THE

EPISTLE

&

 

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church  

10401 Armory Ave.

Kensington, Maryland   20895

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUNE 2006              Vol. 49, No. 6

8:30 Communion Service        10 a.m. Church and Summer Sunday School   10 a.m. Nursery

 

Summer Worship Opportunities

**All Children will begin in the sanctuary with their parents, and second graders and younger will be invited to leave after the Young People’s message to go to Summer Sunday School.  3rd through 5th graders will have the chance to fill out a children’s bulletin, take sermon notes, and design future bulletin covers!  Prizes will be given to those who participate for 3 weeks or more.  Place your notes and artwork on the counter in the box.

 

June 4 is Confirmation Sunday (page 5) when our young people become members of St. Paul’s.  Monumental Brass will be joining us for worship at 10 a.m. 

 

June 11 will be our communion service for the month. * Directory Pictures scheduled                                                                                                                            (page 4)

June 18 Come and celebrate fathers in worship (Father’s Day). Bells will be playing.

          * Directory Pictures scheduled

June 25 Celebrate summer each week.  Song selections are your favorites. (page 11)

          * Directory Pictures scheduled

 

JUNE ACTIVITIES

June 3 – Saturday – UMM Community Pancake Breakfast (page 3)

 

June 7 – Wednesday UMM General Meeting – cookout at Heavener Hall

 

June 10 – Saturday - UMW Mother-Daughter Tea (page 3)

 

July 12 – UMM Miniature Golf (page 3)

 

 

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

 

PAGE 1

 

Karin’s Comments

 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts.  The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.  (Psalm 28)

 

We have such a chance to make a difference in our world today by our deeds as well as our words, by our hospitality and good works.  We live in a time when there is oppression and injustice, poverty and disease, war and genocide.  There are questions about what is the right thing to do with respect to laws about immigration; laws related to sexual minorities, laws related to property rights and basic human rights.  There is ongoing debate about abortion and capital punishment. 

 

What we have continued to do at St. Paul’s is intentionally provide opportunities for conversations about those issues that affect all of our lives in this country and help us engage our faith and beliefs as we become more informed about all points of view.  Ultimately, the goal is a stronger sense of community and the creation of sacred space so that all may feel safe to wrestle with Christian brothers and sisters about these issues and prayerfully come to their own conclusions.      

 

We are a powerful witness to the love of Christ when we can have these kinds of conversations.  Imagine how the world could be a better place if peoples who differed with one another had first created community with one another, could debate their issues, and then come together and share a meal.

 

Yes, we do have very diverse opinions on every issue in the midst of our congregation but what better chance to meet new friends than to talk and debate with one another.  I believe that St. Paul’s, because of our unique geographical context close to Washington, D.C., can be a teaching congregation for other faith communities attempting to have dialogue about difficult issues.  Please join in some of these conversations as they are scheduled and help us design the model that other churches might come to adopt as well.

Ultimately, when the day is done, what we all agree upon is this: that the Lord is our strength, our refuge, our saving grace, and in Him, our hearts may trust.  In Him, may we find peace with one another and for our world, humor, grace, and an ability to laugh at ourselves.

 

Thanks for all you do to make St. Paul’s a place of hospitality!

            Grace and Peace,

            Karin

 

John’s Jottings

 

"I know how risky it can be to single out one person when this church has so many dedicated leaders.  But, because I am so closely involved with the Older Adult Ministry, perhaps you'll allow me to give a special accolade to Meg Baker.  Meg in her quiet way is amazing.  She prepares a special lunch each month for our "Tuesdays Together" (including her tasty fruit dish!)  She plays for our hymn sings.  She produces the Adult Newsletter each month, and coordinates our special programs-- such as the upcoming trip to Lancaster to see the "Sight and Sound" production.  She also coordinates our Joyful Visitors program.  In fact, she is one of those people always willing to do what she can to serve the needs of others, especially our older folks at St. Paul's.  I felt I just wanted to say for all of us, thank you Meg for your commitment and caring.  Bless you!

 

One other thing (while I have the floor).  We are thinking about starting a parish-nursing program at the church.  There is certainly a

need for this very specialized ministry, especially as some of our folks must deal with the advancing years.  Some of you have already

indicated an interest in this.  I believe an attempt was made to form such a ministry while Chet was here.  Perhaps now is the time to give

it a try once again and see what develops.  If you are interested or would like further information, please let Sue Roberts know, or Meg, or me.  Summer would be a good time to get the ball rolling."

