Church of the Holy Comforter eNews | July 18, 2019

Summer Worship Schedule (through September 15) Saturday, July 20 5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II Sunday, July 21 - The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Samaritan Ministry Spotlight at both services 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II* with Children's Chapel Wednesday, July 24 7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer *childcare available for ages 4 and under Readings This Weekend

Summary of Safe Practices for Preventing Child Abuse

Samaritan Ministry Spotlight This Sunday, July 21  Please join our parish as we highlight the work of Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington (SMGW). Ms. Yolanda Jeter, a graduate of Samaritan Ministry programs, will share her "success story" at both services, introduced by the Rev. David B. Wolf, Executive Director of SMGW who will provide context for her sharing. During Coffee Hour, between and after services, there will be additional time to learn more about the issues of homelessness, joblessness and poverty in Greater Washington and the significant and important work of SMGW. Our parish has been a longtime partner of this mission, engaging it with our individual and collective time, talent and treasure. Please come this Sunday to hear more!

ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION

EfM Film Screening Continues This Friday, July 19; 10 a.m.–Noon in the Lillian Croy Room The EfM group will gather for the 2nd screening session of Diarmaid MacCulloch’s A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years. The set is 6 DVD’s, so we watch 2 at each screening session. If you would like to join us, please RSVP to Jeanna Spielmann.

Sign Up for Education for Ministry EfM is a distance learning program that aims to increase understanding, deepen faith and strengthen ministries. Although it is a four-year program, students commit to one year at a time. Holy Comforter will have two EfM groups in the 2019–20 program year which will start in mid-September and we are now recruiting! For information and to register, please contact: Friday class: Margaret Bain or Lillian O’Connell Sunday class: Julie Nutter or Sue van der Veer

Save the Date! Sacred Space for Civil Discourse August 4, 11, 18, and 25; 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Join us in the Chapel after the 10 a.m. services in August to hear about and practice civil discourse: ways to listen to and learn from each other, and to build relationships even when we disagree. Attend all four sessions if you can, but if you can’t, come anyway. For more information, contact the Rev. Ann Gillespie, Julie Nutter, or Norma Williamson.

MUSIC & LITURGY

Join the Pickup Choir this Sunday If you have ever considered joining the choir, now is your chance to try it out—with no long-term commitment! There are two remaining pickup choir dates this summer: July 21 and August 25. Simply meet in the choir room at 9:15 a.m. for a brief rehearsal; then sing at the 10:00 service. No vestments needed; no midweek rehearsals. Questions? Please contact David Kelley.

Sign Up for Summer Choir Camp August 12-16 and 18 Register by July 31 All children entering 2nd–7th Grade are eligible for this week of singing, musical learning, friendship, and fun. $125 fee includes lunches, recreational activities, music education based on the Royal School of Church Music curriculum, and a cool camp t-shirt! Learn more and download a Registration Form HERE.

Showcase Your Musical Gifts Sunday, September 15 Apply by August 1 On Sunday, September 15 at 4:00 p.m.,the Music Ministry at Holy Comforter will host a musical showcase to raise funds for our Chichester Cathedral choir residency next summer, and to provide a venue for all Holy Comforter musicians to share their musical talents with the parish. We cordially invite all Holy Comforter musicians of all ages to apply to perform as individuals or small ensembles. Learn more and sign up now.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Join the Sunday School Teaching Team We need 2 more Sunday School teachers for this coming Sunday School year. Please contact Brynn Pacitti for information. New this fall! Kindergartners will be instructed through a Montessori-based program called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and our 1st–4th graders will be instructed using a program called Godly Play. All current and prospective Sunday School teachers are invited to attend upcoming training sessions: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Workshop Sunday, August 18, 11:15 a.m.–1:15 p.m. at Holy Comforter; led by Joanne Menke Godly Play Workshop Saturday, July 27, 8 a.m.–Noon; or Saturday, August 10, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, Alexandria

Take the Youth 3-Question Survey Thank you to all who completed the main Youth Group Survey. We really need you to also complete the additional 3-question survey HERE—for the question on Youth Group activities. All answers are completely anonymous. Questions? Please contact Denis McMullan.

Last week, Holy Comforter youth traveled to the city of Boston, working with ministries who support those struggling with poverty. Follow their Mission Trip blog HERE .

Parents and Youth of Holy Comforter: We want to invite our rising 7th graders to the Middle School Sunday School and to our Youth Group this fall. We also want to invite our rising 9th graders to the High School Sunday School. We have an exciting year planned for you and we hope you will take full advantage of the fellowship, fun, and the opportunity to help folks in our community who are in need. For high schoolers, we invite you to consider coming on our mission trip to Puerto Rico in June 2020. Especially if you are planning on being confirmed, this is a wonderful way to explore God’s work in the world and your role in it. Our high school and middle school teachers will be sharing more details of their planned curriculum later, but we can tell you that it’s a wonderful and exciting program for both classes.

OUTREACH

You’re invited to an extraordinary event! WHEN: Tuesday, July 23; 6:30–8:30 p.m. WHERE: The Tower Club in Tyson’s Corner Our mission partner, Five Talents is hosting a dinner for Bishop Abraham Nhial of South Sudan. Bishop Abraham is one the ‘Lost Boys’ who fled his homeland due to civil war back in the 1980s. He has since returned to South Sudan to peace build, minister to the poor and is also working closely with Five Talents to expand a development program in his Diocese. This will be a singular opportunity to hear his inspiring story, enjoy some delicious food and a fabulous view. Spots are limited so reserve your seat online HERE. Hope to see you there!

Vienna Community Blood Drive Monday, August 5; 7 a.m.–1 p.m. Westwood Country Club 800 Maple Avenue East, Vienna, VA Schedule Today Inova Blood Donor Services is currently experiencing a SEVERE shortage of blood and they are struggling to provide blood products to the patients in the diverse community they serve. They are urging people across the DMV, all types, especially type O, to schedule an appointment to give. Please schedule an appointment online HERE or call 1-866-256-6372 and use sponsor code 8182

NEWS & FELLOWSHIP

New! Stewardship of Creation Blog Have you noticed the new Meditation Garden near the front door of the church? It was installed recently, and it looks a little different from the other plantings on our property. If you’d like to know more about it, then follow the link to our Stewardship of Creation Blog.

Join us for the Shrine Mont All-Parish Retreat, September 6–8 at Shrine Mont Conference and Retreat Center in Orkney Springs, Virginia Fun activities for all ages: hiking, capture the flag, Family Feud, ice cream social Join us on the mountain as we explore the theme, "Contemplative Practices for Christian Life: How to Pray." Register online HERE! First-timers get 25% off! Learn more.