The Comfortable Word
An eNewsletter from Church of the Holy Comforter
November 19, 2015
In This Issue
Prepare for Worship
Event Highlights
Give Online
AmazonSmile
Healing Eucharist
Stephen Ministry
Addiction and Recovery
Time to Sign Up
Lessons and Carols
Adult Forum
Advent Not-So-Quiet Morning
Toiletries Drive
The Giving Table
Blanket and Coat Drive
Outreach Grants
Save the Date
Parents' Night Out
Advent Pageant
Gingerbread Extravaganza and Potluck
Youth Pilgrimage 2016
Senior Saints BYO Lunch
Alternative Gift Fair
Prayer Bead Ministry
A year in the Philippines
Volunteers Needed
Consider This
Like us on Facebook 

FEATURES
All-Parish Advent Wreath Party
Sunday, Nov. 29, 10:10 a.m.
Bring a treat or snack to share! 
We will kick off Advent with a multi-generational festive gathering between the 9:00 and 11:00 services. Seasonal food, drinks and music will set the tone for Advent wreath creativity. Supplies to make Advent Wreaths will be provided. (Donations of $10 per family are welcomed to help cover costs). We will have sets of Advent Candles that can be purchased separately. In addition, the Cloister Shop will be newly stocked with wonderful Advent and Christmas-themed items. Questions? Contact Kristen Long.
Centering Prayer Begins
Sunday, Nov. 29, 4 p.m. 
We will gather on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. (either in the Chapel or the Sanctuary) for about 45 minutes. Whether you are new to Centering Prayer or a long-time practitioner, all are welcome! Questions? Contact Kathie Rawson.
Taize Taiz�
Sunday, Nov. 29, 5 p.m. 
Join us for a unique opportunity to decompress and prepare for the week ahead. Taiz� is a powerful and moving combination of song and Scripture featuring lush greenery, incense, candles, icons, and considerable time spent in silent meditation. Questions? Contact David Kelley.

Youth Group Holiday Greens Sale
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28-29 
Holiday Greens Holy Comforter Youth will be selling Christmas wreaths and greens in the Narthex between services the weekend after Thanksgiving. No custom orders this year. We will have the wreaths on hand and it's first-come first-served! Proceeds will benefit the Youth Pilgrimage to Ireland in 2016.
Spirit Wear is Back!
Place your orders before Nov. 30!
Just in time for the colder weather and holiday shopping, you can order Spirit Wear! Place your order online here at the Holy Comforter "store." All orders will be delivered to Holy Comforter the week of Christmas. Check out sample items on the rack in the Narthex. Questions? Contact Cassandra Bosco.
The Last Sunday after Pentecost
Christ the King 
Access online giving through "Give Now" on the Holy Comforter website.

AmazonSmile Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to Church of The Holy Comforter whenever you click and shop here. Please share the link!

Congregational Care   
Healing Eucharist Healing Eucharist
Sunday, December 6, 5 p.m. 
All are welcome to this Healing Eucharist with the Laying on of Hands and Anointing for healing. The Healing Ministry is being led by the Rev. Valerie Hayes and Ms. Alexandra MacCracken and includes a team of lay healers who have gone through intentional training and formation. Questions? Contact the Rev. Valerie Hayes.

Stephen Ministry Stephen Ministry Cares   

Is life feeling overwhelming at the moment? Have you experienced or are you anticipating a loss or transition? Are you facing a difficult decision? You may find the support of a Stephen Minister helpful during this period of time. Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained to offer high-quality, one-to-one Christian care to people going through tough times. Questions? Contact the Rev. Valerie Hayes.  

Addiction and Recovery Care

Holy Comforter has formed a ministry team to provide care for those who struggle or have struggled with alcoholism and/or other addiction(s). If you or someone you care for is struggling with addiction or substance abuse, we have parishioners in recovery who are available to talk or meet in confidence. If you are interested in speaking with one of the clergy or experienced parishioners, please contact the Rev. Valerie Hayes or the Rev. Margaret Peel.

Twelve-Step Groups Meeting at Holy Comforter

AA "Beulah Road Group" - Open Big Book Meeting, Mondays, 7:00 p.m., Library
NA - Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., Library

Time to Sign Up To organize efforts to support our parish family, we are using TimeToSignUp. Contact the Rev. Valerie Hayes for more information or if you have a need.

