Waiting for Jesus: Advent

Transcription

1 Volume 9, Issue 10 November 2011 Waiting for Jesus: Advent Advent is the Christian season of hopeful expectation. In Scripture, we are awaiting the birth of Christ. In our own time, we are waiting for the return of the Messiah. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we settle into the time of waiting with intentionality, exited about what is to come, expectant and hopeful but also unsure of what will come and even perhaps a little fearful of the unknown. The Advent colors in the church are NOT the red and green that you'll see in the mall! The color of Advent is blue to remember Mary, the one who lived the uncertain and hopeful expectation with her body and with her spirit. During Advent, you will see the church decorated primarily with evergreens, those plants that continue to show strength and hope even when the world is dark and bleak. The themes of Advent are, as mentioned, hope, expectation, light and dark, uncertainty, waiting and yet-unfulfilled joy. Advent was once known as a little Lent, a time of self-reflection and abstinence in preparation or the coming of the Messiah. Advent 1 is November 27. We invite and remind you this year to celebrate Advent with prayer and with purposefulness, resisting the temptations all around you pushing you to celebrate Christmas too early, resisting the temptation to give in to commercial excess and to all that glitters. As a community, we are offering several opportunities to mark this special time. Join us! Waiting for Jesus Advent Wreath Workshop and Activities Sunday, November 27, 10:20 a.m. in Ellis Hall Advent Wreath Workshop. Mark this holy season of anticipation with your very own Advent wreath custom-crafted by you and your family. The Flower Guild will provide a workshop on making these time honored symbols of the season. We will have wreath making kits available with everything you ll need (please bring fresh greens from your yard) to make a beautiful symbol of the season. You are welcome to bring your greens and work on them in Ellis Hall that morning or simply pick up your kit and spread out at home to create yours. Other Advent activities and offerings include: SEE a visit from John the Baptist MAKE your own Grasshopper Cookie PLAY Advent Bingo win a prize! CREATE your own Advent Craft TAKE HOME Advent Material appropriate for one and all available to help enhance your advent experience as we wait and prepare for the birth of Jesus. Beginning November 27, sign up via Twitter or Facebook for our random acts of prayer in Advent. Every day of Advent around noon, we will send out a brief prayer to remind you to stop for a moment and take on the mantle of hopeful expectation. Also, visit our online Advent Calendar for more food for thought, including music, art, prayer and essay. Traveling to Western Tanganyika A team comprised of Elizabeth Robertson, Della Wells, Ken Stewart, and Geoffrey Hoare travelled to the diocese of Western Tanganyika in October. The intent was to model what we mean by transformational journey, with the additional goal of establishing some mutually agreed expectations with the leadership of DWT for our relationship going forward. We continue to want to be in relationship with the people and projects which are supported by our contributions to the Millennium Development Goals. One of our early meetings involved hearing both the joys and challenges of many ministries for the senior diocesan staff (pictured here). Read more about this journey and what it meant to those of us who were privileged to go in our online magazine Saints Alive, accessible from our website. (

