10th Sunday After Pentecost - August 9, 2020 |
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If you happen to find yourself at the church, spending much time with me on any of the various projects, eventually you will likely hear me say, “They don’t offer a class on this in seminary.” There’s no class on video making or editing, plumbing, office supplies, or electrical equipment, just like there wasn’t a class on pandemics or racial reconciliation. There are classes that touch on family dynamics, finances, and administration along with the classes that cover--as succinctly as possible--the Bible, church history, systematic theology, pastoral theology, and the like. We only have three years of seminary, after all. We have to stop somewhere.
One beloved professor confided to me that being a mother was far more difficult than being a priest. As with other statements and views this professor had, I’m inclined respectfully to disagree on this point. Being a mother is much like being a priest: there’s really no adequate training for either. It’s not more difficult, just different. In both vocations, we learn from the doing and from living into the responsibility we’ve been given. We especially learn from mistakes we make along the way.
I see it as a tremendous blessing to be both a mother and a priest. As a child, I daydreamed about the children I would have, played school with my dolls and stuffed animals as my students, and filled Big Chief tablets with my writings and workbook pages. I also learned greatly from my elders, watching them more closely than I realized. All the while, I felt surrounded by love and care, even when I was left alone as many latchkey kids of the 80s were.
While I’m not entirely certain why I share these thoughts with you today, I find that in sharing my vulnerabilities, dreams, and experiences with you, I might do what mothers and priests do best: teach by example to live into who God calls them to be. We don’t do it perfectly, but we continue faithfully, with God’s help. (The photo above was taken on Mother’s Day 2020.)
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Working Toward Camp Mitchell's Future |
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We paused operations at Camp Mitchell this spring as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the recommendation of a task force that we take this time to study the financial viability of the camp. We now have a working group that is dedicated to reviewing the operations of the camp during this Sabbath time.
The group’s charge is to evaluate the role that Camp Mitchell might play in the mission of the Episcopal Church in Arkansas, given the realities of the camp’s assets, the market for its offerings, and the support for the work that is possible. The group is to make a report to Executive Council by March 31, 2021.
The Rev. Jim McDonald has agreed to serve as the group’s chair. Members come from around the state and with a variety of backgrounds that will be useful in evaluating the camp’s operations. Members include Ms. Lara Cato, Mr. Ted Gammill, the Rev. Elizabeth Henry-McKeever, Dr. Harold Hedges, Ms. Stefanie Leacock, Ms. Margaret McLellan, Mr. Marvin McLennon, Mr. Robert Newell, Dr. Robert Seibert, and the Rev. Greg Warren. A number of other people will be asked to participate as advisors in their own particular areas of expertise.
Camp Mitchell’s facilities have been secured for the pause in operations, and Julie Westbrook remains on site as facilities manager to oversee maintenance and repairs.
Concurrently, Randall Curtis is working on how we can provide camping and formation for the youth of the diocese next summer while the camp remains paused. Stay tuned for more details as possible sites and dates are confirmed.
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Spiritual Practice: "Seek Christ" |
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Need some ideas for contemplation and/or action? These are suggestions for you to do at home to stay connected to our religious tradition and nurture your spirituality.
To seek Christ is one part of a promise made at our baptism; the full version is “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” We break these down in our practices shared here so we can add intentionality to our practice. How might we mindfully seek Christ in all persons? Again we are encouraged to seek. We will not often find that which we’re not looking actively seeking. What does it mean to seek Christ? We might gain clues from thinking of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
- Life & Ministry: Where in our life and work do we see the active sharing of resources, the building up of community--especially among the marginalized? How do we see healing taking place? Where do we see light and hope shining brightly? Whom do we encounter who embodies this kind of life and living? When we think about Jesus’s life and ministry, where and in whom do we see similarities?
- Suffering: When we or others encounter suffering, do we find them/us in isolation? Or do we see or remember that others are with us or have encountered similar experiences? Do we recall that we are not alone in this moment or season of suffering?
- Resurrection: Whom do you see rising from trial and tribulation? Where do you see Creation showing forth new life from what had died? Where do you see victory of love?
We could take any one question with us for a day/week/year and see how our perspective shifts when we actively seek Christ. “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Matthew 7:7).
Next week’s practice: “Serve Christ”
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This Sunday, 10th Sunday after Pentecost (August 9th):
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Video will be uploaded to our YouTube channel as soon as it is completed, God willing and technology cooperating! (follow the channel to get notification)
August 9th bulletin HERE.
Services:
In English:
8am - Morning Prayer, Rt. II - Monday-Friday
5pm - Evening Prayer, Rt. II - Saturday
11am - Holy Eucharist - Sunday; available on YouTube later
En Español:
12pm - Oficio para el Mediodía - martes a viernes
9pm - Oficio de Completas - lunes a viernes
1pm - Santa Eucaristía - Domingo
*Spanish-speaking services will be shared on the All Saints’ page as they are available, including the 1pm Sunday service.
