All Saints Sunday

All Saints Sunday is Sunday, November 1

In the midst of a year of so much grief in so many different ways, we are grateful for the tradition of All Saints Sunday. All Saints Sunday offers us the opportunity to make space for the grief of those who we have lost this past year. While our traditions will look a bit different, our remembering will be the same.

On All Saints Sunday, November 1 we will remember and give thanks for the saints who have gone before us in the following ways:

  • Between 8:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. you can come to the parking lot to help us create an outdoor memorial area. You will have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of your loved one(s) who have died, chalk their names on the pavement and/or put a picture of them on display. This is an opportunity for us to remember all the saints who surround us in the great cloud of witnesses. Pastor Keseley and Pastor Vought will be available during this time to pray with people one-on-one from a safe distance.

  • At 9:15 a.m. we will have a brief 20 minute outdoor worship service in our memorial area. At this time, we will share scripture, prayer and read the names of the saints who have died this past year as the bell tolls in each of their honor. You can attend the service in-person practicing safe social distancing, in your car from the church parking lot listening to it on an FM radio or on our usual livestream platforms. If you would like the name read of a loved one who has died since last All Saints Sunday, please email Pastor Keseley.

  • On the livestream service at 10:00 a.m. we will share videos of our memorial area and offer a prayer in memory of the saints in the great cloud of witnesses.

  • Those wishing to prayerfully walk through the memorial area will be able to do so following livestream worship from 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.

As with all of our in-person activities, masks that cover the nose and mouth are required at all times while on the church property. We will have markers set up to help us all observe safe social distancing. If you are not feeling well or have possible exposure to COVID, we ask that you please participate only from home. If you would like a phone call from one of the pastors to pray with you, please just let us know and we are happy to make that happen.

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Meredith KeseleyWorship
HHS.gov Webinar Series: Spirituality and Relationships: Contributions to Faith and Forgiveness in Recovery

Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 12 PM EST – 2 PM EST https://www.zoomgov.com/.../reg.../WN_YMg0qSiyRLKg_FAmgFovsQ

Did you know there is a form of psychological research that focuses on how spirituality affects and relates to interpersonal relationships? It is called Relational Spirituality... Engaging spirituality has positive implications for individuals with mental illness and their loved ones... This webinar will discuss this area of research and its implications for treatment and recovery for individuals with mental illness and their loved ones.

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HHS.gov Webinar Series: Spirituality and the Life-Time Course of Mental Illness: Support for Patients, Caregivers, and Family by the Faith Community

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020 AT 12 PM EST – 2 PM EST

https://www.zoomgov.com/.../reg.../WN_ZdMccbDQQmO_Ofe9-Exowg

Spiritual Social Support is not just a good idea. Research has shown that it has a positive, measurable impact... This webinar will connect both these points, the research as well as the lived experience, describing the benefits of spiritual social support in the lives of those affected by mental illness in themselves and their loved ones.

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HHS. gov Webinar Series: Spirituality and Severe Mental Illness: Questions of Recovery vs. Purposeful Renewal

Webinar: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2020 AT 12 PM EDT – 2 PM EDT https://www.zoomgov.com/.../reg.../WN_0jN5Y2rITIeSoeJ-QBYLSg
Individuals and caregivers facing a diagnosis of serious mental illness (SMI) can be overwhelmed. In fact, the likelihood that the loved one will not recover previous levels of stability can lead to debilitating despair for all involved. Spiritual and religious support can provide an alternative pathway to understanding, managing, and achieving a level of stability toward a “new normal” for those with mental illness and their loved ones. Incorporating spirituality and religious belief into this form of recovery and renewal can lead to an increased opportunity for growth, fulfillment, and meaning for the individuals, their loved ones, and even the mental health professionals involved in their care.

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HHS.gov Webinar Series- Spirituality and Post-Traumatic Growth: Spirituality as Catalyst for Resilience

Webinar: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 12 PM EDT – 2 PM EDT

Research demonstrates the benefits of personal spirituality and religion extend to specific mental health challenges, including recovery from trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and even risk for suicide. This webinar will encourage practitioners and faith leaders to consider strategies for innovative partnerships incorporating spirituality into treatment in additional settings and treatment programs.

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Watch the SPAN Suicide Prevention Forum

The Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN) recently hosted a conversation on how we can all strengthen emotional well-being and resilience in these unprecedented times, including practical strategies that each of us can draw on to build on our strengths and strengthen our connections to others during this COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the SPAN website to watch the recording and download the resources presented.

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AP Youth Week Of October 5th - October 11th

Hello 7th-12th Grade Families,

I hope you all are doing well and staying safe.

Here’s a look at what is happening this week:

Today, Tuesday, October 6th, 4 - PM we have Small Groups meeting in the parking lot for 9th & 10th graders. This is a chance to get together in small groups not only for games and fun, but also for intentional conversation. This week’s theme is scripture and what it means to us.

On Friday, October 9th 7 - 8:15 PM is Friday Night Lights! This Friday we will be rolling out the TV carts, the Wii, the old school NES, and having an outdoor arcade night. We will have marked spaces to stand in and play games that are 6ft apart. Sanitizing wipes will be used on the controllers between each person and masks will be worn at all times to ensure we are being as safe as possible. Please sign up ahead of time here abidingpresence.net/youth. We need lots of parent support to make our Friday Night Lights events possible, so parents, please sign up to help, too.

Our Abiding Fellows (11th & 12th grade) met yesterday in-person in the parking lot or Wednesday, October 7th from 7:30-8:30 PM over Zoom. Our Abiding Fellows are exploring what it means to be gifted and called by God while also designing projects to be completed this semester.

Finally, I would like to bring to your attention the new Music & Arts Small Group Ministry that is launching this Sunday and next Sunday afternoon. These small group ensembles and classes are going to be outdoors and will follow all of our usual safety protocols. David Chavez, our Music and Worship Minister, is leading this new ministry along with a fantastic team of musicians and artists.

We will continue to follow our safety protocol and ask everyone to wear a mask at all in-person events.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas as we head into fall, please do not hesitate to be in touch.

Blessings,
Mr. Jon

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