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Parish Lunch
Sunday, September 9
If you would like to help please call
Debbie (226-0306) or Dale (228-0249)
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PONDERING THE GREAT COMMISSION

The above is the title of an article by Presiding Bishop Jefforts Schori which appeared in a recent issue of Episcopal Life, our Church's official newspaper.  During a meeting with a group of appointed missionaries during a ten day orientation session before leaving for their respective mission fields, Mrs. Schori wrote:  "We had an opportunity for conversation, and one young man shared his concern about how to understand the Great Commission, particularly the directive to baptize, especially in a multifaith environment."  That is, how important is it for the Church to baptize Jews, Muslims, or atheists, and perhaps more important, just how necessary is Baptism for salvation?

I've written and spoken often about two of Jesus' most famous statements:  "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me."  (John 14:7)  That sounds rather straight forward.  And yet in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord declares:  "Not everyone that saith unto me 'Lord Lord' shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven." Matthew 7: 21)

As Mrs. Schori notes, "Karl Rahner (noted Roman Catholic theologian), spoke about "anonymous Christians," whose identity is known to God alone.  One can add the famous passage from Ecclesiasticus which begins, "Let us now praise famous men", but continues to praise even those who "have no memorial," and are known to none but God.  Another favorite is the miraculous passage in Genesis where Abraham argues (haggles) with God over the fate of the innocent in Sodom:  "Wilt thou destroy the righteous [but unBaptized] with the wicked?  Shall not the Lord of all the earth do right?"  Dante of course leaves the unbaptized in Limbo, but even someone as true to his scheme of things as Dante places the unbaptized on a wonderful green field, green being the color of hope.

Mrs. Schori has received a great deal of criticism for some rather outlandish statements which need not be rehashed. Here she manages to speak as a genuine pastor:  "If I believe that God is more than I can imagine, conceptualize or understand, then I must be willing to acknowledge that God may act in ways that are beyond my ken, including in people who do not follow the Judeo-Christian tradition...

"The focus of our evangelical work can never be imposing our own will (despite the wretched examples of forced conversion in the history of Christianity), but there is a real urgency to sharing the Good News.  Can you imagine not saying to another, 'Let me introduce you to my best friend.  I think you would enjoy getting to know him.'"

Mrs. Schori came under attack from some corners for writing that "Baptism is not the goal, but rather relationship with God (in Christ)."  Critics opined that she was ignoring the Great Commission:  "Go ye into all the world baptizing in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded." (Matthew 28)  In the final analysis she's correct.  Baptism is not a goal, but rather the beginning of a relationship, and she rightly abhors the idea of Christianity and the sacraments as spiritual insurance policies, or that evangelism is simply a game of which denomination can secure the greatest number of converts.

Frankly, we wish we had a dollar for every time we hear the statement, usually uttered in frustration over the Episcopal Church's "continuing crisis":  "We've got to get on with the business of baptizing and making disciples and saving souls!  We've got to get on with the Great Commission".  But the Church is not a business.  One wishes in vain to hear something about getting on with the Great Commandment:  "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind -- and love thy neighbor as thyself."  Interestingly, Jesus did not make this up.  Rather He's quoting Leviticus.  However, our Lord adds, "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

My friends, it is a fact that one can follow the Great Commandment, and as a result follow the Great Commission.  It does not work the other way.  The Great Commission will not necessarily take care of the Great Commandment.  Both are important, but I would hazard that Jesus would lay greater importance upon the former, not in the sense of love as a "warm fuzzy", but love in the sense of self-sacrifice.  Would that some of the more conservative voices, not to mention some of the more liberal voices today, spoke more of, not to mention adhered more to the Great Commandment.

A major reason for approaching this subject now, is that the Primates (governing archbishops of the Anglican Communion) have given the Episcopal Church the deadline of September 30 to state her unequivocal views on sexuality matters.  I have my fears as to what our Church may or may not say.  Technically only General Convention can make this response, and Convention will not meet again until the Summer of 2009.  The immediate response of the Communion will be literally anyone's guess.

