Parish Notes

Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday is nationally recognized on February 5. We CAN make a difference… Let's join the movement that is transforming Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and serving. More than 20 years ago, Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group: “Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat.” Since that day, more than $70 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. We begin today providing specially marked soup pots, where monetary donations may be dropped for this project. Plan to drop a dollar in the pot as you leave worship today or next Sunday, and be a part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need. Every dollar donated will go to East Cooper Community Outreach.

Scouts and leaders from Cub Scout Pack #502 will be our guests next Sunday, February 5, as we observe Scout Sunday. Cubmaster Mike Frame will share information about the scouting program at the outset of the 11:00 AM service. We are indeed proud to sponsor Pack #502 and look forward to having them with us next Sunday.

Lutheran Women will celebrate Bold Women’s Day on Sunday, March 11. Bold Women’s Day celebrates all Lutheran women who have acted or are acting boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ. Some women are bold in their unceasing prayers. Other women are bold in their service to those in need. Still other women are bold in their advocacy or through their hospitality. Whether you live out your bold story of faith in the workplace, family or community, your faith compels you to make a difference in the lives of others. It’s all about living out your baptismal call, about being a disciple of Christ. Plans are underway to celebrate this special occasion during our worship services on March 11. Contact Lucy Weber to get involved 388-9012.

Want to do something REALLY useful?

Our Respite Care program, TIME FOR YOU, operates in our Parish Life Center, 10am-1:45pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, offering a half-day of care, fun and lunch for older adults from our community who suffer from dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease or other memory loss. While we care for their loved ones, the usual family caregiver gets a break to shop, care for their home, see their doctors, or just take a nap! We are short handed in our volunteer staff, whose duties include mingling with the older adults, assisting them with eating, crafts or just moving about. We especially need MEN, but women will be welcomed also; our participants are now almost half men, half women, so there is variety among us. The greater need at the moment is for Wednesdays, but you can also volunteer on Mondays. If you would like to do a trial run, please visit with us for a half-day to get a taste of our fun, food and fellowship. Just contact Jim or Kathy Owens at owensjt4@aol.com or 886-0510 for more information or drop in about 9:30am on Monday or Wednesday and introduce yourself as a trial-runner volunteer to Margaret Kunes on Mondays or Chandler Culbreth on Wednesdays; these two ladies are the staff members of Respite Care who plan, organize and run our progra

Lutheran Men welcome Bob Benjamin to the helm! We are deeply grateful to Norm Wolff for his dedication in leading our Lutheran Men in service projects, the Annual Barbecue, monthly meetings and programs for the past five years. Norm has now returned the reigns to Bob Benjamin, no stranger to the Lutheran Men’s organization. Bob and his wife Debbie returned to All Saints last year following several years of work in Maryland. Bob has now assumed the leader role that he carried prior to moving away. Thanks, Norm, and welcome back, Bob!

The Annual Oyster Roast will take place at the home of John and Fran Porcher on March 10th at 4 p.m. (Come early for a great view of the sunset over the marsh). The cost will be $10.00 per person for “oyster eaters”. Since we will be purchasing the oysters, we will need an accurate count of the people who will be attending. In addition there will be hot dogs and chili. Chili makers will be needed! In addition, corn bread and dessert (brownies, cookies) will be on the menu and bakers are needed as well. Please indicate on the sign up sheets what you choose to provide. Sign-up sheets for all of the above will be available in the Parish Life Center. Please bring your own chair and beverages. The directions to the Porcher’s home will be located with the sign up sheets. People are needed to set up before our event and to clean up afterwards. Any and all who can “lend a hand or two” will be appreciated. Any questions please call or email Bob at bbenjamin62@gmail.com or call him @ 860 5910.

Mark your calendars for our next Quiet Day at Mepkin Abbey, to be held Friday, March 9. This contemplative day away from the busyness of life offers a time set apart for intentional reflection, silence, prayer, and Eucharist during the Lenten Season. Flyers with registration and carpool information, as well a further description of the day, are available in the Narthex and Parish Life Center.

