Advent is right around the corner ...  and with that an invitation to wait and to keep watch for the coming of the Christ child.
Advent is counter cultural to the hectic pace of December and getting ready for Christmas. There is nothing wrong with decorating, baking, shopping and wrapping gifts, as you prepare your home for the holiday. This Advent give yourself the gift of time and space to prepare your heart for the Holy Day of Christmas, where God shares the greatest gift of love in the birth of Jesus.
 
We invite you into a Holy Advent season and encourage you to participate in one of the several activities or worship services as we prepare to celebrate God's love at Christmas, and hopefully every day.
St. Columba's Advent Calendar
FRIDAY, NOV. 30, 7-9 PM, GREAT HALL
Holiday De-Stress Labyrinth Walk
Music by Harmonic Introductions, an overtone singing ensemble. Come experience the haunting sound of overtone singing while de-stressing on a labyrinth walk.
 
SUNDAY, DEC. 2 AT 10:15 AM, CHURCH NAVE
Sunday Forum: An Advent Conversation with Ray Suarez
Don’t miss this St. Columba’s tradition as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus.

SUNDAY, DEC. 2 AT 3:30 PM, GREAT HALL
Advent Workshop
Gather some greens and come to the Advent Workshop. Join in the fun of making your Advent Wreath: you provide the greens, we have everything else. Activities for children, resources for adults and snacks. Suggested donation of $10 for materials.
SUNDAY, DEC. 2 AT 5 PM, CHURCH NAVE
Advent Lessons & Carols
In the late afternoon as winter darkness descends, St. Columba’s choirs lead a service of hope and anticipation for Christ’s coming at Christmas. Glorious carols for choirs and congregation will be woven together with the story of our salvation from the Garden of Eden to Christ’s coming reign of peace. A festive reception follows.
 
THURSDAY, DEC. 6, AT 4-6 PM, COMMON
Advent Social
The Creative Aging Network (CAN) and the 42nd Street Fellowship invite you to a wine and appetizer social hour in the Common with John Hurd at the piano.

FRIDAY, DEC. 7, AT 7:30 PM, MARTHA KAISER'S HOME
Mothers' Group December Potluck
Join friends for food and fellowship while John Hurd leads us in carols and we prepare for Christmas together. RSVP

SUNDAY, DEC. 9, AT 9:15 AM, GREAT HALL
Preschool Family Labyrinth Walk
Join us for a special Labyrinth-focused Preschool Family worship service. We’ll talk about finding our way to God’s love at the heart of the Christmas story and walk on the ancient labyrinth path together.

SUNDAYS, DEC. 9, 16, AND 23, AT 7:30 PM, ST. AIDAN'S CHAPEL
Sung Compline 
During Advent, singers will be sharing Compline, a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. Based upon the traditional evening liturgy of scripture, music, prayers, and silence, Sung Compline will be offered.
SUNDAY DEC. 9, AT 10:15-11:00, GREAT HALL
Slow Down. It’s Advent. 
Take a break from the frenzied pace of the season and experience the Labyrinth, an ancient form of walking meditation accompanied by beautiful live harp music .
 
SUNDAY, DEC. 16 AT 10 AM, COMMON
Decoration Sunday
A fun community event that’s not just about decorating! Come deck the halls and enjoy activities for all ages. Mulled cider, caroling, cookie decorating, Legos, corn hole, and more!
SUNDAY, DEC. 16 AT 5 PM, CHURCH NAVE
Blue Christmas Service of Hope and Healing
A holiday service for those who aren't so happy in "the holidays." There is space for feelings of grief and anxiety as this service moves us out of despair into hope, out of darkness into light.
 
SUNDAY, DEC. 23, CHURCH NAVE
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Special Worship Schedule
Sunday Eucharist, 8, 9:15 and 11:15 am
An abbreviated Sunday worship schedule. The 9:15 am service is intended for young children and their families. No services will be held in the Great Hall. No Sunday School or Youth programming.
MONDAY, DEC. 24, CHURCH NAVE
Christmas Eve Service Schedule
Join us as we celebrate Jesus' birth, the coming of hope into our lives. Click here for the complete schedule.

TUESDAY, DEC. 25, 12 NOON, CHURCH NAVE
Festival Christmas Eucharist
A celebration of Jesus' birth with congregational carols and special solos by parishioner Rosa Lamoreaux, an internationally acclaimed soprano.
SUNDAY, DEC. 30, CHURCH NAVE
Sunday after Christmas: Special Worship Schedule 
Sunday Eucharist, 8, 9:15 and 11:15 am
An abbreviated Sunday worship schedule. The 9:15 am service is intended for young children and their families. No services will be held in the Great Hall. No Sunday School or Youth programming.
MONDAY, DEC. 31, 6-7:30 PM, CHURCH NAVE
New Year’s Eve Concert
Come celebrate the New Year's with a program of Bach through Modern featuring Rosa Lamoreaux, American Song Book, a world premiere for piano and organ, haunting music for harpsichord, overtone singing by Harmonic Introductions, Bach and more. Requested $25 donation, students free. Tickets at the door only.
Opportunities for Giving this Advent
SUNDAYS, NOV. 25, DEC. 2, DEC. 9, COMMON
Reach Out In Advent
Express your love of Christ and our neighbors in need while supporting our Outreach Ministries this Advent. Send a Jay Sidebotham St. C's Christmas cards to let people know that a gift has been made in their name. This Advent, you may contribute to St. C's Outreach Ministries; donate socks/hats/gloves to our Water Ministry; donate gift cards, etc. to the Samaritan Ministry Giving Tree; and/or purchase olive oil to support Palestinian growers. Click here to make your online donation.
 
SUNDAYS, DEC. 2, DEC. 9, Dec. 16, COMMON
St. Columba's Shortbread
Looking for a yummy gift for friends and family? Look no further. Shortbread is back! Sundays in December, in the Common. All proceeds go to the St. Columba Youth Program.
 
SUNDAYS, NOV. 25, DEC. 2, DEC. 9, COMMON
 Christmas Flower & Music Dedications
Parishioners are invited to donate toward special flowers and music for the Christmas season. Dedications "In memory of" and/or "In thanksgiving for" will be acknowledged in the Christmas bulletins. Click here to make your online donation.
Opportunities for Serving this Advent
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 11:15 AM, RM 205
Second Tuesday Grate Patrol
The Second Tuesday Grate Patrol is a family-oriented sandwich-making effort offering food and fellowship to people who are homeless and in need in downtown DC; a partnership with The Salvation Army. Contact

FRIDAY, DEC. 14, AT 10 AM SERVICE/11 AM LUNCH, CHURCH NAVE/GREAT HALL
Water Ministry Christmas Party
Join fellow parishioners as we come together to celebrate Christmas with our Water Ministry guests. Opportunities to serve abound to put you in the Christmas spirit.
 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15
Loaves and Fishes
St. Columbans join forces with Loaves and Fishes to prepare and serve meals to about 200 homeless men, women and children at St. Stephen and the Incarnation. Click here to get information on shifts and location.