ALL SAINTS’ BULLETIN
The Monthly Newsletter of All Saints’
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May, 2009
228-9242
www.allsaintsthomasville.org
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ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC
AND WORK DAY
May 3
 (Please bring a salad, vegetable, casserole, etc.  –  Church will provide the chicken, bread and dessert.)
Please see article regarding the Work Day.

ST. CECILIA AND ST DAVID CHOIR AWARDS
May 10

AWARDS SUNDAY AND
RECOGNITION OF HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE GRADUATES
LAST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL
May 17

THE END OF CHRISTIAN AMERICA
Although somewhat misleading, such is the title of the very fine cover story of the April 19 edition of Newsweek.   Far from describing the end of Christian America, the article succeeds rather well at explaining who we are now – and what, as a nation we are about to become – given that the percentage of self-identified Christians has fallen 10 points in the past two decades.  The author is Newsweek’s Editor in Chief Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize winner for his recent biography of Andrew Jackson.  A graduate of the University of the South at Sewanee, he has been a life-long Episcopalian.  Excerpted portions of the article appear below, which may be read in its entirety at newsweek.com  It’s important to keep in mind that “Christian” means different things to different people, not to mention the existence of “good” Christianity and “bad” Christianity at both ends of the political spectrum.  If Mr. Meacham is correct in seeing a decline in “bad” Christianity, the benefit to our country can only be for the better – at least more along the lines of what the Founding Fathers intended.   FAB

...Religious doubt and diversity have, however, always been quintessentially American. Alexis de Tocqueville said that "the religious atmosphere of the country was the first thing that struck me on arrival in the United States," but he also discovered a "great depth of doubt and indifference" to faith. Jefferson had earlier captured the essence of the American spirit about religion when he observed that his statute for religious freedom in Virginia was "meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and the Mahometan, the Hindoo and infidel of every denomination"—and those of no faith whatever. The American culture of religious liberty helped create a busy free market of faith: by disestablishing churches, the nation made religion more popular, not less.

America, then, is not a post-religious society—and cannot be as long as there are people in it, for faith is an intrinsic human impulse. The belief in an order or a reality beyond time and space is ancient and enduring. "All men," said Homer, "need the gods." The essential political and cultural question is to what extent those gods—or, more accurately, a particular generation's understanding of those gods—should determine the nature of life in a given time and place.

If we apply an Augustinian test of nationhood to ourselves, we find that liberty, not religion, is what holds us together. In "The City of God," Augustine —converted sinner and bishop of Hippo—said that a nation should be defined as "a multitude of rational beings in common agreement as to the objects of their love." What we value most highly—what we collectively love most—is thus the central test of the social contract....

[Our] foundational documents are the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, not the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament (though there are undeniable connections between them). This way of life is far different from what many overtly conservative Christians would like. But that is the power of the republican system engineered by James Madison at the end of the 18th century: that America would survive in direct relation to its ability to check extremism and preserve maximum personal liberty. Religious believers should welcome this; freedom for one sect means freedom for all sects....  Religion has been a factor in American life and politics from the beginning. Anglican observance was compulsory at Jamestown, and the Puritans of New England were explicitly hoping to found a New Jerusalem. But coerced belief is no belief at all; it is tyranny....

The columnist Cal Thomas was an early figure in the Moral Majority who came to see the Christian American movement as fatally flawed in theological terms. "No country can be truly 'Christian'," Thomas says. "Only people can. God is above all nations, and, in fact, Isaiah says that 'All nations are to him a drop in the bucket and less than nothing'." Thinking back across the decades, Thomas recalls the hope—and the failure. "We were going through organizing like-minded people to 'return' America to a time of greater morality. Of course, this was to be done through politicians who had a difficult time imposing morality on themselves!"