WELCOME VISITORS! We invite you to complete a visitor card located in the pew rack. You may place this card in the collection plate or hand it to an usher. Stop by the visitor table in the Narthex and take a visitor bag with our compliments. We’re glad you’re here!

The Annual Congregational Meeting was held last Sunday, January 22, following our 10:00 AM Service of Holy Communion. We are grateful to our Parish Neighborhood Team for coordinating the fellowship lunch, and to all members who provided the delicious covered dishes and the larger than expected crowd who stayed for the meeting. The results of the meeting were as follows:

Election of New Church Council Members : Bob Chromy, Betty Disher,Steve Sebastian

Election of Nominating Committee: Mark Aukamp, Bob Abel, Joey Hydrick, Everett Jones, Nick Koch, Darcy Midtvedt

Call for the Approval of our Ministry Vision Plan for 2012: Approved as submitted. All members were mailed a summary copy of the proposed MVP prior to the meeting. Additional summary copies as well as detailed line item copies are available through the church office.

Call for the Approval of Plan to Fund Emergent Facility Requirements: Approved as submitted. All members were mailed a copy of the recommendation to fund emergent facility issues (roof and HVAC replacement) as well as other deferred facility maintenance requirements. Additional copies are available through the church office.

A Congregational Lenten Study will be held each Sunday afternoon (3:30-5:00) beginning February 26 and continuing through March 25 (five sessions) in various homes throughout our Neighborhood Zones. Each week small groups will gather for fellowship and discussion relative to the Lenten devotional book entitled Book of Faith Lenten Journey – Water Marks, published by Augsburg Fortress Press. This book study will also be offered on Thursday mornings from 10:00-11:30 as an alternative to our Sunday gatherings. Each group will include a host and discussion facilitator who will assist the group in navigating through Scripture’s balance of the image of water as chaos and water as life. This will be an excellent opportunity for a renewal of faith as well as getting to know your fellow brothers and sisters within our church family. Please save the dates and prayerfully prepare to make a personal commitment to this Lenten discipline of study, prayer, and the deepening of our Christian community. Sign-up sheets are located on the glass table at the entrance to the Sanctuary and at the head of the buffet table in the Parish Life Center. Please indicate if childcare will be needed. The Lenten Study is being sponsored by our Witness Ministry Team. More information regarding our Lenten schedule will be forthcoming.

SONlight is a message designed for children ages Pre-K - 5th grade and is offered during the sermon time in the SPARK Sunday School room. The children participate in worship and Holy Communion with their families, but can enjoy a gospel message especially geared to their level of understanding. They may leave with the SONlight teacher during the Hymn of the Day and return to their parents during the Sharing of the Peace.

Ed and Eunice Greiman are celebrating being 80+! They would like to invite the All Saints family to a little birthday celebration on February 5 1:00 - 3:00 PM. There will be fellowship and fun. No presents please. You may bring a snack to share if you so wish. Beverages will be provided. The place: The club house at Long Grove in Seaside Farms off the Isle of Palms Connector.

Nursery volunteers are often needed to assist in the nursery when one of our Nursery Caretakers, Ann, Jessica or Stephanie, are away. Volunteers are also often needed for our occasional weekday or evening services. Please contact Lisa in the Church Office if you would like to be included on our “call” list for nursery volunteers. Our desire is to always provide adequate and quality care for our littlest ones, and a dependable volunteer pool can insure that we have the nursery covered in the absence of our regular caretakers.

Out of Concern for those with severe chemical allergies, we ask for the cooperation of the congregation in refraining from wearing perfumes and other scented products to church.

PREPARING FOR NEXT WEEK: Jan 30 – Feb 5

Monday Psalm 35:1-10 Tuesday 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 Wednesday Jeremiah 29:1-14 Thursday Luke 2:22-40 Friday Psalm 147:1-11, 20c Saturday Isaiah 46:1-13 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39.