Dear Holy Comforter Family,
There is so much for which I am grateful in our shared ministry that is growing and deepening this year: our ministries with those in need; our formation programs for children, youth, and adults; our choral and music programs; our clergy team and our preschool.
Fall Schedule Change: One of the adjustments we are trying out this fall is to create more time between services for adult, youth, and children’s learning. When we return to our “academic year” schedule, first on one Sunday on September, September 22, and then proceeding in October through the end of the year, we will be adjusting the time of the 11:00 a.m. service to 11:15 a.m. We will seek feedback on this service schedule adjustment after the fall months’ trial period. We hope that it will allow much more learning to take place in our community.
Volunteer Help: As we accommodate evolving ministries, we are moving into new spaces and could use some volunteer assistance to help move furniture, paint classrooms and re-organize. If you’d like to help, please contact
Patti Boerger and she can put you on a work team.
We are a vibrant community of depth and substantial resources. May we use our many gifts to God’s good purpose.
In Christ,
Jon+
Please scroll further down for the "Service Schedule Heads-Up" section which contains details about the schedule adjustments.
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Summer Worship Schedule
(through September 15)
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Saturday, August 24
5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Sunday, August 25 - The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II* with Children's Chapel
Wednesday, August 28
7:00 a.m. Morning Prayer
*childcare available for ages 4 and under
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Please note that in September, there will some shifting in our Sunday worship schedule. Beginning in October, we will settle into our new Sunday worship schedule when the late service moves from 11:00 to 11:15 a.m.
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Sat., Sept. 7: Holy Eucharist at 5:00 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 8: Holy Eucharist at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
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Sat., Sept. 14: Holy Eucharist at 5:00 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 15: Holy Eucharist at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
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Beginning of the new Program Year
Sat., Sept. 21: Holy Eucharist at 5:00 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 22: Holy Eucharist at 7:45, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.
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Ministry Fair and Parish Picnic following the 10:00 service
Sat., Sept. 28: Holy Eucharist at 5:00 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 29: Holy Eucharist at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
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Sat., Oct. 5: Holy Eucharist at 5:00 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 6: Holy Eucharist at 7:45, 9:00, and 11:15 a.m.
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Register By August 23
Join us for the Shrine Mont All-Parish Retreat, September 6–8 at Shrine Mont Conference and Retreat Center in Orkney Springs, Virginia. Register online
HERE!
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Attention Youth Grades 7–12!
Youth Group Tubing Trip
This Sunday, August 25
Do you want to lazily float down the river in a tube with special cooler tubes and snacks; enjoy the crystal-clear water on this beautiful section of the South Fork Shenandoah River; experience moving water with a few riffles and small waves, as well as areas of easy rapids with moderate waves and wide, clear channels and islands to stop and watch others float by? Join us this Saturday! We'll leave the Church at 9:45 a.m. and return at 4 p.m.
REQUIRED
- Payment of $30 by Thursday, August 22
- Sign up by emailing or texting Denis McMullan (703 615 3671)
- Front Royal Waiver and Holy Comforter Consent and Registration Form (Email to Denis or drop off in Church Office)
- Shoes or sandals with heel straps suitable for in-water use (NO FLIP FLOPS)
- Bring your own lunch (snacks provided)
- Sunscreen
PROVIDED
- Transportation to and from Front Royal
- Tube
- Tube for cooler
- Life vests
- Shuttle service
- Riverside instruction
- Snacks and drinks (bring your own lunch)
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Update on Center for Wellness and Spirituality
Are you curious about what’s going in with the new Center for Wellness and Spirituality, headed by Senior Associate Rector Ann Gillespie? Well, here’s what is happening: There is a core group of parishioners who are joining Jon Strand and Ann in a spiritual discernment process led by Frances Sullinger. This process, used by the Discernment Committee in the rector search, is an intuitive way to listen and look for signs of the Spirit as we determine a way forward. Stay tuned for more updates and if you're interested in participating in the planning, let
Ann Gillespie know. Please keep us in your prayers.
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ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION
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Sacred Space for Civil Discourse
This Sunday, August 25; 11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join us in the Chapel after the 10 a.m. services to hear about and practice civil discourse: ways to listen to and learn from each other, and to build relationships even when we disagree. For more information, contact
the Rev. Ann Gillespie,
Julie Nutter, or
Norma Williamson.
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Join the Pickup Choir!
