July 2021 Caregivers Session

July 8, 2021 / Father Jeff / From the Deacon, Outreach, Special Events, This Week / No Comments

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

June 7, 2021 / Father Jeff / Community Service, Outreach / No Comments

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!

January 21, 2021 / Father Jeff / Community Service, From the Deacon, Opportunities, Outreach / No Comments

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

January 5, 2021 / Father Jeff / Community Service, From the Deacon, Outreach / No Comments

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.

Honduras

Hurricane Eta Relief in Honduras

November 12, 2020 / Father Jeff / Community Service, From the Deacon, Outreach / 1 Comment

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

Our Little Roses is located in San Pedro Sula, in the coastal north of the country — one of the hardest hit parts of Honduras. The Outreach Committee is providing additional financial support to OLR from the annual outreach budget. You can contribute to their fund here: https://ourlittleroses.networkforgood.com/projects/114471-hurricane-eta-relief
Parishioners Tirza Romero and Edgardo Canales (along with son Steven and daughter Allison) are asking for help for the area of Honduras where Edgardo’s extended family lives (Santiago de Puringla.) You can contribute to their GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-honduras-after-eta039s-destruction

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…

August 12, 2020 / Father Jeff / Community Service, From the Rector, Opportunities, Outreach / No Comments

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.