Summer 2015 - St. Paul`s United Methodist Church

Epis le St. Paul’s
FR O M
THE
V O LU M E 57 | N U M B E R 7 | AU G U S T 2015
Letter from the Senior Pastor
My dear friends:
Get ready for a little light to be shed on St. Paul’s. First, we’re about to start a five week
sermon series during the Sundays in August that’s all about light. We’ll explore the
biblical text about light’s creation (“Let there be light,” God said) and other passages
about what God’s people are to do with the light. Just as sunlight shines through the
beautiful eastern window of our Sanctuary on Sunday morning, it is our hope that this
sermon series illuminates new ways for us to be bearers of God’s light.
A little light is also going to be shed on some possibilities for future building
renovations that the Church Council is eager for us to hear. Last summer a church
member approached me and wanted to contribute a sum of money to a future
building project in memory of this person’s spouse. This giver asked me if I had any
building projects I was thinking about.
As God will move, I had recently been thinking about some old plans that had been
stored in our archives. Back in the 1990s Rev. Chet Kirk, one of St. Paul’s beloved
former pastors, had drawn up some very preliminary plans for renovations to St. Paul’s.
I had found these drawings, and was intrigued by the ways in which they introduced
even more sunlight into the Octagon, the Narthex, and Heavener Hall. I shared some
of my dreams about making these drawings a reality with the member who wanted
to give money, and the giver shared my excitement.
So, I went to the Church Council last September. I told them about the gift and
about my dreams, and asked for permission to have a small team of people dream
with me for a few months. The Church Council authorized a team consisting of Jim
Mollenauer (Trustees Chair), John Seabreeze (Finance Chair), Mike McCurry (Lay
Leader), Rick Bond (an architect), and Sallie Chatfield (someone with interior design
gifts) to join me. We were officially a study committee, but we called ourselves the
“Dream Team.” We called ourselves this not because of any arrogance but out of a
shared commitment to dream about what could be, and to pray for God’s light to
guide us. Together we met, studied the old plans, and walked the building. And
dreamed and prayed.
In March, we made another presentation to Church Council. We talked about our
dream of making our building more accessible, our dream of connecting the ways we
worship and gather and serve into one organic whole, and our dream of bringing out
continued on page 15
Inside
2 Claire’s Corner
3 Congregational Care
4 UMW
5 UMM
6 Youth News
7 Holy Land Trip
8 History
9 Calendar
9 Calling Crafters!
10 Sunday School Teachers
10 Cards for Caring
11 Friendship Club
12 Fall Adult Education
14 Backpack Drive
14 Photo Directory
15 Food With Friends
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,
I traveled to South Korea in July. Thank you for all of the prayers you
sent across the globe for our group of seven young adult clergy. We
represented the Baltimore-Washington Conference, which has a
longstanding connection with a Southern Conference of the Korean
Methodist Church in the Daejeon region of South Korea.
Our group was warned by Central Maryland District Superintendent,
J.W. Park, who accompanied us, that much of our time would be
spent shadowing a Korean pastor—with no English translator.
However, the brother in my host family, Daniel, is a fluent English
speaker, and he was an invaluable resource as I navigated new
cultural terrain. I had a very cold shower my first day, but thankfully
came to find out that there was a hot water button in the
apartment’s living room.
Some days, I rose for 4:30 a.m. prayers as is the daily custom at the
church I attended headed by Bishop Ahn. Some days, I succumbed
to jet lag. Every day we were treated to delicious spreads of food
every time we turned around. Our explorations beyond the dining
table included a hike to a Buddhist temple, a visit to a Methodist girls
school and a University, a trip to a traditional ancient village, and a
tour of the Methodist Building in downtown Seoul.
Over the course of my time in Daejeon, I preached four times in
three different churches. I am sure that my translator was getting a
bit tired of hearing the same message! However, each church was
abundantly gracious to us and gave me a new definition of radical
hospitality: kimchee and bulgogi!
I look forward to sharing more about my travels in the days and
weeks to come. The trip is certainly one that will inform my ministry. I
give thanks for the power of Christ I experienced among my brothers
and sisters across the sea.
Gratefully, Rev. Claire
ST. PAUL’S UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
SENIOR PASTOR
Rev. Adam B. Snell
[email protected]
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Rev. Claire Matheny
[email protected]
DEACON YOUTH/EDUCATION
Rev. Rick Buckingham
[email protected]
YOUTH MINISTRY ASSISTANT
Micah Smartt
[email protected]
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
N. Thomas Pedersen
[email protected]
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
Kenzie Raulin
[email protected]
Epistle Deadline Friday, August 14
Email (preferred) your article (approx. 250
words) to: [email protected]
STAY CONNECTED
If you are not receiving our emails
weekly please send an email to the
address below.
E MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.stpaulsk.org
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Check us out on facebook!
Congregational Care
Send a Card or Note
Thank You
▶ Friends,
Many thanks for your ongoing support and prayers
during my Mom’s final days. As my family mourned
her passing, the deluge of condolences, cards, and
hugs you unleashed made this journey much more
bearable. Thank you for embracing us with the love
of Christ throughout this difficult time.
Meg Baker
▶ Dear Adam,
Thank you for your pastoral services extended to my
mother Carolyn. Her church was very important to
her. She loved you and Claire, as well as the fellowship of the church members. The family also thanks
you for the memorial service, it was lovely and much
appreciated.
Thanks again,
Diane Dantagan
(Carolyn Balderston’s daughter)
▶ To St. Paul’s,
It’s been many months with my illness and God is
returning me to our friends at St. Paul’s. I received
many cards with messages that help keep me going.
Also, and very helpful were phone calls and personal
visits by Claire and others. Thank you all.
Millie & Phil Hein
Sympathy
Our deepest sympathy is expressed to
the families and friends of our members
who have recently passed away:
Eunice Phillips
January 4, 2015
Donna Fisher
July 1, 2015
Listed are members who would appreciate your
thoughts and expressions of care:
Mrs. Dorothea
Depenbrock
1709 Luzerne Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Mrs. Janet Dennis
2700 Barker St., #223
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Mrs. Grace Lawson
8413 Nunley Drive, Apt. D
Baltimore, MD 21234
Mrs. Aileen Hunt
3112 Gracefield Rd.
PV#421
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Mrs. Ruth Sylvester
403 Russell Avenue #814
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Mrs. Esther McCraw
401 Russell Avenue #716
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Mrs. Mae Miles
3701 Woodridge Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20902
Helen Strang
16000 Woodview Terrace
Laurel, MD 20707
Mrs. Margaret Thayer
3112 Gracefield Road
PV #621
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Mrs. Hazel Wright
401 Russell Ave.
#305
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Mrs. Lois Baker
333 Russell Ave.
Kindley Bldg. Rm. 318
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Mr. Paul Harding
12615 Holdridge Road
Silver Spring, MD 20906
Mrs. Gerry Hobbs
c/o Carriage Hill
5215 West Cedar Lane
Room 207
Bethesda, MD 20814
Mr. George Lehman
3618 Littledale Road #214
Kensington, MD 20895
Ms. Susie Propes
3301 S. Leisure World Blvd.
Apt. #2E
Silver Spring, MD 20906
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UMW |
READING PROGRAM REPORTS Due August 30, 2015
Have you ever wondered what being in a United Methodist
Women Circle is all about? Well here at St. Paul’s there are
three active circles that go about their monthly meetings in
various ways, but we all focus on activities and programs
that touch us spiritually as women. We would like to share
with you the activities that each circle did this past year.
JOCHEBED CIRCLE – We do not have a designated meeting time or place, but we typically
work within our group to see what best fits our
members’ needs for the month. We sometimes
meet on a Saturday morning at the church or a weekday evening either at the church or someone’s home.
This past year, the Jochebed Circle members participated in programs on natural spirituality (Sept.), gratitude
(Oct.), winter reflections (Jan.), contemporary Lenten
practices (March), and humorous family stories (April).
We also participated in the following service programs/
activities: making centerpieces for the Hunger Ministry's
Cookies & Carols December party (Nov.), creating Valentines for St. Paul's shut-ins and church staff (Feb.), and
preparing and serving a dinner and bagged lunches for
the Montgomery Avenue Women's shelter (May).
Jochebed organized, supervised and staffed the Shrove
Tuesday Pancake Dinner – an annual church-wide dinner held the eve of Ash Wednesday, and we delivered
Smart Sacks to students at Viers Mill Elementary School
throughout the 2014-2015 school year.
LYDIA CIRCLE – We typically meet the first
Wednesday of the month in the evening at the
church. This past year we had some exciting
guest speakers and programs. In September our
program was all "About Us.” In October, Dr. Chris Hena,
a Liberian physician & missionary, spoke to us about
the Ebola crisis in Liberia and the organization "Healthy
Women, Healthy Liberia.” Then in November we
painted & decorated new Chrismons for the sanctuary
Christmas tree and made bows for sale and fleece
scarves for those in need. To celebrate the Christmas
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season we met in December at a member's
home and shared a delicious potluck dinner.
