From Anne …
During Lent Greg and I watched a movie directed by someone from Down Under that gave me new insight into the powerful themes of Holy Week. No, it wasn’t “The Passion”. It was “Whale Rider.”
In “Whale Rider,” the Christ figure is a young Maori girl who has been given the gift and the burden of redeeming her people. Her people have lost their vision and their identity. They wander in the flotsam and jetsam of a broken culture that has lost its foothold amidst the forces of the modern world. Her grandfather is the keeper of the ancient legend that a new leader will emerge to redeem the people. The tribe holds sacred an ancient story of the first leader, who once rode the whale and brought their people into the land they now call their own. The grandfather puts all his hope in the task of finding the new leader. There’s one stumbling block, though. For the grandfather, the leader who will redeem the people will be identifiable according to traditional criteria that he believes he knows. So he limits his search for the future leader to the boys of the tribe. It’s not even conceivable that it could be otherwise. The grandfather operates to the very best of his ability out of a framework that, because it is invested in the preservation of tradition, is defined and clear. He is above all faithful to the tradition of the people. He is not a bad man.
But his understanding is limited. He does not realize that at the core of the tradition is a reality much bigger than his human efforts to defend it.
Because he is unable to recognize his granddaughter’s true role, he opposes her, and becomes the agent of her suffering.
But the reality of the people’s true identity is far greater than the legend that the grandfather has so carefully preserved. The reality actually breaks through the legend itself. The young girl, in an amazing act of self-giving love, undertakes the risk of death itself in order to save her people.
The movie helped me better understand the religious authorities who opposed Jesus, and helps me better understand those who rely on a legalistic framework today. They have put their faith in the tradition as they understand it. But God is always at work breaking through the boundaries we have established, whether they be boundaries of tradition, law, or convention. God is even at work breaking through the ultimate boundary between life and death. The mystery of God at work in the passion, death and resurrection of Christ cannot be reduced to an historical and camera-ready event. It is a reality that is always out beyond us, that can’t be fully known or contained or owned by us. But it’s also a reality that is constantly at work in our own lives and in the life of the world. “Whale Rider” teaches us to be open to the deeper reality of God, who is even now at work in ways we have not yet imagined to redeem all of creation.
April Schedule of Events
4 Palm Sunday, Holy Communion
Grate Patrol offering & meal making
6 Grate Patrol 7 pm
7 Shelter Steering Committee 7pm
8 Holy Thursday
dinner 6:30 worship 7:30 pm
9 Good Friday worship 7:30 pm
10 sanctuary preparation 5-7 pm
11 Easter, Holy Communion
Community Easter Egg Hunt after church
12 Office closed for Easter Monday
18 Spring Concert 2 pm
Our turn with Shelter dinner 6:45 pm
23 Dinner Group
25 Native American Awareness Sunday Special Offering
Prescription drug benefit seminar12:15
Church Council 1:00 – 3:00 pm
And coming up in May…
2 Roots of Methodism class begins 9:45-10:45
2 Grate Patrol offering & meal making
4 Grate Patrol 7 pm
8 car wash for VIM-Cuba trip
9 Spring Concert 2 pm Palm Sunday
and Jazz in the Garden begins!
Grate Patrol Offering & Meal-Making April 4th
Our monthly Grate Patrol Offering supports the purchase of groceries and supplies to make 150 bag suppers for people living on the street.
Our next Grate Patrol night is Tuesday, April 6th. Sign up in the Wesley Room or email the church to be part of that night’s Grate Patrol team (7-9 pm; meet at the church).
March’s Grate Patrol offering was $249.00
Community Easter Egg Hunt on April 11th
Ah, how could we properly celebrate springtime in all her glory without the annual St. Luke’s Easter Egg Hunt? This event will be celebrated in St. Luke’s courtyard (barring spring tornadoes) on Easter Sunday, April 11th, directly after the Easter Sunday Service at approximately 12:15 p.m. We are collecting prizes (small toys), candy, coins and plastic eggs now through Easter. Please drop them in the basket in the Wesley Room.
Second Spring Concert April 18th
The second performance in our Spring Concert Series will include the sonatas of Mozart, Brahms and Strauss for violin and piano. Deke Polifka is the pianist, and Ashton Conklin and Jeff Newberger are the violinists. The concert will last about half an hour, and refreshments will be served afterwards in the narthex. The Spring Concert Series is free and a part of St. Luke’s community outreach, so be sure to bring a friend. You can also download the Spring Concert Series flyer at www.saintlukesmethodist.org to share with others.
