December 2, 2025

Merry Christmas! I hope you had a happy thanksgiving holiday too, and took some time to express the blessings we talked about with that insert asking where did you experience or see God’s presence this year? The clergy participating in the ACCA Community Thanksgiving Service were asked to respond and speak our blessings in liturgy. Some things we thanked God for were family, friends, good neighbors, justice, freedom, our sturdy health, appropriate treatments for health challenges this year, supportive prayers of the congregation, and resources well beyond expectation or budget to help fill community members’ needs. I encourage you to ponder your own blessings as the year comes to a close. 

 

Thank you to those who helped “Deck the Halls!” We had a smaller team this year due to travels and holiday events, but thanks to Lee Ann, Bill, Doris, Roberto, Kevin, Alem, Kenya, Roudaina, Pedro, and Ramon, we have décor, a beautiful tree, wreaths, ornaments, and lots of ribbon and glitter! Each week, you’ll see one or two things added or changed as we proceed through Advent, a season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Please plan to attend our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight/Communion service at 2:00 pm (earlier this year) with music and instruments, lessons, and carols;  you may take your own family/friends photos by the tree! Please invite family and friends! There are other Christmas options on page 1 of this Vision.

 

We began Advent with Psalm 33:17-22, with David reminding us that God saves all who trust and hope in Him. Even though we know this deeply, we too live in a distracting world. The war in Ukraine still destroys; tensions in the Holy Land still exist; soldiers are killed on our own soil due to extremism or mental health issues; politics polarize family and friends; the economy fluctuates; jobs are tenuous; Christmas lists overwhelm; traffic snarls; weather delays transportation; people still get sick and sometimes die this time of year; and these life realities make us feel uncertain or we forget the reason for the season. Suicides are high this time of year. Be with us in worship to help yourself not lose faith! “20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” We stay on track by prayer, journaling, contemplation, worship, giving sacrificially to the church and others, Bible Study, and daily noon prayer. Build those devotional practices into this season intentionally, and you will have a reassuring, strong, and hopeful Christmas season, trusting God in all things, even the challenges of this earthly life. As we await the birth of Jesus, remember also, that “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matt. 24:44).” Will you be ready for Jesus’ return? Let’s talk . . .

 

November 4, 2025

I wish you an early Happy Thanksgiving! Of course, we should be grateful every month of the year, but I like being reminded occasionally. October, as usual, was a fully scheduled month with meetings (NorthStar Church Network, UBC’s CLCEB, Personnel, Music, Staff, Nominating, & Budget), concerts (Kohaku Recital, Voce), my 50-year Warren County High School reunion in Front Royal (I know I don’t look old enough-ha!), and finally, a short restful vacation in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania (Fall leaves, Mums @Longwood Gardens, Mushrooms @Kennett Square, Wyeth family paintings @Brandywine Art Museum, & reading/writing/thinking @Bookhouse Hotel). While the weather is still mild, I encourage you to get outside to see the falling leaves! Snow will be here soon.

 

We have spent almost 7 years together transitioning, pruning, stewarding our resources, and re-evaluating programs, experimenting with new things, studying God’s word, singing, worshipping, and praying together. Yes, we have grieved and rejoiced in community, going through personal and world losses, crises, and events that challenged us. These years have been both difficult yet fortifying, building up a resilience of spirit and deep community. Each year’s theme brought a new perspective, building on our faith experience as a church, our community support efforts, our established and new ministries and missions commitments while strengthening discipleship and engagement. Some years we learned new concepts, and others new tools and practices of faith expression.

 

As we close out 2025 next month with a broader definition of Vital Hospitality, we will continue our spiritual growth with a serious prayer effort for numerical growth of visitors, local guests, invitations, transformations, recommitments, and hopefully as God wills it, baptisms and conversions. I say this in hope and expectation of divine intervention that God’s vision of growth and flourishing for us as a church keeps  revealing. I too am recommitting myself to fervent prayer and hope you’ll join me every day at noon to pray for our church here physically if you happen to be in the neighborhood, by phone with another member if you’d like, on Zoom occasionally, or simply wherever you are at noon. I am seeking fearless and called prayer warriors to surface again as we call upon Jesus to lengthen our cords and extend our tent, as Isaiah 54:2 says. You may decide to pray the Psalms or sit in silence if you have no words. Call the church for your prayer booklet; recording them will help us see God’s power to heal and help others.

 

This is Biblical to come together in prayer at a specific time seeking divine intervention for a specific purpose. We will be praying with both inward and outward focus: for our church revitalization, new believers, new and existing congregants, for safety and stewardship, for children and teens, new and existing relationships, Annandale residents, homes and businesses, for executing well a few large facility projects (roof & fence), for the health and belief of church members, former members, extended families, Mission Center partners, for new Mission Center partners, discipleship growth, and more. Prayer is a prerequisite for revitalization; God often uses only a few to be his instruments for growth. Amen?