                        Faithfully,

                                    John

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                Mother-Daughter Tea

The United Methodist Women Mother-Daughter Tea will be held on Saturday, June 10 from 2 -4 p.m. in Heavener Hall.  All women are invited to bring their loveliest teacup and enjoy a delightful afternoon.  Since June is the month for weddings, our tea will have a wedding theme.  We invite you to bring your wedding pictures to share.   You may also wear your wedding dress or bring it to put on display.  It would be fun to see wedding dresses from different generations so we can see how they have changed over the years.  I am sure this will generate a lot of conversation and will give the generations an opportunity to get to know each other better.  Please call Virginia Bickford at 301-598-5496 if you plan to bring a wedding dress so that we may have adequate numbers of tables set up in front or around the sides to display them and to keep them off the floor.  Please sign up for the Tea

in the Church Office or call Virginia Bickford.  The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children.  ring your mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, daughters, and friends for a ladies day out

 

            Becky Scheirer, Bev Burdin, and Virginia Bickford will share highlights from their trip to the United Methodist Women Assembly in Anaheim, CA.  The theme was Rise! Shine! and Glorify God!  And the theme was carried out in many different media:  song, dance, drama, and calls for justice.  Consider attending in four years when the Assembly will be in St. Louis.

             

 

 

U.M. MEN’S YARD SALE IS A HUGH SUCCESS!

 

Thanks to the planners and staff of the UMM Yard Sale and because of their hard work, we made in excess of $7,200.  We also wish to thank those making the contributions and purchases!

 

Although we are winding down our schedule and looking forward to a summer break, we still have a few activities slated for June, and one in July.  Please plan to participate.  As always, any activity involving Methodist men is filled with fun and fellowship!

Wed. June 7 – General Meeting – cookout

 

Sat. June 3 – Pancake Breakfast

(Proceeds will go to St. Paul’s Library)

 

 

 

 

 

Wed. July 12 – Miniature Golf Outing

(Gaithersburg Miniature Golf at Bohrer Park)

May you have a relaxing and enjoyable summer!

 

                        Harold Moyer

                        President, UMM

 

Women’s Pilgrimage to the Cathedral

The women’s small faith sharing group, begun in Lent, will conclude with a half day “pilgrimage and retreat” at the National Cathedral in D.C. on Tuesday June 6, from 10-1.  Led by Terri Simpson (Mary Jo and George’s daughter) this will be a time of meditation and reflection.  All women of St. Paul’s are invited to attend the pilgrimage.   Cost is $15.  Please sign up in the office.

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Sunday School during summer needs volunteers

Summer Sunday School will be offered this summer for kids aged three years to second

grade starting on May 28.  It will be held on the second floor (kindergarten room or 4-year-old room) beginning after the young people’s message.  It is a non-structured environment where the kids can play, do crafts, color, listen to music, have a snack and enjoy themselves while mommy and daddy are at church.

This program is run entirely by volunteers.   If you would like to participate in this easy, stress-free volunteer opportunity, please sign up to help one or two Sundays this summer.  The snack and craft will be provided and there is no lesson to prepare.  The sign up sheet is located in the stairwell outside the kindergarten room on the second floor.  If you have any questions, please call Laura Nelson at 301-593-1620 or email 4nelson@comcast.net

 

 

 

“Lancaster Bound”

And Other Senior Moments

 

The Older Adult Ministry has secured a limited number of tickets for the dramatic production, “Psalms of David” – a spellbinding and energetic journey through the heart and music of King David – at the Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA, on Saturday, June 24.   The cost of the trip is $55, which includes the show, a plentiful Pennsylvania Dutch buffet at Kreider Farms, and transportation.  We will leave at 8:15 a.m. and return around 5:30.   A previously published sign-up deadline of May 31 has been extended to June 3.  For more information, call Meg Baker at 301-589-1348.  

 

“Tuesdays Together”

will be taking a summer vacation this year but will hopefully return in September.   Other fellowship opportunities are being planned, including an inaugural “Picluck Potnic” in July.  Stay tuned for more information.  Meanwhile… Many, many thanks to the many, many folks who baked, cooked, arranged, shopped, and worked for last month’s Seniors Honoring Seniors reception.  It was a fun and tasty way to recognize St. Paul’s 17 graduating seniors.   A great big thanks, too, to the wonderful OAM team – Betty Capps, Deane Hill, Sue Roberts, David Taylor, Rev. John Walker, and Glen Whipple – for another great year!

 

                        Meg Baker                                         OAM Chair

 

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY

SIGN-UP DATES

THE NEXT STEP in creating our new Pictorial Directory is scheduling your photo “shoots,” on Sundays, June 11, 18, and 25, in the narthex between and after services, before folks scatter for the summer.  Olan Mills will be at St. Paul’s on August 17, 18th, and 19th, and again in October.  (You will receive reminders of your appointment time and date.)  If you cannot sign up on those Sundays, contact Margaret Clark [301-942-5523] or Sue Rice [301-946-1758].

            This directory is for everyone—members, families of members, extended families, visitors, friends and neighbors.  It will reflect who we are at this time in history, helping us know each other, work together, reach out to others, and be a welcoming congregation. It can only be perfect with YOU and your loved ones in it.

            Each family or “unit” photographed by Olan Mills will receive a free 8”x10” color portrait and a directory.  You are under no obligation to purchase pictures, but you may do so while you are there.  Our goal is 100% participation.  May we count on you?     

 

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Youth Baptisms FOR TWO CONFIRMANDS

 

On June 4th, we will celebrate the baptisms of two of our confirmands, Kiki Ochieng and Bobby Vinson at the 10:00 a.m. service.  Let us remember our own baptisms as we witness this ancient sacrament of welcome into the Church of Jesus Christ.

 

 

CONFIRMATION CLASS JOINS CHURCH on PENTECOST SUNDAY, JUNE 4th

PENTECOST SUNDAY, on which we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples, is an appropriate time to welcome this year's fine class of confirmands, and pray for the Holy Spirit to likewise become manifest in their lives.  Plan to be present for this important moment in the life of our congregation, and after worship, welcome these newest members:

 

Benjamin Ditto                    Jordan McEwan

Meredith Englehart           Allison Mancini

David Graham                     Emma Merrick

Leigh Harwood                   Akinyi “Kiki” Ochieng

Timothy Higgins                 Alannah Sandifer

Conor Jackman                   Alex Schiponi

Stewart Longsworth          Parker Smith

Logan Lopez                         Robert Vinson

 

Acolyte and Crucifers TO create a splash at Appreciation Party

 

All of St. Paul’s Acolytes and Crucifers are invited to an appreciation Pool Party at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 13 at the Kenmont Pool in Wheaton.  In addition to swimming and pizza, thank you gifts will be presented.  Please call Marge Higgins for additional information 301-946-5196

 

 

 

 

UNITED FOR CHILDREN CAMPAIGN

Zimbabwe Sponsorships Available June 3 - 11

 

Several years ago, the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church entered into a partnership with the Zimbabwe Annual Conference.  One of the fruits has been the United For Children Campaign, through which individuals or families in the United States can sponsor, for $28 per month, a child under the care and supervision of a Methodist ministry or institution in Zimbabwe.  Many of the children are AIDS orphans, and both the sponsored children, and their entire communities, benefit with every sponsorship.

At the June Pancake breakfast June 3, and on Sunday mornings, June 4 and 11, St. Paul’s Council on Children’s Ministries will have packets available for a number of children and teenagers who are in need of sponsors.  A check for $28 made out to “United For Children” is all that is needed to receive a packet and begin a sponsorship.  It is our hope to expand the number of St. Paul’s families who are currently supporting this wonderful outreach ministry

so: http://gbgm-umc.org/health/wad01/umemphasis.stm

 


PAGE 5

 

Calling All Youth and Parents of Youth!

 

Envisioning Youth Ministry

 

Help build an engaging and thriving youth program at St. Paul’s

     Come and share your ideas or listen to the ideas of others:

_    ideas for reaching new youth

_    ideas for helping our youth tackle tough issues of daily life

_    ideas for building a strong community of support among youth and parents

_    ideas for exploring big questions of faith and Christian life

_    ideas for having fun together

    Sunday, June 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Heavener Hall

_    Pizza or Subs from: 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

_    Community Building: 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.

