KINDLES, IPADS, AND OTHER DISTRACTIONS

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed last month, writer Daniel Akst made some interesting observations about the potential of nifty products like Amazon’s “Kindle” (Kathy has one), as well as Apple’s new iPad to distract one from the pleasure of keeping one’s nose buried in a good book – or buried in a shiny piece of metal or whatever these gadgets are made with.  Regarding the inherent power of the iPad to turn one away from whatever “book” he /she might be reading, Akst writes: “It's also a full-fledged Web surfer and email device, a stereo, a game player, and a machine for watching movies and TV shows. Since it will run iPhone apps, it's also potentially a telephone, a calculator, a GPS device, an instant-messaging pad, a Facebook portal, a clock, a calendar, a restaurant guide, a contraption for studying Bulgarian, a collection of nude photos, a compass, a carpenter's level and God only knows what else.”

Who among us has not been tempted to leave off the actual doing of work on the computer, only to see what our “friends’” latest status updates on Facebook might be. Seventy years ago, T. S. Eliot wrote of being “distracted from distraction by distraction.”  One wonders how he might comment on products now available to help curb our “restless hearts”:  Items such as the (from a theological standpoint) very aptly titled “Freedom”, a free download for Macs that lets us bar ourselves from the Internet until we reboot.

Here’s another, one also very aptly titled, especially for Lent:  “Self-Control”, evidently a free add-on for the Firefox browser, which intervenes when we head off to a time-wasting Web site we've declared dangerous or taboo. "Wrong place at the wrong time," it says. "Get back to work."

Last but not least for the chronic distractee we have “Covenant Eyes”, a subscription service that monitors one’s internet destinations, and then emails (I promise I’m not making this up) a report to a designated "accountability partner."  The makers of this product stress that this partner might actually be one’s priest – or anyone else who might be a sufficiently threatening authority figure.  BTW, this priest won’t be the least offended if he fails to become anyone’s “accountability partner”, as he’s distracted enough as it is.

Lent is the season of the Church where we’re challenged to fight distraction, in order that our hearts might settle more upon God.  Indeed the reason that most of us remain as distracted as we are, is that our hearts are not settled enough upon God.  As Augustine reminds us with his famous prayer:  “O God, thou hast made us for thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.”

To help settle our minds upon God, All Saints offers several extra week-day services.  While most of us have given up something (and it is important that we “give up” as well as “take on”), there are any number of really fine books which can help settle our minds upon God:  fiction as well as non-fiction, not to mention music and poetry as well.  Deacon Muenz and I would be happy to help guide anyone toward any Lenten discipline which might prevent us from being any further “distracted from distraction by distraction.”  Remember, the word “Lent” comes from “lento”, meaning “slowly”.    FAB

THE RECTOR’S CHRISTMAS AND BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS

On March 3 I’m flying to Oslo to visit Raymond Hughes, now Chorus Master and Conductor at the Norwegian State Opera, and to see their final production of the season: “Tannhauser” (the only Wagner opera which this Wagner nut has never seen).  I’ve known much of this music since about age four when my father started playing it on our old gramophone, and it probably has as many gorgeous melodies as any opera ever written.  Further, each act is a veritable tour de force and splendid acid test for a fine chorus, and as Raymond has been so helpful to our music program here at All Saints, I want to be present to support him as he concludes his first season there.

Interestingly, the conductor for this run (I’ll be there for the dress rehearsal and first two performances) is Christian Badea who conducted the Savannah Symphony in the early 80’s.  At that time, Kathy and I and some other folks helped put together for him what came to be called “The Savannah Symphony Chorale” (now defunct – along with the orchestra), and one of my fondest memories was singing in a semi-staged production of “Rigoletto” and a concert version of “Aida”.

God willing, and barring any inordinate jet lag, I’ll be with you in church Sunday March 14.  FAB

GUEST CELEBRANT AND PREACHER MARCH 7

This day, our guest celebrant and preacher will be The Rev. Jim Shumard of Savannah.  Fr. Shumard and I have become good friends over the years, having spent a good deal of time together on the golf course at clergy conferences. 

To state that Jim is one of the most personable clergy anywhere would be to indulge in “litotes”; that is, no wall-flower is he.  I’ll never forget one evening in the chapel when Jim was assigned to read one of St. Paul’s more forgettable and regrettable passages; and in the course of hearing Jim read that lesson it was difficult if not impossible to stifle the proverbial guffaws.  Fr. Ralston used to say that sometimes one had to take St. Paul with a grain of salt, and Jim no doubt understood the truth in that.

