May 20, 2009
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. I am back from my Study Leave (and a quick whirl-wind weekend with Cheryl in Napa Valley; she’s there for a meeting—I tagged along for the wine-tasting. If you ever need to turbo-charge your relaxation, I have two words for you: mud bath). Before heading to California, I gathered last week at the Stony Point Conference Center north of New York City with a group of colleagues I have been meeting with for over ten years. We were joined by Rick Ufford-Chase, a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church, who is now Director of Stony Point, together with his wife, Kitty, and also part-time director of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship. Rick has a lot of passionate ideas about being the church “in the midst of Empire” (his language for our current American moment). He prompted much stimulating discussion. Most of the week, however, we just shared about our lives: our families, our ministries, our joys, our hurts and frustrations, fears and hopes. It is an incredible privilege to be surrounded by such trusting friends who listen attentively and offer support, encouragement, and occasional challenge. Everyone should have such a group in their lives.
At Church of the Pilgrims, we strive to create that atmosphere in our Lenten Series, in Theology on Tap, in our “upstairs” adult education classes, among other times and places. The place where it happens most intentionally, however, is in our “Covenant Groups.” These are small groups of 8-10 Pilgrims who gather monthly for prayer, sharing, and fellowship. We now have two that meet regularly. One is focused on “life transitions,” and the other on “ways of prayer.” Ashley, Margee and I provide support, but the groups are led by church members. What would it take to start a new group that you might be a part of? A spark of interest in your own heart. If this speaks to you, then speak to me or Ashley. Let’s see if we can get a new group or two going. Summer is a great time to start. All it takes is one person willing to start a conversation.
Summer is also a great time to go off on your own retreat. The Presbyterian Church has two great conference centers in addition to Stony Point that offer week-long programs for individuals and families, on a variety of topics, from peacemaking to Native American art forms. Montreat Conference Center is outside Asheville, NC, and Ghost Ranch is north of Santa Fe (in the land made famous by Georgia O’Keefe). Both are incredible places to spend a week, and it’s not too late to sign up for their summer offerings.
2. Our 9:30 a.m. Christian Education Hour is now on hiatus until September. Let me add my thanks to all those who made this past year possible, from our nursery aides to our adult education teachers. We had a great year with both children and adults, thanks to so many people who put time, energy, and passion in to our Sunday morning gatherings.
In worship this Sunday (at our regular 11a.m. time) we will welcome new members. Join us for this special day!
3. Theology on Tap finished our previous series last week. We won’t meet Monday (Memorial Day), but will begin a new four-week series on June 1st. Stay tuned for details.
4. Prayer Concerns:
- Mimi Gigax, Dick and Alice’s daughter, (and Tega’s mother), is home from the hospital, recuperating from surgery.
- Penny Sandora is also home from the hospital.
- Mary Josie Blanchard continues at home, recuperating from a fall.
- Our prayers are with Leeza Miheikin & Boris Pesin, and Miles Karson & Eva Gunasekera. Both couples are getting married this weekend: Leeza and Boris on Saturday, and Miles and Eva on Sunday.
5. Congratulations to our graduates: If you weren’t at church last Sunday, you missed hearing about our 2009 graduates. They are:
- Andrea Krehbiel, from the University of Mary Washington, in Fredericksburg, VA. Andrea is currently interviewing on Capitol Hill for legislative positions.
- Kelsey Krehbiel, from School Without Walls, a DC magnet school. Kelsey will be attending Keene State College in New Hampshire in the Fall.
- Greta Pike, from Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio. Greta is moving back to D.C. and has a position as an office manager in a physical therapy office on Capitol Hill.
- Laura Pippenger, from Washington University in St. Louis. Laura was our summer intern in 2004 and graduated with a Masters in Social Work. Laura is living in Newark, Ohio and working for a non-profit that works on affordable housing issues.
- Janet Rabin, from Georgetown University, with a Masters of Science in Foreign Service. Janet is looking for a job in the D.C. area around international development.
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org
May 5, 2009
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. I am writing my Updates a day early this week because tomorrow I am heading down to Fredericksburg to help Andrea move home. She graduates from Mary Washington this Saturday (BA in Political Science). If you know anyone who wants to hire a bright young woman with lots of political passion, let me know!
2. This week we continue our Adult Forum:
“Telling Your Story”
An Adult Forum led by Gerry Hendershot
9:30 a.m. in the Bird Room
Gerry invites you also to consider attending two events sponsored by SpeakEasy, the storytelling consortium that is helping provide some of our Sunday morning storytelling training. The first is Open Mike Night on May 12. There's a $10 cover and you can order starters, meals, and drinks. For details go to www.speakeasydc.com. Let Gerry know if you would like to come along--ghendershot@earthlink.net . Also, think about taking SpeakEasy's May 16 "Storytelling Boot Camp." A 6.5 hour intensive. List price $85, but if we get a group together, we can get a discount. Again, speak with Gerry or send him a note to let him know your interest.
3. Theology on Tap: We continue our four-week series this Monday night, focusing on encounters with Jesus in the Gospel of John. We meet in the downstairs back room of the Brickskeller at 6:30 p.m. for food & fellowship, followed by Bible study at 7:30. As always, this is Bible study even for those who have never done Bible study before. Planned with young adults in mind, all ages are welcome. Even if you missed last week, join us this week. You do not need to attend all four weeks. Come any weeks you are able. Bring a friend! (Parking is available at the church, and child care upon request.) Send me a note if you would like a personal “evite.”
4. Prayer Concerns:
- Mimi Gigax, Dick and Alice’s daughter, (and Tega’s mother), had surgery yesterday at GW Hospital, to remove a tumor from her stomach. Please keep Mimi, Dick, Alice, Tega and their family in your prayers, and they determine the next steps in her treatment and recovery.
- Mary Josie Blanchard is now home, recuperating from a fall.
- A Personal Note: Next Monday I leave for about eight days of continuing education, one of the benefits of serving as a Presbyterian pastor. I will spend time at “Stony Point,” a Presbyterian conference center north of New York City, with a group of Presbyterian colleagues I have met with once a year for the past twelve years. We will spend time with the director of Stony Point, former PCUSA moderator Rick Ufford-Chase. Then Cheryl and I will spend a long weekend in California before returning to work on May 20.
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org
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