Episcopal Church of Our Saviour

The Church of Our Saviour has three services of worship with Holy Communion on Sunday mornings. Our 8:00 AM service is the Book of Common Prayer Rite I service; it uses more traditional language and includes little music. Our 10:30 AM service is the Book of Common Prayer Rite II service with music. It appeals to families with children since it coincides with Church School. Our 12:15 PM Misa en Español service is entirely in Spanish. All are welcome to receive Communion in our church, regardless of denominational background.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Sunday Evening Word & Worship

Word & Worship is a new offering this year on Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM. The format includes hymn-sing, prayer, and a teaching-style sermon / Bible study, ending with a short worship service such as Evening Prayer or Compline. We meet in the church nave.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Mid-Week Healing Eucharist

We hold a mid-week service of worship every Wednesday at 12:15 PM. This service is typically with Holy Communion, and all are welcome.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

The Chancel Choir of COS sings every Sunday and for other special services during the program year. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM and again Sunday mornings at 9:45 AM. This is an all volunteer choir and we welcome new members.
Contact: Webster Rogers, Jr. (301-681-5063)

The ministry of the acolytes is to assist at the altar on Sunday mornings and other special services. Acolytes are trained to carry torches and processional crosses, light and extinguish candles, and assist the priest at the altar and during the service. Adults and children ten and older are welcome to join.
Contact: Nancy Ahmed (301-384-3596)

Lectors & Intercessors

Lectors are scheduled to read the appointed scripture passages in the Sunday worship, while Intercessors are scheduled to lead the Prayers of the People. We welcome those with clear, strong voices to these ministries.
Contact: Margaret Gordon (301-681-5262)

Prayers in Languages other than English

To celebrate the cultural diversity of our congregation, each week at the 10:30 AM service we pray the Collect of the Day in both English and another language. If you speak a language other than English and would like to translate and read the prayer in that language one Sunday, please sign up on the schedule located in the Narthex (entry) of the church, or call the Parish Office.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Several chalicists assist at the altar each Sunday, serving the wine to those who come up for Communion. Any adults who would like to serve in this capacity, please
Contact: Margaret Gordon (301-681-5262)

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs)

Lay Eucharistic Ministers are trained and licensed to take Communion to homebound members of our parish community. For more information,
Contact: Margaret Gordon (301-681-5262)

Prayer Ministry / Ministers of Healing

Each Sunday during Communion at the 10:30 AM service, a member of the healing prayers ministry is available in the Chapel to pray with individuals who wish special prayers for healing or other life events.
Contact: Beth Carlson (301-439-1680)

Ushers serve in the important ministry of greeting people as they come to services of worship at the church. They also distribute the bulletin for the service, collect the offering, assist people as they come forward for Communion, and notify the priest if someone needs to receive Communion at his or her seat.
Contact: Colm Murtaugh (301-270-4342)

Altar Guild / Sacristans

The Altar Guild members prepare the altar for Sunday and weekly services, baptism, weddings, funerals, and special services; arrange for altar flowers; and maintain the linens, vestments, and vessels used for services. Members are assigned to one of four teams, and each team assumes the responsibilities for a week at a time on a rotating basis. Teams typically meet on Saturday mornings. The entire guild meets several times per year for cleaning sessions and otherwise as needed by the Rector or the Altar Guild Director. All men and women of the parish are welcome to join.
Contact: Nellie Williams (301-345-1270)

Special Services: Funerals, Weddings, and Reaffirmation of Marriage Vows

Special services for individual members of COS are arranged in consultation with the clergy of the parish and follow particular guidelines. If you desire to plan such a service at COS, please contact the Parish Office for the customary (guidelines) for the particular service. Please be aware that such services are not done for non-members. Also be aware that the date and time of such services should be arranged with the clergy before confirming with reception halls or area funeral homes.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Pastoral Care Commission

The Pastoral Care Commission supports and extends the pastoral care COS offers its members and friends. This confidential ministry provides spiritual and emotional sustenance through cards and letters, phone calls, personal visits, and other appropriate support.
Contact: Hilda Wing (301-890-6497),
or Nthakoana Peko-Spicer (301-989-0503)

