December 2012 Volume 12, Issue 11
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
he word
Fr. Jeff and Deacon Cayce greet the
Wulff family on November 11.
Father Christmas (Harris Andrews filling in for the real Santa) visits with Heath Larson, Emily Olkowski and Ella Jackson on November
17 at St. Alban’s fun and festive annual bazaar. The bazaar has been a
St. Alban’s tradition for more than half a century. Many more pictures
of this special day inside.
One of my favorite Christmas stories is actually a story about war, a very temporary peace, and the hope and promise that the
Christ Child brings. You may know the story of the Christmas
miracle in 1914 on the World War I battlefields in Flanders.
That year Pope Benedict XV had proposed a Christmas truce
which the leaders of the warring nations had refused. But on Christmas Eve German soldiers displayed the small Christmas
trees their families had sent them in care packages – placing the
trees outside on the ledge of their protective trenches. Seeing the
brightly lit trees from across the battlefield, British soldiers were suspicious of what they thought was some sort of diversionary
tactic until they heard the sound of Christmas carols and celebrat-
ing in the air. What happened then can only be described as a true Christmas miracle as soldiers from both sides, at first cau-
tiously, climbed out of their trenches and together – friends
for a time – celebrated Christ’s birth.
I imagine the soldiers discovered that they had more in common than they realized and, for a brief moment in what
would be a years-long war, they put aside their hatred and animosity and saw each other as brothers and not enemies.
Isn’t that the real gift of Christmas – the Incarnation – God-with-us? This gift on the battlefield was not a carefully negotiated, formal truce but a spontaneous celebration of the Spirit of Christ in the midst of human atrocity. It is a
beautiful story that brings to mind the angel Gabriel’s words to Mary: “…for with God nothing shall be impossible.”
-Fr. Jeff Shankles
From Fr. Jeff
2
Year-end activities have proceeded apace, kicked off by the smash-
ing success of our Bazaar last week. Aside from raising more money
than we ever have, the teamwork and contagious good cheer of the
event made for a very shiny star in our crown. The unfailing good humor of our co-chairs, Betsy Anderson and Ann Gates, and the
simply stunning décor provided by Kate Wettstein (and helper
Fay Froh) certainly captured the spirit of the “Light of the World” theme. Thanks to all who cooked, created, contributed, hauled,
moved in and out, and just generally added to the successful team-
work necessary for this wonderful outcome.
In addition, our stewardship campaign, led by Allison Blanchard, has reaped substantial results that should make our financial plan-
ning this month easier. Among the issues we will address is fulfilling
the Diocesan requirement to provide pension contributions to three church employees who have not received them previously.
Meanwhile, we continue to work on identifying candidates to fill
the four vacancies on the Vestry that will occur at the end of the
year. Speaking for myself as I end my three-year term, I highly recommend this service, as it is an engaged and lively group with
which to work, and provides tangible results to advance the life of
St. Alban’s. Please let any Vestry member know (nominating committee consists of outgoing members: me, Greg
Melia, Mike Sinsabaugh, and Cathy Williams), if you’re interested. Elections will be held at the annual meeting on December 9 after the 3-in-1 service, followed by lunch for the parish provided by the Vestry. We appreciate any desserts
people provide.
Other events to look forward to are the planned giving event, being held at the Rectory on December 12 (12/12/12!), complete with wine and nibbles; the greening of the church following the December 23 service, with a pizza lunch,
not to mention a chance to gambol about in high places, for the workers. Our Vestry colleague Kate Lauderdale has
volunteered to lead this latter effort.
Merry Christmas and many blessings to each of you in the New Year. -Leneice Wu
Youth Group
News & Events
‘Justice’ is the theme for Youth Group this fall. We will be exploring
the concept of justice in our own lives
and in our culture, as well as consid-ering justice in our worship, issues of
poverty and wealth, and more.
