From Anne …
Lent begins in ashes and repentance, in the acceptance of our own mortality and in our re-anchoring ourselves, not in ourselves (frail vessel!), but within the eternity of God. Lent moves through Sundays of scripture that speak of testing in the wilderness, taking up the cross, crying out against injustice, and what it means to surrender our lives. These are not easy words for our time. But they are necessary words, and we trust that they are good words. The season of Lent carries us through the valley of the shadow and into the light of Easter morning.
The season of Lent takes us through wilderness, conflict and loss, all the way to death itself, and then it takes us beyond – to God’s power over death in the joy of Easter. These are not just old religious concepts and outdated images. They are intensely relevant to our lives. Our culture basically tells us that we can skip all the hard stuff and get right to the goodies. But we know differently. The shadowed valley is where we walk when we have to, learning for ourselves as we walk there that God is walking with us. God is creatively at work in our lives even in our most painful and fractured times: times of wilderness, times of conflict, times of loss, times that seem as dark as a tomb. God’s mighty resurrection power cracks open the grain of wheat and the season of despair.
The season from Ash Wednesday to Easter shows us what it means to move from ashes to joy. Let’s go together.
March Schedule of Events
2 Grate Patrol 7 pm
3 Shelter Steering Committee 7 pm
7 2 Lent
Holy Communion
Grate Patrol offering
8 Staff-Parish Relations Committee 7:30 pm
12 Dinner group begins
14 3 Lent
21 4 Lent
One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering
Our turn with Shelter dinner
28 5 Lent
Church Council 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Concert by Joyce and Deke Polifka 2 pm
And coming up in April…
4 Palm Sunday
Grate Patrol Offering &
meal-making 6 Grate Patrol 7pm 8 Holy Thursday
dinner 6:30-7:15, worship 7:30
9 Good Friday worship 7:30 pm
10 sanctuary preparation 5-7 pm
11 Easter community Easter egg hunt after church
Grate Patrol Offering on March 7th
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, March 2nd. 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).
February’s Grate Patrol offering was $210.00
One Great Hour of Sharing March 21st
The second of the United Methodist Special Offering Sundays is One Great Hour of Sharing, which funds refugee relief work and help in places around the world ravaged by war or natural disaster through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and Church World Service (CWS). For more information on the work of UMCOR and CWS, please go to http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ and www.churchworldservice.org
Our giving for Human Relations Sunday in January totaled $75.00
New! Friday Night Dinner Group begins on March 12th!
The group’s agenda: exploring a variety of DC restaurants and having a good time. The Dinner Group will meet monthly. Sign up on the Wesley Room bulletin board or call/email Carmen Rottenberg, social events coordinator, to participate in the new monthly Friday night dinner group. For more information contact Carmen, cmrottenberg@hotmail.com or 202-342-3178.
Easter Lilies Orders Begin March 14th
Beginning March 14th, order forms for Easter Lilies will be available each Sunday. Cost for the flowers is $10.00. Lilies may be purchased in honor or in memory of loved ones. They will be used to decorate the church on Easter Sunday, April 11th, and may be picked up following the service; or please indicate if you would like it delivered to someone unable to attend church.
March 14th during coffee hour – makeover updates
Get an update from developer Woody Bolton about the new condominium next door, browse ideas for our own renovation, and talk with our architect, Kendall Dorman.
Volunteers in Mission Meeting March 21st
The next VIM meeting will be right after church in Anne’s office on March 21st. We will be discussing options for a spring fundraising event. All are welcome to attend and to share their ideas. We have space for five more people on the travel team and there's still time to sign up. Travel will take place August 14-29th. Please ask friends and family who might be interested in traveling to contact Sylvia Zulu, sylzulu@yahoo.com, or 202-686-9177
Shelter Dinner Opportunity March 21st
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
Spring Concert Series
The Spring Concert series opens Sunday, March 28th with Deke and Joyce Polifka playing 4-Hand Piano by Faure and Debussy and continues on April 18th with Chamber Music by Mozart, Brahms and Strauss. The final concert on May 9th features Molly Roden (soprano) and Denise Lindenkugel (mezzo soprano) and Deke Polifka (piano) performing works by Schumann, Day, and Hoiby.
All concerts begin at 2 p.m. and are offered free of charge
Summer Camp 2004
The Baltimore Washington Conference offers a complete program of general and specialty camps for youth, grades 2-12, family camps, camperships, intergenerational camps and day camps. Now is the time to sign-up for one of these great summer experiences. Brochures and registration forms are available in the Wesley Room. Some scholarship assistance is available through the church, please see Anne if interested.
