Inside

Epis le St. Paul’s
FR O M
THE
V O LU M E 57 | N U M B E R 7 | S E P T E M B E R 2014
Letter from the Senior Pastor
My dear friends:
Someone gave me a bottlecap the other day. Actually, many of you brought in
bottlecaps as part of our summer series on prayer, the Apostle Paul and recycling.
The thousands and thousands of bottlecaps you surrendered this summer made the
worship we shared and the art we created special.
But this particular bottlecap was unique in that it was still attached to the bottle. It was
a 20 oz. bottle of Coke, and the giver felt compelled to share it because on the label it
said “Share a Coke with Adam.”
My first name is more common now than when I was a child, and I am proud that we
have at least four other Adams as members of St. Paul’s. Nonetheless, it is still a rare
enough name that it surprises me a little to see it in print and unassociated with me.
But maybe that is the point. Someone else saw this in a store and thought of me.
He bought this product and he shared it, just as directed. I don’t know whether this
marketing technique of the Coca-Cola company sells a lot of soft
drinks or not, but it is a great idea. There are some things in life,
a Coke arguably being one of them, that are best when shared.
Faith is like that. Just as a meal tastes better when it is shared
with friends, so does a life lived in pursuit of Christ. The Bible is
full of stories of Christ sharing food among his friends, of Christ
gathering with people he loved to share the ways of God.
One of the privileges of membership in a community of
faith is that we, too, get to share. We get to share our
voices when we sing and pray in worship. We get to
share the wisdom of others when we study the Bible
together in classes. We get to share God’s bounty when
we break bread together. As we welcome a new season
of ministry at St. Paul’s, I look forward to sharing all these
things with you.
I also still have my bottle of Coke. I haven’t opened it yet,
but one day soon I will. When I do, I plan to share it. I’ve
found it is better that way.
Light and peace in Jesus Christ,
A.B. Snell
Inside
2 Claire’s Corner
2 Third Thursdays
3 Congregational Care
4 UMW
4 UMM
5 Worship Ministry
5 Stephen Ministry
6 Youth News
7 Safe Sanctuaries
7 Third Grade Bibles
7 World Communion Sunday
8 Book Drive
8 Food with Friends
9 Science and Religion Retreat
10 History
11 Calendar
12 Adult Education
14 Sunday School
14 Holy Land Trip
15 National Christian Choir Concert
15 JCC Lecture Series
THE PURPOSE of St. Paul’s United
Methodist Church is to invite
and welcome all:
• To worship God
• To grow as disciples of Jesus
Christ
• To love and support one
another
• To do justice and serve compassionately in the world
“You will receive power when the
Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses.” AC TS 1:8A
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church | 10401 Armory Ave. Kensington, MD 20895 | 301-933-7933 | [email protected] | stpaulsk.org
Corner
Claire’s
Dear Family of Faith,
What an active summer full of joyful activity! I share my thanks to
all who made the summer Bottlecap Prayer series possible. I had a
meaningful time “striving side by side” (Phil 1:27) my fellow St. Paulers
as we sorted through the congregation’s bottlecaps and as we
prayed our way through Paul’s Letter to the Philippians.
ST. PAUL’S UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Adam B. Snell
[email protected]
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Rev. Claire Matheny
[email protected]
DEACON YOUTH/EDUCATION
I think Michael Godfrey takes the bottlecap prize. Five years ago
Michael started keeping his bottlecaps. He had no clue how they
might be used. St. Paul’s was the beneficiary as he brought in well
over a thousand caps. This treasure trove was added to the handful
upon loving handful that you donated for our repurposed art.
Rev. Rick Buckingham
[email protected]
You may have seen our “Rejoice, Rejoice” (Phil 4:4) bottlecap banners.
We also have two bottlecap versions of Vincent Van Gogh’s “The
Starry Night” that adorned our Labor Day Float. This display is a
reminder for us to “shine like stars in the world” (Phil 2:15), for us
to share the joy of Christ with all. Our caps combined with the
hard work of our Bottlecap Artists, produced art that mirrors God’s
upcycling beauty and nourishes our community.
N. Thomas Pedersen
[email protected]
We are vessels that have been uncapped with potential, poured
out with purpose, emptied by the power of God’s love, cleansed by
grace, and repurposed for great activity in the world!
Gratefully, Rev. Claire
YOUTH MINISTRY ASSISTANT
Micah Smartt
[email protected]
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
ORGANIST
Marvin Mills
[email protected]
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Jackie Hartmann
[email protected]
TREASURER
Sharon Zeigler
[email protected]
FACILITIES MANAGER
Tracey Furman
[email protected]
EPISTLE LAYOUT/DESIGN
Third Thursdays
20s-40s Small Group/Book Club
Kenzie Raulin
[email protected]
Epistle Deadline Friday, Sept. 20
Let's start a pilgrimage together. How about our
paths cross every Third Thursday from 7:30-9:00 p.m.
for a 20s-40s Small Group/Book Club?
Email (preferred) your article (approx. 250
words) to: [email protected]
We will discuss a book (fiction or nonfiction--the
group will decide) each month and will begin
September 18 with The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
If you are not receiving our emails
weekly please send an email to the
address below.
Location: Claire and Adam's home, 1916 Locust Grove Rd., Silver
Spring, MD. To sign-up, email [email protected]
STAY CONNECTED
E MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.stpaulsk.org
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Check us out on facebook!
