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September 26, 2007
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. Opportunities for Adult Education and Spiritual Formation continue this week at 9:30 AM Sunday morning and 6:30 PM Tuesday night:
Downstairs in the Bird Room, Sunday 9:30
Concludes this Sunday, September 30
“Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition,”
Led by Jeff Krehbiel and Jonathan Mertz.
Upstairs in the Education Room
Continuing September 30, and October 7, 9:30 AM
"Finding Your Place at the Table,"
Led by Ashley Goff.
Theology on Tap at the Brickskeller Tavern across the street from the church continues Tuesday night. We will gather in the downstairs back room at 6:30 for food and fellowship, followed by Bible study at 7:30.
2. This Saturday, from 9:30 AM through lunch, ending by 1 PM, I will be leading an "Explorers' Class," for those who are new to our community of faith and would like to explore the meaning of membership at Church of the Pilgrims. We will answer lots of questions, share a bit of history, and explore what it means to be a part of a community of faith where we care for each other, and reach out to the community beyond our doors. Send me a note if you would like to join us.
3. The following weekend, September 6, is our annual Pilgrimage Service Day. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend the morning with fellow Pilgrims on a typical day with the Pilgrimage <www.thepilgrimage.org> , our "service-learning" center and youth hostel where we welcome more than 1200 youth and young adults a year to experience and reflect on the chuch and urban poverty. The Pilgrimage changes kids lives every year-- and will change our lives too! Come and bring a friend for this fun, informative, and transformative day. Here are the details. Note you need to RSVP ASAP:
Pilgrimage Service Day:
"The Ones at the Table are the Ones We Serve"
October 6th, 8am-2:30pm
Join us in our annual Pilgrimage Service Day as we gather to serve and witness together. This year we will be serving at: DC Central Kitchen • Christian Community Group Homes • Capital Area Food Bank • Washington Parks and People. Lunch will be catered by New Courses Catering, a subsidiary of Third and Eats restaurant. Following lunch, we will hear from the National Coalition for the Homeless Faces of Poverty Panel. RSVP to Jen McClurg, Pilgrimage Program Manager, pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net or Ashley, ashley.goff@verizon.net
4. Peacemaking Offering: On Sunday, October 7, World Communion Sunday, Church of the Pilgrims will be participating in the Presbyterian Church USA Peacemaking special offering. On this day we will join with Christians around the world to celebrate the unity that we find at the Lord’s Table and we receive the Peacemaking Offering to support the efforts of our congregation, our synod, our presbytery, and our denomination to spread the peace of Christ. Twenty-five percent of the Offering will be used in the congregation for our peacemaking activities. The other 75 percent will help our partners in the presbytery, synod, and General Assembly as they work on behalf of God’s peacemaking throughout the world. Pilgrims’ portion of the proceeds from the special offering will be used to support the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), a national network of people who are committed to ending homelessness http://www.nationalhomeless.org/. Church of the Pilgrims has a longstanding and unique relationship with NCH as their headquarters is located in the old manse of our building, and speakers from their speakers’ bureau are frequent participants in the programs of our Pilgrimage groups. Beginning later this Fall, our Dupont Art Gallery in the Bird Room will feature paintings by homeless and formerly homeless persons connected with NCH. Please plan to give generously to the 2007 Peacemaking Special Offering on Sunday, October 7th.
5. Pilgrims' Dupont Fall Fine Arts Festival is October 27, 9am to 5 pm. This year we will have nearly 100 artists as we close down the street in front of the church, open the building, and invite the neighbors in! Jonathan Mertz is coordinating artists and volunteers. Send Jonathan a note if you can help: kstodc@earthlink.net
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
September 18, 2007
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. I am sending my updates early this week because I will be away the rest of the week at a conference for Presbyterian clergy involved with church-based community organizing. The conference is in Santa Fe (a beautiful city, but with a bad weather forecast!), and I will serve as Bible study leader. This will be a fun opportunity to be with other pastors who are involved in similar organizing efforts as the Washington Interfaith Network. The focus of our time together will be sharing how involvement in community organizing has strengthened congregational life. I return Friday night, and will be here Sunday morning for another special service of worship, in which Howard Jaffe will begin worship with a Hebrew introit in honor of the Jewish High Holy Days, and Ashley Goff will preach the sermon.
