s House. This week from the Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray for: Becky & Russ Hoyser, Joe & Nancy Hunter, and Caroline Jangaba. This week prayers have also been requested for: Rachel, a daughter and brother with medical issues, Henri, Zach, and Gina.