Epistle
Weekly News & Updates
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Tragedy in a season of joy
Dear St. Aidan’s Family,
Yesterday, the Bishop’s office in the Diocese of Virginia received news that a fire broke out early that morning at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oak Grove, VA. The latest reports are that no one was in the building and no one was harmed, but the damage to the building is extensive. The historic church, located in the Northern Neck, is slated to celebrate its 175 th anniversary in May 2024.
An event such as this one – losing a house of worship – is an upsetting event. St. Aidan’s is no stranger to this kind of heartbreak, having lost our original house of worship in April 1971 due to a fire, presumably the result of an electrical storm. Thankfully, Episcopal church neighbors of St. Peter’s, Oak Grove, have already reached out and are making plans to welcome the congregation for Christmas services and care and support beyond next weekend. But, no doubt, the profound sense of loss remains.
Tragedies, losses, painful news often strike when least expected. This Advent, that is true for the congregation of St. Peter’s, but it may also be a truth for people we know and love and with whom we have closer ties. This Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., St. Aidan’s will hold a Blue Christmas service. This service of prayer, meditation, and music provides a healing space for those who experience the Christmas season as a difficult one due to loss, grief, pain, or loneliness, and for those who love and
support them. I pray it will be a healing balm for all who participate.
Bishop Stevenson wrote yesterday that “we have a sure and certain hope that Jesus is joyfully present with us, even in this time of sorrow.” Let us come together on Wednesday evening to pray for one another and all in need of God’s healing grace, and affirm our hope in Jesus.
God’s peace,
Laura+
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End of Year Giving Reminder
Please help St. Aidan’s finish the year strong! And to ensure that all of your 2023 giving reflects on your 2023 giving statement, all payments must be received on or before December 31. The following options apply:
- The last offertory collection in 2023 will be Sunday, December 31. Please note that any checks received in the offertory plate on Sunday, January 7, 2023 will be reflected on the 2024 giving statement (this even applies if your check is dated for 2023).
- The last day to bring a check to the office will be Friday, December 22. The office closes at 12:00 p.m. Note: The office will be closed December 25-29, and January 1.
- Any mailed donations must be postmarked on or before December 31 to reflect on your 2023 giving statement.
- If you plan on giving online, please be sure that it is done on or before December 31, 2023.
A status report on your current giving for 2023 was sent electronically on Tuesday, November 21. If you did not receive this report, or if you have any questions, please contact the parish office or Tom, our Treasurer, at [email protected].
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Week Ahead
Click link below for what's happening this week and next at St Aidan's
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Worship Service Volunteers | Sign up to serve as: Altar Guild (caring for the altar vessels and linens), Lay Eucharistic Minister (serving the bread/wine at Communion), Lay Reader (reading the Bible lessons and leading the Prayers of the People), Usher, and Zoom Tech (livestreaming the service). | | |
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Many thanks to all of our pageant performers, parent and adult volunteers,
and Rev. Rebecca for a wonderful Christmas Pageant!
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Sunday Morning Formation for Children and Adults | | |
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Formation will resume its normal schedule on January 7.
Beginning January 7, formation on the first Sunday of each month will be a parish-wide outreach project. All hands, all ages, all participants are welcome-move from worship straight to the project! These will be wonderful opportunities to serve our community and participate in the causes we are passionate about, as well as meet our fellow parishioners. On January 7, we will cook a meal for Rising Hope United Methodist Church and travel there to share the meal with them. There will also be an opportunity to assemble sandwiches for a local non-profit to keep many hands employed.
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Adults
Adult Formation will resume on January 14, 2023.
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You are Invited to Rebecca's Ordination!
The people of St. Aidan's are invited to attend The Rev. Rebecca Troutman's ordination to the priesthood on Saturday, January 6, 2024! The ordination will be held at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia (8787 River Road, Richmond, VA 23229). Whether you can be there in person or in spirit, please lift up prayers of thanksgiving for Rebecca's ordination!
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Women's Reading Circle
The Women's Reading Circle will be taking a holiday break until Tues., January 9.
The next book they will be discussing is:
The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons.
If interested in joining the group discussion please reach out to Peggy Trumbo at [email protected]
or you can call her with questions - 703-780-4098.
