July 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

Women of All Saints Scholarship Recipients

  • Emma McReady
  • Brendan Wieder

Blessings during a Pandemic

Voices from the Parish
  • Meet Our Newest Staff Members

Kingdom Moments!

About the Newsletter
Congratulations to Brendan & Emma -
2020 Youth Scholarship Recipients!
The Women of All Saints (WAS) is pleased to announce that Emma McReady and Brendan Wieder are the recipients of this year's WAS Youth Scholarship award. This Scholarship was established by the Women of All Saints in 2005 in honor and memory of the many contributions made by past members of the WAS. Emma and Brendan, both high school graduates who will begin college in the fall, wonderfully qualify for the Scholarship based on their personal contributions and service to All Saints Church.  Each has demonstrated exceptional traits of charity and graciousness, has successfully met the challenges of Christian life, and exemplifies the highest ideals of All Saints and of the Christian faith.
Emma McReady
A graduate of Wilson High School in Washington, DC, Emma plans to begin study this fall as a pre-med major at Wake Forest University.  Emma was confirmed in 2015, and has been involved in a variety of activities during her years at All Saints, including as a lay reader, Kids’ Church volunteer, and Acolyte.  She participated in the Christmas pageant and volunteered at VBS for many years. Emma has been on several mission trips, going to Pittsburgh in 2015 and to the Dominican Republic in 2017, 2018, and 2019.  She says that her most memorable experiences have been those trips to the DR – she loved interacting with the little kids, and was amazed at their happiness, especially considering how little they have.
Brendan Wieder
Brendan is a graduate of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, MD.  He plans to attend Towson University in the fall, aiming for a career as a professional writer.  Brendan, confirmed in 2018, has been involved in a variety of activities at All Saints, including volunteering for many years at VBS, in the Christmas Pageant, and as an Acolyte.  He has gone on six All Saints mission trips - to Pittsburgh (2014 – 2016) and to the Dominican Republic (2017 – 2019.)  Brendan says that he found two activities most memorable during his years at All Saints - helping the kids at VBS and serving as the VBS “tech guy”; and also serving as technical support for a variety of worship services, including the Sunday morning Family Table Service.
Emma and Brendan in the Dominican Republic - and enjoying the 2014 Fall Festival - how time flies!
Blessings during a Pandemic
by Lindsey Adkins,
Director of Development
Despite what seems like a season of drought – and despite our fervent wishes for healing from this virus, and for justice and peace in our country and world – the Lord is busy building His Kingdom.  Here at All Saints, specifically, you and your pledge dollars are hard at work. While many organizations have all but ceased operations, All Saints has continued to move forward in fulfilling its mission, preparing for new opportunities, and is poised to grow our ministry – thanks to your support! 

Below is a list of some of the action items you have helped put into motion since March, blessing us and others:

Serving our Neighbors
  • Continued to hand out Blessing Bags daily
  • Created a new benevolence fund to assist those in need
  • Sent funding to our partners in the Congo and Rwanda so they can buy food
  • Provided groceries to families in DC served by Little Lights
  • Created a team to help All Saints think about how to address racism and injustice in our community
  • Began a new partnership with SHARE Food Network to provide fresh groceries to those suffering at this time
  • Developed an ecumenical partnership to serve the poor with other Chevy Chase Circle churches
  • Provided meals for women at the Rockville Women’s Shelter
  • Sewed and donated masks to individuals anserved by Little Lights and the women's shelter

Staying Connected
  • Contacted all parishioners personally to check in
  • Held several 24-hour prayer vigils 
  • Began sending pre-taped worship and, now, live-streaming worship services
  • Started a parish Facebook group
  • Held GriefShare programs for parishioners experiencing loss
  • Began Daily Moment with God devotionals
  • Started morning and evening prayer twice weekly via Zoom
  • Met weekly for adult education and Bible studies via Zoom
  • Trained new small groups leaders
  • Held weekly (virtual) Kid’s Church on Sunday mornings
  • Held middle and high school Zoom programming twice weekly for each age group
  • Provided nine weeks of All Saints Preschool virtual summer camp and activity boxes

Preparing to Regather
  • Revamped the building with new health and safety measures and thoroughly deep-cleaned all spaces
  • Painted and re-organized the prayer room
  • Obtained new copier/printer (for a cost-savings) to produce professional-looking publications
  • Signed contract to begin construction of a new, safer, playground

Praise God that not only can we continue in ministry during these hard times but that, indeed, we can thrive and continue to serve our Lord and his Kingdom by helping others thrive!
Voices from the Parish
Meet our Newest Staff Members
Matilda Carter-Stokeley
Executive Administrative Assistant

Matilda works with us part-time, assisting both the Rector and the Parish Administrator with a variety of tasks. She is the first point of contact for the Rector’s Office. She assists with the coordination of weddings and funerals and is responsible for myriad other ongoing pastoral administrative tasks. Many of you may know Matilda already, as one of our receptionists this past year – and know that her joy and love of people come through every day.

Matilda is a native Washingtonian who started her career in the Federal Government as a personnel assistant working in the Pentagon.  Since that time, she has worked with a variety of non-profit companies within the metropolitan area, handling all aspects of administrative and facilities management.  As a licensed/bonded Notary Public for more than 15 years, she has also provided services to business entities and the general public at large. Matilda and her husband, Leon, are blessed with their son, "Little Leon", and two grandchildren, Nari Rose and Jesmin. They are avid World Champion Washington Nationals baseball fans and enjoy family outings and look forward to attending games at Nationals Stadium when fans can do so again.
Lindsey Adkins
Director of Development

Lindsey Adkins is also part-time, and works with the parish’s Annual Giving, Kingdom Campaign, Planned Giving, and Strategic Planning committees to develop and implement engagement, planning, and fundraising strategies to enhance and grow Biblical stewardship. She looks forward to (eventually) meeting All Saints’ lovely parishioners! 

Lindsey brings ten years of fundraising experience to All Saints, working with nonprofits such as  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society  and  World Wildlife Fund . She has written grants, planned special events, and managed planned giving programs. Her favorite part of stewardship is working with dedicated volunteers. Lindsey is a Michigander (Go Blue!) and has lived in the DC area since 2007. She and her husband, Brandon, are proud parents of two children, Darwin & June, who attend All Saints Preschool. 
What a blessing to get to know each other - even during this time of physical distance. Do you have someone you'd like the parish to "meet" through our Voices from the Parish ? Please contact Teri Ballou , All Saints Communications Manager. We'd love to hear from you!
Kingdom Moments!
Summer Camp and "Earth Day" projects are fun for parish children!
This Newsletter is FOR YOU!

We hope you enjoy this monthly digital publication of All Saints.

Please join us in celebrating the good news of God working in our midst - ideas are always welcome! You may submit possible topics, photos, or short (1 - 3 paragraph) articles to Communications Manager Teri Ballou at  teri.ballou@allsaintschurch.net .
How may we help?
We are here for you. If you need help, 
please call (301) 654-2488 or email info@allsaintschurch.net . All inquiries confidential.
Looking for more?