Volume 13,Number 11 November 2013 The Bell Tower All Saints Episcopal Church Reisterstown Parish A Letter from Father David The Christian is in a different position from other people who are trying to do good. The Christian thinks any good he does come from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us... (Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis Dear All Saints family, Vision Statement: All Saints strives to be a place where people come to know Jesus Christ, are transformed to His glory, and become witnesses to God s unchangeable word. Inside this issue: God s Older Children 2 Christmas Memorials Form 3 Library Corner 2 Highlighted Events 4,5 Congratulations 6 Calendar of Events 7 Over the past few months I have been writing about the work of the committee to study ways in which we can reach out to our community with the Good News of Jesus Christ. This prayerful group of people has worked for months discerning God s will for All Saints and has made a number of recommendations to the vestry as we strive to live into our vision of being a place where people come to know Jesus Christ, are transformed into His glory, and become faithful witnesses to His unchangeable word. As reported the first task was to put that vision into a mission statement with action words. That mission statement then has been captured in three words; INVITE-CHALLENGE-SHARE. Last month I wrote about what it means to be an inviting church and the steps we are taking to make us more welcoming. This month I want to say some things about CHALLENGE. The dictionary definition that best conveys what we mean by challenge is to invite or summon someone to do something. Although the word challenge does not appear often in the bible it doesn t mean that the scriptures are silent on the subject. In fact if we read the bible we are automatically invited and challenged to live a lifestyle that is often at odds with the standards of our culture and society. We are constantly invited and challenged to grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, obey His commandments, and live as children of God. Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, to forgive over and over, to count others as more important than self, or to serve rather than be served. The Christian life is a life of challenge and we do not seek to acquiesce or water down the words of Christ for comfort sake. There was a good conversation amongst the committee about choosing the word challenge over the word encourage in our mission statement. While we are here to encourage one another we felt that challenge was a much stronger word considering the importance of all to become disciples, (committed students) of Jesus Christ. Discipleship takes commitment and the goal of a disciple is to become more and more like his/her teacher. Discipleship takes a commitment to study the word, a commitment to prayer, and a commitment to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Why is the challenge to discipleship so important? The above quote from CS Lewis says it all, Because God loves us. In Christ, Fr. David
Volume 13,Number 11 The Bell Tower Page 2 God s Older Children Giving Thanks In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast, which is acknowledged as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies, and became a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans. What you may not know: Foods that may have been on the menu included cod, eel. Clams, lobster, wild turkey, goose, duck, crane, swan, partridge, eagles, venison, seal, wheat flour, indian corn, pumpkin, peas, beans, onions, lettuce, radishes, carrots, plums, grapes, walnuts, chestnuts, acorns, olive oil, liverwort, leeks, dried currants, and parsnips. The first Thanksgiving was in 1621, but it was not repeated as an annual tradition until later. The day wasn't called Thanksgiving to the Pilgrims; a Thanksgiving was a religious holiday in which they would go to church and thank God for a specific event. The feast was a secular celebration, filled with dancing, singing secular songs and playing games, so it never would have been considered a Thanksgiving in the pilgrim's minds. The original feast occurred sometime between Sept. 21 and Nov. 11, and unlike our modern holiday, it was three days long. The event was based on English harvest festivals, which traditionally occurred around Sept. 29. During the American Revolution, a yearly day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817, New York state adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom, and by the middle of the 19 th century, many other states did the same. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the date for Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November in 1939, which was approved bv Congress in 1941. From the Library Corner Gifted Hands The Ben Carson Story By: Ben Carson M.D., Cecil Murphey This is Dr. Ben Carson's first best selling early biography which covers his childhood, education, early career, his marriage to Candy, his strong religious faith, and the case histories of his medical breakthroughs in neurosurgery. by Barbara Carr Again, just as in his latest book, AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL, his mother, Sonya Carson, sacrificed, encouraged, and believed that her two sons could be successful, God fearing, well educated, intelligent adults who would contribute much to society. This book is definitely a testimony to her success as well as her sons'. The reader will also learn how an uncontrollable temper can be cured through prayer and reading Proverbs, especially Proverbs 16:32 Another important lesson learned from reading this book is the value of team work, as illustrated when the Siamese twins, joined at the back of the head, were successfully separated by Ben and his surgical team at Hopkins. Finally, the reader may conclude that love, strong religious faith, determination, and hard work can lead to a rich, fulfilling career and family life. This book may be found on the table in Groff Hall.
