Church of the Holy Comforter eNews | May 22, 2020

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News from the Diocese of Virginia

Our digital Holy Eucharist will be posted at 4 p.m. this Saturday on our YouTube channel, “ Holy Comforter Vienna VA” for viewing anytime through the weekend. View this Sunday's readings HERE. Download the Service Bulletin HERE. Download the Prayer List HERE. Download the Children's Bulletin HERE.

Give online HERE (Select "Operating Fund").

Text to 73256 Then type CHCGIVING (ALL CAPITALS, NO SPACES)

Coffee and Fellowship Hour on Zoom This Sunday, May 24 10:30–11:30 a.m. Grab your coffee or tea and come as you are! All are welcome, especially newcomers, for Zoom fellowship—a chance to see one another and chat online. We'll even have breakout rooms for small-group conversations. Join Zoom meeting HERE. More information HERE.

Centering Prayer on Zoom Mondays; 1:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: IN OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY THERE WILL BE NO CENTERING PRAYER ON MONDAY, MAY 25! Please join us for Centering Prayer, a means of Christian meditation that uses a single word for us to rest our attention while we come before the presence of God. This will include a brief check-in, an opening prayer, brief instruction, 20 minutes of silence and then a brief closing prayer. Please follow the link below and follow the prompts. Join the Zoom meeting HERE. More information HERE.

Compline on Zoom Tuesdays; 8:00–8:15 p.m. Compline is descended from the night prayers said before bed at the end of the monastic round of daily prayer. Join the Zoom meeting HERE. More information HERE. You may use our online Prayer Book HERE.

Noonday Prayer on YouTube Wednesdays Join us on our YouTube channel at “ Holy Comforter Vienna VA” for a brief 10 to 12 minute meditation.

Where do you see signs of the Spirit? Are you feeling artistically inspired these days? Would you like to share your painting or drawing depicting where you are seeing signs of the Spirit? Please email Elys McLean by 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 29. We might share your artwork in the eNews, on our website, and on our social media.

CHILDREN & YOUTH

Attention All High School Seniors! Do you know about Holy Comforter’s Carol Stock Book Fund? The Fund is in memory of our deceased parishioner, Carol Stock, and has been making textbook grants available to graduating seniors for many years. If you're a senior who has been active at Holy Comforter and are planning to continue your education, you can apply for one of these $100 grants. If you haven't received an application yet, please download one HERE or contact Lisa Arnold directly to request one. Please email your completed application to Lisa Arnold or mail it to her at 1829 Saint Boniface Street, Vienna, VA 22182.  We'd like your applications by May 22. Please contact Lisa with any questions.

Sunday School (4-year-olds–6th Grade) Thank you for your patience last week with the world-wide Zoom outage! We're going to try again this Sunday, May 24 at 10:30 using the following links. Catechesis 4-year-olds and kindergartners plus Godly Play 1st–4th Graders: Join Zoom meeting HERE. Faith in Action 5th and 6th Graders: Have your craft idea ready and let us know if you need any material. Join Zoom meeting HERE. Access the children's bulletin for the 7th Sunday of Easter HERE.

Sunday School (Middle and High School) Join us for Sunday School via Zoom this Sunday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m. Come for conversation and fellowship as we adjust to these difficult times. If you have not received an invitation, please email or text Denis McMullan.

Youth Team Works With Inova Fairfax Adult CF Care Center Food Pantry The local Metro DC Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation, working with the INOVA Fairfax Adult CF Care Center, has embarked on a program to develop a sustainable food pantry at the Center to support the nutritional needs of the adult patients. Holy Comforter’s volunteer Youth Team consists of our youth coordinator Emily Wadlow and is assisted by Evelyn Burns, who help shop for and deliver items to stock the pantry. Read more.

New in the time of Corona—our first ever Kids' Summer Sessions! (K-I-S-S)! Please join us beginning Sunday mornings in June for a short, fun, all ages (4–12) kids' Bible session including fun themes, Bible videos and friends! Questions? contact Brynn Pacitti .

Mrs. Weasley gives a heartwarming update on Hogwarts Vacation Bible School. In-person VBS is canceled but we'll still have some surprises during VBS week. Students and Prefects: Please look for emails from Mrs. Weasley and visit the Holy Comforter website HERE during the week of June 22–26. You will find videos and words to a couple of our favorite songs, coloring pages, coloring pages for our house crest competition, a daily activity, and some of your favorite recipes. Students, Prefects, and Parents: Please see a special letter HERE from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, with the latest information on Hogwarts VBS.

