Please join us on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2:30 p.m. for a facilitated round table discussion on the issue of gun violence in our society.

Through your generosity we have just purchased 1,600 pounds of medical supplies from MedShare. MedShare is a non-profit that receives unused medical supplies and sells them at a greatly reduced cost ($3 per pound) for mission work. These supplies (needles, syringes, protective clothing, gloves, etc.) will be delivered to St. David's in Ashburn this week and then will be transported on a container ship to Liberia. We also sent a large order to St. David's through Amazon including trash bags, plastic aprons, scrubbing brushes, thermometers, and protective goggles. We are working with LECUSA (Liberian Episcopal Church in the USA) to make sure all of these items get to the Diocese of Liberia. The Diocese of Liberia will then make sure the donated supplies are placed in the hands of the medical professionals for use.  If you have any questions, please contact Susan.

St. David's (43600 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn) is holding a Prayer Service for Liberia on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 5:00 p.m.

There will be a 45 minute acolyte training for all new and returning acolytes on Sunday, Sept. 28 immediately following the 11:15 a.m. service (approx. 12:45 p.m.).  This session is for rising 5th grade and older, including any high schoolers who are unable to attend the Sept. 14 training. Please direct any questions or send your RSVP to attend to Kelly Cosgrove. 

This month we used the Sanctuary for the first time for our food pantry distribution. We provided bags of groceries and produce for over 100 individuals and families. Thank you so much to our Food Pantry volunteers who helped make this transition and to those who donated food for our Food Pantry. Our next Food Pantry will be on Oct. 16. 

St. Anne's Ageless Group will meet on Saturday, Sept. 27 in the library from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. JQ Gillen, a professional organizer and member of St. Anne's, will advise us on how to effectively de-clutter our homes or the homes of aging parents. JQ will address both the emotional and practical dimensions of de-cluttering; provide useful tips on re-gifting, donating and re-cycling; and engage us in hands-on exercises.  For more information contact JQ or Michael Broddle (703-795-3910). 

Help the Homeless Walk

One of Cornerstones key awareness and fundraising events is their annual Help the Homeless Walk. This year we're walking to support Cornerstone's Rapid Re-Housing Challenge providing pillows, dishes and food for individuals and families moving from the shelter into stable housing.  The walk is on Oct. 19; check-in starts at 12:30 p.m. and the walk beings at 1:30 p.m. going from the Embry Rucker Shelter to St. Anne's and back again via the Town Center, a two-mile stroll.

 
St. Anne's has committed to providing 100 walkers and we are matching 100% of donations from our walkers to a maximum donation of $2,500. This is a great opportunity to double the impact that you make and show St. Anne's commitment to resolving this important issue! The cost is $25 for an adult, $20 for a walker under 18 with a family maximum of $50. Click here to sign up now. To allow us to match your contribution please type "St. Anne's" in the 'Organization, Congregation or Team Name' box at the bottom of the registration form!
 
If you have any questions please contact our team leader, Pat Sartorius (703-674-6933).

In support of the Help the Homeless Walk, which is on Oct. 19, we are requesting donations of personal care items to be given to the Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter. A collection basket will be available in the Narthex from this Sunday until Oct. 17. Below is the list of requested items; please purchase travel or trial size items. Questions? Please contact Martha Furniss (703-481-5899). Thanks!

 Items Requested -- Please Purchase Travel Size Items

Deodorant  *  Facial tissues  *  Foot spray/foot powder  *Hand lotion  *

Hand sanitizer  *  Lip balm w/ SPF  *  Nail clippers  *  Shampoo  *  Body Wash  *  Disposable razors  *  Shaving cream  *  Sunscreen  * Toothbrushes  *  Toothpaste

During the year, our different groups are responsible for providing a snack for our post-service coffee hours. Our coffee hours are great time for fellowship and connecting with other parishioners. Below is a list of when your group will be hosting coffee hour. Thanks!

