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The Epistle December 17, 2014
Newsletter of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia
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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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Stewardship 2014
We have received 37 pledges.
The picture is coming together.
Please send or bring your part of the picture
along with your pledge for 2015 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, email Don.
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
DAY SCHOOL CHAPEL - Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m.
Instead of Chapel this morning, the Day School kids regaled us with beautiful Christmas music! We'll return to Chapel when the kids come back to school in January.
GODLY PLAY (pre-k through 3rd, meets in the new education room in the Church)
This Sunday, all pre-k through 3rd graders are invited to join the older kids in the Church to get their roles (angels, sheep) for our Christmas Eve pageant. It would be very helpful to have some parents (especially of younger kids) on hand to help. The pageant will take place on December 24 at 4 p.m.
EYOA (4th through 8th, meets in the far corner room in the parish hall)
This group will start in the Church to practice 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: Mother Mary
Mary is an incredibly rich part of the Advent season.
We'll look at images of Mary in art throughout the centuries
and think about what she has to say to us about faith and partnership with God.
Join us at the 9:30 morning or 5:30 evening session.
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Annual Parish Meeting
Last Sunday we held our annual parish meeting. We thanked the four vestry members who are finishing their service on the Vestry and have done such amazing work - Bill White (Senior Warden), Ed Foos (Junior Warden), John Cross, and Kathryn Coneway. And we welcomed our incoming Vestry members and thanked them for their willingness to serve - Caroline McCormack, Amanda Smith, Mario Costantino, and Maria Fafard.
Ed Foos shared information about the prodigious work his property group has accomplished this year. Lianne LaFleur updated us with the work of the Outreach Committee. Caroline McCormack spoke about the work of our lay pastoral care group, the Community of Hope. Elizabeth shared statistics about varied aspects of the life of the parish ( which can be read here). If you are looking for a way to get to know other people and get more involved at St. Aidan's, here is a list of many possibilities with contact information.
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St. Aidan's Trees and Wreaths
Another wonderful weekend of tree/wreath sales! Thanks so much to all the folks who gave their time. About 70 more - tell your friends and neighbors to buy their tree at St. Aidan's!
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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...
Would you like to try being part of a community of practice centered in creativity and contemplation for 12 weeks? All are welcome! We will will use this book as a guide to reflecting on our own creative and contemplative practices. The book is Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom by Christine Valters Paintner.
Read more about the book and author here. We will meet for discussion Thursdays at 10:30 am beginning January 8 and continuing for 12 weeks. Contact Kathryn kathrynconeway@gmail.com if interested or to learn more.
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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 6,275
Budgeted weekly income 5,576
Received for 2014 244,493
Budgeted for 2014 275,724
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This Week at St Aidan's
Weds, Dec 17: 6:30 pm Daisy Troop Meeting
Thurs, Dec 18: 7:00 pm Karate
Friday, Dec 19: 8:00 am Silent Prayer
Sunday, Dec 21: 8:30 am Service
9:30 am Sunday School
10:30 am Service
5:30 pm Service
6:30 pm Scripture as Myth - Evening session
Tues, Dec 23: 8:00 am Silent Prayer
9:30 am Woman's Book Group
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Who's Serving this Week:
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Sunday: December 21, 2014
8:30 a.m. Reader: Bud DuPont
10:30 a.m.
Lesson: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 John Schnorrenberg
Epistle: Romans 16:25-27 Susan Harding
Chalice: Carolyn White, Kathy Seikel
Ushers: Mario Costantino, Ellen Renaud, Kyra Renaud
Acolytes: Charley Costantino, Kyra Renaud
Godly Play Storyteller: Pageant Practice & Costumes in Church
Godly Play Doorkeeper: Pageant Practice & Costumes in Church
Coffee Hour:
Flowers: Mary Hatton
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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