Upcoming Events

Good boundaries make good clergy
Well-defined personal and professional boundaries are essential for clergy, but many of us find it difficult to set and observe good boundaries. I am committed to good personal and professional boundaries, and have enumerated some here. The website Soul Shepherding offers a helpful overview about the importance of boundaries in the life of the Church and the example of Our Savior. For a deeper and very helpful theological discussion of Christian relationships and boundaries, check out early 20^th century German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s short and very helpful book Life Together.

Keeping good boundaries in a congregational context is difficult. It's tempting to "let my hair down" and relate more as a personal friend than as a priest and pastor. It's a boundary I have violated in the past, and always to my regret – not because I don't value personal friendships with members of the congregation, but because indulging the desire to violate this boundary has a destructive effect on my ability to relate entirely as a pastor when that's necessary. Can we be friends? Absolutely. But with members of the congregation, never in a way that sets aside my responsibilities as priest and pastor.

Boundaries also are difficult to maintain because some (not all) well-intentioned members of the congregation have unrealistic expectations about clergy. They may believe, for example, that clergy are (or should be) available all the time, and are obliged to do whatever it takes to ensure that everyone is happy. That's not possible, and the back-door machinations that the working assumption generates are destructive to the mature spiritual health of the congregation.

Check out lanelikespie.com to read about some of my own boundaries, and what you can expect from me.

The Rev. Lane G. Hensley

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9th:
Madre Cynthia out through 12/13

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10th:
Madre Cynthia out through 12/13
UT QUIET DAYS through 12/18
MORNING PRAYER - 7:30 a.m. in the Church.
LOAVES & FISHES assistance program in Kinsolving Parish Hall. Come visit us any Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. To volunteer contact Amy Pro at [email protected]

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER11th:
Marvin Day Off. Madre Cynthia out through 12/13
UT QUIET DAYS through 12/18

MORNING PRAYER - 7:05 a.m. in the Church.
CURSILLO REUNION GROUP - 6:00 p.m. in the ofﬁce.
OMEGA & DINNER - 6:00 p.m. in Episcopal Student Center.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12th:
Madre Cynthia out through 12/13
UT QUIET DAYS through 12/18

EXAM BREAK & CAROL SING-A-LONG: Join us this Thursday night at 6 p.m. by the picnic tables for hot chocolate and song at the First Annual Exam Break & Carol Sing, sponsored by All Saints’ Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Student Center! We will partner to sing until we don’t feel like it, and music will include traditional religious favorites like O Come All Ye Faithful AND modern secular fun stuff like Frosty the Snowman. Dress warm: It’s outside. Bring your phone: You’ll need it for the music. See https://www.facebook.com/events/2710233119015417 for more info, and invite your friends!
NOTE: Caroling on Saturday, Dec. 14 is CANCELLED.

YOUNG ADULTS GROUP - "House Church" will meet at 7:00 p.m. Location varies each week. Contact Robert Wells at 512-426-3304 or [email protected]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13th:
Lane, Don, Mona, & Anita Off. Jerry telecommutes
Madre Cynthia out through 12/13
UT QUIET DAYS through 12/18
DAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT 9:30 a.m. in Church. Followed by reception in Episcopal Student Center.

HOME-COOKED FRIDAYS: Noon-6:30 p.m. Prep time Kitchen & KPH. 4-5:30 p.m. Serving in Kinsolving Parish Hall.
CURSILLO REUNION GROUP - 3:30 p.m. Front Foyer. If interested in this group, contact Madre Cynthia at 512-476-3589, ext 110 or [email protected]

EYC LIGHTS: 7:00 p.m. at the Lipman-Smith home.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14th:
Mona & Marvin Off. UT QUIET DAYS through 12/18
CENTERING PRAYER GROUP at All Saints’, led by Bert Meisenbach 10:45 a.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
NOTE: Caroling is CANCELLED.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15th:
WAITING FOR THE LIGHT at 9:20 a.m. in Kinsolving Parish Hall. You’ll want to save the date for one of All Saints’ most beloved Christian Formation events of the year—Advent poetry and music curated and read by ASEC parishioners. This always brings in scores of people from outside All Saints’, so be sure to invite friends and share this meaningful time together.

