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St. Margaret's latest news and announcements.
November 22, 2017
Table of Contents

Rector's Reflection
Thanksgiving
O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; for the loving kindness of the Lord is everlasting [1 Chronicles 16:34].
 
I confess that my feelings are mixed when it comes to Thanksgiving Day. As an American tradition, my family always observed the day with wonderful meals and time with extended relatives. We were not enamored of the romantic notions of Pilgrims and Native Americans. In face, my family always talked about the trail of tears, the destruction of southeastern tribes, the arbitrary nature of federal recognition, and the ongoing struggles of Native Americans with poverty and tribal land encroachment.

In addition to all of that, the reality that our culture keeps pushing Christmas into November and earlier also troubles me. But the notion of thanksgiving appeals to me; thanksgiving should be at the heart of every Christian's life. So I was grateful to stumble across Albert Mohler's blog on the theology of Thanksgiving and I commend his words to you:

Thanksgiving is a deeply theological act, rightly understood ... thankfulness is a theology in microcosm - a key to understanding what we really believe about God, ourselves, and the world we experience. To fail in thankfulness is to fail to honor God - and this is the biblical description of fallen and sinful humanity. 

So have a very Happy Thanksgiving - and remember that giving thanks is one of the most explicitly theological acts any human can contemplate. We need to think deeply, widely, carefully, and faithfully about the countless reasons for our thankfulness to God.  

May you be blessed with abundance this Thanksgiving and may gratitude fill your heart.

Kym+
Announcements
Announcements
  • Holiday Service Schedule:  Thanksgiving Day ( November 23 ), 10 a.m.; Christmas Eve ( December 24 ): Advent Lessons and Carols (Advent 4), 10 a.m.; Christmas Eve Eucharist, 6 p.m.; Nativity Mass, 11 p.m. preceded by Choral Prelude at 10:30 p.m.; Christmas Day ( December 25 ), 10 a.m. One service Sunday, December 31 , 10 a.m. The church offices will be closed December 25-28 , and January 1-3 .
  • Washington Post article: St. Margaret's was featured in a recent news story. Read it HERE.
  • The St. Margaret's Youth Group will be having a babysitting night to raise money for its pilgrimage. It takes place December 1, 5 to 9 p.m. $20 first child, $10 each additional child; $5 more per child at the door - advance sign-ups are encouraged for food-ordering purposes. There will be pizza, cookie decorating, and movies! Contact Kaia Lucas-Retherford at kaiafayelr@gmail.com with questions and to register.
Stewardship
2018 Stewardship Campaign Update
'Making a Place to Gather and Grow'
Thanks to everyone who has pledged to date! Our 2018 campaign is off to a good start but we still have a ways to go. Our goals for this campaign are 120 pledging units and $425,000 in pledges. As of November 22, we are at 64 pledging units and $333,000 pledged. There is still time for you to pledge and help us meet our goal. You can DOWNLOAD and fill out your form, and then bring it to church and drop it in the offering plate,  e-mail it to  office@stmargaretsdc.org , or mail it in. You can also pledge directly in Realm:  onrealm.org/stmargaretsdc . If you have any questions, please contact Jane Quenk, Stewardship Chair, at  jquenk@aol.com or contact the office.
Formation
Formation Events
Christians Thirsting for Justice
A monthly conversation on the second Thursday of the month continues through Thursday, May 10, 2018, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Board Room ( 1737 Connecticut Ave NW ). Next meeting: December 13 (one-time Wednesday meeting). Location TBD.


What do the scriptures have to teach us about racial justice? Or about LGBTQ liberation? Why is gun violence a theological issue? What's the connection between faith and sexuality? What does the Christian tradition have to teach us about gender equality-or about rupturing the binary? And how can progressive Christians relate to people of other faiths and no faith?

Explore possible answers to these and many more questions at the intersection of Christian faith and social justice in a frank and honest discussion over food and drinks. Each gathering begins with a brief overview of an issue. We then have facilitated dialogue, and bring things to a close with prayer. This series will be co-sponsored by All Souls Episcopal Church, St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. No church affiliation is required to attend. Admission and food are free, but purchasing drinks from the venue is encouraged. For more information, email Rev. Richard Mosson Weinberg at richard@stmargaretsdc.org.

Invite * Welcome * Connect
Thursday, November 30, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 2, 10 a.m.; Sunday, December 10, 12:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 17, 12:30 p.m.

