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The Epistle January 21, 2015
Newsletter of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia
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Peace
One of the great learnings during my time at St. Aidan's has to do with the Peace we exchange at the service every week. I was taught in seminary to encourage people to keep the Peace short so that it didn't interrupt the flow of the service. I now understand that the Peace, with all its St. Aidan's exuberance, can be a powerful sign of our belonging and grounding in the life of the Christian community. In the last few years, I have had occasion to worship in churches where the Peace is a quick handshake with the person next to you in the pew, and I have felt in those situations that something important was missing. That being said, I do want to remind all of us, including myself, of the original intent of the Peace, and I want to give the 10:30 folks a heads up about a change you will experience in this week's service.
First the change. I have said I love the Peace at St. Aidan's, but it does go on for a while. Sometimes I feel bad calling us back to the next part of the service, but we do have to move on. This Sunday, the Peace will move to the end of the service. We will sing the final hymn around the altar and then exchange the peace. The offering of peace that we make to those around us may set a tone for the ministry of Christ that we have just agreed, in the final prayer, to carry out into the world. I just checked out a dozen or so Biblical references to "the kiss of peace" or a "greeting of peace" which the apostles encouraged their congregations to exchange with each other. The admonition to greet each other always comes at the end of the letter. It is the last piece of advise, the last act called for by the writers of the Epistles. It seems like a great way to shift from worship at the table to ministry in the world. We'll try it that way at 10:30.
What I have to say about the intent of the Peace is simply that it is a time for us to greet our friends, yes, but more importantly to greet strangers. We hope that in the words of the prayers, in the sermon and in the open table, those who are visiting have felt a sense of welcome and acceptance. It is said that every new person who comes through the doors of the church has a story and is looking for something. Certainly they can hope for a greeting from those who have already received welcome in this place. The Biblical instructions always go something like this: "greet all the saints with a kiss of peace." Saints are those who belong at God's table. I thank God that at St. Aidan's we understand that that means all of us.
The Peace of the Lord be always with you. John B
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Trees no longer
Our Christmas trees will reappear in the spring as mulch. Thanks to the many folks on hand on Saturday to do the hard work of lugging and chipping our accumulated piles of trees and branches!
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
GODLY PLAY (age 4 through 3rd grade meets in the education room near the coat area in the Church)
This Sunday we will continue to work with parable stories as we hear the parable of the Sower.
EYOA (4th through 8th grade meets in the last room on the left through the first office door in the parish hall)
This week, this group will be continuing to work with the videos they made earlier in the year. Kids are invited to bring favorite music and ideas to share.
EYC (middle and high school youth group)
The youth group meets from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. for food, discussion and fun. Contact Morris to get on the group list to receive information.
Day School Chapel
This morning, Mrs. Carbone's class helped tell the story of Jesus being lost by his parents as a teenager and them finding him three days later in the Temple in Jerusalem. As always, parents, caregivers and siblings are always welcome in Chapel on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m.
Adult Forum
If you ever had a nerdy younger sibling who sometimes made you want to cast him into a pit, then the story of Joseph will sound familiar. If you have ever found yourself at the bottom of a pit and had to reinvent yourself in order to move on with your life then again, the story may resonate. Jacob's favorite child, Joseph, moves the whole family and our sacred saga to Egypt in a story rich with false starts, unexpected blessings, suspenseful intrigue and joyous reunions. You can check out the story in the book of Genesis, chapters 37-50. See you Sunday. JB
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Shrine Mont Summer Camps
On-line registration has just opened for the wonderful summer camps at Shrine Mont. There are many kinds of camps available at Shrine Mont, from a very typical summer camp experience, to art or drama camps, to sports camp, to exploration camps, to camps for kids with disabilities. What they all share, however, is the amazing setting of Shrine Mont, an incredibly loving and creative staff, and an atmosphere of faith that is sure to help every kid experience God in a new way. More information can be found here. You can also talk to Nat or Audrey Boling, Ryan or Kevin Coneway, and Sophia Rees-Hoofnagle if you want a camper's perspective.
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A New Look and Feel for the 10:30 Service in Epiphany
If you were part of the 10:30 service on Sunday, you noticed that several liturgical changes were included. If you weren't there, or would like to learn more about the changes, read more ...