Please give Fr. Shumard a warm welcome.  He will also be with us as the guest speaker at our Lenten Supper on March 17.  FAB

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN NEWS

The ECW met on February 10 and had an interesting presentation by Kathy Mills from the Thomasville Genealogical Society. We also had a report on the bazaar and voted on the 2010 budget. Thanks to all, especially Jinanne Parrish and her Bazaar committee. We will meet again on Wednesday, March 10 at 5 pm. Please come and support YOUR ECW.                          Lee Chubb     Lee Mitchell


LENTEN SUPPERS AND PROGRAMS

March 17:  Father Jim Shumard will be leading us through ways of engaging Scripture that are perhaps different from what we are used to .    He promises that we will make new discoveries and have fun doing it.

March 24:  After supper, the children and teachers of the Sunday School will present “A Walk Through Holy Week.”  Each grade will present an event in the last week of Jesus’ life, beginning with the Triumphal Entry, continuing with the Last Supper, praying in the Garden of Gethsemene, the Crucifixion and finally, the Resurrection.  The evening will conclude with prayers and a hymn.  All are invited to view “A Walk Through Holy Week.”  We are happy to present this part of the ministry of our children.

Each evening will begin at 5:30 PM with Evening Prayer and Holy Communion in the church, followed by a light supper.  The program should begin by 6:45 and end no later than 7:30.

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Sundays at 9:30:  The Rev. Louise Muenz continues her discussion group.  Her topics this month include: 

March 14:  How is Christ Present in Us?  We say (pray) that “we will be in Him and He in us” -- How?  What does that mean?  How does Christ’s presence manifest itself in us?

March 21:  The Holy Communion or Holy Eucharist:  “Eucharist” means thanksgiving.  How should we prepare for it?  What should we bring to it?  As its end is nothing less than our salvation, dare we approach it with joy?  How is it important to the maturation of our souls?  Why is it important to be baptized and confirmed first?

March 28:  Episcopal Customs:  Why is “reverencing” the Cross and the Altar important in our liturgy?  Kneeling, genuflecting, making the sign of the Cross, bowing our head, etc.

Tuesdays at 10:45:  Fr. Buechner concludes his survey of Dante’s Purgatorio and begins a reading of the third and final “canticle” of The Divine Comedy:  The Paradiso.

Please note that we will not meet March 9 or March 16.


THE ORGAN

Thanks to a very generous gift by Dr. Ben Grace, and after advice from several organists including Brian Taylor of St. John’s, Savannah and our “own” Raymond Hughes and Margit Miller, the Vestry has signed a contract with the Schlueter Organ Company of Lithonia, Georgia to add eleven digital ranks to the instrument.  As these ranks will not consist of pipes (we have no more physical room for extra pipes) but are “digital”, they will play through speakers.  Organ design has advanced to the point that these digital ranks can essentially be seamlessly integrated with pipes, allowing us in our case to double the various tonal capabilities available.

The Schlueter Company did the previous addition to the organ eleven years ago, and they have the necessary experience with the digital ranks as well, lately having installed some in the St. John’s, Savannah instrument.

At present, it seems as if the console will not have to be removed from the church, and that the project will be completed before November.

Once again, we’re so grateful to Dr. Grace for making this wonderful addition possible.  FAB

LENTEN WEEKDAY SERVICES

Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30: 
Evening Prayer and Holy Communion

Tuesday at 10:00AM: 
Holy Communion

All services in the Chapel except Wednesday services on March 17 and 24
which will be in the Church.

VESTRY MEETING

The Vestry will hold its meeting this month on Sunday, March 21 at 8:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall Library
 EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMENS BOOK CLUB NEWS

The ECW Book Club met in February for a discussion of "Greenwood Legacy". The discussion was led by Margaret Sibley and enhanced by John Hand (a descendent of the "Greenwood” family.) The book was very popular, the lunch, props and Greenwood caramel cake all greatly enjoyed.  Many thanks to Margaret for leading and organizing the meeting and John for sharing many family photos and memories.

In March we will discuss "Broken For You" by Katherine Kallos. The discussion will be led by Nancy McCollum.  Please join us at 11:50 on Wednesday, March 10. Lunch reservations are appreciated.     