Experience shows that religious authorities can themselves be corrupted by proximity to political power. A quarter century ago, three scholars who are also evangelical Christians—Mark A. Noll, Nathan O. Hatch and George M. Marsden—published an important but too-little-known book, "The Search for Christian America." In it they argued that Christianity's claims transcend any political order. Christians, they wrote, "should not have illusions about the nature of human governments. Ultimately they belong to what Augustine calls 'the city of the world,' in which self-interest rules … all governments can be brutal killers."

Their view tracks with that of the Psalmist, who said, "Put not thy trust in princes," and there is much New Testament evidence to support a vision of faith and politics in which the church is truest to its core mission when it is the farthest from the entanglements of power. The Jesus of the Gospels resolutely refuses to use the means of this world—either the clash of arms or the passions of politics—to further his ends. After the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the dazzled throng thought they had found their earthly messiah. "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." When one of his followers slices off the ear of one of the arresting party in Gethsemane, Jesus says, "Put up thy sword." Later, before Pilate, he says, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight." The preponderance of lessons from the Gospels and from the rest of the New Testament suggests that earthly power is transitory and corrupting, and that the followers of Jesus should be more attentive to matters spiritual than political....

"We have important obligations to do whatever we can, including through the use of political means, to help our neighbors—promoting just laws, good order, peace, education and opportunity," wrote Noll, Hatch and Marsden. "Nonetheless we should recognize that as we work for the relatively better in 'the city of the world,' our successes will be just that—relative. In the last analysis the church declares that the solutions offered by the nations of the world are always transitory solutions, themselves in need of reform...."

AN UPDATE ON THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT BISHOP OF GEORGIA
In April we conducted telephone interviews with seventeen nominees to be the Tenth Bishop of Georgia. We divided into teams for this purpose with the option that committee members could listen in on other interviews that their team was not conducting. We hoped this would mean that more committee members than the interview team itself would have more knowledge of the nominee when it came time for the next moment in the discernment process.

Committee members invested nearly 128 hours in conference calls not including the time given by those members who listened in to additional interviews, which probably added 50 hours or more to that total. Your search committee has been very diligent in this work.

We enjoyed talking with our nominees who all turned out to be pretty good conversationalists! As our interviews progressed we began to appreciate them more fully for the unique and capable priests they are. In addition to specific questions about background, we asked each nominee about the funding formulas used in their dioceses, about their experience with youth and college ministries, and about their comfort level with the kinds of diversity expressed in our diocese.

On April 15th, we met in Dublin to enjoy the coffee, doughnuts, and sandwiches graciously set out for us by the people of Christ Church. We began by sharing our personal experiences of Jesus’ resurrection as we prayed to prepare for the work of that day.

On the basis of our interviews and after a good deal of thoughtful discussion, we selected ten nominees to go forward with us as we continue the process of discernment. Those not selected to go forward in the process were telephoned the next day by a member of the committee as were those invited to come to Savannah for a face to face conversation with the Search Committee. We are pleased that all ten have accepted our invitation.

These interviews will begin the last week in April and conclude by the end of May. We plan to spend the better part of a whole day with each nominee. We have designed the days to facilitate productive and engaging conversation about a number of significant issues before our church and diocese, and to allow for the important questions we expect the nominees to ask us. With as much hospitality as we can muster, we look forward to welcoming our nominees to Savannah and to the Diocese of Georgia.

Please keep our committee and this work in your prayers.

(The Rev.) Robert Fain, Chairman
Search / Nominating Committee

ALL SAINTS’ WORK DAY

Dear Parish Family,

During its monthly meeting the Vestry identified a small number of projects that could be attended to by the congregation rather than hire out the work (at significant cost, most likely). The first of these projects to be addressed is the worn paint on the front steps of the church. Looking for a good weekend to get parishioners together for a work day before the end of school and summer, the Vestry realized that the parish picnic presented a unique opportunity to get some work done at a time when we were already together.

So wear your casual working clothes to church on Sunday, May 3 and we’ll worship, relax, have a picnic, and get a little work done too. The Vestry hopes to have the steps prepped prior to the day of the picnic, so with enough help, we can get the job done quickly, easily, and have fun at the same time. Once we accomplish this, who knows….we may decide to take on something even more ambitious.

