This Week at St. Columba's ... Carols symbolize everything that Christmas stands for: they gather the community together, bring joy, spread the word of Jesus' birth and make everyone feel the spirit of the season. Each carol is like a pretty package we get to unwrap again every year, filled with the message of peace, hope and truth found in the first Nativity.
 
Join us in song ... we'll be singing carols beginning with neighborhood caroling this Sunday (just one of many Decoration Sunday activities) and continuing through to Christmas Day. Celebrate the season through the wonderful music of Christmas.
Preparing
CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS SIMULCAST
Celebrate Christmas with the People of Bethlehem
You are invited to the 11th annual live Christmas Simulcast Service between Washington National Cathedral and Chr istmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Palestine on Sat., Dec. 16 at 9:30 am EST ( cathedral.org ). Choirs, readings, and carols alternate in English and Arabic between the two locations. More> 
Decoration Sunday
DECORATION SUNDAY
Time to Deck the Halls
Join the fun as we prepare the church for Christmas and spread Christmas cheer among our neighbors on Sun., Dec. 17 at 10:15 am! In addition to decorating, we have many new activities to help us prepare for Christmas: caroling in the neighborhood, poetry reading and writing with the Prison Ministry, origami crane making, hot cider stations, bell polishing and more. Bring new men's and women's socks, gloves, scarves and new men's underwear to pay the "Sock Tax." Contact: Gina Lambright and Jeff Stensland
Celebrating
NEW YEAR'S EVE CONCERT   
"From Bach to Modern" 
On Sunday, Dec. 31 at 6 pm, St. Columba's will hold
its annual New Year's Eve Concert, "Bach through Modern," with performances by Rosa Lamoreaux, Ann Colgrove, Diane Heath, Elizabeth Lane, Anne and David Timpane and Barbara Wing. The program includes pieces from "The American Songbook" with Rosa Lamoreaux and her combo, chamber and solo works for harpsichord, organ and voice by Bach, Milhaud and Albright, and a world premiere  of "Tango for Two Pianos and Soprano" by Justus Parrotta.  
Kick off your New Year's Eve celebrations with an early concert, or wend your way home to a cozy evening afterwards. Tickets (at the door only): $25 Donation, Students Free. Contact: Diane Heath 
Believing
Several St. Columba youth, adult leaders and parishioners celebrated the confirmation of Alex Prince and Lillian Broeksmit at the Washington National Cathedral on
Sat., Nov. 11 in a joyful bilingual service.
 
Reflecting
LABYRINTH MINISTRY 
Epiphany Labyrinth Walks  
Celebrate Epiphany by following your spiritual star on the path of St. Columba's labyrinth. The Great Hall is transformed as our labyrinth is laid out, music softly plays and the soft glow of candles lights the way. People of all faiths, ages and abilities are welcome to walk or sit quietly in contemplation. Join us Tues., Jan. 2 from 7-9 pm and Sat., Jan. 6, 10 am-12 pm.
Contact: Suzi Kindervatter 
Connecting
Gathering
St. C's cross
For more event info, go to Calendar at Columba.org

Christmas Worship  
Join us as we celebrate Jesus' birth, the coming of
hope into our lives. All services held in the Church Nave (overflow seating available in the Common). Please note: the 8 pm service is the best option for ensuring seats in the Church Nave on Christmas Eve. (No Sunday School and Youth programming is scheduled.)
 
Click here for our Christmas schedule 
 
Parish office closed Mon., Dec. 25 and Tues., Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday.
 
SUN., DEC. 17
Decoration Sunday 10:15 am, in the Common.
 
WED., DEC. 18
Benedictine Cell  First and third Wednesday of the month, 6-7 pm, Deming Library.

SUN., DEC. 31 (Abbreviated Sunday worship schedule)
Sunday Eucharist   8, 9:15 and 11:15 am in the Church Nave.
(No Sunday School and Youth programming).
 
SUN., DEC. 31
New Year's Eve Concert  6-7:30 pm, Church Nave
 
MON., JAN. 1
Parish office closed for the New Years holiday.
 
TUES., JAN. 2 and SAT., JAN. 6 
Epiphany Labyrinth Walks  Tues., 7-9 pm and Sat., Jan. 6 from 10 am-12 pm, Great Hall.
 
SUN., JAN. 7
First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord
(Return to regular schedule)
Sunday School and Youth programming resume.
Environment Committee   12:30 pm, in Rm 212.
 
MON., JAN. 8
First Monday Prayer Group  9-10 am, in Rm 220.
Centering Prayer  Monday evenings (6:25-7:30 pm) and/or Thursday afternoons (12:55-2 pm) in Rm 202.
 
FRI., JAN. 12
Racial Justice Movie Night  7 pm, Great Hall. 
Year-end Donations
St. Columba's welcomes your 2017 year-end donations. To be recorded as 2017 contributions, donations should be hand-delivered to the parish office by noon on
Fri., Dec. 29; submitted online or postmarked by December 31. Contact: Paul Barkett