This week at St. Columba's ...
we complete our Advent journey toward the manger, sharing in the excitement of the shepherds, the joy of Mary, and the hope surrounding Jesus’ birth. At each of our
Christmas services,
we’ll sing traditional carols and hear a special message and music that highlight both the joy and wonder of the birth of Christ. Worship begins on December 24 at 11 am, when we tell the Christmas story through an unrehearsed children’s pageant, and continues with services offered at 4 pm, 6 pm, 8 pm and 10:30 pm. Join us for
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services
. Share in the gift of God’s love as we come together to celebrate Christ’s birth once again.
~ A message from Anne Timpane
Join us for Worship this Sunday
This Sunday, our abbreviated schedule of services offers Eucharist at 8, 9:15 and 11:15 am in the Church Nave. The 9:15 am service is intended for young children and their families. Come worship with us! There will be no Sunday Forum, Sunday School and Youth Programming.
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Retracing our Steps Through Advent
Advent came to St. Columba's this year as
a season blessed
by beautiful worship and music, deep reflection, devoted service and giving, and some serious decking of the halls. It was also marked by the hardship and health challenges of those among us. Here are just some of the ways in which the lives of Columbans were both impacted and enriched.
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PILGRIMAGE
#Advent at the Border
From Rector Ledlie Laughlin
Dear Ones,
Heart-wrenching, hard, and compelling are the first words to describe my recent pilgrimage to El Paso, Texas and across the border into Juarez, Mexico. It was a journey of the heart. We did not go to engage in political action or to do something, not even to help or serve. We went to see, to pray, to learn, to be present. Being there was heart-wrenching. On Sun., Jan. 6, I will share stories and hopes, in my sermon and during the forum hour.
Our pilgrimage began in El Paso at
Annunciation House, a Roman Catholic ministry that currently receives up to 2,000 people each week who have been cleared by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for entry into the US. While we were there, several busloads of asylees arrived, some still bearing numbers written on their forearms by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Our first day included an overview of US immigration policies and practices at a legal aid office, and an introduction to the efforts of the Borderlands Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande.
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On day two, we crossed into Juarez, spent time in prayer at the border wall, and learned from local pastors about their ministries to protect and comfort refugees of all ages in one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Day three began with a sunrise visit to the town of Tornillo where the US government has created a
tent village for children seeking asylum. We were not permitted to visit, so prayed and sang outside the gates.
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Our group consisted of Episcopal clergy and other representatives from some of the best-resourced congregations, plus the Dean of Episcopal Divinity School and our own Bishop of Washington. Our time was filled with theological reflection, prayer, laughter, grief, tears, wondering what next, and profound gratitude for the ministries we witnessed and the grace of God. At the end of the day, I confess I am grateful that I was able to go. It was heartbreaking, and it is only through hearts broken open that God’s light may truly shine. Please join me on Sun., Jan. 6 for more stories and conversation.
Learn more about this pilgrimage at
#AdventattheBorder
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At home, St. Columba's children and youth were focused on making sandwiches for the homeless, engaging in joyful worship on the labyrinth and collecting toys for Samaritan Ministries.
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Our annual "Advent Conversation with Ray Suarez" took an unexpected turn this year as the parish learned of his recent confrontation with colon cancer.
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St. Columba's choirs lead an inspiring Lessons & Carols service of hope and anticipation for Christ's coming at Christmas.
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And on Decoration Sunday, not only the halls got decked, but the Prison Ministry held their annual "Poetry Party,” inviting parishioners to read pages of poems written by incarcerated young people, decorating the pages and writing encouraging comments.
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SAVE THE DATE!
New Year's Eve Concert
Come celebrate the New Year's at 6 pm with a program of Bach through Modern featuring Rosa Lamoreaux, American Song Book, a world premiere for piano and organ, haunting music for harpsichord, overtone singing by Harmonic Introductions, Bach, and more. Reception follows. Concert finishes by 7:30. Tickets: $25 suggested donation/students free (purchased at the door only). Contact:
Diane Heath
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Year-end Donations
St. Columba’s welcomes your 2018 year-end donations. To be recorded as 2018 contributions, donations should be hand-delivered to the parish office before noon on Dec. 31 or postmarked by Dec. 31. Contact:
Karen Sprague
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SUNDAYS
Bible, Coffee & Conversation
Come Practice Bible with Christ. We will closely read and reflect on the Scripture passages heard in our Sunday Worship service, at 10:15 am, Rm 238.
Healing Prayer
During Communion at the 9 and 11:15 am services, you are invited for a healing prayer for yourself or others in St. Aidan's Chapel or at the 42nd Street entrance.
MONDAYS & THURSDAYS
Centering Prayer
Join us Monday evenings (6:25-7:30 pm) and/or Thursday afternoons (12:55-2 pm), Rm 202.
SUN., DEC. 23
Special Worship Schedule St. Columba's will observe a shortened schedule with three services in the Church Nave at 8 am, 9:15 am and 11:15 am.
Sung Compline
7:30 pm, St. Aidan's Chapel.
SUN., DEC. 30
Special Worship Schedule St. Columba's will observe a shortened schedule with three services in the Church Nave at 8 am, 9:15 am and 11:15 am.
MON., DEC. 31
New Year's Eve Concert 6-7:30 pm. "Bach through Modern" Tickets: $25 suggested donation/students free (purchased at the door only).
WED., JAN. 2
Benedictine Cell
First and third Wednesday of the month, from 6-7 pm in the Deming Library.
SUN., JAN. 6
St. Columba's Worship Lab launches 11:15 am, in the Great Hall.
Environment committee at 12:30 pm, in Rm 212.
WED., JAN. 9
Wisdom Circle 9:30-11 am, in Rm 212.
Mothers' Group Wednesday mornings at 10 am, in Rm 203. Free child care.
SAT., JAN. 12
Sticks-in-Stitches
Bring your needles, yarn, thread and ideas, 10 am-12 noon in the Lounge at Friendship Terrace (2nd floor).
SUN., JAN. 13
Newcomer Tour & Talk
10:15 am, Common.
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