All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 2, Number 51, November 15, 2009

STEWARDS OF TRADITION

I’m sure that someone far smarter than I has written about Jesus and his relationship with religious tradition.  From my reading of scripture, it seems that his relationship had love/hate aspects to it.  On one hand, Jesus says, “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18).  Yet on the other hand, Jesus criticizes the religion of his day and points to the needs for reform and renewal.  Contradictions appear to exist when we notice that Jesus upholds the common teaching about divorce in his day, and yet, he breaks all tradition when it comes to his treatment and interaction with women and others who were regarded as outcasts. As followers of Jesus, it is perhaps inevitable that we have inherited a complicated relationship with tradition.  Tradition can inspire us, but it can also unnerve us.

Especially at All Souls, we have come to understand ourselves as stewards of tradition in some ways.  We have a traditional-looking church building, we use traditional language in most of our worship, and we believe in traditional Anglican values like the Creed, the Prayer Book and the Sacraments.  But we are also open to the Holy Spirit’s movement within tradition.  While we honor the Prayer Book’s teaching that Baptism is required for admittance to Holy Communion, we also follow our bishop’s directive by opening our communion table to all who would seek to follow Jesus.  In addition, we believe that marital status, sexual orientation, income, education, or any other distinguishing factor should not restrict one’s ability to serve fully in God’s Church.

As we continue to explore stewardship this fall, I am particularly aware that a part of our parish’s calling is to be a steward of Anglican worship, music, ministry, and devotion.  And yet, even as we continue to use old words and ancient rites, to chant, to make smoke, and to sprinkle holy water; we do so with open hearts, praying that we might be people of welcome, generosity, and grace.  Traditional worship; radical love. 

As we each pray over our gifts and abilities, I hope you’ll join me in giving thanks for the aspects of our tradition that continue to inspire, to challenge, and to nurture us.  May God increase our understanding of being good stewards. John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . . A new parish directory is available in the undercroft.  Please only take one per person.  Special thanks to Barry Huber, our membership secretary, for coordinating this effort . . . Attendance on Sunday, November 8, at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 35; attendance at 11:00 a.m. Mass, 136 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $7,041.00. The plate offering this week was $1,234.00.

Your prayers are asked for . . . Laurie Kam, Ann Dixon, Lorenzo Martinez, Family of Tom Martin, Hugh Yeomans, Cielito Pilar, Helen Horne, Pat Latin, Erling Hansen, Tim Dill, Mark Hoffman, Mona Bauer, 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, Ted Field, and for the repose of the souls of Tom, Beth, and Curtis . . . 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 Joe Howell upon the death of his brother, Tom, on November 10. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Tom, for Joe and his family, and for all who mourn.  

The parish also extends its sympathy and love  to the family of Elizabeth Cullers Beaulieu Rynex who died on November 11.  The service celebrating her life was held at All Souls on Saturday, November 14.

Liturgical Notes . . . The flowers at the high altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Brian Patrick Dresser, given by Pat Dresser.

Newcomers’ Wine and Cheese . . . If you are new to All Souls or just interested in learning more about this parish, there will be a Newcomer's Wine and Cheese this Sunday, November 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Parish Library.  The library is just off the hallway on the second floor, just outside the main church.

Adult Forum on Interfaith Dialogue . . . On Sunday, November 15, we will explore Sikhism, which was founded in the fifteenth century.  Sikhism derives from "Sikh," which means a strong and able disciple. There are about 16 million Sikhs worldwide. Join us in the undercroft at 10 a.m as we continue to learn about other ways of understanding God. 

Thanksgiving Day, November 26 . . . Join parishioners and friends of the parish for Mass at 10 a.m. and a grand Thanksgiving meal later in the afternoon. The turkeys go into the oven at 9 a.m. We will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m., and invite those at the Mass to join us downstairs for cooking and fellowship through the early afternoon, fueled by light appetizers, wine, and soft drinks. We’ll pop champagne corks at 3 p.m. and serve dinner shortly thereafter. Please join us for this day of camaraderie and appreciation for our many blessings. Contributions of food, beverages, and funds are most welcome, as are helping hands in the kitchen. Please email Jennifer Johnston at jcjohnston38@msn.com or call the Parish Office if you plan to come, bring something, or help in the kitchen.

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.

A Benedictine Experience . . . Experience the quiet, discipline and community of a contemplative retreat sponsored by the Friends of St. Benedict and the Diocese of Maryland, set for December 10-13 at the Bishop Claggett Center in Buckeystown, MD. Participants will take part in an ordered day of prayer, study, work and leisure. Presenters will be the Rev. Margaret Guenther and the Rev. Barbara Henry. Contact saintbenedict@prospect-tech.com or 202/363-8061, or visit www.benedictfriend.org

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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