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The Epistle December 10, 2014
Newsletter of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia
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Please Don't Wait
Please send or bring your part of the picture
along with
Your Pledge
as soon as possible.
Pledge packets were mailed last week to active members of St. Aidan's. If you did not receive a card, send us an e-mail and let us know. We have saved a few pieces of the picture for those whose addresses or names may not be in our system. Good things are happening at St. Aidan's.
If you would like to pledge by contacting the treasurer, you can reach Don here.
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
DAY SCHOOL CHAPEL - Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m.
Thanks to Mrs. McGraw's class who helped tell the pre-nativity story this morning! We heard about how Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds waited and prepared themselves for the coming of Jesus. Parents, siblings, and caregivers are always welcome to Chapel.
GODLY PLAY (pre-k through 3rd, meets in the new education room in the Church)
Along with last week's story about the prophets and the Holy Family, Christina Mazzanti brought in a smorgasbord of fun items for the kids to include in ornaments to bring home to remind them of the Godly Play Advent stories.
This Sunday, the kids will continue the Advent series, focusing this week on the shepherds and the magi and their journey to Bethlehem.
EYOA (4th through 8th, meets in the far corner room in the parish hall)
This group will continue planning of the Christmas pageant (which will take place on December 24 at 4 p.m.). Kids unable to be present for the pageant are very welcome to come and help imagine.
EYC (7th through 12th, meets in the parish hall from 11:30 am - 1 pm)
Scripture as Myth: Advent Themes
This Sunday: The Gods Come to Earth
Why are humans so keen on the idea of the Gods coming into our world? What does it mean to have the divine moving around among us? What are the dangers and comforts of being visited by divine companions?
Join us at the 9:30 morning or 5:30 evening session.
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Annual Parish Meeting: This Sunday 11:30 am
Our annual parish meeting will be held on December 14, after the 10:30 service. We will meet in the parish hall at around 11:30 to elect vestry members and hear how things have been going at St. Aidan's.
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Tree and Wreath Sale Booming!
We sold so many trees this past weekend that a batch of 150 newly cut trees arrive tonight so we can re-stock before this weekend. A huge thanks to the Coneway family for heading up the tree sale last weekend and for the MANY people who made it such a booming success.
If you missed it, check out the amazing press for the tree sale in the Gazette!
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Christmas Toy and Clothes Drive through FRIDAY
The Day School is collection gently used toys and clothes to donate to the Lorton Community Action Center to help out families in our community. You can drop off clothes and toys in the box in the St. Aidan's breezeway any time this week. Please make sure there are no broken toys and that clothes are laundered before drop-off.
For more information or questions please contact Brian Alexander at alexander.brian@gmail.com or Tracey Kohler at tbkohler@gmail.com.
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Christmas Services
Christmas Eve
4 p.m. - Family Service with pageant, carols, candles and Eucharist
10 p.m. - Traditional Festal Eucharist with organ, choir, candles
Christmas Morning Pajama Sing-Along
10:30 a.m. - Stay in your PJs and join us for a relaxed Christmas carol sing-along and Eucharist with the Baker duet -
John on guitar and Margie on fiddle.
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Volunteers for Rising Hope Christmas Shop
Rising Hope UMC needs volunteers to help with their big Christmas gift event, Dec. 15 - 19. Rising Hope has a free "Christmas Shop" open to families to choose toys, clothing, home goods, etc. They need 45 volunteers to help with the following activities. Last year they distributed 1450 gifts.
December 15 -- Set up tables of donated goods at Rising Hope UMC for their Christmas Shop 9 AM - 3 PM
December 16, 17, 18 -- Assist families with their shopping -- Shifts are 9:00 AM - 12:00; 12:00 - 4:00 PM
December 19 -- Clean up
If you would like to volunteer, contact Mary Hamilton at
703-360-1976, or mhamilton@risinghopeumc.org.
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Hot-Off-The-Press Selection for the Women's Book Group
The January choice for the Women's Book Group that meets on Tuesday mornings is
The Fly in the Ointment: The Mysteries of Mary Magdalene, written by Jennifer Smith, daughter of St. Aidan's member Lynda Smith. You are invited to meet for discussion weekly at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, or read it independently, knowing that after completion of the book, there will be a question/answer session with the author along with a book signing and reception at St. Aidan's on a Sunday afternoon, (date to be determined).