Healing Prayers Ministry

Lay Eucharistic Ministers

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) are members who are licensed to take Communion to homebound and hospitalized parishioners who cannot come to the Sunday Eucharist. This important ministry helps connect homebound parishioners with the larger parish. If you are interested in this ministry, please
Contact: Margaret Gordon (301-681-5262)

Ministry to the Homebound & to Those in Long-Term Care Facilities

All members of COS are part of our community, even when they are no longer able to join us for worship. COS makes an effort to keep in touch with our parishioners who are homebound and In long-term care not only through our printed Communication, but also through visits from clergy and laity. The clergy bring communion at Christmas and Easter. If you wish to receive Communion at other times or be partnered with a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM) or a member of our Pastoral Care Commission, please let us know.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Ministry to Those Hospitalized

The clergy visit COS members who are hospitalized. However, due to laws protecting individual rights of confidentiality, hospitals are no longer allowed to inform churches when parishioners have been admitted. It is the responsibility of the individual or family to make the parish aware of those who have been hospitalized and desire to be visited. We wish to respect the privacy of all our members and we will not intrude with a visit if a member does not desire it.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

If a member of the Church of Our Saviour has died or has been admitted to the hospital for a life-threatening condition please contact the Parish Office at 301-439-5900. If such an emergency arises during non-office hours, please contact a member of the clergy.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)
The Rev. Robert Harvey (301-439-0635)
The Rev. Peter Schell (510-684-2525)

Church School is available for children from Pre-School (age 3) to Sixth Grade, and a nursery is available for infants and toddlers. Church School begins at 10:30 AM each Sunday and continues during the first part of the service of worship. The children enter church during the Peace. We use the Episcopal Children’s Curriculum which engages the children in learning about the Bible, Church history, and the Episcopal Church. We encourage all children in the parish to participate. Adult volunteers are welcome to teach and assist with classes.
Contact: Roger & Sarah Desir (301-890-5573)

Children in Worship

Most months of the program year we have “Children in Worship” the last Sunday of the month. Church School does not meet that Sunday. Instead, children of Church School age worship with the adults and the sermon is geared to children.

A nicely equipped nursery with trained staff (Filomena Gardaya) is located on the lower level of the Church and is available on Sundays from 9:45 AM to 1:00 PM. The nursery is for infants and toddlers (age 2). Pre-schoolers (age 3) and older children should join the appropriate Church School class. Parents register their child and sign in when the child is dropped off at the nursery. Parents are given vibrating pagers so they may be contacted if the need arises. Parents may pick their children up from the nursery before Communion if they wish to have their children join them for that portion of the service. Otherwise children may be picked up after church.
Contact: Jennifer Harrill-Taylor (410-799-8630), or
Veronica Rouse (301-627-0274)

In the early fall the Church of Our Saviour Youth will have occasional events as publicized. Starting in November the COS Youth will meet weekly during the 10:30 Sunday service to discuss and deepen our understanding of the Christian faith and our own experience. If you're interested in joining the group, or if you are an adult interested in volunteering with the youth group,
Contact: Fr. Peter Schell at the Parish Office (301-439-5900)
or pschell@episcopalcos.org

Confirmation Preparation

At COS Confirmation is for those sixteen years of age or older. Confirmation preparation is held twice a year in an all-day retreat format (9 AM to 5 PM). The dates of preparation for this program year are Saturday, November 1, 2008 and Saturday, March 7, 2009. Confirmation for COS is part of a diocesan service and will be on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at 10:00 AM at the National Cathedral. If you would like to participate in one of the preparation retreats, please
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Christmas Pageant

Each Christmas the children of the parish are invited to participate in the Christmas Pageant which is held on a Sunday in late Advent, shortly before Christmas. Look for details in the fall.
Contact: Lois Jenkins (301-439-9896)