Congregational Care
▶ Dear friends at St. Paul’s,
Thank you all so much for the love and support
we have received during my mom’s illness
and in response to her death. Mom went to
heaven the evening before Easter, and we
are grateful for the care she received and the
welcome that we know she received when
she got home! Our St. Paul’s “village” has
helped more than we can say in comforting
and sustaining us. Thank you to everyone who
has sent a card or made a call, brightened our
home with flowers, offered a hug and words of
encouragement, and held us all in your hearts
and prayers. We are very grateful to have been
blessed with mom and to be blessed with this
community of support.
With love, Marge Higgins and family
▶ Dear Friends at St. Paul’s,
Thank you for the lovely altar flowers delivered
by Emily Robinson. They brighten up my
apartment and my life. She also brought the
little booklet “Bottlecap Prayer” which I am
studying and enjoying. And I also want to
thank all the members who have sent me cards
and notes of encouragement. I cannot thank
them individually, but I appreciate them all.
Gratefully, Hazel Wright
▶ Dear Pastor Snell,
I’m writing this with the help of my daughter.
I’ve had two stokes and have lost the use of my
“writing” hand. I want to thank the members
of St. Paul’s, especially the Circles for the many
cards and letters I have received since I moved
to South Carolina.
I’m sorry I haven’t thanked you before. The
cards have meant a great deal to me and I can’t
thank you enough.
Sincerely, Eleanor MacMeekin
▶ Dear Friends of Saint Paul’s:
I just wanted to thank you all for your kind
thoughts and prayers after our fire here at
Leisure World. No one was hurt or killed (Praise
God!) Thanks to our neighbors who saw the
smoke and got us all safely out of our building
while I called 911.
I especially want to thank Becky Little for
allowing me to stay with her (and her cat
“Lenny”) for a few days while my building was
being cleaned and aired out.
Send a Card or Note
Mrs. Eleanor MacMeekin
60 Oak Forrest Rd. #207
Bluffton, SC 29910
Praise the Lord, Susie Propes
▶ Dear St. Paul’s Family:
Thank you all for the cards and well wishes.
There were so many I won’t be able to reply to
you all!
Thanks to everyone and Pastor Claire for the
visits at the care center and at home. They
were truly heart-warming.
I will miss everyone here so much.
If any of you are ever in the Des Moines, Iowa
area, drop in for a cup of coffee!
Luree
▶ To all at St. Paul’s:
I want to thank you for being a family to
my dad, Arlo. He did not want to retire and
be relegated to “churchy stuff.” But through
you he found a new and better job and life
long earthly family. I am so grateful and he is
blessed by being a part of St. Paul’s.
His path here on earth will become dimmer,
but by the Grace of God, he will not be alone.
Thank you and God Bless,
Christina Sarah (Wagner)
Listed are members who
would appreciate your
thoughts and expressions
of care:
Mrs. Dorothea Depenbrock
1709 Luzerne Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Mrs. Grace Lawson
8413 Nunley Drive, Apt. D
Baltimore, MD 21234
Mrs. Ruth Sylvester
403 Russell Avenue #814
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Mrs. Mae Miles
3701 Woodridge Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20902
Mrs. Margaret Thayer
3112 Gracefield Road, #621
PV #621
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Mrs. Lois Baker
333 Russell Ave.
Kindley Bldg. Rm. 318
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Mrs. Gerry Hobbs
c/o Carol Carter
14603 Woodcrest Drive
Rockville, MD 20853
Sympathy
Our deepest sympathy
is expressed to the
families and friends of
our members who have
recently passed away:
Pat Atherton
August 25, 2014
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UMW |
UMW Assembly
Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s UMW Reading Program! We are blessed to have so many
avid readers! Our next UMW Book Club will meet on September 28 at 11:45 am in room 109 following
worship. Please bring a bag lunch and we will discuss the book following lunch. We are currently reading
King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African
Village by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman. Start reading today!
Moving into the season of fall, the UMW Circles return to their monthly meetings and wish to invite all
women of the church to get involved with one of the circles. We meet monthly and focus on global
and local issues concerning women, children, education and mission. Please consider joining one of the
following:
• Martha Circle – first Wednesday of the Month / Octagon
• Lydia Circle – first Wednesday of the Month / Octagon
• Jochebed – Flex schedule but typically first Monday of the Month / member’s home or church.
For more information please speak to a UMW member, go to www.unitedmethodistwomen.org or call the
church office, 301-933-1933.
UMM |
United Methodist Men
If you need information about UMM activities, you can find it easily! There’s a link to
meeting minutes, our calendar, and other information under “Ministries” on the St.
Paul’s website; a UMM bulletin board is near the parking lot exit; or just ask an executive
committee member. Also, watch for announcements of upcoming activities in the
bulletin, in the Epistle, and in our monthly newsletter mailed to UMM members.
“THE PURPOSE OF THE UNITED
Our first Pancake Breakfast of the fall season is September 6, benefitting the Hunger
Ministry, the Fall Discovery Weekend, and the St. Paul’s Music Program. Invite your
friends to join us – it’s a great gathering of folks from the church and the community!
OF THE CHURCH AND ITS
Our first UMM Supper with Friends will be on October 1.
The Fall Yard and Apple Sales will be October 23 – 25.
The Christmas Tree Sale will start on December 5.
Don’t forget: We include all male members
and friends of St. Paul’s as members of
The United Methodist Men. There are
no dues or fees to join – so come and be with us!
