Sharing Faith 2026
Another Sharing Faith season is behind us—and it was amazing! I personally was able to attend two events, both of which had multi-generational members of the parish, and both were a huge hit! It’s so gratifying to see our community ties growing stronger—both inside and outside of church.
I’d like to thank our generous 2026 Hosts:
- Monica & Jim Dinan
- Carol & Tom Halvorson
- Kathy Coffey & Allen Eickelberg
- Dan Plafcan & Pauline Kusiak
- Evan Robertston & his lovely wife!
- The Wine Mavens: Fran Olson, Liz Houston & Penelope Jones
Here’s some feedback that I received from the Hosts:
- I appreciate that these sharing faith gatherings bring together different mixes of people.
- I planned on [the Sharing Faith event] lasting 2 hours but it went on for almost 4. And no, I didn’t force [the guests] to stay there that long. We were all having a really nice time!
- Everyone enjoyed talking with each other. There was much laughter and it was fun to get to know people outside of church.
- These gatherings really do build community. January is long, cold, dark, and dull. Having a social event is a nice pick me up.
- The different combinations of people always make for a lively discussion. The focus may not always be on our faith journeys, but they have allowed us to get to know each other on a much deeper level (including learning new things about friends that I have known well for many years).
Mark was able to attend three of the events and had this observation.
What a marvelous time during the Season after Epiphany. The thing I really like about the events is that they are simple in terms of agenda. They are an open space to be more present to one another as a ministry of presence. I can witness to the fact that the conversations at the three events I attended were completely different and wide-ranging. I was struck by the thoughtfulness and care of being together with such different people at each table.
I want to thank the guests too for signing up! It’s not a party if no one comes. 😊 I look forward to the Sharing Faith season in 2027!
Beth Addington, Hospitality Chair
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THIS Sunday: First Tertulia in 2026!
Join us this Sunday, March 15 at 2 PM at the next Tertulia for those who want to connect in fellowship on a Sunday afternoon. This one will be in South Arlington at Pike Cornerstone (2900 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204) across from the Cinema & Drafthouse. Come hang out!
Contact: Beth Addington, Hospitality Committee Chair
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Bring Your Game Face to St. Michael’s!
Because there's going to be a Game Nite in the Parish Hall!! Save the Date for Friday, March 27 from 5:30–8 PM.
Evan Robertson and I (Beth Addington) are organizing a Game Nite. We've never done this before so bear with us.
The plan is to have pizza starting at 5:30 PM then start two game sessions (~1 hour each) at 6 PM. Please bring your own beverages. The first session will be a group game that everyone gets to play.
The second session will have different game tables—and this is where YOU come in. Do you have a favorite game that you love to play (and that can reasonably be completed in about an hour)? Then sign up to be a Game Table Host! Game Table Hosts will be responsible for bringing the game and teaching it to the table if someone doesn't know the rules. There will be a sign up sheet (for the non-Game Table Hosts) at the Game Nite to select the game table you'd like to play for the 2nd game session (starting ~7 PM).
Please use this Sign Up Genius for the following:
- If you want to be a Game Table Host. We need to know what game you plan to bring and the max number of players for the game.
- If you would like to have pizza. We need a headcount for the number of pizza eaters in your family.
- Parents with small children: Should we hire sitters for the littles? Please use the sign up to let us know if yes.
This should be fun!!
Contacts: Beth & Evan
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Faithful Parenting: Talking About Healthy Friendships and Beyond
Have you ever wondered what is the best way to connect with your child about healthy relationships?
Where do you even begin? What should you say—and where can you turn for help?
We've got you covered! Join the Doorways Prevention Team on April 12 from 4–5:30 PM as we work together to help guide families through what can prove to be some of life's most challenging—and most important—conversations.
Whether you're parenting a toddler or a teenager, this session will explore how to effectively talk with your children about healthy friendships and relationships through all ages and stages. Don't miss this opportunity to gain practical tools and confidence as you support your child's journey.
The workshop will take place in the Parish Hall and childcare will be provided in the lower classroom. Snacks and fellowship will follow the session.
Please RSVP for planning purposes and contact Karen Ruff with any questions.
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Wanted: Launderer for Sunday Linens
St. Michael’s Altar Guild is looking for one or two people to launder the weekly Sunday linens, that would be the purificators and towels used during Communion. There are some simple methods for how to fold the linens but it is easy, and we can guide you. It’s a lovely way to offer time and talent without an oversized commitment. Please talk with Terri Katon or Monica Dinan to explore if this ministry might be the good fit for you.
