Church of the Holy Comforter eNews | May 30, 2025 | | |
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Holy Comforter has launched the EconTransitions Ministry to assist federal employees and others in the community in preparing for and navigating the rapid downsizing of the federal work force, its personal impacts, and impacts on our congregation and community. We encourage federal employees and interested others to review the full range of resources on the EconTransitions webpage.
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The 3rd floor Renovation Project is Starting!
Demolition will begin on Monday, June 2. We need help packing up the parent's meeting room and three Sunday school rooms next week. Classroom materials need to be carefully packed in boxes and furniture needs to be covered. Please sign up HERE to help for an hour or two! Please contact Kathy DeSanti-Paulini if you have questions (703-850-6660).
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JOB POSTING
Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries
Holy Comforter is seeking a full-time Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries who will help lead our congregation’s large population of children, youth, and young families into a greater knowledge and love of God through worship in the Episcopal tradition, Christian formation, service, and fellowship. Please see the Position Description HERE.
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Hogwarts Vacation Bible School: June 23–27
Everyone is invited to join the fun! Please visit TimeToSignUp to sign up for volunteer opportunities including:
- Volunteers needed to help transform the building into Hogwarts (June 17–22). No experience needed.
- Volunteers needed to launder Prefect robes before camp starts.
- Hogwarts VBS is seeking a VAN (and ideally a driver) from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Friday, June 27.
We invite you to check TimeToSignUp frequently, as more opportunities will be available during the coming weeks. For details and questions, please contact Linda Lee Malone at vbs@holycomforter.com.
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Enrollment Open for Holy Comforter Episcopal Preschool & Kindergarten 2025–26 Year
We still have a few open spots in our 2s, 3s, and Pre-K classes. Please email hcepoffice@holycomforter.com or call 703-938-3704 to set up a tour. For three decades, we've been dedicated to nurturing young minds and igniting a lifelong passion for learning. We are excited to give you a tour so you can see first hand!
| | The Church Office is now observing summer hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday–Friday. | | Sunday School is on summer break. Thank you to all teachers, volunteers, and parents who supported our young people this program year. We will resume Sunday School on September 21. REMEMBER: Children's Chapel will continue during the 10 a.m. service through Sunday, June 22. | | | |
Youth Lector Training This Sunday
All youth interested in training to be a youth lector are invited to gather in the church this Sunday, June 1 after the 10 a.m. service. A lector (or reader) reads scripture passages aloud at Sunday worship services. Questions? Contact Denis McMullan.
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PENNYWISE Thrift Shop
at 214 Dominion Road, NE, Vienna, VA
NEW! Our new Consignment Chair, Heather Glynn, is initiating a new way to open up our Consignment Department to new customers and hopefully new volunteers. The idea is a Pop Up session consisting of two volunteers taking five customers with just five items. We are still taking our normal clients with full appointments but we hope the Pop Up program will bring new clients into our family. To learn more contact Heather Glynn.
PLEASE NOTE: We are low on donations in all areas so please consider supporting our important ministry with your gently used clothing and decor items. Thank you for your continued support.
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Senior Saints Lunch and Program
Friday, June 6; 11:45 a.m.; Community Hall
Our guest speaker will be Kimberly Cox, Holy Comforter’s “Seminarian in Residence” from the Virginia Theological Seminary. In the true spirit of Pentecost, Kimberly’s story about how she came to Holy Comforter may surprise you and perhaps be one you do not want to miss. Kimberly will share how the Episcopal Church has been a source of hope and faith in her own life and why the ministry and fellowship at Holy Comforter matters—in this moment and in generations and moments to come. Bring your own lunch. Desserts and beverages will be provided. Bringing a dessert to share? Please contact Barbara Fitzsimmons.
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SAVE THE DATE
Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Annual Meeting and Luncheon
Saturday, June 7; 1–3 p.m.; Community Hall
All women at Holy Comforter are invited. The firm deadline for signing up is Friday, May 30. Sign up online HERE. Please join us for fellowship and the election of next year's officers.
The following people have been nominated for ECW Officers: President - Judy Boott, Vice President - Jeanna Spielmann, Recording Secretary - Nancy Bertera, Treasurer - Diana Emami, Corresponding Secretary - Lisa Wood.
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Magdalene's Journey: Q&A and Live Channeling
Saturday, June 7; 1–3 p.m.; McGill Hall
In this Easter season, we are reminded that the first person to speak with the risen Jesus was Mary Magdalene. But what do we really know about this Mary? In a new book, Magdalene's Journey, authors Renee Blodgett and Anthony Compagnone explore the life of Mary and her relationship with Jesus as experienced by two fictional characters whose lives are turned upside down after they receive visitations from souls who walked the earth two thousand years ago. The globally-known authors are doing a rare talk and a live channeling to answer questions. This event is free, but signup is requested HERE. Questions? Please contact Patti Boerger.
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FACETS Outreach
The Holy Comforter FACETS Team needs volunteers (youth and adults) to assist in cooking and delivering meals. The time commitment is once per month for about 1.5 hours. The next volunteer opportunity is Sunday, June 8. Please contact Thyra Parcell or sign up HERE to volunteer. Please continue to donate warm coats socks, hats, and gloves to replenish our inventory for next winter. Gloves, hats, and socks can be placed in the box n the narthex. Coats can be placed next to the box.
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SAVE THE DATE
Bishop's Visitation,
Confirmation,
and All-Parish Picnic
on June 8
Service at 10 a.m.; Parish Picnic at 11:15 a.m.
The Rt. Rev. Edwin "Ted" Gulick will be with us on Sunday, June 8 to confirm, receive, and reaffirm youth and adults into the Episcopal Church. Following the service, join the Bishop and fellow parishioners for a delicious BBQ lunch, Moon Bounce, and fellowship in celebration of the day's events. We are looking for volunteers to help with the picnic setup and cleanup. If you can help, please sign up online HERE. Questions? Please contact Gini Barazia.
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Smile and Say Cheese!
Did you miss our photo sessions last winter? Are you new to our church? During the Parish Picnic on June 8, we will be taking photos in the narthex to update our online church directory. Help us to help you get to know each other by stopping by to get your photo taken. We will take care of uploading your photo to the directory. And if you have questions about how to use the directory to find fellow parishioners, we will have instructions available. Please stop by and say "Cheese!"
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SAVE THE DATE
Sunday Forum: What is Discernment?
Sunday, June 15; 11:15–Noon; Community Hall
In this forum, parishioners Frances Sullinger, Norma Williamson, and Mike Croghan will introduce the ideas and practice of spiritual discernment. Together we'll practice a simple form of discernment using art and creativity to invite the Holy Spirit's guidance, and we'll discuss the Discernment Groups that Holy Comforter (with our six newly trained discerners!) offers to any individual wrestling with a difficult decision.
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3rd Saturday Workday
Saturday, June 21; 9 a.m.–Noon
We meet as usual on the third Saturday of the month between 9 a.m. and noon. Please join us as we take care of our trees and other plants that take care of us. Wear suitable shoes—the ground is uneven—and bring your favorite work tools. Cancelled if the weather is unpleasant.
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VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH (VPOM) For May 2025, the VPOM is Kim Brailey. Learn more about Kim 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? Please reach out to this month’s VPOM, Kim Brailey.
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