More from All Saints

Yesterday evening we were treated to an abundance of hospitality at All Saints parish in Las Vegas. We were welcomed by Rector Ed Lovelady and members of the parish, and during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist we had some phenomenal preaching by a member of the congregation whose name I am ashamed to say I didn’t catch. After a delicious dinner served by member and caterer Beth Pokorny and her son Matthew we proceed to a lively question and answer session with the candidates. The panel question asked each candidate to name two highlights of their current ministry, and here are their responses:

St. Francis parish in Macon, where Dan Edwards is Rector, is one of the largest financial supporters of Diversity House, a residence for persons living with AIDS. Dan is also committed to a ministry of reconciliation, working to heal those people who have suffered spiritual injury by their churches.

Eric Funston, a former lawyer, began a Red Mass in his community of Medina, Ohio. The Red Mass is an annual worship and charitable event for members of a local court and legal community, and the Red Mass in Medina has been raising funds for Blue Coats, an organization aiding first responders (firefighters, police officers, etc.) injured in the line of duty. Eric and his parish also began a music ministry, opening the doors of their church for Brown Bag Concerts performed by students from the music departments of the local colleges. All proceeds from the freewill offering taken during the concerts are donated to music programs in the community.

Al Keeney’s community, St. John’s Church in the diocese of Rochester, has been transformed from what he decribed as a “cold and troubled congregation” to one that is hospitable, welcoming, and dedicated to outreach. St. John’s operates a soup kitchen and an outreach ministry to patients discharged from the local VA hospital. Al has also led participation in the healing and restoration of the church’s youth group, which had dissolved in the wake of sexual misconduct by one of the group leaders. Today St. John’s enjoys a large youth group with a strong Journey to Adulthood program.

Jeff Paul has transformed a congregation which had developed a reputation as being hostile to the presence of children and youth to one where people of all ages are full participants in worship, education, and parish leadership. St. Peter’s is also involved with Circles of Support, a coalition of interfaith leaders, business people, local government officials, and law enforcement personnel in the Carson City area who are dedicated to ending poverty in Nevada.

Susan Burns worked with parishioners in memorizing the Passion Gospel and presented a re-enactment during Holy Week, which brought home all the drama and meaning of one of our most sacred narratives to her congregation. The following year members of Redeemer did the same with the Gospel for the Easter Vigil. Susan believes that by “inwardly digesting” Scripture members of the congregation were literally able to embody the sacred stories. She and members of her congregation are also supporters and participants in Street Church, a weekly outdoor Holy Eucharist and lunch for the homeless which is held in a park in Washington D.C. Worshipping with those who are poor and marginalized has had a profound impact on Susan’s understanding of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Cathy Deats once again highlighted St. James’ ministry to the deaf, and also described an “accidental” ministry to a group of teenagers. Upon opening the church doors for an early morning Ash Wednesday service she found a group of young people hanging out on the church steps while waiting for the bus to take them to school. She and a group of parishioners supplied them coffee and company once a week, and this outreach continued until the city moved the bus stop to another location.

Isn’t it interesting how all these stories, although different, highlight the importance of serving not just our own needs but those of the community around us?

Blessings,
RR+