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Sunday

Today we welcome Bishop Geralyn Wolf, the bishop of Rhode Island, as our preacher at 9:00 and 11:15 AM.  This is Bishop Wolf’s first visit to our parish and we are grateful to her for her visit, for her leading of our Quiet Day yesterday and for her support.  We are also grateful to her for sending her seminarian Patrick Greene to us as part of his training!  Bishop Wolf will of course greet people at the door after both masses but will not be able to stay for the usual coffee hour following the 11:15 AM Mass so that she might be sure to catch her plane home.  Please give her a warm welcome.
 
On this, the first Sunday of the month, a priest is available in the Angel Chapel after Mass for unction and healing.   Please form a line outside the chapel, entering one at a time in order to provide privacy when advising the priest of your specific prayer requests.
 
The loose plate offering today goes to the rector’s discretionary fund.   Please be generous.

Preschool & Middle School meet at 10:15 AM.  Preschool through grade 5 meets in the Good Shepherd Atria on the Lower Level of Pillsbury House; the Middle School class in the Undercroft Classroom.
 
Ponticus, the St. Paul’s group for high school students (grades 9-12), meets at 10:15 AM in the Undercroft Youth Room. 
 
The Rector’s Forum meets from 10:30-11:10 AM in the Dining Hall.  Please grab a cup of coffee in the Atrium and make your way to the second floor of Pillsbury House, where we continue our study with chapter 5 of The Wound of Knowledge by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.  Looking at heresies and the voices of great saints of the Church through the 16th Century, Williams explores the profound contradictions that give rise to an authentic life of faith and prayer. Click here to buy from amazon.com. Fr. Sloane will continue with Chapter 6 next week.
 
More of the Wright Stuff:  Today the Adult Discussion Group meets in the Guild Room at 10:30 AM to discuss Bishop N.T. Wright’s study guide on 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.  Each week we discuss a chapter or so of these Epistles based on Bishop Wright’s guide.  All are welcome. Click here to buy the book from Amazon.

ATTENTION ALL GREETERS (current and new recruits):  Please plan to attend a Greeters Training Session today at 4:30 PM in the Carwithen Parlor. 

Carpe Deum meets tonight at 7:00 PM  in the Common Room.

This Week

Pilgrims Alumni Bible Study Group  meets Monday at 6:30 PM in the Carwithen Parlor. 

The Inner Room meets Monday at 6:30 PM in the Undercroft Classroom.
 
Religion & Science Book Study meets Monday from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Common Room.  We are about to start a new book, God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution, by John F. Haught. Click here to buy the book from Amazon.

Pilgrims in Christ meets Monday at 6:30 PM in the Guild Room.

Education for Ministry meets Tuesday at 6:30 PM in the Carwithen Parlor.
 

The Benedictine Cell meets Thursday at 6:30 PM in the Guild Room.

On March 14 (Rose Sunday), Fidelitas (St. Paul's group for newly and nearly married couples) goes bowling!  Meet at 1:00 PM at U.S. Bowling in Alexandria (http://www.usbowlingva.com) and bring about $20 for lanes and shoes. We also may head to the nearby Mediterranean Bakery for a late lunch of Alexandria’s best falafel and shwarma afterward.  RSVP to Robert Eikel (reikel@reikel.org) so we can reserve lanes if necessary. Directions: From DC, drive south on 395 and exit at Duke Street eastbound.  After about half a mile, turn right on Pickett Street and the bowling alley is just ahead on your left.  From downtown Alexandria, head west on Duke and turn left on Pickett.
 
Pilgrims in Christ Retreat Reminder: the pilgrims’ class will make an all day retreat on Saturday March 20 at the Virginia Theological Seminary.
 
Oberammergau Pilgrimage: Last Monday was the deadline for deposits to be made for the proposed trip in July. Only six people had made deposits at that time.  Since we needed a minimum of 20, Fr. Sloane has had to cancel the trip. Refunds will be made to those who had made deposits.

Haiti Brunch:  Thanks to the nearly 100 parishioners and friends who attended the “Hearts for Haiti” fundraising brunch last Sunday and especially to those who contributed over and above the ticket price, boosting the proceeds to a total of $3,156.  With the matching funds from the Carwithen outreach bequest, that means St. Paul’s will be sending $6,312 to the Diocese of Haiti for its ongoing earthquake relief efforts.  That is by far the most we have ever raised through similar events and speaks to the generosity of our parish family.  The Commission on Mission has extended the period for matching funds to the end of Lent, to include the mite boxes that have already been distributed.  If you wish to make a contribution, either to supplement what you have already donated or as a first time gift, you can do so by writing a check payable to St. Paul’s Parish, with “Haiti” on the memo line.  Checks can be mailed to the parish, placed in the alms basins on Sunday or given to Rhoda Geasland or Ann Korky.  Remember: contributions for Haiti earthquake relief before March 1 are deductible on your 2009 tax returns (donors were provided a receipt for that purpose or can use their canceled checks).  If you prefer, you can, of course, take that deduction for the 2010 tax year instead, using the receipt or canceled check.  Contributions made March 1 or later will be posted on your 2010 statement from  St. Paul’s.  Of the $10 ticket price for the  brunch, $6 is deductible plus any donation made over the $4 cost of the meal.
 
St. Paul’s Parking:  Thank you to all who have looked for street parking and/or made use of Metro these past few months.  It has helped significantly!  During this Lenten season parking spaces behind church will be at a premium.  Sunday activity is  especially busy during this time, particularly between the services, so we ask your continued patience as we help people departing and arriving.  Weekday services will also be very demanding with the parking lot often full by 5:30 PM for a 6:30 PM Mass.  We can only suggest that you arrive early or use street parking as, once the parking lot is full, we have no other options to assist you in finding a place to park. Click here for a map of available street parking near the church. 
 
STUMP THE SEMINARIANS: Have a question about God, about the church, or simply about why we Christians (or St. Paul’s parishioners) do something we do? Our two Seminarian Assistants, Patrick Greene and Charles Smith, will take their best crack at answering many such questions each month in the pages of the Epistle, St. Paul’s monthly printed and online newsletter. Submit your questions to epistleeditor@gmail.com with the phrase “Stump the Seminarians” in the subject line. Depending on volume of questions received, Charles and Patrick may not be able to answer all questions. Be sure to note in the email if you would like your question to remain anonymous.
 
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME begins on Sunday, March 14.  Please remember to set your clocks forward one hour next Saturday night!