April 30, 2008
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. In May we are receiving two Special Offerings. The first-- to be received this Sunday-- is for the Ingleside Supporting Fund, and the second, the Pentecost Offering, will be received on May 11 (more about that next week).
Ingleside at Rock Creek, founded in 1906 as "The Presbyterian Home," is a non-profit continuing care facility for seniors affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, with a range of residences from independent living to health care. The Supporting Fund provides assistance to lower-income residents. We now have two Pilgrims living at Ingleside: Jean Gilpin and Jackie Smith. Jackie's brother, Russell, also lives in the Health Care Center, and Grant McLanahan, who worshiped with us in the Fall, recently moved with his wife into Independent Living. Please plan to give generously to this important fund. See http://www.ircdc.org
2. This week following worship, during our first-Sunday-of-the-month buffet lunch, we will mark Staff Appreciation Day, recognizing the good work of our wonderful staff, especially those who toil behind the scenes such as Marcia Mapp, our Church Administrator, Rolando Quintanilla, our Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, new Pilgrimage Manager Matt Boote, our long-time Sunday Buffet Aide Ruben Canadas, and our Nursery Aides Rebecca Barloon, Nataleeja Effimoff, and Kelsey Krehbiel. (Rebecca and Nataleeja both graduate and will be leaving us this month, after several years helping care for our little ones.) Of course, we will also recognize those you perhaps know a bit better and see most Sundays: Paul Ruether, our always helpful Resident Sexton, our multi-talented Director of Music Rob Passow, the ever-popular Minister for Spiritual Formation Ashley Goff, and last and least, yours truly. I hope you will plan to join us and show your appreciation first-hand.
3. This Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Bird Room, we will begin our final Adult Education series for the season:
Cross Cultural Connections
This three week series will focus on Pilgrims and their cross cultural experiences. Each week we will hear stories of encounters and identity-- how encounter abroad shapes identity and world-view. Sharing stories and experiences will be David Krone (May 4), Mary Judy (May 11), and Aine McCarthy (May 18).
4. "Theology on Tap" continues Tuesday night at the Brickskeller, across the street fro the church, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The focus of this series is "Spirituality and Social Justice." We gather for dinner and fellowship in the downstairs back room at 6:30, followed by Bible study at 7:30. Planned with young adults in mind, Pilgrims of all ages are welcome. Let me know if you would like to join us! As always, this is Bible study even for those who have never done Bible study before!
5. Another new Covenant Group forming: Jean Stewart, working with Parish Associate Margee Iddings, is convening a group to focus on different modes of prayer, meeting the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the church. The first meeting is scheduled for June 24th. The pattern for each meeting would be an introduction by Margee to the type of prayer being explored (15-20 minutes), about 20 minutes to practice that form, time to debrief, share experiences of practicing the form introduced at the previous meeting, and time for personal sharing, for a total of 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The usual rules of confidentiality and being non-judgmental would prevail. If you would be interested in being part of this group, contact Jean at jean.stewart@rcn.com.
6. Compassionate Responses Needed:
- Open Table, our weekly meal for the hungry and homeless, needs a "keeper of the towels," someone to launder the dish towels regularly, and keep a fresh, clean supply for those who are serving food Sundays and cleaning up afterwards. Open Table coordinator DeLania Hardy comments that "this would be a huge help and a nice way to pitch in if you don't have a ton of time." Contact DeLania if you would be willing to take on this task, and she can give you details: delania.hardy@gmail.com
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- Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place has another client that can be housed ˆ good news! They need a few pieces of furniture, specifically a chest of drawers and a small dining table and two chairs. If you have these or other items which might be useful, please call Pat Goeldner at 202-362-0813 or e-mail her at pgoeldner@iona.org.
7. If you pass by the church this Saturday, you will see lots of activity in the parking lot. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is using our grounds as a "rest stop" for walkers, complete with porta-potties and refreshments. The walk is Saturday and Sunday.
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
April 23, 2008
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. This Sunday immediately following worship we will hold a Special Meeting of the Congregation to fill vacancies on the Session and the Officer Nominating Committee. Carol Huls (pictured left) is being nominated as Elder for Membership Development, (which we are renaming "Elder for Hospitality and Evangelism"), to fill the vacancy left by Jonathan Mertz' departure for Kansas earlier this year. Jerry McPike is being nominated as an "at-large" member of the Officer Nominating Committee, to fill the vacancy left by Gregg Seppala, who is temporarily out of town.
Carol has written the following Statement of Faith:
I believe in a Higher Power who created the World and all Life. I believe this Power is far greater than we can comprehend (multi-dimensional, multifaceted, I refer to Him as God for simplicity sake) and continues to be involved in the life of His creation. God gave humans brains, bodies, thoughts, impulses, and the ability to choose. I believe He has a Plan for us (I like the word Providence) and sometimes we can see His direction as to which way to go. But, being human, we sometimes have made and continue to make choices which disrupt His original intent for this World. In order to set things right, we need help from Him and from each other. This is one of the reasons we come together in a place we call Church. We’re looking for Him, for each other, for clues to which way to go. We’re looking for a place to belong and participate in a Community we can call Home.