Shelter Dinner Opportunity April 18th
A group of church members and friends provides dinner for the Shelter residents on the third Sunday of every month. If you’d like to be a part of this enjoyable and rewarding experience, contact Nikki Parker or Cory Scott at nicoleparker555@hotmail.com and scott@urbanretail.com
Dinner Group April 23rd
This is a chance to spend time with your friends from St. Luke's while also being able to try out DC restaurants. The group will normally get together on the 2nd Friday of each month. However, since April 9th is Good Friday, we will instead meet on April 23rd at 7PM. If you are interested in joining us for dinner, please email Carmen Rottenberg at cmrottenberg@hotmail.com, or call her at (202) 361-5136.
Native American Ministries Sunday April 25th
The third of the United Methodist Special Offering Sundays is Native American Ministries Sunday, which funds urban ministries, scholarships, and work with Native Americans within our own Annual Conference. For more information please go to www.UMCGiving.org.
Our worship on April 25th day will also reflect a particular focus on the expression of faith through story, prayer and music drawn from Native American traditions. Many thanks to Molly McCracken, who is Community Services Outreach Assistant at The Museum of the American Indian.
Our giving for The United Methodist Committee on Relief (One Great Hour of Sharing) in March totaled $225.00
Prescription Drug Benefit Seminar April 25th
We will offer an educational seminar on the new Medicare prescription drug plan after church on April 25th. If you are enrolled in Medicare or if you have a relative or friend who is enrolled, or if you just want to understand the options better, this will be a great opportunity to learn more about the different prescription drug plans that will be offered to beneficiaries and when they can expect to take advantage of this new program. The seminar is open to the community, so please bring your friends. It will be held in the chapel beginning at about 12:15, and last about an hour. Thanks to Kelly Vogel for leading the seminar.
Needed – Easter Lily Deliverers
Please sign up in the Wesley Room to deliver Easter lilies to our home-bound members after church on Easter Sunday, April 11th. You will receive a card with the person’s name, address and phone number to whom the lily needs to be delivered. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet or renew friendship with St. Luke’s members who are unable to attend worship because of their health. For more information just email or call Shalom Mulkey in the church office (shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org, or 202-333-4949.)
Holy Week at St. Luke’s
Holy Week and Passover share the same time again this year, as they usually do. Holy Week reaches deep into our Judaic roots. Both Jews and Christians reflect on the meaning of freedom from slavery and oppression during this time. For Jews, the primary image of deliverance is the Exodus from Egypt commemorated in the Passover meal. For Christians, the primary image of deliverance is the death and resurrection of Christ, commemorated in the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion. Part of the resonance and depth of this image for us is its intimate connection with the Exodus story. What God has done in the Exodus, God also is doing in the Resurrection – turning death into new life. And Holy Week is not only a commemoration and a remembrance. Like the Jews celebrating Passover, as Christians we enter into the sacred dimension which overpowers the ordinary categories of time and space. What God has done in the past, for our spiritual ancestors, God also is doing right now, for each of us, and for us as a congregation, and for the whole people of faith.
At St. Luke’s Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday on April 4th, when we remember the joy of welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem and acclaiming him as king. We will shout “hosanna!” and wave the palm branches, but on that day we also begin our walk with Jesus to the cross. With all its scripture (more scripture than any other worship service) and its stark shift from joy to sorrow, Palm Sunday is easily the most dramatic service of the church year.
On Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday), April 8th we remember the last supper Jesus ate with his friends. We will gather in the Wesley Room at 6:30 for supper. Please let Shalom know if you plan to attend. After our meal, we’ll move into the sanctuary for a service which will include holy communion and foot washing. The Holy Thursday service will begin at 7:30.
On Good Friday, we will worship at 7:30 pm. On Good Friday we not only recall Christ’s crucifixion, but also, as Christ did on the cross, we lift up prayers on behalf of the world.
On Holy Saturday, we will prepare the sanctuary for Easter. We’ll meet in the sanctuary at 5:00 pm.
Holy Week is the most intense time in the church year. I hope you’ll come be a part of as much as you can this year as we prepare our hearts for Easter joy.
May Sunday School Class on Methodism
An opportunity to get acquainted with our roots as United Methodists! Christine Day will lead an adult Sunday School class during the four Sundays in May on the roots and history of The United Methodist Church. We will explore the Church’s place in history, how Methodism was shaped by America and how it shaped America. We will also read some of John Wesley’s sermons to develop an understanding of our faith and theology.
