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In This Issue
Photos
Parish Notes
An Invitation
Sermon Notes
KAIROS Ministry
A Prayer

Saint Patrick's Ministers 

The Ministers of Saint Patrick's Church are the People of this Parish

 

supported by

 

The Reverend  

Tinh Trang Huynh, Vicar

Ms. Mariko Hiller,  

Music Director

Ms. Rachel Burgess,

Nursery Care

 

We serve our Lord as part of the Diocese of Virginia

 

led by

our chief pastors

 

The Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop 

 

The Rt. Rev.  

David Colin Jones, 

Bishop Suffragan

 

and  

The Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick,

Assistant Bishop 

The Vision of St. Patrick's

Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care, called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world.

About St. Patrick's Church

Saint Patrick's was founded in 1953 as a mission church from the Falls Church.  The congregation met for the first time on January 3, 1954 in the cafeteria of the Graham Road School.  The building was completed in 1956.  Members of St. Pat's have been known for their involvement in outreach ministries since the very early days of the parish.  In 1995, Saint Patrick's became an Anglo-Vietnamese church, and has become more and more multicultural.  Some of us say that St. Pat's is like a window through which we can see God's love.  Other parishioners suggest St. Pat's is a "safe haven" for all who seek peace, a quiet place for those who want to find rest.  Many in the congregation mention caring is what makes St. Patrick's special to them.  Our vision statement reflects what we are in our hearts:  St. Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world."


About the  

Diocese of Virginia 

The Diocese of Virginia is the oldest Christian community in Virginia, and is the largest diocese in the Episcopal Church in the United States, with 181 congregations representing more than 80,000 baptized members and about 400 clergy.  Our diocesan headquarters are located in Richmond with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia.  Our diocesan bishop is the Right Reverend Shannon Sherwood Johnston.  He is assisted by a suffragan bishop, the Right Reverend David Colin Jones, and an assistant bishop, the Right Reverend Ted Gulick. To learn more about the Diocese of Virginia, please click here

St. Patrick's Organized for Missions and Ministry 

 

Vestry Committee:  Senior Warden:  Tom Auld;  Junior Warden:  Vivian Benjamin; Registrar:  Winnie Lebo; Treasurer:  Kathy Oliver;  Other members of the Vestry:   Victoria Kennedy, Jocelyne Miller, Pierre Chanu, Chris Nicholson.

 

GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Altar Guild:  Lucille Selby;  Bell Choir: Mariko Hiller; Church Office:  Lois Cascella;  Offering Counters: Bob Cascella; Youth Ministry:  Maggie Spinelli; Region VIII Representative: Felix Spinelli;  Diocesan Council Delegate: Amelia Nicholson; St. Margaret's Circle:  Ann Nelson;  Telephone Chain: Alice King; Ushers: Bill Houston; Odeon Chamber Music Series:  Mariko Hiller; Westlawn Elementary School:  Winnie Lebo; Falls Church Community Services: Catherine Dubas; Hypothermia Shelter Program:  Felix Spinelli;  Church Women United:  Amelia Nicholson.

bell tower

Birthdays

 

 

 July

 

9    Lillian Berg

10    Lucinda Downing

11    Timothy Dang

12    Mickie Frizzell

13    Tom Wetrich

13    Louis Spinelli

13    Tina VanPhung

15    Mary Anne Grant

17    Tuyet Diep

19    Jonathan Huynh

20    Frankie Haan

20    Toua Vang

22    Diem Nguyen

24    Richard Mills

24    Matthew Mills

27    My Linh Tran

31    Stephen Gawarecki



We remember in prayer 

 

We remember in our prayer:


Bob Aronstein, Kari Boeskov, Mary Anne Bogie, Mary Carper, Marie Cosimano, Hai Dang Do,  Jane Chapman, Tim Clary, Dorothy Connelly, John Davis, Donald DeVaughn, Michael Dickinson, Loretta Dougherty, Ingrid Eckstrand, The Edsall Family, Archie Ellis, Mary Farmer, The Faubion Family, Nance Finegan, Nic Franca, Luis Garay, Thomas Garner, Anne Goodwin, Jean Graham, Nick Giuliani, Canedo Guillermo, Katherine Hafele, Anne & Thomas Edsall, Margaret Ellis Harris, Bill and Betty Henderson, Sheila Henderson, Eldon Paul Henry,  Alek Hensley, Cindy Hogman, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Michael Horn, Virginia Hughes, Angelina Jansen, Lindsay Johns, Gray and Bob Johnson, Jamie Kaplon, Robert Kelley, Quinn Kimball, Jeffry King, The Kontess Family, Susan Lawrence, Bau Le, Timothy Livingood, Joe Magrogan, Colleen Mavrikas, Michael Mills, Evelyn Morgan, Chester Hillis Patton,  Que Nguyen, Chick Nixon, Keslie Nolan, Olive Oliver, Gary Owens, Irene Pierce, Joann Piper, Faith Poole, William Ross,  Molly Saviola, Nora Searle, Bill Sitler, Irene Skowron, Karine Simpkin, Brian Smith, Josh Smithers, Candi Stewart, Heather Stefl, Barbara Stefl, Kara Stryker, The Strysko Family, Walter Sushko, Steven Talbert, George Thomas, Clara Torres, George Torres, Michael Weekes, The Westfall Family, Paula Wiech, Meredith Wiech, Donna Wolfe, Peter Kosutic, Chris, Tasha, Mark Zimpel.

