NOVEMBER
26,
2006
T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F A L L S A I N T S E P I S CO PA L C H U R C H
VOLUME XIV N U M B E R 4 3
Happy Thanksgiving!
FROM ZELDA KENNEDY, SENIOR ASSOCIATE, PASTORAL CARE AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
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uring a recent retreat with members of the diocese of San Diego, someone asked me how long I had been at All Saints. My quick response was, “almost five years.” As I began to reflect on the time, I realized I was only into my fourth year - it seemed longer. Of course, I began to ponder why. Here is a really simple answer. In the time that I’ve been with you, we’ve developed some wonderful ministries. And, it seems impossible to have done so much in such a short period of time. We’ve been busy. So, what’s my point? Again, it’s quite simple. In all of our busy-ness how often have we given thanks for all the blessings we’ve received as a faith community? I ask this question because I believe we must give thanks often and daily. So, let me share why I’m grateful. When the decision was made to accept the “call” to come to All Saints, I anticipated challenges. The challenge of leaving family and dear friends; the challenge of being a single, Afro-American female priest; the challenge of living in a “different” environment; the challenge of getting to know people and of learning how to get around in southern California! Have I made my acclimation appear easy? Dealing with just one of these challenges is sometimes daunting, and when grouped together, it’s often tiring. Please know that I understand living isn’t easy. I understand there will always be times of frustration, disappointment, rejection and tiredness. I also
appreciate the times of accomplishment, spiritfilled moments, acceptance and energy. So, I acknowledge the challenging times, and I give thanks to God for the blessings! There are the blessings of some, who let me know that although they have not walked in my shoes, they understand the journey, and the blessings of some who gently encourage me to self-care. There are the blessings of others who love me in spite of my foibles; and of those who work with me and encourage me to “rock and roll” and have fun. There are the blessings of many who pray for me daily. I give thanks to God for all of you. I know that I am blessed, and I continue to struggle with the challenges because I believe I’m in great company. Therefore, as we celebrate this Thanksgiving, I encourage you to meet God where you are and give thanks for all that you have including the challenges. Ann Holmes Redding once wrote the following: “I wish you the will to decrease and the desire to get out of the way and let God. I wish you the willingness to embrace the many, messy, minor martyrdoms of living. I wish you the willingness to bloom where you’re planted. I wish you a company of angels. I wish you the strength and patience to struggle with your sacred journey and the joy and wisdom to share your blessings again and again and again.” Happy Thanksgiving! Zelda
Sunday
NOVEMBER 26, 2006
EUCHARIST AT 7:30, 9, 11:15 A.M. AND 1 P.M. The Rev. Abel Lopez preaches at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 a.m. The Rev. Zelda Kennedy preaches at the 1 p.m. Spanish-English service. Coventry Choir offers I Can Tell the World by Moses Hogan and Exsultate justi by Ludovico Viadana. SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURES Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8 John 18:33-37
L A S T S U N DAY A F T E R P E N T E C O S T: C H R I S T T H E K I N G
FOR CHILDREN Preschool (ages 2–4), SCOTT HALL
A D U LT S AT 1 0 : 1 5
RECTOR’S FORUM
Winning the African AIDS Struggle, Village by Village with Bill Rankin
One of All Saints Church’s favorite people returns to the Rector’s Forum this Sunday. The Rev. Dr. William W. Rankin served two tours of duty on staff here in the 80s, beloved for the dry wit and insightful passion with which he approached issues of social justice. His impressive resume includes a PhD. in Ethics, and service as Rector of St. Stephen’s Church in the San Francisco Bay area; Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA; and Vice-President of the United Religions Initiative. But he reports the most deeply satisfying ministry of his life to be his work to end the AIDS pandemic in Africa. He is President of the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA), a non-profit non-governmental organization for preventing HIV transmission in developing countries. On this weekend of Thanksgiving, he brings signs of hope in the midst of overwhelming challenge. Forum
9:00 10:15
11:15 9:00
Infant and Child Care with Bible Stories Room 3: Thanksgiving, No Sunday School Rooms 4, 5: Thanksgiving, No Sunday School Infant and Child Care with Bible Stories Children’s Chapel: Children go to church with their parents, leave after the Gospel, and return at the offering Grades K—5: Thanksgiving, No Sunday School, Advent Wreath Making Children’s Chapel
Grade School (K–5), LEARNING CENTER
10:15 11:15
FOR YOUTH, JR. HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL
10:15–11:00 Junior High & High School Programs JR. HIGH: Love–When I Need to Know God Loves Me HIGH SCHOOL: Discuss the Alternative All are welcome to this family-friendly, Christmas Market
Saturday Celebration 5 p.m., Learning Center
casual, interactive service.
JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH ROOMS
The Rev. Zelda Kennedy preaches.
Advent Wreath and Candle Making with Wendy Claire Barrie and Children,Youth and Families
We invite you to join us and make your own advent wreath and candles. Sweetland Hall and Guild Room
Movies and Meaning on the Immigrant Experience
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All Saints’ Choirs To Sing Holiday Concerts at Disney Hall
A Fiction Fun! Christmas Party
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iction Fun! celebrates Christmas on Friday, Dec. 15 and we hope you can come for our annual holiday potluck and party. This year, after dinner, everyone will be invited to share a favorite seasonal poem or short reading. The social time and potluck supper begin in the Seminar Room at 6:30 p.m. The reading and discussion start at 7:30 and continue until 9:00. All are welcome. Please contact Rusty Harding at 626.583.2735 to obtain a copy of the book or for more information.
ach Wednesday evening, this ongoing film series looks at movies and meaning, inviting you to go to the movies and stay to talk things over. Religion and the movies “share an interest” in values, according to theologian Margaret Miles, but those values now are often most powerfully represented, not in the church, but in the theater. Please join us for a time of sharing; sharing film, our lives and our values as we bring those worlds together to see what they say about our journeys of faith. The films in our current series focus on the immigration experience. Currently scheduled for viewing and discussion are: Hate (Dec. 6), Head-On (Dec. 13), Up and Down (Dec. 20), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Dec. 27). Please contact Rusty Harding at 626.583.2735 for more information.
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anterbury Choir and Coventry Choir will appear with the Los Angeles Philharmonic as part of their Christmas program ’Twas the Week Before Christmas, Friday, Dec. 15 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The program will include Hallelujah Chorus and For Unto Us a Child Is Born from Messiah, and seasonal carols. Tickets are going fast, but are available through the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office at 323.850.2000 or Ticketmaster at 213.365.3500.
Help Defray Postage Costs
Offering envelopes for 2007 pledges will be available on Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Every set picked up saves All Saints more than $1 in mailing costs. Please stop by the Stewardship table on the lawn and collect your envelopes. Thank you!
World AIDS Day at All Saints
December 1 has been “World AIDS Day” since 1988. We have several opportunities to become further educated at All Saints this year, to pray and reflect, to commit to action and to hold governments and public policy makers accountable for HIV/AIDS issues locally and globally: Friday, Dec. 1 ArtAidsArt presents the Western U.S. premiere of Bigger Than Barbie, a documentary film that features the 500 female artists of MonkeyBiz Bead Project, one of the greatest success stories in postApartheid South Africa. The movie will be screened in the Forum at 7 p.m. Following the screening, you will have the opportunity to shop for beaded dolls and animals made by MonkeyBiz and for a variety of South African artisan jewelry and wearable art. Suggested donation for the film is $10. All proceeds from art sales support the construction of a multipurpose community center in Khayelitsha Township where most of MonkeyBiz’s artists live. Saturday, Dec. 2 The AIDS Service Center will hold it’s 14th annual Posada, a candlelight walk of remembrance, celebration and hope to raise money in support of local AIDS services. This year the walk begins at Paseo Colorado and moves through the Civic Center, including All Saints Church, with entertainment and quilt panels at each stop. Money raised by this inspiring event goes to support the AIDS Service Center’s client services and education/ prevention programs targeting young people . The opening ceremony is at 5 p.m. For information, go to www.PosadaAIDSwalk.org.
Sunday, Dec. 3 You will have the opportunity to support both the AIDS Service Center and GAIA (Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance) through our Alternative Christmas Market (see below!).
All Women are Invited to A Virgin of Guadalupe Day Not-A-Party
Tis the season when one’s thoughts turn to how not to party! Or, how to have a Not-A-Party. Last year’s first Not-A-Party on St. Nick’s Day was so enjoyable that Women’s Council decided to do it again this year on December 12, which just so happens to be the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Here’s how it works: All women are invited to convene at Barbara McNear’s home at 6:30 p.m., with a bottle of wine or a plate of hors d’oeuvres to share, and a check for $15 (the fee for the traditional event in years past) made out to All Saints Church. Instead of using the money to pay for a fancy dinner, however, we will donate it to Pasadena’s Bad Weather Shelter. If life is such that you can’t bring anything, that’s okay, just reserve a place and come anyway! Please RSVP at your earliest convenience, no later than Dec. 5, to Barbara at barbarabmcnear@sbcglobal.net, 626.345.9657, or stop by the Women’s Council Lawn Table. If more than 70 are interested, we’ll need to move the Not-AParty from Barbara’s home (1860 Homewood Dr., Altadena) to Sweetland Hall. Please join us!
Alternative Christmas Market!
