Hurricane Eta Relief in Honduras

Here are ways you can help with hurricane relief in Honduras.

Steven, Edgardo, Tirza and Allison

  • Parishioner Gail Allison, Tirza’s godmother, is collecting gently-used clothing that she plans to ship to Edgardo’s home town — you can drop your donations of clothing for children and adults in the Narthex. Contact Gail for more information.
  • “Stuff the Trunk” collection next Saturday, November 21, 9-11 am in St. Alban’s parking lot. We are working with the Romero-Canales family to ship these items to their extended family in Santiago. We need:
    • NSAID pain relievers: (Ibuprofen/Motrin/Advil; Acetaminophen/Tylenol) – Childrens, Adults
    • Cold/Allergy Medicines: (Benadryl, Sudafed, Tylenol Cold/Cough, Dayquil)
    • First Aid Kits
    • Bandages, Bandaids, gauze
    • Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, etc.)
    • Masks
    • Thermometers, nebulizers, humidifiers
    • Infant formula (Similac, Nido, etc.)
    • Toothbrushes, toothpaste, small shampoos/soaps
  • Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is our national church’s agency working around the world and here in the US responding to and rebuilding after disasters.  Your donation to ERD will go to wherever it is needed most.

It is a Christian obligation to vote…

Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, reminds us that, as Christians, we have an obligation to vote.  Bishop Curry goes on to say that we must cast our vote, not on a partisan basis, not based on our biases, but based on our values – the values of human dignity and equality.

Vote the values of the rock on which this country was built. Vote.

With the ever-looming threat of COVID-19 hanging over everything we do, please begin thinking now about how you will vote this year.  If you are concerned about being in a crowd, or don’t want to stand in line, I encourage you to vote absentee, either in person or by mail.  You no longer need a reason to vote absentee in Virginia.  Please note these important dates for absentee voting for the 2020 General Election:

  • September 18: First absentee ballot mailout
  • September 18: Early voting/absentee in-person voting begins at the Office of Elections, 12000 Government Center Pkwy., Fairfax, VA
  • October 13: Voter Registration Deadline (In Person/By Mail) 5:00 p.m.; online: 11:59 p.m.
  • October 23: Deadline to apply to receive an Absentee Ballot by mail, fax and online: 5:00 p.m.
  • October 31: Final day to vote absentee early/in-person, 5:00 pm
  • November 6: Deadline to return your absentee ballot to the Office of Elections: 12:00 noon. Ballot must be postmarked by November 3

Other times and locations in Fairfax County for in-person absentee voting have yet to be announced.

Helpful links:

Loving God, we give thanks for the right to vote. Help us to hold this privilege and responsibility with the care and awareness it merits, realizing that our vote matters and that it is an act of faith.  Amen.

An update from Second Story

St. Alban’s is a long-time supporter of Second Story, a youth services organization based in Northern Virginia that offers children, youth, and families hope for brighter futures by providing counseling, shelter and neighborhood-based support. Check out some of the work they are doing in the midst of COVID-19 through the eyes of one of their volunteers and donors here:

Participate in the Episcopal Justice Assembly – June 20

On Saturday, June 20, you are invited to participate with The Episcopal Justice Assembly for The Poor People’s Campaign Moral March on Washington Digital Gathering. Register using this link to receive more information. The Poor People’s Campaign is a non-partisan, interracial, intersectional, gathering of impacted people, religious and social justice partners building on the work of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign. Learn more about the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival. Questions? Contact Deacon Theresa.

COVID-19: ACCA Needs Your Immediate Help

During the COVID-19 crisis, ACCA is continuing to help our low-income neighbors with both food and rent assistance. The fastest and safest way to help their great efforts is to donate to ACCA on-line. ACCA will use your donation to provide rental and food assistance to your needy neighbors.

