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: bhallman1@cox.net

Deadline for Next Edition: December 15 St. Alban’s Episcopal Church Annandale, VA 22003

Phone: 703-256-2966; Fax: 703-256-6546 info@stalbansva.org 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.

6

The Light of the World Christmas Bazaar 2012 November 17

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 dondispirito@verizon.net .

.

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, fholmes@his.com

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 accacares@verizon.net.

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

lynneschrag@email.com

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