Twice in the past two years the All Saints - Sharon Chapel community has worked together to assemble thousands of packets of oral rehydration salts — a simple mixture of ordinary salt, sugar, and other ingredients that can literally be a lifesaver for someone suffering from chronic cholera, dysentery, or other disease. (previous All Saints Oral Rehydration project)

The recent earthquake and tsunami in Asia and the likelihood that deadly communicable disease will become rampant in the aftermath has prompted us to move our 2005 effort up by several months. Our goal is to produce more packets than we have on either of the past days.

Saturday, January 22^nd, 2005, is the day. Volunteers are needed on that date to assemble the packets, and before that date to acquire supplies and ready the packets for use. Please volunteer. For information, contact Dick Delbridge.

More information about oral rehydration: rehydrate.org

January 2, 2005

Sharon Chapel's 2004 Christmas tree sale was a success — nearly every tree was sold and funds raised for the church. Thanks to everyone who helped selling trees or who purchased one.

January 2, 2005

After the wave, disease will follow

We have been told to expect the worst with regard to waterborne disease in the Tsunami-ravaged areas of Southeast Asia. Dysentery and diarrhea as a result of Cholera and other illnesses will take lives. Particularly hard hit will be the children. Oral rehydration salts — which consist of sugar, salt, soda and salt substitute, mixed with a liter of boiled water — can save many of those lives. On Saturday, January 22^nd members and friends of All Saints Sharon Chapel Episcopal Church, (3421 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA. 22310) are going to prepare 15,000 packets of Oral Rehydration Salts which will then be rapidly shipped to wherever the need is the greatest. Forwarders have already been contacted and are eagerly awaiting the needed supply.

Prior to January 22^nd you can help by folding printed instructions and inserting them into the salts envelopes. The materials will be ready for pickup at the church by Saturday, January 8^th or you may call Jane or Dick Delbridge to arrange to get some.

Another opportunity to contribute early is to purchase and bring to church containers of salt substitute, which is primarily marketed as Morton Salt Substitute or Nu-Salt Salt Substitute and is located on the grocery shelf next to the salt. They are usually available in small 3- or 3.5-ounce cans as well as approximately 11-ounce containers which have been found in some locations. A box in the rear of the sanctuary will be provided to drop off your donation. We will need a total of approximately 254 three-ounce cans of salt substitute to satisfy the project need. Any and all donations would be appreciated.

If you were here for the Salts Day last year, you know how much fun it was. It's a great day to introduce new folks to Sharon Chapel. It's a great day for teens to participate in a satisfying outreach project, and it's a great day to get to know other parishioners a little bit or a lot better. So, please clear your calendars and plan to bring your family (children 12 or older) and friends on January 22^nd. We will be starting at 8:00 a.m., due to our ambitious goal, and will continue to about 5 p.m. Your participation in the first half, second half or all day will provide you a meaningful way to express yourself with regard to the terrible tragedy which has, and will continue to, befall many. We will need about 60 - 70 volunteers working all day. Please tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers, relatives, etc. about this opportunity to serve.

Sign up sheets will are posted on bulletin boards in Gunnell Hall and the Narthex of the church or call Dick or Jane so that your commitment can be counted.

January 9, 2005

February 16^th, 23^rd and March 2^nd, 9^th

We will, once again, join St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 6744 South King's Highway, for dinner and program during four Wednesday evenings in Lent. This year we will meet each week at St. Mark's. Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. The program will run from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. All Saints - Sharon Chapel will be responsible for dinner on February 23^rd and March 9^th.

The Rev. Churchill Gibson will lead our program on the biblical passage The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because . . .

• . . . He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. (February 16^th)
• . . . proclaim freedom for the prisoners. (February 23^rd)
• . . . recovery of sight to the blind. (March 2^nd)
• . . . release to the oppressed. (March 9^th)

Please sign up on the kitchen door in Gunnell Hall to bring soup, bread, fruit, or salad on February 23^rd and March 9^th.

