A Letter from Rev. Greg Warren

Dear beloved folks of All Saints',

I've had the blessing of serving you off and on for several months now, and I can't thank you enough for the loving, warm welcome you've provided me. You are an amazing group of people.

From August through October, you'll likely see much more of me. I am serving as the Supply Priest in Charge for these three months. I'll be in the office at the church on Wednesdays; reach out to the office if you need an appointment. Or simply connect with me directly on my cell (631) 704-7478 or email RevGreg60@gmail.com if you'd like to meet, have a question, or just want to connect. I'm also very much available for pastoral support during this time.  

Thank you for your hospitality. I look forward to getting to know you all that much better.

In peace, 
Greg +

My Grown Up & Me: First Timer Mini-Camp at Camp Mitchell

Friday, October 16 5:00pm - Saturday, October 17 12:00pm

Know a child (suggested ages 5-10) curious about summer camp but not sure if they are quite ready to spend a whole week away from home? My Grown-Up & Me: First Timer Mini-Camp is the perfect introduction to overnight camp or simply a great opportunity to experience Camp Mitchell in a low-key way! Registration opens September 1. Learn more. Questions? Contact Abby Jennings (aojennings@campmitchell.org) or Monica Woods (mwoods@campmitchell.org)

AYE Fall 2026 Registration Open

All 7th through 12th grade youth are invited to join us for the Fall 2026 Arkansas Youth Event (AYE) at Camp Mitchell, September 18-20. AYE is a weekend retreat for youth, by youth. It is designed by our incredible Diocesan Youth Leadership Council to be a weekend full of fun and faith formation for youth from across the diocese. Contact Camp Mitchell for more information.

From the All Saints’ Music Ministry

The All Saints' Episcopal Church Choir is resuming rehearsals in preparation for our 2026-2027 season. Our first rehearsal is Wednesday, August 26 at 7:15 pm in the Choir Room (Sutherland Hall). We will perform our first Sunday service on September 13. We invite people who enjoy music to come to a rehearsal and see if the choir is a fit! If you took music lessons or participated in a school band or choir, you could make a meaningful contribution to the All Saints' Choir. It is not necessary to audition, although it is helpful to have some experience with reading music. Questions? Contact our Co-Music Directors Kristin Smith at (479) 264-1351 or kristinmsmith81167@gmail.com or Tim Smith at (479) 264-1320 or tsmith@atu.edu.

Kroger Rewards Reminder

If you are looking for an easy way to help support our congregation, please sign up with your Kroger rewards card to give back to our parish. Every little bit really helps! From May to August of this year so far we have had 19 households contribute $55 to All Saints' in donations just by shopping at Kroger as they normally would, no extra spending required.

Kroger community rewards is a program that rewards non-profit organizations based on how much a consumer spends per quarter at their store. There is no cost to you, just a one-time signup for our church to receive the benefits. Check out this flyer for more details.

Sunday Youth Fellowship Group

Our Kids' Chapel on Sunday will be transitioning into a new youth fellowship group that meets each Sunday following the 10:30am service (at the same time as Y'all Saints). Children and Youth Fellowship* will meet every Sunday following the 10:30 am service for a shared meal and time of fellowship in Sutherland Hall. After the meal, Georgi will lead children ages 6–11, and Crystal will lead youth ages 12–18 in a short lesson. The group will dismiss at 1:00 pm.

*Our group name is still to be determined, and we’re leaving that important decision up to the kids and youth!

EYC Back to School Pool Party!

To kick off the semester, our EYC group will gather for our annual pool party at Carol Lee’s house on Wednesday, August 26, from 5:30 pm –7:00 pm! If your youth would like to swim, please drop them off already dressed in their swim attire and ready for the pool. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Parents will receive an email with Carol's address and more information soon. If you are not on the EYC email list but would like to be included, please contact Crystal Ruiz, (479)-857-6490.

Desserts for Campus Ministry Event

Our Y’all Saints group, headed up by Hunter Myers, our new Campus Ministry lead, will be participating in ATU's RSO Night on August 19 to welcome students to campus for the new school year.

The event begins at 5:00pm, and our Campus Ministry is requesting dessert donations we can use to treat the students during the event. Cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and other similar goods would be ideal, including some vegan, dairy free, sugar free, nut free, and gluten free options. Feel free to drop them off on the island in the All Saints' kitchen any day and time before 3:30pm on August 19.

If anyone wishes to donate other items for the ministry to use or give out, anything is appreciated (e.g. stickers, magnets, bookmarks, other goodies). Any questions, contact Hunter at hunterexplores7998@gmail.com or text or call him at 479-515-1400. (Texts are preferred.)

