Volume 39, Issue 9
October 2010
The Joy of Giving What shall I return to the LORD for all God’s bounty to me? Psalm 116: 12
How shall we thank God for all that God has given to us? How can we make God’s presence more visible in the world? We don’t often think about our financial giving as a spiritual practice. Prayer, singing, and Bible study are spiritual, but money is not. Yet, Jesus, talked about money a lot. He talked about money more than prayer or forgiveness. In fact, Jesus talked about money more than any other topic except the Kingdom of God. Money can bring food to the hungry, help an ex-offender begin a new life, or buy a child school supplies. Over and over Jesus calls us to give generously to help the poor and needy. Jesus also knew that money can either bring us closer to God or get in the way. The book of Ecclesiastes puts it this way, “Whoever loves money never has money enough.” Our insatiable desire for more can come between us and God. Giving money to God opens us up to God’s spirit at work. Giving stretches us. It grows our hearts and expands our capacity to live and love and make a difference in the world. As we stretch and grow our spirits we become richer and richer in compassion and generosity. We become rich in helping and healing. We live a life overflowing with meaning, purpose and joy. I once heard a man say, “Don’t give until it hurts. Give until it feels good!” It feels good to say “thank you” to the God who has given us so much. It feels good to be able to be a part of God’s work to heal the world. It feels good to make a real difference in people’s lives. It feels good to be generous. Give until it feels good. Give until it changes your life. Give until you are filled with joy. The theme of this year’s stewardship campaign is “The Joy of Giving.” The Stewardship committee is asking you to prayerfully consider, “What percentage of my income is God asking me to give?” Will you grow in your financial giving? Throughout the month of October we will be providing you with information to help you consider your commitment. After 11:00 AM worship, on October 24, members of the Administration and Finance Committee will present information about the church’s financial status and answer your questions. And then on Stewardship Sunday, November 7, we will come together for a joyful celebration. We will present our pledges or estimates of giving in morning worship and share a feast in Chadsey Hall. I hope you will join our celebration of the Joy of Giving. Molly
WHAT’S INSIDE… OCTOBER 3 World Communion Sunday Peacemaking Offering Dedicated Inquirer’ Class (page 2) OCTOBER 7 FOCUS Adult Ed Classes Begin (page 10) OCTOBER 9 Mariners 50th Anniversary Party (page 6) CCPC Build Project with Habitat for Humanity (page 4) OCTOBER 11 Church Closed for Columbus Day OCTOBER 17 Bread For The World Sunday (page 5) Evening Youth Worship Service (page 12) OCTOBER 24 Chevy Chase Concert Series Begins (pages 3 & 7) Finance Forum at 12:15 OCTOBER 31 All Saints’ Sunday Observed
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Worship Services at 9:30 AM and 11 AM October 3
The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert preaching World Communion Sunday Celebration of the Lord’s Supper Peace Making Offering Dedicated Arabic Language Worship Service at 1:30 PM
October 10
The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert preaching Soup, Salad, Sandwiches, and Sweets Lunch at noon
October 17
The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert preaching Bread For the World Sunday Youth Worship Service at 6 PM
October 24
The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert preaching Concert at 4PM
October 31
The Rev. Steve Robertson preaching All Saints Sunday Observed
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CHURCH? The first Inquirers’ Seminar of the program year will be offered on Sunday, October 3 from 12:00 to 4:00 PM in Room 250 (Geneva Hall) at CCPC. This session is open not only to those persons who may have decided to become members, but also to persons who are exploring their call to Christian discipleship as members of this congregation. The format for the afternoon following lunch includes a brief overview of the basic history, beliefs, and traditions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as well as an outline of specific opportunities for using your gifts with others in ministry at CCPC. If you are interested in participating in the seminar on October 3 (or know someone who may be interested), please contact Lynn Jostes, Associate Pastor at 202/363-2202 or lynn@chevychasepc.org for more information or to sign up. Come join with the disciples of The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church as we discover our gifts and answer our calling, and together serve our Lord.
