Highlights of this issue include:
  • A Word About Re-Gathering
  • 7 Minutes For 7 Phrases (Join Our Lenten Art Project)
  • In-person, Outdoor Worship Sunday at 11:15 a.m.
  • Lenten Adult Forum Series: Being Christian, Part 5 this Sunday
  • Organ Campaign Surpasses Goal: Thanksgiving to our Donors!
  • Food Packing for Food for Others; drop-off Saturday, March 20
  • Contemplative Walk in the Woods, Sunday, March 21
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
Join us for our in-person, outdoor service of Holy Communion Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

We are excited to resume our outdoor,
in-person service of Holy Communion on the South Lawn of the Historic Church. In compliance with guidelines, the service is limited to 50 worshipers. Sign up here.

You may also join us for a digital, livestreamed Service of the Word
on YouTube, Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

If you cannot join us for the live streaming at 9:00, you may watch the service on your own schedule. If you are not watching live, fast forward through the first five minutes to the start of the service.

All livestreamed worship services and Adult Forum sessions are recorded and available on our YouTube channel. To receive notices of new content, go to our YouTube page and click the red Subscribe button.
Lenten Series
Part Five of our five-part series on Being Christian, Sunday, 10:00 a.m.

Our Lenten series concludes this Sunday with a conversation on the Eucharist and is led by The Rev’d Dr. Julia Gatta. The Last Supper Jesus celebrated with his disciples took place around the time of Passover, and it may even have been a Passover meal. We will look at what this Jewish context means for our celebration of the Lord’s Supper—the Holy Eucharist—especially the notion of “remembrance.” Finally, we will consider our Lord’s presence in the Bread and Wine and the union with him that takes place through this Sacrament. Join us on Zoom to explore deepening your relationship to God through the Eucharist.

Scripture texts to read in advance:
Matthew 26:17-19; 26-29; Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-29
Love is the Way by Bishop Michael Curry Part 4, Sunday, March 21

We have intentionally entered into a partnership with The Church of the Epiphany, an urban parish in downtown Washington. The Rector, the Rev'd Glenna Huber, has invited us to take part in Epiphany's Lenten series based on Bishop Curry's latest book, Sundays 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

"The way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God. This book will lead readers to discover the gifts they need in order to live the way of love: deep reservoirs of hope and resilience, simple wisdom, the discipline of nonviolence, and unshakable regard for human dignity."
Join Our Lenten Art Project!
This week's Youth Forum activity is available here

Youth Groups meet Sunday, March 21 afternoon, in person

We have moved back to outdoor small groups instead of Zoom meetings. Group members will be notified about when their group is meeting. If you are not sure you are registered for a group, please email John to confirm registration.

Youth are expected to maintain proper social distancing AND wear a mask at all times while at Youth Group. Youth are also encouraged to bring their own foldable lawn chairs (instead of using a chair from the church).
Children's Ministry
TFCE Week-at-a-Glance
Sunday, March 21 – Sunday, March 28
 
Sunday, March 21:
  • 9:00 a.m. – Live-streamed Service of the Word with the Decalogue and Penitential Order
  • 9:45 a.m. – Children's Formation (email Lauren for information)
  • 9:50 a.m. – Coffee Hour/Adult Formation (click here to join)
  • 11:15 a.m. – In-Person Worship, South Lawn of Historic Church
  • Afternoon – Middle & High School Youth Groups (email John for information)
  • 3:00 p.m. – Lenten Walk in the Woods (Riverbend Park, Great Falls)

Monday, March 22:
  • 6:30 p.m. – EfM Seminar
  • 8:00 p.m. – Compline 

Tuesday, March 23:
  • 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Staff & Liturgy Planning Meetings
  • 6:00 p.m. – Evening Prayer

Wednesday, March 24:
  • 10:00-11:00 a.m.– Foyer Group – Interim Rector’s Bible Study (email Andy for more information or to join)

Thursday, March 25: 
  • 7:30 a.m. – Morning Prayer
  • 7:00 p.m. – Foyer Group studying Being Christian led by Tiffany Smith 

Friday, March 26:

Saturday, March 27:
  • 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Historic Church open for Quiet Prayer
  • Noon - 1:00 p.m. – Silent Witness against Racial Injustice (Broad St.)

Sunday, March 28: PALM SUNDAY
  • 9:00 a.m. – Live-streamed Service of the Word with the Passion According to Mark
  • 9:45 a.m. – Children's Formation (email Lauren for information)
  • 11:15 a.m. – In-Person Worship, South Lawn of Historic Church
  • Afternoon – Middle & High School Youth Groups (email John for information)
A Word About Regathering
Exciting News from the
Regathering Task Force

Dear Falls Church Family,

Greetings! It is an absolute pleasure to write about our Regathering efforts! We have an amazing team from all the different ministries at TFCE and we have made great strides. We have already restarted our outdoor services; make sure to keep an eye out for weekly sign ups sent via Realm. In terms of gathering inside - we are so close! Our plan has been filed with the Diocese and we have determined through an extensive air flow study that we can very safely have 100 people, masked and no singing, in the Contemporary Church. Once our plan has been approved and we have hit certain COVID numbers as determined by the Bishop we will announce a date for our first indoor service! Our task force is also working on a comprehensive plan that will detail a timeline for when other ministries will resume their indoor activities and the specific safety guidelines around each activity. Between the vaccine roll out and numbers continuing to drop, there is definitely hope for regathering indoors on the horizon! If you have questions, please email me.

