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Making a Difference
Holy Comforter Outreach Opportunities
May 2015
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"Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him." (Mark 16:6)
We are now in the joyous fifty-day season of Easter.
During this time, we celebrate Christ's resurrection and anticipate the coming of the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Here are some ways our parish family is helping to connect with and serve those in need in the name of the One who conquered sin and death. If you have questions or ideas, please contact us!
Alleluia. Christ is Risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. (Book of Common Prayer, Eucharist, Rite II)
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Appraisal Roadshow Benefiting
Our Daily Bread
Wednesday, May 6, 6:30-9:00 p.m., McGill Hall
 Have you ever wondered what that vase in your dining room is worth?
Did you inherit your grandmother's diamond ring or your father's coin collection?
What about a picture hanging on your wall or that watch on your wrist?
Find out what they're worth while helping raise funds for Our Daily Bread!
At our Appraisal Roadshow event on May 6, appraisal experts will tell you "what it is," "what it's worth," and "what you can do with it" in the process of sharing interesting facts with the audience. Come enjoy free appraisals and expert advice on items such as jewelry, silver, coins, timepieces, glass, porcelain, paintings, bronze, furniture, documents, and anything else (except stamps).
Come bring your favorite item to be appraised (one item per person, please!), or just bring yourself for a fun evening out. Light food and drink will be served, and child care will be provided.
Admission is by donation (suggested donation $20/person if appraisal is requested, and $10/person for no appraisal). All donations will go to our ministry partner, Our Daily Bread.
Please register for this event here. Questions? Contact Harriet Church, or get more details here. We hope to see you on the 6th!
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Introducing our 2015 Ministry Partners
In December 2014, our parish awarded community outreach grants to 17 international, national, and local non-profit organizations and ministries serving those in need. Each of these organizations is supported by members of our parish community. To learn more about how you, your families, or parish ministries may participate in the work of these ministries, contact Susan McGuire, or stay tuned for "ministry spotlight" updates in future newsletters and in our weekly eNewsletter and bulletin announcements.
| American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem |
AFEDJ promotes and raises program and infrastructure funds for the humanitarian work of the Diocese of Jerusalem and its institutions, so that it may better serve the needs of the people of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Israel. |
| Blessings in a Backpack |
Blessings in a Backpack is a non-profit organization that partners with people and organizations to feed elementary school children who qualify for free or reduced price school meal programs and are at risk of having little or no food on weekends. |
| Committee for Helping Others |
CHO provides simple loving charity to those in need of goods and services which they are unable to provide for themselves or obtain from governmental organizations. |
| Compass Rose Society |
The mission of the Compass Rose Society is to support the programs and ministries of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), which sets the goals and directives for the Anglican Communion.
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| FACETS |
FACETS opens doors to low-income residents of Fairfax by helping them meet their emergency shelter, food, and medical needs; helping them gain safe, sustainable and permanent housing; and working with them to end the cycle of poverty through educational, life skills and career counseling programs.
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| Family Pass |
Family PASS helps families that are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Fairfax County by providing rent subsidies and connecting families with the support services needed to become self-sufficient. |
| Five Talents |
Five Talents USA is a faith-based international development organization with the mission to fight poverty, create jobs and transform lives by empowering the poor in development countries using savings and microcredit programs, business training, and spiritual development. |
| Habitat for Humanity NOVA |
Habitat NOVA brings community members together to build decent, affordable housing for residents of Arlington and Fairfax Counties and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax. |
| Homestretch |
Homestretch empowers homeless families to attain permanent housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills, knowledge, and hope they need to become productive participants in the community. |
| L'Arche Greater Washington DC |
L'Arche creates welcoming communities for people who have intellectual disabilities, by providing homes, support for daily living, and opportunities to engage in the social, civic, and religious life of the local community. |
| Listening Hearts |
Through prayerful listening in supportive communities, Listening Hearts Ministries provides a range of programs, publications, and services that teach people people the practice of spiritual discernment. |
| Our Daily Bread |
Our Daily Bread is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization that provides food assistance, financial assistance, and financial literacy training to low-income residents of Fairfax County. |
| Reach Out International |
Reach Out International is a Christian interfaith charitable organization assisting those who are the subject of religious persecution or abject poverty, especially in Asian developing countries. |
| Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington |
SMGW is a community partnership bringing together homeless people and others in need in Greater Washington with support and volunteers from Episcopal and other churches in a joint effort to improve the lives of all. |
| Rev. Deacon Concepción Santos |
Holy Comforter has supported Rev. Santos with financial and volunteer support for many years. We continue to provide a stipend to allow Rev. Santos to continue his work ministering to the people of Santa Rita, Honduras. |
| Shepherd's Center |
The Shepherd's Center of Oakton-Vienna is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to promoting and supporting purposeful, independent living for mature adults through volunteer opportunities, transportation assistance, support services, lifelong learning and cultural enrichment opportunities. |
| Shoulder to Shoulder-Pinares project |
Shoulder to Shoulder works with eight communities in the Pinares area of Intibucá, Honduras to create and operate sustainable health services and address social determinants of health for the people of the rural frontier. |
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Ministry Partner Spotlight:
L'Arche Greater Washington DC
L'Arche is an international federation dedicated to the creation and growth of homes, programs, and support networks for people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in France by Jean Vanier in 1964, L'Arche today operates 147 communities in 35 countries.
