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Church of the Holy Comforter (HoCo)
November 6, 2026
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IMPORTANT
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2027 ANNUAL PLEDGE:
Walk in Love
Your pledge forms the foundation of our 2027 budget, fueling the ministries and outreach closest to our hearts. Please prayerfully consider a gift of any size to help us reach our $1,300,000 goal as we walk together in love.
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Longtime parishioner Dinah Brisbane turns 100 years old on Nov. 20! We would love to shower her with birthday cards. There is a basket in the Narthex, along with some blank cards you can sign—or bring your own. Please do so by Nov. 15 after church. Thank you!
–Sheryl Watson and Lolly Mixter
| | | This month, we are highlighting St. George’s College, Jerusalem and the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation. While St. George’s fosters global reconciliation, the Haiti Rehabilitation Foundation empowers communities by training local therapy professionals. Learn more on our Outreach Grants page HERE. You can support their mission by visiting the Outreach Grants table in the narthex, contributing online via our Giving site HERE (select "Outreach Grants"), or using the green pew envelopes. | |
All-Parish Friendsgiving
Sunday, Nov. 22; 11:15 a.m.–1 p.m.; Community Hall
Gather with family and friends for a joyful time of fellowship, gratitude, and delicious food as we celebrate Thanksgiving together!
We’ll take care of the main entrée, and we’d love for you to bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share. There is a seat waiting for you!
Come ready for good conversation, laughter, and a warm community atmosphere. Please RSVP HERE to let us know you're comming.
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NEW
All-Parish Advent Wreath Making
Sunday, Nov. 29; 11 a.m.–Noon; Community Hall
Prepare for Advent with an intergenerational gathering following the 10 a.m. service on Thanksgiving weekend, during coffee hour.
Please bring your greens (pine, holly, magnolia leaves, other evergreens) as well as pruners or shears (if you have them). Extras will be available. There will be a $15 donation for a candle set and wreath kit. All ages are welcome! Questions? Contact Keith Joseph.
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NEW
Youth Christmas Greens Sale: Coming Soon!
Support our 2027 Youth Mission Trip to Puerto Rico and get your home ready for the holidays! Sales will be in the narthex Sundays, Nov, 22, 29, Dec. 6, 13, and Dec. 20. There will be wreaths, centerpieces, mantle pieces, door swags and more. Watch this space for the order form soon!
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SENIOR SAINTS MEETING, LUNCH, & PROGRAM
Harmony Heritage Singers
This Friday, Nov. 6; 11:45 a.m.; Community Hall
Enjoy a performance by the Harmony Heritage Singers, a talented men's barbershop chorus performing across VA, MD, and D.C. The event runs from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting with socializing and BYO lunch at noon, followed by the show at 1 p.m. Desserts and drinks are provided.
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NEW
Christmas Giving Table
Nov. 7– Dec. 6
Please visit the Christmas Giving Table in the narthex to learn how to brighten the holidays for a local child or family. Besides our traditional Salvation Army stockings, you can choose to support other local charities, including Second Story, Reset 180, The Lamb Center, Brightpaths, and CHO (Committee for Helping Others). Driven year-round by funds from our Pennywise Thrift Shop, we're dedicated to sharing love and giving to those in need this Christmas.
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ENDOWMENT BOARD & 1ST SATURDAY SOCIAL PRESENT:
Bishop Denig Society Reception
This Saturday, Nov. 7; following the 5 p.m. Service
Join us for our annual reception—all are welcome! Co-hosted by the Endowment Board and the 1st Saturday Social team, the evening features catered appetizers and beverages. Learn about the Endowment and honor past and present members of the Bishop Denig Society—parishioners who have pledged to support our future through their estate plans. Help us celebrate their generosity! You need not be a society member to celebrate.
| | | Give online (Select "Operating Fund") Or Give by texting to 73256 then type CHCGIVING (ALL CAPITALS, NO SPACES) | |  | Join us every week at 11:15 a.m. Registration is always open, so sign your kids up today! We can't wait to dive into this fun-filled season together. | | | |
SUNDAY FORUM
Holy Comforter History: Part 2
This Sunday, Nov. 8; 11:15 a.m.–Noon; McGill Hall
Years ago, our church started from humble beginnings—but what happened next? This Sunday, Dr. Ken Maniha joins us for Part 2 of our church history forum. Whether you attended last spring's session or are joining us for the first time, come look back at the faith and faces that built our church. It's sure to inspire.