January 12, 2005

A service of Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes will be held on Ash Wednesday, February 9^th at 7:30 p.m. Join us as we begin this season of Lent with this penitential service.

January 16, 2005

Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper; February 8^th

Shrove Tuesday is a time when the All Saints-Sharon Chapel community gathers for a traditional supper of pancakes and sausage, a way of saying goodbye to eggs, fat and meat. The festive decorations and sequined masks made by the children are in the old tradition of separating the austerity of Lent from other times of the year with one last celebration before the Lenten season begins.

The word carnival comes from the Latin phrase carneiu levare — the removal of meat. Medieval Christians developed carnivals to celebrate with exuberance one last time before the rigorous Lenten fast.

Although Lenten regulations varied with time and place, no meat, butter, eggs, milk, or cheese were generally allowed during the 40 days. Lenten meals might be restricted to one each day and that one taken after sundown.

Though our fasting is seldom so austere, the Book of Common Prayer does call for 'special acts of discipline and self-denial' on Ash Wednesday and during Lent and Holy Week. During Lent, Sundays are an exception to such observances, for every Sunday of the year is considered a Feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In addition to fasting, Christians were permitted no weddings, dances, or festivals during Lent; the season was reserved for prayer and penance. So medieval Christians began to observe a time of celebration in the days and weeks before Ash Wednesday; to hold rowdy parades, masquerades and dances, and to fling themselves into festivity one last time before Lent.

Such pre-Lenten festivities are still widely observed today, preserved in the gondola parades of Venice, the Mardi Gras floats of New Orleans, and the street parties of Rio de Janeiro.

Recipes for all types of rich foods that medieval Christians consumed during Carnival have been preserved in various pre-Lenten traditions. Such feasting developed in part to prepare body and spirit for the long fast and in part to use up the foods that could not be stored during Lent, such as the meat of sausage and the eggs and butter of pancakes.

Rich foods give Carnival days many colorful names - Butter Week, Fat Days, and Fat Tuesday. The name of Shrove Tuesday, however, is derived from a different custom: that of confessing sins (being shriven) in order to begin the spiritual battle of Lent renewed by an awareness of God's power and mercy.

Such a time of confession carries with it a spirit of sorrow and contrition over sin. For this reason, the word alleluia is omitted from Lenten liturgies and restored again during the celebrations of Easter. A Shrove Tuesday celebration is an excellent opportunity to bid farewell to this joyous word.

Both confession and festival are excellent ways to prepare for Lent. Perhaps we, too, can find in confession a renewal of joy in God's forgiveness. Perhaps we, too, can find in festival a renewal of foolishness and fun with our Christian brothers and sisters.

Perhaps we, too, can prepare ourselves to take Lent more seriously by giving ourselves permission to feast and play beforehand. Perhaps we, too, can plunge gaily into Carnival, and emerge prepared for a holy Lent.

Make your plans now to attend the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 8^th, 2005, sponsored by the All Saints - Sharon Chapel Cursillistas to benefit their Cursillo Scholarship Fund. (Find a link to the Cursillo website on the links page.) Supper will be served from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. The cost will be $5.00 per adult, $2.00 per child (12 and under) and $15.00 maximum per family.

January 17, 2005

The Oral Rehydration Project workday, held this past Saturday, was a success. Despite the snow, 80 volunteers filled over 15,000 packets of oral rehydration salts. Thanks to everyone who helped.

January 23, 2005

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast.

When we celebrate the Passover Seder, the ancient tradition that is part of our Judeo-Christian heritage, we celebrate our deliverance from eternal death by our Passover lamb, Jesus Christ. For just as an innocent lamb died so that the first born of each Jewish family in Egypt could be spared, so the innocent Jesus, He who was without sin, died so that we could be spared.

According to the Synoptic Gospels, the last meal which Jesus ate on earth was the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:1), called at the time the Feast of Unleavened Bread, to celebrate the deliverance of God's chosen people from the Pharaoh of Egypt. In their haste to leave, their bread did not have time to rise; this is the source of the unleavened bread which is today called matzoh.