To that end and for your general information I have posted on our parish website two letters circulating widely throughout the Episcopal Church, one rather lengthy.  The first is from a former dean of the seminary in Pittsburgh, the other from a former dean of the seminary at Berkeley (Yale).  The first advocates a withdrawal of conservatives and traditionalists from the Episcopal Church either now or immediately after September 30.  The second letter is a paragraph by paragraph response to the first.  The Great Commission lies behind the former, the Great Commandment behind the latter.  Both Mr. McQueen and I heartily support the ideas and arguments of the latter.

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, in his book Jewish Literacy states:

"Implicit in the command to 'Love your neighbor as yourself' is the command that we love ourselves.  Psychologists often have noted that people who don't like themselves usually have even greater difficulty liking and being good to others.  It is hard to imagine, for example an abusive parent who has a decent self-image."

Having read for more years than necessary the vitriol flying in every direction from every corner of the church -- from churchmen (and women) upon their brothers and sisters, one begins to wonder seriously just how much we really do love ourselves.  I have been as guilty of this as anyone.

One thing I do know:  the Episcopal Church's present leadership ensconced within the organization called General Convention seems unwilling or unable to summon the charity and the imagination to hold our portion of the Body of Christ together, and I don't have much confidence in the present structure of the Anglican Communion to do the same.  Ultimately, it really doesn't matter.  The Church has always thrived when her members (her arms and limbs) considered themselves not as an institution to be preserved by tallying how many baptisms it has managed in a year or two or ten, but by considering herself as a body, the Body of Christ on earth.  Part of what it means to be "grafted into the Body of Christ's Church" is to lose some aspect of one's self in order to become part of something greater, and the Great Commandment enhances our ability to lose that much more of ourself.  It is of course through Holy Baptism that we become living members of this Body, but that can also happen for anyone, and I do mean anyone who attempts to follow the Great Commandment.  Hopefully our Presiding Bishop will heed her own words, and help us put not only our Church but the rest of institutional Christendom, back on Her feet.  FAB

"WHAT'S IN A NAME?"

No, I'm not going to venture off to discuss Romeo and Juliet.  Rather, I'm just borrowing that famous line to introduce these words regarding some questions about titles, transition time, and other items pertaining to the names Deacon and Priest.

On June 8, I was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons.  The preface to the Ordinal in The Book of Common Prayer states the following, "IT is evident unto all men, diligently reading Holy Scripture and ancient Authors, that from the Apostles' time there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church,--Bishops, Priests, and Deacons." (529)  To this day, our church has maintained what is known as the "three-fold order of ministry."  In the diaconal ministry, there are two types of deacons: vocational and transitional.  A vocational deacon, as its name implies, is a ministry of life-long vocation in that order.  Vocational (or permanent) deacons have jobs in the secular world, as well as, their sacramental functions.  The Greek word from which our English equivalent comes is diakovos  The common translation of this word is "servant."  The early role of a deacon was to see to the needs of the widows of the community of believers so that the apostles could see to the ministry of Word and Sacrament -- see Acts 6.  Our own Louise Muenz is a vocational deacon as is Dennis McGill at Good Shepherd.  

I am presently serving as a transitional deacon, and thus, will "transition" to the office of priest after my ordination to that order, God willing, later this year.  New priests do not renounce, revoke, give up, abandon, or otherwise leave behind their diaconal vows.  Any priest is grounded in a ministry of servant hood which is shaped by the ministry of the diaconate.  Thus, all priests continue to bear the marks of being formed first as deacons. 

My formal title at All Saints' is "Curate" which comes from the Latin word curatus.  A curate is one who is in charge of the care or cure of souls in a parish, although in our tradition, a curate usually means an assisting priest or deacon.  Many larger churches use the title Curate to designate a "priest-in-training" who will only stay for a limited amount of time before looking for a more permanent assignment as a priest associate or possibly rector.  Fr. Buechner and I are in agreement over not using titles such as "associate rector" or "assistant rector" since rectorship has specific canonical responsibilities for the welfare and care of the parish. 