We kicked off the new year in January with a
program on "Why we came to St. Paul's.”
We reviewed the book "King Peggy" in February
(hoping that we can schedule her at our UMW
luncheon.) Unfortunately our field trip in March to the
National Museum of Women in the Arts to see the
exhibit "Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Image" was
canceled due to bad weather.
In April Elaine Neidecker showed a DVD of Asbury's
annual musical production in which she performed.
Then in May we had an update on "Healthy Women,
Healthy Liberia" and a program on the changing role of
the UMW over the years. Closing out the busy year in
June we celebrated with a potluck dinner at a member's
home.
We also have a voluntary Prayer Pal program, have
served dinner & bagged lunches for the Montgomery
Avenue Women's Shelter (May), and delivered Smart
Sacks to students at Rock View Elementary School
throughout the 2014-2015 school year. We also took
up monetary collections of >$100 for the UMW
reading program in memory of our late member Jean
Thompson and >$100 toward Target gift cards for the
Cookies & Carols December party. We send cards to
shut-ins and also began supplying cookies for coffee
hour at intervals throughout the year.
MARTHA CIRCLE - We meet the first
Wednesday of each month in the morning,
most often at the church. Following the
business and program part of the meeting
we have a light lunch provided by three of the circle
ladies on a rotating basis. Our programs vary using the
UMW Program Book, having a guest speaker, sharing a
topic from the Upper Room and Response magazine,
or focusing on a current event, i.e. Human Trafficking.
Some of the highlights this past year include guest
UMW |
continued
speakers talking about seniors and aging, the history
of some of our favorite hymns, where our pledges
go and how they are used, and learning more about
the mission outreach in which St. Paul’s members
participate.
In addition we have enjoyed playing Secret Santa to a
former member who is now a shut-in, making cookies
for Coffee Hour, and visiting with and delivering flowers
to shut-ins. Several times throughout the year Martha
Circle plans day trips such as visiting friends at Asbury.
UMM |
Twice a year (June and October) we travel to the Bay,
and we also go out to lunch and teas. We’ve also had
members this year attend the Church Women United
Meetings and UMW’s Annual Conference Meeting.
So as you can see, there is quite a variety from which
the women of St. Paul’s can experience in any of the
UMW Circles. The new program year begins again in
September, so come visit one of the circles that may
meet your interests!
United Methodist Men
“The purpose of the United Methodist Men is to engage in a variety of
Christ-centered activities for the benefit of the ministries, programs and
activities of the church and its members.”
The United Methodist Men take a break from our usually busy schedule during the
summer. This makes it a great time to look ahead the great things that will be happening
in a few months!
Our first Pancake Breakfast will be on September 5, and will benefit the St. Paul’s Music
Program and the Hunger Ministry. Our October 3 breakfast will benefit the Society of St.
Andrew (www.endhunger.org), a food gleaning ministry, along with the St. Paul’s Hunger
Ministry. These are great events in the life of the community, and benefit some good
causes – come and enjoy the food, and pitch in to help!
On October 7 we will host our first Supper and Meeting for the men of the church –
please join us for food and fellowship.
Our Fall Yard Sale and Apple Sale will be October 22-24. They are very big fund
raising events, but the most important thing about our yard sale is the opportunity it
provides for local folks to obtain quality things at a very low cost, to outfit their homes
and to clothe their families.
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!
For more information on
the UMM, please contact
Steve Lillie at
[email protected]
301-942-6130
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YouthNews
YOUTH MINISTRY PROGRAMMING
MH UMYF begins on
Friday, August 21.
For more information on
Youth Activities, please
contact Rick Buckingham at
[email protected]
301-933-7933.
SH UMYF begins on
Sunday, September 13.
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 meets in a Friday time slot (7:00-8:30 p.m.), and our Senior
High UMYF meets on Sunday evenings, (also 7:00-8:30 p.m.), including recreation 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.
On the third Friday of the month beginning in September, our Middle High meets in
the church parking lot at 6:30 P.M. to attend a monthly youth rally with Middle Highers from other area United Methodist Churches. On these evenings, called “Youth
Nights Out,” we return to St. Paul’s at 9:00 p.m.
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.
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
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New Acolyte /
Crucifer Training
11:45 a.m. Sunday,
September 13, 2015
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.
2015 An Active Summer for our
Youth and Young Adults!
This has been a great summer for youth activities at St. Paul’s. In
mid-June, many youth served as helpers in our very successful
Vacation Bible School.
