Hello Elizabeth,

Be of Good Courage, Go Forward with Joy

Our Annual Giving campaign is a celebration of God’s abundance.This does require a positive outlook, because this year we have not had the funding or volunteers we need. But God teaches us what abundance can look like even in lean times. This beautiful campus has been God’s sacred place since the 1870s. It became St. David’s in the 1980s and 90s and we are still here, opening our doors to all.

We have worship, connection, prayer life and Christian education that gives us hope and feeds our souls. We have dedicated, creative and fun people to worship and connect with as a church family. We have a strong team of lay leaders and amazing staff. We’ve had a line-up of wonderful visiting priests. Now we can even look ahead and say we have new clergy leadership -- Rev. Susan Pinkerton, our Interim Rector coming on board December 1st!

What a privilege to discern together what God is envisioning for St. David's to be in Ashburn, and to be God's hands and feet to bring this dream to fruition.

So, yes, we have abundant life. And we are committed to sharing that and spreading the good news. Be of Good Courage! Go Forward with Joy!

Have a blessed weekend!

Loudoun Symphony Orchestra - 10/1

Join The Loudoun Symphony Orchestra (LSO) on October 1, 7:30pm at St. David's as the LSO opens its season with a concert featuring works that celebrate life, remember loss and inspire change around us for the benefit of humanity. The program includes the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 and Soul Force by Jessie Montgomery.

Tickets - $30 Adults, $25 Seniors and FREE for children 12 and under. Members of St. David's receive a 10 percent discount on tickets by using promotional code STD2223 and ordering in advance at www.loudounsymphony.org.

Blessing of the Animals - 10/4

Join us to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with a Blessing of the Animals on Tuesday, October 4, at 6:30pm. We will say a blessing and prayers.

Do you want your pet featured in our Sunday, October 2nd services? Please email a photo of your pet and pet's name to Communications@sdlife.org by Friday, September 30.

We are accepting donations of pet supplies Sunday, October 2nd and Tuesday, October 4th. 

Sunday School - 10/9

Join us for in person School starting Sunday, October 9th. In person Sunday School classes are offered after the 10am service and before the 11am service for children aged preschool age 4 through 5th grade.

Register here for 2022 - 2023 School Year

Visit here for the 2022 - 2023 Sunday School Calendar

For mor information contact Maureen Carey at Mcarey@sdlife.org

Youth Group

Youth Group 2022 - 2023

Beginning in October 

Beginning Sunday, October 9th:

Youth Group will meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month for youth to connect, share and enjoy fellowship. Youth in grades 6th -12th are invited  

Second Sunday: Backpack Buddies, Bingo and Burgers 

Meets the 2nd Sunday of each month in the annex from 12:30 – 2:30pm serving the school community followed by a themed bingo each month with prizes. Lunch is provided.  

Fourth Sunday: Burgers and Bible 

Meets the 4th Sunday of each month in the annex from 12:30 – 2:30pm 

Youth are invited to explore life events through the context of their faith. We will tackle big questions together through a theological lens while enjoying fellowship and lunch.

 Questions? Contact Maureen at youth@sdlife.org

Troop 58 - Court of Honor

Scout Troop 58, for which St. David’s is the charter organization, held its Fall Court of Honor the night of September 20th at St. David’s and it was a busy night!   

But before we talk about the Court of Honor, we must mention that 10 (!) Scouts from Troop 58 were recognized in two separate Courts of Honor held this summer for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Two more Troop 58 Scouts became Eagle Scouts following successful completion of their Eagle Boards of Review on September 26th. Eagle Scout is the highest rank a young person can reach in Scouting and only around 5% of all Scouts who join reach the Eagle rank. Eagle Scouts from Troop 58 are recognized on an “Eagle’s Nest” plaque located in the narthex hall. Congratulations to these fine young future leaders!  

Back to the Court of Honor. Six Scouts (ages 11 - 16) were recognized for rank advancement achieved since the last Court of Honor held in May -- one for Tenderfoot, two for 2nd Class, one for Star and two for Life – one rank away from Eagle Scout. In order to advance, Scouts must earn Merit Badges and earn them they did – with the aid of a successful summer camp! In total, 34 Scouts were recognized for earning 157 Merit Badges! Of this total, 28 Scouts earned 54 Eagle-required Merit Badges. Again, congratulations to all the Scouts for your achievements.    

Interested in joining or getting information about Troop 58, please click on www.Troop58Ashburn.camp.   

Backpack Buddies

St. David’s Church and School has committed to support up to 100 students at two local schools each week during the 2022-2023 school year through the Backpack Buddies program. Backpack Buddies is designed to provide children experiencing food insecurity with nutritious, kid-friendly, pre-packed meals for the weekend—when they would not have access to a school’s free lunch and breakfast. 

We need your help restocking our shelves, packing bags and delivering food bins each week for students at Cedar Lane Elementary and Discovery Elementary. With high inflation, rising food costs and free lunch programs expiring, we expect the need this year to significantly increase.   

Please look over the opportunities below. Thanks in advance for your support! 

For a detailed list of items needed or our Amazon wish list please click here.

Volunteer!

Looking for a way to give back? Join Backpack Buddies to help pack or deliver! 

Packing bags of food takes place in the St. David's Annex each Sunday, begins at 12:15pm and usually takes less than an hour depending on the number or volunteers. Food deliveries to each school occur during the week, Mon-Wed between 9-1pm. 

You can volunteer to help through the Signup Genius links below: 

Backpack Buddies Packing Sign-up 

Backpack Buddies Delivery Sign-up 

Preschool Corner

Prayer List

Pray for those who suffer in body, mind or spirit: Colgate, Mary, Sam, John, Ginny, Madison, Len, Connor, Mary, Bob, Neal, Robert, Michele and all those being prayed for by our prayer teams.

We pray for those who have died: Doug, Carol, Madeline, Lois, Curtice and Paul; and those who have lost a loved one through death: the Sheatsley family, the Seaton family, the Shively family, the Del Gallo family, the Bregman family, the Gunderson family, the Smith family, the Curtice family and the Whitlock family. 

We thank you Lord, for the experiences that have brought us to this moment. We thank you for the work and leadership that gives breadth and depth to our ministry together. Be with us as we move forward, supporting one another during this time of transition and growth for our community.  

We pray in thanksgiving for the call of our interim rector, Rev. Susan Pinkerton. Bless her journey as she prepares to shepherd us over the next few years. Help us all to hold fast to the promise that your mission is bigger than we can imagine.

Strengthen us to be your Church in all times and seasons of life – a place where all are truly welcomed and embraced in your love; a place where we find ways you are moving among us and calling us to co-create with your spirit. We offer these payers of transition in your name. Amen.

We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.