Both now, and after my ordination to the priesthood, some have asked what I would prefer to be called.  I prefer being called by my Christian name, and nothing more.  As with Fr. Buechner, when I was growing up we were given permission to call the clergy by their first name or in cases where we did not have their permission, Mr. and their last name.  Our parishes didn't use the word "father" when referring to the clergy, and thus, it never became part of his or my upbringing.  Some will be inclined to teach their children to call me Father McQueen which is fine, but please know that as Rick told the congregation when he came, "Father" is certainly not required.  I guess one might say we both believe "Father" is a title which a priest "earns" over the course of his priesthood.  The most important thing is to call on Rick or me, by whatever name, whenever we can help in any regard.

Again, I cannot say enough how thrilled I am to be here with you, and look forward to many years ahead as both a deacon and a priest in this wonderful parish.

WNM, III

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME

Please take the time to go to the parish website:  www.allsaintsthomasville.org to view the letters mentioned in the above article.  The first is by The Rev. Stephen Noll, who advocates leaving the Episcopal Church.  The second is by the Rev. Philip Turner, who urges staying.  If you do not have access to the web, please call the office for copies of these.

VESTRY

The September meeting will be held Sunday, September 16 at 8:00 AM in the Parish Hall Library.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School for all begins September 9 at 9:30.  Fr. Buechner's class this year will read and study Dante's Purgatorio.  The Purgatorio is the second of the three great poems which comprise The Divine Comedy.

The Purgatorio recounts Dante's and Virgil's trek up the mountain of Purgatory which comprises seven terraces, each one devoted to the purgation of one of the Seven "deadly" or "capital" sins.

While people seem to be more familiar with part 1 The Inferno, The Purgatorio is far more beautiful, uplifting, and edifying.

We will use Dorothy Sayers translation (Penguin Books).  We will order these from the office and will make them available the first day of class.

In January, Mr. McQueen (God willing at that time he will be Fr. McQueen) will teach the adult class while Fr. Buechner will teach the Jr. High Class.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

September 9 marks the beginning of our adult and youth Sunday school offerings.  Fr. Buechner has already given an overview of the adult class, and here is what the youth will be doing.  We are going to be using the David C. Cook -- Anglican Edition curriculum this year.  David C. Cook is a well-respected curriculum, and we look forward to using it here at All Saints'.  We also have a dedicated group of teachers who truly make everything happen on Sunday mornings, and behind the scenes.  They have been hard at work getting ready and eagerly await the arrival of their classes on the 9th.  We can always use help purchasing supplies, and if some would like to help with Christian Education there are always opportunities to offer your gifts and skills.  Here are the room locations for each grade:

Grade Level     Room Location
Pre K/K           Room off of the nursery
1-3                Drama Room
4-5                Arts and Crafts Room
6-8                Parish Hall
9-12              Movie Room

Please add Christian Education to your personal prayer lists.  This is a ministry of love to our children so that they might learn what being a Christian is all about, and live their lives as Sons and Daughters of the King of Kings.  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) 

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PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO EVENING SERVICE ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2 (LABOR DAY WEEKEND)_____________________________________________________
 

ADULT INQUIRERS / CONFIRMATION CLASSES

These will begin in September on Monday evenings at 7:30 P.M. in the Parish Hall Library.  Bishop Louttit will be here for Confirmation on All Saints Sunday, November 4.

This month's schedule:

September 17    (Introduction to the Episcopal Church)
September 24    (Overview of the Bible)
October 1         (Jesus -- His teachings, His significance and uniqueness)
October 8         (The Genesis and Rationale of the Book of Common Prayer
October 15       (The Church Calendar and Lectionary;  Morning Prayer in detail)

Anyone in the parish or outside the parish is welcome to attend any or all of these sessions.   FAB

RANDOM GLEANINGS AND MUSINGS

Steroids -- in Golf!

By the time you read this, Barry Bonds will no doubt have broken Hank Aaron's all-time home run record.  Of course the record books will most likely carry some sort of asterisk regarding his use of steroids during the course of several seasons.  From what I understand, steroids do not necessarily help the batter "connect" any better with the ball, yet they do increase one's strength or power -- although  I'm not really sure that Mr. Bonds as talented as he is, ever really needed that extra power.  Anyway we’ve known about the impending breaking of this record for sometime now, and it will come and go unfortunately with nothing of the excitement say when Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record for most consecutive games played.  That is Major League Baseball's loss.