Our last PUB CHURCH of the year at Scholz Garten will be a spirited end of the year Christmas celebration of the Front Porch on Sunday, December 15th, 5:30-7pm. We’re blessed to have the Rev. J. Pittman McGehee, Sr. riff with us on the mystery of the season. Wendy Colonna and Erin Ivey will lead us in singing carols. If you've ever been to a Front Porch event or are curious about what we've been doing, please join us for this happy gathering. There is food and drink and thought-provoking ideas, great music, and communion. EVERYONE is WELCOME!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16th: WOMEN'S GROUP - Ladies Night Out - Austin Handbell Ensemble Concert. This month we're enjoying "A Wintry Mix" concert at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 14311 Wells Port Drive, ATX 78728. Let's meet up between 7-7:15 to get seats for the 7:30 p.m concert. Tickets are $10 and should be purchased ahead at https://www.austinhandbells.org/ RSVP to Denise Ketcham at 512-680-8638 or [email protected] and please indicate if you are interested in carpooling.

UPCOMING EVENTS - (Note changes this year)
CHRISTMAS EVE, TUESDAY, DEC. 24th:
CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICE at 4:00 p.m. (1 hr. earlier)
CAROLS with CHOIR at 9:00 p.m. (1 hr. earlier)
& LITURGY at 9:30 p.m. (1 hr. earlier)
CHRISTMAS DAY, DEC. 25th: EUCHARIST at 10:00 a.m. (Organ but no choir)

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE, DECEMBER 21st: EUCHARIST at 7:00 p.m. University Christian Church (2007 University Ave.) For many of us, the holidays aren’t happy. Though the world seems to be headed directly toward a Merry Christmas, some of us are experiencing pain, depression, and grief. The profound gift of Advent is that it is a time of anticipation. A time to sit and listen and for God to come where we are. Wherever that is. The University Christian Church will offer a "Longest Night Service" with worship in their chapel before meeting in the fellowship hall for a soup and bread supper. For more information, contact the Rev. Chelsea McCutchin at [email protected].

LIGHTHOUSE HOLIDAY EDITION STOCKING STUFFERS SERVICE PROJECT: Every Advent, our children and youth come together to take part in a special project that focuses on the spirit of giving and service to others. The kids are absolutely thrilled to have a meaningful part in making someone’s holiday brighter by creating and stuffing stockings that are handed out to our adult Loaves & Fishes recipients during the month of December. Starting in November, our 3rd-5th Graders cut, sew, and decorate red felt stockings. They are so excited to learn to use a sewing machine to showcase their artistic talents. We request donations from the parish community to help fill the stockings, and encourage the kids to bring in small items as well. Once the stockings are made and the donations are received, the Lighthouse community comes together to stuff our stockings and enjoy the festive cheer of the season as we work to help others. You can support our project by bringing donations to help fill our stockings by donating small toiletry items, combs, gloves, scarves, peppermint candy, anything useful that will fit into a 6” X 18” stocking. Please do not wrap the items. Place donations in the box in the church office labeled “Stocking Stuffers”, or give to one of our Sunday School teachers. We need to have all donations by Friday, Dec. 13th.

PARENTS’ DAY OUT at ALL SAINTS’: Childcare for children two months - three years is open on Mondays & Thursdays, 9:00-2:00. Enrollment on a rolling basis for the 2019-2020 session. Tuition $175/month for one day/week, $350/month for two days/week. For more information contact: Wini Wood at [email protected]

ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL:
Student spaces available in the Orange Room (Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten) for the 2019-2020 school year. If someone you know is looking for an great school for their child contact: Cindy LaPorte at [email protected] or 512-472-8866. Website: www.allsainteds.org

ST. LUCY’S CARD GUILD: There are always cards with many designs for all skill levels to be colored. You may pick up and drop off cards at the welcome area on Sundays and in the church office in the bag on top of the mail boxes during the week. We need volunteers to write messages and mail cards. No coloring involved. This is done every few months. Donations of $5 - 10 are requested for program costs. These may be placed in the collection plate or Anita's mailbox marked for St. Lucy’s Guild. Tracy Gossard at [email protected]il.com or 512.350.3193.

UT EPISCOPAL STUDENT CENTER NEEDS SUNDAY EVENING COOKS Each Sunday, the Episcopal Student Center offers college students a free, home-cooked meal after our 6:30 PM Eucharist. This is largely made possible by the people of All Saints' generosity of time and talent. They are now putting together our calendar for the fall semester, so if you'd like to sign up or if you just have questions please email Caleb Parker at [email protected]

MICAH 6 FOOD PANTRY: Contact Kelly Barnhill at [email protected]

