Dear St. Patrick's,

Grace and peace. I hope that everyone is enjoying a wonderful New Year. I want to thank all of you who celebrated my birthday last Sunday and for the staff for providing refreshments. The New Year brings with it many new opportunities for St. Patrick's. We are a parish seeking to serve the world in response to the many blessings given to us from God. This Sunday, after the 10am service, Horizons Greater Washington will be presenting about the ministry they do at St. Patrick's during the summer months. This is one of many outreach activities, supported by this parish, to help serve the underserved in this city. The mission of Horizons is to empower economically disadvantaged students to reach their full potential through academic, cultural, and recreational programs. Not only will Horizons be giving us a review of their first summer at St. Patrick's, they are asking for volunteers to make the program even better. This is a perfect opportunity to dedicate your time to the service of others.  I ask that you take a few moments to be inspired by the great work being done by Horizons at St. Patrick's. 

Sunday School is scheduled to restart on January 23^rd. The Rev. Andrea Martin is looking for volunteers to teach and shepherd our young people through an inspiring curriculum. Let me diffuse some rumors: (1) You don't have to be a parent of a currently enrolled student. (2) You don't need a degree in theology from an accredited seminary. And, (3) you need not be a professional teacher. I remember my Sunday School teachers as my earliest mentors. This is a fun way to meet some of our most inquisitive members and help them develop a strong foundation. And, in the process, you will be fulfilling your call to serve. Sign up by following this link. 

Tomorrow is the Feast of Epiphany. Epiphany celebrates the visit of the wise men to Jesus in Bethlehem and always occurs on January 6. Epiphany ends the season of Christmas and inaugurates the celebration of the spread of the light of God throughout the world. A worship service celebrating Epiphany, open to everyone, will be celebrated at our school beginning at 8:30am. This coming Sunday is the first Sunday after the Epiphany and the Sunday every year that we celebrate the Ba ptism of Jesus (Picture: Just a few weeks ago, I stood on the bank of the River Jordan in the country of Jordan in the place that the church remembers as Jesus' baptismal site. The picture shows the now dry ravine that was a common place for baptism.). Our young people (grade 6 and younger) will have a special children's chapel, exploring Jesus' baptism, led by the Rev. Andrea Martin in the "indoor play" room during the first part of our Sunday liturgy. The young people will rejoin their families at the time of the Peace.

I am looking forward to an exciting 2011.

Many Blessings,

Read last Sunday's sermon titled, "Because of Christmas, A New Year Means New Possibilities." 

Photo Galleries from my pilgrimage to the Holy Land (December 2010):

Gallery 1 (Jordan, Galilee, and Nazareth)

Gallery 2 (Jerusalem and Bethlehem)
 

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven. - Matthew 5:16

Sunday School for children in Preschool through 6^th Grade is scheduled to resume Sunday, January 23^rd, though helpers are still needed.

Some FAQs about Teaching Sunday School: 

 1)      Do teachers teach every Sunday, all semester? 

No, most commitments are only 4 weeks.

 2)      I've never taught Sunday School.  How will I know what to do? 

St. Patrick's uses a fun curriculum that provides detailed plans to volunteers.  Andrea Martin will also meet with you to make sure you feel confident.   

3)      Will I be on my own with a group of children? 

Never - there are always 2 or more adults with any group of children.

With our current curriculum, children learn about God while teachers lead activities they enjoy doing - cooking, gardening, reading, building with LEGOs, working with clay, etc.

To read more about opportunities for helping - and/or to sign up - visit:  Sunday School at St. Patrick's

Or, email Andrea Martin, andrea@stpatrickschurchdc.org, for more information.

h2 Saxaphone Quartet

Saxophone Quartet??? Yes! And they are coming to St. Patrick's this week.  Each year in January, Washington plays host to an International Symposium for Saxophonists sponsored by the Navy Band.  Three years ago we welcomed 12 (count 'em, 12!) saxophonists to our Nave for a concert following the weekend's scholarly activities.  Last year and again this year we host the h2 Quartet, a Michigan saxophone quartet dedicated to commissioning and performing new works.  They will give a recital performance this Saturday, January 8^th at 7:30pm and we hope you can join us for this unique musical experience!

If you want to find out more about the symposium go to: http://www.navyband.navy.mil/Saxophone_Symposium.shtml

Our young people were busy helping others this December. 

Christmas cookies

Our youngest baked Christmas cookies for the bake sale, and middlers decorated bags for the St. Phillips Christmas dinners, baked SOME casseroles and went out on Grate Patrol.

Our older group hauled food and packed and delivered

Making sandwiches

bags for St. Phillips. 

Great work!

Making casseroles

Casino Night on Saturday, January 29^th at the Monahan's! Please join us for a fabulous night of dinner and casino games like roulette, black jack and craps at Tom Monahan and Sharon Marcil's house in Chevy Chase, Maryland for our winter fundraiser for St. Patrick's. This would be a terrific event to bring friends along to play! Tickets are $75, and will be available in the Great Hall after the 10am service. Contact Marilyn Nowalk (marilyn_nowalk@intelbydesign.com) or the church office with questions.

8:00am Server:        Mark Maves

Altar Guild:               Karen Melchar

Lay Eucharistic Ministers:    

Ushers:                   Marilyn Nowalk, Kankunda Klingenberg, Needed

Greeters:                Ellen Teplitz

Readers:                 Catherine Freedberg, Bill Pugh

Intercessor:            Tina Benagh

Psalmist:                 Eliza Kean

Server:                    Peter Jobusch

Crucifer:                      NEEDED

Torches:                      NEEDED

Flowers:                 

Refreshments:         

Vestry Person of the Day: