All Things, All Saints'
February 2, 2023
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To Our New Vestry Members and Convention Delegates
. . . to Our New Junior Warden
. . . to Dawn Trueblood, the Recipient of the 2023 Vestry Commendation
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CHECK OUT THE
2022 ANNUAL REPORT
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This full-color 62-page
review of All Saints' in 2022
is available to view or print
We are trying to be good stewards of our physical resources, so if you would like a printed, hard-copy for pickup or mailed to you, please email
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WATCH OUR SERVICES & OFFERINGS ON FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE
Just click on the icon for our Facebook Page or our YouTube Channel
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NEXT LIVESTREAM SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5
10AM Holy Eucharist ONLINE
LIVESTREAM on Facebook & YouTube
Premieres at 10am, but you can watch anytime after
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A Reflection from Fr. David Sheetz |
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The Presentation:
Candlemas -- Christ the Light of the World
Light – as astronomical body, as symbol, as metaphor – is the primary theme of the season of Epiphany: we have the star of Bethlehem which guided the Magi, Jesus as the Light of the World, and Jesus as the Light in our lives. On February 2 we celebrate the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple.
According to the Mosaic law, a mother who had given birth to a boy was considered unclean for seven days; moreover, she was to remain three and thirty days “in the blood of her purification”; for a girl the time which excluded the mother from sanctuary was doubled. When the time (forty or eighty days) was over the mother was to “bring to the temple a lamb in its first year for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtle dove for a sin offering” (Leviticus 12.2-8); if she was not able to offer a lamb, she was to take two turtle doves or two pigeons; the priest would then pray for her and so she was cleansed.
Forty days after the birth of Christ, Mary complied with this precept of the law, she redeemed her first-born from the temple, and was purified by the prayer of Simeon the just, in the presence of Anna the prophetess. (Luke 2.22-40) No doubt this event, the first solemn introduction of Christ into the house of God, was in the earliest times celebrated in the Church of Jerusalem. But the feast then had no proper name; it was simply called the fortieth day after “Epiphany.” What this means is that in Jerusalem at this time, Epiphany was celebrated as the feast of Christ’s birth.
From Jerusalem the feast of the fortieth day spread over the entire Church, and later on was kept on the 2nd of February, since within the last twenty-five years of the fourth century the Roman feast of Christ’s nativity was placed on December 25th. The association of candles with this feast did not enter into common use before the eleventh century.
At one time, especially in the Western church, this feast was oriented toward Mary, and this was reflected in its name, “The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” But because this appeared to threaten the doctrine of the sinlessness of Mary, in modern times the Roman church reverted to the more ancient understanding of the Eastern church, which celebrated this day as the “Presentation of the Lord.” This more nearly conformed to its various designations in the East; “Coming of the Son of God into the Temple” (Armenian); “Presentation of the Lord in the Temple” (Egyptian); “The Meeting of the Lord” (Byzantine). The shift in title reflects a shift in emphasis: it is intended to be a feast of the Lord and not a feast honoring Mary. There is also an ancient practice of associating this feast with the blessing of the candles which would be used throughout the rest of the church year.
Since this feast takes place forty days after Jesus’ birth, it has an incarnational cast. Traditionally celebrated on February 2nd, the fortieth day after Christmas, it serves to make the end of the Christmas Season. This feast is also seen as the turning point towards the season of Lent. While Anna is portrayed as having a mystic’s awareness of the presence of God, Simeon is different; he had been promised that he would see the Messiah. Simeon came to the temple, in answer to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, to find the child who was to be the ‘glory of Israel’. He did not expect to see anything special in the material way, but he did expect to recognize the child because he was a man of faith and knew that he would not die until he had seen the promised one.
The child was to be a ‘light to enlighten the gentiles’ — a light which dispelled the darkness of the ignorance and sin. Simeon did not look forward to a military triumph or an earthly kingdom, but to the reconciliation of humanity with God and the coming of the kingdom of heaven. He knew that there were those who would not welcome the light because they preferred the darkness, as it was a better cover for dubious deeds; that is why he said the child was destined for the rise and fall of many.
When Christ spoke of himself as the light of the world he said:
‘I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness
but will have the light of life.’
(John 8.12)
It is a light given to those who have faith, who recognize Christ and choose his way; when Christ comes in glory the time for choice will be over. For those of us who live in the eschatological pause (between the coming of the kingdom and its final manifestation) there is a kindly light, but no overwhelming brilliance. At times the flame flickers and the light grows faint, but it never goes out unless we deliberately quench it by rejecting Christ.
The feast we celebrate is the last feast of Christmas; the candles which we use are a symbol to remind ourselves that Christ came to give us light and life. The relation between light and life is felt most keenly in the darkness of night, and during the dull days of winter. So, as you read this, the sun may be shining brightly, we may have to use our imaginations to get the full benefit of these light and darkness symbols and metaphors. Even in those parts of the world that are rich enough to turn night into day with the flick of a switch, darkness remains a threat and light a blessing. When we pray for the dead, we pray that ‘light perpetual may shine upon them’, that they will have life eternal in the radiance of heaven.
