THURS DAY MAILING May 4, 2017

Transcription

1 THURSDAY MAILING May 4, 2017

2 In this edition.... Presbytery (staff/committees/congregations) May Birthday Greetings Pastoral Concerns Announcements Words from Wilson Wilson Gunn, General Presbyter Clerks Tip of the Month Sara Coe, Stated Clerk Letter from the Moderator Elder Bill Plitt Advocacy and Vigil for Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers May 6 Fairlington Presbyterian Church Elisabeth Von Trapp in Concert May 6 Boyds Presbyterian Church Songs of Life a benefit concert for the Interfaith Clothing Center May 7 Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church Anti-Bullying Workshop BULLIES in the Church May Saint Mark Presbyterian Church Register On-line (link on flyer) Film Screening I Am Not Your Negro May 21 Saint Mark Presbyterian Church Register On-line (link on flyer) The E Word May 23 - Open Space (Presbytery Meeting) National Presbyterian Church All Ears October 5 Lewinsville Presbyterian Church

3 Birthday Greetings for the Month of May Alice Anderson Bob Hoover, HR Norm Stanhope, HR Bob Angus, HR Margee Iddings, HR Lynn Stanton-Hoyle Stan Bliss, HR Fuad Khouri Kerry Stolzfus, HR Leslianne Braunstein Dorothy LaPenta, HR Teresa Suder, HR Rob Bromhead Larry Lees Jessica Tate Joseph Chen Clark Lobenstine, HR Dan Thomas, HR Jay Click David McNeilly Sara Varnado Gary Cook, HR Ann Philbrick John Wagner Quinn Fox Matthew Schlageter From the staff of National Capital Presbytery adele, colette debbie, jan, karen, lajuan, michael, sara, todd and Wilson

4 Pastoral Concerns The Reverend Dick McFail, HR (former NCP Stated Clerk) wife Nancy, cancer has spread, she is now in hospice care and not expected to see another Christmas. The family request no phone calls. Your prayers, cards/notes are appreciated. Send cards/notes to: 4101 South Custer Road, Apt. # 2116, McKinney TX The Reverend Jeff Krehbiel, (former pastor, Church of the Pilgrims) died on April 27 th at his home in Chicago. Memorial Service will be held on May 6, 2017, New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, 12 noon. Obituary here: *(New York Avenue will provide childcare during the memorial service. The church will have three background-checked child protection policy cleared sitters from 11 am - 3pm.) The Reverend Billy Tom (Bill) McDaniel, HR, of Woodbridge, VA passed away from a heart attack on April 24, He had been in poor health since a stroke at the end of Bill is survived by his wife of 37 years, Melinda Holley McDaniel; his brother, the Rev. Faries McDaniel and wife Ann; his daughters, Lois Williams and husband Tim, Beverly Juranek and husband Daniel, and Holleyanne McDaniel; four grandchildren, Lauren Graham and husband Paul, Ross Juranek and wife Deni, Cara Williams, and Leslie Juranek and fiancé Jeff Silva; and 5 great-grandchildren, Rhett Juranek, Luke Juranek, Kynlee Silva, Henry Graham, and Oliver Graham. Obituary here: 2/#!/Obituary