Check out the Youth Group
Facebook page at:
facebook.com/FullCommunion
God willing
The Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston
Bishop of Virginia
Twill ordain
Bernard Cayce Ramey
to the Sacred Order of Priests
Saturday December 15 at 10:30 a.m.
The Falls Church Episcopal
Falls Church, Virginia
The Bishop and the Standing
Committee request the honor
of your presence.
Trish Huheey has lots of “help” creating
face paintings at the bazaar.
The Warden’s Pen
3
Publisher: The Rev. Jeff Shankles
Managing Editor, Photo Editor, Design and Layout: Barbara Hallman. Production and Distribution: Monica Beniste, Sharon Belanger
Contributors: The Rev. Jeff Shankles; Marty Barringer; Allison Blanchard;
Nancy McSlarrow; Leneice Wu; Clarence Zuvekas Photographers: Monica Beniste; The Cheeks, Moe Fraunfelder; Barbara Hallman,
Fred Holmes, Deacon Cayce Ramey, Fr. Jeff Shankles
Articles/photos welcome! email to: [email protected]
Deadline for Next Edition: December 15 St. Alban’s Episcopal Church Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 703-256-2966; Fax: 703-256-6546 [email protected] www.stalbansva.org
From the Stewardship Committee
2012 Planned Giving Social
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11).
Just as the Lord has a plan for us and generations to follow,
so should we have a plan for St. Alban's and her generations to follow.
Please join us!
Wednesday, December 12
Learn more about how you can participate in St. Alban’s Planned Giving.
St. Alban’s Rectory from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
The congregation of St. Alban’s responded wonderfully to Grow One Sun-day when we filled out and turned in pledge cards as an act of worship and
faith.
Many, many thanks to all of you who turned in pledge cards. We are still
waiting for a few more pledges to come in, but will have a full report for you at the Annual Meeting on December 9. If you have not yet filled out
your card, it would be helpful to the Finance Committee and the Vestry if
you could get that done soon. There are pledge cards available in the narthex, or you can ask Fr. Jeff or any member of the Stewardship Committee.
The Stewardship Committee is looking for new members. If you feel the
call to serve with us, please talk with Fr. Jeff or Deacon Cayce. The work
we do for St. Alban’s is incredibly important. Even so, there is not a huge time commitment with this committee. You don’t need any special expertise,
just a willingness to share your spiritual gifts and help others to share theirs.
It is our willingness to use our gifts for God’s purposes that makes St.
Alban’s such a wonderful community, and so able to serve God and do His work in this world.
Merry Christmas!
-Allison Blanchard, Chair, Stewardship Committee
Due to holiday
church office closings,
The Word, January
will be
published and issued
the first week in January.
Zach Dilworth climbs in
the courtyard cherry tree.
4
The Muldoon Concert Series
presents
Jinsun Cho on our organ with her
artistry of traditional, contemporary,
and seasonal music
December 9
7:00 pm
Muldoon Concerts are free
& open to the public.
Donations are always welcome.
Choir Notes
December 2. The text of this Sunday’s anthem comes from the 15th century carol There Is No Rose. The music, by
English composer Graham Jordan Ellis (b. 1952), was written for the Chapel Choir of Birkenhead School, where he has
served as Director of Music for 33 years. Ellis is well known as a conductor of both choral and orchestral music. In 1990
he founded the Liverpool Sinfonia, an ensemble of freelance professional musicians. Ellis will be retiring from Birken-head following a special Christmas concert on this very day.
December 9. William Mathias (1934-1992) was a prolific composer of choral, orchestral, and chamber music. One of the few Welsh composers to gain an international reputation, he studied at Aberystwyth University and the Royal Acad-
emy of Music. Mathias’s compositions reflect influences ranging from Mozart to jazz. Among his works are the settings
of the Gloria (S-278) and Sanctus (S-128) that we sometimes sing at the 11:00 am service. Also widely known is his anthem, Let the People Praise Thee, O God, written for the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in July
1981. Mathias composed this Sunday’s anthem, Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates, based on Psalm 24, in 1969.
