BISHOP LOUTTIT’S VISITATION

Please note that THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, Bishop Louttit
will make his annual visitation to All Saints. 
At the 10:30 service he will celebrate, preach, and confirm.

The Bishop will also speak and conduct a Q & A session
for interested adults in the Library at 9:30.

A wonderful parish breakfast will be offered in the Parish Hall
that morning between 8:45 and 9:30.

WE NEED A LITTLE ADVENT

This year Black Friday could not have been more appropriately named.  An employee of an upstate New York Wal-mart was trampled to death after eager shoppers had ripped the store’s front door off its hinges.  One suspects at least some of these sharks as foaming at the mouth to snap up one of the $350.00 Samsung 32 inch LCD’s, and yet one wonders whether Wal-mart ought to be held equally responsible for this tragedy.  To be fair, all of us in one way or another have contributed to our society having turned our eyes away from the Advent of the Prince of Peace -- and instead to contemplate with a collectively dazzled eye the acquisition of more “stuff”, even as the economy might tell many of us we have not the means, not to mention the cash to p ay.

Once again, Fr. McQueen and I would remind the congregation that during the season of Advent (which means “coming” or “approaching”), we do not simply contemplate remembering the birth of our Lord 2,000 years ago.  More important, Advent demands that we solemnly and joyfully anticipate Jesus’ Second Coming.  Not until a few days before Christmas do the lectionary readings turn toward Bethlehem.  The great bulk of the season has us eyeing our individual and collective future:  our death, followed by judgment and then either Heaven or Hell.

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer during Advent, the words “Thy Kingdom Come” ought to take on an entirely new meaning for us.  Most surprisingly, especially for those who take the time to follow the Isaiah and Revelation readings in the Lectionary, the sense which descends upon us is not that of fear but of hope.  Theologically speaking, hope is the opposite of despair, and hence the great theme of Advent.  What the Church would have us appreciate during these four weeks is that one of these years instead of celebrating Christmas, we will experience the Second Coming – and when we say “Thy Kingdom Come”, this is precisely for what we yearn.

Please take the time to remember the reason for the season.  Christmas begins at sundown on December 24 and runs through January 6.  Why not try to recognize this at home.  Save some presents and give them to loved ones during the actual season.  In the meantime, many are doing the best they can to cope with a formidable economic downturn, and our Advent daily service schedule is designed to help us remember that even though God has placed us in the world, that His intention for us is not to be of the world. 

Every member of All Saints ought to be able to attend at least one of these daily (except Saturday) services between now and Christmas.  We guarantee that if you do, you might discover that you’ll want to attend even more -- and your celebration of Christmas will be that much more meaningful.  For the moment, we really do “need a little Advent.”  FAB

“And the Spirit and the Bride say Come, and let everyone that heareth say Come.  Amen even so.  Quickly Come, Lord Jesus.”

 A NOTE REGARDING PLEDGE CARDS

Money is sacramental.  How we spend our money shows what is important to us as well as what sort of people we are.   Jesus attempted to explain this with His statement:  “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  That is, our feelings follow our actions.  Many of us think of this as putting our money where our mouth is, yet we would want to append that to say we put our money where we want our hearts to be as well.  As such, we don’t pledge to the Church simply because we love the Church.  Jesus’ words mean more precisely that we give or pledge to the Church, because we want to love Her all the more.  Sacramentally speaking, our giving shows where we want our hearts and minds to be.

The times as they are challenge us all the more as to where our hearts really are, and where we want them to be.  To make this easier, the Vestry and I want to remind everyone who has yet to return their pledge card, that we do not be believe that a pledge to All Saints is a contract between parish and parishioner or between parishioner and God.  We recognize that circumstances alter situations, and should anyone sense the need to change his / her pledge through the course of the year, all it takes is a phone call or note, and we will understand.  Please phone the office if you have misplaced your card and would like another, and we will send you an Estimate of Giving Card.

There is no better season of the church year than Advent in which we would examine where we want our hearts to be.   FAB

THE WORST OF TIMES?:  THANKSGIVING AND ANXIETY

Many in our world are terribly and understandably concerned about our economy.  Indeed as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, one wonders how many people -- perhaps in our parish – might be so riddled with anxiety that they can find little if anything this year for which to be thankful.  In one of the all-time ironies of the spiritual life, the gospel for Thanksgiving Day begins:  “Be not anxious”, and in that brief passage Jesus goes on to mention anxiety five more times.  For someone wondering from where his next meal or mortgage payment will come, to hear Jesus expound on anxiety or to hear Him say “Consider the lilies” might lead that person to respond:  “Well that’s easy for you (Jesus) to say”, or “Why can’t God make any sense of this for me?”, or “Why has God forsaken me?”, or “Gratitude?  Hah!”

