Volume 39, Issue 5
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o I know you? It has been six months now that I have been at Chevy Chase. I have learned which keys open which doors, how to cancel worship in the event of a snowmagedon, and whom to call when someone is stuck in the elevator. It has been an interesting six months. I have also been getting to know all of you. I am doing fairly well learning names, although I greatly appreciate your help when my mind goes blank. It has been a joy hearing your stories in the “Meet Molly” groups. These get-togethers have been fascinating. I am surprised at the connections, the “small world” incidents that have brought people together. It has been enlightening not just for me, but for others in the group as well. Nearly every time I lead a “Meet Molly,” someone will be telling their story and a long time friend will turn to them and say “I never knew that about you.” On occasion it is even a husband and
May 2010
wife! One of the key components of a pastor’s job is to get to know the congregation. Not only names and individual people, but the congregation as a whole. What stories do people tell about CCPC? Who is CCPC? For the first year a new pastor is historian, listener, and explorer. As your new pastor I am also listening closely to the places where God’s Spirit is most active in our congregation. Where is the energy? Where is the enthusiasm and excitement? In mid-April the Session gathered for a retreat to begin the process of listening for God’s call to CCPC at this time in history. CCPC has experienced many changes in the last three years. There is a need for stability and calm. Yet, at the same time our culture has undergone major changes. The cultural shifts that have impacted Christianity in North America have been described as “sea changes”. Even while we find our balance again as a congregation, we
must also begin to respond to these enormous shifts in society that impact Christianity and particularly mainline denominations. In the coming months, we will begin a process of discernment. We will listen for God’s call. We will ask ourselves who is CCPC? What are the identifying characteristics of our faith community? What makes CCPC CCPC? What is God calling us to do now? What purpose does God have for us? And we will explore the question, who is our neighbor? How does our neighborhood impact our call to ministry? This month we will celebrate the Day of Pentecost. The day when a small band of followers became a church of three thousand members. The Spirit of God came in a dramatic way that could only be described as the rush of a mighty wind and flames of fire. God breathed life into the new creation of the church. God’s Spirit set off a spark that ignited a fiery passion for living Jesus’ way of justice, generosity, forgiveness, equality, compassion, hospitality and love. That fire still burns. It burns brightly. We are part of God’s fiery passion for the redemption of the world. Where is God’s Spirit blowing new life into CCPC? What unique light is God calling us to shine? Where and on whom of God’s people shall we shine it upon? I have yet much to learn about CCPC. We have much to learn together. It is an exciting, Spirit filled time. God’s Blessings,
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WORSHIP & MUSIC
May 2
The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert preaches. Communion observed.
May 9
The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert preaches. Happy Mother’s Day! Installation/Ordination of Elders & Deacons at the 9:30 service.
May 16
The Rev. Steve Robertson preaches.
May 23
The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert preaches. Pentecost Sunday—one service at 10 AM followed by a festive picnic in the church courtyard. Confirmation class received. Pentecost Offering dedicated in worship.
May 30
The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert preaches. One Service at 10 AM.
Come to the Pentecost Picnic in the Church Courtyard Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 11 AM Plan to join us for traditional picnic fare and fellowship with your church family. A donation of $5 per person ($25.00 max per family) is requested. Reservations are appreciated, so
The 39th Season of Chevy Chase Concerts presents
The Chevy Chase Chancel Choir and Soloists performing
A Bouquet of B's May 16, 4:00 p.m. featuring Benjamin Britten, Rejoice in the Lamb; text by Christopher Smart J.S. Bach Motet VI, "Lobet den Herrn" and Arias from Cantata 72 and Cantata 169, Mark Mason, bass; Tanya Coyne, mezzo soprano Frank Bridge, Adagio in E Major for organ solo Bruckner, Locus iste With Lori Barnet; cello; Marvin Mills and Julie Vidrick Evans; organ
The Gateway Newsletter is published monthly by The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, One Chevy Chase Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20015. Contact the church at 202-363-2202; office@chevychasepc.org; or www.chevychasepc.org.
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PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING & INTERFAITH WORKS The Mission Committee, with the approval of the Session, has dedicated the proceeds of the 2010 Pentecost Special Offering to Interfaith Works. The Pentecost Offering will be received throughout the month of May, and will be dedicated on Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd. Please make a generous contribution now, so that you can join with the people of this congregation as they share the Spirit of the Lord with those in need being served by Interfaith Works.