Lee Chubb
Lee Mitchell

EYC NEWS

The EYC will continue to meet on Sunday afternoons at St. Thomas at 5:30 p.m.  Please note there will be no meeting on Palm Sunday or Easter.

WINE INTO WATER FOR HAITI

Despite our Differences…

Responding to the crisis in Haiti, All Saint’s and St. Thomas organized a fund raiser which was held on February 12th at All Saints’.  Our “Wine into Water” for Haiti theme included not only exceptional wine tastings and wonderful food, but two very informative presentations by Dr. Brad Walter and Wilson Carraway, both of whom have traveled to Haiti in the wake of this disaster.

It was a momentous occasion on many counts, one of which marked the first time in 30 years that the congregations of All Saints’ and St. Thomas have joined together for a social gathering.  Most important, we came together with a unity of purpose to provide help through the Episcopal Relief and Development fund to assist the Diocese of Haiti; and with thanks to so many, we were able to raise over $8,000.00.  In Bishop Benhase’s address to this year’s convention, he stresses three guiding principles our church is faced with in the future.  The second of these is the call for us “to serve the lost and the left out.”  Despite our differences, it seems that the congregations of All Saints’ and St. Thomas are on their way to the fulfillment of this principle.                   Debbie Beeson

EASTER LILIES

Those of you who would like to give memorial and thanksgiving lilies for Easter, please call the Church office before Friday, March 26.  If you have given in the past, please call or e-mail (allsaint@rose.net) to confirm your order.

ST. CECILIA AND ST. DAVID CHOIR NEWS

Both choirs will sing on Sunday, March 21.  There will be no rehearsals during Holy Week, Wednesday, March 31, and the following Wednesday April 7 which is Spring Break.                              Kathy Buechner

MOTHERING SUNDAY

“Mothering Sunday” is the fourth Sunday of Lent – March 14th this year..  Many years ago in England, parents had to send their young children out to be servants in castles, manors and wealthy homes.  It was the tradition that on the fourth Sunday of Lent these children would be allowed home to visit their mothers and “mother - church.”  To celebrate this visit special cake-like bread was provided.  It was called Semnil Bread.  Today, recalling this tradition of the Anglican Church, we have Semnil Bread.  Acolytes will distribute pieces of cake on your way out of church and you should think about our brothers and sisters in the Communion of Saints.  In another Mothering Sunday tradition, violets are on the altar in honor of those men (boys) (and today women) that were involved in war-time, and not able to come home for Mothering Sunday. 

SOMETHING ELSE FROM MR. ELIOT (T.S.) TO PONDER DURING THE SEASON

 If there is truth in the phrase “In my end is my beginning”, Choruses from the Rock helps us see in no uncertain terms our “end”, as it is one of the most vivid and terrifying indictments of Church and Society in the twentieth (as well as twenty-first) century.  The poem (which can be easily “Googled”) is far too lengthy to print, but provides another splendid meditation for Lent.  Here are the opening lines.  FAB

The Eagle soars in the summit of Heaven,
The Hunter with his dogs pursues his circuit.
O perpetual revolution of configured stars,
O perpetual recurrence of determined seasons,
O world of spring and autumn, birth and dying!
The endless cycle of idea and action,
Endless invention, endless experiment,
Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness;
Knowledge of speech, but not of silence;
Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word.
All our knowledge brings us nearer to our ignorance,
All our ignorance brings us nearer to death,
But nearness to death no nearer to God.
Where is the Life we have lost in loving?
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?
The cycles of heaven in twenty centuries
Bring us farther from God and nearer to the Dust.

USHERS FOR MARCH:

March 7   
Mike Shea   
Philip Watt  

March 14
Charlie Whitney
Geoffrey Young

March 21   
Robert Balfour   
Don Bruhn   

March 28
Walter Davis
Charles Deal

TRANSITIONS:

Happy Birthday in March to:

Raleigh Rollins    3-2-01
Campbell Avery Smith, Jr.   3-11-09
Stephen Stubley    3-16-92
Sarah Kathryn McQueen   3-21-07

Happy Birthday in April to:

William Thomas Bragg   4-1-98
Michael Houston   4-1-93
Caroline Sewell    4-2-96
Olivia Enright    4-4-02
Elizabeth Anne Rollins   4-14-03
Lewis Patton    4-15-02
Annalee K. Jackson   4-28-96
John Treadwell (Jack) Josey, Jr.  4-29-07

Transfer:

Please welcome Mark and Dorothy Cobb
from St. Columba’s Suwannee, Georgia