The Weekly 2-16-14

All Saints’

The Weekly WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany — February 16, 2014

National Day of Prayer for South Sudan –By Robin Denney

Today you heard the story of the 22 church workers, 20 of whom were women, who were recently martyred in the Cathedral in Bor, in violence that has ravaged the new country of South Sudan since December. In the face of unthinkable evil and senseless violence, we feel powerless or hopeless, yet Jesus is there in the midst of it all, reminding us that there is more than this. The Gospel reading today seems bleak as Jesus foretells of the suffering of the saints, yet the Good News is there, that if we endure, if we reach out to each other in love and chose forgiveness, then we shall be saved, the power that evil has over us will be broken. The witness of the martyrs gives us hope, because we live not only in this physical world, but in the hope of eternal life, where evil and pain are no more. And while we walk this earth,

we are inspired to follow the example of their lives with humility by following the call of Jesus to love, to serve, and to forgive. And decision by decision, day by day, we vanquish evil, and build the Kingdom of God.

Scripture lessons for today Wisdom 3:1-9 Psalm 116:10-17 Hebrews 10:32-39 Matthew 24:9-14

Scripture lessons for next week

Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23 Matthew 5:38-48 Psalm 119:33-40

Upcoming Birthday Celebrations February 16 February 17 February 20 February 24 February 25 February 26

Dennis and Pinkie Terry LeAnn Keaton Frederick Stanley Nancy Collins John Stivers Schwartz Booth

Watch over thy children, O Lord,

as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be.

Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Visit our website to download or read a series of daily reflections, and prayers throughout Lent. This e-book has been prepared by the Society of St. Andrew.

“Gleaning America’s fields ~ feeding America’s hungry” http://www.allsaintscarmel.org/2014/02/end-hunger2014-lenten-study/

All Saints’ • The Weekly

A New Mind and New Heart –By Bill Reed

The radical call of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is unfolded in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. Just as Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive and then proclaim God’s own Law, Jesus speaks the words of the New Law as He teaches from His mount. The Old Law spoke to a change of life and action, whereas the New Law, which is filled with grace, cuts deeper and to the heart, asking for a new mind and new heart, transformed by love.

If the Ten Commandments say “You shall not kill,” Jesus tells us further we should not be angry, but if we are, we should rush to reconcile with our brother or sister before we worship.

Jesus had no illusions about our broken minds and hearts; He knew we would be angry. But He nevertheless wanted to be clear that anger, outrage, self-righteousness and justice waiting to be vindicated do not characterize the new world He was bringing to birth. By word and example, He would make forgiveness, mercy, peace and reconciliation the hallmarks of the Kingdom. He further offers us the grace of His Holy Spirit because He knows that the death of the old self and the birth of the new, filled with love, cannot happen except in communion with Him. “Behold, I make all things new.” (Rev.21:5).

Life & Hope in South Sudan Please join us today, Sunday, February 16 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in Seccombe Hall for this adult forum led by Robin Denney.

Follow Learn more about the situation by visiting the website of The American Friends of the Episcopal Church in the Sudan www.afrecs.org

Loving Each Other –By Fr. Rick Matters

There is something about crisis and disaster that makes us hold our loved ones close. Even when the story of crisis comes from far away, our natural inclination is to reach out to the people we love for comfort, or just to remind them that we love them.

Day by day we quite naturally get caught up in the business of living. Our time can fill up with the tasks, making us wonder why we never seem to have time to visit that friend or relative who doesn’t live that far away. But when we hear stories, like the stories from South Sudan, of brave men and women, suffering so much senseless violence and reaching out to help each other, we are reminded about what really matters. We are reminded that we live not for the object or identity that our daily tasks bring us, but for the relationships that fill our lives, the people we have been entrusted to love. It is wonderfully freeing to remember that our purpose in life is not to achieve, but to love: to love God and to love each other.

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Harrison Memorial Library, Local Lecture series at All Saints’ presents:

The Big Sur Lighthouse

Tuesday, February 18 with Eleanor Morrice and Kevin Hanstic 7:00-8:45 p.m. Seccombe Hall

All Saints’ • The Weekly

Responding to the Crisis –By Robin Denney

Purchase your tickets online at: http://goo.gl/EK36Pe

Here are some ways that you can respond to the crisis in South Sudan: • Pray – A week of daily prayers for South Sudan is available at the back of the church. It can used for as many weeks as you like.

