All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 19, April 5, 2009

SOLE SEARCHING

Last Sunday the scriptures led us to explore various kinds of service and to notice the blessings of God that come to us through such service.  Those who benefit are blessed, but even more, those who serve are blessed.  Last Sunday’s scripture readings, with that theme of service, point us through Palm Sunday toward Maundy Thursday.  Next Thursday we will hear the Gospel in which Jesus says to his disciples, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34).  By washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus surprises them, shocks them, and alarms them.

 
Jesus surprises and shocks his disciples by doing this menial, everyday service. He alarms them when he suggests that they do likewise.  He suggests that they learn to serve in ways equal to, and beyond what he has just illustrated.

The Church has continued this practice in its liturgy since at least the fourth century.  At first, the washing of feet was included in the baptismal rite.  This part of baptism was gradually dropped, but in monasteries and convents, the poor were welcomed and their feet were washed.  By the seventh century, there are official church records that list the washing of feet as a regular part of the Maundy Thursday liturgy. 

The practice at All Souls has involved the clergy and twelve people who symbolize the twelve disciples.  But these volunteers also symbolize all of us, since Jesus calls us all to the “new commandment” symbolized in this ritual.

At one of the weekday Masses, I mentioned that I am still looking for additional feet to wash, and Tom Mabon suggested that I was, in fact, “sole searching.”  I thought that was a wonderful term for encouraging volunteers for Maundy Thursday, but it’s also a good reminder for us to be on the lookout for ways to serve— for people to serve, for occasions to serve—throughout the year.  Whether you feel led to participate in the washing of feet or prefer simply to watch this portion of the liturgy, I hope you’ll join us this Holy Week as we all recommit ourselves to the ministry of sharing and showing Christ’s love for all people.   John Beddingfield

Your prayers are asked for . . . Harriet Curry, Helen Horne, Jim Capen, Polly Mitchell, Bob Colburn, Elizabeth McKee, Freddie Cameron, Robert Long, Frank Karel, Jimmy Hobbs, Mark, Jane Titterson, Barb Chaffee, Harriet Martin, 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, and Timothy Zlatich . . . If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.

The blessings and prayers of the parish are extended to David Hollis and Mark Agrast upon their marriage on Saturday, April 4, in Wellesley, Massachusetts.  This also celebrates the twentieth anniversary of their relationship.

Around the Parish . . . Join us for the Adult Forum this Sunday morning as we continue to explore ethical questions around life, death and in-between. This Sunday’s discussion is led by Will Coley. The forum meets at 10 a.m. in the Undercroft . . . Attendance Sunday, March 29 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 34; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 132 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $6,366.00. The plate offering was $530.00.

Liturgical Notes . . . Please check the parish website or the schedule in the back of the service leaflet for a listing of Holy Week opportunities.  Notice that there are early Masses on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Thursday night is at 7 p.m., Friday is at Noon, and Saturday night is at 8 p.m.

A Special Palm Sunday Coffee Hour . . . When Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem for the Passover, they went to celebrate the great Jewish holiday with the Seder meal and the retelling of the Exodus story.  We also make a spiritual journey to Jerusalem during Holy Week and it seems appropriate to provide a festive coffee hour honoring that journey into Jerusalem.  The Seder plate reflects the history of the Great Exodus: vegetables dipped into salt water represent the tears of the captive Jews; bitter herbs symbolize the harshness of slavery; a roasted egg represents mourning over the destruction of the Temple; charoset, chopped apples, wine and nuts, represent the mortar that captive Jews formed to build Egypt’s storehouses; and a roasted lamb shank symbolizes both the sacrificial lamb and the new standing of former slaves to eat meat.  Thanks to Susan Morrison, Josie & Ellie Martin, and Melissa Meyers for our Coffee Hour this Sunday.

Early Music Workshop with Philip Cave . . . “The Elizabethans: Music for the court, chamber and chapel from William Byrd to Orlando Gibbons,” will be offered July 7 through July 12 this summer at the National Cathedral.  The workshop is for all levels of singers from advanced high school age and up, choir directors, and for those who simply wish to sit and listen and learn about this music. For more information, pick up a brochure in the choir room or go to www.chorworks.com.

The Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts . . . Attention all artists and art lovers: A new, Chesapeake chapter of the Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts is forming. This national network (see www.ecva.org) exists to support people interested in the intersection of art and spirituality. An organizing meeting is set for 7 p.m. April 28 at the University of Maryland Episcopal Student Center, 4508 College Avenue, College Park (next to St. Andrew's Church). RSVP to the Rev. Peter Antoci at pantoci@umd.edu.

Stewardship Conference . . . Nathan Dungan, author, speaker, national expert on family finances and founder of Save Share Spend LLC, will be the keynote speaker at the 2009 Stewardship Conference, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9 at Washington National Cathedral. Dungan also will offer a workshop at the conference, which is titled, “Navigating the Great Recession: Financial Leadership in Communities of Faith.” Other workshops include: Laura Bachmann on Christian Formation in a New World Economy; Cheryl Meyer on Fundraising Beyond the Annual Appeal: Funding for Special Projects and Events; and Canon Paul E. Cooney, who will lead a roundtable discussion and open Q&A. Cost of $30 includes lunch. Sign up at www.edow.org/events    Contact jsamilio@edow.org for more information.

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church

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

Mr. Isaac Borocz, parish administrator; Dr. 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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