St. Paul's Lazarus Ministry Awarded Grant

We are honored and thrilled to announce that the St. Paul’s Lazarus Ministry has been chosen as a recipient of a Westminster Presbyterian Church Community Grant for 2013. The $5,000 grant will fund a project that the Ministry designed to help us to “Bridge the Gap Between Crisis Remediation and Self-Sufficiency Through Enhanced Technology.” A formal presentation of the grant will occur at the 10 a.m. service at Westminster on June 30. Please contact Dorothy Pearson at lazarus@stpaulsalexandria.com if you are interested in learning more about this exciting development.

Calmus Concert to Air on WETA Radio

If you missed the concert by internationally acclaimed German vocal ensemble Calmus at St. Paul’s last month, you can hear it on Classical WETA radio. Tune in to 90.9 FM at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 16. You can also stream the choral showcase live during this time at www.weta.org/fm/listenlive.

Gentle Yoga for All Continues

Join us for “Gentle Yoga for All” classes in Norton Hall, Wednesdays from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Newcomers are always welcome! A percentage of the class fees will be donated to the Lazarus Ministry and Carpenter’s Shelter. For more information, please contact Margaret Townsend at yoga.with.margaret@gmail.com or by phone at 571-218-2161.

June 2 Hymn Festival at Christ Church

On Sunday, June 2 at 5 p.m. a Hymn Festival led by Bruce Neswick will be held at Christ Church. The St. Paul’s Choir will participate along with other Episcopal Church choirs. Bruce Neswick teaches at Indiana University, was formerly Organist-Choirmaster at the cathedrals of St. John the Divine (New York City) and Atlanta, and was Assistant Organist at National Cathedral where he founded the girls’ choir. He is a superb improviser as will be heard at the Hymn Festival. All are invited to attend; a reception will follow. Click the above image to enlarge for more information.

Join Us for Fun & Fellowship at the Annual Parish Picnic

It's that time of year again: our Annual Parish Picnic is approaching! Join us for a day of fun in the sun with your St. Paul's friends, following the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, June 9 at VTS. We'll have a delicious fried chicken lunch, along with fun attractions for kids, great music, and more. The cost is $12 per person or $35 per family. Please RSVP in advance in order to help us get an accurate headcount for food; call Donna in the office at 703-549-3312 or email donnarlefeve@gmail.com.

Last Spring Adult Forum: Reed Sandridge of the Year of Giving Project

In our final Adult Forum of the Spring season, we welcome special guest Reed Sandridge of the Year of Giving project. Reed will share the life-changing story of how he gave away $10 a day to a complete stranger for one year; his work has been featured in numerous media outlets such as CBS, the Washington Post, and NPR. Join us at 10 a.m. in Upper Norton Hall (childcare will be provided by weeSIT during the forum hour).

Retreat to Shrine Mont This September at St. Paul's Parish Weekend

When can you put down your phone and pick up your soul? How can you slow life down? Where can you sit on a porch rocker, hang out with family & friends and reconnect with life? Why, at our parish retreat at Shrine Mont, of course!

Please join St. Paul’s as we celebrate time at this “place apart for rest, devotion and fellowship where we may all grow in the grace of God.” We will worship in beautiful Orkney Springs, VA, September 13-15. And remember, if you are a younger parishioner, then we’ll have a youth program and babysitters will be available for our littlest parishioners.

We are delighted to announce that our speakers this year will be the Rev. Ross Kane and Dr. Ted Martin, who will speak to us about faith and science. We love our Shrine Mont sessions to be interactive and Ross and Ted want to hear from you in advance. Get your questions about faith and science ready so you can help to guide the weekend’s conversation. Look for opportunities to shape the discussion on our registration form as well as for posts on our Facebook page.

Registration forms are available at the church office, on the welcome cart or on the homepage of the St. Paul’s website. If have any questions or would like to help make the weekend even better, then please join our planning team by contacting Tara Foscato (202-997-4135 or tarawfoscato@gmail.com) or Ellen King (703-549-3312 or ellen@stpaulsalexandria.com). We hope you can join us this September at Shrine Mont!

Youth & Children's Summer Programs

Mark your calendars for upcoming youth and children's programs this summer:

• Vacation Bible School: June 24-28, 9 a.m. – noon, Norton Hall 
• Middle School Mission Trip: July 12-14, Field Gleaning in Exmore, VA 
• Reaching Out to the Community: July 22-26, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., youth ages 12 and up 
• High School Mission Trip: August 4-10, Boston, MA 

Registration is available online or by emailing ellen@stpaulsalexandria.com.

Parents' Morning Out Fall Registration

Registration for Parents’ Morning Out is open for the 2013-2014 school year. At PMO, two-year-olds have structured play and socialization 2-3 mornings a week while parents get to have a morning “off.” Spots are still available for this fall; please contact ellen@stpaulsalexandria.com for more information.

New Summer Youth Outreach Event

We are excited to announce a new youth event: Reaching Out to the Community. All youth ages 12 and up are invited to join us July 22-26 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to help people in our own community. In the morning we will volunteer at various organizations in Alexandria and in the afternoon we have fun. Options for the afternoon include bowling, mini-golfing, going to a movie, and other fun activities. Find more information online, or email ellen@stpaulsalexandria.com.

May 12 Adult Forum on Communications Survey Results & Strategy

In our recent parish communications survey, we asked how we can improve our communications efforts -- and you answered. Now is the chance to hear how we plan to move forward, and offer your feedback.

At this Sunday's Adult Forum, we will discuss the results of the survey, as well as the next steps we're planning to take to further our communications strategy. Your continued input is valuable in helping us create an informed, engaged, empowered, and inspired St. Paul's community. Join us at 10 a.m. in Upper Norton Hall.

Ascension Day Choral Evensong

On Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m., Ascension Day Choral Evensong will be sung by the St. Paul’s Choir. Come celebrate this important feast day in the church year. Music will include works by Archer, Ayleward, Wood, Walmisley and Messiaen. A reception will follow. Donations of non-perishable food items will be taken for the Lazarus Ministry to assist those in need.

Acolyte Commissioning This Sunday

We hope you'll join us for acolyte commissioning this Sunday, May 5 as part of the 11:00 a.m. service. All acolytes are invited to take part in the celebration. The congregation is grateful for your service.

EYC College/Military Outreach Project

We are starting an outreach to the former youth of St. Paul's who are away at college or technical school or serving in the military and would like to send notes from current EYC youth and possibly a care package during the school year. However, we need your help. If you are willing to share your child's current mailing address, school, and year in school, we would love to include them in this project. Here's the information we'd like to have:
LAST NAME:
FIRST NAME:
PREFERRED SALUTATION:
CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS:
SCHOOL:
YEAR:
PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME:
Please send the information to Stephanie Campbell at sjc8665@gmail.com.

May 5 Adult Forum: "Science, Technology, and Moral Challenges: What Will Be Our Environmental Legacy?"

Our series Conversations in Faith and Science concludes this week with special guest, the Rev. Pat Watkins, discussing "Science, Technology, and Moral Challenges: What Will Be Our Environmental Legacy?" Join us at 10 a.m. in Upper Norton Hall. The series is also available for download on the St. Paul’s website. Next week, we will hold a special Adult Forum to discuss results and next steps from the recent parish communications survey.

"Think & Drink" Book Group Meets Tonight

St. Paul’s Book Group, "Think and Drink," will meet tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Vestry Room. We are reading "Bad Religion" by Ross Douthat. Newcomers are always welcome. The discussion is informal and we enjoy a little wine and cheese along with our fellowship. If you have any questions, contact Sam Mason.