• Inform – Stay informed by visiting the Episcopal Church’s portal for South Sudan news: http://episcopaldigitalnetwork. com/ens/tag/southsudancrisis/ • Relief – Episcopal Relief and Development is supporting the church in South Sudan as it provides life-saving assistance to 84,000 displaced people hosted on church grounds. Give to ERD’s South Sudan fund: http://www.episcopalrelief.org/ donate • Reconciliation – ERD’s South Sudan fund will also support peace and reconciliation work beginning in March.

• Rebuild – Hope with South Sudan, is an organization from our diocese which coordinates scholarships for South Sudanese students in South Sudan, and in countries they have been displaced to. The waiting list of students is long as more are being displaced. Help support the next generation of peace and nation-builders. http://hopewithsouthsudan.org/donate/

Responsibility Leads to Peace –By Fr. Rick Matters

Being accountable to each other and being clear about our responsibilities is an important part of being a loving Christian community. Such clarity and accountability builds trust, which allows the church to model trust on behalf of society. This is one way we become a conduit of the peace of Christ. Your vestry has taken up the following responsibilities.

Officers: Rector: The Rev. Rick Matters Senior Warden: Wanda Green Junior Warden: Mitzi Daly Treasurer: Jackie Graham Clerk pro tem: Marcia Jeiroudi Committees of the Vestry: Buildings and Grounds: Elaine Stanton Finance: Dave McClendon and Susan Stanton Governance: Frank Graham, Dave McClendon, and Wanda Green Human Resources: Elaine Stanton, Mitzi Daly, and Bill Mattmiller Investment Committee and Foundation Trust Fund Board: Wanda Green Strategic Planning: Frank Graham and Susan Stanton Representatives to Our Missions All Saints’ Day School: Judy Kirk Santa Lucia Council: Susan Sonnthal

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Announcements

Today concludes the week of prayer for South Sudan—Robin Denney leads a forum about the conflict in Seccombe Hall at 9:00 a.m.

We also hope to present information about the nationwide relief campaign for South Sudan being spearheaded by Episcopal Relief and Development.

Wednesday: Join us for Bible study from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Grant Hall as we explore Jesus’ life in a chronological study of the Gospels.

Wednesday: The friends of St. Benedict will meet this Wednesday, February 19, in the library from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for study and prayer. Our aim is to integrate the wisdom of monastic life and spiritual theology into our everyday lives as Christians. We meet the third Wednesday of every month, and all are welcome.

Ash Wednesday is March 5. Services will be held at noon and 7:00 p.m. Bishop Mary will be our celebrant at the evening service.

Pastoral care transportation help—The pastoral care team is putting together a list of potential drivers for members who need help with transportation, such as for a medical appointment. If you’d be willing to occasionally give a fellow member a lift, please contact Susan Stanton via the office.

Sunday handout deadline—To be included in next Sunday’s handout, your announcement must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on the preceding Wednesday. Most special parish events are included in the announcements for three weeks before they occur. Contact Andrea Matters at andreamatters@gmail.com or 624-3090.

Highlighted Events and Meetings February 16

Adult Forum: South Sudan

February 18

Buildings & Grounds Committee meeting

Finance Committee meeting

All Saints’ Singers Rehearsal

February 19

Bible Study Class

Friends of St. Benedict

February 28

I-Help Dinner

Wednesday: No yoga this week—It will resume next Wednesday, February 26, at 6:30 p.m. in Seccombe Hall.

Shrove Tuesday pancake supper—This year, our traditional supper will feature crêpes (they’re pancakes, too!) with a variety of sweet and savory fillings, in addition to the typical side dishes and American pancakes that we’ve enjoyed in past years. Join us in Seccombe Hall at 5:30 p.m. on March 4.

We give thanks to Steve Greebing, owner of the Carmel Coffee House & Roasting Company and From Scratch for his donation of six bistro tables that make our lower patio an attactive and hospitable space for visitors and members.

All Saints’ Parish Disciples Glorifying Christ and Serving Others