Report from Church Council
The Church Council met on February 22, 2004. The following committees submitted reports: Adminstrative, Finance, Staff, Pastor, Parish Relations, Worship, Christian Education, Outreach, and Renovation. Highlights included updates on decision to support three ministry partnerships with financial contributions to American University's Methodist Chaplaincy, Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place, and Georgetown Ministries; the music program's upcoming spring concert series and summer children's music camp by Deke Polifka; positive feedback from those who attended the Church Conference Leadership Day on January 31st, meeting dates set for the Staff, Pastor, Parish Relations Committee; upcoming ideas for worship and sanctuary decoration by the Worship Committee; and upcoming talks and projects by the Christian Education and Outreach Committees. The Renovation Committee reported that a general contractor, Monarch, has been selected. The estimated timeframe for renovations includes start of the project in August and completion by February 2005. Three sets of draft drawings will be hung in the Wesley Room for comment by the congregation. The Renovation Committee will present monthly updates on the renovation progress for the monthly newsletter. The Council approved the job description for the Head Usher/Sextant position and will look to fill that position immediately. Charitable giving at St. Luke's now includes three areas: Grate Patrol, three ministry partnerships, and assistance to individuals. The policy on assistance to individuals will be reviewed and suggested changes discussed at the Council's March meeting.
--Leslye Wooley
Monthly Giving Statements Reminder
Everyone who contributes to St. Luke’s now receives a monthly statement of giving so that you are better able to track your contribution record. You receive this monthly statement either by email or by regular mail, according to your preference. If you have not yet made a pledge for 2004 and would like to do so, please call or email Shalom Mulkey at the church office. Remember that now you can arrange to have your monthly pledge transferred automatically from your bank account to the church’s account.
Renovation Update
The Renovation Committee has selected Wiebenson and Dorman Architects (last Fall) and Monarc Construction (last month) to help us with the renovation process. Kendall Dorman (the architect), Sandi Stroud and Anne went down to meet with the City to determine what kinds of code issues we will have to contend with and had a very successful meeting. Several concept plans have been drawn up by the architect and very preliminary cost estimating is being done by the contractor as we speak. The various concept plans will be posted in the Wesley Room for everyone to see what the options are that we've been thinking about. And as soon as plans have been prepared which include what we learn from the contractor's estimates and all of the meetings with the City and the Shelter and the Next Step Kitchen, we will have a meeting after church to present the concept before Kendall starts the construction drawings.
The current and still very preliminary thinking is that construction may start in August or September of this year and that it should take about 9 months depending on how complicated the final plans are. We had hoped to get started this Spring but have since come to the realization that that was a little premature. In the meantime, the Renovation Committee will meet with the Architect and Contractor regularly to check on the progress of the drawings as they get more detailed.
--Sandi Stroud
St. Luke's Book Club
The Christian Education Committee invites you to come to an organizational meeting for a new St. Luke's Book Club. We hope to hold Book Club meetings once a month, and would like to have our first gathering in April. If you are interested in participating, please contact the church office so you'll be on the list. For more information, speak to Dorothy Pearson, Andrew Ohm, or Julie James (Christian Education Committee).
Drivers Needed for New Outreach to Seniors
As a part of our on-going efforts to reach out and be accessible to all of our friends and members, we would like to begin providing rides to church for our seniors who need assistance on Sundays. If you are willing to drive and are interested in helping with this new outreach ministry, please contact Leslye Wooley, lewooley25@aol.com, or 202-363-5879
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.
Kitchen News
I know you all are dreaming of those warm spring and summer days that are just around the corner- but let's go past that for one second and dream of November 20, 2004. That's the date of this year's Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon. While your tans from the summer may be gone by then - the need we have for your help won't be. The 2003 Walkathon helped us raise almost $15,000 for the Shelter and Kitchen- that's a 50% increase over last year! We couldn't have done it without you. That money will help pay for transportation for shelter residents, training materials for the Kitchen, and a variety of other essenial items for the people we serve. Thank you!
As if the Walkathon wasn't exciting enough....the first program at the Next Step Kitchen is just around the corner!! With construction timelines being what they are, we have decided to go ahead with a "pilot" program that will provide intense Life Skills and Job Readiness while we are waiting for the Kitchen renovations to be complete for more hard core Job Training. Details and dates are still in the works, but we are hoping to have our first students enrolled before summer starts!! If you need more information please contact me at susan@nextstepkitchen.org or 202-337-4275.
--Susan Keenan
news from our church family …
Kerry and Al Crosby in Amherst Massachusetts send us the good news that Al was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Career Award, which will enable him to hire researchers for his projects for several years; and that they will be having a baby in July. Kerry and Al learned about both the award and the baby on the same day! They are still actively searching for a church to call home. Please keep them in your prayer.
Earl Williams’ band (Second String Bluegrass) will be performing at the Second Annual Blue Grass Benefit for Hospice of St. Mary's (Maryland), March 6, 2004, Valley Lee Firehouse, 1-7 p.m. $10 per ticket. All are welcome to attend. Tickets available from Hospice of St. Mary's. Call 301-475-2023 for more information. Tickets also available at door.