2 THE ALL SAINTS MONTHLY All Saints Episcopal Church is a parish in the Diocese of Atlanta. The Rt. Rev d J. Neil Alexander, Bishop The Rt. Rev d Keith B. Whitmore, Assistant Bishop R ECTOR The Rev d Geoffrey M. St.J. Hoare VESTRY Elizabeth Robertson, Senior Warden Winifred Davis, Junior Warden Hank Harris, Clerk Stockton Croft, Treasurer Carl Anderson Diane Barber Mose Bond Timothy Frilingos Greg Giornelli Elizabeth Hale Hank Harris Scott Hayes Chuck Konas Geoff Pope Kathy Roberts Sloan Smith Sara Ann Vaughan Jere Wells Comer Yates Martie Edmunds Zakas C LERGY The Rev d Noelle York-Simmons, Associate Rector The Rev d Charles M. Girardeau, Associate Rector The Rev d John F. Herring, Associate Rector The Rev d Elizabeth Shows Caffey, Associate Rector C LERGY A SSOCIATES The Very Rev d Harry Pritchett, Rector Emeritus The Rev d Robert T. M. Book The Rev d Bill Clarkson The Rev d Dr. James M. Donald The Rev d Karen P. Evans The Rev d William L. Evans The Rev d Spurgeon Hays The Rev d Grant LeRoux, Jr. The Rev d Charles Scott May The Rev d Dr. David M. Moss III The Rev d Gary Mull The Rev d Milton H. Murray The Rev d Burl Salmon The Rev d Walter E. Smith The Rev d Tom Stubbs The Rev d Paul Thim A DMINISTRATIVE, FACILITIES & PROGRAM S TAFF Lauri Begley, Director of Parish Life Lisa Bell-Davis, Publications Coordinator Rob Burlington, Assistant Choirmaster Elizabeth Chenault, Associate Organist & Choirmaster Raymond Chenault, Organist & Choirmaster Nancy Dodson, Director of Finance Bruce Garner, Head Verger Betsey Gibbs, Membership Coordinator Lori Guarisco, Threads Coordinator LaTrell Harrison, Program & Committee Assistant Ellen Hayes, Director of Stewardship & Development Leanne Herrmann, Accompanist, Youth & Children s Choirs Maurice Johnson, Parish Sexton Pat Kiley, Rector s Assistant Karol Kimmell, Director of Youth & Children s Music Carol Lane, Nursery Coordinator Louisa Merchant, Refugee Ministries Coordinator Randy Miller, Director of Security Stephen Monford, Parish Sexton Marie-Louise Muhumuza, Receptionist Maurice Reddick, Facilities Manager Bob Sawyer, Webmaster All Saints Episcopal Church We gathered at Kanuga for another great parish retreat; the Flower Guild showed off some All Saints style with "The Garden of St. Francis" at the Cathedral Flower Show Festival, and all manner of pets were blessed at the annual Feast of St. Francis service. Grace Notes Many thanks to those who taught the first set of Journey Into the Bible lessons to our Kindergartners through 5th Graders: Dick and Joann Nagy, Kate Phillips, Sloan and John Smith, Caroline Enloe, Amanda Freer, Margaret and Andrew Abernathy, Charley and Suzie Brickley, Jill Gossett. Great thanks to everyone who helped on Refugee Ministries Move-In Day: Michael Shannon, Wayne Lord, Jan Douglas, Penny Pope, Jason Storey, Ben Sheidler, Kris Birkness, and the Langston Family (Leslie, David, Meredith, Margaret,and Katherine,Cissie White). Thank you also to those who greeted our new family and provided arrival activities for them: Jason Storey, Vivian Lawand, Penny Pope, Mike Weigert, Shaun McCarthy, and Jan Douglas. The Rev d Penny Nash, former parishioner at All Saints and ordained out of the Diocese of Atlanta, has moved to Virginia to be the Associate Rector at Bruton Parish in historic Williamsburg. Penny will serve under the Reverend Chris Epperson, the current rector of Bruton Parish, former Associate Rector at All Saints. Good luck Penny! We will miss you but are so proud of you!

