Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Episcopal Church

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What does it mean to be an Episcopalian? What does it mean to be an Anglican? How do we differ from other Christian denominations or faiths? What do we believe? Why do we worship the way we worship?

We’ll tackle these, and all your questions, during our Episcopal 101 series beginning Sunday, May 5th, and continuing through Sunday, May 26th. Episcopal 101 meets during Sunday school time at 9:15 in Room 11.

Whether you’re new to the Episcopal Church, or you’ve been around a long time and are still puzzled by what we believe or the way we do things (or wondering what everybody is doing up at the altar during the Eucharist), you’ll find these sessions both worthwhile and fun.

May 5, 2019
“Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi” … prayer shapes our belief. An introduction to the Book of Common Prayer.

May 12, 2019
The Eucharist … spiritual food and drink.

May 19, 2019
What does it mean when we say, “Holy Scripture is the Word of God, and contains all things necessary to salvation … ”

May 26, 2019
The Anglican Communion … one big happy family?

Capital Campaign: Exciting Times for St. Alban’s

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As Fr. Jeff has extolled, these are exciting times at St. Alban’s!

The Vestry has approved the hiring of a capital campaign consultant and we are in the final contract negotiation phase.

The consultant will be CCS Fundraising of Falls Church, who was the unanimous top choice of the interview panel and has extensive local and national experience with Episcopal church capital campaigns.

So, what should the congregation expect?

In April, the CCS Study Coordinator will arrive at St. Alban’s and embed with our church staff full-time to support the four-week Feasibility Study. A study steering committee will be empaneled, consisting of Fr. Jeff, Nancy Harrell, Bill Calvert and one or two other church members.

With the CCS coordinator, the committee will finalize the Case-for-Support. Additionally, the committee will mail invitations to 50-60 potential donors for confidential interviews with the CCS Coordinator(s).

These interviews will allow CCS to assess the donors’ feelings about the direction of St. Alban’s, the kitchen project itself, and the interest to both financially support the project and volunteer, should St. Alban’s undertake a full capital campaign.

An e-survey will be made available to congregants who are not interviewed.

From the interviews and e-survey, CCS will assess the likelihood that St. Alban’s could reach a campaign goal of $1.1 million, and will identify any potential issues regarding leadership or volunteerism for a capital campaign. This information will be documented in a formal report and presented to the Vestry by the CCS V.P. in late May or June.

From there, the Vestry will decide if St. Alban’s should proceed with a formal capital campaign and the ramping up of the pre-construction processes.

Please feel free to contact Bill Calvert, Betsy Anderson, Fr. Jeff or any vestry member with your questions or comments.

These are exciting times in the life of our parish family. The future is bright, the Spirit is active, and we are engaged in the work Jesus has given us to do.

Bill Calvert
Capital Campaign

Betsy Anderson
Kitchen Committee

Choir Notes: March 3, 2019

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Thomas TallisThomas Tallis (c. 1505-1585), England’s pre-eminent 16th century composer, lived under four monarchs, both Catholic and Protestant.

While he probably leaned toward Catholicism, he managed to adapt his composing to the often-confusing prevailing winds, as well as to the influences of composers from the European continent.

O nata lux de lumine (O Light Born of Light) is one of about 15 Latin motets written during the reign of Elizabeth I, who permitted compositions in both English and Latin.

— Clarence Zuvekas

Delegates for the Diocese

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Every March the Vestry elects two delegates to represent St. Alban’s at Diocesan Convention.

Diocesan Convention, held in January, is responsible for the “order, government and discipline” of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia. It’s a rich opportunity to meet other Episcopalians from around the diocese, and a wonderful opportunity to see the greater Church in action.

In order to be considered by the Vestry for this position, delegates to Convention must be adult confirmed communicants in good standing.

If you would like to be considered for the role of delegate representing St. Alban’s, please contact your vestry representative (or any member of the vestry), or see Father Jeff.

Ash Wednesday 2019

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Join us at St. Alban’s on March 6 as we begin our annual journey through Lent. We offer a number of ways and services during which you can begin this vital observance, a time of repentance, meditation, fasting, and prayer.

  • Stop by the Narthex in the morning, starting at 7am, for imposition of ashes
  • Join us for Daily Prayer at 8am in the chapel
  • Holy Eucharist at noon with imposition of ashes
  • A special Children’s Ash Wednesday service at 6pm
  • Holy Eucharist at 7pm with imposition of ashes

From The Book of Common Prayer:

“The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”