November 2016 Gateway by Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church

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Christ Our Center Children Our Blessing Justice Our Passion November 2016

Every Sunday when we listen, pray, sit and wait collect the offering, people at the hospital. We are a put in checks, money, blue community of abundant prayer cards, and often we love. get a drawing or two. On a When this church recent Sunday as our sets its mind to do counters were tallying the something, people spring collection, they found a into action. Whether it is pledge envelope for teaching Sunday School $11,050. The numbers were or throwing parties and printed very clearly. All the making phone calls to November 6, 2016 blanks were filled in connect with every Stewardship Dedication Sunday properly. The name was church member just to written very neatly, for a six-year-old. At just six, see how things are going. People are amazingly Francesca knows how to do it. She knows that generous with their time and energy. Our love is when you belong to a church you give. Giving poured out into the world as we help refugees, money is just part of church. orphans, and people who need to get their lives Theologian and spiritual author Henri Nouwen back on track. We are a church of abundance in writes that a thriving and generous community of action. love is the greatest gift we can offer to the world. Now is the time to give of our financial We live in a time when the voices of anger and fear resources to make our community of love thrive. are often louder than the voices of love. Our nation, God invites us to share in God’s own abundant love our families, we ourselves, need a community of as we add our gifts to be a part of it. God gives to love overflowing with kindness and compassion. us so that we can give. Now is the time to make a We need people in our lives who are filled to pledge to give generously in joy and love to this overflowing with hope and joy. amazing community of love. On Sunday, November At CCPC we have a beautiful vision of being a 6th we will celebrate that we are a church of church of spiritual abundance in joy, action, and spiritual abundance as we present and dedicate our resources. pledges in worship. Then we will feast together in Each Sunday, we share our joys in worship. We Chadsey Hall and give thanks for all that God has give thanks for God’s presence in our lives. We give done for us. thanks for the people of the church who have God’s Blessings, prayed and sent cards and supported us in times of difficulty. The friends we make at church are the kind of friends you can call, and know that they will be there for you, to watch your kids, bring food,

Inside the Gateway Worship Schedule for November………………………….…….2 Upcoming Chevy Chase Concerts………………………………..8 Don’t Forget to Make Your Pledge!……………………………..9

Adult Education and Nurture at CCPC…………………………..4 Poinsettia and Wreath Dedication…………………….………...11 The deadline for the December Gateway is November 16th at 9:00 a.m.

The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church  One Chevy Chase Circle  Washington, DC 20015

Upcoming Chevy Chase Concerts: Chuck Redd Ensemble Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.

Worship Schedule November 6, 2016 Stewardship Sunday One Service at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert will be preaching. MUSIC: 10:00—Chancel, Chapel, Junior, and Carol Choirs November 13, 2016 Two Services at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The Rev. Lynn Jostes will be preaching. MUSIC: 9:15—Revelations Guitar Group 11:15—Chancel Choir November 20, 2016 Two Services at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Hunger Offering Received The Rev. Eric R. Peltz will be preaching. MUSIC: 9:15—First Service Singers 11:15—Chancel Choir November 27, 2016 First Sunday of Advent Two Services at 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert will be preaching. MUSIC: 9:15—First Service Singers 11:15—Chancel Choir

Redd is a preeminent jazz vibraphonist and percussionist whose performance career began in 1980 at age 21 with the Charlie Byrd Trio. To his credit are more than 70 recordings, thirteen extensive European tours and five tours of Japan. He served as Artist-in-Residence at the Smithsonian Jazz Café 2004-2008. He has also performed at the White House and Carnegie Hall in New York. For more information, visit his website at: www.chuckredd.com.

Christmas Concert Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. This annual tradition of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church musicians will feature Vivaldi’s “Gloria” for choir, soloists and chamber orchestra. Other seasonal music will spotlight our Chancel Choir soloists and our Junior Choristers. The ever popular community carol singing will assure that you leave in a festive and joyous holiday spirit.

