September 27, 2006
Pilgrims on the Journey:
This Saturday my younger sister, Sue, is getting married to Norman Lazarus, so I find that my mind has been occupied with others things, especially the six family members who will be staying at our house this weekend. Even without the family events, though, this would be a pretty exciting weekend!
1. This week is World Communion Sunday, when we celebrate the Lord's Supper together with Christians across the globe, remembering our bonds with Christians in other lands. As a part of that celebration, we will receive The Peacemaking Offering. This special offering supports peacemaking efforts locally, nationally, and internationally. (My trip last Spring to Israel was led by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, and sponsored by our Presbytery's Peacemaking Committee-- both supported by our offerings.) A portion of the offering each year (25%) is retained by the local church to use as we see fit. This year, the Session has designated our portion to The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, a national organization based in Bethesda committed to maintaining the presence and growth of the Arab Christians in the Holy Land, and to building community between Christians around the world and Arab Christians. The founder of HCEF, Rateb Rabie, was our guest for Adult Education hour last Sunday. Learn more at: www.hcef.org <http://www.hcef.org>
2. Speaking of Adult Ed, this Sunday our guest in my class, "The Quest for Peace in Israel/Palestine," will be Mr. Harold Luks, a member of the board of The American Jewish Committee, a national organization founded in 1906, working in the following areas:
- Combating anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry;
- Promoting pluralism and shared civic values;
- Protecting human rights and combating abuses;
- Asserting Israel's right to exist in peace and security with its neighbors;
- Safeguarding and strengthening Jewish life.
Although there have been recent tensions between the Presbyterian Church and AJC over divestment from multinational corporations supporting the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, AJC is a responsible Jewish voice for peace, and will bring a valuable perspective to our conversation. (See www.ajc.org <http://www.ajc.org> )
3. Upstairs in the Youth Room, Kevin Ogle, a counselor at the Pastoral Counseling Center of Virginia, will continue his three-week series on "Imago Communication." Even if you missed last week, you are invited to participate this week.
4. Following worship this Sunday, we will have our regular monthly Buffet Lunch downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. This week will feature a special Staff Appreciation. Come and share in saying a big "thank you" to our hard working staff.
5. It is not too late to sign up for The Pilgrimage Service Day on October 7. Send a note to Jen McClurg, Pilgrimage Program Manager, by this Friday, September 29: Pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net <mailto:Pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net>
6. A good follow up to the Service Day might be volunteering in Open Table. On October 15, immediately following church, volunteer coordinator DeLania Hardy will do an Open Table walk through to prepare new volunteers to help with this great program! Since the mid-1980’s, Church of the Pilgrims has offered lunch to the area homeless and poor on Sunday afternoons. Prepping for the lunch begins about 12:15 and we serve from 1:00 till 1:30 PM, serving 40-50 people each week. Open Table is always in need of new volunteers! If you are interested in learning more about it, please email DeLania at dhardy@ampo.org .
7. If you are not free to volunteer after church, why not volunteer during church? Our growing nursery also needs regular volunteers to help our nursery aides care for young Pilgrims during worship. You can volunteer once a month, or every six weeks-- whatever fits your schedule. Please send a note to Cheryl Krehbiel ckrehbi@aol.com if you would like to help.
8. Theology on Tap continues this Tuesday, 6:30-8:30, at the Brickskeller, exploring "Discipleship Stories." Join us for dinner at 6:30, and Bible study at 7:30, in the downstairs backroom. Planned with young adults in mind, all ages are welcome.
9. Next Thursday night, October 5, The Capital Campaign Team will meet to begin planning our "Phase Two" of our campaign, this phase to reach former members, friends and neighbors. If you would like to be involved, please join us at 7 p.m., or send me a note.
10. Mark Your Calendars: Saturday, October 28, Fall Arts Festival!
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
September 20, 2006
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. A new three-week Adult Class begins this Sunday at 9:30 a.m., upstairs in the Youth Room, led by The Rev. Dr. Kevin Ogle, a counselor at the Pastoral Counseling Center of Virginia, titled "Imago Communication." Drawing on the work of Dr. Harville Hendrix, Kevin will help parents, partners, spouses and friends learn to listen more deeply, communicate more effectively, and "fight fair." Kevin is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and a certified Imago Relationship Therapist.