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METHODIST MEN IS TO ENGAGE
IN A VARIETY OF CHRISTCENTERED ACTIVITIES FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE MINISTRIES,
PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
MEMBERS.”
For more information on
the UMM, please contact
Steve Lillie at
[email protected]
301-942-6130
Worship Ministry Team
by Linda Ferrara How blessed we are to have such
creative and inspiring ministers! Worship at St. Paul’s is not
only meaningful, but it’s actually fun. Last summer Adam
“wowed” us with his “Horton Hears a Who” series and this
year Claire’s “Bottlecap Prayer” series was really tops! (Pun
intended.) I’m sure I’m not the only one who was inspired
to pray in different ways, think more deeply about the
value of things often thought of as worthless or unworthy
and be more open to creative ways of repurposing them.
The prayer booklet, supported by the weekly sermons,
provided examples and exercises that really helped
support paradigm shifts that are limitless in application.
So thank you, Claire, for sharing excerpts of the Philippian
letters in this series. Our awareness of Paul’s fundamental
messages has been raised in a very clever way.
In addition to continuing plans for the fall Chrismon
Project, two other projects are underway. They include a
new funeral pall (being created by Elaine Lohrman) and
the much needed repair of many of our treasured hand
bells. (Please see the St. Paul’s History bulletin board near
the parking lot entrance for some interesting facts on our
hand bells.)
Worship services have been well
attended this summer, yet it
will be great to see more of you
back from summer vacations. As
always, the WMC is interested
in learning of practices and
programs from other churches
that you may have visited
recently. Please share any ideas
you’ve collected through an
email ([email protected]) or a note
in the Worship Ministry mailbox
across from the Library.
Special note for our young
adults: New acolyte training is
scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 17
at 11:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
If interested in becoming an
acolyte or crucifer, please contact
Terry Mitchell at terrydmitchell@
aol.com or Rick Buckingham at
[email protected].
Stephen Ministry
By Dick Stevenson I have two brief items to bring to your attention this month.
The first is that the St. Paul’s Stephen Ministry is happy and proud to announce that Jim Hitchcock,
who has been an active Stephen Minister for a number of years, recently completed the weeklong
training in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to become a qualified Stephen Leader and now joins the ranks of those who
have been serving as “leaders” for our program. Welcome and congratulations, Jim.
Secondly, while the new training class for Stephen Ministers may have already begun by the time you read this, it may
not be too late. If you find yourself having missed God’s calling earlier this summer to join the newest training class,
it may still be possible to make it under the wire if you are willing to do a little make up work. If you were away on
vacation and missed His call, if you heard it and forgot that He called, if you allowed your hearing aids to accumulate
“wax build up”, or have any other reasons for not responding, contact Rev. Claire Matheny or Virginia Bickford
immediately for help. God needs you!
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YouthNews
Youth Group Begins!
ALL
youth en
tering
6th throu
gh 12th
grades ar
e
invited!
MH UMYF begins on Friday, September 5
SH UMYF begins on Sunday, September 7
All youth entering 6th through 12th grades are invited to participate in our Middle
High or Senior High Youth Fellowships. The schedule for all of our meetings and
activities is mailed monthly in the newsletter, "Just For YOUth.” Our Middle High
UMYF will move to a Friday time slot (7:00-8:30 p.m. – correction from August),
and our Senior High UMYF will remain on Sunday evenings, (also 7:00-8:30 p.m.),
including recreation, refreshments, and a program. Parents are asked to drop off
and pick up youth from the Multipurpose Room or the Armory Avenue parking
lot. The program includes several weekend retreats and other off-campus events
during the course of the year. All Middle High Parents are asked to sign up to
chaperone, and provide refreshments, for at least two meetings / activities during
the calendar year. The sign-up sheet will be available at the first Middle High
meeting on September 5.
St. Paul’s Council
on Youth Ministry
will meet on
Sunday, September 7,
5-7 P.M. in Room 109.
What does it mean to “love one another” as Jesus taught? What does it mean to
be “church?” Leave the pressures and baggage of school behind, and find a place
to be yourself. UMYF is a safe, welcoming community where young people learn
how to be God’s people! ~ Rick Buckingham and Micah Smartt
New Acolyte / Crucifer Training
11:45 a.m. Sunday, September 14, 2014 in the Sanctuary
Youth entering 6th-12th grades are eligible to be trained as acolytes. Youth
entering 9th-12th grades with sufficient upper-body strength are eligible to be
trained as crucifers. Please contact Terry Mitchell at [email protected] or Rick
Buckingham at [email protected] to register your interest.
Middle High Fall Retreat!
All Middle Highers, 6th-8th grades, are invited to participate in our Middle High Fall
Retreat, September 26-28, 2015 at Covenant House, Camp Manidokan. Permission
forms are in the September issue of Just For YOUth and on the St. Paul’s website.
Cost is $75 for the weekend. Please sign up with Rick Buckingham or Micah Smartt
by September 14.
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For more information on
Youth Activities, please
contact Rick Buckingham
at rbuckingham@stpaulsk.
org 301-933-7933.
Safe Sanctuaries Orientation for
Church School and Youth Workers
and all Parents –
Sunday, September 21, 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.,
in Heavener Hall
This year the Staff-Parish Relations Committee
established a task force to review and revise our Safe
Sanctuaries Policy and Procedures. This work was
completed this summer, and on September 21 all
volunteer Sunday School teachers, youth workers, and
interested parents are asked to attend an Orientation
Meeting. The meeting will be held from 11:45 - 12:30.