Save the Dates! Sunday School Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Saturday, December 17, 2016 10:00 a.m.—Noon in the Sanctuary Sunday School Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 18, 2016 9:15 a.m. service

Don’t Forget to Make Your Pledge! The church and your fellow members are counting on you. This year’s pledging season has begun, and will culminate November 6th with Dedication Sunday. On that day, there will be one 10:00 a.m. worship service followed by a free, all church brunch in Chadsey Hall “to celebrate CCPC as a place of spiritual abundance,” says Stewardship Campaign Chair, Mary Frances Pearson. “Pledging is an opportunity to show gratitude for our church and for all God gives us.” This pledge campaign has an added incentive. First-time pledges and pledge increases combined will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000. Mary Frances Pearson offers these suggestions for deciding what to give: increase your pledge to reach the average per household in your age group. The average pledge for those 30-49 is $3,000; 50-64 is $3,900, 65-79 is $4,750, and 80 to 100 is $4,144. “If you cannot pledge the average target amount because of life circumstances, consider giving $20 per week ($1,040 a year). If you already give above $1,000 but can’t match the target, we suggest you add $250 to last year’s pledge. If you already give above the average, consider an increase of $500 to $1,000.

The most important thing is to pledge. A church of abundance, by definition, is one where the majority of members pledge. On Sunday, November 20th, the names of all pledgers will be included in the church bulletin to thank them for making a commitment. Pledging is easy. Options are to:

1. Go to www.chevychasepc.org/give and complete the online “Pledge of Gratitude, Sacrifice, and Joy” form 2. Phone your pledge to CCPC Business Manager, Sarah Riley at (202)-363-2202 or businessmanager@chevychasepc.org 3. Complete a pledge card and either mail it to CCPC or put it in the offering plate on Sunday mornings On December 4th, elders and volunteers will make outreach calls to any remaining members who have not pledged. If you have any questions about the campaign or pledging, contact Mary Frances Pearson at mfpearson1@gmail.com or (202)-236-8087.

Adult Education and Nurture at CCPC Opportunities for Growing in Faith and Community Sunday Mornings, 10:20 a.m.–11:05 a.m. November 2016 Faith Trek (Meets from 10:00 a.m.–11:05 a.m. in Room 350-A, 3rd floor, Ed. Building) No Class November 6th. 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. The group is currently reading Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters by NT Wright. Check with Margaret Chan (745-656-5034) for more information. Open Forum (Meets from 10:20 a.m.–11:05 a.m. in Geneva Hall, 2nd floor, Ed. Building) Open Forum offers a forum for the discussion of a variety of topics on the intersection of faith and life. Join us in November for these discussions: November 6th—No Class. Worship at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Stewardship Brunch. November 13th and 20th—Exploring a “More Light” Connection. As our culture and laws (both civil and ecclesiastical) have changed, the Session at CCPC is recognizing that our work of inclusion is also changing and shifting away from advocacy for tolerant policies to actively celebrating our diversity and addressing ways that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and queer people can be included and welcomed in the church. The Session is exploring the possibility of becoming a More Light congregation, and through the Mission Committee, has invited two speakers, The Rev. JC Cadwallader on November 13th and Sherry Trafford on November 20th, to offer information about the More Light organization, as well as their personal experiences and Western Presbyterian Church's process. This will be a time of education, but also a time of listening and discerning so please bring your questions as well as your affirmations or reservations. We’ll be listening… November 27th—No Class. Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend. Bible in Context Class (Meets from 10:00 a.m.–11:05 a.m. in Room 350-B, 3rd floor, Ed. Building) No Class November 6th or 27th. The Bible in Context will begin a new study this fall of the Acts of the Apostles. Come explore the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the church in the first century guided by the Holy Spirit. The group is led by Dottie Boerner and John Weicher. All are welcome and you don’t even need to bring a Bible—Room 350B has more than a dozen Bibles, plus more recent books by Biblical scholars, maps, and coffee. Come try us out!

Nominating Committee Search

The CCPC Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee has begun meeting to identify potential nominees for Elder, Deacon, and Auditor for 2017 – 2018.

Stephen Bocanegra (slbocanegra@hotmail.com)

We are looking for members who are committed to the church—regular attendees who will be able to help guide and care for our community in the exciting times ahead of us.