Backpack Blessing this Sunday

Just a reminder that this Sunday, August 16, we will be holding our annual Backpack Blessing during our 8:00 am and 10:30 am services. Students, staff, and faculty of all ages are welcome to join us and bring their backpack, bags, or devices to receive a blessing. Each participant will receive a tag as a reminder that they are blessed, loved, and surrounded by our prayers throughout the year ahead!

Address Correction from Last Week’s Newsletter

In last week's newsletter we mentioned that folks could send gifts to Melissa and her boys in Austin but provided the incorrect mailing address. The correct address is:

Melissa Simpson
608 Bellevue Place, Apt. A
Austin, TX 78705

We apologize for the error!

Sending Love to Melissa

Melissa Simpson begins her second year at the Seminary of the Southwest this fall. Her sons Jeffrey and Henry will join her in Austin. Jeffrey will be attending middle school, and Henry will be in kindergarten. Both are looking forward to playing football in Texas. Let’s keep Melissa, Travis, Jeffrey, Henry, Greg, and Kaylee in our prayers. 
‍‍
If you’d like, you can send Melissa and the boys cards, flowers, books, small gifts to: 

Melissa Simpson
608 Bellevue Place, Apt. A
Austin, TX 78705

Episcopal Church Women: Fall Gathering Save-the-Date

This year's Arkansas ECW Fall Gathering will be held at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Heber Springs and our very own Rev. Teri Daily is the guest speaker!

More Info

Faith & Literature Week Five

Our Faith & Literature summer Sunday school class continues this coming Sunday. This class offers a deep dive into a selection of short literary readings and how they inform, reflect on, and challenge our faith and theology. Join us for our fifth week on Sunday, August 9 at 9:00 am in the large classroom.

Week Five (8/9): Lee Smith’s “Tongues of Fire” from her 2010 short story collection Mrs. Darcy and the Blue-Eyed Stranger, facilitated by Deborah Wilson

Be sure to complete the assigned reading ahead of the class in order to prepare for the discussion! 

Community

The past two Sundays have been bittersweet for our parish family as we have said goodbye to two families who have become a cherished part of All Saints'. We have said farewells to Lukas and Garrett as well as the family of Maree Paw, and sent them with our love, prayers, and every blessing as they begin new chapters in their lives.

Whenever members of our church family move away, there is a real sense of loss. We miss the familiar faces in the pews, the conversations before and after worship, and the many ways they have shared their gifts with our community. At the same time, we give thanks for the time we have shared together and rejoice in the knowledge that they will carry God's love wherever they go.

Although sometimes have to say goodbye, God is continually bringing new people into our midst. We have seen many visitors and new faces joining us for worship on Sundays; each person who walks through our doors is a gift and an opportunity for us to extend the same welcome that each of us first received. 

As Episcopalians, we often say that all are welcome, but those words become real through the kindness we show to one another. A smile, a handshake, an invitation to coffee hour, or introducing yourself to someone you haven't met can be the beginning of a lasting friendship and a meaningful connection. 

Thank you for being the welcoming, caring community that you are. As we continue to bless those who are called elsewhere, let us also open our hearts to those whom God is sending to us. May we continue to grow as a parish where faith is nurtured, friendships grow, and everyone who enters knows they have found a place to belong.

Faithful Foundations Campaign Update

Dear Friends,

I wanted to share a quick update on our Faithful Foundations Campaign and let you know how grateful I am for your continued support.

Since our last update, we have received two additional pledges, bringing our campaign total to $312,722.20. I continue to be humbled by the generosity of this parish. Thank you for believing in the future of All Saints’ and for making this campaign a success.

It’s especially exciting because we’re beginning to see the results of your generosity. Today, construction crews started work on remediating the parking lot in front of the dumpster corral and basketball goal. Work should be completed this week. The remaining parking lot repairs and resurfacing are waiting for our contractor to finalize a construction schedule.

We’re also continuing to work with the diocese on our bridge loan application. Once that is approved, we’ll be able to move ahead with the remaining campaign projects.

Thank you for your prayers, patience, and unwavering support of All Saints’. I look forward to sharing more progress in the weeks ahead. Together, we are ensuring that this sacred place will continue to welcome and serve our community for many years to come.

Faithfully,
Sherrie 

Pub Theology This Sunday

Pub Theology meets this Sunday, August 2 at 4:00 pm at Point Remove. Mother Teri & Dave Daily will be talking about Salvation from an Anglican Perspective. You may have your own thoughts, experiences, and questions. Please come and share!