5 Announcements Presbytery's Israel-Palestine Mission Network Joins May 23 "Open Space" Workshop on 2018 General Assembly and the Overture Process - The National Capital Presbytery's Israel-Palestine Mission Network (IPMN-NCP) invites all friends of justice, peace and basic human rights to join us in participating in the Presbytery's May 23 (4-5 pm) Open Space workshop on "The General Assembly and the Overture Process for the 2018 General Assembly," led by our Presbytery's Stated Clerk Sara Coe. (see open space topics) Bringing about positive change and witnessing for Jesus Christ and his gospel of love, kindness, justice and peace requires discernment, strategic planning and technical know-how on our part, so that when the time comes we know how to work the levers of change to make things happen! Therefore, we urge you to participate in this Open Space workshop on Tuesday, May 23, 4-5 pm in conjunction with the Presbytery meeting taking place that evening. This will also be an opportune time to ask Sara Coe, "Okay, we're glad you, as Stated Clerk, are educating us on how congregations in our Presbytery can prepare overtures to the General Assembly. But once the GA passes some of the overtures, and those overtures become official PCUSA policy, what is our Presbytery and its congregations obligated, under official Presbyterian polity, to do then? Are we doing enough to fulfill our obligation to educate our Presbytery members and congregations about the GA-adopted resolutions that are now official PCUSA policy?" Anyone from any church is welcome to attend this workshop, but If you want to participate in the 5:15 p.m. buffet meal right after the Open Space hour, you can do that by registering for the meal at: if you do it ahead of the deadline for meal reservation. --Paul Verduin, chair, Israel-Palestine Mission Network of the National Capital Presbytery, cell TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in Herndon, Virginia is happy to celebrate 20 years of Stephen Smith-Cobbs ministry with us on May 28, We will begin with a joyful worship service at 10AM, followed by a reception at the church. Comoderator of the PCUSA, Reverend Jan Edmiston will be preaching. You are invited to join us for both the worship service and the reception or either of them. If you would like to write a reflection on your experience with Stephen or gratitude for his ministry, please send to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 651 Dranesville Rd, Herndon, VA , Attention Pastor Becca Messman. You may also it to Pastor Becca Messman at ap@trinityherndon.org. These reflections/memories may be shared during the service and will be compiled for Stephen and Paula to read at their leisure. Leadership Program in the Holy Land, October 16-29, 2017 The program will be led Mike Abel, John Lindner, and Susan Wilder, all of whom have extensive experience in Israel/Palestine. Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb and the DIYAR Consortium will host the program in Bethlehem. Framed in part by the themes of Dr. Raheb s book Faith in the Face Empire, the trip aims to offer an in-depth engagement with current realities and to view the Holy Land through a new, biblical lens. This opportunity is open to those who have some knowledge of the issues, ideally have visited Palestine and Israel, and are interested in learning more, going deeper, and making a difference by investing in hope. The group will explore the question: Where do we go from here on the journey toward peace, human rights and building bridges of understanding? The program will help to equip and prepare participants for the work back home in advocating and supporting efforts for a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis. This ecumenical trip is designed for leaders including pastors, emerging church leaders, professionals, educators, business and philanthropic leaders, organizational leaders from advocacy and support organizations, and religious journalists. To view the online brochure: For more information, contact John Lindner or lindnerjb@gmail.com.

6 The Cross and the Lynching Tree, part two of Theology, Racism, and Christian Practice: How Shall We Respond? hosted by Saint Mark Presbyterian Church and sponsored by National Capital Presbytery, The Presbyterian Outlook, Institute of Radical Reconciliation and Saint Mark Presbyterian Church. The series goal is to integrate Christian Theology with practices that counter racism in our lives and communities. The Cross and the Lynching Tree, with Dr. James Cone is now available on NCP's YouTube Channel - National Capital Presbytery.

7 May Dear Saints, On Saturday, May 6 we are invited to celebrate the life of Rev. Jeff Krehbiel at New York Ave. Presbyterian Church at 12 noon. Early this year Jeff was transferred to Chicago Presbytery and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer barely a month ago. Jeff was the pastor of the Church of the Pilgrims for 16 years. He was moderator of the Presbytery and a significant contributor to the work of the Presbytery Leadership Council which he chaired for several years. He was a significant presence in the formation of the 2006 Mission Statement of the Presbytery and served as the process coordinator and retreat leader for the Leadership Council Retreats which led into the new Mission Statement. He was also the most efficient speaker on his feet I have ever known. Where I might need three sentences, he needed one to cogently convey his insightful perspective. The process that led to our new mission statement is his most recent gift to us. At the March 21 Presbytery meeting the Presbytery approved the following mission statement and emphases after about a year of conversation across the Presbytery: ***** God is doing a new thing, now it springs forth. Do you perceive it? Isaiah 43:19 Sent by the Triune God to be agents of salvation, reconciliation and justice, we empower and challenge our congregations to be Missional, Pastoral and Prophetic. Emphases through 2022 We are a relational network, proclaiming the gospel, aspiring to unity in Christ, and celebrating our diversity in service to God s mission pursuing these emphases: 1. We will challenge, equip, and support our congregations and their leaders in their discernment of God s invitation to discipleship and stewardship as we: a. Serve as a catalyst for mission by connecting congregations with common local, national, and international mission interests. b. Bear public witness to the love, truth, and justice of God in Jesus Christ specifically in the areas of racism and reconciliation.