Light refreshments will be served. Please mark your
calendar now and plan to join us. Learn what we are
doing to keep our church safe for children, youth and
families, and how you can help!
Third Grade Bibles –
Children’s Sunday, September 14, 2014
It is a tradition at St. Paul’s to present new Bibles every
fall to our entering third grade class. Congratulations
to: Jack Alcroft, Nathaniel Binantoro, Ryan G.
Cooper, Grace Denny, Gabriel Holsinger, Grace
Morford, Charlie O’Shea, Aidan Regotti, Ivy Ann
Ruskin, Brian Paul Schwartz, Gavin B. Simmons,
William P. Simpson, and Daphne Wegner. Bibles
will be inscribed as above unless parents contact
Rick Buckingham at [email protected] with
spelling corrections, etc., by Tuesday, September 9.
The presentation will be during our Young People’s
Message at the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. service,
followed by an abbreviated Sunday Church School, on
September 14.
On Sunday, October 5, we will observe World Communion Sunday. We will
highlight the joys of multicultural community here at St. Paul’s and give
thanks that Christians are gathering at Communion tables throughout the
world. The National Council of Churches (NCC), which represents thirtyseven Christian faith groups worldwide, adopted the observation of
World Communion Sunday in 1940—a practice that originated with
The Presbyterian Church (USA). The NCC advocates that on World
Communion Sunday Christians “celebrate our oneness in Christ, the
Prince of Peace, in the midst of the world we are called to serve—a
world ever more in need of peacemaking” (http://ncccusa.org/).
At St. Paul’s, we hope to have a number of multicultural elements
present on October 5 that help us to celebrate that Christ is the Head of
the global Church. We will enjoy Indian naan at our Communion Table.
We will hear different languages shared in worship. We encourage
congregants to wear clothes that reflect a worldwide heritage. We
hope our Octagon will be filled with international flavors.
We could use your help! If you are able to prepare treats or serve in the Octagon following the 10:30 service
on October 5, please contact Arceli Suley: [email protected] or 301-871-2421. If you speak a language
other than English and wish to participate in worship, please be in touch with Rev. Claire Matheny, cmatheny@
stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933.
* United Methodists collect a special offering each year on World Communion Sunday to support education around the
globe. For more information, visit http://www.umcgiving.org/ministry-articles/world-communion-sunday
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Books for the Correctional
Facility Library
The Correctional Facility in Clarksburg houses a branch of the Montgomery County
Public Library, but the books on its shelves tend to be well-worn, often arriving as
cast-offs or “hand-me-downs” from other libraries in the system.
Members of our congregation have provided dozens of books this past year, all of
which have been gratefully received at the jail. The need for books continues, both
fiction and non-fiction, hardbacks or paperbacks. If you are clearing space on your
own bookshelves this fall, please consider contributing your used books to this
cause. A purple bin marked “Books for the MCCF” can be found in our own church
library next to the card catalog.
I was in prison
and you visited
me . . .
Fiction in demand includes legal thrillers and fantasy especially. On the non-fiction
side, cookbooks are popular (particularly ones with pictures), as well as trade books
(plumbing, carpentry, etc.), computer books, books on animals (especially dogs),
psychology, general health and fitness, and any books in Spanish. How-to books
(such as the “For Dummies” series) are also welcome.
Religious devotionals are needed, but the library currently has a surplus of Bibles.
They cannot accept magazines, CD’s, DVD’s, or spiral-bound books.
All donations are anonymous and will be screened by the guards and librarians at
the Correctional Facility, so please don’t hesitate to bring in any books that you are
ready to recycle.
Thank you! Sherri Porter (301-977-1327)
Food with Friends
The Food With Friends Large Group Dinner will be September 13th, 6:30 p.m. at the
Hitchcocks' to kick-off the 2014-2015 Food With Friends season. It’s a great way to get to know
others of the congregation in an intimate dinner setting. The young and the old and the
single and married are all invited and it’s not too late to join us. The format remains as before
with 8 to 10 people gathering at the homes of others in the group for dinner, refreshment
and fellowship. In coordination with the host, each brings a portion of the meal to share.
Each dinner is scheduled for the second Saturday of each month, September through May
(In September, December and June there are large group dinners). The schedules are flexible
and are changed by the host as need be. If you have any questions or would like to sign up to
come on September 13, call Beth Hitchcock (301-871-5055) or Edie Kirk (301-260-1157).
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St. Paul's upcycles Starry, Starry night....
at the Kensington Labor Day Parade
Science & Religion Retreat
Friday, September 19-20
Science & Religion Retreat: WesleyNexus is holding an overnight retreat for all interested in conversations and
discussions on science and religion at West River Conference Center, Sept 19-20. Retreat will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday,
Sept. 19, and finish at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The retreat will address topics like:
• What does "created in the image of God" mean in the 21st century?
• How do new discoveries re: DNA impact our thinking
about humanity?
• What does brain science have to say about our selfidentity as humans?
• How is our witness as Christians impacted by our
taking science seriously?
For more information and registration, visit the
WesleyNexus website at www.wesnex.org.
Brochures are also available in the church office.