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October 7, 2025

Yesterday, we celebrated the wonderful life of one of God’s saints, daughters, a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, congregant, Christ follower, church leader, softball player, and good neighbor, Dorothy (“Dot”) Irene Jones. Over 80 people gathered to support her family and celebrate how she lived her life in loving service to others. What is your favorite memory of Dot? From her obituary, “She was 86, born April 24, 1939, in Remington, Virginia. Throughout her life Dot was known for her deep faith, generous heart, and her unwavering instinct to help, always putting others first with quiet grace. She grew up grounded in the values of family and faith - guiding lights that shaped her life. A proud member of the Golden Girls Softball League, Dot brought her competitive spirit and joyful energy to the field, proving that age was no match for her enthusiasm and drive. Dot and her husband, Aubrey, shared a remarkable 66-year marriage, a partnership defined by devotion, laughter, and steadfast love. She is survived by her loving spouse, Aubrey; daughter, Vicki; grandchildren, Travis and Kelsey; and great grandson, Jackson. Dot’s legacy is one of service, faith, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

 

“Dot was also known for her hospitality at home and at her church leading the fellowship meals team, singing in the choir, serving with the Sandwich Ministry, on the Missions Committee, and participating in Sunday School. Recently, she missed being able to regularly attend church activities, but appreciated your calls, visits, food, notes, and cards. Thank you on behalf of the family and our church to those who attended or participated in the services.

 

“In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Goodwin Hospice, online or sent to 3440 S Jefferson Street, Falls Church, VA 22041 in Dot’s memory. If you need an address or current phone number for Aubrey, please call the office at 703.256.5900.

 

October is always a busy month of activities, meetings, and 2026 decisions, so please read the newsletter carefully and participate if you can! We ask for your additional prayers as budgets, missions, and ministries are considered, evaluated, and imagined! We also raise funds for the Annandale CROP Hunger Walk. Your generosity helps relieve food insecurity and provides disaster recovery funds locally (ACCA) and throughout the world. See page 1 for details of how you can help our team fundraising. The Food Giveaway is going strong, yet with budget cuts, we must purchase more (with coupons), so please consider the New United Gospel Food Mission in prayer and stewardship for a November emphasis. This too is Vital Hospitality!

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September 2, 2025

This September, we share our grief, hope, faith, and prayers with all students, teachers, school staff, bus drivers, and parents for the start of the school year, as our nation grapples with yet another shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, MN on August 27th. We were brokenhearted to learn of 2 students killed, the perpetrator, and now 21 children and adults injured. This touched me deeply as the reports and videos showed the children in the pews praying as part of their morning routine while stained glass windows shattered from gunfire all around them. What hurt and helped me most were the testimonies of friends and teachers shielding each other for protection, risking it all. Of course, the community and first responders rallied around the church and the affected families. We will continue to pray in earnest for these families and all persons who believe violence is the only solution to problems. We are so grateful for their preparation, training, hard work, creativity, courage, diligence, and faith shared to help grow this new generation. May God bless them and those they hold in their care.

 

Thank you for the many birthday wishes, calls, and cards. It was a lovely birthday vacation to artistic Asheville, NC. Many of you heard my sermon, “Blessings from Disaster” on our website. The Scriptures were chosen long before I travelled, but they reminded me how great is our God: Genesis 2:1-7 NKJV & John 1:1-14 NIV. It was a good week of rest, renewal, and inspiring vistas; Asheville, North Carolina is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Black Mountain, Asheville, and surrounding towns were built in the mountains with breathtaking natural views. On September 26, 2024, almost one year ago, Cat. 4 Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and then moved inward and northward as it lessened to a tropical cyclone. Rain traveled down the mountains and over 20 inches swelled the local rivers cresting at over 25-30 feet, roughly the height of a three-story building:

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        Water speed turbocharged the destruction. ‘In the Appalachian Trail town of Hot Springs, the                  French Broad River pulsed at 101,000 cubic feet per second — equal to the amount of water flowing over Niagara Falls in high season (excerpts from Stronger than the Storm, ed. Shelley McKechnie, pg. 9).’

 

Because of the rain and 60+ mph hurricane winds, 100-year-old trees toppled over onto roads, houses and art studios. By the next day, no one had power or egress. In southern Appalachia, there were over 2,000 landslides, mostly in Western NC. Other states and areas were indeed decimated, but resources focused on the area I visited. Although they have cleaned, cleared, and rebuilt, there was still evidence of destruction along the rivers. The death toll was 104. But neighbors helped each other, grilled thawing food, charged phones, cut trees, lent tents, salvaged artwork, and gave first aid. It was faith and Vital Hospitality at work in God’s creation. I was deeply moved and they were so grateful to share. How would you serve?​​​​​​​​​​​​