Calling all Crafters! Our Faith in Action Sunday school class will be holding a Market Day on Sunday, June 7 to benefit Five Talents. This will take place in the upper parking lot of the church during the Farmers Market. If you are a crafter or artist and are interested in donating your work for our Market Day, please contact Brynn Pacitti or Susan McGuire. "Five Talents’ vision is to eradicate extreme poverty by restoring human dignity and creating strong, sustainable communities." Learn more about 5 Talents HERE.

Spiritual Family Practices for Home What are 3 things for which you can praise God? If you could ask God one question, what would it be? Use the printable document HERE to create a simple, Jesus Loves Me Jar to promote spiritual conversation during dinner. (Thanks for sharing this idea with us, Beth Strand!) Each night, one family can select a spiritual question to help guide dinner conversation. Do you have a favorite family spirituality practice that you use in your home? Please share your ideas with Brynn Pacitti so we can share them with the parish and support one another on our spiritual journey as parents.

Child-Friendly Worship-at-Home Resources We’ve updated our Children’s Ministries page on our website with links to videos, the Sunday Paper coloring book, and more.

HCEP&K "Drive Bye" Holy Comforter Preschool and Kindergarten (HCEP&K) closed its school year with a very special "Drive Bye" to say goodbye and thank you to our wonderful families! COVID kept them out of the building but not out of our hearts. Our teachers were so thankful to see their students in person and not through Zoom! Many tears and smiles abounded for our very special families. We will be reunited!

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Women’s Zoom Bible Study Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Women of Holy Comforter, let’s connect, reflect, and virtually unwind from the day together. Beginning Wednesday April 15, join us at 8 p.m. for fellowship, some silence and reflection on the next Sunday’s Gospel passage. Every week, please contact the Rev. Ann Gillespie to be included—first come, first served (limit 20). Looking forward to ‘seeing’ you!

CENTER FOR WELLNESS AND SPIRITUALITY

Spiritual Direction/ Spiritual Companionship During this uncommon and unsettling Easter season, we’re looking to find our way with the disciples as they faced their uncertainty. We find ourselves with them on the road with the Risen Lord trying to make sense of all that is happening. We’re seeking to find ways to pay attention, to be still, to live into the paradox of “Showing Up and Letting Go.” One spiritual practice for navigating our journey is spiritual direction. The Rev. Kathy Guin will be offering times on Tuesdays for meeting together by phone, Facetime, or Zoom, please contact her at revguin@gmail.com to learn more and for setting up an appointment.

Grace Space Tuesdays, 7–8:30 p.m. As this new reality continues to unfold, we are alone and yet together in the aloneness. You are invited to join me in a small group of “Grace Space” for support—and to be seen and heard. If you have ever wondered what Gestalt Pastoral Care is, come and find out. Grace Space times are available Tuesday evenings, 7–8:30 p.m. Please contact Alexandra MacCracken to be included—first come, first served.

Free Virtual Reiki Relaxation Sessions Reiki is a form of energy/spiritual healing that involves the transfer of universal (in this case God's) energy from the practitioner’s palms to their participant. Many hospitals offer it to calm patients, reduce stress, and help with healing both mentally and physically. While these sessions are normally done in person, they can be done remotely. The Reiki Master visualizes the person at the designated time and sends the energy to them with the intent of healing and relaxation. Patti Boerger, a Reiki Master practitioner for Holy Comforter's Center for Wellness and Spirituality, is offering free 20-30-minute sessions. Email Patti Boerger to schedule a time.  Learn more.

OUTREACH

Central Farmers Market at Holy Comforter Sundays; 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Help Keep Locally-Grown Food Supply Open! Please pre-order if possible HERE. Drop-in purchasing is allowed, but in keeping with physical distancing protocols. Central Farm Markets (CFM) outdoor market will be at the lower church parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. this Sunday, May 24. Purchase fresh baked goods, produce, meats, and more! Link HERE to learn about COVID-19 protocols. Learn more about Central Farm Markets HERE.

GET CONNECTED!

Holy Comforter has upgraded to a new database and a new mobile phone app called REALM Connect. If you do not already have access, you will need to create a new login and password on the REALM system. Contact Peggy Miller in the Church Office for a login link. Be aware that this login link is only good for 24 hours. Once you have registered on REALM, please update your account info and go online to the Apple Store or Google Play Store and download the app called “REALM Connect.” See you soon on CHC social media!