Y'all,

Due to the incredible influx of new members here at All Saints (80 as of
last Sunday), we have begun a church plant in east Buncombe county, towards
the arts community of Black Mountain.  We had 16 present for our first
Eucharist and it looks like about 25 will commit to the mission.  They'll
meet in May to elect a mission committee and come up with a name.

This is the first step here of taking a parochial approach based on what is
happening in Africa.  There, because of the size of typical parishes
(6,000+), slow transportation, and poverty, a geographical  parish consists
of a mother church that supports with retired clergy and layreaders dozens
of nearby missions.  All are members of the same parish, they simply worship
in different areas of that parish.  Puts their plight into perspective when
you realize that typically a membership of 6,000 isn't enough to support
financially one full-time priest!!

Eventually, we hope to have 2 church plants, each supported by All Saints.
Members of the missions will be members of the parish of All Saints and will
make their pledges accordingly.  In a way, if our churches divide themselves
by time now (early and late services), we are now adding the dimension of
space.  Hopefully, this will solve some of our increasing space issues, draw
some into the parish who live 45 minutes or more from All Saints, and plant
the seeds for future churches.

Please keep the mission in your prayers.  Right now, we call them All
Saints, east campus.  I'll let you know their name when it's been decided.

Mark+