congo news december 2019 final - washington national …
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Congo News December 2019 FINAL.pdf[1/14/20, 11:30:11 AM]
Congregation TidingsDecember 2019We’ve gathered all the congregation news that’s fit to print!Congregation Tidings is published on the fifteenth of each month. Contact the editors with content or email addressinformation at [email protected].
Visit the Congregation homepage »
From our VicarDear Congregation Friends and Family,
This past Saturday, MargaretRawls, Nancy Stockbridge, CandyLyons and I drove down toRichmond, Virginia for thememorial service of a dearcongregation member, JenniferLove, who died November 16 from an epileptic seizure at the ageof 36. Jennifer joined the congregation last winter andimmediately became a greeter. She also took part in the Take onLent classes and was confirmed an Episcopalian on May 18.
Jennifer was a bright light in this world. She was a mother to six-year-old Abel—the love and light in her own life. I appreciatedher intellect, tenacity and adventurous spirit. She loved theCathedral and came here often for solace and inspiration. Sheknew this was her church home and family.
Her childhood best friend, Jayne,gave a beautiful eulogy. Shementioned Jennifer’s wonderfulqualities, of course, but also spokeof her issues with addiction andmental illness that darkened anddebilitated her spirit over the years.I share this with you becauseJennifer’s struggles led tohomelessness. Since we haveknown Jennifer she had beenhomeless and living in a shelter.That might surprise those whoknew her, as Jennifer prided herself on spiffing up and wearinglovely dresses on Sundays.
Our Life in Photos
McCarthy & Vicarage 3rdAnnual Tree Lighting
The rain did not stop ourgood cheer!
Vicar Dana opened herhome for the celebration.
Congo News December 2019 FINAL.pdf[1/14/20, 11:30:11 AM]
When we walked into the church on Saturday, her mother gave usbig hugs and thanked us profusely for coming. She also told us astory that brought big, weepy tears to my eyes. When she came toWashington to collect Jennifer's belongings at the shelter, shediscovered the proofs from Jennifer’s congregational photo-directory shoot back in August. She called Lifetouch to explainthat Jennifer had died and asked if she could purchase aphotograph. They, in return, sent her a complimentary package ofdifferent sizes, but I’m sure they could not have guessed that the 8x 10 would be framed and placed on the altar with Jennifer’scremains. When we walked into the chapel and saw this, I burstinto tears and told Margaret that all of her hard and often painfulwork to make the directory possible was made worth it by thissimple gesture.
This is church at its best, my friends. One never knows where theHoly Spirit will move or land in one’s life or work and even atone’s death. And one more thing: several of Jennifer’s greetercolleagues raised money for us to deliver Abel bags of Christmasgifts from his mother’s church friends! May the incarnate one thisChristmas be reborn in you and continually surprise and inspireyou to share God’s love by your simple presence.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello
We’re Called to BlessBishop Budde, in her book Receiving Jesus: The Way of Loveshares the fruits of a collaborative effort called by PresidingBishop Curry to imagine a spiritual rule of life for the EpiscopalChurch. Among the Practices for a Jesus-centered life, Practice 5calls us to bless—it “takes us out of our lives and into the worldaround us.” By all measures, our Season of Giving radiated withthe joy that comes when community and friends come together toshower blessings on our neighbors. What a glorious season ofgiving! Our GivingTHANKSgiving and AdventGiving drives exceeded theirambitious goals. Explore the fruitsof our collective labor below.
Giving THANKSgiving 2019
“20 tons? That"s roughly 40,000 pounds that we moved (multipletimes) over the course of the past 5 days. But more importantly,we shared Thanksgiving with over 6,200 of our fellow brothersand sisters. And we had a good time doing it!”—Rob
US/Mexico BorderPilgrimage Report
Presented by CatherineAble-Thomas
and Dora Currea
Book Discussion withAuthor Judge RichardGergel on His Book
Unexampled Courage withBrenda Baldwin-White on
December 4
Congo News December 2019 FINAL.pdf[1/14/20, 11:30:11 AM]
Strassburger, chair. Enjoy the re-cap »
Advent Giving 2019
Hundreds of gift tags on theCathedral Advent Giving Treewere transformed into wished-forgifts including baby dolls, baseballmitts, basketballs, bikes, books, atoddler-sized huggable penguin,gift cards and learning toys.Through your thoughtfulgenerosity, 375 children andyoung people in the District arereceiving a little something specialthis Christmas season.
Photo by Danielle Thomas
Find out more »
Master Hand CraftersMany wonderful and creativethings happen every month in theCathedral Library. High on anyshort list would be the crafting ofhandmade one-of-a-kind items forinfants and young children by ourKnitting and Crochet Ministry.This group of talented cheerfuldoers and givers meets on the first and third Sundays (yearround). With a focus on crafting items for our outreach partnerBright Beginnings, the members share yarn and stories as theycreate. This fall, the crafters produced an extraordinary 247 itemsthat were delivered this past week.