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Help Us Flower the Cross—Easter Sunday
Flowers—they're a worldwide symbol of Easter resurrection. Our flower guild decorates the sanctuary. When you come to the Sunday service on Easter Day, help us “flower the cross” outside the main red-door entrance on Ivanhoe St. (Or in the columbarium for the sunrise service.) Bring a few cut flowers—from your yard or a vendor—to add to the barren chicken wire. Together we can transform the empty frame into a beautiful sign of new life.
Contact: Evelyn Bence
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Altar Flowers During Lent and Easter
Throughout the season of Lent, the Sunday altar flowers will be replaced with willow branches. Again this year, they will be kept in water so they should begin to leaf out as Easter draws near. There are no flower dedications during this time.
For Easter and the following Sunday, the Flower Guild will decorate the altar and chancel area with an array of flowers, featuring lilies, hydrangeas, and other spring flowers. Flower dedications in memory of or thanksgiving for those you would like to honor can be made via SignUp Genius or by completing a form located at the back of the sanctuary. Please submit your dedications by March 29 to be included in the Easter service bulletin.
Barb Adams, Flower Guild
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Eagle Scout Project completed in time for World Labyrinth Day (May 2)
Shortly before the holidays, the scouts of troop 149 lovingly restored our labyrinth. This was Braeden Hickox's Eagle Project. For those unfamiliar, Scouting America is a youth service organization. To attain the highest rank in that organization, a scout must organize and execute a capstone project, known as the Eagle Project, that serves their community. This project had many benefactors: Keith Hickox and the other adults of Troop 149, who donated materials and fed and kept the scouts safe, our grounds committee for helping us organize and protect our root systems and, most important, Braeden Hickox and the scouts of troop 149 who chose to support our church and worked hard to beautify and preserve our grounds. St. Michael's is proud to build bridges with the next generation of people who share our commitment to doing good works in the community. Thank you Troop 149!
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Don’t Flip Your Lid...Pop Your Top!
Before you drop your soda, beer, or soup cans into your recycling bin, pop the top!!!
We are collecting pop tops (pull tabs) for the Ronald McDonald House near Fairfax Hospital. This house (and the others world-wide) provide lodging, meals and support services to families with children receiving life-saving treatment at nearby hospitals. They, in turn, take the aluminum tabs to a recycler for cash. The cash is put into their Family Fund, which offsets the cost of families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. It also provides special moments of normalcy and joy—like birthday gifts, trips to the hair salon or anniversary dinners. The Ronald McDonald House accepts pull tabs from beverages, soups, pet foods, and other cans that are made from aluminum. In the past year, we have collected six pounds, eight ounces. Let's beat that amount!!
**A good rule of thumb: if you put a magnet to the pop top, it should NOT be attracted. If it is, it’s not aluminum.
Thank you all for turning a very small effort into a great act of kindness.
Contact: Paula Dierkes
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True Ground Spring Fest 2026
In April, our Affordable Housing Outreach Partner, True Ground, is hosting multiple Spring Fests at their community centers to bring neighbors together to welcome the season. They are seeking volunteers to help families enjoy face painting, coloring stations, snacks, games, and an Easter egg hunt! True Ground aims to fill 6,000 eggs in total and is seeking donations of eggs and packaged candy. To purchase items today, please visit the Amazon link here.
In addition, True Ground has recently opened up many new volunteer opportunities to support their ongoing food insecurity campaigns, after school programs, and more. Volunteer opportunities may be found on their SignUp Genius.
Contact: Todd Trapp
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Donate Groceries to AFAC—Help to Feed Our Neighbors
Arlington’s Episcopal Churches and St. Michael's are joining together to donate food to AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center) during a special food collection during Lent. Did you know that AFAC served 8,455 distinct families last year—20,596 individuals. Of these 33% were children and 12% were seniors. Please donate food: Cereal, canned fruit, peanut butter (in plastic jars), jelly (in plastic jars), canned soup, canned chicken and canned tuna. Put food in the AFAC food collection box by March 21.
Contact: Linda Y Kelleher
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This Sunday at St. Michael's
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Coming Up This Sunday, March 15
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
9:30 AM Holy Eucharist
Interim Rector, 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.
9:30 AM Children's Worship
Children interested in participating in Children’s worship will meet in the Sanctuary at 9:30 AM and proceed to the Children’s Worship space together. Children of all ages are welcome but those younger than four must be accompanied by a parent/adult.
10:45 AM Coffee Hour
All are welcome to food, coffee, and fellowship.
2 PM Tertulia at Pike Cornerstone
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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
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