Church of the Holy Comforter eNews | December 1, 2023 | |
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2024 Annual Pledge "Moving Together"
Watch your snail mailbox for a special Stewardship letter coming soon. Our goal this season is $1,300,000. Every pledge, every amount, makes a difference! Please prayerfully consider making a pledge today. Thank you!
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Senior Saints BYO Lunch
TODAY, Friday, December 1; 11:45; Ministry Center
You are, as always, welcome and encouraged to "bring a friend." No age limits. No dues. Jason West, Director of Music Ministries at St. John's, Norwood Parish, will play piano and lead our group in Christmas Carols to start the season in joyful songs. Bring your own lunch. Desserts* and beverages will be provided. We ask that a few people bring cookies or cupcakes to share. If you plan to bring a dessert, please let Barbara Fitzsimmons know.
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Vestry Elections will take place Dec. 2 and 3; at all services. Can't come to church? Check your email inbox for information about online voting.
If you are church member, you should have received an email from Holy Comforter with the link to the electronic voting system we are using this year. Learn more.
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Our next "2nd Saturday Church" event will be on Saturday, January 13 at 5 p.m. (skipping December). We'll have ways for all to contribute to the service. If you are interested in joining our musicians, please contact Susan McGuire or Denis McMullan. | | |
Advent Lessons and Carols
This Sunday, December 3; 5 p.m. (with Incense)
Join Holy Comforter’s Adult Choir and Choristers for the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent. This Advent service is modeled after the Festival of Lessons and Carols for Christmas from King’s College, Cambridge. Learn more.
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Gestalt Soul Care Virtual Retreat
This Saturday, December 2; 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on Zoom
with Gestalt Wellness Coach Alexandra MacCracken
Experience a safe and inclusive gathering, where others support you in your journey. Alexandra will integrate coaching with holistic Gestalt Soul Care as you work with your body, emotions and spirit for your greater wholeness. Learn more and register online.
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All-Parish Gingerbread Extravaganza
This Sunday, December 3
11:45 a.m.–2 p.m.
‘Tis the season for gingerbread! All ages are invited for lunch and gingerbread house decorating. We will supply pre-constructed gingerbread houses and decorating supplies, plus a pizza and salad lunch. Please RSVP HERE so we have enough supplies and lunch. A suggested donation of $15 per gingerbread house can be paid at the door or DONATE HERE (select “Gingerbread Extravaganza” from the Fund menu).
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Shop the Youth Group Christmas Greens Sale!
Sundays, December 3, 10, and 17; 10:15–11:30 a.m.
Support our Youth Mission Trip to Puerto Rico and get your home ready for the holidays! There'll be wreaths, centerpieces, mantle pieces, door swags, and more! Shop on the day or place your order online below. Learn more.
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DONATIONS NEEDED!
Youth Group Visit Mt. Carmel House Women's Shelter on Dec. 17
Meet at Church: 4 p.m.; Return: 7 p.m.; Adult Drivers Needed! Youth to signup HERE.
The following donations are needed:
- $25 denominations of Walmart gift cards
- Gift bags filled with a Christmas card, warm gloves, hat, scarf, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, and socks (color of gloves, hat and scarf is not important; the women had fun last year exchanging gloves to match their coat or favorite color)
- Gift bag filled with a sweatshirt
- Gift bag filled with a large bath towel and washcloth
- Misc items include shower curtains/liners; 24-piece set of silverware (fork, knife, spoon); set of pots and pans
Sign up HERE to donate needed items. Leave items in box in the Narthex or in the Church Office. Or make a monetary donation HERE (select "Mt. Carmel House Shelter" in the Fund menu).
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The Giving Table Continues!
The ECW (Episcopal Church Women) Christmas Giving Table runs through Sunday, December 10. Salvation Army Christmas Stockings are due December 3 and are available for early pickup by Scout troops, clubs, and other groups/organizations. Questions? Please reach out to Chris Doyle at 703-403-1634.
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DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 18
Contribute to the Christmas Flower Fund
Please help the Altar Guild to create a vibrant altar display by contributing to the Christmas flower fund. We will include the names of donors and their Memorial or Thanksgiving in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Bulletins. Please complete the Christmas Altar Flowers Form. The deadline for inclusion in the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Bulletin is Monday, December 18 at noon. Questions? Contact Lolly Mixter.
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PENNYWISE Thrift Shop
Located at 214 Dominion Road, NE, Vienna, VA
Dear friends of Pennywise. Our supply of children’s books is very low. It's a huge disappointment for both kids and parents shopping on a budget. Think about reviewing your children's book collection for books your children have outgrown and donate them to Pennywise. We have an audience of readers who will be delighted and shoppers who will be delighted to purchase the books for the young readers on their lists.
With the holiday season upon us, we have low inventory in all categories. We are grateful for your donations which allow us to continue supporting our neighbors. Household items and gently worn warm clothing for all ages are especially important this time of year.