3 THE ALL SAINTS MONTHLY C ALENDAR november Week One Tuesday, November 1 Concert Series: Ann Hale Memorial Concert 7:30 p.m. in the church Wednesday, November 2 Wednesday Mornings in the 15th Century 10:00 11:30 a.m. in P307 Wednesday Night Supper 5:00 7:00 p.m. in Ellis Hall Jezebels: Women s Book Study 5:00 p.m. in P201 Calling All 20 s & 30 s 6:00 7:30 p.m. in P305 Friday, November 4 Fall Festival Opening Night Reception 5:00 7:30 p.m. in Ellis Hall Morning Run 8:00 a.m., parking lot Fall Festival Market 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. in the courtyard and Ellis Hall Week Two All Saints Sunday, November 6 21 Pentecost Daylight Savings Time Ends Fall Festival Market 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. in the courtyard and Ellis Hall GALAS Coat Drive 8:00 a.m. noon, courtyard Monday, November 7 10:00 a.m. in P307 Wednesday, November 9 Wednesday Mornings in the 15th Century 10:00 11:30 a.m. in P307 Wednesday Night Supper 5:00 7:00 p.m. in Ellis Hall Jezebels: Women s Book Study 5:00 p.m. in P201 Novel Theology 7:00 p.m., Skylight room Thursday, November 10 Woodall Lecture 7:00 p.m. in the church Saturday, November 12 Morning Run 8:00 a.m., parking lot Week Three Commitment Sunday, November Pentecost Adult Ed Session 2 begins Monday, November 14 10:00 a.m. in P307 Tuesday, November 15 Egg-onomics Series 7:30 a.m. in Ellis Hall Wednesday, November 16 Wednesday Mornings in the 15th Century 10:00 11:30 a.m. in P307 Wednesday Night Supper: Thanksgiving 5:00 7:00 p.m. in Ellis Hall Jezebels: Women s Book Study 5:00 p.m. in P201 GALAS Coordinating Committee Meeting 6:00 p.m. in the library Saturday, November 19 Morning Run 8:00 a.m., parking lot Adult Christian Formation Groups and Classes Week Four Sunday, November 20 Last Pentecost Rite 13 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services Adult Ed Session 2 continues Monday, November 21 10:00 a.m. in P307 Vestry Meeting, 4:30 p.m. in the Skylight Room Tuesday, November 22 Covenant Community Thanksgiving Dinner 4:00 7:00 p.m. in Ellis Hall Thursday, November 24 Thanksgiving Day Service 10:00 a.m. in the church Thursday and Friday, November church office closed Sunday, November 27 Advent 1 Baptisms 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services Adult Ed Session 2 continues Advent Event 10:20 a.m. in Ellis Hall Monday, November 28 10:00 a.m. in P307 A new session of Sunday classes begins November 13; please see page 5 for class descriptions. (Note: Exploring Olive Kitteridge requires a book purchase.) Information about weekday opportunities can be found on page 7. Wednesday, November30 For a complete and current listing Wednesday Adult Christian of all our Adult Formation groups and classes, Formation Groups/Classes please check online at (see left) Wednesday Night Supper 5:00 7:00 p.m. in Ellis Hall Please note that the Childrens Formation Schedule has moved to page 4 this month.

4 THE ALL SAINTS MONTHLY Coming Up Concert Series: Ann Hale Memorial Concert The All Saints Choir and soloists sing a Memorial Concert for Anne Hale. The all-mozart concert will include the Regina Coeli, Ave Verum Corpus, and the Requiem, with orchestral accompaniment. Tuesday, November 1 7:30 p.m. in the church $15 adult, $10 student/senior.available at the door or charged online in advance at Annual Fall Festival and Market Start the weekend festivities Friday night with great jazz at the cocktail reception, then shop for fine arts, fine crafts, and gourmet foods the rest of the weekend. Proceeds benefit All Saints Youth ministries and J2A Pilgrimage. Opening Jazz and Cocktail Reception Friday, November 4 5:00 7:30 p.m. in Ellis Hall $15 per person. Festival Art Market in Ellis Hall 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 6 8:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. For more information contact Lauri Begley or lbegley@allsaintsatlanta.org. All Saints Episcopal Church GALAS Coat Drive See page 8 for details. Sundays, October :15 11:15 a.m. in the courtyard Youth Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale See our ad on page 7. Sundays, November 6-20 Between morning services in Ellis Hall Novel Theology Strangers at the Feast, by Jennifer Vanderbes A riveting novel that unfolds over the course of Thanksgiving Day as two families are connected by a horrific crime. Jennifer Vanderbes masterfully lays bare the fraught lives of this complex cast of characters and the lengths to which they will go to protect their families. Strangers at the Feast is at once a heartbreaking portrait of a family struggling to find happiness and an exploration