June 27, 2007
Updates and Invitations: The Sabbatical Version
Throughout the sabbatical period, we will be hearing stories in worship and in our Updates and Invitations from Pilgrims based on our sabbatical themes of “connections and clarity.” Each Pilgrim “storyteller” was given a reflection exercise to help name and articulate a story of connection and clarity from their experiences at church. This story of connection and clarity comes from Melissa Rosenblatt.
For the last two years, I have taught Sunday school to our toddlers and young children. At first, I found it challenging to prepare a lesson and identify a craft that would both be understood by the younger ones while at the same time engage and interest the older children. In time, I got to know each child's unique personality, quirks, and sense of humor and they got to know me. As I got to know them better, preparing the lesson became easier and I began to feel increasingly connected to the children. These moments of connection were sometimes related to the Sunday school lesson. For example, the children might request to read the story for a second or third time or one of them would say something (often very profound) that would show that they had really understood what we had been talking about. But more often than not these moments of connection were independent from the day's lesson but instead reflected a personal relationship outside of Sunday school. For example, the first time I saw the children after getting married, many shouted out that they had seen pictures of the wedding. Jeff and I hadn't seen any pictures yet which they found funny, unbelievable, and unacceptable. They spent several minutes describing the pictures and insisting I get my own pictures soon. Another time, Lydia and I talked about our favorite Girl Scout cookies and shared strategies for selling them. And just recently Emma put the same fake tattoo she had on her arm on mine so we could "be twins" and then proudly showed lots of people at coffee hour that we matched. Small moments of connection like these occurred between me and each of the children. As I became connected with them as individuals I realized how deeply connected they are to one another. The children, most of whom would not know each other if they did not come to Pilgrims, are a community of their own. They care about each other and miss one another. They play very well together and the older ones are generally very good about helping the younger ones. And all of them are excited about coming to church and seeing one another. Getting to know the children and recognizing their community reinforced how interconnected we all are and made me realize how by attending Church of the Pilgrims new connections and communities are constantly being built.
Sabbatical Updates:
- Where is Jeff? Jeff is back from IONA <http://www.iona.org.uk/> in Scotland and preparing to leave for Sonoma Valley <http://www.sonomavalley.com/> , CA.
- Jeff’s a Blogger! Check out Jeff’s Sabbatical Blog <http://www.jeffkrehbiel.blogspot.com/>
· Sabbatical Preaching Schedule for July:
July 1st: Ashley
July 8th: Louise Green, All Souls UU <http://www.all-souls.org/>
July 15th: Jeff back in the pulpit.
Connections at Pilgrims
Here are Shannon and Michael Fleischman joined in the covenant!
I was honored to co-officiate the wedding of Shannon Smythe and Michael Fleischman in Watsontown, PA this past weekend. Central PA is clearly God’s country---what incredible, uninterrupted land! With a D.C. rabbi, we celebrated Shannon and Mike’s now two faith family with the chuppa <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuppa> , ketubah, <http://www.modernketubah.com/> sharing of vows, rings and blessings in Hebrew.
It was a public witness not only of their commitment to each other but the confluence of Shannon and Mike’s Christian and Jewish faiths. Erin Malick, long time Pilgrim, was one of Shannon’s bridesmaids. Pictured to the right are Erin and her “Bing” cherry car dressed up as the marriage mobile for Shannon and Mike. Maddie went with me to this weekend event and was a splendid addition to the celebration. After the reception in Watsontown, Maddie and I headed back to our hotel room; I tucked Maddie in bed, clicked on the TV and found Bon Jovi “Unplugged” <http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/unplugged_on_vh1/121224/episode.jhtml> on VH1. At this point, the weekend of love and daydreaming was complete.
Christian Education--9:30-10:30 in the Bird Room
· July 1st: NO Adult Education. Fourth of July weekend.
· July 8th: Connection and Clarity with Rev. Louise Green, our guest preacher for worship. As Gerry Hendershot and Anne Womeldorf put it---the gatherings with our guest preachers have been some of the best moments for them during our sabbatical period. Come and connect with Louise before we enter into a time of worship together.
SMYAL: On June 29th, Pilgrims will host a youth “health summit” put on by SMYAL <http://www.smyal.org/> , Sexual Minority Youth Assistant League. SMYAL’s original host site fell through so we will able to provide space for their HIV testing plus workshops on sexual and public health.
Wheelchair Request: Pilgrims is in need of a gently used wheelchair to increase Penny Sandora’s mobility and independence on Sunday mornings. Please let me know if you know of a way we can get an inexpensive or donated wheelchair.
Request for Photos: Jonathan Mertz is looking for photographs from last years Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. If you have any photos that can be emailed, please email Jonathan: kstodc@earthlink.net
Washington Region Religious Campaign Against Torture: WRRCAT <http://www.wrrcat.org/> WRRCAT's next meeting will be Wednesday, July 11, 7 p.m., at Christ Congregational Church, 9525 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. Go to www.christ-ucc.org <http://www.christ-ucc.org> for directions.
Prayer Requests:
Marcia Mapp, our office manager: Last week, Marcia’s adoptive mother died after a long illness. In early July, Marcia will head back home to Jamaica with Brandon and Charmayne to celebrate the life of “mommy.” Marcia will be gone from June 28th until July 9th.
Rolando Quintanilla, our building engineer, and his wife, Lillian. Lillian’s mother died two weeks ago in El Salvador.
Greta, Jonathan and Jeannette Pike: Prayers for Jeannette as she lives with Picks disease. Prayers for Jonathan and Greta who visited their mom last week.
Van and Family: Prayers for Van and his family as his mom recovers from surgery.
Family of Meigs Newkirk: Meigs Newkirk was the beloved spouse of Leone Newkirk, a long time and faithful Pilgrim who died several years ago. Meigs died this past week and a memorial service will be held on August 6th at 2:45pm at Ft. Meyer Chapel in Arlington.
Jim Clay, Director of School for Friends located at Pilgrims. Jim’s dad died this past weekend after a sudden stroke.
Peace,
Ashley
Sabbatical 2007 Pastor's Updates
February 2007 Pastor's Updates
December 2006 Pastor's Updates
November 2006 Pastor's Updates
September 2006 Pastor's Updates