December 16. People, Look East is an arrangement by Malcolm Archer (b. 1952) of a French carol melody. The words were penned by Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965), who is represented in our hymnal with the text to Hymn 8, Morning Has
Broken. Malcolm Archer is a conductor, organist, and prolific composer of church and organ music. His compositions
include a special anthem for a service celebrating the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. Archer served from 2004 to 2007 as Director of Music at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and is now Director of Chapel Music at Winchester Col-
lege.
December 23. Another contemporary composer, Richard Shephard (b. 1949) provides the music for the Song of Mary,
the text for which was adapted by Mary Holtby from Luke 1:46-55 (the Magnificat). Shephard’s compositions range
from church music to operas. He served from 1985 to 2004 as Head Master of the Minster School at York, and is cur-
rently Director of Development and Chamberlain at York Minster (York Cathedral). He is also a Visiting Professor at the University of the South (Sewanee). Earlier this year he was appointed MBE (Member of the Order of the British
Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, in recognition for his services to music and education.
-Clarence Zuvekas
Parish member Chris Hite, one of the founders of the Dominion Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble, introduces the final number
of the Ensemble’s performance on November 4. The performance was
the first of the Muldoon Concert Series season at St. Alban’s Church.
Photo courtesy of Mary Ellen Dawley; Annandale Patch
5
Lockwood House Thanksgiving Service 2012
Children’s Choir. The sweet sounds of The Children’s Choir, under the direction of music minister Fred Bink-
holder, rang out from the choir loft at their debut performance at the 9:00 am service on October 28. Photo left, last
practice before performance. Photo right, performing in the choir loft. Congregation showed its appreciation of this new choir through applause, which brought smiles to the little performers!
Thanks to Doug Hyde for taking the lead once again for St. Alban’s ministry to Lockwood House on Thanksgiving day. Serving a special turkey dinner with all the trimming to the residents of this home for low income seniors is a St. Alban’s
Thanksgiving day tradition. Without our help, residents would not have food service on this day of feasting and Thanks-
giving. Thanks to all the many volunteers who helped make this happen, from the leaders and cooks, including Magill’s
restaurant in Annandale (turkey frying), and the food donators to those who dished out the delicious food and friendship to Lockwood House residents.
7
Dear Bazaar team leaders and volunteers, Thank you all for the wonderful work you did in making our bazaar a
resounding success. You should be proud of a job so well done.
We had set several goals this year in preparing for the bazaar - finan-
cial, congregational, spiritual, and practical. The financial success is easy to measure - we are all delighted to bring a record-breaking total
of funds to the church. But the other goals are equally important as
they reflect our commitment to our St. Alban's community and the world around us. The congregational goal of parishoners working
together was secretly my favorite. Through all the preparations for the
bazaar, I felt that I had a chance to get better acquainted with you and
many other church members. Unpacking the closet, helping in setting up the stalls, working with the Square up volunteers, and most of all
being there on the day when everything came together - all of it was a
joy to me and I hope to you as well. Spiritually, we were trying to connect with the wider community and have a chance to welcome
them within our doors. So many people came, and their comments on
the beautiful decorations, yummy food, great bargains, quality hand-
mades and festive atmosphere are an indication that people are aware of and appreciate the part we play in the community. And our practi-
cal goals of providing a safe and fun environment were also achieved
- we had no injuries and no accidents but lots of fun! Thanks to every-one's attention to this. Betsy Anderson, Chair, 2012 Bazaar
A big round of applause to the entire bazaar team and especially
to Betsyand co-chair Ann Gates for all their work to make our
bazaar a big
success!
8
.
St. James Episcopal Church, North Carolina
Elizabeth, Emma, Jane and Marc Cheek visited St. James Episcopal Church in Black Mountain, NC this past summer
while attending a traditional music camp in nearby Swannanoa, NC. The Cheeks were pleased to find a warm, inviting
community at St. James to start their vacation.