Scores of “explanations” exist for each of these very legitimate questions.  The theologian might be tempted to quote C.S. Lewis about how one of the Devil’s great strengths is to make us all want to live in the future, that realm of time over which we have no control, thereby preventing our gratitude for things present and past.  An economist might say that “This (our present situation) is simply part of the economy’s natural cycle.”  Unfortunately, no matter how brilliant the explanation, the explanations don’t make the bad situation – not to mention one’s quite understandable pain and anxiety – go away.

We might wonder at first that when on the Cross our Lord felt forsaken by His Father, Jesus did not get an explanation – that instead, the Father sent an angel to strengthen Him.  Unfortunately, what we also often overlook is that God Himself is the One on the Cross.  This is the reason that the Divinity of Christ is absolutely central to Christianity.  It is God who shares our experience, and works it together for good:  not an explanation, but a Light in the darkness, Courage in weakness, Hope in the midst of despair -- until in trust in such a God we come through, assisted if not carried by the One who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Who having conquered, can help us conquer as well.

The other night on a TV show, a younger character asked an older character if he was happy.  The older man paused and then replied, “I’m happy enough.”  There may not be any more wonderful moment for an individual than when he comes to the realization that he is “happy enough”.  It is the realization that our world outlook has changed from “What God is going to do to help me now”, to “What God has done for me already.”  When William Wordsworth sensed his talents and therefore his life slipping away, he thought of his past:  “The thought of our past years in me doth breed perpetual benediction.”  What a wonderful balm, especially for one whose joys and hopes have been crippled by an uncertain future.  “For those first affections, those shadowy recollections which be they what they may, are yet the fountain-light of all our day…Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, or the glory of the flower; We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.”

Wordsworth learned that anxiety can not only harm the body but cripple the soul.  And as someone far wiser than I once said, “The Lord cannot ever pick up what we remain unwilling to lay down.”    As we approach the Advent and Christmas seasons, might I suggest the following collect for us to pray for each other, as well as for ourselves:
 
O most loving Father, who willest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of thee, and to cast all our care on thee, who carest for us; Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Please know that the doors of your clergy remain ever open, should any of these anxieties overwhelm and become too difficult to lay down.  FAB

NEW VESTRYMEN

At the Annual Parish Meeting on November 23, the congregation elected to our Vestry for three year terms Kathleen Kelly, Clayton Penhallegon, and Ram Singletary.  We congratulate them and offer our thanks for their willingness to serve.

ANNUAL REPORTS

For those unable to attend the Annual Parish Meeting, the various reports may be found on our website:  allsaintsthomasville.org, and hard copies are available in the office.

GUEST PREACHER

The Rev. Dr. Michael Carreker will be our guest preacher at the 10:30 AM service on December 14.

 EVENING SERVICE TIME CHANGE

Beginning December 7, the evening service will begin at 5:00 PM.  When daylight savings time returns, we will revert back to the 6:00 hour.

Apart from allowing the service to conclude with daylight, the earlier hour will help with the EYC schedule, and permit the Altar Guild to complete their work and return home before dark.

ADVENT WEEKDAY SERVICES

Please consult the Calendar for the times of the daily services during Advent.   As we prepare for Christmas, we are offering the Daily Office and the Holy Eucharist Monday through Friday during Advent.  We trust as many as possible will take advantage of this opportunity for spiritual enrichment.

DIOCESAN PROFILE

The Search / Nominating Committee of the Diocese of Georgia has completed the Profile to be made available for potential nominees for the next Bishop of Georgia.  Data gleaned from the recent Diocesan Survey provided the information contained in the Profile.  The Profile may be viewed at the Committee’s website:  georgiabishopsearch.org

 
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

For the Adult Sunday School hour, beginning January 4, Fr. Buechner will be teaching Dante’s Paradiso, the third and final installment of Dante’s Divine Comedy.  While the Inferno documents the author’s journey through hell, and the Purgatory his journey up Mt. Purgatory, the Paradiso tells of his exploration of Heaven and entrance into the presence of God Himself.  Written on a number of levels, the story not only describes the most vivid picture of the after-life, but also recounts how we make or fail to make our own Heaven here on earth.  Along with the other two sections of the Comedy, the Paradiso presents what is arguably the finest source of Christian Moral Theology anywhere.

