Parish Catered Lunch
Sunday, September 13
If you would like to help please call
Debbie (226-0306) or Dale (228-0249)

BISHOPS, THE DIOCESE OF GEORGIA, AND THE GENERAL CONVENTION

The main news from The General Convention centers on two resolutions:  DO 25 and CO 56 which respectively nudge a little further the doors to allow persons living in relationships with persons of the same sex to seek ordination, while the other allows for the development of liturgies to bless these unions.  Both express the desire to remain part of the Anglican Communion, even though the great bulk of the Communion has asked for moratoria from General Convention regarding both these actions until a greater consensus about them emerges within the Communion.   The Presiding Bishop has described them as descriptive rather prescriptive.

As written in previous newsletters, as well as mentioned on occasion, the Diocese of Georgia remains part of the Anglican Communion not through General Convention or the Presiding Bishop, but through our diocese and Bishop Louttit – who voted against both resolutions as did our clergy and lay deputation to the Convention.  As such, we trust the congregation appreciates all the more the importance of our Episcopal election on September 12.

Further, it seems that CO 56 was passed primarily for those states whose legislatures have already authorized same sex unions.  As clergy of the Episcopal Church act as agents of our respective state legislatures when solemnizing marriages, it becomes a fact of life that in those states, the Church will have to face the reality of same-sex marriages creatively as well as pastorally, but General Convention has a long way to go before they even begin to reach such a stage, witness the Archbishop of Canterbury’s words below.

Finally, words mean what they say, and there remains a world of difference between a “marriage” - which term can apply to the union of all sorts of things --and Holy Matrimony, an estate which only a man and woman can enter within the Church with the intention of creating a family.  It’s interesting that the marriage rite in the Book of Common Prayer from 1549-1928 was titled: The Solemnization of Holy Matrimony, which title in 1979 was changed to “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage.” 

Nevertheless, GC’s actions cannot help but create even more friction between itself and the majority of the Communion,  Regardless of how any of us believe and feel about these issues General Convention, in moving forward with these resolutions while stating it wants to remain part of the Communion, cannot in the end have its cake and eat it as well, as the Archbishop of Canterbury  Rowan Williams recently reminded General Convention in a post-convention letter which may be found on his website:  www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2502    a portion of which follows:     FAB

“The issue is not simply about civil liberties or human dignity or even about pastoral sensitivity to the freedom of individual Christians to form their consciences on this matter. It is about whether the Church is free to recognise same-sex unions by means of public blessings that are seen as being, at the very least, analogous to Christian marriage.

“In the light of the way in which the Church has consistently read the Bible for the last two thousand years, it is clear that a positive answer to this question would have to be based on the most painstaking biblical exegesis and on a wide acceptance of the results within the Communion, with due account taken of the teachings of ecumenical partners also. A major change naturally needs a strong level of consensus and solid theological grounding.

“This is not our situation in the Communion. Thus a blessing for a same-sex union cannot have the authority of the Church Catholic, or even of the Communion as a whole. And if this is the case, a person living in such a union is in the same case as a heterosexual person living in a sexual relationship outside the marriage bond; whatever the human respect and pastoral sensitivity such persons must be given, their chosen lifestyle is not one that the Church's teaching sanctions, and thus it is hard to see how they can act in the necessarily representative role that the ordained ministry, especially the episcopate, requires. (...)... a person living in such a union cannot without serious incongruity have a representative function in a Church whose public teaching is at odds with their lifestyle.(...)

“When a local church seeks to respond to a new question, to the challenge of possible change in its practice or discipline in the light of new facts, new pressures, or new contexts, as local churches have repeatedly sought to do, it needs some way of including in its discernment the judgement of the wider Church. Without this, it risks becoming unrecognisable to other local churches, pressing ahead with changes that render it strange to Christian sisters and brothers across the globe.

This is not some piece of modern bureaucratic absolutism, but the conviction of the Church from its very early days. The doctrine that 'what affects the communion of all should be decided by all' is a venerable principle.”

From:  Reflections on the Episcopal Church's 2009 General Convention from the Archbishop of Canterbury for the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful of the Anglican Communion. July 29, 2009

CONSECRATION SUNDAY IS COMING

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.

Our congregation’s vestry has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.

New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?”

During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.

Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.

We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our guest leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.

We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and vestry members. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events.

