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December 27 , 2006
Pilgrims on the Journey:
This is a low-key week at Pilgrims, a mid-year respite from our usual busyness. No Sunday School this week, or events, or programs, or meetings. Nothing is on the calendar, except for worship Sunday morning at 11 a.m., and Jeff & Melissa's wedding, which will take place Sunday night (New Year's Eve!).
Advent and Christmas Eve seemed particularly meaningful this year. The challenge of Advent in the church is always to push beyond the cultural "Christmas, Inc." (a phrase we coined in our Adult Ed class on the Nativity Stories) and reflect on the meaning of Jesus' birth for our lives and our world. I thought we did that well this year.
Thanks especially to Gerry Hendershot and the Choral Readers who opened our service each week with the prophets' words, following the powerful introits sung by the choir (which was in especially good form Christmas Eve), and the array of children who lit the Advent Wreath. Thanks to Ashley for her thoughtful and thought-provoking sermon Sunday morning, and to Martinique, Kelsey, and Jonathan for their special parts Christmas Eve. Thanks also to the communion servers who did triple duty as ushers and candle lighters.
As you fill in your New Year calendar:
- January 7 we will ordain and install church officers.
- During buffet lunch following worship on the 7th, the Outreach Team will meet to discuss mission priorities for the year. All are invited to join them.
- On January 13 from 9 AM to Noon, Rob will lead a Choir Retreat, startng in the choir room, and ending in the sanctuary. They will begin preparing both old and new music for the next few months of worship; and we will have some social time, too. For anyone interested in joining the choir, this is a great time to get started. Coffee, tea and water will be provided, and everyone is encouraged to bring a snack to share. (try to get there around 8:45 so you can grab coffee and a snack before we get started).
- Sunday School and Adult Ed will resume January 14.
Peace for the New Year!
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
December 19 , 2006
Pilgrims on the Journey:
1. Safe and happy travels for those of you who are heading out of town this weekend. I pray that the time with family is resting and meaningful.
For those of you who are staying put Christmas Eve:
- We will celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent at our 11 a.m. service (Ashley will be preaching). This week for our Special Offering we will collect a financial offering for the Reksa Putra Orphanage in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Reksa Putra means "taking care of children." The orphanage houses 25 girls and 16 boys, ranging from age 6 to 18 years old. The children in the girls’ dorm are registered in the Christian elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. A few of the children have reached college and some of them study in a three year medical record school, learning computerized registration systems for hospital patients. While Pilgrims has contributed to the girls’ school in the past, this offering will benefit the boys school, which has been struggling financially. Pilgrim Tari Gregory has close ties with the orphanage and has visited periodically.
- Our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service will take place at 7 p.m., and will include special music and a telling of the nativity story. (Our evening offering will also be dedicated to the Reksa Putra Orphanage.)
2. There will be no Sunday School for the next three weeks: December 24, December 31, or January 7. Sunday School will resume January 14.
3. Tomorrow night is National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and other local agencies to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember our homeless friends who have paid the ultimate price for our nation's failure to end homelessness. The candlelight vigil at McPherson Square Park (15th and K Street, NW) at 5 pm and will include a reading of names, testimonials from residents who have experienced homelessness, local advocates, music, poetry.
4. If you are in town for Christmas Day and do not have plans, Peggy Harwood is graciously opening her home to fellow Pilgrims for an informal supper at 5:00 p.m. She would love to have you join her. Send her an email <mailto:p2harwood@earthlink.net> or call her at 703-979-7010.
5. Good news about Sebastion Oosterveld: His kidneys are fine. Doctors surmize he just had a bad reaction to a virus.
6. Last Sunday during worship there was an outpouring of prayer requests, reminding us once again that this "home-and-hearth" holiday is a sad time for many people: those who have lost a loved one, are alone, are struggling, are poor-- in short, anyone who doesn't measure up to those glowing TV images (which is just about all of us). As we have been learning in our adult study these past few weeks, little of this has anything at all to do with Jesus' birth (and much of it is an outright betrayal). I encourage you to remember someone in your family, your workplace, community, or the church, who might appreciate a special word of encouragement or act of kindness. As one of our new Christmas Carols puts it, "This year, this year, let the day arrive, when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive."