 

We pray especially for Timothy Livingood, Ingrid Eckstrand, Mary Grant Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. and Thuy Nguyen 

 

We pray for all US personnel serving overseas, especially Galway Thomas, Garway Thomas and Cate Johnson.

 

Note: If you have a loved one or friend who needs prayer please call the church and leave a message at 703-532-5656, or write to Tinh+ at

stpats3241@gmail.com  or call him at 703-405-9571.



Those Who Serve  

This Sunday, July 10 

 

Sunrise         Micheal Knowles

Chalice:         Le Cao  

Lector:           Bob Cascella    

        Winnie Lebo 

 

Acolytes         TBA

Altar Guild:   Lucille Selby,     Lois Cascella, Debbie Clark

 

Counters       Bob Cascella, Rachel Burgess

 

Ushers:          Bob Cascella, Nghia Dao, Jean Wetrich

 

Coffee hour:   TBA

 

 

The schedule of those who serve is available at the entrance of the sanctuary.  Please pick up a copy.


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Number 3

 

July 7, 2011

Photos


Magnolia Tree at Church Entrance, 2003
Magnolia Tree at church entrance, June 2003
Church Entrance, June 2003
St. Pat's entrance, June 2003
St. Pat's Entrance, July 5, 2011
St. Pat's entrance, July 5, 2011
Celebration of Sunday School, June 26th
Celebration of Sunday School, June 26th

Parish Notes


 

-  The Commissions and the Vestry of St. Patrick's will meet on Tuesday of next week, July 12th.  Commissions, 6:30 PM; Vestry, 7:30 PM.  The Commissions and the Vestry will not meet in August.

 

-  Please consider a donation to help provide school supplies and simple art goods to a girls' orphange in Lahore, Pakistan.  We hope to collect the following items for Cate Johnson's visit on July 17th:

 

School Supplies

 

- 25 notebooks (one for each of the girls)

- ball point pens

- #2 pencils

- colored pencils

- powdered paints  

 

Craft Materials to Support Their Cottage Industry

 

- 50 skeins polyester yarn, BRIGHT colors

- Interesting buttons (Cate mentioned seeing a purse decorated all over with bright, interesting buttons)

- 10 plastic crochet hooks

- 20 pairs plastic knitting needles

 

If you prefer to make a monetary contribution, please give it to Catherine Dubas, who will purchase needed items.  If you have a check, please make it out to St. Patrick's, with Cate Johnson/orphanage on the memo line.  You can also mail the check to St. Patrick's Church, 3241 Brush Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042.

 

Thank you for your support! 

 

-  Our condolences to Anita, Chris and Amelia Nicholson and their family on the death of Andrew, Chris's brother, whose burial was held on July 5, 2011, in England.  

 

-  This summer, St. Patrick's children will attend Vacation Bible School at St. Barnabas', Annandale, 6 PM to 8:30 PM,  July 17-21.  Registration form is in the narthex. For information please speak with Maggie Spinelli or Lois Cascella.  

 

- Please mark your calendar:   Pool party at the home of Jane, Caroline and Tom Auld -- Sunday, July 24th, after church. Potluck.  Please bring food.

 
- If you are interested in seeing and learning about the Monarch Butterflies, please speak with Lois Cascella.  There is an entrance fee to the exhibition, and Lois can arrange for group registration.  She is thinking about organizing a small group to go after church on Sunday, August 21st.  Early registration is preferred.  Please email Lois at loiscascella@hotmail.com or see her at church.    

 

New from the Diocese. The Nominating Committee for the next Bishop Suffragan is inviting suggestions of names for consideration from July 1 to July 31, 2011.  On February 3, 2012, the Committee will present a slate of not fewer than four nor more than six nominees.  The Transition Committee will host a series of walkabouts for the nominees, March 19-24, 2012. The Diocese of Virginia will elect a new Bishop Suffragan on April 21, 2012, and the consecration will occur on July 28, 2012.   Please keep the Diocese and all those involved in the nominating process in your thoughts and prayers.   

