From the Rector

The Mission of God

I am currently taking a course at the Episcopal Divinity School on mission. In it the students are being challenged to re-think mission as being something that missionaries do far away to being at the center of all that we do as a Christians.

David Bosch in Transforming Mission, states that “Mission (may be understood) as being derived from the very nature of God…The classical doctrine on the missio Dei as God the Father sending the Son, and God the Father and the Son sending the Spirit was expanded to include yet another ‘movement’: Father, Son and Holy Spirit sending the Church into the world…(M)ission is not primarily an activity of the church, but an attribute of God. God is a missionary God… Mission is thereby seen as a movement from God to the world: the church is viewed as an instrument for that mission…There is church because there is mission, not vice versa.” (p. 390)

The implication of our participating in God’s mission means that we are called constantly to consider what God is up to in our lives and our church. For me, I know that this is not always my practice. More often than not, I begin by first identifying a need, my own or others’, and then figuring out what I can do about it. This may or may not be in line with God’s mission. One example is looking for someone to head up a fundraising event. I usually think of this as being driven by the fact that the Church’s 2005 budget demands that $10,000 be raised by fundraisers. If that is as far as my thinking goes, the mission of the event is solely the support of the institution. By beginning to ask what God’s mission is in all this, I begin to think about the fellowship and connections between the members of the church as they work on a project together. I will think about how we might be reaching out to and sharing God’s love with those who might come to the event. It could well be the only opportunity they have to know God’s love in a direct way. We can also think of the funds raised as supporting the various ways God is at work in this place. I do think that this focus is behind all the work that goes into the budget, but it is easy to forget as we try to raise funds and live within our means.

Considering first the mission of God helps us to work with God rather than working with and for ourselves. It will sometimes challenge what we do as individuals and as a congregation, but it will also help us draw on the power of that life giving stream that flows from God.

Happy Easter,

Tom

Diocesan Summer Camp

Time to sign up for Diocesan Summer Camp! Barbara C. Harris Camp is currently accepting registrations for this summer. For more information please see the poster on the parish hall bulletin board or the diocesan web-site, www.diomass.org.

Outreach Summit Results

On the evening of February 28^th, All Saints held an Outreach Summit in which several parishioners gathered to consider how we should move forward in the area of Outreach. We began by viewing a video from the last Diocesan Convention of the Rev. Bonnie Perry describing the revitalization of All Saints’ Church, Chicago. Bonnie described 5 essential components for a healthy parish: God, Passion, Vision, Outreach and Liturgy. Based on this video, books we had read, and our personal experiences, we agreed that a strong outward focus was a necessary part of a healthy and vibrant parish. We discussed how we might use these concepts from the video to revitalize our practice of Outreach at All Saints’.

After discussing the video, we considered the two questions “What is the mission of All Saints Church?” and “What would All Saints look like if Outreach was central to our parish life?” Some of the themes that emerged from this were:

· Our mission can be found in the Baptismal Covenant.

· Some components of our mission are:

o To spread God’s word,

o To work for peace and justice

o To help people do good and feel good about themselves

· We need to discover our passions and create opportunities for members to act on those passions.

· We should be acting on what we believe in, not just talking about it.

· We should always have fun in whatever we do for Outreach.

· Since God’s message is counter-cultural, we need to be doing counter-cultural things.

· We must have youth involvement.

· If Outreach were central to our parish life, All Saints would:

o Be more interconnected amongst its members and groups.

o Be more connected to the community and more known within it.

o Have a few Outreach activities that involve participation of the entire parish.

o Be more creative in our liturgy and our other activities.

o Be a base for community concerns.

o Have a more diverse membership.

We decided to form a small group to continue to meet to draft an Outreach Charter. This charter will define the next set of concrete steps to be taken in the area of Outreach. This group is composed of Lois Freeman, Liz Marshall, Edie Parekh, Oliver Chamberlain and Dave Kuzara. They will be asking for input from all parishioners, so please don’t hesitate to give them your ideas. After the charter is drafted, we will be recruiting people to join an Outreach Team to implement the steps in the charter. More information will be published as the process unfolds.

