July 7, 2024 Edition

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. – Collect for Independence Day, BCP p. 242

Independence Day is one of two National Holidays recognized as a major feast in the Episcopal Church, with its own readings, collect, and prayers (the other is Thanksgiving Day). Click to read more.

First Sunday Offering on July 7 will go to Episcopal Farm Workers Ministry (EFWM), which is a joint project of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina and the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina working with agricultural workers (farmworkers, meat processing plant workers, and workers from nurseries, packing houses and poultry, swine, or livestock farms) and immigrant families in Eastern rural NC.

Begun in 1982, EFWM responds to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of farmworkers and actively supports opportunities for them to become self-directive. In addition to working with Latino migrant workers (from other states and abroad), EFWM also works with Latino agricultural workers who live in NC year-round, including workers from meat processing plants, nurseries, packing houses, animal farms, and field workers. EFWM coordinates direct services, leadership programs, community education programs, and advocacy in support of the community.

Thank you for supporting this ministry with those who help bring food to our tables.

Summer Planning | Looking ahead, here are a couple events to place on your summer calendar. Details will be coming soon!

• Church Office Closed – July 4
• Parish Par-Tay – July 14 – Sign up in Realm!
• Volunteer Luncheon – July 16 at Noon
• Night Shelter – July 28-August 3
• Vacation Bible School – August 1-3
• Blessing of the Backpacks, Rally Day & EYC Kick-off – August 11
• Rabbi Barbara Thiede – August 18 & August 25 at 10 AM

Cooperative Christian Ministry (CCM) needs items for its food pantry! Summer temperatures are high and so are food needs at the CCM pantry. Currently, the biggest needs are for: canned chicken and tuna, other canned meats, peanut butter, canned corn, peas, carrots, potatoes, and mixed vegetables, canned beans, canned fruit, rice, pasta, macaroni & cheese, cereal, shelf-stable milk, and diapers. For a detailed list of healthy items needed, click here. CCM gladly accepts all donations at the Crisis Center at 246 Country Club Drive NE, Concord.

You are invited to serve at the Night Shelter, July 28-August 3! We still have two (2) evenings open for meals to be prepared and served. Please prayerfully consider how you, your family, small group, or ministry can help out. This is a great chance to feed our neighbors! Contact Gary "the Guitar Guy" Kovar with questions or if you are interested in helping (or chase him down between services). Gary's contact information is in Realm.

Everyone's invited to the all-parish Par-Tay NEXT Sunday, July 14 at 5 PM. Come and enjoy fellowship, food, and fabulousness. We will have LIVE music (Thank you Gary the Guitar Guy!), water/foam/bubble play for kids, flower-arranging, balloon-making, and FOOD! All Saints’ will be supplying burgers, dogs, and buns. Please sign up to bring a dish. BUT, don’t feel limited by the sign-up! If you have a signature side you’d like to gift our tastebuds with, bring it!

Get ready to ride, sponsor, volunteer! Tour de Saints is on Saturday, August 24, 2024! The Tour de Saints charity bike ride is an annual outreach event hosted by All Saints’ Episcopal Church. This community event supports local charities in Cabarrus County. Our objectives are to raise awareness about the work these charities do in our community, collect non-perishable food items the day of the ride, and generate funds to directly support these charities. Click for details about how YOU can get involved!

Please note that the church office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th for the holiday.

We offer condolences and prayers for the family and friends of Marilyn Carroll, who entered into the Resurrection on June 18, 2024, at the age of 94. Marilyn was a long-term member of the Altar Guild and a coordinator for receptions and parish life events. She was dearly loved and will be missed. Her Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, July 8 at 1 PM at All Saints'. A reception will be held afterwards at the church. Click for obituary.

Stephen Ministry Update | In Scripture, God tells us that He will always be with us. Jesus said, "Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest.” Stephen Ministry at All Saints' is here to help parishioners, neighbors, friends, or family members in our community who are going through rough times. The listeners, both confidential and nonjudgmental, will be by your side during the process of dealing with your struggles. If you would like to learn more, go to www.stephenministeries.org or call the church office.

Congratulations to our new Stephen Ministers, Norma Lockney, Deanna Phillips, and Arin Waters, who completed their 50 hour-training and were commissioned last Sunday. Here is what they said about their training:

“The training I received to become a Stephen Minister was amazing. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the training taught me how to listen with my heart and see through non-judgmental eyes. I look forward to using everything I learned when I am teamed up with my first care receiver. Our teachers were patient, loving, kind and caring."

"Stephen Ministry is important to me because it has honed my skills to fulfill my desire to go forth and be a disciple of Christ.”

"Fundamentally, I believe the church is built on relationships. It is why, I feel, the western church has continued to decline since its peak in the 1950s. We are way too individualistic in today's world, too obsessed with glorifying ourselves. This makes Stephen Ministry counter-cultural in the literal sense of the word. We are going against the self-centered focus of society and instead refocusing God and our neighbor. That is exactly what Christ commands of us, and I am proud to be part of this ministry."

Congratulations to Samantha Hornung who was the Gold Medalist in our region for Future Healthcare Professionals – Home Health Aide. Samantha also came in fourth place at the state level. After taking written tests and skills tests, she is now in the top 10 at the international level. That’s right, top ten in the whole world! We couldn’t be more proud of this daughter of our parish!

Elizabeth Orr extends her gratitude to All Saints’ parishioners and clergy. She is so glad and grateful for God blessing her with her church family, especially during her recent illness. She looks forward to returning back to in-person worship soon.

The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of Northwest Pennsylvania and bishop provisional of Western New York, was elected June 26 by the House of Bishops to serve as the 28th presiding bishop, and his election was confirmed by the House of Deputies at the 81st General Convention. Click to read more.

Prayer is the foundation of the ministry of this parish. If you would like to request prayers, please share here. If you are hospitalized, please let the church know. If you are unable to make the call yourself, ask for the chaplain on call and they will make it for you. The church phone number is 704-782-2024.

Prayers have been requested for Madison, Jacob, those who are suffering from addiction, Geoff, Martin, Rachel, Charlotte, Riley, Kathy, Larry, Kristen, Sarah and her children, Mike, Riley, Jake, Betty, Jennifer, Chris, Steve, Nora, Forrest, Al, and Jean.