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Q. What is Prayer?
A. Prayer is responding to God, by thought and deeds, with our without words.
-Catechism, BCP 1979
As I perused my social media accounts on Monday, I saw many reactions to the shooting in Las Vegas. There were expressions of shock and outrage from some; there were conversations about guns and conversations about why we shouldn't talk about guns.
And there were lots of expressions of thoughts and prayers.
Every time there has been a deadly mass shooting in the last two years, and there have been 11 (with 3 people or more killed) with a death toll total of 167, there have been lots of expressions of thoughts and prayers. This week, I have found myself asking, "What exactly are people praying for?"
Are they praying for the souls of the dead?
Are they giving thanks for their own safety?
Are they praying for the grieving families who lost people they loved?
Are they praying for Stephen Paddock's soul and his family?
Are they praying for our country which seems to have made a Faustian bargain with gun violence?
Are they praying for forgiveness for their tacit participation in the violence of our culture?
If prayer is a response to the Holy One, then it can only be effective when we are truly seeking God. Prayer is not thinking "Well, isn't that sad." Prayer is about seeking our Creator, giving thanks, confessing our sins, lifting others and finally offering ourselves for God's purpose. Prayer is actively seeking what is good and right and loving.
As my friend and colleague Murdock Smith wrote: "Prayers without action and transformation are just wishful thinking and avoidance of responsibility. As persons of faith (in all the permutations) what are we do."
So I ask your prayers for the carnage that happened in Las Vegas. And as you pray, I hope that you will ask "What can I do to keep this from happening again?"
I hope that our prayers will become manifest in the way we live.
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Members of St. Margaret's will have double the opportunity to celebrate their
furry, feathery and scaly family members this month in commemoration of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (
c. 1180-1226), patron saint of animals and the environment. Join us outdoors for our
community event on Saturday, October 14, at 9:30 a.m., at the Spanish Steps in the Kalorama neighborhood on 22nd Street NW, just south of S Street NW.
A brief prayer service will be followed by individual pet blessings by our clergy. Can't make it out on Saturday? Bring your animals (or a photo of them) to church on Sunday, October 15. Both our 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services will include a brief time of animal blessings during the liturgy. We look forward to seeing you and your pets on these special days!
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Unabashedly Episcopalian: An Inquirer's Class
Six weekly sessions through Sunday, November 5, 2017, 10:15 a.m. in the parlor
Are you new to church in general, or new to the Episcopal Church? Are you interested in learning about the Anglican tradition of how praying shapes believing, and of how justice has become central to our Church identity? Join us for St. Margaret's fall Inquirer's Class, based on the book Unabashedly Episcopalian: Proclaiming the Good News of the Episcopal Church by Bishop Andrew Doyle.
Whether you're new to the Episcopal Church or just want to remember why you love it, come to be inspired, taught, and motivated in your faith journey. Should participants choose, this class can also serve as preparation to be baptized, confirmed, received, or to reaffirm baptismal vows in the Episcopal Church at a diocesan-wide service at Washington National Cathedral on Saturday, November 11. To sign up or for more information, contact Associate Rector Richard Mosson Weinberg at [email protected].
The First Sunday Forum
The First Sunday of each month through May 2018, following the 11:15 a.m. service in the parish hall
November 5: "How To Read Epistles" (led by Diana Wright)
December 3: "How To Pray" (led by Kym)
January 7: "How To Care" (led by Richard)
February 4: "How To Read the Bible, Part 2" (led by Kym)
March 4: "How To Pray, Part 2" (led by Richard)
April 8: "Why We Celebrate the Eucharist" (led by Richard)
May 6: "When Cursing is Advised" (led by Kym)
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It is that time again! The St. Margaret's Rummage Sale will take place on Saturday, October 28.
Last year's co-chairs, Carlin Rankin and Linda Harbin-Suggs, will helm the sale, along with Tony Towler. They are seeking people to chair all the sections, as well as volunteers to sort and work at the sale. For more information
contact Linda, Carlin or Tony.
We are now also accepting donations for the Rummage Sale. Clothing, accessories, jewelry, housewares and small appliances are welcome. Donations are accepted during office hours Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday between services. In addition, donations will be accepted:
Saturday,
October 7
, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Saturday,
October 21
, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Sunday,
October 22
, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Note also that jewelry donations can be accepted by department co-chairs
Cathy Connelly and
Ana-Mita Betancourt or given to the clergy. Jewelry volunteers for the day before and day-of are also needed; contact
Cathy or
Ana-Mita.
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Join Us for Brunch!
October brunch club will take place after the 11:15 a.m. Sunday service on October 15 (12:45 p.m.-ish). Join us for casual fellowship at a nearby brunch hot spot (final location TBD). Spots at the table are limited (12) and always fill up fast so please reach out to Meredith Baker to RSVP as soon as possible so we can make an accurate reservation. Brunch Club meets each month, all are welcome, and financial accommodations can be made for those in need - just let us know. See you there! |
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Caring for a family member or friend who has an acute or chronic illness, whether they're near or far, can be challenging at times, as well as a meaningful and spiritual experience. Caring for yourself through this is just as important, and in the St. Margaret's Caregiver Support Group you'll be able to share your experience, get support from other caregivers and the group's facilitator, Bill Amt, and learn about caregiver tips and helpful resources. The group will meet on Sunday, October 15 between the services from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m. in the Parlor on the second floor. For more information, contact Bill Amt at [email protected].
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Join the On the Way (OTW) group for Bible study and our continuing discussion of
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan.