Four cups of wine are drunk at a traditional Seder because of the four promises God made in Egypt:

I will bring you out
I will deliver you
I will redeem you
I will take you to me for a people
(Exodus 6:6-7)

A cup of wine is left for the prophet Elijah, "the herald of redemption," who will return to announce the coming of the Messiah (Mal 4:4-5).

Thus, the Passover Seder has several levels of meaning for Christians. Through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we were grafted onto the Tree of Life, which before His death and resurrection had included only God's chosen people, the Jews (Romans 11:17-21). Through Jesus, we too become heirs to the promise made to Abraham: "all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3). Abraham was justified by his faith in the promise of God, just as we are justified by our faith in His Son, for God is faithful. God has kept His promise to Abraham. He delivered His children from Egypt and He delivered us through His son, Jesus Christ. Thus the God of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah and Rachel, Moses, Esther, Ruth and David is our God through the wondrous sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Please join us on Tuesday, March 22^nd at 6:30 p.m. for our annual Passover Seder. Experience the fun, fellowship and good food of the Seder in a warm, loving community. Cost is $7.00 per adult, $3.00 per child (12 and under) and $20.00 max per family. (Reservations required.)

February 3, 2005

July 29^th - 30^th, MCI Center

This year's conference promises to be the best yet with the usual speakers, Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll, Nicole Johnson, Sheila Walsh, Marilyn Meberg and Thelma Wells. In addition, two-time Dove Award nominee Natalie Grant, and television star Sherri Shepherd will be special guests. If you would like to attend, please contact Carolyn Rae no later than February 14, 2005. Carolyn can be reached at 703-971-7984. For more information see the Women of Faith web site at www.womenoffaith.com.

February 7, 2005

An All Saints parishioner has generously offered to match, at the rate of 10 cents on the dollar, all new, in-the-bank, building fund contributions (not pledges) made between now and the end of April, up to a maximum of $10,000. If the church receives $100,000 in new, cash-in-hand, building fund contributions, that amount will be increased to $110,000! Take the challenge. Contribute to the All Saints building fund today.

February 27, 2005

If you would like to make a contribution towards decorating the church for Easter, please place an envelope with your check in the collection plate or mail it to the church. Don't forget to include your name, whom the contribution is in memory of, or what the contribution is in thanksgiving for, along with your gift to the church Easter decorating fund. All contributions should be received by the church office no later than March 20^th.

February 27, 2005

At the next Youth Group meeting, the All Saints teens will watch the movie "A Walk to Remember" and share dinner together, at Vicki's house. For more information, see Amy of Vicki.

February 27, 2005

The Great Vigil of Easter was the liturgy at which the ancient church baptized catechumens who had been preparing for three years. It remains one of the four days of the year designated by the church for baptism. If you or your child have not been baptized, Easter Eve provides the next opportunity to receive this sacrament. The Great Vigil of Easter will be celebrated Saturday, March 26^th, at 7:30 p.m.

March 6, 2005

There's plenty of work that needs done around Sharon Chapel, large jobs and small, inside and out. If you can volunteer, please plan to come. Saturday, April 9^th, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., has been designated as Spring Cleanup Day. You can work in the morning, work in the afternoon, or work until the job is done and have lunch at the church.

Work to be done:

• Yard clean-up at the Rectory (need a taskmaster volunteer)
• Cemetery clean-up (need a taskmaster volunteer)
• Debris Removal
• Leaf Bagging
• Sweeping the sand from the gutters and driveway
• Pruning of shrubs
• Serving lunch (sandwiches and soup?)

Please sign up on the bulletin board in the Gunnell Hall hallway. Bring whatever tools and cleaning equipment you can. For more information, see Rick Ballard.

