Hungering for Righteousness: St. Michael’s AFAC Ministry
St. Michael’s actively supports the mission of the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) to provide neighbors in need with dignified access to nutritious supplemental groceries. Founded in 1988, AFAC began with the goal of distributing free groceries to Arlington residents struggling to meet their basic needs. Since 2020, its mission has centered on ensuring all neighbors have access to the nutrition they deserve.
Food insecurity is a growing challenge in our community. AFAC currently serves 4,000 families each week, with total family visits increasing by 65% between 2022 and 2024. St. Michael’s serves as a dedicated partner in this effort through financial contributions, volunteer shifts, and seasonal food drives.
I am personally involved in this ministry because, as the Beatitudes tell us, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." This is truly a parish-wide effort that connects our congregation to the greater Arlington community through service and compassion.
Another way I am involved with AFAC is cutting tickets for the clients that need free groceries. These tickets determine the amount of food is needed for the family. I was introduced to AFAC by Helen Hines, who has since moved away in her retirement.
There are many ways for you to get involved:
-
Volunteer at the Warehouse: Join us on the first Saturday of every month from 1:00–2:30 PM at 2708 S. Nelson Street to bag produce, rice, or beans. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old and wear closed-toed shoes and a hat or hairnet. Learn more here.
-
At St. Michael’s: Participate in our apple bagging events or donate staple foods during our on-going annual food drive.
- Leadership: Help lead a food drive at a participating local grocery store.
For more details on AFAC’s mission and further volunteer opportunities, please visit afac.org.
Terri Katon, Outreach Committee
|
|
Shrine Mont Registration
Looking for a chance to unplug and reconnect? Join your St. Michael's family for our annual retreat at Shrine Mont, happening September 18–20, 2026. Whether you’re looking for a quiet moment of reflection, a hike through the crisp mountain air, or a chance to laugh over some apple butter and butt buns with friends old and new, there is a place for you there (#iykyk).
We will have programming for all ages, from our youngest explorers to our most seasoned members. All kids ages 0-18 attend for free! Come build community and find rest in the beauty of the outdoors. See you there!
Register here. Registration will be closing July 20.
For more information or with questions, please reach out to any member of the Shrine Mont Planning Committee: Hailey Sabol, Caroline Haynes, Corey Bassett, Amy Miller, or Linda Kelleher.
|
|
St. Michael’s Art/Craft Nights
July 9 & August 20, 7:00–9:30 PM
Bring your favorite art or craft project and enjoy an evening of creativity and community! Whether you draw, paint, knit, crochet, sew, scrapbook, embroider, or work on another creative pursuit, you’re invited to join us. Bring your own materials and projects, and spend a relaxing evening creating alongside others. No instruction or experience needed—just come as you are and enjoy making something in good company.
All are welcome!
Contact: Kathy Coffey
|
|
Episcopal Nuts & Bolts: Tradition and Custom
One of the unifying features of Episcopal tradition is the Book of Common Prayer. The form (or Order) of worship in our tradition is held in common across the Church.
I use the word “tradition” with care in this case because our order of worship follows an essential sacramental pattern of prayer. Page 400 of the Prayer Book outlines this pattern:
- Gather in the Name of the Lord
- Proclaim and Respond to the Word of God
- Pray for the World and the Church
- Exchange the Peace
- Prepare the Table
- Make Eucharist
- Break the Bread
- Share the Gifts of God
Really all of the orders of service in the Prayer Book are considered tradition because they are included in the Prayer Book. However, it’s important to point out that Rite I and Rite II are variants of the aforementioned Ordo. So too are our more contemporary orders in Enriching Our Worship.
“Customs” as compared to tradition are long running local habits or patterns associated with worship or parish life that are not essential nor are they detailed in the Prayer Book. Customs are important to honor because they give worship and parish life local flavor: expressions of how tradition is lived out. For instance, some churches ring a bell to start worship. Others do not.
Consider for a moment, beloved customs at St. Michael’s. One that I particularly like is how we stand and greet one another at the beginning of the service. Always a friendly way to start. Not true in the other churches I’ve served. Another reason to celebrate St. Michael’s local, custom and charm.
The Rev. Mark Furlow, Interim Rector
|
|
Neighbors in Need
Our Outreach Partner, True Ground Housing, has asked St. Michael's if we have volunteers who could pick up and deliver groceries on Wednesdays at 4 pm from their weekly food distribution event to a family living in Westover. This should take less than 30 minutes and is a one person job, but we'd like to enlist at least two people for redundancy. If you can help, please contact Todd Trapp.
|
|
|
This Sunday at St. Michael's
|
|
|
Coming Up This Sunday, June 28
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
9:30 AM Holy Eucharist
The Rev. Mark Furlow presiding.
A livestream of Sunday’s worship will be available on the Virtual Worship page of our website or directly on our YouTube channel. The Collect of the Day and the scripture readings for this Sunday can be found on The Lectionary Page.
From now until Advent, St. Michael’s will use Lectionary Track 1 readings. Track 1 follows a semi-continuous reading of the Hebrew scriptures (or Old Testament). If there are options among the readings in Track 1 for a particular Sunday, we’ll always choose the first option among the various choices.
10:45 AM Coffee Hour
All are welcome for coffee and fellowship!
|
|
Contact Us
Newsletter Submissions: communications@stmichaelsarlington.org (due by Tuesday at 5 PM)
Parish Administrator Katrina Moore’s Virtual Office Hours: Tuesday–Friday 9:30 AM–3:30 PM; 703-241-2474
The Rev. Mark Furlow observes the Sabbath on Mondays and is generally available Tuesday through Friday mornings for office hours and appointments.
For urgent Pastoral needs, call or text: 703-239-3787
|
|
|
|
|
