April 27, 2020 

Dear Ones,

I do have a few updates to share with you all this week.

First, in light of Governor Kemp’s recent decision to begin opening certain businesses, I did want to clarify that there will not be a significant change occurring for our All Saints worship in the near term. We are continuing to align with our Diocesan direction to avoid in-person worship and will re-evaluate that position in late May. The one change you will see in upcoming weeks is a return to the Sanctuary to record and live-stream worship. I anticipate this change occurring mid-May, once some painting and repairs are completed from past water damage in our transepts and choir area.

By now you should have received your first quarter statements of giving. I want to personally thank you for your faithfulness to All Saints and do encourage those who can to assist with additional giving as addressed by our Treasurer, Beth Wood, as we strive to proactively work through anticipated shortfalls due to us not meeting in person.

I also want to thank so many who have generously given towards both the Food Bank and the Rector’s Discretionary fund. Your donations are being put to good use, as our Food Pantry clients continue to come at unprecedented levels. Your help is instrumental in allowing All Saints to effectively serve the wider community.

You may recall that All Saints has planned to engage with Family Promise this calendar year in ministering to homeless families. While we have not yet directly assisted as a support church, we do have an opportunity to assist as a community with their UnGala! on May 1st. The pandemic has families facing even greater challenges and Family Promise of Greater Houston County wants to do their best to support both current and graduate families during these difficult times. By supporting the UnGala!, we assist transitioning families from becoming homeless again during these times of layoffs and reduced hours. Donations can be made via check to FPGHC, PO Box 8434, Warner Robins, GA 31095, or online at https://givebutter.com/ungala. You would learn more about Family Promise and this event in their April newsletter by clicking here: https://a22657d9-9953-4f92-9527-96ff278d5c0d.filesusr.com/ugd/379694_f9add30d199a448b9f2e0c5eae146155.pdf

And finally, I’d like to mention our daily lives and that swirl of emotions many of us may be experiencing daily. I recently was checking in with others on a Zoom conference call and someone honestly answered, “It depends on when you ask me. Right now I’m fine. But a couple of hours ago, not so much.”

How familiar that sounds! We have good days and bad days, but I’d like to remind us all that one of the things that truly helps is regular prayer. 

If you already have a rich prayer life, that’s wonderful. But if you are one of many hoping for a deeper life of prayer or perhaps to resume a habit of daily prayer that may have fallen away, this is the time. No shame, no guilt, no looking back required — just a focus towards building a new practice. And there’s no better time to start than now!

I’ll start off suggesting to just plain start. Don’t wait until you’re in the mood, or for the perfect time. Just start. Let that one change begin today. Join us or another church for their Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, or Compline services. Or use an online resource like www.missionstclare.org, which can help you with daily podcasts or access on your electronic devices. Or subscribe to a daily reflection through Forward Day-by-Day at https://prayer.forwardmovement.org or the Society of St. John the Evangelist at https://www.ssje.org/word/. And our Book of Common Prayer has many resources, including Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families (pg.137) and the Psalter (pg 585).

And finally, if you’re used to picking up a Forward Day by Day at the church, we’ll have a drive-through pick-up this Thursday, April 30 from 1 - 2 pm, so you can have this daily guide available to you. You can stay in your car and maintain proper social distancing and pick up one of these wonderful reflection guides!  (And if this timing doesn’t work for you, please contact the office and we’ll send one in the mail.)

Christ is with us, in good times and bad, always ready to hear our prayers and inviting us to walk with him in his way of love. Spend time with our Lord and Savior, for he knows us and loves us, and longs for us to abide in him.

Blessings,

Mother Bonnie+