Visit by Bishop Andrew of Pakistan – Following the Provincial Synod in Charleston, S.C., Bishop Andrew will be visiting our Parish from October 17-21., Special coffee hours on Sunday October 19 after 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM Services. If you wish to make  a special contribution to Bishop Andrew's work in Pakistan, please use the donate button in this newsletter and then click on the drop-down menu and choose ACC Pakistan/ Bishop Andrew.

The Collect. 

LORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Ephesians iv. 1 - 6
 
The Gospel. St. Luke xiv. 1 -  20 
"We Shape Our Buildings"
On the night of10 May 1941 a Luftwaffe bombing raid destroyed the chamber of Parliament where the British House of Commons had previously met. The Churchill government was determined that the chamber would be rebuilt after the conclusion of World War II and began a process of planning for that construction while the war was still being waged. One major question to be decided was whether the rebuilt chamber should be in the style of the old one, a rather small rectangular one with bench seats on each of the long sides of the rectangle or a significantly larger modern semi-circular or horseshoe shape with assigned desks for each member.

When the House met on 28 October 1943 to debate the matter, Churchill spoke strongly in favor of rebuilding in the old style. An early part of his speech was “On the night of May 10, 1941, with one of the last bombs of the last serious raid, our House of Commons was destroyed by the violence of the enemy, and we have now to consider whether we should build it up again, and how, and when. We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.” He went on to express his opinions as to how the very shape, size, and organization of the old building had encouraged clear division between the members on either side of an issue and an emphasis on face-to-face debate rather than passive acceptance of various leaders' demands. He saw the very shape and layout of the building where the House of Commons had met as a serious factor in how Britain had developed both a two-party system and a tradition of lively confrontational debate in which members would have to defend their positions against criticism. When he said “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us” he was stating his belief that the architecture of our buildings has a long-term effect on how we think, feel, and act. (Churchill carried the day, and when the chamber was rebuilt it was upon the old foundations and even incorporated some of the remnants of the old walls.)

Up until relatively recently this seems to have been widely understood. Consider the Empire State Building, designed and built during the Great Depression. At a time when both the political and economic structures of the United States seemed to be on the verge of catastrophic failure the intent was to demonstrate that the country was still capable of major technological, economic, and artistic achievements. A surprisingly short deadline was set for the construction of the tallest building ever built at that time and the deadline was not only met but exceeded when the building was formally opened forty-five days ahead of schedule on 1 May 1931. The symbolism of the building as an expression of American confidence and capability was doubly emphasized by the fact that the lights were turned on by a signal from the pushing of a button by President Herbert Hoover not at the site, but from the White House. The fact that the building remains to this day one of the most widely recognized sights and symbols of New York and of America is evidence of the endurance of architectural symbolism as an expression of communities' values, aspirations, and self-images. This is something that the Church has long understood.

A few reflections on some aspects of the architecture and furnishings of our own building can reveal a good deal about what our community values and proclaims.

Firstly, we have a cross-topped steeple that is also a bell tower. The steeple both points upward toward heaven and is a visible sign to the local area of our presence in their midst. The cross is an unmistakable sign that this is a Christian edifice. The bell is another reminder to local people that we are gathering in worship and announcing that fact to anyone who wishes to join us.

Inside the narthex (the small anteroom before the nave itself) there is a baptismal font and a holy water stoup, reminders that baptism is the entrance to life in Christ's Church and that God's blessings and protections are always available to us.

Inside the nave we have a (NEW!) organ and choir seating, both of which show that we value the musical heritage of Christendom and wish to continue it as beautifully as we can. We have both a center aisle and two side aisles. Most theaters and many Protestant churches have no center aisle; the center does after all provide the best seating space for seeing and hearing what's going on up front.

There are two reasons why we do have one. Firstly, it allows us to have processions to mark both the beginning and end of a service of worship, helping to make the point that while we are worshiping, we are setting aside that time to be consciously and intentionally honoring and communing with God. It is sacred time, not secular time. Secondly, the willingness to dispense with space that could provide “the best seats in the house” is a sign that the members of a worshiping congregation are far more than a merely passive audience. They are instead active participants in a corporate act.

We sit in pews, not chairs, and those pews have kneelers. Chairs would emphasize separateness and distance, whereas pews emphasize community and relationship to one another while the presence of kneelers indicates a willingness to kneel before God in recognition of His sovereign power and our humility before Him. The nave also contains a lectern for the reading of Scripture lessons other than the Gospel and a pulpit for preaching. Their presence indicates that we take seriously the authority of Scripture and the responsibility to reflect upon what it teaches and how to understand and live by it.