Please spread the news about our search among church groups you belong to and discuss it among your members. Selfnominations are welcome. To make recommendations, or for more information about the particular duties of elders, deacons and auditors, feel free to contact any of the committee members to the right. We look forward to hearing from you!

Trish Boggs (trishboggs@aol.com) Derek Hawver (kdhawver@comcast.net) Rebecca Iverson –Hunter (iverhunt@verizon.net ) Randall Kremer (kremerr@si.edu) Kathy Latterner (klatterner@yahoo.com) Norm Stant, Chair (normstant@mac.com)

Upcoming Organ Concerts: Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church 165 East Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157 The first half of the program is called Soul Juxtaposition: J.S. Bach and the Negro Spiritual. Following a brief intermission, Julie Vidrick Evans will perform a set entitled Music of the Night, which will appeal to trick or treaters of all ages! The program is free and all are welcome. For more information, visit: wumcmd.org. Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 12:10 p.m. Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 Julie Vidrick Evans will be the guest soloist on the Noontime Cantata Series of Washington Bach Consort. The program is free and all are welcome. For more information, visit: bachconsort.org/category/cantatas.

Coming Soon! Be on the look out for the Gifts of Hope alternative gifts market, open in Chadsey Hall on Sundays December 4th, 11th, and 18th. Meet CCPC’s New Facilities Manager If you hear CCPC’s new facilities manager quoting Shakespeare, don’t be surprised. Jerry Sampson is a former building engineer for the Shakespeare Theatre Company. “I heard so many rehearsals through the sound system that I often knew what the next line was,” Sampson recalls. He also met many celebrities in that job, everyone from Actors Helen Mirren and Avery Brooks to musicians Elvis Costello and Sting. He helped the Secret Service clear a path for Michelle Obama’s entrance at an inaugural event, and did a fast emergency repair when the air conditioning failed just as Jon Stewart prepared to interview President Obama from the Harmon Theatre’s stage for The Daily Show. “I didn’t want them to sweat and have their make-up run,” Sampson laughed. He likely won’t meet celebrities in his new job at CCPC, but says he’s been struck by all the really nice people he’s met, both staff and church members, and how welcome they’ve made him feel. Sampson’s part-time position started October 17th. Born and raised in the DC metropolitan area, Sampson formerly was maintenance supervisor of a 300 unit apartment complex where he managed a staff of eight. He also has been assistant chief engineer for the Washington Plaza Hotel. He’s happy his new job at CCPC has a set schedule where he isn’t routinely on call 24-7. He’s supervising Marlon Chacon, day custodian, plus the Red Coats firm that handles the church’s maintenance evenings and weekends. The part-time schedule will allow him to pursue other interests including furthering his education. He already holds a bachelor’s degree from Decker College in Jacksonville, FL, and is certified by the National Association for Power Engineers on building operations and maintenance. The father of three sons and one daughter ranging in age from 14 to 5, Sampson coaches his 14-year-old son’s football team, part of the Boys and Girls Clubs’ youth league that Sampson played in himself from ages 7 to 14. “Being a coach is my way of giving back,” he said.

Families Giving Thanks Books from the CCPC Library to share with loved ones.  Celebrate Thanksgiving with Turkey, Family, and Counting Blessings, by Deborah Heiligman. Part of the “Holidays Around the World” series from National Geographic, this book is filled with beautiful color photographs depicting the history and present-day ways of celebrating Thanksgiving. (JUV E HEI)  Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story, by Pat Zietlow Miller and Jill McElmurry. An early American family’s preparations for Thanksgiving are depicted with charming drawings and simple, rhyming text. (JUV E MIL)  The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower or John Howland’s Good Fortune, by P.J. Lynch. A beautifully-illustrated story of a teenaged boy who travels from London to New England on board the Mayflower and helps in the founding of the new colony. (JUV FIC LYN)