2. This Sunday at 9:30 AM Sunday school for children and adults continues, with two adult classes:
Downstairs in the Bird Room,
Continuing September 23, 30
“Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition,”
Led by Jeff Krehbiel and Jonathan Mertz.
Over three weeks we will explore the ancient Biblical and Middle Eastern practice of “hospitality,” and discover what it means for us to revive this practice in our own lives, especially within the community of the church. Special attention will be paid to how we welcome strangers into our midst and help each one “find their place at the table.”
Upstairs in the Education Room
Continuing 23, 30, and October 7
"Finding Your Place at the Table,"
Led by Ashley Goff.
This adult ed class will focus on our homecoming theme of "Finding Our Place at the Table." Through spiritual autobiography, particularly our memories and experiences of the sacraments, being welcomed, and acts of justice, will explore where we have been, where we are now, and where we want to go in our life of faith. Come to remember, name and clarify how the Spirit is forming and shaping your life.
3.. Tonight (Tuesday, September 18) I will kick off another “round” of Theology on Tap at the Brickskeller Tavern across the street from the church. We will gather in the downstairs back room at 6:30 for food and fellowship, followed by Bible study at 7:30. Planned with young adults in mind, all ages are welcome. The focus for this series will be “stories of call and vocation,” related to our Homecoming theme of “Finding Our Place at the Table.” Parking is available at the church. Come and join us. Bring a friend!
5. Putting Our Faith Into Action: Opportunities for involvement in the world outside our doors:
- The Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture is sponsoring a silent vigil in protest of torture this Wed., Sept. 19! The vigil will be across the street from the residence of Vice President Cheney at 34th and Mass. Ave., N.W. (Observatory Circle), 5 to 6:30 p.m. Bring a sign and a candle--and invite all your friends.
- Monday, September 24, 7:30-9:30, Washington Interfaith Network will hold an "Action Team" meeting at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church (1219 New Jersey Ave. NW). There will be an update on WIN Vote Neighborhoods First Campaign. Outline WIN Nehemiah and Supportive Housing Strategies. Elect new WIN Strategy Team Members. Review 2007 Mid-Year Organizing Accomplishments. Plan November 2007 WIN Affordable Housing Accountability Action with Mayor Fenty. Tour renovated Dunbar SHS Athletic Facilities. Send me or Jean Stewart (Stewartsj@starpower.net) a note if you would like to get involved with WIN, a city-wide church-based community organization working to create a livable city for all DC residents.
- Food & Friends, which provides meals to people with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses, (and one of our regular partners for Pilgrimage groups), is having a pie sale to raise money for Thanksgiving meals. You can place your order online at http://www.kintera.org/site/c.dnJLKRNjFiG/b.3133341/k.5C81/Slice_of_Life_Homepage.htm?sid=44638182 .
6. Coming up in October:
Pilgrimage Service Day:
"The Ones at the Table are the Ones We Serve"
October 6th, 8am-2:30pm
Join us in our annual Pilgrimage Service Day as we gather to serve and witness together. This year we will be serving at: DC Central Kitchen • Christian Community Group Homes • Capital Area Food Bank • Washington Parks and People. Lunch will be catered by New Courses Catering, a subsidiary of Third and Eats restaurant. Following lunch, we will hear from the National Coalition for the Homeless Faces of Poverty Panel. RSVP to Jen McClurg, Pilgrimage Program Manager, pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net or Ashley, ashley.goff@verizon.net
Peacemaking Offering: On Sunday, October 7, World Communion Sunday, Church of the Pilgrims will be participating in the Presbyterian Church USA Peacemaking special offering. On this day we will join with Christians around the world to celebrate the unity that we find at the Lord’s Table and we receive the Peacemaking Offering to support the efforts of our congregation, our synod, our presbytery, and our denomination to spread the peace of Christ. Twenty-five percent of the Offering will be used in the congregation for our peacemaking activities. The other 75 percent will help our partners in the presbytery, synod, and General Assembly as they work on behalf of God’s peacemaking throughout the world. Pilgrims’ portion of the proceeds from the special offering will be used to support the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), a national network of people who are committed to ending homelessness http://www.nationalhomeless.org/. Church of the Pilgrims has a longstanding and unique relationship with NCH as their headquarters is located in the old manse of our building, and speakers from their speakers’ bureau are frequent participants in the programs of our Pilgrimage groups. Beginning later this Fall, our Dupont Art Gallery in the Bird Room will feature paintings by homeless and formerly homeless persons connected with NCH. Please plan to give generously to the 2007 Peacemaking Special Offering on Sunday, October 7th.
