In the Autumn 2004 issue:
From Rachelle
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From Donna
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Church Breakfast
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Zucchini Bread
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Healing Prayer Workshop
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Kerygma
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Oral Rehydration Project
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Join the Choir
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Youth Choir
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Silent Auction Report
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Sunday School Classes
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Our troops
I write to you on my first day "back in the saddle again" after over a four-month absence. While I am feeling good, with only occasional remnants of pain, I am following my doctor's orders to work only a few hours a day until after Labor Day. I don't know if my doctor had only my physical condition in mind when issuing this order, for I find it also a wonderful way to ease back into the routine of parish life without being too overwhelmed all at once!
That said, I am looking forward to my first Sunday worship service and to seeing all of you again. I have deeply missed my AS-SC parish family and can't wait to hear from you what has been going on in your lives and how they have been re-created over this summer. I, too, have had some incredible experiences this summer and look forward to sharing some of them with you.
One of those experiences that affected me deeply was the absolute barrage of cards and notes that arrived at my home to support me during this time. And then there were the prayers. They lifted me to God each day and it felt like my cold body being lifted to the warm sun. I entered surgery with a knowledge of those prayers enfolding me and a peace I never could have expected. My gratitude to you and to our God who heard your prayers and mine is infinite.
I could not end this without also expressing my deep gratitude to the Rev. Donna Foughty who enabled me to concentrate on my health and leave the day-to-day decisions of parish life in her capable hands. But more, she found herself with the responsibility of also ministering to the Rector (who was supposed to be 2,000 miles away!) and she did so with friendship and grace. My only regret is that she came while I was gone and we didn't have the opportunity to work together!
We now face together the beginning of the new academic year with all of its inherent challenges. You may find me a little slow in getting started and so, as always, I will need your help. But I do not fear, for I know what the prayers and love of this congregation are capable of and it is exactly what the world needs at this time. May God bless this congregation as it begins another year of mission and use us all in the in the spread of his life and kingdom
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I want to thank you for welcoming me into your home and hearts these last few months. It has been a joy to be among you, to worship, work and pray with you. I am excited for you for all the wonderful things that will be happening here at All Saints. Your growing and wonderfully led Christian Education programs, the prospect of adding a little more room to help accommodate the growing family here, and most importantly the care and love which you show for each other are certainly marks of a Christian community that will continue to grow and journey together towards the goal we all run to — Jesus.
I want to especially thank Renee and the vestry, Venita, Davette and all who have worked at making my time here so easy. I want to especially thank Rachelle for inviting me to be among you as your "shepherd" in her stead: My prayer for all of you is that as you keep your eye on the prize (Jesus) you will continue to grow in His grace and Love.
Peace and Blessings to you all, Donna
We will be having a breakfast on Sunday, September 12th, between the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services, to welcome Rachelle back, and to reconnect with other parishioners following summer vacations. Please be sure this event is on your calendar. If you would like to help, please contact Carolyn Rae. There will be opportunities to cook, buy, set-up and take down - something for everyone to do! (Out & About announcement)
Many thanks to all the folks who purchased zucchini bread this summer. At $10 per loaf, the total amount going into the building fund is now close to $700 (mid-August) and I hope to see a total of $1,000 by the end of September. One way you can help is to buy extra loaves now and put them in the freezer for the holidays. Please call me to order so that I will know ahead of time how many to bake. The bread freezes extremely well. When you open it in November or December, it will still taste like it was just baked. It will stay that way for up to a year.
I have appreciated the positive feedback about how much you have been enjoying the zucchini bread. Several people have asked for the recipe. Here it is, just the way I received it, and with the one adjustment I made:
| Recipe for Zucchini Bread |
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Mix well by hand for two minutes. Grease and flour two loaf pans. Divide mix evenly between pans. Bake at 325 degrees (in preheated oven) for 1 hour. Do not overbake.
Makes two loaves. Freezes well. |
ENJOY!