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Bits of History |
By JACK LIPSCOMB
Beauty from Ashes
On the night of May 2, 1966, St. Paul’s sanctuary, the third that the
congregation had occupied since 1885, fell victim to arson. It was a
great loss for the church, for it was still “new,” having been built in 1953.
However, Rev. Charles Kirkley and the congregation moved swiftly to
begin planning for the rebuilding.
On May 3, 1966, Rev. Kirkley called a special meeting of the Board of
Trustees to initiate the insurance process, the cleanup, the plans for
continuing church services and plans for the rebuilding. An emergency
committee was named to make the decisions necessary to get quick
action as needed until the building committees were formalized.
The first meeting of the Building Committee was held on June 9, 1966,
just a month after the fire. The organization with its subcommittees was
approved. The Settlement Committee was established to work with the
insurance company regarding the losses incurred. The Committee to
Select the Architect began its work of reviewing proposals submitted. The
Committee to Recommend an Organ was delegated to begin selecting a
replacement instrument.
By the middle of July, the firm of Duane and Duane, Architects of
Washington, D.C. had been selected for the architectural planning and the construction
supervision for the re-building.
In November, the Organ Committee selected the Aeolian-Skinner company to build the
replacement organ for the new sanctuary. Also, in November, the architect presented
preliminary plans to the Building Committee.
On December 11, 1966, a special Quarterly Conference and a Church Conference were held.
The architect’s plans were presented. The Official Board recommended the purchase of
additional lots on Armory Avenue, the procurement of a loan of $500,000, and the rebuilding
plans as submitted by the architect. In the Church Conference that followed, all of the plans
were presented to the congregation for discussion. Approval was given to proceed.
The architect presented several studios as possible candidates for the crafting of the stained
glass windows in the new sanctuary. After meeting with representatives and visiting sites to
view other windows that had been done, the Stained Glass Window Committee selected the
Willet Studios of Philadelphia.
On July 9, 1967, a Service of Benediction and Ground-breaking was held. And the construction
began. The Service of Cornerstone Laying was held on April 28, 1968. The first worship service
in the new sanctuary was held on October 27, with the Service of Consecration held on
November 10, 1968.
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Contact Jack Lipscomb
at 301-774-2761
or jplipscomb@
verizon.net for more
information on this
article and on the
history committee, or
to purchase the history
book.
The sale price of the
history book is now
$15!
September 2014
~ September 2014 ~
◄ August
Sun
1
Mon
Labor Day
Church Offices Closed
9am Kensington Labor
Day Parade
7 Communion Collect
8
2
Tue
10:45am Lectionary
Bible Study
Where: Library
7pm The Journey
Where: Library
9
3
Wed
4
October ►
Thu
5
Fri
Sat
6 Train Show –
Town Hall
8am Pancake
Breakfast
Where:
Heavener Hall
10am Pie with
the Pastors
Where: Parlor
10:30am Martha Circle
Where: Octagon
7:30pm Lydia Circle
Where: Octagon
7:30pm Troop 439
Leadership Council
Where: 119
7:30pm UMM Executive
Committee
Where: Library
6:45pm Choir
Bible Study
Where: Library
7:30pm Sanctuary
Choir
Where: 211
7pm Middle High
Youth Group
Where: MPR,
Youth Lounge
10
7pm Joyful Ringers!
Where: 109
7:30pm Finance
Committee
Where: Parlor
11
6:45pm Choir
Bible Study
Where: Library
7:30pm Sanctuary
Choir
Where: 211
7:30pm Food
Distribution
Where: Narthex
12
13
9 & 10:30am Worship with
Communion
Where: Sanctuary
10:30am Sunday School
Where: Various Rooms
11:45am Food Sorting
Where: Narthex
5pm CYM
Where: 109
7pm Senior High Youth Group
Where: MPR/Youth Lounge
1pm Staff Meeting
Where: parlor
7pm Stephen Ministry
Where: Warner
Presbyterian Church
7pm Jochebed Circle
Where: Schiponis’
7:30pm Troop 439
Troop Meeting
Where: MPR
10am Prayer Lift
Where: Chapel
10:45am Lectionary
Bible Study
Where: Library
7pm The Journey
Where: Library
7pm Disciple 1
Where: Parlor
14
9am Worship with Communion
Where: Sanctuary
10:30am Worship
Where: Sanctuary
10:30am Sunday School
Where: Various Rooms
7pm Senior High Youth Group
Where: MPR/Youth Lounge
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
6pm Usher CPR
Training
Where: Octagon
6:30pm Supper &
Study
Where: Parlor, 109,
Library, 115, HH
7pm Yarn Ministry
Where: Youth Lounge
(118)
7:30pm Troop 439
Troop Meeting
Where: MPR
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Notes:
9am Worship with Communion
Where: Sanctuary
10:30am Worship
Where: Sanctuary
10:30am Sunday School
Where: Various Rooms
11:30am Safe Sanctuary
Orientation
Where: Heavener Hall
11:45am SPRC
Where: Parlor
7pm Senior High Youth Group
Where: MPR/Youth Lounge
9am Worship with Communion
Where: Sanctuary
10:30am Worship
Where: Sanctuary
10:30am Sunday School
Where: Various Rooms
12pm UMW Book Club
Where: 109
1pm Staff Meeting
Where: parlor
6:30pm Supper &
Study
Where: Parlor, 109,
Library, 115, HH
7pm Stephen Ministry
Where: Octagon &
Sharon's Office
7pm Yarn Ministry
Where: Youth Lounge
(118)
7:30pm UMW
Communications Team
Where: 300
6:30pm Supper &
Study
Where: Parlor, 109,
Library, 115, HH
7pm Worship
Committee
Where: Octagon
7:30pm Troop 439
Troop Meeting
Where: MPR
10am Prayer Lift
Where: Chapel
10:45am Lectionary
Bible Study
Where: Library
12pm Tuesdays
Together
Where: Sanctuary &
Octagon
7pm The Journey
Where: Library
7pm Disciple 1
Where: Parlor
10am Prayer Lift
Where: Chapel
10:45am Lectionary
Bible Study
Where: Library
7pm The Journey
Where: Library
7pm Disciple 1
Where: Parlor
7pm Brookewood Back
to School Night
(Gr.6-12)
10am Prayer Lift
Where: Chapel
10:45am Lectionary
Bible Study
Where: Library
7pm The Journey
Where: Library
7pm Disciple 1
Where: Parlor
7pm Joyful Ringers!
