All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 1, Number 7, March 23, 2008

The word, “alleluia,” comes from the Hebrew, hallel, or praise.  Early Christians began to associate the term, alleluia, or “praise ye the Lord” especially with the season of Easter as  alleluias are said and sung in thanksgiving for the Lord’s resurrection from the dead, for his victory over evil and for Christ’s making a way for our eternal salvation.  But we also say, “praise the Lord,” when we feel particularly blessed.  And this Easter at All Souls, we have many blessings.

The first blessing has been with us since the summer.  As interim organist and director of music, Arthur Roach has increased the numbers of our choir, expanded its repertoire, and created a wonderful sense of fun and mission amid all of the hard work.  For all of this, we say, alleluia!

We can also say alleluia for the announcement that Philip Cave will be the new organist and director of music at All Souls.  Last fall our search committee (Bill Culverhouse, Dale Lewis, Ronald Stolk, Norman Whitmire, Jr. and the Rector) began a process that produced dozens of qualified applications.  This winter the search was narrowed to four candidates, each of whom interviewed with the committee and auditioned before our volunteer choir, four professional singers and the search committee.  Philip Cave was the overwhelming favorite in our process. 

An accomplished soloist and leader of choral workshops, Philip currently serves as organist and director of music at Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill in Alexandria, VA.  He was a founding member of the Tallis Scholars; and in our area, he founded the early music ensemble Magnificat.  More about him can be found at his web site, www.philipcave.net.

Soon after Easter we will begin to thank Arthur Roach, who will conclude his formal ministry with us on Sunday, April 27.  Philip Cave will most likely begin at All Souls in mid May.  Please join me in saying and singing alleluia, alleluia, for all of God’s blessings to us. John Beddingfield

Your prayers are asked for . . . Bryan Powell, Arthur (Buddy) Ball, Roger Dixon and family, Veronica Horn, Walter Jason, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Mary Backus, Mike Berman, Xavier de la Renaudiere, Trent, Owen Basil, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, Ted Field and for the repose of the soul of Michael.  In addition to this prayer list, if you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe.

Around the Parish . . . Thanks to the Garden Guild and to all the other volunteers who helped with the Undercroft cleanup last Saturday.  We made a good start, but will continue after Easter . . .  Thanks to Robin Jones for polishing much of the sanctuary silver during Holy Week . . . Due to plumbing work being done in the Undercroft kitchen we will be using festive Easter plastic for breakfast and coffee hour . . .The Rector will be on retreat at the Society of St. John the Evangelist monastery in Cambridge, MA for part of next week and back in the office on Friday, April 28. In case of a pastoral emergency he can be reached by cell phone . . . Attendance Friday, March 14 for Stations of the Cross: 13; Sunday, March 9, 8:30 a.m.: 56; 11:00 a.m.: 151. . .Total pledge offerings received this week were $6,575.00.  Total plate offering was $1,532.00.

Shawn Strout to enter Discernment Year . . . The Committee on Ministry of the Diocese of Washington has completely redesigned the process by which a person discerns a possible vocation to ordained ministry.  Whereas, in the past, much of this process began in the home parish with a discernment committee, the new process asks the individual to make a thorough and lengthy application to enter the process.  If approved by the Bishop, the individual then spends a year at another parish in the diocese, working with a committee from that parish to continue discernment for future ministry.  The good news is that Shawn Strout has been approved by Bishop Chane to enter the discernment process.  The bad news (for All Souls) is that we will lose Shawn very soon as he begins involvement and participation in another (as yet unannounced) parish.  More about this very complicated process can be found at the Diocesan web site .  As we learn more about Shawn’s discernment parish, more will also be written in the All Souls Weekly.

Liturgical Notes . . . The altar flowers for Easter are given by the friends and members of All Souls.  Please see the separate insert in the worship leaflet that  includes the flower dedications . . .  The flowers in the Mary Chapel are given to the Glory of God and in celebration of the wedding anniversary of Joanna & Stu Edwards.

Elections for Vestry . . . At the annual meeting of All Souls Parish on May 18, 2008, the congregation will elect a junior warden and three members of vestry. If you or someone you know is interested, please speak with a member of the nominating committee: Nancye Suggs, Norman Whitmire, Jr., and Dale Lewis.

The Bell Guild Needs You . . . The ranks of the Bell Guild have thinned, and in order to have our beautiful Tower Bells rung regularly for Sunday services we very much need new people. The time commitment and necessary skills are minimal but the rewards are “resounding.”  The benefits reverberate.  If you would like to try your hand, contact George Barnum at 202-986-2998 or by email.

Picturing the Parish . . . If you are unable to be at All Souls on April 3, 4, or 5 when Lifetouch will be taking photographs for a new parish directory, parishioner Todd VanCantfort has agreed to take photographs on Easter Sunday in one of the Sunday School rooms downstairs.  If you have other questions about pictures or the process, please contact Tony Domenico at (202) 364-5349.  You may also contact Tony by email.

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.