Epistle
Weekly News & Updates
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Dear St. Aidan’s Family,
I can’t thank you all enough for the prayers, notes of love and encouragement, and offers to help in these early days following my stroke. While I am not surprised by your outpouring of love and generosity, please know that I am deeply comforted by it. Thank you.
I have accepted gracious offers from a handful of individuals for their help in preaching and leading worship for the next several weeks. For example, this Sunday (7/6) I am delighted to announce that Diana Butler Bass will be preaching at both the 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. services. At the 5:30 p.m. service she will be joined by none other than
The Rev. John Baker, who will preside and celebrate the Eucharist.
These are unchartered waters for me, for all of us (!), and so I thank you for extending me flexibility and kindness as I rest and heal and adapt my regular schedule while I discover what my limitations or struggles may be in this moment.
I am grateful to God for this church community and the people who call it home. I am grateful for all of the healing that you do for those in the church and in the community in need of God’s healing grace. It matters; you matter.
God’s peace,
Laura+
staidansrector@gmail.com
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Look Ahead
Click link below for what's happening this week and next at St Aidan's
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Worship Service Volunteers
We are still in need of a scripture Reader and
a Prayers of the People reader for Sunday, July 6th.
Please sign up using the button below. Thank you.
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 (livestream the service).
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Online Giving Platform Migrating from
Vanco to Servant Keeper in June 2025
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At the end of June 2025, Vanco, the online giving platform St. Aidan’s currently uses for one-time and recurring online donations made via credit card or ACH will no longer integrate with our membership database platform, Servant Keeper. Thankfully, Servant Keeper now offers their own secure online giving platform and we are currently in the process of helping givers navigate from the old to the new platform. If you are a recurring giver, you should receive instructions from Rev. Laura via email and snail mail for stopping payments via Vanco and setting up new payments via Servant Keeper.
We'd like to encourage all who use our on-line giving platform to make the change before the next end of the month and to contact us if you have any questions.
Please contact Rev. Laura+ at staidansrector@gmail.com; and please remember not to send any financial or sensitive personal data via email.
| | Where in the World is Flat St. Aidan? | | Take Flat St. Aidan on your summer adventures and explorations! Send photos to Eileen at staidansalexandria@gmail.com. Be sure to caption the photo so we know where it was taken and who was present. You may pick up a Flat St. Aidan on the table in the narthex or print one at home by clicking the blue button below. | |
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SHRINE MONT PARISH RETREAT
Fri., August 1 - Sun., August 3
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The St. Aidan’s Annual Parish Retreat weekend at Shrine Mont is August 1-3, 2025. Registered participants are in for a weekend of relaxation, reflection, and recreation in an inspiring outdoor setting. Officially, Shrine Mont is the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration and a retreat/conference center of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. It is located approximately two hours from St. Aidan’s, depending on traffic. This weekend has become a pivotal gathering for many of the St. Aidan’s relationships that sustain us throughout the rest of the year. While the registration deadline has passed, if you are interested in attending please send an email to Eileen at staidansalexandria@gmail.com to see if space is still available.
For those who are already registered, please see costs for the weekend listed below. Prices listed are totals for the weekend, per person. A deposit of half your total to the office is due now; payment in full is due by Sunday, July 6, 2025. Drop your check in the collection plate and please be sure to note "Shrine Mont Retreat" in the memo line. If paying online, please use the Annual Giving/General Operations tile and also email the office so Eileen knows to record your payment. Thank you.
Fees include accommodations and meals for the weekend:
Adults/single occupancy (13 and older), - $ 275 /per person
Adults/double occupancy (13 and older), - $ 225 /per person
Kids (4-12), - $ 130 /per person
Kids (3 & under), - $0
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Parish Potluck/Grill Night Sunday,
July 27 and August 24 at 6:45 p.m.
Parish Potluck suppers are held on the fourth Sunday of each month. In the summertime, the Parish Potluck will be combined with Grill Night on the fourth Sunday in June, July, and August. Bring a friend! Bring your own beverages, something to cook on the grill and/or a prepared dish to share. We’ll provide water, condiments, and paper products. If the weather’s nice we’ll eat outdoors; if it’s hot or stormy we’ll eat inside.
