Wooden Love Sign

Chom thong District, Thailand

Greetings!

It’s everywhere!! Pumpkin spice in tea, coffee, creamer, cakes, cookies, candles, lotion, chips, oil, body wash—I even saw pumpkin spice deodorant! (Ew!) And, just to participate in the spirit of the season, this coming Sunday it’s Pumpkin Palooza at Old Donation! After the 10:30 service, we will gather outside for pumpkins, games, chili, and hot chocolate. Pumpkins, carving tools, and paint are provided, just bring yourself, your loved ones, your imagination, your appetite, and if you are so inclined, a pot of chili, and join the fun within your faith community. Because having faith isn’t just about prayer and worship! It’s also about spending time in community: laughing, loving, and learning about each other. It’s about looking around and realizing that these are your people! It’s about hanging out with folks who might not otherwise cross your path, and enjoying the surprising connections that can be found with them. And it’s about coming to appreciate the many blessings to be found in the people and practices of Old Donation, building a community that will persevere through thick and thin, together. How wonderful! And how fun. So plan to be there! And take to heart Romans 12:5, which says: …So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another.”  Amen!

Faithfully yours,

Mimi+ 

Thursday - Tomorrow!

10:00am Holy Eucharist Healing Worship

11:00 Bible Study in Canterbury

Midday Munchers

Thursday, 22 October 12:30pm at Brickhouse Diner - contact CJ Godoy to RSVP

7:00pm St. Cecilia Choir Practice in the Great Hall

The POD Arrives!

Donate gently used books, kitchenware, small appliances, dishes, decorations, jewelry, and other treasures to support ODEC Outreach Ministries!

Please set items aside, box them up, and hold them until the POD is available M-Th 9:30am - 2:30pm and Sundays 9:00am - noon. Books go to the Library! Thank you for helping stock our shelves to delight our shoppers!

THIS Sunday!

Ushers Unite!

Be the first smile people see and the reason they feel at home. As an usher, it's not just about bulletins—you set the tone for every service, and help create a warm, welcoming space for all. Step into a role that makes a real difference each week. Join the usher team—you belong here. Already trained and ready to usher? Sign up HERE.

Adults - Tucker Hall

Vote Faithfully! The Episcopal Church's statement on voting faithfully: "We recognize election engagement as an act of Christian stewardship. Our mandate to care for God’s world and people compels us to vote—and to help ensure voting access for others. Election engagement also means we seek to stay informed; critically evaluate information before we share or act on it; and engage in respectful political dialogue even when we disagree." With Mal Higgins

Grades 3-5 Coventry

The Greatest Commandment with Sharon Weeks and Annamarie Ginder

Rite 13 - Canterbury

Made in God's Image: Self - Who do I come from? with Mary Martin & CJ Godoy.

J2A Canterbury - Alfriend House

Laying the Foundations: Spirituality: Respecting Self and Others with Sherry Caruana and Dan Ries.

Healing Holy Eucharist

Every Thursday 10:00am Church

Bible Study

Thursday 11:00am Canterbury

Beach Bags Prep

Saturday, 31 October 9:00am Canterbury. Old Donation partners with Pembroke Elementary on the Beach Bags program which prepares food items for children for their weekend meals. We assemble enough for several weeks deliveries and generally takes about an hour to prep.

Pledge In-gathering / All Saints’

All Saints is one of the four biggest days in the Church year. We give thanks for all the faithful who have blazed a trail. On this day we thank God for the saints who have taught us how to live faithfully, and following their example, we rededicate ourselves to God’s mission and ministry. On this day each year we make our own commitments of financial stewardship to support ODEC in its mission and ministry. Come celebrate our parish, its saints, and make a pledge that will bless God’s work in the coming year. 

Email us the names of your loved ones that have died since 1 November 2025. As always, we invite you to bring photos of your loved ones who have gone before. You can place these in the windows in the Church. We will be surrounded by our great cloud of witnesses.

Oyster Roast is Coming Saturday, 21 November!

Click the graphic to sign up to help!

URGENT! A team lead for Silent Auction is needed this year. There are several items already donated, but an organizer or a team of organizers is needed. Please consider if you have talents for the review of items, assignment of beginning bids, and arrangement of the tables for the event. Please call or text Shelby Longmire with your interest in helping (757-284-4610)

Cycles of Prayer - Week of October 25

In our Diocesan Cycle of Prayers,  we pray for St Christopher’s, Portsmouth and St. James,’ Portsmouth; and for the victims of domestic violence.

Those serving in Colorado—at Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Buckley Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Federal Correctional Center Florence, and the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center.

Thank You! ODEC welcomed human volunteers and canine ambassadors from the Virginia Beach Animal Care & Adoption Center at the Blessing of the Animals. A total of 6 humans accompanied Jackson the German Shepherd, Buddy the Beagle and Kane the Labrador Retriever to the service. They also provided good information about responsible pet ownership. Thanks to all of the ODEC members who made generous donations both in the bin in the parish hall and on line. Your gifts are much appreciated! Thanks also to the ODEC volunteers who made the shelter team feel welcome - Robyn Waltrip, Bobbie Gribble and Marti Jones.

Altar Flower Dedications

Would you like to dedicate flowers in loving memory of or thanksgiving for someone dear to you? Email Janet, and we will let the Flower Guild know. The dedication is included in the Sunday bulletin. The cost is $75.

REALM!

All active members have received an email to REALM, our new platform for parishioners. The email address from which it came is : and will look like the graphic below.



You will need to download the app and choose your preferences of what to show to others. At that point, you will be part of the directory. Exciting, but there are growing pains. Please be patient!

Click below to download the app to your phone:

Morning Star Baptist Church 140th Anniversary Celebration

Come and celebrate and strengthen our relationship with our Baptist friends.

Saturday, 7 November | 4:00–6:00pm Union Baptist Church | Tickets: $60 Wish to attend? Please give cash or a check payable to Morning Star Baptist Church to Mal Higgins or Tony Richardson. Payment deadline is Friday, 23 October. For more info, click HERE.

Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Tribe’s 38th Annual Corn Harvest Powwow

Join tour BBC commission on Sunday, 8 November at noon near Courtland, VA, for Native American dancing, drumming, crafts, food, and cultural exhibits.

Admission: $10; seniors 65+ $7. 🚌 ODEC bus may be available with sufficient interest, departing at 10:00am. Bus riders should plan on 8:00am or 5:00pm worship! Contact Mal Higgins at 757-777-8881 for details.

Interim Rector: The Rev. Mimi Lacy

Senior Warden: Bill Waide

Director of Administration: Gretchen Hood

Parish Secretary: Janet Castro