Quicklinks:
-Dedicate altar flowers https://forms.gle/9MYAw6CdHjvdjH4H8
-Host coffee hour https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080445ACAF2E5-57613910-coffee#/
-Submit a prayer request https://forms.gle/ZdxuP36Commodo6L6
-Request a nametag https://forms.gle/SS27AueptdmQT64Q9
-Learn about this Sunday’s music https://stdavidsbaltimore.org/sundays-in-song/
-Listen to last Sunday’s sermon https://youtu.be/LvDbYA-YBig?t=2083
-Watch Sunday School for Adults https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8yU2xXdBbcVjsKnUK8xlRnvPDb__posy
Word of the Week
Our word of the week is fraction, which is usually accompanied by a fraction anthem, one of Fr. Todd’s favorite parts of the service.
Poem of the Week
Fr. Todd still has St. Francis and the Blessing of the Animals on his mind, so this week’s poem is Kinder Than Man by Althea Davis. Read an interview with her in which she briefly speaks about this poem by clicking here.
Fall Fellowship Dinner: October 16th
Join us for an Italian-style potluck on Friday, October 16th, from 6pm-8pm in the Great Hall. Feel free to bring friends and neighbors, the more the merrier! Click here to RSVP and signup to bring something.
Sunday School for Adults
The Sunday School for Adults meets in the Great Hall at 9am; we have coffee and tea to help you wake up. If you have kids, they can go to the nursery or to the Day School Chapel with Miss Corky until their own Sunday School class begins. And if you aren’t able to join us in person, look at the top of this newsletter, in the Quicklinks section, and you’ll see a link to recordings of the previous week’s class.
This year, we continue our series on the Stories of the Bible. We’re working our way through the Book of Judges, and this Sunday we’ll learn about a strong man and an even stronger woman. If you’re reading along in your Bible, read Judges chapters 13-16.
Annual Stewardship Campaign
Pledge cards to support St. David’s in 2027 should have arrived at your homes by now. If you didn’t receive one, please contact the church office and we will get one out to you right away. Click here to watch Fr. Todd’s presentation of the draft budget from September 27th, and click here to see the slides about pledging at St. David’s prepared by our parish treasurer, Joe Hovermill.
We hope that everyone will participate in the pledge campaign. St. David’s is fortunate to have an endowment that contributes to our budget, but the majority of our operating budget is funded by pledges. If you’ve never pledged before, start with whatever amount you know you can contribute. We all start somewhere, and we appreciate every gift. If you’re already a pledger and can increase your pledge to help with our rising costs, we hope you’ll do so. And we also understand that there are folks on fixed or limited incomes who are already giving what they can, and we want you to know that we are thankful for your gift and your dedication to St. David’s.
If you have any questions about the budget draft or about pledging, don’t hesitate to contact Fr. Todd, treasurer Joe Hovermill, or any member of the vestry.
Rest In Peace
Dee Alevizatos, wife of Ted, mother of Dolly, Alexandra, and Chris, died on October 2nd. The burial office for Dee will be read at St. David’s on Friday, October 9th, at 11am.
Indigenous Peoples Recital and Evensong
On October 11th at 4:30pm, join the Choir of St. David’s and tenor Dylan Aguayo (Taíno) in commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day. The event begins at 4:30 pm with a brief recital featuring works of Maurice Ravel, Kirsten C. Kunkle (Mvskoke), and Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate (Chickasaw). Choral Evensong continues at 5pm, including music of past Composers-in-Residence Tariq Al-Sabir (2015-2016) and Charles Shadle (2025-2026), as well as choral music of Andrew Balfour (Cree).
All Saints Flower Dedications
All Saints’ Day is coming up on Sunday, November 1st, and it’s a particularly appropriate occasion on which to dedicate altar flowers in memory of someone who has died. You can make an altar dedication by using the link in the quicklinks section at the top of this newsletter or by clicking here.
Love Is In The Air
Congratulations to William Spalding for a successful first round as an usher at St. David’s this past Sunday, but even more so for his engagement to Ella Ford. Wish the happy couple the best the next time you see them in church.
And keep in your prayers and joyful thoughts Will Nicklas & Margaret Given, who will be married next Saturday, the 17th, in Charlottesville. We’ll give them a few weeks off for the honeymoon, and then you can congratulate them when they’re back in Baltimore and at St. David’s!
Confirmation 2026
The Rt. Rev’d Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, Bishop of Maryland, will be visiting us on Sunday, December 13th, 2026. She will be offering the rite of confirmation and reception at the 10am service that day. We’re planning to offer a confirmation class for teenagers on Sundays after church in November; if you can’t attend, we can make alternate arrangements. The diocesan “minimum recommended age” is 15, but I will make exceptions for youth as young as 12, just talk to me! The first step is to fill out this form and let us know you’re interested!
Adults interested in confirmation will prepare separately with Fr. Todd & Mtr. Santana. If you have already filled out the form, we will be in touch soon. ~ Todd+
Sunday Strollers
St David’s Strollers will not walk this coming second Sunday of October (Oct 11th), but WILL WALK on Sunday, October 18th at 3:30pm for 30-45 minutes. We meet in front of the church – please join us!
Notes from Outreach
The St. David’s Outreach Committee met Tuesday, October 6th. Andrew Steele, Chief Development Officer of Global Refuge, spoke to the committee about the important work this nonprofit does to welcome refugees and immigrants seeking safety, support, and community. Through advocacy, care, and empowerment, Global Refuge helps restore a sense of home for those who have been displaced. The group asked about ways we could be helpful and were invited to an upcoming event, “Hope for the Holiday.” Stay tuned for more information and updates. Email Global Refuge to learn more about them.
