All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 3, Number 20, April 11, 2010

THE RISEN CHRIST IN COMMUNITY

With many others in our country, this week we have been praying for the people of Montcoal, West Virginia, after the coal mine explosion that killed at least 25 people.  As we have read and watched in the news, many have been struck by the faith and strength of the families in that community.  It reminds us of the Amish community in Lancaster County that suffered a school shooting in 2006, and of other situations in which people have had to face almost unspeakable disaster.

And yet, there are some parallels with the biblical story of Easter.  Mary and others went into a cave on that first day of Easter.  They went into the cave looking for the one they loved.  They went together: supporting one another, leaning on one another, trusting that if one’s own strength or faith gave out, there would be someone else upon whom to rest.

In the Easter account, they found an empty tomb and there was resurrection.  But I wonder if there wasn’t something about the community of faith that allowed them to see the risen Christ?  Had she been alone, would Mary have recognized Jesus?  Later on, had he been alone fishing, would Peter have recognized Jesus?

There is something about the community of faith that gives us strength but also gives us insight.  Together, we can see further.  Leaning on each other, we can see deeper.  Relying upon one another, we see God, and we witness resurrection. 

On Easter Day we had a full church.  I am always glad when anyone finds All Souls and chooses to join us in prayer and worship.  But there is also a sad aspect, for me, to the fact that so many people come once or twice and year and are not ordinarily a part of any Christian community.  In a time of crisis, they may not have others to lean on.  They may not know how to ask for help.  They may not see resurrection.

 
I continue to pray for our parish to grow—not so much so that we can pay the bills more easily or accomplish more in mission, but because I think so many people can benefit from being a part of the Body of Christ.  Thank you for your prayers and presence, especially at Easter, but also, all through the year. John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . . A special thanks to everyone who helped with Holy Week and Easter Day.  There were ushers, readers, acolytes, drivers, cooks, cleaners, musicians, and many who carried out quiet ministries of prayer and presence with visitors and parishioners, alike.  Thanks so much to each and everyone! . . .  Attendance on Maundy Thursday, 75; attendance on Good Friday, 148; attendance for the Easter Vigil, 96; attendance on Easter Sunday at the 8:30 a.m. Mass 59; at the Easter Sunday 11 a.m. Mass 370 . . . Total pledge offerings for Holy Week and Easter were $9,476.00 and the plate offering was $3,568.00.

The Blessings and Prayers of the parish are extended to Erwin de Leon and John Beddingfield upon their civil marriage on April 5, in Washington, D.C.  This civil recognition comes in the eleventh year of their relationship.

Your prayers are asked for . . . Susan Johnson, Jim Wallace, Susan Kornacki, Frasier, MaryJane, 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. . . If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.

Liturgical Notes . . . We continue to sing and say our “alleluias” for the fifty days from Easter Sunday until Pentecost . . . On Sunday, April 18, Mr. Seth Walley, our seminarian, will preach at both Masses . . . On Sunday, April 25, the Rev. Sharron Dinnie, from South Africa, will be preaching at both Masses and discussing her ministry, especially the Kwasa Centre and school, supported by All Souls.

Are you new to All Souls? . . . Please join us for a newcomers wine and cheese today, Sunday, April 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the undercroft to learn more All Souls and more about becoming involved in our parish family.  This is a wonderful time to meet others in a casual atmosphere.

Country Western Night . . . Join us this Sunday, April 11, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a Chili Cook Off and Country Western Night.  We’ll do some eating, some drinking, and lots of dancing.  If you would like to lend a hand in the planning or execution—bartenders and kitchen help always needed—please contact Marcia Anderson at Marcia513@verizon.net.

Join us for the Adult Forum . . . The series on “The Evolution of Belief,” led by Joe Howell, continues on Sunday, April 11.  The topic will be “The Long Road to Monotheism.” The earliest religions were polytheistic. When and how did these evolve into belief in one God? Who figured this out first? How has monotheism changed and evolved? Which religions are monotheistic today? Are there down sides to monotheism? Come and find out . . . On Sunday, April 18, the Rev. Sharron Dinnie will discuss the work and ministries of the Kwasa Center in South Africa.

Men’s Fellowship in April . . . The Episcopal Men’s Fellowship group will be meeting next on Thursday, April 15 at 7 p. m. in the Undercroft. Our speaker will be Norman Whitmire, who will talk about life in the seminary after his first two years of study at the Virginia Theological Seminary and his upcoming summer assignation. We will be providing a tasty meal and drinks for the always low price of $15. To RSVP please sign up in the Undercroft or else email ike.brannon@gmail.com.