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A Reflection From The David Curtis
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time
This Lent, All Saints gathered on Wednesday nights for a meal, a reflection based on the St. John’s Bible, and worship in the Taizé style. This time apart from the rest of my busy life was a balm for my soul.
The St. John’s Bible is an illustrated manuscript of the Bible, handwritten and hand drawn. Ben selected a variety of images that engaged us and stimulated conversation and reflection.
One week, we focused on an image of Lazarus being raised from the tomb. However, the image was from the perspective of Lazarus in the tomb! Looking out from the darkness of the tomb, Lazarus, probably a bit dodgy and confused, saw Jesus, calling him forth. I wonder what Lazarus thought as suddenly air rushed back into his lungs and he smelled the earth of the tomb and he met Jesus, again, for the first time.
There have been times in my life when it feels like Jesus is calling me forth from a place of confinement and darkness. In those moments, I am unbound from that which has held me, and I can see differently. I can let go of the breath that I have been holding way too long. And, in this newness, it seems I meet Jesus, again, for the first time.
This week, this Holy Week, we will gather, yet again, to wash feet, to hear the Passion, to hear salvation history, and to celebrate at that empty tomb. And, as we approach the day of Resurrection, I pray that God is working to set you free and to unbind you from the things that hinder you. May God call you forth from the darkness to the light of resurrection and new life. And, when this happens, may you meet Jesus, again, for the first time.
David+
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Last Call for Candy!
Children’s Ministries needs candy for our All Saints’ Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30th! We are asking for donations of bulk bags of candy - individually wrapped, nut-free candy, please! - to stuff our eggs with. Bags can be dropped into donation buckets in the Narthex and outside Thornton Hall. We will be accepting donations until Wednesday, March 27th. Thank you for helping make our Egg Hunt an egg-cellent event for every-bunny!
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Lunch Packing Event: Saturday, March 30 at 8:00am
Help us pack 130 lunches for four area shelters during our first lunch packing event for 2024. We will need volunteers to shop (expenses are reimbursed), make sandwiches, pack the lunches, and deliver to four area shelters. Signup here: tinyurl.com/asclunchpackmarch
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Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, March 30 at 10:00am
A beloved Easter tradition for kids and families. Join us in the courtyard for crafts, treats, and an Easter Egg Hunt. All you need to do is bring an Easter Basket of some kind and you are welcome to bring a friend! Kids can also take home some bunny bait to leave out for the Easter bunny.
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Maundy Thursday with Foot Washing: March 28 at 7pm
This service focuses on Jesus’s command to his disciples to love one another as he has loved them and his institution of the Eucharist (or Holy Communion) to be shared together as a sign of our unity in Christ, this service will feature music, Holy Communion, and a simple stripping of the altar and silent procession out as we move into the solemnity of Good Friday.
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Good Friday: March 29 at 12pm or 7pm
This is the only day of the year in which we do not celebrate the Eucharist, but rather focus on the cross through the reading of the Passion Narrative (the crucifixion of Jesus) and a series of prayers known as the solemn collects. Our service begins and ends in silence.
As part of the Good Friday 7:00 PM liturgy, the combined choirs of All Saints will sing the Passion of St. John, as set by English composer Bob Chilcott. The text of the passion is weaved into a tapestry of choral meditations. Tenor Will Ferguson will sing the role of the Evangelist; Bass James McClure will sing the role of Jesus; Scott G. Hayes, Conductor; Daniel Stipe, Organist.
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Easter Vigil: March 30 at 8pm
We gather on our patio in the dark, and the service features light and fire as well as placing the story of our faith in context through a series of readings from the Old Testament. We light a new fire, process the Paschal Candle (the light of Christ), we will proclaim that Christ is Risen and renew our baptismal vows, and we will celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter. The setting is very dramatic and while the service is longer than usual, it is very powerful. Bring some bells to ring when we proclaim the resurrection.