Faithfully,
C. Bradford Jackson
Senior Warden

CONFIRMATION CLASSES
For Adults:  Monday evenings from 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM in the Parish Hall Library beginning  September 14 and ending October 18

For Children:  Wednesday afternoons from 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM in the Serpent Cinema beginning September 16 and ending October 21.

Bishop Louttit will make his final visit to All Saints as our Diocesan Bishop on Sunday October 25.

Please call Fr. Buechner at the office to register.   FAB

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

Childrens:

These will begin September 13 in the Parish Hall at 9:30 AM.  Our class breakdown is as follows:
Grades 1-3:  Old Arts and Crafts Room – Madeline Rollins and Sue Davis
Grades 4-5:  Drama Room – Ashley Jackson and Robyn Enright
Middle School:  Main Room, Parish Hall (until October, then Fr. McQueen’s old office) –         Margaret Brinson, Jenny Ladson, and Alston Watt
High School:  Serpent Cinema – John Brinson and Debbie Beeson

Adults will meet in the Parish Hall Library at 9:30 AM with Fr. Buechner
 
Schedule for September:  “A Look at Some of the Minor Prophets”

 September 13:  Our new Bishop (Whoever is elected on September 12)
 September 20:  The Book of Jonah
 September 27:  Joel and Habakkuk
 October 4 and 11:  Amos
 October 18:  Hosea
 October 25:  Bishop Louttit

FAREWELL TO WNM

Following the morning service on Sunday September 20, the parish will honor Fr. McQueen and his family with a special Coffee Hour.  As he begins his duties at St. John’s Moultrie on October 1, do plan to be present that morning to wish Will, Robyn, William, Sara Kathryn and Grace Godspeed.

BISHOP NOMINEE WALKABOUT SESSION (Held at St. Paul’s, Albany August 27)

The clergy, along with Brad Jackson, Roy Lilly and Debbie Beeson attended this three hour session designed to introduce the six nominees to our diocese.  Each gave an opening and closing address, and then for about twenty minutes each, answered a series of questions from various parts of the diocese.  I believe we all came away with the sense that our diocese will continue to be in good hands. 

Please continue to keep these men and our diocese in your prayers, as the election will be on September 12 in Dublin.

The diocese plans a farewell party for the Louttits in Savannah in December, and the new Bishop will be consecrated in Savannah in January.    FAB

VESTRY MEETING
 
The regular monthly meeting will be held in the Parish Hall Library on Sunday, September 20 at 8:00 AM

FOR YOUR CALENDARS, PLEASE

Bishop Louttit will make his final visitation to All Saints as our Diocesan Bishop on Sunday October 25. 

EYC CALENDAR

Sunday, September 13 Scavenger Hunt after evening Holy Communion
Sunday, September 20 Meeting to follow Evening Prayer
Saturday, September  26  Hands on Thomas County
Sunday, September 27  No EYC Meeting

GOOD TO BE BACK

I want to thank once again the Vestry and the Congregation for allowing me to be away for six straight weeks this summer.  Being the “Locum Chaplain” at St. George’s Anglican Church Venice, Italy for five weeks was as many of you know an opportunity that simply fell into my lap.  Having always wanted to visit Italy while thinking I’d probably never get there, to be able to be in Venice long enough to have a sense of what it’s actually like to live there really was the opportunity of a lifetime.  While there I was able to make side-trips to Siena, Florence, Ravenna and Verona.

I kept a journal of sorts while there, and if anyone should be interested in how I occupied my time, a copy will be available in the office – or I may get the nerve to post a discreetly edited version on the parish website. 

While I did not wake up Tuesday morning August 25 and say, “Thank God I get to leave Venice today, I really was ready to come home, having missed my family, my dog, and last but not least my parish family.

I will always be grateful for y’all allowing me this wonderful experience.  FAB

                               SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES BEGINS
                                                      SEPTEMBER 13

ADULT CHOIR

The church would like to welcome back our faithful choir members:  Laurie, Audrey, and Tom Simmons, Asun Ellis, Sandra Hall, Emily Funk, Kathy Buechner, Clay Sewell, Russell Fryar, Eddie Davis, Claudia Grooms, Will Buechner, Dennis Lewin, Lois Hand, and any one else who may feel it's time to offer their gifts.  