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
December 13 , 2006
Pilgrims on the Journey:
Like all professions, sometimes pastoral ministry can be mundane, routine-- even tiresome. Not this week. In as many days, I've had four "catch in the throat" moments that make me glad to be alive, and grateful beyond measure to be a pastor of this congregation, with so many exciting things going on:
- The first was Saturday, officiating at the wedding of Pat Schlueter and John Harris, two high-school sweethearts reunited after a 35-year absence. How wonderful to witness the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, so unexpected.
- The second was Sunday when, after telling the story of Mohamed Yayha in my sermon, I discovered to my surprise that he was with us in worship, one of the 30 Darfurian refugees who joined us for worship, lunch, and the vigil at the Sudanese Embassy. (Sort of like preaching about Rosa Parks and then finding out she was sitting in the third row.) When Mohamed came forward to tell his own story and to say "thank you" to all who had gathered in solidarity, you could hear a pin drop. You can read my sermon <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org/Sermons/2006/061210jkk.htm> or learn more about the situation in Darfur <http://www.savedarfur.org/content> , or Mohamed's organization, Damanga <http://www.damanga.org> . Let me add a special thank you to all those who helped provide lunch on Sunday-- on short notice. Al our guests were deeply appreciative of your hospitality. I was proud of our congregation, and it was thrilling to be part of the vigil, which included several hundred participants from churches, synagogues and mosques across the region.
- The third was Tuesday morning when, together with Gerry and Doris Hendershot, I attended John Afedu's Naturalization Ceremony at the U. S. Disctrict Court, and witnessed as he took vows of citizenship, along with nearly 100 other immigrants from some 47 different countries. I am not always proud of the actions of our government, but this was one day I was proud to be an American. (Our assembly Sunday in front of the Embassy would get your arrested or worse in many countries in the world.) John was positively beaming!
- The fourth was visiting Bonnie and Bill Noonan in Sibley hospital last night, to meet their new daughter, Phoebe Andrea Noonan, born at 9:50 a.m. yesterday, 6 lbs. 14 oz. She is a beauty!
Now, on to other things:
1. This Sunday, on the Third Sunday of Advent, for our Special Offering we will be gathering wrapped gifts for the Shoebox Gift Project at So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E). SOME is an interfaith, community-based organization that exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation's capital. SOME meets the immediate, daily needs of the people they serve with food, clothing, and health care. SOME works to break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness. During the Holiday season, SOME distributes decorated shoebox gifts to homeless and poor children, women and men that eat breakfast and lunch SOME’s Dining Room for the Homeless. This project is designed to present a festively wrapped holiday box filled with personal items for adults and children. Items could include: NEW socks, mittens/gloves, hats, scarves, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, lotion, hairbrushes/combs, shampoo, or in the case of a child the addition of a small toy or game.
Please wrap the lid and box separately, this allows SOME to ensure that each package is equitable. Fill the shoebox with appropriate items. Please label to the outside of the box MAN, WOMAN or CHILD.
2. Ashley and I will conclude our Adult Class on the Nativity Stories: Going Deeper at 9:30 a.m. in the Bird Room (please try and be on time!).
3. Pilgrims Under 40 (But Who's Counting) will gather for a holiday party at the manse this Friday night at 7PM. If you are in this age category, and have not received an invitation, please send me a note-- we would really love to have you join us.
4. Each year since 1990, on or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) has sponsored National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember our homeless friends who have paid the ultimate price for our nation's failure to end homelessness. Our local event, cosponsored by the Coalition of Housing and Homeless Organizations (COHHO) and the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, will be held on December 21, 2006 in McPherson Square Park (15th and K Street, NW) at 5 pm and will include a reading of names, testimonials from residents who have experienced homelessness, local advocates, music, poetry and a candlelight vigil.
7. Looking ahead:
- Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year. We will have worship in the morning at our normal 11 a.m. hour, and a Candlelight Communion Service at 7PM.
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- The Outreach Team will meet on Sunday, January 7th during buffet. We welcome anyone who has an interest in planning and participating in mission and outreach activities at Church of the Pilgrims. At this meeting, we will discuss the allocation of our 2007 budget and talk about possibilties for the coming year including co-sponsorship of a Habitat for Humanity house and other areas of local mission. Please contact Betty Rudolph <mailto:vstbeehive@verizon.net> or call her at (202) 625-2940 for more information.
6. Prayer Concerns:
- Little Sebastian Oosterveld had a health scare last week, perhaps related to kidney function, as his concerned pappa Bart shared in church on Sunday. He is doing well now, but still undergoing tests. Keep "Bassie" and his family in your prayers.
