For the fifth year in a row I want to encourage you to join me in taking the liturgy to the streets! "Ashes to Go" is a somewhat irreverent title for a very serious attempt to make use of our rich liturgical tradition in a day of public witness and evangelization. In the last few years, various congregations throughout the diocese have made use of Ash Wednesday to offer the prayer of the church to commuters and others, engaging them with a brief and invitational encounter with one of the most evocative symbolic gestures of the season.

The origins of our liturgical tradition include ritual observances and prayer in the public square. I believe it is appropriate for us to rediscover the potential power of some of these elements for own time and cultural context. There is a vast hunger in our world for the presence of the Lord Jesus and for a declaration of the truth that we are finite and human creatures, dependent on a loving and merciful God. The rites of Ash Wednesday can be a powerful tool to offer just this message to folks who would never walk through the doors of our churches to experience it. I hope many of you will join in offering this ministry to people outside the walls of our churches. Christ is there.

Please email me for more information. Feel free to chat with Nadia Stefko, Bill Voss, John Seaton, Flora Green, Barbara Larsen, Weeks Ringle or Walter Thorne about their experiences with this ministry.

Ash Wednesday is March 5th this year.  Suggested coverage times for volunteers:

Are you a young person or adult interested in exploring your faith life, learning more about the Episcopal Church, or even taking the next step of your spiritual journey? Or do you know someone who is? On Sunday, February 23rd, Grace will begin "Finding God, Finding Grace," a faith formation series open to all. Time TBD - stay tuned.  Throughout this series we will explore our place in our scriptures, traditions, and the life of the church. Those who choose may conclude the series in confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation of faith by the Bishop, but all are welcome. Interested people should speak to Shawn, Nick, or Eric.

George Freeman Bragg, Jr.

An historian whose work gives us invaluable insight into the early history of African Americans in the Episcopal Church, George Freeman Bragg served for 35 years as the secretary of the Conference for Church Workers Among the Colored People and authored important studies such as A History of the Afro-American Group of The Episcopal Church and Richard Allen and Absalom Jones.

The grandson of a slave, Bragg was born into an Episcopalian family in Warrenton, North Carolina in 1863. As a young man he campaigned for the Readjuster Party in Virginia, which advocated for voting rights and state supported higher education for African Americans. He was the editor of the influential black weekly paper The Lancet, which he renamed the Afro-American Churchman upon his entrance into divinity school in 1885. Through this paper, Bragg called attention to the fact that African Americans were treated as recipients of mission work but were not supported in raising up self-sustaining institutions that would have fostered their presence in the church.

George Bragg was ordained a deacon in 1887 in Norfolk, Virginia. He challenged the diocese's policy of requiring black men to remain in deacon's orders for five or more years, much longer than their white counterparts, and in 1888 he was ordained a priest. He served as the rector of St. James' First African Church in Baltimore for 49 years, from 1891 until his death in 1940. He helped establish the Maryland Home for Friendless Colored Children, and did not cease in his advocacy for black Episcopalians and their full inclusion in the larger life of the church. He vehemently challenged the exclusion of African Americans from the church's society for mission work. He was instrumental in fostering over twenty priestly vocations in an environment in which black Episcopalians were often left to fend for themselves without the support and resources of the larger church. 

All are welcome to join us on Wednesday, February 5, 7:30 PM, at the home of Bets Howland and Dennis Zavac.   

We will be finishing John Shelby Spong's book and finalizing what our next book will be. We will discuss chapters 12, 13, and Epilogue (A Final Word) .

Concerning our next book, it was suggested that we take a break from Christianity and take a look at Buddhism. At the January discussion meeting, two possible books were discussed - each by highly respected authors known for their ability to communicate Buddhist principles to a western audience.   

The book that was favored is by a Buddhist nun, Pema Chodrin, When Things Fall Apart.

The other book was authored by a Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ.

We look forward to seeing you and discussing the final chapters of Why Christianity Must Change or Die.

If you have questions, or would like to join the group, please click here to contact Bets & Dennis. 

We are pleased to tell you that we are keeping the survey open a little while longer (until February 12).  We have over 100 responses.  We would love to hear from all households (even if you are not attending regularly). Your responses will help us take a deep look at who are, how we are doing and where we are going.

You'll find the survey and more information at this link.  Please be sure that you, your spouse and all young adults and youth living in your home have an opportunity to complete the survey.  INDIVIDUAL INPUT is key to our gaining insight into overall perceptions and experiences. 

Shake off the winter "blahs" and treat yourself to a little fun for a good cause.  Our faithful adult choir likes to sing other things beside sacred anthems!  Join us in the Parish Hall at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 7th for our almost-annual Adult Choir Cabaret Night!  Light food and drinks will be available as choir members sing songs of romance and comedy and it all is for a good cause!  The $5 admission price will go to help the Madrigal choir travel to Washington DC to sing Evensong at Washington National Cathedral. See you there!

We'll celebrate Black History Month with a luncheon in the Parish Hall after the 10:30AM service on Sunday, February 16. We'll also celebrate Absalom Jones at the service.  The Rev. Jones was the first black American priest.

Please plan to join us! There will be a free-will offering.  Please give generously, as 100% of your contributions will be donated to our struggling church in South Sudan for displaced Sudanese or equipment.  

ACOLYTES: TBD
MC/LEMS:  Cyndy Reynolds; James Redden, Helen Thomason, Sue Wells, Bob Vogler, Lascelles Anderson
LECTORS: Marilyn Wardle, Bonnie Shadid
INTERCESSORS: John Seaton, Barbara Larsen
ALTAR GUILD: Joan Anderson, Heather Bovell, Scott Garman, Flora Green, Hansi Kess, Kathy Onayemi, Al Papillon, Willie Polite, Sally Prescott, Natalie Ratz, Marie Rock, Jane Shirley, Chuck Tupta; Mary Ann Urbashich
BREAD BAKER: The Lucé family
USHERS: Adrienne Gervais, Jane Shirley, Paul O'Kelly, Cathy O'Kelly
GREETERS: Flora Green, Sarah Hunt, DeLacy Sarantos
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 9:00 SERVICE: Volunteer(s) needed
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS AFTER 10:30 SERVICE: Volunteer(s) needed