Passages Captain Howard Frank Haggard (Ret) passed away on October 22.
Captain Haggard was the father of
Debbie Rosse , father-in-law of
Rich Rosse, and grandfather of Stephanie, Jake and Ben. He was
83 years old and had been struggling
to recover from two bouts of pneu-
monia. He was living at the Hermit-age in Alexandria.
A funeral service was held at St.
Mark’s in Alexandria on November 3.
.
Longtime parishioner Anne
Wright passed away on November
14. Anne was predeceased by her
husband Dr. Tom Wright.
The Wrights for decades were very active members of St. Alban’s, and
will be remembered with much love.
Tom put his heart and soul into
establishing our Memorial Grove, a peaceful and beautiful memorial
garden at St. Alban’s. Anne was
active in the St. Alban's altar guild
and a devoted member of the Chat-ting Fingers crafting group. Anne is
survived by three children and nine
grandchildren.
F. Thomas Huheey passed away
in November. He was the father
of Phil Huheey, father-in-law of
Trish Huheey, and grandfather of Kendall and Kaela.
Passages Captain Howard Frank Haggard (Ret) passed away on October 22.
Captain Haggard was the father of
Debbie Rosse , father-in-law of
Rich Rosse, and grandfather of Stephanie, Jake and Ben. He was
83 years old and had been struggling
to recover from two bouts of pneu-
monia. He was living at the Hermit-age in Alexandria.
A funeral service was held at St.
Mark’s in Alexandria on November 3.
.
Please keep the Rosse, the Wright and the Huheey families
in your thoughts and prayers.
Anne’s funeral will be held at St. Alban’s
on December 8 at 11:00 am.
Donations to St. Alban’s may be
made in Anne’s memory.
Anne Wright with Solange Beniste
"Receive, O Lord, your servants Howard, Anne and Thomas into the arms of your mercy, into the
blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light."
9
The Epiphany Pageant
Sunday, January 6
at the 9:00 am service
Rehearsal Saturday, January 5 at 10 am
This pageant is open to all children
and youth, and we have costumes
for everyone.
If you have any questions, please contact
Jane Cheek or Megan Pickard.
ACCA’s 5th Annual
Outerwear Clothing Drive
Gently used jackets, hooded sweat
shirts, hats and gloves are needed for men, women and children. Donated
garments will be picked up at partici-
pating churches on December 5 and 6
and distributed to day laborers, shelter residents and children at the ACCA
Child Development Center. For more
information contact Don Di Spirito at [email protected] .
.
December 2012
Dear Fellow Parishioners:
This year ACCA helped thousands of struggling households, whose needs continue to be critical under current circumstances.
Rent to prevent eviction of families who fell behind in rent.
Utility bill payments for a family who had been living weeks with no water or electricity.
Payment of security deposits that allow families to move from a shelter to subsidized housing.
Delivery of food and hygiene essentials to hundreds of hungry families.
Medication for an uninsured man.
Basic furniture, bedding and linens for refugees and families moving from shelters to empty apartments.
In addition, ACCA provided high-quality day care for almost 300 children, enabling their parents to work and to give their young
ones a fair start in school and in life.
Assistance such as this cannot continue without your support. Evictions, foreclosures, unemployment, and cuts in government programs mean
that more funds than ever must be raised by ACCA. Our annual Challenge Grant Campaign is a critical source of funding.
For the 11th year, the Washington Forrest Foundation has awarded ACCA a challenge grant—$18,000 this year. Combined with funds from
anonymous donors, our current Challenge Grant is $30,000. Our goal is to raise $120,000 in response to this Challenge Grant. If we fail,
many of those who seek emergency assistance from ACCA will be denied—including some middle-class individuals and families
who were self-sufficient before the recession.
