Karin’s
Comments
“For
where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Ever think about the
treasures we store up. They may be
counted in dollars or collectibles or jewelry or real estate. Or we may count
them in friends, relationships with family members, our faith community, our
place of employment. If we pause to
think about what is important to us, does the amount of time we spend there
bear witness to its importance in our lives.
During the Lenten season, a spiritual discipline of my
life is to write a note each week to someone who has been important to 
me and to
thank them. At times, it has been a
coach, a spiritual mentor, a teacher, a relative, or a friend. The truth is that writing those letters and
remembering the “gifts” of another’s care is a wonderful blessing in my
life. We take for granted, I think,
some of those important relationships.
It is hindsight that often improves our vision about who and what is
important.
Let
us begin the Lenten season by making a list of our “treasures,” so that
we might make sure our hearts and time are in synch with whom we truly value and appreciate.
In
Christ’s Love,
Karin
John’s
Jottings
"Since
St. Patty's Day is coming up soon, my thoughts turn to an old saying about
"the luck 'o the Irish". Maybe
there is something about the
carefree,
happy Irish that makes things happen that way.
But personally, I have often wondered about that 
expression, "good luck." It's nice to hear it and we hear it all the
time. "Luck," however, can
usually be interpreted as chance. It's a
nice expression, but it really doesn't mean a whole lot. "Luck" is not likely to win you any
power ball or lottery the land over. In
fact, it's rather pathetic that so many people do depend on "luck"
to get their heart's desires.
Years ago, when I was
serving with the military in Germany,
I noticed down in Bavaria, in southern Germany,
there was an expression that made a lot more sense. When a Bavarian greeted another or departed
from another he would usually say "Gruess Gott". Roughly translated that means "God
bless
you" or "God be with you". I
understand they still say it easily and as a matter of course. I like that better than leaving things to
chance when I greet my friends or leave them.
I've gotten into the habit of saying something like "I'll see you--
or take care-- and God bless!" Actually,
I
think
the Irish, who are generally so devout, would rather take to that idea also. "Good luck" leaves everything to
chance. "God bless" puts the
emphasis where it ought to be...
Take care, everyone-- and God bless!
John
PAGE 2
As a young girl in The
Methodist Church several decades ago, I regularly saw notices for “Circle
Meetings.” I had no idea what these circles were. Not only did I not know, I
never asked. I accepted this as a mystery I put in a category of adult things.
The truth
is, even young women are welcome in United Methodist Women, the current name
for an organization with a rich history of women’s activism at home and around
the world. Women of all ages and interests are welcome and invited to explore
UMW and discover a supportive sisterhood of women who want to grow in their
Christian faith and make a difference in the lives of women, children, and
youth. We are a group whose purpose is mission!
Our larger St. Paul’s unit meets in smaller groups
called circles. Our new Martha
Circle is composed of the members of our
former Miriam Circle
and Deborah Circle.
They meet at 10:30 on the first Wednesday morning of each month at the church.
Lydia Circle meets at church, 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of
the month.
Sarah Circle also meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday, but
we take turns meeting at each other’s homes.
We are blessed to have two
circles of mostly younger women and both are growing and active groups of women
who contribute a lot to our organization. Prisca Circle meets at 7:30 p.m.
on the first Friday of the month, at church. Occasionally they have a special
meeting at an alternate time, so watch for announcements.
Finally, we have our Jochebed Circle,
who usually meet on the first Saturday morning of each month at church, during
the Pancake Breakfast (a great place to leave the kids with Dad for a while).
Don’t forego,
as I did in my youth, the opportunity to join a wonderful organization! We
welcome new friends and ideas and hope you will join us.
~Becky Scheirer, President
UMW
UNITED METHODIST MEN HIGHLIGHT UPCOMING EVENTS
On Saturday,
March 4th, from 8-10:30 a.m., the Pancake Breakfast will be held in
Heavener Hall. Proceeds will benefit the Red Bird Missionary
Conference. Many thanks to our loyal pancake eaters and workers, who come
out to support these breakfasts. Whether you come to eat or to work, it's
a wonderful combination of gastronomic enjoyment and fellowship.
The UMM Executive Committee
will meet on Wednesday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m. in Library.