Please follow these steps to donate online to ACCA:

  • Go to ACCA web site – https://accacares.org/
  • Click on the blue “Donate Now” button at the top of the home page.
  • This will bring you to ACCA’s donation page on the Greater Washington Catalogue for Philanthropy website. The Catalogue is a nonprofit partner that processes donations to ACCA through PayPal, and no cost to you or ACCA.
  • In the box next to “Amount $,” please enter the amount you wish to give.
  • For now, please do not designate a specific donation category, so that it is easier for ACCA to apportion your donation quickly to the greatest need, as this crisis unfolds.
  • If you wish to become an ongoing (“recurring”) online donor, then please click on the blue text that says ”Dedication? Anonymous? Recurring?” Then select how frequently you wish to automatically donate.
  • Click on “Add to Cart and Proceed to Checkout” and finish your payment process on the secure page.

Of course, you can always donate to ACCA by sending a check to:

ACCA, Inc., 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003

Thank you for continuing to share Christ’s love in your community.

Blood Drive Participation Survey

We would like to host a Sunday morning blood drive at St. Alban’s, but would need at least 30-35 donors to make the drive successful. If you would be interested in participating as a donor, would you please complete and submit the below online form?

This isn’t a firm commitment on your part, but if we have enough interest then we will schedule a drive in the very near future. We will also reach out to our neighbors and invite them to give as well. Thank you!

St. Alban’s Youth: Election Day Donuts was a success!

Election Day Donuts was a success!

This morning, Saint Alban’s Youth raised more than $600 to help fund our summer mission to Hurley, VA next July. We had receipts of $855.95, including cash and credit card donations. With costs for supplies factored in, it amounts to $600 (and change) toward our Youth Mission budget!

Thanks to Sophia DePasquale, Olivia DePasquale, Robby Larson-Ensinger, Macgregor Bickel, James Perina, and Victor Zorin for showing up bright and early to show our local voters some Saint Alban’s spirit!

Thanks especially to Harry and Delores Baisden, for being there long before dawn to start making coffee while Fr. Paul picked up the donuts.

Thanks, too, to our Saint Alban’s family for supporting us in our efforts. We couldn’t do it without all of you.

Fr. Paul

An Active Autumn Starts at St. Alban’s

Autumn means activity, for our families, members and parish! This Sunday starts a very busy September around St. Alban’s. Make a note of these important activities and be sure to join us.

First of all, make sure you’ve registered your child(ren) for Sunday School. An easy online registration form is right here.

September 1 is our annual Ice Cream Social, which happens after both services in the parish hall.

A week later, on September 8, don’t miss Ministry Sunday. There’s only one service that day, at 10:15am, and afterwards come to the parish hall for our fun and enlightening ministry fair. Representatives from each ministry will be available to discuss how our combined effort serves the mission of StAlban’s. No matter how much or little time you have to give, we can help you find the “right fit” for your individual talents and calling.

On Wednesday, September 18 at 7pm, we are beginning a 7-week study of the Book of Job. The Book of Job cuts straight to the heart of what it means to be human.  Talk to Fr. Jeff for more information. The study guide is $23 (checks payable to St. Alban’s or use myEoffering.)

The annual parish weekend is happening September 27-29 at Shrine Mont (did you remember to make your payment?).

And, of course, September means planning for our Christmas Bazaar kicks into high gear. We need lots of support for this important event, which happens on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and raises funds for all of our outreach programs. Contact Nancy Calvert or Sue Mareina to learn how you can help!

Day two of the Youth Mission Trip to Hurley, VA

Team 2 started the day off for us with pancakes, ham and scrambled eggs.  Ted even got fancy and sprinkled little colorful candy sprinkles into the pancakes…not sure if they gave the exact effect he was hoping for.  But, it’s the thought that counts!  Thanks, Ted, Victor and George!
 

Our valiant team of painters returned to their project to finish scraping, and begin painting, their house. With rain threatening their work, the team worked feverishly to complete painting the front porch and one side of the house.

Battling wasps and the heat, the painting team persevered. Tomorrow is another day.
 

Harry’s team laid linoleum flooring.  MacGregor and Landon learned to cut the flooring to fit.

George’s team laid flooring and applied a coating of koolseal to the roof of a trailer
We ended the day with a brief service of compline on the front porch.

 

Nothing like a couple of happy missioners!