Feast your eyes on a sampling of their handcrafted wares andlearn more about the ministry. Read the report »
Let Mutual Love Continue. Do Not Neglectto Show Hospitality to Strangers…Practice 6 in Receiving Jesus: TheWay of Love calls us to “cross theborders of our familiarity in orderto better understand theexperience of another.”
Touching God: Using
Prayer Beads to DeepenYour Relationship with GodLed by the Rev. Sally Slater
Congo News December 2019 FINAL.pdf[1/14/20, 11:30:11 AM]
On November 13, people from theEpiscopal Diocese of Washington(EDOW), including several from our own Cathedral SanctuaryCommittee, went on a pilgrimage to the Arizona/Mexico border tolearn more about the “challenges facing immigrants seeking abetter life crossing into the United States.”
Read the reflections by the Rev. Patrick Keyser (“I will continueto pray for them”) and Dora Currea (“I must become anaccomplice”) and view the moving photos taken by CatherineAble-Thomas. Download their report »
Congregation Meeting ReportOn Sunday, November 24,members of the Cathedralcongregation gathered between the9 am and 11:15 am services for anupdate on Cathedral budget andfinancials for the past year andpriorities for the coming year.Dean Randy, Chapter Chair AndyFlorance, COO Richard Bland, Vicar Dana, Director forCongregational Stewardship, Emily Davis and Associate forWorship and Music, Daryl Hunt, all spoke. Margaret Rawls wasthanked for making the work of the Vicar’s office possible, theRev. Patrick Keyser was introduced as a wonderful new additionto the team and Dean Randy gave a beautiful talk on the value andministry of “Welcome.” Read about the state of the Cathedral ».
Year End GivingAs you plan for end of year gifts,we hope you will consider makinga pledge or an additional gift to theCathedral congregation.Congregational pledges and giftsare the lifeblood of our ministries.We invite you to make acongregational gift at a level that ismeaningful to you. Your gift will be directed to where it is mostneeded to best serve our congregation, our neighbors, and thisgrand and glorious space. Please contact Emily Davis or visit theStewardship Page for information on pledging. Year-end gifts tothe congregation can be made online ».
Evening with EthanBishop-HenchmanOn the Diaconate
Ethan brought participantstogether to explore the roleof a deacon as part of his
final steps before hisordination.
Exploring Roles:
What does the Laity do?
Congo News December 2019 FINAL.pdf[1/14/20, 11:30:11 AM]
CCC MinutesThe minutes for the NovemberCathedral Congregation Committee(CCC) meeting were approved at theDecember meeting. Download theNovember 2019 Minutes »Looking for information on the CCCand its members?Click on this link to read about your CCC representatives.
Steps on the JourneyPastoral newsIf you or someone you know in thecongregation would like to discuss apastoral concern or wish a hospital orhome visit or to receive Communion,please contact the Vicar, DanaCorsello, at (202) 537-5290 [email protected]. And if youhave a prayer request, please email:[email protected].
Sharing prayersfor the people
Ethan ends withan Advent song
The Vicar had the pleasure
of marrying twocongregation members,
Allen Hamilton and CaroltonTippitt, December 17. Godbless them and their new
life together!
Congo News December 2019 FINAL.pdf[1/14/20, 11:30:11 AM]
Cathedral Men’s GroupVolunteering for
Loaves & Fishes onDecember 7
Holy Innocents’ DayEucharistSaturday, December 28, 12 pm This noondayservice will bededicated to thechildren who have suffered fromviolence this year. December 28 isthe Christian “Feast of the HolyInnocents,” also called Childermasor Innocents’ Day in remembranceof the massacre of young childrenin Bethlehem by King Herod theGreat in his attempt to kill theinfant Jesus (Matthew 2:161–8).Learn more »
Moving Mindfully into theNew YearSunday, December 29, 1:30 pmLooking for a wayto reflect on theyear that haspassed and move mindfully into
Congo News December 2019 FINAL.pdf[1/14/20, 11:30:11 AM]
the year to come? Join us for thishalf day retreat as we exploreways to take stock of the old yearwhile looking forward to the new.Learn more »
20s and 30s PlanningMeetingSunday, January 5, 12:45 pmHelp us plan ourwinter and springprograms! Join uson for a meeting on Sunday,January 5 following the 11:15 amservice in the Cathedral Library.
20s and 30s EpiphanyBible StudyTuesdays, January 7–February11, 6:30–8 pmMark yourcalendars for a sixweek Bible Studyduring the seasonafter the Epiphany, led byCathedral clergy. Learn more »
Dealing with AddictionsSunday, January 12, 1 pmThis groupsession, offeredquarterly, exploresthe nature and types of addictivedisorders, their complex impactson individuals, families,workplaces, etc. and what caneffectively be done to helpeveryone affected. RSVPrequested »
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