All Saints’ Mission:
We live into the love of God for all through our prayer, praise, and service.
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16th Sunday after Pentecost - September 25, 2022 | |
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Fall knows how to show up! The cooler temps this morning made Morning Prayer outside a delight. Now, if we just had a bit of rain . . .
At Vestry when discussing our repair and maintenance issues, the theme of water kept coming up. Water has caused damage in our building, though not nearly to the extent of what it has in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, but water is also the means by which we are baptized. We joyfully celebrated the baptism of three young girls during the Spanish service on Sunday (two are pictured above, with godparents and parents). How we navigate what we are given especially when it’s unexpected, to what purpose we use what we’re given, and how we deal with the aftermath all make a great difference.
We received the results from the Appreciative Inquiry from Rev. Canon Jason Alexander, and those are printed and on display in the entryway, showing both English and Spanish results from the questions, translated respectively. In this ongoing time of transition, how we navigate through coming out of lock-down pandemic life, how we proceed toward receiving a new Spanish-speaking priest, and how we continue and more deeply live our lives as baptized Christians or seekers says a lot about who we are as a community of faith.
The Appreciative Inquiry is called such because it focuses on positive aspects of our life together and still looks forward to what we want more of. That doesn’t mean there aren’t pressures, conflicts, or challenges within our congregation that need to be worked through–where two or three are gathered, there are almost always different opinions or perspectives. But where we are gathered, there is also Jesus Christ. However different we may be or think, we have a common mission to live in unity in God through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Sunday’s readings: Amos 8:4-7 | Psalm 113 | 1 Timothy 2:1-7 | Luke 16:1-13
* Mother Sara will be out of town Monday, Sept. 26 through Oct. 1. In case of emergency, contact Sr. Warden Julia Bailey for church matters and Fr. Kathy for pastoral matters. *
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Update from the Bishop's Search Committee
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The Bishop Search Committee is off and running with a clear understanding of our objectives and a strong sense that the Holy Spirit is guiding us. The Committee met for an initial formation retreat on Sept. 16 - 17.
During the retreat, the Committee received its charge from the Standing Committee and detailed guidance on our roles. Subcommittees were formed and the work began on our initial goals.
Currently, the Committee is focused on developing a Diocesan Profile that will describe our Diocese to potential candidates. The Profile will include history, finances, challenges, opportunities, as well as hopes for our next bishop.
The Profile will be informed by the input that will be gathered in a series of Holy Conversations that will be hosted over the next two months. These sessions will be an opportunity for members of the Diocese to share their input on the process. Sessions will be scheduled throughout the state as well as virtually to offer everyone an opportunity to participate.
What can you do in this process?
First, please pray for the Bishop Search Process and all involved as we move forward. We encourage all congregations to include the Committee and its work in your prayers
Second, watch for updates about the Holy Conversations and sign-up to attend a session. We hope to have input from as many members of the Diocese as we can reach.
Jerry Adams, Bishop Search Committee chair
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Thanks for our September Bingo & Save the Date for October!
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The few of us gathered to welcome the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County’s CEO Matt Taliaferro and his wife Michelle, play our games of bingo, celebrate a birthday party, and raise $500 for the club! Next month, we double checked it’s not a home game night (nor parent’s weekend!), and we’ll have a Halloween-themed Bingo night on October 22nd to raise money for L.I.F.E. Cycles, an organization that provides period products and makes feminine hygiene products accessible to more individuals. You can start bringing prizes to the church, and we’ll have sign-up and ticket links available next week. | |
Christian Education & Formation | |
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We have you covered when it comes to opportunities to learn more about our faith and growing as Christians in the Episcopal tradition.
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Youth: Godly Play is at 1:45pm on Sunday afternoons, for ages 4-10. If you have questions or want to be involved in supporting our youth programs, please contact Mandy Stiglets (youth@allsaintsbentonville.org).
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Older Youth: Our EYC program for kids 11+ will be on Sunday evenings at 5pm twice a month. Our first gathering is Pizza with the Priest at Cici’s pizza in Rogers.
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Adults: Christian education continues at 9:30, and in October we’ll begin an End of Life series, bringing in the pros to guide us on many facets we and our families will face in dying and death.