Sincerely,
Chip Bragg
Junior Warden

CLERGY CONFERENCE

Fr. McQueen will be out of the office May 6-7 attending the semi-annual clergy conference at Honey Creek.

HAIL AND FAREWELL

Congratulations to our graduating seniors: 

From Brookwood:
 Cecile Shea
 DJ Grooms

From Thomas County Central
 Melissa Funk

ATTENTION VESTRYMEN

The Vestry will have its regular monthly meeting in the Parish Hall Library at 8:00 A.M. on May 17.

THE FEAST OF THE ASCENSION

We will observe this day with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the church at 12:10 PM on Thursday May 21.  Please note that this is a major holy day and all who find it possible are urged to attend.

OFFICE CLOSING

The parish office will be closed May 21 in observance of the Feast of the Ascension and on May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

 
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN NEWS

The ECW Book Club will meet at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13.  Please bring a brief synopsis of the book you are currently reading.  We will share these and come up with a summer reading list.  Lunch will be served so please make a reservation. (Not required, but greatly appreciated).

The April meeting was well attended, especially considering a change of date.  Margaret Sibley led the discussion and it was lively!!!  The book was "Loving Frank" and everyone had an opinion.  Margaret provided a lovely lunch with the table decorated with Antique Architectural tools.  We were all the recipients of beautiful hand painted book marks.  These were a gift from our very talented Russell Fryar.  Many thanks to Margaret and Russell. See you on the 13th. All are welcome.

The ECW will have its last meeting of the spring on Wednesday, May 13 at 5:00 p.m. .  Please come and bring any nominations you might have for officers for the coming year.  We will have a visit from the knitting group and also revisit some requests for financial help.  If you haven't attended a meeting please know any female member of All Saints is automatically a member, yet anyone else is always more than welcome -- we would love to have you.  Our informal meetings only last an hour and cover a variety of subjects.

The April meeting was great!!!!  Pizza in the parking lot!!!  Many thanks to Lee Saussy.  See you on the 13th. 

Lee Mitchell and Lee Chubb

EYC NEWS

Sunday, May 3 –  EYC following Evening Prayer  Granddaddy’s Fun Day

Sunday, May 10 –  No EYC (take care of Mom that day!)

Sunday, May 17 – Take a break from studying for exams, and have Ice Cream      Sundaes after church.  No dinner, no program, just desert to help you in your last minute cramming.  After Evening Prayer.  

Date TBD – End-of-year party

We will have some events during the summer, so be sure to read the June, July, and August newsletters for details.


SATURDAY MEALS FOR THE NEEDY

Our second soup kitchen was a phenominal success.  Thanks to all who participated, especially our Team 2 leaders, Jinanne and Bob Parrish and Gini and Ron Miller. 

Team 3 will be responsible for the next date scheduled for Saturday, May 16.  Team 3 members include Lee and Russell Chubb, Lee and Buck Mitchell as team leaders, Rebecca Chubb, Randall Sanford, Warren Bicknell, Mary Golden, Kim and Scooter Grubbs and Jill and Wilson Carraway.

Watch your mail for a letter with the schedule for the remainder of the year.  Call me if you would like to join this worthwhile outreach project.

Debbie Beeson (403-9016)


ST. CECILIA AND ST. DAVID CHOIRS

Both choirs will sing May 3 and May 10; the last rehearsals of the year will be Wednesday, May 6.  On Sunday, May 10, these choristers will be recognized for their service to the music ministry of All Saints’:

St. Cecilia Choir
 
Sam Bruhn
Hardy Davis
Olivia Enright
Lilly Jackson
Addison Kelley*
Carsyn Kelley*
Kinsey Kelley*
Simms Ladson
Ethan Myers
Reid Myers
Elizabeth Rollins*
Raleigh Rollins
Ella Simmons
Maryam Sibley
Parker Watt

These choristers* will receive gold crosses for completing their first year in choir.  Reid Myers, Raleigh Rollins, Ella Simmons and Parker Watt will move to the St. David Choir next year.