The following week, eleven Senior Highers and three adults
attended the 8th National United Methodist Youth Conference
in Orlando, Florida. Our sponsored Boy Scout Troop #439 sent
a sizable contingent to their annual encampment at Goshen
Scout Camp in Virginia in late June, and later sent a group to
the well-known Boy Scout Ranch in Philmont, New Mexico.
In late July, eight Senior Highers and two adults worked to
maintain the homes of elderly or disabled home-owners
during our Group Work Camp in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania,
and nine youth and two adults trekked 45 miles along the Wilderness Trail.
Others attended conference summer camps at West River or Manidokan.
Finally, one Middle Higher, two Senior Highers and three college students
participated in our seventh Volunteers-In-Mission trip to
Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua in early August.
We are especially thankful for our adult volunteers,
including Meg Baker, Jay Codner, Shari Connor,
Athena Gaalswyk, Robin Mayhew, Jim
Mollenauer, Jon Rees and John Seabreeze, who
gave much time, energy and leadership in making
these events possible.
St. Paul’s Youth-Adult 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 10th pilgrimage
tour to Israel. Our dates are July 7-16, 2016. The basic tour includes visits
to Jericho, Qum Ran (Dead Sea Scrolls), Bethlehem, Caesarea, Megiddo, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Masada 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 2016. Please address questions or
communicate interest to Rev. Buckingham at [email protected] . Partial scholarships will be available to
all first-time youth participants.
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Bits of History |
By JACK LIPSCOMB
United Methodist Church History Quiz
On the United Methodist Church web site, there is a little history quiz. It can be reached by
going to www.umc.org/who-we-are/history/ and selecting the History Quiz link. What follows
is a small selection of the questions with the answer choices and the correct answer.
1. W
here does United come from in the
denomination’s name?
(Answer choices: It refers to the church’s roots in the United
Kingdom; it is meant to encourage church members to stay
together; it references the Evangelical United Brethren Church)
The correct answer is: It references the Evangelical
United Brethren Church. On April 23, 1968, The United
Methodist Church was formed when Bishop Reuben H.
Mueller, representing The Evangelical United Brethren
Church, and Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke, of the Methodist
Church, joined hands at the constituting General
Conference in Dallas, Texas. With the words, “Lord of the
Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now
in the United Methodist Church,’ the new denomination
was given birth by two churches that had distinguished
histories and influential ministries in various parts of the
world.
2. Where is Francis Asbury buried?
(Answer choices: Wesley’s Chapel London, England; Mount
Calvary Cemetery, Asbury Park, NJ; Mount Olivet Cemetery,
Baltimore, MD; Asbury Cemetery, Knoxville, TN)
The correct answer is Mount Olivet Cemetery, Baltimore,
Maryland. Bishop Francis Asbury was an important figure
in the formation and growth of The Methodist Episcopal
Church in the U S. from his arrival in 1771, until his death
in 1816. His remains are buried in Bishops’ Lot of Mount
Olivet Cemetery. There under Bishops’ monument also
rest the remains of Bishops Enoch George, John Emory
and Beverly Waugh. More recently, the ashes of wellknown 20th century missionary, theologian and author E.
Stanley Jones were interred there.
3. What is/was the Holy Club?
(Answer choices: The Methodist monk movement; the original
group of Methodists; a secret society for the most Christ-like; a
fan club for doughnut hole enthusiasts)
The correct answer is the original group of Methodists.
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When Charles Wesley was studying in Oxford, he
assembled a small group of students who worked
together to take their faith seriously. He recruited his
older brother John, who was working as a fellow at the
university, to lead them in their endeavor. Together they
studied, prayed, served those in need, and visited the
sick and in prison. Other students took note of their zeal
and began them the Holy Club, Bible moths, and even
Methodists because of their methodical approach to the
Christian faith.
4. What do we call the day when
John Wesley’s heart was “strangely
warmed?”
(Answer choices: Burning Heart Sunday; Warm Wesley Day;
Strange Sunday; Aldersgate Day)
The correct answer is Aldersgate Day. On May 24, 1738,
John Wesley wrote in his journal: “In the evening I went
very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where
one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the
Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was
describing the change which God works in the heart
through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.
I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an
assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins,
even mine and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
5. The Christmas Conference took place
in what city?
(Answer choices: New York; Baltimore; Philadelphia)
The correct answer is Baltimore. The Methodist
movement in the U. S. formally organized in December
1784 at Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore under the name
of The Methodist Episcopal Church in America. The
preachers at this first General Conference elected Thomas
Coke, and Francis Asbury superintendents of the church.
The two would later take on the title of bishop.
