All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 11, February 8, 2009

A Song for the Seasons

Children in Sunday schools are sometimes taught a little song about Shadrach, Meshach and Abenedgo, the three friends of Daniel who are rescued from a fiery furnace by an angel of the Lord (Daniel 3:19-30). The Apocryphal “Song of the Three” (found in the middle or back of some Bibles) adds more details to the story and imagines how the three must have praised God when they were saved. Their words sound similar to some of the Psalms, but the “Song of the Three” also has its own beauty. A version of this song is printed in the Book of Common Prayer as Canticle 12 on page 88. Over the past few days and weeks, as our weather has seemed to change on an hourly basis, and as less literal “storms of life” brew around us, I’ve thought of this great canticle and appreciated how it has helped me to pray.

Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, *

  O heavens and all waters above the heavens.

Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, *

  praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *

  all winds and fire and heat.

Winter and summer, glorify the Lord, *

  praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, *

  drops of dew and flakes of snow.

Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, *

  praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, *

  O shining light and enfolding dark.

Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, *

 praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego experienced the truth that God never leaves us. God is with us in fiery furnaces and in the chilly cold. Rejoicing in God’s presence, we can join our praises with all creation, no matter what the weather may look like and no matter what the season may bring. John Beddingfield

Your prayers are asked for . . . Mark Henderson, Jane Titterson, Barb Chaffee, Jim Capen, Harriet Martin, Dorothy Whitmore, Susan Morrison, Chris Cobb, 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, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, Ted Field, and for the repose of the soul of Mary Cole . . . 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 . . . Please pick up a copy of the new Member Directory in the Undercroft (just in time for you to address Valentines) . . . Join us for the Adult Forum this Sunday morning as we continue to explore ethical questions around life, death and in-between. The discussion is coordinated by Dan Davis and meets at 10 a.m. in the Undercroft . . . Attendance Sunday, February 1 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 35; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 143 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $59,303.00. The plate offering this week was $933.50.

Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the High Altar have no specific dedication today, so they are provided for from the Flower Fund. If you would like to offer the flowers for a memorial or thanksgiving, please contact the Parish Office.

Supporting All Souls' Ministries . . . It’s not too late to participate in our ministries. Sign-up sheets from last Sunday's Ministry Day are still available in the Undercroft. In particular, we need help with Sunday School and Adult Forum. As little as 20 minutes a month (ushering, acolytes, greeters) can make a real difference. Dale Lewis

Episcopal Men’s Fellowship . . . The EMF will meet on  Thursday, February 19 in the Undercroft at 7 p. m. Ed Perlman will be discussing the life and works of George Herbert, a 17th century Anglican minister and poet. Dinner and drinks will be served for the low price of $15. Please RSVP by sending an email to Ike.brannon@gmail.com or by signing up in the Undercroft.

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.

Breakfast at All Souls needs your help . . . Our traditional breakfast gathering after the 8:30 Mass on Sundays is on the endangered list due to lack of support. Each week we provide a tasty fellowship opportunity for all. The math is simple: we typically serve about 40 people each week, and we do this about 40 weeks of the year. We therefore need every available Soul who enjoys this meal to prepare breakfast at least once a year. If you have any questions or would like a helping hand in the kitchen, please speak with me at 8:30 Mass, at breakfast, or at 240-676-1644. Tom Esch

 
Clothing for those in Need . . . In the past Jennifer Johnston has taken donated women’s clothing to Martha’s Table and donated men’s clothing to Christ House. Martha’s Table is no longer able to receive women’s clothing. If anyone knows of another organization that does receive clothing for women, please let the parish office know. Parishioners may continue to leave good men’s clothing in the Undercroft bins. Jennifer can also use help periodically taking the clothing over to Adams Morgan.

The Cultures of Science and Faith . . . The Rev. John Polkinghorne, physicist and Anglican priest, will present “The Cultures of Science and Faith,” a Trinity Foundation for Christianity and Culture Program, at 6:30 p.m. February 10 at St. Paul's, K Street. Polkinghorne, of Cambridge University, is a renowned author and Templeton Prize Winner. All are welcome. No reservations necessary.

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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