Where: 109
7:30pm Church Council
Where: Library
7pm Joyful Ringers!
Where: 109
7pm Justice &
Compassion
Where: Parlor
7:30pm Troop 439
Committee Meeting
Where: 119
6:45pm Choir
Bible Study
Where: Library
7:30pm Sanctuary
Choir
Where: 211
7pm Brookewood
Back to School
Night (Gr.1-5)
Where: Various
rooms
7pm Middle High
Youth Group
Where: MPR,
Youth Lounge
7pm Middle High
Youth Group
Where: MPR,
Youth Lounge
6:45pm Choir
5pm Middle High
Bible Study
Youth Retreat
Where: Library
Where: Manidokan
7:00pm Lay
Leadership
Where: 109
7:30pm Sanctuary
Choir
Where: 211
6:30pm Food
with Friends
Where:
Hitchcocks’
Kensington 8K
Race
E P I S T L E | S E P T E M B E R 2014
11
Fall 2014 Supper & Study –
SAVE THE DATES!
This fall, St. Paul’s Adult Education Committee will again sponsor our popular Supper and Study program on six
consecutive Monday evenings, beginning on September 15 and going through October 20.
Following a catered dinner served in Heavener Hall, participants will meet in their respective classrooms for
discussion/study groups. Registration for all classes will begin on the St. Paul’s website, and in the church
narthex, on Sunday, August 24. The fee for each course, including six meals, is $72.00, payable to St. Paul’s
United Methodist Church.
Please consider signing up for one of the following
courses:
1
Creating Your Ethical Legacy
~ Bev and Bob Stearns
What’s in your will? You may
think you know who gets
what, but have you neglected
what is most important?
Your personal history and
transmitted values can be
the best things you can
leave to your loved ones,
to their descendants, and
even to the world beyond.
This workshop will show
how others have created
their own ethical legacies and give
participants the opportunity to study and discuss a
wide range of topics from the most practical (I keep
my will in my top desk drawer) to the most abstract
(Jesus’s story of the Good Samaritan has been the
guiding principle of my life). The course will cover not
only what we want to leave behind, but how we can
most effectively transmit to others who we are and
what we believe.
Resource: The Other Talk – A Guide to Talking with your
Adult Children About the Rest of Your Life, by Tim Prosch
Bev and Bob Stearns are both retired college professors.
They were married at St. Paul’s in October 2012. Their
shared values were the most important reason why they
fell in love and are their primary motivation for offering
this course.
12
E P I S T L E | S E P T E M B E R 2014
2
Embracing an Adult Faith: Marcus
Borg on What it Means to Be Christian
~ Rev. Rick Buckingham
(Note: This class is five sessions.)
Marcus Borg helps us revisit Christianity’s most fundamental questions: Who is God? What does salvation
mean? What place does Jesus hold in contemporary
faith? Together we will confront these big questions
and work together toward authentic answers.
Rick Buckingham has an M.R.E. from Wesley Seminary and
has served as St. Paul’s Minister of Education and Youth
since 1985. He is an ordained United Methodist deacon.
3
Gleaning Together
~ Rev. Claire Matheny & Meg Baker
This is a study on hunger. Over the last three years at
St. Paul’s, we have been engaged in the collection and
distribution of food in our community. In worship, we
have learned and prayed about some of the hunger
issues that face our neighborhoods and world. This
study is an opportunity to take a closer look at what
the Bible has to say about hunger and at what the
leading causes of hunger are today. We will listen
for how God continues to challenge us. How do we
combine a faith in the generous love of Jesus with
concrete ways to address the realities of hunger in our
world? We will be utilizing a study guide offered by
The Society of St. Andrew, a nonprofit dedicated to
feeding America’s hungry.
Rev. Matheny, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, currently
serves as Associate Pastor of St. Paul's.
4
Making Sense of the Bible with
Adam Hamilton ~ Brian Ruberry
This study deals with fundamental and controversial
questions people ask, such as: Who decided which
books made it in to The Bible and why? How literally
must we read it? Is The Bible ever wrong? Hamilton
addresses these and other often misunderstood biblical
themes, leading readers to a deeper appreciation of
The Bible so that we might hear God speak through it
and find the words to be life-changing and life-giving.
