All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 40, August 30, 2009

PRAYERS FOR HEALING

Last Sunday we had a good meeting with some of those who feel called to be a part of our healing ministry. In addition to discussion on a book about healing, and our talking about some of the practical aspects of our offering prayers for healing, we also prayed with scripture, prayed for ourselves, and prayed for all of those on our parish prayer list. 

In addition to our re-introduction of monthly healing prayers (on the first Sunday of each month at both the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses), we will also add prayers for healing to our weekly Noon Mass on Wednesdays, beginning next week.           

On Sundays, the healing rite will be offered in the Mary Chapel during Holy Communion.  As in the past, once someone has received the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the main altar, they may simply walk to the Mary Chapel and stand or kneel for prayer.  The healing minister will probably ask something like, “What is your prayer?” or “For whom do you ask healing?” Then the minister will lay hands upon the person, anoint the forehead with oil, and offer a short prayer.

On Wednesdays, the healing rite happens within the liturgy and at the main altar. At the conclusion of the Prayers of the People, the priest will invite those who wish to participate simply to come forward and stand or kneel at the altar rail.  Those who do not wish to come forward are asked to remain in their pews and pray silently.  The priest will then lay hands upon the person’s head, anoint their forehead with oil and say a short prayer.  After all persons (who desire them) have received prayers, the Peace is exchanged among everyone and the service continues as normal with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

The conclusion of the healing rite offers powerful words that provide the basis for all our prayers for healing:  “The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower to all who put their trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore your defense, and make you know and feel that the only Name under heaven given for health and salvation is the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . . The September issue of The Message, the (normally bimonthly) parish newsletter, is available in the undercroft.  Please pick up your copy and save the church the cost of postage . . . Attendance on Sunday, August 23 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 28; attendance at 11:00 a.m. Mass, 89 . . . Total pledge offerings for the week were $5,165.00. The plate offering last Sunday was $550.00.

Your prayers are asked for . . . Clark Ball, Helen Horne, Pat Latin, Erling Hansen, Tim Dill, Mark Hoffman, Mona Bauer, Sarah Calder and her family, Mary Backus, Sandy Jenkins Dixon, Robert Konefal, Steve Collins, I. Kathryn McKewen, Lexi Ball, Thais Blanchard, Bruce MacDonald, Bob Colburn, Elizabeth McKee, Freddie Cameron, Robert Long, Frank Karel, Barb Chaffee, Harriet Martin, Chris Cobb, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, Jim St. George, Mark Henderson, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, and Ted Field . . . Pray for members of the parish in the foreign service and others who are working overseas, especially Chuck Hunter, Steve Kerchoff, Brad Moore, and Michael Pate . . . 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.

Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the high altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her son, Paul Justin Johnson, given by Sybil de la Renaudiere . . . Flowers at the altar in the Mary Chapel are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her mother, Helen Anderson, given by Marcia Anderson . . . If you would like to donate flowers in celebration of someone or some event, or in memory of someone, please contact the parish office. 

Sunday School Potluck & Planning . . . Please join us on Saturday afternoon, September 19, at 5:00 p.m. for a light dinner and an organizational meeting for the children’s Sunday School, 2009-2010.  We’ll get to preview the new curriculum, which is published by the Episcopal Church called, “All Things New.”  It follows the church year and is primarily based on biblical stories and the basics of Christianity. If you can come or have ideas, please contact Lisa Watson, Father Beddingfield, or the parish office.

Lay Eucharistic Minister Meeting . . . Please join us today, Sunday, August 30, after Coffee Hour following the 11 a.m. Mass for a light lunch and a meeting about being a lay eucharistic minister at All Souls.  We will gather in the conference room.

Choir of King’s College, London to sing at All Souls . . . On Ingathering Sunday, September 13, the Choir of King’s College will sing at our 11 a.m. Mass.  The choir is one of the leading university choirs in England. Consisting of twenty-five choral scholars and two organ scholars, it is directed by the College Organist, David Trendell, (who is also a friend of several All Souls parishioners). The choir performs a large and varied repertoire ranging from the fourteenth century to the present day and has made many celebrated recordings of sixteenth-century English and Spanish music.  More information is at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/about/structure/dean/choir/about.html

Update from the Archives . . . The Anne Roane Clary Archives Room has been redecorated and brightened up.  Now all we need are the volunteers to help put it in proper order and to revive this essential repository of our church's history.  We hope to hold a number of start-up meetings during the next two weeks during which we will introduce new volunteers to the facility and give some training in the responsibilities of church archival work.  The first meeting will take place Wednesday, September 2 and the following Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Archives Room.  All are welcome to stay for the noon mass.  If there is a demand for a meeting for those unable to attend on Wednesdays, we will meet at the Archives Room, on Sunday, September 6, at 10:00 AM, between the services.  You may also contact the following Guild members:   Nancye Suggs fatnancat@aol.com  and Marko Zlatich namz1@earthlink.net.  

Ana Hernandez to lead workshop . . . Ana Hernandez, known throughout the Episcopal Church for her creative exploration of how singing builds community, will lead a workshop, “The Sacred Art of Chant: Preparing to Practice” with other musicians from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. September 26 at St. Alban’s Church. This day of singing, learning and praying is open to all. Lunch is provided. To register, contact Sonya Sutton at 202-363-8286. For more information about Hernandez, visit www.anahermusic.com.