Repairers of the Breach in a House Divided
 
Not everybody knows that when Abraham Lincoln famously proclaimed that “a house divided cannot stand,” he was actually quoting Jesus. We’re living with a steady diet of talk about tribalism, polarization, and identity politics. Even in the church, we are not of one mind: some have expressed dismay that we are too political; others, that we’re not politically engaged enough. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody God’s love for one and for all.
 
This week at St. Columba's ... I’ll address this issue head on in my third sermon of the series – “Are We There Yet? Living with Hope.” If you missed the first two sermons, "How to be a Saint" and "Called to Serve," click here to read them.

Here’s the challenging prayer of self-sacrificial obedience that I promised to send from St. Ignatius. Proceed with courage and grace ~

"Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me."
ST. IGNATIUS

This Sunday, I extend a personal invitation to come to the St. Columba’s Annual Meeting at 10:15 am, in the Church Nave. Together, we will offer thanks to those stepping down from leadership roles; offer prayers for those stepping up; receive an update from our stewardship leaders; and hear from Tim Massad, our new treasurer; Elizabeth Taylor and others, rejoicing in the wondrous ways that the Holy Spirit is moving among us, enlivening our faith and lives together ~ A message from the Rev. Ledlie Laughlin.

Our regular schedule of worship with Eucharist offers services at 8, 9 and 11:15 am in the Church Nave, and Eucharist at 9:15 and 11:15 am for young children and their families in the Great Hall. Come worship with us!
Advocating
This Sunday: Let Your Voice Be Heard
SUNDAY, NOV. 18, 8:30 AM-1 PM
VOTING IN THE COMMON, GREAT HALL, & CONSTANCE AZZI LIVING RM (2nd Fl)
From left to right: Stephen Smith as senior warden, Abigail Gorman as junior warden, Harry Wood (current vestry member), Sara Glenn, Michele Prince, Elizabeth Lewis, Renee Schoof, Catherine Potter and Viviana Lopez Green.
Click here to read their stories.
Click here to hear their presentations at the Candidates Forum.
Learn more about our vestry and diocesan delegate elections.

Election Primer
Let your voice be heard! Be sure to vote for the candidates of your choice for wardens and vestry. Members who are at least 15 years old and on record as having contributed to the church are eligible to vote.

Wardens are elected annually, to serve a one-year term. Four of the six candidates for vestry will be elected to a three-year term on the vestry, the body responsible for the stewardship of St. Columba’s money, property and strategic vision. There will also be a separate vote to confirm that Viviana Lopez Green will serve the unexpired term of a previous vestry member. Diocesan delegates are elected as alternates for one year, and then elected as full lay delegates for two additional years.

Candidate information may be found in handouts distributed on the Welcome kiosk and Great Hall bulletin boards, as well as online at: Columba.org. All votes must be in by Sun., Nov. 18 at 1 pm.

Questions? Contact: Joe Kolar and Len Kennedy
Giving
Giving Thanks for St. Columba's
As we count our blessings during Thanksgiving week, can we count on you?
We are fortunate that so many of our parishioners have pledged in support of St. C’s work and ministries, but we still need $350,000 in pledges to ensure we can cover expected costs in 2019. In fact, 84% of the revenue for our annual operating budget comes from pledges like yours. Please mail us your pledge card or pledge online soon. Thank you!   
Serving
YOUTH MINISTRY
Wreath and Poinsettia Sale
Last Call! The youth of St. C's will conclude their sale of these festive plants on Sun., Nov. 18 online and in the Common. Consider buying for your home and your friends' homes. All proceeds benefit our youth activities. Stop by the Common to order your Christmas wreaths and poinsettias this Sunday or order online at  tinyurl.com/2018wreathsale .
Remembering
Roland Armitage Hoover
Parishioner Roland Hoover died on November 7, 2018. May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Roland's funeral will be held at St. Columba’s on Sun., Nov. 18 at 3 pm.
Gathering
For more event info, go to Calendar at Columba.org

Single Parents Thanksgiving Potluck
On Sun., Nov. 18, from 5:30 - 7:30, we'll be hosting our first Single Parents Thanksgiving Potluck. Here's a note from Linda Haslach, our wonderful organizer: 
"Families come in all shapes and sizes and this includes single parent families! I am a single parent now and I would like to know who else in our big and beautiful congregation is at the helm as a single parent. Let’s get our families together for a potluck on Sun., Nov. 18 at 5:30 in Rm 212.

Interested in coming or learning more about the potluck? Contact Linda Allison Haslach or Amy Molina Moore. Please RSVP:

SUNDAYS
Practice Prayer with Christ 
Come deepen your prayer life, stilling the loud voices in your head to hear a divine whisper. Join us 10:15, Rm 238.

Bible, Coffee & Conversation 
Come Practice Bible with Christ. We will closely read and reflect on the Scripture passages heard in our Sunday Worship service. Join us 10:15 – 11 am, Constance Azzi Living Room (2nd floor).

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.

THURSDAYS
Parent Child Journey, with Dan Shapiro, MD
A 10-session program for parents of children (ages preschool through early adolescence) with challenging behaviors. Register at: ParentChildJourney.com

SUN., NOV. 18
St. Columba's Annual Meeting 10:15 am, Great Hall.
Flowers After Hours  12:15 has been rescheduled for January.
Wreath and Poinsettia Sale between services, Common and online at tinyurl.com/2018wreathsale
Single Parents Thanksgiving Potluck 5:30 pm, Rm 212.

WED., NOV. 21 (noon) - Fri., Nov. 23
Parish office closed in observance of Thanksgiving holiday.

SUN., NOV. 25
Sunday Forum "Write2Love Event" 10:15 am, Common.
Christmas Flower & Music Dedications between services, Common.
Reach Out in Advent and Samaritan Ministry Giving Tree begins, Common.

TUES., NOV. 27
Branches Meditation Group  7:30 pm, Rm 203.

WED., NOV. 28
Mothers' Group 10 am, Rm 203.
Inquirer’s Class: A Course for the Curious 6:30 – 8 pm, Rm 205.

FRI., NOV. 30
Tenley WinterFest De-Stress Labyrinth Walk with music 7 – 9 pm, Great Hall.

SAVE THE DATE
SUN., DEC. 2
Shortbread Sale begins 8 am – 12:30 pm, Common.
Advent Workshop  3:30-4:45 pm, Great Hall.
Lessons and Carols 5 pm, Church Nave.

WED., DEC. 5
Benedictine Cell (first and third Wednesday of the month) 6-7 pm, Deming Library.

THURS., DEC. 6
Advent Social Hosted by Creative Aging Network & 42nd Street Fellowship, 4-6 pm, Common.

FRI., DEC. 7
Mothers’ Group Advent/Christmas Potluck

SAT., DEC. 8
Sticks-in-Stitches   Bring your needles, yarn, thread and ideas, 10 am-12 noon in the Lounge at Friendship Terrace (2nd floor).

SUN., DEC. 9
Newcomer Tour & Talk 10:15 am, Common.
Special Labyrinth Worship for Preschool Families 9:15 am, Great Hall.
Slow Down, It’s Advent Labyrinth Walk 10:15 am, Great Hall.

SUN., DEC. 16
Decoration Sunday 10:15 am, Common.
Blue Christmas Service 5 pm, Church Nave.