This Sunday at St. Columba's ... we rejoice for all the ways in which St. Columbans Live Generously, as we celebrate Generosity Sunday. We will give thanks for, and bless, all the pledges received during our Annual Pledge Campaign. There will be opportunities for service, making sandwiches for Grate Patrol and packaging 20,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger.

I’m grateful for the spirit of generosity at St. Columba’s because it inspires me to give more intentionally of my time and treasure. For many years I’ve made a pledge, and as I have volunteered with the Stewardship Committee in recent years, I’ve felt a desire to do more. Seeing so many St. Columbans give their time to teach Sunday School, feed the homeless, arrange flowers, and minister to one another - among so many other acts of generosity - moves me to Live Generously. ~ a message from Chris Luckett
You won't want to miss ...
Generosity Sunday
We will celebrate the conclusion of our Annual Campaign with worship, blessings, and an invite to two acts of service. More>
Rise Against Hunger
St. C's will team up with Rise Against Hunger to assemble 20,000 MREs in 2 hours. This Sunday, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, in the Great Hall >
Candidates Forum
Calling all Parishioners! Meet your vestry candidates at the Candidates Forum on Sun., Nov. 10 at 10:15 am in the Church Nave. More>
Youth Wreath Sale
St. C's Youth will hold their Christmas Wreath & Flower Sale on Sun. Nov. 10, 17 and 24, 8 am - 12 pm in the Common ... Or order online .
Welcome Mally
The Rev. Mally Ewing Lloyd will join us this Sunday as our new Interim Associate Rector. Be sure to give her a warm St. C's welcome. >
Circles
St. Columbans are Circling! Join these monthly small group discussions to delve into the seven Way of Love practices. More>
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.
Celebrating
Come to the Annual Meeting
Rector Ledlie Laughlin extends a personal invitation to come to the St. Columba’s Annual Meeting on Su n., 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>

"I live generously when I feel gratitude. I am very grateful for St. C’s Branches Meditation Group, an ongoing, welcoming group that practices contemplative prayer together. I encourage all parishioners to make a pledge in gratitude for the many blessings Spirit provides us through St. Columba’s."
Barbara Zangler, for the Branches Meditation Group 
This Sunday Marks the End of our Annual Campaign!
... And 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.

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.
Candidates Forum
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, 11 am - 1 pm, and on the day of the Annual Meeting, Sun., Nov. 17, 8:30 am - 1 pm. 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
Check Out on Columba.org
"Embrace Our World" At last week's Sunday Forum, the Outreach Vision Task Force presented their report on community engagement as a key focus of the new Strategic Mission and Vision Plan. Members of the Outreach Vision Task Force reviewed recommendations to strengthen ongoing outreach efforts and to launch a new Family Homelessness initiative. Philip Hecht, president and CEO of our new partner organization, Housing Up, reported on how we can directly engage in the mission to support vulnerable families in securing stable housing. Click here for an overview of the slide presentation. More information to come on this exciting new initiative.

Jason's Song At Jason's Jamboree last Sunday, we all enjoyed Ken Decell and Deborah Kennedy Coster's rendition of Jason's Song, written as a knockoff of "San Francisco Bay Blues." Many parishioners have asked for the lyrics; click here for a copy.
Remembering
Martin Wiegand
Martin Wiegand died on Oct. 13, 2019. May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
A funeral will be held at St. Columba’s on Sat., Nov 16, 2019 at 11 am.
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.

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!

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

WED., NOV. 20
Benedictine Cell 6-7 pm, first and third Wednesdays in the Deming Library.
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.

SUN., DEC. 1
Lessons and Carols 5 pm, in the Church Nave.
Environment Committee 12:30 pm, in Rm 215.
St. Columba’s Fathers' Group 8-9:30 pm at The Avenue (5540 Connecticut Avenue, NW).

MON., DEC. 2
First Monday Prayer Group 9-10:30 am, in Rm 220.

THURS., DEC. 5
Creative Aging Network (CAN) 5 pm, Common.