 Thanksgiving Day, by Gail Gibbons. Bright, cheerful illustrations accompany the story of Thanksgiving Day. The story is told simply and clearly, making this an ideal book for young children. (J 394.2 GIB)  The Night Before Thanksgiving, by Natasha Wing. An entertaining Thanksgiving story told in the style of “The Night Before Christmas” poem by Clement Moore. Children and adults will get a chuckle from the lively pictures and funny lines such as “vision of turkey legs danced in our heads.” (JUV E WIN)  Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks, by Margaret Sutherland. Charming, softly-colored pictures of diverse families illustrate this simple story of giving thanks. This book makes perfect family reading for very young children. (J E SUT)  Thanks For Thanksgiving, by Julie Marks. Another brightly-illustrated picture book with a simple story for very young children gives many examples of things to be thankful for. (JUV E MAR)

Middle East Lecture Series Wednesday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m Yvonne Haddad, Ph.D., will be the speaker for the Middle East Lecture on Wednesday, November 16th. Her topic is Christian-Muslim Relations. Syrian-born Haddad is Professor of the History of Islam and Christian -Muslim Relations at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. Professor Haddad's fields of expertise include twentieth-century Islam; intellectual, social and political history in the Arab world; and Islam in North America and the West. Currently, Professor Haddad is conducting research on Muslims in the West and on Islamic Revolutionary Movements. She also teaches courses on Muslim-Christian Relations and Arab Intellectuals. She has published extensively in the field of Islamic studies. She received her Bachelors degree from Beirut College for Women, Beirut, Lebanon and her Ph.D. from Hartford Theological Seminary, Hartford, Connecticut.

Book Review: How to Survive the Apocalypse: Zombies, Cylons, Faith, and Politics at the End of the World Book by Robert Joustra and Alissa Wilkinson. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2016. 198 pp. Review by Eric Peltz, pending publishing in the Presbyterian Outlook You know the feeling. It’s too late at night to send another work email, and your brain is fried. You reach for the remote, turning to a soothingly predictable show: peaceful setting, major disruption, heroic solution, and finally, resolution. Your anxiety is eased; all is well with the world. This is how TV watching used to work; until the apocalypse. Increasingly, a typical episode looks more like this: the peaceful setting is replaced with worlds already devoured by zombies. We used to watch the disruption of Eden, now it’s more like watching corrupt Washington get inundated with more corruption. The new heroes are Don Draper, Katniss Everdeen, and a Captain Kirk who has a new-found tact for existential crises. And resolution? Please. How did it come to this? Are we voyeuristic animals doomed to watch the narrative equivalent of car crashes with no happy endings? Or do these shows say something more important about what’s going on in our culture writ large? According to Robert Joustra (Redeemer University College, Toronto) and Alissa Wilkinson (The King’s College, New York) these stories are indeed signs of the times, but ones that can be well explained by the writings of Charles Taylor. Writing in the vein of James K.A. Smith’s popular book Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism? Taking Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault to Church, Joustra and Wilkinson seek to make Taylor’s 896-page magna carta, A Secular Age, more digestible through the lenses of Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, and many more examples of modern entertainment that start with the end of the world as a backdrop and leave us with a sense of “ugh.” The weaving of cultural critique with the teaching of Taylor’s text makes the book read like a well-written sermon, albeit with far fewer mentions of the Savior. Our understanding of God, however, is one of the chief items of discussion. The authors carefully describe the apocalypse at hand, beginning with a shift in self-identity that changes from the premodern age (where our identities were porous, defined by the gods that controlled our world) to the secular age (where our identities became buffered against the forces of deities and elemental nature by a self-sufficient humanism). Convinced we are our own curators, we come to believe that the chief

aim of man is to seek our own individual flourishing. This drive for personal authenticity and achievement is the idol of our age, shown by hyperbole in House of Cards or more realistically through Spike Jonze’s Her – whatever the cost, we must find out “Who am I?” And yet, like a great sermon, the exegesis of the law bears forth the hope of the gospel. At the end of Her, Joaquin Phoenix makes clear for us that a sense of purpose cannot be found by contemplating one’s identity in isolation; the quest is unachievable without the help of others. The antidote to the secular age’s apocalyptic anti-narrative is to stand up for a helpful narrative. So before you turn on Netflix tonight and go to bed with a feeling of despair, try reading about How to Survive the Apocalypse. It’s the perfect medicine for societal-wide manifestations of anxiety that keep creeping into our imaginations; and our nightmares.