Downstairs in the Bird Room, I will continue my four-week series The Quest for Peace in Israel/Palestine. This week our guests will be from the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, who will also be the recipients of our Peacemaking Offering on October 1 (see more below about that).
2. This Sunday, September 24, The Open Doors Chapter of More Light Presbyterians will hold its annual meeting 5 p.m. at the Oaklands Presbyterian Church in Laurel (our newest More Light Church!). There will be worship featuring special music by pianist Jay DeWire, preaching by Donald Stroud of "That All May Freely Serve," a potluck supper, updates from the General Assembly by Ann Philbrick, and election and installation of new officers (I will be stepping down as co-moderator.) I will be driving, leaving the church parking lot at 4 p.m., and would be happy to give anyone a ride. This is your best opportunity to get involved with what his happening locally to make our church more inclusive.
3. Theology on Tap continues this Tuesday, 6:30-8:30, at the Brickskeller, exploring "Discipleship Stories." Join us for dinner at 6:30, and Bible study at 7:30, in the downstairs backroom. Planned with young adults in mind, all ages are welcome.
4. As I mentioned above, on October 1, World Communion Sunday, Church of the Pilgrims will be participating in the Presbyterian Church USA Peacemaking special offering in which we are called to reinvigorate our commitment as a faith community to peacemaking. Seventy-five percent of the offering supports Synods, Presbyteries and the PCUSA General Assembly in activities such as providing nonviolence or antiracism training or sponsoring persons of faith from other nations to share peacemaking concerns. The remaining 25% will be used to support local peacemaking efforts. This year, Pilgrims’ portion of the proceeds from the special offering will be used to support the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, a Bethesda-based non-profit organization that is committed to maintaining the presence and growth of the Arab Christians in the Holy Land, and to building community between Christians around the world and Arab Christians. Its programs include developing the growth of children, building and rehabilitating houses, creating employment, advancing education, and encouraging partnerships that are church-to-church, family-to-family, and person-to-person. Additional information is available at: www.hcef.org/index.cfm/ID/2.cfm <http://www.hcef.org/index.cfm/ID/2.cfm> .
5. Speaking of peacemaking, former PCUSA Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase, now Executive Director of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, invites you to join him next Tuesday in protesting the war in Iraq sponsored by the Declaration of Peace. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will include a brief service (at which Rick will be a speaker), a procession, and some kind of a nonviolent action focused on meeting with congressional representatives. See attached flier for more details, or Rick's blog at www.what-i-see.blogspot.com <http://www.what-i-see.blogspot.com> .
6. Saturday, October 7, is the Pilgrimage Service Day, a day of fun, fellowship, and faith in action, as we experience first-hand a typical day of those who sojourn in our Pilgrimage. The day begins at 8:00 a.m., as we fan out to volunteer at various service organizations, continues with a lunch catered by Fresh Start, a subsidiary of DC Central Kitchen, and concludes at with a panel from the National Coalition for the Homeless, ending at 2:30 p.m.. Please RSVP to Jen McClurg, Pilgrimage Program Manager, by Friday, September 29: Pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net <mailto:Pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net>
7. Congratulations to Shera Jenne for her new job as the North American Development Manager for Natural History New Zealand (NHNZ). She will be helping them get more programs sold to US by pitching show ideas to Discovery, National Geographic, the History Channel, etc. And, as she shared in the recent note, "the US Offices of NHNZ are currently located... in my kitchen!" Shera will be traveling back to New Zealand over the next few weeks, but then be back in DC. Congratulations, Shera (we're always glad when church members get new jobs that keep them in the area!).
8. Prayer Concerns:
- Nancy Lee Head, who will move this week from rehab at Inova Mount Vernon to a skilled nursing center, where she will continue her recovery.
- Jeffrey Sandora, Penny's son, at Virginia Hospital Center, where he is recovering from an amputation and several infections.
- Virgil Smith, Jackie's brother, in Inova Fairfax Hospital.