Pilgrims' Dupont Fall Fine Arts Festival
October 27, 9am to 5 pm
This year we will have nearly 100 artists as we close down the street in front of the church, open the building, and invite the neighbors in! Jonathan Mertz is coordinating artists and volunteers. Send Jonathan a note if you can help: kstodc@earthlink.net
In peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
September 12, 2007
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. What a wonderful Homecoming we had Sunday! Worshippers new and long-time, friends old and new, fellowship at the Lord's Table-- and at the buffet table. Thanks to everyone who helped put the day together-- especially Nancy Daugherty who coordinated buffet and decorated the tables, (with the graphic at left by Kathy Keller); Rob and the choir for their wonderful music leadership; Tsehai Gemaneh for faithfully preparing the communion elements; Howard Kurtz for the new Welcome banner over the front door; Jeanne Mayer and Stan Lou for helping with the Taize "pre-worship"; Gerry Hendershot, Jeff Pittman and other greeters at the door who welcomed visitors; Stacy Pervall, who served with Ashley as a "prayer partner" in worship; church staff Rolando Quintanilla and Paul Reuther for painting all the doorways and bathrooms and generally spiffing up the church building for the start of a new year. And all of you-- for coming, and helping create a hospitable atmosphere where all felt welcomed.
2. This Sunday at 9:30 AM Sunday school for children and adults begins its regular schedule:
Downstairs in the Bird Room,
September 16, 23, 30
“Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition,”
Led by Jeff Krehbiel and Jonathan Mertz.
Over three weeks we will explore the ancient Biblical and Middle Eastern practice of “hospitality,” and discover what it means for us to revive this practice in our own lives, especially within the community of the church. Special attention will be paid to how we welcome strangers into our midst and help each one “find their place at the table.”
Upstairs in the Education Room
September 16, 23, 30, and October 7
"Finding Your Place at the Table,"
Led by Ashley Goff.
This adult ed class will focus on our homecoming theme of "Finding Our Place at the Table." Through spiritual autobiography, particularly our memories and experiences of the sacraments, being welcomed, and acts of justice, will explore where we have been, where we are now, and where we want to go in our life of faith. Come to remember, name and clarify how the Spirit is forming and shaping your life.
3.. Tuesday, September 18 I will kick off another “round” of Theology on Tap at the Brickskeller Tavern across the street from the church. We will gather in the downstairs back room at 6:30 for food and fellowship, followed by Bible study at 7:30. Planned with young adults in mind, all ages are welcome. The focus for this series will be “stories of call and vocation,” related to our Homecoming theme of “Finding Our Place at the Table.” Parking is available at the church. Send me a note if you would like a personal invitation.
4. Join us for Friday Club, our monthly gathering for seniors, this week at noon. Following lunch I will share stories and pictures of my Sabbatical journeys. [If you are new to this list, you can read more about my Sabbatical at http://jeffkrehbiel.blogspot.com ].
5. Putting Our Faith Into Action: Opportunities for involvement in the world outside our doors:
- Following worship this week, area Presbyterian congregations, sponsored by the Peacemaking Committee of National Capital Presbytery, will hold their monthly vigil at the Sudanese Embassy on behalf of the people of Darfur. They will join us at Church of the Pilgrims at 1 PM, with a vigil at the embassy (just around the corner on Mass Ave.), from 1:15-2:15.