What troubles more is the news from the world of professional golf, from someone as trustworthy as Gary Player, that at least ten of the world's finest (and probably several more) are using steroids as well.  One cannot help but wonder, "What in the world for?"  After all, the quality of golf equipment has advanced so remarkably in just the last ten years that even the gentlemen on the Senior Tour have no trouble hitting 300 plus yard drives.  Drug use in professional sports surprises not in the least. How truly sad but inevitable that pharmacology has now invaded the one sport where players are required and still do call penalties upon themselves.

Harry Potter, #7

While we've only read the first installment, given the pre-release publicity of #7 containing the series denouement, we're relieved for fans of Harry in the parish who have read #7 without having learned prematurely the outcome from a tabloid or some website.  Newspapers reported back in July about the efforts of some to obtain the book before its release and publish the ending before others could read it.

This insatiable desire "to know" is almost if not pathological.  After all, to deny someone's rightful pleasure (learning the ending for himself) seems rather like the sin of envy. Further, St. John speaks of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  Certainly he had in mind Eve's reaction to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil:  "good for food, a delight to the eyes, and to be desired to make one wise."  That insatiable desire "to know, solely for the sake of knowing" seems at the least to be a combination of the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.  Whatever knowledge we glean is to be used for the edifying of our neighbor and the rest of society, not simply to be thrown in another's face with the intent to spoil that person's rightful pleasure.

For those who have loved the series as well as for those contemplating taking the plunge, this encomium appeared recently in one of the newspapers: 

"Á big reason the books are so popular among older children, teens and adults is that they present a complex world in which moral dilemmas are explored without the contamination of political correctness and the dinginess of popular culture.  Big issues are raised and examined:  the importance of character; racism and its effects; corruption of the media; the balance of power; the importance and effect of family; the consequences of emotionally deprived childhoods; a moral obligation to promote the greater good of society; bravery in the face of repression; and the redemptive power of love and forgiveness.  These issues are presented in a much more compelling fashion than what is being read and taught in many of our schools or shown in our media." -- To which one can only say, Amen.

"The Wizard of Oz" -- and Pink Floyd -- or what one can learn from his children, not to mention the Curate

Arguably the most popular album produced during my college years was Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon", which one could hear relentlessly in the dormitories and fraternity houses at U.Va.  Lo and behold, someone with far too much time on his / her hands -- along the lines of playing the Beatles' "Abbey Road" album backwards -- discovered that if one begins the CD of "Dark Side" simultaneously with the MGM lion's second roar at the beginning of "The Wizard of Oz" and if one immediately mutes the sound of the movie, he will experience "The Wizard", not to mention "The Dark Side" in a new way.  Simply put, I cannot summon the proper adjective.

Interestingly, over the last twenty years or so, any number of record magazines and audio magazines have reported about how "Darkside" has been re-issued countless times, primarily because it is such a fine recording soundwise and that folks are trying to get "that much more" out of it.  Perhaps another reason is that some were simply attempting to expand their appreciation of "The Wizard".

By the way, when I mentioned this recent revelation to Mr. McQueen, he said that he and his fraternity brothers had been watching "The Wizard" to "The Darkside" fifteen years ago at Georgia Tech.  Why am I not surprised!     FAB

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CHILDREN'S CONFIRMATION CLASSES BEGIN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 AT 6:00 P.M.
IN THE PARISH HALL.