March 6, 2005

The National Association of Letter Carriers, in conjunction with the United States Postal Service, will be collecting food items like canned soup, juice, pasta, vegetables, cereal and rice for the 'Stamp Out Hunger' Food Drive on Saturday, May 14^th, 2005 to help needy families in our community. To participate, please place a food donation by your mailbox on May 14^th before the letter carrier arrives. The carrier will take the donation to the post office, and it will then be delivered to local agencies. Please do not include any glass or perishable items. Food delivered to the Hybla Valley, Huntington, and Belle View post offices will be donated to United Community Ministries (UCM). Please help stock UCM's food pantry by participating in this year's Stamp Out Hunger food drive. (see the links page to visit the UCM website.)

April 10, 2005

Would you like to donate to the altar flower fund in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one? Your donation will be duly noted in the Sunday bulletin nearest to the date you request. We make up the calendar of donors a year in advance so please contact Peggy Szymczak or Helen Howze with your request, or if your prefer, you may provide the information below and put it in the alms basket or mail it to the church. The suggested donation is $20 - $25 per Sunday. If you are paying by check, make the check out to the church with a notation "Altar Flowers".

If you are interested in becoming the Lay Delegate or Alternate Lay Delegate to the Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia, please give your name to the Rector by Sunday, April 10. The next Diocesan Council will be January 27-28, 2006 (Friday-Saturday). The Delegate and Alternate are elected by the Vestry. Questions? Ask the Rector or our current, Delegate, Mary Blair Valentine.

Aptil 3, 2005

We welcome the Reverend Jack Weise as our Supply Priest while the Rector is on sabbatical. Father Jack will be on duty Sundays, one day during the work week, and will be available in event of emergencies. Margaret Oosterman and Paul Rae, our Pastoral Assistants, will be assisting Father Jack in the pastoral ministry of the parish. We are blessed to have all of these talented pastors with us.

April 17, 2005

A special adult forum: Everybody is invited to a special adult forum on the Spirituality of Aging beginning at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, May 1^st, and continuing every Sunday through May in Gunnell Hall.

April 17, 2005

The Sharon Chapel Bridge Club will hold its final session of the 2004-2005 season on Saturday, May 21^st in Gunnell Hall. We invite any bridge players who might be interested in playing next year to join us for a pot-luck dinner at 6:00 p.m., followed by the opportunity to observe the players "in action". The group is composed of 16 players of various degrees of experience and expertise, but all are friendly and encouraging and would love to have you join us Saturday evening. If enough people come, we will even set up extra tables for play. If you are interested, please call Sallie Dievendorf.

April 24, 2005

The Region VI Shrine Mont weekend will be held at the Shrine Mont in Orkney Springs, Virginia, July 8^th - 10^th, 2005. The convener will be Debby McConnell, and the program will be the "Story of Christian Music: from Gregorian Chant to Gospel and Beyond." The cost for adults is $110; children are half price. You are invited. For more information and to register, contact the office of St. James' Episcopal Church (Mount Vernon, Virginia), 703-780-3081.

May 22, 2005

Harvest Days are upon us. Please remember Koinonia and UCM. Non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and checks are needed.

May 22, 2005

Voyage to Narnia

Join us to make a fun-filled exciting intergenerational Vacation Bible School weeklong fantasy camp possible this summer. Journey to Narnia, the enchanted land of C. S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. There will be costumed characters from the book, arts, crafts, games, book discussion groups, video viewing, feasts, and many projects. We need your time, energy, and many talents. Organizers, actors, and artisans are needed to lead music, make sets, plan liturgy, dance, make crafts, costumes, etc. There will be activities for ALL ages! This will be an evening program with dates to be announced.

A brief informational and organizational meeting will be held Sunday, June 26^th, following the 10:30 service. Contact Davette Himes (leave message at the church office, 703-960-4808, or e-mail cgs@sharonchapel.org).

