August 7, 2025 Edition

All Saints’ grounds are a living testament to years of faithful stewardship – nurtured by many hands, countless hours of work, and a deep love for God’s creation. Trees shade our pathways, beautify our space and are carefully tended by the Creation Care ministry. Over the years, they have planted, pruned, watered, and – when necessary – removed trees that had reached the end of their life, always planning with care for the seasons ahead.

Just as we tend to the grounds of All Saints’, we are also called to tend to our personal legacies – with thoughtfulness, love, and responsibility. As faithful stewards of all God’s gifts, we are called not only to live with purpose, compassion, and integrity, but also to prepare wisely for what we will one day leave behind. Click to read more.

Fall programming kicks off THIS Sunday, August 10! At the 9 AM service, we'll be offering Blessing of the Backpacks! Children, teens, and students of any age are invited to bring their backpacks to church and receive a special prayer for the school year ahead. At the 10 AM hour, families can sign their kiddos up for Sunday School classes, which will begin August 17. There is light paperwork to fill out so that we have emergency contacts and allergy/medical info for everybody. At 4:30-6:30 PM, our middle school and high school EYC program will start. Drop off and pick up will be downstairs at the Community Room entrance. We'll be kicking off EYC with foam, food, and fun! Plus, we'll be setting some intentions and covenants together for the year ahead. If you have questions, please contact Tiffany Fulton, Director of Youth and Family Ministry.

Interested in working with our kids or youth ministry? We need volunteers to help out once a month on Sunday mornings. Tiffany would love to chat with you about what's involved! Please let her know you're interested. Also, we're starting up All Saints' Youth Meals for the fall. Want to feed hungry kiddos on EYC nights? We'd love your help!

Praying with Icons Sunday School Class Starts NEXT Sunday, August 17! Discover the beauty and depth of this ancient spiritual practice in a two-week class led by Rev. Nancy. In this class, you'll learn more about the history of icons in Christian worship as well as how to use sacred icons as windows into prayer, reflection, and deeper connection with God. No experience necessary – all are welcome! Come, be still, and let the holy speak.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for two fun events in the week leading up to Tour de Saints! On Monday, August 18, join us at Cabarrus Brewing at Gibson Mill between 5-9 PM. Registration packets will be available for pickup by our riders. Plus, for each beer purchased that night, Cabarrus Brewing will donate $1 to Tour de Saints! THEN, on Wednesday, August 20, dine at Texas Roadhouse on Gateway Lane in Concord for "Dine to Donate" night. Mention Tour de Saints and 10% of your total food purchases will be donated! 

Click here to be a "Friends of Tour de Saints" sponsor for any dollar amount $10 and up! Spread the word by sharing our posts from Facebook and Instagram with your family and friends!

Lockhart Child Development Center (LCDC) is now enrolling infants through PreK! Find out more about LCDC by clicking here. If you or someone you know is interested in high-quality childcare services, please contact LCDC Executive Director Rachel Grossman-Zack.

Thank you to all those who participated in the Night Shelter last week! Your care and generosity were a gift to many. Thank YOU!

Watch for an invitation to a Community Gathering in the next few weeks! In an effort to make our sense of community at All Saints’ even stronger, the Vestry has developed a new way for all of us to meet and get to know one another better. 

The Vestry Engagement Group is planning two phases of opportunities. The first part will begin in August, with newcomers and others being invited to participate in hosted Community Gatherings to meet people whom we may have never met before and hear updates about our transition process. Phase 2 will likely start in the first part of September with invitations to a hosted evening event at the church with desserts for conversations and a transition update.

Watch for your invitation by text in the coming weeks. Contact Guy Antonides, Melissa Goodwin, or Chuck Collier if you have any questions. Their information is in Realm.

We offer prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Betty Williams, who entered the Resurrection on July 26, 2025. Betty was born in Concord, NC and was a long-time member of All Saints' before moving to Greenville, SC. A gifted pianist and singer, Betty also taught hundreds of local students to love music as well. She was beloved by community members and parishioners. Betty's obituary can be found here. A second Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, August 17 at All Saints', at 3 PM, with a reception to follow.

We offer prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Stella Batson, who entered the Resurrection on July 18, 2025. We know that Stella is held in God's loving care. Her memorial service will be held at a future date.

The AV Desk Team is seeking to add a member or two! If you have attended the 9 AM service in the Parish Hall worship space, you know that the service is supported by the projection of liturgy, lyrics, and prayers. There is a small team of folks who do that, on a rotating basis. If the idea of running the desk sounds daunting, be assured that it is very simple and straightforward. What is needed for the role: 

• a commitment to attend the 9 AM service once per month
• to arrive early on your scheduled Sunday and run through the service with the choir as they practice
• attention on the service's progress (guided by a printed script), in order to advance the PowerPoint slides at the appropriate time
• a simple process of powering on the computer and projectors.

If you are curious or intrigued, please come sit behind the desk and watch what we do. It is uncomplicated and accessible. We'll provide thorough training! Questions? See Debby Smith, Alice Baxter, Kim Becnel, or Kristen Nelson. Join us!

The Tuesdays at Three Zoom book discussion group started a new book last week. We are discussing The Message of Jesus: A fresh encounter with the words of Jesus by Adam Hamilton. More than 3 billion people claim to follow Jesus. But aside from a few verses, how many actually know what he taught? In fact, much of what people think Jesus taught, he never said.  In this six-week study, pastor and best-selling author Adam Hamilton explores six of the most important themes in Jesus's teachings, why they matter, and how they speak to us today. The book will explore Jesus’s preaching on the Kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, the “I am” sayings in John, and more. Jesus's message is not only life-changing, but world-changing. Join the Tuesdays at Three Zoom discussion group in studying The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World. Contact Charles McKinley for more information and for the Zoom link.

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 Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda. This week from the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for: St. Thomas’, Sanford; Trinity, Scotland Neck. This week from the Parish Cycle of Prayer we pray for: Kaleb Davis, Julia & Paul Davison, Joy Marie & Robert DeBlock. This week prayers have also been requested for: Joseph, Kristin, Stephen, and Kimberly.