A big hooray for Kate Mclean who placed in both the backstroke and the freestyle in the Smoky Mountain Invitational this weekend and will swim in the finals with the Emerald Youth Swim Team...a HUGE win for her and the team. AND its her Birthday!! Happy 9th birthday to this bright light and cherished child.

Happy Birthday to this great athlete, coach, encourager, big sister and friend. She has a great story, is a huge fighter, and has an enormous passion to love and empower the children of this city in Emerald Youth and beyond. So glad you were born, Bryden Banister. Keep on shining.

Last Friday four women friends and I took a trolley from Knox Area Rescue Ministries to Subway on market square.  

"So?", you may be asking yourself.

Well, what was remarkable is that the women, who are clients and residents at the shelter, formed a tight, vigilant circle around me as we walked beneath the underpass to get to the trolley. (That underpass is marred with graffiti and gang symbols and is often populated by more dangerous members of the homeless community.)  I was perplexed by their actions, and asked them about it, and they turned and said, "Well, we don't want you to get hurt, Deb".  

I got to hang out a bit last week with Pierce Lamacchia, who owns KBrew, a popular neighborhood coffee shop on the corner of Broadway and Glenwood. They are celebrating their nine month opening, and are already wildly successful. They are adding more food to their inventory and have recently come out with New York Style bagels, baked fresh from Hot Bagel. Check out their clever stories and photos on Facebook, or just head on down there for an everything bagel and an Almond Latte, and you'll probably see somebody you know. I like Pierce's vision because he has a passion for great business, but he can't go long without talking about how he wants to use this business to improve the community around him and bring people together for good. Go Pierce. ALSO! Look at how great his teeth are!! He and his lady friend (Carrie Jo Pinckard) are the most dentally-compatible couple I've ever seen!!

 The All Souls Medical Fund will be accepting application for this quarter from now through August 15. If you have medical, behavioral, or dental needs not covered by insurance or you have no insurance you can apply. This is a matching fund and the details are attached in the link below. Turn in or email applications to Brad Carter (bradcart@lycos.com), Ginger Kielarowski (kfam502@comcast.net), or to Jill (jill@allsoulsknoxville.com) in the church office this quarter. We ask that you submit supporting documents such as bills, payments and insurance coverage statements with the application.

Medical Fund Policy 

Medical Fund Application 

I can't say enough good things about the Wordplayer's production of the Secret Garden at the Bijou last weekend. Noelle Harb was incredible, playing the character of the Ayah (an Indian nursemaid) but had a role that was much more indicative of a creative personification of the Holy Spirit, and it was quite powerful. This story is a great illustration of the healing power of God's natural beauty as well the deep curative benefits of family and forgiveness. If you've not had a chance to read Frances Hodgson Burnett's marvelous story, it's worth your time. I sat down recently with Melanie Leach and talked the gift of story in our spiritual lives and what her experience was with being on the team of directors that made this story come to life. She has unique perspective on using narratives such as these to understand God's movements in our lives, and again, she is an excellent one to connect with. Thank you for the wonderful journey, Wordplayers.

I always know if I am looking for grace, Mary Butler is a tender soul that communicates this so well. I love the thoughts she shared from Richard Rohr on surrender:  

To Western or comfortable people, surrender and letting go sounds like losing. But it's actually accessing a deeper, broader sense of the self, which is already whole, already filled with abundant life. This is the part of you that had always loved God and said 'yes' to God. It's the part of you that is Love, and all we have to do is let go and fall into it. It's already there. --Richard Rohr   

All of these three ladies either have been or are currently involved at All Souls in women's groups and in the prayer community particularly relating to Recovery and 12-Step work, and have mentored many young women in our community. My experiences with these women and with people who have walked with me in Recovery have been absolutely life-changing. It was a privilege and joy to be present today as Lynn Castle got her 20 year sobriety chip. Thank you, Judy Pate, Lynn Castle and Janie Howard.

A great place to serve! The medical fund team is needing one or two new members for the team. If you know a member in our body who we should consider or would like to be considered yourself, let any of the medical fund team members know. The team meets quarterly to review applications and policy. The work involves review of paperwork, making phone calls, and followup contact work. We are looking for people in the body who have a calling for outreach to our own body and are willing spend time in prayerful consideration on medial funding decisions in a confidential manner. Email Brad Carter (bradcart@lycos.com) or Ginger Kielarowski (kfam502@comcast.net).

Love this brilliant and imaginative girl, who makes me tuxedo calculator holders and wants to design roller coasters. She is about to leave for college in Cookeville at Tennessee Tech and will major in Civil Engineering. Happy Birthday, Nicole Gonzalez. You are a treasure.

From Mary Butler: "Shiloh and Jaden Janowick, our grandkids, are now home safely with their Mama in Knoxville. We made lifetime memories with them, and they have truly become world citizens, loving and embracing diverse peoples and cultures of the world." Here are Mary and Jaden, after just getting beautiful henna painted on their hands in their trip to Morocco.

I love this photo and the recent update Jana Morgan shared about Arwen: Today baby girl tripped and fell (while chasing a puppy, of course). After a good cry and with blood still gushing down her face, she jumped up and ran toward the playground like nothing had happened. Brave and independent. (She is now sleeping with a giant bandaid across her forehead.) Little Girl, Big Spirit. #AudaciousToddlers

Do you have an opportunity that a small fund will advance your efforts to seek the peace in the city?  Perhaps an All Souls grant, up to $500, could help.  Download Application here and submit to Marie Alcorn.