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Interfaith Book Club - New Book! | |
We are reading the book Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. We meet on Facebook; Thursday evenings from 7:30-8:30pm. Please let Sandi Lynn know if you need a link to the room. | |
Ministry Fair - This Sunday! | |
Be sure to check out what folks are up to in the various ministries that make our church what it is–so much happens behind the scenes and even beyond our walls! Tables will be set up under the pavilion. Come and see! | |
Online and Printed Directories | |
Our congregational directory is available 24/7 online through Instant Church Directory. There’s even a convenient app for your phone/tablet. We will have a few printed copies to distribute at the Ministry Fair so each household can have one, and we can make sure to mail one to those who are unable to attend services in person. | |
EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) - Pizza with a Priest, Sunday @ 5pm! | |
Older youth (11yo+) are invited to join Mother Sara for pizza at Cici’s on Sunday at 5pm. Please contact Mandy or Mother Sara for further details and to RSVP. | |
Hello Everyone! Altar flowers make a great dedication for birthdays, anniversaries, remembrance of our loved ones, or just because. If you would like to donate flowers for the altar, please contact me, Judi Sturgill, at judi.sturgill@yahoo.com. Thank you & I look forward to hearing from you! | |
Our discretionary fund continues to be a source of funding for assistance to the community for rent and other needs. So far this year, we have assisted our local community with $7,964.89. If you are able to contribute, please mark “Discretionary Fund” on your donation. We also welcome Walmart gift cards to give for assistance for gas or groceries. You may drop those off to Mother Sara at the church. | |
Little Free Pantry & Library | |
These always need loving attention! Ready-to-eat and easy-to-open foods are best for the pantry, as are protein-rich snacks. Both the pantry and library welcome kid-friendly snacks and books. A huge thank you to Connie Woodbury and her special helper for filling the pantry after school one day! | |
Pet Blessings - October 2nd | |
Our Pet Blessing will be under the pavilion on Sunday, October 2nd at 3pm. Bring your faithful companions, making sure they feel safe! We will have St. Francis medallions for them, along with their annual blessing, honoring the upcoming Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4th). We look forward to seeing everyone there, and if your beloved doesn’t feel comfortable getting out and about, schedule a time when Mother Sara can come to you! | |
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We are moving along in our study of the Book of Daniel on Tuesdays at Noon, as we are available, and you’re welcome to read and discuss with us, via Zoom or in person. On October 5th we will be on Ch. 5. Contact Mother Sara if you have questions or would like an email reminder.
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Winter Women - October 23rd | |
Tippy McMichael Lectures - Oct. 8-9 | |
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The Tippy McMichael Lecture Series is delighted to welcome Episcopal priest, author, and founding Executive Director of Plainsong Farm & Ministry, the Rev. Nurya Love Parish. Saturday’s event includes a reception at 6:00 pm, followed by the lecture at 7:00 pm on Belonging and Renewal: Christian Discipleship and Climate Crisis. Sunday’s lecture, Behold I Do a New/Old Thing: Plainsong Farm & Ministry in Theory and Practice, begins at 10 am. Nursery is available for both days’ events. You may also participate online by viewing a livestream of the event on our YouTube channel.
About Nurya Love Parish: The Rev. Nurya Love Parish is an adult convert to Christianity, a graduate of Harvard Divinity School, a priest in the Episcopal Church, and the founding Executive Director of Plainsong Farm & Ministry. Plainsong is an agency of the Episcopal Church with the mission to cultivate connections between people, places and God as a place that nurtures belonging and the radical renewal of God’s world. Programs include a young adult residential fellowship as well as immersive service/learning and discipleship experiences. Her book Resurrection Matters: Church Renewal for Creation’s Sake was published in 2018; she was the author of the Episcopal Church’s youth and young adult climate justice curriculum “Easter People: Faith Practice in Climate Crisis” in 2021.
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Diocesan ECW Fall Gathering - Save the Date! | |
October 22, 2022, the Arkansas ECW Fall Gathering will be held at St. Francis’ Episcopal Church in Heber Springs. Authors of the ECW's book Surrounded by a Cloud of Witness II will be featured. Come and see women from around the Diocese of Arkansas read their offerings from the book, which will be available to purchase. Registration Information will be sent soon! | |
Weekly Schedule of Services and Meetings | |
At All Saints’, we encourage you to do what is best for you and your family. All are welcome to full communion, and we also welcome you to wear a mask, though not everyone will be wearing one. We will keep our Sunday services on Facebook Live for those who attend virtually, and many meetings also have a Zoom option. Truly, all are welcome. | |
September 25 - 16th Sunday after Pentecost | | |
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Adult Christian Education | |
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Prayers - Please Pray With Us For... | |
- Christine
- Harmon family
- Lindy
- Powell family
- Lou
- Karen
- Shanie, Scott
- Chris
- Tina
- Rosa
- Hewitt and the Sluyter family
- Amanda
- Peter and family
- Jan
- Leigh
- Mary
- Julie
- All who grieve
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- Mike
- Carol
- Shawn
- Carey
- Sally
- Immanuel
- Alex
- Mavia
- Karrie
- The people of Ukraine, Sri Lanka, and all affected by war and unrest
- Cameron
- Kelly
- Rose
- Hospitals and healthcare workers
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- Jerry
- Harry
- Carolyn
- Nancy
- Samantha
- Cesar
- Jan
- Victims of gun violence - those who've died and those who mourn
- Knox
- Adrienne
- Mary Sue
- Camp Mitchell
- Refugees
- The housing insecure
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Prayers for the departed: Prinston Harmon (student at BWHS), Rick (friend and mentor of Jenn Goodspeed), Jerry, Jeremy, Nancy Powell (friend of Barbara Youree), Mary Lee Hay (friend of Deb Shoemaker), all who have died from sickness and at the hands of violence and injustice and others whom we hold in our hearts.
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servants and grant them an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Church Phone Numbers and Office Hours | |
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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