Several St. David’s volunteers carpool from St. David’s to St. Luke’s Youth Center on Thursdays from 2:30–4pm. Our group spends time reading and playing games with these enthusiastic children. Please contact Holly Crosby if you are interested in joining us for a rewarding afternoon.
We will once again sponsor the Purple Bags/Thanksgiving Dinner Food Drive for families served by the Samaritan Center. Details will follow.
Join us for a Sunday Stroll on Sunday, October 18th at 3:30pm. We will meet in front of St. David’s. We hope you’ll join us!
Our next meeting will be Monday, November 2nd, at 3pm in the Vestry Room. ~ Mary Galvin Wilson
Holiness in the Stranger
How can we love our neighbors when fear keeps us apart? Join the Latino Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland for “Holiness in the Stranger: Beyond Our Fears – Walking Together,” a time of prayer, immigrant testimonies, and a legal perspective on immigration in Maryland and Baltimore. Together, we will explore radical hospitality and practical ways to build trust and walk alongside our Latino immigrant neighbors. A shared meal will provide time for conversation and connection. Everyone is welcome, whether already involved in this ministry or wondering where to begin. This free event will take place on Saturday, October 24th, 8:30am – 1pm, at the Diocesan Center, 4 East University Parkway. Click here to register by October 16. For more information, contact Mtr. Santana.
Christmas Bazaar Country Store
Attention all “canners!” We would love to have donations of your homemade jams, jellies, pickles, relishes, and sauces to sell at the Bazaar on November 21st. Please contact Hannah Morehead or Holly Crosby with questions, or bring items to the office. Thank you in advance for helping to stock the Country Store! ~ Hannah Morehead
Christmas Bazaar Christmas Shop
As we begin to plan for this year’s Bazaar, please remember the Christmas Shop welcomes your donations of holiday decor. Please contact me for further information or questions. ~ Kate Kenny
Sunday Mornings for Children
The Children’s Sunday School class (generally for kids ages 3 and up) begins at 9:50am in the Day School chapel; they join us in the church for Communion.
Our professionally-staffed Nursery is open from 9am until noon. If you want to attend the Adults class, your kids are welcome in the Nursery until the Children’s class begins. If your kids are too young for Sunday School, the Nursery is open and your kids can be there throughout the service or you can go down and get them at the offertory so that they can join you for Communion.
The 10am service is broadcast live on the TV in the Great Hall so that you don’t have to miss anything if you or your child need a break from being in the church for a few minutes during the service.
2027 Pledge Campaign
Thank you to everyone who has already returned their pledge card, and especially to the households who are pledging for the first time at St. David’s! If you’ve lost your card, contact Fr. Todd and he’ll send you a new one, or you can pledge by email. If you missed it, you can watch Fr. Todd’s presentation on the 2027 budget draft here. And if you’ve never pledged before and have questions about how it works, don’t hesitate to ask!
2026 Pledges Received (as of October 7th)
Alma Bell
the Rev’d Todd Bruce
Lloyd & Tim Burdette
Mary Louise Dawson
Mike Dominelli & Vince Smith
Bill & Elke Durden
Kate Kenny
Brooks & Denise Kitchel
Jim Knighton & Jo Reed
Terry Pritt
Elizabeth & Ken Rice
Hugh & Liz Robinson
Tony & Susan Whitman
Mary Galvin & Dan Wilson
Please Pray For:
Debbie and family, Helen, Sarah, Corky, Kathleen, Darlene, Robert, Mark, Jane, Quinn, Tony, Bill, Amy, Nancy, Meg, Caleb, Manish, Arthur Thomas, John, Jenny, Katie, Laila, Linda, Barbara, Eleanor K., Judy, Allison, Brendan, Cole, Elizabeth, Randy, Peter, Dockery, Tod, Anne, David, Jim, Dianna, Will, Nathaniel, Penny, Betsy, Anne, Mike, Patricia Ann, Russell, Til, Betsy, Braeden.
Calendar
Monday, 10.12 Day School Fall Break begins
Tuesday, 10.13 Vestry, 7pm
Friday, 10.16 Fall Fellowship Potluck
Sunday, 10.18 Flower Guild meeting
Saturday, 10.31 Paul’s Place casserole ministry
Sunday, 11.1 All Saints’ Sunday
Sunday, 11.1 Paul’s Place casserole ministry
Monday, 11.2 Outreach Committee, 3pm
Tuesday, 11.3 Parish Life Committee, 6pm
Thursday, 11.5 Parish Ladies’ Night
Sunday, 11.8 St. David’s Day School fundraiser at Shananigans
Serving This Sunday:
8am: Lector: Cleaveland Miller
Intercessor/Chalice: John Gould
Usher: Cristin Marsh
Altar Guild: Jill Heptinstall
Flower Guild: Sylvia Parker and Jen Spencer
10am: Lectors: Daryl Yoder, Kelly Buchanan
Intercessor: Sally O’Brien
Chalices: Bruce Lyons, Corby Pine
Crucifer: Cecilia Collins
Ushers: David Eaton, Brooks Kitchell
Altar Guild: Corby Pine
Flower Guild: Sylvia Parker and Jen Spencer
Tech Team: Scott Martinet
Coffee Hour: Kate Shatzkin