Email from St. Alban's Episcopal Church

We are thrilled for the St. Albanites who will be journeying to the Holy Land with Fr. Paul this coming week. We pray for their safe journey and for all the travelers as they venture to deepen their faith in the land which Jesus Christ walked.

Those on pilgramage are:

Matt Dillard, Nell Dillard, Debbe Heiman, Doris Lewis, Gerardo Mazariegos, Betsy Murray, Katy Oh, P.J. Sottile, Glen White, and Fr. Paul.

A Prayer for Pilgrims

All-powerful God, you always show mercy toward those who you love and you are never far away for those who seek you. Be with your servants on this pilgrimage and guide their way in accord with your will. Be a companion for them along their journey, a guide at crossroads, strength in their weariness, defense before dangers, shelter on the way, shade against the heat, light in the darkness, a comforter in their discouragements, and firmness in their intentions, in order that, through your guidance, they might arrive unscathed at the end of their journey and, enriched with graces and virtues, they might return safely home; through Jesus Christ Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Christian Education & Adult Forum CANCELED

Will resume Sunday, 10/8

We will have no class on October 1!

On October 8, we will begin to explore the history, theology, and deep importance of the Canon of the Old Testament.

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 15

Sunday, October 15 is our annual Blessing of the Animals at the 8:00 and 10:30 AM services. The blessings will be at the end of the service, so your pets are welcome to join us for worship in the church—we welcome the barking and meowing! Hope to see you there!

Registration Continues for Sunday School

We are excited to announce that registration is open for Sunday School (grades Pre-K through High School). Please register your children by either going to the church website or by using the QR code below. This information is very important for parish record keeping.

For more information on registration or about St. Alban’s Sunday School, please see Adam Hutson or send us an email at sundayschool@stalbansva.org.

Superheroes Needed for Children's Christian Education

We are looking for superheroes to volunteer in children's Christian education. Whether it be an extra hand during Sunday School, volunteering for Vacation Bible School, or donating supplies, you will make a difference in a child's spiritual life. The benefits of being a children's ministry volunteer are earning instant hero status, all-you-can-eat Goldfish crackers, exercise, unlimited high fives, and free crayons.

For more information on becoming a superhero, please see Adam Hutson or email us at sundayschool@stalbansva.org.

Belvedere Backpack Meals Are Back!

This Sunday, October 1

Packing food bags for students at Belvedere Elementary is coming back! Please join us after the 8:00 AM services during coffee hour to help out—this is a great way to support a local school in fellowship with parishioners!

The next dates are: 10/29, 11/19, and 12/10. If you have any questions about the program, please reach out to Monique Clark!

Oktoberfest

Saturday, October 7 from 5:00 - 7:00pm

Celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 7 from 5p to 7p (or later depending on festhaus merriment) with your fellow St Albans parishioners. Enjoy brats, beer (rootbeer for the kinder), and fellowship with your St. Albans friends new and old in the Parish Hall.

Unfortunately the kitchen fridge is out of service, so please just bring your side dishes with you when you come for the event. There won't be anywhere cold to store food that is brought over earlier in the day.

Members with last names A-K please bring a fruit or dessert to share and last names L-Z bring a savory selection. There will be large sign up sheets in the Narthex, to help us get a head count and ensure we don't get 15 sides of sauerkraut! Or you can also email Alex in the office at info@stalbansva.org with what you are bringing.

Don't miss this fun and typically well-attended event! Extra points if you wear lederhosen!

Muldoon Concert Series | Madeline Miskie

Sunday, October 22 at 4:00 pm

Professional singer Madeline Miskie presents a program called “Into the Light: Songs of Transformation.” The common thread woven throughout the program is transformation, exploring critical moments in time when the truth cannot be unseen and change is inevitable. Spanning the genres of plainchant, baroque, folk, art song, contemporary musical theater and pop, this program promises wide range of vocal colors and musical soundscapes.

Caregiver Support Session on Sunday, October 29

The next caregiver support session will be on Sunday, October 29 after the 10:30 AM service in Room 11.

All are welcome! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact info@stalbansva.org and we will connect you with the support team!

Philadelphia Eleven Film & Discussion

Sunday, November 5 | 5:15pm dinner, 6:00pm showing

St. Albans will be hosting a viewing of this new documentary with a discussion afterward moderated by the Rev. Dr. Kathy Grieb, Professor of New Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary. We hope you’ll join us for this great new documentary on the battle for women’s ordination within the Episcopal church.

We will begin with a dinner at 5:15pm, with the showing at 6:00pm. Please save this date, more information will come as the date approaches!

St. Alban's Annual Christmas Bazaar

Saturday, November 18, 2023

For more information on the Bazaar, ways to volunteer, and what to donate, click here. You can also email Bethany or Adam, the Bazaar chairs, at: bazaar@stalbansva.org.

