2023 Youth Mission Activities

For 2023 the St. Alban’s Youth Group stayed local for their summer mission work.  This year the group spent a week learning about need in the local community, and how we can help meet those needs.

The group is ready to do their part to clean up Sleepy Hollow Rd.

On Monday the group took a walk into Annandale to talk about how the area’s infrastructure (lack of sidewalks and inconvenient bus service) creates problems for those in our community without transportation, or with
inadequate transportation.  Later the the group spent time giving back to the community through a road-side cleanup on Sleepy Hollow Road.  On Monday afternoon, the group traveled to the Samaritan Ministry Anacostia office to find out how our ministry partner organization helps others get a second chance and a new start in life.

On Tuesday, the group helped out at the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) Child Development Center.  In the morning the team helped the kids build and fly paper airplanes, build a 3′ tall rocket and helped unload a delivery of supplies for the school.  After lunch the group returned to spend the afternoon on the playground with the kids.

Cole shows a new friend the proper technique for folding a paper airplane.

On Wednesday to Youth Group traveled back to Anacostia, this time to Martha’s Table to help set up and run their daily “Martha’s Table

Unloading fresh produce for Martha’s Table Market.

Market,” a farmer’s market for households in need.  Twice a month, families can “shop” at the free market for fresh produce, meat and non-perishable food items.

Just finished repackaging 15 crates of collard greens.

The week will end with a jaunt into West Virginia to spend time together, do some team building, and spend a day canoeing on the Cheat River.

Our group: Zach, Fr. Jeff, Alison, Cris, CC, Fr. Paul, Debbe, Sam, Cole, Heath, Harry.

 

Help earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria

The devastating news of a major earthquake in Turkey and northern Syria is heart wrenching.  News of rescues and recovery leave one wondering what we can do in the midst of such tragedy.

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is a four-star rated charity and a reliable way to get funds to those most in urgent need.  This link will take you to Episcopal Relief and Development’s earthquake support page where you can help provide critical relief to communities in Turkey and Syria impacted by the earthquake.

We can offer prayers for those who lost their lives and pray for the grieving families and loved ones.  We can pray for those who lost homes and have inadequate shelter in the face of winter’s cold winds.  But we can also provide financial assistance – a concrete offering to help those who are suffering.

God, our times are in your hand. In the midst of uncertainty lead us by your never-failing grace as we seek to be agents of healing and hope. Walk with us through difficult times; watch over us in danger; and give to us a spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer and mourn. And finally remind us that you have promised never to leave us so that even in the valley of the shadow of death your love may be felt, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

– The Rev. Lyndon Harris, from the Episcopal Diocese of New York disaster preparedness plan

Poe Middle School After-School Meal Program Begins

St. Albans will be serving a hot meal to middle schoolers who participate in Poe’s after-school activities next Thursday, October 28. Here’s your opportunity to participate in this outreach, which began in 2013. Kids there have been asking when we’d return.

More than two-thirds of the students in the after-school programs receive free or reduced-priced breakfasts and lunches, and so our meals support those who face food insecurity at home at the end of the day. Here’s your opportunity to support this outreach!

To see volunteer slots (shopping, cooking, transporting, serving/cleaning), click this link to learn more and to sign up. Contact Remy Jurenas with any questions at [email protected].

Stuff the Bus – benefitting local food pantries

Fight Hunger in Fairfax County! Donate to the Stuff the Bus Food Drive on October 9

Stuff the Bus began in 2011 in response to a critical need to help restock the shelves of local food pantries after the holidays. This collaborative program is a partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits. Now in its 10th year, Stuff the Bus continues to support food assistance efforts for families and households. Since inception, Stuff the Bus has collected over 220 tons of food to feed hungry people in Fairfax County.

The next Stuff the Bus food drive will take place on Saturday, October 9. Fastran buses will be parked at locations throughout Fairfax County from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries.

Get Involved!

See the complete list of food drop-off locations, what to put on your shopping list to donate, and tips for donating safely at Stuff the Bus.

Stuff the Bus Virtual Food Drive

For those who are unable to donate in person, monetary donations can be made by visiting Volunteer Fairfax’s Stuff the Bus Donation Page.