To prepare for this, we will offer synopses of the Inferno and Purgatorio respectively on December 14 and 21.  You do not have to have read the Inferno and Purgatorio to attend or appreciate this class, and books will be available the day of the first class, January 4.

SUNDAY MORNINGS:
  December 7:  Bishop Louttit
  December 14:  Dante’s Inferno:  An Overview
  December 21:  Dante’s Purgatorio:  An Overview
  December 28:  No Sunday School

WEDNESDAYS from 4:00-5:00:
Beginning December 3, the Rector continues the study of the        Purgatorio.

TUESDAYS AT 10:45:
 Fr. McQueen continues his Survey of the Bible

ECW NEWS

A huge thank you to Robyn Enright for leading last month’s Book Club discussion and luncheon.  The ECW Book Club will meet this month at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17.  The book is A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. The discussion will be led by Margaret Brinson. Reservations for lunch are appreciated.  The ECW meeting will also be Wednesday, Dec 17 at 5:00 p.m.  We will be wrapping gifts for Safe Haven. If you wish to "adopt" a child or two, please call Debbie Beeson, 226-0306 or leave your name and number with Nikki and we will contact you. Everyone is welcome at all ECW events, please come join us.           Lee Chubb and Lee Mitchell

THE LISTING FOR CHRISTMAS MEMORIALS AND THANKSGIVINGS

At its first meeting after Easter this year and after careful deliberation, the Vestry voted to mail to each member of the congregation the list of Christmas poinsettia memorials and thanksgivings, rather than distribute these at the three Christmas services.

Given the sheer size of what our list has become (a not unfortunate problem), and at a time when all of us need to be conscious of how we spend our money, the cost of paper and printing, not to mention time consumed in the office as well as last minute callers having their requests denied, it seems not only wise but expedient to mail the list to everyone as part of the January Newsletter

While we recognize this decision will not please everyone, it is the norm for parishes our size, as well as for those considerably smaller than All Saints.  Perhaps most important, given the situation with the economy, we believe this to be a matter of stewardship as well.

Thanks in advance for your understanding.

Clay Sewell, Sr. Warden
Chip Bragg, Jr. Warden
Fr. Buechner

NEWS FROM THE GREATER CHURCH:  THE POTENTIAL FORMATION OF A NEW PROVINCE

Some in the congregation may have read about the meeting to be held early December in Chicago to discuss the establishment of a new province of the Anglican Communion here in the USA.  The new province would comprise congregations and dioceses which currently are part of the American Anglican Council, the Anglican Coalition in Canada, the Anglican Mission in the Americas, the Anglican Network in Canada, the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, the Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas, Forward in Faith North America, and the Reformed Episcopal Church.

Trinity Anglican Church here in Thomasville and the former congregation of Christ Church, Savannah are part of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America as well as part of the Anglican Province of Uganda.

It is important to realize that this is not by any means what many in ECUSA might have hoped for, that is, a “tenth non-geographical province” under the umbrella of ECUSA, trusting that in time that tenth province would no longer be necessary.

As attractive an idea as a new province might be for some, we found the following remarks of Dr. Peter Toon (former President of the Prayerbook Society), to be not only interesting but accurate:

What is being formed is not by any known Anglican definition a “Province”: rather it is an association, at best a federation of different types of Anglicans;  it is a group of ecclesial entities agreeing a common Confession but not a common Polity, and having the freedom within the one and same geographical area to engage in both support and competition.  It is unlike any one of the present 38 Provinces that make up the Anglican Way as the Communion of Churches; it is unique in that what in Anglican history until the crisis of 2007-2008 would never be considered to be remotely a province is now being named one, and apparently without embarrassment  and with Primatial support.  No wonder the moves by North American Anglicans either to full-blooded Evangelicalism or to Roman Catholicism are on the increase!]

Should anyone have any questions regarding this, please do not hesitate to speak to the clergy.  FAB

POINSETTIAS

Those of you who would like to give (memorial or thanksgiving) poinsettias or wreaths, please call the church office no later than Thursday, December 13.  The cost for each plant is $13.00 and $75 for a wreath.

ALL SAINTS’ ANGEL TREES

Advent season is upon us, so we urge those who have not purchased an angel ornament to do so and bring it to the church office so it can be hung on the trees.