Second Story 2023 Beacon of Hope Fundraiser

October 25th, 8:00 to 9:00 AM ET

Westwood Country Club Ballroom

800 Maple Avenue, East, Vienna, VA 22180

It's time for the annual Beacon of Hope Breakfast Fundraiser. This is their only fundraising event of the year. Never was there a more important moment to turn our attention to local youth. Last year alone, there was a 33 percent increase in families with children experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County. How can our youth even focus on succeeding in school and life without a safe place to sleep at night? Not a single young person should have to deal with that uncertainty. Together, we can spark change. Join them and register to attend.

There is no cost to attend. To sit at the St. Alban’s Table, please select “I was invited by a Table Host” and note “Moira Skinner” as your host’s name. To register, and for more information, click here.

Annandale Christian Community for Action Updates

You helped donated 31 pounds of food this week - thank you to all who continue to donate!

How Can You Support ACCA?

Please bring your food donations in on Sunday and leave them in the labeled box in the Narthex! Special needs currently include: peanut butter, and size 4 and 5 diapers.

Food drives are scheduled from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on the following dates:

· October 5

· November 2

at Giant Food at 7137 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Food will be collected in the Mason District Police cruiser parked at the curb. A collection box will also be available in the conference room at the Mason District Government Center from September through November during NARFE Chapter 1159 membership meetings.

We will be collecting food donations on Tuesday-Friday from 1:30-4 pm at the ACCA food pantry located at 7200 Columbia Pike (trailer separate from the day care center) in Annandale. Please do not drop off food if a volunteer is not available.

See the monthly ACCA newsletter by clicking here!

ACCA-Shepherd's Center Needs Drivers

The ACCA-Shepherd’s Center of Annandale-Springfield transportation program badly needs additional drivers to provide rides to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and food banks for persons age 50 or older who cannot drive themselves. Volunteers are asked to strive to drive at least once per month, unless there are extenuating circumstances, but dates and times are flexible. You just volunteer for a ride when you have the time. Because of the high volume of ride requests, the transportation program is badly in need of new volunteers. If interested, please contact the Shepherd's Center at 703-941-1419 or shepherdscas@vacoxmail.com.

Parish Prayers this week:

For the Sick and the Suffering in our Parish

Harris Andrews, Allison Blanchard, Nancy Calvert, Ava Campbell, John Clements, Liz Clements, Helen Cassidy, Evangeline Clark-Wiles, Christina Daggs, Mary Ann Daymont, Nell Dillard, Darren Foster, David Hamnett, Nancy Harrell, Elizabeth Howton, Joan Jurenas, Martha Kelley, Kay Lusk, Jack Martin, Duncan McBride, Elizabeth Ninde, Elayne O'Loughlin, Allison Canales Romero, Jerry Sare, Sally Sare, Lynne Schrag, Ginger Shea, Cheryl Sinsabaugh, Bari St. Cyr, Evie Tanner, Tom Tycz, Fran Walinsky, Kenneth Youngert, Kathryn Zimmerman, Sara Zimmerman.

For the Sick and the Suffering — Family and Friends

Tom Baden, Pat Beck, Ann Bobeck, Edmund and Kathy Curran, Barbara Cook, Jean Cothran, Jean & Greg Cox, Ellie and her family, Kate Dora Games Thiel, Sunny Haggrd, Anthony Harris, Jim House, Rita Johnson, Wray Kinard, Fred Lusk, Liz Lybrand, Sue Marshall, Donell Mathews, James and Janice McPhee, Susan Metsala, Lynn and Bob Nanney, Anita O'Dea, Wilmot O'Loughlin, Evelyne Orlander, Kathy Parkhouse, Margery Peck, The Premock Family, Glenn Reichenbach, Tricia Richardson, Susie Simko, Robin Travis, Maria Ana Velasquez, Jim and Elaine White, Chuck Woods, Janet Woods.

Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God

Remy & Joan Jurenas

and

Jeff Shankles & Kate Wettstein

with great thanksgiving for the arrival in July

of their remarkably advanced, and rather extraordinary grandchildren

Emilija Margaret Jurenas and Wesley Jeffrey Cutter.

For the Departed

For Those in Military Service and Civilians Working Around the World

Bobby Dubas, Daniel Stephenson, Gwen DeFilippi, Alison Dilworth

For Birthdays This Week

Edgardo Castillo (10/1), Elizabeth Cheek (10/1), Mark Russell (10/3), Scott Martin (10/4), Erika Espinoza (10/6)

Parish Cycle of Prayer

We pray for the members for the families attending the Parish Weekend at Shrine Mont that their time away may be restful and a time to deepen their relationship with God and one another.

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer

Emmanuel, Harrisonburg; Meade Memorial, White Post; St. George’s, Pine Grove, Stanley; St. John’s, Columbia; St. Paul’s, Ingham, Shenandoah

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

The Anglican Church of Japan

To place a name on the prayer list contact the parish office

at 703-256-2966 or email info@stalbansva.org

Updates regarding those on this list are greatly appreciated.

For pastoral emergencies please call (571) 383-6096.

Deadline for submitting announcements for Digital SAM is every Wednesday at 9:00am.