Spiritual Formation Ministry

The Spiritual Formation Ministry is a group that plans and implements opportunities for spiritual formation in the parish, especially for adults and intergenerational groups. This planning group is open to all and meets as needed.
Contact: Kathy McAdams (301-439-2071)

Adult Sunday School

An adult class is offered most Sundays during the program year. It is held at 9:30 AM in the Commons Room. It is led by the clergy or lay leaders.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

The Adult Forum is an adult Christian education class on Sunday at 12:15pm (following the 10:30 service) in the Undercroft (Basement) of the church. Various topics of interest are discussed, such as Anglicanism in today's world, stewardship, social justice, racism, issues of medical ethics, and ecumenical and interfaith issues. Nursery childcare is available during the adult forum for children under two years old.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Sunday Evening Word & Worship

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

A Bible study is offered on Wednesday mornings at 10 AM during the program year. It is usually clergy led.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Our Saviour Seniors

Our Saviour Seniors group meets on the third Monday of the month at 11:30 am for fellowship, learning, social activities and the discussion of spiritual and other issues of special interest to them.
Contact: The Rev. Bob Carlson (301-439-1680)

Special three-to-eight week series are offered on occasion throughout the year. Look for news of these offerings in the Sunday bulletin and the eNews.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Spiritual Direction

Several individuals in our parish are trained in the ministry of spiritual direction and offer this ministry within the parish.
Contact: Fr. Robert Harvey (301-439-5900)

Confirmation Preparation

Occasional Events

Other opportunities for Spiritual Formation are offered on occasion throughout the program year. These include workshops, seminars, and retreats or quiet days. Such events are announced in the Sunday Bulletin and the eNews.

Hospitality Committee

During the program year Coffee Hour is offered in the Undercroft for a time of fellowship following the Sunday morning services. Coffee, tea, punch, and breakfast snacks are provided. We are always in need of hosts for this ministry of hospitality.
Contact: 8:00 AM service: Dee Henderson (301-572-4784), or
10:30 AM service: Victor & Victoria Bondzie (301-577-4675)

Women of Our Saviour

The Women of Our Saviour, which is the name of the Episcopal Churchwomen (E.C.W) group at the Church of Our Saviour, is open to all women of the Parish. The Board of the Women of Our Saviour (WOS) is currently meeting weekly to write a history of Our Saviour as part of the upcoming fiftieth anniversary celebration.

One function of the Board has been to oversee the activities of the Friendship and of the St. Ann chapters. Because the Board is disbanding as of 31 December 2008, the Friendship Chapter (the evening chapter) will thereafter be the contact for all E.C.W. events and will continue to conduct programs of worship, fellowship, and service.

The Friendship Chapter meets the second Monday of January, April, May, September, and November. One of their projects is making prayer shawls for the home-bound of the Parish. The members also work on various service projects in the Parish and community.

The St. Anne’s Chapter (the daytime chapter) meets irregularly with the dates of such meetings being announced. It hosts luncheons twice a year with the friendship Chapter and other church members, and continues to provide cookies for the children’s home.

Contact: Nathalie C. White (301-439-5247), or
Friendship Chapter: Dee Henderson (301-572-4784), or
St. Ann’s Chapter: Una Prescott (301-438-2656)

Mother’s Union

COS hosts a chapter of the international organization known as the Mother’s Union. The Mother’s Union is dedicated to ministry by mothers to other mothers and to children. Meetings are on the second Saturday of the month from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and are open to both men and women who believe in the five objectives of the Mother’s Union. For more information
Contact: Nellie Williams (301-345-1270)

Men’s Fellowship Group

The Church of Our Saviour Men’s Fellowship Group has as its purpose the enhancement of the ministry of the church in and around the community through Christian family life via worship, Bible study, fellowship, service and mentoring. The group meets twice a month as announced.
Contact: Arnold Robinson (301-237-7818)

Our Saviour Seniors

Fellowship of the Trees

Through the sale of Christmas trees and wreaths, the Fellowship of the Trees raises thousands of dollars every Advent to support the ministries of COS. Opportunities for service include unloading the trees the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day and sale of trees daily until Christmas. Those involved enjoy the fellowship and hard work that are involved.
Contact: Don Spicer (301-989-0503), or
Wilbur Jenkins (301-439-9896)