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• Oktoberfest/Silent Auction •
Receiving Donations Now for Fall 2025!
| | It’s not too early to think about Silent Auction donations for Oktoberfest! Good donations include experiences (boutique fitness classes, photo sessions, vacation rentals, tickets to sporting and theater events, wine tastings, etc.), quirky “rummage sale” items, and gift cards. If you have something to donate, or if you have a question about the Silent Auction at Oktoberfest 2025, please contact Eileen at staidansalexandria@gmail.com. An on-line donation form will be available soon. | | |
Confirmation Class for 2025-2026 Program Year
Receiving Names of those Interested for
2026 Bishop’s Visitation
Are you interested in being confirmed or received in The Episcopal Church? A confirmation class is scheduled to begin this fall (2025) for adults and youth. All those who are interested in participating should send a note to Rev. Laura at staidansrector@gmail.com.
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Knitting Group Announcement
The Knitting Group is on hiatus for the Summer. If you are working on blanket squares for the Bethany House blanket, please email Jennifer Smaha to let her know how many squares you have finished. They can be dropped off in the church library. The blanket will be completed in time for delivery in September. Thank you.
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Community Garden Announcement
We have 2 plots available to anyone who might like to take part in our community Garden in the back on the property. Please reach out to Sylvain Richard at sylvain.richard257@gmail.com for details. We ask for a donation fee of $30.00 per plot. The donation goes toward mulch, fence supplies, etc. Thank you.
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Center for Spiritual Deepening
Monthly Offerings
1st and 3rd Thursdays
- Gospel of Philip at 7:30 p.m. (online via Zoom)
2nd and 4th Thursdays
- Soul Circle meeting at 7:30 p.m. (online via Zoom)
Silent Prayer and Meditation
- In the Sanctuary on Tuesday & Friday mornings at 8:00 am
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Focus Music, and the WFMA | |
Our next show is scheduled for Saturday, September 13th at 7:00 p.m.
featuring Charlie Zahm.
Charlie is one of the most popular soloists at Celtic music festivals, Maritime, and American Traditional music events anywhere east of the Mississippi. With a baritone voice some have described as “coming along once in a generation,” Charlie has become one of the most successful performers on the Celtic festival circuit, weaving magical moments of Scottish and Irish history for the listener and viewer, with passion for the performance and a chosen repertoire pleasing to all members of the family. A master of the guitar as well, Charlie brings an authentic love and respect for the music he sings-and with dashes of humor and a light in his eyes, he will draw you into the stories of his songs!
For more information about the show: https://wfma.net/index.htm
Check out Focus Music, and the WFMA website for other local shows.
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Mr. Greg Randall has been called to serve as the Director of Shrine Mont Camps, beginning his ministry on July 1, 2025. This summer, Mary Beth Abplanalp will still lead Shrine Mont Camps as Interim Director, while also collaborating closely with Greg and Canon for Discipleship Ricardo Sheppard, who will be his direct supervisor, to ensure a seamless transition and continued excellence in camp leadership.
To read more about Greg Randall or to learn more about Shrine Mont Camps, please click here.
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Useful Links
Please Note
Anytime one signs up for an event through Sign Up Genius you will
automatically receive a "reminder" 2 days before said event. Since it's just a friendly courtesy reminder a follow up with the office is not necessary.
Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to email or call us. Thank you.
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Click above to donate weekly altar flowers.
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Click above to host Sunday morning fellowship.
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Click above to add a birthday or anniversary
for the month ahead.
| Click above to add someone to our Sunday worship bulletin prayer list. | | | | |
Update from our Treasurer
May Income: $24,026.54 (pledge, plate, Vanco, other)
May budgeted income: $27,833.33
May YTD income: $159,476.53 (pledge, plate, Vanco, other)
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 Monday, Wednesday & Friday (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 and 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 LJRRichard@gmail.com 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 staidansalexandria@gmail.com 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
| |  | 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. | | | | | |
