Years ago, when it seemed like we had several winters of ice and snow, I asked my older parishioners to please stay at home on days when there was bad weather. I encouraged them to use common sense and not risk falling on the ice.(I explained that I would much rather bring them communion at home than visit them in the hospital, after they had broken a hip or shoulder.)On the Monday after a snowy Sunday, the church office would receive a number of calls, each saying something to the effect of, “The only reason I stayed home yesterday was because a certain minister TOLD me to!” We would laugh and eventually agree that common sense had prevailed.
Today, there is increasing concern over the spread of a new strain of swine flu, but common sense about being out in the public and protecting oneself from infectious disease should be the order of the day, every day.We should wash our hands thoroughly.We should cover our mouth and nose when we sneeze.We should always throw away used tissues.We should stay home when we’re sick.
Whenever there are particular health scares in the news, people inevitably ask whether it is safe to partake of the common cup during Communion.The short answer is this:if you have a cold or are not feeling well, stay home.A priest or a lay Eucharistic minister will be happy to bring communion to you.If you come to church, don’t drink from the cup and don’t dip your Eucharistic wafer into the wine. Simply eat the Host when it is placed in your hand and receive a blessing in place of the cup.
The Anglican Church of Canada has prepared a report concerning Eucharistic practice and concerns about the possible spread of infectious disease.It points out that Anglican priests have been drinking after others for centuries, yet show no increased rate of disease or sickness. The report also points out that “for the average communicant it would seem that the risk of drinking from the common cup is probably less than the risk of air-borne infection in using a common building.” Copies of the entire report are available in the back of the church and in the undercroft.
Any outbreak of illness is scary, but clear thinking, practical action and common sense go a long way toward health and safety. John Beddingfield
Your prayers are asked for . . . I. Kathryn McKewen, Lexi Ball, Helen Horne, Jim Capen, Bruce MacDonald, 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, Ted Field, and for the repose of the soul of John . . . 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.
Around the Parish . . . We welcome the Reverend Frances Canham as our celebrant and preacher today.Mother Canham assists at St. David’s Church and also serves as chaplain for the British Embassy . . . Father Beddingfield is assisting in the ordination of deacons in the Diocese of New York this weekend and will return to Washington on Monday . . . The Adult Forum meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. in the undercroft.On May 3, Susan Morrison will lead the discussion on, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”On May 10, Erwin de Leon will deal with issues around “Religion and Politics.” On May 17, Dan Davis leads the discussion on “War and Terror.”On May 24 Sally MacDonald will offer a diversion from our focus on ethics with a discussion having to do with linguistics . . . Attendance on Sunday, April 26 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 33; attendance at 11:00 a.m. Mass, 140 . . . Total pledge offerings for the week were $4,342.00. The plate offering was $425.00.
Liturgical Notes . . . We continue to celebrate the season of Easter, or Eastertide, for fifty days, concluding on the Day of Pentecost.Alleluias fill our worship and the prayer of confession is omitted on Sundays in this season . . . Flowers at the High Altar are given to the glory of God and in celebration of Butch Bradburn’s birthday, given by Barry Huber.
Sunday School Parents . . . Please help us recognize the achievements of our young people.If your child is graduating from college or high school; going from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school, or is just beginning school for the first time in the Fall; has received an award for perfect attendance, a sports achievement, excellent deportment or academic honors—we would like to know.Please contact us by May 31 through the parish office or Nancye Suggs, senior warden of vestry, at (301)740-2486 or Fatnancat@aol.com.
Elections for Vestry . . .On Sunday, May 17, our parish family will gather for the annual meeting of the All Souls congregation to, among other things, elect a senior warden, junior warden (for a special one-year term) and four general members of Vestry. Nomination forms may be obtained from the parish office and can also be found in the April/May edition of The Message.
A List of Eligible Voters . . . for parish elections at the Annual Meeting on May 17 is posted in the narthex and the undercroft.Please check the list and see that your name is included.Though the official date for including names on this roster has passed, the Vestry can meet and add names if necessary.If you are not listed on the posted roster, please contact the parish office.
Help with Habitat for Humanity . . . On Saturday May 9, we have the opportunity for up to 30 people to help build houses, for either a full or half day at the site. There is also an opportunity for people to help Nancye Suggs prepare and deliver lunch. Please sign up on the sheet in the undercroft. For any questions ask Tony Domenico at 202-364-5349 or email him at the.domenicos@verizon.net.
Cookies for Children . . . During the month of May it will be our turn to provide cookies for the children at the Episcopal Center for Children. Please bring homemade or store-bought cookies to the parish kitchen, make sure they are plainly marked, Episcopal Center for Children, and place them in the marked receptacle. If you have questions, please speak with Merriam Woodhouse.
Spring Cleaning? . . . The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide are receiving items to be offered at their October Art & Book Fair.Parishioner Robin Jones is happy to coordinate pickup or transportation of items. She is at most 8:30 a.m. Masses and can be reached at the AAFSW Bookroom at 202-223-5796.
Readings for the Daily Office
May 3, 2009
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Wisdom 1:1-15, Matt. 7:15-29
1 Pet. 5:1-11
Monday
Wisdom 1:16-2:11,21-24, Luke 6:12-26
Col. 1:1-14
Tuesday
Wisdom 3:1-9, Luke 6:12-26
Col. 1:15-23
Wednesday
Wisdom 4:16-5:8, Luke 6:27-38
Col. 1:24-2:7
Thursday
Wisdom 5:9-23, Luke 6:39-49
Col. 2:8-23
Friday
Wisdom 6:12-23, Luke 7:1-17
Col. 3:1-11
Saturday
Wisdom 7:1-14, Luke 7:18-35
Col. 3:12-17
Calendar for the Week
May 3, 2009, The Fourth Sunday of Easter
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
Adult Forum: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Sunday School, 11:15 a.m.
Coffee Hour in the Undercroft follows the 11 a.m. Mass.