The book is available on Amazon.com. Call Peggy Trumbo with questions, 703-780-4098.
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Book discussion for January and beyond...
An Invitation to be Part of a Community of Practice Centered in Creativity and Contemplation
We will will use this book as a guide to reflecting on our own creative and contemplative practices. All are welcome.
Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom
by Christine Valters Paintner
Read more about the book and author here:
or read a thoughtful review of the book here:
We will meet for discussion Thursdays at 10:30 am beginning January 8 and continuing for 12 weeks.
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Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed!
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Do you enjoy the coffee and snacks following the 10:30 service? If so, please consider signing up to host the coffee hour this fall. Snacks, juice, and coffee making are all that you need - even kids can help. If you sign up you'll receive instructions (be sure to put your email on the signup list) and you can even be paired with an experienced coffee hour host if that will help convince you to volunteer. Please sign up today on the list during coffee hour, or email Brenda Foos (bfoos@cox.net). The sign up sheet is located in the Narthex.
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St. Aidan's Newcomer's Bread Ministry
Part of St. Aidan's welcome to newcomers is to deliver a loaf of bread. We are looking for more St. Aidanites to help with this important ministry. Home-made bread-making is not required. Please contact Karen Offringa at koffringa@yahoo.com or 703-216-4879.
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UCM & Rising Hope Food Collection
We collect food for both Rising Hope and UCM. Rising Hope, also, needs clean in-season clothing in good condition and small household items. Volunteers are needed to deliver donations on the first and third Sunday of each month.
UCM collection (food items only) is the first Sunday of the month. Food can be delivered during the week. Hours of delivery are: Sundays 10:30am-1:30pm, Mondays-Fridays 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30pm-4pm. Their phone number is 703-768-7106 x 343.
Rising Hope collection (food and seasonal clothing) is the third Sunday of each month. Food, seasonal clothing and household goods can be delivered Tuesdays-Fridays during the week. Hours of delivery are: Tuesdays-Fridays 10:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4pm. Thursdays they are open late until 8:00pm. Their phone number is 703-360-1976.
The sign-up sheet is in White Hall. If you have any questions, contact our coordinator, Mario Costantino at (703)577-9672 or MarioKarenand3@aol.com.Thank you for your help.
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Next Steps Juice Ministry Looking for Volunteers
If you would like to Volunteer to purchase and deliver $30 worth of juice for distribution to homeless families in Fairfax County, please contact Leslie Aitcheson at skiswithsnails@aol.com.
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From the Treasurer
Operating Income Received this week 8,110
Budgeted weekly income 5,576
Received for 2014 238,218
Budgeted for 2014 270,148
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This Week at St Aidan's
Friday, Dec 12: 8:00 am Silent Prayer
Sat. Dec. 13: 8:30am & 10:30am Day School - Santa Workshop
Sunday, Dec 14: 8:30 am Service
9:30 am Sunday School
10:30 am Service
11:30 am Parish Hall meeting
3:30 pm Art at the Center Labyrinth Workshop
5:30 pm Service
6:30 pm Scripture as Myth - Evening session
Mon, Dec 15: 7:00 pm Scouts
7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal
Tues, Dec 16: 8:00 am Silent Prayer
9:30 am Woman's Book Group
7:30 pm Spiritual Listening - All are welcome
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Who's Serving this Week:
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Sunday: December 14, 2014
8:30 a.m. Reader: Adam Fazackerley
10:30 a.m.
Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Elizabeth Drembus
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Eric Costantino
Chalice: Manley Williams, John Cross
Ushers: Dan Watson, Debbie Watson
Acolytes: Olivia Ireland, Liam Smith
Godly Play Storyteller: Virginia Lindahl
Godly Play Doorkeeper: Graham Sloan
Coffee Hour: Virginia Lindahl
Flowers: Manley Williams & Jonathan Phinney
Altar Guild: Darlene Ash, Christine Niemann, Karen Herndon, Christina Mazzanti
Vestry Person of the Month - Bill White (bwhite@osa.org)
Sign-up sheets to provide altar flowers and coffee hour are on the bulletin board in White Hall.
**Please Note: During Coffee Hour the sign up sheet is in the Narthex.
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