Growing up in a family firmly rooted in the Reformed tradition, I was taught that God is Essential. The Church is Central to family, friendships and all important activities. Participation is not optional: it’s both a responsibility and a privilege. I continue to wrestle with this mandate as an adult. While I rebel against anything I Must Do, I am drawn to places where I can belong – and even participate – where my conflicting beliefs in a Plan and the ability to Choose are accepted and my trust in this Higher Power is understood and shared. Church of Pilgrims has become the Community I call Home.
If elected as Elder for Hospitality and Evangelism, I will work to make sure other people looking for us, find us.
2. Carol is also forming a new "Covenant Group" that will explore service as a spiritual practice. Participants will gather one Saturday morning a month share in a joint service project (such as last month's Habitat build), with time for sharing, prayer, and reflection. If this sounds compelling to you, contact Carol at janey1168@yahoo.com. There will be a planning meeting in May for all interested participants.
Are you interested in starting your own Covenant Group, or being a part of one? If so, speak to Jeff or Ashley.
3. This Sunday our two Adult Education classes will conclude at 9:30 a.m.:
Meditation and the Hard Questions for an Authentic Life.
Led by Stan Lou in the Upstairs Education Room.
Reinhold Niebuhr: A Theologian for This Time
Led by Jerry McPike downstairs in the Bird Room.
4. I will lead another round of "Theology on Tap" begining next Tuesday night, April 29, at the Brickskeller, across the street fro the church, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The focus of this series will be "Spirituality and Social Justice." We will gather for dinner and fellowship at 6:30, followed by Bible study at 7:30. Planned with young adults in mind, Pilgrims of all ages are welcome. We gather in the downstairs back room. Let me know if you would like to join us! As always, this is Bible study even for those who have never done Bible study before!
5. The Washington Interfaith Network's follow-up "Public Accountability Action" with members of City Council is next Monday, April 28, ST. MARTIN’S RC CHURCH, 1908 N. Capitol Street, NW. Speak to Jean Stewart or send her a note if you can be part of Pilgrim's delegation: jean.stewart@rcn.com
6. More Light Presbyterians will hold a retreat Saturday, May 3, at Clarendon Presbyterian Church, "Cultivating the Inclusive Church," led by our own Parish Associate Margee Iddings. The retreat will feature Carol Howard Merritt, Associate Pastor at Western Presbyterian Church, an author of a book on reaching young adults, titled Tribal Church. Workshops will include Engaging Young Adults, The Bible and Human Sexuality, and Welcoming GLBT Families. Several members of the Session plan to attend. If you would like to join us, please send me a note.
7. Congratulations to Pilgrimage Manager Matt Boote, who has been selected as a Bread for the World "Hunger Justice Leader," a special training in June that will recruit and sustain the next generation of Bread for the World leaders. See more information at Hunger Justice Leaders . There were 350 applicants for 75 spots.
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
April 16, 2008
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. This Sunday we will be joined all day by Father Jean Monique Bruno, an Episcopal Priest from Haiti with a thirty-year mission relationship with Church of the Pilgrims. (The Episcopal Church in Haiti is a mission partner with the Presbyterian Church USA). Pilgrims first supported Father Bruno's work by contributing to the building of a vocational school in a 1979 capital campaign. This was followed by two work trips to Haiti in 1980 and 1984, and a subsequent visit by Father Bruno to Pilgrims. Father Bruno's work in North Haiti with the medical clinic Esperance e Vie (Hope and Life), and two schools, is supported domestically through Bethlehem Ministry, based in Athens, GA (www.bethlehemministry.org <http://www.bethlehemministry.org> ).
The schedule for Sunday:
- 9:30 a.m. Father Bruno will share with us during the Adult Education hour in the Bird Room. (Our two on-going Adult Classes will be suspended for the day, and resume next Sunday).
- 11:00 a.m. Father Bruno will be our preacher during morning worship.
- 6:00 p.m. All members and friends of the congregation are invited to a pot-luck supper at the manse, 4324 Van Ness Street NW. Please bring a dish to share. Beverages will be provided. Please RSVP's to me and let me know what you plan to bring.
2. New Covenant Group Forming: Pilgrim Stan Lou is forming a new "Covenant Group" for prayer and mutual support that will focus on life transitions. The group will meet for the first time Sunday evening, May 11. If you might be interested in being a part of this group, send a note to Stan for more information: stangoblue@yahoo.com .
Are you interested in starting your own Covenant Group, or being a part of one? If so, speak to Jeff or Ashley.
3. The Washington Interfaith Network will have a follow-up "Public Accountability Action" with members of City Council on Monday, April 28, ST. MARTIN’S RC CHURCH, 1908 N. Capitol Street, NW, to hold DC Council accountable for their pledges to WIN’s Vote Neighborhoods First election agenda to invest $1 billion to revitalize DC neighborhoods. Speak to Jean Stewart or send her a note if you can be part of Pilgrim's delegation: jean.stewart@rcn.com
4. Philip Mangano, the Executive Director of the US Interagency Council on Homelessness will speak at an event sponsored by Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place. It will take place in the Perry Auditorium (7th floor) of the National Cathedral on Monday, April 21, 2008. There will be receptions before the event at 6:30 and following the program which will begin promptly at 7:00pm. It is necessary to RSVP by Friday by calling 364-1419 ext 23. If you have questions, please e-mail Pat Goeldner – pgoeldner@iona.org or call her at 202-362-0813.