August 2015
◄ July
Sun
2
9am & 10:30am Worship with
Communion
Where: Sanctuary
Mon
3
7:30pm Food
Distribution
Where: Heavener
Hall
11:45am Food Sorting
Where: Heavener Hall
10
9
9am Worship with Communion 1pm Staff Meeting
Where: Parlor
Where: Sanctuary
10:45am Summer Sunday
School
Where: 200 & 203
12:00pm 2x4 2nd Sunday
Lunch
Where: Offsite
16
8:30am Joyful Ringers!
Where: 109
4
10:45am Lectionary
Bible Study
Where: Library
Wed
5
September ►
Thu
6
1pm Memorial
Service / Fisher
Where: Sanctuary
Fri
7
7pm Stephen
Ministry
Where: Warner
Presbyterian
7pm Yarn Ministry
Where: Library
11
10:45am Lectionary
Bible Study
Where: Library
1
10am Pie with the
Pastors
Where: Parlor
3pm Joyful Ringers
Where: 109
12
6:30pm Joyful
Ringers!
Where: 109 /
Sanctuary
13
12pm Marvin
Rehearsals
Where: Sanctuary
14
15
19
20
12pm Marvin
Rehearsals
Where: Sanctuary
21
7pm Middle High
Youth Group - Youth
Rally
Where: offsite
22
26
27
12pm Marvin
Rehearsals
Where: Sanctuary
28
7pm Middle High
Youth Group
Where: MPR & Youth
Lounge
29
6:30pm Joyful Ringers!
Where: 109
7pm Journey Group
Where: Library
17
18
7:30pm "God Talk" 10:45am Lectionary
Where: Parlor
Bible Study
Where: Library
9am Worship with Communion
Where: Sanctuary
Sat
8
11am Court of
Honor
Where: Sanctuary &
Octagon
7pm Journey Group
Where: Library
10:45am Summer Sunday
School
Where: 200 & 203
10:30am Worship
Where: Sanctuary
~ August 2015 ~
Tue
7pm Journey Group
Where: Library
10:30am Worship
Where: Sanctuary
10:45am Summer Sunday
School
Where: 200 & 203
24
23
9am Worship with Communion 1pm Staff Meeting
Where: Parlor
Where: Sanctuary
10:30am Worship
Where: Sanctuary
10:45am Summer Sunday
School
Where: 200 & 203
7pm Stephen
Ministry
Where: Warner
Presbyterian
7pm Yarn Ministry
Where: Library
11:45am Backpack Build
Where: Heavener Hall
31
30
9am Worship with Communion
Where: Sanctuary
25
10:45am Lectionary
Bible Study
Where: Library
7pm Journey Group
Where: Library
Notes:
10:30am Worship
Where: Sanctuary
10:45am Summer Sunday
School
Where: 200 & 203
Crafters! Calling all creative people... Get Crafting for St. Paul’s Fall Craft Fair!
by Mary Revenis Due to the success of and enthusiasm for last November’s Craft Fair, St. Paul’s will hold its third annual
Craft Fair this coming fall. Although the date has not been determined, we wanted to give all the talented folks at
St. Paul’s a heads-up regarding this worthy ministry. The lazy days of summer are perfect for working on craft projects
that can bring wonderful blessings to others. Donations of all types of crafts (photos, art work, jewelry, pottery, sewing,
knitting, etc., etc.) will be happily accepted. All money from the sale of the craft items will be donated to a great cause.
If you have any questions contact Mary Revenis [email protected] or Helen Quave [email protected].
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Seeking Sunday School
The 2015-2016 school year will be Teachers
here before we know it!
Your Sunday School superintendents are already at work planning for the
new school year. We’ve been cleaning out craft supply closets, ordering Bible
lesson booklets, and, most importantly, making sure we have a full roster of
Sunday School teachers. And that’s where YOU come in. Yes, YOU.
We are blessed to have many returning Sunday School teachers this year, but we still need teachers for two classes:
1 teacher or pair of teachers for 4th grade
2 pairs of teachers for the 2-year-olds class (If you are interested in teaching but don’t have a partner
in mind, please do volunteer! We can pair you up with another teacher.)
We make this volunteer gig as easy as possible by providing all of the curriculum, craft materials, and snacks that
you need. No previous teaching experience or arts and crafts experience required! Teachers are part of a team
and typically teach about twice a month. It’s a flexible, fun job, and the fact that we have so many returning
teachers is a testament to how rewarding it is to guide young people as they learn about our faith.
Maybe you have school-aged children who have been attending Sunday School for years, but you have never
tried teaching a class. Or perhaps you are an empty-nester who would enjoy spending a couple of hours a
month with little ones. If you’re feeling called to help out but aren’t available to teach at this time, we can always
use volunteers. You could help us coordinate snacks or craft supplies, decorate bulletin boards, or substitute
teach a few times a year. All help is welcome!