 

-  Many thanks to our Doan Huynh Tucker, who designed The Epistle for us; and special thanks to the Reverend J. Matthew Tucker, Rector Elect of Christ Church, Bordentown, NJ, who painted the entrance of St. Patrick's on July 5th.  

   

An Invitation from Steve Gawarecki 


Dear Friends at St. Patrick's,

 

I'll be exhibiting several photos at the Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum from June 30 to July 31.Hours are Monday through Thursday noon to 4:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.Closed Friday and Saturday.

 

The Reception with light refreshments will be Sunday, July 10, 1:30 to 3:30.

 

There will be eight photographers exhibiting, so expect an interesting and varied selection of photographic art.The other exhibitors are Wendy DeWolfe, Stuart Glickman, Phil Napala, Rob Rudick, Bert GF Shankman, Linda Silvers, and Michael Tran.

 

The Museum is at 10001 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda, a few blocks below the Wildwood Shopping Center at the corner of Lone Oak. Phone is 301-897-1518.

 

 Hope to see you there.

 

 Steve Gawarecki


Inviation Card

On Last Sunday's Sermon  


Zechariah 9:9-12

PSALM 145: 8-14

Romans 7:15-25a

Matthew 11:16-19; 25-30

 

For most Sundays between Pentecost and Advent, the Old Testament reading and the Gospel match.   During the week I found the Zechariah passage particularly inspiring, especially with its "prisoners of hope" message.

 

      Zechariah was a Hebrew priest who prophesied to the Israelites in the 6th century B.C.  They had returned to Jerusalem, from slavery in Babylon, to restore their lives and rebuild the temple.  "Zechariah" means "The Lord remembers."   

 

      Zechariah's description of the Messiah must have been strange to the ears of the original listeners:  the triumphant king, as mentioned in the oracle, does not ride on a war horse to come to his people.  Instead, he chooses to ride on a donkey -- meekness in majesty!  How peculiar!  Without being arrogant or ostentatious, the king brings peace to all nations.   Most striking is the call at the end of the passage:  "Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope."  This notion of "prisoners" can be distracting, turning our minds from the setting of the prophet's oracle to our today's situation:  spoken to a people of thousands of year ago, it sounds like being spoken to us.    

 

         Can the inmates in U.S. prisons and elsewhere have hope?  What about the modern world's slave laborers and victims of human trafficking?  Can they have hope?  What about those suffering from physical and mental illness, and those for whom life is so difficult?  And those with broken relationships?  And what about those who struggle with their own grudges and anger, longing for a way out?   Would it be relevant to suggest that, spiritually, all humans are like prisoners longing for liberation?  Should we say that we, too, are "prisoners of hope"?    

 

       The Second Reading also catches our attention.  Paul sounds like an ancient Greek philosopher who once perceived the body as the prison of the soul.  Yet in Paul's mind the "flesh" is not just about the body, it's about the self.  Most burdensome is the issue of sin.  Paul equates sin with a law that resides in all humanity.  To Paul, sin is "an active and aggressive power that seizes hold of God's good gift, and bends them toward death" (Ted Smith,  Feasting on the Word, Year A, Vol. 3, p. 208): sin keeps the soul in captivity.  Paul is not in despair as he sees a way out.  He proclaims that, in Christ, there is victory and liberation from sin: there is hope for this life and for the life to come, because Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.  Christ is the liberator and He is the true stronghold for those who come to Him.   


     In the Gospel of Matthew we hear the words of the King who comes riding on a donkey: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."   

   

       There are things in the world that pose themselves as "strongholds"  -- fame, success, material wealth, power, etc.  Oftentimes we find them to be illusory.  Returning to the true stronghold is a choice making process.   It takes courage and determination to be on the journey; taking on the yoke of Jesus involves some pain -- it is the way of the cross. 

 

     In Jesus' promise there is the requirement to do something about the spiritual prison walls.  Perhaps there is something hidden inside that holds us in captivity?  Grudges? Anger?                                                                                                                   Tinh+  

 

 __________________

 

 

Upcoming Sunday's Readings:

 

Isaiah 55:10-13 

PSALM 65:9-14 

Romans 8:1-11

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 

 

         

About KAIROS Ministry     

 

Recently I asked Nancy Burch to share with St. Pat's about KAIROS, as she has been involved with this ministry for many years.  We thank Nancy for the article.  Tinh+ 

 

      I first became involved in Kairos Prison Ministry in 1993, when I served on a team which was going to minister to women in the correctional facility at Goochland.   I had no idea then that my involvement would become one of the driving forces in my life.

