Vincent Van Gogh and the Beauty of Lent: Week 2

Dear St. Aidan’s Family,

The Sunday morning/Wednesday evening Lenten program being led by seminarian Joan Beckett-Armstrong enters week two of its exploration of paintings and letters of Vincent Van Gogh and how these and the biblical texts assigned for Lent throw light on each other, humbling our hearts and opening our eyes to the beauty of God’s springtime resurrection. This week we hear from the passage in Luke where Jesus strikingly figures himself as a mother hen, gathering together her chicks under wings. We also take a closer look at paintings (and their backstories) from Van Gogh’s most intense, prolific chapter, when he would create many of the masterpieces for which he is best known today.  

Join us tonight, March 19, for dinner at 6pm and the program from 6:30-7:30pm to discover what sunflowers and chickens might have to say to each other about God’s comfort and care. 

God’s peace,

Laura+

Formation

Children are invited to gather in the corner classroom for a lesson with Rev. Rebecca.

Adult Formation

The word “Lent” refers to the “lengthening” light, the growing days that, in time, will coax the sunflowers to open, the wheat fields to rise again, and the irises to bloom. Vincent van Gogh devoted his life to light; what better companion on this forty-day pilgrimage than this apostle of light. In this program, the words of Scripture and the paintings and letters of Vincent van Gogh will be our guides.  Sunday mornings at 10:45 a.m. on March 9, 16, 23, and April 6; Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. on March 12, 19, 26, and April 2, and 9.  The Wednesday sessions will include dinner at 6:00 p.m. and programming from 6:30-7:30 p.m. If you are willing to prepare soup for any of the Wednesday night gatherings, please sign up here: tinyurl.com/VanGoghLent25.

The knitting group will meet Sunday, March 23rd. If you knit or crochet and are looking for a new project, join us to begin a hospitality blanket for Bethany House. The blanket is worked in squares so it will be a combined effort. 

If you knit, you’ll need 2 skeins each of Super Bulky (#6) yarn in two of your favorite colors and US size 10.5 needles.  If you crochet, you’ll need 2 skeins each of Super Bulky (#6) yarn in two of your favorite colors and  K-10.5 hook. 



If you have questions about the patterns, please contact Jennifer @ jennifersmaha@gmail.com

Ventures in Community-Hypothermia Outreach Program

(VICHOP) Meals • March 23



Each year, VICHOP provides hot meals and overnight lodging from December to March for unhoused residents of Fairfax County at Rising Hope Mission Church. St. Aidan’s supports VICHOP by preparing and serving the hot meals and a to-go breakfast/lunch bag for four Sundays in February in March.

Sign up below to cook, donate, or serve. You can participate as an existing group (e.g., Book Group) or come together as individuals! The St. Aidan's kitchen is available for prep or storage, but meals need to hot and ready to be transported by 6:00 p.m. on each of our Sundays. Questions? Reach out to Eileen at staidansalexandria@gmail.com. Sign up for either helping with the hot meal or with donations for the bagged meals below.

Baby Shower for Rev. Rebecca!

Sunday, March 30 at 10:45 a.m.

You are invited to a baby shower honoring Rev. Rebecca and family following the morning service on Sunday, March 30 at 10:45 a.m. in White Hall. To contribute food for the celebration, please visit: tinyurl.com/StAidansBaby.

Because the Merwins already have most baby items from Paul and Ethan, they are requesting gift cards to Target or Amazon or meals after the baby arrives (a sign up will be available in April.)

In lieu of baby gifts, consider making a donation to support families who visit Rising Hope’s Food Market in honor of Rebecca. The following specific donations are needed: size 2, 3, and 4 diapers; size 2T/3T and 3T/4T pull-ups; large cans of powdered baby formula; and clothing and supplies to support breastfeeding.

SAVE THE DATE: St. Aidan's campus is in need of a spring cleaning! In preparation for Holy Week and Easter our Spring Cleanup Day will be held on Sunday, April 6, from 10:45 to 1:00 p.m. A list of specific projects will be provided in an online signup (coming soon). 

Outreach

April’s First Sunday Outreach will be a community blood drive, inspired by community members who have been impacted by childhood cancer. Please consider donating blood if you are able and spreading the word widely (anyone can sign up online.) Can’t donate? No problem! A few volunteers are needed to help with the check-in table. This is an excellent opportunity to welcome visitors to St. Aidan’s-please lend a hand! 

SHRINE MONT SUMMER CAMPS - FOR ALL AGES!

Looking for a meaningful summer experience for your child, teen, or even the whole family? Shrine Mont Camps offer multiple sleep-away camps, each one distinguished by unique themes, type of camper, activities of focus, and different age groups. Located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, all campers enjoy fun activities, outdoor adventures, and building friendships in an inclusive Christian community. Visit www.shrinemontcamps.org for more information and to register online. Scholarship funds are available. Don't wait - sessions are filling quickly!

Episcopal Church News

The Episcopal Church and Anglican partners will advocate for global issues that impact women and girls in all their diversity at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City, March 10-21. 

This year's session marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action--a landmark blueprint for advancing women's rights--with a review and appraisal of its implementation. In celebration of this milestone, the Rev. Margaret Rose, ecumenical and interreligious deputy to the presiding bishop, will gather and share stories of gender justice from the past 30 years. 

To follow the work online of the presiding bishop's delegation and/or to learn more about The Episcopal Church's priorities in this area, please click here.

Useful Links

*Please Note:

Anytime one uses Sign Up Genius to sign up for an event or task you will

automatically receive a "reminder" 2 days before said event/task. Since it's just a friendly courtesy reminder a follow up with the office is not necessary.

Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to email or call us. Thank you.

Update from our Treasurer

February Income: $21,721.39 (pledge, plate, Vanco, other)

February budgeted income: $27,833.33

February YTD income: $78,552.29 (pledge, plate, Vanco, other)

Thank you for your support of this amazing community!

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Service Times

Sunday, 9:30 am (virtual & in person)

Sunday, 5:30 pm Celtic (virtual & in person)

Compline, 7:00 pm Monday, Wednesday & Friday (virtual only)

You are always welcome at St. Aidan's,

wherever you may be on your faith journey.

Service Links

If you are not receiving our separate mailing each week with links for worship gatherings and would like to be added to that list, simply reach out to the office

and let us know. Those links are sent out on Saturday.