Music & Liturgy   
NEW Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 6, 11 a.m., Sanctuary 
Join Holy Comforter's choirs for the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent. The service will include a dramatic procession, readings, chants, hymns, anthems, bells, and organ music. Questions? Please contact David Kelley.
Adult Christian Formation  
Adult Forum: Awaiting Christ
This Sunday, November 22, 10:10 a.m., St. Mary's Chapel 
The days are getting shorter and darker as we turn the corner to the season of Advent and we await the coming of the Christ Child and the coming of new light in the lengthening of days. Why should we pay attention to Advent? Come and learn! Questions? Contact the Rev. Valerie Hayes.
Adult Bible Study
This Sunday, November 22, 10:10 a.m., Lillian Croy Room 
We will complete The Story Bible Study this fall and then begin a new program in the new year. Questions? Contact the Rev. Valerie Hayes.
NEW Advent Not-So-Quiet Morning:
Letting Our Lights Shine -
Discovering and Revealing God's Gifts in Community

Saturday, December 5, 9 a.m.-Noon
Please join us for this morning program offered for our whole parish--younger and older, singles and families, and children ages 8 years and up. Join together with community members from local L'Arche homes to explore God's Gifts in Community. Children 5 to 7 will have activities in Rodman House, and the Childcare Center will be available for children 4 and under. This program is FREE but please register so we know how many people are coming. Please contact Liz Bleich in the church office and include the names and ages of children attending.
Outreach
NEW Contribute to Mt. Carmel House Shelter
Donations Due by Sunday, November 29  
We are collecting unused sample size toiletry items for hoilday bags to be given to the ladies at Mt. Carmel House shelter. Please leave your items in the Narthex marked "Mt. Carmel House." The bags will be decorated and assembled on December 4. If you have questions please call Jeanna Spielmann at 703-757-2873.
Giving Help Others by Visiting the Giving Table! 
Please stop by the Giving Table in the Narthex and help those less fortunate this holiday season! This year, parishioners can support recipients of five local charities: The Lamb Center, Polaris Project, CHO, Alternative House and The Salvation Army. You can fill a stocking, contribute new or gently used warm clothing and socks, toys, gift cards, workplace apparel, or fill a teen's wish list. It's a great way to involve the whole family and share the real meaning of Christmas. Don't wait to participate!
Donate Blankets and Coats for Refugees
in the Narthex through December 5 
Fairfax County is responding to the dire need for blankets and coats for Syrian and Iraqi refugees who have fled their homes to Turkey in the wake of the violence of the Civil War in Syria and ISIL. You may deposit new and/or clean, gently used items in the "PAXTON" packing box in the Narthex. Paxton will transport all donations to the Port of Virginia where they will be shipped to Turkey by Maersk. All sizes, infants through adults, will be gratefully received. Monetary donations are welcomed, too.
Apply for Outreach Grants
Application Deadline Extended to December 11
The parish Outreach Team is currently accepting applications for grant funding from organizations that serve God's people in need. We are particularly interested in assisting organizations with which members of our congregation work or volunteer. Our 2015 Grant Application Form is available for download here. If you know of an organization that would benefit from our parish's assistance, please feel free to share a copy of Grant Application Form with them. Questions? Contact Susan McGuire.
Save the Date: FACETS Hypothermia Prevention Shelter
February 7-14, 2016 
Holy Comforter is gearing up to host our fourth annual one-week FACETS Hypothermia Shelter. More details and information on donations will be forthcoming. Questions? Please contact Philene Ware Dunn or Alisa Vogt.
Children's Ministries 
NEW Parents' Night Out
Friday, December 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m.   
Need a night to finish up shopping or enjoy some quiet during the busy holiday rush? Feel free to drop your child for an evening of dinner, crafts, and a holiday movie. Please RSVP to Kristen Long with the name and age of your child so we can plan accordingly. A $5 donation per child is requested for dinner expenses.
NEW Advent Pageant - A Prelude to Christmas
Sunday, December 20, 10:10 a.m.   
Be sure to join our Holy Comforter children as they perform our annual Advent Pageant, "A Prelude to Christmas." The pageant will be held during the formation hour between services. All children in Sunday School will be practicing and included. If your child is interested in a speaking role, please contact Kristen Long. Mandatory rehearsals for those with speaking roles will take place on Sunday, December 13 and Saturday, December 19 with lunch provided.
NEW All-Parish Gingerbread Extravaganza
and Potluck Dinner
Sunday, December 20, 5:30-7 p.m.   
Join us for a fun evening of fellowship, dinner, and decorating gingerbread houses! We will supply a pre-constructed gingerbread house and all the decorating supplies. You supply a dinner item to share (dessert and beverages will be provided). A $10 contribution per family is requested to cover the cost of gingerbread houses and decorations. An RSVP to Kristen Long is required to attend this event.
Student Ministries 
NEW Apply for Youth Pilgrimage 2016
Applications Due December 1, 2015  
We're going to Ireland! Any current high school youth interested in attending the youth pilgrimage the week of July 1-8, 2016, please contact the Rev. Margaret Peel. Application forms can be found here. A pilgrimage is a trip for those seeking a closer connection with God, wanting to learn more about our Anglican heritage and where we find God in the world.
News & Fellowship 
NEW Senior Saints Holiday BYO Lunch
Friday, December 4, 11:45 a.m.    
We will enjoy a Holiday musicale and sing-along featuring a talented group of performers, led by Professor John Kilkenny, of George Mason University School of Music. Bring your own lunch. Dessert and beverages will be provided. If you would like to bring a dessert to share, if you have questions or need a ride, please contact Barbara Fitzsimmons.
NEW The Ninth Annual Alternative Gift Fair
Saturday, December 5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday, December 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
There will be new products this year! 
The fair will offer products from Fair Trade Winds in Fairfax, featuring jewelry, games and toys, scarves, household goods, Christmas ornaments and other hand-made unique gifts by artisans from around the world. Fair Trade Winds sells only fair trade items, which means the artisans receive a fair portion of the sales price, and that their work promotes a strong local economy. You will also have the option of buying gifts in the name of your loved one by donating to Episcopal Relief & Development, or International Justice Mission. Questions? Contact Kathy Brown.
New Prayer Bead Ministry   
prayer beads Please go to TimeToSignUp to express your interest in this ministry which would meet monthly to make Anglican prayer beads to be distributed in three ways: to meet a local need (i.e., given to hospital, hospice, military or prison chaplains), given to our clergy for their use in ministry, sold in the Cloister Shop and Pennywise. All ages are welcome! Questions? Conact Jill Norton or Juliana Dort.
A year in the Philippines through YASC 
Parishioner Catherine Belous is in the Philippines, serving for one year as a missionary through the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC). Follow Catherine on her blog here.
Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed 

