THE

EPISTLE

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church

10401 Armory Ave.

Kensington, Maryland 20895

http://www.stpaulsk.org
301-933-7933

FEBRUARY 2006 Vol. 49, No. 2

Feel the warmth in the midst of February!

Come, celebrate, worship.

8 a.m. Communion

9 a.m. Joyful Rising

10:15 Traditional.

February 12

Welcome Scouts!

Come; celebrate with us an old time gospel Sunday at both the 9 a.m. and 10:15 services. Family Church Day! Come early at 10 a.m. for a hymn sing!

Lunch afterwards sponsored by our youth. All scouts and leaders in uniform eat for free. This year we will again celebrate Scout Sunday with a bang! Boy Scout Troop #439, sponsored by St. Paul’s for over fifty years, will be invited to attend our morning worship with their families, and participate with a Color Guard and a moment of sharing. All Boy and Girl Scouts and leaders are invited to attend worship in their official uniforms.

Following worship, St. Paul’s UMYF will host a congregational lasagna luncheon (with salad, bread and dessert) in Heavener Hall, as both a fund-raiser for our summer trip, and in honor of both Boy and Girl Scouting. Cost will be $8.00 per adult, and $5.00 for children under 5. Any youth or adult in a (Boy or Girl) Scout uniform will EAT FOR FREE!

Please sign up in the church narthex to register your plans to attend.

Pastor Deacon Youth/Education Epistle editor

Rev. Karin Walker Rev. Rick Buckingham Del Moyer

revkarin@comcast.net ricklby@yahoo.com del@moyer.us

Minister of Visitation Office Manager Copy editor

Rev. John C. Walker Carol Lewis Jan Aamodt

friartuck4@verizon.net stpaulsunited@verizon.net jan.aamodt@verizon.net

Karin’s Comments

“ I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Jesus {Matthew 28: 18-20}

As Christians, we respond to today’s culture in a variety of ways. Some withdraw into a protective cocoon, engaging the “good” and keeping out the "bad.” Other Christians are combative with culture, often justifying their hostility with “us versus them” attitudes and casting off those who go against their religious ideals. Still, other Christians take a less hostile, but equally dangerous, approach to culture by blending in, conforming like chameleons.

All 3 responses to culture are inconsistent with the life and teachings of Jesus. His disciples are commanded to go into the world (no cocooning); love the world, including our enemies (no violence) and to transform the world by making disciples (no conforming).

Jesus always was in the world, changing the world, loving the world, seeking and saving the lost. He genuinely loved all even though they often “received him not.” {John 1: 11}

This year through St. Paul’s, let us commit ourselves to being Christ-like: taking risks to serve God and our neighbor. At our retreat last month, we challenged ourselves to risk more, to serve more, and to love more as we live out the call of Jesus Christ in our lives. There are many people yearning for a deeply personal connection to Jesus Christ. That connection may begin through you and me.

So take your faith to parties, to work, as you speak to strangers. The story is told of a man going through the Harbor Tunnel tollbooth. He asked the toll worker how he was doing. And the man said, "You don’t really care. You don’t really want to know. Just get out of here." Well, the Christian man prayed for the toll worker and knew God was calling him to turn around, so he made a U turn, paid another toll in the opposite direction and once again pulled into the same toll booth going south. He got out of his car and walked into the booth and said, "Yes, I do really want to know how you’re doing." The toll worker was so surprised; he began to cry…and then shared his story.

Let us be more intentional about our hospitality that others will feel Christ’s love through our hands, our hearts, and even our smiles. May God bless you abundantly as you seek to serve your Lord and Savior. In Christ’s Love,

Karin

John’s Jottings

"Perhaps it's the letdown of Christmas; perhaps it's the doldrums of January, I'm not sure. But I seem to notice a good deal of irritability lately. It's evident in the stores, in the community, and especially in the horrendous traffic in our area. People can be very mean-spirited at times.

Years ago, my mother had a little 3-word saying she used frequently, think good thoughts. She had her share of problems, especially physically, but I still remember (after 30 years) her life punctuated with that little saying, "think good thoughts." It's a nice little slogan to carry around when you're tempted to cuss out that driver who cut you off (come to think of it, St. Paul's people would never do THAT, but you know what I mean).