Yours in Christ,

Dave Kuzara

All Saints’ Plant and Yard Sale

Saturday May 21, 2005 9 A.M. - 2 P.M.

We need everyone's help to make this a successful fundraiser. In the process of spring cleaning, consider donating any items (in great working order), that you no longer use. We also need volunteers to price items, sell items, and someone with a pickup to transport larger items to the church before Saturday. For the plant sale, we need people to dig up and pot their perennials, small trees, and bushes. Anyone interested in helping please contact Tara Greaves (978) 256-8606 or tara_greaves@yahoo.com.

Episcopal City Mission

Episcopal City Mission Lobby Day April 12, 2005

ECM Lobby Day is an opportunity to meet with your legislators and be part of a Christian presence at the State House, calling for just and compassionate public policy. It is organized by ECM, a social justice ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

The lobby day will focus on housing for all and the health care safety net. A group will be leaving All Saints’ at 9:00 AM on the 12th. For more information please speak to Liz Marshall or Tom Barrington.

Buildings and Grounds

Your B&G marches on! The next Volunteer Day is Saturday, April 16th. We will start at 8 AM with a breakfast. Work will commence at 8:45 AM through about noon.

I suspect we may have some major doings that day, like Choir Room Ceiling and Office Furniture Installation (unless that gets done sooner!). It would be great to get some folks to lightly sand and then urethane the cabinets in the Sacristy. (The Sacristy now has a new beautiful floor AND hot and cold running water!)

Obviously, if winter ever ends, we will have outdoor projects to do. There is painting (at ground level or 2-step) of exterior doors, frames, railings and posts. There may be some clean-up raking to do.

Recent work has given our facility a clean bill for lead paint, the removal of the last asbestos floor tiles, fire safety for our Church School. HVAC work for the Offices is underway. We have 'gone active' on the projects in Gallery lighting, Parish Hall window treatments, Parish Hall lighting, and high trim repair. We continue to make incremental improvements in energy efficiency.

The real delight of this work is in seeing the increased usage by all aspects of our community who want to call us 'home'. ("Isn't this a nice place to be?")

Rich Jerome

Soup Kitchen Now Closed

Sadly, the Soup Kitchen at Saint Paul’s has closed its doors. Those of you who have served so faithfully on this ministry deserve a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart. By giving so faithfully of your time and talent, you made my job of supervising this important ministry very easy for me. We shall miss the people we have gotten to know who depended on the Monday and Wednesday dinners they were able to receive at Saint Paul’s

The following people have participated over the years: Carol and Ron Cannistraro, Matt Castle, Joy Chadwick, Esther Davenport, Mark Fenn, Mike Flowers, Peg Hebert, Amy, Michael and Sean Hunter, Melanie, Matt, Drew, Adam and Jocelyn Hickcox, Fred Kay, Ann Kirk, Paul Krenitsky, Margie Lane, Barbara Lindberg, Marilyn and Bob Livingston, Meredith and Paul McElroy, Connie Moreau, Joe Sala, Judy Thomas, and Midge Wilson and Tom Barrington.

Last month my heart was warmed by the participation of two of Mike Flowers’ friends, both seniors in High School. They went about doing the job with such enthusiasm and energy. Matt Castle, another of our own youth, served happily to fulfill his community service requirements in Scouts, and I know that the other youth mentioned above, the Hickcox and Hunter kids, did admirable service as well. I am sorry the confirmands who were supposed to provide dessert and help to serve the meal last month did not have the opportunity to do so.

But do not give up altogether. There is a group looking for an alternative site on which to be able to continue the soup kitchen, so keep the pennies coming in the penny basket in the narthex and we will hope to put them to good use some time in the near future.

Please know how much your past service was appreciated, not only by me, but by the wider community, and let us all pray to be able to continue serving meals to help those same people some time soon.

Esther Davenport

The Whole World in His Hands...

His Hands Today

At a time when soup kitchens are closing, it may be time to remember the adage that Jesus has no hands on earth but our own...