5
“Natural Spirituality”~ Feeling God’s
Presence in our Everyday Lives
~ Kenzie Raulin
Cleveland Library – Enrollment 14
Come to explore the natural spirit of God that comes to
us everyday (and night) through the day-to-day events
of our lives. The holy men and women of biblical times
recognized the natural spirit and were often guided
by it. We will explore basic Jungian concepts of the
conscious and unconscious; the
phenomenon of synchronicity
(or meaningful coincidence),
individuation and the wisdom to
be found by looking inward.
The study will be about learning
to recognize the unfolding of our
individual spiritual journeys while
enriching our relationship with
God, ourselves, and the world.
Natural Spirituality is a term
coined by Joyce Rockwood Hudson, founder
and director of the Natural Spirituality Program at
Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia.
Resources: Natural Spirituality: Recovering the Wisdom
Tradition in Christianity by Joyce Rockwood Hudson
This class will be facilitated by Kenzie Raulin, graphic
designer and member of St. Paul’s UMC. She has been
blessed to feel God’s presence in her everyday life and has
been a prolific dreamer for 55 years.
More Education Opportunities
Disciple I
A new Disciple I class is also forming, and will meet on Tuesday evenings
throughout the school year, beginning on September 9, meeting 7-9 p.m.
and led by our senior pastor, the Rev. Adam Snell. This year-long survey
of the Bible will reveal to you the major themes of our faith which connect
the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament, culminating in a clearer
understanding of who Jesus truly is.
Disciple II
Disciple II – This 32-week class is the second study in the four-phase Disciple
program and is prepared for those who are graduates of Disciple 1. This
study proclaims the transforming power of Scripture while teaching Bible
study skills that take participants deeper into the Scripture. The study also
emphasizes the rhythm of coming to God and going for God, of being in
the Word and in the world individually and corporately. This course will be
led by Amy Frontz and will meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. The
first class will be on September 10.
Please sign up for the above classes on St. Paul’s website or at the
registration tables located in the narthex on Sunday mornings.
Weekly Lectionary Bible Study
Our weekly Lectionary Bible Studies will
again take place on Tuesday mornings
at 10:30 a.m. in the Cleveland Library. No
pre-registration or fee is required.
Biblical Archaeology Forum
Finally, St. Paul’s Adult Education
Committee encourages our members
to take advantage of the ongoing
educational opportunities provided
through the Biblical Archaeology Forum.
This local community group’s monthly
lectures bring together leading Bible
scholars and archaeologists to enlighten
us in our understanding of the Biblical
tests and the Biblical world. Look for a
monthly announcement and description
of the current offering in The Epistle.
E P I S T L E | S E P T E M B E R 2014
13
Sunday School
by Ashley Derr Welcome to September and the beginning of
another year of Sunday School! This fall, my two-year-old son will
embark on his official Sunday School journey as a participant in
the 2s and 3s class. I am excited that I will also be embarking on
my own journey as a superintendent of the Sunday School. I’ll
be joined by my co-superintendent, Robin Mayhew, a veteran
of our Sunday School program (whose teenagers are at the
opposite end of the spectrum from my son and are wrapping
up their years of Sunday School at St. Paul’s). Robin and I look
forward to continuing to grow St. Paul’s already vibrant Sunday
School program, and we hope to use this space to update
everyone throughout the year on what is going on in the classrooms as the children explore their faith.
For now, here are some important upcoming dates:
September 7 - First day of Sunday School!
September 14 - Sunday School teacher consecration during the 10:30 a.m. service
September 21 - Safe Sanctuaries Orientation for teachers and parents following the
10:30 a.m. service (see elsewhere in this Epistle or Sunday’s bulletin for
more information about this meeting)
We are looking forward to a great year of fun and learning!
If you have questions or need more information, e-mail [email protected]
Pilgrimage to The Holy Land!
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall come, the inhabitants of many cities; the inhabitants of
one city shall go to another, saying, “Come, let us go to entreat the favor of the LORD of hosts, and
to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.” Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek
the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the LORD.” (Zechariah 8:20-22)
Next year in Jerusalem! Plan now to join Rev. Rick Buckingham and St. Paul’s friends on his
9th pilgrimage tour to Israel. Our dates are February 9-19, 2015, with the option of a 3-day extension to Jordan, or a 3
or 7-day extension to Egypt. The basic tour includes visits to Jericho, Qum Ran (Dead Sea Scrolls), Bethlehem, Caesarea,
Megiddo, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Samaria and, of course, Jerusalem. A $300 deposit is required to save your
space. Brochures are available in the church office and the narthex. Registration and payment deadline for this trip is
November 2014. NOTE: The conflict in Gaza this summer has had no effect on pilgrims currently traveling in Israel, and
we do not anticipate that it will have any impact on our plans. Please address questions or communicate interest to
Rev. Buckingham at [email protected].
14
E P I S T L E | S E P T E M B E R 2014
Music Notes National Christian Choir Concert to Benefit INM
The National Christian Choir will perform in concert on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Oakdale Emory UMC
to benefit the Baltimore-Washington Conference Imagine No Malaria Campaign. There will be a 2:00 p.m.
matinee and a 6:00 p.m. evening performance with a reception for persons donating at the Bishop’s Circle
level. Donation levels are set at: $20 for Patron (save 2 lives), $30 for Director’s Circle (save 3 lives), and $50 for
Bishop’s Circle (save 5 lives). All donations go completely to the Imagine No Malaria campaign and are fully tax
deductable.