The crucifix behind the pulpit is a constant reminder that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) and also an injunction to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

The altar rail separates the nave with its congregational seating from the slightly higher chancel with the altar and seating for the altar party, those who have roles to play in the celebration of the Mass. Raised at the very center of the far end of the chancel is the altar. It is significant that the altar is a permanent and immovable feature, not a table that can be removed at will. While it is a reminder of the table around which Jesus and His disciples sat at the Last Supper, it is also symbolic of the Jerusalem temple, of Mount Calvary, the place of Jesus' Crucifixion, and of the Messianic Banquet, the great heavenly feast which He so often referenced as a metaphor for life with God hereafter. It is by far the most visually noticeable and important feature of the nave. This contrasts with many Protestant churches where the most dominant feature is the pulpit.

“We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.” Indeed. To repeatedly spend sacred time in a church that has been intentionally built and furnished to express the classical Christian understanding of the Faith will have an effect, sometimes even without our awareness of it, on our attitudes and feelings towards God and our relationship to Him. I am grateful to all those who in the past have so wisely provided and furnished our church and to all those who have continued to maintain and improve it. May God continue to richly bless both them and us all.

-- Father Bragg+

All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee 
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Services & Events

Sunday Services, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, & 11:15 AM (for online participation for the services go to: https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland)  

Nursery, 9:00 & 11:15 AM services (lower level)

Sunday School, 10:30 AM

Saturday, October 18, 8:30 AM, Men's Group Breakfast, undercroft, great breakfast by Chef extraordinaire and Grill master Claude Crump (maybe grits by Fr. Roddy), fellowship, and Bible study and discussion by Fr. Bragg.  Invite male family, friends, and neighbors.

Visit by Bishop Andrew of Pakistan – Following the Provincial Synod in Charleston, S.C., Bishop Andrew will be visiting our Parish from October 17-21., Special coffee hours on Sunday October 19 after 9:00 AM & 11:15 AM Services. To make  a special contribution to Bishop Andrew's work in Pakistan, please use the donate button in this newsletter and then click on the drop-down menu and choose ACC Pakistan/ Bishop Andrew.

Ladies’ Brunch Potluck – Saturday, October 25, at 11:00 a.m. in the church undercroft – delightful company, food, coffee/tea, crafting, and chatting! Bring a fun and easy craft, such as cross-stitch, and/or an item for the potluck. Plan to attend and bring a friend or relative. Contact samantha.a.champagne@gmail.com with questions or RSVP.

Monday October 27, 7:30 PM, Vestry meeting, church undercroft, all parishioners welcome

Sunday November 30, St. Andrew's  Day with Bishop Johnson's Annual Visitation, those wishing to be confirmed or received please let Fr. Roddy know ASAP

Sunday November 30, 7:00 PM, Kirkin o' the Tartan with Evening Prayer, Bagpiper, more Scottish music, great reception with Scottish foods and beverages. Bring your tartans to be blessed, wear your kilts, invite your relatives, friends and neighbors for a great time!


RECENTLY UPDATED NEEDS FOR MaRiH CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER

 MaRiH Center has made some changes and additions in its critically needed items. The Center provides help to mothers-to-be and mothers in need.  Please provide some of the items that are needed..They are very greatly appreciated. (You can leave the donations where the food for the food bank is collected on the pew in the undercorft.)

Especially Needed
In Bold and with an asterisk are a critical need. Please note changes in diaper needs and additional items.

*Diapers ( newborn, 1, 2, *3, *4, *5, & *6)
*Lovies, Rattles, Teethers
*Baby wipes
Diaper rash ointment
Baby shampoo
*Baby blankets
Baby bottles
Bibs: infant, *toddler
*Formula: *Simulac Advance Formula
Formula: other but not recalled
Diaper rash ointment
Wash clothes
Hooded Towels
Spring/summer clothing: 0-3 mo, 3-6 mo, 9-12mo, 18-24 mo, 2T
Fall/winter clothing: 6-9 mo, 9-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo
Winter coats: all sizes up to and including 2T
*Grocery gift cards
Baby Food (make sure not expired)
Shoes: toddler

Food Bank Needs
The food bank appreciates the generosity of our parish.Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar). 

Current needs include the following:
canned meats (chicken, corned beef, spam)
peanut butter
jelly
tuna
canned vegetables (corn, green beans - (regular and low sodium)
individual fruit cups (low sugar)
canned fruit (low sugar)
canola or vegetable oil (48 oz)
boxed cereal (low sugar) and instant or old fashioned oatmeal (18 oz or 42 oz)
pasta (regular and gluten-free):
instant potatoes
single serving fruit juice
macaroni & cheese
soups: Chunky or Progresso,noodle soup; chicken broth, cream of mushroom
coffee, cooking oil, flour, sugar
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St. Andrew & St. Margaret of Scotland
1607 Dewitt Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301-1625