Dear St. Patrick's,

Grace and peace. St. Patrick's will say prayers for peace and reconciliation on the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 at both the 8am and 10am worship services this Sunday. Please join us and consider peace with our neighbors this week and always. Remember what Joseph said when he forgave his brothers for selling him into slavery: "Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good." (Genesis 50.20)

Sunday also marks the beginning of the program year at St. Patrick's and concludes the first week of school for 2011-12 at our Day School. During the service, we will have a special blessing of backpacks (or briefcases).

A church is a place that invites its members to build a deeper relationship with God and to reach out in service. There are many ways to live that out at St. Patrick's. Please use this email as a way to discover new ways to reengage in the ministry of this parish.

Do you remember that St. Patrick's is 100 years old next month? Thousands and thousands of people over that 100 years have been touched by the mission and ministry of St. Patrick's. Some of us have been associated with this Parish for only a short time and others, like Charlie Johnson III, have been involved for what seems like forever. We are all committed to laying a foundation for the next 100 years. As we ramp up for the Centennial Celebration (October 29-30, 2011), you will notice a few changes. Later this week, the altar and the two chairs from the old church building will be taken offsite to be refinished and stained to match the new chairs that are scheduled to arrive on October 10. We're told that the refinishing will take two weeks.

We have moved ahead with this project in the hope of having much of the restoration done by the time of the Centennial Celebration. Through dedications, the parish raised approximately $30,000 to replace the chairs and replace/refinish the other sanctuary furniture. Last month, the Day School added $15,000 to this project. With these funds in hand, we were able to order all 240 chairs. I thank all of you for your generous contributions and know that with a few more dedications we will complete this project, an investment in the future ministry of St. Patrick's. (Chair Dedication Form)

Hope to see you this Sunday.  

Faithfully,

Read or listen to this past Sunday's sermon titled, "What is Church?" 

Children in Nursery School through 2^nd Grade are invited to Children's Chapel during the 10 am service this Sunday in the Indoor Playroom. Children will hear the story of Jesus, the Good Shepherd as preparation for the 4-week Sunday School unit to begin the following week.

After church, during the BBQ, children will be invited to pet a "real" lamb, visiting St. Patrick's from The Leesburg Zoo. An educator will be on-hand to talk about lambs and the kind of care they need.

Sunday School Starts September 18:

Help Make Sunday School at St. Patrick's Happen

We still need a few parent volunteers. 

Needed for September 18:

   *2-3 Shepherds for our 1st-2nd Grade class

   *1 Workshop leader for the 4-week "Good Shepherd" unit

"Shepherds" are classroom hosts who are there every week but who never prepare a lesson! Sunday School meets 10 times during the fall semester. This is a job that can be shared with a 2nd adult (making it a 5-Sunday commitment).

Workshop leaders teach one lesson four weeks in a row.

To learn more, email The Rev. Andrea Martin, andrea@stpatrickschurchdc.org

 

Teach Sunday School: Help Grow Faith, Hope, & Love

Thank you to our young string players who finished up our summer Youth Music Series this past Sunday!

Miranda, Nathaniel and Christian Hall brought their cellos and serenaded us with folksongs and traditional melodies. Sarah Groh brought her violin (and her violin teacher, Jean-Luc Princivil!) and shared a wonderful version of "Morning has broken." All of our string players joined together at the Postlude for Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." Joyful, joyful indeed!

Jump into "Music at St. Patrick's"! (Parents, watch your inbox for more details about the "season" and opportunities for your child's age group.)This week our adult choir, the Cantoris, starts rehearsals, (7:30-9:30 pm on Thursday). Next Sunday evening (Sept. 18, 5:45 - 6:30) St. Patrick's Peal Handbells for 7^th and 8^th graders starts, paired with a terrific new Christian Education program. After that, our 3^rd - 6^th grade Jubilate Deo choir settles in to rehearsals (week of Sept. 18, Monday/Thursday group options for maximum participation!). Music in Motion for our youngest group, K -2^nd graders, begins on Friday, Sept. 23 at 4:30pm. Family Choir meets for the first time on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 9:15am (I'll bring the donuts!), and you can always sign up to play those beautiful Timpani drums or offer your talents on your own instrument throughout the year.

Something for everyone, so...

Won't you help us make music in this wonderful place?

~Adele Lynch, Director of Music 

                  Sunday, October 9, 2011

                  1-5 pm

Caregivers are invited to explore the gifts God gives us that we can access in difficult times. These include gifts of quiet and prayer, humor and joy, friendship and faith. Come to learn new forms of prayer and meditation, walk a prayer labyrinth, receive a chair massage, and more. To register or to learn more, click here.

Stay tuned for your opportunity to donate to the Community Web (fancy dinner parties, dessert of the month, the fabulous Gingerbread-making party) donate time at your vacation home, or gift certificates to almost anything!  

Got some ideas that will make this event even more special? Contact Auction Co-Chairs Marilyn Nowalk and Amy Graham. 

Feeling harried by the demands placed on your time this fall? Stressed about juggling back-to-school events, work, or family obligations? Or maybe you have a big decision to make? Christ invites you to Come, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). In response to Christ's invitation, each time we meet as a group, we will learn and practice one form of prayer. In so doing, we will go back to the Source, back to God. Come to learn new ways of relating to God. Come for perspective. Come to appreciate how God is already at work in your life. Participate as your schedule allows:

Monday Mornings: September 26 through November 7 (no meeting on Columbus Day, October 10), 9:30 - 11 am, in the Library

Tuesday Evenings: October 18, 25, & November 1, 6:30 - 8 pm, in the Library (with light refreshments)

Quick Links...

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