9. Mark Your Calendars: Saturday, October 28, Fall Arts Festival!
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
September 13, 2006
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. Those of us who are DC residents woke up to a new mayor-elect (well, assuming he sweeps the general election in November). Overall, I believe this is a good thing for the city. While WIN did not endorse a candidate, Adrian Fenty certainly embraced WIN's call for more aggressive investment in city neighborhoods. Now to see if he can deliver on his promises! Detailed precinct results are not yet in, but tentative results show large increases in voter turnout in the three precincts we worked in Ward 1, along with All Souls, Foundry, and St. Stephens church members. Thanks to Gerry, Kathy, Melissa, Betty, Helen, Jean, Linda, Jeanne, Jerry and Pat for helping Get Out the Vote. This was the first time I was involved in such an effort, and it was fun! WIN was also referenced in the front-page article today in The Post:
"Fenty has said he would spend more on schools, public
safety and programs for the poor. And at a forum in
May, he pledged to spend $1 billion on affordable
housing and neighborhood redevelopment programs
advocated by a citywide coalition of churches known as
the Washington Interfaith Network."
[Full text of article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR2006091201613.html
2. Homecoming last Sunday was a wonderful, festive occasion. Thanks to Rob and the choir for their wonderful music; Tsehai and Doris for setting up the communion trays; Tari for the new chalice from Indonesia; Jonathan for his heart-felt invitation to the Lord's Table; Kelsey for baking the bread; Bonnie and Calva for their worship leadership; Nancy for coordinating the potluck; and Gerry for curetting the new art show.
3. In case you did not hear, our Capital Campaign has now exceeded our basic goal, with $418,000 in pledges, as we push toward our challenge goal of $500,000. To reach this goal, we will need the support of former members and friends of the church. If you would like to help with this phase of the campaign, which will include letter writing, phone call, and a special event sometime early next year, please send me a note!
4. DeLania Hardy mentioned last Sunday that we are a little short for Open Table volunteers this month. If you can help serve our neighbors in the coming weeks, please send DeLania a note: dhardy@ampo.org
5. This week Sunday school for children and adults begins at 9:30 a.m.
- Downstairs in the Bird Room I will begin this week a four-week series on Israel/Palestine and the Quest for Peace, drawing on my trip last spring with the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.
- Next week (September 24) upstairs in the Youth Room, The Rev. Dr. Kevin Ogle, a counselor at the Pastoral Counseling Center of Virginia will begin a three-week series on "Imago Communication," helping parents, spouses, partners and friends learn to communicate more effectively in their intimate relationships.
6. Another round of Theology on Tap begins next Tuesday, September 19, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., in the downstairs backroom of the Brickskeller. Planned with young adults in mind, all ages are welcome. This is Bible study even for those who have never done Bible study before. We will share a meal from 6:30-7:30, and Bible study from 7:30-8:30. Parking is available at the church. Our theme for this four-week series is "Discipleship Stories." Let me know if you would like to join us.
7. Sunday, September 24, The Open Doors Chapter of More Light Presbyterians will hold its annual meeting 5 p.m. at the Oaklands Presbyterian Church in Laurel (our newest More Light Church!). There will be worship featuring special music by pianist Jay DeWire, preaching by Donald Stroud of "That All May Freely Serve," a potluck supper, updates from the General Assembly by Ann Philbrick, and election and installation of new officers (I will be stepping down as co-moderator.) I will be driving, and would be happy to give anyone an ride. This is your best opportunity to get involved with what his happening locally to make our church more inclusive.
8. Friday Club, our monthly noon-time gathering for seniors, meets this week. Give Gene Stossell a call (703-821-6806) or send a note to Pat Goeldner pgoeldner@iona.org if you would like to attend.
9. Tuesday, September 19 from 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Center for American Progress (1333 H Street NW, 10th Floor) will host a special discussion with former congressman and current General Secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ Dr. Bob Edgar, about his new book, Reclaiming the Moral Values of the Faithful Majority from the Religious Right. The forum will be moderated by Rev. Jennifer Butler, Executive Director of Faith in Public Life, and will include remarks by John D. Podesta, President & CEO, Center for American Progress and former chief of staff to President Clinton. RSVP for this Event <http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=183638984&
url_num=3&url=http://www2.americanprogress.org/dia/organizationsORG/
americanprogress/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=16992>
For more information call 202-741-6246.