Attitudes are so important in our hectic lives today. We're all stressed more than we care to be. And we all need strategies to help us deal with these stresses. It's surprising how simplistic little sayings can affect the way we act and interact. They really become part of what we are. So-- try "thinking good thoughts" when things rub you the wrong way. It certainly can't hurt.

Thanks, Mom.

See you in church, John

UNITED METHODIST MEN LOOK TO THE FUTURE

While leaving the church on a recent Sunday, I walked by the bulletin board listing all the activities of the UMM. Most of all, I thought about the men involved in all the activities - men sharing good-natured humor, labor and fellowship. When you get a chance, please stop by this bulletin board (in the hallway leading to the parking lot) -- and be amazed as I was!

This Month's Activities

Wed., Feb. 1 - Supper & General Membership Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Heavener Hall. Following the meal, Jim Heins will treat us to a program on his recent trip from Central America to the southern tip of South America called:

"Ice Chests to Icebergs from Belize to Cape Horn by Ship"

Women interested in hearing this presentation are invited to join us at 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 4 - Pancake Breakfast featuring hoecakes (cornmeal pancakes) in honor of Black History Month. Proceeds will go to St. Paul's Educational Award Fund.

Working with you in service,

Harold Moyer, President

MEET YOUR LAY LEADER

(a continuing series)

Ever notice how tidy the pew racks are when we arrive in the sanctuary Sunday morning? Pew Rack Coordinator Marguerite Anastasi comes to church on Saturday for 2-3 hours to remove trash and stock and straighten each pew rack. God’s House is in order for Sunday worship. Marguerite’s spiritual gifts of nurturing, organizing and giving are evident in her work. She says she needs one or more people to provide back up for her, in case she can’t come in some week.

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Falls Church, Va., Marguerite has spent her life in this area. She retired from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department after 25 years as an administrator in various divisions. (She liked the Traffic Division best.) She married police detective Augustine “Gus” J. Anastasi. Marguerite had two daughters, Kathleen and Virginia, from her previous marriage. She has a granddaughter, Beth Carroll, who will graduate college this year.

Marguerite and her daughters joined St. Paul’s more than 30 years ago. Kathleen and Virginia sang in the choir, and Marguerite has often volunteered in the Mountain Way Shop, helping Evelyn and Ken Pinkard (news flash below). Marguerite also delivers bread to visitors once a week for the Bread Ministry. In her leisure time, she likes to read and has been taking lessons in oil painting for 4 years.

Our prayers have been answered - Marguerite Anastasi has volunteered to take over the day-to-day operations of the Mountain Way Shop. A long time St. Paul's member and a volunteer when the shop was first established, she brings a lot of experience and a smile is always ready for everyone. We have also had four more people who want to help. We are truly blessed. Thank you all. Quote: Nothing makes you drive more cautiously than discovering your driver's license has expired.

Ken & Evelyn Pinkard, Shopkeepers

New Scout Troop Unit - Venture Crew 439 is formed

St Paul’s UMM is sponsoring a new scout unit! In addition to Cub Scout Pack 478 (sponsored just last year) and Boy Scout Troop 439, there is now a Venture Crew 439 officially chartered in December 2005. The Venture Crew is for both boys and girls from 14 to not yet 21 years old. The crew will focus on outdoor skills and High Adventure camping trips. The crew will maintain close ties to Troop 439 since the Boy Scouts are dual registered in both units. The first organizational meeting to elect officers, was January 17. The uniform is a dark green shirt with green tabs and gray pants (for all). The crew will probably meet 2 times a month with an activity once a quarter. John Scheirer is the Crew Advisor.

TROOP 439 HAS A BUSY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Troop 439 has a busy schedule again this year: January 13-15 Campout at the Naval Academy. This event is by invitation only and focuses on the more technical merit badges that the midshipmen teach. January 20-22 the Rock Creek District Klondike Derby at Little Bennett State Park is where our Patrols compete in 10 different Scout skill events. February 18 and 19 brings the "Deep Freeze" – one of our most popular trips – always fun camping in the snow at New Germany State Park/Savage River. The major activity besides trying to stay warm is sledding, tubing, snowboarding and tobogganing.

source photos: Bancroft Hall and Tecumseh http://www.annapolislodging.biz/album1_007.htm

USS JOHN BROWN VISITED

In December, the Troop had a unique experience by spending the night aboard the USS John Brown, a Liberty ship moored in the Baltimore Harbor. Over 2700 Liberty ships were built in four years for WWII. We spent the day touring the ship, learning how they were built, and how they operated.

