The Weekly 10/20/13

All Saints’

The Weekly WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG

Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost October 20, 2013

Delight in Welcoming the Stranger

By The Rev. Rick Matters

Do you remember playing hide and seek? While another counted, you eagerly looked for the most unusual place to hide, and then breathlessly waited.

God plays hide and seek by being present in every unusual place. Even though present, for our sake God remains hidden. Sometimes we sense the Spirit, and affirm God in the bread of Holy Communion, a flower, or someone’s face.

Abraham thought he was greeting three strangers, but discovered God in serving them with delight (Genesis 18:1-15). We, too, discover God when serving the stranger.

For instance, if the students at St. Patrick’s in Haiti were to meet us, they would think our customs very strange, and we theirs.

We believe that God was most hidden and perfectly present in Jesus Christ, and because of this truth, we must serve all people, and especially the stranger. Most wondrously, because of Christ Jesus we are the hiding place of God. Knowing this, we can call out, “All-y, all-y in free.”

Scripture Lessons Today Genesis 18:1-15 Psalm 15 Ephesians 2:14-22 Matthew 25:31-40

Scripture Lessons for Next Week Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 Psalm 84:1-6 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14

Recommendation:

How Might You Welcome a Stranger?

By Robin Denney

There is no better way to understand what Jesus meant by “welcoming the stranger,” and why, than to try it out. Below are some suggestions to mull over, for different comfort levels. Children and youth: be sure you are with your parents and check with them before trying any of these suggestions.

• Make a list of groups of people who you consider strangers, outcasts, or enemies, and pray for them every day this week, that they would experience welcome and love, and that God would help you to be that welcome.

• Look online for personal stories from people who are considered outcasts, or who you think of as very different from you. Personal stories remind us that we are all human, with flaws and gifts. I was moved when I saw personal stories from: Prisoners: www.BetweenTheBars.org, Undocumented immigrants: www.MyImmigrantStory.com and Tea party members: “Why I joined the Tea Party” New York Times • Initiate a conversation in a shop or on the street with a person who you would not normally talk to.

• Take a moment to stop and talk with a homeless person.

All Saints’ • The Weekly

Serving the Stranger Within

By The Rev. Rick Matters

Even though we might not want to admit it, we are strangers to ourselves. Occasionally we discover with surprise things about ourselves that we did not know. For instance, I’m discovering how strong my urge is to please others, and how it gets in the way of effective relationships.

The love of Christ summons us to love ourselves, even those parts that we consider strange. Being prejudiced is one of those undesirable qualities. We are created to find comfort in the known and to be fearful of the unknown, which sometimes leads us to reject or ignore the stranger. Like other immoral impulses (lust and murder), we are not culpable for the feeling, but are responsible for our response. In trying to eliminate these feelings we might end up hating ourselves.

Highlighted Events and Meetings October 20 October 20 October 23 October 25 October 26 October 26 November 3 November 2 November 23 November 28 November 28

Episcopal School Sunday Youth Beach Party Friends of St. Benedict I-Help Dinner All Saints’ Fall Festival Healthy Saints Hike All Saints’ Sunday Santa Lucia Work Party All Saints’ Fine Arts & Craft Faire Thanksgiving Day Liturgy Thanksgiving Day Dinner

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Loving the stranger within, God calls us to recognize such feelings, and to accept them as part of being human. As we love the stranger within, we will find it easier to love and serve with delight the other strangers in our midst.

Part of the Grand Scheme

By Greg Troxell

Our relationships, personal and within the community, are fashioned by our beliefs, convictions, preferences, and sometimes also past wounds.

Handcrafted items by local artisans Handcrafted Supporting local artisans Items Made by of Local Artisans and the missions All Saints’ Parish Great Christmas Gift Ideas throughout Monterey County Food and Beverages Available

All Saints Episcopal Fine ArtsChurch Fall 2012 & Crafts Fine ArtsFaire

Saturday, November 23, 2013

& 9:00Crafts a.m. 3:00 Fair p.m.

No Admission Fee Saturday, November 17th Food and beverage available 9 AM to 3 PM Dolores and 9th in Carmel

All Saints’ Episcopal Church No Admission Fee

On the corner of Dolores and Ninth in Carmel-by-the-Sea www.allsaintscarmel.org

In Paul’s epistle to the church in Ephesus he states that Jesus intended to reconcile humanity both to God and toward one another, ending hostility. How is this to be done but by the embrace of the Gospel and the exercise of love by all parties involved?

