Church of the Holy Comforter eNews | June 28, 2024

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GREAT NEWS!

Holy Comforter Episcopal Preschool & Kindergarten (HCEP&K) is among a very small group of companies that have won the Best of Vienna Award for three consecutive years. This distinction has qualified Holy Comforter Episcopal Preschool & Kindergarten for the 2024 Vienna Business Hall of Fame.

Holy Comforter Preschool & Kindergarten is seeking Lead and Assistant Preschool and Kindergarten teachers for the 2024–2025 School Year.

Preschool paid part-time position hours are 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and days of the week are flexible. Loving hearts and energetic bodies necessary! Early Childhood knowledge and/or experience with children’s education preferable. Please contact Linda Meyers, Director.

Smile and Say Cheese!

Starting this Sunday, June 30, we'll be taking photos in the Narthex before and after the 10 a.m. service 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 your fellow parishioners, we will have demonstrations and instructions available. Photos will also be taken on July 21 and August 11.

Meet and Greet for Young Families

This Sunday, June 30 following the 10 a.m. service (at about 11 a.m.)

Calling families with young kids (5 or under, or so)! Please join Rev. Jon and our Family Ministries team for coffee, muffins, and fruit after church on Sunday, June 30. We would love to meet you and give you a chance to connect with one another as well. We'll meet in the Nursery and Lillian Croy Room (on the first floor of the church building) so that kids can play while the adults chat. Older siblings welcome as well! Questions? Contact Susan McGuire.

SAVE THE DATE AND RSVP FOR DINNER

2nd Saturday Church & Dinner

Saturday, July 13 at 5 pm in the Chapel

(dinner outside at 6 pm)

Join us for Second Saturday Church with music by our Second Saturday band. This month our dinner theme will be "Shrine Mont in Vienna," featuring camp crafts, s'mores, and Rev. Jon's telescope for viewing the heavens—just like on the mountain. We welcome all ages to this casual Saturday evening service and dinner. An RSVP helps us greatly with planning. Please RSVP for dinner HERE. Questions? Contact Susan McGuire.

Summer Sunday Forum

Sundays, following the 10 a.m. Service

Learn More

And God Saw That It Was Good

June 16, 23, 30, and July 7

Parishioner Margaret Bain hosts this 4-part spirituality course which accompanies Ken Burns' film The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. The course is designed to deepen relationships with Earth and Spirit.

This Sunday, June 30: Reflecting on the human impact—positive and negative—on the parks and on the Earth.

The Anxious Generation

July 14 and 21

Join our Rector, the Rev. Jon Strand, for a discussion of the book The Anxious Generation by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. The book explores the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time, and investigates the nature of childhood, including why children need play and independent exploration to mature into competent, thriving adults.

Music in the Church

July 28 and August 4

Music plays an important role in worship services. How are hymns and other forms of music chosen? How does the organ work and what is it able to do? Come to hear what Minister of Music David Kelley has to say on these subjects and much more.

Introduction to the Enneagram

August 11, 18, and 25

This ancient personality typing system helps us find ways to move closer to each other and to God. Facilitated by parishioner Julie Nutter, you will learn about the deeper motivation for your behavior patterns and how to improve relationships by focusing on the divine Self within you.

Join the Summer Pickup Choir!

July 28 and August 25

If you have ever considered joining the choir, now is your chance to try it out—with no long-term commitment! There will be three pickup choir dates this summer: June 16, July 28, and August 25. Simply meet in the nave at 9:15 a.m. for a brief rehearsal; then sing at the 10 service. No vestments needed; no midweek rehearsals. Questions? Please contact David Kelley.

NEW

Play HoCo Summer Bingo!

Stop by our Children's Ministries table to pick up a Summer Bingo card to play with your family. It's a treasure hunt, a game, and a challenge all rolled into one. You can also access the game HERE or by clicking on the bingo card. Prizes available for all "five in a row" winners, and you can play as many times as you want.

Readers Needed!

We are looking for volunteers to read with the 5-year old daughter of the Venezuelan family we are supporting, while her parents are in their English lessons. The usual times for these lessons are from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday evenings in the family's apartment near Fairfax Circle. If you are interested in helping, please contact our Refugee Ministry Team.

PENNYWISE Thrift Shop

at 214 Dominion Road, NE, Vienna, VA

Welcome to the Pennywise Back Room, often referred to as the “Heart of the Shop.” Volunteers come together every day to sort and price donated items. Volunteers also decorate the shop and skillfully place housewares and decor items throughout. We are always looking for volunteers to help, especially on Monday when we get ready for a new week. If you like to decorate, organize, and in general have fun with a great group of women and men please reach out to the Monday Chair, Jeanna Spielmann.

Virtual Gestalt Soul Care Retreat

Saturday, July 20; 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on Zoom

with Gestalt Wellness Coach Alexandra MacCracken

Gestalt Soul Care Retreats provide a respectful and gently powerful environment for self-exploration, allowing you to emerge more fully integrated and equipped to embrace a life of joy and authenticity. Through a unique blend of coaching and holistic practices, you will uncover and embrace hidden parts of yourself with love and acceptance. Experience the effectiveness of a Virtual Gestalt Soul Care Retreat from the comfort of your own space! Learn more and register online.

Acolytes support the clergy in a variety of tasks during worship. Youth in grades 7th through 12th are invited to serve. Learn more.

Choristers is open to boys and girls in 2nd through 12th grade. No previous musical experience is required but good reading skills are helpful. Learn more. Or contact Dr. Kelley.

Coffee Hour Hosts can be ministries, families, or individuals. This can be a great opportunity for ministries to highlight what they do and promote upcoming events. Please sign up online HERE.

Eucharistic Visitors (EVs) bring Holy Communion to home-bound parishioners twice per month on Sundays. Interested? Please contact the Rev. Jackie Thomson.

Greeters welcome members of the congregation and visitors as they arrive for the service, introduce newcomers to members of the congregation, and provide support as needed. Please sign up online HERE.

Healing Prayer Team prays intercessory prayers for people on the first Sunday of the month. There will be a basic training and orientation; and it is open to anyone who feels called to support those in need. Please contact Alexandra MacCracken.

Ushers distribute service bulletins, count attendance, pass the collection plates, bring the collection plates and elements forward, assist with communion, and tidy the pews. Please sign up online HERE.

Altar Guild Ministry Needs You!

If you would like to to be a part of the worship service but would prefer to be behind the scenes;
If you can wash, dry, and put away dishes, and read a checklist;
If you want the camaraderie of a few close friends who will support you in good times and bad;
If you want the flexibility of being able to swap with another member when you have a conflict in your schedule;
If you want to learn some of the history of Holy Comforter and why we do what we do;
If you want to be appreciated beyond all measure;
The Altar Guild is for YOU.

We are organized in 4 teams that rotate duties on a weekly basis, gathering for an hour or so Saturday mornings to prepare our worship spaces for the weekend services. We are open to all women and men and teens in the church. Give us a try! We can answer your questions and show you what we do! Contact Lolly Mixter or Sheryl Watson.

VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH (VPOM) For June 2024, the VPOM is Art Kron. Learn more about Art at the Holy Comforter website, which also includes the minutes from the monthly Vestry meetings, the Vestry Corner, and other Vestry communications. If you have comments, questions, or are in the need of pastoral care, please reach out to this month’s VPOM, Art Kron.

MINISTRY LEADERS: A whiteboard with magnets is now available in the Narthex for you to post announcements. Please use the board rather than posting on the walls or columns in the Narthex.