Faith & Literature Week Four

Our Faith & Literature summer Sunday school class continues this coming Sunday. This class offers a deep dive into a selection of short literary readings and how they inform, reflect on, and challenge our faith and theology. Join us for our fourth week on Sunday, August 2 at 9:00 am in the large classroom.

Week Four (8/2): J.M. Coetzee’s “At the Gate” from his 2004 novel Elizabeth Costello, facilitated by Charles Tyrone

Elizabeth Costello explores the complexities of its titular character, who serves as a reflection of the author himself. Elizabeth is a renowned writer grappling with feelings of loneliness and confusion in her later years. As she journeys through various locations, including Amsterdam and South Africa, she presents a series of eight lessons that delve into profound philosophical and ethical questions. The initial chapters focus on the moral implications of animal slaughter, critiquing the overemphasis on human rationality and its disconnection from the animal kingdom.

The narrative also addresses themes of evil, particularly in relation to a novel about Nazi Germany, prompting Costello to reflect on the nature of morality and her own darker inclinations. As the story unfolds, the perspective shifts to her sister, a Catholic nun, who challenges the value of the humanities and the spiritual aspects of art. Ultimately, Costello finds herself facing a panel of judges in a surreal setting, where her metaphorical defense involving a frog serves to bridge concepts of death and redemption. The narrative's exploration of body, soul, and the interplay of reason and mysticism leaves readers contemplating the nature of existence and the pursuit of meaning beyond mere understanding.

Be sure to complete the assigned reading ahead of the class in order to prepare for the discussion! 

First Sunday Plate Offering

We would like to remind everyone that undesignated plate offerings collected on the first Sunday of each month will go toward the clergy discretionary fund. If you would like to designate offerings to a specific fund or ministry, you can do so through our giving page in OnRealm.

These offerings help support our monthly contribution to Help Network of Russellville, a local nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance to low-income families and individuals. Our church often receives calls and visits from people seeking help with everyday living expenses and Help Network provides a way to respond to those needs in our community.

After our support of the Help Network, any remaining balance in the Clergy Discretionary account is available for other requests that our church can address directly.

Capital Campaign Update

As we celebrate God's blessings in the life of our parish, I want to pause once again to express my heartfelt gratitude for the generosity shown by our parish family during our Faithful Foundations campaign.

Because of your support, stewardship, and commitment to the future of our church, I am excited to share that our solar panels loan has now been paid in full. This is a significant milestone in the life of our parish and one that belongs to every person who contributed through gifts, prayers, and encouragement.

Reaching this goal allows us to turn our attention to the next phase of caring for the campus God has entrusted to us. I am pleased to announce that parking lot remediation and repair work will begin this week. These improvements will help preserve our property, enhance safety, and provide a more welcoming experience for our members, guests, and community.

This is more than a financial success—it is a reflection of what can happen when a congregation comes together with a shared vision for ministry. Your generosity has strengthened our ability to serve today while preparing for the future.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness, trust, and investment in the mission of our parish. I look forward to sharing updates as the parking lot project progresses and to celebrating the many ways God continues to bless All Saints'.

Faithfully,
Sherrie

A Letter from Our Senior Warden

Dear Parish Family,

Grace and peace to you. On behalf of the vestry, I am pleased to share an important update regarding our parish leadership during this season of transition.

Beginning immediately, the Rev. Greg Warren will serve as our Supply Priest-in-Charge until the Rev. Teri Daily joins us on November 1. We are grateful for Fr. Greg's willingness to lead us during these next few months and for the experience, wisdom, and pastoral care he brings to our parish family. Please join me in extending him a warm welcome and keeping him in your prayers as he begins this ministry among us.

Transitions are a natural part of the life of every parish, and I want to assure you that your vestry remains confident in the future of our church. We have every reason to be encouraged. Ours is a thriving congregation, blessed by faithful members who continue to worship with joy, serve with generosity, and care deeply for one another.

One of the greatest strengths of our parish is that our ministry has never rested on one person alone. Together, we continue to proclaim the Gospel, support one another in times of need, welcome newcomers, and serve our community with compassion. That spirit of faithfulness will carry us confidently through this interim period and into the exciting new chapter that begins when Mother Teri arrives this fall.

I encourage everyone to remain engaged in the life of the parish—join us for worship, participate in our ministries, and continue to reach out to one another with the love of Christ. Your presence and commitment make our church the vibrant community it is.

Please continue to pray for Fr. Greg as he begins his ministry with us, for Mother Teri as she prepares for her arrival, for our vestry, and for our entire parish family. We trust that God is faithfully guiding us, and we look forward with hope and anticipation to all that lies ahead.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness, encouragement, and love for this parish. It is a privilege to serve alongside each of you.

Faithfully,
Charlie Tyrone
Senior Warden