_    Dialogue and Discussion: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by: St. Paul’s Youth Council

Note: Parents of upcoming sixth graders are encouraged to come; there will be a separate activity for upcoming 6th, 7th and 8th graders who do not wish to participate in the dialogue and discussion session.

 

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT BEFORE MEETING 

   THINK ABOUT THESE 4 QUESTIONS:

            1.  What do you like about current youth programs at St. Paul’s?

            2.  Where is there room for improvement and growth?

            3.  What ideas have you heard or read about involving other youth groups?               

            4.  Picture St. Paul’s Youth Program three years from now:

                        What does the picture look like?

                        What is going on?

PAGE 6

 

Acolyte and Crucifer Training:

 

New Acolyte Training will be offered on Monday, June 19, 7 - 8:30 p.m., in the Sanctuary.  Youth entering 6th grade and above are eligible to serve as Acolytes.  Please call or e-mail Mrs. Marge Higgins to express your interest: Marge.higgins@gsa.gov.

 

New Crucifer Training will be offered on Tuesday, June 20, 7-8:30 p.m., in the Sanctuary.  Youth entering 8th grade and above are eligible to serve as Crucifers.

 

Please call or e-mail Mrs. Marge Higgins to express your interest: 301-946-5196.

 

YOUTH VIM TEAM COMMISSIONED

On Sunday, July 9th, our Youth V-I-M Team to the “Great Bay” GROUP Work Camp in Exeter, NH, (July 16-22), will be commissioned during the 10:00 a.m. worship service.  The adult chaperones are: Pat Warren, and Rick Buckingham.  Participating youth include Lauren Beck, Kap Chatfield, David DeMoss, Sam Englehart, Mary Jeanne Harwood, Bobby Hewitt, Chris Higgins, Ted Lillie, Will McCurry and Kristina Taylor.  Thanks to everyone who have supported our UMYF fund-raisers this year!

 

Congratulations to the 2006 College and University Graduates:

Lindsay DeMoss -

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

 

 

Morgan Henderson -

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Nicholas Henderson -

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

 

 

Charlie Hodgson -

University of Maryland, College Park, MD

 

Luke Hodgson -

Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, MD

 

Jason Townsend -

Lincoln Technical Institute, Columbia, MD

 

(Please send corrections and additions to Rick Buckingham.)

 

Newest Eagle Scout IN CHURCH

Congratulations to 2006 High School Graduate Michael Porter upon his attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 207, May 13th, The Rev. George W. Buchanan participated in the ceremony at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church – the sponsoring institution.  Michael’s Eagle project was to paint the Days End Farm tack barn, for abused and neglected horses.  He makes the third generation of Eagle Scouts in the family (grandfather, and father soar with the eagles too).

 

Spring 2006 College Visits

 

Be sure to stop by the youth bulletin board, in the office hallway, to view the pictures of Rick Buckingham’s spring campus visits:

Maile Bliss -

University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Lindsay DeMoss -

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Jeff Scheirer -

Albright College, Reading, PA

Jason Townsend -

Lincoln Technical Institute, Columbia, MD

 

PAGE 7

 

 



Through the EYES OF Faith

 

In our April meeting, we discussed how we as a community of faith can address controversial and contentious issues  while ensuring that diverse view points are welcomed and  respected.  One such issue is immigration. We agreed that in holding a church-wide conversation about this very complicated public policy matter, we don’t need to replicate the heated debates that are going on in the country today. We recognized, however, that while there are varying opinions, we can openly share them and hopefully bring more light, and less heat, on the subject.  Moved by the Spirit, we invited the congregation to a dialogue on May 21, after the worship service. We called it “Christians in Conversation About Immigration.”  Two members of our church – Frankie Blackburn and David Stegmaier  presented their own views to begin the discussion. Afterwards, with Rev. Karin Walker’s guidance, we engaged the circle process which allowed all those present to dialogue about the points raised by the presenters. We then regrouped for an open forum, moderated by David Weaver.  By the end of the conversation, we adopted the following consensus statements:  “We agree to disagree on this issue of immigration but believe in the need for  human rights for all people.” And, “We are grateful for the chance to <