"Invite * Welcome * Connect ," created by Mary Parmer and developed through the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Newcomer Ministry Project, is a transformational ministry that equips and empowers congregations and individuals to cultivate intentional practices of evangelism, hospitality, and connectedness -- rooted in the gospel imperative, "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Designed to accommodate congregations of all sizes, the work has been integrated into 41 dioceses in the Episcopal Church, seminaries, colleges, and other parts of the Anglican Communion. Members of St. Margaret's are invited to a series of four one-hour training sessions to learn how to extend invitations to church, how to welcome newcomers, and how to connect people with opportunities to grow in their discipleship. Sessions will take place in the glass-top table room.

The First Sunday Forum
The First Sunday of each month through May 2018, following the 11:15 a.m. service in the parish hall

December 3: "How To Pray" (led by Rev. Kym Lucas)
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)
OTW
On the Way Bible Study
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 Monday, November 27 and Monday, December 11 from  7 to 8:30 p.m.  in the Glass Top Table Room. Discussion of the Adam Hamilton book Christianity's Family Tree: What Other Christians Believe and Why will begin December 11 and continue in January. An optional brown-bag supper is enjoyed at  6:30 p.m.  For more information please contact Bill Amt at  billdc@earthlink.net .
Caregiver
Caregiver Support Group
The group will next meet on Sunday, November 26 between the services from 10:15 to 11 a.m. in the Parlor on the second floor. For more information, contact Bill Amt at billdc@earthlink.net.

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Charlie's Place
Charlie's Place Updates
CFC Campaign
Please support Charlie's Place with your gift through the Combined Federal Campaign! It is that time, and we really hope that many will choose to support Charlie's Place with a gift through CFC. It is a challenging time for Charlie's Place, but our commitment to our clients has never been stronger! Our CFC number is  33959.

Every morning, the following is part of our morning prayer/statement that is read in our program: "Let us be an instrument of social justice in this community."  Please join us in strengthening our service to our homeless and hungry clients by choosing Charlie's Place for a CFC gift.

Thank you in advance, and please let me know if you have any questions, and if you'd like to help! Best wishes,  Barbara Wille ( bwille@stmargaretsdc.org). 

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 ( katie.weber3@gmail.com ). Volunteers are also needed for other days (not just Saturdays); for details e-mail Barbara Wille ( bwille@stmargaretsdc.org ) .

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New to St. Margaret's?
We Want to Get to Know You
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.
prayers
Prayers of the People
For Those We Love
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:  Christ Church, Chaptico ; Christ Church, Clinton Parish ; Christ Church, Port Tobacco Parish ; Christ Church, Prince George's Parish ; Christ Church, Wayside Parish ; Christ Episcopal School ; Daughters of the King.

St. Margaret's Cycle of Prayer: St. Margaret's Hospitality Committee.

Those Celebrating Birthdays: Peter Winkler, November 26; Tom Blackburn, November 30; Alice Vetter, November 30.

Sick Parishioners:  Julie Polter, Frank Haendler, Heidi Mayor; Bill Amt, Jan Volkemer, Roberta Ujokovich; Susan Rees, Nancy Scoutt, Michael Suggs; Edith Scott, Marcelina Maynard, Beryl Gill; Michelle Brito, Peter Winkler, Ashley Heinz; Louise Thomson, Janet Neale, and Jill Bell.

Sick Family & Friends of Parishioners: Barbara Sposato (aunt of Peter Winkler), Eugenie Myrie (aunt of Jeff Taliaferro), Ben Bagley (brother of Katie Bagley), John Templin (brother of Helen Templin); Alice McCray (neighbor of Tom and Kate Blackburn), and Bee James (grandmother of Doni Holloway).

The Departed:  Donald Czaja (uncle of Gabrielle Czaja),  Mary Jane Hicks (mother of Daniel Hicks), Mildred Lucas Oglesby (aunt of Rev. Kym Lucas); Lester Roy Retherford (uncle of Mark Retherford),  Greg Chittick and Jimmy Walton (friends of Ron Lorentzen), Joseph Sharp (nephew of Tom Sharp); Robert Weber (grandfather of Kate Weber),  Carlos Rivera (father of Pedro Rivera),  Carl Schoonover (grandfather of Bert Russ);  Don Shriver (great uncle of Bert Russ), and Meredith Bell-Platts (friend of Bert Russ).

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; Jacob Faber (nephew of Pat Heinz) in Japan (United States Marine Corps); 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 klucas@stmargaretsdc.org. 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.
sunday-worship
Sunday Worship
Schedules, Resources, Info

Worship Schedule:
Holy Eucharist at 9
 a.m.  and 11:15 a.m.
The Rev. Kym Lucas, Rector

The Rev. Richard Mosson Weinberg, Parish Missioner & Formation Associate
202.232.2995 | StMargaretsDC.org

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