In L'Arche communities, people with and without disabilities share their lives in communities of faith and friendship. Since 1983, L'Arche Greater Washington, DC has provided safe housing, compassionate support services, and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to become integrated into their neighborhoods. L'Arche GWDC operates four local communities: two in Washington, DC, and two in Arlington. Within these homes, community members live together, creating a family-like atmosphere of love, trust, mutual caring, and forgiveness.
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| Holy Comforter parishioners Joni Langevoort, Stephen Doane, and Hollye Doane enjoy the April 21 Heart of L'Arche Breakfast, along with L'Arche supporter Paola Pizzano and Executive Director John Cook. |
Celebrate!
To celebrate 50 years of L'Arche, L'Arche GWDC will be holding two community events. Sharing Our Gifts: A Public Celebration, will be held at the National Zoo on May 29 from 2 to 3 p.m., and will include music, games, and a photo booth. A Public Forum and Interfaith Prayer Service will be held on May 30 at 2 p.m. at the National Presbyterian Church, and will feature guest speakers Krista Tippett, radio host of NPR's "On Being," and Tim Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman. More information about both events can be found here.
Volunteer
Opportunities abound for volunteer assistance to local L'Arche communities. L'Arche welcomes guests for dinner and at their regular monthly prayer services. Communities also welcome volunteers who would like to spend time getting to know their residents or helping with upkeep of their community homes. For more information, see the L'Arche GWDC website, or contact Holy Comforter parishioner Hollye Doane.
"The essence of our communities is this 'living with.' We are called, certainly, to serve with all our ability and to help those who are weaker to develop, but the foundation of this helping is found in friendship and the communion of hearts, which allows us all to grow."
- Jean Vanier, L'Arche founder
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News and Opportunities
Toiletries Drive for Samaritan Ministry
Our Sunday School students will be holding a toiletries drive for the homeless clients of Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington during late May - June. Please take a moment to pick up extra shampoo, deodorant, soap, or another toiletry item to support this drive. These items are not covered by food stamp assistance, and are greatly needed by our homeless brothers and sisters. Stay tuned for more details, or contact Susan McGuire or Ben Gregg for more details.
Fairfax FISH Clothes Closet
If you are looking for places to donate clothes or personal items, please consider Fairfax FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help). Our hypothermia prevention shelter team visited the "Clothing Closet" operated by this organization to donate items (clothing, toiletries, books, schools supplies, sleeping mats) not used by our shelter guests. The volunteer working at the Closet that day was especially thrilled to receive baby clothes donated by one of our parishioners. The Closet is located at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main Street, Fairfax, VA (via Presbyterian Way) and is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.
Lamb Center News 
Did you know that The Lamb Center (TLC) has received approval to move and build on a new site? The new building will be located at 3160 Campbell Drive in Fairfax, near its current location. There is a tremendous need for a new building to house the multiple services offered by TLC, which now has four full time and four part-time staff. The new building will provide more room for case managers and other staff to help guests find housing, employment, and obtain referrals for addiction treatment and mental health counseling. For more information about The Lamb Center, and how you can volunteer or help financially in this new chapter of their work to share God's love with the poor and homeless, see their website.
AFEDJ Missioner needed Mary Obaidy is looking for a volunteer to help her assist our parish in its support of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ), which provides humanitarian assistance to the people of the Middle East. For more information, please contact Mary or talk to any member of the Outreach Team. Next Outreach Team meeting on May 20
If you'd like to join the Outreach team or just sit in on a meeting to see what we're all about, you would be most welcome! Our next meeting is on Wednesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lillian Croy room. For more information, contact Susan McGuire.
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| Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Road, NE Vienna, VA 22180-3510
Phone: (703) 938-6521 Fax: (703) 281-1360
Web: www.holycomforter.com 
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