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WORSHIP & MUSIC JOANN MOORER JOINS CCPC’S MUSIC MINISTRY
Joann Moorer, lyric soprano and Master of Music candidate in Vocal Performance at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, holds a Service Playing Certificate from the American Guild of Organists and has a rich professional background in sacred music, vocal performance, choral conducting and music education. She has taught K-12 choral and general music for St. Mary's County and Fairfax County Public Schools earning superior ratings at choral festivals and competitions, directing musicals and show choirs as well as teaching courses in AP Music Theory, Piano Lab, Music Appreciation and Music Theater. She has most recently served as Organist and Minister of Music at historic St. John's Episcopal church in Centreville, VA and previously served as Director of Music at St. George's United Methodist Church in Fairfax, VA, supervising an active, graded choral program including musicals, multiple choirs, handbells, instrumentalists and annual choir retreats. Joann studied piano, voice, violin, accompanying and conducting at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she earned a B.S. in Music Education, summa cum laude. She has sung professionally at The Washington National Cathedral, Holy Trinity Catholic, Georgetown and Grace Episcopal Church, the Plains, VA.
DEAR FRIENDS AND MUSICIANS, I am greatly looking forward to meeting you in the near future. I feel very blessed and honored to serve God in music ministry at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church and am excited to partner with you in worship and art. Please do not hesitate to introduce yourself as I am excited to get to know and work with you all, to inspire beautiful and meaningful music to the glory of God. Sincerely,
Joann Moorer
DON’T MISS THE FIRST CONCERT OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON OF THE CHEVY CHASE CONCERT SERIES: October 24
THE COMMONWEALTH BRASS 4:00 PM A quintet of professional Washington area musicians, the Commonwealth Brass display their excellent musicianship and charismatic stage presence in a wide variety of musical styles. 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.
4 GRAB A HAMMER! CCPC BUILDS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OCT. 9TH! CCPC continues to support our area Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and your next opportunity to get involved is Saturday, October 9th, when our congregation will spend a day building community – literally! As you probably know, Habitat is a Christian housing ministry that builds homes with CCPC member and Habitat enthusiast, William Minor, hosts the volunteer labor and sells them with no-profit, completion of a successful Habitat build. no-interest loans to families who could not otherwise afford the dream of homeownership. The homeowners themselves contribute “sweat equity,” helping to build their own home and the homes of their neighbors. Volunteers work hand-in-hand with the homeowners. Our church’s 7th annual Habitat build day is Saturday, October 9th. We will be building with Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. at their new site in the Ivy City neighborhood of Northeast Washington. We will be working on homes begun earlier that week by former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, along with hundreds of volunteers participating in the 2010 Carter Work Project in celebration of World Habitat Day. If you have built with Habitat before, you know how rewarding and fun the day can CCPC Habitat crew at a previous build. Can you picture yourself here? be. If you have not participated previously, please join us this year and find out! Our CCPC groups have undertaken a variety of homebuilding tasks during our visits. No construction experience is required, and there are always jobs available for volunteers at every level. Habitat staff members provide all necessary training. Church members and friends age 16 to 75 have participated in the past. The build runs from 8:15 AM until 4:00 PM, and we can assist with transportation to the site. If you are willing to participate in the CCPC build on October 9th or have any questions at all, please contact William Minor (at william.minor@gmail.com or 301.320.3445) or Mike Jelen (at Michael.Jelen@aecom.com or 202.686.1410).
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MISSION
CCPC OBSERVES BREAD FOR THE WORLD SUNDAY Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9
Bread
for the World Sunday is October 17. On this day, CCPC will mark and renew our commitment to advocacy in support of ending hunger. We will join with congregations across the country to rejoice in our calling as Jesus’ disciples – equipped and emboldened to act, creating hope and opportunity for hungry people. For more than 35 years, Bread for the World has served as a collective Christian voice that urges our nation's policymakers to address hunger at home and abroad. Bread has had tremendous success over the years and is a respected voice in Congress and the Administration. Its President, the Rev. David Beckmann, was named the 2010 World Food Prize laureate, which is the Nobel Prize equivalent for food and agriculture. CCPC is proud to have a long history of connections with and support for Bread for the World. Our longtime member Barbara Howell opened Bread's Washington office in 1975, and over three decades, she was a tireless advocate for policies to benefit low-income and hungry people. Jim McDonald, husband to our former pastor Dean McDonald, is now the Managing Director of Bread, managing the organization’s work on policy issues and their programs of advocacy, education, and social change. Our congregation is also proud to continue to support Bread for the World financially and with our time and talents. We are currently exploring new opportunities to work with Bread in support of their mission. If you are interested in finding ways in which you can be an advocate for those who live in hunger and poverty, contact William Minor of the Mission Committee at 301.320.3445 or william.minor@gmail.com.