CCPC’s Refugee Project Expands What began as CCPC’s sponsorship of one refugee family has expanded to an outreach effort with other congregations interesting in become sponsors. “Because we were the first in our area to sponsor a family, other congregations began calling me for advice on how to do it,” said Merritt Groeschel, chair of CCPC’s Refugee Resettlement Task Force. Before committing, members of congregations typically want advice on a variety of issues such as how many volunteers and how much money are needed, how to deal with the language barrier, and how to convince their church leadership to take this on. Many heard CCPC’s story at an information meeting CCPC held in June, but they have more questions, so Groeschel plus Task Force Co-Chair Loan Nguyen and Treasurer Susan Price have divided up requests and appeared at meetings with members and clergy of at least a dozen churches and temples. The effort is paying off. Several congregations the task force has mentored have applied for families through CCPC’s partner Lutheran Social Services, a U.S. government-authorized resettlement agency. Temple Shalom recently welcomed a Syrian family through the LSS Good Neighbor Program, and several more are waiting for assignments. Groeschel also is serving as a resource person for the National Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Office when they receive inquiries about refugee resettlement from congregations around the country. She and Nguyen were filmed at CCPC recently as part of a video on refugee sponsorship for PDA that will be available later this year. And because of CCPC’s pioneering work, the C.E. and S. Foundation in Louisville provided a travel grant so that Groeschel and Nguyen could visit Kentucky Refugee Ministries. Originally a project of Louisville’s Highland Presbyterian Church, this nonprofit has been helping congregations sponsor refugees since 1990. "KRM provides many vital services to recently arrived families at one location,” Groeschel said. “They have sewing and crafting groups, bike collection and distribution, tutoring, ESL, job development, community education, legal services and a family center located in the same building as their offices. We learned so much and are very grateful to have had this opportunity."

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happening at CCPC? One of the long-standing traditions at the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church involves presenting Bibles to fourth graders. On Sunday, September 25, 2016 we shared the Good News with thirteen students.

Sunday, October 2, 2016 was World Communion Sunday. The CCPC Choristers helped celebrate during worship and Pastor Lynn led Sacrament Education for second graders in to help them begin to understand the sacraments of the Presbyterian Church.

Christmas Poinsettias and Flowers The beauty of our sanctuary during Advent and the Christmas Season is due to the generosity of our members and friends who donate poinsettias in memory, honor, or celebration of loved ones. The Flower Committee counts of your support year after year, so that we can give Glory to God through the use of flowers during this joyous season of the church year. The cost of poinsettia is $20.00 per plant. An order form is attached below. Orders will be received during Coffee Hour on Sundays, November 27th, December 4th, 11th, and 18th or directly to the church office through Sunday, December 18th. We thank you in advance for your continued support!

2016 POINSETTIA AND WREATH DEDICATION Please check one:  in celebration of

 in honor of

 in memory of

These flowers are dedicated to the following person(s): ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Given by: __________________________________________________________________________ Telephone number or email address: __________________________________________________________________________ Check attached for __________ dedications at $20.00 each = $ ___________ Make check payable to, CCPC, noting Christmas flowers (Line #319) in the memo line. Check Number __________

Cash__________

Save the Date to Deck the Halls! Mark your calendar and plan to join your church family (age 4 to 94!) as we Deck the Halls on Friday evening, December 2nd! The fun begins with dinner (catered by Boston Market) at 6:00 p.m. in Chadsey Hall followed by creating Christmas decorations for the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s light-filled tree, decorating cookies, sharing with others, singing carols, and enjoying being together. The cost of the evening is $8.00 for adults (age 12 and up) and $4.00 per child (age 4-11; younger children eat free). A nursery will be available for infants and young preschoolers. The evening will conclude by 8:30 p.m. Reservations (to the church office at 202-363-2202) are appreciated, but not required, though they help us know how to plan! Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church

Christ our Center. Children our Blessing. Justice our Passion.

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