The Christ Church Emergency Response Team (CCERT) is working with the Diocese of Maryland to ensure that we are prepared in the event of a local disaster. We are nearly finished putting together a Parish Emergency Response Plan, but we need your input.

Please take the time to fill out the Disaster Questionnaire and, if applicable, the Special Needs Questionnaire which is a part of the Disaster Questionnaire.

Copies are also available on the round table in the Narthex. Submitting a response does not commit you in any way, but does let us know who might be able to help, and helps ensure that we\’re aware of anyone in our church family who might need to be checked on in event of a community emergency.

In recent history, we’ve endured SNOWmageddon and other winter storms, Hurricane Isabel, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, Type A influenza, and stinkbugs! Some have affected parishioners directly, some have affected the church property.

Just like they say when you board an airplane, “Put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others.” We want to be prepared on 3 levels – home, parish, & community.

Please help us complete our list of resources by filling out your form today!

What a blessing to have a special visit from the Children of Uganda Tour of Light at our 10:30 service yesterday!  During the offertory, the group sang two beautiful pieces and at the conclusion of our service we were treated with a presentation of the Love Dance. Videos are below for you to enjoy.

The Children of Uganda hold a very dear place in the hearts of many in our congregation. Several of the children touring with this year’s group are sponsored by members of our congregation. In addition, our church made it possible for the organization to provide a library full of books and staffed by a librarian.

What an honor to spend time with the amazing youth!

The 2012 Children of Uganda Tour of Light will be visiting the Washington DC area from January 23-30. We hope you will be able to join us for one of the exciting performances. Below is a video preview that showcases the amazing talent of the Children of Uganda.

Bring your family and friends and spread the word!

Please email the organization for more information or visit the Tour of Light blog.

Join us at one of these exciting performances:

• Tuesday, January 24, 7:00 p.m.
  St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School
  4700 Whitehaven Pkwy NW, Washington, DC 20007
  Admission: Free (donations gratefully accepted)

• Thursday, January 26, 7:30 p.m.
  Georgetown University
  Davis Performing Arts Center, Gonda Theatre
  37th and O Streets NW, Washington, DC 20057
  Admission: $20 general/$5 students
  Tickets available through the Georgetown University Website
• Friday, January 27, 7:30 p.m.
  St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church
  3241 Brush Road, Falls Church, VA 22042
  Admission: Free (donations gratefully accepted)

• Saturday, January 28, 6:00 p.m.
  Millennium Stage
  John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC 20566
  Admission: Free

The slate of officers for 2012 introduced at the annual Women of Christ Church Christmas Party at the DoubleTree Columbia on Sunday, December 4.

• Ronnie  – President
• Suzanne – Vice President
• Mary Vail – Treasurer
• Nell – Chaplin
• Barbara – Secretary (not pictured).

There were 45 attendees that brought gifts for the residents at Springfield Hospital for Christmas that filled 4 very large bags. The Reverend Richard Ginnever came by to thank the ladies for a wonderful job and all their support throughout the year. It was a festive evening of good food, joyous singing and camaraderie.

In her sermon titled “Counter-cultural Advent,” the Rev. Lura Kaval (aka Mother Spice) shared information about the Episcopal Relief and Development’s Gifts for Life. If you are looking for an alternative to conventional gift giving this Christmas, take a look at the Gifts for Life catalog and consider giving a gift that can change someone’s life.

We welcome you to join us for tours of the newly refurbished Old Brick Church on Saturday, December 10. Drop in anytime from 11am to 1pm. The church doors will be open to the community for a time of fellowship and meeting new friends. Come see the improvements made to the church over the past three years, and enjoy hot chocolate and light refreshments!

The 200th Anniversary Weekend celebration commemorating the consecration of Old Brick on October 16,1811 was amazing. From the premiere of the Old Brick Oratorio to the re-dedication of our Old Brick church 200 years to the day of her original consecration, the weekend was a time of joy, reflection, inspiration, and celebration.

Thank you to the many people who made our big weekend a success. We value the time and energy you gave to our church family over the last few years. The anniversary celebration was only possible through the love you have for Old Brick and our church community.

As a special treat, we created a video showcasing highlights from our Anniversary weekend. The song you hear is “O God Our Help in Ages Past” which was the theme and focus of the Old Brick Oratorio. The version heard in this video is performed by Charles Billingsley. The words and music are by Isaac Watts, William Croft, and Tommy Walker. A 1998 Doulos Publishing, this arrangement from 2009 is through Red Tie Music and is used by permission.

Join us on December 3 from 8:30AM – 12:00PM for our Annual Advent Quiet Day. This year’s theme is An Angel Came Down and is inspired by a song written and performed by the trans-Siberian Orchestra. Child care will be provided for those who need it. So we can best plan and prepare for children, please RSVP via email to the Spiritual Life committee or on the sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex.

Here is the song and lyrics.

To all who helped orchestrate the auction, donated the awesome items to be auctioned off, and attended the evening filled with lots of fun and bidding.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

It took so many to make it a success – and you did it.

Here are some fun pictures highlighting our night.

Our auction committee planned a fabulous night!

Youth Mystery Box Theme: Chickens!

Mexican dinner anyone?

A fun night out

The annual Christmas Dinner for all Women of the Church is Sunday, December 4 at the DoubleTree Columbia (formerly the Hilton) at 5485 Twin Knolls Road. The cost is $30 per person, payable in advance.

Join us at 6 pm for a festive evening of good food, joyous singing and camaraderie. Let’s get the Christmas Spirit started early!

We will also be collecting unwrapped donations for Springfield Hospital. Christ Church Volunteers will deliver the gifts to Springfield for distribution on Christmas Day. The guidelines for contributing are listed below.

Important restrictions:

• ALL GIFTS SHOULD BE NEW    and   UNWRAPPED
• ABSOLUTELY  NO RAZORS, GLASS CONTAINERS OF ANY KIND OR OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS. (E.g. no perfume in glass bottles, or aspirins)
• NO FOOD ITEMS DUE TO RESTRICTED DIETS.

Suggestion gifts:

• Monetary Donations for the Canteen/Special Programs, or General Needs
• Gift Cards – Walmart, etc.
• Phone Cards for Pay Phones
• Subscriptions for Magazines or Newspapers
• Books:  New Paperback
• Board Games, Playing Cards, Puzzle Books, Wii Games
• Clothing:  Undershirts, Socks, Sweat Shirts/Pants, PJ’s, Hats etc.  The need is greater for men in big and tall sizes. 
• Toiletries:  Hair Care Products, Bath Products, Fragrances (in plastic containers), Nail Care Products, Lotions,  Kleenex, Dental Supplies, Disposable Underwear (L/XL/2X), Brushes and Combs (no rattails)
• Electric Razors (only)
• Walkmans, Wireless-headphones