The fifth station of the Via Dolorosa referring to Simon of Cyrene taking Jesus’ cross and carrying it for him. The hollow pictured here was an imprint made when Jesus stumbled and rested his hand upon the wall to keep his balance.
Dear Beloved of All Saints,
Some of you have asked me about the highlights of my trip to Israel in October. I always wanted to see the holy places for Christians (2.1 billion followers worldwide) Muslims (1.9 billion followers worldwide) and Jews (13 million followers worldwide). In Israel today, about 75% of the population are Jews, 18%, Muslims and 2% Christian.
In Jerusalem, I was looking forward to seeing the Garden of Gethsemane (where Jesus prayed the night before he was arrested and crucified), Last Supper Room, the Mount of Olives, the Wailing Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (built upon the place where Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected); in Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity (built over the grotto where Mary gave birth to Jesus); and the Church of the Transfiguration, built upon a mountain in Nazareth, where Jesus was transfigured on Mt. Tabor.
Due to a “naval exercise" in the Mediterranean Sea, we were delayed for 6 hours, and our tours were cancelled for one day. I did get to see Old Jerusalem, which allowed me to walk a few stations of the cross in the current busy Jerusalem market place; the church of the Holy Sepulcher, with the stone of Unction (the rock Jesus’ body was laid on and prepared for burial); and, finally, I was able to visit the Wailing Wall. See pictures above.
Next week, I will tell you what religious site impacted me most deeply, and why.
Gratefully,
Marya+
Worship this Sunday, November 13, 2022
Sunday November 13 we WILL have regular in-person worship, but we will NOT have a hybrid offering for virtual worship, where there are multiple views from multiple cameras. We are giving our hybrid team a well-deserved break!
For those of you joining us on Zoom, you will only be able to see worship leaders, and it may be a bit bumpy. Have patience with us!
For those of you joining us in church, you will not be able to see the zoom congregation as you normally would. See you on Sunday!
In a moving witness, co-warden Carol Bouffard counts All Saints as one of her major blessings … hear why here.
Building on Our Blessings
Gratitude Brunch with a Serving Vision
Traditionally at All Saints, we host a Gratitude Brunch celebrating the closing of our stewardship campaign. This year, we will again invite you all to join us for our Gratitude Brunch at the end of worship on Sunday, November 20, at about 10:30 am.
We will also ask you to help us brainstorm our growing vision for the Comfort Cafe and Soul Space. We look forward to building on our blessings together with you!!!
The Sanctuary Lamp is available for November 27. Contact Barbara Hooper.
Treasurer’s Year-to-Date Report
All Saints Episcopal Church of the North Shore
Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Status
January 1, 2022 through Oct 31, 2022
YTD Pledge Remittances are $16,625 below expectation
Actual Operating Expenses are $4,720 more than expected.
Our YTD Deficit is $32,785
We are using our declining savings to support ongoing expenses
Calling all crafters! We are looking for people to bake, knit, crochet, quilt, make jewelry, can jam, jellies, pickles. All woodworking items welcome, as well as handmade cards and unique craft items.
Peabody Clergy and Ministerial Association 2022 Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service November 22, 2022, 7 pm Parish of St. John the Baptist
17 Chestnut St, Peabody, MA 01960
The Danvers People to People Food Pantry
Please consider adding a few items to your shopping cart and dropping them off at church on Thursdays between 8:30 and 1:30 pm, or on Sunday mornings, or at the pantry itself.
The food pantry is asking specifically for jarred spaghetti sauce, brand name cereals and graham crackers.
Thank you for your generosity!
Diocesan News
"By this they will know you": Address by Bishop Gates to the 2022 Diocesan Convention Following is the prepared text of the address given by Bishop Alan M. Gates at the 237th annual Diocesan Convention on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.
On the Sunday morning after my mother’s recent death, I slipped quietly into a back pew at one of our churches. I had the need to pray. The Processional began: Hymn 400, All creatures of our God and King. At the fifth verse, the voices around me sang: “All you that pain and sorrow bear, praise God, and cast on him your care: O praise him, Alleluia.” I knew I was where I needed to be. The liturgy of the church went on to have its way with me that morning: prayers; hymns; a baptism to highlight the promise of God’s grace to another generation; strength received in the Eucharist; and a gentle word from the clergy as I departed.
“By this they will know you: The Call of Love in Our Time and Place” This is the watchword of our convention this year. “By this they will know you.” Diocese of Massachusetts: by this I have known you these past weeks – by your love. Cards on the mantle; condolences in word and e-mail; support from colleagues enabling my time away with family. The loss of a parent is a singular moment. In the midst of that loss, you have been Church for me. I thank you. And I uphold that experience as but one of literally thousands of ways that members and congregations are manifesting the Call of Love: in your churches, in your communities, in your families, in your workplaces, and even around the globe. “By this they will know you.”
You are invited to participate in the Diocese REDI Assessment Survey
The diocesan Racial Justice Commission invites all people in the diocese to take part in a Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Assessment. It is an online survey that takes 30-35 minutes to complete, and is being offered by the commission's Subcommittee on Accountable Structures and Practices as "something people in our diocese can do to move us closer to the idea of Beloved Community."
“As we approach Advent, the beginning of our church year, the REDI survey provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on how we are living into our mission as Christians,” Kris Wile, subcommittee co-chair and a member of St. Elizabeth’s Church in Sudbury, said. “We hope every leader will participate--and encourage those in their communities to participate also.”
The REDI survey measures proxies for race-based discrimination, diversity, inclusion and equity in faith-based institutional settings. The results will help in gaining an understanding of the level of awareness and knowledge of racial equity culture and will help gauge perceptions of the environment for decision makers, staff and community members.
REDI survey results are confidential and are reported only in the aggregate, in a continuum format, with suggested areas to develop based on a final REDI score. This assessment will be used as a baseline in 2022 and can be taken again in the future to measure progress toward race equity goals.
Use this link for more information and to get started with the survey. The survey link is also posted at www.diomass.org/REDI-Assessment.
Questions about the survey may be directed to consultant Bryana Clover at brave@bryanaclover.com.
The Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries is inviting you to join The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris as she offers The Episcopal 101 to our Diocesan Community.
November 15, 2022
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts: Structure of authority, clerical leadership appointment here as compared to the way appointments are made in Anglican dioceses. Register here.
November 29, 2022
Vestry & Priest relationships in a local worshipping community: Vestry 101 Register here.
December 13, 2022
Financial Matters: Stewardship, Spending Authorization and Accountability. Register here.
All events are 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Zoom.
For more information, contact Margaret Lias, Assistant for Congregations and Grant Administration mlias@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 229
Dear Friends of the Cathedral,
The Very Rev. Amy McCreath
and the
Cathedral Campaign Committee
cordially request the pleasure of your company at a reception
inaugurating the
“A House of Prayer for all People- In All Seasons”
Capital Campaign
Replacing failing HVAC systems and installing lifts in office buildings is not glamorous, but it is essential for our staff and visitors, and in order to welcome new programs and non-profit organizations into the space. Adding the capacity for zoned, efficient air-conditioning to the sanctuary and Sproat Hall on increasingly long and hot summer days opens up countless possibilities for hosting diocesan, civic, and arts events, and allowing those without other places to stay cool a life-giving welcome.