More families need more help meeting basic needs.
Established in 1972 and previously called Community Ministry of Montgomery County/CMMC, Interfaith Works (IW) is a non-sectarian coalition of more than 150 congregations of diverse faiths organized for the purpose of providing services to disadvantaged residents of Montgomery County. IW’s programs deliver direct social services to homeless and low-income residents of the County. Last year, over 7,000 volunteers assisted in IW’s work helping over 30,000 neighbors in need. The stated mission of Interfaith Works is: “to pursue social justice with an emphasis on identifying and meeting the needs of the poor by leading and engaging Montgomery County’s faith communities in service, education and advocacy.” It often comes as a shock that in Montgomery County, one of the nation’s most affluent communities, poverty is widespread. Almost one in three children (43,000) in our 140,000-student school system are eligible for and receive breakfast and lunch at school. Over 50,000 people (one-third of them children) live below the Federal Poverty Line, . The lack of affordable housing and the inability of low-wage workers to sustain their families in this high-cost community is a continual challenge. While for many years Interfaith Works’ focus has been on helping working poor families move towards selfsufficiency, now IW is focused on ensuring that safety net needs are met - housing, food, clothing, diapers, and medicine - as working poor families are losing jobs, income, and the ability to provide for their most basic needs. Moreover, the face of poverty in the County is changing, as many families who had been stable are falling into crisis as middle class workers are for the first time in trouble. For example:
At IW’s Interfaith Clothing Centers, the number of income-qualified families using our Centers was up 24% in FY09; IW now serves 6,000 households, including 8,000 children. Usage was up 42% last year.
Two students receive school supplies from IW
IW’s network of Emergency Assistance Coalition partners - report 20 to 80% increases in requests for funds to cover housing and utilities; increases are in both dollars and numbers of households seeking help. IW’s own office handled over 5,000 telephone inquiries last year, and was only able to help 920 with direct cash assistance.
All 65 beds in our Women’s shelters are full nightly – more than 50% are first-time homeless, and many arrive in their cars – their last asset; some still have their jobs, just not a place to sleep.
Last winter, demand for adult emergency night shelter was at an unprecedented high. Community Vision’s winter night shelter was at capacity (80 spaces) most nights and the County was forced to open an overflow program at the Mark Twain School.
The staff of Interfaith Works will continue to work as hard as they can to improve the lives of those who come in need. One person, one family at a time, Interfaith Works acts as a beacon of hope -- “neighbors helping neighbors.”
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CCPC’s Adult Mission Trip to New Orleans Nancy D. Rosan Did you ever think you could enjoy Mardi Gras in New Orleans AND do community service there in the same week? Well, six adult men and women ranging in age from 50 to 80 did just that and loved the experience! We even invited a friend from Bethesda Meeting (Quaker) to join our CCPC quintet. For three full days we worked in the Gentilly section of New Orleans to help rehab a single-family house almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The homeowner, Lori Broussard, is a health care worker whose son is away at college in Alabama. In the aftermath of the hurricane, she fell victim to an unscrupulous contractor, who disappeared with her money. Now, under the auspices of Project Homecoming and with the help of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (“PDA”), Lori’s home is nearing completion. For the last six months, she has worked alongside many volunteers at each stage of the reconstruction of her home. Part of our crew – myself, Eleanor Fink, and Steve Robertson - helped to install some windows and puttied, sanded, primed and painted many windows, doors and shelves. Other team members – Bob Angus, Rosemary Avery, and Sara Todd - became quite expert at cutting, gluing and installing ceramic tile walls; no one stopped work until the job was complete in both bathrooms!
New Orleans 2010 Trip Participants Lori graciously greeted and thanked each member of our team and introduced us to her brother and sisterin-law who were visibly pleased with progress being made to rebuild Lori’s shattered home …and life. I was deeply moved by her story of tragic loss, followed by hope and restoration. It was a real honor for our small, but eager group of volunteers to take part in Project Homecoming’s “miracle work” for Lori. We were all impressed by the commitment and expertise of Christine Drake, our friendly construction supervisor. For several years, Christine has worked for Project Homecoming to instruct and manage teams of volunteers to ensure top quality workmanship, needed to complete “her” houses (her “babies!”) on time and within a tight budget. But housing rehab is not all we did in New Orleans! We also enjoyed watching
the sights and sounds of the Mardi Gras parades and catching our share of shiny beads tossed from the fabulous floats! We also had plenty of time to enjoy delicious New Orleans cuisine, jazz concerts—including Ellis Marsalis at the piano—museums, trolley rides and walks around the French Quarter and Garden District, just beginning to burst into early spring blooms! Hard work helping others, great teamwork and camaraderie, exposure to the history, architecture, music and cuisine of New Orleans and the opportunity to make new friendships and strengthen” old” ones—this adult volunteer trip had it all! Watch for future opportunities through CCPC to serve for one day or one week, and take advantage of these lifechanging times. Service and community can be powerful change agents in our lives!