Christine is a graduate of Drew Theological Seminary, currently serving as a chaplain at Georgetown University Hospital, and in the ordination process in the New York Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Class will be held from 9:45-10:45 on the Sundays in May.
*Exciting fundraising events planned for VIM!*
We are planning a few more fundraising events to help raise the $5,000 cash gift that the Volunteers in Mission (VIM) team will take to Cuba. As you know, we already had one fundraising event – the Christmas Potluck and Christmas decorations auction. That event raised an impressive $355! Given how small the event was, the amount raised is evidence of the level of support the congregation has for this ministry and for that we are very grateful, as will be the people of Cuba.
The dates for the next three fundraising events are as follows:
May 8 Car wash
May 22 A community garage/yard sale
June 19 A benefit concert and silent auction of donated artifacts from all over the world
In addition to the above events, we will have an information/event table at Glover Park Day.
We are still in the planning stage for these events so if there is any way that you can help out - even if just to share your ideas - please get involved. Working on these events will be lots of fun and a great way to spend time together.
We meet at 12:30pm every third Sunday of the month and all are welcome to join the meetings. Even if you are unable to travel to Cuba, there may be other ways that you could get involved in planning the trip.
If you would like additional information, please call me on (202) 686 9177 or send me an email at sylzulu@yahoo.com.
P.S. We still have room for a few travelers.
Music Notes
Spring is here and, believe it or not, summer is just around the corner! Our 1st annual St. Luke's Music Camp will take place from July 12-16 here at St. Luke's. Our camp is a wonderful experience involving singing, drama, arts and crafts, storytelling, snacks and recreational games for children completing kindergarten through the sixth grade. The camp will begin each morning at 9 and last until noon (with a snack around 10:30). On Friday, the children will present the musical for family and friends. This year's musical is entitled "By the Sea: Stories from the Life of Jesus". The story involves three seekers looking for Jesus along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The seekers hear stories about Jesus calling his disciples, feeding the multitude, healing a servant, and teaching the people. Through these stories, the seekers realize that Jesus met the needs of people in many different ways.
Do not miss this wonderful opportunity! Look for the brochures/registration forms in the Wesley room or contact Deke Polifka, Director of Music Ministry
at deke@saintlukesmethodist.org
Renovation Update
Kendall Dorman, our architect, spoke to the congregation after church on March 14th and described the two options currently being considered. The main differences between the two options have to do with the best way to use the lower level space so that both the Next Step Kitchen and the Shelter are well accommodated; and how to redesign the main level to accomplish handicap accessibility and safe and accessible entrance into the sanctuary from the parking lot.
Both current options address the challenge of how the building can best meet the current and future needs of the congregation and its ministry. Well-designed and safe space for our children’s Sunday School and nursery, more effective office space for our larger staff, meeting/classrooms for increasing ministry, a more accessible and inviting space for coffee hour after church, an additional (handicap accessible) toilet on the main level, and better accessibility to the garden are among the highlights of the plan.
Additionally, the building’s mechanical systems will be updated and the roof either repaired or replaced, depending on what is needed.
Everybody’s comments, thoughts and suggestions are needed to make this process as good as it can be! There are two ways to share your thoughts: the designs are posted on the wall in the Wesley Room, and there is a place for everyone to write ideas or questions, etc. next to the designs. Or you can also share your thoughts with a member of the Renovation Committee. Members of the Renovation Committee are: Sandi Stroud, June Kress, Karen Cox, Dennis Soiberman, Bob Kolasky, and Penny Andrews, as well as three ex officio members: Susan Keenan, Shalom Mulkey, and Deke Polifka.
We’ve turned a seasonal corner; leaving the winter’s coldness behind us and the spring’s wetness before us. Let the rains begin - we’re ready. John Walls Contracting completed the sanctuary gutter work at the beginning of March and thanks to Redmon Barber, our custodian, the east wall was stripped and given a new coat of paint. Quite an improvement!
Onto other water related issues. You can’t live or work in DC without wondering about the water you drink. Does it contain lead? Soon we’ll know about the church’s water. A lead testing kit is on order from the District and we hope to have the results within the month. In the meantime, please use the newly purchased water filter or bottled water in the small kitchen off the Wesley Room.
--Shalom Mulkey
Tuesday night study group. This small informal group offers spiritual focus and support. Meets 7:30-8:30 in Anne’s office (enter by the office door).
Wednesday evening prayer. A quiet time of sharing and prayer. Every Wednesday in the Chapel at 7:30 pm.