Please consider a generous contribution and send it to ACCA by January 31, 2013, noting “Challenge Grant” in the memo line on
your check. Donations also can be put in the plate on Sunday. They can be made online at catalogueforphilanthropy-dc.org. (Look
for the ACCA profile.) ACCA was named “One of the best small non-profits in the Washington Metro Area” by the Catalogue for
Philanthropy. Nearly 97% of donations to ACCA go directly to support the needy because most of our work is done by 700 plus
volunteers.
May God bless and protect you,
Fred Holmes, 703-560-5234, [email protected]
P. S. To stay informed about the use of your gift and for other ACCA news, go to accacares.org or send your contact information
and email address to [email protected].
Hypothermia Program
We are continuing our support of
the Bailey’s Crossroads Shelter this Hypothermia season. We need 30
minutes of your time to help greet
the residents as they arrive, show them around the hall, lock the door
behind you and wish them a calm
and peaceful night. If you are inter-
ested in supporting this ministry please contact Shawn Clune.
Help support Our Little Roses Bari St. Cyr’s Premier Designs
Jewelry will be on sale December 2
after all three services. Shop for Christmas. Retired pieces 50% off.
10
The Diocese of Virginia has relocated its
Northern Virginia Office from Goodwin House, Alexandria to The Falls Church Episcopal, Falls
Church.
The primary diocesan headquarters is Mayo
Memorial Church House in Richmond. The Northern Virginia Office serves as a primary
office for the Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick,
assistant bishop, and as a satellite office for
other traveling bishops and staff members.
St. Alban’s parishioner Kate Wettstein is the
newly hired administrative assistant for Bishop
Gulick.
Northern Virginia Office: 115 East Fairfax St.
Falls Church, VA 22046
703-241-0441
Kate Wettstein
& Fr. Jeff Shankles
celebrated 29 years
of marriage in October 2012.
October 30
On October 26, the Supreme Court of Virginia
accepted the Falls Church Anglican's petition for appeal, which seeks to overturn the ruling
returning the Falls Church property to the mis-
sion of the Episcopal Church. The briefing proc-
ess will begin immediately, and the Court will hear oral argument on the merits and hand down
a decision probably sometime in the first half of
next year.
Specifically, the Supreme Court agreed to re-view the lower court's ruling that held that the
Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church
have contractual and proprietary rights in the property of the Falls Church. In addition, the
Court declined to hear a cross-appeal which
sought to confirm that the Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church also have a trust inter-
est in the property.
"Regardless of this development, this diocese
looks toward the future with hope as we con-tinue to serve this world in need," said Henry
D.W. Burt, secretary of the Diocese. "We will
continue to support the Falls Church Episcopal
as they face this uncertainty with the same faith-fulness they have faced so many others. We
remain confident in our legal position and we
look forward to the successful conclusion of this litigation."
Matt & Nell Dillard received blessings on
November 4 for their
17th wedding anni-versary. Here with
sons Ben and Jack.
November 6 Election Day
Youth Group Fundraiser
Youth of Peace Lutheran and St. Alban’s sold hot drinks and donuts
to the election crowds at St. Alban’s
polling place to benefit their sum-mer mission trip. Over $600 raised!
Diocese News
Anniversaries
11
Birthdays
FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH
LUNCH BUNCH
Come join the fun at our monthly
luncheon. All invited!
Clyde’s 1700 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
703-820-8300
Please RSVP to Lynne Schrag
December
Hugo Perina 1 Bob Fones 1
Tom Tsui 1
Nana Howton 1
Darren Cummings 1
Horacio Sobol 2
Blaine Jackson 3
Lois Murphy 4
Christina Russell 5
Ingrid Schwartz 6
Barbara Hallman 6
Zinnah Wiles 6
Jennifer Aument 6
Richard Massey 8
Ann Ryder 8
Ann Johnson 9
Beth Gilmore 9
Brody Schrecker 9
Amanda Klink 10
Alicia Ryder 11
Nick Russell 11
Fiona Billingslea 16
Cheryl Sinsabaugh 17
Tud Steene 18
David Bell 20
Salome Metzger 21
Michael Sinsabaugh 23
Mary Daymont 24
Barbara Chatelain 26
Sheila Massey 28
Vicki Cox 28
Kimberly Phillips 28
Grant Leersnyder 29
Melinda Patterson 30
Ann Zuvekas 30
Dave Hamnett 30
Mary Anne Daymont 31
January
Attention Christmas Shoppers!
