The Rev. Mary Abrams reading the Gospel at Summer Camp.

Dear Friends in Christ:

 "I sing a song of the saints of God...." This joyous, familiar hymn is sung on All Saints Day around the world on every All Saints Sunday since its introduction to "The Hymns of Children" in Great Britain in 1929. It is a song that reminds us all of the diversity of all our saints...."and one was a doctor and one was a queen and one was a shepherdess on the green."

 Our All Saints Camp and Retreat Center has continued to embody the ministry of diversity through hospitality and grace for the past forty-nine years. As we journey towards our fiftieth anniversary in 2015 we are amazed and encouraged by the people whom have found their way to our doors.

 Not only have our children, pre-teens, and teens come to enjoy the opportunities of Summer Camp, Gatherings, and other activities, many groups from outside our diocese also participate in the All Saints experience. Universities and Colleges from the region, like Western Kentucky University, Centre College, Indiana University, and the University of Kentucky have brought their students and faculty to experience All Saints' ministry of hospitality. Groups from other faith traditions, like the Temple in Louisville and the Baha'i from Lexington, as well as area non-profits, like the Home of the Innocents and Sanctuary House, have experienced the peace and serenity of our beautiful campus.

 Yet, no matter how wide our reach might become, you, the members of our diocesan family, form the core support for the mission and ministry of All Saints. That's why we're asking you to participate in the annual All Saints' Sunday offering.  This year we've set an ambitious goal of raising $20,000.  To date, we have received pledges of $10,000 from anonymous donors with a passion for All Saints, for which we are truly grateful.  We're half way to our goal, but we'll need the help of everyone in the Diocese to make it the rest of the way.

 We'd like for your congregation to consider taking up a special offering for the benefit of All Saints this month.  While we've designated All Saints' Sunday for the collection in the past, we'd appreciate your support on whatever Sunday works best for you.  If you're unable to take up a special offering, please consider another way to support this crucial ministry.  We need your help now more than ever for All Saints to continue to its ministry to our region.

 The song of the Saints of God continues to be sung here in Leitchfield as more and more people experience the love of God through the ministry of All Saints.  The support of the people of our Diocese has been "faithful and brave and true" for nearly fifty years.  Thank you in advance for making sure that the song continues.

 Yours in Christ,

 The All Saints Board

To Donate

Donations can be made online or via check.

• Online donations may be made via the button below or by visiting www.allsaints.episcopalky.org/give-to-all-saints.html. 
• Checks should be made out to All Saints Center and include All Saints Offering in the memo line. All checks should be mailed to: Attn: All Saints Sunday Offering, Diocese of Kentucky, 425 S. 2nd Street, Suite 200, Louisville, KY 40202.

Any questions about the annual All Saints Day Offering should be directed to the Rev. Suzanne Barrow at info@allsaintscenter.org. 

The Rev. Victoria Heard, canon for church planting in the Diocese of Dallas, asks a question Oct. 2 during the church-wide gathering of the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church at Washington National Cathedral. TREC member Victor Feliberty-Ruberte, of Puerto Rico, managed the floor microphone. Photo: Mary Frances Schjonberg/Episcopal News Service

[Episcopal News Service - Washington, D.C.] After spending the evening of Oct. 2 answering questions and taking comments about its work, the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church is refining its recommendations to General Convention on structural changes to the church.

TREC's last face-to-face meeting before its report to General Convention is due began with the 2.5-hour gathering Oct. 2. The event was webcast live from Washington National Cathedral. It is also due to be available on demand for later viewing here and here. The agenda included 10-minute presentations from some TREC members each followed by 15-minute question-and-comment periods. A 40-minute question-and-comment period rounded out the meeting. Questions, concerns and comments were taken from the audience in the cathedral as well as from people sending in questions via e-mail and Twitter.

 The task force recently released a letter to the church outlining what it called "our thinking and emerging recommendations" on structural changes it will make to the 2015 meeting of General Convention. It said in that letter that its final report, due to be made public at the end of November, would "illustrate how these recommended changes would help The Episcopal Church to more effectively and efficiently address critical and urgent agenda items, with the flexibility to innovate and experiment more rapidly and to adopt bold courses of action where necessary." [Read more]
 

Other TREC Resources

Letter to the Church - September 2014

Study Paper on Church Wide Governance and Administration - February 2014

Study Paper on Episcopal Networks - February 2014

Letter to the Church - December 2013

Initial Working Report on Identity and Vision - September 2013

We will be gathering all you saints-in-training for a special restorative arts retreat. "Giving Voice to the Stillness" is designed for the beginner as well as those who are already comfortable expressing themselves through image making.

 Using the ancient medium of melted beeswax and collage, we will explore the concept of "What is sacred?" using images from our own lives. Bring photocopies of your child self, precious grand- babies, parents, dog or cat loves, images of your favorite "thin" places, old love letters, favorite poetry or scripture, musical scores, decorative papers, lace, dried flowers/leaves, small broken jewelry parts, chocolate wrappers...anything that feels like home to you (and is relatively flat!). Please note: this is not a shopping list, just opening up the possibilities for your brain to begin playing with. I will bring a treasure trove of goodies, hand picked to augment and enhance your personal collection.

 Come unpack your cares and take a seat at the table that has been prepared for you. There will be laughter...and stillness there.

 The gathering will take place at All Saints Center on October 23rd-25th. Cost of the event is $300 and payable to Kat Fitzpatrick. Please call 502-432-5395 to register today.