We will again begin the season of Lent with a party! On Shrove Tuesday, February 17th when we are preparing to be shriven (that is to ask forgiveness, make confession, do penance during the season of Lent) we engage in the tradition to indulge in foods that will be fasted from during Lent (or alternatively, to use up the fat and sugar and other items which will not be used during the season of less indulgence). Our youth will host a pancake supper and we will celebrate with a small bonfire to burn the palms from last year in order to make ashes. Please join us on Tuesday, February 17 at 5 pm in the parish hall and bring your family, friends and neighbors! A free will offering will be accepted. 

Please join us for a casual Bible Study + Eucharist gathering on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm or 7:00 pm in the All Saints' Library this Lent. Our theme and primary texts follow...

February 18th - Jesus, Violence, and Power: Matthew 16:13-17:9

February 25th - Making It Real: Mark 2:1-19

March 4th - A New Identity: Matthew 5:1-16

March 11th - A New Path to Aliveness: Matthew 5:17-48

March 18th - Your Secret Life: Matthew 6:1-18

March 25th - Why We Worry, Why We Judge: Matthew 6:19-7:12

April 1st - The Choice is Yours: Matthew 7:13-29

During the season of Epiphany we have been using Christ Be Our Light as our canticle/hymn of praise which we learned during Advent (we will use a Kyrie in Lent) and we have been using the Proclamation of Faith we have used the past couple of years at Christmas (we will go back to the Nicene Creed in Lent).

The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld will visit All Saints' on Sunday, March 22, 2015. During his visit any individuals who wish to officially become members of the church will be welcomed through: Confirmation, Reception, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, or the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Please review the various rites below and contact our rector: pastorbillpetersen@gmail.com if you wish to prepare for membership during February and March.

Confirmation: The sacramental rite in which the candidates "express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop" (BCP, p. 860). Those who were baptized at an early age and those baptized as adults without laying on of hands by a bishop are expected to make a mature public affirmation of their faith, recommit themselves to the responsibilities of their baptism, and receive laying on of hands by a bishop (BCP, p. 412). Adults baptized with the laying on of hands by a bishop are considered to be confirmed.

Reception (Christian Commitment): Baptized persons who have been members of another Christian fellowship and who wish to be affiliated with the Episcopal Church may make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism in the presence of a bishop. The bishop lays hands on each candidate for reception and says, "We recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion" (BCP, p. 418). Candidates for reception normally have made a mature commitment in another Christian fellowship.

Reaffirmation (of Baptismal Vows): The BCP refers to those persons already baptized who are presented to the bishop in the context of a service of Baptism or Confirmation to reaffirm their baptismal vows. These might be persons returning to the church after a period of unbelief or those who have entered a new level of spiritual life. The BCP does not specify who these persons are, and a variety of interpretation exists. The BCP provides a form to be used for reaffirmation of baptismal vows instead of the confirmation formula (BCP, p. 419). The word "renewal" rather than "reaffirmation" is used to describe the reaffirming of the baptismal covenant by the entire congregation at Baptism, Confirmation, or the Easter Vigil (BCP, p. 292).

The next meeting is February 11th. Please mark your calendars of this change in date.