The National Christian Choir is an interdenominational choir based in the Washington DC metropolitan area
which ministers through recordings, tours and weekly radio broadcasts. They present 12-15 concerts each year
throughout the mid-Atlantic area and tour elsewhere in America almost every year and internationally once every
5 years. The choir was founded in 1984 and is under the leadership of Ms. Kathy Bowman. Ms. Bowman is a former
professor of music and Music Director at Trinity UMC, Frederick. The choir now has close to 170 voices.
The NCC is also heard on their weekly radio program, “Psalm 95,” a weekly hour of teaching and inspiration,
featuring the music of The Choir and hosted by Kathy Bowman.
For ticket and performance information you may go to the website for the Baltimore-Washington Conference
and follow the links to the Christian Choir concert or go the website of the National Christian Choir at
nationalchristianchoir.org and follow the links to the October 25 concert. If you have difficulty doing this, please
call Dick Stevenson at 301-963-2627 for assistance. Dick is a member of St. Paul’s UMC and an active member of
the NCC. He will be glad to help you and answer any questions you may have.
God’s Battle with Satan
in the Book of Revelation
Wednesday, September 17 • 8 p.m.
Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852
$10 admission at the door; $48 membership for all eight lectures
Presenter: Ian Boxall | Catholic University
The Book of Revelation is dominated by conflict. At its heart is the battle between God (and his
Messiah) and Satan, visualized as a dragon. Dr. Boxall will explore how its author, an anti-Roman
Jewish prophet and follower of Jesus who wrote in the second half of the first century CE, reworked ancient myths and their use by early Roman emperors, in the light of the biblical tradition.
In particular, he will consider how inscriptional evidence from the Aegean island of Patmos, the
author’s location, illuminates Revelation‘s description of this cosmic struggle.
E P I S T L E | S E P T E M B E R 2014
15
St. Paul’s
United Methodist Church
NITED
CHURCH
Avenue
ryland 20895
10401 Armory Ave., Kensington, MD 20895
REQUESTED
Missed Church?
Sermons are online!
www.stpaulsk.org/sermons
The 10:30 a.m. service is
recorded on CD. Copies are
available. Sign up in the church
office and indicate how you
wish to receive and return
the CD – a voluntary
donation of $2 for CD
is suggested.
Paul’s
Epis le St.
fr o M
the
v o lU M e
Mber
54 | nU
ior Pastor
m the Sen
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of others. fill
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you use for
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bring it back
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groceries and
we’ll give them
of groceries,
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those bags
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hungry, and
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Light and peace
A.b. Snell
:
My dear friends
e r 2011
Inside
2 Claire’s Corner
3 UMW / UMM Care
l
4 Congregationa health
l
5 Congregationa Photos
d
5 family Weeken
6 Youth news
Walking
8 labyrinth
Compassion
9 Justice &
ar
10 Calend
Directory
board
11 bulletin
Apple Sale
12 Yard and
ing St. Paul’s
13 Uphold
future
history and
14 history
of bread
15 festival
the PUrPoS
e
ist
United Method
of St. Paul’s
invite and
Church is to
welcome all:
God
• To worship
Jesus
disciples of
• To grow as
Christ
suppor t one
and
love
• To
another
and serve
• To do justice ly in the world
compassionate
Four options
to receive the
Epistle!
Lectionary
ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
*
*
*
2011 issue:
Sept 7 Exodus
12:1-4
Pastor Rev. Adam B. Snell
[email protected]
or
EMAIL (color)
Visitation Pastor Rev. Claire Matheny Sept 14 Exodus 14:19-31
phen Min/ Send an email to: [email protected] and
Deacon Youth/Education Rev. Rick Buckingham [email protected]
write ‘email the epistle’ in the subject line.
Sept 21 Matthew
20:1-16
Youth Ministry Assistant Dustin S. Burrow
[email protected]
DOWNLOAD (color)
Director of Music N. Thomas Pedersen Sept 28 Matthew
[email protected]
21:23-32
on Class/ Go to the St. Paul’s web site www.stpaulsk.org and
Organist
Marvin
Mills
[email protected]
perBowl”/download your own pdf version.
Office Administrator Jackie Hartmann
[email protected]
unday/ MAIL (B+W)
Epistle Editor Del Moyer
[email protected]
If you don’t receive an Epistle in the mail and
p
Copy
Editor
Jan
Aamodt
[email protected]
would prefer this, contact the church office at
Schedule
History and
301-933-7933.
*
*
*
Coordinator
10:30 a.m. Worship
HOURS 9:00 a.m. Worship with
/ TuesdaysPICK UP (B+W)
Communion in the Sanctuary in the Sanctuary
9:00
a.m. Epistle
Worship
with Communion
in the Sanctuary (Nursery available)
Copies of
the current
are available
in the
(Nursery available)
(Nursery available)
Narthex
and ina.m.
the church
office. in the Sanctuary (Nursery available)
10:30
Worship
10:30 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Sunday School (Various Rooms)
/ poem
*
*
*
16
E P I S TTHE
L E | S E P PURPOSE
T E M B E R 2014
of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is to invite and
vin Mills/
welcome all:
—To worship God
St. Paul’s United
Church
Methodist
Ave.
| 10401 Armory
Kensington,
MD 20895
| 301-933-7933
the
power when
“You will receive
you;
come upon
Holy Spirit has
s.”
be my witnesse
and you will
AC tS 1:8A
erizon.net
| stpaulsunited@v
| stpaulsk.org
Worship