Just as in the days of Paul, God is using each of us, day by day, to build up the Church and the kingdom of God. By inviting others, as well as going out to meet others and share with them the joy of our faith, we can participate with God in his bigger plan. We must remember that he was sent to save (John 3:16), so that none would perish (2 Peter 3:9), and that our joy may be complete (John 15:11) as we embrace and experience the life of God - abundant and eternal (John 10:10).

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Please bring your 2014 pledge so that we can celebrate God’s abundance and make wise plans for another year of ministry together.

All Saints’ • The Weekly

How Strange is a Stranger?

By Robin Denney

Who is this stranger we are meant to welcome? Jesus takes this concept of stranger beyond our modern understanding of “anyone we have not met,” and makes it more radical. This stranger is someone who is strange to us, someone we do not understand, someone we would never talk to, someone who is often disliked or marginalized.

Undocumented immigrants, prisoners, fundamentalists, or the mentally ill, are just a few examples of the strangers we are called to welcome. Abraham recognizes that his three visitors are God, and he rushes to welcome them. He makes provision for them, he treats them as special, he listens to them. We welcome the stranger when we do as Abraham did, when we recognize the image of God in every human being, and treat them with respect and love, make provision for them, and listen to them, regardless of who they are.

We do this both individually, and at a societal level by the policies our governments enact.

All Saints’ Food Pantry

Helping feed those in need Bring dry cereal, and canned goods, especially tuna, and hearty soups with pull top lids and place them in the basket as you enter the church

Thanksgiving Pies from Gizdich Ranch.

Make Thanksgiving preparation a little easier and support All Saints’ Day School by ordering your Apple, Olallieberry or Pumpkin pies, fresh-frozen from Gizdich Ranch. Orders must be placed ONLINE ONLY

by Thursday, October 24th, and will be ready for pickup at All Saints’ Day School on Friday, November 22, at noon (after the Shakespeare performance). The price is $16.00 per pie. More information can be found on the church website at: http://www.allsaintscarmel.org/?p=5328.

To the Least of These

By Greg Troxell

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” - Matthew 25:40 There is a passage in the Old Testament that preceded this message by nearly 700 years. It is recorded in Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” For those who consider Jesus to be their savior and call themselves Christian, there is no way to miss the imperative in today’s lectionary - humble yourselves, consider the needs of others, and when you act or speak, do so with faith, hope, charity, and love as though you were addressing and serving Christ himself.

May our actions as a church reflect the faith we hold dear, the Lord whom we follow, and bear such witness to our Savior’s goodness that others may glorify God together with us.

WWW.ALLSAINTSCARMEL.ORG

Announcements

Wednesday: Bible study from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. in Grant Hall.

Wednesday: Friends of Benedict—This month the Friends of Benedict will meet on the FOURTH Wednesday, October 23, 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 usually meet the third Wednesday of every month, and all are welcome.

Saturday: Healthy Saints hike—Join your friends on Saturday, October 26, from 9:00 a.m. to noon for a hike in the beautiful Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel Valley.

We’ll be hiking with a guide from the Santa Lucia Conservancy, and an RSVP is essential. Contact Mother Cynthia at thevicarofbigsur@gmail.com if you plan to come.

All Saints’ Episcopal Parish Ninth and Dolores PO Box 1296 Carmel, CA 93921 Phone: 831-624-3883 Fax: 831-624-1459 www.allsaintscarmel.org

Saturday: ASDS Fall Festival—Enjoy a day of fun at All Saints’ Day School’s Fall Festival, this Saturday, October 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This school fundraiser features unique shopping opportunities, delicious food, and fun activities for the whole family.

ASDS Fall Festival helpers needed—Are you famous for your delicious baked treats? The Country Kitchen needs your baked goods, both sweet and savory, with flavors that remind us of fall. Contact Teresa Niccum (229-3022) or JoLynn Johnsson (233-2033).

Or perhaps you’re a crafter? The Crafter’s Nook offers scarves, hats, necklaces, earrings, and all kinds of wonderful, handcrafted items. Contact Debra West (596-8809) or Sona Pater (277-5309). Your donations help support the wonderful education offered at All Saints’ Day School.

Necrology—It’s time to submit the names of your deceased loved ones for remembrance during the Feast of All Saints/All Souls.

Forms are included in Sunday bulletins and also available in the office and church.

I-HELP is opening a small apartment complex in Marina and is in need of furnishings and housewares, including bedroom and living room furniture, twin bed frames, box springs and bedding, kitchen accessories, flatware, serving ware, and appliances. To help or learn more, call Janie at 831-384-3388.

St. Nicholas day is two months away, but planning will begin soon for our annual St. Nicholas Celebration. Contact Fr. Rick if you’d like to join a team from the school and parish to help with this annual event for all ages.

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.