10. Upcoming Dates:
- The Pilgrimage Service Day October 7
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- Fall Arts Festival October 28
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
September 6, 2006
Pilgrims on the Journey:
This Sunday is Homecoming, a festive celebration of the start of a new school year. The calendar marks January 1 as the start of the new year, the liturgical calendar begins with Advent, but the rhythm of our lives still begins again in September, when kids go back to school, vacations are over, and program calendars fill with activities once again.
This week we will celebrate The Lord's Supper during worship, which will feature special music by the choir as they resume their regular rehearsal schedule (more about that below). Following worship, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a Pot-luck Buffet. (Bring a dish to share.) Dessert will be upstairs in the Bird Room where we will debut a new art show. (If you can help set-up for buffet, send Nancy Daugherty a note: daughern@arts.endow.gov ).
2. Three events are taking place at the church this Saturday:
The Choir Retreat, 9-Noon. A great opportunity to begin your singing career at Pilgrims. Contact rob.passow@verizon.net
A "Get Out the Vote" Neighborhood Walk in Dupont Circle for WIN's "Neighborhoods First" Campaign. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Please let me know if you will join us. We need several more walkers. We will begin with a brief training, so no previous experience is necessary. This is a great chance to share with our neighbors about Pilgrims.
Life Line Health Screening will offer health screenings for stroke and arterial disease in the Bird Room from 9-5, by appointment 1800-324-1851, or go to www.lifelinescreening.com
3. The following Sunday, September 17, our Sunday school classes for children and adults will begin. I will be leading a four-week class on Israel/Palestine. September 24 we will begin a second class upstairs on "Imago Communication," led by Kevin Ogle. (More details next week.)
4. Gerry Hendershot calls your attention to a series of special classes on Biblical archeology at the Smithsonian.
9/9, all day seminar on "From Eve to Jezebel, Archaeology Helps Us Dig the Bible's Notorious Women (conflicts with Pilgrims GOTV walk)
9/16, all day seminar on "Mystical Practices of Jesus and Paul"
10/14, all day seminar on "The Origins of the Bible and the History of Its Interpretation"
11/19, all day seminar on "Archaeology and the Bible: Famous Sites, Hot Issues"
11/16, lecture on "Biblical Jerusalem: The Latest Archaeological Discoveries"
12/2, all day seminar on "Judas Iscariot and His Newly Discovered Gospel"
There are fees for these events, with discounts for Smithsonian Associates. For more information, go to http://smithsonianassociates.org/
5. A four-week series of Theology on Tap will begin September 19, 6:30-8:30 at the Brickskeller. Planned with young adults in mind, all ages are welcome.
6. Actions for Peace:
The Sudan Advocacy Action Forum (SAAF) has issued an urgent action request for Darfur. Visithttp://www.sudanadvocacy.com/action_items.htm for information for contacting the President.
The SAAF, in consultation with others concerned for and knowledgeable about the Sudan, has concluded that the situation in Darfur has reached a critical point such that the lives of perhaps hundreds of thousands of innocent women, children and men are at immediate and severe risk. The belief is that the Government of Sudan (GoS) is preparing to launch a major offensive in Darfur intended to permanently reduce the African Darfur population so that it never can again arise and demand fairness, justice and equality. Upon examining the political situation and looking at the military strategic readiness standpoint, it appears that the GoS is ready and able to strike with overwhelming
force against an enemy which has been reduced, isolated and contained. Under cover of restoring order, the GoS will launch its attack with confidence that there will be no external political or military force to stop them. The SAAF encourages people to write to President Bush and our Senators, urging them to assure that the United States does not stand by while the Darfur people perish.
The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, led by former PCUSA moderator Rick Ufford-Chase will participate in nonviolent protest against the war in Iraq at the US Congress on Tuesday, September 26 and Wednesday, September 27. The September 26 action is being organized by the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance Participants will call on members of Congress to sign the Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge and legislate a plan to bring the troops home and support a comprehensive peace process. Participants will engage in a sit-in or some other nonviolent action announcing their commitment to remain until the Congressional Pledge has been signed. See http://www.declarationofpeace.org/regform-nvcd
7. Mark Your Calendars: Pilgrimage Service Day is October 7.
8. Our hearts go out to the family of DeLania Hardy who lost two cousins, Richard and Vanessa Booth of Gloucester County, Virginia, when a tree crushed their home during Ernesto. They had two children.
