All Souls Weekly Volume 2, Number 9, January 25, 2009
FISHING AND OTHER MINISTRIES
In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus interrupts Simon and Andrew as they are fishing.He then offers them a chance to use their skills in a slightly different way and to help further the work of God’s Kingdom.“Follow me,” Jesus says, “and I will make you fish for people.”What I like so much about this interaction is the way in which Jesus doesn’t try to change Simon and Andrew.He doesn’t try to make them into different people with completely different skills sets.He uses what they have and who they are.
The ongoing work of Christ continues to be most dynamic when we’re able to invite one another to use our skills for the good of the community—both the Christian community and the wider community. This Sunday, after both Masses, representatives from various ministries of All Souls will be in the Undercroft with information about how you might be able to become involved in something new. How might God use your skills to help others?
If you can walk and carry something at the same time, you’d make a great acolyte!If you can help in the kitchen or at the table, you would be a breakfast provider, or coffee hour host.If you can ask or answer a question, you could help with Sunday school.If you are a friendly type with a nice smile, you can be an usher.If you can pull a weed or plant a bulb, you’d be a great addition to our garden guild.If you can hold a hand or say a prayer, you would be a helpful addition to our renewed healing ministry.If you can say, “Hello, my name is …. What’s your name?,” then you would be a great addition to our newcomer ministry.If you can knit, you might want to be a part of a new prayer shawl ministry. The list and the opportunities for ministry continue.
Especially if you are relatively new to All Souls, there may be areas or ministries you have been involved with elsewhere and you think we should begin.If so, find another person and start planning, praying, and plotting to make things happen.In the Episcopal Church, the Vestry provides primary leadership for the parish, but our Vestry is always eager for new ideas, new energy, new plans, and new ministries.Let us know how we can support your idea. May God continue to show us how to “fish for people” and how to use all of our abilities and talents to help others.John Beddingfield
Your prayers are asked for . . . Barb Chaffee, Jim Capen, Libby Davis, Harriet Martin, Dorothy Whitmore, Susan Morrison, Sydney Ponturo, Chris Cobb, Suzanne Eyman, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, Jim St. George, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Mary Backus, Anne Marie Morotte, Ron Biggs, Steve Coon, Dorothy, Cindy Harvey, Jerome & Mary Ann Gariff, Carol Atnip, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, Ted Field, and for the repose of the souls of Danny and Bob . . . Pray also for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Jack Severson, David Jones, and Timothy Zlatich . . . If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.
Around the Parish . . . A parishioner is missing a crock pot that was used for a church gathering.It may have been taken or given away by mistake.If you know of its whereabouts, please return it to church or notify the parish office … Join us for the Adult Forum this Sunday morning as we continue to explore ethical questions around life, death and in-between. The discussion is coordinated by Dan Davis and meets at 10 a.m. in the Undercroft.On January 25, Dan leads us in a discussion of “Life at the First of it, Part One: Procreation and Assisted Reproduction” . . . A new parish directory will be published at the beginning of February. If you have changed any of your contact information, please let the parish office know so that changes can be made before printing . . . Attendance Sunday, January 18 (in spite of road and bridge closures!) at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 32; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 127 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $5,420.00. The plate offering this week was $898.50.
Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the Altar in the Mary Chapel are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the life and work of Rosa Leiva, given by Tom Esch & Valerie Levanos . . . The Sanctuary Candle is offered to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the homecoming of Luciana Rosio Guadalupe Esch Levanos, given by Tom Esch & Valerie Levanos.
Breakfast at All Souls needs your help . . . Our traditional breakfast gathering after the 8:30 Mass on Sundays is on the endangered list due to lack of support. Each week we provide a tasty fellowship opportunity for all. The math is simple: we typically serve about 40 people each week, and we do this about 40 weeks of the year. We therefore need every available Soul who enjoys this meal to prepare breakfast at least once a year. If you have any questions or would like a helping hand in the kitchen, please speak with me at 8:30 Mass, at breakfast, or at 240-676-1644. Tom Esch
Ministry Day . . . The Church typically addresses stewardship in terms of time, talent, and treasure. Today, we're focusing on gifts of time and talent. Please join us after the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses in the Undercroft where representatives of several of our ministries will be available to talk to you about how you can participate. Hopefully, you'll see that very moderate gifts of your time and talent will go a long way toward ensuring that we have the kinds of programs and activities that make this a vibrant parish. Also, you might find that participating in our various ministries can be a great way to get to know your fellow parishioners while having fun at the same time.Dale Lewis
Endowment Grant Applications . . . Applications for grants from the All Souls Endowment Fund for 2009 are available in the parish office. Grants may be made for projects in ministry or mission as well as for capital improvements. All applications are due in the office by February 7, 2009 and will be acted upon by the Board and Vestry.
Foyer Dinner Registration . . . One of the best ways to get to know others from All Souls (and to eat some very good food) is to become a part of the Foyer Dinner Program. The insert in this Weekly explains more about the program and how to be included. The program also needs people willing to be “captains,” who help coordinate a specific group. If you have additional questions or ideas, please speak with Kathleen Scholl or Butch Bradburn, coordinators.
Episcopal Men’s Fellowship . . . The EMF will meet on Thursday, February 19 in the Undercroft at 7 p. m. Ed Perlman will be discussing the life and works of George Herbert, a 17th century Anglican minister and poet. Dinner and drinks will be served for the low price of $15. Please RSVP by sending an email to Ike.brannon@gmail.com or by signing up in the Undercroft.
Readings for the Daily Office
January 25, 2009
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 47:1-15, Heb. 10:19-31
John 5:2-18
Monday The Conversion of St. Paul
Ezekiel 3:4-11, Acts 10:34-44
John 21:15-22
Tuesday
Isaiah 48:12-21, Gal. 1:18-2:10
Mark 6:1-13
Wednesday
Isaiah 49:1-12, Gal. 2:11-21
Mark 6:13-29
Thursday
Isaiah 49:13-23, Gal. 3:1-14
Mark 6:30-46
Friday
Isaiah 50:1-11, Gal. 3:15-22
Mark 6:47-56
Saturday
Isaiah 51:1-8, Gal. 3:23-29
Mark 7:1-23
Calendar for the Week
January 25, 2009, The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Low Mass, 8:30 a.m., High Mass, 11 a.m.
Child care provided for both worship services
Continental breakfast in the Undercroft follows the 8:30 a.m. Mass
Ministry Day follows Mass.
Choir Rehearsal 9:15 a.m.
Adult Forum: Ethical Questions and Dilemmas: The Beginning of Life, Part I
Children’s Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour in the Undercroft follows the 11 a.m. Mass.
Ministry Day follows Mass.
A.A. Meeting, conference room, 3 p.m.
Monday
Parish office closed. A. A. Meeting, conference room, 8:30 p.m.