ADULT CONFIRMATION/INQUIRIERS CLASS BEGINS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 AT 7:30 P.M.
IN THE LIBRARY.
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

ECW Meeting
September 12th
5:00 p.m.
(nursery provided)

Informal Gathering
Welcoming
Robyn McQueen
and Robyn's mother, Grace Ford

ADULT CHOIR NEWS

The Adult Choir will begin choir rehearsals on September 9.  Choir rehearsals are at 9 o'clock Sunday morning.  We look forward to having the choir back to lead the congregational singing as well offering the weekly anthems.  We can always use more voices.  Please consider joining us.  When you sing you pray twice.   Please let me know if you will be joining us this Fall.  You can call or email me at:  margitchris25@juno.com   850-997-4478
 
May God bless you,
Margit Miller

ACOLYTE APPEAL

Any child nine years of age or older is encouraged to serve as an acolyte.   An acolyte assists the minister in the performance of liturgical rites.  If you are interested in joining in this important service, please contact Fr. Buechner or me.  I will be scheduling a meeting soon for all new acolytes and as a refresher to current acolytes.      

Ram Singletary
 

COME JOIN OUR JUBILANT SONG!
 
The St. Cecilia and St. David Choirs will begin rehearsals Wednesday, September 5. St. Cecilia Choir members are Kindergarten (or 5 in the Fall) and meet from 4:00 -- 4:45 p.m.  The St. David Choir is composed of 3rd through 8th Graders and meets from 5:00 -- 6:00 p.m.
 
If you like to sing (and would like to sit up in the choir loft once a month) please join us. If you took a "leave of absence" from the choirs and left us for a while, please return -- we've missed you! The choirs will sing Sunday September 30 so we will begin rehearsing the anthems, hymns and service music.
 
Welcome back Choristers:

Curry Brinson
Madi Bruhn
Sam Bruhn
Virginia Jackson
Will Ladson
Reid Myers
Eliza Parvey
Raleigh Rollins
Ella Simmons
Henry Todd
Christopher Watt
Parker Watt
Preston Young
Jack Brinson
Jacob Bruhn
Ford Faulk
Neel Gurley
Ali Hall
Meme Hand
Annalee Jackson
Joey Miller
Mariah Miller
Caroline Sewell
 

...and welcome to our new voices. Come Join Our Jubilant song!
Kathy Buechner

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

ECW Community Outreach Bazaar
Wednesday, October 17

ECW Community Outreach Auction
Wednesday, November 7

ECW BOOK CLUB

The book club meeting this month will be September 12, lunch will be served - and the ECW wants everyone to feel comfortable about coming - even if you haven't read the book or don't want to read the book.  Please contact the chair person for that month with any questions and to allow us to get a count for lunch.

The ECW Book Club schedule follows:
 
September 12           The Faith Club   (Nancy McCollum)
October 10                Love in the Time of Cholera  (Henri Walter)
November 14            Eat, Pray and Love  (Debbie Beeson)
December                  No book club meeting

Other books on the agenda include Les Miserables (an abbreviated version!) and Anna Karenina.  Please join us.

Lee Mitchell and Lee Chubb

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SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES BEGINS
SEPTEMBER 9
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USHERS FOR SEPTEMBER

September 2     
Chip Hancock    
John Hand

September 9
Doug Harper
Courtney Houston

September 16     
Bob Jackson     
John Kavouklis

September 23
Bill Ladson
Bernie Lanigan

September 30
Denny Lewin
Robert Lynde
 
TRANSITIONS:

Happy Birthday in the month of September to:

Richard Lyons    9-4-88
Mary Eleanor Hand   9-5-95
Melissa Funk    9-6-90
William Buechner   9-9-84
Preston Young    9-11-99
Parker Watt    9-13-00
Riley Harper    9-16-05
William McQueen IV   9-16-03
Sara Jo Grooms    9-17-88

Happy Birthday in the month of October to:

Elaina Kavouklis   10-5-94
Alisha Kavouklis   10-5-94
Caroline Penhallegon   10-16-93
Ali Hall    10-20-95
Roy M. Lilly, III    10-23-86
Mary Lawrence Lilly   10-25-84
Caroline Buechner   10-26-86
Eleanor Stubley   10-30-95

Baptisms:

Nicholas Hagan Womble received the sacrament of
Holy Baptism on August 5, 2007.

Charles Stanley Womble, Jr. received the sacrament of
Holy Baptism on August 5, 2007.

Christopher Patrick Vendryes received the sacrament of
Holy Baptism on August 12, 2007.

Emily Elizabeth Vendryes received the sacrament of
Holy Baptism on August 12, 2007.