June 16, 2005

Assistants needed Sunday mornings and also for the weekday morning outreach preschool program

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based formation program for children with many wonderful resources and sources of support to draw upon. Training is available this summer to all who would like to teach or assist in the atria. We have two specially prepared environments for the children: Level I (3-6 Years) and Level II. (6-12 years), and soon a new program for toddlers who will be transitioning to the Level I atrium. We need you! Pay a visit to one of our atria this summer and observe the wonderful work of the children. Contact Davette Himes (cgs@sharonchapel.org) for more information. Many thanks!

June 16, 2005

Have you seen the new handrail along the steps from the parking lot to the front door? The new railing was the result of a generous contribution from Ms. Frances Davis and a few other gracious parishioners.

June 16, 2005

September 30^th - October 2^nd

The All Saints Parish Retreat theme this year is prayer. The program will be inter-generational and family-oriented. We will be exploring different forms of prayer, with lots of hands-on activities. There will be time for games, relaxation, singing, hiking, worship, and, of course, eating the wonderful Shrine Mont meals.

Cost for this year for meals and two night's accommodation is:

Registration must be received in the church office no later than Sunday, September 18^th. Payment will be due upon arrival at Shrine Mont. Please contact Carolyn Rae for more information.

July 2, 2005

It's summertime and the living is easy . . . but it is also time to perform the annual audit on the church's books.

The same All Saints couple has performed this audit for the most recent two years. It would demonstrate better fiduciary practice to have someone else take a turn at this important task.

The audit is due to the Diocese in September. There is a checklist to follow and the treasurer will provide all of the necessary documentation.

Please see the treasurer, Mary-Blair Valentine, if you are able to undertake this ministry.

July 2, 2005

All Saints - Sharon Chapel is in need of a new Head Usher (now that Jim Blagg has moved). The Head Usher is in charge of scheduling ushers for every Sunday service. If you are willing to volunteer for this position, please let Venita or Father Jack know.

July 2, 2005

The Women of All Saints will have a special High Tea for the women of the church on September 10^th, 2005, in honor of breast cancer awareness month. This special high tea will replace our usual meeting which for October would fall on the Columbus Day holiday weekend.

Please join the Women of All Saints for an afternoon of tea, scones, and fellowship. Saturday, September 10^th, 3:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Please call Carolyn Rae to RSVP and get directions.

Hats and gloves optional, but encouraged!

July 2, 2005

Our Voyage to Narnia program for young people announced earlier is coming in October, 2005. If you already volunteered to help out, please be ready to take on a project. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Davette Himes.

August 7, 2005

featuring Sam Donaldson

Observing 40 years of service to the Community

Join our featured guest, Sam Donaldson, as we reflect on the changes in our community over the past 40 years, honor those we have helped along the ways, and acknowledge our major donors.

If you would like to join us, please contact Eddie Page at 703-328-1973, or Amy Lopez at 703-971-1991. Tickets for the event are $75 per person.

For more information, see www.thekoinoniafoundation.org

August 7, 2005

It's still summer and the mums are barely beginning to bloom, but it's time to start planning for the gorgeous, welcoming flowers of Spring. Please check the Outreach bulletin board en route to Gunnell Hall and see what beautiful flower bulbs Dutch Gardens (and your Outreach Committee) offer you. The listed price of this quality planting stock includes tax and delivery charges. Furthermore, fully half of what is paid by you remains here at Sharon Chapel to help fund our Outreach Activities. The bulbs will be delivered before the end of October, in plenty of time to put them in the ground. (But you will have to do that yourselves.) An order blank and an envelope for checks are posted on the notice. Questions? Please ask Vicki Sharp. No yard? Donate some bulbs to make the churchyard prettier.

September 4, 2005

This is the second and final Sunday we will be collecting funds for Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please make checks out to All Saints - Sharon Chapel with "Hurricane Katrina" in the memo and place in the collection plate.

Also, if you have housing and/or transportation to offer those displaced by the hurricane, please let the Rector know or contact the church office.

September 11, 2005

The Right Reverend David Jones will be visiting us for Confirmation and Reception on Sunday, November 6^th. If you are 13 years or older and have not been confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, and would like to be, please let the Rector know.

