Communications All Saints'
In Memoriam: Margaret Ellis

Margaret Ellis, mother of Cheryl Williams-Thomas and Aunty Nana to many, died on June 29 in Boston, Massachusetts.

In Memoriam: Margaret Ellis
food pantry, serve
Anglican Doma
July Food Giveaway Needs Volunteers!

Volunteers are needed on Friday and Saturday before, during, and after the giveaway. Sign up here!

July Food Giveaway Needs Volunteers!
Emily Trenum
Is Your Flag Represented?

Please email communications@allsaintswoodbridge.org with your country of origin so we can add it to the display!

Is Your Flag Represented?
Communications All Saints'
Can ASC Support MomCo?

MomCo is dependent on nursery care so moms can focus on the Christian curriculum, speakers, and encouragement during the relentless years of young motherhood.

Can ASC Support MomCo?
community, children
Communications All Saints'
Help Kids Navigate Learning with New School ...

Support our local Title 1 schools by donating much-needed school supplies!

Help Kids Navigate Learning with New School Supplies

A Note on End of Year Giving

As the End of the Year Approaches...There are several things to keep in mind. All check requests (for reimbursement, payment of invoices, etc.) must be submitted to the church office by Monday, December 18. Any requests submitted after that time will be issued the first week of January.

Next...Pledges for 2023! If you need a reminder about the status of your 2023 pledge payments, please contact Contributions Administrator, Margie DeHoust,  contributions@allsaintswoodbridge.org, for an updated statement. It is important to have any 2023 pledge contributions to All Saints’ turned into the church by year-end to have your final gifts posted to your 2023 end-of-the-year pledge statement. This can be done in four ways:

  • Drop off contributions at the church office by Thursday, December 21.

  • Place final contributions in the Sunday, December 31 offering.

  • Mail your final contributions which MUST be postmarked by Saturday, December 30.

  • Contribute online via the church website or PayPal before December 31.

Finally...Pledges for 2024! Thank you to all those who have completed their pledge cards indicating their commitment to God through their offerings for 2024. To those who have not yet made a pledge concerning your giving for the coming year, please do so as soon as possible. As the Vestry works on the budget for 2024, parishioners “not yet heard from” are extraordinarily important. Pledge cards are available at the back of the church or by calling the church office. You can also pledge online. Thank you!

Acolyte Training in January

There will be acolyte training for all new and current acolytes after the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, January 21. We will begin at 12:30 in the Administrative Conference Room with lunch provided.

We need to know how many will be attending so we can be prepared with food. Please respond by to Katherine Monroe by January 14 if you are planning to attend.

In case you are asking, “who may be an Acolyte?”

1. A baptized & committed Christian and active follower of Christ.

2. Be 9 years old or older.

3. Commit to faithfully serving at the worship service to which you have been assigned.

4. Faithfully attend Sunday worship services.

5. Commit to treating fellow Acolytes and other Worship Team members with respect and a spirit of mutual support and encouragement.

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26

Stephen Minister Training Information and Resources

All Saints’ Church will be training the 4th group of Stephen Ministers this winter/spring on Sunday afternoons 1:00-3:30 from January 7 through June 2. If you feel led to minister to those who are suffering, or if you would just like to improve your relationships with your loved ones, this class is for you. If you are interested in this training, but this time may not work for you, please contact Deacon Julie.

Here are a few resources to tell you more about Stephen Ministry

For those called to be Stephen Ministers, this is the first step in discerning and equipping God’s call on your service to him. Near the end of the class those desiring to be commissioned as a Stephen Minister will be asked to fill out an application and meet with clergy for discernment on God’s calling and timing. Questions? Contact Deacon Julie or Deacon Andy for more information.

What is Stephen Minister Training?

Stephen Minister training is an engaging, energizing experience that features a mixture of presentation, video, group discussion, skill practice, and spiritual growth activities. Since 1975, more than 600,000 Stephen Ministers have been equipped by this training to provide care to millions of people.

Stephen Minister training . . .

  • teaches principles and skills that equip you to provide high-quality, Christ-centered emotional and spiritual care to others.

  • gives you new insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of people who are hurting.

  • equips you with relational and caring skills you can apply to all aspects of your life.

  • helps deepen your faith as the Holy Spirit fashions you into a Christ-centered caregiver.

  • builds a special bond of Christian community and camaraderie among all those in your class.

  • is highly interactive, engaging, and a lot of fun!

December Food Giveaway

The next Food Giveaway is on Saturday, December 9! We have a big need for volunteers and food donations! This is another opportunity to give food away to our neighbors in need. With Christmas approaching, we expect this to be one of our biggest food giveaways of the year! 

Volunteers are needed on Friday (unloading trucks, bagging produce, serving during the perishable food drive, and helping with set-up) and Saturday before, during, and after the giveaway. Sign up to serve and experience the joy of giving firsthand!

It is a blessing to provide non-perishables as well as fresh meat and fresh produce to every family who comes!

In addition to non-perishables, we need donations of bread and fresh fruit to be collected on Friday, December 8 between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Non-perishable Food items most needed:

·         Flour or Maseca

·         Canned Tuna or Chicken

·         Oats

·         Pancake Mix

·        Holiday items

Please pray! This ministry belongs to God and only through Him are we able to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thanks again for all your support! If you have any questions, please contact Tammy.