9. Jim Head, brother to Nancy Lee, shares this update about her progress:
>>>>
It is a great pleasure to bring you up to date on Nancy's progress since her very serious automobile accident July 6th. After spending about a month in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at the INOVA Hospital in Falls Church, and another month in the Intermediate Intensive Care Unit there, about 10 days ago Nancy was deemed improved enough to be transferred to the INOVA Mount Vernon Hospital Rehabilitation Center in Alexandria.
Recent improvements include her being able to breath more regularly and talk with the assistance of breathing device, being able to sit up in bed, and recently being able to get out of bed and into a wheelchair. She is just starting to be able to read at length again, and enjoys the cards and messages very, very much.
My daughter, Carol Head, and I flew down from Providence again to visit her yesterday (Sunday of Labor Day Weekend), and it was wonderful to see her so improved and to visit with her and several of her friends.
Nancy is in excellent spirits, and totally conscious of, and involved in, her surroundings. The sparkle in her eyes has returned, and she is constantly thinking of others. She has recovered the use of her left arm (which was broken at the time of the accident), and signed several insurance forms, and of course instructed me to get her check book so she could write checks that are destined for her many charities and important causes. She is sharp as a tack, and her moral compass was completely undamaged by the accident. As we discussed national and world events, politics, and religious and social issues, she displayed that wonderful "roll of the eyes" at each of the latest examples of what we in the geological sciences call "moral polar wander". She shared with us a nightmare that she had had early on before she could communicate, which was that the only TV channel that the hospital was showing on the TVs in the rooms was "Fox News". We assured her that she indeed had NOT gone to Hell, and that there was a much wider array of information and entertainment available.
In the course of our visit we met the excellent and caring staff (of course all personal friends of Nancy's by now!), and the Mount Vernon facility continues the wonderful treatment that she has received at all of the INOVA facilities, so you can be sure that she is in good hands.
We mentioned to her that we wanted to send out another letter to her friends to update them on her status and she dictated the following for us to include:
"I have never felt so surrounded by and infused by the love of God, the hospital staff and my numerous friends and family. I am so grateful for all the cards and prayers of individuals and congregations. Although this is a long recovery process, and I continue to need your support, I am making progress each day and getting stronger. I seem to have a new career on the horizon as surprising as that may seem. Fairfax Hospital has given my name to REBUILD, an organization which works with people who have experienced trauma. They have asked me to serve as an inspirational speaker and to provide support for their program. This does not mean that I am abandoning mental health advocacy in D. C. I will pick up that cause again as soon as I can. My leg, which was badly broken, has an external fixator that will remain in place for 3 months and another pin needs to be inserted down the road (a "procedure" they say). Thank you all for your support."
Nancy tells us that visitors are welcome. The preferred time is late afternoon and early evening or on Sundays, as during the day she is constantly undergoing rehabilitation therapy. She asks that you please be prepared to talk about yourself, what is happening in your life, and current events. Nancy Lee would like to remain engaged in the world outside. Please be aware that she tires easily, and may have some difficulty talking for extended periods. Visiting hours are 11 AM to 9 PM. Nancy's address at the hospital is
Nancy Lee Head
INOVA Mount Vernon Hospital
Room 530, Bed 1
2501 Parker's Lane
Alexandria, Virginia 22306
As many of you know, a wonderful organization called Green Door helps Nancy Lee with some of her expenses through contributions from her friends. This is, of course, not a solicitation letter, but if you wanted to learn more about this organization, which is a community program that prepares people to work and live independently, you can contact Judith Johnson, at
Green Door
1221 Taylor Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20011
Or you can simply send a contribution in Nancy's name to the same address.
We all thank you very much for all the love and thoughtfulness that you have shown. It has been very fundamental to her rather miraculous start at recovery from what was a very serious accident. We all have enjoyed getting to know you through reading of your notes and letters to her. We will keep you posted as you are definitely part of her healing process. Thanks!
Jim Head
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Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
August 2006 Pastor's Updates
July 2006 Pastor's Updates
June 2006 Pastor's Updates
May 2006 Pastor's Updates
April 2006 Pastor's Updates
