All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 7, January 11, 2009

An Update on St. John Eye Hospital and Clinics

Many in our parish have donated stuffed animals, art supplies, and money for the children at the St. John Eye Hospital. The main hospital is located in East Jerusalem, treating over 40,000 patients each year. In addition, St. John operates clinics in Hebron, Anabta, and Gaza. Given the renewed conflicts in Gaza, a number of us have been worried about the St. John clinic, its employees, volunteers and patients. The following is an update from the Hospital:

The people of Gaza are in a dire situation. For 18 months before the fighting broke out, Israel had been imposing a crippling blockade on Gaza, allowing little more than humanitarian basics into the coastal territory. Health, energy and water infrastructure were already close to the breaking point . . . . Our staff, however, are helping their local communities, including by burying the dead. The Chief Surgeon at the Clinic, Dr. Juma’a El Jazar, has helped with 30 graves for his neighbours. Head of Nursing, Fouad El Najjar has assisted with 20 more and Nurse Ghazi El Baba with 20 more again. All are exhausted . . . The staff live in various areas of Gaza, including three of the refugee camps. Fouad El Najjar, lives in the Inserat refugee camp with a total of 12 children. Staff Nurse, Hanan Za’alan, lives close to the evacuated Israeli settlement of Nezarim. She and her husband and six children were ordered to leave their home, along with 40 other families from the area. They are currently being housed in a school at Inserat . . . Many refugee homes have only corrugated tin roofs that are no defense against bullets and missiles. Thousands are now fleeing in order to escape the escalating fighting . . . . Let us hope that an agreement to cease fire will be reached as soon as possible. In the meantime, as soon as it is feasible, our brave staff in Gaza are determined to re-open the Clinic. 

Our stuffed animals and art supplies may seem like very little in the way of help, but in a practical way, our aid will reach children and families in need. This also allows us to make a small step toward turning our prayers in actions. May God multiply our prayers and help us always to remember the poor and the powerless, especially in that part of the world. John Beddingfield

Your prayers are asked for . . . Ed McAllister, Jim Capen, Libby Davis, Harriet Martin, Dorothy Whitmore, Susan Morrison, Sydney Ponturo, Chris Cobb, Suzanne Eyman, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, 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, Ted Field, and for the repose of the souls of Winifred and Peggy. . . 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.

The parish extends its sympathy and love to Kathleen Scholl upon the death of her mother-in-law, Winifred Scholl, who died on Friday, January 2. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Winifred, for Kathleen, and for all who mourn.

The parish also extends its sympathy and love to Steve Collins upon the death of his mother, Peggy Lee Spencer Collins, who died on Tuesday, January 6. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Peggy, for Steve, and for all who mourn.

Around the Parish . . . Those who have asked for contributions envelopes for 2009 may pick them up from the table in the Undercroft . . . Attendance on Thursday, January 1 at the 10 a.m. Mass, 14; Attendance on Sunday, January 4 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 26; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 125 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $7,523.00. The plate offering this week was $555.00.      

Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the High Altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Melissa Catherine Brannon, given by Ike Brannon . . . The flowers at the Altar in the Mary Chapel are given to the glory of God and in celebration of the 5^th anniversary of the baptism of Anna Elizabeth Menard-Clark, given by her parents, Barbara Menard and Heidi Clark. . . The Sanctuary Candle is offered to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the ministry and work of Ray Myrtle, given by Nancye Suggs.

Ministry Leadership . . . There will be a short meeting with the Newcomers Ministry at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 11 in the Conference Room to discuss preparations for the Ministry Day to be held between services on Sunday, January 25, 2009.

Foyer Dinner Registration . . . One of the best ways to get to know others from All Souls (and to eat some very good food) is to become a part of the Foyer Dinner Program. The insert in this Weekly explains more about the program and how to be included. The program also needs people willing to be “captains,” who help coordinate a specific group. If you have additional questions or ideas, please speak with Kathleen Scholl or Butch Bradburn, coordinators.

Thanks for Animals and Art Supplies . . . On behalf of the Order of St. John, I would like to thank all of you who so generously filled the boxes of stuffed animals and art supplies for St. John Hospital in Jerusalem. These items will bring comfort and joy to the young children having eye surgery at the hospital. Our boxes will be sent with the next shipment of medical supplies to the hospital. Pat Dresser

Endowment Grant Applications . . . Applications for grants from the All Souls Endowment Fund for 2009 are available in the parish office. Grants may be made for projects in ministry or mission as well as for capital improvements. All applications are due in the office by February 7, 2009 and will be acted upon by the Board and Vestry.

Stewardship update . . . To date, we have received 156 pledges, totaling $514,190.00. Our goal is 175 pledges & $657,963. Even though 2008 has ended, if you have not filled out a pledge card, it’s never too late to help us plan for 2009.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church

The Reverend John Beddingfield, rector; The Reverend Christopher Worthley, adjunct clergy;

Mr. Isaac Borocz, parish administrator; Mr. Philip Cave, 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

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