Ways to support Afghan refugees

As Afghan refugees arrive in Virginia, Lutheran Social Services (LSSNCA) is the agency providing resettlement support in the National Capitol Area. Information about monetary donations and the list of necessary items being accepted is available on the Lutheran Social Services website. Collection sites and dates in our area are listed below. The Lutheran Social Services website includes information about purchasing items through the LSSNCA Wish List on Amazon.


LDS Church
4911 Ox Rd
Fairfax, VA

TIMES: 11:00am-6:00pm

DATES:  Monday August 30- Saturday, September 11
(Sorry, no donations accepted on Sundays)


Peace Lutheran Church
6362 Lincolnia Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22312

TIMES: 12:00pm-7:00pm

DATES:
Tuesday, August 31
Wednesday, September 1
Thursday, September 2

Food Ministry at Poe Middle School

Our Poe Middle School food distribution program has returned! 

We are targeting families in need at the elementary feeder schools who also have children attending Poe Middle School.  Every other week, we will pack a bag of healthy food for 35 families and deliver it to the H-Mart parking lot located at 7885 Heritage Drive.  We are looking for members who can help us pack the bags and transport them to the H-Mart parking lot for distribution.  Our Sign-Up Genius has openings for all distribution dates.  If you have any questions, please contact Nell Dillard at [email protected].  Thank you so much!

One Day, 15,000 Volunteers, Making Over 7500 Bunk Beds

Be part of an historic event called Bunks Across America (BAA 2021) on June 12, 2021.

BAA 2021 is gathering 15,000 volunteers in 46 states across the country to build beds for children who don’t have beds to sleep in.  This day should stand as a revelation to those who don’t know there is a problem and a beacon of hope to those who don’t know there is a solution. We want as many people as possible to get involved to be a part of the solution.  The Northern Virginia/Washington DC Chapter of BAA 2021 will build 100 beds for kids to be distributed in the coming weeks.

Each recipient child receives a handmade bed, and brand-new bedding – including mattress, comforter, blanket, sheets, and pillow! There are many ways to get involved, from volunteering to donating, but what we need most is for you to spread the word about BAA 2021 and help us make history!

BAA 2021 is an outreach project of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP).  To learn more about SHP go to SHPbeds.org or contact the local president at [email protected].

SHP/BAA 2021 is not an Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) program, but its work will benefit children in Annandale and Northern Virginia.  This information is provided to you on behalf of ACCA and SHP.

Samaritan Ministry’s Next Step Breakfast – March 20, 10:00 am

You are invited to learn more about how Samaritan Ministry, a faith-based community partnership, has continued its work during the pandemic to improve lives throughout the DMV, one next step at a time.

Yamiche Alcindor, White House correspondent for the PBS NewsHour, will serve as emcee.  As part of the program we’ll hear from a Next Step participant who will share how Samaritan Ministry has changed his life.

St. Alban’s own, Ivy Kilby, an active participant and volunteer at Samaritan Ministry, will be sharing her story as a Samaritan Ministry volunteer.

If you are interested in “attending” this online event, please click here to register.  Registration is free, and make sure you enter “St. Alban’s, Annandale” as your parish, and specify Deacon Theresa Lewallen or Ivy Kilby as Table Captain.

Help your neighbor – Stuff the Bus on January 30th!

ACCA will be participating in the upcoming ‘Stuff the Bus’ events in partnership with Fairfax County to help restock the food pantry. The ACCA food pantry has been overwhelmed with requests during the COVID pandemic and the volunteers constantly adjust to accommodate the demand. Suggestions for most needed items are available on our website at https://accacares.org/foodpantry/
Please drop off your donations on January 30 ‘between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at these locations:
George Mason Regional Library
7001 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003
Belvedere Elementary School
6540 Columbia Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041
Providence District Supervisor’s Office
3001 Vaden Drive
Fairfax, VA 22031
James Lee Community Center
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, VA 22042

An Update from Honduras: Giving Thanks

The Canales-Romero family offers their thanks for St. Alban’s contributions to their home towns in Honduras that were devastated by flooding from hurricanes and tropical storms. Parishioners brought clothing, medical supplies, and toiletries which were shipped to two locations where Edgardo and Tirza Canales-Romero have family members. Tirza shared these photos from her family’s town as they received the supplies from St. Alban’s.