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!

Praying for Holy Trinity School, Haiti with special intentions at this time

St. Alban’s has financially supported Holy Trinity School, Haiti since the early 1960’s, when school founder, Sister Anne Marie Bickerstaff, was a frequent speaker at St. Alban’s.  (To find out more about Holy Trinity School, please click here.)  According to Steve Lusk’s history of St. Alban’s, Called to be Saints, the financial support, and visits by Sr. Bickerstaff, were the birth of a continuing parish tradition. Each Sunday, young people who had celebrated a birthday during the week were asked to come to the front of the church to receive a blessing and present their birthday thank offerings. The recommended gift was a penny for each year of age.  The offerings were sent “to help other children at Holy Trinity School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.” In 1970 the vestry extended the gift opportunity to adults, at a recommended rate of ten cents per year. St. Alban’s continues to support Holy Trinity School through our Outreach budget.

When news of the recent assassination of Haiti’s president was announced, Deacon Theresa reached out to Holy Trinity School to let the director know that the school is in our prayers every Sunday and at other times. You can read the director’s response here (English) (French).

July 2021 Caregivers Session

Our July Caregivers’ session will be held this Sunday, July 11 at 11:45 am in the Parish Hall. Light snacks will be provided during this time of resource sharing and support for those who provide physical, emotional, financial, or other support for a loved one.

For those of you who wish to attend virtually, the Zoom log-in is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85123743510?pwd=bXk4SWp1QW5NNFpUTjlyeUJMQTJYUT09

Meeting ID: 851 2374 3510

Passcode: 179542

If you need to call in by phone: +13017158592,,85123743510#,,,,*179542# US (Washington DC)

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.

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.