Paul Rae
A workshop on healing prayer, entitled "Where and How to be Christ's Agent for Healing," will be led by Dr. Christina Puchalski and The Reverend Robert Richardson on Saturday, September 25, 2004. Dr. Puchalski is the Director of The George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health. She will outline a role for laity, as part of a caregiver team, to attend to the spiritual well-being of hospital patients. Rev. Richardson is Pastor of St. John Baptist de la Salle Church. As an experienced practitioner of sharing the Gospel and healing the sick in the name of Jesus, he will present a Scriptural basis for our healing ministry, and illustrate a simple and effective manner for praying with the sick. This workshop will encourage and prepare us to do as the disciples did — take our healing ministries out into our communities under the authority of Jesus. Sponsored by the National Capital Chapter of the Order of St. Luke, the workshop will be held at St. Albans Episcopal Church, next to the National Cathedral. The cost is $30 per person and includes lunch. For more information contact Paul Rae. Also, see www.osl-washingtondc.org for more information and a registration form. (Out & About announcement)
Our faith is awesome! Come find out why. Adult Christian Education continues, beginning September 26th at 9:15 a.m., with a study of the Book of Exodus. Space available.
Oral Rehydration Project
Saturday, September 18th
Every four seconds, somewhere in the world, a child dies of dehydration as a result of bad water, illness, malnutrition, etc. Oral Rehydration Salts, which consist of sugar, salt, soda and salt substitute, mixed with a liter of boiled water, can save that life.
On Saturday, September 18th, we are going to put together 12,000 packets of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) which will then be shipped to wherever in the world the need is the greatest at that time. The World Health Organization has estimated that more than 400 lives are saved per 10,000 doses of ORS. This means that you can directly participate in the saving the lives of approximately 480 of God's children on Saturday, September 18th.
This is the second year Sharon Chapel volunteers have participated in this noble calling. Through our outreach program, however, we have assisted other organizations to accomplish this needed work. Assembly lines will be set up in Gunnell Hall, as they were last year, and starting at 9 a.m., we should finish by 4 p.m. Some volunteers stay all day (lunch will be served); however, the work is arranged so that 3-4 hours of volunteer help (morning or afternoon) can be effectively used.
Prior to September 18th you can help by assisting the Outreach Committee in a number of sundry tasks to make for a smooth running project. Please contact Jane Delbridge if you are interested in helping. (previous announcement)
It's that time of the year again! All adult singers are invited to join the Adult Choir at its first rehearsal on Thursday, September 9, beginning at 7:45 p.m., in the newly-relocated choir room (the old nursery room). We welcome singers of all parts and abilities. Become a part of the music ministry at All Saints - Sharon Chapel!
The Youth Choir will begin rehearsals in October, with its first rehearsal on Thursday, October 7th October 14th, at 6:45 p.m., in the new choir room. All school-age children from kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to participate. A rehearsal schedule through the end of December will be given out at the first rehearsal. Come, join us, for an evening of ministry and fellowship.
A huge thanks to everyone who contributed to the overwhelming success of our first "Silent Auction" (previous announcement) with the generosity of those who provided donations (services and items), coupled with those who purchased the "treats." We raised over $1,100 for the All Saints - Sharon Chapel Outreach Committee. Please keep the "Silent Auction" in mind for next year.
Linda Ysewyn
Sunday School classes will begin on September 19th, at 9:15 a.m. for the 2004-2005 Sunday School year. All children and youth between the ages of 3 and 18 have a wonderful experience waiting. Anyone interested in enrolling their child(ren) or helping, please complete the form which can be found on the back pew and place in the box provided. Having an accurate count is needed to prepare for the first day of class. (The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Sunday School classes for children 3 - 12 did not take a Summer break and will continue as normal.)
Please pray for these men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, especially those parishioners or family of parishioners serving in Iraq and Afghanistan: Philip Aboagye, Jeff Buckner, Chris Kennedy, Stacy Cook, Susan Sowers.