of the hidden costs of the American dream. (Geoffrey Hoare, facilitator) Wednesday, November 9 7:00 p.m. in the Skylight Room (please note: this is the second Wednesday of the month) For further information contact Jerry Byrd at jerald.byrd@comcast.net or , or visit november children s formation schedule Date Children s Church Formation Classes (K-3rd, 9 a.m.) (K-5, 10:20 a.m.) Sunday, November 6 Holy Eucharist No Classes Sunday, November 13 to the Church at the Peace Advent Tells Us Christ Is Near Sunday, November 20 to the Church at the Peace Advent Tells Us Christ Is Near Sunday, November 27 to the Church at the Peace Advent Event Ann Evans Woodall Lecture 2011: Andrew Young, Civil Rights and Humanities Beginning his career as an ordained minister and top aide to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ambassador Young went on to be elected to three terms as a United State Congressman before being appointed as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Subsequently, he served two terms as the Mayor of Atlanta. Ambassador Young remains active in community matters, participating in events that foster sound public policy, economic development, human rights and education. Thursday, November 10 7:00 p.m. in the church Preceded by a cocktail reception, $15 5:30 p.m. in Ellis Hall The lecture is free to the public. Reception ticket includes one reserved seat at the lecture. For information contact Barbara Blender at 404/ or bblender@bellsouth.net. Men s Breakfast Eggonomics Series: Dwight Lawson, Zoo Atlanta Dr. Lawson is the Sr. Vice President of the Collections, Education and Conservation at Zoo Atlanta overseeing the animal and plant collections as well as the zoo s education, research and conservation programs. Before joining Continued on page 6

5 PAGES 4 & 5 Sunday Adult Christian Formation: Session 2 Begins November 13 Session 2 of our Adult Christian Formation classes begin Sunday, November 13 with another great line-up. All classes run from 10:20 11:00 a.m. each Sunday, through December 11. Jesus on the Front Page Ed Lindsey, Fireplace Room Every day when we open the paper or bring up the latest news site, we are confronted with stories and images that both challenge and confirm our notions of God at work in the world. In this class, Georgia House Representative Ed Lindsey will lead us through the news and open discussions about how we find Jesus in the headlines. Architecture of Worship Jerry Byrd and Carl Anderson, P301 On several recent trips to Spain, Jerry Byrd and Carl Anderson drove to many pre-romanesque, Romanesque, Gothic, and centuries-old Islamic places of worship, some of them remote and some of them located in the major cities of that country. In this class they'll show their photos of these sites and discuss chronologically from early medieval through post-medieval periods how the architectural details of those structures relate to theologies and history of the Church. They also will highlight where these topics may intersect with aspects of our own sacred space here at All Saints. Jerry is a recent EFM graduate and leads Novel Theology; Carl is a member of the vestry and is an usher captain at the 11:15 a.m. service. Exploring Olive Kitteridge Bill Fox, Skylight Room Olive Kitteridge, a novel of stories by Elizabeth Strout, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in All of the characters are connected in some way to the protagonist, Olive, as they search to find endurance, resignation, resolution, new possibilities and, at their best, hope. The writing is deceivingly simple yet amazingly complex themes emerge and remind us of our own struggles for meaning. Participants in the class are asked to read three chapters a week beginning the first week to be prepared for a discussion-oriented class. The book can be ordered online and found at most bookstores. BCP 101 The Rev d Noelle M. York-Simmons, Horseshoe Room We paw through it every Sunday, but what do we really know about the Book of Common Prayer? This class will explore the basics of the history, creation and use of our worship text. Commitment Sunday is November 13 All Saints provides us with many opportunities to Live Into Grace through worship, service, education, and fellowship. Our annual financial gifts to this parish are an essential element of our response to grace. We invite you to prayerfully consider your 2012 pledge to All Saints and turn in your pledge card by November 13. Thank you for joining us in the spirit of living into grace. For information on pledging contact 2012 Canvass Chairs Tim and Beth Frilingos at blufrilingos@juno.com. Pledge cards