February 2019
the GATEWAY
The Monthly Newsletter of the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church
LET THE LIGHT OF EPIPHANY SHINE
BY REV. MOLLY BLYTHE TEICHERT Two nights ago, the earth’s shadow covered the moon, and the moon turned red. It was called a super blue blood moon and another will not happen again until 2037. It is a rare and stunning sight. Some people wonder if the star the Wise Men followed to find the baby Jesus was also a rare astrological phenomenon. It is my own belief that it is best to think of the star as a metaphor for God’s birth announcement. Light up the sky! Let all the world know! The Messiah is born! This year the Epiphany star shines longer than other years. Easter comes late, and the added weeks fall in between the day of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent. That means we have more Sundays to see Christ in the revealing light of wonder, surprise, revelation - Epiphany. The light of the Epiphany star is shining through our Season of Justice. As we consider the bridges that must be built for the healing of world, we need the light of Epiphany to reveal the hard truths about our divisions. We need the light of Epiphany to show us the way forward as we seek paths to reconciliation. On February 3rd Pastor Eric will preach on reconciliation. The Epiphany star will shine through this Hands on Mission Sunday. It is an ACT Sunday – when All Church people come Together during the time between the services to have fellowship together. This ACT Sunday we will be building bridges to shut-ins as we write notes for the deacons to deliver on n their visits. We will learn about a Pen-Pal ministry with people who are incarcerated. The Free Minds Poetry Project will have some poems of those who are in prison for us to read and write encouraging comments. We can also write cards to the Tree of Life Synagogue to share our prayers with those who have been wounded by violence. Please bring any greeting cards you have that would be appropriate. The star that rose over Jesus’ house brought wise men from Eastern religions to celebrate the birth of the new Jewish king. That star will shine on us on February 10th as we hear about the interfaith work happening at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church. And finally on February 17th the Director of One America, Andrew Hanauer will speak to us about how we might help to overcome polarization and unite our nation. The last Sunday in February, the 24th, is our Annual Congregational Meeting. It will be a one service Sunday with worship at 10:00 followed by brunch the meeting. We will hear reports about our various ministries of 2018 and vote on our pastors’ terms of call for 2019. It is a great day to reflect on how the Spirit has been moving in our midst and where the Spirit is calling us to go next. The Epiphany light reveals Christ’s presence at work among us. It always reveals the people and places that need God’s love the most. Epiphany shines upon us longer this year. God has more love to show us, more opportunities to serve for us to see.
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This issue: Volunteer Spotlight PAGE 2 Season of Justice Schedule PAGE 3 Books in the Library PAGE 4 Casino Night PAGE 5 Gifts of Hope Update PAGE 6 Worship Schedule PAGE 8
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CCPC is...
Grateful for Volunteers VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: MARTHA EICHENAUER By Susan Price
Martha Eichenauer has always been interested in social justice issues, including the fight against racism and mass incarceration, “but I’d only been reading about it or talking about it in school. I hadn’t had much opportunity to interact with people who had first-hand experience.” That’s why she volunteered as an intern last summer for CCPC’s Transition Assistance Program. Serving as a greeter for a month while also juggling a job as a camp counselor, Martha answered questions for TAP clients while they waited for interviews, and distributed food and clothing. “People were so grateful, thanking me so much and making conversation with me,” she said. A senior at The Potomac School in McLean, Martha learned more about the plight of the formerly incarcerated, homeless and working poor people as she sat in on some interviews with clients conducted by Rebecca Kahlenberg, TAP’s part-time social services worker. This is where Martha heard the stories of people, in need, particularly those who had lost their IDs and needed new ones in order to apply for jobs, rent apartments or enroll their children in school. “I hadn’t really understood how someone wouldn’t have an ID,” Martha explained. “But the conditions they live in make it hard for them to keep track of their documents.” The hardest part of the job was having to ask people to return another day, since TAP has a limit on how many people can be served each morning. “They can’t help everyone. There is so much work to be done.” The insight into the plight of TAP’s clients will prove helpful in her future plans. In addition to her internship at TAP, the aspiring lawyer attended a summer institute sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union that delved into racism in the criminal justice system. “I want to do work related to that.” CCPC is in Martha’s DNA—she is a third-generation member. Her parents were married here, she attended the Weekday Nursery School, and she and her twin Lucy were baptized and confirmed here. The twins are just finishing a term as youth elders on the Session. Martha is grateful she had an opportunity to meet people in need of social services and could do that right at church.
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Jan 20 - Feb 17
SEASON OF JUSTICE BUILDING BRIDGES
A.C.T SUNDAY February 3, 2019 - All-Church Together Sunday The first Sundays of the month are All Church Together Sundays. Everyone is invited to gather in Chadsey Hall for a joint coffee hour. On these ACT Sundays there are no programs between the services and no scheduled meetings For ACT Sunday during the Season of Justice we will be building bridges to shut-ins as we write notes for the deacons to deliver on their visits. We will learn about a Pen-Pal ministry with people who are incarcerated. The Free Minds Poetry Project will have some poems of those who are in prison for us to read and write encouraging comments. We can also write cards to the Tree of Life Synagogue to share our prayers with those who have been wounded by violence. Please bring any greeting cards you have that would be appropriate. Gary Sampliner, Bethesda Jewish Congregation; Faisal Shirazee, Idara-e-Jaferia. February 10, 2019 - Open Forum : An Introduction to Interfaith Dialogue Head west on Bradley Lane and you’ll find a structure built on interfaith relationships. Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church and the Bethesda Jewish Congregation share a building, but together they’ve shared a robust dialogue with the Muslim community as well. Come hear their story of how reaching out has blessed their faith communities in a myriad of ways. Andrew Hanauer, Director, One America Movement February 17, 2019 - Open Forum Speaker/Guest Preacher
Andrew Hanauer is the Director of the One America Movement, an organization founded by faith and community leaders in the aftermath of the 2016 election to fight polarization. Under Andrew’s leadership, One America has launched projects that bring Americans together across divides to address race relations, opioids, poverty and religious differences across the country, from Utah, to Oklahoma, to Puerto Rico, to West Virginia, to some of our nation’s largest cities. In addition to running projects that unite Americans across divides, One America trains religious leaders on the dynamics of polarization and division.