If you do not have The Book of Common Prayer at home for the Daily Office, you may arrange to pick one up from the church or access it online: https://www.bcponline.org/.
You can access a guide to the Daily Offices (of which Morning and Evening Prayer are included), HERE.
*Additional note: Due to the work in the Sanctuary, services in English will be streamed from the Parish Hall until the work is complete. The Sunday service for Todos los Santos will be streamed from St. Andrew’s. We ask and thank you for your patience during this time.
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Adult Christian Education |
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With service changing times, we’ll move back to meeting before service, allowing time for coffee break after our discussion. Join us at 9:30 with your coffee, ready for our video to start. Here’s the Zoom link to join. This Sunday the featured New Testament character is “Judas Iscariot.”
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Last month we received $11,376 of Pledge and Non-Pledge Income. Our expenses for the month were $14,467. That resulted in a loss of $3,085 for the month. That brings our total deficit for the year to $13,926. We typically require $14,825 per month in contributions to cover our fixed monthly operating expenses. Obviously, we continue to feel the stress from the shutdown.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that we keep our pledges and donations as current as possible to help us get through this difficult period. Contributions can be made either by check or on-line contribution. Our expenses don’t slow down to any great extent as a result of the shut-down and will continue at approximately $14,825 per month.
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Building Committee Update - Home Stretch! |
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As you can see, the walls are up for our new altar area and Sacristy: |
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Cabinets for the Sacristy were delivered this morning, as was one of the two sinks we ordered. Seems the other one is AWOL…
The process begins tomorrow for our new floor, and while that’s going on, workmen will begin installing the cabinets in our new Sacristy.All in all, we should be ready for Carlos and painting next week.
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Recognize this place? It’s our new kitchen, complete with dishwasher. Not pictured is our ice maker which was installed in the Parish Hall. Our transformation continues.
Questions or comments on our building transformation? Let me know at deblinv@gmail.com
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Expressing Creativity at All Saints':
Proposed Mural on West Side
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The results from the mural vote were 82.9% Yes and 17.1% No. Stay tuned for updates! |
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Masks are mandatory not only in Bentonville and Rogers but across the state. We try to keep disposable masks available at the entry, not only just in case our priests forget theirs (!!!) but also for guests in our building. If you would like to donate a box of disposable masks, that would be greatly appreciated. If you have reusable masks you would like to share, please feel free to bring them to the church, and they can be distributed as well to those who need them. We certainly don’t want vulnerable populations being penalized for not having a mask! A box of 25 can be purchased at Wal-Mart for $18, and a box of 50 can be purchased at Sam’s Club for about $25. |
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Youth News - Virtual Bible School |
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- Virtual Bible School concludes its last session this Sunday at 3pm via Zoom. Compassion Camp has been awesome, and all the lessons being shared plant many seeds for our youth as they continue to learn and grow in faith. Contributions for an indoor mural are starting to come in! We created a placeholder to get an idea of its size (pictured above).
- Older kids (7th grade+) are invited to a Zoom call on Wednesday, August 5th, at 4:30pm. The link is on the All Saints’/Todos los Santos youth page.
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All interested parents/guardians can contact Mandy to join our All Saints’/Todos los Santos Youth private Facebook group.
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Visit the SignUp Genius page to let us know when you would like to contribute the altar flowers for a Sunday service! Or email Brenda Zedlitz. This is a beautiful way to show your gratitude and/or honor the memory of a loved one. The altar flowers also make a lovely delivery to someone at home, so your generosity goes beyond Sunday’s service! Currently, we are using flowers from our garden, and Gary and Pedro have shared flowers from their garden as well. Many thanks!
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All Saints' Directory - Photos Needed! |
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Creation Care - August 5, 2020 |
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Before we moved to Arkansas, I loved to dig in the dirt to plant my garden. Here, I need a blaster to get through all the rocks! I’ve never seen quite so many rocks. When I learned that Arkansas is known as the diamond state, I stopped buying lottery tickets and started checking my rocks for shiny diamonds. No luck so far.
This past week, my family came here for a visit and we painted rocks – round, flat, big and small rocks. We left some on the trails as love messages and put some in the garden. It was so much fun to do together. This gave me an idea! Since we are home for a while longer, lets paint love rocks and place them around our Good News Garden. No matter how young or old you are, let your creative side shine!
I’ve added a photo of a few of our rocks, and I can’t wait to see some of your creations. We used acrylic paint and paint pens, but sharpies work well also. If you are able, bring them to All Saints and place them on the timbers around the Good News Garden in the back. If you can’t get there now, just save them until we can meet again. Painted rocks are also a great way to leave messages of encouragement for friends, family and strangers. Have you ever found painted rocks along the trails? I love reading random messages of kindness. And remember, just like everything else, rocks are sacred! As you paint, say prayers of Thanksgiving and hope. Happy painting! Blessings to you all! - Jackie Bromley
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Interfaith Book Club and Chat |
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We continue our discussion of Growing Old: Notes on Aging with Something Like Grace, by Elizabeth Marshal Thomas with chapters 8 - 11. Join us on Facebook, Tuesday at 7:30pm!