The Alternative Christmas Market bursts onto the scene in Sweetland Hall on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here’s your opportunity to give gifts that will have long-term, positive impact for people in need locally and internationally. We need customers and volunteers. For more information call 626.583.2734.
John Edwards at All Saints December 4
On Monday, December 4, we join with Vroman’s Bookstore to present former Senator John Edwards in the Forum at 7 p.m. Save the date!
Trouvères Tamales are coming!
Señores y señoras! Try some delicious tamales from the kitchens of Liliana’s, a time honored southern California tradition. The Trouvères Chamber Choir will take orders for tamales on Sunday, December 10 after all the services. Order chicken, pork, cheese, and sweet tamales by the 1/2 dozen ($12) or the dozen ($18). Orders must be pre-paid and tamales will be delivered to the Church on Sunday, December 17. Proceeds go toward the Trouvères choir trip to the Pacific International Children’s Choir Festival in Eugene, Oregon in June 2007. For more information, contact Stephanie Naifeh at (626) 583-2719 or snaifeh@allsaints-pas.org. Gracias!
Be an Angel - Make a Foster Child’s Christmas Dream Come True
You are invited to come to the Regas House lobby and choose a gift tag from our Angel tree. Please look for the tag number and child’s name on the list posted next to the tree and write your name and phone number beside it. All gifts should be returned to the Learning Center on Sunday mornings or to the CYF office during the week by Thursday, December 14. For more information, contact Isabel Leus at 626.583.2733 or ileus@allsaints-pas.org.
Christmas Flower Fund
Each Christmas season, All Saints Church provides the opportunity to remember loved ones or to offer thanksgivings through a donation to the flower fund, which provides poinsettias to decorate the altars for Christmas Services. Please complete this form and return it with your donation by 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, to: All Saints Church Attn: Sarah Stone 132 N. Euclid Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101 In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: Donated by:
shorts
Prison Gift Ministry
Thanks to so many of you. The soaps, lotions and shampoos have come in well. We are still woefully short of toothbrushes, toothpaste, cocoa, coffee and tea. Bring your donations to the reception desk. Thanks! To get involved call Gloria Killian at 626.710.7543, Joyce Ride 626.398.0105 or Connie Smith at 626.799.4702 or scinchin2@charter.net
written grants. We’re also looking for experience working with granting agencies. Please contact Chris Mackey-Mason at cmackeymason@allsaints-pas.orgor 626.583.2752.
Computer Savvy Volunteers!
If you have computer skills - especially a familiarity with Excel - the Pastoral Care & Spiritual Growth office needs your help. If you can volunteer on Mondays or Tuesdays, all the better. We offer a loving and safe environment for techno nerds. Contact Chris Mackey-Mason, 626.583.2752 or cmackeymason@allsaints-pas.org.
Calling All Grant Writers!
If you have experience writing grants especially for not for profit organizations, several of our program ministries need your help. We’re looking for volunteers who have successfully
Holy Rakers
The “Holy Rakers” invite you to join them on the fourth Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. to noon, to keep
our grounds looking beautiful. Expert gardeners and novices are welcome. We take care of the plants while visiting with each other, make plans for future garden improvements and have refreshments. We close each gathering with our prayer, “We ask for your grace to enable us to tend to each other as well and as carefully as we tend to your plants.” The schedule is subject to change depending on weather, so please call and let us know to expect you. Please contact Candy League at 626.797.4678 or bcandida@earthlink.net.
prayers
F O R T H E PA R I S H CO M M U N I T Y
Remember those for whom prayers have been requested: Jenny Markman; Katrina MacIntosh; the Miller and Bowlenbaugh Families; Dottie Moody; Sally Ness; Shantel Ortiz and family; Maureen Palacios; Michele Palmer; the Posthuma Family; Lisa Potts; Patt Ross-Wade; Sara Ann Rude; Andrea Coppola Sbardellati; Irene and John Sharp; the Schmedes Family; Julie Siri; Katie Snow-Pawlyk; Charles Sterrett; Eric Taylor; Anne Thompson; Anna T.; Gabriel, Kim, Noah, and Olivia; Helena; John and his father Dick In thanksgiving for: The success of the 14th annual Models of Pride Day For those who have died: Miles Henderson; Wayne Korngiebel; Mary Kuhlman; Steve Miller; John Priestner; John Schmedes; Julius Siri
saints alive
Volume 14 Number 43 Sunday, November 26, 2006 Deadline for December 3, 2006 issue is Tuesday, November 7, 2006 USPS 553-760 Published weekly except biweekly in July and August Postmaster: Send address changes to Saints Alive, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101-1796 Telephone 626.796.1172 Fax 626.796.4749 Online www.allsaints-pas.org J. Edwin Bacon, Jr., Rector Printed on recycled paper.
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