Choir Notes: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

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by Clarence Zuvekas

Sunday, May 12 — One of the great musical settings of Psalm 23 is the arrangement by the American composer Virgil Thomson (1896-1989) of My Shepherd Will Supply My Need. The text was penned by Isaac Watts (1674-1748), who is regarded as the father of English hymnody.

The tune arranged by Thomson is an American composition of unknown provenance. It first appeared in print in an 1828 collection of hymns, and, in a form more familiar to us, it was included in the 1854-55 Southern Harmony collection. Thomson studied music at Harvard and, like Aaron Copland and many other of his American contemporaries, in Paris, with the revered composition teacher Nadia Boulanger (whose students addressed her simply as “Mademoiselle”).

Thomson composed in almost every genre, including film scores, one of which (Louisiana Story) won the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1949. He was also an influential music critic.

What’s Up @ St. Alban’s (May 5, 2019)

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Benefit Concert on May 4!: Our concert fundraiser is happening Saturday, May 4, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm in the Parish Hall. It’s going to be a great time for a great cause, as all proceeds will go to support victims of last year’s hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. The music runs the gamut — from opera to bluegrass to rock, even a balalaika solo! Don’t miss it.

Stuff a Backpack: Between services on May 5, please come join us in the Parish Hall and help package weekend meals for our Belvedere Elementary School Backpack Ministry.

Episcopal 101: Find out everything you wanted to know about Episcopalianism — and maybe even some things you didn’t know you wanted to know! Our Episcopal 101 series of classes kicks off this Sunday, May 5, at 9:15am in Room 11. Whether you are new to the church or have been coming for years, you’ll find this a useful and fun series of workshops that will help you better understand our church and our faith. It runs every Sunday in May; learn more here.

Trip to the National Cathedral: Also on May 5, parishioner Debbie Rosse will be leading a group of kids and yoth on a trip to the National Cathedral in Washington. It is expected to last from 9am to 3pm (though please arrive at the church parking lot by 8:45am!), and will include a tour, service, and lunch. Contact Debbie if you would like to attend or want more information.

VBS Volunteers Needed: Actors, artists, builders, costumers, decorators and designers needed to help with VBS (happening July 29 – August 2).  Email Melanie Jillson or Ann Gates, or contact them in person.

What’s Happening: Keep up to date by keeping a close eye on our Calendar of Events.

Serving Schedule: Here’s the current two-week serving schedule.

Readings for May 5

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Choir Notes: This Joyful Eastertide

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by Clarence Zuvekas

Sunday, May 5 — Returning from our post-Easter break, we will follow tradition and sing This Joyful Eastertide, a harmonization by Charles Wood (1866-1926) of a Dutch tune published in 1685. It appears in our Hymnal as No. 192, with a text by the Anglican priest, George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934).

Charles Wood was born in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, and studied with noted composers Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London. Later, as a Professor at the RCM and Cambridge, Wood taught Ralph Vaughan Williams (more about him in our May 19 service) and Herbert Howells. Although best-known for his sacred music, he wrote eight string quartets, co-edited (with Woodward) three books of carols, and founded the Irish Folk Song Society.

ACCA Food Pantry Seeks Saturday Volunteers

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The ACCA Food pantry is in the process of reorganizing and needs your help!

The Food Pantry is testing a new program of service to the Annandale community on Saturdays, and they need volunteer support. Volunteers will work from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on May 11, May 18, and June 1, handling a variety of tasks necessary to keep the Food Pantry running and in order.

To participate in this special Saturday pilot program (or to learn about other ways you can support this vital service in our community), please contact David Donahue at [email protected].

The food pantry needs volunteers to:

  • Dispose of spoiled or expired food
  • Serve as a food deliverer, as needed
  • Weigh food for inventory purposes
  • Clean the Pantry – sweep, mop and remove trash
  • Recycle plastic bags and cardboard
  • Stock shelves, as necessary

The ACCA Food Pantry is at 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA.  It’s on the west end of the grounds of the ACCA Child Development Center. Thank you for your support!