If you have ever considered joining the choir, now is your chance to try it out—with no long-term commitment! There is one remaining pickup choir date this summer, this Sunday, 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.
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The Holy Comforter choirs are sponsoring a cookbook as a fundraiser for our upcoming trip to England. We are asking church members to share their favorite recipes and we plan to have the book published in time for the holidays. Our categories are: Appetizers; Soup, Salad, and Side Dishes; Main Dishes; Bread and Rolls; Cookies and Candy; and “Other Good Stuff.” Please submit your recipes to include the following:
- category
- list of ingredients
- instructions
- submitter’s name
- your contact information (phone, email)
- Please add a statement that this is your recipe and give CHC permission to print it.
You may submit the recipes online to
Gretchen Willis or to the designated basket in the Church Office. The final date to submit the recipes is September 30—but the sooner, the better!
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September Song: A Showcase of Musical Gifts
Sunday, September 15; 4 p.m.
Featuring Performances by All Ages—Children, Youth, and Adults!
No admission! Free-will donations will be accepted to benefit the Chichester Cathedral choir residency by Church of the Holy Comforter Choirs in Summer 2020.
The Music Ministry at Holy Comforter is hosting a musical showcase to raise funds for our Chichester Cathedral choir residency in August 2020, and to provide a venue for all Holy Comforter musicians to share their musical talents with the parish. Holy Comforter musicians of all ages will perform as individuals and small ensembles, with repertoires including sacred, classical, and popular music and a range of instruments including voice. Prepare to be amazed by the musical talent right here in our Holy Comforter faith community. Questions? Please contact
Chris Jones.
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Confirm not Conform Information Session
This Sunday, August 25; 9:15 a.m.
Holy Comforter's Confirmation Class uses the
Confirm Not Conform (CnC) curriculum. CnC parent and student information sessions will be held this Sunday, August 25, at 9:15 a.m. in the Lillian Croy room and at the Shrine Mont All-Parish Retreat on Saturday, September 7 in the library following lunch. Please email
Kathy DeSanti-Paulini if you plan to attend or have any questions.
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Children's Sunday School Registration
Sunday School will reconvene on September 22. Register your children online
HERE.
4-year-olds and Kindergartners will be instructed through a Montessori-based program called
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
1st–4th graders will be instructed using a program called
Godly Play.
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5th and 6th graders are invited to join us for
Faith in Action, an engaging faith-based wellness and outreach program designed specifically for this age group. Letters about the program are being sent home soon so please be sure to register so we have your updated contact information!
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Youth Sunday School and Youth Group Registration
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Please Donate By September 22
Food4Thought
The Holy Comforter Outreach Team is launching a new program to complement Britepaths!
Food4Thought is a Britepaths-sponsored monthly service that will provide healthy meals, drinks and snacks over the weekend to children who receive free or reduced-price meals at Marshall Road Elementary School. The program kicks off on Sunday, September 22!
Learn how you can get involved.
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Save the Date
Hunger Banquet
Saturday, September 21
5:30–7:30 p.m.
The Hunger Banquet to support the Vienna CROP Hunger Walk and raise awareness, will be held in the Holy Comforter Ministry Center on September 21. Please save the date and register online
HERE.
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Sign Up By August 30
Senior Saints Tour and Lunch
Friday, September 6
Join the Senior Saints for a tour of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center followed by lunch at Clyde's Willow Creek Farm. The Udvar-Hazy Center—located in Chantilly, VA—is the companion facility to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. where hundreds of historically significant air- and spacecraft, along with thousands of small artifacts, are on display in an open, hanger-like setting. Sign up by August 23. Learn more
HERE.
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Save the Date and Register
Lector Workshop
Saturday, September 28
Whether you are a new lector, a longtime lector, or considering becoming a lector, please attend this informative workshop. Participants will be introduced to vocal and physical exercises that allow lectors to communicate the Word fully and expressively.
Learn more and register.
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Save the Date
Ministry Fair and Parish Picnic
Sunday, September 29
Join us following the last service when we'll enjoy grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, old-fashioned games, music, a bounce house, and fun activities for all ages. We invite you to bring your backpacks, bags, briefcases, or whatever you carry for your back-to-school or work items—so that they can be blessed. If you don't have a bag, that's fine too! After all, it is really a blessing of people—you don't need a bag to get blessed. Please bring a side dish to share and join us for all the fun. Questions? Please contact
Christa Hyland.
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Stewardship of Creation Blog
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