Highlights of this issue include:
  • Diocesan-wide worship service this Sunday
  • Gearing up for Children's Formation (Youth Groups)
  • In-Person Outdoor Worship Sunday, September 13
  • Get Souls to the Polls in November (What's New)
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Diocesan Gathering This Sunday
This Sunday, September 6 on Labor Day Weekend), we will gather online, as the Diocese of Virginia, for a worship service led by our bishops. This Morning Prayer Service is pre-recorded and will be distributed via YouTube and Facebook. The videos will premiere on YouTube at 8 a.m. and Facebook at 8 and 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 6. The service will be available to view from either platform at any time following the 8:00 a.m. premiere time. 
 
Specific links to the service on each platform will be distributed by September 3, and will be posted on the diocesan website when it is available.
 
WE WILL SEND OUT OUR REGULAR CONSTANT CONTACT E-MAIL WITH THE LINKS ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. BUT PLEASE NOTE, THE SERVICE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SUNDAY MORNING AT 8:00 A.M. THE LINKS WILL ALSO BE ON OUR WEBSITE AND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.  

TFCE clergy and staff will take a break from putting a worship service together on Sunday, September 6.

During the summer season, we will continue to gather for an informal digital coffee hour. We'll have gathering time as a large group, and then split up into smaller groups for conversations on where we saw God this past week, and how we are cultivating practices of sabbath rest and renewal during these strange times. Join us on Zoom at
11:00 am
TFCE Week-at-a-Glance
Sunday, September 6 - Saturday, September 12
 
Sunday, September 6:
 
Monday, September 7: LABOR DAY - Staff Holiday
 
Tuesday, September 8:
 
Wednesday, September 9:
 
Thursday, September 10:
  • 7:30 am – Morning Prayer (www.facebook.com/thefallschurch)
  • 8:30 am – Thursday Morning Fellowship (email Cleve for more information)
  • 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Main Sanctuary open for quiet prayer
  • 8:00 pm – Mom’s Bible Study (email Kelly for more information)
 
Friday, September 11:
  • 5:00 pm – Silent Witness Against Racial Injustice (on Broad Street outside TFCE)
 
Saturday, September 12:        
  • 9:00 – 11:00 am – Historic Church open for quiet prayer
Youth Groups
This week's Youth Forum activity is available here
Wondering what Children's Formation has been dreaming about this summer? Check out their Children's Ministry 2020 Update Newsletter. You can discover what the vision is for this year, register for Sunday Children Formation, and learn more about upcoming teaching volunteer needs. Children's Ministry 2020 Update Newsletter
A Word from Andy+
On the Road to God’s Kingdom’s Purposes
Dear Falls Church Family,

Someone once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there!....However, if you know where you are going, a map usually helps!” 

We are God’s pilgrim people at The Falls Church Episcopal, travelling on the road to God’s Kingdom and God’s Kingdom’s purposes in our lives and in our world today, even as we anticipate that future day when God will be all in all. And this journey calls for a map. I was excited to tell you last week that the Vestry is in the final stages of putting together a Racial Justice Roadmap as one aspect of our traveling together. This “Roadmap” will affirm our commitment to racial justice (that both Jesus and the prophets of Israel proclaimed) and envisions how we will engage this transformational work. In our contemporary context and in our Episcopal understanding of the mission of the Church, we see the work of racial justice as foundational, not simply an “add-on.”

And this is not a new journey that we or the Episcopal Church undertakes. We have been on this road for a while, at both TEC and TFCE. But today’s context reveals the need for attention to the way we are traveling. Some of the first steps taken on our journey today are the placement of banners on Broad Street and Washington Street affirming our commitment to walk humbly with God, love kindness, and to do justice, and, thus Black lives matter. These banners are both steps on the journey and signs, signposts if you will, like yield, detour ahead, stop, go. More here
What's New
Are you new to The Falls Church Episcopal and interested in learning more? 
We hope you will join us for our three-part Newcomers class, scheduled on successive Sundays, September 13th, 20th and 27th at 5 pm. During this time, you will meet with clergy, vestry members, and staff to learn more about the history of the Church, the history of TFCE, and how to get connected to a group or ministry. We hope you can join us! Please email Casie Disantis for more information or to register.  
Get Souls to the Polls in November
As American citizens, it is our privilege and a duty to vote. As Christians, it is our privilege and duty to ensure that all citizens may exercise their right to vote. In the words of our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, "it is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the Church's responsibility to help get souls to the polls." This fall, examine your faith and choose the candidates whom you feel best represent the values of the Church and the teachings of our Lord. And if you are comfortable, follow all CDC guidelines, and help others get to the polls so that they, too, may exercise their faith. Bishop Goff's message Link to Toolkit