8 c. Cultivate and nurture our congregations to be communities of love striving for a healthy forgiveness and reconciliation with our neighbors, and working to dismantle the dividing walls of hostility and indifference. d. Provide a forum for our leaders and congregations to equip them with the skills for adaptive change. e. Connect ruling elders across congregations enriching their missional identity as apostles sent into the world to serve God s mission. f. Actively explore new ways of empowering and equipping congregations in their discipleship formation of children, youth, young and older adults. 2. We will launch new Christian communities. 3. We will provide care, oversight and accountability for teaching elders and certified educators. Our next step as agents of God s mission is to explore feasible strategies with our commissions and committees to live into this mission and set goals that are measurable for the accomplishment of these emphases. The previous mission statement focused the work of the Presbytery for the last 11 years with occasional amendments to the mission emphases. The work of the Presbytery can easily be glimpsed over that time in the mission videos which communicate some of those accomplishments. We hope you all might take joy in what we are doing together as National Capital Presbytery. See the videos at Also you will see a link to the Mission Highlights with additional information about the mission we sponsor together. Grace and Peace, Wilson

9 Clerk s Tip Presbytery Duty Regarding General Assembly Resolutions Paul Verduin, chair, Israel-Palestine Mission Network of the National Capital Presbytery, asks: Okay, we re glad you, as Stated Clerk, are educating us on how congregations in our Presbytery can prepare overtures to the General Assembly. But once the GA passes some of the overtures, and those overtures become official PCUSA policy, what is our Presbytery and its congregations obligated, under official Presbyterian polity, to do then? Are we doing enough to fulfill our obligation to educate our Presbytery members and congregations about the GA-adopted resolutions that are now official PCUSA policy? The Book of Order tells us that the presbytery has a responsibility to see that the guidance and communication of synod and General Assembly are considered and that any binding actions are observed and carried out. Book of Order G c. National Capital Presbytery has done this in a number of ways. 1. It distributes material from the General Assembly that summarizes the most important actions. 2. All of the NCP commissioners to the General Assembly present issues in breakouts and a plenary session at a presbytery meeting. 3. The presbytery votes on all constitutional amendments and all presbytery commissioners are supplied with an electronic copy of the booklet giving text and background on the amendments. 4. Various happenings at the GA are posted on the presbytery Facebook page, in the Clerk s Tips, in the Thursday Mail. 5. Various interest groups (Israel-Palestine Mission Network, Earth Care) distribute information on GA policies. The Associate Stated Clerk, Joyce Lieberman, put it this way: Other than the constitutionally mandated things, other actions of the GA (like social witness policy, mission initiatives, etc.) are not mandated for action/belief/implementation at the mid-council or congregational level. GA adopted PC(USA) policies inform the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly about how he may address society at large/ecumenical partners/others about the denomination s stances. It doesn t mean congregations/presbyteries/synods have to do something about it/adopt it/implement it/support it/learn about it. In answer to Mr. Verduin s question then, we are fulfilling our obligation. The General Assembly advises the members, congregations and Presbyteries pertaining to certain matters. It cannot mandate compliance or endorsement. Furthermore, if any commissioner wishes to commend or differ with any General Assembly decision, the Presbytery Open Space is an ongoing forum where those matters can be discussed by those who would like to attend.

10 May 4, 2017 Dear friends and fellow commissioners, To all the many of you who have lifted me up in your prayers, both personally, and within your congregations these past several weeks, I am truly overwhelmed by your love and support. There is no doubt in my mind that the power of prayer has led to a gradual, but steady recovery for me, and a renewal of my spirit. For this reconciliation, I am hopeful for a return to my duties, and to what I believe that the Lord still calls me to do in service to God s mighty Church. I am indeed grateful for the support of our Presbytery staff, and to the Worship and Theology committee, and to the Leadership Council members these many days. I am especially thankful to our Vice-Moderator, Rev. Quinn Fox, for standing in for me at Presbytery meetings during this time of transition. In Christ, BiLL Plitt, Moderator National Capital Presbytery

11 Advocacy and Vigil for Immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers May 6, 7-9:00 p.m. The Lawn of Fairlington Presbyterian Church 3846 King Street, Alexandria, VA Join as neighbors in solidarity with immigrants and refugees, learn about immigrant rights and reform of current laws and policies, and discover how you can help. Please share this event with your groups and friends. Go to the Facebook event page to get the latest information and register to attend ( If this event is too far from your home, please plan your own!! WE WILL: hear speakers from several advocacy groups learn of ways to support and participate listen to a DREAMer and a refugee tell our elected officials that this is a priority discuss why we need more immigration judges discover how to help refugee resettlement here be called to further action close the night with a candlelight vigil Please bring a chair or blanket and a candle (wax or battery run) for the closing vigil. Bathrooms and free parking available. To get more information or register your organization, go to the Facebook Event Page or mission@fpcusa.org. In case of rain, we will have the event inside the church. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free