Mark
your calendar for our next UMM Supper and General Meeting, which
will be held on Wednesday, April 5th
Reminder:
The
UMM Indoor/Outdoor Yard Sale is not too far off, so please start gathering up
those potential saleable treasures and trinkets. Sale dates: May 12 and 13; receiving
day, May 11.
Items not accepted: computers, beds, baby car seats, and large
exercise equipment
Working with you in service,
Harold
Moyer
President UMM
PAGE 3
MULCH FOR SALE
ORDER IN MARCH - RECEIVE
APRIL 1
The
Trustees, Finance Committee and Youth Group are jointly conducting a mulch sale
to raise funds 
to support this summer’s
youth mission trip and to fund much needed repairs to the church parking
lot. Shredded hardwood mulch in 3
cubic foot bags can be ordered for $4.00 per bag. The mulch will be for sale after
church on March 5th - March 26 - payment in advance. We will deliver to people
in the Kensington area, on Saturday, April 1. People outside Kensington, may pick up the
mulch on Saturday April 1st at St. Paul’s.
Tell your friends and neighbors about this. If you have questions, please contact Paul
Beck at paulbeck01@comcast.net or at 301-461-4888.
Paul Beck
Lenten
class on Ethics, starting Monday, March 6
"A
Life Worthy of the Gospel" How do Christians think and act faithfully
in a complex and often ambiguous world?
Join this class where ethicist Dr. Sondra Wheeler (Ph.D., Yale) lectures
via DVD, using helpful examples from scripture and from church history. Local moderator, Emily Robinson, will lead
group discussions and class exercises. A
six-week course on Mondays - choose Session A at 10:15 a.m. or Session B at
7:15 p.m. Sign-up sheet is in church
office. Participant pamphlet, $6.25.
COME
TO THE CLUB POTLUCK
Put
on something GREEN and come to the March l4th (Second Tuesday) meeting of
the FRIENDSHIP CLUB. We meet in Heavener
Hall at 11:30 a.m. with potluck and entertainment by The Class Act,
a vibrant trio appearing in costume and bursting with talent, who will take you
on an energetic musical tour. Their
songs and dances are infectious as they present opera, Broadway, Spanish dance,
jogs, jazz, trumpet solos, Israeli and Greek dances, ballads and hoedowns. They do it all. Versatility is the keyword
for this bright and varied show. See you
there!
KITCHEN HELP NEEDED AT THE LUNCHEONS
We need some help in the
kitchen. No “dishes to wash” - our
faithful Men’s Club provides dishwasher skills. Thanks! Tracey and Marco set up tables. Thanks!
We
need someone by 10 a.m. to help get the potluck food ready and put on
the buffet table. We need someone to
serve coffee and tea. After lunch, we
need help in clearing the tables and drying dishes.
(Folks who help with clean-up
chores get to eat first).
Ann
Brall, President
301-588-4608
PAGE 4
Educational
Award BAKED
GOODS SALE ‑ March 4th
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.
Questions? Call Rick Buckingham (301-933-7933). Reserve the date now!
WESTERN
YOUTH VARIETY SHOW PLANNED
The
variety show will be held in Heavener Hall on Sunday evening, 7-8:30 p.m., March
19th. Our 2006 theme is “The 
Wild, Wild West.”
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 again be participating in a
GROUP work camp, doing improvements on the homes of senior citizens. Tickets,
including the show and a dessert, will be $7 Adult, $5 youth, $3 under
12.
SOUPerbowl A Great Success!
Thank you to all who
supported this UMYF project on Superbowl Sunday, February 6th. We collected a record $312.15 for the hungry,
which was donated to Bethesda Helps.
PASTORAL VISIT TO PA AND AZ
In April, Rick Buckingham will make pastoral calls on St. Paul’s young adults that are in school or the military
located in eastern Pennsylvania 
and Arizona.
He will be visiting students in eastern Pennsylvania
April 6 - 7, and in Phoenix,
Arizona, April 18 - 19. Please let Rick know about persons who
should be on his list, providing current contact information.
