What’s Happening Around the Parish

Aug 23, 2026

One 9:00 a.m. Sunday Service,  through to August 30th

Expanding our vision, values and vital signs. Most of you are aware that 30+ leaders, vestry, and Mother Lainie undertook a Parish Planning Process January-June. Our leadership will share our discoveries on August 30 after the service while we enjoy the Thrive Potluck Brunch!!

 Pop-Up Choir Sunday, August 23. We’ll meet at 8:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Everyone is welcome! AND tonight Youth Group 6:00 p.m. Ice cream sundaes in the courtyard. 

 First Aid classes We're hosting first aid classes to make St. Alban's safer for everyone. Want to join? Email Jamie at communicate.stalbans@gmail.com to sign up. Let's make a difference together!

 Ushers and Greeters Be the first friendly face people see at St. Alban’s! Our ushers and greeters are key to a warm welcome. Join this enjoyable and meaningful ministry today!

 All kids ages 2-15 Are invited to sing an opening song for the worship service, August 30, at 9:00 a.m. It is a very simple chorus. We will have one rehearsal today for 10 minutes in the Nave following the service. Parents, please help your children bless our congregation with their voices! 

 Sunday Children’s Schedule  Aug 23, Childcare and fun activities will be available during the service. Sunday Aug 30, kids are welcome in the Service to enjoy our child-friendly readings. Children are also welcome to serve as co-ushers or acolytes. Contact Mtr Lainie if your child is interested.

 LEV – Lay Eucharist Visitors Interested in learning about or serving in the LEV ministry? Join us for an information meeting Sunday, August 23, after the service.

Thrive Potluck Brunch Join us after the service on Sunday, August 30, as we celebrate the friendships formed through our shared summer schedule. Vestry will also update us on our Parish 3-yr Plan. Thrive Team members will collect dishes before the service. Please bring an item based on your last name: Last name A-F: fruit, veggies, cheese and crackers, or mixed nuts; Last name G-L: main dish (egg casserole, quiche, mini sandwiches, etc.); Last name M-R: juice, lemonade, champagne; Last name S-Z: muffins, scones, croissants, cookies.

Join the St. Alban’s Handbell Choir! Have you ever thought about ringing handbells? Or were you part of the bell choir in the past? We’d love to have you join us this season! Handbell rehearsals begin Thursday, September 3, and meet every Thursday from 7:00–8:00 p.m. in the Music Room. We play approximately once a month during the 10:00 a.m. service.You don’t need handbell experience to join us, but you should be able to read music. If you can read music, we can teach you everything you need to know about ringing handbells! If you’re interested or would like to learn more, please contact Shannon Casey at sccbells@gmail.com .Come make music with us!

 Youth on their Own (YOTO) Help YOTO youth walk into the school year confident, prepared, and empowered. Please see the flyer in the narthex or look at YOTO link: www.yoto.org for more details.

Newcomers Brunch Sunday, September 27 — Watch for details!

Discussion Group Opportunity Are you interested in exploring timely topics and getting to know others at St. Alban’s? If so, Sharing Our Spiritual Journeys (SOSJ) might be just what you’re looking for.

SOSJ returns this fall, and you’re invited to come and see what we’re all about. We meet weekly on Wednesdays in the library, beginning September 9. SOSJ is always open to everyone, and you may attend either the 11:00–12:30 morning session or the 2:00–3:30 afternoon session. Whether you enjoy sharing, listening, learning, or a bit of each, this informal time together can be a meaningful part of your week. For further information, contact Jim Franks at communicate.stalbans@gmail.com.

Creation Care Corner: We are one watershed! What does “We are one watershed” mean to Creation Care: Monsoon rains sustain life in our amazing Sonoran Desert. Are rainwater capture basins or a rain garden a choice for your yard? Learn more at watershedmg.org

 Colleen Fabel Epstein Preschool Scholarship Help make a difference! Our First Things First scholarships were reduced, but you can help keep a child at St. Alban’s Preschool. Donate to the Colleen Fabel Epstein Scholarship Fund. Make checks payable to St. Alban’s and write “Endowment/Colleen F. Epstein Scholarship” in the memo line.

Music Concert Series 2026-2027 First up in our series is an organ recital with Dr. Woosug Kang, October 18, 3 p.m. More details to follow but mark it on your calendars now!

Prayer for the Mission of the Church

Everliving God, whose will it is to restore all people with God and one another through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.