Newcomers Committee

The Newcomers Committee is a new ministry that looks at ways to welcome our guests and incorporate newcomers to COS. One ministry of the Newcomers Committee is the Welcome Bags which are given out to guests on Sunday mornings. A number of items are given in this bag, including a small loaf of bread, baked by members of the parish. We invite any bread bakers to help in this ministry. We also invite anyone interested in the ministry to guests and newcomers to join the Newcomers Committee.
Contact: Fr. Robert Harvey at the Parish Office (301-439-5900)

The Ministry of Art encourages spiritual awareness through creative expression. This group’s projects include various activities for children with the Church School program, an annual fall Art and Craft Show, maintaining current art exhibits around the church building, designing posters for church bulletin boards, selling ornaments of the church, and other art events. This year’s Art and Craft Show will be Sunday, November 16.
Contact: Nancy Ahmed (301-384-3596)

Outreach Commission

The Outreach Commission at COS focuses on helping our members serve others by giving our time, talent, and treasure beyond our walls. This group evaluates programs and opportunities for mission and service that are of interest to our members and publicizes these opportunities. It also decides where funds from the outreach budget are best utilized to be in keeping with our vision. Currently we support the following organizations:

Contact: Sumner Clarren (301) 460-7146

Food Collection for Food Pantry

Every week, we collect food for the COS food pantry. Items for donation may be deposited in the food collection basket as you enter church on Sunday morning. This basket is brought forward with other offerings at the 10:30 AM service. When there is an overflow of food, or when there is a particular need, our pantry donates to the area pantry. Dry goods, canned food, and baby formula are welcome.
Contact: The Parish Office (734-2715)

Friendship Chapter (Women of Our Saviour)

The Friendship Chapter of the Women of Our Saviour serves the greater community in a variety of ways. The members contribute cookies to the Episcopal Center for Children in D.C. and, through Gifts of Love, contribute financially to the Episcopal Churchwomen for administrative expenses, for UTO and for CPC. Every year, the Chapter also assists at the Flower Mart sponsored by the National Cathedral. The Chapter has also donated toys to hospital pediatric departments and has collected baby food and formulas for an area ministry. Other projects of a similar nature are undertaken as the need arises.
Contact: Nathalie White (301-439-5247)

Mother’s Union

The Mother’s Union undertakes outreach projects that support women and families. Every other month the Mother’s Union goes to Sophia House, a shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence, and prepares a three-course meal for the women there. Other projects include preparing a meal for the homeless shelter in Rockville, donating nursery items through their sister chapter in Sierra Leone, giving funds to the Red Cross during disaster emergencies such as hurricane Katrina, and other outreach projects that support families and women in crisis.
Contact: Nellie Williams (301-345-1270)

Ministries Council

The Ministries Council brings together representatives of all the various ministries and programs at COS for the purpose of communication and calendar planning. The Council meets quarterly on a Monday and is led by the Rector and the People’s Warden. The meetings for the 2008-2009 program year are September 8, December 1, March 2, and June 4. We encourage every group to have a representative present at the meetings.
Contact: Abdullah Skerritt (301-490-7990)

Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee at COS is an educational committee whose purpose is to teach our parish about the role of stewardship in our lives in all its facets—time, talent, and treasure. The committee works to help our members understand the various ways we can serve in the ministries of Church of Our Saviour. The Stewardship Committee meets the second Tuesday of the month. We welcome all interested in the service of God at COS.
Contact: Paula Panissidi (301-345-9181), or
Abdullah Skerritt (301-490-7990)

Sunday Bulletin & Weekly eNews

Our Sunday bulletin and Weekly eNews both contain announcements for the parish community. If you would like to place an announcement in these publications, please have it to the Parish Office no later than noon the preceding Wednesday. You may send an announcement by email to: churchoffice@episcopalcos.org or call the church office. If you would like to receive the eNews, please send your email address to the parish office.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Publicity and Notices