GET RID OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS YOU DON’T USE A Wider Circle (www.awidercircle.org), a small nonprofit Washington organization, dedicated to helping individuals and families lift themselves out of poverty, is urgently seeking basic household furniture to furnish the homes of families in need and those transitioning from homeless shelters. The organization accepts donations of beds, mattresses, cribs, strollers, chairs and tables and other items. Call 301-6083504 or email furnish@awidercircle.org to arrange for a pick-up of your donation. You may drop off items, if your prefer, 7 days a week, at our Center for Community Service, 9159-C Brookville Road, Silver Spring.
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Be sure to include first and last names of each person coming for their nametags.
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EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
October 24
THE COMMONWEALTH BRASS
4:00 PM
A quintet of professional Washington area musicians, the Commonwealth Brass offers excellent musicianship and charismatic stage presence in a wide variety of musical styles from the Renaissance to 20 th Century with humor and virtuosity. November 14
Mozart “Coronation Mass”
4:00 PM
The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir combines with the choir of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, College Park, and orchestra to present Mozart’s Mass in C-major, K. 317, composed in 1779 and known as the “Coronation” Mass. December 19
A Chevy Chase Christmas
4:00 PM
The annual tradition of the singing and ringing choirs of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church is sure to enhance your Christmas spirit with a candlelight processional as well as presentations by each of the choirs and audience carol singing. The families and entire community can’t help but leave in the Christmas spirit. January 23
Frederick Moyer, pianist
4:00 PM
Moyer has performed in forty-three countries worldwide in almost thirty years as a concert pianist. He has made numerous recordings and is a pioneer in using technology to enhance musical experiences. He has had a strong connection to a music school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, for more than twenty-five years. February 20
Clive Driskill-Smith, organist
4:00 PM
Winner of Royal College of Organists’ Performer of the Year Competition in 2000 and the Calgary International Organ Competition in 2002, Driskill-Smith serves as Sub-Organist at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, England, and concertizes world wide. This concert, co-sponsored by the Potomac Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will be his Washington area debut recital. March 20
34th Annual Bach Marathon
2:00-7:00 PM
A Washington institution, ten organists again will feature the music of J.S. Bach in half-hour programs each on our magnificent 3-manual, 50-rank, 2,500-pipe Rieger tracker organ. Come when you can; leave when you must; refresh your soul. This season’s theme is “Bach and Beyond”, the music of J.S. Bach and those influenced by him. May 15
Duruflé Requiem
4:00 PM
The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir will join soloists, orchestra and organ to present this masterwork of the sacred choral literature to conclude this 40 th Anniversary Season of musical offerings to our community. All events are admission-free, donations gratefully accepted. A reception to meet the artists and to greet one another takes place following each concert. Julie Vidrick Evans, Director of Music Chevy Chase Concerts Committee, Len Ralston, Chair
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Adult Education and Nurture at CCPC
SUNDAY MORNINGS AND BEYOND
SUNDAY MORNINGS CONTINUING IN OCTOBER 2010 The Bible in Context Class (Meets 9:30 – 10:45 AM in Room 350-B, third floor, Education Building) Early Christian Letters. Beginning on October 10, participants are invited to examine some of the letters outside of the canon which circulated in the first century church in this year-long course led by Peter Combes. For more information, look for a complete syllabus at http://ccpc.petercombes.com. Faith Trek (Meets 9:45 – 10:45 AM 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. To begin the fall, the class is completing its discussion of Michael Sandel’s book, Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do. They plan to read Hans Kuhn’s new book, What I Believe when it comes out in November. Check with Margaret Chan (301/656-5034) if you have questions or to reserve a copy of the book. We serve real coffee, so please feel free to drop by any Sunday. Open Forum (Meets 9:45 – 10:45 AM 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 October for a discussion of these topics:
October 3 - Immigration Issues: Beyond the Headlines. Why do legal and undocumented immigrants come to the U.S. What conditions in Mexico and Central and South America prompt them to decide to leave families and communities behind? We will examine WHY people are migrating from their home countries, and explore what implications this might have for U.S. foreign policy and the immigration reform debate. Leader: Jennifer Johnson is a Senior Associate at the Latin American Working Group, who focuses on issues relating to Mexico and the U.S./Mexico border region. October 10 - Mexico – Security at the Southern Border. Mexico is battling drug cartels and facing other difficult but related issues of trade, migration, and economic concerns. What does this mean for Mexico, and what implications does it have for U.S. trade and immigration policies? Leader: Eric L. Olson is Senior Advisor to the Security Initiative at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC, where he oversees the Institute’s work on U.S.-Mexico security cooperation and research on organized crime and drug trafficking between the U.S., Mexico, and Central America. October 17 - WIN In Its Own Words. CCPC has just rejoined the Washington Interfaith Network ("WIN"), a broad-based, multi-faith, multi-racial, non-partisan DC citizens' power organization, rooted in local congregations and associations. WIN is committed to developing leaders to address community issues and hold elected officials accountable concerning such issues as job creation, usury, neighborhood funding. Amy Vruno, current Organizer and General Counsel of WIN, and Lottie Sneed, who first brought CCPC into WIN and is now in WIN's Baltimore organization, will both speak with us about WIN's goals and ways that CCPC can be active in WIN's multiple activities. Continued on next page
9 October 24 - CCPC's Planning for WIN. In this second session of Open Forum on the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN), CCPC's own will be joined by active WIN members from nearby congregations, eager to share their enthusiasm for WIN's projects. Come and contribute your ideas for making the best use of the energy and drive of this DC organization built on the interests brought by some 44 congregation's participation in WIN. October 31 – An Update on the Middle East. Join the Rev. Robert C. Angus for an update on current events and progress in the ever-expanding attempts to encourage peace in the Middle East.
WEDNESDAY MORNINGS (BI-MONTHLY) The Wednesday Morning Bible Study Group is continuing its study of the Revelation to John twice a month in Geneva Hall on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 10:00 – 12:00 noon. A calendar and our study guide, Breaking the Code ($10.00) are available from study leader, Lynn Jostes. Contact Grace Hyslop for more details. Come join us as we explore the vivid images and often confusing symbolism of this intriguing book. See you in class!
CHURCH SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE! We’ve Saved a Place for You!!
Church School classes for all ages resumed on September 19 and will continue through next May on Sundays from 9:45 – 10:45 AM. Children and youth are encouraged to attend worship with their families or with friends and then go to their classes after the Time with Children each week. Beginning October 10, a short music time with for 5-Year-Olds through Fourth Graders in Room 308 follows the Time with Children, before the children are taken to their classrooms by their teachers. Other children go directly to their classrooms following the Time with Children. We ask that parents pick up in the classrooms promptly at 10:45 AM or alert their child’s teacher in writing on the registration form if they are to meet you in Chadsey Hall for brunch. Parents: please fill out a new registration form this year if you haven’t already done so, so that we’ll have current information on everyone. Check out the Adult Education classes outlined in this month’s Gateway or online, and plan to join one this fall. We’ll be looking for you!!
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS (MONTHLY) The Young Women’s Bible Study is reorganizing and invites all young women of the congregation to join their study and fellowship! Mark your calendars for the third Wednesday of the month at 8:00 p.m. in Room 350-B (third floor, Education Building, street side.) Bring your Bibles and join us and teacher, Lynn Jostes, for some great discussion!
SAVE THE DATE TO DECK THE HALLS Friday, December 3, 2010 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. in Chadsey Hall
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GET READY to FOCUS! FOCUS This fall the Christian Education Committee invites you for a third year to FOCUS! FOCUS This Adult Education initiative at CCPC is offered on Thursday evenings beginning October 7 through November 4, and continuing with another series in the spring of 2011 (March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14.) FOCUS courses highlight various aspects of the adult journey…
Faith…O Outreach…C Community…U Understanding…S Spirituality …and are open to the members and friends of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church and the larger community. Classes are held from 7:30 – 9:00 PM with dinner available ($7.00/adult; $3.00/children 3-10; children under 2 eat free; RESERVATIONS REQUIRED) from 6:30 – 7:15 PM in Chadsey Hall, to facilitate participation by those persons coming straight from work. Childcare is also available as requested. Watch for a brochure in the mail with full details of this fall’s offerings plus notes of upcoming classes in 2011. Here is the line-up beginning October 7:
DREAMING A NEW DAY: GOD’S CALL TO CCPC "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet." (Frederick Buechner in Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC) Where might the deep gladness of CCPC meet the world’s deep hunger? Come and join in the process of listening for God’s call to CCPC. Who are we now, at this time in history? What is God calling us to do? Who are the people we will serve? Come and be a part of discovering our congregation’s mission for this second decade of the 21st century. Together let us discern “the small piece of God’s will that belongs to us.” Leader: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert, Senior Pastor at the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church
FUNDAMENTALS OF BIBLICAL GREEK Are you curious about Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament? Even absolute beginners can learn the basics of New Testament Greek -- enough to read parts of the Bible in their original language. Five students are required for the course to be offered. The course fee is $20.00 for the textbook "Greek for the Rest of Us" by Dr. William Mounce. Leader: Angela Rasmussen, graduate student in ancient languages at Catholic University
A PRESBYTERIAN PRIMER: UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE OF OUR FAITH A primer is a book that presents the most basic elements of a subject. For Christians, the basic elements of our faith are expressed in words and language which may be familiar or foreign, as well as profound and puzzling. Join us as we explore the meaning of Salvation by Grace through Faith, Justification/Sanctification, Providence and Predestination, Incarnation and Atonement among others. Leader: The Rev. Lynn Jostes, Associate Pastor for Christian Education at the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church
THE BODY IN PRAYER AND WORSHIP Reflecting on how the body has been used and understood in the Bible and in the hisory of Christianity provides a unique context for a practice of embodied prayer. Our practice will include postures of the body as prayer, and sequences of postures to prayer songs, and sitting in stillness. We will draw upon the depth of understanding offered by the ancient tradition of yoga as a devotional practice and as a means of releasing the restlessness of the body to prepare the mind to be still that it may hear the voice of God, whether in silent meditation or quiet scripture reading. Leader: Carolyn Bluemle is a certified Iyengar Yoga instructor Continued on next page
11 MUSICAL NOTES: A POTPOURRI OF MUSICAL EXPERIENCES Part I: Organ Notes: The Mechanics and the Music October 7 = Do You Wonder How it Works? - The magnificent Rieger organ at CCPC is a mechanical, tracker -action pipe organ built in Austria and installed in the sanctuary in 1975. Come experience the organ up close and personal…the unique sounds it makes, the types of pipes it has, the materials and mechanics which create the grand sound we love. Leader: David M. Storey is a skilled organ technician who has nurtured our CCPC organ since its installation October 14 = The Majesty of Music for the Organ - Come learn about the uniqueness of music written for the organ. How is it different from piano music? What’s the difference between a toccata and a fugue? How do the mechanics of the instrument enable the intricacies of the music? Bring your questions and join us! Leader: Ken Lowenberg, Minister of Music Emeritus at CCPC
Part II: Rebel Notes: Music and Social Justice A careful examination of history would suggest that there has been no reformation or protest movement that hasn't involved, or actually been led by, music. The power of music to change lives and to move toward enabling God's "will be done on earth as in heaven" is extraordinary. Come explore some of the ways that music makes a profound difference in the lives of God's children as we consider its relationship to these social justice movements: October 21 - Spirituals and Music of the Civil Rights Movement October 28 - Music from the Holocaust (Verdi’s Defiant Requiem, Holocaust Cantata and music written at Therezin) November 4 - 20 Century Anti-War Music (Vaughan Williams, Lloyd Webber, Tippett, Britten, Jenkins) Leader: Dr. Eileen Guenther is Associate Professor of Church Music at Wesley Theological Seminary, where she teaches music and worship courses and directs the music in Oxnam Chapel.
Register online at www.chevychasepc.org or return the registration form to the church office with your choices and dinner reservations. We’ll see you there!!
FIRESIDES AND HEARTHSTONES YOUTH GROUP EVENTS 10/3: 6-8pm: Firesides Only at a youth event for National Capital Presbytery Youth. Bring money for an offering and pizza. 10/10: No Youth Group (Columbus Day Weekend) 10/17: 6-8pm: Youth Worship Service, dinner and games 10/22-23: Hearthstones Only Mission Trip to Broad Street Ministry 10/24: Making and Serving food at Our Lady of Lourdes. Time to be announced. 10/31: No Youth Group Please RSVP to all events by e-mailing Jennifer at jennifer@chevychasepc.org.
Notes: Sometimes our events change for unexpected reasons. Check your weekly e-mail for the most accurate information about youth group activities. If you would like to be added or removed from the youth group e-mail distribution list, e-mail the Youth Ministries Associate (Jennifer Griffin) at jennifer@chevychasepc.org.
* One of our ESL students, a grandmother whose family is leaving to take up a position in another country, is in need of a room, and, if possible, child-caring work. Contact Julie Combes 703-435-3838.
Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church ...“Where Faith and Life Intersect”
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