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Sunday Bible Study
This Sunday, Nov. 8; 11:15 a.m.–Noon; Chapel
Do you leave church on Sunday morning wishing you could discuss the sermon or one of the Bible readings with someone? If so, join us for Sunday Bible Study. This is a drop-in class. All are welcome!
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NEW
Gestalt Soul Care Community Gathering
(Part of Spirituality and Well-Being Ministry)
This Sunday, Nov. 8; 3–5 p.m.; Zoom
Yearning for deeper connection, healing, or room to breathe? Join Alexandra MacCracken for a Gestalt Soul Care Community Gathering—a welcoming space to nurture your body, mind, and spirit. Together, we’ll explore how present-moment awareness and compassionate connection can open pathways toward greater freedom and flourishing. Whether you wish to participate, observe, or simply be present, you are welcome here. Register HERE to receive the Zoom link.
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FACETS Outreach
The Holy Comforter FACETS Team needs youth and adult volunteers to cook and deliver meals once a month for about 1.5 hours. The next opportunity is this Sunday, Nov. 8. To help, contact Thyra Parcell or sign up HERE.
We are also collecting winter donations to replenish our inventory. Please place warm gloves, hats, and socks in the narthex box, and leave coats right next to it.
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PENNYWISE Thrift Shop
214 Dominion Rd., NE, Vienna, VA
Saturdays and Sundays are our busiest donation days, and we need your help! We are looking for volunteers to help unpack, price, and style the shop with new donations. We also need extra hands for heavy lifting, taking out the trash, and moving unused items to Unique. Can you spare a few hours on weekends? Contact Mary Coulombe or Sherryl Dorch
| | SPECIAL DISCUSSION SERIES: |
Religion, Ethics, & AI
Following the lively Oct. 11 forum on the Pope’s recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, we are launching a five-part discussion series to delve deeper into the ethics of artificial intelligence.
Join us 7:30–8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please sign up HERE to receive the Zoom link.
TUES. NOV. 17
MON., NOV. 23
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Focus: The Pope’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. While the entire document is highly recommended, if you are short on time, please focus your reading on Chapters 3 and 4.
TUES., DEC. 1
MON., DEC. 7
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Focus: Discussion article TBD.
TUES., DEC. 15
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Focus: Discussion article TBD.
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Stump the Priests
Sunday, Nov. 15; 11:15 a.m.–Noon
We’re opening the floor to everyone! Bring your quirky sermon thoughts, deep faith questions, or curveballs about science and bizarre Old Testament stories. No judgment, no stuffy lectures—just real, honest answers.
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Spiritually Equipping Children & Youth During Difficult Times
Sunday, Dec. 13; 11:15 a.m.–Noon
Join us for a panel discussion on supporting our young people through life's challenges. To prepare, we highly recommend a special webinar from the Yale Youth Ministry Institute:
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Live Webinar (Nov. 11): Register by Nov. 9 on Eventbrite.
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On-Demand: Registered guests will receive the recording directly. We also plan to share a public YouTube link once it becomes available in mid-November.
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Women's Bible Study
Tuesdays, 6:45–7:45 a.m. via Zoom
Deepen your faith and connect with a supportive community at our Women’s Bible Study! We are about to start a new video-based series from the Yale Bible Study on Women in the Bible. Grab your morning coffee or tea and start your day with us on Zoom! Email Mtr. Melissa or Susan Dent for the Zoom link!
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3rd Saturday Habitat Restoration
Saturday, Nov. 21; 9 a.m.–Noon
With a lot of hard work and loud noise, we have cleared enough space near the Old Forest to do some planting. Please join us as we install fences and put in native plants. We will meet on the far side of Rodman House, near Beulah Rd. Canceled if the weather is unpleasant. Questions? Contact Margaret Bain or Kerry Gilpin.
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Discover Ways to Give and Receive Care
From the comforting gifts of the Bread and Jam Ministry to confidential healing prayer and practical neighborly help, our pastoral care ministries support you through trials, grief, or transitions. Learn more.
| | | | VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH (VPOM): For November, 2026, the VPOM is Brady O’Beirne. Learn more about Brady at the Holy Comforter website, which also includes the minutes from Vestry meetings, the Vestry Corner, and other Vestry communications. Comments? Questions? In the need of pastoral care? Reach out to this month’s VPOM, Brady O’Beirne. | | | | | |