PAINT DOORKNOB HANGERS FOR CRAFT PROJECT

I am looking for a few folks who could help me paint some small wooden "doorknob

hangers", in preparation for Vacation Bible School. We have about 130 of these crafts to get ready. We will be painting just one side of the woodcrafts, saving the second paint job for the kids.

If interested, join me on Wednesday, February 22, in Room 300 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. or so. If you have any questions call Robin Mayhew at 929-8185. No need to be a good artist, we'll just slop on the paint, just like the kids do! Come for the

fellowship.

Friendship Club Meeting is always the second Tuesday

The Friendship Club will meet the second Tuesday, February 14th (Valentine's Day) at 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Heavener Hall at St. Paul's.

Lunch is potluck. Bring a favorite dish, and come for Fun, Food and Fellowship. Our entertainment will be a program by Deena Javor, Song Stylist. Hope to see you there!

Ann Brall 301-588-4608

How to Raise a Christian Teenager

Monday, February 6

7 – 9 p.m. Church Parlor

When I was a child, I thought like a child, spoke like a child and acted like a child. As I became an adult I put away those childish things. At least one hopes. But between childhood and adulthood are those marvelous yet unpredictable years as a teenager . . . the carefree, lack of responsibility and invincible days of youth developmental times in life when kids begin making their own decisions, decisions that are often in conflict with those of their parents. This can be a difficult time to negotiate, especially when it comes to church and religion.

Many parents have dedicated years to helping teach their children about God and Christianity. Hours upon hours have been spent working to instill “inner faith;” a faith parents hope and pray will carry them throughout their life, and help them negotiate the obstacles ahead. Then those same children become teenagers and their parent’s opinion fall second to those of their peers. Sleeping often takes priority over Sunday morning church, and schoolwork is often done last minute on Sunday evenings. How do parents overcome these obstacles?

Join Karin Walker for a working seminar on the challenges facing today’s parents, and how to overcome them. This workshop, hosted by the Jochebed Circle, is open to anyone wishing to learn more about raising a “Christen Teenager.” Sign up in the church office.

CONFIRMATION CLASS will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 21

All youth in 7th-9th grades are invited to participate in our 2006 preparatory membership class, which will meet at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday evenings beginning on February 21.

Please note that the first class session will be held in the Octagon, and parents are asked to attend this as well as the rehearsal and final class on Saturday, June 3^rd. In addition to the thirteen class sessions, led by Rick Buckingham in Room 119, the program includes an overnight Spiritual Life Retreat at the West River Center on May 12-13th, and a couple of field trips. Those class members who choose to take on full membership in the church will join on Pentecost Sunday, June 4^th, 2006. Please see Rick Buckingham to register for the class. Registration forms are in the January “Just for YOUth” Newsletter.

YOUTH VARIETY SHOW MARCH 19 FUNDS TRIP TO TENNESSEE,

Reserve the date now! Our 2006 YOUTH VARIETY SHOW will be held in Heavener Hall on Sunday evening, 7-8:30 p.m., March 19^th. This is always an anticipated time of great fun for the entire family, and serves as the primary fund-raiser for our UMYF summer trip. In 2006, we will be attending a weeklong work camp, doing various improvement projects on the homes of families in Brownsville, Tennessee. Variety Show Tickets, including the show and a dessert, will be $7 Adult, $5 youth, $3 under 12.

YOUTH COUNCIL BAKE SALE

SAT. March 4 FOR Educational Award

Come prepared to the March Pancake Breakfast: our youth will be selling delicious home‑baked goods beginning at 8:00 a.m. All donations are welcome: please indicate ingredients and suggested price on a label. Proceeds will benefit our 2006 Educational Award for college-bound high school seniors.

ST. PAUL'S SPIRITS BASKETBALL

St. Paul's youth basketball team, the Spirits, are finishing up their 2005-2006 season. We participate in a league of four United Methodist Youth Fellowships. Members of the congregation are invited to attend any of our games and serve as audience cheerleaders.

Our final game of the 2006 season is: Sun. Feb. 5 - 2:00 p.m. vs. Colesville Cougars at Hughes UMC, 10900 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring.

Please remember to dress warmly for the game at Hughes as the gym is unheated!

Please note that the last Friday evening practice at Rock View Elementary School will be Friday, February 3^rd, in conjunction with the Middle High Lock-In.