- Nancy Lee Head is recuperating from surgery at Washington Hospital Center, and will likely move by the end of the week to nursing care, before beginning rehab.
- Former member Jim Carlson is still recuperating from heart-related trauma earlier this year. He is at home, but still undergoing treatment. Please keep Jim and JoEllen in your prayers.
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
December 6 , 2006
Pilgrims on the Journey:
This will be a busy weekend at Church of the Pilgrims:
- Pat Schlueter and John Harris' wedding on Saturday, at 2 p.m. (you are all invited).
- Vigils at the Sudanese Embassy Saturday and Sunday (more details below).
- Second Sunday of Advent, including a continuation of the Adult Class on the Nativity Stories, and a Special Offering for the Second Sunday.
Here are the details:
1. This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent, as we move our way in anticipation and expectation toward the birth of Christ. This week we will be gathering non-perishable food plus travel size toiletries for our own Open Table program for our Special Offering. Open Table is always in need of the following: dried onion soup packets, family-sized cans of cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup, chili powder, large boxes of instant rice, 1 pound boxes of macaroni, rotini, or similar pasta, cans of kidney beans, diced tomatoes, peas and corn. Open Table is also in need of travel size toiletries: soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products, razors, and shaving cream.
2. Prior to worship, during the Sunday school hour at 9:30, Ashley and I will continue our class, "Exploring the Birth Narratives: Going Deeper." Pushing beyond our childhood nostalgia about these stories, we will continue to set them in their historical and political context, also exploring them as resources for spiritual development through reflection and journaling
3. This Sunday is also International Human Rights Day. In recognition of this, the weekend is a rallying point to end the genocide in Darfur, with a particular focus on ending violence against women. There will be vigils at the Sudanese Embassy (just around the corner from the church) on both Saturday and Sunday. Each day, we will host groups who are gathering here before the vigils, which will take place at noon on Saturday, and 2PM on Sunday. In addition, we will be hosting lunch on Sunday for a group of Darfurian refugees who will be in town for the vigil, which is sponsored by the Darfur Interfaith Network and the Save Darfur Coalition. They expect upwards of three hundred people for the vigil. A group of Pilgrims is organized to prepare lunch. If you would like to help serve, send me a note. You are all invited to stay for the vigil. There will be regular Coffee Hour in the Bird Room, and lunch downstairs for our guests, and for those who are staying for the vigil.
From the call to action for the Sunday vigil:
Rape and sexual violence are being used on a daily basis as weapons of war in Darfur, Sudan. The rape and sexual assault of women and girls - including those as young as eight - is widespread in Darfur. When committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, rape constitutes a crime against humanity.
While African Union peacekeepers had taken some initial steps to address the situation, those efforts have been reduced in recent months, leading to increased attacks. AMIS (African Union Mission in Sudan) patrols designed to keep civilians safe when they venture outside the camps in search of firewood have been called off in many areas, leaving families with an impossible choice˜whether to send out fathers and sons who might be killed, or mothers and daughters who might be raped or sexually assaulted.
The event will be a peaceful, yet powerful, demonstration and will call on the Sudanese government to put an end to use of rape and violence against women as a tool of Genocide.
4. This week is Friday Club, our monthly gathering for older Pilgrims. We will gather for lunch at noon, and then sing Christmas carols together. Send Pat Goeldner at note if you would like to join us: pgoeldner@iona.org
5. Speaking of Christmas Carols, Mary Lib Pate is organizing a group of singers to carol at the Seppala's house on December 23rd. If you would like to join them, send Jean Stewart a note Stewartj@starpower.net
6. Very exciting news for John Afedu! He will be received as a U.S. citizen next week on December 12. You are invited to join him for the Naturalization Ceremony at 8:00 a.m., in Room 20 of US District Court, at Third and Constitution Avenue NW.
7. Keep in your prayers:
- Nancy Lee Head, who is recuperating from surgery on her leg at Washington Hospital Center.
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- Jerry McPike, who is gaining strength at home, and hopes to be back at church in a week or two.
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- Jeff Sandora, who is rehabilitating at the Cherrydale center in Arlington.
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- Stan Lou and Stacy Perval who are in Cuba, together with members of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Peace,
Jeff Krehbiel, Pastor
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
www.churchofthepilgrims.org <http://www.churchofthepilgrims.org>
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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