Dora Carr passed along a tip for five-fingered prayer. I have carried another five-fingered mnemonic with me since confirmation classes.

Since we have two hands, we could use both of these tools when we pray.

On the one hand...

1. Thumb: The most important of my fingers, vital for grasping. Remember how central God is. “Almighty God... Our Father... Loving Father ...” Thoughts of praise!

2. Index (pointer) finger: It is too easy to point at others’ problems, to blame them. Turn the blaming finger back at me, acknowledge my misdeeds, ask for forgiveness. God forgive my faults...

3. Longest finger: There are so many things to thank God for...

4. Ring finger: Pray for family members’ and others’ needs. Much of the next “hand” of prayers falls into petitions in here.

5. Little finger: My own needs last. This is reflected in the next “hand”, too.

And on the other hand...

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who instruct. This includes teachers and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing out the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president and all who are in authority over us, that they may make wise decisions and promote peace and order.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

The Christmas Fair Needs YOU!

The Christmas Fair is back! This year's Christmas Fair is scheduled for Saturday, December 3rd from 9 AM - 2 PM. The tentative plan is to have several small stations to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and needs, all with a Christmas theme. A big "thank you" to everyone who has submitted ideas thus far. What we need now are PEOPLE TO HELP OUT! I have included below a list of possibilities.

Food Sales:

Breakfast - coffee, tea, cocoa, juice, coffeecakes/other baked goods

Lunch - soup, bread, water, soda, juice

Table Ideas:

Soup Mix/Cookie Mix Layered Glass Jars;

Knitting Kits; Knitted/Sewn/Quilted Goods;

Modified Cookie Walk (selection of cookies for sale)

Choir Christmas CD

Ornaments- handmade, kits & All Saints’ Stockings (some for sale, some for decorating)

Wreaths (real and artificial) with decorations available for make-your-own

Poinsettias for sale

Fancy Appetizers/Sauces for sale

Silent auction items

Kids’ things:

Children's Santa Shop- low cost items for purchase

Aprons/Tees to decorate with paints

Clay/Plaster Hand Imprint plates

Ornament making- balls with glitter, baked ornaments

Photos with Christmas Bear/Tree/Items

Other Ideas:

Wine & Cheese preview the night before

Combine with Music Event at 10:30 AM

Obviously, we can't do everything, but we need to do some of them. Please let me know the ones that interest you and that you might be able to help out with. Thanks in advance for all of your assistance!

Aline Davis (alinedavis@yahoo.com or 978-742-9707)

Chaperone/Driver Needed

I am taking two youths from All Saints’ to Huntington West Virginia to participate in the Cabell-Lincoln Workcamp. The dates of the trip are June 18 – 25. This is an event where youths and adult chaperones from around the country spend a week repairing the homes of people in the Huntington area. We are doing this in conjunction with Central Congregational Church which has sent a team to this workcamp for many years. I need another adult (over 25 years old) from All Saints to participate as a chaperone and to help with the driving. A willingness to work on the projects is also required (but no particular skills are needed). Please call me if you could consider helping out.

Thanks,

Dave Kuzara

Altar Flowers or Sanctuary Candle

If you would like to sponsor either altar flowers or the sanctuary lamp in memory of, thanksgiving for or in celebration of someone please do so! A sign up has been posted across from the restrooms on the bulletin board before the entrance to the parish hall. Altar flowers are $35 and the sanctuary candle is $10.

Dates are available on a first come, first served basis. Please try and submit information and payment to Darlene (978-256-5673) no later than two weeks prior to your date.

United Thank Offering

Since its inception 116 years ago in 1889 by two devoted church women, Ida Soule and Julia Emery, United Thank Offering has grown from a meager $2,189.00 that first year to an annual ingathering of over $3 million.

Thousands of grants have been awarded since that time by a Grants Board that considers carefully and prayerfully the many requests for help. One purpose of UTO is to increase the prayer life of donors by accompanying each coin placed in your Blue Box by a prayer for some specific purpose known to you.