Simeon’s prayer became the night prayer of the Church through the ages. The Nunc Dimittis (the choir signs a setting every month at Evensong) is among the most beautiful and enduring of all prayers; to have had our way illuminated and to depart in peace at the end of it, is the final fulfillment of a life lived in the service of God.
There is an ancient antiphon associated with Candlemas which sums up the piety of the feast:
The old man carried the child,
but the child was the old man’s King.
A virgin gave birth to that child, yet remained a virgin:
the one she bore she also adored.
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Pray. Learn. Serve. Connect. |
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The Souper Bowl of Caring is Sunday, February 12. Bring your pockets full of cash and coins and put in the soup pot of your favorite team. This pic from 2018 is Patriots and Eagles. This year it is the Eagles and Chiefs. But the real winner is our downtown mission,
André House who receives it all.
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Adult Formation 2023
Sundays 9am in St. Barbara
Episcopal 101
These sessions continue for the next two Sundays (Feb. 5th and 12th). This will be a continuation from last fall. No previous attendance is required. All inquirers are welcome. Please come prepared with questions, inquiries or puzzlements.
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In-Person Rosary Prayer
at 9:15am
in the Chapel
All Saints' Rosary Prayer Online
Every Sunday on Facebook & YouTube Premieres at 9:15am
but you can view anytime after.
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Coming soon, in Lent 2023:
Plan to join Deacon Patrice for Sacred Rest, in an Hour or Less this coming Lenten season. Every Monday evening from February 27 to April 3 we will gather on Zoom at 6:30pm for 20 minutes of centering prayer and 30 minutes spent exploring ways to simplify our homes, priorities, schedules, and information intake so that we can think, pray, rest and just be. Plan to start your week in contemplation and community this coming Lent. No registration required. Watch for the zoom link as Lent approaches and share it with your friends and family!
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Children & Youth Formation |
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SUNDAYS at 9am:
SUNDAY SCHOOL
for Children through Grade 5
in the Urbano Library
in the Church Office
CLASP & Youth grades 4-12
NEXT GATHERING: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 at 9am
in the Youth Room
in the Church Office.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR PANCAKES!
The Shrove Tuesday dinner will be on Tuesday, February 21.
Join us for games, palm leaf burning, and some sweet treats!
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We need VOLUNTEERS
for Shrove Tuesday!
(Or Fat Tuesday, or the Pancake Party the Day before Ash Wednesday, whatever you call it.)
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VIRTUAL WOMEN'S BREAKFAST WEEKLY ON ZOOM
All women are invited every Friday at 9:30am on Zoom. BYOC (bring your own coffee)! Click here and follow the instructions on your screen to join.
Meeting ID: 899 7988 3593
Passcode: 411001
Questions: contact Joyce Moderow
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VIRTUAL MEN'S BREAKFAST
WEEKLY ON ZOOM
All men are invited every Thursday at 8am on Zoom. BYOC (bring your own coffee)!, Click here and follow the instructions on your screen to join.
Meeting ID: 814 7721 6264
Password: 416506
Questions: contact Tom Walker at
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In-Person Women’s Breakfasts at 9am
Wednesday, February 8, Scott's Generation’s Deli, 742 East Glendale Avenue (northeast corner of 7th Street and Glendale).
Thursday, March 9: Moon Valley Diner, 502 East Thunderbird Road (northwest corner of 7th Street and Thunderbird).
Tuesday, April 11: First Watch / Park Central, 3110 North Central Avenue
Caring Crafters will be meeting at Panera Bread (20th St. south of Camelback) on the 3rd Thursday each month, we will meet a 4:00PM. Next gathering THIS Thursday, January 19. For more information contact SharronLuther@yahoo.com
20s and 30s Group
For anyone in their young adulting life, join other twenty- and thirty-somethings for fellowship, ministry, and evening services. The group meets the second Tuesday of every month. For questions, please email Chesirae Valentine at cvalentine@allsaintsoncentral.org
Interested in a parents' group to swap stories, seek advice, and find fellowship? Come to the Pancake Dinner on Tuesday, February 21 for the inaugural meeting! Pick up a goodie bag full of Lenten activities for your families, and meet fellow congregants in the same season of life. For questions or concerns, please email Director of Parish Life, Chesirae Valentine, at cvalentine@allsaintsoncentral.org
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Opportunities to Reach Out |
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Please join the Prison Ministry
on February 7 at 6pm
in St. Barbara
to fill out Birthday Cards to our incarcerated sisters at Perryville. All are welcome and many hands are needed.
All Saints' Episcopal Day School Blood Drive
All Saints’ Episcopal Day School is proud to host our sixth annual blood drive with Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services) on Wednesday, February 8.
Drive Details:
Wednesday, February 8
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Manning Hall
Primary contact: Ms. Karen Pack
An estimated 38 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood, but of those, less than 10 percent actually donate each year. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take about an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve, and become a part of the lifesaving mission of Vitalant and All Saints’. If you don’t know if you’re eligible, please click here to read the blood donor qualifications.
Because space is limited, we ask that you make your lifesaving appointment TODAY! Let’s make an impact on February 8!
