March 16, 2023 Edition

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone." – Genesis 2:18

Loneliness is the first time in the Bible that God observes creation declares that something is “not good.” God created us to be in relationship with God and with other people. Feeling disconnected and lonely has implications not only for mental health, but also our physical well-being. Loneliness can be painful, activating the same neural networks as physical pain.

Loneliness is created by the difference between the desire for social connection and how life is actually experienced. It is different than solitude. Solitude is chosen. Loneliness can be experienced in the midst of a crowd when there is a sense of disconnection from those around. Loneliness was on the rise before the pandemic, but closures and physical distance really accelerated the situation. Click here for more.

Church Life Update | The church office is in the process of transitioning from Church Life to REALM Connect. This will provide improved database functions and a better user experience. In the interim, you can still access your Church Life account; however, please do not make any changes to your personal information. If you need to update any information, please send your changes to Stephanie. Questions? Contact the church office at 704-782-2024.

Finance Report (February 2023 month-end, General Fund) | Good news! After a very successful appeal campaign, the Church reduced its 2023 budget deficit by $40,000 from $77,000 to a deficit of $36,925!

The budget for the first two months of the year carries a greater deficit than the later parts of 2023 as, generally, pledges are stronger in those later months. However, our expenses continue to run constantly throughout the year, so a continued and steady stream of pledged income is vital to maintain the expected deficit.

For the operations of the Church, at the end of February, we showed a deficit of $19,059 compared to a budgeted deficit of $20,290. This is better than the budget by a small amount. Income from Full year pledges and pre-paid pledges are ahead of budget by $1,140. Income from Plate offerings and unpledged amounts are ahead of budget by $2,787. However, income from monthly pledges is $8,620 below budget.

As these numbers show, your giving is vital. We are very thankful to you for helping to decrease the budget deficit; however, we are still operating in a deficit. Your generous and continued support of the Church is key to good financial stewardship.

Concerns about the broader banking industry have prompted questions about where All Saints' maintains its financial assets. The following is a summary of those assets:

1. Long Term investments are invested with DFMS (Domestic & Foreign Mission Society, run by the Episcopal Church). We currently have $1.1 million invested with DFMS.
2. Short Term cash accounts are deposited with two regional banking institutions, namely:

• $360,000 with Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP)
• $201,000 with Uhwarrie Bank

We continue to monitor the strength of these institutions and currently have confidence that our assets are secure. Please reach out to Vic Clark if you have further questions.

Koinonia Parish Survey | After 19 non-profit presentations, All Saints’ Episcopal Church is in the discernment process of deciding on which community organizations we will support with our time and talents. We have narrowed the list to 10 non-profit organizations. The Koinonia team has met with many of the All Saints’ ministry groups for feedback. If you have not had the opportunity to give your feedback, please click here and scroll down to complete the survey. Thank you to all who are participating in this process!

Lent materials are available in the Welcome Center. Be sure to pick up this week's Pocket Lent cards.

Lenten Morning Retreat for Women | Come celebrate the Resurrection of Lazarus and Jesus' friends, Mary and Martha, while preparing to walk beside Jesus on Palm Sunday and into Holy Week. All women (and their friends) are invited to a quiet morning retreat at All Saints' on Saturday, April 1, from 9 AM-Noon, led by The Rev. Dr. Sally Brower. Breakfast will be provided and nursery is available. Please sign up here. Questions? Contact Nancy Hunter or at 704-564-4418.

Holy Week Prayer Vigil from 9 PM on Maundy Thursday to Noon on Good Friday | The Holy Week Prayer Vigil is our opportunity to keep watch and pray with Jesus as we commemorate the final hours before his death on Good Friday. We invite you to sign up for an hour of prayer either in the sanctuary or in your home. If you are new to the Prayer Vigil or have questions, here are helpful FAQs.

Pies for Honduras Medical Mission Fundraiser | The Stegmans, along with other folks from Concord, will return to Honduras in August with Friends of Barnabas Mountain Medical Missions. While each participant is responsible for paying their expenses, the team, as a whole, must raise $11,000 for medications and supplies. To that end, we are once again making apple pies! ALL PIES WILL BE PRE-SOLD! So, if you want one or 10, notify Debbie Stegman before Saturday, March 25. Pies $25 each. Delivery is possible on request. 

Julia Hill, the Stegman's daughter, is also raising funds to participate in the mission trip. She plans to travel and work with her parents this summer. Click here for details.

Bishop Visit on Sunday, March 26 | We look forward to welcoming The Right Reverend Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, the new Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, to All Saints’ for Holy Eucharist with Confirmation at 9 and 11:10 AM as well as a 10 AM Bishop's forum. There will be receptions after each service.

Our young people and families had amazing learning experiences during the Pilgrimage to the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro last Saturday. We have much to ponder. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.

Extended Road Closure will impact All Saints' | Beginning April 12, a portion of Country Club Drive NE will be closed to thru traffic between Branchview Drive NE and Concord Parkway N. The culvert under this section of the road is scheduled to be replaced. It is a major road works project and could last nine months. There will be two detours in place during the closure. For details, click here.

We offer condolences and prayers for the family and friends of Steve Clark, dear friend of Brian and Shane Sapp-Moore, who entered into the Resurrection on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Steve often visited, singing with the Choir of All Saints' and playing cello. During the pandemic, Steve faithfully joined the choir virtually from Virginia and sang during some of our online worship services. Steve's Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, April 1, at 2 PM at Redeemer Episcopal Church, Midlothian, VA. Here is Steve's obituary. We cherish Steve's memory and find peace that he now sings with the eternal choir of saints.

We offer condolences and prayers for the family and friends of John Con Teeter III, who entered into the Resurrection on Saturday, March 4, 2023. His service was held Friday, March 10, at All Saints'. We cherish John's memory and hold his wife, Dorothy, and both of their families in our prayers

We offer condolences and prayers for the family and friends of Sue Carol Ketner Gelarden, who entered into the Resurrection on Tuesday morning, February 28, 2023. Sue's Celebration of Life service was held Tuesday, March 7 at All Saints'. In lieu of flowers, Sue directed that memorials be made to All Saints’ Memorial Fund. We mourn the passing of our sister in Christ and cherish her precious memory.

In this Weekly Word section, ministry teams share various ways to serve at All Saints'. Some of the opportunities are quick and easy, while others require training and coordination. Ministry leaders can email service opportunities to Ruth Brown.

Lectors and Chalice Bearers Needed! As we approach the Easter Season, there is a need in both services for Lectors and Chalice Bearers. Neither require outside time, only the time that you are already in church. There is a blessing in the service to the church, and there is always room for volunteers to be active Laity in the church. Please contact Elizabeth Solomon for more details.

Do you enjoy the beautiful flower arrangements that adorn the altar on Sundays? You are invited to sign up to provide altar flowers. Following Easter, there are numerous opportunities for parishioners to place flowers on the altar in memory of or in honor of someone or a special occasion. There are openings on April 16, April 30, May 14, June 4, June 11, and June 18. It's easy to sign up! The Flower Chart is located on the wall behind the coffee bar in the Welcome Center. You can also contact Stephanie in the church office for more information about the process.

Seeking Volunteers to provide Youth Group dinners | EYC Middle School and High School students eat together each Sunday afternoon from 5-5:30 PM as part of our weekly youth gatherings. We are looking for sign-ups for dinner donations in the new year. Please sign up here.

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 all those who have lost dear friends or beloved family members lately, Brian, Shane, Kyle, and Jordan.