New
God & Country Class begins
Starting on Thursday, March
16, Rick Buckingham will be leading a new God & County program at the
“God & Church” level (for 6th, 7th and 8th
graders.) Participants who complete the
program will be eligible for the “God & Country” medal which can be worn on
the Boy Scout uniform. The class will
meet on most Thursday evenings in the Conference Room, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Interested youth are asked to obtain the “God
& Church” packet from the Marriott
Scout Center,
and to register with Rick by March 12th.
TEEN-PARENT CYM FELLOWSHIP NIGHT SET FOR MARCH 26th
Youth
and their parents are invited to participate in our annual FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
POT-LUCK SUPPER at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, March 26th. This evening of fun
and sharing is designed to promote communication and understanding between
youth and adults. 
After dinner, teams of youth
and parents will offer competing skits on the theme, “Then and Now.”
Each family is asked to bring a dish for eight using the following guide:
A-G side
dish H-L main dish
M-R dessert S-Z
salad.
All are welcome to
participate! Please join us. Use the
sign‑up sheet available in the church office to let us know that your
family will be participating. We will
conclude by 8:00 p.m.
PAGE 5
BOOK SIGNING
OF Children
Kept from the Sun BENEFIT CHILDREN
On
Sunday, March 5 at 2 p.m. in the Octagon, we are co-sponsoring a reading
and signing of Frances Connell’s book, which recounts her experience as a Peace
Corp volunteer in Afghanistan.
Proceeds will benefit Afghan children and refugee women in development. For
info, call 301-661-2661.
Ecumenical Advocacy Days meet in crystal city
On March
10-13 (Friday - Monday), at the Double Tree Hotel in Crystal City,
hundreds of Faithful Americans will participate in a faith-building,
community-sharing, skill-mastering experience in democracy and advocacy. Among
its goals: learn about the key issues of faith and public life and engage
members of Congress. For more info: Call
Jon Melegrito http://www.advocacydays.org
or mail@faithfulamerica.org.
THE Star Tree Program GIFTS
ARE A SUCCESS EACH HOLIDAY
Our members provide gifts to disadvantaged children who
participate in the Talent, Education, Arts and Mentoring (TEAM) after-school
program in Washington, D.C.
Pictures from the Christmas Party are posted on our bulletin board. Thank you for your continued generosity that
makes this program a success each holiday. If you wish to be involved,
contact Dick McMullen (301-942-8986) or Marie Powell (301-946-7262).
Fair Trade Coffee SERVED DURING FELLOWSHIP HOUR
We’ve received compliments
about how much better the coffee is (served during the fellowship hour) and how
this project promotes social justice. Those interested in fairly traded coffee
may purchase from Equal Exchange, an employee-owned fair trade organization,
which offers a full line in bulk whole bean, packaged whole bean, drip and/or
percolator grind. By purchasing through the UMCOR Coffee Project, Equal
Exchange makes a contribution to the UMCOR Small Farmer Fund, which supports
coffee farmers and their families. To order: Call 781-830-0303 x 228, E-mail or
log on to
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/equalexchange/index.html
Lunch in Rio de Janeiro with a Child Feeding Program
We invite you to start a
new Lenten practice and help make a difference.
PAGE 6
One
Great Hour of Sharing ON SUNDAY, MARCH 26
Each
year, on the fourth Sunday in Lent- March 26, 2006, United Methodists
come together to support United Methodist Committee on Relief’s (UMCOR)
ministries through One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). UMCOR serves
millions of people around the world. It
responds to catastrophic disasters such as floods, civil unrest and violence,
refugee crises, landslides, earthquakes, and famine. When the emergency ends, recovery work
begins. UMCOR continues its ministry
long after the media attention and public interest has faded.
¨
Less than 10% of UMCOR's budget goes to administrative costs.
¨
UMCOR receives
NO World Service or other apportionment funds.
¨
Administrative
costs must come from OGHS - it helps meet those expenses.
YOUR GIFT HELPS IN THREE WAYS
1. Because of
OGHS, 100% of every dollar you donate to a specific UMCOR project can be
spent on that project and not on administrative costs.
2. Gifts over
and above those used to cover administrative costs are channeled where they're
most needed -- to assist the most vulnerable people whose need is
greatest. OGHS gifts also assist UMCOR
programs that have not been fully funded through designated Advance gifts.
3. Your gifts
to OGHS, channeled through UMCOR, enables our church to answer the call
of Jesus - to be the hands and heart of the church wherever people
are suffering.
