St. Alban’s has a long tradition of serving our neighbors through annual outreach programs. This year we will continue supporting dedicated monthly campaigns. To assist you in your annual planning, you will find this year’s list of agencies for your consideration.

Our church family continues to navigate the challenges of this global pandemic; while finding ways to preserve our beloved community and continue to help our neighbors. Look for the return of our “Pennies for More Possibilities” Jar every Sunday in the Narthex. It’s fun and painless.

In addition to your monthly pledge, you are encouraged to contribute dedicated financial support to the campaigns of your choice.

Outreach Campaign 2022

January – St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen

February – ABC House

March – Linn Benton Food Share

April – Sarah’s Place

May – CASA of Linn County

June – FISH

July – Helping Hands of Albany

August – Jackson Street Youth Center

September – Options School Supply Drive / Family Relief Nursery

October – CARDV

November – In-Reach

December – In-Reach

Please send dedicated funds to: St. Alban’s PO Box 1556 Albany, Oregon 97321

Memo line: agency name

Working together in God’s Love, we can make a difference.

Blessings from your Outreach Committee,

Rev. Peggy Bernhard, Melissa Saylor, Pam Reiner, Sharon Reid, and Barbara Gault

This Sunday we mark the Feast of St. Francis. During Morning Prayer at 9:30 a.m., we will ask a blessing on the pets whose names and photos are sent to me – by Saturday morning at the latest, so that we may have photos on our wall.

If the weather is cooperative, we will hold a pet blessing in the parking lot of the church building at 12:30 p.m. We ask everyone to please space ten feet apart with their pets kept on a leash so that there is six feet between the animals. Should the weather be uncooperative, we may cancel this. If so, I will announce it during the zoomed Morning Prayer.

Please join us for Morning Prayer via Zoom or Facebook.

Hello!

Because of the surge in positive cases of COVID-19 and low availability of hospital rooms, as of 25th August 2021, there will be no in-person services until further notice.

Meanwhile, starting on 5th September, our services will resume live streaming on our Facebook page at 9:30 am.

Morning prayer will continue to be streamed live on Wednesdays at 10:00 am on Facebook.

Should you have questions or need to reach me, please call or email the church office at 541 967-7051 / office@stalbans1.comcastbiz.net. Messages are checked at least twice weekly.

We look forward to meeting together in person again soon.

Blessing for your health and wellness!

Father Bob

In line with state efforts to reduce the spread of this virus, Bishop Michael Hanley of the Diocese of Oregon has asked that all public Sunday worship services be cancelled through the end of March. St. Alban’s is also cancelling all weekday worship services and activities.

St. Alban’s will remain open most weekday mornings from 9am – noon in case individuals need a place to pray, talk with Father Bob, or worship on their own while practicing social distancing. Our goal is to stay healthy!

St. Alban’s is hoping to hold online worship services in the near future. Watch for information here.

From Father Bob: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those whose volunteer work enhances our spiritual life. These individuals and groups will be able to take a well-earned break – lectors, eucharistic ministers, acolytes, torch bearers, altar guild, choir, and coffee hours hosts. Thank you all again!

Below please see the bishop’s letter dated 13 March:

Dear People of God:

Following discussions this day with several diocesan clergy and others, I am directing all Episcopal Churches in the Diocese of Oregon, beginning on March 22, to discontinue all public Sunday services for the remainder of the month.

I also ask that you take other measures you deem necessary to safeguard the people in the church, keeping in mind the request to practice social distancing. This may include closing the church during the week as well and canceling midweek services.

As I continue to monitor the situation with the COVID-19 virus, watching for signals from national, state, and local officials and listening carefully to my sister and brother bishops in neighboring dioceses, it has become apparent to me that we must do all in our power to slow the progress of the spread of this virus. It is in that spirit that I make this directive.

Many congregations here in Oregon and across the country are already making the decision to close for a limited period of time and I invite you to consider this a Lenten fast from the practice of regular Sunday attendance at worship. I hope that you will watch for news from your local congregation about ways the leadership is working to keep us in touch with each other during this period of time.

As these weeks unfold we will see if this directive needs to be extended for additional time. We are a resurrection people and Easter is coming. Let us continue to walk the way of the cross, the way of Jesus, and to pray for the safety of those most vulnerable.

You remain in my prayers,

Bishop Michael Hanley Episcopal Diocese of Oregon

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Please join us as we worship this Christmas season. Advent begins Sunday, December 1st. What a wonderful time of the year!

All Advent Sunday services begin @ 9:30 am through December 22nd and include the lighting of the Advent wreath and the placing of symbols of our faith on our Jesse Tree.

On Sunday the 1st we will have Lessons, Poetry and Hymns in the evening starting at 7:00 pm. This is a perfect opportunity to invite your friends and family to join with us.

Weekly Advent classes will help us celebrate and appreciate the gift of our Savior. Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm and Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am this month.

Our Christmas Eve service will include beautiful prelude music and congregational hymns at 7:30 pm, with the service following at 8:00 pm.

On Christmas Day at 9:30 am, we will worship with Christmas hymns and the Holy Eucharist as we celebrate the Holy birth.

Francis was an Italian monk who, in the 13th century, called on church and society to live a more simple life and to care for those who are hungry and need shelter. His vision was a world in which God’s beauty and compassion is demonstrated in how humans interact with one another, with animals around them, and with the earth itself.

The celebration of the life and ministry of St. Francis reminds us of our God-given responsibility to be stewards of all creation.

Every Autumn, we invite members of the community to join us in asking God’s blessings on pets and their friends, including creatures which are threatened or close to extinction. The brief service includes scripture readings and prayers in addition to the individual blessing of all present.

The 2019 pet blessing will be Sunday, October 6 at 12:30 pm. All are welcome to attend, with or without an animal!

Please note: Animals should be leashed or suitably restrained for the comfort of all.

St. Alban’s has a full week of services during Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday on the 14th at 9:30am! We start in the Parish Hall. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to meeting you!

Merry Christmas!

We have great services this Christmas, starting with Advent which leads us to our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services.

All Advent Sunday services begin @ 9:30am and include the lighting of the Advent wreath and the placing of symbols on our Jesse Tree. On Sunday the 9th we have Lessons, Poetry and Hymns along with the Holy Eucharist.

Our Christmas Eve service includes beautiful prelude music along with congregational hymns @ 10:30pm, the service starts at 11:00pm on the evening of December 24th.

Christmas Day service, on December 25th, begins at 9:30am and includes the Holy Eucharist and wonderful Christmas hymns!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

We celebrate the Feast of St. Alban every year on the Sunday closest to June 22. Please join us June 24 for a picnic after the liturgy!

In July on the Sunday closest to Independence Day, we have a special liturgy incorporating readings from historic writings of the United States, and the celebration of Holy Eucharist. Please join us July 8 at 9:30 am.