- This week marks six months since the Christian Peace Witness last March at the National Cathedral. On Sunday evening at 6 PM, a small group of metro clergy and laity are sponsoring a witness for peace at Lafayette Park in front of the White House. Gathering around the theme "the stones themselves will shout," the brief prayer service will conclude with the laying of more than 4,000 stones at the gate of the White House.
- The Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture will hold a vigil the following Wednesday, September 19, from 5-6:30 PM across from the Vice Presidents' residence at 34th & Massachusetts NW, to protest US sponsored torture in the war against terror.
- Monday, September 24, 7:30-9:30, Washington Interfaith Network will hold an "Action Team" meeting at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church (1219 New Jersey Ave. NW). There will be an update on WIN Vote Neighborhoods First Campaign. Outline WIN Nehemiah and Supportive Housing Strategies. Elect new WIN Strategy Team Members. Review 2007 Mid-Year Organizing Accomplishments. Plan November 2007 WIN Affordable Housing Accountability Action with Mayor Fenty. Tour renovated Dunbar SHS Athletic Facilities. Send me or Jean Stewart (Stewartsj@starpower.net) a note if you would like to get involved with WIN, a city-wide church-based community organization working to create a livable city for all DC residents.
- Open Table, our weekly meal for the homeless and hungry, always needs new volunteers to serve and prepare food. Send a note to DeLania Hardy delania.hardy@gmail.com
6. Coming up in October:
Pilgrimage Service Day:
"The Ones at the Table are the Ones We Serve"
October 6th, 8am-2:30pm
Join us in our annual Pilgrimage Service Day as we gather to serve and witness together. This year we will be serving at: DC Central Kitchen • Christian Community Group Homes • Capital Area Food Bank • Washington Parks and People. Lunch will be catered by New Courses Catering, a subsidiary of Third and Eats restaurant. Following lunch, we will hear from the National Coalition for the Homeless Faces of Poverty Panel. RSVP to Jen McClurg, Pilgrimage Program Manager, pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net or Ashley, ashley.goff@verizon.net
Pilgrims' Dupont Fall Fine Arts Festival
October 27, 9am to 5 pm
This year we will have nearly 100 artists as we close down the street in front of the church, open the building, and invite the neighbors in! Jonathan Mertz is coordinating artists and volunteers. Send Jonathan a note if you can help: kstodc@earthlink.net
Special P. S. to Howard Jaffe: Happy New Year!
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
September 5, 2007
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. The calendar year may begin in January, and the liturgical year with Advent, but for most of us, the school year marks a time of new beginning. Vacation is over, the leisurely schedule of summer (and the light traffic of August) is behind us, and we emotionally "ramp up" for a new year. At Pilgrims, we mark that occasion with Homecoming Sunday, the first Sunday after Labor Day. We gather together with friends old and new at the Lord's Table during worship, and then again in the Fellowship Hall for our annual "Pot-Luck Buffet" following.
This year we have adopted a theme to mark not only this first Sunday, but the entire Fall season stretching through Thanksgiving weekend. The graphic above, designed by Pilgrim Kathy Keler, captures it beautifully: "Homecoming: Finding our Place at the Table." A small team of Pilgrims (Gerry Hendershot, Shera Jenne, Stan Lou, Stacy Perval, and Jean Stewart) met with Ashley, Rob and me to plan the theme and organize our energies. Our worship and spiritual formation opportunities will all grow out of the theme. Together we will explore what it means to be a welcoming table to which all are invited, as well as how to discern our "place" at the table to which we are all called.
We are introducing something new this Sunday to start the year off in prayer: Before the morning worship, at 10:25, we will have a 25-minute Taize-style service of "Preparation for the Lord's Day." In the early days of the Presbyterian Church, it was considered especially appropriate to prepare oneself for receiving communion with a time of self-examination. In that spirit, this "pre-worship" time will involve simply song and silent prayer. You are invited to come at any time during the prayer period and join in the singing, or simply sit in silence.