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Center for Spiritual Deepening | |
Let Nothing Disturb You: The Mystical Legacy of Teresa of Avila
with LJ Milone •Tuesday, January 16, 23 & 30 from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
How do I become a mystic? How do we realize more expansive states of
consciousness and foster compassion for others? Earthy, passionate, and unstoppable, Teresa of Avila shows us how to become mystics by recounting how she did it and teaching us how to pray. She says, "The important thing is not to think much, but to love much, and so to do whatever best awakens us to love." She teaches us God alone is enough. Join us for an
exploration of the life, legacy, and mystical teachings of Teresa ofAvila.
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Focus Music, and the WFMA | |
Check out Focus Music, and the WFMA website for more local shows and check back here in early 2024 for more shows at St. Aidan's.
Thank you!
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May 2024 Iona Pilgrimage: Last Call for Reservations! | |
Reservations for the May 2-8, 2024 Iona Pilgrimage are closing on Sunday, December 31. All deposits must be received by then to reserve your spot. St. Aidan’s parishioners – as well as friends of St. Aidan’s – are welcome on this pilgrimage to a center for Celtic spirituality that has attracted pilgrims for hundreds of years.
The total cost – $2,800 (excluding airfare) – includes hotel accommodations, advance ground and ferry transport from Glasgow to Iona and back, and some meals. Airfare reservations and costs will be handled separately by each traveler. A deposit of $1,400 (due no later than December 31, 2023), is required to reserve a spot. The balance of $1,400 will be due no later than February 2, 2024.
If you have questions, or if you would like to make a secure online payment for your deposit, please contact Rev. Laura ([email protected]) or Ken Eyre ([email protected]).
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The Diocese of Virginia announced at Convention that their website name is no longer thediocese.net. The online home of the Diocese is now
www.episcopalvirginia.org. Why the change? It's a better representation of who we are and a friendlier way for church seekers to find the Diocese and its churches through a generic search.
In other news in the Diocese, dates are now posted for Shrine Mont Camp Sessions in 2024! Rates will be posted soon.
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Click above to donate weekly altar flowers. | Click above to host Sunday morning fellowship. | |
Click above to add a birthday or anniversary
for the month ahead.
Deadline for Jan. dates is Jan. 4
| Click above to add someone to our Sunday worship bulletin prayer list. | | | |
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Update from our Treasurer
November Income: $13,872.57 (pledge, plate, Vanco, other)
November budgeted income: $25,291.67
YTD income: $252,022.96 (pledge, plate, Vanco, other)
Retire the Mortgage YTD Commitments ($120,000 Goal): $93,000
Thank You for your support of this amazing community!
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You may safely and easily make a contribution to St. Aidan's using the button below. Your financial gift of any
size supports the mission and ministries of St. Aidan's.
Thank you for your support!
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St. Aidan's on Social Media!
St. Aidan's is on Instagram and Facebook! Follow us on Instagram at staidansalexandria and don't forget to use #staidansalexandria when posting images from events at St. Aidan's. Follow us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/staidansalexandria.
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Service Times
Sunday, 9:30 am (virtual & in person)
Sunday, 5:30 pm Celtic (virtual & in person)
Compline, 7:00 pm Mon., Weds., Fri. (virtual only)
You are always welcome at St. Aidan's,
wherever you may be on your faith journey.
Service Links
If you are not receiving our separate mailing each week with links for worship gatherings and would like to be added to that list, simply reach out to the office
and let us know. Those links are sent out on Saturday.
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Meditation/Silent Prayer
In the Sanctuary at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings
In the Sanctuary 8:00 a.m. on Friday mornings
Those who seek to include meditation in their weekly practice often find it easier to do so in the company of others. We light a candle and spend 20 minutes in silence. If you are interested in this shared prayer practice, email Lisa Richard at [email protected] to let us know to expect you on a Tuesday or Friday, in person. Come regularly, or come from time to time. All are welcome!
Weeknight Compline
via Zoom Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 p.m.
We also offer evening prayer every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at
7:00 pm via zoom. If you are interested in this shared prayer practice, email Eileen Myers at [email protected] to receive
the link for Zoom. Come regularly, or come from time to time.
All are welcome!
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St. Aidan's has been serving the Stratford Landing area & beyond since 1963.
We worship in person on Sundays at 9:30 am and 5:30 pm (Celtic). We also offer evening prayer every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 pm (virtual only). You are always welcome at St. Aidan's, wherever you may be on your faith journey.
Some Helpful Links:
Sermons
St. Aidan's Website
The Episcopal Church
The Diocese of Virginia
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The Center for Spiritual Deepening at St. Aidan's supports the soul and heart work of those seeking a deeper sense of God's presence in their lives. Check out the Center and its offerings Here. | | | | | |
