Weekly Rector's Note: Chocolate Babka & Esperanza Coffee this Sunday | All Saints Episcopal Church

Dear Saints,

This Sunday is all about joy! The third Sunday in Advent, also known as Gaudete (pronounced gow-DET-eh) means “rejoice.” So our spiritual discipline for the day is to do just that.

The observance of Gaudete dates back to the time when Advent, like Lent, was considered a heavily penitential season, and Gaudete was a chance to take a break from the fasting and contrition to enter into the joy and gladness of Christ’s coming. Though the mood of the season has changed, taking time for joy is still a welcome and much needed practice.

This year, we will be celebrating after the services with chocolate babka from Babkush, the bakery that rents the All Saints kitchen during the week and makes the Parish Hall smell so good. We will also have coffee from local neighborhood roaster and Latinx owned business, Esperanza Trading Co.

In our services, we will also be switching from Advent blue to our beautiful rose colored vestments. These vestments were made by All Saints parishioners. Since rose vestments are only used twice a year, most churches don’t have them. It is very special to be able to use them in our liturgy.

Additionally, you can join us for another moment of joy with the wider community tomorrow night at the Woodstock Tree Lighting. Stop by the All Saints booth to say “hi” and enjoy getting to know some of the wonderful businesses, organizations and people that call Woodstock home.

With joy,

Andria+

Photo by Diliara Garifullina on Unsplash

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.

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