“You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”

Deuteronomy 15:11

Advent Sunday School

Take a look at the Advent Sunday options for all ages! The Sunday School hour takes place from 9:45-10:45 a.m. on December 10 & December 17.

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ADULTS! 

This Advent season we invite you to come and prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! With a single service on December 3 preceding the Greening of the Church and a single service on December 24 as we celebrate Christmas Eve, there will be two weeks (Dec. 10 and 17) that will feature Adult Sunday School Offerings to focus on the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

ADVENT IN WORD AND SONG: Come join us as we wait on the Lord with poetry, music and practices to help prepare our hearts for the Messiah’s coming. No books will be needed. This class will meet in the Bishop’s Conference Room (second floor) above All Saints’ Administration Wing.

ADVENT: WAITING WITH HOPE: We will explore how Jesus fulfills prophecy and brings light from darkness. How He calls us to be ready when He comes and inspires us to live in active and hopeful waiting for His arrival. This class will meet in the Creation Room in the Children’s Wing during the Education hour, Sunday from 9:45-10:45 a.m.

HIGH SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL IN ADVENT

The High School & Middle School students will continue their dive in first Samuel during the Sunday School hour. Each teaching takes us into the Israelites history, and how we see ourselves in their story. Donuts, discussion, and fellowship all happen in the Multi-purpose classroom downstairs. 

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Carols & Rehearsals for Christmas Eve every Sunday in Advent beginning Thanksgiving Weekend. Starting Sunday, December 3, the children at 11 a.m. Children’s Church will receive an Advent devotion, and then prepare for a Savior for the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service with singing carols and participating in roles reenacting the Nativity. Each child, whether participating one week in Advent, or all four, will receive a costume and are invited! It is All Saints' tradition that the 3rd graders are offered the key roles, and if at all possible should be available most Sundays of Advent for practice. During Advent, 8:15 Children’s Church will not be offered. Children up to age six are welcome to come to the nursery during the 8:15 service time. (Please note: The service and children's church on this coming Sunday, Dec 3, is at 10am ONLY).

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Children in the Pre-K and Elementary classes will receive an Advent teaching each Sunday during the Sunday School hour from 9:45-10:45 a.m. The Light Before Christmas guides PREK & Elementary children in learning about the reason we celebrate Christmas. Each lesson points to Christ, the Light of the World who came to save us from the darkness of sin. Through a Bible study of light and darkness, children will discover how the theme of light weaves its way through the Christmas story and God’s plan of salvation.  Scripture readings, dramas, object lessons, discussion, activity pages, crafts, and songs will engage our children in preparing their hearts for the true meaning of Christmas. The Light Before Christmas will continue in Sunday School from 9:45-10:45 a.m. on December 10 & 17, and in Children's Church on the morning of the 24th. 

Men's Ministry Breakfast in December

All men of All Saints are invited to breakfast at All Saints Church at 7.30 a.m. on December 2. We will enjoy a time of food, fellowship, prayer, teaching, and ministry updates. We will conclude at 8:45 a.m. so we can clean up and support these two ministry opportunities.

1. Attend the funeral for Connie Odems with viewing from 9-10 and service from 10-11:30

2. Hand out fliers in local neighborhoods for our Live Nativity event on December 15.

Please contact Jim Morrison at 571.338.5774 by text or voice to help ensure a good amount of food is available.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Ps 34.8

Carol Stribula Funeral

Beloved sister in Christ, Carol Stribula passed away and went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 16. Please pray for Carol’s family, especially her husband, Charlie.

Her funeral will take place on Friday, December 1, 2023:

  • Visitation from 2-3 p.m.

  • The funeral @ 3 p.m. immediately followed by a reception in the atrium.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Life First: PO Box 2040 Manassas, VA 20108

There will be a private interment to take place at a later date. 

Ways to Serve the Living Nativity Outreach

Even if you do not have a costumed role in the Living Nativity on Friday, December 15 there are a variety of important ways to help serve this important outreach! People throughout the Dale City community get to experience the truth of the nativity story of Jesus brought to life in this church-wide event. Here are three ways you can help support:

  • Cookies Needed: To warm hearts and hands at the Living Nativity on Sunday, December 15th! Hot Cocoa, Hot Tea, and Cookies  (as well as bottled water) will be available for our 50+ volunteers, as they serve in the cold.  If you enjoy baking or simply like buying Christmas cookies, please consider bringing 1-2 dozen to the church office on Wednesday or Thursday, December 14/15, 9am-4pm. Or, you can drop off to Tara's home in Montclair most evenings. Please reply to Tara to let her know you are bringing cookies (and how many). tpedersen@allsaintswoodbridge.org.

  • Nativity Bags: We will be making 300 Christmas activity bags for children, to be distributed in the front parking lot upon their arrival, so that as they wait in line, we can at least help with keeping the kids entertained. Each bag will have Nativity themed sticker & activity sheets, car friendly crafts, colorings, a glow in the dark Nativity wristband, and an animal cracker pack treat! You can donate a box of 12 individual packs for $15, and have them sent to the church by ordering here. We also need helping hands to assemble the 300 bags! Please consider coming out on Monday morning, December 11, 10am, childcare provided. Christmas cookies, Coffee, & Fruit served.

  • Firewood Donations: are needed also for two of the Living Nativity scenes. If you have firewood to spare or donate, please contact Tara in the church office, or by email at tpedersen@allsaintswoodbridge.org to make arrangements.

If you have witnessed or suspect the abuse of a child or vulnerable adult: