Rector's Note: A Light in the Darkness | All Saints Episcopal Church

Dear Saints,

When I first came to All Saints in 2018, one of my first introductions to the neighborhood was the Woodstock Tree Lighting. I remember it fell on a rather gloomy night — one that mirrored some of the gloom we were in following the fire in Paradise, CA, and two mass shootings that had happened around that time.

But experiencing the Tree Lighting event itself was a gift. It was an hour of getting to step into a totally different type of space of people being neighborly, businesses giving away their food and drinks for free while hosting activities for kids, and strangers gathering around fires for marshmallows and singing carols together.

John’s prologue talks about the light in the darkness, and that night was a light for me. I am so excited to be able to participate in it again this year, and that All Saints will have a booth to pass out candy canes and invite people to our Christmas Eve services. The event is tomorrow (Dec 11), 5pm to 6pm. There is no charge and all are welcome. If you come, be sure to stop by the All Saints booth to say hi to fellow parishioners and look for my family and me. We will be somewhere bundled up.

Also, don’t forget that this Sunday is Rose Sunday, one of the two Sundays of the year where we get to wear our beautiful Rose vestments made by parishioners. After the 10:15am service the Mustard Seed will be open for Christmas shopping or for you to simply check it out if you haven’t seen our parish Thrift Store yet.

I look forward to seeing you at the Tree Lighting and/or Sunday!

Andria+

Tags: Weekly Rector's Note

Welcome to All Saints – we are a community desiring to transform our lives through following Christ’s healing example of gentleness, humility, compassion, forgiveness, and peace toward all. If you are visiting Portland or if you are looking for a church home with an active intergenerational community, All Saints is a church where you will find a place of quiet reflection, or joyous celebration and fellowship. No matter where you are on your journey of faith, you will find there is a place for you here—just come as you are.

The Rev. Andria Skornik, Rector

The purpose of All Saints Church is to celebrate God’s love, to seek and to serve Christ in all persons, and to go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Your presence is a blessing regardless of your background, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or ethnicity, age or family structure, abilities or limitations or wherever you are in life’s journey.

All Saints Episcopal Church is a Believe Out Loud Congregation. Click here this link for more information.

Our 8:00 A.M. Holy Communion, Rite 1 Service, held in the Chapel, is our most traditional service. All are welcome. Our 10:15 A.M. Holy Communion, Rite II Service, held in the Sanctuary, includes a Sermon, Readings, and Hymns. You can participate In-Person or in the Live Premiere on our Facebook page or watch on our website. The current bulletin and service can always be found in the Online Worship section of our website. All are welcome.

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