Royal Ball Run – Autism Awareness
All Saints Lutheran Church has been listed as a Royal Supporter for Royal Ball Run for Autism for the last several years and has been listed on back of 1,500 t-shirts because of your financial support! Anyone interested in donating again this year can place your donation (checks written to All Saints) into the offering plate on Sunday mornings, just make sure to designate the donation by marking the memo line Royal Ball Run and one check will be written from All Saints to support this great non-profit. Thank you for your donations!
The Royal Ball Run for Autism raises funds, awareness, and greater acceptance for royally remarkable children and young adults on the Autism spectrum. In our first 9 years, thousands of runners, volunteers, sponsors, and donors have helped the Royal Ball Run for Autism contribute approximately $230,000 to local programs serving children and families touched by autism.
We are royally grateful for your support! To date, our signature events, the Royal Ball Run for Autism Race and Royal Ball for All Carnival has provided financial assistance for autism programs and services in the Quad City Area, which includes, the Quad Cities Autism Center, scholarships for speech and language therapy, peers program, Blackhawk Area special education center and others. At the 2nd Annual Quad City Autism Resource Fair in February 2019, we unveiled The Royal Guide which will help to be a resource for new or experienced caregivers, parents, or teachers with individuals on the autism spectrum. The Royal Guide will continue to evolve, and we will continue to ask for your recommendations. You can find the guide at www.theroyalguide.org.
We also provide a community of support for families of autism through parental networking, social skills development, and celebration/awareness events for families and their extended family and friends to come together. The fact that 1 in 59 children are now diagnosed on the spectrum means there are approximately 5,600 individuals in the immediate QCA (Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Davenport, and Bettendorf) who are on the spectrum.
From the Pastor – August Article
Just about the time the Church returns to its normal routine and mission the Center for Disease Control informs the American public that the Covid virus d variant is spreading rapidly throughout the United States.
With this announcement came an additional note encouraging individuals to again wear masks at public events, practice social distancing, and receive a double vaccination.
Unfortunately, this issue has been politicized with Republican and Democrats having strongly held opinions about how the response to the pandemic ought to be handled. Politicizing the process puts lives at risk. We need to rely on medical and scientific information to guide our response.
I will tell you I have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and will not hesitate to obtain a booster vaccination when available. The shots have proven their value.
I read all the virus announcements and listen to the opinions of members of our congregation.
Earlier this year I conducted two funerals for individuals who died as a result of the virus. I lost several friends, including Joe Taylor who once led the convention and visitors bureau. I have a very real understanding of the dangers the virus poses for our members.
Often, I describe these times as unprecedented and unpredictable. I am very sympathetic to medical authorities and the tough choices they have to make with little information available to them. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.
As churches we must pay attention to the information available and make a reasonable response.
No one wants to be caught in the middle of these arguments. We do, however, want to do what is right for everyone.
Now is the time for us to work together and let the love of God be our guide. God has given us his wisdom and compassion to make decision. We have to respond faithfully and responsibly with the information that is at hand.