All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 44, September 27, 2009

Navigating the Seasons

My friend and former colleague, Father Allen Shin, used to give good advice around the change of seasons.  “Take a vacation or retreat,” he would say.  I don’t remember whether he said that it was an old Korean custom or just something he made up, but Allen suggested that one should always take a few days to let the new season sink in. This gives the body time to catch up to the change in light, the change in temperature, and sometimes, the change in routine and schedule. Though I haven’t always been such a good practitioner of this wisdom, it does make a lot of sense to me. 

We may not be able to take a full-fledged vacation or break, but we can at least pause to notice the change in seasons.  Whether it’s a daytrip to the country, a walk through Rock Creek Park, or a five-minute sit in the church garden, our spirits and our bodies will thank us if we can set aside some time to adjust, to recharge, and to notice.

 
The seasons of the year certainly change, but we also observe changes in the seasons of our lives.  We grow older.  Relationships transition.  People we love may move away or die.  But again, our spirits and our bodies will thank us if we set aside some time to notice the changes, to pray about the changes and to rest in God’s changelessness.

 
There are two small stained-glass windows at All Souls that are high up in the roof, near the Mary Chapel.  We refer to them as clerestory windows, since they are in a similar place to clerestory windows in a cathedral.  One of these windows has a rainbow and the words, “Round our restlessness, his rest.”  The window across from it has words wrapping around a globe with the message, “God’s greatness flows round our incompleteness.”  (These come from the poem, Rhyme of the Duchess by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.)

Windows, words, worship, as well as each other, help us navigate the seasons.  Though the changes in the seasons of the year, as well as abrupt changes in the seasons of our lives, may come too quickly and catch us unprepared, God’s Holy Spirit is within us, helping us to heal, helping us to adjust, and teaching us what we need to know in order to move into the next season.  Thanks be to God for surrounding us with his love.  John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . . Please notice the tables and displays in the undercroft from the various ministries at All Souls.  Speak with representatives and volunteers to learn more about how you might become more involved at All Souls . . . The October/November issue of The Message, the parish newsletter, is available in the undercroft.  Please pick up your copy and save the church the cost of postage . . .  Attendance on Sunday, September 20 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 34; attendance at 11:00 a.m. Mass, 158 . . . Total pledge offerings for the week were $5,863.00. The plate offering was $719.50.

Your prayers are asked for . . . Cielito Pilar, 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, 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.

The parish extends its sympathy and love to Betsy Karel upon the death of Frank Karel, on September 19.  Please pray for the repose of the soul of Frank, for Betsy, for their families, and for all who mourn.  More may be read of Frank’s life and career at the website, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The parish also extends its sympathy and love to Josie Martin upon the death of her brother, Tom Martin, on September 19.  Please pray for the repose of the soul of Tom, for Josie and their family, and for all who mourn.

Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the high altar are given to the glory of God and in celebration of Barry Huber's birthday on September 30, given by Butch Bradburn.

Adult Forum on Interfaith Dialogue . . . 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. Join us at 10 a.m. in the undercroft for this exciting program. 

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. 

Highlights from the Vestry . . . The Vestry began its meeting on September 13 with Mass in the church.  At the business meeting which followed, the Vestry received the following news: the Treasurer reports the parish is currently operating with $69,981.50 in revenue over expenses;  the Treasurer reports that a number of bookkeeping service proposals have been received and the Finance Committee will be conducting interviews with prospective firms; the Senior Warden reported on her correspondence and on the renovations to the Archives Room; the Junior Warden reported that work is to be done in the church to repair the leak near the Goodhue Window; that he is forming a Junior Warden’s Guild to help with advice; and that he, the Rector and several of the Buildings and Grounds committee have met with architect Jim Clark with MTFA; and that Mr. Clark will also make a presentation to a combined meeting of Vestry, Endowment Board, and Buildings and Grounds Committee on September 20.  The Vestry took the following actions: approved a recommendation to the Bishop that Lisa Zaina be made a postulant for Holy Orders; set the date of November 21 for a Vestry retreat for planning, leadership development, and vision work.

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

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