Please e-mail [email protected] if you are interested in teaching or volunteering in some other
capacity. I look forward to telling you more about this fulfilling volunteer opportunity.
Cards for Caring
Do you like dashing off a thoughtful to note to folks who are experiencing special joys or sorrows, or who are not
physically able to come to church all the time? If so, please drop by the hospitality desk in the narthex on Sunday
mornings, to pick up a pre-stamped, pre-addressed card to mail to a member of the St. Paul's family. (We also
welcome your unused greeting cards, which we’re collecting in the same location.)
In our digital age, a greeting card with a handwritten note is perhaps more
powerful than ever. Your personal note is a tangible form of prayer reaching
out to someone experiencing a loss, celebrating a milestone, or otherwise
welcoming a friendly connection. (You might find it especially meaningful to
write to a member of the community whom you haven’t met before.)
Cards for Caring helps to knit us together as a community in the tradition of
St. Paul, who remained in touch with his fellow brothers and sisters by writing
letters. Thank you for taking part.
10
E P I S T L E | A U G U S T 2 015
By Jerry Watkins
Photos by Jon Melegrito
THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB ON THE ROAD AGAIN
As it has become an annual event, the Friendship Club took a
bus trip in June rather than their usual meeting and luncheon
at the church. On June 9 47 members and friends of the club
went to the Shamrock restaurant near Thurmont for lunch.
Many of those who went on the trip had never been to the
Shamrock and, from the many comments during and after
lunch, many will be returning in the future. Enroute, Jim Heins
gave an interesting talk about the iron works at the Catoctin
Furnace and the role it played in the War of 1812 and in the
Civil War. After lunch, the bus went into southern PA near the
Gettysburg battlefield. In that area, Jim Smith spoke a bit
about the significance of the battle at Gettysburg in the
Civil War. On the return trip, a stop was made at the Scenic
View Orchard store near Sabillasville. The trip was arranged
by Phil Hein, Phil Hinkley and Jerry Watkins.
E P I S T L E | A U G U S T 2 015
11
Fall 2015 Supper & Study –
Tuesday Nights starting September 15.
This fall, St. Paul’s Adult Education Committee will again sponsor our popular “Supper and Study” program
on six consecutive Tuesday 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 23. The fee for each course, including six meals, is $72.00, payable to “St. Paul’s
United Methodist Church.” The course fee without meals is $12.00.
1
The Jew Named Jesus
– What Jesus’ Jewish
Identity Means for Us
Today from Rebekah
Simon-Peter
~ Rev. Rick Buckingham
The author writes, “Jesus was born
a Jew, lived a Jew, died a Jew and
resurrected a Jew. He honored
and observed the Sabbath and the
Jewish holidays. But most of all, he
honored and observed the Torah,
the Hebrew Bible, or what we call
the Old Testament.” The author, an
ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, who
was born and raised a Jew, challenges Christians to
rethink Jesus’ identity as a Jew, and consider the ways
traditional Christian theology has contributed to antiSemitism.
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.
2
The Minor Prophets - Part 1
~ Bob Nordstrom
The minor prophets of the Old Testament
weren’t really so minor, they just didn’t write
as much as the more familiar prophets such as Isaiah,
Ezekiel, and Jeremiah. But don’t let the length of their
message fool you. The message from each of the
twelve Minor Prophets resonates with the power and
the grace of God. We will only have time to examine
12
E P I S T L E | A U G U S T 2 015
six of the twelve; Obadiah, Amos, Joel,
Hosea, Jonah, and Nahum. We will have
to leave the rest for a second study. Join
us to discuss how the Old Testament
messages from these prophets can
inspire and lead Christians in this 21st
century world.
Dr. Robert J. Nordstrom is Branch Chief, Image Guided Interventions, Cancer Imaging
Program at the National Cancer Institute,
National Institutes of Health. A student of
The Bible for many years, Bob taught a course
on the Gospel of Mark during Lent 2015.
3
Worship Matters
~ Meg Baker
Ever wonder why we worship the way we do?
The structure of worship goes back centuries, even
millennia, but its blueprint remains both biblical and
significant. Come explore the elements of corporate
and personal worship and how we encounter the
Living God in the process. While we will consider all
elements of worship, special attention will be given to
the art of communicating the Word of God by internalizing and proclaiming scripture.
Meg Baker is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary
and a long-time member of St. Paul's active in many areas
of our congregational ministry.