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Moms' and Mens' Groups Cooking for VICHOP
St. Aidan's Moms are invited to cook and serve a meal for the VICHOP hypothermia shelter on Sunday, February 8. We'll gather in the St. Aidan's kitchen at 4 p.m. to cook a meal for 25 guests. Several people will then be needed to bring the food to Rising Hope to serve and clean. RSVP to Elizabeth if you can help with cooking or serving.
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The Men's Group will meet a few weeks later on Sunday, February 22 at 4:30 p.m. to cook dinner at VICHOP. Several people will then be needed to bring the food to Rising Hope to serve and clean. RSVP to Holden if you are able to join them to cook and/or serve.
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Looking and listening together
Elizabeth mentioned in her sermon on Sunday how meaningful she is finding the Thursday morning group that is spending the season reading and reflecting on the book called Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom by Christine Valters Paintner. If you would like to join the practice and the conversion, we'll be discussing the second Chapter tomorrow and continuing to meet on Thursdays at 10:30 am in the Godly Play room. Contact Kathryn kathrynconeway@gmail.com if interested or to learn more.
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Silence as Prayer - Tuesday Evenings at St. Aidan's
The church is open every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. for prayer. We continue to offer spiritual listening on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. (Read here to learn more about these evenings of readings, silent time, and shared reflections.) On the other Tuesdays, the church is open for silent prayer from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. All are welcome. Feel free to contact Lisa Richard at 571-215-3170 if you would like to talk with someone before you come.
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Pledges are still coming in.
We have now received 73 pledges for a total of almost $228,650.
This means we now have over 75% of the what we will need to fund our work in 2015 at the current level.
Thanks be to God!
Thanks to everyone who has responded.
If you would like to pledge by contacting the treasurer, email Don.
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Sign up to Help with VIC-HOP, our local Hypothermia Unit
As in past years, St. Aidan's is helping with the overnight shelter and feeding of the 25 residents of the Hypothermia Shelter at Rising Hope Church. We are responsible for four nights in February and March (the 8th and 22nd of both months). On each of our nights, we need four people to stay overnight, a group to cook a meal, and several people to serve the meal and clean up afterwards. David Lounsbury is heading up the overnight shelter and Daria Bergen-Hill will be heading up the food ministry. Please click here to check the schedule see when you might be able to volunteer.
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Flowers for St Aidan's
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The 2015 sign-up calendar for flowers is now in the Narthex. The easiest way to do this is to sign-up and then put a check for $35.00, made out to St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, in the collection plate with the words "Flowers" in the notation area.
If you would like special flowers, or if you would like to bring your own flowers, please get in touch with Eileen Myers, in the office (703-360-0146 or staidansalexandria@gmail.com). Thank you for your support.
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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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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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From the Treasurer
Operating Income Received this week 6.455
Budgeted weekly income 5,576
Received for 2015 18,275
Budgeted for 2015 16,728
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This Week at St Aidan's
Thurs, Jan 22: 7:00 pm Karate practice
7:30 pm Choir rehearsal
Friday, Jan 23: 8:00 am Silent Prayer
Sunday, Jan 25: 8:30 am Service
10:30 am Service
5:30 pm Service
Mon, Jan 26: 7:00 pm Scouts meeting
Tues, Jan 27: 8:00 am Silent Prayer
9:30 am Woman's Book Group
7:00 pm Scouts meeting
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Who's Serving this Week:
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Sunday: January 25, 2015
8:30 a.m. Reader: Pam Henry
10:30 a.m.
Lesson: Jonah 3: 1-5, 10 Peggy Trumbo
Lesson: 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31 Brenda Hunt
Chalice: Carolyn White, Bill White
Ushers: Carolyn White, Bill White
Acolytes: Kyle White, Nat Boling
Godly Play Storyteller: Virginia Lindahl
Godly Play Doorkeeper: Graham Sloan
Coffee Hour: Laura Sonnenmark
Flowers:
Altar Guild: Beverly Bell, John Schnorrenberg, Allen Walker, David Lounsbury &
Karen Costantino
Vestry Person of the Month - Deb Crawford
Sign-up sheets to provide altar flowers and coffee hour are in the Narthex.
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