All Saints Sunday (November 6^th) is one of the four Sundays of the Church year dedicated to the Sacrament of Baptism. If you desire baptism for yourself or your child, please let the Rector know.

September 11, 2005

Inquirers' and Krygma adult bible study classes will begin on Sunday, September 25^th. at 9:15 a.m. Please see the Rector or Ron Field for more information.

September 11, 2005

The summer issue of The Fishers will be coming out soon; So now is the time to submit articles for that issue. Is there a project or event you want to publicize? The deadline is September 18^th. Thank you for getting your articles in by this date. Submit articles to the church office or Fran Carter, the editor.

September 11, 2005

All Saints - Sharon Chapel has six church pews for sale. (They are being removed to make room for a larger altar area.) These are oak pews in good condition, with bookracks and kneelers attached. These pews are being offered on www.usedpews.org/. To see the listing, go to www.usedpews.org/usedpews.htm, scroll to "South Eastern States" and look for "Set # 1641 – Alexandria VA: All Saints Episcopal Church (Sharon Chapel)" or contact Paul Rae for more information.

September 14, 2005

You are invited to participate in our International Festival Dinner and Auction on Saturday, October 22^nd.

International Dinner

This year, along with delicious food from all over the world, folk dancing, and a children's film festival, we are planning games and other entertainment. Wear your fancy foreign clothes, bring a favorite family dish, a photo of yourself when you were in another country, and think of a funny story about your travels.

We will have prizes for the person who can name the most countries in pictures and for the person who tells the funniest travel story. Please bring the recipe for the dish you bring and we'll copy it for anyone who would like to have it. Food will be arranged buffet style in Gunnell Hall so we will have lots of room for socializing.

There is no charge for the evening but we need your participation to make the evening a success. Here are some ways you can help.

• Prepare a dish from ________
• Help with music or entertainment
• Contribute paper plates and cups, napkins, plastic forks or spoons
• Bring beverages
• Prepare a dish if provided with a recipe
• Help set up before or clean up afterwards
• Other? ________

Please contact Juanita Illera, Pat Taylor, Sharon Field, Vicki Sharp, or Patty Ballard, or drop a note in the collection plate.

Silent Auction

Please set aside your treasures and talents for the All Saints - Sharon Chapel Silent Auction. The event will be on October 22^nd — yes, we will share the date with the International Dinner! The goal is to raise funds for our outreach programs. Items to be donated for the auction should be brought to the church on the preceding Sunday (October 16^th) or by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the International Dinner. Bidders will be able to bid (closed) for items and services during the dinner. Any questions? Please contact Linda Ysewyn. To ensure for a smooth evening please get your donations in early.

September 25, 2005

Saturday, October 29^th has been designated as Fall Clean-Up Day. (In the event that inclement weather prevents the outdoor portion of the cleanup, the outdoor portion will be postponed for one week, until Saturday, November 5^th.)

We will have two teams: an indoor team and an outdoor team. The outdoor team will primarily be dealing with leaf removal, but also with pruning, sweeping, cutting downed timber, removing brush, etc. The indoor team will do heavy cleaning: oiling and polishing the wood such as pews, replacing light bulbs, cleaning windows, reorganizing, cobweb removal, etc.

The two junior wardens will be team captains. Rick Ballard will head the outdoor team. Loretta Kuhn will head the indoor team. Please note that the bishop will be conducting his annual visit on Sunday, November 6^th, and will be able to observe the fruit of our labors.

We all have things to do on Saturdays and our free time is one of our most prized possessions. This makes giving of our labors and talents during fall clean-up a sacrificial offering. In the weeks prior to Fall Clean-up Day there will be bulletin announcements asking you to commit to this event. Please fill out the card and place it in the offering plate. If you can provide any special equipment, such as a chain saw, heavy duty vacuum, etc. please note that as well. The Fall Clean-Up will take place Saturday, October 29^th, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Snacks and hot dogs will be served for lunch.