Do You Have an Extra Bedroom or Basement or Attic Apartment? Would you be willing to provide short-term housing for interns, missionaries, or other person’s visiting or working temporarily in the DC area? Occasionally we get requests through CCPC for short-term housing for missionaries on furlough or students doing internships, or other situations of need. Stays may be from a few days to a few months. Some may be able to pay a small amount, others would need housing at no cost. If you might be willing to consider providing this type of housing, please give your name and email address to Steve
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Connecticut Avenue Pedestrian Action Iona Senior Services has worked to improve the lives of older people in our community for over 35 years. Last year Iona initiated a project that will impact the lives of everyone from every age group who lives near or walks on Connecticut Avenue. Connecticut Avenue Pedestrian Action (CAPA) has been hard at work towards a vision where children, seniors and all residents can safely cross the street in crosswalks to get to school, the park or to shop…where traffic lights give pedestrians ample time to cross the street and motorists obey the speed limit and stop for pedestrians entering the crosswalk. Under the coordination and direction of Marlene Berlin, CAPA has worked with DC Department of Transportation to install sidewalks around Murch Elementary School and has secured funding for a pedestrian audit and surveys of Connecticut Avenue this spring. The information gleaned from the audit will be synthesized into a report presented to the Council and the Mayor to support the need for funding the design and implementation of the Connecticut Avenue Pedestrian Plan. Become involved in this important work that will improve the lives of so many people who live and work along this main thoroughfare in our city. Here’s how: Volunteer to collect data along Connecticut Avenue beginning April 25 and going through May 8. There will be two volunteer training sessions to choose from -- April 25 at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church Geneva Hall or May 1 at Cleveland Park Library. This is a great opportunity for teenagers to get community service hours. Stay in touch with CAPA. Join the list serv at www.capa-dc.org or email Marlene Berlin at berlin.mg@gmail.com.
HEARTHSTONES & FIRESIDES EVENTS 5/2
6-8pm—Fellowship, games and dinner 5/9 No youth group: Mothers Day 5/16 6-8pm—Annual Youth Picnic (Last youth group meeting of the year)
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 5/
A few CCPC members have gone above and beyond to help the youth group this year, and we Thank You… John Yahner: Coming to every youth event Janet St. Amand: Organizing weekly dinners Cindee Thirumalai: Chaperoning Montreat 2010 and sleepovers Alexandra Thirumalai: Chaperoning a sleepover Tracy Loh: Chaperoning the ski trip Chris Hersman: Organizing the ski trip And, the continued support of the youth group families. Questions/Comments can be sent to Jennifer via e-mail at jennifer@chevychasepc.org.
MAY WOMEN’S CIRCLE MEETINGS Wednesday Evening Circle meets May 5 at 6:30 PM for dinner and a meeting at the home of Barbara Mathias Riegel. Call Dale Kasab at 301-229 4868 to RSVP by May 2. Circle 11 meets Monday, May 10 at 7 PM for dinner and a meeting at the home of Barbara Mathias Riegel. Call Barbara at 202-3643951 for information. Circle 4 Dedicated to Bible Study group meets Thursday, May 27 at 11 AM at CCPC in Geneva Hall. Call Linda Glew at 301-656-4690 for information. New members are always welcome!
