All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 13, February 22, 2009

The Observance of a Holy Lent

In the Ash Wednesday liturgy, just after the homily, there are words from the Prayer Book that frame the season in a really nice way.  We are invited, “in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent.”  The invitation goes on to suggest some of the ways that might be done:  by self-examination, by repentance, and by “meditating on God’s holy Word.” The Prayer Book doesn’t mention giving up chocolate or wine, or even taking on special disciplines such as following a Lenten devotional, attending Stations of the Cross, or adopting a mission project, though we know that faithful people through the ages have found many creative ways to make the season of Lent different and special.

 
What would it mean for each of us to observe a “holy Lent?”  “Holy” usually means “set apart,” made extra special, dedicated for a particular use, and in this case, for God’s use.  And so, the question might be more directly asked, “How might I go through this season in a way that serves God, that glorifies God, that pleases God?”  We ask this question together, as a church.  And we allow the prayers and sacraments and devotions of the season to help us live into that question.

 
On Tuesday night, February 24, we celebrate Shrove Tuesday with the burning of last year’s palms to make ashes and with a pancake supper in the church Undercroft. “Shrove” is an old English word having to do with confession.  It is related to the Latin word for writing.  A scribe is one who writes.  A shrive, perhaps, can be thought of as a cleaning of the slate so that a new life can be written. Confession brings freedom.

Wednesday, February 25 is Ash Wednesday and at All Souls we offer Low Mass with the Imposition of Ashes at 7 a.m., at Noon, and at 7 p.m. 

Friday, February 27 begins our weekly walking and praying of the Stations of the Cross.  Especially if you’ve never participated in the Stations before, this might be a good Lenten discipline to take up.  Attend once or attend every week. 

However you decide to spend this season, I hope you will give your decision some prayer and thought.  Together, may we all observe a holy Lent. John Beddingfield

Your prayers are asked for . . . Robert Long, Connie, Maffin, Richard Aherne, Frank Karel, Jimmy Hobbs, Mark, 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, 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 Wise and Mature Luncheon will be in the Undercroft following the Ash Wednesday Noon Mass . . . 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 15 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 28; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 149 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $12,385.00. The plate offering was $724.50.

Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the High Altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Rick Forster, who would have been 71 on February 23, given by Bob Publicover.  The Sanctuary Candle burns to the glory of God and in memory of Paul Justin Johnson, given by Sybil de la Renaudiere.

Are you new to All Souls?  Please join us for a newcomers wine and cheese this afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Undercroft to learn more about our parish.

Foyer Dinner update . . . New Foyer Groups are posted in the Undercroft.  This year we have three groups with children and three Metro groups. We have also grown from 11 groups to 13 groups this year.  If you have not yet filled out a Foyer Group signup form, it is never too late to get involved. 

Lenten Devotionals Available . . . A number of Lenten devotions from Episcopal Relief and Development are available in the Narthex of the Church.  This year’s devotional features reflections by the Rev. Barbara Crafton, a noted Episcopal preacher and writer.  ERD’s project coordinator for the devotional this year was parishioner Erwin de Leon.  If you are looking for a way to mark each day in Lent, this might be a good way to begin.

Sunday School Church Exploration Night . . . On Saturday, February 28 at 6 p.m., the young people of the Sunday School, their friends and families are all invited to meet in the church. This will be a chance for everyone to walk freely around the church, and to look and to learn.  There will be an opportunity to see the church bells in the tower, to stand in the pulpit, to see a demonstration of the pipe organ, and to ask questions and explore.  A pot luck dinner in the Undercroft will follow the exploration.  Please let Marcia Anderson know what you can bring: marcia51@rcn.com.

Prayer Shawl Ministry . . . Look for the knitting basket in the Undercroft between services and at coffee hour.  The prayer shawl ministry will begin Sunday, March 1 in the Conference Room following coffee hour, but this Sunday you will have a chance to see some examples of shawls and talk about this new project.  Our shawls will be made in prayer for our All Souls family members and friends who may appreciate a tangible example of God’s enveloping love and care.  This ministry was begun in 1998, and over the years, shawls have provided comfort to those in need and joy to those who celebrate.  Shawls may be knitted or crocheted and may be done at independently at home or in our group.  We may also progress to providing hats, scarves, lap robes and so on to other outreach programs at All Souls.  Want more information quickly?  Go to www.shawlministry.com.  Please come to the table, and let’s talk. Martha Domenico

Problems with the Premises? . . . Look for a new Problems? form at the Undercroft kiosk.  This will work as a kind of maintenance request form for the church staff.  If you see something that needs repair, cleaning, replacement, or adjustment, just fill out the form and return it to the envelope on the kiosk, slide it under the Parish Administrator’s door, or place it in the Inbox of the Junior Warden (in the office where the photocopier is located).  

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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