September 25, 2005

In chapter 5 of John's Gospel, we read that Jesus saw an invalid lying beside the pool at Bethesda. The man had been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus asked the man, "Do you want to get well?" The man's response was a vague excuse for why he had not been healed. How would we respond to Jesus' question? Are there things we do and ideas we have that prevent us from the healing that Jesus so compassionately offers to us?

This program will explore habits and attitudes that can potentially inhibit our physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and offer insights on what we can do to become more receptive to God's healing. Come, learn, and receive healing prayer.

The program is offered by The Order of St. Luke the Physician, an ecumenical organization dedicated to the Christian heading ministry. The speaker is the Reverend David Harper. November 5, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., at St. Albans Church, Washington, D.C. The cost is $30 and includes lunch. Contact Paul Rae or see www.osl-washingtondc.org for more information or to register.

September 25, 2005

The Voyage to Narnia program for young people is scheduled for five Wednesday evenings, October 12^th through November 9^th, at 6:00 p.m. Children, and adult volunteers, will explore the world of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. Participants will choose from a variety of activities based on characters and events in the book: arts, crafts, games, book discussions, video viewing, etc. Everyone is invited to attend these evening programs or volunteer to help. Thanks to all who have already volunteered. Aslan is on the move! (The first meeting, on October 12^th is a "get organized" meeting for adult volunteers to plan the program.)

September 25, 2005

We welcome to the All Saints - Sharon Chapel family our new Seminarians: Tim Grayson and the Rev. Bartholomayo Bol Deng.

September 25, 2005

All Saints Women of Faith meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in Gunnell Hall for an hour of fellowship, study, and sharing our spiritual journey. Please join us for this special time of sharing our joys, our sorrows, our prayers, and our faith! The next date is October 8^th. We will be discussing both our personal and churchwide reactions to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina: what we have done, what we are doing and what we can do in the future.

September 25, 2005

Here we go! The first meeting of the year will be on Sunday, October ²³, from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. at the church. Please bring a sandwich and a snack to share. Drinks (and perhaps even the famous oatmeal cookies!) will be provided. Who is eligible? Everyone in grades 7-12 who wants to spend time together as part of the All Saints community and have fun. Please call or e-mail Amy Spagna, Vicki Hulick, and/or Tim Grayson if you've got any ideas or questions. See you on the 23²³!

October 9, 2005

Although some of you are new and have never met the Postulant we pray for each week, many of you know Susan Sowers and are aware of her current plans. Although accepted by the Diocese as a Postulant, before she can enter seminary (in Fall 2007) she needs to complete her career obligation to the U.S. Army. She left this week for a year in Iraq as Chief of Staff of the 3rd COSCOM. Therefore she will be prayed for both as our Postulant for Holy Orders and as one of our parish serving in Iraq. She is so pleased to know that she is being supported by our prayers each week in each service. She has indicated that although she might not be able to reply to mail, she would love to receive mail — just chatty stuff about what is going on here with each of us. She will try to reply but figures that 95% of what she gets might not get a return message — at least not right away. She will alert us if there are care package things she or her troops need. Please contact the rector if you would like to have her address.

October 9, 2005

The All Saints - Sharon Chapel annual meeting will be held Sunday, February 5^th, 2006, following the 10:30 worship service. Please plan to attend so we can conduct church business with a maximum of participation.

October 11, 2005

A big thanks to all the donors of treasures and talents and the generosity of the shoppers. To date the auction has raised over $1,200 for outreach programs.

A few items, on the back pew, are still available for bid.

October 30, 2005

If you have a loved one who has died since last All Saints Day and you would like to have his or her name included in the Necrology read at the morning services on November 6^th, please inform the church office by November 2^nd.

October 30, 2005

Have an article for The Fishers? Please submit it to the church office as soon as possible.

October 30, 2005

There are three special Christmas Worship services this year.

