(T48 -- which has nothing to do with your age) has been a wonderful year of fellowship.  We've enjoyed each other's company in a relaxed social setting.  To celebrate this special fellowship, an end of year potluck is planned for Saturday, 1 December, at 6:30pm, hosted by Liz and Tom Quigley.  All current T48 members are invited.  If you are currently not a member of the T48 group and wish to join for 2013 calendar year, you too are welcome to attend the end of the year potluck.  Singles and couples (over 21 years of age) are encouraged to participate.  Please bring an hors d'oeuvres to share.  Drinks will be provided.  Request RSVP to April and Liz by Nov 30.  If you would like to know more about T48, or the end of the year party, please contact April Pawlowski.  

 

Advent Friend Signups

Each year at Abiding Presence, individuals and families have an opportunity to be an "Advent Friend."  Sign-ups begin this week for everyone interested in participating in our Advent Friends program.  Advent Friends perform acts of kindness for other members of the congregation who are also participating in the program.   The object is to keep your identity a secret while giving small gifts or performing thoughtful acts for your secret friend or family, usually one thing per week during Advent.  This is a fun way to share our joy in the Advent Season as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Lord.  Some suggestions of things to do include sending an Advent or Christmas card (signed "Advent Friend" to keep it secret), greeting your friend during the sharing of the peace at church, as well as leaving cookies, snack items or small, inexpensive gifts on their doorstep or in a designated area here in the church.  You may also do anything else you might think of to celebrate your new secret friendship.

 

Advent Friends sign-ups will run through Sunday, November 25.  

Individuals and families who sign up will be notified during the week following Thanksgiving as to who their secret Advent Friend is.   You can then begin surprising your secret friends the first week in December, and begin receiving surprises from the friend who has your name.  The identities of all Advent Friends are usually revealed at an event in January.   If you would like to participate this year, please sign up on your worship folder Count-Me-In form and place it in the offering plate or drop it by the church office by November 25.

 

Young Couples Dinners
Abiding Presence young couples will meet in small groups for dinner on the following dates:

November 11 at 5:00 at Chris and Natalie Franke's House
December 1 at 10:00 - Mike and Vanessa Utell's House

The dinners are potluck and a great opportunity to get to know other young couples in the congregation. If you are interested in participating, email Sara Dyson. We're also looking for a few more young couples who would be willing to host a potluck dinner for 3-4 other couples in their home sometime in November or early December. All young couples are welcome to get involved in this ministry!

 

Confirmation CROP Walk Challenge-Sunday, November 18

The Level I and Level 2 Confirmation Youth are seeing who can recruit the most walkers to join them at the CROP Walk.  The winning group gets an ice cream sundae party.  Youth will meet at Living Savior at 1:45 pm.

 

2013 Senior High Youth Mission Trip

We're planning ahead and have already set the dates for our 2013 Sr. High mission trip. We'll be headed to rural Bluefield, WV, for a week of home repair, July 7-13, 2013. The cost will be $550 per person for the week, which will include all meals except for dinner one night.   Registration forms available on the Sr. High Youth bulletin board.

 

Senior High Night at Shadow Land-Saturday, November 17, at 7:30 pm

Senior High youth will gather for laser tag, fun, and a bit of faith, too.  RSVP to Vicar Nicole.  

ELCA Disaster Response-Hurricane Sandy

Millions of people have evacuated their homes and communities due to Hurricane Sandy.  The storm has claimed the lives of at least 84 throughout the United States and the Caribbean.  While destruction on the East Coast is devastating, please also remember the damage of Hurricane Sandy in the Caribbean as millions are feeling the impact of this storm.  We need your help. The ELCA is a leader in disaster response. Your gifts will help our church meet the immediate needs of those affected by providing food, water and shelter, and we will continue to help for as long as we are needed.

 

Your gift, designated for "Hurricane Sandy," will be used entirely - 100 percent - in response to this disaster.  You can designate your gift for Hurricane Sandy where the need is greatest, or you can donate gifts specific to the United States or Caribbean.  There are several ways that you may give-by writing a check to AP, with the designation of "Hurricane Sandy" in the memo line (designate "US", "Caribbean" or "most needed"), by sending a check directly to ELCA Disaster Response, 39330 Treasury Center, Chicago, IL 60694-9300 (with "Hurricane Sandy" or "Where Needed Most" on your check's memo line), or by going online to www.elca.org/disaster.  For more information, please go to this website or pick up an information sheet in the narthex.  Thank you!

 

Giving Tree

"The Giving Tree" will be set up in the narthex beginning next week.  Once again we will have the opportunity to provide items needed for ECHO's annual Christmas store, Gifts of Hope, and more.

 

Lutheran World Relief Quilt Campaign

In 2013 Lutheran World Relief is challenging Lutherans across the U.S. to donate 500,000 quilts to send around the world to people in need.  Here at Abiding Presence we are going to answer the challenge by making at least thirteen quilts between now and the end of 2013.  Don't worry if you can't sew; there are many jobs that go into making a quilt.  Stay tuned for upcoming dates of quilting workshops.  If you have any questions about this quilting project, please contact Lynne Imre or Kathryn Ives.

 

Children's Weekend Meal Program - Next Delivery Date is November 14th

In April 2011, Abiding Presence was approached by a local elementary school with an immediate need for weekend meals for some of their students.  In response, Abiding Presence began our program to provide 2 "Weekend Meal Packages" per child to be distributed on Fridays from October-December and February-June.  This year we have committed to provide support for 50 children. 

Please help us in making this another successful year.  Below is a list of items we are collecting as part of our next delivery .  Donations my be left on the blue cart in the narthex.

 

44 Cans of Soup 

49 Packets of flour tortillas

22 Packets of Cookies 

50 Packets of Peanut Butter Crackers

 

 

 

 

Coat Drive for ECHO

We are holding our fifth annual winter coat drive for ECHO. All coats are welcomed. They should be new or "gently-used", in good condition and cleaned. You can purchase new coats at Walmart or Ross quite inexpensively.  Also needed are winter accessories such as gloves, hats and scarves.

 

ECHO Partnership with SkillSource

ECHO is starting a partnership with SkillSource, a non-profit organization that helps people find jobs.  ECHO is seeking volunteers who are willing to be trained to help clients conduct on-line job searches and possibly help them create resumes using a computer at ECHO.  The time commitment would be once or twice a month on a Wednesday morning or a Tuesday or Thursday evening.   If you are interested in volunteering, please contact ECHO. 

 

Donating to ECHO thru CFC or United Way Campaign

Fall brings the start of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) as well as the United Way Campaign.  ECHO is a grateful recipient of funds pledged through these organizations. Please remember that ECHO's United Way number is 8426 and CFC number 74224.  

 

 Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke Activities

Luncheon-SCFB will host their next Lunch N' Life for those over age 50 on Thursday, November 15 from 12:00-2:00 PM at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 9350 Braddock Road in Burke.  William Page Johnson will provide a talk on "The Civil War:  The Engagement at Fairfax Court House".  Call Faye Quesenberry by Nov. 8 for reservations (703-620-0161).  Cost is $8.00.

 

Fall Concert

SCFB in partnership with NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra and RMS (Reunion Music Society, Inc.) will present a concert on November 9 at 8:00 PM at the Ernst Cultural Center on the NOVA-Annandale Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike.  The program will present music by Schubert, Torelli, Aaron Copland and Duke Ellington.  Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors and teens, and children under 12 free.  Advance tickets may be purchased by contacting Lisa Carroll at 703-426-2824.  Proceeds will benefit SCFB and the two musical groups.