Weekly update 1.27.20
Thursday, January 30
7:30pm Choir Rehearsal in the Auditorium.
Sunday, February 2
8am Holy Eucharist Rite I, The Rev. Sam Dessórdi Leite presides and The Rev. Rondesia Jarrett Schell preaches.
9:15am Forum: Kevin Feltz presents, The Synoptics. Please see below for the description.
10:10am Sharing the Gospel with Loaves and Fishes.
10:30am Holy Eucharist Rite II, The Rev. Sam Dessórdi Leite presides and The Rev. Rondesia Jarrett Schell preaches.
5:30pm Misa Alegría (Spanish language liturgy). The Rev. Sam Dessórdi Leite preaches and presides
Sunday, February 2 – Holy Baptism and Christingles this Sunday
Please join the 10:30am Service for very special rituals this Sunday.
First, with great joy, we welcome Marion into the household of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. She will be presented by her parents, Lisa Luceno and Gabe Pinski, and brother, Micah.
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. Alleluia.
Second, in celebration of this Sunday’s Feast of Candlemas, during Sunday School time, all children (with parents helping too) will be making Christingles for themselves (plus 60 more as our gifts to the Misa Alegria congregation.)
These symbols of the Light of Christ will be lighted from Marion’s Baptismal candle, carried by each child during the Offertory Procession, and presented to the altar as we gather for the Holy Eucharist.
The Christingle starts with an orange which represents the World. A red ribbon encircling the orange symbolizes Christ’s love and blood. Four (cocktail) sticks represent God’s abundant creation: the four corners of the world and the four seasons. The festive additions of sticks with dried fruit, candies, and mini-marshmallows represent all of God’s creation. All this is crowned with a candle – the Light of Christ. Thanks be to God!
We are marching in the Light of God
Marcheremos en la luz de Dios
For more information and how to make your own at home, go to: http://bit.ly/2RVJ130
Blessings y Paz,
Jane Bishop
bishop.jane9@gmail.com
Eucharistic Feast of the Black Madonna, Our Lady of Candelaria February 2, 5:30pm at Misa Alegria worship
The tradition of celebrating Our Lady comes from ancient times rooted in the Jewish tradition. The same day for the presentation of the Santo Niño Jesus is also a Holy Day for Mary called her Purification. That span of 40 days after Christmas is the key. (see Leviticus 12:2-8).
The devotion of this Black Madonna of Candelaria is originally from the North of the African Continent, the Canary Islands and spread out through all the Spanish and Portuguese colonies. European countries, Indigenous from the Philippines, Latin-American countries and parts of Africa still commemorate the Black Madonna until our days.
If Jesus is the Light of the World, his mother is the bearer of the Light. She is always represented with a candle in her hand.
In Latin America, people will bring candles to church for sacerdotal blessing. The same candles will be on their windows and doors on that evening, following a European monastic tradition; a candle in the window (or on the door) to lead pilgrims to places of safety. In Celtic tradition it means, Joseph, Mary and Jesus found a safe place to rest.
The candles are also in use in home shrines through the year.
Upcoming Forums
February 2, Kevin Feltz presents, The Synoptics. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because their stories can be viewed side by side. They are also very similar, yet different. We will look at how scholars explain their parallels and differences.
February 9 – Kevin Feltz presents, The Non-Canonical Gospels. There are multiple ancient documents that relate stories of Jesus, such as the Gospel of Peter and the Gospel of Thomas. We will review a few, share some readings, and discuss why they were not included in the Biblical Canon.
Dinner for late 30s / 40s / 50s - February 8
Come join fellow St. Stephen's folks in their late 30s, 40s, and 50s for a dinner on Saturday, February 8 at 6pm to build community among those of us in our middle years. Partners are welcome. Dinner will be at Falan and Louise Yinug's (1248 D St. NE). Please RSVP to Falanfyinug@yahoo.com or 202-400-4926.
Message from DC Lambda Squares
DC Lambda Squares, Washington, DC's only square dance club, is starting it's New Dancer Program on Wednesday, January 29 (details below). We are excited to offer this opportunity to learn square dancing in the Nation's Capital. No previous experience is needed. DC Lambda Squares is an all welcoming club. We are offering our New Dancer Program in square dance for just $90! You will receive approximately 20 weeks of instructional time. Those that complete the program will receive a DC Lambda Squares name badge and membership in DC Lambda squares for the remainder of 2020. DC Lambda Squares does not require any traditional square dance outfits. We generally wear comfortable everyday clothes.
Please join us on Wednesday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend this session, however, we do need to meet a minimum threshold in order to continue with the program after January 29. We will be able to accept checks, money orders or credit/debit cards on the 29. The New Dancer Program is $90. We do not offer refunds, however, if you are unable to finish the program, we will extend your registration to our next New Dancer Program when offered.
New Dancer Program
Wednesdays 7:30 - 9:30pm
Calvary Baptist Church
755 8th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
$90 payable by check, money order, credit/debit card
Briya's Public Charter School Offers English Courses
Briya’s winter semester has just begun, and we have space available in many of our free English classes for DC parents! At Briya, immigrant parents learn English, from beginner to advanced levels, as well as develop practical technology and parenting skills. We accept parents who are DC residents and have children ages 0-14. You can refer prospective students by emailing register@briya.org, calling 202-232-7777, or having them come to a walk-in registration on the following days:
Tuesdays at our Petworth campus (3912 Georgia Ave. NW)
Wednesdays at our Adams Morgan campus (1707 Kalorama Road NW)
Thursdays at our Fort Totten campus (100 Gallatin St. NE)
Warm regards,
Briya’s Outreach Team