One of the traditions of the Episcopal Church is that we offer the 8th sacrament: Coffee Hour! And yet, Coffee Hour does not happen miraculously but through the help of volunteers. And now, we need you! It's easy! We'll make sure of it! And so very many people will appreciate your efforts. If you can offer your time two or four Sundays each year, please do sign up in the Narthex between Sunday services or on the church website here. Questions? Contact Kathleen Kelley or Chris Doyle.   

Volunteer at Pennywise Thrift Shop
Pennywise Thrift ShopFront Desk:
1st Tuesday - 2 to 4 p.m.
2nd Tuesday
- 2 to 4 p.m.
Every Wednesday - noon to 2 p.m.
4th Friday - noon to 2 p.m.
5th Friday - noon to 2 p.m.
 
Consignment:
1st Thursday - 10 a.m. to noon
4th Thursday - 10 a.m. to noon
5th Wednesday - 10 a.m. to noon
2nd Friday - 10 a.m. to noon
5th Friday - 10 a.m. to noon  
 
Did you know that there are over 140 volunteers that help make Pennywise such a success? The sales from the shop enabled us last year to donate $77,003 to the Episcopal Church Women to fund outreach ministries and church needs. So far this year we have given $52,142. We have also been able to pledge $75,000 to the Capital Campaign and another $10,000 toward the purchase of our new organ. Please make time in your busy schedule to help us keep our shop running.
 
Message from the CHC Endowment Board
Is God's will reflected in your will?
Publication Guidelines and Timeline   

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Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Road, NE Vienna, VA 22180-3510
Phone: (703) 938-6521 Fax: (703) 281-1360
Web: www.holycomforter.com

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