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We will have a Zoom call on August 19th at 6:30pm to touch base with everyone. Please join us! |
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It is wonderful to have music with worship! If you have any questions regarding music at All Saints’ or want to get involved, reach out to Jayme at music@allsaintsbentonville.org.
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Noon Bible Study - Tuesdays |
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We continue in our study of the book of Proverbs. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are just popping in to try it out, you are welcome! There’s no homework or prerequisites for participation. Grab your Bible (whatever translation you use) and log on for a lunch-time conversation where you’re welcome to enjoy your lunch while we feast on the Word. |
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If you are interested in learning more about Christianity, the Bible, theology, or your own faith journey, EfM could be right for you! Our Education for Ministry (EfM) course will continue this fall, meeting via Zoom until we are allowed to gather in person. Lori Snelgrove (lorimacsnel@gmail.com) and Mother Sara are co-mentors for the group. If you are continuing the program or want to know more about what’s involved, reach out! There are several EfM alumni among the All Saints’ congregation who would be happy to share more.
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Democracy, Values, and the 2020 Election |
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A nonpartisan reflection guide can be downloaded here, thanks to Faith in Public Life and Interfaith Power and Light. Topics for reflection are relevant to our present moment and the upcoming election.
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All contributions are helpful! Thanks to all who contribute to our neighbors. Here are items requested:
- Toilet Paper
- Shampoo
- Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
- Soap
- Shaving Cream and Razors
- Deodorant
- Laundry Soap
- Dish Soap
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Food insecurity is heightened during this time of increased unemployment and kids being home from school. If you know of someone who has a need, here are some Bentonville-based resources (plus St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Rogers). Here’s a link to the NWA Food Bank that has a list of closings because right now many resources are not available.
- Christ the King, Wednesdays drive-up thru 2pm-3:30pm: they could use donations of paper goods and personal hygiene products
- St. Andrew’s pantry is open on Tuesdays, 9am-11am: food distribution in the parking lot (no current needs expressed except for prayers for the effort and the health of all involved); St. Andrew’s also has a Little Free Pantry so you can donate non-perishable foods at any time
- Little Free Pantry at Neighborhood Church on I Street: donate non-perishable foods at any time
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Samaritan Community Center is still in operation (providing food for teachers, counselors, etc. to distribute to children and families) on Hudson in Rogers and has volunteer opportunities for those 18-61 years old. Find more information here.
- Second Street Pantry (UMC, downtown Bentonville): drive-thru pick up open Tuesdays, 1-3pm
Do you know of a pantry that is open/needs donations? Let us know so we can share!
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Our discretionary fund is used to help those who call for assistance, typically for help with rent or utilities. Please know that this fund has been used to significantly help a few folks this month. You can contribute to the discretionary fund online (select discretionary fund from the drop-down tithe.ly menu) or by sending a check with “discretionary fund” in the memo. |
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Replace Anxiety with Gratitude by Giving to UTO |
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This is a good time to focus on positive things and being grateful. Express your gratitude by remembering the United Thank Offering. Our UTO Grants still address needs that do not go away as our world deals with the coronavirus. More than $1 million has been awarded in 2020 for Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion mission and ministry, young adult, and seminarian grants.
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Prayers - Please Pray With Us For |
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Gary
Linda & Dabney
Kenny
Corinne
Norm
Larry
TA
Loretta
Kenny
Perry
Rebecca
Peter & Kate
Millions who are unemployed
All who grieve
All affected by hurricane Isaias
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Mickey
Jennifer
Ed
Lois
Herrod family
Blake
Norma
Ethan
Edward
Knox
Tommy & Elizabeth
Linda & Leigh
Those who are expecting: Michelle, and Adina
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Robin
Sinclair family
DePriest family
Sylvia
Gary
Judith
Michael
Jamie
Samantha
Phyllis
Yahayra
Amayrani
All patients and workers affected by COVID-19
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We offer thanksgiving for the birth of Samuel to Lauren and Kyle Schiller. Congratulations and all blessings to them and big brother Seton! We give thanks to God for the health and well-being of mother and child.
Prayers for the departed: All who have died, especially the 150,000+ who have died from covid-19, those killed in the explosion in Beirut, and all who have died at the hands of violence and injustice, especially Black and Indigenous people and other people of color (BIPOC) -- May they all rest in peace and rise in eternal glory.
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It takes many people to support the ministries of All Saints'. Here are email links for leaders of lay ministries. If you have any questions or would like to help, please reach out. There is a place for you. Your participation is much needed and appreciated!
ECW - Sandi Lynn, all women of the church are encouraged to attend!
Interfaith representative - to be filled
Newsletter - Sandi Lynn, feedback and suggestions are always welcome!
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Church Phone Numbers and Office Hours |
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Church phone: 479.802.0302
Office hours: Tues - Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and other times by appointment.
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