Grace and peace and blessings to you. I send my congratulations to all those elected to serve on the vestry in 2011 and represent St. Patrick's at the Diocesan Convention. Many thanks to the nominating committee led by Tony Lee. These elections were a result of a fruitful parish meeting, last Sunday. As I stated at that meeting, the future of this parish is bright. St. Patrick's is blessed with a multi-generational community, many new families, a vibrant school, well-attended and spirit-filled Sunday School and youth programs, beautiful music and choirs for all ages. We are warm and hospitable, focused on social concerns, and dedicated to growth through prayer and study. We worship together in an effort to deepen our relationship with God.

In order to capitalize on these great assets, we must grow to overcome a deficit in our budget. We are living in challenging times and the pledges for 2011 have not grown enough to meet our needs. That does not mean that many of you have not stepped up your commitment. I am thankful for the sixty-three people who either pledged for the first time or raised their pledges to St. Patrick's for 2011. At the same time, I understand that the economy has dealt a difficult hand and some have had to reevaluate their commitment, not in presence, but in their financial support of St. Patrick's.

As I said on Sunday, consider being an ambassador and evangelist for St. Patrick's. In Washington, it is natural to be an ambassador. Being an evangelist is not as easy. In order to reap the benefit of our many assets (a partial list above), we must increase our numbers. So, please invite your friends and neighbors, your colleagues and acquaintances. Even do as Jesus did and invite your enemies. Be an ambassador by telling them what St. Patrick's means to you and be an evangelist by inviting them to join you on Sunday. Invite them to meet with you and Andrea or me for coffee, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Let them get to know how the community of St. Patrick's can support them and how much St. Patrick's needs them to join that effort. We do greater things to fulfill God's mission when we work together.

Faithfully,

We pray for Virginia Miller who died this week, and for her family and friends, including her daughter Marnie Nicholson, son-in-law John Nicholson, grandchildren Wendy Bailey and Peter Nicholson, and great grandchildren Beatrice and Nicholas.

Honor Loved Ones at a Service of Light & Remembrance,

this Thursday, Nov. 18

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays can be dark for those grieving loved ones who have died.

In preparation for the holidays, St. Patrick's will host a service of Light & Remembrance on Thursday evening, November 18th, 6:15 pm. The service will include laying-on of hands for healing and candle-lighting in memory of loved ones.

If you would like the name of a loved one read at this service, please email Andrea at andrea@stpatrickschurchdc.org

Refreshments will be provided following the service.

Join "Team St. Patrick's," and Walk on the National Mall, Saturday, November 20

St. Patrick's will walk the 2.5 mile route to benefit Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington. It is not too late to join the walking team. Walkers will meet in the church's East Lot at 7:30 am, Saturday morning. A bus will take us to the Mall and back again. If you plan on walking, please contact Andrea Martin, andrea@stpatrickschurchdc.org

The Raffle drawing is a week from Sunday on December 5th, so buy your ticket now! We are raising money to help St. Patrick's balance the current budget, and a chance for you to win a cash prize of $10,000. Raffle tickets are on sale for $100 from Vestry members or the church office.

First Prize: $10,000

Second Prize: iPad

Third Prize: iPod

All money raised beyond the $10,000 cash prize goes to the benefit of St. Patrick's. Questions: contact Shannon Small ssmall@fbr.com.

Drawing is on Sunday, December 5th.

If you are new (or feel new) to St. Patrick's, you are invited to a Newcomers' Dinner this Sunday, November 21st, 6pm, at the home of Dan & Cherry Bourque. These dinners are an informal way to meet people (some new, and some not-so-new) in a small-group setting. Newcomers need not bring a thing. It is not too late to RSVP. Please reply to Andrea Martin at 202 342-2822 or andrea@stpatrickschurchdc.org.

The Very Rev. Ian Markham, Dean of the Virginia Theological Seminary invites members of St. Patrick's to an "Advent Stroll" on Sunday, November 28. The stroll will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the VTS Welcome Center in Alexandria. The Dean will escort the St. Patrick's group on a 1� hour audio-tour of the campus.

The Rev. Dr. Kurt Gerhard, Rector of St. Patrick's and a graduate of VTS, and David Beers, St. Patrick's parishioner and VTS trustee, will join Dean Markham and welcome you to learn more about the long-term ministry of the seminary. The tour will conclude back at the Welcome Center for wassail and other seasonal goodies.

Click here for more information.

Interested in this event? Interested in car-pooling? Please contact Karen Melchar in the church office.

The next Parish Potluck Dinner is Saturday, December 4th at Marijke & David Dupree's. If you would like to sign up, please contact the church office.