If you wish to publicize an event or place notices on the premises, please contact the parish office. Various bulletin boards and marquees around the church building are reserved for specific items, subjects or materials. Certain restrictions apply to publicity for non-parish events or advertisements. If you need a flyer designed for a parish event or would like to volunteer to design publicity, please call the parish office.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

COS has a website which includes a calendar of events, eNews, and pertinent information about the parish. The address is www.episcopalcos.org.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Church of Our Saviour has a small library collection in the bookcase located in the hallway off the Narthex, near the Bridal Room. Books are available for loan on the honor system. If you would like to borrow a book, please inform the Parish Office.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Office Volunteers

The Office is periodically in need of volunteers for such tasks as folding, stapling, photocopying, answering the office telephone, word-processing, desktop publishing, and preparing mailings. Many of these tasks can be done by volunteers at home. Please contact the Parish Office if you have extra time and organizational skills and would like to be called on to volunteer in the office. Let the office know if you have word-processing or desktop publishing skills to offer.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Staff and Appointments
Rector: The Reverend Robert William Harvey
Assistant to the Rector: The Reverend Peter Schell
Choir Director: Webster Rogers, Jr.
Organist: Bruce Cole
Church School Director: Roger & Sarah Desir
Altar Guild Director: Nellie Williams

2007 Officers and Vestry

Rector: The Rev. Robert Harvey
Rector’s Warden: Kathleen Staudt
People’s Warden: Abdullah Skerritt
Treasurer: Robert Mann

Elizabeth Adegboyega-Panox
Stephen Brushett
Kenneth Egbuna
Joan Griggs
Mabel Enwemnwa
Geoffrey Jackson
Sarah Desir
Leslie Pelzer
Arnold Robinson
Caleb Nicol
Nancy Maisto Hewlett
Kevin Thomas

Governance / Vestry

Church of Our Saviour is governed by the Rector, Wardens, and a board known as the Vestry. As required by the canons of the church, the Vestry—consisting of twelve members, the Rector and the two Wardens—is the elected governing body of our congregation. Four members are elected each year at the annual parish meeting for three-year terms. The Vestry has four standing committees: Finance, Stewardship, Endowment Board, and Buildings and Grounds. The Rector’s Warden has financial responsibility for the parish and works with the Rector in administrative matters; the People’s Warden has responsibility, with the Rector, for the program ministries of the parish and sometimes acts as a liaison between the people and the Vestry and clergy.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee takes seriously the trust placed in it by the congregation resulting in sound conservative fiscal management of the parish’s assets. The primary source of income at COS is membership pledges. The work of the Finance Committee is to assist in the development of the annual budget and to maintain and track, throughout the fiscal year, all income and expenses and their relation to the operating budget.
Contact: Stephen Brushett (301-879-6970)

The Endowment Board’s ministry is one of education and investment of planned giving and other large gifts to the church. As such, it oversees the church’s endowments so that they are wisely and soundly invested for the future ministry at COS. In addition, the Endowment Board will be involved in future projects of planned giving such as the establishment of a Legacy Society.
Contact: Sam Stokes (301-585-2270)

Counters or “Administrators”

The Counters or “Administrators” as they are called in the Sunday bulletin are individuals who count the money received at all services including special services. They see that the funds are deposited in the bank each week. Then the Givings Recorder takes the information they collect, logs it into the pledge tracking system, and passes the summary to our treasurer each week.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Buildings and Grounds Committee

The Buildings & Grounds Committee oversees the stewardship of the physical plant of the church, including all of its properties. The committee overseas the maintenance, repairs, and renovations of the church properties, and sponsors semi-annual work days for members to help clean and maintain the physical plant.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Diocesan Involvement

The Church of Our Saviour is committed to participation in our diocese, the Diocese of Washington, and its various events. As events and activities arise they will be publicized through regular parish communication channels.
Contact: The Parish Office (301-439-5900)

Gospel lesson for March 7, 2010 (Third Sunday in Lent)

Luke 13:1-9