All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 3, Number 16, March 14, 2010

AN INVITATION FOR ALL SOLES

On Maundy Thursday (this year, on April 1) we hear the Gospel in which Jesus says to his disciples, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34).  By washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus shocks and alarms his friends and followers.

 
Jesus shocks his disciples by doing this menial, everyday service. He alarms them when he suggests that they do likewise.  Jesus is suggesting that they learn to serve in ways equal to, and beyond what he has just illustrated.

The Church has continued this practice in its liturgy since at least the fourth century.  At first, the washing of feet was included in the baptismal rite.  This part of baptism was gradually dropped, but in monasteries and convents, the poor were welcomed and their feet were washed.  By the seventh century, some church records show that the washing of feet had become a regular part of the Maundy Thursday liturgy. 

The practice at All Souls has involved the clergy and twelve people who symbolize the twelve disciples.  But these volunteers also symbolize all of us, since Jesus calls us all to the “new commandment” symbolized in this ritual.

As one parishioner has suggested, it is this time of year that the rector goes “sole searching.”  Eventually, I would hope that our washing of feet would involve at least two basins, with two lines of people, each washing the feet of the person who comes behind them.  But I don’t think our parish is quite there, yet, and perhaps that style of foot-washing will never quite fit the character of our parish.  In the meantime, and this Maundy Thursday, we will continue to look for a dozen willing soles.  To paraphrase the saying so often used in the Episcopal Church, “All soles may (be washed). Some soles should! But no soles must.“

Whether you feel led to participate in the washing of feet or prefer simply to watch this portion of the liturgy, I hope you’ll join us on Maundy Thursday on 7 p.m. and for all of Holy Week as we recommit ourselves to the ministry of sharing and showing Christ’s love for all people.   John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . .  DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS MARCH 14 . . . Yoga with Richard McKewen continues on Saturday mornings in Lent, 10 a.m. in the undercroft . . . Join us for our ongoing discussion of interfaith issues as we welcome Rukmini Walker, who will lead us in a discussion on Hinduism.  The forum meets at 10 a.m. in the undercroft . . . Episcobasics continues this Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m to 2 p.m. in the Conference Room.  The topic is “The Use and Authority of Scripture” and will be led by the rector. . . Attendance for the Third Sunday in Lent, March 7 at the 8:30 a.m., Mass, 42; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 140 . . . Total pledge offerings were $6,260.00 and the plate offering was $1,209.00.

Your prayers are asked for . . . John Matthews, Bob and Louise Osborne, Joan Shapiro, Ann Dixon, Lorenzo Martinez, Family of Tom Martin, Hugh Yeomans, Helen Horne, Erling Hansen, Tim Dill, Mona Bauer, Mary Backus, Sandy Jenkins Dixon, I. Kathryn McKewen, Thais Blanchard, Bruce MacDonald, Bob Colborn, 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, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Walter and Sally Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, 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 . . . Flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in memory of Blanche Balance Lewis, who died on March 16, 2004, given by her son James W. Lewis . . . The Sanctuary Candle burns to the glory of God and is in loving memory of Paul Anthony Johnson, given by his mother, Sybil de la Renaudiere . . . The Fourth Sunday in Lent is known as Laetare Sunday (after the first words of the Introit sung by the choir).  Rose vestments are worn and flowers return on the altar.  This is also sometimes nicknamed, “Rose Sunday,” and has traditionally represented a slight reprieve from the disciplines of Lent and a reminder that Easter is not far away.

A Note on the Undercroft Kitchen . . . As we continue to adjust to having one sexton work on Sundays, your help in cleaning up after breakfast and coffee hour is greatly appreciated. 

Applications Sought for Bishop’s Search Committee . . . Applicants interested in serving on either the Search Committee or the Transition Committee for a new bishop are encouraged to apply. An application form is available at http://search.edow.org. (These are also posted in the undercroft.) Deadline for applications is March 26.

Is God calling you to become more involved? . . . Are you interested in serving on the Vestry of All Souls?  At our annual meeting on Sunday, May 16, we will elect the Junior Warden and general members of the vestry.  Please be thinking and praying about who might be nominated and selected.  Nomination forms will be available in the April/May edition of The Message.

Join us for the Evolution of Belief . . . Beginning on Sunday, March 21, Joe Howell will lead us in an exploration of faith and belief.  Over five session, Joe will help us ask such questions as, “What have these sessions told us about God? How did we get from the most primitive  religion practiced by hunter-gathers to the myriad religious beliefs today? What is belief? What is God? How has the concept of  God changed as the human race has evolved? What is religion and how has it evolved? What has been the contribution of  other world religions?”  An outline of Joe’s course is in the undercroft. 

Adopt an apartment . . . All Souls is furnishing an apartment for a homeless family through the Transitional Housing Corporation's Adopt-an-Apartment program. Move-in day is Saturday, April 17. You can see a list on the All Souls website (www.allsoulsdc.org). We'll also need donations of cash (all beds and bedding must be purchased new) and help on move-day. Finally, we could use a co-chair for this effort; if you're interested please contact Heidi at hfritschel@verizon.net.

Readings for the Daily Office