12 ELISABETH VON TRAPP Free and open to the public Suggested donation $10.00 For more information contact: Tel:

13 SONGS of LIFE a benefit concert for the INTERFAITH CLOTHING CENTER Open to the public. Free-will monetary donations requested. (In-kind donations will not be accepted at the event). SUNDAY MAY 7 3:00 pm WARNER MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Connecticut Avenue Kensington, MD Parking lot across the street at corner of Prospect St. & Connecticut Ave. Questions? Contact: shirareeves@gmail.com Featuring contributions by local musicians and members of Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church Choir Kehila Chadasha Jewish Community Indonesian Kids Performing Arts (IKPA) Enjoy a mix of instrumental and vocal, chamber and choral music that draws on universal themes of childhood, love, loss, celebration, prayer, and wisdom. THE INTERFAITH CLOTHING CENTER in Rockville provides low-income families with clothing and home goods free of charge, allowing them to use more of their resources on food, rent, utilities, medicine, and other basic needs. We are grateful to our sponsors WARNER MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH KEHILA CHADASHA JEWISH COMMUNITY INDONESIAN KIDS PERFORMING ARTS (IKPA) INTERFAITH CLOTHING CENTER INDONESIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION IMAAM CENTER

14 BULLIES in the Church How to Distinguish Between Normal Conflict and Bullying 6 Strategies to Deal with Entrenched Bullies date hours place cost $150 May 17 18, 2017 (Wednesday Thursday) 9:30 am 3:30 pm Saint Mark Presbyterian Church Old Georgetown Rd., Rockville, MD contact For more information register Online at Anti-Bullying Workshop Day 1: Leaders Jane Ellen Reid and James Issacs from Cooperative by Design, a consortium of peacebuilding practitioners and organizational consultants, will lead discussion about how to diagnosis conflict and its impact on the congregation or system, and strategies for intervening. Day 2: Focus will be on practical application of the knowledge gained with opportunities for case studies, small group processing of personal experiences, and more discussion of leading adaptive change within church communities with ingrained and long-standing patterns.

15 Film Screening A screening of the Academy Award nominated film, based on James Baldwin s writing. I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO Directed by Raoul Peck Film critics say I Am Not Your Negro offers an incendiary snapshot of James Baldwin s crucial observations on American race relations and a sobering reminder of how far we have yet to go. Discussion will follow the film. This is Part III of the Racism, Theology and Christian Practice Forum addressing ways to counter the sin of racism and white supremacy. MAY 21, 7:00 pm Saint Mark Presbyterian Church Old Georgetown Road North Bethesda, MD Registration is free and strongly recommended: ( For more information contact Pastor Roy Howard pastor@saintmarkpresby.org

16 E THE How does the Mainline Church Share the Good News in the 21 st Century? WORD As Presbyterian congregations, we have a pretty good idea of what we want evangelism NOT to look like - plenty of those examples! But we're vague and inconclusive about what it SHOULD look like: how does evangelism work in a pluralistic society? What right do I have to pretend that you need something I have? Why do we need evangelism - doesn't serving one's community speak louder than words? And what exactly is "good news" to our neighbors? JOIN US FOR AN OPEN SPACE PANEL DISCUSSION on Tuesday, May 23, from 4:00-5:15 p.m. as we grapple with the Biblical mandate to be a 'light unto the world' in an increasingly diverse society. Panelists: Rev. Jenn Butler, Founder and CEO of Faith in Public Life Rev. Roy Howard, Pastor, St. Mark's PC, Bethesda, MD Rev. Bob Melone, Pastor, Mt. Vernon PC, Alexandria Rev. John Molina-Moore Presented by New Worshipping Communities Team and the Church Development Committee.

17 Have a desire to do something new while still preaching from your current pulpit? Feeling the urge to do more face-to-face ministry with Dones and Nones? Seeing potential in your community for a fresh expression of faith but not quite sure how to do it? Knowing you re getting tapped on the shoulder by the Spirit to do something different alongside your ministry day job? Talk to us. We re all ears. (And, we ll buy you lunch!) October 5 th, 12 2 Lewinsville Presbyterian Sponsored by New Worshipping Communities RSVP (because, lunch.): Karen at kchamis@thepresbytery.org