St. David Choir
 
Curry Brinson
Madi Bruhn
Marley Davis
Ford Faulk
Meme Hand
Annalee Jackson
Virginia Jackson
Jackson Leverett
Mariah Miller
Preston Young

USHERS FOR MAY

May 3      
Charles Olson     
Clayton Penhallegon    

May 10
Raleigh Rollins
Charles Sanders

May 17      
Mike Shea  
Philip Watt     

May 24
Geoffrey Young
Charlie Whitney

May 31
Bob Balfour
Don Bruhn

THE MUSIC IN A REST

“There is no music in a rest, but there is the making of music in it.  In our whole life-melody the music is broken off here and there by rests and we foolishly think we have come to the end of the theme.  God sends a time of forced leisure, sickness, disappointed plans, frustrated efforts, and makes a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives;  and we lament that our voices must be silent, and our part missing in the music which ever goes up to the ear of the Creator.  How does the musician read the rest?  See him beat the time with unvarying count, and catch up the next note true and steady, as if no breaking-place had come between.

“Not without design does God write the music of our lives.  Be it ours to learn the tune, and not to be dismayed at the rests.  They are note to be slurred over, not to be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the keynote.  If we look up, God Himself will beat the time for us.  With the eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear.  If we sadly say to ourselves, there is no music in a rest, let us not forget there is the making of music in it.  The making of music is often a slow and painful process in this life.  How patiently God works to teach us.  How long He waits for us to learn the lesson.”                                   -- John Ruskin

   And so I come for deeper rest to this still room;
        For here, the habit of the soul
   Feels less the outer world’s control,
        And from the silence, multiplied
   By these still forms on every side,
        The world that time and sense have known
   Falls off and leaves us, God, alone.                                          
                                                    --John Greenleaf Whittier

TRANSITIONS:

Happy Birthday in May to:

Ford Faulk    5-2-98
Ella Simmons    5-18-01
Samuel Sewell    5-18-94
Della Patton    5-19-05
Audrey Simmons   5-22-95
Christopher C. Watt   5-27-99
Samuel Bruhn    5-28-01
Savannah Singletary   5-29-96
Max Patton    5-31-99

Happy Birthday in June to:

John Brigham Daniel   6-1-07
Russell Therrien    6-1-88
Branden Therrien   6-5-92
Christopher Sanford   6-12-88
Henry Leverett    6-30-01
Anna Kelly    6-18-97
Nicholas Hagan Womble  6-21-07
DJ Grooms    6-27-90
Olivia Kavouklis   6-27-92

THE PARISH REGISTER

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell Smith announce the safe delivery of a son,
Campbell Avery Smith, Jr. on March 11, 2009.

FOR THE FEAST OF THE ASCENSION:

At a Solemn Music

Blest pair of Sirens, pledges of heaven’s joy,
Sphere-born harmonious sisters, Voice and Verse,
Wed your divine sounds, and mixed power employ
Dead things with inbreathed sense able to pierce,
And to our high-raised phantasy  present
That undisturbed song of pure concent,
Aye sung before the sapphire-coloured throne
To him that sits thereon,
With saintly shout and solemn jubilee,
Where the bright Seraphim in burning row
Their loud uplifted angel-trumpets blow,
And the Cherubic host in thousand quires
Touch their immortal harps of golden wires,
With those just spirits that wear victorious palms,
Hymns devout and holy psalms
Singing everlastingly;
That we on earth with undiscording voice
May rightly answer that melodious noise;
As once we did, till disproportioned sin
Jarred against Nature’s chime, and with harsh din
Broke the fair music that all creatures made
To their great Lord, whose love their motion swayed
In perfect diapason, whilst they stood
In first obedience and their state of good.
O may we soon again renew that song,
And keep in tune with heaven, till God ere long
To his celestial consort us unite,
To live with him, and sing in endless morn of light.

     John Milton