All Souls Weekly Volume 1, Number 41, November 16, 2008
Looking Ahead to St. Andrew’s Day
The Church celebrates St. Andrew the Apostle on November 30, but this year, his feast day is upstaged by the First Sunday of Advent. Nonetheless, St. Andrew’s Day has a lot to teach and remind us. The Gospel for St. Andrew’s Day is Matthew 4:18-22, about the calling of Andrew and his brother, Simon Peter. It is an important story because these guys are willing to be interrupted by God. They are alert to the will of God; they are able to discern that Jesus, who calls them, should be taken seriously. And so, they leave their boat and they leave their poor father with the family fishing business, and they move on. From that point, they are fishing for people.
In addition to the calling of Andrew, there’s another story that shows another aspect of his character. In John 6:1-15, the story of the feeding of the multitude hinges on Andrew’s action. Philip first points out that the people are hungry and there’s no money to buy bread. Then Andrew says to Jesus, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish…” Andrew is the entrepreneur: he makes the connection between the need and the resources available. Andrew is the host: he links the young stranger to Jesus, the center of the attention. Andrew is the catalyst in that he introduces the young boy to Jesus. From that introduction, a miracle is made.
Saint Andrew’s Day calls us to remember both these Gospel stories. We are called to be alert and to be ready to drop whatever we might be doing in order to follow the call of Jesus. We might be in the middle of a conversation, in the middle of a big project, in the middle of reading the newspaper after a long day at work—but when Jesus calls us to be attentive, it is the faithful heart that listens and responds.
We’re also called to be like Andrew in the second Gospel, to be creative in our attempts to introduce people to Jesus and his Church. This may be as simple as inviting a colleague to church. It might mean bringing a friend or neighbor to All Souls for Thanksgiving Day. Evangelism, really, is no more than this: simply making the introduction. God is big enough to take care of the rest. I hope I can learn to be more like St. Andrew and I hope our parish will continue to nurture women and men who can be like him, too. Happy St. Andrew’s Day! (a little early) John Beddingfield
Your prayers are asked for . . . Dorothy Whitmore, Libby Davis, Susan Morrison, Chris Cobb, Suzanne Eyman, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Jim St. George, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Mary Backus, Anne Marie Morotte, Ron Biggs, Steve Coon, Dorothy, Cindy Harvey, Jerome & Mary Ann Gariff, Carol Atnip, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, and Ted Field. Pray also for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Jack Severson, David Jones, and Timothy Zlatich . . .If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.
Around the Parish . . . The next Wise and Mature luncheon will be on Wednesday, November 19 after the Noon Mass. Please RSVP to the Parish Office by Monday, November 17 if you plan to attend . . . Attendance on Sunday, November 9 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 44; at the 11:00 a.m. Mass, 144 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $6,391.26. The total plate offering this week was $1,154.45.
Stewardship Update . . . To date, we have received 38 pledges, totaling $223,236. Our goal is 175 pledges and $657,963. Pledge cards have been mailed. If you did not receive one please call the parish office or pick one up in the narthex of the church.
Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the High Altar are offered to the glory of God and in memory of Brian Patrick Dresser, given by Pat Dresser . . . Remember that Christ the King Sunday, November 23, is also our Stewardship Dedication Sunday. We ask that everyone mail or bring pledges for the 2009 Operating Budget.
African American Anglicans . . . will be the topic at our 10:00 a.m. Adult Forum on Sundays, November 16 and 23. We welcome Dr. Rosemary D. Gooden, lecturer in Modern Church History and Mission at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, and currently serving as the first scholar appointed to Virginia Seminary through the Martha J. Horne Visiting Professorship Fund. Dr. Gooden’s research project while at VTS, entitled African American Episcopalians, in Washington, D.C., will explore the ways in which African American Episcopalians such as Thurgood Marshall, Pauli Murray, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Charles Willie, and Kenneth Clark, have influenced American culture and social movements and the magnitude of their leadership roles in the Episcopal Church. In addition to being a new friend of All Souls, Dr. Gooden is a parishioner at the Church of the Atonement in Chicago. Please help us welcome her warmly to All Souls.
Arts Mart at All Souls . . . An exhibition of photographs and paintings from members of the All Souls Community will be offered in the Undercroft on Saturday mornings, November 15 through December 13, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. A portion of proceeds from any sales will go to All Souls Parish. If you are interested in displaying your work, contact Gene Dunne at gedun7@aol.com.
Thanksgiving Day, November 27 . . . Join parishioners and friends of the parish for Mass at 10 a.m. and a grand Thanksgiving meal later in the afternoon. The turkeys go into the oven at 9 a.m. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m., and invite those at the Mass to join us downstairs for cooking and fellowship through the early afternoon, fueled by light appetizers, wine, and soft drinks. We’ll pop champagne corks at 3 p.m. and serve dinner shortly thereafter. Please join us for this day of camaraderie and appreciation for our many blessings. Contributions of food, beverages, and funds are most welcome, as are helping hands in the kitchen. Please email Jennifer Johnston at jcjohnston38@msn.com or call the Parish Office if you plan to come, bring something, or help in the kitchen.
United Thank Offering . . . Please bring your UTO boxes filled with spare change and place them in the offering plates. The United Thank Offering is a program of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole Church, founded by and administered by women since 1889. Last year the UTO Committee funded 91 grants, totaling $2,401,906.70 and awarded 17 international grants, totaling $782,011.81.
The Parish Photo Directory has arrived . . . All whose pictures appear in the directory receive a free directory. Others may purchase one for $3.00. Please see Martha or Tony Domenico if you have not received yours.
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.
November 16, 2008 Proper 28
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
The Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Hab. 1:1-2:1, Matt. 23:13-24
Phil. 3:13-4:1
Monday
Hab. 2:1-4, 9-20, Luke 16:19-31
James 2:14-26
Tuesday
Hab. 3:1-18, Luke 17:1-10
James 3:1-12
Wednesday
Mal. 1:1,6-14, Luke 17:11-19
James 3:13-4:12
Thursday
Mal. 2:1-16, Luke 17:20-37
James 4:13-5:6
Friday
Mal. 3:1-12, Luke 18:1-8
James 5:7-12
Saturday
Mal. 3:13-4:6, Luke 18:9-14
James 5:13-20
Calendar for the Week
November 16, 2008, the Twenty-Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Low Mass, 8:30 a.m., High Mass, 11 a.m.
Child care provided for both worship services
Continental breakfast in the Undercroft follows the 8:30 a.m. Mass
Choir Rehearsal 9:15 a.m.
Adult Forum 10 a.m. Topic: Anglican Lives: African American Anglicans
Children’s Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour in the Undercroft follows the 11 a.m. Mass