are available in the Egleston Reception area or online at november Youth & Children s Choir Schedules cherub choir (4, 5, 6 year olds) Wednesday rehearsals 4:00 4:30 p.m. Sing for Fall Festival 11:30 a.m., arrive 11:15 a.m. wear Halloween costumes! primary choir (grades 1 & 2) Wednesday rehearsals 4:35 5:10 p.m. Sing for Fall Festival 11:30 a.m., arrive 11:15 a.m. wear Halloween costumes! junior choir & handbells (grades 3 6) Wednesday rehearsals 5:15 6:00 p.m. choir 6:00 6:30 p.m. handbells youth choir & handbells (grades 7 12) Sunday rehearsals 4:15 5:00 p.m. handbells* 5:00 6:00 p.m. choir Sunday, November 6 & 20 *Earlier handbell rehearsals 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 13 Sing & Ring 9:00 a.m., arrive at 8:15 a.m. Questions? Contact Karol Kimmell, director karolkimmell@allsaintsatlanta.org. Choir schedules are available at music/childrens-and-youth-choirs

6 THE ALL SAINTS MONTHLY Coming Up: continued from page 4 Zoo Atlanta, Dr. Lawson worked as an Associate Research Scientist for The Wildlife Conservation Society where he directed a community-based wildlife conservation project in southwestern Cameroon, Africa. He has also served as Biological Curator and Live Collections Manager for the herpetological collection at The University of Texas at Arlington Collection of Vertebrates, and an Environmental Scientist for Stone and Webster Environmental Services in Boston. Tuesday, November 15 7:30 a.m. breakfast in Ellis Hall 7:45-8:30 a.m. presentation Cost is $5.00. Proceeds go to the Men of Hope at Covenant Community. All are invited to attend Holy Eucharist at 8:30 a.m. in the chapel. Transitions Births William Jack Askew-Norton, son of Clifton Askew and Jack Norton Logan Marcus Meacham, son of Mark and Kate Meacham 16th Annual Covenant Community Thanksgiving Dinner See page 8 for details. Tuesday, November 22 4:00 7:00 p.m. in Ellis Hall Advent Wreath Making and Activities See cover story for details. Sunday, November 27 10:20 p.m. in Ellis Hall Coming Soon: All Saints Online Advent Calendar! Our Advent Calendar is a fun and informative way to click off the days until December 25! Each day will treat you with a bit of Christmas trivia, a song, event information, and more, leading up to the big day. Begins Sunday, November 27, Advent 1 Transfers In Johanna Chapin from King s Chapel, Boston Massachusetts Ashley Saba from St. Luke s, Atlanta Transfers Out Jon, Keeley, Jack, Henry and William Jurgovan to Highland Park UMC, Dallas,Texas Coming in December St. Nicholas Supper Enjoy a holiday supper, then celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas in the church, with a performance from the handbell choir and a Christmas carol singalong. By tradition, children leave their shoes in the Narthex or chapel, waiting for St. Nicholas to fill them with treats. Wednesday, December 7 First seating for a traditional dinner 5:00 p.m. in Ellis Hall Children s program in the church 6:00 p.m. Second dinner seating 6:30 p.m. in Ellis Hall Sign up at the parish life table on Sunday Mornings or online at Deaths Jayne Nickerson Gocken Allen Garvitte Youth Ministries Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale Begins at Fall Festival All Saints Youths will be on-hand, at the Fall Festival as they kick-off their annual Christmas tree and wreath sale. Trees and wreaths can also be ordered Sundays, November 6-20, in Ellis Hall. All proceeds from this sale are designated for our ongoing youth ministry needs, particularly the J2A pilgrimage. Orders may also be placed and payments made online at Pricing and details can be found on our website. For more information contact John Herring at Jherring@allsaintsatlanta.org. All Saints Episcopal Church

7 PAGES 6 & 7 Weekdays are Lively at All Saints Adult christian formation and fellowship doesn t have to be Sundays only. All Saints has a great variety of weekday options for you to choose from, too. The Rev d Noelle York-Simmons; Mondays, 10:00 11:30 a.m., P307 This study and fellowship time for mothers with young children will meet Monday mornings to read and discuss passages from Scripture relevant to our lives and to the world around us. There will always be coffee! Childcare is available but limited. Wednesday Mornings in the 15th Century The Rev d Jim Donald; Wednesdays beginning October 15, 10:00 11:30 a.m., P307 Sharia law is all over current events, sparking a further interest in the Wednesday Morning Discussion group to discover some more about our relationship with the Muslim world. We turn to Roger Crowley s recent book 1453: The Holy War for Constantinople and the Clash of Islam and the