4
Falling Upward –
A Spirituality for the
Two Halves of Life
~ Kenzie Raulin
Come to explore what Richard Rohr describes
as the 'two halves of life'. A continued journey
we can choose to take - or not. Some of us are
awakened to the simple yet mysterious as we
journey through life. We will look at the ways in
which our falling down can be the very thing
that opens us up (and upward) to our deeper
and wiser selves. The self that perhaps God
intends us to be.
the Center for Action and
Contemplation. He is the
author of more than twenty
books.
There is an additional $8
material art fee.
Kenzie Raulin is a graphic
designer and member of St.
Paul’s UMC. She has taught
Natural Spirituality previously
and facilitates the weekly St. Paul's
Journey Group.
Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest and founded
More Education Opportunities
Adult Sunday School
Disciple I
Biblical Archaeology Forum
We are looking for leaders and
participants for a school-year Adult
Sunday School Class to begin in
September. Please register your interest
this summer using the appropriate
bulletin inserts.
A new Disciple I class is also forming,
and will meet on Tuesday evenings
throughout the school year, beginning
on September 15, 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.
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.
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.
Please sign up for the above classes on
St. Paul’s website or at the registration
tables located in the narthex on
Sunday mornings beginning on
August 24.
A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a
man of understanding will acquire wise counsel...
PROVERBS 1:5
E P I S T L E | A U G U S T 2 015
13
Backpack Build 2015
Once again St. Paul’s Justice & Compassion team is partnering with Interfaith Works
to get backpacks and supplies to needy children in time for the start of school.
Collection of supplies begins August 2, 2015 and ends August 19, 2015, and we will
build the backpacks after the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, August 23, 2015.
Our goal is to provide 100 children with a backpack full of supplies! Here's what
you can do to help:
ONE
ring any of the following items to the bin labeled “Backpack
B
Build” in the Narthex between August 2nd and August 19th:
Backpacks
2 inch binders
Scissors
(blunt tip and regular tip)
Glue sticks
Box of pencils
Composition notebooks
Pocket folders
Colored pencils
Plastic pencil boxes
Wide-ruled paper
Spiral notebooks
Dividers
This list of supplies is also available on the St. Paul’s website and in the church office. Financial contributions are also
welcome and will be used to supplement items collected (make checks out to St. Paul’s & write Backpack Build on
the bottom).
J oin in the activity and excitement in Heavener Hall on
Sunday, August 23 as we assemble kits while enjoying snacks
with old and new friends. Even if you can’t contribute items or
funds, you can participate in the event by building a kit, saying a prayer for the children who will receive our gifts,
and observing the Holy Spirit at work in our community!
TWO
If you have any questions contact Angela Harvey at [email protected] or Leigha Gordillo at leighamj@
gmail.com.
St. Paul's Photo Directory Smile!
Because St. Paul’s adds many new members each year, and because many babies are being born in
our congregation, and because our young people are frequently changing addresses, our last photo
directory is hopelessly out of date. Late this fall we will be producing an in-house Photo Directory
using our own database and copier equipment. The photos we take will not be studio-quality like those provided by
professional photographers and will not be available for purchase, but our hope is that by regularly updating this inhouse directory with additions and changes we can all connect better to the members of our growing congregation.
Jon Melegrito and his camera will be in the Narthex after both worship services on Sundays August 2, 9, 16, 23
and 30 to take your picture for inclusion in this new directory. No need to make an appointment … just bring your
whole family and stop by our “photo booth” on one of those days. And, don’t forget to smile!
14
E P I S T L E | A U G U S T 2 015
Letter from the Senior Pastor
continued from page 1
the beauty of this space by adding more light. They were as enthusiastic as we were,
and authorized us to hire an architectural firm to make sure our dreams could be built.
We retained the services of the architectural firm of Alt Breeding Schwarz,
and in May, 2015 we brought the results of that architect’s feasibility study back to the
Church Council. We showed them what the architect had been able to do, including
adding accessible entrances, much larger and handicapped accessible bathrooms on
the first floor, a much larger kitchenette by the Octagon to service our many food and
fellowship opportunities in that space, an expanded Narthex for all the many ways we
gather and serve after worship, another set of stairs and an elevator providing direct
access from the Sanctuary to Heavener Hall, and a restoration of Heavener Hall itself to
its former airy glory. And everywhere, lots and lots of light.
The Church Council unanimously voted for us to put this preliminary work
before the congregation for your input and feedback, and we can’t wait to show this
to you. We’ll talk about some of these possibilities in worship in August, and those
preliminary feasibility drawings will be on display for all to see and review. There will be
a “comment box,” too, so that we can benefit from your hopes and dreams. We’re also
scheduling some focus groups for August and/or September so we can all talk more indepth about this vision.
