Posts in ENews
Donation Requests for Summer Camp

This summer at Abiding Presence we are hosting six weeks of day camp for kiddos in preschool through sixth grade! Three of those weeks will be focused on caring for God’s creation and appreciating the gift of nature. As a part of this practice we will be using as many recycled and sustainable materials as possible for games, crafts, and activities. We need your help to make this possible! Below is a list of materials we are in need of. We encourage you to collect these objects over the next few weeks from your recycling and drop them off in the marked section in the sheds to the left of the church entrance. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Michelle (Children and Family Minister) with any questions. Thank you!

Supplies Needed

  • Newspaper

  • Seeds

    • Any extra seeds you have!

    • Tomato, pepper, basil, onion, oregano seed packets

    • Large seeds (avocado pits, peach pits, etc.)

    • Local wildflower seeds

    • Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds

  • Clean empty cans

    • Small tomato paste cans

    • Regular soup cans, etc.

  • Egg cartons

  • Paper towel roll tubes

  • Toilet paper roll tubes

  • Empty water bottles/soda bottles

  • Empty 2 liter bottles

  • Empty milk jugs

  • Magazines with photos of people, animals, plants

  • Powdered clay

  • Leftover soil/compost

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$4,000 Grant Awarded to Mental Health Team at Abiding Presence!

The Fairfax County Trauma-Informed Community Network has approved Abiding Presence's application for the Trauma-Informed Spaces grant, totaling $4,000. These funds will be spent on furnishing the Narthex and entry hallway. Plans for spending include a carefully designed donations center, an expanded "pray-ground" area, comfortable and sturdy seating, a soothing water-fall machine, area rugs, reception furniture, plants, and more! If you have any questions about this grant, and what it means to be a trauma-informed community and space, do not hesitate to contact Sarah Snow, Congregational Care Minister. If you have a design background and would like to participate in the execution of this grant funding, please contact Sarah.

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Trunk-or-Treat Drive Thru

Wednesday, October 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Our annual “Trunk-or-Treat” event will look a bit different this year, but still provide opportunities for fun for the whole family.

In order to keep everyone safe, participants will drive thru the parking lot from the safety of their vehicles to view our display of trunks and characters. At the end, we will hand out a bag of candy from a safe physical distance. Feel free to make it extra fun by dressing the kids up in their costumes for the drive thru.

Volunteers are needed to:

  • Donate bags of candy (drop off in the designated bin in front of the church by October 21)

  • Sign up for a parking spot in the lot to park your decorated trunk, stand in costume or create a display. All parking spots will be physically distanced in order to keep participants safe. Everyone in your parking spot will be asked to please wear a mask and follow COVID precautions. You do not have to stand with your decorated trunk. We will ask all trunks to be in place by 5:15 p.m. and plan to stay in place through the end of the event.

We hope this provides a safe way for our community to celebrate Halloween and the opportunity for the whole congregation to be engaged in this outreach event.

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Sunday Morning Schedule this Fall

Next Sunday, September 13, begins our new Sunday morning schedule. Read all about it here.

9:30 a.m. - Opportunities to Connect over Zoom
Abiding Table at Home (Adults)
Family Sunday School (Toddler, Preschool & Elementary School Children)
Confirmation (7th & 8th Graders)

10:00 a.m. - Livestream Worship
Coffee Hour will take place immediately following worship on Zoom

Stay tuned for the Zoom links that will be sent out next week for Abiding Table at Home, Family Sunday School and Confirmation.

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ENewsMeredith Keseley
Fall Digital Preschool Camp

Register is now open for Abiding Presence’s Fall Digital Preschool Camp! Building on the success of this summer’s digital summer camp, we’re offering a special fall camp just for three- and four-year olds. It will be an online opportunity over Zoom to get a taste of what preschool is like while connecting with peers and caring adults.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. (September 22 - November 12)

Who: Children who are age 3 by September 30, 2020 and turning age 5 no sooner than October 31, 2020

Where: All sessions will take place via Zoom. "Grab and go bags” will be provided with all of the necessary materials.

Cost: Suggested donation of $45/child and $25/each additional child. Donations can be made at AbidingPresence.net/give or via check mailed to the church office.

Registration: Please register here. Registration is limited in order to keep the class size small.