Please place a card on each ornament stating who gave it and the person’s name in whose memory or in thanksgiving for whom it is given.  We will keep those in a special memorial book to be placed in the vestibule each year.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN BAZAAR NEWS

Once again it is time to start thinking of our annual bazaar, which will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2009.

There are several issues we would like to address:

 1- Ask yourself if the item has a second life. 
 2- Broken, dirty, ragged, or otherwise undesirable items    should not be brought.
 3- Wash or dry clean clothing items.
 4- Please hang clothing.  The price of coat hangers has gone    up and the cleaners are not as willing to give us hangers.     Many clothing items that have been placed in plastic    bags have molded and are not fit for sale.
 5- Clothing racks will be set up in the warehouse and    labeled as “women’s slacks,” “men’s jackets,” “skirts,” etc.     Please place your items on the designated racks.
 6- Separate items into categories, as “books,” “white    elephants,” “toys,” “purses,” “shoes,” etc. and label    accordingly.
 7- Official work days start Monday, January 12th and run    through Tuesday, January 27th.
 8- We are requesting that each lady of the parish bring at    least one food item for the “gourmet booth.”  Please bring    more than one item, if possible.  Items that sell well    include frozen casseroles, soups, stews, jellies, pickles,    bread, etc.  Other food items will be gratefully accepted.    Gourmet foods may be brought Monday, Jan. 26, 2009    and prior to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan.  28, 2009.
 9- Men are encouraged to volunteer their services on work    days and the day of the bazaar.
 10- Please be generous with your contributions.  Remember,    our main purpose is to minister to the community,    especially in these difficult economic times.

Thank you in advance for your diligence and perseverance.  If we all work together, we will more than accomplish our basic goals.

Most sincerely,
ECW Bazaar Committees

ST. CECILIA AND ST. DAVID CHOIRS

Both choirs will sing Sunday, Advent III, December 14. The St. Cecilia Choir will rehearse December 3 and 10.  The St. David Choir only will have a very important rehearsal Wednesday, December 17 from 4:00-5:15 pm with Mrs. Miller and Father Buechner to prepare for Christmas Eve. The St. David Choir will meet at 5 pm Christmas Eve to vest and warm-up for the Evensong service.

St. David Choristers may also participate in the Christmas Pageant after they sing Evensong.  Please let Mrs. Buechner know if you are in the pageant and what part you are playing.

Rehearsals will resume Wednesday January 7, 2009, and the choirs will sing in the Epiphany season, February 1.

Kathy Buechner

 
TRANSITIONS:

Happy birthday in December to:

Marley Davis    12-8-99
Abbie Leverett   12-12-02
Jonathan Wood  12-15-89
Anna Price Olson  12-28-91
Elizabeth Olson   12-28-91
Maria Olson   12-28-91
Cynthia Funk   12-29-93

Happy birthday in January to:

Henry Todd    1-3-01
Margaret Hancock   1-8-93
William P. Chubb   1-9-89
Christopher Bragg  1-11-91
Harrison Parvey  1-13-97
Tom Muller   1-13-90
Charles W. Weissinger  1-14-04
Curry Brinson   1-18-00
Jackson Leverett  1-18-00
Will Carico   1-18-98
Chris Alexander  1-28-94
Lewis Richardson Todd  1-31-04

Advent Calendar

DECEMBER 7
10:30 a.m. The Holy Eucharist and The Apostolic Rite of Confirmation
5:00 p.m. Evening Prayer

DECEMBER 8
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 9
10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 10
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 11
12:15 p.m. Morning Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 12
8:00 a.m. Morning Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 14
(St. Cecilia and St. David Choirs Sing)
10:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Fr. Carreker to Guest Preach
5:00 p.m. Holy Communion

DECEMBER 15
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 16
10:00 a.m.  Morning Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 17
5:30 p.m.  Evening Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 18
12:15 p.m. Morning Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 19
8:00 a.m. Morning Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 21
10:30 a.m. Lessons and Carols
5:00p.m. Holy Communion (Chapel)

DECEMBER 22
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 23
10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer/Holy Communion

DECEMBER 24
CHRISTMAS EVE
5:30 p.m.  Evensong and Children’s Pageant with Blessing of Crèche
11:00 p.m.  Midnight Mass

DECEMBER 25
CHRISTMAS DAY
10:30 a.m.  Holy Communion

DECEMBER 28
10:30 a.m. Holy Communion
No Evening Prayer