Photo courtesy of Jay Treadwell
Dear Saints of St. Columba's,
It's fitting that my last Sunday with you will be the Feast of All Saints, since I have experienced God's Spirit shining through all of you over the last eight years. Join us this Sunday for a wonderful celebration, including the launch of a new outreach vision at the adult forum between services. Come and see how God is calling you to be a saint--as the old children's hymn puts it, "the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too." ( from Hymn 293, text Lesbia Scott (1898-1986) ~ a message from Jason Cox .
This Sunday at St. Columba's
You won't want to miss ...
Jason's Jamboree
Come celebrate the Rev. Jason Cox on his last Sunday. Join us for a reception immediately following the 11:15 am service, from 12:15-1:30 pm, in the Great Hall.
Feast of All Saints
Integral to celebrating the saints is our remembering of all the faithful departed. Remembrance cards are offered at each service in the Church Nave.
Mass in G Major
During worship this Sunday, we will hear four movements for choir and orchestra from the Mass in G Major composed by Franz Schubert, written in six days at age 18.
Baptisms
We will celebrate the baptisms of Noel Sierra Strother, Axel David and Eva Kathryn Munck af Rosenschold and their families in the 9 am Church Nave and 9:15 am Great Hall services.
Sunday Forum
"Embrace Our World" A Report from Outreach Vision Task Force." Join us for a discussion on community engagement as a key focus of the Strategic Mission and Vision Plan. More>
Daylight Savings
Be sure to turn your clocks back on Saturday night, Nov. 2 and enjoy that extra hour of sleep. It is also the perfect time to replace batteries in your household smoke alarms.
And Every Sunday at St. Columba's ...
Our Regular Worship Schedule offers services in the Church Nave at 8 am (spoken), 9 am (family-friendly service with children's choirs and an age-appropriate Gospel story for children 3-8), and 11:15 am ( featuring adult choirs and our orchestra this week! ). The Great Hall service at 9:15 am is designed for pre-school aged children and their families. Learn more about child care, Sunday School and the other family-focused programs St. Columba's offers.
And Don't Forget ... There will be a Remembering Service on Sat., Nov. 2 at 5 pm, in the Church Nave. An hour-long special service to remember those close to us who have died, it will be quiet, and meditative with piano music, opening prayers and then a time for those who wish to speak about a loved one to do so.
"To me living generously is to give something of yours to others whether it be a action, an item or financial. It can be as simple as a smile, opening a door or, more elaborately, feeding others, providing a shower. As a church we do all of these things." Debbie DuSault, Good Shepherds
There is only One More Week left in our Annual Campaign!
Your pledge is a yearly spiritual and financial commitment to supporting the ministries and programs of St. C’s. Pledges form the basis of our annual operating budget, but it’s not just about the money: it’s a statement of support and commitment to the ongoing life of this faith community.

Once you’ve pledged, pick up an "I Pledged" ribbon at the Welcome desk to attach to your name button as an outward and visible sign of your commitment to St. Columba’s, and a bookmark as a thanks for your pledge. A member of the vestry and the Campaign committee will be on hand to answer your questions. Or, you can visit the Annual Pledge Campaign webpage to learn more about stewardship and pledging.
Generosity Sunday
St. Columbans are known for their generosity, and on Sun., Nov. 10, the conclusion of our Annual Campaign, we will celebrate with Generosity Sunday. Parishioners are encouraged to turn in their pledge cards and pledge ribbons during the offertory so we may bless the ribbons and celebrate the boundless generosity of our congregation.

Following both services, we invite parishioners of all ages to participate in an act of service to help feed the hungry worldwide and in our own community. Two events – Rise Against Hunger and the Grate Patrol – will take place on Generosity Sunday. Please sign up online to help us make over 20,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger. To participate in Grate Patrol, simply head to Rm 204 at 11:15 am and say you’d like to help. Families are welcome at both events. Contact: Bronwyn Roy
Candidates Forum in Sun., Nov. 10
Calling All Parishioners! Come meet your vestry candidates at the Candidates Forum on Sun., Nov. 10 at 10:15 am in the Church Nave. Candidate information and bios may be found in handouts distributed at the Welcome Desk, as well as online at Columba.org.

Make your voice be heard ... Parishioners may cast their ballots on Sun., Nov. 10 (after the Candidates Forum) and on the day of the Annual Meeting, Sun., Nov. 17. Absentee ballots may be cast the week of Nov. 11 at the parish office. All votes must be in by Sun., Nov. 17 at 1 pm. Click here to learn more about voting procedures.Contacts: Sara Glenn and Elizabeth Lewis

SAVE THE DATE
Mark Your Calendar for the Annual Meeting
Rector Ledlie Laughlin extends a personal invitation to come to the St. Columba’s Annual Meeting on Sun., Nov. 17. We will announce a new vision and plan, completed audit, and staff transitions; we will celebrate parish leaders and a new vestry – all this and more at St. Columba’s Annual Parish Meeting. The Holy Spirit is moving through this place; you don’t want to miss it. Come early to get a seat; we start at 10:15, in the Great Hall . Learn more>

Click here for Vestry’s Notes from the September 30, 2019 meeting.
Need Someone to Talk With?
Stephens Ministers are trained volunteers who provide one-to-one confidential care to people experiencing difficult times. They will listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and provide weekly support. To find out more contact stephenleader@columba.org or speak to a member of the clergy for a referral.
Gatherings
For more event info, go to Calendar at Columba.org

Composer's Concert
Join the St. Columba Choirs, Genesis Handbell Choir, members of the St. Columba Orchestra, and more on Sat., Nov. 16 at 5 pm, for a concert of music composed by Carolyn Hoff, one of St. Columba's brilliant young musicians.