      Kairos is a ministry not of proselytizing, but of bringing the knowledge of God's love to those who have experienced very little evidence of love in their lives.

       Volunteers who serve on a team meet once a week for up to six weeks prior to the actual Kairos weekend.   The purpose of these meetings is to build community, develop friendships, assign talks and tasks, and generally bring the program together.   The Kairos program consists of a series of talks - each talk building on the previous talk.   Appropriate songs are sung -  some of those same songs are sung here at St. Patrick's and are usually found in the green (WLP) hymn book.  Prayers are offered.   We make posters, and we share and in that sharing we laugh and we cry!   Whatever is spoken of in the community room remains in the community room.   Confidentially is vital to the success of the program.

       There are five key elements involved with Kairos, namely:

         The Weekend; the Instructional Reunion; Prayer and Share          Group Fellowship; Monthly Reunions and a Two-day Retreat.

       The heart of the Ministry is really the on-going weekly Prayer and Share Group Fellowship which occurs within the institution - thus allowing the Christian community to develop.   All of the other elements of the program are aimed at enabling and supporting the Prayer and Share Group Fellowship.

Fluvanna

Fluvana Correctional Center for Women 

         The three-day weekend is the first step which enables the residents - which is how Kairos refers to the inmates - to come to know Christ in a deeper, more personal, way.   First and foremost Kairos is not a ministry of preaching or saving souls.   It is a ministry about God's love - and of demonstrating God's love.   And that leads me very nicely into the "Cookie Ministry".  Which is where members of St. Patrick's have supported me in this ministry.  I have been grateful for this support.

         The short answer to the question "Why do we give prisoners cookies?"  is - because we love them.    Homemade cookies are a tangible expression of Christian love and an indication of God's concern for a group of people who seldom encounter either of these things in the course of their daily lives.  The knowledge that cookies have been prepared by total strangers is extremely powerful.  The residents come to realize that these cookies have been lovingly made by non-judgmental strangers for a group of people who by everyday standards are - if you will - transgressors and who, in the minds of many people, are "behind bars where they belong". 

          When the residents in the correctional facilities learn of how many people cared sufficiently to collectively produce between 60 and 72 thousand cookies - they are truly humbled.

 

          The weekend is a time of intense and deep personal sharing, during which all of the participants, both team and residents experience a continuing growth in their ability to become vulnerable to one another.   This makes it possible to carry out Christ's commandment:

 

         Love one another.   As I have loved you, so must you love one          another.  

 

         The Kairos motto is "Listen, listen, love, love".   We ask no questions, and we make no judgments - the residents are our sisters in Christ, and we accept them unconditionally, and during the course of the three day weekend retreat we come to love them - just as Our Lord does.

 

         At the end of the weekend we hold a "Closing" ceremony - when the new Kairos sisters are introduced to others in the institution who have already made a Kairos weekend.   The new Kairos sisters are invited to speak at "open mike" and briefly share what the weekend has meant to them - the comments are always sincere and range from

"This was the first time I ever felt loved", "I'm on a spiritual high - this is the first "high" I didn't have to pay for!" to "I came for the cookies - but I got so much more".

 

         As for me - I get a "high" every time I serve on a team.   In the past I have served at the Goochland and Pocahontas facilities, but I now concentrate my efforts at Fluvanna which is the major correctional facility for women in Virginia.

 

          Fluvanna (FCCW) is a large facility - housing approximately 1200 women, it is located near Zion Cross Roads, in Fluvanna County, and is one of the more modern facilities.  There are no gun towers - rather the facility is protected by a high-voltage "blanket" placed at the top of the surrounding fence.   There is a state-of-the-art kitchen (although what comes out of there is anything but state-of-the-art), a well appointed medical center, and a good gymnasium.   Some "lifers" are able to take part in a dog training program.  Under this program the resident has control of the dog at all times, it remains with her in her cell until the training is completed.   For these residents this is a very therapeutic, and it's great to see such a successful program in operation.   Other courses are offered in things such as plumbing and electricity, as well as GED courses - all in an effort to prepare offenders for when they are released.   But for many of the women their most life changing experience is Kairos!

 

         I continue to pray that this state will do away with the death

penalty, and that the Parole Board will look much more closely at those who are awaiting parole.  I pray also that conditions will improve for those who are incarcerated.  - Nancy Burch 

 

A Prayer From The Book of Common Prayer   


For Prisons and Correctional Institutions 

 

Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal:  Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment.  Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future.  When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice.  Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous.  And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot.  All this we ask for your mercy's sake.  Amen.  

 

(BCP, Page 826)


Thank you for reading this newsletter. 
May God bless and keep you, and may God grant us peace. 

 

The Rev. Tinh T. Huynh

Vicar of Saint Patrick's Church