UMYF "SOUPER BOWL" PROJECT ‑ Sunday, February 5^th

On Sunday, February 5^th, 2006, the UMYF will celebrate Super Bowl Sunday with a "SOUPerBowl for the Hungry." Since 1993, youth groups' nation-wide have raised a total of $24,000,000! That Sunday, please bring an extra dollar to place in the Soup Kettles on your way out of church. Help our youth make a difference in the fight against hunger. All we collect will be donated to Bethesda Help. Let's remember the hungry and homeless in the midst of a cold winter. Thank you in advance for supporting this project!

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

... led by Rev. Rick Buckingham

Our group will be hosted by our Minister of Education, Rick Buckingham, who has been to the Holy Land five times over the past thirty years, most recently in 1998. A 45-minute gathering describing the tour, and designed to answer your questions, will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 26 in the Cleveland Library. All are invited.

The tour dates are August 22-31, 2006. The basic tour cost of $2,248 includes round trip airfare from BWI via New York, airport taxes, First‑Class hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, sightseeing and entrance fees on our itinerary, English‑speaking guide, ground travel by motor coach, luggage transfers, hotel taxes and service charges and flight insurance. An additional $400 will be needed for taxes, gratuities, lunches, beverages, etc. Travel insurance may also be purchased at time of registration.

A $250 deposit mailed with registration, is required to make a reservation. Already some dozen folks have expressed interest or intention to travel with us. Our goal is a group of 15-20. Please pick up a brochure in the narthex or main office today!

Book Signing on March 5

Book Signing -- March 5, at 2 p.m., in the Octagon -- “Children Kept From the Sun, Excerpts from an Afghan Journal,” by Frances Connell. Frances and her husband spent about three years (1973-1976) in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan. Photography shows remarkable images of hope among peoples in dire conditions. The book gives an update of the turbulent conditions in the country, and expresses the plight of the children. Frances plans to send proceeds from the sale of her book to the children’s schools where she taught and maintains contact. source:https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=30323

Lenten Angel Corps:

Lent begins March 1. How about observing a holy lent by committing yourself to an anonymous angel act each week. It might be a dinner for some older folks who could use a hot meal prepared by someone, a quick clean up of a back yard, a weekly note for the 7 weeks, etc. Assignments will be made by the Head Angel based on your preferences. If interested, email the church office attn: Head Angel.

Sports Camp at West River

Once again we’re preparing to spend a week at West River with 50 middle high kids, some from St. Paul’s, some from other churches in the area, some on scholarship week to week, which assists their parents. We offer a fantastic program, helping youth to see their body as a temple, develop healthy life-styles that includes being active, and we teach good sportsmanship, and techniques to be a champion in all areas of life, with Jesus Christ as the foundation.

We are seeking about $1500 to be able to provide tee shirts, medals, and a week’s worth of Gatorade. If you would like to donate to this important ministry of St. Paul’s, please let Karin know. **A few good men and women still needed to be counselors. Camp starts Sunday afternoon Aug. 6 and ends that Friday. The adults have as much fun as the kids! Please consider coming with me—just imagine: a week—no phone, no TV, no stress—just playing games, a few Bible studies maybe a nap or two, canoeing, engaging in conversation with a thoughtful 13 year old.

HISTORY COMMITTEE SEARCHES FOR CHRISMON BINDER

Chrismons are Christmas tree ornaments featuring Christian symbols. St. Paul's displays them on our sanctuary trees every year.

The History Committee is looking for the red binder, which contains instructions for making them and the names of those who made ours.

Since a group of parents worked on Christmons one Saturday a few years ago, it is likely that a church member has the binder. Please return the nbinder to the church office.

CALL FOR PHOTOS/ NEGATIVES If you have old or new photos of church activities to share with the history committee, please leave them for Emily Robinson in the church office. Photos or negatives can be copied and returned to you. The History Committee will compile scrapbooks for us all to enjoy. Thank you for your contribution to this project

The Sunday school is collecting old keys (out-of-use) keys for a summer craft

project for Vacation Bible School. If anyone has old keys lying about, and would

like to give them a new home, please leave them in the box in the office on the countertop, or give them to Robin Mayhew, Shari Connor or Molly Ruskin.