From St. Luke’s Shelter
The Shelter Development Taskforce is hard at work on new ideas for fundraising for the Shelter. We hear they’re considering the idea of a local house tour! In the meantime, the Shelter has received a generous grant of $1,000 from Workers of St. Alban’s from the proceeds of their Opportunity Shop which helps many other programs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also provided a grant in the amount of $2,500 for general Shelter support. The Shelter Steering Committee is working on the best way to collect data about our dinner volunteer program, like how many hours volunteers spend preparing dinner, the cost, and other important statistics that funders love to see. Our thanks also to everyone who worked on the Shelter Newsletter and participated in the mailing on March 10th. The best news of all is about one of our Shelter residents who has moved back home to live with his family after many years without contact. Through the efforts of our Shelter counselors working in close collaboration with Friendship Place, this resident has housing and a whole network of social services with which to sustain his new life.
--June Kress
Next Step Kitchen News
Thank you to all of our Federal Employees who supported us through the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area this year! This was our first year in the campaign- and if I must say so myself, we did pretty darn good! We will be receiving monthly checks reflecting the payroll deductions people pledged. After a modest 8% administrative fee is deducted, we will receive over $5,000 during the course of the year! Some of you asked me to come out and speak at your offices, others requested information to hand out, and still others made donations or pledged money through payroll deduction (of course a few of you did all 3!). All of it added up and we will be able to make a big difference this year with the money that comes in. While I know who some of you are, others asked to remain anonymous- so this is one way for me to thank you for your support!
We are looking forward to another positive experience in this year's campaign, which should start in September. If you or someone you know works for the government, please consider us during the campaign. Our number is 7940.
--Susan Keenan
April Birthdays
April 6 Julie James
April 10 Al Crosby
April 10 Eliza Wharton
April 13 Morgan Gunn
April 19 Likando Kumoyo
April 25 Gabriel Silliman
April 26 Lucille Dade
April 29 Russell Belanger
April 29 Candice Morgan
April 30 Helen Harper
Happy birthday to all!
Letters …
[ St. Luke’s made a contribution to DC Habitat for Humanity in honor of our pro bono legal counsel on the property sale, Bill Carmody of Arnold & Porter. The following letter is in response.]
Dear Pastor Yarbrough,
On behalf of DC Habitat for Humanity, thank you for St. Luke’s recent gift in honor of William Carmody. . . This gift is much appreciated, as we continue our homebuilding efforts. Already, 69 District of Columbia families have realized the dream of homeownership. However, this is only the beginning of a brighter future. This year, DC Habitat for Humanity continues construction on a 4.3 acre property in Northeast Washington. We will build 53 new homes over the next 4 years.
Thank you again for your congregation’s generous gift. The involvement of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church is part of the reason that DC Habitat homes are changing lives.
In partnership,
Carol A. Casperson
Executive Director
p.s. Bill has been a big help to DC Habitat over the years providing legal assistance for our settlements.
Dear St. Luke's Family,
Greetings from Redlands, CA. Last Christmas was a joyous and busy one for our family. We hosted Christmas for the first time and had the joy of spending the holidays with Paul's parents and sister, and my mother. Of course, the main attraction was Little Akos who is growing taller and taller. Being a new mother and hosting Christmas led me to discover the joys of crock-pot cooking! If you haven't tried it yet - especially to all you future mothers, please do; I bet life in DC makes it equally appropriate for you as it has for me. Akos did very well with all the activity, attention, and stimulation.
Now that everyone is gone - yes, my mother is gone and I had to remind Akos that I am infact, her mother - we are readjusting again to life.
Once again, I thank you so much for your prayers and moral support. Please keep in touch.
Love,
Paul, Paula, and Olivia (Little Akos)
Dearest St. Luke’s Family,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you did for my family and me after my heart attack. Your prayers and good thoughts, loving cards and notes, wonderful telephone calls and visits, beautiful gifts, fabulous meals, and awesome outings for the children were very touching and encouraging, and ever so appreciated! Your amazing love and support bolstered my recovery tremendously and was a huge blessing and source of strength for our whole family. Please know how much we love and appreciate each of you.
With lots of love and many, many thanks –
Joyce Wagner and Derrick, Matt, Mike, Nick, Julia, and Marc
Update from Baghdad,
It has been over four months now since I departed Glover Park for Baghdad. So much has occurred during that time - my eyes are filled with images of the aftermath of war. Yet, I’ve seen continuous noble actions taken by our military to patch up and repair Iraq. It is truly incredible to see the efforts of our men and women in uniform (as well as civilian contractors and coalition authorities) to help and make a difference here. Americans really do care.