All are welcome as we share this time of study, fellowship and prayer. Aslan explores traditi
onal understandings of our faith story alongside the economic, political and religious events of first-century Palestine. How did Jesus and his contemporaries understand the goal of establishing the Kingdom of God, and how is our faith experience affected by what scholars uncover about the "historical" Jesus?
The next meetings of OTW will be Mondays, October 16 and October 30 from
7 to 8:30 p.m.
in the Glass Top Table Room. An optional brown-bag supper is enjoyed at
6:30 p.m.
For more information please contact Bill Amt at
[email protected]
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Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings.
Lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings.
Lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
"Here is your God!"
(Isaiah 40:9)
No, you don't need to climb mountains. But St. Margaret's cadre of lectors could use some additional members eager to lift up their voices with strength and proclaim the Word of the Lord. The need is especially acute for the 9 a.m. service.
We'll give you plenty of notice about when it's your turn to read and equip you with a large-type "script" including pronunciation keys for those Hebrew and Greek names that can loom like mountains. We can also help you get used to the lectern and the mic.
Ready to lift up your voice and enrich our worship? Then please contact the Office -
[email protected].
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New St. Margaret's Website
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Be on the lookout for the new St. Margaret's website, coming soon!
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Join us for St. Margaret's Second Saturdays at Charlie's Place!
Are you looking for a great way to start off your weekend and experience the power of service? Are you proud of St. Margaret's support of Charlie's Place, and have you wanted to experience it in person, but are unable to do so on weekdays? Join other St. Margaret's volunteers to cook and serve breakfast the second Saturday of every month. Hours are
7:30-10 a.m.(ish); for more information or to join our mailing list, e-mail
Kate Weber (
[email protected]). Volunteers are also needed for other days (not just Saturdays); for details e-mail
Barbara Wille (
[email protected]).
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| We Want to Get to Know You |
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Welcome! Please fill out one of the cards at the end of your pew and place it in the plate or give it to a vestry member.
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Clergy:
The House of Bishops; Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; Diocesan Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde; St. Margaret's Clergy: Rector Kimberly Lucas, Rev. Richard Weinberg.
Companion Dioceses: The Diocese of Southern Cape, in the Church of the Province of Southern Africa; the Diocese of Jerusalem; and for Dr. Madrid and the people of Proteccion, Honduras.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:
Regional Assemblies and regional conveners of the Diocese; pray for all Native Americans and Native American congregations; pray for all victims of terrorism, war, and violence and for those who foster and perpetuate such acts.
St. Margaret's Cycle of Prayer:
St. Margaret's Lectors, Chalicists, Intercessors, and Ushers.
Those Celebrating Birthdays:
Linda Ferneyhough, October 6; Hope Vetter, October 7; Gabrielle Czaja, October 9; Daniel Hicks, October 9; Gary Collins, October 10; Aubrey Thompson, October 12; Ilona Johnson, October 14.
Sick Parishioners:
Frank Haendler, Heidi Mayor, Farar Elliott; Bill Amt, Jan Volkemer, Ron Lorentzen; Roberta Ujokovich, Susan Rees, Nancy Scoutt; Michael Suggs, Edith Scott, Marcelina Maynard; Beryl Gill, Pat Heinz, Michelle Brito; Peter Winkler, Ashley Heinz, Louise Thomson; Janet Neale, and Jill Bell.
Sick Family & Friends of Parishioners: Carlos Rivera (father of Pedro Rivera), Ben Bagley (brother of Katie Bagley), John Templin (brother of Helen Templin); Alice McCray (neighbor of Tom and Kate Blackburn), Bee James (grandmother of Doni Holloway), Terry Byington (niece of Allen Ellwood); Daniel Gri (friend of Lance Tucker), Nancy Snyder (friend of Anne Chase), Stephen Austin (cousin of Anne Chase); John Murphy (friend of Linda Harbin Suggs), Donald Czaja (uncle of Gabrielle Czaja), Randi Stith (friend of Regina Curran); Betty van Iersel (friend of Peter Winkler), Mary Jane Hicks (mother of Daniel Hicks), Marjorie Jeanne Worrell (mother of Carol Ward); Colin Rankin (grandson of Carlin Rankin), Martha Ann Day (friend of David Boling), and John Waters (Uncle of Peter Winkler).
The Departed:
Carl Schoonover (grandfather of Bert Russ),
Don Shriver (great uncle of Bert Russ), Meredith Bell-Platts (friend of Bert Russ);
Michael Lybarger (brother of Kate Blackburn),
Edward Lewis (father of Mary Gupton),
Gilbert Melese (father of Isabelle Melese-d'Hospital); Eduardo Betancourt (cousin of Pedro Rivera), Timothy Elliot (father of Farar Elliot), and Richard Moreland (father of Genevieve Moreland)
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Those Serving Abroad & Their Families: Especially those serving in the U.S. Military and Foreign Service Service; Strother Murray in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and for those serving as observers, members of the press, and relief workers. We pray for all of those who have lost their lives, been wounded or are held hostage around the world.
Help us to maintain our Prayer List for the Sick Family & Friends of Parishioners: If you would like St. Margaret's to pray for a friend or family member, e-mail us at [email protected]. When someone appearing on the list is no longer in need of prayers, do let us know!
Of course everyone needs prayers all the time, but after approximately 3 months, unless you tell us otherwise, we will remove the person from the list. If someone still needs our prayers, simply shoot us an e-mail and we'll add them back on.
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Schedules, Resources, Info
Worship Schedule: Holy Eucharist at 9
a.m.
and 11:15 a.m.
Coffee Hour After Each Service
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The Rev. Kym Lucas, Rector
The Rev. Richard Mosson Weinberg, Parish Missioner & Formation Associate
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