October - Music Department (Choir, Voice for Life, Chimes/Bell)

November - Lay Readers

December - Youth Christian Formation (Sunday School, Youth Group)

January - Outreach

February - Adult Education (Kerygma, EfM, Healing Prayer)

March - Altar and Flower Guilds and Acolytes

April - Vestry

May - Missions

Oktoberfest will be Saturday, Oct. 11 from 4-7 p.m. There will be brats, (hot dogs for the kids), sauerkraut, beer  and root beer as well as bottled water. We will also have our 3rd Annual Potato Salad Cook-Off! So, break out grandma's famous recipe or try something new. All will be enjoyed and appreciated! Also, there will be a moon bounce for the kids. To round out our meal we are asking folks to bring a dessert to share. Tickets will be available for sale after Sunday services; admission for adults is $10, $5 for children or $25 for parents and children.

Help is needed in putting up the tent which will also be used for Blessing of the Animals on Oct. 12. Please contact Susan to sign up.

On Oct. 12 at the 9:00 service we will have our annual blessing of the animals. Animals and their owners are invited to service outside under the tent - rain or shine (and warm or cold). Be sure to note the weather and dress appropriately. Animals of all shapes and sizes will be blessed. Also, on that day there will be NO Sunday school or children's music program. This service is held in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi whose feast day is Oct. 4. Please join us!

There will be an informational meeting on Oct. 12 at 1:00 to discuss the 2015 Cuba mission trip. Please join us if you would like to learn more and are thinking about this trip for next year. If you have questions, please contact Eleanor Ware. Vamos!

The St. Anne's Youth Group - Christian formation for youth in grades 7-12 - returns for its first gathering of the new program year on Sunday, Sept. 28. Join us in the library at St. Anne's from 6:00-8:15 p.m. for dinner and a movie! 

All 7-8 grade youth should save the date for the SAYG Junior High Retreat on Saturday, Oct. 11. This will be a day of fun and fellowship as we get lost in The Corn Maze in the Plains! Sign-up and reserve your spot by submitting $15 (non-refundable) and a signed permission form no later than Sunday, Oct. 5. Make checks payable to "St. Anne's" and please put "SAYG Jr. High Retreat" in the memo. Sign-up sheet and permission forms are available on a clipboard in the Narthex and will be sent electronically as well.

Questions about either of these events?  Please contact Rev. Laura.

The St. Anne's Fall Camping Trip on Oct. 3-5 in Shannondale Springs, WV is currently at capacity. If you and/or your family are interested in participating, please email Rev. Laura and she will add your name(s) to the waiting list. 

If you are interested in visiting the campsite for the day on Saturday, Oct. 4, we encourage you to join us for fun on the Shenandoah River.  Stay for the "Grill Night" style dinner where each participant brings their own meat or veggies to grill, and a dish to share with everyone.  Please let Rev. Laura know if you are planning to join us for the day.

Join us for a gleaning opportunity on Saturday, Oct. 11. We will once again be helping The Society of St. Andrews in their mission to end our country's food insecurity. The Society of St. Andrews works with farmers and others to gather, collect, and distribute produce that would otherwise be thrown away. Please click here to volunteer or contact Amber Gilson for more information. 

Sandwiches for the Shelter

We'll be packing lunches and making 240 sandwiches for the Embry Rucker Shelter again on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10:30 a.m. As always, children old enough to help make their own lunches are more than welcome! For those of you who haven't joined us before, the entire event from start to finish typically takes 45 minutes or less, so you'll have plenty of time for other Saturday plans.Click here to sign up. Please contact Emily McPhie if you have any questions.

Many of you have enjoyed the beauty of our Memorial Garden and the lovely recognition bricks on our patio. Many have also asked when there would offer an opportunity for additional bricks to be purchased. The time is now! The Vestry of St. Anne's is pleased to offer you the opportunity to purchase an engraved recognition brick(s). We are offering two sizes of bricks: 4"x 8" brick for $150 or 8"x 8" brick for $275. Funds raised from the bricks will be dedicated to finishing the back pathway to the garden and to completing the memorial plaque wall. Click here to see and download the order form. EACH BRICK ORDER WILL REQUIRE A SEPARATE ORDER FORM. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Allen (703-437-6530). The deadline for ordering bricks is Sept. 28. Thank you for your support!