Here is the schedule for the day. I hope you will all plan to be a part of it. This is a good Sunday to bring a friend!
Homecoming Schedule
Sunday, September 9
10:25-10:50 AM
Taizé “Preparation for the Lord’s Day”
In the spirit of Taizé, <http://www.taize.fr/> we will gather in the sanctuary for twenty-five minutes of singing and silence,
an opportunity for meditative prayer and preparation for morning worship.
11:00 AM
Worship
Including Celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Following Worship:
Potluck Buffet Lunch in the Fellowship Hall.
Bring a dish to share!
Also:
In the Dupont Pilgrims Gallery:
“On the Streets Where We Live, Work, and Play,”
a new show with painting by DC artist Mike Martinez.
An artist’s reception will be held from Noon to 2 PM, with refreshments served.
2. The following Sunday, September 16, we will begin Sunday school classes for children, and Adult Education, both at 9:30 AM. There will be two offerings in September:
Downstairs in the Bird Room,
September 16, 23, 30
“Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition,”
Led by Jeff Krehbiel and Jonathan Mertz.
Over three weeks we will explore the ancient Biblical and Middle Eastern practice of “hospitality,” and discover what it means for us to revive this practice in our own lives, especially within the community of the church. Special attention will be paid to how we welcome strangers into our midst and help each one “find their place at the table.”
Upstairs in the Education Room
September 16, 23, 30, and October 7
"Finding Your Place at the Table,"
Led by Ashley Goff.
This adult ed class will focus on our homecoming theme of "Finding Our Place at the Table." Through spiritual autobiography, particularly our memories and experiences of the sacraments, being welcomed, and acts of justice, will explore where we have been, where we are now, and where we want to go in our life of faith. Come to remember, name and clarify how the Spirit is forming and shaping your life.
3.. Tuesday, September 18 I will kick off another “round” of Theology on Tap at the Brickskeller Tavern across the street from the church. We will gather in the downstairs back room at 6:30 for food and fellowship, followed by Bible study at 7:30. Planned with young adults in mind, all ages are welcome. The focus for this series will be “stories of call and vocation,” related to our Homecoming theme of “Finding Our Place at the Table.” Parking is available at the church. Send me a note if you would like a personal invitation.
4. Our monthly print newsletter, The Pilgrim, went out last week. If you did not receive one, you can read it online (in color!) at: http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org/Newsletter/2007/2007_09.pdf <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org/Newsletter/2007/2007_09.pdf> . If you would like us to add your name to our mailing list, send your address to our church administrator, Marcia Mapp: mh.mapp@verizon.net <mailto:mh.mapp@verizon.net> .
5. Coming up in October:
Pilgrimage Service Day:
"The Ones at the Table are the Ones We Serve"
October 6th, 8am-2:30pm
Join us in our annual Pilgrimage Service Day as we gather to serve and witness together. This year we will be serving at: DC Central Kitchen • Christian Community Group Homes • Capital Area Food Bank • Washington Parks and People. Lunch will be catered by New Courses Catering, a subsidiary of Third and Eats restaurant. Following lunch, we will hear from the National Coalition for the Homeless Faces of Poverty Panel. RSVP to Jen McClurg, Pilgrimage Program Manager, pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net <mailto:pilgrimage.manager@verizon.net> or Ashley, ashley.goff@verizon.net
Pilgrims' Dupont Fall Fine Arts Festival
October 27, 9am to 5 pm
This year we will have nearly 100 artists as we close down the street in front of the church, open the building, and invite the neighbors in! Jonathan Mertz is coordinating artists and volunteers. Send Jonathan a note if you can help: kstodc@earthlink.net <mailto:kstodc@earthlink.net>
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
August 2007 Pastor's Updates
July 2007 Pastor's Updates
Sabbatical 2007 Pastor's Updates
April 2007 Pastor's Updates
March 2007 Pastor's Updates
February 2007 Pastor's Updates
January 2007 Pastor's Updates
December 2006 Pastor's Updates
November 2006 Pastor's Updates
October 2006 Pastor's Updates
September 2006 Pastor's Updates
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
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