All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 43, September 20, 2009

"Funny, you don't LOOK like a Christian."

What does a Christian look like?  Of course, Christians look like all sorts of people.  We know that, and we are not surprised when we see people of all colors and sizes and ethnicities worshipping in Christian churches.  But it’s sometimes tempting to imagine that people who practice other faiths look a certain way.  When you imagine a Buddhist, what do you imagine?  What do you picture when you hear of someone who is a Hindu, or a Jew, or a Muslim? 

I’m aware of some of my own prejudices around other faiths, but I’m probably not fully away of the intellectual and spiritual presuppositions I make about other believers and others’ approaches to God.  That’s one reason why I’m excited about our Adult Forum series this fall.  I think I’m going to learn a lot.  I’m going to meet new people.  And I’m probably going to meet God in some new way or some new form.  Thanks to Laura Tomes and Erwin de Leon for coordinating this series.

 
While the full schedule still has a couple of variables in it, the first two Sundays promise a great start.  This Sunday, September 20, Laura Tomes will be leading the discussion, “Why interfaith dialogue?”  Laura is a parishioner and a doctoral candidate in Theology and Religious Studies at Georgetown University.  In addition to being a great acolyte and lector at All Souls, Laura has a B.A in theology and an M.St. in Hebrew and Jewish Studies from Oxford University and an MA in Religion and Social Science from McMaster University in Ontario. 

On Sunday, September 27, we will welcome Zeyneb Salim, for “Islam 101.”  Ms. Salim is doctoral candidate in Comparative Theology at Georgetown University, and was born and raised in Germany, to Turkish Kurdish parents. In addition to other projects, she has been co-teaching a seminar on “Practical issues between Muslims and Christians” at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Please join us on Sundays at 10 a.m. in the undercroft for this exciting program.  As always, breakfast follows the 8:30 a.m. Mass, so there will be good things to eat and drink, good people around the table, and much to learn about our own faith and the faith of others.  John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . . Please join us for a newcomers wine and cheese this afternoon, Sunday, September 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the undercroft.  Come to meet new friends and learn more about the ministry and life of All Souls Parish . . . Attendance on Sunday, September 13 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 31; attendance at 11:00 a.m. Mass, 247 . . . Total pledge offerings for the week were $10,511.00. The plate offering last Sunday was $1,359.00 . . . Highlights from the Vestry meeting of September 15 will appear in the All Souls Weekly for September 27.

Your prayers are asked for . . . 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, Barb Chaffee, Harriet Martin, Chris Cobb, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, Jim St. George, Mark Henderson, Sheldon Odland, 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 celebration of Mama (Julia) Gutierrez's 85th birthday given by her boys Mark and Bob.

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

Ministry Leaders . . . We'll be offering a ministry day on Sunday, September 27 after both the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. masses.  This will be an opportunity for you to encourage people to engage in your ministries.  For questions contact Dale Lewis at DALEALEWIS@aol.com or 703-960-3502.

Centering Prayer Group . . . On Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. a handful of people gather in the church for silent prayer.  If you’re new to Centering Prayer, and would like a brief introduction, please join us at 6:50 p.m. Both the main church door and the Woodley Place door will be unlocked.

Episcopal Men’s Fellowship . . . On Thursday, October 1st the Episcopal Men's Fellowship will have its next meeting at 7 p.m. in the Undercroft. John Coates will be discussing the origins and celebrations of Columbus Day while also giving us a glimpse into the man Christopher Columbus himself. The cost is $15 for a wonderful meal.  All men interested in attending should sign up on the list in the undercroft or send an email to Ike.brannon@gmail.com.  While we love everyone at All Souls, we ask our sisters in Christ to respect the intention of this evening as a time and place for men to gather in Christian fellowship. 

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.

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.  If you are interested in learning how to help in our archives, contact Nancye Suggs at fatnancat@aol.com or Marko Zlatich at namz1@earthlink.net.  

Readings for the Daily Office

All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church

The Reverend John Beddingfield, rector; The Reverend Christopher Worthley, adjunct clergy; Mr. Seth Walley, seminarian; 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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