All Souls Weekly                 
Volume 3, Number 33, July 11, 2010

WHAT WE DO

On Wednesday, we celebrated the life of a man who died too early.  He had no official connection to All Souls, but had attended the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in our conference room.  He lived in our neighborhood and felt comfortable here.  He knew our welcome.  He felt something of the Spirit of All Souls—that as our stained glass window says, “All Souls are Welcome.”

At the funeral, a relative from Florida asked, “How have you put all of this together in such a short time?”  I said to her, “This is what we do.”  I went on to explain that we live life abundantly even though we acknowledge death and the resurrection to eternal life. “This is just what we do.  We are Christians.”

I hope my answer to the nice lady from Florida didn’t sound arrogant, but I was trying to convey that the church is HERE.  We are here when you’re born, and we’re here when you die.  You might very well ignore us in-between, but we’re still here, and we will continue to be here for you, whenever you need us.

 
After the funeral, the congregation processed into the front garden and there, we distributed the ashes of David Crump Cutler.  As we moved outside, we passed a new memorial plaque that has been attached to the wall of the Mary Chapel.  On that plaque, David’s name will be added, along with the names of those whose ashes have been distributed in the All Souls garden over the years. 

The new plaque is inscribed with the Latin words, “In Memoriam.  Lux aeterna luceat eis.“  (In memory, May light perpetual shine upon them.)  These are words from the introit of the Requiem Mass, (Book of Common Prayer, page 486).  They are good words, and words that direct our prayers.

God’s light does shine forever upon those who die and who rise again.  As the Eucharistic Prayer proclaims, “Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.”  May God’s peace be with those who mourn.  But even more, may God’s strength and love be with those who continue to live, work and pray for the Kingdom of God.   John Beddingfield

Around the Parish . . . All Souls has had the joy and privilege of hosting the Girls’ Choir from Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, Canada for the past week.  While the choir was in residence at the National Cathedral, they used our undercroft for breakfast each morning and then practiced in the church.  From there, they went on to sing at the Cathedral, at Virginia Theological Seminary, and at various parishes around the area.  We wish them the very best as they venture northward and hope very much that they might visit again . . . Attendance last Sunday at the 8:30 a.m. Mass: 26; at the 11 a.m. Mass: 78 . . . Total pledge offerings for the week ending with June 20 were $3,244.00 and the plate offering was $5,452.00.

Your prayers are asked for . . . Roger Mahan, Ana Hernandez, B.J. Warren, Diorica von Rago, Walter Hollis, Gene Dunn, Susan Johnson, Jim Wallace, Susan Kornacki, Frasier, MaryJane, Bob and Louise Osborne, Joan Shapiro, Ann Dixon, Lorenzo Martinez, Family of Tom Martin, Hugh Yeomans, Helen Horne, Erling Hansen, 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, Ted Field, and for the repose of the soul of S.S. McClendon III, cousin of Sally MacDonald . . . Pray for members of the parish in the foreign service and others who are working overseas, especially Tim Zladitch, Chuck Hunter, 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 . . .Unless flower dedications are forthcoming, we will begin using straw, weeds, and moss in the altar vases. [This comment is from the Rector, and the parish staff and volunteers bear no responsibility whatsoever for its insouciance.]

If you would like to dedicate flowers in celebration of an event or a person, or in memory of a loved one, please contact the parish office. PLEASE.

A New Editor for The Message . . . We thank George Barnum for his careful and diligent attention to our bimonthly newsletter.  Even though his home is in Cleveland, OH, George has consistently added his insight, his care, and his wisdom to our parish publication.  For all of that (and for much more) we are very grateful . . . We are also grateful for the energy and enthusiasm of Dr. Leigh Harrison, who has agreed to be our new editor.  (Leigh just earned his doctorate in Medieval Studies at Cornell University.  Though they are relatively new to the parish, many have gotten to know Leigh and his spouse, Carrie Dolive, through seasonal Christian formation programs and other events.  Please welcome them, when you see them. ) . . . The submission date of articles for the next issue (September) is July 25.  Please send articles to the newsletter mailbox at message.allsoulsdc@gmail.com.

South Africa Mission . . . We are getting close to finalizing our immunizations, our arrangements, and flight plans, so if you’re at all interested in joining us, please let us know.  A delegation from All Souls will visit the Kwasa Centre in Springs, South Africa, and the Diocese of the Highveld, October 11 through October 20, 2010. Airfare costs approximately $1,300 and we will plan to stay at a Bed and Breakfast or inn in Springs, South Africa. If you are interested in joining the mission trip, please speak with Marcia Anderson or Father Beddingfield.

Contributing to the Bishop Walker School . . .  Many have asked about ways to continue your support, specifically by donating classroom supplies. Please visit the Classroom Wish List on Amazon.com to see the items that the faculty has selected. One can purchase the items outright, or make a contribution toward a particular item. Access the Bishop Walker School Wish List by clicking here:

Prayer for the  Good Use of Leisure

O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of thy creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (BCP p. 825)