All Souls Weekly
Volume 1, Number 2, February 17, 2008

From the Rector: Introducing Father Worthley

One of the greatest gifts of ministry is not only making good friends among parishioners, but also creating lasting friendship with colleagues.  Over the past few months I’ve enjoyed meeting fellow clergy in the Diocese of Washington and I look forward to our building friends of All Souls, both members of other churches who visit us when they can and bishops, priests and deacons who like to worship with us and participate when they are able.  Though I only got to know Mother Henry a little, I know how much her ministry meant to this parish.  While I want to be clear to you all how much I enjoy officiating, celebrating the Mass and preaching—how much I enjoy and appreciate being your pastor and priest— I also look forward to sharing those tasks with others, when appropriate. 

Last Sunday I announced the good news that the Reverend Christopher Worthley has agreed to join us as adjunct clergy.  Many of you met Christopher when he preached and celebrated a few times during the interim period.  A native New Englander, Father Worthley moved to Washington in 2005.  Christopher lived for nearly ten years in Germany, working as a business journalist in Frankfurt and later as a corporate communications officer at the Munich-based financial services company, Allianz. He returned to the U.S. to pursue theological studies at Yale Divinity School and now serves as executive director of the Allianz Foundation for North America, a corporate foundation working to empower young people to shape a secure future. Ordained in the Diocese of Los Angeles, he served previously as a volunteer assisting priest at Trinity Episcopal Church, Santa Barbara.

Over time and in the years ahead, I look forward to developing a team of assisting clergy and seminarians that reflect and encourage the diversity of our parish.  Please join me in welcoming Father Worthley to All Souls and in showing him how glad we are that he will be among us.    -John Beddingfield

Your prayers are asked for . . . Alan, Owen Basil, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, Ted Field, Nancy and Bill Pressly, Jerry Hollingsworth and Sandra Taylor Knowles.  In addition to this prayer list, if you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg@verizon.net.

Around the Parish . . . The Rector will be away from Wednesday, February 20 through Saturday, February 23, attending the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes meeting in St. Louis.  The Consortium works to bring leaders from endowed parishes together to foster the development and use of endowments for mission and ministry . . .  Special thanks to Robin Jones and Susan Morrison for the soup at the Wednesday Lenten dinner . . . The Levanos-Esch family has brought All Souls a new crèche from Guatemala.  It is made of beautifully carved wood and should be very helpful for our Christmas Eve Children’s Mass next year . . . Attendance Friday, February 8 for Stations of the Cross 14; Sunday, February 10, 8:30 a.m.: 45; 11:00 a.m.: 124. . .Total pledge offerings received this week were $5,256.52. The total plate offering received was $621.00

Liturgical notes . . . Calling all feet.  The Rector is looking for twelve diverse pairs of feet to wash on Maundy Thursday this year.  If you, or someone you know, is interested in being a part of the liturgy in this way please let Father Beddingfield know . . . Join us for Stations of the Cross each Friday evening in Lent at 7:00 p.m. . . .  The sanctuary candle burns this week to the Glory of God and is given in loving memory of Richard R. Forster by Bob Publicover.  Richard’s 70th birthday would have been this week.

The Adult Forum at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 17,  “Our Theology and Calling in Liturgy” is led by parishioner Ed Perlman.  Share in a discussion on our greatest calling in life:  to worship God through the liturgy of the Church. Come and hear more about the history, symbolism and meaning behind what we say and do in church.

Our Lenten Series continues Wednesday, February 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the undercroft.  Join us for a simple soup and bread dinner and the series, “Pioneers of the Spirit.”  This week’s video and discussion will be on the life and teachings of Augustine of Hippo, the 4th century bishop regarded by many as the greatest theologian of the Western Church.

The Heifer Project works with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Giving to this project works to “pass on the gift.” The families then share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills.  Join the children of All Souls for this Lenten project.  On Palm Sunday, the children will bring their gift boxes in the procession. Visit the information table in the Undercroft to learn more about this great program.

Picture this . . . Do you ever see people in church and wonder what their names are?  Have you ever heard an announcement regarding a member and wished you could put a face with a name?  Are you new to All Souls Church and wish you had something to help you put names with faces?  Well, help is on the way!  We are producing a pictorial directory for our church.  There is no cost to you or All Souls to have your photographs taken and you will receive a complimentary 8”X10” portrait and directory for participating.  You will be able to view your images electronically immediately after you are photographed.  At that time, you will have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits to share with family and friends.  Select a time on either April 3rd, 4th or 5th by signing up on Sundays in the Undercroft or very soon on our website.

Readings for the Daily Office come from the lectionary in the back of the Book of Common Prayer.  Psalms are traditionally read according to the headings in the Prayer Book corresponding to the day of the month.  For example, the heading for Psalm 69 on Page 679 in the Prayer Book is, “Thirteenth Day: Evening Prayer,” which would be the psalm appointed for February 13 in the evening.  In keeping with the rubrics on page 934, we read the Gospel in the morning.  The readings listed in the Morning Prayer column below are those read at All Souls Tuesday through Friday at 7:15 a.m.  The third reading may be added in the morning or read at Evening Prayer.

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All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church
The Reverend John Beddingfield, rector; The Reverend Christopher Worthley, adjunct clergy;
Mr. Isaac Borocz, parish administrator; Mr. Arthur Roach, interim director of music and organist; Mr. Oscar Prado, sexton

2300 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008-1505
Voice: 202-232-4244, Fax: 202-232-8593
Email: allsouls1@aol.com
www.allsoulsdc.org