WE ARE ALL SAINTS

Meet Susan McCarthy

Susan McCarthy has served as our parish receptionist for three years and is a true blessing to the All Saints community. You’ll often find her behind the front desk on Mondays and Thursdays and joyfully greeting all who come through our doors on Sunday mornings.

Susan is also helping to launch a new Hospitality Committee, alongside other staff and volunteers. This team will help shape our ministry of welcome, offering ideas for special events and receptions and helping us extend a warm, joyful welcome at parish gatherings. If you’d like to be part of this work, please reach out to Susan. susan.mccarthy@allsaintschurch.net

And be sure to say hello to Susan on Sunday!

1. What is your job at All Saints? I wear many hats. I do administrative tasks, work at reception, and am part of the hospitality committee, the funeral committee, and substitute in the preschool. The reception desk at All Saints is busy. I greet people as they come in, answer phones, receive mail, and keep an eye on security. I also make blessing bags and provide blessing bags to food-insecure people who come to All Saints and ask for help. Almost every day someone walks in and asks for help, asks questions about the church, or needs to contact someone. The reception desk helps provide an open door for communication and connections at the church.  
2. What brought you to All Saints? I started as a temporary employee through a temp agency, and two years later they asked me to come on staff as a part-time employee. But I always like to say God brought me here!
3. What do you like about being part of All Saints? I love both the staff and the parishioners. It is a very collaborative environment, and very warm, friendly, and loving. 
4. Where did you grow up? What do you like about living in the DC area? I grew up in a small town outside of Pittsburgh and moved to DC as an adult, after living in Manhattan for more than 25 years. I like living in this area, because I have friends and family here, and it is a calmer, slower pace than Manhattan.
5. What are some things you like to do on a day off? I like to do yoga, read, and knit.
6. Is there a Bible verse that is special to you right now? “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”- Romans 8:28

FROM SUNDAY TO EVERYDAY

Practices for faith at home

This Sunday, November 30, marks the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new church year. The name Advent comes from the Latin word for “coming,” and the season—which begins four Sundays before Christmas—invites us into a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of Christ’s birth and the final coming of Christ in power and glory.

Advent calendars offer a simple and meaningful way to mark these days. Check out these free online Advent devotional calendars; we hope they will be a blessing to you this year.

Advent Project

A beautifully curated daily devotional from Biola University, featuring art, music, poetry, Scripture, and reflections from Advent through Epiphany. Each day offers a quiet moment to slow down and reflect on the mystery of Christ’s coming.

The Bible Project Advent Calendar

A free set of downloadable resources—including videos, podcasts, and a calendar of Scripture readings and reflection questions—built around the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. Options include a daily calendar or weekly word studies for individuals or small groups.

AdventWord

An online Advent calendar offering a daily meditation and visual image based on a single word from the Sunday readings. Participants can subscribe by email or text, or follow online and share their own prayers or artwork using #AdventWord.

O Come Emmanuel (Teen Devotional, Ages 11–15)

A free PDF Advent calendar for teens from the Church of England. It has a daily Bible verse, short reflection, and question to help connect Scripture with real life.

The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Reading Plan

An Advent journey for families that traces God’s rescue story from creation to Christ’s birth, with daily readings, an Advent playlist, coloring pages, and activity sheets.

MISSION AND OUTREACH

Sharing Thanksgiving blessings with Little Lights

In November, our All Saints community assembled and delivered 150 Thanksgiving meal kits to our local outreach partners at Little Lights.

Little Lights provides hope, encouragement, and practical support for underserved children, youth, and families in Washington, DC. Their holistic, long-term presence with over 30 years of work in DC has allowed them to walk alongside families across generations. They offer academic support, spiritual encouragement, economic empowerment, and emotional care for 250 students and 250 adults each year in public housing communities in DC.

Our meal kits were delivered to the Hopkins Center, one of six Little Lights sites, located in the basement of an apartment building in Southeast DC. Students come there after school to eat, complete homework, play, and experience Christ’s love. Families signed up to receive the kits, which included ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal and a $25 grocery gift card.

These meal kits nourish more than bodies-- they help Little Lights deepen relationships within the community. And assembling them was a joyful way for All Saints parishioners to to come together in service and fellowship!

SHARING CHRIST'S LOVE

Bishop Mariann Budde shares her journey from Baptist revivals to Bishop of Washington

Bishop Mariann Budde visited All Saints on Wednesday, November 5, and shared with us the story of her faith journey - from her early childhood without a church home, to attending Baptist revivals with a friend, to her journey through Young Life, Catholic campus ministry, then to the Episcopal Church.

"I began to understand and to recognize that part of my faith journey was not just intellectually saying 'yes I believe,' like I believe the sun will come up tomorrow. It was more putting my faith in this mystery that our tradition described. And I just kind of accepted that way of trusting God."

Hear the story of her incredible faith journey in a video recording of her remarks.

So many good things are happening at All Saints! Check your Friday email, All Things All Saints, for upcoming services and events. Or check our parish calendar HERE.

Previous issues of the Connect! newsletter are available on the church website HERE



Please join us in continuing to celebrate the good news of God working in our midst. Ideas for the Connect! newsletter are always welcome! You may submit possible topics, photos, or short articles to Communications Director Allison Winter