Read the latest in the Mid-Atlantic Messenger!

Celebrate the gift of work, and the gift of human labor - knowing that in the Lord, God has established the work of our hands - our labor is not in vain.

On Sunday August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida slammed into the coast of Louisiana with sustained winds just below that of a category five hurricane. We are praying for those without power and for those affected by flash floods and heavy rainfall.

While the extent of the damage from Ida is not yet known, we are excited to announce that the Anglican Church is ready.

On August 28, the Diocese hosted an online training event for church treasurers, as well as vestry members, administrators, clergy, or finance committee members. This training included topics such as: “Top 10 things I wish someone had told me”” and “common financial pitfalls.” The recording of the training and all of the resources are available on the diocesan website.

In recent weeks, as we have read the news from Afghanistan, our hearts are troubled. As our military mission there has ended, so many Afghan refugees are arriving here – and the DC/Maryland/Virginia area is a major focus for their immediate resettlement. In short, we have a missional opportunity to show the love of Christ to these Afghan families, our new neighbors, welcoming the stranger (Matt. 25:39) and showing true hospitality to those in need. We have an unprecedented opportunity work in unity with area churches to meet these needs.

The Christian Faith is exceedingly beautiful, expansive, and compelling. Sometimes, though, its beauty gets obscured or dulled in our minds and hearts. "Essential Christianity" is a 9-week, online course taught by Rev. Bill Haley meant to bring us back in touch with the expansive beauty of the Christian Story.

Not often do you get a chance to dance around with a roomful of elementary schoolers (at 30 weeks pregnant!) or convert a neighborhood clubhouse into a makeshift art studio, but that’s exactly what happened the first week of July at Incarnation Church’s Creating with Christ: a Bible & Arts Camp for grades k-5.

Our deepest desire as human beings is to know and be known by God and others. What do you do when unwanted sexual behavior and unhealthy relationships prevent you from making those God ordained connections? Regeneration’s Path through the Wilderness is a program to help individuals find healing and transformation so they can experience true intimacy with God and others.

So, how should Christians respond to the rising popularity of the Platinum Rule? Obviously, I don’t think we want to say that Jesus’ words can be improved upon. How can we “honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks [us] for a reason for the hope that is in [us]?” (1 Peter 3:15)

While Whey Jennings sang, "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?" we had families under the tents for prayer and free Bibles. A few people turned in prayer cards, and others took the time to share and receive prayer on the spot. Almost anyone who stops at the prayer tent at an event like this is working through serious challenges or trauma.

As the world seemingly darkens, remember that the Church is to be a light to the world, pointing to the One who is the Light of life. Let us remain united together in Christ, as citizens of heaven, opposing the powers of darkness,

This past Sunday marked a momentous occasion in the life of our church. After nearly thirty-five years of ministry as Church of the Word Anglican Church, having been planted by Church of the Apostles in 1987 as an Anglican gospel witness to western Prince William County, we embarked on a new season of ministry as St. Thomas Anglican Church, Gainesville, VA.

My earliest memory is of Anglican liturgy. As a five-year-old, I was captivated by the way people closed their eyes with their hands lifted as they prayed “Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts,” how they raised their voices in agreement with lectionary readings, how their heads bowed in confession, and how they knelt humbly during the Lord’s Prayer.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about praying for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing with hands on training in small groups. The classes will feature live teaching and videos, opportunity for discussion and sharing, and corporate prayer time. The class is open to all who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“God, are you saying ‘yes’ to me being a pastor?” This was the question I asked God throughout my 20’s and early 30’s, as I enjoyed stepping into my calling as a worship leader, but as I had a suspicion that God had more in mind for me.

We thank God for the ordination to the priesthood of the Rev. Jamie Brown at Truro Anglican Church on August 1, 2021.

Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. starting Sept. 1
In-person and via Zoom

Holy Spirit (Leesburg, VA) invites you to a study of “The Screwtape Letters.” We will work through the book and study guide together focusing on how to better understand the strategies and tactics of our spiritual enemy.

Or the shopping center. Or the bike trail. Holy Spirit in Lewes, DE is ministering in our community through several events each month. We just started our “water bottle ministry” at the bike trail just up the street from our building.

Amy Rowe and Katie Hamlin, recently ordained as a priest and deacon respectively, share their journeys to ordination.

We thank God for Katie Hamlin's ordination to the priesthood and Amy Rowe's ordination to the diaconate, Saturday, June 26, at Incarnation Anglican Church, Arlington, VA.