Beloved Church Family,

As we gather in this final week of Advent, our hearts are filled with hope and anticipation for the birth of Jesus—the One foretold by the prophet Isaiah as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Together, we look forward to celebrating the coming of our Savior, who brings light and salvation to the world. In the midst of joyful preparations, may we remember that the birth of Christ is God’s profound gift of love and redemption to all people.

I also want to acknowledge that for many, Christmas can be a bittersweet time. As we rejoice in the miracle of Christ’s birth, we may also feel the ache of missing loved ones who are no longer with us. Know that you are not alone; our church family surrounds you with compassion and love, even as we celebrate one of the most important and life-changing events in human history. May the hope and peace of our Savior fill your heart, and may you find comfort in God’s abiding presence. I am truly looking forward to celebrating with each of you on Christmas Eve.

Many blessings,
Pastor Claire

Did you know our young adults group meets out in the community once a month? It’s a chance to connect, grow, and share life together beyond our walls. If you’re 18–25, we’d love for you to come—and bring a friend! This is a perfect opportunity to invite those home from college for the holidays or anyone working or studying locally.

Join us at Starbucks, 7511 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306 at 3 PM TODAY for conversation, community, and encouragement.

This Sunday, after the Cantata, join us for good food, joyful conversation, and the spirit of community!

• Please bring your dish already hot or cold—volunteers will be participating in the Cantata and won’t be able to heat food.

• To keep hot dishes warm:
  Wrap them in a towel and place in a cooler to stay piping hot until serving.
  Or bring them already warm in a crockpot. A power strip will be available on the table to plug in before worship.

Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Sunday Socials
January 11 – Leadership Recognition Luncheon
March 15 – 60th Anniversary Luncheon
June 14 – Graduation Sunday and Church Picnic

Help adorn the altar with the beauty of poinsettias this Christmas season. For $20, you can sponsor a plant to honor or remember a loved one. Poinsettias will be placed at the altar this Sunday. Bev is poinsettia shopping tomorrow, so be sure to reach out today to be included. bmwcard@gmail.com

Let's celebrate Steve Brown and Donna Julian for their faithful leadership of our Christmas Tree Ministry. To show our gratitude, we’ll present them with a thank you card and a Mount Vernon Inn gift card.

The card and a collection basket will be available in the piano room across from the kitchen during lunch this Sunday. Try to give to this one in person so we can surprise Donna, too.

Steve and Donna devote nearly full-time hours to Washington Farm’s ministries—finance, outreach, trustees, Sunday School, and more. Yet, they still showed up for every single Christmas Tree Lot shift, hefting trees, serving as cashier, and greeting neighbors with warm smiles and hospitality.

Please note: this article will not appear in Steve and Donna’s copies of the newsletter—so the surprise remains safe!

You won’t want to miss our Christmas Cantata featuring beautiful Celtic carols.

We’re extra excited to have special guest musicians joining us in the choir, on violin, flute, and percussion. Their lively sounds will bring the music to life and add a Celtic flair to the morning.

Please bring your little ones to enjoy the music. There will be no nursery or preschool, so everyone can be part of the celebration.

After the service, stick around for a potluck luncheon.

Our congregation will present a Love Gift offering to the Pastor and Staff during the Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols service. Please prayerfully consider contributing by Dec. 23 through the collection plate or online giving. Mark your donation as “2025 Christmas Love Gift.” Gifts may be designated for specific staff or to be shared equally. Contact Pam Wolski (pmwolski9@gmail.com) with questions.

December 21 at 6 PM – Bring a holiday treat to share! Special thanks to the Olmstead Family for providing dinner.

December 28 – No Sunday Night Live. Enjoy the holidays at home with family and friends.

January 4 – No Sunday Night Live. Continue celebrating the season with loved ones.

January 11 – Sunday Night Live Returns! We’ll begin a four-week series exploring the origins of relationships through the book of Genesis. Together, we’ll look at our relationship with God and the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Rachel, Leah, and Jacob.

If you’d like to provide dinner for 8–10 people at an upcoming Sunday Night Live, please contact DeNise Enck.

Join us for a warm and joy-filled evening of Lessons & Carols where the story of Jesus’ birth will be told through readings and song, communion, and candlelight. We’ll begin gathering at 6:30 PM with seasonal music to set the tone for this holy night.

There’s a natural pause after the children’s lesson for families who need an early bedtime, and all are welcome to stay for the full evening.

Come as you are, bring your loved ones, and share in the wonder of Christ’s birth with your church family.

The Outreach Committee extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the Rising Hope Angel Gift project, serving families along South Alexandria’s Route One Corridor. Washington Farm donated 55 coats, gifts, and gift cards, and also joined in distributing presents, wrapping, and baking cookies. The events were truly enjoyed by all who attended. Thank you for helping make someone else’s Christmas a more joyful celebration.

Food Collection for Rising Hope
Next Sunday, December 28, and every 4th Sunday, we collect items for Rising Hope’s Food Market and Kitchen. Urgent needs include canned protein, vegetables, pasta, baby wipes, diapers (sizes 1–4T), protein bars, granola bars, single-serve cereal, shelf-stable milk, and sugar alternatives. Drop donations in the basket in the narthex before worship.

Packed With Love for Woodley Hills
Join us on Thursday, January 8, at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary Basement to pack 65 weekend food sacks for 15 students experiencing homelessness. Each bag includes 10 shelf-stable items and a message reminding these children they are seen and cared for. 

In addition to providing our monthly weekend food sacks, Washington Farm donated fifteen $50 Walmart gift cards this month to Woodley Hills families experiencing homelessness, helping sustain them through the holiday season.

Phoenix Rising
Join us on Friday, January 30th at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary Basement to help prepare and deliver 154 weekend food bags to food-insecure individuals and families along the Route One corridor.

Looking Ahead
Watch for information on helping prepare Hypothermia Shelter meals on February 22 and March 22

Questions? Contact Donna J. (703-851-0192) or Mary R. (571-268-5931)

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Christmas tree project a success. Whether you unloaded and stacked trees, hauled them across the lot, tied them to car roofs, trimmed stumps and branches, worked the cashier table, or greeted our neighbors with a warm welcome—you helped create a joyful, community-filled season at our church home.

A special thank you to Steve and Donna, who once again spearheaded this effort. Their leadership and dedication—volunteering at nearly every shift—made this 41st year possible.

We’re grateful for every helping hand and every friendly smile. Thank you for serving together and sharing the spirit of the season with our whole community.

Deborah Carpenter, a local piano teacher, and her sister have hosted her students’ annual recitals at Washington Farm since 1998. Their roots trace back to a cousin of Johann Sebastian Bach, every generation since has been musicians. When Deborah's mother heard Washington Farm needed an organist in the late 1960s, her father assured her that “it’s just like playing the piano.” As a 9th grader, Deborah, and then each of her sisters, played Sunday services until the last graduated from high school in 1976.

By the 1990s, Deborah and her sister began teaching music lessons, and Washington Farm was the natural stage for their students’ recitals. Since 1998, their annual fall recital has been a cherished tradition. Sharing this space has not only nurtured young musicians but also strengthened the bonds of our community. Be sure to check out the thank-you card above from this year’s students.

Join us for Light of Peace, a full Celtic service of Lessons and Carols. Familiar Irish and Scottish hymn tunes blend with Celtic folk melodies, reels, and airs, paired with texts that call us to live out love in action. Through music and lessons, we reflect on Christ’s humble birth and the angels’ song to shepherds, seeking to be inspired to heal the world with love.

Sunday
10 AM – Worship Service (in-person & online)
11 AM – Cantata Sunday Social Potluck 
6 PM – Sunday Night Live (Youth)