Congratulations to Rosalyn Zulu for receiving a Biotechnology academic scholarship (for this semester) towards her studies from a biotechnology firm, BioReliance.
New Members in February
More new members! Our entire new member group in February was: Chris McKinney, Arianne Perkins, Don Scroggin, Sarah Sanders, Jeff King, Faith Lewis, Candice Morgan, Eliza Wharton and Dorothy Preston. Welcome to all!
March Birthdays
2nd Sophia Rynes
6th David Craig
6th Betty Pyle
8th George Otchere
10th Christopher McKinney
10th Chris Thompson
11th Molly McCracken
11th Janelle Rynes
18th Kerry Crosby
25th Cory Scott
29th Mary Craig
Happy birthday to all!
Letters …
Dear Anne,
On behalf of myself and the students of the United Methodist campus ministry at American University, I want to thank you and all of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for your gracious and generous contribution to our ministry. We are exceedingly grateful for the commitment you have made to our ministry for this year. In addition to helping to provide much needed resources for our programs and services for students on our campus, you will help to maintain and strengthen the ties between the campus ministry and the local church. The bond between campus ministry and local church is vital to ensure the health and growth of the Church.
With gratitude for your support and best wishes for the approaching Lenten season, I remain
Yours in Christ,
Mark Schaefer
Dear St. Luke’s Congregation:
Thank you very much for your generous contribution of $1,005.76 to The Salvation Army’s Grate Patrol program. As long-time volunteers and service providers, you are well aware of the challenges facing our friends who live on the streets of Washington. With the extremely cold winter that we have all faced, the street homeless are particularly vulnerable. That is why I am particularly pleased to tell you that St. Luke’s contribution enabled us to purchase 18 dozen sets of thermal underwear (shirts and pants) for our clients. Understandably, long underwear is a most valued gift to those living outside during this kind of weather.
Thank you again for your generous contribution that allowed us to provide for a critical need in the community.
Sincerely,
Leslye Wooley
Director of City Social Services
Joys and concerns
Dorothy Preston asked for prayers for the Fields family following the death of their mother, especially for Dorothy’s friend Rita Fields; and for Staff Sergeant James Slaton who is leaving for Iraq.
Andrea Banyasz asked for prayers for Angela with cancer; and for David, going through divorce.
Continued prayers for the people of Haiti, and for American volunteers who are having to leave.
Molly McCracken asked for prayers for her aunt and mother on the death of her Great Aunt Betty.
Marian Potter asked for prayers for the daughter of her friend Teresa, who died of brain cancer.
Penny Andrews asked for continued prayers as she continues her job search.
Curt Canada shared the joy of Cayenne Johnson blessing worship with her singing
Prayers for Hattie Wilson who had a stroke and cannot speak.
Sonia Kassambara asked for prayers for two friends who struggle with alcohol, and for all who struggle with addictions of any kind.
Don Scroggin shared the continued joy of our new piano and of Deke’s playing of Bach this morning as a rich and inclusive gift across the ages for the whole church.
Earl Williams asked for prayers for his mother who is undergoing cataract surgery this week.
Barbara Canada shared the joy that her new company, Urban Companions (working with elderly to enable them to remain in their homes), got its first client this week.
Curt Canada asked for continued prayers for Anne McAfee.
Derek Willis thanked the congregation for prayers and support with the death of Leslye’s young cousin George.
Deke shared the joy of Alanna Penza singing in the choir, asked for prayers for choir members who are traveling this week, and shared the joy of having Judy Bennett as a guest soloist this Sunday.
Inne Kim shared the joy that she has stopped smoking and it’s a whole new world.
Derrick Wagner shared the joy that Joyce is recovering well from her heart attack and their appreciation for the congregation’s prayers, notes, gifts, dinners, and calls.
For peace and for members of the military, for contract employees, and for the people of Iraq
For Beth and DJ, whose baby is due in early March
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 March
7 Dorothy Preston
14 Candice Morgan &
Skip Wilson
21 Nancy Smyrnas
28
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 March
March 7 2 Lent Genesis 15: 1-6, Psalm 27, Luke 13:31-35
March 14 3 Lent Isaiah 55:1-9, Psalm 63: 1-8, Luke 13: 1-9
March 21 4 Lent Joshua 5: 9-12, Psalm 32, Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32
March 28 5 Lent Isaiah 43: 16-21, Psalm 126, John 12: 1-8
The scripture texts for Lent trace the overarching theme of God’s love for the world, which is relational, covenantal, and redeeming. The biblical record reminds us that, though we find myriad ways to resist God’s love, God continues to offer it to us, and continues to find new ways to draw us out of dead ways of being and into life.
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.