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Adult Education and Nurture at CCPC Sunday Mornings
The Bible in Context Class (Meets from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. in Room 350-B, third floor, Education Building) – NOTE: The class is currently on hiatus and will resume later in May. Please check the bulletin or Peter’s website for complete scheduling details. Early Christian Letters. Join us as we examine some of the letters outside of the canon which circulated in the first century church in this yearlong course led by Peter Combes. For more information, see the related article in this issue or look for a complete syllabus at http:// ccpc.petercombes.com. Faith Trek (Meets from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. in the Library, first floor, center building, alley side.) Faith Trek is a small group of CCPC adults who are curious about their faith and the world and who want to explore in the company of a circle of friends. The circle expands easily, and we would be delighted to have you join us. We are reading and discussing Michael Sandel’s book, Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do. Check with Margaret Chan (301/656-5034) if you have questions, and please feel free to drop by any Sunday. Open Forum (Meets from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. in Geneva Hall, second floor, Education Building, street side.) The Open Forum offers a forum for the discussion of a variety of topics on the intersection of faith and life. Join us in May for this timely series: April 11 – May 16 = Steadfast Hope. The quest for peace between Israelis and Palestinians will be the basis for the adult class studying “Steadfast Hope” the study book produced by the Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Join the Rev. Robert Angus to examine common myths and misperceptions about the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, review the
present situation on the ground and discuss the challenges that lie ahead in the quest for peace. Copies of the study book will be available free to class members and weekly reading assignments will facilitate our discussions.
Summer Sunday School Teachers Sought!! Summer Sunday School begins on June 6 and continues through Homecoming Sunday, September 12 during the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Two to three classes for young children through second grade (completed) will be available, but only with your help. Teams of teachers are needed for each age group and a simple curriculum is provided to facilitate your teaching. Please check your calendar and see which Sunday you might be able to help! Sign up sheets will be posted in Chadsey Hall in AprilMay during Sunday Brunch and Coffee Time for your convenience. You may also contact Kristen Riley (202//237-8336 or kriley8@msn.com) or Lynn Jostes at the church (202/363-2202 x 22 or lynn@chevychasepc.org) for more information or to sign up for this special opportunity to teach our youngest children. Thanks for your help!!
Calling All Graduates! We would like to recognize our graduates (high school, college or graduate school) in the June issue of the Gateway and need your help in making sure that we don’t leave anyone off of the list. Please contact Jennifer Griffin (Jennifer@chevychasepc.org or Lynn Jostes (lynn@chevychasepc.org) with the name of the graduate, the school from which they are graduating and the college/course of study or work they will enter upon graduation. We need this information by May 6 and will look forward to hearing from you soon!! Many thanks.
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Summer Plans with a Purpose The pace of life today demands time for reflection...Time to get away from the stress, bother and activity of our workday weeks...Time for purposeful rest and renewal. For Christians, these times of retreat are even more important. It is in these moments that we are better able to talk with God and listen for guidance. The Presbyterian Church (USA) recognizes the need for quality time and space for reflection and provides outstanding programs at its two national conference centers and locally at Meadowkirk. This summer, why not include Montreat, Ghost Ranch or Meadowkirk in your plans? Check out the Meadowkirk schedules for children and youth on the Christian Education bulletin board in the second floor hallway along with information on Montreat, Ghost Ranch/Plaza Resolana, and Massanetta Springs programs. Isn't it time you and your family experienced... MONTREAT - located in the mountains of western North Carolina near Asheville, this 4,000-acre conference center offers week-long events in a variety of areas (e.g. Worship and Music, Christian Life, Women, Spirituality, Older Adults, Christian Education, Leadership, etc.). Six types of housing are available as well as Club programs for children and teens and some exciting opportunities for recreation. Remember: Montreat isn’t just for youth! But ask them what a great place it is!!
GHOST RANCH - located on a 21,000-acre working ranch near Santa Fe, NM, this unique conference center offers summer seminars for adults and carefully-planned programs for children and youth during the morning and evening hours to allow parents to participate in the studies. The high, dry climate provides warm bright days and cool, refreshing nights in this beautiful setting.
MEADOWKIRK CAMP and RETREAT CENTER - is a ministry of our own National Capital Presbytery located on 358 acres of God's creation in Middleburg, Virginia (approximately 40 miles west of Washington, D.C.) The summer camp program offers a variety of week-long camp experiences for children and youth. BROCHURES and APPLICATION FORMS FOR CAMP will be posted on the Christian Education Bulletin Board in the second floor hallway. Some scholarship funds for children and youth are available through the Christian Education Committee. Contact Associate Pastor, Lynn Jostes for details.
SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS for the June issue of the Gateway newsletter by May 8 to jamie@chevychasepc.org or deliver hard copies of your submission to the church office.
Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church ...“Where Faith and Life Intersect”
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