All Saints Episcopal Church - Sharon Chapel
3421 Franconia Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22310 703-960-4808 SharonChpl@aol.com
Facing forward
We've walked through the pews, and into the center aisle to look at the altar as it appears on the 4th Sunday of Advent.
The royal blue hangings and the matching vestments are used only during the 4 weeks prior to Christmas. The color symbolizes the hope inherent during the season of preparation for Christ's birth. Visible behind the altar are the flags of the United States, the Episcopal Church USA, and of Scotland. All Saints has a partnership with St. Mungo's Parish in Alexandria, Scotland; as part of the agreement, the two parishes pray for each other, and celebrate St. Andrew's Day (Nov. 30) and Independence Day (July 4) in common. A large wooden cross hanging above the altar was once part of an oak tree which graced the property. Also visible behind the altar is the organ, an 1893 Hook and Hastings tracker which was acquired in 1973 when the present sanctuary was built.