Are you gift-wrap-phobic? Does
the combination of Christmas rib-bons, bows and scotch tape give
you hives? Let us take the hassle
out of your Christmas gift wrapping!
St. Alban’s Youth Group
Christmas Gift Wrapping
Fundraiser!
Every Sunday until December 16
during all services, you may bring
your gifts to be wrapped to the
Youth Room at the top of the stairs behind the parish hall before or after
each service. While you're there
please leave a donation to support the Youth Group's summer 2013
mission trip.
Vestry Nominations 2013
Vestry members serve a 3-year term;
any confirmed member of the parish 16
years or older is eligible to serve. Please consider carefully people you may wish
to serve our parish in this important
ministry. If you wish to nominate some-one, check with that person to see if
they are able to serve, then place that
person's name in the box in the narthex or you can talk to any vestry member.
The election will be held at the Annual
Meeting on December 9.
Bethany House Christmas
Project Needs Gifts by December 6
Once again St. Alban's is supporting the Christmas
gift project for Bethany
House of Northern Virginia. Gift cards or gifts for chil-
dren and mothers will be
very welcome.
We need to have all our donations in
by Thursday, December 6.
A box for the collection will be in the narthex from November 18—December 6. You may drop
off unwrapped presents there, or leave checks
(made out to “Bethany House”) or gift cards in
the church office by December 6.
Bethany House offers temporary shelter and help
establishing households for abused women and
their children.
Thank you for helping with this ministry! -Nancy McSlarrow
Muldoon Concert
January 4
The Ensemble Gaudior 7:00 pm
Featuring music from an
earlier period of interesting stringed instruments. Many
of these instruments have
cat gut strings that produce warm mellow soundings.
Robert Wulff 1
Liz Lusk 1
Charlie Koczyk 2
Bill Sargent 3
Hillary Leersnyder 3
Trevor Hershner 3
Jo Hodgin 5
Steve Hershner 5
12
Calendar Highlights
December 2 Jewelry sale to benefit Honduras mission after all services.
December 5 Warm clothing drive items due
December 6 Bethany House donations due
December 7 First Friday Lunch Bunch Clyde’s
December 8 Anne Wright funeral 11:00 am
December 9 Annual Meeting, vestry elections, one service only
December 9 Advent Wreaths, 10:15. No Sunday School or Adult Forum
December 9 Muldoon Concert Jinsun Cho on organ 7:00 pm
December 12 Planned Giving Social, rectory, 6:30– 8:30 pm
December 15 Cayce Ramey ordination Falls Church Episcopal 10:30 am
December 23 Greening of the church; 12:30 pm
December 24 Christmas Eve services; 5:30 pm; 11:00 pm
December 25 Christmas Day service; 10:00 am
January 5 Epiphany Pageant rehearsal 10:00 am
January 5 Open house at the rectory; see SAM later for more details
January 6 Epiphany Pageant 9:00 am service
January 6 Muldoon Concert The Ensemble Gaudior 7:00 pm
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 6800 Columbia Pike
Annandale, VA 22003
First Class Mail U.S. Postage
PAID Annandale, VA Permit No. 38
Diocesan Youth Event April 12-14: Senior High Weekend-Shrinemont
Muldoon Concerts
December 9: Jinsun Cho on organ with traditional, contempo-
rary, and seasonal music.
January 6: The Ensemble
Gaudior will feature music from
an earlier period of interesting stringed instruments. Many of these
instruments have cat gut strings that
produce warm mellow soundings.
Family Advent
Craft Project
December 9
10:15 in parish hall
No Sunday school or Adult Forum that day