Blessings,
Krista Gauthier
Chair, Regathering Task Force
Parish Prayer List: Prayers & Transitions
Please use the Prayer List in your prayers for each other and the world. 
Praying for each other and the needs of the world is a powerful way to love our neighbors as ourselves! THIS WEEK’S PRAYER LIST
Parish News & Updates
Organ Repair Campaign Successfully Completed!
I am pleased to announce the successful end of our mini capital campaign! The repair to the Historic Church organ is complete and the financial goal has not only been met but surpassed: to date we have received $34,081.45 from our members and friends of the parish. The surplus helps cover some unanticipated extra work which brought the bill up from $30,900 to $33,332. Bearing in mind that quarterly tunings of just one of our organs costs $581, the remaining funds will doubtlessly be put to quick and good use toward keeping the instrument in tip-top shape.

On behalf of the organ repair committee and music ministry, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to you for your support. Your contributions helped revitalize this organ and keep it singing for our virtual and – hopefully sooner rather than later – indoor, in-person gatherings. 

Julie Huang Tucker, Music Director
Lilies for Easter -- Order Deadline is Sunday!

Contributions to help decorate our sanctuaries with Easter Lilies for Easter are welcome. Any amount is appreciated, but the cost to TFCE is usually about $20 each. If you'd like your donation to be in memory of or in celebration of a loved one, please add this information to your memo line of the check - and we will post it in the service bulletin for Easter Day. Please submit your dedication to the front office no later than Sunday, March 21.
  

Updated Information on vaccine availability from The City of Falls Church (current as of March 18)



More People Can Register for the Vaccine through Fairfax Health
The list now includes:
  • NEW: Grocery store workers
  • NEW: Food and Agriculture (including veterinarians and farmers market vendors)
  • NEW: Manufacturing
  • Police, fire, and hazmat
  • Corrections and homeless shelter workers
  • Childcare/K-12 Teachers or Staff

Register through Fairfax Health (which includes City of Falls Church residents and workers) here

Vaccines Available through the Federal Program
There is a federal vaccine program that eligible residents and workers can register for, in addition to the Fairfax Health program. The City and Fairfax Health do not manage this program and are unable to answer questions.

Some CVS and Safeway Pharmacy locations offer the vaccine to eligible individuals through the federal program. This is not managed by Fairfax Health or the Virginia Department of Health. Residents and workers who are eligible can register themselves through each retailer: CVS information here and Safeway information here.

If you get the vaccine through CVS or Safeway, make sure you let Fairfax Health know so you are one less person on their list.
Ways to Serve
For our Lenten service project, we are planning to make 375 Power Packs to benefit Food for Others. These packs go to children in low-income public schools in Fairfax County. Instructions for putting packs together here.

Use the SignUp Genius to volunteer for Saturday's event.
Silent Witness against Racial Injustice on Saturday, March 27 from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Members and friends of The Falls Church Episcopal ae invited to join Falls Church Presbyterian Church for the next Silent Witness protest on Broad Street. Participants are asked to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Protests are held alternate Saturdays, rain or shine.
Make sandwiches for those in need
Make sandwiches or bag lunches for drop-off at the Bailey's Crossroads Shelter or New Hope Housing's Eleanor Kennedy Shelter near Ft. Belvoir.. Please see the attached flyer and contact Sami Smyth at 703-799-2293 x11 or via email for more information.
The Little Free Food Pantry
On Fairfax Street near the church’s Thrift Shop is a small “take some food, leave some food” pantry (like the “little libraries” where people can take or leave a book). We are definitely seeing people use that pantry to supplement their groceries, and you can drop off non-perishable food items there at any time.
Ways to Connect
Contemplative Walk in the Woods, Sunday, March 21, 3:00 p.m.

The Adult Formation Committee would like to offer you the opportunity to take a walk in the woods! Walking is a spiritual practice that yields so many benefits like replenishment of the soul, connection with the natural world, health and healing, and connection. So join us as we walk together in reflection and fellowship. 

The walk takes place at Riverbend Park in Great Falls

Check the SignUp Genius for information and registration.
The Falls Church Episcopal historic church is more than 250 years old, and the grounds on which it stands carry vestiges of the entire sweep of American history.

The Falls Church Episcopal welcomes you to our church grounds to “Hunt for History,” a scavenger hunt list that offers you, family, friends, and neighbors a way to get fresh air while maintaining vital social distance. You can:

·       Spend time together as a family or friends, or or visit in contemplative solitude on the picturesque and historic grounds of The Falls Church Episcopal.
·       Learn American history, and pass it on it to children and newcomers in our community.

“Hunt for History” features 19 items that mark the life of the church and the nation, from their beginnings in colonial America to the pre-revolutionary era, to the building’s 250th birthday that was just celebrated in 2019.

The brochure is available in three locations around the church grounds. Thanks to Paul Allvin for his wonderful work on this project!
TFCE Nave Open for Private Prayer Saturdays
The Historic Church is open for silent prayer each Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We ask everyone to wear a mask, and use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving the Sanctuary. Please click here for rules and expectations. Questions? E-mail Parish Administrator D'O Dillard.
Ways to Give
We are still checking the mail and depositing checks! 
Please mail your check to:
115 E. Fairfax Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
Donate safely and securely through our website. 
Text “TFCE” and the amount to 73256. 
If you have any questions about Realm or eGiving, please reach out to
Are you shopping more online these days? If you’re buying more items from Amazon, please consider adding The Falls Church Episcopal to your AmazonSmile account. With every purchase you make, the church earns a small percentage. Simply click here to
add us to your account! 
Worship and Reflection
Weekly meditations by our Bishops. This week's mediation is by Bishop Porter: Every Person Is Related to God
Here are some ways to enhance your spiritual journey at home as suggested by the Washington National Cathedral.