The thousands of grants go to: needy church school groups, missions, soup kitchens, medical needs, assistance in poverty-stricken city and country areas, across this nation of ours and abroad to many needy foreign areas...

This year there will be only one Ingathering instead of the usual two. At All Saints’ the Spring Ingathering will be on May 1, 2005. So let our Blue Boxes be generously filled through a faithful prayer life and a generous heart. Then we can truly say Thanks be to God.

Bea Iams

All Saints’ Adult Christian Formation

Upcoming Events

April 2 Fundraising Dinner for Sierra Leone 5:00pm

April 12 Silent Night Blue Room 7:00- 8:30pm

April 15- 16 Please support the Youth Group Famine for World Hunger!

April 15 Stewardship Dinners happen this weekend

April 27 Forum on Faith and the World 7:30- 9:00pm

April 29 Stewardship Dinners happen this weekend

May 5 Deanery Confirmation at St Anne’s in Lowell

After the focused work of Lent, the remembering the story of our salvation in Holy Week, and the joy of celebrating and claiming for ourselves the reality of the Resurrection on Easter, it is good to catch our breaths as we consider our ongoing lives in the light of Easter. During April, I hope you will give particular attention and support to:

· our youth as they fast, reflect, pray and act to raise awareness of world hunger and its effects particularly upon children and to raise money to address this crisis

· our Stewardship Commission as they invite parishioners to take part in dinners to build community and to grow in our sense of our gifts and blessings

Janet and Edwin Redman and I attended a training about Via Media, an educational program for adults that runs for eight weeks and draws people into spiritual community through the sharing of a meal, watching a video about an aspect of the Christian life and engaging in discussion. We hope to run a pilot program of Via Media next month in May, just three or four sessions for a limited number of people as an educational event and hopefully to whet folks’ appetites both to participate and to help facilitate the full program sometime during the next program year. Please watch your bulletin for more information!

Finally, as you wind down from your sugar highs to enjoy the arrival of spring, consider joining our contemplative gathering, Silent Night, on April 12 for an evening of active silence. Bring some mending or knitting or another craft project, or join in working on a puzzle with others — in silence. There can be a wonderful sense of presence, peace and connection as you do a simple task in silence with others. To learn more about this monthly opportunity for contemplative practice, please talk with either Lynne Grillo or Amy Hunter.

in peace,

Amy Hunter

Associate for Adult Christian Formation

Vestry Members

Scott Bempkins Robb Dussault

Beth Anne Ecomonou Lois Freeman

Steve Grillo Sally Warren

Joe Sala Anne Whitaker

Adrienne Jerome, Senior Warden

Ron Cannistraro, Junior Warden

Kevin Davis, Treasurer

Jeremy Ahouse, Clerk

Parish Contact List

(All phone numbers are area code 978 unless indicated)

Church Office...................................... 256-5673

Senior Warden....... Adrienne Jerome

Junior Warden........ Ron Cannistraro

Treasurer............... Kevin Davis

Clerk..................... Jeremy Ahouse

Acolyte Director.... Clem Cole

Adult Education...... Amy Hunter

Altar Guild............. Liz Landers

Buildings and Grounds……Rich Jerome

Christian School.....Ellen Twitchell

Laura Marshall

Sharon Cornellier

Coffee Hour.......... Cindy Dussault

Endowment ........... Jean McCaffery

Environmental Stewardship Committee.. Liz Marshall

Fellowship.............. Meredith McElroy

Finance.................. Clem Cole

Music Minister....... Maggie Marshall

Outreach............... Dave Kuzara

Pastoral Care......... Joy Chadwick

Saints Alive............ Patrick Blumeris

Stewardship........... Steve Grillo

Thrift Shop............. Carol Cannistraro

Youth Group.......... Brian Hunter

Webmaster............ Steve Sullivan

Web……… http://www.allsaintschelmsford.org/

Submission

… for the May 2005 Saints Alive! is

April 17^th, 2005

Please leave your articles in the Saints Alive! mailbox in the church office, or send them via email to SaintsAlive@yahoo.com

Thanks