Get ready for a little light to be shed at St. Paul’s, friends. As we’ll learn in this
upcoming sermon series, God does not shed light in order for it to be hidden. You are
the light of the world, our Lord and Savior says to those who follow him. Get ready to
go out into the world to shine some of that light.
And God said,
“Let there be light”;
and there was light.
And God saw that
the light was good.
GENESIS 1:3-4A.
light
Light and peace in Jesus Christ,
A.B. Snell
Food With Friends
By Jim Hitchcock We’ve wrapped up another eventful year of St. Paul’s Food With Friends at Asbury Village
in Gaithersburg with a large group open-to-all dinner.
Most of the regular attendees were present as well as
some new folks and guests, 27 in all. This ministry is all
about relationships among like-minded Christians over
home prepared meals in the homes of friends. The
host plans the meal and coordinates who brings what.
Through 8 months of the year, by a rotation established in September, we have monthly dinners on the
2nd Saturday. The host has the final say on individual
schedule thereby providing them with flexibility. The
coming year has been adjusted to run from September through May (it was through June). There will be
three large group open-to-all dinners on September
12th, December 12th and May 13th. If you wish to join
the group contact Beth Hitchcock (301) 871-5055 or
Edie Kirk (301) 260-1157 to sign-up and get particulars.
Please join us for fellowship and wonderful food in
Christian homes.
E P I S T L E | A U G U S T 2 015
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
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54 | nU
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of
. We’ll take
the benefit
you use for
to the church
bring it back
to the
groceries and
we’ll give them
of groceries,
Christ’s name.
those bags
the world in
we’ll change
hungry, and
at St. Paul’s.
feeding people
are all about
because we
in Jesus Christ,
Light and peace
A.b. Snell
:
My dear friends
e r 2011
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
ry
board Directo
11 bulletin
Apple Sale
12 Yard and
ing St. Paul’s
13 Uphold
future
history and
14 history
of bread
15 festival
Four options
to receive the
Epistle!
Lectionary
AUG 2 Gen 1:1-5
Let there be light
AUG 9 Isaiah 49:1-6
A light to the nations
ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
*
* AUG 16 Matt 25:1-13 Oil for the lamp
*
AUG
23
John
9:
1
-12
I
am
the
light
Pastor Rev. Adam B. Snell
[email protected] the world
AUG 30 Matt 5:13-16 You are the light of the world
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
• To love and
another
and serve
• To do justice ly in the world
compassionate
the
power when
“You will receive
you;
come upon
Holy Spirit has
s.”
be my witnesse
and you will
AC tS 1:8A
2011 issue:
or
Visitation Pastor Rev. Claire Matheny
phen Min/ EMAIL (color)
Deacon
Rev.
Send an
email to:Youth/Education
[email protected]
andRick Buckingham [email protected]
Youth
Ministry
Assistant
Dustin
S. Burrow
[email protected]
write ‘email the epistle’ in the subject line.
Schedule
Director
of
Music
N.
Thomas
Pedersen
[email protected]
on Class/ DOWNLOAD (color)
9:00 a.m. Worship
with
10:30 a.m. Worship
Marvin
Mills
[email protected]
to Organist
the St. Paul’s web
site www.stpaulsk.org
and
perBowl”/Go
in the Sanctuary in the Sanctuary
download
yourAdministrator
own pdf version.
Office
Jackie Hartmann Communion
[email protected]
unday/
(Nursery available)
(Nursery available)
Epistle
Editor Del Moyer
[email protected]
MAIL
(B+W)
p
10:45 a.m. Summer Sunday
Editor
Jan Aamodt
[email protected]
If you Copy
don’t receive
an Epistle
in the mail and
School
History and
would prefer this, contact the
* church office at *
*
Coordinator
301-933-7933.
HOURS
/ Tuesdays
PICK UP
(B+W)
9:00
a.m. Worship with Communion in the Sanctuary (Nursery available)
Copies10:30
of the current
are available
the
a.m. Epistle
Worship
in theinSanctuary
(Nursery available)
Narthex and in the church office.
10:30 a.m. Sunday School (Various Rooms)
/ poem
*
*
*
16
E P I S TTHE
L E | A U GPURPOSE
U S T 2 015
of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is to invite and
vin Mills/
welcome all:
—To worship God
St. Paul’s
| 10401
ist Church
United Method
Armory Ave.
Kensington,
MD 20895
erizon.net
| stpaulsunited@v
| 301-933-7933
| stpaulsk.org
Worship