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Easter Sunday: March 31 at 8am + 10:30am
The Rite I Easter Eucharist will feature trumpet and the Choral Scholars at 8:00am and the 10:30am Rite II Easter Eucharist will feature a trumpet trio and our full choir as well as a children’s sermon by Bari Pitts. During the 10:30am service, our nursery is open for infants through age 3 and Children’s Chapel is available for children ages 3 through 5th grade. Wear your Easter Bonnet and join us for either of these traditional festival services!
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Children's Chapel Help Needed for Easter!
We will be hosting a special Children’s Chapel on Easter Sunday at our 10:30 service, and we will need some extra hands! Parents, this would be a perfect opportunity for you to jump in – you can come dressed in your Easter best and enjoy spending each part of church with your kids! Your role is simple: shower the children with love and encouragement while maintaining a positive attitude. Join us in service for a special children’s sermon and then follow the processional cross to Thornton Hall for fun, crafts, and snacks! Email Whitney Reid with any questions.
Click here to sign up for Sunday, March 31st!
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Ladies Who Lunch: April 10
Save the date for the next Ladies Who Lunch event on Wednesday, April 10 at 11:30am. We will gather again at the Grapevine Restaurant on Three Chopt Rd. Look out for more information including how to RSVP closer to the event.
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Faith Formation Resumes April 14
Faith Formation will resume on Sunday, April 14th, at 9:15am in Thornton Hall. Ben and David will focus on the Easter season Acts readings from the Revised Common Lectionary to look at the early Church and to understand how that history continues to live out today. All are welcome. Coffee, tea, and snacks are provided. We invite you to bring whichever translation of the Bible you prefer to use.
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Richmond Navy League Request
The Richmond Navy League sends care packages to deployed service members, and they are looking for new recipients. Service members from any branch of the US military are eligible, and RCNL will contact them and take care of gathering and mailing the items. Please help us by providing a name, FPO mailing address, and a list of what they need for anyone you know who is serving abroad. Requests for care packages should be sent to the RCNL email: navyleaguerichmond@comcast.net
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Vacation Bible School: June 17-21
Registration Open
All Saints is pleased to announce that VBS will be June 17-21 from 9 am - 12 pm. “CAMP FIRELIGHT” will be a blend of Bible stories, music, art, outdoor recreation, and even science for a fun and active week! VBS is open to all potty-trained children ages 3 - rising fifth grade. The fifth graders will have a mission-based week along with helping with younger children. Youth (rising sixth graders and older) are invited to assist. If you have any questions, just email Whitney Reid, Director of Children and Family Ministries, at wreid@allsaintsrichmond.org!
We are looking for VBS volunteers to create an amazing week for our kids! Volunteers lead the children from activity to activity, and there is no planning or preparation required for the week - just come with a positive attitude and ready to have some fun! If you can help for at least two days of that week, please contact Joan Dalrymple or Diane Hayes.
Register online here.
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Welborne United Methodist Food Pantry Donations
Welborne is in great need of food donations for their food pantry. Please consider picking up a few items during your next grocery trip and donating them to the green shed outside of the All Saints Playground.
Click here to view Welborne's Facebook page where they post important updates as well as their current needs.
If you are interested in volunteering at Welborne, please email Mark Wilcox at mbwmsi@gmail.com
CURRENT FOOD PANTRY NEEDS:
Tomato Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup
1 pound bags of Rice
Boxes of pasta
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How to Contact Us
8787 River Road, Richmond, Virginia, 23229
(804) 288-7811
allsaintsrichmond.org
The Rev. Ben Robertson, Rector
The Rev. David Curtis, Deacon
Scott Hayes, Director of Music
Daniel Stipe, Principal Organist
Winston Hazlegrove, Parish Administrator
Natallia Chyhryna, Financial Secretary
Sam Robinson, AV Coordinator
Melissa Taylor, Preschool Director
Tyronn Wilkins, Building & Grounds
Whitney Reid, Director of Children & Family Ministries
Judy Kronimus, Nursery Director
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