SUNDAYS
Healing Prayer  During Communion at the 9:15 and 10:30 am services, you are invited for a healing prayer for yourself or others in St. Aidan's Chapel or at the 42nd Street entry.
Sunday Forums 10:15, in Church Nave or Great Hall. Presentations that stimulate our imagination about living the Christian life in this community, and in today’s changing world. See speaker lineup.
Bible, Coffee & Conversation  Come 10:15 am, in Rm 238. When we open our minds and hearts to Scripture, we learn to see God’s story and God’s activity in our everyday lives. Join us!

MONDAYS & THURSDAYS
Centering Prayer
Join us Monday evenings (6:25-7:30 pm) and/or Thursday afternoons (12:55-2 pm), Rm 202.

WEDNESDAYS
Mothers' Group 10 am, Rm 203. Join us as we get to know each other better, sharing the highs and lows of motherhood. Free child care.
Wednesdays at St. C's Fall Formation See course list .

THURSDAYS
Thursday Morning Bible Study Group 7:45 am, Rm 212.

SAT., NOV. 2
Iona House Death Café A day-long workshop on end-of-life issues featuring speakers and plenary and small group discussions.
Remembering Service 5 pm, Church Nave.

SUN., NOV. 3: Daylight Savings Ends at 2 am
Jason's Jamboree Reception following the 11:15 am service, from 12:15-1:30 pm, in The Great Hall.
Environment Committee Meet Roy Lara, Honduran coordinator for the Sustainable Villages Honduras (SVH) program, 12:30 pm in Rm 215.
St. Columba’s Fathers' Group 8-9:30 pm at The Avenue (5540 Connecticut Avenue, NW).

MON., NOV. 4
First Monday Prayer Group 9-10:30 am, in Rm 220.

WED., NOV. 6
Benedictine Cell 6-7 pm, first and third Wednesdays in the Deming Library.
"Expanding the Conversations" 10:30 - 12 noon in Rm 212. Four-week series of conversations focusing on dreams and plans as we age, including but going beyond end-of-life decisions. Register
Mothers' Group November Potluck Dinner at 7 pm. RSVP

THURS., NOV. 7
Tour of the Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys 10:30 am, at THEARC (1801 Mississippi Ave, SE).
Creative Aging Network CAN and the Arts! 12:30-2 pm, in Rm 212.

FRI., NOV. 8 - SUN., NOV. 10
Holy Cross Monastery Annual Parish Retreat in West Park, NY. From Fri., Nov. 8 at 5 pm through Sun., Nov. 10 at 2 pm.

SAT., NOV. 9
Sticks-in-Stitches  Bring your needles, yarn, thread and ideas, 10 am-12 noon in the Lounge at Friendship Terrace (2nd floor).
The Art of Change: Samaritan Ministry 2019 Gala Support Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington's 2019 Gala, 6-9 pm at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Tickets

SUN., NOV. 10
GENEROSITY SUNDAY
CANDIDATES FORUM & ELECTIONS 10:15 am, Church Nave.
Newcomer Tour & Talk 10:15 am, at the Welcome Desk.
Second Tuesday Grate Patrol 11:15 am, in Rm 205.
CIRCLE: Third Act of Life Circle for Women 12:30-2 pm in Rm 202. Led by Elizabeth Pyke (Second Sundays). Register or just come!

MON., NOV. 11
Veteran's Day Parish office closed.

TUES., NOV. 12
Second Tuesday Labyrinth Walk 7-8:30 pm, in the Great Hall.

WED., NOV. 13
CIRCLE: Wisdom Circle 9:30-10:45 am, Rm 212. A chance to reflect on the experience of "Elderhood" with prayer, bible study and discussion. (Second Wednesdays) Register or just come!
CIRCLE: Parents of Elementary Aged Kids 7-8 pm in the Craig Eder Library. Led by Kesha Evans-Philpott,. (Second Wednesdays) Register or just come!

SAVE THE DATE
SUN., NOV. 17
ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTIONS 10:15 am, Church Nave.

WED., NOV. 20
CIRCLE: LGBT Circle 7 pm, in Rm. 220 (Third Wednesdays).

TUES., NOV. 26
Branches Meditation Group meets (Fourth Tuesday) for meditation, prayer and sharing in community, 7:30-9 pm in Rm 203.