ü See the insert with special OGHS calendar
ü 
Coin banks and magnets
will be available in the Narthex beginning Feb. 26th
ü We will collect the offering
on
Sunday, March 26th
Athena Gaalswyk
Stewardship:
Time for Renewal on sunday, March 26
Did you know that over 90 %
of our church’s operating budget is funded by individual contributions? The passing of the plate is not just a
symbolic expression of our commitment to support our church; it’s essential
to all our ministries. Your generous
financial support keeps the doors open, the lights on, the roof intact, the
organ tuned, and the Sunday school supplied with books and curriculum. It pays our devoted and highly capable
professional staff. And it supports
charitable and evangelical ministries in our community, our nation, and the world.
To
help the church’s leaders plan the annual budget, everyone in the church is
asked each spring to make an estimate of their 
giving to the church’s general
operations fund during the next twelve months (April to March). Several times during the year, you will
receive an update on how your giving compares to your estimate. An estimate is not a contract, and of course,
everyone’s circumstances can change throughout a year. Nevertheless, this annual estimate is
important to help the church plan responsibly, and it is an important way each
of us can respond to God’s call to sacrifice in a spirit of joyful giving.
You’ll
be hearing a lot more in the month of March about our annual renewal. Most importantly, stewardship envelopes,
beautifully decorated by the elementary Sunday School students, are being sent
to each church member’s home. Inside you
will find useful (if somewhat dry!) information about the church’s finances and
a form to renew your annual Estimate of Giving. The Estimate form will be collected during
the church service on Consecration Sunday, March 26, or you can
return it to the church office any time in March.
If you have any questions, please contact me
at hill-godfrey@comcast.net. Thank you for all your gracious support!
John Godfrey, Stewardship Coordinator
PAGE 7
The
Disciple II classes are currently studying the Gospel of Luke and the Book of
Acts. How did the early Christians
maintain their faith and spread the message?
It was certainly a courageous ministry.
These books may answer your questions.
The People’s New Testament Commentary
by M. Eugene Boring (call #225.7 Bor REF) includes study notes on translation
differences, historical context and cultural
references. This excellent resource will
be shelved in our reference section.
Thirty Years that Changed the World: The Book of Acts for Today by Michael Green (call
#226.6 Gre) describes the dangerous world that the first Christians found
themselves in. Many were eyewitnesses to
the ministry of Jesus, and Green describes
how they were transformed by that experience.
Finally,
try this book featuring some individualized perspectives on various
biblical
men – some larger than life characters, and others not as well known.
Strong in Heart: Biblical Men of Compassion by Marjorie L. Kimbrough
(call
#220.9
Kim) describes men who listened to God.
These
new books, and others on the Book of Acts, will be on display this month. We thank the UMM for their continued
support of the library through funding our new book purchases. We look forward to presenting more new books
to you in the months ahead!
Debra McCurry
~Librarian
Until Marguerite Anastasi
gets more comfortable with her new duties in the shop, I (Evelyn) will still
write our column.
We thank Del Moyer for
inviting Ken and me to speak at the February meeting of the American Business
Women's Association. We had a great time
and also sold crafts.
We
have more invitations - a church in Chambersburg,
PA; the Methodist Conference in Baltimore; the Women's Missionary Weekend in Hagerstown; and a church
in Lewistown, MD.
Quote: “Members of a mountain climbing team rope
themselves together to prevent the sensible ones from going home.”
Shopkeeper:
Marguerite Anastasi
Helpers:
Ken and Evelyn Pinkard
……………
REDEMPTION: THE
MESSAGE OF LENT
Join us in worship for this
season of lent as we focus on Jesus’ work of salvation on our behalf. May we observe a holy lent by focusing on how
we might be Jesus’ redeemed people.
March 5:
Temptations, Mark 1:9-15, Redemption in obedience.
March 12:
Mark 8:31-39, Redemption in Suffering.
March 19: Exodus10/I Corinthians
1:18-25, Redemption in Relationship.
March 26: Numbers 21:4-9, John
3:14-21, Redemption in the Right Places, “Look up and raise
your heads.”
PAGE 8
SERVED ON FEBRUARY 28
