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The mandate for All Saints is to build a church, but that doesn’t mean what you might think. Yes, together we are working toward the development of our property, but that is not our ultimate aim. As Christians, we are instead forever called to build, not a building, but a community who shares in the life of God for the life of the world.

To build a church is to make disciples; it is to form a people who house the very presence of God. You could say that we, together with all the saints, are social architects. We are in the construction business!

As the Apostle Paul says to the Ephesians, “You are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.”

We are further committed to build a church in a way that strengthens the unique communal life we share as All Saints in so far as we are a parish that (1) offers healing hospitality, (2) nurtures family-like relationships, (3) forms disciples in the Anglican Way, (4) eagerly serves others, and (5) is financially generous and responsible.

These commitments have driven and informed the planning of our property development, so much so that in answer to the question, “What are we developing on our property?” the shorthand answer is a Mission Abbey.

The word “abbey” suggests a community devoted to the contemplative tradition, spiritual formation, immersion in Scripture, and rhythms of rest, worship, and prayer—thus, “sharing in the life of God.”

The word “mission” suggests a community devoted to action, equipping one another for ministry, and working together to make an impact on the world around them— thus, “for the life of the world.”

The first phase of our Mission Abbey will be to build its central feature, the Nave. To help the entire parish take this next step, the Vestry has formed four teams each specifically designed for a specific purpose, and each led by a chair.

THE STEWARDSHIP TEAM oversees and executes the overall stewardship strategy for engaging the entire church to discern the Spirit’s leading: Landon Preston (chair), Rebecca Edgren, Jeff Garrety, Taylor Laird, Judy Rose, Shannon Stewart, Lloyd Tatum, and Jim Warmbrod.

THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM is responsible for having a finger on the pulse on the congregation, keeping them appropriately informed before, during, and after the process, to make sure everyone is heard, and to help us keep our Mission & Personality out in front: Donald Jordan (chair), Jane Garrety, Kim Howerton, Caitlin Roach, Luke Sower, and David Thomas.

THE FINANCE & ACCOUNTING TEAM is responsible for overseeing all financial and accounting needs related to the project: Ben Mehr (chair), Rob Binkley, Vicki Burch, Bev Carr, and Lou Courcelle.

THE PHASE 1 DESIGN TEAM works with Rardin & Carroll, our architectural firm, to gather the appropriate information needed to design and develop a Phase 1 plan: Greg Jordan (chair), Janet Brown, Leslie Creasy, David Laird, Joy Moore, and Sally Slack.

The Vestry also voted to hire Keely Beasley for nine months as our Project Administrator to provide support for all those involved, serving as a key logistical hub between the Vestry, Fr. Wes, and the four teams.

Mark Your Calendars!

Everyone is invited to participate in our upcoming season of discernment as we take this next step toward our Mission Abbey. We encourage everyone to attend these two events:

Kickoff Celebration the evening of Friday, March 1 (more details coming soon)

Lenten Pastorates, four-straight weeks beginning the week March 10 (signups begin Sunday, February 3)