Donate to Nourish Phoenix (formerly ICM)
Nourish Phoenix serves the working poor with food, clothing, and other basic necessities. Nourish Phoenix has seen a sharp increase in the number of clients reaching out for support, and there is a particular shortage of personal hygiene products (soap, body wash, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste) and cleaning products like laundry detergent. They also always need non-perishable, protein-rich food, nutritious children's snacks, clothes and shoes (particularly men's and children's), and baby care products. If you can help, bring your donations to church at any time, and place them inside the NourishPhoenix cupboard inside the front door of the sanctuary. (Where we used to put ICM donations) Donation items need to be in a bag or a box. They cannot accept anything that is ripped, stained, or dirty, or is larger than a microwave.
MEALS OF MERCY
If you or a family member are struggling with a short term health crisis, are welcoming a new baby, or have faced a serious loss, the Meals of Mercy feeding ministry is here with a hot meal to give you the strength to get through. If short term meals support would be a blessing in your life, please contact Deacon Patrice Taylor at 623 242-4692 or palshatti@allsaintsoncentral.org. If you’d like to join us in feeding the body of Christ here at All Saints’ please contact Lois Francis at lm.francis@hotmail.com or call her at 602 214-0675. Contact Deacon Patrice for more info about the program at palshatti@allsaintsoncentral.org.
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Need Prayers? Use the DOK Request Cards!
Do you have a need for prayers that will be anonymous? These can be for concerns, illness, celebrations or whatever your heart carries. Fill out the blue card on the Welcome Table. One of the Daughters of the King will retrieve it and a message will be sent out to the chapter about your request, so each member can pray for you. The Order of the Daughters of the King’s pray daily and include those prayers that are requested. If you have any questions about the prayer cards or the Order of the Daughters of the King, please call Pit Lucking at 602-481-1674, or email pit.lucking@gmail.com.
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THANK YOU to the 181
who have made their pledge:
$578,090
Thank you for your prayerful consideration
to support All Saints’ for 2023.
Our goal is 100% participation.
No amount is too small.
For those of you who are still discerning,
we join with you in prayer and thanksgiving.
We hope you will join your friends by participating
in the financial support of our community
and its ministry in Christ.
Just as all are welcome at God’s table,
all are needed to do His work.
Pledge Cards are available in the narthex/lobby,
YOUR PLEDGE MAKES POSSIBLE:
+ beautiful Episcopal liturgy
+ glorious music
+ livestream & online services
+ on-going pastoral care
+ educational & formational programs
+ mission-driven service
to local agencies & organizations & individuals
+ fellowship connections
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OUR PARISH FAMILY
This week, we pray for our beloved friends and family who have died.
May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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A HUGE THANK YOU
to everyone who has sent in their pledge. It really means so much, especially now.
Three Ways to Keep Current:
1. Sending your personal check to: All Saints' Church, 6300 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012
2. Use your bank's
online bill-pay
3. Through our secure, online system, REALM.
Call the Church Office and we can walk you through the process easily.
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PREPARE FOR SUNDAY
to view this week's readings and commentaries from Church Publishing.
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FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
JANUARY 29, 2023
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JANUARY 29, 2023
FR. DAN BURNER
10AM SERMON
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Take the [Tuition Tax] Credit! You get the tax credit. They get an education.
Arizona taxpayers can receive a dollar for dollar tax credit up to the maximum listed below for contributions made to a qualified School Tuition Organization (STO), such as Arizona Episcopal Schools Foundation (AESF). A contribution to AESF is a simple way to help provide an exceptional education for deserving students with demonstrated financial need. Send your contribution to AESF and designate All Saints’ Episcopal Day School to ensure your tax dollars come back to our community. For more information, please visit https://www.allsaints.org/giving/tax-credit
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ALTAR FLOWERS UPDATE
A big thank you to all our members who have celebrated memorials and special occasions through altar flower dedications with a donation of $100 or more. It is one more way we enhance our worship to the glory of God.
TO HONOR YOUR LOVED ONES:
Please provide ample time for the request, with a minimum of 2 weeks before the date you want to commemorate. Send your dedication information to Nanette Towsley at ntowsley@allsaintsoncentral.org and either mail the check made out to All Saints’ with “altar flowers” on the memo line, or put in the offering basket at services.
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All Saints’ Legacy Circle
We can always thank God for the many blessings God has given us. And it is a gift to our family and friends when we ensure that our wills are up-to-date, and our affairs are in order. We encourage you to consider remembering All Saints’ Church in your Estate plans, by joining our Legacy Circle. The process is simple and there are information packets in the narthex. Please call Gary Quamme in the Church Office for more information.
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CURRENT COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Your comfort, safety, and health are most important.
Our Current Protocol is MASK OPTIONAL.
If you have reason to wear a mask, please feel free to do so.
Otherwise, we look forward to seeing your smile.
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Yay! They are back. And glad you are too.
Thank you for allowing us to be your source for meaningful worship and an ever-present light of Christ in the world -- wherever you may be. May God bless you.
Faithfully yours,
Nanette Kryske Towsley
Your Director of Communications
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