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Chase Away the Winter Blues Curl Up with a Good Book from the CCPC Library
BRAVE IRENE BY WILLIAM STEIG Irene, the dressmaker’s daughter, braves a fierce snowstorm to deliver a new ball gown to the duchess. MAILING MAY BY MICHAEL O. TUNNELL In 1914 a young girl takes the train to visit her grandmother, but in order to save money, she is classified as a baby chick and travels in the mail car. Based on a true story.
RABBIT HILL BY ROBERT LAWSON The animals of the Hill wonder whether the Folks moving into the Big House will have dogs and traps or will plant tasty gardens. Funny, scary, and totally delightful.
I WANT YOUR SMILE, CROCODILE BY DENETTE FRETZ Poor Jack the meerkat thinks every other animal in the zoo has more fun than he does. But he soon learns differently.
THREE TALES OF MY FATHER’S DRAGON BY RUTH STILES GANNETT
The classic fantasy trilogy of the adventures of Elmer and his baby flying dragon.
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GIFTS OF HOPE SPREADS JOY THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF OUR CONGREGATION, MANY PEOPLE IN NEED WILL BENEFIT FROM CCPC’S ALTERNATIVE GIFTS MARKET HELD IN DECEMBER.
$22,171
The total donated by nearly 100 individuals and families Here is the breakdown of the charities we supported:
$2,131 ID'S
Transition Assistance Program for identification documents.
$950
National Capital Presbytery Disaster Relief Network’s hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
$1,575 Solutions in Hometown Connections for supplies and winter clothes for local refugee families.
$1,275
$5,200
CHRISTMAS DINNERS Christmas Dinners for clients of Interfaith Works and Bread for the City.
$6,785 Village of Shikokho, Kenya, for meals in the orphan day care program and support for the elementary school.
$1,155 Doctors Without Borders for childhood vaccines and cataract surgery.
$3,100 Heifer International for a variety of animals for people in developing countries.
Mary’s Center for prenatal visits and child dental checkups.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR GENEROUS GIFT GIVING, FROM THE GIFTS OF HOPE COMMITTEE: SUSAN AND JULIE PRICE, LUNA LEVINSON, CAROLYN JOHNSON, MIMI MORSE, MARIE HOFFMAN, AND BETTY BEAM. THE GATEWAY
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Chevy Chase Concerts Presents.. PETER AND WILL ANDERSON TRIO February 17 | 4:00 pm
The Anderson twins, Peter and Will, jazz virtuosos of the clarinet and saxophone, grew up in Bethesda, attended Walt Whitman High School, and then Julliard. Now based in New York, they travel the world playing “with a passion, unpredictability, and sense of discovery.” (All About Jazz) They are joined by guitarist Felix Lemerle. Admission-free, donations gratefully accepted. A reception to meet the artists and to greet one another takes place following each concert.
42ND ANNUAL BACH MARATHON March 24 | 2:00 pm
This beloved Washington tradition presents ten organists in half-hour programs on our wonderful 3-manual, 50-rank, 2,500-pipe Rieger tracker organ. The theme this year will be the “Schübler Chorales.” Come when you can; leave when you must. The concert is followed by a traditional German dinner. Admission-free, donations gratefully accepted. A reception to meet the artists and to greet one another takes place following each concert.
ERIC OWENS
April 28 | 4:00 pm
We are excited to present world-renowned bassbaritone Eric Owens, international star of the Metropolitan Opera and other houses. You will experience an artist with exceptional ability and desire to communicate through song. We are honored to present him in a recital accompanied by Mark Markham. Admission-free, donations gratefully accepted. A reception to meet the artists and to greet one another takes place following each concert.
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FEBRUARY WORSHIP SCHEDULE February 3 | Season Justice Sunday 3 ACT Sunday Services at 9:15 & 11:15 am Preaching: The Rev. Eric Peltz Music: Chancel Choir and Junior Choir
February 17 | Season Justice Sunday 5 Services at 9:15 & 11:15 am Preaching: Andrew Hanauer Open Forum: Andrew Hanauer Music: First Service Singers, Chancel Choir
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The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church One Chevy Chase Circle, NW Washington, DC 20015 office@chevychasepc.org 202-363-2202
February 10 | Season Justice Sunday 4 Services at 9:15 & 11:15 am Preaching: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert Open Forum: An Introduction to Interfaith Dialogue Music: Chancel Choir, First Service Singers
February 24 | Annual Meeting One Service 10:00 am Preaching: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert Chancel Choir and Junior Choir
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