TFCE Naves Open for Private Prayer Thursdays & Saturdays
The Historic Church is open for silent prayer each Saturday from 9:00 - 11:00 am. The Main Sanctuary is open on Thursdays from 11:00 am -
1:00 pm. We ask everyone to maintain six feet distance, 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.
TFCE Shares Stories of Hope
During these difficult times, it's uplifting to hear stories about parishioners taking action to improve the lives of people in this community, this nation, and the world. Click here to visit the Stories of Hope web page. E-mail Andy, Kelly, or Casie with stories that you'd like to share.
TFCE Food Drive
On Saturday, August 29th, TFCE members and friends participated in a no-contact food drive for Falls Church Community Services. This is the second food drive TFCE has sponsored this year. Read about the event and the positive effect it has on our community.

Go to www.facebook.com/thefallschurch to connect live, or click here to learn how to connect via Facebook Live without signing up for Facebook. If you are having trouble accessing Facebook, please go to www.thefallschurch.org/liveprayer to watch.
In-Person Outdoor Worship September 13

Sunday at 9 am, in-person worship on the South Lawn of the Historic Church. A digital version of the service will also be available online. Watch for next week's eNews for more details. The in-person service will NOT take place if it rains.
In-Person Outdoor Evening Prayer on Tuesdays

Tuesday Outdoor Evening Prayer at 6:00 pm. In lieu of Centering Prayer, join Father Andy+ on the South Lawn of the Historic Church for in-person Evening Prayer. Please read here for important information regarding the service.
Parish News & Updates
TFCE-sponsored EfM seminar begins this Fall
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a premier lay theological education class offered through The University of the South at Sewanee. This four-year class provides a solid understanding and grounding in scripture, history, and the theology of the church through small group learning. We have nine TFCE members and friends who have expressed interest in an evening seminar sponsored by our church this fall. Please e-mail Mary Cushing or Janice Scharre if you are interested in the Falls Church evening EfM class. For more information about EfM click here
Ways to Connect
Thursday Morning Fellowship Via Zoom! The Men’s Monthly Bible Study has morphed into a weekly fellowship group gathering via Zoom on Thursday mornings at 8:30 am. This group is open to all, men and women, we are gender inclusive! Go to Realm for more information or contact Cleve Johnson. Hope you’ll join the group!
Parish Prayer List: Prayers & Transitions
Please use the Prayer List below 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! CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK’S PRAYER LIST.
Ways to Serve


Silent Witness Against Racial Injustice
Friday, September 11th,
5:00 - 6:00 pm

Members and friends of The Falls Church Episcopal are invited to join Falls Church Presbyterian
Church for the next Silent Witness protest. Participants are asked to wear masks and maintain social distancing. The protests are held every other Friday,rain or shine.
Help Support Shelter House Families
Our ministry partner Shelter House runs shelters for families experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County, and provides services to victims of domestic violence. In lieu of our usual summer school supplies drive, we are supporting Shelter House clients through a contact-less Target wish list. Please help support our neighbors in need by purchasing household items and/or electronic Target gift cards. Questions? Contact Brian Kettler or Katie Niemi at outreach@thefallschurch.org.
Drivers for Meal Delivery Needed
Our ministry partners at FCS have seen a significant increase in their requests for grocery drop-offs at people’s homes. They are looking for drivers to pick-up groceries from their food bank and no-contact drop them off at people’s doors. If you are interested, please email fcswecare@aol.com  
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 ssmyth@newhopehousing.org 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 Give
Are you doing any online shopping 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! 
We ask that during this time you please continue to make an effort to contribute to the Church as you normally would. Although we are not having in-person services, the work of our parish, staff, and clergy continues. Fulfilling our mission and our vision to be an enduring beacon of faith, hope, and love is crucial during these days.
There are 3 easy ways to give to the church:
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 Casie Disantis at cdisantis@thefallschurch.org or Joy Sperry-Stamenic at accounting@thefallschurch.org.
Worship and Reflection
Our regular corporate worship opportunities have been suspended until further notice. But there are still lots of ways you can worship or reflect on God. Here are some suggestions of resources that might help.
Weekly meditations by our Bishops. This week's mediation is by Bishop Jennifer: Inhabiting this Time
St. Phoebe's Virtual Chapel is a great resource to explore with musical resources, sermons and reflections, and digital opportunities to pray the Daily Office.
This Sunday, livestream the worship service from the National Cathedral at 11:15 am - more info here.
Here are some ways to enhance your spiritual journey at home as suggested by the Washington National Cathedral.