Saturday, December 24^th

• Christmas Eve Family Service, 5:00 p.m.
• Christmas Eve Festival Service, 10:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 25^th

• Christmas Day Service, 10:00 a.m.

Please note the 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service will be in lieu of the usual 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. worship services. We will return to our normal worship schedule the following Sunday, January 1^st, 2006.

November 6, 2005

Reminder: We will be collecting pledge cards on Sunday, November 20^th, at the Offertory during the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. worship services and offering them to God, a portion of what He has given to us. These pledge cards are important for the budget process as we plan the ministries of this church in 2006.

November 13, 2005

On Wednesday evening, November 23^rd, we will gather once again to give thanks to God for the many blessings we have received. The Eucharist (Thanksgiving) will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. Please join us as we remember the true meaning of this holiday and the One who creates in us grateful hearts.

November 13, 2005

This year we will re-institute a very special Advent Program. Our visiting priest, Bol Deng, will be speaking to us about his experiences as one of "the lost boys" of Sudan who escaped to Ethiopia to build schools and become an ordained priest and Archdeacon of the Church of Sudan's largest diocese. The program will span three Wednesdays: November 30^th, December 7^th, and December 14^th.

We will begin with a soup supper at 6:00 p.m., with the program to follow at 6:30 p.m. We will end the evening around 8:00 p.m. with the reading of the Compline. Please sign up to bring soup, bread, and fruit. Sign up sheets will be posted on the kitchen door.

November 13, 2005

November 19^th, movie and youth fellowship. For more information, see Amy or Vicki.

November 13, 2005

The All Saints - Sharon Chapel Christmas Tree Sale is coming soon. We will be selling Christmas trees from Friday, November 25^th, through Thursday, December 22^th. Volunteers are needed to sell the trees. Afternoon and evening shifts are available. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in Gunnell Hall. And please plan to buy your tree at the All Saints - Sharon Chapel Christmas Tree Sale!

November 20, 2005

Sunday, December 11^th: An All Saints - Sharon Chapel group will attend a screening of the new Narnia movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, at the AMC Hoffman Center theater (map). Ticket reservations required. We will gather after church for a bring-what-you-can potluck lunch and then go to the 4:30 p.m. showing. For more information, see Davette Himes.

November 20, 2005

Just in time for Christmas, Sharon Chapel wooden crosses are available; they make great gifts for others — or for yourself. The wood comes from the 150-year old oak that was cut down in our cemetery, and from a cherry tree that was on the side of Gunnell Hall. These crosses, both oak and cherry, have been carefully hand-crafted by one of our parishioners, Wayne Johnson. Each cross is accompanied by a short note about the history of the wood. The price is $20 each and the entire amount goes to the building fund. To select your cross(es), contact the church office at 703-960-4808 or talk to Paul Rae.

November 27, 2005

Would you like to donate towards decorating the church with flowers and greens for the Christmas season? If so, please indicate below and place this in the collection plate along with your donation, or mail it to the church no later than December 18^th.

The Greening of the Church (and the Eating of the Pizza) will be Thursday, December 22^nd. Volunteer "greeners" are needed!

November 27, 2004

December 4^th and 11^th will be special Harvest Days collections for Koinonia. Please bring a "Christmas Wish" donations that are suitable for Christmas presents for young children or teenagers. Please do not wrap these gifts; however, gift wrap and ribbons can also be donated.

November 27, 2005

I am grateful to Rachelle for inviting me to "do" the Saint Nicholas presentation. I am thankful for all of you who enabled this to happen — to Carolyn Rae for printing the candy cane cards; to Grace Church for the use of the red cape; to Paul Rae for providing all the background material, the great candy cane crosier and the magnificent miter; and to Venita Boyd for putting this all together. Thank you one and all.

Father Jack Weise

December 4, 2005

Sarah Kinney, our former seminarian, will be ordained to the priesthood on Monday, December 19^th, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church in Richmond.

December 18, 2005