5. Special Note: Thursday night choir rehearsal is cancelled this week to avoid travel during the Pope's visit. Regular rehearsal Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.
5. Congratulations to Joanne Leong and Amir Venegas on the birth of their daughter, Kendall Leong Venegas, born last week. (I don't have stats, but I do have their address if you'd like to send a note: 1715 15th Street NW., #36, WDC 20009.
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
April 3, 2008
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. Eastertide is the fifty-day season between Easter and Pentecost (May 11), when we reflect each Sunday upon the meaning of Jesus' resurrection. Following the theme of my Easter sermon, (http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org/sermons.html), this is a season to "Excavate for Life."
This Sunday during our buffet following worship you have an opportunity to do that by joining the Outreach Team for a discussion of the congregation's mission, both local and global, led by our new Elder for Outreach, Jeff Francisco.
There will be two primary focuses for the discussion: First, hearing from Sandy Champion, National Capital Presbytery's "Hunger Action Enabler," who will share briefly about her work and how she might be supportive of our ministry to hungry people, such as Open Table.
Second, we will plan for the April 20 visit of Father Jean Bruno, an Episcopal Priest from Haiti, with whom Pilgrims has a long-term mission relationship. Pilgrims contributed to the construction of a vocational high school and made several mission trips to Haiti in the 80's and 90's.
We will also review how things are going with Open Table, WIN, the Pilgrimage, our Cuba partnership, and any other area of local, national, and global mission that participants would like to discuss. If you have ideas you would like to put on the table, send Jeff a note: jefranci@yahoo.com
2. This Sunday two new Adult Education classes begin at 9:30 a.m.:
Meditation and the Hard Questions for an Authentic Life.
April 6th, 13th, and 27th. Led by Stan Lou in the Upstairs Education Room.
This three week class is based on the book, The Hard Questions for an Authentic Life: 100 Essential Questions for Designing Your Life by the Inside Out by Susan Piver. Piver defines living authentically as “what you’re doing when you find congruence between your inner world – your feelings, values, gifts, needs, spirituality, and passions – and your outer world – your job, relationships, home, and community. When you live an authentic life, these things support and synergize each other. For three Sundays, we will work through some of the 100 questions Piver poses and incorporate the practice of meditation. Piver believes mediation clear our minds so that we may be open to identifying the voices inside of us offering thoughts, sensations, hopes, and fears that can establish unique qualities, direction, and real value. This class has a level of accountability. We hope participants will practice meditation through the week and the class will have some reflection homework based on the questions.
Reinhold Niebuhr: A Theologian for This Time
April 6, 13, 27. Led by Jerry McPike downstairs in the Bird Room.
Reinhold Niebuhr was the most famous and influential theologian in American history. Niebuhr (B.1892, D. 1971) was a theologian who had no interest in discussing the Trinity or the dual nature of Jesus. His focus was on the events in this world and particularly the issue of social justice. Much of his writing dealt with the inadequacies of theologies and ideologies which, although pro-social justice, were flawed to an extent that impeded any move toward a more just society. He emphasized the imperfections and sins that existed in our societal structures and our philosophies about the human situation. Self interest, in his opinion, permeated all our activities, and was the basic factor limiting any movement toward the kingdom of God. In the latter half of his career his focus moved toward foreign policy and he became a leader in the “realist” school of foreign policy. Much of what he had to say regarding both foreign and domestic policy has great applicability in our own time.
3. This Monday night, April 7, the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN), will hold a public "Accountability Action" to hold DC Mayor Adrian Fenty accountable for meeting target investment goals in the upcoming FY 2009 city budget as part of his pledge to WIN’s Vote Neighborhoods First election agenda to invest $1 billion to revitalize DC neighborhoods. 7:00—9:00 PM EMORY UMC CHURCH, 6100 GEORGIA AVE, NW. Please let Jean Stewart know if you can join us: jean.stewart@rcn.com
4. We have sixteen Pilgrims signed-up to participate in this Saturday's DC Habitat for Humanity Build in NE Washington, along with members from five other Presbyterian churches in the city. Thanks to Zach Wilks and Mary Lib Pate for organizing the crew! Please keep them in your prayers.
5. Our webmaster and "graphic artist in residence" Kathy Keler has a display of "Figurative Works" at the Hyattstown Mill Arts Project now through April 30. 14920 Hyattstown Mill Road, Hyattstown, MD 20871, 301.874.2452. www.hyattstownmill.org <http://www.hyattstownmill.org/>
6. Please keep Rob Passow's mother in your prayers this week. She is home recuperating after a brief hospital stay over the weekend with a heart-related ailment.
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
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