The Weekly Net
November 20, 2020
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From our Priest-in-Charge
Dear Friends in Christ,
For what do we give thanks this Thanksgiving? The year 2020 has brought significant changes and challenges to our daily lives and giving “thanks” may not be as easy, especially when we do not celebrate as we normally do. Perhaps this is the year which provides the greatest opportunity to look towards the source of all gratitude and to search for our hearts’ true desire.
Many families are perhaps even still debating about how to celebrate or not to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this week. I know that you are receiving all of the “should” and “should not” statements from various outlets and people. We encourage you to make safe choices for yourself and for others in your and our common life. This holiday may typically be filled with many joys, sorrows, and the complexity of family and friend dynamics. This year is no different and many of these emotions will be exacerbated. I ask you to pause, pray, and know that you may not feel entirely settled.
I encourage you to sit in these unsettled spaces and invite God’s love and mercy into them. The Table around which we usually gather for The Great Thanksgiving each Sunday (the Eucharist), stands firm even when we are not gathered. That table around which you usually sit and the people who are usually at your table, may not be there this year, for reasons due to the pandemic, deployment, loss, or for other reasons. And yet, the presence of God and Christ’s loving mercy stands firm. It is not a question of looking on the “bright” side, but knowing that those relationships we miss, the “usual” celebrations we miss, bring an opportunity to see Christ’s love in our lives.
We have been fed from the Table of our sanctuary and Christ remains with us at whatever table or place we reside this year. What a joy to recognize the gifts in our lives. The close consolation of Christ’s presence is filled and our hearts longing is pulled closer to our Maker and Redeemer in these moments.
As we look towards the celebration of the Feast of St. Andrew this Sunday, know that the Table from which we have been sent stands and the food from which we have been fed remains with you throughout this week. Pause this Thanksgiving and absorb the memories. Pause this Thanksgiving week and know of Christ’s presence here and now. Pause this Thanksgiving and look towards the hope we all have through Jesus.
St. Andrew’s, I look forward to celebrating this Feast with you, online and at our outdoor worship and know that we are celebrating, mourning, giving thanks, One Together!
Faithfully yours,
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The Reverend William L. Packard
(571) 449-7438
For pastoral emergencies, please call (571) 336-6509
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Online Worship & Gatherings for the Week
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Saturday, November 21st
Sunday, November 22nd
@ 9:00 a.m. – Bible Study (Mtg: 142 074 0872 | pwd: CMrCxTkf488)
@ 11:00 a.m. – Coffee Hour (Mtg: 847 0278 7729 | pwd: 437719)
Wednesday, November 25th
(No Bible Study this Wednesday)
Note: When joining any of our Zoom meetings, please make sure your name is displayed.
2nd Note: If any of the service links above don't work, check our website for updated links.
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Weekend Onsite Events
Your one stop shop for everything happening at St. Andrew’s this weekend. Links for these events are also available on our website.
Sunday, November 22nd
Guidelines you must follow to participate with onsite events:
- Everyone two years and older must wear a mask
- Keep 6ft apart from people not in your family group at all times
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If you are feeling sick, or have any COVID-19 symptoms, stay home
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If you are in an at risk group, strongly consider staying home
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Property Commission
St. Andrew's is seeking members for the newly-established Property Commission. The Property Commission will assist Father Will and the Vestry in helping maintain, sustain, and improve St. Andrew's building and grounds to best meet our church's mission. We need the help of parishioners with an interest or experience in buildings and grounds management. Expertise in architecture, construction, or engineering are a plus. If you are interested please contact the Junior Warden, Doug Wood
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Sacred Ground
A group from St. Andrew’s has begun the Sacred Ground curriculum which intentionally enters into the space of racial reconciliation through a carefully crafted series provided by the National Episcopal Church. While we have already begun our journey, we recognize there may be individuals who still desire to join this ministry. Please email Fr. Will who is facilitating the group if you would like to join. Please note that there is limited space. We ask for your continued prayers as we engage in this work.
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Stewardship Ingathering Continues
Thanks to everyone who has already turned in their 2021 pledge. We are at 88% of our goal! For those who haven’t pledged yet, we invite you to do so via one of these options:
- Mail in your pledge using the pre-stamped envelope that was sent with your pledge packet
- Drop off your pledge in our mailbox, located at the driveway entrance
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Or pledge online by clicking on the “Giving” tab on our website, or by clicking here to go there directly.
We ask for your prayerful discernment with regard to your Annual Pledge, even in these stressful times, and for you to be there for us, others, and God in a time where it is needed most. We continue to serve the Lord, and our manifold missions…One Together.
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Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
On Tuesday, November 24th, we have the opportunity to worship in an interfaith service which will be entirely online. We give thanks for this opportunity and the invitation to be a part of it. Let us give thanks for our shared life in this community. The link to the service will be on our website once it's available.
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Online Giving
During these unprecedented times, we are called into community in unprecedented ways. Your financial gifts to St. Andrew’s are of vital importance to support our ongoing ministries and our outreach to the most vulnerable among us. Please continue to offer your faithful gifts by:
- Mailing your check to our church office (6509 Sydenstricker Rd, Burke VA 22015)
- Hand delivering cash or checks to the church mailbox (cash or check should be sealed in an envelope marked with your name)
- Using your bank’s online bill-pay feature
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Using St. Andrew’s online giving feature. You will be asked to provide your email address, an amount, date of gift, whether it is one-time or recurring, and a fund. In the fund box, you can click the arrow at the right-hand side to see the drop-down menu (the current options are Pledge and Plate Offering). The next page will give you the option of paying via your bank or debit/credit card. Please note that St. Andrew’s will pay fees on these transactions and you will be asked if you would like to increase your donation to offset these fees.
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emily@standrews.net | www.standrews.net
(703) 455-2500
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