News
How to learn what’s happening at Holy Comforter (let us count the ways)
The eMessenger, sent weekly and sometimes more often, from the parish office, to those who have given us permission (send an email to hocoadministrator@comcast.net if you want to be on this list).Children’s Choirs at Holy Comforter
The Cherubs’ Choir (under age 6) will meet this Sunday, February 19, March 4 and March 18 right after church. The Childrens’ Choir (age 6 and over) will meet every Sunday after church.Looking for ways to spend your tax refund?
Consider a contribution to the Carpenter’s Kids Program in our linked village, Mzula, Tanzania. Whether or not you choose to sponsor a child, or make a one-time contribution, your generosity is welcome. Should you wish to make a donation, write your check to Holy Comforter and enter “Carpenter’s Kids” on the memo line. You can drop it in the offering plate on any Sunday morning, or mail it in to the Treasurer.Tips from the Diocesan Stewardship of Creation Committee
During the cold winter months, dressing in layers is quite possibly the best way to stay warm. The multiple layers surrounding your body help to trap layers of warm air and, thus, protect your body from the chill of the cold winter air. The principle applies to protecting your home -- and trapping in dollars from escaping your home budget. There are many things you can do to make your home more energy efficient. Consider new Low-E, argon gas-filled replacement windows -- by trapping a layer of gas between the interior and exterior parts of your home less heat will be lost to the outside. An added front storm door acts in the same way. Other little things matter. Keep in mind that every time you open your garage door on a cold winter day that entire space immediately comes into equilibrium with the outside temperature -- thereby exposing the adjacent walls to your home to additional cold weather extremes. Consider doing what your mother (or grandmother) use to do -- sunshine management. During the winter months, and especially if you have the newer, insulated windows, consider opening up your curtains that face the sun to allow for the greenhouse effect to provide some warmth to that particular room. On bitter cold days, remember to go in and out of your house quickly, thus minimizing the amount of time that the cold air has to pour into your warm home. Most of all . . . it is a matter of common sense and simply being aware that your choices (no matter how big or little) do make a difference. (A winter time message from St. Timothy's Steward of Creation.)Volunteers for hosting coffee hour
If you enjoy coffee hour, please consider hosting once or twice during the next six month ROTA. Simple snacks are all that is needed and you will be providing an opportunity for fellowship. Please see Nancy Deane for questions.Christopher Webber to preach February 19
The Rev. Christopher Webber, father of our own Libby Gruner, returns to Holy Comforter to preach and for informal discussion after the service. Rev. Webber has visited us in the past; most recently to discuss his book Re-thinking Marriage. His newest book is American to the Backbone, a biography of James W.C. Pennington, a remarkable pre-Civil War abolition leader.From our friend Cheryl Groce-Wright
I am taking part in the Ukrops Monument Avenue 10K on March 31 to raise money for PATRICK HENRY SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND ARTS, the first elementary charter school in the state of VA. PLEASE make a donation by visiting my FirstGiving page: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/cheryl-groce-wright/monumentavenue10k?fge=ask. My goal is to raise $1000, and if I can get 50 people to give $20, I will reach my goal. Check out my page for all the details. I hope you can support this effort, yet I understand that not everyone's circumstances will allow them to give. Even a $5 donation will contribute to our wonderful school, so whatever makes sense for you makes sense to me!!!A New CEO for Virginia Interfaith Center
A New CEO for Virginia Interfaith Center has been appointed. His name is Marco Grimaldo. Marco most recently served as a Regional Organizer for Bread for the World and previously served as Director of Bread for the World Institute and as National Organizer for the Alliance to End Hunger. He has more than 20 years of experience in politics and non-profit advocacy, including work on national campaigns related to international development assistance, HIV/AIDS and debt relief, and a range of domestic hunger and poverty concerns.Want To Be A Part Of A Partnership And Mission Relationship With Haiti?
Two diocesan groups are planning trips to Haiti in 2012. First, the second young adult mission trip to Haiti will take place March 30-April. Learn more and complete a registration form. Second, a medical mission for doctors, nurses, physician assistants and non-medical support missionaries will travel to Gonaives, Haiti May 5-12. Contact Kent Duffey at kentduffey@doers.org if you're interested!Education's Green Ribbon Competition
How Green is your School? Schools can now apply for the inaugural U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon award. The Green Ribbon award recognizes the nation's highest-performing environmentally-friendly schools. Schools have until February 17, 2012 to apply for the federal award. For more information, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html. The winners are expected to be announced on Earth Day, which is April 22, 2012.A Message from the Diocesan Stewardship of Creation Committee
Visit us at www.caringforgodscreation.net or blog with us at www.caringforgodscreation.net/blog, or better still, attend our next SoCC meeting scheduled for May 2012 (check our site for the details in the near future!)Music Workshop Coming In March
Holy Comforter will be hosting a LPM (Leadership Program for Musicians) workshop, on March 10th. Attendees will be coming to HoCo from all over the state. Click here for all the details!Do You Know Someone Who Is Shut-In, Lonely, Or In Any Need Or Trouble
Do you know someone who is shut-in, lonely, or in any need or trouble, as the Book of Common Prayer says? Please feel free to deliver to that person (or persons) a poinsettia from the chancel or the narthex after Sunday’s service; be sure to include a copy of the worship bulletin. Such a little thing for you to do, really, but who knows what it might mean to someone else?Please Consider Donating Flowers
Please consider donating flowers to adorn our worship space on Sunday. All Sundays are open in the coming months (except during Lent, which begins February 22). The specific flowers used are at the discretion of the florist, based on seasonality and cost-effectiveness. The blue donation forms are on the table at the back of the church.