May 25, 2023 Edition

I have often wondered how God experienced Pentecost. Rushing wind, fire, tongues, and the many gifts of the Spirit that blew into the world on that day must have taken a lot of energy. Scripture tells us, that having finished the work of creation, God the Creator rested on the seventh day. Did God the Holy Spirit need a “breather” after Pentecost?

Scripture tells us, and farmers know, that the land, too, needs to rest, to lie fallow. After five years of harvesting land at the “point” (the area near where Country Club and Lake Concord Rd join), this year at All Saints’ we have planted a “cover crop” to keep the soil from blowing or eroding and at the same time inject nitrogen while it lies fallow this year. 

Click to read more.

Church Office will be closed on Monday, May 29 for the Memorial Day holiday.

Check your inbox! Realm invitations and login instructions have been sent out! You can get started today by following the customized instructions sent to you. Note: If you have not received an email, please check your spam folder, and if you don't find it, contact Stephanie Trosper at the church office.

We are excited to provide this new communication tool! Realm enables you to Connect with other parish members, Update your personal information, Give online and see your record of giving, plus a whole lot more!

Need help? We’re here for you! Starting Sunday, May 28, Realm launch team will be in the Parish Hall hosting a Realm “Help Desk” to provide assistance with registration, downloads, and all your Realm questions! Please bring your phone and/or computer with you so that they will be able to walk you through the login process. During the week, you can email Stephanie Trosper at the church office for help. Or you can request that she contact you and provide assistance.

What an amazing time we had at the annual Marshall Smith All Saints' Baseball Sunday!

Preparations for Paving the Parking Lot | Update from Mark Robinson | This Fall, if all the variables fall into place, our cracked and disintegrating parking lot asphalt will be replaced. In the process of preparing for paving, we discovered that the roots of the trees in the mailbox parking island are cracking both the curbing and the pavement. These trees are growing in a space that is totally inadequate to their needs. In order to create a new parking surface, all the trees except the two holly trees on the ends must be removed. Here’s why.

We consulted an arborist, and he informed us that the trees will likely die within a year or two of the repaving as the contractors will remove all the material that is 12 inches below the existing surface. This will remove the roots that are cracking the pavement. Once these roots are removed the trees will be seriously destabilized and at risk of falling down in strong winds and storms. So sadly, the trees in this island must be removed. The crepe myrtles in the other island will remain. I have learned that trees, like humans, have lifespans and once destabilized they become a risk to people and property.  On a positive note, the work will be done by volunteers saving the church thousands of dollars. The tree trunks will be cut up for firewood and “stepping-stones” in the church gardens. The branches will be transmogrified into wood chips to be used as mulch on the property. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to me, Rev. Nancy, or Chuck Collier.

You're invited to tour the Native Plant Demonstration Garden on Saturday, June 3, starting at 9:30 AM on the church grounds | This tour will feature native plants you might consider growing at your home. This tour is limited to 10 people. Registration is required. Email Mark Robinson to register or for any questions.

Come hear Koinonia presentations from our three nonprofit finalists on Sunday, June 4 at 10 AM in the Parish Hall. We've invited three organizations to come to All Saints' again and share how ASEC can partner with their organization – Academic Learning Center with Teri Chaney, AYA House (Life after Incarceration) with Dennis Brown, and CCM – Food Insecurity with Kris Edscorn. (You can click the links above to see their past presentations). We will be asking each parishioner to prayerfully consider and vote for which organization All Saints' should support. Details about the voting process coming soon.

Help Make Camp Wonder Wonderful | Summertime is a wonderful time for most children, but it can be a time of uncertainty for some – will there be food when school meals are not available?

To serve at-risk children this summer, Kannapolis City Schools has started Camp Wonder, a two-and-a-half week day camp. Many of the 40 children in the camp have had periods of homelessness during the past school year. Camp Wonder will provide fun activities and needed structure, plus nourishing meals, snacks, and take-home food.

Through our continuing affiliation with Forest Park Elementary, All Saints' has the opportunity to help provide snacks and take-home food for the kids at Camp Wonder. Just bring your food donations with you to church on Sunday, June 4 and/or Sunday, June 11. 

Requested snacks:

• Apples and mandarin oranges
• Fruit and applesauce cups
• Granola and cereal bars
• Fruit gummies
• Individual size Goldfish and Cheezits
• Water bottles (small size)

Requested take-home food:

• Mac & Cheese
• Canned ravioli and Spaghetti-O’s
• Soups and stews
• Cereal

Questions? Email Don Foskey or call him at 404-273-1998.

The Thursday night small group book study is gathering on Thursdays at 5 PM via Zoom . We would love to have you join us! We are reading and discussing Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, An Altar in the World. The book is a collection of writings that look at our simple daily activities through a lens of holiness. Since each chapter stands alone, you are invited to drop in any Thursday and take part! For more information or for the Zoom link, contact Michelle Bohrer via email or at 540-327-4219 or Alice Baxter via email or at 704-996-3311.

The next American Red Cross Blood Drive at All Saints’ will be June 14 from 2:30-7:00 PM. Sign up now at www.redcrossblood.org and enter ‘allsaints’ in the Find a Blood Drive box. We collected 35 units last drive. Can we exceed that in June?

Beautify All Saints' Altar! Flowers on our altars glorify our Lord and beautify our services as we celebrate and worship at All Saints'. Seeing floral arrangements of God's creations and nature's gifts are blessings to our congregation and give us an opportunity to celebrate special occasions, give thanks, or remember loved ones.

Please take an opportunity to check the floral chart, located in the Welcome Center on the front wall between the coffee bar and the large bulletin board. There are 16 available weeks, June through November. You will find a form in a holder to the left of the flower chart with instructions on the procedure to follow when ordering flowers. You may order from Pots of Luck, as they have a key for delivering flowers on Saturdays, or you may create an arrangement yourself from locally purchased flowers or from your very own garden! Just sign the chart, give the church office the top portion of the form, and contact Church Administrator Stephanie to confirm your plans and share any dedications you like announced.

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 Mary, Charles, Martin, Rebecca and for unity and peace, for those with families, those without families, for those in leadership in churches, schools, non-profits, government, healthcare, and missions.