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Three Ways to Support the Abiding Presence Food Pantry

It takes the whole congregation supporting the Abiding Presence Food Ministries in order for us to answer the call to feed our neighbors in need. Now, there are three ways for you to support the ministry:

  1. Donate Non-Perishable Food - Check out the list of items needed and drop off anytime in the bins outside of the church. The bins are emptied daily.

  2. Shop our Amazon Wish List or Target Gift List - Shop online and have your non-perishable food items delivered directly to the church.

  3. Donate Money - Give directly to Abiding Presence and we will use the money to purchase fresh and non-perishable food through our partners.

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ENewsMeredith KeseleyFood
Abiding Kids Ministry this Fall

During an anything but ordinary time, Abiding Kids is going to have an extraordinary fall! While our week-to-week programming will look quite different than it has in the past, our mission will remain the same. We will keep Connecting People to Christ through Community as we offer opportunities for kids and families to grow in their faith and build relationships with one another. We’ll have opportunities to learn virtually, hybrid and in-person in small, safe, outdoor, distanced events. Read more about it and get involved. New children and families are always welcome to participate!

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Abiding Presence Parent Survey

Abiding Presence is exploring new and creative ways to support your child's faith journey and mental and social well-being in this challenging time. Please help us plan for the fall by taking a moment to share with us what would be the most helpful ways for the church to support your family. This survey is geared toward parents of children ages newborn through college-age. Survey Link: https://forms.gle/5LsJ8Lzr3C5xed2L9

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NEW! Music & Arts Ministry for 4th-12th Graders

We want to help 4th-12th graders participate in music and arts this fall! We’re launching a new music and arts ministry that will offer the opportunity for physically-distanced ensembles/small-groups outdoors at the Abiding Presence church property, with precautions similar to this summer's youth group activities. If you have a 4th-12th grader interested in music, dance, art, creative writing, production, acting, etc., we have a place for them in an Abiding Presence small ensemble.

We are inviting families of 4th-12th graders to tap the link below and fill out a brief, one-page survey to help us gauge interest in each type of group activity: AP Music & Arts Interest Form for 4th-12th Graders (Fall 2020)

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Launching the "Abiding Fellows" Program for 11th & 12th Graders

For the past few years, Abiding Presence has been involved in the Log College Project. One of our “pandemic pivots” of our Log College Project grant is to launch “Abiding Fellows,” a fellowship program for 11th & 12th graders connected to the congregation. Building on the success of our summer college-age internship program, the “Abiding Fellows” ministry will provide a similar opportunity for our 11th & 12th graders. Read more about this new ministry program and/or apply at abidingpresence.net/abiding-fellows.

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Landscaping/Digging Volunteers Needed

Looking for a physically distanced activity? We need some help moving rocks! We’re looking to move all of the rocks from the left side of the main entrance (as you face the main doors) to the right side in preparation for our new concrete slab. Show up anytime! Bring your own tools or use the shovel and wheelbarrow that we have left outside. Move one load or stay all day!

We’re putting in a new cement slab in the rocky area to allow us to put up a semi-permanent outdoor donation center for our food ministry. In non-pandemic times, this expanded entrance area will allow for outdoor seating to facilitate visiting before and after worship.

In addition to moving rocks, we are going to need some help digging up the area in preparation for the concrete pour. If you want to have your name added to the list of people who get notices about property volunteer opportunities such as these, please email the church office.

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ENewsMeredith Keseley
Pajama Sunday this Sunday

The beginning of Daylight Savings Time and the loss of an hour of sleep can be a real bummer and make it hard to get up for church. Here at Abiding Presence, though, we make it something to celebrate. Join us for our annual Abiding Presence Pajama Sunday! Kids (and adults if they want, too) are invited to wear their pajamas or other comfortable clothes to church and Sunday School. Sleep in, roll out of bed and come on over for worship. Daylight Savings Time is a Sunday you don’t want to miss!

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Midweek Lenten Services

Mondays from 12:00-12:25 p.m.
Morning Prayer with Holy Communion

No Service on March 23 due to Cathedral Visit

Wednesdays from 7:00-7:45 p.m.
Evening Prayer with Holy Communion
Dinner at 6:00 p.m. in Bailey Hall
Children’s Activities & Professionally Staffed Nursery Provided

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ENewsMeredith KeseleyWorship