HOME COOKED FRIDAYS CHRISTMAS GIFTING: Wondering how you can join the Home Cooked Fridays community this holiday season? Even if you can’t be with us on Fridays? We are hoping to share gift cards with our guests at our Christmas celebration on December 20th. We are asking for your assistance with: Gift cards in amounts of $25 or more for HEB, Walmart, Target, or Academy. Gift cards in the amounts of $10-$15 for P.Terry’s, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out Burger, Raising Cane’s, Taco Bell Cantina, Whataburger – truly, any fast food restaurant easily accessible on an Austin bus route. If interested contact Kelly Barnhill at [email protected]
And, HCF can always use extra help and support on Fridays. Please join us!!! We are in the kitchen beginning at noon and in Kinsolving Parish Hall beginning at noon every Friday! Meal time 4-5:30p.m. You can learn more about Home Cooked Fridays and sign up to volunteer, too, by visiting this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0f49afaf2ea6fc1-afriday4

PANTRY CHALLENGE ITEMS - ANY CANNED OR SHELF STABLE GOODS - Place donations in the Micah 6 drawer in Gregg House Foyer) Donations can be dropped off at All Saints’ in the cabinet marked Micah 6 in the front hallway. See website for more information. Send financial donations to Micah 6 Austin, 2203 San Antonio St., 78705 or on line at www.Micah6Austin.org
FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS: Weekly, monthly or quarterly! See the website: www.Micah6Austin.org for more details.

MICAH 6 WOMEN’S RESOURCE GROUP: Join us! Mentor women who are homeless or transitioning out of homelessness. Each Tuesday from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at University Methodist Church. Or, provide a meal for 12 people to support the good work of this group! Learn more and sign up to help here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0f49afaf2ea6fc1-tuesday1

EL BUEN FOOD PANTRY WISH LIST:

CANNED VEGETABLES (corn, green beans), CANNED FRUIT, PASTA/SPAGHETTI/NOODLES, CANNED BEANS (white, black, refried), OATMEAL/CEREAL, BOXES OF ZIPLOCK BAGS (Quart Size), GROCERY BAGS (HEB, etc...) Please place donations in the El Buen drawer in the Foyer of Gregg House. Note: Please, no clothes! To find out more about volunteer opportunities use this link: https://elbuen.org/volunteer-application/

ADAMS CAMP SCHOLARSHIP: Church camp invigorated the spirit and planted the seed towards the ministry of Mike Adams. In celebration and thanksgiving for his 30 years in the priesthood and the 15 years of service at All Saints’, we hope to fund scholarships for children to attend Camp Hardtner in Pollock, Louisiana in Mike’s honor. Camp Hardtner was special to Mike and we hope by honoring him in this way we can give other young people the opportunity to experience the same passion for the church that Mike found there. If you would like to be part of this expression of faith and support, you can go online to www.allsaints-austin.org, click on GIVE in the upper right corner, and select “Adams Camp Scholarship”. Payments by check should indicate “Adams Scholarship” on the memo line. Contact Anita Barrick at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Have you taken your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) yet for 2019?
If you are 70½ or older, you can make a contribution to All Saints' directly from your Traditional IRA simply by instructing the plan administrator to make the transfer directly to All Saints' as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). You are allowed to transfer up to $100,000 a year to the charities of your choice. Your gift will be transferred directly to All Saints', will not be reported as taxable income, and will count toward your minimal distribution requirements for 2019. And, most important, your generous support will help sustain our work as a light to the University of Texas, the City of Austin, and the world! If you have a 401(k), you can roll cash from that account to your IRA (tax free), and then take the distribution in the same way, but you can't get the tax break if you take the distribution directly from your 401(k).

To learn more about making a donation from your IRA, speak with your financial manager, or speak with Jim Murphy at the Episcopal Church Foundation at (800) 697-2858 or email [email protected]org.

We acknowledge the Episcopal Church Foundation for providing some of the content for this article.

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Sunday Services:
8:00 a.m.	Holy Eucharist, Rite I "Prayers for Healing" are made every Sunday at 7:45 a.m. prior to this service.
10:30 a.m.	Holy Eucharist, Rite II Children's Chapel and Nursery are available
4:00 p.m.	Choral Evensong On the last Sunday of the month for most of the year, Choral Evensong is presented by our Organist/Choirmaster, Gregory Eaton and the choir.
5:00 p.m.	1st & 3rd On the first and third Sundays of the month, we have a unique service led by Rev. Jimi Calhoun, Rev. Julaine Calhoun, and Madre Cynthia.
6:30 p.m.	Holy Eucharist, Rite II Contemporary music and Liturgical options. The Episcopal Student Center at the University of Texas offers this service to everyone, but the service is designed specifically for college students.

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