As you can see the woman are outnumbered this time.  We are in desperate need of Sopranos and Altos!   Please considering joining our choir.  Rehearsals are mainly on Sunday mornings at 9AM.  We sing every Sunday except the Sunday that the Children Choir sing.  Why not try a season.  Perhaps now until the end of Epiphany or  Lent through Eastertide.  You might find your sacrifice very fulfilling.

Contact Margit Miller at 850-997-4478 or email at margitchris25@juno.com or just show up Sunday morning at 9AM!

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

The first ECW meeting of the fall is on Wednesday, September 9 at 5 pm.  Our speaker will be Father Buechner. He will share some of the highlights of his European Vacation.  All are welcome.  Men, women and children.

The ECW will continue to meet the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm. So mark your calendars..

ECW BOOK CLUB met on August 12 for the last of our summer get-togethers. The book was Woman of Egypt by Jehan Sadat.  Discussion led by Louise Muenz.  All 15 in attendance agreed that she is a remarkable woman. We thank Louise for bringing her to our attention.

We will kick off the fall meetings on September 9. The book is THE HELP, by Katherine Stockett.  Kenlie Bell will lead.  We will again be serving a light lunch, reservations very appreciated, but not mandatory. Please come join our group. 11:50 on September 9.

The October book is The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

Thanks
Lee Chubb and Lee Mitchell

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

Children’s Church is no longer on its summer schedule. 
We need parents to sign up to volunteer.

ACOLYTE APPEAL

Any child 9 ½ 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. 
      
Ram Singletary
Acolyte Master

ST. CECILIA AND ST. DAVID CHOIRS

St. Cecilia and St. David Choirs

St. Cecilia Choir

Kindergarten (or five in the fall) – Second Grade
Wednesdays, 4:00 – 4:45 p.m.

St. David Choir

Third – Eighth Grades
Wednesdays, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Rehearsals for both choirs begin September 2.  If you like to sing, every All Saints’ member K-8th grade is encouraged and invited to participate.  In the choirs you will not only learn basic music skills, but also offertory anthems, hymns, the communion services, the Morning Prayer Canticles and other works that make our wonderful music tradition in the Episcopal Church. Welcome back “veteran” Choristers:
 
Curry Brinson
Madi and Sam Bruhn
Marley and Hardy Davis
Olivia Enright
Ford Faulk
Meme Hand
Annalee,Virginia, and Lilly Jackson
Addison, Carsyn, and Kinsey Kelley
Simms Ladson
Jackson Leverett
Mariah Miller
Ethan and Reid Myers
Elizabeth and Raleigh Rollins
Maryam Sibley
Ella Simmons

Some of you have been singing in the choir for 9 years! Perhaps you’ve been in the choir in the past or you’ve never tried it. This is your year to join. Once a month the choirs sing the entire service; a schedule and newsletter will be mailed soon with more information.  Both choirs will sing on September 27.  Please contact Mrs. Buechner if you have any questions or suggestions (228-7821) or kkb@rose.net.

See you on September 2.

Musically yours
Mrs. Buechner

EYC NEWS

The Vestry, after consultation with the Vestry of St. John’s Moultrie, has decided to hire Fr. McQueen to chair our EYC program through the end of 2009, during which time we will work to secure an appropriate leader for this important group which Will has led so well.

Fr. McQueen’s Last Sunday
Sunday, September 20
Special Coffee Hour following 10:30 a.m. Service

TRANSITIONS:

Happy Birthday in the month of September to:

Jack Saussy    9-3-03
Mary Eleanor Hand   9-5-95
Melissa Funk    9-6-90
Preston Young    9-11-99
Parker Watt    9-13-00
Riley Harper    9-16-05
William McQueen IV   9-16-03

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
Eleanor Stubley   10-30-95

From the Parish Register

Transfers

Please welcome:
Clarise and Ben T. Wadill
from St. John’s, Tallahassee, Florida

Madge and Howell Mayo
from Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota, Florida

Jeri Ann King
from Christ Episcopal, Charlotte, North Carolina

Susan Mari Davis
from St. Ambrose, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Melissa and Pete Thomas, Jr.

Pete Thomas, Sr.

USHERS FOR SEPTEMBER

September 6     
Walker Davis     
Charlie Deal

September 13
Jim Funk
Paul McCollum

September 20    
Ben Grace     
C.B. Grubbs     

September 27
Paul Gurley
Chip Hancock