The keys will be put to use in an art project relating to Jesus' reference to giving

Peter the "keys to the kingdom of heaven". The theme of VBS this year, still being

brainstormed, relates to the many bible stories about doors...Start collecting those

keys now! Robin Mayhew

MEET THE NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Along with the turning of the calendar year, come a few changes in Sunday school

teachers. The first grade will say goodbye to Debbie Zwick, and hello to Jim and Margarita Bartley. Debbie stepped in this fall to "job share" with Ellen Godfrey, filling a hole that was gaping almost until September! Debbie agreed to fill a one semester position, as the Bartleys were happy to step in. The first graders will miss Mrs. Zwick, who has promised to sub as needed from time to time. The class looks forward to the Bartleys, especially as they are parents to Allie and Eric, both in the class.

Another change will be in the kindergarten class, where Cynthia Mancini finished up in December and Martha Cox Altekruse will fill in for the remainder of the year. Carol Woodside, the other kindergarten teacher, will remain with the group. Again, the kindergarteners will miss Mrs. Mancini, and vice versa! Mrs. Cox looks forward to taking over with the group, many of whom she actually taught when they were in the 2s class. We are happy to have Martha back as a teacher, after a one-semester hiatus. We last saw Martha as a 6th grade teacher last spring in the youth department.

Thank you and good luck to Debbie Zwick and Cynthia Mancini. We hope to see them again soon in the classroom. And anyone interested in working in the Sunday School in the future, just let Robin Mayhew know at 929-8185.

Fifth Grade Sunday School Class Raises Funds for UNICEF

Many thanks to those who contributed generously, and to the 5th grade students and their teachers, Marge and Rich Higgins and Lyn Walker, who so enthusiastically participated in this event.

As you may recall, they were stationed (holding cauldrons, no-less!) at the exits of the sanctuary, collecting coins from the congregation as they left church services. We collected $210.

~Robin Mayhew

Dedication of THE Needlepoint Kneelers for St. Paul’s

The Ministers The story began when Ed De Long asked me to be

Altar chair. Our paraments collection had not been replaced since 1967. The first paraments were blue, which we are using today. Next came the white ones - inspired by a church in North Carolina. Brydon Shirk in California made both the white and the green paraments.

Chet Kirk committed to complete the whole wardrobe of the altar. Brydon Shirk was asked to design the purple paraments, make the red ones, prepare the canvasses and provide the yarns for the kneelers. On June 26, 2000, before leaving, Chet asked the chair of the Memorials Committee to order the red paraments, the design of the purple ones and make a deposit for the Needlepoint Kneelers.

David Argo arrived and inherited a nightmare, untangling a near legal problem with Brydon Shirk. I think it is important to know that even God’s work doesn’t always go smoothly

Ann Harrison associate pastor during Chet, David and Karin's terms, is preaching her second sermon as pastor at her new church and could not be here. She recruited several "stitchers" in addition to the 3-4 commitments I had, and we were off and running. Karin Walker then stepped into the end of the story. So you see ministers do much more than preach!

The work begins We had no sizes, not even scale sizes of either the red paraments, or the kneelers, only the designs. Enters, Erica Wilson, a leading needlepoint person. I sent the patterns, scaled by Maurice Miller, who is with Recinos Upholstery in DC. She agreed to paint the canvasses and send us the yarn.

Acknowledgements. It was a formidable task; it took two years to complete the needlepoint and fabrication.The Donors First, the memorial funds donors: Deane Hill, Norma Frances and Homer Kempfer each gave in memory of Maurine. Kempfer. Nathalie Silver in memory of Marcel Valette; Gerry Hobbs in memory of Jim Hobbs; Marilyn Jenkins in honor of John Jenkins. The last two also contributed to the red paraments.The stars - the needle pointers, first I must mention an outstanding few: Ellie Malone who spearheaded the group; Harold Moyer who did 3^1/2 of the longest and most difficult kneelers; Norma Townsend who is preparing a meal for the participants and the donors, their families and our ministerial guests and staff. The rest of the "stitchers" are Rebecca Maier, Claire Kordella, Becky Schreirer (who even stitched during church!), Linda Ferrara, Ginny Hagberg, Debra McCurry and Janet Braddock (who made a generous donation). This is the most tedious needlepoint one could be asked to do. Most of them have little or no pattern, just hours of one color. They are hard to work with because they are so large, 6' x 20." Our labor of love is complete. The ministers, the donors and the needle pointers have given us a work of art. I hope that you will love them as much as I do.

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