West. A popular historical analysis takes us into the standoff between Constantine XI and Sultan Memmet II for the great eastern city and what any of this might have to do with us. Inquiring and analytical adults with the energy and sense of humor to engage one another are always welcome. Group coordinator Dave Harrison and mentor the Rev d Jim Donald look forward to seeing you. Jezebels: The Women s Book Study Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m. P201 Each Wednesday evening, parishioner Brooke Dixon leads the Jezebels through the study of a book of common interest. The group is open to all women of the parish and is a wonderful forum for study and fellowship. Any woman is welcome to join at any time! Novel Theology Jerry Byrd; meets monthly, the third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 8:00 p.m. in the Skylight Room. For details see: Literature lends shape to our understanding of ideas like love, compassion, forgiveness, redemption, in other words, those markers we encounter in following Christ. Join us for any or all of our Novel Theology book discussions this year. Saturday Morning Run Eileen Nebhut; saturdaymorningrun@gmail.com Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot Exercise is next to Godliness or something like that. Join fellow early-morning walkers and runners for some good cardio in Midtown then a good cup of coffee. We run or walk in groups of like-paced folks for about an hour then meet back together at the 5th Street Starbucks for fellowship. This is a wonderful way to get to know your fellow parishioners in every demographic. A L L S A I N T S E P I S C O P A L C H U R C H Ann Evans Woodall Lecture Series 2011 Ambassador Andrew Young: Civil Rights and Humanities Thursday, November 10 Cocktail reception: $15, 5:30 p.m. in Ellis Hall Lecture: 7:00 p.m. in the church november youth calendar All Saints Fall Festival benefiting youth pilgrimage J2A volunteers 8:30 a.m. in Ellis Hall All Saints Sunday, November 6 No Sunday School All Saints Fall Festival benefiting youth pilgrimage J2A volunteers 7:30 a.m. in Ellis Hall Sunday, November 13 Sunday School, grades 6 12 Confirmation Class #3 for 10th grade SNL for Grades 7 8 Saturday, November 19 Rite 13 rehearsal and dinner 5:00 p.m. in Ellis Hall Sunday, November 20 Rite 13 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services Sunday School, grades 6 12 Confirmation Class #4 for 10th grade SNL for grades 9 12 Sunday, November 27 No Sunday School or SNL formation/youth-formation The lecture is free to the public. Reception ticket includes one reserved seat at the lecture.

8 THE ALL SAINTS MONTHLY PAGE 8 Covenant Community Holds 16th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner The Men of Hope Alumni in association with Covenant Community, Inc. invites you to participate in the 16th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless on Tuesday, November 22. This is a very special occasion and over 600 individuals were served last year! As you might imagine, this is no easy task and we certainly need your help in hosting this event! Residents of Covenant Community and Men of Hope Alumni will be registering volunteers for the dinner and collecting donations (or food commitments) on Sundays in the courtyard until November 20. We greatly appreciate any assistance you are able to provide! Tuesday, November 22 4:00 7:00 p.m. in Ellis Hall For more information, or if you would like to volunteer for the dinner, please contact Sarah Ford at or sford@covenantatlanta.org. GALAS Coat Drive for Threads Begins this Month Once again it is time for us to show our love for the less fortunate children in our community by helping to provide them with warmth for the winter. The GALAS Annual Winter Coat Drive for the children of THREADS will begin on Sunday, October 30, and continue through and including Sunday, November 27. THREADS is especially in need of coats for all sizes of infants and toddlers, and they are asking us to choose coats in a broad range of colors but to avoid black or navy. Be on the look out for our donation table between services out in the courtyard, weather permitting, or *in the lobby of Ellis Hall, and please be generous with your contributions. Sundays, October 30 through November 27 10:15 11:15 a.m. in the courtyard* The deadline for the April issue is Tuesday, November 8. Contact: Noelle York-Simmons, 404/ or Noelle@allsaintsatlanta.org. For more information, or to volunteer to work the table, please contact Bob Tick at or tioh@att.net. 634 West Peachtree Street NW Atlanta, Georgia Non-Profit Postage PAID Atlanta, GA Permit 84