Outdoor Prayer Service
Sunday, March 7 from 1:00-1:30 p.m.
As we mark nearly a year of "pandemic times" and public schools in our community return to in-person learning opportunities, let us hold in our prayers teachers, school staff members and students.
This brief service will offer the chance for us to pray with and for the teachers, school staff and students in our community. We will also offer them a blessing as they enter into this next phase of learning. Teachers, school staff and students are invited to bring a mask or other supplies to be blessed. Anyone who would like can bring a lawn chairs to sit in during the service or plan to stand.
This outdoor service will take place in the parking lot. All participants are asked to wear a mask, practice social distancing and stay home if you are sick or have possible COVID-19 exposure. Cars can park in the back half of the parking lot. We will gather - distanced - in the front half of the lot. Please leave adequate space, usually a parking spot in length, between households.
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Lenten Playlist 1 - "Baba Yetu"
From our Music & Worship Minister:
Each week this Lent, I'll share a music recording we might not have heard before, something which I hope will connect us to God in new ways.
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Getting Ready for Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, February 17
Children’s Service (click link to view recorded service)
Livestream Service at 7:00 p.m.
AbidingPresence.net/live
Get ready for Ash Wednesday by:
Picking up an “Ash Wednesday @ Home” bag from the church
Watching Pastor’s Keseley’s “Getting Ready for Ash Wednesday” video
Preparing your altar for livestream worship
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Challenge Gift for Abiding Presence Food Ministry
One of our Abiding Presence families is offering a challenge grant for the Abiding Presence food ministry. Click “Read More” to hear their story. Here’s where you get to be part of the story, too! Recognizing that our food ministry is the work of the whole church, this family is offering a $100 cash gift for each household that makes a monetary contribution to the food pantry in the month of February (up to a total of $5,000). The amount of your gift doesn’t matter. What does matter is the idea that every gift – large and small – is a sign of us coming together to make sure that every family in need in our community has access to food. You can make your gift at AbidingPresence.net/give or by mailing a check to the church with "food pantry" marked in the memo line. This is what Abiding Together looks like!
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Trauma Informed Spaces Grant Explained
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church has recently become the recipient of a $4,000 grant by the Fairfax County Trauma-Informed Community Network (TICN). This grant that will allow us to create a “trauma-Informed space” in the narthex and entry-hallway.
Everyone’s response to this news is: “Yay! Wait, what does that mean?”
The trauma-informed research shows that our physical space could foster healing or harm.
The goal of this “Trauma-Informed Spaces” grant is to implement those proven ways of providing safe, healing spaces. We’re applying it to our Narthex and entry hallway: the first space anyone who walks in our doors will encounter.
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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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Food Pantry Needs August 14th
Here’s what we need for the upcoming food pantry on August 14th:
Shelf-stable milk • Canned tomatoes • Paper towels • Granola bars • Oatmeal • Jelly • Crackers
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Food Ministry Update
On January 23, The Abiding Presence curbside pantry served 164 families. This represents not only a record high number but also a 20% increase over our previous high. It is an understatement to say that the need for food in our community is great. In fact, Burke was recently designated as a "red zone" by the Capital Area Food Bank, which means that it is an area with high food insecurity and low percentage of meals per person in need. After this pantry, we're out of everything. Can you help us restock?
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Food Pantry Needs for January 23
Salsa • Canned chicken • Snacks, Desserts, and Canned Meals (see recommendations) • Granola bars • Pasta sauce • Crackers • Jelly • Paper towels • See recommendations and permanent needs list at AbidingPresence.net/food
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A Pastoral Message on the Breach of the Capitol
Watch our livestream evening prayer service and read Pastor Keseley’s Epiphany message on the recent events happening in our country.
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FCPS Healthy Minds Podcast: Build Children's Self-Esteem Through Praise
In this edition of the Healthy Minds podcast, learn how praising children is one of the ways parents can build up children's self-esteem and self-worth, including more about the two distinct kinds of praise parents can give. Listen now.
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Visit the newly redesigned SPAN suicide prevention website
The Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia (SPAN) encourages residents to educate themselves and others on ways to prevent suicide and strengthen mental health. SPAN’s newly redesigned, mobile-friendly website has information and resources like a free self-screening easy to scan lists of risk factors and warning signs, suicide prevention videos for teens, peers and parents, and easy access links to hotlines and text lines.
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