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Advent Devotional: Living Well Through Advent
It's almost Advent! Read a daily Advent devotion as you prepare for Christmas. The Advent Devotional from Living Compass is available in various formats. Pick the one that works best for you!
- As a printed 5.5" x 8.5" booklet (available in the Narthex)
- A FREE PDF file in English (download HERE)
- A FREE daily email of each reflection (request email HERE)
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Walking Our Way Through Advent with Women of the Bible
The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK) is offering this special Advent Bible Study, that will occur over 4 weeks—Rahab (Nov. 30), Tamar (Dec. 7), Ruth (Dec. 14), and Mary (Dec. 21). Each session will begin at 7 p.m. Download study schedule and genealogy of these dynamic women HERE. Please register in order to receive the Zoom link from DOK National. Remaining sessions:
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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. | |
We enjoyed seeing so many families at our Advent Wreath Making event last week! Check out this flyer for more opportunities for your family to experience the Advent and Christmas seasons together, including our Christmas Eve Living Creche services. And consider donating a gift or funds to create some warm holiday memories for the family that Children's Ministries is supporting this season. Find out more. Donations are due on December 4. | |
Advent Retreat: An Invitation to Wonder
Saturday, December 9; 9 a.m.–Noon; Chapel
Join us in a quiet morning of prayer, reflection, and fellowship, anchored in the practice of Centering Prayer. Led by retreat leader Colleen Thomas, we will reflect on images of the Annunciation, Visitation, and Magi Journey through the practice of Visio Divina, as we seek to respond to the Holy Spirit's invitation to participate more fully in the wonders of the Advent season. You are invited to bring a journal. This program is being co-hosted with CONOVA (Contemplative Outreach of Northern Virginia). All are welcome! Learn more. Questions? Contact the Rev. Ann Gillespie.
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Help Women in Afghanistan!
GAPDS Fundraiser
Saturday, December 9; Noon–4 p.m.
Join us in the Ministry Center for a special sale of hand-made Afghan clothes organized by GAPDS (Global Action for Peace, Development and Sustainability), a non-profit established and run by our Afghan friends, the Jahids and Meherzads. It has a special focus on Afghan women, who face unprecedented challenges under the Taliban. When you purchase clothes hand-made by Afghan women, you help them support themselves and their families. Hope to see you there!
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FREE Body & Soul Fitness Classes in December!
Five Body & Soul Fitness classes are held in person at Holy Comforter! Or join via Zoom! During December, enjoy workouts at no cost! Learn more! Questions? Please contact Linda Khan.
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Youth Group Caroling and Party
Sunday, December 10
We will meet at church at 4 p.m. then visit parishioners who are unable to attend church—bringing them some holiday cheer by singing carols. The singing will be followed by a $10 white elephant party with pizza, hot chocolate, and brownies at Denis McMullan’s home. Youth should be picked up at Denis’ house at 7:15 p.m. Please contact Denis McMullan for the address.
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Blood Drive – DONORS NEEDED!!
Monday, December 11; Ministry Center
Sponsored by Becoming Beloved Community
Appointments available 10 a.m.–2:45 p.m. Register to Donate Blood HERE or by using the Blood Donor App. Would you like to welcome donors? Volunteer HERE!
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More Holiday Save the Dates:
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The McLean Symphony - Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. (Learn more)
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Voce Chamber Singers - Sunday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. (Learn more)
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Christmas Eve Services - Sunday Dec. 24 at 11 a.m., and 4, 7, and 10 p.m. (incense at 10 p.m.)
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Christmas Day Service - Monday, Dec. 25 at 10:30 a.m.
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Creation Care will NOT be collecting Christmas Trees this year. Last year we collected trees with the best of intentions, however, our experiment failed. The trees did make a nice edge, and we did warm one box turtle, but mostly the placement of the tree branches just allowed weeds to grow. We spent a lot of time last summer undoing this problem, so don’t bring your tree(s) to the church, until we come up with a much better idea. Also, please do not leave pumpkins in the woods. Questions? Contact Margaret Bain at or Kerry Gilpin. | | | |
FACETS Outreach
The FACETS Team continues to need cooking and delivery volunteers (youth and adults). The time commitment is once per month for about 1.5 hours.
We will be cooking and delivering the next meal on Sunday, December 10. To help, contact Laura Gori or sign up HERE.
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APPLICATIONS DUE BY DECEMBER 31
Outreach Grants
The Outreach Team is currently accepting applications for grant funding from organizations that serve God's people in need. Download the short Grant Application Form. If you know of an organization that would benefit from our parish's assistance, please share the Grant Application Form with them. Questions? Contact Zara Harris.
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VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH (VPOM) For the month of November 2023, the VPOM is Linda Lee Malone. Learn more about Linda 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 do not hesitate to reach out this month’s VPOM. | | | | | |
