Please explore Mark 8:31-38 on your own using the links to online resources. This passage recounts Jesus' rebuke of Peter and then his call for disciples to take up the cross and follow him. "Mark has put this teaching moment of Jesus with his disciples at the center of his Gospel. Doing so, he reminds us that the first call Jesus made to others was not to be apostles or to be ordained or even to be members in the church, but simply to be his disciples, taking responsibility for going on their own journeys of faith with the living God. During Lent we are wise to ponder the picture of Jesus on the road to Jerusalem, calling all his disciples to take up our own crosses and to walk with him in paths of love and service." From Pastoral Perspective by Paul C. Shupe.

Link to scripture HERE. Download the Resource Sheet HERE.

Tuesday, Feb. 27
9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Lillian Croy Room
Please join us for fellowship and coffee as we discuss ideas to help our families understand and observe Lent. It can be difficult to explain this season in the liturgical year to young children. Our Director of Childcare, Carole Hamric, will provide us with a few suggestions for activities that we can do with our children. Childcare will be available across the hall in the Childcare Center. Please RSVP to Amy Britton.

Wednesdays, Through Mar. 21
12:10 p.m. in the Chapel
Please join us during the season of Lent for a midweek Eucharist. The service will be brief to allow time for those returning to work.

Wednesdays, Through Mar. 21
12:45-1:45 p.m. in McGill Hall
We are reading C.S. Lewis's The Four Loves which  contemplates the essence of love and how it works in our daily lives. Lewis examines four varieties of human love: Affection, the most basic form; Friendship, the rarest and perhaps most insightful; Eros, passionate love; Charity, the greatest and least selfish. Throughout this compassionate and reasoned study, he encourages readers to open themselves to all forms of love -- the key to understanding that brings us closer to God. Join us for worship in the Chapel beforehand or just come for the discussion. Questions? Contact the Rev. Valerie Hayes.

April 20-22
Attention women of the parish! The Annual Women's Retreat will be held at Shrine Mont the weekend of April 20-22. Watch for more details coming soon.

April 27-29
Attention men of the parish! The Annual Men's Retreat will be held at Shrine Mont the weekend of April 27-29. Our new Rector, Jon Strand, will join us for part of the weekend, so make plans to get to know him better and have a relaxing weekend. The cost is $160 ($215 if requesting a single room). Registration forms are available for download HERE. Questions? Please contact Randy McGuire.

June 25-29 for students ages 5-11
This year's term will be based upon the Harry Potter Deathly Hallows book. Teenagers ages 12-18 are invited to register as Prefects. Registration forms are available for download below and in the Church Office. Morning session is 9:00 a.m. to noon. Afternoon Session is 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Hogwarts VBS 2018 Prefect Registration Form
Hogwarts VBS 2018 Student Registration Form

FACETS coordinates overnight shelters for the homeless in 31 Fairfax County churches. So far this winter, 200 clients have received food, shelter, and counseling services. Fairfax Baptist Church in Fairfax City is especially in need of volunteers during the week of March 11-17. Sign up for meal preparation or shelter presence during early morning, early evening, or overnight shifts by contacting Holy Comforter parishioner Tom Willis and you will be sent a sign-up link to volunteer for specific needs.

This Sunday Feb. 25, 4-6 p.m.
Church of the Epiphany, Herndon/Oak Hill
The Search/Nominating Committee for our second Bishop Suffragan is seeking help from the parishes in the North Fairfax Region. Your Region Council is hosting its final listening session on Feb. 25 to gather people's views about the desired characteristics for the next Bishop Suffragan, and to provide an overview of the search process. Questions? Please contact region president Joni Langevoort.

Friday, March 2 at 11:45 a.m.
Jim Heins will be with us to speak about the history of the C&O Canal. The canal has something different to see at each site along the 184.5 mile towpath. We'll learn about the history of the canal, its construction and operation, as well as the prehistoric archaeological excavations. If you would like to bring a dessert to share, please contact Barbara Fitzsimmons. Bring your own lunch. Dessert and beverage will be provided.

Saturday, March 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Refreshments at 9:30 a.m.; program at 10 a.m.
Family and friends are invited. Childcare provided.
The Sacred Circle Dance is a gentle, healing way to bring body, mind, and spirit together and gives a feeling of centeredness and connection. Come to learn more about this special form of spiritual practice in a program sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women (ECW). No dance experience is needed -- the steps are simple, repetitive, and easy to learn. It is not about getting the steps right but about enjoying the spirit of the dances and the sense of oneness and peace that results from moving rhythmically in a supportive environment. The program will be led by parishioner Celestine Jones. An avid Sacred Circle Dancer for 3 years, Celestine has been a member of Holy Comforter for 27 years and works as a nurse practitioner at George Mason University. Questions? Please contact Jane Schmiedekamp.

Items are now being accepted for the Holy Comfort Boxes that will be sent to young adults in the parish ages 18-24 who are living away from home. Included in the boxes are small snack packets, school supplies, etc. Download a list of suggested items HERE. Drop off your donations in the large box in the narthex. If you have not yet registered your young adult, fill out a form at the table in the narthex or download a form HERE to complete in advance. The boxes will be sent late February/early March. Questions? Contact Joni Langevoort.