The other day I observed a religious demonstration in downtown Baghdad. There were only men at this demonstration and it was relatively peaceful. (From my understanding, women are not usually allowed at these gatherings.) There were several speeches by local Islamic religious leaders. I asked one of my colleagues that spoke Arabic to translate what he could hear. He said that one of the speeches included a reference to the Christian / western “infidels” and another speaker chanted “down with USA”. There is so much hate in this world; hate because of religious ideology and fear of what is not understood.
Recently, I began to think of all those Sunday mornings at spent at Saint Luke’s, listening to the wonderful sermons from Anne – it was a spiritually uplifting experience for me and my wife. We sat next to people of all races and possibly coming from many different religious backgrounds. We felt we were part of a family rather than a religious faith. Saint Luke’s opened its doors and the congregation opened their hearts. That “unconditional acceptance” is a rare quality that I wish could be felt by the Iraqi people. But, I’m not sure if it is possible . . .
Thank You Saint Luke’s for your continuous prayers, as a congregation you have more power and love to share than you realize.
Rob
Joys and concerns
Jen Runyon shared the joy of her sister’s pregnancy, and asked for prayers for Amy and Michael as they prepare for the birth of their child
Charles Howe asked for prayers as he applies for a new job
Don Scroggin lifted up the controversy about the ordination of United Methodist pastors who are gay or lesbian, reminding us that not so long ago churches had also been in conflict about ordaining women. He gave thanks for the gifts of openness and diversity he has found at St. Luke’s, and asked that we continue to assert our identity as a congregation that welcomes all.
Derrick Wagner shared the joy that Joyce has been cleared for jogging by her doctor.
For those who grieve the loss of family and friends as a result of the Madrid bombings
For Inne Kim’s grandmother, recovering from surgery in Korea
Clint Riley shared the joy of his parents, Erma and Bill Riley, visiting from Kansas
Penny Andrews shared the joy of Nancy Rowand visiting, with Jeanne Goss’s grandsons Robert and Evan
For those seeking work and anticipating job interviews
For Andrea Banyasz’s friend Edith’s mother
For Gladys Manuel in California
The joy of Anne McAfee being back in church after an extended absence
The joy of receiving Jamie Sworobuk into the St. Luke’s family. At age three days, Jamie was already a big help with the children’s story.
For Emily Dawson as she attends the national conference of United Methodist Women where she is running for re-election to the board of the Women’s Division
Continued prayers for the people of Haiti, and especially for the children and staff of Wings of Hope Orphanage.
For peace and for members of the military, for contract employees, and for the people of Iraq
For Carrie and Bob, whose baby is due in May
For our Volunteers in Mission team as it prepares for the trip to Cuba in August 2004
For the community of St. Luke’s Shelter.
For those living with HIV/AIDS
For our members who are unable to attend because of their health: Margaret Roberts, Jeanne Goss, Vernon Thomas, Lucille Dade, and Dorothy Bowers.
Yoga on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at church. Contact Beth (bethsworobuk@aol.com) for more information.
Coffee Hour Hosts for April
4 Molly McCracken
11 (Easter) Sonia & Kaou Kassambara, Marian Potter, Beth Sworobuk & Jeff Walter
18 Mary Day
25 Anup Ghosh and Supti Sen
Thanks to all who have signed up to host coffee hour this month. The sign-up sheet is posted in the Wesley Room, or you can just contact the church office if you’d like to host next month. If you’ve never hosted and want guidance, contact Nancy Smrynas at 202-965-0084.
Scripture Texts for April
4th Palm Sunday Isaiah 50:4-9, Phil 2:5-11, Mark 14:1-15:47
8th Holy Thursday Exodus 12:1-14, John 13: 1-17, 31b-35
9th Good Friday Isaiah 52:13-53:12, John 18:1-19:42
11th Easter John 20: 1-18
18th Second Easter John 20: 19-31
25th Third Easter John 21: 1-19
New church directories are available. Pick one up in the Wesley Room after church.
Put yourself on the map. We now have a map on the wall in the Wesley Room so that we can see where everyone is from and also the places we all keep in our hearts. Please add your places during coffee hour today.
Missed Church on Sunday?
You can still keep up with the latest prayer concerns and church events by checking the church web site, www.saintlukesmethodist.org. The Weekly Messenger appears there each week to help you stay in touch with your church family. And thanks to Derek Willis the site is always up to date and easy to navigate.