Saints Alive!

From the Rector

SABBATICAL

Thank you to the Reverend Stefani Schatz, who served as Priest in Charge in July and August and ably provided leadership and oversight of the parish while I was away for a sabbatical of refreshment and renewal.

During my time away I explored Celtic spirituality in one of its original strongholds in Brittany, visited the famous monastery of Mt. St. Michel off the coast of Normandy, and toured cultural and religious sites in Paris. I was on retreat in the company of 6,000 young people from 60 countries at the ecumenical monastery in Taize, France. Founded by Brother Roger in the 1940s, Taize sheltered Jews fleeing Nazi persecution during World War II and today is one of the major renewal centers in the world. Brother Roger, now in his 90s and frail, offers prayers and blessings at the worship services each day. Retreat talks were provided for my group of "adults over 30" by Brother Pedro, who hails from Spain but who served in a Taize mission to the homeless and poor in Manhattan. He reflected with us on the Acts of the Apostles; my small discussion group included people from Uganda, Kenya, Slovenia, Holland, Austria, Germany, and Sweeden. After Taize, I visited Geneva and monuments to major figures of the Protestant Reformation such as John Calvin. At Lausanne, Switzerland, I saw a special exhibit at the Olympics Museum on the "roots of sport" that explored spiritual and cultural origins of sport in various parts of the world. At Avignon, France, I visited the "Palace of the Popes" where the popes resided for a century during a troubled period of church history. I hope to give a brief report on my sabbatical during the social hour on September 18.

During my retreat at Taize, I decided to obtain some of the Taize song books for our parish, so we might be more closely linked to this dynamic center of spiritual renewal. We have been singing the Taize chants after communion for the past two years so we are already somewhat familiar with these meditative chants, but perhaps we do not know much about the monastery. My hope is that we will derive inspiration each week from being connected to this rich spiritual resource and share in Taize's mission to promote global peace and understanding.

SURROUND THE SPIRIT

On All Saints Sunday, November 6, we will conclude the observance of the 110th anniversary of the founding of our parish and give thanks for all who have made a commitment to the future of our parish by their generous donations and pledges to the Surround the Spirit campaign. It is not too late to make your pledge or gift to STS. Many thanks for the leadership of the co-chairs of STS, Tom Nutt-Powell, Peter Stringham, and Laura Vennard, and to all who gave generously in this wonderful effort.

WELCOME CHRISTOPHER! THANK YOU, SUSAN

Welcome to Christopher Wendell, seminarian at Episcopal Divinity School, who will serve as a field education intern at All Saints this year. Christopher will assist in the Explorations and Journeys courses, work with our 20s and 30s group, the Beacon Street Fellowship, attend staff meetings, preach, and take part in other ministries of the parish. Thank you to Susan Richard who will be moving to Maine with her husband Joel in October; we wish you well in your new home.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back, J2A Pilgrims from your pilgrimage to Colorado and New Mexico. We look forward to hearing more about your pilgrimage in the next Saints Alive!

On Sunday, September 11 the choir returns and we resume our fall schedule with the main worship service at 10:30 am. Schola meets at 9:30 am and Church School at 10:15 am. Please register for Church School and Schola now (see page 5 for more information).

Remembering September 11: the Power of Faith, the Impact of the Arts is the theme of an exhibit of art, architecture, music and literature of the world's religions that will be open on September 11 at 12 noon in the Guild Room. The exhibit, developed by Wright Salisbury of the Alliance for Jewish, Christian and Muslim Understanding, will also be a featured program of RUAH on September 15 at 7:00 pm. All are invited.

Celtic Tree Celtic Eucharist Celebrates Its Seventh Anniversary - Sept. 24

This summer, I explored Celtic culture, music, and spirituality in Brittany, France. My sojourn in this Celtic homeland brought back memories of my sabbatical in summer 1998 when I participated in a workshop on Celtic Spirituality at St. Deniol's Library in Wales, conducted by theologians A.M Aulchin and Ian Bradley, which included daily field trips to holy sites in northern Wales. A couple of weeks later, I journeyed to the holy isle of Iona in Scotland, a center of contemporary Celtic spirituality known as a "thin place" where the barrier between the divine and human seems reduced.

Lyle and Liz Hall and others in our parish made a pilgrimage to Iona that fall. Their enthusiasm spurred us to share our experience of Celtic spirituality with the rest of the All Saints community. In the fall of 1998, we began the Celtic Holy Eucharist on Wednesdays. To be sure, this was not our parish's first encounter with Celtic spirituality since John O'Donohue and other luminaries were featured speakers in the RUAH program years before. 1998 is a milestone, however, because it marked the beginning of a regular worship service that drew on Celtic themes and celebrated the lives of Celtic saints.

In 2000, we began the Saturday Celtic worship service. Elise Feyerherm, Coordinator and Cantor, organized the service and led the singing each week. Music was provided by Jackie Ostergren, flutist; John Clabeaux, volunteer guitarist; and occasional guest harpists Mairead Doherty and Regina Delaney. Clergy of All Saints served as celebrants and preachers, with lay parishioners and others preaching on occasion. For the past two years, the Rev. Leslie Sterling has served ably as Celtic Coordinator and Cantor, with assistance from Bruce Keary, Deborah Valianti, Susan Clearman, AnneMarie Ellis, Jackie Ostergren, and others. We continue to have a beautiful, reverent Celtic service every Saturday.

On Saturday, September 24 at the 5:00 pm service, we will give thanks for the seven years of Celtic worship that have enriched our parish; an anniversary potluck supper will follow. We will begin our eighth year of Celtic spirituality at All Saints. Please join us on September 24 and at the Celtic Holy Eucharist Wednesdays at 6:15 pm and Saturdays at 5:00 pm throughout the year.

~ David A. Killian

Please send notices and articles for the September 2005 Saints Alive! to Kari Hannibal by October 1, 2005