All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 3, Number 3, December 13, 2009

REACHING OUT THIS SEASON

Newspapers, television stations, mail campaigns, and bell-ringing elves all suggest ways that we can reach out and help others this season.  Perhaps you have already found ways that are appropriate for you, given limits of time and budget. In addition to what you may already be doing, I would like to highlight a couple of ways we are reaching out as a parish this season.

For many years we created a “giving tree” for the Community of Hope, an organization in Washington that works with families that are homeless or in transitional housing. We are purchasing gift cards to Target, Giant or Safeway. If you can help, please place your gift card in an envelope with your name in the corner, and place it in the collection plate or bring to the church office. You may also write a check to the church and put “Gift Card” on the memo line. We would like to have these donations no later than Tuesday, December 15.

Also, over the years, we have also sent stuffed animals and art supplies to the children who are undergoing procedures at the St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem.  Because of restrictions on packages entering East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank, this year, we are instead sending money to the hospital to help with toys and supplies.  Please bring monetary donations to the children’s St. Nicholas party or to the parish office, clearly marked “St. John Hospital Children.”

A third way that we are reaching out locally has to do with sending holiday cards to neighbors.  We have 300 addresses of people who have moved into our zip code in the last year.  We are sending cards with a picture of one of our stained glass windows and our Christmas worship schedule on the inside.  We would like to hand-address these cards, so there will be tables and supplies in the undercroft this Sunday after both Masses.  If you can help address, we would be grateful.

Especially at this time of year, if you begin to feel the slightest bit weary of work, or obligations, or the commercialization of the season, I invite you to do something for someone else (however small that might be.) Let us give thanks to God for whatever time, energy, and money we might be able to share with others. John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . . The Adult Forum meets at 10 a.m. in the undercroft and today focuses on Baha’i. Roya Bauman is a member of the Baha’i faith, who comes to us from the Metropolitan Interfaith Conference of Washington, D.C. A professional singer, she has recorded a CD of songs entitled “Love Setteth the World Aflame”. . . Thanks again to Robin Jones for cooking our Advent Wednesday evening dinner last week . . . Thanks to all who helped with Choral Evensong last Sunday.  We were able to raise almost $5,000 for the work of the St. John Eye Hospital . . . If you requested offering envelopes for 2010, you may pick them up in the church narthex . . . Attendance on Sunday, December 6, at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 25; attendance at the 11:00 a.m. Mass, 143; attendance at Choral Evensong, 105  . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $10,279.00. The plate offering this week was $3,918.50.

Your prayers are asked for . . . Louise Schalk Osborne, 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, 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, Louise and Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, Ted Field, and for the repose of the soul of Evelyn . . . 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 . . . Flowers at the altar this morning are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Alexis Norris, Jr., given by his son, Mickey Norris . . . The sanctuary candle burns to the glory of God and in memory of Peter Nevin Nordal, son of Katherine Nordal . . . Join us on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for a light supper and our program, “The Music of Advent.”  Cameron Soulis will lead our discussion this week . . . On Sunday, December 20, Father Worthley will preach and celebrate at both Masses while the rector visits family in North Carolina. The rector will be back in the office on Wednesday, December 23.

Childcare Workers Needed . . . Our Sunday childcare attendant, Natty Dayal, will be away during the months of January and February.  If you know of anyone who would like to be considered for this position please contact the parish office.

Year-end Financial Alert on Contributions . . . If you wish to make additional contributions to All Souls in 2009, please be reminded that IRS rules are very specific. Contributions must be credited in the year in which they are received.  The only exception is at year-end when a contribution is postmarked by December 31, 2009 and received in 2010 . . . Also, if you wish to use contributions envelopes in the new year, you must let the office know.  If you completed a pledge card and marked the box requesting envelopes, you are already on our list.  Anyone else should call the office to make a request.  Envelopes are primarily for the identification of those making cash contributions.  If you are making a contribution by check, you do not need an envelope.

Stewardship update . . . We are feeling the force of the recession especially as financial pledges have been significantly less this year.  One reason for this is the death of a generous benefactor, but we also know that there have been changes in the financial situations of some of our parishioners.  Other parishioners have simply not pledged.  Of those who pledged in 2009, 51 have not yet pledged for 2010. The good news is that, of those who pledged in both years, there has been a 41 per cent increase in the pledged amount.  We also have received 17 new pledges, which means that, to date, we have received 125 pledges, totaling $406,676.  Even after making significant cuts to our Asking Budget for 2010, that budget is $577,083.  Given such a large anticipated deficit, the finance committee is recommending further cuts, including the possible reduction of the parish administrator’s position to half-time, the elimination of the sexton’s position, and decreased diocesan giving. Copies of the 2010 Asking Budget can be found at the kiosk in the undercroft.

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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