Page 3 Christmas Memorials and Thanksgivings Remember friends and loved ones this holiday season by purchasing a poinsettia for the church or by giving to the Rector's Discretionary Fund. SUBMIT THIS FORM AND YOUR CHECK FOR CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCES ON OR BEFORE: SUNDAY, December 9, 2013 PLEASE PRINT Given by Phone: { } Poinsettia Make check payable to ALL SAINTS' ALTAR GUILD $ (Notation Line: Poinsettia) Choose one: In Loving Memory of In Thanksgiving for Print Names: use Christian names only Example: John and Mary Doe { } Rector's Discretionary Fund Make check payable to ALL SAINTS CHURCH $ (Notation Line: Rector s Disc. Fund) Choose one: In Loving Memory of In Thanksgiving for Print Names: use Christian names only Example: John and Mary Doe Please submit separate checks. Thank you. DEADLINE TO TURN IN FORMS IS SUNDAY, December 9, 2012
Volume 13,Number 11 The Bell Tower Page 4 Don t Miss the Wine and Cheese Party! On December 14th 2013 from 7 to 10 PM the well missed "Wine and Cheese" party shall be revived. A selection of wines paired with cheeses shall be provided for tasting with purchasing information. Please sign up in the narthex. We ask that you bring an appetizer. We will be accepting donations to be given to one of our Christmas charities. If you have any questions please call John Rogers at 443-421-5116 or Pam Johnson. We look forward to seeing you there.
Page 5 THANK YOU I would like to thank everyone for your outpouring of grace and love at the celebration of the 25 th anniversary of my ordination. I was both overwhelmed and humbled by the entire event. The planning, hard work, the testimonials, the creativity, and the special visits of Fr. Tim who was my mentor and Fr. Dan who has been my friend and coworker for almost all of my ministry, along with Clay and Linda who drove all the way from Texas to be with us were all over the top and will never be forgotten. The tribute from my children reduced me to tears and assured me that the sacrifices they made as Preacher s Kids were worth it in the end. I was also blown away by the unexpected monetary gift that so many of you contributed to. Until I am able to individually thank each one of you please accept this thank you from the bottom of my heart. I especially want to thank the committee who put all of this together starting with Erik, Janet, John, Bobby, Jean, and Barb along with the vestry who supported it all. Finally I want to thank and acknowledge my precious wife Janet who has stood with me through it all. It is a privilege and blessing that I have been given the gift of being your pastor for nearly 16 years. Sustained by your outpouring of love and support may we continue to work together in God s vineyard and to His glory. Fr. David
Volume 13,Number 11 The Bell Tower Page 6 Special Anniversaries Laverne and Gordon Harden will celebrate their 68 th wedding anniversary on Saturday, November 23, 2013 (1000 Weller Circle, Apt. 214, Westminster, MD 21158-4341) Helen and John Eder will celebrate their 60 th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 (239 Glyndon Drive Reisterstown, MD 21136-2131) MARRIAGE Rachael Thompson and Mike Patterson (son of Becky Kistler) were united in holy matrimony at All Saints Church on Sunday, October 27, 2013 (330 Hook Rd. Westminster, MD 21157) DEATH Lucille Miss Lucy Harms, (mother of Bobbi Hauck) died on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 (Bobbi & Bill Hauck 4461 Bartholow Road Sykesville, MD 21784-9705) November Birthdays Makayla King, November 5 Sindi Myers, November 6 Laura Bolgiano, November 9 Carrie Toohey, November 12 Matthew Aker, November 22 Ken Sacra, November 22 Wylie Ritchey, November 23 Darrell Robertson, November 29 Steven Kratz, November 30 BAPTISM Mackenzie Leigh Hooper was baptized on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at All Saints Church. Mackenzie is the infant daughter of Christine and Joshua Hooper. We welcome Mackenzie into the family of God! (3812 Swift Run Drive Abingdon, MD 21009) DEATH Nancy L. Robinson (sister of Jean Robinson) died on Friday, October 18, 2013 (Jean Robinson 4538 Sykesville Rd. Finksburg, MD 21048) Note from the Parish Office: If you know of anyone who will celebrate their 80th birthday or older or who will have a milestone wedding anniversary, please call the parish office to make sure we are aware of the information. Thank you.
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November 2012 BELL TOWER All Saints Episcopal Church 203 East Chatsworth Ave P.O. Box 279 Reisterstown, MD 21136-0279 Phone: 410-833-0700 Fax: 410-833-2352 E-mail: allsaints_church@verizon.net We re on the web: www.allsaints.ang-md.org