Dear Truro Family,

This coming Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent. I hope you’ll join us in-person or online! And if you’re able to be with us in person, remember to keep an eye out for someone you don’t know, and make an effort at starting a conversation. In a church of our size, it’s easy for people – especially new people – to slip through the cracks. Let’s remember Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

Last week I encouraged us all to be thinking and praying about making time in our schedules next year for daily Bible reading. It will transform our life – slowly but surely – as the Word of God works its way into our mind, soul, and memory. There are tons of great resources out there, so for the sake of space, let me share only five:

• The One Year Chronological Bible
• Through the Bible Through the Year by John Stott 
• Our Anglican Daily Office Lectionary 
• The Bible in One Year with Nicky & Pippa Gumbel
• The M’Cheyne Reading Plan. Devised by 19th Century Scottish minister, Robert Murray M’Cheyne. This is the plan I use. It takes you through the New Testament and Psalms twice a year, and the Old Testament once. This LINK takes you to a one-page PDF with the reading breakdowns. 

Friends, I’m so grateful for you all, and I’m truly excited about everything that God has for us as a church in the new year. See you on Sunday!

Jamie

The Nest will offer childcare for children five and under during the 3 PM and 5 PM services on Christmas Eve. Truro Kids, The Nest, and Youth Group will take a break on December 25 and January 1. 

Youth Christmas Party
Friday, December 16 @ 6:30-8:30 PM
Middle and high school students are welcome to celebrate Christmas together tonight in a “Tropical Christmas vs. Winter Christmas” themed party. Here’s the link to the potluck signup. Youth are welcome to bring a $5 - $10 value gift for a gift swap and wear a tropical shirt OR Christmas PJs. We will also be collecting swaddling blankets for the local crisis pregnancy center Truro supports. Contact Summer Fariñas with questions.

Men's Breakfast
Saturday, December 17 @ 9 AM
Join us for tomorrow's Men’s Ministry breakfast in the Undercroft! After a hot breakfast and fellowship, we will hear from Robbie Pruitt, priest at Sheperd's Heart Anglican Church in Fairfax. He will share ways we can partner together on his regional bike ministry and will encourage us in our walk. Bring a friend and enjoy time together! Questions? Contact Tony Zipfel or Will Rowe. Please register HERE. 

Save the Date!
February 3-5, 2023
Jamie Brown and Mike Seawright will be leading the teaching for our Men's Retreat at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, VA. Our theme will be: "Men After God's Own Heart: Formed by the Psalms of David." Save the date on your calendars!

International Community Gift Giving Program
Many thanks to an everyone who chose an ornament for our International Community Gift Giving Program. The ornaments flew off the tree! Please bring your gifts to Truro this Sunday or deliver them to the family or to the TIPS office by Tuesday, December 20. If you have any questions, contact Myra Hinote.

Support the Infants Drive
Shop to help moms at Sanctity of Life Ministry by filling the manger on Christmas Eve with: 

• Baby clothes – 0 to 3 months (including onesies)

• Baby bottles – natural slow flow nipples 

• Gift cards – Amazon, Walmart, Target 

• Diapers – All sizes and will be distributed to Fairfax Diapers, a non-profit organization that reaches families across Fairfax County. 

Donations may be left on Sunday if you are out-of-town on Christmas Eve.

Sign up for the next Truro Safety Awareness Workshop on Sunday, December 18 (11:45 AM-1:45 PM w/lunch) or Monday, January 23 (7-9 PM). This is required training if you volunteer in the following areas: 

• Family Ministry or any ministry interacting with children.
• Outreach/Visitation Ministries
• Prayer Ministry
• TIPS 

"In all honesty, I was terrified to stand for Vestry. All I had ever known about the Vestry at Truro was not very much at all. I thought it was a group of people that had far more knowledge and understanding about church matters than I did. I have learned that is simply untrue. I told the Lord that I would say yes, as I felt Him calling me, despite the fact that my husband and I were moving further away from Truro towards Manassas and that I was in the middle of seriously considering a complete career switch. But the Lord has a plan, and His will is ever present in our minds. Scared though I was, I “ran” for Vestry, thinking there would be other people that would get more votes than I would. That didn’t happen. There were 5 people running. There were 5 seats to fill. I was in.

Over the course of the last 9 months, I have come to truly appreciate the role the Vestry takes on for Truro. Decisions need to be made; things must be taken care of that others may not understand. This is an opportunity to serve the Lord and the congregation, and I am truly thankful for this opportunity that He has given me."

~Abby Fleming, Vestry Member

Year-End Giving
As you plan your year-end giving, please know that Truro is able to receive gifts of stock and other securities along with gifts from donor-advised funds and Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs. First, check with your tax advisor for benefits to your specific situation. Please contact Marsha Foos for broker information or with any questions.

And as you’re doing your holiday shopping, remember that you can select Truro Anglican Church in Amazon Smile. We will receive a percentage of your purchases.